Big Tin Bus » Birds

Critics

Keith — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 18:31:54 +0000

Keith speaking. I have been the subject of some criticism because I publish a blog reference some stunning birds and do not back them up with pictures. Lets be clear, one, I do not have the equipment to the take images. Two, I lack the technical expertise to add these images, imported from elsewhere, to add to the site, and three, if you google the names of these birds, photos from others, who, are specialist in this field, are there for all to see.

Birds

Keith — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 07:20:09 +0000

Red kites, common Buzzards, ( I hope you have been watching spring watch)? The camp site in Switzerland is located in a fertile valley,the ideal habitat for raptors. Buzzards are common and presented some very good close quarters views. It was also visited by red kites on a regular basis. The buzzards must have a nest in the area and one day the red kite strayed into the buzzards territory, the most spectacular dog fight ensued. It lasted for about half an hour with both birds trying to gain the Ariel advantage by soring above the other then diving down. The lower bird would attempt to retaliate by turning upside down and trying to grab its ‘s opponent.

The Hoopoe. This bird causes great excitement amongst bird watchers when it turns up in the UK, a must see bird. To sit outside, in the sunshine on a warm summer evening and enjoy close up views, without the aid of binoculars and hear it calling, great.

Hawfinch

Keith — Sun, 23 May 2010 05:18:34 +0000

Yes its a bird, don’t groan. As it’s name suggest it is a type of finch, a little bigger than a sparrow, about the size of a green finch. The male is a very handsome feller with a golden crown and an awesome beak. That beak, apparently, is capable of exerting a pressure equal to fifty kilos, the weight of two bags of cement. I know how heavy a bag of cement is, if you don’t believe me ask Mark.

Birds

Keith — Mon, 03 May 2010 05:00:54 +0000

It is nice to see birds behaving in a way which Keith had nearly forgotten. Swallows feeding low, less than a metre above the ground. Others that are not alarmed by your presence. Whilst walking along the road a group of jackdaws were feeding on the verge, as I approached they gave me a cursory look and carried on with their business. I passed within a few feet of them. Ducks, coots and moorhens openly sit on the edge of fields next to the ditches.

Birds nest

Keith — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 04:10:27 +0000

In a field next to the site are a couple of ponies, one of which looks rather shaggy as it is shedding its winter coat. A jackdaw was perched on the ponies back pulling out hair, the pony did not seem at all concerned and carried on grazing. The jackdaw flew off with its beak crammed full. We assume for nest material?

The first cuckoo

Keith — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 16:44:12 +0000

We heard and saw our first cuckoo of 2010 at Kinderdjick. A male, it was sat on the sail of a windmill.

The bogey bird

Keith — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 08:15:07 +0000

Most bird watchers, not twitchers please, have a bogey bird. It tends to be a species that is neither rare or difficult to see but, for some reason evades all the efforts of the birder. It can be frustrating, when as an active conservationist, by choice, you work in habitats in which the bird is known to be present.

Keith’s is the nuthatch, a very attractive bird which lives in deciduous woods and nest in boxes or holes in trees. At last I got not one but two in the woodland which is part of the caravan site at Ebury hill, Shropshire.

YIPPEE. sorry

Tuppence I cry

Keith — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 07:28:53 +0000

We were on a site near Tiverton in Devon, as usual Jan wanted to feed the birds. One morning we put some food out on the grass, along came Dyson the mallard, we know it was Dyson, it hoovered up the lot.

Birds

Keith — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 14:49:23 +0000

Talking to people who know the area, both locals and those who have been visiting on a regular basis for a number of years, it is obvious that numbers are down or non existent. One can only assume that the bad weather as kept them away. White storks, normally counted in hundreds down to double figures in some areas. Flamingos, no where to be seen.

Good news. We have seen large numbers of house martins and swallows, so, spring is on the way. Hope to see them in the UK.

Birding

Keith — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 19:47:06 +0000

The area around Santa Pola/GranAlacant is, in my opinion, an area much under-watched. In the short time I was there I compiled a list of 35 species, such as, Osprey, Marsh Harrier, Great grey shrike, Black winged stilt and Pink flamingo. Add to that a few more that, for various reasons, I could not identify. For me it was a combination of seeing different birds and some I know but, in winter plumage. The area offers diverse habitat, arid and rocky scrub, cliffs, sea shore, muddy shallows and salt pans. If there are any birders out there, enjoy.