What birds hold special meaning to you?

Over the last year or so of selling my photographs (www.urbanlakephotography.com if you are interested) at various fairs, and markets, I have come to realise that there are certain birds that are deemed “special”. So I’m here to ask “What birds hold special meaning to you?”

What birds hold special meaning to you?
European Robin

What birds hold special meaning to you?

Ok, so it may seem odd to start a blog post with a question but bare with me. Over time everyone who has a love of wildlife, nature, or more importantly birds, will have a bird they hold dear to them for some reason. I personally have a soft spot for Stonechat. Maybe it is just that they are a little rarer than many locally to me so seeing one gives a little buzz. Or maybe it is that they remind me of birding with my Dad on sunny weekends down in Dorset. Watching “vicars” as he refers to them hop up on the gorse.

Talking of which my Dad has a love for Swifts, understandable, their screaming calls are a real summer sign for many. My Mum loves Long-tailed Tits, Zoe is a big fan of Avocet, so as you can see we all have a “special bird”.

Robins

Talking to lots of people, as I now do at these events, Robins hold a very special place in the hearts of many of them. They are seen as visiting relatives, spirits of those who have passed away popping back to check up on a loved one, or just say hi. Maybe it is their close association with gardens, or their brash in your face attitude, I’m not sure, but they are cherished immensely in the UK. It was voted our national bird after all.

European Robin
European Robin

Is this a British thing though? I’d love to know if our European readers have similar thoughts or feelings associated with the humble European Robin? Do American Robin (I know it’s a thrush), or Japanese Robins, or any other Robins for that matter, illicit similar? Please comment and let me know.

Kites, Owls, and Kingfishers

It’s not just Robins though that people hold special to them. Red Kites are increasingly popular with people. A growing number of people have spoken to me about seeing Red Kites as they visited terminal relatives, and how they are now synonymous with that, sadly passed, person. Or how they always see one when visiting a fallen friend or loved ones grave.

Red Kite
Red Kite

Owls are always special too, maybe it is their perceived rarity; Or more likely that their nocturnal behaviour makes them more difficult to see. But there are not many who do not think of Owls as special. And I am often regaled by tales of seeing a Barn Owl drifting over misty fields; Or hearing “Tawnys” calling to one another through the night. Owls are a special bird to many it seems.

The 4th bird people love to talk about are the Kingfishers. I always have one or two shots of Kingfisher on my stalls, and they always draw people in. Many people have never seen a Kingfisher. Others only ever as a flash of azure blue streaking up river; But all love them with a passion. And they love to talk about them (I do too).

Kingfisher - What birds hold special meaning to you?
Kingfisher

What birds hold special meaning to you?

So back to my original question; What birds hold special meaning to you? and why? I’d honestly love to know. It always fascinates me how people have come to love an element of nature.

Please leave me a comment below with your special bird.


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