Wednesday 20 July 2011

Birds on a wire




The above photo`s were Digiscoped on my recent visit to Rutland Water and is a small sign that the Sand Martin colony there has had a fairly successful breeding season. The birds in the pictures are pretty much all juveniles and could be from different colonies from the surrounding area as these birds tend to gather in these mixed groups before making their long trip to Africa in August.

This bird is one of our earliest migrants, with birds arriving in March. They are smaller than a Swallow and slimmer than a House Martin, with brown upperparts and white underparts with a distinct brown band across the breast (a feature that helps tell it apart from the similar House Martin when the colours cannot be seen well). They breed in colonies and depend on vertical sandy banks for nesting. These sites tend to be close to rivers and sand/gravel quarries. They happily use man-made nest sites in areas where their natural choice is limited and perhaps this has enabled their population to stabilise after a massive crash in 1984. The population in the U.K. is estimated to be in the region of 250,000 pairs, although the bird is found throughout most of Europe, Asia and North America.

21 comments:

  1. What a fantastic scene John.

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  2. Lovely images...
    I have a man made sandbank on my patch which has been there for a few years.
    We had our first succesful Sands nesting and breeding there this summer...

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  3. Great to hear success stories like this.
    Let's hope they all make it on their long journey.
    It amazes me how such tiny things make such an incredible journey like that.

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  4. These kind of birds are much like the sparrow in China which can often be seen, they are quite unyielding, it is said there is no sparrow will be living under human's care, they'd rather go on a hunger strike until died. But they are hunters to fields, they would steal harvest.
    Greetings from China. Wish you a nice day.

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  5. John: I look forward to coming back and exploring this post later today--for now, just a head's up that you might enjoy coming over my way to see how you've inspired my post just up today!

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  6. Thanks Roy, it was quite amazing!
    J

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  7. Thankyou Andrew,
    It`s good to hear that these man-made sand banks work! There are a few round my way, all of which have been successful this year, as far as I am aware!
    J

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  8. Hi Keith,
    Yes, it makes a change to hear good news! It amazes me too that these little birds fly hundreds of miles to somewhere they have never been before and what`s more, they know where they are going!
    J

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  9. Hello Chinatours,
    These Sand Martins don`t feed on crops, they are insect eaters, so would be welcomed by farmers to get rid of any pests that may damage their harvest!
    J

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  10. Hi Susan,
    Many thanks, I will be over to check it out soon!
    J

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  11. What wonderful photographs these are, and how good to see such plenitude! What is it about birds on a wire that is so specially appealing? I am always looking up to see who's on the wire. You ARE a consummate birder, in my view!

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  12. A footnote: something about that mackerel sky (or so it looks to me) really sets them off, doesn't it?

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  13. A lovely sight to see. Amazing how birds manage to fit between the spikes on barbed wire.

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  14. Hi Susan,
    Many thanks! The sky was quite atmospheric, from the safety of the hide ;).
    Thankyou for having such an opinion of my birding skills, I know of a few who would disagree!
    J

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  15. Hi John,
    The whole of the natural world constantly amazes me in what it can do! A question though, before barbed wire, what did birds perch on? ;)
    J

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  16. Thankyou BrandNewStudio!
    J

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  17. Hi John. Not only do I love these (and all of your pictures) but Bird on a Wire (by Leonard Cohen and hundreds of cover versions) is one of my favourite songs!
    Click here for Bazza’s Blog ‘To Discover Ice’

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  18. Hi Bazza,
    You are too kind about my humble efforts! As for that song, I am ashamed to say that I don`t know it, but will endeavour to change that soon!
    J

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  19. "Like a bird on a wire
    Like a drunk in a midnight choir
    I have tried in my way
    To be free"
    Listen here:
    Bazza

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  20. Thanks Bazza, got it now! I find it familiar, but not sure where from!?
    J

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