Sounds like you might have seen a Jay, hollie hock. Have a look on the RSPB's website - not quite as you describe, but not many other options.
Cowslip, don't worry about the bird count; the methodology adopted by the scientists at the RSPB allows for all sorts of variables, and they only draw conclusions that are appropriate to the data they collect.
They're pretty much the same size as Magpies, but without the long tail. I've just been watching three of them feeding on the little crab apples on next door's tree - like a Japanese painting.
I have 2 jays that fly in and grab the monkey nuts that I put out for the squirrels they do look pretty I nearly had a photo today but it was gone when I got my camera - maybe next time.
I got my RSPB big bird watch count pack so I am ready to bird watch just have to wait until the weekend, have printed out the chart to help as well with counting.
Posts
http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/j/jay/index.aspx
Was it one of these?
In the sticks near Peterborough
Sounds like you might have seen a Jay, hollie hock. Have a look on the RSPB's website - not quite as you describe, but not many other options.
Cowslip, don't worry about the bird count; the methodology adopted by the scientists at the RSPB allows for all sorts of variables, and they only draw conclusions that are appropriate to the data they collect.
They're pretty much the same size as Magpies, but without the long tail. I've just been watching three of them feeding on the little crab apples on next door's tree - like a Japanese painting.
I have 2 jays that fly in and grab the monkey nuts that I put out for the squirrels they do look pretty I nearly had a photo today but it was gone when I got my camera - maybe next time.
I got my RSPB big bird watch count pack so I am ready to bird watch just have to wait until the weekend, have printed out the chart to help as well with counting.
Anybody else got there pack yet?
yep got my chart but how do you tell if you are counting two different birds or one thats flown off and come back again?