BTO Breeding Bird Surveys

[Fisherman Mike]

Ive just done a couple of BTO breeding bird surveys which have thrown up a couple of rareties in my area..

 

A Red Kite resident near Cirencester for the last 3 weeks or so

 

A couple of Hawfinch sightings

 

And a Yellow Wagtail which ive not seen in these parts for many a year.

 

 

I would be interested to know of any unusual sightings members might have made on their sorties with the gun.

 

Cheers.

 

FM.

[henry d]

Are there any sites that can give more info Mike? as Yellow Wagtails are quite commonplace here as well as red Kites, yet I have seen 3 Magpies this year and that is a real rarity................ and will become more so(sorry !).

 

BTW - How did you get on making the floats, any pics ??

[Paul in North Lincs.]

- red backed shrikes in North lincs. between s****horpe and lincoln.............seen them twice over the last couple of months

 

- Avocets at blacktoft sands.

 

- I am told that the resident osprey has arrived at a local fishery / nature reserve, howver I have not seen it yet.

 

- breeding pair of Gosshawks

 

pm me if you want more details Mike

[bbjunkie]

Saw a Jay here last week... First one ever in the area.

 

Not exactly a rare breed in the UK, but certainly rare in this area.

[M ROBSON]

Over the last 10 years since we started using Larsen Traps on our shoot the local Goldfinch Population has rocketed (at least 10 fold) we also see a good few Bullfinches and long tailed tits.

 

Mark.

[scolopax]

Found a Hobby's nest last year, a relatively rare bird this far north. There are a few red kites that have moved east from their release area at Harewood house. Had a great grey shrike on my shoot two winters ago, told a twitcher friend of mine about it and a few people were able to view it. Smaller birds than I imagined.

 

Buzzards are a still a rarity locally but one are two are starting to show up , one has over wintered in my main wood for the last two seasons but disappears elswhere in the spring. Never seen a Gos, don't really want to unless its well away from my patch.

 

I'll be doing my annual greylag count at the end of this month, usually see one or two interseting birds whilst doing the rounds, found a black redstart last year.

 

Paul, a RB Shrike is a bit of a mega nowadays, have you seen it regularly?

[Fisherman Mike]

Are there any sites that can give more info Mike? as Yellow Wagtails are quite commonplace here as well as red Kites, yet I have seen 3 Magpies this year and that is a real rarity................ and will become more so(sorry !).

 

BTW - How did you get on making the floats, any pics ??

 

 

BTO website always good for a gander ( excuse the pun )

 

Floats turned out really well will take some pics and post them up.

 

Are you sure they are Yellow wagtails & Not Grey

 

Thanks for the replies all very interesting to know whats about.

 

Mike.

[Paul in North Lincs.]

Found a Hobby's nest last year, a relatively rare bird this far north. There are a few red kites that have moved east from their release area at Harewood house. Had a great grey shrike on my shoot two winters ago, told a twitcher friend of mine about it and a few people were able to view it. Smaller birds than I imagined.

 

Buzzards are a still a rarity locally but one are two are starting to show up , one has over wintered in my main wood for the last two seasons but disappears elswhere in the spring. Never seen a Gos, don't really want to unless its well away from my patch.

 

I'll be doing my annual greylag count at the end of this month, usually see one or two interseting birds whilst doing the rounds, found a black redstart last year.

 

Paul, a RB Shrike is a bit of a mega nowadays, have you seen it regularly?

 

 

definately reds.........................I have seen them twice...

 

I have hear recent reports also of them being seen at Flamborough Head - East Yorks, which is a neighboroughing county to me.....just a tad down the river humber.

 

could quite easily be the same birds passing through....

 

Gos...................beautifull birds.

They have been seen a a local chicken factory on the outskirts of town taking whole chicken carcasees out of the bins...............when the avian fue scare hit..the bins where sealed off..and now they patrol the eastern side of town................big birds aswell!