Twitcheruth

They do look interesting in the BG, and thats the only reason i did not crop them out.
A big thanks again for your comments on that Wood pigeon, but i would have loved to get closer to them, but it was physically impossible as there was a very big wall in the way.


Best regards Paul

Thanks for your comment on the Swans, i did notice they still had a few brown feathers, i thought it was just the one youngster.

I tried to post a message of "Reflection" but it wasn't saving so i will do it from "Blackbird".

This bird is a regular visitor to our garden and this is his favorite singing post its close to the feeding table so he hasn't got very far to go.
I love the eyes on these birds its a kind of Orange/Yellow which stands out against the black feathers.


Best regards Paul

Thanks for your comments on both my images Paul

Thanks for your comment, still on the learning curve and appreciate all the help and advice.


Best regards Paul

You will probably laugh at this....I was driving my bus out of Donaghadee Bus Station, when I spotted a black & white bird that I have never noticed before. I slung the bus into reverse & backed up to view it! Huh! I got home & looked it up & it was an Male Eider & what I would believe to be a juvenile with it. I managed to get a couple of very shaky shots of them from the cab window & the dash & steering wheel were soaked with the rain. I suppose I could put a photo up on here but it wouldn't be very good. I saw what I thought was a Merlin or Hobby & could have been a Sparrowhawk fly across the road at hedge height. It was in silhouette but very streamlined wings & glided through at speed. It didn't look like Sparrowhawks wings but it was too fast to ID properly, frustrating! I was trying to keep the bus straight as well. lol. Oh well, that's bus driving & birding for you, eh? Kind regards. Pete

Many thanks for your reply Ruth. Good suggestion about blogging some of the birds that I see at The RSPB BHR. I would have to get a wee bit more confidence as I am not that good at ID, but I will try to do that. I am a Volunteer Information Assistant at The RSPB BHR. Oh how I wish that I could be good enough to be a Volunteer Warden. What I do is welcome people into the reception/viewing area & tell them a bit about the place....well, what I can remember. lol. I keep a folder with info about the place in it that I copied from the internet, I have to be honest....that's where I get my info from plus what the warden & other more experienced volunteers tell me. There are many people that come in that I learn from & that is very rewarding. Kind regards. Pete.

Hi Ruth. I just wanted to say hello as I haven't been about here lately. I couldn't get down to the RSPB Belfast Harbour Reserve lately. Managed to volunteer there last Saturday. Volunteering is going very well & very rewarding. Apart from the usual waterfowl, there were Long Tailed Tits, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Dunnock & Reed Buntings. The warden said that earlier in the week, there were around 700 Black Tailed Godwits all over the reserve. When I was there 23rd Jan' I saw my first Bullfinch...lovely bird. My bird ID is taking a long time but if I ID one & it's right, every few weeks then that's progress, eh? All the best. Pete.

Defnately ....................Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr Cold but refreshing HAHAAAAAAAAAAAA

Hi Ruth, Travis here. Thanks for your reply re:birdsong/calls. To be woken by birdsong is a fantastic start to the day almost regardless of the bird type but if you were anywhere in the world rather than in your own bed which calls/songs would spring you to life. I guess I'm thinking of the more exotic bird types are are you happy to stick with the House Wren!

Regards, T.