The last two weeks have been a Patch Birding bonanza. The large numbers of large shearwaters and small skuas reported along the coast tempted me out to join in the fun. A seawatch on the 1st produced a couple of long-tailed skuas (Full Fat Patch Ticks) but alas no large shears. Luckily the winds shifted to the east which meant migs...
The 2nd produced a pied fly, the first since 2015! followed by a red-backed shrike on the 3rd. Barred warbler (another Full Fat Patch Tick) and lesser whitethroat on the 6th. Spot fly, redstart and whinchat on the 7th were blown away when a visiting birder looking at another red-backed shrike found an adult female BROWN SHRIKE on the 9th.
Unfortunately a case of Patch Poaching occurred on the 8th when a couple of no goods found a wryneck on patch and kicked it hard enough for me to dip.
Three full fat patch ticks in one month and 11 year ticks puts me on 110 for the year and 91.67%.
Very Happy Days
Bushveld
Nice patch tick but sorry you didn't find it. You need a less good patch so it doesn't attract other birders
ReplyDelete