Hobbies and Crafts

Ann, I should have added that my first red kite sighting in Brecon was about eight years ago so I'm sure they have drifted further north/east since then.
They really are unmistakable as they cruise and you will know when you see one. They also cruise quite a way up in the sky so have probably been surveying your garden for some time.

I spotted a heron go flapping by this afternoon - nothing unusual about herons except I don't usually see them from my window. I don't 'think' it was someones tea cloth LOL

edit A white red kite which was in rehab in mid Wales turned up in Boston Lincs not so long ago. So they do travel quite far.

Apparently last year sometime two were spotted flying overhead here by OH and next door neighbour, and also he has seen them when playing golf at Cleeve Hil. I have seen them when travelling down to daughter, we usually see them near Newbury. Magnificent birds.

I wish Ann lol.I.m not technical and have no tripod ,and my camera is just a diddy digital one.

Island was the White Red Kite an Albino ? I have heard of a White one.

We often see a Heron around .Not recently though.I think I sent Jude a pic some way back of a daft Heron perched in the top of one of our conifers at the bottom of the garden/It did look silly :-D :-D

Jane, no it isn't albino it is leucistic. There are two known ones who visit Gigrin farm from time to time. Unusual for kites the white ones feed on the ground rather than swoop and grab. I think the reason for this is because they (the whites) are afraid of having the food taken from them if in flight.
I sent a pic of a white to Jude a while ago to put on the blog.

That's interesting Island.I will look Leucistic Kites up.

Jane, leucism isn't specific to kites, it can occur in any animal only affecting the fur of feathers.

I'm not sure how long this link will be good for as they are working on moving http://redkitenews.blogspot.com/
Well worth a visit.

Island .Thanks ! just looked at the link.I think the Kites are just amazing.
I feel so lucky to see them around here each day .

Jane...you are lucky are'nt you. We really must visit the Rhadar (spelling) site again,its amazing is'nt it Island??

Your photo of the Long Tailed tit is on the blog.

Ann...l'm going to add one on your photo blog...don't faint..lol

jude xx

Thanks Jude, better go and check. :-)

afternooon all
Have seen both blackbirds back and feeding, maybe we will have some chicks again soon. Lots of golfinch and the greenfinch are back regularly too after missing this winter. Have just heard a woodpecker but didn't see it.

Linda xxx <3 <3 <3

There do seem to suddenly be more blackbirds around in our garden, don't think any are paired yet as there are several males.

I heard a funny 'Peep Peep' sound this morning.Then realised where it was coming from.It was my little lonely Moorhen tripping along the top of our big Yew hedge.(10ft plus high).It amazes me to see a Water Bird up on the top of that hedge.I will keep an eye on it and see if I can get a piccie.

Morning all, don't get in here very often these days, but have had a litle bit of a treat lately. On one of my walks with the dog I was just on my way home when I saw a bird of prey I'd never seen before perched on a telephone wire on a nearby farm. I had quite a good view of it so I stood and took note of it characteristics. I had seen it land there so I knew that in flight it was nigh on buzzard sized. Got home and discovered it is a goshawk. A few days later when I had some French students staying we saw another in Melksham as we were on our way to their drop off point in Trowbridge. It was just sitting perched on a fence post right by the side of the road, so again a good view. Then such luck as I opened the curtains one morning a week or so ago there is was on the farm out the back sitting in a tree just over the river. I managed to get a couple of photos, they're not great because even though I have a bit more zoom these days it was still a good long way away. I'll see if I can remember how to post them on Jude's blog.

Another couple of treats lately, I've been noticing that the owls - tawnies and barnies have been very active at night lately. Whenever I go to bed I can hear them really clearly so they must be quite close. No sightings though when I've got up to have a look out the window. And yesterday, again walking the dog, I passed a small area of woodland locally and the noise of the birds was deafening. They all sounded like the smaller songbirds. For once I was glad I wasn't walking in there as the number of them, I might well have emerged well and truly pooped on!

Spring his almost here so I though you would like a poem.


BIRD SONGS

Oh, there's music in the forests
And there's music in the glen,
As the birds are warbling greetings
To the spring that's come again.

All their piping is so merry
That the woodlands seem to ring,
With the praises of the birdsongs
For the coming of the spring.
Join the joyous woodland chorus
And raise high your voice in cheer,
Join the birdsongs in thanksgiving
For the springtime of the year!
:-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D

Shaun

Dizzie, lovely to see you on here. What a treat to see a Goshawk, and more than once too.

Shaun thank you for that lovely little poem. :-) :-)

Just read your poem Shaun and then noticed that your profile picture shows what looked to me like St David's Cathedral. I was just about to ask you when I noticed your "researching" topics. Answered me own question. Hoping to get there again this year, whilst digging for a bit more Pembrokeshire family history myself.

I've just been watching two cock blackbirds having a ding dong battle in the garden, I guess they were fighting for their territory.
Does this mean spring has sprung.
:-D :-D :-D

They may get a shock if the weather turns again though!!

Great pic of the Goshawk and your pic Jude of the Moon and planet :-D.
My family of Long Tail Tits are just lovely.They are so busy ,feeding and collecting bits (I assume for nesting).I bought a big pack of coconuts today,as I can hardly keep up with the rate they are being eaten.One shell lasts 3 days !!
I pay more out in bird food than I do for the dog :-0

Wish a few of the long tailed would come our way. Not getting many birds at all at the moment.