Vagueness and the Aftermath - A sporadic diary

[RED-DOG]

Pied wagtails are a fair bit larger than a blue tit though?

Not really, just a much longer tail

[RED-DOG]

Red, this site can be usefull identifying birds - the blue really threw me in Tighty's description.
http://www.birdid.co.uk/Default.asp

Thats a great site.

There are loads of birds, trees, insects etc that I'm familiar with just because I've seen them lots of times before. I might know how a particular bird sounds or a flower smells, but I don't know what it's called. In my mind I just say, "Ah yes, it's one of those"

These days, I find that I want to identify them properly.

[Laxie]

Those feckin birds dive bomb me every time I stick my head out our bedroom window!!!  Pretty sure they're cross because I stopped them building a nest at our back door again this year after the mess they made the two previous years.

These sound like house martins Laxie.

They build a mud nest which they stick to the underside of a ledge or lintel or the eaves of your house (they think it's a cliff)

House martins are quite rare these days, and it's a rare privilege to have them stay with you for a few weeks.

With the past few years they've landed in Spring and headed off some time in early Autumn I think.  Had no idea they were rare because they're all over the place in our village.  The locals told me they were swallows, but I've just googled the two and there's a bit of a difference, so I reckon you might be right.  They've been here every year with the past few.  They hang out on a utility line at the back most days and show no fear of us when we open the bathroom window to have a chat with them.  For whatever reason though, they definitely don't like when I open our bedroom window.  Must have found a new place for their nest and they're worried I'll cop it.   

The Goldfinches are my favourite.  They seem to hang out in pairs and we have 2 or 3 couples out the back.  Had to stop feeding them as I was worried our cat would get hold of them.  Pity, because I could sit and watch them for ages.

[RED-DOG]

Those feckin birds dive bomb me every time I stick my head out our bedroom window!!!  Pretty sure they're cross because I stopped them building a nest at our back door again this year after the mess they made the two previous years.

These sound like house martins Laxie.

They build a mud nest which they stick to the underside of a ledge or lintel or the eaves of your house (they think it's a cliff)

House martins are quite rare these days, and it's a rare privilege to have them stay with you for a few weeks.

With the past few years they've landed in Spring and headed off some time in early Autumn I think.  Had no idea they were rare because they're all over the place in our village.  The locals told me they were swallows, but I've just googled the two and there's a bit of a difference, so I reckon you might be right.  They've been here every year with the past few.  They hang out on a utility line at the back most days and show no fear of us when we open the bathroom window to have a chat with them.  For whatever reason though, they definitely don't like when I open our bedroom window.  Must have found a new place for their nest and they're worried I'll cop it.   

The Goldfinches are my favourite.  They seem to hang out in pairs and we have 2 or 3 couples out the back.  Had to stop feeding them as I was worried our cat would get hold of them.  Pity, because I could sit and watch them for ages.

Goldfinches are my favourite finch, they have beautiful tinkling song (It sounds like Japanese wind chimes) I used to breed and show them. (I also used to catch them from the wild, but that's a whole nother story)

The one in the pic is a cock-bird. You can tell because the red on his face, (his blaze) extends past his eye. Young goldfinches have no black cap or red blaze and are called "Grey pates"

[kinboshi]

I remember when Chaffinches were very common.  Same with sparrows.  Where have they all gone?

Chaffinches are supposed to be the second most common British bird.

[RED-DOG]

I remember when Chaffinches were very common.  Same with sparrows.  Where have they all gone?

I know. I can't believe the sparrows have gone. Who would have thought it?

Have you ever read about the passenger pigeon?

[RED-DOG]

I played the £300 at Walsall last night. Only 63 runners but a quality field.

I spent my night trapped between Micky Wernik and Ali Mallu, I think it would have been less stressful if I had been playing Russian roulette.

12 return today, including Messers Wernik, Mallu, and yours truly. (short stack of course)




Flambé  my kipper in brandy. I have a feeling I might need it.....

[Laxie]

WELL DONE!!!    Get in there and win the darn thing!!!   

[kinboshi]

Get it won Tom.

Yes, I've read about the passenger pigeons.  Incredible extinction of a species that had a population greater than humans.

[boldie]

Get it won Tom.

Yes, I've read about the passenger pigeons.  Incredible extinction of a species that had a population greater than humans.

I QI'ed it.

[RED-DOG]

I QI'ed it.

[boldie]

I QI'ed it.

Stephen Fry's program on the BBC. It was mentioned on that. If you like your tidbits and snippets of info you want to check out their forum..it's amazing.

http://www.qi.com/talk/

[kinboshi]

Quite interestingly, the last baiiji that ever lived was called Qi.  Another animal that is now extinct.

http://atkinsinstitute.blogspot.com/2007/06/baiji-lipotes-vexillifer.html

[RED-DOG]

Quite interestingly, the last baiiji that ever lived was called Qi.  Another animal that is now extinct.

http://atkinsinstitute.blogspot.com/2007/06/baiji-lipotes-vexillifer.html

This is getting spooky.

[AndrewT]

Quite interestingly, the last baiiji that ever lived was called Qi.  Another animal that is now extinct.

http://atkinsinstitute.blogspot.com/2007/06/baiji-lipotes-vexillifer.html

You certainly know your onions Kin.