No announcement about Springwatch 2021 as of yet! (1 Viewer)

[aeshna5]

They mentioned it was breeding Redwings

Yes a very loud Redwing singing on Wednesday evening-didn't hear it last night though. Apparently many viewers wanted to know what it was. I wouldn't be surprised if Iolo didn't know what it was at the time as it's not everyday you hear a singing Redwing & won't be breeding in his native Wales.

 

[Euan Buchan]

I was surprised when he said it was a Redwing , thought they be away.

 

[Robert Wallace]

You only had to look at the cats they were showing as part of their project - which if they admit its gone must surely be shut down? More white on the face than I would accept in a Wildcat, and the only tail they dared show even in a brief long shot had a pointed tip, which is a no-no.

John

I attended a talk on Wildcats at the 2019 Birdfair, mainly because of an article by Derek Gow and Peter Cooper in British Wildlife (Vol 30 No 5 June 2019). I think it was Peter Cooper who delivered the talk. Apparently there are no genetically pure wildcats in Scotland which is why the rewilding programme is likely to be Wales and SW England. Wildcat populations need to be sustainable otherwise the wild cats will interbreed with house cats, even though the house cats will normally avoid wildcats.
Contrary to what many people think the Scottish Highlands are at the top end of the wildcat's range, basically wildcats prefer the warmer English broad leaved forests.
The wildcat was heavily hunted in Britain and the last one is believed to have been shot in Northumberland in1853.

 

[Parker]

I know it’s a bit knit picky but I’m surprised Chris used the wrong terminology when comparing Skylark & Woodlark. Surpercilium not eyestripe.

 

[aeshna5]

I know it’s a bit knit picky but I’m surprised Chris used the wrong terminology when comparing Skylark & Woodlark. Surpercilium not eyestripe.

He also called the Ringed Plover a Little Ringed Plover last night.

 

[PYRTLE]

I could not believe the presenter's introduction to tonight's episode......
" Now here's every CAT'S favourite programme, it's Springwatch." Obviously clueless on their effect on native wildlife: yes , even little Fluffles sat on someone's lap.
Priceless!
Habitat at Ken Hill looks to be working well.

 

[birdboybowley]

Where'd that Hooded Merg come from on the BH Gull lake?

 

[aeshna5]

A couple of clangers last night. At the moth trap Chris said Swallow Prominent when it showed a Pebble Prominent & when Gillian was talking about predation of the Black-headed Gull chicks she said the wardens blamed Great Black-backed Gulls & then showed a photo of a Lesser Black-back with its bright yellow legs! So wonder which species did the plundering?

 

[davercox]

He also called the Ringed Plover a Little Ringed Plover last night.

Yes, but then I realised he meant 'little (lower case) Ringed Plover'. Careless, I agree.

 

[aeshna5]

Yes, but then I realised he meant 'little (lower case) Ringed Plover'. Careless, I agree.

Did he? I'm not convinced he would use it in that sense, but no way of knowing, not that it's that important in the grand scheme of things.

 

[Farnboro John]

Did he? I'm not convinced he would use it in that sense, but no way of knowing, not that it's that important in the grand scheme of things.

I was watching the same edition and my impression also was that he said lower case little, and I bet he was kicking himself a few seconds later.

As for Great/Lesser Black-backs, I suspect one of two things going on (1) producer who can't tell (2) producer who knows 99% of viewers can't tell.

John

 

[Himalaya]

They mentioned it was breeding Redwings

I am behind on the programmes but have been hearing it for a few days.

 

[Himalaya]

Yes a very loud Redwing singing on Wednesday evening-didn't hear it last night though. Apparently many viewers wanted to know what it was. I wouldn't be surprised if Iolo didn't know what it was at the time as it's not everyday you hear a singing Redwing & won't be breeding in his native Wales.

They sound like an almost tropical species.

 

[PYRTLE]

Worth the BAFTA? For it's longetivity or the current format with a very different approach. I guess the latter as no guest congratulations yet from elder presenters, especially King, Humble and Oddie.

 

[Farnboro John]

Worth the BAFTA? For it's longetivity or the current format with a very different approach. I guess the latter as no guest congratulations yet from elder presenters, especially King, Humble and Oddie.

I'd give the programme a BAFTA and I'd also give Chris Packham one (a BAFTA that is) for his increasingly majestic domination of the programme as lead presenter and emergence as a natural successor to Sir David for BBC wildlife programmes as time goes on.

John

 

[PYRTLE]

Absolutely agree with your support for Packham, a true ambassador in many ways.

 

[Euan Buchan]

I enjoyed the Gary Moore film.

 

[Himalaya]

This year's series is bowling along all right, apart from the woke influence's attempts at social engineering constantly irritating, with unnecessary rubbish such as "camera operator" replacing "cameraman". "Bearded Reedling" would be more annoying but only just.

John

Those changes are hardly the biggest problem in the world? I didn't even notice them.

 

[Himalaya]

Lesser Whitethroat added this week. I wonder if there are any "commoner" birds which have not had a camera on the nest yet in Springwatch? Carrion Crow? Collared Dove? Corn Bunting?