Sunday, 20 November 2011
Eastern Black Redstart (Holy Island)
This morning Dave and I decided to head north to Holy Island, Northumberland in order to try and connect with the Eastern Black Redstart, Phoenicurus ochruros phoenicuroides. We were not disappointed with stunning close up views of this mega rare bird. I'll look into the taxonomy of Black Restart in a future post but for now here are a few photos taken on my phone. I bumped into Andy Vinson and Tristan Reid so there will definitely be some much much better photos out there (hopefully I'll get one on my blog too).
Saturday, 19 November 2011
VEERY NICE SET OF PHOTOS- MEGA UPDATE
The first boat charters of twitchers managed to get over to the Island of Muck today with approximately 25-30 twitchers enjoying amazingly close views (down to 10-12 ft) of the bird as it continued to feed around Gallanach Farm for the day - the bird was still present to dusk so will hopefully delight those lucky enough to be on tomorrows charters too. EDIT: The bird is still present this morning (Saturday 19th). See here (for initial details when the news was released) and here (for details on past records), or just scroll down a it!
Stephen MacDonald managed to get some amazing photographs of the bird this morning, which are reproduced below with kind permission. These images are © Stephen MacDonald 2011. What a stunning little bird!
Veery © Stephen MacDonald 2011
Veery © Stephen MacDonald 2011
My day involved a visit to a new site in Lincolnshire. It was not quite as busy as the site I was at yesterday however it was still really busy with Marsh Harrier, lots of geese and tonnes of Lapwing, Golden Plover, Curlew, Little Egret etc moving around.
The highlight however was a Lapland Bunting that flew 10ft over my head, it called as it approached me which got my attention and as it went over me (I was stood in a hedge) I must have caught it by surprise as it did a weird wing beat and trill as it looked down on me before it carried on its way. I didn't get any pictures but the ones below © Martin Cade 2010 show a good looking bird similar to what I had. I'm back at this site next week assuming I can get plenty of reporting done earlier in the week so fingers crossed for some more of the same or even better!
Lapland Bunting © Martin Cade 2010
Lapland Bunting © Martin Cade 2010
Stephen MacDonald managed to get some amazing photographs of the bird this morning, which are reproduced below with kind permission. These images are © Stephen MacDonald 2011. What a stunning little bird!
Veery © Stephen MacDonald 2011
Veery © Stephen MacDonald 2011
My day involved a visit to a new site in Lincolnshire. It was not quite as busy as the site I was at yesterday however it was still really busy with Marsh Harrier, lots of geese and tonnes of Lapwing, Golden Plover, Curlew, Little Egret etc moving around.
The highlight however was a Lapland Bunting that flew 10ft over my head, it called as it approached me which got my attention and as it went over me (I was stood in a hedge) I must have caught it by surprise as it did a weird wing beat and trill as it looked down on me before it carried on its way. I didn't get any pictures but the ones below © Martin Cade 2010 show a good looking bird similar to what I had. I'm back at this site next week assuming I can get plenty of reporting done earlier in the week so fingers crossed for some more of the same or even better!
Lapland Bunting © Martin Cade 2010
Lapland Bunting © Martin Cade 2010
Thursday, 17 November 2011
Swarm of Harriers and a Load of Owls
Wow, what a day! After the excitement of yesterdays Veery on Muck today was my turn for some birding and what a day it was...
I can't say exactly where the site was due to confidentiality reasons but it was on the coast somewhere and here's what happened...
We arrived late morning in foggy conditions to start our survey and within no time at all the action was underway with 2 harriers up in the air together, both with totally different wing shapes/sizes. It was a ringtail Hen Harrier mobbing a juv Marsh Harrier that had some food. After a good while the Hen finally got the food off it, showing nicely in the process!
A short while later 2 ringtail hen harriers came up behind a bank. An adult female and an immature male based on size and colouration. I watched these birds for a while as they came closer giving stunning views, the juv had some food and the female wanted it big style, after a decent battle in the air he dropped the food and she grabbed it and dropped down and consumed it.
Gradually as the weather started to improve more and more Marsh Harrier became evident, with at least 5 birds present on one side of me with another 4+ on the other side! It was crazy busy!!!
Suddenly the sky was full with golden plover and lapwing, hundreds of birds all over the place. And while all of this was going my attention was drawn behind me by a grey ghost, a stunning adult male hen harrier was stupidly close drifting by - awesome bird! They just blow my mind every time I see them!
Hen Harrier: Source Unknown BBC News.
Having that number of harriers out hunting/fighting was fantastic because they would constantly flush other birds, such as Grey Herons, Little Egrets, Great White Egret, Redshank, Geese, Swans, Pipits, Larks, Finches and one even put up a male Merlin that was sat unseen on a ploughed field!
As lunchtime approached a single Lapland Bunting flew over heading southeast. It (or another 1 or 2) were also seen/heard by two other observers later in the afternoon.
The afternoon session was full of harriers, in total we recorded at least 5 Hen Harriers and over a dozen Marsh Harriers. A couple of Peregrine flew through and flushed all sorts of birds (pigeons + plovers generally). But the afternoons main attraction was owls.
I was surrounded by four Short-eared Owls and three Barn Owl all out hunting. It was so peaceful where I was stood, not a sound and the owls just kept coming closer and closer. The Shorties were incredibly aggressive, chasing off the barn owls and the occasional Marsh Harrier. It was great to watch these birds hunting and having them all to myself and the light by this point was fantastic!
Short-eared Owl © Steve Garvie 2009
As the sun set the various harriers went off to roost, a female-type Merlin shot across trying to catch its supper and a late Kestrel and Buzzard flew through thus ending a great day!
In summary, I was glad I'm not a vole!!!
I can't say exactly where the site was due to confidentiality reasons but it was on the coast somewhere and here's what happened...
We arrived late morning in foggy conditions to start our survey and within no time at all the action was underway with 2 harriers up in the air together, both with totally different wing shapes/sizes. It was a ringtail Hen Harrier mobbing a juv Marsh Harrier that had some food. After a good while the Hen finally got the food off it, showing nicely in the process!
A short while later 2 ringtail hen harriers came up behind a bank. An adult female and an immature male based on size and colouration. I watched these birds for a while as they came closer giving stunning views, the juv had some food and the female wanted it big style, after a decent battle in the air he dropped the food and she grabbed it and dropped down and consumed it.
Gradually as the weather started to improve more and more Marsh Harrier became evident, with at least 5 birds present on one side of me with another 4+ on the other side! It was crazy busy!!!
Suddenly the sky was full with golden plover and lapwing, hundreds of birds all over the place. And while all of this was going my attention was drawn behind me by a grey ghost, a stunning adult male hen harrier was stupidly close drifting by - awesome bird! They just blow my mind every time I see them!
Hen Harrier: Source Unknown BBC News.
Having that number of harriers out hunting/fighting was fantastic because they would constantly flush other birds, such as Grey Herons, Little Egrets, Great White Egret, Redshank, Geese, Swans, Pipits, Larks, Finches and one even put up a male Merlin that was sat unseen on a ploughed field!
As lunchtime approached a single Lapland Bunting flew over heading southeast. It (or another 1 or 2) were also seen/heard by two other observers later in the afternoon.
The afternoon session was full of harriers, in total we recorded at least 5 Hen Harriers and over a dozen Marsh Harriers. A couple of Peregrine flew through and flushed all sorts of birds (pigeons + plovers generally). But the afternoons main attraction was owls.
I was surrounded by four Short-eared Owls and three Barn Owl all out hunting. It was so peaceful where I was stood, not a sound and the owls just kept coming closer and closer. The Shorties were incredibly aggressive, chasing off the barn owls and the occasional Marsh Harrier. It was great to watch these birds hunting and having them all to myself and the light by this point was fantastic!
Short-eared Owl © Steve Garvie 2009
As the sun set the various harriers went off to roost, a female-type Merlin shot across trying to catch its supper and a late Kestrel and Buzzard flew through thus ending a great day!
In summary, I was glad I'm not a vole!!!
Wednesday, 16 November 2011
More on the Veery...
With the incredible find of a Veery on Muck, Highland today by Dave Barden I thought I’d have a look at the past records, courtesy of Russell Slack’s Rare Birds Where and When (Volume 1).
There were seven records up to the book being published: 1970 (Cornwall), 1987 (Devon), 1995 (Outer Hebrides), 1997 (Devon), 1999 (Cornwall), 2002 (Orkney) and 2005(Shetland). All records were of autumn birds, except the bird in 1997 which was a spring bird.
Since the publication of the above book there has been a further three records, two very well photographed birds on Shetland, both present at the same time (2009), with birds on Foula (1st – 7th October) and Whalsay (2nd – 5th October). The other record (2008) Orkney is pending.
See post below for more photos.
The Veery was still present this evening till dusk at Gallanach Farm and is apparently looking very settled. An issue with getting to this bird may be the availability of boats and the potential poor weather for landing on the island. I’ll post more information when I get it.
Veery © Dave Barden 2011
There were seven records up to the book being published: 1970 (Cornwall), 1987 (Devon), 1995 (Outer Hebrides), 1997 (Devon), 1999 (Cornwall), 2002 (Orkney) and 2005(Shetland). All records were of autumn birds, except the bird in 1997 which was a spring bird.
Since the publication of the above book there has been a further three records, two very well photographed birds on Shetland, both present at the same time (2009), with birds on Foula (1st – 7th October) and Whalsay (2nd – 5th October). The other record (2008) Orkney is pending.
See post below for more photos.
The Veery was still present this evening till dusk at Gallanach Farm and is apparently looking very settled. An issue with getting to this bird may be the availability of boats and the potential poor weather for landing on the island. I’ll post more information when I get it.
Veery © Dave Barden 2011
VEERY ON MUCK, HIGHLAND
Got a phone call from Ade at lunch time to say that his friend on the island of Muck, Highlands had found a Veery, Catharus fuscecens that was showing very well at Gallanach Farm. Pictures of the bird taken by Dave Barden are reproduced with permission. All images are © Dave Barden 2011.
The bird is showing well! Unfortunately I don’t know about access to the island!
© Dave Barden 2011
© Dave Barden 2011
© Dave Barden 2011
© Dave Barden 2011
EDIT: For further, updated information on this bird please see here, and for some further photos, here.
The bird is showing well! Unfortunately I don’t know about access to the island!
© Dave Barden 2011
© Dave Barden 2011
© Dave Barden 2011
© Dave Barden 2011
EDIT: For further, updated information on this bird please see here, and for some further photos, here.
Tuesday, 15 November 2011
Incredible Local Artist
Didn't manage to get out birding today as my survey was fogged off but looking forward to my mega site visit on Thursday...
In the meantime I thought I'd draw your attention to an incredible local artist. If you want some inspiration check out Jack Ashton-Booths blog. A couple of samples of Jacks work are reproduced below:
The UKs first Amur Falcon and the UKs first Sykes Warbler:
Jack's work is featured in many of the local and national bird reports as well as several books, including a recent one of Kate Humble's!
Really worth spending an hour or so looking through Jacks blog.
In the meantime I thought I'd draw your attention to an incredible local artist. If you want some inspiration check out Jack Ashton-Booths blog. A couple of samples of Jacks work are reproduced below:
The UKs first Amur Falcon and the UKs first Sykes Warbler:
Jack's work is featured in many of the local and national bird reports as well as several books, including a recent one of Kate Humble's!
Really worth spending an hour or so looking through Jacks blog.
Monday, 14 November 2011
More Greater Yellowlegs Pictures
The Greater Yellowlegs remained all day at Hauxley Nature Reserve today, here are a few of the pictures I managed on my phone yesterday, nothing anywhere near as good as Frank Goldings pictures!!!
Sunday, 13 November 2011
WOW! Great Legs!! (Even better pictures)
No I'm not referring to last nights episode of Strictly Come X Factor but Greater Yellowlegs in Northumberland.
On Saturday afternoon I got news of a Greater Yellowlegs moving around the East Chevington area of Northumberland but sounded pretty difficult and mobile. Unfortunately I thought I'd probably not be able to connect with it given the amount of light left in the day. This record represents about the 31st bird in UK (excluding Ireland) but the majority of those records seem to be very short staying birds or birds on islands, so all in all a difficult customer. But the knowledge that it was present to dusk filled me with a little hope...
I was a little surprised, but very happy to hear that it was still present this morning at Hauxley Nature Reserve about a mile south of Amble so sorted out the dogs and the horse and headed north in thick fog the whole way, getting there around late morning.
I sent Dave ahead to secure it for me but an anxious 2+ hour drive ensued. I parked up and walked (very quickly) down to where Dave was saving me a place in the viewing area. In no time at all I was straight on it. The bird was about 40 m away roosting up, however after no time at all it started walking about feeding, all the time coming closer to the crowd, great stuff! I ruled out any possible confusion species such as Greenshank, House Sparrow etc and stood there enjoying the view.
A really cracking view, only interrupted by a Grey Phalarope flying about the place. I managed some pretty naff shots (as usual) on my phone - (will save these for a rainy day, ok I'll allow you one now...). But check out the two images after mine, you'll probably notice the change in quality!, very kindly sent to me by Frank Golding of Cramlington. These photos are reproduced below with permission and are © Frank Golding 2011 - Future Birdgudies Photo of the Week!! Please click on the photo to enlarge them, they are amazing!!!
On my phone... now for the proper ones....
Greater Yellowlegs, Hauxley NR © Frank Golding 2011.
Greater Yellowlegs, Hauxley NR © Frank Golding 2011.
Rounded the trip off with a couple of European White-fronted Geese as I was leaving. Another great bird!
On Saturday afternoon I got news of a Greater Yellowlegs moving around the East Chevington area of Northumberland but sounded pretty difficult and mobile. Unfortunately I thought I'd probably not be able to connect with it given the amount of light left in the day. This record represents about the 31st bird in UK (excluding Ireland) but the majority of those records seem to be very short staying birds or birds on islands, so all in all a difficult customer. But the knowledge that it was present to dusk filled me with a little hope...
I was a little surprised, but very happy to hear that it was still present this morning at Hauxley Nature Reserve about a mile south of Amble so sorted out the dogs and the horse and headed north in thick fog the whole way, getting there around late morning.
I sent Dave ahead to secure it for me but an anxious 2+ hour drive ensued. I parked up and walked (very quickly) down to where Dave was saving me a place in the viewing area. In no time at all I was straight on it. The bird was about 40 m away roosting up, however after no time at all it started walking about feeding, all the time coming closer to the crowd, great stuff! I ruled out any possible confusion species such as Greenshank, House Sparrow etc and stood there enjoying the view.
A really cracking view, only interrupted by a Grey Phalarope flying about the place. I managed some pretty naff shots (as usual) on my phone - (will save these for a rainy day, ok I'll allow you one now...). But check out the two images after mine, you'll probably notice the change in quality!, very kindly sent to me by Frank Golding of Cramlington. These photos are reproduced below with permission and are © Frank Golding 2011 - Future Birdgudies Photo of the Week!! Please click on the photo to enlarge them, they are amazing!!!
On my phone... now for the proper ones....
Greater Yellowlegs, Hauxley NR © Frank Golding 2011.
Greater Yellowlegs, Hauxley NR © Frank Golding 2011.
Rounded the trip off with a couple of European White-fronted Geese as I was leaving. Another great bird!
Thursday, 10 November 2011
11.11.11 is my Birthday and this...
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Wednesday, 9 November 2011
Thrushes Galore
I spent the day report writing at home today, trying to prevent the imminent transfer of germs from my cough etc. However I couldn't help but notice the half-decent passage of Fieldfare and Redwings going south/southwest over the garden. The main movement seemed to occur between 1100 and 1400 hrs.
The totals for the day (over the garden) were:
Fieldfare: 967
Redwing: 560
I spoke with Ade this evening, he was working up in Northumberland and also had a decent thrush passage with 2000+ Fieldfare during his VP survey.
I noticed a few Golden Plover and Lapwing flocks moving around and also a few Wigeon flying about.
The totals for the day (over the garden) were:
Fieldfare: 967
Redwing: 560
I spoke with Ade this evening, he was working up in Northumberland and also had a decent thrush passage with 2000+ Fieldfare during his VP survey.
I noticed a few Golden Plover and Lapwing flocks moving around and also a few Wigeon flying about.
Tuesday, 8 November 2011
A good day at Spurn...
For those lucky to be birding today, Spurn Point again appeared a good spot to be, at least in Yorkshire anyway. After the Isabelline Wheatear turned up on Friday (and stayed showing well all day on Saturday) today's star turn was a 1st year female Pied Wheatear that turned up at the point and apparently showed well for most of the day - per spurn website (which also see for several photos). Interestingly, the last Yorkshire record of Pied Wheatear also turned up on 8th November, in 2008 at Reighton Sands.
Pied Wheatear - Reighton Sands (2008)
There has been a fairly decent arrival of scarce/rare wheatears in Northern Europe over the last couple of weeks made up by Desert, Pied, Isabelline and Black-eared. Technically there is also a Desert Wheatear in Yorkshire today too. A Yorkshire Black-eared Wheatear would be better though! (at the weekend!).
Also at spurn today Garry Taylor found a 'Coues' Arctic Redpoll - see his blog for some photos and there was a Pallas' Warbler and Siberian Chiffchaff too. It will be interesting to see what the next few days bring. Hume's Warbler I guess, but Pine Bunting would be better!
For those not lucky enough to be at Spurn today my garden held a record count of (at least) 50 Goldfinch! It's costing me a fortune to feed them, already! I hope it's a mild winter!!! Although I'm hoping they bring something good in with them...
Pied Wheatear - Reighton Sands (2008)
There has been a fairly decent arrival of scarce/rare wheatears in Northern Europe over the last couple of weeks made up by Desert, Pied, Isabelline and Black-eared. Technically there is also a Desert Wheatear in Yorkshire today too. A Yorkshire Black-eared Wheatear would be better though! (at the weekend!).
Also at spurn today Garry Taylor found a 'Coues' Arctic Redpoll - see his blog for some photos and there was a Pallas' Warbler and Siberian Chiffchaff too. It will be interesting to see what the next few days bring. Hume's Warbler I guess, but Pine Bunting would be better!
For those not lucky enough to be at Spurn today my garden held a record count of (at least) 50 Goldfinch! It's costing me a fortune to feed them, already! I hope it's a mild winter!!! Although I'm hoping they bring something good in with them...
Saturday, 5 November 2011
Izzy Wheatear a right show-off
An Isabelline Wheatear turned up at Spurn on Friday afternoon where it was trapped and ringed. The bird had very little fat, meaning it needed to feed, so I was hopeful that it would still be present on Saturday, though history with this species in the UK dictates that they don't often hang around for long, therefore making it quite a tricky species to connect with unless you are in striking distance on the first day!
It represents only the fourth (and latest) Yorkshire record after birds were recorded in 1990 Kilnsea (21st - 23rd October), 1998 Whitby (26th September) and 2006 Filey (14th October). A quick look at past records shows that the 1990 Kilnsea bird was actually the last mainland long-staying bird (i.e. more than 1 day!), prior to that it was a bird in Northumberland (16th - 20th September 1980) and Aberdeen (17th October - 10th November 1979). I really hoped it would stay!
I made the quick sortie over to Spurn this morning and I wasn't disappointed as the bird showed really nicely on the Humber beach for the hour or so I watched it. The bird was very actively feeding and occasionally came very close providing great views. I managed to get the following pictures on my phone but it was moving around so much it proved very difficult!
Some better photos can be found on Graham Catleys blog here, and also check out Tim's blog for a video of the bird, and some idiot who managed to get his car stuck in the dunes!!! As mentioned yesterday check out Garry Taylors blog for some in-hand shots.
Other birds seen during the hour included several showy Twite, a Short-eared Owl high over the humber before dropping into the triangle, lots of thrushes and a couple of Woodcock.
It represents only the fourth (and latest) Yorkshire record after birds were recorded in 1990 Kilnsea (21st - 23rd October), 1998 Whitby (26th September) and 2006 Filey (14th October). A quick look at past records shows that the 1990 Kilnsea bird was actually the last mainland long-staying bird (i.e. more than 1 day!), prior to that it was a bird in Northumberland (16th - 20th September 1980) and Aberdeen (17th October - 10th November 1979). I really hoped it would stay!
I made the quick sortie over to Spurn this morning and I wasn't disappointed as the bird showed really nicely on the Humber beach for the hour or so I watched it. The bird was very actively feeding and occasionally came very close providing great views. I managed to get the following pictures on my phone but it was moving around so much it proved very difficult!
Some better photos can be found on Graham Catleys blog here, and also check out Tim's blog for a video of the bird, and some idiot who managed to get his car stuck in the dunes!!! As mentioned yesterday check out Garry Taylors blog for some in-hand shots.
Other birds seen during the hour included several showy Twite, a Short-eared Owl high over the humber before dropping into the triangle, lots of thrushes and a couple of Woodcock.
Friday, 4 November 2011
Isabelline Wheatear Pictures
The Isabelline Wheatear pictures are now up on the Spurn Bird Observatory website.
Also check out Garry Taylors blog for some more in-hand shots.
I've not managed to connect with one in Yorkshire yet! In 1990 I was not properly twitching (I was 10) and then in 1998 I was in Kenya and 2006 I was in Costa Rica! Fingers crossed it's still there in the morning.
Also check out Garry Taylors blog for some more in-hand shots.
I've not managed to connect with one in Yorkshire yet! In 1990 I was not properly twitching (I was 10) and then in 1998 I was in Kenya and 2006 I was in Costa Rica! Fingers crossed it's still there in the morning.
Tuesday, 1 November 2011
A Scilly Hour...
By about 1 pm on Saturday afternoon Dave and I were buzzing. We had 1 hour of birding left before we had to get back to Wingletang B&B to collect our bags and head to the airport. I decided, after we'd seen the Scarlet Tanager it would be fun to try and connect with the other MEGAs on the island. We set off towards Borough Farm but there was no sign of the Upland Sandpiper, gutted, plan over then! We then headed off to Watermill to check out the Olive-backed Pipits and after only seeing one of them in the last couple of days it was nice to see them both together again.
We headed back towards the B&B via Borough Farm (where there was another first winter Black Redstart) and there, no more than 10 feet from the road was the Upland Sandpiper walking through the bulb field. It was back on!! We only had brief views as there was tonnes of people around and as good as it was to see the bird it was far more enjoyable watching it on our own!
We headed down to Lower Moors to see if we could connect with the other two megas. First stop was the ISBG Hide (there was a Little Bunting reported earlier in the day however there was no sign after the initial sighting). On entering the hide it took about 5 seconds to locate the Wilson's Snipe as it was parading around right out in the open. Third one down.
Next we headed across to Shooters Pool, there was quite a crowd there but a bit of careful maneuvering ensured I got to the front of the screen just in time to connect with the Northern Waterthrush as it walked out of some vegetation, tail bobbing. I got some really good views before it flew to the far side of the pool (calling) before it showed again. RESULT!! All four MEGAs (Scarlet Tanager, Upland Sandpiper, Wilson's Snipe and Northern Waterthrush)seen within an hour (plus 2 Olive-backed Pipit and Black Redstart)!
Unfortunately that signalled the end of our Scillies trip. While at the airport we bumped into Andy Vinson who showed us his Scarlet Tanager pictures, WOW! They were incredible! Hopefully Andy will be emailing them through to me (and some of his others of the birds mentioned in the last few posts). A brief flight back to Lands End was not very eventful (thankfully) and within no time at all we were back at Lands End YHA. We rounded the trip off with a smart Firecrest that was in the YHA car park at dusk.
We enjoyed a few beers/ciders in the evening and celebrated a great few days!
We headed back towards the B&B via Borough Farm (where there was another first winter Black Redstart) and there, no more than 10 feet from the road was the Upland Sandpiper walking through the bulb field. It was back on!! We only had brief views as there was tonnes of people around and as good as it was to see the bird it was far more enjoyable watching it on our own!
We headed down to Lower Moors to see if we could connect with the other two megas. First stop was the ISBG Hide (there was a Little Bunting reported earlier in the day however there was no sign after the initial sighting). On entering the hide it took about 5 seconds to locate the Wilson's Snipe as it was parading around right out in the open. Third one down.
Next we headed across to Shooters Pool, there was quite a crowd there but a bit of careful maneuvering ensured I got to the front of the screen just in time to connect with the Northern Waterthrush as it walked out of some vegetation, tail bobbing. I got some really good views before it flew to the far side of the pool (calling) before it showed again. RESULT!! All four MEGAs (Scarlet Tanager, Upland Sandpiper, Wilson's Snipe and Northern Waterthrush)seen within an hour (plus 2 Olive-backed Pipit and Black Redstart)!
Unfortunately that signalled the end of our Scillies trip. While at the airport we bumped into Andy Vinson who showed us his Scarlet Tanager pictures, WOW! They were incredible! Hopefully Andy will be emailing them through to me (and some of his others of the birds mentioned in the last few posts). A brief flight back to Lands End was not very eventful (thankfully) and within no time at all we were back at Lands End YHA. We rounded the trip off with a smart Firecrest that was in the YHA car park at dusk.
We enjoyed a few beers/ciders in the evening and celebrated a great few days!
Monday, 31 October 2011
SCARLET TANAGER: Scilly Highlights Day 5...
The final day of our Scillies Birding Trip saw us having a leisurely breakfast chatting to some fellow birders. The main topic was hoping the Scarlet Tanager would be sorted in Cornwall and how much time we'd have to connect with it before heading north. We also talked about the fact that a decent bird always seems to turn up on the last day of a trip, we hoped that a) one would actually turn up, and b) that if one did turn up it would be before we had to get on the plane!
The bird log the previous night didn't provide any new information so we decided to head off and check out Carreg Dhu gardens. It was really windy making it difficult to even stand up in some places! We found a couple of Black Redstart in Old Town Bay along the beach. We headed into the gardens where it was much more sheltered - and bearable.
Walking through the gardens we made for the large Sycamore tree where we'd scored with some decent birds earlier in the week. In no time at all we were enjoying great views of a showy Firecrest but then the highlight dropped in, Treecreeper. Yes you read that right. Treecreeper. This is a MEGA on the Scillies, astonishingly this was only the 12th record of the species on the islands! Half the number of Blackpoll Warbler records which really puts it into perspective. We checked to make sure it wasn't Short-toed Treecreeper and both wished it was a Blackpoll Warbler!!
We got news that the Melodious Warbler was showing again so we decided to go and take a look (not really expecting it to still be on show) and bang on cue, it wasn't! We decided we'd go and have look around the bushes for it, however our plans changed very suddenly when the radio crackled into life "Scarlet Tanager Holy Vale".
The next scene was people all running off wherever they had been all heading towards Holy Vale. We quickly made our way up to Sandy Lane where we joined a large crowd of people watching a bit of hedge. After a short wait someone at a gateway about 30 yards back signalled they'd got it, a quick sprint and suddenly from being at the back of the queue Dave and I were right at the front of it! All we had to do now was see the bird!
After a very frustrating and nervous 10 minutes, that felt like an hour, and the highlight of someone claiming 'it' - when in fact they'd just seen a Dunnock, 'it' did actually come into view. My first sighting was a flight view as it flew out, and then back into a stand of Pines. It gave the impression of a strange golden oriole like bird in flight. Was that going to be all I'd be getting? I hoped not. People started to move around to try and get a better angle, climbing into the hedge to get their scopes through the thick hedge.
After a further 20 minutes or so I had ended up a fair way from Dave, and then it appeared BANG right in the centre of the scope as it sat in a Pittosporum hedge. Amazing bird and good scope views too. After it moved off I headed back towards where I lost Dave, hoping that he'd got it too. I was greeted by Dave with a huge grin, it was clear he'd had it, and had really good looks at it by the sound of it too.
We hung around for a while longer but there was no further sign of it. It was getting busier all the time as people were flying onto the island and as the Scillonian arrived in harbour.
What an amazing bird, and what an amazing end to the trip. We were on a MEGA high...
The bird log the previous night didn't provide any new information so we decided to head off and check out Carreg Dhu gardens. It was really windy making it difficult to even stand up in some places! We found a couple of Black Redstart in Old Town Bay along the beach. We headed into the gardens where it was much more sheltered - and bearable.
Walking through the gardens we made for the large Sycamore tree where we'd scored with some decent birds earlier in the week. In no time at all we were enjoying great views of a showy Firecrest but then the highlight dropped in, Treecreeper. Yes you read that right. Treecreeper. This is a MEGA on the Scillies, astonishingly this was only the 12th record of the species on the islands! Half the number of Blackpoll Warbler records which really puts it into perspective. We checked to make sure it wasn't Short-toed Treecreeper and both wished it was a Blackpoll Warbler!!
We got news that the Melodious Warbler was showing again so we decided to go and take a look (not really expecting it to still be on show) and bang on cue, it wasn't! We decided we'd go and have look around the bushes for it, however our plans changed very suddenly when the radio crackled into life "Scarlet Tanager Holy Vale".
The next scene was people all running off wherever they had been all heading towards Holy Vale. We quickly made our way up to Sandy Lane where we joined a large crowd of people watching a bit of hedge. After a short wait someone at a gateway about 30 yards back signalled they'd got it, a quick sprint and suddenly from being at the back of the queue Dave and I were right at the front of it! All we had to do now was see the bird!
After a very frustrating and nervous 10 minutes, that felt like an hour, and the highlight of someone claiming 'it' - when in fact they'd just seen a Dunnock, 'it' did actually come into view. My first sighting was a flight view as it flew out, and then back into a stand of Pines. It gave the impression of a strange golden oriole like bird in flight. Was that going to be all I'd be getting? I hoped not. People started to move around to try and get a better angle, climbing into the hedge to get their scopes through the thick hedge.
After a further 20 minutes or so I had ended up a fair way from Dave, and then it appeared BANG right in the centre of the scope as it sat in a Pittosporum hedge. Amazing bird and good scope views too. After it moved off I headed back towards where I lost Dave, hoping that he'd got it too. I was greeted by Dave with a huge grin, it was clear he'd had it, and had really good looks at it by the sound of it too.
We hung around for a while longer but there was no further sign of it. It was getting busier all the time as people were flying onto the island and as the Scillonian arrived in harbour.
What an amazing bird, and what an amazing end to the trip. We were on a MEGA high...
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