Over the last few days the weather has been better enabling me to be out and about.
Not the best weather for photgraphing wildlife and birds, but dry enough to get out and see what is happening.
The bird song and calls have changed, Great Tits & Blue Tits starting to annouce that Spring is on it's way.
Snow Drops starting to appear under my trees and shrubs, Crocus and Daffodils starting to show signs of life.
On monday I visited Saltholme, good numbers of Lapwing, Canada Geese, Pinkfoots, Teal, Wigeon, Curlew, Coots, Moorhen, Water Rails, Reed Buntings, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnets, Feildfare, Redwing, Dunlin, Redshank, Pintails, Mute Swans, Grey Herons, Mallards, Gadwall, Goldeneye, Golden Plovers, Bar-tailed Godwits, Black-headed Gulls, Herring Gulls, Lesser-backed Gulls, Woodpigeons, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Skylarks, Pied Wagtails, Wrens, Starlings, Robins, Great Tits, Blue Tits, Long-tailed Tits, Kestrels and a Merlin.
Possibly another dozen species that I will have forgotten.
Robin missing hi tail feathers
Male Blackbird
Long-tailed Tit
1st yr Male Reed Bunting
Feildfare, dozens of them. I Tried to get a close up but couldn't get near enough.
Male Goldfinch
Teal, at least 30 in the flock.
Another Male Reed Bunting
The best shot I could get of a Linnet, they don't stay still LOL.
Skeens of Pinkfoots, flying at very high altitudes.
Water Rails
A mixture of Gull Species.
Enjoyed the day. Albeit it was freezing cold.
Regards Buzzard
Nature Is Amazing - Let Us Keep It That Way
Hi Buzzard, Very nice photos once again. Poor old robin, he must have been in the wars and the teal must be wondering where their water went! Love the goldie - such glorious colours. It all makes me wish I was out and about instead of stuck in an office even though it's overcast and drizzly here.
There is something new to learn everyday...
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Wowee!!!! Brilliant photos Buzzard and what an impressive selection of birds you saw there. Poor robin though - I wonder if it had a lucky escape from a predator.....
The necessity of bird-watching is a really good reason for avoiding all forms of housework.
The dust will still be there tomorrow - the birds may not be!
Excellent pics Buzzard! Sounds as though you had a really good day!! Nice to have that as a 'local patch'! :-)
"All weeds are flowers, once you get to know them" (Eeyore)
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Enjoyed all your pics, Buzzard. Poor Robin! - he must have been in a fight or some drama. Looks otherwise OK though, so expect he'll soon grow some new feathers.
What a great selection of birds you saw, and beautiful photos Buzzard. I have enjoyed looking at them. I like the Water Rail best.
Cheers, Linda.
See my photos on Flickr
What a day out ! Lovely to see the reed bunting. I felt I was following you around as I viewed your series of photos. Thanks Buzzard, photos are great.
Lovely photos Buzzard, you certainly saw a collection of different birds. Your robin has the same affliction as one of my blackbirds - how long does it take for their tail feathers to grow back?
Regards
Kerry
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kezmo6310/
Unknown said:how long does it take for their tail feathers to grow back?
Hi Kezmo, a very good question and one I should know the answer to.
The stages of moulting I know.
Old feather remaining
Old feather missing or new feather completely in pin.
New feather just emerging from the sheath up to one third grown.
New feather between one and two thirds grown.
New feather more than two thirds grown and with remains of waxy sheath at its base.
New feather fully developed with no trace of waxy sheath remaining at its base.
I can't give a definitive answer, but I will hopefully find out.
I would guess / estimate 3-4 weeks for a full tail to be replaced?
HI Buzzard
Good grief! I never knew it could be so complex! This is where you can tell the difference between the expert and an absolute novice - I noticed "they're missing" with you it's a minefield of possibilities!!!! My giddy aunt I've got so much to learn :-)
Seriously tho, would times of year make a difference to their eventual regrowth?
Unknown said:Seriously tho, would times of year make a difference to their eventual regrowth?
Hi Kezmo, sorry for the delay in replying.
Yes you are quite right, the time of year, diet & food, stress and other factors can all play apart on how quickly the feathers are replaced.
I was ringing this morning and we had a coal tit that had dropped at least five of its tail feathers, that jogged my mind about your question.
I spoke with some very experienced ringers and we concurred that the tail would normally take 3-5 weeks, so my initial thoughts of 3-4 weeks was in the ball park!