I currently shoot with a Canon 50d and a 400mm prime lens. I'm considering investing in a tele-converter to gain a little extra focal length. There are several makes and models on the market but can someone recommend a particular type, etc.
Newmann's Birds of Southern Africa Expanded Edition Colour Coded The classic field guide for this region covering no less than 950 species. This is the complete field guide to all the birds recorded from the Antarctic to the Zambezi, incorporating even the rarest vagrants to the region. With well o...
I would love to hear if anyone sees waxwings in the Preston area this winter. I saw them briefly last Nov in Stocks Road but would love to see them again. Many thanks from a very new birder!
Today: Buzzard being mobbed by Starlings as I slowed down and drove past the park. Less than half a mile from town center! Regards, Dave Ousey -- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 15th of October 2013 05:39:01 PM
Yesterday (12th Oct) at 16:45 we had a Skua from the car as we joined the M6 from the M58 at junction 26. With there being a big number of Bonxies around, it may well have been one, but it actually looked to be a tiny wee thing, so it's just down as a skua sp in my birdspotting jotter. Having just looked at a map i...
So it's looking like the 'Holy Grail' of Barnacle Geese has turned up.... Elsewhere a total of 60 were seen moving south off Seaton Sluice, Northumberland yesterday. A party of 8 moved up the Humber at Spurn. The blog for the birds of South Cumbria lists a number of ringed Barnacle Geese from Svalbard w...
Medical Journal 'The Lancet' has a summary by Dr Ashworth-Moore, of a study in to medical complaints which may be affecting GM Birders: Atlas Digit: A particular form of Repetitive Strain Injury, identified by Dr G.M. Baird-Atlas. This has become prevalent over the past four years. It is in...
I'm used to seeing thrushes and Woodpigeons feasting on the Rowan berries in my garden each autumn, but seeing a Robin devouring them too is a first for me. I know they relish softer fruits like Elder and Blackberries, as do Blackcaps etc, but Rowan berries always seemed too chunky a morsel for the smal...
Hi All, A friend of mine has unfortunately lost his Male Lanner Falcon whilst flying it this morning, the bird was last seen in Woodford at about 9:00. If anybody has seen the bird or had any information about it, please let me know by PM or on this topic. ATVB, Rory
Saw a young fox crossing the East Lancs on Thursday 3rd Oct near the Height at 5.40am. It looked a bit under nourished -- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 6th of October 2013 08:01:12 PM
Went to see the Red Deer on the Moor. Found three groups of Stags and Does. Stags wee bellowing at each other in Mexican Standoffs. Quite a few bluffers on the Stag front all noise and no action and a few big bruisers. Have to keep distance as they, and you, get the hump if you get too near.
I have been in Northumberland for the last week,and was surprised to find lots of Swallows still around, Mostly on Holy Island,I would have thought they packed their bags long ago.
CAWOS is pleased to announce that it will be holding a half day event to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Society on Saturday 9th November 2013 from 11.00am to 4.00pm. Please come and join them for this, their Special Celebratory Day for members/ non members and friends, old and new at Leahurst Ca...
Has anyone else been cold called by the RSPB? I have and find it very annoying, I'm so incensed that I will not renew my membership or support them in future. I don't think this is the way forward for the organisation. I suspect it may backfire on them. It has in my case. (Rant over)
I was at Spurn yesterday and saw a flock of large birds (10-12 individuals) flying over the sea. They were quite distant but coming towards me and as the cam e closer it became apparent that they were grey herons. They were flying high as though migrating and I wondered if anyone had had any experience of...
Had a look at the Helios Fieldmaster ED 82 Triplet Scope on Monday, it comes as standard with a 20-60x zoom eyepiece and a carry case. I was blown away by the quality of the scope and very pleased that it was usable right up to the 60x mag on the zoom. The carry case can be used like a stay on case (you have to see...
Just got back from a 3 day mini cruise to Bilbao from Portsmouth,birds from the ship:-
15+ Sabines Gulls
2 Cory's Shearwaters
4 Black Terns
Good numbers of Manx Shearwaters
Storm Petrel
Gannets,Fulmars,Commic Terns
Plus a Dunlin and Turtle Dove which landed on the ship
Cetaceans seen
10 S...
Whilst watching a group of 3 Buzzards over Woolston's No3 Bed today, it appeared to me that they were using a bit of team work when it came to hunting. It seemed apparent these three were a family group, one bird being much bigger than the other two, presumably the adult female. All three soared high on th...
I watched a pair of Kestrel hunting over part of Bickershaw Rucks for an hour before dark, where one went the other followed. I found it quite amazing to watch the rapid wing beats covering the area so quickly but also just as quick to bank and then hover when they spotted movement. It was the unity betwee...
4 Glossy Ibis near Horwich; in fields behind the Bob Smithy pub at the junction of Chorley Old Road and Walker Fold Road. Showing very well close to the road feeding constantly. Replies on the Horwich Moors thread please.
At Rydings Lodge Wardle this pm A Wall Brown sunning itself on the north bank of the lodge - my only sighting this year in Rochdale. Are they becoming even scarcer, or is it that I'm not spending enough time in the borough? Two Small Copper on Devil's-Bit Scabious.
Oh no. Not another doom and gloom post from me! Fraid so. Quite a few wildlife commentators called last Summer's wet and cool weather the 'tipping point' for the U.K's wildlife, and from reading many a posting on this website in combination with my own experiences this year, I think we have to come to te...
Sorry everyone but mipits don't exist though the term is now increasing used on here, please use their full, given, name on the forum; save the term for out in the field . I know to many this seems particularly arsey or pedantic and that's your perfectly entitled opinion but whatever you think, the miss...
