What birds or bird have you seen today – communal thread, I hope!

I think it was this time last year in Norfolk at Holm Dunes I got a couple of Spoonbill shots but it was blazing hot and the heat haze crippled the detail. Well I'm here again and it's blazing hot again. Fortunately this one got just close enough to overcome the haze. We were just driving back to our holiday accommodation and the other half spotted it low down in the harbour at Thornham where the tide was out. It got gradually closer to me until some tourists bowled over to get some selfies and scared it off. (n)



Spoonbill by GaseousClay1, on Flickr



Spoonbill by GaseousClay1, on Flickr
 
Martin Clay said:
I think it was this time last year in Norfolk at Holm Dunes I got a couple of Spoonbill shots but it was blazing hot and the heat haze crippled the detail. Well I'm here again and it's blazing hot again. Fortunately this one got just close enough to overcome the haze. We were just driving back to our holiday accommodation and the other half spotted it low down in the harbour at Thornham where the tide was out. It got gradually closer to me until some tourists bowled over to get some selfies and scared it off. (n)



Spoonbill by GaseousClay1, on Flickr



Spoonbill by GaseousClay1, on Flickr
Click to expand...
Really nice @Martin Clay
 
More Blackbirds fishing and catching fish.... I was surprised by this...

blackbird-fishing-9041.jpg


blackbird-fishing-9095.jpg
 
This male Blackbird seems to developed quite a skill at catching fish from the weir. This isn't a one off, I've seen it do this on many occasions, it will catch one and then go and catch another...

Look at me, I've got 2 fish.......


blackbird-fishing-9227.jpg


blackbird-fishing-9231.jpg
 
Thanks John. I've been fascinated watching these Blackbirds do this, there is a female that also catches fish.
 
I saw this blackbird cooling off this afternoon but on the roof of our swing housing in direct sun. It then flew down onto the lawn,had a listen for any worms..there weren't any.. and then off to the bird bath.Taken at 2.30pm so very hot. 29C
r6wcj8.jpg


2mowlle.jpg


21kfrpj.jpg


28a262g.jpg
 
JohnC6 said:
I saw this blackbird cooling off this afternoon but on the roof of our swing housing in direct sun. It then flew down onto the lawn,had a listen for any worms..there weren't any.. and then off to the bird bath.Taken at 2.30pm so very hot. 29C
r6wcj8.jpg


2mowlle.jpg


21kfrpj.jpg


28a262g.jpg
Click to expand...

They love sunbathing John, someone suggested it might be a way of ridding themselves of mites but I have no idea if that is the case ... nice subject studies in #2 & #3 :)
 
gramps said:
someone suggested it might be a way of ridding themselves of mites but I have no idea if that is the case ...
Click to expand...
Its long been suggested among the falconry community that this is the case, I'm not convinced personally, I've seen many of my birds that are "mite free" do it also.
Maybe they just like the sun on their back, or perhaps a bit of both?
 
Cobra said:
Its long been suggested among the falconry community that this is the case, I'm not convinced personally, I've seen many of my birds that are "mite free" do it also.
Maybe they just like the sun on their back, or perhaps a bit of both?
Click to expand...

Thanks for suggestions both. It was doing the same thing at the same time today. It's had a drink of water too and gone off,maybe to watch the football run-up ..:D which I'm about to do..2.05pm.

Nice set,Roger.Plenty of cooling down going on.
 
JohnC6 said:
Thanks for suggestions both. It was doing the same thing at the same time today. It's had a drink of water too and gone off,maybe to watch the football run-up ..:D which I'm about to do..2.05pm.

Nice set,Roger.Plenty of cooling down going on.
Click to expand...

I had one flaked out on my garden in full sun earier on too, till it saw me watching it to check it was okay, then like yours it went for a drink and flew off. Football? Pah! Been some nailbiting tennis this afternoon........;)
 
Jannyfox said:
I had one flaked out on my garden in full sun earier on too, till it saw me watching it to check it was okay, then like yours it went for a drink and flew off. Football? Pah! Been some nailbiting tennis this afternoon........;)
Click to expand...


At half- time Russia v Croatia I switched channels to see Jokovic win..agree, if the rest of the tennis was like that it could well be describrd as nailbiting. Kyle Edmund looks like a future Wimbledon champion in the mould of Federer, Nadal, McEnroe and Jokovic himself.. I found the way Jokovic bounces the ball ..11 times.I counted them..before each serve very irritating.
 
Cobra said:
Its long been suggested among the falconry community that this is the case, I'm not convinced personally, I've seen many of my birds that are "mite free" do it also.
Maybe they just like the sun on their back, or perhaps a bit of both?
Click to expand...

Jannyfox said:
I had one flaked out on my garden in full sun earier on too, till it saw me watching it to check it was okay, then like yours it went for a drink and flew off. Football? Pah! Been some nailbiting tennis this afternoon........;)
Click to expand...



gramps said:
They love sunbathing John, someone suggested it might be a way of ridding themselves of mites but I have no idea if that is the case ... nice subject studies in #2 & #3 :)
Click to expand...


Just Googled about the blackbird.

http://ww2.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wi...fe-guides/ask-an-expert/previous/sunning.aspx
 
JohnC6 said:
Just Googled about the blackbird.
Click to expand...
As I said I've often observed my raptors doing this and known full well them to be mite free.

Yes also, its supposed to increase the effectiveness of the "preen oil"
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top