Birds Birds Birds

[-Thumper-]

Hi Thumper. Nice to have a mallard couple in your own backyard. They probably have plans to, or allready have a nest in the nearby. Nice photo.

My dad found the nest today and it is in our backyard! He said he thought he saw five eggs.

[asteria]

It is interesting that they eat sunflower seeds, ducks in our park hate them.

[-Thumper-]

Yes, we thought it was odd that they would eat the seeds too.

I unfortunately have terrible news today. When my dad went out to check the nest this morning, the mother duck was gone and so were her eggs. We figure there is a very fat opossum or raccoon somewhere nearby.

[Lussi05]

It has been a while since I visited this topic, and so many beautiful pictures have been posted - Thank you, everyone
Thumper, sorry to hear about the Mallard, and the eggs:(

Birds have started to return from the south here also.

Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris)

European Robin (Erithacus rubecula)

European Goldfinches (Carduelis carduelis) Many of them stays here throughout the winter

[krobbe]

Cranes, Greygoose, Canada goose and Swans have arrived to our region the last days. Except the Swans, who was here for at least tree weeks ago.






The Swans were not in same spot during my photo-session.

[-Thumper-]

Our lovely mama duck, now also known as Gertrude, returned and left us two new eggs today! I have hope for these little ones.

If she abandons them for some reason, I think I will call our Nature Center and see what they think I should do.

[asteria]

Now almost all the ducks have gone from the pond in our park. Only drakes left.

[-Thumper-]

Well, I just went to check on mama duck and her nest. It's destroyed again. Eggshells were left behind this time. If she lays any more, I'm going to see if I can find a nature center or somewhere that will take her and the eggs in before tragedy strikes a third time...

[asteria]

Birds may abandon the nest and even destroy the eggs when somebody disturbs them. It is not a domestic duck or hen, it is a wild bird. Maybe some predator attacked her or maybe she feared of people, decided she chose the wrong place for the nest and left.

[-Thumper-]

She came back with her husband... again.

[airras]

Good afternoon
Jordi sent me these pictures of this "cernicalo" very uncommon in Spain, only this step and it is rare to see on land. It is a "cernicalo patirroja"
(Falco vespertinus)is an adult female...
the photos are of Saturday, in northern Girona

[Lussi05]

How exciting! Great pictures, as always, Airras Do you know the latin name for it, or the english?


The White Wagtail (Motacilla alba) arrived here last week.

And a Common Raven (Corvus corax) passed over me, when I was out and enjoying the sunrise, on sunday morning.

[airras]

Lussi here I leave their names in English and scientific name
The red-footed falcon
Falco vespertinus

[Felis silvestris]

Lovely photos everyone, and nice to see that spring is arriving all over and with spring the birds come "home"

Thumper, what sad story with the ducks! I hope they do find a better place where they and their eggs are protected from predators

[Felis silvestris]

Some of my recent "sightings"

[airras]

today... jijiji

[Felis silvestris]

I don't know if this is rather "Birds Birds Birds" or "Spring feelings" at the Seasons topic

The other day at the roof of the office building:

[Felis silvestris]

They were so cute in the rain

[airras]

Felis
Jordi send me these pictures, but banding peregrine falcon yesterday, this year there are many already ringed more than 30 copies, also explains that have located 28 nests of buzzards, even very young to band.
I also sends this photo of a pigeon leg competition, ringed 600 kmts of Girona, found in a nest of peregrine falcon.

[Felis silvestris]

How sweet they are. And they had a ringed pigeon ... messenger pigeon? Expensive dinner, is yes.
Thanks airras and also to Jordi!