#the male siskins are so bright!!

[ornithological]

[ID: a video of the cameraperson walking alongside a road. from the grass, lots of small birds take off. end ID]

absolute tornado of eurasian siskins and common chaffinches on my walk in today :0

[dansnaturepictures]

Round up of my wild week 19th-24th March 2023

It has been another memorable week of wildlife and photos for me, and one that felt again an interesting week of transition with making the most of wild winter sights like Brent Geese at Pennington and Siskins at my local Lakeside, whilst also observing a delightful array of emerging spring wildflowers and seeing a butterfly again with stunning views of a bright Brimstone flitting around Abbey Gardens on Wednesday lunch time. 

Undoubtedly my star bird of the week was one of the best I’ve seen this year, the female Surf Scoter at Pennington which we saw on Sunday. What an honour to see this remarkable species so close into shore by the jetty, allowing for epic views to cherish. Just like the first I saw of the species a male at Stokes Bay eight years ago it is an enormous moment for Hampshire birding which I was overjoyed to be a part of. In another move into springtime Chiffchaffs just kept on giving for me this week as I saw so many and got some excellent views of these charming warblers on walks at Lakeside and in both Abbey Gardens and by the river in Winchester. My third star bird across the week again was of course Peregrine Falcon, in a momentous week where Winnie’s egg laying for this year commenced I was so happy to get to see so much of both birds at Winchester Cathedral on Wednesday and Thursday’s lunch breaks which is always so feel good and immersive. I enjoyed watching them on the webcam too: https://www.winchester-cathedral.org.uk/explore/peregrines/ 

On Thursday I certainly used the fact they’re more present at the cathedral now to indulge in Peregrine photos taking my long distance zoom bridge camera in my work bag for an office working day (the first subject I ever did this for which I now do regularly, and always the most thrilling I think), taking more photos than I ever had on a day before including the above. 

It was good to get this Chiffchaff photo by the river on Thursday too.

Leading the other avian highlights was another target bird seen of late seeing my first Eider of the year further out to sea than the socter at Pennington on Sunday, a welcome sight of a lovely bird. I also enjoyed seeing Mediterranean Gulls well, an array of ducks including Shelduck, Shoveler and Gadwall, a nice range of waders including delightful Ruff, gorgeous Avocet, Redshank well and Grey Plover and Ringed Plover and Skylark at Pennington with Cetti’s Warbler heard really well there; the five Great Crested Grebes seen so well across the week at Lakeside again as well as Blue Tit, Great Tit and Long-tailed Tits, Tufted Ducks nicely especially at Lakeside and Mallard, Buzzard and Grey Wagtail seen well in Winchester this week.

These Collared Doves were a good Lakeside sight this week. 

Finally the big point in my week of flowers are that as predicted based on past years as we got into the twenties for dates in March the snake’s-head fritillaries are out at Lakeside in their usual maiden spot in a year under trees in the southern fenced off area. It was a true joy to be spellbound by these marvelous and wonderfully coloured flowers. Seeing them is one of my favourite bits of spring and I’ve enjoyed them so much this week. Other brilliant flowers I liked seeing this week included the snowflakes at Lakeside again, hyacinth at Lakeside and in Winchester, green alkanet at both my first Lakeside sighting of any this year, speedwell, spurge, my first cowslips of the year, red deadnettle and daisy creating great scenes, a stunning spectacle of a bit of Lakeside covered in lesser celandine with this seen well throughout the week and some tulips in the grounds of Winchester Cathedral. I saw some nice fungi at Lakeside and out the front this week including hairy curtain crust and bees/hoverflies were nice to see too. 

Snake’s-head fritillary yesterday 

A glorious hyacinth at Winchester Cathedral on Thursday. 

Blossom has a great grip on the landscape now especially at Lakeside with buds so visible now too and they both created golden scenes like this one at Lakeside yesterday evening. 

It was good to be back at a place that inspires and connects me to nature so much the coast after a bit of lull in that when we went to Pennington, this one of a few nice views to take in, in a snatch of sunshine which has defined my photos on days a little of late. 

[that-fema-corps-blog]

Day 333

July 1, 2023

Reached 250 bird species on the life list! We set off for the three-hour drive to the North Cascades National Park, stopped at the visitor center to grab a map and check out the gift shop, and drove to Diablo Lake for the Thunder Knob Trail.

I first saw some cave swallows flying over the lake. Their colors are reminiscent of a barn swallow’s, but the buff rump distinguishes cave swallows from most other species in their range.

I reached the first overlook and heard a couple evening grosbeaks. I never managed to see them, but they are large finches with a fairly unique pale yellow beak. Despite having “grosbeak” in their name, they are more closely related to goldfinches, siskins, and crossbills. The evening grosbeak is considered a vulnerable species due to rapidly declining populations.

It was getting close to the time we agreed to meet back up, so I turned around before completing the trail. I waited for teammates back at Diablo Lake and spotted a few goldeneyes. These are diving ducks (opposed to dabbling ducks) with bright yellow eyes and sharply contrasting white wing patches.

Both the Barrow’s goldeneye and common goldeneye can be found here, and the two species look nearly identical. The time of the year indicates that these should be Barrow’s goldeneyes, but I was only able to confidently identify one of the four. The main visual differences between the two species is the head shape; Barrow’s goldeneyes have sharply-rising foreheads, and common goldeneyes have a smoother transition between the bill and the head. Barrow’s and common males also have different-shaped white patches in front of their eyes, but all the ducks I saw appeared to be female.

We stopped at the Diablo Lake Overlook for a few minutes before departing. The water color comes from suspended rock particles:

In summer, the distinctive turquoise color of the lake is the result of suspended fine rock particles refracting sunlight. These rock particles, called glacial flour, enter the lake when rock from the surrounding mountains is eroded by ice and flows into the water through glacial streams. The color is most vibrant on sunny days in July, August, and September when seasonal glacial melt occurs.

[bfire92]

Because I am obsessed with several things, here is a brainfart where I have assigned PJO characters each their Norwegian bird species. All links go to pictures taken by Morten Vang at fuglefoto.net

Percy - Puffin / Lunde Cute and pretty, is a badass swimmer.

Annabeth - Eurasian siskin / Grønnsisik You thought I'd chose an owl, didn't you? Annabeth is not defined by her mother. The Eurasian siskin is one of the most common birds in Norway, and seemingly everywhere. But back in the days, we thought it had a mystic power - an invisibility stone, which it used to hide its nest!

Jason - Golden Eagle / Kongeørn The king of the eagles, the symbol of bravery. Need I say more.

Piper - Northern Lapwing / Vipe This beautiful bird doesn't look like much, but it is badass. Its wings are huge, and it puts up an amazing aerial display out on the fields. Its song is odd and mysterious, like nothing you've heard before. The mother is fierce. She will try to shield her eggs even from tractors. Sadly, it is now a threathened species.

Leo - Common Redstart / Rødstjert Back in the days, they said that if a redstart nested by your house, your home was protected from fire. The redstart looks a carefree, happy, and mischevious, but everyone who knows a thing or two about birds are aware that they live very stressful lives.

Hazel - Magpie / Skjære For obvious reasons.

Frank - Western Capercaillie /  Storfugl Tiur One of the largest and most badass birds in the Scandinavian forest. They look funny and not very intimidating, but you do NOT want to agitate it! Fight it, and you will lose.

Nico - Goldcrest / Fuglekonge The tiny king. The Norwegian species of kinglets, whose name translates to "king of the birds". The latin name Regulus regulus means royal. It is also the smallest bird in Norway, and weights only 2 grams!

Reyna - Red-necked Phalarope / Svømmesnipe These are some of the most badass women of Norwegian birds. For once, the female has the brightest colours. Secondly, the males look after the chicks and one female can have many men. Feminist birds (tm)

Will - Blue tit / Blåmeis The blue tit has bright colours in yellow, sky blue and forest green. It is a cute ball of fluff, but anyone who has tried bird banding can tell you they bite! It was thought to give good luck.

Grover - European Golden Plover / Heilo For many of us, the call of the golden plover is the sound of the wild. It is a soft and tender, almost lonely, sound.

Calypso - European Goldfinch / Stillits This bird is known for its beauty. Sadly, it is often captured and sold illegally so that people can keep it in cages.

Bianca - Common Swift/ Tårnseiler This bird is as free as they come. It travels all the way to Southern Africa in winter and spend most of its life flying. It is so adapted to this lifestyle, it must nest in high places where it can throw itself out in the air. If it ever falls to the ground, it is trapped, and won't be able to take flight again without help.

Apollo - Common Blackbird / Svarttrost The Danish name of the blackbird is Solsort, which translates to "sun black". It is often thought to have the prettiest song of the Norwegian birds.

Meg - Eurasian Wren / Gjerdesmett It is simply impressive how LOUD this tiny bird is! Really! Wow!

The Stoll brothers - Siberian jays / Lavskriker The original pranksters. Tend to travel in family groups. Will follow you and gossip about you when you are out hiking in the forest, but will be your BFFs if you offer them food. (Also my favourite bird).

Clarisse - Ural owl / Slagugle Do not mess with the ural owl. If you have to be close to the nest, wear protective goggles. This bitch will fight to protect her chicks, and you will end up in hospital, if you are lucky.

Thalia - Raven Because no bird is as punk goth as a raven.

[sussex-nature-lover]

Tuesday 16th February 2021

Normal Service and some Out of the Ordinary News

I’ve got to say that I don’t quite know where my head is at lately, let’s blame disturbed sleep shall we - might as well. I’ve been doing my customary waking around 2-3am and then napping, waking again around 5-6ish for the day and watching the cricket, which has taken up the best part of the morning. Although that makes the days seem long, they’ve been full and my blog has ended up being written piecemeal here and there and then being rather last minute. Inevitably errors occur when you write that way and I haven’t made the time to read through properly before pressing post. Usually I’m fairly meticulous, but I’ve ended up rushing, so I’ve resolved to do better. Side-note to both my football and the England crickets teams, you should do the same. Liverpool FC play tonight in Hungary, 8pm our time should you need to know (Champions’ League)

Yesterday was a very dull and grey day, cold, but not nearly as cold as of late. We had to go out to the Pharmacy and so took the car on a run just for the sake of keeping it in action.

We came back via the village where the younger Ms NW went to school and it was a very neat little journey. The hedges have had a really good cut.

It was just around this point in the lane where Crow and I did our second synchronised Woaaaaaa Woaaaaaaa of the week so far - that always makes us laugh. The first had been at a low level swoop behind our top shrubbery bed - couldn’t see what it was, but we thought it was the Buzzard. Yesterday it was an absolutely gorgeous Kestrel that flew from one side of the lane across the front of the car and off into the distance. We saw enough to register the lovely markings and beautiful chestnut colouring. I took a few other pictures of some nice looking cows and a field absolutely covered by Seagulls but to be honest they’re not all that exciting, so I’ll just leave the thoughts there.

What was exciting yesterday and I’ll go so far as to say, terribly exciting, was a brand new bird in the garden. Seriously, I can hardly believe it, so settle down and enjoy with me one of the most delightful and tiniest birds we’ve had here.

Let me set the scene, I was standing at the sink under the window, just pootling about and tidying things and a bright flash of red took my eye. I presumed Goldfinch, which would’ve been unusual as it’s been a while. But no, it wasn’t that pillar box type of red, it was more a deep and bright ruby pink. Chores abandoned and camera at the ready I took as many photos as I could considering that A) it was quite poor light and it was drizzling and B) this little bird hardly stayed still. Suffice to say I have A LOT of very blurry pics.

Enough introductory waffle, this is what I saw

Ladies and Gentlemen, a Redpoll. I have to say that its Latin name is absolutely charming.  Carduelis cabaret. Isn’t that wonderful? It certainly lives up to that descriptor in my opinion, as every angle is a feast for the eyes.

Wikipedia says

The genus name Acanthis is from the Ancient Greek akanthis, a name for a small now-unidentifiable bird, and cabaret is the French name for a type of finch

That turns out to be somewhat disappointing really. I prefer to stick to my imaginary idea of them being an actual theatre show-stopper. 

Anyway after establishing the Redpoll bit, as so often in the birding world (and the rest of the natural world to be fair) it all gets rather complicated.

For size perspective: House Sparrow and Redpoll. I said they’re tiny didn’t I

The full name for this species is actually the Lesser Redpoll, as relatively recently (year 2000) it was classified as a separate species from the very similar Common Redpoll (also called the Mealy Redpoll) which, despite the name, is not common in the UK at all. 

Lesser Redpolls breed in the UK, whereas Common Redpolls are winter visitors only and generally just to the eastern side of the UK. There are subtle differences only between the two species, but it is the Lesser Redpoll that’s much more likely to be seen in gardens across the UK.

I’ve put a really excellent video towards the end of this blog which should make things clearer.

As you can tell from the shape of the bill, Redpoll is a Finch, a small Finch. This is particularly interesting as I keep bemoaning how we lack Finches here and yet last year we saw more Goldfinch in the garden than we ever have before; not big numbers, but more frequent visits. We had the return of a Greenfinch and evidence they’d had young and of course, lately a male Chaffinch has been here a lot. Apparently Redpoll will often flock with Siskin - another relatively common bird, but again, one we’ve not spotted in our garden. There’re probably loads in the woods who only come to the garden when we turn our backs!

SIZE GUIDE:

1.5–12.5 centimetres (4.5–4.9 in) long with a wingspan of 20–22.5 centimetres (7.9–8.9 in) and a weight of 9–12 grams (0.32–0.42 oz). The bill is short, conical and sharply pointed and is pale yellow with a dark tip.

Little Lesser Red Poll making the distant Robin look huge

Obviously all the information I have is collated from various searches I made on the internet: I read that the UK population of this lovely bird went into rapid decline since the 1970s and now stands at about 10% of the known figures at that time. There is no sound evidence currently available as to why, but studies have focused on the reduction in young forestry plantations, especially non-native Conifers (a favoured nesting location) and possibly a lessening of Birch trees. To counter that though, I have also read that since around 2010 there has been a marked increase in sightings in gardens. In the Spring the Redpoll will feed on insects and source caterpillars for its young, but in the Autumn and Winter it’s a seed eater, particularly enjoying the fine Niger seed which is suited to its small beak. It seems more people are feeding the birds in their gardens and Niger seed in particular is being employed more frequently as it attracts the colourful little birds.

Lesser Redpoll GB breeding population was estimated at around 220,000 breeding pairs (2016) but they are doing particularly well these days in N Ireland which boasted an additional 40,000 pairs.

 The species is now listed as red status in the UK (see below)

Absolutely beautiful from every angle

You can just make out a small black bib in the photo above and from what I’ve read this is a male bird already displaying breeding colours, as seen by the extremely red-pink breast. It could be said it’s fairly ahead of the game with its timing.

More information from an outside source Here (pdf) which is a British Birding Association article from 2010 with some excellent photographs.

LISTING STATUS EXPLAINED:

The Red Listed birds are not necessarily terribly low in number -  for example the Common House Sparrow. Starling and Song Thrush are in this category because of population decline.

Red List Criteria

Globally Threatened

A Serious Population Decline In The UK Between 1800 And 1995

A Decline Of At Least 50% In The UK Breeding Population Over The Last 25 Years Or Over A Longer-Term Period

A Contraction Of At Least 50% In The UK Breeding Range Over The Last 25 Years Or Since 1969

The RSPB say

"We use the red list to prioritise our action. We use it to identify which species need help immediately and take action. So, if there is research to do to find out what the problem is, and how to tackle it, then we’ll do that, then once we know what needs to be done to help them we’ll get on with it, whether it’s land management, species recovery projects or lobbying government.

"Prioritising is vital as we don’t have money and resources to work on everything, even within the red list we can’t prioritise action for all 67 species. In some cases we have to just keep a watching brief on a species until we have more resource to take action."

"The first step is considering what to do in your own outdoor spaces to create better habitats for wildlife. Those who have a garden could consider wildlife friendly gardening - create a pond, plant pollen rich flowers, or plant shrubs with berries for birds.

"Most of the data we use is collected by volunteers –if you know a little bit about birds you could get involved in data gathering with monitoring schemes, such as those run by the BTO in partnership with the RSPB."

I’m going to have a think about what projects we can embark on this Spring to help our garden birds even more and then, well, who knows what species might turn up. Even after 20 years here, there’s something to marvel at every single day.

WHAT ELSE DID I LEARN TODAY?

Mount Etna has erupted. If you look at this Twitter thread you can see photos and video

LINK

[boredinearth]

Beautiful little Cassin's finches hanging out at the bird feeder. . It's interesting how different male and female birds look sometimes. The plainer bird is a female Cassin's finch. . I put out a couple bird feeders since I've been home working so much and it's actually been such a source of joy. Obviously, I like birds, but I've never put out feeders before. For like a week the birds ignored it, but it's buzzing with action now. . Oh, and by the way, don't call her plain. As if there's anything wrong with being plain. I bet that bright purple male is more likely to get eaten than her. . Other birds at the feeder this week have included other finches, pine siskin, a towhee, a hummingbird that nearly crashed into my face, I think just coming to see what all the other birds were fussing about, and some sort of little sparrows I didn't get a look at. However, the hairy woodpecker hasn't been back by. . . . #finch #finches #cassinsfinch #purplefinch #housefinch #birdwatching #birdwatchingphotography #allaboutbirds #merlinbirdid @team_ebird @cornellbirds @ncwaudubon #washingtonaudubon #birdsofinsta @audubonsociety #birdsofpnw #pnw #pnwbirds #washingtonbirds (at Wenatchee, Washington) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQKh3fSAwMv/?utm_medium=tumblr

[duypetschim-blog]

Springtime's Return Of The Birds

Birds of prey are typically birds which can be larger than the average measurements birds. They normally go after other animals for their food. Create birds, their main tool of hunting is not the beak rather their talons. Their vision and flight skills are the the best in the animal kingdom. When compared with other birds, the talons and beaks of birds of prey are extremely powerful. The female birds of prey are typically larger when compared to the males. This information will looks at some of typically the most popular birds of prey there are.

Visual deterrents are usually some involving reflective surface like Mylar flash tape or bright balloons, which scare the birds as compared to the sun reflects off with them and simply because move with the breeze. Visual deterrents are an inexpensive way property of birds from a garden or yard. Once the birds leave the deterrents could be removed, if ever the birds return, just position the deterrents back again.

Birds on a feather flock together. You will need that species stay together and group people have got similar characters or similar interests will often choose devote time just about every other. Bird lovers, for example.

As winter gets closer, many birds change their eating habits. Their supply of insects dwindles away and so, the birds will turn to colorful berries to impart them with winter survival energy info. Birds, also, possess a tendency to flocks as fall as flocks possess a tendency much better find as well as protect themselves against possible predators.

Best for chickadees, titmice, nuthatches, goldfinches, siskins and purple and house finches. If you are only gonna be put out a single feeder it will be in which. Make sure that the feeder has metal ports around the seed dispensers or sparrows will just chew up plastic. Hang this feeder at least 5 feet off the surface near a window that you just can notice it from achievable.

Wild birds have a tooth on the beaks as hatchlings to aid in breaking their shell to received the global. This disappears after hatching. Ducks and swan have bill https://duypets.com/chim/ nails or bill horns on their beaks which are simply layers of keratin that assistance digging up plants or opening seafood.

Overall, however, feeding of birds is the perfect regular activity for those who have period. And, if you determine up your feeders right, you end up being helping the birds as well. In certain aspects of the country, food can be hard to come by for birds utilizing some seasons. They will, no doubt, appreciate you watching out for them.

[claudetteworrall-blog]

What Foods Deliver Shade To Your Face?

The rustic, bunkhouse appearance is actually very easy to attain in any room in your property along with a south west blanket. Along with a combined population of both dark as well as white colored folks, as well as prisons constituting most white colored people, it would be actually every bit as rational to suppose that Europeans possessed a racial disposition in the direction of criminal activity as though to presume today that Africans have a genetic desire towards unlawful task.

The Venezuelan Black-Hooded Reddish Siskin receives its dazzling colouring through its diet which is higher in carotenoids. Probably, if your mommy as well as granny both possessed huge, wonderful brownish eyes and they were one of the most really loved and marvelled at individuals in your lifestyle, chances are you would certainly have crush on a redhead with brownish eyes. Along with colour blindness having an effect on 1 in 12 males as well as 1 in 200 girls, a brand-new FA report co-authored through a City, Educational institution of Greater london optometry researcher and also former footballer, gives direction around colour blindness in volleyball. The company explains that colorblindness may not be actually cured along with these glasses which they are actually an assistive visual device." A normal person that makes an effort these glasses can easily view different colors in the red-green spectrum appeal extremely stunning. Meanwhile, Ghulam Mustafa crafted a maze comprised of the narrow as well as shaded roads of the walled-city and the abundant environment-friendly hills of the northern regions with his soft pastels on the distinctive surface area of pastel-sheets or even on the effectively extended big places of crude canvases along with oil colours. The various forms of agouti consistently triggers some darker hair to become pale or mostly light-toned coloured, so it may be based upon any kind of colour. When she is actually 60-plus, shades and formulations that a lady wore in her more youthful years likely will not enhance her attributes in the exact same means. Tabbies come out in sneak a peek here number of different colors (as the tabby patches on your cat will certainly approve) like brownish, red, silver, and also blue. The "skill-set" places Alexa on the same level along with Google Residence, which has actually had the ability to alter brilliant bulb colors coming from day one.

The facility of your spaces, the southwest and the northeast must be actually colored in earth colours like light yellowish or even beige so as to get to balance in your relationships. Great different colors here are actually red, gray or even black. It seeks all the brunettes perishing their hair red, not a redhead dying her hair brownish. Your hair will look at an assortment of shade phases that may include bright or even blue coppery orange relying on the colour dye you used - do not stress-- this is ordinary. BBpager can operate in the dock, as well as makes it possible for some standard setup: it can easily use whatever colours and also dimension you want it to make use of, as well as the amount of cavalcades as well as rows may be altered. Rest of them, including you as well as me wind up appreciating the attractive rainbow colours of 'Mother Nature'. Just because you intend to color your hair does not mean you wish the exact same color at all times. Champ Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever: reddish along with Irish identifying, ticking on paws, golden eyes, pink nostrils. You might be actually surprised to learn there are over 200 colours if you thought most buffs were actually yellowish.