Hobbies and Crafts

Thank you Jude - wasn't able to raise the first site, but the second one is very interesting with all the owl calls. I am wading through the ones applicable to the UK.

Yes Ann, it is a spooky sound, and it would freak some people if walking through woodland at night, especially with a vivid imagination.
Definitely a bird, not something scraping wood. If I can identify it through the site Jude sent me I will put on here straight away.

Tec.

Sounds creepy tec!!!, not something scratching the bark is it?


No birds at all in our garden since we got home. It doesn't help that they emptied the bird feeders. Once empty they go somewhere else, it will take a while for them to return I suppose.

http://www.owlpages.com/sounds/Tyto-alba-3.mp3

Try this Tec...if not this one go to

http://www.owlpages.com/sounds.php and check em all out:))

You lucky devil:)

jude

It is rather comical Jane, but fascinating. My OH listened to it the other night, and said "Oh that's just a big bird with a bad chest" lol, but it can't be that simple.
Last year we had an owl that sounded like it had laryngitis, maybe it's him lol.

Tec.

I had to chuckle at the description lol.I have no idea what it could be Tec.I am very curious now.Hopefully someone will know the answer

Mystery to be solved - any ideas?

My garden is surrounded by several large trees, oak, sycamore etc.
For the past few weeks, and late evening, after dark, I can hear a very strange sound that is best described as a cross between a hiss and an asthmatic wheeze, coming from the trees. The sound is constant, but will cease for a few minutes when I go into the garden with the dog.
This is obviously a bird, possibly an owl, and sometimes changes location from tree to tree.
I have never heard this sound before, and am curious. I wonder if anyone here has heard this before?

When I say constant, I mean rythmic, like someone breathing badly.

Regards to all,
Tec.

Hello Jane....bless you keeping Ann's thread moving:)

Talking about Owls...we hear one now, have done for the past few days:)) l keep looking for its pellets...lol

We're very quiet here apart from loads of sparrows still and a few tits, also the odd crow/jackdaw....ooo and a dunnock and robin.

My sister in Chepstow says its very quiet there too:(

As Ann says....it will pick up when the weather turns.

It was mentioned again on telly about cleaning the bird tables and containers weekly because of this nasty disease !!

We have loads of orangy berries on a bush, but l don't know the name of bush! l watched a Stock dove munching the other day:)
Off now, take care
jude x

Quite a bit of activity today :-D :-D,and bird song again.
Also the last couple of mornings about 5.30/6am there is an owl screeching .Trouble is it is too dark to see where it is.I just know it is close by.

No birds around this morning.We have a massive farm fire close by.I think the birdies are keeping well out of the way!!Poor Farmer .It looks like it will be very bad for him.His lively hood up in smoke :-S
Ann I can't wait to get all the birds back in the garden again.We have noticed lots of Berries on the Hollies.I wonder what kind of winter it will be this year??

This thread is always more active in the winter months. Today I have been watching and listening to paraqueets and a hawk but neither close enough to photograph.

I keep thinking about that poor Seal Jude.My silly old mind keeps saying it was looking at the camera saying '"HELP".
Hopefully the thread will pick up soon with more activity from the birds and squirrels.We have a few Robins back now.I haven't seen them in a while.
I had a little bird perched on the window frame pecking away this afternoon.I think it was a finch of some kind.

Hello Janer....your photo's are on the blog, ooo l do get in a muddle sometimes, its me age you know....lol

jude x

Got them thanks Jane:)
Will get them onto blog asap:)
jude x

Jude ,I have just sent you a few pics.

Hello Jane

Of course, l'd forgotten you were on a boat. Yes lets hope he does, it probably happens all the time though!!

We had quite a few Starlings chattering away in the 100ft Douglas fir in the next garden...its full of cones so maybe they are eating insects & bugs:) tried to take photos of the birds flying about but no good:(

jude

Jude I am hoping the skipper of the boat reported the Seal.He obviously saw it on the rocks.I guess these things must happen sometimes ,but it is so sad to see.
I will sort out a few pics to send you later today.I 'm just waiting for Chester to come back (I hope he has been good).He will be like a whirling dervish when he gets through the front door.Then I must go food shopping.My cupboards and fridge are bare :-S :-S

Hello Jane...good to see you, great you had a good time:)
l don't know quite what you should do about the seal thats tangled up, other than contact the RSPCA . There are quite a few websites for the Farne Islands, don't know if they can help. Thing is the seal may not appear again:(
l myself would contact the RSPCA, atleast you have tried and you can discribe where etc.

Look forward to seeing some photo's:)

Nite nite

jude

Hello Jude and everyone.I'm back from Northumberland after a great weeks holiday.I managed to do a boat trip to the Farne Islands eventually.The dreadful gales meant all trips were canceled for a couple of days.Sadly there are no Puffins at the moment,but lots of Seals.They are so funny.Very inquisitive .I have lots of photos of them.But one very sad one .I big Seal on the rocks with a lot of some kind of netting all wrapped around it's neck :-S :-S
I can't get it out of my head.I wonder whether to send the pic to someone to highlight the danger to wildlife when people are so careless with things that can cause so much distress and harm.
There were lots of Guillemots and Gannets,and I did see a Sandpiper.Even though it is not the right time for the Puffins I could see all the Burrow Holes in the banks.It was a wonderful experience going to the Islands and getting off the boat on Longstone and having a wander around.I got right up to a young Seal just snoozing a foot or so away .it just looked at me yawned,and had a scratch lol.They have really long nails!!!!.
That was definitely the highlight of my hols.

Just added some photo's fromJane:)

jude xx

Jane....
The birds were water birds(can't remember the names) on course for far away lands, they nested on Skonner and simular places. 400 plus were blown off course and 60 plus (l think) died.

Island will know more about it l'm sure!!

Enjoy and have that camera round your wrist at all times!!...lol

jude xx