Sunday, February 5, 2012

Fly Or Drive

Freezing fog and overnight ice stopped me joining the other lads at Rossall where they were going for another Turnstone catch this morning - I didn’t fancy a potentially hazardous drive at 0630, and the Turnstones can wait.

When the fog cleared about 1300 I put the garden net up for a while in the hope of catching a Goldfinch or two. The first of four Goldfinch was an adult male, already bearing a ring which I assumed was from previous occasions here in Stalmine. When I checked the IPMR database Ian had ringed the bird at Rossall on 16th March 2010, so in a sense I touched Rossall after all today. By road the journey is a tortuous 10 miles, but as the Goldfinch might fly it is but a flap and glide across the Wyre estuary.

Goldfinch – adult male

Fly Or Drive - Rossall to Stalmine

I caught another new Coal Tit today, and it’s not a complaint, just an observation, that while Coal Tits appear plentiful there seems to be a shortage of the Great and Blue variety in these parts.

Coal Tit

A couple of new Blackbirds male turned up in the net too, maybe as a result of the last of the apples put out for them.

Blackbird – 1st winter male

Here in the North West we seemed to escape yesterday’s snow but with more freezing temperatures on the way the birding or maybe even the ringing may get more exciting. Watch this space to find out.

7 comments:

Kay L. Davies said...

I'm sure our goldfinches don't have the red caps yours have, Phil. I always enjoy your photos of them, and today's little coal tit is very sweet.
The title for today's post was very tricky. You got me with it. I thought you were going away again. LOL
K

Mary Howell Cromer said...

I love the expression captured on the little Coal Tit Phil...way too cute and the Blackbird...I am always so impressed by your knowledge of all birds...how does one know 2nd year? Have a brilliant week and I hope you have some good weather...ours is still lovely spring time weather in winter~

eileeninmd said...

Hi Phil, I was wondering about your title too. The first thought in my mind is a vacation, should we do a road trip to fly somewhere? LOL. I love your goldfinches and the coal tit. Great post and photos.

Russell Jenkins said...

Beautiful close-ups, especially the Blackbird.

Paco Sales said...

Que belleza de jilguero, me gustaría poder realizar una buena fotografía a uno de ellos. Un abrazo Phil

La sonrisa de Hiperion said...

Que animales tan lindos.

Saludos y un abrazo.

Millhouse Photography said...

Top quality Coal Tit pic Phil.

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