Coinciding with the Foot It birding walkathon is the year long PatchWork Challenge that requires one to pick an area no more than 3km sq to bird throughout the year.
If you feel up to it checkout...patchworkchallenge.blogspot.co.uk
There's already a fair few signed up so roll on the 1st of Jan...hangover permitting!
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, 23 December 2012
Sunday, 16 December 2012
THE FOOTIT CHALLENGE
I've just entered my self and my patch for The Footit challenge this coming January. Ditching the car and walking everywhere should get some of that Xmas blubber off and hopefully get me a bit fitter?
Should be interesting comparing patches from Shetland to Kent to see what other like minded birders are seeing from a walk from their front doors. Bring it on I say...
To get involved checkout...birdingbyfoot.blogspot.co.uk
Should be interesting comparing patches from Shetland to Kent to see what other like minded birders are seeing from a walk from their front doors. Bring it on I say...
To get involved checkout...birdingbyfoot.blogspot.co.uk
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...
Some of the locals...
The local fishing fleet were in port for a re-fit!
Spot the diver
TTFN
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
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