Decisions... Decisions?

Went to Cornwall for an EGYPTIAN VULTURE...not seen again...yet!

Didn't go to Kent for an ELEONORA'S FALCON...seen again and got away with it.

LONG-LEGGED BUZZARD (possible) reported in...Cornwall?

It's a game...

Texas 22 - Day 22

It was time to leave our beloved Galveston Island.We'd had the best of times and the house we'd rented was amazing! After a 3 year wait we were more than satisfied. It was starting to get hot also!

No surprise for Louise when I suggested an early Ferry crossing the previous evening! Not too early mind...as you can see...

This was the first occasion she'd actually got out of the car. A rare sighting indeed! Once across it was straight up towards Yacht Basin Road once again after a brief check for Upland Sandpiper. No joy but this Whimbrel was smart...

Yacht Basin Road...

Yes, that's one barge on the Intercoastal Canal!

to try for a special Sparrow....namely Nelson's. Despite giving it a "good hour" I couldn't find one in the grasses but there were plenty of Seaside (c20). ..

Love this Great Egret image...

There were also a couple of dapper Black-bellied Plovers present...

We also passed a Purple Martin house...

We received a message during the Winter from the Airline informing us our return flight had been put back a day. What a shame! However that meant we needed accommodation for an extra night. It was then that I came up with a cunning plan. I decided to book us into a Motel at Port Arthur (with management's approval of course) which would enable me to have 2 sessions at the legendary Sabine Woods. What a finish to the trip! I just needed the "right" conditions?

Anyway, we headed straight through High Island (sacrilege) and had a brief stop at the bridge again. Still no Great Horned Owl (fledged?) or Cave Swallow. We headed through Winnie and East towards Beaumont. My next port of call was Cattail Marsh (worth a click) a superb wetland within Tyrrell Park...

My target here was a National Symbol? It was noon now and rather toasty (for me). Yes, it's a HUGE area and I certainly wouldn't be walking far as there was little cover. I saw two ladies strolling towards me totally unconcerned by the temperature? I asked them about my target and although reluctant at first they told me the juvenile bird was still by the nest (c 1 mile away). I thanked them and went to the car for my scope!!

Fortunately there was a shelter along the boardwalk and I had an idea of where to look. We settled in, Louise read and I scanned...

Bald Eagle

It was a better view through the 'scope! I'd seen the stunning Cinnamon Teal here on past visits...but not this time. The Pied-billed Grebes showed well despite the heat haze...

...and the inevitable...

No Swimming!

We moved on to Port Arthur for a Subway lunch. I aimed to be at SW by 3pm. We arrived dead on time after passing through (and I do mean THROUGH) the gigantic Motiva Oil Refinery...

North America's largest

I was all nostalgic lol! I signed in, paid my dues and headed into the Woods with no little (understandable) anticipation....it was quiet! No matter...I was just glad to be here, reliving past memories and enjoying the solitude. There were a few Birders about but not many. You plan your time and keep your fingers crossed. 

I only recorded 17 species in FOUR hours...but I loved it! Noteworthy...

Ovenbird - at least 6 present which made my day on its own! I had several views of birds in the shade of the trees...

This Brown Thrasher nearly emerged completely...

Again a pair provided great entertainment for a good 15 minutes. They're charged!

My first Blue Jay emerged from the Woods briefly whilst I was talking to Louise...

A better view later...

Then the dreaded Empid...

Acadian

Great-crested Flycatcher

As I turned a corner to go towards a bench...someone had got there first...

I returned to the car to get Louise. By the time we'd returned he was on his way, but I managed a pic, even though I'd forgot to change settings...

It's NEVER boring in Texas! I still had tomorrow morning as well...

Texas 22 - Day 21

So to Monday May 2nd. Swallow-tailed Kite day...hopefully. I'd always planned to try for this wonderful species at some time during the Holiday. I'd been trawling eBird for current sightings but they were surprisingly thin this Year? A breeding bird in the State but not flagged as sensitive. I wanted to try a different area if possible from the ones I'd tried in previous Years. In the end though I chose a spot where I'd had great views of them in 2013.

After an early hour at Corps Woods were I sat at the "secret" watch point...it was quiet...

I returned for Louise and we headed North off the Island. It took us 90 minutes to get East of Houston and park at Site 1...crossing an unbelievable bridge at Baytown on the way...

Site 1...

Despite a couple of hours searching, no joy. I won't prolong the agony, although there was an Egyptian Goose (of dubious origin) present.I did have great views of Mississippi here...

...better than this "Bandits at 10 o'clock" pic!

Whilst having lunch a strange sound (worth a listen) alerted me to a Fish Crow...

...which I was surprisingly pleased with...being my only confirmed sighting of the Trip! An Eastern Bluebird also performed well...

I tried a couple more sites in the afternoon...

...but alas I couldn't find any STK...which was obviously disappointing. Can't win 'em all.

ELEONORA'S FALCON - Raptor Royalty

...the game continues...as it often does in late May!

No news early Friday morning. I toyed with the idea of "giving myself a start" by getting through Hull and waiting but with no further reports by 9.30 I decided to head for Duff for (possibly) my last visit of the Spring. I'd exercised Bud and Louise had a day off so I went alone. As I went through Burstwick a message...

9.57am MEGA Kent ELEONORA'S FALCON pale-morph adult flew along North Stream at Roaring Gutter towards Sandwich Bay

Another fly-by?

I pulled over and contemplated my hobby! I couldn't go without Bud which would mean a 30 minute drive back to Holmpton. Again, should I gamble on a flight sighting? I waited a while longer hoping for more concrete news. I guess I'd been stung by my Cornwall escapade. 

10.48am Kent ELEONORA'S FALCON? pale morph probably sat on post North of Great Wood at Worth Marsh

Probably? I set off back to Holmpton.

10.54am Kent ELEONORA'S FALCON still on post North West of Great Wood at Worth Marsh

Game definitely ON!!!

After gently sharing the news with Louise (she could tell by the look on my face) I grabbed the usual stuff...and Dog and headed West. Now then the indispensible Google maps informed me it would take me 5hrs 30 mins...with a LOT of luck on Friday afternoon! Each time I travel the highways and byways of Britain I see more and more speed restriction signs. A63 - M62 - M18 - A1 - M11 - A282 - A2 - M2 - A299 - A256. Simple as that. 20 minute delay getting over the Queen Elizabeth Bridge and another 20 minutes at the end of the M2 with the Dover traffic. 

The messages on the way down keep you on your toes. There were constant updates and the inevitable flown off message...quickly followed by still present! The later messages all stated that it was sat in a tree. More information informed me that a field had been opened for the hopefuls and I had a postcode, which took me straight to it. A definite improvement on the "good old days".

I parked up, grabbed my gear...and Bud...and started down the track. It was now 6pm. I was told it was a 15 minute walk and that the bird was still sat in a tree. Tense moments! As I passed one chap he informed me the first group were hoping for a flight view and I would have to go further to see it sat in the tree. He was correct! I turned the corner and asked the first Birder if it was showing. He said it was and would I like a look through his scope. Oh Yes!!!

It was c250 yards away sat on a branch in the shade...but I'd SEEN it! I thanked the chap and tried not to look to flustered.!? I felt somehow calmer lol! It was a beautiful Spring evening with sunshine and a gentle breeze. All was well with the World. I was obviously hoping for a better view...of course. A few familiar faces were present as this was a tick for virtually everyone. According to RBA there have been SEVEN accepted records but none that were twitchable I believe?

First view...

4 o'clock from the (inevitable) Crow

I reckon it remained there for at least another 30 minutes . Then, a couple of brief flights before returning to the tree. A ray of sunshine helped...

Then at 7.05pm it flew across the field and perched in a bush...again distantly...

Great to see it in flight. Completely different form Hobby, much longer winged and bulkier...

Leaving the Tree

Some Birders mad their way past me and disappeared along the path? After around 10 minutes curiosity got the better of me and I decided to follow on. I went over a bridge and turned left along another track. I could see a small group in the distance. As I walked towards them the bird flew across the field to my right...

A wonderful sight and one I thought I'd never see in Britain. As I reached the group I was delighted to see the bird had crossed the track and landed on a post some 60yds away...

The thing that struck me immediately was how much bigger it was than the adjacent Hobbies...

It looked special...and it was...

A tranquil setting, small group of twitchers, lovely evening and a Stellar Bird. What's not to like! I stayed till 8.30 hoping for another flight view but my battery running out meant it was time to leave. We had a slow stroll back to the car and an even slower drive home...

All's well that ends well...

To Twitch or not to Twitch?

After Sunday/Monday's Cornwall Marathon, news of an ELEONORA'S FALCON confirmed from photographs in Kent today, left me with mixed feelings!? Late May is prime time for a "Biggy" and this Year was proving no different.

I admit I didn't shoot out of my chair...not that I do anyway! However, once the seed is planted...the wheels start turning. I decided on a middling strategy...I'll set off and see what transpires news-wise. A coffee and burger in Hull was wise I felt before I headed down the A63 and on to the M62 - M18. A further report...

13.31 MEGA Kent Eleonora's Falcon Stodmarsh NNR

Onward...with reservations. Having gambled previously and liking to think I'll have a go...I was...torn. I carried on down the A1...chewing it over and trying to subdue my cynicism! 2 fly-byes. As stated previously on many occasions...the power of suggestion is strong...and applies to yours truly also. The first sighting is indisputable being backed up by a photo (originally ID'd as a Hobby). I had no information on the second sighting but it's a BIG call on a fly-by! A large Hobby or a slim Peregrine. Granted it came on as a pale-morph BUT...who knows?

The further I drove the less enthusiastic I became and I terminated at Newark. Then the drive back, not sure if I wanted a further message or not!? Crackers lol! Anyway there wasn't one and I felt a strange sense of relief...not disappointment!?

It's a game...

Texas 22 - Last Weekend

Saturday April 30th (Day 19) and May 1st (Day 20) were spent on Galveston Island with a fair amount of time spent at the State Park. I had an early session at Corps Woods were a superb Black and White Warbler was the Star turn...

I never tire of seeing or watching this remarkable Bird. Late morning found me down the east End and I finally fluked a Gull-billed Tern fly-by!

Mid-afternoon found me down at the State Park. It was still rather warm! The Common Nighthawk observed form the Observation Tower at around at 4.20pm seemed to be enjoying it though! I also learnt about the Eskimo Curlew monument...

Poignant

To be honest this isn't my favourite location BUT it does pick up the Birds. It's "open" with little to no shade and the paths I took were...dead!

To counteract this on Sunday morning I was there pre-dawn (5.30am)...

No Barn Owl

I stayed 4.5 hours and managed a respectable 42 species. 

An early Northern Harrier (6.30)...

I covered all areas of the park including a path I had to get a combination for the padlock. Nice exercise BUT nothing new or noteworthy seen. I was going to try the observation deck (no cover) but there was a group already present. Looking at eBird some of them were there for SEVEN hours!!! They must be acclimatized...or something! I'd have fried!!

After cooling down and having lunch I had a couple of hours in the shade at Corps Woods. As I walked towards the entrance gate I saw a shape moving slowly along the path...

By the time I'd got in, it had disappeared...or so I thought...

This time it walked off into the undergrowth. Nice. I started to scan. It was quiet again as conditions weren't favourable and it WAS early afternoon. Still, there's always something to watch...

Green Heron

As I returned towards the car I felt a "presence". As I lowered my bins the Racoon was stood right next to me (3 feet) on its hind legs, looking right at me!!!!!! Unfortunately I wasn't quick enough with my phone to record the moment. No aggression was experienced it just wondered off to start eating Mulberries...

A wonderful Wildlife experience...

As I'd bought a day pass for the Park I intended to get my money's worth by returning for the evening. So after an early meal I drove South towards the Park again. On a whim I called in briefly at Lafitte's...

I must admit I was feeling my early start and I ended upon a bench by the drip. It was almost 6 now and the area was in heavy shade. A couple of Catbirds and a female Painted Bunting were "about".

Then...this...

American Redstart (male)

Stunner!!!

It was VERY wary of coming into the water feature but eventually it did. I watched the Bird for a good 15 minutes. Bliss! There was no-one else present. A couple more...

That Tail!

Onto GISP. I arrived at 7 and walked the boardwalk a short distance to the Monument...

It was (mercifully) much cooler and I was ready for the Nighthawk show...and maybe a Barn Owl? I made my way up the steps to the Observation Deck...

 A few dusk shots from here...

Brown Pelicans over the Eskimo Curlew monument

The Icon...

Incoming

I'd only been there a couple of minutes when a Common Nighthawk flew low over my head! I was soon watching 3 birds hunting over the Marsh. Brilliant!!! A charismatic species of ever there was one. I never did get my Barn Owl...but I tried.