I'm all for raising awareness, and although tapping is conducted by a currently small number of experienced ornithologists every year, I question the need to attempt to popularise to such a large extent this rather specialised activity.
The BTO had this to say on twitter in response to the issue raised:
"disturbance is always concern for us but if people follow basic guidelines it can be done safely & data extremely valuable"
Are all the potentially millions of people going to follow the 'basic guidelines' tomorrow when out on a walk, doubt it... Henry.
sid ashton said
Wed Jun 12 5:04 AM, 2013
Just been watching a man with a stick "gently" tapping bushes on Springwatch to help to find nests. What about the illegality of disturbing nesting birds? - which seemed to be the object of the exercise - they did disturb a Dunnock.
Not a good idea to encourage the general public to whack bushes to find nests I think. Quite irresponsible of the programme to do this I'd say
Steve Suttill said
Sun Jun 9 3:49 PM, 2013
David Walsh wrote:
Little bit of bread and no cheese
But not always
There's a project comparing Yellowhammer dialects in different areas - including New Zealand, where British settlers imorted them to make them feel at home!
see: http://www.yellowhammers.net/
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Jun 9 9:03 AM, 2013
Funnily enough, I spent some time sound recording Yellowhammer song a couple of days ago and the distinct variation in 'phrases' within the same individual's song is surprising. The alleged repeated 'little bit of bread and no cheese' from field guides is certainly not doing their song justice. It misses the long, drawn-out, downslurred thin whistle often given after the end of the song (after the 'cheese' bit if you like) for starters
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 9th of June 2013 09:31:28 AM
David Walsh said
Sun Jun 9 6:56 AM, 2013
Little bit of bread and no cheese
Craig Higson said
Sun Jun 9 5:02 AM, 2013
Pleasure.
Paul Hurst said
Sat Jun 8 6:47 AM, 2013
Craig Higson wrote:
Only birds I can hear are Yellowhammer and a very distant Willow Warbler. Is it one of these you're meaning?
Ah, then it would be the Yellowhammer: still a bird that I have not heard sing before! I'll keep that in mind next time I venture out into Yellowhammer territory.
Cheers for the ID
Craig Higson said
Sat Jun 8 6:36 AM, 2013
Only birds I can hear are Yellowhammer and a very distant Willow Warbler. Is it one of these you're meaning?
Paul Hurst said
Sat Jun 8 6:26 AM, 2013
Now, usually I'm not that bad at identifying bird songs (if I do say so myself), but a song heard on the Springwatch of Thursday the 6th (episode 8) has left me completely clueless. You can hear it in the background on the iplayer from 51 minutes 20 seconds onwards. Can anybody point me in the right direction? The beginning of the song reminds me of something, but I don't know what.
sid ashton said
Thu Jun 6 4:06 AM, 2013
.......and tonight's Springwatch deliberate mistake, written this time.......... CHIFF CHAFF
Paul Richardson said
Wed Jun 5 4:58 AM, 2013
OKOKOK I'm beaten! What's a Springwatch error or two when I can't even get the name o't'Forum right?
I did notice a "Great Spotted Woodpecker" from Michaela tonight though!
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Jun 4 6:27 PM, 2013
that was always the consideration when deciding on the name...
Steve Suttill said
Tue Jun 4 4:32 PM, 2013
Ian McKerchar wrote:
Paul Richardson wrote:
GM Birding!
What's GM Birding? Do I have I new competitor...
No, Ian, you don't have a new competitor - you've just been genetically modified
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Jun 4 3:11 PM, 2013
Paul Richardson wrote:
GM Birding!
What's GM Birding? Do I have I new competitor...
Tanmay Dixit said
Tue Jun 4 3:03 PM, 2013
Literally what I was shouting at the screen (and whinging about to Joe Wynn, sorry Joe) get's annoying very quickly.
But some interesting stuff about kingfishers not having blue pigment (the electric blue colour is just due to refraction of light on their slate-coloured back feathers) made up for that. :)
Paul Richardson said
Tue Jun 4 6:04 AM, 2013
Haha! Just what I was telling my Mrs, Nick! At least I've learnt SOMETHING from GM Birding!
Nick Isherwood said
Tue Jun 4 4:22 AM, 2013
Come on Springwatch. It's GREAT Spotted Woodpecker not Greater!!
Michael Willett said
Sun Mar 24 10:16 AM, 2013
Ian McKerchar wrote:
Michael Willett wrote:
It was fella called Paul Brewster who posts on the North West Birding page on facebook.
Love it; Chinese whispers obviously been in effect somewhere along this line...
Not actually Chinese whispers but my dodgy eyesight (and mind) mis-reading his post 'contestant on mastermind tonight - specialist subject birds' as meaning it was him that was on the show.
My bad
-- Edited by Michael Willett on Sunday 24th of March 2013 10:17:05 AM
Mike Chorley said
Sun Mar 24 2:19 AM, 2013
Some cracking footage of Red Kites in falling snow on BBC 4 tonight (as I type) Britain's Natural World on the Wye Valley. Plenty of other snippets of birdlife through it as well. Should be on iplayer until next Saturday (March 30th)
Keith Mills said
Sat Mar 23 10:27 PM, 2013
Mike hirst wrote:
There was a few years ago, a small resident flock of emperor geese on Walney island. The ranger told me they originated from escapee's. I have no idea if they are still there. Does anyone else have any more recent info. regards Mike
Possibly off thread, but 8 Emperor Geese still present at Walney when we visited in September 2012. See my Walney Island Post.
-- Edited by keith mills on Saturday 23rd of March 2013 10:29:31 PM
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Mar 23 9:59 PM, 2013
Michael Willett wrote:
It was fella called Paul Brewster who posts on the North West Birding page on facebook.
Love it; Chinese whispers obviously been in effect somewhere along this line...
John Rayner said
Sat Mar 23 8:51 PM, 2013
Michael Willett wrote:
It was fella called Paul Brewster who posts on the North West Birding page on facebook.
It was actually a Mr Paul Whittaker (from Bournmouth) and not our very own Doc Brewster
Cheers, John
Michael Willett said
Sat Mar 23 8:25 PM, 2013
It was fella called Paul Brewster who posts on the North West Birding page on facebook.
Nick Isherwood said
Sat Mar 23 1:56 AM, 2013
According to the tv magazine, someone is answering questions on the birds of Britain on Mastermind tonight. It's on at 8.00pm on BBC2.
Mark Rigby said
Fri Mar 15 5:54 AM, 2013
Red-billed Gull next to the square leg umpire at New Zealand vs England test match.
Nick Hilton said
Thu Mar 14 5:37 AM, 2013
New Zealand Shelduck fielding at square leg currently in the New Zealand v England test match !!
Steve Suttill said
Wed Mar 13 10:41 PM, 2013
Am listening to the radio commentary and "Aggers" says it's a Paradise Shelduck...
just checked - they're alternative names - Tadorna variegata
-- Edited by Steve Suttill on Wednesday 13th of March 2013 10:45:18 PM
Mike hirst said
Sun Mar 10 7:00 PM, 2013
There was a few years ago, a small resident flock of emperor geese on Walney island. The ranger told me they originated from escapee's. I have no idea if they are still there. Does anyone else have any more recent info. regards Mike
Steve Christmas said
Sun Mar 10 2:15 PM, 2013
There is a collection of fully winged exotic geese at Grange-over-Sands park including snow geese and I think emperors. I wonder if the snow geese seen at Leighton Moss over the past year or two originated here?
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Mar 10 6:08 AM, 2013
Martyn Jones wrote:
Of course they could have been escapees but I'd like to think not - anyone know anything about them being at Leighton Moss?
Emperor Geese are well and truly BOU category E in the UK Martyn; escapees from captivity
Martyn Jones said
Sun Mar 10 4:47 AM, 2013
I quite enjoyed the Great British Winter series this week, especially the program on Estuaries with a feature on the founder of Leighton Moss. However one pair of geese shown at the Eric Morecambe Hide did puzzle me for a while until I managed to find them whilst browsing a 'Birds of the World' book in Aldi of all places! They turned out to be Emperor Geese and were nonchalantly just shown in amongst the Wigeon and Pintails as if they were a common sight - I'd have loved to have been there on that day. Of course they could have been escapees but I'd like to think not - anyone know anything about them being at Leighton Moss?
Nick Isherwood said
Sat Mar 9 5:56 AM, 2013
There was some nice footage on 'Wild Arabia' tonight. Hen Harriers, Lesser Flamingos, Blue headed Wagtails, etc.
On iplayer if anyone's missed it.
Robert Farmer said
Wed Feb 13 10:22 PM, 2013
Thought I heard Curlew calling just before Tyrone's arrest on Monday.
Michael Willett said
Wed Jan 16 9:01 AM, 2013
His dad posted on the British Facebook Birders group yesterday:
Incredible Waxwing shots feeding out of a young lad's hands on a Scottish Island (can't remember which one but perhaps Shetland) on Winterwatch tonight. Also fighting Robins - catch it on iplayer if you missed it.
-- Edited by Martyn Jones on Monday 14th of January 2013 09:27:44 PM
It was Fair Isle Martyn. Not quite as far up as Shetland. Cracking bit of film though. Don't think the Warrington Waxwings would have fed out of your hand.
Martyn Jones said
Mon Jan 14 9:19 PM, 2013
Incredible Waxwing shots feeding out of a young lad's hands on a Scottish Island (can't remember which one but perhaps Shetland) on Winterwatch tonight. Also fighting Robins - catch it on iplayer if you missed it.
-- Edited by Martyn Jones on Monday 14th of January 2013 09:27:44 PM
A news item BBC North West news tonight about the American Mink at Pennington Flash. In particular, Leigh Ornithological Society encouraging reporting of any sightings. No details though of how we might do this.
Penny's Embden Goose got a little cameo appearance too.
Please see the sticky post at the top of the county wildlife forum...
Nick Isherwood said
Sat Jan 12 3:27 AM, 2013
A news item BBC North West news tonight about the American Mink at Pennington Flash. In particular, Leigh Ornithological Society encouraging reporting of any sightings. No details though of how we might do this.
Penny's Embden Goose got a little cameo appearance too.
Mike Chorley said
Fri Jan 4 4:55 AM, 2013
Boozy Cedar Waxwings and Blackbirds briefly on Nature's Weirdest Events.
Nick Isherwood said
Wed Jan 2 4:38 AM, 2013
Ray Mears new series on this Friday the 4th. First show is in the Isle of Mull looking at White Tailed Eagles and other wildlife.
Rory Newton said
Wed Jan 2 4:14 AM, 2013
Anyone else see the Blackbird that got flushed at the New Year fireworks display in London?
Nick Isherwood said
Mon Dec 31 4:33 AM, 2012
The constant sound of Swifts calling on Antiques Roadshow tonight.
Craig Higson said
Thu Dec 27 8:00 AM, 2012
I was watching a Christmas Carol the other day (the one with Patrick Stewart) and in one winter scene, in the snow, they had common swift calling. Sounded like a summer day at Pennington Flash!
Amazing how sound directors can get things so wrong.
Roger Baker 3 said
Wed Dec 26 9:45 PM, 2012
Barn Owl sat on a wing mirror on the car-park at Kempton Park Racecourse. Camera-man zoomed in on it. Channel 4 racing @ 13-40 hrs.
Roger
JasonAtkinson said
Sun Nov 25 2:41 AM, 2012
Sky Movies showing The Big Year at the moment. Good cast, good birds and not a bad movie.
Cheers Jason
Matt Potter said
Sat Nov 24 5:00 AM, 2012
Nick Isherwood wrote:
Matt Potter wrote:
There was a Song Thrush calling next to the Tomliboos house, On In the Night Garden the other day!
Not to mention the Hoopoes that are on every night.
And various other bits and bats!
Nick Isherwood said
Sat Nov 24 12:12 AM, 2012
Matt Potter wrote:
There was a Song Thrush calling next to the Tomliboos house, On In the Night Garden the other day!
Not to mention the Hoopoes that are on every night.
Matt Potter said
Fri Nov 23 10:33 PM, 2012
There was a Song Thrush calling next to the Tomliboos house, On In the Night Garden the other day!
I'm all for raising awareness, and although tapping is conducted by a currently small number of experienced ornithologists every year, I question the need to attempt to popularise to such a large extent this rather specialised activity.
The BTO had this to say on twitter in response to the issue raised:
"disturbance is always concern for us but if people follow basic guidelines it can be done safely & data extremely valuable"
Are all the potentially millions of people going to follow the 'basic guidelines' tomorrow when out on a walk, doubt it...
Henry.
Not a good idea to encourage the general public to whack bushes to find nests I think. Quite irresponsible of the programme to do this I'd say
But not always
There's a project comparing Yellowhammer dialects in different areas - including New Zealand, where British settlers imorted them to make them feel at home!
see: http://www.yellowhammers.net/
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 9th of June 2013 09:31:28 AM
Ah, then it would be the Yellowhammer: still a bird that I have not heard sing before! I'll keep that in mind next time I venture out into Yellowhammer territory.
Cheers for the ID
I did notice a "Great Spotted Woodpecker" from Michaela tonight though!
No, Ian, you don't have a new competitor - you've just been genetically modified
What's GM Birding? Do I have I new competitor...
Not actually Chinese whispers but my dodgy eyesight (and mind) mis-reading his post 'contestant on mastermind tonight - specialist subject birds' as meaning it was him that was on the show.
My bad
-- Edited by Michael Willett on Sunday 24th of March 2013 10:17:05 AM
Possibly off thread, but 8 Emperor Geese still present at Walney when we visited in September 2012.
See my Walney Island Post.
-- Edited by keith mills on Saturday 23rd of March 2013 10:29:31 PM
Love it; Chinese whispers obviously been in effect somewhere along this line...
It was actually a Mr Paul Whittaker (from Bournmouth) and not our very own Doc Brewster
Cheers, John
just checked - they're alternative names - Tadorna variegata
-- Edited by Steve Suttill on Wednesday 13th of March 2013 10:45:18 PM
regards
Mike
Emperor Geese are well and truly BOU category E in the UK Martyn; escapees from captivity
Hide did puzzle me for a while until I managed to find them whilst browsing a 'Birds of the World' book in Aldi of all places! They turned out to be Emperor Geese and were nonchalantly just shown in amongst the Wigeon and Pintails as if they were a common sight - I'd have loved to have been there on that day. Of course they could have been escapees but I'd like to think not - anyone know anything about them being at Leighton Moss?
On iplayer if anyone's missed it.
Fair Isle: Henry & the Waxwings
It was Fair Isle Martyn. Not quite as far up as Shetland. Cracking bit of film though. Don't think the Warrington Waxwings would have fed out of your hand.
-- Edited by Martyn Jones on Monday 14th of January 2013 09:27:44 PM
Country file tonight.
Please see the sticky post at the top of the county wildlife forum...
Penny's Embden Goose got a little cameo appearance too.
Amazing how sound directors can get things so wrong.
Roger
Cheers
Jason
And various other bits and bats!
Not to mention the Hoopoes that are on every night.