6 months ago
Wednesday, January 29
52 comments:
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Same here! Long tailed tits and a buzzard.
ReplyDeleteGill
I hope that the buzzard didn't arrive at the same time as the LT Tits, Frugal
DeleteThat is a shame, I bet the smaller birds are hiding now.
ReplyDeleteThey were for a while, Jo. I have mixed feelings when I see a bird of prey dining but they are beautiful birds and, in many ways, only doing what we do .
DeleteLooks as if he's posing for you.
ReplyDeleteSparrowhawks always seem to look straight at you, L. It's a bit intimidating when one is flying towards you.
DeleteWhat a beautiful bird, and great photos. Lucky you, seeing her so close.
ReplyDeleteMartyn just happened to be looking out of the window at the right time, CJ. We have actually had one closer to the house. Sitting on a pot on the path right by the side of the house. It was using the empty pot as a plucking post!
DeleteOn the plus side, you wouldn't have counted any others had she been around on Sunday. Great photos.
ReplyDeleteThat is very true, Jo.
DeleteBeautiful photos - she's really majestic isn't she?
ReplyDeleteShe certainly is, Liz.
DeleteWhat a beautiful bird - and so well posed.
ReplyDeleteWe were lucky she stayed there for quite a while, Jenny.
DeleteWonderful pictures Sue... just typical it couldn't be counted...I think to get a clearer picture you should do it for more than 1 hour on one day..don't you??
ReplyDeleteI do agree Tanya, as it is it's just the luck of the draw whether the regulars turn up or not at the time you choose to do the count.
DeleteWhat is it? Falcon? Hawk? Buzzard? I'm not much good at identidying birds of prey!
ReplyDeleteIt's a female sparrowhawk, Mark
DeleteGreat shots.
ReplyDeleteThanks Rooko
DeleteHow wonderful Sue.
ReplyDeleteIt was, Victoria although not for her victim!
DeleteBeautiful bird and fabulous photo Sue :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Linda.
DeleteGreat pictures, last year I came on one just finishing off a pigeon under a bush opposite the front door less than 6' away from me. All it did was to drag its prey about another foot under cover and look at me me with disdain as if to say "this is mine and your not having it!" Just the moment to have no camera!
ReplyDeleteIsn't that just the case, Rick
DeleteOh such a beautiful bird ♥ I haven't seen Sparrowhawk in months...only owls and chickadees.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to see an owl in our garden. Leanan. Chickadees are like our blue tits aren't they?
DeleteHusband was surprised by the white markings on its back his bird books only show the front does the male have the same markings?
ReplyDeleteI wondered about that too Elaine so looked it up. There seem to be three possible explanations
DeleteThe white feathers are a result of partial or albinism or leucism both cause pigment not to be spread correctly through the feathers (we see blackbirds with white patches sometimes due to this type of thing). I've also read that during moults sometimes the base of fathers can be exposed and create white patches. I think it could be one of the former explanations.Any bird can be affected by this and I think it is genetic so maybe it can also be passed on to offspring.
If anyone knows better I would welcome suggestions.
Elaine - I tweeted a query to the BTO asking if the white markings were normal and they confirmed they were typical so maybe none of the above
DeleteOh WOW! What a beauty she is, they really are magnificent regal looking birds aren't they, I love the fixed stare, always gives me goosebumps. I do hop poor hoppy was well out of the way during the visit.
ReplyDeleteI have to admit to several pangs of jealousy. xxx
Hoppy was just fine and appeared shortly after, Snowbird - must sat it had me worried for a while. It was a leaf that had hung on. In the first photos you can see it away from the bird.
DeleteP.s.....forgot to say, seveal of the pics look like she has tufts....a well placed leaf!!!xxx
ReplyDeleteA real beauty she is!
ReplyDeleteShe is indeed, Kelli
DeleteWow, lovely photos. And isn't it always the way with the Bird Watch: I do believe that the birds go into hiding on purpose until the weekend is over.
ReplyDeleteI thin they do, sweffling. A I value my personal privacy and reserve the right not to be counted.
DeleteGreat photos.The few times I've seen Sparrowhawks in my garden is just after they've finished off some prey.Feathers everywhere.
ReplyDeleteThe ones we've seen tend to pluck the bird in on spot and then take them elsewhere to eat them. David.
DeleteThat's awesome bird watch photos! ;)
ReplyDeleteThank you Malar.
DeleteLook so interesting birds.
ReplyDeleteThey are beauties Endah.
DeleteAmazing shots Sue. Sods law eh! A few of my regulars were missing at the count but appeared soon after it ended!
ReplyDeleteThe sparrowhawk doesn't come regularly, Angie but she definitely isn't rare either. Never seen a male so I'm assuming it's the same bird.
DeletePure contrariness, he clearly wasn't camera shy, but perhaps he didn't want to be included with the riff raff common birds... What a treat though!
ReplyDeleteShe was happy to eat the riff raff, Janet.
DeleteWOW! I loved the photos. You did a great job. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThank you Bonnie
DeleteGreat images - perhaps lucky he wasn't there for your other birds and your count! I agree, they do just stare at you don't they? Beautiful birds :-)
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful birds, Shirl
Delete