Sunday, 20 February 2011
Saturday, 19 February 2011
Merseyboys
Looks like you both had a good day out whilst I did hangover golf - couple of buzzards and a birdie for Jamie. Year lists are all getting close - just need Twitchell to update his as he goes back in to the lead........................but for how long.
Started listening to my bird song CD's (not the spoken-word book by Sebastian someone or other). Must memorise as much as possible just like my Top-40 lists of the early 80's.
RSPB membership details received today and free bird box to follow.
84 and counting but no plans for a while. Cley and Titchwell not 'til April on a long weekend away - surely they well get me well into the 90's.
Our local Nuthatch was around today and Canno had a baby girl yesterday. Winter birds!
Kiss the Carpet
Started listening to my bird song CD's (not the spoken-word book by Sebastian someone or other). Must memorise as much as possible just like my Top-40 lists of the early 80's.
RSPB membership details received today and free bird box to follow.
84 and counting but no plans for a while. Cley and Titchwell not 'til April on a long weekend away - surely they well get me well into the 90's.
Our local Nuthatch was around today and Canno had a baby girl yesterday. Winter birds!
Kiss the Carpet
Friday, 18 February 2011
Inner Marsh with Mitch
After some early morning confusion, we found our way to the Kingsway tunnel and then over to West Kirby Marine lake on the Wirral. Rumours proved correct and we started the day with a pair of Red breasted mergansers. From here we dashed down the coast to Park gate in the expectation that a high tide would deliver a rich variety of feeding raptors. It was soon apparent that the water wasn't going to rise sufficiently to flood the marsh, but consolation came in the form of a female Hen harrier flying relatively close by across the marsh. The final destination was Inner Marsh farm. An RSPB members site which has a second high quality hide (full plated glass viewing room on stilts) in production. There has been some interesting birds reported during the early part of the day but the Merlin seen in the morning failed to show for a second time and a Peregrine that flew past at high speed was missed by both of us. Mitchy may change his mind on this depending on possible future sightings!
A kindly gent lent us his scope so we could get the Golden plover in the far distance and this remained the highlight although we both added a few standards; Black tailed godwit, Siskin, Wigeon, Teal, Pheasant, Raven. It was noted that RDO failed to dress appropriately for the day's extremely low temperatures and howling winds and was chastised by Mitchy (father of 3) for his failure to prepare correctly.
A kindly gent lent us his scope so we could get the Golden plover in the far distance and this remained the highlight although we both added a few standards; Black tailed godwit, Siskin, Wigeon, Teal, Pheasant, Raven. It was noted that RDO failed to dress appropriately for the day's extremely low temperatures and howling winds and was chastised by Mitchy (father of 3) for his failure to prepare correctly.
Sunday, 13 February 2011
Blimey
Only just been able to access the blog, having spent most of the week in Birmingham. Great White Egret, Red Crested Pochards and Red Legged Partridges are all great spots. I think you live in the best part of the country for this competition, and I look forward to my invitation to your house.
I haven't been able to add anything this week, and time is going to be very limited at weekends, but I am looking forward to a birding trip with the Orc next Friday.
I have had a top garden spotting weekend though - goldfinches back after a long absence, 4 siskins on a feeder together and 5 redwings trotting around yesterday.
I also visited Trafford yesterday and saw a Flying Rooney in the flesh, close to a Sad Faced Tevez. That was enjoyable.
I haven't been able to add anything this week, and time is going to be very limited at weekends, but I am looking forward to a birding trip with the Orc next Friday.
I have had a top garden spotting weekend though - goldfinches back after a long absence, 4 siskins on a feeder together and 5 redwings trotting around yesterday.
I also visited Trafford yesterday and saw a Flying Rooney in the flesh, close to a Sad Faced Tevez. That was enjoyable.
Sunday, 6 February 2011
Force 10 Birding - 6/2/11
Chaps,
Just popped out for a short while in the big winds from 2.30 - 4.00 (now 4.20) to see if owt was doing at the lakes (former gravel quarries) in Hoveringham just 5 mins drive away.
The usual array of goodies all ticked off this year already - teal, wigeon, pochard, gulls, cormorants, tufteds etc etc and 2 little egrets and 4 Red Crested Pochard - regulars down there - we get lots of these and egrets for some reason.
Having seen the reports on Nottsbirder the last few weeks I decided to drive around to the sailing lake entrance road a mile away and saw a goose and stopped - just the usual but running down the field near it were 5 Red-Legged Partridge, with one at the back allowing easy close views. Not had these before apart for dinner.
Then spotted said reported bird in the distance and starting legging it down the path to a good range - next to a heron was the GREAT WHITE EGRET. Huge, magnificent and good views for 5 mins before I got too cold - slightly bigger than the heron and both flew together and came back down for more views. - Blogtastic and all virtually on the doorstep. Excitement now finally reducing and feeling in fingers returning. 82 and counting. Even Helen was kind enough to be interested on my return as all the birdbooks came flying off the shelves.
Evan Lees (aged 42)
Just popped out for a short while in the big winds from 2.30 - 4.00 (now 4.20) to see if owt was doing at the lakes (former gravel quarries) in Hoveringham just 5 mins drive away.
The usual array of goodies all ticked off this year already - teal, wigeon, pochard, gulls, cormorants, tufteds etc etc and 2 little egrets and 4 Red Crested Pochard - regulars down there - we get lots of these and egrets for some reason.
Having seen the reports on Nottsbirder the last few weeks I decided to drive around to the sailing lake entrance road a mile away and saw a goose and stopped - just the usual but running down the field near it were 5 Red-Legged Partridge, with one at the back allowing easy close views. Not had these before apart for dinner.
Then spotted said reported bird in the distance and starting legging it down the path to a good range - next to a heron was the GREAT WHITE EGRET. Huge, magnificent and good views for 5 mins before I got too cold - slightly bigger than the heron and both flew together and came back down for more views. - Blogtastic and all virtually on the doorstep. Excitement now finally reducing and feeling in fingers returning. 82 and counting. Even Helen was kind enough to be interested on my return as all the birdbooks came flying off the shelves.
Evan Lees (aged 42)
Wednesday, 2 February 2011
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