The Lincolnshire Bird Club

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

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

Freddie
How can one tell if they are continental Blackbirds?
John

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HI John,

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

Freddy

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! 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

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.

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Regards.
Del.

To err is human. To really louse things up takes a computer

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.

Never to old to learn something new. Thanks Stuart.

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Regards.
Del.

To err is human. To really louse things up takes a computer