Some of the locals...
The local fishing fleet were in port for a re-fit!
Spot the diver
TTFN
These are the ramblings of a one time manic twitcher now mellowing in old age and bashing his local patch whence the mood takes him. I work (some call it that some say I'm a jammy bugger) as a full time survey monkey (birds usually but the odd bat and newt now and again) hence I get paid to bird...nice!!! I still twitch if my list requires what evers on show but much prefer to find stuff which is a tad harder. I am the original Comberbach Casual.
Sunday, 16 December 2012
PREMIER DIVER PUTS ON A SHOW
No not another slagging off of ''You know what you are'' from Everton's neighbours but the feathered variety. Work had me up near Hartlepool this week and a lunch time latte at my second home McD's gave me the chance to grip the very showy juvenile Black throated Diver that's been gracing Hartlepool Marina. Best viewed from the Premier Inn car park it did show rather well...
Friday, 7 December 2012
Friday, 30 November 2012
SELF FOUND LIST GETS A BOOST
Jumped on the bandwagon today as I found a wee flock of 8 Waxwing whilst over in Lincolnshire surveying. Got'em on call as they rummaged around in some trees nearby. Just a pity their not on the Patch.
One of my typical naff record shots but proof if proof were needed.
TTFN
One of my typical naff record shots but proof if proof were needed.
TTFN
Monday, 12 November 2012
SALTHOLME WAXWINGS
Its been a while since I last blogged a touch of the Scilly blues me thinks (no flipping newbies yet again more like) so here's some shots (naff ones at that) of the plague of the info services...Waxwings, these beauties at the RSPB reserve at Saltholme (another Rainham like fort knox job) up near Middlesboro.
Taken on a grim grey damp dank dreary day that seems to be the norm up this way...roll on Spring!
TTFN
Taken on a grim grey damp dank dreary day that seems to be the norm up this way...roll on Spring!
TTFN
Sunday, 28 October 2012
ANNET AND NOT
Al did a bit of networking and got us onto a 'locals only' trip out to the summer bird reserve island of Annet.
The team assemble early to beat the tourists who'll be down at the quay later on for the 10.15am boats to the various outer islands but not Annet.
As we leave port a flock of new in Whooper Swans give us a flyover...
We approach Annet and things are not looking good for a landing as the Atlantic swell races in, creating 20ft high waves between St.Agnes and our destination.
This is as close as Dave our boatmen dare go, so we grip a flyover Marsh Harrier and set sail for St.Agnes instead. Maybe next year?
The nearest English pub to New York and home to several real nice ales and a dam fine pasty which unbeknown to us have all been pre ordered by an old dears tour thats due to arrive later.
First bird on the island a very obliging Richard's Pipit near the Big Pool.
We spend a few hours on each island St.Agnes where I get Dic's Pipit, YBW, RBF, Pied Fly but no sign of yesterdays Booted Warbler. And Gugh where I see 2 Woodlarks a new Scilly bird for me and another? flyover Dic's Pipit.
Big Al retreats as the tide is still falling on the Gugh sandbar, who knows what's lurking in the pittosporram bushes in the distance. A Radde's Warbler the very next day!
In the legendary Parsonage there's a showy Yellow browed a flighty Red breasted Fly and a novelty tick with one of a small flock of 'Irish' Coal Tits.
These Irish imports are distinguished by their yellowy ear coverts apparently (future split?) This one as you can see has already been clamped.
Home Dave and don't spare the horsepower.
TTFN
As we leave port a flock of new in Whooper Swans give us a flyover...
We approach Annet and things are not looking good for a landing as the Atlantic swell races in, creating 20ft high waves between St.Agnes and our destination.
This is as close as Dave our boatmen dare go, so we grip a flyover Marsh Harrier and set sail for St.Agnes instead. Maybe next year?
The nearest English pub to New York and home to several real nice ales and a dam fine pasty which unbeknown to us have all been pre ordered by an old dears tour thats due to arrive later.
First bird on the island a very obliging Richard's Pipit near the Big Pool.
We spend a few hours on each island St.Agnes where I get Dic's Pipit, YBW, RBF, Pied Fly but no sign of yesterdays Booted Warbler. And Gugh where I see 2 Woodlarks a new Scilly bird for me and another? flyover Dic's Pipit.
Big Al retreats as the tide is still falling on the Gugh sandbar, who knows what's lurking in the pittosporram bushes in the distance. A Radde's Warbler the very next day!
In the legendary Parsonage there's a showy Yellow browed a flighty Red breasted Fly and a novelty tick with one of a small flock of 'Irish' Coal Tits.
These Irish imports are distinguished by their yellowy ear coverts apparently (future split?) This one as you can see has already been clamped.
Home Dave and don't spare the horsepower.
TTFN
SCILLY BLUES
After what seems like an age, well 5 years to be exact I've once again succumbed to the lure of The Scilly Isles and placed myself in 'The Zone' so to speak.
2007 was truly forgettable for reasons I'm not going to remind myself of...a case of if only??
Anyway in the zone I am and in a tent I am. At the ripe old age of fifty something I decided to try and relive bygone days in the hope Scilly would do the same. 1981 was my first ever 'under canvas' Scilly and what megas it delivered...NIGHTHAWK and ORPHEAN WARBLER with a supporting cast of Booted Warbler, Ortolan, Pink Stink, Melodious Warbler, Grotfinch, Barred Warbler, RBF, Arctic Warbler, Spotted Crake, Barn Owl (what a Scillies tick), Bean Goose, Black Duck, YBW, Firecrest, Lap and Snow Bunts, Wryneck and a Golden Oriole plus loads of common migrants.
2007 was truly forgettable for reasons I'm not going to remind myself of...a case of if only??
Anyway in the zone I am and in a tent I am. At the ripe old age of fifty something I decided to try and relive bygone days in the hope Scilly would do the same. 1981 was my first ever 'under canvas' Scilly and what megas it delivered...NIGHTHAWK and ORPHEAN WARBLER with a supporting cast of Booted Warbler, Ortolan, Pink Stink, Melodious Warbler, Grotfinch, Barred Warbler, RBF, Arctic Warbler, Spotted Crake, Barn Owl (what a Scillies tick), Bean Goose, Black Duck, YBW, Firecrest, Lap and Snow Bunts, Wryneck and a Golden Oriole plus loads of common migrants.
Mr Wizzal and Groucho play pass the loo roll to break the monotony
The only Wryneck in 10 days!! watched and photographed at Porth Minnick
Holy Vale a shadow of its former self, one 'heard' Yellow browed Warbler was all it could muster.
Things were not as bad as I'm implying there was still a few padders to be had such as..American Golden Plover, Short toed Lark, Pink Stink and a skulking Solitary Sandpiper. On the night of the 16th (birthday boy) we were hit by an Atlantic depression that had swept across in the required minimum of days. The 17th dawned with a trio of Ring-necked Ducks on Porthellick fresh in from the USA...great everybody thought this is the starter for the main course to be found later...we're still bloody waiting !!
There was one sort of decent bird that lurked in the Dump Clump and tested the birding skills (or lack off) in the shape of a presumed Hume's Warbler, incredibly only the 3rd ever on Scilly.
Getting down to some dirty listing, the number of 'birders' who ticked off Chiffy and bog standard YBW remains unclear. All good clean fun though I'm surprised no one claimed a Waterthrush!
The RN Duck trio still a bit flighty!
To pass the time waiting for the mega I indulged in a spot of wildlife listing..
Black Rabbit, Red Admiral, Painted Lady and the most friendliest Black bird I've ever shared a tent with.
more to follow including our ill fated expedition to Annet.
Things were not as bad as I'm implying there was still a few padders to be had such as..American Golden Plover, Short toed Lark, Pink Stink and a skulking Solitary Sandpiper. On the night of the 16th (birthday boy) we were hit by an Atlantic depression that had swept across in the required minimum of days. The 17th dawned with a trio of Ring-necked Ducks on Porthellick fresh in from the USA...great everybody thought this is the starter for the main course to be found later...we're still bloody waiting !!
There was one sort of decent bird that lurked in the Dump Clump and tested the birding skills (or lack off) in the shape of a presumed Hume's Warbler, incredibly only the 3rd ever on Scilly.
Getting down to some dirty listing, the number of 'birders' who ticked off Chiffy and bog standard YBW remains unclear. All good clean fun though I'm surprised no one claimed a Waterthrush!
The RN Duck trio still a bit flighty!
To pass the time waiting for the mega I indulged in a spot of wildlife listing..
Black Rabbit, Red Admiral, Painted Lady and the most friendliest Black bird I've ever shared a tent with.
more to follow including our ill fated expedition to Annet.
TTFN
Thursday, 11 October 2012
CHURCH COVE PADDY
With the weather still as grim as a grim day in Grimsby we decided to head South to the Lizard and actually see some birds rather than fog, rain and grimness. First stop the surprisingly easy to find and see Paddy Warbler from way out East.
and typically that's all we got as the Red backed Shrike and Ortolan Bunting had been well and truly booted.
TTFN
TTFN
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)