.......... not mine but in Exeter never the less. I spent the day photographing what can only be described as a "flock" of Bramblings in an Exeter garden. They have been feeding on the offerings of Black Sunflower since last November and, much to the pride and joy of the house owners, Liz and Chris their appearance has been a daily ocurrance. Very surprisingly they are still here and today, although it was hard to estimate how many still remain, there were more than 6 individulas. The males are coming in to breeding condition and I saw two that have almost solid black caps. Apparently there is another male that didn't show up while I was there. This one has an entirely solid black hood. Perhaps just as amazing was the presence of more than 3 pairs of Bullfinches all coming to the same feeding tray, Of course, Bullfinches are not rare but they are bird that I dont get to see closely everyday of the week and it was a stunning spectacle to see them, especially the spanking breeding condition males. Unfortunately, the light was far too harsh for perfect photos, I was slightly disappointed with the results in the end but I have some interesting photographs showing these males in breeding condition which is unusual in the UK.
One of at least 3 males seen (possibly even 4 or 5). This one has yet to develop the black head.
This is one of the "black-hooded" males, a real spectacle and a very unusual sight in the United Kingdom. By now these birds would normally have departed for their northern breeding grounds, probably Scandinavia but we have had such a cool spring that birds that over-winter in the UK have remained for an unusually extended period.
A pretty female.
I would suggest that this photo is one of the most unusual possible. A male and female Bullfinch, a gorgeous Greenfinch and a spanking male Brambling in breeding plumage.
Recent Comments