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

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  1. Ben M

    Nottinghamshire Birding

    Hi Daniel, Oxton Dumble on the main road between Southwell and Oxton probably counts as underwatched. It's pretty much just a lay-by with views over farmland, but I believe it's had some good birds in the past. Due to the elevation, it's probably a good vis. mig. spot if you don't mind being on...
  2. Ben M

    Gadwall hybrid?, Nottingham, UK

    Thanks for the help everyone :t:
  3. Ben M

    Gadwall hybrid?, Nottingham, UK

    Or could be Gadwall x Wigeon? http://www.flickr.com/groups/hybridbirds/discuss/72157626123932728/
  4. Ben M

    Gadwall hybrid?, Nottingham, UK

    Can anyone help with this duck on my local patch (30th Dec 2011)? Image quality is quite poor due to distance and conditions. The typical Gadwall breast patterning was obvious in the field. The dark crown running below the eye and pale buff tones on the face and back are confusing me. 1. Is...
  5. Ben M

    Nottinghamshire Birding

    Nice one! Let me know if you see it fly off in the direction of Bestwood
  6. Ben M

    Nottinghamshire Birding

    Hi there - I think both are scarce species in Notts. I think the former hasn't even been seen annually in recent years, although this year seems to be much better if the NBW sightings page is anything to go by: http://www.nottsbirders.net/sightings.php It may be best not to post direct...
  7. Ben M

    Clumber Park Nightjars

    My memory's a bit hazy on the exact directions, but we parked by the pumping station. After entering the MOD land, I have a feeling the path bared to the right, and along that stretch was where we had some sightings. At dusk and approximately 1/4 to 1/2 a mile from the entrance.
  8. Ben M

    Yorkshire Birding

    Totally agree too - Cetti's has been a prime example for me.
  9. Ben M

    Nottinghamshire Birding

    http://cliftongrovebirds.co.uk/index.html
  10. Ben M

    Schedule 1 birds. When to keep quiet.

    In the past I have recorded Tawny Owl and Cuckoo on call alone, but recently have heard a Starling mimic a Tawny Owl. I also know of some far more experienced birders who have not been able to tell the difference between a Curlew and a Starling mimicking a Curlew in Curlew habitat. What if...
  11. Ben M

    Schedule 1 birds. When to keep quiet.

    I'm by no means an expert on this, but from what I have read in the last two years (BBC news and county bird reports), then it is still a problem in the UK, albeit not as widespread as it was in the past.
  12. Ben M

    Schedule 1 birds. When to keep quiet.

    I'm also keen to hear what others think on this subject - thanks for raising it. Reposting what I posted elsewhere:
  13. Ben M

    Nottinghamshire Birding

    Found a male Northern Wheatear on farmland N of Bestwood Village on Friday morning, and refound what was possibly the same bird a couple of fields along on Saturday morning. The first Willow Warbler and Common Whitethroat were in on Friday morning, with 3 Great Black-backed Gull over. A Little...
  14. Ben M

    Nottinghamshire Birding

    Thanks Andy. Picked up the old NBW reports from Howard yesterday and read the 1994 one last night - HP had a good year in 1994!
  15. Ben M

    Yorkshire Redpolls

    On structure and plumage it's Lesser for me.
  16. Ben M

    Nottinghamshire Birding

    :t: I'm still yet to catch up with a definite Hobby - one problem with sticking to my local patch! I think they are typically only seen once every two years here, so it's a case of right place, right time. When we went for the Osprey at Welbeck a few years back we did have a probable Hobby...
  17. Ben M

    Yorkshire Birding

    I've also seen an increase in requests and broadcasts here and elsewhere for sites to see/photograph "singing male w**dl4rk" and "displaying g*5h4wk" (less cryptically). This is clearly someone requesting/broadcasting known breeding sites of schedule 1 species. Just because a site is "well...
  18. Ben M

    Yorkshire Birding

    Paul - I think it's just as big an issue on what you might call "well guarded" reserves - eggs and young are still being taken :-( Here are some rules that I personally try to stick to: 1. Don't ask in the first place; 2. If unsure, seek advice from the county recorder/organization; 3. If...
  19. Ben M

    Nottinghamshire Birding

    Worth mentioning at this time of year that many consider it good practice not to publish any breeding evidence of schedule 1 birds on an open forum.
  20. Ben M

    Nottinghamshire Birding

    Was watching a pair of Buzzards from home over the woodland at Bestwood today, when I picked up a large whiter bird soaring much higher up... I was hopefully until it came closer and saw two others with it - three large gulls drifting S.
  21. Ben M

    Yorkshire Redpolls

    I've definitely learnt a lot, and enjoyed seeing all the great photos - thanks
  22. Ben M

    Nottinghamshire Birding

    Nice - went for the Osprey back in 2008, which was a first for me at the time. Also had Spotted Flycatcher at the memorial pull-in.
  23. Ben M

    Yorkshire Birding

    Perhaps a bit early in the year for a Reed Warbler! Reed Bunting?
  24. Ben M

    Yorkshire Redpolls

    I'd say it's a Lesser, Steve. Are there any pro-Mealy features? Think I'm correct in saying that the browner rumped Mealy birds are females, which are more difficult to separate from Lesser, but you'd expect to see more contrast on the face, with pale super, distinct ear coverts, extensive dark...
  25. Ben M

    Yorkshire Redpolls

    For those interested, this article contains details of other invasion years: http://www.albaecology.co.uk/birdscot/docs/article1-4.htm
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