Charming images of these beautiful birds. (from 10,000 Birds)

http://10000birds.com/angel-terns.htm

[Well now! Only 2?CHIRPY BIRD-DAY, YARAK!!]

Well now! Only 2?

CHIRPY BIRD-DAY, YARAK!!
 

Thanks for the Heads-Up, Patti!

I have already seen Christmas ads here too! Jeeeez!

And it is said that if the ravens ever leave the Tower of London, the Empire will fall. Thanks for the info, Dale.

On a nature show I saw a couple of years ago, and my memory is fuzzy on this now, they were working hard to protect the Tower of London Ravens from the possibility of getting West Nile Virus...maybe by keeping them indoors...I can't remember the details.  But it was related to that superstition and the national need to know that the tower's Ravens are safe.

Very interesting, Patti. Those ravens are quite something to see.

From Cornell - a good piece about hummingbirds, esp the feeding advice.

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/roundrobin/2011/07/29/youre-seeing-fewer-hummingbirds-at-your-feeder-should-you-worry/

my first thought was, can the chicks be banded?

Yes! And also, aren't most hybrids sterile?

Some good osprey news for a change!

http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/ospreycors-dyfi.html#cr

Happy Feet is getting better!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-14337401

Very efficient! And I bet we all understood the whole "poopen mit der kamera" comment! The universal language.

Fascinating piece from Nature via the BBC.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-14307985

Here's a link to the RSPB for the Crow spp in Ireland (except the Carrion Crow) and the UK.

http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/families/crows.aspx

[CHIRPY BIRD-DAY, HUDDIECAT!Slainte!]

CHIRPY BIRD-DAY, HUDDIECAT!

Slainte!

 

Gotta love those Crow spp!

That's what I thought, Bobbie,  Aren't crows and magpies related?   Are magpies only found in the UK? 
I have always found them fascinating, and I love crows.  There is something about them ...devilish maybe? 
Intelligent?   

We have a number of Crow species here, Margaret - Magpie, Hooded (Grey) Crow, Rook, Raven, Jackdaw, Chough and Jay. I think all are found throughout Ireland, the UK and the continent, where there are also species such as Carrion Crown and Azure-winged Magpie. I will have to check the RSPB website to see if there are others. All intelligent and simply fascinating.

[Whoa - someone who is attending the Eagle Release just flew in on a helicopter! No joke! These eagles ARE rockstars!]

Whoa - someone who is attending the Eagle Release just flew in on a helicopter! No joke! These eagles ARE rockstars!   Found this on FB!

WHAT!!