[Archie Opteryx]

I have heard mention of those that keep a list of birds that they have seen 'dropping their load' if you will and often thought that I might keep one for my own amusement but I never did.

But then, recently, I went to see the Alpine Swift at Beeston Bump and when watching it, I saw it do it's toilet. I vocalised this (with some authority, as if it was massively important) and then had to explain to dogwalkers why this was significant. They looked at me strangely. I'm used to that. But that moment was a kind of epiphany... It was then that I realised that I had no choice but to keep my own coprorinithilogical tabulation.

I have decided that for the list to retain clarity and validity that there will be no retrospective additions. The Alpine Swift was the start. Poo zero if you will.



So here it is, in all is cloacal glory!


1. Alpine Swift
2. Wren
3. Lesser Black-backed Gull.

Well, it's a start!

I will update as and when there are additions* and might even produce photographic evidence - isn't this exciting!!

Feel free to share your own bottom based bird list too.


Remember - if you are watching birds somewhere and you see a large man shout out 'I saw it poo', and then scribble in a book, it might well be me.

[*provided the whole thread doesn't get pulled ]

[Jaff]

So long as there are no swear words I don't see a problem.

[Archie Opteryx]

Bombs away!

[Essex Tern]

Do you put an asterisk on the list if you were hit by the load?

Only one I think I have ever been hit by was a Long Tailed Tit - thankfully the load was as dainty as the bird

[Archie Opteryx]

Originally Posted by Essex Tern

Do you put an asterisk on the list if you were hit by the load?

Only one I think I have ever been hit by was a Long Tailed Tit - thankfully the load was as dainty as the bird

I think I shall!

I've twice been deposited on by Swifts. But I didn't see them unload so they wouldn't count.

Been scrutinising Great Tits in the garden this evening. Their movements remained beyond my ken.

[Edward]

I keep a "doings" list. My best are Ostrich in Nairobi (imagine about a gallon of vanilla ice cream on a hot day being poured away) and a very impressive Snowy Owl ejecta in Iceland.

As for photographic evidence then I captured the image below at my summerhouse last weekend. My veranda is carpet-bombed by Redwings and I'd just cleaned the table when this landed right next to me. But the culprit wasn't a Redwing, and I wouldn't have believed what it was unless I'd seen it drop its payload. So your starter for 10 is which bird does this belong to?

[Archie Opteryx]

Bit insecty? House Martin?

[Edward]

Originally Posted by Archie Opteryx

Bit insecty? House Martin?

No insects, those black bits are crowberry seeds. It was an Arctic Skua!

[jmepler]

Originally Posted by Essex Tern

Do you put an asterisk on the list if you were hit by the load?

My Grandmother claimed that if a bird pooped on you it meant you would have good luck.

Depending on what kind of bird your luck couldn't get any worse, think Osprey or Great Blue Heron.

Mike

[Archie Opteryx]

Originally Posted by Edward

No insects, those black bits are crowberry seeds. It was an Arctic Skua!

Wow - wouldn't have imagined a Skua doer to have been so compact!

[Edward]

Originally Posted by Archie Opteryx

Wow - wouldn't have imagined a Skua doer to have been so compact!

I think it had been eating too many berries and had a spot of the trots. But as I said, I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it do it.

E

[Archie Opteryx]

4. Starling

[Jaff]

Can't imagine either of these were too popular afterwards.

[Archie Opteryx]

Crikey!

[Archie Opteryx]

5. Herring Gull

Was hoping for the 'opening of a paint pot in flight' situation but ended up with a more considered and controlled affair.

[James Thomas]

Like the change of posture on this Shortie

[Archie Opteryx]

Originally Posted by James Thomas

Like the change of posture on this Shortie

Certainly seems to be relaxing the area...

[Archie Opteryx]

6. Swallow

The aftershock, if you will, attached for your edification.

[Rufford]

I have a daily duty patrolling a school yard at lunchtime. A host of Herring Gulls, Black Headed Gulls and Crows always gather excitedly awaiting the bell that signals the end of lunchtime and the beginning of their free junk-food-scavenging-fest. During the last few years, as the more adventurous entrepeneurs circle, I have been pooped on on several occasions. Whilst I suspect all three of these species have used me for target practice, I am not skilled enough at recognising faeces to know which of them is the culprit at any given time.

[MSA]

Saw the SBD relieve itself on Saturday and thought of you (as well as a bit of schoolboy humour with the initials)!

[Phil Andrews]

Originally Posted by jmepler

My Grandmother claimed that if a bird pooped on you it meant you would have good luck.

Depending on what kind of bird your luck couldn't get any worse, think Osprey or Great Blue Heron.

Mike

Not sure I would want to get in the way of this at Upton Warren, Worcs: http://www.birdforum.net/attachment....9&d=1346960526

[Archie Opteryx]

Originally Posted by MSA

as well as a bit of schoolboy humour with the initials)!

Hehehe!

[Archie Opteryx]

Originally Posted by Phil Andrews

Not sure I would want to get in the way of this at Upton Warren, Worcs: http://www.birdforum.net/attachment....9&d=1346960526

That's pretty impressive. Fish seems to go through me like that some days too...

[Archie Opteryx]

7. Cormorant. Sadly I was watching this preening while waiting for the inevitable squirt.

8. Common Gull. Seen shortly after #7, I was trying to look at its primaries in flight (moulting bird) when it popped a little nugget out. Honest.

[Allen S. Moore]

I haven't watched cassowaries defecating, but I did see (and smell - fragrantly fruity!) the male's droppings at Cassowary House near Cairns, Australia 2 years ago. No, I'm not an expert on identifying gender from droppings, but the male was there with the 3 young and I guess that the young hadn't deposited that heap!

I am not assiduous as regards lists as some are, but here in the Isle of Man I was once dumped on by a herring gull and had to go home to put everything in the washer and me in the bath! I have seen several other species in action (as it were), such as choughs, shags and cormorants.

Allen