Tree SparrowPasser montanus
1DII, 500/4, 1.4xII, 1/500s @ f/5.6 Ev -1/3, Handheld
A quick post to celebrate ....It looks like our pair of Tree Spugs have managed to fledge 3 youngsters. I spotted this one and it's siblings in one of our rose bushes this morning. I've been trying to get a clearer shot since, but they've not been co-operating much as they've moved to the very top branches of a Elderflower tree - they must sense that that entails hanging out of windows and using 2x convertors to try and photograph them .
The parents haven't wasted any time - Dad has been displaying and chirping around a 2nd nest box for the last week, and I thought he must have been after another mate - seems not, according to the BWP Tree Spugs are usually monogamous and mate for life. They're fast movers though! - they're already in the process of cleaning out the old nest box and have been spotted mating again too - so it looks like they're preparing for a 2nd brood .
Good news,I have watching the incredibly annoying bill oddie on springwatch over here and have seen the sparrows leaving the nest early still with the gape like yours and getting ready for a 2nd brood
I have to admit I was surprised to find them out this morning - I was photographing the parent feeding them at the box hole over the weekend and thought from the noise and the gapes that they'd have had at least another 8-10 days before fledging. I've managed to do a recount and have spotted 4 youngsters, by that they seem to have managed better than the house spugs which seem to have 2-3 youngsters in tow.
Things have been a bit weird this summer though with the passerines - we normally have dunnock or blackbird broods fledge 1st, but there's been no sign of them so far - earliest fledgers where the robins, followed a close second by the starling brood by the backdoor, House Spugs, and then Tree Spugs .
Let's hope the Tree sparrows can lodge the younsgters with the rest of the spug flock, and then manage a succesfull 2nd brood!
Bill Oddie...nah, Tim Brook-Taylor is far more annoying
Great storyline of this delicate species. The youngster is better off there in protective cover than in the open for a Sparrowhawk to take it or to have its photo taken.
Nice habitat shot, not all bird piccies need a completely clear background to work well.
Shame about the OOF twig in front of the bird as otherwise a good shot and nice composition. (Might crop to a more squareish format if it were mine, but I'm like that....)
Discussion
6 replies1DII, 500/4, 1.4xII, 1/500s @ f/5.6 Ev -1/3, Handheld
A quick post to celebrate
The parents haven't wasted any time - Dad has been displaying and chirping around a 2nd nest box for the last week, and I thought he must have been after another mate - seems not, according to the BWP Tree Spugs are usually monogamous and mate for life. They're fast movers though! - they're already in the process of cleaning out the old nest box and have been spotted mating again too - so it looks like they're preparing for a 2nd brood
great news that there may be a second brood.
Dave.. Bill Oddie, annoying
Things have been a bit weird this summer though with the passerines - we normally have dunnock or blackbird broods fledge 1st, but there's been no sign of them so far - earliest fledgers where the robins, followed a close second by the starling brood by the backdoor, House Spugs, and then Tree Spugs
Let's hope the Tree sparrows can lodge the younsgters with the rest of the spug flock, and then manage a succesfull 2nd brood!
Bill Oddie...nah, Tim Brook-Taylor is far more annoying
Well taken
Who's
Nice habitat shot, not all bird piccies need a completely clear background to work well.
Shame about the OOF twig in front of the bird as otherwise a good shot and nice composition. (Might crop to a more squareish format if it were mine, but I'm like that....)
Good story too....
cheers
Sean
Enjoyed reading your observations and a good shot to accompany them.
Fingers crossed for a second successful brood.