First Snow

[Michael Palmer]

Well, we did have 5" in November that melted, but this past week it really piled up. More than a foot from Tuesday through Thursday. Looks like the snow is here to stay.

 

[Hivemaker.]

Nice Xmas card, Mike...chuck another log on the fire.

 

[Swarm]

Very pretty, Michael but no thanks. Snow is nice to look at or walk the dogs in

 

[itma]

Had the first real frost (grass white, birdbath frozen) of the winter last night. Wouldn't know it by 10am …

 

[Arfermo]

Retrying.

 

[Arfermo]

Bird in woods opposite kitchen window yesterday. Sat there for 4 hours or so sunning itself and sending squirrels potty. What is it 'cos my books don't help? View attachment 11193 About 20 inches tall.

 

[Summerslease]

Hi Afermo, the pic is a little small but could it be an owl, possibly a short-eared one?

 

[dpearce4]

Well, we did have 5" in November that melted, but this past week it really piled up. More than a foot from Tuesday through Thursday. Looks like the snow is here to stay.

So Jealous. I would have my skis clipped on and going down the nearest hill if I were there now, well if I hadn't put my back out at work restraining a pupil on Friday that is, I would.

 

[Amari]

So Jealous. I would have my skis clipped on and going down the nearest hill if I were there now, well if I hadn't put my back out at work restraining a pupil on Friday that is, I would.

I hope the enraged parents are not on the school doorstep tomorrow - or maybe your school has broken up for hols.

 

[jonnybeegood]

Bird in woods opposite kitchen window yesterday. Sat there for 4 hours or so sunning itself and sending squirrels potty. What is it 'cos my books don't help? View attachment 11193 About 20 inches tall.

Its a sparrow hawk not an owl.

 

[fatshark]

Largest female sparrowhawk unlikely to be more than 40cm long (16") and that's a skinned measurement, in reality they look smaller … goshawks are 50-65cm and are much more of a threat to squirrels. Quite a few about these days, even in the Midlands.

However, unless the trunk at that height is 20" in diameter then I reckon it's a sparrowhawk.

 

[richardbees]

Michael, do you have bears?

 

[jonnybeegood]

Largest female sparrowhawk unlikely to be more than 40cm long (16") and that's a skinned measurement, in reality they look smaller … goshawks are 50-65cm and are much more of a threat to squirrels. Quite a few about these days, even in the Midlands.

However, unless the trunk at that height is 20" in diameter then I reckon it's a sparrowhawk.

I did think Gos hawk but its chest looks to narrow. I am suprised this bird stayed there for 4 hours though ? Most birds of prey will rest up once theyve fed to save energy, but usually in a less obvious place & it wouldnt sit there 4 hours with a squirrel chattering in its ear attracting unwanted attention.

 

[Michael Palmer]

Michael, do you have bears?

Oh yeah! Too many.

 

[Arfermo]

QUOTE=Summerslease;452846]Hi Afermo, the pic is a little small but could it be an owl, possibly a short-eared one?[/QUOTE]

I'll try a bigger version.View attachment 11204

 

[Arfermo]

Original jpg Image size would not upload. Keep aediting to fit but won't work

 

[jonnybeegood]

Original jpg Image size would not upload. Keep aediting to fit but won't work

Actually looks more like a male Buzzard in the last pic, markings are a bit clearer, & a Buzzard is more likely to sit for longer.

 

[Chrisfnvs]

Apparently there are breeding pairs of European eagle owls living here in the UK, I am not saying it`s one of them but it does look like an owl to me, unless it is a hawk puffing up it feathers in the cold, i would like to see the bigger photo.

 

[Arfermo]

Actually looks more like a male Buzzard in the last pic, markings are a bit clearer, & a Buzzard is more likely to sit for longer.

My wife thought it was an owl of some sort but using my Swarovski birding binoculars it was clearly a hawk of some kind. I think it most likely was a common buzzard - too big for a sparrow hawk - but it was lighter in colour than the images in my books. Perhaps the bright sun? Anyway thanks peeps. Amazing variety of birds round here!!!

 

[Ely]

Really nice picture