Add your "Odds & Sods" here thread ... 2020

Starting with a first for me ... Sparrowhawk in neighbour's garden here in quarry, only ever seen a seemingly lost youngster many years ago!

Grabbed ID vid footage through d/glazed door, then battery died & by time I'd replaced it to go outside for better res a delivery driver stopped next door & frightened the bird off!! grrrrrr

Hope it's a one-off for the sake of my Spadger horde!

2019 thread here ... https://community.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/f/all-creatures/196421/add-your-odds-sods-here-thread/1275306#1275306

 

 2013 photos & vids here

eff37 on Flickr

  • Unknown said:

    Lovely photos Hazel, and an interesting action of the two swallows. I'm curious if that is a territorial thing, or something else?

  • Morning Mike,   pretty sure it's not territorial as these are the only two swallows here and seem content in one another's company despite what the photo seems to depict with wings spread out as if in anger;   it looked more like courtship feeding as the two birds came together beak to beak just a couple of seconds before this was taken when the bird on the left was going back to his spot on the line !   Another pic taken just after the last one ….. which may tell a different story

    _____________________________________

    Regards, Hazel 

  • A lovely female Blackbird from the garden yesterday.

    My bird photos HERE

  • Aww nice wee Mr Sparrow having a wee drink...

    Is the rain water that bad?

    And another unsatisfied customer...

    Oh the things trail cams pic up lol

    (Pardon the Scottish Accent)

  • Lovely photos Paul and Linda,    what a nice bird bath Linda.

    Here's a few from today....     house martin sitting pretty in the nest,   the male and female often head off to feed on airborne insects and then return to the nest cup.  

    bit dark under the eaves but this shows the pair together 

    Although the House Sparrows have been leaving the Martins alone,   today things got a bit more worrying when two male House Sparrows seemed to work together, to sidle up to the nest, one sparrow either side …………….    a sharp clap of my hands shooed the House Sparrows away but I will have to keep a keen eye out for any further interest in the nest site by the sparrows.    

    Here it shows the male house sparrows encroaching towards the martin nest  (a martin was in the nest at the time)           I wish I knew why the sparrows have such a dislike of them and the swallows.    Maybe because the hirundines are not resident all year round so the Sparrows go for them as they consider them intruders into their territory.    It doesn't appear to be for the nest or any food supply as martins feed mostly in flight.

    not a great shot but just managed to snap a quick pic of Momma Sparrow feeding one of her offspring

    Wheeeeeeee   !       always makes me laugh the way sparrows jump down with wings tucked in  ! 

    Common Buzzard overhead but a little too distant for detail

    Starlings always on alert for free food 

    Teddy-bear or female House Sparrow ?   

    lovely to have a pair of Swallows

    _____________________________________

    Regards, Hazel 

  • How lucky are you to have Martins...just hope the sparrows mind their own business or you will be forever clapping !..,Can I order a teddy bear sparrow please....so fluffy and cute lol
    Lovely pics Hazel

    (Pardon the Scottish Accent)

  • Thanks Linda, five minutes ago I thought I was seeing things when the two swallows landed on the ground in the courtyard ! No I haven't had a glass of wine lol Thought maybe they wanted the water dish but they appeared to peck at the mealworm suet ! Have the camera on standby now but no doubt it was a one off visit.

    _____________________________________

    Regards, Hazel 

  • OMG really...fingers crossed they will be back....I got a little excited today as I now have bluetits building a nest in one of my birdboxes...poor wee soul dropped first load but it looks that full now its covering the hole or is that just so nobody else goes in ? All new to me .

    (Pardon the Scottish Accent)

  • Those last two pics look like you've stuck a sparrow and blackbird to the pond as a spout or fountain!

    Brilliant captures. Thumbsup