BBC Springwatch

Sparrow,

I've just seen your bit about the Sparrowhawk segment from the other night (I'm running a day behind with Springwatch because of work and missing it).  But I watched that episode this morning and was taken aback by how much effort and time has gone into watching Sparrowhawks - I did remember the man from on here.

I'm sitting on the fence regarding the 'less presenters, more wildlife' thing.  I like the presenters - especially Kate, whom I find excellent that compared to others, she's not full of degrees in the area, yet has come a long way.  

But I do get a bit tired of overwhelming scientific facts, maybe because they're that brief and not really explained they go over my head slightly.  Although I do like to learn about birds' behaviours and lives, which does fascinate me.

I just wish I'd manage to see them all - last night's still isnt on BBC iPlayer and I've got to wait for tonight's on there too!

I too loved Halcyon River Diaries, what a great programme that was!  Just a pity there weren't any more episodes.

Have to be honest though and say I got a bit sick of Philippa, one minute she was banging on about being a conservationist and the next when Charlie was trying to show her something she was more interested in which nail varnish to wear.  To me that didn't show her in a very good light at all...but she went with fuschia by the way ;o)

Hi all

I'm really enjoying SW.  Funnily enough I don't find the bits in between the wildlife scenes too bad, albeit the wildlife is why I'm watching the programme in the first place.  Most of my time is wishing I was there too to just be able to witness in real life the diversity of wildlife they are actually getting footage of I think is amazing......I don't think I'll ever look at a piece of poo again in the same way after this though! When I said this to my OH, his face dropped, he knows what I'm like.................I'm very open to taking on new hobbies !!! LOL

Well the kids + I were quite surprised how things change in such a wee while - the cygnets took the boys fancy + they were quite shocked at how many are no longer. I like the fact that they potray real life not just the fluffy stuff / male fighting but lots of the brooding, feeding, eggs not hatching, chicks not survivng etc.

Great to see a spotted fly catcher there not seen any for years.

I do find some of the behaviours being explained v interesting, if brief, snippits of info sink into my boys + I'm sure when they find out that tawnys swallow whole + kestrels tear, so we will know what type of bird, when we next look at a pellet.

I really enjoy the scatty chaotic nature of UNSPRUNG, it was so good to see Kate being so excited about the basking shark - gave Chris a wee bit of his own medicine that he seemed to find a bit bitter to swallow!!

I forgot to mention, I just loved it when Kate went "look, look, look!" and started waving her arms about at the Barn Owl.  Just shows her enthusiasm and passion for wildlife in that respect - and didn't let the professionalism get the better side of her while presenting :o)

Oh and don't forget, the RSPB's president thinks a Stone Curlew looks like a chicken, LOL!  Loved that!

I'm inclined to agree with her though, it does!

Susan H said:

 Ours was a Bush with a 9 inch screen - no cabinet and no closing doors.

I used to babysit for next door in the 70s, They had a colour telly!! with sliding doors and a cocktail cabinet built in. Our telly was my dad in a cardboard box pretending to be John Noakes.

And that's luxury!

Pipit x

I missed SW tonight as I had friends round - and they didn't go until 11.30pm!

I'm a tired Pipit now. Will catch up with SW tomorrow. I believe poo was involved. Can't wait.

Goodnight

P x

Loved the show tonight though there was a couple of sad moments with the disappearance of a couple of the Cygnets.  So sad indeed

The Ringed Plover is holding her own though despite of the Jackdaw eating an egg or two.  Hope that the Plover nest is not plundered anymore and is left alone.

Loved the immature Tawny Owl in Unsprung.  Really enjoy that extra programme.  By the way I played the pub quiz this week and got 7 out of 10 for a first attempt!

Lots of interesting facts as always, and a wildlife watchers dream come true.

Regards

Kathy and Dave

I did the SW quiz on Freeview last night. Only got 5 correct. Sigh!

Did anyone get all of them right?

-Graham

No! I got 5 as well! lol!