▲ 7 r/OrnithologyUK
What is this bird - Yorkshire Dales?
Saw this near Ingleborough, and it appeared to be hovering before diving and (presumably) catching prey. I wondered whether it would be a Hen Harrier?
u/ButeoMilvus — 7 days ago
▲ 16 r/OrnithologyUK
What is this bird - Middleton Lakes?
Saw a couple of birds, variously identified as Bar-Tailed Godwits, Sandpipers, and Plovers. I unfortunately cannot remember which I took pictures of, and am struggling to identify.
Is anybody able to tell from the (admittedly terrible quality) pictures which is which, if any?
Thank you!
u/ButeoMilvus — 11 days ago
▲ 16 r/OrnithologyUK
What is this bird - Brecon Beacons?
Hello all, saw this bird in the Brecon Beacons and hoping somebody could identify?
u/ButeoMilvus — 27 days ago
New build advice: garden gradient increased to 1:13 after adding patio?
Hi everyone. I’m currently in the process of buying a new build home and would really appreciate some advice.
The attached image shows our proposed garden plan. Originally, the garden was meant to have a gradient of 1 in 26 (which I think is mostly flat). However, after we requested that the developer include the 4x4m patio area (shaded brown on the plan), we were told that the garden gradient would increase to 1 in 13. From what I understand, that’s quite a noticeable slope rather than a relatively flat garden, so I’m keen to avoid it if possible.
Does this change in gradient sound correct, and can anyone explain why adding the patio would cause such a significant increase in slope? Is there anything we could reasonably ask the developer to do to reduce or prevent this? Also, does anyone have experience living with a garden that has a 1 in 13 gradient? I’d be interested to hear how noticeable or practical it is in day to day use.
Thanks in advance for any advice.
u/ButeoMilvus — 2 months ago
▲ 10 r/OrnithologyUK
What is this bird - Snowdonia?
Hi all! I’ve been spending some time in Snowdonia, and took a picture of this bird. The picture was taken in the morning around 9am, and the bird was travelling in a pair. I initially thought it was a House Sparrow, but the red crown makes me think otherwise?
Would be great if anybody could help ID!
u/ButeoMilvus — 2 months ago
▲ 1 r/GardeningUK
Hi all. I am in the process of buying my first house (a new build), and we have been told that our garden will be 55m2 - approximately 6m x 9m.
We currently only have the plans to our house, as it has not yet been built, and I’m finding it really difficult to visualise how much space we will have to work with! Would anybody be able to share pictures of your similarly sized gardens to help me plan the space we will have?
Thank you!
u/ButeoMilvus — 3 months ago
▲ 3 r/LawncareUK
Hi all
We’re buying a new build with a bare earth garden (we have declined turf), so we’ll be starting from scratch. Our plan is to hopefully improve the soil quality (fix drainage if needed, improve topsoil, and level everything), then seed the lawn ourselves.
We complete in November, so the plan below assumes the ground is workable (i.e. damp but not waterlogged).
I’d really appreciate any thoughts or improvements on the process:
Planned method
- Remove surface debris (stones, rocks, construction waste, etc)
- Rotavate on a shallow depth setting (to avoid creating a plough pan), then remove any newly surfaced debris
- Rotavate again on a medium depth setting in a different direction
- Rotavate at deepest depth setting to incorporate the manure
- Rake level
- Use a levelling rake to flatten topsoil
- Seed lawn and apply additional topsoil/water/fertiliser
Questions
Timing: is late November too late to seed grass effectively in the UK?
Topsoil: in step 7, should I rotavate again to mix in the topsoil, or leave it as a top layer?
Season: if November is too late for seeding, would it be better to wait until spring for this? Is there anything I could do in the meantime?
Soil treatment: if a soil test confirms heavy clay (and potentially high sodium), is applying gypsum worthwhile before starting, or unnecessary?
u/ButeoMilvus — 4 months ago
▲ 36 r/OrnithologyUK
Absolutely gigantic bird - I presume a raven? Wingspan was huge.
u/ButeoMilvus — 4 months ago
I had originally thought it to be a Red Kite, but upon reflection, think it might be a type of Buzzard?
u/ButeoMilvus — 4 months ago