Twitchers, Ornithologists & Feathered Friend Fanciers #5

[AB Editor]

Hello, and welcome to the fifth edition of "Twitchers, Ornithologists & Feathered Friend Fanciers".

As usual the previous issues of this illustrious thread are located below.

Do any of you go on regular bird-watching trips? If so, what do you normally take along with you? I understand that you'd need binoculars and a flask of tea, but are there any other bird-watching "essentials" that you just cannot do without?

Issue 1

Issue 2

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Issue 4

[NazNomad]

... apart from the bracket and the receiver looking slightly more 'modern', I'd say that IS the same as mine.

[NazNomad]

... educated guess would be that they've updated the hardware and scrapped the (rather pointless, imo) battery operation.

[ladybirder]

Thanks for taking the trouble Naz. I have to have battery operated though. Anything else is not an option. Not very good reviews for the link you sent I'm afraid - sounds inferior to yours. I need a 5* product and don't mind paying a bit more for it. Can't be climbing up a tree every 5 minutes at my age! I'll dig out my RSPB catalogue and see what theirs are like.

[NazNomad]

I'll point you here ... http://www.handykam.c...wireless-cameras.html

Scroll down to the ''Need for power'' section.

[ladybirder]

My head's exploding but that was really useful Naz thanks. You've just shown me that I can't have one. Better to have found out now than after I had bought one. So disappointed though.

[NazNomad]

How far away from your TV is the tree you were hoping to use? Can you get a bob-a-job to fit a wired one up for you?

[ladybirder]

It's the access to power that's the problem. I can't be running wires over paths and other people's property:-(

[NazNomad]

Ah, I see. I can think of one possible solution, do you get House Martins that you could 'spy' on?

[ladybirder]

Nah scuppered again. These modern buildings weren't built to house House Martins, Which is a great pity IMO. 10 out of 10 for effort though.

[NazNomad]

How about one of these ... http://www.pet-superm...n-Nest-Box_HB1388.htm ... but build a small box on top to house a camera?

We need to know more about your setup to give us more possible solutions ...

[boxtops]

when are we likely to see the ospreys back at Loch of the Lowes? Our local paper said one had been seen at Dungeness a few days back, presumably on their migratory way north.

[NazNomad]

Another week or so, by this reckoning ... http://www.birdforum....owthread.php?t=193947

[boxtops]

Cheers naz - fingers crossed!

[ladybirder]

Naz good idea. The only place they could go is on the roof terrace. This is large space on the corner of the building, open on three sides with the other side being a 12' north facing wall. There are no eaves at all to put the nests under so do you think a position, high on this wall, would be too open for the HMs? To explain further, this is modern block of flats and I own the flat directly below the roof terrace. So this means I would have to run wires from the nest box on the roof terrace, down the wall, then down the front of the building into my flat. I don't think other residents would be too happy about that, in fact I probably wouldn't be allowed to do it. Hence a wireless option would have been perfect but not if I've got to disturb the birds putting a new battery in everyday. Plus the expense of it of course. I think at the very least, even if the camera option is out, I will put up a few nesting boxes if you think the site is suitable. Sorry this is so long but difficult trying to explain.

[Barmaid]

I think I just saw a Marsh harrier. Was on the thermals over the house. I initially thought it was a Red Kite (loads round here), but when it got closer there was no red on it. Very distinctive black wing tips.

[ladybirder]

Are they so difficult to tell apart? I would have thought the Red Kite with its forked tail is a dead giveaway. Just wondering.

[Barmaid]

I don't know much about birds, so I wouldn't know what to look for!!! I had to dash in and look it up on the internet (tried to take a picture, but the camera battery died).

[ethandron]

unless you're pretty familiar with birds of prey, i think they're all quite difficult to tell apart to be honest, particularly when they're soaring way up. not always easy to spot tail shape, wing shape, etc.

[NazNomad]

I wouldn't know a Marsh Harrier if it bit me (well, I might). Easy to distinguish between the Buzzards & Kites here though.

[vivandorron]

Naz...Just a quick thank you from me. I have read with great interest what you have said to ladybirder and it is making me think seriously about a 'birdcam'.....Perhaps a little too late for this year; unless I go for a HOUSE MARTIN 'box'....Pity about all the necessary wiring which is required because battery operation is a definite outer.

One final question.....Will you be able, with your set-up, to put photos into Flickr and let us see what's happening within your bird box.?

Ron.