BCBE

It happened yesterday...and I haven't travelled!

15.20. Orkney Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Papa Westray 

My most wanted on my favourite Scottish Island. Why not?

Well, a few factors at present...

Limited mobility with challenging solo logistics 

Car not 100% for TWENTY hours of driving 

Age and energy!

EXTREMELY frustrating but I'll just have to take it on the chin. A cathartic post is helping... slightly!

The Bird is still present as I write (it would have cleared off if I'd travelled). All the VERY best to the intrepid hopefuls who have made the Trip. 

As you probably remember I've made 3 visits to the Island and thoroughly enjoyed them, despite mixed results. I'm still not sure how I did the Varied Thrush (click) Twitch!!! So, I am experienced in how to get and stay there.

This is the 4th record in the last 7 years so maybe I'll get another shot before I depart. Hopefully a Mainland Bird. I missed the Yorkshire Bird in July 1989 due to a family holiday.

I've seen plenty on Cyprus BUT I'd still LOVE to see one in Britain. Here's to the next one...

More Summer Surprises!

Whilst still recovering from my successful trip to Crail, I was checking my messages on Tuesday evening when I saw some interesting posts from the York Area Birders. As you know I'm still keen on my York Area List having resided in the area for 26 years. Since moving out to the South Holderness I've made several return visits to Twitch possible additions...as well as countless visits to the Mecca of North Duffield Carrs...of course!!

Wednesday morning one of the the locals made their way onto Strensall Common early doors to check the report out. "Lo and behold" it turned out to be positive news! Remarkably a Dartford Warbler was associating with a family of Stonechats! Great news but the problem was it was on MOD Land in a restricted area. There was no access between 7.30 and 4, Monday to Thursday and Weekends (hence the early visit).

Tough one?

I left the locals involved to deal with possible "News" options and made my way over to Duff for a Session, aiming to arrive at SC at 4. Now then I know of Strensall Common and had a rough idea of access to the area BUT I didn't know it THAT well. A combination of 32c and mobility issues meant a reluctance to venture far without precise directions! I followed the Google Maps PIN but ended up at an area with no access so I tried the car park I knew well. I also contacted a few locals who kindly sent me some maps. So, just after 4 I made my way onto the Common. The area where the Bird had been seen looked a long way. It was toasty!

I reached the gate into the Military Area and went through it. A few other Birders were on their way and had reached the spot (they were quicker than me). I rang one of them and he said there was no sign of the Bird. I continued for a while but I was struggling with the heat and the uneven terrain. I also wasn't sure where I was going!! A decision was made. I bailed out, which doesn't come easy to me. However I figured the Bird had been around for while as it had been seen feeding Stonechats!!! I planned to have a go on Friday when there were no restrictions and I'd have more time to plan my route. The Bird was seen that evening.

Onto Friday morning. I left home at 4.15 arriving at the Common at 6.30. I'd arranged to meet my Pals Haydn and Steve. After a brief chat we set off as it was already warming up! Once in the Military Area, I asked them to continue to figure out the route. They found the spot and Haydn returned to show me the way. It was a good distance (c1 mile). Once in the Area we spread out and started to search for the DW/Stonechats. It took some time (45 minutes) but we eventually found the family...and eventually the Dartford Warbler. The views were fleeting but conclusive as it flitted about the habitat. Success!

We arrived back at the car park around 11. It was now 32c!

News has been released now, hence this post. A remarkable record for the York Area and an even more remarkable series of events. It was my 241st Species for the Area.

Summer Doldrums?

Last Tuesday I made my way over to Duff early doors to meet Haydn. We had a good catch up and shared a rare Bird for the Reserve in the form of a Jay. Only my 6th record! Context!

Later in the day on return, I managed to see the Marsh Tit at Spurn (first for 16 years apparently) and I finally recorded a Quail. A couple of Spurn Ticks to boot, taking me to 323. Who says mid-summer is "quiet"?

I have to admit the combination of Football, Cricket and Tennis...and hot weather has meant my local Birding has been limited recently. I am multifaceted lol!

Onto Sunday.

I picked my phone up at lunchtime after a slow morning to check my messages and realised I'd made a "schoolboy error" by leaving it on silent! I looked in stunned disbelief...

13.14. Fife LONG-TAILED SHRIKE at Crail, adult type in garden on track to Thirdpart House

My Word!!!!!!

I gave Louise "the look", gathered my gear and headed West... after a short discussion of course!

After the traditional pitstop on Hull, I made a couple of phone calls and waited for further news. It didn't come. There was some uncertainty over the ID also? I gave it a couple of hours before returning East. A couple of negative messages confirming my decision. I was still in that heightened state that Twitchers know so well!

It was now 4pm.

As I was out I decided to go down Patrington Haven for a while.

4.23. Fife LONG-TAILED SHRIKE adult-type again at Crail, adult type in garden on track to Thirdpart House

Oh dear...or words to that effect!

Too late now and to be honest even if I'd have carried on initially it would have been extremely tight to make the 341 miles before dusk?

Onto Monday. Positive news came through early, VERY early...5.04 to be precise! I headed for Wetherby to meet Steve Lawton, arriving just after 7. I joined him in his car and we headed for Scotland.

We made good time with no delays arriving early afternoon. It was quite a hike to the Site but I made it.

We joined the group and waited. The Bird was present in the hedge but VERY elusive!. The wind didn't help. There were brief glimpses in the bottom of the hedge but nothing satisfying.

Experienced Scottish Birders around me had their scopes trained on the area but it just wouldn't "show well"...as they say! The Birder next to me had been there some time and had seen the Bird. Eventually he had it again, so I asked him if I could "take a peep". I looked through his large Swarovski and there deep in the hedge was the Bird. A truly breathtaking view!!! I thanked him profusely.

Steve managed to get a record shot, which was impressive under the circumstances...

Another mate, Tony Dixon, who travelled overnight also managed a pic...

We decided we were both happy, so we headed home. Definitely an unexpected addition for both of us...then again I guess every MEGA is!? Some more than others though and this one was definitely "left field". Interestingly, a Species of the same family, namely Red-tailed Shrike has turned up at this time of Year on more than one occasion...but not this one, which is definitely in the "extreme" category.

Driving back we had plenty of time to chat. We swapped stories about Twitching from the past, as Birders do. We both agreed how fortunate we were to have a Hobby we enjoy so much and the adventures it allows us to have. We also reflected on the fact that even after decades of Rarity chasing, new Birds STILL turn up.

Here's to the next one...