Above is a Turtle Dove, seen over the lakeside scrub, on the power line.My search for the Lesser Whitethroat continued this afternoon. This time I went to see if I could find the pair in the lakeside scrub, the final of the 3 habitats that are holding a pair. I sat and watched, but heard and saw none! I know they will turn up again, especially when their young have fledged, a morning visit would be best.
Whilst sitting and waiting, I heard quite a bit of birdsong, which surprised me, I heard the TURTLE DOVES, singing from the power cables overhead, I also heard BLACKCAP and CHIFFCHAFF, the resident species joined in the throng, with DUNNOCK, BLACKBIRD, SONG THRUSH and ROBIN. The call of BULLFINCH was constant, as was the calls of the fledged Tit species.
On my way to the lake area I recorded SPARROWHAWK and KESTREL of note, and I could hear the PEREGRINES calling from their perch - half a mile away!
Below are some shots of a Juv. CHIFFCHAFF. It was in a the back garden of one of the houses by the lake.
I caught it just right in this photo, as it was taking off.
I also saw a GREY HERON on the lake, the first for a couple of months, as they have been away breeding. I snapped this through the trees.
Below is a Common Spotted Orchid - Probably. ;-)!
13 comments:
Warren ,
Great shots of the juv.Chiffchaff and the Turtle Dove .
Bit more time needed on Orchid ID . Pryamidal are usually vibrant pink , without spots on the flowers or leaves .
From this distance , I think you have a Common Spotted Orchid there . Check the leaves next time past , should be spotted
Hi Warren.
You caught the Juv Chiffchaff just right, also it's always nice to get a shot of any bird in a uncommon place, like your Heron on the branch.
Hi Warren,
Let's hope you will see the Lesser Whitethroat soon... You got a nice shot of the juvenile chiffchaff. Juveniles are popping up here too although the marine species are a bit late and puffins for example did not start to breed yet, they are still at sea!!
Greenie is correct, not Pyramidal Orchid; likely Common Spotted but a safer id is Dactylorhiza sp (although this looks much like Common Spotted) caution is the watchword I believe with this tricky genus.
Think i need an orchid ID chart for xmas.
Cheers Greenie/Alastair
beautiful little bird the chiffchaff never seen one myself.I am always amazed when birds can be recognised by the song.
Sheila
Excellent Chiichaff shots, especiallt the take off. Great to get the T.Dove, I'm still looking.
WOW! Those juvenile Chichaff photos are beautiful Warren and I loved the Heron too. Why is it when I go somewhere looking for birds I hardly ever see anything other than birds rapidly disappearing into the distance and even that isn't very often! It's so frustrating and disappointing.
...love that second Chiffchaff photo. What an adorable little bird! Love that tilt of the head...
Hi Warren - for all plant ID (especially trick Dact. spp) you need only one book - the new one by my mate John Poland,The Vegetative Key to the British Flora. From it you can identify all of the British native species including trees, shrubs, grasses etc without even having a flower to look at. A true work of 'art' and dedication AND a fair price too,. Every naturalist should have one
Really Adorable Bird !! Very Interesting Post,,I have statred a new website And Would Like You To Check It .Unseen Rajasthan
for travels and tours.
Warren: Love the bird with the wings at ready. You were right the other day that the Grey Heron is just like our Grat Blue Heron.
The turtle dove shot reminds me of a mourning dove shot I took recently, also on a line...love the chiffchaff photos too.
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