The weather over the Summer has hardly been spectacular but one nonetheless becomes used to comfortable day time temperatures where nothing more than light clothing is required. I left Glasgow at 7:30 am on Sunday 29th Aug with a slight breeze blowing and reasonable temperatures and despite seeing the forecast for "strong northerly winds in the East" I was completely unprepared for a day more akin to November than August. In short I was "bloody freezing"
I saw very little and certainly not the Semi Palmated Sandpiper that was first reported the previous day. The strong winds and squally rain limited me to a scattering of Dunlin and Ringed Plover and 2-3 Greenshank. I gave up at midday and vowed to pack warm clothes for future visits to the East coast.
Monday, 30 August 2010
Thursday, 19 August 2010
Tawny Owl in Garden
A Tawny Owl was calling loudly from a neighbouring garden last night (18 August) around 9:30 am. Despite my best efforts I could not see it, but good to know they are still around.
Tuesday, 17 August 2010
Sykes's Warbler in Northumberland.............I think !
With news breaking on Sunday evening of the clinching of the ID of Sykes's Warbler in Northumberland, a half day from work on the Monday (16 th August 10) was forthcoming and I was on site for 3pm.
The bird was being watched by about 50 birders and quickly afforded telescope views in a stunted bush. It was very active and over the 2 hours I was present I saw it fairly well on a number of occasions. The shot below is very poor but records the moment............. I think:
Although of the genus Hippolais, it looked almost Acrocephalus and at no stage gave the impression of Phylloscopus that is more associated with Booted Warbler. The comparatively long pointed bill was very evident. Very pale in coloration with a supercillium in front of the eye on an otherwise very plain face. There was no buff wash on the flanks and it gave the appearance of being long tailed. The short primary projection is evident from the photographs I have seen.
Some better images:
The only other birds of note were a calling Whimbrel and a few Sandwich Terns.
The bird was being watched by about 50 birders and quickly afforded telescope views in a stunted bush. It was very active and over the 2 hours I was present I saw it fairly well on a number of occasions. The shot below is very poor but records the moment............. I think:
Although of the genus Hippolais, it looked almost Acrocephalus and at no stage gave the impression of Phylloscopus that is more associated with Booted Warbler. The comparatively long pointed bill was very evident. Very pale in coloration with a supercillium in front of the eye on an otherwise very plain face. There was no buff wash on the flanks and it gave the appearance of being long tailed. The short primary projection is evident from the photographs I have seen.
Some better images:
The only other birds of note were a calling Whimbrel and a few Sandwich Terns.
Sunday, 15 August 2010
Willow Warbler in Garden
The annual post breeding dispersal often turns this species up in the garden. A loud "hoeet" greeted me at 8:30 am as the bird moved back and forth between the cherry, rowan and elder trees. At times a sub song was also audible.
Sunday, 8 August 2010
08 August 10 Montrose Basin
Ruddy Shelduck has long been on my wanted list and whilst I suppose one can never be absolutely confident about the origin of some of the birds, 9 together on the East coast is about as good as it gets. Originally found at Loch of Strathbeg in July, the 9 birds relocated to the Montrose Basin whilst I was in Suffolk. However, since they had not been reported recently I assumed they had gone. However, when they were reported again last night the opportunity for bird number 390 in Britain was too good to miss !
I arrived at the Lurgies around 8:30 am and quickly found the birds on an incoming tide. Although never particularly close I think you get the general idea:
The other very good bird present today was a Common Crane, but unfortunately I failed to see it despite it taking flight on at least 2 occasions.
Greenshanks were frequently heard and seen. 1 Little Egret, still a scare bird in Scotland, was present. Several Common Sands were seen throught the day and a hunting Peregrine put up all the waders at one stage. A Tree Pipit could be heard singing from adjacient woodland.
One of the local ringers was mist netting birds on the marsh and called me over to show me a Kingfisher he had caught. From memory this is my first for the year. I cannot recollect a previous one ? I saw a further 2 in flight later on in the day.
Some other images of a very enjoyable day:
Mute Swan family on the South Esk:
'Atmospheric' RB Merg with young:
Male Yellowhammer:
I arrived at the Lurgies around 8:30 am and quickly found the birds on an incoming tide. Although never particularly close I think you get the general idea:
The other very good bird present today was a Common Crane, but unfortunately I failed to see it despite it taking flight on at least 2 occasions.
Greenshanks were frequently heard and seen. 1 Little Egret, still a scare bird in Scotland, was present. Several Common Sands were seen throught the day and a hunting Peregrine put up all the waders at one stage. A Tree Pipit could be heard singing from adjacient woodland.
One of the local ringers was mist netting birds on the marsh and called me over to show me a Kingfisher he had caught. From memory this is my first for the year. I cannot recollect a previous one ? I saw a further 2 in flight later on in the day.
Some other images of a very enjoyable day:
Mute Swan family on the South Esk:
'Atmospheric' RB Merg with young:
Male Yellowhammer:
Saturday, 7 August 2010
05 August 10 Minsmere
An early morning visit.
A Muntjac Deer showed well in the woodland.
Juvenile Shelduck close to the South Hide:
Moorhen from the same hide:
From Bittern hide a Bittern was seen briefly in flight and a Green Sandpiper briefly flew in.
A Sparrowhawk was seen on two occasions.
A Muntjac Deer showed well in the woodland.
Juvenile Shelduck close to the South Hide:
Moorhen from the same hide:
From Bittern hide a Bittern was seen briefly in flight and a Green Sandpiper briefly flew in.
A Sparrowhawk was seen on two occasions.
04 August 10 Minsmere & Blyth Estuary
An early morning visit to Minsmere produced nothing out of the ordinary.
A Nuthatch on the feeder at the centre added to the trip list.
An evening visit to the Blyth Estuary at high tide produced:
At least 4 Little Egret.
3 Whimbrel.
1 Med Gull.
2 Bearded Tit.
A Nuthatch on the feeder at the centre added to the trip list.
An evening visit to the Blyth Estuary at high tide produced:
At least 4 Little Egret.
3 Whimbrel.
1 Med Gull.
2 Bearded Tit.
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