DUSKY THRUSH...at dusk!

As the news broke late on Friday night I was snookered by work on Saturday till 3. Could I make it to Kent before dusk? It would be tight...very tight. I toyed with the idea of leaving it until today, especially since I'd been up since 5.

A couple of phone calls to Louise and the decision was made...we were going for it!

I got home around 3.30. Louise had put together the necessaries and off we went...Bud came too. I gave myself an estimated 30% chance. Looking now at Google maps it estimated just over 5 hours. We needed a clean run...we fortunately got one. The sat nav helped out with the final twists and turns and we arrived at Margate cemetery at 8.10.

No-one around! What to do?

I'd phoned RBA on the way and I remembered the lad had said turn right inside the entrance...that was presuming I was at the correct entrance!

I headed for the corner and then, thankfully I saw 3 birders having a chat. They'd obviously seen it as they were relaxed! I walked past them as I saw three more chaps in a more focused state. One was looking up into a tree through his 'scope.

He kindly allowed me a peep...and this is what I saw..

MASSIVE relief!!!


It was 8.20pm!


The bird remained on the branch during my visit. I can safely say I was the last birder to connect with this MEGA of MEGA'S. The bird was not present this morning which was obviously a sickener for the "Sunday lads". Gutted for my pal Haydn.

I was prepared to stay overnight if I hadn't made it. We stayed anyway at this superb hotel. Thoroughly recommended.

The old adage proves true again...GO ASAP. I'm feeling rather smug at the moment...

Thoughts drifting...can't think why!

With the continued horrendous weather my thoughts have reverted back to the other side of the pond. A great May migration spot is Magee Marsh on the southern shores of Lake Michigan. Here's a taste of what can be seen there. Nice to dream...

Forecast is tentatively promising for the second half of the month. It would be great to do some quality birding (at last) in DECENT WEATHER!

OR...maybe I'm getting soft

Out of context

Managed (at last) to get down to Spurn. Weather was typical...poor! After a quick scan around Long Bank Marsh I made my way down to the Bluebell car park. I noticed a small passerine hopping about on the grass. Threw me completely...admittedly I'd just woken up after a "power nap"! Got quite excited for a short while, then I realised it was a Spotted Fly (P.115, S.85) behaving in a weird way!



Also enjoyed prolonged views of three Cuckoos (S.86) sorting out partners!

Rather like this surreal image of two of them zooming past me at close quarters...

Also added Sandwich (P.116, S.87) and Little Tern (P.117, S.88), Scaup (P118, S.89), Swift (P.119, S.90) and Sand Martin (P.120, S.91). Added Swallow (S.92) to the Spurn total.

Whimbrel (S.93) on the way home was a nice bonus...

Turtle Dove

You're almost certainly aware of the demise of this "sound of summer". There are a couple of noble efforts going on at the moment that are worthy of our support.

birdlifemalta

operationturtledove

Like many things in life however, you somehow feel powerless to make a real difference?

We can but try...

Unexpected Circumstances!

Things didn't pan out as I hoped today, to say the least! No Birding was possible.

Briefly, my young dog Buddy was unfortunately bitten by my lads on the afternoon we were picking him up after our holiday. So, off to the vets for a few stitches and a £430 bill. Two nights later the young man is agitated and just won't settle. The morning after his side is split for a second time by an abscess due to infection from the initial bite.

Was the wound cleaned properly? Who knows but another £430 for a second set of stitches!! The money is a (BIG) blow of course but I just hope he's OK now. Pet insurance?..looks a good option at the moment but hindsight is a wonderful thing and can mount up somewhat.

Anyway that's my problem.

Birds

Britain...COLLARED FLYCATCHER was a superb find in the North East by stringer. Great reward for dedicating yourself to a local patch.

ABA...If you are interested in viewing the Texas spring just passed. Below are a couple of links to give you a flavour of what passed through.

High Island

Sabine Woods

For the record
I managed to add 2 species to my ABA list in the form of Gray Vireo and Ruff taking my total to 658.
My Texas list increased by ten to 443.

That's the bones. I'll add some meat later...

Oh nearly forgot. Added Yellow Wagtail (P.114, H.61) this afternoon down Snakey lane. So there was a touch of Birding after all!

Couldn't happen to a nicer bloke

Random post...but I just wanted to pay tribute to Frank Lampard. I'm not a Chelsea fan but I am a Football fan and his achievement in breaking the club goalscoring record is quite simply outstanding, especially for a midfield player!!

Well done Frank...

Priorities

Reality has bitten hard with three long shifts at work...got to pay for the Holiday! One more effort tomorrow then Sunday off and time to catch up with some of our summer visitors.

I'll probably leave (most of) my Texas review until June (I'll try to be succinct) when things quieten down here somewhat. I WILL do one though. I might post a few initial images tomorrow night if I get chance to download them.

Posts will be concerned with British Birding this month. Hopefully there will be plenty to write about?!

When the dust settles

Well, that's it. The epic journey is over. Still recovering from the "jet lag" which seems to get tougher every time. Nothing to do with advancing years of course!

4,500 miles covered, shared pretty evenly between us. The holiday covered the Upper Coast, Coastal Bend, Rio Grande Valley, Hill Country, Davis Mountains and Big Bend...phew! Lots of great memories and glorious sights seen. Took a few photos along the way, some of which I'll be posting in due course. Could be a few days before I start the review as I'll be back in the saddle early tomorrow until Sunday.

Kick started the British Spring with a Cuckoo (P.111, H.58) and a few Swallows (P.112, H.59) this morning. Then a quartet of Whimbrel (P.113, H.60) flying south along the clifftop this afternoon reminded me there's always something to look out for...no matter where you are!!

Cold front

Last day tomorrow. So up at dawn and down to Lafitte's Cove for a last session. Still time for a Cape May...
 

Fingers crossed!

...or Mourning Warbler...or something even rarer? A cold front moving through Galveston tonight should help. Hope it's not too severe for the birds crossing the Gulf.

Last post before I return. Hope you've enjoyed at least some of this stuff...

Bolivar Magic

No joy again with Bobolink sightings despite extensive searching am. Had lunch at Rollover Pass. Simply superb. Large numbers of White (9 foot wing span!) and Brown Pelicans. Also, finally managed to find some Caspian Terns...interesting comparing them with Royal.

Afternoon and evening spent at High Island. Firstly at Boy Scout Wood, then onto Smith Oaks. Much prefer the latter. A natural woodland with many mature Oaks. After yesterdays euphoria the first birds I saw were three Bay-breasted Warbler in one tree!! Didn't spoil yesterdays moment at all.

Managed to find the Great Horned Owls (thanks to Tim Isherwood). Superb, cool birds...



While setting up my 'scope a Yellow Rail flushed from the roadside ditch. Then as I was watching the Owls a Belted Kingfisher landed on the wire directly in front of them.

That's Texas...

At Last!

Spent some time on the Bolivar peninsular looking for the elusive Bobolink...



...with no success.


Late afternoon (after some shopping therapy for Louise) was spent down at the magnificent Sabine Woods. The weather was kind with a lovely still evening allowing optimum viewing conditions. A good selection of warblers was on offer, Blackburnian, Black and White, American Redstart, Black-throated Green...but could I locate my Texas Bay-breasted?

Superb bird

High Island today...

Back East

Had a fantastic time out West. Finally connected with my "life" Gray Vireo at Blue Creek Canyon, Big Bend. Also saw Phainopepla



Pyrrhuloxia...



and the superb Varied Bunting...



A truly special place were you definitely get away from it all! It took us 90 minutes to drive from Alpine into the park. We packed it in to a full day. Really you need at least 3 to do it justice...but not this time. We also spent the previous afternoon in the Davis Mountains enjoying the mountain air and a good selection of species.

So, the final chapter now. 3 days along the coast based back here in Galveston. Hoping to catch up with a few more species I haven't seen in this Birding paradise of a state. Namely Bay-breasted, Mourning and Cape May Warblers plus Bobolink.

Really though that's the icing on the cake. For me it's just about enjoying the birds, Galveston and the Bolivar Peninsular.

STOP PRESS: A Masked Duck...
 

has just been found at Sabal Palms in southernmost Texas!!! I was there last week. That would have been another Lifer. My luck continues! Another "Nemesis" bird. Second time I've missed this bird.
I don't think I could convince Louise to travel the length of Texas for that one!

Never mind!?

That's all for now...

Success!

Connected with the R.C.Warbler (Texas tick) with the help of some British birders!

Also saw Black-capped Vireo...



Davis Mountains tomorrow...then Big Bend...and hopefully...GRAY VIREO!!!!

Fall out...again!!!

Experienced my second fall out on South Padre Island on Wednesday. I had Warblers Vireos Orioles and Tanagers flying all around me at very close quarters. One of which was my Texas Philadelphia Vireo...

 

Also managed to find a nest site for Aplomado Falcon...



Not countable as the re-introduction scheme is still progressing but what a bird!

Heading over to Big Bend now via the Hill Country. Trying for another Texas tick today in the form of Rufous-capped Warbler...



I'm aware of what I've missed back home in Yorkshire. How's your luck!! 3 ticks in two weeks. However, I can honestly say I wouldn't change a thing...

Sabal Palms

Great morning at this superb reserve on the border. Managed to see the Crimson-collared Grosbeak...



...plus Altamira



and Hooded Orioles...



amongst others. Quality birds!

Looked for the Aplomado Falcon this afternoon with no luck. Did see more great birds though including excellent views of White-tailed Hawk...




More Valley Birding tomorrow with a visit to Santa Ana and Bentson...

Raptor fest

Spent yesterday driving from Corpus Christi to the Rio Grande Valley. Finally obtained great views of White-tailed Hawk...

Late afternoon had us down at Laguna Atacosa. Too late for the bay drive but had superb close views of Harris Hawks (3)...



...and an Osprey.

Sabal Palms on "the border" this morning...

Update

Reached Corpus Christi having had a great "FALL OUT" day at Sabine Woods. Great to experience the woods full of birds. 3 Yellow-billed Cuckoos in one small sapling probably sums it up best!

Today was spent visiting the area migrant traps...very impressed. Paradise Pond at Port Aransas taking the honours. I had a cracking Blackpoll Warbler making it's way towards me at eye level, finishing up some 12 feet from my camera!!

Managed to find a "white morph' Reddish Egret on North Padre Island...





Out at dawn tomorrow to sample more of these superb spots on the coast. Maybe I'll get my Cape May?

We then leave for the Valley...

Bird of the Day

Another marvelous day on Galveston Island. Spent some time with this cracker...

Reddish Egret canopy hunting!

New Hotspot...at least for me!

As mentioned, I Birded Galveston Island yesterday. Not a bad way to spend the day! Had great views of many species. Spent a couple of hours at Lafitte's Cove which is a small wood in the middle of some very expensive property!

I got talking to an Texas birder who very quickly convinced me that this little spot can rival High Island for species and gives far more scope to "find your own". As we were talking I picked up a Black-billed Cuckoo and obtained some great pics...

Remember, not my photos!

 I did get the red eye lining!


I will return.


Staying here again today, then over to High Island tomorrow for a full day on the Bolivar after the front passes through.


Stay tuned...

Galveston Island

Spent the afternoon down at East beach, Galveston after checking into the Best Western.

Fantastic close views of Black Skimmers...




Brilliant bird.

Also blown away by the Brown Pelicans floating past our balcony...



Almost pre-historic! Most species are very approaachable and I'll post a few pics on return.

Birding Galveston Island today. Here's a sample of what can be seen at a migrant trap at this time of year. Not bad!!!