Two Ticks

...not seconds!

I dropped in at Duff yesterday morning on my way over to Lancs for "The Mother" visit. I arrived before Haydn and had some luck with Blackcap (male and female), Whitethroat (family of 4) and Song Thrush around the car park Rowans.

Once we were in the Hide we started to search. It was tough going as the drought continues but there's always hope... right? 

Remarkably there's still water on the Scrape! A couple of Herons were present and a Little Egret was attracted later. We enjoyed a pleasant 2+ hours. Highlight for me was a Lesser Whitethroat by the Hide, which was a Year Tick (107). Stock Doves came and went and 3  Snipe lifted briefly across the Scrape just before we left. Haydn had a couple of Collared Doves which are scarce here.

As we reached our cars a pair of Bullfinches flew over the field, another Year Tick! (108).

Not so quiet after all...

Amazing news of a YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER at Liverpool Docks. A First. Obviously Ship-assisted...(I won't open that door). No further sign makes it academic. We all have SA records on our Lists?

The Summer of 26

It's been a hot one! I'm old enough to remember the Summer of 76 which I enjoyed as a Waiter on the Isle of Wight at Sandown in the Grand Hotel. Great days!

However FIFTY years on and hopefully without sounding like a grumpy old man (as if I would), I struggle with the heat. Fortunately I live on the Coast which moderates the temperature somewhat but it can still get "toasty". Great for holidays though.

On Sunday I had my first flock of Scoter (P.88, H.69) South (still no Velvet). After my recent "Tern Fest" things have dried up apart from the constant presence of Sandwich offshore.

A VERY quiet session at Duff on Monday with Haydn was finally livened up with a feeding Hobby over the Scrape giving fantastic close views as it swooped low over the Pool!

The views were better than this!

After Haydn left I had a visit from Site Manager Craig Ralston and his Assistant. They were eyeing up the Scrape...

Looked promising! They eventually made there way up for a chat. My hopes were confirmed when they told me they intended doing some work on it. Hopefully it will take place shrotly to enable Birds to use it this Autumn. Fingers crossed.

Yesterday a Bar-tailed Godwit landed briefly on the Beach before continuing South...

A Rare sight if not a Rare Bird

Like most Waders they seldom linger...why would they?! You have to BE there. I also had my first returning Dunlin (H.70). The only Birds of note around the car were Meadow Pipits...

and House Sparrows (c30)

A few Pied Flys have arrived down the road but I haven't found one here ...yet...

Taking a fresh look

Birds on the move now and it's time to freshen things up. I'm adapting a more consistent approach to my Patch coverage to build a fuller Annual picture both Coastal and Inland. The reward of finding a "good" Patch Bird far exceeds the completion of a Twitch in my Book. However I will still venture when I feel the need. Selective... and all that. Age is definitely affecting my perspective (3 months to the BIG 70) and that's fine. Things change. I'm just glad I'm still here! I'm still interested in most aspects of this wonderful Pastime and will continue to pursue them with vigour.

The Blue-cheeked Bee-eater is still present on North Ronaldsay 

A slow week locally with a few health checks involved. All done now. I met Haydn on Friday at Duff (I did have a VERY quiet couple of hours on Wednesday). Before he arrived I had a walk out towards the Platform...

View from the Bridge

Little was seen on this occasion BUT much potential for the coming Months.

Quiet again which was expected but always a pleasure enjoying the view and the company. Watching a Hare chase a mobbing Marsh Harrier for a good 5 minutes was "different" We managed a brief viewing of a Cygnet with a Parent through the thick vegetation on the Scrape.

Most of the hay has been collected now and it was "Corvid City" out on the Carrs. We discussed possible migrants that may appear (as Birders do). Much checking of fence posts took place without any luck. Green Sandpiper was also mentioned, although chances here are slim with no exposed mud. Always the chance of a flight view though?

Around 12.30 that's exactly what Haydn got as a Bird flew low, briefly, just above the Riverbank! Of course yours truly didn't get "on it". Gripped again...but no big deal.

I left for the Coast at 1 and headed for the Cliff. Low tide was later now (6pm) so nothing of note on the Beach. I gave it till 5 but still no joy. I had a stretch before leaving and noticed a small Bird flying low across the shingle, flicking its wings. Only my 5th Common Sandpiper (P.87, H.66) for the Village and my 3rd August record. It flew around the Cliff and I couldn't relocate it.

The downs and ups of Patch Birding in a Nutshell.

Into the Autumn we go...

Beach and Sea

After sorting a few things out in the Garden we headed for the Tip and then Tesco. Louise loves a "Meal Deal" so I ended up joining the Prawn Sandwich brigade! We then headed for the Cliff to enjoy our Lunch. A few Hirundines were about with both Sand and House Martin alighting on the Clifftop right by the Car. Gannets were feeding spectacularly offshore.

After dropping her off at home ...I returned for another session...this time with Bins and Camera...

The tide was on the turn and there were some nice sandbanks showing by the waters edge. After around 30 minutes a large group of Terns arrived from the North. Mainly Sandwich (with many juveniles) but they included a few Arctic (P.84, H.63) and Common (P.85, H.64). They landed a few hundred yards to the North...

I was hoping they may eventually move further South as the tide started to come in. Eventually my wish was granted as they settled directly out from my car at c40 yards...

I then heard a familiar repeated note but I couldn't see them? Then...there they were...

7 Whimbrel (H.65)

Things were going well regarding my new initiative! Things got even better when another flock of Whimbrel appeared...

This time they numbered 13...or so I thought? They landed on the beach directly opposite the car...

Clearer on this cropped photo

You may have noticed my error? I only noticed the rogue Bird when I downloaded my pics. I have a Bar-tailed Godwit amongst the Whimbrel. In my defence the flock came in quick and I was trying to get photos. Also, when the Bird was on the beach it had its Bill tucked in. Honest!

Today fueled me for the Autumn to come. Some fresh tactics will be employed to try and freshen things up and unearth new records...

August

Got the ball rolling for the Month by visiting various locations in the Village and Patch.

More enhancements to the Car mean I'm more confident exploring further now! I found a way to get to the Cliff by the Old Sewage, which was pleasing.

I struck early with a fine female Peregrine heading purposefully North offshore...

Just!

Followed shortly afterwards by a Hobby over the set-a-side. Both Year Ticks. There were a few Gannets and Sandwich Terns feeding also, some giving great close views.

After grabbing a Coffee and Scone I headed down to Pat' Haven to enjoy them. I was hoping for views of Marsh Harriers but surprisingly I didn't see any? I gave it a good hour before moving on. Just before I did I heard a "peep". There was a small gap in the reeds...

Greenshank

Another FOY.

I finished off at Old Hive enjoying the thriving Sand Martin Colony and seeing my first Mediterranean Gulls of the Year...

VERY locally the Herring Gull youngster is developing well on our Chimney...

The dawn chorus can be a bit strong but the Parents have done a sterling job.

The BCBE is BACK...yet again, as it tours the Orkneys. This time it's on North Ronaldsay. Yet again inquiries were made but on reflection that "boat has sailed" for me. the mobile nature of the Bird plus the Bank Holiday traffic means a no no. Maybe it will stop off on it's way back South? I'm not holding my breath! One for my 70's...