Adult male Merlin, Broom GP, 28th October 2012. This bird is ringed on its right leg.
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Stewartby Peregrines
The two regular Peregrines on the chimneys at Stewartby. The male is the top bird. 27th October 2012.
Friday, October 26, 2012
Farewell to Ceefax
How many birders of a certain age felt a little pang of nostalgia when they saw the news this week that Ceefax was finally being switched off? I certainly did, although I was also amazed it was still going in these days of mobile Internet and instant everything-on-demand whenever and wherever you want it.
It seems hard to believe now, but when I were a lad, in addition to Nancy’s Cafe and the grapevine, we used to find out about rare birds via Ceefax. There was a wildlife page, which I think was something like page 260, and on it, as well as general wildlife news, there was usually some very specific rare bird news. I can’t remember who used to update it, but it was a proper birder, who either had good grapevine contacts or used to ring Nancy’s to get the latest news.
There was one big drawback though – it was only updated once a week! Again, my memory is rather hazy (we are talking nearly 30 years ago after all), but I think it was updated on Thursday mornings. I remember going in to Coalville library to use their Ceefax TV, and jotting down anything of interest, which would then be firmed up (or not) by ringing Nancy’s on the Friday, and twitched (transport permitting) at the weekend. The Greater Sandplover at Cley in August 1985 is one bird I particularly remember finding out about on Ceefax, and there were several others. Even after Birdline started it was still a useful (and free) way of finding out what was around, on a Thursday at least!
It’s not quite hearing about a rare bird by postcard, but it’s not far off in terms of seeming ridiculously antiquated now!
It seems hard to believe now, but when I were a lad, in addition to Nancy’s Cafe and the grapevine, we used to find out about rare birds via Ceefax. There was a wildlife page, which I think was something like page 260, and on it, as well as general wildlife news, there was usually some very specific rare bird news. I can’t remember who used to update it, but it was a proper birder, who either had good grapevine contacts or used to ring Nancy’s to get the latest news.
There was one big drawback though – it was only updated once a week! Again, my memory is rather hazy (we are talking nearly 30 years ago after all), but I think it was updated on Thursday mornings. I remember going in to Coalville library to use their Ceefax TV, and jotting down anything of interest, which would then be firmed up (or not) by ringing Nancy’s on the Friday, and twitched (transport permitting) at the weekend. The Greater Sandplover at Cley in August 1985 is one bird I particularly remember finding out about on Ceefax, and there were several others. Even after Birdline started it was still a useful (and free) way of finding out what was around, on a Thursday at least!
It’s not quite hearing about a rare bird by postcard, but it’s not far off in terms of seeming ridiculously antiquated now!
Ring Ouzel
This bird has been in a Farley Hill, Luton garden yesterday and today. Photo by Giancarlo Dinghile
Sunday, October 21, 2012
The Lodge Oct 21st 2012
 |
| Nuthatch |
 |
| Blue Tit |
 |
| Coal Tit |
 |
| Nuthatch |
 |
| Blue Tit |
 |
| Great Spotted Woodpecker |
 |
| Great Spotted Woodpecker |
 |
| Greenfinch |
 |
| Greenfinch & Nuthatch |
 |
| Black Swan |
Morning Walk Around The Lodge 21-10-2012 with Steve Blain, heard a lot, saw a lot in flight, redwing, pied wagtails, redpole, jay's, chaffinch, greenfinch, reed buntings, linnets etc all on the move, heard the raven and got a very brief glimpse, finally got some pictures in the hide and a nice shot of the black swans in Woburn on the way home. Oh yes and we saw loads of Fungi
All in all a very pleasant morning.
Sean
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)