Buster gets stuck

Buster got over-excited on the walk I did at the weekend and ran straight into this marsh.  I had to pull him out with his collar.

The walk was up and around High Dam and Stott Park Heights adjacent to lake Windermere.  Some photos....

High Dam

Coniston Fells

Langdale Pikes

Lake Windermere

Buster, no worse after his ordeal

Red eyes

I had no idea of the sex the young oplaline turqs, until I took this photo.

I usually try not to use the flash as it alters colour and flattens the picture, however it has shown the two yellow opaline turqs to have red eyes. Their mother, second from the left, does not have red eyes. The young cinnamon on the far left also has red eyes as expected (normally it's hard tell as it shows up as a  dark plum colour in normal light).  I have to assume therefore that both the yellows are also cinnamons, which I had suspected for one of them.  That means according to sex-linked inheritance they are both hens. Pity because the one with the most red I was hoping was a cock.  I still don't know whether to keep this bird or the opaline on the far right with the very full red chest, which I still have know idea of the sex.

Edinburgh

Now the breeding season is at an end I haven't got much to post on the birds...so I thought I'd show some pictures I took in Edinburgh at the weekend.

Edinburgh Castle

Panorama of Edinburgh from foot of Arthur's Seat

 Edinburgh Castle from park fountain

View to Arthur's Seat from the Scott Monument

View to Castle and Princes Street from the Scott Monument

End of season

The last turq finally left the nest. It's very little and doesn't have the full red front (yet), although the yellow is not as greeny which makes me think its a cinnamon yellow opaline.  If so, it would be a hen.

I've now removed all the nest boxes for winter.

Some photos of the young turqs

A few pictures of the young turqs.  Notice their sore noses from hitting the mesh, these birds are so flighty compared to splendids and bourkes.

4 chicks have now left the nest.  Only the smaller yellow opaline remains. 

Normal Red Fronted Opaline...sex unknown

Normal Red Fronted ...I would have said a cock, but has under wing bars, must be a hen.  A big strong bird.

Red Fronted Cinnamon...has to be hen as dad is split and mum doesn't show cinnamon.

Red fronted Yellow Opaline...Sex unknown.  I would guess a hen.  Has a lot more red than her mum.

Which one should I keep?