Tuesday 8 October 2013

Photograph - Ringo Starr

Another day of fine weather, which the forecasters tell us could be the last for the time being at least, with long periods of bright sunshine, and a gentle breeze to be enjoyed before the cold sets in. Not a lot on my agenda, in fact pretty much a 'stay at the farm' day but even closely confined there are things to see. As usual it was coffee at the Moth Trap, wherein there were a good few insects but only one addition to the Property List.
 GREY PINE CARPET
However, while engaged in the identification process this 
WREN (now called Winter Wren for reasons I cannot figure)
crept through the only gap in one window and more or less allowed me to catch it. A golden opportunity for a photo call not to be missed. Back to the Moths and another 'lost file' on the lap-top where two other 'escapees', which have been denied Property List Status, were found which bring the Parley total to 179.
GEM
DOUBLE LOBED
Loosing photos seems to be coming something of a habit with these, thought 'lost forever', taken at the Portland Bird Observatory during my recent visit. They show what was probably the most interesting and revealing moment of the stay, a
 COMMON WHITETHROAT
of this year's generation showing
 a 'band' on its tail. Not a usual marking for this particular Warbler,
The Assistant Warden explained that this is known as a 'Fault Bar' and indicates a period of feather growth, while in the nest being fed by the parent birds, when nourishment was either absent or in short supply. I have since discovered that this is not an unusual phenomena as since then someone has shown me a similar 'fault line' in their teeth as a result of a bout of measles when a teenager. With little else on the menu I'll leave you with a few more 'archive' images of MADAGASCAN ENDEMIC BIRDS
 MADAGASCAR SCOPS OWL
 male MADAGASCAR FODY
MADAGASCAR HARRIER HAWK
 MADAGASCAR CUCKOO ROLLER
 MADAGASCAR MAGPIE ROBIN
MADAGASCAR HOOPOE
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