What have you seen

Hardly a cathedral, and nowhere nearly as pretty as Salisbury, but there are peregrines nesting on St Peter’s church in Burnley town centre.

Plenty of pigeons about to feed to the young.....😱🙂🙂🙂

They are normally nesting on St Marys?church in Cromer Town centre

Unusual occurrence for us today. 

Late afternoon we were innundated with Starlings, who obviously heard about our Exclusive top of the range Bird Bath and all you can eat buffet, mainly consisting of Forget-me-not seeds. 

I really can't remember the last time I saw more than the odd passing Starling in our garden. Today there well over 30 of them, 6 at a time in the bath. Had to admire a lone Sparrow who insisted he was not for moving out of the bath and wouldn't be bullied. Brave little soul.

And then in a blink of an eye they were gone. Like a mirage (except it was raining🐥🐥🐥🐥🌧️🌧️🌧️).

1st swifts of the year for us today at Titchwell reserve.

We’ve had a wonderful 2 weeks birding in Norfolk, and really good to have a much needed change of scenery.

Back home tomorrow, back to winter from what I’ve heard ⛄️.

Maybe check out a short break in Istanbul for the end of this month....🤔, only joking, not a chance whatsoever 🙂🙂🙂

Maybe check out a short break in Istanbul for the end of this month....🤔, only joking, not a chance whatsoever 🙂🙂🙂

😂😂😂👍👍👍

Walking on Rhossili Downs today where we watch both Buzzards and a Red Kite riding the thermals. On the lower path we saw Stone Chats, M & F,  Swallows and both heard and then spotted a Chiffchat. There are also House Martins flying around the site we are staying on.

We had a mistle thrush on the lawn this morning, we very rarely see those, and it was lovely to watch.  Rich pickings for it, as it was raining hard and it found quite a few juicy worms!  It spent quite some time going all over the lawn, eating what it found, and eventually flew off with some in its beak, so presumably it has young.  Who knows, after such a feast, it may decide to come again soon, I hope so!

A pair of Oyster Catchers have taken over a pitch here at Culloden. A chain fence has been put round the pitch and cones put on those to either side and opposite to prevent use. The site isn’t that full at the moment as the toilets are out of action and there have been quite a few cancellations, so it’s not a significant problem. Everyone has been asked to keep well away. They don’t mind cars and vans passing but when a couple went past on cycles the bird left the nest and ran off presumably as a distraction, before walking slowly back. The one not on the nest seems to spend  a lot of time in the field alongside the site but perhaps flys off to the nearby Moray firth. The close up isn’t that sharp, as it was difficult holding my phone with the telephoto attachment steady.

Great post Steve.

Let us hope that they'll be left in peace but there will be a B/H coming along soon so can imagine the site is going to need the space. Good on the wardens though to give them some room at the inn.

Had a smashing walk today along some sand dunes at Newborough on Angelsey and next to the Red Squirrel haunting forest.

The birds were good as well with a lot of Willow Warblers and Whitethroats and a first of the year for us as we saw a Whinchat. Swifts and Swallows as well and quite a few of these are repeated on our CL. Seems to be a lot of Willow Warblers. I can see I'm going to enjoy a great Dawn Chorus tomorrow.