#There's more Bewicks out there

[spare-stories-archive]

What was Murdoch’s life like?

Murdoch has had a rather... interesting life. So to speak. He grew up in LittleLight, a little seaside fisher town. He grew up with his dad Firth, his papa Silviu, and his older brothers Kallan and Calder. He also had his best friend, Emilia!

Over all his life was pretty happy, loving parents, a good relationship with his brothers and plenty of fun things to do when he wasn't at school.

But one day, he met a new kid. A girl named Fara. They pair got on like a house on fire, and they spent a lot of time together. As teens do, they began to get a bit rebellious. Only they kept going, getting worse and worse seemingly with each passing day. Murdoch had screaming matches with his dad almost constantly.

One day, Murdoch and Firth got into another fight, but this one got way more heated than the others; and Firth ended up hitting Murdoch. Murdoch had never actually been hit like that before, and certainly not by his father. It was a startling thing. Something Firth regretted the second he did it, he tried to reach out to his son and apologize. But Murdoch just jerked back, looking at him with nothing but pure contempt.

Murdoch ran away that night, he went to Fara, and the pair left town together. They traveled for a long time, till they met a certain group of people... but that's a story for another time. :)

[mostlybirdsandphotos]

bewick's wren

[antiqueanimals]

The Greyhound Fox

This is not a distinct species from the common fox, but merely a larger variety of it. "There are three varieties of foxes,” says Pennant, found in the mountainous parts of these islands, which differ a little in form, but not in colour, from each other, and are distinguished in Wales by as many different names. The Milgi or greyhound-fox is the largest, tallest, and boldest, and will attack a grown sheep or wether; the mastiff fox is less, but more strongly built; and the Corgi, or cur-fox, is the least, and lurks about hedges, out-houses, &c., and is the most pernicious of the three to the feathered tribe.” * Bewick

A Natural History of British and Foreign Quadrupeds. Written by James H. Fennell. 1843.

Internet Archive

[originaltyphoonkryptonite]

So Britain doesn't have a national bird, the one that most would say is the European Robin, but...Damian is going to have a robin....so....should I do a different bird for Alfred?

[dansnaturepictures]

A look back on my 2024: Part 1 of 3-Birds and Lepidoptera

As those who have known me a while on here will know I have done end of year posts reflecting on my wildlife watching and photography year for a long time with the formats shifting a bit in recent years. This year I decided to do something different, my equivalent of a TV soap opera broadcasting a live episode, in that instead of writing up the posts in proceeding months and timing them to go out I am writing them all and posting them this morning/early afternoon.

Beginning with the main veins of my hobby really, birds and butterflies and my ever growing moth interest which obviously sits best next to butterflies. Firstly it was another phenomenal birdwatching year for me with so many species seen and excellent and precious experiences had. I didn’t necessarily know it’d be the case twelve months ago but I have seen over two hundred species of bird this year and the second highest amount I’ve ever seen in a year behind last year. Multiple Firecrest sightings and treasured Waxwing views in their big British winter brought vibrant colour and energy at the start of my year. Ferruginous Duck, Scaup and Red-breasted Goose were three fine rare waterfowl species I saw in Hampshire at the start of the year. The year once again hinged a lot on our sensational trip to Scotland in the spring where blockbuster species Red Grouse and Black Grouse, privileged views of Black-throated Diver, Red-throated Diver and Slavonian Grebe in gorgeous breeding plumage and Dipper were among my birds of the year. Following the cancellation of the accommodation for a holiday planned elsewhere in June we unexpectedly returned to the Yorkshire coast two years on from our last visit where we were immersed in the incredible spectacle of a seabird colony at RSPB Bempton Cliffs and nearby being spellbound to observe Gannets, Kittiwakes, Fulmars, Puffins, Guillemots and Razorbills. We saw two of Hampshire’s greatest birds of 2024 just before each holiday, only my second ever Marsh Sandpiper on Normandy Lagoon Lymington in late April and the Roseate Terns at the same place in May that went on to make history for the county and raise chicks. We were lucky to see another amazing bird in between the two holidays, Stone Curlews in Hampshire.

Three more of my favourite birds really stood out once more this year; mesmerising views of Ospreys in Scotland, Rutland Water, Hampshire and Dorset as I saw more than I ever did in a year, amazing times hearing and seeing Cuckoos in Hampshire, Scotland and Yorkshire in the spring with my first ever juvenile seen including being fed by its Dunnock host at Rutland Water in July and I had another very strong year for seeing electric Kingfishers. White-tailed Eagles seen in Scotland, Poole Harbour and the Isle of White, majestic Golden Eagle in Scotland, Hobby, riveting encounters with Short-eared Owl and Barn Owl and stirring encounters with Hen Harrier and Marsh Harrier made it another top year of birds of prey.

Green Sandpiper my two hundredth bird of the year at Rutland Water, Common Sandpipers seen well throughout the year, Purple Sandpiper, Little Stint, Little Ringed Plover, Whimbrel and Ruff at Slimbridge were key wading birds I saw this year. That Slimbridge trip in February with stop offs in Oxfordshire on the way there and back also producing heartfelt immersive views of Bewick’s Swans and Common Cranee. Super ducks Garganey, Goldeneye and Long-tailed Duck, Great White Egrets seen at some places I never or rarely had in Hampshire before as they continue to be common, January delights seeing Cattle Egret and Glossy Ibis and pleasurable encounters with Water Rail and Cetti’s Warbler especially at Fishlake Meadows where I visited a lot this year were other key birds seen. More stardust was sprinkled on my year with wonderful encounters seeing Yellow Wagtails in Yorkshire and Hampshire, Turtle Dove at Knepp and Tree Sparrows in Moray and Yorkshire. Other big birds of my year included Snow Bunting in November at Sandy Point, Wryneck at Titchfield Haven, amazing Lesser Spotted Woodpecker views in the New Forest, Whinchat, Spotted Flycatcher and Pied Flycatcher, Garden Warbler and Willow Warblers that invigorated me with their serenading song across the week in Scotland.

Close to home and it was an enjoyable and dramatic year of watching Winchester’s Peregrines with new female Mel overthrowing the much loved Winnie I had a good general Peregrine year and the formidable pair of Great Crested Grebes at my local Lakeside Country Park powered through two broods of chicks bringing many joyous moments watching them. Pochard and Tree Pipit were my two favourite unusual finds at Lakeside in January and September respectively. Sparrowhawk was nice to see at home a few times but my best garden bird title undoubtably goes to the female Black Redstart that made us ecstatic with multiple visits to and near the garden in January and February including during the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch.

It was a challenging year for butterflies at times with weather patterns and general low numbers but I still loved watching them this year seeing forty three species the joint third highest I’d ever seen in a year. In spring early Red Admiral sightings were no surprise on sunny winter days with the sheer amount around in 2023 I wondered if confused hibernating individuals would be easy to come by. Small Tortoiseshell especially seen well in Scotland and Orange Tip like Cuckoo seen in Hampshire, Yorkshire and Scotland were wonderful hope bringing species seen at that time of year. Green Hairstreak, Marsh Fritillary, Adonis Blue, Small Blue, Brown Argus and Duke of Burgundy were excellent springtime gems which I felt lucky to see. Comma was an interesting species for me this year being the common one I had to wait longest for, usually expected to be one of the first I’ll see in a year it was my thirtieth species of the year seen at Testwood Lakes in June, I only had to wait longer (two days in fact) to see one in one other year 2018. Then intimate views of a Comma gave me one of my greatest summer memories on a perfect sunny and warm afternoon at Martin Down in July.

Those summer butterfly days were magical this year with Purple Hairstreaks duelling atop the oaks of Lakeside on fine and uplifting evenings and seen at Knepp where the epic Purple Emperors was one we were thrilled to see so well again, Brown Hairstreak flitting high in a tree at Shipton Bellinger and enigmatic Common Graylings on a New Forest heath. Dainty skippers the rare and prepossessing Lulworth Skippers at Durlston, fantastic views of lovely Silver-spotted Skipper and the satisfying sight of Essex Skipper were key species of my year. The blues shone over the summer too with captivating views of Chalkhill on the downs and Silver-studded in the forest. Butterfly Conservation’s Big Butterfly Count was an interesting time in July and August with initially the low numbers this year reflected in my counts before a surge in numbers on the last weekend of it; Marbled White and Ringlet were key species in the count I saw with Gatekeeper and Meadow Brown in high numbers again. There was a whirlwind few days of summer Lakeside walks as those species alongside Large Skipper and Small Skipper rushed into my year with a surge of my first sightings of them in a year in an upturn of weather after a cloudy and quiet spell which will live long in the memory. Wall Brown, Silver-washed Fritillary and Dark Green Fritillary brought exotic colour to my year, as did my last species seen this year in some September splendour at Milford on Sea, Clouded Yellow.

Onto moths and a summer phenomenon over a week or so seeing lots of striking Jersey Tiger moths at a few locations was amazing. My first Magpie moths, Brimstone moth, Yellow Shell, Mother Shipton seen well, Silver Ys, Six-spot and Five-spot Burnet, Cinnabar moth, the Vestal, Brown Silver-line, Purple Bar and Hummingbird Hawk-moth were other brilliant daytime fliers to observe this year. Strong species seen at home including in moth traps this year were Garden Carpet, Lesser Yellow Underwing, Scalloped Oak, L-Album Wainscot, Willow Beauty, Lunar Underwing, Large Tabby and an epic Swallow-tailed moth with the Streamer seen in the wild cottage we stayed at in the Cairngorms. Other highlights were Small Dusty Wave, Pale Prominent, Square-spot Rustic, Riband Wave, Double-striped Pug and Lackey moth helping me to record my second highest ever amount of moths in a year. Emperor moth caterpillar, Fox moth caterpillar, Cinnabar moth caterpillars and Burnet moth caterpillars were colourful delights to see this year.

The photos in this set are of; Marsh Harrier at Titchfield Haven in October, Red Grouse at Lochindorb in May, Firecrest at Acres Down in the New Forest in January, Puffins at Bempton Cliffs and Little Ringed Plover at Kilnsea Wetlands in June, Comma at Martin Down and Lulworth Skipper at Durlston in July, Speckled Wood at Hook-with-Warsash in March, Brown Silver-line at Pig Bush in the New Forest in April, Riband Wave at home in July and Emperor moth caterpillar in the New Forest in July.

[uncharismatic-fauna]

Last birds from the US!

In order:

An immature yellow-rumped warbler (Setophaga coronata)- this guy was extremely hard to ID; at first I thought it was a vireo or a pine siskin, since mature yellow-rumped warblers are much darker and have a more striking pattern.

A Bewick’s wren (Thryomanes bewickii)- very hard to take a photo of. Wrens are very small, very quick, and very shy. I must’ve stat still for a good ten minutes before he came out of the brush enough for a good shot

A fox sparrow (Passerella iliaca)- the exact opposite of the bewick’s wren. He gave me pose after pose, and I was able to get quite close. Still hard to ID, though, since many sparrows look very similar.

I’ll be sure to post some Australian birds soon!

[anonsally]

Father's Day leisurely hike

Today we took a leisurely 2-hour, 2.3-mile hike with my parents for Father's Day, and we brought binoculars.

We started off in a sort of foresty area where we could hear tons of birdsong, but couldn't see any birds at all! There were some Swainson's thrushes, and Merlin claimed to hear a black-headed grosbeak, which I have never seen around here.

In the tiny lake, we saw something that we eventually figured out had to be a bullfrog. They're apparently invasive, unfortunately, but it was interesting to see. We also spotted a deer later in the hike.

For a while we walked in a more open, grassy area with bushes and a few trees. While there, we heard what I'm pretty sure was a spotted towhee, and we saw a bird we couldn't identify. It was very active, and seemed a bit larger than a sparrow. At one point it was hanging upside-down-ish from a twig eating what I assume were tiny bugs from a plant. Its underparts were a solid, light but distinct lemony yellow, and we had the impression its upperparts were yellow/olive with no distinct markings. The beak was not goldfinch-y, but seemed a bit long/heavy for a warbler. I've tried to look through possible birds for that area, and the only guesses I've got are warbling vireo (but we don't think it had markings on the face, and the behavior doesn't seem right?) or orange-crowned warbler. Any thoughts, @lies? Is there some other bird I'm not thinking of?

Near the end of the hike, I did spot a Wilson's warbler and a raven, and we heard Bewick's wrens and a song sparrow.

[daddymikeyway]

You worked with birds?!

What sorts of things did you do with them? What kind of birds? I must know! 🥺🦜

I worked with house wrens in college!! I was a field tech for a grad student who was studying the effect of urbanization across a gradient.

:readmore:

There was actually a lot that went into it! So she had 3 sites; a park in the city, a location on the outskirts of the city where our uni had a farm, and a nature preserve. All of those locations had bird boxes.

The beginning of the season was pretty monotonous. Like are the sticks in the box enough to be considered a nest in progress? But once the nests are built, oh man. Half of the nests at each site got food supplementation, to see if chicks would get bigger than others. The mom’s would get the food as they started laying eggs so hopefully!!! they could spend more time incubating and being good moms than needing to go get food.

Once eggs were laid, they were all measured and weighed. The grad student took half of the eggs to measure the cortisol levels, the stress hormone.

When mom is incubating, she’s caught on the nest. Usually around incubation day 7-10, so she’s far enough along that she likely won’t abandon the nest. My first year, we had a fishing line trap over the entrance. Basically, two people sit with binoculars and stare at the box. Bird goes in, pull fishing line, run to box, bleed bird. It’s generally mom. They’re not sexually dimorphic, but if you blow on the belly feathers, the female won’t have feathers bc they’ve been sitting on eggs. Mom gets colored bands and such. Then when the chicks hatch, we try to catch dad. And honestly, house wren dads suck. They really only show up half the time. If they’re caught, they get banded too.

After eggs come baby birds!!! Everyone’s favorite part. It’s so cool to see them grow up. House wren chicks are feeble and pitiful looking when they first hatch. They got measured one day after hatch, 5, 7, 10, 12, and 14. At 14 they have blood drawn to measure their cortisol levels. This was the exciting part! So the grad student would sneak up on the nest, cover the entrance, and grab the chicks out of the box and throw them to the field techs. There were just 3 of us last year. If there were more chicks than us, they sat in a bird bag and whoever finished bleeding their chick first started on the extra chick. The literature says cortisol levels start to diminish after 3 minutes, so the goal is to bleed X amount of chicks in that time. It can be stressful lmao.

Around 16 days they start to fledge. If they’re getting food supplements, it stops at 14. They get checked everyday until the leave.

Last summer, it was wild. It was a wet winter, like it snowed in early May as we were putting up boxes. Lots of nests.

There was also a nest at the site in the city where a mom had laid eggs, and the chicks had hatched, yay! Dad finds another female, brings her to this box, female digs it. Uh, ok, chicks are still there. One of the other field techs notices that the chicks are buried under sticks. Are they doing it to themselves? All of a sudden, another egg pops up. The dad had cheated on the first bird and mated with another. The new female kicked the first female out. Not only that, the new female killed one of the other’s chicks.

A different grad student joined in late summer 2021, so he didn’t really get to do much. But last year, he put up little cameras in the nest boxes and watched the parents come in and out and feed the chicks. I bring this up BECAUSE he caught the new mom from the previous paragraph pecking the chick to death.

It also led to the discovery of one of the best sentences I’ve read in a scientific paper, not verbatim, “the male continued to sing in the tree while the two females fought.” It’s from an old ass paper, but you know, fantastic to read.

Bewick’s wrens and mountain chickadees also use nest boxes, so we got to interact with them too. Mountain chickadees are very fuzzy. The also make a hissing sound and beat their tail feathers against the box when they’re threatened. They imitate a snake. Even though I know this, it’s still terrifying to hear it.

Those are all house wrens

Mountain chickadee

[that-fema-corps-blog]

Day 283

May 12, 2023

We had a half day at work for training. One of the project leads greeted our two teams and gave us a tour around the office. We gathered in one of the training rooms and everyone introduced themselves: where we live, what we did before FEMA Corps, our preferred learning styles, what we were looking forward to during/after the program, etc.

We then had a brief overview of mitigation. A lot of this was familiar, though I wasn’t aware that disaster mitigation grants are relatively easy to get; 404 hazard mitigation is available statewide after public assistance and/or individual assistance is approved during a disaster declaration. These grants do not have to be directly related to the disaster; for example, mitigation grants for a fire disaster can be used for erosion mitigation in a different part of the state.

We got a rundown of the work we’ll be doing. We will be making community profiles in Power BI for Region X, starting with Oregon and moving on to Washington if we have enough time. We’ll be compiling information from the internet and the FEMA intranet, so we will not be directly contacting the communities. This database will be exclusively for internal use due to the risk of legal and political ramifications if shared; the database may contain personally identifiable information, such as contact details. Information we’ll collect includes:

Social vulnerabilities: socioeconomic status, limited proficiency in English, commute times, etc.

FEMA engagement: local contacts, FEMA mitigators working in the community, history of FEMA activity in area, etc.

Standards /programs / plans: flood insurance, building code standards, etc.

Both teams were released at noon and met later to shop for groceries together. Since we’re now on a steady-state project and have kitchen access, our food budget is reduced to $6.10/person/day. I prepared some vegetables back at the hotel.

A few of us went out to explore. We stopped at Gas Works Park:

Gas Works Park is a park located in Seattle, Washington, United States. It is a 19.1-acre (77,000 m²) public park on the site of the former Seattle Gas Light Company gasification plant, located on the north shore of Lake Union at the south end of the Wallingford neighborhood. The park was added to the National Register of Historic Places on January 2, 2013, over a decade after being nominated.

I added the three new birds to my life list. The glaucous-winged gull is fairly unique for the area in that its wingtips are grey, rather than black.

I didn’t see the Bewick’s wren, but it had a recognizable song.

Violet-green swallows can look very similar to tree swallows when in flight, but the former has more extensive white on the face.

We stopped by the Fremont Troll toward the end of the day:

[eyreguide]

New Podcast: Jane Eyre Files

My latest project is something I really thought I would never do - a podcast! I've never really been one to feel comfortable talking at length, but Jane Eyre is my favorite thing, and I always love to talk about it, so I thought it would be fun to record a podcast where my husband and I discuss each chapter of Jane Eyre at length.

This was partly inspired by the Rosenbach Museum's Sundays with Jane Eyre - a read-along with weekly discussions that I have been finding a fascinating series. Since I'm re-reading Jane Eyre along with them, I thought why not put my thoughts into audio form as well. Although this podcast is more of an enthusiastic chat about the book, than an academic discussion like the Rosenbach series, I hope people will have fun listening to us talk about a book I've been obsessed with since high school.

My husband, Mike, is a great co-host, as he has been podcasting for a couple years now with his friend Chad, as they talk about all of Disney's Touchstone Pictures films. It's also wonderful to talk about this book with Mike, as he has only read it once before, and can introduce thoughts that might not have occurred to me because I've read the book so many times.

Two episodes of the podcast are out now, and I would love it if you would give it a listen! It's still early days for the show, and I'm working to find my footing within it, but I'm very excited about doing this podcast, and hope it will encourage more people to read the book!

You can find the show on Anchor, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and more! Please subscribe, tell your friends and leave us a review through your podcast platform of choice. We may feature your review on the show!

Postscript for episode 2:  I realize now that I’m not entirely sure how to pronounce “Bewick” as in Bewick’s Book of British Birds, and also I see that I can buy a copy of the book at a reasonable price now - I had seen it going for a lot of money before!

[uwmspeccoll]

Another Bewick Feathursday to Close Out 2020

On this final #Feathursday of the year, it seems appropriate to close out 2020 with a few, fat, winter geese and some humorous tailpiece vignettes by that late-18th-/early-19th-century master of the wood engraving, Thomas Bewick. This time our engravings come from volume 2, “History and Description of Water Birds,” from Bewick’s famous 2-volume set, A History of British Birds. Our copy is the 1826 edition (the 1st edition was published in 1797) printed in Newcastle, England, by Edward Walker.

Aside from the little tailpiece vignettes, the species depicted here from the top are:

Domestic Goose (Anser anser domesticus) Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) Red-breasted Goose (Branta ruficollis) Greylag Goose (Anser anser) Brant or Brent Goose (Branta bernicla) Barnacle Goose (Branta leucopsis) Swan Goose (Anser cygnoides)

We wish you a bright and honking 2021!

View more posts of New Year’s Eves past.

View other wood engravings by Thomas Bewick.

View more Feathursday posts.

[simon-martin]

‘The powers of its wing were wonderful....’ 🦉By no means an expert at identifying different species of birds, I get confused trying to identify artists’ depictions: it’s like looking through a filter. It’s even more confusing when birds are known by different names, although in this case I can go back to the original source for the illustration: Gilbert White’s Natural History of Selborne. This is a Nightjar (Caprimulgus)- apparently also known as a Fern Owl, Goatsucker and Goat Milker. The drawing is by John Nash and was first published in 1951 as a black and white line engraving, then in 1972 with lithographed colour added. Nash told a friend that he was ‘hatched off’ with all the detailed cross-hatching. The open-beaked pose catching a fly 🪰 appears over 100 years earlier in a drawing by John Thompson (after Thomas Bewick) for a Victorian edition of Gilbert White’s book. It illustrates a letter written in 1771: “DEAR SIR,—On the twelfth of July I had a fair opportunity of contemplating the motions of the caprimulgus, or fern-owl, as it was playing round a large oak that swarmed with Scarabai solstitiale or fern-chafers. The powers of its wing were wonderful, exceeding, if possible, the various evolutions and quick turns of the swallow genus. But the circumstance that pleased me most was, that I saw it dis- tinctly, more than once, put out its short leg while on the wing, and, by a bend of the head, deliver somewhat into its mouth. If it takes any part of its prey with its foot, as I have now the greatest reason to suppose it does these chafers, I no longer wonder at the use of its middle toe, which is curiously furnished with a serrated claw.” Looking forward to the John Nash exhibition at @townergallery later this spring. #johnnash #gilbertwhite #naturalhistory #fernowl #nightjar #selborne #johnthompson #thomasbewick @gilbertwhiteoc (at Brighton and Hove) https://www.instagram.com/p/CNW8Aiol6TT/?igshid=ul7cg6fgbfre

[summervanlife]

17 June

A fast conversion as soon as we were up and dressed today. We wanted to have breakfast somewhere a little more pleasant. Refilling the van water at service station on route we eventually stopped at a turning spot halfway across the Holy Island causeway. Cereal for breakfast and then onto lunch time picnic making. Cian was in charge of cutting salad, Jay in charge of hot drinks and Clare producing wraps. All sorted we found the start of a cycle route to Bewick-upon-Tweed. Nia, Cian and Clare were ejected from the van with their bikes and set off on the 11 mile trail along the coast. Jay drove to Berwick and found one of a few car parks without height restrictions. Leaving the van He headed of to meet the gang halfway. Shortly after midday we found each other on the track. The trio had enjoyed a pleasant ride in the sun. Jay had spotted an old military bunker (quite well spotted considering the level of complex camouflage adorning it). We explored it and climbed on it, before cycling a little further to the beach and our lunch spot. Once on the beach a series of lime kilns caught our eye - Nia and Cian were off to check them out. The incoming tide made for a good game of chicken, whilst the rocks themselves proved hosts to some massive fossils. All of us spent ages looking at the cool pebbles and shells. Nia & Cian found fossil fragments of Crinoid (a worm like animal, Cian's appeared to be star shaped in cross section), Clare found a small but complete Echinoid and between us we found some long, complete Belemnite Gaurds (large pointed worms). This was a good fossil beach. The ride continued into the afternoon as we descended into Berwick. Nia and Cian made a swift departure to the nearby playground as soon as we reached the van. Jay and Clare loaded up the bikes and made a cup of tea, enjoying the seafront. Jay waited while the others went to use the toilets, he was delighted to hear that Nia and Cian had passed on their penny pusher scams to their mother during a quick diversion into an amusement arcade they coerced her into on their way back! Today is a wash day! Even Dirty Pants Frank is due a change! In order to find a suitable campsite with decent facilities, we relocated to Berwick harbour so we could to go to the Tourist Info. Berwick is fortified by a surrounding wall, designed to defend the area from Scottish attack in the 1500's. Today the wall remains largely intact with visitors able to walk along much of the top. We took the wall route as far as as possible before ducking into town as quickly as we could - we were against the clock at 1645hr with the Tourist info closing at five. We made it with ample time to spare (9mins). The nice lady talked Nia and Clare through some local options while Jay and Cian sat down in the library and swotted up on rocky seashore life (turns out Jay was wrong the other day about the Sea Slug - it was a Sea Hare! - should have been obvious really as we watched it bounce off into the deeper water). With a fistful of info Clare made some 'phone calls. Jay, Nia & Cian took a walk down the pier toward the lighthouse. Another brief lesson on maritime navigation brought us to and from the end of the pier. Clare had drawn 3 blanks from the list but then drew an ace. At £30 this was way beyond our normal budget for a wash day, but we hadn't even been I the sea recently! 'Pot-a-doodle-do' or 'Wigwam holiday' was only a few minute drive from where we were parked. We pulled up and a lady explained where to park. She also showed Nia and Cian where the pedal go-kart track was! Free! As long as they wanted! The site had laundry facilities and a kitchen with dinning area. It was nice to cook and eat under a proper roof. Nia and Cian spent over 1.5hrs on the karts. Nia genuinely got to the stage where she could complete a whole circuit with her eyes closed the entire time. The first time Jay saw her do it he thought she must be cheating so he rode in front of her looking back all the way - she did it! Girl is a witch! Hot showers for all. It's sometimes difficult to know when to stop washing! We all felt a million dollars afterwards. Jay even found the missing sock from our last laundry session tucked into the leg of his clean shorts - fate is with us today! Sitting down to dinner at a proper dinner table was quite a novelty. We still used our sporks - they're like faithful friends now. Waiting for the washing to finish meant we could play a few games of Perudo and Spoons before sleepily plodding over to the van for a chapter of Eragon and then sleep.

[dansnaturepictures]

A wonderful wild weekend centring on our annual trip to WWT Slimbridge also visiting Dix Pit and Rushy Common and Tar Lakes

At a slightly different time of year this weekend with some time off Friday and Monday we headed for our yearly visit to the incredible WWT Slimbridge in Gloucestershire on Saturday. As ever it was a riveting bird fest with numerous stunning species observed in winter’s elegant wetland bird display. Dominating the day were the impressive Bewick’s Swans with their black and yellow bills, captivating birds to watch as their soothing honking calls epitomize the wild essence of winter. Also standing out on the day were many rustic Ruffs with a neat Spotted Redshank with them and Redshanks and shimmering hoards of delightful Golden Plovers often mixed in with many Lapwings. Other reserve specialities gigantic Common Crane and White-fronted Goose (albeit in the form of the Lesser White-fronted Goose which has been hanging around) were a treat to see, as were nice views of raptors Marsh Harrier and Peregrine. A host of ducks including Pochard, Pintail, Shelduck and Shoveler, raucous Rooks, the beautiful Ross's Goose with Barnacle Geese and more wonderful wader scenes of Avocets, Black-tailed Godwits and Curlews in numbers also stood out. Exhilirating views of Kingfisher and Goldfinch with Water Rail, Cetti’s Warbler and Wren heard well were other highlights on a sensational wildlife watching day. I always leave here feeling inspired by the wonder of nature I’ve seen but also by what a beacon of hope this place is from Sir Peter Scott’s pioneering work to the continued important and formidable force in conservation the WWT (Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust) are. 

On Friday on the way from home in Hampshire it was fun to visit Dix Pit in Oxfordshire which we discovered on the way on our 2023 edition of this trip. I was flabbergasted to see two Common Cranes flying over here to see this key target of the trip and remarkable bird early as I was taking in the historic and fascinating Devil’s Quoits here where I was spellbound by seeing my first Skylarks of the year and hearing them too such a hopeful sight for the promise of spring as they displayed. Seeing the cranes led me to learn that they have now bred in Oxfordshire which is amazing. Glorious Goldeneyes, Pochard, Wigeon, Common Gull, Great White Egret, Great Crested Grebe, lots of Snow Geese, Red Kite a key bird of this county seen well on the journey too, Buzzard, Siskins and Long-tailed Tit with Green Woodpecker heard were other highlights here. 

Sunday on the way home brought a visit to the picturesque Rushy Common and Tar Lakes in Oxfordshire where we had also been before on such a trip and a return to Dix Pit both to try to see the bird we had hoped to on Friday at the latter Red-crested Pochard and we we were thrilled to see an elegant pair of this flamboyant species at Dix Pit. Great White Egret, Dunnock and good Redwing views with Cetti’s Warbler heard very well were other highlights at Rushy Common and Tar Lakes with Goldeneye and Pochard enjoyed again at Dix Pit. Smashing Long-tailed Tit views, Great Crested Grebes including courting, Cormorants and many Wigeons and Shoveler were other stars at both. After traversing through the pleasant Cotswolds countryside it was a lively journey to these Oxfordshire sites with my first Egyptian Goose and Muntjac Deer of the year seen in fields and a few Red Kites, a Sparrowhawk diving off of a roof (a species I saw in Eastleigh just before we got home too before enjoying Goldfinches, Robin, Collared Doves, Black-headed Gulls, Lesser Black-backed Gull and more from home on this sunny evening) and Buzzards seen. 

A difference to when we normally come in early January is how much more spring like the trip was with beautiful blossom in the landscape and a fair few wildflowers seen across the weekend including speedwell, snowflake, snowdrop, daffodil, primroses, daisies, groundsel, hogweed and cuckoo-pint leaves and cleavers. At Dix Pit I was also ecstatic to see my first Peacock butterfly of the year a luxurious ruby cloth drifting by with bees seen across the weekend and a Scarlet Tiger moth caterpillar seen at Slimbridge. Seeing Roe Deers here and taking in the breathtaking wetland and rural surrounding scenes with catkins shining in the landscape too was nice. An excellent wild weekend. 

The photos in this photoset from the weekend are of; Bewick's Swan and Pochard at Slimbridge, views at Dix Pit and Tar Lakes, snowflakes and Woodpigeon at Slimbridge, Devil's Quoits and a view at Dix Pit and Great Crested Grebe and view at Tar Lakes.

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Acadian Flycatcher peet-seet or peet-suh or peet

Alder Flycatcher fitz-bee-

American Avocet wheek or kleet (repeated in flight)

American Bittern gulp-a-pump woonk-a-chunk

American Black Duck quack quack quack (lower than a Mallard)

American Black Oystercatcher wheep-wheep-wheep (rapid; clipped)

American Coot ka-ha; ka-ha kuh-uk!; kuh-uk! (loud; clear)

American Crow caw-caw-caw-caw-koodle-yah; koodle-yah (trilly voice)

American Golden Plover looo-eee! poo-too-eee!; poo-too-eee!

American Goldfinch pa-chip-chip-chip per-chick-a-ree po-ta-to-chip (and dip {in flight})

American Kestrel klee; klee; klee

American Pipit chwee; chwee; chwee (thin) pipit-pipit

American Redstart tzee-tzee-tzee-tzeeeo

American Robin cheer-up; cheer-a-lee; cheer-ee-o, whinny

American Wigeon squeaky; nasal whistle

American Woodcock peeent; peeent; peeent (nasal)

Anna's Hummingbird chee-ik-ee-ik-ee-ik (grating; squeaky)

Ash-throated Flycatcher ka-brick ka-wheer prrrrrt (buzzy)

Bachman's Sparrow highly variable - clear; liquid; whistled phrases

Bachman's Sparrow seeeee; slip-slip-slip-slip-slip

Baltimore Oriole flute-like; disjointed series of notes here; here; come right here; dear

Barn Owl screeeeeee (hissing - long)

Barn Swallow twittering (rapid) tit-tit-tit-tit (rapid staccato)

Barred Owl who-cooks-for-you; who-cooks-for-you-all

Bay-breasted Warbler tee-zee-tee-zee-tee-zee-tee (very rapid; hp)

Belted Kingfisher stuttering; non-musical; dry rattle in-flight

Bewick's Wren like Song Sparrow; but thinner; more rapid

Black & White Warbler wee-zee; wee-zee; wee-zee (like a squeaky toy)

Black Rail kicky-chew; kiki-krrr; pee-pee-toe

Black Skimmer kaup; kaup; kaup (clear-noted)

Black-bellied Plover pee-a-wee!; whee-er-wee!

Black-billed Cuckoo ku-ku-ku

Black-billed Magpie maaagh?! wenk-wenk or wenk-wenk-wenk

Blackburnian Warbler see-say; teetsa-teetsa-teetsa-  zee-zee-zee

Black-capped Chickadee chk-a-dee-dee-dee (rapid; higher-pitched than Carolina)

Black-capped Chickadee fee-bee

Black-chinned Hummingbird tchew (soft; flat)

Black-crowned Night Heron quawlk

Black-headed Grosbeak ik (sharply) robin-like; but more musical spik

Black-legged Kittiwake kitty-waaak

Black-necked Stilt kyip; kyip; kyip

Blackpoll Warbler chipping trill

Black-throated Blue Warbler beer-beer-beer-beeee! (raspy) zur-zur-zur-zree! please; please; please squeeeeze I am so laz-eeeeee

Black-throated Gray Warbler zeedle-zeedle-zee-zeet-cha

Black-throated Green Warbler trees-trees-murmuring-trees zee-zee-zee-zee-zoo-zee

Black-whiskered Vireo Tim Kelly or Whip Tim Kelly

Blue Grosbeak chink; house finch-like; but lower

Blue Jay fee-der-de-lurp jay-jay-jay queedle-queedle-queedle-

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher zpeee (a bit raspy)

Blue-winged Warbler beee-bzzz; blue winged! (second syllable buzzy)

Bobolink plink; plink

Bobwhite toot-sweet! bob-white!

Bonaparte's Gull chrrr-chrrr-chrrr (rapid; buzzy)

Boreal Chickadee chick-che-day-day

Boreal Owl hooo-too-too-too-too...

Brewer's Blackbird ksh-eee (creaky)

Brewer's Sparrow seeeep (thin)

Bristle-thighed Curlew cheew-iew-iew-it

Broad-tailed Hummingbird chittering; thin, mixed with wing-hum

Broad-winged Hawk peet-seeeeep

Brown Creeper trill (hp; rapid) always as individuals

Brown Thrasher varied mocker-like phrases (repeated 2x) drop-it; drop-it; cover-it-up; cover-it-up; pull-it-up; pull-it-up

Brown-headed Cowbird bubble-bubble-zeeee!

Brown-headed Nuthatch kit-kit-kit-..or ki-dit; ki-dit  (rapid)

Bufflehead (Fe) quack quack quack

Bullock's Oriole varied; rich whistles and mixed gutturals chuck chuck chuck-it-too-ee zhew zhew

Bushtit lisp (multiple; very hp) tsit (multiple; very hp)

California Quail kurr chi-ca-go; chi-ca-go qua-quer-go; qua-quer-go

Canada Goose honk; honk; honk

Canada Warbler chip-chupitty-swee-ditchety

Canyon Wren tewee; tewee; tewee (slowing) tsheee (raspy; metallic)

Cape May Warbler seet-seet-seet-seet (thin; hp)

Carolina Chickadee car-o-li-na (four notes) chk-a-dee-dee-dee fee-bee-fee-bay see-dee-dee-dee

Carolina Wren brrrrrrr (a brief; downslurred; rapid trill like thumbing comb tines) chooble-dee (varied triplet phrases) tea-kettle; tea-kettle; tea-kettle

Caspian Tern raaaah (raspy; hoarse)

Cassin's Finch chitty-up or chill-ee-up

Cedar Waxwing trill (hp; rapid) always in flocks zeee-zeee-zeee (hp trilled)

Cerulean Warbler chyoo-chyoo-chyoo-tseee (last syllable burry) trill (ending with buzzy-) beeee

Chestnut-sided Warbler pleased-pleased-pleased-pleased-ta-meetcha see-see-see-Miss-Beech'er

Chimney Swift chit-chit-chit-chit (rapid staccato) twittering (rapid)

Chipping Sparrow chipping trill (mechanical)

Chuck Will's Widow chuck-will's-widow

Clapper Rail tic-tic-tic-tic-tic-tic-.

Clark's Grebe kreeet (burry) kriiik (burry)

Clark's Nutcracker kraa-a-a-a (long; drawn-out); or kra-kra-kra-kra

Common Eider ow-oo-urr whoo-ooh; whoo-ooh

Common Goldeneye pee-ik (raspy)

Common Loon cooo-leee; cooo-leee (slow; plaintive) whinny

Common Merganser ah; ah; ah; ah (low; even croaking in flight)

Common Moorhen kip-kip-kip-

Common Nighthawk beeer pee-eet (nasal)

Common Poorwill poor-will; poor-will; poor-will

Common Raven cruck (harsh; raspy) tawk (metallic)

Common Ringed Plover poo-eep (in-flight)

Common Screech Owl woooooooo warbled

Common Snipe skaip wicka-wicka-wicka-

Common Tern kee-arr (trilly)

Common Yellowthroat witchety-witchety-witchety (slow) (Western race) tchep (flat and raspy)

Connecticut Warbler chee-pa-chuh; chee-pa-chuh; chee-pa-chuh; chee chik-a-too-ee; chik-a-too-ee

Cordilleran Flycatcher pseet; tri-i-i-ip; seet (thin; squeaky)

Dark-eyed Junco dit (repeated occasionally) smack (repeated occasionally) chipping trill (musical; tinkling)

Downy Woodpecker peeek (sharply) whinny

Eastern Bluebird pew or mew (sharply) chatter (harsh; brief)

Eastern Kingbird t-t-tseeep (electrical sputtering)

Eastern Meadowlark but-I-DO-love-you spring-of-the-year

Eastern Phoebe fee-beee (last syllable raspy)

Eastern Towhee too-wheee! drink-your-teeeee! hot dog; pickle-ickle-ickle

Eastern Wood Pewee pee-a-weee and pee-yer

Evening Grosbeak chirp or chiirrrp (burry)

Field Sparrow a ping-pong ball dropped onto a table increasing in rate and pitch

Fish Crow eh-eh; eh-eh (two-noted phrases)

Forster's Tern keeeeeeeeer zaaaah (raspy; nasal)

Gadwall (Ma) bek (buzzy) (Fe quacks like mallard)

Golden-crowned Kinglet see-see-see- (hp)

Golden-crowned Sparrow Oh; dear me!; three blind mice

Golden-winged Warbler beeee(buzzy trill)-bz-bz-bz

Grasshopper Sparrow pee-trip-treee (last syllable a raspy trill)

Gray Catbird meeeee-ew or maaaaaanh (nasal) varied mocker-like phrases (seldom repeated)

Gray-cheeked Thrush whee-wheeo-titi-whee (thin; nasal)

Great Blue Heron squawking or croaking (very raucous)

Great Gray Owl whoo-whoo-whoooo

Great Horned Owl hoot-a-hoot; hoo-hoo who's awake? me too

Great Kiskadee Qu'est-ce qu'il dit? Qu'est-ce qu'il dit? ("What's he saying?")

Great-crested Flycatcher prrreeeet (burry); wheeep

Greater Yellowlegs dear; dear; dear (sharply) klee-klee-klee tu-tu-tu (whistled, 3 or more notes)

Green Heron skelp skelp skelp

Green-tailed Towhee weet-churrr-chee-churrr (mixed sweet and burry notes)

Gull-billed Tern kay-week and za-za-za

Hairy Woodpecker pik (flat) whinny

Hammond's Flycatcher chip-chewy or chip-chewy-chew (hp and a bit burry)

Heerman's Gull kowok

Henslow's Sparrow tsip-a-tik (non-musical; repeated occasionally)

Hermit Thrush veer-veer-veer-veer- Why don'tcha come to me? Here I am right near you

Hooded Warbler a-weeta-weeta-weet-tee-o

Horned Lark pit-sit (hp) tee-seep (hp)

House Finch zreee! (included in varied; warbling song)

House Sparrow chiddik; chiddik (dry; non-musical)

House Wren stuttering; gurgling; musical;

Inca Dove no hope

Indigo Bunting varied phrases (in couplets) fire; fire; where? where? here; here; see it? see it?

Kentucky Warbler p'chee; p'chee; p'chee

Kildeer kill-deeeeer or kee-dee; kee-dee; kee-dee

King Rail hip-hip-hurrah (dry; rattly)

Lark Sparrow tsip (sharp)

Laughing Gull haa-haa-haa-haa (loud; laugh-like) laughter (raucous; clear-noted)

Lazuli Bunting zzzzzzd (buzzy)

Least Bittern wuff; wuff; wuff; wuff; wuff ku-ku-ku (lower and throatier than B-B Cuckoo)

Least Flycatcher che-bek

Least Sandpiper kreeet (thin; somewhat burry)

Least Tern zreeeeek

Lesser Goldfinch tee-yee! or tee-yer

Lesser Yellowlegs quu-quu (whistled - in pairs) tyooo-tyoo yoo-yoo; yoo-yoo-yoo

Limpkin kraaaaaah (loud; piercing; usually repeated)

Long-billed Curlew ker-lee

Long-billed Dowitcher keeeeek (in flight - may be repeated)

Louisiana Waterthrush chink tree; tree; tree terwitter-witter wit

MacGillivray's Warbler chiddle-chiddle-chiddle-turtle chip-chewy or chip-chewy-chew (hp; clearer than Hammond's Flyc.) tsik (low; sharp)

Magnolia Warbler weeta-weeta-weetsee weeta-weeta-wit-chew I'm-I'm-I'm-so-sweet one; two; three; four; six

Mallard quack quack quack

Marbled Godwit god-wit or ker-whit raddika; raddika; raddika

Marsh Wren varied; complicated; fast; bubbly and busy

Mountain Chickadee tsik-a-zee-zee-zee (raspier than Carolina)

Mourning Dove hooo-ah hoo-hoo-hoo chirry-chirry-chirry-choreeo

Mourning Warbler turdle; turdle; turdle; two-to-you

Nashville Warbler trill in two parts - 2nd faster and lower in pitch see-bit-see-bit-see-bit; see-see-see-see (2-pt.)

Northern Cardinal cheer-cheer-cheer-purty-purty-purty-

Northern Flicker kleeeyer wik-wik-wik Northern Flicker (courting) squeechu-squeechu-squeechu

Northern Mockingbird varied phrases (thrice or more repeated)

Northern Parula Warbler trill! (fast rising; ending with)-tsyoo zeeeeeeeeeeeeeee(buzzy)-chyoo

Northern Pintail (Ma) prrrip; prrrip (low; stuttery)

Northern Pygmy Owl too-too-too (clear notes)

Northern Saw-whet Owl too-too-too (clear notes)

Northern Shoveler (Ma) chik-chik; chik-chik (Fe quacks like mallard)

Northern Waterthrush twit-twit-twit; sweet-sweet-sweet; chew-chew-chew

Oldsquaw ow-ow-ow-a-la

Olive-sided Flycatcher pip-pip or pip-pip-pip quick; three-beers

Orange-crowned Warbler trill (ascending/accelerating; then tumbles at end)

Orchard Oriole warbling - varied phrases; incl. guttural notes

Osprey kyew; kyew; kyew; kyew; kyew

Ovenbird p'cheer - p'cheer - p'cheer t-cheer; t-cheer; t-cheer

Pacific Loon kwa-wee!

Pacific-slope Flycatcher see-a-weeeet! seeet (sharp; h.p)

Palm Warbler trill (weak and buzzy)

Pectoral Sandpiper krick (low-voiced)

Pied-Billed Grebe gulp; gulp; gulp kuk-kuk-kow-kow-kow-kowp-kowp

Pileated Woodpecker kik-kik-kik-kik-kik (rate & pitch rise then fall)

Pine Siskin zreeeeeee! (buzzy)

Pine Warbler chipping trill

Piping Plover pip-pip-pip

Plain Titmouse tsik-a-dee

Prairie Warbler zee-zee-zee-zee (steady rise in pitch)

Prothonotary Warbler zweet; zweet; zweet (single pitch)

Purple Finch warbling - varied phrases; fast; lively; brief

Pygmy Nuthatch pippit; pippit; pippit

Raven squawking (raucous)

Red-bellied Woodpecker churrr; churrr (throaty; deeply trilled)

Red-breasted Nuthatch ank-ank-ank (nasal monotone)

Red-eyed Vireo where are you? and here I am

Red-headed Woodpecker squeer; squeer (raspy)

Red-shouldered Hawk kee-yer; kee-yer; kee-yer.

Red-tailed Hawk keeeeeeeeer

Red-throated Loon kwuk

Red-winged Blackbird chortle-deeeeee (hp and drawn-out last syllable) conk-a-reeeeeeeee tseer; tseer

Ring-necked Pheasant kok-kok (squawky; raucous; followed by wing-whir)

Rock Wren ch-reee; ch-reee; ch-reee (a bit trilly-buzzy) chee-urr; chee-urr; chee-urr (a bit raspy) tik-eer

Rose-breasted Grosbeak cheer-up; cheer-a-lee; cheer-ee-o chink

Royal Tern keeer (trilled)

Ruby-crowned Kinglet ji-dit; ji-dit; ji-dit (rattly) too-fritchyoo-fritchyoo-fritchyoo-

Ruby-throated Hummingbird t-t-t-t-t-t-t  (soft; rapid; excited)

Ruffed Grouse drumming-thumping; accelerates into a whir

Rufous Hummingbird zee-chuppity-chuppity (buzzy)

Rusty Blackbird check ksh-a-leeee (rusty-squeaky)

Sanderling plik-plik-plik

Sandhill Crane garoo-a-a-a (stuttery)

Savannah Sparrow zit-zit-zit-zeeee-zaaay (burry-raspy)

Say's Phoebe pi-weer or pee-eee!

Scaled Quail Paark! Pe-cos; Pe-cos; Pe-cos

Scarlet Tanager cheer-up; cheer-a-lee; cheer-ee-o (burry; raspy) chick-burrr  (last syllable rapidly trilled)

Scarlet Tanager hurry; worry; blurry; flurry (burry)

Scrub Jay shaaaaack (drawn-out; grating) zreeeeek

Seaside Sparrow chup-chup-tzeeee

Sedge Wren chip; chip or chip; chip; chrrrrr-rrr

Semipalmated Plover chureee! churrrk (burry)

Sharp-tailed Sparrow tee-shaay (raspy)

Short-billed Dowitcher tu-tu-tu (in flight - may be repeated)

Solitary Sandpiper peet-weet-weet or peet

Solitary Vireo chu-whee; cheer-ee-oh Come here Jimmy quickly

Song Sparrow Maids-maids-maids-put-on-your-tea-kettle-ettle-ettle Hip; hip; hip hurrah boys; spring is here! Madge; Madge; Madge pick beetles off; the water's hot

Sora ker-wee   ker-wee(descending whinny)

Spotted Sandpiper peet-peet-peet-peet weet-weet-weet-weet

Sprague's Pipit ching-a-ring-a-ring-a-ring-a-ring-a-ring-a  (descending)

Starling wolf-whistle (breathy)

Steller's Jay shaaaaack (drawn-out; grating) shook-shook-shook-shook-shook

Summer Tanager cheer-up; cheer-a-lee (bouncy - musical)

Summer Tanager piky-tucky-tuck or pik-a-tuck

Swainson's Hawk kreeeeeeeeeerr (drawn-out; shrill; plaintive)

Swainson's Thrush rurrip; rurrip   whit; whit

Swainson's Warbler whee; whee; whee whip-poor-will

Swamp Sparrow chipping trill (slower; staccato)

Tennessee Warbler tika-tika-tika; swee-swee-swee; chay-chay-chay

Tufted Titmouse cheeva; cheeva; cheeva fer-da; fer-da; fer-da here; here; here peter-peter-peter-

Tundra Swan woo-ho and woo-woo

Upland Sandpiper ch-wut wolf-whistle (long; drawn-out)

Varied Thrush chyup

Veery veer-veer-veer-veer- (ethereal)

Vesper Sparrow like Song Sparrow; but lower; more guttural Listen to my evening sing-ing-ing-ing here-here; where-where; all-together-down-the-hill

Virginia Rail ki-dik; ki-dik; ki-dik tic-tic-mcgreer

Warbling Vireo warbled phrases (complicated) If I sees you; I will seize you; and I'll squeeze you till you squirt (to a caterpillar) brigadier; brigadier; briga-tee

Western Bluebird few (sofly)

Western Grebe krik-krik

Western Kingbird kit

Western Kingbird whit; whit; whit

Western Meadowlark flute-like; 7-10 gurgling notes

Western Screech-Owl accelerating hollow whistles; constant pitch

Western Tanager pri-di-dik

Western Towhee chup-chup-zeeee!

Western Wood Pewee peeer (burry)

Whimbrel ti-ti-ti-ti-ti-ti (clear; 5-7; rapid pace) whistled notes - clear; 5-7; rapid pace

Whippoorwill whip-poor-will

White-breasted Nuthatch anh-anh-anh-anh- (nasally) tooy-tooy-tooy-tooy wee-wee-wee-wee-who-who-who-who-

White-crowned Sparrow more; more; more cheezies; please pink (loudly) tseeeep (thin)

White-eyed Vireo chick; per-wee-tee-o; chick or chick-per-wee-o Quick give me a rain check Spit and see if I care; spit!

White-throated Sparrow O Sweet Canada; Canada; Canada O-san-pibbity-pibbity-pibbity

White-throated Swift je-je-je-je-je-je-je- (shrill; excited)

Whooping Crane ker-laa; ker-laa (second note higher-pitched)

Wild Turkey gobble-gobble-gobble-

Willet pill-will-willet

Willow Flycatcher fitz-bew (burry)

Wilson's Warbler chee-chee-chee; chet-chet-chet-chet

Winter Wren varied; complicated; bubbly and busy

Wood Duck jeeeeeeee! !-sliding (hp) whistle whoo-eek (breathy; whistley)

Wood Thrush chk-chk-chk (dry-subtle) ra-vi-o-li (flute-like) ee-oh-lay (flute-like - last note trilly) ra-vi-o-li (flute-like) oo-duh-lay-oh or oodle-drrrr (last note trilly) fweet-fweet-fweet (rapid-fire)

Worm-eating Warbler trill (very rapid; even; mechanical)

Yellow Rail click click (typewriter-like) tik-tik; tik-tik-tik; (2-3 rhythm; repeated)

Yellow Warbler sweet; sweet; sweet; little-more-sweet

Yellow-bellied Flycatcher chu-wee; chu-wee killik

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker meeew (whiny; nasal)

Yellow-billed Cuckoo hoo-luh; hoo-luh; hoo-luh (1/sec; broken) ka-ka-ka-  kowp-kowp-kowp

Yellow-breasted Chat whoit (whistled) wit; wit; wit or chak; chak; chak

Yellow-headed Blackbird hoarse; raspy notes and phrases

Yellow-rumped Warbler trill in two parts, 2nd higher or lower in pitch trill (weak; unvaried)

Yellow-throated Vireo three-Ay; three-Ay

Yellow-throated Warbler tsyoo-tsyoo-tsyoo-tsyoo  -tswee

[onedirectionfanfiction-org]

Pride

All Melissa Bewick wanted was to get unnoticed through her high school years. She never wanted to stick out from the group because that´s when you get into trouble. She just wanted to pass her GCSE’s and get the hell out of the high school with all its snotty, rich students. But when she intervenes

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“Louis couldn’t keep his eyes off of me all night,” the blonde devil exclaims. The people pressed together around her gobble the lie up like the fools that they are.“Do you think she ever gets...

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