It's that time of year on my patch, that no matter when you go out you're pretty sure to see the same variety of birds and not much else. There's not much anticipation of finding something new or unusual. It's just how it is in autumn and winter here. On a recent walk along Old Hall Lane I was accompanied by the usual Blue, Great and Long-tailed Tit flocks for visual stimulus. Chaffinches, Robins, Blackbirds and Mistle Thrush kept my ears energised. Then there's always one bird that you know is in the hedge but you can't be sure what it is. You know it's nothing rare, but you need to see it just to confirm it's a Wren or something similar.
Enter the Dunnock, and it's conspicuous 'tseeep' call. I'm pretty sure they could stay undetected if they kept quiet, but I had to see where it was. I waited for a good five minutes leant up against a post trying to keep myself out of sight before it popped up on top of the hedge. We both shared a moment and then went out separate ways.
Like I said before, nothing unusual or rare, but it still put a smile on my face. Job done.
it put a smile on my face too, Adam. I could almost hear its tseep call. Thanks for sharing this unusual [to me] bird. Greetings Jo
ReplyDeleteIt could hide out of sight easily, I agree. Glad it was noisy and let you find it!
ReplyDeleteCute little bird..Looks a little like our finches..a little bigger??
ReplyDeleteBirdwatching teaches patience, doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteSweet shots
ReplyDeleteWhat a handsome birdie! Thank you for sharing him with us at Photo Friday!
ReplyDeleteThe joy of capturing in lens! :)
ReplyDeleteLovely capture.
So cute! This put a smile on my face too, Adam! :)
ReplyDeleteLOL, I am always looking for a new bird to show up in my yard. You never know! Great shots of the Dunnock. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Have a happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteLovely bird!
ReplyDeleteA very beautiful little bird and you captured it perfectly Adam~
ReplyDeleteA very beautiful little bird and you captured it perfectly Adam~
ReplyDeleteI wish I could say the same....finding a variety of birds in MY OWN yard like you. The Dunnock would be a new one for me...but I'm not in your part of the world. In fact, I'd be happy to see something besides a house sparrow.
ReplyDeleteThanks for adding your link to this post at I'd Rather B Birdin' this weekend.
Nice tittle bird mind you. Are you old enough to recall when these were called Hedge Sparrows in some of the guides? I had to relearn it as "Dunnock.
ReplyDeleteThe Noddy basically is a tern - I just think that they are a group of darker species, that are called (for reasons I can't find out) Noddies (or maybe Noddys? - who knows)
Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne
I get the same birds at the suet feeder all the time, but I can always hope for an interesting shot I haven't gotten yet.
ReplyDelete"Enter the Dunnock" could be the title of your great novel, no?
~
Well done! Waiting quietly pays off!
ReplyDeleteLove your Dunnock! I am not very good with bird calls...only know a very few. But it was the singing that made me look in the back yard and discover the Abert's Towhee on my back fence that I posted about a month ago!
ReplyDeleteSitting so proud and pretty/handsome!!!
ReplyDeleteNice creamy background, what's he got in his mouth? Snacks?
ReplyDeleteWhat a pretty bird and fantastic photography as always! x
ReplyDeleteI rather like dunnocks - they are not great beauties compared to other birds but they are common locally so always around. Thanks for being such a great supporter of #AnimalTales and have a lovely Christmas. I wish you the very best of bird watching for 2106.
ReplyDeleteIt is usually the same here, but then a snow goose pops up or a something else, but i enjoy the regulars.... they keep me out and about filling feeders...Michelle
ReplyDeletewhat a lovely moment and photograph, sometimes we're too preoccupied seeing what we know to miss something new
ReplyDelete