Rose-ringed Parakeet loss of feathers

I was somewhat surprised to see this rather sorry looking Parakeet in the garden in the last couple of days. In all the time I've watched them in, and around, the garden (about 15 years +) I've never seen this before.

It could be some sort of disease as I'm sure it can't be moulting - not to this extent of feather loss.

If anyone has any ideas as to what is happening, I'd be pleased to have your views.

The Paras!

Today being Mothering Sunday, I went down to Mum's and my brother cooked us a roast Sunday lunch - yummy! :D Thanks Bro! Before lunch Mum and I had a drive along the coast - our normal route. However, today the sea front was thronged with people and whereas, normally, we would just stop the car and watch the sea or have a short walk, today there was no easy parking so we just drove along. So no birdies out and about today.

When I awoke at my usual time this morning I was greeted with grey skies! Doh - I've got too used to sun and blue sky!

At about 6.45 I was having my first coffee of the day and idly watching the garden birds. I realised that Spring must be here from the number of Ring-necked Parakeets (or Rose ringed Parakeets) in the garden. During the winter months the numbers are normally anything between 4 - 8 on a daily basis. Once the warmer weather and the breeding season start the numbers increase noticeably. Over the last few days, there's not been fewer than 8 at any one time and this morning, there were 12 in the Apple Tree.

What was interesting is that the majority were male. Normally its mostly females - about 1 male to every four females. Of the 12 this morning 9 were males. Given that the young (from last year) and the females often look the same, I can't positively say the remaining 3 were female but I should think it more likely.

(For those who don't see Paras that often, the male has a black bib and a deep pink ring around its neck - the females don't have this at all except for a very pale and almost indistinguishable green ring).

Whether you like them or loath them, at 6.45 on a dullish morning, they do brighten up the garden a bit!

The full set!


This group were probably having the equivalent as the "lads down at the pub" get together.

Whereas this couple were having a serious natter about something! Whilst it's definitately a male on the left, I'm inclined to think the second bird is a female! (I wonder why!)

The sun had eventually came out and it was a lovely drive back home in gentle early evening sunlight!

Starting tomorrow - Monday 1 Dec

Tomorrow the BBC are transmitting the first of 10 half-hour programmes (screened every weekday for two weeks) on BBC2 - 2.30 p.m to 3.00 p.m. (most regions) - Nature's Top 40. This series is produced by the same production team that gives us Nature's Calendar and presenters include Chris Packham, Mike Dilger, Janet Sumner, Sanjida O'Connell.

Pity it's an afternoon screening and at the time it is! Even the school children won't be home in time to see it. Hope everyone sets up their respective recording devices!

I will be particularly interested in episode 5 which is being screened on Friday 5th December - why? Because a great deal of the "Ring-necked Parakeet" part of the programme was filmed in my garden. In fact it was Graham - the delightful wildlife cameraman - who spotted (what I'd begun to wonder about) the first of seven Bramblings that I had in January of this year!! And I can confirm that in January - the sun was shining!!

Night and Day..... and a LTT

There was almost a full moon last night (13 October) and tonight it will be a full moon - but, today is very cloudy and likely to be so during this evening.

I decided to experiment with taking pictures of the moon. These shots are hand-held (because I was too lazy to fetch the tripod from the boot of my car). I took these from a front window of the house, just using the window-sill to steady my hands - shouldn't have been so lazy and fetched the tripod!!

(The shots are all from the same window)

Moonlight
This picture was taken first with the cloud partially covering it:
f5.6, 1/60 second, 400mm, auto setting


f10, 1/200 second, manual setting, 400mm


Sunrise
Then this morning, in suburbia, the sun rose against a dappled sky.
f13; 1/200 second, Ap. priority, 400mm


f13; 1/2500 second, Ap. priority, 400mm


Edited:
Just after I'd published this post I went outside to clean the windscreen of my car. This coincided with the (almost) daily routine of several Long-tailed Tits; they land in the conifer on the opposite side of the road - then fly to the telephone cable that runs to the house and from there into my back garden to the feeders.

Tonight, I had the camera handy so fired off a few shots. A flock of Ring-necked Parakeets then treated me to a fly-past - travelling west - which is in the direction of the Rugby Club roost - I wonder if they're back there!
(Lousy lighting but they're a record shot)

Ooops - nearly missed this one!



Fly-past of Parakeets

Here comes...... Autumn

Sitting here typing this missive on a grey dull September morning, I'm reflecting on what are the indicators of Autumn starting?

OK - it's been slightly cooler in the mornings these last couple of days. There are a few yellowing and falling leaves but nothing significant yet. Apart from "that ghastly misty and wet Saturday" a while ago, there haven't been any of the Autumnal morning mists - yet!

It's normally the birds visiting my garden that herald the change in season, and this year is no different. The little party of Long-tailed Tits have now moved on having spent their summer holidays at the feeders. The male Chaffinches are starting to show their full colours. The contents of the feeders are going down more quickly in the last few days.

On Wednesday evening I did observe something I've not seen here before. I became aware (at about 19.30) of louder than usual Ring-necked Parakeet noise. It is usual practice for a few to come onto the feeders prior to going to roost, but this was different.

A couple of houses away, on one of the many old and tall Oak Trees, I discovered the cause. Small flocks of RNPs were gathering in the oak trees - I managed to count 40 and suspect there were more hidden amongst the leaves.

I was pretty certain they wouldn't be roosting there as the trees were not tall enough (the seem to prefer London Plane trees), and over the next several minutes they flew off in smaller groups. I'm wondering if they're back at the roost (Esher Rugby Club) they deserted in October of 2007. Thinks a visit is called for soon.

And this morning at about 7.30 the bird numbers in the garden were up significantly.

All at the same time I had:

16 Ring-necked Parakeets (up in the Eucalyptus)
3 Feral Pigeons (only 3 - whey hey)
1 Nuthatch
2 Great Tits
2 Blue Tits
2 Greenfinches (having been getting up to 17 over the last few days)
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker (Juv)
1 Chaffinch (Male

The squirrel came bounding along (as only squirrels can) so most of the smaller birds flew up into the tree. The next visitor was a Coal Tit (I love coal tits) and then ... the drama - all the birds scattered as a female Sparrowhawk swept through the garden chasing a Feral Pigeon - which got away. For several minutes afterwards, the sky was full of birds all flying in different directions; finally the RNPs and Pigeons were circling the garden waiting for it to be safe to land.

This is always such a spectacular sight!

Just a few pics today - all taken earlier in the year; I think I need to hold onto the vision of blue skies and sunshine.






Post publishing comment:
I'd just published this and looking out of the lounge window - a young fox had come into the garden. It was stalking a Pigeon but, the minute the pigeon flapped its wings to take flight, the young fox turned and ran - so funny!

It's all happening this morning!

Early morning serenade.

You could not be blamed for thinking you were in the Himalayas when you hear the sounds that serenade me every morning during late spring and summer.

I filmed this last month and all filming was completed by 6.40 a.m. at the latest. By which time things were beginning to quieten down!


Untitled from Tricia on Vimeo.

Ring-necked Parakeets coming in to roost

The RNPs disappeared from this roost last October (2007). In December a few returned and, at that time, it looked as though the whole roost would come back again as it had done before. But this was not to be. As far as I'm aware, they are still not there.


Ring-necked Parakeets gathering at a roost from Tricia on Vimeo.

Paras and Pandas

Yesterday morning I had in excess of 12 Ring-necked Parakeets in the garden - this was at 6.15 a.m. This evening I had 24 - it was extremely noisy - but didn't detract from watching Dr. Who - ooh it had such a sad ending - glad the tissues were handy.

I had had other plans for today originally, but in the end I went to the cinema with my daughter and grandson to see Kung Foo Panda.

Now this is definitely aimed at children although some of the humour would have been lost on those young ears. However, it was entertaining, funny in places and the graphics were amazing!

That aside, herewith yesterday's little flock of 12!

West End Cygnets - further update

I've not had a great deal of time to do some local patch birding this week - not that I'm complaining though.

Today I had the inevitable food shop to keep me going to over the weekend and as West End Pond is on the way back, I'd packed my camera - "just in case".

I'm happy to report that the three cygnets are still there and my, they have grown. Today I had my own camera with me and I'm reasonably pleased with the results. I was experimenting using Shutter Speed priority - I've got a bit stuck in a rut using aperture priority and I think it's an improvement. Intermittent sunshine and some clouds were the shooting conditions.

The usual other birds about - mallards, going into eclipse and jackdaws strutting their stuff around the pond.

But before I left, the Ring-necked Paras were being their noisy selves.
I think these, up in the Eucalyptus, were in competition with those in the
Apple tree. The ones on the feeders were a great deal quieter!

The three little ones are getting bigger..




Whilst some of the male mallards still seemed to have their
full summer plumage...


some of them are already going into eclipse



One of the many Jackdaws..

Close encounters of the green kind.

I walked into my living room on Thursday and got a bit of a shock. The room is rectangular with the door at the top end. At the far (opposite) end is a large patio door which I'd left open.

As I entered the room a Ring-Necked Parakeet, which had been sitting on the floor, flew up in alarm. It then crashed into a large mirror (which is opposite the patios doors) and immediately flew down to the other end of the room where is crashed into the window ending up in one of my indoor plants.

The dilemma I now had was what to do; the bird was obviously getting distressed and flying about in an alarmed manner. After two abortive attempts to catch it (which was just making the situation worse) I decided just to stand still and it calmed down. Then off it went again trying to get outside, but bumped into the door again!

I had a large "throw" handy, so, as it was nearly at an open door I opened this out creating a backdrop and therefore leaving the only escape route as the open door. It took my directions and flew off happy to be outside in the garden again; it then landed in the usual "Parakeet" tree (a eucalyptus) reunited with its friends.

I believe it was a young one but I was very pleased there was a happy ending :)

Have I missed summer? Part 1

Typically today is worse than yesterday in terms of weather. Gale force winds and rain. Whilst I no longer work I know how precious the long holiday weekends are when five days of the week are spent working. It's a pity that on occasions like this we can't elect to say "OK I'm gonna work today and have a day off when the sun shines"

In the birding arena, I had a visit from a Ring-necked Parakeet today; nothing odd in that as I get them all the time. Except this one was pale blue. I managed to get a record shot, and I'm not being modest. Very poor light and the bird and feeder swinging madly in the wind - ideal for pictures!! It also appears to have a blue ring on it's left leg so I've e-mailed a bird-ringer I know for his input.

We did get a quick sunburst yesterday, so was playing with the macro lens around the garden - thought a bit of colour was necessary to brighten up a dull day today.

It's BLUE! (I haven't edited either of these two pictures at all)


as opposed to the more usual Green

This, I'm pretty sure is a Blue-tailed Damselfly
(unless anyone can tell me differently)

as opposed this one from the other day which I
agree with Pete in thinking it's an

Azure Damselfly

Bumble bee on Pond Iris

Scabious

A Bird's eye view of Digitalis
(Foxglove)

A Scattering of Birds

I was having a cuppa at about 17.30 (ish) today when suddenly a large flock of about 30 Ring-necked Parakeets flew up in all directions; finches, tits and other small birds also scattered as did the 10 or so feral pigeons.

"Sparrowhawk?", thought I. But no, it wasn't a Sparrowhawk but a......

Grey Heron which landed on the roof of a row of maisonettes that back onto my garden. It is not unusual for Grey Heron's to be seen so close (there are three rivers and some reservoirs not far from me) and one had already flown through the garden early this morning; although it flew at a height of about 5 feet, it didn't land in the garden on this occasion.

About 10 minutes later, there was even more drama. The Heron returned but was not to stay long. A crow took umbrage and started dive-bombing the Heron. About 10 Parakeets then circled around the Heron and a few feral Pigeons did the same.

The crow dive-bombed again and this time made contact with the Heron's head; the Heron (quite sensibly I thought) decided enough was enough and flew off through, then over, the garden, hotly pursued by Parakeets, Feral Pigeons and the Crow.

Each time the Heron landed, the noise from the Parakeets was deafening. They certainly made their screeching alarm calls heard.

High drama for a very wet dull afternoon and even more dramatic as this all took place against a backdrop of a very black rain-filled sky.

Spring? Is it coming?

Not a great deal to write about today.

Went upto London to have the sensor on my camera cleaned professionally and what a difference!!

However, these two are definitely in springlike/courting mood.

Parakeets having a bath

This morning the sun was shining and the sky was blue. Looking out of the window watching the birds I became aware that there was a shower. Very strange though as this "shower" was only in one part of the garden.

There were about eight Ring-necked Parakeets up in the Eucalyptus tree and this is where the shower was coming from.

The leaves were covered in water from rain in the early morning and the Paras were using this to bathe in. Much flapping of wings and squawks which went on for about ten minutes.

In all the time the Paras have been coming to my garden, I've never seen this happen before. Equally I've never seen them use either of the bird baths. I can only assume from my observations that this is their way of bathing. Fascinating.

The camera was packed away but did manage to get it set up in time for a few pics before the ablutions were over.

Normally my pictures of parakeets are when they are sitting still on the branches of the trees or when eating from the feeders. These are a bit different!

Walking the Dog

Having been looking after my daughter's dog, it's certainly ensured I get more exercise!

Yesterday was an almost Spring-like day. Lovely blue sky, bright sun and mild for this time of the year. Just had a local walk across the golf course and over to Marney's Pond, on Weston Green, which is extremely pretty and flanked by All Saints Church and a pub. Unfortunately I didn't have my camera with me but did manage to get a picture on my mobile phone. More unfortunately I don't have any means of getting this onto my PC!

I have included a picture that can be found on the All Saints Website (link above)



Marney's Pond. At one time there were some 16 ponds in the area, which were mostly let by the lord of the manor for fishing rights, part of the rent being paid in the fish netted. Now only two remain. This one is named from a family who for many years carried on a timber business in the yard opposite. Holly Cottages, in one of which the family lived, were demolished in 1967 after being declared unfit by the local council. The woodyard was quite a sight, with the timber stacked roof high. Mrs. Marney was the last person to exercise the right to graze animals on the nearby common. The site of the woodyard is now the garden to the Alma Arms public house, a late 18th century building, formerly a private house.

Today we headed off for a longer walk in Bushey Park, with the camera. There was a very strange light to the day. Bright, almost sunny, with some cloud. There are many Weeping Willows around the main lake and the bare branches at this time of the yellow had a distinct yellow glow about them.

Ring-necked Parakeets abounded as usual but today, for the first time, I saw one sitting in a hole in an Oak Tree. Parakeets nest in already created holes and breed quite early in the year. Although there were two who stayed close together, they were both female so not breeding yet!

Some pics from today's dog walking.