Arabian Adventure 26 - Day 3

A curtailed day today due to a  issue!

I did manage to get down to Al Qadra early afternoon. I toured around Expo Lakes but only added Common Sandpiper and 

However as I was returning towards the Bike Cafe I saw a couple of large Birds in the Sky. It was apparent (even to me) that they were Eagles of different size! Over the next hour I enjoyed fantastic views of both Birds which eventually dropped low overhead. I have pics but again no time to download, so here's a BOC of the majestic IMPERIAL EAGLE...a Lifer for me...

A Bird I'd always dreamed of seeing...and so close.

Arabian Adventure 26 - Day 2

Shaken off the Jet Lag now...thankfully! I was up and out by 8 after a decent night's sleep. Always helpful.

The initial teething problems out of the way I was down at Al Qudra by 10 after a failed mission to get close to a Subway.

The day was spent covering Desert and Oasis habitat, the latter being far more profitable. I couldn't find one Desert Site (Southwest) despite a "good go". Robert's Jeep allows total access!

I tried 3 different Lake areas and all produced some decent sightings. It's 7 years since I last visited and the areas have matured well...

They are fastidiously maintained. Birds present are a mixture of Ornamental and Wild with some hard to tell which!?

Thankfully the Bike Cafe was still functioning...

I won't be able to spend as much time Blogging as my main aim is to spend time with my Son but I'll add a few pics when possible. 

Highlights today...

Whiskered Tern

Squacco Heron

Purple Heron

Grey-headed Swamphen

Spoonbill 

Indian Silverbill

Spent a fair amount of time with "Eyes to the Skies" but no Imperial Eagles seen. Three have been reported.

Out for Dinner tonight. I'll be back down first thing tomorrow...

Arabian Adventure 26 - Day 1

Well...I've made it... eventually! The usual joys of long distance travel kicked in again, which included extensive security checks (all in a good cause of course ) and delayed flight. I did receive excellent help throughout. Jetlag hit hard overnight meaning I eventually surfaces at Noon today! 

Familiarisation was the word today as Rob had to go to work in preparation for his Trial tomorrow. He kindly lent me his Jeep...

...which will come on VERY handy on the Desert terrain. 

I spent a couple of Hours down at Al Quadra Lakes which is South of the City...

I've been on previous visits so I know where to go and eBird/Google maps helped even more.

There are lots of ornamental Birds here BUT genuine wild ones do turn up no doubt attracted by the water. A Wire-tailed Swallow had been reported but I never saw any Swallows of any description. Another potential Lifer reported here recently is Imperial Eagle. Maybe tomorrow?

The roads are...er...challenging to say the least. The junctions are different than on England but the Google Maps Sat Nav is invaluable. My main challenge today was finding his Flat again on my return!!!

Robert is late back tonight as a late issue has occurred regarding taking his car into Oman. Hopefully this can be sorted out soon?!

I'm hopefully returning to the Al Quadra area tomorrow for a full day...

WTE - Aughton Views

Q: Can you have too much of an Eagle

A: No!

My Loyalty to NDC is unwavering BUT the chance to get a closer view of our Star Visitor from Aughton Church on a still sunny Winter's Day was just too tempting. I arrived by the get to the Church at 7.55 and my former PE Teacher colleague Nigel arrived shortly afterwards. One benefit of Winter (there aren't many) is late Dawns.We made our way along the path, around the Church and down to the wall. It was worth the effort...

The Poplars in the Distance

On Monday if you recall I saw the Eagle flying South over Aughton Ings at 8.15 and I was hoping it would do the same this morning. Unfortunately we were to late it was already on the Bank to the South eating a large Fish! As I started taking pics it became apparent I'd forgotten to put my flashcard back in my Camera! Fortunately Nigel lent me his which allowed me to take some. Many thanks pal.

We enjoyed a wonderful morning (5 hours) watching the Eagle flying and landing at various spots along the Riverbank. Many Birders came and went among them was Jonathan Wasse, a long time friend and a fellow Cyprus Stalwart. Great to see you again pal...

I was sneakily snapped by Nigel...

He later emailed a few images...

Kestrel in the Bush for comparison

just an idyllic morning. Nice to have a different perspective on the Valley. Besides...far too nice to be in the Hut! Time for Lunch at the Drovers Arms in Skipwith. Modernised but brought back some great memories.

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Thoughts turning strongly towards the Middle East now but maybe time for one last visit tomorrow...?

WTE at NDC!

After seeing the Eagle twice at Thorganby I was determined to continue to try and add it to my Patch List.

Yesterday I left home at 6.20 arriving at the car park at 8.15 after stops for breakfast and supplies for the day. I intended to give it the full attention it deserved!

Still buzzing from seeing this Species in the York Area, a sighting at Duff would be the icing on the cake. I first saw this Species at Burton Constable 7/11/1999 and will never forget the first time it came into view through the trees. Breathtaking! Maybe you were there?...Steve was. I've also been fortunate enough to have a couple of sightings at Holmpton BUT this wouldn't diminish in any way a sighting here.

After setting my stall out I started to scan directly to the North, I was the only one present. After some 10 minutes or so I picked up a sinister shape gliding low across Ellerton Ings coming in my direction. It could only be one Bird!!! This was a VERY specail moment for me, to see this magnificent heading towards my Patch was unforgettable. Would it continue far enough though? I grabbed my camera and when I looked again it had disappeared. Fortunately it soon reappeared on the Riverbank (to my GREAT relief) at the far end of the Reserve. I had my Tick (169).

YES!!!

8.44

I was joined by Stuart Rapson and we continued to enjoy the Bird. It was his first sighting. I then contacted a few pals who decided to make the journey. After around 45 minutes it moved out of view down the far side of the Bank but could still be seen from Aughton Church... apparently. Haydn and Steve Lawton arrived followed shortly after by Nigel and his lad. Elaine from the Village also joined the fun. It was quite a gathering! Local Birders also came and went as did Birders farther afield. I'd never known the Hide so busy.

As you can hopefully appreciate it was hard to remember exactly who was there at any particular time throughout the day but everyone connected with the Bird eventually although the views varied.

Late morning the Eagle did a full circle of the Reserve before flying North again...

I was still in shock. Eventually all departed and I was left with a few Birders from various parts. The Hide was still busy but there was room for all. 

 

Other Species seen during the morning...

Goldeneye - 3 drakes and a female/immature 

White-fronted Geese 10

Pink-footed Geese c200

Great White Egret

Peregrine 2

Marsh Harrier 2

Lapwing c3000

Pintail c80

There has been a huge increase in Goose and Duck numbers. This was the closest to the Hide I'd ever seen Wigeon...

Common BUT very Dapper

The afternoon session was quieter initially, although there was something of interest to look at but around 2.30 the "Big One" re-appeared through the gloom. The flight views were spectacular as it wheeled around low over the water for a good 15 minutes fishing (confirmed later) beyond the Riverbank, before flying up into the Poplar nearest to the River...

c1 mile

This was the Site where it was first seen on Boxing Day! Somewhat fitting I thought. Inevitably it was bothered by Corvids but they eventually thought better of it! The size comparison was stark. A Magpie looked like a Pied Sparrow!

It then dropped down onto the Riverbank again for a while...

... before flying off North at 3.40 to roost, presumably in the Thorganby area. I've seen and found some great Birds here over the Years...BUT none better than this. Maybe I had a little help...

White-tailed Eagle in York Area

We set off back from my Mother's yesterday lunchtime after a very enjoyable couple of days with Family.

As we neared the A1, I received a message from Elaine (14.09) informing me a WTE had been seen at Duff!!! Major News.

Louise was driving and bearing in mind the short days, I initially didn't even consider it as I thought I was too far away given the remaining daylight? The local Birders were soon on the case and a few phone calls established it was still in the area but was now on the Riverbank at Thorganby. As we approached the A19 I used Google maps to see what the ETA was. It informed me I would arrive at 3.45ish. 

I asked the good lady if we could have a crack, she nodded so off we went. A couple of slow moving vehicles added to the tension as we neared the site but we made it to the car park by the Village Hall at 3.50. On the way I'd rung Jono Leadley and Tim Jones for updates and Tim told me that Oliver Metcalf and Chris Gomersall were still present and would wait for me to arrive...which was handy, as I didn't have my optics!

The light was fading fast as I made my way to the platform. I could see the chaps and asked if I was "in luck". They said "yes, it's still here"! Almost immediately they told me it was flying! Oliver gave me his Bins and we all watched this magnificent Bird fly slowly and purposefully North up River. Brilliant!!! An amazing York Area Tick.

I thanked the lads for their help and we all made our way back to our cars...elated. Louise was treated to a nice Pub meal in Hull as a thank you.

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This morning I was up at 6 and heading back to the LDV...this time to NDC. I wanted my Patch Tick! I arrived at 8.30 and there was already someone in the Hide. Turned out it was the chap who first saw it yesterday! He gave me the story. He first saw it in the Poplars at the end of the straight and then watched it flying low around both banks of the River. He had some remarkable video of the event! A chap from Hull then arrived and said he'd just seen the Eagle feeding on the Riverbank from Aughton Church! I'd been scanning constantly since entering the Hide but there was no sign of it. We figured it must have been behind the bushes to the left at the far end of the Reserve. VERY frustrating! 

Jono then arrived and said another Birder was still watching it from Aughton Church. We continued to scan. He then received a message saying it had flown North towards Thorganby. I'd missed it. He drove up to the viewing platform. Shortly afterwards he rang me to say it was perched in a tree directly out from the platform. That was it...I was off! The Bird was still present as I joined the small admiring group. It remained in the tree for over THREE hours before flying North at 2.50. I had a good chat with Arnie Cowan which helped pass the time as we waited for it to fly. I also saw Andy Holden and his wife Vicky. It was good to see them all again. Alas I didn't get a flight shot worth posting.

So, I'd got some pics but not my Patch Tick. We're visiting again tomorrow but I'll have another crack on Monday. Hopefully it will hang around and pay another visit to my Patch...when I'm there!

The day was a dull one but there was no wind. The stillness added to the atmosphere. The Eagle had been seen feeding earlier so it was probably in no hurry to continue hunting. The origin of the Bird is obviously unknown BUT it appears unringed which debatably helps it credentials. Time will tell...maybe? A fantastic Bird whatever.

It flew off North again at 2.50.

Merry Christmas

Last Post...before the Festivities.

Had three hours yesterday afternoon at my Inland Patch. Water Levels still VERY high limiting opportunities for Wader feeding/resting...

Great White dot

Garganey Hide is out of action...

Still plenty of aerial activity with huge numbers of Lapwing still present, creating clouds akin to Starling mumurations! 3 Little Grebes are still trying to figure out what happened!

...as was the pale Buzzard...

A flock of c200 Pink-footed Geese have been seen on most visits...

...as have 6 Long-tailed Tits...

There are still huge numbers of Fieldfare present which is very unusual for December. They've usually eaten all the berries and moved on by now! Maybe late arrivals?

From a previous Dawn arrival

I saw ONE Redwing...

...and a single Song Thrush...

A few more from recent visits...

3 still present

Kingfisher on the scrape before the flood

I had a nice chat with a young Italian couple from York which passed a pleasant hour. Hopefully water levels will have subsided on my next post-Christmas visit.

Locally the Star attraction was this confiding Barn Owl which tolerated my presence of my car...

Such a beautiful Bird and so fortunate to have a decent population nearby. 

Starting to finalize my Trip planning for my visit to see my son Robert in the New Year. Not long now.

So MERRY CHRISTMAS to you and yours...and thanks for following my Blog. Cheers...