What a grey day...again!

Hate November...I might have mentioned that before!

Still, got to make the most of the fading light. Late start meant a trip up onto the floodbank at Skeffling. I'd fluked high tide and the bank was free from mud...hence relatively clean dog.

Plenty of activity, with large numbers of waders and wildfowl present. I managed to pick out a pair of Pintail among the Mallards...

The flooded field attracted a few Lapwings. I managed to pick one out with the camera as the sun shone...for around 30 seconds!

The Boss waited reasonably patiently...

Just before I left the car park a group of 8 Twite landed briefly in the nearby bushes. Too quick for me to capture!

After lunch I did the Sunk Island circuit as the gloom closed in once again. Main hope was a Raptor/Owl (as usual) but I certainly didn't expect to see this on a farm barn roof...

Grey Wagtail

Final sighting of note came in the form of this distant Buzzard just before dusk...

Not seeing many Barn Owls yet? Short-eared would be nice...maybe a Hen Harrier...

Deep South (7) - Way up North

Back to the Spring tour.

We left Florida and headed North into Georgia. If you've got a non-birding partner you'll know you have to take an all-round view to holidays! No problem for me as I love sightseeing in the States. Might be for you though so feel free to skip these bits.

We headed for Savannah (one of many fabulously named places). It's 453 miles from Ft Myers and took us around 7 hours with stops. We did the old centre tour...

Live Oak lined streets draped in Spanish Moss

The bus guide was superb with a wonderful slow southern drawl...loved it! She called the place Slooooovannah. As a kid I collected American Civil War cards which also had replica Confederate money...those were the days. This definitely fuelled my love of American history and particularly the Civil War.

I also love the architecture...

From here we headed further North West through South Carolina and on into North Carolina. We were aiming for Hendersonville, making another 289 miles.

Next day I was up early and heading up onto Skyline drive...

Skyline Drive is a 105-mile (169-km) road that runs the entire length of the National Park Service's Shenandoah National Parkin the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.

The particular spot I was interested in was the Pisgah Inn. This was the number one site for my code 1 target bird...guessed what it might be yet? I tried the recommended areas and again at dusk...but not a sniff. The sunset was spectacular though...

5,000 ft

I'd scheduled a few days to hopefully connect with this bird...and I had some support! I rang my contacts Marcus Simpson and Marylin Westphal and they agreed to meet me the following evening. We met at a designated car park and we followed them to the alternative site. They told me that they hadn't had any sightings on their last two visits...which didn't raise hopes? At least the weather was good which was always going to be a concern.

We arrived around 30 minutes before dusk and waited. Marcus and Marylin prowled up and down the road listening and looking while I scanned. Still nothing, not a single bird. 20 minutes had passed now and it wasn't looking good.

Then, a sound, then there it was... a low flight across the hillside! American Woodcock (ABA 664) There was a further display flight in the fading light. No photo...but who cares...I'd seen it!

A big relief!! As previously stated I'd struggled to find a strategy to connect with this bird previously, so the long detour had paid off. Now to make it up to Louise.

Next stop Nashville, Tennessee...

Always a chink of light through the gloom

As the year draws to a close and the daylight is limited, especially on days like today, with thick cloud and heavy drizzle, you just hope that something occurs to lift the spirits somewhat.

Out on the clifftop at Easington for the daily dog walk. Difficult to find somewhere that's not plastered with mud! Not that Bud minds.  Anyway, I stayed by the car and did the fetch and retrieve scenario, lazy I know BUT practical in the conditions.

The field in question is by the Gas terminal. I'm always a tad wary with the regular passing of police vehicles but they obviously/hopefully know who I am by now and I don't get questioned anymore.
I often risk a quick scan of the tall tower on the sharp bend.

Again, always a bit reluctant to point the bins/camera in that direction. Anyway I'm here to tell the tale and here's what I was hoping to see...

Peregine

It seems I've caused a bit of a stir with my comments regarding nasal markers on ducks. Never mind, I'm getting used to it!

Barn Owl Utopia

There are Barn Owl photos...and then...

Check these out.

Deep South (6)

It would soon be time to head north, way north, in search of a species that I'd  not really had a decent shot at in all my visits to the States. A common bird (code 1) but it just hadn't fitted in with my holidays which had been Spring and Summer and mainly southern based. Any ideas? More in the next post.

I would be returning to Florida in the latter part of our trip to target some highly desired species that hadn't arrived yet. I'd also be re-visiting...

...for my number one target.

Here are a few more pics from this superb reserve...

Green Heron

Brown Pelican

It's wasn't ALL about birds! There's some pretty smart animals about as well...

Racoon

The middle third of our holiday was mainly sightseeing. I WILL give a brief summary. You may...or may not, be interested. If it's the latter you can always hit the little x at the top right of your screen!

For the good of the bird/species...or science?

I've started to put together a few bits for my Arizona trip next summer. One such site is a facebook page called surprisingly Arizona birding!. There's a lively debate on there at the moment regarding the marking of ducks. You might care to take a look...and form an opinion...I have!

Find your own...

Tried to make the most of the daylight and was out of the house by 7.30. In the interests of "mop up" I decided to do a seawatch from Easington which meant I could exercise my 4 legged friend as well as hopefully cross off a few belated Spurn year ticks.

The first bird that past was a superb male Eider heading south (S.123). Then a long overdue Red-throated Diver (S.124) was found on the sea, several others passed south. Going well.

Next it was down to Spurn. My target was Snow Bunting. A few had been reported over the previous week but I didn't have a particular spot to focus on, so I just walked south along the beach from the car park. Just as I was setting off I noticed this Goldeneye on the Borrow Pit...

I left junior in the car as pooches are understandably not welcome on the reserve. I'd gone about three quarters of the way to the seawatching hut when I bumped into a couple of birders and I asked them if they'd seen any. They hadn't, so after a chat I carried on. I had all day, which was obviously nice...and relaxing, so I hung around for a while hoping I might catch a glimpse of one/some. Three more Eiders flew over the peninsular from the Humber and out to sea...

jizz test!

A Stonechat entertained on the nearby fence...

Still no luck with the SB. I turned and headed for the car park. Then I heard a familiar musical trill. Out of nowhere...a Snow Bunting (S.125) flew over the dunes and landed right in front of me! It had taken 90 minutes.

It was then joined by a second bird and they proceeded to feed actively amongst the grasses.

No apologies for a few pics...

OK, maybe just one more...

Shame about the twig BUT what a cracking bird!

Love these birds, full of character, bold and cute!

I then drove down to the Crown and Anchor. It was noticeable that large numbers of Blackbirds were present...with many resting in the bushes, obviously exhausted...

I then saw at least 30 drop out of the sky into the car park bushes! Great to witness this spectacle. The controversial Redstart was still present but I didn't return after seeing it well yesterday.

I spent what was left of the daylight looking for Raptors/ Owls down at Sunk Island. The best I could manage was this distant Buzzard...

On the way home I came across a large flock of Fieldfare, at least 300...

..and that, was that!

A (very) late Redstart...and a year tick!

I made my way down to Kilnsea on a glorious summer-like morning to take a look at an interesting Redstart. Who'd a thought it. Redstart (P.160, S.122) as a year tick on the 20th of November (my birthday incidentally...just thought I'd throw that in).

A controversial bird with some leaning towards Ehrenberg's Redstart? The extremely late date does get you thinking...doesn't it?

Anyway...here it is...

Pale wing panel and greyish wash to the breast

As Gary Taylor said though..."If it turned up at the end of September, would it get a second look?" It does make you wonder where it came from to arrive on such a late date. After having a chat with Gary, Mick Turton and Steve Exley I left to take Bud a walk. A couple of Chiffchaffs were present in the Crown and Anchor car park and a Redwing was actually singing by the Gas Terminal!

It was also great to see an old friend on the way home...

BLACK BRANT

Ever tried to pick one out of a large flock of Brents? I'd been scanning various groups on and off for about a week now. Nothing stood out. They can vary widely in plumage. 

I tried again this morning down Beacon lane. I picked a very large group up...around 400, feeding in the field west of BL.

I took my 'scope for a change (getting lazy in my old age) and decided to have a scan from distance (c.200yds). The field undulated and some birds were obscured. Is that it? Nah. That one? Nope.

What about this one...

Can you see it?

Once seen it does stand out...BUT...until it does?

I then took the footpath to Beacon ponds. Again the undulations were a problem (sounds like a disease that!) but eventually I picked it up again despite looking into the sun.

Call of the wild

Think it knows it's special!

Mop up

It's that time of the year when thoughts turn to remaining year ticks. Don't know about you but the enthusiasm at the last knockings ain't the same as first footings! Anyway I managed 3 yesterday. I had a male Gadwall (H.106, P.155) whirring north...a Village lifer no less. This was followed by a distant Great Crested Grebe (S.117, P.156) on Beacon Ponds...

and a couple of Shoveler (S.118, P.157) on a nearby pool.

19/11/1969...a wintering WALLCREEPER arrived in Dorset, staying till the 18th of April!!! Just a thought...

More on Florida...when I can't bird here!

Migration not over yet

Good numbers of Fieldfare...

Redwing...

and Kestrel...

around the peninsular this morning.

Raptors through the gloom

Late start this morning but I was stirred into action by a text from Gavin to inform me he'd had 13 Snow Buntings S along the clifftop. I soon joined him and we walked south to Old Hive but couldn't relocate them. He also had 3 Little Auks. I had an hour late afternoon but apart from a few RTD's...no joy.

In between time I had an hour cruising round Sunk Island looking for raptors. I soon found one...in a large conifer...

Buzzard

Then down to Pat' Haven and a distant cc Marsh Harrier...

Just to brighten things up, here's another from the Florida sunshine...

Great Blue Heron

Visible Migration par excellence - Swallow-tailed Kites!

...BUT before I do I feel it's worth mentioning another highlight of my time on Sanibel Island. It was our second evening and we were looking for somewhere to eat. There was plenty of choice! We'd just pulled into a likely spot when I noticed a bird floating overhead.

It was dusk by now but there above me was the unmistakable silhouette of a Swallow-tailed Kite. Problem was I'd packed up for the day and my camera was in the boot. A few minutes fumbling and I'd managed to sort things out...problem was the bird had disappeared! I'd previously seen a fly-by down in the Everglades

...but I'd not given up on this one.

Fortunately I picked it/one up again over the supermarket!

It was 7.11pm

The light had nearly gone...then I noticed another, then another...

EIGHT!!!

What a stroke of luck. They floated around for a good ten minutes before dropping into the woods to roost. I was there at dawn next morning and gave it a good hour but no sign.

A magical encounter with one of my favourite birds.

Deep South (3)

So, a great start. Being greedy I charmed? Louise into a trip to Fort Myers. Nothing to do with the Eurasian Wigeon that had been present in the area for quite a while. Always questions over vagrant wildfowl BUT this bird had been accepted by the Florida boys...so it was good enough for me!

The good news for Louise was that I found it straight away...you've gotta love eBird...

ABA 663

I'd booked us into the Best Western at Fort Myers for a few days. Again, nothing to do with it's proximity to Ding Darling NWR on Sanibel Island. A truly marvellous place AND my best chance for my No 1 target bird MANGROVE CUCKOO. I hasten to add that even here it was going to be a tough ask.

The island is a millionaire's playground but deep within it is an extensive mangrove swamp with an accessible wildlife drive. I spent three early mornings there but I couldn't drag one out of the mangroves. Again, unsurprisingly very hot and humid but I enjoyed the challenge. There was also plenty to admire...

Reddish Egret

The gigantic White Pelican...

Yellow-crowned Night Heron...

No luck with the main target but I had other plans for this bird later on the trip. Time to head north now to try a long shot for a long overdue species...

Deep South (2)

On the way back to Flamingo we had the last hour of light at the superb Royal Palm Anhinga/Gumbo Limbo (what a great name) trails. On the way we saw lots of Egrets and Herons at varying distances. Something made me stop at one pull in...glad I did!

Wood Stork

The views of the birds here are simply stunning. The evening light and the total lack of wind was helpful.

Wonder why they call it the Anhinga trail...

A fabulous bird...

A fellow grockle spotted this baby Alligator...

Then we all saw a larger one...

The tropical sunset and the superb wildlife was a wonderful start to our trip.

Then, an American Purple Gallinule put in an appearance just before dusk...

On our way back to the car we turned to see this group of Anhinga in the fading light. You can see why the native American Indians called them "Snake birds"

The Everglades...a fabulous place