West Midlands/Warwickshire local patches. (1 Viewer)

[jeff]

I heard Bill Oddie say that he did it as a youngster. Disgraceful.

I think that's how a lot of them got into birding in the first place..... it only became illegal to collect eggs in 1954 with the introduction of the Wild Birds Protection Act, but in the 40's it was quite common to collect eggs..... times change, i'm sure as kids we all did something that would be frowned upon now, but at the time was common practice by all.

 

[paul goode]

I think that's how a lot of them got into birding in the first place..... it only became illegal to collect eggs in 1954 with the introduction of the Wild Birds Protection Act, but in the 40's it was quite common to collect eggs..... times change, i'm sure as kids we all did something that would be frowned upon now, but at the time was common practice by all.

Agree Jeff, most people I know of that generation collected eggs. I think its also worth remembering that there were probably millions more breeding birds then than now and rest assured a few juvenile egg collectors didn't cause their demise. My mother was evacuated near Stratford during the war and it makes you cry comparing the birds that were ten a penny then to the pitiful handful battling it out in the green factory (sorry countryside) today.

Don't get me wrong though I've got no time for modern day collectors, our poor wildlife needs all the help it can get!!

 

[KayD]

Anyone know anything about this Bee Eater at Brandon Marsh this morning? I'm thinking of going there in a bit.

 

[RegTelescope]

I think that's how a lot of them got into birding in the first place..... it only became illegal to collect eggs in 1954 with the introduction of the Wild Birds Protection Act, but in the 40's it was quite common to collect eggs..... times change, i'm sure as kids we all did something that would be frowned upon now, but at the time was common practice by all.

Okay, maybe I'll let him off then, but his habit of licking his beard is pretty awful too.

 

[jeff]

Anyone know anything about this Bee Eater at Brandon Marsh this morning? I'm thinking of going there in a bit.

I missed it by 3 minutes

Briefly seen from railway bridge at 11:30ish but no sign since, a few people still looking for it. As one seen/heard last week in Long lawford (just up the road), fair chance it may still be around....

 

[KayD]

Okay, maybe I'll let him off then, but his habit of licking his beard is pretty awful too.

A lot of the things he says/does can be pretty irritating at times but I do find it hard to complety dislike the guy. He's kind of like an embarrassing Dad type figure of the birding community.

 

[KayD]

I missed it by 3 minutes

Briefly seen from railway bridge at 11:30ish but no sign since, a few people still looking for it. As one seen/heard last week in Long lawford (just up the road), fair chance it may still be around....

Cheers Jeff, we decided not to go anyway, we were a bit concerned about travelling too far in these gales. As you say it could be around the vicinity, hopefully might turn up again, although they sound to me like very flighty birds?

 

[draycotebirding]

Anyone know anything about this Bee Eater at Brandon Marsh this morning? I'm thinking of going there in a bit.

Here is a shot of it.

John

 

[Kevin Groocock]

Nice one, John, and thanks for the call:t: I had more chance of platting sand than getting to see the Beeeater Must admit that I cycled home at breakneck speed at 1800 to check if it was still about but the messages said no:-C

Ah well may be next time...............................

 

[Steve Seal]

Here is a shot of it.

John

Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr:-C:-C:-C:-C:-C:-C:-C

 

[xFritzx]

Okay, maybe I'll let him off then, but his habit of licking his beard is pretty awful too.

hey, anyone persistent enough to hang out at bartley rezzer has my vote! but yes, he is a visually unnappealing figure.

 

[Iceberg slim]

Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr:-C:-C:-C:-C:-C:-C:-C

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr Got a call from Dog at 10.30,but duly missed it,well done JJ for a least getting a record shot,:t:

 

[Dog]

When Mr Judge phoned me that was the fastest i've moved for a bird for a while, sausages & bacon abandoned, out the door & on the bird in 10 minutes. Thought it was going to be an uneventful day with the family.

Mike.

 

[Reader]

Same here. When this came up on the pager I was with Steve Lister and Tim Allwood at Sea Palling. Then I got a call from Dan Pointon asking if I was going after it.

Boy, that hurt.:-O:-O

John

Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr:-C:-C:-C:-C:-C:-C:-C

 

[Steve Seal]

Same here. When this came up on the pager I was with Steve Lister and Tim Allwood at Sea Palling. Then I got a call from Dan Pointon asking if I was going after it.

Boy, that hurt.:-O:-O

John

Dont get me wrong i dont need Bee-eater , ive seen a few in this country, just not in Warwickshire thats what hurts the most. If only i had stayed at home instead of chasing shadows on Cannock Chase i would have been within striking distance and would have got it. :-C:-C:-C:-C:-C:-C:-C

 

[senatore]

Having been inspired by Steve and Pete I went to Cannock Chase this morning for the first time to try a get a decent shot of a Redstart.

Parked in the Seven Spring's car park ( thanks Pete for the directions ) and headed off down what I thought was the main path.After no more than 400 metres I spotted a pair of Redstarts about 30 metres away.So using my fieldcraft skills I'd just got close enough for a decent shot when a couple appeared with one of those dogs that has to bark everytime it takes a step and my two little friends flew off.

Allthough I had several more sightings of Redstarts they were allways distant and all I ended up with were a couple of crappographs.Good place though with loads of the usual Warblers etc. about.

Max.

 

[Steve Seal]

Having been inspired by Steve and Pete I went to Cannock Chase this morning for the first time to try a get a decent shot of a Redstart.

Parked in the Seven Spring's car park ( thanks Pete for the directions ) and headed off down what I thought was the main path.After no more than 400 metres I spotted a pair of Redstarts about 30 metres away.So using my fieldcraft skills I'd just got close enough for a decent shot when a couple appeared with one of those dogs that has to bark everytime it takes a step and my two little friends flew off.

Allthough I had several more sightings of Redstarts they were allways distant and all I ended up with were a couple of crappographs.Good place though with loads of the usual Warblers etc. about.

Max.

Unlucky Max but dont give up. Their not easy but with a little time and effort you will get them. Cracking birds to watch aswell as they go about there routine. I have e mailed you private aswell.
Steve.............:t:

 

[nick the grief]

Unlucky Max but dont give up. Their not easy but with a little time and effort you will get them. Cracking birds to watch aswell as they go about there routine. I have e mailed you private aswell.
Steve.............:t:

Looks like he heard your shutter go off Steve :-O

Good photo super little birds.

 

[Reader]

Hi fabster and a warm welcome to Birdforum.

When you make a reply click on the Go Advanced button. Once that is done your reply should have a Manage Attachments button below the message. Click on that and you will see a Browse button.

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Scroll down on that Browse and Upload page and click on close window. If your post is now complete you click onto Submit Reply and that should load your reply complete with photos.

John

Hi all.I'm new to this.I've got some photos of the Brandon bee eater,but can't work out how to post it.Any advice greatly received.Cheers

 

[senatore]

Unlucky Max but dont give up. Their not easy but with a little time and effort you will get them. Cracking birds to watch aswell as they go about there routine. I have e mailed you private aswell.
Steve.............:t:

Great shot Steve but it does hurt seeing it.I will go there again sometime and hopefully meet up with some of you guys.

Max.