Apologies to regular readers or those searching for the very latest in bird news. There’s been a lack of posts here due to my enforced sabbatical from blogging. At least it gave me time to catch up with a few chores.
Everyone is reporting the same - the coldest, wettest June ever with hardly a glimpse of the sun. And it’s not just here in the UK.
Wednesday 12 June 2019. “Hailstones as big as grapefruits hammered several countries across Europe, causing chaos and damaging thousands of homes and buildings.
Hailstones
"The fierce hailstorm has battered parts of Slovenia, Croatia and Germany since Monday as strong gale-force winds brought cold temperatures along with intense rainfall.”
Even a stab at ringing in the garden ended early with more rain although I managed to catch a dozen or so birds before the heavens opened.
Goldfinches are ever-present plus a number of very fresh juveniles around now, almost always accompanied by one or maybe both of their parents.
Goldfinch
I didn't expect to catch a woodpecker, and although they live just down the road in a nearby copse, they rarely visit the garden as I don’t feed peanuts.
Great-spotted Woodpecker
Woodpigeon
House Sparrow
Goldfinch
Goldfinch
I'm hoping for better weather next week as we approach the longest day of summer!
Linking today to Anni's Birding Blog and Eileen's Saturday Blog.
Linking today to Anni's Birding Blog and Eileen's Saturday Blog.
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20 comments:
I have never seen hail stones that big Phil. We in Northern Ireland have been spared that terrible weather although you could not say it is a "flaming June"!! Great photographs and great to have had a woodpecker in your garden.
The weather is diabolical and I an struggling to find time to blog. We seem to be spending all our time (when we can get out between storms) weeding and if possible cutting the grass. June, and we are still wearing jerseys!!!
Great set of garden birds and for a change all ones that I recognise 😉
Have a good Weekend Diane
What a pity for the weather... it is just partly in our hands, as we know.
Your shots are always deserving.
Have a good weekend!
Hahaha .... hello Phil,
it doesn't matter that you have deleted my comment :-)
A mistake can happen to anyone. I said that I was surprised about the huge gutter hailstones in June !!! Terrible anyway. They look like tennis balls.
I love the pictures of the goldfinch. I also love the sparrow, pigeon and woodpecker. The photos are also beautifully clear and sharp.
Greetings, Helma
Good morning Phil: Those hailstones look like some kind of ice creation from the fridge. I don't think I have ever seen them so big. We did have hail here recently though only of "regular" size. Ominously, however, I have not seen a hummingbird in the backyard since, and I wonder if it was struck by the hail. Until then it had been a regular visitor several times per day. I can only hope that conditions improve for you and that you are able to get out and do a little banding. We will be banding our first nestling Barn Swallows of 2019 this weekend. Too bad you couldn't be here to give us a hand. I would have hot coffee and a glorious blueberry muffin laid on for you.
Wow, the hail is huge. I am sorry to hear about all the damage. The weather is unpredictable. Beautiful bird photos. I love your Goldfinch. Thanks for linking up and sharing your post. Happy Saturday, enjoy your day and weekend.
Goldfinches always look pretty, even its photos taken from many sides...
Hope, weather back to normal.
Have a wonderful weekend
amazing stones and colors on goldfinch
Hailstones! WOW! They are huge! Hope your weather is better for the weekend. We've been hotter than usual with more humidity. LOVE that little Goldfinch! What beautiful colors!
Oh my. My favorite is the woodpecker profile! All the photos are terrific tho, of course. Hope the strange damaging weather is in the past, and good birding days are ahead.
Thanks for joining us at I'd Rather B Birdin' this week!
I hear you Phil. Sick of the poor weather. Makes life very difficult for our birds at a crucial time. Hopefully we'll get some warmer dryer days soon.
I've never seen such huge hailstones and hope I never will!
Thanks for joining the linkup at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2019/06/classical-art.html
Sounds like miserable weather. I love the coloring of the goldfinch.
Those mega hailstones must have caused some damage. Glad they didn't fall here. Great photos as usual.
Lovely shots as always, great that you got a Woodpecker in the garden. Weather is very unpredictable at the moment - we've not had it as bad in Ireland as you have in the UK, but we have had the woodburning stove on for a few nights this month!
I am amazed at the size of the hailstones. Those could do some damage!
Our goldfinches in Connecticut USA are very different looking, yours are more exotic.
That goldfinch shot is a delight!
Phil - oh dear. My daughter just arrived in the UK to visit her grandparents. I am sure the weather will turn for you now ...
Those hailstones are such an amazing size, quite ridiculous, but I feel sorry for those who experienced the bad hammering.
Your bird photographs are wonderful, so sharp and colourful.
I do like the goldfinch.
All the best Jan
Wow, those are huge hailstones. Love seeing your finch, he's so different than those in the US. Have a good weekend.
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