After further reports of the Subalpine Warb yesterday we headed for Mount Todden farm and found the spot where it was seen. On the way up we saw the Turtle Dove at Porthloo, during our two hour stay at the trial we saw 31 Fieldfare and a Common Buzzard but no Subalpine. We did also hear a Raven but it called from behind trees.
We then head to longstones and had lunch and on to lower moors where we heard Crossbill fly over and got ace views of Jack and Common Snipe and a Greenshank. After this we went to Pennins Head where lots of pipits and Swallow were. We had a look for the Wryneck but had no luck but did see the Red-throated Diver.
It was now pub time so we headed to the Atlantic where we saw Grey Wagtail and Sparrowhawk then at 5.30 a Richards Pipit was seen at Giants Castle but on the way the Subalpine was seen again so we went straight there. I arrived with foot in pain and out of breath but managed good but brief views of the Subalpine Warbler (295) on the way there we did see a Merlin.
Sunday, 17 October 2010
Day 2
The second day of our Scilly adventure had us heading up to the airfield. We arrived there with no sign of the American Golden Plover, but 13 Skylark and a handfull of Wheatear present. We then headed down to Porth Hellick pools where a Kingfisher sat briefly and two Water Rail showed well, just before leaving a Jack Snipe bobbed into view.
News of the plover back on the airfield had us going back up there. We got there just in time to see the American Golden Plover (293) fly off before a plane got it. We wait a few minutes before it returned to show really well.
We then headed to the quay to get the boat to St Agnes.
On Agnes a quick dash to the Parsonage and a small wait before we saw a Pied Fly and then the Red-eyed Vireo (294).
We wondered back to the boat and popped in the Alantic for a quick drink where we were able to scope the Common Sandpiper on Porthloo beach.
News of the plover back on the airfield had us going back up there. We got there just in time to see the American Golden Plover (293) fly off before a plane got it. We wait a few minutes before it returned to show really well.
We then headed to the quay to get the boat to St Agnes.
On Agnes a quick dash to the Parsonage and a small wait before we saw a Pied Fly and then the Red-eyed Vireo (294).
We wondered back to the boat and popped in the Alantic for a quick drink where we were able to scope the Common Sandpiper on Porthloo beach.
Friday, 15 October 2010
Scilly Day 1 - the lucky Starling
We arrived on Scilly's 11 hours after leaving at 9.00 our plan was to go St Martins to see Tawny Pipit and Melodious Warbler. Dumping the gear in the B&B we had a brief look in the harbour and caught the boat along with 100 other birders.
News of both expected species being negative wasn't the start we were hoping for. We arrived at Higher town and saw the Red-Breasted Flycatcher (my 289 for the year), whilst there news that the Melodious was seen seemed sketchy but we headed that way.
Along the way strugling to walk we were not seeing much but a turn of events when a Starling flock took off and one luckily shat on Adams head.
We shortly after saw the elusive Common Rosefinch (290), Greenshanks and Sanderling. Then by the Campsite we had at least 3 Firecrest and further along 2 more. We stopped at the pub for a bite to eat and added Redwing, Chiffchaff, Sanderling and a Spotted Flycatcher.
I had just started my second pint when news of the Tawny Pipit (291) at the beach came over the radio, which we went to see and got lucky before it flew off along the beach.
We then head back to the pub to search for the Melodious Warbler nr the pub we watched the tree for 30mins before it is found the other side of the pub we obtained great views (292 and my 397 lifer) before the crowds arrived and then went down to the pub and I got even better views adding the bird to the pub list.
We then saw a male Common Scoter the had a large amount of yellow on its bill but was only common, and from the B&B I saw a fly through Barnacle Goose.
News of both expected species being negative wasn't the start we were hoping for. We arrived at Higher town and saw the Red-Breasted Flycatcher (my 289 for the year), whilst there news that the Melodious was seen seemed sketchy but we headed that way.
Along the way strugling to walk we were not seeing much but a turn of events when a Starling flock took off and one luckily shat on Adams head.
We shortly after saw the elusive Common Rosefinch (290), Greenshanks and Sanderling. Then by the Campsite we had at least 3 Firecrest and further along 2 more. We stopped at the pub for a bite to eat and added Redwing, Chiffchaff, Sanderling and a Spotted Flycatcher.
I had just started my second pint when news of the Tawny Pipit (291) at the beach came over the radio, which we went to see and got lucky before it flew off along the beach.
We then head back to the pub to search for the Melodious Warbler nr the pub we watched the tree for 30mins before it is found the other side of the pub we obtained great views (292 and my 397 lifer) before the crowds arrived and then went down to the pub and I got even better views adding the bird to the pub list.
We then saw a male Common Scoter the had a large amount of yellow on its bill but was only common, and from the B&B I saw a fly through Barnacle Goose.
Scilly Day 1 - the lucky Starling
We arrived on Scilly's 11 hours after leaving at 9.00 our plan was to go St Martins to see Tawny Pipit and Melodious Warbler. Dumping the gear in the B&B we had a brief look in the harbour and caught the boat along with 100 other birders.
News of both expected species being negative wasn't the start we were hoping for. We arrived at Higher town and saw the Red-Breasted Flycatcher (my 289 for the year), whilst there news that the Melodious was seen seemed sketchy but we headed that way.
Along the way strugling to walk we were not seeing much but a turn of events when a Starling flock took off and one luckily shat on Adams head.
We shortly after saw the elusive Common Rosefinch (290), Greenshanks and Sanderling. Then by the Campsite we had at least 3 Firecrest and further along 2 more. We stopped at the pub for a bite to eat and added Redwing, Chiffchaff, Sanderling and a Spotted Flycatcher.
I had just started my second pint when news of the Tawny Pipit (291) at the beach came over the radio, which we went to see and got lucky before it flew off along the beach.
We then head back to the pub to search for the Melodious Warbler nr the pub we watched the tree for 30mins before it is found the other side of the pub we obtained great views (292 and my 397 lifer) before the crowds arrived and then went down to the pub and I got even better views adding the bird to the pub list.
We then saw a male Common Scoter the had a large amount of yellow on its bill but was only common, and from the B&B I saw a fly through Barnacle Goose.
News of both expected species being negative wasn't the start we were hoping for. We arrived at Higher town and saw the Red-Breasted Flycatcher (my 289 for the year), whilst there news that the Melodious was seen seemed sketchy but we headed that way.
Along the way strugling to walk we were not seeing much but a turn of events when a Starling flock took off and one luckily shat on Adams head.
We shortly after saw the elusive Common Rosefinch (290), Greenshanks and Sanderling. Then by the Campsite we had at least 3 Firecrest and further along 2 more. We stopped at the pub for a bite to eat and added Redwing, Chiffchaff, Sanderling and a Spotted Flycatcher.
I had just started my second pint when news of the Tawny Pipit (291) at the beach came over the radio, which we went to see and got lucky before it flew off along the beach.
We then head back to the pub to search for the Melodious Warbler nr the pub we watched the tree for 30mins before it is found the other side of the pub we obtained great views (292 and my 397 lifer) before the crowds arrived and then went down to the pub and I got even better views adding the bird to the pub list.
We then saw a male Common Scoter the had a large amount of yellow on its bill but was only common, and from the B&B I saw a fly through Barnacle Goose.
Thursday, 14 October 2010
Round Up
Thats it folks just as Stuart White complimented on how well I have manged to keep up with the Norfolk Year List (at the Willodious Warbler) whislt working full time, I get my foot in plaster a few days later, so any chances (although they were slim) of getting that are out the window having missed the OB Pipit and Red-flanked Bluetail but never mind I still have my target of 300 national the year closing in and as I am about to travel to Scilly tonight I hope to add a few more maybe even get the big three double O whilst I am there (and on the way back). Oh by the way had plaster off yesterday but still on crutches which will be fun.
Haven't updated for a while but heres a picture summary of whats been happening to me.
Also had a great afternoon sitting around the Shangri-la at Waxham watch hundreds of Goldcrests, Bramblings, Siskins and Redwings all flicking through.
Monday, 13 September 2010
Arctic Warbler
Friday evening I had a free hour or so, so popped to Holme where I was rewarded with great views of the Arctic Warbler. The weekend was taken up traveling to London to watch muse at Wembley this was awesome, did manage a year tick with Ring-necked Parakeet in Hyde Park and St James park on both days. Other birds of note were Peregrine and Kingfisher. Also got to watch a plastic Smew chasing Roach ten times its size from the bridge in St James park.
Monday, 6 September 2010
Ortolan and Catch Up
A quick dash after work todaye getting brief but ok views of the Ortolan Bunting before it flew a hundred yards or so when we got better views for another 20mins before it appear to go to roost in the gorse.
To catch up with the previous missed weeks:- yesterday saw Red-necked Phalarope and a Pied Fly at Holme, also saw Redstart and Red-backed Shrike and two Peregrines.
A quick stop at the Dun Cow and I added Common Tern, Greenshank, Whinchat, Canada Goose and Snipe to the Pub List also saw Gannet from here.
We then went to Stifkey where we saw the Barred Warbler and then onto Cley where a few different phase Arctic Skuas were about.
Last stop was Weyborne where we found another Red-backed Shrike and many Wheatears and even more Pied Wagtails.
On Tuesday 31st August another evening out after work, got views a Lapland at Salthouse and a Barred Warbler at Stifkey, also had a probable Great White Egret but could quite get enough views.
On Monday 30th August a sea watch was on the cards with a early start arriving at the shelter at 5.45 and finding it full I was more than surprised. Did miss a Storm Petrel but got Arctic Skua, Great Skua, Pom Skua and Long-tailed Skua (juv). Manx Shearwater and Sooty Shearwater also. Although it was good numbers were very low compared to the fridays sea watch. That afternoon I went to Hickling and saw 17 Cranes but not much else.
Saturday 28th August had enough time to quickly go and see the Short-toed Lark at Cley on Blakeney Point.
Friday 27th August a early start at Sheringham had me straight onto 2 Pom Skuas, the rest of the time around 25 Arctic Skuas and the same Great Skuas and a great view of Balearic Shearwater. That night a mad dash to the point and didn't see the Booted Warbler.
Sunday 22nd August started at dawn at South Creake to look for the two reported Spotted Crakes to find to Juv Moorhens, but come back through the back lanes was lucky enough to see a Quail as I nearly ran it over. I then headed to Alkborough to try and see the Semipalmated Sandpiper waited six hours before heading back, stopped briefly at Marston to see the Spotted Crake there, when the Sharp-tailed Sandpiper came on the pager, got there just in time to see it.
To catch up with the previous missed weeks:- yesterday saw Red-necked Phalarope and a Pied Fly at Holme, also saw Redstart and Red-backed Shrike and two Peregrines.
A quick stop at the Dun Cow and I added Common Tern, Greenshank, Whinchat, Canada Goose and Snipe to the Pub List also saw Gannet from here.
We then went to Stifkey where we saw the Barred Warbler and then onto Cley where a few different phase Arctic Skuas were about.
Last stop was Weyborne where we found another Red-backed Shrike and many Wheatears and even more Pied Wagtails.
On Tuesday 31st August another evening out after work, got views a Lapland at Salthouse and a Barred Warbler at Stifkey, also had a probable Great White Egret but could quite get enough views.
On Monday 30th August a sea watch was on the cards with a early start arriving at the shelter at 5.45 and finding it full I was more than surprised. Did miss a Storm Petrel but got Arctic Skua, Great Skua, Pom Skua and Long-tailed Skua (juv). Manx Shearwater and Sooty Shearwater also. Although it was good numbers were very low compared to the fridays sea watch. That afternoon I went to Hickling and saw 17 Cranes but not much else.
Saturday 28th August had enough time to quickly go and see the Short-toed Lark at Cley on Blakeney Point.
Friday 27th August a early start at Sheringham had me straight onto 2 Pom Skuas, the rest of the time around 25 Arctic Skuas and the same Great Skuas and a great view of Balearic Shearwater. That night a mad dash to the point and didn't see the Booted Warbler.
Sunday 22nd August started at dawn at South Creake to look for the two reported Spotted Crakes to find to Juv Moorhens, but come back through the back lanes was lucky enough to see a Quail as I nearly ran it over. I then headed to Alkborough to try and see the Semipalmated Sandpiper waited six hours before heading back, stopped briefly at Marston to see the Spotted Crake there, when the Sharp-tailed Sandpiper came on the pager, got there just in time to see it.
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