Mayotte, after it becomes an overseas department of France

Front
Clockwise from top-left :
Mayotte White-eye (栗脅繡眼鳥) ; Mayotte Sunbird (馬約島花蜜鳥)
Aldabra Red-headed Fody (阿爾達巴拉紅頭雀) ; Mayotte Drongo (馬約特卷尾)
Mayotte (2002)
12th April, 2011. Mamoudzou

In the beginning of this year, I receive a greetings mail from Mayotte Philatelic Bureau, it let me remember the situation of this remote islands. Mayotte, is an islands between Madagascar and Comoros. They originally are colonies of France, after Madagascar and Comoros got independence, Mayotte still was a territory until 2010, when the residents voted and decided become an overseas department of France. Since 1892 the colonies government issued its first set of stamps, then for a long period Mayotte were using nearby colonies or French stamps until 1997, when a set of overprinted Marianne issued and Mayotte has its own stamps again.

Above mail specially requested to be sent after March 31, the day becomes an overseas department of France. However all kind of things are never change. The bird stamps on the envelope are endemic species of Mayotte, except Aldabra Red-headed Fody - it also to be found in Seychelles.

The latest issue, as shown below, issued on April 4 still bearing 'Mayotte' name is a Madagascar Bee-eater. The species only endemic to Madagascar, Mayotte and Comoros ; and also parts of Namibia and Mozambique.

Confirmed in mid-2011, Mayotte will use French stamps again after December 31, that means Mayotte stamps will be discontinued on 2012. If you still missing a mail from this islands, still have 3 days to get it.

Back
Madagascar Bee-eater (馬達加斯加蜂虎)
Mayotte (2011)

Common Kingfisher

Common Kingfisher (普通翠鳥)
Hungary (2001)
18th October, 2010. Nyíregyházai

Although kingfisher is a common bird in the world, seems I never specially show an item only with this species. Above maxicard arranged on late-September before the aluminum accident in Kolontár. However, it is not much relationship to the card, or say the kingfisher. As most of natural conservations are located in the east of Hungary, especially Aggtelek National Park is a main area to find large population of kingfisher, it also is a part of UNESCO world heritage site.

Nyíregyházai is the seventh large city located in the north-east Hungary, it seems a hub to visit nearby national park of conservations.

Season's greetings from the Isle of Man

European Robin (知更鳥) ; Goldfinch (紅額金翅雀)

Isle of Man (2011)
28th September, 2011. Douglas

This year, is Isle of Man's robin Christmas stamp to wish you have Merry Christmas. The stamp, and other five beautiful bird stamps are illustrated by Jeremy Paul who is famous nature illustrator in the island. The set of stamps also feature Sepac and Europa series, but I haven't purchased. Here, shown two maxicards as above and the cover with highest value stamp.

Long-tailed Tit (銀喉長尾山雀)

Isle of Man (2011)
3rd October, 2011. Douglas

Singapore Peranakan Museum

Singapore Peranakan Museum (土生華人博物館)
Singapore (2008)
16th March, 2011. Clementi West

Peranakan is a group of Chinese who immigrated to Melaka area during 15th to 16th century, after years those Chinese effected by local Malays. As their long-term history in this region, their instruments, gadgets, clothes to accessories are specially mixing with Chinese and Malaya styles, in sharp charmed colours with decorated Chinese luckily plants, animals and birds. In 2008, Singapore specially built a museum to commemorate and show above things of Peranakan culture. A set of 8 stamps issued on the meanwhile to show collection of the museum and 4 of them which are instruments or accessories with bird decoration.

Stamps from left to right are decorations of Phoenix (鳳凰) which is imitation luckily bird in Chinese culture, Tree Sparrow (麻雀), Common Pheasant (雉雞) and Red-crowned Crane (丹頂鶴) respectively. They normally painted on porcelain, jewellery and clothes.

Hummingbirds of Caribbean

$1.25, 35¢ : Antillean Crested Hummingbird (鳳頭蜂鳥)
30¢, 15¢ : Green-throated Carib (綠喉蜂鳥)
British Virgin Islands (1982)
2nd February, 2011. Road Town, Tortola

Above mail is also come from Caribbean which is the sixteen country of this region, as before not much people known where is British Virgin Islands, but mostly people only known that where is famous place to register company. However, some birds are endemic to this small islands and nearby regions. Antillean Crested Hummingbird and Green-throated Carib are common hummingbirds to be found in Caribbean, they also feature with beautiful and shiny greenish feathers.

50th anniversay of WWF

From top of first column to bottom of last column :
Eurasian Hobby (燕隼) ; Eurasian Wryneck (蟻鴷) ; Red-backed Shrike (紅背伯勞)
Golden Oriole (金黃鸝) ; Redstart (紅尾鴝)
Eurasian Pygmy Owl (花頭鵂鶹) ; Nightingale (夜鶯) ; Whinchat (草原石即鳥)
Liechtenstein (2011)

9th September, 2011. Vaduz

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of foundation of WWF, couple of countries issued stamps last year. The most interesting stamps possible is Liechtenstein, which is a souvenir sheet features 8 species in Europe, from songbirds to preys of bird. Although the stamp shame in hexagonal shape, overall it looks nice as the birds look inhabit in the forest. The most special is the sheet features 8 variety species while compare to other WWF series maximum in four.

However, they are all very common to be found in European countries, it was quite oddly to the license holder wish endangered species appear on the stamps. Perhaps it changes its mind but it is not good for collector as the series will be overflowed.

Maxicard

From top to bottom :
Red-backed Shrike (紅背伯勞) ; Redstart (紅尾鴝)
Eurasian Wryneck (蟻鴷) ; Whinchat (草原石即鳥)
Nightingale (夜鶯) ; Golden Oriole (金黃鸝)
Liechtenstein (2011)

9th September, 2011. Vaduz

75th anniversary of National Trust for Jersey

From left to right :
42p/75p : Western Marsh Harrier (白頭鷂) ; 79p : Atlantic Puffin (北極海鸚)
59p : Dartford Warbler (波紋林鶯)
Jersey (2011)
25th October, 2011. Jersey

I think, or I would promise this is the last cover from Jersey ! The reason is not their stamps not nice enough but the service by their philatelic bureau is not acceptable. Following its cover, I receive a notice from philatelic bureau related to service charge of cancellation. The letter posted on soapbox meanwhile.

Anyway, look back to the stamps, not surprisingly the stamps illustrated by N. Parlett, who illustrated lots of wildlife stamps of Jersey. The stamp set, 5 stamps only 3 are birds. An extra one - 75p, as well as 42p stamp but specially change the mill (as known as La Caumine) in green colour ! It was not computer effect as the mill really painted in green to commemorate 75th anniversary of National Trust for Jersey, only few hours it turned white after inundated with complaints from angry Islanders.

Maxicard
Atlantic Puffin (北極海鸚)
Jersey (2011)
25th October, 2011. Jersey

Various bird stamps from Algeria

From left to right :
20,00 Dinar : Peregrine Falcon (擬游隼) ; 5,00 Dinar : Common Snipe (田鷸)
5,00 Dinar : European Serin (金絲雀) ; 10.00 Dinar : Eurasian Bullfinch (紅腹灰雀)
Algeria (2010, 1995, 2000)
27th November, 2010. Jijel

Those bird stamps which species illustrated come from Algeria have been shown before, except the serin. This smallest, pretty gold-yellowed colour bird is commonly to be found in Europe and also North Africa, large population are live in Canary. Formally the bird is resident but northern population migrates to south-east of Mediterranean countries during winter.

Summer visiting birds

From top-left to bottom-right :
59p : Common Cuckoo (普通杜鵑) ; 50p : Spotted Flycatcher (斑鶲)
42p : Barn Swallow (家燕) ; 86p : Common Swift (普通樓燕)
79p : Eurasian Linnet (赤胸朱頂雀) ; 64p : Greater Whitethroat (灰白喉林鶯)
Jersey (2011)
26th July, 2011. Broad Street, St. Helier

Again as last year, Jersey Post issued their fifth series of domestic birds. This time, the set features six visiting birds during summer. Thanks James sent me this nice (NOT have big demand of Jersey Post, it looks nice if you compare other non-philatelic mails of this poor island) registered mail, also not surprisingly they still using old-styled GB barcode registration label.

Are those six species only seen in summer ? I don't highly agree it. Just refer to the guide RSPB Birds of Britain and Europe, except Barn Swallow and Cuckoo, they seem resident birds to Britain and coast of France, nevertheless as Jersey is a small place in Europe and one of offshore islands to continent, the environment not attract these birds stay in there round years.

Anyway, thanks to James of this nice cover.

Lilac-breasted Roller

Lilac-breasted Roller (東非佛法僧)
South Africa (2000)
4th May, 2011. Pretoria

Not very special of this maxicard, just as Lilac-breasted Roller is one of beautiful and colourful bird in sub-Sahara area. I decided to arrange this card when I found such beautiful card, same as before the philatelic bureau only use its ordinary postmark to cancel the stamp.

Post & Go labels (IV)

From left to right :
Atlantic Puffin (北極海鸚); Arctic Tern (北極燕鷗) ; Eurasian Oystercatcher (蠣鴴)
Common Ringed Plover (環頸鴴) ; Northern Gannet (北方塘鵝)
Great Cormorant (普通鸕鶿)
Great Britain (2011)
16th September, 2011. Trafalgar Square, London

In the Autumn Stampex, Post Office released its fourth bird Post & Go labels, which is the last in this series. This time features 6 seabirds are common to be found in seashores of Scotland and Northern Ireland. Not surprisingly the species have been appeared on stamps. Above cover is the first day cover of the label sent from London.

As the seabirds mostly inhabiting in northern nation of the country, a set of maximum cards as below which I arranged to be cancelled in those variety post office in Scotland.

Northern Gannet (北方塘鵝)
Great Britain (2011)
6th October, 2011. North Berwick, East Lothian

In the offshore of North Berwick, there has a rock called The Base Rock where is a praise of gannets. Three-fourths of British gannets to be found in this island, however the island has its own castle and lighthouse.

Arctic Tern (北極燕鷗) ; Great Cormorant (普通鸕鶿)
Great Britain (2011)
5th October, 2011. Holy Island, Northumberland

Holy Island, is a tidal island off coast of Northumberland, England. The island formally called Lindisfarne, the lower margin of postmark called Berwick on Tweed is parliament of the island. The island is historical but it also is a nature reserve named Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve, in there can be observed thousand of seabirds in each migration seasons.

Atlantic Puffin (北極海鸚)
Great Britain (2011)
4th November, 2011. Marloes, Pembrokeshire

Puffin is common and cute seabird in the country. Marloes is one of best place to find them in breeding seasons.

Common Ringed Plover (環頸鴴) ; Eurasian Oystercatcher (蠣鴴)
Great Britain (2011)
7th October, 2011. Fair Island, Shetland

Last two cards are cancelled in Fair Isle, Shetland. Shetland is the most important islands to seabirds, it is in the north-east of Scotland. Only 15 island inhabited while all of them colonised by seabirds ! Fair Isle and Fetlar are the islands in the east side of Shetland, only few inhabitant in there but have thousands of different seabirds like gannet, puffin and oystercatcher. A RSPB reserve has been built in the islands. The stamps as below cover, was issued on 1999 to commemorate centenary of RSPB.

Clockwise from top-left :
32p : Eurasian Oystercatcher (蠣鴴) ; 27p : Pied Avocet (反嘴鷸)
25p : Northern Gannet (北方塘鵝) ; 19p : Atlantic Puffin (北極海鸚)
Great Britain (1999)
3rd May, 2011. Fetlar, Shetland

Conservation in Tristan da Cunha (2)

Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross (大西洋黃鼻信天翁)
Tristan da Cunha (2010)
11th November , 2010. Tristan da Cunha

Except the cover of new definitive stamp, I also arranged a maxicard of one of high-value stamp, it is Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross. Sadly the stamp not clear to show the bird but in another side it is a capture of conservation - ringing the albatross. Is it a nice maxicard ? It seems is, this is second item related to this species while first one was an aerogramme also issued by Tristan da Cunha.

International Polar Year

L : King Eider (王絨鴨) ; R : Brilliant-red Deep-sea Jellyfish*
Canada (2007)
Unidentified date and place

Honestly speaking, I don't like this cover, or can say that I don't like mails from Canada. Anyway, thanks James corresponded this cover. The stamp souvenir sheet in dark colour means postmark will not clearly show on envelope, and so pity that the shame inkjet postmark blurred and unreadable !

Stamps was issued to commemorate International Polar Year on 2007, I haven't buy it when local post office was selling it. The stamps feature King Eider and Brilliant-red Deep-sea Jellyfish. But please note that it is not Brilliant-red Deep-sea Jellyfish ! Scientific name imprinted incorrectly as Crossota millsaeare when correct name is Crossota norvegica !

King Eider mostly breeding in Arctic Circle and nearby sub-arctic area., surprisingly it was be found in Korea few years ago.

Love : True Blue

Eastern Bluebird (東方藍鴝)
United States (2006)
2nd May, 2011. Sammamish, Washington

Thanks to Mr Peterson sent me this nice cover. But stop .... it seems just a decorated couple birds staying on a branch and they are not identify. The description of new stamps by USPS says as below :

This colorful new First-Class stamp depicts two birds perched on a branch sharing a devoted gaze. The space between them forms a heart.

So is it a pair of Eastern Bluebirds ? From the photographs of the internet the species with orange stomach and blackish bill. Thus they just a decoration.

Caribbean Flamingo

Caribbean Flamingo (紅鸛)
Suriname (1999)
14th April, 2011. Paramaribo

Unfortunately, it is not a good maxicard as postmark not clear to read. However I think I should forgive the mirror mistake as Suriname seems a rare country in the collection list - for bird, of course. In America, Caribbean Flamingo is a famous migratory bird when breeding in Galápagos Islands, coasts of northern South American countries like Columbia, Venezuela and nearby islands. However they also to be found in North America, from Colorado to Mexico and some Caribbean islands.

Caribbean Flamingo is a giant and sharp bird in America. Its reddish feather attracts most birdwatchers. In most zoo of the world, flamingos are feeding by human and the card shown an example in one United States zoo.

Birds of Suriname

Clockwise from top-left :
SRD 0,90 : Dusky Parrot (達士奇鸚鵡)
SRD 2,50 : Yellow-green Grosbeak (黃綠錫嘴鳥)
SRD 0,45 : Opal-rumped Tanager (白腰唐加拉雀)
Suriname (2008)
14th April, 2011. Paramaribo

In 90's years of last century, Suriname issued numbers of bird stamps - mostly seem definitives are features rare birds of this South American nation. Nevertheless, as fiscal deficit and high inflation, the highest denomination of 2001 stamp is Sf.9000, before new currency Surinamese dollar comes out. From 2003, Suriname birds begins new series with new currency, however most of them are in sheetlet format and exception stamps as above in small size single stamps.

Three species of above stamps are quite normal to be found in Suriname, but since 60's years a lot of wildlife Dusky Parrot illegality exported out of Suriname and Guyana for pet market, and they not easy to feed after left the wild environment. Moreover as the inhabitant lost, population of the parrot also decreasing.

Special overprint

From left to right :
White-tailed Wheatear (白腰即鳥) ; Masked Shrike (雲斑伯勞)
Palestine Sunbird (北非橙簇花蜜鳥)
Jordan (2009)
5th May, 2011. Amman

In 2009, Jordan oddly to issue a set of overprinted stamps for postage of overseas ordinary mails, they all denominations are 80Pt. However the most interesting thing is the stamps originally issued on 1970, features three species rarely to be found in stamps. These three stamps only printed with two to three colours in rotogravure methods.

White-tailed Wheatear is a resident bird widely visible in North Africa, it overalls are black but exception of the head and tail are white. The stamp seems incorrectly drawn the back in mixture of black and white features. Masked Shrike, is a migratory bird bleeds in the area between Jordan and Turkey, and then migrates to seashores of Red Sea and East Africa. Palestine Sunbird also resident bird, the activity area are north bank of Red Sea and southern Sudan and Central Africa.

Herons of the reef

Eastern Reef Heron (太平洋岩鷺)
Vanuatu (2007)

4th June, 2009. Port Vila

Very oddly, is it really sent on 2009 ? If you remember that I have been posted an envelope from Trinidad & Tobago is the last one cover on 2009, you may think I was writing incorrect information. However if you find the history posts under Vanuatu catalogue, you will be noted that I have two missing covers during stamp exhibition 2009. Here is one of them which receive again on September, 2010. In the time of typing this post (1st October, 2010), it really the last cover of 2009.

I don't have interest to write again Eastern Reef Heron, due to I have introduced the species before. The stamps as above originally in souvenir sheet format but as in my collecting rule, souvenir sheet is not necessary and out of range. Thus I only bough single stamps in the exhibition.

The postmark reads 'postage paid' seem meaningless. The stamps have enough for 1st grade airmail registered mail to Asia, anyway it is good luck to receive them again.

Endangered birds of Britain

First roll :
White-tailed Eagle (白尾鷲) ; Bearded Reedling (文須雀) ; Red Kite (紅鳶)
Cirl Bunting (黃道眉鵐) ; Western Marsh Harrier (白頭鷂)
Second roll :
Pied Avocet (反嘴鷸) ; Eurasian Bittern (大麻鳽) ; Dartford Warbler (波紋林鶯)
Corn Crake (長腳秧雞) ; Peregrine Falcon (擬游隼)
Great Britain (2007)
4th September, 2007. Trafalgar Square, London

Finally I rescan this large envelope which sent on the first day issue of British Endangered Birds. The set, as the series, features 10 variety species to be found in the islands. Actually they are not very special in the world but after industry revolution, the wild environment of British became poor and as inhabit loss, population of some species largely decrease. However it is not too late to stop this situation when couple of environment rules come out recent years and now some of population is growing up.

Red Kite, one of stamp in this set, was shown in this blog on 2009. Above packet especially thanks to Yoram, he is helpful to send me covers from Britain and other countries.

Crimson-crowned Fruit-Dove

Crimson-crowned Fruit-Dove (緋紅頂果鳩)
Niue (2011)
6th July, 2011. Alofi

Kulukulu, is a local name of Crimsom-crowned Fruit Dove in Niue. It specially features a reddish crown and endemic to the islands of south-west Pacific. Although with the small inhabit area, it is not endangered species. As well as other fruit doves, the diet of kulukulu is fruits in the forest.

The postmark illustrated Polynesian Triller (斑鳴鵑鵙), is a common bird of Polynesian islands.

ATM labels of Denmark

From top to bottom (left column) :
Common Shelduck (翹鼻麻鴨) ; Mallard (綠頭鴨) ; Tufted Duck (鳳頭潛鴨)
Denmark (2011)
10th September, 2011. Copenhagen

In recent years, many postal administrations begin to use new generation postage label, for counter use or self-served kiosk, Denmark is one long term user of FARMA label and using new generation labels for a while. In September, to meet the stamp exhibition in Horsens, there to be issued a set of three labels feature 3 waterbirds. Shelduck, mallard and Tufted Duck are very common to be found in this northern country.

Thanks Montse of Spain and his correspondent from Denmark to coordinate this nice first day cover.

New definitive stamps of Singapore

65c : White-breasted Waterhen (白胸苦惡鳥)
5c : Collared Kingfisher (白領翡翠)
Singapore (2011)
13th April, 2011. Climent West
24th April, 2011. Hongkong

After the excellent definitive stamps issued on 2007, SingPost once again issues new definitive stamps on April 2011 which related to pond life, to respond The Year of Biodiversity of 2010. the stamps. Except the elliptical perforation on both top and bottom sides, iodine ink and micro-printing to be used as new security features. The stamps printed in rotogravure to obtain richly colour.

White-breasted Waterhen and Collared Kingfisher are resident birds of SE Asia. They are commonly to be found in Far East from Taiwan to northernmost of Australia.

Many-coloured Fruit-dove again

Many-coloured Fruit-Dove (雜色果鳩)
Samoa (2011)
2nd September, 2011. Apia
10th September, 2011. Hong-Kong

I use 'again' in the topic, because the species had shown here already. A nice water-coloured Fiji fruit dove stamp set featured same bird on 2009. Now it comes to Samoa, be a part of collection of WWF series. Perhaps it coordinated by same stamp agency service, the design seems very similar to Vanuatu issue and the stamps are issued on same day.

Beside of Fiji, Many-coloured Fruit-dove also inhabit in Samoa. However as the islands are small enough, population of the dove in the islands are too small, the quantity closes endangered. But, of course, it overall is not endangered species in IUCN list.

Birds of Macao

Clockwise from top-left :
1,50pts. : Light-vented Bulbul (白頭鵯) ; 2,50pts. : Spotted Dove (珠頸斑鳩)
3,50pts. : Yellow Bittern (黃斑葦鳽) ; 4,50pts. : Greater Coucal (褐翅鴉鵑)
Macao (2011)
11th September, 2011. Central

After 16 years, birds become actor of the Macao stamps again. Since Macao returned to China, development and tourism industry becomes only a principal policy of this small special administration. In this 10 years, a wild wetland between Taipa and Coloane be reclamation - now it called Cotai for casinos. Two special protected areas in Taipa and Ka-Ho, are partly be legally developed. Greenish spaces in Macao are decreased in this period so rarely to see wild birds in urban or country area.

Anyway, to commemorate 50th anniversary of foundation of WWF, Macao Post still issued a set of stamps related to natural, it is the first set in natural theme since 1999. Four species feature in stamps are very common ! At least they are to be found easily in the parks or countrysides in most south-east China cities.

Clockwise from top-left :
1,50pts. : Light-vented Bulbul (白頭鵯) ; 2,50pts. : Spotted Dove (珠頸斑鳩)
3,50pts. : Yellow Bittern (黃斑葦鳽) ; 4,50pts. : Greater Coucal (褐翅鴉鵑)
Macao (2011)
11th September, 2011. Central

Wild birds of sub-Saharan Africa - Eritrea (1)

Front
From left to right :
Bateleur (短尾雕) ; Red-billed Quelea (紅嘴奎利亞雀) ; Secretarybird (蛇鷲)
Eritrea (1997)
16th December, 2010. Asmara

In 2008, I had tried to send a request for a mail from Eritrea, one of newest countries in East Africa (the most newest is South Sudan, also in East Africa), unfortunately I affixed old currency Birr stamps and they are not valid for postage, the cover only sent back to me through package. This time, I collected couple of new currency Nakfa stamps and decided send again on late-2010. This cover and a maxicard which will be shown next time are the productions by Eritrean Philatelic Bureau.

This cover selected three species which are inhabiting in and endemic to sub-Sahara area. In Eritrea, as the country located in the east of sub-Sahara area and beside Red Sea, those three species, also includes below mammal Aardwolf, are fairly to be be found them in this nation.

Back
Aardwolf (土狼)
Eritrea (2001)

SOAR again

Goldfinch (紅額金翅雀)
Ireland (2011)
21st July, 2010. Dublin

After a year, second series of biodiversity SOAR was issued on July. As well as before, 8 stamps only has one features bird and it is Goldfinch. This time I arranged a maxicard and first day cover for the issue which are shown as above and below. As the labels more popular to postal customers, definitive stamps becoming useless in post office, I believe that labels to be replaced definitive stamps in future.

Goldfinch, and the definitive stamps as below, are regular and common species to Ireland.

From left to right :
Birds, definitive
20c : Northern Lapwing (鳳頭麥雞) ; 7c : European Stonechat (歐洲石䳭)
Ireland (2002, 2003)
SOAR
55c : Red Deer (馬鹿)
Ireland (2011)
21st July, 2010. Dublin

Hyacinth Macaw

Hyacinth Macaw (紫藍金剛鸚鵡)
Great Britain (2011)
22nd March, 2011. Trafalgar Square, London

Hyacinth Macaw is the largest species of Psittaciformes (鸚形目), which has unique body, charmed jewelery blued feather are attracted to pet feeder. The macaw is endemic to Amazon tropical palm forests or swamps of southern Brazil, east of Bolivia and north of Paraguay. As it is a popular pet of people, the macaw has big demand in pet market and caused wild macaws are being illegal bird trading. Moreover according to the over development of forest area, their inhabit area are damaged or lost. In 80's year over 10,000 birds be caught and most of them traded to black-market of Brazil, now only 3,000 wild macaws to be found in this area.

The stamp as above comes from souvenir sheet of Great Britain, which commemorated 50th anniversary of Worldwide Fund of Nature. Whole set products include 10 stamps with worldwide endangered mammals and souvenir sheet features 4 species to be found in Amazon forest. But disappointingly none of them related to Great Britain.

Today is a big day as it was a foundation day of Worldwide Fund for Nature in 50 years ago. The orginasation registered at Morges, Switzerland on 11th September by Sir Julian Huxley who is a British biologist.