|
May 2018
3:33pm, 12 May 2018
25,836 posts
|
Derby Tup
Extreme but effective 
|
|
May 2018
3:51pm, 12 May 2018
2,850 posts
|
Eynsham Red
I was interested to learn whilst at Witney this morning that although Oxford & Harcourt Hill PR numbers have not dropped since nearby Witney started a few months back, Oxford now struggle to fill their volunteer roster. It seems that many of their volunteers were from Witney and now volunteer there instead. Witney seem to have not so much problem filling their roster although they need a higher number of marshalls and a few extra roles.
|
|
May 2018
4:41pm, 12 May 2018
1,026 posts
|
flyingfinn
Paid what I suspect is my last visit to see the resident Great Northern Diver before it departs north. It is now in full summer plummage and has been seen flying around over the last few days so departure looks imminent. Picked up a bonus Whimbrel whilst I was there and a good collection of Warblers (Whitethroat, Willow, Chiffchaff, Blackcap and Garden).
|
|
May 2018
4:56pm, 12 May 2018
25,839 posts
|
Derby Tup
I love whimbrel. There was a small flock on the island in the Seychelles me and Stef stayed on for honeymoon (plus curlew sand)
|
|
May 2018
6:00pm, 12 May 2018
2,851 posts
|
Eynsham Red
[How I posted on here I do not know as I don’t follow this thread. Sorry for the parkrun interruption folks]
|
|
May 2018
6:38pm, 12 May 2018
28,746 posts
|
HappyG(rrr)
Thanks for the hen harrier / marsh harrier assistance. I thought they were quite rare 700 or 600 pairs UK wide? If so, then we have 4 pairs or more on our field! There were 5 in the sky today, chasing off crows, warning the big buzzard, and then swooping and either scrapping or just showing off to each other.
They're all the same colour - so if they are males, then all males. Does that sound likely. They are hanging about on the ground (nesting?) and when I go by, or a crow or buzzard hovering, they get antsy and get up and wheel and dive about. Came quite close to me, but on my phone really couldn't get good pics. But amazing to watch.
Bare legs (not yellow or orange, but pale), white and black sharp markings on body, white underside of wings but black and fingered / feathered wing ends. Black and white heads. Couldn't see beak shape. Not huge. Crow size?
Because they were black and white I thought maybe they were some kind of seabird, but we're nowhere near the sea. Well not very. But the wing ends are very eagle / raptor like, and the bare legs and talons are reasonably distinct, even at a distance. Anyhoo, amazing to watch. Thanks guys.
If they are rare, should I report them in to anyone? G
|
|
May 2018
7:53pm, 12 May 2018
1,158 posts
|
Heinzster
Swifts here today!
|
|
May 2018
10:54pm, 12 May 2018
1,967 posts
|
jacdaw
You sure they aren't lapwing, Happy?
|
|
May 2018
11:33pm, 12 May 2018
17,571 posts
|
flanker
Good observation Happy. The numbers, activity and being on the ground says not HHs to me. HHs have yellow legs, their bodies are uniform pale like the underwing and they have a grey head.
I think Jacdaw's call is a good one, especially given the behaviour.
|
|
May 2018
9:48am, 13 May 2018
2,551 posts
|
steve45
Unlikely to have four pairs of HH in one locality.
Check out your local county/bird club sightings pages and you'll get an indication of what's about in your area.
|
