Monday 30 September 2013

Something from the Weekend

Just a quick one tonight as I've been a bit busy. Highlights from the weekend, included Richard's Pipits (2), Red-breasted Flycatcher and more Yellow-browed Warbler and a Firecrest. A smart Little Stint and Jack Snipe were nice and possibly the rarest bird I saw was a Marsh Tit, in its local context! Saw a few more 'winter' migrants such as Goldcrest, Brambling and Song Thrush but the weather was just too nice and birds were presumably just going straight over. Also had a few southbound migrants such as Whinchat, Wheatear, Redstart, Pied Flycatcher, Garden Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Swallow etc.

Had a nice view of a Hobby in the village this am, flew in and sat on a snag in a hedge and let me get within 40 m! Chiffchaff in full song too.

Little Stint (Norwegian ringed bird)

Red-breasted Flycatcher

Red-breasted Flycatcher

Red-breasted Flycatcher

Richards Pipit (phone-scoped)

Richards Pipit (phone-scoped)

Jack Snipe bobbing!

Jack Snipe bobbing!

Wednesday 25 September 2013

Whitburn Ringing Trip

Went up to spend the day with Ade (@_Souterbirdobs on twitter) at Whitburn today as I had a day off and I knew he would be ringing given the decent conditions. Good choice I think. The ringing was very slow going compared to the last two times I'd been last October (in similar weather conditions) - see below:

1. 22nd October 2012 - Trapped and Ringed = Pallas's Warbler and Red-breasted Flycatcher (supporting cast of Fieldfare, Reed Warbler and lots of common migrants - 147 birds ringed, a new site record)

2. 23rd October 2012 - Trapped and Ringed = Dusky Warbler (supporting cast of Ring Ouzel, Woodcock and lots of common migrants - 134 birds ringed)

So back to today. We only caught 13 birds, however 1 Common Rosefinch and 2 Yellow-browed Warblers can't be grumbled at (see the photos below)! The first Yellow-browed Warbler appeared fairly dull, but the second one was a screamer of a bird! The Rosefinch was typically 'grotty', but nice to see nevertheless. Reminiscent of a cross between Corn Bunting and Greenfinch!

Other notables included the first migrant Redwing and Song Thrush of the autumn caught. We also had Brambling over, had a (migrant) Great Spotted Woodpecker, a couple of singing Chiffchaff and another couple of Yellow-browed Warblers in addition to the 2 trapped - probably at least 9 in the immediate area, and a Spotted Flycatcher trapped before I arrived, and Snow Bunting over that I didn't get. There was also a Red-breasted Flycatcher and Barred Warbler nearby. Quite a few Wigeon and Teal flying over with a few Snipe, Dunlin and Golden Plover about.

Was a great day - thanks to all involved. You can get regular updates from Whitburn and the ringing activities on Ade's blog: 'Souter Bird Observatory'.

Common Rosefinch - 1st Year bird (Andy Walker)

Common Rosefinch - 1st Year bird (Andy Walker)

Common Rosefinch - 1st Year bird (Andy Walker)

Yellow-browed Warbler (first bird) (Andy Walker)

Yellow-browed Warbler (first bird) (Andy Walker)

Yellow-browed Warbler (second bird) (Andy Walker)

Sunday 15 September 2013

Great Expectations - updated with pics

Got a phone call off Ollie yesterday afternoon as I was half way round Waitrose doing my weekly shop, GREAT SNIPE at Spurn. Argh! Didn't bother with the last one at Spurn in 2010 as views sounded rubbish and I didn't have the time, and I was on holiday in 2011 when the bird was showing nicely in Norfolk but I knew I wouldn't have the time to get there before dark so just put it down to another that had got away. As it would happen news late in the evening was that it had flown off out of sight, so I made the right decision as wouldn't have got there in time. What were the chances of it sticking?

This morning at 0630 got another phone call from Ollie, the bird was showing well back in the same place so I headed straight across before it got busy. Within 5 minutes of getting there I was watching the bird (a 1st winter I think based on plumage) as it fed right out in the open and showing down to about 15 feet! I grabbed a quick record shot on my phone as it grabbed a quick 50 winks. Then headed off to get some tea with Tim.

After being suitably refreshed we headed back out to enjoy more views of this stunning bird where we met up with Ollie and Jono. The Great Snipe came right out into the open as it walked across some tarmac! The best view was lying on your belly looking under the gate. Got a couple of other record shots, nothing anywhere near as good as anyone with a camera, just a bit gutted I'd not charged my cameras battery up!

I think these were once in a lifetime views of Great Snipe, this bird even made the Wilson's Snipe on Scilly look skulky!! Ollie has very kindly allowed me to use his images (first three below), you'll notice the quality improve when I get to mine...

Great Snipe (Oliver Metcalf)

Great Snipe (Oliver Metcalf)

Great Snipe (Oliver Metcalf)

Great Snipe having 50 winks. ( AWBirder phone-binned)

The best view in the house.

Great Snipe - side (AWBirder phone-scoped)

Great Snipe - backside (AWBirder phone-scoped)