TonyQ Big Year 2017 (A second attempt)

[TonyQ]

11. (UK.11). Dunnock Prunella modularis

Our Garden, Birmingham 04.02.2017

[TonyQ]

12. (UK.12). Greylag Goose Anser anser

Trittiford Pool 10.01.2017

Sandwell Valley 11.01.2017

Wooten Wawen, Warwickshire 05.01.2017

[TonyQ]

13. (UK.13). Canada Goose Branta canadensis

Swanshurst Park, Birmingham 07.02.2017

[TonyQ]

Hybrid Goose (not counted but I found it interesting)

Chasewater 14.01.2017

Possibly some features of Canada Goose, and some of Greylag

[TonyQ]

14. (UK.14). Velvet Scoter Melanitta fusca (new)

Chasewater 14.01.2017

First ebc of the year (but not the last ) Very distant, poor light, but a new bird for us.

[TonyQ]

15. (UK.15). Goldeneye Bucephala clangula

Chasewater 14.01.2017

Chasewater 14.01.2017

[TonyQ]

16. (UK.16). Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus

Our Garden, Birmingham 04.02.2017

Very common, but always a pleasure to see them.

[Peter Connan]

Some more beauties Tony!

[TonyQ]

17. (UK.17). Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus

Swanshurst Park, Birmingham 07.02.2017

First Winter, Swanshurst Park, Birmingham 13.01.2017

Beginning to get dark head, Trittiford Pool 07.02.2017

[TonyQ]

18. (UK.18). Song Thrush Turdus philomelos

Marsh Lane, nr Solihull 20.01.2017

[TonyQ]

19. (UK.19). Buzzard Buteo buteo

Marsh Lane, nr Solihull 20.01.2017

[TonyQ]

20. (UK.20). Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla

(f) Our Garden, Birmingham 07.01.2017

This was the first time we had seen a Blackcap in our garden. The light was poor but we still enjoyed seeing it explore the yellow flowers. A month later we were delighted to see a male.

 

(m) Our Garden, Birmingham 07.02.2017

It even visited the feeder, (m) Our Garden, Birmingham 07.02.2017

[xelas]

@@TonyQ

 

Yes, 4 nights on Mull mid-August. Just a tad too late for puffins but really looking forward to get a good sight of "the big bird" .

 

Some great weather you have had in UK. All grey and miserable on the continent.

[michael-ibk]

Beautiful additions, Tony. Interesting you saw Blackcap, they do not overwinter here in Austria (at least not in my area).

[Treepol]

@@TonyQ I'm pleased you have signed on for a second Big Year. Your Blackbird, Redwing and Blue Tit photos are very appealing.

[elefromoz]

@@TonyQ, well it seems that you enjoy endless blue skies and sunshine in January, who'd have thought. You have some lovely garden visitors, the Blue Tit may be common, but what a pretty little bird.

[TonyQ]

@@michael-ibk

@@Treepol

Thank you

@@xelas

@@elefromoz

Always sunny in the UK . (We do try to get out when we do get a sunny day!)

Edited February 25, 2017 by TonyQ

[TonyQ]

21. (UK.21). Grey Heron Ardea cinerea

Swanshurst Park, Birmingham 07.02.2017

[TonyQ]

22. (UK.22). Magpie Pica pica

Trittiford Pool 07.02.2017

[TonyQ]

23 (UK.23). Mallard Anas platyrhynchos

(m) Swanshurst Park, Birmingham 07.02.2017

(f) Swanshurst Park, Birmingham 07.02.2017

[TonyQ]

24. (UK.24). Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula

(m) Swanshurst Park, Birmingham 07.02.2017

(f) Swanshurst Park, Birmingham 07.02.2017

[TonyQ]

25. (UK.25). Gadwall Anas strepera

Marsh Lane, nr Solihull 20.01.2017

[TonyQ]

26. (UK.26). Teal Anas crecca

(m) Marsh Lane, nr Solihull 20.01.2017

[TonyQ]

27. (UK.27). Pied wagtail Motacilla alba

Swanshurst Park, Birmingham 07.02.2017

[TonyQ]

28. (UK.28). Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella (new)

Marsh Lane, nr Solihull 20.01.2017

We were fairly close to this one, but it is against the light, so difficult to see how bright yellow they are. A new bird for me.

 

Marsh Lane, nr Solihull 20.01.2017

This one was much further away but in the sunlight and really shone!