Thursday, March 10, 2022

In Like A Lion

“Comes in like a Lion, goes out like a Lamb.” - attributed to Thomas Fuller’s 1732 compendium, “Wise Sentences and Witty Sayings”.

Thomas - I am not amused by your witty saying.  Another week of weather watching has seen a couple of pencilled in days scrubbed from the ringing diary as March roars like the proverbial Lion. Thursday was looking good, Thursday moved to Saturday and now that too looks unlikely. And there’s little sign of lambs gambolling in spring sunshine.

So friends, it’s back to the archives today with a few pictures of Bramblings and others from December 2012 when there was something of a “Brambling Winter” and our ringing group processed more than 70 Bramblings between September 2012 and April 2013.          

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Did last week’s blizzards in Eastern Europe, dubbed “The Beast From The East” cause Bramblings to head west? This morning I caught 4 new ones in the plantation at Out Rawcliffe, making nine this week. It’s not a huge number in the grand scale of the millions in which Bramblings can flock in Europe, but it could mean many more are heading this way soon. 

Bramblings can be overlooked in apparently single species flocks of very flighty Chaffinches, the Bramblings giving away their involvement by the slim, white rump. Very often a Brambling will give out a nasal contact call but sometimes not, when the unremarkable chattering flight call can be overlooked in the calls of accompanying Chaffinches.  Click on the "xeno canto" button to hear Brambling calls.

Brambling


I think the attraction at Rawcliffe is the nyger feeders and the small amount of mixed feed on the ground, a mixture which contains sunflower seed. During the last large influx of Bramblings in 2010/2011 many took to using garden feeders. As a species they were very dominant in the feeding hierarchy by chasing off most interlopers.

Brambling

Brambling 

It was a short session, a late start only when the sun warmed the air, followed by a hasty pack up when a strengthening easterly wind blew through leafless trees and billowed the nets. 

So, 4 Brambling, 4 Chaffinch and a Goldfinch with no recaptures of the Bramblings from Tuesday. 

Brambling

Brambling

The dullish female pictured above had very visible fault bars. 

Brambling - fault bars

There were a good number of birds to take note of this morning, with 2 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel and a Little Owl before I even reached the farm.  The owl had puffed up to keep warm air in those feathers. 

Little Owl

Buzzard

In between the bit of ringing I clocked up 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Snipe, 35 Fieldfare, 22 Redwing, 32 Skylark, 15 Reed Bunting, 250+ Lapwing, 1500+ Woodpigeon, 1 Mistle Thrush and 2 Raven. 

Fieldfare

There’s more news from North, South, East and West pretty soon from Another Bird Blog, so log in soon to find out just where. 

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Fingers crossed that I get out soon. Maybe a Brambling or two from the supplementary food dropped at Cockerham.

Thursday 10 March 2022.

Linking at weekend to Eileen's Saturday Blog and Anni in Texas.




19 comments:

  1. Hope things improve for you soon. We have had a few days of warm and sunny weather in the South East maybe it will be with you by today. Enjoyed looking at the bramblings but favourite shot was the fieldfare.

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  2. Well, that guy Thomas' witty saying is ringing (oops, sorry) true over here, too. Wind, wind and more wind. Now, it's even raining!

    What's a birder (or even a ringer) to do?

    Exactly what you did. Recall better days. Once upon a time, all we had were memories, which, as I can personally attest, fade over time. Thank goodness archives were invented!

    Thank you for sharing images from past trips.

    Gini and I hope the Lion of March runs short of breath soon, in Lancashire as well as here in the colonies.

    Take good care.

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  3. It seems that I am the lucky one doing all my photography from my bedroom. I don't recommened you try it Phil its not always that productive.
    Mike.

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  4. Hello Phil,
    The weather here has been crazy, with up and down temperatures, wind, rain and even today more snow. It seems like birds are returning slowly. Your Brambling is a lovely bird. I love the cute Little Owl, the Buzzard and the Fieldfare.
    Beautiful collection of photos. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, enjoy your weekend.

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  5. At least all those "old sayings" about weather were really based on observations of English weather, as it mostly still exists. I find some of the poems about the month-by-month weather a bit strange if applied to the northern tier of the midwestern US! We are usually 6-8 weeks behind England.

    best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

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  6. I know you included the Little Owl just for me! It's so rare that I see an owl here and they are my favorite! Hope the weather improves and you get to go out with your camera! Enjoy the weekend!

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  7. Just love the Little Owl. I hear them every day but they are so hard to see even with all the leaves off the trees. The Bramblings are still here at present, but I am sure they will be off very soon.
    Hope your ringing improves and that you are kept very busy. Cheers Diane

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  8. I feel your pain Phil. Wind has been bad for ringing, not to mention rain. Fingers crossed for some nice Spring days very soon.
    On the other hand I was pleased to see a post about Bramblings. One of my favourite winter birds. That's when I can actually pin them down.

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  9. Love the owl! It is so much fun to see your birds which are so different from ours in Canada.

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  10. I feel your frustration!!! The weather, the pandemic, now gas prices for us in USA because of the price gouging money hungry oil companies!!! It sucks.

    But you shared some beautiful birds from your previous posts.

    Thanks so much for taking time to link in with us at I'd Rather B Birdin'. Much appreciated.

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  11. Hello dear! Great entry and wonderful photos. I love birds. I see exactly the same ones in my backyard :)
    Pozdrowienia z Polski!

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  12. Wooow what a beautiful colours ♥

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  13. Bramblings have such beautiful patterns of feathers.

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  14. Fantastic collection of photos, Phil.

    I especially love the owl.

    Happy Tuesday!

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  15. Hi Phil! ☺ Wow the feathering on the Brambling is so beautiful! Nice photos of the birds!!

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  16. I'm always fascinated to see birds you have there which aren't found here. Thank you for sharing at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2022/03/springtime.html

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  17. Awww that little owl is lovely ...

    All the best Jan

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