Your day's wildlife

[annedonnelly]

Three clumps of frog spawn appeared in the pond overnight.

 

[gbb]

The Forty Foot, a wide drain that I drive alongside on the way to work is a hive of activity most days...its about 10ft lower than the road that runs alongside it, 45 degree grassy banks so you get a good view of the water from above, the opposing bank and the fields beyond.
This afternoon, I saw a kestrel hovering over the bank as I approached....it was focused on something, .all of a sudden, wings back, a dive into the grass to catch his prey.
You dont spend too much time idly looking at wildlife on the forty foot, its notoriously dangerous if you deviate from the road...but you sometimes see a lot in just a few seconds.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

Does a really good dawn chorus this morning count?

 

[Mireystock]

A day off today (we're off racing at Cheltenham later on ) so I 've just had an early morning ride in the vorest. I saw two fallow deer and heard a woodpecker drumming on a dead tree. A lovely early Spring morning, although quite chilly ! Glad I was wearing my winter gloves !

 

[annedonnelly]

The kittiwakes are returning to their nesting colony in Newcastle. At 8 miles inland it's the most inland nesting colony in the UK. They nest on the towers of the Tyne Bridge, on some nearby buildings and on a specially constructed kittiwake-tower on the Gateshead side of the river.

I'm not a huge fan of gulls in general, but kittiwakes are lovely - pretty, clean-looking birds. And you know what they are because they shout their name all the time!

 

[nickyboy]

An optimistic skylark singing at an elevation of more than 1,000ft
A rather sleepy small tortoiseshell in the conservatory. Presumably it hibernated there and the sunshine got it moving today

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

I'm convinced I heard a lapwing today!
Also heard a yaffle (green woodpecker) whilst I was out on my bike ride

 

[Tail End Charlie]

Does a really good dawn chorus this morning count?

Reminds me that Simon Barnes in his book doesn't get up until he's heard 10 different birds singing. If I did that I'd never get up, I only can recognise a couple. Anyone any pointers how to better recognise bird song?

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

Anyone any pointers how to better recognise bird song?

Audio CDs with recognition and name next to reach other.
I'm still lousy at it but could probably recognise enough to get up in the morning! Sadly

 

[Tail End Charlie]

Ah thanks, I've just down loaded an app to my Kindle for the princely sum of 59p. I've got to be up early so I might just get up when I've heard one I recognise.

 

[nickyboy]

Ah thanks, I've just down loaded an app to my Kindle for the princely sum of 59p. I've got to be up early so I might just get up when I've heard one I recognise.

Just stick at it it's well worth the effort. Out on the bike I hear a lot more than I see, at least initially. Now is a great time to start learning the songs of the commoner residents. Try to get to grips with the likes of Blackbird, Robin, Dunnock, Wren. Then you'll get a go at the summer visitors like warblers; Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Whitethroat. In the Autumn it's time to learn some of the calls as opposed to songs

Once you've got a handle on the commoner species, you can start to listen out for ones you don't recognise

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

[QUOTE 3582085, member: 9609"]I was watching some yesterday, great bird, great sound - pity it's yet another bird that has achieved rspb red status[/QUOTE]
the lapwing or the yaffle? I'd be stunned if it was the yaffle but anything is possible....

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

[QUOTE 3582294, member: 9609"]is a Yaffle not a woodpecker ?
No these were definitely Lapwings (or Peewits as they are often known, or even a Green Plover as I was told as a child, but it is years since I have heard anyone using that name)[/QUOTE]
yaffle is specifically a green woodpecker. its a regional/old word for them...

shame about the lapwings but it does not surprise me. We get them here and we used to get them where I used to live as well. I often saw them on my bike rides as well...

 

[Glow worm]

Reminds me that Simon Barnes in his book doesn't get up until he's heard 10 different birds singing. If I did that I'd never get up, I only can recognise a couple. Anyone any pointers how to better recognise bird song?

The advice up thread is spot on. I'd also add that you can't beat a simple walk with an expert. Your local (Cheshire?) Wildlife Trust will probably run dawn or dusk chorus walks in the coming weeks. The RSPB and National Trust do them too. and Well worth a go. About 5 years ago I went on one near me at Wicken Fen and the warden's knowledge was exceptional. I learnt more in a couple of hours than I had in years.

EDIT: just found this, 2nd one down a dawn chorus walk at Higher Poynton. 6am start google suggest plenty of others in Cheshire too.

 

[Tail End Charlie]

The advice up thread is spot on. I'd also add that you can't beat a simple walk with an expert. Your local (Cheshire?) Wildlife Trust will probably run dawn or dusk chorus walks in the coming weeks. The RSPB and National Trust do them too. and Well worth a go. About 5 years ago I went on one near me at Wicken Fen and the warden's knowledge was exceptional. I learnt more in a couple of hours than I had in years.

EDIT: just found this, 2nd one down a dawn chorus walk at Higher Poynton. 6am start google suggest plenty of others in Cheshire too.

Brilliant, thank you very much, I've put it in the diary.