Show Us Your Bird & Wildlife Photos

[Amsterdam Russ]

Two photos taken at visitor attractions within the woods of Amsterdam. One (you'd never guess) is the goat farm, where they also make cheese and offer cuts of goat, lamb, etc.

 

The other is the Boerderij Meerzicht (Lake view farm), which we affectionally call the pancake house because, well, you can guess. The peacocks and hens are there partly as an attraction and partly as an alarm system for those dark woodland nights and for during the closed season.

 

 

 

This post also marks the 1,000 post in this long-lived thread - a remarkable achievement. Thanks to everyone for posting and for providing such must-read entertainment and countless wonderful photos.

 

More please… 

 

 

[Tattoodave]

Quince tree at Riofrio

Close up of fruit of Quince tree

Ducks on Riofrio

 

I usually stop at a café/ restaurant at Riofrio (means cold river) they specialise in fish, though I only stop for a coffee and to buy meringues by the box (6 boxes this last time), if I've been up to Sierra Nevada or points north, there's a fish farm there as the river would have been emptied years ago.  Some interesting wildlife too, though I was too slow to get a look let alone a photo.

[Tattoodave]

Two photos taken at visitor attractions within the woods of Amsterdam. One (you'd never guess) is the goat farm, where they also make cheese and offer cuts of goat, lamb, etc.

 

The other is the Boerderij Meerzicht (Lake view farm), which we affectionally call the pancake house because, well, you can guess. The peacocks and hens are there partly as an attraction and partly as an alarm system for those dark woodland nights and for during the closed season.

 

Goat-thru-fence.jpg

 

Peahen Portrait.jpg

 

This post also marks the 1,000 post in this long-lived thread - a remarkable achievement. Thanks to everyone for posting and for providing such must-read entertainment and countless wonderful photos.

 

More please… 

Have you ever been to the Bear Forest in Ouwehand Zoo Rhenen? I realise it's a little out of your way, but want to go there myself sometime

[Winsford Soul]

The top is 3000 metres above sea level, you drive up to where they allow you to and then hike the rest, it's scree pretty much all the way, and there's quite a few paths, some steeper than others and shorter, which I went for most of the time to get to the alpine zone.  Very hot and dry in the summer, but they ski there in the winter.

Scree has got to be the worst thing in the world for walking on, it slides underfoot,it wrecks your boots, your knees ache and if you slip you just know it's going to hurt and cut your hands. I try to avoid it if at all possible.

Steve

[Winsford Soul]

The top is 3000 metres above sea level, you drive up to where they allow you to and then hike the rest, it's scree pretty much all the way, and there's quite a few paths, some steeper than others and shorter, which I went for most of the time to get to the alpine zone. Very hot and dry in the summer, but they ski there in the winter.

Sorry double post

Steve

Edited August 20, 2014 by Winsford Soul

[Tattoodave]

Scree has got to be the worst thing in the world for walking on, it slides underfoot,it wrecks your boots, your knees ache and if you slip you just know it's going to hurt and cut your hands. I try to avoid it if at all possible.

Steve

And that's why I didn't make it to the top, slipped too much on a steep bit and had to try another easier slope, then lost time and decided to head back, messed that up too as I went the wrong way, but think I saw a great grey shrike whilst there, can't think what else it could have been

[Tattoodave]

I think this is a Great Grey Shrike, it was some distance away and very busy catching insects etc.

[Winsford Soul]

Two photos taken at visitor attractions within the woods of Amsterdam. One (you'd never guess) is the goat farm, where they also make cheese and offer cuts of goat, lamb, etc.

 

The other is the Boerderij Meerzicht (Lake view farm), which we affectionally call the pancake house because, well, you can guess. The peacocks and hens are there partly as an attraction and partly as an alarm system for those dark woodland nights and for during the closed season.

 

Goat-thru-fence.jpg

 

Peahen Portrait.jpg

 

This post also marks the 1,000 post in this long-lived thread - a remarkable achievement. Thanks to everyone for posting and for providing such must-read entertainment and countless wonderful photos.

 

More please… 

Russell. A thousand posts, it's apt that the starter gets to the milestone post. Big thanks for starting this fabulous thread and topic, it gives myself and all the other soulies that's interested in wildlife of any description a chance to send in pictures and comments

Steve

[Winsford Soul]

Grainy pic of what could be a Great Grey Shrike.jpg I think this is a Great Grey Shrike, it was some distance away and very busy catching insects etc.

Dave. It certainly looks like a great grey shrike. Only ever seen one and that was bout 15 years ago in Turkey.

Steve

[Peter99]

Winsford Soul, on 20 Aug 2014 - 8:55 PM, said:

Russell. A thousand posts, it's apt that the starter gets to the milestone post. Big thanks for starting this fabulous thread and topic, it gives myself and all the other soulies that's interested in wildlife of any description a chance to send in pictures and comments

Steve

I concur Steve. Well done to everyone who has contributed.

 

The thread is uplifting - mood changing. It's an amazing journey.

 

Peter

 

[Amsterdam Russ]

Have you ever been to the Bear Forest in Ouwehand Zoo Rhenen? I realise it's a little out of your way, but want to go there myself sometime

Have to admit that I'd not heard of it before. According to Google Maps, it's about 2-2.5 hours away from us by public transport (we don't have a car and it's a bit too far for cycling!).

 

Looks a very interesting place - I'll do some reading up and find out more. Thanks for the tip. 

[Tattoodave]

Dave. It certainly looks like a great grey shrike. Only ever seen one and that was bout 15 years ago in Turkey.

Steve

There were several on the mountain side Steve, but very shy, could have done with being alone on the mountain, but with kids, dogs and others it was very busy, I never had anyone overtake me though.

 

Dave

[Tattoodave]

Have to admit that I'd not heard of it before. According to Google Maps, it's about 2-2.5 hours away from us by public transport (we don't have a car and it's a bit too far for cycling!).

 

Looks a very interesting place - I'll do some reading up and find out more. Thanks for the tip. 

I wanted to work with bears, stroked one in Canada, ate with one in Romania, but really would love to work with the orphan cubs, they are less likely to rip your arm off like I saw in Brasov, Romania with a guy trying to hand feed one at a rubbish dump

[Tattoodave]

On the road north of Granada when travelling up to Cuenca a month or so ago I spotted a shrub that I was familiar with that usually has blue flowers, the Vitex agnus-castus or Chaste Tree. 

However this one had white flowers but unfortunately was in a place where it was impossible to stop the car, so imagine my delight when I spotted both blue and white varieties growing side by side less than a mile away from home. 

I now intend to try and propagate it from seed or cuttings and plant it where the blue one is naturalised on the dunes, basically I like messing with nature

[Winsford Soul]

There were several on the mountain side Steve, but very shy, could have done with being alone on the mountain, but with kids, dogs and others it was very busy, I never had anyone overtake me though.

 

Dave

Dave. Your not competitive by any chance are you mate. Never had anyone overtake me. That's class and just the sort of thing I would say.

The shrike I seen in Turkey was perched on a telegraph pole as we went past in a coach but luckily for me we where in a little bit of traffic so was going quite slow and got chance to get a good view

Steve

[Tattoodave]

Dave. Your not competitive by any chance are you mate. Never had anyone overtake me. That's class and just the sort of thing I would say.

The shrike I seen in Turkey was perched on a telegraph pole as we went past in a coach but luckily for me we where in a little bit of traffic so was going quite slow and got chance to get a good view

Steve

Not a bit competitive Steve, just a fairly fast walker, walked the length of three of the Japanese islands, done JOG to LE too, but took my time there, I just gave myself a time limit and tried to go for it, I was told it's possible and probably could have done it if I didn't stop to take photos, but where would the fun in that be?

 

Dave

[Winsford Soul]

Not a bit competitive Steve, just a fairly fast walker, walked the length of three of the Japanese islands, done JOG to LE too, but took my time there, I just gave myself a time limit and tried to go for it, I was told it's possible and probably could have done it if I didn't stop to take photos, but where would the fun in that be?

 

Dave

Dave. Nail on the head mate. Fun, that's what life should be.

Steve

[Winsford Soul]

With all the time that I've been lucky enough to have had off work this year I've managed to get my British bird count up to 130 different species. That includes summer and winter migrants. There's still a lot to see. I noticed that there wasn't that many waders and Ducks on my list so maybe have to get out and about to some estuaries this winter to up the count.

Steve

[Tattoodave]

With all the time that I've been lucky enough to have had off work this year I've managed to get my British bird count up to 130 different species. That includes summer and winter migrants. There's still a lot to see. I noticed that there wasn't that many waders and Ducks on my list so maybe have to get out and about to some estuaries this winter to up the count.

Steve

Strangely I was reading something about Spanish birds the other day, supposedly only 6 endemic, but 563 species recorded, but that includes the Balearics and Canaries.  Lots I've not even heard of.

[Winsford Soul]

Strangely I was reading something about Spanish birds the other day, supposedly only 6 endemic, but 563 species recorded, but that includes the Balearics and Canaries.  Lots I've not even heard of.

Dave. It's amazing when you start digging a little deeper into a subject you think you know. Then all these amazing things start to appear and it turns out that you have only just scratched the surface. Isn't life wonderful when you discover that you have only just started the particular journey.

Steve

[Peter99]

TattooDave, on 20 Aug 2014 - 9:39 PM, said:

I wanted to work with bears, stroked one in Canada, ate with one in Romania, but really would love to work with the orphan cubs, they are less likely to rip your arm off like I saw in Brasov, Romania with a guy trying to hand feed one at a rubbish dump

You've been around a bit Dave.

 

I know Romania quite well as I do some work there in a small village called Cisnădioara which is near Sibiu in Transylvania. Easily one of the most beautiful places I've seen.

 

Peter

[Tattoodave]

You've been around a bit Dave.

 

I know Romania quite well as I do some work there in a small village called Cisnădioara which is near Sibiu in Transylvania. Easily one of the most beautiful places I've seen.

 

Peter

I rented a house in Sibiu for a month, tattooed the locals for peanuts (not literally) just to cover expenses, love the place and the wildlife, snakes, wolves, lynx and bear that will all come to the edge of civilisation, pure magic.  Moved on to Sigisoara after that.

[Tattoodave]

Dave. It's amazing when you start digging a little deeper into a subject you think you know. Then all these amazing things start to appear and it turns out that you have only just scratched the surface. Isn't life wonderful when you discover that you have only just started the particular journey.

Steve

The thing is Steve there's a chance that a lot will never grace Spain again as they were probably blown off course years ago and died before getting back to where they came from.  I'm not a birder or twitcher, but have been a professional falconer, and know most of the British natives, I enjoy seeing birds in flight, I can usually identify them if I get a good look, and have a few that I'd like to see, but I'm chiefly into plants, and that is a journey that continues to amaze.

 

Dave

[Winsford Soul]

Been out and about in them there hills above hebden bridge today at a place called hardcastle crag. Walked about 9 miles of the 15 miles of paths that are available. Quite hard going in a few places especially with big camera bag pack weighing about 12kilos. Not much wildlife about seen a few dippers and a grey wagtail, no picture's of dippers again. Found a hardcastle crag speciality which I had never seen before.the hairy wood ant Britain's largest ant. Will have a look later to see if any decent pictures.

Steve

[Peter99]

Winsford Soul, on 25 Aug 2014 - 9:36 PM, said:

Been out and about in them there hills above hebden bridge today at a place called hardcastle crag. Walked about 9 miles of the 15 miles of paths that are available. Quite hard going in a few places especially with big camera bag pack weighing about 12kilos. Not much wildlife about seen a few dippers and a grey wagtail, no picture's of dippers again. Found a hardcastle crag speciality which I had never seen before.the hairy wood ant Britain's largest ant. Will have a look later to see if any decent pictures.

Steve

Evening Steve

 

It's been absolutely chucking it down all day here. Did you have better weather?

 

Peter

[Winsford Soul]

Evening Steve

 

It's been absolutely chucking it down all day here. Did you have better weather?

 

Peter

Good evening my friend. Weather's been quite good considering the forecast in the six hour walk it probably rained for 30 minutes and that wasn't heavy, much to my disappointment. Wanted to try my new jacket out.

Steve

[Winsford Soul]

Forgot to post this yesterday. I have a school at the back of my house and in between us is a field with some rather large tree's. At one point there where 16 magpies in the one tree. It's something that I have never seen before. Anyone on here experienced anything similar with such a large amount gathered together ?

Steve

[Petebangor]

Forgot to post this yesterday. I have a school at the back of my house and in between us is a field with some rather large tree's. At one point there where 16 magpies in the one tree. It's something that I have never seen before. Anyone on here experienced anything similar with such a large amount gathered together ?

Steve

As much as I love birds and wildlife, I hate magpies. They patrol the hedges emptying nests of eggs and chicks.  I've seriously considered buying an air rifle, since a magpie got a little Green finch chick off our feeder. Our neighbour has caught a few magpies, he uses a trap with a magpie from another area as bait.

[Tattoodave]

As much as I love birds and wildlife, I hate magpies. They patrol the hedges emptying nests of eggs and chicks.  I've seriously considered buying an air rifle, since a magpie got a little Green finch chick off our feeder. Our neighbour has caught a few magpies, he uses a trap with a magpie from another area as bait.

Which of course is completely illegal, though I have to admit my father, who still works as a gamekeeper at the age of 79/80 uses the same to catch magpie and crows.  They (gamekeepers) dig out fox cubs too, which I find abhorrent.

[Amsterdam Russ]

As much as I love birds and wildlife, I hate magpies. They patrol the hedges emptying nests of eggs and chicks.  I've seriously considered buying an air rifle, since a magpie got a little Green finch chick off our feeder. Our neighbour has caught a few magpies, he uses a trap with a magpie from another area as bait.

Here in the Netherlands they have the same contempt for herons for exactly the name reason.

 

But let's get real here. Magpies are not alone in feasting on eggs and young during the breeding season. A whole multitude of creatures survive on the contents of nests of just about every animal. Our feathered friends are not the only ones under attack; every wild creature with young is a target.

 

It's nature's way - and it's deadly out there!

[Tattoodave]

One of three varieties of Cicada, the ugliest of things ever.

This dragonfly was obliging enough to sit still while I tried to get a good photo, but I still can't identify it, help needed Martyn.

[Winsford Soul]

 

This picture of a Hobby was taken less than a minute after I had removed my 400ml lens and replaced it with a 200ml lens. I was trying to photograph a bright blue dragon fly about 60 maybe 70 cms long when I heard the swallows distress calling looked up and the hobby was flying over about 100 metres above me . that's typical of the luck I've had lately.

 

Steve

[Peter99]

I read a report a bit back which said that Magpie predation has very limited impact upon the population of other birds. There's quite a few knocking about at the fields and trees behind me and I have numerous other species doing very well.

 

Peter

[Tattoodave]

I read a report a bit back which said that Magpie predation has very limited impact upon the population of other birds. There's quite a few knocking about at the fields and trees behind me and I have numerous other species doing very well.

 

Peter

I tell that to my father Pete, but it falls on deaf ears.

[Winsford Soul]

     

 

Just went into the garden and seen this spider. The fly never had a chance

 

Steve

 

 

[Tattoodave]

Anyone who has been to warmer climes will recognise the bougainvillea, now available in more than just the purple bract variety of old and even with double flowers, however my plan is to create something akin to this

a bougainvillea bonsai at the Bonsai museum Marbella. 

[Suzannek]

I read a report a bit back which said that Magpie predation has very limited impact upon the population of other birds. There's quite a few knocking about at the fields and trees behind me and I have numerous other species doing very well.

Peter

Hi Peter

You are so right we have bird feeders up in the garden, we get all sorts of garden birds, from common sparrow and starlings to yellow hammers. We have lots of magpies . We also get ground feeding birds such as dunnocks, robins, blackbirds and a pair of collared doves oh and a handsome cock pheasant. All are thriving. We have a pair of sparrowhawks that visits to snatch a garden bird now and again. All in all I think we have a healthy garden ecosystem going on. We also have 6 cats, never seen one yet with a bird.

Suz x

Edited August 30, 2014 by suzannek

[Tattoodave]

Hi Peter

You are so right we have bird feeders up in the garden, we get all sorts of garden birds, from common sparrow and starlings to yellow hammers. We have lots of magpies . We also get ground feeding birds such as dunnocks, robins, blackbirds and a pair of collared doves oh and a handsome cock pheasant. All are thriving. We have a pair of sparrowhawks that visits to snatch a garden bird now and again. All in all I think we have a healthy garden ecosystem going on. We also have 6 cats, never seen one yet with a bird.

Suz x

Hi Suz, I have one cat and he's brought in three geckos, two snakes and five sparrows this year, all but one snake I managed to retrieve still alive and well enough to continue their lives, he has scant regard for traffic and every time I go out I worry that he'll get splattered by some nutty Spaniard. I feed the birds from the balcony, though have very nearly thrown bread onto sunbather's heads recently, but see swallows, swifts, kestrels, blackbirds, sparrows, doves, starlings and parakeets on a daily basis, all enjoying the gardens. A reasonable eco-system, all be it ignored by most as the community is mostly holiday makers, only about a dozen permanent resident families, so quiet for most of the year, anyone envious?

Dave

[Winsford Soul]

Hi Suz, I have one cat and he's brought in three geckos, two snakes and five sparrows this year, all but one snake I managed to retrieve still alive and well enough to continue their lives, he has scant regard for traffic and every time I go out I worry that he'll get splattered by some nutty Spaniard. I feed the birds from the balcony, though have very nearly thrown bread onto sunbather's heads recently, but see swallows, swifts, kestrels, blackbirds, sparrows, doves, starlings and parakeets on a daily basis, all enjoying the gardens. A reasonable eco-system, all be it ignored by most as the community is mostly holiday makers, only about a dozen permanent resident families, so quiet for most of the year, anyone envious?Dave

I'm not in the bit envious Dave. Sat here in rain sodden Manchester. With 24 /7 neighbour's and traffic. No smileys on my Kindle so can't put up a sarcastic smile.

Steve

[Tattoodave]

I'm not in the bit envious Dave. Sat here in rain sodden Manchester. With 24 /7 neighbour's and traffic. No smileys on my Kindle so can't put up a sarcastic smile.

Steve

Sorry Steve, I'm informed that England may be due a very warm and sunny September

 

Dave

[Winsford Soul]

 

Here's a juvenile chaff finch going through its first feather change to adult plumage taken last Monday Hardcastle crag

 

Steve

[Winsford Soul]

Bougainvillea double pink 1.JPGBougainvillea mauve 1.JPGOrange bougainvillea.JPGOrange and peach bougainvillea 2.JPG Anyone who has been to warmer climes will recognise the bougainvillea, now available in more than just the purple bract variety of old and even with double flowers, however my plan is to create something akin to this

DSC09395.JPG a bougainvillea bonsai at the Bonsai museum Marbella. 

Dave. forgot to add. Your pictures make me smile because theirs always a stunning blue sky in the background somewhere

 

Steve

[Ncfc]

Saw my first male bullfinch during the week:-) was down in Suffolk.

Edited August 30, 2014 by NCFC

[Winsford Soul]

Saw my first male bullfinch during the week:-) was down in Suffolk.

Chris. They're fabulous birds. It's always a joy to see them. Only seen them in my garden the once. Can't remember if I posted any pictures of them from my holiday earlier this year from down near Tenby.

[Tattoodave]

Dave. forgot to add. Your pictures make me smile because theirs always a stunning blue sky in the background somewhere

 

Steve

and can you guess why that is Steve?  It's been wall to wall sunshine since February, one or two showers here, saw rain in Cuenca when I went there, and in Gracelema, but that's supposedly one of the wettest places in Andalucia, but rain is very evident by it's absence.  I'll probably run out into it and get soaking wet when it comes.

 

Dave

[Ncfc]

Chris. They're fabulous birds. It's always a joy to see them. Only seen them in my garden the once. Can't remember if I posted any pictures of them from my holiday earlier this year from down near Tenby.

Not common in Norfolk and not gone out of my way to see one, but was in right place at right time. .

Bearded tits thats one bird i would recommend to anyone to see.I spend a lot of time crashed in the reeds during the winter and they come very close.

Edited August 31, 2014 by NCFC

[Tattoodave]

Not common in Norfolk and not gone out of my way to see one, but was in right place at right time.

I don't think they're common in Britain anywhere Chris, I saw one in May in East Sussex when I went back for a funeral, but it's the first one I've seen for maybe a dozen years

[Winsford Soul]

 

Bearded tits thats one bird i would recommend to anyone to see.I spend a lot of time crashed in the reeds during the winter and they come very close.

Now that's a bird I would like to see, I've spent hours at Leighton moss rspb reserve trying to see them . hope this winter is a cross of my list

 

Steve

[Winsford Soul]

I don't think they're common in Britain anywhere Chris, I saw one in May in East Sussex when I went back for a funeral, but it's the first one I've seen for maybe a dozen yea

 

 

Here's a couple of pictures taken earlier this year in Pembrokeshire.  the Bullfinches where a everyday sighting but these happened to be the only pictures that I managed to capture

 

Steve

[Amsterdam Russ]

Lovely birds, Bullfinches. As a kid I always thought of them as somehow exotic and was so excited the first time I ever saw one!