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ZEISS DTI thermal imaging cameras. For more discoveries at night, and during the day.

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  1. TheBlackGrouse

    Brabant Netherlands - Garden Warbler ?

    In the Netherlands, in general Garden Warblers don't show themselves. They sing while hidden in a bush and when silent you don't see them. Willow Warblers are much more visible when singing. When they are searching for food, you can see them sometimes. Their habitats may look the same but Garden...
  2. TheBlackGrouse

    Kite ID - Ukraine

    Since I saw a red Black Kite in the Netherlands, all kites are suspicious and the shape says it all. What about the primaries?
  3. TheBlackGrouse

    Needed - easy way to check collimation

    The light source has to be far away? We don't see any stars here in the city. Do I have to wait until I'm in a nature reserve far from the city? Or can I do the same with a light from a high tower or so?
  4. TheBlackGrouse

    Undisclosed, Forest of Dean, UK

    Ok, on topic because it's about their behavior in their breeding grounds :) In the canopy they have fast straight parts of 10 - 20 meters with fast changes of direction. Following them with your binos is difficult and often impossible. In forests they may cross an open field (a few hundred...
  5. TheBlackGrouse

    Undisclosed, Forest of Dean, UK

    Migrants are a totally different category. Ever seen a Marsh Harrier when migrating? Totally different flight. ''Wide open area'' is also a different category. In Western Europe the far majority of sightings are of Orioles flying less than 50 meters in the forests. They prefer to stay in the...
  6. TheBlackGrouse

    Undisclosed, Forest of Dean, UK

    In Western Europa they are forest dwellers, they fly straight, look like Starlings but are much faster. The ones I saw in open fields flew in a straight line too. It's possible their behavior is different in other parts of Europe with other habitats.
  7. TheBlackGrouse

    Undisclosed, Forest of Dean, UK

    It is very close to an Oriole and, when in a forest, if I heard one other (different) call I would be certain. Since I grew up with these birds, you develop some 'sixth sense' for them. The calls follow each other rapidly, that's a bit strange. Normally you should hear other calls too. Honey...
  8. TheBlackGrouse

    Various Raptors - South Essex UK - 12th May

    Black Kite, I can work with that! Then we need the six primaries :) Here is one I saw a few weeks ago in the Netherlands. The distance was at least 1 km and it was heavily clouded, but I was able to take some pictures. When closed the tail had a small fork, when spread you got this.
  9. TheBlackGrouse

    Various Raptors - South Essex UK - 12th May

    For me it's all about the process of identifying. When many believe it's an artefact that doesn't make it the truth, it's still an assumption. Don't you think it's strange that the only artefact in that photo covers that whole tail? We cannot ID while ignoring a white tail (with no terminal...
  10. TheBlackGrouse

    Various Raptors - South Essex UK - 12th May

    Agree, could be an artefact on the first one. For me it's not enough to claim a White-tailed Eagle but the image gives that impression. I didn't say that the second one was a White-tailed too. The tail does not fit, wrong shape and too long. Two eagle species in that region in one photo seems...
  11. TheBlackGrouse

    Various Raptors - South Essex UK - 12th May

    The lower one has a white tail. White-tailed Eagles are easy to see in my favorite birding places so I'm familiar with them. Don't know any other raptor with this (wing) shape and a white tail. Or is it a photo artefact? The second one has very long wings (pushed forward) and a long tail with...
  12. TheBlackGrouse

    Various Raptors - South Essex UK - 12th May

    Is this really one photo? No distortion? My first impression is a White-tailed eagle with closed tail and another eagle. The tail looks too long though.
  13. TheBlackGrouse

    Various Raptors - South Essex UK - 12th May

    Don't know, it might be something else. Think we need a new thread for this discussion, I don't like to hijack this one.
  14. TheBlackGrouse

    Various Raptors - South Essex UK - 12th May

    Finding examples is difficult since I usually delete those images immediately. Brand is important too. For instance, Canon and Nikon DSLRs have different optimal shutter speeds because of the sampling frequencies of their IS systems. There are many factors in play but it's not unusual to find...
  15. TheBlackGrouse

    Various Raptors - South Essex UK - 12th May

    Yes, in general you need a fast-moving subject to see the effect. It can happen when panning too and there might be other circumstances for mirrorless camera that make it appear. Sometimes, fast soaring raptors are directly above you, it's difficult to hold the camera steady. It depends on...
  16. TheBlackGrouse

    Brabant Netherlands - Warbler or...?

    Definitely the song of a Reed Warbler. With binos you can't tell them apart. In the Netherlands Reed Warblers are found in reed beds without bushes and trees. Marsh Warblers need some bushes, nettles and brushwood. There is some overlap though. In the south of Holland (where you live) Marsh...
  17. TheBlackGrouse

    Various Raptors - South Essex UK - 12th May

    With DSLR cameras the rolling shutter effect can make wings look longer and changes their shape. These days we also have mirrorless cameras, I don't know what kind of distortion they give in certain conditions. Picture number 5 shows very long wings, more like an eagle, I wonder if that's real.
  18. TheBlackGrouse

    Black Kite??? Portugal Algarve

    Another characteristic, the wings and tail of a Red Kite are more or less translucent. This solid dark appearance is typical for a Black Kite.
  19. TheBlackGrouse

    Various Raptors - South Essex UK - 12th May

    The Hen Harrier is no problem, do you have more pictures or the other raptors? Is it possible that there is a camera (shutter) effect that makes the wings look longer? What equipment did you use?
  20. TheBlackGrouse

    Brabant Netherlands - Warbler or...?

    They look the same but their songs are totally different. Especially the Reed Warbler has a song that is very easy to identify. Nothing sounds like that, not even his big (very rare) brother, the Great Reed Warbler. The song of the Marsh Warbler is more complicated but not important in this...
  21. TheBlackGrouse

    Duck Species ID? Location: Three Lakes, Selby, North Yorkshire, England.

    One of the Dutch names is (literally) ''soup duck''. You see them in or around cities. In more natural areas you find the original Mallards.
  22. TheBlackGrouse

    Raptor ID (Britain)

    Grey head
  23. TheBlackGrouse

    Bird Feather Identification? Staithes, Yorkshire, England, UK.

    Thanks, that is a nice site ''featherbase'', never heard of it, from now on, when I find feathers they go with me :)
  24. TheBlackGrouse

    Raptor ID (Britain)

    All 10 photos are more than 50% Honey Buzzard, some of them approach 90%. That should be enough. No single image gives 100% certainty because it's too far away. Over the years I've had several discussions with moderators (other site) because my Honey Buzzards at 1-2 km in backlight were not...
  25. TheBlackGrouse

    Raptor ID (Britain)

    The shape/position of the wings at the second photo are from a Honey Buzzard. The bird is attacked at that moment, that might change things. Looking at the three pictures it's more Honey Buzzard than Common for me, but to be certain we need more photos.
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