Adrian Dancy
9P1A7398 Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros) Juvenile. Manchester (Site 2)
1800.25.08.22
Black Redstart juvenile.
This year Manchester city centre has had 2 pairs of nesting Black Redstarts and both have double brooded. According to records Black Redstarts have never double brooded here but then again I don't think anyone has watched and protected them as obsessively as me. I have made it my mission over the last few years to try and prevent early chick mortality which in the past I have witnessed all too often. Many people it seems protect raptor nests (I'm one of them) but it seems there is little or no kudos for looking after nesting Black Redstarts which are, as a breeding species in the UK, about 30 times rarer than Peregrine Falcons! The bird in this image can perhaps be likened to a cat having nine lives. The bird has roosted in car and van engines and so I have had to request the vehicle owners to lift the their car bonnets so I could ensure the bird escapes. This bird has two siblings and they are along with the parents the stars in the private street they currently live in. What a joy!
Best viewed @ 2048 pixels.
9P1A7398 Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros) Juvenile. Manchester (Site 2)
1800.25.08.22
Black Redstart juvenile.
This year Manchester city centre has had 2 pairs of nesting Black Redstarts and both have double brooded. According to records Black Redstarts have never double brooded here but then again I don't think anyone has watched and protected them as obsessively as me. I have made it my mission over the last few years to try and prevent early chick mortality which in the past I have witnessed all too often. Many people it seems protect raptor nests (I'm one of them) but it seems there is little or no kudos for looking after nesting Black Redstarts which are, as a breeding species in the UK, about 30 times rarer than Peregrine Falcons! The bird in this image can perhaps be likened to a cat having nine lives. The bird has roosted in car and van engines and so I have had to request the vehicle owners to lift the their car bonnets so I could ensure the bird escapes. This bird has two siblings and they are along with the parents the stars in the private street they currently live in. What a joy!
Best viewed @ 2048 pixels.