Thursday, January 14, 2021

Rain Day

With the UK under severe lockdown there is no bird ringing allowed unless in one's own garden.  With vehicle travel limited to “essential” and “local journeys” only, it's unlikely I will be able to do much birding or even to get out with a camera.  Add to that 24 hours of rain with more to come today and I'm indoors for a while.

But, keep logging in for news and views. I'll do my best to find news and views to share. 

Meanwhile here's a post to link up with my friend Rain Frances over in New Brunswick and her Thursday Art theme of  Birds and the Sky -  http://www.rainfrances.com/2021/01/thursday-art-date-birds-and-sky.html  

I thought this might prove a difficult one because although the sky is there in many of my bird photos, it is there mostly as a backdrop to the bird or birds. 

So I looked through my photo archive for photos to find some that would satisfy the criteria of Birds and the Sky. Here we go Rain and readers - hope you like my selection of Birds and the Sky, sometimes combined.  I didn't realise there were so many until searching the hard drive. 

Blue, grey, white, cloudy, dark, light, red, and black from all around the world. Some with birds some not.  In no particular order. For best results click on the picture.

Swallows against the morning Sky - Glasson, Lancashire

Sepia Sky - Pilling,Lancashire

Rain on the way Sky - Fleetwood, Lancashire

Goose Sky - Pilling, Lancashire

Morning Sky trails - Rawcliffe, Lancashire

Bee Eater Sky - Menorca, Spain

Black Sky at night - Lanzarote, Spain

Cattle Egret - White on Blue Sky

Blue Sky over Sand - Fuerteventura, Spain 

Pintail ducks - Action Sky

Red Sky - Menorca, Spain

Grey Sky, Grey Day- Menorca, Spain

Tourists in the Sky - Greece

Cloudy Sky - Lanzarote

Rainbow Sky - Pilling, Lancashire

Lapwing Sky

Coloured Sky - Pilling, Lancashire

Big Sky - Lanzarote, Spain

Orange Sky - Knott End, Lancashire

Moody Sky - Rawcliffe, Lancashire

Hitchcock Sky - Pilling, Lancashire

Egyptian Sky - Makadi Bay, Egypt

Another Big Sky,  Lanzarote, Spain

Northern Shovelers Sky

Photos via Canon, Sigma and Sony. 

Now if I just had £17,000 I could update my gear to the latest Sony A7R 1V camera with a Sony FE 600mm F/4 Lens and a Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 Lens

How did I do with the post Rain?

Linking on Saturday 16 January to Viewing Nature With Eileen and also birding in Texas with Anni I'd Rather Be Birding.

 


Friday, January 8, 2021

Flight Identification of European Passerines - A Review

A package arrived from Princeton Press, a book for review via Another Bird Blog - a newly released component of the highly successful WILDGuides series. The book? - Flight Identification of European Passerines and Select Landbirds, an Illustrated and Photographic Guide authored by Tomasz Cofta. 

Just the job for a locked down and now frozen in birder with time on their hands. 

Flight Identification of European Passerines and Select Landbirds - Princeton Press 
 
While the name Tomasz Cofta may be unfamiliar to many UK birders he is in fact one of the most experienced field ornithologists in Europe, having published more than a hundred papers on bird identification, featuring close to two thousand of his own artworks. In the past he has prepared thousands of meticulously detailed illustrations of birds and other wildlife, as featured in over sixty books, including The World's Rarest Birds, a book reviewed HERE on 11 April 2013. 

By any standards this new WILDGuide is a hefty book containing an initially daunting 850 colour illustrations and more than 2400 photographs. It didn't take long to realise, and as the title hints, this is a book aimed at a precise audience of birding purists, students of migration, professional ornithologists and vis-miggers rather than casual and/or weekend birders. 

To get the best from this book it is essential that readers study the Introductory pages from 7 through to 28 that itemise and explain the terminology used in the main body of the book. Pages 7 to 9 discuss size comparisons, while pages 10 to 13 tackle structure and shape, the latter including the sometimes overlooked profiles of birds in flight. 

Flight Identification of European Passerines and Select Landbirds - Princeton Press 

It would be a mistake if readers skipped these introductory pages, especially so for pages 10-13 which contain useful tips and reminders about body, wing, tail and changes in the shape of birds in flight. In the heat and drama of a rapid fly over or fly through with just one chance of an ID, how many times has a birder wished they had remembered to clock the X, Y or Z? I've been there too. 

For anyone just learning to vis-mig pages 16 to 26 become indispensable by explaining the variability of species' flight types and flight patterns that change according to a species' behaviour or circumstances. E.g. the long distance migration flight of most thrush species is completely different to their typical short distance flight. 

Flight Identification of European Passerines and Select Landbirds - Princeton Press 

The well thought out pages relating to calls at 27 to 28 also explain how the species' accounts link via the supplied QR code to a recording of the species being discussed. Better still is the author's promise that links will be updated as additional recordings become available. 

Each species account contains transliterations of flight calls, supported by sonograms of common and also less common species but where quite understandably, rarer species may be unavailable. For UK birders those rarer species might be seldom encountered during their birding lifetime so makes for some useful and day dreaming studies of species like White's Thrush or uncommon members of the Crossbill family. 

The meat of the book, the 237+ species accounts between pages 42 to 484 display a consistent format using the same terminology throughout. The layout of each page is mostly very similar in the number of illustrations used, illustrations that are digitally enhanced, via photographs, drawings and probably hand so as to retain the desired conformity of images. 

As the author explains, the remarkable number of species covered include a number of near passerines, “select landbirds” of the Title. The ecology of these species is similar to that of the passerines and they are often seen on migration at similar times of the day and/or year e.g. pigeons, doves and woodpeckers. 

Flight Identification of European Passerines and Select Landbirds - Princeton Press 

While the quality of both the coloured and the black & white illustrations is of good and sometimes exceptional quality, there are photographs of uncommon species that are far from perfect. As someone who uses a camera with varying degrees of success I understand that birds, and more so small birds in flight, can be almost impossible to capture, so even a less than perfect BIF is OK by me if it portrays the essential jizz. 

Flight Identification of European Passerines and Select Landbirds - Princeton Press 

After a day and or more with Flight Identification of European Passerines I cannot disagree with the publisher's statement that this guide is the “first of its kind.” Whereas in the past bird field guides have included limited information, sketches/photos and guidance to identify a species through flight, this book takes the subject matter to a new and state-of-the-art level. This book will help observers to nail their ID within the single most difficult part of birding. 

I struggle to think of a birder I know or know of who will not wish to buy this book. There is so much to enjoy within its pages, so much to learn and an awful lot to revisit for those who thrill at the sights and sounds of visible migration. Equally those bird watchers who seek to widen their knowledge and expertise will find more than enough to inspire them to head outdoors in these difficult times. As spring approaches the thought of a Pallid Swift overhead can excite any birder.  

Flight Identification of European Passerines and Select Landbirds - Princeton Press 

I thoroughly recommend to serious birders that they should buy this book. Tell Princeton you heard about it first on Another Bird Blog. 

Available now at Princeton Press 
Publisher : Princeton University Press; Illustrated edition (17 Feb. 2021) 
Price : £38.00 / $45.00 
Flexibound : 456 pages 
ISBN-10 : 0691177570 
ISBN-13 : 978-0691177571 
Dimensions : 15 x 1.5 x 23.4 cm 

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Linking this weekend to  Eileen's Blogspot and Anni in Texas.

Tuesday, January 5, 2021

More Of the Same

After the latest visit to Gulf Lane Pilling/Cockerham today I carried out a quick audit of results to date. 

The DemOn program produced a table in seconds detailing the species and numbers caught at this single wintering plot since January 2016. The program itemised the number of “new”, N birds and the number of subsequent, “S” birds. N is self explanatory as “New”, the very first capture of an individual which is then fitted with a numbered ring. “S” refers to a bird that is caught on a subsequent occasion, one previously ringed by ourselves and later recaptured, or a bird ring elsewhere by another ringer and recaptured by ourselves. 

Linnets and others -2016 to 2021- via BTO DemOn

The 786 Linnet captures broken down into years equate to: 
2016 - 153 
2017 - 276 
2018 - 79 
2019 -113 
2020 - 138 
2021 - 27 to date 

The 11 subsequent captures relate to just 6 Linnets ringed at Gulf Lane and then recaptured at a later date. The remaining five individuals relate to exchanges between Gulf Lane and Northern Scotland and one between Gulf Lane and Walney Island. One of the birds was captured twice on North Ronaldsay, Orkney in the same spring. 



Linnet connections to Scotland
 
While it is interesting to attain “subsequent” records, our own birds, or better still a bird ringed elsewhere, the fact that we have so few as 11 “subsequent” Linnet records may surprise readers who follow our exploits. They will know that our winter ringing here is as regular and committed as the weather will allow and perhaps think that we catch the same birds many times over - we don't. 

Even during the weeks where more than one day is doable, we rarely capture the same bird twice. Catching “one of our own” is quite a cause for celebration. These results tell us that our winter Linnets are highly mobile, probably on an hourly, daily and possibly weekly basis and that the numbers we count are mere snapshots in time. 

Linnet

Linnet

Our latest effort this morning of 5 January proved unproductive with just 2 new Linnets, an adult male and an adult female. The male proved to be the biggest of the winter so far with a wing length of 86mm, a figure close to the expected maximum for a male, a measurement that points to Scottish origin. 

Linnets
 
Gulf Lane - Pilling/Cockerham 

This morning's flock maxed out at 30, most of which were reluctant to feed in the target zone: we thought that some must be recent captures that have learnt the ropes of when to visit and occasions to avoid the largesse.  Roaming Linnet flocks are social units containing a diverse, variable membership of individuals and numbers at any given time, units that are able to remember regular feeding spots and to use them according to their own requirements.     

Other visitors today - 2 Reed Bunting, 1 Stonechat, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Robin, 1 Chaffinch, 1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Barn Owl, 1 Little Egret. 

Today was a slightly disappointing result on a visit that may prove to be the last for some weeks if the nation is to be placed under lockdown again. 

We remain optimistic that during this latest lockdown small-scale bird ringing will continue to be seen as a necessary and essential activity. Bird ringing makes a vital contribution to society and to conservation while promoting mental and physical well-being to those taking part.

 

Saturday, January 2, 2021

First Of 2021

We pencilled in Saturday for Project Linnet and the first ringing session of 2021. 

This proved a good decision because Friday arrived with black ice on roads where early morning rush hour drives are best avoided. The A588 via Pilling, Gulf Lane and Cockerham is one of the most dangerous roads in the UK. If the virus doesn't get you, the A588 Poulton le Fylde to Lancaster road probably will. 

The A588

After a good number of mild winters with just one or two days of frost there's a whole generation of people driving cars whose motoring skills are very poor in even normal conditions. The first days of ice and snow finds them driving fairground dodgems at often breakneck speeds without the slightest concern for their own safety or that of others. 

By Friday afternoon and after a little sunshine, the ice had gone. A check of the Gulf Lane Linnets together with a supplementary seed drop had seen 40 Linnets, 3 Stock Dove, 1 Robin, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Kestrel and 1 Reed Bunting. The rapidly thawing fields alongside Murder Mile held hundreds each of Lapwings, Golden Plover, Curlew, Redshank, Black-headed Gull and Common Gull. 

Lapwing

Golden Plover

Curlew
 
Andy and I arrived this morning to another thick frost but safe and sound at 0815.  At minus 4° degrees there's no point hanging around so we set the whoosh net to “ready” and then retreated to the car for a cup of warming coffee and the first Linnets. 

Linnets
 
Linnets came quite quickly and we had a small catch within 15 minutes. We continued in this vein until midday by which time we had caught 25 Linnets, our best of the winter so far. 

It was very noticeable today that we had zero recaptures from the last two weeks. That rather spoilt the idea that the Linnets we saw today were the self same ones of recent days and weeks. In fact what we are seeing is groups and flocks of Linnets on a round robin of local feeding spots that may be a mile or two apart.  It's the old story of the neighbour who tells a birder of the same Robin that comes to their garden every day, every year.

Also obvious today was an influx of adult Linnets including some rather large males. Linnets caught - 11 adult males, 3 adult females, 7 first winter males and 4 first winter females. With snow and frost around here we can be certain that there is a lot of cold weather in the High Pennines and in Scotland with temperatures low enough  to set Linnets on flight paths to relative warmth and guaranteed food. 

Linnet
 
Linnet
 
Other birds seen but not caught - 2 Reed Bunting, 1 Robin, 1 Snipe, 1 Blackbird, 2 Barn Owl. 

Back soon. Happy New Year and Happy Birding everyone.  Let us hope that 2021 will be a major improvement on 2020.  

Linking today to Eileen's Blogspot and Anni's Texas blog.


 

Wednesday, December 30, 2020

Nailed On?

On Wednesday morning I met up with Andy at 0815 to a cold, frosty start of minus 1.5° degrees – not the best conditions for messing about with metal poles, pegs and cords. We had coffee, five layers, the will to succeed, and as usual, lots of theories. Ringers will know exactly what I mean.  

Sunrise at Pilling
 
A Frosty Start 
 
Setting Up

The catch seemed as they say, pretty much “nailed on.” I’d been topping up the Linnets’ supplementary winter diet for days without an opportune day for catching purposes. Topping up trips of 27 December and 29 December had given counts of 50+ and 70+ Linnets respectively. Even better, recent cold mornings had witnessed the Linnets hunger by their wasting no time to drop onto the niger, millet and rape seed mix. Gangs of 20 to 40 birds in the immediate catching area had been regular, if as flighty as ever. Timing pulls of the whoosh net would be crucial if we wanted a good sized catch today. 

However, the schemes of mice and men rarely if ever turn out exactly as planned. The Linnets were less in numbers, a max count of 35 all morning and they seemed reluctant to stop in the catching zone. 

Eventually we caught a couple of times and finished up with just 8 new ones - 3 first winter males, 2 first winter females, 2 adult males and 1 adult female. 

Linnet

Although the catch was poor a series of such numbers and a winter total in excess of 100 Linnets will help our ideas about the proportion of Scottish Linnets in this winter’s birds. Although for now we have rejected the concept of their being a proven Scottish sub-species, Linaria cannabina autochthona (in litt) previous winters have shown that a proportion of the Linnets we catch are definitely darker, bigger, and longer-winged than their archetypal English cousins. We are sure that such variation is clinal rather than species driven. 

In between our ringing we noted other birds as 1 Wren, 1 Barn Owl, 1 Kestrel, 1 Robin, 1 Reed Bunting, 2 Stonechat and 2 Little Egret. 

Barn Owl
 
Meanwhile back at home Sue had been busy going through the Christmas cards in readiness for recycling. I had plans for one card in particular. 

A Blogger pal, Rain Frances who lives in New Brunswick, Canadian Maritimes, had posted us a card of one of her original and signed pen and graphite sketches. This now sits framed on my office window sill. 

Lucille Ball by Rain Frances

For those of a certain age, the portrait is immediately recognisable as Lucille Ball in the 1952 B&W episode of Lucy & The Chocolate Factory. 

Rain is a talented amateur artist with plans to sell her work soon through an Internet market place like Etsy.  You can visit Rain's blog and admire her creativity at  Rain Frances.

Here's wishing Rain and all my blogging pals a Happy and Prosperous New Year.

See you soon.


 

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