Nature on your farm.

blue5000 · 11-05-2026 11:58PM

Heard the cuckoo a few evenings last week, and the week before which I thought was early. There's no shortage of swallows in the yard. They're busy picking up mud to fix up nests today. Very hard to know if numbers are up or down on previous years though.

Spotted a dead hedgehog on the road this morning, unfortunately. Have a fcukkin starling's nest in the air vents of the Fiat cab, that will be some mess, they've hatched so should be able to use it again soon.

Austinbrick · 12-05-2026 09:35PM

You have a good opportunity ahead of you so! Just need to sell loads of cattle and give one of those starlings a good bit of your time . Check out one of them imitating noises on you tube https://youtube.com/shorts/aw8DhzLkNQU?is=OKqQiuGy3qVWQSX5

Austinbrick · 12-05-2026 09:37PM

20260512_183838.jpg

Collared dove is it

RockOrBog · 13-05-2026 12:41AM

The starlings are no joke, they ganged up on and killed a big crow in the cattle shed, they are building nests around the place now maybe that has something to do with it.

I threw the dead bird out over the wall on the qt, within a few minutes a flock of crows gathered, it was like something out of a horror movie.

They missed their chance, they didn't come to back up their cineál when they were needed 😂

Fern Bench · 15-05-2026 10:31PM

I've never heard a cuckoo. Where do I need to go and when?

divillybit · 16-05-2026 12:45AM

Cuckoo's are very active here in rural Roscommon. They arrive for the birds nesting season as they have to lay their eggs in other birds nests.

waterfaerie · 16-05-2026 08:11AM

We hear them all the time here in south Mayo. I had a pair fly really low directly above my head a few days ago.

According to the Birdwatch Ireland website:

"Widespread in Ireland, favouring open areas which hold their main Irish host species – Meadow Pipit."

and also "Good areas to see Cuckoo are the Burren and Connemara, which hold the highest density of breeding pairs."

_Brian · 17-05-2026 01:02PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124472471#Comment_124472471

We had a few come round covid timeframe. Following few years they were common round the farm each spring.

Just none this year.

Austinbrick · 02-06-2026 12:10PM

Meadow looking well.

Whats the small white flower?

Lime Tree Farm · 02-06-2026 02:26PM

Wild Flower: Stitchwort
Totally Wild UK
Pain Relief: The name "stitchwort" derives from its historic use to treat a "stitch" (sharp muscular pain in the side after exercise) when consumed in a brew. [1, 2]
Skin Complaints: Crushed fresh leaves and poultices were traditionally applied to soothe eczema, insect bites, rashes, and minor wounds. [1, 2]
Anti-inflammatory: Herbalists historically used leaf and flower infusions as diuretics and anti-inflammatories to treat joint pain, rheumatism, and arthritis. [1, 2]
Respiratory & Urinary: Infusions were also thought to soothe coughs, sore throats, and urinary tract infections. [1]

Disclaimer: Traditional herbal uses should not replace modern medical advice. Always consult a healthcare provider before using wild plants medicinally.

Austinbrick · 04-06-2026 12:37AM

Ragged Robin the plant app tells me this time!

Don't know about the butterfly. I cant get him in to the plant app!!!

x567 · 04-06-2026 12:41AM

Open to correction, but I think that’s a Speckled Wood butterfly…

Austinbrick · 04-06-2026 12:47AM

Thanks . I looked him up. He is flying it , to choose the correct pun! Found in abundance .likes woodland areas. Thus the markings Im guessing.

RockOrBog · 13-06-2026 10:14PM

There's a plague of fledglings on the back roads, I'm doing 10mph trying to avoid them with a few days

Lime Tree Farm · 14-06-2026 08:28AM

I stop pick them up and tossed them up into the air helping them to find their wings and fly. A couple of years ago I found two crows on the road, one alive the other driven over & flattened.. I put on the gloves caught it over the wings. An enormous beak turned back to peck me, crows overhead squawking loudly. I tossed it up into the field, it flew for a bit & landed in a patch of nettles. Recently saw a small bird on it's back on the road, having hit by a car, its parents fluttering over it, such a sad sight.

dmcdona · 14-06-2026 05:27PM

Drinker caterpillar sunning itself.

I was struck by the size of the bloody thing - a good 6cm and probably 1cm wide.

Say my name · 14-06-2026 09:36PM

A varied bunch on the farm this morning.

Screenshot_20260614-092104_Merlin Bird ID.jpg

Dinzee Conlee · 14-06-2026 10:41PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124551101#Comment_124551101

What app is that from?

spark_tank · 14-06-2026 10:45PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124551259#Comment_124551259

Merlin Bird ID. A brilliant app.

Base price · 15-06-2026 02:12PM

There is huge commotion from the Jackdaws flying around the sheds here all day, squawking, flying high/mobbing in numbers - I think they are getting worried cause the Buzzards are zoning in.

Austinbrick · 15-06-2026 11:27PM

Funny story here on the same thing.

A few weeks ago, I was filling a drum of water in the yard when the crows went mad.

A buzzard had gone in low into the lower branches of a horse chestnut tree at the back of the farm yard. The crows were trying to get at him from above.

After less than a minute , 9 or 10 crows hunted him out in arrow formation . And what was in the middle of them , only 2 starlings!!

After chasing him away , they flew back again with the 2 starlings still in the middle of them.

I said to myself can there be a case of being Safe Brave or are they playing their part as much as the crows. I was laughing in the yard at it.

RockOrBog · 16-06-2026 12:01AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124553865#Comment_124553865

I've seen starlings attack and kill lone crows, they are no joke for small birds, beautiful colours too

fits · 16-06-2026 06:08AM

absolutely heaps of oak saplings in one of my meadows this year. maybe I should fence it off and let it turn into a forest …

Has anyone successfully saved them? Was wondering if they would grow in pots until hardy enough to plant out again? We have deer in the farm now ( a new thing) and they’re eating the tops of anything planted last year.

Ak84 · 16-06-2026 07:03AM

I would fence off the area and let the trees grow for a couple of years.

Transplant them then if needed.

The most vigorous trees I find are the ones you don't plant.

Limestone Cowboy · 16-06-2026 07:49AM

99% sure I seen a red kite locally here yesterday. Was driving so I didn't get to take a picture but its wingspan looked way bigger than a buzzard and very noticeable forked tail. First time ever seeing one.

magicbastarder · 16-06-2026 08:23AM

What part of the world?

Limestone Cowboy · 16-06-2026 08:30AM

North Clare, the burren.

Say my name · 16-06-2026 08:34AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124554104#Comment_124554104

I saw two flying together and they did a hedge hopping, diving on a flock of crows in a silage field. They are a lot more agile than a buzzard and work together better than a buzzard too.

magicbastarder · 16-06-2026 08:35AM

Yeah, the username had me wondering that.

Might be worth reporting the sighting to the biodiversity data centre? The distribution map on the birdwatch website doesn't show Clare in the range.

Large bottle small glass · 16-06-2026 08:51AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124553865#Comment_124553865

We have always have a big population of crows nesting close to the house.

It's only in the last 10 years or so that buzzards have shown up; now they are very common.

I'm losing count of the unique number of interactions between the two species; all very interesting although your sounds like a step up in crow fighter pilot intensity!

Nature on your farm.

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