Sunshine and Hail
In this newsletter:
My garden this week - Rooks and Hedgehogs
Tip of the week - Try online courses
Podcast Recommendation: The Hawk's Call
The Casual Birder Podcast - Latest episode #91 Conversations with Women Birders
Suzy’s Bird Notes
My garden this week
Oh my goodness we have had a real mix of weather this week!
The beginning of the week was beautifully sunny here in southern England, with blue skies and warmer temperatures. The birds were signing heartily, even before dawn, and I noticed the leaf buds growing on our Lilac.
Then mid-week it all went downhill with heavy rain and strong wind. Yesterday we even had a couple of hail storms. In between the storms the sun came out, and I am sure there would have been some rainbows.
During the rain the birds were usually nowhere to be seen. As soon as a squall passed through, I would see several species hurrying to feed, including the Goldfinches, Blackbirds and Robin. A Magpie came to bathe during one of the breaks in the weather!
I have started to see 4 or 5 Rooks coming to the garden at one time this week. They have mainly been eating the suet blocks and pellets, although a couple will also try sunflower seeds and nuts in shells. One even managed to get into the window feeder that I have put on the deck railing!
This morning I saw two Sparrowhawks circling many times and calling out. I think this was a courtship flight.
Nestbox update - a pair of Blue Tits was very interested in the nestcam box today and went inside a couple of times! I'm keeping my fingers crossed!
And more exciting news: last night there were TWO Hedgehogs in the garden! They were being very active and I could hear lots of snuffling noises! Maybe there will be little Hedgehogs later in the season!
Tip of the week:
There are a variety of online resources (free and paid for) to help you learn about birds. I have purchased a course run by Christa, the host of the Birding Tools podcast.
In this 6 week course I will learn how to identify North American birds by sight and sound, and will be able to apply the skills gained wherever I travel.
While I am already experienced in a lot of what we will cover, taking part in an organised course will help me to plug the gaps in my knowledge, some of which I may not even realise exists!
If you want to join me, the complete course costs $97 and enrolment is open until 21st March.
Where have I been? (Virtually)
Where have I been? I was again included in this week's episode of I Like the Sound podcast, about how the study of birds helped determine how dinosaurs may have sounded.
Podcast recommendation - The Hawk's Call
The Hawk's Call Podcast Telling the stories of research and conservation efforts concerning raptors worldwide, and produced by the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, in Pennsylvania.
I listened to the episode on Striated Caracaras, a raptor I had close views of when I visited the Falklands. It was fascinating to learn about these birds from the people who are researching them. Check out their other episodes.
A way to support the show:
I have set up a storefront on Amazon as part of the Amazon Associates program where I will recommend products that I have used. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, so if you choose to buy those products through my link, I will get a small payment, at no cost to you. Choosing to buy through my link helps support the show. I will be adding products in the coming weeks, and hope to also select products that can be bought in other countries.
The Casual Birder Podcast
Current episode:
In celebration of International Women’s Day, Suzy revisits conversations she has had with awesome women birders, who tell how birds have touched their lives.
Past episode suggestion:
#39 Camille Bird Walk - Suzy and Camille take a bird walk in Elysian Park, Los Angeles
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