No worries Keith, I was on your trail of thought :t:
My grandparents are from around that area - where abouts can you see them? I might have to have a look when I'm over next.
As I said before, here's a couple of photos from today!...
Spoke too soon. Peregrines are about and theyre tucked away into the buildings ledges keeping out the grim weather. Both perched together at the west end of fort dunlop.
Saw one of the Peregrines today about 3 pm perched on top of Fort building .
There were two gulls on the grass by the car park I thought they were Common Gulls but I note that you don't have them on your your species list but you do have Herring .
Knowing very little about Gulls perhaps you could confirm their identity for me .
Thanks for the heads up about the Peregrine , lovely to see in an urban environment
My pleasure. Theyre great having around. Glad they can be seen even on passing by.
They look like Herring to me. Although I did see a common esq bird fly passed in birmingham centre the other day but couldnt get a good enough look. The bill size and markings and the somewhat 'mean' face says Herring to me for these.
Im hoping there might be some gull movement soon with spring on its way (apparently).
Glad to have another pair of eyes around FD!
Ste,
Just didn't look big enough to me for Herring Gull .
I noticed that they were stamping their feet on the grass presumably to bring worms to the surface .
This behavior is shown on a Forum video being performed by Commons , wonder if this is specific to Commons or if all Gulls do it.
Any Gull experts out there ?
Regards
Alan
Hi Alan, I'm no Gull expert but have seen many Herring and Common Gull, these two are Herring Gulls. John
Certainly Herring Gulls in this case but that shouldnt rule out something more unusual occurring in the future; around four times in the last 6 months I have encountered a Yellow-legged Gull on the central reservation of Jennens Way between Millennium Point and Aston University as I walk to work.
Certainly Herring Gulls in this case but that shouldnt rule out something more unusual occurring in the future; around four times in the last 6 months I have encountered a Yellow-legged Gull on the central reservation of Jennens Way between Millennium Point and Aston University as I walk to work.
Peregrine has been very active today.
Resting between the Pylons over the M6 and the top of the Fort Dunlop building, it seems to be spending a lot of time diving over and over again around the M6 or just beyond. Something has clearly caught it's eye. It never stoops but just swoops down and up again in arcs.
Not had chance to have a look for prey items lately - the roof area has been locked off during the winter on most days. Hopefully once this cold snap passes I'll be able to get back to some more regular and interesting updates...and hopefully some vis mig starting in a month or so.
Goldfinch
Peregrine Prey Items:(4)
Little Grebe (1)
Feral Pigeon (3)
Redwing (1)
Fieldfare (2)