MASKED WAGTAIL
Water Pipit
Long-tailed Duck
Thursday 29 December 2016
Back In Pembrokeshire
I got back home on the 12th, so the next day I had to go to Camrose to see the MASKED WAGTAIL. Unfortunately the weather wasn't great but as soon as I got there the stunning bird was walking and feeding along the road. It walked straight towards me at one point and got with in two metres. The bird was a little soggy due to the wet weather but that big bib and mask was very distinct. I had a bit of time afterwards so went down to Newgale to have a look around. Lots of pipits and gathered on the flooded campsite, and most of them were Water Pipits! I counted 7 in total the most I've ever seen and a new bird for me in Pembrokeshire.
I spent the next few weeks birding on patch at Amroth and Wiseman's Bridge. Gulls were the main target with a large gull flocks on both the beaches. The highlights were 2 1st winter Yellow-legged Gulls (one last week and one the week before) and 3 Med Gulls (2 adults and 1 1st winter). The sea really delivered over the last few weeks starting with a Velvet Scoter flying west off Wiseman's Bridge on the 15th. The next day at Amroth a *Black-throated Diver* was offshore. A rare bird in Carmarthen Bay and great surprise. The usual Red-throated Divers, Great Crested Grebes and Red-breasted Mergansers were always present and it seems a very good year for scoters easily 4,000 in total with a reasonable number within scoping distance. When checking the gulls at Amroth on the 22nd it was great to see a *Long-tailed Duck* flying east through the bay. I eventually saw it close in off Wiseman's Bridge and aged it as a 1st winter drake. I saw it again on the 23rd, 24th and 25th from both Coppet Hall and Wiseman's Bridge. A *Slavonian Grebe* was also off Coppet Hall on the 24th a very good bird to see down here but unfortunately just off patch! At Ginst Point on the 26th loads of ducks including my highest count of Pintail, 70 in total from the river and east marsh and 2 Tufted Ducks, my 141 species on patch this year.
Catch Up- Cambs, Norfolk and Dusky Thrush...
After then end of my first term at university I spent a few days in Cambridgeshire birding with Calum. Our first start was to Paxton Pits where after a good look of the area, we finally picked out the female Ring-necked Duck, albeit quite distant, with a small group of Tufted Ducks. A while later I picked out the *Great White Egret* on the adjacent pit.
The next day was spent on the north Norfolk coast, starting at Titchwell and finishing at Cley. Titchwell got off to a great start with a smart female Brambling on the feeders (surprisingly on the second I've ever seen). Other birds on the reserve including a textbook adult Yellow-legged Gull and 3 Spotted Redshanks. The sea, our main target was full of birds, in a hour seawatch we had 39 Long-tailed Ducks, 8 Velvet Scoters, 3 Scaup, 40+ Goldeneye, about 300 Common Scoter, 2 RT Divers and 25 GC Grebes. Next to Holkham Gap, with our target being the flock of *Shore Larks* that had been frequenting the location regularly so far this winter. Walking the the marsh, it wasn't until the far east end that we finally put up a flock. They settle a short distant away and soon had great views of the these stunning birds on the deck. We counted 25 in all, but they were quite unsettle never sat for long. They eventually flew further east and out of view. Walking back another group flew in from the west and settle in front of us. We counted about another 20, making 45(!) in total. By now a group of 10 Brent Geese were feeding in the marsh. One stood out and was very black with white flank patches and a very thick white neck collar...it was a Black Brant, bonus! Finally at Cley hoping for the gull roost that unfortunately never really happened. The highlights here were a large gathering of Ruff and very close views of a Water Rail.
Dusky Thrush twitch: We didn't leave particularly early so after a two hour drive we arrived at Beeley shortly after 1pm. Then the anxious wait started. After ten minutes of no sign someone pointed it our flying over head, We got onto it, but only very briefly, and I didn't even see it through bins! That would not do, we'd have to see it better. Worryingly, there was no sign of it for over two hours, but eventually, much to everyone's relief, it returned to the orchard and after a mad dash over, we had some great views of the very rare and very smart DUSKY THRUSH. Photography was difficult in the poor light so only managed a few record shots that don't really do the bid much justice.
The next day was spent on the north Norfolk coast, starting at Titchwell and finishing at Cley. Titchwell got off to a great start with a smart female Brambling on the feeders (surprisingly on the second I've ever seen). Other birds on the reserve including a textbook adult Yellow-legged Gull and 3 Spotted Redshanks. The sea, our main target was full of birds, in a hour seawatch we had 39 Long-tailed Ducks, 8 Velvet Scoters, 3 Scaup, 40+ Goldeneye, about 300 Common Scoter, 2 RT Divers and 25 GC Grebes. Next to Holkham Gap, with our target being the flock of *Shore Larks* that had been frequenting the location regularly so far this winter. Walking the the marsh, it wasn't until the far east end that we finally put up a flock. They settle a short distant away and soon had great views of the these stunning birds on the deck. We counted 25 in all, but they were quite unsettle never sat for long. They eventually flew further east and out of view. Walking back another group flew in from the west and settle in front of us. We counted about another 20, making 45(!) in total. By now a group of 10 Brent Geese were feeding in the marsh. One stood out and was very black with white flank patches and a very thick white neck collar...it was a Black Brant, bonus! Finally at Cley hoping for the gull roost that unfortunately never really happened. The highlights here were a large gathering of Ruff and very close views of a Water Rail.
Brambling
Shore Larks
Black Brant with Dark-bellies
DUSKY THRUSH (record shots)
Wednesday 7 December 2016
Devon- Desert Wheatear and Cirl Buntings
On Monday morning we left campus and drove north with the hope of seeing the Desert Wheatear at Thurlestone on the south coast of Devon. After an anxious drive up we arrive shortly after 11am. Luckily, Leas Foot beach (where the Wheatear was present) is a very small beach, so after a quick scan of the area, we soon pick up the stunning Desert Wheatear, amongst the seaweed on the strand line. The bird entertained us for hours and was very showy, even down to a few metres at times! The combination of the orange/sandy tones, the black wings, face and tail and the white rump make this very attractive bird, surprising camouflaged against the sand, usually in a desert, but in this case on a beach! A fantastic bird and very much worth the trip to see it. We turned our attention briefly to the sea. Quite with a few Razorbills and Gannets moving past, that was until Calum picked up a Bonxie flying along the coast!
Desert Wheatear (what a stunner!)
We had a few more hours free before we need to get back so we decided to drive a little further north to Broadsands with the possibility of seeing *Cirl Buntings*. We had a quick lunch and then carried on to look around the site. A local birder gave us some useful infomation as to where to find them so we took his advice and walked on the seafront checking the hedgerows alongside. 14 Brent Geese including 1 pale-bellied were close in shore but there was till no sign of our buntings. However, our doubts were short lived as Calum picked up a few calling in the reeds. A smart male then jumped into view and gave good but brief views. By now a little group of about 8 had joined and seemed to be moving along the hedge, Back at the car park we found a pair coming to seed place just alongside the hedge, here we had some really great views of another very smart species. Just before the light faded to much we had a look offshore, A small scoter flock was very distant but I was happy to call at least 2 Velvet Scoters with a few Commons, Also, a Black-necked Grebe out in the bay.
Cirl Buntings
Saturday 3 December 2016
Cornwall, Somerset and Cornwall again...
I haven't had a chance to update the blog in a while due to university work so here's the catch up from the last few weeks.
The afternoon of 25th November, Max, Ben and I went down to Marazion to witness the spectacular flocks of Starlings going into roost. Before the Starlings arrived I had a look out into Mount's Bay. A Red-throated Diver, 2 Common Scoter and a Red-breasted Merganser were the highlights. On the marsh loads of Snipe and the best views I've had of Jack Snipes, 2 were feeding in the open on the edge of the marsh. The Starling numbers started to build around 4pm with roughly 10-20,000 roosting in total. The noise and numbers were amazing! The day ended perfectly with nice views of a *Bittern* flying over the marsh at dusk.
Max, Calum and I spent the day out birding on the 26th, we started at Tehidy woods, and soon heard a calling *Yellow-browed Warbler*. We soon picked it in the tit flock and eventually it gave some great views. Next to Hayle, which unusually was fairly quite. A Spoonbill showed well from the causeway, and based on the large amounts of black in the primaries, I am pretty sure its a third bird. Very few gulls around and no yellow-legs, but I did manage to pick out the Green-winged Teal with the other ducks. Also, 5 Goosanders there too. We had a look for divers at Carbis Bay and got all three common species. 5 Great Northerns, 3 Red-throats and 3 Black-throats, the latter a new bird for Calum. Another Great Northern was off Penzance and surprisingly a pair of Goldeneye too. A fantastic male Black Redstart showed well on the rooftops by Newlyn Harbour. We finished the day at Marazion for the Starling roost, as always a great spectacle and there was still 1 Jack Snipe on the Marsh.
A very early start on the 29th as I met with the guys to spend the whole day birding in Max's home county-Somerset. We arrived at RSPB Ham Wall shortly before 7am and made our way to wait for the mass emergence of Starlings; it really didn't disappoint. The noise of the birds was amazing and after a short while they all took of in huge flocks a couple of thousand strong to spend the day elsewhere on the levels. Max also promised me *Great White Egrets*. And it wasn't long before we saw our first of the day, 2 flew over the reserve. Walking back a further 3 together were seen. Next to Westhay Moor, and unfortunately the Bearded Tits didn't make an appearance but we did flush 8 Jack Snipe with 15 Snipe. At RSPB Greylake loads of Teal were just out from the hide and at least 1 Water Pipit was with the Mipit flocks, though very distant at the back of the marsh. At West Sedgmoor early afternoon, a large flock of ducks gathered. Mostly Wigeon and at least 4 Pintail. 3 Marsh Harriers together harassing a Teal flock and Peregrine zoomed through. I picked up 3 *Cranes* flying over the marsh and the settle in the nearby fields. Also present were 15+ Blackwit and a Green Woodpecker. We returned to RSPB Ham Wall to watch the Starlings come into roost. A Great White Egret was still on the marsh and showed very well. The Starlings started to arrive in there thousands, murmurating overhead before settling into the reeds. And finally a Bittern put in an appearance flying over the reeds. We finished the day on 80 species, a pretty impressive list.
On Thursday afternoon, we heard news of *Velvet Scoters* in Carrick Roads, so Max took us up to take a look. We viewed from Mylor, with the first birds being 7 Red- breasted Mergansers. I picked up 2 distant ducks, closer to Feock side. Although very distant, we were pretty sure they were Eider, a female and a 1st winter drake. Max picked up the scoters in flight and we picked them up as they landed on the water. Great views of the 2 females and an immature drake. Other interesting birds included: 3 Great Northern and 3 Black-throated Divers and 4 Black-necked Grebe.
That evening I was down at College Lake and picked out a duck that looked like a Scaup with the Tufted Duck, the light had faded so much I wasn't sure so Calum and I went down there yesterday morning. We walked down through campus and picked up a *Yellow-browed Warbler* calling nearby, unfortunately we didn't see it. At the lake Calum found 2 Firecrests together, and 3 female Goldeneye were close to the dam. We could see the group of Tufted Ducks from here so decided to have a quick scan for the duck. I picked it up and we were fairly confident it was a Scaup but it was still a little distant. 7 Med Gulls were with the Black-heads but nothing interesting with the larger gulls. We walked further around and got closer enough to see the tufties well. I picked up the duck again, views were much better, and we confirmed it was indeed a Scaup, a 1st winter drake. Also 4 Shoveler on the lake and nice views of a Marsh Tit in the woods.
Later in the afternoon, we headed up to Feock to check Carrick Roads. Again plenty of birds present including 5 Great Northern and 2 Black-throated Divers, 10 Black-necked Grebes and 14 Red-breasted Mergansers. More birds were in the bay but they were to distant to ID so we went to Mylor to look from there. From here I picked up the 3 *Velvet Scoters*, (distantly from Feock) and an extra Black-throat and 3 more Great Northern Divers.
The afternoon of 25th November, Max, Ben and I went down to Marazion to witness the spectacular flocks of Starlings going into roost. Before the Starlings arrived I had a look out into Mount's Bay. A Red-throated Diver, 2 Common Scoter and a Red-breasted Merganser were the highlights. On the marsh loads of Snipe and the best views I've had of Jack Snipes, 2 were feeding in the open on the edge of the marsh. The Starling numbers started to build around 4pm with roughly 10-20,000 roosting in total. The noise and numbers were amazing! The day ended perfectly with nice views of a *Bittern* flying over the marsh at dusk.
Max, Calum and I spent the day out birding on the 26th, we started at Tehidy woods, and soon heard a calling *Yellow-browed Warbler*. We soon picked it in the tit flock and eventually it gave some great views. Next to Hayle, which unusually was fairly quite. A Spoonbill showed well from the causeway, and based on the large amounts of black in the primaries, I am pretty sure its a third bird. Very few gulls around and no yellow-legs, but I did manage to pick out the Green-winged Teal with the other ducks. Also, 5 Goosanders there too. We had a look for divers at Carbis Bay and got all three common species. 5 Great Northerns, 3 Red-throats and 3 Black-throats, the latter a new bird for Calum. Another Great Northern was off Penzance and surprisingly a pair of Goldeneye too. A fantastic male Black Redstart showed well on the rooftops by Newlyn Harbour. We finished the day at Marazion for the Starling roost, as always a great spectacle and there was still 1 Jack Snipe on the Marsh.
Spoonbill
Starlings
That evening I was down at College Lake and picked out a duck that looked like a Scaup with the Tufted Duck, the light had faded so much I wasn't sure so Calum and I went down there yesterday morning. We walked down through campus and picked up a *Yellow-browed Warbler* calling nearby, unfortunately we didn't see it. At the lake Calum found 2 Firecrests together, and 3 female Goldeneye were close to the dam. We could see the group of Tufted Ducks from here so decided to have a quick scan for the duck. I picked it up and we were fairly confident it was a Scaup but it was still a little distant. 7 Med Gulls were with the Black-heads but nothing interesting with the larger gulls. We walked further around and got closer enough to see the tufties well. I picked up the duck again, views were much better, and we confirmed it was indeed a Scaup, a 1st winter drake. Also 4 Shoveler on the lake and nice views of a Marsh Tit in the woods.
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| photo by Calum Urquhart |
Scaup (record shot)
Later in the afternoon, we headed up to Feock to check Carrick Roads. Again plenty of birds present including 5 Great Northern and 2 Black-throated Divers, 10 Black-necked Grebes and 14 Red-breasted Mergansers. More birds were in the bay but they were to distant to ID so we went to Mylor to look from there. From here I picked up the 3 *Velvet Scoters*, (distantly from Feock) and an extra Black-throat and 3 more Great Northern Divers.
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