One red necked grebe in non breeding plumage at 1.30pm on the main lake at Doffcocker today. Was very flighty. Watched it fly half the length of the lake and was unsettled. Lost it as I watched 40+ Tufted ducks fly in and despite extensive searching could not find it again. Record shots were taken. Was al...
I've found a willing volunteer (and driver!) to use the free entry for a guest which came with my RSPB membership. I'm hoping to get out a little further afield than usual (we're Manchester based), perhaps 2 hours or thereabouts. What might be a good reserve to visit at this time of year? We would prefer...
Since I took out a new mobile phone contract with EE, eleven months ago, I have had this Forum content blocked 3 times. Tonight it took me 50 minutes to get through to EE and get this site unblocked. During this time, with my eardrums ringing from continuous pop music, plus spurious advice on how to use EE...
Hi all In my day-job with Red Rose Forest I am working with Trafford Council to improve the condition of the Transpennine Trail. The section running between the fences at Alty Sewage Works has been identified as being in need of scraping back and having vegetation controlled. We are liaising with UU a...
Am I alone in getting a little concerned about the increasing numbers of these alian birds being reported in our area?. Should we not be concerned about their impact on our native birdlife and I wonder if they should be controlled ( I mean killed obviously) now whilst their numbers are relatively smal...
Originally posted today by MJKeating: Really nice first visit to the woodland walk yesterday morning. Of interest: Nuthatch - 6 Blue Tit Possible Willow Warbler but only got a fleeting view as it went into the bank of the stream. Just the markings on the eye made me think it was this. Dead Buzzard on the...
Just heard this on the grapevine 5 to6 weeks of tree clearance due to start on Monday from A49 to Poolstock then along Scotmans & Pearsons to Westwood .
Includes clearing everything on railway embankment down to Scotmans I take it is for the new road.
Supposedly been a press release but in what I d...
Hiya All Focalpoint Optics' final Optics Event of 2014 happens later this month as we host an Opticron In-Store Day at our Higher Whitley Showroom. The event will be held on Saturday 29th November, with our usual Saturday opening hours of 10am until 4pm applying. Chris Galvin, birder, photo...
Just watching masterchef on bbc the tests they gave for five chefs plus the demo with the Asian lady on how to do it was to prepare a wild woodcock. I know these wild birds get shot for food. But watching the untrained chefs who had never done this before mashing up the birds which no doubt went in the bin was...
Anyone who fancies a day or half a day in a hide this winter,where you are almost guarenteed most common species,only a few feet away from your lens.on set up feeding perches,where you cannot see the feed,all looking very natural(check out any I have in the galleries on here for Glazebury,and they wer...
Sand Martins. I am asking your forum if it would be worthwhile to request of HH Smith, the builders at Radcliffe Market, if they could provide nest holes to help sand martins, who come every year, or do they think it would it be interfering with the birds.Thanks. I am a keen follower of your forum and am am...
Found liverwort Conocephalom Conicum (Snakeskin liverwort) today very aromatic when crushed huge spead of it on a damp wall. Also Leycesteria formosa (Himalayan Honeysuckle in flower Stoneclough bridge. -- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Wednesday 5th of November 2014 10:19:11 AM
Hi I am looking now to purchase a Hide Clamp......can anyone recommend a decent quality one. I have been searching the 'net for a decent one so anyone who can give a recommendation it wouldbe appreciated Thanks
Barbour Berwick Endurance. Olive Green with original hood. Size Large. This one of Barbour's 'Beathables' range. Other than a small (approx 5mm) repaired hole on one sleeve and a tiny bit of loose stitching on one pocket this jacket is in excellent condition. Barbour advertise these as waterproof...
Hi there, I'm new to this. I was wondering if anyone an recommend any groups? I live in Manchester but there doesn't look to be many out there. I've been going to Dunham Massey quite a bit but only ever seem to see crows. I did see an unusual green bird a few weeks back which I think might have been a green wood...
Not wishing to detract from Tony's excellent offer but if anyone wants a more complete run of Birding World I have Twitching (vol 1) and Birding World (vols 1-25) listed for sale further down this thread and am open to any reasonable offer. Cheers John -- Edited by John Rayner on Sunday 2nd of November 2...
I don't know if this is news to many people, but I've just been reading online that The Times' sports feature writer and conservation correspondent Simon Barnes has lost his job. Maybe nothing out of place there you might think, but if you Google 'Simon Barnes The Times', you will find a few threads whi...
I am not sure if this has been posted before but plans are being made to extend or move a caravan site on Spurn. It is as follows from the Spurn Point Bird Ob site- 'URGENT HELP REQUIRED 23 October 2014 The Observatory urgently needs the help of the birding community, please read this and help us by objecti...
This is a first and proberley last time i will see this 12 30 to day saw sparrowhawk chasing what i thought was a song thrush as they twisted and turned i relized it was a bat in the middle of the day hawk was left bemused brill sight to see after at least 40 seconds it gave up the bat then just climbed up very hig...
Bit of a long shot but I remember reading on here ages ago about a hide someone had for hire - on one of the mosses maybe? Is it still available and if so who owns it? I fancy half a day doing some local photography :) Thanks in anticipation, Peter
I have owned a pair of Swarovski SLC 8 x 30 binoculars for over 15 years and whilst I have always been very careful with them, they were looking a little tired. I emailed Swarovski in England to see if they offered a type of service for the bins and then sent them off to their UK office down south. I asked for a...
The above lens (Nikon mount) is for sale at £150. It takes superb insect photos and is describes as: "An extraordinary 1:1 (life-size) close up capacity, combined with what many consider an ideal portraiture focal length this prime optic was nicknamed "the portrait macro." Extra...
Hi I am looking now to get myself an Angled Spotting Scope, I would be appreciative if any members of the forum could give me some advice on ones to look at. I would much sooner buy a decent used one with the money I have rather than buy a new one. Budget is around the £750 region. I do have the opportunity to pu...
There will be a Leica In-Store Day at the Focalpoint Optics Show Rooms on Friday 24th October, starting at 9.30am and running until 5pm. Everyone is welcome, pop along and meet our Leica Representative, John. Have a look at the full range of Leica optics including the new 1.8 E...
