Norfolk Return

After the Holiday I had two days out first was actually in Suffolk to show Claire a Red-Flanked Bluetail which we saw at Lowestoft, We then headed for Minsmere and saw the Great White Egret my 305th bird of the year.

Then on the Monday (25th October) I headed around Norfolk, Adam was to tired or under the thumb and James was in Wales so I was by myself.

First stop was Salthouse where after an hour or so Sea Watching a clocked up 2 Little Auk (306), 4-5 Pom's, 2 Razorbill, 6 Guillemot, some Kittiwake and more Gannets.

I then went to Cley and found the American Golden Plover tucked away amongst the other Plover, and then spent the next 45mins trying to direct other birders onto it.

After this I went to Welney and saw the Glossy Ibis (307).

Scilly Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwT4OWhklh4 Here is the Scilly Video 2010

Picture Catch Up

The Pictures From the Scilly Trip

Birders Watching the Red-Breasted Flycatcher

The Bluriest picture of a Red-breasted Flycatcher 15/10/2010

Common Rosefinch 15/10/2010

Firecrest Video Grab - 15/10/10
This was one of 5 in the area

Tawny Pipit Birders

Tawny Pipit 15/10/2010

The Big Squeeze for the Melodious Warbler

The Pub Garden Next to the Melodious Warbler

The Melodious Warbler (well a bit of it) 15/10/2010


Wheatear 16/10/2010

American Golden Plover 16/10/2010


Common Snipe 17/10/2010

Jack Snipe 17/10/2010

Greenshank 17/10/2010

Peacock 17/10/2010

Small Copper 17/10/2010

Turtle Dove 18/10/2010

Self Found Wryneck 18/10/2010

Herring Gull 18/10/2010

Lapland Bunting 18/10/2010

Self Found Richard's Pipit 19/10/2010

Green Heron 20/10/2010 (Helligan)

Cirl Bunting 20/10/2010 (Prawle)

Red-breasted Goose 21/10/2010 (Exminster) (unknown escaped Origin)

Lesser Yellowlegs 21/10/2010 (Oxford)

Squacco Heron 22/10/2010 (Angel)

Cattle Egret 22/10/2010 (Withybush)

Everything After Scilly's

The first day off and we headed for Nanquindo Valley getting out of the car Raven and Buzzard fly over. We spent time looking for the reported Pallas's Warbler but had no joy.



We then moved onto Lizard Point where after a bit of time saw two Chough (298) fly across the path in front of us.



Next stop was the Lost Garden's of Helligan where after the short walk we were getting great views of the Green Heron (299) it crept around the top pool always showing really well. We watched this for an hour or so before moving on to Devon.



It was really tight on light but we headed for Prawle Point, where upon arriving the sun had gone down but we were lucky to see 60+ Cirl Buntings (300) and I achieved my 300th bird of the year.



The next day we had three target birds and first was the Glossy Ibis that had been seen around Exminster Marshes the previous day, after a walk around the lovely reserve we could not find the Ibis I scaned through all the Wigeon inhope for an American but couldn't muster one.



Next stop was Oxford where after working out the bollard system that comes up during school hours we finally found the bird on the flooded field behind the school, we were watching the Lesser Yellowlegs (301) feeding well.



We then headed off and went to Draycotte Water but again with light fading fast we had to make a choice which end we went to search, we had a look but there was no sign of the Lesser Scaup that had been seen previously.



That evening we drove into Wales and stayed in Pembrooke for an early start.



Before first light we were at Angel Bay and after talking to a dog walker we got directions to another road, and after driving down the Squacco Heron (302) flew across in front of the car and landed in the ditch beside up.



We then went to Withybush and saw the Cattle Egret (303) on the airfield.

After this we called into Slimbridge and saw the American Wigeon (304) after an extensive search.

This was then the last bird of the trip as M25 traffic caused a halt to our journey. All in all a great trip. Pictures will be up very soon.

Scilly Last Day

Last day on Scilly's had an early boat to St Martins that we decided to catch after news of a Little Bunting the previous evening.
We arrived and headed straight to the site at higher town beach where the bunting had been seen no sign of the bunting but I heard a bird that I knew as Richards Pipit (297) which eventually I picked up in flight and then landed next to us.
After obtaining great views and getting some pics we put the news out (on pager as cb wasn't being heard) one other birder arrived and we failed to see the Richards again before news of a Red-flanked bluetail in middle Town.
We marched off and got great view before the real crowds arrived. After this we walked the Island before heading back seeing only the Red-throated Diver.
We headed up the Garrison for the afternoon seeing only 2 harbour porpiose and a Manx Shearwater. Also saw Raven on Martins. All in all been a good trip and tomorrow Green Heron awaits my arrival.

Day 4 an easy day

After the 15 mile trek around the island yesterday my foot did not feel all that great, we started at Porthloo where we saw the Bar-tailed Godwit, news of a Dartford Warbler at the Garrison had us heading in that direction, we saw the Turtle Dove again at Porth Mellon.
We eventually made it up the Garrison and there had been no sign of the Dartford, we scopede Samson from the Star Castle and managed to see 6 Shelduck, Spoonbill and a Fulmar. We then went for a look over the top to see what we could see.
I spotted a bird dive into nearby brambles so I sent Adam in to have a look. What I had spotted was actully a Wryneck that then showed really well.
We continued round the Garrison and saw the much talked about white Blackbird I have heard about this for the last three years but had never actully seen it. I managed to pick up the 1w Med Gull in Porth Cressa. We head back to town done some shopping and went to Peninnis.
On the way up a quick detour to see some Lapland Buntings had me nearly standing on them (opps) they then continued to show well.
The rest of the day was spent sea watching and after 2 hours we clocked up loads of Gannets, 1 Puffin (296), 1 auk sp, 2 Kittiwake, 1 ad Med Gull and a Common Dolphin (which reminds me I saw a Harbour Porpiose first thing)

Day 3

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.