Black Stork...postscript

Paid a few visits down to Old Hall yesterday but no sign of the BS. No reports neither so presumed gone. Last report I heard was of it flying South from Stone Creek at 10.25. I know it's been around for a while but that shouldn't diminish it's status, it's still a VERY rare bird.

On the way down Wheatears were still in evidence, I saw at least 5 including 3 together. Here's 2 of them...

Then on the plough...

then by the roadside...

Marsh Harriers are regular around the area but hard to get near...

On one of my visits to the BS drain I noticed a large dark bird (thought it was the Stork initially) tucked into the grass at the side. It was a Marsh Harrier, again feeding on crabs!

Some consolation.

Have a safe trip...you gave me a lot of pleasure...

S.E.Arizona (5)

After yesterday's missed turning I returned to the sewage works to try for the NC...

Smaller head and bill but longer tail than Double-crested. A scarce bird in Arizona. We then found a Cooper's Hawk determined to show us his tail...

Next was a Rufous-winged Sparrow perched on a road sign obviously feeding young...

I was keen to see some WATER!!!

So, it was time to visit Wilcox.

Handily it's easily accessible form I10. Unfortunately we arrived at 1pm...thing is you've got to be somewhere at 1pm! I was happy to remain at Cochise Lake (great name) for the afternoon. We could drive right around the relatively small lake and view from the (air conditioned) car.

What would we see. Well, almost immediately I re-found a scarce bird for the state...Snowy Plover...

I'd seen plenty in Texas over the years but it was great to see one here. Other birds seen included the always impressive American Avocets...

We saw a lot of birds with their mouths open...I wonder why! We got great views of this Eastern (Lilian's) Meadowlark...

Hundreds of twirling Wilson's Phalarope's...

Long-billed Dowitcher's...

It was a really relaxing afternoon...and evening...

Black Stork...again!

Like the old Batman...same place, same time, same channel! The bird was in exactly the same place as yesterday evening.

I spoke to a chap who lived nearby who reckoned it had been in the area for over a week. I watched it till dusk but didn't see it fly to roost. It's being seen at Stone Creek in the morning. I reckon it's feeding here later in the day as the drain is tidal.

The first pic isn't great but it shows the bird with a crab...

It's amazing what else can turn up when your watching for a while. I also saw 2/3 Kingfishers and this Common Sandpiper...

Really special to have such a rare bird so close to home and to have re-located it was a minor miracle! There was evidence that it had been closer to the road...

It stayed at around 50yds. I could have tried to get closer but I had no intention of flushing the bird and was more than happy watching it from the car. I'd forgotten all about work by now! At one point it did come slightly nearer...pity it was in the shade...

Another marvelous encounter.

Black Stork!

I finished at 5, went home, picked Bud up and headed for Sunk Island. I'd seen pics of it on various websites and thought I'd give it a go. I don't know how well you know the Patrington Haven/Sunk Island/Stone Creek area...but it's BIG, VERY BIG.

Three Marsh Harriers and a Wheatear provided entertainment between Pat' Haven and Sunk Island. Where to look? Stubble, plough, ditches...everywhere! It's a BIG bird BUT it's a gigantic area.

Much scanning took place in the next hour or so but no luck. It was now approaching 7 and the sun was behind thick cloud. Hopes were fading...fast. I tried another minor road, dodging the endless tractor traffic. How I love the peace and quiet?

I stopped opposite yet another ditch, this one had water. I picked up my trusty trinnies and this is what I saw...

A great moment...

......................................................................................

Apologies again regarding my Arizona write up. No promises this time but I will continue when I have the time and energy...

Wrynecks

Too little time and energy for an Arizona post tonight.

I did have an hour before work so I tried yet again for the Wryneck at the Gas Terminal. It's a regular Bud walking location. So primed with bins, camera (complete with flash card and fully charged battery!) I made my way down the roadside fence. Withina minute theer it was perched on the fence despite the strong wind. the time was 9.30am. Right, camera ready, what no power? Not happy. I started to make my way back to the car for another battery. I'm sure I charged it. I tried taking it out and putting it back in. Hey presto...it worked!

Needless to say the bird didn't show again before I had to leave at 11. Frustrating.

Still, it was my FOURTH Wryneck of the month and my perseverance paid off!

A mixed day

Got through Easington around 7.30am and found a couple of birders looking into a stubble field. I pulled up and had a scan...Red-footed Falcon!

Jizz...

The first unfortunate incident of the day occurred when one chap decided he could walk into the middle of the field for a better view...sound familiar...I'll leave it there as I'm getting more diplomatic in my advancing years, it's not easy though. I got a few distant pics as it spent time on the ground...

I soon left the area as I wasn't enjoying the situation, feel a bit of a patsy doing the right thing if you get my drift. It moved on mid-morning.

Next it was down to Kilnsea where I saw 2 Red-backed Shrikes in 5 minutes!

Both rather distant again but at least they were there! Again...nowhere like it.

Not the numbers of yesterday...345 Willow Warblers and 230 Pied Flycatchers...but still plenty to scan through, not forgetting the RFF of course. Just one more Shrike pic, it's through the branches but I love the stance...

I had to pop home at lunchtime to meet a joiner so I hung around the cliff for a while until he called. Better news today as I had at least 3 Pied Fly's plus many (c30) Willow Warblers. You could say I was rather chuffed! The PF were very active typically perching briefly and flying a distance, they were too quick for me.

After lunch I returned south to try yet again for the Wryneck that keeps perching on the Gas Terminal fence...unfortunately not when I'm around. Gavin had gone down for the Falcon after me and had seen it...yep...on the fence. As I was scanning yet again a message...Red-footed Falcon, Sammy's Point. Let's go!

As I started to walk down the floodbank a birder and his wife were returning to the car park. He told me he had seen the bird perched on the barbed wire down to 20 feet!!! His photos were quite good! Unfortunately the bird was not re-located and a later report of one south past Donna Nook may be the end of our fun. This brings me to the second incident. Four chaps pulled up asking where the bird was. I politely informed them it had flown off. Three seemed to accept this but the fourth wouldn't have it. He lost his cool, demanding to know where it had gone and accusing me of winding him up!?

I left.

I finished off back at the triangle hoping for better views of the Shrikes. I didn't see either but I did see another Wryneck, again distantly...

Back on the bus tomorrow for 4 days so I'll continue with my Arizona report...

An excellent day...at Spurn!

Started early locally. Bursting to see all the Pied Flycatchers in the Village! Unsurprisingly this situation didn't materialize. I did however see a smart Whinchat ...

Enough of my laments about Holmpton but I will cherish my meagre pickings. I did get brief glimpses of a couple of Pied Flys but they were very unsatisfactory. I had to return home to meet a builder (who didn't turn up) so I did a bit in the back garden and saw 2 Garden Warblers. I must spend more time here, I thought!! Especially when a surprise Cuckoo flew South through the mist...

I decided to do a loop of the Village, maybe I'd find something further "inland". I'd taken my radio with me as a little experiment. When I first moved to Holmpton I was hoping I would have reception. Unfortunately this wasn't the case. I was delighted to find that now I have, which is a big plus. As I reached the main road news came through of a possible Red-footed Falcon at the point. This species used to be almost annual in Yorks during the 90's but is now much rarer. This was my cue to leave (I had given it 3 hours).

A walk to the point wasn't going to happen but I thought the bird might end up flying North...maybe? I decided to have a look down Sammy's Point. This was a good decision as it was bouncing. I've never seen as many birds in the bushes...it was fantastic! I met a couple of chaps on the way down who'd told me they'd seen a Wryneck just inside the gate, I didn't see it but the first bird was...yep...Pied Fly...

...and another...

..and so on...

Amazing...or is it?

I the spent the next couple of hours just walking the bushes enjoying the spectacle. As I reached the far end I spotted a fine male Redstart darting into a solitary bush. As I scanned the bush for another look I saw another bird in the centre...Wryneck!! I shouted to the nearby birders but it disappeared. A couple of younger birders joined me. One turned out to be Joel, who I twitched the SLATY-BACKED GULL with...now there's a story. It was great to see him again. They said they'd seen another at the North end of the Gas Terminal which had shown really well. After around 10 minutes Joel's mate picked it up on the far fence. again through the mist. I managed a record shot...

Phil was also down and we walked back to the car park together. There was a lot of debate over "the Falcon" at the Point. Unbelievably another bird had appeared at the back of Ian Smith's house! We were there in no time enjoying albeit distant views...

This pager message best sums up the Holmpton v Spurn situation...

200 Pied Flycatchers Spurn

Goodnight.

Pied Fly invasion

Large numbers of Pied Flycatchers have been hitting the East Coast from late morning. We'd spent the morning around the peninsula but it was fairly quiet. The fat rascals in the cafe were pretty good though.

After a touch of late season gardening I received a text from Phil Jones informing me there was a Spotted Flycatcher on the clifftop. It was nice to hear from him as he'd recently sold his house in Withernsea. After a catch up chat he went down to Spurn and I stuck it out.

After around 10 minutes I re-located the SF...

...but where are all the Pied Fly's? Not here! I had one brief sighting and that was that. It used to irritate me...not anymore. I'll see what I see and that's that. It is remarkable what Spurn can attract. Luckily it's only 7 miles away!

I'm going to persevere locally this Autumn...

Local stuff

Acting on a radio message of 4 SEO's at Sammy's I made the short drive from Kilnsea Wetlands. No sign.

I continued south along the Humber Bank and eventually found one near Long Bank...

I then tried (in vain) for the Barred Warbler east of Rose Cottage. This Garden Warbler more than made up for it...

Deep in the bush

I'd tried 4 times to connect with Black Tern on Beacon Ponds. This afternoon I finally managed it. Keep it quiet but it's a Spurn tick!

I returned to Sammy's this evening, no sign of any SEO's BUT 2 Little Owls on the way home...here's one of them...

a baby

S.E.Arizona (4)

23rd July

Wednesday started with a drive south to try and add a few Arizona ticks but also, just to see what we came across. We headed South again down the I19.

First stop was Rio Rico ponds. A good spot for Black-bellied Whistling Duck. It didn't dis-appoint...

I intended to try for Neotropic Cormorant at Amado Sewage pond but I missed the exit! On reaching exit 12 we turned right and headed west on Ruby rd. My intention was to try again for Rufous-capped Warbler in Pena Blanca Canyon. Firstly though we tried the adjacent lake. On the approach road I heard a now familiar call...yet another Gray Hawk. I got out of the car and the bird duly flew across the road and landed in a nearby tree. It only stayed a few seconds but I got it!

More noise and more raptors. This time a pair of young Cooper's. They weren't getting on to well...

they eventually settled...

I the left Louise at the trailhead at PBC and made the flat walk down to where I thought the RCW site was. I like to think I'm pretty good at remembering places I've been. Not today. I couldn't see anywhere that looked like the spot were we'd seen the BCG on the big day. Very frustrating but I would try again.

Of interest on the walk back was the discovery of a Black-headed Grosbeak sat on a nest...

On reaching the car a shower produced a nice rainbow...

On the way back to the motel we enjoyed one of many wonderful sunsets...

Arizona (3) - East of the Chiricahuas...part 2!

I have an hour before my first grandson (6 weeks old) arrives so I've time to finish this post...I Think!

Firstly though I wanted to show you a message I received from Richard Fray regarding my BIG day...

"Thanks again, Alan. What a day! Genuinely one of the best I've had as a full-time birding guide for the last six years"

How lucky was I!!!

I never take things for granted and I will always remember it as one of my best ever days in a wonderful location. Thanks yet again Richard.

The main reason for extending this particular post is to concentrate on another special Hummingbird.. From Portal we made our way up the main Cave Creek road (FR 42). There was evidence of flood damage and the gravel road along the south fork was closed. I decided to give this a miss, mainly due to to the time of day (1pm). I was interested in visiting the South Western Research Station though. It would give me a chance to bird in sheltered conditions and Louise a nice spot to read her novel.

On arrival I made the short walk down to the Hummingbird feeders. A great spot in the trees with some much needed shade and a breeze. On the way down I spotted a lovely Say's Pheobe...

There were no Hummers on my arrival but after around 10 minutes I noticed...and heard a few there or thereabouts. Then after around 30 minutes I had my first brief view of the bird I'd come to see...

Below is a sequence of shots or variable quality to hopefully illustrate the agility of the bird...the Blue-throated Hummingbird

After enjoying the bird whizzing around for a good while I luckily picked it up perched right behind our bench!

We then moved up slowly along the track towards Rustler and Barfoot parks. Another chance for high altitude species...and maybe my RED CROSSBILL? There had been reports on eBird.

Unfortunately is was getting late in the day and the clouds were gathering. I did give it an hour but I have to admit I had an ear on the thunder...the first flash of lightening and we were OFF!

We made our way down the west side and I had another BIG slice of luck when a female Montezuma's Quail ran across the road in front of us. I was (just) quick enough to get this pic...