Dave Williams Big Year 2017

[Dave Williams]

260) Mediterranean Gull     Ichthyaetus melanocephalus   Dublin Harbour

 

Another poor image but sometimes the view you get isn't the best either but as long as the key features are readily identifiable you can nail it as that species. The jet black head of a Med' Gull in breeding plumage along with a bright red bill make it distinctly different from the Black-headed Gull ( which is actually brown) A lack of black on the wing tips is another key feature as can be seen in the one taking off. 

 

 

[TonyQ]

@Dave Williams

Your Jay is obviously very clever!

(It is interesting how we view different birds and the creatures they kill to survive. We often dislike Magpies and Jays, yet Greater Spotted Woodpeckers raid nests of other birds, as do Herons and we seldom comment on this. And we really admire Golden Eagles. We are an irrational species! I mean "we" throughout this - it is not a dig at you Dave )

[Dave Williams]

@TonyQ   Don't forget the wicked Sparrowhawk Tony, mind you he's helping keeping down my bird feed bill

[PeterHG]

You're certainly reaching respectable numbers, @Dave Williams! And it's only June...

[Dave Williams]

261) Jackdaw  Corvus monedula

A common species here in North Wales.

[Dave Williams]

262) Common Nightingale     Sinemoretz,Bulgaria.

Nightingale,  Luscinia megarhynchos, Bulgaria. by Dave Williams, on Flickr

Edited June 28, 2017 by Dave Williams

[Dave Williams]

263) Greenfinch     Sinemoretz,Bulgaria.

Greenfinch  Chloris chloris, Bulgaria by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[michael-ibk]

Nice shot of the Nightingale. They drive me mad, you hear them so clearly but they are so damn hard to spot.

[Dave Williams]

264) Turtle Dove   Sinemoretz,Bulgaria

Turtle Dove   Streptopelia turtur by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[Dave Williams]

265) Great Cormorant   Sinemoretz,Bulgaria

Cormorant    Phalacrocorax carbo by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[Dave Williams]

266) Great Reed Warbler  Sinemoretz.Bulgaria

Great Reed Warbler  Acrocephalus arundinaceus by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[Dave Williams]

267) Middle Spotted Woodpecker  Sinemoretz,Bulgaria

Middle Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos medius by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[Dave Williams]

268) Red-backed Shrike   Sinemoretz,Bulgaria

Red-backed Shrike   Lanius collurio by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[Dave Williams]

269) Eurasian Nuthatch    Sinemoretz,Bulgaria

Eurasian Nuthatch   Sitta europaea by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[Dave Williams]

270) Eurasian Golden Oriole    Sinemoretz,Bulgaria

 

Very difficult bird as they tend to stay up high in the trees!

Eurasian Golden Oriole    Oriolus oriolus by Dave Williams, on Flickr

Female 

Eurasian Golden Oriole    Oriolus oriolus by Dave Williams, on Flickr

Edited June 29, 2017 by Dave Williams

[PeterHG]

Very good additions again @Dave Williams. Bulgaria delivered a great variety of species for you. That Red-backed Shrike is wonderful!

[xelas]

Bulgaria is establishing itself as a prime birding destination through your excellent photos, @Dave Williams.

[Dave Williams]

271)Tawny Owl

Seen on one of my garden perches late this evening when the light was fading fast. Thrilled to see it for the first time in a couple of years although I hear them calling during the night.

Tawny Owl  Strix aluco by Dave Williams, on Flickr

Edited July 3, 2017 by Dave Williams

[Peter Connan]

Lovely sighting for one's own garden!

[michael-ibk]

What a cool garden guest!

[PeterHG]

What a beautiful sighting in your own garden! A good shot too at iso 4000!

[TonyQ]

What a beautiful owl - and an amazing picture in such low light!

[xelas]

Amazing owl photo on all counts! Maybe we should have a BYGTG in your garden, @Dave Williams .

[Dave Williams]

272) Cirl Bunting   Simemoretz,Bulgaria 

Cirl Bunting Emberiza cirlus by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[Dave Williams]

273)Common Whitethroat     Sinemoretz,Bulgaria

Common Whitethroat   Sylvia communis by Dave Williams, on Flickr