Here in New Zealand I've noticed - and I'm not alone - that there are a lot more songbirds around this year than usual: a very lot more!
My Dad always said that one should never hate anything and I used to pass that advice on to my partner's young daughter. One day when she said that she hated something (probably Marmite) and I gave her 'a look' she immediately said "Oh very well Graham, I don't like it a very lot". Since then 'a very lot' has become part of family usage. I digressed.
There are a lot more song birds and they are building nests in the bushes round The Cottage as if it was about to go out of fashion. Perhaps it is. Perhaps they know something I don't know.
This is the first nest from the olive tree just outside The Cottage deck/verandah
and this is it's occupant
I can't say that he/she is the prettiest little baby I've seen. In fact 'fearsome' is more how I'd describe the visage.
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That is a very good shot. One of the best.
ReplyDeleteThanks Adrian. I was pleased because it didn't seem too frightened.
DeleteGeorgia would be so jealous if she saw these. Our thrushes (and yes there are a lot of them) are too cunning and build their nests too high. The fearsome shot is a beauty!
ReplyDeleteDespite some very high trees around here as you know Pauline most of the thrush nests I've found have been below head height.
DeleteWhat is it exactly? A frogmouth owl? No, you wouldn't class them as songbirds.
ReplyDeleteIt's a baby thrush Carol. It's just that the angle is rather unusual.
DeleteIt's the kind of face only a mother can love. Not much birdsong to be heard here right now; give it 4 to 5 months, and things will be a "very lot" different!
ReplyDeleteYou have a point there Meike. As for the season, well you'll soon be getting the spring as our NZ autumn arrives.
Deletewow - awesome picture.
ReplyDeleteI have really noticed a lot of birds here too - was wondering if it was because we are down to two old cats!
Meanwhile I enjoy all the different bird songs.
Fiona it's undoubtedly been a spring to suit songbirds and roses.
DeleteWhat incredible close-up photos GB....lovely as usual. I would nickname that baby bird "Fearless."
ReplyDeleteA lot of birds knocking around here too I've noticed, maybe there is something in the air.
Thanks Virginia. Whatever it is in the air it seems to be pretty widespread.
DeleteWhat a coincidence. I heard the dawn chorus this morning for the first time in forever and it seemed very noisy!
ReplyDeleteLots in our garden too - even two blackbirds nesting within 5 metres of each other, which is most unusual. I put it down to all the bread and fat and jam I've been putting out this winter. But perhaps it's because of the very early and mild spring. We've been eating tomatoes for two weeks already. Wonderful image.
The dawn chorus is very noisy Katherine. I don't have so many songbirds on Lewis so when I arrive in New Zealand the dawn chorus always seems amazing until I get used to it. People who think the countryside is quiet are so very mistaken.
DeleteJust as well she is so tiny, I agree, or else she would be very scary indeed!
ReplyDeleteYes Jenny she was quite small and odd in that she hadn't grown any tail feathers yet.
DeleteI would love to have a bird nest so close to me! And I know I have told you this before, but your thrush looks so very much like an American robin. (Same family, thrushes.)
ReplyDeleteThat shot you took of the baby bird, I think he is saying, "Hey, wait for me in profile, this isn't the best look for me!"
Great photo! I love birds.
Yes Kay as you say it does look like the American robin which, of course, looks nothing like the UK robin nor the NZ robin. You ascribed words amused me: so appropriate.
DeleteA wonderful scene from wildlife. Love it.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mersad.
DeleteI also remember getting a lecture about not hating anything!!!!
ReplyDeleteOh dear Carol. Not a lecture, surely!
DeleteGreat picture of the youngster showing the characteristic of a nestling. It looks like some kind of thrush. You are going to have to identify the bird!!!
ReplyDeleteSorry Red. It is a thrush (Song Thrush, Turdus philomelos).
DeleteI take it you don't get a very lot sleep in the early mornings then? ;)
ReplyDeleteIt wakes me when I return from Scotland Monica but after a few days I get used to it and sleep through it. I sleep through most things: thunderstorms and earthquakes to name but two. However when the children were babies it was my job to look after them at night and the slightest murmur from their room and I was awake. Nothing else would wake me though.
DeleteI'm intrigued to know what might be in the air, or what they might know that you don't? ( but then that is 2 questions that just go round and round. )
ReplyDeleteDo you think it might have something to do with the weather, or the food supply or something more sinister?
I should thing Ali that it's related to the beautiful spring weather and plentiful food supplies here in NZ.
DeleteThey've all migrated in your suitcase from the UK - we hardly had any this year.
ReplyDeleteWhat sort of a spring did you have CJ?
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