Winsford Soul Posted February 26, 2014 Share Posted February 26, 2014 Peter, Collins Gem do a good series of ID books for Birds about the size of a fag packet, not as in depth as some others but is certainly pocket size, they also do others in the series for Butterflies, Trees and Insects, they are around £5 I think Used to carry mine around every where Martyn. Fag packet that is when I smoked Steve Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Martyn Pitt Posted February 26, 2014 Share Posted February 26, 2014 Thanks Martyn. wasn't sure which one it was. So hard to tell them apart. Steve On the Marsh Tit the spot on the upper mandible is definitive, (they also have a pale line runs up the edge of the greater coverts), the Marsh Tit always looks a neater bird, the Willow tends to look scruffy. Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted February 26, 2014 Share Posted February 26, 2014 When I looked at the various guides they where all pointing towards the willow tit regarding the stockiness of the head and shoulder area. If anyone on here would know I knew it would be you mate. you never fail to amaze me Steve Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 (edited) Pintail duck Steve Edited February 27, 2014 by Winsford Soul Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Martyn Pitt Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 leighton moss 25 feb pintail duck.jpg Pintailed duck Steve Looks a bit choppy there Steve Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 Looks a bit choppy there Steve Yes Martyn it was Morecambe bay is as you know slightly open to the elements Steve Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 Snowdrops Steve Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Missing Link Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 Here's some snowdrops at Attingham Park in Shropshire. 2 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 Here's some snowdrops at Attingham Park in Shropshire Makes my little bunch seem quite insignificant. When my Dad. RIP .lived down in Shropshire (bishops castle ) he would mention attingham park and say it was worth a visit. Never .did get to see it with him. Steve Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Missing Link Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 Makes my little bunch seem quite insignificant. When my Dad. RIP .lived down in Shropshire (bishops castle ) he would mention attingham park and say it was worth a visit. Never .did get to see it with him. Steve Sorry - I wasn't trying to outdo you. Shame you never got to see it with your Dad. Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 Sorry - I wasn't trying to outdo you. Shame you never got to see it with your Dad. I know you wasn't, the thought never even entered my head. Thank you anyway. Steve 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Amsterdam Russ Posted February 28, 2014 Author Share Posted February 28, 2014 (edited) Nice stuff Steve . I like to think I know a bit about birds but there are loads of species I struggle with/get mixed up with. I have a fairly hefty reference book which I can use at home but isn't very practical to carry around outside. Do you use a reference book at all? Peter I've quite a number of books which I mainly collected when I was an enthusiastic kid and eager member of the Young Ornithologists Club. That must have been late 70s, I suppose. The one I use as a field guide is The Hamlyn Guide to Birds of Britain and Europe (author Bertel Bruun, published 1975). No idea if that's still available today. Because it covers Europe as well it's handy to take it on holiday - very useful when encountering all those unfamiliar species. Had a quick look on Amazon and this book is still being published with the most recent edition being June of last year. Here's a link to it if anyone's interested: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0753725274 Edited February 28, 2014 by Russell Gilbert 2 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted February 28, 2014 Share Posted February 28, 2014 (edited) Russell. It is indeed a fine book, have mine somewhere, got books on birds, fishing, photography, soul music and man United all tucked away in the attic apart from the two RSPB pocket guides that are Always to hand. Steve Edited February 28, 2014 by Winsford Soul Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Amsterdam Russ Posted February 28, 2014 Author Share Posted February 28, 2014 got books on birds, fishing, photography, soul music and man United Snap! Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted March 3, 2014 Share Posted March 3, 2014 What a day at Leighton Moss. Will post some pictures this week. Seen my first ever avocet, and marsh harriers. Stunning birds. Also seen male and female peregrine falcon. Ravens. Sparrow hawk. Bullfinch, marsh tits, two red deer hinds and a woodmouse. Steve 3 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted March 14, 2014 Share Posted March 14, 2014 Avocet taken recently at Leighton moss Steve Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted March 14, 2014 Share Posted March 14, 2014 (edited) Avocet at Leighton moss. These pictures where taken from approximately 400 yds away and cropped to show the bird and a bit of the lagoon . just wish these beautiful birds would have been a lot closer to get a decent close up Steve Edited March 14, 2014 by Winsford Soul 2 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Popular Post Winsford Soul Posted March 14, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted March 14, 2014 Marsh Harrier taken from a long way accros the Moss Steve 5 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Popular Post Harry Crosby Posted March 14, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted March 14, 2014 (edited) Had a days fishing on the River swale in Yorkshire on Wednesday. Was a joy to be on the riverbank, after all the floods over the winter. Always plenty of wildlife. I arrived at 6am just as it was getting light, there was a heavy mist shrouding the river and the surrounding fields. As I walked the river, I put up two deer in the field to me right, which in turn startled a couple of Hares, there were pheasants all over the place, also a few grey partridges, which were nice to see as there in serious decline. Once on the river bank I was treated to the Dawn chorus. Gangs of long tailed tits flitted from willow to willow, a shrill peeeeep!! made my ears prick up. and with a flash of electric blue, the best angler on the river flew past and settled in a small bush upstream. Directly opposite at the top of an old oak I could just about see a large bird on the trunk of the tree, as I looked through my binoculars, I could see it was a green woodpecker. It really is a wonder I get any fishing done, watching all these wonderful creatures on the river. As for the fishing? I really didn`t care, its, as always more a case of just being there. !!! Edited March 14, 2014 by HARRY CROSBY 5 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Popular Post Spook Posted March 14, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted March 14, 2014 Just a quick selection of snaps from our last visit to Orkney, inc one of me to show how close we were. Hundreds of puffins living on the cliff face. 6 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted March 14, 2014 Share Posted March 14, 2014 Just a quick selection of snaps from our last visit to Orkney, inc one of me to show how close we were. Hundreds of puffins living on the cliff face. RIMG0144.JPG DSC01250.JPG DSC01239.JPG DSC01254.JPG RIMG0149.JPG RIMG0113.JPG RIMG0125.JPG RIMG0146.JPG DSC01258.JPG DSC01219.JPG Spook .love the pictures. I,m hoping to realise one of my ambitions to photograph puffins later this year when I visit Skomer.. Steve Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted March 14, 2014 Share Posted March 14, 2014 Had a days fishing on the River swale in Yorkshire on Wednesday. Was a joy to be on the riverbank, after all the floods over the winter. Always plenty of wildlife. I arrived at 6am just as it was getting light, there was a heavy mist shrouding the river and the surrounding fields. As I walked the river, I put up two deer in the field to me right, which in turn startled a couple of Hares, there were pheasants all over the place, also a few grey partridges, which were nice to see as there in serious decline. Once on the river bank I was treated to the Dawn chorus. Gangs of long tailed tits flitted from willow to willow, a shrill peeeeep!! made my ears prick up. and with a flash of electric blue, the best angler on the river flew past and settled in a small bush upstream. Directly opposite at the top of an old oak I could just about see a large bird on the trunk of the tree, as I looked through my binoculars, I could see it was a green woodpecker. It really is a wonder I get any fishing done, watching all these wonderful creatures on the river. As for the fishing? I really didn`t care, its, as always more a case of just being there. !!! Harry . You make it sound as good as it is . River season over for you now mate. you can always go puddle chucking steve 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Harry Crosby Posted March 14, 2014 Share Posted March 14, 2014 Harry . You make it sound as good as it is . River season over for you now mate. you can always go puddle chucking steve Only natural ponds for me mate. I do like a bit of early morning Tench fishing. Non of those commercial ponds for me though Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted March 14, 2014 Share Posted March 14, 2014 Only natural ponds for me mate. I do like a bit of early morning Tench fishing. Non of those commercial ponds for me though Harry. there,s a distinct lack of natural venues in Manchester. plenty within a hours ish drive. so not so bad Steve 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Spook Posted March 14, 2014 Share Posted March 14, 2014 Spook .love the pictures. I,m hoping to realise one of my ambitions to photograph puffins later this year when I visit Skomer.. Steve Hi Steve, Puffins are very friendly its the "Gilly Mots" that dive bomb you along with the seagulls :-) The main problem is the Puffins only nest on that particular area on Orkney for 5 or 6 weeks of the year and they are off again until next year, so if you go to Skomer to photograph them please check its the time of year they will be there . Best David 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted March 14, 2014 Share Posted March 14, 2014 Hi Steve, Puffins are very friendly its the "Gilly Mots" that dive bomb you along with the seagulls :-) The main problem is the Puffins only nest on that particular area on Orkney for 5 or 6 weeks of the year and they are off again until next year, so if you go to Skomer to photograph them please check its the time of year they will be there . Best David Thanks David . Have checked at Skomer, they arrive in May and nest from June onwards. my trip is planned for sometime in the first two weeks of June so will hopefully be ok. the island is limited to three boat landing per day with a 250 limit on visitor numbers so as not to cause to much disturbance Best Steve 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Harry Crosby Posted March 14, 2014 Share Posted March 14, 2014 Harry. there,s a distinct lack of natural venues in Manchester. plenty within a hours ish drive. so not so bad Steve Think my mate, fishes the Ribble a lot down there Steve. Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Popular Post Winsford Soul Posted March 14, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted March 14, 2014 Peregrine falcons Again taken with a long 400ml lens and cropped to see the birds better Steve 4 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Peter99 Posted March 14, 2014 Share Posted March 14, 2014 Winsford Soul, on 14 Mar 2014 - 6:20 PM, said: IMG_6129.JPGIMG_6132.JPG Peregrine falcons Again taken with a long 400ml lens and cropped to see the birds better Steve Nice one Steve Pretty majestic aren't they. Peter 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted March 14, 2014 Share Posted March 14, 2014 (edited) Nice one Steve Pretty majestic aren't they. Peter Pete they are truly majestic birds, was lucky enough to hear the male calling the female and watch him deliver a small bird, which I think is visible in one of the pictures as she holds it in one of her talons Steve Edited March 14, 2014 by Winsford Soul 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Chris L Posted March 15, 2014 Share Posted March 15, 2014 This must now count as a Wildlife photo, the amazing Voyager 1. Launched in 1977 and still going strong, is now some 19 billion kilometres from Earth and entered interstellar space, the 1st man-made object to ever do so, now that's wild ! 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted March 15, 2014 Share Posted March 15, 2014 This must now count as a Wildlife photo, the amazing Voyager 1. Launched in 1977 and still going strong, is now some 19 billion kilometres from Earth and entered interstellar space, the 1st man-made object to ever do so, now that's wild ! Voyager1.jpg Chris. It was launched two years after my allnighter journey started. I have definitely had some wildlife encounters on my incredible journey and I've also met a few spacemen on the way. Steve 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 Another day spent at Leighton Moss RSPB reserve. Seen peregrine falcon , male and female marsh harriers, little egret, goldcrest wrens x 2, and heard my first chiffchaff of the year. Always I sound I love to hear. Even had a robin feeding out of my hand. How lucky am I that a wild bird trusted me enough to land on my outstretched hand. Will get round to posting some pictures soon. Steve 2 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Martyn Pitt Posted March 18, 2014 Share Posted March 18, 2014 Oi smiffy ... get a job Duck .... The last one is quite scarce as far inland as Belvide,it's an American Long Tailed Duck, it has been with us 120 days now ... be charging it rent soon 2 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Martyn Pitt Posted March 18, 2014 Share Posted March 18, 2014 Black Wings Have My Angel ..... we need more Coots 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted March 18, 2014 Share Posted March 18, 2014 Oi smiffy ... get a job Duck .... The last one is quite scarce as far inland as Belvide,it's an American Long Tailed Duck, it has been with us 120 days now ... be charging it rent soon 398_007.jpg 398_086.jpg 398_046.jpg Martyn. What do I want a job for ? I,m enjoying myself to much. may have six months off maybe more cant make my mind up Got a picture somewhere I,ve taken of a long tailed duck up at Leighton moss. Steve Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Martyn Pitt Posted March 18, 2014 Share Posted March 18, 2014 Martyn. What do I want a job for ? I,m enjoying myself to much. I am just jealous Steve ... 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted March 18, 2014 Share Posted March 18, 2014 Marsh Harrier 2 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted March 18, 2014 Share Posted March 18, 2014 A few common garden birds Steve 2 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Guest in town Mikey Posted March 18, 2014 Share Posted March 18, 2014 We havent had one Chaffinch visit our garden this year. Which is quite unusual. Anyone else missing some regular visitors? Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted March 18, 2014 Share Posted March 18, 2014 We havent had one Chaffinch visit our garden this year. Which is quite unusual. Anyone else missing some regular visitors? No all ok in Manchester at the moment. blue, great, coal and long tailed tits. gold and green finches. dunnocks, house sparrows, starlings, jays, magpies, robins, song thrush, blackbirds, chiff chaff, collard doves, wood pigeons, occasional lesser spotted woodpecker, sparrow hawk. hear tawny owls all around but we never get chaffinches for some reason Steve Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Martyn Pitt Posted March 18, 2014 Share Posted March 18, 2014 (edited) We havent had one Chaffinch visit our garden this year. Which is quite unusual. Anyone else missing some regular visitors? Mike, the UK gets Chaffinch (amongst other common birds) migrate from Scandinavia and Northern Europe to over winter here, as it was a relatively mild and gentle winter there, I expect the numbers were lower than when there is a severe winter. You will also find our Chaffinch migrate south to France and Spain, so you may see a few returning over the next few weeks. Edited March 18, 2014 by martyn pitt Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Amsterdam Russ Posted March 18, 2014 Author Share Posted March 18, 2014 Mike, the UK gets Chaffinch (amongst other common birds) migrate from Scandinavia and Northern Europe to over winter here, as it was a relatively mild and gentle winter there, I expect the numbers were lower than when there is a severe winter. You will also find our Chaffinch migrate south to France and Spain, so you may see a few returning over the next few weeks. From what I've seen, I think they're all in the woods of Amsterdam! 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Peter99 Posted March 18, 2014 Share Posted March 18, 2014 Winsford Soul, on 18 Mar 2014 - 4:18 PM, said: IMG_6310.JPG IMG_6316.JPG IMG_6309.JPG A few common garden birds Steve Common perhaps Steve - but beautiful non the less. I know you know that - just saying. Peter Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted March 18, 2014 Share Posted March 18, 2014 Common perhaps Steve - but beautiful non the less. I know you know that - just saying. Peter Peter. I know you know that I know think that's right All birds are beautiful, some just need the right light to show off the plumage properly Steve 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted March 18, 2014 Share Posted March 18, 2014 IMG_6296.JPG Marsh Harrier I wish that Leighton Moss was a lot closer than the 130 mile round trip. So I could hopefully get some close ups of these absolutely stunning bird's. Unfortunately I don't know any site's closer so I will just have to keep going. Steve Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted March 19, 2014 Share Posted March 19, 2014 Help. I've become addicted to Leighton Moss. 2nd time this week. Got settled in one of the hides and less than ten yards in front of me was perhaps 7 or 8 a Avocets before a could get my camera sorted a peregrine scattered them. It took a while for them to return ,but they did ,infact 21 of them in total. Amazing. Got few pictures to post later. Very happy Steve Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 Help. I've become addicted to Leighton Moss. 2nd time this week. Got settled in one of the hides and less than ten yards in front of me was perhaps 7 or 8 a Avocets before a could get my camera sorted a peregrine scattered them. It took a while for them to return ,but they did ,infact 21 of them in total. Amazing. Got few pictures to post later. Very happy Steve Pictures downloaded and ready for posting. To knackered at moment. Will upload them tomorrow (Friday) Steve Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Amsterdam Russ Posted March 20, 2014 Author Share Posted March 20, 2014 These puffins we saw on a boat trip to the Isle of May, which is off the coast of Fife in Scotland. The place is alive with lots of different types of sea birds and is well worth the visit. Herring gull - also Isle of May 3 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Guest mellytee Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 (edited) No picture but I can report a Sparrowhawk at Taylor Towers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Idly looking out of the window I thought to myself 'why is there a chicken on my fence', on careful closer inspection I realised it was in fact a Sparrowhawk; ( no glasses and no observation skills but it was reddy/brown with powerful legs hence the confusion with a chicken )I was so excited (and still am ). I remember when Pete99 reported one. We have literally dozens of sparrows in our garden - well maybe one or two less now - despite them apparently being in decline! As for the 'Common' birds, less is more as they say :) Melly CommonBird from Banbury https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTGH6b7n08LclLoflFwEvEQwaQuJZNl5zYCuAdQYxqY6A_JPckIug Edited March 20, 2014 by mellytee Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
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