Hooded Crow, Corvus cornix
I've long been saying that Corvids like the Hooded Crow, Corvus cornix, the Jackdaw, Corvus monedula, the Rook, Corvus frugilegus, and the Red-billed Chough, Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax, act more like shorebirds than landbirds. Well, they do here anyway. Sometimes I wonder if they might even end up with webbed feet in a few more millenia? Just look in your local harbour or coastline. Just like you will see the Pied Wagtail, Motacilla alba, there also.
(Yes, this picture is dedicated to fellow blogger, Old Crow. She, like me loves Corvids, but unfortunately for her, the Hooded Crow has not crossed the Atlantic yet.)
The Raven, Corvus corax, likes feeding on coastal areas too. There is one living on the north side of the Sheep'shead Peninsula, which came feeding in a friend's garden during the harsh 2010/2011 winter.
Common Redshank, Tringa totanus
The Redshank is one of my favourite waders; they are so dainty and their bright red-orange legs light up the grey of the slobs.
And further on, another pair of scarlet tights, this time they were hidden from view though.
Black headed Gull, Larus ridibundus
Oystercatcher, Haematopus ostralegus
I've been checking for the Common Teal, Anas creca, to arrive to our little estuary in Dunmanus Bay, but when I thought I spotted the ruddy head of the male, it turned out to be the green head of the male Mallard, Anas platyrrhyncos. This was a bit of a disappointment for me, really.
Sorry that I have not been posting for some time now. I'm going through a bit of a rough patch, really.
I'm fascinated with the hooded crow. Re: you're saying that corvids might be shore birds. I think they are scamps and will go any where for an easy meal. lol The crows come to my garden for breakfast every morning between 7:00 and 7:30 and they never cease to charm me each time.
ReplyDeleteNo, those Corvids are not really shore birds. They just act like the waders, when they keep rooting in the scattered seaweed for invertebrates, and mussels. I always find broken and open shells, thrown onto the wall or onto the road from above.
ReplyDeleteyou would have loved some footage i saw yesterday of magpie nicking this families butter and eggs the milkman left. the magpies were dragging the butter down the path!!!
ReplyDeleteNice to see your blogs again Yoke, hope you are well.
ReplyDeletePete, I watched that smart Magpie on the One Show!
ReplyDeleteAnd at the same time the public want the door-to-door milkman back. Great news for the Corvids of Britain!
Mike: Gong through a hard patch, but my birds are well. Thank you for asking.