Beau Peep Notice Board

Beau Peep Notice Board => Outpourings => Topic started by: Diane CBPFC on May 06, 2013, 05:49:42 AM

Title: Birdwatching
Post by: Diane CBPFC on May 06, 2013, 05:49:42 AM
As many of you know, I took up birdwatching for the first time this winter - frankly it kept me sane during that never-ending winter. Now I love it when a new type comes to my feeder so will feed the summer birds too.

Here is a fun project:
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/p480x480/936892_10151597562424761_2120861175_n.jpg)

What kind of birds do you think they are? They are new to our feeder in northern Alberta today.
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/pfw/AboutBirdsandFeeding/finchIDtable.html (http://www.birds.cornell.edu/pfw/AboutBirdsandFeeding/finchIDtable.html)

We are talking about this on my Facebook page and are starting to lean on direction in the identification, but thought some of you guys may know about birds.
Title: Re: Birdwatching
Post by: Sandy Buttcheeks on May 06, 2013, 09:35:40 AM
They're quite clearly seagulls, Diane.
Title: Re: Birdwatching
Post by: The Peepmaster on May 06, 2013, 11:15:15 AM
My first thought was that they are Redpolls, but the beak would normally be more yellow. certainly looks of that family.
Title: Re: Birdwatching
Post by: Egg on May 06, 2013, 01:23:07 PM
Spuggies?  :o
Title: Re: Birdwatching
Post by: Vulture on May 06, 2013, 02:28:03 PM
Vultures?
Title: Re: Birdwatching
Post by: Diane CBPFC on May 06, 2013, 06:04:12 PM
I don't think some of you are taking this seriously.  :o

On the link provided, the three choices were Purple, House or Cassin's Finches.

I know what they are now; I will let anyone who wants to take a sensible guess, have another go before I tell you.




Title: Re: Birdwatching
Post by: Mince on May 06, 2013, 06:18:29 PM
I don't think some of you are taking this seriously.  :o

Ignore them, Diane. They are being stupid as usual.

It looks like a Quetzalcoatlus, to me.
Title: Re: Birdwatching
Post by: The Peepmaster on May 06, 2013, 06:53:09 PM
Sorry, I hadn't looked at your link, Diane. I was going by my own judgement. I notice that you had the Redpoll suggestions on your FB page too, by the way.

It could well be a Purple finch, reading the description and the plainness of the female tends to back that up. It states that the underpants show heavy, broad streaks, but in your photo, none of the birds are wearing any.
Title: Re: Birdwatching
Post by: Diane CBPFC on May 06, 2013, 08:05:23 PM
Well that was a fun spring group activitiy wasn't it. For a summer activity I suggest you all get knotted.

The answer is Purple Finch.
Title: Re: Birdwatching
Post by: Roger Kettle on May 06, 2013, 08:24:09 PM
Diane, your suggestion for a Summer activity made me laugh out loud. It's one of those glorious old expressions that you seldom hear these days but, for some reason, works perfectly with the right delivery.
Anyway, if it IS your birthday, have a great one. I'm off to check the calendar on here to find out.
Title: Re: Birdwatching
Post by: Roger Kettle on May 06, 2013, 08:25:25 PM
It's on Wednesday. Have a great one, Diane!
Title: Re: Birdwatching
Post by: Sandy Buttcheeks on May 06, 2013, 09:33:34 PM
I don't think some of you are taking this seriously.  :o

Ignore them, Diane. They are being stupid as usual.

It looks like a Quetzalcoatlus, to me.

Well if it is a Quetzalcoatlus, then it obviously hasn't been very well lately.   ;D
Title: Re: Birdwatching
Post by: Calvin on May 06, 2013, 10:15:43 PM
Diane, I don't think they have any of those finches as native to the UK so it becomes a little more difficult.
As a youngster I was really into bird and birds' eggs identification mainly through the old "Observers book of..." series. If, as a group of four or more 10 year old boys talking about blue tits, coal tits and especially great tits without sniggering like maniacs then I guess we were serious about it.
As a thanks to Roger, that last line from Sandy about the Quetzacoatlus reminded me of the Beau Peep strip where Denis has been ripped off yet again by the pet store. He has a slug in a shoe box that he's convinced is a black panther. I forget the exact lines some 20 years later but the last one was "He hasn't been well."
I have never cracked up as much over any cartoon strip as much as that one, before or since. I giggled about it for weeks after and I have brought it to mind a million times over the years and it still makes me smile. Everyone has their own favourites but thanks for mine.
Title: Re: Birdwatching
Post by: Roger Kettle on May 07, 2013, 10:29:26 AM
Thanks, Calvin!
Title: Re: Birdwatching
Post by: The Peepmaster on May 07, 2013, 11:26:46 AM
I saw one of the funniest Beau Peep strips ever, in my humble opinion, this week.

Here it is...

Title: Re: Birdwatching
Post by: Diane CBPFC on May 07, 2013, 07:30:39 PM
 ;D
Title: Re: Birdwatching
Post by: Bilthehut on May 08, 2013, 06:55:44 PM
;D ;D
Title: Re: Birdwatching
Post by: Bilthehut on May 08, 2013, 07:00:51 PM
Well that was a fun spring group activitiy wasn't it. For a summer activity I suggest you all get knotted.


A useful knot is the constrictor knot. IT is great for securing rolled up carpets, bags, limbs, etc.

1.   Starting in front of the objects, make one wrap from right to left around the object(s) to be bound and cross over in the front.

2.   Wrap around the object again.

3.   Feed the working end back under the two wraps making sure you first cross over the standing line.

4.   Pull both ends to tighten up the knot.

 
Title: Re: Birdwatching
Post by: Sandy Buttcheeks on May 08, 2013, 09:50:23 PM
Well that was a fun spring group activitiy wasn't it. For a summer activity I suggest you all get knotted.


A useful knot is the constrictor knot. IT is great for securing rolled up carpets, bags, limbs, etc.

1.   Starting in front of the objects, make one wrap from right to left around the object(s) to be bound and cross over in the front.

2.   Wrap around the object again.

3.   Feed the working end back under the two wraps making sure you first cross over the standing line.

4.   Pull both ends to tighten up the knot.

I've just realised why I haven't been able to get my shoes off.   :-[