Post your thoughts (2021 Edition)

[redebreck]

Submitted a pretty rare sighting to a local Ornithology page.

Got a reply a few hours later saying they'd been contacted by Springwatch, who may want to use the pic/s.

Could be a spoof, but if it's a legit request and they use it I will be over the Moon.

Congratulations. Do you think Covid may have helped wildlife through the reduction in road traffic?
We have mostly common species here in the South Wales valleys - blackbirds, tits, robins, starlings, loads of rooks, buzzards.
Are you able to share what you sighted?

[Insidious]

Congratulations. Do you think Covid may have helped wildlife through the reduction in road traffic?

Are you able to share what you sighted?

Unquestionably. Particularly in 2020 during the strictest of the lockdown spell. Ravens nested on the City Hall of Belfast for example. More people are seeing Pine Martens than ever as the roads were quiet enough for them to venture across roads and use forestry plantations of Sitka Spruce as "bridges" to get from one area to another, which will boost the Red Squirrels a bit as Martens catch the Greys more easily.

Most significantly though will be the reduced noises of traffic, as Birds sing to each other to communicate, particularly when it comes to advertising for mates. If there is less noise, your song is more likely to be heard as it will carry further - so some Birds will have had a better time in this department.

Reduced traffic also means reduced collisions - good for slow-moving birds such as Owls or Harriers, plus less aerial pollutants would give insects a better chance, which has benefits through each layer of the food chain.

As to what I saw, I managed to see an Osprey hunting fish. There are very, very, very few of these birds around in Northern Ireland even compared to the very low numbers throughout the UK and Ireland, so to see one less than 10 miles from Home is a once in a lifetime experience really.

[Insidious]

Have since had a phonecall from Springwatch so this has become pretty legit!

[Kev0909]

Have since had a phonecall from Springwatch so this has become pretty legit!

Ohh that's exciting you'll have to let us know when you have more info.

[Kev0909]

Looks like we'll have no mad "legal" scenes in pubs during the euros, no way will lockdown be lifted completely 21st sadly.... Sigh.

[Insidious]

Ohh that's exciting you'll have to let us know when you have more info.

Well, they have an hour of programming and a lot to cram in, so no guarantees.

However tonight is the last episode of the series, so they either show it tonight or it doesn't get shown.

8pm, BBC 2.

[Kev0909]

Well, they have an hour of programming and a lot to cram in, so no guarantees.

However tonight is the last episode of the series, so they either show it tonight or it doesn't get shown.

8pm, BBC 2.

I'll watch it on catchup, I'm watching the footie!

I'll be quite surprised if they add it in, in time, you sure they won't use it in the future?

[Insidious]

I'll watch it on catchup, I'm watching the footie!

I'll be quite surprised if they add it in, in time, you sure they won't use it in the future?

Quietly confident. Springwatch likes recent/up-to-date info - little point showing an Osprey I photographed yesterday during Autumn or Winter.

I'll be watching the show so if they DON'T show it (which is fine, I saw the Bird, which is the main thing for me) I'll let you know, save you the bother of the catch-up.

Generally pictures from the public are only discussed for very brief 3-20 second segments anyway.

[Insidious]

They did show it in the end which was lovely!

[Kev0909]

They did show it in the end which was lovely!

That's brilliant i'll watch it soon.

[ianlfc]

They did show it in the end which was lovely!

Delighted for you mate. I'll get a watch later on the iplayer.

[justme]

I doubt spring watch will show the kind of birds. I would email in (not that I do that)

[redebreck]

They did show it in the end which was lovely!

Any way you can post the photo on here?

[ianlfc]

They did show it in the end which was lovely!

I just had a watch there, a fantastic picture mate especially with it holding a fish. Very impressive from both you for getting the picture and the Osprey for looking very Cool .

[Insidious]

Any way you can post the photo on here?

I've never actually managed to post a pic in here that wasn't from an online link.

Anyone watching the Tennis? Djokovic has insane will-power. Two sets down and has got himself into a winning position in the fifth - had to win this way earlier in the tournament.