I saw the Albino Jackdaw amongst a normal flock on entering the zoo on wednesday. Not having heard it was there before I was chuffed with finding it, until I spoke to a keeper I know who told me out was now in it's 3rd winter! Apparently it bred this year, but no other albino birds have appeared.
I must admit, when I first saw it at distance it reminded me of a Corrella, small aussie cockatoos, which I thought must have escaped from an enclosure somewhere! But once I watched it close I realised it was a Jackdaw, cracking little bird.
A few lesser redpoll flying about the zoo too, plus a sparrowhawk and a few grey wags. I was told that a water rail is wintering in the small reed bed near the pelicans, but no sign for me.
I do love the zoo though, so many new things each time. I'd not seen the timor zebra finches or socorra dove (now extinct in the wild) before!
I was at the zoo about six weeks ago. I didn't see the albino Jackdaw but I did get close up views of a Nordic Jackdaw near to the monorail.
I saw the Albino Jackdaw amongst a normal flock on entering the zoo on wednesday. Not having heard it was there before I was chuffed with finding it, until I spoke to a keeper I know who told me out was now in it's 3rd winter! Apparently it bred this year, but no other albino birds have appeared.
I must admit, when I first saw it at distance it reminded me of a Corrella, small aussie cockatoos, which I thought must have escaped from an enclosure somewhere! But once I watched it close I realised it was a Jackdaw, cracking little bird.
A few lesser redpoll flying about the zoo too, plus a sparrowhawk and a few grey wags. I was told that a water rail is wintering in the small reed bed near the pelicans, but no sign for me.
I do love the zoo though, so many new things each time. I'd not seen the timor zebra finches or socorra dove (now extinct in the wild) before!
A completely white albino Jackdaw was feeding with a small number of normal Jackdaws in one of the animal enclosures. Also: 1 Swallow - my first this year 3 Buzzard together overhead 1 Chiffchaff singing
M56 back to home: 1 Kestrel (at Frodsham) 2 Buzzard - also Frodsham
Just returned from a day there with 100 11 year olds, deep joy, the European aviary is an excellent oportunity to get up close to some brilliant birds, definately worth a look. However the reason for the post is the 5 different Buzzards seen at intervals along the motorway on the way back with no sign at all of any Kestrel. How things have changed over the last few years. Cheers Ian