wgeoff

A Black Woodpecker seen on a telegraph pole in UK last week was reported as a UK first record. It was posted on the national UK Birdline service and several twitchers turned up to see it, when it was noticed that the bird didn't move much.

It was later discovered to be a lifelike model placed there by the local telegraph company to deter real woodpeckers from making holes in the pole.

So, beware any bird that doesn't move.

[ Last edited by wgeoff at 26/02/2010 08:34 ]

subbuteo

I had a disappointing experience with a convincing but very stationary Great Horned Owl in Florida. I hope no one saw me stalking up to get a closer view.

Jonathmartinez

there is a famous story on Ouessant Island in France of a guy having put a Snowy owl form  with carton made by a cold and  rainy day at the opposite side of the island with a good number of birdwatcher validating their tick!On the evening some of them also affirming they saw the bird flying!!! Fortunately i wasn't there at that time!!! I hope this will not give bad idea to anybody:-)

handrew

I seem to recall even the famous and sadly late Bobby Tulloch once called Snowy Owl on Shetland only to find it was a white plastic bag!

Andrew