Surprise birds of the week!

Staying close to home this week brought unexpected sightings!

Aug 26, 2022

Close up of the head and upper breast of a Wood pigeon, looking quizzically at the camera. — Wood pigeon

My Birding this week

Last Sunday, with chores to do at home, we decided to go birding at a local nature reserve called Mill Field and spend just a couple of hours there.

As only a light wind was forecast, it was an ideal opportunity to put my new field recording kit through its paces. Unfortunately that didn’t go quite to plan, with my mic picking up the joyful screams of children playing, and dog walkers greeting each other loudly. Totally to be expected with the lovely warm weather.

But at least I trialled the practicalities of wearing a harness with camera, binoculars and bag attached, and carrying a mic, headphones and recording device. I’m not known for travelling light! Let’s just say that people gave me a wide berth, ha ha!

We ended up birding for 3 hours, slowly wandering around the site and stopping whenever a bird attracted our attention. We saw 16 species including an unexpected pair of Ravens that flew overhead and made a quick circle before disappearing behind the trees.

It was a good morning for birds of prey as well, and we saw a Peregrine, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard and heard a Red Kite. We finished the walk off with a pub lunch, sitting outside and continuing to note the birds we could see and hear.

Back in the garden this week the Magpies have continued to get treats (dry kitten biscuits) from the dog toy I gave them. The ball has 3 narrow holes in the top, and the Magpies were putting their beaks in them to pull the ball around. I was concerned one might get its bill stuck and have an injury, so I stuffed foil into the holes. The Magpies now pull on the foil to move the ball. I’m much happier with this arrangement.

Today I saw Patches (the Rook with scattered white feathers in its plumage) successfully get treats by knocking the ball around with its bill. I guess it had been watching the Magpies.

But it’s not just the corvids that are enjoying the ball. The other evening I saw a Hedgehog knocking it around. Luckily the treats inside are the same kitten biscuits that I put out for the Hedgehogs, so I know it’s ok for them to eat. I was surprised that the Hedgehog would even try, but I suppose as they forage for food, and have a good sense of smell, the treat ball was bound to attract attention.

Several Wood pigeons have been visiting every day, including a recently-fledged youngster. Other regulars include a couple of Goldfinches, a Blackbird pair (still collecting food for young in the nest, and a couple of Rooks and Jackdaws. A pair of Collared Doves have started visiting and this week I happened to look out of the window just as they were mating right in front of it!

And today, a surprise visitor - a Chiffchaff! We occasionally hear Chiffchaffs in the neighbourhood in the summer, but I hardly ever see them in our garden.

I made sure to log the sighting as an incidental record on eBird!

What’s the most surprising bird you have found on your local patch?

Bird news

The avian influenza outbreak continues its devastating toll on our sea birds.

This week there were reports of affected birds now being found in Dorset and Cornwall, along with South Pembrokeshire and Alderney in the Channel Islands.

Cases have also been reported across the Atlantic in Georgia, Maine and California. The virus is also affecting those birds and animals that feed on infected ones, with a White-tailed Eagle chick on Mull being confirmed to have died from avian flu.

It is heartbreaking reading the accounts of those who work so closely with the birds they are trying to protect.

I will be speaking with the RSPB about this for a future episode.

Latest podcast episode

In this week’s episode join me and my birding partner (and husband) John as we review the birds seen during a July afternoon at Martin Down and Blashford Lakes, in Hampshire, UK. It was a very successful trip as we each got a couple of life birds!

Community notes / Recommendations

This week I listened to Mountain Conversations podcast - the episode with wildlife cameraman and presenter Hamza Yassin.

Hamza speaks about his favourite birds, including the White-tailed Eagle, and how birds are an ideal way to encourage people, especially those that live in urban areas, to get involved in nature.

Do also check out the other episodes of this wonderful podcast.

Reminder: Global Bird Weekend 7th-9th October 2022.

As mentioned in the last newsletter, I’ll be leading a virtual team of birders around the world, and I’d love you to join us!

During the weekend we’ll go birding in our own locations and share our checklists with the team account. And in the weeks leading up to the weekend there will be exclusive online events for team members.

Thanks to everyone who has signed up so far. Why not join us?