tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70385649112568933252024-03-05T21:30:17.277-08:00randombirderrandombirderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05534485227575273160noreply@blogger.comBlogger704125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7038564911256893325.post-52634353190379321372024-03-02T10:21:00.000-08:002024-03-02T10:21:56.228-08:00Sandon - Hen Harrier<p>Took me a while to get there but thankfully the ringtail <b>hen harrier</b> that has been faithful to a fallow field beyond Roe Green near Sandon was present and in full hunting mode as it quartered the field between 1600 and 1620 showing really well at times. This was my first for Herts.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrWNxaLKj574Pdsrf-OiEnsgZbmn09cRQDlsdtjk48VxEN4nElVrhsSBP0wg5wbMRjufSuagnCn6VMyX4-_BM1gpkh-hIOCDqfmH3_oxQ4teCCEG58jVaCQlmot9ZRuP6uX8OsMOU84iDXfSY9E7PajinKRlZAt2z8gKVtatOJFkEgdFMmXVtK2ifpUHs/s3879/HH1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2550" data-original-width="3879" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrWNxaLKj574Pdsrf-OiEnsgZbmn09cRQDlsdtjk48VxEN4nElVrhsSBP0wg5wbMRjufSuagnCn6VMyX4-_BM1gpkh-hIOCDqfmH3_oxQ4teCCEG58jVaCQlmot9ZRuP6uX8OsMOU84iDXfSY9E7PajinKRlZAt2z8gKVtatOJFkEgdFMmXVtK2ifpUHs/w640-h420/HH1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBGljWwhIyhp9erxSMje0kVsQjTl1IyGh14tNNDyq-2MsFz0a1Wg9vJ8c6-xhyZft4KcBUNO3oCrK7ka4h3bv_FAORvEMNVsRxoKOwVTJTV7NjnwJKixztyLuvjjMyf01UfWYYEHxxjlj8tKPFqry_3oO3GCMqrAf3FalqiU7RKwzFOrUYigD4CWoUpWk/s3635/HH2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2578" data-original-width="3635" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBGljWwhIyhp9erxSMje0kVsQjTl1IyGh14tNNDyq-2MsFz0a1Wg9vJ8c6-xhyZft4KcBUNO3oCrK7ka4h3bv_FAORvEMNVsRxoKOwVTJTV7NjnwJKixztyLuvjjMyf01UfWYYEHxxjlj8tKPFqry_3oO3GCMqrAf3FalqiU7RKwzFOrUYigD4CWoUpWk/w640-h454/HH2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Also an impressive charm of <b>goldfinch</b> numbered at least 150 with probably the same number of <b>fieldfare</b> that fled for the skies as the harrier passed by. A group of at least 80 <b>red kite</b> toward Sandon was the largest gathering I had seen locally. <p>The ground was saturated ploughing through the mud in the presence of at least 55 <b>roe deer</b> that included to impressive stags.</p>randombirderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05534485227575273160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7038564911256893325.post-58521532909503096672024-02-25T03:03:00.000-08:002024-03-04T13:46:06.332-08:00Brecks - Great Grey Shrike<p> A rare free day and an opportunity to head to The Brecks - only an hour up the road but a great place to visit at any time of year but particularly early spring.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyVWRGzieqs6XU7WrOsDAXphO936M3HrGf377ivyo26Fnf228WWM2upinZhadlAuyFGumaUF78I7_3IQtRk0Q0FzugodVhnNnagWRnFPvOL_NSWq9-Gnh2ZDdVBwCaVhxCw0eF1eMoF_ncXjuI130JXClRI9NDqZArAgYQXrLxN-OhhaDZX4xwjRgS10Y/s2908/hawfinch.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1781" data-original-width="2908" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyVWRGzieqs6XU7WrOsDAXphO936M3HrGf377ivyo26Fnf228WWM2upinZhadlAuyFGumaUF78I7_3IQtRk0Q0FzugodVhnNnagWRnFPvOL_NSWq9-Gnh2ZDdVBwCaVhxCw0eF1eMoF_ncXjuI130JXClRI9NDqZArAgYQXrLxN-OhhaDZX4xwjRgS10Y/w640-h392/hawfinch.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p>On arrival, Lynford Arboretum was heaving with people with numbers increasing further throughout the morning. A bit of a scamper round provided views of a single hawfinch perched up high in the paddocks. The feeding area by the gate was a flurry of activity with a couple of smart brambling accompanying <b>marsh tit</b>, <b>nuthatch</b>, <b>yellowhammer</b>, and <b>coal tit </b>continually and nervously dashing in for seed.</p><p>Across the other side of Lynford, the lakes produced my first drake <b>goosander</b> for over a year. Five <b>crossbill</b> flew over. It was generally very quiet here and sadly there were no signs of woodlark.</p><p>The next stop was at Weeting, a ten minute walk the track to the clearfell where the continuing <b>great grey shrike</b> was still present and showing really well as it moved between the scattered trees. At least two <b>goshawk</b> were seen from this location, one passing by at a reasonable distance. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisoFNJkCrmJcYB4paPuE3sVRTo0Iy37ZR_xf-pvdms8lIIumkAQsmKDEMFaWzGBIrLEYiBmbToxUnUp6zdKp3pFCZ3TfyAhfRRpkvNNFF6CUd-uGckHXm_UYLsSc23EPXRK9iGbOP6RJpc0oLPMdhMELhoFNs2YBLP_WNDB5xaZRP3F8h7POlG_zDRjwk/s3546/great%20grey%20shrike.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2239" data-original-width="3546" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisoFNJkCrmJcYB4paPuE3sVRTo0Iy37ZR_xf-pvdms8lIIumkAQsmKDEMFaWzGBIrLEYiBmbToxUnUp6zdKp3pFCZ3TfyAhfRRpkvNNFF6CUd-uGckHXm_UYLsSc23EPXRK9iGbOP6RJpc0oLPMdhMELhoFNs2YBLP_WNDB5xaZRP3F8h7POlG_zDRjwk/w640-h404/great%20grey%20shrike.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfoY62DzNnuB2Rd-WwjRci-hjrnz9vwJ3IpF6XWjpjNEv9yFUzGdDfXlCBBfK1YmNdG4w1hyx_RH20Rq50xj0iQUAUIE6oeyZ0H9RkfDb1FgG-4TS_P_bgcA6dnr1gGP3SKSH05TcikE1nL6gybZ1kGxuRGARRKqoWGPqb9xPB6p1pEyZvbXowhsYt78o/s3094/great%20grey%20shrike3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2216" data-original-width="3094" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfoY62DzNnuB2Rd-WwjRci-hjrnz9vwJ3IpF6XWjpjNEv9yFUzGdDfXlCBBfK1YmNdG4w1hyx_RH20Rq50xj0iQUAUIE6oeyZ0H9RkfDb1FgG-4TS_P_bgcA6dnr1gGP3SKSH05TcikE1nL6gybZ1kGxuRGARRKqoWGPqb9xPB6p1pEyZvbXowhsYt78o/w640-h458/great%20grey%20shrike3.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEillpfoLTU6vBvjdxTcGMk2vYrwmIL4gUwhYoeEW78t-ViS7DMIhI9pc7qb2ZkMdWjRv1eZS5O8DTKBF2P6DSR_qGPn1XaSEbAqPrFkdRIBp9ABpQGflWLsgjg-V5c3IKUxponiYa5Lro9JjF7-xbkjgLUi2GxKpPCrtnImaN_plVbhw7HQGr0ZwAl07_8/s3052/goshawk.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2167" data-original-width="3052" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEillpfoLTU6vBvjdxTcGMk2vYrwmIL4gUwhYoeEW78t-ViS7DMIhI9pc7qb2ZkMdWjRv1eZS5O8DTKBF2P6DSR_qGPn1XaSEbAqPrFkdRIBp9ABpQGflWLsgjg-V5c3IKUxponiYa5Lro9JjF7-xbkjgLUi2GxKpPCrtnImaN_plVbhw7HQGr0ZwAl07_8/w640-h454/goshawk.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidV_L9FgDkISWo4mqQ7yRXWYbmOtLhlFQZxyh8QWEgF1-K7OfJlabmfUxxBV6AfOtX0-By8HPEglKWcgQs64OaJytwppqGd6VI5F9Nv3fBn_jc62drVwyO2RvhV2Mdtssp8Nvz-w6UgHEhHr707omLBkn3hRWDXB7N4GiCU1a7qnbeoAQoZRzDyaZ-CgA/s4000/20240225_141600%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidV_L9FgDkISWo4mqQ7yRXWYbmOtLhlFQZxyh8QWEgF1-K7OfJlabmfUxxBV6AfOtX0-By8HPEglKWcgQs64OaJytwppqGd6VI5F9Nv3fBn_jc62drVwyO2RvhV2Mdtssp8Nvz-w6UgHEhHr707omLBkn3hRWDXB7N4GiCU1a7qnbeoAQoZRzDyaZ-CgA/w640-h480/20240225_141600%5B1%5D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>randombirderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05534485227575273160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7038564911256893325.post-3908617579068482142024-02-20T10:36:00.000-08:002024-03-03T03:01:07.122-08:00Short break to Spain - El Fondo Alicante<p> ...a very short break - pretty much two and a half days to an area I have wanted to visit for a while. Particularly the 'El Fondo' reserve a mere thirty minute drive from Alicante Airport.</p><p>A two hour delay from Gatwick meant that my drive down to Torrevieja was made in the dark - a shame really having realised on the drive back just how vast the wetland is in this area. <b>Greater flamingo</b> were dotted seemingly on every pool, glowing in the bright Spanish sun. A beautiful country outside of the resorts and away from the sun parched tourists. Thankfully it was relatively quiet at this time of year.</p><p>The El Fondo reserve surpassed my expectations. It's a truly stunning reserve, free at the point of entry for everyone to enjoy. It appears to be really well managed. The wooden walkway through the wetland is stunning, where species such as <b>red-knobbed coot</b>, <b>purple swamphen</b>, <b>black-winged stilt</b> and <b>glossy ibis </b>can be seen in close proximity. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbsG-qr85SdXN-2XgOF4TY-LSQOlWM9nCVDAUWDfONsX6HC47-r4KuJl03Ry8Hrm_RowyAsmDjHO1uxszH5u40pRYlfuVkG5DhNkS6xhEVT0L6Ds4pFUYxfKh9gl0T8mUzfOjJdhkf3yu5PUllqezBxYw4lMSLdnYmHW9384jFON6Zi2WMIFqw_nlIzMk/s4000/20240218_095254.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbsG-qr85SdXN-2XgOF4TY-LSQOlWM9nCVDAUWDfONsX6HC47-r4KuJl03Ry8Hrm_RowyAsmDjHO1uxszH5u40pRYlfuVkG5DhNkS6xhEVT0L6Ds4pFUYxfKh9gl0T8mUzfOjJdhkf3yu5PUllqezBxYw4lMSLdnYmHW9384jFON6Zi2WMIFqw_nlIzMk/w640-h480/20240218_095254.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7rSaDshhAmlswB7CF7A-Ydf7o4nCqAkh91WV1BktpyjY_WLHiRSkYUAQ4aOSWgAn7ruDB4fXknaOHmW81sFb6LgBnhfRbdpl9M-aLDBt8S-2S2Elcg_BPPHTGRf4FGFgeAyIttgV2SQFBkcGotgSH2ObIVIrYs8yZgXntg7E4Zf3xBGtrsmcuhtnjENo/w640-h480/20240218_105440.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihTXBAeNll32ZCkmligt7gkoZkTiy_HrHBaEu6QL9PyefHOjKjYFan66-Nj3JUZVdGLPRs1thtfkoV1_dXKu9NXcpT56GxGTkTQF3QQ6xe5OL8eCp5EwDn56951Ym7d4qFFDP39FSfq3Dx54bODIJwDeLEbRozcqAhdXy07Id34gpdpqqlA0PsPFASmMw/s4000/20240218_101015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihTXBAeNll32ZCkmligt7gkoZkTiy_HrHBaEu6QL9PyefHOjKjYFan66-Nj3JUZVdGLPRs1thtfkoV1_dXKu9NXcpT56GxGTkTQF3QQ6xe5OL8eCp5EwDn56951Ym7d4qFFDP39FSfq3Dx54bODIJwDeLEbRozcqAhdXy07Id34gpdpqqlA0PsPFASmMw/w640-h480/20240218_101015.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP03ZP6CjZD2GPX_cOzRZvVWiSAH3JRdu0oOmgpDmviUFCQ2yOG7xu-aTP6rdH4N59BPMNbFzpQu9UIlcE8u_mO9G2kY7AGhJvwdBTyKKvkJ-fKCgz-SE3_ZdtgrRrEg3I2chlQLk5DOVAnfNR4P9zV_6BQGl6HgwszY5cFTbOhZDU0OKMVfaQyO5HkY0/w640-h426/IMG_3888.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMlKG0jyylWokXjSRfRcEEbkMuFxmZMDwi9SXvyyf4XbGlKc-uu7aNTnMeMtMCYivSGNuIFqhCNd7MGEYtDFK7po48VesC_nCYZzL2-yosvdFIaDmOQh1DkiT5Tt9czD4TdFcXKmMfXlMBqI6fkeL0-85_VJSJGbTU2Ul4pOaD6SQFctEHYZZCTB75k84/s6000/IMG_3890.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMlKG0jyylWokXjSRfRcEEbkMuFxmZMDwi9SXvyyf4XbGlKc-uu7aNTnMeMtMCYivSGNuIFqhCNd7MGEYtDFK7po48VesC_nCYZzL2-yosvdFIaDmOQh1DkiT5Tt9czD4TdFcXKmMfXlMBqI6fkeL0-85_VJSJGbTU2Ul4pOaD6SQFctEHYZZCTB75k84/w640-h426/IMG_3890.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZPySq796LBHt-COM7CvC0mk6OjgrOF3tzTY25j2t0X1uNnyOyKmjeFqunVJCSvyh0DSX63vaqTOW3j3CL66QCWqGJu1PD1m3nNHxkUO5PEWTn3A5sdHKU-gM-I9I60B6HgZfqMGeTI9kmJGo_BpTLwVSZwJLkg7wzw89-oczvYPe9JVk6R2_cBrVKeaA/s3171/RN%20Coot.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2450" data-original-width="3171" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZPySq796LBHt-COM7CvC0mk6OjgrOF3tzTY25j2t0X1uNnyOyKmjeFqunVJCSvyh0DSX63vaqTOW3j3CL66QCWqGJu1PD1m3nNHxkUO5PEWTn3A5sdHKU-gM-I9I60B6HgZfqMGeTI9kmJGo_BpTLwVSZwJLkg7wzw89-oczvYPe9JVk6R2_cBrVKeaA/w640-h494/RN%20Coot.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p>The paths wrap round the reedbeds and waterbodies. Viewing opportunities are limited given the vast area which on reflection I really liked, leaving nature to do it's thing without the impacts of human disturbance (which at weekends can be heightened). The reserve was far from a throng of birdlife at this time of year, but there was undoubted quality. A group of six <b>marbled teal</b>, a new species for me, were observed flying round one of the larger pools on the east side. A real score seeing these at close range as they performed circuits past the hide. Present at this viewpoint, <b>flamingo</b>, <b>black-necked grebe</b>, <b>marsh harrier </b>and a squealing <b>water rail</b> graced the still waters.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAOUNQOrSgYfQ9hAbPC4LKboKq6y8V82O5vPGPiJGveBRWwdWFJjS4pn748SI9Pd_ADT-AOMUVWdVQI454EFTArHmfl6YJhYTOM1QVOr5sROYq4T2koME44dPV_yTh5FLPWWohJzJnqRdiSLKQRt0GuDeikW6ELZqCIdTM2HilnDb8p7uH6Zft5vn_aIw/s5010/Marbled%20teal1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3188" data-original-width="5010" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAOUNQOrSgYfQ9hAbPC4LKboKq6y8V82O5vPGPiJGveBRWwdWFJjS4pn748SI9Pd_ADT-AOMUVWdVQI454EFTArHmfl6YJhYTOM1QVOr5sROYq4T2koME44dPV_yTh5FLPWWohJzJnqRdiSLKQRt0GuDeikW6ELZqCIdTM2HilnDb8p7uH6Zft5vn_aIw/w640-h408/Marbled%20teal1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ0nQrFRM2T_WiK6d2GGChzkcdRYwCK-DzSf4_VlIaX15-N0Wh8B58axq0aDUUiaizmP7NenkE-5hs_Clu7mydd0GAurfnnLA5i18JCLUfxbYoPrqmzzE1i_tZBanTX_XFLmUDBqFIQsBN9E1mvApTxd6iZ6G9JliVDl1Dv7iCpL4UOim8sqOPYno7f2s/s4976/Marbled%20teal2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3309" data-original-width="4976" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ0nQrFRM2T_WiK6d2GGChzkcdRYwCK-DzSf4_VlIaX15-N0Wh8B58axq0aDUUiaizmP7NenkE-5hs_Clu7mydd0GAurfnnLA5i18JCLUfxbYoPrqmzzE1i_tZBanTX_XFLmUDBqFIQsBN9E1mvApTxd6iZ6G9JliVDl1Dv7iCpL4UOim8sqOPYno7f2s/w640-h426/Marbled%20teal2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8gOPgXKiAMm63kJDEX1lFMXKeUwFSEmsF9z0Q8-dpMnjBBrfrDeiqbozEHzl5bXRsdyINqo98nKXSGSS-iUcrFqRLpGZHB54hLoRzAxTWDz_y66qF2oYVyuTkmkad-QmjGbi00RnaU_FZPhwhCxSJvHX2fFUD58bXcSO6d3JD-YDJmJQaVF8VSRf6-Dg/s4269/Marbled%20teal3.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2672" data-original-width="4269" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8gOPgXKiAMm63kJDEX1lFMXKeUwFSEmsF9z0Q8-dpMnjBBrfrDeiqbozEHzl5bXRsdyINqo98nKXSGSS-iUcrFqRLpGZHB54hLoRzAxTWDz_y66qF2oYVyuTkmkad-QmjGbi00RnaU_FZPhwhCxSJvHX2fFUD58bXcSO6d3JD-YDJmJQaVF8VSRf6-Dg/w640-h400/Marbled%20teal3.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHUKMMX4wyx2za3zwer_5vZC-iq41GMA5PGDGsTOrI4IRT3QbDMoWTimR-22CQ0dTJM1PR6k_bJzH6U4jcUQl957n427w-NLe7i0NyFjsoGRvZZ3HW-xDCl-5FxL2VWFWkFziDEZywogZEsKhtZo9a-B-94w-nsGbUwIysZlegJwnr7bykj91hssBbsoA/s4837/Flamingo.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3225" data-original-width="4837" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHUKMMX4wyx2za3zwer_5vZC-iq41GMA5PGDGsTOrI4IRT3QbDMoWTimR-22CQ0dTJM1PR6k_bJzH6U4jcUQl957n427w-NLe7i0NyFjsoGRvZZ3HW-xDCl-5FxL2VWFWkFziDEZywogZEsKhtZo9a-B-94w-nsGbUwIysZlegJwnr7bykj91hssBbsoA/w640-h426/Flamingo.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOmlsvLHOSUSP9pPEdPofCkm9CcbWxFHff_5916k1HzJslkF-tdUmEQuJ6NZgH-aFQBe05CpFxbwL5xNcr8ia8knTNH-Iyk2TalJsBfyyYqPNt1L3-zh_iHzXjJ4qs3OPBqJz6iAbqhm04GY9f-4zOTkcZWw_6om2lrvChpuoMs1dtzQF18NdldH22G1g/s5304/Flamingo2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3102" data-original-width="5304" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOmlsvLHOSUSP9pPEdPofCkm9CcbWxFHff_5916k1HzJslkF-tdUmEQuJ6NZgH-aFQBe05CpFxbwL5xNcr8ia8knTNH-Iyk2TalJsBfyyYqPNt1L3-zh_iHzXjJ4qs3OPBqJz6iAbqhm04GY9f-4zOTkcZWw_6om2lrvChpuoMs1dtzQF18NdldH22G1g/w640-h374/Flamingo2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikX2QmrP9HpgAT3SJ67ayOcmxp8ZGmfF0uif1pkXYWiVGP1m-qAGnMcsVx0yzc0TFc5WquHyWUK-hyghgI2SJ079RMlQpb7lBgXytFOdIb26MkKImK0Ovrwh0ZALOiNj0E4gLP3kJTDlOH6DWANNQwyarxBEfGAciZZJY3u9HjgtpgWvtQCbejZgvJ3kc/s6000/IMG_3983.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikX2QmrP9HpgAT3SJ67ayOcmxp8ZGmfF0uif1pkXYWiVGP1m-qAGnMcsVx0yzc0TFc5WquHyWUK-hyghgI2SJ079RMlQpb7lBgXytFOdIb26MkKImK0Ovrwh0ZALOiNj0E4gLP3kJTDlOH6DWANNQwyarxBEfGAciZZJY3u9HjgtpgWvtQCbejZgvJ3kc/w640-h426/IMG_3983.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p>Each turn revealed something interesting and over the two visits, the following were noted; two <b>bluethroat</b>, always a stunning bird to see, two <b>penduline tit</b> picked up on its vocalisations, plenty of flamingo, <b>red-crested pochard</b>, <b>common snipe</b>, two fly-through <b>bonelli's eagle</b>, two adult <b>booted eagle </b>on the north side, <b>cetti's warbler</b> and <b>sardinian warbler</b> everywhere. I'm sure the reserve offers a lot more during peak migration.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDXLrolyyJo4R3VyBx-AVCed_q0e8jXm-9uPf5hCfYq6IWOW_RQe4Jxw6NTBH_lh-BPrvUrtzPOVFAYsW3nHuqormO_ajxZvOP6kBW-JYCl1J78-TGa_n6AGsx9Uh4xZ9HKKloqpMIDlNdm-xr-ZLgAmH213SzBYgjs1E9k5tXdB8M5HlHLfARxWyhX0E/s3416/bonellis.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2550" data-original-width="3416" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDXLrolyyJo4R3VyBx-AVCed_q0e8jXm-9uPf5hCfYq6IWOW_RQe4Jxw6NTBH_lh-BPrvUrtzPOVFAYsW3nHuqormO_ajxZvOP6kBW-JYCl1J78-TGa_n6AGsx9Uh4xZ9HKKloqpMIDlNdm-xr-ZLgAmH213SzBYgjs1E9k5tXdB8M5HlHLfARxWyhX0E/w640-h478/bonellis.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p>The only other excursion was a trip to a mountainous area west of Torrevieja at <span>Casa de los Munuera (https://maps.app.goo.gl/PGftcaDJbRPXrPfM9)</span> for a rather fanciful aim of connecting with eagle owl. Walking in a desolate area of rocky crags and scattered pine was quite eerie, but for the presence of two <b>Iberian green woodpecker</b>, <b>Iberian grey shrike</b> and <b>little owl</b>, there was very little else there.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2crkapaDNyyUQfIazDe72-PrdRTA_PL1HfLzSmLehHAqKWqp2-Gf8GylnR7PycDIz5emAskOSD33qPL5Oa9JYT0WfOkmFmBThAZ2KdChP-C2UDB7kobSEAO8AW5Wb2oz8L0gmdFn-cHwe3k7sGjcujnYjYl9J1d5qvx6TwNUAZhtWc8QOviHPu2Moi9s/s4000/20240219_132313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2crkapaDNyyUQfIazDe72-PrdRTA_PL1HfLzSmLehHAqKWqp2-Gf8GylnR7PycDIz5emAskOSD33qPL5Oa9JYT0WfOkmFmBThAZ2KdChP-C2UDB7kobSEAO8AW5Wb2oz8L0gmdFn-cHwe3k7sGjcujnYjYl9J1d5qvx6TwNUAZhtWc8QOviHPu2Moi9s/w640-h480/20240219_132313.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Anyrq9pz2d9vSpAPwVMCfVuGgEpK61PNFAo6-SshYV2aYYDc1ZH3rKglfX0rV_Ocl_h38znelUdCPKaXCLFbpCE6RPo_-DP1yjaTLjwYYLss3-W_YCa5PiMoEKBS5dPh0FdV4hwV7n0u_U4NKc7J7BU1gTDvjTXDpjbgzul4RiFKLhHqUIzzrXdAV1g/s4000/20240219_135046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Anyrq9pz2d9vSpAPwVMCfVuGgEpK61PNFAo6-SshYV2aYYDc1ZH3rKglfX0rV_Ocl_h38znelUdCPKaXCLFbpCE6RPo_-DP1yjaTLjwYYLss3-W_YCa5PiMoEKBS5dPh0FdV4hwV7n0u_U4NKc7J7BU1gTDvjTXDpjbgzul4RiFKLhHqUIzzrXdAV1g/w640-h480/20240219_135046.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGifpTHGcxxP8hWgDrWJx3t9CfH6rLj1-OTKf_qqBRqYtGTrLm5Yc-H6-NeNeQimhaijprnktK5xgyQt8RCo6HYS-gYJRzqltOwPddBJGAU8OQ7ab765edfHjp9Htu3qklr6Kfr6Zp3CNrjZSOkeBEaL0bLTh2TEWOQyLjk63sYKlUt_ZmRq7HdpqU9cI/s4000/20240219_140937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGifpTHGcxxP8hWgDrWJx3t9CfH6rLj1-OTKf_qqBRqYtGTrLm5Yc-H6-NeNeQimhaijprnktK5xgyQt8RCo6HYS-gYJRzqltOwPddBJGAU8OQ7ab765edfHjp9Htu3qklr6Kfr6Zp3CNrjZSOkeBEaL0bLTh2TEWOQyLjk63sYKlUt_ZmRq7HdpqU9cI/w640-h480/20240219_140937.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>A short trip that did wonders for my body, mind and spirit.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7TD9EmfAPOVIgSxqEcU4K-5TLfOS6efw463l2LLdqkfQAwJvcLwqE6dv80fdL8AmAfTOlu5k45SSd-fqLAW20MtIAmYoEl3t5Szs1ErKiyejykVqaHKiAzQ1y5xEcrcAZh3RzFf0sfhILu6FqPfnKNczuFBGAnogLUtORyBZVJ13wAe6xA6azABHiT74/s3964/20240218_184359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2973" data-original-width="3964" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7TD9EmfAPOVIgSxqEcU4K-5TLfOS6efw463l2LLdqkfQAwJvcLwqE6dv80fdL8AmAfTOlu5k45SSd-fqLAW20MtIAmYoEl3t5Szs1ErKiyejykVqaHKiAzQ1y5xEcrcAZh3RzFf0sfhILu6FqPfnKNczuFBGAnogLUtORyBZVJ13wAe6xA6azABHiT74/w640-h480/20240218_184359.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJRVCSNNWnRdXMA3aT4RDH6ZUKm_5htFxKgYjsSE5NGQps7ejPJ7MwQVj_Psi35tM4Umde2alBaXTRQqiEtde6anShkH8RFaRmsTXlfohelmNQTQsXbCR8SpD6PnrJhZ8-t0945mQEE8RWPRZAU0yn5w8gR_soCKUYsvoJqoqXchM7dm788p3NeuiYdJM/s4000/20240220_150635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJRVCSNNWnRdXMA3aT4RDH6ZUKm_5htFxKgYjsSE5NGQps7ejPJ7MwQVj_Psi35tM4Umde2alBaXTRQqiEtde6anShkH8RFaRmsTXlfohelmNQTQsXbCR8SpD6PnrJhZ8-t0945mQEE8RWPRZAU0yn5w8gR_soCKUYsvoJqoqXchM7dm788p3NeuiYdJM/w640-h480/20240220_150635.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>randombirderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05534485227575273160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7038564911256893325.post-6836431847104122732024-02-13T10:20:00.000-08:002024-03-03T03:02:49.246-08:00Somerset Rares<p>Taking advantage of some free time between work commitments in North Somerset provided an opportunity to catch up with a couple of local scarcities.</p><p>While visible from our base near Bridgwater, Hinkley Power Station provides a formidable view over the estuary but actually takes half an hour to drive to as the road winds round the coastline. Not far from there at Stolford, a small group of <b>cirl bunting</b> had been coming to seed along the coastal path just east of the car park. The weather was a bit grim, but thankfully the rain had relented a little by the time I had arrived. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvZ2SY1EwtU97gP7aRBP8OM-9dV9V0ufd73x6LvDOHiM51cwVy9v__t8jL0SUAKWjB1b2bgdfm_PIUz0POfvsh6Vnno6fiKIjZM2Z5ZObyMtbuBVH1Y1FdedzXdW4B91w6CIgKpBn84r0V3aIx61kB5suGwEF5-jFSUd77jHlmS1Y8N4MOzYhHi6ivCFc/s4000/20240213_111614%5B1%5D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvZ2SY1EwtU97gP7aRBP8OM-9dV9V0ufd73x6LvDOHiM51cwVy9v__t8jL0SUAKWjB1b2bgdfm_PIUz0POfvsh6Vnno6fiKIjZM2Z5ZObyMtbuBVH1Y1FdedzXdW4B91w6CIgKpBn84r0V3aIx61kB5suGwEF5-jFSUd77jHlmS1Y8N4MOzYhHi6ivCFc/w640-h480/20240213_111614%5B1%5D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">It didn't take long to connect with the male, such lovely birds. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxnrs90G8iT4o_L9teQJcPvVaxKnt7316hyDynfBYKEYX9QHlt0N3fuXJ2Yf4-qWik-ivO80r-lU_Esn1yOsMRRaO9d0oiTF42GuOwRhpNRs5GSpoLV-6z2piIM-tvRN0vu8gcfauFH9UJCDI7kXwSHtYF_oIz0E6u-xPdVXi9ZB-lpG_IYMWJZAK8GZo/s1856/Cirl%20Bunting.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1459" data-original-width="1856" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxnrs90G8iT4o_L9teQJcPvVaxKnt7316hyDynfBYKEYX9QHlt0N3fuXJ2Yf4-qWik-ivO80r-lU_Esn1yOsMRRaO9d0oiTF42GuOwRhpNRs5GSpoLV-6z2piIM-tvRN0vu8gcfauFH9UJCDI7kXwSHtYF_oIz0E6u-xPdVXi9ZB-lpG_IYMWJZAK8GZo/w640-h504/Cirl%20Bunting.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Later on in the day at Burnham-on-Sea and shortly before high-tide, the female <b>kentish plover </b>was eventually found associating with a group of around 20 <b>ringed plover</b>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2aEE1wZMT4N4VV1gXmbtjD4-yD8Cz-y0wftq98Oa6JqV75_vtlYT7KYvbeiRE416ajAv3UdK6-XKz8HWMxyvRUFuXVdpDNV1nf28DH_MMO15X2AP0rIRHd_Ql1HQbgbA9CNSfkHfFKULhzLmpekbdoBL224g4GxuukDmDKTP1LC1aXynH8MaZNFkMKKk/s3901/Burnham.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2925" data-original-width="3901" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2aEE1wZMT4N4VV1gXmbtjD4-yD8Cz-y0wftq98Oa6JqV75_vtlYT7KYvbeiRE416ajAv3UdK6-XKz8HWMxyvRUFuXVdpDNV1nf28DH_MMO15X2AP0rIRHd_Ql1HQbgbA9CNSfkHfFKULhzLmpekbdoBL224g4GxuukDmDKTP1LC1aXynH8MaZNFkMKKk/w640-h480/Burnham.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>A couple of visits to Greylake RSPB reserve failed to produce the elusive Baikal teal but the consolation of thousands of wildfowl, a stunning grey <b>hen harrier</b> and four <b>crane</b> more than made up for it.randombirderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05534485227575273160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7038564911256893325.post-53297132561267185312024-02-11T01:10:00.000-08:002024-02-12T02:38:52.407-08:00Southend Pier<p>Despite the inevitable disappointment at not catching up with the white-billed diver that was present during the only period of the weekend when I wasn't there, the selection of coastal birds really did make up for it. It was quite a surprise actually that the wintering assemblage seen from the end of Southend Pier would include such a range of species. Weather conditions were ideal - light winds and decent light.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHb0UKHu5Fjm9dltDWJ-e3xDlJEHv1Sy95fh-kwaCU9_fwGYCKbE_ZQ_7Z79b412VF2rUcPp80wQ2x7PveFuqItbCobTLQS1FnVNe-eNDm5yHxph2EoP5o3rsEZfPA6pQatS9-s488mP4LiyNlcmKKl0rfGHPtKfH2Z0xwEN8b0rTzzs2dIbTm9mcVCTA/s4000/20240210_102921%5B1%5D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHb0UKHu5Fjm9dltDWJ-e3xDlJEHv1Sy95fh-kwaCU9_fwGYCKbE_ZQ_7Z79b412VF2rUcPp80wQ2x7PveFuqItbCobTLQS1FnVNe-eNDm5yHxph2EoP5o3rsEZfPA6pQatS9-s488mP4LiyNlcmKKl0rfGHPtKfH2Z0xwEN8b0rTzzs2dIbTm9mcVCTA/w640-h480/20240210_102921%5B1%5D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><b>Great northern diver </b>were present with up to half a dozen seen on the still waters. A female <b>long-tailed duck</b> was the first surprise viewed from halfway along the pier. A few <b>red-throated diver</b> were seen regularly flying past, and both <b>razorbill</b> and <b>guillemot</b> were seen in small numbers.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTVAkrkakh1ki8wyabPQrmjjNZAJVmEZBjqX20JEc1jOHx_FRU3He8W_2MMDiSqkPLBq-UTHKu5Zu-3Jyg4zVfkz2_qfV7jaDcr-uxQ2pvYhImJLsC8eq0DVQhEFwwwU5xcSL-0IuaeSSlJGKHyOioinNuIJPuxI_9Z3liHadQfW2AjcpsjPigM5UEIdE/s2374/GND.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1531" data-original-width="2374" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTVAkrkakh1ki8wyabPQrmjjNZAJVmEZBjqX20JEc1jOHx_FRU3He8W_2MMDiSqkPLBq-UTHKu5Zu-3Jyg4zVfkz2_qfV7jaDcr-uxQ2pvYhImJLsC8eq0DVQhEFwwwU5xcSL-0IuaeSSlJGKHyOioinNuIJPuxI_9Z3liHadQfW2AjcpsjPigM5UEIdE/w640-h412/GND.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi32oDy9f5reE3Yu9OSWw_WupEtcMQOIKQ29VTQCJg9k99KsgY43vUBgnMAS8DUw4YRcnH1UkbNYhVO1BH9VG8XhJoXffobZLnPg_9JH8I6j1YW8leWPJMS0n5l2j3epdcUo6BbG-G_aEGYtVCJu4q9qKD50Qt-_L3rKK-y_RHmXGE83iMDjuwLtn1HfJA/s1649/LTD.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1071" data-original-width="1649" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi32oDy9f5reE3Yu9OSWw_WupEtcMQOIKQ29VTQCJg9k99KsgY43vUBgnMAS8DUw4YRcnH1UkbNYhVO1BH9VG8XhJoXffobZLnPg_9JH8I6j1YW8leWPJMS0n5l2j3epdcUo6BbG-G_aEGYtVCJu4q9qKD50Qt-_L3rKK-y_RHmXGE83iMDjuwLtn1HfJA/w640-h416/LTD.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p>On Sunday, the consolation of a <b>slavonian grebe</b>, a female <b>eider</b> and a single drake <b>common scoter</b> along with plenty of <b>Mediterranean gull</b> of all ages and a throng of <b>turnstone</b> made for a spectacular sight.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSzzq1FZW4aTDtQrJ6JeHfDz1MTdgtSHgV6CBGtu-Om5OxaZ4npzUwImnTXd6gtsqY0GAVqDDObT8roOsMyIXBpZ4ur1jiTs8gRbgByyOL4amn77JyKuTntB0Ju6M11B4DJnPL2spg53dj-ZVhF4p6navF4NOwBNQT9mg2rpIF-ht33G4dMq37sfSsIwE/s6000/IMG_3839.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSzzq1FZW4aTDtQrJ6JeHfDz1MTdgtSHgV6CBGtu-Om5OxaZ4npzUwImnTXd6gtsqY0GAVqDDObT8roOsMyIXBpZ4ur1jiTs8gRbgByyOL4amn77JyKuTntB0Ju6M11B4DJnPL2spg53dj-ZVhF4p6navF4NOwBNQT9mg2rpIF-ht33G4dMq37sfSsIwE/w640-h426/IMG_3839.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjwBUdlwjD4fczJgtYxoGyUW5oOVFP3I3Nc0sMz8-TOTV-sFg8at34pUWYbv2rkCyP5c0dmLc7xBMSM5ihXsiSxSOsBzoTZ4eSgwW3bDAP0jI0oBU0JA03PlFGiKIYoIqo8uC7AZfshPCHIQ-VO2Vx8XBjsAtkIr_a6m9hL2d0zvu8OXX-b-HTLJGZStI/s6000/IMG_3829.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjwBUdlwjD4fczJgtYxoGyUW5oOVFP3I3Nc0sMz8-TOTV-sFg8at34pUWYbv2rkCyP5c0dmLc7xBMSM5ihXsiSxSOsBzoTZ4eSgwW3bDAP0jI0oBU0JA03PlFGiKIYoIqo8uC7AZfshPCHIQ-VO2Vx8XBjsAtkIr_a6m9hL2d0zvu8OXX-b-HTLJGZStI/w640-h426/IMG_3829.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzns6fAZ1YSQj34Yd0RfeozRhhml72_rSWCZwy-MnN9VyOyD6vQP3vVcMKemJLhT6NvFNvplez9tTNi72ySmg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><p>Really very nice stuff and definitely worth a few more visits... and yes, I did take the train back to the seafront!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv2Fer3pIQuzHnjeI5ht6uU5cDSwzpIub9X6V35ssNfv4y7QelWVhGPZfXtfndv_5sWOEp-ZNf5t0y61jD8jECav2yYNBW7RXYc01l7lUAWQkAkQkVZ3c5sW9aL7gSd_s26wszSPHoEncJ6QO99cuHZVoH7rXGWqcSI5B-KMXq2VAnuiEq7G5zPCCOzRY/s4000/20240211_113200%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv2Fer3pIQuzHnjeI5ht6uU5cDSwzpIub9X6V35ssNfv4y7QelWVhGPZfXtfndv_5sWOEp-ZNf5t0y61jD8jECav2yYNBW7RXYc01l7lUAWQkAkQkVZ3c5sW9aL7gSd_s26wszSPHoEncJ6QO99cuHZVoH7rXGWqcSI5B-KMXq2VAnuiEq7G5zPCCOzRY/w640-h480/20240211_113200%5B1%5D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>randombirderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05534485227575273160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7038564911256893325.post-13509146591452226932024-02-04T12:25:00.000-08:002024-02-06T06:13:28.412-08:00Eldernell - Owls<p>Today it felt like I was window shopping for owls. First of the vegetative frontages was this extremely brazen <b>short-eared owl</b>, totally unfazed by the modest assemblage of birders lined on the bank of the Cambridgeshire washes at Eldernell. A fabulous site for a variety of species but particularly for wintering owls.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdeK5HPYI_wJdqYryITUM3-Ipda1GkgtaFyMR7U4iOV1eni9mA4PE5awR7Q1wFoKzC8r4LkfrEoYBAm1AEg-rjlVsAHk70iGjL6-oAT7yBTchkB1MH88q4BvHCLbexW83Rf8xpMTFV-cqsGSFLIQ8ozpS4qgK6oyOQdwXr89j-_EV3UTIPowvxKunW-CY/s2878/SEO1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1947" data-original-width="2878" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdeK5HPYI_wJdqYryITUM3-Ipda1GkgtaFyMR7U4iOV1eni9mA4PE5awR7Q1wFoKzC8r4LkfrEoYBAm1AEg-rjlVsAHk70iGjL6-oAT7yBTchkB1MH88q4BvHCLbexW83Rf8xpMTFV-cqsGSFLIQ8ozpS4qgK6oyOQdwXr89j-_EV3UTIPowvxKunW-CY/w640-h432/SEO1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDlld3d38ThZFNqUTxzNIm3AoI6ROz2EsdLJSw_a385yArC7vkVYUAbBscSubHrb3iqJAdPSgGkbGLCOJKF4nVvkzZKbDAlvXDvy7ot5rYtyt-CICcsbzurJVBGUWR3dp-F3vIPgNlIH3PfITbeYsjYy9ICFSL3YIYXxOkIsaW_K6IV8WyVYV8kt8eDFI/s2274/SEO2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1510" data-original-width="2274" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDlld3d38ThZFNqUTxzNIm3AoI6ROz2EsdLJSw_a385yArC7vkVYUAbBscSubHrb3iqJAdPSgGkbGLCOJKF4nVvkzZKbDAlvXDvy7ot5rYtyt-CICcsbzurJVBGUWR3dp-F3vIPgNlIH3PfITbeYsjYy9ICFSL3YIYXxOkIsaW_K6IV8WyVYV8kt8eDFI/w640-h424/SEO2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgObLdR_0PQxRMfTJEroZFuR5dANzQvnOuzjVizZtbdg3jRJI3RP1mlVj-Fc7h6r0a0yzPhlM1QeMqtCaLA0_WpfDGGhFB1ptJezeJIUt1P4o9kmM7jUeybPCbxvJ1xyeXxDaiiAdTHTyrWnK2vI4F38mGgSozkWuziADSqx63nz2qVn6906QcnApL-Lus/s2461/SEO3.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1790" data-original-width="2461" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgObLdR_0PQxRMfTJEroZFuR5dANzQvnOuzjVizZtbdg3jRJI3RP1mlVj-Fc7h6r0a0yzPhlM1QeMqtCaLA0_WpfDGGhFB1ptJezeJIUt1P4o9kmM7jUeybPCbxvJ1xyeXxDaiiAdTHTyrWnK2vI4F38mGgSozkWuziADSqx63nz2qVn6906QcnApL-Lus/w640-h466/SEO3.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Continuing along a hundred metres or so where two <b>long-eared owl</b> were not so confiding, typically tucked away in the dense scrub, one of which was relatively showy compared to some of the LEO experiences most folk have of this species. The second bird was slightly higher up in the thicket that was much more concealed. There have been reports of seven individuals present at this site.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDqZRl6dOMati52zUoGksABxmnFvIX1M3qgQ0Cwqacylm_hCZhrWwllv9rJM8-blMqn3sWZV_CKxhDqz-WPUvw3ffAsc4kNFqnvpfgkIHSiLAqp_o_Tb5ETRtKmSjHSjqRcOOaAmSkGmWSKC-FR7XkZVk7y55iYQgRIkYQ-IEQdXt5jKSj1lEWO-NHDjQ/s2232/LEO1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1674" data-original-width="2232" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDqZRl6dOMati52zUoGksABxmnFvIX1M3qgQ0Cwqacylm_hCZhrWwllv9rJM8-blMqn3sWZV_CKxhDqz-WPUvw3ffAsc4kNFqnvpfgkIHSiLAqp_o_Tb5ETRtKmSjHSjqRcOOaAmSkGmWSKC-FR7XkZVk7y55iYQgRIkYQ-IEQdXt5jKSj1lEWO-NHDjQ/w640-h480/LEO1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDBVZXCIGRXTxPWxEvF5ImToAsZN9_UmE5EWIqCzI20-q688cUb6o4pHzDAmPJF3xpRH7e1FPvnan3r4-eZHL3n370GkNefcHX0jTmvK9yac03lWyQeS4M7m3s3pIpiQzkDRfn-JWtmwuMe3mc8wJB371ZM4M-sK02WwCKHmtaWsZKcISxpcGNlryc8dc/s2077/LEO2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1567" data-original-width="2077" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDBVZXCIGRXTxPWxEvF5ImToAsZN9_UmE5EWIqCzI20-q688cUb6o4pHzDAmPJF3xpRH7e1FPvnan3r4-eZHL3n370GkNefcHX0jTmvK9yac03lWyQeS4M7m3s3pIpiQzkDRfn-JWtmwuMe3mc8wJB371ZM4M-sK02WwCKHmtaWsZKcISxpcGNlryc8dc/w640-h482/LEO2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>And then a hundred metres further along the track, and probably my favourite of all was this glorious <b>tawny owl</b> snugly tucked into a limb cavity. Incongruously, I've definitely seen more long-eared owl than tawny owl so this was a real treat.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGNy-8zAWbDknJf698q6GTmSu-kWcL1lsV3kVFtopA3L0IoIxlTUokQknyXDrEMZPqa36ZrNo7D2gCXfNe66RpF1kgNV4GdEi1QdwbNVyR-tVa5YeanOxb2iqIgxFrIB8_mSXmMvldAKeTiV9iwlwRyv7pMoosttRHfOEsYTb01Fwcojp-NDNQtFWA_CQ/s6000/IMG_3723.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGNy-8zAWbDknJf698q6GTmSu-kWcL1lsV3kVFtopA3L0IoIxlTUokQknyXDrEMZPqa36ZrNo7D2gCXfNe66RpF1kgNV4GdEi1QdwbNVyR-tVa5YeanOxb2iqIgxFrIB8_mSXmMvldAKeTiV9iwlwRyv7pMoosttRHfOEsYTb01Fwcojp-NDNQtFWA_CQ/w640-h426/IMG_3723.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvyYYyO-0L2DwGhBzdfpg01KS7txHOZWHDMfeOuUo0XOD6os_ti7NZjSncXaGO8nlozuZl8cOehwm6YJ6TYkyC4iy8ZHV__AK-79k-pMjafSDviKs7ru1RghQ_X8Z_Di7ZmH4ZVjbYQ9qAj6nVc6fnKtKr23w-RE8NsTEHkf0D3V4PIx_wF-I94s03hAg/s1885/tawny.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1508" data-original-width="1885" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvyYYyO-0L2DwGhBzdfpg01KS7txHOZWHDMfeOuUo0XOD6os_ti7NZjSncXaGO8nlozuZl8cOehwm6YJ6TYkyC4iy8ZHV__AK-79k-pMjafSDviKs7ru1RghQ_X8Z_Di7ZmH4ZVjbYQ9qAj6nVc6fnKtKr23w-RE8NsTEHkf0D3V4PIx_wF-I94s03hAg/w640-h512/tawny.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Also on site apart from thousands of wildfowl spread across the obscenely flooded marsh was a flyover <b>great egret</b>, a <b>chiffchaff</b> in the scrub, and a squealing <b>water rail</b> from the adjacent ditch.</div>randombirderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05534485227575273160noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7038564911256893325.post-56659519012293293942024-01-01T12:26:00.000-08:002024-02-04T12:42:12.899-08:00New Years Day - Waxwing<p>Clear skies, light winds, the sun shining, and seven waxwing on an industrial estate in Stevenage. A blessed start to 2024. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH5d3v55wNWd25tSa7VbFf0tfzQW2__zW78GlP_3ZNr2XD_llspvesui6SS_0cckDhN7jPv-_OFhDagrme4pWgoW6KJOnQEeQKWBSVWoWgO_KgLXqyl9q2gzEofYHeHevhZ_EjDbwqMqT8HDYkMTvMiMsrix28BYhEWXlapV9_vz6Hjr0JL0n834fDCTk/s6000/IMG_3432.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH5d3v55wNWd25tSa7VbFf0tfzQW2__zW78GlP_3ZNr2XD_llspvesui6SS_0cckDhN7jPv-_OFhDagrme4pWgoW6KJOnQEeQKWBSVWoWgO_KgLXqyl9q2gzEofYHeHevhZ_EjDbwqMqT8HDYkMTvMiMsrix28BYhEWXlapV9_vz6Hjr0JL0n834fDCTk/w640-h426/IMG_3432.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzxit4PzWK5pT_3n6QWzS8M2SAhqqYCoHt4VXXCiVHGG61NgjU-3MieQg9Hs-mXLHxjH49P7VR5WkKLx2Sd6PW0pJY5KbjtHThNrMIgehPtc5FdzUY44Y_v2BrBlrrKuqlI4avRBvJaPaBEhlXbZ_MPUnewsCNPa9SGFGs1vOVYD89Mrns7MQS2Am4URI/s4478/waxwing5.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3084" data-original-width="4478" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzxit4PzWK5pT_3n6QWzS8M2SAhqqYCoHt4VXXCiVHGG61NgjU-3MieQg9Hs-mXLHxjH49P7VR5WkKLx2Sd6PW0pJY5KbjtHThNrMIgehPtc5FdzUY44Y_v2BrBlrrKuqlI4avRBvJaPaBEhlXbZ_MPUnewsCNPa9SGFGs1vOVYD89Mrns7MQS2Am4URI/w640-h440/waxwing5.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQHGL_oPnZQm8m9vGZhrSbnVNQqVq_GQitru2b0hGAiIeJN-8EFkPdCIoWTh90PZyYV_GCVSDwryYQ7QHMX2xKJ9XuF1FrvQQTKtc7LiAMSEmnctExX79q9_VSscU1vfH426QIqPTlK9VxDL66yXGnExDUbzNiB_t2fVAFuzT5JQpbS-iJ5VcYsudne3w/s2072/waxwing4.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1418" data-original-width="2072" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQHGL_oPnZQm8m9vGZhrSbnVNQqVq_GQitru2b0hGAiIeJN-8EFkPdCIoWTh90PZyYV_GCVSDwryYQ7QHMX2xKJ9XuF1FrvQQTKtc7LiAMSEmnctExX79q9_VSscU1vfH426QIqPTlK9VxDL66yXGnExDUbzNiB_t2fVAFuzT5JQpbS-iJ5VcYsudne3w/w640-h438/waxwing4.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfsgaI1ea5xcIvlKS_PwzS-XYEyI3OMeelVIxyIkWTaHTX9vuC8zGsjfzGFx6dTi9TkhK_aouoRiD3vaz9hMtV1Z0T0F6f5L-pJSfqS1ba7r4iYAvRDEFBj5qQyCYmJcY2tfaysDSUrr8RBBinMiWsm6C29izyBCAstmQ4HVzAWzgpcspq1VDWoT9bpDg/s2594/waxwing3.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1992" data-original-width="2594" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfsgaI1ea5xcIvlKS_PwzS-XYEyI3OMeelVIxyIkWTaHTX9vuC8zGsjfzGFx6dTi9TkhK_aouoRiD3vaz9hMtV1Z0T0F6f5L-pJSfqS1ba7r4iYAvRDEFBj5qQyCYmJcY2tfaysDSUrr8RBBinMiWsm6C29izyBCAstmQ4HVzAWzgpcspq1VDWoT9bpDg/w640-h492/waxwing3.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6nS7eso28lkmOzVV7p-yWltQhrWxroYFZQ7seBOk7HGQI50NIktPDU61Xzhl6lc4el3lMZ4Z3pu-F31vO62uv48MtkMmXizph_awglW7bfQe4FviKjFj7rYej_Oenn_0o5hLNfSvxLQDgomXPRybAB74tsTXXB4mcv4WHsah1Z5Hu0vBI4TtJnrIP078/s2317/waxwing2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2317" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6nS7eso28lkmOzVV7p-yWltQhrWxroYFZQ7seBOk7HGQI50NIktPDU61Xzhl6lc4el3lMZ4Z3pu-F31vO62uv48MtkMmXizph_awglW7bfQe4FviKjFj7rYej_Oenn_0o5hLNfSvxLQDgomXPRybAB74tsTXXB4mcv4WHsah1Z5Hu0vBI4TtJnrIP078/w640-h418/waxwing2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAUTYAZxqQXXsXi_8RZnb_V1CzkmYofsGQVYMEPkh_pvVJPdR-lvUoUVs8l5enMgLtR-XjHeGt8qKLup1SwddcrZtG0XZsFiekxiBGcfTNnAsjqtyU7OGpu3ya8RPca6K-ntjC6KQWKekZycQ2jdM2zIKMX37JG17fPKhN4T5en7uJSiJhFMKx5kUOFRI/s1574/waxwing1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1398" data-original-width="1574" height="568" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAUTYAZxqQXXsXi_8RZnb_V1CzkmYofsGQVYMEPkh_pvVJPdR-lvUoUVs8l5enMgLtR-XjHeGt8qKLup1SwddcrZtG0XZsFiekxiBGcfTNnAsjqtyU7OGpu3ya8RPca6K-ntjC6KQWKekZycQ2jdM2zIKMX37JG17fPKhN4T5en7uJSiJhFMKx5kUOFRI/w640-h568/waxwing1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>After my hour of deference to these glorious birds, the year-list got under way at Welney WWT where many had gathered to walk off their festive excesses and spend time at this great reserve. Among the highlights were at least seven <b>cattle egret</b>, <b>great egret</b>, a first winter male <b>scaup</b>, <b>tree sparrow</b>, <b>pintail</b>, <b>marsh harrier</b>, and of course the thousands of wildfowl spread across the flooded landscape.</div>randombirderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05534485227575273160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7038564911256893325.post-4232477503395175072023-12-15T10:39:00.000-08:002024-01-26T10:45:13.657-08:00Priory CP - Ring-necked duckA bit gloomy out today but the returning ring-necked duck associating with tufted duck on Finger Lake was still present and seemed quite settled.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuWNxyIW8BUsTmbRV-llnDFNGNV2OzTH8Ei8AWPwfHORjZIarJ-ZLDozF41LVNUFE_wZTRpX76alX8UqnOLqx0yBlq5gykhbnl9bJEoqlm4Aruc3fTB1e2CKV6rz07v5AgSBSR9yoV57eSEaWuspjzn4eIhkAHQvPx96ofWmEIiRnIGPuCV-LHNu-OcWM/s3384/RND.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2486" data-original-width="3384" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuWNxyIW8BUsTmbRV-llnDFNGNV2OzTH8Ei8AWPwfHORjZIarJ-ZLDozF41LVNUFE_wZTRpX76alX8UqnOLqx0yBlq5gykhbnl9bJEoqlm4Aruc3fTB1e2CKV6rz07v5AgSBSR9yoV57eSEaWuspjzn4eIhkAHQvPx96ofWmEIiRnIGPuCV-LHNu-OcWM/w640-h470/RND.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>randombirderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05534485227575273160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7038564911256893325.post-55431560884468188022023-11-17T13:19:00.000-08:002023-12-04T13:31:20.445-08:00Stanstead Abbotts - Great northern diver<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A glorious day for my first great northern diver in Herts drifting lazily across Abbotts Lake at Stanstead Innings. The sunshine also produced a Cetti's warbler, at least two chiffchaff and an encouraging count of 45 common pochard.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBiPWZTnihTVHGF9jcEy6HC6Oe9hM64AC3FA2RzGj1fiLwrk9dSdBmFo4M1zV99OewRktpOc2_q9jhCOFS4Zot_gc0G2pZAyNFzsQsgtuE-doj16vfMcEdG_pMViTpOGj_QAc_i9yAL3pU0vBOD0uM9V0tz7wmR1Ac-t0jlZk1mC3JcEQ9c4LFvdOb2Zw/s2887/GND1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1738" data-original-width="2887" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBiPWZTnihTVHGF9jcEy6HC6Oe9hM64AC3FA2RzGj1fiLwrk9dSdBmFo4M1zV99OewRktpOc2_q9jhCOFS4Zot_gc0G2pZAyNFzsQsgtuE-doj16vfMcEdG_pMViTpOGj_QAc_i9yAL3pU0vBOD0uM9V0tz7wmR1Ac-t0jlZk1mC3JcEQ9c4LFvdOb2Zw/w640-h386/GND1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1rza5l7ltMYM0REyobbj1_pH1dVI-q9YlXkbMTXa_g_SKvv592TQkrg6P8qim7PJBdVTpdXCQe7e7GCOGgaWkDRIEFr-5pvTSyygxcwREsHPoSIbkLLBnRCE2Y0WzXU6_wPk1KfdN4aUg03FFNJhKg5MSRE8KUGpb5w67LAiGBkJyIQQaAq5bcXLrYvs/s3128/GND2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1894" data-original-width="3128" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1rza5l7ltMYM0REyobbj1_pH1dVI-q9YlXkbMTXa_g_SKvv592TQkrg6P8qim7PJBdVTpdXCQe7e7GCOGgaWkDRIEFr-5pvTSyygxcwREsHPoSIbkLLBnRCE2Y0WzXU6_wPk1KfdN4aUg03FFNJhKg5MSRE8KUGpb5w67LAiGBkJyIQQaAq5bcXLrYvs/w640-h388/GND2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0959bxe1l3-RkBkziRnOO8gD0IZMzb8hS7iLMQh3D28xCSSkIW1C1ETLfVKT6GJRsH9D734BfL4BXQjC5Nl4fdsWwGuuSE__KKsyf-rxV6FCYuUc-JvA2z_T1yu0c9aTYJc_Vue44FbmYMjXU1N95LRI6IZDvSYh_c1oXXC5yeC-K4JZEIrtmJrGdnJY/s3214/GND3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2216" data-original-width="3214" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0959bxe1l3-RkBkziRnOO8gD0IZMzb8hS7iLMQh3D28xCSSkIW1C1ETLfVKT6GJRsH9D734BfL4BXQjC5Nl4fdsWwGuuSE__KKsyf-rxV6FCYuUc-JvA2z_T1yu0c9aTYJc_Vue44FbmYMjXU1N95LRI6IZDvSYh_c1oXXC5yeC-K4JZEIrtmJrGdnJY/w640-h442/GND3.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2FiCB16X6ShO9v63Bs86Gbrb2UWdqLV8GFE62e81VlIUUbYKOpt2IA3QrOFtIRYx8XRTfWnxmnw5eqZBt4feEPiBZvVIB0yVDPonAYAD0o_0iOV21EbvWywYIjgpYnXZAESPlq6uEAPSJBJ6cXp2LmdSrmtIoHr7R8UytfPt3LVizlKZT_mBgfAiWYRY/s4000/20231117_111256%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2FiCB16X6ShO9v63Bs86Gbrb2UWdqLV8GFE62e81VlIUUbYKOpt2IA3QrOFtIRYx8XRTfWnxmnw5eqZBt4feEPiBZvVIB0yVDPonAYAD0o_0iOV21EbvWywYIjgpYnXZAESPlq6uEAPSJBJ6cXp2LmdSrmtIoHr7R8UytfPt3LVizlKZT_mBgfAiWYRY/w640-h480/20231117_111256%5B1%5D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvOxNNE0f_r6Kaqg2ft1el_T6HZ_abMy914SkaAH9oWWS3StQyS_mC23umZI2gFLp0GIQycQLXekkmmMlgEH9LvdoImR4hyphenhyphenFy1ER1ZKzZ8CfwqvdAjXGvyebUg5leoqbTJW0NBWJZ_BM-yWZkK76LmoEc33pMdK49R57PP-P_8HJho2TkvkemQcLiePIY/s4000/20231117_113721%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvOxNNE0f_r6Kaqg2ft1el_T6HZ_abMy914SkaAH9oWWS3StQyS_mC23umZI2gFLp0GIQycQLXekkmmMlgEH9LvdoImR4hyphenhyphenFy1ER1ZKzZ8CfwqvdAjXGvyebUg5leoqbTJW0NBWJZ_BM-yWZkK76LmoEc33pMdK49R57PP-P_8HJho2TkvkemQcLiePIY/w640-h480/20231117_113721%5B1%5D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p>randombirderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05534485227575273160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7038564911256893325.post-10631145018664550662023-11-12T09:56:00.000-08:002023-11-14T10:37:39.083-08:00Abberton Reservoir - Canvasback<p>The autumn that keeps on giving. There is no way I would have predicted that <b><span style="color: red;">canvasback</span></b> would be the next new bird I see in the UK. It didn't start particularly well though. Arriving at the Billet Farm watchpoint at around 10am and a large congregation of twitchy twitchers had already assembled in a kind of queuing system that would have satisfied many. I was a bit miffed as from my vantage point, I could only see a narrow band of water. No chance of seeing anything really. So I left, and headed for the causeway. It was grey, and rain had started to fall. All a bit bleak but Abberton is actually very nice and having parked at the Layer de la Haye causeway, got chatting to a couple of birders and well, it was all very convivial. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpZR1GUxC8Gys1sL3fwYv8im5i5Pxw4rW1UocLD7pshLtkrT5cHr4HkzH0wompJSnO92txcpMTD1ZDm11dm_sMYXOqyGfS7jzc1WBWRxsA-0bK5NgbuwVbZIlBod0CHWfvaaoFtAyocIF3Us-yd8ISTISR487sjDE2XqR2XPbDOdrmfp7J_8wW34lvlMU/s4000/20231112_110708.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpZR1GUxC8Gys1sL3fwYv8im5i5Pxw4rW1UocLD7pshLtkrT5cHr4HkzH0wompJSnO92txcpMTD1ZDm11dm_sMYXOqyGfS7jzc1WBWRxsA-0bK5NgbuwVbZIlBod0CHWfvaaoFtAyocIF3Us-yd8ISTISR487sjDE2XqR2XPbDOdrmfp7J_8wW34lvlMU/w640-h480/20231112_110708.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Not really knowing what to do, coffee and cake at the visitor centre beckoned. This was all very enjoyable, not much birding really, just nice views across the reservoir. The common pochard flock was out of view behind the spit distantly from the visitor centre, but not for long. The group started to swim out and for the first time today there was a bit of optimism at seeing this vagrant American duck.</p><p>In almost single file they began to appear, but no sign. And then they all took off, and after completing a tight circuit over the reservoir, they headed east across the causeway and seemingly plopped down onto the water. Heading down onto the causeway, I bumped into Ed and Andy and immediately heard that the bird was viewable from the Layer Breton causeway. They kindly allowed me to bundle into the back of their car and we steamed over. Rolling out of the car, there were already an impressive line of birders - it took a while to connect but watching the canvasback in brilliant light was really satisfying.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0GZCFoNQ_KbEwA3PoQvKLjzdXYKC1-jK89smahR3zcVkSazakT4pda9oF_wwlytoD3_M6sDdTUQ5rutNBYCzhBk5GDiHI-8VkWhiDDE88RtaIhNw-0HdBaYwV9MzPPd2I6mB7rw7fFca3E7CP3IPvkgZajTEWEOpMksjkOagE4tc4e1awg9WhGKLQN9s/s5940/IMG_3302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3960" data-original-width="5940" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0GZCFoNQ_KbEwA3PoQvKLjzdXYKC1-jK89smahR3zcVkSazakT4pda9oF_wwlytoD3_M6sDdTUQ5rutNBYCzhBk5GDiHI-8VkWhiDDE88RtaIhNw-0HdBaYwV9MzPPd2I6mB7rw7fFca3E7CP3IPvkgZajTEWEOpMksjkOagE4tc4e1awg9WhGKLQN9s/w640-h426/IMG_3302.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihD1rZcHS2uXeL_3AR65JS7BqlBm1H5pFgtQzHh1kKlfXHgyus8e744Nz6pLoqNdJD6pHdvMwiCiDiTAZZ2ydvoCnvAjGHi8mZtJGDN6u7yY1mpzo_-d-SsOZmBVsjNrPrBZ_lHe2zReeXLJCFK4W6GrXBohI3GSx1rzBvc-UfcGFwioiWz8VGBpS5tyU/s1396/IMG_3302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="980" data-original-width="1396" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihD1rZcHS2uXeL_3AR65JS7BqlBm1H5pFgtQzHh1kKlfXHgyus8e744Nz6pLoqNdJD6pHdvMwiCiDiTAZZ2ydvoCnvAjGHi8mZtJGDN6u7yY1mpzo_-d-SsOZmBVsjNrPrBZ_lHe2zReeXLJCFK4W6GrXBohI3GSx1rzBvc-UfcGFwioiWz8VGBpS5tyU/w640-h450/IMG_3302.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid8MTubLkFOWTCbS0Pj3BhCkPECRJ6VzQIxHUk8WMPGA6yyJsNzcnE684Cnpex5As6EnJeDRKWYspfaSy_WEgeg56seM9Fjin98bjqJI1UetPeCUseQ3NG_LR8RW4tauFmp7vYYtVYJAVQy1l3FhpatqeDSJ91L6PpnQS60kwtCz9AV8iqRWUY4P-qApI/s1237/canvasback.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="890" data-original-width="1237" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid8MTubLkFOWTCbS0Pj3BhCkPECRJ6VzQIxHUk8WMPGA6yyJsNzcnE684Cnpex5As6EnJeDRKWYspfaSy_WEgeg56seM9Fjin98bjqJI1UetPeCUseQ3NG_LR8RW4tauFmp7vYYtVYJAVQy1l3FhpatqeDSJ91L6PpnQS60kwtCz9AV8iqRWUY4P-qApI/w640-h460/canvasback.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpl8rYIatrpMg7yT7m1Tm03bLsbWKOy4BXRe6gS8X50RWzK2rTuQBFFOjcjm9ifdDMta7yJ5bdFNq6q49irif5uoCPuubh3G8iPzBcTwWshNdF7HfDA4BCOdToBzp4NF9SMrICxhAIVmpuUn1gRuyVikC_vOHsYsDSeQMlKGnBRa_G1FfXdcOxhg9qP30/s520/canvasback1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="381" data-original-width="520" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpl8rYIatrpMg7yT7m1Tm03bLsbWKOy4BXRe6gS8X50RWzK2rTuQBFFOjcjm9ifdDMta7yJ5bdFNq6q49irif5uoCPuubh3G8iPzBcTwWshNdF7HfDA4BCOdToBzp4NF9SMrICxhAIVmpuUn1gRuyVikC_vOHsYsDSeQMlKGnBRa_G1FfXdcOxhg9qP30/w640-h468/canvasback1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikzEiJj0JwbT3kOVtuqDQvVdF6IjmoNYedGNDiNTTXKzOPFsyjEomW4gILDuhXKh8PJ4VRudMhaBPSOuYP5FvMM6xf4Z0_3yPYoNpdumzXWK2CKhjnVU4eoK-lSmbhgCIew-aQFBcxAg6ScdSLKITZcFvPHyw4GGT2jQ0q4jfBgI11M2TN8j0IHNAVkto/s3234/rock%20pipit.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2231" data-original-width="3234" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikzEiJj0JwbT3kOVtuqDQvVdF6IjmoNYedGNDiNTTXKzOPFsyjEomW4gILDuhXKh8PJ4VRudMhaBPSOuYP5FvMM6xf4Z0_3yPYoNpdumzXWK2CKhjnVU4eoK-lSmbhgCIew-aQFBcxAg6ScdSLKITZcFvPHyw4GGT2jQ0q4jfBgI11M2TN8j0IHNAVkto/w640-h442/rock%20pipit.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSpKGsAczKQNWDwreUHFA2PCLf9C6eiGo9LHaEjVc0RVZkNodqASQB2K7dEhdLN8tN_9qW_Km8CrvPKrNeqem8G6eGYiMwCMtyCajOu309sFUS6-za6D4nqGKvIx-6z1ANn2naHBAQ4ihwsHZb8n5T48Sp6UIfiHtSJ1qaQD_xNh3Qf25hwDH_vsyY24s/s4000/20231112_133619.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSpKGsAczKQNWDwreUHFA2PCLf9C6eiGo9LHaEjVc0RVZkNodqASQB2K7dEhdLN8tN_9qW_Km8CrvPKrNeqem8G6eGYiMwCMtyCajOu309sFUS6-za6D4nqGKvIx-6z1ANn2naHBAQ4ihwsHZb8n5T48Sp6UIfiHtSJ1qaQD_xNh3Qf25hwDH_vsyY24s/w640-h480/20231112_133619.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1TPp0m4MTqXedppToMUgdeHuRp8cGFkFhAxnHXHdpk0bgnK3OiC2ET6H-JwrbVnnWp8wsDcyY8zridQzld29oPtSCmpZCURL9MH1hYiG-ACsoYCKIVZmZXII7VAQJrZhrp3KSGbWKK_kKcx76EBTRvqFJxN7IJMr7Fbctu807GGTFQD_tdXu6BVjWiM0/s4000/20231112_133629.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1TPp0m4MTqXedppToMUgdeHuRp8cGFkFhAxnHXHdpk0bgnK3OiC2ET6H-JwrbVnnWp8wsDcyY8zridQzld29oPtSCmpZCURL9MH1hYiG-ACsoYCKIVZmZXII7VAQJrZhrp3KSGbWKK_kKcx76EBTRvqFJxN7IJMr7Fbctu807GGTFQD_tdXu6BVjWiM0/w640-h480/20231112_133629.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>randombirderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05534485227575273160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7038564911256893325.post-17766119301829397432023-11-08T09:43:00.000-08:002023-11-14T10:37:45.184-08:00Linford Lakes - Little crake<p>Cheekily messaged the boss to say that I needed to take the morning off, and headed up to Linford Lakes to see the <b><span style="color: red;">little crake</span></b> that appeared briefly after a 45 minute wait, disappeared, then reappeared providing slightly better views then disappeared again. Unfortunately I had to head back but was great to catch up with it and a really excellent record for Bucks.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrT5r0Zza921syiNfyjSFEiBoTBLD8pXm7Wy1j3FM0ZgJ3zd0gKoGR81mA8T5z7W9mtSln8DcLVCEbpnFQp4afh14iOtE8GGyl8c11skaQtAkVwalxzVBwIz7oRV6rHhBM2uHdEQURmmh0B49EpM4EpMZYMHRTWm7y7iFel6wsdCXSnSlLOazfnRGPhOI/s4000/20231108_115830%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrT5r0Zza921syiNfyjSFEiBoTBLD8pXm7Wy1j3FM0ZgJ3zd0gKoGR81mA8T5z7W9mtSln8DcLVCEbpnFQp4afh14iOtE8GGyl8c11skaQtAkVwalxzVBwIz7oRV6rHhBM2uHdEQURmmh0B49EpM4EpMZYMHRTWm7y7iFel6wsdCXSnSlLOazfnRGPhOI/w640-h480/20231108_115830%5B1%5D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>randombirderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05534485227575273160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7038564911256893325.post-15318838188008158282023-11-03T07:02:00.003-07:002023-11-21T01:36:33.647-08:00Stodmarsh NNR - Solitary Sandpiper<p>Fully appreciating that at times, the <b><span style="color: red;">solitary sandpiper</span></b> had been difficult to catch up with, it was with some relief that after entering the Reedbed hide at Stodmarsh, this rare American wader flew onto the marshy fringes of the pool around five minutes after I had arrived. It was a real treat to watch it plodding around the shallow margins beautifully illuminated in the morning sun.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCvQmZ8KZOC9DYExJUzY7WpOClD-PfoK7dS5lJpOvVNsokpZ7j7u5uzrolpj5vQv483HVNH2gvi-8Z7upTRkbIy2dGJPQqKWoU9VPqFW9KwGRDP1hDvoi2HQLvL1jVv00F_QWpcD9_K8Lu7urzBZ4XXh6VXOQowDkEzRl9vmsCBpHmpT14ZYkJVcULiP8/s2357/Solitary1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1842" data-original-width="2357" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCvQmZ8KZOC9DYExJUzY7WpOClD-PfoK7dS5lJpOvVNsokpZ7j7u5uzrolpj5vQv483HVNH2gvi-8Z7upTRkbIy2dGJPQqKWoU9VPqFW9KwGRDP1hDvoi2HQLvL1jVv00F_QWpcD9_K8Lu7urzBZ4XXh6VXOQowDkEzRl9vmsCBpHmpT14ZYkJVcULiP8/w640-h500/Solitary1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAFkNns6RtFpJsTwymY3kmGVpg40LhRn8BATRy-f7FCJgA4fPiMo-RLWHsKgGHWT98fcFBx9pvFnU-K9pUyK4YiRkctrvGqHKVHx6PQHEeyLCIJ5Y3r1hb0ENygDdbGCT8Kajm8j3rdFg3Mf7kU0X1uakmFoHzFtM4NHfVM5BrEHcGUYE2sXG08k19RqQ/s2771/Solitary2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2147" data-original-width="2771" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAFkNns6RtFpJsTwymY3kmGVpg40LhRn8BATRy-f7FCJgA4fPiMo-RLWHsKgGHWT98fcFBx9pvFnU-K9pUyK4YiRkctrvGqHKVHx6PQHEeyLCIJ5Y3r1hb0ENygDdbGCT8Kajm8j3rdFg3Mf7kU0X1uakmFoHzFtM4NHfVM5BrEHcGUYE2sXG08k19RqQ/w640-h496/Solitary2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyEdOL2724Vg0P3esZxkW4c9wJ2LpSuwCbx77vZhM_dNReRyLMFoFTi9nBzf1p-yTc-OcfwP5cQv_zN4iZcsGERb9yTCOkQ8YX0brZglin4Edt0-2nEKp3TYH0wvinBilo_s6Tda9AONxVX9aVLSNhSsSQAI9SQ_9Lz6hGcTM7c0Kpd2ezTQcydDPRx_w/s3318/Solitary3.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2498" data-original-width="3318" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyEdOL2724Vg0P3esZxkW4c9wJ2LpSuwCbx77vZhM_dNReRyLMFoFTi9nBzf1p-yTc-OcfwP5cQv_zN4iZcsGERb9yTCOkQ8YX0brZglin4Edt0-2nEKp3TYH0wvinBilo_s6Tda9AONxVX9aVLSNhSsSQAI9SQ_9Lz6hGcTM7c0Kpd2ezTQcydDPRx_w/w640-h482/Solitary3.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOLUaaPai0wECMgFAgp17fU03x4ReFnoFdperXqRl5LnyEioz236w03boWDpQwYJpdOPRqrxwqE21R1QKZHaLT3s8PlNX62dLMgPESv0KT9KQFJqD8Scd39-uyvBFT9hHlcsC6XtHHmjtKGnAMOy0XY22sWR6st5-L7EUqXxjRyFMvf0VJxHKNYjPj-XQ/s2990/Solitary4.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2337" data-original-width="2990" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOLUaaPai0wECMgFAgp17fU03x4ReFnoFdperXqRl5LnyEioz236w03boWDpQwYJpdOPRqrxwqE21R1QKZHaLT3s8PlNX62dLMgPESv0KT9KQFJqD8Scd39-uyvBFT9hHlcsC6XtHHmjtKGnAMOy0XY22sWR6st5-L7EUqXxjRyFMvf0VJxHKNYjPj-XQ/w640-h500/Solitary4.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJGf291MfRxy0licaisVdWuash6cxiN4Aq3PzJY0Uas30EzhkilLDx6HQvy5afHj0wulatPMf-7cuKH0wJIFWeMRQNjWKEpbF1PFa-GVmF4En87_Mw8J85CN7365MDV6FSCe2qYxo-tBz4byQOHWrJJ5r_Y5VpRroDlnudTZE5FjF1W3VeGRrPPNbbIhs/s4000/20231103_103138%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJGf291MfRxy0licaisVdWuash6cxiN4Aq3PzJY0Uas30EzhkilLDx6HQvy5afHj0wulatPMf-7cuKH0wJIFWeMRQNjWKEpbF1PFa-GVmF4En87_Mw8J85CN7365MDV6FSCe2qYxo-tBz4byQOHWrJJ5r_Y5VpRroDlnudTZE5FjF1W3VeGRrPPNbbIhs/w640-h480/20231103_103138%5B1%5D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>randombirderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05534485227575273160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7038564911256893325.post-73233091263607032542023-10-29T07:37:00.002-07:002023-11-06T00:19:37.889-08:00Magical Flamborough Head<p>A truly exceptional day of what has been an exceptional autumn up and down the country. This time a trek up to Flamborough Head where over the previous days, an assemblage of eastern vagrants had gathered along the headland. Having to wait till Sunday, the early part of the morning was extremely wet, persistent heavy rain falling from leaden skies made for a rather forlorn hour or so. Gratefully, the weather was forecast to improve and by around 10.30am, the rain had relented somewhat, and it was time to go.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhpBWHag2ZtwKvBDEFRsznhdCBRRSdXc2R57TQyqurtR6X0Ol1RUmzlmN8F6NQ_JMY10ARt14ksBuDbMcg__qI-yiSHN9WEOMVmA_UQqEdEhSxS1iz5hfVoUAxpDUhftFGeJ1s5D-zpKpEtspqwdflWKA5a0L9K3vRrsGNgRmr3peNYjSOrlJ2ip1HBBM/s4000/20231029_104736.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhpBWHag2ZtwKvBDEFRsznhdCBRRSdXc2R57TQyqurtR6X0Ol1RUmzlmN8F6NQ_JMY10ARt14ksBuDbMcg__qI-yiSHN9WEOMVmA_UQqEdEhSxS1iz5hfVoUAxpDUhftFGeJ1s5D-zpKpEtspqwdflWKA5a0L9K3vRrsGNgRmr3peNYjSOrlJ2ip1HBBM/w640-h480/20231029_104736.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>The ground was sodden due to the extreme rainfall over previous days. The entire coastal path was reduced to a sludge. Embracing the conditions, I ploughed through the quagmire and headed for the bunting.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT3UVQqmkSUqO3vl8HCs_ukOvF6rRyrHGNmfuH3ueVYwOblk73WQlVCtummyN3LzGf0_OJs2deajzN8u88vGi_GAtdjXKwHWpfjIbMY0hyz_7rjdI9eZEbR6c8395FEjJRl1_jTmUSfFWmrZEaE7vS-du9KYyECwnB7b9kmY3rOjQOFTwwBdi4zbfhSNg/w640-h480/20231029_105914.jpg" /></p>Rain was still in the air, and the track down to the <b><span style="color: red;">red-headed bunting</span></b> had turned to a mud-bath. It was hilarious. The bird showed, quite well actually sitting along the fenceline in the company of the local <b>reed bunting</b>, <b>yellowhammer </b>and <b>tree sparrow</b>. A first-winter bird, apart from the diagnostic 'bull-headed' appearance and large bill, it wasn't the sassiest of birds I had seen, so I was off because there was more to offer.<br /><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtQz09xHwchg_0QVJwdmFG2G2ALsYHsreeU0dE6ocdS2YeUSEHj51w5YcYSqWUfxAMwdCMM7jcLe0aFJ0jwl33P2GFueEiUxgqSY4ceDhSw-y0zdE7-1NZzFpaG1fdeoMVYnhgsICjS8GHRSGAgbnT32DJ1Mf2bRUNqS_suI9tIqZeUfFDEMpK6gjltsU/s4000/20231029_111020.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtQz09xHwchg_0QVJwdmFG2G2ALsYHsreeU0dE6ocdS2YeUSEHj51w5YcYSqWUfxAMwdCMM7jcLe0aFJ0jwl33P2GFueEiUxgqSY4ceDhSw-y0zdE7-1NZzFpaG1fdeoMVYnhgsICjS8GHRSGAgbnT32DJ1Mf2bRUNqS_suI9tIqZeUfFDEMpK6gjltsU/w640-h480/20231029_111020.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRuuG1RgkMB15qstUZlKtALFaBLh2fFPtOKmc-l4Pn73nKRBiCV5k4pmBY7xCsyfEZnWu1EjxTko3RJcyzyf32qh-t_xHua9z9AOs6BjNzz5K4jNNvQbkmEHEZBWGmQITNy1sOMpNpwe0W7BcWIgIC1a5JSroQaLvIkh8fGeWUE6CeCyWOLhrFkQY2OSA/s4000/20231029_111038.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRuuG1RgkMB15qstUZlKtALFaBLh2fFPtOKmc-l4Pn73nKRBiCV5k4pmBY7xCsyfEZnWu1EjxTko3RJcyzyf32qh-t_xHua9z9AOs6BjNzz5K4jNNvQbkmEHEZBWGmQITNy1sOMpNpwe0W7BcWIgIC1a5JSroQaLvIkh8fGeWUE6CeCyWOLhrFkQY2OSA/w640-h480/20231029_111038.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>In the space of three hours, this happened.</p><p>Sliding along the coastal path to the Lighthouse Car Park a <b>snow bunting</b> and <b>northern wheatear</b> were in close proximity in the ploughed field close to the bunting viewing area. The path down to the lighthouse was treacherous, but the weather had continued to improve. I was rather enjoying it.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu2kiIK7yGPIOvdxZknKR_-_nK1QgeHyEbLfst_rRaAGEThm8fZKQ2b6L5gQP9Zj4lomJ4TDg6bncA4ARiDeEEYqx6RvVXaZ4SyYYJBCb7gLNp6Cjow5O5Yz7tB-yDY1aevn2CG3fShYHnUliPX6wd7r7A2DNOMKPKi3h-DV8hDG0ZRW0I8f4PYTz0ef0/s4000/20231029_115856.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu2kiIK7yGPIOvdxZknKR_-_nK1QgeHyEbLfst_rRaAGEThm8fZKQ2b6L5gQP9Zj4lomJ4TDg6bncA4ARiDeEEYqx6RvVXaZ4SyYYJBCb7gLNp6Cjow5O5Yz7tB-yDY1aevn2CG3fShYHnUliPX6wd7r7A2DNOMKPKi3h-DV8hDG0ZRW0I8f4PYTz0ef0/w640-h480/20231029_115856.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA8FhxpUSf-hjAoxeNPk8m5lq_2wCNyrALSPetvZnnKRTea5wwA35Aad72NFALRlagqWXasAKKKmndUqPXFLyQ3lTbxOcyWvpg8oxCblrOgneb2V1XskF1ryqZMx-tfoA_O-1SDfCZJTNhclOLSYCxG63dgAcQ3eb73CC3M2Ts307OD7WPeowz-jy8_E4/s4000/20231029_121555.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA8FhxpUSf-hjAoxeNPk8m5lq_2wCNyrALSPetvZnnKRTea5wwA35Aad72NFALRlagqWXasAKKKmndUqPXFLyQ3lTbxOcyWvpg8oxCblrOgneb2V1XskF1ryqZMx-tfoA_O-1SDfCZJTNhclOLSYCxG63dgAcQ3eb73CC3M2Ts307OD7WPeowz-jy8_E4/w640-h480/20231029_121555.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Arriving eventually at the car park, the energetic <b>pallas's warbler</b> was seen exceptionally well zipping around the large bramble patch opposite the bay. Always an incredible bird to see, but this one especially was absolute crackerjack. </p><p>From here, I headed the otherside of the Lighthouse to the 'Motorway Hedge' where after a short wait, the <b>two-barred warbler</b> appeared, again showing exceptionally well, moving spritely between the hedge and the tall vegetation. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggN26QPp88BUgWVWmoXWg5_dSuVm4K04xaADQ9PhdgFM63Sch94j7qYvu2PzWhZFnEYGofsAb4flHCwHeanIAKbjIEKb9t-bcgXqYp3N_yOA4Kk9zRBoXUnkmOCSRF8BvvxLTSuovm5aPxi3EagtRfddmk3g_Pan7m6-jNeB94OSuQiovtHij1lOvAQ4M/w640-h480/20231029_122543.jpg" /></p><p>This area also produced two <b>mealy redpoll</b>, two flyover <b>bullfinch</b>, and a passing <b>marsh harrier</b>.</p><p>A <b>pallid swift </b>that I had missed early reappeared over the fog station flying close in to the masts. Another really great bird to catch up with.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXSDDdF7Y6iQTEvyCb_8TGK-_NiXNKMdIjHA5Ckzcm_0xLWAjfuBY20nBh-aluORESSf7nz6LdD2ClYxSYAu5-NCdqYLvq1pELxz_Kf5qEqzwLwTAmplVo_N5kfKcTSO7p_QK2l9FjPpRwFvSDi8CH94Qy3ad_bDeXTs_gGsdYQ5yXkZn0LMizU1fVB8Y/s4000/20231029_131048.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXSDDdF7Y6iQTEvyCb_8TGK-_NiXNKMdIjHA5Ckzcm_0xLWAjfuBY20nBh-aluORESSf7nz6LdD2ClYxSYAu5-NCdqYLvq1pELxz_Kf5qEqzwLwTAmplVo_N5kfKcTSO7p_QK2l9FjPpRwFvSDi8CH94Qy3ad_bDeXTs_gGsdYQ5yXkZn0LMizU1fVB8Y/w640-h480/20231029_131048.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYsbdpW1e-0dlNpt0tHTM6l49HkLz1_8qF0XxnLe4cFoY1FGB5YvKFHq-f-TlVPmn2DHvKRlZdTQeAGICCQyqcGxWyb7jBWvYdM5tVAjiCVXLdPoVov72cnkslrHGFDqfUJ9yAWBN1c6EdouSvsIYmyn_Vzrr6c3-N-4r53p3guiEHdA3KFct0MqCgpsA/s4000/20231029_145125.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYsbdpW1e-0dlNpt0tHTM6l49HkLz1_8qF0XxnLe4cFoY1FGB5YvKFHq-f-TlVPmn2DHvKRlZdTQeAGICCQyqcGxWyb7jBWvYdM5tVAjiCVXLdPoVov72cnkslrHGFDqfUJ9yAWBN1c6EdouSvsIYmyn_Vzrr6c3-N-4r53p3guiEHdA3KFct0MqCgpsA/w640-h480/20231029_145125.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Heading back to the bay brambles, we picked up the <b>dusky warbler</b>, not as showy as the other brilliant birds seen today, but still great to see in amongst the scrub.</p><p>Taking a break from the excitement at seeing such an array of really special birds, a <b>house martin</b> flew in off the sea battling its way inland and skeins of <b>pink-footed geese</b> were heading off to roost as the light started to fade.</p>It was a magical day - although having left my camera behind, I probably got more out of just observing these birds through the scope than the viewfinder. It may have also pulled me over into the mud so just as well. Will remember this day for a long time.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuevh3-bv3NmauUmUcsLTcXExz5rbH3jjzNGwnqRgGTkdE2XM9f10skrvoJ67q5nAFstntbvfFOH64yzQDv6oFjGRQQ7kdh2juZQuTmtENCVpAAIvia755TLymc_pfB9S3U3sRfGsfTBOm7-aH8I4W8KSKXjITIaHkNzCswXxQFzzFxPBYnHjoHNUYchY/s4000/20231029_105856.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuevh3-bv3NmauUmUcsLTcXExz5rbH3jjzNGwnqRgGTkdE2XM9f10skrvoJ67q5nAFstntbvfFOH64yzQDv6oFjGRQQ7kdh2juZQuTmtENCVpAAIvia755TLymc_pfB9S3U3sRfGsfTBOm7-aH8I4W8KSKXjITIaHkNzCswXxQFzzFxPBYnHjoHNUYchY/w640-h480/20231029_105856.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8dt_BUiokSZwboJf1ZEg5R2mz6CsV6M9dZirYiPe9ijDyhhyphenhyphenKgRbC4o01AbA0SweDynjeU2jFH7gJxieYQKhFapwouxbO7mrLnPiPMxqaX-qyCMK4NnhHzWdkZH-Bd4XfqLg7-4czhptboWjnfREYsCA3Mb_E0-b_V4St7IY0dV4U2CvArnKX40nMmNQ/s4000/20231029_153831.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8dt_BUiokSZwboJf1ZEg5R2mz6CsV6M9dZirYiPe9ijDyhhyphenhyphenKgRbC4o01AbA0SweDynjeU2jFH7gJxieYQKhFapwouxbO7mrLnPiPMxqaX-qyCMK4NnhHzWdkZH-Bd4XfqLg7-4czhptboWjnfREYsCA3Mb_E0-b_V4St7IY0dV4U2CvArnKX40nMmNQ/w640-h480/20231029_153831.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div></div>randombirderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05534485227575273160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7038564911256893325.post-72445433576326038492023-10-16T12:34:00.000-07:002023-10-16T12:34:14.720-07:00Glossy Ibis - Herts<p> My first <b>glossy ibis</b> in Herts at Stanstead Innings on a gloomy evening.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdkgYQyYahxsmQPMIpHXc6Y9tdCG4lBIp90bgsiEDHOEncJTDgHszg-Ej2R-D4fxEKGCRlJQ9qnGPZQ2GODM2a705Ce-umGcZTpCxeE-Ixc2tL7YsCav84TWdWCfn802c1Ki40fgzW-G66ihSNFUyPZ3pqLUx81jIiXKIfz63ASXN-EGk-i3EL0rt_9K0/s1757/glossy%20ibis%20herts.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1503" data-original-width="1757" height="548" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdkgYQyYahxsmQPMIpHXc6Y9tdCG4lBIp90bgsiEDHOEncJTDgHszg-Ej2R-D4fxEKGCRlJQ9qnGPZQ2GODM2a705Ce-umGcZTpCxeE-Ixc2tL7YsCav84TWdWCfn802c1Ki40fgzW-G66ihSNFUyPZ3pqLUx81jIiXKIfz63ASXN-EGk-i3EL0rt_9K0/w640-h548/glossy%20ibis%20herts.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>randombirderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05534485227575273160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7038564911256893325.post-55826439033019513302023-10-14T12:00:00.078-07:002023-10-16T12:34:01.969-07:00Scillies 2023 - Day 9<p>So today was hometime - and what a few days it had been seeing some great birds with a few enjoyable socials which make Scillies in October a fabulous experience. But it was not over. I'd decided to head out at first light from Longstones and make my way down toward Old Town. Within the first half hour of light, the pallid harrier had been seen again flying over the Garrison and through Lower Moors. Weighed down with my camera and bins, I stuck on the afterburners (an awkward jog) and made my way down the Old Town Road. By the time I'd arrived, the bird had disappeared (apparently over Rosehill) once again and an agonising wait by the ISBG hide proved fruitless so I headed off for a search that might bring me something interesting.</p><p>Smashing through the Standing Stones field, I checked my messages. The <b>pallid harrier</b> was at Shooters Pool. Legging it through the Moors, the organised scrum meant a short agonising wait before I established my position to the right of the screen with enough of a gap to see the bird partially obstructed by vegetation, preening within the thicket. An incredible sight to see it perched up barely a metre and a half from the ground. It was observed for around ten minutes before the harrier burst out of the vegetation, and a brief look at this glorious bird as it moved swiftly off toward Old Town and out to sea. It was not seen again. For me, another epic Scilly moment. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEmIcoH0Ydq-jsUA76C8ZgPuv5lPLFqj7u8NZjOx3-x0UG3bW8BrV9IgmFw_vwN-4pJqi_OP_gA6Xmj1VQaAIz_wLs8J8XjR5oYmSsKW2GtOhIqzksJ2GXXrGbMOfVpGWj3xeNK8pRv0EFY_cv87YWWIjEzCEmtowZc5UzPBhrFgOVD4gSk2JdBINOV9s/s2672/pallid.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1921" data-original-width="2672" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEmIcoH0Ydq-jsUA76C8ZgPuv5lPLFqj7u8NZjOx3-x0UG3bW8BrV9IgmFw_vwN-4pJqi_OP_gA6Xmj1VQaAIz_wLs8J8XjR5oYmSsKW2GtOhIqzksJ2GXXrGbMOfVpGWj3xeNK8pRv0EFY_cv87YWWIjEzCEmtowZc5UzPBhrFgOVD4gSk2JdBINOV9s/w640-h460/pallid.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The remaining time was spent wandering around, a presumed <b>siberian chiffchaff</b>, and a <b>reed warbler</b> both in the Standing Stones field was the culmination of a brilliant week.<p>A <b>red-throated diver</b> and <b>puffin</b> from the Scillonian added two more to the final tally of 102 species for the trip.</p><p>I'll miss this - a whole year before we do it again - but these really are special times in a really special place.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqr4Eujev4_TCmT2RefMFBtzDRsOUI4-NFrXOVfDl9RwZQPlvvoHXsbI0jRAYL70jzAGr24ROydCHjNPQ0V7iUNJcGpKQF-swBQGpBflidJhfrhlVjqWhpu5raQEy8VQrOk9adGuHLNxhZUsijjix5aaaSt-WAEHaAaGsTBJL09aOpgQgsYztQJehJV3E/s4000/20231014_132401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqr4Eujev4_TCmT2RefMFBtzDRsOUI4-NFrXOVfDl9RwZQPlvvoHXsbI0jRAYL70jzAGr24ROydCHjNPQ0V7iUNJcGpKQF-swBQGpBflidJhfrhlVjqWhpu5raQEy8VQrOk9adGuHLNxhZUsijjix5aaaSt-WAEHaAaGsTBJL09aOpgQgsYztQJehJV3E/w480-h640/20231014_132401.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMePPWq5XobOQKRIIsNHyJKXuHFN0Rel4__mpxfpkAlbovCGqbVYHy_yCf7Ugq4631RxGiG0H2spvFx4nUSz8ENkL0jwLWgt8JtSMJRBEgy8oLl45qqGx37iyhoUF2GGoMBmLW_VYlsxBq5Pb7jVQEJbgjzu6ozqva4slQTVY63s_zePGHtbgR58YEoBo/s4000/20231014_143629.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMePPWq5XobOQKRIIsNHyJKXuHFN0Rel4__mpxfpkAlbovCGqbVYHy_yCf7Ugq4631RxGiG0H2spvFx4nUSz8ENkL0jwLWgt8JtSMJRBEgy8oLl45qqGx37iyhoUF2GGoMBmLW_VYlsxBq5Pb7jVQEJbgjzu6ozqva4slQTVY63s_zePGHtbgR58YEoBo/w640-h480/20231014_143629.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0EvlWlaXRoyB9UtXWsWIDIXcWCSP7mVbrm3ooR_UcfTO-ues6Xv2Iqsbtz6BWjHesdjhulgaIIsYgPQLRMi0WNcO70wdPC3mzgPgd8OoxEnQ9ELb7HuX2gv-IgaJddL-Ceysw6fkyg5Qxsp06ETV4oua9VCsWabw0ZhSSlM-Uv9_AOa5JgyVecSavXog/s4000/20231014_162847.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0EvlWlaXRoyB9UtXWsWIDIXcWCSP7mVbrm3ooR_UcfTO-ues6Xv2Iqsbtz6BWjHesdjhulgaIIsYgPQLRMi0WNcO70wdPC3mzgPgd8OoxEnQ9ELb7HuX2gv-IgaJddL-Ceysw6fkyg5Qxsp06ETV4oua9VCsWabw0ZhSSlM-Uv9_AOa5JgyVecSavXog/w640-h480/20231014_162847.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPeQCG6f5rTv2DGnY0Jc7ysIfH8Hn8uLAVGKk-qHY2ZE2RyDPd6y-qczeQMG8_CQBFvp-2M_iubooGlCdOOSvB1-JgevAIsjkK54PE6vfDKURyeH4RPhCf1VfDvkX4GSXT4s2k9cD86gBjK8kv1-x9vzAfNVKACo_TklxDMPEzODZhLv9mGihRgZkL2TU/s4000/20231014_181100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPeQCG6f5rTv2DGnY0Jc7ysIfH8Hn8uLAVGKk-qHY2ZE2RyDPd6y-qczeQMG8_CQBFvp-2M_iubooGlCdOOSvB1-JgevAIsjkK54PE6vfDKURyeH4RPhCf1VfDvkX4GSXT4s2k9cD86gBjK8kv1-x9vzAfNVKACo_TklxDMPEzODZhLv9mGihRgZkL2TU/w640-h480/20231014_181100.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>randombirderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05534485227575273160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7038564911256893325.post-58983206757034462292023-10-13T11:38:00.043-07:002023-10-16T12:33:51.082-07:00Scillies 2023 - Day 8<p>So staying up at Longstones worked against me somewhat today when a pallid harrier initially found on St. Martin's cruised over to Lower Moors and plonked itself down in thick vegetation for around ten minutes. Not really knowing which way to run, I decided to look out over the moors from Rocky Hill. The vista was ideal but second guessing what was going to happen next was problematic. There wasn't any news for a few minutes, and I was feeling skittish. The yips got to me and I decided to run down Rocky Hill for Lower Moors. Within a minute of leaving, a message popped up, the harrier had alighted and was seen to pass Buzza through Porthcressa, over Hugh Town towards the Garro. I was stuck in an arboreal corridor with no chance of seeing anything. The moment had passed, and the bird was gone.</p><p>The weather was grim today, really terrible, heavy rain set in and I was once again chasing my losses. The <b>ruff</b> was still present on Porthloo beach, a <b>wryneck</b> decided to appear right in front of me along Trench Lane, and the incongruous sight of the ever present <b>glossy ibis</b> battling the strong breeze over Standing Stones was all I could muster from a disappointing day.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOZ-hKxzoL-ggH2bJjyaK1OlmIMyF-_PTCqSGT7tIl4qQJeA4jls8UwHP3i5o7YtZvqhqIGHeeOBZhmFhpSYvZmhHgwSmL6lGlZTC0AbhVFhPF_qZZoYk2P2EGsRVD3Vb0CpU_Z2JeKB2a3hEU9FPVLn4lo0h_rYsva19wpYNEaT0-9l882cpMUMGnyz4/s2359/glossy%20scilly.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1861" data-original-width="2359" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOZ-hKxzoL-ggH2bJjyaK1OlmIMyF-_PTCqSGT7tIl4qQJeA4jls8UwHP3i5o7YtZvqhqIGHeeOBZhmFhpSYvZmhHgwSmL6lGlZTC0AbhVFhPF_qZZoYk2P2EGsRVD3Vb0CpU_Z2JeKB2a3hEU9FPVLn4lo0h_rYsva19wpYNEaT0-9l882cpMUMGnyz4/w640-h504/glossy%20scilly.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>randombirderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05534485227575273160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7038564911256893325.post-26244791339668931952023-10-12T14:30:00.002-07:002023-10-22T09:56:30.205-07:00Scillies 2023 - Day 7<p>Another dismal day in dull conditions that later turned into a soggy affair with heavy rain during the early part of the evening. With the rustic bunting and arctic warbler having been found on St. Martin's the previous day, we were obviously drawn to the prospect of catching up with these two scarcities but neither were present on arrival. After 90 minutes of searching for the arctic warbler, I decided to head back to Mary's. Of course it showed an hour or so later but by then I had transferred to Longstones which provided an opportunity to see the confiding <b>snow bunting</b> at Giant's Castle.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga6j23wHArG6wCc98f1lXoLdEOjKqrKlPlnE6J0ltqseLtRLfSuWWrA4DLOq6IJc4NTA9kmllptQVZtTmmA4UbJQsViv6Wwqdl3SZCoEozp_-0PEkCObOHPN-Ytyu27v6rd5kEGCkcFY4MbmG4Nu-8owozhssj9YUZqYIXON7zucDoS-flmivbiuzuhWA/s3044/snow%20bunting.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2151" data-original-width="3044" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga6j23wHArG6wCc98f1lXoLdEOjKqrKlPlnE6J0ltqseLtRLfSuWWrA4DLOq6IJc4NTA9kmllptQVZtTmmA4UbJQsViv6Wwqdl3SZCoEozp_-0PEkCObOHPN-Ytyu27v6rd5kEGCkcFY4MbmG4Nu-8owozhssj9YUZqYIXON7zucDoS-flmivbiuzuhWA/w640-h452/snow%20bunting.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p>Further along from the turning circle at the airfield, a <b>buff-breasted sandpiper</b> (presumably the Aggy bird) was present with a flock of 20 <b>golden plover</b> and a single <b>dunlin</b>. They flew a little closer providing great views of the wader assemblage. A <b>peregrine</b> was seen flying through over the airfield.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0cjNYv0YK3OKCp_sQJbMSt7qKcZc21VZ0AYSeK7UxKe4hwq2fV0t-BlpahHlkKMvJTcJZZ_g9H6V59a0_wNERJps90dUtU46kfIHWexBJVKWFm1D0hoiRBlCcn7-tq2XuF6ahAK1q54vAnP_z5IdsLrGAFRDIVUhNTTcXhdfYGQsePeeXaZCXmUFNYz8/s3410/bbs%20gp.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2414" data-original-width="3410" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0cjNYv0YK3OKCp_sQJbMSt7qKcZc21VZ0AYSeK7UxKe4hwq2fV0t-BlpahHlkKMvJTcJZZ_g9H6V59a0_wNERJps90dUtU46kfIHWexBJVKWFm1D0hoiRBlCcn7-tq2XuF6ahAK1q54vAnP_z5IdsLrGAFRDIVUhNTTcXhdfYGQsePeeXaZCXmUFNYz8/w640-h454/bbs%20gp.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>An impressive group of at least 70 <b>common snipe</b> also circled the airfield. The rain increased in intensity but a quick walk through Carreg Dhu was rewarded with a showy <b>firecrest</b> in the teeming rain.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVud8KjIbaSM8neLYkfalsX25G0o400a7JzEHNQM8gJAWM6elL8zdJHmwuIfxD7Zv4q3tZpd60zRomhY180bf02mpVHMIUcALfn_83MbhS0ALyEjroGMSt9ze5y0afNLGTsG4XOmrQ_30hqWm9yWVbY3-3FoFbwfP_kZ3uTk_LqEvyq8W1gCl4jq6kID4/s6000/IMG_3013.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVud8KjIbaSM8neLYkfalsX25G0o400a7JzEHNQM8gJAWM6elL8zdJHmwuIfxD7Zv4q3tZpd60zRomhY180bf02mpVHMIUcALfn_83MbhS0ALyEjroGMSt9ze5y0afNLGTsG4XOmrQ_30hqWm9yWVbY3-3FoFbwfP_kZ3uTk_LqEvyq8W1gCl4jq6kID4/w640-h426/IMG_3013.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjofujnTGaSYJHfg-HpxwHtLrFUsWuPMKXVw9ZP55iSWnM_bWGVKjoNzA7W4idUcTLV9bDMbLyDNNOqF5hyphenhyphenD508OgfIbWTHeeoEusUew3qGceK_ZkrUzMgl4Uu6iakaJmXyjsE4SJ8Vr1fprZnUfdT4pcrwXiNApfK-UULfVd5zdmjy_BF8YgKPyKzo7mU/s4805/snipe.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3968" data-original-width="4805" height="528" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjofujnTGaSYJHfg-HpxwHtLrFUsWuPMKXVw9ZP55iSWnM_bWGVKjoNzA7W4idUcTLV9bDMbLyDNNOqF5hyphenhyphenD508OgfIbWTHeeoEusUew3qGceK_ZkrUzMgl4Uu6iakaJmXyjsE4SJ8Vr1fprZnUfdT4pcrwXiNApfK-UULfVd5zdmjy_BF8YgKPyKzo7mU/w640-h528/snipe.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-_Rfpogngdia-UiEyRdQmdR23u7OUrRnB5lb9cC7bq99w3BPU9V6gLTCUwvMgeB65jS96hZO7yYlsGD9hBHtZWAnTBxvO02F9llGrKaDg7wxzLBtKGNI81dAhVpDQTw-wd5g049ITysoHnDWhj_V6nQPy_DzBVu3bhbeuZC4z1TzMVNgRL53ZLM_mXnw/s2829/wheatear.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1928" data-original-width="2829" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-_Rfpogngdia-UiEyRdQmdR23u7OUrRnB5lb9cC7bq99w3BPU9V6gLTCUwvMgeB65jS96hZO7yYlsGD9hBHtZWAnTBxvO02F9llGrKaDg7wxzLBtKGNI81dAhVpDQTw-wd5g049ITysoHnDWhj_V6nQPy_DzBVu3bhbeuZC4z1TzMVNgRL53ZLM_mXnw/w640-h436/wheatear.JPG" width="640" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWBeAukcDDYZiQB67vlEzgV-fTZdwQWj30ncovs7JEDK2Hfe2SZ66V6ZSOYawGTjUC5R-Hme7cZscsEWAtuh0YKzQP8xRb6uebPD_kWSevocGH_0nfUHtgR5NaR1jN5rB2oqG2DKEKYeFMORftYLy4VHOjJCBgPVNPcyZHKV-f_87c9UOq213KJoZeer8/s4000/20231012_163012.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWBeAukcDDYZiQB67vlEzgV-fTZdwQWj30ncovs7JEDK2Hfe2SZ66V6ZSOYawGTjUC5R-Hme7cZscsEWAtuh0YKzQP8xRb6uebPD_kWSevocGH_0nfUHtgR5NaR1jN5rB2oqG2DKEKYeFMORftYLy4VHOjJCBgPVNPcyZHKV-f_87c9UOq213KJoZeer8/w640-h480/20231012_163012.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div>randombirderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05534485227575273160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7038564911256893325.post-24001766180590882282023-10-11T10:35:00.000-07:002023-10-11T10:35:14.603-07:00Scillies 2023 - Day 6<p>A really lacklustre day in gloomy weather walking around St. Mary's failing to kick up anything half decent. With Matt Naylor, all we could muster was a single <b>jack snipe</b> and <b>water rail</b> at Lower Moors, a flyover <b>great egret</b> over the Old Town Road, a <b>firecrest</b> at Carreg Dhu gardens, cream tea at Longstones, a fly-through <b>merlin</b> at Porth Hellick, and then later a single <b>black restart</b> at the airport.</p><p>All good birds for sure, but this is Scilly, and that was standard fare.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4dxeAUB1RQgxjr6VfcW6AaHuAZ6zxwtqaUBQq-AyXWRrThiVZx6EZ7s4-HaAeetmnVGGKXto-kvNTCY2WiD54L2fHa2WoqZnEVH9UQy9XbUggDLzAjDplEMDcnoeIySUlQGYv3Ze9plinlqhMoZvSWYTwTxFRj7TCpoDIqCO_dOeCuo4lnttbHsT1N8c/s2892/jack%20snipe3.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="2892" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4dxeAUB1RQgxjr6VfcW6AaHuAZ6zxwtqaUBQq-AyXWRrThiVZx6EZ7s4-HaAeetmnVGGKXto-kvNTCY2WiD54L2fHa2WoqZnEVH9UQy9XbUggDLzAjDplEMDcnoeIySUlQGYv3Ze9plinlqhMoZvSWYTwTxFRj7TCpoDIqCO_dOeCuo4lnttbHsT1N8c/w640-h424/jack%20snipe3.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Mx1uiavwq1pfLmViDCw9YOp70VNGDLU-f_DFFJwrpjOgQ28uETFT2Mx-AVbr_4g3sJifsJox8So2Lxxzezd9KKPxU2q-wi4RE5K_WNJVm6euD7jqJcRzKXwpP55raa9oiP_rwPAnE1XuIfHF1eyrkS-yncfkkUv0T3vhlcmmZoKKaP7jd-JDpcIXfDk/s4000/20231011_085243.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Mx1uiavwq1pfLmViDCw9YOp70VNGDLU-f_DFFJwrpjOgQ28uETFT2Mx-AVbr_4g3sJifsJox8So2Lxxzezd9KKPxU2q-wi4RE5K_WNJVm6euD7jqJcRzKXwpP55raa9oiP_rwPAnE1XuIfHF1eyrkS-yncfkkUv0T3vhlcmmZoKKaP7jd-JDpcIXfDk/w640-h480/20231011_085243.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEagUzNXaLQsQM8pt5iv3Fcz-CAKTFiD3XnoYYq1mp-EcrqHgYyMlIfdLOT5OzAYxp8AjAr35cfTiljjeQjE75XQ1djiaZIkCqkVmtQm6eBGC0Uya-yZQEQGODRG-6Em5VtP00uwutPD26cMZWSvPq6coSupSDiqbQSER2GhEfg-TlnZY2N2WXa2Vz3YU/s4000/20231011_090950.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEagUzNXaLQsQM8pt5iv3Fcz-CAKTFiD3XnoYYq1mp-EcrqHgYyMlIfdLOT5OzAYxp8AjAr35cfTiljjeQjE75XQ1djiaZIkCqkVmtQm6eBGC0Uya-yZQEQGODRG-6Em5VtP00uwutPD26cMZWSvPq6coSupSDiqbQSER2GhEfg-TlnZY2N2WXa2Vz3YU/w640-h480/20231011_090950.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Steps: 18101 (14.2 km)</div>randombirderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05534485227575273160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7038564911256893325.post-2858310177580013722023-10-10T10:35:00.000-07:002023-10-11T10:36:57.396-07:00Scillies 2023 - Day 5<p>A lot of walking for little reward today, but it was generally quiet across the islands but with a few bits and pieces knocking around. En route to the Standing Stones field, I found a <b>lesser whitethroat</b> within the willows at the end of Trench Lane. Two <b>jack snipe</b> were still present from the ISBG hide with one showing ridiculously well in front of the hide.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfAS-oIcuEOgOGtl622S4pPDV2BpzY42YOXmRK4rg92WNFPEX55kWLsKJaJgFpLgMjAfN4TKnHO0UoQw7wud71dbgi0mviGRkWfm5EhlSe2jjkU3jpZPkxRUIukgFx0520tS5c-tYn-fW0ZBB-O4bMDCSjXzQkMPRTV8eRcyZAP0aL2_X14nNaRywnAec/s4876/jack%20snipe2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3355" data-original-width="4876" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfAS-oIcuEOgOGtl622S4pPDV2BpzY42YOXmRK4rg92WNFPEX55kWLsKJaJgFpLgMjAfN4TKnHO0UoQw7wud71dbgi0mviGRkWfm5EhlSe2jjkU3jpZPkxRUIukgFx0520tS5c-tYn-fW0ZBB-O4bMDCSjXzQkMPRTV8eRcyZAP0aL2_X14nNaRywnAec/w640-h440/jack%20snipe2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidlMu8XAOHYuPAgYnk7g1XK5PQYzOsTyZiMeo6Ke0_HnxZBTZA-o5B-xgDQ8t2Etsl4Uy0aG6LFfFR5VCbH_VabomsoO2umIADcAJNo0IJ4veLbUJWFUHNlXF8uQgityR6pGJuGHQtY8EQE6yQqcvpLC6qWUzvPTh2qFWTQMiIe07ssxtuTMwif94pOQg/s4582/jack%20snipe.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3131" data-original-width="4582" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidlMu8XAOHYuPAgYnk7g1XK5PQYzOsTyZiMeo6Ke0_HnxZBTZA-o5B-xgDQ8t2Etsl4Uy0aG6LFfFR5VCbH_VabomsoO2umIADcAJNo0IJ4veLbUJWFUHNlXF8uQgityR6pGJuGHQtY8EQE6yQqcvpLC6qWUzvPTh2qFWTQMiIe07ssxtuTMwif94pOQg/w640-h438/jack%20snipe.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Walking back toward the airport, a juvenile <b>black redstart</b> was present outside of the terminal. It was generally very quiet as I headed down the Tremelethen trail toward Porth Hellick. Heading up Carn Friars, I made for Normandy where a <b>yellow wagtail</b> flew over and the <b>pink-footed goose</b> was feeding within one of the set-aside fields. Surprisingly though was a <b>turtle dove</b> that flew in, paused for a couple of minutes before heading swiftly off.<p>The pink-foot was seen again at Porth Hellick with two <b>northern wheatear</b> near Giant's Castle.</p><p>Steps: 25,981 (20.4 km)</p>randombirderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05534485227575273160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7038564911256893325.post-54821386283374880812023-10-09T10:00:00.000-07:002023-10-11T10:38:28.764-07:00Scillies 2023 - Day 4<p>After the excitement of yesterday, today was a little more serene. The glorious warm sunny weather continued halting any significant movements across the Isles but there are still a few interesting things to catch up with.</p><p>A quick walk around Penninis gave me the opportunity to connect with the dapper male <b>common redstart</b> present in a ploughed field along King Edwards Road. A really smart bird.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWfT9Griyc4x6827gJOlissSm_fPOmDjHdVsM7or9bpOrLI-b7M4lK_7wjWeQ9tmL3HeXfu5Kc1Ee5ZKMTXnTzbi76Ux5NajgVH2IqMntSO1mneCswUTOPRjR0F1OVY5Vl-WPyoPVtuKdUCsL5QxMTYAxwmULVzRFcqBgzswF9bvqkRF4zwrtMuzrvKz0/s2343/redstart.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1880" data-original-width="2343" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWfT9Griyc4x6827gJOlissSm_fPOmDjHdVsM7or9bpOrLI-b7M4lK_7wjWeQ9tmL3HeXfu5Kc1Ee5ZKMTXnTzbi76Ux5NajgVH2IqMntSO1mneCswUTOPRjR0F1OVY5Vl-WPyoPVtuKdUCsL5QxMTYAxwmULVzRFcqBgzswF9bvqkRF4zwrtMuzrvKz0/w640-h514/redstart.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr22b4p4byoOnw85xEuRHm_p2hQW_IwQKcP_nBXXeVHGFnakdVEAs7B8i-SfXCNox3SeSKehS3rG2F4EbbykPcpXtltjXTtyKVBbfLEqKSnFzK-mrND9ItId7yjOM4Zy9OBi3I7kBCgVGyRrnlr5-avzEM_JznTeLhcK7QTJHQVzfJ_OgzbLuiWWnuzuI/s4000/20231009_090328.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr22b4p4byoOnw85xEuRHm_p2hQW_IwQKcP_nBXXeVHGFnakdVEAs7B8i-SfXCNox3SeSKehS3rG2F4EbbykPcpXtltjXTtyKVBbfLEqKSnFzK-mrND9ItId7yjOM4Zy9OBi3I7kBCgVGyRrnlr5-avzEM_JznTeLhcK7QTJHQVzfJ_OgzbLuiWWnuzuI/w640-h480/20231009_090328.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Deciding to visit Bryher today, a good look around Popplestones didn't produce the hoped for melodious warbler so I took the coast path toward Shipman Head and without much searching managed to see the juvenile <b>dotterel</b> that was still present. The views weren't great as I was looking straight into the light so walked round and sat down on the spongey heather to enjoy the bird feeding along the crest of the ridge. Keeping still, the bird began to walk slowly in my direction, pausing briefly and then again, in staccatoed movements. It was an incredible moment to have this bird walk within one metre from where I was positioned continuing to move past me as I held my breath.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixKwK7cUR7urz8ZIsb67vFo4hCNlV58NWmV1HhBA2mM46tLrCtsontj6dngj-WDLSFkyw8xR2nOxTqFy3svt0msyeP0XgjeipO_nM8q_KD0ZVI0sAp85GhRdXR2IlOqGXhoYXnS0OBum-qXDMy5rU9nvwDlSX9SLO72TCnNthOg9fyZg2kdpVFS4f9zRw/s6000/IMG_2843.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixKwK7cUR7urz8ZIsb67vFo4hCNlV58NWmV1HhBA2mM46tLrCtsontj6dngj-WDLSFkyw8xR2nOxTqFy3svt0msyeP0XgjeipO_nM8q_KD0ZVI0sAp85GhRdXR2IlOqGXhoYXnS0OBum-qXDMy5rU9nvwDlSX9SLO72TCnNthOg9fyZg2kdpVFS4f9zRw/w640-h426/IMG_2843.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPxooJhrAEXuPQXJNN3KV7CLD0keXLCdl-_RltBo1nIns9DEw-4ojGOjuF9tJvTLmIMxalwV_WjSvZ9xRXD50C9exZHmvczgLJ7OC2eWTWhJYqf2BNTU-WbQypt03HPBdrSMbC4wYZ9ZyM7r0Eh60dFBuuwcRJyieAl1TNqJq1VvXVNYnDcTlZnb1htjw/s6000/IMG_2862.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPxooJhrAEXuPQXJNN3KV7CLD0keXLCdl-_RltBo1nIns9DEw-4ojGOjuF9tJvTLmIMxalwV_WjSvZ9xRXD50C9exZHmvczgLJ7OC2eWTWhJYqf2BNTU-WbQypt03HPBdrSMbC4wYZ9ZyM7r0Eh60dFBuuwcRJyieAl1TNqJq1VvXVNYnDcTlZnb1htjw/w640-h426/IMG_2862.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB_9VTmpSCJ5hueqheMN3Lz3cW47mtQET3xxS-Gct3sIXGmwll63uWq9rPyxHSmPdYCQmbTX6vt0Y5ODirclLEHAkobcaToqyQB-ZOACCJPO1rBomvk_wIEB0uGc7KpQCMUL_R6X5_0uJmYVEjVc6_VqdLN9uWwLlfbLESZfIo3uJ5TNz14GN9zcszAM0/s5426/dotterel1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3713" data-original-width="5426" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB_9VTmpSCJ5hueqheMN3Lz3cW47mtQET3xxS-Gct3sIXGmwll63uWq9rPyxHSmPdYCQmbTX6vt0Y5ODirclLEHAkobcaToqyQB-ZOACCJPO1rBomvk_wIEB0uGc7KpQCMUL_R6X5_0uJmYVEjVc6_VqdLN9uWwLlfbLESZfIo3uJ5TNz14GN9zcszAM0/w640-h438/dotterel1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtIF9GTwkUdidcLzz4mlGkL-wypDZm3yJZgZBRfwSSrem6nptJfpkUV1HkSXLf7lR25OrONlW0nkGcDn0NwmHAAo37iunhE6BRUxL4iJ0i2Su-RQF8S5UCOj1A-srcdYcOgM0HjdvCIbC7-HMRAagWAgZSv9q-e2Bcksb2M0D4NGK-9_ofcgStT6GJId8/s640/dotterel3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="640" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtIF9GTwkUdidcLzz4mlGkL-wypDZm3yJZgZBRfwSSrem6nptJfpkUV1HkSXLf7lR25OrONlW0nkGcDn0NwmHAAo37iunhE6BRUxL4iJ0i2Su-RQF8S5UCOj1A-srcdYcOgM0HjdvCIbC7-HMRAagWAgZSv9q-e2Bcksb2M0D4NGK-9_ofcgStT6GJId8/w640-h428/dotterel3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />The rest of the day wasn't nearly as exciting although a 1st winter <b>red-backed shrike</b> near to Samson Hill are always nice to encounter.</div><div><p>Common passerines included two <b>whinchat</b>, two <b>reed warbler</b>, a male <b>blackcap</b> and a <b>willow warbler</b> in sub-song.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_wgeaD_KUQAlZww6eyHbuTTvQNaNYU5ne8oocLLSn_GkRKseLm6BCNXGDuHxXSV_k-IP1M25Ieqo_atLPss4pvx9V30JlDK5zfl4ZlAD2SQLvvRct3o1bT9HpYj4HuPAmePOl9wdQM6ikIP7NG1MKbwG2FhL7avR-Pidv87OwTg8yxBOz5ORFOEgpaEc/s4000/20231009_113552.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_wgeaD_KUQAlZww6eyHbuTTvQNaNYU5ne8oocLLSn_GkRKseLm6BCNXGDuHxXSV_k-IP1M25Ieqo_atLPss4pvx9V30JlDK5zfl4ZlAD2SQLvvRct3o1bT9HpYj4HuPAmePOl9wdQM6ikIP7NG1MKbwG2FhL7avR-Pidv87OwTg8yxBOz5ORFOEgpaEc/w640-h480/20231009_113552.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdrwOW-D7I-kFxSpfeyAEmXCbFpu1H1zuRzcS3qsdv0myJwpwlMQG-ly9w_43sRt-TtrOXeB8ZUGd9kDqXto8lbF79B1sVk80OZCYDzMZ8gVIvy9myTuUGPWy3U9Rv1dVQAbaCJIDbmz1h2vxG0qtAYA1FbptR_Nx0ZOOOktthe1J_wERn8l9ghjNPSww/s4000/20231009_121643.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdrwOW-D7I-kFxSpfeyAEmXCbFpu1H1zuRzcS3qsdv0myJwpwlMQG-ly9w_43sRt-TtrOXeB8ZUGd9kDqXto8lbF79B1sVk80OZCYDzMZ8gVIvy9myTuUGPWy3U9Rv1dVQAbaCJIDbmz1h2vxG0qtAYA1FbptR_Nx0ZOOOktthe1J_wERn8l9ghjNPSww/w640-h480/20231009_121643.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Back on St. Mary's a walk up to the airport resulted in narrowly missing the Richard's pipit but connecting with two juvenile <b>black redstart</b> feeding in front of the Terminal building.</div><div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf_alSYZ00nuughQ9h6H4DaznTI_yn9lBSaUXaNxe9IdNwMF8cvK6fTCJM6tzmmZnAYSrx9p3m5s2HZOpOW37AGcgmP5pU9NBy37Yq3G8KSyQAFjtLuIhOrB_bXWWNXMYLEI0TlO2w0Ord_SRqIch3HmMggRhuG8dhOwrPAFXAF27jqZ-cNDvR-YgOryM/s2604/black%20redstart.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1953" data-original-width="2604" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf_alSYZ00nuughQ9h6H4DaznTI_yn9lBSaUXaNxe9IdNwMF8cvK6fTCJM6tzmmZnAYSrx9p3m5s2HZOpOW37AGcgmP5pU9NBy37Yq3G8KSyQAFjtLuIhOrB_bXWWNXMYLEI0TlO2w0Ord_SRqIch3HmMggRhuG8dhOwrPAFXAF27jqZ-cNDvR-YgOryM/w640-h480/black%20redstart.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Heading across to Lower Moors, two <b>jack snipe</b> and a <b>water rail</b> weren't too difficult to spot from the ISBG hide. A distant <b>great egret</b> flew low toward Porth Hellick.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzbYSvXqNFLcRMnIgztpuAiuPflhsshNf-zXuRTo6MZLbir40M7C6X5xrJGJtVwYbnAQFXBEq1NHOQgYjoVb_g9eI9ou5Begimy5moQkgKGL5VZeE2sYvwc9-XV33KS8lrKF9tLlH4RzpoMZmythbn4DNK710hFwOrxFQUM3QaJcfM2XepYAoUDZ0b5kA/s4000/20231009_182828%5B1%5D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzbYSvXqNFLcRMnIgztpuAiuPflhsshNf-zXuRTo6MZLbir40M7C6X5xrJGJtVwYbnAQFXBEq1NHOQgYjoVb_g9eI9ou5Begimy5moQkgKGL5VZeE2sYvwc9-XV33KS8lrKF9tLlH4RzpoMZmythbn4DNK710hFwOrxFQUM3QaJcfM2XepYAoUDZ0b5kA/w640-h480/20231009_182828%5B1%5D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR6nq3aFjpGIQHJvf5xWp-rASQJ2Yak07155-O-bV5il9Nwv4Zdoh2ymZN_baNNae9GyUfz_rRSaX5ECUwD0ioVQ9WBKV6LZYZ8963TNmfjj_ejuXSLCHkdVDY7POeu4K7mdp8a_ySagMO6vtBGdCLeCkFTQd7I4n2c1-JiR5fHY7gIIcurRhXPShvWTg/s4000/20231009_190436%5B1%5D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR6nq3aFjpGIQHJvf5xWp-rASQJ2Yak07155-O-bV5il9Nwv4Zdoh2ymZN_baNNae9GyUfz_rRSaX5ECUwD0ioVQ9WBKV6LZYZ8963TNmfjj_ejuXSLCHkdVDY7POeu4K7mdp8a_ySagMO6vtBGdCLeCkFTQd7I4n2c1-JiR5fHY7gIIcurRhXPShvWTg/w640-h480/20231009_190436%5B1%5D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Steps: 26,849 (21.1 km)</p></div>randombirderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05534485227575273160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7038564911256893325.post-49063551310636787362023-10-08T13:58:00.109-07:002023-10-11T10:35:36.129-07:00Scillies 2023 - Day 3<p>A truly bonkers day that will go down as one of my best Scilly experiences, and probably one of my best birding experiences. Expect the unexpected is the way things go on these Isles. Feeling energised after a cheeky lie-in, the <b>rosy starling</b> was present, after a brief attempt yesterday, sitting up on residential dwellings at Little Porth.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz5adYI66cKekS8f2T5uFV1GEnWcwNP2RjZ3Sc50Fg8Iz_32PE5NcR6AYpZse3Oenv-3IR1Kj3oqVjyQz2wWbjqtHNCLfr3A3EjFFQiycklfJUHR2-nTarTpqv4zCqutxo-Mle9U6Xn6QPyWBcrmXtAjA5nkyDHj7Eg_W7IbQkqBAjvsmmHRmzrfWlnF4/s2379/rosy%20starling.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1798" data-original-width="2379" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz5adYI66cKekS8f2T5uFV1GEnWcwNP2RjZ3Sc50Fg8Iz_32PE5NcR6AYpZse3Oenv-3IR1Kj3oqVjyQz2wWbjqtHNCLfr3A3EjFFQiycklfJUHR2-nTarTpqv4zCqutxo-Mle9U6Xn6QPyWBcrmXtAjA5nkyDHj7Eg_W7IbQkqBAjvsmmHRmzrfWlnF4/w640-h484/rosy%20starling.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p>Feeling buoyed by this, I headed for the quay. A few hours on Agnes was the plan on another warm, glorious sunny day. The <b>buff-breasted sandpiper</b> was typically confiding, scampering around the assembled crowd. Not particularly desperate to see anything in particular, I watched the sea for a bit and then walked the coast path toward Coastguards.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJA49xn0Y0rrz8kDRyRza6kEJhcMKEIp1UhgHNn6Ji6iV2xlQU2_AY-ZmXuBp_lfn7ODAGG3xNxWdNPxyPXoeUAv5dY81dsok-mQqp6kTxcrFLN66KrQi5QjAnf44N68CWyOjqm5yMJ-xxpgnLl4F_ChgClqXwbIvWJi2kFhJVIxyAe8vf-D0i6lMGwVQ/s2781/buffy.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2295" data-original-width="2781" height="528" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJA49xn0Y0rrz8kDRyRza6kEJhcMKEIp1UhgHNn6Ji6iV2xlQU2_AY-ZmXuBp_lfn7ODAGG3xNxWdNPxyPXoeUAv5dY81dsok-mQqp6kTxcrFLN66KrQi5QjAnf44N68CWyOjqm5yMJ-xxpgnLl4F_ChgClqXwbIvWJi2kFhJVIxyAe8vf-D0i6lMGwVQ/w640-h528/buffy.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKD0qvT2dn05dxowC3hDN8LJ4HC7HmEDhDE9E6JFd9s3POlULwMC0GYumaxGOnkSoWCucSK7DF2xoCgnJSIZribRKN1mcFMCVWDyb-l8A-Q4YFqkM90rQURoG49_ElYXy73xFWwTdDOyCDAPZTQEZVwUpFZt_Ifakwjisi2_oXGsxlLUz8uyjR3INMpaA/s2486/buffy2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1952" data-original-width="2486" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKD0qvT2dn05dxowC3hDN8LJ4HC7HmEDhDE9E6JFd9s3POlULwMC0GYumaxGOnkSoWCucSK7DF2xoCgnJSIZribRKN1mcFMCVWDyb-l8A-Q4YFqkM90rQURoG49_ElYXy73xFWwTdDOyCDAPZTQEZVwUpFZt_Ifakwjisi2_oXGsxlLUz8uyjR3INMpaA/w640-h502/buffy2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUJFOKe_GtRF0HYdhyQiM9Ol9Uepcp551zkIvaj1t6BdTLOLfOYH5z4ZyCjqBVwPv6_9zPHFiKFXDmx9ypfLVim7sUgy32c0SCjcWhEEQZt4fUlFD9ZqtNnnpfRLxhWa5UPEUW0w2Eoz8WAFwo0OXpFnenSFVQrg_QODZ_4aONHStjf5MB7dwh8YNupu8/s4000/20231008_123435%5B1%5D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUJFOKe_GtRF0HYdhyQiM9Ol9Uepcp551zkIvaj1t6BdTLOLfOYH5z4ZyCjqBVwPv6_9zPHFiKFXDmx9ypfLVim7sUgy32c0SCjcWhEEQZt4fUlFD9ZqtNnnpfRLxhWa5UPEUW0w2Eoz8WAFwo0OXpFnenSFVQrg_QODZ_4aONHStjf5MB7dwh8YNupu8/w640-h480/20231008_123435%5B1%5D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjunlDM0-gNzh-YotA-joGnM1qwVa1uU7_3WoK8F33RXPzlLDCuPbFtBugVDrDUAKi0DEd2FsQ90iL6LiK4LaAdt59GgdUKfoRIIvGYT3MgUe4WDE5NCvZPPCcPSh5KYgYhwUzxqXrOMzK7mO01GU_Wx1sWh5m9_rv0IUpT3R_tiXlCbNswolkD3G106-k/s3915/agnes.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2936" data-original-width="3915" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjunlDM0-gNzh-YotA-joGnM1qwVa1uU7_3WoK8F33RXPzlLDCuPbFtBugVDrDUAKi0DEd2FsQ90iL6LiK4LaAdt59GgdUKfoRIIvGYT3MgUe4WDE5NCvZPPCcPSh5KYgYhwUzxqXrOMzK7mO01GU_Wx1sWh5m9_rv0IUpT3R_tiXlCbNswolkD3G106-k/w640-h480/agnes.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>This is when the fun started. A morning boat had already set off for Bishops Rock, a speculative visit to the lighthouse with the hope of some interesting seabirds and the outside chance of something a little more scarce.</div><div><br /></div><div>And then the news came through that it was there. The <b><span style="color: red;">red-footed booby</span></b> was there!! I legged it toward the quay while constantly checking my phone. Boats were being arranged for a pick up in a couple of hours. Not being a great sailor and still mentally scarred by a previous pelagic where I was very sick on the boat, a very kind birder just happened to have a sea-sick tablet with them - the magic pill to quell the anxiety and vanquish the expected nausea.</div><div><br /></div><div>On the walk down past the Parsonage, a <b>pied flycatcher</b> and a bonus <b>Siberian chiffchaff </b>were active within the woodland.</div><div><br /></div><div>The journey took around 30 minutes to Bishop's Rock. As we approached, the diagnostic shape of the booby came into view. The booby was there, preening, and generally quite dormant, red-feet visible in great light. The boat circled the lighthouse a few times, enabling those with cameras to get their shot of this mystical bird. No nausea. Absolutely epic!</div><div><br /></div><div>On arrival back at St. Mary's at around 4.30pm, birding was sacked off for the day. I joined the Naylors for a couple of drinks, reflecting on the joys of seeing this mega bird on these magical Isles.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja0ZcqUS6RirfanVmPBqoxMzkdcymuFasb4GlyOoJJo6h1X6IYg2lbcHMsIiIYnbhNr7qnH_i9pRRQR0QuxkpEJyKLNUD6mdk0cruRqlMUfz1int3ekVm4-XE7ZcCTknX94OsnIpOjR4nLgQp-SXYTU0hHfTB6iPYwJLxSoQflKJqnKMMGD-npO0z8bV8/s2745/booby1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2295" data-original-width="2745" height="536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja0ZcqUS6RirfanVmPBqoxMzkdcymuFasb4GlyOoJJo6h1X6IYg2lbcHMsIiIYnbhNr7qnH_i9pRRQR0QuxkpEJyKLNUD6mdk0cruRqlMUfz1int3ekVm4-XE7ZcCTknX94OsnIpOjR4nLgQp-SXYTU0hHfTB6iPYwJLxSoQflKJqnKMMGD-npO0z8bV8/w640-h536/booby1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTpS-oN4gyjKpNF9WKc7BigZhQG_VFKa1ihMBkW4N-EmvvByr05FtBDhP900lLe9UAUR62y90wIHRMLoQRZQ6UwuCQyIWlhFuOyTEIvNbHZdPFNFiKKfEpyl0tqY4uy-x5tV7l0Wfl-8twzi5OwYdUNXvfKNObeufvEB8fsEBq3YYantefb83xxNptfkc/s2227/booby2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1637" data-original-width="2227" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTpS-oN4gyjKpNF9WKc7BigZhQG_VFKa1ihMBkW4N-EmvvByr05FtBDhP900lLe9UAUR62y90wIHRMLoQRZQ6UwuCQyIWlhFuOyTEIvNbHZdPFNFiKKfEpyl0tqY4uy-x5tV7l0Wfl-8twzi5OwYdUNXvfKNObeufvEB8fsEBq3YYantefb83xxNptfkc/w640-h470/booby2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguy5asuPWHnmAiUK7aTMP7lpIbbHvYBzrSwjVsTZBltDPTyA5sZy_-Nv8XoBLo9NpHmZKowWNv8yyi06whnXXTRDILjenC8qvfJo_Gdnke2lZ1cg1GKn9PyUpRpA9CLsYEbKbfEjHAplf4nu_CX8XtRmfcukZOCzaDBUarqWiG-T7etOX-CNiDZhysJkk/s2159/booby3.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1247" data-original-width="2159" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguy5asuPWHnmAiUK7aTMP7lpIbbHvYBzrSwjVsTZBltDPTyA5sZy_-Nv8XoBLo9NpHmZKowWNv8yyi06whnXXTRDILjenC8qvfJo_Gdnke2lZ1cg1GKn9PyUpRpA9CLsYEbKbfEjHAplf4nu_CX8XtRmfcukZOCzaDBUarqWiG-T7etOX-CNiDZhysJkk/w640-h370/booby3.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitIzCNahsEh5k_whL7YDzGO3Hl4YXM2IfMHAZxZSFSfjePvGfh6MD9oeSdavg2B8n8CHgR2dZYn3teliSA4cDV6zOSivjOMVUjIZFBnF_4_b4LeahmZJWDuAh5hSG_nncw0eRnLXMJ2Pn9H3eVJg1QiKlhzGuEG4KODNW-JaNJrHh_4mN0TkmRFOvWEos/s2239/booby4.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1936" data-original-width="2239" height="554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitIzCNahsEh5k_whL7YDzGO3Hl4YXM2IfMHAZxZSFSfjePvGfh6MD9oeSdavg2B8n8CHgR2dZYn3teliSA4cDV6zOSivjOMVUjIZFBnF_4_b4LeahmZJWDuAh5hSG_nncw0eRnLXMJ2Pn9H3eVJg1QiKlhzGuEG4KODNW-JaNJrHh_4mN0TkmRFOvWEos/w640-h554/booby4.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaNyGQcpTUg_VkiSIWqDwlaRHT148pCozefuPmXPY6dz-sWiZu7pHKLm7uSbUKPNCvS17tzIe70OFNnbhpJXiaR8V3pusM6qPak8fDnLcafrxKqYxqhyphenhyphenpn_AlYNqnsdXTaIUbVtv1xY3YkatSmtq98vqDSC2YI4cMr86W995lVH-6Yo8Sqrf418mZ1IMM/s6000/IMG_2648.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaNyGQcpTUg_VkiSIWqDwlaRHT148pCozefuPmXPY6dz-sWiZu7pHKLm7uSbUKPNCvS17tzIe70OFNnbhpJXiaR8V3pusM6qPak8fDnLcafrxKqYxqhyphenhyphenpn_AlYNqnsdXTaIUbVtv1xY3YkatSmtq98vqDSC2YI4cMr86W995lVH-6Yo8Sqrf418mZ1IMM/w640-h426/IMG_2648.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTN-87LLXBeD2Irc3wzgv8kJQDpdT7Ad4WInFA8QHtoMytpWxEdIV8dOunAwy1rf7-2LsE-ZwImmTXlHNjrtr83E6AkgRUgnYd7STq5Bum1iBh0ohNZtyHpyCwLnkG7WqhJX_M8067o7dO1gp_xo8-HNvBLdmwqT-zCFIM2JIpi-o6BVJeUDq3qwyr-K4/s4000/20231008_141800%5B1%5D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTN-87LLXBeD2Irc3wzgv8kJQDpdT7Ad4WInFA8QHtoMytpWxEdIV8dOunAwy1rf7-2LsE-ZwImmTXlHNjrtr83E6AkgRUgnYd7STq5Bum1iBh0ohNZtyHpyCwLnkG7WqhJX_M8067o7dO1gp_xo8-HNvBLdmwqT-zCFIM2JIpi-o6BVJeUDq3qwyr-K4/w480-h640/20231008_141800%5B1%5D.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Steps: 11,729 (9.2 km)</div>randombirderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05534485227575273160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7038564911256893325.post-13062944341976840262023-10-07T13:40:00.145-07:002023-10-11T10:35:44.997-07:00Scillies 2023 - Day 2<p>With the weather more typical of the Mediterranean than the UK, birding today was pretty pedestrian, pootling around picking up some of the more reliable birds scattered around St. Mary's. After yesterday's vigil for the bobolink, there was no intention to stand around anywhere. With that in mind, I headed to the bobolink site and stood around for a while.... but only for an hour waiting for something to happen. Inevitably nothing did happen apart from the much more reliable <b>common rosefinch </b>and a <b>spotted flycatcher </b>picked out among the sycamores.</p><p>The plan was to visit St. Agnes today, but news of two species absent from my Scilly list were available at Porth Hellick. Entering the Stephen Sussex hide, two <b>grey heron</b> with impeccable timing flushed everything in site but with enough time to see a rapidly disappearing <b>ruff</b> that never did return. Two <b>garganey</b> eventually swam back into view but were typically wary.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5iPXJAZLjePRFQAFRTZBLcglYmeIRTyzskdBaFc3KpwediR016rkOapHv0geac1B2DnsTGQScEf0VDEgPjtJgLpy4Ggx0k_gMiYxzLAfKLfeOz0OxS8iN6bS6IVN-YLdcC_oEt8hRuV2ZgqPtVWKfDe8836CDgtqJckcYBI9-FuYHsXrTB36H5WQlm4o/s3275/garganey.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2622" data-original-width="3275" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5iPXJAZLjePRFQAFRTZBLcglYmeIRTyzskdBaFc3KpwediR016rkOapHv0geac1B2DnsTGQScEf0VDEgPjtJgLpy4Ggx0k_gMiYxzLAfKLfeOz0OxS8iN6bS6IVN-YLdcC_oEt8hRuV2ZgqPtVWKfDe8836CDgtqJckcYBI9-FuYHsXrTB36H5WQlm4o/w640-h512/garganey.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Cream tea urges took me up to Longstones for a pleasant half hour before walking down to Carreg Dhu gardens where this stunning <b>firecrest</b> took a while to pin down but with a bit of inspiration managed to find a spot where this golden gem was feeding.<div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDuFfL66dmHPRr_xdejklY53KCAuk-r3V7YUBC3JR7hI8B4Mjtp02lfmnraayMf_XkmQg7kq-IjN3I5oTmsVVHhDrY-CwZzB0XaKEQPRmViuhYcVQhJs48mzi1kdW7uBted2eWTO-91Ouv__x_dZdC5vfAYDT49BIMuJBmdY7gnIUJLD9YJGkGUUZNpoI/s3319/firecrest1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2303" data-original-width="3319" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDuFfL66dmHPRr_xdejklY53KCAuk-r3V7YUBC3JR7hI8B4Mjtp02lfmnraayMf_XkmQg7kq-IjN3I5oTmsVVHhDrY-CwZzB0XaKEQPRmViuhYcVQhJs48mzi1kdW7uBted2eWTO-91Ouv__x_dZdC5vfAYDT49BIMuJBmdY7gnIUJLD9YJGkGUUZNpoI/w640-h444/firecrest1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1dO_5YeiWJFcjQ2UMGKNYYNwJ_FpT_rk9siXjBNBiUXLs2t2o9rCDpvtU1jXJHQv40szTwL90MZcA4MX99IDmquqIBVySGL0pOKOgTQBRxASJkTYtUe5vlBBZ4kiYQzUmRNOtJXX398ydcIHmOmU0Us9jcyCd41Am4Uqx01m-Mh4UhHoKbWzK0MgBgFs/s3944/firecrest2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2741" data-original-width="3944" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1dO_5YeiWJFcjQ2UMGKNYYNwJ_FpT_rk9siXjBNBiUXLs2t2o9rCDpvtU1jXJHQv40szTwL90MZcA4MX99IDmquqIBVySGL0pOKOgTQBRxASJkTYtUe5vlBBZ4kiYQzUmRNOtJXX398ydcIHmOmU0Us9jcyCd41Am4Uqx01m-Mh4UhHoKbWzK0MgBgFs/w640-h444/firecrest2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Next was a walk through Holy Vale and up to Maypole where the two <b>wryneck</b> were feeding out in the open providing great scope views.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXmpr2h6Mo7kluSmzID-0Vs3tK12B8iSi3o9TEGc-mdOeRUqZgHPzYxiBs-WGA2UbypbW_EMRoeZ4X2BW2NrzOo6HGH5AtVTgEVv9cOQcWWo6RiP7cCpN2IF11xqRhN2F1lv09_t0SHvS-ookJETrogUwM37qfFkPg8twQk0imy02OQzjq6-FRimaAsDo/s3423/wryneck.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2424" data-original-width="3423" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXmpr2h6Mo7kluSmzID-0Vs3tK12B8iSi3o9TEGc-mdOeRUqZgHPzYxiBs-WGA2UbypbW_EMRoeZ4X2BW2NrzOo6HGH5AtVTgEVv9cOQcWWo6RiP7cCpN2IF11xqRhN2F1lv09_t0SHvS-ookJETrogUwM37qfFkPg8twQk0imy02OQzjq6-FRimaAsDo/w640-h454/wryneck.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><p>From there, the walk down to Porth Hellick produced a <b>great egret</b> that passed by after hearing a few frantic calls on the radio. Still not a common bird around these parts.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHLA7aPVEmgxtDwCvNnRnPdlFnyafeCztpOM-4TFVkJnt58ZOu9C_UBGGKu1eH_USP-jGJqmeRTVA3IQM78vXOYe2vnO7zGfctVd2ke0AthTZrIEn42JB5BI-FgiZWwQPxwh_gxDy82mHrAaaZ2TqS9ComuCl1bOCkoD9LjY6g8F8dxqGcRjCT6vvypvE/s2669/great%20egret.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1801" data-original-width="2669" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHLA7aPVEmgxtDwCvNnRnPdlFnyafeCztpOM-4TFVkJnt58ZOu9C_UBGGKu1eH_USP-jGJqmeRTVA3IQM78vXOYe2vnO7zGfctVd2ke0AthTZrIEn42JB5BI-FgiZWwQPxwh_gxDy82mHrAaaZ2TqS9ComuCl1bOCkoD9LjY6g8F8dxqGcRjCT6vvypvE/w640-h432/great%20egret.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;">Feeling a bit ropey, the day was unfortunately curtailed early but I was keen to get my energy back for the following day.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb5S6hFVIDWDMwARTC2BpuzLOmYHgRjqfTJiMq7aBl1uKxokd1akImFzMYK5M6konCgjlvhfgAZ3M9HewCVORYD9PzXYIjjnySQQAfafIx94bY2BS4sJnXop7D-SK-zhmgnEgA2RESwpN-2VByCP0DSQqTRk7Db0exWySRV2ut_QfWY7RSyZ4t19QYgmQ/s4000/20231007_181450%5B1%5D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb5S6hFVIDWDMwARTC2BpuzLOmYHgRjqfTJiMq7aBl1uKxokd1akImFzMYK5M6konCgjlvhfgAZ3M9HewCVORYD9PzXYIjjnySQQAfafIx94bY2BS4sJnXop7D-SK-zhmgnEgA2RESwpN-2VByCP0DSQqTRk7Db0exWySRV2ut_QfWY7RSyZ4t19QYgmQ/w640-h480/20231007_181450%5B1%5D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Steps: 26,237 (20.7 km)</div>randombirderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05534485227575273160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7038564911256893325.post-72837660923438185052023-10-06T11:11:00.010-07:002023-10-11T10:35:53.430-07:00Scillies 2023 - Day 1<p>Still not great on a boat but it was ok. A fair scattering of seabirds passed by the Scillonian, that included <b>Cory's shearwater</b>, a couple of <b>great shearwater</b>, at least four <b>storm petrel</b> and singles of <b>arctic skua</b> and <b>great skua</b>. Stepping onto St. Mary's was simply joyous, it was great to be back.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk49nobvNzFy7ob_qu1rSowUkS3aGyHvJ9AC5ovUXsTS-ezqNfLce5g3ADs5DYQ324pOBt_99xf7hcpCCKqtvN8gNrWtWP9KAz-8TTE7Ko2vXfDahTbfpQuz0InOqBg31x9c3HIXLv05S90kAB0uEwmPtAgODUgviEG7fFPBwvPBkv1RtDBWv7HdWrZr4/s4000/20231006_082720%5B1%5D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk49nobvNzFy7ob_qu1rSowUkS3aGyHvJ9AC5ovUXsTS-ezqNfLce5g3ADs5DYQ324pOBt_99xf7hcpCCKqtvN8gNrWtWP9KAz-8TTE7Ko2vXfDahTbfpQuz0InOqBg31x9c3HIXLv05S90kAB0uEwmPtAgODUgviEG7fFPBwvPBkv1RtDBWv7HdWrZr4/w640-h480/20231006_082720%5B1%5D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Briskly heading over to Albany to park the case, I legged it up to the airport where a painful five-hour vigil didn't really provide the hoped for views of <b><span style="color: red;">bobolink</span></b>. A curious bird that stayed hidden in the weedy field below the airport despite the occasional passing of the Skybus and a monstrous Airbus A400M military aircraft that performed three circuits of the airfield. It took a single-engined aircraft to excite this bird into a brief flight before dropping back down into the vegetation - a mere three and half hours after arriving at the site. A repeat performance took place around half an hour after this monumental event, a slightly longer fly-around and slightly better views but it was all very underwhelming and a little tiring after the Scilly crossing.<div><br /></div><div>Also of note was my first Scilly <b>marsh harrier</b>, a 2nd year male that circled around the area and a decent record for a number of Scilly listers. A <b>common rosefinch</b> was frequently on view, and the <b>glossy ibis</b> flew past on a couple of occasions.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRk98g9sht3CLOlgSzQJCGV0aoassEoBWTG5B5ZqrwNcyi2HzqLW7CpnBD9fTr9YtjV1jsnPJNwen5ILi30wjZx5N3OHKGEv2wm-qYC6CvQp4CM-aaaJB-7eNfRItPDvzJSu_x3pNqGJwR5vuhkmc4YqHeC3AKfHoWI6KTz0qSyycvOcyvdXpme20rNRg/s3211/MH.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2534" data-original-width="3211" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRk98g9sht3CLOlgSzQJCGV0aoassEoBWTG5B5ZqrwNcyi2HzqLW7CpnBD9fTr9YtjV1jsnPJNwen5ILi30wjZx5N3OHKGEv2wm-qYC6CvQp4CM-aaaJB-7eNfRItPDvzJSu_x3pNqGJwR5vuhkmc4YqHeC3AKfHoWI6KTz0qSyycvOcyvdXpme20rNRg/w640-h506/MH.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLx22d6V9nphyphenhyphenpXuNU8MyE3fX9KAtguWxpiVkVOe1Q_DLoAIKck9SFNU6aSOA9bKKh16xxK37uwKMPtRhvvD5vENMPSeQuAWqfjW9zmvXXST2ySReekT6___yGmWkLU8bP1ccFklFN6ZRnoz6HBXxg2KTh3xT3ZEjoG8l0R3ldQ7ntaGSrkPfBB1y6VHo/s4000/20231006_144431%5B1%5D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLx22d6V9nphyphenhyphenpXuNU8MyE3fX9KAtguWxpiVkVOe1Q_DLoAIKck9SFNU6aSOA9bKKh16xxK37uwKMPtRhvvD5vENMPSeQuAWqfjW9zmvXXST2ySReekT6___yGmWkLU8bP1ccFklFN6ZRnoz6HBXxg2KTh3xT3ZEjoG8l0R3ldQ7ntaGSrkPfBB1y6VHo/w640-h480/20231006_144431%5B1%5D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Steps: 11,269 (8.9 km)</div>randombirderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05534485227575273160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7038564911256893325.post-52022904219315368422023-09-22T09:27:00.162-07:002023-10-03T00:31:02.032-07:00South Wales - Magnolia Warbler x 2<p>A truly memorable encounter during an unprecedented period in British birding history heralded by a fall of American passerines as a result of a fast-moving warm weather front emanating from the North American eastern seaboard. While many had predicted the precipitation of some New World passerines, I don't think anyone would have predicted the scale of the fall. The west coast from the Outer Hebrides, down to Scilly and across into Ireland have produced a variety of forlorn vagrant birds blown across the Atlantic into isolated patches of vegetation within our shores. South Wales has fared particularly well. And as many have commented, for those found, how many birds are still out there waiting to meet their finders, and also the sobering thought of those wayward vagrants that would have inevitably perished along the way.</p><p>But vagrancy highlights the brutal realities of nature and the anomalies within the natural order. The draw of the rare that sets birders and notably twitchers into a mad frenzy. It's not difficult to get caught up with the fun of the fair.</p><p>It's a long drive to Pembrokeshire. Frequently and predictably ribbed about my overnight stays, an overnight stay was made at Port Talbot, arriving at the St. Goven's Head site shortly before dawn.</p><p>The wait for the bird to show was agonising, fleeting glimpses that were initially missed but eventually nailed on, but fleeting they were. Until the keen-eyed noticed prolonged feeding within a dense area of hawthorn and birch, the gaudy <b><span style="color: #bf9000;">magnolia warbler</span></b> was seen well flitting through the understory, the sharp yellow front contrasting with gentle grey/blues and a rather fetching white tail with those strong black tips. A glorious bird that cannot be fully appreciated through photographs. Watching it's feeding sallies were breath-taking. Like the blackburnian warbler encounter on Scilly last year, these yank warblers really are something to behold and it was a privilege to be in its orbit for a few moments.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8MaaAcU2vED1ahjd-DN9YYMHCNV--C3CrCXTwEr86Q5HoM718JevOrUo1yA4-nr7S-05yw3yBA90-kiaoiF2PQGUHOQOsvgk1sXfFZSi6UME9UQzdV3IvT9sW4uBv1nbq6p-4Wj9XpDuvRmZAc_s2095eNd5Eybe2-wdezVu_YfuaKHzUK_MI5DSQvvs/s3205/MW1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2445" data-original-width="3205" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8MaaAcU2vED1ahjd-DN9YYMHCNV--C3CrCXTwEr86Q5HoM718JevOrUo1yA4-nr7S-05yw3yBA90-kiaoiF2PQGUHOQOsvgk1sXfFZSi6UME9UQzdV3IvT9sW4uBv1nbq6p-4Wj9XpDuvRmZAc_s2095eNd5Eybe2-wdezVu_YfuaKHzUK_MI5DSQvvs/w640-h488/MW1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX2CZatisRkG08SWq4qDqtbzHBGo4ByCXAy-smEdZZCu3oGkFMnKvGYavop__3VOf_ghsLjGh2QUfHr7QtEJWIdnTpzb0VZn-fBYE8XyhbQEVMiQom0_zwm23LOXFcredCcVAWUOtjf55QtMuKkJ9EKkomEXTGfCJsfXpnFq_CujzNmsfMi8bzhywEx9s/s3574/MW3.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2295" data-original-width="3574" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX2CZatisRkG08SWq4qDqtbzHBGo4ByCXAy-smEdZZCu3oGkFMnKvGYavop__3VOf_ghsLjGh2QUfHr7QtEJWIdnTpzb0VZn-fBYE8XyhbQEVMiQom0_zwm23LOXFcredCcVAWUOtjf55QtMuKkJ9EKkomEXTGfCJsfXpnFq_CujzNmsfMi8bzhywEx9s/w640-h410/MW3.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiffE7NSo3yTsiEuE6NVo9U3XyJc9vr0VEs-Tnt8sn-xL8vMARnPDmWQJNt2G8aA-H3d5r2hnq6dcAV8JG_1nbLhHS76ibX3D2hiC5-VLiDCByr50B2PomWU_suucmhpVb6sXoXaqSvJb9r3-FGqW1UAOFF_lR1Nkoqm7fJtVT0MIoraXBJKsMTgsLRnD0/s2642/MW4.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1701" data-original-width="2642" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiffE7NSo3yTsiEuE6NVo9U3XyJc9vr0VEs-Tnt8sn-xL8vMARnPDmWQJNt2G8aA-H3d5r2hnq6dcAV8JG_1nbLhHS76ibX3D2hiC5-VLiDCByr50B2PomWU_suucmhpVb6sXoXaqSvJb9r3-FGqW1UAOFF_lR1Nkoqm7fJtVT0MIoraXBJKsMTgsLRnD0/w640-h412/MW4.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKxfje_2eCxzReJrbNry2HtRgGMvl3qFTONY4gk9CA6vlZ_JyeUVU4nTXa8wD1d6_vc6ZfmDqKB7Dzr2spEqvAIpSp9S8BkwCVQMGLmG5aXTSnHfuHsaqqGFCk20o07dEZne8U37mPkIRwq8FQQ6SbSEcKVsViWSL2j8RvH4EIm1vuT1CgmAtC_dZwgXg/s2563/MW5.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1662" data-original-width="2563" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKxfje_2eCxzReJrbNry2HtRgGMvl3qFTONY4gk9CA6vlZ_JyeUVU4nTXa8wD1d6_vc6ZfmDqKB7Dzr2spEqvAIpSp9S8BkwCVQMGLmG5aXTSnHfuHsaqqGFCk20o07dEZne8U37mPkIRwq8FQQ6SbSEcKVsViWSL2j8RvH4EIm1vuT1CgmAtC_dZwgXg/w640-h416/MW5.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsLt4UxL6RJ9Lkg1EJih_HQXURkK_LQ3WoOQbXhDBn5cys1jbWknvIzhJe13APYQXZNW1AlwRxP0k1KhSrKHKvZyzdO-R0sRjF4qp4-MJ_cd77LgcfdUMfCLaRrTougiBXnwv23Mbi2nS_5g1xEXrc6tlVZfuppgNyss-VYrxhZ7ZnxCc1OptQZhjBTM8/s3259/MW6.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2462" data-original-width="3259" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsLt4UxL6RJ9Lkg1EJih_HQXURkK_LQ3WoOQbXhDBn5cys1jbWknvIzhJe13APYQXZNW1AlwRxP0k1KhSrKHKvZyzdO-R0sRjF4qp4-MJ_cd77LgcfdUMfCLaRrTougiBXnwv23Mbi2nS_5g1xEXrc6tlVZfuppgNyss-VYrxhZ7ZnxCc1OptQZhjBTM8/w640-h484/MW6.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p>Groups of vocal <b>chough</b> flew overhead as did a couple of <b>raven</b>. In good company, this was a belter of a twitch and something that will hope to be repeated in the not too distant future.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5adMsQ3PffAXLi36bJa1CDSHZLY8OSHqkbjc8aycwB7Sb58n9avz9ztT7GR0sa95o6B2fPAWHKzPbVIO0yZOqolXJYsoUTChJaXccX4sdwpVYVXGKdI4nxMI_Z0rgM9ox8ZR4EgI8HHcFhSxCnho4QtNrUscTZUzKhCmMkQLusf-pzt9xbvBuW7ejxQY/s4000/20230922_073640%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5adMsQ3PffAXLi36bJa1CDSHZLY8OSHqkbjc8aycwB7Sb58n9avz9ztT7GR0sa95o6B2fPAWHKzPbVIO0yZOqolXJYsoUTChJaXccX4sdwpVYVXGKdI4nxMI_Z0rgM9ox8ZR4EgI8HHcFhSxCnho4QtNrUscTZUzKhCmMkQLusf-pzt9xbvBuW7ejxQY/w640-h480/20230922_073640%5B1%5D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-fspfOQshzf0kTZRUuz5NH43SQYhnX7RoivNFyquH-LzTpyuktPEWuExliHrcxPvOXDU3h1ZgGJKt-7O5C7HFRQNrnEGF-5RTEG3IT71dSrxBSVLZNsi7mpBCsEVq2Z1FELEb5ckInUz-64kTFg8FYtZOs5tGJcxBjL5F75waIM_W8lEEQuQ0ZhMrl2U/s4000/20230922_114622%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-fspfOQshzf0kTZRUuz5NH43SQYhnX7RoivNFyquH-LzTpyuktPEWuExliHrcxPvOXDU3h1ZgGJKt-7O5C7HFRQNrnEGF-5RTEG3IT71dSrxBSVLZNsi7mpBCsEVq2Z1FELEb5ckInUz-64kTFg8FYtZOs5tGJcxBjL5F75waIM_W8lEEQuQ0ZhMrl2U/w640-h480/20230922_114622%5B1%5D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdm0r9zE-BurBKdJZAN_lbJFkhVlE2d-BgAs1JtHvPKnFnFCPZzJr9g1jY_XCd4HxQUKoGdjQcc7MXkIdN5bxY3tm-kBD7z0sM5j1bX5PoeKiTqFG6C-nZWlV0UGOhUcKW4_4EJiGnqRvc7P9KyQiaY2EWv8-OnAoGLySZmmNcHy1RQGftUz9sZa7-qsc/s2817/chough.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2052" data-original-width="2817" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdm0r9zE-BurBKdJZAN_lbJFkhVlE2d-BgAs1JtHvPKnFnFCPZzJr9g1jY_XCd4HxQUKoGdjQcc7MXkIdN5bxY3tm-kBD7z0sM5j1bX5PoeKiTqFG6C-nZWlV0UGOhUcKW4_4EJiGnqRvc7P9KyQiaY2EWv8-OnAoGLySZmmNcHy1RQGftUz9sZa7-qsc/w640-h466/chough.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><u>24th September 2023</u><p>A day of chasing my losses in trying to connect with some of the other American vagrants that were on offer on Saturday, although the blustery weather meant that birds were hard to find with many I'm sure hunkered deep down within the vegetation. Remarkably though, a second <b>magnolia warbler</b> found at Briton Ferry, Glamorgan showed intermittently adding sparkle to the gloomy conditions.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDNPTBGLOuQR_1_2saGkNza72T9ugFYgClhP63HDf4i-zEFzY_bv9ZU402-360rTGRmTqgNRDTmCA9lHBUx1s6V5sWvNqMzj0Jiw8H86M76-Bek753NHc1GZ-R69id9aWScDBLSRag0tUZ8lZfIRFRUBa2b_RIQwev6QnO_9VTpzOy8aIkug5yLnXijUo/s4000/20230924_172144%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDNPTBGLOuQR_1_2saGkNza72T9ugFYgClhP63HDf4i-zEFzY_bv9ZU402-360rTGRmTqgNRDTmCA9lHBUx1s6V5sWvNqMzj0Jiw8H86M76-Bek753NHc1GZ-R69id9aWScDBLSRag0tUZ8lZfIRFRUBa2b_RIQwev6QnO_9VTpzOy8aIkug5yLnXijUo/w640-h480/20230924_172144%5B1%5D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>American warblers are really something special - thinking of a Central Park trip sometime soon.</p>randombirderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05534485227575273160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7038564911256893325.post-41944876394564356682023-09-16T00:30:00.007-07:002023-10-03T03:42:24.445-07:00Turkey - Gaziantep Region - September 2023<div class="separator"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><u>8th September 2023</u></p></div><p>It was only a week but it felt like a lifetime of adventure that would generally fill a month but that I guess is why it's always a thrill to visit places like Turkey, a country bristling with life, great food, and exceptional birding.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Flights were booked with Turkish Airlines, there really isn't any better alternative, flying to Gaziantep from Gatwick transiting through the impressive Istanbul Airport. The flight was really comfortable having the complete row to myself settling down to enjoy the IFE and views over continental Europe.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqkFBkcr0v5ns6qy6jh1AFa_us5dkxIx17xgYa4Xwxi2rcV0r0gLq4buHPVzgYOsZFXYtcCzSVMqJURTEMTMaQdIX8XFV37CP9zoV-osL4EyBkv5C6ERjRH6_OKZCKfrgqH0Mj6NqI64IJQuUrnYne4dy-8me1lZpyRZY4SKN304ZV3vebN_vyfsJE-g8/s4000/20230908_144314.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqkFBkcr0v5ns6qy6jh1AFa_us5dkxIx17xgYa4Xwxi2rcV0r0gLq4buHPVzgYOsZFXYtcCzSVMqJURTEMTMaQdIX8XFV37CP9zoV-osL4EyBkv5C6ERjRH6_OKZCKfrgqH0Mj6NqI64IJQuUrnYne4dy-8me1lZpyRZY4SKN304ZV3vebN_vyfsJE-g8/w640-h480/20230908_144314.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">A late evening arrival at GZT, sharply leaving the arrivals terminal and jumping into a cab for my hotel located next to Gaziantep Castle before a morning start back to the airport for my hire car pick-up and straight to Biricek.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><u>9th September 2023</u></p><p class="MsoNormal">It was sweltering, too hot to bird really, but ignoring all that, headed straight for the cemetery which was largely bereft of anything interesting other than a singing <b><span style="color: red;">dead sea sparrow</span>. </b></p><p class="MsoNormal">The mercury continued to rise, peaking at around 37C, too hot to stand exposed to the direct sunlight. Heading over to the gravel pits north of Biricek, revealed a wetland area comprised of large pools lined by typical aquatic vegetation. Navigable dirt tracks provided access around the complex, and apart from a brief exchange from the friendly local police, there were no issues with access.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJJNlJ22i1CdjxGmj3DkQqOBRnDfusLJoQ8uxwBdg0VAt6iZDKuJVPirZ76pOt9-BLQskaEQrbVr9pBRiA6GaDWICTx8Q4_S0Vg6GSYv4hekP30xgjnT8KoKWb7ApdvhYhjTxu3Tydtp4qkcyGDiypQ3-kdcO_yUiXUCHJ8U21pxJgQaHs7JRErd_LX-s/s3930/20230909_124407.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2947" data-original-width="3930" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJJNlJ22i1CdjxGmj3DkQqOBRnDfusLJoQ8uxwBdg0VAt6iZDKuJVPirZ76pOt9-BLQskaEQrbVr9pBRiA6GaDWICTx8Q4_S0Vg6GSYv4hekP30xgjnT8KoKWb7ApdvhYhjTxu3Tydtp4qkcyGDiypQ3-kdcO_yUiXUCHJ8U21pxJgQaHs7JRErd_LX-s/w640-h480/20230909_124407.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">Bird of the day was an active <b>pied kingfisher</b> flying back and forth over the pools. A small group of <b>northern bald ibis </b>were feeding on the near shore, with one individual carrying a geolocator from the local re-introduction programme. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNNBtQGpWGru9b2CQpOQIANC8SRALFc04W0SQooIn7Qv96VcQN2RTaHMyjybNE4PrNRJIYrnYLRAGvQQqQgy5yKlrQXklz5Ftc3A1-JC4UFwmBwImsIOlRRZxM7FjzvnaTkXab8K-5UI1hDbfiVqQem3dzbFuj2ULoc7x4jK-y6kNhZK9fM4r8gTIffzc/w640-h436/Pied%20kingfisher%201.JPG" /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEGZGvJ1C9QR384ICoi91P9fP8vuT63aHP9sTee2C62W6j6DKO-FW2sx2NOeK3zhZE4BqKs4NtVN2ht6Pt2tl7PZ9i5FCnDaqjfWd26qlG4p-55rmi1ERXip5XM4rKSgw-CzBN2HSFO7k2Rac2BL7Tllm_ud2qg0Kx2TbkMU76DT5uWj7yIj8dWqi9g6Y/s3092/Pied%20kingfisher%203.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2167" data-original-width="3092" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEGZGvJ1C9QR384ICoi91P9fP8vuT63aHP9sTee2C62W6j6DKO-FW2sx2NOeK3zhZE4BqKs4NtVN2ht6Pt2tl7PZ9i5FCnDaqjfWd26qlG4p-55rmi1ERXip5XM4rKSgw-CzBN2HSFO7k2Rac2BL7Tllm_ud2qg0Kx2TbkMU76DT5uWj7yIj8dWqi9g6Y/w640-h448/Pied%20kingfisher%203.JPG" width="640" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz3uEi0MAaaa9B2vfpIAJv88Ib6XUOApL-HN0DggNCSbF9FqRR_ERb83QLGWLm42hSRqL5uZu2xr0LA7Kwj5PxRULhtlkZ6XCJ1qVAuG3r-mlvBkHkjIdAVJlk6BygPTWlb88888ZeHLfEFhoYBzom9-zFEA5WMjO_WdJwpZSsV3jPJE7IvlLR3fM5pZo/s5534/Bald%20ibis.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3673" data-original-width="5534" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz3uEi0MAaaa9B2vfpIAJv88Ib6XUOApL-HN0DggNCSbF9FqRR_ERb83QLGWLm42hSRqL5uZu2xr0LA7Kwj5PxRULhtlkZ6XCJ1qVAuG3r-mlvBkHkjIdAVJlk6BygPTWlb88888ZeHLfEFhoYBzom9-zFEA5WMjO_WdJwpZSsV3jPJE7IvlLR3fM5pZo/w640-h424/Bald%20ibis.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">They were associating with a scattering of <b>glossy ibis </b>and <b>spur-winged lapwing</b>. Two <b>green sandpiper</b> alighted from the shoreline, single <b>red-backed shrike</b> and <b>lesser grey shrike </b>paused overhead, but it was generally quiet there with no sign of any Iraq babbler.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9It_bmxEJ58DITOvL7Fky4ST_p2YgrHE5fV2TW9h3L-S5oydCC-WIpx3UZJ-bOxJs8qDpfu3st7HsDF38bxjnLjAI-tWgePBJLRr5ikruwUa2M0SrYUe6NF5lHmxNMQ-IeVqXo1UZPtwGWH_Z3t3rHYfwWWWbnReG0dUo8uqtwLRFmC5P2kHSUdjPDSM/w640-h384/RBS.JPG" /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtXFeNS3l7u7RAvNmw5BTEK5zmcCE2eTycM21123mMEbDFsUsLa8tERGejO3McdYWrNIpZGyh4Bq0GZrbVdfeFXCerVDZ35iYEqO6cRDp3slkN_RRqGribgY837AeXFzm7WjG3XS41YFhSg_AnRp2kwfpj8hzideEPT1YLnpN7b9rykwhGzLGvRtH0iyI/w640-h486/lesser%20grey%20shrike.JPG" /></p><p class="MsoNormal">My first challenge of the trip was attempting to navigate my way back to the hotel in Gaziantep (an hour away) with no idea how to get there and having no recollection of the name of the guesthouse. This had resulted in my phone overheating and the brainless decision to restart it failing to acknowledge that I needed the PIN number for the Turkcell SIM Card I had purchased at Istanbul Airport. The aberration was exacerbated by having left the details in the room of my guesthouse.</p><p class="MsoNormal">So with only a vague idea of where to go, I headed for the Castle recalling that the guesthouse was close by. Even this was a challenge as road signage is not overly reliable in these parts. Negotiating the peak hour traffic, I eventually reached the castle. However, it was a maze of streets and after some brief directionless meanderings, I entered a small shop where a couple of young lads assisted me in finding my hotel with the help of an english speaking friend on the phone, a laptop (from where I was able to recognise the hotel from the photos) and the kindness of these guys to walk me directly my guesthouse. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><u>10th September 2023</u></p><p class="MsoNormal">This is where the fun really started. A long drive from Gaziantep to the Ozsafak Pension in the Taurus Mountains took approximately five hours including a couple of stops for some delicious food at the many motorway service stations en route. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha4ldc2kAZmeELV3Bgt1YprdsfCO7kqKAko0pDavbxL4NJziwB_q-hCSF5QWP4lyHsrNkDiWayXdOywqzQbgOP7dpBfywuJn1PEEWLgDif67d46ikUln9fFmX6RKe57iynmP9t7gXcFA36-1zMCuYxA1UqLpwitORj6v2LuhQp4dkVvBzJnAUZAO315NM/s4000/20230909_133316.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha4ldc2kAZmeELV3Bgt1YprdsfCO7kqKAko0pDavbxL4NJziwB_q-hCSF5QWP4lyHsrNkDiWayXdOywqzQbgOP7dpBfywuJn1PEEWLgDif67d46ikUln9fFmX6RKe57iynmP9t7gXcFA36-1zMCuYxA1UqLpwitORj6v2LuhQp4dkVvBzJnAUZAO315NM/w640-h480/20230909_133316.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">On arrival, I met up with Basar admiring the views toward the mountains whilst sipping on some fresh turkish tea.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCKzJMcJXGxM1T7SYiy2hYq8KYE9N4UitJ_cVc3pj95Un-wCHkrNT-zDWfleMkET2l0Kbk3m7LWMZhZGKPssqjSbaRb0MJNEBizEZx58MPTsj757Z38lSbcqUFtBNwMns8bsoZ-g63MHpKFdgauPM6HbCNImdN-e-pfhqBTmelU_jqfJA1CbIH0QzZ3BI/w640-h480/20230912_090946.jpg" /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaRDEoPfGndl7wrOn9zx5rM-JMouSzuE2ptv2D85H_kXkZfUE_TFy37OMQQ1T57EBL-IDn-3rpvWIhsPfMKq-6m70Nfu4lgJKXtq9YTrK3lr5XoZcrQ6smGLLapebwUxIJMOSZNd1wDZSMJ8mRv26fq1qjupsSlH6tWdWt-pb-_2qVaBUyMB4TpXRUbDU/s4000/20230911_185258.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaRDEoPfGndl7wrOn9zx5rM-JMouSzuE2ptv2D85H_kXkZfUE_TFy37OMQQ1T57EBL-IDn-3rpvWIhsPfMKq-6m70Nfu4lgJKXtq9YTrK3lr5XoZcrQ6smGLLapebwUxIJMOSZNd1wDZSMJ8mRv26fq1qjupsSlH6tWdWt-pb-_2qVaBUyMB4TpXRUbDU/w640-h480/20230911_185258.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">A late afternoon visit to the Elim Valley produced my first <b>eastern rock nuthatch</b> with plenty of <b>western rock nuthatch</b> there that took a bit of separating with the call identification generally doing the trick. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPnWwva3qonCtajWoJ-aj7nkamQEOHNXGkSYVmBdb9EzcTmQQ6RHWd_8VkLUdndG2LrcfUT2ooliq4yre7b3QCyycM7O6ArHXGzNkshLqWE9AGVpQ-1Tzv8_rddnNrauZUdrlEeTQmcocHF1sLjDIruUpgptVz5qqk_TpNsN6MhPKlyf8E0UlnSZDDtJ8/s4000/20230910_162215.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPnWwva3qonCtajWoJ-aj7nkamQEOHNXGkSYVmBdb9EzcTmQQ6RHWd_8VkLUdndG2LrcfUT2ooliq4yre7b3QCyycM7O6ArHXGzNkshLqWE9AGVpQ-1Tzv8_rddnNrauZUdrlEeTQmcocHF1sLjDIruUpgptVz5qqk_TpNsN6MhPKlyf8E0UlnSZDDtJ8/w640-h480/20230910_162215.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixdJ1-D_IvKSimKIAoFNAEdIGcLkdF4JUkxK7a5QW629QbSBj4dlE5qmDjeCAKmFp9HqxOzxS8yza1utZX93FNbWjkJ0a71JdYVqtbSc0aMg856xmFBLEt6T2snmF07q1aax9dhORka-7mCYGWk75P36468OWn8fQ5TwPdwTPLVA-GR9shBo6xEwdSsxY/s4000/20230910_154339.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixdJ1-D_IvKSimKIAoFNAEdIGcLkdF4JUkxK7a5QW629QbSBj4dlE5qmDjeCAKmFp9HqxOzxS8yza1utZX93FNbWjkJ0a71JdYVqtbSc0aMg856xmFBLEt6T2snmF07q1aax9dhORka-7mCYGWk75P36468OWn8fQ5TwPdwTPLVA-GR9shBo6xEwdSsxY/w640-h480/20230910_154339.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWUOFEG3tao1nUz0MuC5-z1Cmn2fkIrlu-MR0Bm-kPnM8gs-wh3p9vQ3Od3tYgmAo1fNdJWkzdomgtNaLxHDt9GsRis_EiJO6BT0eI8ixNUm9Curl4pvJio7et5u9qjdo-qAPDMw16RSOVNqrH9SnZG3usy-rVuqI9JdpnLBFJLvKlAr-E1mQbhincD7A/s4000/20230910_151929.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWUOFEG3tao1nUz0MuC5-z1Cmn2fkIrlu-MR0Bm-kPnM8gs-wh3p9vQ3Od3tYgmAo1fNdJWkzdomgtNaLxHDt9GsRis_EiJO6BT0eI8ixNUm9Curl4pvJio7et5u9qjdo-qAPDMw16RSOVNqrH9SnZG3usy-rVuqI9JdpnLBFJLvKlAr-E1mQbhincD7A/w640-h480/20230910_151929.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1qcLowo3sGHvnL3DIJgF59rfrHfa0RFTssgN5Ovg9vhFVOxbhPjddsutp7Si9w1gGDEiUnaKC3LLik38Olfw9pFWXHQnQT3L71_IMoXV-YgZPQjNRfKiXjgBuVPtokCdN7-K03j9mui06i5EJ06nyE80NDZvafwuWHrc3f-KSlmWh4ChLf3QNCbpnQ5I/s4000/20230912_103655.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1qcLowo3sGHvnL3DIJgF59rfrHfa0RFTssgN5Ovg9vhFVOxbhPjddsutp7Si9w1gGDEiUnaKC3LLik38Olfw9pFWXHQnQT3L71_IMoXV-YgZPQjNRfKiXjgBuVPtokCdN7-K03j9mui06i5EJ06nyE80NDZvafwuWHrc3f-KSlmWh4ChLf3QNCbpnQ5I/w640-h480/20230912_103655.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7jI7mGX5qhrefYn0m5MsMdNI0mLI0Omv3qud5bn0t3IBglxMy23xOu-B6PZvv72DHwlI0EJ1LPb2lSRB7xk8O4K8AWQ0gYpOPIqnaSqALFT1BafzldrFn6DMH41XiIHmQASHsu3DKxP-DT6nMaotPZIkBOYRXeTGSG4HzNFMPEM-utrbRXv9Qh8tYsdY/s2465/ERNuthatch.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="eastern rock nuthatch" border="0" data-original-height="1781" data-original-width="2465" height="461" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7jI7mGX5qhrefYn0m5MsMdNI0mLI0Omv3qud5bn0t3IBglxMy23xOu-B6PZvv72DHwlI0EJ1LPb2lSRB7xk8O4K8AWQ0gYpOPIqnaSqALFT1BafzldrFn6DMH41XiIHmQASHsu3DKxP-DT6nMaotPZIkBOYRXeTGSG4HzNFMPEM-utrbRXv9Qh8tYsdY/w640-h461/ERNuthatch.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>There was a fair selection of autumn birds there that included a single <b>blue rock thrush</b>, <b>common redstart</b>, plenty of <b>willow warbler</b>, a few <b>lesser whitethroat</b>, small groups of <b>rock bunting</b> along the scree, with <b>red-billed chough</b> passing overhead. However, during my short trek along the valley, the loose gravel turned the surface to ice and I slid of a ridge badly grazing my left arm. At the time I was more concerned about my camera that hit the ground with some force but rather obtusely it was me that was left far more damaged than my equipment. Feeling a bit forlorn, I headed back to the Pension.<p class="MsoNormal"><u>11th September 2023</u></p><p class="MsoNormal">I couldn't sleep. Whether it was the injury or something more sinister to come, I awoke at 11.30pm and failed to sleep again until my early 3.45am alarm call for the steep drive up the Taurus Mountains.</p><p class="MsoNormal">However, at around 2am, my tummy started to feel queezy, the onset of food poisoning that floored me for a day. The excursion was a real challenge. A couple of nightjar disturbed by the sudden arrival of a 4x4 flapped furiously in front of the car. Arriving in pitch dark, I was shivering. Fever had set in and I felt really grim. Basar and Peter, a fellow birder on the tour, jumped out of the car and waited for dawn to break. I hunkered down in the car for a while. The scenery however was breathtaking, and as the distant cries of <b>Caspian snowcock </b>started to echo from the imposing scree, faint optimism starting to emerge through my unwelcome malady. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnfWiLX6MYo6iqWL-1_zXGC00UdS5myE-mEL4I3-aTlB12eEqV9IcAyWsE3Z11hwpvmKZfHW9vRBNg9Ruf4YI24BPqxvaNGQqiA_gxTcL5duW2snzToAuoXe-ZViuI-lUay2yyGZVJ3ZROX-qcUWwGdJlh_NIeNJoB0cgNgFEthcIXIZG4xhB-iQnf4L0/s4000/20230911_062057.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnfWiLX6MYo6iqWL-1_zXGC00UdS5myE-mEL4I3-aTlB12eEqV9IcAyWsE3Z11hwpvmKZfHW9vRBNg9Ruf4YI24BPqxvaNGQqiA_gxTcL5duW2snzToAuoXe-ZViuI-lUay2yyGZVJ3ZROX-qcUWwGdJlh_NIeNJoB0cgNgFEthcIXIZG4xhB-iQnf4L0/w640-h480/20230911_062057.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsMzucnovhMlZbkfF85MdxmaLDc_c7aj_P2NKrSbpf_b7SDvYst89vpoYEf5tHosU_gOPs9NH_KkcTRrLx12XawhgwXXFY_uyE2SgtH7wkD_uLBYU1Ek0JzaAGlAyrFfRnnHWBxHztJiy-uuelhAfO-qZOF1ubAKoxe-jpc4Ve9xkr7N11HW4UR9MRsxo/s4000/20230911_073355.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsMzucnovhMlZbkfF85MdxmaLDc_c7aj_P2NKrSbpf_b7SDvYst89vpoYEf5tHosU_gOPs9NH_KkcTRrLx12XawhgwXXFY_uyE2SgtH7wkD_uLBYU1Ek0JzaAGlAyrFfRnnHWBxHztJiy-uuelhAfO-qZOF1ubAKoxe-jpc4Ve9xkr7N11HW4UR9MRsxo/w640-h480/20230911_073355.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQevLhyLcwi-srSe7pKIGv3PxakzVtOr5rHjVcKLMKge4x2oWV_508m3hfJR2NPkprR0sx4x7KYqbKzDsP3f3oZ6WJ1D6wIv1GPFGAEEMf0c64JnwZ3Ost9Py8U-bqFoI7qkZm9jhx_64IfVpbS-f9yGspVv1jCa6FW9zxXVrGUesDiuPZqNn7F_JOH3U/s4000/20230911_073358.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQevLhyLcwi-srSe7pKIGv3PxakzVtOr5rHjVcKLMKge4x2oWV_508m3hfJR2NPkprR0sx4x7KYqbKzDsP3f3oZ6WJ1D6wIv1GPFGAEEMf0c64JnwZ3Ost9Py8U-bqFoI7qkZm9jhx_64IfVpbS-f9yGspVv1jCa6FW9zxXVrGUesDiuPZqNn7F_JOH3U/w640-h480/20230911_073358.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">I was sick, twice. Feeling terrible, I stood again with my fellow birders, Basar clocking onto a single snowcock silhouetted against the emerging sky. A remarkable montane species existing high above any murmurs of human habitation. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnKp-uRyapVLgWoEr_64VgG8chxFSvImkuI9miMQYm8348xGMVB-7_I-q1FJ5-3VxNKvcZWfi-JTnusEV2BgpTKz0sWeRWi3WVMeYFgxO0ugPecL5kFmpw93PthpZhOAhvnrtJxg_RPgg-sLG0qHVlcK1mPX_YqLPcOq9_scH3cOJ0Fs3apWvvfPxzTWk/s2101/CS1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1575" data-original-width="2101" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnKp-uRyapVLgWoEr_64VgG8chxFSvImkuI9miMQYm8348xGMVB-7_I-q1FJ5-3VxNKvcZWfi-JTnusEV2BgpTKz0sWeRWi3WVMeYFgxO0ugPecL5kFmpw93PthpZhOAhvnrtJxg_RPgg-sLG0qHVlcK1mPX_YqLPcOq9_scH3cOJ0Fs3apWvvfPxzTWk/w640-h480/CS1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">One eventually became four birds, seen flying high along the crest of the rocky outcrops calling frequently and providing incredible scope views.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsAqe4Hx4jHfV2Uwua_2Bgm-xTMBuLMRmPZqQ2aK_U2MRV-zvZuFvmFGHDtPWZu8B0OTc_Q5pwVUg9TeDsDQtulE2jtg0anE9m03wimIfniI3Tkt0Mc91baojLBa1H3dCLNTZqvTgxBeM-INr7SZzws3AEbjSn6qJ3v-feqmjxLmjpaV1bMuPCszjeKtw/s1769/CS2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1363" data-original-width="1769" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsAqe4Hx4jHfV2Uwua_2Bgm-xTMBuLMRmPZqQ2aK_U2MRV-zvZuFvmFGHDtPWZu8B0OTc_Q5pwVUg9TeDsDQtulE2jtg0anE9m03wimIfniI3Tkt0Mc91baojLBa1H3dCLNTZqvTgxBeM-INr7SZzws3AEbjSn6qJ3v-feqmjxLmjpaV1bMuPCszjeKtw/w640-h494/CS2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsvTN3rUbfsEPlwQQqDRWQeO_AYaKpR744hupj8LF965WWOpGqMi9Lkc1DRqFCKRpkPkxyuS3HlTK0pW6qTeYiTXa1Myr_bqJWPWhVxFwHNJBlDyAMdwWk9EDlqyUslHckUH3yZRnDm6P986RRxU6HWqtjdTVYUoWmOfvSNDUdxWqXxUzMyGqpEApfMno/s3243/Snowfinch.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2375" data-original-width="3243" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsvTN3rUbfsEPlwQQqDRWQeO_AYaKpR744hupj8LF965WWOpGqMi9Lkc1DRqFCKRpkPkxyuS3HlTK0pW6qTeYiTXa1Myr_bqJWPWhVxFwHNJBlDyAMdwWk9EDlqyUslHckUH3yZRnDm6P986RRxU6HWqtjdTVYUoWmOfvSNDUdxWqXxUzMyGqpEApfMno/w640-h468/Snowfinch.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Birds were sparse here, but three <b>Asian crimson-winged finch</b>, three <b>red-fronted serin</b>, four <b>snowfinch</b>, groups of <b>red-billed chough</b> and the remarkable song of a distant <b>wallcreeper</b> made this excursion memorable on so many levels.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzlPjyC5EQMN1VcladpcEp_3VgsqnFHmo3X2zrvLjfKUTve64tgjNQ16WbN5uluDRmSNXBRfCugRD4w3dY7Eg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div>The sun appeared over the peaks and it felt slightly warmer. We eventually left at around 8.30am, both Basar and Peter feeling a little sorry for me, and headed back down the mountain bouncing off the scattered rocks. It was quite thrilling. On arrival at the Pension, I headed straight to bed gratefully looked after by Basar and his lovely mother. I hardly moved till the next morning.</div><div><br /></div><div><u>12th September 2023</u></div><div><br /></div><div>Remarkably I felt a lot better, having slept for pretty much the whole day and night, I jumped in the car and headed toward Gaziantep via Durnalik, another area much frequented by visiting birders. This area was great too with plenty on offer. <b>Alpine swift</b> in good numbers were powering through the valley with a few <b>red-rumped swallow</b> and <b>pallid swift.</b> <b>Common redstart </b>were conspicuous here with a couple of <b>spotted flycatcher</b>, two <b>sombre tit</b>, <b>woodchat shrike</b>, two <b>eastern black-eared wheatear</b>, <b>western rock nuthatch</b>, 15 <b>honey buzzard</b>,<b> black kite</b> and a single <b>eastern olivaceous warbler</b>. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaSRuKdkKxr899pX8UU2wEzHQkJDAkabbpqHoIZz4h905eoYYfhp6rwflYviz3T1ad7R5KACBKAwbVfMBwQqgkGKp-rPkvc2RDMJSOb-BXmtBIQ47_FIqDLfBCW6O7-M0Rp1k9oRQfl8Z1H1f3mKrZ1ZNgsV59Ck_j7qmRND51-vbR3th5tls-u9YSCmE/s1972/Alpine%20swift.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1590" data-original-width="1972" height="516" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaSRuKdkKxr899pX8UU2wEzHQkJDAkabbpqHoIZz4h905eoYYfhp6rwflYviz3T1ad7R5KACBKAwbVfMBwQqgkGKp-rPkvc2RDMJSOb-BXmtBIQ47_FIqDLfBCW6O7-M0Rp1k9oRQfl8Z1H1f3mKrZ1ZNgsV59Ck_j7qmRND51-vbR3th5tls-u9YSCmE/w640-h516/Alpine%20swift.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu_DEFnLgPU0pd_Nam0rLriE9cU8S1GZZ1b5YZ5_qU5aVWr_dGntvDU9dDdhipEw03S9s5gERULC6L5OvueaksftnkBemTWTEAGpX1NZuD1XTc2ZBI3pq_El8o7k38FB9GrGAwJAVooCyD49Rfo4BSIAT5a7C6CWVauGCImq7s2kXdqF4fRW311T2hG5s/w640-h438/eastern%20BEW.JPG" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmCXzUNE5sDU49UQwNkk6NwdUvYL_MKY_deoqzy1WBzTd_j7TZ5WTGVf6-7ECDRx4BjskNt3jMqPL_gnirXF9_xBVUzgmmd8OLKMVFJXXzQOTJ1ONkzdl2-UF88DL1FlSUhkBg-m-yiA8zqTxGsanz6WL3za3RS2kY-QgnATlYnyfOuQ4XCg_v1YxH6MI/s2046/woodchat%20shrike2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1404" data-original-width="2046" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmCXzUNE5sDU49UQwNkk6NwdUvYL_MKY_deoqzy1WBzTd_j7TZ5WTGVf6-7ECDRx4BjskNt3jMqPL_gnirXF9_xBVUzgmmd8OLKMVFJXXzQOTJ1ONkzdl2-UF88DL1FlSUhkBg-m-yiA8zqTxGsanz6WL3za3RS2kY-QgnATlYnyfOuQ4XCg_v1YxH6MI/w640-h440/woodchat%20shrike2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhonfh2Xe1F-tnPTnpbQLu0grsF3G7YI4h9Gn51MLi0F-WbMBLTXq4FRlXvompp9r-oJ1oWqs2xprQm08Z5ZGC7L-lQu2lp-8M430AJP6fNzlLlR37xRGm0wmR-rX_-7g0B4HkodOmOvZ7IVIsKS_K9y-bJCZM1HSLUsDjCe26N6ro-oGp62nt6Lfpg63s/s3866/20230912_170458.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2899" data-original-width="3866" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhonfh2Xe1F-tnPTnpbQLu0grsF3G7YI4h9Gn51MLi0F-WbMBLTXq4FRlXvompp9r-oJ1oWqs2xprQm08Z5ZGC7L-lQu2lp-8M430AJP6fNzlLlR37xRGm0wmR-rX_-7g0B4HkodOmOvZ7IVIsKS_K9y-bJCZM1HSLUsDjCe26N6ro-oGp62nt6Lfpg63s/w640-h480/20230912_170458.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6BprVT10PNcqNjiCdrTjB8GZvWvcjXfn7YD8xgdlkgCSflwjWnggcbIQ_9oaPMhbPkIGw9hYuZBMgppuc_InAUFRkLb0pKYJLu46D8l72q3y71Cx77EU_uUKN3oLxlHDAMYfmEh62mVxqbBzEGSSrXSKB_nKHO1Lv7-L1Cqzn3ZUrjRydxXUrHUyuz1c/s4000/20230912_153444.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6BprVT10PNcqNjiCdrTjB8GZvWvcjXfn7YD8xgdlkgCSflwjWnggcbIQ_9oaPMhbPkIGw9hYuZBMgppuc_InAUFRkLb0pKYJLu46D8l72q3y71Cx77EU_uUKN3oLxlHDAMYfmEh62mVxqbBzEGSSrXSKB_nKHO1Lv7-L1Cqzn3ZUrjRydxXUrHUyuz1c/w640-h480/20230912_153444.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><u>13th September 2023</u></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Basar had put me in touch with Mustafa. Based in Birecik and working with the bald ibis colony there, and with his exceptional knowledge of sites and species in the area, we met at 6am and headed first to the park where a very showy and austere <b><span style="color: red;">pallid scops owl</span></b> stared down at me. Absolutely brilliant.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjVEsNH1R60lbdGdelUeWfh0UorI6ptHIfZmcJ1tKjsW2pcTSN8_3p6Lo-ABFpw9Wupa7KMvJPED0Mx2RlYixr0myPQKPPxud_P6CyxnH07qaw-z6A7H5rYnYoluCZX-zS_15vB0mFEc5gTJk3lCgREyCTK3MGhzkB1jKxyb6MINz2hCH_4ePjVuqAY0M/s4263/Pallid%20scops2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3195" data-original-width="4263" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjVEsNH1R60lbdGdelUeWfh0UorI6ptHIfZmcJ1tKjsW2pcTSN8_3p6Lo-ABFpw9Wupa7KMvJPED0Mx2RlYixr0myPQKPPxud_P6CyxnH07qaw-z6A7H5rYnYoluCZX-zS_15vB0mFEc5gTJk3lCgREyCTK3MGhzkB1jKxyb6MINz2hCH_4ePjVuqAY0M/w640-h480/Pallid%20scops2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg22JgV6GQ-XO-gi9joKY2iXjUM4wAOOhmrklVuGz9bgulXdtevOdwQEtA0-ZQc-oEMNrQonUJHhAWtQnkmVFNYzXoNfh1XPFBvJXIp5FGFNXJmJWS57iKGtCuF8ZLJMiY3KTu1qdjZoKOkIeZRrGG90mcQTPvPZE1bER5g8krMNh4sc2S-uO547L4RG-o/s4598/Pallid%20scops.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3235" data-original-width="4598" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg22JgV6GQ-XO-gi9joKY2iXjUM4wAOOhmrklVuGz9bgulXdtevOdwQEtA0-ZQc-oEMNrQonUJHhAWtQnkmVFNYzXoNfh1XPFBvJXIp5FGFNXJmJWS57iKGtCuF8ZLJMiY3KTu1qdjZoKOkIeZRrGG90mcQTPvPZE1bER5g8krMNh4sc2S-uO547L4RG-o/w640-h450/Pallid%20scops.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We picked up some pastries and headed to a wetland south of Birecik. There was a lot of interest here, most notably at least six <b><span style="color: red;">Iraq babbler</span></b> clambering along the phragmites at reasonably close range.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxu3br-THFTQ5AgdVlLmUaBZoWx78JF55xikhs4AdDszS8YER-1MV6IeAgXMWI8KXluQu2JgahEN4Swyr40cLmPr0TXlZf07gYtZGa6pr9ZBk14BWMqfjKlEe1aZoPyNq81YdZP1MwKRSDhyfedH0cJpFlfaudPDK9K5w_qwa-ysuhIsv4g2P-KuQsWzU/s2082/iraq%20babbler1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2082" data-original-width="1978" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxu3br-THFTQ5AgdVlLmUaBZoWx78JF55xikhs4AdDszS8YER-1MV6IeAgXMWI8KXluQu2JgahEN4Swyr40cLmPr0TXlZf07gYtZGa6pr9ZBk14BWMqfjKlEe1aZoPyNq81YdZP1MwKRSDhyfedH0cJpFlfaudPDK9K5w_qwa-ysuhIsv4g2P-KuQsWzU/w608-h640/iraq%20babbler1.JPG" width="608" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_by13H-FrRRRTXK9cgFYLwrzc1id2Cb10VJVFpC7-Pm4LG4H-j62xRqcwIj2FFaJC72MiFWYe8ef5k0H7tyubcWQ30zfvsaE8A8fGCkBYxD-c7pjgYSUtvQZ9QC3655whXZBJS-eHUi807eLqu_lDLnhvxWXXyBOmktaN8NsHZwg9-70a9KBE6WM_jE0/s2907/iraq%20babbler2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2064" data-original-width="2907" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_by13H-FrRRRTXK9cgFYLwrzc1id2Cb10VJVFpC7-Pm4LG4H-j62xRqcwIj2FFaJC72MiFWYe8ef5k0H7tyubcWQ30zfvsaE8A8fGCkBYxD-c7pjgYSUtvQZ9QC3655whXZBJS-eHUi807eLqu_lDLnhvxWXXyBOmktaN8NsHZwg9-70a9KBE6WM_jE0/w640-h454/iraq%20babbler2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS_KOiOFJ4hg5aTRQu_k22lpfacRl_HQ4Y9Xj967Ee-LLvj2sJYz2lN_ecRbYi-zaS-j6EpJ4NvuHbM_ojlupRL9PLQMp2QqOn_z6boSRNU4tR74wWgUhoI2kCxeDSudgxe5sguuT-q-2GVK-hQOpYH-QhmzHGSLAP8scQvQZ1ZQHGS7yofFQCyFn_R1Q/s2814/iraq%20babbler3.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1658" data-original-width="2814" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS_KOiOFJ4hg5aTRQu_k22lpfacRl_HQ4Y9Xj967Ee-LLvj2sJYz2lN_ecRbYi-zaS-j6EpJ4NvuHbM_ojlupRL9PLQMp2QqOn_z6boSRNU4tR74wWgUhoI2kCxeDSudgxe5sguuT-q-2GVK-hQOpYH-QhmzHGSLAP8scQvQZ1ZQHGS7yofFQCyFn_R1Q/w640-h378/iraq%20babbler3.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The margins of the wetland held <b><span style="color: red;">menetries warbler</span></b>, <b>desert finch</b>, <b>grey-headed swamphen</b>, <b>white-winged tern</b>, <b>pygmy cormorant</b>, <b>common kingfisher</b>, <b>pied kingfisher</b>, <b>graceful prinia </b>and <b>red-backed shrike.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkpgnIsNtyMaJfCZd1wyw-zhPoR1m02aVIWfAsBNGyHQXiZ5qZL0p_HmkkteP--BsXoFa2pYkQbsp_zJ1EnyY0Tin7pCf4scyTL4YPcC2fJZXzJ-xzNHwmqw65Ajs68sZeNwCe0_JhW4jH4paCRD2p-uUXwrNMyFZXqjQ7P_qjeFguS16d-NKIFp9q5HA/s4199/purple%20swamphen.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2757" data-original-width="4199" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkpgnIsNtyMaJfCZd1wyw-zhPoR1m02aVIWfAsBNGyHQXiZ5qZL0p_HmkkteP--BsXoFa2pYkQbsp_zJ1EnyY0Tin7pCf4scyTL4YPcC2fJZXzJ-xzNHwmqw65Ajs68sZeNwCe0_JhW4jH4paCRD2p-uUXwrNMyFZXqjQ7P_qjeFguS16d-NKIFp9q5HA/w640-h420/purple%20swamphen.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHny0SNrf99-ooD6jEtMNCf2VMkLdXSzO8Tl8Va-HNAzuxkWRistMfAMu-xfWo3PdmZNlWzs3ILpoPjup70bd_GS3OwA0l2tJXzv3trxiDqLBwCCh-xrYJ7AWi51FXJPYWrma7FYeuvFC28fVu07J19JBMEO-Y6qgy289M36AZmMofy2WTuYoG_4H-iIg/s2594/pygmy%20cormorant1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2508" data-original-width="2594" height="618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHny0SNrf99-ooD6jEtMNCf2VMkLdXSzO8Tl8Va-HNAzuxkWRistMfAMu-xfWo3PdmZNlWzs3ILpoPjup70bd_GS3OwA0l2tJXzv3trxiDqLBwCCh-xrYJ7AWi51FXJPYWrma7FYeuvFC28fVu07J19JBMEO-Y6qgy289M36AZmMofy2WTuYoG_4H-iIg/w640-h618/pygmy%20cormorant1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_r1GCroPTPjabCnc2AFC2V1ZRBAqW6_Zl6DhfeLBkozfIr_HRvmJM4eYogzlOVa2qZq88zGi3ueIRhzUtGMf06nPy2yLEoMXVpfFy1-ZMziLrp7Ir12VMdccdSBuQqV2xDSNJprdFzMnHP6edngstY2CY1P1PTCc6iFnFZB9XOmsYlP5j2bSfbdMFd0Q/s4000/20230913_111159.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_r1GCroPTPjabCnc2AFC2V1ZRBAqW6_Zl6DhfeLBkozfIr_HRvmJM4eYogzlOVa2qZq88zGi3ueIRhzUtGMf06nPy2yLEoMXVpfFy1-ZMziLrp7Ir12VMdccdSBuQqV2xDSNJprdFzMnHP6edngstY2CY1P1PTCc6iFnFZB9XOmsYlP5j2bSfbdMFd0Q/w640-h480/20230913_111159.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>It was a brilliant day spending time with Mustafa - a total of 14 hours spent out on site. Tiring but unforgettable.</div><div><br /></div><div>A truly awesome place and one that I will surely be visiting again.</div><br /><b><u>Bird List - 9th to 14th September 2023</u></b><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Eurasian teal </b>- small flocks at marshes south of Birecik</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Red-crested pochard</b> - 1 female along Euphrates river</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Black francolin</b> - 1 scampered across our path at marshes south of Birecik</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red;">Caspian snowcock</span></b> - the sites and sounds of this enigmatic bird with 4 seen at the Chromium mines</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red;">See-see partridge</span> </b>- 1 flushed from track east of Biricek</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Chukar partridge</b> - common and widespread particularly at the Elim Valley</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>European nightjar</b> - at least 3 on drive up to the Chromium mines</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Common swift</b> - passing through the valley Durnalik</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Pallid swift</b> - passing through the valley Durnalik</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Alpine swift</b> - passing through the valley Durnalik</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Little swift</b> - at least 8 along cliffs near to the Ibis Centre</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Woodpigeon</b> - seen regularly</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Turtle dove</b> - one flew through Durnalik</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Collared dove</b> - common and widespread</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Laughing dove</b> - common and widespread</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbRfC0g2fWawHwng4c_0yFUuzt7UiLJ4HpqJK97XoHaKdFNfSxrBayqdNqeCpeVqvTT79Egja_ekYRS0b0VIjlOdslEZghWOPRNULx_FuQUtggLlOldctCoa5XvMsClknWXRxiP3LKWTuM2pgwBmngxR11aBIDcnTQgwGXKgrvZm_0tyJbpjajefkHFE4/w640-h442/Laughing%20dove.JPG" /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Moorhen</b> - seen at the gravel pits and marshes south of Birecik</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Coot</b> - seen at the gravel pits and marshes south of Birecik</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Grey-headed swamphen</b> - 1 at the marshes south of Birecik</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Little grebe</b> - 1 at the gravel pits</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Spur-winged lapwing</b> - at least a dozen associating with the ibis spp. at the gravel pits</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red;">Red-wattled lapwing</span></b> - two at a site south of Sanliurfa</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Green sandpiper</b> - two along Euphrates, two at the gravel pits, and three at site south of Sanliurfa</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Black-headed gull</b> - two along Euphrates</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Yellow-legged gull</b> - Small groups along Euphrates</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Whiskered tern</b> - 1 along Euphrates</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVIA4Jru7nAYDCzWXa8j7gg2X43UYQAlSzW9JMpkS84YLn4rRU_025WUnZRJerRFD_j5IH7bosXLxv8ZOvVm9Q0TZMjuELR1GJGXtrU-QpaxAlK5P6tlKUK3skVj33JN67g-JQjnkO8gRvh4vO6DbgCmaZTyGuh0OK5xCN09az9-7hYqpCUPD-msR9esE/w640-h426/IMG_1389.JPG" /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Black tern</b> - two seen at marshes south of Birecik</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>White-winged tern</b> - at least six along Euphrates</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVlzADzAezcwdymutpnvh-On6pN9lfASh4RrZkVIwca8_87v7-oF1GWqlaJhzSxrfIEWR_4n-h_MDerNAY_qE6BVHFEWcU5hla41zhOo4aBoIQyhQcKbzJJLu0lamLWzZeDybnLZxU3gP6Nb-7fsL20WblxLyJKzmMOs_AcixLwLJYT7dxW8EAxh_Uul0/w640-h426/IMG_1379.JPG" /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Pygmy cormorant</b> - two along Euphrates and one at marshes south of Birecik</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiFMMB0XX2AmKKHb6AwHyAEVe_H4ytRpkqTM-VjIj4rY2K2CV-9K6It2JtagLGm_AQ-UIzFOEpL9FaJbQqaPFyPFeA4TVkpRSdFYqXLXXhYArRtlKeag6fX75NPXOrhpY6BDGXGBxWaXHSVgdgY3uFLjNbW4QccitIQAFZXySrJ51ZJeR6nDwm4JfDCs8/w640-h438/pygmy%20cormorant.JPG" /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Northern bald ibis</b> - decent group at gravel pits including one with geolocator</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNT_KQy8PQJnRrpLirOGPQr8vhF_bo9wVjYzyI47jJ3qzFYatA5alTilOT_0Ta6g9kqIMc8DoTzyEmAmX3n5DoAi-Ya794BvgcKYB8sh6d65PrK_Of5mWFpAvHTPPlyiJ30Y30sEoZBphw0-KVyeZKtfzgAF0cJiT067wFwRBYq2fV55z55dSvzFV5s_g/w640-h424/Bald%20ibis.JPG" /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Glossy ibis</b> - small group associating with northern bald ibis at the gravel pits</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Cattle egret - </b>1 flying over the gravel pits</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Little egret - </b>4 at the gravel pits</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Squacco heron </b>- two along Euphrates</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUk1j7Gk4bPBJCQykvR63UN8ctxbtD-kPzN7e0WghQrlE0mWz7sJm_CrJTSp_cyLg3u9zyOGhREJqVqRPyB0lK_VZUIPX5Pu3-e_cPMiMsRFRyPKiqozxIeKjMC3INjRg8g-a3SOCCWOlWIOfhB3ICSmt8lSk0YOjZRZiZ99QZwKKd7jOzfYVI9-ceMlM/w640-h456/squacco%20heron.JPG" /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Black kite</b> - one flew over Durnalik</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Long-legged buzzard</b> - one at see-see partridge site</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Honey Buzzard </b>- 15 flew over Durnalik</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red;">Pallid scops owl</span></b> - my bird of the trip with at least one in gardens at Birecik</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Hoopoe</b> - three at the gravel pits and one in the Elim Valley</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Common kingfisher</b> - at least one at the marshes</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Pied kingfisher</b> - at least one at the gravel pits and one at the marshes</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>European bee-eater</b> - decent groups seen throughout the trip. Generally widespread.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Syrian woodpecker</b> - at least three seen at various locations</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Wryneck</b> - one in the Elim Valley</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Common kestrel</b> - one at the gravel pits and another at site south of Sanliurfa</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Lesser grey shrike</b> - one at the gravel pits</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Woodchat shrike</b> - one at the gravel pits and another at Durnalik</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQU6hQ2ilLo3XQnE-2E8yLu_plG1VmdT6_HHrJYH9Lev5JU7oD4yub2GC0ZQL4NwIZugN5sMrnsfesgBOOOLkpbRfQj_V35kQaVCiSb1R9jfy8URmIA1qjZ-yYeU9crDJLXv9OTBIdEH8C8xWXZfLrd8JFD2NJvO58F-STCNc0tIh2FK74ZDpTwRgHs1E/w640-h472/woodchat%20shrike.JPG" /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Red-backed shrike</b> - a few seen, generally widespread.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Jay</b> - one at the cemetery</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Magpie</b> - 1 at Biricek gravel pits</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Hooded crow</b> - common and widespread</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Northern raven</b> - seen at the Chromium mines</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Red-billed Chough</b> - decent groups at the Chromium mines and the Elim Valley</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Sombre tit</b> - two at Durnalik</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Great tit</b> - two at Durnalik</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Crested lark</b> - reasonably widespread</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Sand martin</b> - small groups at the gravel pits</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Crag martin</b> - a few birds passing through Elim Valley</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Barn Swallow</b> - relatively common in the area</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>House martin</b> - seen at the marshes south of Birecik</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Red-rumped swallow</b> - seen at the marshes and passing through Durnalik</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Eurasian starling</b> - reasonably widespread</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Willow warbler</b> - at least ten in the Elim Valley</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Chiffchaff</b> - present in the Elim Valley</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Common whitethroat</b> - two in the Elim Valley</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Lesser whitethroat</b> - five in the Elim Valley</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Great reed warbler</b> - two at marshes south of Birecik</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Eastern olivaceous warbler</b> - one at Durnalik</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Delicate prinia</b> - at least three at marshes south of Birecik</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Blackcap</b> - one at the Elim Valley</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red;">Menetries warbler</span></b> - at least five at marshes south of Birecik</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red;">Iraq babbler</span></b> - at least five at marshes south of Birecik</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Western rock nuthatch</b> - common in particularly in the Elim Valley</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red;">Eastern rock nuthatch</span></b> - one in the Elim Valley, two more along Euphrates north of Birecik</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Wallcreeper</b> - one heard singing at the Chromium mines</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Blackbird</b> - seen in the Elim Valley and Durnalik</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Spotted flycatcher</b> - two at Durnalik and one at the marshes</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Black redstart</b> - present in the Elim Valley and Chromium mines</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Common redstart</b> - reasonable common in the Elim Valley and Durnalik</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Whinchat</b> - at least four on plains en route to Elim Valley</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Eurasian Stonechat</b> - two in Elim Valley</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Northern wheatear</b> - widespread in the area</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Eastern black-eared wheatear</b> - two at Durnalik</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Finsch's wheatear</b> - at least five males in valley en route to site near Sanliurfa</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>White-winged snowfinch</b> - at least four at Chromium mines</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>House sparrow</b> - common and widespread</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red;">Dead-sea sparrow</span></b> - one male singing at the cemetery</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>White wagtail</b> - a few seen in the area</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red;">Asian crimson-winged finch</span></b> - at least three at the Chromium mines</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Linnet</b> - a few at the Elim Valley</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Goldfinch</b> - in trees at site north of Birecik</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Eurasian Serin</b> - seen near OzSafak Pensyon</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Red-fronted serin</b> - at least three in flight at Chromium mines</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Desert finch</b> - adults and juveniles at the marshes</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Rock bunting</b> - Frequent at the Elim Valley</p></div>randombirderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05534485227575273160noreply@blogger.com0