My photo
I keep and breed a small number of Australian grass parakeets. This blog provides information and pictures of my birds and a log of their breeding activities. It is also a photo blog of landscapes and wildlife. My dog Buster may also make an appearance. For Nest Box Live - click the link above or visit my website!

Sunday 28 November 2010

Web cam back on line

I've rigged the web cam to look out into the aviary overlooking the millet sprays.
Follow the next box live cam link from my web site.....
www.grassparakeets.talktalk.net/

Tuesday 23 November 2010

Opaline turk

Some photos' of the young opaline turk from the second round.  I'm still uncertain of it's sex.

The red chest is very dark even before the first moult
Some red feathers showing on the wing.  For opalines both cocks and hens can show red wing bar
Both cock and hen opalines have a large white under wing stripe

I will have to wait till this birds gets more adult plumage.  If it's a male there should be more blue on its head, particularly on the lore feathers (bit between beak and eye).

Friday 12 November 2010

Storm fatality

Found the young RF normal turk I was going to keep dead today. I can only think it was something to do with the very stormy weather we have had for the past few nights. He was showing no signs of illness yesterday and was his usual lively self.  Perhaps he was just two flighty and got scared in the night.
I now need to re-think what birds to keep for next year.

Sunday 7 November 2010

Birds to keep

I've now decided which birds to keep from the turks.  The normal RF cock from the first round (will be old enough to breed next year with new normal hen) and the RF cinnamon yellow from the 2nd round (right in photo).  Although I do like the RF opaline (left in photo).


So these birds will be sold:-
2nd round
RF Cinnamon Yellow Opaline hen
RF Normal / yellow opaline cock
RF Opaline / yellow (sex unknown)
RF Cinnamon / yellow hen
1st round
RF Yellow hen

Tarn Hows walk

Dow crag & Coniston old man

Reflections over Tarn Hows

View to Langdale pikes

Tarn Hows

Buster

I like these pictures, but the resolution on the trees is just not there with my old camera. New Christmas present I think. 

Bonfire night