Little and Big Birds.

although I reported that I was worried about my Goldcrest, the other day, and that I was afraid for its safety, I saw not one but two a few days ago.
I was just surprised how, after having found a regular supply of food,it had stayed away over these cold days, because it has such a tiny body and so needs all the energy and fats it can find. I do realise that because of this they are very much prone to danger too and that I should not be surprised when one of the two turns up missing. Won't be easy to accept, but nevertheless.

Anyway, with increasing temperatures it might get easier for all my residents, whatever the specie.



My male Blackbird, suddenly I have three Blackbirds again, after not seeing one since March.

One of my dear Coal Tits, Great Tits and Blue Tits.;

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This is a female Bullfinch which I spotted the other day, when she was stuck on the garden wall, like many birds when they are feeding on grit, to help their stomach digest the food, I believe. (would it not make more sense for us to smash up small stones and dish this up for them on the bird table?)
It was pouring outside, hence the poor picture cause taking one was greatly hindered by the rained on windows. Other birds take up this position to search for insects, like the Wren and Great Tit might do sometimes. It is a first for me to see a heavy bird like a Bullfinch on the wall like this. Then again, Finches need their minerals too, I guess?

Male Chaffinch; One of which, is coming into its breeding plumage, but it was too quick for my camera; guess it spotted one of the ladies nearby. Yet again, this one did want the spotlight, it seems.

Another photo of J.J.

plus another silhouette, this time of the male blackbird. i love the line of this bird.

Synchronised Swans

A brief look out at the end of Dunmanus Bay, out yonder..



To cheer myself up, I got out of the house the other day, being fed up with my cold and the roll of kitchen tissue next to my laptop. My timing was good, knowing that the wind is increasing again by this weekend. So is the temperature and the rains.
First stop was these:

Gorse:

Inside the wall I spotted this one:

Something edible and very tempting had come in with the tide or had been left behind by a passer by and 4 or 5 Hooded Crows were feasting on this, beside the coastal road. Others took an interest and soon others moved in for their share.
Hooded Crow:

Redshank.


Mute Swans





Ferns?
I spotted these plants for the first time. The non variegated ones are a lot larger, about double the size of the smaller, variegated ones. I' assuming the small one is a specie of Fern, and because of its similarity with the Fern, I do think that the other one is a Fern also.


Hooded Crow, watching the going on's below.


Two flocks of Rooks/Jackdaws/Hooded Crows? was flying above me and flying above the trees lining the bay. I will have to get my lights mended to return a little later to see them come in for their roost. I think some already were coming in for this. As it is winter, they arrive earlier of course.



On my way back, I spotted two birds fly onto the phone/ cable spanning the road there where you enter the village again when coming from the COI. Their light colour
ing, hard to see exactly what kind of colouring-or whatever kind of bird. My heartbeat did increase though: would my patience pay off? Was the game up for my playing partner(s?) in the end? Smiling to myself, the winner, I urged my wheels around the bend. All I needed was a single photo! More were welcome, but only needed the one.

And so were there two, or was there just a single Dove which had kept irritating me?
Well, I did spot the second one, but a photo was too much too ask, apparently, as it was as camera shy as always.
(For years I have heard Collared Doves around the house, and only once have I seen them-sitting atop the street light which faces into the garden in the front of our garden. I was too late to get the camera, because all I wanted was a picture.
Before that moment, I had only once seen a Pigeon in Bantry/Durrus in the last 25 years. And now the two Doves.

Back home in the garden,
Dunnock:


In the village, I met up with a -Dutch- friend and it took awhile before we had finished exchanging the important this' and thats of life. We had no idea that the other one is into photography. With the moon waiting for me, on top of our hill above a nearby house, it was time I got home.


I only see Blackbirds now and then. This young male-I think- shot up into the air vertically today when he spotted another one which had popped into the garden suddenly, which neither of us had noticed. His young and still brown wings got very eager and he used them very well in showing off to the other one. The departure of the other showed that this young male got his message across that this patch is taken.
Male Blackbird


Jackdaw, on a roof halfway our hill. It could have been JJ, then again, we've got a lot of Jackdaws around, so one will never know.





Mute Swan, wondering who is the most beautiful among the Swans.