A.W.Birder: Always on the lookout for fine birds...: Pallas's Warbler Whitburn October 2012

Showing posts with label Pallas's Warbler Whitburn October 2012. Show all posts

Saturday, 5 October 2013

PGTips Anyone?

Made an early (ish) morning trip across to Spurn Point to see if the possible/probable Pallas's Grasshopper Warbler that was found late on Friday afternoon was still present at Chalk Bank. The bird had been seen briefly when Dave and I got there and it wasn't long before an attempt was made to trap it. After ripping my legs to pieces on the Buckthorn the bird was driven into the net, however it very quickly became clear the bird was 'just' a Common Grasshopper Warbler - I thought Tim was winding me up at first! Not the ideal result, but a nice view of the bird nevertheless.

Dave and I had a walk around to see what we could find. More birds than my visit last week but still nothing too exciting, though finding a couple of Firecrest was nice, they gave nice views but I wasn't able to get any photos due to too many branches getting in the way!

Other bits we had grounded were: Common Redstart, Blackcap, Wheatear (on the roof of the hide at Chalk Bank), Common Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Song Thrush and lots of Meadow Pipit etc. There was an impressive passage of Tree Sparrow (c100) and finches with a good number of Skylark, Meadow Pipit and Swallow.

Note this is the PGTips caught at Whitburn last Autumn, not todays bird (which was a Common Grasshopper Warbler) - unfortunately. Incidentally Ade caught another cracker of a bird this morning at Whitburn - Olive-backed Pipit! Details Here (pictures coming soon). Wish I had of gone up to his again, as I almost did!

(Pallas's Gasshopper Warbler © Ian Mills 2012)

Tuesday, 23 October 2012

Dusky Warbler IN THE HAND at Whitburn

I went back to Whitburn today after having such an incredible day yesterday catching 147 birds, including a Pallas's Warbler and Red-breasted Flycatcher. I set of from home really early in order to beat the traffic and fog. On arrival it appeared much quieter than yesterday but there was still plenty of birds moving around.

The first net round produced a Woodcock and during the course of the day other highlights included Ring Ouzel, Sparrowhawk, Fieldfare. However, the star bird of the day came in the second or third net round of the morning when a Dusky Warbler was trapped and ringed! Unbelievable! We'd just been talking about how it would be unlikely to trump yesterdays Pallas's Warbler, but I'm pretty sure Dusky does just that!!!

Totals for the day included 134 birds comprising: 47 Redwing, 28 Robin, 25 Blackbird, 22 Goldcrest, 8 Song Thrush and singles of Fieldfare, Ring Ouzel, Woodcock and Dusky Warbler. We almost caught a Great Grey Shrike too, it landed next to a net while doing a net round but wasn't caught. There was also a Rustic Bunting just up the road, so plenty out there again! See Ade's blog for further details etc...

Dusky Warbler © Andy Walker

Ring Ouzel © Andy Walker

Sparrowhawk © Andy Walker (off phone)

Hopefully hit the Yorkshire coast tomorrow and I'll also try and add some more details on our Scillies trip!

Monday, 22 October 2012

Pallas's Warbler & Red-breasted Flycatcher IN HAND at Whitburn

I decided to go to Whitburn today in order to help out Ade at Souter Bird Observatory as the conditions looked awesome for the east coast. I'm glad I did! Highlights included catching a Pallas's Warbler, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Fieldfare, Reed Warbler and a range of other species including 64 Blackbird, 32 Goldcrest, 21 Robin, 13 Redwing, 5 Blackcap, 3 Song Thrush, 3 Wren and 2 Chiffchaff. We finished on 147 birds, a new day record! Check out Ade's blog for more details and regular updates on this Observatory.. with a pretty impressive track record...

There was also a Short-eared Owl and 2/3 Woodcock about but these missed the nets. Several large flocks of Redwing/Fieldfare/Blackbird flew over and Brambling were heard several times going over during the day, along with plenty of Meadow Pipits too.

A few of the birds from today...

Looking forward to tomorrow...