Canada Goose, Branta canadendus , enigma

In last autumn I had been at one of my favourite spots along the bay, when I heard a lot of noise and saw a of Geese arriving and spotted them landing onto a small island. It was too far off to see properly, and I was unsure which specie or how many had arrived. I've not seen any migrant Geese this far south in the past 28 years, so it did surprise me.
I tried returning to the spot, after Jean, who used to be my homehelp, reported seeing someone feeding a Canada Goose and a Swan on the grassy outcrop across from the island. Other things on my mind-like a first Christmas on my own, the scare of those first anniversaries coming up, and absolutely horrific weather most of the time, kept me from going back. I was underway many times, but either the rain or too little charge of my batteries, sent me home again!
On the 23rd of January I had a nice ride, and managed to get to the outcrop. A Canada Goose plus Mute Swan, alright. It was feeding right next to the road, which made me think that I would get no photos here; these Geese are quite skittish of people. Stopping well before its position, I took these photos. Which was not easy as there was lots of greenery between us.

It almost looked as if it was a domestic bird. Also, they usually feed in flocks, I think?
All a bid odd. Yet I had heard and seen Geese landing on the island. And I'd never seen it here before. And neither had Jean, who passes the spot everyday.

I have to ask BirdwatchIreland about this. Have they had any reports about a flock this far south?

Two male Mallards, in different stages of their moult, were too busy preening for a few poses, while the Hooded Crow was very happy to give me its best side.

Missing migrants

I know it is still winter, (although the Irish Spring starts in a week already, on the first of February.




Even so, I do think we need to take time out to think about those birds which will start their flight north, to be arriving in Europe around March and April.

Many will go missing along the line though. And end up on the dinner table in some Cypriot household, or restaurant. It is the Cyprus equivalent of African Bushmeat, really.

Twice a year, thousands of conservation activists will travel to Cyprus to protest against this ruthless killing of "our" birds. NGO's across Europe, spend millions on bird conservation. Including those birds which come to our shores for their breeding.
And yet, while we are creating suitable breeding habitats, others are setting up mistnets, limesticks, and other incredible cruel traps in feeding areas, in order to capture those innocvent lives.

Each year, millions of migrants go missing on their to- and return- trek to and from Africa.

And despite birdtrapping being declared illegal by the Cypriot and Europan Parlaiment, the poaching continues.

Please read this on the Birdlife Europe website, and sign the petition against the trapping of those poor migrants.
The birds need to migrate due to their diet. During our winter months, You don't find many Insects here in Europe
Please read this, and watch the video at the bottom of the page. Here we
Or if you direct want to go the petition,
Call for action against illegal bird trapping in Cyprus Petition | GoPetition

The migrants to our shores will fly via a different route. Many favour a more direct flight over the Shara and the Rock of Gibraltar, and Spain. Even so, I am still concerned about those Birds which will be captured in a few months time.

Here is a report on the migration of Garden Warblers.

I'd better try again to get some sleep. It being in the middle of the night.

Starlings and brave Siskins.

Starlings have discovered that their heads (and the-all-important-bill- can fit right through the gaps in the squirrel guard around the peanutcake feeder. There are only two brave enough to come into the garden, but as we all know, Starlings never come alone! The Corvids are very envious of the Starling's smaller size. They would love to get their hands on this delicacy.

The Greenfinches and House Sparrows seem always in the mood for a few sharp words, once another bird joins their feeder.

The Robin was teasing me by hiding among the twigs, but did pose for me eventually.

The birds will attend my tree-planting ceremony. And I hope that they will appreciate the Rowan, Common Alder and Blackthorn. We have chosen Tuesday, the 24th January, for this. It would have been Francis' 63rd birthday.
It is more appropiate to plant the Rowan in his memory on the day Francis was born, rather than on the day he died. This way we can celebrate his life, instead of the day his heart stopped.

The 6 Siskins seem to be fearless, and they will fend off any of the bigger birds, inspiring the many Blue and Coal Tits to do the same.

I had a beautiful mobile of silver seagulls, which I bought in Whitby in 1974. Several cats have jumped up to it over the years, and now I have only a couple of loose seagulls left. I will try and get some thread on them again, and hang these in the Rowan. Francis loved these little silver birds, as much as I did, and he'd be pleased to have them out in his tree for the day.
I will do a blog on the planting on Wildlife on Wheels.
This blog is still in its hibernation like all the species she covers in spring and summer. Its about time she awakens!

A little baby Rat, still pink-nosed & footed, has braved the wet & windy weather to feed on the dropped seeds. Not very happy with him/her, because I doubt it is the only one in the garden!

January 2012

I hope you all had a good Christmas and that you had a good start of 2012. Here it was just me, the birds and the rain/winds. And missing my good old mate, Francis a lot.
I'm having a lot of difficulties with January; I got 3 emotional first anniversary dates coming up on the 24th, the 26th, all leading up to Francis' death on the 28th.
Anyway, here's some of my visitors.



Blue Tit, Parus caeruleus












Goldfinch, Carduelis