A sign of spring
Mar 31, 2013 08:21:06 #
This is a long time resident of my back yard. A male European Common Blackbird (Turdus merula). Saw him squabbling with a rival male over territory and he is now singing for a mate. A sure sign that spring is approaching even though it is still bitterly cold here and snowing every day.
European Common Blackbird
Mar 31, 2013 08:28:03 #
Nice shot David. Hows Edinburgh today , any snow????
davids999 wrote:
This is a long time resident of my back yard. A male European Common Blackbird (Turdus merula). Saw him squabbling with a rival male over territory and he is now singing for a mate. A sure sign that spring is approaching even though it is still bitterly cold here and snowing every day.
Mar 31, 2013 08:32:45 #
Hi GWR100
Thanks for looking and for the comment. It was clear and very cold last night night but so far today it's been dry and sunny. Let's hope the end is in sight!
Thanks for looking and for the comment. It was clear and very cold last night night but so far today it's been dry and sunny. Let's hope the end is in sight!
Mar 31, 2013 08:42:01 #
Yep, Summers coming. Hopefully be up there soon, A friend has a flat overlooking Newhaven Harbour a Leith, so we use that.
davids999 wrote:
Hi GWR100
Thanks for looking and for the comment. It was clear and very cold last night night but so far today it's been dry and sunny. Let's hope the end is in sight!
Thanks for looking and for the comment. It was clear and very cold last night night but so far today it's been dry and sunny. Let's hope the end is in sight!
Mar 31, 2013 08:43:21 #
Mar 31, 2013 08:52:49 #
Mar 31, 2013 09:10:21 #
Yes we have a resident blackbird that has taken over our front garden and if he is about when we go out he will flutter down to our feet wanting to be fed. This last week he now has a shier female with him ...wonderful to watch.
Mar 31, 2013 09:24:44 #
Hi Doddy
Real characters. Some males become very tame and will take food from your hand but the females never do. There is a drama played out every year. Sometimes magpies and crows will raid the blackbird's nest and take their chicks. If they get them to fledge the chicks are under threat from cats. But they are fearless parents. I have seen this one attack a kestrel. They are also omnivorous. I accidentally mangled a frog with a strimmer one time and he swooped down and ate the frog.
Real characters. Some males become very tame and will take food from your hand but the females never do. There is a drama played out every year. Sometimes magpies and crows will raid the blackbird's nest and take their chicks. If they get them to fledge the chicks are under threat from cats. But they are fearless parents. I have seen this one attack a kestrel. They are also omnivorous. I accidentally mangled a frog with a strimmer one time and he swooped down and ate the frog.
Mar 31, 2013 09:59:55 #
Mar 31, 2013 12:41:02 #
Yes David, cats are a big problem round here, many the time over the years Iv'e chased cats away from the garden when the fledglings have been out, and the way the parent birds react you just know they appreciate it....wonderful.
Apr 3, 2013 16:53:04 #
davids999 wrote:
This is a long time resident of my back yard. A male European Common Blackbird (Turdus merula). Saw him squabbling with a rival male over territory and he is now singing for a mate. A sure sign that spring is approaching even though it is still bitterly cold here and snowing every day.
Nice clear shot davids999.....my blackbird was singing tonight on the roof of the garage....love to hear them sing :thumbup:
Jeanette
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