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ZEISS DTI thermal imaging cameras. For more discoveries at night, and during the day.

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  1. Monahawk

    The bird garden. Tony Soper

    I remember seeing Tony Soper give a talk at the old Capital Theatre in Horsham, West Sussex where I grew up back in the 1970s. A great presenter in his heyday and like others who have contributed to this thread, he was a big influence on my early birding/wildlife ventures. Good on you Tony. Si
  2. Monahawk

    First bird of 2024

    A hatrick of tits on a nutfeeder. Blue, great and coal tits. Si.
  3. Monahawk

    Last bird of 2023

    A sickly goldfinch on one of my nut feeders with a blackbird close by looking on from the nearby hedge. A couple of robins twittering away nearby sounded out the old year. Si.
  4. Monahawk

    Exmoor birder

    Johnny Kingdom was a great character. Probably not everyone's cup of tea especially among the wildlife purists, but his simple, infectious often hilarious style was a joy to watch. Died tragically in a digger accident if I recall a few years ago, 2018 I think. He wrote a couple of entertaining...
  5. Monahawk

    Long tailed tit flocks

    An impressive flock of 26 long tailed tits moved through my garden late morning. That was largest flock I've had in my garden, but not the largest flock I have encountered. About 10 years ago I witnessed a flock of 33 birds down my road. I wonder if any forum members have witnessed larger...
  6. Monahawk

    First Bird Of 2023

    Greenfinch. Makes a change from the usual jackdaw most years. Didn't even feature in the opening 5 this time round. So greenfinch a welcome change. Si
  7. Monahawk

    Last bird seen in 2022

    What was your last bird seen this year? Mine was a lesser redpoll feeding on a seed feeder in the garden at dusk. Si
  8. Monahawk

    U.K birds that are common on the mainland but very uncommon/ rare on our islands. .

    Have been breeding in Ireland since around 2007. Numbers are steadily increasing and there have been sightings in most counties. Co. Wicklow is where most breed as there is more sufficient tree cover there than any other county. In my county Monaghan there are small established populations and...
  9. Monahawk

    Swifts

    Plenty of house martins and swallows in this part of Ireland. In fact I still have 2 pairs of the former bringing up a second brood under the eaves of the house. Alas it seems swifts have gone. Not seen any since last Sunday. Si.
  10. Monahawk

    Swifts

    Haven't seen any over my local town in the last 2-3 days, but had 3 over my house yesterday evening flying in the direction of the town. Huge movement of house martins locally this morning in the murky sky. Si.
  11. Monahawk

    Swifts

    About a dozen swifts racing around over Monaghan town yesterday morning. Si.
  12. Monahawk

    Swifts

    4 swifts over Monaghan town this morning scything around a regular area for them, the old convent school buildings. Numbers lower this year, mirroring many locations these last few years. Worrying! Si.
  13. Monahawk

    Swifts

    Swifts are leaving the UK, Ireland and Europe in numbers now, sadly disappearing for another year. How many are you seeing in your area at this time? Si
  14. Monahawk

    Winterwatch 2022

    The mysterious but fascinating thermal light image of geese flying at night was a joy to behold. Like a dark tidal sea flow advancing very slowly landwards. Also enjoyed seeing the very elusive and secretive jack snipe a bird I have seen but not too many times, perhaps only half a dozen or so...
  15. Monahawk

    When and why did we start birding?

    Been interested in birds and wildlife including plants since I was a kid growing up in leafy West Sussex in the 60's. I guess my parents were interested in outdoor activities and nature and I remember my grandfather, a keen gardener and naturalist and before he passed away showing me an old...
  16. Monahawk

    Your first bird of 2022 ...

    Great tit Si
  17. Monahawk

    Last Bird of 2021

    Robin. Singing away to others on an unbelievably warm evening for this time of year. Si
  18. Monahawk

    Not so rare bird moments

    Ditto that and some not so distant ducks have ended up being decoys. That was when I realised an eye test was not so much a need but a must! Si
  19. Monahawk

    Favorite weather for Birding?

    I don't mind birding in most weathers so long as it's not lashing rain or too windy. I hate birding in windy conditions, something I should really be used to living here in Ireland, but I find it a curse. Most birds go to ground or cover and you can't here any calls or anything, except the...
  20. Monahawk

    My Swifts have gone

    On a weekend visit to Irelands northwest, I was surprised to see 4 swifts in amongst a large flock of house martins over Sligo town centre on Sunday evening. Quite late for them to be around so far west. Si.
  21. Monahawk

    My Swifts have gone

    Just when I thought they have gone, then 10 swifts appear over the St. Peters Lake area of Monaghan town this morning. made my day. Si
  22. Monahawk

    My Swifts have gone

    1 lingering swift over Monaghan town late this morning among a flock of swallows. Si
  23. Monahawk

    Poorly Greenfinch (UK

    Could well be. I've seen this with my local greenfinches in the past, although my current crop of visiting greenfinches seem healthy and active. I've seen this terrible affliction with visiting goldfinches and chaffinches too, especially in winter months. Si
  24. Monahawk

    My Swifts have gone

    Saw 2 swifts flying around low where I was working this morning in Monaghan. They were close enough to note they had pale heads, so they were young birds. Si.
  25. Monahawk

    My Swifts have gone

    Saw one this afternoon over Monaghan town centre. They seem to have left earlier this year especially since the warm dry weather of July has given way to a very wet August. Here locally, their numbers appeared lower than last year. The old workhouse in Carrickmacross is a great spot for them...
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