A9Birds

They're back! As I ended my last blog with a 'They're coming...' in reference to Ospreys, as I write this I'm just a few minutes past seeing my first Osprey of 2016..and it's sat atop the nest we can view from our garden.  This fills me with joy, but those who follow my A9Birds Facebook page (link below) will know that the long-resident female of said nest (colour ring Green 5B, and referred to as 'Beatrice' by those who followed her satellite-tracked movements, thanks to Roy Dennis' work these past eight years that the tag has been on her) perished in Spain a few weeks ago, having succumbed to malnourishment due to bad weather.  Last year, Green 5B arrived home to find two intruder Ospreys in situ and - without ceremony - kicked them out.  The identity of the bird now sat there tonight could be one of those, or Blue HU (Green 5B's mate) or another, but what it hoped is that Green 5B's passing will simply be another chapter's end and t...

Singasongofspring In my last blog, I mentioned that signs were already appearing of what's probably Mother Nature's greatest season.  Since I wrote those words, more and more birds have been joining the chorus.  At home, most noticeable were Mistle Thrushes - perched on the pines and spruces around us, their short calls stand out against the voices of tits and finches. Mr Mistle Thrush calls in the ladies Whilst oot'n'aboot, however, it's been the unmistakable call of the Yellowhammer that's been a pleasure to the ear.  Described by many (and it's hard not to think any other way) as if singing the phrase "A little bit of bread and no cheeeeeeese!", the males - resplendent in their saffron plumage - perch atop anything they can as they too beckon in prospective partners.  A great sight and sound. " Warm foccacia and a slice of brie!"  Oh no, hang on, that's not right is it...? Kite flying One other bird I often see on...