Today our church was going on the monthly walk and it was a beautiful sunny day. Although everyone else travelled down to Portaferry by car, I decided I would see more birds by bus. This was the best decision as I saw 19 birds by bus.
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| This Jackdaw was the first bird I photographed when arriving at Portaferry |
Birds seen from the bus were Great Tit, House Sparrow, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Hooded Crow, Mistle Thrush, Blackbird, Feral Pigeon, Starling, Wood Pigeon. Oystercatcher, Herring and Black headed Gull, Buzzard, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Mallard, Swallow and House Martin. Of course travelling by bus, I cannot take photos but I find it a challenge to see how many I can see because the bus was travelling quite fast and in 45 minutes only stopped once or twice! I also saw a baby fox and Goat with 2 kids.
I went up to a wooded area and saw a male and female Chaffinch, Robin, Swift and Blue Tit.
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Chaffinch -male
Ash Buds
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While waiting for the others to arrive, I had a coffee by the sea and watched Cormorants flying by and Common Terns diving for food.
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| Common Tern |
When everyone arrived, we boarded the ferry and crossed over to Strangford. I took quite a lot of video of this and it may be ready to show you tomorrow as it takes hours to load. On the other side, we headed for a wooded area and I discovered the wood was a Blue Bell delight. Again, over the next few days I will show you this also. I will insert one photo of Bluebells here.
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| Bluebells |
The leader decided to turn back without going to the bird hide in the wood which was a bit disappointing so we headed for the ferry again because we were having lunch a little out of Strangford at the Salty Dog. There was a church beside the restaurant so I went in to see if there were any birds and a buzzard was flying around but quite a distance away.
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| Buzzard |
Just as I was leaving the church grounds, I saw a Pied Wagtail and a Juvenile.(not such good photos)
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Pied Wagtail
Now for the exciting news. Ruth, like myself was up early as she also was on a walk today so she videoed the Starling chicks before she left. Surprise, the chicks were coming to the slit in the letter box and the parents were feeding them. Will they fledge tomorrow? We will have to wait and see!
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Thank you for visiting my blog so look again tomorrow to see if Ruth's chicks have fledged!
Just heard from Ruth and she is just home from her walk and, 'SURPRISE' 2 of the chicks have fledged and there is only 4 left in the letter box.
Is there a better way to end a day! Enjoy
oh, they are going to be all gone tomorrow!
ReplyDeletethe jackdaw is so handsome. wagtail and chaffinch, too!
Hi Tex I am glad you have seen the chicks.Yes I will be sad to see them go now. What on earth will I talk about!!!! Margaret
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed your friends nest box will have a second clutch of birds, I'll miss them.
ReplyDeleteHi Douglas Yes that would be good. Ruth tells me that often they do have a second brood. They have been using the letter box for about 15 years, of course not the same Starlings!! Margaret
ReplyDeleteGreat news about the Starlings; I was close lol
ReplyDeleteLove the sunlight on those Bluebells. Picking them out like a stage spotlight.
Yes you were close but the war is not over yet. We do not know if they have all left yet. 2 left before my day but will the other 4 leave today? If so, I can claim half the reward!! If the rest do not leave today, you are the winner! Glad you like the Bluebells, I was only sorry I had to leave the wood so early. Margaret
ReplyDelete