TonyQ: Big (??) Year 2021

[TonyQ]

A duplicate from the same part of the tree as the Redpolls

Siskin Carduelis spinus        

 

[TonyQ]

44.UK.44. Treecreeper  Certhia familiaris     

Trittiford Park/Dingles, Birmingham    27.02.2021

Trittiford Park/Dingles, Birmingham    27.02.2021

Tricky to photograph as a very small bird moves rapidly from light to shade.

But always a delight to watch them

[PeterHG]

You did very well on the Treecreeper! Lovely additions.

[michael-ibk]

Indeed! And good to find the Redpolls, like them a lot (but rarely see them). 

[xelas]

There are very nice additions, @TonyQ, and you are approaching fast what this year will be an important milestone.

[Soukous]

Redpolls, Siskins, Treecreepers. I know we have them all near here but I have not managed to find them yet. Lovely photos Tony

 

[lmSA84]

Siskin, redpoll and treecreeper - I need to go find that tree! 

[Kitsafari]

lovely little birds, epecially the treecreeper

[TonyQ]

@PeterHG@Kitsafari@lmSA84@Soukous@michael-ibkthank you

@xelasthank you -but the milestone will still take a while - even with this next batch...

 

45.UK.45. Grey Heron  Ardea cinerea          

Kings Norton Local Nature Reserve, Birmingham     28.02.2021  

   

fluffed up for the January cold, Earlswood, nr Birmingham     05.01.2021

[TonyQ]

46.UK.46. Mistle Thrush  Turdus viscivorus 

I am very confident these are Mistle Thrush, Kings Norton Local Nature Reserve, Birmingham     28.02.2021

This one I am quite confident!, Kings Norton Local Nature Reserve, Birmingham     28.02.2021

It is interesting reading or watching information about telling the difference between Mistle and Songthrush. I don't see the value of a size comparison when you never see the two next to each other! They also decribe the difference in the shape of the spots, and the illustaration used doen't really match what they are saying.

But after that moan, I think these are both Mistle Thrush

[TonyQ]

47.UK.47. Goosander  Mergus merganser   

(f) Kings Norton Local Nature Reserve, Birmingham     28.02.2021     

Often seen very distant, but here they (there were 3 of them) seemed quite relaxed.

[TonyQ]

At the moment all sightings are good sightings, but the next one was very exciting for us. We have seen it before but never in Birmingham. This is the first time we have been to this reserve even though it is pretty close. We heard about it through Birdforum where one regular visitor posts frequently and gave it a try.

 

48.UK.48. Dipper  Cinclus cinclus 

    

Kings Norton Local Nature Reserve, Birmingham     28.02.2021

One of the challenges of dippers is that they Dip!, Kings Norton Local Nature Reserve, Birmingham     28.02.2021

Kings Norton Local Nature Reserve, Birmingham     28.02.2021

This reserve is very small, and in particular very narrow, based around a small river/stream (River Cole - tha same river but a few miles away - where we photographed the Kingfisher a few days earlier). Along one edge of the reserve are some warehouses and along the other a road and some houses. It was amazing to be able to see a Dipper very close to the middle of Birmingham. The distribution map in my bird book certainly doesn't put this in their range. The person who visits regularly has seen at least 3 individuals along the river.

 

(I think it will be a before I reach 50 as that is most of the local birds. We will wait for migration +/or the easing of lockdown!)

Edited March 8, 2021 by TonyQ

[Zim Girl]

Great Dipper pictures, Tony.

[Kitsafari]

awesome dipper shots!

[Soukous]

Lovely Dippers. We don't have rivers like that so I won't see one until I can travel a bit further afield. 

[Towlersonsafari]

It is wonderful to see them in Birmingham @TonyQ

[Kalaharikind]

5 hours ago, TonyQ said:

I don't see the value of a size comparison when you never see the two next to each other!

I constantly grumble over that, too! Or, when you have seen the one, but not the other...

 

Catching up on what's been posted in the two or three weeks - lovely additions and duplicates!

 

[Galana]

8 hours ago, TonyQ said:

But after that moan, I think these are both Mistle Thrush

Yes. I think the difference is a combination of several subtle factors and no one bit stands out. Head markings, yellow tinge to the Song Thrush breast and belly all combine to help you get it right.

Great to see Dippers in Brum. Give them a quiet bit of clean stream and they will turn up.

 

Two to go. You can do it! There must be a couple more before the migrants.

[elefromoz]

Well @TonyQif you are struggling with the Mistle vs Song, what chance have I with my European bird list. All my Thrushes and Pipits hav a "?" beside them.

[PeterHG]

Very good additions and how great to have Dippers close by! I haven't seen one in years.

[michael-ibk]

Lovely Dippers, must go look for them myself soon.

[Dave Williams]

Yes, what a tree you found!!! Nearly hit the half way ton, I'm trying to keep up!!

[TonyQ]

Thank you @Dave Williams@michael-ibk@PeterHG@elefromoz@Galana@Kalaharikind@Towlersonsafari@Soukous@Kitsafari@Zim Girl

It took a bit longer than I thought to get going again. Restrictions have been eased a bit so we can travel a little further, and we had a little bit of good weather.

So we went to Ladywalk Reserve which is just outside Birmingham.

And from the car park

 

49.UK.49. Peregrine  Falco peregrinus         

Ladywalk  Reserve, West Midlands   30.03.2021

High up on an electricity pylon - but a good start!

[TonyQ]

50.UK.50. Brambling  Fringilla montifringilla 

Ladywalk  Reserve, West Midlands   30.03.2021

Ladywalk  Reserve, West Midlands   30.03.2021

Only the second time we have seen one, so very pleasing

[TonyQ]

51.UK.51. Green Sandpiper  Tringa ochropus          

Pretty distant, but we take what we can!, Ladywalk  Reserve, West Midlands   30.03.2021

Photobombed by Lesser Black-backed Gulls, Ladywalk  Reserve, West Midlands   30.03.2021