I will return to going through the South African bird photos very soon, but I have not felt brilliant this week and have got far behind - again! Feeling better now thanks to a prescription so will try to catch up ASAP.
European goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis). The only one I have seen this year and the only photo I managed to get.
Eurasian sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus). The other morning there was not a bird in sight. Looking closely I found the culprit, a sparrowhawk hiding in the fruit trees!!
Eurasian blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus).
House sparrow (Passer domesticus) female...
As above ...
and a male.
Eurasian blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus). We have discovered that they like hazelnuts. We have masses from our tree so we have been busy breaking and bagging them for the little guys.
Queuing waiting to get to the nuts...
as above...
As above...
Turning its back on me.
House sparrow (Passer domesticus) in silhouette.
and
You have to admire Sparrowhawks in the way they survive with their specialised hunting technique. I can usually tell when there is one about with as you observe, the small birds generally know before I do. But they have to be quick off the mark before those long legs hit their mark in the blink of an eye. Hope your meds are working now Diane. If not I'm sure some warmer weather will do the trick. It will for me.
ReplyDeleteI love the birds of prey but not when they visit our garden, but they have to live also.
DeleteI am feeling much better now but I have a dentist appointment 17th which I am not looking forward to I think it is trouble!!
Have a good week and take care Diane
Hi Diane - gosh amazing shots ... love the goldfinch; while using your hazel nuts for the birds ... excellent to know. I remember enjoying ours fresh from the bush when I was a kid ... cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteHilary we only have one have tree, but we get boxes of nuts from it almost every year. We can only eat so much ourselves so I am happy that we have found some Blue Tits to share them with.
DeleteHope you are well, Cheers Diane
Beautiful images. The Blue tit photos are my favourites.
ReplyDeleteI also love the Blue tits Marie, they are the prettiest, and the friendliest birds in our garden.
DeleteHave a good week, Diane
Stunning images Diane! I'm late coming to visit - couldn't connect to the internet 'til now. Thanks for linking in at IRBB thus weekend.
ReplyDeleteAnni so annoying when you have no connection, we have all learnt to rely on it which is probably not good. We have a very slow connection but it generally works, having said that I have probably put my foot right in it!!
DeleteKeep well Diane
Those birds are all wonderful Diane. Hope you feel better soon. I’m a bit under the weather myself this week. Have done nothing much excep sniff and cough .
ReplyDeleteHi Sallie I hope that you are feeling better. I have had a series of ailments so I am hoping not mush more to follow. Cold and cough, followed by toothache (Dentist on the 17th), which was also followed by an infection that meant antibiotics. I am feeling better now but I am dreading the dentist appointment.
DeleteAt least the Blue tits brighten my day 😊 Cheers Diane
The Eurasian blue tit looks familiar. Seems I've seen them flit around here.
ReplyDeleteYes they are in Western Asia as well. Such pretty birds. Cheers Diane
DeleteGreat set of pictures of the Blue Tit. A Sparrowhawk in the garden does tend to drive the other birds away!
ReplyDeleteCheers - Stewart M - Melbourne
You are right suddenly there is not a bird in sight. It chased a dove right into the window and think it may have stunned itself a bit as the dove escaped!! Cheers Diane
DeleteEurasian blue tit is a bird I always love to watch during Winter, so cute☺
ReplyDeleteThey are my favourite with the robin but they are far more friendly, the robin is very nervous here. Cheers Diane
DeleteEspecially liked the photos of the Blue Tit and the goldfinch.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kenneth. We used to have masses of Goldfinches but they seem to have done a disappearing trick. Keep well Diane
DeleteVoilà des oiseaux bien communs que je retrouve dans mon jardin de Charente Maritime :-)
ReplyDeleteL'hiver n'est pas dur, les oiseaux ne viennent pas beaucoup aux mangeoires.
Jolie série.
Au plaisir.
Bonsoir Nathalie. Merci pour le commentaire. Oui, je suis d'accord que l'hiver n'est pas dur. Peu d'oiseaux cette année. Bonne semaine. Diane
Delete