Best Bird Images 2011

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Jan 012012
 

My year list for 2011 was slightly better than last year, I managed to see 267 species in Britain and I had  4 lifers plus an armchair tick (Siberian Stonechat) so I’m creeping along ever closer to the big 500!

My highlights of the year were trips to Speyside, Scotland in April; Shetland in September & Scilly in October; White-winged Scoter twitch to Aberdeen in June; the White-throated Robin at Hartlepool in June; Northern Water Thrush & Scarlet Tanager on Scilly in October and finding a Dusky Warbler on Scilly. A Western Bonelli’s Warbler in Derbyshire was a surprise county tick. 

 
An Oriental Turtle Dove in February; White-tailed Eagle in the highlands in April; a Black Stork in Northants in May; a superb Sabine’s Gull at Belvide, Staffs, plenty of waders including Pectoral Sandpiper; Sharp-tailed Sandpiper’ Western Sandpiper; Marsh Sandpiper and several Grey Phalarope; the finding of a Pallid Harrier in September having just come off Shetland; Sandhill Crane at St.Combs on our way to Shetland;  American Black Tern in Lincs in Oct; Red-flanked Bluetail in Norfolk Oct and plenty of migrants and rarities on Shetland & Scilly. A superb year, met some great birders throughout the year and enjoyed good company from the usual crew…
 
 

A Rare Scandinavian Visitor to Notts – 18th December 2011

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Dec 182011
 

For several weeks a juvenile Rough-legged Buzzard has been favouring an area of old pit workings just north of the city of Nottingham.

 
 
It may well over winter here and it seems to be finding plenty of food. Only 20 miles from home, so well worth the visit. The bird showed well intermittently this morning. Often spending time perched in trees and bushes at a distance.  During late morning the weather  cleared and in good skies and bright sunshine the bird eventually took to the air and spent some time soaring over the large area of rough ground known as Gedling Pit Top.  
 
Rough-legged Buzzards usually arrive in Britain from Scandinavia during late autumn and often take up residence at traditional coastal sites in East Anglia, Lincolnshire and other south east coastal areas. They sometimes arrive in good numbers especially if the lemming population crashes in Northern Europe. 
 
To see a Rough-legged Buzzard inland and away from the moorland areas of North Derbyshire & Yorkshire, is a real treat. Juveniles  are stunning birds and are longer winged and slightly longer in the tail than Common Buzzard. Very pale yellowish cream head and upper breast, feathered legs when perched, white base to the tail, light primary base to the upper wing all help to eliminate Common Buzzard.
 
IMAGES – Juvenile Rough-legged Buzzard – Gedling Pit Top, Notts.
 
 
 
 
  

A “peep” in Norfolk – Sunday, 4th December 2011

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Dec 042011
 

 
2011 has been one of the best  years in memory to see American Waders in Britain.  
 
At least 17 species had been seen up to 28th November. The only species not found at this time was Western Sandpiper. So it was inevitable that one would be discovered somewhere!. Cley  NWT Reserve was to be the host site for this rare wader. It was first identified as a Semi-palmated Sandpiper but as the bird was eventually seen and videoed at close range, the finer points of the bird’s plumage could be seen and it was eventually re-identified as a 1st winter Western Sandpiper.
 
 
Having seen the bird to-day (and only 1 previous bird some years ago),  I could appreciate why it proved to be a tricky bird to ID. It was very flighty and a Peregrine hunting over the marsh didn’t do anyone any favours. Eventually, reasonable views were obtained and the extent of rufous on the scapulars could be seen. Clean white underparts and grey tones to the mantle, some rusty tones to the feathering on the crown and a longish bill were also pointers. It was very much like a diminutive Dunlin, rather than Stint like.
 
A drake Green-winged Teal was also on view on Pat’s Pool at Cley, mixed in with the large flock of Common Teal.
 
At Holkham we managed to find a juvenile Rough-legged Buzzard along with a Common Buzzard, a male Sparrowhawk and a Marsh Harrier . Nice comparisons. Also 50+ White-fronted Geese and many Pink-footed Geese in the area.
 
We finished off the day at Titchwell with a variety of waders and dabbling duck on the fresh marsh. Several Spotted Redshank; many Little Egret, a Spoonbill and a female Red-breasted Merganser  were all of note. At sea several Gannet, small numbers of Razorbill, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, several flocks of Bar-tailed Godwit & good numbers Brent Geese were continuously on the move.
 
A great day in Norfolk and my year list moves on to 266
 
IMAGES – first 2 – digiscoped – 1st winter Western Sandpiper with Dunlin: Brent Geese; Little Egret; Black-tailed Godwit at Cley NWT Reserve.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

3 Yanks & 1 Sibe in a day & in November! – 27th Nov 2011

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Nov 272011
 

Chew Valley Lake & Blagdon Lake, both sites now in Somerset, must rank as two of the best inland waters in Britain for attracting rare birds.

Chew Valley had managed to hold on to a cracking wader for well over a week. A juvenile Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, along with a supporting cast of 2 Long-billed Dowitcher & a Spotted Sandpiper was irresistible. Arriving at Chew early morning, it wasn’t long before we found the Sharp-tailed Sandpiper amongst a large flock of Dunlin. These Siberian waders are real treats and a juvenile even better. There have only been a handful of records of juveniles reaching Britain. They very rarely stay for more than a few days, so this bird was very obliging. Only problem, too far away for a decent picture of what was a very attractive bird. Appearing very much like a Pectoral Sandpiper but lacking the distinctive breast band. The Sharp-tailed shows a much more defined white supercilium, flaring behind the eye against a clear cut “Rusty” cap and a diffused breast band. Appeared overall a very rufous looking bird especially the upperparts, neck & head. In flight appeared dark and contrasting amongst the dunlin. With it’s larger size it was fairly easy to locate within the flock. Also at this site we had a Grey Phalarope, 6 Bewick’s Swan, a drake Scaup and vast numbers of wildfowl, particularly Pochard. The Spotted Sandpiper was found along the waters by the sluice on Herriot’s Mill Pool. The only birds missing were the 2 Dowitcher’s, now where could they be hiding?

We left Chew Valley and headed of for Blagdon Lake, another great birding location. We were hoping to find a few more good birds, especially another “Yank”, an immature Ring-necked Duck. We found a suitable viewing point and began to scan the lake. As we were searching through the large flock of Tufted Duck & Pochard, Richard picked out an interesting looking duck which he quickly suggested was our bird. Once we saw the bird in decent light we could begin to pick out the ID features. The distinctive head shape, bill pattern and eye-ring. This bird however was not showing the usual “Flank Spur”, so made it very tricky to pick out. As I began searching the banks for waders, I came across a large concentration of Lapwing with a small flock of dunlin a few Golden Plover and a single Black-tailed Godwit. I also noticed two other waders frantically probing with long bills and feeding like snipe. “Blimey”, I quickly shouted, I’ve got the 2 Long-billed Dowitchers. So three “Yanks” & a “Sibe”, in one day and in November, what’s going off then!!

We set off for the dam wall at Blagdon and began scanning through even more wildfowl. We located the Long-tailed Duck but couldn’t find a Slavonian Grebe that had been reported. Several Little Egret in the bays, a few Goldeneye and staggering numbers of Pochard. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many Pochard in a day before. A great days birding and my year list was boosted to 264.

IMAGES – Below three images of Spotted Sandpiper – Herriott’s Mill Pool, Chew Valley Lake.

 

An Autumn morning at DWT Willington – Sun 13th Nov 2011

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Nov 122011
 

Yesterday, Saturday 12th November 2011, two lucky observers watched Derbyshire’s fourth/fifth Glossy Ibis for 15-30 minutes at Willington Gravel Pits, before the bird flew off and disappeared, much to the disappointment of several top Derbyshire Listers!! Lucky for me I didn’t need it for my Derbyshire List!!

Needless to say there was no further sign of it this morning. Willington was back to normal!! A few Little Egrets, a pair of Pintail, a flock of 34 Golden Plover and a selection of common Wildfowl, including 5 Goldeneye were all of note.
 
IMAGES – Adult Little Egret / Golden Plover / Adult winter Black-headed Gull / Fungi species. (Any help with the ID of this fungi would be appreciated. Please email me).
 
 
 
 
 

Local Buzzards – Sun 6th Nov 2011

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Nov 062011
 

This morning I went looking for the Great White Egret at the local Gravel Pit complex at Barrow-on-Trent.

No luck despite extensive searching, viewing from the footpath at Ingleby. Just a few Grey Heron & a single Little Egret and three female Goosander on the river. Oh well !! A couple of Common Buzzard put on a cracking display in a clear blue sky above Foremark Reservoir. Also here a single female Goosander but very little else.

IMAGE – Common Buzzard
 
 

Isles of Scilly – Sat 22nd-28th Oct 2011

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Oct 282011
 

My 28th consecutive trip to the “Sacred Isles”, the Isles of Scilly. What a week – 2 lifers; 3 “Yankie” passerines and 5 “Yankie” waders, plus a self found Dusky Warbler. Plenty of padders helped us to achieve 101 species for the week.

Arriving on Saturday 22nd October, I was anxious to get the Northern Waterthrush, a North American warbler, very rare to Britain. A new bird for me and the first tick on Scilly for a number of years. Plenty of extremely rare birds for Britain to go for – such as Wilson’s Snipe, Upland Sandpiper and Olive-backed Pipit. Rather than be tempted, I decided to spend some time at the Northern Waterthrush site in Lower Moors. Suddenly my phone went off and Richard basically said to me “Get yourself moving to Holy Vale now, a SCARLET TANAGER has been found”. Once I realised what he had said, I simply did just that, got my butt moving pretty dam quickly. Especially as Richard & Dave had already left to wander up to the Upland Sandpiper site not far away from Holy Vale!

Advising the other birders what had arrived, they simply looked at me in disbelief. 15 minutes later, and on my own along Sandy Lane, the rest of the small crowd were at the opposite end of the track to me, I was watching a stunning first winter male Scarlet Tanager, yet another North American vagrant and right in front of me. I couldn’t believe it. Another lifer, 2 in an hour or so, what the hell was going on? – The day finished off with the Upland Sandpiper a North American wader, at Borough Farm and nearby 2 Olive-backed Pipits rare birds from Siberia, at Watermill. Superb views of the Wilson’s Snipe,another North American wader, a few Black Redstart & a Hummingbird Hawkmoth. What a day.

Sunday 23rd October – The usual trip to Tresco, it was pouring down with rain – got us Spoonbill, Bonxie & Pomarine Skua from the boat during the crossing. On the Great Pool a long staying Lesser Yellowlegs, a Pectoral Sandpiper & a Spotted Crake. A very confiding Lapland Bunting at Carn Near.

Monday 24th October – Spent the day on St. Mary’s in atrocious weather for most of the day with heavy rain. A White-rumped Sandpiper was found at Porth Hellick, once the rain had eased off, also we walked onto a Dusky Warbler at Lower Moors just as it had been discovered. 5 Yellow-browed Warblers; 6 Black Redstart and a Whinchat rounded off the day.

Tuesday 25th October – Whilst emptying my moth trap early morning at Buzza end of Porthcressa, the distinctive “Tacking” call of Dusky Warbler was ringing in my ears. I couldn’t believe it, one was calling literally a few yards away. I dropped everything and began looking for it. The little bugger was very skulking. I phoned Richard & Dave for some help in locating the bird and soon a few birders were on the scene and eventually having put it out on the Pager, a small group had gathered. Eventually it was seen well by a few of the birders but very briefly as it moved through gardens. Unfortunately for me I never did see it well but enough to claim it as my bird!! What a find!! – A 1st winter Mediterranean Gull on the beach at Porthcressa, a Firecrest, 3 more Yellow-browed Warblers and fantastic views of the Lower Moors Dusky Warbler finished off another memorable day.

Wednesday 26th October – An early morning visit to “Higgo’s Pool” on St. Mary’s was worth the effort as I had stunning views of the Northern Water Thrush. We decided to head off to St. Agnes for the rest of the day as a Raddes Warbler had been found on 25th. Once on St.Agnes we were soon watching a very nice Raddes Warbler at Troy Town. Another very interesting bird was yet another East Asian Lesser Whitethroat. This was was slightly different to the one I saw on Shetland at the end of September. These birds are very distinctive and their habits are completely different to normal race curruca Lesser Whitethroat. This bird was preferring to feed on the ground, creeping amongst the rocks and debris on the beach. Always returning to a favourite perch, a dead Mallow Tree. The bird was overall a dark sandy-brown colour. Greyer-brown tones to the forehead and crown. A fine small pale based bill, slightly decurved. Short wing, long tail, short P2, pale buff off-white underparts. one observer has managed to record the birds call.

Thursday 27th October – A fairly quiet day – more good views of the Northern Waterthrush, Upland Sandpiper. We found several more Firecrest & Yellow-browed Warbler and then just as we thought it was the end of the day, a RED-EYED VIREO is found at Salakee and we were only 5 minutes walk away!! Fantastic views of this stunning bird, I had not seen one for many years.

Friday 28th October – A beautiful sunny day across the islands. It was a pleasure to be here in such warm weather, almost like mid-summer, rather than the end of October. We did find a Jack Snipe at Porth Hellick, a couple of Firecrest & several Yellow-browed Warbler. Several Clouded Yellow butterfly & a female Long-tailed Blue Butterfly were probably better than the birds!

I completed 2 moth traps:-

1 on the 24/25th – 1 White Speck; 4 Rusty Dot Pearl; 1 Silver Y; 1 Angle Shades; 2 Feathered Ranunculus; 1 Light-brown Apple Moth

1 on the 26/27th – 20 Rusty Dot Pearl; 1 White Speck; 3 Black Rustic; 1 Double Square-spot;

5 Light-brown Apple Moth; 1 Crosidosema plebejana

My thanks go to Richard James & Dave Nadin for their great company during the week. To Tony Hull for supporting notes on the Dusky Warbler and to all the great birders I met and spent some time with during the week. To the birder that found the SCARLET TANAGER. Well done mate!!

Looking forward to next year already.

Selection of Images – No:1 – Crimson Speckled / No:2; No:3; No:4 – East Asian Lesser Whitethroat, possibly form minula / No:5; No:6 – Northern Waterthrush / No:7; No:8; No:9 No 10 – 1st winter male Scarlet Tanager / No:11 – Upland Sandpiper / No: 12 – White-rumped Sandpiper / No:13; No:14; No:15 – Wilsons’ Snipe / No:16 – Common Snipe (for comparison with Wilson’s) / No:17 – Chiffchaff / No:18 – Firecrest / No:19 – Greenshank / No: 20 – Lapland Bunting / No: 21- Robin.

 

Asiatic Vagrant “Does a Runner” – Sat 15th October 2011

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Oct 152011
 

“Holy Gwacker Moley” – I couldn’t believe my eyes when I read my MEGA ALERT on my pager Friday night. A Rufous-tailed Robin in Norfolk!!  
 
Saturday morning we were on site at Wareham Greens in North Norfolk early but unfortunately and  mega disappointingly, the little bugger had done a runner. Two hundred other birders must have felt just like me – gutted. Well done to the birder that discovered it, it must have been a pulse racing moment, to actually find one of those birds that we all dream of finding. Typically, with most asiatic vagrant passerines, they never seem to hang around long enough for all to see. After flogging Norfolk for the day, chasing other rare migrants, most of which seemed to be frustratingly elusive, we did managed to salvage a Yellow-browed Warbler at Stiffkey and a Red-flanked Bluetail at Holme NOA. Also at Wareham Greens, several fly over Crossbill & Brambling, a Marsh Harrier and 15+ Little Egret, several Blackcap, a Chiffchaff and many Redwings.
 
Large numbers of Pink-footed Geese at Holme. Otherwise it was one of those days!! 
 
Year list moves on to  246
 
Sunday 16th October 2011 –  A mornings walk around my local patch at Staunton Harold Reservoir – Highlights were a femal Goldeneye, an Adult Yellow-legged Gull; 2 drake Pochard; 15 Lesser Redpoll. There are now large numbers of Grey Lag Geese roosting at the reservoir, in excess of 200 were here this morning.
 
IMAGES – Kestrel hunting the dunes at Holme, Norfolk; Pink-feet over Holme; Grey Lags over Staunton Harold Reservoir, Derbyshire; adult winter Black-headed Gull, Staunton Harold Reservoir.
 
 
 
 
 
 

A “Tern” for the Best – 2nd October 2011

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Oct 022011
 

An American Black Tern – Chlidonias surinamensis, had been frequenting Covenham Reservoir for some time and having just got back from Shetland and the bird still around, it was worth the trip to this reservoir in Lincolnshire.

American Black Tern looks very similar to our Black Tern with the exception of some very subtle plumage differences. Dark flanks and a grey underwing, a lack of a solid dark cap with a paler crown. Paler sides to the crown. Dark scapulars with narrow buff fringes and pale grey wing coverts all help to distinguish the bird from Black Tern – Chlidonias niger. The American Black Tern is a potential “Split” candidate.
 
Year List moves on to 245.
 
 
 
 

Shetland 2011 – 24th Sept-1st Oct 2011

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Sep 242011
 

We set off for Aberdeen on 23rd September in anticipation of seeing the Sandhill Crane that had been discovered at St. Combs, Aberdeen.
 
We managed to see the Crane along with a few Lapland Buntings before we caught the Ferry to Lerwick, Shetland. My second Sandhill Crane in the UK. (Photo1- Sandhill Crane – St.Combs).
 
Our trip to Shetland was specifically timed to coincide with the arrival of rare & uncommon migrants that are attracted to the islands. Shetland is one of the best places in the UK for  finding rare birds during September & October, the prime time for migration.
 
We arrived on Shetland at 0700hrs on 24th and as Will needed Swainson’s Thrush, we headed for Bodham, South Mainland. We spent several hours looking for the bird in small gardens but no sign. A small skein of 46 Pink-footed Geese, a Merlin & a Sparrowhawk were all we had. Having picked up provisions from Tesco in Lerwick, we headed north to the island of Unst and our usual home for the week. At Toft Ferry Terminal we had a Black-throated Diver, a Grey Phalarope & good views of an Otter. Amazingly another Grey Phalarope on the Ferry Crossing to Gutcher, these are very scarce birds in Shetland, along with 40 Wigeon. Arriving at Baltersound, we checked in with the owner of our Croft and found a Yellow-browed Warbler in her garden.
 
Arriving at Northdale, our birding holiday had now really started. (Photo 2)  – Northdale) In the late afternoon searching around Norwick we discovered 2 Common Rosefinch, a regular Hen Harrier and 9 Blackcap. (Photo3  Norwick & Valyie in the distance).
 
25th September – Highlights – Norwick – Sedge Warbler; Hen Harrier; 2 Northern Wheatear. Baltersound – Yellow-browed Warbler; Red Admiral: Haroldswick – stranded juvenile Gannet; 6 Swallows & 2 Sand Martin. (Photo4 – Juvenile Gannet)
 
26th September – Highlights – Northdale – 1 Northern Wheatear; Hen Harrier.  
Haroldswick – Arctic Tern. Baltersound – Knot. Uyeasound – 3 North Western Redpoll (rostrata); Willow Warbler;  Yellow-browed Warbler; 2 Northern Wheatear & Red Admiral.   (Photos 5 & 6- North Western Redpoll – Carduelis rostrata: Photo 7 – Uyeasound).
 
27th September – Northdale – 1 Bluethroat; 1 Barred Warbler; 1 Yellow-browed Warbler; 
 
1 Lesser Whitethroat; Norwick – 1 Barred Warbler; 3 North Western Redpoll. Haroldswick – Black-tailed Godwit. Skaw – House Martin – Numerous Blackcap & Chiffchaff throughout the day.
 
28th September- Northdale – 1 Lapland Bunting. Haligarth, Baltersound – 1 Yellow-browed Warbler; 2 Willow Warbler. Baltersound – 2 Yellow-browed Warbler; 23 Pink-footed Geese. Burrafirth – 4 Twite; 2 Lapland Bunting – Belmont – 1st winter Black-headed Bunting.  (Photo 8  – Black-headed Bunting, Belmont: Photo9- Yellow-browed Warbler – Baltersound).
 
29th September – Uyeasound – Pink-footed Goose; Whooper Swan ; 2 Yellow-browed Warbler; Garden Warbler; Central Asian Lesser Whitethroat (Sylvia curruca halimodendri); Common Rosefinch; Otter. Westing – several Common Snipe showing features of faeroensis. Haroldswick – Juvenile Red-backed Shrike; Redwing. Northdale – Yellow-browed Warbler; Bluethroat; Common Crossbill: (Photo10 – Male Common Crossbill – Northdale: Photo11 -Rock Pipit – Norwick:) 
 
Photos 12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19 
Central Asian Lesser Whitethroat – Uyeasound, Unst – 29th September 2011
 
On photographs note – The overall sandy-brown upper-parts, mantle & rump, with sandy brown extending up the nape to lower crown with grey undertones. Grey-brown running through the crown and forehead and darker brown ear coverts. A buffish wash to the flanks. A weak looking bill and very short primary projection and brown tertials. All these features seem to fit Central Asian Lesser Whitethroat.
 
30th September – Unst – Mainland Shetland. The journey back south to catch the evening ferry back to UK Mainland. Laxo – 1st winter Black Redstart; Yellow-browed Warbler. Brake- Quendale area – Juvenile Pallid Harrier; Whinchat; 70+ Twite; 100+ House Sparrow: Wester Quarf – Yellow-browed Warbler.
 
(Photos 20, 21 – Yellow-browed Warbler, Laxo: 
Photos 22,23 – Pallid Harrier – Brake-Quendale)
Photos of Pallid Harrier – Note the distinctive colour of the underparts of juvenile Pallid Harrier, the contrasting underwing pattern and pointed wing-tip showing usually three or four primary tips (fingers). Also note the contrasting dark ear-coverts surrounded by a pale collar. This bird was heavily oiled by a Fulmar and so some of the subtle features are difficult to see. See comparison wing pattern with below photo of Hen Harrier, showing clearly five primary tips and a longer winged and heavier proportioned appearance.
 
(Photo 24 – Hen Harrier – Northdale) – (Note the distinctive wing shape – longer winged & heavier appearance. Wing “Hand” showing 5 primary fingers. Compare with photos of Pallid Harrier.)
 
More landscapes of Unst – (Photos 25 – Early evening Northdale; 26 – Norwick; 27 – Baltersound;  28 – Westing)
 
Shetland has a very beautiful sub-species of Bumble Bee – Bombus muscorum agricolae (Photo 29 – Bombus muscorum agricolae)
 
(Photos 30 & 31 – Herring Gull – Uyeasound: Photo32 – Common Gull – Norwick: Photo33 – Shetland Starling – Sturnus vulgaris zetlandicus – Northdale: Photo34 – Barred Warbler – Norwick: 
 
Photo35 – Red-backed Shrike – Haroldswick)
 
1st October – Arrived back in Aberdeen around 0700hrs. Headed for the Ythan Estuary looking for a Semipalmated Sandpiper. No luck with SemiP but we, along with 2 local birders, discovered a juvenile Pallid Harrier circling over the Forvie Reserve being mobbed by 2 corvids. Instant excitement as this was a first record for Aberdeenshire. What an end to a great week on SHETLAND.
 
My thanks go to Richard James & Will Soar for their company during the week and to Martin Garner for the discovery of the Asian Lesser Whitethroat. Also to the local Shetland Birders who were very helpful in providing us with news during the week.
 
Year List has moved on to 244.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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