Let me know when that tide's coming in won't you

Let me know when that tide's coming in won't you

Thursday, 9 April 2020

Summer Visitors during Lockdown

As my camera is currently not aloud out due to the lockdown, I've had to go back to some pictures that I took at a similar time last year. These are of two birds that will almost inevitably serve as a reminder of this terrible COVID-19 lockdown in years to come.

In a year when I was striving so hard to tick off 200 birds, I'd made a fantastic start. Now I'm left wondering if I'll be lucky enough to see our Summer migrants. I understand the importance of the lockdown and I am observing it, it just affects people in different ways.

Anyway, I do enjoy my time outside when I go out and I'm always listening and watching. The sound of the Chiffchaff is a great start to Spring, and I'm hearing more and more of them on my walks.  A great little bird, very similar to the Willow Warbler, which I am hoping that I'll be able to hear or see very soon.

The Chiffchaff


Now, these were a really nice surprise to find last Sunday. Sand Martins!!! I've been waiting for them to arrive, along with the Swallows, and I found 8 of them flying over my local river Bollin where they nest in the river banks. Maybe all is not lost after all. This took my year list to 142.😃


16 comments:

  1. Glad you are able to add to your list whilst still observing lockdown.

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  2. Hello,
    Both the Chifchaff and Sand Martin are great sightings. It is nice you can add to your list. Thank you so much for linking up and sharing your post. Take care! Enjoy your weekend!

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  3. I've not heard of a Sand Martin. Loved its photo & prompts me to go read more about them online.
    Have a blessed Easter my friend. Thanks for sharing your birds & wildlife with us at I'd Rather B Birdin.

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  4. Stay well during these difficult times. For Anni above, what she knows as a Bank Swallow is known as Sand Martin (Riparia riparia) in the rest of the world.

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  5. That's very interesting Adam. Do the Sand Martins nest in the cracks of the wall there. You have seen more than me. yet to see both Swallow and Sand Martin.

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  6. ...such a lovely little thing perched in the willow. Thanks for sharing and stay safe.

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  7. Hello Adam. I too have heard a Chiffchaff song on two mornings. It is spring, but we can't birding... We have to wait. Take care.

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  8. I have never seen a sand martin. such a lovely bird.

    Why are you not allowed to bring out your camera?? A camera will not make anyone sick! Strange.

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  9. Glad you were able to add to your list while on lock down. You can't take your camera out? That would be rough, I keep myself occupied wandering around our yard with mine.

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  10. Neat photos here of some interesting birds.
    Stay well!
    Thanks for sharing at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2020/04/more-from-archives-duke-chapel.html

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  11. Nice shots- nothing like the hunt for different birds. I'm still looking for an eagle, up close enough to get a good shot.
    I hope you had a happy Easter despite the lockdown. We missed our kids and grands greatly.
    Stay safe!

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  12. Such cute visitors!

    Happy Tuesday!

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  13. Chiffchaff? What a cute name!

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  14. They are so cute ..... chubby little feathered friends!

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