Viz.Migging - 17th November 2009

Another morning watch today 09.15-12.00 (on and off). Blue skies, slight westerly wind and the occasional squally shower. Thrushes have been fairly scarce with only four Redwing noted. Bird of the morning went to the Great-spotted Woodpecker that flew north over the house and landed in trees at the small reservoir at the back of the cottage. Other birds were:

Mipit 3
BH Gull 1
Greenfinch 2
Chaffinch 11
Goldcrest 1
Woodpigeon 3 (seems like most have now past through)
Starling 9
Herring Gull 93
Skylark 4
Curlew 11 flew east
Great Tit 2
Blue Tit 3
Magpie 1
Pied Wagtail 2
Carrion Crow 15 flew north

15th November - Viz. Miggin' again

I think this could be contagious! At 0745hrs with brew in hand i was again stood at the back door viz.migging. Not as many birds as on the 9th, but still, 25 Lapwings was a good start. I finished my first watch at 09.30hrs with the following totals:
Woodpigeon 502
Redwing 39
Meadow Pipit 5
Curlew 3
Lapwing 25
Black-headed Gull 1
Herring Gull 31
Chaffinch 40
Goldfinch 5
Bullfinch 2
Song Thrush 2
Pied Wag 2
Grey Wag 2
Blackcap 1 fem
Chiffchaff 2
Long-tailed Tit 13
Buzzard 1
Skylark 11

Firecrest, Isles of Scilly

Took these shots of a Firecrest in Holy Vale, St Mary's on 29th October. The light was very poor so i decided to try a few shots with the flash on. I was quite pleased with the results!

The BIG Garden birdwatch!

Having a new baby and now with the wife back at work I was considering my birding options this morning. With the little 'un down for a nap i stepped outside into the glorious sunshine, camera and bins at the ready and a cuppa in hand. I immediately noticed the amount of birds flying over. Skylarks, Chaffinches, Goldfinch, Woodpigeon and a Snipe, all within a couple of minutes. I decided to stick it out until the baby woke up (two hours she slept fortunately!) Four Golden Plover flew north, Meadow Pipit, more Skylark (flock of 22 was highest count), two Bullfinch and quite a few Blackbirds, one flock totalled eight birds! At about 1030hrs a 'honking' noise caught my attention and i raised my bins to see a juv WHOOPER SWAN flying west across the fields, my first garden tick of the day. By the time the baby had woken up i had totalled over 30 species seen!

Whooper Swan (juv) flying west. Two adults were at Gwithian the same morning.

Not long after, my neighbour, Mike popped round to tell me he had a Woodcock on his lawn. The photos shown here were taken by me through his front double glazed window! Amazing bird!

Woodcock on my neighbours' lawn.

At about 1330hrs, the missus came home and i tended to the washing up. I'd been at the sink for about 5 mins when a pale looking bird flew up the garden towards me. My expletives made the wife jump and i grabbed wildly for my camera shouting, "ROSE-COLOURED STARLING, Bloody Hell!" The juvenile bird then alighted briefly on wires next door before dropping down out of sight. I phoned Mark Halliday and text a few others to alert them of my good fortune. Before long Mark was waiting with compulsary 'fag and a brew' in my back yard waiting for another Rosy appearance.

Rose-coloured Starling, a surprise Garden Tick!

After about 30mins Mark picked up on a ring-tailed Harrier flying south being mobbed by a crow. HEN HARRIER was now my 3rd garden tick of the day!!Mark finally located the Rosy Starling on wires at the front of the cottage as he left.

Hen Harrier being mobbed by a Carrion Crow

What an amazing day! Three garden ticks (not sure what my list stands at at the moment?) and a total of 40 species altogether. Thank god i had my camera with me!

Sparrowhawk (below) and Raven (above)

Week on the Scillies

Had another thoroughly enjoyable week with the gang on Scilly in the final week of October. The company and laughs made up for the lack of major rarities. There was still plenty to keep us amused including an unusually plumaged Citrine Wagatil on Tresco which i admit to 'twitching' as i needed it for Scilly! The four Spoonbills were obliging off Tresco as were the Whoopers on Big Pool, St Agnes. I didnt bother going for the Raddes or Pallas's Warblers on Aggie late in the week. The Bluethroat at Lower Moors was probably the highlight of the week for most and although it was very elusive, it showed well very briefly on occasion, allowing for three (!) photos in poor light to be snapped. Happy with one of them though! There were unusually low numbers of Goldcrests this year but Firecrests were fairly abundant. Tweo were regulary outside our digs at Holy Vale. A YB Warbler was also there all week. The end of the week saw more winter thrushes and Black Redstarts but the 'biggie' was never found. Thanks to 'The Team' for another great week, looking forward to next year already!