bruto
Penultimate Amazing
That explains it. Just clarify my previous comment, the American ones go drab in winter, and one of the reliable signs of spring is when they turn yellow again.
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Ed Forum birdwatching 2008
- Thread starter Kotatsu
- Start date
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- birds birdwatching
RedIbis
Philosopher
- Joined
- Jul 22, 2007
- Messages
- 6,899
I believe I've just spotted my first Summer Tanager. I've always been on the lookout because they are common around here but have never seen one.
This one surprised me because I was expecting a ruby red bird. I saw what at first looked like a male cardinal, but I could tell immediately that it was larger, longer and didn't have the distictive pointy head.
Turns out that early spring male tanagers are a darker red, olive brown underparts. This is exactly what I saw.
This one surprised me because I was expecting a ruby red bird. I saw what at first looked like a male cardinal, but I could tell immediately that it was larger, longer and didn't have the distictive pointy head.
Turns out that early spring male tanagers are a darker red, olive brown underparts. This is exactly what I saw.
Kotatsu
Phthirapterist
I've added sightings from Fioan, Ersby, I Ratant, bruto, kestrel, chillzero, RedIbis and mummymonkey. I'll be in the field most of the week, and hope to be able to add some birds to the list.
Kotatsu
Phthirapterist
Out putting up net poles for two hours, and got three new species for the list!
Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenbaenus - One singing
Marsh Warbler Acrocephalus palustris - no less than six singing! Two jumping around near where I put up my nets, so I may get pictures of this bird tomorrow.
Thrush Nightingale Luscinia luscinia - One singing
I'll be out catching for the next few days every morning, and aim for getting at least two new species for the Swedish list (at least): Cuckoo and Grasshopper Warbler Locustella naevia. I'm also planning to spend some evenings looking for Nightjars, Quails, and Corncrakes, all of which are rather common around here some years.
Late May and early June can be quite exciting around here. Or how do you like the following list of species recorded in the Gothenburg area at this time last year:
Blyth's Reed Warbler Acrocephalus dumetorum,
River Warbler Locustella fluviatilis,
Savi's Warbler Locustella luscinioides,
Great Reed Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus,
Penduline Tit Remiz pendulinus
Collared Flycatcher Ficedula albicollis, and
Red-breasted Flycatcher Ficedula parva.
That was on top of an invasion year of Quails, and all kinds of semi-rare birds. Naturally, I was not in the area, so I missed all of those except the Blyth's and the River. I was on Öland and got Short-toed Lark, Kentish Plover, and Calandra lark instead, though.
As a last notice before I go to bed, I just realised that unless someone pre-empts me, I will be able to add a full four new countries to the list this year: Germany (13th of July - 1st of August, 27th of December - 5th of January), Denmark (1st of August), Japan (28th of August - 25th of October), and Austria (20th of December - 27th of December). I may be able to add Russia as well (perversely enough Kamtchatka, the part that's as far away as possible, rather than European Russia) and very VERY tentatively Slovakia. I may also be able to add something to the Netherlands, and perhaps, as well, the UK, though I rather doubt there'll be anything left to add there by the time I get there.
I ahve also already started making plans for next year, when I will hopefully fly to Vancouver in April, from there to Philadelphia in May, and from there to Barrow in June. After that, I will probably stop by Manitoba and Chicago, and then FINALLY be able to return home to Sweden. Unless, of course, I hear from someone who's catching waders in July-September, in which case there may be little reason to go home in between (I haven't heard from a few people yet, and I still have to mail Manomet). So in September-ish next year, I expect to have seen the world's Calidris and Tringa species, as well as many other interesting waders and whatnots.
Doing a PhD is wonderful.
Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenbaenus - One singing
Marsh Warbler Acrocephalus palustris - no less than six singing! Two jumping around near where I put up my nets, so I may get pictures of this bird tomorrow.
Thrush Nightingale Luscinia luscinia - One singing
I'll be out catching for the next few days every morning, and aim for getting at least two new species for the Swedish list (at least): Cuckoo and Grasshopper Warbler Locustella naevia. I'm also planning to spend some evenings looking for Nightjars, Quails, and Corncrakes, all of which are rather common around here some years.
Late May and early June can be quite exciting around here. Or how do you like the following list of species recorded in the Gothenburg area at this time last year:
Blyth's Reed Warbler Acrocephalus dumetorum,
River Warbler Locustella fluviatilis,
Savi's Warbler Locustella luscinioides,
Great Reed Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus,
Penduline Tit Remiz pendulinus
Collared Flycatcher Ficedula albicollis, and
Red-breasted Flycatcher Ficedula parva.
That was on top of an invasion year of Quails, and all kinds of semi-rare birds. Naturally, I was not in the area, so I missed all of those except the Blyth's and the River. I was on Öland and got Short-toed Lark, Kentish Plover, and Calandra lark instead, though.
As a last notice before I go to bed, I just realised that unless someone pre-empts me, I will be able to add a full four new countries to the list this year: Germany (13th of July - 1st of August, 27th of December - 5th of January), Denmark (1st of August), Japan (28th of August - 25th of October), and Austria (20th of December - 27th of December). I may be able to add Russia as well (perversely enough Kamtchatka, the part that's as far away as possible, rather than European Russia) and very VERY tentatively Slovakia. I may also be able to add something to the Netherlands, and perhaps, as well, the UK, though I rather doubt there'll be anything left to add there by the time I get there.
I ahve also already started making plans for next year, when I will hopefully fly to Vancouver in April, from there to Philadelphia in May, and from there to Barrow in June. After that, I will probably stop by Manitoba and Chicago, and then FINALLY be able to return home to Sweden. Unless, of course, I hear from someone who's catching waders in July-September, in which case there may be little reason to go home in between (I haven't heard from a few people yet, and I still have to mail Manomet). So in September-ish next year, I expect to have seen the world's Calidris and Tringa species, as well as many other interesting waders and whatnots.
Doing a PhD is wonderful.
chillzero
Penultimate Amazing
- Joined
- Dec 11, 2002
- Messages
- 15,547
I looked up the goldfinch in my Little Gem Scottish Birds, and it seems that we were lucky to spot them this far north. I don't know how accurate the book is, but the picture was exactly what we saw, and the book says they are found in small numbers from the Central Lowlands southward. We are in the North East.
Cool.
Cool.
EHocking
Penultimate Amazing
I won't be pre-empting any of the above, but I'll get last weekend's Poland (Krakow) list together for the country list (no new species, I'm afraind) and in a couple of weeks, a list for Croatia. Should be something new there as we're travelling the length of the country and all the environments from sealevel to alpine.
Piscivore
Smelling fishy
I saw a small flock of feral budgies apparently nesting in the cypress trees at my parents' house this weekend.
EHocking
Penultimate Amazing
Pretty hard to mistake this one for anything else in the UK - the photograph was proof positive for ID.I looked up the goldfinch in my Little Gem Scottish Birds, and it seems that we were lucky to spot them this far north. I don't know how accurate the book is, but the picture was exactly what we saw, and the book says they are found in small numbers from the Central Lowlands southward. We are in the North East.
Cool.
... and the RSPB agrees with you on it's northern distribution
http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/g/goldfinch/index.asp
mummymonkey
Did you spill my pint?
They are common in Lothian, Fife, East Perthshire, Angus and in farmland up the east coast as far as Kincardine. They are locally common in suitable areas of Aberdeenshire, Banff, Moray, Nairn and across to The Black Isle. Scarse in the north and west mainland and absent from most upland areas and the Northern and Western Isles.I looked up the goldfinch in my Little Gem Scottish Birds, and it seems that we were lucky to spot them this far north. I don't know how accurate the book is, but the picture was exactly what we saw, and the book says they are found in small numbers from the Central Lowlands southward. We are in the North East.
Cool.
Kotatsu
Phthirapterist
Well, I got two new species for the Swedish list today, of which one is new for the master list as well:
Cuckoo Cuculus canorus
Icterine Warbler Hippolais icterina
I also managed to catch two Marsh Warblers and one Reed Warbler today in my nets, which is a pretty average amount of birds for a day (sad but true). Forgot my camera, though, or I could have posted some great pictures on how to tell them apart (apart from the sound, which is extremely easy once you know how).
More interestingly, I got lice from both species today, which, according to the Checklist, means two new records for Sweden, and likely a new species for science, as no Menoponids are known from Marsh Warbler (the one from the Reed Warbler is likely Menacanthus eisenachensis, and the new species appears to be a Menacanthus as well, but I can't tell until I get to work). In general, birds of Eastern and Central Europe are quite poorly studied in this regard, and warblers in particular. I don't think there's twenty known species of lice on all the European warblers put together.
So, two new species for my country, one of which may be new for science! Quite good for a few hours in the morning!
Cuckoo Cuculus canorus
Icterine Warbler Hippolais icterina
I also managed to catch two Marsh Warblers and one Reed Warbler today in my nets, which is a pretty average amount of birds for a day (sad but true). Forgot my camera, though, or I could have posted some great pictures on how to tell them apart (apart from the sound, which is extremely easy once you know how).
More interestingly, I got lice from both species today, which, according to the Checklist, means two new records for Sweden, and likely a new species for science, as no Menoponids are known from Marsh Warbler (the one from the Reed Warbler is likely Menacanthus eisenachensis, and the new species appears to be a Menacanthus as well, but I can't tell until I get to work). In general, birds of Eastern and Central Europe are quite poorly studied in this regard, and warblers in particular. I don't think there's twenty known species of lice on all the European warblers put together.
So, two new species for my country, one of which may be new for science! Quite good for a few hours in the morning!
EHocking
Penultimate Amazing
Here's my "country" list for Poland, mostly common urban birds, but did get a very close look (but poor photo) of Fieldfare. I'd forgotten how attractive these birds are as I normally see them at a distance in binoculars.
Krakow, Poland, 24th May
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos
Mute swan Cygnus olor
Tufted duck Aythya fuligula
Swift Apus apus
Black-headed gull Larus ridibundus
Common Tern Sterna hirundo
Little Egret Egretta garzetta
Domestic pigeon Columba livia
Collared dove Streptopelia decaocto
Kingfisher Alcedo atthis
Kestrel Falco tinnunculus
Pheasant Phasianus colchicus
Coot Fulica atra
Short-toed Treecreeper Certhia brachydactyla
Hooded crow Corvus corone
Jackdaw Corvus monedula
Rook Corvus frugilegus
Jay Garrulus glandarius
Magpie Pica pica
Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs
Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis
Greenfinch Carduelis chloris
House martin Delichon urbica
White Wagtail Motacilla alba
Robin Erithacus rubecula
House sparrow Passer domesticus
Starling Sturnus vulgaris
Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla
Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita
Great Tit Parus Major
Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus
Blackbird Turdus merula
Fieldfare Turdus pilaris
Song thrush Turdus philomelos
Great cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo
Green woodpecker Picus viridis
Little grebe Tachybabtus ruficollis
All a bit common, although I notice it is one of the few Kingfisher sightings in the Europe lists.
ETA - new photo added to Gallery today - Great Blue Heron courtesy of Kestrel
Krakow, Poland, 24th May
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos
Mute swan Cygnus olor
Tufted duck Aythya fuligula
Swift Apus apus
Black-headed gull Larus ridibundus
Common Tern Sterna hirundo
Little Egret Egretta garzetta
Domestic pigeon Columba livia
Collared dove Streptopelia decaocto
Kingfisher Alcedo atthis
Kestrel Falco tinnunculus
Pheasant Phasianus colchicus
Coot Fulica atra
Short-toed Treecreeper Certhia brachydactyla
Hooded crow Corvus corone
Jackdaw Corvus monedula
Rook Corvus frugilegus
Jay Garrulus glandarius
Magpie Pica pica
Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs
Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis
Greenfinch Carduelis chloris
House martin Delichon urbica
White Wagtail Motacilla alba
Robin Erithacus rubecula
House sparrow Passer domesticus
Starling Sturnus vulgaris
Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla
Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita
Great Tit Parus Major
Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus
Blackbird Turdus merula
Fieldfare Turdus pilaris
Song thrush Turdus philomelos
Great cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo
Green woodpecker Picus viridis
Little grebe Tachybabtus ruficollis
All a bit common, although I notice it is one of the few Kingfisher sightings in the Europe lists.
ETA - new photo added to Gallery today - Great Blue Heron courtesy of Kestrel
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Elizabeth I
Philosopher
The suphur-crested cockatoo (Cacatua galerita - thanks to Kestrel):
I spotted this little fella last week-end at the foot of the Mt Dandenong Ranges west of Melbourne, Australia.
Next week-end it's into the ranges themselves.
It's the first day of Winter, though, so I'm not too hopeful.
I spotted this little fella last week-end at the foot of the Mt Dandenong Ranges west of Melbourne, Australia.
Next week-end it's into the ranges themselves.
It's the first day of Winter, though, so I'm not too hopeful.
Elizabeth I
Philosopher
Billy Joe, to somebody who has only ever seen a cockatoo in a cage or sitting on somebody's shoulder, that's amazing.
Elizabeth,
There were five of them sitting on the walking track. As I approached, they flew up into an overhanging tree, but all on separate branches - which was a pity. I took about half a dozen shots but this was the only one worthwhile showing.
There were five of them sitting on the walking track. As I approached, they flew up into an overhanging tree, but all on separate branches - which was a pity. I took about half a dozen shots but this was the only one worthwhile showing.
Kotatsu
Phthirapterist
I will add everything after I've got some sleep. Today was the fourth day in a row that I got up at half past two in the morning, went by bike for 45 minutes, and put up some nets near a lake west of where I live. Today, I got no less than eight birds, one of which had lice. That's a new daily record.
No new birds for the list, though, but I can add pictures of Marsh Warbler Acrocephalus palustris, Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus, Greater Whitethroat Sylvia communis, and Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenbaenus, all of which are hand-held, as well as some taken at a distance on some ducks, but they are basically crap.
Now I will go to bed and sleep myself silly.
No new birds for the list, though, but I can add pictures of Marsh Warbler Acrocephalus palustris, Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus, Greater Whitethroat Sylvia communis, and Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenbaenus, all of which are hand-held, as well as some taken at a distance on some ducks, but they are basically crap.
Now I will go to bed and sleep myself silly.
New species for the list spotted June 1 in Colorado, USA.
Riparia riparia Bank Swallow
Icterus spurius Orchard Oriole
Actitis macularia Spotted Sandpiper
Dendroica petechia Yellow Warbler
Calidris fuscicollis White-rumped Sandpiper
Contopus sordidulus Western Wood-Pewee
Aechmophorus occidentalis Western Grebe
Riparia riparia Bank Swallow
Icterus spurius Orchard Oriole
Actitis macularia Spotted Sandpiper
Dendroica petechia Yellow Warbler
Calidris fuscicollis White-rumped Sandpiper
Contopus sordidulus Western Wood-Pewee
Aechmophorus occidentalis Western Grebe