posterbirds

 
sparrowhawk

The Council, the folk who look after Warriston, are putting together another newsletter to post in the cemetery and asked did I have any suitable bird images to accompany the one page flier. We have worked together on similar pages that have ended up in Warriston, and I sorted through some seasonal shots of birds mostly taken along the road around this time of year.

They made such a cheerful set I thought I'd post them here as the Council will likely only use a couple of them (at nearer postage stamp size) to illustrate their newsletter. It was something pleasant to do indoors on yet another really grey day when there seemed no point going outdoors. I think this January /February is down on record as the wettest and dullest since Noah. At least it has been mild although it does make you want to migrate to warmer brighter parts.

long-tailed tit

The images were gathered from previous blogs and mostly originate from Winter-into-Spring trips, the majority taken in Warriston. Maybe the best time to photograph many bird species when you get a decent sunny day, as the subjects are happy to come closer for food and easier to see in trees when there is no leaf cover. I didn't spent an age choosing the very best bird pics I've taken, just sieved through a few wintertime blogs for uplifting photos. They are printed so small (on the Council newsletter), that quality is not as important as legibility.

redwing among the daffs

grey wagtail

some Warriston blackbirds (m) have unusually orange beaks

dipper - regularly seen on the Water of Leith

gravestone wren

brown rat - much maligned wildlife

snuck in with the more popular residents!

orange ladybirds get through Winter in a huddle

often on undercuts to avoid being snowed on - only 'birds' in name

dunnock
the background yellow is early Springtime daffodils

coal tit

coal tit on the secret garden (frying pan) bath

ahhh the good old days - all this is gone and overgrown

robin
('Hitler' the tame (if slightly fascist) robin used to handfeed regularly)

robin gathering nesting materials

several of the Thrush/blackbird family
firstly: redwing

blackbird (female)

songthrush on frosty morning

mistle thrush - tend to hide high up trees

Finally a treecreeper and a great spotted woodpecker - both like to climb trees looking for insects on and under the bark. They have penetrating beaks and long powerful claws; and use their tails to support themselves as they climb. Both seen regularly at Warriston although these photos were taken elsewhere.

taken on a trip to Bavelaw hide beside the Pentlands