TonyQ Big Year 2022 - We go again

[TonyQ]

32.UK.32 Blackcap  Sylvia atricapilla

(m) Our Garden, Birmingham       02.01.22

(M) Our Garden, Birmingham       10.02.22

This bird has been a regula visitor during the Winter so far - almost daily. It enjoys the sunflower hearts and the suet block we put out.

In the past, Blackcaps mainly used to migrate away from the UK in winter, but apparantly more are now overwintering here. This may be linked to the warming climate and/or to garden feeding. There is a suggestion that more males stay as they try to get the best territories.

 

I have been waiting to see it in better light, but it never seems to sit out when it is sunny!

This is the only warbler species that visits our garden

 

[TonyQ]

33.UK.33 Starling  Sturnus vulgaris  

Birmingham     14.01.22         

[TonyQ]

34.UK.34 Great Spotted Woodpecker  Dendrocopos major 

(f) Moseley Bog, Birmingham      13.01.22

(m) Birmingham     14.01.22

[TonyQ]

35.UK.35 Black Redstart  Phoenicurus ochruros     

Birmingham     14.01.22

Birmingham     14.01.22

I haven't put the exact location to protect the bird.  It visit feeders in the small front garden in a residential street. (We have seen it in same front garden in November 2020 and January 2019 - so a bit like catching upwith an old friend)

 

Birmingham     14.01.22

A very strange looking photo, I imagine you are thinking!

The solid red background is actually a car parked on the drive of the house next door

         

[Kitsafari]

Nothing as reassuring as a familiar migrant bird returns to the familiar haunts, and you're relieved it survived the journeys!

 

as always, i love the little tits. 

[TonyQ]

@Kitsafarithank you

A few more, these next few from Upton Warren reserve

 

36.UK.36 Little Grebe  Tachybaptus ruficollis           

Upton Warren, Worcestershire           27.01.22

[TonyQ]

37.UK.37 Linnet  Carduelis cannabina          

I will start with an unusual (for me) couple of shots

The largest flock of Linnets I have ever seen - hundreds of them! Upton Warren, Worcestershire           27.01.22

Upton Warren, Worcestershire           27.01.22

Upton Warren, Worcestershire           27.01.22

Upton Warren, Worcestershire           27.01.22

[TonyQ]

38.UK.38 Pochard  Aythya ferina      

Upton Warren, Worcestershire           27.01.22

[TonyQ]

39.UK.39 Pintail  Anas acuta 

The one on the left showing a very common posture!, Upton Warren, Worcestershire           27.01.22

Upton Warren, Worcestershire           27.01.22

Two males having a bit of an argument! Upton Warren, Worcestershire           27.01.22

[TonyQ]

40.UK.40 Buzzard  Buteo buteo        

Upton Warren, Worcestershire           27.01.22

Lifford Resevoir, Birmingham 10.02.22

[TonyQ]

41.UK.41 Lapwing  Vanellus vanellus           

Upton Warren, Worcestershire           27.01.22

[TonyQ]

42.UK.42 Teal  Anas crecca  

(F) Upton Warren, Worcestershire           27.01.22

(M) Upton Warren, Worcestershire           27.01.22

[TonyQ]

43.UK.43 Wren  Trogdolytes trogdolytes      

Hunting in the long grass, Upton Warren, Worcestershire           27.01.22

Upton Warren, Worcestershire           27.01.22

Showing the characteristic upright tail, Upton Warren, Worcestershire           27.01.22

 

That is all from this trip to Upton Warren

[lmSA84]

Love that first Buzzard shot, fantastic light

 

I have to admit that I’ve never seen a Linnet flock like that. They always seem to be in small groups when I see them

Edited February 15, 2022 by lmSA84

[PeterHG]

An amazing shot of those Linnets!

[Galana]

I agree. Linnets here are common as sparrows (maybe even more common) but I have never seen a flock like that. Makes for a great shot too.

[Soukous]

My you have been busy. Terrific additions

[Dave Williams]

Certainly moving forward at a pace! Black Redstart is one I'd like to see but no signs of one  around here this winter.

[TonyQ]

Thank you for the kind comments.

I had never seen Linnets in a large flock before. UPton Warren has a website where daily sightings are recorded. A few days ago it said there were 700+ Linnets - and enourmous number. (I have no idea how they count them)

Anyway, a few more birds, this time from Ladywalk reserve

 

44.UK.44 Gadwall  Anas strepera     

(f) Ladywalk  Reserve, West Midlands   30.01.22

(m) Ladywalk  Reserve, West Midlands   30.01.22

[TonyQ]

45.UK.45 Wigeon  Anas penelope    

Ladywalk  Reserve, West Midlands   30.01.22

Ladywalk  Reserve, West Midlands   30.01.22

[TonyQ]

46.UK.46 Pheasant  Phasianus colchicus    

Ladywalk  Reserve, West Midlands   30.01.22

[TonyQ]

47.UK.47 Dunnock  Prunella modularis        

Ladywalk  Reserve, West Midlands   30.01.22

A very regular visitor, Our Garden, Birmingham       10.02.22

[TonyQ]

48.UK.48 Greenfinch  Carduelis chloris        

Ladywalk  Reserve, West Midlands   30.01.22

Ladywalk  Reserve, West Midlands   30.01.22

Ladywalk  Reserve, West Midlands   30.01.22

[TonyQ]

49.UK.49 Blackbird  Turdus merula  

Ladywalk  Reserve, West Midlands   30.01.22

I think he has now takenup a territory (and the female has started visiting), Our Garden, Birmingham       11.02.22

[TonyQ]

50.UK.50 Goldcrest  Regulus regulus           

Ladywalk  Reserve, West Midlands   30.01.22 

This bird was very high up, heavy crop, Ladywalk  Reserve, West Midlands   30.01.22

         

Our Garden, Birmingham       03.02.22

I was annoyed with myself for this one (Taken through the window while enjoying a pot of coffee). I had been using the camera to photograph a bird in flight and very stupidly didn't adjust the settings back to normal - so it was very overexposed and at a much higher iso than needed. It is quite unusual to see one out in the open in the garden and I made a mess of it!