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Attenborough NR 13.1.2013.


Doc

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One of those rare events happened today, it has not happened in many years and that is the whole family went out together for a walk. This might seem a trivial thing but believe me to get my daughter out is pretty big.


 


And it was worth it, we started to walk through the Delta and saw a few great spotted woodpeckers and then we came to the large bird table and someone had filled it up with seeds, bread and coco pops.


 


There was at least 10 people observing from a distance looking at the 20 or so birds visiting the table. They included amoungst the normal tits, Chaffinches, and Robins, four Nuthatches. and a Marsh Tit the MarchTtt being my first sighting. I have soft spot for Nuthatches, so was well pleased to see these.


 


Continuing our walk we spotted Goldeneyes, Pochards, Wigeons, Goosanders, and five Common Snipes. What a fantastic morning walk and one  new tick for my list.


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Just looked at the Attenborough site and a Willow Tit was seen on the same feeders on Wednesday and Thursday. So was the Marsh Tit really a Willow Tit, they are pretty similar.


 


The bird I saw had a pinkish buff to it's breast.


 


Over to Ron?


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Right, Marsh Tit has a dusky ear coverts and the Willow Tit has white ear coverts and small light patch on the wing. Marsh Tit has a glossy cap and the Willow Tit a dull cap. Marsh Tits are more secretive and Willow Tits noisy and 'flit' about a lot! Thats about all the difference there is! (That I know of!)


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Used my specialist books, it's not all in my head!! Best to sketch or keep some quick notes at the time!!


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One of those rare events happened today, it has not happened in many years and that is the whole family went out together for a walk. This might seem a trivial thing but believe me to get my daughter out is pretty big.

 

I'm hoping for some similar rare events, Mick. We are about to get a dog :o .

This might encourage some family walks and get my 12 year old son away from his computer games and my 16 year old daughter to spend more time with us.

The kids are really excited.

Or have I made a rod for my own back, destined for regular lonely walks and poopa scooping duties? :unsure:

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I'm hoping for some similar rare events, Mick. We are about to get a dog :o .

This might encourage some family walks and get my 12 year old son away from his computer games and my 16 year old daughter to spend more time with us.

The kids are really excited.

Or have I made a rod for my own back, destined for regular lonely walks and poopa scooping duties? :unsure:

 

We have always had dogs, nothing better then taking Nelson out in the countryside. I also have a 12 year old son and a 17 year old daughter.

 

I would say dog walking is 95% my job even though when we bought him it was going to be a family thing.

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We have always had dogs, nothing better then taking Nelson out in the countryside. I also have a 12 year old son and a 17 year old daughter.

 

I would say dog walking is 95% my job even though when we bought him it was going to be a family thing.

 

I'm actually looking forward to it, but I suppose it'll be my job in the end.

 

A few years ago I was probably the worlds foremost expert in cleaning out hamster cages, despite the promises made by the kids. :D

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I'm actually looking forward to it, but I suppose it'll be my job in the end.

 

A few years ago I was probably the worlds foremost expert in cleaning out hamster cages, despite the promises made by the kids. :D

 

LOL I've done that as well, our families seem exactly the same.

 

Btw been back down Attenborough today to see if the Willow/Marsh Tit is still there, and guess what the little bird was still at the same feeder eating in the snow. I studied it a little more between visits and did see little white flashes on it's wings, they were very subtle though, so I guess it's a Willow Tit.

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Ok on the Willow Tit Mick! I had a dog and 2 young teenage daughters and a hamster and that was nearly 30 years ago!! Nothing changes LOL !!

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