A couple of local Waders and others.

Curlew, Numenius arquata



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.

Grey Heron, Aredea cinerea

This heron flew up from just below the wall along the estuary, and just landed at the other side.

This youngster just wants a little attention

Great Tit, Parus major, searching for grubs amidst the weeds.


All this searching makes one vry thirsty

male House Sparrow, Passer domesticus

And this photo is posted specially for a Canadian blogger, under her Google name of Old Crow. I know that she loves this specie's handsome plumage.
So this Hooded Crow, Corvus Cornix, is fpr you!


Female Chaffinch, Fringilla coelebs.

The number of Chaffs is increasing almost daily; the migrants are arriving from the continent and the Chafflings have now moulted into the adult plumage. They are one of my favourite species, they have very special characters, I think.

Katja, my homehelp, reported that another bird has been killed; she saw a lot of feathers underneath the feeders at the shed.
So I've shifted the big Fatsia japonica next to the shed, hopefully the large leaves will now block the felines.

Black and white wings

Collared Doves, Streptopelia decaocto and Jackdaw, Corvus monedula.

Collared Dove and Rook, Corvus frigulegus

Jackdaws feeding- not always agreeing!

One of the Jackdaw juveniles, being fed by a parent.

and asking for more as soon as mum or dad leaves.

Each year I would be looking forward to our Jackdaw fledglings. This year, however, after Francis' death, I've been concentrating on the garden, and creating my own space in the workroom again. And because I spent less time in the kitchen, I missed the first arrivals and although I've heard and briefly seen the young Rooks and Jacks, I've not taken the time to sit and photograph them. Better luck next year again.

We do have a lot of Magpies, Pica pica, at the moment.

Female Chaffinch, Fringilla coelebs



Goldfinch, Carduelis carduelis


Siskin, Carduelis spinus
Waiting for its turn on the feeder in the front garden.
House Sparrow, Passer domesticus


There are quite a number of House Sparrows hobbling about here too.

Dunnock, Prunella modelaris


This pair has been visiting the garden. A few weeks ago, we still had 3 of these lovely little birds. I hope it is around here still.

Collared Dove, Streptopelia decaocto
They have been about the garden all winter and now into spring. This pair is hard to photograph, as they seem more itchy and easy to disturb, than any of the Corvids,
like this Rook, Corvus frugilegus

The Coal Tits keep themself busy with fighting and scaring their reflection in the windows.



The Starlings have discovered that they can feed from this feeder, and often try to do so. The Jackdaws have started using the round feeder at the side of the house. Nicking peanuts out of the feeder whole.


Male Chaffinch, Fringilla coelebs

During the winter it looked as if all Chaffinches from all over the village area were descending onto our food, and most of those have stayed put.

Since I haven't any help to put out food onto the shelving on the wall (which served as birdtable during the winter, thanks to Francis, despite the fact that he was very ill already) I have no other choice than scattering it onto the path in the garden, and onto the soil. The disadvantage is that I am now unable to see them from my window. These pictures were taking with the kitchen door open.


The antics of my birds make me smile these days, but inside I cannot help thinking how Francis would have loved to see those moments. Especially in the last weeks, he would hold onto the back of my wheels, to help him stand and watch out of the window, his eyes following the many birds scattering about the garden while his face was showing the pain and agony he was suffering from. Such a pity that the window was way to high to see the birds from a chair.
It is just too difficult thinking of new life this spring while I have just lost such an important person in my life.

And although my application for a PA, as in help, during the day will be reviewed monthly, I don't think I will get one allocated. The application has been denied once, so why would they think different the next time? I'm really fed up with everything, and even finding enough enthusiasm for my photography is difficult at times. With spring and summer coming, this worries me a great deal.

Wren, Troglodytes troglodytes
This Wren, I see often in a flash, and it is always on the lookout for some juicy invertebrate larvae. A nice grub wriggling about between the wall and this shelf perhaps? Of course I was just too late when it flew off.

Worries about my Rooks.

Click on the photos for a better view.
This Rook, a juvenile still, has somehow broken the tip of its lower mandible. The upper mandible's tip has now grown downward. Over time the two mandibles will chafe away their original shape as has been happening already.




And here's another Rook, another juvenile unfortunately. He/she also broke the mandible. Very similar break to the first one. This one however looks to be in a worst state health-wise.
The school next door has been closed for many days over the last 2 weeks. This had a major impact on our Rooks, Jackdaws and Hooded Crows, which usual feed there during break times. Blackbirds and Song Thrushes took advantage of this by moving into the garden. The Corvids are back now with the school open today, but I have seen them that much recently. They still feed here, but it seems that the Thrushes have enough power to keep Corvids on the fence.
A full head of feathers like this one is what attracts me to the Rook. (and that cheeky character of course.)

Loss of feathers is apparent in this bird:
it could be suffering from that disease that usually hits Jackdaws. But as these feed togeter, it is very well possible that they got it too. With this cold spell, I assume that the Corvids are moving up and down the countryside in search of food, and we end up with birds other than the local flock.