Ornithology & Bird watching in Stafford.

Withnail

Well-Known Forumite
It's amazing to think how common Buzzards (see what i did there) have become - twenty years ago or so, a sighting would have been quite a thrill, now you see and hear them all the time.

A few months ago i was out and about, well just over there actually - *points to his left* - when i heard a Buzzard call. It sounded quite distant, but as though it should be within sight. Couldn't see it, yet heard it calling again and again. Was absolutely sure it should have been visible - hottish day so perhaps pretty high up on a thermal? Could not see the thing. Straining to train my ears on the source it suddenly became clear where it was.

It was a Starling atop the house nearest, imitating - the sincerest form of flattery, and testament to how much a part of our soundscape it has become.
 

gon2seed

(and me! - Ed)
Down at Castlefields balancing lake, 5 signets have hatched, 'bout a week old I think! :slayer:
 
Last edited:

tek-monkey

wanna see my snake?
Nowt as exciting, but pretty sure I saw a bullfinch yesterday.

No idea how accurate it is, but the birdUp app on my phone also registered one this morning. The reason I question its accuracy is that it also registered a tawny owl (both call and song) at around 8am near the common.
 

Gramaisc

Forum O. G.
I had a tawny owl take a mouse out of a tree in my front garden in mid-afternoon, some years ago - initially, I thought it was a model aircraft.
 

JTL85

Well-Known Forumite
Walking into town earlier and this peregrine literally fell down the side of a building just managing to glide ungraciously into a dumper truck. I hung around for 10-15 minutes and he jumped out and after checking out his wings, flew onto a low roof.
 

Attachments

  • image.jpeg
    image.jpeg
    173 KB · Views: 289

Floss

Well-Known Forumite
I'm afraid all is not peaceful in my garden at the moment because my cat is bothering some baby birds. I am an animal lover but what can I do to stop him? Any suggestions will be welcome!

Water pistol or lay orange peel around where the birds are if they are in a nearby nest, or even spray cat repellent. I use to have a similar problem but with mice cat use to bring one in most days and let it run around, I could be a rat catcher by now, as I have developed skills to catch and pick them up and pop them back outside, something the humane mouse trap couldn't seem to do, as they alwys seemed to escape from them.
 

The Hawk

Well-Known Forumite
According to information I have received, the male Peregrine has been killed flying into one of the windows on the new shopping centre. I believe that there are three young birds and, hopefully, the female will see them through to independence.
 

The Hawk

Well-Known Forumite
According to information I have received, the male Peregrine has been killed flying into one of the windows on the new shopping centre. I believe that there are three young birds and, hopefully, the female will see them through to independence.

Good news, when I was in town (today), there were at least 3 Peregrines in the air and pigeons scattering everywhere. Well, maybe not good news for the pigeons then.
 

gon2seed

(and me! - Ed)
Might not be good news for the CYGNETS at the the Castefields balancing lake, was only four there yesterday; down from 5! :?: Was there for 5 minutes but neither I or the bloke who was there also concerned, saw any sign of the missing youngster. :shifty:
 

proactive

Enjoying a drop of red.
Might not be good news for the CYGNETS at the the Castefields balancing lake, was only four there yesterday; down from 5! :?: Was there for 5 minutes but neither I or the bloke who was there also concerned, saw any sign of the missing youngster. :shifty:
There were five there on Tuesday :(
 
Top