#grey plover

[blogbirdfeather]

Grey Plover - Tarambola-cinzenta (Pluvialis squatarola)

Setúbal/Portugal (22/12/2023)

[Nikon D500; AF-S Nikkor 500mm F5,6E PF ED VR; 1/2500s; F6,3; 400 ISO]

[crazy-fruit]

Artistic studies of my study species

[birdblues]

Black-bellied Plover

[dansnaturepictures]

15/01/23-Sabine’s Gull and more at South Moor

We came here today to look for the Sabine’s Gull which has been around which I was hoping would stay for this weekend, it had been seen today and as we arrived in a shower I was thrilled to pick it out on the water in the lagoon. It then flew to some mud in the lagoon in front of a large bit of dark vegetation which I couldn’t quite tell what it was, it seemed to have seaweed mixed in it. It was settled for a long time here, did fly and land a bit further along and stood for a bit before returning to the original spot. I was overjoyed to spend an hour maybe more watching this epic bird. It’s so beautiful with its striking brown head and shiny yellow on the bill and neat grey wings. A dinky delight of a bird, a dazzling and beautifully marked gull. It was so amazing and breathtaking to see. Towards the end of our time here it flew, parading right over our head allowing astonishing and intimate views, such a precious moment. It’s not often with rare birds you get such good views of it both stationary and in fight so this was a great balance in some fantastic views of this bird. I took the first, fourth, fifth and ninth pictures in this photoset of this bird today.

Just under a month after we got our last life tick (the American Wigeon at Pennington four weeks ago today in fact) this is the first Sabine’s Gull we have ever seen. I had hoped to see one of these for a while now, and it feels so good to. My 283rd bird in my life and 119th species seen this year. I feel euphoric to have seen a new bird so early in a year again and it’s always good to get a new bird under the belt early in a year to give the year something that none of my others have had.

There were a key trio of other great birds seen here this afternoon with a smart looking Greenshank seen nicely, almost a Kestrel hovering against a rainbow I was an inch or so away from that but it was nice to see this bird all the same and a fair few Rock Pipits. These cheery dainty birds flying around in a group bigger than I’ve seen before I think, I am thrilled to be on one of my best ever runs for them seeing so many at different places either side of the change in year. I took the tenth and final pictures in this photoset of Wigeon which were nice to see today too.

As sun took over well after the shower that rainbow which I took the third picture in this photoset of added nicely to an afternoon of breathtaking landscape with the salt marsh, views into the vast Langstone Harbour, great views of the Hayling Island bridge and oysterbeds and over to Portsmouth with the Spinnaker Tower looking nice and ivy overhanging a channel of water beautifully at the start. It was good to see the sun heading down creating some stunning orange sky scenes in a good afternoon and day again of interesting sky scenes. I took the second, sixth, seventh and eighth pictures in this photoset of views here today. We’d never properly been to this spot before near to Hayling Island oysterbeds which we know so well and we left with a very good impression of this great wild spot that has a bit of a nature reserve.

On the way here I enjoyed briefly seeing winter heliotrope nearby on a verge my flower of the week with the ones I’ve seen at Lakeside. At home today Magpie, Jackdaw, Goldfinch and Starling were good to see as well as nice sunny scenes and the moon nestled into a nice cloud scene this morning. A fantastic and memorable weekend for a few reasons for me, I hope you all have a good week.

Wildlife Sightings Summary: My first ever Sabine’s Gull, great views of Brent Geese, Great Crested Grebe and Little Egret, Little Grebe, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Greenshank, Redshank, dashing Grey Plover which was another highlight, Dunlin, Turnstone, Oystercatcher, possible Lapwing flying, Mallard, Wigeon, Teal, Red-breasted Merganser, Moorhen, lovely Linnets flying across, Rock Pipit, possible Meadow Pipit too, Woodpigeon and Carrion Crow. I heard Robin.

[squawkoverflow]

A new variant has been added!

Grey Plover (Pluvialis squatarola) © John Livzey Ridgway

It hatches from arctic, black, bold, chunky, clean, common, crisp, diagnostic, drab, golden, short, soft, stout, striking, white, whitish, and widespread eggs.

squawkoverflow - the ultimate bird collecting game          🥚 hatch    ❤️ collect     🤝 connect

[textless]

Kenyan birds super-set

I am not a birder by any stretch, and struggle to photograph birds (so much moving around! so many branches!). But Kenya is absolutely packed with remarkable birds, and there were a couple of nice birders in our group. So, I learned about lots of birds just by having them around.

Along with the showstopper birds like the lilac-breasted roller, the secretarybird, and the goliath heron, there were hundreds of gorgeous birds where I barely caught a photo, and plenty of less flashy species that were just fascinating to watch. So, here are a few of them. I didn't caption the individual photos, but did try to list them all in the tags.

[antiqueanimals]

The Natural History of Europe. Written by Harry Garms. Illustrated by Wilhelm Eigener. 1967.

[softsugarstims]

floor stimboard for annon!

* * *  * * *  * * *

[leopardsealz]

apart from rat skull today was rlly nice in other aspects! went to a nice place ive been to a few times before for a trip w our local bird group

the highlights of the day were the hen harriers!!!!! there were at least 2 around, mightve been the same ones we saw a few times. didnt come close enough for good photos but i got a rlly nice look at one through binoculars! love the way they fly, theyre lovely birds & one of my fave raptors!

[ornithological]

my cat is also a birdwatcher. when i put out seeds and mealworms for the garden birds she parks herself at the back door to watch them lol

[possumnest]

ENDANGERED IN MICHIGAN [redraw]

1. karner blue 2. marbled salamander 3. indiana bat 4. american chestnut 5. canada lynx 6. mitchell's satyr 7. redside dace 8. copperbelly water snake 9. spotted turtle 10. lake sturgeon 11. peregrine falcon 12*. grey wolf 13. northern riffleshell 14. michigan monkey-flower 15. painted trillium 16. hine's emerald dragonfly 17. piping plover 18. clubshell

*listed as endangered in the USA, special concern in MI

[blogbirdfeather]

Grey Plover - Tarambola-cinzenta (Pluvialis squatarola)

Vila Franca de Xira/Portugal (19/01/2023)

[Nikon D500; AF-S Nikkor 500mm F5,6E PF ED VR with Nikon AF-S TC-14E III; 1/2500s; F8; 640 ISO]

[smallerdelusions]

Excerpt from Observations on the Order Draconia in Europe, with Notes on the Oriental Breeds by Edward Howe

As a lifelong birder, I couldn't stop thinking about a comment from an earlier post about the possibility of dragon-spotters in England. So I (naturally) mocked up a page based on my bird field guides to show differences in size, weight and wing shape between the common british dragons. These are all the undersides of wings as they would be seen from the ground. The book title/author is stolen directly from His Majesty's Dragon.

I'm still basing the shape/silhouette/function off of birds, listed below if you were curious:

Jade: Common Swift Greyling: Albatross Winchester: Sparrow Grey Copper: Pheasant Anglewing: Plover Reapers: Duck Parnassian: Crow Regal Copper: Goose Celestial: Fish Hawk Chequered Nettle: Hawk Longwing: Crane

Thanks for reading!

[birdblues]

Black-bellied Plover

[dansnaturepictures]

Round up of my wild week 19th-24th March 2023

It has been another memorable week of wildlife and photos for me, and one that felt again an interesting week of transition with making the most of wild winter sights like Brent Geese at Pennington and Siskins at my local Lakeside, whilst also observing a delightful array of emerging spring wildflowers and seeing a butterfly again with stunning views of a bright Brimstone flitting around Abbey Gardens on Wednesday lunch time. 

Undoubtedly my star bird of the week was one of the best I’ve seen this year, the female Surf Scoter at Pennington which we saw on Sunday. What an honour to see this remarkable species so close into shore by the jetty, allowing for epic views to cherish. Just like the first I saw of the species a male at Stokes Bay eight years ago it is an enormous moment for Hampshire birding which I was overjoyed to be a part of. In another move into springtime Chiffchaffs just kept on giving for me this week as I saw so many and got some excellent views of these charming warblers on walks at Lakeside and in both Abbey Gardens and by the river in Winchester. My third star bird across the week again was of course Peregrine Falcon, in a momentous week where Winnie’s egg laying for this year commenced I was so happy to get to see so much of both birds at Winchester Cathedral on Wednesday and Thursday’s lunch breaks which is always so feel good and immersive. I enjoyed watching them on the webcam too: https://www.winchester-cathedral.org.uk/explore/peregrines/ 

On Thursday I certainly used the fact they’re more present at the cathedral now to indulge in Peregrine photos taking my long distance zoom bridge camera in my work bag for an office working day (the first subject I ever did this for which I now do regularly, and always the most thrilling I think), taking more photos than I ever had on a day before including the above. 

It was good to get this Chiffchaff photo by the river on Thursday too.

Leading the other avian highlights was another target bird seen of late seeing my first Eider of the year further out to sea than the socter at Pennington on Sunday, a welcome sight of a lovely bird. I also enjoyed seeing Mediterranean Gulls well, an array of ducks including Shelduck, Shoveler and Gadwall, a nice range of waders including delightful Ruff, gorgeous Avocet, Redshank well and Grey Plover and Ringed Plover and Skylark at Pennington with Cetti’s Warbler heard really well there; the five Great Crested Grebes seen so well across the week at Lakeside again as well as Blue Tit, Great Tit and Long-tailed Tits, Tufted Ducks nicely especially at Lakeside and Mallard, Buzzard and Grey Wagtail seen well in Winchester this week.

These Collared Doves were a good Lakeside sight this week. 

Finally the big point in my week of flowers are that as predicted based on past years as we got into the twenties for dates in March the snake’s-head fritillaries are out at Lakeside in their usual maiden spot in a year under trees in the southern fenced off area. It was a true joy to be spellbound by these marvelous and wonderfully coloured flowers. Seeing them is one of my favourite bits of spring and I’ve enjoyed them so much this week. Other brilliant flowers I liked seeing this week included the snowflakes at Lakeside again, hyacinth at Lakeside and in Winchester, green alkanet at both my first Lakeside sighting of any this year, speedwell, spurge, my first cowslips of the year, red deadnettle and daisy creating great scenes, a stunning spectacle of a bit of Lakeside covered in lesser celandine with this seen well throughout the week and some tulips in the grounds of Winchester Cathedral. I saw some nice fungi at Lakeside and out the front this week including hairy curtain crust and bees/hoverflies were nice to see too. 

Snake’s-head fritillary yesterday 

A glorious hyacinth at Winchester Cathedral on Thursday. 

Blossom has a great grip on the landscape now especially at Lakeside with buds so visible now too and they both created golden scenes like this one at Lakeside yesterday evening. 

It was good to be back at a place that inspires and connects me to nature so much the coast after a bit of lull in that when we went to Pennington, this one of a few nice views to take in, in a snatch of sunshine which has defined my photos on days a little of late. 

[k-looking-glass-house]

What if Crowley uses "bird" vocabulary like Floyd with his marine nicknames....

Yes he's a crow ... Just imagine if he sees us as biiiiird~

Of course it's just my point of view, I am not a professional in ornithology, you might have your own idea about this one and I would definitely want to hear about it!

Mostly they are birds we could see in my country...

Let's go:

Ombrorio

Grim(m) -> Grey catbird (grey like Grimm, striped wings and can make cat noise....yes)

Yuu(sona) -> Sparrow (Crowley would definitely call Yuu a little sparrow....)

Night Raven College staff

Sam -> Painted bunting (small, vibrant, colorful, a rare sight to view)

Mozus Trein -> Eurasian skylark (classy, well known literally a french song about this bird "he sung it to Lucius as a kitten")

Ashton Vargas -> Pheasant (....the irony as his Disney counterpart is an hunter, but vibrant color)

Divus Crewel -> Great spotted woodpecker (literally screaming I am Cruella, fashion red, black and white bird)

Heartslabyul

Ace Trappola -> Nothern cardinal (red... funky feather style, fights their own mirror reflection...)

Deuce Spade -> Blue slaty bunting

Riddle Roseheart -> Robin (Hi Ciel Phantomhive...I mean Kuroshitsuji ref but look that little red face)

Trey Clover -> Nightingale (sorry Trey...Crowley is implying you can either sing...or can't...but you do have a perfect voice!)

Cater Diamond -> Pyrrhula (I love this little bird too....they became very rare by now, look this tiny orange one)

(Heartslabyul are literally the birds of Aurora in 2d "Sleeping beauty")

Savannaclaw

Jack Howl -> Owl (....this one is pretty obvious)

Leona Kingscholar -> "Savanna" eagle (yes... definitely a strong bird)

Ruggie Bucchi -> Speckled mousebird (listen to that bird you'll understand, also....that feather hairstyle!)

Octavinelle

Jade Leech -> Emperor penguin (tall...classy ...can't fly pfff)

Azul Ashengrotto -> Nothern gannet (verrryyy big, analystic-smart one, can't walk on land...)

Floyd Leech -> Snare penguin (unique appareance, multiple various vocalized sounds)

Scarabia

Kalim Al Asim -> White falcon (precious, royal bird in a "maybe similar related country in our world")

Jamil Viper -> Red Parrot (or macaw) (obviously because of Iago)

Pomefiore

Epel Felmier -> Snow bunting (a "petite robuste" bird living in snow)

Vil Schoenheit -> Peacock (beautiful, handsome literally The Evil Queen's bird)

Rook Hunt -> Mallard (another irony for an hunter...but this bird is beautiful I mean it, and is found everywheerrre (like a stalker bird ha ha))

Ignihyde

Idia Shroud -> Blue jay (blue, black and blue stripes, funny enough the bird is stated to be noisy ha ha, Idia can be supah noisy sometimes too when setting his boundaries, GG Idia!)

Ortho Shroud -> Eurasian blue tit (a little fluffy bird, blue and yellow doing a very cute melodious sound, I love watching them...)

Diasomnia

Sebek Zigvolt -> Egyptian plover (yes....the bird on the crocodile's back...yes)

Malleus Draconia -> Great eared nightjar (it's a dragon bird....look at him)/I could have chosen Casoar too... but nope...

Lilia Vanrouge -> Anna's hummingbird (it's small, pink and changes color with light...like his hairs)

Silver -> Nine-primaried oscines (a cute lovely bird in our woods, pink and blue)

Thanks National Geographic....

It's just pure fanon brainstorming... I'm sorry...

bird photos were mostly took from "Wikipedia"