[deeceebee]

If your a bit of a birdwatcher (Ben, Midnightblue?) pay a visit if you're ever in the area. Highlight of the day, watching a Peregrine attacking (unsuccesfully) a mixed flock of Teal and Shovelers. First time I'd seen one so actually seeing how fast they dive was a bit of an eye opener!

[Midnight Blue]

Only seen it on TV - looks good though. Peregrine falcons can get up to 200 mph in a stoop - iirc they knock their prey out of the sky!!

[deeceebee]

I nearly missed the whole thing, what made me look up was all the local crows going potty.

[Midnight Blue]

A good sign something is about!!! Bet you didn't have your camera at the ready either!!

[deeceebee]

Was trying to sort the binoculars out

[Midnight Blue]

What is there to sort out? lol

[Crystalpuma]

Cool!!

I have been there, with my camera

I don't think I ever got around to posting the pics though! Swans are hard to photograph in sunlight for a beginner like me!

[pumapilot]

My Girlfriend lives right on the edge of Dartmoor national park and one morning i was out in her garden when all the birds went quiet.
Next thing i knew a Peregrine Falcon went past me at full tilt, AWESOME does not begin to describe how fast that bird was going.
I've seen Peregrines stooping at shows, but this wild one was just .............well

This post has been edited by pumapilot: 09 February 2008 - 10:41 PM

[BenF]

If your a bit of a birdwatcher (Ben, Midnightblue?) pay a visit if you're ever in the area. Highlight of the day, watching a Peregrine attacking (unsuccesfully) a mixed flock of Teal and Shovelers. First time I'd seen one so actually seeing how fast they dive was a bit of an eye opener!

cool - sounds like you had a good time!

ever been to any of the other WWT sites?

[deeceebee]

Not been to any before yesterday, might take a trip to Slimbridge or Arundel later in the year.

[BenF]

Welney and Slimbridge are good for the swans in winter (Welney had some tundra bean geese last week, too)

Slimbridge has a big section where they have semi-captive birds, though I have never been there

Martin Mere is good in the winter for the pink-footed geese, too (though I expect you know that already) but it is a bit far from you; if you go to Martin Mere be sure to go to Formby Point as well (National Trust) to see the red squirrels!

[deeceebee]

What is there to sort out? lol

It takes a while if you're wearing sunglasses and the wife is using the bins as well, particularly if you are as short sighted as me (think Mr Magoo)!

The other treat for the day was the Mealy Redpolls.

[Crystalpuma]

If you go to Slimbridge please check on 'my' Oystercatcher parents at the two lake hides!! I did my Field Trip there for my BSc, and also worked with a guy from there for my MSc thesis (can't get enough of birds!). The two lake hides are my fave bits of Slimbridge as you can see owls (in the large trees along the back), birds of prey, waders in large flocks, plus wild ducks and other things. It has it all!!!

[Midnight Blue]

Went to Welney again today - now uploading my pics from my camera .... all 4 71 of them!!!

[Crystalpuma]

471!!!!!!!!!

It's quality not quantity

(only joking, I know you will probably pull out a few (in relation to 471 anyway) very good ones from those! )

[BenF]

471!!!!!!!!!

It's quality not quantity

(only joking, I know you will probably pull out a few (in relation to 471 anyway) very good ones from those! )

Pat's a lightweight, Vix

last week at Welney I took nearly 600 (admittedly the vast majority are cr@p)




what can you tell us about Slimbridge, Vix? Is there a best time of the year to go? What is there in which season? (I am thinking wild birds, not the semi-captive stuff - does it show that I have never been?!)

[Midnight Blue]

I've deleted them down to 305 now!!

I only took 160 last week - no wonder my PC froze when I looked at yours, Ben!!!

[YOG]

I've going to try and go here for a long weekend this year. Looks like a great place to stay for all you Bird Watchers/Photographers.

"exceptional for bird watching - being home to the Red Kite".

http://www.oakwoodlodges.co.uk/

[BenF]

Rick - google Gigrin Farm - you want to see red kites? No shortage here!

Last one I saw was just before Christmas in Rutland

[Crystalpuma]

what can you tell us about Slimbridge, Vix? Is there a best time of the year to go? What is there in which season? (I am thinking wild birds, not the semi-captive stuff - does it show that I have never been?!)

Depends what you are into. Winter is good for waders that overwinter in this country. Godwits

Any time of year you will see some cool stuff though. You just have to ignore the silly flamingos and sit in the hides! There is a hide with a funny name (seem to remember it involving devils or de-ath or something) where you often see kingfishers! A photography challenge for you there!

I also have some "get-you-in-cheap" tickets so come see me first, or we could meet there maybe!