Over here in the U.S. today, I heard a Nashville warbler singing in a tree above me, but could I SEE it? NO WAY! It wouldn't let me, ha-ha! I love your photos of the birds and water voles!
Actually, that's an intriguing question! Why would most spring warblers in the Americas be so brilliantly colored, but the ones in Europe not so much? (That said, the Nashville warbler is probably one of our plainer-looking spring warblers, though still an eye-catching yellow!)
Ooh good question! We only have around 10 species of warbler and many of them do not stay here in winter. But most European warblers are dull too!
I think yours are a different family of birds altogether, but it doesn’t really explain why our birds are all dull. I guess ours just rely on their complex and varied songs to compete for mates, where yours use their plumage? I’m intrigued though - let me know if you discover the answer!
I'll do that! And I think the European robins are about the most appealing-looking bird there is. Our robins here are larger, and a bit less colorful. (I also never heard of a muntjac until seeing your photo).
I came for the vole bum and it delivered!! What a treat. Saw a sedge warbler just a couple of days ago, very exciting! And what I think was a northern wheatear??
What a brilliant day. I’d love to see a water vole. I thought I heard one once but when I mentioned it to our local wildlife ranger she thought it unlikely. Your photos are amazing. I look forward to the next one.
Oh Gemma, these photos are so beautiful. You capture the birds in a way I can only dream of. The warblers! The Treecreeper with its goofy eyes. The Robin feeding the baby… 🥹
And the water vole!?? We don’t have those that I’m aware of. I love it.
I can’t believe I missed out on all this when I was in England. What a big fat L for me
What a lovely post! These are absolutely stunning photos Gem. What's your secret?
I think I captured a robin fledgling on my wildlife camera, taking a drink. And I have blackbird fledglings and a baby dunnock near the bird feeder. I just checked the pied wagtails nest and it was empty!! I hope I get to see them too.
Thank you. No secret I just take 100s of photos and hope one or two turn out okay! I have been to the reserve a lot at 6am the past few weeks so I suppose that helps.
I love that you have fledglings in your garden - we rarely see any, although the blue tits are in the nest box (and our gutter!).
I’m guessing you have a good camera though too? I only take photos on my phone, so it’s impossible to get those really great shots like yours. I can’t expect miracles!
I love blue tits! I’ve seen ours in and out of the box occasionally, but it’s all very casual so I’m not sure what stage they’re at. Them being in your gutter made me smile. We discovered we have a sparrow nesting under one of our roof tiles this morning - which effectively means it’s in our loft I think? They get in all sorts of places they really shouldn’t! 😆
Oh hah yes I do have one of those big lenses and a nice camera. I was very lucky that a former boyfriend upgraded and gifted me his old gear, I treasure it so much! Your photos are crazy good for a mobile though, I thought you had a camera!
We haven’t seen a sparrow in our garden for 20 years 🥺 although their call is somewhat annoying - I’m still jealous!
Why thank you - That’s a big compliment - I’ll take that!
That’s so sad you haven’t seen sparrows. I take them for granted. I didn’t know there were gardens where they don’t hang out. I shall be all the more appreciative of them now 💚
Over here in the U.S. today, I heard a Nashville warbler singing in a tree above me, but could I SEE it? NO WAY! It wouldn't let me, ha-ha! I love your photos of the birds and water voles!
Ooh Nashville warbler is a new one for me. I love them, thank you! Much prettier than any of our warblers, which are all predominantly brown and cream
Actually, that's an intriguing question! Why would most spring warblers in the Americas be so brilliantly colored, but the ones in Europe not so much? (That said, the Nashville warbler is probably one of our plainer-looking spring warblers, though still an eye-catching yellow!)
Ooh good question! We only have around 10 species of warbler and many of them do not stay here in winter. But most European warblers are dull too!
I think yours are a different family of birds altogether, but it doesn’t really explain why our birds are all dull. I guess ours just rely on their complex and varied songs to compete for mates, where yours use their plumage? I’m intrigued though - let me know if you discover the answer!
I'll do that! And I think the European robins are about the most appealing-looking bird there is. Our robins here are larger, and a bit less colorful. (I also never heard of a muntjac until seeing your photo).
Envious of your water vole sighting. Have not seen one for years. Our local river used to have a thriving population.
Fledgling robins in the garden, bathing and being fed by mum and dad.
Ahh in your garden! We have so many cats around (and my dog) that we don’t see many fledglings in the garden. That sounds lovely
What a lovely description of a great walk, you saw loads! I am definitely going to have to sort a visit there very soon.
That Treecreeper photo is so lovely! And of course the Reed Warbler. Great post.
I came for the vole bum and it delivered!! What a treat. Saw a sedge warbler just a couple of days ago, very exciting! And what I think was a northern wheatear??
What a brilliant day. I’d love to see a water vole. I thought I heard one once but when I mentioned it to our local wildlife ranger she thought it unlikely. Your photos are amazing. I look forward to the next one.
Oh Gemma, these photos are so beautiful. You capture the birds in a way I can only dream of. The warblers! The Treecreeper with its goofy eyes. The Robin feeding the baby… 🥹
And the water vole!?? We don’t have those that I’m aware of. I love it.
I can’t believe I missed out on all this when I was in England. What a big fat L for me
Wonderful essay and photos. Thanks so much for sharing.
First mass of warblers arrived on south winds last night: black and white, yellow, black throated greens… so long awaited!
What a lovely post! These are absolutely stunning photos Gem. What's your secret?
I think I captured a robin fledgling on my wildlife camera, taking a drink. And I have blackbird fledglings and a baby dunnock near the bird feeder. I just checked the pied wagtails nest and it was empty!! I hope I get to see them too.
Thank you. No secret I just take 100s of photos and hope one or two turn out okay! I have been to the reserve a lot at 6am the past few weeks so I suppose that helps.
I love that you have fledglings in your garden - we rarely see any, although the blue tits are in the nest box (and our gutter!).
I’m guessing you have a good camera though too? I only take photos on my phone, so it’s impossible to get those really great shots like yours. I can’t expect miracles!
I love blue tits! I’ve seen ours in and out of the box occasionally, but it’s all very casual so I’m not sure what stage they’re at. Them being in your gutter made me smile. We discovered we have a sparrow nesting under one of our roof tiles this morning - which effectively means it’s in our loft I think? They get in all sorts of places they really shouldn’t! 😆
Oh hah yes I do have one of those big lenses and a nice camera. I was very lucky that a former boyfriend upgraded and gifted me his old gear, I treasure it so much! Your photos are crazy good for a mobile though, I thought you had a camera!
We haven’t seen a sparrow in our garden for 20 years 🥺 although their call is somewhat annoying - I’m still jealous!
Why thank you - That’s a big compliment - I’ll take that!
That’s so sad you haven’t seen sparrows. I take them for granted. I didn’t know there were gardens where they don’t hang out. I shall be all the more appreciative of them now 💚