The Ythan, pure bliss
13/02/2010
I can't be bothered with a detailed report today. Basically, we got the bus to the Ythan this morning and these are the interesting and significant things we saw:
- Bar-Tailed Godwit
- Golden Plover
- Skylark
- Brent Goose
- Common Scoter
- Grey Plover
- Knot
- and... Canada Goose!
So, no lifers today but I am on 100 for the year, and 80 for Aberdeenshire this year, and 102 for my term time list (thank you Canada Goose)!
Thom
Eventful day in Peterhead
06/02/2010
Today was a good day. I went with Danny to Peterhead in search of Iceland Gull after being tipped off by one of my lecturers about the locations that the 3 in Peterhead were likely to be seen. On the bus up I got Hen Harrier! Life tick number one for the day. Then after a bit of seawatching we stumbled upon a Little Auk, really close to land.
So, 2 lifers for the day, and many more for the year. This leaves me on 216 on the life list and 92 for the year.
Thom
A Change of Heart
17/01/2010
After a highly productive day full of amazing spectacles if no major ticks, I have had to rethink the feral pigeon issue. I'm putting it back on the list. Its still a wild bird and a species in its own right.
Anyway, I had the perfect day. Woke up feeling fresh nice and early, the sun was shining and I had time to go birding. After a few hours at the beach, I returned to have a greasy spoon-esque brunch, before heading out to the beach a second time with a second pair of eyes. Got a few more ticks for pretty much all of my lists too. Aiming for 170 this year overall. Basically covering all the bases without getting all the ridiculous twitch-ticks from last year.
Thom
A New Start
11/01/2010
Hey everyone!
The new year has arrived and the counters reset.
A few things to mention now that it is January again. Firstly, I'm making the final decision on the feral pigeon debate. They are gone, removed from all records. Also, I'm going to be busy keeping yet more lists, as not only do I have the traditional 3 horse year race with Dobbin and co, but also an Aberdeenshire race too. Updates on both should feature here in due course.
Now, with that admin out of the way I'd like to mention that we have already had one successful trip to the London Wetland Centre, picking up Water Rail, Peregrine, Bittern, Stonechat, Pintail, Lesser Redpoll and many more. A camera phone botch-job Bittern picture will be up shortly.
Unfortunately, my 'Shire list isn't looking too healthy. It currently consists of Pied Wagtail. That is all. I'll be out to nab the first batch for that within the next week though.
I'm pretty sure that's everything, so all that is left to say is good luck for the year, and let the best horse win!
Thom
Hughesy Falls at the Last?
29/12/2009
What a day... What a day! Right, Details... The plan was Rainham Marshes, then Westcliff-on-Sea, before finishing at Colne Point as long as the light didn’t fade away. Unfortunately, Rainham doesn’t open until half 9. Now, not wanting to waste any of the precious few hours of daylight we decided to do the plan in reverse.
We arrived at Colne as the sun came up and parked over a mile from the nature reserve. Now this extra bit of walking sounds like no biggy, but it was bloody freezing and there was a fair wind blowing in off the water. As it was, without this extra stretch we would not have had quite such an amazing morning.
So, what did we see first...? Oh yeah, tens of Little Egret, never have I seen quite that abundance. Also there were four Bewick’s Swans and an Avocet and perhaps most surprising of all was a Spoonbill!
We then reached the beach and the magic truly began. First I spotted a Snow Bunting, which settled just feet away and put Nigel on 185 for the year. It was only a few hundred metres further along the shingle that the reason for our presence was sighted. A Shore Lark, blended perfectly against the pebbles and shells about 10 metres in front of us. A life tick for the pair of us and this was capped off by a Marsh Harrier that flew over just before we turned back.
It was during the walk back, that we stumbled upon a Grey Seal. It was also here that we saw 2 Kestrels hunting a Skylark. The Skylark thought I would make good cover but in making a beeline for me, it collided with my shoulder and flopped to the floor concussed. Thankfully it came round and flew off safe.
Colne's last gift came from a wet field visible from the path, where a few brown birds were stirring. On closer inspection there were hundreds of them, all the same. Golden Plover! Having worried so much earlier in the year having visited the Highlands and failed to see them, there was a field crammed full of the blighters! The year lists now stood at 187 for Nigel and 188 for me.
We then hopped back in the car and headed for Westcliff-on-Sea. We got there at about 1:30 and parked up opposite Rossi’s Ice Cream Parlour, where we stopped briefly for lunch. It was awful, just for the record... I don’t recommend it to anyone. I mean if the food isn’t reason enough to avoid it then the old biddies asking if you are going to see the pantomime certainly is.
Well, that went rather of topic. Where were we...? Ah, yes. After lunch we walked across the road and ticked off Med Gull a year list tick for me and then Ring-Billed Gull, a life tick for the Comic team. Unfortunately, the light gave out and we had to skip Rainham and head for home.
So, the end is nearly here and the scores stand as follows: Thom – 190, Nigel – 188, MJH – 185.
Thom