I've started a bird-watching post under the heading "My Rantings" to be found in the left hand column, here's the first effort. Please join in if you have some 'twitching' sightings of interest for me to include.
It is very easy to cheat on so called 'observations' by delving into whatever is on 'the net' where you can find wonderful pictures of birds that you may have seen and that have become your favorites. But here's some taken by David Rothery.
Golden Oriole (click for sound and picture) is just one of my best loved birds which I have indeed observed (I promise!) and whose wonderful spring song I so loved to hear - when we were in Aquitaine and each spring normally high up in the poplar trees, canal side. But what chance have we poor souls armed with our 'brownie box cameras' with which to take pictures ? Here's a good site to cheat on - long live the internet !
I often think there's something wonderful in not being an expert on anything. Take the annual migration of Cranes, for instance. It makes this completely unexpected event, in our ignorance, so much more of a pleasure and surprise. Such a beautiful intrusion on our lives. We gaze up in wonder at dozens of V-formations of these great birds traveling through Spain from North Africa and the Sahara dessert through the South West of France, on their way to the temperate breeding places in northern and western Europe.
The date - 4th March 2010 - we are attracted by their mystical, distant and bubbly cry. Masses of them flying in their V-formations. It isn't just one or two flocks that fly over - there are thousands of them. Some seemingly, with intent, flying onwards to distant lands. They cross the sky from right to left, going north. The phenomena lasts for the whole afternoon - each thousand of the birds followed by another. Some are intent on crossing over us to prescribed destinations - others hesitant and starting to gather up in less organized groups, soring and cavorting upwards as if suddenly in doubt as to their life's purpose. Thermal columns of air seem to be driving them upwards higher and higher. Then another more disciplined skein comes in much lower, distracting us from the first who have disappeared heaven-wards.
What a joy it is to see such a wealth of natural life, in such abundance, so many large birds doing what they have always done, when we are so often made fearful about our crumbling planet through the constant intrusions of the media. How little I know. How we are full of wonder and relief.
A Pair of Tree Creepers (Spring )
Spotted in our bird box (seen below - without the tree creepers which are too small and quick for me - it took me 5 minutes to get my camera !) - previously unoccupied, a pair of Tree Creepers - maybe there will be more 'good news' soon....up to 9 eggs perhaps? We will never know ! But perhaps in two weeks or more .....? Then our 'nasty' pair of cats will be 'waiting' for them at the bottom of the tree with their mouths open. Grrrr!
Gosh!
Read (and support) all about 'Birdgirl' Her 'nature' and VME activities at such a young age. She deserves continued public support. She makes me feel very small indeed. Go on click ! on it but don't worry, I'm probably feeling 'smaller' than you!
'A blog by a young birder, birdwatcher, twitcher, naturalist, environmentalist & writer about birds, wildlife, nature, conservation & ringing (banding) who is an Ambassador for Survival International and a Charter Champion for The Charter for Woods, Trees and People'
Cormorants (Early spring)
We also see Cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo) regularly feeding in the port which is a good sign of healthy waters. For obvious reasons, fishermen don't like them... but we do... seeing them almost daily, flying, diving for fish and swimming almost within touching distance from our poop deck. It is a real treat. We especially love to see them hanging out their wings to dry in the sun; so unlike any other water fowl.
A Siskin (seen amongst others Tinteniac 2020)
My friend Alex Melville (and Sue) says that the bird we saw on our bird table, which I thought might be a Yellow hammer is in fact a Siskin
Here is photo of Juvenile Siskins.
https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=Siskin+juvenile
I suppose he's right, although others have suggested it's a goldfinch.... this could go viral!