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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 32,688 ✭✭✭✭ytpe2r5bxkn0c1


    Have a swallows nest under the gable pitch here in Cork, still a whole family here on the 3rd of October. Had cleaned the path a week ago thinking they were gone!

    Sounds more like House Martins?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,201 ✭✭✭gzoladz


    High expectations in the birding community with what birds Lorenzo may bring along.

    A hoopoe and a Hobby were spotted in Wicklow this week, and it should only get better.


  • Registered Users Posts: 673 ✭✭✭Sharp MZ700


    Sounds more like House Martins?

    Gonna have to look closer in the morning.


  • Moderators, Arts Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators Posts: 77,022 Mod ✭✭✭✭New Home


    gzoladz wrote: »
    High expectations in the birding community with what birds Lorenzo may bring along.

    A hoopoe and a Hobby were spotted in Wicklow this week, and it should only get better.

    A hoopoe this time of year!! Wow!!! :)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 32,688 ✭✭✭✭ytpe2r5bxkn0c1


    New Home wrote: »
    A hoopoe this time of year!! Wow!!! :)

    While April and May are the more usual months, we have had them in October and November in 2016 and 2017. One appeared a few days after Christmas last year.

    Always a lovely bird to see.


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  • Moderators, Arts Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators Posts: 77,022 Mod ✭✭✭✭New Home


    Amazing. :)


  • Registered Users Posts: 673 ✭✭✭Sharp MZ700


    Sounds more like House Martins?

    You were right! I've been calling them swallows for over 10 years, shows what I know.
    I did put up a mirror there years ago and it worked as I had no more visitors for about 3 seasons, I love them flying in and out but they do leave an awful mess. Might put a "shelf" up above the second ceiling level below them before next season, to catch the droppings.Anyone ever done anything similar?


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 3,069 Mod ✭✭✭✭OpenYourEyes


    Posters here might be interested in a current 'sponsored post' on boards - for crowdfunded journalism on specific topics - in this case it's the spate of councils cutting down trees across the country in the last year or two. See below for details:

    https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2058021471&utm_source=sponsored_thread&utm_medium=forumview&utm_campaign=2058021471&utm_content=thread_title


  • Registered Users Posts: 611 ✭✭✭bkrangle


    gzoladz wrote: »
    High expectations in the birding community with what birds Lorenzo may bring along.

    A hoopoe and a Hobby were spotted in Wicklow this week, and it should only get better.

    Lots of hype yesterday over a nighthawk seen up North

    https://twitter.com/RonaldSurgenor/status/1181642656604143618?s=20


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,479 ✭✭✭Kamili


    I think he's been there a couple of weeks

    http://www.irishbirding.com/birds/web/Display/sighting/121774/Common_Nighthawk.html
    07:00-19:00 Galgorm. Relocated, roosting in a field (G. Bagnell). Showing well all day. Left the roost at 19:00, giving crippling views. Present for the last two weeks

    he's been spotted today too

    http://www.irishbirding.com/birds/web/Display/sighting/121812/Common_Nighthawk.html


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,067 ✭✭✭✭fryup


    i seem to have a lot of bees hovering around in my garage lately, they're up around the rafters for some reason??


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 797 ✭✭✭Tiercel Dave


    fryup wrote: »
    i seem to have a lot of bees hovering around in my garage lately, they're up around the rafters for some reason??

    Are you sure they are Bees, Drone Flies are looking for nooks and crannies in which to hibernate at the moment and they resemble/mimic male Honeybees.....

    eristalis-tenax-17068d6a-8b72-4d74-a7fc-87441d6aee8-resize-750.jpeg
    Google Image.....


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,732 ✭✭✭Capercaillie


    https://youtu.be/oyOwqQTkbXQ
    0.3 acre nettle/hogweed early cover patch for corncrake.


  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 50,169 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    what sort of ground prep do you do for that, if any? lots of potash?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,732 ✭✭✭Capercaillie


    what sort of ground prep do you do for that, if any? lots of potash?

    Prespray with roundup. In total around 150 trailer loads of spent mushroom compost bought in, dumped and leveled with digger. Dig up 1000 nettle sods and then wash. Break up nettle rhizomes over mushroom compost with some common hogweed seed. Cover with thin layer of mushroom compost. Control any chickweed/cleavers/creeping thistle/scutch grass. Fertilize with 0-16-0. Nettle bed done in 5 sections ,started in 2016.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,634 ✭✭✭✭Graces7


    Slugs.. I am resting abed today and gazing at the glass panel on the outside door. It is a maze of slug tracks. Every inch back and forth.. busy critters..

    Is this a seasonal thing? I have had a couple indoors that have slimed in under the door. Tiny ones.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,862 ✭✭✭Large bottle small glass


    Poor photo, bird was high up enough for my phone camera.

    Comeragh foothills, at about 200m. Anyone able to identify the bird?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,349 ✭✭✭✭Base price


    Poor photo, bird was high up enough for my phone camera.

    Comeragh foothills, at about 200m. Anyone able to identify the bird?
    Looks like a buzzard.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 32,688 ✭✭✭✭ytpe2r5bxkn0c1


    Poor photo, bird was high up enough for my phone camera.

    Comeragh foothills, at about 200m. Anyone able to identify the bird?

    Buzzard?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 13,992 ✭✭✭✭recedite


    Definitely.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,775 ✭✭✭Bsal


    Drove from Swords through Ballyboughal and on to Skerries today and saw 12 different Buzzards, they seem to be doing really well in North county Dublin.


  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 50,169 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    yep, we saw loads of buzzards over the weekend too. possibly a lot to do with the clear weather, i suspect.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,047 ✭✭✭appledrop


    Yes you will see loads of Buzzards on sunny days soaring in sky in North Dublin. However I see ar least one buzzard everyday no matter what the weather on my daily drive on M50 northbound. They love perching on side + watching traffic go by!

    The M4 near Maynooth is another popular hangout for them.

    I love them especially when soaring in the sky.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,862 ✭✭✭Large bottle small glass


    Poor photo, bird was high up enough for my phone camera.

    Comeragh foothills, at about 200m. Anyone able to identify the bird?

    Must be something in air, 3 buzzards in a week

    Mod Edit: Precise locations of birds of prey should not be made publicly available due to risk of persecution.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,775 ✭✭✭Bsal


    Just had a visit from a Goldcrest in the garden what a little beauty.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,862 ✭✭✭Large bottle small glass


    What burrowed this?

    Glove is for scale, maybe 40-50mm diameter.

    In an ash plantation


  • Moderators, Arts Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators Posts: 77,022 Mod ✭✭✭✭New Home


    Probably a rat, I'd say. Or a large mouse.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,979 ✭✭✭Eddie B


    Saw one of those once in a lifetime sight's this morning. Was coming up to a roundabout close to home, when a Buzzard dropped from a tree right in front of my car, and caught a red squirrel on the grass verge, the other side of the road. Watched it for maybe half a minute till the car behind me start blowing it's horn. Buzzard didnt even move after all the noise.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 187 ✭✭Ulmus


    Sad to see the photo of a dead Golden Plover which was killed, presumably, after colliding with Liberty Hall at night. http://www.irishbirding.com/birds/web/Display/sighting/123640/Golden_Plover.html

    Is there any way of reducing these bird collisions in a city? It would be great if SIPTU and other premises would take measures to reduce these fatalities.


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  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 3,069 Mod ✭✭✭✭OpenYourEyes


    Ulmus wrote: »
    Sad to see the photo of a dead Golden Plover which was killed, presumably, after colliding with Liberty Hall at night. http://www.irishbirding.com/birds/web/Display/sighting/123640/Golden_Plover.html

    Is there any way of reducing these bird collisions in a city? It would be great if SIPTU and other premises would take measures to reduce these fatalities.


    Possible Peregrine predation rather than collision? Might have been disturbed by a gull or similar before it got to eating it?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,760 ✭✭✭Birdnuts


    Was walking some spring tillage stubble yesterday near the parents place outside Naas and was impressed with the numbers of wintering skylarks I put up. Is anyone else noticing anything similar in their area??


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 883 ✭✭✭Keplar240B


    My collins complete guide to Irish widllife says on the House Mouse and i quote

    "formerly common and widespread but now comparatively scarce and local"

    What does this mean?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 32,688 ✭✭✭✭ytpe2r5bxkn0c1


    Keplar240B wrote: »
    My collins complete guide to Irish widllife says on the House Mouse and i quote

    "formerly common and widespread but now comparatively scarce and local"

    What does this mean?
    Yes, my copy says likewise.

    The statement is incorrect in some ways, The House Mouse was never truly widespread, in that it is dependent on human settlement and often outcompeted for food and habitats in rural areas. It was always absent from open countryside.

    The population density of house mice can vary depending on location, the time of year and the availability of food. In some places with warehouses or food stores there may be the equivalent of several thousand individuals per hectare, while rural areas can have up to fifty per hectare in the peak breeding period of summer and early autumn.
    They are comparatively scarce compared to decades ago when we had poorer food hygiene standards, unreliable storage methods for foods, and less rodent deterrents. Years ago virtually every home and business had mice, Now it's the exception.

    So, they are local, in that they are found in particular areas and comparatively scarce compared to the past.


  • Moderators, Arts Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators Posts: 77,022 Mod ✭✭✭✭New Home




  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 792 ✭✭✭fiacha


    Stuck in the house over the last couple of weeks and starting to get major cabin fever.

    I came across a channel on Twitch that does two live safaris in Kruger Park 7 days a week. Very interesting watch. Lions / Leopard / Wild Dog / Elephant / Hyena and a lot of birds.

    https://www.twitch.tv/ourwildearth


    A nice little escape from all the election coverage.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 792 ✭✭✭fiacha


    Just spotted my first Bumblebee of the year in the garden. She flew off before I could get an ID. Just a big white arse disappearing through the ivy :)

    I can't remember seeing one at home this early before. Plenty of crocus flowering over the last couple of days, so hopefully she has enough to keep her going.


  • Registered Users Posts: 3,428 ✭✭✭ZX7R


    Where I work in maynooth 2 nights ago the place was crawling with frogs,a beautiful heron having a field day eating them.
    I was amazed at how close the heron let me get to it I was only an arms length away, wonderful experience .


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,773 ✭✭✭Scotty #


    fiacha wrote: »
    Stuck in the house over the last couple of weeks and starting to get major cabin fever.

    I came across a channel on Twitch that does two live safaris in Kruger Park 7 days a week.
    Check out this YouTube channel, live safari twice a day everyday... https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCV6HJBZD_hZcIX9JVJ3dCXQ. Very knowledgeable guides.


  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 50,169 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    just spotted spawn in the pond in the back garden, and i don't think it was there yesterday. hardy frogs!


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,063 ✭✭✭wexandproud


    was out on a mountain bike on tuesday and spotted large patch of frogspawn in a small pool . Was out in same area today and i have never seen anything like it , huge amount of spawn in the ditches . stopped at one spot where the pool is about 7mtrs x 2mtrs . i stood still until the frogs started to come back to the surface , had counted as many as 40 and wasn't finished when some one walking a dog came along and the frogs all dived again . I haven't seen anything like it for decades .

    don't know what the law is , if there's any , about giving location . If anybody wants to know location pm me .. if its not breaking any rules/laws


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  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 50,169 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    spotted a barn owl this evening, first time i'd seen one in at least 5 years i think.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,047 ✭✭✭appledrop


    spotted a barn owl this evening, first time i'd seen one in at least 5 years i think.

    Wow. I would love to spot one. I'm presuming your in a rural location+ it was very dark around you.


  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 50,169 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    not too far from dublin; only a couple of km north of the M50.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,047 ✭✭✭appledrop


    Wow so maybe I might spot on yet.

    Where were you when you spotted it as in a field, back garden, outhouse etc?


  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 50,169 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    actually, out driving; my wife spotted it first. it was flying only a few metres to one side of a road with some tall trees nearby.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,067 ✭✭✭✭fryup


    for the second day running i saw the spilt second flash of a bird swooping down at the back garden bird feeder...kestrel? sparrowhawk?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,218 ✭✭✭✭Jim_Hodge


    I would say it's a sparrowhawk (no expert) as one swoops at the bird table here maybe once a week. I think Kestrels are more in to small mammals and invertebrates.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,047 ✭✭✭appledrop


    fryup wrote: »
    for the second day running i saw the spilt second flash of a bird swooping down at the back garden bird feeder...kestrel? sparrowhawk?

    I'd would be 99% certain it's a sparrow hawk. They are expects at swooping on bird feeders! It's actually astonishing watching them zoom in + out around hedges/feeders.

    Ours also like the odd pigeon + pluck it + leave feathers everywhere!

    Kestrels in contrast prefer to hover overhead + usually eat vermin/small mammals.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,349 ✭✭✭✭Base price


    I was driving from Cavan to Dublin earlier this afternoon on the N3/M3. After junction 10 I spotted eight little Egrets hunting on flooded tillage/grassland to my left. A small river runs through the area but I don't know it's name.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,201 ✭✭✭gzoladz


    Base price wrote: »
    I was driving from Cavan to Dublin earlier this afternoon on the N3/M3. After junction 10 I spotted eight little Egrets hunting on flooded tillage/grassland to my left. A small river runs through the area but I don't know it's name.

    Keep an eye on Cattle Egrets too as sightings are increasing rapidly, also white but with an orange bill. Similar size, but their build looks a bit more sturdy.


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