Wednesday 1 February 2012

Wings on Wednesday - Rook

Up to a few months ago I used to have regular visits from Rooks  (Corvus frugilegus) so I was quite surprised when I spotted this lone one sat on top of the bird table. At first I though it may have been injured as it wasn't moving much but I guess it was just keeping warm in the cold breeze. They don't usually stay for long and normally beat a hasty retreat if they see me through the kitchen window. It was unusual to see a lone one as Rooks are gregarious birds and normally arrive two or more at a time. Anyway this one stayed put long enough for me to take some portraits and even long enough to set up the video camera to grab a bit of video for Friday.

Rook

They are easy to recognise with their black plumage and large pale beaks which often look gnarled or warty. I think this one would have stayed a lot longer but someone nearby started a chain saw and that was its signal to find somewhere else for a peaceful rest. It won't have had far to fly to its roost as there are at least three Rookeries within a half mile radius of my garden.

On the subject of corvids I just spotted a Magpie approaching the garden which was promptly chased away by a Collared Dove. I can't say I have ever seen a Collared Dove behave aggressively like that before now.

The pictures above were put together after I has watched this YouTube video explaining how to use layers in Photoshop Elements to make a multiple picture.

4 comments:

  1. Fine photos of a fascinating bird John. We have a small rookery down the road from us and I love the way they ride in wind in noisy flocks at this time of year. We've never had one on our bird table although we very occasionally get crows and often have visits from jackdaws. Have you read Mark Cocker's fascinating book on corvids..?

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  2. Great captures, John. I see them on the roof of the house and on the tops of trees in the garden but they never come down for food and neither do the Crows, I have no idea why.

    I noticed the comment I left yesterday has not showed up but perhaps you are waiting until all suggestions are in?

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  3. Thank you Phil. I didn't know of the book but have had a look around and it should be available in ePub format at the end of the month so I'll see how much it cost then.

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  4. Thank you Jan. They only started coming when I put bread in one of the feeders so maybe you might try that. An old fat ball feeder seems best, though they do need something to stand / balance on to reach it.

    Comments for the Guess What received OK. On hold for a few days which seems fairer on the early guessers.

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Thank you for visiting. Hope you enjoyed the pictures. Any comment, or correction to any information or identification I get wrong, is most welcome. John

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