Bird watching

[radioman33]

The seagulls here are getting well fed now,plenty of fish n chips on the coast,I’ve found them interesting birds,very wary at first,they are noisy the squawking,and return to the same place if I feed them,they remember/recognise  well.Do you have interest in birds?A film “The bird Man of Alcatraz “showed how birds help the human feel mentally better.Seagulls are ruthless,I saw a pidgeon ripped to pieces recently.

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[superchamp]

Please do not call them "Seagulls" as they will get very annoyed. There's Herring Gulls, Great Black-backed Gulls, Black Headed Gulls, Common Gulls and many more types. Call them just Seagulls and they'll be after you in no time. 

[radioman33]

Please do not call them "Seagulls" as they will get very annoyed. There's Herring Gulls, Great Black-backed Gulls, Black Headed Gulls, Common Gulls and many more types. Call them just Seagulls and they'll be after you in no time. 

Yes the herring gull...red beak,there’s 54 types of Gulls Wikipedia not my knowledge.Ive seen Canadian geese in Canvey Island Essex.

[Blackpool Rock]

Please do not call them "Seagulls" as they will get very annoyed. There's Herring Gulls, Great Black-backed Gulls, Black Headed Gulls, Common Gulls and many more types. Call them just Seagulls and they'll be after you in no time. 

Personally I just call them Shite Hawks 

Cuntish things with their constant squawking and cocky little bastards taking food out of peoples hands and shitting everywhere.
I'd like to see a cull of the fuckers but apparently they are protected FFS despite there being a seemingly never ending increase of them 
I also believe there are more of them inland on rubbish dumps etc than out at sea so perhaps they should be renamed Dump Gulls 

[radioman33]

Personally I just call them Shite Hawks 

Cuntish things with their constant squawking and cocky little bastards taking food out of peoples hands and shitting everywhere.
I'd like to see a cull of the fuckers but apparently they are protected FFS despite there being a seemingly never ending increase of them 
I also believe there are more of them inland on rubbish dumps etc than out at sea so perhaps they should be renamed Dump Gulls 

There bloody noisy in the mating season...and the noise is like an alarm call,in our high street they get a decent feed of chips.Its a fine for killing them

[Blackpool Rock]

OK so following my rant about Shite Hawks I do feel the need to post something a bit more positive about other less aggressive birds, so my favourite would probably have to be the Skylark 

I remember hearing their song for years when out walking but never knew it was a Skylark until someone told me and what a beautiful song it is too 

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I was also told they nest on the ground so when a person or other threat goes anywhere near their nest they hover in the air singing to distract the predator however they don't hover directly over the nest but away from it, see clever too 

[Proton]

 Many years ago in Polruan Devon, we caught two large Mackerel and were prepared and cooked in our top floor rented rooms that had a small balcony. The skeleton of the fish was on chair of the balcony, it was at least about 12" long and within minutes a gigantic Herring Gull swooped down and swallowed it head first all in one go and did the same to the other remains with out any problems 

[radioman33]

Come on Goldfinch ? Explain your username to us all mate?

[Blackpool Rock]

There bloody noisy in the mating season...and the noise is like an alarm call,in our high street they get a decent feed of chips.Its a fine for killing them

Yeah i'm not too far from the front at Blackpool and the bastards nest on some of the rooves nearby, clearly if they successfully raise chicks they then come back to the same place year after year and apparently they can live for about 20 fucking years 

The chicks always come down and walk up and down the road just before they are able to fend for themselves and the parents are on full alert complete with the added noise.
In fairness they don't seem too bothered about people but the local cats get attacked 

[Blackpool Rock]

Many years ago in Polruan Devon, we caught two large Mackerel and were prepared and cooked in our top floor rented rooms that had a small balcony. The skeleton of the fish was on chair of the balcony, it was at least about 12" long and within minutes a gigantic Herring Gull swooped down and swallowed it head first all in one go and did the same to the other remains with out any problems 

I remember as a teenager being told that if you fed gulls mustard it caused them to swell up and explode, some lad reckoned he's put mustard on bread and given it to a gull and this happened.
I've since told someone else and they said it's bullshit but they recommended doing it with sodium bicarbonate as apparently it reacts with their stomach acid but they can't burp or vomit or something like that 

[Blackpool Rock]

Come on Goldfinch ? Explain your username to us all mate?

Yes i'm surprised Finchy hasn't chirped up yet 

[Colston36]

Evil fuckers:

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[Blackpool Rock]

Evil fuckers:

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I like this clip a few on from that one, this swan gives a gull a right good kicking 
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[Proton]

 A part of my job when in Devon & Cornwall mainly and sometimes west Wales, I needed to go on the flat room tops for inspection. There was a special person in Devon & Cornwall you had to call up in advance to escort and protect you from being attacked. During main breeding period you were not allowed on the rooftop unless it was an emergency.. Nasty high speed accurate bombing was one of their specialist tricks, from about two metres above your head..      

[Goldfinch]

Yes i'm surprised Finchy hasn't chirped up yet 

Yes,I've had bird feeders in my garden for almost 11 years,get regular visits from Robin,Blackbird,Pigeon,Magpie,Blue and Great tit,Long Tailed tits,Chaffinch,Bullfinch and my favourite Goldfinch,as another member mentioned recently the group name is a Charm,and once had 10 of them at my feeders enjoying there favourite food Sunflower Hearts.

A video I like:

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[Squire Haggard]

A part of my job when in Devon & Cornwall mainly and sometimes west Wales, I needed to go on the flat room tops for inspection. There was a special person in Devon & Cornwall you had to call up in advance to escort and protect you from being attacked. During main breeding period you were not allowed on the rooftop unless it was an emergency.. Nasty high speed accurate bombing was one of their specialist tricks, from about two metres above your head..      

I think that I was deliberately dumped on by a gull,  when I was feeding ducks. There's none where I am, but I can see why they are a nuisance. I've thrown several chips for one to catch in mid air, and it never missed once. I should probably not have been encouraging them.

[Goldfinch]

Come on Goldfinch ? Explain your username to us all mate?

Good thread pal,I get many birds to my feeders over the years,but the Goldfinch has always been my favourite,lovely colourful bird,with a lovely song.

When I'm not on here,I watch a lot of the Live Bird Cams,where I'm a Chat Moderator on a few.

This is one I like,good selection of birds,check it out and maybe say Hello

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[Marmalade]

Please do not call them "Seagulls" as they will get very annoyed. There's Herring Gulls, Great Black-backed Gulls, Black Headed Gulls, Common Gulls and many more types. Call them just Seagulls and they'll be after you in no time.

And most of them are ‘protected’ species — free to steal a kid’s fish supper or make an infernal racket when you might be trying to get an extra hour in bed.

Seagulls — by any name — are nice in their natural habitat: sparsely habitated Scottish islands. They are hardly such welcome shit-bearing visitors in highly developed areas.

Potential animal feed comes to mind… 

[Marmalade]

Goldfinch has always been my favourite,lovely colourful bird,with a lovely song.

Want to trade a few for some seagulls? I’d be happy to accept two goldfinches for as many seagulls as you can eat!

[Proton]

Yes, I've had bird feeders in my garden for almost 11 years,get regular visits from Robin, Blackbird, Pigeon, Magpie ,Blue and Great tit, Long-Tailed tits, Chaffinch, Bullfinch and my favourite Goldfinch, as another member mentioned recently the group name is a Charm and once had 10 of them at my feeders enjoying there favourite food Sunflower Hearts.

Based on your collection of bird at your feeder you could be living near to me  Sunflower is by far the most favourite seed and not wasted over the ground, I eat granary bread and often put in my second feeder.
                   Long-tail tits are my favourite as they arrive like a squadron of mini airplanes, all pile onto the feeder together eat like crazy and gone in a few minutes

[Goldfinch]

Want to trade a few for some seagulls? I’d be happy to accept two goldfinches for as many seagulls as you can eat!

No thanks.

[Goldfinch]

Based on your collection of bird at your feeder you could be living near to me  Sunflower is by far the most favourite seed and not wasted over the ground, I eat granary bread and often put in my second feeder.
                   Long-tail tits are my favourite as they arrive like a squadron of mini airplanes, all pile onto the feeder together eat like crazy and gone in a few minutes

Always had lots of birds here in Manchester,not far from Heaton Park,many are attracted by the many confines around the back of the house.

The Long tailed tits are quite noisy and arrive in large numbers,like you say,they don't spend long at the feeders enjoying the suet balls,before flying off to the next garden.

The Blue,Great and Coal tits like the Kibbled Peanuts,more convenient and safer than whole peanuts,as they can fly off to a nearby branch and peck away at a safer distance away from cats,once saw on one of the cams,a Goldfinch predated by a cat,very sad sight.

[Squire Haggard]

Yes,I've had bird feeders in my garden for almost 11 years,get regular visits from Robin,Blackbird,Pigeon,Magpie,Blue and Great tit,Long Tailed tits,Chaffinch,Bullfinch and my favourite Goldfinch,as another member mentioned recently the group name is a Charm,and once had 10 of them at my feeders enjoying there favourite food Sunflower Hearts.

I put my feeders out about this time last year. I had to keep putting them away because of fat finch disease. I've never seen so many birds with it in the five years that I've been feeding them. I read that around and prior to this time is a peak period for the disease. I'll try putting the feeders up at the end of the month. BTW, my max Goldfinch count was about 20 a few years back. They are the most common bird on my feeders, but not in the same numbers as before. I can hear them making their disapproval known by making a rasping sound from the trees, if I take the feeders away. It sounds like ''baaaahh...''  If I fill the feeder from empty they register their approval by making pleasant ''tinkling'' sounds.

[Goldfinch]

I put my feeders out about this time last year. I had to keep putting them away because of fat finch disease. I've never seen so many birds with it in the five years that I've been feeding them. I read that around and prior to this time is a peak period for the disease. I'll try putting the feeders up at the end of the month. BTW, my max Goldfinch count was about 20 a few years back. They are the most common bird on my feeders, but not in the same numbers as before. I can hear them making their disapproval known by making a rasping sound from the trees, if I take the feeders away. It sounds like ''baaaahh...''  If I fill the feeder from empty they register their approval by making pleasant ''tinkling'' sounds.

Not had the disease at my feeders,but seen it elsewhere,very sad watching the bird deteriorate,it's very important to wash and clean out the bird feeders regularly,to try and stop diseases.

You did well with 20,not enough room on the perches in my garden,got 3 × 4 port feeders.

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[Goldfinch]

An interesting site I use a lot,to identify bird song:

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[sir wanksalot]

Yes,I've had bird feeders in my garden for almost 11 years,get regular visits from Robin,Blackbird,Pigeon,Magpie,Blue and Great tit,Long Tailed tits,Chaffinch,Bullfinch and my favourite Goldfinch,as another member mentioned recently the group name is a Charm,and once had 10 of them at my feeders enjoying there favourite food Sunflower Hearts.

A video I like:

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Same here pal. Gives me simple happiness at watching them right outside the window where I usually sit.

Had to cut down on the feeding though as seen rats a couple of times this year.....

[Goldfinch]

Same here pal. Gives me simple happiness at watching them right outside the window where I usually sit.

Had to cut down on the feeding though as seen rats a couple of times this year.....

Also had problems with rats over the years,clean up under the feeders regularly,and use grain bait which does the trick.

[Squire Haggard]

Also had problems with rats over the years,clean up under the feeders regularly,and use grain bait which does the trick.

I had a couple of mice in the garden because of the sunflower seeds, but they didn't last long as there are plenty of cats about. None get near the birds though, because any hiding place is far enough away. BTW, the 20 Goldfinches included many on the grass underneath the two feeders. There's plenty of open countryside nearby including wooded areas which would explain the number of Goldfinches. Other regulars are Greenfinches, Siskins, Blue Tits, Coal Tits, Great Tits, Chaffinches and a few Sparrows.  The only real nuisance are pigeons. If only they learned to crap elsewhere.

[Goldfinch]

I had a couple of mice in the garden because of the sunflower seeds, but they didn't last long as there are plenty of cats about. None get near the birds though, because any hiding place is far enough away. BTW, the 20 Goldfinches included many on the grass underneath the two feeders. There's plenty of open countryside nearby including wooded areas which would explain the number of Goldfinches. Other regulars are Greenfinches, Siskins, Blue Tits, Coal Tits, Great Tits, Chaffinches and a few Sparrows.  The only real nuisance are pigeons. If only they learned to crap elsewhere.

Yes,plenty of pigeons here as well  make a right mess.

Also have a water fountain with small solar panel,the Robin regularly takes a bath in it.

An interesting link:

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[The Film Director]

Here's a proper bird - eight foot wingspan and around 20 breeding pairs on the Isle of Mull (if you're interested).

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[mr.bluesky]

Personally I just call them Shite Hawks 

Cuntish things with their constant squawking and cocky little bastards taking food out of peoples hands and shitting everywhere.
I'd like to see a cull of the fuckers but apparently they are protected FFS despite there being a seemingly never ending increase of them 
I also believe there are more of them inland on rubbish dumps etc than out at sea so perhaps they should be renamed Dump Gulls 

+1  I detest seagulls and pigeons.  All other birds are fine by me. Especially Goldfinch who always posts my links to reviews 

[Goldfinch]

All other birds are fine by me. Especially Goldfinch who always posts my links to reviews 

[MilleMiglia]

In the evening, I used to have a gathering of swans in front of my balcony to rival the Charles Bridge. Sadly, activity in the surrounding area means that they are long gone.

[lillythesavage]

I remember as a teenager being told that if you fed gulls mustard it caused them to swell up and explode, some lad reckoned he's put mustard on bread and given it to a gull and this happened.
I've since told someone else and they said it's bullshit but they recommended doing it with sodium bicarbonate as apparently it reacts with their stomach acid but they can't burp or vomit or something like that 

Pidgeons explode when hit with a .22 pellet from a good rifle, a mate told me 

[Gordon Bennett]

Watching the birds flitting about my garden is relaxing. Nothing exotic: pigeons, magpies, robins, tits, blackbirds mainly but occasional visit from jays. Funny watching their routines and territories and pecking order - robins are feisty little fuckers! I keep fresh water in the bird bath for them and hang feeders out.
I reckon within 10 years I'll be one of those demented OAPs that chucks mountains of bread crumbs on the floor every two hours.

[radioman33]

Some good videos,thanks goldfinch I’ve never seen a goldfinch got nice colours the red head.Reading up they will be off to France,Belgium and Spain soon as Partial migrants,every day is a school day.

[Goldfinch]

Some good videos,thanks goldfinch I’ve never seen a goldfinch got nice colours the red head.Reading up they will be off to France,Belgium and Spain soon as Partial migrants,every day is a school day.

[radioman33]

Birdman Of Alcatraz is a true story based on Robert Stroud .I gave bread to the seagulls early this morning but couldn’t get that YouTube video of the rabbit legs hanging out the gulls mouth,amazing killing to survive.

[mr.bluesky]

Is there a general decline in the bird population in this country as there doesn't seem to be so many about in my garden as there used to be despite having a bird table and bird bath for them    although next door neighbours cat may have something to do with this. Last summer used to see a sparrow hawk sitting on the fence on occasions.

[Goldfinch]

Is there a general decline in the bird population in this country as there doesn't seem to be so many about in my garden as there used to be despite having a bird table and bird bath for them    although next door neighbours cat may have something to do with this. Last summer used to see a Merlin sitting on the fence on occasions.

My feeders have been quiet for a month or two,but it's the same nearly ever year,they usually return when the weather gets colder and there natural food supply declines,that is when they return for our supplementary food:

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[radioman33]

Seen in woodland Great spotted woodpeckers,a nice bird,I’ve only seen them in the woods.

[Goldfinch]

Seen in woodland Great spotted woodpeckers,a nice bird,I’ve only seen them in the woods.

I've had them at my feeders on occasion.

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[The Film Director]

Is there a general decline in the bird population in this country as there doesn't seem to be so many about in my garden as there used to be despite having a bird table and bird bath for them    although next door neighbours cat may have something to do with this. Last summer used to see a sparrow hawk sitting on the fence on occasions.

Yes, there is for a variety of reasons, mainly due to change in land use/farming techniques/climate change.

Oddly enough, one species that has been doing well is ... the Goldfinch. 

[Blackpool Rock]

Yes, there is for a variety of reasons, mainly due to change in land use/farming techniques/climate change.

Oddly enough, one species that has been doing well is ... the Goldfinch. 

Not all of them 



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[Goldfinch]

Oddly enough, one species that has been doing well is ... the Goldfinch. 

[Goldfinch]

Not all of them 



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[Squire Haggard]

I've got my bird feeders up and running again for the winter. My rarest visitors have been a pair of Yellowhammers, Great Spotted Woodpecker, and Linnets. I've only seen them once, except for the Linnets as they show up more often, including today. Goldfinches can appear if flocks of 20-24, Greenfinches 10-12 at a time. Chaffinches prefer ground feeding and there could easily be 20-24 of those at a time. A few Bramblings flock with the Chaffinches. There's Siskins, Blue Tits, Coal Tits, Great Tits, Bullfinches, Blackbirds, and Sparrows,  but all of these tend to be solo visitors. Pigeons do appear, but one will usually chase others away. The resident Robin AKA the little shit, has given up chasing other birds away. There's plenty of open countryside nearby, including woods, hence the large numbers of birds. They are eating non stop, but I've yet to see one too full to fly, or burst. 

[Goldfinch]

I've got my bird feeders up and running again for the winter. My rarest visitors have been a pair of Yellowhammers, Great Spotted Woodpecker, and Linnets. I've only seen them once, except for the Linnets as they show up more often, including today. Goldfinches can appear if flocks of 20-24, Greenfinches 10-12 at a time. Chaffinches prefer ground feeding and there could easily be 20-24 of those at a time. A few Bramblings flock with the Chaffinches. There's Siskins, Blue Tits, Coal Tits, Great Tits, Bullfinches, Blackbirds, and Sparrows,  but all of these tend to be solo visitors. Pigeons do appear, but one will usually chase others away. The resident Robin AKA the little shit, has given up chasing other birds away. There's plenty of open countryside nearby, including woods, hence the large numbers of birds. They are eating non stop, but I've yet to see one too full to fly, or burst. 

Had a 'Charm' of Goldfinches here yesterday,must of been almost 20,only seem to get solo Chaffinches.

A good selection of birds you get,keep up the good work.

[Squire Haggard]

Had a 'Charm' of Goldfinches here yesterday,must of been almost 20,only seem to get solo Chaffinches.

A good selection of birds you get,keep up the good work.

''Work'' might be right word. Filling the feeders every second day can feel like it.

 I'll top them up today, because its going to be very wet tomorrow.

[Goldfinch]

''Work'' might be right word. Filling the feeders every second day can feel like it.

 I'll top them up today, because its going to be very wet tomorrow.

Yes,rain here tomorrow.