Photo: Abby Eaton (Mandarin Duck)
What we've all been waiting for - an easy birdsong identifier
The RSPB has published a succinct identifier for the songs of the ten birds we're most likely to encounter in our gardens or out for walks. Go to https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/apr/16/home-birds-how-to-spot-20-of-the-most-common-species-from-your-window-walk-or-garden?utm_term=RWRpdG9yaWFsX0dyZWVuTGlnaHQtMjAwNDIy&utm_source=esp&utm_medium=Email&CMP=greenlight_email&utm_campaign=GreenLight
The RSPB has published a succinct identifier for the songs of the ten birds we're most likely to encounter in our gardens or out for walks. Go to https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/apr/16/home-birds-how-to-spot-20-of-the-most-common-species-from-your-window-walk-or-garden?utm_term=RWRpdG9yaWFsX0dyZWVuTGlnaHQtMjAwNDIy&utm_source=esp&utm_medium=Email&CMP=greenlight_email&utm_campaign=GreenLight
23 February 2019
Bird-safe windows
Ever heard that sickening little thump as a bird hits your window? It may have flown off but often there's a sad little corpse. There are ways of making especially large windows safe including by sticking bird silhouettes on them, but an inspiring case study from the USA at abcbirds.org/article/1st-ever-bird-friendly-sports-arena-in-the-world/?omhide=true&eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=3221ee75-d9e5-4653-941a-8c49e7ccc7c0
has taken this to an extreme degree.
Closer to home, the RSPB has some advice on preventing collisions and also deterring putty-pecking https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/birdwatching/bird-behaviour/birds-and-windows/
Bird-safe windows
Ever heard that sickening little thump as a bird hits your window? It may have flown off but often there's a sad little corpse. There are ways of making especially large windows safe including by sticking bird silhouettes on them, but an inspiring case study from the USA at abcbirds.org/article/1st-ever-bird-friendly-sports-arena-in-the-world/?omhide=true&eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=3221ee75-d9e5-4653-941a-8c49e7ccc7c0
has taken this to an extreme degree.
Closer to home, the RSPB has some advice on preventing collisions and also deterring putty-pecking https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/birdwatching/bird-behaviour/birds-and-windows/
Look out for previous residents
I was the first to move into my new-built house, in 2011. Quite soon, baby frogs appeared which I encouraged to exit across neighbouring grassy gardens in the hope they would find their way to an appropriate pond, though I didn't know of any nearby. Then, a very largely-pregnant frog arrived, ditto, followed in succeeding years by others. I have no idea whence they came, and knew only that the hillside my house is on was steep and very wet. And then last year, going out early to enjoy the signs of spring, I found a mass of spawn deposited on the dewy grass, and yet more amongst leaves where I looked to see if the frog was still around. Poor lady, she had obviously been caught short. I gathered up the spawn in a bucket of rainwater, and took it down to a friend's pond. I hope the froglets enjoyed their new home. Elizabeth Forbes
I was the first to move into my new-built house, in 2011. Quite soon, baby frogs appeared which I encouraged to exit across neighbouring grassy gardens in the hope they would find their way to an appropriate pond, though I didn't know of any nearby. Then, a very largely-pregnant frog arrived, ditto, followed in succeeding years by others. I have no idea whence they came, and knew only that the hillside my house is on was steep and very wet. And then last year, going out early to enjoy the signs of spring, I found a mass of spawn deposited on the dewy grass, and yet more amongst leaves where I looked to see if the frog was still around. Poor lady, she had obviously been caught short. I gathered up the spawn in a bucket of rainwater, and took it down to a friend's pond. I hope the froglets enjoyed their new home. Elizabeth Forbes