I have some more great photos from Christelle in South Africa, but I thought I would return to our French garden this week, and some just closeby.
I was delighted to see Nene (Branta sandvicensis), or Hawaiian goose, out walking the other day. I last saw them just before Christmas and I was worried that they might end up on the Xmas table. Obviously, somebody cares for them and knows how rare they are...
As above...
As above.
Eurasian blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus)...
as above...
and on the window sill asking for more food!
Common chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs).
Great Tit (Parus major).
European robin (Erithacus rubecula)...
As above...
As above.
House Sparrow female (Passer domesticus)...
As above but a male...
As above
See also my Photodiary
Joining up with
and
Love those geese! The robins have less red than those we have here. The great tit resembles a chickadee. Love all of them.
ReplyDeleteThe Nenes are very beautiful. The European Robin is the true british Christmas card bird, the South African Robins are bigger and with more res as well. Cheers Diane
DeleteYes, I see that the geese are ringed. Either they live close by and belong to someone or they have escaped to live in the wild. Either way they make for an interesting addition to your neighbourhood.
ReplyDeleteIt's really difficult to get out birding at the moment due to lockdowns and the weather. We've had snow, frost, rain and everything in between and we are all very "fed up" if you get my meaning. Reading the news it seems that France may be similar except that your weather will improve before our own.
Stay positive my friend. We are on the right side of the year.
I think they belong to couple with a small holding, yes they are ringed. I cannot work out what is on the the ring other than a V and an E upside down!
DeleteOur rain just goes on and on, 101 mm so far in January and no sign of it abating is the forecast is right.
Keep safe. Diane
Beautiful as always Diane! I haven't seen a Nene since our trip to Oahu! (Didn't know they existed anywhere else. Thanks to you, I learned something)
ReplyDeleteGlad you joined us at IRBB.
~Anni @ I'd Rather B Birdin'
Anni I have never seen Nene anywhere else but I imagine if there are two around there may well be more.
DeleteThanks for hosting and take care, Diane
Robins and blue tits - soooo cute!
ReplyDeleteThey are both very cute little birds, Hope all is well with you. Take care Diane
DeleteGreat selection of birds. That's a different type of goose from the Canadian geese that we see around here.
ReplyDeleteYes the Nene are from Hawaii and were almost extinct, Still very rare fro what I understand. Thanks for the comment, Diane
DeleteWonderful photographs!
ReplyDeleteThe Nene is really unique. Love all your songbirds!
Thanks for the visit and the comment much appreciated. The Nene is a very beautiful bird. Keep safe Diane.
DeleteDiane. Yes the Hoopoe is nesting in the concrete block , a gatepost in a street of holiday houses. Menorca is just an hour flight for you and not as windy as the Canaries. Go on, treat yourselves to a break.
ReplyDeleteMenorca, or I see Minorca, they seem to use both spelling, is much longer than an hour away, no direct flights or a lot of driving! Love Hoopoes, saw many of them in Africa and no real shortage of them here. Stay safe and thanks for the visit, Diane
DeleteYou do surprise me Diane. Fly to Mallorca and then ferry? It's a little warmer here 🙂 today.
ReplyDeleteFlying to Mallorca is the problem!
DeleteHi Diane - thanks for these ... all delightful and they all know there's a bird-loving couple nearby! Pretty foul here ... and flying anywhere right now is 'verboten' I believe by our government ... goodness knows what they do ... but there we are ... all the best - Hilary
ReplyDeleteHilary the weather here is awful it just keep raining. We had to go to the dentist this morning and many roads are flooded and closed that I have never seen with a problem before. Stay safe Diane
DeleteOops, that was my thought too - will they end up on someone's dinner table?
ReplyDelete