Bangin' them in

 Yes indeedy, just a quick post to highlight recent progress - banged in merlin, peregrine and collared dove over le weekend, and jammed into early migrants or possibly over-wintering whimbrel and chiffchaff today whilst exercising the Hound of Destiny so all good.

No pics from the patch but here's a cheeky shot of the Waterford Spotted Sandpiper that I twitched last week - just happened to be in the area.

A spotted sandpaper yesterday

In other news, I see Shakey is also still bangin' them in on his patch - if this keeps up we'll have to send the boys round to give him the good news....

Lets get this partay started

 Yes indeedy, its been pretty good at Galley of late, in an "its early but there still might be something around" kind of a way. A burst of south-easterlies 10 days ago brought a wave of 19 (count 'em) bramblings through - it was quite exciting bumping into birds after they'd just dropped in!

some bramblings, er, a week or so ago

Several black redstarts around too, and lots of chiffchaffs and then yesterday, the highlight of the spring so far in the form of a cracking male ring ouzel just outside the office - nice!

a black redstart, day before yesterday

But of course the major piece of skill was spotting that the Owenahincha cattle egrets which have been hanging around for a couple of months now had followed their cows into a field that was at last visible from the patch! I was able to clock them from the comfort of my trusy swaro scope last friday, at a range of approximately 4km off patch - a whole new low! Huzzah! Only my second ever record from the patch, with the first waaaay back in 2008!

4km, last friday

And finally, hot news of two (count 'em) gadwall on the lake this lunchtime - all to play for!

Off-patch japes

Two full fat lifers in a week but neither of em on patch - disgraceful behaviour but just happened to be in the area for the first one, and just happened to have to go for the second! Luckily I managed pants photos of both birds for your delectation!

A Pacific Golden Plover last week

A Brown Booby earlier, before it was taken into care

That'll probly do me on the tick front for a while! Did manage Common Sandpiper from the majik patio the other night so autumn is upon us at last!

twitching the nighthawk

Me & Ross Geller took a punt that the Common Nighthawk up in Antrim would remain for another day on Friday - it certainly did!

A common nighthawk yesterday

The fly-bys along the river at dusk were incredible, but sadly my recording technology was not up to the task of capturing any footage - brilliant bird!

Did manage a flyover lapland bunting on patch early doors on Friday, plus merlin today moves me over the near-mythical 80% barrier.....

off-patch japes

Had to go for the Veery on Cape....

Ooooooof!

Me & Basil also relocated the Scarlet Tanager and caught up with the White-rumped Sandpiper too! A grand day out!

Wonder whats on Galley....

Another Grey-cheeked Thrush!!!

Still reeling!

Grey-cheeked Thrush, Red Strand

Wahay!

Just off-patch, and only 1.25km from the Dirk Bay bird, and about 6 km from the Ross Pier bird! This one has no warts on its feet though so looks like a new bird! Amayzing!

Almost as amayzing was ticking a hawfinch dug out of Dirk this am by Old Spoons. And three (count 'em) Glossy Ibises flying past the window when I was eating my lunch! Old Spoons found a fourth one at Red Strand this pm. Thats two Full Fat Patch Ticks in one day! And the small matter of finding another Grey-cheeked Thrush! Its been quite a day!

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!

just off patch

Haven't done a "just off patch" for ages but since I got a half-decent shot of one of these fellas I thought I'd bore you all with it! Sadly, it was 6 miles off patch, tho I did find one in Ross (only 4 miles off).

Paddyfield Warbler 8.9.12 Logie Buchan, Ythan

Thought about time the Paddyfield Warbler got its picture in lights as well, I know off patch, but its only a few miles away..