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.