Friday, June 14, 2019

Incommunicado

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.



20 comments:

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

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.

Rhodesia said...

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

italiafinlandia said...

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!

Helma said...

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

David M. Gascoigne, said...

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.

eileeninmd said...

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.

Tanza Erlambang said...

Goldfinches always look pretty, even its photos taken from many sides...

Hope, weather back to normal.
Have a wonderful weekend

sandyland said...

amazing stones and colors on goldfinch

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

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!

Anni said...

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!

Adam Jones said...

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.

NCSue said...

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

Carol @Comfort Spring Station said...

Sounds like miserable weather. I love the coloring of the goldfinch.

Fun60 said...

Those mega hailstones must have caused some damage. Glad they didn't fall here. Great photos as usual.

Sharon said...

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!

www.shelter-cats.com said...

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.

Lady Fi said...

That goldfinch shot is a delight!

Angie said...

Phil - oh dear. My daughter just arrived in the UK to visit her grandparents. I am sure the weather will turn for you now ...

Lowcarb team member said...

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

Judy Biggerstaff said...

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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