Garden Wildlife UK

PimperneBloke wrote: Mon Apr 20, 2026 4:54 pm Wow, what a spectacular array! Is that a Redwing alongside the Cuckoo? Seems a late stayer if it is (also a bit small )
I remember the days when you'd have been jumping for joy at the Kite and Stonechat, but now, pah, two-a-penny ;)
What's the last bird?
Congrats again, and yes, you definitely ought to go back!!

Cheers PB. It's a mipit, they were everywhere but just fancied a wee seat next to the cuckoo
Haha....oh how times a change eh
Last bird is female stonechat having a wee scratch, perhaps she caught herself on her claw ...hence the look

Thursday looks promising

Germain wrote: Mon Apr 20, 2026 6:18 pm Wow - that's some day and yes please go back because it is a gem of a site.
I'm so pleased you think Cuckoos are Sparrowhawk mimics.

Thanks C, Thursday looks promising for another visit and weather looks good aswell
Oh they defo are sparrowhawk doubles in-flight ...they fooled me!! Just aswell i was with other more experienced birders!!

Jacksparrow wrote: Mon Apr 20, 2026 7:22 pm What a great day. The Osprey with the fish is a classic.

Thanks JS,never seen it fish often but glad I manage 1 decent pic of it when I did

SnappyMac wrote: Tue Apr 21, 2026 6:46 am Linda had a fantastic day

Great photo's and two newbies... I know what you mean about the cuckoo looking like a sparrowhawk, the first one I photographed I posted as one Never seen one perched.

Never seen or heard the grasshopper warbler, very nice.

Looking forward to the return visit

Thanks SM, need to move up a gear now and aim for action shots of the cuckoo
Only seen the grasshopper warbler show itself one...thankfully I got the camera on it

All going well, next edition will be Thursday, off to Millport today and I would travel back via Loch Thom but got the non birding type of passengers with me today

Linda257 wrote: Tue Apr 21, 2026 7:23 am Thanks SM, need to move up a gear now and aim for action shots of the cuckoo
Only seen the grasshopper warbler show itself one...thankfully I got the camera on it

All going well, next edition will be Thursday, off to Millport today and I would travel back via Loch Thom but got the non birding type of passengers with me today

Linda257 wrote: Tue Apr 21, 2026 7:12 am

PimperneBloke wrote: Mon Apr 20, 2026 4:54 pm Wow, what a spectacular array! Is that a Redwing alongside the Cuckoo? Seems a late stayer if it is (also a bit small )
I remember the days when you'd have been jumping for joy at the Kite and Stonechat, but now, pah, two-a-penny ;)
What's the last bird?
Congrats again, and yes, you definitely ought to go back!!

Cheers PB. It's a mipit, they were everywhere but just fancied a wee seat next to the cuckoo
Haha....oh how times a change eh
Last bird is female stonechat having a wee scratch, perhaps she caught herself on her claw ...hence the look

Thursday looks promising

I think they often use mipits as surrogate families for the eggs, so perhaps the cuckoo landed next to the pipit for next directions!

Decided to go a wee drive through to Loch Thom about 6pm last night and see if the Ospreys were active... one was calling ...where's ma dirty stop out man a wanna go tae bed lol was mostly about the sunset but that was enjoyable while listening to the Osprey and cuckoo's
https://www.flickr.com/photos/203665559 ... 0333360578

Nice to find the ospreys and hear the cuckoo... The evening light was great for the views and topped off with rainbows, very nice Linda

That's spectacular scenery Linda, and some gorgeous light. You must have been well chuffed with the impromptu decision Looks like you could've dived in and got that pot of gold!!

PB has said it all