Seen today

[Peter]

On this morning's dog empty, I spotted what appeared to be a black heron? flying along the river, being either pursued or followed by a normally marked heron.

I've googled 'Black Heron'.  Such a thing exist, but in South Efrica, so it wasn't one of those.  Maybe it was just a heron that was black.   

Basil, possibly a cormorant?

[Basil]

On this morning's dog empty, I spotted what appeared to be a black heron? flying along the river, being either pursued or followed by a normally marked heron.

I've googled 'Black Heron'.  Such a thing exist, but in South Efrica, so it wasn't one of those.  Maybe it was just a heron that was black.   

Basil, possibly a cormorant?

Do they come inland?

[JonBuoy]

I reckon I have seen one in Leicestershire.

[ElyDave]

Cormorants definitely come inland, they hang around lakes annoying fishermen.  A bit smaller than a heron.

I saw what I think was a bittern today, first time.  Was standing by the side of the road next to one of the ditches along the A10.  Brown, vertically striped chest/neck, long sharp beak and a bit smaller than a heron.  My bird book suggests bittern.

[Peter]

On this morning's dog empty, I spotted what appeared to be a black heron? flying along the river, being either pursued or followed by a normally marked heron.

I've googled 'Black Heron'.  Such a thing exist, but in South Efrica, so it wasn't one of those.  Maybe it was just a heron that was black.   

Basil, possibly a cormorant?

Do they come inland?

Absolutely!  Round here (near Rochdale, about 40 miles from the nearest coast) they are getting to be inland birds which occasionally go to the seaside - like Canada Geese, which never go anywhere, especially Canada!

[jamesld8]

Yes cormorants have recently (last few years) been getting commoner inland; at Llandrindod Wells lake (about 40 miles inland) up to 7 have been present last year; they are also on River Wye and other lakes around here. Used to be a real rarity inland but as with many bird behaviours they change  to seize opportunities.
 It`s behaviour similar to that of Blue Tits pecking milk bottle tops (in gone by days of milk bottles on doorsteps) ie they`ve found an easy source of food and they quickly adapt

[Mrs Pingu]

A flock of alpine choughs anna raven!

[Steph]

Cormorants definitely come inland, they hang around lakes annoying fishermen.  A bit smaller than a heron.

I saw what I think was a bittern today, first time.  Was standing by the side of the road next to one of the ditches along the A10.  Brown, vertically striped chest/neck, long sharp beak and a bit smaller than a heron.  My bird book suggests bittern.

The flight is distinctive, very different to a grey heron's. Herons lumber, with slightly arched and raptor[like wings. Bitterns have more rounded wings, and 'float', very like an owl.

[Basil]

I think you've confused two separate sightings there Steph.

[ElyDave]

Cormorants definitely come inland, they hang around lakes annoying fishermen.  A bit smaller than a heron.

I saw what I think was a bittern today, first time.  Was standing by the side of the road next to one of the ditches along the A10.  Brown, vertically striped chest/neck, long sharp beak and a bit smaller than a heron.  My bird book suggests bittern.

The flight is distinctive, very different to a grey heron's. Herons lumber, with slightly arched and raptor[like wings. Bitterns have more rounded wings, and 'float', very like an owl.

Yes, I'd recognise a heron in flight anyday, particulalry the head/neck position.  The bird in question was stood by the side of the drainage ditch though.

I don't think it was trying to thumb a lift 

[Wowbagger]

A flock of long-tailed tits. Normally I recognise their presence by their sound before I see them, but today they were making a different call from the normal monotonous 4-note sequence - a lot more trilling and twittering. I haven't heard those calls before.

[jamesld8]

A dipper singing in Rock Park, Llandrindod wells not far from town centre 

[Wombat]

On Sunday, not one, but three harris hawks, all related to each other!

One of them landed on next door's fence post.

I should point out that I haven't come across a major hidden home of exotic birds of prey, but they were captive bred ones belonging to a family round the corner, and they were being taken out up the park for a fly.  Still lovely birds, and I think they're going to be happy for me to photograph them soon.

[jamesld8]

Real live new lambs 

[Riggers]

^
Very nice James. However, I think I can pip that.

The other night (at 2am to be exact) I was woken up by a terrific squealing, which I at first thought was a cat fight. Going downstairs into the kitchen, I found a fox there. It was by the back door, and our 3-legged 16-year-old cat was about 4ft away, sat down calmly watching it. I looked at the fox, he/she looked at me, and then lazily turned round and slowly squeezed itself back out the cat flap. This wasn't a baby fox either.

[ElyDave]

I didn't get THAT close, but I was treated to an almighty squealing while out for a run one evening last week, coming from the adjacent hedgerow.  I just assumed my headtorch had woken something.

[SteveC]

Two cranes on West Sedgemoor in Somerset.
We've been following the project to reintroduce them for years, but this is the first time we've seen them in real life.
A long way off, but very satisfying nonetheless.

[Basil]

Dead porpoise at the beach at Aberaeron.   

A label tied to its tail read, "Do not touch.  Authorities notified".

Didn't think they were around here at this time of year.  Which is probably why it died.  Lack of food, I guess.  (Not that I actually know about this sort of thing)

[Pingu]

Could've been killed by dolphins.

[Basil]

Could've been killed by dolphins.

There you go.  Shows how little I know on the subject.  I didn't think dolphins were around at this time of year either.

Here's a pic.

Aberaeron this morning https://t.co/ciGG6idOyd

[Pingu]

Could've been killed by dolphins.

There you go.  Shows how little I know on the subject.  I didn't think dolphins were around at this time of year either.

Here's a pic.

Aberaeron this morning https://t.co/ciGG6idOyd

I don't know if dolphins are in that area, I'm speculating. It's just something they do.

[ElyDave]

a plethora of kestrels today, plus a heron.
Also some grumpy looking ducks skating around on one of the drainage ditches

[Wowbagger]

Could've been killed by dolphins.

There you go.  Shows how little I know on the subject.  I didn't think dolphins were around at this time of year either.

Here's a pic.

Aberaeron this morning https://t.co/ciGG6idOyd

I don't know if dolphins are in that area, I'm speculating. It's just something they do.

Mrs. Wow and I have seen dolphins from the promenade at Aberystwyth, but in the summer. Surprisingly large.

[Canardly]

I and the Mrs have seen dolphins leaping at Penbryn which is down the road a bit but 'twas in early Sept.

[andrew_s]

Dead porpoise at the beach at Aberaeron.   
A label tied to its tail read, "Do not touch.  Authorities notified".

Here's a pic.
Aberaeron this morning https://t.co/ciGG6idOyd

That's a common dolphin