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Post by Tringa on Aug 10, 2015 10:07:43 GMT
While out with the dog early this morning I surprised a GSW. For me the odd thing was it was very low (about 20cm from the ground) in a broom bush. A little further along another GSW flew up from a similar low position in the bush.
Do they usually come down so close to the ground?
The only time I have seen one on the ground was a young one a few years ago and the parent was calling like crazy at it. Sometimes they come on the bird feeders in the garden but the feeders are over 2m high. Other than these occasions every GSW I have seen has been flying or way up in a tree.
Dave
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Post by htcdude on Aug 10, 2015 14:23:16 GMT
I would guess it's not unheard of. Haven't seen it myself though. Sure it wasn't a Green Woodpecker? Nige
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Post by Tringa on Aug 11, 2015 7:09:42 GMT
Thanks for the reply, Nige. Not green woodpeckers. Around here Greens are fairly common; during the late spring and summer I see about 2 or 3 almost every week. GSWs are less common (or do not make their presence known as much) but are still a fairly familiar sight.
Dave
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Post by shirl100 on Aug 11, 2015 14:01:35 GMT
Our GSWs are generally on the bird feeders, but we have a bird table on top of a very old tree stump (well rotted) and we do see s GSW from time to time at the bottom of the trunk,feet virtually on the grass. I suspect they take advantage of what's there but don't hang around for long due to a higher risk of predation
Shirl
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Post by NellyDee on Aug 16, 2015 6:27:01 GMT
Our GSW's quite often forage on the ground - We'll almost. I have a number of old tree stumps, tallest only about 1 ft. Covered in moss/grass, they also hop,semi fly between the stumps. They do look very funny. I presume the wing flapping while hopping is to keep them upright. I think they are camera sky, they seem to sense the minute I pick up the camera and fly off!
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Post by Tringa on Aug 16, 2015 12:16:21 GMT
Thanks for the comments all. I agree Nelly, they are very wary birds.
Dave
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Post by NellyDee on Aug 16, 2015 17:09:36 GMT
I had a memory recall - Tis an age thing! I did get some photos in 2013, Mum collecting insects off the lawn -
20130613_2 by Wabi Gallery, on Flickr
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Post by Tringa on Aug 17, 2015 7:07:12 GMT
Good shot; I'll have to look out for them on the ground.
Dave
BTW Is it a female? There is a some red on the back of the neck.
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Post by NellyDee on Aug 17, 2015 7:24:12 GMT
No it is a male - Think the female disappeared as he was the one doing all the feeding - there were eventually 3 fledglings, but did not make it. At the time I managed to get some long shots of the male teaching the little ones to hammer on our telegraph pole. Don't know why I said Mum! Presumption that it's females that do the feeding, which is rubbish! This year I have had one male blackbird doing an absolute ace job, feeding 3 babes, and he continued to feed them for quite a while after they had fledged - poor Dad look skinny and bedraggled by the end.
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