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Monday, 31 January 2022

31/01/2022 A few of the birds seen in our French garden over the past fortnight.

 

European robin (Erithacus rubecula)...

As above.

Eurasian blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) hanging on the shutters...

and

peering in the window..

Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs).

and above on a frosty morning.

Common Blackbird (Turdus merula).

The return of the Cirl Bunting (Emberiza cirlus)...

As above...

As above.

European goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis)...

As above.

Great Tit (Parus major).

European greenfinch (Chloris chloris) .

As above.

Eurasian Nuthatch or Wood Nuthatch (Sitta europaea)....

As above...

As above - bottoms up!

Dunnock (Prunella modularis)...

Love this little bird and this is a very rare photo for me as it generally hides in the undergrowth...

As above...

As above...

There are a lot of starlings around at present but they keep their distance.

See also my Photodairy with lots of flowers and insects.

21 comments:

  1. These are beautiful photos of your garden birds, Diane. Occasionally you have commented on my blog that you'd love to see a 'so and so' bird, Well, I'd happily swap ALL those bird species that you said this about for JUST ONE appearance of a Cirl Bunting in the garden. To the best of my knowledge, in UK they are confined to the south-west of England. I have seen them only a couple of times on the south coast of Devon.

    My very best wishes to you and Nigel - - - Richard

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    1. Hi Richard, I could not believe it when I saw it a couple of weeks back. I have not seen it again until Saturday when I was doing the bird count. It was unbelievable; that turned up, then the Nut hatch which I have also not seen for weeks, the Dunnock that I have not seen for months, and then the Goldfinch and Greenfinch which are not regular visitors. How I picked the right hour I have no idea, even the starlings arrived. I looked again on Sunday to see what I might have missed and not one on the list I have just given you appeared!!!

      Lots of noisy Little Owls around and I am sure I heard three yesterday evening. Two from sort of the same direction and one from the other side of the house. I thought while the trees were bare I would have a chance, but I have only had a couple of distant sightings :-((

      Keep safe and best wishes to you and all the family, Cheers Diane

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    2. P.S. I have my lens back in working order so I hope the Cirl Bunting returns again!

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  2. It's good to see you back with your garden photos Diane. As you might imagine, I am very jealous that you can get Cirl Buntings in your garden. That suggests that Cirl Buntings are fairly common around where you live, a quite agricultural landscape with lots of unspoiled hedgerows and dropped natural seeds.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Phil, No I do not think they are common at all. I belong to a local nature web site and it seems I am the only one who has seen them (well one anyway). The local nature website is probably about 60% birders so I would think it gives a good idea of what is around. I did see one out walking a couple of years back but that is all. We have one member who spends a good part of his life sitting in a hide. He has very large telescopic lenses and knows how to use them. The birds he sees are amazing, but so far no Cirl Bunting.
      Keep safe and take care Diane

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  3. Hi Diane - so pleased you've got your lens back and working ... and you'll see the Cirl Bunting in lens' brilliant brightness. Gorgeous photos ... I particularly love the chaffinch, and that bottoms up nuthatch ... fun to see - thank you ... lovely post - cheers Hilary

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Hilary for the kind comment. I am struggling to keep up with comments. I thought with winter I would have more time but it has not really worked that way at all. Haha I also liked the bottoms up Nuthatch.
      I hope that all is well in your part of the world. Keep safe, cheers Diane.

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  4. How darling! What a lovely range of birds you get! #WildbirdWednesday

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    1. Thanks for the visit and the comment much appreciated. Keep safe Diane

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  5. Bonjour Diane.
    Tu t'es amusée avec la mésange bleue au volet. La chipie.
    Belle série avec l'accenteur mouchet, il est très discret et si joli.
    Je t'embrasse et te souhaite une bonne soirée.
    Bises

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    1. Merci Nathalie, j'adore le mouchet Accenteur mais je le vois si rarement. La Mésange bleue est un tel personnage. Passe une bonne journée
      Bises Diane

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  6. My oh my....a treasure trove of beauties!!! Each and every photo dazzles my eyes. And each is incredible. Thanks for linking in this week at I'd Rather B Birdin'.

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    1. Thanks so much for the lovely comment and thanks also for hosting. Keep safe Diane

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  7. Hello, :=) I'm here from Wild Bird Wednesday :=) Your photography skills are top notch. Such lovely close up images of your garden birds, most of which I see in my garden, all except the Dunnock and Curl Bunting. All lovely birds.

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    1. Thanks so much for the visit and the lovely comment, so appreciated. Have a great weekend and stay safe, Diane

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  8. The peeping Blue Tit made me smile. A garden Cirl Bunting would be a stunner. Not much chance here in the frozen north of England. I hope it's warming up where you are Diane.

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    1. Hi Phil, thanks for the comment, the Blue Tits are so funny they seem to spend a lot of time at the windows tapping at their own reflections or looking in. That is the second time I have seen the Cirl Bunting, quite a surprise that it turned up again during my hour bird count. The weather is much improved this week but the frost is sure to return anytime, even as late as May! Keep safe and take care, Diane

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  9. Que fotos tan bonitas de pájaros ♥

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    1. Merci pour votre visite et commentaire. Très appréciée. Diane

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  10. Quite an unusual yellow in the first bird - almost and egg yolk yellow.

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    1. There are many shades of yellows in the birds around here. Luckily it helps to make IDs easier! Cheers Diane

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