An adult male Green-winged Teal arrived at Burton Mere Wetlands RSPB yesterday afternon. Presumably, the same bird which had been at Frodsham for the last few weeks. With news of it still being present late morning, I made my way over there.
When I arrived the Green-winged Teal was on view from Reception. After moving outside & sorting myself out I relocated the bird just as it was settling down for a bit of a nap.
Since seeing my first in Yorkshire in1973, this American species has become a lot more frequent & although there have been many records (over twenty) in Cheshire & Wirral, this was my first locally.
BBC Radio Norfolk broadcast 13th December 2015. Previously broadcast 8th December 2015. Interview by Matthew Gudgin.
Local wildlife expert Peter Walton discusses his life, career and favourite music. The Beatles - Penny Lane (Parlophone) The Rolling Stones - Gimme Shelter (Decca) Genesis - The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway (Charisma) Joni Mitchell - Coyote (Asylum) Ronnie Laws - Always There (Blue Note) Neil Young - On The Beach (Reprise)
"When
Alan Haven first mentioned the idea of this record to me, my immediate
reaction was "Marvellous - about time". When later he played me the
actual recordings, my reaction was absolute amazement. All I could do
was splutter words like 'fabulous', 'unbelievable'. My further reaction
was disbelief that these sounds were made by a human, until Alan pointed
out the silent backgrounds, the lack of any other birds calling, the
absence of any wind noise or indeed, any of the other multitude of
extraneous noises attendant upon recordings made in the field. Add to
all these the ever-so-subtle but, nevertheless, noticeable exaggerations
in the calls and it at once becomes apparent that this is a
studio-engineered recording, made entirely by people, but people with a
very healthy knowledge of birds and particularly of bird sound. This it
is, that makes this product so fabulously unique.
"In fifty years
of watching and listening to birds, and in particular the waders, I can
quite honestly say that this is one of the most exciting and invaluable
ideas to happen to bird-watching. How I wish we had had such a help in
the old days! The time I would have saved in knowing my birds by ear -
because in this recording all that knowledge is readily available. The
calls of the birds are clearly and simply demonstrated by jake Ward. A
gentle giant of a man with an amazing ear. Gentle for the birds that is,
but woebetide any potential egg-collector or pther disturber of the
birds that crosses Jake's path. It is then he becomes a very angry
giant, indeed. Many is the time he has sat an all-night watch over the
reserve, damp and cold, to guard rare breeding birds and their eggs.
"The
sounds are explained by Bryan Bland. A most happy choice, for here is a
man well-versed in passing on knowledge to others and able to do it in a
thorough and yet totally interesting manner. The stamp of the master
teacher; equally caring and concerned for the birds and living in Cley
because of them.
"Finally, all our thanks must go to another
ardent conservationist, Alan Haven, the man who first dreamed up the
idea, put it into practice and brought it to fruition. A musician by
profession who has also chosen to live and work near the birds here on
the north Norfolk coast. He it is who developed the special recording
techniques that make this whole concept work so well, and working
closely with Jake Ward and Bryan Bland, has created a team that has
given to ornithology a completely new sound method.
"It is always
exciting to witness the introduction of something new and different,
and I believe this to be a most outstanding contribution to the art of
bird recognition. I can only hope that this is the forerunner of a whole
series of records, for it fills admirably, what has always been a large
gap in our learning material. I am both proud and grateful for the
opportunity to be associated with it by writing these sleeve notes. I
only hope I do it credit, for it is truly an amazing piece of work."
W. F. Bishop 42 years Warden of the Norfolk Naturalists Trust's world famous reserve at Cley, Norfolk.
The eleventh record for the UK of Crag Martin was found by local birder Roy Frost on Sunday 8th November at Chesterfield, whizzing around St. Mary & All Saints church in the town centre. Apart from one record of three days at Flamborough in Spring 2014, all the other records have been one day birds.
I wasn't able to go on Sunday & when there was negative news on Wednesday it wasn't really much of a surprise. However, after no news on Thursday a report emerged on Friday morning that the bird had been seen on Thursday. This report was then classed as erroneous, but only a few minutes later the bird had been reported again! I phoned Kenny Dummigan in the evening to see if he'd already seen the bird & if not was he interested? He hadn't & he was!
Although we'd originally decided to wait on news, Kenny phoned me early Saturday morning & we agreed to go before any information was released. News emerged just before our arrival in Chesterfield of the bird being present & we arrived on site shortly after 11am. We could see the Crag Martin from the car zipping around the "Crooked Spire" as we drove past the ranks of assembled birders, frantically looking for somewhere to park. Kenny stopped the car briefly so we could get decent views, before parking up.
The Crooked Spire
Initially we were on the good side of the church for the light, but the bird kept more to the other side, so we changed our position & were able to watch continuously for quite a while as the bird performed its acrobatics virtually overhead. It was tough to keep on the bird as it sped about before disappearing for about half an hour. Another show before disappearing again shortly before midday. At this point we set off back home.
A small part of the crowd at the Crag Martin twitch
The Crag Martin did land on the church, as illustrated in this photo by Steven Nuttall. Most of the time it was flying about at great speed with sudden changes of direction & very difficult to follow let alone photograph, but many photos were obtained including this one by Andy Butler & this one by Tony Davison.
The second record for the UK of Wilson's Warbler, a male, was found by resident birder Tony Marr & visiting birder Roy Dennis at Port Nis, Isle of Lewis on 13th October 2015. The only other UK record was a male at Rame Head, Cornwall on 13th October 1985, a one day bird. There was another in Ireland, a first-winter male at Dursey Island from 18th to 21st September 2013.
Arrangements had already been made for my departure from Shetland. A hugely enjoyable month overall with lots of great birds & birding, although no new birds in the second half. Since news broke on Tuesday I was pondering how I could best make the journey home via the Outer Hebrides?
As the Friday night boat departed Lerwick several birders collected on deck to see what birds were about. Not much was seen & dusk was rapidly approaching. Talk inevitably turned to the Wilson's Warbler. Four birders from Manchester I'd met a few times recently at Hoswick, Quendale & Gulberwick were aboard & it soon became clear that only one of them, Andy Makin from Wigan, could make the trip to Lewis since the other three had to return home, as planned. One of the others arrived on deck with another birder I recognised as having seen about, Gavin Peplow from Worcestershire. Gavin was going to Lewis, had a car & was keen on a couple of companions! I was in immediately!!! Andy had to think about it for a while, but decided to go with Gavin & myself.
There were a few options to consider. The boat docked at Aberdeen 7am Saturday, but the boat from Ullapool to Stornaway sailed at 10.30am, not giving us enought time to make the journey from Aberdeen to Ullapool. The next boat sailed from Ullapool at 6.30pm, which would mean we wouldn't be in a position to see the bird until Sunday morning. We also discussed the possibility of flying from Inverness & hiring a car.
We made our way westwards from Aberdeen on Saturday morning under a clear blue, sunny sky. It was a gorgeous day. When news arrived of the bird still being there we all felt the necessity of seeing it this day & not the next, so we quickly agreed flying from Inverness at 12.10pm & being on site early afternoon was the best option.
Navigating websites on my phone trying to find flight info proved tricky, so I phoned instead. Whilst waiting a few official messages played, one of which stated that without a photo ID boarding a plane was not possible. This was confirmed when I did get through & was also informed seats were available. Gulp! I didn't have any photo ID with me! Gavin & Andy both had photo ID. We racked our brains for a solution. I even tried phoning work to see if they could send me anything, but was told it's Saturday so no one's in the office, d'oh! Gavin suggested using a photo booth & inserting a photo with my driving licence, an old green paper one, might be worth a go. It was a plan! We stopped at the next superstore (of which there seem to be quite a few in Scotland) & put the plan into effect.
Upon arrival at Inverness airport, I asked if my photo ID was sufficient? Although initially saying it shouldn't be a problem, after consultation turned out it was a problem & wasn't acceptable. I asked to speak with the person who'd been spoken to & as instructed, waited in the check-in queue for a while. Apart from the photo & driving licence I produced a pdf of the receipt from the Lerwick to Aberdeen ferry which confirmed my address, then also pulled out a couple of plastic cards on request. A phone call to a manager resulted in my photo ID deemed acceptable. Phew! We then had to go through all the palaver of moving the car to a different car park whilst collecting our stuff, purchasing our tickets & departure lounge search, so managed to make the flight as it was boarding. At Stornaway we hired a small car for 24hrs & arrived on site around 2pm. As "Hannibal" Smith used to say, "I love it when a plan comes together."
The Wilson's Warbler was on view pretty much as soon as we arrived. However, sightings were brief so it took a while to gain adequate views in the cover behind Tony Marr's house. I hadn't had time to acquaint myself with the site when the bird darted over into next door's back garden. All the birders present rushed around into the garden. Realising I would be right at the back I didn't bother & waited for a reappearance outside the garden. Eventually, it did reappear for brief views. By this time many birders had departed, having gained good views in the garden, so I resolved to wait in the garden opposite the bird's favoured apple trees
After a short wait the Wilson's Warbler suddenly appeared in the tree just behind my left shoulder a few feet away & quickly darted into the apple trees. Absolutely superb views were obtained. The nearer apple tree was too close for me to focus on, so every time it was in the near tree I had to wait until it returned to the far tree to view through bins. Everyone in the garden was absolutely quiet. The only sound was the repeated machine gun like bursts from one of the cameras present.
Tony Marr provided excellent hospitality with tea, coffee & biscuits. Having partaken of hospitality & chatted with Tony about his amazing find, we departed for Stornoway & a search for our night's lodgings. Having tried a few places en route, we stumbled on the Caladh Inn on James Street, which was reasonable & pleasant with good food. Restaurant, licensed & all-you-can-eat breakfast, with nice shower.
We returned to Port Nis the following morning, but the bird had gone. Our scheduled return flight on Sunday wasn't due to leave until 3pm, so we birded a few areas including the bay close to the airport where we saw loads of Long-tailed Ducks, several Black-throated Divers & a Great Northern Diver.
The flight was repeatedly delayed until we boarded a flight which was going on to Glasgow five hours late! We arrived back at Inverness shortly before 9pm & set off south. Gavin & Andy dropped me off in Wigan shortly before 5am. I had a while to wait until the first train to Liverpool just after 6am, which arrived about 7am. Another short wait for the first bus over the river at 7.30am & I was home by 8am.
There's quite a few photos online of the Wilson's Warbler, but these are two of my favourites: this one by Matthew Eade which I'd whip out on my phone for anyone interested & this one by Tony Dixon.
Thanks to Tony Marr & his neighbour for allowing birders into his back garden. Big thanks to Gavin for all the driving & to both he & Andy for the pleasant company. Having to overcome some difficulties in order to see the target bird can often make the sighting that much sweeter, which was indeed so in this case. Video by Pete Hines.
Since I'd failed to see any Bluethroats on the trip so far, news of one at Gulberwick had me heading over there. Following the instructions, I was looking for a phone box! Having spotted the target, as I pulled in to park by the Kirk, another car was just pulling out. Of course, they were birders. Very kindly, they waited for me to park & get out of the car, then informed me the bird had been chased by a Robin out of the garden it had been giving good views in & they'd lost it in the garden about 50yds back down the hill towards the Kirk.
I wandered up to the original garden & no sign, so I strolled back to the other garden. As I came round the back at the southerly edge of the garden I saw a movement in the undergrowth. The Bluethroat was very close, at times too close to focus on. I followed it round, edging ahead & gained cracking views when it hopped out into the open onto the lawn for several minutes.
A crew from Manchester arrived & also had good views. One of them managed to pick out a Great Grey Shrike, which had been in the area, characteristically perched atop trees some distance away, my third of the trip after birds at Quendale & Swinister.
Photo courtesy Paul Wilson
Friday was my final day on Shetland & I spent it locally around Hoswick, Swinister & Leebitten, At the last location I found a Tree Sparrow in the House Sparrow flock.
I booked my travel arrangements home last week; boat on the Friday night & train on the Saturday morning. However, with news of Britain's second Wilson's Warbler on Lewis in the Outer Hebrides breaking on Tuesday & the bird still being present, after a couple of days of pondering, it looked like I might have to bin the train ticket & take the hit as part of the cost of going to Lewis.
A Siberian Stonechat had been found at Quendale the previous day & was still present so, I decided to pop over there to try & see it.
When I arrived there were a few birders tracking the Siberian Stonechat along the wall between the dam & the mill. It was on view pretty much the whole time I was there covering the same area, providing some excellent views.
Photo courtesy Paul Wilson
I took a trip around Spiggie Loch on the way out & saw the long-staying Little Egret. A visit to Hoswick produced an adult Goldfinch.
A Dusky Warbler was found at Sanick, not far from my lodgings, on Sunday morning. I visited the area on Sunday afternoon with no joy. Since it was close I repeatedly popped in & eventually saw the bird on Monday evening on my fifth attempt!
As the wind died down & the sun came out on Monday afternoon, I made my way back to base via Sanick. There were only three other birders on site, visiting birders Andy Williams & Al McNee and local birder Jim Nicholson. I'd only been there a few minutes chatting with Al & Jim, when Andy signalled he had the bird a short distance away in the middle of the village near the start of a weedy bank which ran away from the small burn. The three of us hurried around & we all had brief, repeated views as the Dusky Warbler made its way along the bank calling. I moved around to the other end of the bank & the bird made its way toward me, flicked over to a small weedy area behind one of the houses & dived into a small Sycamore in the corner. The other three joined me & we had good views as the bird moved about the bush, still calling frequently. Eventually, it flew into one of the gardens a short distance away & we lost it.
Photo courtesy Andy Williams
We all four departed with happy smiles. I was feeling rather buoyant & reckoned I had enough time before dusk to walk along the track (which runs alongside a ditch) at Leebitten, checking the Iris beds. Beyond the lines of Iris beds at the end of the track there’s a couple of small, isolated beds, towards which I strolled.
I was suddenly aware of a bird disappearing into the next to last Iris bed, about 30yds away. Initial impression was of a small green & white bird, Phylloscopus warbler size. I edged a bit closer & the bird popped up, but this time I did get bins on it, if only for a couple of tenths of a second. I’d had an impression of something I wasn’t quite sure about, but it excited me. I was really expecting Chiffchaff, Yellow-browed Warbler or Goldcrest, all of which I’d being seeing a lot of during the preceding weeks & which fitted size-wise. I edged closer to within about 20yds & the bird popped up again. I had a clear view of the head: gold crown-stripe bordered black, with prominent white supercillium & black eye-stripe. As I waited for the bird to show itself again I concluded it could be nothing else but a Firecrest. I only saw the bird well a couple more times. The bright patch on the side of the neck looked golden-tinged & was also very obvious. The gold rather than yellow crown-stripe indicated an adult male.
I continued to try & get more views, but the Firecrest became increasingly difficult to see, always remaining in the same, small Iris bed. It then stopped completely, so assuming it had gone to roost I departed. I did return the next morning, but no sign of the bird.
It was only subsequently chatting with a couple of local birders, I realised Firecrest is a very good local bird. When I submitted the record officially I was asked to send in a description because Firecrest is, "...rarer than Olive-backed Pipit & Blyth's Reed Warbler on Shetland."
On Sunday I failed to see a Barred Warbler at Channerwick after walking all the way over there. I caught the bus into Lerwick on Monday morning & hired a car for the remainder of my stay.
I popped down to Quendale & though I didn't see the long-staying Bluethroat there, I did see a Great Grey Shrike quite well. I also saw a very accomodating Lapland Bunting at Sumburgh, next to the lower car park. Photo by Yoav Perlman.
Sumburgh Lighthouse viewing north from trig point
I didn't venture out at all on Tuesday & only briefly on Wednesday, due to the weather conditions. However, south-easterlies & rain boded well.
Orca Country Inn, Hoswick
I spent the next four days around the Sandwick/Hoswick/Swinister area. In the grounds of the Orca Country Inn at Hoswick there's a large area of cover, more in the surrounding gardens. The footpath between Hoswick & Swinister also has a lot of cover. There was an obvious influx of birds on Thursday morning. Highlights included brilliant, close, prolonged views of a Barred Warbler at the entrance to the Orca Hotel.Saw this bird again but a bit further away on the following Sunday. Pied Flycatcher here also. Great Grey Shrike at Swinister as well as Brambling. Good numbers of Yellow-browed Warblers all over the place. A good supporting cast of Chiffchaffs, Willow Warbler, Blackcaps, Garden Warbler & Goldcrests.
Although nothing major turned up, a very enjoyable few days & especially catching up with a Barred Warbler after failing to see a couple of others.
Saturday with no transport, since Dave was now staying at Toab, I decided to catch the bus into Lerwick & try again for an Olive-backed Pipit which had turned up the day before. We'd been at Wester Quarff watching a Red-brested Flyctchear when news broke. I didn't have any info, so we followed the folks that did know where to go, into Lerwick. The bird had been seen in gardens around the Gilbertson Park area, but wasn't on view whilst we were on site.
So, misreading the bus timetable I decided to hitch into Lerwick. I hadn't done any hitching for about 35 years, but got a ride no problem & being only a short walk from where I was dropped off near Tesco's to the area took only a few minutes. I'd been on site for around fifteen minutes when the call went up just a few yards from where I was standing on the edge of Gilbertson Park. One birder went round to the other side of a small bunch of Willows on the edge of the park & signalled he could see the bird. We all then went through the gate & arced around the Willows. Good views were obtained as the bird moved into the gaps between the trees right at the back at the base of the wall. Photo by Peter Garrity.
After a hugely enjoyable two weeks birding on Unst, based at Baltasound, it was time to head south to the Mainland for the remaining two weeks.
Baltasound (left)
Baltasound (right)
There were a couple of memorable afternoons as the sun set & evenings as the stars appeared, looking south from our chalet.
Having arrived at the B&B in Sandwick Thursday evening, it wasn't until we'd returned from Norby on the Friday I had a chance to check out the area around where I was staying in Sandwick.
Mousa from Sandwick
The house was on top of the hill overlooking the Isle of Mousa.
Leebitten
I wandered down the hill from the top left of the photo above & explored the area around Leebitten, comprising of beach, fields, ditches, Iris beds & a small amount of woodland at Sand Lodge, on the right of the photo above. Just beyond the photo to the right & back over my shoulder, I found two Yellow-browed Warblers at Sand, a derelict farm, in a small weedy patch on that first evening. So, this area became my temporary local patch, together with Hoswick a couple of miles away, for my remaining stay.
We departed Unst on Thursday & headed for Norby to see the Pechora Pipit which had been hanging around since 29th September at the east end of Loch of Norby. The bird was on view when we arrived, but proved tricky to gain good views of. After several attempts with glimpses of the bird on the ground, the best view was when it perched briefly on a gate. A very worthy 400th species in UK. Unfortunately, no photo, but this photo by Chris Griffin is rather good.
Before leaving Unst we popped over to Burrafirth to try for more views of a Red-backed Shrike we'd seen briefly the previous evening. The Shrike appeared as soon as we arrived & proceeded to work its way around the area giving great views. Photo by Tony Davison.
The following day, Friday 2nd October, we returned to Norby to try & see the Pechora Pipit again. Although it was seen, we didn't see it. More luck was in evidence watching a Red-breasted Flycatcher at Wester Quarff, which initially was hard to see in the garden, but which later showed really well on the edge, as in this photo by Martyn Hayes.
Sunday saw us traveling to the Mainland to try & catch up with a few interesting birds.
Our first attempt proved unfruitful as we tried to see an Eastern Subalpine Warbler which had been inhabiting a garden at Mossbank. The location was in a housing estate, so it was quite amusing to see fully clad birders with wellies, waterproofs, bins, scopes & cameras tramping about the roads of the estate in search of the bird.
Our next target was an American Golden Plover at Sandwick, which we also failed to see. Indeed, we couldn't even see the Golden Plover flock of 400+ birds anywhere in the area! We resolved to call back later on the way back north.
Next we travelled to Toab & had more luck with a Blyth's Reed Warbler in a large thistle bed. Several brief views were obtained of this secretive & skulking bird.
Upon our return to Sandwick the Golden Plover flock was present across a couple of fields. We scanned the flock several times then a helicopter put the whole lot to flight. Fortunately, they settled closer to us. Another scan drew a blank. However, another smaller flock of Plover joined the larger flock, so we scanned again & this time Dave picked up the American Golden Plover & we had excellent 'scope views.
An Arctic Warbler appeared at the southern end of Unst last Wednesday, towards the end of the afternoon at Uyeasound. I managed to catch a couple of glimpses the following day & during the next few days repeated visits provided better views. Always hard to see & only the second I've seen. The bird was still present earlier today.
There's been loads of Yellow-browed Warblers about this last week, the most pleasing of which was one a few yards from the chalet at Kelda. Another couple of brief & distant views of Pallid Harriers was another highlight this week.
News broke just before 1pm today of an adult male Collared Flycatcher at Sumburgh Head lighthouse. We'd been birding at Skaw, pretty close to the most northern part of Scotland. Not many birds about except for a flock of 20/30 Snow Buntings briefly. Upon heading back to base at Baltasound the info arrived.
Fortunately, the timing was good because we were able to make the 1.30pm ferry from Unst (Belmont) to Yell (Gutcher). We made good time and had a short wait before the 2.15pm ferry from Yell (Ulsta) to the Mainland (Toft). All the way was rain & at times a very low cloudbase. We arrived on site at the southernmost point in Shetland about 4pm in clear skies & made the short uphill walk from the lower car park to the lighthouse compound.
The Collared Flycatcher was on view immediately upon arrival in the compound on the left just before the lighthouse, feeding in typical flycatcher fashion & using some fencing, ropework & metalwork to sally forth only a few yards from our vantage point. Excellent views for the whole time we were on site. There were also three Yellow-browed Warblers present & at one point all three & the Flycatcher were perched in a line on the same section of fencing.
Managing to make the requisite ferry timings on the return trip, we arrived back on Unst just after 7pm.
A first-winter Citrine Wagtail was found by visiting Wirral birders Eddie Williams & Allan Conlin on the evening of our arrival on Shetland. We failed to see the bird the following day, but a return visit this morning was successful.
Almost immediately after we arrived on site the Citrine Wagtail was viewable on the beach rumaging about the seaweed for insects. Good views were obtained & we returned later in the afternoon & had excellent views as the bird remained in its favoured area on the beach.
A juvenile Pallid Harrier had been present in the Northdale area on Unst since 13th September. We had looked for this bird unsuccessfully whilst on the way to Norwick, but returned later in the day with better luck
As we approached Northdale the bird flew up from a small patch of roadside trees & perched on a fence post giving good views. It then flew a little further away & perched on a grassy ridge for a few minutes before continuing along the valley & out of site.
After making our way to Unst yesterday evening & arriving at Baltasound, which is our base for the next two weeks, this morning we made our way to Burrafirth to see another Western Bonelli's Warbler at Shore Station, which had been there since 15th September.
Once again excellent views were obtained & this bird was calling quite frequently, unlike the bird yesterday at Sumburgh. Whilst on site an Otter made its way across the road & up the bank. I've only seen Otters in water previously, so to see one on land was rather exciting.
On the first day of my visit to Shetland, the first port of call was Sumburgh Head Lighthouse where a Western Bonelli's Warbler had been in residence in the compound since 14th September.
The bird was mostly inhabiting a small area of thistles, giving excellent views. Only the second time I've seen Western Bonelli's.
We also found two Yellow-browed Warblers in Sumburgh Hotel garden. A nice bonus.
News broke just before 4pm of a Hoopoe at New Brighton. Only a few minutes away by car, I was the first birder on site following the news, hence the lack of cars, birders, tripods, etc. I had a wander along where I thought the instructions meant, "near gorse slope" which to me seemed to be west of Yellow Noses south of Coastal Drive, before spotting another birder. Upon meeting it turns out this was the finder, local birder Joe Bellis. Joe had seen the bird fly east towards Portland Court, so he went back up the bank & I sauntered along to the west as far as Sea Road, where Joe had originally seen it.
At Sea Road I bumped into John Jones & we both headed back east. A few paces later & the Hoopoe flew west past us along the ridge & alighted on the corner of Sea Road. We then had close views of the bird poking around sandy areas in the path coming down from the ridge. After about 15mins it flew off to the east. The bird returned about half an hour later giving brief views on one of the paths leading down from the ridge before again taking flight.
Speaking to the few birders who had now arrived, it turns out the Hoopoe had been seen a few hours previously by visiting birder John Evered, but he was unable to put the news out.
The second time I've seen a Hoopoe on the Wirral, the previous one being in Wallasey market gardens late October 1997.
A juvenile Red-backed Shrike was discovered late this afternoon off Park Lane in Meols by local birder Allan Conlin. A rare visitor to Wirral, this is the first record for the Leasowe Lighthouse area.
As I arrived on site, a small group of birders were watching the Red-backed Shrike perched on a Hawthorn bush in what used to be the fields adjacent to the road, but which is now a small lake after the recent flooding with the River Birkett breaching its banks.
Everyone present obtained good views before the shrike glided from its perch & disappeared amongst the reeds & grasses about half an hour later. A first for Cheshire & Wirral for me.
A first-summer Caspian Gull was found by local birder Pete Kinsella about five weeks ago on the beach between Formby & Ainsdale. The last week or so the bird has been seen regularly at Ainsdale. I tried for it last week at Formby Point, but with no joy, so I decided to give it another go this morning.
I arrived at Ainsdale beach car park late morning. As was the case last week, I'd chosen a beautiful sunny day & this was reflected in the holiday makers on the beach, although not as many as at Formby last week. A couple of birders were on the beach, so I made my way over to them. One was Pete Kinsella, who informed me they had seen the bird earlier & were waiting for it to return. Almost immediately Pete spotted the Caspian Gull flying towards us. We watched as the gull flew over the car park a few times before heading over us & landing on the beach.
For the next hour or so we watched the bird flying about, landing on the water as the tide came in & generally taking no notice at all of all the bathers frolicking about on the beach. Eventually, the gull moved further north about 200yds to roost with a small flock of Lesser Black-backed Gulls.
News of an adult Sabine's Gull at Pennington Flash, near Wigan, had me hot-footing it over there this morning.
I arrived on site late-morning, having covered the 25 miles in about an hour. Heading for Horrock's Hide, it soon became apparent the Sabine's Gull was being viewed from the path just before the hide. The bird was mostly quite close to the shore weaving its way back &
forth across the water feeding constantly, oblivious to the gathered
admirers. A second-summer, the bird was on view the whole time I was there, apart from a brief flight to the left providing good views of the characteristic wing pattern. It soon returned.
A fantastic opportunity to see this normally sea-faring gull on an inland body of water. Usually encounters with this species are on the coast following gales, or on pelagic trips from far-flung islands.
The sixth record for the UK (the first outside northern Scottish islands) & first record for Wales, of Cretzschmar's Bunting was found on Bardsey Island, Gwynedd by visiting birder Elfyn Lewis on 10th June 2015.
The initial twitch failed to locate the bird. Since four of the previous five records remained only a few days, the exception being the first record on Fair Isle in June 1967 which stayed 11 days, it was a surprise when the first summer male Cretzschmar's Bunting was relocated on Sunday. This eastern Mediterranean vagrant was not only still present, but was repeatedly coming to seed in the Lighthouse compound. Since I was in Norfolk over the weekend, a bit knackered from my travels & no boats on Wednesday due to weather conditions, I didn't make my first trip to Bardsey Island at the end of the Llŷn Peninsular in North Wales until Thursday.
My deliberations before the weekend & dithering after were also due to the uncertainties over being able to make it over to the island with only one boat, skippered by Colin Evans of Bardsey Island Boat Trips, licensed to land & a capacity of twelve passengers. Images of birders camped out through the night on the quay at Porth Meudwy like queuing overnight for Zeppelin tickets in the 70's, sprung to mind. However, the situation improved considerably when booking became possible from the comfort of one's armchair by phone via Lee Evans. One call later, from aforementioned armchair, I was booked on the second boat at 6.30am Thursday morning. It's always fun visiting islands & especially new ones.
It was still dark when I departed from home to make the 2hrs 20mins drive. As we set off from the quay at Porth Meudwy Colin informed us the bird was still present.
Upon landing about 30mins later we were guided by Bardsey Bird Observatory staff around to the lighthouse where a group of birders were gathered, poised with 'scopes & cameras at the ready.
We waited for an hour until just before 8am for the bird to drop in from the left. The grey (concrete) area in the centre, level with the drainpipe, was the area seeded & this is where the bird landed & spent a few minutes feeding before flying away the same way it arrived. A further wait of 1hr 30mins until the bird returned at about 9.30am, landing on the wall & perching for a short while, giving excellent views, before again briefly feeding on the seed & exit stage left. I exited stage right & sauntered down to the quay to catch the 10am return boat.
Many thanks to the Observatory staff for being so helpful, Colin Evans
for working so hard to get us all over to Bardsey & Lee Evans for
making it easier.
It had been many years since I'd been out birding with old friend Pete Walton, so we headed over to Blakeney Point on Sunday morning to see the Blyth's Reed Warbler. Pete had also been on Blakeney Point the previous day to see the Paddyfield Warbler, so we were both making the same trek on consecutive days. Fortunately, the Blyth's Reed Warbler was located a little closer at Halfway House & the tide was out, so we could walk along the lower beach from Cley beach car park much more easily than struggling through shingle.
When we arrived on site there was a small group of birders waiting for the Blyth's Reed Warbler to appear.
This involved patiently waiting for the bird to briefly show sporadically as it made a little circuit of the suaeda.
Pete looks quite pleased? He's seen a few Blyth's Reed Warblers in Norfolk previously. Bit of a bonus with an adult Laughing Gull drifting west past Cley beach car park as we arrived back from the Point.
With news of a singing Blyth's Reed Warbler in Essex at Holland Haven the previous day, I set off early Saturday morning & arrived on site, near Clacton-on-Sea, mid-morning. Unfortunately, there was no sign of the bird, but a Paddyfield Warbler on Blakeney Point, Norfolk which had been present since the previous Thursday was still present, so I made my way from Clacton-on-Sea to Cley-next-the-Sea arriving at Cley beach car park late afternoon. The tortuous three mile walk along the shingle bank as far as Long Hills was grueling. I could see one remaining birder on site as I approached. He was viewing the Paddyfield Warbler as it made its way along the edge of the suaeda next to the shingle bank. It was difficult to see, but provided different aspects before briefly being in the open & displaying its gorgeous rich, rufous colours. It popped out of cover again briefly before flying over to the deeper suaeda. A bit of waiting and a few brief glimpses in flight, it then reappeared on the edge of the beach before again working its way over to the suaeda within the rope boundary protecting breeding birds. So, having had satisfactory if brief views I headed back along the beach. Fortunately, the tide had receded exposing the lower beach which was much easier to walk along. Upon arrival in Norwich at my friend Peter's house news of a Blyth's Reed Warbler at Halfway House on Blakeney Point emerged.
The ninth occurrence of Hudsonian Whimbrel in the UK was discovered by local birder George Kinnard at Church Norton, located at the south-east corner of Pagham Harbour LNR in West Sussex, on Tuesday 9th June 2015. Details of the find can be viewed at Rob's Birding Blog. This transatlantic vagrant has only recently been split from Whimbrel & is the first twitchable bird since the split.
Departing from home early the following morning, I arrived on site mid-morning. Walking along the path from the car park to the harbour, a group of birders were to the right viewing the Hudsonian Whimbrel. However, before I could set up my 'scope it flew, only a short distance though, relocating to the mud bank beyond the hide. It remained on show for the whole time I was there, giving pretty good extended views, if a little distant.
This particular individual was quite distinct from the accompanying Whimbrel, with a striking head pattern, longer bill & generally more sandy/buff, the breast suffused buff rather than white. Apart from the initial flight views, the rump was only viewed when the bird flicked its wings a couple of times, displaying sandy/buff tail & rump.
The appearance yesterday of a summer plumage female Red-necked Phalarope at Burton Mere Wetlands RSPB reserve had me arriving on site mid-morning today.
The Red-necked Phalarope was immediately on view upon entering the reserve. It was viewable for the whole time I was there on the Main Scrape in front of the Reception Hide. She was chased regularly by Avocets & took flight several times, but never going far. There's a small influx at present with 7 birds being seen in the UK yesterday. Quite a rare bird in Cheshire & Wirral, but there's now been a few records in the last couple of years.
The first bird I ever twitched was a Red-necked Phalarope on the River Birket behind Leasowe Lighthouse in September 1971.
News of a Black-winged Pratincole at Bothal Pond in Northumberland, found by local birder Dave Dack on Friday afternoon, had me setting off early-doors for the north-east on Saturday morning. I arrived on site mid-morning.
The tell-tale line of parked cars & line of tripods & 'scopes a moment later as I rounded the bend, indicated I was in the right place. The Black-winged Pratincole was immediately viewable & for the whole time I was there. However, it was rather distant on the far side of the pool. It spent most of the time hunkered down, even when the Lapwings were spooked a couple of times & flew off temporarily. It did wander around a bit providing reasonable 'scope views, but did not take flight while I was on site, as it had done the previous evening.
After having dipped on Sardinian Warbler at Land's End the previous day & stayed overnight with an old friend near Exeter in Devon, news of the presence again of the Greater Yellowlegs at Titchfield Haven NNR in Hampshire the following morning had me traveling cross-country. I arrived on site mid-afternoon.
This very rare American vagrant had been seen on & off for several months sometimes disappearing for weeks & months at a time. The latest sighting was from the coastal approach road to the reserve, just a few hundred yards west of the Visitor Centre, but not since the morning. Having teamed up with another birder on site, who just happened to be walking past as I emerged from the car & who had already been to a number of hides, we covered the remaining hides & then checked out Posbrook Floods to the north of the reserve. All to no avail! This was the first time I'd visited Titchfield Haven & was very impressed with the reserve & surrounds. One thing I really enjoyed was hearing several Cetti's Warblers & having really good views of one bird in the open for a few minutes, which is prolonged for a Cetti's (part of their charm).
We made our way back to the reserve & managed to briefly check a couple of hides before the reserve closed at 5pm. I wandered back along the coast road as far as the river, chatting with several birders along the way. As I returned I recognised a birder I had spoken to previously who had seen the bird earlier. I asked him where exactly the bird had been. We crossed the road to the fence & while he was explaining where he'd seen it earlier a small flock of several Black-tailed Godwits flew in. As I started to scan the flock a shout went up, "It's there! On the right of the flock". It was immediately latched onto by everyone. I hadn't noticed, but there were now several birders next to us. The flock wheeled about the coastal pool several times before opting for an area within the reserve, which was now closed. Pretty good flight views, but most present wanted more.
Everyone spread out along the coast road to try & see if it was possible to view the pools on the reserve, but it wasn't possible. I headed back from the viewing platform towards the coastal pool which now had exposed mud as the tide receded. There was a small flock of Black-tailed Godwits feeding. Another small flock flew in & just as I was thinking, "Wouldn't it be great if..." the Greater Yellowlegs touched down. We were then treated to excellent, prolonged views as it wandered about the mud below us, at one point coming very close to the near bank.
In retrospect, perhaps it seems the Godwit flock were checking out a favoured feeding area in the coastal pool, which wasn't quite ready, so they hung out on a different pool for a while. Most of the Godwits were feeding very close together in an apparently rich, small area of the pool.
Since I'd planned to travel back home from Norwich yesterday morning, the news of a Balearic Woodchat Shrike at Wykeham in Yorkshire was very timely.
I arrived on site mid-afternoon. Cars parked at the side of the road & birders with 'scopes & cameras poised, indicated I was in the right place. The bird soon appeared on top of the roadside hedge, then flitted over to the other side of the hedge. Carefully moving around the hedge provided excellent views. A first summer male Balearic Woodchat Shrike. For the hour or so I was there, he moved about both sides of the road, perching for lengthy periods in the open on top of the hedges, at times on the other side of the hedges, giving very good prolonged, repeated views (at one point snacking on a bee). Just what was required!
The previous evening in Norwich I'd spent a very pleasurable few hours in the company of a couple of very old friends I hadn't seen for yonks & ages. A couple of pints in The Fat Cat with Peter (who I've known since we were five years old, living on the same road & been in contact with, but not seen for several years), Clive (who I've been in contact with, but not seen for 18 years) & Rod (who I hadn't seen for 18 years), was great fun. The conversation inevitably & most entertainingly turned to foreign birding trips adventures/mishaps.
A pair of Montagu's Harriers had been present at Blacktoft Sands RSPB reserve for a few weeks. During their stay they had performed very well including the sky-dancing courtship ritual. The opportunity to pop over to the East coast to see them presented itself when Kenny Dummigan phoned to say he & Mark Garner were going over to try for them & I would be most welcome to join them. Needless to say, I immediately took up the offer!
An early-ish start saw us arriving on site mid-morning. Fortunately, as we entered Singleton hide the male Montagu's Harrier was on view making his way over the reedbed in a south-easterly direction. Although I didn't have time to get the 'scope out, we did have excellent views for about five minutes before it disappeared behind the treeline bordering the reserve. However, that was not the end... Almost immediately the female floated up & proceeded to make her way back & forth across the reedbed, allowing prolonged 'scope views, periodically landing to pick up what looked like nesting material. She provided excellent views over a half hour or so until not floating back up after landing. At this point we departed.
