#pied plover

[tbalderdash-art-blog]

Day 11 of Pied Month! Again, multiple puns for this, the Pied Plover/Lapwing - Pied Pallovaro, Pied Plovelessaro, and Pied Lapbing. Having a lot of fun with doing highlights on pride flags as different flags (the loveless one killed me since I did both of them the wrong way round first)

Reference photo by Kester Clarke

I'm on Cara, it's a social media for art that's against AI, follow me @ tbalderdash

[supremebirdbracket]

A couple of very baby-looking plovers.

Piping plovers can be found along the Atlantic coast of North America and in the Great Lakes region, as well as the Caribbean during the winter, spending their time on sandy or rocky beaches. These plovers have an elaborate mating display: A male will excavate several “scrapes” (nests), toss stones, and complete a courtship flight. A female will then choose his best scrape and demonstrate her choice by camouflaging it with beach debris. Like many plovers, parents may feign a broken wing to distract predators from their young. Chicks’ primary defense is their excellent camouflage. Unfortunately, piping plovers are endangered due to habitat destruction and nearby human activity, especially in relation to breeding sites.

Pied plovers, more accurately known as pied lapwings, live along lakes and rivers in northern South America. They are usually called plovers due to their plover-like appearance, but are taxonomically more closely related to lapwings, belonging to the genus Vanellus. They appear to be altitudinal migrants, pushed by the wet season to higher ground. They mainly eat insects and snails, and have even been recorded eating scorpions. They lay their eggs in shallow scrapes and camouflage them by covering them with sand.

[tenth-sentence]

The teru-tero (Vanellus cayanus) is another bird which often disturbs the stillness of the night.

"Journal of Researches into the Natural History and Geology of the Countries Visited During the Voyage of H.M.S. Beagle Round the World, 1832-36" - Charles Darwin

[uwmspeccoll]

A Feathursday in Wading

This week we present a few wading birds -- some by lakes and rivers, some by the seashore -- rendered in black and white and hand-colored wood engravings by British author and wood engraver Eric Fitch Daglish (1892-1966) from his 1948 publication Birds of the British Isles, published in London by J. M. Dent & Sons in a limited edition of 1500 copies. Shown here from top to bottom are:

Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula)

Pied Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta)

Eurasian Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus)

Eurasian Bittern (Botaurus stellaris)

Birds of the British Isles is a donation from our friend, Wisconsin wood engraver Tony Drehfal.

View more posts from this volume.

View more Feathursday posts.

[birdhcuse]

Fun fact: Before I settled on making Beatriz a storm petrel (because I thought it'd be funny if her species referenced one of Teagan's triggers in its name), I was thinking of making her (or a version of her who isn't a menace) a pied plover.

A Brazilian bird that is just a tad taller than Nicolau that low-key looks like a blend between him and Teagan...if I were designing a child with the intention of making things harmonious and sweet, it'd be a pied plover.

[anonsally]

Day 10 in Australia

We had a fab (though exhausting) day today visiting Wadjemup/Rottnest Island!

We had to get up early, but "luckily" the jetlag worked in my favor and I was awake before my 6am alarm. Wife was feeling almost entirely better. We managed to leave the flat just past 8am to walk to the ferry. It was very hot and humid, even at that hour, so we arrived at the harbor already very sweaty.

We took the 9am ferry out to the island. Wife and her sister sat inside the ferry. However, I wanted to be outside on the ferry, even though I was too late to get an outdoor seat. So I stood up for the entire half-hour ride, enjoying the cool wind (fucken wimdy) and the ocean views and air.

When we got off the ferry, we got our bikes and helmets. To my surprise, my bike was actually a good fit; I could sit on it with good posture, and changing gears was easy. The brakes were very squeaky, but it was otherwise perfectly rideable. We spent a little while getting oriented before picking up a snack. But on our way to the bakery for the snack, we saw a few quokkas! Two adults and a youngster who kept hopping pouncily onto its mother! They were just as cute as advertised!

So at that point, I already felt the visit was a success. But actually, the whole day was great.

What's great about visiting Wadjemup is that there are no cars allowed on the island, only bicycles and buses. So cycling is actually pretty safe. We cycled a total of nearly 12km, including some rolling hills; that's the most exercise we've had since we left home. We made lots of stops, of course. We looked at views, spotted a king's skink, took various photos, and rejected a few beaches before settling on Parakeet Bay. It was gorgeous, with lovely dunes, luxurious white sand, and clear turquoise water. But I hadn't brought a swimsuit, so I just rolled up my trouser legs and waded in up to my knees. Wife and her sister did more of a swim, but I returned to my bike and backtracked a bit to the shore of a lake we had passed, where I'd seen some birds.

I had a good concentrated half hour or so of birdwatching and identified Australian shelducks, banded stilts, pied stilts, a red-capped plover, something I think was a buff-banded rail, great crested terns, and a few things I need to check the photos of to see if I can figure out what they are. Several of those birds are new to me!

Then I met up with Wife and her sister, who were done at the beach. While waiting for them, I spotted a snake near the road! We looked it up later and I believe it was a dugite, which is of course (since this is Australia) very venomous! We continued our bike ride, passing some salt lakes (including one that was pink), a colony of huge numbers of great crested terns, and a "train" (more like an old-fashioned tram) on tracks.

Back near the Settlement, we spent a little while admiring the quokkas foraging in the leaf litter next to a mini-golf course, and finally went for a late lunch and a drink before returning our bikes and getting on the 4pm ferry back to Fremantle. Again, I stood outside. It was more crowded than the morning ferry had been, but there were also more waves.

We got home and showered and were horrified to discover we had all gotten sunburned! I had failed to reapply sunscreen and had missed some spots, but luckily most of my body was clothed. Wife did pretty well but the backs of her hands were badly burned, despite her having used sunscreen. Wife's sister was splotchily sunburned in many places!

We walked a bit of a ways to a "fish pub" for dinner. The food was great, and we were seated on a patio adjacent to a playground and large grassy area with a few trees around the edges, in which I spotted several interesting birds: galahs, a red wattlebird, ravens, magpies, and I'm pretty sure a pair of rainbow lorikeets flew past.

We walked home. The little kitty from yesterday was out front and Wife petted it, but then it followed us to our door! shit! It has a collar and a bell, so I assume it has a home. I felt terrible closing the door to prevent it from coming in!

[whatsthebird]

Week of 17MAR2024 Answers

Answers hidden under the cut.

120 - Little Pied Cormorant by @officalukraine

121 - Piping Plover by @birbbro

122 - American Goldfinch by @raspberrymoonx

123 - Eastern Kingbird by @owlcreme

124 - Cooper's Hawk by @artifcedivine

125 - White-throated Sparrow by @tasty-patches

126 - Anhinga by @comedownstairsandsayhello

How many birds did you get right? Consider adding correct birds to your WTB Life List!

As always, birding is a cooperative experience. Help your fellow birders out by discussing key features that help identity and distinguish a bird in the notes.

Finally, let's give a feathery thank you to this week's submitters.

Keep the game alive! Submit a bird HERE

[queersrus]

Bird theme

general bird theme

tagging: @bpdxhoardic, @s-hinobun

owl, parrot

(Nick)Names:

bird, birdi/birdie/birdy, birdette, birdley, beak, blue, bill, byrd, byrdi/byrdie/byrdy, berd, berdi/berdie/berdy, birdo, budgy/budgie, birdine/byrdine/berdine, bittern wing, wren feather, feasant, falcon, fiacre, fugl, fugel, fagel song owl, oiseau, ocell, ocellu ave, ava, avi, avia, aviar, aviary, arden, alouette, avis, aviana, avion, arno, adler, arvid, audette, amsel, avem, aderyn, allen, avocet crow, chick, callum, circe, chirp, corbin, colm, colombe, columbia, canary, caique, chickadee dove, duck, dipper hen, hawk, hoot, hooty, hum/humm, hummer, humming, hunter sparrow, stork, swan, shiri pheasant, pelican, prey, phoenix, paloma, peregrine, peregrina, paxaro, pouli, poulaki, ptashka, ptitsa, pasare, ptica, ptashynyy, ptakh, parrot, parakee, parakeet, pidgy, pidgin/pidgen/pigeon, pidove, pidge, plovar, plover, perch, percher raven, robin eagle, ezio, eun, ean, egg, eggbirt/egbirt/eggbert/egbert kite, kestrel/kestral quail, quill jay, jonah, jonas gavin, game, gannet, geese, goose mavis, merle, merula, merel, madar vulture, vogel, vorona, vtak, vtaci lark, lonan, lind, lintu, loon talon, teal, teyr, tweet, tweety/tweeti/tweetie ucello nest, nester

1stp prns: i/me/my/mine/myself

bi/bii/bir/birdine/birdself wi/win/wing/wingine/wingself fi/fea/feath/feathine/featherself bi/bea/beak/beakine/beakself ei/egg/eggs/eggine/eggself ti/tal/talon/taline/talonself ni/ne/nes/nestine/nestself twi/twee/tweet/tweetine/tweetself pi/pe/per/perchine/perchself bi/bii/bill/billine/billself chi/chii/chir/chirpine/chirpself

2ndp prns: you/your/yours/yourself

bo/bir/birds/birdself wo/wingr/wingrs/wingrself fo/feather/feathers/featherself bo/beakr/beakrs/beakrself eo/eggr/eggrs/eggrself to/talonr/talonr/talonrself no/nester/nesters/nesterself two/tweeter/tweeters/tweeterself po/percher/perchers/percherself bo/billr/billrs/billrself cho/chir/chirpers/chirpself

3rdp prns: they/them/theirs/themself

bi/bird/birds/birdslef bi/ird, bird/birds wi/wing/wings/wingself wi/ing, wing/wings bea/beak/beaks/beakself e/egg/eggs/eggself eg/egg, egg/eggs tal/talon/talons/talonself tal/on, talon/talons nes/nest/nests/nestself ne/est, nest/nests, nest/nester nest/nesting twe/tweet/tweets/tweetself twee/tweet, twe/eet, tweet/tweets tweet/tweeting song/bird water/bird per/perch/perches/perchself per/ch, per/erch, perch/perches perch/perching bi/bill/bills/billself bi/ill, bill/bills phea/pheasant/pheasants/pheasantself phea/sant, pheasant/pheasants chi/chirp/chirps/chirpself chi/irp, chirp/chirps

Titles

the bird, the bird of prey, the small bird, the waterbird, the songbird, the flightless bird, the migrator, the migrating bird, the one who migrates, the one who tweets, the one who chirps, the nest, the nest of eggs, the egg, the wing, the falling feather, the winged one, the nester, the nesting bird, the caretaker of birds, the bird trainer, the bird owner, the birds nest, the feathered one, the one with talons, the one with feathers, the pretty bird

(prn) who chirps, (prn) who tweets, (prn) who nests, (prn) who flies, (prn) who cannot fly, (prn) who dives for prey, (prn) who lays eggs, (prn) who cares for bird, (prn) who trains birds, (prn) who is bird-like, (prn) who is winged, (prn) who takes flight, (prn) who cannot take flight, (prn) who has feathers, (prn) who is feathered

this bird, this bird of prey, this songbird, this waterbird, this bird trainer, this nest, this birds nest, this wing, this feather, this winged hunter, this small bird, this pretty bird

[neopronouns]

hi, it's me the bird/astronomy guy again. Could I add these other genders to my previous requests?

Genders relating to:

partridges and plasma american coots and the constellation of Centaurus toucans and cosmic webs harpy eagles and the sun the pied avocet and Saturn's Great Red Spot baltimore orioles and the Sirius silver star. mynas and Venus pigeons and Pluto frogmouth birds and the Lagoon Nebula hoatzins and cosmic rays blue-footed boobys and the concept of spaghettification plovers and pulsars the stripe-breasted starthroat and the Omega Nebula kookaburras and the Great Rift oxpeckers and Herbig–Haro objects cardinals and neutron star mergers secretary birds and the Sagittarius C

queued!

[mildlyembarrassedarmadillo]

i would like to hear more about birds. do you have a “Best Of” bird facts?

i got excited about birds on ao3 and now its your problem

hey ! sorry this took me a hot minute, suddenly had the most exam-ridden week of my life for some reason ?? i have also been compiling my very best bird facts to make sure this list is of the Highest Quality (but fair warning it probably isn't. in terms of silly little factoids i'm really not that great. i'm just a huge fan of my little backyard friends.)

anyway without further ado:

the pied billed grebe (a very small and really very cute water bird- a very teeny duck) has the unique ability to control its buoyancy. it can adjust itself so that only its head pokes up out of the water, like a little periscope, or like how alligators rest in the water with only their eyes and nostrils above the surface.

the black-capped chickadee's name is derived from its distinctive call. you can actually (to a certain extent anyway) figure out the particular meaning of a chickadee's call by how many 'dee''s are tacked on at the end (i believe longer calls, more than five or so dee's, are perceived as alarm calls?). i heard this Once, though, so. don't quote me on this.

the western meadowlark has the scientific name Sturnella neglecta because it was long believed to be the same species as the eastern meadowlark- that is to say, 'neglected' by previous biologists. (in reality, they can only be distinguished in the field by differences in their songs, i think- they really do look exactly the same)

chimney swifts- who before humans nested primarily on cliffsides and stuff like that- have become so well-adapted to nesting in chimneys that the influx of more modern, thinner chimneys (and the overall decrease in chimneys in general) is actually believed to be contributing to their decline as a species. very reminiscent of the old "upgrade, upgrade, WAIT GO BACK" meme.

birds (along with insects??) can in very rare cases be 'gynandromorphs'-- essentially half male and half female. the best example of this is the gynandromorph cardinal, which just looks split down the middle, one half bright red and one half duller brown. apparently this happens because one of the parents' sex chromosomes fails to divide properly during mitosis? idk.

many species of plovers and small shorebirds will do a clever 'defense display' whenever a potential threat approaches their nests, which are often exposed on the ground. the bird will feign a broken wing and lure the predator away from their nest, and once they've deemed they've drawn far enough away, the bird will take off unharmed and return to its eggs (i just think this is the smartest thing ever. plovers skyrocketed to some of my favorite birds as soon as i learned this).

hummingbird tongues are actually so long that they wrap around their skulls and eyes when not in use. when their tongue does unfurl to take up nectar, a complex system of tubes and flaps reflexively open to sort of 'scoop' the nectar in. (i just thought this was really weird. tiny freaks. i love them.)

uhmmrm i think that's all i have for now? hopefully this was at least a little interesting !! thank you for indulging my bird-related foolery!

[crambery]

BABY PIPING PLOVERS I CANT ŞUNA BAKK ANNEMMMM MİNİMİNNACIK BU NE YA YERE ATILMIŞ PİS MENDİLE BENZİYO

Piping Plover

[supremebirdbracket]

From left to right: Pied plover, Blacksmith plover, Spur-winged lapwing

[besthotelsingoa]

Top 5 Birdwatching Spots in Goa

When you think of Goa, vibrant beaches, lively nightlife, and mouth-watering seafood probably come to mind. However, Goa is also an underappreciated haven for nature lovers, especially birdwatchers. With over 450 species of birds across its varied landscapes—forests, wetlands, rivers, and mangroves—Goa offers an extraordinary opportunity for birdwatching. Whether you're a seasoned birder or a beginner, birdwatching in Goa is an experience that should not be missed.

Why Birdwatching in Goa is a Must

Goa's unique geographical features make it a prime location for a diverse range of birds. Its wetlands and estuaries attract migratory waterbirds, while the Western Ghats shelter forest-dwelling species. From the serene backwaters to dense, tropical forests, birdwatching in Goa offers an abundance of bird species and breathtaking landscapes. The winter months, from November to February, are the best time for birdwatching, as migratory birds flock to the region, making it an ideal time to spot some rare species. Plus, the cooler weather makes it a perfect season for outdoor exploration.

Top Birdwatching Spots in Goa

Goa boasts a range of birding hotspots that every nature enthusiast must visit. Here are the top five spots to check out:

1. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary

Located on Chorao Island, this sanctuary is a birdwatcher’s paradise. Accessible by boat, it was named after Dr. Salim Ali, one of India’s most prominent ornithologists. The sanctuary is home to species such as the black-capped kingfisher, white ibis, and purple heron, alongside a variety of other wildlife.

2. Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary

Situated in the Western Ghats, this is one of Goa's largest protected areas. The sanctuary is teeming with forest birds like the Malabar pied hornbill, emerald dove, and the magnificent great Indian hornbill.

3. Morjim Beach

While famous for its sandy shores and as a nesting site for Olive Ridley turtles, Morjim is also a birdwatching hotspot. The surrounding wetlands are home to species like sandpipers, plovers, and terns. If you're staying at one of the nearby hotels in Morjim Goa, you’ll find it easy to access this spot.

4. Carambolim Lake

This tranquil freshwater lake attracts numerous waterbirds, including egrets, moorhens, and jacanas. The peaceful atmosphere here makes it a fantastic place for a relaxing birdwatching session.

5. Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary

This lesser-known gem is perfect for those seeking a quieter experience. Bondla is home to species such as the ruby-throated bulbul, white-rumped shama, and common kingfisher. The sanctuary also offers family-friendly activities like nature trails and a mini-zoo.

Combining Birdwatching in Goa with a Relaxing Stay

After a fulfilling day of birdwatching, retreat to one of the many comfortable accommodations in Goa. Whether you prefer a luxurious stay at beach resorts in Goa or a boutique hotel, North Goa has a variety of options to suit every taste. For birdwatchers staying near hotspots like Morjim or Calangute, there are plenty of hotels offering easy access to the best birding locations.

If you're looking for an elevated experience, consider staying at Red Thread Hotels. With prime locations near Goa's best birding spots, you can enjoy seamless access to nature while being pampered with world-class amenities.

Savor Goa’s Culinary Delights

After a day of birdwatching in Goa, treat yourself to the region's exquisite cuisine. From fresh seafood to Goan curries, the culinary scene in North Goa is sure to delight. Whether you’re indulging in local delicacies like crab xacuti or sampling international dishes, you'll find plenty of great choices. Don't forget to visit Red Thread, one of the top restaurants in Goa, known for offering a variety of vegetarian dishes made from locally sourced ingredients.

Tips for Birdwatching in Goa

To make the most of your birdwatching experience in Goa, here are some helpful tips:

Time Your Outing: Birds are most active early in the morning and late in the afternoon. Plan your birding excursions around these times for the best sightings.

Carry the Right Gear: A good pair of binoculars and a bird guidebook are essential. Comfortable shoes and a hat for sun protection are also recommended.

Stay Quiet: Birds are easily startled by noise, so keep conversations to a minimum and always maintain a respectful distance.

Respect Nature: Follow all sanctuary rules and avoid littering to help preserve Goa’s natural beauty.

Choose the Right Stay: Opt for accommodations near birding hotspots to make the most of your time. Beach side resorts in Goa offer guided birdwatching tours and expert guides to enhance your experience.

Why Birdwatching in Goa is a Great Family Activity

Birdwatching in Goa is not only for nature enthusiasts—it’s a fantastic family activity. Children will love spotting colorful birds and learning about their behaviors, while adults can enjoy the calmness of nature. It’s an excellent way to bond as a family while fostering a deeper appreciation for wildlife. With Goa's laid-back atmosphere and scenic beauty, it’s the perfect setting for a family-friendly birding adventure.

Plan Your Bird Watching in Goa Adventure with Red Thread Hotels

Ready to explore the wonders of birdwatching in Goa? Make your trip unforgettable by staying at Red Thread Hotels, one of the best beach resorts in Goa. With its prime location near the best birding spots, you’ll have the perfect base for your adventures. Whether you’re a passionate birder or a family looking for a unique holiday experience, Red Thread Hotels offers the ideal blend of nature, comfort, and luxury.

Book your stay today and immerse yourself in the breathtaking birdwatching opportunities that Goa has to offer!

[crossed-paws]

Crossed Paws, Book 1: Rising

The Characters of Crossed Paws

CAVECLAN

Territory: a rocky terrain of uneven and potentially treacherous ground

Prey: Skylarks, dunlins, ring ousel, red squirrels, golden plovers, black grouse, pied flycatchers, redstarts, sandpipers, dippers, grey wagtails

Dangers: Rockslides, falling boulders, cliffs, merlins, hen harriers, polecats, pine martens, otters, red kites

Camp location: a large cavern hidden amongst a handful of particularly narrow openings in the mountain face

Current High Saint and Herald: No High Saint, Doveband

What once began as the remnants of the Clan of Flapping Wings, nearly decimated and fragmented, has now transformed into CaveClan, the most formidable and influential of the four cat Clans. From its origins, marked by struggle and near extinction, CaveClan has risen through a combination of strategic prowess, unyielding resilience, and strong leadership. 

Over time, it has consolidated power and expanded its territory, establishing itself as the dominant force in the region. With a well-organized hierarchy and a reputation for both strength and wisdom, CaveClan has surpassed the other Clans in influence, setting the tone for inter-Clan relations and shaping the future of the Clan society. Its rise from the ashes of its predecessor reflects a remarkable story of revival and ascendancy, positioning it as the pivotal player in the ongoing dynamics among the Clans.

THE CATS OF CAVECLAN

HIGH SAINT

HERALD

Doveband — short-haired white cat with hazel eyes

Previous name(s): Sacred Dove, Mediator Dove

Referred to as: Dove

Gender: She-cat

Age: 7 summers

SHAMAN

Droopthorn — long-haired black cat with gold eyes

Previous name(s): Sacred Droop, Disciple Droop

Referred to as: Droop

Gender: Tom

Age: 8 winters

SCHOLAR

HEALERS

WARRIORS

APPRENTICES

BLESSEDS

SACREDS

Sacred Bumble — short-haired black and red tortoiseshell-tabby cat with yellow eyes

Previous name(s): -

Referred to as: Bumble

Gender: She-cat

Age: 4 moons

ELDERS

CAVECLAN FAMILY TREE

[dansnaturepictures]

Ten of my favourite photos I took in October 2024 and month summary

The photos are of; fly agaric at Matley Wood in the New Forest, shaggy scalycaps at Lakeside Country Park, Kingfisher at Blashford Lakes, Speckled Wood, Migrant Hawker, Mottled shieldbugs and view at Lakeside, autumn leaves in Winchester and Michaelmas daisies and New Forest Pony at Lymington.

October was a fantastic month of fungi for me. In the peak season I treasured seeing many spectacular, gorgeous and fascinating species including fly agaric, devil's fingers, amethyst deceiver, yellow stagshorn, shaggy scalycap, candlesnuff fungi, bleeding fairy helmet, eyelash fungi, parasol, turkey tail, earthballs, panthercap, false death cap, sulphur tuft and waxcaps. It has also been nice to see slime mould including red raspberry slime mould at a few places and lichen and moss.

I had a brilliant birdwatching month too with some special species seen heading well into autumn. Key species seen were a fair few Kingfishers, Water Rail, Great White Egret, Greenshank, Avocet, Lapwing, Jack Snipe, Sanderling, Common Gull, Pochard, Gadwall, Pintail, Wigeon, Shoveler, Teal, Goosander, Brent Geese, Egyptian Geese, Little Grebe, Marsh Harriers, Siskin, Nuthatch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, lots of Jays seen in their active time of year, notable Ravens at Lakeside and home, Dunnock, Blackcap at Lakeside, Cetti's Warbler, Wren and Long-tailed Tit. Turnstones and Ringed Plover seen well, Tufted Duck, Mute Swan, Moorhen, Coots and Greylag Geese at Lakeside, Jackdaw and Magpie seen a lot, Red Kite in Winchester, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Chaffinch, Grey Wagtail seen well and Pied Wagtail were also great to see. Glorious scenes came this month with the return of the Redwings a key bird of the autumn and winter, I was elated to see a Hen Harrier and I was thrilled to see the Winchester Peregrines and Lakeside Great Crested Grebes including their chicks a lot.

There were some nice butterflies to see still with lots of Speckled Woods especially at Lakeside, Red Admiral and Peacock and I was amazed to see a Hummingbird Hawk-moth in Winchester as well as other moths. Dragonflies and damselflies continued to shine this month with so many splendid views of Migrant Hawkers and Southern Hawker and Common Darters too. My first Willow Emerald Damselfly of the year was special to see at Fishlake Meadows. Other insects I enjoyed seeing this month were Mottled shieldbugs and other shieldbugs, wasps and hornets. It was good to see lots of spiders this month too including Long-bodied Cellar spider at home and snails and slugs. In terms of mammals I enjoyed seeing the also active Grey Squirrels a few times, Roe and Fallow Deers and New Forest Ponies.

Key flowers seen this month included Michaelmas daisies, forget-me-not, comfrey, lots of oxtongue, dandelion, tormentil, bell heather, common mallow, white deadnettle, stinging nettle, daisy, water mint, vervain, viper's-bugloss, horseweed, common and ivy-leaved toadflax, hogweed, yarrow, hedge woundwort, ragwort, gorse, dock, herb-Robert and wood avens which brought some wonderful colour as it quietened down for flowers. Wild carrot, teasel, hemp agrimony and spear thistle were among pretty seed heads enjoyed this month with cleavers enjoyed too. There was also a great display of berries this month again with rose hips, hawthorn berries, guelder rose berries, dogwood berries, nightshade berries and snowberries creating vibrant scenes.

And of course this month the splendour of autumn's colour was captivating and wholesome to observe. I also enjoyed taking in many great other vistas this month including coast, reedbed and general wetland, rivers and New Forest heaths and woodland. There were some special sky scenes observed this month too. Have a great November all.

[lindsaystravelblogs4]

Time for some birds - I know you have been waiting impatiently for them. A Great Egret; a Black-fronted Dotterel; two White Ibis, a little Pied Cormorant and another Great Egret in a tree: a Black-tailed Native Hen: some Masked Lapwings; some Pelicans, some Red-capped Plovers; a Pacific Gull; a New Holland Honeyeater; and a Silver Gull (aka common seagull).