Thursday, May 20, 2010
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Bedfont Lakes Country Park
Blogger wont let me post pics at the mo - so GCGrebes photos to follow!
Lovely morning so I ventured out - arrived at Staines Reservoirs - scanned about - driven away by the midges/flies etc note to self - get there for first light - less insects!
So to Bedfont Lakes arrived about 8am...went to a quite spot by the lake and was seranaded by the Reed Warblers (lots and lots!) and the rest of the Woodland birds.
Common Tern flew over head- after a while I returned towards the Info Centre as I had a cheque to hand in- renewal sub for Members Nature Reserve - need for the code to gain access. On route I spotted a Blue Tit(s) vvv busy - a nest box with young in...
finally a warden/worker available to take said cheque!
Armed with the new code I entered the Nature Reserve...full of birdsong...Blackcaps, Whitethroats and Reed Warblers....not sure I have ever heard so many! A Robin out singing all! Due to maintainence the route to the Tern Hide was blocked - so I walked down the side of the stream to view the Tern rafts...last year it was the other way round as the large raptor nest box occcupants blocked the stream walk!So no nesting Kestrels there this year.
I do love watching Terns flying and feeding....
So to the Hide I could access and what a delight a family of Great Crested Grebes.
2 young on mums back abnd then Dad came in to feed one of the young looked somewhat bigger than his sibling but maybe thats a trick of the light!
I managed some digi shots but to be truthful they were really too close oh for the dslr and long lens!
A Canada Goose nested on the tern raft along with BHGulls - nosy companions!
On the Tern Island and tern rafts nearer to the Tern Hide are nesting Common Terns.
Again the Reed Warblers song burst into the hide and there was another Blue Tit imitating a Humming Bird feeding from the reed tops...
A couple of shots of the GC Grebe family.
It actually got quite hot!
This afternoon was the eye test and ordering new glasses. Good to know your eyes are healthy! Spec Saver in Hounslow High Street are to be recommended. Great customer care, very pleasant effecient staff/optician/receptionist - and 2 pairs of glasses for less than I usually pay for one!
In the evening it was off to the Civic Centre for more Cllr Training - a great improvment on the training I received when I first joined the Council in 1998 - I organised my own - asking Senior Officers to arrange it for me! Planning was one dept who made sure I was up to speed. Now of course we all "do" planning so all get trained!
I am getting up to speedwith background reading and assimilation(sp?) of "stuff" - now to arrange meetings with The Chief Officer for my "brief" and the other officers I shall be working closely with in the next year....they run the Council - I with my fellow Cllrs "lead the Borough".
A responsibility I take seriously but am looking forward to ....."keep birding" said our Deputy Leader - I shall!
Lovely morning so I ventured out - arrived at Staines Reservoirs - scanned about - driven away by the midges/flies etc note to self - get there for first light - less insects!
So to Bedfont Lakes arrived about 8am...went to a quite spot by the lake and was seranaded by the Reed Warblers (lots and lots!) and the rest of the Woodland birds.
Common Tern flew over head- after a while I returned towards the Info Centre as I had a cheque to hand in- renewal sub for Members Nature Reserve - need for the code to gain access. On route I spotted a Blue Tit(s) vvv busy - a nest box with young in...
finally a warden/worker available to take said cheque!
Armed with the new code I entered the Nature Reserve...full of birdsong...Blackcaps, Whitethroats and Reed Warblers....not sure I have ever heard so many! A Robin out singing all! Due to maintainence the route to the Tern Hide was blocked - so I walked down the side of the stream to view the Tern rafts...last year it was the other way round as the large raptor nest box occcupants blocked the stream walk!So no nesting Kestrels there this year.
I do love watching Terns flying and feeding....
So to the Hide I could access and what a delight a family of Great Crested Grebes.
2 young on mums back abnd then Dad came in to feed one of the young looked somewhat bigger than his sibling but maybe thats a trick of the light!
I managed some digi shots but to be truthful they were really too close oh for the dslr and long lens!
A Canada Goose nested on the tern raft along with BHGulls - nosy companions!
On the Tern Island and tern rafts nearer to the Tern Hide are nesting Common Terns.
Again the Reed Warblers song burst into the hide and there was another Blue Tit imitating a Humming Bird feeding from the reed tops...
A couple of shots of the GC Grebe family.
It actually got quite hot!
This afternoon was the eye test and ordering new glasses. Good to know your eyes are healthy! Spec Saver in Hounslow High Street are to be recommended. Great customer care, very pleasant effecient staff/optician/receptionist - and 2 pairs of glasses for less than I usually pay for one!
In the evening it was off to the Civic Centre for more Cllr Training - a great improvment on the training I received when I first joined the Council in 1998 - I organised my own - asking Senior Officers to arrange it for me! Planning was one dept who made sure I was up to speed. Now of course we all "do" planning so all get trained!
I am getting up to speedwith background reading and assimilation(sp?) of "stuff" - now to arrange meetings with The Chief Officer for my "brief" and the other officers I shall be working closely with in the next year....they run the Council - I with my fellow Cllrs "lead the Borough".
A responsibility I take seriously but am looking forward to ....."keep birding" said our Deputy Leader - I shall!
Saturday, May 08, 2010
I did explain in my previous blog that I had been busy with the Local Elections . Well on Friday we won Hounslow Council back from NOC (in reality The Tories and the ICG combined to run the previous administration)
We won 12 seats and its now 35-25 - good things well- 11 Women and 5 young men under 30 including one aged 18! My youth Policy has worked!
I am shattered but very happy- I was woken (2nd time this morning) to the pager going off for a mega in Cornwall! needless to says its going to have to fly nearer here and stay a bit longer for me to add it to my Life List!
My birding looks like it will be back to w/e only again!
We won 12 seats and its now 35-25 - good things well- 11 Women and 5 young men under 30 including one aged 18! My youth Policy has worked!
I am shattered but very happy- I was woken (2nd time this morning) to the pager going off for a mega in Cornwall! needless to says its going to have to fly nearer here and stay a bit longer for me to add it to my Life List!
My birding looks like it will be back to w/e only again!
Friday, April 30, 2010
Elections
Sorry not to have logged for a while...first had difficulty getting signed in...so gave up!
Its a bit busy locally as the Local Elections have been in full swing....
I will comment about this later!
Not much birding apart from what I see/hear in my travels! Goldfinches continue to visit the feeders so they must be working out where to nest! A pair of Robins are very active and the house sparrows appear very busy!
A couple of RNTerrorsappear to have found the feeders but are being disturbed by my cats ---they dont know that the cats stopped being a nuisance to birds a couple of years ago! Morse was even more silly than usual yesterday when lying on the bench surrounded by Wood Pigeons and a few ferals!
The birds know my lot dont chase let alone catch anything!
So to my readers who wonder where I have been- just busy - too much walking - very tired and cant wait for Friday(week) and the count to be over......
Its a bit busy locally as the Local Elections have been in full swing....
I will comment about this later!
Not much birding apart from what I see/hear in my travels! Goldfinches continue to visit the feeders so they must be working out where to nest! A pair of Robins are very active and the house sparrows appear very busy!
A couple of RNTerrorsappear to have found the feeders but are being disturbed by my cats ---they dont know that the cats stopped being a nuisance to birds a couple of years ago! Morse was even more silly than usual yesterday when lying on the bench surrounded by Wood Pigeons and a few ferals!
The birds know my lot dont chase let alone catch anything!
So to my readers who wonder where I have been- just busy - too much walking - very tired and cant wait for Friday(week) and the count to be over......
Monday, March 29, 2010
Last thursday - Dungeness
Rain and more rain and then torrential rain....what were we doing?
Birding from the car - apart from in the gaps!
Still female Yellowhammer - at the Farm on Welland Marsh -and Corn and Reed Buntings by the score and Chaffies and some Tree sparrows and House......
then Black Redstarts and Wheatears at the power station.....
Swallows and One Sand Martin over the Arc Pit......and then a Kittiwake over the sea...
dips?
Penduline Tit, Garganey and LRP!
Torrential rain on Motorway on way back home - so we dived off at Leatherhead! Glad it was Bob driving!
Still when you cant pick your day........
Birding from the car - apart from in the gaps!
Still female Yellowhammer - at the Farm on Welland Marsh -and Corn and Reed Buntings by the score and Chaffies and some Tree sparrows and House......
then Black Redstarts and Wheatears at the power station.....
Swallows and One Sand Martin over the Arc Pit......and then a Kittiwake over the sea...
dips?
Penduline Tit, Garganey and LRP!
Torrential rain on Motorway on way back home - so we dived off at Leatherhead! Glad it was Bob driving!
Still when you cant pick your day........
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Trip to Bucks
Well it was off to the annual visit to Foxcote Reservoirs....why not Foscote?
A certain adult male Ring-necked Duck spends his winters here and he is a jolly fine duck! So off we set this morning in sunshine! The birds that greeeted us were a pair of Bullfinches...glimpsed by me.
We then spent considerable time seeking the R_N D- being joined in the hide by a couple of workmen from the res....one being very local and friendly and wanting to know about what we were looking for and what we had seen and telling us what he knew- he had seen a couple of Martins fly over earlier - not sure which-he was quite knowledgeable....for a non birder...a countryman who like nature. We eventually located said duck and the chaps were able to look in our scopes and see him.
They stayed for a while before going back to work. Bob thought he had seen a female scaup - so we worked hard to locate her and there she was - 1st winter! Great!
On route back we rediscovered the Bullfinches and got very good views of the pair!
3 ticks!
We spent time watching the GCGrebes almost dancing! Goldeneyes and Shovellers and Widgeon and various other ducks...tufted and otherwise!
off to Tring reservoirs hopeful of hirendines....none - but we had a nice lunch of Shepherds Pie and veg with a splendid cuppa!
Then it was off to the Chilterns.....over 150 + Red Kites seen and 4 Buzzards with some Kestrels.....corvid city again - altho Rooks and crows most numerous.
We ended the day seeking and finding a pair of Willow Tits.
4 Year ticks and some good birding!
A certain adult male Ring-necked Duck spends his winters here and he is a jolly fine duck! So off we set this morning in sunshine! The birds that greeeted us were a pair of Bullfinches...glimpsed by me.
We then spent considerable time seeking the R_N D- being joined in the hide by a couple of workmen from the res....one being very local and friendly and wanting to know about what we were looking for and what we had seen and telling us what he knew- he had seen a couple of Martins fly over earlier - not sure which-he was quite knowledgeable....for a non birder...a countryman who like nature. We eventually located said duck and the chaps were able to look in our scopes and see him.
They stayed for a while before going back to work. Bob thought he had seen a female scaup - so we worked hard to locate her and there she was - 1st winter! Great!
On route back we rediscovered the Bullfinches and got very good views of the pair!
3 ticks!
We spent time watching the GCGrebes almost dancing! Goldeneyes and Shovellers and Widgeon and various other ducks...tufted and otherwise!
off to Tring reservoirs hopeful of hirendines....none - but we had a nice lunch of Shepherds Pie and veg with a splendid cuppa!
Then it was off to the Chilterns.....over 150 + Red Kites seen and 4 Buzzards with some Kestrels.....corvid city again - altho Rooks and crows most numerous.
We ended the day seeking and finding a pair of Willow Tits.
4 Year ticks and some good birding!
Thursday, March 11, 2010
A lifer and other birds in Dorset.
A Bufflehead - yes adult male down in Dorset. A lifer on the Fleet. So for our birding trip for the week Bob and I went to Dorset.
We got to the parking place near Moonfleet Manor Hotel (via Morrisons for breakfast - v cheap and very good!) and there was a birder who Bob had seen at a number of other places - they chatted about....yes Lynx again!
Jules was mentioned again....I think it might be because I now have a sticker re Olivaramatours on the back of my car! So twice in two weeks it has been a starting point for conversations!
A walk along the coastal path and round a corner and there were several birders - some on the foreshore bank and some on the top. There was the object of our attention....a male adult Bufflehead along with his pals a male Merganser and three females!
There were number of Swans there - mutes - no doubt from the Swannery down the road!
Little egret in te background. Then it was off to the Bill!
On route back we meet the birders from the car park...and Bob got to exchange emails!
At the Bill- there were Shags, a pair of Razorbills and several hurtling Guillimots - all going at a 100mph!
Apart from Gulls - GBB and Herrings.....not a lot else then Rock Pipits calling and there was one, two three!
On to the other side by the cafe....on the flat rock Purple Sandpipers - two...still better than no Purple Sand!
We then parked the car nearer the obs and went for a walk along the cliffs....Rock pipit....Rock pipit - well there were lots!
They were in breeding plummage and looking very lovely indeed!
To Radipole....for a coffee/hot chocholate and biscuits and a short walk to see the Hooded Marganser - who whatever the provenence....I like very much! So it was some sunflower seeds into the water ....the Mallards picked off the top but the boy he went off diving for the seeds that went t the bottom!
Then it was off on the journey home!
A sunny day and made all the nicer by lovely scenery being down by the sea and seeing new birds for the year! Oh and a lifer!
cool.
The Fleet followed by 2 record shots of the Bufflehead - thats the one with the big white patch on its head!
Friday, March 05, 2010
Forest of Dean and a couple of Duck dips!
Wednesday at 7am found me at Bob's on route for our annual winter trip to the Forest of Dean...except of course this was now Spring!
Targets the same as ever - Goshawk, Raven, Crossbill, Mandarin and Dipper.
A40/M40/A40 our route down - usually we go on a Sunday so it was interesting(!)doing it mid week.We must have seen 50 Red Kites on route! Some very close. Such a lovely
bird.
We ate Breakfast at our usual Little Chef at Burford - which is a converted old Barn and the food is good!
Buzzards eventually replaced RK as we neared and entered Gloustershire.
Our first stop was New Fancy Raptor Watchpoint - where we arrrived as Lee Evans was leaving-he spotted my sticker for Olivaramatours and then Bob - who he recognised and there followed a conversation about the Espana Lynx .....I changed into my wellies and got organised whilst they chatted.
We located a couple of Gos, a buzzard or 2 - then at least 3 pairs of Ravens flew over around and past us. A close male and female Crossbill perched up.
Whilst Bob watched a Goldcrest - his first for the year(I still havent seen one!) I saw an Owl - well I called it a lady next to me saw it fly into the trees and Bob dipped! Damn because my first though was seo - and then we thought LEO as the habitat is right for LEO - the flight is right for either but I didn't get agood view of its head! so Owl sp it became!
Bob and I walked down into the Forest and saw lots more Crossbills and all the variety of Tits except the Willow!(no Swingers but then they aren't really tits!)
Then it was onto Speke House and in the arboratum there were so many Nuthatches we both decided we had never seen so many in a day before! Thrushes of all varieties - except for Fieldfares altho we soon saw many of those as well!
Past Cannop Ponds were we were able to see Mandarins from the road and on to Park End to see the lovely Dipper behind the pub.
Then it was up to the Church where we did see some large Finches take off but couldn't really id them but we both thought Hawfinches!
Back to New Fancy and very distant views of Gos - a bit disappointing as we didn't see them displaying.Thena Male Siskin displayed in front of us and perched up- we had it in our scopes and what a delightful bird he was in all his finery - that clear green and yellow and black! Beautifully marked head. Yes as the sun came out!
Then he was replaced by a male Crossbill - much closer than the mornings bird! Great.
A small flock of Hawfinch flew over - yes defo!
Now the time was 3.30 where too?
A Green -wing teal was at Slimbridge and a Ring-neck female at Frampton (well the Ring-neck was commuting between Slim and Frampton!
Ok - off to Slimbridge - its further than you think so we got there with 15 mins to the close! Well it would have been ok - but most of the Teal were sillouetes!
Dipo. off to Frampton and search for the RND.....well tens of hundreds of diving ducks and another dip. So we ajourned to the Bell and ate Duck! Well it was Gressingham!
A lovely meal and a good days birding despite the dips - we should have gone for the ducks earlier!
Still the year list struggled over 140.....
Thursday morning saw me in Finchley to catch the solitary Waxwing which I thought I had missed earlier in the week.
143.....
Targets the same as ever - Goshawk, Raven, Crossbill, Mandarin and Dipper.
A40/M40/A40 our route down - usually we go on a Sunday so it was interesting(!)doing it mid week.We must have seen 50 Red Kites on route! Some very close. Such a lovely
bird.
We ate Breakfast at our usual Little Chef at Burford - which is a converted old Barn and the food is good!
Buzzards eventually replaced RK as we neared and entered Gloustershire.
Our first stop was New Fancy Raptor Watchpoint - where we arrrived as Lee Evans was leaving-he spotted my sticker for Olivaramatours and then Bob - who he recognised and there followed a conversation about the Espana Lynx .....I changed into my wellies and got organised whilst they chatted.
We located a couple of Gos, a buzzard or 2 - then at least 3 pairs of Ravens flew over around and past us. A close male and female Crossbill perched up.
Whilst Bob watched a Goldcrest - his first for the year(I still havent seen one!) I saw an Owl - well I called it a lady next to me saw it fly into the trees and Bob dipped! Damn because my first though was seo - and then we thought LEO as the habitat is right for LEO - the flight is right for either but I didn't get agood view of its head! so Owl sp it became!
Bob and I walked down into the Forest and saw lots more Crossbills and all the variety of Tits except the Willow!(no Swingers but then they aren't really tits!)
Then it was onto Speke House and in the arboratum there were so many Nuthatches we both decided we had never seen so many in a day before! Thrushes of all varieties - except for Fieldfares altho we soon saw many of those as well!
Past Cannop Ponds were we were able to see Mandarins from the road and on to Park End to see the lovely Dipper behind the pub.
Then it was up to the Church where we did see some large Finches take off but couldn't really id them but we both thought Hawfinches!
Back to New Fancy and very distant views of Gos - a bit disappointing as we didn't see them displaying.Thena Male Siskin displayed in front of us and perched up- we had it in our scopes and what a delightful bird he was in all his finery - that clear green and yellow and black! Beautifully marked head. Yes as the sun came out!
Then he was replaced by a male Crossbill - much closer than the mornings bird! Great.
A small flock of Hawfinch flew over - yes defo!
Now the time was 3.30 where too?
A Green -wing teal was at Slimbridge and a Ring-neck female at Frampton (well the Ring-neck was commuting between Slim and Frampton!
Ok - off to Slimbridge - its further than you think so we got there with 15 mins to the close! Well it would have been ok - but most of the Teal were sillouetes!
Dipo. off to Frampton and search for the RND.....well tens of hundreds of diving ducks and another dip. So we ajourned to the Bell and ate Duck! Well it was Gressingham!
A lovely meal and a good days birding despite the dips - we should have gone for the ducks earlier!
Still the year list struggled over 140.....
Thursday morning saw me in Finchley to catch the solitary Waxwing which I thought I had missed earlier in the week.
143.....
Friday, February 26, 2010
Visit to Norfolk
Had a really busy time recently and one cat in the vets costing an arm and leg- whilst her teeth are cleaned and 3 extractions...poor liitle thing.
Interviews all day Tuesday for our new Deputy Head at my Primary School. Governors involved at that level. Really difficult in that we had 4 good candidates and finally two very close but different people after the final interviews. I think we made the right choice.
Sowhen Bob rang Tuesday night and we decided not to go for the London Dusky Warbler again but to Norfolk! (We got drenched on Sunday morning trying for it!_
On route on Wednesday there had been an accident on the M11 - so we changed our minds and went via Welney to see Whooper and Bewick Swans. Lovely! We also got bonus Tree Sparrows there.We didn't see the Bean Goose - looks like we will have to wait until the winter 2010 to see this bird!
Then it was on to Hunstanton for Fulmars - but little else after dipping Golden Pheasant at Wolferton Triangle!
Then on and by now the rain was raining so it was straight to Titchwell to see if the Mealy that Bob needed was still about it was and we saw it really well! Despite a Bang on the head from Bobs bins!
Then we had to go for petrol and decided as the Snow Goose had been seen up til 12 we might try for it at Holme NOA ....we did at 3!
My first really wild Snow Goose! I heard the familiar calling of pink feet and several thousand were in the sky. The skies were alive with their spectacular presence - thousands! I looked at the front as the birds neared and you just knew they were coming in to land and the 6th bird from the front -Snow Goose- adult and soooooooooooooooo white!I got Bob on it and we watched as it flew strongly with the other Geese and then landed in the field south of Broadwater -where they had been in the morning!
Now it was to Salthouse for Snow Buntings - well the flock was about a 100 strong with some well marked adult males.
We then went to Sheringham and had lovely sightings of a young Glaucous Gull - his head a deep dark shade with the back a contrasting colour and somewhat biscuity wings!
What a big gull they are - seeing it in the water alongside a bh gull was revealing!
Then we tried for a Purple Sandpiper at Cromer and dipped that but worth going as on our way back we saw a Tawny Owl in a tree - our 2nd owl of the year! Oh we had seen Barny today but after our 4 on sheppey.....and also a little later I spotted a Barn Owl on one of the sign posts of one of the villages!
Despite the grey wet day that was the opposite to the weather we were supposed to enjoy in Norfolk - it was a good birding day.
Interviews all day Tuesday for our new Deputy Head at my Primary School. Governors involved at that level. Really difficult in that we had 4 good candidates and finally two very close but different people after the final interviews. I think we made the right choice.
Sowhen Bob rang Tuesday night and we decided not to go for the London Dusky Warbler again but to Norfolk! (We got drenched on Sunday morning trying for it!_
On route on Wednesday there had been an accident on the M11 - so we changed our minds and went via Welney to see Whooper and Bewick Swans. Lovely! We also got bonus Tree Sparrows there.We didn't see the Bean Goose - looks like we will have to wait until the winter 2010 to see this bird!
Then it was on to Hunstanton for Fulmars - but little else after dipping Golden Pheasant at Wolferton Triangle!
Then on and by now the rain was raining so it was straight to Titchwell to see if the Mealy that Bob needed was still about it was and we saw it really well! Despite a Bang on the head from Bobs bins!
Then we had to go for petrol and decided as the Snow Goose had been seen up til 12 we might try for it at Holme NOA ....we did at 3!
My first really wild Snow Goose! I heard the familiar calling of pink feet and several thousand were in the sky. The skies were alive with their spectacular presence - thousands! I looked at the front as the birds neared and you just knew they were coming in to land and the 6th bird from the front -Snow Goose- adult and soooooooooooooooo white!I got Bob on it and we watched as it flew strongly with the other Geese and then landed in the field south of Broadwater -where they had been in the morning!
Now it was to Salthouse for Snow Buntings - well the flock was about a 100 strong with some well marked adult males.
We then went to Sheringham and had lovely sightings of a young Glaucous Gull - his head a deep dark shade with the back a contrasting colour and somewhat biscuity wings!
What a big gull they are - seeing it in the water alongside a bh gull was revealing!
Then we tried for a Purple Sandpiper at Cromer and dipped that but worth going as on our way back we saw a Tawny Owl in a tree - our 2nd owl of the year! Oh we had seen Barny today but after our 4 on sheppey.....and also a little later I spotted a Barn Owl on one of the sign posts of one of the villages!
Despite the grey wet day that was the opposite to the weather we were supposed to enjoy in Norfolk - it was a good birding day.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Med Gulls - the "posh" gull!
A fabulous head shot of the gull I always think of as the "posh" gull- its its call
yarrh as in "OK- yarrh" the Mediterranean Gull or Larus melanocephalus.
This is Tony's flicker site.
His blog is here where I see there is an even "smarter" head shot! You might have to scroll down a little.
(hope you likethe links Pauco!)
Monday, February 15, 2010
Sport
Sunday - Eagles nearly beat Aston Villa - according to Neil Warnock and the slow mo TV we should! Their last goal should not have happened if the lino had spotted that the ball came off our goalies head and straight back from the on-rushing Villa forward and out for a goal kick! I must admit the tv didn't show this in real time at the time - but if you were there it was clear!
A replay will give us money - hopefully they cant play their best team as its a few days before their Wembly final for the other cup!
We can dream!
Just switched the tv on to see Sachin Tendulker score his 47th century! India are in command at mo against SA - as I suspected when SA won the first test!
I have some work to do now - so i will have to tear myself away from this exciting Cricket! 331 -3 Partnership 249 - Sehwag out for 165
Olympics - in Canada have started - I expect the sad news that a competitor died flying off the track in the Luge practise is know by non sports followers.
I quite like some of the events - the Hockey is totally frentic! Ski-ing is so exciting - down hillamazing and the jumping - thats mental! I once stood at the top of the Hill in Oslo (1977) and stood where they do before going into the middle to whizz down that slope - that was scary enough in the summer!The hills are higher now!
Obviously we are all Curling lovers now - so will be following our men - they havesome chance of success.
Ice dance might be interesting this time....
then there are the really exciting races on the snow boarders...never done it and knees wont let me but I am sure I would have had a go when I was in my twenties!
AC Milan (my Italian club) v Man U (my second club in England) should be interesting on Tuesday evening.
A replay will give us money - hopefully they cant play their best team as its a few days before their Wembly final for the other cup!
We can dream!
Just switched the tv on to see Sachin Tendulker score his 47th century! India are in command at mo against SA - as I suspected when SA won the first test!
I have some work to do now - so i will have to tear myself away from this exciting Cricket! 331 -3 Partnership 249 - Sehwag out for 165
Olympics - in Canada have started - I expect the sad news that a competitor died flying off the track in the Luge practise is know by non sports followers.
I quite like some of the events - the Hockey is totally frentic! Ski-ing is so exciting - down hillamazing and the jumping - thats mental! I once stood at the top of the Hill in Oslo (1977) and stood where they do before going into the middle to whizz down that slope - that was scary enough in the summer!The hills are higher now!
Obviously we are all Curling lovers now - so will be following our men - they havesome chance of success.
Ice dance might be interesting this time....
then there are the really exciting races on the snow boarders...never done it and knees wont let me but I am sure I would have had a go when I was in my twenties!
AC Milan (my Italian club) v Man U (my second club in England) should be interesting on Tuesday evening.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Sussex on Thursday - Birding
2 New Sussex ticks! Red Kite and Hawfinch plus Firecrest and Marsh Tit = 4 Year ticks!
Burton Mill pond produced 2 Marsh Tits and 3 showy Firecrests altho we also heard at least 2 others in different places!
No sign of the Tawny Owl who has been seen recently - so our owl drought continues!
Only those 4 Barn Owls on Sheppey to show for our endeavours having dipped Little, SEO and now Tawny!
No sign of the Bittern(s) at BMP in the time we were there - we didn't return to see it roosting as we needed to get back to West London!
At West Dean I saw my new sussex ticks - first a lovely Red Kite and then we had 3 Hawfinches -such stonking birds!
So not a bad day even if it was vvvcold! in the wind it was eye watering.....still it was dry and we did have some sun!
Burton Mill pond produced 2 Marsh Tits and 3 showy Firecrests altho we also heard at least 2 others in different places!
No sign of the Tawny Owl who has been seen recently - so our owl drought continues!
Only those 4 Barn Owls on Sheppey to show for our endeavours having dipped Little, SEO and now Tawny!
No sign of the Bittern(s) at BMP in the time we were there - we didn't return to see it roosting as we needed to get back to West London!
At West Dean I saw my new sussex ticks - first a lovely Red Kite and then we had 3 Hawfinches -such stonking birds!
So not a bad day even if it was vvvcold! in the wind it was eye watering.....still it was dry and we did have some sun!
Thursday, February 11, 2010
20 years ago Nelson was released!
One of those where were you moments!
So where were you?
I was living in St.Pauls Cray where I was a local Cllr. I watched the momentous occasion on the TV - no satellite then for me!
link here for younger viewers!
Its really good to know Nelson is alive and enjoying his time as a free man....quite apart from what he then achieved after being freed! A true World Hero and icon - I love the man!
So where were you?
I was living in St.Pauls Cray where I was a local Cllr. I watched the momentous occasion on the TV - no satellite then for me!
link here for younger viewers!
Its really good to know Nelson is alive and enjoying his time as a free man....quite apart from what he then achieved after being freed! A true World Hero and icon - I love the man!
Monday, February 08, 2010
East Norfolk
10.30 found Bob and I at Walkers. Lovely hot cup of tea and then the Sausage and Bacon roll - large for Bob and small for me. Thats 2 sausages and 3 Bacon rashers in the small! I leave your imaginations to the large!
A new site to visit today - easily found on the outskirts of Norwich, Whitlingham CP.
A collection of ex gravel pits - now at least on the Large Broad full of waterfowl!
The Red-necked Grebe gave itself up very quickly as did the Great Northern Diver who was out in the middle of the Lake eating at Crayfish!
Then it was to find the female Ring-billed Duck - we looked down the lake and realised just how many Tufted Ducks there were - now this is where our research could have been better as I saw this morning when I looked at photos of the diuck on RBA! Itwas with the Pochards - and since there were considerably fewer Pochards - we could have saved ourselves considerable time - looking first at those- mind - since we interrogated all the female tufties - we would have ended up doing that anyway - of the RND - NO SIGN! Whether it was around the back of the island - well but it could have been tucked into the reeds - considerably cover there!
Then we spotted a Goosander - female but a first for the year....since we usually pick these up locally early Jan - but there has been very few! Then Bob found another - very good disguise against the trees and shrubs - its markings breaking up its position!
After seeing every variety of colour in a female tufty posible - Bob spotted the 1st winter scaup.
We had been here now for far longer than we had anticipated and the RLBuzzard we also wanted to see over on Chedgrave Marshes near GYarmouth had come up on the pager - I was getting a little twitchy! (There is a long staying RBD at Foxcote which we could go to see......I would prefer one to show up in ent or Sussex).
So we left - and had an adventure to get to Chedgrave Marshes.We came up to try for the Taiga Bean Geese which had been on the Cantley Marshes or Buckingham Marshes...
they had been reported on Saturday . So Cantly Marshes and to our usual place where we get good views across the Marshes - Taiga Goose - any Goose? Nope! In favct there were few birds- Mutes /Lapwings and Crows/Starlings!
So lets find our way to Chedgrave. I had spotted a road that crossed a river - the only one so to aviod going all round GY - we set out - Bob looked at his OS map....said its a Ferry ...what? Would it be running on a sunday? well we went off....to Reedham - as always it takes a lot longer than you imagine to travel a mile in Norfolk!We arrived at Reedham - and a sign said Reedham Ferry Inn. We arrived and there was a Chain Ferry - the only way acxross the Yare between Norwich and GY! The car cost £3.90 (it was £7.50 for a return - which we declined!)The Bob remembered they had come this way nmany years before and the expense had been turned down by his mate!
Its a very short crossing and 2 cars can get on the Ferry!
off to the Waveney Forest and arriving there there were a number of cars parked -we walked to the mound where ther were 20 or so birders watching - fortunately there were a couple of guyts there who knew what thay were doing -
We had already seen a Harrier inthe skies on route...
then there was our target bird -up and flying - wow clear marking on its tail - really white! Adult bird....great flying sight - then down onto the ground - some of that flapping of wings on the ground I have noticed before with RLB.
Later we had two RLB in the sky - the adult and another further to the east.
We had hoped we might see a SEO - it had hunted and shown well an hour and a half earlier so another dip!
I had arranged to ring Tim Allwood up at Sea Palling to check the weather up there - it had been foggy all day on Saturday - would we be able to get to the Raptor Roost at Stubb Mill....for our other target birs - Common Crane. Great news from Tim - it was overcast (like everywhere else today!) but ok!
So decision time stay for SEO? Or go up for the Cranes?
S we then had a fast trip up there -- as fast as I could go with some driver going 40 mph on the main A47! Some one tell him limit is 50!
We arrive d and on route to the Raptor watchpoint - we heard the trumpeting calls of the Cranes - damn had we missed them? As we walked to the wtchpoint streams of birders were walking back! 3 had flown in and flown off(the birds we heard)then another small group had gone to roost. Oh well here we were - so onwards.
At the watchpoint a couple from Kent staying in Hickling so had their bicycles - good bins but no scopes - due to cycles!
Bob counted 17 Marsh Harriers - in the air!
We waited ....and waited ...and waited - then the skies were full of Pink feet! Hundreds and hundreds all calling!
We waited and then Bob spotted 4 Cranes flying we all got onto them - they flew amnd went down in a field.
The couple left shortly afterwards....we waited 5 mins andrealised we were really cold....swift walk back and on route another Crane flew gracefully out ofthe sky into a field!
As we neared the road to the CP a Woodcock flew over our heads!
So 6 new birds for the non year list!
A new site to visit today - easily found on the outskirts of Norwich, Whitlingham CP.
A collection of ex gravel pits - now at least on the Large Broad full of waterfowl!
The Red-necked Grebe gave itself up very quickly as did the Great Northern Diver who was out in the middle of the Lake eating at Crayfish!
Then it was to find the female Ring-billed Duck - we looked down the lake and realised just how many Tufted Ducks there were - now this is where our research could have been better as I saw this morning when I looked at photos of the diuck on RBA! Itwas with the Pochards - and since there were considerably fewer Pochards - we could have saved ourselves considerable time - looking first at those- mind - since we interrogated all the female tufties - we would have ended up doing that anyway - of the RND - NO SIGN! Whether it was around the back of the island - well but it could have been tucked into the reeds - considerably cover there!
Then we spotted a Goosander - female but a first for the year....since we usually pick these up locally early Jan - but there has been very few! Then Bob found another - very good disguise against the trees and shrubs - its markings breaking up its position!
After seeing every variety of colour in a female tufty posible - Bob spotted the 1st winter scaup.
We had been here now for far longer than we had anticipated and the RLBuzzard we also wanted to see over on Chedgrave Marshes near GYarmouth had come up on the pager - I was getting a little twitchy! (There is a long staying RBD at Foxcote which we could go to see......I would prefer one to show up in ent or Sussex).
So we left - and had an adventure to get to Chedgrave Marshes.We came up to try for the Taiga Bean Geese which had been on the Cantley Marshes or Buckingham Marshes...
they had been reported on Saturday . So Cantly Marshes and to our usual place where we get good views across the Marshes - Taiga Goose - any Goose? Nope! In favct there were few birds- Mutes /Lapwings and Crows/Starlings!
So lets find our way to Chedgrave. I had spotted a road that crossed a river - the only one so to aviod going all round GY - we set out - Bob looked at his OS map....said its a Ferry ...what? Would it be running on a sunday? well we went off....to Reedham - as always it takes a lot longer than you imagine to travel a mile in Norfolk!We arrived at Reedham - and a sign said Reedham Ferry Inn. We arrived and there was a Chain Ferry - the only way acxross the Yare between Norwich and GY! The car cost £3.90 (it was £7.50 for a return - which we declined!)The Bob remembered they had come this way nmany years before and the expense had been turned down by his mate!
Its a very short crossing and 2 cars can get on the Ferry!
off to the Waveney Forest and arriving there there were a number of cars parked -we walked to the mound where ther were 20 or so birders watching - fortunately there were a couple of guyts there who knew what thay were doing -
We had already seen a Harrier inthe skies on route...
then there was our target bird -up and flying - wow clear marking on its tail - really white! Adult bird....great flying sight - then down onto the ground - some of that flapping of wings on the ground I have noticed before with RLB.
Later we had two RLB in the sky - the adult and another further to the east.
We had hoped we might see a SEO - it had hunted and shown well an hour and a half earlier so another dip!
I had arranged to ring Tim Allwood up at Sea Palling to check the weather up there - it had been foggy all day on Saturday - would we be able to get to the Raptor Roost at Stubb Mill....for our other target birs - Common Crane. Great news from Tim - it was overcast (like everywhere else today!) but ok!
So decision time stay for SEO? Or go up for the Cranes?
S we then had a fast trip up there -- as fast as I could go with some driver going 40 mph on the main A47! Some one tell him limit is 50!
We arrive d and on route to the Raptor watchpoint - we heard the trumpeting calls of the Cranes - damn had we missed them? As we walked to the wtchpoint streams of birders were walking back! 3 had flown in and flown off(the birds we heard)then another small group had gone to roost. Oh well here we were - so onwards.
At the watchpoint a couple from Kent staying in Hickling so had their bicycles - good bins but no scopes - due to cycles!
Bob counted 17 Marsh Harriers - in the air!
We waited ....and waited ...and waited - then the skies were full of Pink feet! Hundreds and hundreds all calling!
We waited and then Bob spotted 4 Cranes flying we all got onto them - they flew amnd went down in a field.
The couple left shortly afterwards....we waited 5 mins andrealised we were really cold....swift walk back and on route another Crane flew gracefully out ofthe sky into a field!
As we neared the road to the CP a Woodcock flew over our heads!
So 6 new birds for the non year list!
Saturday, February 06, 2010
Off to Norfolk tomorrow!
Well finally we are embarking on our annual Jan/Feb trip to East Norfolk.
So it will be interesting to anticipate what we will see - anticipate not post!
So here's hoping to a great day out!
I never did manage to complete the post re Sheppey -suffice to say it was a good days birding!
NowI am off to eat and watch the MU game to see own goals score a hatrick! yaa!
My Eagles did well today with another away win!
Cheers all!
So it will be interesting to anticipate what we will see - anticipate not post!
So here's hoping to a great day out!
I never did manage to complete the post re Sheppey -suffice to say it was a good days birding!
NowI am off to eat and watch the MU game to see own goals score a hatrick! yaa!
My Eagles did well today with another away win!
Cheers all!
Tuesday, February 02, 2010
Gull id - Caspians
Here is a link to
The report on Sheppey is on its way...no pics of my own -a lot of birds were viewed at distance through scopes as is the way there!Where I nearly got some pics - Barn Owl eating I did the birders thing - observations first then- "try a pic" - "oh in focus" - off flew Owl!The joys or not of digi scoping!
Caspianid - by Andy Lawson on the Kent Ornithological Society (join if you bird in Kent!) site for North and West Kent.
The report on Sheppey is on its way...no pics of my own -a lot of birds were viewed at distance through scopes as is the way there!Where I nearly got some pics - Barn Owl eating I did the birders thing - observations first then- "try a pic" - "oh in focus" - off flew Owl!The joys or not of digi scoping!
Monday, February 01, 2010
The Big Garden Bird watch
Well having had the feeders up for over a year I have my regulars - and with the additional feeders (a christmas present) up and running since just after Christmas day - the birds have been having a feeding frenzy - especially during the snow and the freezing days...
Well they didn't let me down - I know when they arrive en masses at breakfast time - so did my hour then.
14 Goldfinches, 2 Robins (usually only 1 - so I hope he has a girlfriend!, 4 Wood Pigeons, 5 Starlings (where was the usual 6th?), 8 House Sparrows (all present and correct!), 2 Blue Tits , One Great tit, 2 Blackbirds (the resident pair), Yes - 1 Collared Dove and one of the Chaffinches!
oh and a RN Parakeet came to my tree and went back to his two mates - the branches of my tree prevent them settling on those feeders and they have never attempted the new ones- bet thats famous last words...
Well they didn't let me down - I know when they arrive en masses at breakfast time - so did my hour then.
14 Goldfinches, 2 Robins (usually only 1 - so I hope he has a girlfriend!, 4 Wood Pigeons, 5 Starlings (where was the usual 6th?), 8 House Sparrows (all present and correct!), 2 Blue Tits , One Great tit, 2 Blackbirds (the resident pair), Yes - 1 Collared Dove and one of the Chaffinches!
oh and a RN Parakeet came to my tree and went back to his two mates - the branches of my tree prevent them settling on those feeders and they have never attempted the new ones- bet thats famous last words...
Sunday, January 31, 2010
A day birding on Sheppey
Superb day- weather as well - until about 2 when the temperature decided to plummet and the sun went in! Still it kept dry!
Full details will be on my blog tomorrow
thanks to Derek - who gave me heads up on the White-fronts, Barnacles and Spoonbill. All duely seen and admired, along with the many Brents!
Raptor day - over near Capel Fleet - and Raptor watchpoint with flying and perched female Merlin, a Pair of Peregrine perched and a male who entertained us with his flying and hunting,
lost count of the Marsh Harriers - all jolly splendid
Hen Harriers - 2 females -
I presume the resident female flew up from her perch in trees to attempt to see off a visiting female - looked matched for size- the flying was superb - at one time they mirrored each others flying so not lacking in skill there!
Pair of Kestrels near the entrance road to Elmley- on a chimney stack.
We ended at the Raptor watchpoint with 4 Barn Owls all out hunting - one individual who ate his catch in front of us on a bank!
Down side - well dipped Little Owl at Elmley about 11 and again at dusk - we heard from Gordon -( good to meet you at last Gordon!)
he'd left his box at 4 and was out hunting (the owl not Gordon!)
We also couldn't find the Little Owl up at Harty - and no sign of the Hooded Crow- in fact we searched for Crows! Corvid flock containing Rooks with 6 crows! They were with 35+ Stock Doves!
Still added 15 to the year list.
I love being on Sheppey in the sun with nar a breath of wind! It didn't last of course...by the time we were sea watching it was cold!
Still Common Scoter (yr tick) and Sanderling in dozens(just lovely seeing sanderlings!) were reward enough at Shellness along with lots of other waders and gulls - altho no Med gull showed their heads - or wings or anything else.
I'll copy and paste my blog to the North Kent Section of KOS website.
Full details will be on my blog tomorrow
thanks to Derek - who gave me heads up on the White-fronts, Barnacles and Spoonbill. All duely seen and admired, along with the many Brents!
Raptor day - over near Capel Fleet - and Raptor watchpoint with flying and perched female Merlin, a Pair of Peregrine perched and a male who entertained us with his flying and hunting,
lost count of the Marsh Harriers - all jolly splendid
Hen Harriers - 2 females -
I presume the resident female flew up from her perch in trees to attempt to see off a visiting female - looked matched for size- the flying was superb - at one time they mirrored each others flying so not lacking in skill there!
Pair of Kestrels near the entrance road to Elmley- on a chimney stack.
We ended at the Raptor watchpoint with 4 Barn Owls all out hunting - one individual who ate his catch in front of us on a bank!
Down side - well dipped Little Owl at Elmley about 11 and again at dusk - we heard from Gordon -( good to meet you at last Gordon!)
he'd left his box at 4 and was out hunting (the owl not Gordon!)
We also couldn't find the Little Owl up at Harty - and no sign of the Hooded Crow- in fact we searched for Crows! Corvid flock containing Rooks with 6 crows! They were with 35+ Stock Doves!
Still added 15 to the year list.
I love being on Sheppey in the sun with nar a breath of wind! It didn't last of course...by the time we were sea watching it was cold!
Still Common Scoter (yr tick) and Sanderling in dozens(just lovely seeing sanderlings!) were reward enough at Shellness along with lots of other waders and gulls - altho no Med gull showed their heads - or wings or anything else.
I'll copy and paste my blog to the North Kent Section of KOS website.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Garden patch
Well another new bird(s) today - Long tailed Tit! Wonderful surprise and a Garden tick!
Thinking - without my notebook - which I must have left at the office....
Goldfinch
Robin
Blackbird
House Sparrow
Starling
Collared Dove
Woodpigeon
Feral pig
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Chaffinch
Crow
Magpie
BH Gull
Lesser BB Gull
Herring Gull
Pied Wagtail
Ring neck Parakeet
Redwing
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Greenfinch
Long-tailed Tit
Quite a collection for West London!
Refound the notebook....in a pocket in the back of the car.
left out Grey Heron and Greater Black-backed Gulls.
(24)
I am on a flight path west to the Gull roost on Queen Mary Reservoir - so all the large gulls go over at 16.30! or near enough between 4 and dusk....
I bet there are Caspians and Yellow-legged as well....but I need them to be on the water or sat still to id these!
Thinking - without my notebook - which I must have left at the office....
Goldfinch
Robin
Blackbird
House Sparrow
Starling
Collared Dove
Woodpigeon
Feral pig
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Chaffinch
Crow
Magpie
BH Gull
Lesser BB Gull
Herring Gull
Pied Wagtail
Ring neck Parakeet
Redwing
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Greenfinch
Long-tailed Tit
Quite a collection for West London!
Refound the notebook....in a pocket in the back of the car.
left out Grey Heron and Greater Black-backed Gulls.
(24)
I am on a flight path west to the Gull roost on Queen Mary Reservoir - so all the large gulls go over at 16.30! or near enough between 4 and dusk....
I bet there are Caspians and Yellow-legged as well....but I need them to be on the water or sat still to id these!
Trying to add pagers to my Birding Blog - as i want to add tabs - for my lists....
Kent and Sussex as well as keeping a running total for this year - not in a competitive mood this year.
But I seem to go around and around and not achieve adding any pages - as the dashboard page keeps saying add a widget - not add a page...maybe I'll try again....later.
In order to keep an eye on my year list I put it on Bubo listing - ypu cant double count anything there !
I have reached 105....seeing as I have been out 4 times thats no bad.
I have to sort out a couple of trips to Sheppey for my tetrads....
When Bob comes back from his Iberian Lynx trip to Espana we want to go to Norfolk for a couple of trips - the annual Crane trip and the annual early winter trip!
BTW I had a text this morning from my mates - they saw a Lynx this morning - brill- not at all jealous...nope not at all.....
Kent and Sussex as well as keeping a running total for this year - not in a competitive mood this year.
But I seem to go around and around and not achieve adding any pages - as the dashboard page keeps saying add a widget - not add a page...maybe I'll try again....later.
In order to keep an eye on my year list I put it on Bubo listing - ypu cant double count anything there !
I have reached 105....seeing as I have been out 4 times thats no bad.
I have to sort out a couple of trips to Sheppey for my tetrads....
When Bob comes back from his Iberian Lynx trip to Espana we want to go to Norfolk for a couple of trips - the annual Crane trip and the annual early winter trip!
BTW I had a text this morning from my mates - they saw a Lynx this morning - brill- not at all jealous...nope not at all.....
Friday, January 22, 2010
Another Birding day!
This has got to stop! Titles like this mean only one thing - I havent done much birding this year yet!
Bob and I went to Gosport to see our friend "Gossie", the Ring-billed Gull. We took all of 5 mins to find him on the pond - he was just floating! Well when the bread came out there he was showing off his wing panels and his ability to fly!
So Gossie - then a photo of Gossie with a Common Gull in the background.
The photos of the "gulls" are all by Phil Wallace - thanks for permission to use them!
Oh yes along with the BH and Common Gulls - and a Herring or two! So after having a nice conservation with a elderly couple we went to see what might be about in Haslar Creek and there were two Med Gulls! We searched a bit and came up with Red-breasted Mergansers,Brent Geese, a Curlew, Redshank then Ringed Plovers lots and a Dunlin with them, an Oystercatcher was hiding in an inlet and we finally saw a Little Grebe or two! 10 year ticks within 45 mins!
Sussex was calling so off we went - among places we visited were Thorney Island, Selsey Bill, and Pagham area.
76 species later and 36 new year ticks for 2010 for me (34 for Bob) and we had seen some lovely places in Sussex and some wonderful birds.
Highlights were Bearded Tit at Thorney (finally!) and Ruddy Duck (undisclosed site to prevent Defra shooting the a*** off these!) both Sussex ticks for me!
Project starting in 2010 is to improve my Kent and Sussex lists.
Kent Life List 252
Sussex Life List 183
We also saw Whimbrel, Greenshank, Green Sandpiper,a Blackwit, and at Church Norton
Great Northern and Red-throated Divers and a Slav Grebe. We also found Siskins and Green Woodies!
We finished the day in fading light at Pagham Lagoon - watching a sleepy adult male Scaup...what a beauty! He did look up briefly so we could catch a glimpse of his bill and head properly then promptly went back to sleep!
A good day out and a good days birding in great company.
No pics as I left the camera in the boot of Bob's car - and when I finally remembered it - the light was not good - so I shall borrow a couple of photo's or post the links to them - the Scaup being one!
Bob and I went to Gosport to see our friend "Gossie", the Ring-billed Gull. We took all of 5 mins to find him on the pond - he was just floating! Well when the bread came out there he was showing off his wing panels and his ability to fly!
So Gossie - then a photo of Gossie with a Common Gull in the background.
The photos of the "gulls" are all by Phil Wallace - thanks for permission to use them!
Oh yes along with the BH and Common Gulls - and a Herring or two! So after having a nice conservation with a elderly couple we went to see what might be about in Haslar Creek and there were two Med Gulls! We searched a bit and came up with Red-breasted Mergansers,Brent Geese, a Curlew, Redshank then Ringed Plovers lots and a Dunlin with them, an Oystercatcher was hiding in an inlet and we finally saw a Little Grebe or two! 10 year ticks within 45 mins!
Sussex was calling so off we went - among places we visited were Thorney Island, Selsey Bill, and Pagham area.
76 species later and 36 new year ticks for 2010 for me (34 for Bob) and we had seen some lovely places in Sussex and some wonderful birds.
Highlights were Bearded Tit at Thorney (finally!) and Ruddy Duck (undisclosed site to prevent Defra shooting the a*** off these!) both Sussex ticks for me!
Project starting in 2010 is to improve my Kent and Sussex lists.
Kent Life List 252
Sussex Life List 183
We also saw Whimbrel, Greenshank, Green Sandpiper,a Blackwit, and at Church Norton
Great Northern and Red-throated Divers and a Slav Grebe. We also found Siskins and Green Woodies!
We finished the day in fading light at Pagham Lagoon - watching a sleepy adult male Scaup...what a beauty! He did look up briefly so we could catch a glimpse of his bill and head properly then promptly went back to sleep!
A good day out and a good days birding in great company.
No pics as I left the camera in the boot of Bob's car - and when I finally remembered it - the light was not good - so I shall borrow a couple of photo's or post the links to them - the Scaup being one!
Saturday, January 16, 2010
A birding day!
Pics are of Broadwater GPs.
Finally I have been out birding! Bob and I decided on Thursday we would go to Stocker's Lake and then on to look at some Red Kites. I met Bob about 9am and we set off for Stokers Lake.We missed out the motorways - when we did go over the M25 it looked nose to tail!
Well we began to see more snow on the way out of Greater London and into Herts,
Roads were fine.
At Stocker's - the Canal was frozen apart from a bit in the middle - which appeared frozen over but less thick...in fact we watched a boat being move from the side with 2 big guys pushing it - with its engines running and they were having a big fight.
It drizzled almost all the time we were at Stoker's - the hides were welcome cover!
The Lakes were frozen except for some areas of free water in the middle.
But there were the Red-crested Pochards - by the Sailing lake - 7 males and 6 femailes. Lots of Goldeneye - displaying males...Shovellers, Gadwall and obviously Mallards and Mutes. Coots galore and Moorhens aplenty.
We then walked into the Reserve and around the Lake...Song Thrush, Fieldfares, masses of Tits and Robins.Flocks of LT Tits were everywhere - occasional Wren...
again on the lake - Red-crested Pochards - 9 males and 7 females. The males were al glorious in their breeding glory. Females looking pretty too.
Masses of Goldeneye - again lots of displaying -
We spot a Red head - great so where is the male - or male Smews?
Nope we missed em! Seen on Thursday and today! But a couple of birders had seen one male further behind us...
Then the year ticks came quickly - Nuthatch, Jay, but no sign of a Siskin!
Bob who had 20 odd less than me (having only been back from Espana for a few days was ticking merrily!
We decided we would go to Broadwater GPs as 2 Goosanders had been seen on Thursday - there was also a Siberian Chiffchaff there......
we tried parking in the Anglers Car park where they used to let birders park - no longer...all locked up! So it was park on the side of the lane.
Wethen walked all along the track to the Sailing Club- we were after the Goosanders so stopped every clearing to scan with scopes the open water - but no sign- Bob picked up Lesser and Greater Black backed Gulls for the year list - it was gull city out there - he spotted a Greylag - I didn't see it!
Well no Goosander meant we were almost at the Sailing Club so it was decided we would try for the Siberian - a lifer for me - not yet split from Chiffchaff on the BOU list.
We spent ages looking - then I saw a movement - a Chiffchaff - over wintering brightly coloured Chiffchaff - low down in the Willow trees - catching insects stirred up by the fast moving River waters...we eventually saw 6 individuals - one looked duller but all Chiffchaff - so the seige was on! Surprisingly lots of Wrens about...I was startled by an accidently flushed Grey Wagtail -which showed beautifully and there was another whizzing down stream.
Robins popped up - andthen there it was a grey version of Chiffchaff! Veru pale under and greyer tha I had imagined! Great - we were both cold now - so a brisk walk back to the car - keepng ears andeye out for Sisikins- none!
So then off to theA40 and drive up towards High Wycombe - with a stop at the recycling centre- not far from Hedgerley tip....great views of about 30 Red Kites and for Bob Pied Wags! We watched the Kites wheeling and flying beautifully along with thousands of gulls!
On towards Stokenchurch - we were both hoping we might spot a perched Buzzard.
The snow in Bucks was something to behold! Roads fine but the snow on the pavements and in the fields...as we journeyed the weather conditions worsened and it got foggy.As we drove towards Stokenchurch the weather closed in but - yes there was a Buzzard - female perched in a tree at the side of the road...great! Onto the M40 and there was the fog- on with fog lights and careful driving - then it cleared a bit as we passed Hedgerley Tip- a bird flew across the road and we realised it was a Merlin! Brilliant!
The rest ofthe jouney was ok- as it appeared to be low cloud as we went uphill and cleared as we descended! A40 and then to Bob's.... a good if wet and cold days birding
Year List about 70 - I will go through it later - as I am not doing a published year list this year not that crucial!
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
More snow - so Redwings are back!
Redwings were in my Garden today - Pyracanthia berries on cut down branches in the corner of the garden (from my neighbours garden were the attraction!
Oh and the Woodpigeons in the largest tree nearby - looking very cold!
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Arctic Tern in the News - new mapping of migration.
The BBC reports that new evidence has come to light on the remarkable migration of the Arctic Tern. Most of us know that this little bird has pole to Pole migration. Now we know more about its route(s).
Here is the link -Arctic TernThe thaw appears to be here in West London - a much milder night and temps are up! Great.
Here is the link -Arctic TernThe thaw appears to be here in West London - a much milder night and temps are up! Great.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Bateleurs in South Africa
To cheer myself up I am posting some beautiful photo's by my SA birding friend Sal.
See those deep blue SA skies!
Grey here and more snow last night - well a couple of cms..enough to cover the birds food left from yesterday.
Up to 30 Goldfinches this morning trying to get fed.I shall see if any pics taken from inside the kitchen window have come out later.
Here are the Beautiful Bateleur Bird of Prey. Click on the image for an even larger and more impressive photo!
Thanks Sal!
Friday, January 08, 2010
Thursday, January 07, 2010
Well you ought to laugh!
Heather and the others - down the cliffs from where I was!
As promised my photos of Risso's Dolphins - they were there honest!
Now you realise why I needed to ask Heather for one of her photos! ;)
Wednesday, January 06, 2010
Snow today - well a bit!
Because I was in most of the day due to weather - I realised I had not posted some photos from Shetland. These are all by Heather Gerrard. Heather and her husband Don were great companions on our Shetland Trip. Heather as you can see is a good photographer and she had promised to send me some copies of the special birds we had seen. I had mentioned a number to her - including the Risso's Dolphin we saw on Fair Isle - I will try to find my pic- you will have a laugh!The Raven - well that is a perched Raven - and we spent a while trying to find one that was perched and not flying! Its one of those if you were there at the time things!
The Taiga was a triumph as all I managed was an empty trunk and an empty wall where it had been!
The AGP - I didn't realise there was a photo! That was one we self found.
Anyway its good to think about Shetland again.
Australia managed a minor miracle and won their test - well perhaps the Pakistani batsmen gave it away!
Graham Smith was majestic yesterday and not bad this morning - phew finally gone!
Tuesday, January 05, 2010
Barnes yesterday
Well here are a few photo's as promised yesterday. They are all Pat's photo's.
First the Bittern on the ice from the Tower Hide.I think then its a cold Duck - you can really see the ice.Then the inevitable Robin - there were so many yesterday and they posed nicely! There are no scenic photo's as Pat wants me to pick those, as I expect there are lots and lots! I was a bit surprised that I havent been sent any Lapwings on the ice as they looked really pretty in the sun! Redpoll feeding and that mystery bird, which isn't any more.
Hopefully they will be in the correct order!
Monday, January 04, 2010
Barnes on a frosty day
Well as the Brown Shrike has left Staines Moor we decided to go to Barnes this morning.
We couldn't go very far as we both had other committments/work to do.
-3 as I left my house and -2 as we arrived at Barnes at 9.30 - no traffic on the A4 which made a change as that time in the morning!
Beautiful light for photography and beautiful scenery with a deep crisp frost.
Photos of this later when Pat sends me some.
We were thankful for the take away Coffee......
Arrive at WWF hide to see a Bittern fly to our right and disappear into reeds- then almost as we had settled a birder called "Bittern"- and we looked through his scope and then I got onto the bird myself while Pat was trying to find the Bittern who was being a reed! After a few shots Pat went for a wander and we concentrated on finding the Bitterns...and not long later a Bittern popped up onto the top of a reed - another appeared below and then that Bittern went to its left and flushed - another Bittern! Who flew away and then landed in the reeds opposite the hide as in this pic!
So that was 4 Bitterns!
Needless to say the water was frozen and the Lapwings,Shelducks and assorted gulls were standing on ice - I noticed a bunch of Canada Geese were still on their island keeping off the ice! Mallards waddled and slipped and slid their way towards what they thought was open water.
I walked towards the Tower Hide and re met Pat and we went to the 1st floor to see Water Rail, Common Snipe and lots of activity including a flying Bittern! Plus lots of gulls, mallards and cormorants. Oh and of course Grey herons - everywhere!
I went to the top deck where a very loud American Woman was evidently having the time of her life! Lots of windows were open and there were three people up there - one birder obviously enjoying his superior knowledge telling two non birders what was about. All very loudly- where has field craft gone?
I closed all the windows where they weren't and looked out to see a Bittern standing out on the ice and in full view in the sunshine - so it was a scurry down the stairs to get Pat onto the Bittern...yes it was a long way and a 100-400 lens is not really enough - but I await the photo with baited breath - it looked ok in the viewfinder!
We were by now cold as the wind was vv cold coming through the window. so it was time to return to the warm!Via Long tailed Tits, Redwings, Robins, other tits and Song Thrush and this bird who tried to be tricky!
who then looked around!Lol.
So no longer tricky!
So a loo stop and then off towards the Wildside...and possible Redpolls.
A visit to the much more settled Cranes.
then Redpoll...found some amidst Goldfinches - Lesser.
Continue walking and outside the hide I never remember....Wildside Hide will do! There is a bridge and in the background silver birch trees - lots of birds on these- a few Goldfinch and there are the Redpolls - lots of them and then there is a different one and its a Mealy! Great - a patch tick!
After some photographs of Redpolls on a tree next to the hide, its back to the cafe for lunch...Bangers and mash and onion gravy with broccoli....lovely and warming.
Home by 2.30 and its dog walking!
Finally I am in the warm and watching the Cricket from SA and then as I post this Oz and Pakistan. Well the SA 2nd test is in the balance.....Oz were on the wrack a bit!
We might have a photo of the Redpolls....and perhaps a Mealy as well.
We couldn't go very far as we both had other committments/work to do.
-3 as I left my house and -2 as we arrived at Barnes at 9.30 - no traffic on the A4 which made a change as that time in the morning!
Beautiful light for photography and beautiful scenery with a deep crisp frost.
Photos of this later when Pat sends me some.
We were thankful for the take away Coffee......
Arrive at WWF hide to see a Bittern fly to our right and disappear into reeds- then almost as we had settled a birder called "Bittern"- and we looked through his scope and then I got onto the bird myself while Pat was trying to find the Bittern who was being a reed! After a few shots Pat went for a wander and we concentrated on finding the Bitterns...and not long later a Bittern popped up onto the top of a reed - another appeared below and then that Bittern went to its left and flushed - another Bittern! Who flew away and then landed in the reeds opposite the hide as in this pic!
So that was 4 Bitterns!
Needless to say the water was frozen and the Lapwings,Shelducks and assorted gulls were standing on ice - I noticed a bunch of Canada Geese were still on their island keeping off the ice! Mallards waddled and slipped and slid their way towards what they thought was open water.
I walked towards the Tower Hide and re met Pat and we went to the 1st floor to see Water Rail, Common Snipe and lots of activity including a flying Bittern! Plus lots of gulls, mallards and cormorants. Oh and of course Grey herons - everywhere!
I went to the top deck where a very loud American Woman was evidently having the time of her life! Lots of windows were open and there were three people up there - one birder obviously enjoying his superior knowledge telling two non birders what was about. All very loudly- where has field craft gone?
I closed all the windows where they weren't and looked out to see a Bittern standing out on the ice and in full view in the sunshine - so it was a scurry down the stairs to get Pat onto the Bittern...yes it was a long way and a 100-400 lens is not really enough - but I await the photo with baited breath - it looked ok in the viewfinder!
We were by now cold as the wind was vv cold coming through the window. so it was time to return to the warm!Via Long tailed Tits, Redwings, Robins, other tits and Song Thrush and this bird who tried to be tricky!
who then looked around!Lol.
So no longer tricky!
So a loo stop and then off towards the Wildside...and possible Redpolls.
A visit to the much more settled Cranes.
then Redpoll...found some amidst Goldfinches - Lesser.
Continue walking and outside the hide I never remember....Wildside Hide will do! There is a bridge and in the background silver birch trees - lots of birds on these- a few Goldfinch and there are the Redpolls - lots of them and then there is a different one and its a Mealy! Great - a patch tick!
After some photographs of Redpolls on a tree next to the hide, its back to the cafe for lunch...Bangers and mash and onion gravy with broccoli....lovely and warming.
Home by 2.30 and its dog walking!
Finally I am in the warm and watching the Cricket from SA and then as I post this Oz and Pakistan. Well the SA 2nd test is in the balance.....Oz were on the wrack a bit!
We might have a photo of the Redpolls....and perhaps a Mealy as well.
Sunday, January 03, 2010
And gone again!
Well my Brown Shrike has departed. Thankfully I saw him before he left!
So instead of Staines Moor again tomorrow - we have another local patch to visit.
Test Cricket again this am- what an interesting time is going on in SA!
Man U out of the FA Cup and Leeds drawn away to Spurs.
My Eagles got through the 3rd round - so its more giant killing next round!
35 Goldfinches collectively chatting this morning in my tree!
Finally got the videos downloaded on my pc....of the Whooper Swans at Welney and the Cranes at Barnes.
Noe to see how to upload onto here! LOL! ;)
So instead of Staines Moor again tomorrow - we have another local patch to visit.
Test Cricket again this am- what an interesting time is going on in SA!
Man U out of the FA Cup and Leeds drawn away to Spurs.
My Eagles got through the 3rd round - so its more giant killing next round!
35 Goldfinches collectively chatting this morning in my tree!
Finally got the videos downloaded on my pc....of the Whooper Swans at Welney and the Cranes at Barnes.
Noe to see how to upload onto here! LOL! ;)
Friday, January 01, 2010
Brown Shrike is back at Stainesmoor!
Well surprise surprise - after a fortnights holiday "our" Brown Shrike is back!
Wonder where he went? Somewhere without snow- but then he clearly likes "our" moor!
What great news this morning and lo there he was again...clear skies even if very cold!
I am now hoping that I can get my photographer friend to accompany me on Monday to get some photo's.
First bird of the year in my Garden? Goldfinch - beating Robin or Blackbird which were my guesses!
There are now 4 Collared Doves !!
Well the Kent list is sorted (apart from those birds that I know I have seen but need to find my old diaries!) - its the Sussex list tonight!
I shall put the Sussex list on the front of my blog along with the Kent list -be interesting to see these change over the year!
ok Kent list at mo is 252 (although this might be higher by up to 10 others - still to be checked - if I cant find the diaries easily I might just start at 252!!)
Wonder where he went? Somewhere without snow- but then he clearly likes "our" moor!
What great news this morning and lo there he was again...clear skies even if very cold!
I am now hoping that I can get my photographer friend to accompany me on Monday to get some photo's.
First bird of the year in my Garden? Goldfinch - beating Robin or Blackbird which were my guesses!
There are now 4 Collared Doves !!
Well the Kent list is sorted (apart from those birds that I know I have seen but need to find my old diaries!) - its the Sussex list tonight!
I shall put the Sussex list on the front of my blog along with the Kent list -be interesting to see these change over the year!
ok Kent list at mo is 252 (although this might be higher by up to 10 others - still to be checked - if I cant find the diaries easily I might just start at 252!!)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)