Birds

[voyageur]

Received this link:

Eagle owl at 1000 frames per Second towards a camera

When things are slowed down, like matters seen using a Mitchell type camera, the details are simply amazing - this one is a little hypnotic but hope you enjoy this 2d feathered creature.

http://www.dogwork.com/owfo8/

[Gandalf]

Wow, amazing video. 

[treesparrow]

15 Incredible Photographs of Birds' Nests

Here's a few -











More here -

http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/news-15-incredible-photographs-birds-nests

All built by instinct - astounding!

[Jerry]

Cool video of an eagle owl flying toward camera in slow motion.

Owls are amazing creatures.

Check it out.

[Gandalf]

Cool video of an eagle owl flying toward camera in slow motion.

Owls are amazing creatures.

Check it out.

Hi Jerry,

I have merged your topic with this one since someone had already posted that video here.

[Jerry]

Oops - missed it.

Thanks Gandalf.

[treesparrow]

Scientists to study psychological benefits of birdsong
Three-year research project will explore the impact of birdsong on creativity and sense of wellbeing

Remove birds from poetry, Aldous Huxley once said, and we would have to cast aside half of the English canon.

Now, the impact of birdsong on our creativity and on our sense of wellbeing is to be explored in a three-year research project at the University of Surrey, supported by the National Trust and Surrey Wildlife Trust.

The study will examine the psychological impact of being exposed to birdsong, including whether it helps us relax, can assist our ability to complete tasks and even think creatively.
Listen to the National Trust audio guide to Britain's bird species Link to this audio

Eleanor Ratcliffe, the researcher undertaking the study said while there was a growing body of environmental psychology looking at how the natural world affects people, there was still a lot to understand about the power of specific natural sounds.

Serious birdwatchers may have to sit out the early stages of the research as Ratcliffe will first interview a representative sample of the general public to understand how people perceive natural sounds and whether birdsong does, as bird lovers aver, have a restorative effect.

The raucous screech of a feral parakeet or the aggressive chitter of a magpie may not have quite the soothing effect as a melodious song thrush however, and Ratcliffe hopes to explore the effect of different songs and how individuals relate birdsong to their own memories and sense of place.

Ratcliffe will later recruit subjects through social media and examine the effect of birdsong on their brains and behaviour, as well as testing whether recorded birdsong – played on an iPod for example – could have the same impact as listening to birdsong in cities and in the countryside.

"A great deal of anecdotal evidence suggests that we respond positively to birdsong. However, currently there is a lack of scientific research on the psychological effects of listening to birds," said Ratcliffe. The research project is being funded by the Economic and Social Research Council with further assistance from the National Trust and Surrey Wildlife Trust.

Peter Brash, National Trust ecologist, said: "As a lifelong birder I've always had birdsong as a natural soundtrack to my life and believe it's good for the mind and soul. Birdsong gets us closer to nature and links people to places and memories in a way that few other sounds can."

For Ratcliffe, the study will necessitate long hours listening to birdsong on nature reserves in the countryside. "Hopefully I'll be pretty restored by the end of the three years," she said.

Almost midwinter here in the UK and already some birds are beginning to sing in preparation for the breeding season next spring. They certainly brighten up my day and induce a feeling of optimism that's really difficult to fathom.

Check out the audio of birdsong and see if your mood improves -

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/dec/21/scientists-study-psychological-effects-birdsong?intcmp=122

[voyageur]

Almost midwinter here in the UK and already some birds are beginning to sing in preparation for the breeding season next spring. They certainly brighten up my day and induce a feeling of optimism that's really difficult to fathom.

Check out the audio of birdsong and see if your mood improves -

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/dec/21/scientists-study-psychological-effects-birdsong?intcmp=122

Thanks treesparrow, birds song always improves my mood. There is such a fine feeling when out of the stillness comes the sounds of birds - life.

These ones for me especially speak: 

Voices: Common Loon

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ENNzjy8QjU&feature=related

[treesparrow]

Almost midwinter here in the UK and already some birds are beginning to sing in preparation for the breeding season next spring. They certainly brighten up my day and induce a feeling of optimism that's really difficult to fathom.

Check out the audio of birdsong and see if your mood improves -

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/dec/21/scientists-study-psychological-effects-birdsong?intcmp=122

Thanks treesparrow, birds song always improves my mood. There is such a fine feeling when out of the stillness comes the sounds of birds - life.

These ones for me especially speak: 

Voices: Common Loon

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ENNzjy8QjU&feature=related

Thanks for that link Voyageur - that wailing voice is hauntingly evocative.

The mournful, bubbling flight song of the Eurasian Curlew stirs up memories of another time and place for me - I was lucky enough to witness them flying above hayfields close to a farm I once lived in. Here's a short delightful film of them in action -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ws7jH6wNKN4

[voyageur]

The mournful, bubbling flight song of the Eurasian Curlew stirs up memories of another time and place for me - I was lucky enough to witness them flying above hayfields close to a farm I once lived in. Here's a short delightful film of them in action -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ws7jH6wNKN4

Can see why, very graceful flier with unique series of song calls - nice.

[voyageur]

365 days from last years return, the little Hummingbirds road in with the full moon, arriving on their yearly pilgrimage north. It gladdens my heart to see the little birds, always wondering how they are fairing when not here. The first few arrived today looking weak from their long flight and started feeding from the feeders that were putout just prior. It will be a few weeks until they gain weight and strength and start their dancing flights for mates and tender their newborns for the return winter habitat in September. 

[melatonin]

Some great pics in this thread. Im also a big fan of birds. Ive been keeping a close eye on a couple pf magpies building a big nest in the tree next door. Its now that big, it stands out a bit too much - i hope it doesnt attract unwanted attention!

[treesparrow]

Here's something you may enjoy, some amazing bird song sounds revealed when the recordings are slowed down. The first example is a cracker, the fast high pitched song of the wren (winter wren?)

Secret songs: the hidden beauty of birdsong revealed

Birdsong is beautiful, but it is almost impossible for the human ear to distinguish the wealth of hidden notes and melodies. A new CD from the British Library plays original recordings alongside digitally mastered versions where the speed has been slowed to reveal the subtle intricacy of each song in its full glory

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/interactive/2010/aug/31/secret-bird-song-british-library

[Nancy2feathers]

Love all the pics of birds and nests and the owl video..magnificent! There are a lot of perennial flowers that attract all kinds of birds, butterflies,and dragonflies. There is  a moth that looks just like a hummingbird. I love bird watching out my kitchen window. I`ve even watched wild turkeys walk and peck away in my garden!

[treesparrow]

I thought I'd share some photos that you may enjoy of well camouflaged eggs, I recently took, while participating in a study of river birds with some students. The cryptic pattern and colour of these plover and sandpiper eggs make them blend in so well with the background habitat that makes them very difficult to spot. For instance with these eggs laid among small stones when I was just say, 2 metres, away if I took my eye off them for a second they 'disappeared'. Take a look -


See the nest and eggs? No? Try pic below.


A bit closer.


The eggs close up.

A little background story.

When we revisited the nest 2 days later one egg was missing and another slightly chipped, as though it had been pecked . I strongly suspected predation by crows. This was borne out when I waded across the river and saw three crows 'working' a shingle shoal. One was sitting on a washed up log and was watching the other 2 walking over the shingle engrossed in a cold search of another nest. I formed the distinct impression that the crow on the log was directing the other 2 in their search. A plover attempted to land where they busy but was immediately chased off by one of the corvids. Then they all became aware of my presence and flew off. They really are canny crows.

The nest and eggs picture below is that of a sandpiper found not far from the riverside but this time on a grassy bank. You can again see the wonderful cryptic pattern of the eggs which helps them merge into the background vegetation.



Hope you enjoyed  .