Friday, 27 February 2026

Red-rumped already!

 Yes indeedy, its not even March yet and the first decent mig of the year has already been bagged! And it involved more than a fair slice of jam too. Rewind to yesterday afternoon, with the dog walk looming. In a last-minute change of mind, I decided against driving to Dirk and trudging down and back again, opting instead for a walk along the road from the house. 

After approximately two minutes of trudging east along the road, I spotted what looked like a swallow flying towards me. "But its February" I thought, raising the bins and getting on it. I could make out red around the nape, and when it banked, there was a pale reddish rump patch. "Jeepers, red-rumped swallow" was something like my next thought. I carried on watching as it made its way slowly westwards, before it dipped down towards the beach and out of sight. Somewhat in a daze, I retraced my steps past the house and down to the beach, then over to Kilkeran Lake, just in case it was hanging around but no further sign.

Full fat jammy twat!

Thursday, 26 February 2026

Big Royzah says hello

 Yes indeedy, for there is (some) news that Royzah has made it over the door at least once this year, and he scored well when he did venture out.

A black redstart, yesterday

Only his 3rd evah on patch apparently, which is quite amayzing considering how many years he's been slogging the Don. No further information about any other birds was provided but I'm guessing he's on at least 1% by now.

All to play for....


Friday, 6 February 2026

full fat friday

 Yes indeedy, there were once again absolute scenes on the majik patio (tm) this very afternoon, when moments after clocking that a/the(?) gadwall was back amongst the mallards, two red-breasted mergansers swam into view! Its only taken 23 years to get this long-awaited sawbill onto the patch list! Proof-of-life shot thusly...

two red-breasted mergansers, yesterday

I had to go for a lie-down after all the excitement! First patch tick of the year, but hopefully not the last!