The Bird Thread

It was a working bird. I wouldn't understand how you could keep these animals without 'working' them as such.

This image was from almost a decade ago, and this bird has since passed.

Holy shit this is cool

So gloomy here, almost doesn't make it worth taking the camera out but some nice birds regardless today with the highlight being the Red-crested pochard

Lovely

If any of you know an aspiring young birder
https://twitter.com/Vaasetter/status/1485928650071592964

I was in North Norfolk over NYE and disappointed not to see any waxwings. Amazing looking birds, but this one looks even more remarkable due to amelanistic(?) colouring;

https://twitter.com/dunnjons/status/1485758445269700610

And more amazing pics, thank you @greentricky - I think the grey light emphasises the colouring and brights nicely.

That is stunning!

https://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/5065397.wanstead-tropical-bird-living-in-area-for-more-than-a-year/

https://wansteadium.com/an-exotic-visitor-called-bob/

I wonder if this guy is still cutting about deep east london

far less exciting than above but we just got our first Ring Necked Parakeet roost in my local neighbourhood

Saw a new duck in Burgess Park, anyone know what it is?

1 Attachment

Have been told it's a very fancy and exotic Female Cape Shelduck

I've seen the Turaco in Aldersbrook and Wanstead Park a number of times, mostly on Park Road and in a certain bush next to the path North into the park from the end of Park Road. I'm not local anymore, but it was certainly still about in late 2020.

Left my camera at home today, so inevitably saw a stonechat and a pair of snipe.

So I took camera with me today

4 Attachments

Super.

Kite looks like a Disney character.

Today was a good day, the sun came out and found a Brambling

Nice

Love that tractor shot.

Dunnock was off playing somewhere else today. Larks were larking about though.

2 Attachments

Blue skies and birding, whats not too like

Pow!

Good article here:

I used to ignore birds, and was poorer for it. Once, in my teens, while out with my .22 rifle, I spotted a red-tailed hawk riding a July thermal. I aimed and fired, and watched it drop from the sky. Stunned, I ran to it and found it thrashing in the dry summer grasses, dying. I walked away, fell to my knees, and threw up.

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/jan/28/birds-are-remarkable-and-beautiful-animals-and-theyre-disappearing-from-our-world

Thank you for that @Oliver Schick.

I made that Mary Oliver quote, “Pay attention, be astounded, tell about it” into three little signs that I put on fence posts on a trail out of town into some meadows.
It neatly defines my approach to birds.

In other news yesterday a second red kite was found dead where I work.

1 Attachment