tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56301280939403828502024-03-13T17:27:08.732+00:00Highs and Lows of BirdingAn account of birds seen in North Kent and 'further' afieldBarryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08577258700093352067noreply@blogger.comBlogger188125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5630128093940382850.post-15183669901471391952011-12-31T22:28:00.003+00:002011-12-31T22:55:04.712+00:00Review of the Year...the final chapter<div align="justify"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OAoNTH7zq0Q/Tv-Pn9a2ELI/AAAAAAAACPg/b2P9K0RJX2I/s1600/Toque-Macaqu.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692426370684424370" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OAoNTH7zq0Q/Tv-Pn9a2ELI/AAAAAAAACPg/b2P9K0RJX2I/s320/Toque-Macaqu.jpg" /></a> Well 2011 is almost over and a very quick review of highlights of the year that are both readable and 'allowed' to be published on the net!! (lurkers out there).</div><br /><div align="justify">Only one trip abroad this year to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Sri</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Lanka</span> with excellent company <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">courtesy</span> of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Baurs</span>, Andy, Mike, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">JT</span>, Mark, James and myself had a cracking 10 days birding on this <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">supeb</span> island seeing all the endemic bird species currently recognised by taxonomists as well a host of great mammals as well. On the Kent scene the sad loss of Ray <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Turley</span> this year leaves the county without a great chap and birder, very sadly missed. On the bird front in Kent, Northern long-tailed Tits, a resident <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Glaucous</span> Gull, a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Blackpoll</span> Warbler, stunning <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">Daurian</span> Shrike, host of egrets, an early Whiskered Tern and an adult <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">Sabines</span> Gull off <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">Shellness</span> remain memorable. On the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">Odonata</span> front, two new species for me Dainty Damsel and Vagrant Emperor, whilst moths continue to impress including the first and second record of Black spot Chestnut Moth locally. Beyond Kent, the '<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">Slaty</span>- backed Gull', Oriental Turtle Dove, host of waders in the SW this autumn and the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">Sandhill</span> Crane some of the highlights.<br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sb7xBgJFFDk/Tv-PnfSQREI/AAAAAAAACPU/bAXwiDniz88/s1600/Birders-at-Sinha.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692426362595329090" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sb7xBgJFFDk/Tv-PnfSQREI/AAAAAAAACPU/bAXwiDniz88/s320/Birders-at-Sinha.jpg" /></a> Mike has clearly produced something noxious that John has trouble dealing with!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lgSYcDoYPwI/Tv-PnO03aYI/AAAAAAAACPE/rISdc54Oaok/s1600/Serendi.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 233px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692426358177098114" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lgSYcDoYPwI/Tv-PnO03aYI/AAAAAAAACPE/rISdc54Oaok/s320/Serendi.jpg" /></a> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">Serendib</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">Scops</span> Owl at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kitugala</span>, the highlight of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-error">Sri</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-error">Lanka</span> and one of mu most wanted birds<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OfB1ZzblQVQ/Tv-Pm-7ohOI/AAAAAAAACO8/JC2tBjqPp2A/s1600/wed.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 212px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692426353910514914" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OfB1ZzblQVQ/Tv-Pm-7ohOI/AAAAAAAACO8/JC2tBjqPp2A/s320/wed.jpg" /></a> Just ahead of Wills and Pippa, sorry Kate, the day I finally got hitched....who would have thought that!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bUZrg_3HQI0/Tv-PmrG7wgI/AAAAAAAACOw/aU0MDTiBYZg/s1600/Sandhill-Crane.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 230px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692426348589203970" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bUZrg_3HQI0/Tv-PmrG7wgI/AAAAAAAACOw/aU0MDTiBYZg/s320/Sandhill-Crane.jpg" /></a> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-error">Sandhill</span> Crane in Suffolk taking a break from Scotland, a well deserved UK lifer.</div><br /><div>A quick <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">foray</span> into 2011, bring on 2012, but this may be the last entry to this blog as time constraints prevent updates being done, though I may use <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_22" class="blsp-spelling-error">Facebook</span> who knows</div><br /><div>Have a great 2012</div><br /><div>Barry<br /></div><br /><div></div></div></div>Barryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08577258700093352067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5630128093940382850.post-64087564855675579862011-11-29T22:13:00.005+00:002011-11-29T22:27:40.934+00:00Blackpoll Warbler in Kent<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BC0PP-RNQHk/TtVbgdw-0UI/AAAAAAAACOk/FOrt60ba564/s1600/crowd7.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680547118301761858" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BC0PP-RNQHk/TtVbgdw-0UI/AAAAAAAACOk/FOrt60ba564/s320/crowd7.jpg" /></a> Well that's thown you hasn't it, you were expecting crippling shots of the Blackpoll Warbler. With all this modern day technology I could play around with the EXIF files but sadly I never got ant piccies of the bird, but a collection of Kent and nearly Kent birders<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dnGUh12LdVE/TtVbgPF524I/AAAAAAAACOY/uHKjX8tqV1o/s1600/crowd6.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680547114362985346" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dnGUh12LdVE/TtVbgPF524I/AAAAAAAACOY/uHKjX8tqV1o/s320/crowd6.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nDDlI_Jynic/TtVbIQm_B1I/AAAAAAAACOI/-9sFaEnneaQ/s1600/crowd5.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680546702453311314" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nDDlI_Jynic/TtVbIQm_B1I/AAAAAAAACOI/-9sFaEnneaQ/s320/crowd5.jpg" /></a> <br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ocmhxld_9gc/TtVbHpg7PII/AAAAAAAACN8/1PQaG5Zr7B8/s1600/crowd4.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680546691958914178" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ocmhxld_9gc/TtVbHpg7PII/AAAAAAAACN8/1PQaG5Zr7B8/s320/crowd4.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GczrXl9ZBwY/TtVbFp9jjXI/AAAAAAAACNw/OlT1CiJndd8/s1600/crowd3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680546657719258482" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GczrXl9ZBwY/TtVbFp9jjXI/AAAAAAAACNw/OlT1CiJndd8/s320/crowd3.jpg" /></a> Geoff 'the keeper of the lists' hard at work!! <br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vWfqcxC-X70/TtVbFZv_vDI/AAAAAAAACNg/qf2lSW6-tIg/s1600/crowd2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680546653367417906" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vWfqcxC-X70/TtVbFZv_vDI/AAAAAAAACNg/qf2lSW6-tIg/s320/crowd2.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DiGa_52TmZA/TtVbFJRKsiI/AAAAAAAACNY/5k3ZcB_VMB8/s1600/crowd1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680546648943145506" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DiGa_52TmZA/TtVbFJRKsiI/AAAAAAAACNY/5k3ZcB_VMB8/s320/crowd1.jpg" /></a> </div></div></div></div></div></div>Barryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08577258700093352067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5630128093940382850.post-5989252696754197082011-11-28T21:40:00.002+00:002011-11-28T21:44:03.283+00:00My Hero !!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RbpfrW00-b0/TtQAm5DaHjI/AAAAAAAACNM/GK7oB3EWoyo/s1600/andy-and-his-magic-bins.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680165698171182642" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RbpfrW00-b0/TtQAm5DaHjI/AAAAAAAACNM/GK7oB3EWoyo/s320/andy-and-his-magic-bins.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div></div>Barryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08577258700093352067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5630128093940382850.post-43849744537535476892011-10-07T20:44:00.005+01:002011-10-21T22:21:37.081+01:00Cornish treats<div align="justify"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t8RrlZ5X9pk/To9aj-R8y_I/AAAAAAAACMU/FFBqCMIzvYk/s1600/Buff-br.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 233px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660842830688209906" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t8RrlZ5X9pk/To9aj-R8y_I/AAAAAAAACMU/FFBqCMIzvYk/s320/Buff-br.jpg" /></a> Autumn now in full swing, Lou, Forrest and myself head off to the South West for our annual West country visit. Last September proved to be a memorable week with good weather, lovely walks, lots of fun for the dog, good showings of pasty and of course some birds. As has become almost a tradition now we stopped off at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Davidstow</span> on the way down or 'Sheep World' as Forrest likes to know it. Whilst I savoured the cracking Buff breast on the airfield, Lou <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">relaxed</span> and Forrest had his sheep fix! This was my fifth or so visit to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Davidstow</span> and I must admit it's a personal favourite site as it's great for photographing waders at close range. </div><br /><div align="justify">The Buff breasted Sandpiper above was one of probably in excess of a hundred seen this year in the UK and Ireland and surely Hurricanes must have a significant effect on their global population for what is basically a decling species.<br /><br /><div align="justify"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P7BkcOIZRIk/To9adiOBo-I/AAAAAAAACMM/2_Md8-qKW3o/s1600/Black-Ki.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 222px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660842720076342242" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P7BkcOIZRIk/To9adiOBo-I/AAAAAAAACMM/2_Md8-qKW3o/s320/Black-Ki.jpg" /></a> Next stop was <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Stithians</span> res where in the pouring rain I manged to locate the 1st year Long-billed <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Dowitcher</span> that had recently arrived. With time getting on it was quickly off to Drift where the Semi <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">palmated</span> Sandpiper showed brilliantly from the hide and the Lesser <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Yellowlegs</span> was seen distantly. Four Yank waders on a day wasn't a bad haul plus brief views of a 'probable' Black -headed Wagtail at Drift. It was interesting to listen to the conversation in the hide at Drift from the local birders of the well known and almost 'legendary' <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">suppressors</span> in the County, at time it almost felt like similar talk from certain birders back home. We arrived at our cottage near <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Pendeen</span> late afternoon and so began a very enjoyable week in one of favourite parts of the country, oh to be retired!</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">Saturday and an early morning <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">seawatch</span> with cracking views of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">Bonxies</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">Manxies</span>, Arctic Skuas and 10+ distant Leach's Petrels were good early morning birds whilst the afternoon was spent watching two Black Kites at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">Bosfranken</span> Farm near <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">Sennen</span> one of which followed the plough and was watched eating earthworms. </div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zQqz5GcP-QE/To9adbz53xI/AAAAAAAACME/m9HhbZcB798/s1600/Lesser%2BYellowlegs%2Bat%2BDrift.jpeg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660842718356168466" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zQqz5GcP-QE/To9adbz53xI/AAAAAAAACME/m9HhbZcB798/s320/Lesser%2BYellowlegs%2Bat%2BDrift.jpeg" /></a> Lesser Legs at Drift, distant but great scope views on my second attempt<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZomHLJu3U3Y/To9adDXgq7I/AAAAAAAACL8/zz2K02VDrf8/s1600/Pect.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 229px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660842711794625458" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZomHLJu3U3Y/To9adDXgq7I/AAAAAAAACL8/zz2K02VDrf8/s320/Pect.jpg" /></a> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">Pec</span> Sand on a farmyard muddy puddle near <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">Sennen</span>!! This bird was at Trigithian Farm situated only 500m or so from the coast and evidently attractive enough to tempt a migrant Pec to drop in and feed. On my trips to the West Country and especially this part of Cornwall it always amazes me how much is found by the dedicated army of local birders and visitors scouring the valleys and cliffs yet at the same time how much is missed!! Only a short disdtance away and esaily visible on a clear day is Scilly which was literally brimming with rares the week I was at St Just! <br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LsmnlHcw0K4/To9ac1yfgQI/AAAAAAAACL0/cm67G3iSSu0/s1600/Da.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660842708149698818" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LsmnlHcw0K4/To9ac1yfgQI/AAAAAAAACL0/cm67G3iSSu0/s320/Da.jpg" /></a> Sheep World complete with sheep, birder car and 'hidden' waders<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ccdm3esyn_I/To9acsIe7_I/AAAAAAAACLs/ut8Q7MOj1Bk/s1600/Long-bille.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 235px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660842705557581810" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ccdm3esyn_I/To9acsIe7_I/AAAAAAAACLs/ut8Q7MOj1Bk/s320/Long-bille.jpg" /></a> The Long-billed <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">Dowitcher</span> at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error">Stithians</span></div><br /><div>The week continued as it started with great scenery, variable weather, some good walks, sheep watching for Forrest and some great birds. A memorable seawatch at Pendeen produced all four Skua species, Grey Phalarope, Sabine's Gull and Leach's Petrel. Choughs were seen a few times near Pendeen as well as Peregrine, lots of Sparrowhawks and some great views of the commoner waders. If your ever wondering what to do when you reture and live in the South East, simples...............move to Cornwall</div></div><br /></div>Barryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08577258700093352067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5630128093940382850.post-62819803345078677852011-09-11T15:43:00.004+01:002011-09-11T16:06:18.239+01:00Crossing the Wantsum!<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L4cfIg6j8D0/TmzLlLyTuCI/AAAAAAAACLk/YKFh_2nG3gk/s1600/backsand2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651115472122525730" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L4cfIg6j8D0/TmzLlLyTuCI/AAAAAAAACLk/YKFh_2nG3gk/s320/backsand2.jpg" /></a> Today I found myself heading East, not to Asia or Oz but to cross the Want some (Wantsum) and into East Kent, home to many a good birding site and also the vebue for todays KOS meeting at SBBO. With a few hours to spare I ventured across to BOB, as Prof Hanby would see 'the back of beyond' or locally known as Backsand Scrape. This superb hidden corner of Kent is a great place to watch and hopefully photograph waders but locating it when you're an infrequent visitor like me isni' always straightforward. Is you was an escaped birder on the run you could hide out here for a while and not be seen, there's even three hides and some large blue plastic containers to hide in if the blog police are after you.<br />Looking through my photos on the PC, about 80000 digital images now I decided I needed a few good Greenshank shots and looking at other blogs eg Steve Ashton I also wanted a piece of the action knowing the Bittern land and the viewing hide would be open season on a Saturday at Grove.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fFssN3Zbv3E/TmzLlNtWyHI/AAAAAAAACLc/aKSExahuLi4/s1600/backsand.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651115472638625906" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fFssN3Zbv3E/TmzLlNtWyHI/AAAAAAAACLc/aKSExahuLi4/s320/backsand.jpg" /></a> I was not disapointed and there were ctaully birds present<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a4LCYgmjcro/TmzLkwPGIBI/AAAAAAAACLU/UrQ7VpbTOA8/s1600/tem.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651115464727076882" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a4LCYgmjcro/TmzLkwPGIBI/AAAAAAAACLU/UrQ7VpbTOA8/s320/tem.jpg" /></a> A billy bonus came in the form of this cracking juv Temminck's Stint that fed sadly too far away for a decent shot but nonetheless a good bird to find and see. East Kent is full of surprises you just need to get out there and look, don't assume someone else will have checked a site, it's a migrantion hotspot and every day is different.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zLQRikT71uI/TmzLObul04I/AAAAAAAACLM/8qxqZRnkHtA/s1600/Greenshank2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 244px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651115081264911234" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zLQRikT71uI/TmzLObul04I/AAAAAAAACLM/8qxqZRnkHtA/s320/Greenshank2.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KT-qmLrmqeA/TmzLOHnUwjI/AAAAAAAACLE/607TN0x30x0/s1600/greenshank3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 236px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651115075865723442" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KT-qmLrmqeA/TmzLOHnUwjI/AAAAAAAACLE/607TN0x30x0/s320/greenshank3.jpg" /></a> Greenshank at Backsand, crackers<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0PWmSC8yk-8/TmzLN5ym0UI/AAAAAAAACK8/tABfwY25f9s/s1600/ruff.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 254px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651115072154947906" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0PWmSC8yk-8/TmzLN5ym0UI/AAAAAAAACK8/tABfwY25f9s/s320/ruff.jpg" /></a> Ruff at Restharrow scrape<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MGwFNArs5XY/TmzLN2ovVTI/AAAAAAAACK0/PyIxg9uBm98/s1600/Honey%2BBuzzard%2Bat%2BDungeness.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 232px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651115071308256562" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MGwFNArs5XY/TmzLN2ovVTI/AAAAAAAACK0/PyIxg9uBm98/s320/Honey%2BBuzzard%2Bat%2BDungeness.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div>These last images are Honey Buzzards plus atmospheric dust migrating through Kent in the last few weeks<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tijtvj9jzGU/TmzLNgmE8HI/AAAAAAAACKs/KkbvudznX30/s1600/Honey%2BBuzzard.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 253px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651115065391509618" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tijtvj9jzGU/TmzLNgmE8HI/AAAAAAAACKs/KkbvudznX30/s320/Honey%2BBuzzard.jpg" /></a> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Barryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08577258700093352067noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5630128093940382850.post-66761591795036952812011-09-11T13:31:00.002+01:002011-09-11T13:42:11.323+01:00And now for something completely different<div align="justify"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o7SbU_l8KnA/TmyqkRLFYjI/AAAAAAAACKk/ih0vX5L5Zh4/s1600/sumo.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651079172505035314" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o7SbU_l8KnA/TmyqkRLFYjI/AAAAAAAACKk/ih0vX5L5Zh4/s320/sumo.jpg" /></a> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ok</span> then we all like birding and many of us take it very seriously 'me included' but there are times when we all 'look on the bright side of life', ignore birding for a while and let our <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">guard</span> down. We all do it, I've seen ultra keen birders watching Mr Bean <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">whilst</span> in hysterics, pretend shooting at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">passing</span> cars with kids pretend shooting back at them with <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">toy</span> guns and playing knock the can over at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Dunge</span> on a poor <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">seawatch</span>. </div><br /><div align="justify">It's a Hobby, but birding aside it's good fun and often the times between birding are the more memorable and amusing.</div><br /><div align="justify">Above a photo of me <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">pre</span> Sumo wrestling<br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tiURszB570o/TmyqkOxaAQI/AAAAAAAACKc/1ZUQ1ayCZyo/s1600/sumo%2B2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651079171860463874" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tiURszB570o/TmyqkOxaAQI/AAAAAAAACKc/1ZUQ1ayCZyo/s320/sumo%2B2.jpg" /></a> above in competition with my sister, ...................I won!!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v9bj3B5FKUo/Tmyqj6z3YKI/AAAAAAAACKU/SG-vGXvC1ok/s1600/gnome.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 262px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651079166502068386" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v9bj3B5FKUo/Tmyqj6z3YKI/AAAAAAAACKU/SG-vGXvC1ok/s320/gnome.jpg" /></a> Lou and myself in Devon at Pixie land this year on Honeymoon........... but note the bins are still with me (never leave home without them)</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>There we are Derek another posting, it's becoming a habit now, no Moths, no birds, just a break from birding.</div><br /><div>But.................</div><br /><div>Autumn is well and truly here now, bring on the birds!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div>Barryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08577258700093352067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5630128093940382850.post-84038344001027617742011-09-04T15:04:00.003+01:002011-09-04T15:35:02.416+01:00Billy no mates does Dunge<div align="justify">I've had little time for birding recently based on many factors ...including moths but with the possibility of a few Moth lifers and a potentially good days birding I decided to pay a visit to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Dunge</span>, 'pay' being the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">operative</span> word as the Treasury reaps the benefits of my fuel costs there and back.</div>
<br />
<br /><div align="justify">First port of call the reserve for the Cattle Egret but as I struggled to see more than about 50 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">mretres</span> in the mist I diverted to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Galloways</span>, tin helmet on, I'm going in. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Galloways</span> is one of the places that always has the 'rare bird' feel to it yet it hasn't happened to me yet! It's also birded less than some of the other '<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Gilleard</span>' brother sites nearby....(do they have the monopoly on hides in the UK)? Slowly driving towards the sea I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">managed</span> six <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Whinchats</span>, good numbers of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Whitethroat</span> and a cracking male Sprog Hawk over. The mist <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">started</span> to lift so next stop the entrance track to the reserve and within a few seconds of parking and scanning the Cattle Egret was <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">UTB</span> showing well with it's wavy neck in the fields. It's incredible to think how the fortunes of Cattle Egret has changed not just in the UK but Worldwide as it moves into areas raped of their forest by large Cattle ranches in S America .</div>
<br />
<br /><div align="justify">It was nearly 9am now and I will still the only birder watching the Egret so I headed of to the Hanson Hide to check for waders. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">GPs</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">Dunlin</span> and a few Little Egrets but little else.</div>
<br />
<br /><div align="justify">The main reserve was next as it was n<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">early</span> 10 am now and I had to decide carefully where to park the car next to the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">RSPB</span> vehicle or the one other vehicle in the car park? Yes it's been a quiet autumn but even I was shocked how few birders were present maybe they were lost in the mist?</div>
<br />
<br /><div align="justify">It was quite evident I was on the scene early as a Water Rail fed unconcerned on the track, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">Cetti's</span> performed well, and at Christmas Dell hide the Great White Egret did a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">fly</span> by, my 3rd Egret in just over an hour. Hobbies chased dragons overhead, a Little Gull <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error">parolled</span> the pools and on the main flood 4 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-error">Garganey</span>, 3 Spot Shanks and a couple of Ruff. Aware that raptors should be making a move soon in the increasing heat my <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-error">HB</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-error">dar</span> was on full alert as a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" class="blsp-spelling-error">stonker</span> of a Honey Buzzard flew overhead and was <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_22" class="blsp-spelling-error">seen</span> heading out to see at the obs such is the beauty of mobiles these days. Happy with my fill I visited the obs and had a Moth raid at the fridge, surely one of the most visited fridges in the UK. Book at the ready and with the help of Dave I added a few new moths to my UK fridge list including the splendid little, Beautiful Marbled .</div>
<br />
<br /><div align="justify">One more stop before heading home was to see the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_23" class="blsp-spelling-error">Glauc</span> at the fishing boats.</div>
<br />
<br /><div align="justify">Job done and back home for Amy Pond, sorry I meant Doctor Who.</div>
<br />
<br /><div align="justify">Today I was mostly working but yesterday was one of those memorable autumn days and all on my own bar the fridge encounter and raptor man!</div>
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<br /><div align="justify"></div>Barryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08577258700093352067noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5630128093940382850.post-5765121680191387992011-08-07T20:38:00.007+01:002011-08-07T22:17:10.249+01:00Birding still takes a back seat!<div align="justify"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RkRt765e_pM/Tj7uk_BrkhI/AAAAAAAACKM/ykmJWDNe8JQ/s1600/Toadflax%2BBrocade%2B%25282%2529.jpeg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638206102675624466" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RkRt765e_pM/Tj7uk_BrkhI/AAAAAAAACKM/ykmJWDNe8JQ/s320/Toadflax%2BBrocade%2B%25282%2529.jpeg" /></a> Over the past year I've ventured into Moths to the extent that between April and Sept I appear to do very limited birding. This new 'hobby' I find extremely interesting and it seems at times like a whole new World, akin to when i first started birding. Fortuantely with the help of Messrs Milton and Morris of East Kent I'm hopefully starting to id things correctly now though any mistkes let me know!! In fact I seem unable to go anywhere now without looking at peoples fences, walls, sheds, and only last week whilst in the queue for the tip I saw a Least Carpet on the wall from the car! The garden list grows slowly but at a guess is on 120+ Macro sp and 40+ micros. Only this week I added another couple of corkers to the garden list with Lesser-spotted Pinion and Pebble Prominent whilst a visit to Bromhey today bagged Rosy Footman, Black Arches. Pale Prominent amongst others whilst the fridge held Gordons' prized trophy, Many lined Moth, a first for Kent?</div><br /><div align="justify">Hours and hours spent perusing UK Moths website and in the fieldguides really has helped me with some Ids yet some completely throw me, which is where Louise the wife comes in handy, as ace moth identifier and surely one of the vows of anyones marriage! In fact she was pretty good at identifying birds when we first starting going out but the early mornings, ie earlier than 11am tend to see her leave me to it these days. I don't think I'll get the dizzy heights of some people out there ie Franny, Dylan, and ace pan lister Dave Gibbs, but looking at Dyls blog certainly has me more aware of what's all around us 'beyond' birds. Keep up the good work. The recent re igniting of the Planet Thanet website is also for me another great asset to what's about and certainly until the birds start getting going again, the MV 125, the guide and a bag of pots does me fine. All above are photographed in the mothcervatory a handy way to photograph them then spend the next ten minutes trying to re catch them once I get behind the camera and they've flown.</div><br /><div align="justify">Oh the joys of mothing!</div><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mQtrPRY2b4g/Tj7ukn0bvJI/AAAAAAAACKE/lHXTDd7MLNo/s1600/Small%2BRanunculus%252C%2B%25282%2529.jpeg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638206096446045330" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mQtrPRY2b4g/Tj7ukn0bvJI/AAAAAAAACKE/lHXTDd7MLNo/s320/Small%2BRanunculus%252C%2B%25282%2529.jpeg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--pc7ewDISgE/Tj7ukQXjCAI/AAAAAAAACJ8/sWx_Cne3nWQ/s1600/Scalloped%2BOak%2B%25282%2529.jpeg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638206090150873090" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--pc7ewDISgE/Tj7ukQXjCAI/AAAAAAAACJ8/sWx_Cne3nWQ/s320/Scalloped%2BOak%2B%25282%2529.jpeg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zym2tiQz8LA/Tj7ukFZoT3I/AAAAAAAACJ0/HqKu-eq4WTk/s1600/pseudargyrotozoa%2Bconwagana%2B%25285%2529.jpeg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638206087206817650" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zym2tiQz8LA/Tj7ukFZoT3I/AAAAAAAACJ0/HqKu-eq4WTk/s320/pseudargyrotozoa%2Bconwagana%2B%25285%2529.jpeg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WMACBxULmRE/Tj7ukKVBgYI/AAAAAAAACJs/emiduyIm-Rc/s1600/Pinion.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 252px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638206088529674626" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WMACBxULmRE/Tj7ukKVBgYI/AAAAAAAACJs/emiduyIm-Rc/s320/Pinion.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tDAsXRirGFg/Tj7uIYIgC_I/AAAAAAAACJk/ruOGDbzBKXA/s1600/Pebble%2BProminent%2B%252815%2529.jpeg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638205611198909426" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tDAsXRirGFg/Tj7uIYIgC_I/AAAAAAAACJk/ruOGDbzBKXA/s320/Pebble%2BProminent%2B%252815%2529.jpeg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1vaoHBM8fMQ/Tj7uICVoXYI/AAAAAAAACJc/4fahMNK-usk/s1600/Pebble.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 224px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638205605348400514" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1vaoHBM8fMQ/Tj7uICVoXYI/AAAAAAAACJc/4fahMNK-usk/s320/Pebble.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9VTDhLbQqWg/Tj7tati7RbI/AAAAAAAACJE/mbChAAlC54g/s1600/Nut-tree%2BTussock%2B%25288%2529.jpeg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638204826672907698" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9VTDhLbQqWg/Tj7tati7RbI/AAAAAAAACJE/mbChAAlC54g/s320/Nut-tree%2BTussock%2B%25288%2529.jpeg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CGQi5HvmJH0/Tj7tafQ6z6I/AAAAAAAACI8/eiEAkMrt7AQ/s1600/Marbled%2BBeauty...jpeg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638204822839283618" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CGQi5HvmJH0/Tj7tafQ6z6I/AAAAAAAACI8/eiEAkMrt7AQ/s320/Marbled%2BBeauty...jpeg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TxVhCH1K9nA/Tj7taTiPlxI/AAAAAAAACI0/wcaZXtJKcaA/s1600/Lozotaeniodes%2Bformosanus%2B%25286%2529.jpeg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638204819690723090" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TxVhCH1K9nA/Tj7taTiPlxI/AAAAAAAACI0/wcaZXtJKcaA/s320/Lozotaeniodes%2Bformosanus%2B%25286%2529.jpeg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oBfeAwJCHXE/Tj7taAcntvI/AAAAAAAACIs/Ctag5YiTCT8/s1600/Large%2BElephant%2BHawk%2Bmoth%2B%25282%2529.jpeg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638204814566864626" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oBfeAwJCHXE/Tj7taAcntvI/AAAAAAAACIs/Ctag5YiTCT8/s320/Large%2BElephant%2BHawk%2Bmoth%2B%25282%2529.jpeg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OMi6VMtGLIM/Tj7tZ5MvUDI/AAAAAAAACIk/yWRdiqq0ah4/s1600/Juniper%2BWebber%2B%25285%2529.jpeg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638204812621205554" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OMi6VMtGLIM/Tj7tZ5MvUDI/AAAAAAAACIk/yWRdiqq0ah4/s320/Juniper%2BWebber%2B%25285%2529.jpeg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jF5d2HYpgtw/Tj7tA2klpBI/AAAAAAAACIc/PAx-JWbrvhI/s1600/Dusky%2BSallow%2B%25283%2529.jpeg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638204382419198994" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jF5d2HYpgtw/Tj7tA2klpBI/AAAAAAAACIc/PAx-JWbrvhI/s320/Dusky%2BSallow%2B%25283%2529.jpeg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MkBTgCgASpo/Tj7tAiD_3fI/AAAAAAAACIU/iulTKHR2OTE/s1600/crambus%2Bpascuella%2B%25281%2529.jpeg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638204376913796594" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MkBTgCgASpo/Tj7tAiD_3fI/AAAAAAAACIU/iulTKHR2OTE/s320/crambus%2Bpascuella%2B%25281%2529.jpeg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H-uocQGd_0E/Tj7tAT_5ffI/AAAAAAAACIM/LykwHnfYtdo/s1600/Campion%2B%25281%2529.jpeg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638204373138505202" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H-uocQGd_0E/Tj7tAT_5ffI/AAAAAAAACIM/LykwHnfYtdo/s320/Campion%2B%25281%2529.jpeg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rz4gQVg_wOw/Tj7tAGh53bI/AAAAAAAACIE/cPDf5Huq3QM/s1600/Buff%2Btip%2B%252818%2529.jpeg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638204369523039666" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rz4gQVg_wOw/Tj7tAGh53bI/AAAAAAAACIE/cPDf5Huq3QM/s320/Buff%2Btip%2B%252818%2529.jpeg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FYGNnuEsjJI/Tj7s_2Gi14I/AAAAAAAACH8/TSyg3x93E4E/s1600/Buff%2Btip%2B%25284%2529.jpeg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638204365113317250" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FYGNnuEsjJI/Tj7s_2Gi14I/AAAAAAAACH8/TSyg3x93E4E/s320/Buff%2Btip%2B%25284%2529.jpeg" /></a> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Barryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08577258700093352067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5630128093940382850.post-8594033945053382322011-07-17T13:34:00.003+01:002011-07-17T13:50:05.468+01:00Normal Service will resume soon<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WGvTDQ12wNo/TiLZdVr8tUI/AAAAAAAACH0/YwHjKY9PQM0/s1600/And.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630301582227453250" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WGvTDQ12wNo/TiLZdVr8tUI/AAAAAAAACH0/YwHjKY9PQM0/s320/And.jpg" /></a> Apologies once again for a lack of blogging, far too busy reading other blogs, attempting to identify moths, giving lectures, working, monitoring my ageing body and annoying tufts of aural hair, plus chasing insects! The above picture was from a few weeks ago, sleep induced! <br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ErLL7ZDlDfs/TiLZdG18U0I/AAAAAAAACHs/OaTGiO9dA0M/s1600/ke.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 219px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630301578242839362" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ErLL7ZDlDfs/TiLZdG18U0I/AAAAAAAACHs/OaTGiO9dA0M/s320/ke.jpg" /></a> King Eider on the Ythan<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5rSSr2DRSBA/TiLZcqx1GjI/AAAAAAAACHk/qSgBmX-iIvk/s1600/moth.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 238px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630301570709396018" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5rSSr2DRSBA/TiLZcqx1GjI/AAAAAAAACHk/qSgBmX-iIvk/s320/moth.jpg" /></a> Star wort so I believe<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KtJ_7oig54w/TiLZcl3mMLI/AAAAAAAACHc/oXQfeQxgARA/s1600/dai.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 262px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630301569391407282" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KtJ_7oig54w/TiLZcl3mMLI/AAAAAAAACHc/oXQfeQxgARA/s320/dai.jpg" /></a> Dainty Damsel </div><br /><div>Once I get my act backing together I'll resume normal service including the Sunday edition minus phone hacking or any other way of finding whats about!</div></div></div>Barryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08577258700093352067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5630128093940382850.post-9125847734412651612011-06-12T14:11:00.000+01:002011-06-12T14:12:13.776+01:00Work on Monday as usual!Cheque books back in pockets, the Brown Booby is a Gannet.Barryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08577258700093352067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5630128093940382850.post-44354230868282001672011-06-12T13:39:00.004+01:002011-06-12T13:41:55.165+01:00First birders arrive on St Mary's for the Booby...No ladder required<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D_N64ML3glE/TfSzlXwqIkI/AAAAAAAACHU/LFoF8WZUh9g/s1600/scilly.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 210px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617312089852486210" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D_N64ML3glE/TfSzlXwqIkI/AAAAAAAACHU/LFoF8WZUh9g/s320/scilly.jpg" /></a> As has been seen this week the top listers are having a bonanza at the moment, this time the ladders can be pushed aside and the cheque book birders out in force. The first arrivals at the dump on St mary's Scilly for the Brown Booby<br />Good luck lads remember your sleeping bags (great Blue Heron could strike again)<br /><br /><div></div>Barryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08577258700093352067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5630128093940382850.post-30112739221733441452011-06-11T22:19:00.005+01:002011-06-11T22:42:52.547+01:00It's not my real ladder?<div align="justify"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-davLe5MsL-8/TfPc7AAE_ZI/AAAAAAAACHM/6vvn4y0LIps/s1600/ladder.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617076066431860114" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-davLe5MsL-8/TfPc7AAE_ZI/AAAAAAAACHM/6vvn4y0LIps/s320/ladder.jpg" /></a> It's my step Ladder !!<br />It's been a funny old week, stuck at work all week,a good bird 270 miles North and evidently one that provoked much discussion amongst birders and non- birders.<br />White <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">throated</span> Robin at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Hartlepool</span> was always going to attract a big crowd and many were certainly not <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">disappointed</span> going by the photos and video.<br />Back home I had to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">make</span> do with a local Toucan that was in a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">nearby</span> garden only viewable over the fence with a ladder. This made me think about obscure moments in my somewhat sporadic ( recent years) twitching times.</div><br /><div align="justify">I remember attempting to see a Corncrake on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Scilly</span> in 1985 which was only viewable through a tight angle into a field and surrounded other hopeful birders I decided that as a result of short stature I'd be able to see the bird by sticking my head between the bars of the gate and twisting my head and bins to the side to look along the furrows. This was fine until a bright spark started to open the gate with my head still stuck in it!</div><br /><div align="justify">Secondly whilst running for the Northern Oriole on St Agnes, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Scilly</span> I managed to come face to face and was almost run over by a tractor, possibly the only vehicle on the island with a very irate farmer!</div><br /><div align="justify">This was nothing though compared to the birder that I saw run over in Hugh Town running for the ferry for the Hermit Thrush. As he bounced off the bonnet of the old ladies car she seemed somewhat bemused that he simply got up, and limped off towards the quay!</div><br /><div align="justify">Twitching is a funny old game and yes we're all a bit nutty but we enjoy it and as a result I've made loads of great friends and had some great days out in the field. The Golden winged Warbler twitch was a day to remember <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">especially</span> when the double <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">decker</span> bus blocked several hundred birders views...........<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">simple</span> solution, driver turned his engine off as the bus couldn't proceed along the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">road</span> and lots of birders climbed aboard to get more height to view the gardens. Another surreal moment of a birder swimming across to another island on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">Scilly</span> to look for a Rough leg, or Pete Milford getting caught by the tide in Norfolk and swimming back to shore with his bins tied to the top of his head.</div><br /><div align="justify">It's a peculiar pastime but so are many others whether it's driving <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">several</span> hundred miles to see a concert, a a moth in a fridge, a racing event or even a field where a caravan is pitched down and you wake up to the smell of bacon all around and toilet tent zips!!</div><br /><div align="justify">It's whatever you enjoy</div><br /><div align="justify">Must remember to add ladder to my Xmas list !</div>Barryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08577258700093352067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5630128093940382850.post-56333901687208840732011-06-06T21:28:00.003+01:002011-06-06T22:14:10.702+01:00The story of the Old Bin Lady and the Dainty Damsels<div align="justify"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gJ9l8ix_5Mg/Te0-mPJwm8I/AAAAAAAACHE/4HrxH3V63cY/s1600/sheppey.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 198px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615213137024293826" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gJ9l8ix_5Mg/Te0-mPJwm8I/AAAAAAAACHE/4HrxH3V63cY/s320/sheppey.jpg" /></a> Long long ago, on a far away island named <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Sheppey</span>, lived One man and his blog <a href="http://lettersfromsheppey.blogspot.com/">http://lettersfromsheppey.blogspot.com/</a> but not so Far Far away another bridge was built over to the Island of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Sheppey</span> which alleviated the summer and bank holiday traffic problems caused by any boat taller than a canoe and the ceremonial lifting of the bridge. Such isolation from the mainland brought with it a rich variety of habitats and a flourishing set of pools situated next to the new bridge which could now be available to that new breed of birder, the damsel hunters!</div><br /><div align="justify">John and Gill Brook made the discovery of the decade when a little known species of Damselfly, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Coenagrion</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">scitulum</span> was rediscovered in the UK following the loss of the species from Essex in the 1950's associated with the floods <a href="http://www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/species/dainty-damselfly">http://www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/species/dainty-damselfly</a><br /></div><br /><div align="justify"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QHWcBOuLkOA/Te0-lXexRfI/AAAAAAAACG8/ML3ONoWeKZU/s1600/dainty1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 234px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615213122080032242" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QHWcBOuLkOA/Te0-lXexRfI/AAAAAAAACG8/ML3ONoWeKZU/s320/dainty1.jpg" /></a> Saturday morning found me and a few other <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Odonata</span> followers attempting to track down this enigmatic species and in so doing we were amongst a small but growing group able to once again <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">witness</span> this cracking but 'subtle' species in the UK. Two males were found and another different male (based on abdominal markings on the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Sunday</span>). Hopefully the two photos show many of the 'key' features for this species but I will certainly return to hopefully see more. This was my 45<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> UK species of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Odonata</span> and with two still in Scotland and another in Ireland, the magic 50 is getting nearer.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zbjbEFTfGSU/Te0-kpBzH9I/AAAAAAAACG0/ELoEt39Mxic/s1600/dainty2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 230px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615213109610487762" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zbjbEFTfGSU/Te0-kpBzH9I/AAAAAAAACG0/ELoEt39Mxic/s320/dainty2.jpg" /></a> Size wise they really do live up to their name, and the markings on Segment 2 of the abdomen plus the 'long' pale <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">pterostigma</span> give them a slightly different appearance to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">puella</span>.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FJ-Mq5nbYcg/Te0-kHXPyHI/AAAAAAAACGs/ENqok9MI1uo/s1600/bin-lady.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 301px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615213100573640818" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FJ-Mq5nbYcg/Te0-kHXPyHI/AAAAAAAACGs/ENqok9MI1uo/s320/bin-lady.jpg" /></a> Yesterday evening, there was a shout from the garden from the missus 'what's this moth in the bin' ...................!</div><br /><div>It's the Old Lady, or as in this case the BIN LADY. First one I've seen this year and another great addition to a fantastic weekend of insects. I spent Saturday with Lou down at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">Hamstreet</span> with Steve <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">Whitehouse</span> and friends seeing <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">loads</span> of moths, probably 30 new species for me, including the wanted Scarce <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">Merveille</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">de</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">Jour</span>, Red necked Footman, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error">Rannoch</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-error">Looper</span> (part of a large influx), Lobster, Pale Tussock, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ingrailed</span> and Purple Clay, Pine Hawk Moth, and loads more, cracking stuff!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mQcFF_LbpDM/Te0-j6FM0ZI/AAAAAAAACGk/wqktgo_TWIE/s1600/Little-Tern.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 238px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615213097008288146" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mQcFF_LbpDM/Te0-j6FM0ZI/AAAAAAAACGk/wqktgo_TWIE/s320/Little-Tern.jpg" /></a> I also saw a few birds this weekend including this Little Tern....</div><br /><div><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-error">IRANIA</span> good luck to all</div></div><br /></div>Barryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08577258700093352067noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5630128093940382850.post-17901663236882264352011-06-02T22:16:00.002+01:002011-06-02T22:27:21.052+01:00Twenty years ago today. Bridled bliss<div align="justify">Twenty years ago today, I heard about a sum plum White winged Black Tern at West <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Thurrock</span>, Essex and being a bit short of cash, time and generally being tight I decided to attempt to see if I could see the bird from <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Greenhithe</span>, Kent ! In attempting this long distance spotting across Old Father Thames I bumped into Paul <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Larkin</span> who I informed that maybe we should try our luck out at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Swanscombe</span>, I knew the security guards and access was granted to the riverfront.</div><br /><div align="justify">On arrival the White winger was showing incredibly well just offshore from the jetty at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Swanscombe</span> and sadly in those <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">pre</span> digital days I didn't have a camera at hand, but I did have a rather large and heavy mobile phone! </div><br /><div align="justify">Just as I was on the phone to Andrew Moon at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Birdline</span> South East I noted with Paul another tern coming towards us just offshore, dark above, pale below. I knew it was either a Bridled or Sooty but which one?</div><br /><div align="justify">a phone call to Andrew solved any ID problems followed by several expletives!! The bird fed just offshore from us for a while, the mobile was hot with calls from others in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Essex</span> that could see us watching the bird! </div><br /><div align="justify">BRIDLED TERN, a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">real</span> mega then it was off upriver towards the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">Dartford</span> Bridge and lost to view. Later on I found out that several birders connected with it, a second for Kent, first for <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">LNHS</span> and it was later at H<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">anningfield</span>, Essex.</div><br /><div align="justify">A memorable day and I still remember <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Paul's</span> parting words.....................see you in BB</div><br /><div align="justify">Sure enough our names did appear in the BB report for that year</div><br /><div align="justify">Happy days !</div>Barryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08577258700093352067noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5630128093940382850.post-63399965145681264802011-05-28T12:19:00.005+01:002011-05-28T13:02:15.676+01:00Up to date : Wedding, Moths, birds and Dragons!<div align="justify"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xwol13cxTqc/TeDcEeOKgYI/AAAAAAAACGY/NNpRbsvKMCg/s1600/denge.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611727105093697922" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xwol13cxTqc/TeDcEeOKgYI/AAAAAAAACGY/NNpRbsvKMCg/s320/denge.jpg" /></a> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ok</span> then it's nearing the middle of the year, it's a Bank Holiday it's dull outside, Louise is up North having seen Take That in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Sunderland</span>, I've got a bit of spare time and in order to prevent Mr Faulkner abandoning me forever I've decided to post. When I first <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">started</span> this blog a few years ago I used to spend huge amounts of time updating it, but I rarely seem to find the time to update now though do enjoying reading many blogs especially the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Thanet</span> based ones, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Sheppey</span> and my second favourite county in Britain, those from Devon. </div><br /><div align="justify">To re cap the last few months then, I'll take you back to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Dengemarsh</span> and Springfield Bridge where Phil Saunders and Josh Jenkins Shaw started off a mini twitch with the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Odonata</span> Elite of the UK (well Dragonfly <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">twitchers</span> really)!</div><br /><div align="justify">Vagrant Emperor was the target and very smart it was too looking rare as in vagrant but without a vagrants bottles of whiskey! This really is a Dragonfly <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">meag</span> and was widely tipped as about to set wing on UK soil as a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">result</span> of huge numbers recently seen across other parts of Europe. On arrival on Bank holiday <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Monday</span> all was looking pretty grim as the quarry failed to show in the slightly cooler temperature compared to the day before but luck was on our side when a timely phone call from <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">Terrington</span> Laws found <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">JT</span> and myself rushing back to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">Dengemarsh</span> from the ARC and there it was winging it's way up and down the Pike ditch, a corking Vagrant Emperor yet another <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">Odonata</span> UK lifer. It wont be long now before someone <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">achieves</span> a full 50 species for the UK if the Dainties show this year and a few other new UK species turn up.</div><br /><div align="justify">The small crowd above shows Phil Heath and Steve <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">Whitehouse</span> just before they left the site to twitch a local fridge for a few new Moth ticks !!</div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-14hat3wpnRE/TeDcEDvctcI/AAAAAAAACGQ/6wZHiukqkRY/s1600/vagrant.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 238px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611727097985545666" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-14hat3wpnRE/TeDcEDvctcI/AAAAAAAACGQ/6wZHiukqkRY/s320/vagrant.jpg" /></a> The Vagrant..........MEGA<br /><br /><div align="justify"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pprlR5ReSe4/TeDcD8_obRI/AAAAAAAACGI/NG0x7qbWZ9o/s1600/rrs.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 230px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611727096174374162" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pprlR5ReSe4/TeDcD8_obRI/AAAAAAAACGI/NG0x7qbWZ9o/s320/rrs.jpg" /></a> Another trip to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error">Dunge</span> found <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-error">JT</span> and myself dipping on Crane and a Collared Prat, but once again the birding Gods were on our side when Steve <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-error">Broyd</span> then Mike B found two Red rumped Swallows on the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-error">RSPB</span> reserve which gave good views for the next hour or so amongst the Swifts and other <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" class="blsp-spelling-error">hirundines</span>. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_22" class="blsp-spelling-error">Dunge</span> really is having a cracking spring, and with Roseate Tern, Hobby, Little Gull and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_23" class="blsp-spelling-error">BTD</span> made the day a great success despite the no show Prat!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6HAHox97UAA/TeDcDq4kL4I/AAAAAAAACGA/MUK6wN6cA7s/s1600/crowdy.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611727091312897922" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6HAHox97UAA/TeDcDq4kL4I/AAAAAAAACGA/MUK6wN6cA7s/s320/crowdy.jpg" /></a> April 28<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_24" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> 2011, the day I thought would never come and my childhood statement of 'I'll never get married' was broken!</div><br /><div>Anyway it was a cracking day, everything went like clockwork thanks to our families and other guests, and especially to the staff of Leeds Castle who were simply superb. Now me being me, you wouldn't expect to attend even my own wedding without my bins and this paid off with a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_25" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">cracking</span> pair of Spot Shanks and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_26" class="blsp-spelling-error">LRPs</span> on the main lake, plus Peregrine, Med Gulls and stacks of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_27" class="blsp-spelling-error">hirundines</span>. I never knew weddings could be so much fun and bird filled!! Our honeymoon was to be based in Devon at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_28" class="blsp-spelling-error">Crowdy</span> Mill, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_29" class="blsp-spelling-error">Harbertonford</span> with Tawny Owl outside and Dipper on the river viewed from the window.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SP1VgUZXdtw/TeDbnWEpTDI/AAAAAAAACF4/-qFiWV4hhkw/s1600/car.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611726604690082866" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SP1VgUZXdtw/TeDbnWEpTDI/AAAAAAAACF4/-qFiWV4hhkw/s320/car.jpg" /></a> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_30" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ok</span>, the wedding went without a hitch but the car rebelled at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_31" class="blsp-spelling-error">Budleigh</span> and we were towed to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_32" class="blsp-spelling-error">Exeter</span> to exchange for a courtesy car called <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_33" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kirsty</span> ( a honeymoon with two girls) !! The steering rack had gone on the car and lots of money later we were reunited with our car. Anyway, our dog Forrest (not the little one in the picture above, that's a local) enjoyed being in a people carrier for a few days.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jNCCPIxKkPY/TeDbnBD-SUI/AAAAAAAACFw/Yt4jHcrVwLI/s1600/ting-tong.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 255px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611726599050119490" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jNCCPIxKkPY/TeDbnBD-SUI/AAAAAAAACFw/Yt4jHcrVwLI/s320/ting-tong.jpg" /></a> I had to take a photo of this, if you've watched Little Britain you'll know what I'm talking about.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3OMOCQq2JKU/TeDbnGnrmsI/AAAAAAAACFo/BGYKLKIqjNE/s1600/ring.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611726600542067394" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3OMOCQq2JKU/TeDbnGnrmsI/AAAAAAAACFo/BGYKLKIqjNE/s320/ring.jpg" /></a> Despite all my attempts I never did manage to see Ring <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_34" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ousel</span> on Dartmoor but I did find this photo om my memory card, that someone found very funny indeed!! Cheers <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_35" class="blsp-spelling-error">Wifey</span>!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6x7N_JYASDs/TeDbmvgfmrI/AAAAAAAACFg/3xMDkwDDHy8/s1600/cirl.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 247px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611726594337905330" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6x7N_JYASDs/TeDbmvgfmrI/AAAAAAAACFg/3xMDkwDDHy8/s320/cirl.jpg" /></a> No trip to Devon is complete without seeing <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_36" class="blsp-spelling-error">Cirl</span> Bunt, will we ever all see one on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_37" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kentish</span> soil again? <br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_4EwySOPHo4/TeDbmj5SQeI/AAAAAAAACFY/IzKiMVzVdyM/s1600/Red-kite.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 198px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611726591220662754" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_4EwySOPHo4/TeDbmj5SQeI/AAAAAAAACFY/IzKiMVzVdyM/s320/Red-kite.jpg" /></a>Back home, another sighting of Red Kite, they are becoming extremely regular in Kent these days and reminds me of my first at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_38" class="blsp-spelling-error">Dunge</span> in Dec in the early 1980's when it was still very rare in Kent.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TtlD_JfhFto/TeDbKBI-MII/AAAAAAAACFQ/qv3xdQBM0Q8/s1600/white-satin.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 301px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611726100854878338" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TtlD_JfhFto/TeDbKBI-MII/AAAAAAAACFQ/qv3xdQBM0Q8/s320/white-satin.jpg" /></a> The <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_39" class="blsp-spelling-error">mothing</span> continues this year with my first ever spring and it really has been both taxing on ,my ageing brain and great fun with loads of new lifers, just like <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_40" class="blsp-spelling-error">when I</span> first started birding way back in 1978. Above is White Satin<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BfZgAibjKmY/TeDbKGQpcHI/AAAAAAAACFI/X4onq-P_2S8/s1600/snout.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 250px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611726102229250162" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BfZgAibjKmY/TeDbKGQpcHI/AAAAAAAACFI/X4onq-P_2S8/s320/snout.jpg" /></a> The Snout, a really great looking moth with a nose to be proud of.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CysZFqflu2o/TeDbJ5TBn-I/AAAAAAAACFA/bJUGsyck29M/s1600/small-magpie.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 275px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611726098749562850" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CysZFqflu2o/TeDbJ5TBn-I/AAAAAAAACFA/bJUGsyck29M/s320/small-magpie.jpg" /></a> Small Magpie<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yigf7rv0Drw/TeDbJ-RkZ2I/AAAAAAAACE4/jjsF5_o9GLo/s1600/magpie.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 236px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611726100085630818" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yigf7rv0Drw/TeDbJ-RkZ2I/AAAAAAAACE4/jjsF5_o9GLo/s320/magpie.jpg" /></a> Big Magpie<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ct9z7cWBe7Q/TeDbJrhEhkI/AAAAAAAACEw/enwXq_83Ejk/s1600/corn.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 227px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611726095050376770" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ct9z7cWBe7Q/TeDbJrhEhkI/AAAAAAAACEw/enwXq_83Ejk/s320/corn.jpg" /></a> Corn Bunting at Cliffe<br />Finally I will attempt to keep things up to date, (you've heard that one before) It's now 1pm, I'm hungry and I need to get the mansion ready again for the Take That wanderers arrival later today.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Barryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08577258700093352067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5630128093940382850.post-20807867299565738262011-04-12T18:43:00.004+01:002011-04-12T19:25:28.115+01:002011 Happy New Year<div align="justify"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zvSiS6h4TjE/TaSQ5NkQRYI/AAAAAAAACEo/GgIvCxoG3js/s1600/Ele.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594755949669664130" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zvSiS6h4TjE/TaSQ5NkQRYI/AAAAAAAACEo/GgIvCxoG3js/s320/Ele.jpg" /></a> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">OK</span>, it's April 12<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span>, only a few days late but it's been a funny old year and I've really not had the time or inclination to update the blog but have been observing others and enjoying reading them. Therefore, do I intend to get back up to date, highly unlikely but as the summer migrants have already started to arrive in the UK and the Waxwing winter seems ages ago now I thought I'd post a quick note.</div><br /><div align="justify">The Elephant was photographed in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Udawalawe</span> national park in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Sri</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Lanka</span> this year, a really great place and a very successful trip seeing all the endemic birds plus <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">great</span> photographic <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">opportunities</span>.</div><br /><div align="justify">Hopefully my next post will be before December!! </div>Barryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08577258700093352067noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5630128093940382850.post-12091405766919399082010-12-31T20:51:00.002+00:002010-12-31T20:55:25.129+00:00New Years Resolution....<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_d6MUaJRC1gk/TR5DEgRFqXI/AAAAAAAACEc/2h-GeF4EdN4/s1600/wa.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 248px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556952734881917298" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_d6MUaJRC1gk/TR5DEgRFqXI/AAAAAAAACEc/2h-GeF4EdN4/s320/wa.jpg" /></a> Must try and keep this blog up to date....................<br />NO CHANCE<br />Have a great 2011Barryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08577258700093352067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5630128093940382850.post-43626322446517045112010-12-12T21:05:00.003+00:002010-12-12T21:08:51.846+00:00Return to South America<div align="justify"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_d6MUaJRC1gk/TQU5SuugCWI/AAAAAAAACEQ/K3Jh4SMo1bc/s1600/Rufous%2BCrab%2BHawk.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 230px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549905109747501410" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_d6MUaJRC1gk/TQU5SuugCWI/AAAAAAAACEQ/K3Jh4SMo1bc/s320/Rufous%2BCrab%2BHawk.jpg" /></a> Once I get a chance I'll update the blog with my recent adventures in Guyana. A great trip with nearly 50 new species seen out of a total trip list of 380+. Great company, food, great birding in simply the BEST continent in the World SOUTH AMERICA</div><div align="justify">The <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Rufous</span> Crab Hawk above was one of many specialities seen, a species difficult to see in Venezuela but easy in Guyana<br /></div>Barryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08577258700093352067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5630128093940382850.post-75082340811925652122010-11-16T22:54:00.004+00:002010-11-16T22:57:17.907+00:00And so to WinterA few weeks blog absence and not much to say really, a few <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">TTVs</span> a few good birds, lots of rain, even more work, loads of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">KOS</span> work, lots of blogs read and a break from Moths...........looking forward to next year though<br />When all is quiet a perusal of websites and a bit of fun thrown in<br />see <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHXQp-NhFuE">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHXQp-NhFuE</a>Barryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08577258700093352067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5630128093940382850.post-47891882164112700132010-10-18T18:44:00.004+01:002010-10-18T20:35:25.666+01:00East Kent........again<div align="justify">As I was working Saturday I decided to once again head East to the promised land with JT. A late start due to work we arrived at Shuart and nearby and wandered around for an hour trying to jot everything that was moving down.......... Fortunately I had a large piece of paper and an unlimited supply of ink in my pen for jotting down </div><div align="justify">Brambling 1</div><div align="justify">Siskin 1</div><div align="justify">Buzzard 2</div><div align="justify">Goldcrest 4</div><div align="justify">Fieldfare 5</div><div align="justify">East Kent birding at it's best, what to look at next. Following the first hours birding heading West and back home seemed a good idea but we ploughed on to Elmwood Avenue. A quick chat with the lady at the riding school who seems to have been there forever but never ages as if it was still the early 1990's! Again notebook at the ready bins poised the migrants flooded in, Redpoll 1, Siskin 1, Dunnock 2, Mipit >20 . Again heading West looked the best option</div><div align="justify">Next stop a cup of tea and a sandwich at the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">pumping</span> station where the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">ambiance</span> of a charity cycle race was the main interest. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">JT</span> spotted bird of the morning, a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Whitethroat</span> in one of the 3 bushes. Excellent, things were really looking up now, next stop North <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Foreland</span> where a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Wheatear</span> showed well on the clifftops and on the beach below uncle Tom <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">cobley</span> and dog patrol chased the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Turnstones</span> on the beach. Time to head West yet?</div><div align="justify">Next stop the ever reliable <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Northdown</span> Park, another cup of tea and a text from Gordon ........<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">Pallas's</span> at caravan park <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">Reculver</span></div><div align="justify">We dithered, birded the area a bit longer notching up a handsome group of 37+ <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">Bramblings</span>, good numbers of Blackbird, 5+ <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">Chiffs</span>, a male <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">Blackcap</span> ,a Lesser <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">Redpoll then spent a while scraping the migrant turds that had hitched a ride on our boots . </span>As if set in a scene from <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">Slumdog</span> Millionaire the Parakeets kept the background alive with their tuneful racket!</div><div align="justify">Time to head West, yes onto <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">Reculver with the sweet scent of</span><span class="blsp-spelling-error"> GTs (growler turds) wafting in the warm car air . Th</span>e <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error">Pallas's</span> Warbler put on a good show to it's small appreciative crowd. This really is one of the best looking migrants to grace our shores. Overhead a Peregrine flew over</div><div align="justify"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-error">Things</span> were finally looking up and off to Grove we headed. Over the years there's been various birding spots named after events like a certain lane near <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-error">Scotney</span> and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-error">Belshaw's</span> Bush at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" class="blsp-spelling-error">Capel</span> and we decided to park at Howard's Bend turning the car at a 190 degree angle before locking up and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_22" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">entering</span> the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_23" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">reserve</span>. Immortalised for ever this quiet section of road will always be <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_24" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">remembered</span> for two things Wilson's <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_25" class="blsp-spelling-error">Phal</span> and International rescue for <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_26" class="blsp-spelling-error">GNH</span>!</div><div align="justify">At Grove the Wilson's <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_27" class="blsp-spelling-error">Phal</span> was again present from the Harrison's Drove and showed brilliantly through <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_28" class="blsp-spelling-error">JT's</span> revamped <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_29" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kowa</span>. A look for the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_30" class="blsp-spelling-error">GGShrike</span> drew a blank and we returned towards the car when we had ten minutes of cracking birding</div><div align="justify">The Wilson's was from the viewing ramp, a Jack Snipe flew over us and away and just before <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_31" class="blsp-spelling-error">Howards</span> bend, the Great Grey Shrike zipped past us</div><div align="justify">That's why East Kent is so good for birding it just needs time, perseverance and a willingness to check those areas that you feel others may not have checked yet and well done to Gordon and Chris for finding that wee <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_32" class="blsp-spelling-error">Sibe</span> cracker that's what it's all about</div>Barryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08577258700093352067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5630128093940382850.post-52846982286332233922010-10-15T18:43:00.005+01:002010-10-15T21:02:31.929+01:00Why oh why did it have to be sunny!<div align="justify"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_d6MUaJRC1gk/TLiZT6cOmjI/AAAAAAAACEI/zb9XZ_ADa3E/s1600/margate.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528337109981502002" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_d6MUaJRC1gk/TLiZT6cOmjI/AAAAAAAACEI/zb9XZ_ADa3E/s320/margate.jpg" /></a> Last Sunday was a day in East Kent with high hopes and a 'hoped for list of special birds'. Sadly, despite the rest of Britain being bathed in rares, with Red flanked <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Bluetails</span> literally popping up all over the place later on, East Kent was very hard going.<br />Despite living in North Kent, I've always enjoyed birding the outer reaches of East Kent around North <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Foreland</span> and more recently got to know more about the birding sites nearer to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ramsgate</span><br />and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Pegwell</span> village. Saturday was dreary, strong <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">E'ly</span> winds and very overcast you could almost smell those rares flying overhead. A call to Nigel <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Jarman</span> Sat pm revealed that bad news...........starlit sky, Sunday was going to be hard work. East Kent deserves more attention from birders, geographically well paced for migrants with lots of nooks and crannies to look at and always that possibility of something special amongst the migrants. First stop for JET and myself was <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Margate</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Cmy</span> where bird of the day appeared almost immediately..........<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">DCG</span> (Dave Gilbert) a real rarity in the field beyond the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">Margate</span> triangle and great to see him again and looking well. I'd spent a lot of time in the past birding with Dave and have fond memories of travels to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">Anglesey</span>, Norfolk, South Wales, on the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">Scillies</span> and even in Ecuador for three weeks !! Still in characteristic migrant plumage we spent a short while birding the area also bumping into Simon <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">Fogg</span>, Jeremy, Bob, Alan and Brenda<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_d6MUaJRC1gk/TLiZTnJ4KMI/AAAAAAAACEA/lfKZgc0AJ04/s1600/margate2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528337104804260034" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_d6MUaJRC1gk/TLiZTnJ4KMI/AAAAAAAACEA/lfKZgc0AJ04/s320/margate2.jpg" /></a> Like the grand daddy of Kent birding Dave was as keen as ever and his repertoire of jokes as fluent as ever. I've had to alter the exposure on the pictures due to the clash of autumn colours from Jeremy in camouflage mode<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_d6MUaJRC1gk/TLiZI_zN-qI/AAAAAAAACD4/5V2UgBuQKds/s1600/court.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528336922441546402" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_d6MUaJRC1gk/TLiZI_zN-qI/AAAAAAAACD4/5V2UgBuQKds/s320/court.jpg" /></a> Below <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">Courtstairs</span> north of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">Pegwell</span> village an excellent looking area for migrants and worthy of coverage. The area South of here, Milton ranges, and Solly moth garden a great <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">piece</span> of coastline that allows for great birding and an <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">opportunity</span> to see migration as it <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">happens</span> on a good day with some truly great counts from Phil and Craig in the past week.<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_d6MUaJRC1gk/TLiZIlopmmI/AAAAAAAACDw/cGyDc3B5EDE/s1600/elmwood.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528336915417897570" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_d6MUaJRC1gk/TLiZIlopmmI/AAAAAAAACDw/cGyDc3B5EDE/s320/elmwood.jpg" /></a> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-error">Elmwood</span> and the lighthouse, another <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-error">hotspot</span> for migrants with <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-error">Bramblings</span> overhead, a Black <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" class="blsp-spelling-error">Redstart</span>, a distant Grey Heron and good numbers of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_22" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mipits</span>. Back in the late 80's early 90's I used to bird this area quite a lot with the are adjacent to the old St Stephens college particularly productive. A hard days birding some good migrants with <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_23" class="blsp-spelling-error">Chiffs</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_24" class="blsp-spelling-error">Siskin</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_25" class="blsp-spelling-error">Redpoll</span>, a Tree Pipit and a few Swallows but still no star bird despite visiting <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_26" class="blsp-spelling-error">Northdown</span> Park and King George V park full of sun seekers and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_27" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">ice creams</span>. A last ditch attempt at something rarer at North <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_28" class="blsp-spelling-error">Foreland</span> revealed a couple of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_29" class="blsp-spelling-error">Wheatear</span> and then finally Steve <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_30" class="blsp-spelling-error">Blaskett</span> informed us of a Shore Lark at the pumping station nearby. Off we shot and there it was very very tame and almost run over a few times by cyclists.<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_d6MUaJRC1gk/TLiZH_wJRsI/AAAAAAAACDo/HTXFvZstBGQ/s1600/wheat.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 250px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 172px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528336905248786114" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_d6MUaJRC1gk/TLiZH_wJRsI/AAAAAAAACDo/HTXFvZstBGQ/s320/wheat.jpg" /></a> <div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_d6MUaJRC1gk/TLiZHokY24I/AAAAAAAACDg/r6DcKJ4aNT4/s1600/shorelark.....jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 226px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528336899025460098" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_d6MUaJRC1gk/TLiZHokY24I/AAAAAAAACDg/r6DcKJ4aNT4/s320/shorelark.....jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_d6MUaJRC1gk/TLiZHQ4zOsI/AAAAAAAACDY/I4cyF9vCYmU/s1600/shore2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 222px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528336892668623554" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_d6MUaJRC1gk/TLiZHQ4zOsI/AAAAAAAACDY/I4cyF9vCYmU/s320/shore2.jpg" /></a><br />So there you have it, a superb area for birding and a very enjoyable day. Good luck to Dylan, Francis, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_31" class="blsp-spelling-error">DCG</span>, Steve, Phil and Craig and monitor the years events with some great photos not just avian on Planet <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_32" class="blsp-spelling-error">Thanet</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_33" class="blsp-spelling-error">Margate</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_34" class="blsp-spelling-error">Cmy</span> blog and the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_35" class="blsp-spelling-error">Dumpton</span> Non Conformist.</div><div>Anyone lucky enough to live in this part of Kent enjoy it, as despite rampant development and loss of habitat the birds common and rare will still be there just a bit trickier at times to find, good luck to you</div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Barryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08577258700093352067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5630128093940382850.post-2502208108729986662010-10-13T18:54:00.005+01:002010-10-13T22:40:36.200+01:00Yank Waders in Kent<div align="justify"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_d6MUaJRC1gk/TLXy5vj77sI/AAAAAAAACDQ/B0ZwJs2IDb8/s1600/wrs.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 246px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527591191500811970" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_d6MUaJRC1gk/TLXy5vj77sI/AAAAAAAACDQ/B0ZwJs2IDb8/s320/wrs.jpg" /></a> It's pretty rare that you get an <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">opportunity</span> to see more than one or two species of Yank wader in a year in Kent, therefore with a White-rumped Sand continuing it's stay at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Oare</span> I decide to finally visit this superb reserve. With luck on arrival I saw the bird almost immediately as it flew onto one of the close islands (close for <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Oare</span>) and almost immediately fell asleep amongst the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Goldies</span>. A cracking little bird and yet another good wader this autumn.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_d6MUaJRC1gk/TLXy5e8PcgI/AAAAAAAACDI/oK7evgeS6zs/s1600/bbsdunge.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527591187039351298" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_d6MUaJRC1gk/TLXy5e8PcgI/AAAAAAAACDI/oK7evgeS6zs/s320/bbsdunge.jpg" /></a> A week later and I was back at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Dunge</span> where two Buff breasts had taken up residence in the Kent part of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Scotney</span>. Parked in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Calandra</span> lane I walked with Alan and Brenda <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Fossey</span> along the cycle track whereby the two birds were seen well amongst the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Goldies</span> and Ruff. The views were excellent though having recently seen the bird at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">Davidstow</span>, I'd been spoilt with point blank views. The rest of the day turned us <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">ome</span> good birds with <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">Whinchat</span>, two Little Stint, Black and Arctic Tern, Black <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">throated</span> Diver, Merlin and a surprise Barred Warbler on the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">RSPB</span> reserve that was actually quite showy<br /><div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_d6MUaJRC1gk/TLXywsiwQ3I/AAAAAAAACC4/RIWqxuMhRDE/s1600/barredw.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 220px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527591036071723890" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_d6MUaJRC1gk/TLXywsiwQ3I/AAAAAAAACC4/RIWqxuMhRDE/s320/barredw.jpg" /></a> Barred Warbler crashing it's way around the bushes and scrub<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_d6MUaJRC1gk/TLXyfgoRlJI/AAAAAAAACCQ/m03ra-DW4M8/s1600/egrets.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 234px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527590740815877266" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_d6MUaJRC1gk/TLXyfgoRlJI/AAAAAAAACCQ/m03ra-DW4M8/s320/egrets.jpg" /></a> Nearby, the Two Egrets showed well, Little and Large. A scene like this would have been unthinkable years ago yet Great White seems almost resident at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">Dunge</span> now and Little Egret are common. A great day out and a good <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">opportunity</span> to see Barred Warbler well </div></div></div><br /></div>Barryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08577258700093352067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5630128093940382850.post-27107470112480411072010-09-28T19:54:00.003+01:002010-10-12T22:55:32.687+01:00A NON Birding week in the West Country<div align="justify"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_d6MUaJRC1gk/TLTV9TUy5cI/AAAAAAAACAg/_vhlSYQ5JvQ/s1600/gp.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 221px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527277891826673090" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_d6MUaJRC1gk/TLTV9TUy5cI/AAAAAAAACAg/_vhlSYQ5JvQ/s320/gp.jpg" /></a> As has become a tradition over the past few years Lou and myself have been visiting the South West in September for a week to stay at a cottage. Acting as a substitute <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Scillies</span> as that has become very expensive we've managed to coincide with some good Lou weather and some good me birds! </div><div align="justify">This year we stayed at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Botallack</span> near St Just allowing me an <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">opportunity</span> to explore some of the Cornish valleys a bit better as well as stopping at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Davidstow</span> on route to see the 'hoped' for Buff breasted Sand.</div><div align="justify">The week was superb throughout, nothing turned up in Kent, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Scillies</span> was quiet, I wasn't at work and most importantly dog walking, relaxing beaches and some great birds thrown in as well. Above is one of six Golden Plover that we drove up to at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Davidstow</span> just before <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Pc</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Plodette</span> arrived informing us we were on private property and not permitted to drive on the airfield.........that's news to me and to every other birder I've spoke to. </div><div align="justify"> </div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_d6MUaJRC1gk/TLTV8yHgQtI/AAAAAAAACAY/phtiTH_DlUo/s1600/pec.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 304px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 199px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527277882912555730" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_d6MUaJRC1gk/TLTV8yHgQtI/AAAAAAAACAY/phtiTH_DlUo/s320/pec.jpg" /></a> At <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Marazion</span> a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">Pec</span> showed well through the scope but not the camera<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_d6MUaJRC1gk/TLTV8qcjYTI/AAAAAAAACAQ/h9_CWDTqPBc/s1600/wry.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 239px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527277880853356850" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_d6MUaJRC1gk/TLTV8qcjYTI/AAAAAAAACAQ/h9_CWDTqPBc/s320/wry.jpg" /></a><br />On an early morning walk this <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">Wryneck</span> showed brilliantly a few mornings at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">Botallack</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">pre</span> breakfast, and testament to the fact that this really is a great part of the UK and warrants lots of attention from birders that can rival <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">Scilly</span> sometimes<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_d6MUaJRC1gk/TKI7sT0YNzI/AAAAAAAACAI/rskZtWMLrA8/s1600/dotty.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522041725529896754" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_d6MUaJRC1gk/TKI7sT0YNzI/AAAAAAAACAI/rskZtWMLrA8/s320/dotty.jpg" /></a> On the way back home two <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">Dotterel</span> showed well by the car at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">Davidstow</span> and even better no <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">Pc</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error">plodette</span><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_d6MUaJRC1gk/TKI7sIyYSCI/AAAAAAAACAA/f0xw8zF2KE0/s1600/buffy.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 241px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522041722568722466" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_d6MUaJRC1gk/TKI7sIyYSCI/AAAAAAAACAA/f0xw8zF2KE0/s320/buffy.jpg" /></a> Buff breasted Sand the star of the show and one of my most wanted 'close views' birds. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-error">Davidstow</span> ranks as one of the better places in the UK for this species and as expected the views were mega<br /><div align="justify"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_d6MUaJRC1gk/TKI6SDI8lAI/AAAAAAAAB_4/XnMmVbG1p4I/s1600/spotty.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522040174864536578" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_d6MUaJRC1gk/TKI6SDI8lAI/AAAAAAAAB_4/XnMmVbG1p4I/s320/spotty.jpg" /></a> A <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-error">juv</span> Spotted Sand at Turf near <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-error">Exminster</span> was equally approachable and worth the twenty minute walk from the car park. Add to this a Rosy Starling at Lands End on the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" class="blsp-spelling-error">Tardis</span>, Lap Bunts, Sooty and Balearic Shears, Red backed Shrike at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_22" class="blsp-spelling-error">Treeve</span> Common Lands End and a pair of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_23" class="blsp-spelling-error">Choughs</span> not a bad non birding week </div><div align="justify">As usual the blog is behind once again but will be updated ASAP with more Yank waders, a corking <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_24" class="blsp-spelling-error">ShoreLark</span> in East Kent and a chance meeting with Kent legend Dave Gilbert in a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_25" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">cemetery</span>! All to be revealed soon when life allows </div></div></div></div>Barryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08577258700093352067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5630128093940382850.post-15222296932399772892010-09-27T20:34:00.005+01:002010-09-27T23:24:30.893+01:00What's the (Blakeney) POINT !!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_d6MUaJRC1gk/TKDykR8kPiI/AAAAAAAAB_w/kRm9-CF5PPw/s1600/beach.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 187px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521679848262876706" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_d6MUaJRC1gk/TKDykR8kPiI/AAAAAAAAB_w/kRm9-CF5PPw/s320/beach.jpg" /></a> Why oh Why oh Why!<br />I've been asking myself this since my first wanderings into the Birding World beyond the local area way back in 1981. I've virtually given up twitching but will venture away from Kent for the odd twitch and this certainly fulfilled both of those short words. My association with <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Blakeney</span> Point is very limited and from an age when I was young fit, very keen and had some good mates living in Norwich, namely Alan 'Huey' Lewis and Pete (trendy) Morris. It was ages of Nancy's cafe, sleeping overnight in the car in Wells car park awaiting the moving on questions from the local constabulary. Marcus and Andrew Lawson often were part of the crew and Bryan <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Blands</span> beard was made available to the breeding Parrot <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Crossbills</span> to make their nest more comfy. Birders that were simply names to me then became good friends, Pete Milford, Neil <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Bostock</span>. Over my few visits to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Blakeney</span> I'd seen a few good birds with a White-billed Diver offshore in 1985 having not seen a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Lancy</span> that was reported and in 1987 following a few days <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">seawatching</span> in Cornwall and seeing very little, Pete, Alan, Rob and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">myself</span> drove in my old orange <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Chevette</span> to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">Petes</span>' house in Norwich to recoup before heading up to the coast to look for migrants.<br />Barred Warblers, RB Shrikes, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ickies</span> then on to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">Blakeney</span> Point for a Great Snipe that showed very well and I distinctly remember two things that remain etched in my mind. The bird landed on the shingle and a guy next to us couldn't see the bird but Alan decided to assist but was struggling to find it 'allegedly' whilst he grilled it through the scope unbeknown to the poor soul who had yet to see it!. The second was a young Dick <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">Filby</span> proclaiming that the bird should be left in peace now , and those words of Bob <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">Geldof</span> uttered from his lips, 'the lesson to day is how to die' !!<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_d6MUaJRC1gk/TKDyjnILDFI/AAAAAAAAB_o/JFWEMCVg99w/s1600/beach2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521679836768832594" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_d6MUaJRC1gk/TKDyjnILDFI/AAAAAAAAB_o/JFWEMCVg99w/s320/beach2.jpg" /></a> Anyway back to Sunday 26<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> Sept 2010, a walk up <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">Blakeney</span> Point in reasonable weather for an <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">Empidonax</span> flycatcher that had <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">settled</span> in the plantation on the point the previous day. It was going to be a hard walk whatever and Guy and myself set off from the car park with the intention of walking to Halfway house and waiting for news. Just before we got there news came through that the bird was still there and so off we set the 40 somethings heading towards the point <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">still</span> another 1.5 to 2 miles away. It was now that I realised why I rarely walked up Blakeney Point, in fact Barbet Moutain in Peru seemed somewhat easier but nonetheless the adrenalin cut in, the legs moved forward and apart from a dead seal on the beach the journey continued. The crowd was eventually reached, the legs ached and the shingle was merciless but there we were and there it was after a tense wait an unidentifiable American Flycatcher!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_d6MUaJRC1gk/TKDyjWVLrYI/AAAAAAAAB_g/6oS_FqXWfaI/s1600/emp2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 223px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521679832259997058" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_d6MUaJRC1gk/TKDyjWVLrYI/AAAAAAAAB_g/6oS_FqXWfaI/s320/emp2.jpg" /></a> About to leap off it's perch<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_d6MUaJRC1gk/TKDyi83berI/AAAAAAAAB_Y/1N5IMYLuV1Y/s1600/emp3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 246px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521679825424317106" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_d6MUaJRC1gk/TKDyi83berI/AAAAAAAAB_Y/1N5IMYLuV1Y/s320/emp3.jpg" /></a> Hiding in the vast wilderness that is the plantation (on a par with the vegetation at the Captain Digby Margate)!<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_d6MUaJRC1gk/TKDyUS1ya9I/AAAAAAAAB_Q/JsTQcWVc7h8/s1600/empi.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 232px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521679573624974290" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_d6MUaJRC1gk/TKDyUS1ya9I/AAAAAAAAB_Q/JsTQcWVc7h8/s320/empi.jpg" /></a> A great little poser, showing all the salient features to prevent it's identification<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_d6MUaJRC1gk/TKDyUIP-oZI/AAAAAAAAB_I/Cf0QHuU21VU/s1600/empid5.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 260px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521679570782036370" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_d6MUaJRC1gk/TKDyUIP-oZI/AAAAAAAAB_I/Cf0QHuU21VU/s320/empid5.jpg" /></a>I'll leave the ID to the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Demi</span> Gods of birding and can add little to the discussion but felt happy to see the bird and see some old mates. I sincerely hope I'm fully retired from this young mans game by the time I'm 60 but all credit to the lads out there that were in their 70's <br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_d6MUaJRC1gk/TKDyT9Q-ZrI/AAAAAAAAB_A/pno6CZSDIlk/s1600/bp2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521679567833425586" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_d6MUaJRC1gk/TKDyT9Q-ZrI/AAAAAAAAB_A/pno6CZSDIlk/s320/bp2.jpg" /></a> The photos above show the bird and the almost snow like beach caused by the spray and foam at high tide. A good shot here of some bald patches and what looks like a guy praying on the left. The weather is deceptively sunny, but that was soon to change !The plantation as you can see is tiny and fragile but home to an amazing bird<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_d6MUaJRC1gk/TKDyTs0Jc6I/AAAAAAAAB-4/nf9adqpUQP8/s1600/blakeney.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 102px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521679563417547682" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_d6MUaJRC1gk/TKDyTs0Jc6I/AAAAAAAAB-4/nf9adqpUQP8/s320/blakeney.jpg" /></a> The walk back was horrendous, cold, wet, wetter and even wetter. A scene akin to the front line in Afghanistan with the troops moving up through the field<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_d6MUaJRC1gk/TKDyTT86NRI/AAAAAAAAB-w/WEkoyiiyAcs/s1600/sad.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521679556743410962" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_d6MUaJRC1gk/TKDyTT86NRI/AAAAAAAAB-w/WEkoyiiyAcs/s320/sad.jpg" /></a> One picture tells a thousand words!</div><div>Sitting in the car with no trousers in says it all(the pic is carefully cropped) </div><div>Was it worth it?</div><div>YES</div><div>Would I do it again?</div><div>Of course I would but hopefully in drier conditions</div><div>My heart goes out to those that missed it Saturday and returned Sunday to score</div><div>After that a difficult <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-error">Bonelli's</span> in Wells and memories of a great bird (I even saw the bill) and wet day</div><div><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ce'st</span> la vie<br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Barryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08577258700093352067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5630128093940382850.post-71798827639960255362010-09-04T22:06:00.005+01:002010-09-04T22:22:30.692+01:00Birds, yes I do still see a few!!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_d6MUaJRC1gk/TIK4U-tJMsI/AAAAAAAAB94/78gTKnSULYI/s1600/rcp.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 230px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513171564424147650" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_d6MUaJRC1gk/TIK4U-tJMsI/AAAAAAAAB94/78gTKnSULYI/s320/rcp.jpg" /></a> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">RCP</span> at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Reculver</span>, a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Reculver</span> tick and well worth the wait.............. more medication please!<br /><div align="justify"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_d6MUaJRC1gk/TIK3CsFAeBI/AAAAAAAAB9w/tDbXLA3v414/s1600/Pectoral-Sandpiper-Cliffe.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 211px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513170150674692114" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_d6MUaJRC1gk/TIK3CsFAeBI/AAAAAAAAB9w/tDbXLA3v414/s320/Pectoral-Sandpiper-Cliffe.jpg" /></a> The last few weeks, and I finally managed to escape the grip of the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">NHS</span> and relax birding locally. A flying visit to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Cliffe</span> produced the hoped for <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Shelducks</span> plus a bonus <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Pec</span> Sand, a regular visitor to Kent but one I don't see every year. Also here was a Wood Sand, 2 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Greenshank</span> and a soon to arrive KP from Essex, by which time I was at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Elmley</span>.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_d6MUaJRC1gk/TIK3Cav5SVI/AAAAAAAAB9o/s9V1jrK3mZM/s1600/Curlew-Sandpipers-Elmley.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 141px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513170146022738258" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_d6MUaJRC1gk/TIK3Cav5SVI/AAAAAAAAB9o/s9V1jrK3mZM/s320/Curlew-Sandpipers-Elmley.jpg" /></a> A small group of Curlew Sands part of a flock of nearly 50 birds<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_d6MUaJRC1gk/TIK3B7HHcxI/AAAAAAAAB9g/grnuZFMb2co/s1600/willow.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 238px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513170137530200850" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_d6MUaJRC1gk/TIK3B7HHcxI/AAAAAAAAB9g/grnuZFMb2co/s320/willow.jpg" /></a> Willow Emerald at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">Reculver</span>, (cheers Derek) a small colony is present hopefully the start of something bigger in the County<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_d6MUaJRC1gk/TIK3BBbRjBI/AAAAAAAAB9Y/xVFrFmWGkKA/s1600/mip.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 226px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513170122045492242" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_d6MUaJRC1gk/TIK3BBbRjBI/AAAAAAAAB9Y/xVFrFmWGkKA/s320/mip.jpg" /></a> At <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">Reculver</span> this 'common' <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mipit</span> put on a good show once it settled down and I'd failed to string it into <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">anything</span> else beforehand with it's sneaky habits!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_d6MUaJRC1gk/TIK3Aj7zKJI/AAAAAAAAB9Q/fHEu9tU02C4/s1600/rbs2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 248px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513170114128849042" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_d6MUaJRC1gk/TIK3Aj7zKJI/AAAAAAAAB9Q/fHEu9tU02C4/s320/rbs2.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_d6MUaJRC1gk/TIK07yb0mXI/AAAAAAAAB9I/OM3wHVbxhiU/s1600/rbs.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 260px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513167833098656114" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_d6MUaJRC1gk/TIK07yb0mXI/AAAAAAAAB9I/OM3wHVbxhiU/s320/rbs.jpg" /></a><br />Red-backed Shrike at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">Reculver</span>, always a good one to see and this was a particularly showy individual.</div></div></div></div></div></div>Barryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08577258700093352067noreply@blogger.com0