henry d Posted April 4, 2006 Report Share Posted April 4, 2006 I saw in my local paper that one of the local Ospreys has been seen at it`s nest site so I think my sighting is vindicated :o Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenzie Posted April 4, 2006 Report Share Posted April 4, 2006 I saw a single house martin on thursday last, all on it's jack's It was a fantastic sight,lets hope summer is on it's way Kenzie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisherman Mike Posted April 4, 2006 Report Share Posted April 4, 2006 Hi, They are declining for a number of reasons although Fisherman Mike will probably be able to explain better I will give it a shot. They are declining like Grey Partridges because of food etc but yes the shooting abroard does lower their numbers. What does annoy me is so called 'British sportsmen' go abroard to shoot them when the are migrating so they are effectively shooting their own countries birds when they are migrating and causing no harm so it could be said that it is these British shooters who fund the market that are to blame. :o FM :< You have it in a nutshell FM. Turtle Doves were once common in this area but I havent seen or heard one ( you normally hear them first ) for at least 7 or 8 years. When a lad there were plenty of them as well as Grey Partridges around, The air was full of the raking call of the greys most summer evenings. Intensive farming techniques are mostly to blame and the loss of habitat, its nice to know however that many Farmers are now recognising the part they have to play in the balance of nature on their land. Turtle doves suffer dreadfully at the hands of the Spanish and French shots, particularly on the migration routes when before they have a chance to breed they have little chance of evading the guns. The swallows and Martins on the other hand have been hammered in Africa & Asia due to the ongoing war against Locusts and the last two or three years have been particularly bad with the early stages of locust ( on which they rely to boost up before the strenuous migration to Europe ) being eradicated by pesticide use. Whether its shot or Chemical, loss of habitat or Agricultural policy Im afarid us Homo sapien have to shoulder the blame for the decline in most species. Coincidently I saw my first swallow 2 days ago. Which is about the normal time of year for around here, and a friend in sussex recorded his first Cuckoo on the same day. I think you will find that Killdeer is breed of Plover so named because of its distinctive call. Cheers. FM (Cranfield.... any luck with the bird boxes yet ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitebridges Posted April 6, 2006 Report Share Posted April 6, 2006 We still get a few turtles but they are no where near as widespread as they were. NW of the county is best. Been out birding today. Nothing exceptional, heard a chiffchaff and saw my first sandmartin. Aintree on the box and I haven't had a winner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferret Master Posted April 8, 2006 Report Share Posted April 8, 2006 Hi, I saw swallows today. FM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lurcherboy Posted April 8, 2006 Report Share Posted April 8, 2006 I saw my first 2 swallows today and thats why I missed all the bleedin' woodies :*) LB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferret Master Posted April 8, 2006 Report Share Posted April 8, 2006 I saw my first 2 swallows today and thats why I missed all the bleedin' woodies :*) LB I was under the impression you missed them anyway! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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