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    Ruddy Duck cull continuing

    But isn't it better that we have groups of people, whatever their specialism, asking questions of the specialists? As the cull has gone ahead then the specialists have clearly been listened too, but a healthy debate and accountability can't be a bad thing. (It is also my understanding that...
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    Ruddy Duck cull continuing

    Surely it speaks of our humanity and democracy that, whatever side you happen to agree with, there is always pause and debate before these things happen. There is so rarely the right and wrong way to proceed. I think that you will find that far from being quiet, there are a lot of voices...
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    Ultimate gifts for birdwatchers/keepers??!

    www.wigglywigglers.co.uk do excellent bird feed and feeders and prompt delivery service.
  4. H

    Ruddy Duck cull continuing

    I think that culling should be the absolute last resort when all other efforts have failed. If I remember rightly, there was a campaign to trap and relocate the hedgehogs on Uist instead of trapping and killing them. What about the impact of discarded plastic on rare seabird colonies...
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    Ruddy Duck cull continuing

    Yes, I am so at least I'm being consistent! ;) Thank you for the explanation about the habitat....good to know. I do understand the argument for a cull and luckily for me, I can sit here and exercise my right to disagree as I am not the one who has to make the decision or pull the trigger...
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    Ruddy Duck cull continuing

    Yes, thank you, I am aware of the origins and the history of the Ruddy Duck, as I am aware of other escapees of collections that are allowed to exist in Britain and are now considered to be part of British wildlife. Just because I have a different view with regards to the cull does not make me...
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    Ruddy Duck cull continuing

    I am sure that is the case now, but weren't the number of WHD in Spain declining due to loss of habitat & hunting before the hybridisation with Ruddies became a problem? It just seems so futile that when there are a lot of something we say that they are a nuisance/vermin and then wait until...
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    Ruddy Duck cull continuing

    At the risk of being too sentimental, I saw a male and a female ruddy duck this morning and considered myself very fortunate to be able to look at them. My husband hadn't seen a ruddy before and we both remarked that we should make the most of it. I have read other threads on here about the...
  9. H

    Song thrush or Redwing, Somerset, UK

    It's alright, felt like a bit of a tit for forgetting binoculars and having to ask!
  10. H

    Song thrush or Redwing, Somerset, UK

    Whilst walking in fields with a mixture of hawthorn and other bushes this morning, I saw flocks of 10+ thrush-sized birds. Unfortunately I had forgotten the binoculars and the sun was low making id difficult. I have seen Redwings there before, but had seen a song thrush perched in the same...
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    First Bird 2012

    Great tit, closely followed by a blue tit
  12. H

    Annoying birding conversations in hides

    As someone who is trying to venture off the well-beaten path of RSPB-type hides and has discovered that apparently I'm no longer "bird-watching" but "birding", I'm very concious of the fact that I'm not yet in the club. However, a few experiences at my local hide that requires a permit that can...
  13. H

    Falcon ID UK

    Personally, I'm glad that you did as they are great pictures. Cheers!
  14. H

    Do birders like to be asked questions in hides?

    ....or maybe I'll just keep quiet
  15. H

    Do birders like to be asked questions in hides?

    Thank you for all your feedback - my ID book will be proudly on show from now on and I won't be afraid to ask questions. ;-)
  16. H

    Do birders like to be asked questions in hides?

    Hi all, I've been interested in birdwatching for a while now and know a certain amount but recently I've tried to dedicate more time and effort to it. However, I still feel more than a little intimidated by those of you who clearly know what you're talking about whilst I'm still trying to...
  17. H

    chiff chaff or willow warbler in Somerset, UK

    Maybe I'll have to be content with the knowledge that I have one or the other! Thank you for all your thoughts.
  18. H

    chiff chaff or willow warbler in Somerset, UK

    Thanks, Terry. Unfortunately no song; there was a lot of noise from a collection of long-tailed tits, goldfinches and blue-tits that I found it difficult to identify the call that the birds were making. I'll try to have a better look at the legs.
  19. H

    chiff chaff or willow warbler in Somerset, UK

    Apologies for lack of photo but I don't think any of my amateur snaps would really help anyway! I know that I have either a willow warbler or chiff chaff in my garden at the moment. Having looked at numerous bird ID books I am no closer to being able to spot the difference between the two so...
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    Where have all my birds gone?

    They are probably off eating all the insects, seeds etc that occur naturally around at this time of the year, so not so reliant on your garden feeders. Planting flowers, shrubs etc that attract birds is a good way of keeping them in your garden all year round.
  21. H

    Hello and thanks!

    Hi to everyone, I joined yesterday in the hope that someone could identify a bird outside my house - and someone did within minutes so thank you. I'm 34, a teacher, and spend far too long staring outside at the birds in my garden making me late for work!
  22. H

    Need ID on this bird outside our house, please

    Thank you nickderry and htcdude - having looked at pics of adult american quails, the crest looks just like my mystery bird's.
  23. H

    Need ID on this bird outside our house, please

    Hi, If anyone could help identify this bird which I saw outside my house this morning. It looked like a juvenile as the feathers were scruffy. The picture has been taken on my phone whilst sitting in a car as I was on my way to work when I spotted it. It is not clear in the photo but it...
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