Sunday 12 September 2010

BNG


Black-necked Grebe, Derek Whites Eggs pit, 12th September 2010. September seems to be a great month to find BNG's locally; I guess they are dispersing breeding birds moving south?

Wednesday 8 September 2010

Dodgy duck




This was rather of a surprise find on my lunchtime saunter around Broom GP today - a Marbled Duck!


Being found just a day or two after 20 Spanish Glossy Ibis have turned up in Devon, you might think this bird had potentially got good credentials? Initially it seemed very 'wild', keeping to the other side of the pool to us, and hiding deep in reed. However by the time I got back to the pits in the evening, it was rather more showy.

Aging this bird isn't easy. However, after some reading I think perhaps this bird is an adult female - based mainly on the small crest, prominent large round spots on its flanks, coverts, and scaps, and the fairly dark eye mask.

While preening on the bank it dropped a single feather. So when it swam out in to the middle of the pool I went and grabbed it. Wonder if I can get some isotope analysis done on it?

Saturday 4 September 2010

Crests of a feather

Firecrest by Steve BlainGolden-crowned Kinglet, Vancouver Island by Steve Blain

Willowchiff

Willowchiff at Hawkesbury Meadows by Steve Blain


Willow Warbler or Chiffhaff? From what I've read, these 'mixed singing' birds are probably late arriving Willow Warblers. Where from, I wonder?

Wednesday 1 September 2010

A bird porn star




No apologies. This is just such a good bird not to go back for fourth helpings. Red-backed Shrike, Biggleswade Common, 1st September 2010.

More shrike vid

Red-backed Shrike on Biggleswade Common from Steve Blain on Vimeo.

As this bird is just around the corner from my house, it would be rude not to indulge.

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