Hi all,
I was present at Belfast's RSPB lagoon this morn when I witnessed a Ruff which I'd never seen before. I was informed by experienced birdwatchers present that it was rare. I went home & looked it up in RSPB book & it is - birdwatching really is a new experience every day!!
Cheers
Jim
And in the end, the love you take, is equal to the love you make!
Hi Jim (or anyone else)
Why are they called Ruff's?
Pipit
Eeek, sorry.
Why are they called Ruffs?
(eats, shoots and leaves)
Unknown said: (eats, shoots and leaves)
Lol Pipit! That's a good book! :-)
They are called ruffs as, in the breeding season, the males acquire a beautiful 'collar' of feathers which they use when displaying. So named after the 'ruff' collar worn by people in the 16th &17th centuries. In winter (the only time I have seen them) they are quite 'plain'! Have a look at these Google images: http://www.google.co.uk/images?um=1&hl=en&tbs=isch%3A1&sa=1&q=male+ruff&aq=f&aqi=g10&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=
Superman - well done!! Did you get any photos??
"All weeds are flowers, once you get to know them" (Eeyore)
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Wow, thanks MarJus
What a difference avec and sans Ruff. They could almost fall into Seymour's Dyson category!!
Thanks for that
Great spot, Superman! Never seen one in the wild.
Here's my one and only photo of a Ruff, taken at Pensthorpe Reserve last year:
The area was fenced off so I got lucky!
Best wishes, Graham
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