First week we spent at a beautiful in Shropshire taking lots of photo's. Here are some of them.
Male Chaffinch (fringilla coelebs). While this male was singing in the tree the female (not as brightly coloured) was collecting nesting material. Feeds on grain and seed. Lays 3-6 eggs.
One of our most common birds, sadly not at home in my garden. They can gather in large numbers and amazingly regional dialect's have been recorded.
Oh, to be in England
Now that April's there,
And whoever wakes in England
Sees, some morning unaware,
That the lowest boughs and the brushwood sheaf,
Round the elm-tree bole are in tiny leaf,
While the chaffinch sings on the orchard bough
In England - Now!
R. Browning
Thrush fledgling being fed. I think it's a song thrush but I don't know for sure .They lay 2-6 eggs and can have 2 broods. Eats fruit, berries, worms, insects, larvae, seeds and snails.
Male Greenfinch (Carduelis chloris) The female is duller in colour. As a child I used to see lot's in the garden but no longer sadly so this was really nice. Fond of feeding from birdtables on seed fruit and berries. They nest in loose colonies and usually have 2 broods.
Thou Linnet! in thy green array,
Presiding spirit here today.
Beneath these fruit-tree boughs that shed
Their snow-white blossoms on my head
With brightest sunshine round me spread
Of springs unclouded weather..
W.Wordsworth.
Pied wagtail (motacilla alba yarrelli). it was amazing watching him catch insects in the field opposite the cottage. They are very agile on the wing. The 3 fledgling's tails bobbed up and down as they waited for the food to arrive. Eats flies, beetles, moths and other insects. Can have up to 3 broods a year. The female is duller in colour and the male is browner in the winter months.
