Wildlife and Gardens Thread

[Spudulike]

I'm hoping for loads on Saturday to get the match called off.

[jgtuk]

Had snow for over a week now.

 

Edited 10 January by jgtuk

[Spudulike]

Looking to purchase some decent binoculars for bird watching. Wouldn't describe myself as a serious twitcher but fancy a decent pair for when I'm out and about. Started doing a bit of research and now getting bombarded with adverts all claiming to offer the best product. The prices range wildly from about £85 up £2,500!! I think 8x42 is the best for what I'll need.

 

Anyone got any experience or recommendations? 

[jgtuk]

1 hour ago, Spudulike said:

Looking to purchase some decent binoculars for bird watching. Wouldn't describe myself as a serious twitcher but fancy a decent pair for when I'm out and about. Started doing a bit of research and now getting bombarded with adverts all claiming to offer the best product. The prices range wildly from about £85 up £2,500!! I think 8x42 is the best for what I'll need.

 

Anyone got any experience or recommendations? 

8x40/42/50  good for closer, lower light, in garden, woodland etc, not so good for distance, seawatching etc. 

10x 40/50 etc better for distance, hopeless in close woodland because of field of view.

Spotting scope better for long distance, seawatching etc.

Water resistance and fog resistance may be a consideration if you intend using in these conditions so look for nitrogen or Argon filled/purged models.

Roof prism vs porro prism  - main consideration is size/weight - Porro prism are smaller/lighter generally but both can give great results visually.

HD/ED coated glass helps with chromatic aberation, sun haze etc and I would highly recommend paying more for this if you are serious.

MOST IMPORTANT - comfort. Try some out and make sure they are comfortable to use - weight/size/grip and eyecup design (eye relief - do you wear glasses etc)  will enhance your pleasure.

I can't recommend a particular make or model as I don't know your budet and needs.

I use Swarowski and Leica which are mega expensive but I've been birding for many years and it was my profession at one time so justifiable for me.

Some reserves have open days with dealers so you can go and try out in the field, look online to find your local large reserve and call them.

Hope that helps somewhat.

Forgot to add - new innovations include image stabilised bins if you want to push the boat out - My dad has a pair of Canon and they are superb.

 

 

Edited 12 February by jgtuk
Addition

[Spudulike]

11 minutes ago, jgtuk said:

8x40/42/50  good for closer, lower light, in garden, woodland etc, not so good for distance, seawatching etc. 

10x 40/50 etc better for distance, hopeless in close woodland because of field of view.

Spotting scope better for long distance, seawatching etc.

Water resistance and fog resistance may be a consideration if you intend using in these conditions so look for nitrogen or Argon filled/purged models.

Roof prism vs porro prism  - main consideration is size/weight - Porro prism are smaller/lighter generally but both can give great results visually.

HD/ED coated glass helps with chromatic aberation, sun haze etc and I would highly recommend paying more for this if you are serious.

MOST IMPORTANT - comfort. Try some out and make sure they are comfortable to use - weight/size/grip and eyecup design (eye relief - do you wear glasses etc)  will enhance your pleasure.

I can't recommend a particular make or model as I don't know your budet and needs.

I use Swarowski and Leica which are mega expensive but I've been birding for many years and it was my profession at one time so justifiable for me.

Some reserves have open days with dealers so you can go and try out in the field, look online to find your local large reserve and call them.

Hope that helps somewhat.

Forgot to add - new innovations include image stabilised bins if you want to push the boat out - My dad has a pair of Canon and they are superb.

 

 

Great info, thanks.

 

Not in your league as I'm more a casual bird spotter but found the Hawke to be getting good reviews...

 

https://www.bestbinocularsreviews.com/Hawke-Frontier-8x42-ED-X-Binoculars-Review-232.htm

 

Probably more in my budget.

[jgtuk]

1 hour ago, Spudulike said:

Great info, thanks.

 

Not in your league as I'm more a casual bird spotter but found the Hawke to be getting good reviews...

 

https://www.bestbinocularsreviews.com/Hawke-Frontier-8x42-ED-X-Binoculars-Review-232.htm

 

Probably more in my budget.

Good choice. I’ve held these and they feel very comfortable for my hands, smooth focusing controls, good ED coating and will last you years if you look after them. 
 

There’s no substitute for trying them out first though if you can. If not, make sure you can return them easily. 
I’m sure you’ll be happy with them though. 
Good luck 👍

[Spudulike]

1 hour ago, jgtuk said:

Good choice. I’ve held these and they feel very comfortable for my hands, smooth focusing controls, good ED coating and will last you years if you look after them. 
 

There’s no substitute for trying them out first though if you can. If not, make sure you can return them easily. 
I’m sure you’ll be happy with them though. 
Good luck 👍

Some of these models have HD lenses and the more expensive have ED. Do you think it worth paying the extra to have ED?

[jgtuk]

49 minutes ago, Spudulike said:

Some of these models have HD lenses and the more expensive have ED. Do you think it worth paying the extra to have ED?

It’s up to you and what the extra cost amounts to. 
I’ll be honest, you might not notice the difference when in use. 
(I would go for ED personally )
Your call. 
 

[jgtuk]

So, with the world on fire again I have retreated to my garden for some post winter/pre spring therapy. 
Snowdrops have been around for a few weeks and daffodils are coming out and I’ve been pulling up rogue brambles and saplings, generally tidying. 
Ravens have been performing an amazing aerobatic display (if you’ve never seen one you’re missing out) in the skies above, and I’m hearing the winter calls change to breeding/territorial song - Greenfinch, Siskin, Bullfinch, Song Thrush, Coal Tit all seen singing or gathering nesting material. 
My personal pièce de résistance was an hour spent watching a Firecrest singing and flitting about in a small stand of Blackthorn. 
The pond has become home to Toad and Frog spawn, much to the delight of the local Heron, and there are Badger digs and Fox droppings under the apple trees. 
I also noticed the beginnings of a rookery in a very large Ash tree, the natural spread of the local population taking place. 
If you can, I would recommend you getting out and spending some time in nature, it’s a great way to cleanse your mind. 

[Foxdiamond]

1 hour ago, jgtuk said:

So, with the world on fire again I have retreated to my garden for some post winter/pre spring therapy. 
Snowdrops have been around for a few weeks and daffodils are coming out and I’ve been pulling up rogue brambles and saplings, generally tidying. 
Ravens have been performing an amazing aerobatic display (if you’ve never seen one you’re missing out) in the skies above, and I’m hearing the winter calls change to breeding/territorial song - Greenfinch, Siskin, Bullfinch, Song Thrush, Coal Tit all seen singing or gathering nesting material. 
My personal pièce de résistance was an hour spent watching a Firecrest singing and flitting about in a small stand of Blackthorn. 
The pond has become home to Toad and Frog spawn, much to the delight of the local Heron, and there are Badger digs and Fox droppings under the apple trees. 
I also noticed the beginnings of a rookery in a very large Ash tree, the natural spread of the local population taking place. 
If you can, I would recommend you getting out and spending some time in nature, it’s a great way to cleanse your mind. 

Totally agree. Great post. Went with my wife for a nice long walk on Saturday. Wonderful antidote to the news. Just to be out in nature hearing the birds sing. A song thrush perched above our heads in a beech trree and gave us a demonstration of his musical talents

[TeamRocket]

Anyone know hownto get rid of alot of weeds and nettles?

[jgtuk]

10 minutes ago, TeamRocket said:

Anyone know hownto get rid of alot of weeds and nettles?

I remove by uprooting by hand. Nettles are the only food source for some butterfly larvae so if you can, leave a few 👍. 
If they need clearing then there are a few weed killers freely available, try to avoid Glyphosate if possible though. 

[Stadt]

Bought a hose, connecting up and spooling correctly was far harder than it ought to have been.

[jgtuk]

Clearing some brush and undergrowth and found a Pheasant nest. 

[Spudulike]

1 hour ago, jgtuk said:

Clearing some brush and undergrowth and found a Pheasant nest. 

Wow. That's a lot of beaks to feed!

[jgtuk]

1 hour ago, Spudulike said:

Wow. That's a lot of beaks to feed!

Not unusual for pheasant, there are 19 eggs and I found the nest with only one. I’m anticipating more being laid as she’s not brooding them yet 

[Spudulike]

4 minutes ago, jgtuk said:

Not unusual for pheasant, there are 19 eggs and I found the nest with only one. I’m anticipating more being laid as she’s not brooding them yet 

Quick Google and it seems the chick's feed themselves pretty quickly after hatching. Not sure how unusual it is to have eggs of different colour shades in the same brood. Perhaps more than one female using the same nest?

[TeamRocket]

5 hours ago, jgtuk said:

I remove by uprooting by hand. Nettles are the only food source for some butterfly larvae so if you can, leave a few 👍. 
If they need clearing then there are a few weed killers freely available, try to avoid Glyphosate if possible though. 

Thanks I have tried pulling a few out but  they keep coming back also have tones of horses tails growing everywhere  been yanking them out only to get them back a week later. Also any tips on how to stop squirrel from stealing my flower i plant?

 

yeah i do plant to keep a few nettles also thought about pot growing them as I like them for tea and plant food for my chilli plants

[PAULCFC]

Moved up to the North East and it's amazing the difference in wildlife up here compared to Leicester....see Pheasants every day while driving,Jackdaws(never seen one before moving up here....but their a pain in the arse)Great tit's,long tailed tit's,blue tit's,Robins in the garden.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[jgtuk]

3 hours ago, Spudulike said:

Quick Google and it seems the chick's feed themselves pretty quickly after hatching. Not sure how unusual it is to have eggs of different colour shades in the same brood. Perhaps more than one female using the same nest?

Could be two females but I’ve seen lots of eggs of different shades mixed in one nest over the years. Lots of pheasants here and this is one of another 4 nests I’ve found in the garden. 
I’ve done a quick survey today and found 27 nests with eggs, various birds. 
One pair of Swallows arrived today and scouted a barn but we normally have at least five pairs nesting.  
 

[SpacedX]

49 minutes ago, PAULCFC said:

Moved up to the North East and it's amazing the difference in wildlife up here compared to Leicester....see Pheasants every day while driving,Jackdaws(never seen one before moving up here....but their a pain in the arse)Great tit's,long tailed tit's,blue tit's,Robins in the garden.

You can see all of this in the Leicestershire countryside. Jackdaws are actually very common across the UK. They tend to nest in small groups unlike the rookeries you'll see. They like to build nests in tree hollows, but in urban areas any cavities will do, and they particularly like chimney stacks, a wall or an attic. They are very, very intelligent like most of their corvid cousins and can recognise you and even respond to a facial expression. 

 

Depending on where you are, you will eventually see ravens if you venture up the Northumberland coast (which is wonderful). Puffins, razorbills, guillemots, shags, cormorants, kittiwakes, and terns are frequently seen along the coast. In the Kielder Forest wild boar are present. It's also part of England's Dark Sky park,  

[Spudulike]

3 minutes ago, jgtuk said:

Could be two females but I’ve seen lots of eggs of different shades mixed in one nest over the years. Lots of pheasants here and this is one of another 4 nests I’ve found in the garden. 
I’ve done a quick survey today and found 27 nests with eggs, various birds. 
One pair of Swallows arrived today and scouted a barn but we normally have at least five pairs nesting.  
 

Wow, you must have a seriously fantastic garden. Mines pretty small but it's got a large oak (complete with TPO) and a couple of hedges. We've got Blue Tit's in the box and, I think, a Dunnock in the hedge.

 

We're quite lucky to have an ancient woodland (eventhough developers are eying the surrounding land) and a nature reserve within walking distance.  Loads of Chiffchaffs have arrived this week with plenty of waterfowl on the pools. Hoping to see a Marsh Harrier at some point.

[jgtuk]

22 minutes ago, Spudulike said:

Wow, you must have a seriously fantastic garden. Mines pretty small but it's got a large oak (complete with TPO) and a couple of hedges. We've got Blue Tit's in the box and, I think, a Dunnock in the hedge.

 

We're quite lucky to have an ancient woodland (eventhough developers are eying the surrounding land) and a nature reserve within walking distance.  Loads of Chiffchaffs have arrived this week with plenty of waterfowl on the pools. Hoping to see a Marsh Harrier at some point.

The ChiffChaff are deafening at the moment 😂. 
I see Marsh Harrier around our coast on migration and they breed at Cors Ddyga, Anglesey which is the nearest to me. 
They are quite easy to see in the south of England on one of the reserves. 
I know of several Hen Harrier nesting sites and they are amazing to watch in the breeding season, if you’ve never seen it, google sky dance. 

[jgtuk]

3 hours ago, TeamRocket said:

Thanks I have tried pulling a few out but  they keep coming back also have tones of horses tails growing everywhere  been yanking them out only to get them back a week later. Also any tips on how to stop squirrel from stealing my flower i plant?

 

yeah i do plant to keep a few nettles also thought about pot growing them as I like them for tea and plant food for my chilli plants

If you pull them up, grab from the base and try to get the root. 
You will probably have to resort to a selective weed treatment for the horsetail as it can be a bit stubborn. I’ve used SBK treatment successfully in the past. 
 

[jgtuk]

55 minutes ago, SpacedX said:

You can see all of this in the Leicestershire countryside. Jackdaws are actually very common across the UK. They tend to nest in small groups unlike the rookeries you'll see. They like to build nests in tree hollows, but in urban areas any cavities will do, and they particularly like chimney stacks, a wall or an attic. They are very, very intelligent like most of their corvid cousins and can recognise you and even respond to a facial expression. 

 

Depending on where you are, you will eventually see ravens if you venture up the Northumberland coast (which is wonderful). Puffins, razorbills, guillemots, shags, cormorants, kittiwakes, and terns are frequently seen along the coast. In the Kielder Forest wild boar are present. It's also part of England's Dark Sky park,  

Wonderful birds and incredible aerialists, I’m lucky enough to see them every day over my house. They breed in a nearby quarry.