Wildlife April 2010

[Maggi Young]

Actually, it does have a red belly - just not very visible in the pic.  Red-headed woodpecker has a REALLY red head (completely) with a neat black line separating it from the white belly.  I agree, though - why is it so often the least noticeable characteristic picked for the common name?  (E.g. Ring-necked duck... why not ring-billed duck?!)

[mark smyth]

red-bellied woodpecker http://www.birdguides.com/iris/pictures.asp
red-cocaded woodpaecker http://www.birdguides.com/iris/pictures.asp
red-crowned http://www.birdguides.com/iris/pictures.asp
red-headed woodpecker http://www.birdguides.com/iris/pictures.asp

On the subject of woodpeckers Ireland has a new resident bird that is breeding and spreading - great-spotted woodpecker. They were first spotted/heard a few years ago. Young were seen a couple of years ago. Last year they bred in County Down. Last week a bird was seen in mid Antrim

This all happened when plans were being made to reintroduce them

[Calvin Becker]

It is a red-BELLIED woodpecker....not  a red HEADED.

How silly is that? It has a red head not a red belly...... flippin' taxonomists again......

Similar thing with a South African bird - the black-collared barbet (Lybius torquatus). Surely the black collar is not the first thing you notice?? http://www.biodiversityexplorer.org/birds/lybiidae/lybius_torquatus.htm

[Anthony Darby]

You're right Calvin. It's the huge beak!

[Lesley Cox]

Does anyone nowadays read the books of Angela Thirkell? I haven't seen them for year. At one stage she mentioned (tongue in cheek) a splay-footed bumble-gobbler. Lovely name for a bird, I thought.

[mark smyth]

You Scots kept this quiet
http://www.birdguides.com/webzine/article.asp?a=2027

[mark smyth]

Red Kite population in Scotland failing
http://www.birdguides.com/webzine/article.asp?a=2053

[Maggi Young]

You Scots kept this quiet
http://www.birdguides.com/webzine/article.asp?a=2027

Yes.... well..... April the First is a busy news day!

[Maggi Young]

Red Kite population in Scotland failing
http://www.birdguides.com/webzine/article.asp?a=2053

Poor results indeed. I did not know the numbers were so bad.

[mark smyth]

They are being poisoned over here, also, by narrow minded farmers

First first golden eagle to fledge in Ireland for 100 years has been poisoned at only 10 months old

[Anthony Darby]

You Scots kept this quiet
http://www.birdguides.com/webzine/article.asp?a=2027

Yes.... well..... April the First is a busy news day!

Eagle-eyed Maggi spotted that one!

Red Kite population in Scotland failing
http://www.birdguides.com/webzine/article.asp?a=2053

Not near us they aren't. The central Scotland red kites seem to be doing OK http://www.argatyredkites.co.uk/

[TC]

I have been watching the Red Kite introduction in the Loch Ken area for 10 years and the population is thriving.  About 10 days ago we saw about 14 birds in and around their feeding station at Lauriston plus several singles round and about.  It brings an economic benefit to the area.
The situation in the Black Isle is different because of the proximity of shooting estates.  Any bird of prey is fair game for these people.

[Anthony Darby]

Actually, a hefty fine and perhaps prison means they are not fair game, but you can't change people's attitudes. Money talks!

[johnw]

Snoozing in the morning sun near Hacquetia Thor. Who is this fellow?

johnw

[Anthony Darby]

A big wasp!