Bailiwick Life

Atlantic Puffin (北極海鸚)
Guernsey (2016)
7th February, 2015. Guernsey

This latest issue of Guernsey Post & Go stamps includes six fantastic images of animals, all of which are associated with the Bailiwick of Guernsey.

The first of the stamps features a donkey, partly in recognition of the fact that people of Guernsey are sometimes referred to as donkeys! The inclusion of the donkey in this set is also to pay homage to the original Guernsey golden donkey, which is now extinct.

Other animals with island connections pictured on the stamps include the Guernsey golden goat, the iconic Guernsey cow, the Atlantic grey seal, the puffin and the unusual blonde hedgehog.

Jersey protected species

Barn Owl (倉鴞)
Jersey (2015)
18th February, 2015. Jersey

Jersey is very proud of its rare and varied wildlife and certain species are protected by the Island's Biodiversity Strategy. First published in the year 2000 by the States of Jersey Eco-Active department, the strategy was established after Jersey signed the International Convention on Biological Diversity at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit.

Now focussing on as many as 67 species of animals and plants in Jersey, the department aims to produce local action plans to protect those that are threatened.

Atlantic Puffin (北極海鸚)
Jersey (2015)
18th February, 2015. Jersey

Biodiversity SOAR of Ireland (2014)

Mute Swan (疣鼻天鵝)
Ireland (2014)
31st July, 2014. Dublin

As last few years, Ireland An Post continues to issue Biodiversity definitive SOAR this year and it is the fifth series of 2014, eight labels issued cover variety family as well as before. The two birds chose as Mute Swan and Winter Wren.

Mute Swan is a species of swan, and thus a member of the waterfowl family Anatidae. It is native to much of Europe and Asia, and (as a rare winter visitor) the far north of Africa. It is also an introduced species in North America, Australasia and southern Africa. The name 'mute' derives from it being less vocal than other swan species. Measuring 125 to 170 cm in length, this large swan is wholly white in plumage with an orange bill bordered with black. It is recognisable by its pronounced knob atop the bill.

Winter Wren is a very small North American bird and a member of the mainly New World wren family Troglodytidae. It was once lumped with Troglodytes pacificus of western North America and Troglodytes troglodytes of Eurasia under the name winter wren. It breeds in coniferous forests from British Columbia to the Atlantic Ocean. It migrates through and winters across southeastern Canada, the eastern half the United States and rarely north-eastern Mexico. Small numbers may be casual in the western United States and Canada.

Mute Swan (疣鼻天鵝)
Ireland (2014)
31st July, 2014. Dublin

Winter Wren (鷦鷯)
  Ireland (2014)
31st July, 2014. Dublin

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.

Biodiversity SOAR of Ireland (2013)

Great Spotted Woodpecker (大斑啄木鳥)
Ireland (2013)
1st August, 2012. Dublin

As last few years, Ireland An Post continues to issue Biodiversity definitive SOAR this year and it is the fourth series of 2013, eight labels issued cover variety family as well as before. The two birds chose as Great Spotted Woodpecker and Black-legged Kittiwake.

The Great Spotted Woodpecker can be found in both broadleaved and coniferous woodlands and forests and recently has been spotted in gardens and parks. They feed on seeds, invertebrates, and occasionally bird eggs and nestlings. During spring they can be heard ‘drumming’; a sound produced by rapidly pecking on a dead branch or other resonant object.

The Black-legged Kittiwake is a small, cliff-nesting gull, named for its loud, nasal ‘kitti-wake’ call. Its short legs are usually black, helping to distinguish it from the Red-legged Kittiwake. The hind toe of each foot is reduced to a mere bump, meaning it has only three functional toes instead of four, giving the Black-legged Kittiwake its scientific name, tridactyla, which means ‘three-toed’.

Black-legged Kittiwake (三趾鷗)
Ireland (2013)
1st August, 2012. Dublin

Great Spotted Woodpecker (大斑啄木鳥)
  Ireland (2013)
1st August, 2012. Dublin

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.

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

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

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

Post & Go labels (IV)

From left to right :
Atlantic Puffin (北極海鸚); Arctic Tern (北極燕鷗) ; Eurasian Oystercatcher (蠣鴴)
Common Ringed Plover (環頸鴴) ; Northern Gannet (北方塘鵝)
Great Cormorant (普通鸕鶿)
Great Britain (2011)
16th September, 2011. Trafalgar Square, London

In the Autumn Stampex, Post Office released its fourth bird Post & Go labels, which is the last in this series. This time features 6 seabirds are common to be found in seashores of Scotland and Northern Ireland. Not surprisingly the species have been appeared on stamps. Above cover is the first day cover of the label sent from London.

As the seabirds mostly inhabiting in northern nation of the country, a set of maximum cards as below which I arranged to be cancelled in those variety post office in Scotland.

Northern Gannet (北方塘鵝)
Great Britain (2011)
6th October, 2011. North Berwick, East Lothian

In the offshore of North Berwick, there has a rock called The Base Rock where is a praise of gannets. Three-fourths of British gannets to be found in this island, however the island has its own castle and lighthouse.

Arctic Tern (北極燕鷗) ; Great Cormorant (普通鸕鶿)
Great Britain (2011)
5th October, 2011. Holy Island, Northumberland

Holy Island, is a tidal island off coast of Northumberland, England. The island formally called Lindisfarne, the lower margin of postmark called Berwick on Tweed is parliament of the island. The island is historical but it also is a nature reserve named Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve, in there can be observed thousand of seabirds in each migration seasons.

Atlantic Puffin (北極海鸚)
Great Britain (2011)
4th November, 2011. Marloes, Pembrokeshire

Puffin is common and cute seabird in the country. Marloes is one of best place to find them in breeding seasons.

Common Ringed Plover (環頸鴴) ; Eurasian Oystercatcher (蠣鴴)
Great Britain (2011)
7th October, 2011. Fair Island, Shetland

Last two cards are cancelled in Fair Isle, Shetland. Shetland is the most important islands to seabirds, it is in the north-east of Scotland. Only 15 island inhabited while all of them colonised by seabirds ! Fair Isle and Fetlar are the islands in the east side of Shetland, only few inhabitant in there but have thousands of different seabirds like gannet, puffin and oystercatcher. A RSPB reserve has been built in the islands. The stamps as below cover, was issued on 1999 to commemorate centenary of RSPB.

Clockwise from top-left :
32p : Eurasian Oystercatcher (蠣鴴) ; 27p : Pied Avocet (反嘴鷸)
25p : Northern Gannet (北方塘鵝) ; 19p : Atlantic Puffin (北極海鸚)
Great Britain (1999)
3rd May, 2011. Fetlar, Shetland

ATM labels of Denmark

From top to bottom (left column) :
Common Shelduck (翹鼻麻鴨) ; Mallard (綠頭鴨) ; Tufted Duck (鳳頭潛鴨)
Denmark (2011)
10th September, 2011. Copenhagen

In recent years, many postal administrations begin to use new generation postage label, for counter use or self-served kiosk, Denmark is one long term user of FARMA label and using new generation labels for a while. In September, to meet the stamp exhibition in Horsens, there to be issued a set of three labels feature 3 waterbirds. Shelduck, mallard and Tufted Duck are very common to be found in this northern country.

Thanks Montse of Spain and his correspondent from Denmark to coordinate this nice first day cover.

Peafowl in western's eyes (2) - Giuseppe Castiglione

India Peafowl (藍孔雀) ; Peony (牡丹)
Taiwan (1991)
18th March, 2011. Neihu, Taipei

It is the second peafowl drawing to show here, and also it was painted by western during 18th century. Giuseppe Castiglione (19 July, 1688 - 17 July, 1766) was an Italian Jesuit who born in Milan, he began to have interesting on Chinese culture during visiting Lisbon and Coimbra of Portugal in 1714. After a year he arrived Macao for studying Chinese, and having a Chinese name Lang Shih-ning.

He stayed in China more than 50 years, participated the design work of the Old Summer Palace, the imperial gardens of early Qing dynasty. Also he painted couple of paintings with emperors and concubines, nature, horses. Above souvenir sheet is one of his painting finished on 1758, now the ancient painting is a collection of National Palace Museum, Taipei.

The postage label is another ancient painting collection of National Palace Museum, painter Yun Shouping (1633-1690) also an important artist in early Qing dynasty. He specialised in flower painting and regards as one of the "Six Masters" of the Qing period.

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

Singapore ATM - Singapore Botanic Gardens

Mute Swan (疣鼻天鵝)
Singapore (2009)
24th December, 2010. Singapore

Following the issue of Singapore Botanic Gardens, Singpost renewed their vending machine label as similar as the issue. This vending machine label locally called SAM, as known as ATM stamp in the world. Thanks Eddie sent me a Christmas greetings card in the Christmas Eve so I got a copy of the label. The label shown a couple of Mute Swan, seems they are feed by the botanic gardens. This species is not domestic bird of Singapore however most of gardens in the world feeding them as attraction.

The famous feeding place of Mute Swan is Abbotsbury Swannery, where is in Dorset, England. A set of stamps issued as a cover shown here on February 14.

Post & Go labels (II)

From left to right :
Common Blackbird (烏鶇) ; Common Magpie (喜鵲) ; Eurasian Collared-Dove (灰斑鳩)
European Greenfinch (金翅雀) ; Long-tailed Tit (銀喉長尾山雀) ; Chaffinch (蒼頭燕雀)
Great Britain (2011)
24th January, 2011. Trafalgar Square, London

After three months of first bird theme Post & Go labels, the Post Office released second set on January also features 6 common birds. The new set similar to first sixes are illustrated by Peter Horridge but not colourful as first sixes. Once again, thanks to Yoram sent me this cover on the day of issue. As before, the labels are obtained from Trafalgar Square according to the code imprinted on labels.

Birds of prey and SOAR of Ireland

From left to right :

Birds of prey

55c : Common Buzzard (鵟) ; 95c : Merlin (灰背隼)

82c : Peregrine Falcon (擬游隼) ; 55c : Golden Eagle (金雕)

Ireland (2010)

SOAR

5c : Green Tiger Beetle (虎甲蟲) ; 55c : Golden Eagle (金雕)

Ireland (2010)

29th September, 2010. Blackrock, Dublin

After the Ducks issue of 2004, An Post issued another new stamp set related to bird after 6 years, four stamps are Birds of prey but so pity that they seemed nothing surprise to bird lovers as the illustrations as well as bird guide. After few weeks of this issue, the post office presented new series of SOAR (Stamps On A Roll), which are 8 postage labels feature Irish animals and marine life, is a first part of new Biodiversity definitive series. One of label is a photograph of Golden Eagle as shown above.

The labels, are available same time to counter used system and self-kiosks all over the country, are manufactured by Wincor Nixdorf form mid-2008 as well as the ones using in UK (shown in last post) and Hongkong (see related post in Soapbox). Above two labels, one with photograph Green Tiger Beetle was printed in pilot centre Blackrock post office and bottom one shown Golden Eagle is pre-printed denomination sold by philatelic bureau. As the mail sent by registered mail, the 5c label specially indicated 'RegisteredPost' at the bottom. Together with this cover, shown as left side are the certificate and receipt of the mail, the receipt printed the purchase and mailing details while the certificate proofs this mail.

Meanwhile, I would kindly say thanks to Kevin of Clare, Ireland. Who sent me missing Buzzard mint stamp, and of course below cover.

Common Buzzard (鵟)

Ireland (2010)

6th September, 2010. Cork

Post & Go labels (I)

From left to right :
House Sparrow (家麻雀) ; Wood Pigeon (斑尾林鴿) ; Blue Tit (藍山雀)
Starling (椋鳥) ; European Robin (知更鳥) ; Goldfinch (紅額金翅雀)
Great Britain (2010)
17th September, 2010. Trafalgar Square, London

In 2007, Royal Mail and Post Office tried introduce self-service posting machines in selected branches, it will be more convenient to customer to post stuff. Following the machine, there has one specially designed label using on this system, and it was firstly appeared at Bristol. The label in golden coloured with queen head, similar with Machin definitive.

After 2 years, Post Office considered change the design of labels, the idea came from the election results of Big Garden Birdwatch by RSPB. 6 of 20 be selected in first series and more will be on further issues. Six birds are commonly and popular in nationwide are House Sparrow, Wood Pigeon, Goldfinch, Blue Tit, Starling and Robin, however only 5 labels in each strip, the sixth label will be provided on next strip.

Here are three different items which arranged on day of issue, thanks Yoram of London and Montse of Spain who done great help to me. The first one features whole set of labels, five are printed in worldwide up to 20g rate and one printed in national 100g rate total value £5,71 with made-up Machin stamps. It is correct registered postage under 40g to Hongkong. The labels were printed at Trafalgar Square. Second one just features one label which printed at City of London, ordinary machine postmark be acquired.

Starling (椋鳥)
Great Britain (2010)
17th September, 2010. Mount Pleasant, London

Also, a set of self-illustrated maxicards also arrange, it was the first set self-illustrations be produced as mass production. All illustrations similar as the backgrounds of this blog and 4 selected to show as below. The second series of Bird Post & Go labels is planned to be issued on January 2011.

Maxicards


From left to right :
Wood Pigeon (斑尾林鴿) ; Starling (椋鳥)
European Robin (知更鳥) ; Goldfinch (紅額金翅雀)
Great Britain (2010)
17th September, 2010. Bristol

Touristic postmarks of Swiss

In the past here had shown some pictorial postmarks from Switzerland, but as the limited writing, here did not write any detailed description about these pretty postmarks. These postmarks called touristic postmarks. Now review them once as below.

From left to right :
City sight (城市景色), 3000 Bern
City sight (城市景色), 6204 Sempach Stadt ; Ibex (羱羊), 7530 Zernez

Touristic postmarks are long history in Swiss postal history, since 40's years of last century, many post offices where have special sight or located in tourist points were started to use pictorial postmarks to replace regular postmarks, mostly they illustrate the sight of village, mountains, bridges or local residences. However few of them illustrate natural animals and other local industry. In recent days, I received two more touristic postmarks, the first one is illustrated wetland of Brittnau, the couple of White Stork (白鸛) is bleeding their chicken in their nest. The far background is Brittnau, it is a small village in the north side of Switzerland. Second one affixed with two bird stamps Bullfinch and Great Tit, which issued on 1968 and 2007 respectively. These two birds are very common to be find in this nation. The cancellation illustrated local residence St. Wendelin, which built in 1576.

Four seasons of Switzerland (瑞士四季景色)
(L : Jura ; R : Engadin, Grischun)
Switzerland (1996)
10th November, 2009. Brittnau

L : Bullfinch (紅腹灰雀) ; R : Great Tit (大山雀)
Switzerland (1968, 2007)
20th November, 2009. Geuensee

L : White Stork (白鸛), 4805 Brittnau
R : Kapelle St. Wendeln (St. Wendeln 住宅), 6232 Geuensee

In the end of this post, also have one cover from Swiss would shown here. The cover affixed two latest definitive stamps issue and sent from Lausanne. Unfortunately it cancelled by regular postmark but it looks fine. Thank you Vural of Switzerland and David of France to send me these nice and beautiful covers. Following days may obtain more Swiss touristic postmarks for the collection.

L : Chaffinch (蒼頭燕雀) : R : Great Tit (大山雀)
Switzerland (2007)
7th November, 2009. Saint-François, Lausanne