The 'polls for Ol' Snowy have now closed

With the gank Golden Mallard the post and on its way to C lister Derek Nimmo, we must consider where Ol' Snowy will pass the year. There can be only one winner, and rather than endure another 'vote' the consensus is that Seppy takes the prize for Blackpoll warbler. This victory must be all the sweeter for him this year as he actually managed to identify the winning bird himself. So with four in a row, and Ol' Snowy stays put at Seppy's gaff beside all the piles of used bank notes in brown envelopes. It would be good if Seppy could stay at home this year to give the rest of us a chance, otherwise next year we'll be awarding Ol' Snowy to the second-best find of the year. But well done Seppy who saves himself postage, and the rest of us need to up our game a bit. Roll on 2022.

The winning Blackpoll warbler in October

#FourInARow

never-ending easterlies

It seems to have been south-east or east winds for just about the whole of October so far, but sadly this hasn't resulted in a whole lot of mig action on Galley. Managed to glean a couple of yellow-browed warblers lately, and yesterday had a very breeef encounter with a red-breasted flycatcher at Shite Lane but apart from that its been pretty dead on patch.

In more exciting news, me and Old Spoons played a blinder last week on a highly successful twitch for this cracker...

the rose-breasted grosbeak, yesterday er last week

Which was nice.

Late edit - 12th Oct - Richards Pipit & Redpoll today - gettin there slowly!

off-patch american japes

Was away in Kerry when da news broke yesterday but thankfully the american bittern remained at Castlefreke lake today - it's just 2.7km off patch as the bittern flies but sadly there's a big hill in the way! Still, there's always a chance it might relocate to Kilkeran, and then it would be within patio range...

Oooooooof!

Oooooof again!

And Ooooooof once more!

what. a. bird!

Let the seawatching begin!!

OK so it wasn't quite as red-hot as it looked when I first gawped out the window at 6.00am. In fact it was by and large pish, but pom skua, stormie and sooty all through the crease by 7.30 was ok, plus I then discovered I'd omitted to tick off manxie, swift and iceland gull from the scoresheet so a whopping overall increase of six species!

Cowabunga!, as basil faulty might say...

avin a barney

News of 2 barnacle geese just off-patch got me & Old Spoons out on full alert. With me safely on patch, a wee well-applied chivvy and the geese were securely on the patch list! Cork tick too! Score!

Oooof! Boom! etc etc

there's another one!

Had to commute to de patch from Btown today but it was worth it as I gleaned a fine ringtail hen harrier for me troubles - normally only 1 or 2 records per year, almost all in autumn so well-timed!

A quick peruse of whats left available, and it is technically possible to hit a new record of 150 (9 species required, but need nowt rarer than yellow-browed warbler to do this) - however, even if such a mammoth achievement was er achieved, this would only leave me on 104.90%, so lookin unlikely to be able to claim the top spot this year, especially if Reg continues his meteoric form. Oh yes, Mr Nimmo, don't be restin up there thinkin you're home & hosed - Reg has a good few he ain't declared since el shrike browno I think so he's the one to beat!

stunning seawatch

Got me arse oot to Galley for 15.30 yesterday after hearing of some big numbers of big shears off Mizen. Very glad that I did too! The mist was well down when I got out there, 1st bird through the scope was a manx, followed shortly after by a cory's  and 3 greats! A good start! The mist gradually lifted, but the large shears were still passing incredibly close - within 200 metres some of them! Tremendous views!

And then a fea's-type petrel flew past, which was nice!  and an hour later there was another one! And then 40 mins after that came number three! All slightly different on plumage - amayzing!

Finished up with about 250 cory's and 50-odd greats, plus the supporting cast included several more year ticks - 5 (count 'em) long-tailed skuas, 7 poms, 3 arctics, plus a jammy turnstone too! A few sooties and bonxies thrown in too. All good! Will have to keep seawatching though, cos I still need sab's and common tern!

Oh look - 4th place!

ton up

A glorious yellow wagtail (4th ever on patch) and a smattering of whitethroats got me through the 100 species & 70% barriers today! All to play for!

Gurtcha!

more scores from the patio

Siskin and 1st w med gull were today's offerings - gratefully snapped up too!

A green-veined white yesterday...