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Unexpected Visitor to BBH Garden 27th September
http://lbcarchive.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=23200		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  Freddy Johnson [ Sun Sep 27, 2015 3:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Unexpected Visitor to BBH Garden 27th September
In addition to the recently arrived group of 6 (possibly 'Continental') Blackbirds in the garden, a Great-spotted Woodpecker landed in my Sentinel Crabapple tree early pm today (Sun). It was only the second observed appearance of a GSW in/near the garden in the past 13 years. The first was in the upper branches of a nearby Elm which has since been felled.

The last special guests to grace the Sentinel were several Waxwings during the UK irruption in December 2010.

Freddy
Author:  Colin Scott [ Sun Sep 27, 2015 7:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Unexpected Visitor to BBH Garden 27th September
If as has been suggested by the weather people, though they are often wrong we may well be in for another big freeze winter....
You may well be getting Waxwings in the garden again Freeddie...!


http://www.ashfordherald.co.uk/El-Nino- ... story.html
Author:  John Clarkson [ Mon Sep 28, 2015 9:37 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Unexpected Visitor to BBH Garden 27th September
Freddie
How can one tell if they are continental Blackbirds?
John
Author:  Freddy Johnson [ Mon Sep 28, 2015 11:49 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Unexpected Visitor to BBH Garden 27th September
HI John,

One can't. That's why I wrote "possibly".

Freddy
Author:  Freddy Johnson [ Mon Sep 28, 2015 4:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Unexpected Visitor to BBH Garden 27th September
Colin,

We should beware of meteorologists bearing weather forecasts as much as Greeks bearing gifts. Your 'freezing winter' experts could be right but then again they could well come from the same stable as those who in the spring promised us a scorching barbecue summer. Hmnn! :roll: As we all know, the regular forecasters have difficulties in predicting the weather 3 or 4 days ahead, let alone 3 or 4 months, whatever the declared state of el Nino or the Jetstream might be.

On the other hand, if the berry crop fails or is poor in Northern Europe this year, then the UK could indeed be host to thousands of Waxwings, Fieldfares, etc., OUR berry crop is excellent. Has any member news of the state of the N. European berry crop this year? (Google doesn't seem to be of much help).

Freddy
Author:  Derick Evans [ Mon Sep 28, 2015 4:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Unexpected Visitor to BBH Garden 27th September
Freddy Johnson wrote:
HI John,

One can't. That's why I wrote "possibly".

Freddy


Over ther years I've often heard it said that "Continental Blackbirds had dark bills" but bill colour as I understand it, is an indicator of age not race.
Author:  Stuart Britton [ Mon Sep 28, 2015 6:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Unexpected Visitor to BBH Garden 27th September
Derick etc.,
Having been present when hundreds of Blackbirds have been ringed during autumn migration, the "continental" birds are usually identified by biometrics - generally a wing length of 140mm plus. However, from a bird watchers perspective, these birds show characteristics of the 'stockamsel' variety from Germany/Poland with obvious scalloped edges to their feathers and generally "dark" appearance. It is frequently difficult to sex the birds and ageing by bill colour is not definitive. First year birds are identified by their moult limits but after that, their age cannot be determined - hope that helps.
Author:  Derick Evans [ Mon Sep 28, 2015 7:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Unexpected Visitor to BBH Garden 27th September
Never to old to learn something new. Thanks Stuart.
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