July 6 2002

This lovely picture of a Yellow Wagtail is from the Birds of Britain Magazine.Well June was the wettest since records began in some places and July is shaping up to equal that as far as we can see. Rain is almost non-stop and when it does stop people almost remember the date and the time of day that such a stoppage took place and where they were at the time of the momentus event. However birdlife goes on regardless. We have a very sad looking Magpie in the garden at the moment. I think he has a broken leg. When he lands he is all to one side like Ballinalack and finds it very difficult to hop in a straight line. Imagine yourself with one foot nailed to the floor while you walk with the other foot and you will have some idea of how the magpie is getting around. There is nothing much that I can do for him because he can fly and therefore cannot be caught. I wouldn't think the outlook is too good for him.We have a good showing of greenfinches in the garden now coming in groups of 5 or six at a time. The peanuts are going down quite fast. There is a very persistant Coletit there as well trying to compete with the greenfinches for his share of the nuts. However the greenfinches are more than a mathch for a small fellow like a coletit and he usually has to concede.At times now we can see up to six blackbirds in the garden. They sunbathe in the trees with their wings spread out to make the most of what heat there is. (Sometimes not very much). I don't know whether it is surprising or not but two of the blackbirds are definitely senior males. And they just do not get on. There are lots of attacking runs and lots of showing off but rarely any contact.The Goldfinches are showing up on a fairly regular basis. Usually two or four. But not more. These birds are nicely coloured with yellow brown black white and a distinctive red around the head. They are also nice singers but I cannot name that tune.My observation of the week has to be that of a willy wagtail. What's so strange about that. Well, what's so strange about that is that he is to be seen and heard flying around Superquinns Supermarket in Lucan. No, Not Outside, but Inside. I guess he found his way in but now can't find his way out. They're going to need a bird catcher....