Colourful Birds

Turnstone

Summer is a time of colour for birds – with the adults in their breeding plummage – and the youngsters adding to is as they start to fledge.  Perhaps one of the more startling transformations that is viewable in the UK is that of the Turnstone.  From a drab white and brown winter birds – the adult breeding plumage is a bright orange.

I was lucky enough to see one recently in front of the Tern Hide at Blashford Lakes at the weekend.

Turnstone
Turnstone

Here it is again with a black-headed gull – showing the size difference – and why are the gulls not called brown headed ?

Little & large
Little & large

The redshank – however is bucking the trend…

Redshank
Redshank

Where as the Ringed Plover is always well dressed.

Ringed Plover
Ringed Plover

There were also some colourful – if not overly attractive Eygptian Geese about on the lake.

Egyptian Geese
Egyptian Geese

I mentioned earlier the young – and this – I think Reed Warbler – is just starting to get its adult feathers.

Reed Warbler
Reed Warbler

Yet another colourful – is the oddly named Grey Wagtail.

Grey Wagtail
Grey Wagtail
Grey Wagtail
Grey Wagtail

Finally – in the surrounding reeds – was a Male Reed Bunting with grasshopper food for its young.

Male Reed Bunting with Grasshopper (1)
Male Reed Bunting with Grasshopper (1)
Male Reed Bunting with Grasshopper (2)
Male Reed Bunting with Grasshopper (2)
Male Reed Bunting with Grasshopper (3)
Male Reed Bunting with Grasshopper (3)`

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