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Arctic start to woodpecker watch
Today has been bitterly cold! -12 degs and it's due to go as low as -20. So today wrapped up like an Eskimo's mummy, I started my woodpecker watch.
Around the beginning of Feb, is one of the best times to see Woody's drumming on tree trunks, for the start of their territorial claims and to drive out any larvae.
So I venture out, freeze Immediately, icy cutting north wind, regret the whole Idea but grit my teeth & go!
The air is so cold that there are ice particles that are slowly drifting down, they are making a rather beautiful frosting on everything, even as they fall the air seems to glitter. I have not gone far, when I hear a rapid knocking from a thin shrub on my right, I look to find a Lesser-spotted woodpecker, the smallest of our Woodys, on one of the thinnest upright branches.
This is as close as I have ever been, not more than 10 feet away, brilliant views, the best on this cold day. With a super spot, I stand and observe this lovely little bird, about the size of a house sparrow, who is so busy, never staying still for more than a few seconds, drumming constantly and working his way around each branch he visits.
With my bins being able to view at very close range, I follow him along the lane, he is very sociable and does not seem to mind my presence, and am able to get real close views.
I can see all his feathering, every single detail that you sometimes only get a glimpse of, I can even see the staining on his face from the drumming.
Another thing that I now get a good image of, is just how pointed & sharp looking his bill is. It is more than up to the job it is required to do. Long for his size, dark almost black in colour with a powerful look.
This observation lasts for over an hour, and I am amazed at the time I am given to really watch this bird, If you ever get a chance to really spend time observing a single bird like this, I truly advise it, and resist the temptation to leave and find other species, they will always be there!
With cold in every bone, fingers numb and the Image of a waiting hot chocolate and biscuit, I head home wit a contented heart, not that I had far to go, all this took place within 100mteres of my front door. Mind you if it had been any further, I probably would not have stood for such a long time. Took a pic of the place I stood, but not of the bird, I only have a small compact camera, sorry!!
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My patch in winter
The weather here in Bulgaria has been really bad, and the forecast is it's going to get worse!
With our mountain location being turned into a landscape that resembles the Arctic Tundra , with blizzards, biting winds and snow up to our knees.
But still I go out birding, in fact I went out today, -15 degs all day, but the atmosphere was magical, eerie but peaceful. There was not a sound, nothing moved, everything seemed frozen in time (or ice come to think of it) but one could not help ones self for just standing and soaking up the moment!
Anyway I decided to go up to my patch, well the first part at least, no one & nothing had been there as the track was 50cms under snow. It was perfect, so while I was there I took some pics to share with you what part of my patch looks like at this time of year.
I dont have the easiest of patches, that was my choice. I wanted a place that was not frequented that often by people so as to offer the best chance for a wide variety of species as possible.
Sightings today were:
Lesser-spotted Woodpecker, Hawfinch, Green woodpecker, Greenfinch, Nutcracker, Sombre tit, Marsh tit, Raven, Hooded crow, Buzzard, Goldfinch, Bullfinch, Great tit, Blue tit, Long-tailed tit, Magpie, Jay, Blackbird, Starling, Tree sparrow & Sparrowhawk.
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Worst weather so far!
With the weather going from bad to worse!! If it was at all possible! Blizzards & gales, heavy snow 35cms & counting, no electric no Internet & no good news on the forecast front.
I decided to wait till there was a break in todays weather, we had some sun for an hour, then went out looking for foraging bird flocks & took the camera.
Large number's of Goldfinch, Great Tit & Rock Bunting's. Along with Blackbird, Blue, Marsh & Sombre tit. -
A bad winter
The weather so far this winter has been the worst up here in the mountains for some years!
With the forecast showing it to be getting even colder over the next week. Temperatures overnight are as low as -17, but they are saying it will go lower!!
What happens to our little friends now?
I have already noticed a drop in the number of, both Blue & Marsh tit visitors to our feeding stations! But also noted that the number of Jays, has risen, today's count was 11 at any one time.
With the ground so covered and frozen, Blackbirds & Rock Buntings, who are primary ground feeders, are having a really tough time.
But what's in my mind, is to what effect this will have, come spring, to the number of resident birds, and there breeding numbers???
I will monitor, the number of nesting birds in and around, both our village and my patch, to get some comparison, to last year.
I did used to do BBS for the BTO, back in UK for a number of years, so I dont think it will be an Issue to get going.
If anyone else is having a similar change in adverse weather, why not see what numbers you come up with!
RB.
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A find in the snow!
We decided to have a late night walk a couple of days ago, It was -11 degs, biterly cold and driving snow. The Idea was to see if any birds were around at dusk time.
After about 30mins, wesaw something black in the snow! It turned out to be a 10-12 week old puppy!
We could not just leave him there, so I tucked him into my jacket, brought him home, gave him a warm meal & a soft bed to sleep in, and sleep he did.
The next day, after a phone call to some Brits we know who run a dog rescue, his future looked bright!
But another day passed and his future now is even brighter!!! We decided to keep him. We have called him Kenji, it's Japanese for strength & Intelligent.
He is now well at home, giving our 3 cats, a right old terror time!
See Birding throws up all kinds of unexpected adventures!
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Alone in the snow.
Have you ever noticed how deafening the quiet is in the early morning snow fall?
Today we had heavy snow from the early hours. I decided that it would be good to get out and see how the birds were coping with this bad weather.
Dressing for the occasion & grabbing my bins, I first had to clear the front path to be able to get out. It was very early, and the first thing I noted was.....how quiet it was! It was so quiet it was beautiful! I just found a spot and listened to the peace.
Strange you may think but I kid you not, It was so surreal! It was one of those, so glad to be alive moments. I could have just stood there forever, no worries, no problems, no fear not even the effort of thinking, just peace.
I probably did spend some time, just standing there, but I was here to observe the birds. Something I have done for over 40 years now, and I never get tired of it! I have been keeping field sightings & observations all this time, I have been in many places, but right now I am so glad that I am here, here in the magical setting of the Rhodope mountains, where I have had the pleasure of living with my family for the past 7 years.
I dont think I would rather be anywhere else. The birding in Bulgaria is brilliant all year, with summer visitors arriving soon to start their courtship and nest building.
But right now, on this magical day, it is the everyday birds, the ones that got us i
nterested in the first place, the ones that are there for us everyday, and the ones that are now trying to survive the next cold night, these are the birds I want to see and enjoy! Happy Birding all. -
Autumn Day
Inspired by a friends beautiful Autumn photo, I decided to go birding today, in a different way!
I wanted to get out in the warm sunshine that today offered. So I jump into my old Defender "Betsy" and drove up one of the tracks I use for Off-roading tours!
I really just sat on the bonnet and birdwatched from there, the sun was warm, the sky was this deep bright agean blue, there where birds all around & not a sound but nature!
This is what I wanted, those photos got me thinking that even though the summer was technically, over, it did not mean that autumn does not have it's warm days!
I go birding seriously, I mean everyday. But I wanted to do something so removed from what I would normally do! and I did, and I really enjoyed it!
Species seen: Black Redstart..Chiffchaff..Ring Ouzel..Blackbird..Goldfinch..Gt, Blue, Sombre & Marsh tit..Wren..Robin..Peregrine..Sparrowhawk..Chaffinc- h..Siskin..Brambling.. Jay..Magpie & Nutcracker.
So go on, no matter what you like, just get out there and enjoy...whatever, because if you dont one day, it will be too late!!!! -
Birding gives so much!
I have been birdwatching for over 40yrs now! I am not one that collects ticks in a book, I am happy to see everyday birds....everyday!
Yes it is nice to see something new, it keeps you alert & your interest going on wet days. But for me it is always about the birds that are there day in day out.
When all the summer visitor's have flown back to their wintering grounds, It is those common bird's that remain, that keep us entertained and keep our passion for birds alive!
Working as a bird tour guide, I meet lots of different kinds of people. A lot, not all, are just interested in a new tick, rightly so especially if they are paying to see birds they would not see back home.
But that does not mean, when you are out, you ignore common species. Some serious twicher's can't Identify these bird's, and when asked, they just say, "It's only a ......." I see them all the time!
Well try this.
Think about our small birds, the ones who say behind to face winters harshness.
Think about freezing temperatures, that plummet even more during night time.
Think of, say a Blue tit or Goldcrest, of the time it takes, just to find food.
Think of the effort that goes into staying warm at night, just to wake and do it all again the next day!
Last year I had a serious op, I did not know if I would see my beautiful wife again, or my sons grow up! This year has been another worry, with a drop in business and no news on the immediate horizon.
When I feel like this, I go out birding, for myself. I watch these amazing small everyday birds and I remember. These are what got me interested in the first place!...These are always here for me to see and enjoy!...these make me feel good, and lift my spirits!...and no matter how tough I think I have it!...they have it a lot tougher!!
Go on enjoy.......
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Winter Blogs
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