⭕️ The Azores - Certified by Nature

Azores Bullfinch (亞速爾紅腹灰雀)
Azores (2016)
21st June, 2016. Nordeste, Azores

Azores Bullfinch also known as the São Miguel bullfinch, or locally in Portuguese as the Priolo, is an endangered passerine bird in the true finch family. It is endemic to São Miguel Island, in the Azores archipelago of Macaronesia in the North Atlantic Ocean.

The bullfinch is now largely restricted to a small area of native laurisilva forest at the eastern end of São Miguel, 300–-800 m asl, mainly centred on Pico da Vara in the Serra da Tronqueira range, but also seasonally (September to December) around Salto do Cavalo, further westwards in the range, probably of juveniles following post-fledging dispersal. It has never been recorded from the western end of the island.

Necessary for the recovery of the Azores bullfinch is to recover the available ecological enclaves of its northern archipelago of Macaronesia. The process of decline that suffers a significant portion of the endemic Azorean flora, is favored by the expansion of invasive alien plants. The projects dedicated to save the Azores bullfinch include the restoration of original laurel forest habitat, in the eastern monteverde of São Miguel.

Azores Bullfinch (亞速爾紅腹灰雀)
Azores (2016)
16th May, 2016. Nordeste, Azores

Falcoaria

From left to right :
I 20g : Golden Eagle (金雕) ; E 20g : Eurasian Sparrowhawk (北雀鷹)
A 20g : Northern Goshawk (蒼鷹) ; N 20g : Peregrine Falcon (擬游隼)
Portugal (2013)
23rd March, 2013. Salvaterra de Magos

Falconry is the hunting of wild quarry in its natural state and habitat by means of a trained bird of prey. There are two traditional terms used to describe a person involved in falconry: a falconer flies a falcon; an austringer (German origin) flies a hawk (Accipiter and some buteos and similar) or an eagle (Aquila or similar). In modern falconry the Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) and the Harris hawk are often used. The words "hawking" and "hawker" have become used so much to mean petty traveling traders, that the terms "falconer" and "falconry" now apply to all use of trained birds of prey to catch game.

In early English falconry literature, the word "falcon" referred to a female falcon only, while the word "hawk" or "hawke" referred to a female hawk. A male hawk or falcon was referred to as a "tiercel" (sometimes spelled "tercel") as it was roughly one third less than the female in size. Many contemporary practitioners still use these words in their original meaning. The practice of hunting with a conditioned falconry bird is also called "hawking" or "gamehawking".

Escola Básica Integrada de Arrifes

Braga festival masks (布拉加節日面具)

Portugal (2005)

31st May, 2011. Arrifes, Ponta Delgada

On late May, a commemorative postmark to mark the event of celebrate of 25th anniversary of EBI in Arrifes, a civil parish in Ponta Delgada, Azores. The illustration of the postmark chose Azores Buzzard (亞速爾鵟) as it is only one resident bird of prey in Azores, which is endemic subspecies of Common Buzzard (鵟). However as the illustration was too graphical, it hardly to identify and dislike buzzard, except from the Portuguese description 'O Milhapre'.

More Azores Buzzard can be found in the site Pictures and voices of European and Finnish Birds.

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

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

Peniche, Portugal

Maxicard

Razorbill (刀嘴海雀)
Portugal (2008)
30th June, 2010. Peniche

Nothing special, these maxicard and cover just the last items to complete the series International Polar Year, which issued on 2008. This time, I selected Peniche where is an important fishing town in the western coast of Portugal. The town with near 15,000 inhabitants also is a bird-watching paradise as there have cliffs and reserved islands Berlengas are breeding places of seabirds.

Unfortunately, postmark on the maxicard shown above is not clear enough, but it still readable. Please note that the bee-eater stamp is not valid for postage after April 30, but the post office still cancelled the stamp regularly.

From left to right :
0.30 €: Sanderling (三趾濱鷸) ; 1,00 € : Arctic Tern (南極燕鷗)
0,52 €: Razorbill (刀嘴海雀) ; 0,02 € : European Bee-eater (黃喉蜂虎)
Portugal (2008, 2002)
30th June, 2010. Peniche

International Year of Biodiversity (1) - Portugal

0,80 € : Minute Hermit (微隱蜂鳥) ; 0,68 € : Giant Panda (大熊貓)
Portugal (2010)
8th March, 2010. Lisbon (featuring first day special postmark)
15th March, 2010. Hongkong

This year, the United Nations proclaimed that 2010 is the International Year of Biodiversity. More than 180 countries to be held a thousands of event as celebration. Stamp is one of media to promote this affair, thus until now more than 10 postal administrations include Hongkong participate to issue special stamps of this joint theme, the first one was Swiss issued on March 4. In here shown the one is Portugal, which followed the Swiss issue released on March 8.

The stamp set illustrates 5 different species include fish, shark, hummingbird, giant panda and gorilla. They are live in different environment and geographic zones. Above first day cover only selected two of 4 stamps and souvenir sheet, Minute Hermit and Giant Panda. Minute Hermit is a tiny hummingbird endemic to humid Atlantic Forest, where located in the eastern Brazil. The stamp shown the bird and a plant of orchid, which is its food also to be found in the forest. Giant Panda is origin from Sichuan of China, which also is endemic to this area and unfortunately their inhabit place and conversation area were damaged by earthquake on 2008.

It is the first cover of the International Year of Biodiversity. In future here will be shown the issues of South Africa, Belarus, Hungary and Hongkong. Below cover was sent from Pombal by José, thanks for his great mail includes maxicards and hummingbird stamp.

15th March, 2010. Formiga (Industrial Zone), Pombal

World Wetlands Day 2010

0,01 € : European Green Woodpecker (綠啄木鳥)
0,02 € : European Bee-eater (黃喉蜂虎)
0,30 € : Rock Pigeon (原鴿) ; 0,45 € : Red-rumped Swallow (金腰燕)
Portugal (2002, 2003, 2004)
2nd February, 2010. Olhão (features special postmark)

On 2 February of each year, more than 95 countries mark the day as World Wetlands Day to commemorate Ramsae Convention signed on the same day of 1971, an Iranian city on the seashore of the Caspian Sea. In each year the day will have different theme, and the theme of 2010 is Wetlands, Biodiversity and Climate Change. As well as before, many events arranged by different organisations over the world ; the stamp exhibition held in Olhão was one of the event. Olhão is a town located in Algarve, the southernmost Portugal. It nears Ria Formosa and the nearby lagoons are important wetland and also is one of natural park of this country. In each year, many birds migrate from northern Europe for winter.

Above pre-paid postcard shown a special postmark of this stamp exhibition, the actress is Pied Avocet (反嘴鷸) which is commonly to be found in Ria Formosa Natural Park. The pre-paid postcard is part of series Aves de Portugal definitive stamps shown as well as before, and now the stamps were not valid for postage in Portugal.

On the opposite side of Portugal, the African country Algeria also has some wetlands located in the southern basin of Mediterranean Sea. Below two maxicards shown Pied Avocet and Greylag Goose (灰雁) respectively, also are common birds of El-Kala National Park, lakes area nearby El Kala. Although the cards cancelled at Sétif, the postmark date are interestingly marked on the 2nd February, 2011 !

MaxicardPied Avocet (反嘴鷸)
Algeria (2001)
2nd February, 2011. Sétif

Greylag Goose (灰雁)
Algeria (2001)
2nd February, 2011. Sétif

Birds of Portugal

From left to right :
0,54 € and 0,43 € : Eurasian Eagle-owl (鵰鴞)
0,60 € : Red-necked Nightjar (紅頸夜鷹) ; 0,58 € : Thekla Lark (短嘴鳳頭百靈)
0,01 € : European Green Woodpecker (綠啄木鳥) ; 0,28 € : Little Tern (小燕鷗)
0,72 € : European Crested Tit (鳳頭山雀)
Portugal (2002, 2003, 2004)
23rd October, 2009. Praça dos Restauradores, Lisbon
30th October, 2009. Hongkong

Since 2000, Portugal Post issued five pretty definitive stamp series feature 26 species which to be found in this nation, beside products also included some postal stationary, postage label, self-adhesive booklets and stamps for domestic priority mail. To suit the currency changed from Escudo to Euro on 2002, the stamp denominations of first and second series are indicated with both Escudo to Euro currencies and other three are only in Euro, when Escudo lost its official currency on 2002. In here I have been shown two covers, one was the postage label and another was two of this definitive set. Thank you Paula again she sent me above attractive cover from Lisbon, with many stamps of this definitive set. Those species are simplely descript as below.

Eurasian Eagle-owl is the world largest Strigidae (鴟鴞科) species, its length can be over 80cm widely lives in Eurasia and southern Sahara. Mostly to be found in woodland forests and hilly mountains. The type locality of the specis located in Switzerland. Red-necked Nightjar is the largest nightjar common to be found in Iberia and North Africa, and they shall migrate to West Africa during late April to May. Thekla Lark is a dark-browned bird widely to be found in Eurasia and North Africa, also whole sub-Saharan area. Commonly lives in dry plains and area near desert. Always walks on the land or flying with wave sharp. European Green Woodpecker occurs in most parts of Europe and western Asia. Except the bill and reddish head, whole body in green colour. Crested Tit is a common resident breeder in coniferous forest of northern Europe and deciduous forest of France and Iberia.

Beside of above cover, I also sent one cover with Red-rumped Swallow stamps during I was travelling to Portugal on 2007. Red-rumped Swallow widely to be found in Siberia and whole eastern Asia, India Peninsula, southern Europe, northern Africa and western and eastern sub-Sahara area. Below is the part of the cover only shown the stamps and postmark, the photograph on left side is wall decoration of the Caldas da Reinha post office, which is original place to send this mail.

Red-rumped Swallow (金腰燕)
Portugal (2004)
3rd July, 2007. Caldas da Rainha

Joint issue - Portugal and Iran

0,32 € : Western Osprey (魚鷹) ; 0,80 € : White-tailed Eagle (白尾鷲)
Portugal (2009)
21st September, 2009. Lisbon (with first day postmark)

It is a quite interesting joint issue, originally the stamps to be issued on 24 June of individual country and all kind of thing are ready before day of issue. However only issue of Iran was come out on this day, Portugal one was suspended suddenly and to be delayed on 21 September as unexpected reason.

Here is the posted first day cover of Portugal sent by philatelic bureau in Lisbon, unfortunately I still haven't collect Iran's cover when this thread posted. Stamps are illustrated two common prey of birds of these two countries, these two bird shown here before respective in Sweden and Uzbekistan issues. So pity that stamps designed in se-tangent style but printed independently of Portugal issue.

It is third and the last bird issue of Portugal and its archipelagos in this year., other issues are Bicentenary of the birth of Charles Darwin and Lakes of Azores.

Biodiversity : Lakes of Azores

2,50 € : See below picture ; 0,32 € : Eurasian Woodcock (丘鷸)

From left to right :
Common Pochard (紅頭潛鴨), Eurasian Teal (綠翅鴨) and Grey Heron (蒼鷺)
Azores (2009)
17th September, 2009. Antero de Quental, Ponta Delgada
24th September, 2009. Hongkong

Yesterday has been shown the Bulgaria-Serbia joint issue which one of the species is Eurasian Woodcock. Today I receive back this cover from Azores, it also contains one stamp illustrated woodcock. Originally this is a first day cover of Azores issue in April, as some unexpected reasons, it delayed 5 months sent from there. Four stamps and two souvenir sheets of this stamp set, total amount in 8,80 € to show six biodiversity lakes of Azores, only one stamp and one souvenir sheet have birds shown as above.

0,32 € stamp illustrates Lagoa Comprida where located in Flores Island, in the farther north-western of São Miguel. The lake rounded by mountains and the highest point of this island - Morro alto, is not far from the north of the lake. 2,50 € souvenir sheet illustrates Lagoa das Furnas, it located in the parish of Furnas, São Miguel. Furnas was a stratovolcano with two calderas approximately 30,000 years ago and afterwards the calderas became crater lakes, Lagoa das Furnas is one of the lack. Now the lake full of hot springs and sometimes have stream come out from water.

So pity that the cover only sent from Ponta Delgada, the largest town of Azores. My plan is sent it from Furnas, the nearest town of Lagoa das Furnas. On the back of cover postmarked twice by Hongkong Post, perhaps the postman forgot to adjust the date of postmark.

Razorbill and Bonelli's Eagle

L : Razorbill (刀嘴海雀) ; R : Bonelli's Eagle (白腹山鵰)
Gibraltar (2008)
15th February, 2009. Gibraltar (first day postmark)

In last year, when I posted an envelope from Gibraltar, I also say that I have been sent one IRC to Gibraltar post office, for exchange some stamps. It returned few days ago, thanks Gibraltar Philatelic Bureau for the nice stamps and cancellation. Once again, it franked with newest definitive stamps issued on 2008. This excellent illustrated bird definitive set contains 14 stamps and there to be continued issue three more stamps on 15th September of 2009.

These two species, are very common in southern Europe and northern Africa, here has been written their description in different Portugal issues. Gibraltar located next to Spain's south boundary and opposites of Morocco, conjunction of Mediterranean and Atlantic, it also not far away from Portugal.

Bonelli's Eagle (白腹山鵰)
Portugal (2007)
12th June, 2009. Lisbon (Philatelic Bureau)

First flight cover

Wilson's Storm Petrel (黃蹼洋海燕)
Portugal (2008)
29th March, 2009. Lisbon

From March 29, Lufthansa Italia begins to operate new business flight between Milan bound and Lisbon, an aircraft Airbus A319 is allowance on this flight which is brand new for this new airline. The flight operates daily from Milan on 1030 (flight LH1808) and 1300 to Milan (flight LH1809). Portugal post office have a special postmark to commemorate this event, and above cover is an example for the first flight LH1809 from Lisbon to Milan, unfortunately date postmark of Lisbon Airport and arrival postmark of Milan are omitted.

Two Wilson's Storm Petrel stamps are franked on this cover enough for 30g priority mail within EU area, the stamp issued on 2008 for International Polar Year and has been shown here before. In summer, Wilson's Strom Petrel widely lives in offshore of eastern North America, from SPM to Mexico ; Europe and northern Africa. And breeds on the coastline of Antarctic. The bird spends whole year on the sea except they are breeding.

American Heritage

Turkey (火雞)
Portugal (2007)
12th October, 2007. Pombal

Turkey originally lives in North America, it also a main food of North and Latin America. In 16th to 19th centuries, the bird imported to Portugal and Europe continent as food after the discovery of America. meantime other foods like sweet potato, maize, cocoa and passion fruit also transformed from those navigators who travel between Europe and new continent. Above illustration of Turkey was drawn by Pierre Gourdelle on 1555, a famous French artist of birds and plants. In this period, many European artist drawn enormous illustrations of new species from this new continent.

White Stock

Palácio Ribeiro da Cunha, Lisbon (里斯本 里貝羅宮)
Portugal (2007)
25th April, 2009. Vila Nova Santo André, Santiago do Cacém
(features a special postmark White Stork (白鸛)
8th May, 2009. Hongkong

White Stork is common bird in south European countries and northwest of Africa. In Portugal and Spain, storks like nest at the top of highest buildings in the town, like church or clockhouse. The special postmark, illustrated a white stork finding food in wetland, was using in a philatelic function of Santo André. The place is a new town nearby Atlantic Ocean with 11,000 residents, also is a best place for white stork as there is not far away from wetlands.

Cory's Shearwater

Atlantic Cory's Shearwater (大西洋猛鸌)
Madeira (2007)
18th June, 2007. Estremoz (Portugal)

Atlantic Cory's Shearwater is one of a subspecies of Cory's Shearwater, a large shearwater in brown colour. Mostly lives in Mediterranean Sea and migrate to Atlantic Ocean, offshore of Europe to Cape Verde Islands in each Springs, but it different than Cape Verde Shearwater (佛得角猛鸌), which is endemic to the country. Now these two species listed as Near Threatened.

The mail sent by me during visiting Portugal, Estremoz is a relax place with attractive castle. The woman in the post office very kindly to help me affix the extra stamps, although one of them is damaged.

Voided stamp

Greater Flamingo (大紅鶴)
Portugal (2000)
8th October, 2008. Vendas Novas

Greater Flamingo is one beautiful bird in the world, it widely lives in southern European countries and africa, and also parts of Asia. As a migratory bird, it flies to southern Africa in winter. Many parks and zoos in the world also feed many Greater Flamingos. Above postage label was issued by Portugal in 2000, the denomination of the label marked as Escudo, which is old currency of Portugal and fully replaced by Euro on 2002, those stamps are not valid for postage after this year. However the above label, still postmarked on 2008 !

Undiscovered talent

Azores Bullfinch (亞速爾紅腹灰雀)
Azores (2008)
24th October, 2008. Sete-Rios, Lisbon

In Chinese, there have a phrase undiscovered talent (滄海遺珠), it means a treasure forgotten by someone. Here are two covers received recent days, two species Azores Bullfinch and Green Peafowl have been shown here before. Anyway, I would say a great thanks to José of Lisbon and Ray of Nanjing, who sent me these two nice mails.

Green Peafowl (綠孔雀)
China (2004)
8th March, 2009. Fuqiao, Nanjing
11th March, 2009. Hongkong

National and conservation parks

Körös-Maros National Park and Órségi National Park, Hungary

36 Fo. : Great Bustard (大鴇) ; 220 Fo. : Red Crossbill (紅交嘴鳥)

Hungary (2001, 2008)

3rd March, 2009. Józsefváros, Budapest

Few days ago I received a cover has two different national park stamps sent by Majoros in Budapest, thanks for the nice mail. Hungary issued 10 stamps present all of 10 national parks in the country from 1998, they are designed in same style which illustrated bird and its environment, and also the founder. The above two stamps are Körös-Maros National Park and Órségi National Park individually. Körös-Maros National Park (501.34 km²) in the border of Ukraine, created in 1997. Órségi National Park established in 2002, located in the border of Germany and Austria where have about 440 km² protection area.

The stamps also shown Great Bustard and Red Crossbill. Great Bustard breeds in southern and central Europe, where it is the largest species of bird, and across temperate Asia. In China, some people call master of brothel is bustard, but it is national bird of Hungary and called túzok. Red Crossbill is a common bird live in North America's spruce forests to mainland of Europe and Asia.

Tapada de Mafra, Portugal

2,00 € : Bonelli's Eagle (白腹山鵰) ; 1,00 € : Eurasian Eagle-Owl (雕鴞)

Portugal (2007)

13th October, 2007. Pombal

Tapada Nacional de Mafra owned 8 km² protection land following the building of the Mafra National Palace, Mafra. Founded in the reign of Portugal king João V, now there can be found many different species like deer, foxes, birds of prey. These two bird stamps on the envelope, issued by Portugal in 2007 for Tapada Nacional de Mafra, six stamps with one souvenir sheet and only these two feature birds. Bonelli's Eagle and Eurasian Eagle-Owl are very common in Europe and Asia, sometimes they may visible in Hongkong.

Of course, I would say thanks José from Pombal of this mail.

Xianghai National Nature Reserve, China

Maxicard

Common Shelduck (翹鼻麻鴨)

China (2005)

30th July, 2005. Xianghai, Jilin

Xianghai National Nature Reserve is in the north-west of Tongyu County, Jilin near inner-Mongolia, an important conservation wetland for Red-crowned Crane (丹頂鶴) and other species. It founded in 1981 and has 105 km² area, included 5 towns and 12 villages.

China Post issued a set of 4 stamps illustrated four different birds live and can be found in Xianghai National Natural Reserve in 2005. Above maxicard is one of four, a couple of Shelducks nested bank of pound. Thanks Kristiina of her great card.

Hand-drawing envelopes

In past two months, I got many hand-drawing covers from different friends, or print the related photos on the envelopes, they are beautiful and make the envelopes more attractive. Now I would show three of them from the Netherlands and Portugal, as those covers are franked with nice bird stamps - although some stamps shown here already.

0,65 € : Hawfinch (錫嘴雀) ; 0,39 € : Great Cormorant (普通鸕鶿)

the Netherlands (2005)

24th February, 2009. Zwolle, Overijssel

The first one is from the Netherlands, two stamps are come from a set of two different souvenir sheets which commemorated 100 years of Natuurmonumenten (English: Society for preservation of nature monuments in the Netherlands), the organisation found in 1905 by Jac. P. Thijsse. These two sheets feature 8 different species and only two are birds, the cover presents Great Cormorant and male Hawfinch, and the stamp illustrated female Hawfinch.

0,39 € : Common Crane (灰鶴) ; 70+30c : Black-tailed Godwit (黑尾塍鷸)

the Netherlands (2006, 1984)

20th January, 2009. Grote Market, Goes

20th January, 2009. Rotterdam

The above cover come from the Netherlands again which illustrated with colour pencils, seems it is a White Stork (白鸛). It lets me remember pictorial books read in child time. Stamps are Common Crane (really is crane, great drawing !) and Black-tailed Godwit, they were issued on 2006 and 1984 respectively.

First roll :

0,61 € : Wilson's Storm Petrel (黃蹼洋海燕) ; 0,52 € : Razorbill (刀嘴海雀)

Second roll : 0,70 € : Black-eared Wheatear (白頂即鳥)

0,02 € : European Bee-eater (黃喉蜂虎)

Portugal (2008, 2003, 2002)

18th January, 2009. Avenida 5 de Outubro, Lisbon

Same as last cover, this cover also used colour-pencils, but it sent from Portugal. It looks very cute, especially the bill is in reddish colour, perhaps it is sharp enough in high-level area. Above two stamps have been shown here before, and other two are come from the definitive set issued on 2002 to 2003.

$1,40 : Fork-tailed Sunbird (叉尾太陽鳥) ; $1,80 : Roseate Tern (粉紅燕鷗)

$2,40 : Greater Painted Snipe (彩鷸) ; $3,00 : Red-whiskered Bulbul (紅耳鵯)

Hongkong (2006)

23rd February, 2009. Airmail Centre

At last, I would shown my illustration, this was drew at Shatin Park in last month. Those stamps are in coil format so they are smaller than normal size.

Thanks Else and Jetske from the Netherlands, and Paula from Portugal of all their great works.