I have nailed my colours to the mast of the Common Swift.

However there is another bird I would like to mention in dispatches.

The Barn Owl not because its a beautiful bird in looks or fantastic Jizz which it has but for its spiritual aspect. English folklore is steeped in tales of the Barn Owl and in days gone by it was thought to have supernatural powers.

All absolute rubbish of course or is it?

I often dip on some birds but the Barn Owl is not one of them and I have seen quite a few from birding trips to mountain biking in the lakes to Tench Fishing on the Cheshire meres.

But I will tell you something dont laugh I often know when I am about to see a Barn Owl. I have a prior feeling and I get this with no other bird or animal. It is something to do with the atmosphere and light there is something indefinable in the air something not of this world, eek!!

The best sighting was a couple of summers ago June or July 2008. Me and the Girlfriend wanted to go to the Cotswolds at short notice. All the touristy places were booked up so as a take it or leave it we managed to get a couple of nights in a pub about 5 miles from Burford. On arriving I immediately liked the look of the place this was reinforced when dumping our stuff in the room I looked out the bedroom window and there was two red kites in the sky not 50 yards away from the window. We had a touristy day out returned for a pub meal and a drink in the beer garden by the River Windrush. About 8pm it was getting a bit nippy and my Girlfriend was a bit tired and cold and went back to the room. 8pm was a bit early for me but left me with a right predicament what was I to do now? All I had to entertain myself was the view from the beer garden a stunning water meadow with birds and wildlife, the River Windrush by my feet with the wild trout rising to insects and a supply of Cotswold real ales 10 yards to my rear. I had no other option but to endure. Gloomily I ordered a pint of Donningtons real ale and sat down to my fate. I had a quick chat with the landlord a local man who knew extensively about the local wildlife and the area. I returned to the beer garden and the Barn Owl feeling came over me I looked up and there was a Barn Owl. With the evening light it was stunning and I was able to watch it extensively from the comfort of the beer garden. Flitting like a huge moth and hovering then dropping into the grass to lift again after 10 minutes and continuing its quarter. Often when birding we move on ourselves but here I was a captive audience and able to study for some time. Over time I noted it did not seem to quarter at random rather it had a circuit plan and after a period of time would return to the same place. I watched it until just after dark and it was still at it then. However unfortunately being I northern bred lad evolution had not equipped me for the strength of the Cotswold Ales and returning to the room proved troublesome

Post breakfast walk the kites were back again in the morning.

The pub was the Red Fox Inn at Barrington which I can recommend for a homely Inn close the Tourist spots but not in them and with a birding slant.

http://www.foxinnbarrington.com/

This is a topic that I can say that I have covered in some detail as I write an occasional series of articles for Stockport RSPB Members Group entitled 'Favourite Birds'. It is not limited to British species, but the three U.K. ones that I have written about so far are:-

Jackdaw. For its aerial vocal fireworks, its touching habit of being in pairs at nearly all times and its overall sinister looking quality.

Firecrest. Because I've had so many adventures trying to see them and been lucky enough to find a couple myself.

Common Swift. You'd really have to read the article as it's a bit hard to put into words here, but basically it is the fact that they are so unobtainable (try feeding them!!) that they are almost an alien species. I love them.

Andy

Lesser Whitethroat for me... An elusive bird, but when you get a good view of one, a stunning bird in a kind of minimalist way. I love their song too, simple as it may be. Roll on spring!

-- Edited by Rob Thorpe on Wednesday 27th of January 2010 08:47:49 PM

The swallow for me. If there there is such a thing as reincarnation, please let me come back as a swallow. Just like the idea of buggering off to africa for the winter[though not so keen on negotiating the Sahara]---A beautiful bird with superb flying skills and it cheers me up no end when i see the first one in spring[though depresses me when the last one leaves as you know soddin winter is on the way!]

I too love he Swift! I can sit anywhere in summer and listen to them screech over! Beer gardens are best!!

I also love House Martins and Swallows! So being sat in a beer garden next to water with all these fellows flying about sort of does it for me!

There is a theme here, not sure if its beer gardens or birds!! haha!

I'm with Fred & a few others with the humble swift. I can sit for hours watching them in the sky. The kids love it when they dart across our square, screeching away- they are sooo aerodynamic & I love their boomerang shape- brilliant bird for getting kids interested. Hmm.... then there's the brood of kingfishers over at reddish vale.... long tailed-tits....
Might join Craig's idea.. one a month!

stuartherring wrote:

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mine has to be the hobbies 2010 mission to see some in the northwest and not have to drive to dorset just to see them

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Thats easy for you Stuart, Risley moss nature reserve near warrington, they are there every year in late spring and summer, keep your eye on the risley moss thread for when they are back, you see them from the large observation tower area,

mine has to be the hobbies 2010 mission to see some in the northwest and not have to drive to dorset just to see them

Very difficult. At the moment I'd choose Goldcrest. I find it remarkable that a bird that weighs somewhere in the region of 6-7g can fly non-stop from Scandinavia to the UK and then survive one of our winters. Amazing, although Wood Warbler with that hypnotic song and lemony yellow breast..........I think I may have a bird of the month instead.

id have to go back to the first post and nominate the wonderful swift.i have been priveleged to have them nest in my house for at least the last ten years.from where i sit in my lounge i can see them fly into the eaves.when i first see them each year it fills me with joy to see them.the feeling is almost spiritual.when the youngsters fly the whole family fly around screeching loudly and joyfully.it gives me a sense that they are really enjoying themselves.and then theyre gone.and for a few days i really miss them.until the following spring when they return.i hope they continue to be my most welcome lodgers.my house is theyre house for as long as they wish.so my nomination is definately the mysterious but beautiful swift.

i have been watching them recently at two main places , The Old Baths Car Park, Parkgate near neston, and also over the marshes at marshside in southport, also great views of long eared owls this weekend at marton mere

Dennis atherton wrote:

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trying to get back on thread, lol, mine recently has to be watching short eared owls effotlessly hunting over the marshes

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Denis - great bird where do you watch them on the wirral? The first one I ever saw was just inland off the east coast near Flamborough. Shot from under my feet in long grass and it then flew off I could not believe the size of it close up. It was in autumn and it had probably just crossed channel and it was resting.

trying to get back on thread, lol, mine recently has to be watching short eared owls effotlessly hunting over the marshes

grey wagtail fer me

Rob Thorpe wrote:

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I pity the fool who can't take a joke...

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It was not a joke Rob as you well know it was a nasty put down and intended to provoke.

I don't quite know who the fool is but I do know you are getting a reputation on this site for being obnoxious. I can't understand what motivates you to be the way you are with people.

Birdwatching is you would think a peaceful and friendly activity.

How many times have your interchanges been censored? I note on your dog walkers thread you are even boasting about it. What about Ians time having to continually edit these childish posts has he not got better things to do?

So this does not develop into yet another slanging match in future I will not respond to any of your posts and if you would be so good as to leave mine alone.

Lets leave it at that for the sake of everyone.

Thank You

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Henry

What's a Swallow-Swift intergrade please?

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Bloomin unusual if you ask me!

I pity the fool who can't take a joke...

Rob Thorpe wrote:

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I hear there's a flock of Linnet-Corn Bunting intergrades in the Winwick area...

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Ok Rob hands up I had trouble identifying a Corn Bunting. I have never seen one but aim to do soon other birders on here have helped. You take the P*ss which says a lot about your character.

Its not a Swaft then?



I'll get me coat!

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No, Matt! Any fool knows it's a Swillow

Steve

sid ashton wrote:

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Henry Cook wrote:

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Sounds like the behaviour of one of those Swallow-Swift intergrades...
Got to agree though, the Swift is one seriously amazing bird.

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Henry

What's a Swallow-Swift intergrade please?

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Sorry, I forgot to add one of those 'winking smileys' to my message.

Rob Thorpe wrote:

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sid ashton wrote:

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Henry Cook wrote:

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Sounds like the behaviour of one of those Swallow-Swift intergrades...
Got to agree though, the Swift is one seriously amazing bird.

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Henry

What's a Swallow-Swift intergrade please?

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Sid, an intergrade is an intermediate stage or form, or to intergrade means to merge one into another. I'm assuming you know what a Swallow is, and what a Swift is... Merge the two together and you have a "Swallow-Swift intergrade".

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Its not a Swaft then?



I'll get me coat!

Rob Thorpe wrote:

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Sid, an intergrade is an intermediate stage or form, or to intergrade means to merge one into another. I'm assuming you know what a Swallow is, and what a Swift is... Merge the two together and you have a "Swallow-Swift intergrade".

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Rob thank you for your lucid explanation. I really should have known that

I hear there's a flock of Linnet-Corn Bunting intergrades in the Winwick area...

Rob Thorpe wrote:

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sid ashton wrote:

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Henry Cook wrote:

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Sounds like the behaviour of one of those Swallow-Swift intergrades...
Got to agree though, the Swift is one seriously amazing bird.

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Henry

What's a Swallow-Swift intergrade please?

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Sid, an intergrade is an intermediate stage or form, or to intergrade means to merge one into another. I'm assuming you know what a Swallow is, and what a Swift is... Merge the two together and you have a "Swallow-Swift intergrade".

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Interesting passerine/non passerine merger

sid ashton wrote:

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Henry Cook wrote:

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Sounds like the behaviour of one of those Swallow-Swift intergrades...
Got to agree though, the Swift is one seriously amazing bird.

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Henry

What's a Swallow-Swift intergrade please?

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Sid, an intergrade is an intermediate stage or form, or to intergrade means to merge one into another. I'm assuming you know what a Swallow is, and what a Swift is... Merge the two together and you have a "Swallow-Swift intergrade".

Henry Cook wrote:

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Sounds like the behaviour of one of those Swallow-Swift intergrades...
Got to agree though, the Swift is one seriously amazing bird.

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Henry

What's a Swallow-Swift intergrade please?

Favourite bird? Difficult one that. I like Divers a lot, but I think mine is probably the Firecrest.

When I first started birding in 2005 (a very late starter) I wanted to see one. Had brief views of one in Yorkshire (when we went to see Pacific Diver and American Robin) but it wasn't enough. Finally got good views of a pair at Old Moor and managed a few pics after an hour or so following them as they kept disappearing in the bushes.

A few weeks later though, two appeared in my garden and remained for nearly 4 months! They gave me such wonderful views and I began to feel a real affinity with them. They also gave me the opportunity to meet a lot of birders (many of whom have become good friends) as they came to visit to see the birds.

I am still amazed that such small birds can survive our winters and manage to find food! And they are very attractive birds - you can really only appreciate them when you get the chance to really study them, as I did.

sid ashton wrote:

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Pete Astles wrote:

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Then just six short weeks later there is a big swift gathering one minute they are communal sparring and sitting in numbers on telegraph wires next day they are all gone. Then I always feel a tinge of sadness.

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Swifts on telegraph wires - where did you see that Pete?

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Sorry Sid you are right I got carried away with the moment

Sounds like the behaviour of one of those Swallow-Swift intergrades...
Got to agree though, the Swift is one seriously amazing bird.

Pete Astles wrote:

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Then just six short weeks later there is a big swift gathering one minute they are communal sparring and sitting in numbers on telegraph wires next day they are all gone. Then I always feel a tinge of sadness.

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Swifts on telegraph wires - where did you see that Pete?

I really love the Hen Harrier. I saw my first one (ringtail) about 15 years ago at Risley Moss one frosty January and it was a close up view as well. It came right up to the hide by the moss and stayed all day where good views could be had from the tower hide as it quartered the moss. Since then I have seen them including the lovely male from the old baths at Parkgate where they are regular visitors but never seen another one at Risley. I also understand they are occasionally seen at Chat Moss. I have seen Marsh Harriers at Leighton and once or twice at Woolston but they dont do it for me I dont know why. But you know what? Thats not my favourite bird. The dark horrible days like we are having now a better time will come. Lying on your sun lounger with a glass of cordial working your way through the Sunday morning papers and hundreds of feet above your head is an urgent screeching. Its the marvellous common swift to me this is my favourite bird. Its life story is remarkable but for me its more of an emotional thing. The swifts arrival means its the beginning of summer proper the first very warm days after winter riding your pushbike, knocking off work early, having a pint outside on the wooden benches and all that comes with summer. Feeling good about yourself and all thanks to the little common swift. Then just six short weeks later there is a big swift gathering one minute they are communal sparring and sitting in numbers on telegraph wires next day they are all gone. Then I always feel a tinge of sadness. You know summer is still technically there but in your heart you know its gone. So thats my favourite bird and thats why whats yours?