Robins in My Garden

This year was a great year for robins, at least it was in my garden.  I saw so many robins and baby robins when I was outside in the garden feeding wild birds.

It was a strange coincidence because my partner had said to me that he would love to see more robins this year and especially some baby robins too. We had only previously had a fleeting glimpse of robins in our garden and had never seen any baby robins before.

It seems his wish was granted because this year we had two sets of baby robins and they were were very tame and friendly.

You can see more robin photos here at Digital Photography Shots

Birds in Unusual Locations

I was reading an interesting article today about how birds can often be found in unusual locations.

Common Tern

Photo © Matt MacGillivray

Birders can often find great birds in unusual locations, but many non-birders would be surprised that one of the best places to find common terns in United Kingdom is at an industrial plant. According to BBC News, the common tern colony at Shotton paper mill and Tata Steel has more than 680 breeding pairs, one of the country's largest colonies. The importance of the area has been recognized and nature walks and observation blinds are available for school groups.

Read the full article here at About.com

Glaucous Gull By The River

At the weekend me and my partner had a walk by the river.  It was a bit chilly at this time of year but still very enjoyable.

We usually see lots of seagull on the river and also a strange looking type of gull (picture below).

On looking at the RSPB website, I believe it may be a Glaucous Gull.

A large pale gull with white wing tips. Younger birds are creamy white or more biscuit coloured, depending on age. All have pale wingtips. It is bigger than a herring gull and bulkier, with a fiercer expression, larger beak and squarer head than the smaller but virually identically-plumaged to the Iceland gull.

Any ideas?

Feeding Wild Birds During Fall and Winter

I read an interesting article about feeding wild birds during the fall and winter and the importance of fat and calories in their diet.

The Importance of Fat and Calories in a Bird's Diet

Whether they are preparing for fall migration or the onset of winter, birds need foods that are high in oil, fat and calories.  These foods and stored body fat are the primary energy supply that fuels a bird throughout migration and during long, cold winter nights.

You can read the rest of the article here at The Zen Birdfeeder

Ivory Gull Sighted in California

I was reading an interesting article today about a rare sighting of an Ivory Gull in the Pismo Beach area of California.

 photo © marlin harms

Ivory gulls are arctic species that normally stay confined to northern regions throughout the year. This is only the second ivory gull recorded in California, and one of the most southernmost recordings ever for this species. Birders are especially thrilled because unlike the juvenile ivory gull reported in New Jersey in November, 2009, the California bird is a full adult with its stunning snow white plumage.

You can read the article here at About.com

You can also find more details about the Ivory Gull Sightings and see some stunning photos at Christopher 'Taylor Nature Photography

Do You Love Blackbirds?

I was reading an interesting article which asked "Why is the blackbird associated with evil and ill omens?"

Why are birds with black plumage the subject of so many unpleasant stories and superstitions all over the world?

The only conclusion that I can come to is because a lot of these black colored birds are clever enough to out smart people. Crows, Grackles, and Starlings are very intelligent birds and tend to work together in family groups to get what they want and what they want is a lot of food generally.

You can read the article here at Wild Birds Unlimited

Personally I love blackbirds.  I think the males look very handsome with their black feathers and orange beak and eyes.

When I am in my garden feeding the wild birds, the first bird to come and eat is normally the blackbird.  He usually hovers nearby as I am putting the food out and begins eating before I go indoors.

Little Egret on The River

Had a walk along the river yesterday. There were plenty of sea gulls as usual flying around and diving for fish.

We also spotted a Little Egret on the river.

The little egret is a small white heron with attractive white plumes on crest, back and chest, black legs and bill and yellow feet.

Those yellow feet sure look strange!