Dodgy video footage of a stunning bird
Wednesday, 29 February 2012
Great Grey Shrike on a sunny afternoon!
Photos:
Great Grey Shrike, Upper Longdon
February 29th
Nice sunny day today and when I had finished work (in Birmingham) I did a 20 mile diversion on my way home to the little Staffordshire village of Upper Longdon where a Great Grey Shrike has been in residence. I parked up by the clear fell where the bird had been seen and it took me all of three seconds to spot it – perched on top of a large dead tree.
I watched the bird for a while as it did a circuit all around the clear fell – great bird! Unfortunately there was not much else in the way of avifauna, however it was great just to be stood outside on a brilliantly warm afternoon and the shrike was worth the trip all by itself.
Nice sunny day today and when I had finished work (in Birmingham) I did a 20 mile diversion on my way home to the little Staffordshire village of Upper Longdon where a Great Grey Shrike has been in residence. I parked up by the clear fell where the bird had been seen and it took me all of three seconds to spot it – perched on top of a large dead tree.
I watched the bird for a while as it did a circuit all around the clear fell – great bird! Unfortunately there was not much else in the way of avifauna, however it was great just to be stood outside on a brilliantly warm afternoon and the shrike was worth the trip all by itself.
Tuesday, 28 February 2012
Double dose of Iceland Gulls
Photos:
Yellowhammer at the feeding station
Adult Mediterranean Gull, Meadow Pipit, second winter Iceland Gull and an odd ringed bird which I think is either an extreme argentatus Herring Gull or a hybrid Herring x Lesser Black-backed Gull
Adult Mediterranean Gull sleeping at Pennington Flash and third winter Iceland Gull here
26th February
I took Bill for a walk first thing to HGF. It was one of those nice spring-type mornings and birds were singing everywhere. The prize for the best singer had to go to the male Skylark in the south field as two other birds looked on. A Ringed Plover also flew up here and circled the field, calling, before flying off high to the east. Presumably one of the birds David Bowman saw yesterday.
On the pool the waterfowl numbers had changed again since yesterday although the Wigeon flock was pretty much the same at 72 birds. Yesterdays three Goldeneye were still there and while I watched, a second Oystercatcher arrived back on territory. Interestingly there was little fanfare between the two birds, a brief spot of calling and then straight down to synchronised feeding which makes me suspect that maybe the second bird (the male, as it seems females pick the territories?) had already arrived back at some point yesterday. I also heard a Curlew calling but didn’t see it – I have never seen one here.
Buzzard, Kestrel, 8 Grey Partidges (2+2+4), three overflying Cormorants and displaying Great Crested Grebes (including a pair which have started building next to the shore – doomed) all added to the enjoyment of the morning. I briefly checked the feeding station but nothing much was doing. 61 Woodpigeons were perched up in the Ash trees in the garden again and 12 Goldfinches were on the feeders.
I left Bill at home and headed over to Richmond Bank. Walking up the path I could see lots of gulls in the distance over the bank so my hopes lifted (Sunday is usually poor) and I began to hope for a few white-wingers after Pete Kinsella’s mega haul yesterday. His Kumlien’s would be nice too!
Near the top of the path I met three birders who were scanning a few gulls by the water’s edge a few hundred yards down river of the bank. I had scanned these birds from distance while walking up the path and had seen an adult Med – they hadn’t so I showed them the bird in question.
On arrival at the bank, I would guess there were 3-4000 gulls present. I immediately spotted a second winter Iceland Gull and let the other birders view through my scope (this was the species they had come to see) and while they were looking, the flock spooked and flew off. The birds did quickly come back down for around five minutes, during which time I found two more second winter Iceland Gulls and got the other birders onto both. Then the flock spooked again and this time the vast majority of the gulls flew directly away down river. The reason, I saw, was a birder who was walking down off the tip and onto the opposite bank just behind the gulls. He sauntered around with his scope over his shoulder but clearly wasn’t interested in gulls – he kept watching the birches and alders, presumably for finch flocks. I could have strangled the bu**er!
A few of the gulls did settle back down but some way off up river. The palest of the second winter Iceland Gulls did return and I also saw what I think is an interesting ringed gull which looks like a Herring Gull but with upper parts slightly darker than a Yellow-legged Gull and a very different tone. I guess probably a very dark argentatus or maybe a hybrid with a Lesser Black-backed Gull? The bird had pale, flesh-coloured legs and was also ringed. The rings looked very much like the Ribble Marshes type. Someone started shooting then and all of the gulls swiftly departed.
Late afternoon, after watching a stonking male Reed Bunting in full breeding plumage feeding in the garden, I decided to take Bill to Pennington. On the way I briefly stopped at the feeding station. Around 80 Tree Sparrows and 9 Yellowhammers were present plus a handful of House Sparrows. I never see the number of the latter species here that David reports.
On arrival at Penny I went straight to Horrocks Hide and was happy to find it empty – Sunday is always dodgy here for kids etc messing about in the hides. Almost immediately I picked up a third winter Iceland Gull swimming to the left of the spit. A good look at the pale chevrons on its primaries confirmed it is the usual bird. It spent most of its time on the end of the spit behind two young GBBG’s. I scanned the water near the yacht club and soon found a sleeping adult Med. This one was in full breeding plumage and therefore a different bird to the one I saw on Friday.
There was a steady stream of people coming into the hide and hoping for an Iceland Gull so I let several use my scope to look at the third winter bird. There wasn’t much else around and at around 5pm a microlight buzzed the flash and spooked everything. I had also just been kicked out of the hide again by the Ranger (locking up time) so I went home.
27th February
No birding today
28th February
An early morning visit to HGF wasn’t particularly fruitfull. Just a single drake Goldeneye was the only bird of interest. I stopped briefly at the feeding station on my way past into work – 43 Tree Sparrows and 6 Yellowhammers were busy feeding.
I took Bill for a walk first thing to HGF. It was one of those nice spring-type mornings and birds were singing everywhere. The prize for the best singer had to go to the male Skylark in the south field as two other birds looked on. A Ringed Plover also flew up here and circled the field, calling, before flying off high to the east. Presumably one of the birds David Bowman saw yesterday.
On the pool the waterfowl numbers had changed again since yesterday although the Wigeon flock was pretty much the same at 72 birds. Yesterdays three Goldeneye were still there and while I watched, a second Oystercatcher arrived back on territory. Interestingly there was little fanfare between the two birds, a brief spot of calling and then straight down to synchronised feeding which makes me suspect that maybe the second bird (the male, as it seems females pick the territories?) had already arrived back at some point yesterday. I also heard a Curlew calling but didn’t see it – I have never seen one here.
Buzzard, Kestrel, 8 Grey Partidges (2+2+4), three overflying Cormorants and displaying Great Crested Grebes (including a pair which have started building next to the shore – doomed) all added to the enjoyment of the morning. I briefly checked the feeding station but nothing much was doing. 61 Woodpigeons were perched up in the Ash trees in the garden again and 12 Goldfinches were on the feeders.
I left Bill at home and headed over to Richmond Bank. Walking up the path I could see lots of gulls in the distance over the bank so my hopes lifted (Sunday is usually poor) and I began to hope for a few white-wingers after Pete Kinsella’s mega haul yesterday. His Kumlien’s would be nice too!
Near the top of the path I met three birders who were scanning a few gulls by the water’s edge a few hundred yards down river of the bank. I had scanned these birds from distance while walking up the path and had seen an adult Med – they hadn’t so I showed them the bird in question.
On arrival at the bank, I would guess there were 3-4000 gulls present. I immediately spotted a second winter Iceland Gull and let the other birders view through my scope (this was the species they had come to see) and while they were looking, the flock spooked and flew off. The birds did quickly come back down for around five minutes, during which time I found two more second winter Iceland Gulls and got the other birders onto both. Then the flock spooked again and this time the vast majority of the gulls flew directly away down river. The reason, I saw, was a birder who was walking down off the tip and onto the opposite bank just behind the gulls. He sauntered around with his scope over his shoulder but clearly wasn’t interested in gulls – he kept watching the birches and alders, presumably for finch flocks. I could have strangled the bu**er!
A few of the gulls did settle back down but some way off up river. The palest of the second winter Iceland Gulls did return and I also saw what I think is an interesting ringed gull which looks like a Herring Gull but with upper parts slightly darker than a Yellow-legged Gull and a very different tone. I guess probably a very dark argentatus or maybe a hybrid with a Lesser Black-backed Gull? The bird had pale, flesh-coloured legs and was also ringed. The rings looked very much like the Ribble Marshes type. Someone started shooting then and all of the gulls swiftly departed.
Late afternoon, after watching a stonking male Reed Bunting in full breeding plumage feeding in the garden, I decided to take Bill to Pennington. On the way I briefly stopped at the feeding station. Around 80 Tree Sparrows and 9 Yellowhammers were present plus a handful of House Sparrows. I never see the number of the latter species here that David reports.
On arrival at Penny I went straight to Horrocks Hide and was happy to find it empty – Sunday is always dodgy here for kids etc messing about in the hides. Almost immediately I picked up a third winter Iceland Gull swimming to the left of the spit. A good look at the pale chevrons on its primaries confirmed it is the usual bird. It spent most of its time on the end of the spit behind two young GBBG’s. I scanned the water near the yacht club and soon found a sleeping adult Med. This one was in full breeding plumage and therefore a different bird to the one I saw on Friday.
There was a steady stream of people coming into the hide and hoping for an Iceland Gull so I let several use my scope to look at the third winter bird. There wasn’t much else around and at around 5pm a microlight buzzed the flash and spooked everything. I had also just been kicked out of the hide again by the Ranger (locking up time) so I went home.
27th February
No birding today
28th February
An early morning visit to HGF wasn’t particularly fruitfull. Just a single drake Goldeneye was the only bird of interest. I stopped briefly at the feeding station on my way past into work – 43 Tree Sparrows and 6 Yellowhammers were busy feeding.
Saturday, 25 February 2012
Day trip to North Lancs
Photos:
Curlew, Oystercatchers and Scaup at Morecambe
Peregrine at Warton Crag
25th February
A trip to HGF first thing this morning was productive. In the field south of the pool were 7 Golden Plovers. These birds flew around the field several times before landing over in the fields opposite the kennels. Three Goldeneyes were on the pool – 2 drakes and a duck. An Oystercatcher was present by the pool and Skylark and Stock Dove were also in the south field. The Wigeon flock has decreased to 72 birds.
32 Tree Sparrows, 9 Yellowhammers and a Stock Dove were at the feeding station while a Buzzard and a Kestrel were further up the lane. Around 60 Woodpigeons were perched in the Ash trees in the garden again this morning.
Mid morning Karen and I went for a drive up to Morecambe (still missing the van). I managed a quick bit of watching as the tide came in – five Scaup (drake and four ducks) were just off Broadway and further up a lone duck was off Teal Bay. Also seen were the usual Red-breasted Mergansers and Eiders. We also briefly stopped at Bolton-le-Sands (lots of waders and 3 Little Egrets) and Warton Crag where the Peregrine pair and the resident Ravens showed well – the latter were incubating. I also clocked the Snow Geese when we drove past the level crossing at Silverdale.
We arrived back from Morecambe late afternoon and I took Bill for a leg-stretch down Barrow Lane. 13 Golden Plovers and a few Grey Partridges were seen.
A trip to HGF first thing this morning was productive. In the field south of the pool were 7 Golden Plovers. These birds flew around the field several times before landing over in the fields opposite the kennels. Three Goldeneyes were on the pool – 2 drakes and a duck. An Oystercatcher was present by the pool and Skylark and Stock Dove were also in the south field. The Wigeon flock has decreased to 72 birds.
32 Tree Sparrows, 9 Yellowhammers and a Stock Dove were at the feeding station while a Buzzard and a Kestrel were further up the lane. Around 60 Woodpigeons were perched in the Ash trees in the garden again this morning.
Mid morning Karen and I went for a drive up to Morecambe (still missing the van). I managed a quick bit of watching as the tide came in – five Scaup (drake and four ducks) were just off Broadway and further up a lone duck was off Teal Bay. Also seen were the usual Red-breasted Mergansers and Eiders. We also briefly stopped at Bolton-le-Sands (lots of waders and 3 Little Egrets) and Warton Crag where the Peregrine pair and the resident Ravens showed well – the latter were incubating. I also clocked the Snow Geese when we drove past the level crossing at Silverdale.
We arrived back from Morecambe late afternoon and I took Bill for a leg-stretch down Barrow Lane. 13 Golden Plovers and a few Grey Partridges were seen.
Friday, 24 February 2012
More Iceland Gulls
Photos:
Adult Mediterranean Gull, Pennington Flash
Black-tailed Godwit and juvenile and adult Iceland Gulls at Sandbach Flashes
22nd February
No birding today
23rd February
Late afternoon today I was travelling back from Birmingham and getting stuck in the usual mire of traffic – yet another accident had caused a queue from J22 to J15. When I reached the Sandbach turn off I was so fed up I decided to head over to the flashes and wait for the traffic to die down.
It was a nice pleasant afternoon when I arrived – just one other birder present and he soon left so I stood overlooking Elton Hall Flash (no gulls on Pumphouse) and watched the birds. Around 25 Tree Sparrows were flitting around the feeders while on the water three Pintail were counted in amongst the several hundreds of Wigeon and Teal. Four Black-tailed Godwits were feeding in the water’s edge on the far side.
There were several hundred gulls on the water but nearly all were Black-headed. As light started to fade a bit, a few large gulls started to drop in and then a sustained influx for around 20 minutes. Near the end of this period I spotted an adult Iceland Gull in flight and quickly picked it up on the pool – cracking bird! Equally as good was the nearby juvenile Iceland Gull which I hadn’t seen arrive. I also later found an adult Yellow-legged Gull but was quite content to just stand and watch the two Icelands and the general throng of gulls! Felt like spring today.
24th February
Three Yellowhammers were feeding in the garden first thing this morning and a little later 5 were seen at the feeding station with around 20 Tree Sparrows.
After work I took Bill for a walk to Pennington Flash. Lots of gulls but the only interesting one was an adult Med Gull with a partially moulted hood. I got kicked out of Horrocks Hide by the Ranger who was locking up and thus lost the Med.
No birding today
23rd February
Late afternoon today I was travelling back from Birmingham and getting stuck in the usual mire of traffic – yet another accident had caused a queue from J22 to J15. When I reached the Sandbach turn off I was so fed up I decided to head over to the flashes and wait for the traffic to die down.
It was a nice pleasant afternoon when I arrived – just one other birder present and he soon left so I stood overlooking Elton Hall Flash (no gulls on Pumphouse) and watched the birds. Around 25 Tree Sparrows were flitting around the feeders while on the water three Pintail were counted in amongst the several hundreds of Wigeon and Teal. Four Black-tailed Godwits were feeding in the water’s edge on the far side.
There were several hundred gulls on the water but nearly all were Black-headed. As light started to fade a bit, a few large gulls started to drop in and then a sustained influx for around 20 minutes. Near the end of this period I spotted an adult Iceland Gull in flight and quickly picked it up on the pool – cracking bird! Equally as good was the nearby juvenile Iceland Gull which I hadn’t seen arrive. I also later found an adult Yellow-legged Gull but was quite content to just stand and watch the two Icelands and the general throng of gulls! Felt like spring today.
24th February
Three Yellowhammers were feeding in the garden first thing this morning and a little later 5 were seen at the feeding station with around 20 Tree Sparrows.
After work I took Bill for a walk to Pennington Flash. Lots of gulls but the only interesting one was an adult Med Gull with a partially moulted hood. I got kicked out of Horrocks Hide by the Ranger who was locking up and thus lost the Med.
Tuesday, 21 February 2012
Ditchford GP's Pt 4
Photos:
Herring Gull of some description at Sidegate Landfill Site
Second winter Iceland Gull and second winter Glaucous Gulls at Ditchford GP's
21st February
Got home late last night, today off on the road again. This time I was going down the opposite side of the country and thus managed a late afternoon visit to Ditchford Gravel Pits again. When I rolled up there were no birders (it must be very under watched) and no birds. The pools were devoid of gulls so I headed for the tip (Sidegate Landfill Site) where there were clearly plenty of gulls feeding but very few in the surrounding fields. I did find one group of gulls in a field opposite the entrance to a factory and scanning through them found an interesting bird. It’s probably a Herring Gull and either a leucistic bird or an extreme argie or possibly a hybrid with a Glauc. I found one similar at Richmond Bank last year.
This bird differed though from the RB bird. First it was larger than all of the other Herring Gulls present. Secondly its overall appearance was much paler. Third it has a bill which, although not nailed on juvenile Glauc, is definitely on its way. Answers on a postcard….After these birds had all rejoined the tip, I scanned the tip for a bit and picked up the same bird again, briefly in flight. It definitely looked very Glauc-like at distance!
I got the feeling I wasn’t getting anywhere watching the tip and to be fair none of the white-wingers had been reported for nearly a week so I parked up back down the lane and headed off on a circular track which winds past the pools on the far side of the River Nene. There were lots of birds along the track – Chaffinches, Fieldfares, Redwings, Great Spotted Woody and a Treecreeper. After half a mile or so I could look back over the water sports pit. There were quite a few gulls flying down for a bath by then but nothing interesting. I decided to do a bit of exploring and headed farther along the track to the viaduct pools where some Smew had recently been seen. None today but lots of other ducks and a few gulls loafing about on a distant spit – these included a second winter Iceland Gull.
At this point some Canada Geese spooked and flew around honking and this in turn spooked the gulls. They flew off. With light fading I almost turned back, however I decided to follow the track underneath the old viaduct and see what was at the other side. Beyond, past a field full of horses, I found some shallow pools which were full of gulls. Included in this flock were a second winter Iceland Gull (presumably the earlier bird) and a second winter Glaucous Gull. The latter kept to itself and away from the other gulls even to the point where it hopped up onto the banking and then started walking through the field and down a hedgerow! Something disturbed it then and it flew back to the pool. I later checked and no one has been reporting gulls from here – I wonder if anyone looks?
Got home late last night, today off on the road again. This time I was going down the opposite side of the country and thus managed a late afternoon visit to Ditchford Gravel Pits again. When I rolled up there were no birders (it must be very under watched) and no birds. The pools were devoid of gulls so I headed for the tip (Sidegate Landfill Site) where there were clearly plenty of gulls feeding but very few in the surrounding fields. I did find one group of gulls in a field opposite the entrance to a factory and scanning through them found an interesting bird. It’s probably a Herring Gull and either a leucistic bird or an extreme argie or possibly a hybrid with a Glauc. I found one similar at Richmond Bank last year.
This bird differed though from the RB bird. First it was larger than all of the other Herring Gulls present. Secondly its overall appearance was much paler. Third it has a bill which, although not nailed on juvenile Glauc, is definitely on its way. Answers on a postcard….After these birds had all rejoined the tip, I scanned the tip for a bit and picked up the same bird again, briefly in flight. It definitely looked very Glauc-like at distance!
I got the feeling I wasn’t getting anywhere watching the tip and to be fair none of the white-wingers had been reported for nearly a week so I parked up back down the lane and headed off on a circular track which winds past the pools on the far side of the River Nene. There were lots of birds along the track – Chaffinches, Fieldfares, Redwings, Great Spotted Woody and a Treecreeper. After half a mile or so I could look back over the water sports pit. There were quite a few gulls flying down for a bath by then but nothing interesting. I decided to do a bit of exploring and headed farther along the track to the viaduct pools where some Smew had recently been seen. None today but lots of other ducks and a few gulls loafing about on a distant spit – these included a second winter Iceland Gull.
At this point some Canada Geese spooked and flew around honking and this in turn spooked the gulls. They flew off. With light fading I almost turned back, however I decided to follow the track underneath the old viaduct and see what was at the other side. Beyond, past a field full of horses, I found some shallow pools which were full of gulls. Included in this flock were a second winter Iceland Gull (presumably the earlier bird) and a second winter Glaucous Gull. The latter kept to itself and away from the other gulls even to the point where it hopped up onto the banking and then started walking through the field and down a hedgerow! Something disturbed it then and it flew back to the pool. I later checked and no one has been reporting gulls from here – I wonder if anyone looks?
Monday, 20 February 2012
Idyllic sewage works!
Photos:
Yellow-browed Warbler, Siberian Chiffchaff and Grey Wagtail at Wadeford, Somserset
20th February
After my day working in Somerset, I finished and nipped a few miles down the road to another sewage works. This was one of the old fashioned type in the middle of nowhere with a steep lane climbing past it and surrounded by trees which were full of bird sound. If a sewage plant could be described as idyllic, this was it.
A very pleasant chap called Barry was already there and we had a good natter while watching. Apparently Barry had been at the Yellowthroat twitch at the same time as me. Anyway the target of out attentions soon turned up – a cracking Yellow-browed Warbler. This bird, 3 Chiffchaffs and a Siberian Chiffchaff were all feeding on the surface of the filter beds and there was constant to-ing and fro-ing for over an hour. I thoroughly enjoyed this secluded place, the peace and quiet, the birds and the company. It chilled me out immensely. Other birds were around too – Grey Wags and three Goldcrests being the pick. The latter kept fighting on branches so close to us we couldn’t focus the cameras on them. Earlier Barry had seen a Dipper in the stream at the bottom of the hill. When we went down for another look, a local dog walker took her canine pals up the stream and put paid to me seeing it. Can’t complain though – I really enjoyed this spot of birding!
After my day working in Somerset, I finished and nipped a few miles down the road to another sewage works. This was one of the old fashioned type in the middle of nowhere with a steep lane climbing past it and surrounded by trees which were full of bird sound. If a sewage plant could be described as idyllic, this was it.
A very pleasant chap called Barry was already there and we had a good natter while watching. Apparently Barry had been at the Yellowthroat twitch at the same time as me. Anyway the target of out attentions soon turned up – a cracking Yellow-browed Warbler. This bird, 3 Chiffchaffs and a Siberian Chiffchaff were all feeding on the surface of the filter beds and there was constant to-ing and fro-ing for over an hour. I thoroughly enjoyed this secluded place, the peace and quiet, the birds and the company. It chilled me out immensely. Other birds were around too – Grey Wags and three Goldcrests being the pick. The latter kept fighting on branches so close to us we couldn’t focus the cameras on them. Earlier Barry had seen a Dipper in the stream at the bottom of the hill. When we went down for another look, a local dog walker took her canine pals up the stream and put paid to me seeing it. Can’t complain though – I really enjoyed this spot of birding!
Sunday, 19 February 2012
Nothing common about this bird
Photos:
Common Yellowthroat at Rhiwderyn
Adult Mediterranean Gull around a quarter of a mile out in Cardiff Bay
19th February
At HGF this morning the first Oystercatcher was back on territory. Nice one! The pair of Goldeneye were still there, a Reed Bunting was singing in the south field, as was the Skylark and it felt very uplifting. Later I found a flock of 20+ Linnets in Golborne Rd – seen from Waterworks Lane where the Tree Sparrows had buggered off.
I am working away tomorrow so today I headed towards Somerset via a slight diversion into South Wales. The target – to see a Common Yellowthroat. I arrived at the place indicated by my Sat Nav shortly having been ripped off at the toll on the M4 – how come the English get charged to go into Wales but the Welsh can escape free? Anyway I found myself in the middle of an estate but I parked up and soon found some local volunteers pointing the way into a field and up a very steep hill.
Just as I set off up the hill I encountered a descending birder who, in response to my querying if the bird was showing, scowled and shook his head. That didn’t sound promising. I puffed and panted up the hill and then stood in line for a breather. Just as I had recovered by composure a little, the bird in question popped out of some bracken no more than 20 yards away and showed spectacularly well. After a minute or so of watching, I grabbed my digiscoping camera and began to take shots just as the sun came out for the first time today. Result – glare in all the photos and by the time I realised and changed the settings the bird had done one.
There then followed a disagreement between a gruff Yorkshireman (is there any other kind?) and a local. Both had dogs, both had dogs off the leads and both dogs thought it was fun to run around where the bird was. Each blamed the other and a heated argument ensued, centred on whether the distance travelled to see the bird had some bearing on the degree of freedom given to the dogs. I left in disgust.
I then headed off to a place nr Cardiff Bay where two Bonaparte’s Gulls had been seen recently. I should have done some homework though – they are only seen at low tide when the beach is exposed. I arrived at high tide when there was no beach to be seen. Around the corner is a large and modern looking sewage treatment works – all concrete tanks and shiny steel rails etc. It is very difficult to view though and the few gaps were crammed with birders hoping to see the gulls. Sadly no one did, though it was clear that there were hundreds of birds in there – most hidden inside the tanks.
I started to leave after a couple of fruitless hours but had a quick scan of the sea as I did. Around a quarter of a mile out to sea I found an adult Med Gull which, upon discovery, had the good grace to fly off and over towards us, eventually passing right overhead. My camera lay forgotten in my pocket when it did. Lots of Pintails and Shovelers out on the sea too. I then bumped into a local who told me it was a banker to see the gulls at their roost from the car park of the ice rink – good views guaranteed and all that. I gave in and drove a few miles to the ice rink to find all the gulls somewhat distant – not a bloody chance of spotting a Bonaparte’s at that distance. The sole consolation was a winter-plumaged Black-necked Grebe which showed quite well. Not a bad day overall.
At HGF this morning the first Oystercatcher was back on territory. Nice one! The pair of Goldeneye were still there, a Reed Bunting was singing in the south field, as was the Skylark and it felt very uplifting. Later I found a flock of 20+ Linnets in Golborne Rd – seen from Waterworks Lane where the Tree Sparrows had buggered off.
I am working away tomorrow so today I headed towards Somerset via a slight diversion into South Wales. The target – to see a Common Yellowthroat. I arrived at the place indicated by my Sat Nav shortly having been ripped off at the toll on the M4 – how come the English get charged to go into Wales but the Welsh can escape free? Anyway I found myself in the middle of an estate but I parked up and soon found some local volunteers pointing the way into a field and up a very steep hill.
Just as I set off up the hill I encountered a descending birder who, in response to my querying if the bird was showing, scowled and shook his head. That didn’t sound promising. I puffed and panted up the hill and then stood in line for a breather. Just as I had recovered by composure a little, the bird in question popped out of some bracken no more than 20 yards away and showed spectacularly well. After a minute or so of watching, I grabbed my digiscoping camera and began to take shots just as the sun came out for the first time today. Result – glare in all the photos and by the time I realised and changed the settings the bird had done one.
There then followed a disagreement between a gruff Yorkshireman (is there any other kind?) and a local. Both had dogs, both had dogs off the leads and both dogs thought it was fun to run around where the bird was. Each blamed the other and a heated argument ensued, centred on whether the distance travelled to see the bird had some bearing on the degree of freedom given to the dogs. I left in disgust.
I then headed off to a place nr Cardiff Bay where two Bonaparte’s Gulls had been seen recently. I should have done some homework though – they are only seen at low tide when the beach is exposed. I arrived at high tide when there was no beach to be seen. Around the corner is a large and modern looking sewage treatment works – all concrete tanks and shiny steel rails etc. It is very difficult to view though and the few gaps were crammed with birders hoping to see the gulls. Sadly no one did, though it was clear that there were hundreds of birds in there – most hidden inside the tanks.
I started to leave after a couple of fruitless hours but had a quick scan of the sea as I did. Around a quarter of a mile out to sea I found an adult Med Gull which, upon discovery, had the good grace to fly off and over towards us, eventually passing right overhead. My camera lay forgotten in my pocket when it did. Lots of Pintails and Shovelers out on the sea too. I then bumped into a local who told me it was a banker to see the gulls at their roost from the car park of the ice rink – good views guaranteed and all that. I gave in and drove a few miles to the ice rink to find all the gulls somewhat distant – not a bloody chance of spotting a Bonaparte’s at that distance. The sole consolation was a winter-plumaged Black-necked Grebe which showed quite well. Not a bad day overall.
Saturday, 18 February 2012
A pleasant Saturday after all
Photos:
Sparrowhawk in the garden (taken through the bins and the conservatory window)
Tree Sparrows at the feeding station
Various gulls at Richmond Bank - an adult Herring Gull with a humongous bill, two adult and one first winter Yellow-legged Gulls and juvenile and third winter Iceland Gulls
18th February
Early morning on a Saturday and its raining again. Oh what joy! Anyway I took Bill over to HGF – 91 Wigeon on the pool plus a pair of Goldeneyes and a large flock of 240+ Lapwings!
I dropped Bill back at home then and with the weather starting to fine up a little I headed off to Richmond Bank. When I arrived I was mildly surprised to discover I was the only person there, however there were a good 4-5000 gulls to go at. I soon found a cracking third winter Iceland Gull which I watched for a while and then in the same spot I found an adult and a first winter Yellow-legged Gull. Shortly after I found these two the gulls spooked and flew around a bit before re-settling in smaller numbers. I noticed at this point that one of the Seaforth birders (Mark Garner) had appeared in the nearby bushes and shortly after this various birders appeared including Jason Atkinson and Pete Antrobus.
Jason soon found another adult Yellow-legged Gull with muck all over its face and then Mark spotted a flying Iceland Gull which turned out to be a first winter bird. I’m pretty sure this is the one I saw on Birchwood Pool in early Jan – large bird with Glauc-type bill. I then ran out of time – I was expected back for lunch! On my way back I saw a pair of Grey Partridges and a couple of Bullfinches.
This afternoon in the garden a male Sparrowhawk paid a visit and, following an unsuccessful hunt, perched on the top of the garden fence for a while. This had been preceded by 74 Woodpigeons chilling out in the Ash trees again. 90+ Tree Sparrows, 6 Yellowhammers and a Stock Dove were at the feeding station plus the usual Lapwing flock further up the lane. Late afternoon I took Bill for a walk down Barrow Lane again. No goldies with the 160+ Lapwing flock, a Buzzard, 2 Skylarks and 3 pairs of Grey Partridges compiled the birds on show here.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)