This year, our monthly Early Bird Club has involved less of me trailing around the countryside streaming with my phone, and more checking in on bird-focused cameras and microphones across the web.
I’ll publish a list of the best on Shriek of the Week this month, to make it easier for us all to dip in.
Here are a few favourites. Further finds gladly received.
Good picture, always the chance of something interesting swimming past. Currently the only one working of the three on the Birds of Poole Harbour website - but when you can watch 15 sleeping Spoonbills (as you can *right now* 🤩) who's to complain?
Autumnal UK webcams feeling a little... melancholy? Fill up on Grey Go-away-birds, Cape Sparrows, Green Wood Hoopoes (and fruitbat) via this spectacular high-definition channel.
Sorry, I missed this comment at the time Diane. Glad you've been enjoying them. I'm finally making good on my promise to turn these links into a proper post, but checking today so many of the cameras are offline (including Extraordinary Pretoria). Argh!
https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/things-to-do/watch-wildlife-online/loch-of-the-lowes-webcam/
Loch of the Lowes - Osprey nest webcam
Stunning view, good clear microphone - often picks up birds from the water, as well as those in the trees. Quizzing away right now: Siskins
https://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/arne/arne-live-web-cams/
Arne RSPB (Dorset)
Classic hanging bird feeder action. Blink and you'll miss the Coal Tit.
https://www.birdsofpooleharbour.co.uk/mac-hide-webcam/
Brownsea Island - Tern Hide (Dorset)
Good picture, always the chance of something interesting swimming past. Currently the only one working of the three on the Birds of Poole Harbour website - but when you can watch 15 sleeping Spoonbills (as you can *right now* 🤩) who's to complain?
https://www.lrwt.org.uk/rutlandospreys
Rutland Water - Osprey nest webcam
The Ospreys have departed for 2023, but a Cormorant has taken to preening itself in front of the camera, and waterfowl can be seen on the water below.
https://www.cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk/wildlife/cams/seal-cam
Walney Island (Cumbria) - Grey Seals
A little grainy, but the shapes made by grey seals loafing about on the shore are worth a squint.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z19GyR0cptc
Pretoria (South Africa)
Autumnal UK webcams feeling a little... melancholy? Fill up on Grey Go-away-birds, Cape Sparrows, Green Wood Hoopoes (and fruitbat) via this spectacular high-definition channel.
Sorry, I missed this comment at the time Diane. Glad you've been enjoying them. I'm finally making good on my promise to turn these links into a proper post, but checking today so many of the cameras are offline (including Extraordinary Pretoria). Argh!
Here's one I hadn't seen before https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txk-CLxQF4I