[Jack o’ Lanterns originated in Ireland where people placed candles in]

Jack o’ Lanterns originated in Ireland where people placed candles in hollowed-out turnips to keep away spirits and ghosts on the Samhain holiday.

Who knew?

ME!!!

 

Useless fact for the day:- Did you know that the word 'Plover' is derived from the Latin 'Pluvia' meaning rain, presumably because their migration corresponds with the arrival of seasonal rains. Now you know.

I did not know that, Donna - I love word things!

Today's WAI?

Whoa! Not playing! NOT PLAYING!

Having said... is there something Gannet about this guy? (It would have to be a Juv, if so.) No? Ok - NOT playing!

I liked the 2 beds pushed together. Just like the old days.  Nice Vaca Jim, thanks!

Tee-hee!

Today's WAI?

Whoa! Not playing! NOT PLAYING!

Today's Who Am I?

The answer is Common Snipe. A Jack Snipe would show a dark crescent under the eye and streaking not barring along the flanks. (Not that I would know this but that's what the guy said in Ireland). 

Annette is the winner!  but you all knew it was a Snipe.

Yay, Annette!

(Doesn't everyone know about that dark crescent under the eye? I have often heard people talking about it...)

I always wonder what makes a bird "common"?  To me they're all uncommon and extraordinary!   

I am fond of names like "Sociable Plover".

Poor old Tessa! We know what that's like... And sometimes... just sometimes... I think I can still see them out of the corner of my eye... We have our Belgian Shepherd because she was a rescue girl too.

Oscar Wilde described foxhunting as "The unspeakable in pursuit of the uneatable". The same could describe the medieval practice of bear-baiting (or "baying") as it is carried out - not in the forests of Eastern Europe - but in South Carolina. We don't have to go far to find cruelty.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/07/us/07bears.html?ref=todayspaper

Oh yeah - crows do this too - e.g. rooks, jackdaws.
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And sometimes they fall down the chimneys!
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You know, they do! I had forgotten! When we lived in Dublin, there was a scrabbling sound coming from the fireplace in the bedroom. On and on it went. And I, of course, immediately thought "rat"! But My Hero (Rod) had a look and out came a very sooty starling. Dazed but unharmed, we sent him on his way.

Sheesh, another Power thingy. These Falcons    anything that has to do with Power! Hope all goes well with them this season. A coal burner, could be nice and toasty...hopefully not too hot for them.

It's said that starlings - why esp starlings, I do not know - sit on chimney-tops because the smoke helps to rid them of creepy-crawlies. True or false? Maybe this is what Our Kids are doing...

Oh yeah - crows do this too - e.g. rooks, jackdaws.

That is so very sad.  I'm sure that our local rehabber would have been happy to contact them and help with some advice for the care of this beauty.   

Carol, as I told Donna - I have not been able to find out anything about this from local press. I want to get in touch with BirdWatch to see what the situation is, esp re a rehabber, advice etc. I cannot imagine we do not have anyone here with the necessary knowledge and experience. It continues to be a sad situation. I have known circumstances where shooters have had no fear of going out onto rocky clifftops and knocking down old farm walls to get a clear shot. These are not nice people.

[MAKfalcon (MAK):]

MAKfalcon (MAK): A and B flying above me echupping! Yay! They headed towards TS. Check  the nestbox and I'll meet u all over there

Link:
http://twitter.com/MAKfalcon/statuses/26542063596

And another exciting morning begins - have fun, Guys!

Common Snipe? Woodcook?

Now, there ya go, Annette... this is the problem.

(and... Naa-naa-naa, there IS a Jack Snipe - not that I would be able to pick one out if he came to dinner...)

I'd be really interested in hearing what the general thinking is on this.

http://www.brooklynpaper.com/stories/33/41/all_gooselesscity_2010_10_08_bk.html