Birding in Sainsbury's car park.
Posted 13-05-10 at 07:17 PM by Dave H
My wife is very fond of Goldfinches. From only a short distance their colourful heads can be muted and dulled. Through bins their colouring can be made out clearly. My wife says that they are so pretty, they could have escaped from captivity.
We sometimes go looking for Goldfinches alongside the canal. The rows of Hawthorn and hedgerows in the fields are a good place to see them, although even then we can't be sure that we will see some every time.
During this week, we went to Sainsbury's in Oldham. In their car park are a few of the seemingly obligatory saplings planted in square patches of dead earth between the rows of parking places. In these small Silver Birches were around six Goldfinches, all quite comfortable to have me standing only four feet away from them. Effortless birding!
Next week we are going to the Sunart and Moidart area around Ardnamurchan in the Western Highlands and Isles of Scotland. Last year we (accidentally) saw a white Tailed Eagle here. This time we will be more prepared, I'm presently trying to find more space to pack the gear I need. I'm determined to go "tooled up" this time.
My wife's ambitions are to see Otters and Dolphin in the sea lochs, I would like to see a Golden Eagle.
Last year, whilst driving back to our camp site and only 200yds from it, we rounded a bend and saw a big bird on the top of a telegraph pole which flew off immediately. It was too big to be a Buzzard (I think), but I can't reasonably claim a Golden Eagle for this.
Maybe this time?
We sometimes go looking for Goldfinches alongside the canal. The rows of Hawthorn and hedgerows in the fields are a good place to see them, although even then we can't be sure that we will see some every time.
During this week, we went to Sainsbury's in Oldham. In their car park are a few of the seemingly obligatory saplings planted in square patches of dead earth between the rows of parking places. In these small Silver Birches were around six Goldfinches, all quite comfortable to have me standing only four feet away from them. Effortless birding!
Next week we are going to the Sunart and Moidart area around Ardnamurchan in the Western Highlands and Isles of Scotland. Last year we (accidentally) saw a white Tailed Eagle here. This time we will be more prepared, I'm presently trying to find more space to pack the gear I need. I'm determined to go "tooled up" this time.
My wife's ambitions are to see Otters and Dolphin in the sea lochs, I would like to see a Golden Eagle.
Last year, whilst driving back to our camp site and only 200yds from it, we rounded a bend and saw a big bird on the top of a telegraph pole which flew off immediately. It was too big to be a Buzzard (I think), but I can't reasonably claim a Golden Eagle for this.
Maybe this time?
Total Comments 2
Comments
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A nice report Dave. I'm lucky enough to have Goldfinches visit my garden, they are lovely birds. Hope you have a great holiday next week and get to see your eagle, otters and dolphins!Posted 13-05-10 at 07:40 PM by alanjns
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I too get Goldfinches in my garden Dave,they love Sunflower hearts!
Good luck in Scotland,we got Otter and Golden Eagle on Mull a few years ago.....tis a stunning area,I'll look forward to hearing all about it on your return!Posted 14-05-10 at 08:13 AM by Twitcheruth
