December 2016

30th. Female blackcap in the garden, and up to 7 redwings stripped the cotoneaster berries in the hedge.

redwing

27th - a visit to Blagdon Lake to see the BLYTH'S PIPIT. I had good views of the bird on the frosty shore. It is noticeably larger than the meadow pipits that it associates with, and moves like a wheatear, running, then standing erect for a few seconds. The lowest image shows the moderately long hind claw. An interesting article about identification here.

Blyth's pipit

Blyth's pipit

Blyth's pipit

The bird is paler and less strongly marked than the similar Richard's pipit, and has a noticeably shorter bill and tail. Richard's pipit below, from Huntspill, November 2005. It also lacks the pointed projections to the black areas on the median coverts.

Richard's pipit

12th-18th. Italy: two days in Rome, then to Tuscany. A woodcock flew from the track to Lucie's house when we arrived on 12th.

Rome

Rome from Pincio Terrace

Trastevere

Piazza della Repubblica

Campo de'fiori

Spanish Steps

Trevi fountain

Basilica di Santa Maria Trastevere

Trastevere

We visited an exhibition of artworks by the remarkable Artemisia Gentileschi.

Cleopatra

Cortona, Tuscany

La Chiesa di Santa Maria Nuova

Cortona

Castiglion Fiorentino, Tuscany

Casiglion Fiorentina

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