Ambitions

[paul.p911]

Originally Posted by basemonst

I'm very new to this, but its through cycling along river next to where I live that Ive noticed such an array of bird life (and wild life in general) that I'd like to investigate more. just to be able to recognise different types of bird would be a good start for me, lol. cant really say more than that at the moment...

The start of being a well informed birdy or a general wildlife person is a very good reference book.Take your time and make sure your choice of book is the right one for you and gives you the information you want.

[bassist]

Originally Posted by Neil Rigby

I found the best way to get close to Kingfishers is by Kayaking or Canoeing. Floating silently down the river when you spot one on an overhanging got me incredibly close.

Neil rigby the indianna jones of birding.co.uk:and he has got the hat to prove it.....!Peace.!

[alanjns]

A Kingfisher is on my list too, there are 2 apparently on my local patch that insist on hiding whenever I'm out and about.

However, I think my next major task is to get to grips with bird song. It's become so much more important this spring with all of the new sounds I'm hearing, but can't identify what's making it, let alone find it!

Alan

[clydebirder]

Originally Posted by alanjns

A Kingfisher is on my list too, there are 2 apparently on my local patch that insist on hiding whenever I'm out and about.

However, I think my next major task is to get to grips with bird song. It's become so much more important this spring with all of the new sounds I'm hearing, but can't identify what's making it, let alone find it!

Alan

A good way of seeing a Kingfisher is to stick a branch or other piece of wood in a suitable bank next to the river and sit quietly nearby, they are very inquisitive about new perches on their beat and will often perch on them to try them out

Good luck with your bird song Alan, I have tracked down many elusive species by their calls/song. It's a good skill to master, watch out for birds mimicking others though, some are very good at it

cheers, John

[alanjns]

Cheers John,

I think I'm going to invest in a bird song CD - also plan to make a trip back to Mere Sands Wood, but much earlier in the morning. Several of the hides had Kingfisher 'poles' that are apparently well used.

Best wishes,

Alan

[bassist]

Originally Posted by alanjns

A Kingfisher is on my list too, there are 2 apparently on my local patch that insist on hiding whenever I'm out and about.

However, I think my next major task is to get to grips with bird song. It's become so much more important this spring with all of the new sounds I'm hearing, but can't identify what's making it, let alone find it!

Alan

Go to the sound guide britain.....!

WildSounds

[Steve_G]

Corncrake. For me, that would about do it, now. During a (interrupted, I'll admit) life time of Birding, then " Twitching ", and now dragging my tired old bum around, trying to make out what the hell I'm actually looking at, I've seen some sights.

But, three birds had always, notably, eluded me: Waxwing, Quail and Corncrake.

Waxwing? I may yet find myself travelling past a Tesco and smack straight into some, one winter. Quail? I walked one up, completely by chance, last year. Just hundreds of yards from this cottage. Hurrah! How cool was that?!

But Corncrake? I must've examined a hundred stuffed ones. I was with Lee, on Skye, when the locals spoke of them driving them up the wall of an evening, yet none materialised for us. Now I'm here. And I once heard a local radio station discussing how the 'Crake is still hanging on, maybe even strengthening, in parts of Co. Leitrim.

Yeppers. Finding my Own Corncrake would just about be The Dogs for me now.

[Neil Rigby]

I'm glad you said you spotted Waxwings at Tesco and not the Quail.

I've seen Quail at Tesco but not in a list tickable state!

[alanjns]

Originally Posted by alanjns

Cheers John,

I think I'm going to invest in a bird song CD - also plan to make a trip back to Mere Sands Wood, but much earlier in the morning. Several of the hides had Kingfisher 'poles' that are apparently well used.

Best wishes,

Alan

I got to Mere Sands Wood at 7.30 am today, it meant dragging myself out of my pit at 4am, but it was well worth it. The elusive Kingfisher has been well and truly ticked off my list, and whats more, 10 minutes before it arrived on its perch, a Jay put in an appearance - 2 life ticks in 10 minutes - and the rain held off

[astafjevs]

Originally Posted by alanjns

I got to Mere Sands Wood at 7.30 am today, it meant dragging myself out of my pit at 4am, but it was well worth it. The elusive Kingfisher has been well and truly ticked off my list, and whats more, 10 minutes before it arrived on its perch, a Jay put in an appearance - 2 life ticks in 10 minutes - and the rain held off

Good work Alan. I love Jays, and in my urban location they're just about the best bird I get to see with any degree of regularity.

I've only ever seen one Kingfisher, but it was very definitely a contributing factor in my conversion to birdwatching.