more swatching at the sea

2 hours in gloom & drizzle this am but worth it for a great shear and a few sooties - year ticks! Plus the close cory's was v cool! Quality not quantity so far this year, but one of everything is quite enuff!

seawatching anyone?

Oh go on then! Gave it an hour & 15 mins last night and scored cory's, 3 poms, 2 bonx, 1 arctic skua & 4 common terns - score!

patch tick!

got a leo over da hoose after de footy last night! Score! full-fat patch tick ya bas!

Deja-vu all over again

Except well and truly on the patch this time, Mr. Blatter.

Whitethroat and Crossbill (as rare as Black Scoters around here) last weekend too move the list to 103 (=81.75%). King Eider and Surf Scoter remain and a Peregrine cruised by last night. There have been several reports on Birdforum of a Gropper at Blackdog but it schtum whenever I'm around.

Last weekend, I also twitched Reg's Marsh Warbler. Fortuitously, Reg came by on a routine patrol and took the opportunity of handing over the much-coveted Snowy Owl trophy. He was so fond of the wee fella on his mantelpiece that he clung on for an extra half year and tears were in his eyes as the grip from his finger finally relaxed. The whole presentation was witnessed by the paparazzi so hopefully an image will appear shortly.

Statto

101 101 101 101

I forgot to say, but aaaaages ago whilst on the way to the way the pub, I heard a Tawny Owl on the patch. Shows very clearly the value of drinking. And not only that, but one of my fellow-patch workers has located a Garden Warbler. Not having seen it myself, I've not yet counted it (I'm good like that), but it's only a matter of time. For now, 101, or 94.39%.

Derek

Late spring migs

I was wondering yesterday morning as I trundled around me patch, why this spell of easterlies hadn't produced any half decent birds....

Twenty minutes later there I was enjoying a full fat patch tick, albeit a rather dull and tarty one, but a rosefinch is a rosefinch and much appreciated.

Less than an hour later I got a call from the ol' bill and Reg had gone and got himself a marsh warbler singing its little heart out and, amazingly, showing as well in a small group of willows.  Only my third for the patch and good regional rarity.

A fine duo of late spring birds and hopefully more to come.

Still plenty of 'regulars' to be had which might allow others to catch those front runners who seem to have got stuck in mid-summer stagnation.

These and a couple of fillers put me on to 78.40%.

Happy days

Bushveld

sneaky seawatch

All de spring stuff has pretty much dried up so I tried a wee look at the sea on Sunday morning - 2 easy bankers quickly nailed - stormie & puffin - result!