Yeah.... I think we'll all be grateful to see an end it to. Though I fear it won't happen for some time sadly.
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Wild in Aberdeen - City and Shire (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter Ken Hall
- Start date
Oh you lucky b*!!!
I've only ever heard one.... about 5 years ago over on the west coast!!
I've only ever heard one.... about 5 years ago over on the west coast!!
Mark Etheridge
Bird Shooter (With A Camera)
A Hoopoe has turned up at Pittodrie Stadium, home of Aberdeen FC. It has been rooting around for at least three days on the verges of the players' car park, which is private land, and so far the assembled throngs have kept their distance so the bird is relatively undisturbed, although distant views are quite possible.
Well worth a look if you are in the area...
Well worth a look if you are in the area...
Attachments
Hoopoes do seem to like car parks - that was where I saw my first one LOL
That's super pictures you've taken Mark.
That's super pictures you've taken Mark.
Had a trip over the Cairn O'Mount recently, pictures aren't very good, but watching to Golden Eagles hunting Red Grouse and actually witnessing a catch was something quite special.
Golden Eagle after a Grouse
Golden Eagle after a Grouse
That really must have been wonderful to watch Burnie.
Well done getting some images too lad.
Well done getting some images too lad.
Impressive photo Burnie. I think that's an immature White-tailed Eagle though.
I wasn't sure Andrew, but sure it's one of these two, unless there was three of them!!
Golden Eagles
Golden Eagles
Caught in the act
In for the kill
In for the kill
Those look like a pair of Ravens and a Buzzard. Certainly different birds to the one in the first picture.
Some nice pictures on your photostream, but the following aren't correctly labelled:
Great Black-backed Gulls
Willow Warbler
Dunlin
Some nice pictures on your photostream, but the following aren't correctly labelled:
Great Black-backed Gulls
Willow Warbler
Dunlin
Ravens
Ravens
We were able to watch these birds for nearly an hour, watched the Eagles being mobbed by buzzard and ravens, which even at distance aided with the id, must admit now you say it the head does look prominent on the one chasing the grouse, could be a White Tail as you suggest. The two higher up were Goldens, we did get closer views and were able to both see the head colours, but also could hear them.
Ravens
We were able to watch these birds for nearly an hour, watched the Eagles being mobbed by buzzard and ravens, which even at distance aided with the id, must admit now you say it the head does look prominent on the one chasing the grouse, could be a White Tail as you suggest. The two higher up were Goldens, we did get closer views and were able to both see the head colours, but also could hear them.
Last edited:
Andy Strachan
Well-known member
Hey guys. First post here. Been doin' this birding thing for about a year now probably, and I often post my findings on Birdtrack, so if you're a regular there you'll probably see my name pop up around Peterhead now and again.
No big findings yet, however, I thought I'd come here and post my latest sighting seeing as this bird doesn't seem too common!
Found me some Water Rail! Basically on my door step!
Walking in Meethill Park, Peterhead yesterday morning I seen two birds in the swampy reed beds pottering about, I thought they were just brown female Blackbirds from a distance until they run and darted into the reeds and I seen their upright white tufted tails. I instantly thought that the way their body moved when they run seemed weird and not like anything else I'd seen so I hung about and tried to see them again, but couldn't see them and gave up. Checked out my bird books for white tufted tail and basically narrowed it down to Water Rail and was pretty convinced but not enough to post it on Birdtrack.
So I went back later with a camera trap and left it over night. Expecting nothing exciting at all, I collected it this evening and was chuffed to see that it actually was Water Rail! I'd actually caught it! haha Couldn't believe it. There were definitely two of them the day before.
It's not the most exciting video, but it's a first for me, and going by Birdtrack it's not common. I don't actually know any birder's in real life and this is the first forum I have joined, so I have no idea what to make of this finding.
Are they difficult to find in general?
Is there another thread I should post this in?
I'd be grateful for any tips guys!
Cheers.
Oh, and I think I'm gonna get some water repellent on the lens for next time!
No big findings yet, however, I thought I'd come here and post my latest sighting seeing as this bird doesn't seem too common!
Found me some Water Rail! Basically on my door step!
Walking in Meethill Park, Peterhead yesterday morning I seen two birds in the swampy reed beds pottering about, I thought they were just brown female Blackbirds from a distance until they run and darted into the reeds and I seen their upright white tufted tails. I instantly thought that the way their body moved when they run seemed weird and not like anything else I'd seen so I hung about and tried to see them again, but couldn't see them and gave up. Checked out my bird books for white tufted tail and basically narrowed it down to Water Rail and was pretty convinced but not enough to post it on Birdtrack.
So I went back later with a camera trap and left it over night. Expecting nothing exciting at all, I collected it this evening and was chuffed to see that it actually was Water Rail! I'd actually caught it! haha Couldn't believe it. There were definitely two of them the day before.
It's not the most exciting video, but it's a first for me, and going by Birdtrack it's not common. I don't actually know any birder's in real life and this is the first forum I have joined, so I have no idea what to make of this finding.
Are they difficult to find in general?
Is there another thread I should post this in?
I'd be grateful for any tips guys!
Cheers.
Oh, and I think I'm gonna get some water repellent on the lens for next time!
Welcome to BirdForum Andy. Nice video and a good sighting! Water Rail is found in a few places in Aberdeenshire, but it's quite localised and most reports come from just a few sites. We've been seeing them quite a bit round where I live in Aberdeen recently and they're always great to see.
Nice one Andy. And welcome to BirdForum from all the staff and moderators. There’s a thread called Birds Fae Torry and I believe Andy and Ian are lucky enough to have regular sightings of Water Rails there.
Rich
Rich
Andy beat me to it
.... and you both beat me to it Rich! LOL
Hi Andy and a warm welcome from me too.
Water Rails certainly aren't easy to see! I've never heard that call from one, so thanks for the video. The usual call that people recognise is the squeal, like a pig!
I'm sure you will enjoy it here and I look forward to hearing your news.
Hi Andy and a warm welcome from me too.
Water Rails certainly aren't easy to see! I've never heard that call from one, so thanks for the video. The usual call that people recognise is the squeal, like a pig!
I'm sure you will enjoy it here and I look forward to hearing your news.
Andy Strachan
Well-known member
Cheers guys!
It was definitely worth getting my feet soaked for it! haha
What's been amazing me about doing this is that I'm in that park everyday with the dog, sometimes multiple times a day, always looking and listening for birds, and you think you've found them all and seen all that that park's gonna give, but then you're surprised by a weird call, or a funny shaped bird and you find out it's something new! It's great.
It was definitely worth getting my feet soaked for it! haha
What's been amazing me about doing this is that I'm in that park everyday with the dog, sometimes multiple times a day, always looking and listening for birds, and you think you've found them all and seen all that that park's gonna give, but then you're surprised by a weird call, or a funny shaped bird and you find out it's something new! It's great.
