What's buzzing or flying near you 2025 ?

There have been a lot of overwintering Chiffs from Eastern Europe which are usually silent but I heard the first singing one last week.

 

Not heard any here yet, the birdsong is dominated by a very noisy and enthusiastic thrush.

 

A brimstone feeding on the blandas. Very smart butterfly. 2 buzzards soaring up, up and away. A female blackcap and another warbler (maybe a chiff chaff but gone too quickly). And the bees!

 

Mallard ducks keep whizzing past very fast, chasing each other and making a lot of noise. They live on a nearby lake and brooks. Sometimes they will land and rest on the lawn for some hours.

 

The migrating geese are on their way back here.

 

Have heard chiff chaffs over the past few weeks and today, unexpectedly saw a robin and a ladybird in the garden. Saw 3 male blackbirds in the garden recently (normally only one). They were all relaxed and tame around me, and I think they might be the birds that hatched around my garden 2 years ago. (Their dad died last summer).

 

A Raptor fest in Poole harbour this morning as we saw 5 White Tailed Eagles, a Red Kite, a Buzzard, Marsh and Hen Harrier from the 3 hour bird boat tour. The Eagles were mobbed by a Marsh Harriers and a Raven.
Young Eagle.


A Marsh Harrier is not a small raptor but next to a White Tailed Eagle it is.


Seeing more Red Kites in Dorset now but mainly singles.


Marsh Harrier.


Stopped at Asda in Poole town for another Raptor, one of a pair Peregrines at the top of an adjoining apartment block.

 

This beautiful thrush was in the garden a lot today, drinking from the birdbaths, eating ivy berries and generally hanging out.

 

A nice assortment of birds you managed to catch at Poole @strongylodon. Is there any sign of the Ospreys yet?

 

We had a thrill today. A sparrow hawk sat in our apple tree. As it’s only about 5ft from our back door and lunge window, we got a fabulous close up view. They are so handsome and the colours beautifully subtle. He was on,y there for about a minute so we were lucky to catch him.

Also delighted to see a Brimstone butterfly floating around the garden this afternoon

 

I saw two Brimstone butterflies whilst out walking at lunchtime, plus a dark coloured butterfly that didn't hang around long enough to be identified.

 

@Sheal a couple of Ospreys have already returned to Rutland Water but the first one here passed through Poole Harbour yesterday afternoon, the breeding pair hopefully will return next week and possibly their two year old offspring may venture this far.

 

2 male brimstones over the garden for some time. 2 buzzards being mobbed first by the crows and then the gulls came in.

 

Saw two jays in the garden this morning. First so far this year.
Previous generations had learnt to come to our bedroom window to collect cashews from the window sill. They would wait in the tree for their treats. We even heard one of them imitating cat noises to try and scare away the other birds!

 

Pintails, Shovelers and Wigeon brighten up a dull, grey sunless day. They will soon depart the harbour for Northern breeding grounds.