Cirl Buntings at Kaikoura

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AlanShaw
Posts: 180
Joined: Thu Oct 29, 2009 9:40 am
Location: Kaikoura

Re: Cirl Buntings at Kaikoura

Postby AlanShaw » Sat Sep 12, 2020 8:12 pm

Two males and 3 females feeding together at 5 pm in calm, sunny conditions. Excellent for photography!
Cirl Buntings, all 5 together, 1  12-09-2020.jpg
All 5 together.
Cirl Buntings, all 5 together, 1 12-09-2020.jpg (245.83 KiB) Viewed 1149 times
Cirl Bunting male at South Bay,  12-09-2020.jpg
One of the males
Cirl Bunting male at South Bay, 12-09-2020.jpg (543.61 KiB) Viewed 1149 times
Cirl Bunting female at South Bay, 12-09-2020.jpg
One of the Females.
Cirl Bunting female at South Bay, 12-09-2020.jpg (103.58 KiB) Viewed 1149 times
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AlanShaw
Posts: 180
Joined: Thu Oct 29, 2009 9:40 am
Location: Kaikoura

Re: Cirl Buntings at Kaikoura

Postby AlanShaw » Wed Sep 16, 2020 11:06 am

Still at least one male and two female Cirl Buntings coming to the seeded area at South Bay Recreation Reserve. Note how the (mated) female has a hint of the male's breast bands. I assume this is an old female, as in other species older females sometimes replicate some of the male's plumage.
Cirl Bunting female showing breast bands & male, 15-09-2020.jpg
Female Cirl Bunting showing male-like breast bands.
Cirl Bunting female showing breast bands & male, 15-09-2020.jpg (570.25 KiB) Viewed 1070 times
Cirl Bunting female without breast bands, 17-09-2020---1.jpg
Different female Cirl Bunting without breast bands.
Cirl Bunting female without breast bands, 17-09-2020---1.jpg (530.89 KiB) Viewed 996 times
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AlanShaw
Posts: 180
Joined: Thu Oct 29, 2009 9:40 am
Location: Kaikoura

Re: Cirl Buntings at Kaikoura

Postby AlanShaw » Sat Oct 03, 2020 9:04 am

The Cirl Buntings have now dispersed from South Bay, presumably back to their territories on the Peninsular. They lost interest in the grass seed about a week ago, so must be finding more natural food in the grass now. It was a real treat to see and video them regularly during September.
Cirl Bunting male at South Bay, Kaikoura, 11-09-2020.jpg
male Cirl Bunting, South Bay, Kaikoura, 11-09-2020
Cirl Bunting male at South Bay, Kaikoura, 11-09-2020.jpg (530.77 KiB) Viewed 973 times
Paul Gibson
Posts: 263
Joined: Tue Jul 30, 2013 9:49 am
Location: Whanganui

Re: Cirl Buntings at Kaikoura

Postby Paul Gibson » Sat Oct 03, 2020 3:28 pm

Very nice photo Alan of the male Cirl Bunting. We plan to pass through Kaikoura later this month, 16th/17th, so seems like too late for the birds out on the lawn at South Bay.
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Adam C
Posts: 647
Joined: Mon May 30, 2011 8:58 am

Re: Cirl Buntings at Kaikoura

Postby Adam C » Sun Oct 11, 2020 10:21 pm

Male and female birds showing well at Victoria Park, Christchurch today and yesterday. I visited with Oscar Thomas yesterday and we had great views. Birds present again today. So at least 1 male and 2 females. Be great to establish if we have 2 pairs.
“Nobody grows old merely by living a number of years. We grow old by deserting our ideals. Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul.”

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