Crested Tit - Lopophanes Cristatus

Cairngorms

BIRD GUIDES NOTEABLE . 14/03/2018

Anyone who knows me will probably have guessed that this was the image that I had in mind while I was dragging that dead tree out of this pond last week.

Yesterday afternoon I finally managed to get that shot! :)

One thing I wanted to spend a bit of time doing while up in Ardnamurchan was camera trapping. Using a PIR at a selected spot, it triggers the camera based on movement. It gives a unique perspective, enabling you to capture photos you wouldn’t otherwise be able to.

In this case I was keen to show the Pine Marten that were visiting the cottage I was staying at in their forest environment. A little bit of fill flash was needed as it's quite dark in the wood, but I'm pleased with these.

Crested Tit - Lopophanes Cristatus

Cairngorms

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Red/Common Crossbill - Loxia Curvirostra (m)

The crossbill is a genus, Loxia, of birds in the finch family (Fringillidae), with six species. These birds are characterised by the mandibles with crossed tips, which gives the group its English name. Adult males tend to be red or orange in colour, and females green or yellow, but there is much variation.

Crossbills are specialist feeders on conifer cones, and the unusual bill shape is an adaptation which enables them to extract seeds from cones. These birds are typically found in higher northern hemisphere latitudes, where their food sources grow. They erupt out of the breeding range when the cone crop fails. Crossbills breed very early in the year, often in winter months, to take advantage of maximum cone supplies.

The different species specialise in feeding on different conifer species, with the bill shape optimised for opening that species of conifer. This is achieved by inserting the bill between the conifer cone scales and twisting the lower mandible towards the side to which it crosses, enabling the bird to extract the seed at the bottom of the scale with its tongue.

The mechanism by which the bill-crossing (which usually, but not always, occurs in a 1:1 frequency of left-crossing or right-crossing morphs) is developed, and what determines the direction, has hitherto withstood all attempts to resolve it.

It is very probable that there is a genetic basis underlying the phenomenon (young birds whose bills are still straight will give a cone-opening behavior if their bills are gently pressed, and the crossing develops before the birds are fledged and feeding independently), but at least in the red crossbill (the only species which has been somewhat thoroughly researched regarding this question) there is no straightforward mechanism of heritability.

Population:

UK breeding:

40,000 pairs

Red Squirrel - Scirius Vulgaris

Highlands, Scotland.

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Crested Tit, Cairngorms Scotland UK

Red Squirrel - Scirius Vulgaris

Highlands, Scotland

Thanks to all who take the time to comment/fav etc...Always appreciated.

www.behance.net/gallery/238379529/Details-a-pause-in-the-...

In the heart of the forest, a heavy mist settled, wrapping the surroundings in a mystical embrace. Amidst the ethereal veil, the mossy trees stood tall, their branches adorned with lush green moss that seemed to come alive in the dampness. The air was thick with an enchanting scent, and every step through the forest felt like entering a realm untouched by time, where nature whispered its secrets to those who ventured within.

Coal Tit - Periparus ater

The coal tit (Periparus ater) is a small passerine bird in the tit family, Paridae. It is a widespread and common resident breeder throughout temperate to subtropical Eurasia and northern Africa. The black-crested tit is now usually included in this species.

There are afew different subspecies of the coal tit, those being the British, North African and continental ones. They are most commonly found throughout Europe and Russia in coniferous forests and trees.

The coal tit is an all-year resident throughout almost all range, making only local movements in response to particularly severe weather; only the Siberian birds have a more regular migration.

Coal tits will form small flocks in winter with other tits. This species resembles other tits in acrobatic skill and restless activity, though it more frequently pitches on a trunk, and in little hops resembles a treecreeper (Certhia). Its food is similar to that of the others; it is keen on beechmast, picks out the seeds from fir (Abies) and larch (Larix) cones, and joins Carduelis redpolls and siskins in alders (Alnus) and birches (Betula). It will also visit gardens to feed on a variety of foods put out, particularly sunflower seeds.

Being common and widespread, the coal tit is not considered a threatened species by the

The coal tit has the dubious distinction of having the largest number of bird fleas (Ceratophyllus gallinae) reported from a single nest, 5,754 fleas.

A favourite nesting site is a hole in a rotting tree-stump, often low down, and the nest is deep within the hole; holes in the ground, burrows of mice or rabbits, chinks between the stones in walls, old nests of Pica magpies or other large birds, and squirrel dreys are also occupied. The materials, moss, hair and grass, are closely felted together, and rabbit fur or feathers added for lining. Seven to eleven red-spotted white eggs are laid, usually in May; this species breeds usually once per year.

Crested Tit, Cairngormes Scotland

SONY DSC

Crested Tit - Lopophanes Cristatus

Cairngorms

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Another camera trap photo of a Pine Marten from the Scottish Highlands.

www.facebook.com/alastairmarshphotography.com

Red Squirrel - Scirius Vulgaris

Scottish Highlnds

Thanks to all who take the time to comment etc...Always appreciated.

In the Vlach language, Valia Calda, freely translated to warm valley.

Greece's most virgin and significant forest in the heart of Pindus mountain range.

100% nature.

Save the earth.

Alsace, Les Vosges, France

Lesser Redpoll - Carduelis Caberet

The lesser redpoll is a small passerine bird in the finch family, Fringillidae. It is the smallest, brownest, and most streaked of the redpolls. It is sometimes classified as a subspecies of the common redpoll (Acanthis flammea) but has recently been split from that species by the British Ornithologists' Union. It is native to Europe and has been introduced to New Zealand. Many birds migrate further south in winter, but the mild climate means that it can be found all year round in much of its range, and may be joined by the other two redpoll species in winter.

It was formerly almost restricted to Ireland, most of Great Britain, and the Alps but its range has expanded considerably across central and northern Europe in recent decades. It is a widespread breeding bird in Britain and Ireland although absent from parts of southern and central England. It nests along the North Sea coast from north-east France to Germany and has spread into Denmark, southern Norway, and south-west Sweden. The Alpine population has increased and spread into neighbouring regions. The bird now nests as far east as southern Poland, Slovakia, and northern Romania.

It is a short-distance migrant with many birds spending the winter within the breeding range. Alpine birds often move to lower elevations. In Britain, it becomes more widespread in lowland areas in winter. Some British birds move south to mainland Europe, occasionally reaching as far as Iberia.

It is a sociable bird which usually forages in flocks. It mainly feeds in trees but also feeds on the ground, especially in winter as the supply of seeds becomes reduced. The diet is mostly composed of small seeds such as those of birch, alder, and grasses. Fruit, buds, and invertebrates are also eaten.

Breeding pairs form in late winter. The breeding territory and several pairs will often nest close together in a loose colony. The cup-shaped nest is built by the female, usually in a shrub or tree. It is made of twigs and plant stems with an inner layer of roots, grass, moss, leaves, and other vegetation and a lining of feathers, wool, and hair. Two to seven eggs are laid. They are pale bluish or greenish with reddish or brownish blotches and streaks. The female incubates the eggs for 12–15 days while being fed by the male. The young birds are fed by both parents and fledge after 9–15 days.

Population:

UK breeding:

220,000 pairs

A Walk in the Pine Forest - Sony A7S II, TLT ROKR, Helios 44-2 58mm f/2 lens

SONY DSC

Lesser Redpoll - Carduelis Caberet

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Last week on the border between fog and sun in the Eifel forest...I could hardly tear myself away from it.

Rarely have I seen such a beautiful pine forest with a carpet of moss. That light just made it perfect.

explored: February 2, 2022 #1

Letzte Woche an der Grenze zwischen Nebel und Sonne im Eifelwald...ich konnte mich kaum davon lösen.

Selten habe ich solch einen schönen Tannenwald mit einem Teppich aus Moos gesehen. Dieses Licht machte es einfach perfekt.

Having posted a few photos from Harvest Mice to the Lake District, I thought I'd come back to my week in the Scottish Highlands photographing Pine Marten.

On this particular night I set up a camera trap by this tree as it seems to be on a regular route the animals took from their den site.

I think this Pine Marten is trying to showing us his 'best side'. He's definitely a male!

Crested Tit - Lopophanes Cristatus

Cairngorms, Scotland

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Pine tree plantation at Ooty

Orakutimund is a locality in Tamil Nadu,India near to Karimulimund.

Something I've wanted to try for a long time; remote wide angle photography of Pine Marten during the day. Having had some success using camera traps at night for this type of photography, I never thought I'd get the chance during daylight given how timid they are. But this location is the perfect spot - I have more to show, but for now here's two... :)

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Crested Tit - Lopophanes cristatus

Cairngorms

Captured using an IR Chrome filter from Kolari

A juvenile Crossbill taken earlier this year in Spain.

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BARCELOS (Portugal): Balneário Castrejo de Galegos Santa Maria.

Descoberto em finais da década de setenta do século XX, este balneário da Idade do Ferro encontra-se situado na área intramuros de um castro de pequenas dimensões, implantado num dos sopés do Monte do Facho, nas proximidades da Citânia de Roriz.

Os compartimentos estruturantes deste monumento apresentam-se distribuídos de forma bastante aproximada à de outras construções castrejas com a mesma funcionalidade balnear. A zona do forno, de planta semicircular, foi edificada com falsa cúpula, enquanto a câmara, propriamente dita, apresenta planta rectangular, e foi construída com lajes de assinaláveis dimensões, polidas e trabalhadas nas suas faces internas. Esta divisória possui uma cobertura em forma de mitra. Este complexo é, ainda, composto de uma antecâmara, de planta subrectangular, cuja arquitectura é semelhante à da divisão anterior, embora já não sejam visíveis as lajes que corresponderiam à respectiva cobertura. É nesta parte do balneário que se observa a existência de bancos corridos ao longo dos alçados de maior comprimento.

Uma estela, eventualmente pertencente ao grupo da conhecida “Pedra Formosa”, serviria de passagem para a câmara, como parece indicar a presença de uma abertura nas suas faces. Esta pedra apresenta motivos decorativos nas partes superior e anterior, que nos remetem para o universo da gramática decorativa castreja. Uma outra laje, com um orifício de assinaláveis dimensões, parece estabelecer a ligação com um átrio, do qual se encontraram alguns vestígios.

[AMartins]

info: Balneário Castrejo – JUNTA DE FREGUESIA DE GALEGOS SANTA MARIA. jf-galegossantamaria.pt/pontos-interesse/balneario-castrejo/. Accessed 12 Aug. 2022.

Three Fly Agarics amongst pine forest needle litter on coastal dunes at New Brighton, Christchurch, Aotearoa.

HD PENTAX-DA 20-40mm f2.8-4 Limited

The force of the wind blowing from the sea bends the pines

A Crab Spider welcomes its prey with "open arms" on a wild aster in the aspen parkland region north of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

30 July, 2013.

Slide # GWB_20130730_5265.CR2

In Explore October 9, 2021.

Use of this image on websites, blogs or other media without explicit permission is not permitted.

© Gerard W. Beyersbergen - All Rights Reserved Worldwide In Perpetuity - No Unauthorized Use.

Frassanito (Otranto), Puglia, Italy, July 2021. This beautiful pine forest is still there to date, but another part of it, only a couple of km away, was completely destroyed by a fire only a few days before my visit last month.

Fujifilm X-E1 - Fujinon XF 35mm F1.4 R

A couple more from the camera trapping in Glenborrodale, Ardnamurchan...

This one took a couple of nights to get right, with the camera pointing down the tree. I think it was worth it though.

Shot at the banks of Loch Tay with the picturesque Perthshire Highlands in view.

Thanks to John and his wife Isabella for taking us on a wonderful day long trip to the Highlands. It was the best experience we had so far.

Camera Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi

Exposure 0.001 sec (1/1600)

Aperture f/6.3

Focal Length 55 mm

ISO Speed 200

Exposure Bias -2/3 EV

Len EFS 18-55

Coal Tit - Periparus ater

The coal tit (Periparus ater) is a small passerine bird in the tit family, Paridae. It is a widespread and common resident breeder throughout temperate to subtropical Eurasia and northern Africa. The black-crested tit is now usually included in this species.

There are afew different subspecies of the coal tit, those being the British, North African and continental ones. They are most commonly found throughout Europe and Russia in coniferous forests and trees.

The coal tit is an all-year resident throughout almost all range, making only local movements in response to particularly severe weather; only the Siberian birds have a more regular migration.

Coal tits will form small flocks in winter with other tits. This species resembles other tits in acrobatic skill and restless activity, though it more frequently pitches on a trunk, and in little hops resembles a treecreeper (Certhia). Its food is similar to that of the others; it is keen on beechmast, picks out the seeds from fir (Abies) and larch (Larix) cones, and joins Carduelis redpolls and siskins in alders (Alnus) and birches (Betula). It will also visit gardens to feed on a variety of foods put out, particularly sunflower seeds.

Being common and widespread, the coal tit is not considered a threatened species by the

The coal tit has the dubious distinction of having the largest number of bird fleas (Ceratophyllus gallinae) reported from a single nest, 5,754 fleas.

A favourite nesting site is a hole in a rotting tree-stump, often low down, and the nest is deep within the hole; holes in the ground, burrows of mice or rabbits, chinks between the stones in walls, old nests of Pica magpies or other large birds, and squirrel dreys are also occupied. The materials, moss, hair and grass, are closely felted together, and rabbit fur or feathers added for lining. Seven to eleven red-spotted white eggs are laid, usually in May; this species breeds usually once per year.