Wildlife early 2009

[Anthony Darby]

According to the AA/RSPB 'Complete Book of British Birds' the robin is Britain's 'national' bird. Its association with Christmas dates back to the 1860s, when greetings cards became fashionable and postmen wore re tunics and were known as 'robins'. Only a quarter live past their first birthday, mainly falling prey to domestic cats. Fights between males can be extremely vicious and may even be to the death. They respond to almost any small patch of red - a red flag to a robin would be a better saying than a red rag to a bull, as the latter can only see in monochrome.

[Ragged Robin]

My greenhouse companion today.

Michael, what a cheery feeling to have a Robin in your greenhouse...one nested in mine a few years ago and I had to provide shading and ventilation so the eggs didn't boil!  I should have fed her meal worms but she was a bit nervous when I was potting up!  thanks for sharing the photos they're really lovely.

[Ragged Robin]

Only the males have the red breast, the females are brown. He is a very bright chappie. We are often accompanied by one in the garden but he has never followed us into the greenhouse.

author= Ashley Here both sexes have the same colouration.  It's fairly hard to tell them apart by appearance alone I think.

Both male and female robins are almost identical.... I believe tha males will be a tad brighter at this time of year as they show off to gain lady friends. Only young robins are brown, they have lovely speckled brown markings.

So which is this, Maggi, male or female?  The baby was waiting to be fed!

[mark smyth]

I've seen many birds photographed using UV film. Some are lovely.

Tom look out for a pair of robins near your house or when you are out and about. I assure you they are different. Look at the goldfinches that come to your feeders. Males are brighter, have more red and have a longer cleaner bill. I used to keep java sparrows that are "identical" except they arent. The male has a chunkier bill.

I would say books on birds are churned out and are based to what has been said before much the same as bulb books

[Anthony Darby]

I had a lodger in the early 90s while he did a PhD on Robins at Stirling University and he would back up the survival figures. It was quite interesting seeing how many robins lived locally by the different coloured rings they were sporting. He discovered that many also migrated to Spain in the winter. One did so with a radio stuck to its bum. It returned in the spring complete with radio (and dud battery).

[TC]

Mark
I have Robins in my garden summer and winter.  Yes, I have noticed plumage differences but this can be attributed to wear.  I have consulted every bird book in my collection including the definitive Handbook of the Birds of the World, vol 10 under Erithracus rubecula "European Robin" which, under a detailed description of plumage states "sexes similar".  The Handbook of the Birds of the Western Palearctic says the same that the sexes are similar and neither give any indication of how to tell the sexes apart.  Both these books are at the top of scientific research and are the standard works in their field.  They are a bit ahead of the Big Boys Book of Birds !
It may be that you have noticed something that others have not and it also may be that more recent research has now been able to pin point differences since these reference books were published.  The British Trust for Ornithology would be interested to hear of your observations.
I can only reiterate that I cannot tell the difference and none of my birdwatching friends can either.

I saw my first Sandwich Tern of the year a couple of days ago along with a flock of 50 Kittiwakes moving up the Clyde.  The Greenland Wheatears and White Wagtails should be passing through any day now with our permanent summer migrants shortly after.

[Stephenb]

The Greenland Wheatears and White Wagtails should be passing through any day now with our permanent summer migrants shortly after.

I see my first White Wagtail here in Norway around 9th April +/-2 days, so this ties in well....

[Anthony Darby]

I got this exciting news from the Woodland trust today.

http://www.naturescalendar.org.uk/findings/newbutterfly.htm

[Ragged Robin]

I got this exciting news from the Woodland trust today.

http://www.naturescalendar.org.uk/findings/newbutterfly.htm

How incredibly exciting - I would love to see this butterfly in it's natural habitat, it's beautiful!

[ranunculus]

Looks a bit 'dated' to me, Anthony!   

[Anthony Darby]

 

[Ragged Robin]

Looks a bit 'dated' to me, Anthony!   

Okay!....I thought the Woodland Trust was more Trustworthy!

[TC]

If I remember correctly this is a hybrid named Inachis io photoshopius It appears from its chrysalis on only one day of the year, at the beginning of April, en masse, like Mayflies.  It mates, lays eggs and dies all on the one day only for the next generation to appear on exactly the same day the following year.

[ranunculus]

Looks a bit 'dated' to me, Anthony!   

Okay!....I thought the Woodland Trust was more Trustworthy!

Sometimes (even with the very best of intentions) one can't see the wood for the trees! 

[Anthony Darby]

I think it is Vanessa atalantisio.