TENGMALM'S OWL - Conclusion

OK. I'm on the East Coast flyer for 6 hours so I'm going to post a summary of an eventually successful twitch.

Quite a relief!!!!!!

2 days on Shetland gave me plenty of time to reflect... after I'd connected of course!

The roughing it on the Ferry proved just that...and more. I managed about an hours sleep. I wedged myself in a recliner, padded my arm and sat it out. I'd pre-booked a taxi to meet me and off we went around 7.45am Wednesday. I was first there as most of the other potential admirers were sorting their hire cars out.

I made my way up the short driveway and into the garden.

Around 30 birders eventually arrived. Over the next couple of hours the garden was thoroughly searched but the bird couldn't be re-located. The general mood became heavy and some even left, deciding to check out the original site.

I remained, thinking it was still here...somewhere. I gave Trevor Charlton a call and he described exactly where it had roosted yesterday by the rusty wheelbarrow...

I couldn't see it...

Thick cover!

It had reached that point were you start looking in "other areas".

It was gone 10 by now and I was making my way around the pond, which was teaming with Frogs. I've never seen so many!

I then noticed a Birder looking intently through a relatively open area. He then looked over to me and said the immortal words..."

It's HERE!!!

I made my way over and sure enough there it was...

 

FANTASTIC!!!

We were soon joined by the rest and everyone was obviously elated to connect. I didn't observe ANY poor behavior all day. Generous donations were forthcoming to the accommodating owners.

House in the garden

Trevor had told me Mark Thomas was flying up early morning and sure enough he duly arrived and connected. We remained all day hoping for the "dusk show" that Trevor got. It didn't materialize... unfortunately.

Mark dropped me at my B&B and I got some much needed sleep after the obligatory Fish and Chips. We'd agreed to wait for news the following morning then pop back up to see if it was roosting in a more viewable position.

Mark had stayed at his mates place and after picking me up on news around Noon we joined him in the harbour to look for white-winged Gulls...

We couldn't find any but I was more than happy with superb views of Black Guillemot and Long-tailed Ducks!

We then made our way back to Tresta. We struggled to find a parking space...

Not quite Mainland!

The TO was still tucked away...

We had a drive around the area and found a few Slavonian Grebes, which was nice. Also had to get the obligatory pic...

Mark then drove me back to Lerwick and we said our goodbyes. Time for celebration Cheesecake...

After a pleasant stroll through Lerwick...

...I boarded the Ferry around 6pm and headed for my cabin. Yes, the journey back was going to be FAR more pleasant... and it was. I had a late breakfast on a stationary boat and boarded my train at 9.52.

Job done. All's well that...

I'll post a few pics when I get back...

No words needed!

TENGMALM'S OWL - the journey

No hitches early doors. An hour to Leeds on a boneshaker then another 6 to Aberdeen on a superb Virgin flyer, arrivibg at 5.10. Definitely the quietest compartment I've ever travelled in. Made conversation with an intelligent lady which helped pass the journey. A fascinating conversation. She'd certainly led an interesting life!

A short walk across the Mall from the Station and I was in the Ferry Terminal. After a brief wait we made the less than salubrious plod through the car deck to the main area..

Having had Weetabix for breakfast and a pastry at York, it was time for dinner...

The bird was active before dark and hopefully will be roosting in view tomorrow morning. Let's hope it's a dark night...if you get my drift!!!

TENGMALM'S OWL - Ressurrected!

Twitching is not for the fainthearted!!!

After a week of on-off sightings the Owl was found again this afternoon...after much searching. Incredible really, as it was over a mile from the original site!!!

Some Henry Kissinger style negotiations have enabled me to at least have a crack.

How?

Management is driving me to Hull...then train to Aberdeen...and Ferry over to Shetland for Wednesday morning. Forecast looks favourable BUT it could obviously take some finding especially as there won't be that many there. At least it sits out in the open on occasions.

Time will tell...

TENGMALM'S OWL - Aftermath!

So, no sign again this morning. My potential travelling buddy is on site and I'm praying it turns up for him and his brother...and the rest, some of which are still travelling. Been there..,know the feeling!!! Not pleasant.

Is it over? Who knows!

Having been Captain Sensible on this occasion (believe me it was hard) at least I scored MEGA points on the home front. As mentioned many times before I've "got away with murder" for many years for which I am eternally grateful, so when the good lady says no...it has to be no.  Another of my Dad's sayings...

"If the Queen's not happy the King is in trouble"! (or words to that effect).

She's right of course but boys will be boys...just not this time. In the past I've beat myself up over poor strategy, this time I had it sorted, I just couldn't put the plan into operation.

Detached thumb ligaments isn't ideal...

Guess I could always draw a TO on it! Ironically it's called a BLOCK!!!

Roll on Texas...

UPDATE: 9.20 !!!!!! MEGA Shetland TENGMALM'S OWL again Mainland

 

That's the game we play....tough sometimes...



TENGMALM'S OWL - A Cathartic post

Seeing as I'm laid up I have time to post some reflections...

I woke this morning to the news the TO was back, after the storm, in the same location! IF I'd travelled I WOULD have gambled on last nights Ferry and would be looking at it NOW!!! (Cue Violins). I CAN assure you I'm STILL as keen as the next twitcher...and always will be...BUT some things ARE more important and my present circumstances prohibit travel. Let's just leave it at that.

Tough one, especially considering it's an Owl and it's almost certain to be seen.

I know of some chaps who turned around yesterday on negative news. Another tough scenario. Many congrats to those who gambled or are travelling today and beyond. No sour grapes here I can assure you. I'll get the next one!!!!!!

In such circumstances my mind inevitably travels back to similar (thankfully not many) occasions...

WILSON'S WARBLER
THICK-BILLED WARBLER
PALLAS'S GRASSHOPPER WARBLER

To name but three.

Each bird has its own unique set of circumstances. The WW arrived when I was on Scilly and Louise was happy for me to leave and travel to the Outer Hebrides to try for it. I didn't.

The TBW arrived just after I'd cancelled our booking for our holiday on Shetland due to my leg. I'd have seen it on our first evening.

The PG Tips was missed by minutes at Spurn. You've probably heard that one!

Rarity value or experience? Both preferably. The first of the three would be my choice considering my strong bias towards the New World. The other two are frankly...rather boring IMHO.

Got me thinking about "Type of twitch". As you can see I have a "Rush Birds" list. The twitches that have been the most...exciting. In fact I've just had another look. I guess I'm happy with the order "Pop Pickers".

Even though I've place it at No 3 my solo AMUR FALCON twitch will take some beating for adrenaline rush. I guess the NIGHTHAWK and CLIFF SWALLOW have an element of nostalgia built in but were truly exhilarating moments I can assure you.

As previously stated I came into the game fairly late, opening with a GREAT BUSTARD dip!!! So from a lifetime perspective I was quite a few down from the start. Never bunking off School cost me many from 1990 through 2011 as well as holidays abroad. I'm still dipping them lol! I guess I'm an Everton rather than a Manchester United/City. As my Dad used to say..."There'll always be better, there'll always be worse".

There...I feel (slightly) better. Adding to this my plane crash I consider myself very fortunate to still be enjoying this wonderful hobby/obsession...in fact life at all!!

 

 

There'll be another...

TENGMALM'S OWL!!!

Well, it's happened!

Spurn '83 and all that.

Unfortunately, I'm going to have to pass. My (latest) injury plus a lot of "other stuff" going on at the moment means it's a "No No". Not much luck at the moment!!! The bird showed brilliantly all day yesterday but no sign at dawn in atrocious conditions?

All the VERY best of luck to those that have travelled. Back to historical eBird recording for me...

Productive walk

Has a nice stroll down Snakey late morning in the wonderful February sunshine.

I'd looked for my Partridges many times from the car with no luck. Inadvertantly flushed both today! Result! (P.76, H.35).

NDC Raptor fest!

The hoped for Noah's flood didn't materialize today. It's always last to flood but I thought the recent wet spell may have done the trick.

No matter, it was a bright afternoon and the view was as special as ever...

Throughout the afternoon I enjoyed prolonged views of an adult female and two juvenile Marsh Harriers and a very lively juvenile Peregrine...

I added Shelduck, Little Grebe, Grey Heron, Dunlin, Snipe, Fieldfare, Redwing and Bullfinch.

Fresh Air!

Clocked up 4 miles today with my mate. Felt good.

We started at Easington Beach were an hours vigil failed to produce any sightings of the wintering Shore Larks.

After lunch we visited Kilnsea Wetlands were I paid my first visit to the new hide. A definite improvement. I couldn't locate the Green-winged Teal unfortunately.

Things were going well!

The day was saved when I did manage a brief view of the Black Redstart (P.74, S.39) at the North end of the Gas Terminal. The bird flew down onto the beach and wasn't seen again in the next 45 mins. It looked in cracking plumage, so a return visit will be made.

Rising water levels mean a visit to Duff will be the order of the day tomorrow...

BLACK-BROWED ALBATROSS

Made it to Cornwall by 4.30am and grabbed an hours sleep. Another 90 minutes found me at the National trust car park at the Lizard. the southern tip of Britain. Extremities and Rare Birds eh!

It was still dark but a few cars were starting to roll up. The one next to me contained Dan Pointon who I'd last seen at Bempton... again involving an Albatross twitch. We were hoping for better luck this time.

We made our way down to the watch-point and set up our gear...

By 9am my dream of a BLACK-BROWED ALBATROSS shearing through the surf was starting to fade...slightly.

By 11 I needed a stretch and some refreshments, so I walked back to the V70 and bought her down to the cliff car park.

I reckon around 50 intrepid hopefuls had made the trip but by now some were leave.

Time for a much needed kip. Risky I know but unavoidable under the circumstances. I figured I'd hear the commotion if something occurred!?

I was back in the game by 3pm and gave it till 5 but it wasn't to be...again. Got back home at 1.30am after completing 940 miles

Obviously a difficult species to connect with...but I'll keep trying. Three sightings definitely made the trip worthwhile. At least it's in the North Atlantic and hopefully will turn up again this year. Bempton would be nice Trevor!

BBA?

In 1987 I was a novice Birder stood on the end of Filey Brigg when a shout went up..."Albatross"!!!

I didn't see anything BIG.

There was a returning bird for many years at Hermaness in the Northern Isles but that was way beyond yours truly with a young family.

A couple of misses at Bempton relatively recently. One when I was on the Outer Hebrides and the other when I was working, mean I still haven't seen this species in Britain.

I now have another chance!

A bird was seen off the Lizard on Friday afternoon. It was then (surprisingly) seen again this morning AND late afternoon!!!

Obviously lingering/roosting.

After a tough week I'll be driving down tonight... fingers crossed...

FALCATED DUCK

As stated many times before I follow the "official line" but don't necessarily agree with it!

We now have another example of this.

The BOU have just decided (after 32 years) that a bird that toured Norfolk and Northants between 1986 and 1988 has been deemed worthy.

I saw the bird in Northants in February 1987 in my twitching infancy.

Do I feel any satisfaction? Not really...but I'll take it!

Golden Plovers

Saw my first flock (43) this year at Stone Creek late afternoon.

Feeding well

Tree Sparrow numbers increasing... word must have got round! Up to FOURTEEN now.

Not forgetting the humble House Sparrow (8) of course.

Added Long-tailed Tit (P.73, H.34) this morning when 12 made their way through the garden.

Loons

Had a walk down to Old Hive this morning to see if any Snow Buntings were still around. I couldn't find any but it was nice to see a decent number of Red-throated Divers offshore. Even better was a lone Black-throated Diver.

I now have two Coal Tits attending my feeders and my Tree Sparrow count has reached 8.

Patch 72
Holmpton 33

Near and further

It was a thankfully sunny day, if a bit nippy. It can be tough going finding decent birds at this time of year...especially new ones! The day turned out to be just that...quiet. Still I enjoyed the drive round and enjoyed a few of the local suspects. The dark Buzzard near Patrington remains faithful to its favourite area...

There had been an obvious cold weather influx of Lapwings with c300 on Snakey lane and at Weeton.

Late afternoon I ended up at Skeffling. The tide was in and the Humber was flat calm...a fine sight enhanced by the presence of 10 fine Pintail...

A Barn Owl was hunting by the Village as I left.

A final drive back along Snakey revealed another dark Buzzard looking for its supper...

4.26

...and going to the toilet...

Shot in the dark!

Constant activity at the feeding station. The Coal Tit is a regular...

The Niger seeds always bring in the wonderful Goldfinches...

Not forgetting the humble Chaffinch...

Brightens up a Winter's day...

Buz Birding

Work and play today!

I had the Easington round shift which covers the area between Withernsea, Patrington and of course Easington. It even includes Holmpton and Snakey lane.

My first run (7.30 - 8.30) produced 3 Barn Owls, two at Weeton and one at Skeffling. The next run had a gem/imm Hen Harrier heading for the Humber.

I added a couple of Buzzards at Patrington before lunch.

Late afternoon I had another sighting of a Weeton Barn Owl. Then at 4.45 I SAW a Tawny Owl gliding along the road in front of my bus at Skeffling. Nice!

Tomorrow will be total Birding...

Feeding Station active!

Fully stocked and the birds are...HERE!

Blue Tit 8
Great Tit 6
Coal Tit
Robin 3
Dunnock 3
Wren 2
Tree Sparrow 8
House Sparrow 6
Blackbird 4
Chaffinch 4
Goldfinch 6

A quick trip to Tesco just before dusk. Obviously done it hundreds of times before...never seen a male Hen Harrier by the Sewage though!!!

Duff

Firstly, a bit of news from late yesterday when I saw THREE Barn Owls in 30 minutes! Birds were present at Holmpton. Skeffling and Weeton. The Weeton bird, through the windscreen... I did pull over!!

This morning I set off for a sesh at Duff. On the way I stopped off at Skeffling and had a play with my latest second hand camera. You may recall I unfortunately dropped my last one. I managed to repair it but the heat of the UAE was too much for the tape applied! I'm still keeping it but I wanted to try the "new" one with Texas in mind. Yes, I like to think ahead...out of the gloom!

First impressions were favourable. Here's a couple of images...

Reed Bunting

Kestrel

I arrived at NDC around 9.45 and stayed till 1.The greylags were enjoying the much welcomed sunshine...

There's a limited amount of water on now (which will stay) and it helps to concentrate the birds down by Garganey Hide, which is where I spent the whole watch. Hopefully more will fill the reserve later in the Winter...not too much of course.

The Whooper herd usually spends the day across the road on the farmland but I was lucky again this morning (26 on my last visit) with a family party of four present on the Carrs...

We were joined for a while by a pleasant chap from Fulford. We swapped stories of times gone by...as Birders tend to do! We commented on how nice it was to see so many Lapwings...

I then noticed the Whooper family take off. They circled and then headed off for the farmland. I grabbed my camera and just managed a few shots not knowing what I may have captured. To say the birds passed the hide a good hundred yards away in overcast conditions, I'm very pleased with the new camera's performance...quite a relief as well...

I then realized one had remained...

By 12.30 the skies had darkened (surprise, surprise) so I headed for Mr C's chippy in Selby. I also managed to get a quick trim...bonus. I was going to return for the afternoon but a full car park and dark skies meant I headed home.

 

List

Mute Swan (Cynus olor)
Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus) 4

Greylag Goose (Anser anser)

Greater Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)

Common Shelduck (Tadorna tadorna) 2

Eurasian Wigeon (Anas penelope)

Gadwall (Anas strepera)

European Teal (Anas crecca)

Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)

Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata)

Northern Pintail (Anas acuta) c 20

Common Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus)

Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo)

Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus)

Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo) 4

Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus)

Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) imm female

Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus)

Northern Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) c 300

Black-headed Gull (Larus ridibundus)

Common Gull (Larus canus)

Herring Gull (Larus argentatus argentatus)

Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) c 200

Stock Dove (Columba oenas)

Woodpigeon (Columba palumbus)

Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto)

Blackbird (Turdus merula)

Blue Tit (Parus caeruleus)

Great Tit (Parus major major)

Black-billed Magpie (Pica pica)

Jackdaw (Corvus monedula)

Carrion Crow (Corvus corone)

Rook (Corvus frugilegus)

Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)

Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs)