Frozen Planet

King Penguin (國王企鵝)
South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands (2011)
20th August, 2012. King Edward Point

It is rarely to see a documentary series features on the stamps, Frozen Planet was co-produced by BBC and three other television broadcasting units of Europe, it filmed on 2010 when the group of filmmakers and crews visited Arctic and Antarctica. Whole 6 series with extra 1 episode began to broadcast on 2011 in the world.

Only South Georgia and British Antarctica Territories issued the stamps on the same year, however the stamps quite boring due to the species selected to the stamps frequency. Here are two maxicards from South Georgia related to birds.

Wandering Albatross (漂泊信天翁)
South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands (2011)
20th August, 2012. King Edward Point

Threatened birds of Jersey

From left to right :

55p : Stonechat (黑喉石鵖) ; 88p : Yellowhammer (黃鵐)
70p : Eurasian Bullfinch (紅腹灰雀) ; 60p : Cirl Bunting (黃道眉鵐) ; 68p : Serin (金絲雀)
45p : Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (小斑啄木鳥)

Jersey (2012)
7th November, 2012. Jersey

In last post of Jersey, I've been said that I won't buy Jersey stamps any more. However, after a year, bird stamps come again, it is the sixth also last series of bird series illustrated by Nick Parlett, who is local artist of Jersey. In late-June, I still order the stamps from Jersey Post but sadly, an uncomfortable experience given by the philatelic bureau again - the cancellation works finished on November and the special cancellation still unobtainable.

Six species are common in European continent but as Jersey is an island in English Channel, or can be says as offshore of France. Those birds are rarely fly to there or become less colonist in the island.

Although below five maxicards are cancelled by ordinary postmark, they still look nice and attractive.

 
55p : Stonechat (黑喉石鵖) ; 88p : Yellowhammer (黃鵐)

 

 

68p : Serin (黑喉絲雀)

70p : Eurasian Bullfinch (紅腹灰雀) ; 45p : Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (小斑啄木鳥)

Jersey (2012)
7th November, 2012. Jersey

Biodiversity SOAR of Ireland

Eurasian Kestrel (紅隼)
Ireland (2012)
9th August, 2012. Dublin

Come again, it is the third series of Biodiversity definitive SOAR for Ireland, eight labels issued cover variety family as well as before. The bird choose Kestrel, which is common birds of prey in this country. Above maxicard shown the Kestrel label while below cover shown Irish Hare, an endemic species to Ireland and Northern Ireland of Great Britain.

Still have two series of Biodiversity definitive SOAR to be issued in following two years. As it is the last post of 2012, I wish all you Happy New Year in 2013.

Irish Hare (愛爾蘭雪兔)
Ireland (2012)
9th August, 2012. Dublin

The bird of the year 2012

Postmark : Eurasian Jackdaw (寒鴉)
Germany (2012)
20th October, 2011. Neubrandenburg

Last year, I shown here a pictorial postmark from Germany, which is Redstart (紅尾鴝). Actually, one bird will be represented in each year, and in 2012, it is Jackdaw.

Jackdaw has been illustrated as postmark on May, marked an event in Kaltennordheim. What bird will be represented in next year?

LPO Centenary (2)

Woodchat Shrike (林即鳥伯勞)
Monaco (2012)

5th November, 2012. Monte-Carlo

Ligue pour la Protection des Oiseaux (LPO) is a protection of nature association in France. In April of this year, La Poste, the post of France was issued a souvenir sheet to celebrate the centenary of the association. As Monaco is a neighbourhood with France and their closely relationship, the association also includes the area of Monaco. In September, the post office issued a stamp for same event.

Woodchat Shrike is a migratory bird of southern Europe and Middle-East area. In winter it will migrate to sub-Sahara area and southern Yemen.

Vultures

From top left to bottom right :
550t : Lammergeier (胡兀鷲) : 100t ; Himalayan Vulture (高山兀鷲)
300t : Egyptian Vulture (白兀鷲) ; 400t : Cinereous Vulture (灰禿鷲)
150t : Griffon Vulture (黑白禿鷲)
Mongolia (2002)

26th October, 2012. Ulaanbaatar
7th November, 2012. Hong-Kong

Aegypiinae, is a sub-family of Old World vultures in the Accipitridae family. In Mongolia, as most of the country is montane ecology and plateau, there to be found variety species of vultures, either are residents or migrates. Above cover features whole set of vulture stamps issued on 2002 by Mongol Post, it also is a first cover from this secret far-east area. Just one extra information to say Bogdkhan National Park is located in the south of Ulaanbaatar.

So pity that, most of Mongol stamps are given too commercial image to collector, even most of stamps are belong to Mongolia. Perhaps, as rarely people can be visited there or receive a snail mail from there.

The migratory birds in Pakistan

From top left to bottom right :
White Stork (白鸛) : Northern Shoveler (琵嘴鴨)
Snow Goose (雪雁) ; Siberian Crane (西伯利亞白鶴)
Pakistan (2012)
27th September, 2012. Karachi

Finally, I receive first but not the very first mail from Pakistan. The very first one, is an Afghanistan postcard, sent from Pakistan. But unfortunately the stamp on the card was missing, and I am sure that mail from these countries are not safety even sent by registered mail. Anyway it is the nice first day cover I received this year.

Not surprisingly, as Pakistan stands in the migratory route from northern Asia to southern Asia or Africa, it is easy to find variety birds around the country. Above four, except Siberian Crane is very common birds in summer while they will migrate to southern Asia, Oceania or Africa.

ATM labels of Denmark (2)

From top left to bottom right :
Eurasian Bullfinch (紅腹灰雀) ; Hawfinch (錫嘴雀) ; Greenfinch (金翅雀)
Denmark (2012)
5th September, 2012. Copenhagen

After the first bird theme of last year, Denmark Post continues to choose bird be the main theme in 2012 ATM label. Three garden birds are selected and they are commonly to be found in Europe, thanks Denmark Post of the great help on the postmarking. The cover I chose as first day cover is issued by Jersey Post for Threatened Birds which released on 2012.

Below maxicards, so pity that can't be cancelled by special postmark according to the postmarking policy, however they haven't lost their value.

From left to right :
Eurasian Bullfinch (紅腹灰雀) ; Hawfinch (錫嘴雀) ; Greenfinch (金翅雀)
Denmark (2012)

5th September, 2012. Copenhagen

Singapore 2015

L : White-bellied Sea-Eagle (白腹海鵰) ; R : Olive-backed Sunbird (黃腹花蜜鳥)
Singapore (2012)
26th September, 2012. Singapore Post Centre

In 2015, it is 50th anniversary of independence of Singapore. To celebrate this event, numbers of association to hold a lot of activities in the year. In August of 2015, a worldwide classed stamp exhibition to be held in Singapore, which is one of activity for the celebration. From 2012, Singapore Post to be issued 4 series of the stamps to promote the exhibition. All of them are retro-published to early independent period of Singapore issues. The first one is 1962 Definitive issue.

White-bellied Sea-Eagle and Olive-backed Sunbird are common species to southern Asia. But, nevertheless, it is rarely to see Olive-backed Sunbird in the stamp of southern countries.

The front cover affixed another issue Giant Panda which is celebrate the arrival of a pair of Giant Pandas, Kai Kai and Jia Jia. Which presented by China.

Giant Panda (大熊貓)
Singapore (2012)

Cinderella?

Purple Heron (紫鷺)
Guinea-Bissau (2008)
21st August, 2012. Bissau

In these few years, some countries like Mozambique, Solomon Islands, Burundi or Guinea-Bissau happy to issuehuge of stamps illustrate variety sport theme, world affairs, natural and movie pop stars. However most of them are not related to these poor countries. Checked those stamps seem produced by a stamp dealer which located in Northern Europe. The dealer beside controls what themes to issue, it also has a production house to design all the artwork. Thus, all the stamps look similar if compare variety countries' issues. Anyway, still have some stamps have some collectable value, if the stamp related to the country.

Grey Crowned-Crane (灰冠鶴)
Guinea-Bissau (2008)
21st August, 2012. Bissau

Examples are two stamps issued by Guinea-Bissau. The first one is Purple Heron and second one is Grey Crowned-Crane. Unfortunately for the maxicard of Grey Crowned-Crane, except cancelled with poor postmark, the species also does not find in Western Africa.

Laughing Gull

Laughing Gull (笑鷗)
Kiribati (2008)
7th August, 2011. Bairiki, Tarawa

It is, the laughing gull seem is very normal gull species in the Caribbean Sea, however it is not normal to South Pacific. Anyway, it really have record to find the gull in South Pacific and seashore of Europe, perhaps as they migrate to there during winter seasons.

Only Kiribati issued Laughing Gull stamp in the South Pacific area, which is one of the latest definitive stamp set of the country.

Tourism in Falkland Islands

Gentoo Penguin (巴布亞企鵝)
Falkland Islands (2011)
5th July, 2011. Fox Bay

It is the summer of Falkland Islands now, in this moment is the best time to there for the tour. Not surprisingly, the most attracted activity is bird watching, especially there is kingdom of penguin. Half of penguin species to be found in Falklands and rounded islands. If you have time and not afraid the terrible joinery of the ship travelling, you can visit South George to find more seabirds include albatross and beautiful iceberg or glaciers.

Fox Bay is a second large settlement in Falklands, however it just a very small village if compare with Great Britain. You can send a postcard to your friend there as a post office also operating in Fox Bay.

King Penguin (國王企鵝)
Falkland Islands (2006)
5th July, 2011. Fox Bay

Gentoo Penguin (巴布亞企鵝)
Falkland Islands (2006)
5th July, 2011. Fox Bay

Calf of Man bird observatory

From left to right :
20p : Black-eared Wheatear (白頂即鳥) ; 20p : White-throated Robin (白喉歌鵖)
24p : Goldcrest (戴菊) ; 30p : Common Kingfisher (普通翠鳥)
24p : Baltimore Oriole (橙腹擬黃鸝) ; 30p : Eurasian Hoopoe (戴勝)
Isle of Man (1994)
3rd August, 2012. Douglas

The Bird Observatory on the Calf was established in 1959 and became an official British Bird Observatory in 1962, to commemorate its 35th anniversary, Isle of Man Post Office issued a set of 6 stamps and a souvenir sheet features 7 bird species common in the islands. Above cover shown the stamps individually, as they are common in Europe and shown frequency before. It is no need to repeat the descriptions here.

In the meantime, the cover included two maxicards feature Bird of the Winter issued on last year, it is furthermore to complete this series. Below are these two cards.

Left : Bohemian Waxwing (太平鳥) ; Right : Eurasian Siskin (黃雀)
Isle of Man (2011)
28th September, 2011. Douglas

Birds of the Rock

Spotted Flycatcher (斑鶲)
Gibraltar (2012)
27th July, 2011. Gibraltar

After 3 parts of definitive issues, seem Gibraltar finished its Birds of the Rock definitive series. Finally the complete set contains 22 stamps and all of them are to be found in Gibraltar. Although Gibraltar is a small point in Europe, it is a main cross-point of bird and marine species, which have description of last post. Below to show the maxicards of this definitive series, and can be visited old posts for covers.

Greater Flamingo (火烈鳥)
Gibraltar (2008)
16th April, 2012. Gibraltar
Mediterranean Shag (地中海鸕鶿)
Gibraltar (2008)
16th April, 2012. Gibraltar
Eurasia Hoopoe (戴勝)
Gibraltar (2008)
16th April, 2012. Gibraltar
Razorbill (大嘴海鴉)
Gibraltar (2008)
16th April, 2012. Gibraltar
Spotted Flycatcher (斑鶲)
Gibraltar (2012)
16th April, 2012. Gibraltar

Europa 2001

Yellow-legged Gull (黄腿鷗)
Gibraltar (2001)
16th April, 2012. Gibraltar

Finally all the items arrived on late-July, while the maxicard arrived on May. I don't have any idea why the envelope travelled 3 months, from Gibraltar to Hong-Kong, isn't it because it sent by registered mail ?

Anyway, this old issue bought in bargain price from internet, which is a main theme Environment to Europa 2001. I was missed it when it is new and seem good luck buy them in bargain price after 10 years. The stamps feature 3 species to be found the nearby water of Gibraltar, as everybody known this small place hold the door of Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean, also the nearest point between Europe and Africa. It is the main intersection point to migration of birds and marine life.

By the way, it is oddly to be seen Goldfish on the one of the stamp, is it really find in Gibraltar ?

From left to right :
40p : Common Snapdragon (金魚草) ; 30p : Long-snouted Seahorse (多枝海馬)
54p : Goldfish (鯽魚) ; 42p : Yellow-legged Gull (黄腿鷗)
Gibraltar (2001)
16th April, 2012. Gibraltar

Collared Lory

Collared Lory (綠領吸蜜鸚鵡)
Fiji (2012)
11th July, 2012. Suva
20th July, 2012. Suva registration office

Actually I dislike nowadays WWF issues, as most of stamps set in high denomination. For example Liechtenstein on last year, whole set of the stamps are selling in 8 Swiss Franc, although they are beautiful and attractive. It seems discourage collector to buy more for their collection. In recent years, most of WWF stamps are sell in a sheetlet which contains 2 or 4 sets of stamps. That causes people will spend more in each issue and easily to be as fast as give up this hobby. This time, as well as last time, Fiji issued a attractive sheet includes 2 sets total value near 7 Euro. I still ordered a FDC and 2 sheets, the only reason is it related to parrot.

Collared Lory is an endemic species to Fiji, specially it can be found from forest to urban area, like Lau Island and Lakeba. The live of the parrot has been humanized to suitable urban situation, especially Suva, the capital of Fiji.

Collared Lory is not an endangered species, due to seem the organization agreed to approve more non-dangered species appear onthe stamps.

Song birds of Armenia

Bluethroat (藍喉歌鴝) ; Great Tit (大山雀)
Armenia (2011)
5th September, 2011. Yerevan

Missing Armenia for a long time, after a pair of envelope on 2007, it was second series of Armenian birds I received. Overall the service of Armenia philatelic bureau is good enough and you can see that those maxicards and cover in excellent condition. Bluethroat and Great Tit are very common song birds in Eurasian area, as Armenia finds in the border of Asia and Europe, they have rich biodiversity and easy to find variety wildlife species.

Bluethroat (藍喉歌鴝) ; Great Tit (大山雀)
Armenia (2011)
5th September, 2011. Yerevan
2nd July, 2012. Yerevan

Gardens by the Bay

Collared Kingfisher (白領翡翠)
Singapore (2012)
28th June, 2012. Toa Payoh Central

Once again Singapore issued garden series in this year, however so pity that the stamp featured Collared Kingfisher again. It is the fourth time of the species on the Singapore issues and of course not much special. Anyway, thanks to Eddie sent me this first day cover which also features last Collared Kingfisher stamp, latest Water Pond definitive series issued on 2011.

Gardens by the Bay is located in South-east reclaimed land of Singapore, where is nearby downtown of this country. In 10 years ago, the government decided reclaim an area outside Marina Bay to build a restore area to attract tourist, which includes hotels, casinos, and ferris wheel - Singapore Flyers.

Centurary anniversary of Helgoland

Common Guillemot (普通海鴉)
Germany (2012)
28th June, 2012. Helgoland

Until now I don't know why the postmark has Chinese, as this small islands was a navy base and the place to vacation. I don't have any english detail of Vogelwarte Helgoland but seem something related to below stamp - Centurary of Heligoland Bird Observatory, which is one of the world's first ornithological observatories.
The postmark on the above cover illustrated Common Guillemot, or named Common Murre. Which seems common to be found in this islands.

New bird series of Latvia

Goldfinch (紅額金翅雀)
Latvia (2012)
16th June, 2011. Riga
21st June, 2012. Riga

Seem Latvia Post continues to issue their bird series in each year, I decided contact philatelic bureau myself, to arrange new first day cover and maxicard. Actually it seem bot first day cover but as I wish to save the postage, advised them to help me dispatch the stamps with first day cover. The cover looks pretty but quite old fashionable, perhaps because of the green background.

Not must surprise of two birds of this year, so it is easy to find cards in the market. Once again thanks philatelic bureau kindly regards my order and they done an excellent work.

Goldfinch (紅額金翅雀)
Latvia (2012)
16th June, 2011. Riga

Barn Swallow (家燕)
Latvia (2012)
16th June, 2011. Riga

LPO Centenary

From left to right :
Bluethroat (藍喉歌鴝) ; Atlantic Puffin (北極海鸚) ; Osprey (魚鷹)
Little Bustard (小鴇)
France (2012)
18th June, 2011. Amilly, Loiret

Ligue pour la Protection des Oiseaux (LPO) is the organization of bird conservation in France, which founded on 1912. In this year, to celebrate its centenary of the foundation, the organization held couple of activities and events. Except the personal stamps be arranged on early 2012, a souvenir sheet issued by La Post released on May. Above cover was the example of the full set of the stamps tear from the sheet. Thanks David and J. Pierre to help me coordinate the covers and maxicards.

Bird of the year, Kaltennordheim

Postmark : Eurasian Jackdaw (寒鴉)
Germany (2012)
26th May, 2011. Kaltennordheim

If stamp collector like to collect pictorial postmark, Europe is the most attractive place to them. They are happy to coordinate a special postmark to commemorate each events or festivals of their countries. Germany is one of them, refer to Sonderstempel, the country has near 600 special postmarks on each years which cover many themes and events. For me I only interest on bird theme and not disappointed also have 10 each years. This time, I would show a postmark to mark 'The bird of the year, Kaltennordheim', which the performer is jackdaw.

Owls of Taiwan (2)

From left to right :
NT$25 : Brown Hawk-owl (褐鷹鴞) ; NT$10 : Tawny Owl (褐林鴞)
NT$5 : Mountain Scops-owl (黃嘴角鴞)
NT$5 : Short-eared Owl (短耳鴞)
Taiwan (2012)
6th June, 2011. Nanhai Post Office, Taipei

After the first issue on last year, post office continues to issue owls series on early June as well as last year features 4 endemic species, only 13 owl species are discovered and now come out 8 of them. Same as last description, the stamps not surprising to stamp collectors or bird theme collector, stamps look boring and seem missing something.

Thanks James Chen for the coordination of the first day cover and maxicard.

Short-eared Owl (短耳鴞)
Taiwan (2012)
6th June, 2011. Taipei