Bouba
Well-known member
I never realized that bird spotting was so cattyThread suspended pending review.
Several posts and users removed.
Please keep it civil.
I never realized that bird spotting was so cattyThread suspended pending review.
Several posts and users removed.
Please keep it civil.
Well the Irish chap, with the broad accent, I was with, pointed out tree in the tree trees over there, so I just assumedTree Sparrows in Ireland are only really found in the East.
But wouldn't such small mammals be hibernating in these conditions? Hard frost here - fen skating for the first time in years.They'll take small mammals too. I once saw one take a Short-tailed Vole.
But wouldn't such small mammals be hibernating in these conditions? Hard frost here - fen skating for the first time in years.
I think that there are more Egrets around now than I can remember. Purely by self observation rather than any published data. Good things are still happening in our society despite..........................Notice from the 1st post John Alison didn't mention egrets. On the opposite bank in the Twizzle to the marina early October there were hundreds of egrets, I just finished building a pram dinghy and was close to that Horsey Island bank, trying new oars etc & just amazed how many there were. Perhaps all gone now?
Egrets are beautiful birds, but as a barometer of global warming perhaps we shouldn’t be so pleased to see them. I remember the first time I saw one it was in the Pyefleet. I had heard that they were known to have reached the South Coast but was surprised to see one nearby. I was so excited that I sent a text to a friend. Since we only got a mobile phone in 1999 it must have been then or later, which makes the explosion in their numbers even more remarkable. I saw a lot roosting on East Mersea a few years ago and heard that seventy were known to roost there, but I’ve only seen sporadic ones up at Walton.I think that there are more Egrets around now than I can remember. Purely by self observation rather than any published data. Good things are still happening in our society despite..........................![]()
Amazed so many Egrets seen at Walton as I only see a few at my mooring - first saw them in the quiet bits of Flag creek but now near the moorings and on the Cindery, but only a few. Don't seem to worry about boats or people now. Mine come quite close. Must have been Egrets though since the 1930's as one of the BOD's is called Egret and dad had a boat called Egret, converted lifeboat, in the1950's. A few Avocets but havn't seen a Spoonbill yet.
I associate egrets with my stays in Hong Kong, where they are more common than grey herons are here. I think I agree with @johnalison that their increasing prevalence here (I've seen them at Welney, and they had a pair of great egrets a year or so ago) is worrying as a sign of things to come!Egrets are beautiful birds, but as a barometer of global warming perhaps we shouldn’t be so pleased to see them. I remember the first time I saw one it was in the Pyefleet. I had heard that they were known to have reached the South Coast but was surprised to see one nearby. I was so excited that I sent a text to a friend. Since we only got a mobile phone in 1999 it must have been then or later, which makes the explosion in their numbers even more remarkable. I saw a lot roosting on East Mersea a few years ago and heard that seventy were known to roost there, but I’ve only seen sporadic ones up at Walton.
I have seen Great White Egrets many times at Abberton and once in northern Netherlands, and one recently inland in Wivenhoe. They are truly impressive birds, as are spoonbills, also occasional visitors. I have seen the odd cattle egret too, and in India the intermediate egret that must have been put there just to confuse me.
I doubt if you'll see spoonbills on the shore. I think they prefer quieter inland water, but of course they might fly over. Abberton is a good place to see them, and for anyone interested joining Essex Wildlife is worth it as you get free access to Abberton, Fingringhoe and a number of other sites.Amazed so many Egrets seen at Walton as I only see a few at my mooring - first saw them in the quiet bits of Flag creek but now near the moorings and on the Cindery, but only a few. Don't seem to worry about boats or people now. Mine come quite close. Must have been Egrets though since the 1930's as one of the BOD's is called Egret and dad had a boat called Egret, converted lifeboat, in the1950's. A few Avocets but havn't seen a Spoonbill yet, lots of Turnstones.
I'm Interested.I associate egrets with my stays in Hong Kong, where they are more common than grey herons are here. I think I agree with @johnalison that their increasing prevalence here (I've seen them at Welney, and they had a pair of great egrets a year or so ago) is worrying as a sign of things to come!
I don't, but you can check at the Wildlife and Wetlands Trust who run the reserve.I'm Interested.
What data do you have.
I doubt if you'll see spoonbills on the shore. I think they prefer quieter inland water, but of course they might fly over. Abberton is a good place to see them, and for anyone interested joining Essex Wildlife is worth it as you get free access to Abberton, Fingringhoe and a number of other sites.
There was a spot at the western end of Texel which became famous for hosting a colony of spoonbills, and I got a distant view of them there on one occasion, and also on Norderney. They seem to be occasional visitors to Abberton, where it is usually a matter of pot luck what you will see, along with layer Breton causeway nearby, but you'd be unlucky to come away without seeing something interesting, such as smew or a red-necked grebe. Anywhere up the Colne can be good for various species. I sometimes go to the mouth of Alresford Creek for a good view.
Little, Cattle or Great?Notice from the 1st post John Alison didn't mention egrets. On the opposite bank in the Twizzle to the marina early October there were hundreds of egrets, I just finished building a pram dinghy and was close to that Horsey Island bank, trying new oars etc & just amazed how many there were. Perhaps all gone now?
It was at Waldringfield first thing yesterday morning. Probably a recent escapee as it was hanging about in front of the houses, I imagine hoping to be fed.Something unusual today on the Deben near the Tidemill. A Black Swan, it was only there for an about 5 minutes so I was lucky to see it.