My blog is mostly about wildlife, particularly birds, walking, days out, all growing things and anything else that comes to mind.
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Saturday 1 January 2011

So the year list of birds starts today....

So today's date is 01/01/11..... and a new year starts. I went over to Barnes; the sky was grey and it was drizzling. But the company was great and a number of familiar faces brought some sunshine into the morning.

I don't normally keep lists and this is not the complete list for this year; the day started with garden birds:

Goldfinch
Greenfinch
Robin
Ring necked Parakeet
Blue tits
Great Tits
Magpie
Feral Pigeon
Starling

Whilst at Barnes there were numbers of many different birds, I didn't note them - but I did see one of the Bitterns albeit very very briefly today.

Looking out from one of the hides, I saw a Green Woodpecker... who had its back to me.

Another window from the same hide, produced a Pintail - very nice - it also had its back to me as did the Coot that was keeping it company!!

The Pintail then ducked down in the water and - yes, you've sussed it - it had its back to me and its tail in the air. I think by now, I was beginning to get the message.

And in all this dullness, these wonderful red winter berries shone out to cheer the first day of the year :D


I have been told, that there is a sky that's blue! And, additionally, there's a strange globe, coloured orange, that's high in the sky and gives light and warmth.... Has anyone seen either of these as I'm beginning to think that someone's pulling a fast one here ;)

11 comments:

holdingmoments said...

Off to a good start with a Bittern Tricia.

Maybe we'll have a heatwave soon lol

Tricia Ryder said...

Augers well for the remaining 364 days eh!! A heat wave!! I'd love to believe that Keith lol

Anonymous said...

Love the last Pintail shot Tricia!LoL.

Things can only get better.

paul.

Unknown said...

It's pouring rain here so Boom & I did not go very far. So, your photos look good to me. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River.

Mel said...

Haven't seen any of the birds of your list but would love to!

Have a great year!!

Midmarsh John said...

Considering how cold the weather was at the end of last year I am surprised how many berries there are left - maybe they are not ready for eating yet.
Best wishes for 2011

Chris said...

That's a beautiful start Tricia... Let's hope the year will keep its promise!!! Happy new year to you and your family!

Yoke, said...

Happy New year, Tricia.

And a very good start you've made too.

Great photos, and we are all used to getting to see water birds' backsides and tails, I think. They don't realise that they have such lovely faces!

Claudia said...

I enjoyed watching your photos!

Happy New Year!

Anonymous said...

I had a brief glimpse of the phenomena of which you speak, but not a lot, it has to be said. It's been grey and miserable here a lot lately, in other words!

Happy New Year!

Tricia Ryder said...

My apologies that it's taken so long for me to respond to your comments:

Gary..sorry about your weather :(

Mel - one day perhaps you'll be in the UK and you will get to see them :D

John - I'm not sure that the birds like these particular berries. I have some in the garden and never seen birds near them

Chris... Happy new year (although rather late) to you and yours.

Yoke... lovely to have you visit again.. Hope you have a good year.

Claudia.... thank you and a good year for you too I hope.

Digi - I think it is just that - a phenomena.... happy to new year to you and K :)

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