Velvet Scoter

Velvet Scoter (斑臉海番鴨)
Åland (2014)
7th February, 2014. Mariehamn

Velvet Scoter also called a Velvet Duck, is a large sea duck, which breeds over the far north of Europe and Asia west of the Yenisey basin. A small, isolated population nests in eastern Turkey. The East Siberian and North American White-winged Scoter is sometimes considered conspecific with the Velvet Scoter, and its two constituent subspecies are then known as M. f. stejnegeri and M. f. deglandi. Velvet and White-winged Scoter, along with the Surf Scoter, are placed in the subgenus Melanitta, distinct from the subgenus Oidemia, Black and Common Scoters.

It winters further south in temperate zones, Europe as far south as Great Britain, and on the Black and Caspian Sea. Small numbers reach France and northern Spain. It forms large flocks on suitable coastal waters. These are tightly packed, and the birds tend to take off together.

Long-tailed Duck

Long-tailed Duck (長尾鴨)
Åland (2013)
19th February, 2013. Mariehamn

In 2013, Åland Post continoues their Frama series Old Wooden Decoys, the second one is Long-tailed Duck, which also is common bird in the Baltic Sea. as well as Common Eider or other game birds to be more succeeded on the hunting, hunters mostly use wooden decoys which are similar to real species to attract the game closer to hunter. Above first day cover, as the first one illustrated a hunter and how the wooden decoy works.

The registration fee of Åland increased again, supplementary postage label valued €6,85 is instead of €6,10 in last year.

Loons and grebes

From left to right :
Red-throated Loon (紅喉潛鳥) ; Horned Grebe (角鸊鷈)
Great Crested Grebe (鳳頭鸊鷉) ; Black-throated Loon (黑喉潛鳥)
Åland (2013)
5th April, 2013. Mariehamn

After many years, Åland issued new WWF stamps again, this time feature 4 loons and grebes commonly to be found in this small islands. I decided order a FDC from the philatelic bureau, but sadly the shame Hongkong Post once again damaged this beautiful (and quite expensive) FDC.

Newly immigrated animal species of Åland

L : Whooper Swan (大天鵝) ; R : Great Cormorant (普通鸕鶿)
Åland (2005)
26th April, 2012. Lemland

After Finland turned into Euro-zone, Åland, which is a state of Finland began to issue new stamps for suitable in Euro currency. Above stamps features three new immigrated birds to be found in Åland is a set of new definitive to its small islands.

Not so surprise, as Åland in the middle of Baltic Sea, it is a important stop of migratory birds from North Pole to southern countries during migration. Two places of Åland is the best to birdwatching, Herröskatan of Lemland is in the east of Åland, there has couple of wooden birdwatching towers in the bank of the Herröskatan for observers. Another good place to birdwatching is Jomala Torpfjärden.

Great Cormorant (普通鸕鶿)
Åland (2005)
26th April, 2012. Lemland

Nordic 2012

Black-headed Gull (紅嘴鷗) / Lesser Black-backed Gull (小黑背鷗)
Åland (2012)
21st March, 2012. Mariehamn

In each year, eight northern European countries choose one theme for their common issue - Nordic series in each year, the fishermen have been chose in 2012 and only sheetlet of Åland features seabirds, probably Black-headed Gull and Lesser Black-backed Gull, are common in the Baltic Sea and north Atlantic Ocean. However, unfortunately but just a mirror mistake, the postcard is features Common Gull (海鷗).

Common Eider

Common Eider (歐絨鴨)
Åland (2012)
1st February, 2012. Sviby, Mariehamn

From 2012, the Frama of Åland Post begins another series Old Wooden Decoys, rather than Spar Buoys. The first is Common Eider, which is common bird in the Baltic Sea. As a result, the rich wild bird resource attracts hunters round the year. To be more succeeded on the hunting, they mostly use wooden decoys which are similar to real species to attract the game closer to hunter. Above first day cover, illustrated a hunter and how the wooden decoy works.

The label drawn the wooden decoy as above and real eider. The wooden decoy specially masks as female bird to attracted male bird.

Above is the first day cover sent on day of issue. Please note that as from January 1, the registration fee is €9,60 for the mail not over 250g. Supplementary postage label valued €6,10 is rarely to be seen in postal use.

Maxicard shown a family of eiders.

Common Eider (歐絨鴨)
Åland (2012)
1st February, 2012. Mariehamn

Herring Gull or Yellow-legged Gull (2)

Thin-Lipped Grey Mullet (薄唇鯔)
Portugal (2011)
7th December, 2011. Póvoa do Varzim

In the end of the last year, Póvoa do Varzim held a philatelic exhibition and of course having variety postmarks use on each days. Póvoa do Varzim near the coastline of Atlantic Ocean, there is suitable for fishing and related industries, the city attracts thousands of seabird whole years. So one of 5 postmarks features Yellow-legged Gull (黄腿鷗), it is one common bird to be found on the beach, piers and fish markets. Although postmark shown Larus argentatus, is the scientific name of Herring Gull. Now two species are individual and southern one as Larus michahellis.

It is hard to identify Yellow-legged Gull and Herring Gull, but their inhabit places are different, Yellow-legged Gull near coastline of southern Europe while Herring Gull is the north. The important differences are the back of Herring Gull is darker and the legs of Yellow-legged Gull is in yellow colour. The Åland's aerogramme shown the Herring Gull.

Herring Gull (銀鷗)
Åland (1996)
16th February, 2012. Sviby, Mariehamn

The stamp on the cover issued on 2011, comes from the Migratory Fishes set. This beautiful issue features 6 common migratory fishes to be found on the coast of Portugal or nearby Atlantic Ocean. Below attractive cover is an example of this stamp set.

From left to right :
0,32 € : European River Lamprey (七鳃鳗) ; 0,47 € : Allis Shad (西鯡)
0,68 € : European Flounder (川鰈) ; 0,80 € : Thin-Lipped Grey Mullet (薄唇鯔)
Portugal (2011)
1st April, 2011. Cuba

Steller's Eider

Front

Steller's Eider (小絨鴨)

Åland (2001)

Back

Arctic Tern (北極燕鷗)

Åland (2000)

16th February, 2009. Mariehamn

Before I only collect bird stamps, issues from some countries are very attractive for me and continue to collect them, Åland is one of them. It doesn't issue many stamps in each year, just around 20 to 25 stamps, and they are not costly. However, it is not easy to find posted envelope from there - if not visit or travel to there.

Above mail, thanks for correspondence of Åland Post, helped me coordinate the cover. As the registered label too large for C6 size envelope, they found a plastic bag put all things together. I franked it on the back side of envelope after it arrived.

Steller's Eider is a rear migratory bird found in northern countries. As seen in the stamps, male feather is much colourful than female which only have browned colour. They bleeding in small pound but live in near shore. On the back side of the cover features another bird called Arctic Tern, it has been appeared on Portugal stamp and shown here before.

Dear swap partners, as some reasons, swap posted First Day Cover activity will be suspended on May, that means I will not have ability to send you posted First Day Cover in future, I am sorry for this information. However normal exchange will not have any change, I am happy to swap ordinary covers from your place, thank you.