tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300766267906463889.post6298316643240916731..comments2024-03-28T08:30:44.045+00:00Comments on Pegler Birding: Lockdown II ends in Tiers! - 3rd to 9th December, 2020Richard Peglerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05115206853645323899noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300766267906463889.post-24578752452752808962020-12-31T13:56:24.155+00:002020-12-31T13:56:24.155+00:00Hello Helma. I am just hoping that it will not be ...Hello Helma. I am just hoping that it will not be too long before the whole world has access to a Covid vaccine, and that everyone has the good sense to take it! It seems to be the only way that we will overcome this terrible virus, as too many people are ignoring the safety rules unnecessarily.<br /><br />I think that a male Bullfinch will always bring a smile with it!<br /><br />Have a safe and healthy 2021, with plenty of opportunities to show us your wonderful photography<br /><br />Best wishes - - - RichardRichard Peglerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05115206853645323899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300766267906463889.post-17922032834220531292020-12-31T12:18:38.129+00:002020-12-31T12:18:38.129+00:00It's good to know that you are both still doin...It's good to know that you are both still doing OK over there in these difficult times, Wally. I'm more than a little concerned that Florida keeps being mentioned as a Covid hot-spot in USA.<br /><br />Currently, we do feel blessed by visits from Bullfinch to the garden. They were absent for couple of weeks recently, but have started to show again from time to time - two males together yesterday and a lone female so far today. It seems that there are even people in UK that envy these visits! However, they are an extremely handsome bird in my opinion, except when they are eating - they are the messiest of eaters and end up with food all round their bills. Their bull-headed outline is also quite unusual.<br /><br />I'm pleased to hear news of the American Kestrels, and that you have a nesting pair. Sadly, falcons, and birds of prey in general, are in decline here. This is, it seems, partly due to farming practices and partly through persecution.<br /><br />Wishing you both a happy and health 2021 and keeping fingers crossed that vaccines can be administered world-wide in the near future. It currently looks as if Lindsay and I will get ours February/March time, but priorities are changing on a regular basis.Richard Peglerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05115206853645323899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300766267906463889.post-2185880814393531652020-12-31T11:54:59.710+00:002020-12-31T11:54:59.710+00:00Thank you, Bob. I hope that you and the family hav...Thank you, Bob. I hope that you and the family have a great 2021 and that Covid is soon sent packing!Richard Peglerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05115206853645323899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300766267906463889.post-33955636401897561982020-12-30T12:18:57.820+00:002020-12-30T12:18:57.820+00:00Hi Richard,
it is also really bad now that almost ...Hi Richard,<br />it is also really bad now that almost the whole world is in a lockdown.<br />Let's hope that in the new year we are heading to, we will have some more freedom and that this nasty virus will be brought under control.<br />Your photos are amazing and especially those of the little egret. You have also been able to photograph the bullfinch nicely. I am always happy when I see the bullfinch :-)<br />I wish you a very nice end and a very nice start to 2021 with hopefully more possibilities.<br />Stay safe and healthy.<br />Greetings, HelmaHelmahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01669041021568049241noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300766267906463889.post-11237471425356786162020-12-29T22:43:32.364+00:002020-12-29T22:43:32.364+00:00We are happy to hear you were able to meet with yo...We are happy to hear you were able to meet with your brother for awhile. <br /><br />As usual, you've managed a superb series of photographs for us to enjoy! Jealous that you have Bullfinches and we don't. Love that Kestrel! Our local area experiences a surge in American Kestrels as several migrants remain here throughout the winter. We were especially excited yesterday to discover a mated pair is still in the spot where we found them nesting last spring. The Florida sub-species of this falcon is becoming less frequently encountered so we're hoping this pair will have another successful breeding season.<br /><br />All here is good. We are blessed with excellent health and the ability to find remote locales for birding and enjoying nature.<br /><br />Here is hoping we all experience a better New Year!Wally Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01121368850135565674noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300766267906463889.post-21369102137233259252020-12-28T20:14:56.541+00:002020-12-28T20:14:56.541+00:00Season's greeting to you Richard and Lindsay. ...Season's greeting to you Richard and Lindsay. You have a collection excellence.Bob Bushellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07819577478571292055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300766267906463889.post-63607229167499145632020-12-23T17:36:38.702+00:002020-12-23T17:36:38.702+00:00Greetings, Mike! If you count quality rather than ...Greetings, Mike! If you count quality rather than quantity, Mike, you don't do too badly - Fox and Hedgehog together is something to cherish. <br /><br />Incidentally, our Hedgehogs all seemed to hibernate early this year - at least, I hope that is what happened! They all disappeared in early November, shortly after bonfire night.<br /><br />I hope you have a most enjoyable Christmas in these difficult times. Best wishes to you for 2021 - Take care and stay safe - - - Richard<br />Richard Peglerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05115206853645323899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300766267906463889.post-60714659522845732662020-12-22T23:30:55.089+00:002020-12-22T23:30:55.089+00:00Hi Richard,
I envy you. You get more in a week tha...Hi Richard,<br />I envy you. You get more in a week than I get in a year. Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.<br />Mike.Mike Attwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17314216249222074615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300766267906463889.post-9344819271302647382020-12-22T19:36:12.640+00:002020-12-22T19:36:12.640+00:00Thank you, Caroline. I think that being in lockdow...Thank you, Caroline. I think that being in lockdown is the safest position in these difficult times. Have a good Christmas! My best wishes to you for 2021 - - - RichardRichard Peglerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05115206853645323899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300766267906463889.post-3245414103280191662020-12-22T18:53:53.134+00:002020-12-22T18:53:53.134+00:00We will do our best to have an enjoyable Christmas...We will do our best to have an enjoyable Christmas this year Frank, and I hope that you and your family will do the same. Thank you so much for your kind wishes. With luck, we will all be offered a vaccine before it is too late, so we can look forward a better time in 2021 and a more traditional Christmas next year. Take good care and stay safe - - - RichardRichard Peglerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05115206853645323899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300766267906463889.post-65285753055351738772020-12-22T18:47:35.241+00:002020-12-22T18:47:35.241+00:00¡Saludos, Germán! Espero que 2021 sea un año mucho...¡Saludos, Germán! Espero que 2021 sea un año mucho mejor para ti y para el resto del mundo, y que este terrible virus pueda ser derrotado, pero creo que tomará algún tiempo todavía. Mientras tanto, tenga mucho cuidado, manténgase a salvo y tenga una buena Navidad. Nos vemos del otro lado - - - Richard<br /><br />Richard Peglerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05115206853645323899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300766267906463889.post-40960404774437464222020-12-22T15:59:31.954+00:002020-12-22T15:59:31.954+00:00Thank you for your very kind and encouraging words...Thank you for your very kind and encouraging words, Roos. I am sorry to hear that you have not seen your family for so long. This terrible virus has caused many difficulties for everyone but, for those that manage to stay healthy, being kept apart from family, and not being able to exchange hugs, has been the most difficult. <br /><br />I hope that your Christmas will be a happy one, even if it will be different to the one that you wish for, and that 2021 will bring the vaccine and safety to you.<br /><br />Looking forward to following your uplifting blog in 2021. My very best wishes - - - RichardRichard Peglerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05115206853645323899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300766267906463889.post-20068045479303222372020-12-22T15:39:40.503+00:002020-12-22T15:39:40.503+00:00The Common Kestrel is not nearly as common in this...The Common Kestrel is not nearly as common in this part of the UK as it was just a few years ago, David. I could virtually guarantee to see one every birding excursion in these parts a few years ago, but its decline has been very noticeable and I do n't see one very often at all - maybe one in five or six outings. I feel sure it is due to the collapse of the food-chain from invertebrates upwards.<br /><br />That mutated virus is giving us great concern, with its estimated more than 70% increase in transmission rate. I'm hoping that we get more information soon on which part, or parts, of the transmission mechanism is causing this, so that we can guage what activities are least safe. Is, for example, it lingering longer on surfaces?, do we need to increase the 2 metre social distancing guidelines (which I think was probably a little inadequate anyway)? Is it now resistant to conventional hand-washing? OK, so I may be a bit paranoid, but I'd rather be paranoid and alive than careless and dead.<br /><br />We're now on self imposed total lockdown, although we do still intend to find a quite place nearby for a Christmas Day picnic lunch, sitting in the car, maybe followed by a short walk if not many people about.<br /><br />Wishing you the best possible for Christmas and 2021. With our love to you and Miriam - - - RichardRichard Peglerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05115206853645323899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300766267906463889.post-14887050205116176402020-12-22T14:46:44.150+00:002020-12-22T14:46:44.150+00:00Beautiful photos. We are in the Netherlands in a l...Beautiful photos. We are in the Netherlands in a lockdown too. I wish you a merry christmas. Greetings Caroline Caroline https://www.blogger.com/profile/09495073220308706114noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300766267906463889.post-91039047786392496852020-12-21T20:42:08.234+00:002020-12-21T20:42:08.234+00:00Hello Richard,
this is the right decision of you ...Hello Richard,<br /> this is the right decision of you to take even better care, the virus is slowly getting out of control but still have a nice Christmas time for you and your family, <br />stay healthy, <br /> Regards Frankwaldlaeufer68 Frank Scholtyssekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15054940091779028444noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300766267906463889.post-37023628638727865872020-12-21T19:30:56.926+00:002020-12-21T19:30:56.926+00:00Unas fotos extraordinarias, enhorabuena Richard!!!...Unas fotos extraordinarias, enhorabuena Richard!!! Te deseo unas felices fiestas de Navidad y un inmejorable año nuevo lleno de aves y rodeado de naturaleza. Un fuerte abrazo desde el norte de España. Germán Ibarra Zorrillahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01264969574304579865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300766267906463889.post-87918512462460276842020-12-21T15:49:53.057+00:002020-12-21T15:49:53.057+00:00Hello Richard and Linsey, first of all I wish you ...Hello Richard and Linsey, first of all I wish you Merry Christmas and for 2021 all the best but most of all good health and that this horrible virus will be stoped at last. Living in Belgium it makes that I did not get to see family sinds February. So good that you did get to see your brother and exchange presents for Christmas but most of all to have been able to see him and talk with each other. Than your photos you were able to take on your outings in nature. They are stunning and the Goosander and the Bullfinches are my favorit. Looking forward to your next anounced blog for the last week of the year. Take care stay healthy and I am sure everything will turn out alright.<br />Warm regards,<br />RoosRooshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02095611236289233818noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300766267906463889.post-35053400964169243232020-12-21T15:20:28.784+00:002020-12-21T15:20:28.784+00:00It's great that you were able to meet up with ...It's great that you were able to meet up with your brother, Richard, and spend an hour catching up on a whole year. In terms of the birds you present for us today, the outstanding picture for me is the Kestrel. I have a real fondness for small falcons and our American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) has become dismayingly scarce in recent years. It is hard to believe that the first time I ever took Miriam birding the first three birds we saw were male kestrels each with a vole (it was an irruption year for microtus voles). These days, if we see one kestrel in a whole month we are delighted. The news out of the UK about this mutation of the coronavirus is disturbing indeed, and Canada has imposed flight bans between our two countries. It is hard to predict when and how this is all going to end. When I was forced to cancel my visit to Australia this year, it was far from my thoughts that I may have to cancel again next year. It looks like you and Lindsay are taking all possible measures to stay safe, but isolation is becoming the norm I fear. Enjoy the holidays as best you can and make sure that COVID does not sneak in through the back door. With love to you both from Miriam and me. DavidDavid M. Gascoigne,https://www.blogger.com/profile/17229638811027153569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300766267906463889.post-41622458311365678182020-12-21T14:45:40.706+00:002020-12-21T14:45:40.706+00:00Thank you - you too, Anne!Thank you - you too, Anne!Richard Peglerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05115206853645323899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300766267906463889.post-16923644189734517882020-12-21T14:39:44.523+00:002020-12-21T14:39:44.523+00:00Thank you, Pete. Very best wishes to you and KT to...Thank you, Pete. Very best wishes to you and KT too for Christmas and 2021. Take good care - - - RichardRichard Peglerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05115206853645323899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300766267906463889.post-79129768789741696882020-12-21T14:38:11.415+00:002020-12-21T14:38:11.415+00:00Thank you, Marc. Sorry if my Bullfinches cause you...Thank you, Marc. Sorry if my Bullfinches cause you some frustration. If the male returns, I'll have a quiet word with him and ask him to pay you a visit.<br /><br />We've currently got four breaks already booked for next year, but have absolutely no confidence that any of them will happen. The situation is looking particularly grim at the moment and I'm sorry to see that you appear to be in the thick of it down there in Kent. Do take very great care, particularly if you have to carry on teaching. <br /><br />Have a good Christmas, even if it will be a very different one. Best wishes to you and yours for 2021 - - - RichardRichard Peglerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05115206853645323899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300766267906463889.post-71498625871786233932020-12-21T13:31:01.819+00:002020-12-21T13:31:01.819+00:00Merry Christmas Richard!Merry Christmas Richard!Anne Hagman-Niilolahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13304937783573595329noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300766267906463889.post-42401170043346864952020-12-21T13:11:53.871+00:002020-12-21T13:11:53.871+00:00Always a good set of images in your accounts Richa...Always a good set of images in your accounts Richard. Continue to take great care, and stay safe for a healthy and Happy Christmas to yourself and Lindsay.<br /><br />Pete Woodruffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16039548314043002357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300766267906463889.post-87948369042651962572020-12-21T12:33:52.904+00:002020-12-21T12:33:52.904+00:00Happy Christmas Richard. I will take that male Bul...Happy Christmas Richard. I will take that male Bullfinch photo as a present to me. I'm sure you post these to wind me up! Stay safe over the holiday period and fingers crossed, we may get out next year at some point... although don't hold our breath as I suspect another lockdown will happen in the new year. Marc Heathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02550045001915567414noreply@blogger.com