It was very windy here this morning but the sun was shining and the birds were out in force. My favourite place in the house for bird watching is the upstairs landing window as it gives onto a lovely view of the garden, the fields and the downs and I was amazed at the number of birds I saw.
There was the usual flock of about 50 linnets, goldfinches etc, a flock of 20 pigeons, one of about 30 rooks and then a huge flock of something else. Bigger than the finches but smaller than the pigeons. I thought maybe fieldfares and redwings but I couldn't be sure. There was a couple of hundred at least. Amazing! I've never seen so many birds at once near the house. In the garden I saw blue tits, great tits, greenfinches, blackbirds and a wren and when I went out to get in the car there was a flock of about 20 gulls overhead too. What a brilliant way to start the day and all in the space of about fifteen minutes.
Perhaps they were all enjoying the windy weather. All I know is that it was very difficult to tear myself away and go to work!
There is something new to learn everyday...
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Hi SB
I know what you mean once hooked always hooked. It is hard to tear yourself away form the sheer volume of birds in any large flock.
Just seeing all the Lapwings and the Golden Plovers did it for me at Titchewell. Something would spook them into flight (a BoP most likely). One bird took off, and they all took off, and the noise of wooshing wings was something else. The large congregation of birds would form a large circle shape and swirl around together and fly around the same area for a couple of times, and land together once more - so spectaluar to watch.
The Lapwings joined in with the Golden Plovers but they where not so co-ordinated as the Golden Plovers. They lost each other in the sky, and called to each other although they where a bit stressed. The Pee-wit calls where very noticable.
I have seem a large flock of Fieldfares, Redwings, and Thrushes in Stirling Scotland. This was a large flock which moved about amongst the field stubble feeding close to the farm I stayed at. We also had regular Fieldfares flying over the Farmhouse calling with their clacking type calls. When I walked down the nearby farm track Fieldfares would fly ahead of me and land in the trees, and when I caught up they would fly once more and so on. They are super looking birds and very distinguished.
On Tuesday this week I managed to see some Fieldfares flying around close to where i stay in Bedford and reported it to the Bedford Group. So that is encouraging to discover too.
I think that Gulls and Crows love to ride the thermals a whole lot - must be like a fun fair for them.
Just keep enjoying those flocks {smile}
Regards
Kathy and Dave
Unknown said: It was very windy here this morning but the sun was shining and the birds were out in force. My favourite place in the house for bird watching is the upstairs landing window as it gives onto a lovely view of the garden, the fields and the downs and I was amazed at the number of birds I saw. There was the usual flock of about 50 linnets, goldfinches etc, a flock of 20 pigeons, one of about 30 rooks and then a huge flock of something else. Bigger than the finches but smaller than the pigeons. I thought maybe fieldfares and redwings but I couldn't be sure. There was a couple of hundred at least. Amazing! I've never seen so many birds at once near the house. In the garden I saw blue tits, great tits, greenfinches, blackbirds and a wren and when I went out to get in the car there was a flock of about 20 gulls overhead too. What a brilliant way to start the day and all in the space of about fifteen minutes. Perhaps they were all enjoying the windy weather. All I know is that it was very difficult to tear myself away and go to work!
Hello.
Have to totally agree with the sentiments about large numbers of birds. They can be completely awe inspiring at times. I remember a trip down to Dumfrieshire, last month. The massive numbers of barnacle geese at Meresehead, and Carelaverock were a sight to behold. A bit closer to home, I can never fail to be entertained by the way the starling numbers build up when I put the food out in the morning. It starts just one or two, then a handful, then loads of them. Brilliant to watch.
Paul.
Warning! This post contains atrocious spelling, and terrible grammar. Approach with extreme edginess.
What I find most amazing about flocks of birds is that now we have flocks of Red Kites. Up to 110 going to roost in the Rockingham Forest and a minimum of 54 at Pennhouse Farm near Amersham not to mention the huge numbers in Mid Wales. Surely this is the greatest success story of all.
I agree Alan, when you see Red Kites in these numbers, it is hard not to fall in love with them. They are just stunning birds of prey. I feel a trip to Rockingham Forest is in order.