CASPIAN TERN |
Thursday 30 June 2022
Star Tern
Wednesday 29 June 2022
Isabelline Shrikes?
It seems I don't have a tick?
Life used to be much simpler, a consequence of age...no doubt! The longer you live, the more change you see...an inevitability. I saw an immature Isabelline Shrike at Spurn in 1988 which was considered to be a Daurian? The bird was trapped but this was way before the species was split. Confused...I am! So, I have IS on my British and Yorkshire Lists and I ticked the Daurian box on Bubo. Last night I unticked Daurian and ticked Turkestan!!! Even more confused...I definitely am!
Joking apart (hopefully you've got used to my dubious dry humour by now?) this WAS a weird state of affairs. If I've got this correct, the Bempton adult, which seems to be generally accepted as Turkestan/Red-tailed (even more confusing) will now be my tick and I'll have to wait for a confirmed Daurian? Checking RBA records I haven't seen any of the birds listed as accepted Daurian. Hope that's clear!?
You've heard my thoughts on splitting/lumping on too many occasions...so I won't go there....and as fr provenance...well! I tow the line though regarding listing...like a good lad.
Even though "The Shrike" wasn't re-located yesterday morning, somehow it didn't seem to matter when the Superstar is present. I spent a wonderful couple of hours at Staple Nook (after walking Cliff Lane) enjoying crippling views of Albert in glorious conditions. The viewpoint was quiet with plenty of room. It was perfect. I had a good chat with a nice guy from down South which reminded me how far people are travelling to pay homage. So lucky to have him on my "doorstep".
He circled Staple Nook around 8 times from 6.30 before heading off towards the Head mid-morning...a selection...which hopefully gives a feeling of how deceptively fast the bird glided...
Doesn't get any better than this for me. Amazing to have this Bird residing in Yorkshire. Never dreamed it would happen. Well maybe!
As my thoughts drifted towards a "power nap" on returning home my phone informed me the Shrike had been re-found! Take two. On arrival the Bird had disappeared but after a tense 30 minutes it was re-located along the track and everyone had good views although the Bird was very active and mobile...
Another amazing day along the Coast...
Dream Bird |
Tuesday 28 June 2022
Quite a Day!
Sunday 26 June 2022
Cherry Picking
As Diesel prices pass £2 a Litre and Electricity also reaches an all time high, one has to take stock of ones Budget!...doesn't one?!! In fact, taking stock full stop...but let's not go there. On the other hand, one still has to enjoy oneself...and that's what I intend to do!
What quality is there to "go at"...within a reasonable distance of course? Well, I can think of a couple of quality Species within a "good hour". The forecast is dodgy but looks OK early doors...so, an early jaunt then back for the Cricket. Sounds good...in Theory?
Saturday 25 June 2022
NDC
Spent a pleasant, if quiet 3 hours at Duff yesterday, as I had a few things to do in York. Bit of a jungle at the moment but that's OK, as the Breeding Birds get on with their business undisturbed. The Scrape is lush with few bare areas...
...but there was some interest on the water and surrounds. A Sedge Warbler was typically active and noisy...
Coot and Moorhen had young BUT the real surprise was a pair of Little Grebes with four young...
Positive news! |
No repeat of my previous visits Hobby sighting but 3 Little Egrets weren't to be sniffed at...and NEVER to be taken for granted. 20 Species seen.
After a trip to the Garden Centre I "lucked in" on this Red Kite floating over the road near North Cave. Bonus...
My Postman gave me the good news that he'd seen another Little Owl by the Bunker on Rysome Road. Nice!
Thursday 23 June 2022
Breeding Bee-eaters
Who'd' have thought it?
It brought back memories of my delayed trip to Bishop Middleham Quarry in 2002 (yes, TWENTY years ago). I went the day AFTER they fledged!! I was working then...still, no excuse.
Looking back towards the car park |
The weather was superb and a gentle cooling breeze off the sea definitely helped (22C). I could see a couple of the Birds on wires over the Quarry as I got out of the car. We found a suitable position with some shade and waited. There were around 100 people present but there was plenty of room...
The Quarry |
The birds were using wires to hunt from some 100 yards away...
Everyone was hoping for better views but the Birds stayed faithful to the Quarry through out my 3.5 hour visit. However, I enjoyed great flight views and lovely scope views in the glorious sunshine (although the heat haze was an issue). I even had a fiddle with my phone-scope device...
Copulation |
Fluked a dodgy flight shot...
Remarkable with phone at that distance...for me? |
Perched on a bush by the Nest Hole |
Entering the Nest Hole |
Technology never ceases to amaze! |
Tuesday 21 June 2022
Padley Gorge
Thoroughly recommended |
Sunday 19 June 2022
Saturday 18 June 2022
Second Half
Wednesday 15 June 2022
Doldrums
Definitely Half-Time...Birdy-wise! Time for a rest...especially after my mad week..which I quite enjoyed! I also enjoyed a wonderful day at Trent Bridge on Monday; my first visit. Plenty of room and up in "the Gods" away from the...noise...
Great memories out the back also...
Name drop Alert: I played against Gary Birtles there, many years ago.
It was great to see Joe Root bat...
Congrats from his team mates |
Friday 10 June 2022
Texas 22 - Summary 3
...and so to my Final Post.
What makes a best moment? Difficult! Personal choice I guess, so it's over to me. Rather than repeat what's gone before I'll link the choices to the posts. After much deliberation these are my 5 choices. The common theme being excitement plus surprise element...
5. Fall Day
4. Brazos Bend Day - List
3. Buff-breasted Sandpiper experience
2. Cape May Find - List
Hope you enjoyed it? Here's to next time...
Thursday 9 June 2022
Here and There
Wednesday 8 June 2022
Texas 22 - Summary (2)
On this Post I thought I'd try to do a (reasonably) concise outline of the Species seen...and missed, overlooking the "nailed on". I was open-minded about this Trip, having a decent amount of previous experience, I was hoping to mix previously visited Iconic Sites (of with a few new/less known ones. I feel this was also achieved. The intention is to give a of the Birds available on a decent Visit to this wonderful State
Below is a List of Key Species seen. I've spiced it up with a few photos...