Showing the kind of courage more commonly associated with famous explorers of the past such as Scott and Shackleton, RDO courageously dragged himself from his slumbers at 5:00 am on Saturday morning to begin a journey that would take him to the opposite side of the country.
Arriving at Bingham station only semi conscious, I was met (after a short delay) by SjS in the 'Twitchingmobile'. Why he decided to name his car after a kind of handheld communication device I'm still not sure.
Arriving at Bingham station only semi conscious, I was met (after a short delay) by SjS in the 'Twitchingmobile'. Why he decided to name his car after a kind of handheld communication device I'm still not sure.
With clear skies and a warm spring day in prospect, we were both optimistic of a great days spotting ahead. A few dozen 80's classics later and we arrived at Frampton Marsh.
[More coming soon...]
Opportunistic action for Mitchell over the last couple of weeks. Having lost the last vestiges of dignity and self respect when spotted birding by Gina and Julie at Sale Water Park,I at least came away with a Meadow Pipit to my name. This was followed a few days later by Ring Necked Parakeet.
ReplyDeleteThings picked up last weekend when I jeopardised a family day out on Anglesey to squeeze in some birding. Saw a merlin for the first time, eider down on Puffin Island,and managed to get a sh@g. Also saw plethora of auks, but too far away to lay claim to razorbill or guillemot.
After meetings today on Teeside I caught the last 10 minutes at Salthome RSPB (Barnacle Goose) and was then directed to Tees Estuary - plenty of waders (including 30 avocets, still beautiful but counting for nothing in our competition). Little Ringed Plover does count,though. I then got chatting to a very nice chap with £3k worth of Leica scope, who pointed out my first ever short eared owl - stunning. He then told me stories about whistling to, and singing to,the estuary seals, and it was time to come home. 98 and counting.
I've been thinking about Sharpey's "hired gun" approach to birding in East Anglia. Would anybody mind if I get Chris Adams to come along to the OCCC cricket match to "help me out" by holding the bat, bowling the ball and doing all of my fielding?
ReplyDeleteJust wondered.
I forgot about my stock doves - 99
ReplyDeleteJust read Twitchell's comments. Very impressive fightback with a few species I've never seen. Just done a weekend with god-children in Somerset including a day at Longleat Safari Park. Kate Humble spoke to me on a CD!! Good news was 4 additions for the year - My first confirmed Ravens since Holme Hall estate was a building site and they used to hang around scaring kids. They were hanging with the wolves. Also the first swallows of the year flying over the water near Gorilla Island. A pair of Mandarin ducks that reutrn each year to breed and then get their eggs eaten by sealions! No ornamental ducks are kept - I spoke to the keeper. And an easy finish in the shape of a lesser BBG hanging out about 20 yards from the 3rd oldest Silverback in the history of captivity. greying black hair, fairly sedentary and has its own Sky TV remote - is this a description of a CBS member? Finally, Rog, why has Mitch's year list gone double spaced and mine has turned into 1 long paragraph? 108 not out.
ReplyDeleteps. the Great White Egret down the road at Hoveringham got a fully outling in the lastet bird mag issue, including a picture on the rare occurances pages. SjS