Bird Ident

[Huffski 1]

For the last two night me and mcrobo123 have been lamping rabbits. While scanning around we keep seeing these little red eyes then a flock of birds get up there is about 7-10 in the flock. We know they are nt partridge so what could they be ?

[runforyourlife 361]

what kind of ground are you on? moorland, sandy, meadows? Were the snipe?

[Huffski 1]

Well its where the wolds end and the Fenlands begin so its very flat lying sandy peaty soil not many trees about. They dont fly like snipe or woodcock we did see a woodcock though bu its not that.

[sniper 1 0]

yeah they could be snipe. i would say there woodcock.

[tom1cameron 1]

Why are you sure they are not Partridge? Greys?

If you "keep" seeing them it is likely to be a large number of small groups of ground roosting birds rathers than small numbers of nocturnal feeding waders.

 

Do they fly up in a flock or in ones and twos. Unlikely to be snipe or woodcock if they are all flying up together, or indeed sitting together.

 

They could well be migrating thrushes that roost on open areas, I saw about 50 roosting on wet grass yesterday.

The fieldfares can be rather large.

 

If you are sure they are waders then it may be golden plovers or lapwings. They too would get up in a flock.

[Huffski 1]

i think they coul be fieldfares

[runforyourlife 361]

surely he would know the difference bewteen a lapwing and a partridge. Did he say it was awadeing bird? It also could be young starling, they have red eyes, and fly low to ther ground when in cover

[Huffski 1]

Hmmm they could be starling there are alot about they love the chicken s**t heap i know they are nt lapwings or wading birds im not that thick. Not sure how im gonna solve this on as they are nt there in the day.

[runforyourlife 361]

young starlings all seem to get up together fly low, then land not to far away... the repeat it again, maybe next time in the opposite direction, they never actually fly away, if you know what i mean, plus they have red eyes..

[mcrobo123 0]

whatever they are there bloody anoyin!!!!! there seems to be a never ending supply of them in small groups n there definately not partridge. at a distance you think your looking at a big bunch of rabits squating down then the flaming things fly off, if we'd ave seen as many rabits as we seen these "unknown" birds we would av been there allnight picking em off.

 

cheers huffski for two good nights out lets see if we can get to the bottom of this i think a picture might be the best bet but there that fast it coud be a challenge.

[cyclonebri1 8]

whatever they are there bloody anoyin!!!!! there seems to be a never ending supply of them in small groups n there definately not partridge. at a distance you think your looking at a big bunch of rabits squating down then the flaming things fly off, if we'd ave seen as many rabits as we seen these "unknown" birds we would av been there allnight picking em off.

 

cheers huffski for two good nights out lets see if we can get to the bottom of this i think a picture might be the best bet but there that fast it coud be a challenge.

 

 

At this time of year I would 2nd fieldfares too

[dogs-n-natives 1,182]

For the last two night me and mcrobo123 have been lamping rabbits. While scanning around we keep seeing these little red eyes then a flock of birds get up there is about 7-10 in the flock. We know they are nt partridge so what could they be ?

They wont be starlings or fieldfares, snipe dont sit about in groups nor do woodcock, grey partridge sit very tight, and only take off if nearly walked on.

 

I would be guessing along the lines of golden plover etc if your on grassland/rough land... are they fast flyers, do you hear them whistle at all?

[runforyourlife 361]

For the last two night me and mcrobo123 have been lamping rabbits. While scanning around we keep seeing these little red eyes then a flock of birds get up there is about 7-10 in the flock. We know they are nt partridge so what could they be ?

They wont be starlings or fieldfares, snipe dont sit about in groups nor do woodcock, grey partridge sit very tight, and only take off if nearly walked on.

 

I would be guessing along the lines of golden plover etc if your on grassland/rough land... are they fast flyers, do you hear them whistle at all?

 

 

Nah they wont be golden plover....

[dogs-n-natives 1,182]

For the last two night me and mcrobo123 have been lamping rabbits. While scanning around we keep seeing these little red eyes then a flock of birds get up there is about 7-10 in the flock. We know they are nt partridge so what could they be ?

They wont be starlings or fieldfares, snipe dont sit about in groups nor do woodcock, grey partridge sit very tight, and only take off if nearly walked on.

 

I would be guessing along the lines of golden plover etc if your on grassland/rough land... are they fast flyers, do you hear them whistle at all?

 

 

Nah they wont be golden plover....

? how can you be so sure? Im seeing loads about on the lower grasslands out lamping, theres not much else sitting out in groups in fields this time of year- up my way anyhow.

[tom1cameron 1]

" i know they are nt lapwings or wading birds im not that thick"

 

"Cough, arn't woodcock and snipe wading birds?"

 

From everything you have now said I am thinking defo Thrushes (i.e. fieldfares/redwing) or starlings.

 

As far as I can remember Starlings are on the general licence if you have permission for pest control on agricultural land? I could be wrong.

But that presents one opportunity to find out!

 

More fiddly is to have a look on teh ground where they were roosting. If you find any evidence of thick guey almost like dark jam type droppings then they are likely to be thrushes.