How common are nightingales in Sheffield?

Yog Sothoth · 06-04-2009, 11:31

I only ask because we had one singing in the big willow tree in our back garden a couple of years ago, but I've not seen nor heard one around here before or since that occasion

It was just at dusk. I was sat beneath the tree when this song started, from a nondescript brown bird perched some 15ft above me, clearly visible. Although I knew it was a nightingale, I was thinking 'it can't be', as I'd never seen or heard one before round here. But it was unmistakeable.

So how many other SF users have seen/heard a nightingale in Sheffield?

Halibut · 06-04-2009, 11:34

Never heard or seen one, Yog - would love to though - I'll be interested to see if anyone else has seen or heard one in Sheff.

Halibut · 06-04-2009, 15:44

Hey, come on, birdlovers - there must be more to it than this?

MK Ultra · 06-04-2009, 17:11

I've not heard of any confirmed Nightingale sightings in these parts in recent years but it's not impossible I guess. Furthest north I've ever seen one is Rutland Water, near Leicester.

Robins sing at dusk and well into the night, sometimes going all the way through til dawn. Blackbirds are beautiful evening songsters and for my money, they are heads and shoulders above Nightingales for their voice. IMO, there's nothing more relaxing than listening to a Blackbird usher in the night on a warm summer evening.

If you contact Sheffield Bird Study Group - http://www.sbsg.org/index.asp - they should be able to tell you about Nightingale sightings in this part of the world.

Come to think of it, why isn't there a birders section of SF...?

babyboom · 06-04-2009, 17:42

I was just going to say it is probably a Robin, more often than not it usually is when you think it is a nightingale.

Mandem · 06-04-2009, 20:50

We were once up the back of the ski slope sitting looking over Sheffield with binoculars, and we heard a bird, found it and identified it when we got home as a nightingale. Their song is beautiful. Definitely was a nightingale.

Yog Sothoth · 07-04-2009, 11:24

I've been into birdwatching since I was a kid. I know a nightingale when I see one. I also know the difference between a nightingale song and that of a robin, blackbird, songthrush or indeed, any other bird. I could spot a robin or blackbird song within a handful of notes. Plus, as I said, I had a clear view of it, not 15 feet above me. It was unarguably a nightingale. I know that sightings up here are uncommon, but it was what it was.

People always want to suggest unusual sightings were a mistake. It annoys me, to be honest. I once, several years ago, saw a Rough-legged Buzzard up in the Dales. Everyone said later "oh it must have just been a common buzzard!" but I know very well what a buzzard looks like. This was similar but subtly different, which is what caught my eye when I got the binocs trained on it. Looking at the buzzards in my field guide, it matched exactly the features of the rough-legged, which is an uncommon visitor from eastern Europe. Uncommon, but not unheard of.

It happens. Birds do not stick to their normal ranges exclusively. The year I saw the nightingale was the last really hot year, when it started off mild in spring and got very hot in the summer, which I think was 2006(?). A lot of species ventured outside their normal ranges that year.

red chicken · 07-04-2009, 15:13

Only a few weeks ago about 7pm (before clocks went forward) heard nightingale singing outside Pitz football off Woodburn Rd Attercliffe. Bird was sitting right at top of tree and another bird could be heard in distance. Beautiful song!

the white rose · 11-04-2009, 08:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by babyboom

I was just going to say it is probably a Robin, more often than not it usually is when you think it is a nightingale.

Yog knows birds. It was a nightingale.

the white rose · 11-04-2009, 08:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yog Sothoth

People always want to suggest unusual sightings were a mistake. It annoys me, to be honest. I once, several years ago, saw a Rough-legged Buzzard up in the Dales. Everyone said later "oh it must have just been a common buzzard!" but I know very well what a buzzard looks like.

So that golden eagle I saw outside the bedroom window yesterday morning was probably just a blue tit, you mean?

Sorry, I'll get me coat. After watching Red Dwarf with you last night I've decided to start attempting bloke humour.

MK Ultra · 11-04-2009, 15:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yog Sothoth

I've been into birdwatching since I was a kid. I know a nightingale when I see one. I also know the difference between a nightingale song and that of a robin, blackbird, songthrush or indeed, any other bird. ....

People always want to suggest unusual sightings were a mistake. It annoys me...

Sorry, didn't wish to offend you, it's just that a lot of people don't know the difference and often they will always go for the more 'exotic' option rather than the mundane.

I remember sitting in a hide at Old Moor idly watching a Kestral fly by when a bloke pointed at it and shouted "PEREGRINE..!" causing all manner of a cuffuffle.

'It's a Kestrel' I pointed out.

"No, it's definitely a Peregrine' he said. At this point it started hovering.

'Oooooh, that IS unusual' I said, '..a hovering Peregrine!' and went back to looking at the ducks.

What do think about a birders section of the forum Yog (or anyone)? Think it would be a goer..?

taxman · 11-04-2009, 15:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by MK Ultra

Sorry, didn't wish to offend you, it's just that a lot of people don't know the difference and often they will always go for the more 'exotic' option rather than the mundane.

I remember sitting in a hide at Old Moor idly watching a Kestral fly by when a bloke pointed at it and shouted "PEREGRINE..!" causing all manner of a cuffuffle.

'It's a Kestrel' I pointed out.

"No, it's definitely a Peregrine' he said. At this point it started hovering.

'Oooooh, that IS unusual' I said, '..a hovering Peregrine!' and went back to looking at the ducks.

What do think about a birders section of the forum Yog (or anyone)? Think it would be a goer..?

I've had a Peregrine flying around the tower blocks near Brook Hill roundabout. Not as bizarre as it may sound really considering their natural hunting grounds, cliffs, mountains etc and the large number of pigeons that used to frequent the area.

As for Nightingale - I've seen one around this area although there is no real reason why they shouldn't be here.

Strangest thing I ever saw around here was a red legged partridge wandering the streets of Netherthorpe - and I was on the way to the pub!

MK Ultra · 11-04-2009, 19:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by taxman

I've had a Peregrine flying around the tower blocks near Brook Hill roundabout. Not as bizarre as it may sound really considering their natural hunting grounds, cliffs, mountains etc and the large number of pigeons that used to frequent the area.

Yes, I've seen one (probably the same one) twice flying over the city centre. First time I saw it, it was chasing a group of pigeons around the Grosvenor Hotel block. I emailed SBSG and they emailed back to say they often get sightings around the West Street area.

irenewilde · 11-04-2009, 21:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by MK Ultra

What do think about a birders section of the forum Yog (or anyone)? Think it would be a goer..?

I think that would be great!