Serins like a banana toffee whirl
There’s a bird singing like a Canary at the top of a tree at Lago di Alviano. It has the colours of …
Journeying south to spring and north to winter
I’ve spend a large part of my adult life travelling from the south of England, and more lately from the South West …
Scoiattolo!
There’s a Squirrel up in the trees here at Lago di Alviano. It must be Red Squirrel, because we’ve seen them here …
The Hall of Einar Sunday Recommendation #42
Hello and welcome to my Sunday Recommendation. Thanks for joining me. Every week I read great wildlife and nature books, stumble upon …
Hoodies
As we arrive at Parco della Caffarella there’s a Hooded Crow, called a Cornacchia here, frolicking in the flowers. I would have …
Cattle Egret with Sheep
I’m used to having trouble getting photographs of Cattle Egrets being Cattle Egrets. Here’s my Cattle Egret on a Horse shot: Today …
It’s a start…
I can still remember the excitement I felt when I saw my first Puffin on Westray. Naturally I couldn’t believe they were …
The Common Bog
This Greenshank is flying around the Vasche di Maccarese in Italy. It’s a WWF reserve which is a series of artificial ponds …
The Red-tailed Chimneysweep
There’s a beautiful male Black Redstart in the Pratone di Torre Spaccata here in Rome. Unfortunately, this whole area is due to …
In urgent need of a scratch
This Monk Parakeet in Rome is in urgent need of a scratch. It requires the same agility as I used to have …
I can’t believe I’m saying this
I don’t trust the Police. It seems strange to hear me think that, without even having to saying it out-loud; I don’t …
Lucherino
The Siskin, or Lucherino, as it’s known in Italy, is a beautiful, tiny finch. It has gorgeous green colours, a forked tail …
In the pink
Take a moment to look at this magnificent product of natural evolutionary forces and wonder. And then, just when you think life …
Common Kestrels in the Pratone
There’s a stretch of the abandoned land which serves as the natural world here in Rome which I love. I’ve returned here …
Willow Tit
Willow Tits aren’t rare birds. There are hundreds of millions of adults across Europe and Asia. In the UK though? Their population …
How is this possible?
Here’s a taster of what is to come on my blog: I may have just filled my memory card with Greater Flamingoes.
Return to the Bearded Reedlings
Seeing Bearded Reedlings for the first time this year, after dreaming about seeing them for so many years, has been a pleasure. …
Spray
I love how a lively sea gives a different perspective to a Shag’s life.
Non-breeding plumage
There’s a Black-Headed Gull on the lake in beautiful light. It’s still in winter plumage. As am I.
S-bend
Evolution doesn’t result in perfection, but in ridiculous compromises, recoveries from enforced limits and the sheer variety of difference achieved using the …
Adorable
I know that the Bearded Reedling’s head is grey really, but I like to think of it as blue. What colour would …
Carry On Crow
Seeing a Carrion Crow bouncing around like a comedy undertaker is always a joy.
Bring out the bunting
Birds are extraordinary. Reed buntings go from hatching out of an egg to fledging in under 14 days. I’ve had children and …
Stock
The word stock originally meant a wooden post. Farmers would keep their stock animals behind a stock fence made of wooden posts. …
A little bit of the Mediterranean and Linnaeus having a laugh
There’s a Mediterranean Gull in amongst the Black-Headed Gulls here at RSPB Lodmoor. And just like Black-Headed Gulls not having black heads, …
Poundshop Tolkien or Game of Thrones knock-off?
The Premier Inn haven’t cleaned my room properly again. They’ve left someone else’s book next to my bed, which appears to be …
White wedding
Swans are exceptional birds. I particularly like Mute Swans, but that’s because I’ve yet to see a Bewick’s Swan or a Whooper …
Spug
I was surprised to find that House Sparrows have other, local, common names. Then I was shocked that so many people I …
The Magpie’s Box
We were at Tate Britain in London a month or so ago when my eye was drawn to this exhibit, mainly because …
Keeping close to cover
Dunnocks are the very definition of skulking. They often keep low and rarely go far from cover. This time of year, though, …