Tag Archives: white

Parus Major

Great tit – Parus major

The woodland area near home is accessed by passing through an open area of grassland known as By-the-way field. There is a metal gate to enter the woodland. At this point the gravel footpath crosses a bridge over what might generously be called a stream, but probably more accurately, a ditch. This is a great spot to linger a little, to look and listen. The bright sunshine so evident just a few steps back is now shaded by the canopy and branches of tall trees. It takes a second or two for the eyes to adjust.

One of the first birds to be seen and heard here will be the Great tit, Parus Major to give it its latin name. It has a bright yellow breast with a black line running down the centre. The black continues up to its head. There is a black cap and collar, with white cheeks. The back is olive green and the wings are grey / blue with a thin white line.

A Squabble

A squabble of seagulls

Collective nouns come up for discussion in our household now and then. They can be so descriptive. A ‘murder of crows’, a ‘parliament of owls’ and a ‘charm of goldfinch’ all offer some insight into the perceived nature of the birds.

A group of seagulls is known as a squabble. I think this recent image suggests why this particular collective noun may have been selected. This group of black-headed gulls were gathered on a short jetty on the larger of the two lakes at Longham Lakes on New Year’s Eve. As well as this half dozen on the railing there were another group on the deck of the jetty. There were probably about twenty birds or more gathered. at this location. Occasionally they would be disturbed, take to the air, and circle round the lake before returning to this favoured spot. As they jostled for landing positions there would be quarrelsome interactions between the birds.