An Afternoon With Some Ptarmigan

Had a surprisingly successful trip up to Scotland in late-August after the Bird Fair with one of my Birding Ecotours colleagues - John Kinghorn (who's writing a proper trip report and I'll link soon).

We had 3 male Capercaillie, Golden Eagle, Crested Tit, Black Grouse, American White-winged Scoter, Surf Scoter, White-rumped Sandpiper, Osprey, and so much more. One of the real highlights however was the views of Rock Ptarmigan we got. Here are a few of my photos of a small party of birds we got very nice views of.

British Birdfair!

Had a great weekend at the British Birdfair last weekend with Dylan and John who'd come over from South Africa, and Greg who'd come up from London. We were all there representing Birding Ecotours for the event, talking to a great many people about our exciting range of upcoming tours around the world. It was a really enjoyable weekend catching up with familiar faces and lots of new ones too.

Thanks to everyone who came and said hello!

As well as been a great event for meeting people it was also great to be able to help contribute towards the conservation aims of the fair. This years focus was on protecting migrating birds in the eastern Mediterranean.

First morning getting our stand set up

Some great photos from the BE guides helping to decorate our stand

Some great photos from the BE guides helping to decorate our stand

 

Me patrolling the booth!

Dylan and John representing for BE (and Women for Conservation)

John on an adventure chasing a Song Thrush that got away!

John after tackling the Rutland jungle

Me and John on Sunday before his excellent talk on his Southern African Big Year.

Now the conservation issues of much of the Mediterranean, and much further afield:

Blackcap

Bee-eater

Robin