Birds, Fences, and Critters.

The Black Redstart female   Phoenicurus ochruros.

The Robin

The wren     Tragladytes tragladytes

 

WILD BIRD WEDNESDAYS
SATURDAY'S CRITTERS
I'D RATHER B BIRDIN
GOOD FENCES Click on these links to see more birds, fences, and critters from around the world.

Wisteria Gone Wild

On our travels, hubby and I came across this forlorn looking gate which clearly hadn't been opened for a while.
 

but it was the Wisteria fence that first caught my attention.
 

Just had to share this with you. and am linking it to Good Fences.
 

Just click on the link to see more fences from around the world.
GOOD FENCES

Hawk in Hiding

Suddenly all the birds dispersed, and they seemed startled. I soon realized why, when flying low over the field near my studio, a large bird arrived and flew streight into the centre branches of a tree. Unfortunately the tree was in deep shade and it was even darker in the centre low down near the ground where the bird had perched. Because of it's position it was difficult to determine it's correct size, and it was so dark that at first I thought it was a large blackbird, but as I continued staring through my lens it became clear that it wasn't, but what was it! It was only when I viewed and lightened  my photo's that I realized I had been looking at a hawk, a Sparrowhawk. My first Sparrowhawk sighting, what a thrill! I'm showing them in black and white, as the colour was barely visible.



The Sparrowhawk  Accipiter nisus.
 

 

 

 

 

 

WILD BIRD WEDNESDAYS
SATURDAY'S CRITTERS
I'D RATHER B BIRDIN

A Day at the Beach for Good Fences.

Two weeks ago the beach looked like this.  Note the laughing posts of the fence.
 

Quiet after the August holiday makers have left, September is a lovely month to enjoy the beach.
 

Are those Cormorants I see in the distance!
 

Still not sure!
 

No! Just a few young guys enjoying the surf.
 

The waves weren't large but they gave them a good ride.
 

We enjoyed watching them for a while,
 

and then,
 

we put our best foot forward and,..
 

hubby and I walked to the next beach and back, taking in all the sights and sounds of this lovely day out.
 

GOOD FENCES
SATURDAY'S CRITTERS
I'D RATHER B BIRDIN<

Spotted Flycatcher

The Spotted Flycatcher  Muscicapa striata

Juvenile

They usually perch on look-out on jutting branch with upright posture, and often flick wings,

then launch  out in short sally and snatch some small flying insect.

The Spotted Flycatcher is a specialist at taking airborn insects. .

There is a plum tree outside my studio, where many birds perch, and I can photograph them through the window. Yesterday I saw an adult and a juvenile Spotted Flycatcher. Their plumage is plain brownish-grey with streaking on the breast and forehead, and they have a distintive long tail. Both sexes are alike.
WILD BIRD WEDNESDAYS

Flycatcher

The Pied Flycatcher  Ficedula hypoleuca
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WILD BIRD WEDNESDAYS
SATURDAY'S CRITTERS and I'D RATHER B BIRDIN

Morning Magic.

The Jersey Tiger Moth  Euplagia quadripunctaria
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seen early morning in my garden, this striking moth is one of the most attractive of the Tiger moths. It flies both in the daytime, when it can be found feeding on various flowers, as well as at night, when it is attracted to light.I first published the Tiger moth in 2012, when I saw one in the garden at night, and this is only my second sighting. The main flight period is July to September,and the hairy larvae feed on a range of herbaceous plants including nettle (Urtica). I am joining in the party at Saturday Critters, just click on the link to see more critters from around the world.
SATURDAY'S CRITTERS