Bird Watching a Relaxing Hobby

[papa 695]

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Not a great image, but a little egret fishing in our pond. About half the size of a heron. Little bugger had one goldfish before we chased him off. Not seen him since though so think he was migrating. Quite a bright lad…..fell in the deep bit, floundered his way out, then sat in the edge fishing rather than going in again.

This is what they look like to the uninitiated……
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They were hunted to extinction in a lot of areas during the Victorian age just for those neck plumes (used as hat decorations). I can forgive him a couple of fish in exchange for that outrage.

Their making a comeback now.

[Tim Marlow]

Their making a comeback now.

Fairly common on wetlands these day, I’ve seen loads Ian, especially as I live near the levels. Garden bird it ain’t though :tongue-out3:

[tigersteve]

Another Parakeet, this time in the Surrey Hills near Leatherhead.

[Mini Me]

Didn't know you had 'em wild....or is he an escaped "convict"?

[Tim Marlow]

Didn't know you had 'em wild....or is he an escaped "convict"?

Quite a lot in the wild here now….originally they were escapees or released birds that have since successfully bred and multiplied. There are loads in the London parks. Genetically they have been shown to have originated from India and Pakistan.

[Mini Me]

I have a similar story......when I lived in the S.F. Bay Area we had a huge flock of Parrots that lived in the giant eucalyptus grove one block over from our house. Word was that a shipment of exotic birds got loose at the S.F. Int. Airport and made good on their escape. That was some years before we moved there so the species had not only survived but continued on in a family way. Never could get close enough to get a pic. but they sure were a "noisy" bunch!

[rtfoe]

The construction is still going on but by the time I shot this they were on their lunch break. They've started on hollowing the interior...

I read that the spider hunter female does the nest building but this pair take turns...signs of the times I guess. They're quite colorful with yellow breasts and emerald green backs.

Cheers,
Wabble

[rtfoe]

Got some shots of the construction workers busy at their work... the nest entrance is now having a hood. I guess it becomes a funnel entering from the bottom.

The emerald doesn't show under the shadow though but they seem to be loosing their shine. Perhaps natures camo for survival.
Relaxing in between builds to watch these little guys with a cup of Malaysian tea. :smiling5:

Cheers,
Wabble

[Tim Marlow]

Fantastic stuff. What a great free show to have. As to colour, if it’s like the UK, bird colours are at their best in early spring when they are seeking a mate. Once they find one and start nest building and raising young their colours fade. By the end of the breeding season some birds can look extremely scruffy and tired. Just like people really

[rtfoe]

It's finished and she's moved in. I'm guessing she has laid her eggs as she didn't move or leave the nest when my daughter took this picture just now...

Kind of an awkward spot for a nest...we duck everytime we leave the house fearing to disturb the nests low hanging ends.
Now there's less chatter. There was a point when another male came around to strut his stuff creating quite a commotion. Don't know who she decided upon in the end.

Cheers,
Wabble

[Mini Me]

The little "Hussy"......prolly two timin' her mate! perhaps you should put up a "red light" and charge admission Richard. :tears-of-joy: :thumb2:

[Tim Marlow]

Bloody marvellous! Nature is special isn’t it.

[Tim Marlow]

Saw these just outside our back door earlier….

Not a very good picture, but it’s feathered lollipops (long tailed tits) all over the fat ball feeder. Only three here but seconds before there were about eight!

[JR]

No photo , as we all know what a Black Bird looks like from last year's photos
Just took some raisins out side , went back after getting a hand full of seed to find a male Blackbird eating away.
He didn't even move when I walked up and gave him the seed .

[rtfoe]

Saw these just outside our back door earlier….
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Not a very good picture, but it’s feathered lollipops (long tailed tits) all over the fat ball feeder. Only three here but seconds before there were about eight!

Parliament in session perhaps...lollipops sound better than tits. :smiling6:

Cheers,
Wabble