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...
Started some surveys from near the Point last month (September 30th). Having only visited once before this I am glad to be spending some more time here between now and Spring 2015. Late September saw heavy vis mig overhead with the following birds noted (obviously not there for pleasure, so can only n...
Morning walk through the clough along the river. Afternoon walk along the top of the clough from Dingle Reservoir along a very overgrown little used path. A machete would have been very handy to cut through the balsam ! 1 Buzzard 1 Kestrel 1 Pheasant 5 Woodpigeons 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker 20 House Ma...
I have 2 of these android phones for sale at £30 each Both have been in protective cases/screen covers from day 1 and have unscratched screens. Both come in the original packaging with their chargers and USB connecters. One comes with gel case and the other a black flip-top leather case. I have one car c...
Food & Flora Farming, Land Use & Biodiversity Monday 27th October, 7-9.30pm Unicorn Grocery. M21 0BN An evening of speakers, producers and good food. Industrial agriculture is the world's biggest threat to biodiversity, but food doesn't have to cost the earth. Hear from farmers, campaigners & ot...
The private, member only, Deeside Naturalists Trust Nature Reserve at Connah's Quay is holding its annual Open Day on Saturday Oct 11th this year. This offers a unique oportunity to visit the site, look around the several hides overlooking the river & mudflats from the Welsh side opposite the B...
As a relative newcomer to the joys of birding I am keen to find all the local knowledge I can get. This forum is brilliant and has helped me enormously, and I am very grateful to all contributors. I am still a little apprehensive about posting myself because of lack of knowledge. A while ago I was a member o...
We seem to have had a massive sparrow explosion this year. Gone from 3 - 4 birds to daily flocks of 50 +. Whilst we have changed our feed regime, and this almost certainly is influencing the number of birds in the garden, it is a massive jump Is it just us, our area or are other people seeing a big increase in s...
Is it just me or do Jay's seem to be everywhere at the minute? I know I haven't posted any as single species sightings, and that is mainly due to me driving a 7.5 tonner at the time so not the best of ideas. I usually get distracted with work phone calls (yes hands free) and concentrating on road conditions....
Hi, I'm going to Scilly towards the end of next week. The weather's looking a little calm and it's early in the season anyway, but could anyone tell me the best places to bird? I'm staying at the Garrison campsite on St Mary's and am trying to decide on a route to take whilst patching. Many thanks, Joe
Sitting here bored at work as backup while they move our servers, listening to various songs.
Currently got on the new British Sea Power album (Do you like Rock Music) which is very good.
Track 8 is an instrumental called Great Skua and there are also some Barn Owl calls on one of the earlier tracks,...
I've been having to concentrate on mountain training for the last nine months or so with occasional birding and virtually no photography - all in aid of climbing Kilimanjaro with a mate [mid life crisis!] we reached the summit last week and had a day in Arusha National Park to relax before we headed hom...
Anybody else use one? I was discussing birding and binoculars/scopes with a photographer friend of mine a few days ago. I happened to mention that I was always slightly concerned when I go seawatching, or indeed to any coastal location, that the objective on my scope invariably gets coated in a lovel...
If you are bored at home with nowt to do,Go online and look up Reykjavic Airport Web Cam.It has great views of the Nature reserve .You can use the camera yourself.Great Birds to be seen.Give it a go
Hi, I am selling my Canon 5d mk2 that I have owned from new plus a genuine Canon battery grip bg-e6 with original box, 2x genuine canon batteries lp-e6 and a 16gb compact flash card. The camera is stunning and unmarked, it has been cared for and shows no signs of wear. The camera comes in its original box wi...
noticed that a buff-breasted sandpiper this afternoon at ringstone edge res, west yorkshire flew west towards scammanden at 17.10 this evening putting it close to gm, would be a first for gm i believe if relocated in the county so fingers crossed on this one!
Just spent 2 weeks in Lesvos, Aug 19th-Sept 2nd, stayed in Petra an excellent location. Spent 1 full day birding and every morning had a walk around outskirts of Petra. Saw 79 species in total with 13 totally new for me. Steve Dudley's birdwatching guide to Lesvos was extremely useful. Most of my walks...
Can anyone recoment any decent scopes for around £500. Mine is on its last legs but as im poor need to get a new one on a budget but havent got a clue whats any good!
Help please?
The lens comes complete with the original case, box and instruction manual Also included is a set of fitted camouflage style protective neoprene covers The lens is in as-new condition as I have virtually never used it £550 Nigel 07548 853081 -- Edited by Nigel Richards on Saturday 6th of September 20...
