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As it is incredibly mild for much of the UK for the time of year, many birds are taking advantage of the conditions and spending time inspecting potential nest sites for the fast approaching spring. If you have seen any birds taking an interest in nesting sites, natural or man-made, we want to hear about them.
Remember to report your sightings on Birdtrack as well!
Warden Intern at Otmoor.
It may not have been as mild up here in Scotland as down south but the past three days have been really spring like.
Today, a pair of Buzzards circling, swooping and calling over the woods, 200 - 300metres from home, where their usual nest site is. Also a Great Tit singing and exploring the trunk of an old tree in the back garden.
"The road of excess leads to the palace of wisdom" - Wlliam Blake
Hi Claire, how is the activity now, have they carried on? We're finding that great tits, chaffinches and goldcrests are spending lots of time either singing or showing other signs of preparing to breed, lots of chasing around and posturing!
I did see a long-tailed tit with a beak full of feathers earlier this week as well, they don't usually breed until April so they are getting a big head start this year! The usual wave of tits inspecting nest boxes is in full swing as well.
Any other species checking out nesting boxes in your respective neighbourhoods?
I've also seen Woodpigeons gathering sticks, however they nest relatively early anyway.
WP
Earth and sky, woods and fields, lakes and rivers, the mountain and the sea, are excellent schoolmasters, and teach some of us more than we can ever learn from books. - John Lubbock
Hi Ian, It has turned really cold again here and the Great Tits and others seem to be more interested in foraging at the feeders. The buzzards are still courting tho'. I was in Shetland on Tuesday 24th and noticed Fulmar ( I think) sitting in pairs on cliff ledges at the side of the main Sumburgh to Lerwick Road.
Oh to be in Shetland, now spring is on the way, one of gods own paradises,the phalorpopes dancing on the waves, the otters in the burns, and the oil men getting drunk in the local, oh happy days.Hi Claire I dont suppose the M.V. St Clare sails to Shetland still, a brilliant boat. Alan
always many sides to an argument
The St Clair went out of service some years ago - a new fleet now with Nordic sounding names.
Thank you I did not think it would be, but it was a lovely boat went on a long weekend trip with jacky my wife, it was a brilliant weekend, one day. Alan
During the birdwatch weekend I noticed house sparrows checking out the nestbox I put up last year for them, they also had a look at the starling box that has had no interest in as yet from it's intended occupants so i'm hopeful for some success this year!
Hi all, fantastic pics Doggie!! I've had sparrows in the garden flying with straw type in beaks. And blue tits hovering around my old bird box that has visitors every year. Getting very excited. I made a new box at the RSPB event last week and it is now also up in the garden. Here's hoping it's as successful as my old one (I've just put a new roof on) xLinnie