They think it's all over...it is now!

Thought the title was appropriate seeing as the European Championships are looming on the horizon. I think England will actually win this time! What? Limeybirder is off his rocker! Well apply this logic. For years the FA (Graham Taylor aside) have employed decent managers and we've had some pretty good players. England have come so close on numerous occasions to making a major final. Our hearts were broken, mostly by the Germans and Argies, but every tournament we play Skinner and Baddiels catchy tune based on the immortal words uttered in the dying seconds of the 1966 World Cup Final. We actually beat the Germans for once that year. And our hopes are raised. Not this tournament. Our players are mostly crap, the manager is a joke and our only world class players are either suspended from playing or aren't 100% fit. I'm an American now too, and won't be able to watch any of the games...so with all that taken into consideration England will win the whole bloody thing. Head to the bookies now, you heard it here first.
Anyway, back to reality...here's some more pictures from our trip to the UK

Chiffchaff - a Code 5 over here, common as shit over there

Glaucous Gull in the stratosphere above Walton Gardens

Mistle Thrush

Tufted Duck

Mute Swan

Nuthatch

Reed Bunting

Common Buzzard

Blackcap

Wren

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Black-bellied Whistling Ducks

Peregrine Falcons

Spent a day birding with my good friend Buckton Birder and my dad in Bedfordshire during our UK trip. Got to see my favorite bird in action...twice!

This juvenile female reduced the Northern Lapwing population at Broom Gravel Pits by one!

After getting her fill she took off and headed off to chill

One of the still alive Northern Lapwings was understandably upset BUT if you're gonna get eaten, best to be eaten by the best bird in the world, eh?

Mark then took us to a Peregrine nesting site

Yes that is blue sky behind this fine male Peregrine. A rare sight on our trip...the blue sky!

Backyard Birding in Cheshire

Some pictorial highlights from my parents Cheshire backyard during our UK vacation.

European Goldfinch

European Robin

Eurasian Blue Tit

Wood Pigeon

House Sparrow

Coal Tit

Dunnock

Backyard birding in Britain, at least at my parent's house and in places I've lived, is much better during the winter months. Here in Tallahassee it's good all-year round except during the fall when there is an abundance of natural food in the woods.

Iechyd da Cymru! Nos da

Here are some more pictorial highlights from our 4 day trip to Wales.

The Welsh flag flies proudly over Harlech Castle

Jackdaws were common at the castle

Chaffinch

For all you sad bastards here's a 1st winter 'Welsh' Herring Gull Larus itsnotunusualus

an adult

1st winter Mediterranean Gull

Northern Wheatear - Greenland variety

White Wagtail

Sea Thrift decorates the cliffs of Anglesey

Snowdonia National Park

Harlech Castle - the men who defended it for 7 years during the War of the Roses were immortalized in the song "Men of Harlech". You may remember it from such films as Zulu starring Michael Caine.