Aerogrammes of Great Britain

From left to right :
British Coastal Birds
Atlantic Puffin (北極海鸚) ; Black-legged Kittiwake (三趾鷗) ; Guillemot (普通海鴉)
British Moorland and Upland Birds
Willow Grouse (柳雷鳥) ; Eurasian Golden-Plover (歐金斑鴴) ; Black Grouse (黑琴雞)
British Birds - the Crow Family
Jackdaw (寒鴉) ; Eurasian Jay (松鴉) ; Common Magpie (喜鵲)
Great Britain (c. 1995)
12th December, 2010. Mount Pleasant, London

A set of 6 aerogrammes issued by Royal Mail during mid-90's year of last century illustrates British domestic birds in variety situations. Each aerogramme illustrated by famous artists with colourful backgrounds. One of artist is Norman Arlott, he illustrates birds since 50's years, some of illustrates published in reference books of bird-watching and special topics. recent years he also writing about bird handbooks and guides. Now he lives in Norfolk and over 100 books with his illustrations. Another one, Noel Cusa, also an artist of fauna. He begun to draw wildlife with watercolour since 60's year, above two of aerogrammes are illustrated by him.

25th anniversary of Buzin, part 2

From left to right :
Common Buzzard (鵟) ; Eurasian Hobby (燕隼)
European Honey Buzzard (鵰頭鷹) ; Red Kite (紅鳶)
Northern Goshawk (蒼鷹)
Belgium (2010)
30th November, 2010. Bruxelles de Brouckere, Brussels

In last year, a souvenir sheet issued for the 25th anniversary of Buzin definitive stamp and thanks to Thomas he sent me a nice cover with one stamp and Buzin's autograph. When today is one year after its issue, here shown another cover with whole souvenir sheet. Thanks to Yoram of London who spent a day trip to Brussels for Christmas shopping. The sheet illustrate five birds of prey are common in Europe, but the main feature of the sheet is Buzin drawing a buzzard in countryside. It seems the first time he appears on stamps - even only in frames.

So pity that the postmark is not clear enough to read, the date and place of sending only to be found in the ugly postage counter label.

Europa 2011 : Forest

Azores : Azores Bullfinch (亞速爾紅腹灰雀)
Madeira : European Robin (知更鳥)
Portugal / Azores / Madeira (2011)
9th May, 2011. Lisbon
L : Trocaz Pigeon (長趾鴿) ; R : European Robin (知更鳥)
Madeira (2011)
9th May, 2011. Funchal
R : Azores Bullfinch (亞速爾紅腹灰雀)
Azores (2011)
9th May, 2011. Ponta Delgada

This year, the United Nations proclaimed that 2011 is the International Year of the Forest. Many countries issue stamps or post stationery related theme, PostEurop also decided Forest is the theme of Europa stamp 2011. In here is a set of Europa issue of Portugal, and its territories Madeira and Azores. The stamps shown how people use resource of the forest (Portugal), enjoy the forest (Madeira) and live together with forest (Azores). Those stamps appear three species are endemic to Madeira or Azores, except the robin.

In the meantime, the Portugal Post issued a special pre-paid postcard made with cork, to commemorate the International Year of the Forest. The postcard and special postmark feature the logo of this activity.

International Year of the Forest (國際森林年)
Portugal (2011)
9th May, 2011. Lisbon

Caribbean's birds (7) - Antigua & Barbuda

From left to right :
75c : Red-billed Streamertail (紅嘴長尾蜂鳥)
90c : Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (黃腹吸汁啄木鳥)
$2,00 : Spectacled Owl (眼鏡鴞) ; $1,20 : Rufous-tailed Jacamar (棕尾鶲鴷)
Antigua & Barbuda (2000)

1st December, 2010. GPO, St Johns
5th January, 2011. Hongkong

The post of Antigua & Barbuda always selected different birds which can or not to be found in its country, perhaps it is because the stamp issue policy controlled by IPGS and this is a quite shame dealer in the world. Above stamps still under controlled by IGPS but acceptable when the species are endemic to Caribbean area. Red-billed Streamertail is a beautiful greenish bird, another name is doctor bird. However it is endemic to Jamaica not Antigua. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is a woodpecker to be found in North America, Central America and Caribbean, it probably also lives in Antigua. Spectacled Owl is a common owl lives in the range of southern Mexico, Trinidad to Argentina. It's eyes specially in black colour similar to wearing glasses. Rufous-tailed Jacamar lives in whole America except Canada and United States ; and also not to be found in Caribbean.

Four species are not endangered species to this area, they are commonly to be found in variety countries.

Kuhl's Lorikeet

Kuhl's Lorikeet (孔氏吸蜜鸚鵡)
Cook Islands (2010)
26th April, 2011. Rarotonga

Kuhl's Lorikeet mainly appears at tropical rainforests, edge of forests ; sometimes nearby human activity areas like backyards, coconut plantations. It has beautiful red, green and purple feathers. It endemic to south-west Pacific islands, from Cook Islands, Kiribati to French Polynesia. As it only endemic to such small areas, it now listed as endangered species as IUCN list. In recent years, the lorikeet was re-introduced to Teraina, Tabueran, Kiritimati of Cook Islands.

Above cover sent from Cook Islands through New Zealand, while understand that from the labels on the cover, but as the relationship of Cook Islands and New Zealand, it didn't need biosecurity by custom of New Zealand.

Common birds of Bangladesh

Clockwise from top-left :
House Sparrow (家麻雀) ; Red Avadavat (紅梅花雀)
Spotted Dove (珠頸斑鳩) ; Indian Myna (家八哥)
Bangladesh (2010)
27th January, 2011. Dhanmondi, Dhaka

In southern Asia, as the Himalayas divided cold weather from the North Pole, additional wind is come from Indian Ocean, weather of the areas is wet and warm. Most of species in there are different than northern Asia or Europe, however some species are common to be found in most of Asian area or Europe. Above four stamps are example from Bangladesh. Thanks to Dr. Ainin's help of the envelope and below maxicard.

Red Avandavant is new in this blog, the scientific name of stamp imprinted as Estrilda amandava which is a synonyms. Male is in red colour while female in yellow or brown ; but both of their bill in red colour.

Maxicard
House Sparrow (家麻雀)
Bangladesh (2010)
27th January, 2011. Dhanmondi, Dhaka

Post & Go labels (III)

First column :
Great Crested Grebe (鳳頭鸊鷉)
Second column :
Moorhen (黑水雞) ; Greylag Goose (灰雁)
Mute Swan (疣鼻天鵝) ; Common Kingfisher (普通翠鳥)
Third column (last stamp) : Mallard (綠頭鴨)
Great Britain (2011)
19th May, 2011. Great Portland Street, London

As the schedule, Post Office issued third series of bird theme Post & Go labels, this time features six waterbirds to be found in England or Scotland. Unfortunately some of birds have been appeared on stamps and shown here as before. Still thanks to Yoram from London he kindly to set me a copy of mint stamps and above cover. I selected Greylag Goose to arranged maxicard as below, the card also issued by one English publisher and the description says the geese mostly appear in Hebrides and Forsinard, the Highlands of Scotland.

Below maxicard bears Forsinard post office cds., where is one of remotest village in the northernmost of Scotland. A reserve Forsinard Flows is located near the village.

Maxicard

Greylag Goose (灰雁)
Great Britain (2011)
10th June, 2011. Forsinard, Sutherland