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...

Arizona (3) - East to the Chiricuhuas

Tuesday 21st July

Today it was the long drive (180 miles) to the Chiricahuas. A mountain range at the eastern end of the region close to the New Mexico border. Definitely the most remote area with the least facilities...a wild place. The main town is called Portal and is another well known location in US Birding circles. It's a beautiful location at the entrance to the amazing Cave Creek Canyon.

We arrived around 11 and first stop was Stateline road, the old boundary road between Arizona and New Mexico. It's a traditional location for 2 sought after Thrashers, Namely Bendire's and Crissal. My visit wasn't at the optimum time of year or hour come to that, and it was no surprise when I drew a blank in an hour's search.

On the road up to Portal we found a lovely Swainson's Hawk perched on a post right next to the road...

We had a walk around the streets of Portal and then stopped in on a property that welcomes Birders and has a well stocked feeding station. It used to be owned by a weel known birder called Dave Jasper but the new owners have kept things going. The lady of the house jioned us and put some more jam in the jar.

Hey Presto...Hooded Orioles! First the female...

then the stunning male...

Theses birds were VERY skittish I was extremely pleased to get images. They basically shot in grabbed some jelly and were gone! I prefer to see birds in their natural environment but I'm not complaining on this occasion.

Another cracker is a bird with an unpronounceable (at least to me) name. A cardinalis like it's close relative the Northern Cardinal...

...it's a Pyrrhuloxia...

Note the blunt bill. A dandy!

Going to leave it there for tonight. I've had it!

S.E.Arizona (2)

Monday 20th July

After yesterday's marathon it was a leisurely start to the day at the Green Valley Best Western, a superb motel with excellent facilities...£50 a night with free breakfast...for 2!!

We drove down the I19 towards the Mexican border and then West along the 82 to Patagonia. I wanted to include Louise in some of the birding as she does have an interest. She likes to see things quickly or she gets the novel out! So, I decided to take her to the world famous Paton's Hummingbird Centre. The star bird here being Violet-crowned Hummingbird. It's a large distinctive bird which should be fiarly easy for us to pick out...it was...

Louise was impressed...so was I. This is the best site in the States to see this Mexican species...almost guaranteed with patience. I tried hard to find one in the vegetation (a quirk of mine) but I couldn't. Another cracking if common bird and a particular favourite of mine is the Curve-billed Thrasher. If you want to observe a bird with character, this is it...

Always doing something interesting and very inquisitive with those wonderful orange eyes. Great bird. After our late start it was gone midday now...and roasting hot (a recurring situation,,,the cactus's were a clue).

Time to say goodbye to the star turn with a bizarre but illustrative out of focus image...

After a nice lunch including some excellent apple cinnamon pie and ice cream we headed west to Sonoita then north along 83. I was determined to take things slower today, the heat of the afternoon helped to decide that. I noticed on my map (no sat/navs here) there was a road over the mountains (Hwy 62) from 83 that took us right back to Green Valley...result. What I didn't know was it's condition. After a chat we decided to go for it...we could always turn round. It turned out to be a great decision, the road was fine (as are nearly all the roads in the States) for our "ordinary" car and we travelled through some super farmland followed by some spectacular canyons.

The highlights of the farmland came in the form of a smart American Kestrel...

...and we watched an amazing display from a male Bronzed Cowbird...and eventual (brief) mating...

You had to be there really...I should have taken a video of it really...it was spectacular!

As we made our way over the Santa Ritas I (luckily) noticed a "creature" in the road! There are lots of creatures in Arizona. It remained motionless in the middle of the road...not recommended but great to see. It was nearly dark but the pic came out well.

A Texas Horned Lizard...in Arizona!

A relaxing day...