Month: April 2012

A PIED WAGTAIL’S EVENING PREENING ROUTINE

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PIED WAGTAIL PREENING IN EVENING SUNSHINE

This is a complicated routine involving a great deal of busy activity, from 180° head rotation to elaborate fluffing up to pauses for admiration. I watched this bird, one of a pair, for several minutes. The photos have been cropped but not in any way photoshopped… I’m pleased at how well they turned out, considering that I was filming from the ground 20 feet below, and the bird was moving most of the time. I’ve put  some individual pictures up first, then a slideshow of the whole performance…

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THE FIRST SWALLOW OF SUMMER & OTHER SPRING BIRDS

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THE FIRST SWALLOW OF SUMMER

THE FIRST SWALLOW TO ARRIVE AT OUR HOUSE IN DORSET, APRIL 27 A handful of swallows arrived from Africa on the first day of sunshine for weeks, preened for a while on the wires, then flew round the garden after insects. The next two days have been heavy rain, and they haven’t shown again… We saw the last ones leave last Autumn, so it’s good to have seen them come back. 

PIED WAGTAIL PICKING ITS WAY DELICATELY ALONG THE ROOF RIDGE

GOLDFINCH IN A WEEPING ASH

BLACKBIRD’S NEST

The chicks fledged and flew during the past week, and we missed it… suddenly the nest was empty

BEES BUZZING BUSILY IN THE BIG CITY

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BEES INVESTIGATING FLOWERS AND BLOSSOM IN A LONDON GARDEN

SPRING HONEY BEES IN SUSSEX & EARLY HONEY…

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HONEY BEES, EAST SUSSEX ON 1st APRIL These bees are from four hives, and were thirsty. During the day there were always several drinking in the birdbath. Although the water level was quite low, sadly there had been a couple of casualties early in the day. Adding bits of plant solved the problem. Also shown below is the first honey of the year.