Sunday, April 22, 2012
There have been a number of issues with this blog recently and I was unable to unload any photos - so I posted them om Facebook!
I have not gone anywhere other than local birding apart from a run up the m25 to Stockers lake. But at least i am begining to gather in the migrants - altho I am a long way behind my birding mates on our year listing numbers they are on 204 and 205 and I am somewhere in the 160's!Thast due to not driving far and also having to do lots of civic duties!
Altho I know that missing geese will be picked up in the Autumn/winter and I am going to Shetland for a fortnight in October so I expect to claw back quite a lot of species later in the year!
Still I have managed to squeeze in local trips and Common and Arctic terns were at Staines Res the other day!Terns are a favourite of mine - so delicate!
I have been watching the Fulham and Barnes Peregrines on webcast - just awaiting Charlie and Tom's eggs to hatch!
My Coal Tits are now regular in the garden - which is great.
I also want to spend a long w/e in midweek if that makes sense in Norfolk with a friend during October half term.
I have also thought about a trip to West wales to include Skomer in July.....so we will see.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Ham House
Its Tuesday on a holiday and it was atrip to a National Trust property - this time near home! Ham House. Well a very interesting house with quite a lot of history. some pics to follow! If I were you I'd google it and read all about the interesting items on show!
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Pics wont load! Try again later!
Saturday, April 07, 2012
A rare bird and migrants!
I was going to visit Stanwell Moor and Staines Reservoirs today. I missed a phone call from Bob last night as I was at a Dinner Party!
I rang him this morning after collecting my new glasses- he had been thinking about going for the Gull in Lincs---but as it was a bit elusive we wanted to wait a bit for it...and he was free tomorrow and I was free on Monday!
I said I was going to Stanwell Moor and he mentioned a Rouzel! Not looked at pager and there was a rare bird on a local patch- we agreed to go together in the afternoon.
No pics - sorry every bird was either scoped or just too quick for a pic altho I had camera with me!
Now weather was overcast and cloudy with threat of rain -so a bit miserable- well Bob and I ended up not a bit miserable.
So to Stanwell Moor and since nothing on the pager since the morning it was a wonder moment- until we met a birder and the Ring Ouzel had been seen!On our way Bob spotted a bird and we were sure it was a Willow Warbler and finally the legs were seen! Good! a year tick for us both!
We spotted a birder watching something and as we approached - Bob saw the target and scope views in case it flew off! We both got better and closer views.Relief.
We meet some birders Bob knew -and so to try for Hirundines at my Farm!
Last visited the other week. Nothing new at all until on the way out - as we passed the Farm I spotted a Hirundine- "BOB" - up bins and we said House Martin! Yes and then Bob said look a ........"Swallow " both males and great to see back!migrants are us!
4 year ticks!
Off to Staines Reservoirs - I wanted LRP's and Bob was not really bothered but would like a Common Tern!
As I said on Facebook earlier - I have not seen LRP's in the last couple of weeks - dipping them- but rather like buses....(when 3 come along!) we saw 4 - at first....but actually the total was 8 - eight! wow....plus 4 Ringed Plovers - very tricky trying to count them as they kept whizzing aound.
Also seen The Shag - still resident - adult Little Gull and a couple of 1st winters- 3 Black-necked Grebes resplendant in full breeeding plumage- a scaup...oh yes a lovely male Wheatear and a Water Pipit plus (from the farm- a white headed Wagtail all beautifully marked)....and a male Mandarin - bob not seen one in 35 years birding at Staines Res!
All together a lovely afternoon...also collected Andrew Moon (thats a serious piece of camera and lens!)
Very happy birder!
I rang him this morning after collecting my new glasses- he had been thinking about going for the Gull in Lincs---but as it was a bit elusive we wanted to wait a bit for it...and he was free tomorrow and I was free on Monday!
I said I was going to Stanwell Moor and he mentioned a Rouzel! Not looked at pager and there was a rare bird on a local patch- we agreed to go together in the afternoon.
No pics - sorry every bird was either scoped or just too quick for a pic altho I had camera with me!
Now weather was overcast and cloudy with threat of rain -so a bit miserable- well Bob and I ended up not a bit miserable.
So to Stanwell Moor and since nothing on the pager since the morning it was a wonder moment- until we met a birder and the Ring Ouzel had been seen!On our way Bob spotted a bird and we were sure it was a Willow Warbler and finally the legs were seen! Good! a year tick for us both!
We spotted a birder watching something and as we approached - Bob saw the target and scope views in case it flew off! We both got better and closer views.Relief.
We meet some birders Bob knew -and so to try for Hirundines at my Farm!
Last visited the other week. Nothing new at all until on the way out - as we passed the Farm I spotted a Hirundine- "BOB" - up bins and we said House Martin! Yes and then Bob said look a ........"Swallow " both males and great to see back!migrants are us!
4 year ticks!
Off to Staines Reservoirs - I wanted LRP's and Bob was not really bothered but would like a Common Tern!
As I said on Facebook earlier - I have not seen LRP's in the last couple of weeks - dipping them- but rather like buses....(when 3 come along!) we saw 4 - at first....but actually the total was 8 - eight! wow....plus 4 Ringed Plovers - very tricky trying to count them as they kept whizzing aound.
Also seen The Shag - still resident - adult Little Gull and a couple of 1st winters- 3 Black-necked Grebes resplendant in full breeeding plumage- a scaup...oh yes a lovely male Wheatear and a Water Pipit plus (from the farm- a white headed Wagtail all beautifully marked)....and a male Mandarin - bob not seen one in 35 years birding at Staines Res!
All together a lovely afternoon...also collected Andrew Moon (thats a serious piece of camera and lens!)
Very happy birder!
WWT Barnes
Was it Tuesday? I think so!
Garganey and Wheatear at Barnes!
Thanks to Geoff Trigg for his photos of the Garganey - I was in between meetings so no camera for me.
Garganey and Wheatear at Barnes!
Thanks to Geoff Trigg for his photos of the Garganey - I was in between meetings so no camera for me.
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