tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243852412303488742024-03-29T14:09:47.611+00:00 Not Quite ScillyGavin Haighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17242398421328525578noreply@blogger.comBlogger790125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-824385241230348874.post-58542759956256920452024-03-27T17:41:00.002+00:002024-03-27T23:43:35.958+00:00The Problem with Self-Found Listing<p>
I have a love/hate relationship with 'self-found' listing. There is an
appealing purity to the idea of keeping a list of birds which are all your own
work, so to speak, but for me that idea is notional at best. There are a
thousand reasons why I struggle with the whole concept of self-found, and here
are a few of them...
</p>
<p>
First, the term itself. I mean, self-found has more than a whiff of tautology
about it, surely? Why not simply keep a list of your finds and call it a Finds
List? Why add the 'self' bit? After all, who else's birds would you include in
your finds list? The term 'self-found' conveys a teeny bit too much 'Look! I
found that bird! Aren't I clever!' for my liking, and doesn't sit comfortably.
</p>
<p>
Right, that's my Pedants Corner soap-box issue dealt with. So let's get on
with the practical problems of keeping a self-found list.
</p>
<p>
Over the years I have noticed that the main concern of birders interested in
keeping a self-found list is this: what exactly can you count?
</p>
<p>
This is such a burning issue that a whole set of rules was once compiled to
address it. It must be almost 20 years ago that the fabled Punkbirders
published their self-found rules, to wide acceptance at the time I think. If -
like I did just prior to writing this - you google 'punkbirder self-found
rules', you will be disappointed. There is no active link, and I suspect the
old website may be defunct. However, there is a ton of other stuff on
self-found. Hampshire Ornithological Society has its own self-found rules, three-and-a-half pages of them. Various scenarios are dealt with, illustrating
what you can and cannot count as self-found. The writer points out that it is
just a bit of fun and acknowledges that some birders will choose to be
stricter with themselves, or more lenient. And this is one reason I struggle,
because when it comes to rare and scarce birds I simply know if I found it or
not, and a load of rules (to bend or not bend) are superfluous.
</p>
<p>
For example, if I am birding in company and someone else claps eyes on the <b>Calandra Lark</b> three seconds before me, then I didn't find it, did
I? Or, suppose I walk up to someone peering at what they think is a male
<b>Pied Flycatcher</b>, and I happen to realise that it is actually a
<b>Collared Flycatcher</b>, well, I didn't find that either. Of course, chance
would be a fine thing, but honestly, how could I in good conscience add either
bird to my self-found list? Yet the rules allow both.<br />
</p>
<p>
And then we have the grey area of scarce breeders and winter visitors, where
the rules state that your bird must be well away from known sites in order to
count as self-found. <i>How </i>well away? I have no idea.
<b>Rock Dove</b> must be tricky to self-find. And I do struggle with the
notion of self-finding common birds. 'Yep, I managed to add <b>Coal Tit</b> to
my self-found year list today', said nobody, ever, puffing out their chest a little. I suppose these birds just
have to go on the list in order to inflate it as much as possible, so that
when you compare your list to someone else's...
</p>
<p>
And it is here that I completely lose interest. The whole idea of competitive
self-found listing seems pointless to me, no matter how much 'just for fun' it
is claimed to be. With all sorts of rules being applied - or not applied - at
the whim of each individual, how can any comparison be valid? <br />
</p>
<p>
Still, I am well aware that some birders consider their self-found list to be
a sacred document, and totally get that.</p>
<p></p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcQzD48lZqlAMvUcA-Ydku1GJ5tm1Z_eKwfW2D7DHYdXg5YDiZXrTljzBuI1Lr3fuapOm7jaQ0oAEqkfQZxS8Og7mYRCOZVYhYOa0P_nxRqzTIFrtr7uvVTXuAALXHcVKXAeoNp3gyJbXraM-cBBItUd4VWjOAjGGGWvgGu4Yw27Yst5N3jPi7dch0Idk/s1024/DSCN3268.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="611" data-original-width="1024" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcQzD48lZqlAMvUcA-Ydku1GJ5tm1Z_eKwfW2D7DHYdXg5YDiZXrTljzBuI1Lr3fuapOm7jaQ0oAEqkfQZxS8Og7mYRCOZVYhYOa0P_nxRqzTIFrtr7uvVTXuAALXHcVKXAeoNp3gyJbXraM-cBBItUd4VWjOAjGGGWvgGu4Yw27Yst5N3jPi7dch0Idk/w640-h382/DSCN3268.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Stone-curlew</b> at Cogden, definitely on the finds list that I don't
keep.<br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br /><p>Obviously, the main reason for my stance on self-found listing is so
that no-one ever asks me what my self-found list is.<br />
</p>
Gavin Haighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17242398421328525578noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-824385241230348874.post-38675260902945886912024-03-26T20:54:00.000+00:002024-03-26T20:54:13.609+00:00Avalon Awayday<p>
Yesterday we enjoyed a guided tour of Somerset's Avalon Marshes, courtesy of
friends who live in the area. It is hard to believe that this collection of
reserves is mostly less than 30 years old. What was once an industrial
wasteland of peat extraction is now home to a ridiculous number of quality
marshland birds. A quick photographic summary of the day's highlights...
</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrvxMJtyGz6yx5RjT9Okjz8MqexrCHPehBHd_eBnef7UWS09R-1BZQ-V49N787NxIFaC5SINezaEsXC1u0j7F5ktxcdTbe8v_9NJagqkBI_781VHtMSBmZimilx94kM6JDNrU8toru3JU4qgWtrHmQNvBwTaSSnt6MmBc2XKv05guTGFttyeOqegR3_20/s1001/DSCN6035.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="753" data-original-width="1001" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrvxMJtyGz6yx5RjT9Okjz8MqexrCHPehBHd_eBnef7UWS09R-1BZQ-V49N787NxIFaC5SINezaEsXC1u0j7F5ktxcdTbe8v_9NJagqkBI_781VHtMSBmZimilx94kM6JDNrU8toru3JU4qgWtrHmQNvBwTaSSnt6MmBc2XKv05guTGFttyeOqegR3_20/w640-h482/DSCN6035.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Great White Egrets</b> are a common sight on the Avalon Marshes. This
one has the black bill of a breeding-plumaged adult.<br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJhdu6IqyjJ2Jw5nIcCKsfGtBq51KfcpB50m3IiTqWVDvjdbHhxLFizUa4nCRhWYy7NpB1OS0DzmgRM7BmHwpi09RABKSWz-YXgSKtkP4z99HE-YaSPWOQ9pEGTPj23sY2puYl-rLUEZWlKWiLa7zNuNODYKDx7f5BwyMTN5_N-hqJ3BPpcmYwX3R8nOg/s1024/DSCN6049.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="767" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJhdu6IqyjJ2Jw5nIcCKsfGtBq51KfcpB50m3IiTqWVDvjdbHhxLFizUa4nCRhWYy7NpB1OS0DzmgRM7BmHwpi09RABKSWz-YXgSKtkP4z99HE-YaSPWOQ9pEGTPj23sY2puYl-rLUEZWlKWiLa7zNuNODYKDx7f5BwyMTN5_N-hqJ3BPpcmYwX3R8nOg/w640-h480/DSCN6049.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Hen Harriers</b> are definitely <i>not </i>a common sight, especially
pristine males like this one. Its close pass was totally unexpected, and
I was way too slow with the camera. The first 'grey ghost' I have seen
for many years.<br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxwuL7_9m812kbunprBmVs4zrWyoiNiiHUsmwQYCNjjBAkwEASbgVo9hcA6l-Yrbb1KzIVy2iGa9_WYQL4a07s0MI0KsqmVsIHsiL_OMGgTa5MWkJXe_9V3zijK4dZP2iFex_jcogY1Fi4fCZUgWSpghlndhz_TEy9tFd0No9T5pybW_BONDlRL8IFAoo/s1024/DSCN6100.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="770" data-original-width="1024" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxwuL7_9m812kbunprBmVs4zrWyoiNiiHUsmwQYCNjjBAkwEASbgVo9hcA6l-Yrbb1KzIVy2iGa9_WYQL4a07s0MI0KsqmVsIHsiL_OMGgTa5MWkJXe_9V3zijK4dZP2iFex_jcogY1Fi4fCZUgWSpghlndhz_TEy9tFd0No9T5pybW_BONDlRL8IFAoo/w640-h482/DSCN6100.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
Two <b>Snipe</b>, probably resting up until nightfall.<br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxv_1rQvNmDxTlg3yUYTw3ly65FMfuVjxMnfoEGF38NhNlERYqLRTkoUEZc0-bM3IdDzkQaglNVlLWtNk1mC6deA22EyPZI2w_KKK5Tw76KIBfKNoFoVyBGH4UdaJDnU908Ga3zvmqueCQuYY1gpVgOhyxrg6mF_Ih7DIUX7fdCOP__DS4n8HYHbTPL_s/s1001/DSCN6109.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="752" data-original-width="1001" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxv_1rQvNmDxTlg3yUYTw3ly65FMfuVjxMnfoEGF38NhNlERYqLRTkoUEZc0-bM3IdDzkQaglNVlLWtNk1mC6deA22EyPZI2w_KKK5Tw76KIBfKNoFoVyBGH4UdaJDnU908Ga3zvmqueCQuYY1gpVgOhyxrg6mF_Ih7DIUX7fdCOP__DS4n8HYHbTPL_s/w640-h480/DSCN6109.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
Drake <b>Pintail</b>. Always a winner.<br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiHCqEmhzEhPVCh7ja07_9PCeNZVWLRBcI6gpp39Jry72CUpeoiCKku9SH518jpCvR3xYHAg_i17C1N94GkObyPJuejUCKOBabNGoo1rnEdcoBAvPLn8uJJP8nRowNKfVhjq_H8RBaGzMN58-9o9OA9-XTzjB9REKA74U0OPR4sAnbclbWjes3_1Qf-qA/s1024/DSCN6113.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="770" data-original-width="1024" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiHCqEmhzEhPVCh7ja07_9PCeNZVWLRBcI6gpp39Jry72CUpeoiCKku9SH518jpCvR3xYHAg_i17C1N94GkObyPJuejUCKOBabNGoo1rnEdcoBAvPLn8uJJP8nRowNKfVhjq_H8RBaGzMN58-9o9OA9-XTzjB9REKA74U0OPR4sAnbclbWjes3_1Qf-qA/w640-h482/DSCN6113.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Spotted Redshank</b> at Catcott Lows. Sheltering from the wind, it
was almost always partially hidden by tufts of sedge etc.<br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi72F9K0S5YLPcRCSMRzcExrNlC0q2de9O09N_jAWWW62hW0KmYWiTLqBLWA3TlNLLFaKRYYjIet0h1YVrpBOMCV-HrrGpJWvov65LCUL5ROTyQxHKuDutjQgqs9OTTWZub3_d6-MlOgMYUFKrCO0Tu_kDTveX3G_ohviGbbNCBwffTLaPFFtBCxNxHguU/s1024/DSCN6122.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="770" data-original-width="1024" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi72F9K0S5YLPcRCSMRzcExrNlC0q2de9O09N_jAWWW62hW0KmYWiTLqBLWA3TlNLLFaKRYYjIet0h1YVrpBOMCV-HrrGpJWvov65LCUL5ROTyQxHKuDutjQgqs9OTTWZub3_d6-MlOgMYUFKrCO0Tu_kDTveX3G_ohviGbbNCBwffTLaPFFtBCxNxHguU/w640-h482/DSCN6122.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Spotshank </b>is quite a scarce bird locally. Occasional on the Axe
Estuary and marshes, but I have yet to see one in West Dorset.<br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2EyovpETqjS2czw0iuh5F8PjrmxGlJ7XNu8Uvy6rRCbtJNTZ8V-LeoUZlRf3UtsxrVAuE3XZglTz9sfS9ZB3rgQWXGVdosUASyF1VaDON_z9Ec0Zdqa4TS0vCul8VkzmoNFIrKCj-uxjfxjEoRynFst5Zmgeh3u63QavIQr1t2bw_8hAVnXufx8na3cs/s1024/DSCN6129.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="770" data-original-width="1024" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2EyovpETqjS2czw0iuh5F8PjrmxGlJ7XNu8Uvy6rRCbtJNTZ8V-LeoUZlRf3UtsxrVAuE3XZglTz9sfS9ZB3rgQWXGVdosUASyF1VaDON_z9Ec0Zdqa4TS0vCul8VkzmoNFIrKCj-uxjfxjEoRynFst5Zmgeh3u63QavIQr1t2bw_8hAVnXufx8na3cs/w640-h482/DSCN6129.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Great White Egret</b>, sporting the more familiar yellow bill.<br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCuwc6Tqg335FevPoSv9iUQceLgOTsa8HHogOGXWgZcmvEKV79zIAciCT7R4QH4cVgV_krr6lcWXQzDiculZf3Qksu9GE0bvh06MM-UuJu8sJhDcDNkJ5UlRGDQqxh23u94WTOYF7ZhYR8Q5X4zjqQKqL2ermnWrYcJ3BJDKBBjWKPMpvj__DWIsukC6w/s1024/DSCN6132.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCuwc6Tqg335FevPoSv9iUQceLgOTsa8HHogOGXWgZcmvEKV79zIAciCT7R4QH4cVgV_krr6lcWXQzDiculZf3Qksu9GE0bvh06MM-UuJu8sJhDcDNkJ5UlRGDQqxh23u94WTOYF7ZhYR8Q5X4zjqQKqL2ermnWrYcJ3BJDKBBjWKPMpvj__DWIsukC6w/w640-h480/DSCN6132.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Marsh Hariers</b> were everywhere; frequently there would be more
than one on view at a time.<br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNXuJJUIzEeBAEWW4Qdtg0OAVlI3fhxMezbuVxJgC-Xww4PujKXBrWQ0YHl8u2cpVdPxtDpezhOxnYp9va2xGc3MRkGOBBzfbdZuDPeT5l6DW_I_cQhwwji5j8gNQX06iliMkfJ3xNYuGC6L-pzq__UPQM6C2J6w-X8TsgfEVLnnaQcTeUukxu8Pwcsaw/s1024/DSCN6167.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="770" data-original-width="1024" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNXuJJUIzEeBAEWW4Qdtg0OAVlI3fhxMezbuVxJgC-Xww4PujKXBrWQ0YHl8u2cpVdPxtDpezhOxnYp9va2xGc3MRkGOBBzfbdZuDPeT5l6DW_I_cQhwwji5j8gNQX06iliMkfJ3xNYuGC6L-pzq__UPQM6C2J6w-X8TsgfEVLnnaQcTeUukxu8Pwcsaw/w640-h482/DSCN6167.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
Another <b>Marsh Harrier</b>...<br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikShMvhd1g2XIhgh5-OtwHaWfEikMSOAK02gDw0ztfuTD29bF2QPQHY0aluVAnOhLs-K9wlc5eL7t-6l0CCsqVJHU23RyBmmvyk0ACbDUlFnDCsb2rEh6u_UYUQxZcvcGNXbJga46x-SMD4puBvPZPM1L5yEM8h2hrIM39ozNR1-akAeZXMc6nqNBK4hE/s1009/DSCN6180.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="759" data-original-width="1009" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikShMvhd1g2XIhgh5-OtwHaWfEikMSOAK02gDw0ztfuTD29bF2QPQHY0aluVAnOhLs-K9wlc5eL7t-6l0CCsqVJHU23RyBmmvyk0ACbDUlFnDCsb2rEh6u_UYUQxZcvcGNXbJga46x-SMD4puBvPZPM1L5yEM8h2hrIM39ozNR1-akAeZXMc6nqNBK4hE/w640-h482/DSCN6180.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
...and <b>Marsh Harrier</b> again, a 2nd-summer male I think.<br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhufDIDaVKgmpmV22lzT2sVGv9JfY-nslguWUMB2nvvy_W1koGjQ-5IOGtS-Fqo87WoPs1vhYc502T4DzMZzFev5kpbeVBqROXt6QUIBmBNz8Jln54DbckfIUlm348Ky3PXSjYbASdS2iyrB_i_YiPvgLWvh0JDW3a8t-TBCQ8GR9gPlO9SxGoZPogpKGw/s1013/DSCN6187.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="762" data-original-width="1013" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhufDIDaVKgmpmV22lzT2sVGv9JfY-nslguWUMB2nvvy_W1koGjQ-5IOGtS-Fqo87WoPs1vhYc502T4DzMZzFev5kpbeVBqROXt6QUIBmBNz8Jln54DbckfIUlm348Ky3PXSjYbASdS2iyrB_i_YiPvgLWvh0JDW3a8t-TBCQ8GR9gPlO9SxGoZPogpKGw/w640-h482/DSCN6187.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
This pair of <b>Ring-necked Ducks</b> was accompanied by two other
females. Haven't seen many of these locally either. Well, none
actually.<br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<p>
We had a great day out. The accompanying soundtrack of booming
<b>Bittern </b>was a regular reminder that we were somewhere special. At one
point, a tight flock of 50+ <b>Cattle Egrets</b> whisked distantly past like a tattered sheet
in the wind. Totally surreal!
</p>
<p>
Back to reality today, and a local lunchtime walk. A couple of West Dorset
<b>buntings</b>...
</p>
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<tbody>
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<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTrKPHYCxix2F7BkePj_Iw9pGTSOdCf254qqMYyA643b_iFxmOtyV-8IbmbXOY9C9U-dNvCGGBan8EqFV1vdadVtGcxip_HvdYk9gndosI022uN6k8ABENVj18N2-VlQBd7P5au4E5pcJCP-fqhPmziUDXg6-2l6pk2LJIKmpa3nvwM3A8zvdbaBvTKLU/s1024/DSCN6218-001.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="770" data-original-width="1024" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTrKPHYCxix2F7BkePj_Iw9pGTSOdCf254qqMYyA643b_iFxmOtyV-8IbmbXOY9C9U-dNvCGGBan8EqFV1vdadVtGcxip_HvdYk9gndosI022uN6k8ABENVj18N2-VlQBd7P5au4E5pcJCP-fqhPmziUDXg6-2l6pk2LJIKmpa3nvwM3A8zvdbaBvTKLU/w640-h482/DSCN6218-001.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
Lovely male <b>Yellowhammer</b>.<br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
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<tbody>
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<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgyR9dTGkYh5aZeBD1hG-vSIf8qSHeiM-NUMa5unIW9MlfwmQuqOLuFvH_eqwBCLU9amRrxwHCUdcGPIJZHTINIqZ5yFbJWiGSuFVAuzZy16avZoBFx24WmlG5BKpC9VytPhg7A-zyiGxnLhSd8NdO3kXAsjJ__jPevKT8siFk9FDQ2ojALy0bMqW6Yrc/s1024/DSCN6305.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="771" data-original-width="1024" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgyR9dTGkYh5aZeBD1hG-vSIf8qSHeiM-NUMa5unIW9MlfwmQuqOLuFvH_eqwBCLU9amRrxwHCUdcGPIJZHTINIqZ5yFbJWiGSuFVAuzZy16avZoBFx24WmlG5BKpC9VytPhg7A-zyiGxnLhSd8NdO3kXAsjJ__jPevKT8siFk9FDQ2ojALy0bMqW6Yrc/w640-h482/DSCN6305.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
Female <b>Cirl Bunting</b>, showing rump nicely.<br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<p>In order to separate female <b>Cirl Bunting</b> from female <b>Yellowhammer</b>, field guides helpfully point out that you should be looking for an olive-grey rump. In the photo above, the bird certainly has an olive-grey rump, but it clearly has warm, chestnut upper tail coverts too. I've only checked two field guides (the ubiquitous and excellent <b><i>Collins</i></b> <b><i>Guide</i></b>, plus the oldie-but-goodie <b><i>MacMillan Field Guide to Bird Identification</i></b>) but the <b>Cirl Bunting</b> illustrations in both depict a totally olive-grey area from tail to lower back, including the upper tail coverts. When a birder relatively unfamiliar with the species (like I was a couple of years ago) comes across a putative female <b>Cirl</b>, I guess it might be a bit discouraging to see a bunch of chestnut feathers where the <b><i>Collins Guide</i></b> is telling you there shouldn't be any. All I can say is: don't be put off.</p><p>Finally, there were three <b>Wheatears</b>. So of course there's a photo...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS3LsaPd6nQRcY_0hslVcCb64iF1Xnj19G8hr_LLkjoOpRZZwyNYcP1beQ3BGHdsbyDWWIxwmsJpeRyQQJxMSMgvUbjgn0cZG6mwgdipK9zeDZxAEsqMfoTpGO3Kwy1Lo3Oc2NTTk4967g9R55iw9XbAtvQCdoVogYpMHu4ecTXpPTSimO5vHxie5JhYw/s1024/DSCN6227.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="770" data-original-width="1024" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS3LsaPd6nQRcY_0hslVcCb64iF1Xnj19G8hr_LLkjoOpRZZwyNYcP1beQ3BGHdsbyDWWIxwmsJpeRyQQJxMSMgvUbjgn0cZG6mwgdipK9zeDZxAEsqMfoTpGO3Kwy1Lo3Oc2NTTk4967g9R55iw9XbAtvQCdoVogYpMHu4ecTXpPTSimO5vHxie5JhYw/w640-h482/DSCN6227.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Gavin Haighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17242398421328525578noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-824385241230348874.post-44046174640320275292024-03-21T23:17:00.003+00:002024-03-23T17:20:10.582+00:00Kick-Off<p>Locally, nothing quite says spring like a <b>Wheatear </b>on the beach, preferably in the first half of March and not too long after sunrise. And nothing quite says idle slacker like waiting until March 20th to make your first effort, and turning up at 2pm. Yep, it's taken a while to get my birding act in gear, but finally I made it to Cogden yesterday afternoon to hunt <b>Wheatears</b>. And amazingly I found three. No, of course they weren't still on the beach...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAaRpbSYmoRp62YwMdbT_RmmLNpM9fUiLDI2syfW66zxrPHQl0mqoKmUWaKIecY-jNO89fMqwO1W6LN47R2UmazyEgQtrZ2xIEERJ6DFP_YK6VYFzLCkexcHbi7NrlaCArnpNEisvOUev9CROw98F6DM8zhs0eYCW_JSNNkXYa1KeKR1YmJdqJrLDLJBM/s1024/DSCN5946.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAaRpbSYmoRp62YwMdbT_RmmLNpM9fUiLDI2syfW66zxrPHQl0mqoKmUWaKIecY-jNO89fMqwO1W6LN47R2UmazyEgQtrZ2xIEERJ6DFP_YK6VYFzLCkexcHbi7NrlaCArnpNEisvOUev9CROw98F6DM8zhs0eYCW_JSNNkXYa1KeKR1YmJdqJrLDLJBM/w640-h480/DSCN5946.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4OaprmfW_MMJjkAp3KMJPEjPX5JlY4IfpIJuZshEeDjbIYbmHWll2nkD6AcdtyFk164xrN628zp_J6FQb_m1H2_kIMxh5wphqLrkYGyaYrxLzM0C7MrJDBFUaFHYKQFimcXbJvwE5Fj6ArxGw3LtIARAkqNf8tjI5vRM-tgNoC9xeVyWccIhgNVp0isI/s1024/DSCN5981.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="771" data-original-width="1024" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4OaprmfW_MMJjkAp3KMJPEjPX5JlY4IfpIJuZshEeDjbIYbmHWll2nkD6AcdtyFk164xrN628zp_J6FQb_m1H2_kIMxh5wphqLrkYGyaYrxLzM0C7MrJDBFUaFHYKQFimcXbJvwE5Fj6ArxGw3LtIARAkqNf8tjI5vRM-tgNoC9xeVyWccIhgNVp0isI/w640-h482/DSCN5981.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3YjPeuI-BRaAJLe1qi77-BFd63bv-4_bahQ1xpGBkJrFLZyzkJJbGXBa_7sapQgHZwKtFv1VWtRruRQpj4bLzbq0_6EPg2eVnqluayZySvDncgpxFrMgQo7ZGPAVjOG8qlhK3MovJB1uZyK1tSfHR9S_fs310I1PZchH3GMIs2wY4m4b91wSQs0Pymh8/s1024/DSCN5998.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="770" data-original-width="1024" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3YjPeuI-BRaAJLe1qi77-BFd63bv-4_bahQ1xpGBkJrFLZyzkJJbGXBa_7sapQgHZwKtFv1VWtRruRQpj4bLzbq0_6EPg2eVnqluayZySvDncgpxFrMgQo7ZGPAVjOG8qlhK3MovJB1uZyK1tSfHR9S_fs310I1PZchH3GMIs2wY4m4b91wSQs0Pymh8/w640-h482/DSCN5998.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>It was a calm, grey afternoon, and the rather listless mood was deepened by some woefully half-hearted <b>Chiffchaff</b> song. Deceitful flotsam littered the shimmery sea, most of it lifting momentarily into view at the corner of your eye and looking exactly like a scarce grebe. I walked miles and miles without seeing a single proper bird offshore. Drossy gulls don't count.</p><p>The <b>Wheatears </b>were good though. As they always are.<br /></p>Gavin Haighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17242398421328525578noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-824385241230348874.post-82302796515255024232024-03-19T17:06:00.000+00:002024-03-19T17:06:26.559+00:00Bluesky Social<p>It is now seven months since I ditched X (formerly known as Twitter), which is more than enough time to ponder the pros and cons of such a move. Almost the only aspects I miss relate to bird and moth news/information, and admittedly I do feel rather out of the loop in that regard. Still, I was coping okay. And then the other day I noticed that a couple of tweet-like links on the Portland Bird Observatory blog were not actually tweets - in fact they were nothing to do with Twitter/X at all - and soon found myself investigating something called Bluesky Social.</p><p>Bluesky Social looks rather like the Twitter I remember, and appears to work in similar fashion. Several of the birdy contacts I once followed on Twitter now feature on Bluesky, which was enough to get me dipping a toe at least...</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTUaCgLcSq14zfO9MXV1AzXPtc_kHujkH9y4jXDteZGT2EpfFSeG-rXg5qEMOOwiVhxeYfrufWGpL805HwVk3_gVnBK3hRjQBaO0sxee3gY27wRttiOrwHEFq_DiaB0BLDAwDwaOINQSZ3n0bgxLXQyrYhgv7XUeVyGS8gkCkWtQgNhClHqyIg87LM5Yw/s939/Screenshot%202024-03-19%20at%2015-55-39%20Bluesky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="772" data-original-width="939" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTUaCgLcSq14zfO9MXV1AzXPtc_kHujkH9y4jXDteZGT2EpfFSeG-rXg5qEMOOwiVhxeYfrufWGpL805HwVk3_gVnBK3hRjQBaO0sxee3gY27wRttiOrwHEFq_DiaB0BLDAwDwaOINQSZ3n0bgxLXQyrYhgv7XUeVyGS8gkCkWtQgNhClHqyIg87LM5Yw/w640-h526/Screenshot%202024-03-19%20at%2015-55-39%20Bluesky.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So this is me on Bluesky Social<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Setting up my Bluesky profile was fun, especially choosing photos for the banner and avatar. Soon I was reminiscing about my almost nine years in West Dorset, and reliving some of the natural history highlights. It has been something of a blast really, with many top-class birds - and not a few moths - but one of the events with which I am most pleased is undoubtedly the accidental discovery of West Bexington's little colony of <b>Tree Crickets</b>. Hence my Bluesky avatar.</p><p>First impressions of Bluesky suggest that it is advert-free. It can't last, but yippee while it does. Also, the few birders I have thus far connected with seem largely to post snippets of news and information, links to new blog posts, etc. Great. I will do likewise.</p><p>I have no idea whether the birders I have found on Bluesky have likewise ditched Twitter/X, or are simply doubling up while they test the new waters. Back in 2022 I tried a social media platform called Mastodon, as did several other Twitter users. I found it awkward and clunky, and closed my account ages ago. Perhaps Bluesky will go the same way. We'll see. But in the meantime, find me here: <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/notquitescilly.bsky.social">https://bsky.app/profile/notquitescilly.bsky.social</a><br /></p>Gavin Haighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17242398421328525578noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-824385241230348874.post-40486506411941307112024-02-25T20:35:00.029+00:002024-03-20T12:49:33.439+00:00An Evening Out<p>
I can rarely be bothered to attend birding-related 'events', so Friday evening
was rather out of character. However, the title -
<b><i>In Conversation with Magnus Robb and Killian Mullarney</i></b> - was
hard to resist. And as the venue was just down the road, at Wareham in Dorset,
well...
</p>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_jDAcrDIA58m6xRLiaD90R9JGnOrhfyOD4J5KNPEhfC-YZnQHOL100Kc9unQUFOK689NFie-g1KjBUA4Jv8OfMb66qOq0EYrBsVEPoPvNHRulOA_z7Dhods1GFpjrzRhSRAnJ_x12mzMMKSxK8qFjmYqGq-4VY5BzyA3m54t2vu5z7xF4ftR819nhiCg/s1024/PXL_20240223_182328235.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_jDAcrDIA58m6xRLiaD90R9JGnOrhfyOD4J5KNPEhfC-YZnQHOL100Kc9unQUFOK689NFie-g1KjBUA4Jv8OfMb66qOq0EYrBsVEPoPvNHRulOA_z7Dhods1GFpjrzRhSRAnJ_x12mzMMKSxK8qFjmYqGq-4VY5BzyA3m54t2vu5z7xF4ftR819nhiCg/w640-h480/PXL_20240223_182328235.jpg" width="640" /></a>
</td>
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<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
L to R: Lucy McRobert, Magnus Robb, Mark Constantine, Killian Mullarney;
in the foreground, rear views of Paul Morton and René Pop.<br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
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<br />
<p>
It was basically a showcase of some of the work carried out by the
<a href="https://soundapproach.co.uk/about/" target="_blank">Sound Approach</a>
team, and 'in conversation' aptly describes the evening's vibe. Just in case
you don't know, a brief sketch of the main protagonists...
</p>
<p>
<b>Magnus Robb</b> is a bird sound-recording nutter who conveys his passion
with infectious enthusiasm. In 2007 he responded to an email from me about a
suspected <b>Iberian Chiffchaff</b> discovered by Steve on Beer Head. I had
attached a handful of sound clips extracted from a video that Karen Woolley
made, and Magnus helpfully confirmed the ID for us, at the same time
introducing me to the term 'plastic song'. He lives in Portugal, and for some
reason I had always assumed he was Dutch or Scandinavian or something, so the
Scottish accent was a bit of a surprise. Among other roles, he looks after the
ever-growing Sound Approach library of recordings.
</p>
<p>
<b>Killian Mullarney</b> is one of my bird-illustrator heroes. I first
encountered his work 40 years ago in a seminal BB paper about the
identification of <b>stints </b>and '<b>peeps</b>' by himself and Peter Grant.
The plate of <b>Black-tailed Godwits</b> in the photo above (from the upcoming
Sound Approach book on waders) is an example of his astonishing skill, though
anyone who owns a copy of the <b><i>Collins Bird Guide</i></b> will already be
familiar with it.
</p>
<p>
<b>Mark Constantine</b> is a keen Dorset birder, based in Poole. He is also a
founder of Lush Cosmetics and, along with Arnoud van den Berg and René Pop
(co-founders in 1979 of the <b><i>Dutch Birding Association</i></b>, and both present in the audience), founder of The Sound Approach. His
fascination with bird sounds (along with the ability to facilitate expeditions
and research) has resulted in a lot of new knowledge in this area.
</p>
<p>
I took a few photos through the evening, but they're a bit samey. Still, one
or two are worth a look, if only for the screen in the background...
</p>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMr78V3d31MaG0TJ2hs60Oiti5NAmSA0ggu_cjVz0nWL74U45qdCBIVr2vFR8XQ06fZmnVXgNAS3rJp2l8qyEVpNR2EkwHPWAg9oCq2na-nSYw7emaEOH5vAGxTyIrsqhiUQIpkKJRo0upptSB2DZkoJeLI0u8aIED5Cw9uj9uBz1bGpVkcHv_o0zaAwc/s1024/PXL_20240223_184622069.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMr78V3d31MaG0TJ2hs60Oiti5NAmSA0ggu_cjVz0nWL74U45qdCBIVr2vFR8XQ06fZmnVXgNAS3rJp2l8qyEVpNR2EkwHPWAg9oCq2na-nSYw7emaEOH5vAGxTyIrsqhiUQIpkKJRo0upptSB2DZkoJeLI0u8aIED5Cw9uj9uBz1bGpVkcHv_o0zaAwc/w640-h480/PXL_20240223_184622069.jpg" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
Magnus telling us about a close encounter with <b>Little Curlews</b>, or
<b>Little Whimbrels</b> if you're stuck in the past like me.<br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
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<tbody>
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<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBx6GgO7o-ZVTHGuR1E4covluwBSLoweVHH7qAnN3ONARvmYdhebaF3wBw2ta08hsYA0vWpS0HrpPYObd7neHrWVH2AS_nzIYjpPMegqqNnLaC7g9yC14Zrv1VmOWkGMzG2ohVUKc9YQ6hax8veBEOt__tGfIJRUQ-KnH-hLFKEwblDYcYNqJIzMEcJsk/s1024/PXL_20240223_184319368.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="770" data-original-width="1024" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBx6GgO7o-ZVTHGuR1E4covluwBSLoweVHH7qAnN3ONARvmYdhebaF3wBw2ta08hsYA0vWpS0HrpPYObd7neHrWVH2AS_nzIYjpPMegqqNnLaC7g9yC14Zrv1VmOWkGMzG2ohVUKc9YQ6hax8veBEOt__tGfIJRUQ-KnH-hLFKEwblDYcYNqJIzMEcJsk/w640-h482/PXL_20240223_184319368.jpg" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
Killian inadvertantly imitating a <b>Little Curlew</b> in flight, as
depicted on the screen. His tale involved mucking up a golden
opportunity to capture the bird's song by forgetting to switch on the
recorder. I could empathise.<br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>
<p>
Those two <b>Little Curlew</b> stories took place in Australia and Outer
Mongolia respectively, and one aspect which came through strongly during the
evening was the profligate consumption of aviation fuel involved in the Sound
Approach endeavours. And once again I found myself at odds with how some of
the 'birding community' goes about things. Sigh...
</p>
<p>So yes, a fascinating evening - very much so - but...</p>
<p>
Anyway, a nice bonus was meeting David Darrell-Lambert, who plonked down next
to me. Though a lot younger than me I was aware of his name from my London
birding days, and more recently from Twitter. And through him I met Nick
Hopper, a Wareham-based nocmig enthusiast. Again, a name I was familiar with,
Nick has been at it since 2011. He has three <b>Ortolans </b>to his credit,
one of which occurred while he was listening live. Not envious at all, I
gripped him off with my <b>Night Heron</b> and two <b>Stone-curlews</b>. I
thoroughly enjoyed chatting with Nick after the event. Like me, he gets pretty
excited about the amazing discoveries you make through nocmig recording, and
cannot understand why so many birders just don't seem to get it. I've heard
the criticism a number of times: 'You don't actually hear the birds as they
call; it's all done from analysing a recording the next morning, or the next
week, which means you can't count them, can you? So what's the point?' Nick
and I were very much in agreement on <i>exactly </i>what the point is. Ah
well, their loss.
</p>
<p>
Mind you, it was evident that Mark Constantine isn't particularly enthusiastic
about the idea of analysing nocmig recordings. Listening live, yes, that's
okay, and he was clearly delighted to share the story (and play the recording)
of his May 2020 <b>Night Heron</b>, the first record for Poole Harbour in 30
years. Mine was coincidentally a month later. Like Mark, initially I didn't
know what it was (he identified his bird as <b>Grey Heron</b>, and Magnus put
him right) but I'll bet my surprise and pleasure at discovering my bird's true
identity was no less intense than his had been. Anyway, Mark's opinions in
this area mean that the
<a href="https://soundapproach.co.uk/the-sound-approach-guide-to-nocturnal-flight-calls/" target="_blank">nocmig section</a>
of the Sound Approach website - brilliant though it is - is not so much of a
priority for him and hasn't been updated for a while. And, as in any company,
I guess what the boss says, goes. Which maybe gives an insight into how the
level of effort made in new areas of learning and discovery could easily be
subject to the whims of a few wealthy and influential individuals.
Possibly.<br />
</p>
<p>Talking of nocmig reminds me...
<br /></p>
<p>
Seán Ronayne is an Irish birder who got into sound recording during the first
COVID-19 lockdown in April 2020, like I did. However, he has taken it to
another level. Among other things, his nocmig discoveries are simply
fascinating. One example involves <b>Yellow Wagtail</b>, a scarce migrant in
the Republic of Ireland, with normally around 20-30 records a year. Seán's
nocmig tally of 70-odd (crack-of-dawn birds) in an autumn was therefore
something of a revelation. And did you know how much mimicry there is in a
<b>Whitethroat</b>'s song, and what that can tell you about its migratory
route? No, me neither. I heartily recommend his 'Wild Mind' talk, on YouTube
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57vNEMgv1-s" target="_blank">HERE</a>. It's not only about nocmig, and seeing a young birder get really
enthusiastic about his topic is just 100% feelgood. So what are you waiting
for?<br />
</p>
Gavin Haighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17242398421328525578noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-824385241230348874.post-21249014481158900852024-02-15T16:13:00.004+00:002024-02-15T17:19:32.713+00:00Winter Sunshine<p>
Winter sunshine is like an early sniff of spring; it's good for the soul and
stirs the blood. I wasn't expecting any today, but when it happened I was out
like a shot. Cogden called, for the second time this week. The first was
uneventful - and dankly grey, and windy, and thick with salt spray - but not so
this morning...
</p>
<p>
I hadn't explored the inland parts of Cogden since last autumn, but gave it a
try today. Very, very squidgy. The ground is sodden, and I wasn't surprised to
flush a <b>Snipe </b>from one of the meadows. Otherwise just a few
<b>Meadow Pipits</b> and the odd <b>Stonechat</b>, but overlaid with an
evocative backing track of surf-on-shingle and singing <b>Skylark</b>. Nice.
</p>
<p>
Then I arrived at the spot where I encountered two <b>Firecrests </b>last
October. And, what do you know? Two <b>Firecrests</b>...
</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Ikp6zU_0kYnm8dmdnJlS4k6a8cf6mqzPT_J1hhcBCPHLYxkS7s66aWPXthwUnpwYYoE3GzcrjPcUq25oY4AX_Uu0aq6oNGUIF7RuWyHlO64q0nDLnOpFgnIojGDwLMxnZ-D6GQuWXEGmN5qoSK7f74f02RSsmAg6WtkOYAz9d9YY2dzLZ5uyLfnpE6Q/s1024/DSCN5827.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="770" data-original-width="1024" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Ikp6zU_0kYnm8dmdnJlS4k6a8cf6mqzPT_J1hhcBCPHLYxkS7s66aWPXthwUnpwYYoE3GzcrjPcUq25oY4AX_Uu0aq6oNGUIF7RuWyHlO64q0nDLnOpFgnIojGDwLMxnZ-D6GQuWXEGmN5qoSK7f74f02RSsmAg6WtkOYAz9d9YY2dzLZ5uyLfnpE6Q/w640-h482/DSCN5827.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
Initial view of <b>Firecrest </b>#1. A very nice surprise.
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHOfIQvfexy19eAjeveGgVkxpDveql3_y1fLoPLO3R8En_l3puR5-5BDRgB9QOXAYC8YVZN6AeSM0-13qLvC_S5H9dPL0mnK85sUzQyvRps1sOKz95Y7zjCMy_IaIcurRw3bCWnhNRQ-SGAWorT7rN0iFqy54Sdsd5JznLPx8yc4ZQLp6QhzHpouZHcus/s1024/DSCN5837.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="1024" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHOfIQvfexy19eAjeveGgVkxpDveql3_y1fLoPLO3R8En_l3puR5-5BDRgB9QOXAYC8YVZN6AeSM0-13qLvC_S5H9dPL0mnK85sUzQyvRps1sOKz95Y7zjCMy_IaIcurRw3bCWnhNRQ-SGAWorT7rN0iFqy54Sdsd5JznLPx8yc4ZQLp6QhzHpouZHcus/w640-h478/DSCN5837.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
The same bird. <b>Firecrest </b>#2 was nothing like as obliging.
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5jNYWyHB_fwwJhtsS3O6ClebD5NEq0c70ED9FSlSnR29wZU6d6SfYLpnmaE4YIooWrqlPsiWLZrhyphenhyphenAvLGXqS-5MFaM43WQb1nfknwFBEXANeOjDNfMZoTb0xJHFzfKDKzG3BB2tM-LjLPM8qx_dKKa7wvgaDM-24eRhbzw4IMvem6cxLmO_uGyals8JE/s1024/DSCN5847.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="771" data-original-width="1024" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5jNYWyHB_fwwJhtsS3O6ClebD5NEq0c70ED9FSlSnR29wZU6d6SfYLpnmaE4YIooWrqlPsiWLZrhyphenhyphenAvLGXqS-5MFaM43WQb1nfknwFBEXANeOjDNfMZoTb0xJHFzfKDKzG3BB2tM-LjLPM8qx_dKKa7wvgaDM-24eRhbzw4IMvem6cxLmO_uGyals8JE/w640-h482/DSCN5847.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</div>
<br />
<p>
I wonder if they were the same two birds I saw last year. Quite a coincidence
if not. Anyway, I pressed on down towards the sea, serenaded all the way...
</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRI-aGejKrsu5F5xdcIbO4h7vYvGzUy1CNu0PRgWbSi4w2TF1yS8cH32o7kAP_gDr9bDRj5sCGMJoWc2Qiwi1tTVK7dpbUsUPZUDAtpRA0vSr5HYweAqa8L7cEOVTU8m0TZ1owol9Z8KJt1C3qCYhSTzbMLLze5p1kDe4AiEEmyEdAYjH5JA7lzXPX91Q/s1024/DSCN5872.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="767" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRI-aGejKrsu5F5xdcIbO4h7vYvGzUy1CNu0PRgWbSi4w2TF1yS8cH32o7kAP_gDr9bDRj5sCGMJoWc2Qiwi1tTVK7dpbUsUPZUDAtpRA0vSr5HYweAqa8L7cEOVTU8m0TZ1owol9Z8KJt1C3qCYhSTzbMLLze5p1kDe4AiEEmyEdAYjH5JA7lzXPX91Q/w640-h480/DSCN5872.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
A rubbish pic, I know, but I can almost hear that uplifting voice.
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<p>
Thanks to a helpful heads-up from Mike Morse, I was aware that <b>Cirl Bunting</b>
was on the cards. There had been none on my previous visit, but I had left it
much too late in the day. Today's timing was a lot better...
</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivvi7fsKhH0GnbetNOI_HqId9wYFlSHGyHj7j8DTRP5dwqiEQcO80lNuCqnrYER0L2gSWZPt9vN7HMGvFPpPLaEWMV2GthqJnAL_NFdeFMgAfeQg0syCk0Lt82HhlDA2FDPMV01Q54uUNv4nDf0Qc7S5UieJVqsGgP1eMPNtAmHo3rmSkfwgDR3A-vrGU/s1024/DSCN5895.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="771" data-original-width="1024" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivvi7fsKhH0GnbetNOI_HqId9wYFlSHGyHj7j8DTRP5dwqiEQcO80lNuCqnrYER0L2gSWZPt9vN7HMGvFPpPLaEWMV2GthqJnAL_NFdeFMgAfeQg0syCk0Lt82HhlDA2FDPMV01Q54uUNv4nDf0Qc7S5UieJVqsGgP1eMPNtAmHo3rmSkfwgDR3A-vrGU/w640-h482/DSCN5895.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
Hard to believe that this has become almost an expected happening in
recent times. A male Dorset <b>Cirl Bunting</b>, with female tucked away
top right.
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSQvKtKKuyXKD-cbmJCHfg5-Dd5L9NAKlFvltZVr8gYaJ1-vHaK2qTwuRrBhnts85u4sODLy01QT5xo5LUVj1pCuc0G-ZAetZIXWWArkIVjC9oce8I1KLxx7tAEgOC9FVwwHIJSfGx8yaI9cuqGV3uLOMF5mFgnNMsLaRzjHiR-pV6iAf4iRzMnDrORc8/s1024/DSCN5901.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="771" data-original-width="1024" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSQvKtKKuyXKD-cbmJCHfg5-Dd5L9NAKlFvltZVr8gYaJ1-vHaK2qTwuRrBhnts85u4sODLy01QT5xo5LUVj1pCuc0G-ZAetZIXWWArkIVjC9oce8I1KLxx7tAEgOC9FVwwHIJSfGx8yaI9cuqGV3uLOMF5mFgnNMsLaRzjHiR-pV6iAf4iRzMnDrORc8/w640-h482/DSCN5901.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
Better view of the female <b>Cirl Bunting</b>. Bright ear covert
spot and that fine dark streak curling forward over the eye aid
identification. The latter feature was first brought to my attention by
Devon birder/artist Mike Langman, and it seems ever so reliable.
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifgFay96sKQG1gARpvmV_Dhba59aChjoZrprcIjPQR4LFKc_6QsTADKHmDCmsSrxUaY3H6eVepW5gyRH_a2dahcsF_nTFGzSuFjzDkAdysx8MAOo3GtolC-Zso-BcA6K89ZQIlAk8zpmTjoSL2F8rmos9WGEchDxV3euQK1UFuGGAz1wBMBjoWSxJXJ5g/s1024/DSCN5926.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="770" data-original-width="1024" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifgFay96sKQG1gARpvmV_Dhba59aChjoZrprcIjPQR4LFKc_6QsTADKHmDCmsSrxUaY3H6eVepW5gyRH_a2dahcsF_nTFGzSuFjzDkAdysx8MAOo3GtolC-Zso-BcA6K89ZQIlAk8zpmTjoSL2F8rmos9WGEchDxV3euQK1UFuGGAz1wBMBjoWSxJXJ5g/w640-h482/DSCN5926.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
Male and female <b>Cirl </b>in the stubble (on the left) plus a male
<b>Yellowhammer </b>top right. The female bunting at top right might be
a <b>Cirl </b>too, but I wouldn't stake my life on it.
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<p>
There were at least three <b>Cirl Buntings</b> present (one male) and it is
such a treat to have them so local. I hope they go from strength to strength.
</p>
<p>
The trudge back along the beach was quiet, bird-wise. The late-autumn storms
have reprofiled the shingle quite dramatically, and I am curious to see how
much the previously-abundant flora has taken a battering. All will be revealed
come spring, no doubt.
</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHi0lgTzsOywOT4ae8ph2GI_k77sMo1CSYmx32NIZruKmf7EVMb13zk4aRNCEsbOBfFX0fXkkVws0A1oqk9LNNe2iHri-Au-QTJFAw7XMPTdQZdG4UuktiXXbaItocfCExOMVRa3dUSe5vzdYObOAfNFofoPDya1ZD7StmZbb4gVsIT1ilOyg8P-z1jjE/s1024/DSCN5929.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHi0lgTzsOywOT4ae8ph2GI_k77sMo1CSYmx32NIZruKmf7EVMb13zk4aRNCEsbOBfFX0fXkkVws0A1oqk9LNNe2iHri-Au-QTJFAw7XMPTdQZdG4UuktiXXbaItocfCExOMVRa3dUSe5vzdYObOAfNFofoPDya1ZD7StmZbb4gVsIT1ilOyg8P-z1jjE/w640-h480/DSCN5929.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
This insignificant lump of concrete used to provide a nice bit of
shelter for seawatching. Not this year.
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfxDE57hXDBmuOUIk0iFeOC1Bz3Art6RcrnG15idjUiUDIZaTB0f9Rruyk7iqDgWqkbqYK3-a5WekvSza03SwWO0wWnpEbY6nZn9dtZIlcUUivK12qaqlgs0BwKTA-fGe99FbKAj0tYlbIVUCI-dDMJlHPdj5VEwGHUqy8dj_2D3vjiTZaE2FZxX2ism0/s1024/2016-01-01%20Cogden%20Beach%20shelter.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="511" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfxDE57hXDBmuOUIk0iFeOC1Bz3Art6RcrnG15idjUiUDIZaTB0f9Rruyk7iqDgWqkbqYK3-a5WekvSza03SwWO0wWnpEbY6nZn9dtZIlcUUivK12qaqlgs0BwKTA-fGe99FbKAj0tYlbIVUCI-dDMJlHPdj5VEwGHUqy8dj_2D3vjiTZaE2FZxX2ism0/w640-h320/2016-01-01%20Cogden%20Beach%20shelter.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
Same spot, January 2016
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Gavin Haighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17242398421328525578noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-824385241230348874.post-73700995765822023402024-02-10T19:51:00.003+00:002024-02-10T20:01:01.406+00:00Satisfied Customers<p>
I don't suppose a photo has ever screamed 'Brownie Points!' but, if
such a thing were possible, this one could be a contender...
</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
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<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOy9Fs7jAek_YaVsgfB-io5gDVudfc9pGnPieroeeByZu-meOrVUcV-0kbpBjXRpHqoUpKXjacpQyxVTkKMwrdpN0y84AVJgnzrVDOJzcs_EQpk-SHkAbje8piPC7eSAdjUzteb3tjS-06QlzfejM1fmd8XQAz8Db3U1f92uMAcgCP7jRUeCvvuwzJ32E/s1328/PXL_20240209_150202446.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1328" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOy9Fs7jAek_YaVsgfB-io5gDVudfc9pGnPieroeeByZu-meOrVUcV-0kbpBjXRpHqoUpKXjacpQyxVTkKMwrdpN0y84AVJgnzrVDOJzcs_EQpk-SHkAbje8piPC7eSAdjUzteb3tjS-06QlzfejM1fmd8XQAz8Db3U1f92uMAcgCP7jRUeCvvuwzJ32E/w482-h640/PXL_20240209_150202446.jpg" width="482" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
The hallway of our little bungalow is finally done.
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<p>
I shan't try the patience of long-suffering NQS readers by posting photos of
the view to the right, featuring beautifully finished cupboards with bespoke
doors, neat and functional light switches...that sort of thing...
</p>
<p>
There is only so much DIY stuff you can get away with on a birding blog, so I
will leave it at this: yesterday the entrance matting arrived; I cut it to
size, bunged it on the floor, and took the above photo. Next: a big sigh, a
fat glass of wine, a swiftly-averted glance at the next jobs on the list. And
so it was that I could set out this morning to lead the 2024 season's first
Birdwatching Tram with a temporarily clean conscience.
</p>
<p>
Illness had trimmed our numbers today, but a small and enthusiastic group set
out from Seaton Tram Station at 08:30, with our driver, Pete. A spring tide
plus recent rain meant the valley was much more flooded than usual, and the
top end was heaving with birds. It is so rewarding to show people 'new' birds,
sharing small nuggets of knowledge collected over decades of mostly
self-centred birding. Two couples had received their tickets as presents, so
it felt especially incumbent on me to make things interesting if I could. So -
obviously - I waxed lyrical on gulls. Someone asked if
<b>Mediterranean Gull</b> was a possibility. 'Yes,' I said, 'Most definitely.' It took a while, but eventually we scraped one out at the farthest point of our journey...
</p>
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<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7v3lLNzG1s6tDaKwwR37S1HHHdTB74j-XRPxn7BqfIgyYRtbe_m0Cn5qE3RmUxFnB-FY3LD_NLHTsr6YLbLLTGF4Nbc1aN_yY8en2fYID3Q158s8dD6lag8mbxt62l2FSOMIOHoHne41zd3-HTbxatbTjSkNqdbow-QpN5pPBOQSzz3vI3iIN9SURWd8/s1024/DSCN5689.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="764" data-original-width="1024" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7v3lLNzG1s6tDaKwwR37S1HHHdTB74j-XRPxn7BqfIgyYRtbe_m0Cn5qE3RmUxFnB-FY3LD_NLHTsr6YLbLLTGF4Nbc1aN_yY8en2fYID3Q158s8dD6lag8mbxt62l2FSOMIOHoHne41zd3-HTbxatbTjSkNqdbow-QpN5pPBOQSzz3vI3iIN9SURWd8/w640-h478/DSCN5689.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
Adult <b>Med Gull</b>. Although I couldn't see it with bins, there is a
yellow colour-ring evident in the photo. Presumably a UK-ringed bird.
Hampshire, or Sussex maybe?
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<p>
<b>Brent Geese</b> are unusual on the Axe, so this adult grazing on Sheep's
Marsh was a nice surprise. I'm not sure that it was 100% fit. Swivelling its
head to preen, it kept overbalancing and falling over. Or maybe it is just
very elderly? Old age ain't that kind to humans either...
</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivuNPYDR53WA2ulAdX-f_svYpYamlxtAuhZj5YsbYyMZRcF2XhRCozGm1RLlWJyW32tHwi1R7-h3iRGLyPKJIfXjwdkR8vB4DAsXMq5ju8Z9Rp7z4P9JOxY8qGmFfncUKJ2mvG1SO-wl_7aR51A3A3y-YX7Olni3nwjLvZdrtb523xjXPJqy_DG-_P6H4/s1024/DSCN5640.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="766" data-original-width="1024" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivuNPYDR53WA2ulAdX-f_svYpYamlxtAuhZj5YsbYyMZRcF2XhRCozGm1RLlWJyW32tHwi1R7-h3iRGLyPKJIfXjwdkR8vB4DAsXMq5ju8Z9Rp7z4P9JOxY8qGmFfncUKJ2mvG1SO-wl_7aR51A3A3y-YX7Olni3nwjLvZdrtb523xjXPJqy_DG-_P6H4/w640-h478/DSCN5640.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
The wobbly <b>Brent</b>.
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<p>Nearing the end of our trip, we stopped for a short time at the Riverside
Halt. Which meant a quick scan of the Bovis estate rooftops for
<b>Black Redstart</b>. Always a chance at this time of year, albeit slim. Far
away I spied a possible candidate, but had to use the camera to confirm one
way or the other. Sure enough, a male <b>Black Redstart</b>. At 250+ metres,
it was a dot. So, having disembarked back at the tram station I popped round
to the housing estate to see if there was any sign. And briefly, there was...
</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVlaJk4B9aOXtiEbH-_j8-8ZhJyTSG1GDHtSOn0eRqWtb_98ao5ifrNuWcYo6kqhUY2BVpl8va5tepQg-WxUvWkFhJpjoA9c4MJUFn-4UYAk7AN9mtz6yKaDQuNR9O_9Hai0gnFTqxdvkPonGsGYq7OtfnGpkfzqBDe6Qs-O77Bm9wmCXPfLtdgslhk2Y/s1024/Black%20Redstart%20collage.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVlaJk4B9aOXtiEbH-_j8-8ZhJyTSG1GDHtSOn0eRqWtb_98ao5ifrNuWcYo6kqhUY2BVpl8va5tepQg-WxUvWkFhJpjoA9c4MJUFn-4UYAk7AN9mtz6yKaDQuNR9O_9Hai0gnFTqxdvkPonGsGYq7OtfnGpkfzqBDe6Qs-O77Bm9wmCXPfLtdgslhk2Y/w640-h480/Black%20Redstart%20collage.jpg" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
Male <b>Black Redstart</b>. Original photo, from the tram at 250+
metres. Full frame at 2000mm equivalent zoom.
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP6YYgIIz6ayYkwTbTy3P-Zc6qR8Qu5-DwPjQnQElr_Z2g_ZjLAVbpqiWhc1hGCGMf9c_S-YsPP3W8F4WOHADPMVrj4vEaQgn9YCZ5Oq5hNnWknwv0WlQZ17xijQQHriISHbIcJu-jX_4H8-gyqQZAU3ZguvpvGESKBzdYSnnED9vgDmZeLSVrD1UUxYc/s1024/DSCN5751.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="770" data-original-width="1024" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP6YYgIIz6ayYkwTbTy3P-Zc6qR8Qu5-DwPjQnQElr_Z2g_ZjLAVbpqiWhc1hGCGMf9c_S-YsPP3W8F4WOHADPMVrj4vEaQgn9YCZ5Oq5hNnWknwv0WlQZ17xijQQHriISHbIcJu-jX_4H8-gyqQZAU3ZguvpvGESKBzdYSnnED9vgDmZeLSVrD1UUxYc/w640-h482/DSCN5751.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
Same bird, I assume. A bit closer.
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<p>
A good trip. Loads of birds, with one or two nice highlights. And, more
importantly, happy punters...
</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibnfNYJtfO_y2xgllpk4l6LuqLG3Ivx_gTrnft6LHt5Q6-B88F1gZzYAInM9VvybvojqoU0QcEEGV8Cr0SVl6N3ir0whXW6q2w51BEn8QamwSbCahuEnTgb_ir8QX_j2pDEZ7wjnbwsFVORZLz2sg7IgAM-Nn9qJvf5rEW_TgE0wqsKALmfQgCq0yKJFc/s1024/DSCN5723.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibnfNYJtfO_y2xgllpk4l6LuqLG3Ivx_gTrnft6LHt5Q6-B88F1gZzYAInM9VvybvojqoU0QcEEGV8Cr0SVl6N3ir0whXW6q2w51BEn8QamwSbCahuEnTgb_ir8QX_j2pDEZ7wjnbwsFVORZLz2sg7IgAM-Nn9qJvf5rEW_TgE0wqsKALmfQgCq0yKJFc/w640-h480/DSCN5723.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
Some of this morning's group. A real pleasure.
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<p>
That was the first of eight planned outings on the Seaton Birdwatching Tram
for me this year. I genuinely look forward to them, and not just for the
birding possibilities. Last year, Steve found <b>Wryneck</b>, <b>Caspian Gull</b> and
<b>Garganey </b>on his trips (massively eclipsing my own 'find' highlights!) so there
is certainly a great deal of potential on these jaunts. But I'll be honest,
satisfied customers are enough for me. Birds are a bonus.
</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJjd3U2J7pkR6lY_j9KdPbMdMizPRkhwZ_9r2vIDIFDHod5RG6hwDbmKZAxD0Y1CEFhZcbW1WUpgAmuPQJprxCT8LCRSo_4j4Z1xYP3br5B_oI5e6RGSZFH9cIPVkuk6ifRn3Kf-kmZfbWAglt74qCWsAx7OP5AUhPHX2WgaQLrDAkUhunua6qXzCEg0Q/s991/DSCN5727.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="745" data-original-width="991" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJjd3U2J7pkR6lY_j9KdPbMdMizPRkhwZ_9r2vIDIFDHod5RG6hwDbmKZAxD0Y1CEFhZcbW1WUpgAmuPQJprxCT8LCRSo_4j4Z1xYP3br5B_oI5e6RGSZFH9cIPVkuk6ifRn3Kf-kmZfbWAglt74qCWsAx7OP5AUhPHX2WgaQLrDAkUhunua6qXzCEg0Q/w640-h482/DSCN5727.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
If a birdy pot of gold was at the end of that rainbow, it stayed well out of
sight.
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Gavin Haighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17242398421328525578noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-824385241230348874.post-56255807754551800992024-02-04T21:30:00.007+00:002024-02-04T21:30:46.033+00:00And So It Begins...<p>I've surprised myself by firing up the moth trap already. Though I have little sense that last year's obsession might be taking hold again, the current spell of mild weather has nevertheless inspired me. And straight away we're in 'new for garden' territory. Assuming I have the ID correct, <b><i>Acleris umbrana</i></b> (Nationally Scarce A) was the highlight of last night's catch. If you can call three moths a 'catch'.</p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBEujwgJM4GGWbjzD2OeG2gIWVmkWWgbm5reG2xYwPJ0f9ESCnCpbxTmDe_eoP5MySrc0TX65SAjBesgrvpriYmjRd04BC9xyicZMStC9YRpJzjiZxzyDHje9x805QuvzrlwrDq0ndyHWqKFWVaBwgqCC39iKpBZMu2B6hjCDQU9hhOokogWA8Trej6og/s1024/DSCN5601.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="770" data-original-width="1024" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBEujwgJM4GGWbjzD2OeG2gIWVmkWWgbm5reG2xYwPJ0f9ESCnCpbxTmDe_eoP5MySrc0TX65SAjBesgrvpriYmjRd04BC9xyicZMStC9YRpJzjiZxzyDHje9x805QuvzrlwrDq0ndyHWqKFWVaBwgqCC39iKpBZMu2B6hjCDQU9hhOokogWA8Trej6og/w640-h482/DSCN5601.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><b>Acleris umbrana</b> may be nationally scarce (the <a href="https://www.ukmoths.org.uk/species/acleris-umbrana/" target="_blank">UK Moths</a> website labels it 'a rare and local species in Britain') but it is evidently quite regular in parts of Dorset, with 40+ records in the Bridport area alone, according to the Living Record map.</p><p>Friday night delivered a small selection of regular species. The common theme appears to be 'brown'...</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE60bzB543b6wDk3zByUECqRaDgr0_cr_J6hQZFquC7kbC83G74g1UKju0hCyENzsztv9_7c6B0jH6XIekeTSgBUdG0zCpUXKPCv5y3tZ7Njv3wOcFkXArZ4BvVOcP3_vu0gD2VLMqS3CAsYQe3_5nMOaB1527zT00uGPdz_qsR7vgkjW0LCYkv9WPNI8/s1024/DSCN5571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="770" data-original-width="1024" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE60bzB543b6wDk3zByUECqRaDgr0_cr_J6hQZFquC7kbC83G74g1UKju0hCyENzsztv9_7c6B0jH6XIekeTSgBUdG0zCpUXKPCv5y3tZ7Njv3wOcFkXArZ4BvVOcP3_vu0gD2VLMqS3CAsYQe3_5nMOaB1527zT00uGPdz_qsR7vgkjW0LCYkv9WPNI8/w640-h482/DSCN5571.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A fresh <b>Chestnut</b>.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0o4gUfM5phQQJdpnnKldwXwQpEba0U40shN1maWdOFZ16xvfCvERz-X7CuwRGc5xmvCZCsJ9xEfSMz0rVZDS6DEBKLFEpSPtGlLtuXbJQyT8gTjAtEehU9vvzmU8eyht3WDHaplxUkblC0iH5bhiz1DanjWkCzX3xRZZm_NkMh-Wa4xRz9J9o__4FY60/s1024/DSCN5576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="770" data-original-width="1024" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0o4gUfM5phQQJdpnnKldwXwQpEba0U40shN1maWdOFZ16xvfCvERz-X7CuwRGc5xmvCZCsJ9xEfSMz0rVZDS6DEBKLFEpSPtGlLtuXbJQyT8gTjAtEehU9vvzmU8eyht3WDHaplxUkblC0iH5bhiz1DanjWkCzX3xRZZm_NkMh-Wa4xRz9J9o__4FY60/w640-h482/DSCN5576.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Common Quaker</b> is described as a moth of March and April, so this one is a bit early.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjldQwV1cf6-lZAirp27dCk5vo2o0puVTfmdk1JmHX1dsAiDWhKkV_enR8YZvHFKnWDZNZdhRnbqPaP-e8tCAFsbocHZtwer1eMMuOJSPHuNS2evlLcPRzcl8bB7cmVDBfzPvsu2hobiHv8mnBfJWZwDTcZJFYdUdK4eUbfelNqrqAc2ivu4hINHU_gfa8/s1024/DSCN5577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjldQwV1cf6-lZAirp27dCk5vo2o0puVTfmdk1JmHX1dsAiDWhKkV_enR8YZvHFKnWDZNZdhRnbqPaP-e8tCAFsbocHZtwer1eMMuOJSPHuNS2evlLcPRzcl8bB7cmVDBfzPvsu2hobiHv8mnBfJWZwDTcZJFYdUdK4eUbfelNqrqAc2ivu4hINHU_gfa8/w640-h480/DSCN5577.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Hebrew Character</b> - another March/April moth, on paper anyway.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhSw20KmhjlQKqSEqpWVbKDrBl7l6d3u_A5jDv_K4aJ-Qjag3ejE5H5CpzHFl1RbUYSnPkPEhfqb118hp6N2qavrT6Fchxmjui_sclZoMMHX_u-QTueBcX83dBDvSFdm0dov3faYFt_jti3l4DxjszjsQ7XwyZsYn7DK7vPr5j64zOqt-2Du19m8tgHts/s1024/DSCN5583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="770" data-original-width="1024" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhSw20KmhjlQKqSEqpWVbKDrBl7l6d3u_A5jDv_K4aJ-Qjag3ejE5H5CpzHFl1RbUYSnPkPEhfqb118hp6N2qavrT6Fchxmjui_sclZoMMHX_u-QTueBcX83dBDvSFdm0dov3faYFt_jti3l4DxjszjsQ7XwyZsYn7DK7vPr5j64zOqt-2Du19m8tgHts/w640-h482/DSCN5583.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Double-striped Pug</b> - the first of many, no doubt. The commonest pug I get, by far.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>The trap is out again tonight. Unfortunately the garden table on which I used to stand it was smashed to bits by one of the late-autumn storms, so the trap is now on the ground. Whether that will make any difference to its efficacy remains to be seen.<br /></p>Gavin Haighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17242398421328525578noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-824385241230348874.post-57626140252465017012024-02-01T21:54:00.003+00:002024-02-01T22:26:54.392+00:00A Precarious Existence<p>
Back to work today, but gently, and home for a late lunch. Chilly to start,
but what a lovely morning! At my first job - near Hunter's Lodge on the A35 -
I could hear <b>Song Thrush</b> and <b>Chaffinch </b>singing, and the garden
feeding station was busy with <b>Siskins</b>. The sun had some proper heat in
it eventually, and spring suddenly didn't seem so far away.
</p>
<p>
I wasn't the only one feeling it, judging by the number of people out for a
walk at West Bay after lunch. I had high hopes that a
<b>Black Redstart</b> might likewise have been drawn to the seafront by the
weather, and checked one of their favourite spots by the start of the West
Pier. In fact there were two birds - on rocks either side of the pier...
</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZhVXUx9mBrqtGNYTHUgyEjNi7LI49xmqy_usp00dTszIFQE3qdxsNp1zLK5JcZvwK6k114jezPDbBzpPaU5x8bY2bDbhAIfJBehDDG_5wyhyphenhyphenac43jK7W2EgGj1SjPtpebbQVxQGYWmmtcw9bw7DnBMCNAl2vigIMTNcY7mPH2lHMUNMZyFbGNpHTTGUs/s1024/DSCN5512.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="770" data-original-width="1024" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZhVXUx9mBrqtGNYTHUgyEjNi7LI49xmqy_usp00dTszIFQE3qdxsNp1zLK5JcZvwK6k114jezPDbBzpPaU5x8bY2bDbhAIfJBehDDG_5wyhyphenhyphenac43jK7W2EgGj1SjPtpebbQVxQGYWmmtcw9bw7DnBMCNAl2vigIMTNcY7mPH2lHMUNMZyFbGNpHTTGUs/w640-h482/DSCN5512.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
Female type <b>Black Redstart </b>on the east side, beautifully
lit...<br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQJW7DxQ4wAt6qVAsJOwrVnPCb4MHExM3rkQ9A9OKp0jdzJ_t2jHMHD2A8cP6kdprxE_ga1k8JtC4BDKS8kAU7UAuzSIxvTHZ6WDk3RJcnG_6mUGqyBh1XhU-m_drBN0gRVqcdevf2cz9LHD3HTYa7zsWIkGAXRdyRr4axnt4YEDtctjBhQRmQ9OVywdg/s1024/DSCN5526.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="770" data-original-width="1024" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQJW7DxQ4wAt6qVAsJOwrVnPCb4MHExM3rkQ9A9OKp0jdzJ_t2jHMHD2A8cP6kdprxE_ga1k8JtC4BDKS8kAU7UAuzSIxvTHZ6WDk3RJcnG_6mUGqyBh1XhU-m_drBN0gRVqcdevf2cz9LHD3HTYa7zsWIkGAXRdyRr4axnt4YEDtctjBhQRmQ9OVywdg/w640-h482/DSCN5526.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
...and this one on the west side, in more challenging light. The blurry
spots to its left and right are flies; there were loads of them.<br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<p>
I spent about 15 minutes trying to get decent shots of the
<b>Black Redstarts</b>, then checked the West Pier rocks for
<b>Purple Sands</b>. None on show, so I loitered at the far end, just chilling
out and wondering what it must be like to be a <b>Fulmar</b>...
</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjneFzwHElP0ReKVrhWlwJFfytlNj-UXtU4hQrSXv5ByfO3SpiACfUkcUUhMLmeVxs8wSAgwPcDEsu8pGcjDTI-tpSi0t7ZDf0EzMc8YGsIJuRZ4SeldWCgUX81tXF8-wuPSjPijDzrLbW4VRv-hrOJdzVMHGPbiB4OAWYXkaIy_NTT3DdGobV1usRUbhA/s1024/DSCN5558.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="771" data-original-width="1024" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjneFzwHElP0ReKVrhWlwJFfytlNj-UXtU4hQrSXv5ByfO3SpiACfUkcUUhMLmeVxs8wSAgwPcDEsu8pGcjDTI-tpSi0t7ZDf0EzMc8YGsIJuRZ4SeldWCgUX81tXF8-wuPSjPijDzrLbW4VRv-hrOJdzVMHGPbiB4OAWYXkaIy_NTT3DdGobV1usRUbhA/w640-h482/DSCN5558.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Fulmars </b>on the East Cliffs<br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<p>
Just look at them in that photo above, loafing about on their ledges
and playing in the updraught. What a life. Here they are again, in a wider
shot for context...
</p>
<p></p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnlhcwZB8a8QCEnm71raNbU1GyK7aLkgg569LlC2A4Q7joXtQW8fnH-eTmSIhs-F9d9xuzGwJY-pL0la2Kop6J7SHpugSAWVj0wmGcG0tjp-YJhQZuRn_oZUusN69N5cuHFsM6VIq7a9HbAAHL8jfjYK6Rf0qvWXhKmN4reBj8KjZROqbDXEcdVcroUCQ/s1024/DSCN5545.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnlhcwZB8a8QCEnm71raNbU1GyK7aLkgg569LlC2A4Q7joXtQW8fnH-eTmSIhs-F9d9xuzGwJY-pL0la2Kop6J7SHpugSAWVj0wmGcG0tjp-YJhQZuRn_oZUusN69N5cuHFsM6VIq7a9HbAAHL8jfjYK6Rf0qvWXhKmN4reBj8KjZROqbDXEcdVcroUCQ/w640-h480/DSCN5545.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
Roughly 400m from my vantage point on the pier. Someone on the left
enjoying a picnic on the coast path.<br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<p>
Despite being just below a public footpath, a vertical cliff is as undisturbed
as it gets, really. Well, you'd think so. The weathered nature of their ledges
indicates a piece of cliff that's been around for a while, but to the right is
a much smoother section. I expect you can guess why. Yes, the weathered bit
has fallen off. And when that happens, this happens...
</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4vFQ0HExMtDVKM_c2lhukt9b7VvyaEIkjLEx02dSPZRCBL46dMoSN8oda2A6upnkGchmajbU88RPTgoPxx3JjPBvyVMPzbzN4SKdljhK0m7l1y2EVA7xy8icPvaczqmxXzkciP8v0-9yJLC4VTbJtDZXQBfQfRCZ52cIN5ftFwFa5IZToudgDQAnS_FU/s1024/DSCN5537.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4vFQ0HExMtDVKM_c2lhukt9b7VvyaEIkjLEx02dSPZRCBL46dMoSN8oda2A6upnkGchmajbU88RPTgoPxx3JjPBvyVMPzbzN4SKdljhK0m7l1y2EVA7xy8icPvaczqmxXzkciP8v0-9yJLC4VTbJtDZXQBfQfRCZ52cIN5ftFwFa5IZToudgDQAnS_FU/w640-h480/DSCN5537.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
Another massive cliff-fall.<br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<p>
And so a big slice of <b>Fulmar </b>habitat bites the dust. Eventually
the weather will erode the cliff face again but, meanwhile, no
<b>Fulmars </b>will be breeding on that bit. A quick glance at the whole of
the East Cliff is quite revealing...
</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiptgpE3zrHdDCBpIEbNN683jcvw0MEvenC70tII5yaNoUmj0Z_B7_zWEEmXUnstOIiwjVvBjBwvUS0uRLs98iToG9sJWjQGOweF9EZ1qtYJbKNgd59JZ0sCA2GlkrYG3x3lfZyn2w1YwwQuPlA7QXfwxKxO8gdJHsHY-WJz29lNWnpvnN2Ptmv3GTByWA/s1024/DSCN5541.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiptgpE3zrHdDCBpIEbNN683jcvw0MEvenC70tII5yaNoUmj0Z_B7_zWEEmXUnstOIiwjVvBjBwvUS0uRLs98iToG9sJWjQGOweF9EZ1qtYJbKNgd59JZ0sCA2GlkrYG3x3lfZyn2w1YwwQuPlA7QXfwxKxO8gdJHsHY-WJz29lNWnpvnN2Ptmv3GTByWA/w640-h480/DSCN5541.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
An awful lot of unweathered cliff!<br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<p>
Yep, living on a sandstone cliff face is evidently a precarious existence.<br />
</p>
Gavin Haighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17242398421328525578noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-824385241230348874.post-57124783987780646122024-01-30T23:28:00.001+00:002024-01-31T08:58:07.623+00:00Counting the Roost<p>
Many times I've seen the West Bay gulls arrive to roost offshore and have never felt any inclination to count them. But this evening I had a reason to:
the BTO
<a href="https://www.bto.org/our-science/projects/winter-gull-survey" target="_blank">Winter Gull Survey</a>. It isn't something I've signed up for exactly, but Mike Morse has, and
asked if I would cover West Bay for him. Happily, said I. The idea is to find
yourself a nice vantage point at least two hours before dark, then count gulls
from it. Mike couldn't manage the key date (January 21st) so we agreed on 30th
instead.
</p>
<p>
My sorry carcass has been hosting a virus party this last week and I have been
seriously below par, shuffling about and coughing like an old man. But it felt
good to expose the blighters to a bit of sea air this afternoon; hopefully not
a few died of shock.
</p>
<p>
Conditions were almost perfect. Very nice light, a gentle NW breeze and soft swell. Sunset was just before 5pm, so I figured it would be pretty dark half
an hour after that and arrived at 3:15. The count? 1254 <b>Herring Gulls</b>,
171 <b>Black-headed Gulls</b>, 12 <b>Med Gulls</b>, 5 <b>Common Gulls</b>, 2
<b>Lesser Black-backs</b>. The small gulls were almost all out there within
the first 30 minutes, and the big ones dribbled in right up to sunset, with
only 35 <b>HGs </b>after that. Most were counted individually. The only time I
had to do some proper estimating was when a massive, twin-prop military
chopper hammered past about six inches above the prom, prompting a mass exodus
of 500+ <b>HGs </b>that had otherwise planned on a bit of casual loafing around
the harbour before bedtime.
</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkgeo0b9tW63rlMTwfAICHS8yrHvgoSmSLWLcmZTo0dZB2wPeYwgGkJqCK0m6IkUOKPqF5zXOWtAVlpCRsfJYn0Ahnp5X8aizx3rnmAtKDgS12VTRfHl-0d9Hn-x5FdwMHXI8FPMudNL0aDuuAptx2ii02vmZkKwyQdx6DiysNjO0nVcRv-YBywhQx5AU/s1024/DSCN5450.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkgeo0b9tW63rlMTwfAICHS8yrHvgoSmSLWLcmZTo0dZB2wPeYwgGkJqCK0m6IkUOKPqF5zXOWtAVlpCRsfJYn0Ahnp5X8aizx3rnmAtKDgS12VTRfHl-0d9Hn-x5FdwMHXI8FPMudNL0aDuuAptx2ii02vmZkKwyQdx6DiysNjO0nVcRv-YBywhQx5AU/w640-h480/DSCN5450.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
A local <b>Peg</b>. Also not keen on cliff-skimming helicopters.<br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<p>
Standing at the end of the West Bay prom with a scope on a tripod is a
surefire way to pull in the curious, even on a mid-week January afternoon.
</p>
<p>'What are you hoping to see?'</p>
<p>'Gulls. I'm hoping to see gulls.'</p>
<p>'Oh...right.' </p>
<p>
One bloke's initial question was: 'Are you expecting to see anything other than
gulls?' Which was different, and hinted at birderishness. Sure enough, a
member of the RSPB and pretty vexed that gulls were so hard, with all their
tricky plumages and whatnot. My answer to his question had been 'No.'
</p>
<p>
I wasn't quite as brusque as that, and did explain that I was taking part in a
BTO Winter Gull Survey and counting the birds coming in to roost. Yes indeed, counting them <i>all</i>. That didn't
stop one couple trying to engage in a bit of chat, and I did feel slightly
churlish going '71, 72, 73, 74...75' out loud, while staring at the sky and pointing at each bird.
</p>
<p>
It's much easier to be 'hail fellow well met' when engaged in the relaxed,
unfocused, take-what-comes kind of birding I enjoy most. Unless I've just
stumbled across a possible <b>Caspian Gull</b> of course.<br />
</p>
<p>
Still, it was nice to do a bit of birding with a purpose behind it for a
change, though I shan't be taking on any other worthy endeavours this year -
too much else going on right now. The Winter Gull Project is set to run next
winter as well, so hopefully I'll be able to contribute again in 12 months.
Between then and now I can guarantee all my birding will be 100% selfish.
</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOK7M6NtIcgdFeTP0RFKf9iAAsHLAbk-6AElT_6hurHIR2URoZZBwQ6BibDuAv_skfDttSyT6pymu14INsGyT2MQWZqGl7tQv-cvlXx69DOqqA_q6m8gqMMofANzCNFY38K_O0aUL0QFlDv7Q0W8T3mfafaTgNfyAE0bY36j1maZJL34SSaO_kVwc7ZFc/s1024/DSCN5470.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="771" data-original-width="1024" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOK7M6NtIcgdFeTP0RFKf9iAAsHLAbk-6AElT_6hurHIR2URoZZBwQ6BibDuAv_skfDttSyT6pymu14INsGyT2MQWZqGl7tQv-cvlXx69DOqqA_q6m8gqMMofANzCNFY38K_O0aUL0QFlDv7Q0W8T3mfafaTgNfyAE0bY36j1maZJL34SSaO_kVwc7ZFc/w640-h482/DSCN5470.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
Sunset at West Bay. Gull roost well and truly counted.<br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Gavin Haighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17242398421328525578noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-824385241230348874.post-53113121617255562362024-01-16T23:21:00.002+00:002024-01-16T23:46:56.574+00:00Wot? No Waxwings?<p>
West Dorset out of season is like a different place. Cogden Beach at sunrise
last Tuesday...
</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqyT7IoKTYFQ_WC1SdrJRAiacy8VSRxY7lOOwvlhmHoPzduSS0NYu78OJxAeMHXU_wHnAf-1P-e7B8v-CDFHcT0XP-r-WUnSATvWZ2fKvwX7GY5GXklO-WqWGRtHShVIn6_UlZf5EPC8UpFkTD37Lms_rrLGT13yh1OC9ZKHEBRlGC2XUPywT9D0g34Oo/s996/DSCN5360.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="996" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqyT7IoKTYFQ_WC1SdrJRAiacy8VSRxY7lOOwvlhmHoPzduSS0NYu78OJxAeMHXU_wHnAf-1P-e7B8v-CDFHcT0XP-r-WUnSATvWZ2fKvwX7GY5GXklO-WqWGRtHShVIn6_UlZf5EPC8UpFkTD37Lms_rrLGT13yh1OC9ZKHEBRlGC2XUPywT9D0g34Oo/w640-h386/DSCN5360.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
Sunrise, but not much sun.
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<p>
More than a mile away, at West Bexington, I could see a lone angler. And that
was it. Perfect. I had an hour and a half. Forty-five minutes brought me level
with the West Bex Mere, so I had a quick look before heading back along the
beach. One <b>Ringed Plover</b>, about eight <b>Red-throated Divers</b>, plus a <b>Med Gull</b> in a passing flock of <b>Black-headed Gulls</b> was roughly what I expected, so no surprises there.
</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzHAgc3ucueWZbGB-kDyvWL-lfK9PXx_uvNX4EpdlXYGY7A4afy8eiJBFCF5MQstKkNcrOCYb-5yHYkd3EV7cc9fKan8B7WMpxpVJrB0wNtvhv34YC66JNPhTk-ZlOsFpEQcQQvU7eTjiLaw0jHpChtmCswNy2DrH2wCy2p7RpLlSJODeGiZWttlPKFjE/s1024/DSCN5380.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="767" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzHAgc3ucueWZbGB-kDyvWL-lfK9PXx_uvNX4EpdlXYGY7A4afy8eiJBFCF5MQstKkNcrOCYb-5yHYkd3EV7cc9fKan8B7WMpxpVJrB0wNtvhv34YC66JNPhTk-ZlOsFpEQcQQvU7eTjiLaw0jHpChtmCswNy2DrH2wCy2p7RpLlSJODeGiZWttlPKFjE/w640-h480/DSCN5380.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These two Red-throated Divers were a long way out. Max zoom + huge crop.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIuARxClmfaZ9xZKOvu1tQM3-JjWAAbDegVD0CkF6aeQLtcmnkYX2GIYsI9JEweCc_CYS_-ZSrUc6D9x2SquEAzbww2y2u9jDb9fFKXcY_Ux664o3oSEZ3XRXk0RQpCSVE8hEtjPuUGIqu4Rcm9Owe7-PQ_ugbCJK569OjyQ9Gx2roqSzBaOmuRaL4aoM/s1024/DSCN5403.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="766" data-original-width="1024" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIuARxClmfaZ9xZKOvu1tQM3-JjWAAbDegVD0CkF6aeQLtcmnkYX2GIYsI9JEweCc_CYS_-ZSrUc6D9x2SquEAzbww2y2u9jDb9fFKXcY_Ux664o3oSEZ3XRXk0RQpCSVE8hEtjPuUGIqu4Rcm9Owe7-PQ_ugbCJK569OjyQ9Gx2roqSzBaOmuRaL4aoM/w640-h478/DSCN5403.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
Still a lot of berries in the car park scrub. A
few <b>Redwings </b>were well aware.
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<p>
Right now we are 'enjoying' one of those crisp, sunny spells beloved of many
who don't have to work outdoors. One day that'll be me. Meanwhile, an
afternoon skive to West Bay with Sandra to look for <b>Black Redstarts</b> will have to do. We couldn't find any, but there were compensations...
</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8D5RV5Io2J6Tu1EmcyNftUOI4A_60p0ZE_bSNPjyeMrHZmsyofUdv1jN0dttiOclzkONpy5RkO_N3jaz5_FzzZzDAmadFFq7zutqlsUkIv5jPb6nFm4sLpeYE8JiEFQg-MVpJkvluNhcRfP_aAeTmZKXE-0ym1CSYezvelX293hyphenhyphenoCSVTIxbt_6VHwTw/s1024/DSCN5408.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="767" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8D5RV5Io2J6Tu1EmcyNftUOI4A_60p0ZE_bSNPjyeMrHZmsyofUdv1jN0dttiOclzkONpy5RkO_N3jaz5_FzzZzDAmadFFq7zutqlsUkIv5jPb6nFm4sLpeYE8JiEFQg-MVpJkvluNhcRfP_aAeTmZKXE-0ym1CSYezvelX293hyphenhyphenoCSVTIxbt_6VHwTw/w640-h480/DSCN5408.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
One of two <b>Purple Sandpipers</b> on the West Pier rocks. My
first this year.
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtzdIWCrLobERD1BtsffIl-Y1ITmxFRXAzX4BPGicWh_DeSoB3LHSySzY1rcy6Ina8y1XaK7HS0MAZISHR1XPnvvXnOJf2jnkGEoLSgZSq-IuuW4LyxjdfqFHLdPOwFo5FnsQ0aRNUZgRf43CtqODqRbP9VCnli3AEtqBzE8owzhB2QS53aXt3qX3Driw/s1024/DSCN5419.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtzdIWCrLobERD1BtsffIl-Y1ITmxFRXAzX4BPGicWh_DeSoB3LHSySzY1rcy6Ina8y1XaK7HS0MAZISHR1XPnvvXnOJf2jnkGEoLSgZSq-IuuW4LyxjdfqFHLdPOwFo5FnsQ0aRNUZgRf43CtqODqRbP9VCnli3AEtqBzE8owzhB2QS53aXt3qX3Driw/w640-h480/DSCN5419.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
This <b>Gannet </b>was worryingly close to the shore, and had
what looked like a bloodstain on its left wing. So we were pleased when
eventually it flew strongly out to sea.
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<p>And that about sums up birding efforts since the previous post.</p>
<p>
My BirdGuides subscription expired in mid-December, at which point I lost
track of the <b>Waxwing </b>insurgency. The only bird news I see
nowadays comes via the local WhatsApp group or the <a href="https://dorsetbirds.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Dorset Bird News</a> blog, and <b>Waxwing </b>has barely featured so far. Still,
the species is very much on my audio radar, and any time outdoors is equally
divided between listening for <b>Waxwing </b>and saving my fingers
from frostbite. I'm not optimistic about either, but you have to try...
</p>
Gavin Haighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17242398421328525578noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-824385241230348874.post-2383947015769248982024-01-07T20:31:00.001+00:002024-01-07T20:31:45.568+00:00The Best-Laid Plans...<p>Monday, January 1st had long been earmarked for the Big Walk. Stepping off your doorstep at first light, straight into the crisp and shiny new year with just bins and a camera, feels such a virtuous way to get the birding ball rolling. However, in 2024 it didn't happen. First off, the weather forecast was awful. Wet and windy from late morning. Great. Secondly, the previous afternoon we had waved goodbye to a friend heading back to London from Axminster Station, following a fortnight of high living, laughter and late nights. We are old now, and were therefore knackered. So the Big Walk became the Little Walk, and was preceded by the Short Drive. A <b>Chiffchaff </b>in West Bay was my January 1st prize.</p><p>But that was a week ago. And of course there has been plenty of time since then to get the year list up and running. Except there is no year list. No targets, no goals. In fact there is nothing to galvanise me into action other than a simple desire to get out there and see some birds. And right now I cannot be bothered.</p><p>The writing was on the wall more than a month ago. Prior to our friend coming to stay, I just needed to finish off one or two long-neglected DIY tasks to tidy the place up a bit. One thing led to another and, before I knew it, my 'one or two' tasks had morphed into 'lots and lots'. A made-to-measure composite front door is due to arrive tomorrow. At some point in the very near future I'll need to fit it, then treat the hallway with self-levelling compound before laying some flooring, and so on, and so on...</p><p>Our little bungalow is 50 years old now, and in many places ripe (desperate?) for renovation. Our neighbour had her ridge tiles rebedded a while back, and I can see that the mortar on ours has pretty much had it. So I've been researching the modern dry-ridge system with a view to having a go later this year. I've tried my hand at all sorts over the years and am pretty confident in most things DIY. Apart from moving the boiler from kitchen to loft (mains gas - definitely one for the professionals!) I installed our current central heating system without mishap, and actually enjoy such projects when they go well. I have an annoying perfectionist streak which balks at the idea of paying other people to do stuff which I could maybe have done better. Plus, mostly I couldn't afford to anyway!</p><p>So, yes, I have a lot going on. And I know the birding is going to suffer. Probably this blog too - no-one wants to read a load of DIY content in a birding blog. Birding will happen though, of that I am confident. Once again I am privileged to be a guide on the <a href="https://www.tram.co.uk/events/view/bird-watching-tram" target="_blank">Seaton Birdwatching Tram</a>, and will be leading our first outing of the year on February 10th. So I had better get some practice in beforehand!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4rEp2h1Dj5YZhiu6ZN6EF0bd-scnkSAi3CIbCo4Qg1RA6uqhj7iOGYQAH09fVSr4ooLFiirGiqFKlYh7UbGFuThriaTMdMSb857SzxJSoZpzZ02F4gPXXOoWV7Gy7l_6mL4zpsl7K0o4ep0kpKR3VaNMmPCMrvXNg2h4hJF0tdv9J2P1i9555gezxw-s/s1024/DSCN0691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1024" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4rEp2h1Dj5YZhiu6ZN6EF0bd-scnkSAi3CIbCo4Qg1RA6uqhj7iOGYQAH09fVSr4ooLFiirGiqFKlYh7UbGFuThriaTMdMSb857SzxJSoZpzZ02F4gPXXOoWV7Gy7l_6mL4zpsl7K0o4ep0kpKR3VaNMmPCMrvXNg2h4hJF0tdv9J2P1i9555gezxw-s/w640-h484/DSCN0691.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A <b>Chiffchaff </b>at West Bay on Jan 1st is bird of the year so far. (Disclaimer: image may not depict actual bird on actual date in actual place. It is a <b>Chiffchaff </b>though.)</td></tr></tbody></table>Gavin Haighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17242398421328525578noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-824385241230348874.post-40687943560974750442023-12-28T23:55:00.004+00:002023-12-29T00:13:17.861+00:00Three Days<p>2023 birding has been great, but in three days it will all be over. Birders love January 1st. A fresh start, new plans, gym membership. But always there is first a little look back...</p><p>By sticking mainly to a pair of very local patches this year I did learn a lot of useful, birdy things about the Bridport and West Bay area, and had a few nice surprises, but by early autumn was more than ready for a change of scenery. My first visit to Cogden in August was like a lungful of fresh air. Oh, the easy solitude - despite West Dorset's swarming summer-season masses. The calm pleasure of it all was almost a spiritual thing, and I knew that my 2023 dabble at patch-working was over. In the end, Cogden produced some of my most memorable moments of the year...</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1OKvQZetLXQLnI8tAdrBGxHUkJOKs5O3Vpl_iyh8g19LeSY77awVFYzlZQ5rmPRaSw4gmn-EdSpx1gmtX7-04aEBwX65YUzRyiRfyvIwfZc3l99VSYYppySHgCxbxFfvW3jl-feV1re_-VPlH9lgQHKK_GSIZG-u9Gq73Vq3ZLObwg5mAr8g9oWM7Q3M/s1024/DSCN3080.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="770" data-original-width="1024" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1OKvQZetLXQLnI8tAdrBGxHUkJOKs5O3Vpl_iyh8g19LeSY77awVFYzlZQ5rmPRaSw4gmn-EdSpx1gmtX7-04aEBwX65YUzRyiRfyvIwfZc3l99VSYYppySHgCxbxFfvW3jl-feV1re_-VPlH9lgQHKK_GSIZG-u9Gq73Vq3ZLObwg5mAr8g9oWM7Q3M/w640-h482/DSCN3080.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of maybe six <b>Grey Phalaropes</b>, including three in one visit.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf6DYq-98gwNsLegIcKB6WJN-NFoTNhO67QdIl-B672JG02xtBE0WA2abrnko88oXSENJpw02lmNBch-_NenB6zBvzEHd-JnZCNdAG7F7zPwe-dgQY__tmB64miPNnKKctup_hYCqy4oeGSMNlVUatP2YLYh1wwFNei0XFVyjkMzErOiyEdaTap1WTp3M/s975/DSCN3271.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="732" data-original-width="975" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf6DYq-98gwNsLegIcKB6WJN-NFoTNhO67QdIl-B672JG02xtBE0WA2abrnko88oXSENJpw02lmNBch-_NenB6zBvzEHd-JnZCNdAG7F7zPwe-dgQY__tmB64miPNnKKctup_hYCqy4oeGSMNlVUatP2YLYh1wwFNei0XFVyjkMzErOiyEdaTap1WTp3M/w640-h480/DSCN3271.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After two in 2020, this was my third Cogden <b>Wryneck</b>, and the best performer.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEife68pYPaEw8JcfQrhwIBmKMOljBjynshS_YoNWzR24uP0Aut8CRj51GMlEmrCb18u2_1udH8MdrW4xY7Y5hs11rxbT-GhoBP7waf7roY5EQY3N4WhERm5Eq1qwTRR-mzpcunfn5riPNTvORC51bwleEu2TaffzW-XcfJoHS37f4Sq6Y4-Yrx7vutVLt8/s1024/DSCN4166.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="684" data-original-width="1024" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEife68pYPaEw8JcfQrhwIBmKMOljBjynshS_YoNWzR24uP0Aut8CRj51GMlEmrCb18u2_1udH8MdrW4xY7Y5hs11rxbT-GhoBP7waf7roY5EQY3N4WhERm5Eq1qwTRR-mzpcunfn5riPNTvORC51bwleEu2TaffzW-XcfJoHS37f4Sq6Y4-Yrx7vutVLt8/w640-h428/DSCN4166.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little influx of <b>Ring Ouzels</b> along the south coast on October 9th included these three at Cogden in the afternoon, following four in the morning.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>West Bay did try very hard though, and will still be my seawatching venue of choice. How could it not be? At least four <b>Leach's Petrels</b>, my first Lyme Bay <b>Sooty Shearwater</b> for yonks, two <b>Pom Skuas</b>, 35+ <b>Arctic Skuas</b>, and the ludicrously extravagant gift of a close-in <b>Great Shearwater</b>...</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGj0sqn57Fjazkn0P2EfEVXyO5-yCAO74Yc88_Av8eP6qm4q3HNmTfWI7q9RxQRlOI5N5no9LUBN1I8X5lNFJFgH-Z1Cjrzp-u_MTNDkr8sKGb8vE-z4pVAUyl6F1YDc-XAJZE4sFQ32ts0HRJ706XnIPvYQyMxKDuM-ckBmMZA-1GdOVCXOEHEdouNG8/s1024/2023-09-201.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGj0sqn57Fjazkn0P2EfEVXyO5-yCAO74Yc88_Av8eP6qm4q3HNmTfWI7q9RxQRlOI5N5no9LUBN1I8X5lNFJFgH-Z1Cjrzp-u_MTNDkr8sKGb8vE-z4pVAUyl6F1YDc-XAJZE4sFQ32ts0HRJ706XnIPvYQyMxKDuM-ckBmMZA-1GdOVCXOEHEdouNG8/w640-h480/2023-09-201.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If I were forced to chose a Bird of the Year, this is it. <b>Great Shearwater</b>, West Bay, September 20th.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Along with that singleton, there was also the incredible sight of some 30 <b>large shearwaters</b> - of which three were definitely <b>Great </b>- passing distantly offshore on October 13th. A sign of the times, perhaps?</p><p>One of West Bay's other attractions lies just inland of the harbour. The tiny Brit estuary can hardly be described as a bird magnet, and typically might give you little more than a handful of <b>Mallards </b>and <b>Herring Gulls</b>, but ju-u-u-st occasionally does better...</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2MT9zXu_-josJBlaVQUzA8SuIA-08EYZkcGRJkNfAq6BI-ytizp1bX4JxZrIq-bu31Dy0I_QhvqQI2UE7CxDe3EHSW6UFN9n4GD3NqvC0-M3FD_Q4ON1A4YvvkvWfmUULeJyRGCx-IoTtc85SAOusLRPR-PhT0yya5u3-QzhfDdUsU7hEZ8oNMOd8kXM/s1024/DSCN0170.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2MT9zXu_-josJBlaVQUzA8SuIA-08EYZkcGRJkNfAq6BI-ytizp1bX4JxZrIq-bu31Dy0I_QhvqQI2UE7CxDe3EHSW6UFN9n4GD3NqvC0-M3FD_Q4ON1A4YvvkvWfmUULeJyRGCx-IoTtc85SAOusLRPR-PhT0yya5u3-QzhfDdUsU7hEZ8oNMOd8kXM/w640-h480/DSCN0170.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It took a while, but this August <b>Garganey </b>was probably my first decent find of the year.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhObwmvYbPeHWEA1kOLm08beFJsfgI9i-_FTT5dCM_BZl4RjKOYiQMRvTd8s-MhsVKdabWapYKoCWZBo3pqoVP_dCMUEU1ZU56vuZAWMrgK1f2D93GN14JDeB0Y5SbxczAQ-1z4spypL9C3yCHd_zXAnNLNPhapuFyEBeemi7-nSRrueO-UI0hCxc8K4nA/s1024/DSCN4278.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="767" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhObwmvYbPeHWEA1kOLm08beFJsfgI9i-_FTT5dCM_BZl4RjKOYiQMRvTd8s-MhsVKdabWapYKoCWZBo3pqoVP_dCMUEU1ZU56vuZAWMrgK1f2D93GN14JDeB0Y5SbxczAQ-1z4spypL9C3yCHd_zXAnNLNPhapuFyEBeemi7-nSRrueO-UI0hCxc8K4nA/w640-h480/DSCN4278.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first West Bay <b>Caspian Gull</b>. Very, very welcome.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidmpZfdZQtwdsNCC0jnnGaI4uAcUWvlRZ6SsGrUSNWyp5xAhBY4jTE7H94oxdu13nx7i5BV5uMcx1wQpljKmjsO4WOD92bn9EsSZPil03JsAp1yKnM3RbXqxGaZi072Ezw0KWdfnN0yOILx3PCC63dzgTwVnB6Gm9iwzZe_dchMGD5dWyayvgFlk8_e-U/s1024/DSCN5043.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidmpZfdZQtwdsNCC0jnnGaI4uAcUWvlRZ6SsGrUSNWyp5xAhBY4jTE7H94oxdu13nx7i5BV5uMcx1wQpljKmjsO4WOD92bn9EsSZPil03JsAp1yKnM3RbXqxGaZi072Ezw0KWdfnN0yOILx3PCC63dzgTwVnB6Gm9iwzZe_dchMGD5dWyayvgFlk8_e-U/w640-h480/DSCN5043.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waders are always at a premium locally, especially on the deck. I've certainly never put so much effort into papping a <b>Redshank</b>!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>I already knew that vis-migging at West Bay's West Cliff can be very rewarding, and not just in terms of birds passing overhead, but was still a bit surprised to see a <b>Cirl Bunting</b> there. Nicely picked up by Tom Brereton...</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZue9UItOseDxlmSeLlSu-MYdlHzKxx6DSVeZ23ZBlJP_2NkyPI76RJFvyzZ4IdSaHAAx7ApELmGOCYBPRf3D3pd35hdmDSTxLm0aU7a5hBhFwApBpiLc8TJOKO2dgsDK_UD06FJbs3n1tUMCt0T-cpUx-zFs5Uz-IR6JEBQv2MM6rKtrNSvv1YC79hk/s1024/DSCN4710.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZue9UItOseDxlmSeLlSu-MYdlHzKxx6DSVeZ23ZBlJP_2NkyPI76RJFvyzZ4IdSaHAAx7ApELmGOCYBPRf3D3pd35hdmDSTxLm0aU7a5hBhFwApBpiLc8TJOKO2dgsDK_UD06FJbs3n1tUMCt0T-cpUx-zFs5Uz-IR6JEBQv2MM6rKtrNSvv1YC79hk/w640-h480/DSCN4710.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">West Dorset <b>Cirl Bunting</b> records are certainly on the up right now. Good news for a change.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>I am normally pretty good at passing on bird news, and have rarely needed to keep anything hush-hush, but when word reached me of a <b>Grey Phalarope</b> at a slightly awkward site, I had no qualms about being rather selfish for once. As a consequence I enjoyed one of the best hour's birding ever. I just sat there and soaked it up...</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv8kX59ylK3RacOH4f33vJu86hjlW_SN1tkN_f1Dy9LlQd-4gfT9j3NlkBP94f3E9FnRrudwmL0Wn4qYnKwvhTl698comCOt65udkzb2MiKZQKm56HjgDDKLg60sJ9qmns-Synb62wdse2WahARoLV9ydi9vT20KPcUBvY1-In46n4iaROKYRI3o42e58/s1024/DSCN4007-001.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv8kX59ylK3RacOH4f33vJu86hjlW_SN1tkN_f1Dy9LlQd-4gfT9j3NlkBP94f3E9FnRrudwmL0Wn4qYnKwvhTl698comCOt65udkzb2MiKZQKm56HjgDDKLg60sJ9qmns-Synb62wdse2WahARoLV9ydi9vT20KPcUBvY1-In46n4iaROKYRI3o42e58/w640-h480/DSCN4007-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">October 8th - <b>Grey Phalarope</b> in late-afternoon sunshine.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>2024 will be the same, but different. The same local focus, but no listing, and absolutely no boundaries. My aim will be simply to enjoy whatever comes along. The last few years have shown me just how exciting the birding can be in this joyously underwatched corner of Dorset, so I am quietly confident of a few thrills. But such moments are rare, and I look forward once again to finding ways to glean interest and fascination from the more everyday birds, to getting distracted by plants and insects, and to smiling a lot.</p><p>Thanks to all NQS readers, and I wish you too a smiley 2024.</p>Gavin Haighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17242398421328525578noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-824385241230348874.post-35924455888650894532023-12-17T17:47:00.003+00:002023-12-19T12:01:33.221+00:00Looking Back, Looking Forward<p>So, the moth trap has been out. I'm pretty sure it hasn't previously seen any action in December, but a vague Met Office mention of incoming air from 'the Tropics' tempted me. Friday night: zero moths; Saturday night: five moths...</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTuySKnCVNWPh6yxRZVrVvdMylL-SWfhpgfh6nqRZuYh_nQ2wyJTvkQwo77oo0NPzPhjwaMcyRL-OtTYjYBve_HMvKLHBc2I2wGqSucF1QQD3toolYErNTBdiVtywVTUZqj9vZx0J90HO16ZpjXRiSPkbz5xujO_ro7A50QR_IT4KoCuR9noao6CB6FgM/s1024/DSCN5336.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="771" data-original-width="1024" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTuySKnCVNWPh6yxRZVrVvdMylL-SWfhpgfh6nqRZuYh_nQ2wyJTvkQwo77oo0NPzPhjwaMcyRL-OtTYjYBve_HMvKLHBc2I2wGqSucF1QQD3toolYErNTBdiVtywVTUZqj9vZx0J90HO16ZpjXRiSPkbz5xujO_ro7A50QR_IT4KoCuR9noao6CB6FgM/w640-h482/DSCN5336.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Angle Shades</b> is always welcome. Migrant? I really don't know.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwIolddz7mM4p-miKjletEf1uhgHaONXEJoltpFVRqpQf5jM-yG4jiJ3cEkOn-zoE_jc1UrcDIcZ_l-sLxlX2uz0uq1bLUdmwLB20wsROcdMAkhL_vjxCxptDXdEyLxIHYqeElBZLdvJJfP9vsA_c8XayPjV_alHU-ruyNRrqfhqZCLWJm6vAXje5wl9Q/s1024/DSCN5355.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwIolddz7mM4p-miKjletEf1uhgHaONXEJoltpFVRqpQf5jM-yG4jiJ3cEkOn-zoE_jc1UrcDIcZ_l-sLxlX2uz0uq1bLUdmwLB20wsROcdMAkhL_vjxCxptDXdEyLxIHYqeElBZLdvJJfP9vsA_c8XayPjV_alHU-ruyNRrqfhqZCLWJm6vAXje5wl9Q/w640-h480/DSCN5355.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A furry little <b>December Moth</b>, enjoying its NQS debut. There were two of these.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>The other two moths were <b><i>Epiphyas postvittana</i></b>, or <b>Light Brown Apple Moth</b>; a familiar, everyday micro.</p><p>No longer having a Twitter account means I am completely out of the loop, moth news-wise, and have no idea whether migrants have been dropping in from warm parts afar. Nevertheless, I'll put the trap out again tonight. I guess there might be a chance.</p><p>I'm currently deep into some very overdue DIY at home, and a recent garage deck-clearing operation to make some work space saw me stow all my mothy paraphernalia until next season. It hadn't seen any use for several weeks, so I've surprised myself somewhat by getting it out again. And doing so has got me thinking about how my second - but first <i>full - </i>year of mothing went. Pretty well, I reckon. Not the migrant-fest of 2022, but still some cracking moths, including a few Dorset scarcities (rarities?) like <b>Tissue </b>and <b>Royal Mantle</b>, as well as my first <b>Clifden Nonpareils</b>, <b>Lime Hawk-moth</b>, etc. I suppose any normal blog would do a mothy review of the year, but I don't think that will happen here. There was a time when I kept a careful tally of the number of species recorded, how many were new for the garden and/or year...but, well, I kind of let it slip.</p><p>Looking forward to next year, hopefully there will still be lots of trap deployment, but maybe a more cherry-picking approach to its contents. I foresee a lot less counting.</p><p>Bird-wise, yesterday's postal delivery gave me good reason to do a bit of 'looking back'...</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikXHvf2_Mx7eao1IQJEtYo6hvODCVU-zdP2Og2cUWvmZwfkMjA_Pk9_ROmoH9uH7sU5QTY74wrXk8V3hzXEJsZI4rDcxJSwjwPXIY0JVHAP-swgET_jni6NL_cEsd_FqxXD9riwaFDfnfmFZv2HF-Yu1-PJHwM6dKqKlZqq4wXPSYqAZfx2icBqc6y0tM/s1024/DSCN5359.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="771" data-original-width="1024" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikXHvf2_Mx7eao1IQJEtYo6hvODCVU-zdP2Og2cUWvmZwfkMjA_Pk9_ROmoH9uH7sU5QTY74wrXk8V3hzXEJsZI4rDcxJSwjwPXIY0JVHAP-swgET_jni6NL_cEsd_FqxXD9riwaFDfnfmFZv2HF-Yu1-PJHwM6dKqKlZqq4wXPSYqAZfx2icBqc6y0tM/w640-h482/DSCN5359.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">256 enormous pages.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Back in the day, the arrival of a shiny new county bird report was a big deal for me. At that time it would have been the <b><i>London Bird Report</i></b>. Obviously I would check for entries with the initials GMH attached - in the early years there were quite a few of those - and review any sections I had written. Then I would pretty much devour it from cover to cover. Forty years on, everything is a bit more low-key. Don't get me wrong - the 2022 <b><i>Dorset Bird Report</i></b> is an amazing publication. Clearly, a load of hard work went into the production of this tome, but none of it was mine. My name appears occasionally (<b>Barred Warbler</b> and <b>Leach's Petrel</b> records for example) but my contribution was otherwise minimal. I think even my 2022 records were automatically picked up from eBird entries.</p><p>Impressed as I am with this fine volume, I shan't be sitting down to read it from cover to cover. I shall browse and dabble, no doubt raising a surprised eyebrow from time to time or sighing at some depressing statistic of loss. Unlike my younger self, I no longer feel <i>involved </i>in the county-level birding scene, but more an outsider looking in. Interested, but not invested.</p><p>Looking forward, birding in 2024 will undoubtedly revert to a boundary-free approach. It will be 99% local, but no 'patch' as such, or at least nothing I could in good conscience call a patch.</p><p>Casting an eye over what I've written here, I realise some of it reads a bit like something from a 'review of the year' post. That's not intentional, but I wonder if I'm subconsciously wishing the calendar forward two weeks!</p>Gavin Haighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17242398421328525578noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-824385241230348874.post-32706789097270931672023-12-09T22:35:00.003+00:002023-12-09T22:44:29.462+00:00Losing It<p>'Take a seat, Mr Haig.'</p>
<p>I sat.</p>
<p>
Next, a number of questions, which I answered as honestly and helpfully as I
could.
</p>
<p>
Then, leaning forward: 'Okay, before we can carry out the test I just need to
take a look...'
</p>
<p>A few seconds later: 'Well...' and a sigh of disappointment.</p>
<p>
Apparently my right eardrum was invisible, completely hidden by a wall of
wax. The left side was partially blocked too. No hearing test today. I
promised to get them sorted out asap, and rebooked.
</p>
<p>
A week's dosing with the excellently named <b><i>Earol</i></b> was followed by
a short but satisfying micro-suction session at a back-alley clinic in town.
The chirpy earwax removal chap took great delight in showing me the whopping
nuggets of gloop thus extracted.
</p>
<p>A few days later: 'Take a seat, Mr Haig.'</p>
<p>
A much happier audiologist positively gushed at the sight of my straight,
wide, apparently healthy - and now empty - ear canals.
</p>
<p>'Wonderful! Wonderful! What a pair of beauties!'</p>
<p>
The hearing test was straightforward enough. You wear headphones and listen
for sounds, pressing the button on a hand-held pad whenever you hear one. I
was occasionally fooled by the faint throb of a drill in a neighbouring
property under renovation, but I doubt it made a lot of difference to the
result. The result? Hmmm, yes. The result...
</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbON4CsjSB1twos67Qaebz5YdfeGYiQ4PjQ7V0k7-KAPayLPE7lYhOmeJ4aFiS4o1QzlnPIPc7XEgDL2r3bI8niiW3yfs8Fa16S71ZLaT6yyZanGk2g5jhHVrhNxrFXSzMdqYHcdshkLXPuyQ0WnkAEGVUD0Inf_8VZwzM7K-0BsYDcpRHNRuX7PewlgM/s1006/Scan.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="725" data-original-width="1006" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbON4CsjSB1twos67Qaebz5YdfeGYiQ4PjQ7V0k7-KAPayLPE7lYhOmeJ4aFiS4o1QzlnPIPc7XEgDL2r3bI8niiW3yfs8Fa16S71ZLaT6yyZanGk2g5jhHVrhNxrFXSzMdqYHcdshkLXPuyQ0WnkAEGVUD0Inf_8VZwzM7K-0BsYDcpRHNRuX7PewlgM/w640-h462/Scan.jpg" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
My audiogram - explanation below
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<p>
In the chart above, the black lines represent my hearing thresholds for both
ears at various frequencies, where O = right ear and X = left. The blue and red
lines are nicked from a 2021 paper in <b><i>The Lancet</i></b> medical
journal, and represent mean thresholds for Japanese men tested in a massive
study involving thousands of participants. Blue = men in the age bracket
30-39; red = age 65-69.
</p>
<p>
According to the audiologist I saw my hearing is fairly typical of someone my
age, and nothing to worry about. He reckoned that hearing aids were
unnecessary. Back home I did a bit of googling and came across the
<b><i>Lancet </i></b>paper. I am not quite in the 65-69 bracket yet, but
already I seem to be slightly more deaf than a lot of Japanese blokes older
than me. The good news is that I can hear speech okay, most of which registers
in the lower frequencies. However, for me the higher frequencies are fading
all too rapidly. The audiogram has frequency (in Hz) along the bottom axis and
decibels up the side. A lot of birds - like <b>Redwing </b>and
<b>Firecrest</b>, say - register at around 7-8000 Hz, which is pretty
inconsiderate of them. But there is even worse news...
</p>
<p>
The decibel scale is not linear; it is logarithmic. As I understand it, what
this means in practice is that an increase of ten decibels basically doubles
the loudness of a sound. In other words, the ear perceives 30 decibels as
twice the loudness of 20 decibels, and 40 decibels as twice the loudness of
30, and so on. Which means - looking at the audiogram above - that the faint
10-decibel <b>Redwing </b>call which the average 35 year-old Japanese birder can just about hear needs to be roughly THIRTY-TWO times as loud before
my left ear can detect it.
</p>
<p>Strewth!</p>
<p>
It would be easy to see this in a very negative light, but I am grimly hanging
on to my 'late middle-age' status while I still can. After moaning about one or more of the
joyous delights that come with decrepitude, an elderly friend is fond of
shaking his head and saying, 'Don't get old, Gavin.' To be honest though, I'll
happily take that over the alternative.
</p>
Gavin Haighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17242398421328525578noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-824385241230348874.post-73687355515744775482023-11-30T22:18:00.003+00:002023-12-01T12:54:24.177+00:00This and That...I seem to have embraced the sentiments of the previous post's title a bit too
zealously, and have done virtually no birding in the fortnight since. Even so,
there is a ton of stuff to blog about. Here is some of it...
<div><br /></div>
<div>
First, a nice bit of good news. Almost three years ago I was fortunate enough
to get this photo...
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6COrSHNz2MpRb0AowZdoQT_r1D0FB2GYmo9T47YXgLdnWW9JegKhhe46P5ee5qtyVijSELcz5C10BOCSFSncv-AG5-ygO_zN7zTSeUIf7xxvfdz2TNdAcD5icnJEvNJ2ZGZrQPUA9kNdZLK_xZc3Urt3xuu20Ct9izyLN2WVHxO7Yk3vzhh5d70BzISY/s1024/Cirl%20&%20Yellowhammer.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="714" data-original-width="1024" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6COrSHNz2MpRb0AowZdoQT_r1D0FB2GYmo9T47YXgLdnWW9JegKhhe46P5ee5qtyVijSELcz5C10BOCSFSncv-AG5-ygO_zN7zTSeUIf7xxvfdz2TNdAcD5icnJEvNJ2ZGZrQPUA9kNdZLK_xZc3Urt3xuu20Ct9izyLN2WVHxO7Yk3vzhh5d70BzISY/w640-h446/Cirl%20&%20Yellowhammer.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
Female <b>Cirl Bunting</b> (foreground) and <b>Yellowhammer</b>, West
Bexington, January 2021.
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<div>
Several weeks back I had an email from Ed Stubbs at
<b><i>Birdwatch </i></b>magazine, asking if they might use the image in an
upcoming article. And if you turn to page 38 of the December edition, there it
is, in an inspirational piece about winter <b>bunting </b>flocks. As well as
the obvious fame bestowed by such exposure, there was fortune too, and I am
fifteen quid to the good.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
In an earlier edition of the same magazine (November? October?) was a
thought-provoking opinion piece by Matt Phelps, in which he bemoaned the
negative tone that pervades much of birdy Twitter. I've recycled the relevant
<b><i>Birdwatch </i></b>mag but my memory tells me this was the gist of it:
Matt suggested that the depressing tendency of 'older' birders to dwell on the
glory days of yore - when <b>Tree Sparrow</b> flocks were a driving hazard and
every suburban garden was carpeted in <b>Turtle Doves - </b>is
essentially a discouragement to younger folk taking up the conservation cause,
and that we should focus more on the success stories.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
I cannot help wondering if Matt has underestimated the ability of youthful
enthusiasm to triumph over adversity. I am sure that most twenty-somethings
regard the doom-mongering utterances of grumpy has-beens as exactly that. And
rightly so. I mean, what do <i>they </i>know? Okay, so there might well have
been <b>Redstarts </b>and <b>Wood Warblers</b> bursting from every leafy glade
fifty years ago, but there were virtually no breeding <b>Peregrines</b> in the
whole of southern England. But look at them now! So put <i>that </i>in your
wrinkly old pipe and smoke it, Mr Fart.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
That latter fact was brought home to me by some other recent reading
material...
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYIxtIFikPJteFA74oH0ZQbD2Ei7ZJrgX0X5cqO2Dl4fEQjBMne1oyz5m3XzpYwcK-3zjOggAyyOdSr2LQVGWtbopCpWt3rsCPyRdGUtiChXQcsAtxZEAiZzBqCSYw4adHYEOZSu1C4-8j1yvX3KU2_Lv5vhP3qwenf-gTXwEvA79o7fJ-e9NkNLeVGlw/s769/Fullscreen%20capture%2030112023%20195156.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="643" data-original-width="769" height="536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYIxtIFikPJteFA74oH0ZQbD2Ei7ZJrgX0X5cqO2Dl4fEQjBMne1oyz5m3XzpYwcK-3zjOggAyyOdSr2LQVGWtbopCpWt3rsCPyRdGUtiChXQcsAtxZEAiZzBqCSYw4adHYEOZSu1C4-8j1yvX3KU2_Lv5vhP3qwenf-gTXwEvA79o7fJ-e9NkNLeVGlw/w640-h536/Fullscreen%20capture%2030112023%20195156.jpg" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
Cover image nicked from web, but I do have the book and have just
finished reading it.
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<div><br /></div>
<div>
Although the name rang a bell, I think Kenneth Allsop was just before my time.
His star rose principally in the '60s, as a journalist and TV presenter mainly
of current affairs, but his first book (<b><i>Adventure Lit Their Star</i></b>
- published 1949) was about Britain's first breeding
<b>Little Ringed Plovers</b>. Kenneth Allsop was a birder. For the last three
years of his life he resided at West Milton Mill, just down the road from
where I live, and was a vigorous environmental campaigner. Prior to reading
this book I had no idea he was largely responsible for the preservation of
Powerstock Common's oak woodland. The Forestry Commission were already in the
process of felling it for conifer planting when Kenneth Allsop and a couple of
friends intervened. The book cover features nearby Eggardon Hill, an area
which in the early '70s was being prospected for oil and gas. I find it hard
to believe that 120ft drilling rigs were blotting the landscape of the lovely
West Dorset AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) back then, but
apparently so, and KA was instrumental in galvanising local opposition.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
The book is about those final years, and how he used his various public
platforms (including the BBC and Sunday Times) to turn a spotlight on
individuals, companies and organisations wreaking - or allowing -
environmental havoc. It is also about the resistance and opposition he faced,
and about the almost inevitable emasculation of his influential voice. Kenneth
Allsop took his own life in May 1973. He was more than ten years younger than
I am now. He was not a saint, but I know two people who worked for him at that time, and both have only fond memories and kind words.</div><div><br /></div>
<div>The book is both inspiring and depressing.
Plenty that KA railed against is as much an issue today as it was then, but
there have also been many environmental battles fought and won in the last
fifty years. I don't think Matt Phelps need worry too much. Clearly there are
always willing combatants, and the grumpy old moaners aren't going to change
that.</div>
Gavin Haighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17242398421328525578noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-824385241230348874.post-5739746523754196432023-11-16T22:07:00.005+00:002023-11-16T22:43:37.423+00:00Winding Down<p>
As the year winds down, so do I. Winter is my least favourite season, and with
advancing age seems ever longer and more unrelenting. I am definitely not
built for it.
</p>
<p>
Winter isn't even here yet, and look, already I am moaning about it. You would
think I might use the remaining six weeks of the year to seek out those
chilly-season specialities currently missing from my Patchwork Challenge list,
but I really cannot be bothered. Instead I shall just plod about as per usual,
wherever the mood takes me. I'm not going to add to the PWC 2023 tally by
visiting Cogden or West Bex but have been to both in the last few days...
</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi95PvFdMRuiO7daNurQTzcFWL75ubYgRe00BgcggcYzfRYdyWFuib2s6retF3qd-cbwZXueYDxnmz3uWmnOLWW2aEe066pQen-Qyjjk2UtdmqXebU-33A1FW5XHJBjkVWb2xgZ0FN0EQZSphvqXw8jtoRt-cO5HYC_PfoeO63GwrWJdRenFrP1K0nyTck/s1024/DSCN5233.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi95PvFdMRuiO7daNurQTzcFWL75ubYgRe00BgcggcYzfRYdyWFuib2s6retF3qd-cbwZXueYDxnmz3uWmnOLWW2aEe066pQen-Qyjjk2UtdmqXebU-33A1FW5XHJBjkVWb2xgZ0FN0EQZSphvqXw8jtoRt-cO5HYC_PfoeO63GwrWJdRenFrP1K0nyTck/w640-h480/DSCN5233.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
The West Bexington Mere is in fine fettle right now, and pulling in the
gulls.<br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6U-quPspYizCBsw-kKwfaTF4ND27fjHnfml3dCmLBbdrwwGvABSGdzuhWabcV_RH2HqPPaw3y_Lvm9MBUK6pZHBzUoYcs1mG4zgm0UxdEuXfb8dswph4tlk4q5ju98Km9Qbvsh35D_oUMOKaiDI3xcKUAl3xW38Jom0PxWhnllwNO-Xq4z7-Z5TNqqAM/s1001/DSCN5236.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="753" data-original-width="1001" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6U-quPspYizCBsw-kKwfaTF4ND27fjHnfml3dCmLBbdrwwGvABSGdzuhWabcV_RH2HqPPaw3y_Lvm9MBUK6pZHBzUoYcs1mG4zgm0UxdEuXfb8dswph4tlk4q5ju98Km9Qbvsh35D_oUMOKaiDI3xcKUAl3xW38Jom0PxWhnllwNO-Xq4z7-Z5TNqqAM/w640-h482/DSCN5236.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
On this particular occasion the pre-roost <b>Med Gull</b> count reached
160 on the Mere, though more were on the sea. I still haven't quite got
used to such abundance.<br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF_WjOUcYFG2bD_L2XwadtkfazYO8Zxo02ffsC0SHHf8VS3_obsE9b40xZ9suEnb9glcK1wZ7yNB6CrYdXjeOfR4sf7D_bt_adp6wTS23-kzfQkRpXYWFdJ-CYAbdhAhQDv8AufvHmkVPEjoLRphsIrnKy908sQrqL8OrcuMQvfIQXpRoFy9C9HrQj_xA/s997/DSCN5239.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="748" data-original-width="997" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF_WjOUcYFG2bD_L2XwadtkfazYO8Zxo02ffsC0SHHf8VS3_obsE9b40xZ9suEnb9glcK1wZ7yNB6CrYdXjeOfR4sf7D_bt_adp6wTS23-kzfQkRpXYWFdJ-CYAbdhAhQDv8AufvHmkVPEjoLRphsIrnKy908sQrqL8OrcuMQvfIQXpRoFy9C9HrQj_xA/w640-h480/DSCN5239.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
Storm Ciarán has ripped a significant breach in the shingle bank at
Cogden, and dumped a heap of pebbles on the beach flora.<br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<p>
We had our granddaughter Gracie today, and while she took an afternoon nap I
popped down to West Bay to see if any <b>Black Redstarts</b> had taken
advantage of the welcome break in south-westerlies to visit the beach. And
yes, three had. At the time I wasn't sure how many of them I'd managed to
photograph, but it turned out that I had caught them all...<br />
</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI_QXM85ZVqkRyNu9aNH9vnsF0sL0r_Ln8tuk9D2YeR0FY-REPE6bdgbIE-Py1qdhp70Xff2adc7pO_u8Zifog6WofYN7hsbcX9ow6xZJypuP6RDHpqRIzFeqfPj0YRZCEdf3_OJLR5Lt6DjNaeqIYGFUWW1TQqiVsxwGBZCPO44Az8urZjmK20Pse_OE/s1024/DSCN5294.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="770" data-original-width="1024" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI_QXM85ZVqkRyNu9aNH9vnsF0sL0r_Ln8tuk9D2YeR0FY-REPE6bdgbIE-Py1qdhp70Xff2adc7pO_u8Zifog6WofYN7hsbcX9ow6xZJypuP6RDHpqRIzFeqfPj0YRZCEdf3_OJLR5Lt6DjNaeqIYGFUWW1TQqiVsxwGBZCPO44Az8urZjmK20Pse_OE/w640-h482/DSCN5294.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Black Redstart</b> #1. Note split fringe in shortest right-hand
tertial.<br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9z3UNt3DCetzvDVVwak42KyzvoL51GlzBrtK87-yF0bT2me5Q9thD1qEh_cOldVNqCmV661jndgSxHQ1m0Qu1tZi22BPpFd41uTF8-XEBBgNZdUh9sB4nn-7qZll5R8NH3xE0SvCqO14xXM4HfUbC1pL26OQC8ixP3VLUzmwMAzp_jhXxKrXuxmjPRZw/s1024/DSCN5302.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="767" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9z3UNt3DCetzvDVVwak42KyzvoL51GlzBrtK87-yF0bT2me5Q9thD1qEh_cOldVNqCmV661jndgSxHQ1m0Qu1tZi22BPpFd41uTF8-XEBBgNZdUh9sB4nn-7qZll5R8NH3xE0SvCqO14xXM4HfUbC1pL26OQC8ixP3VLUzmwMAzp_jhXxKrXuxmjPRZw/w640-h480/DSCN5302.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Black Redstart</b> #2. Photographed in the act of heading E towards
the harbour with #1.<br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIR4he-qjVCudPucKoVIy1wrDgdOtXWZJmIwL0JYp4WhLAFUtTdXBzqd73DdDWbvSAFODbW27LBaUEesLGs50EjQqz4RGX2xWZyDPSgXFwv8mNLbKxYZOiwB67hYtHhFnaZrs6-dAY5GzEIzDkt4qVh7hp0G4X-cIh5z8JmXpIa3PuDsHX0lpmkUBQinE/s1024/DSCN5306.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIR4he-qjVCudPucKoVIy1wrDgdOtXWZJmIwL0JYp4WhLAFUtTdXBzqd73DdDWbvSAFODbW27LBaUEesLGs50EjQqz4RGX2xWZyDPSgXFwv8mNLbKxYZOiwB67hYtHhFnaZrs6-dAY5GzEIzDkt4qVh7hp0G4X-cIh5z8JmXpIa3PuDsHX0lpmkUBQinE/w640-h480/DSCN5306.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Black Redstart</b> #3. This one remained on the rocks just W of the
West Pier throughout.<br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<p>
<b>Black Redstarts</b> were a fixture in West Bay last winter, with at least
four birds involved, including a gorgeous male. Three female types today was a
promising sign that this winter too will be rewarding in that regard. I
hope so.
</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglLTH1Po1ame7-03zFEBAFTT5LH3OTwi3xwpqOL658-LZrIA6dJ9CzTI4KSQJgcfl4jFDe6omVhrhKz5RhLJKeN9Eu2A2oC2TA-AJj1rrSrFOKaCUE3Mj5OAyYSxolKgyEhk-OFsuPUhtQ_BdpkFQg7z5yPWslocXz9CMVCBZdyYWe2X-HKS3V1-LyOM4/s1024/DSCN5289.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglLTH1Po1ame7-03zFEBAFTT5LH3OTwi3xwpqOL658-LZrIA6dJ9CzTI4KSQJgcfl4jFDe6omVhrhKz5RhLJKeN9Eu2A2oC2TA-AJj1rrSrFOKaCUE3Mj5OAyYSxolKgyEhk-OFsuPUhtQ_BdpkFQg7z5yPWslocXz9CMVCBZdyYWe2X-HKS3V1-LyOM4/w640-h480/DSCN5289.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Black Redstart</b> #1 or #2 on the West Pier wall, prior to heading
off towards the harbour.<br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAdLZdpemnPgYbj91XVeC8zNDlAC7eSM1sp2VRD9tqhbk1xlCcF1W9r-Gb2mvwC-CH2VrJSiTgBnLb4N512AQqBahcWMO3sC5_65HWEZ54Youxh4X2Fy8qX1bSu5UgjFBrIg7t2amW3s3u-xyLcvzROZC1kLTXQq_OzQTIAchIMYVt-DfT628-iX5XEmQ/s1024/DSCN5310.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="767" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAdLZdpemnPgYbj91XVeC8zNDlAC7eSM1sp2VRD9tqhbk1xlCcF1W9r-Gb2mvwC-CH2VrJSiTgBnLb4N512AQqBahcWMO3sC5_65HWEZ54Youxh4X2Fy8qX1bSu5UgjFBrIg7t2amW3s3u-xyLcvzROZC1kLTXQq_OzQTIAchIMYVt-DfT628-iX5XEmQ/w640-h480/DSCN5310.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Black Redstart</b> #3 again.<br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<p>
Another winter feature of West Bay is the small population of
<b>Rock Pipits</b>. Today I counted 15, all but one in the West Pier area.
Knowing that Mark Cutts is engaged in a colour-ringing programme on Portland, in
association with the Bird Observatory, I eagerly checked each one for a
black plastic ring. Or <i>any</i> ring actually. Predictably, nothing.
</p>
<p>
I am confident that some of these <b>Rock Pipits</b> will be
<b><i>littoralis </i></b>birds (the migratory, so-called
<b>Scandinavian Rock Pipit</b>) but will not be getting too obsessed with them
this winter.
</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGjB7sfqnfTqEaXUekJ2mBUaKK5QBfBrW32LboNNRkbrhuQjLeSu7sBW8b19MNyhlTs-jduD4SfLFlTi73LChYdaqJPlyPz-YnA6TaSp_HsZ55-dNSO3I7OqlS1O_zabZZMlObXz_ngUa2_FamByUlXPt_gl54Ui_yNgrVDWOnao5uLm6Pc78EeQXmPP4/s1024/DSCN5262.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="770" data-original-width="1024" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGjB7sfqnfTqEaXUekJ2mBUaKK5QBfBrW32LboNNRkbrhuQjLeSu7sBW8b19MNyhlTs-jduD4SfLFlTi73LChYdaqJPlyPz-YnA6TaSp_HsZ55-dNSO3I7OqlS1O_zabZZMlObXz_ngUa2_FamByUlXPt_gl54Ui_yNgrVDWOnao5uLm6Pc78EeQXmPP4/w640-h482/DSCN5262.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
There was just a single <b>Rock Pipit</b> on the wet field inland of
Rise restaurant this afternoon, and from some angles its supercilium was
quite striking. Could well be <b><i>littoralis</i></b>...<br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO4YSonnFXgrCeRzFlTrwZw2_HxAaVNf3M5FmfbIw1TUd1yi_1ov7tkJlJz-necBuJI4PSM7WtpGkXOQpwHB8qUvG4MjOejrK1k5UkEjAqCE-9X0Dz1b1Fe5nEMnGv2rkUSi9X1eYUhTfUQ_8fhjpnvNNra8pqjJqJRtgrqo0C3P0pY30CtQTs6vVBX-I/s1024/DSCN5268.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO4YSonnFXgrCeRzFlTrwZw2_HxAaVNf3M5FmfbIw1TUd1yi_1ov7tkJlJz-necBuJI4PSM7WtpGkXOQpwHB8qUvG4MjOejrK1k5UkEjAqCE-9X0Dz1b1Fe5nEMnGv2rkUSi9X1eYUhTfUQ_8fhjpnvNNra8pqjJqJRtgrqo0C3P0pY30CtQTs6vVBX-I/w640-h480/DSCN5268.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
The same <b>Rock Pipit</b>.<br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<p>
A recent feature of West Bay winters has been <b>Purple Sandpiper</b>, with up
to four at the start of the year. I couldn't find any today though, despite
the West Pier rocks looking superb with the tide out. Actually the low tide
encouraged me to photograph the harbour for posterity...
</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigNMGfEdb3W-8L5n1o-W2RY_nV2uFIwyjjiro828t4JN-t0aoIg2zlWu6RV4gwFj-NibBOJ6KqK5qSVP5LU_OoQx7dpmmYYU7GHhTTu36NMIHtpEiLV7p5ktArWLLWr64qEyuQqZ5kcNjUHJQ7z5LNiKAV38NKYeSiDKLokscyMD0PGg0M5jgSLbNaYVM/s1024/DSCN5276.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigNMGfEdb3W-8L5n1o-W2RY_nV2uFIwyjjiro828t4JN-t0aoIg2zlWu6RV4gwFj-NibBOJ6KqK5qSVP5LU_OoQx7dpmmYYU7GHhTTu36NMIHtpEiLV7p5ktArWLLWr64qEyuQqZ5kcNjUHJQ7z5LNiKAV38NKYeSiDKLokscyMD0PGg0M5jgSLbNaYVM/w640-h480/DSCN5276.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
The inland half of West Bay harbour at low tide, from part-way along its
western side. The wide-angle shot makes it look bigger than it is The
swollen River Brit gushing into it mid-shot.<br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS4151KRhKlmg5XNMYYETbDETCA7qv1-YAr2aNTaJHwW-q9b3unP8sReIvZtlQJ9eag661t8GjRvaKeTUbVBYGv5mKjhQGz-1gRxlKpNWeyzuKOLw7XD-Yh9dqcZSnnbprT7zmhCNhw1rTWDdrTL0W7KkmPbu4sCWKtl6583Fr21qnJnuIgVz2HAeHghM/s1024/DSCN5277.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS4151KRhKlmg5XNMYYETbDETCA7qv1-YAr2aNTaJHwW-q9b3unP8sReIvZtlQJ9eag661t8GjRvaKeTUbVBYGv5mKjhQGz-1gRxlKpNWeyzuKOLw7XD-Yh9dqcZSnnbprT7zmhCNhw1rTWDdrTL0W7KkmPbu4sCWKtl6583Fr21qnJnuIgVz2HAeHghM/w640-h480/DSCN5277.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
And the seaward half, ditto.<br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<p>
Birding-wise the only plan I have for 2024 is to have no plan. Next year I'll
be back to pottering around the local area; no targets, no goals, no
boundaries, maybe a silly project or two as the fancy takes me.<br />
</p>
<p>Next year? I think I've already started.<br /></p>
Gavin Haighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17242398421328525578noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-824385241230348874.post-64508890195096134292023-11-08T22:33:00.009+00:002023-11-12T11:41:45.987+00:00Leach's Central<p>
The forecast said SSW gusting to 40-odd mph from the early hours, plus loads of
rain. A seawatch this morning was inevitable.
</p>
<p>
I arrived at 07:07 and, as per usual, the first things moving were ex-roost
gulls, mostly <b>Black-headed</b>. Exactly eight minutes in I picked up a
small, dark bird amongst the gulls, very close inshore but off to my right. It was
a <b>Leach's Petrel</b>. I expected it to head east past me and provide some
crippling views, but it failed to make any headway and ended up drifting
slowly away west instead. I also expected it to be the first of a few, but it
was the first of one. The rest of the seawatch was dire: 21 <b>Med Gulls</b>,
four <b>Dunlin </b>together and singles of <b>Red-throated Diver</b> and
<b>Gannet</b>. I am almost desperate enough to include the probable
<b>Common Scoter</b>, but not quite. By 09:00 I'd had enough.
</p>
<p>
I really was not surprised to see another <b>Leach's Petrel</b>, but
honestly...
</p>
<p>What is it about West Bay?!</p>
<p>
I've said it before, but will repeat here for context: in all my years of
seawatching from Seaton I saw just two <b>Leach's Petrels</b>, both on the
same stormy November morning in 2005. Up until Sunday, even Steve had only
recorded the species once on a Seaton seawatch (see
<a href="https://stevesbirdingblog.blogspot.com/2009/11/leachs-at-last.html" target="_blank">here</a>). West Bay has been way more productive:
</p>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>2nd November 2022: 10+ <b>Leach's Petrels</b> (probably 14 or 15).</li>
<li>8th November 2022: 3</li>
<li>24th November 2022: 1</li>
<li>3rd January 2023: 1</li>
<li>
1st November 2023: 2+ (a third <b>petrel sp</b> was almost certainly
<b>Leach's</b> too)
</li>
<li>8th November 2023: 1</li>
</ul>
<p>
Based on my previous Lyme Bay seawatching experiences at Seaton, a total of
18+ <b>Leach's Petrels</b> across six dates in just over a year is nothing
short of amazing. I'm not sure what West Bay's secret is, but look forward to
seeing if it continues to be as generous. I hope so.
</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibHdsMKO0wTQSjCBCwlEAO0VDrEFkFJb-E_LoQYZh2ffxzpyHjKVie0FfxNIe14ht7jHtK4jpiymtKDwNAkXQChayDeP7VyfAbsDdFe0HIVK4h7H5tfQt0EcSvE9ODBx8UCfZP5nqhFf1U19H4MuYh-T5P9iTkNJn9gbFeBojtSqwjG3APGzeDfVUb61U/s1001/DSCN5118.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="754" data-original-width="1001" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibHdsMKO0wTQSjCBCwlEAO0VDrEFkFJb-E_LoQYZh2ffxzpyHjKVie0FfxNIe14ht7jHtK4jpiymtKDwNAkXQChayDeP7VyfAbsDdFe0HIVK4h7H5tfQt0EcSvE9ODBx8UCfZP5nqhFf1U19H4MuYh-T5P9iTkNJn9gbFeBojtSqwjG3APGzeDfVUb61U/w640-h482/DSCN5118.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
View from the West Bay shelter this morning. Rain and murk meant
visibility was rarely more than about 400m, so it was bins only for most
of the time. Although this photo suggests that only a thin
sliver of sea is available for inspection, the yellow circle illustrates
the field of view of my 10x32s. Today's <b>Leach's</b> was just over
those rocks to the right.<br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVR2wIDELoVEfI3yBdDLlfWd5oATxgTFsauwWgHrdboHBskK8sbyR-r7EDUNqpnBpPN6aOWrKHCk3vk-GWn2iimGR8-Jc3E8uSFRBSWc1St5kduHawvyHlyczGn_W9ViHtNHq4TfWIUBAN2kqcPca9kutjEZiqB63VSZAYJEC-RIbaYznUpc89n8iDPJ8/s1024/DSCN5120.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVR2wIDELoVEfI3yBdDLlfWd5oATxgTFsauwWgHrdboHBskK8sbyR-r7EDUNqpnBpPN6aOWrKHCk3vk-GWn2iimGR8-Jc3E8uSFRBSWc1St5kduHawvyHlyczGn_W9ViHtNHq4TfWIUBAN2kqcPca9kutjEZiqB63VSZAYJEC-RIbaYznUpc89n8iDPJ8/w640-h480/DSCN5120.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
Taken with 500mm zoom, which I think is roughly equivalent to 10x
magnification. Sadly no birds to look at here, but then there rarely
were.<br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<p></p>
<p>Elsewhere in West Bay...</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJOnOZ2GGm5PFeZUzASxOeTqDqvqzVPWi7HNoMF18xgCx1IwEspPaJE7JaWf4UTM_88t59WYdpwCBx6WbO9sJS-qj-lzObZBNHtyybUa3fkuyPit_N31Q_ngw05fdEltir3RVLn7A_GV9Hf7P4_kfTfLf87hqsaa1KM4JWCxeC24DdzukRQPtf9A4u_jo/s1024/DSCN5131.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="770" data-original-width="1024" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJOnOZ2GGm5PFeZUzASxOeTqDqvqzVPWi7HNoMF18xgCx1IwEspPaJE7JaWf4UTM_88t59WYdpwCBx6WbO9sJS-qj-lzObZBNHtyybUa3fkuyPit_N31Q_ngw05fdEltir3RVLn7A_GV9Hf7P4_kfTfLf87hqsaa1KM4JWCxeC24DdzukRQPtf9A4u_jo/w640-h482/DSCN5131.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
Looks good for <b><i>sinensis </i>Cormorant</b>.<br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQwS-exwBmUpC8Jaha57xOtPFW7lEOCAYj3PLdTfNQmHC35E7hNV0glJTFCHKmjq7lvUB1zUHPrqHDUXeK1ptOXghLytEFQD-vTxUnf41iq-WJYC9NEZtSfyHa0LVMnBfQo2wq2qlgZTiAJv9eRg9fNdT1b9hmevV_-tV4wYdr3Qay0x2F4EtRqb7hQLs/s988/DSCN5141.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="741" data-original-width="988" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQwS-exwBmUpC8Jaha57xOtPFW7lEOCAYj3PLdTfNQmHC35E7hNV0glJTFCHKmjq7lvUB1zUHPrqHDUXeK1ptOXghLytEFQD-vTxUnf41iq-WJYC9NEZtSfyHa0LVMnBfQo2wq2qlgZTiAJv9eRg9fNdT1b9hmevV_-tV4wYdr3Qay0x2F4EtRqb7hQLs/w640-h480/DSCN5141.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
First <b>Purple Sandpiper</b> of the autumn clearly visible in this
photo. Vainly it sought sanctuary on the West Pier rocks and the West
Beach rocks, but eventually I lost it. Probably flew back to Lyme Regis
in disgust.<br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHkwoK3zaXKyCVM6CrDXhscHe9Xq7YrEbb_9pZyrJHpNNoaSPJYyyL3Re8YvCAZ1jJ_OYegszsP_rfpQ88JwVdJUO9ypO38kblqxvlU92EbGvVuTI7LU79U6UrolckOWIsLg6ZJ53Mi9GQIDZNPwMFPXNjUoYNC64fyKJOht9R3KKMaqEUqqw9Gt36LOQ/s1024/DSCN5159.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="770" data-original-width="1024" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHkwoK3zaXKyCVM6CrDXhscHe9Xq7YrEbb_9pZyrJHpNNoaSPJYyyL3Re8YvCAZ1jJ_OYegszsP_rfpQ88JwVdJUO9ypO38kblqxvlU92EbGvVuTI7LU79U6UrolckOWIsLg6ZJ53Mi9GQIDZNPwMFPXNjUoYNC64fyKJOht9R3KKMaqEUqqw9Gt36LOQ/w640-h482/DSCN5159.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Purple Sand</b> heading for another soaking on the West Beach rocks.
Amazingly the Axe patch has never recorded <b>Purple Sandpiper</b>, so
this photo is a cut-out-and-keep search image for Seaton birders.<br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzOjdfCnXYa-YbwiMgoBNhXleVDQPFFIhEkGQvUnnxdAfomhCpWZOq68gxqeSkstTK_JXZNRo7pQ-aNFuzX0CBvsHeD2VIMe9OqBGX8anZp9l45r6wBWVvWu6igxIdiokfnH43PZzGYl5kaYEAukFl64X5tGjf5nDTtcWy_QWqfGqlsx8mC1pqpl1Thrw/s1004/DSCN5175.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="754" data-original-width="1004" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzOjdfCnXYa-YbwiMgoBNhXleVDQPFFIhEkGQvUnnxdAfomhCpWZOq68gxqeSkstTK_JXZNRo7pQ-aNFuzX0CBvsHeD2VIMe9OqBGX8anZp9l45r6wBWVvWu6igxIdiokfnH43PZzGYl5kaYEAukFl64X5tGjf5nDTtcWy_QWqfGqlsx8mC1pqpl1Thrw/w640-h480/DSCN5175.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
West Pier froth.<br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGbGQPW1j1mVX-5923jAYdMWpt9OgknbFQYceFOX3M_TcdZYINKYgssU9DylpttgMa_UtKYiHYrLSI-xiqnZHmjQbMeSNa8DgAdFah02xMAeNFRdPTOh2RkdCZ5upe9QaQWL3pQ7AgNdFMBJd-e6mv6QNa-UavrNWMCTqu24M3i5pmf-pK7JnbJcxXPqg/s1024/DSCN5222.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGbGQPW1j1mVX-5923jAYdMWpt9OgknbFQYceFOX3M_TcdZYINKYgssU9DylpttgMa_UtKYiHYrLSI-xiqnZHmjQbMeSNa8DgAdFah02xMAeNFRdPTOh2RkdCZ5upe9QaQWL3pQ7AgNdFMBJd-e6mv6QNa-UavrNWMCTqu24M3i5pmf-pK7JnbJcxXPqg/w640-h480/DSCN5222.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Rock Pipit</b>, pipitting on a rock.<br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Gavin Haighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17242398421328525578noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-824385241230348874.post-26685088382333044622023-11-06T21:56:00.005+00:002023-11-07T10:40:40.126+00:00Whodunnit?<p>I had to get on with some proper work today. Catching up after a load of rough weather is normally a bit of a slog, but today was better than usual because of something that happened <i>before </i>work...</p><p>It was just a short visit to West Bay. Maybe 20 minutes around the seafront - where I saw almost nothing - followed by a quick look at the Melplash Showground flood. Not much of a flood now though, rather a soggy field with big puddles. Still, there were a few gulls. And it was here that I saw what is actually a new West Bay bird for me, though it took me a day of periodic pondering to feel happy with it.</p><p>So this post is a kind of whodunnit? As you read through the clues, see how quickly you can work out what the bird is.</p><p>So, there I am by the showground entrance, coffee perched on a handy wall while I scan the gulls with bins. I'm guessing there were about 20-30 <b>Herring Gulls</b> and 40-odd <b>Black-headed Gulls</b> scattered around, along with four <b>Med Gulls</b>, two of which were first-winters. Since the field flooded I've counted up to 24 <b>Med Gulls</b> at a time but so far no first-winters, so I wouldn't mind a photo or two. I reach down to unclip the flap of my camera bag. Unfortunately, at that very moment the gulls flush.</p><p>Dog walkers normally enter through the gate and head right, which is away from most of the gulls. Eventually they may circle around to the far side of the floodwater, behind the gulls. Either way, any gull flush caused by dog walkers - even when dogs off the lead run into the wettest areas, right among the birds - is partial, beginning at the periphery. Normally birds flush in a falling-dominoes kind of fashion, and not too panicky. They just fly out of harm's way, frequently dropping back down somewhere they feel safer. This flush is not like that. It is instant and total. Also, apart from the sudden rush of wings, virtually silent.</p><p>I glance quickly around the field, but already know it isn't going to be a dog. So I look up, expecting a <b>Peregrine </b>maybe. Sure enough, there is a bird of prey gliding left over the flood, but it is totally the wrong shape. Surely a mere <b>Sparrowhawk </b>didn't cause that panic?</p><p>The bird is gliding quite rapidly south with wings half closed. Too distant to get much detail on it, but I am pretty sure the tail is rounded. It is quickly losing height, though heading away towards the coast. Suddenly it turns, quite low now, and doubles back, landing on the far end of a stone wall that runs east to west, a bit left of my position...</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmyl2lbEpVkT4HffTlGqz5I5tL-3ERB15w2PaN_Mmv-_or1DuQAo2K24JenPxPd0uzc0ZegBLVpbpqB5ulwPuW90L-H9_f5KkdSCY_kbRHKGMd2BAM7_cJ_kpnpzfnHmnTNUx7MXZ41v2Yb13XsxUl7Bf17zawKB58oHAH0ekcV0siJld_BHVC0vspcXs/s800/Fullscreen%20capture%2006112023%20210924.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="567" data-original-width="800" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmyl2lbEpVkT4HffTlGqz5I5tL-3ERB15w2PaN_Mmv-_or1DuQAo2K24JenPxPd0uzc0ZegBLVpbpqB5ulwPuW90L-H9_f5KkdSCY_kbRHKGMd2BAM7_cJ_kpnpzfnHmnTNUx7MXZ41v2Yb13XsxUl7Bf17zawKB58oHAH0ekcV0siJld_BHVC0vspcXs/w640-h454/Fullscreen%20capture%2006112023%20210924.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow blob = me; white dot = bird<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Just before alighting on the wall, four or five wingbeats. They are ridiculously slow wingbeats, like flapping in slow-motion, and not the slightest bit <b>Sparrowhawk</b>-like. At the range involved (around 180-190 metres according to Google Maps) I am struggling to get a feel for the bird's size, but it certainly doesn't look huge. Obviously I am thinking now of something other than <b>Sparrowhawk</b>! It is basically brown, though too far away to make out feather detail. Try as I might, not even a hint of a supercilium.</p><p>How I wish I had decided about two minutes earlier to photograph those <b>Med Gulls</b>. Now I really must get that camera out. But before I can even switch the thing on, the bird is gone. With my naked eye I see it leave the wall, but cannot pick it up again with bins. So presumably it is away low and out of view, perhaps along the river.</p><p>Looking up towards West Cliff, I spy a figure at the vismig watchpoint. A quick heads-up phonecall to Tom, and he guesses what I've seen as soon as I describe the flush. In fact, less than 20 minutes earlier he had a possible/probable flying east over Bridport. After our chat I scan the flood once again. Apart from a <b>Pied Wag</b> it is utterly birdless.</p><p>So, yes, I have spent a pleasant day on autopilot, replaying this morning's events over and over again. And I have added <b>Goshawk </b>to my West Bay list, presumably a juvenile male.<br /></p>Gavin Haighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17242398421328525578noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-824385241230348874.post-91079928292284282342023-11-03T11:07:00.002+00:002023-11-03T11:47:02.201+00:00First Impressions<p>
I like to dispense with specs for seawatching. My scope eyepiece is easier to
use without them, and on a rough day it's a constant battle with salt spray
anyway. All good, until I need to look at my phone. And then I have to dig out
my glasses from wherever they are stowed, put them on, fire up the screen,
etc, etc, followed by the reverse procedure. Obviously I can't be using my
phone <i>and </i>seawatching, so I try to spend as little time with specs on
as possible. Which explains why my response to Viv's query on the WhatsApp
group on Wednesday morning was rather knee-jerk.
</p>
<p>
Viv had photographed a <b>tern </b>at Lyme Regis and wasn't sure what it was.
I took one look at what seemed to be white secondaries and replied with the
word <i>'<b>Arctic</b>'</i> and a 'thumbs up' emoji. Here's the photo...
</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQukcKTq-TC8KfhQBJjsBbWnxU7X5Txg2y1hUw4htWO5scSsY31sNipVtcMUU73pepZjacdkNquZG1mtkka8K6QLlGqRqY14ccMygcrNbzX12SKeZt5y_sTcdmZr3w_cbtzUpLrffu8mvp-rgH6Uuqii5ITDb7PUt25sqVhflgUjPrXEvV2NvzhP1N8CE/s800/Fullscreen%20capture%2002112023%20154327.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="800" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQukcKTq-TC8KfhQBJjsBbWnxU7X5Txg2y1hUw4htWO5scSsY31sNipVtcMUU73pepZjacdkNquZG1mtkka8K6QLlGqRqY14ccMygcrNbzX12SKeZt5y_sTcdmZr3w_cbtzUpLrffu8mvp-rgH6Uuqii5ITDb7PUt25sqVhflgUjPrXEvV2NvzhP1N8CE/w640-h512/Fullscreen%20capture%2002112023%20154327.jpg" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
Viv's <b>tern </b>©Viv Keene<br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<p>
I did register the extensively red bill, but for me the white secondaries
trumped it. I put my specs away and returned to the <b>Leach's</b> hunt.
</p>
<p>Yesterday morning I discovered that 'people seem to think [the <b>tern</b>] was a
<b>Common</b>'. Oh pox. Like anyone else I dislike being wrong, and vowed to
avoid future knee-jerk ID pronouncements. Single photos can be so misleading,
and evidently I had been caught out. Like an idiot I revisited Viv's pic with
that mindset and saw that yes, perhaps I'd been fooled by a photographic effect and those secondaries are actually grey, and the darker trailing edge to the underside of the primaries is broad and
fuzzy rather than thin and sharp. And, of course, the bill of a juv
<b>Arctic Tern</b> is blackish, not red. Doh!
</p>
<p>
I don't know who those 'people' were but gather there was some Twitter chat,
which of course I am not party to these days. Anyway, I bowed to their
expertise. And then Steve sent me a link to a video that Viv had posted there.
Hmmm...
</p>
<p>Viv kindly sent me a copy.</p>
<p>I clipped out a load of stills and made a collage with them...</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidC4lDsNt7Wu5fmzRubG1NcvM3bEptUrvN1YKp1SSmwnTgZQyUmc8Wmc65YWPvkEUiY8Dnr2GnyeZUD07gENYZ34p4ZmLz4DztpiT60NHfDs90sXc20iSUUVT2-H192Y-51WfRVtPoCxqM4Ghyphenhyphen6S8xFXsEg6KTLXmxaq7AtgFElRwqdYDpW3fKOmkvYDI/s1200/Screen%20Captures26.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidC4lDsNt7Wu5fmzRubG1NcvM3bEptUrvN1YKp1SSmwnTgZQyUmc8Wmc65YWPvkEUiY8Dnr2GnyeZUD07gENYZ34p4ZmLz4DztpiT60NHfDs90sXc20iSUUVT2-H192Y-51WfRVtPoCxqM4Ghyphenhyphen6S8xFXsEg6KTLXmxaq7AtgFElRwqdYDpW3fKOmkvYDI/w640-h480/Screen%20Captures26.jpg" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
Viv's <b>tern </b>(stills from video ©Viv Keene)<br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<p>
Many years ago I learned how to separate juvenile <b>Common </b>and
<b>Arctic Terns</b> at Queen Mary Res in West London. Following a regular diet
of <b>Common Terns</b>, my first juv <b>Arctics </b>were surprisingly
obvious, with their white secondaries effectively a continuation of the pale
primaries into a long, narrow triangle on the trailing half of the wing. This
contrasting pale area is obvious in lots of those stills, and
<b>Common Tern</b> does not have it. Viv's tern is an <b>Arctic</b>.
</p>
<p>
There are supporting features too. Some of the sharper underwing shots show a
narrow, dark trailing edge to the primaries. The rump is white, not pale grey
as in <b>Common Tern</b>. Also the short-necked, small-billed jizz suggests
<b>Arctic</b>. One photo can be misleading, but 21, less so. However, there is
one more to show...
</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDdGN5HStNtTE-tWQt4BNsrpA0Xo4hGUcwolRhPIo2E2gAfUHSEo9AUL8_GQ5pQvrJe0cmSSyLe7Rn7V4YIGrFM5vJUyYRir1FThXxXYGaramhl6nsEYNRttbqjYz6vSt2PIoXN38efduIFZ1D2XsOfItnPFtoxJ1X3pPNm724g1P44uzCiBte4ASAZ5M/s800/Fullscreen%20capture%2002112023%20145123.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="382" data-original-width="800" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDdGN5HStNtTE-tWQt4BNsrpA0Xo4hGUcwolRhPIo2E2gAfUHSEo9AUL8_GQ5pQvrJe0cmSSyLe7Rn7V4YIGrFM5vJUyYRir1FThXxXYGaramhl6nsEYNRttbqjYz6vSt2PIoXN38efduIFZ1D2XsOfItnPFtoxJ1X3pPNm724g1P44uzCiBte4ASAZ5M/w640-h306/Fullscreen%20capture%2002112023%20145123.jpg" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
Also from Viv's video, this still is from a short clip where the bird
dropped briefly to the beach, allowing Viv to zoom in (©Viv Keene).
<br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<p>
I can see where the <b>Common Tern</b> worries came from.
<b>Arctic Tern</b> is supposed to have a faint carpal bar, stubby little
legs...and look at that bill! Actually the legs <i>are </i>short if you focus
just on the tarsus length. And the carpal bar probably isn't particularly
dark, plus it is all exposed rather than hidden beneath scapulars. If the
bird's head was relaxed and tucked in I suspect it would have a very different
feel to it, and look less <b>Common Tern</b>-y. Anyway, whatever one thinks of
the various features revealed in this perched shot, the flight shots have
already nailed it. The bird is an <b>Arctic Tern</b>.
</p>
<p>
As Jono Lethbridge commented on a recent post, first impressions, even when
brief, are often good. In this case my first impression was indeed good, but then I spoiled it by wavering too easily. I suppose the long and ever-growing list of ID errors that we all accumulate over time inevitably dents our confidence to some degree. When you know all too well how wrong you've been in the past, you also know it's only a matter of time before the next one. Which could be the very bird you're puzzling over right now!</p><p>Still, many years of experience ought really to make those first impressions increasingly reliable. I should remember that.</p>
Gavin Haighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17242398421328525578noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-824385241230348874.post-69370454475041185852023-11-02T20:30:00.003+00:002023-11-02T20:41:01.772+00:00Storm Ciarán - Before & After<p>
Around 11:30 last night I was wading through kerb-high water in our street,
clearing drains of accumulated leaves. A neighbour was helping with the final
gully when another downpour hit. I was back inside within seconds but still
looked like I'd had a few buckets tipped over me. Thankfully our torchlit toil
had done the trick, and the flooding abated. Storm Ciarán gave us thunder,
lightning and torrential rain, but not the worst of the wind. By the morning
it was long gone, leaving a modest NNW that promised little in the way of
seabirds. Even so, I tried. The sea was enormous, and I quickly realised the
need to be away long before high tide; it was definitely going to be up over
the seafront soon. Predictably, no birds. My early-morning highlight was a
<b>Curlew </b>on the new flood, my first on-the-deck record for West Bay.
</p>
<p>
I've no doubt the storm wreaked havoc in places, and its mark was evident in
West Bay this afternoon...
</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi4qfwKDJWRoG1HlZ6XlVZgG8dSerfsbR5NF7DA3NM2r5rF8xzEPr_wzDo229IWjRf7wkHn8E7oapYBncGX_C40nRgXyajk2Nj8eIb2uJEoTjQ00BxuEGoiQMSeKHK65bQqa5yqJTitLh-4mQOFg0iqEVT8ZoeGsalNGHrohUdwgSLjOjzbPgNM3us-FI/s1024/DSCN5103.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="753" data-original-width="1024" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi4qfwKDJWRoG1HlZ6XlVZgG8dSerfsbR5NF7DA3NM2r5rF8xzEPr_wzDo229IWjRf7wkHn8E7oapYBncGX_C40nRgXyajk2Nj8eIb2uJEoTjQ00BxuEGoiQMSeKHK65bQqa5yqJTitLh-4mQOFg0iqEVT8ZoeGsalNGHrohUdwgSLjOjzbPgNM3us-FI/w640-h470/DSCN5103.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
That's the seawatching shelter in the middle. There was no debris to
speak of first thing. That's all a consequence of high tide and huge
waves.<br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8HH7fFNJSF-TWw2pp5DBfybtk5ibw8gqqjm8-v6W-tcjUx8O8QS5FyURY474uFw2FAYc2ESty5HfXJbf6LaE0pkbwWtENtqWYYkKGz0nP9M2ix5pK_fIzj6K7sodz8M5LZ4LurOhj_pqc0QA-TMvdx8Q67PBmS8TBjxKmRsXHmTg18deLGpUFAM5hMjo/s1024/DSCN5107.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="1024" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8HH7fFNJSF-TWw2pp5DBfybtk5ibw8gqqjm8-v6W-tcjUx8O8QS5FyURY474uFw2FAYc2ESty5HfXJbf6LaE0pkbwWtENtqWYYkKGz0nP9M2ix5pK_fIzj6K7sodz8M5LZ4LurOhj_pqc0QA-TMvdx8Q67PBmS8TBjxKmRsXHmTg18deLGpUFAM5hMjo/w640-h438/DSCN5107.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
Seafront debris and damage.<br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKCd586kZ_aXKQ1cw_01wiVCGDJRfnRWOlcl0HXyL6856HhuizFu32n55vsfCPMJXXO1SyJDg2o5o0oXD_DY0XVNpVZcJ-LQFRB0Q38itFX42bIaQYHG18zNN38xGjsA-Wy0E8RdG46cGOBnk0QPiO8LVeoRQRD_-H03FzCm8y1J-OUB0xADWSKTx9XPw/s1013/DSCN5115-001.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="718" data-original-width="1013" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKCd586kZ_aXKQ1cw_01wiVCGDJRfnRWOlcl0HXyL6856HhuizFu32n55vsfCPMJXXO1SyJDg2o5o0oXD_DY0XVNpVZcJ-LQFRB0Q38itFX42bIaQYHG18zNN38xGjsA-Wy0E8RdG46cGOBnk0QPiO8LVeoRQRD_-H03FzCm8y1J-OUB0xADWSKTx9XPw/w640-h454/DSCN5115-001.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
View east at low tide. The amount of fine shingle that Ciarán dumped on
the prom has made it as much of slog to walk on as Cogden Beach.<br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<p>
As the day progressed, news filtered through of much ado up-Channel, with a
wreck of <b>Leach's Petrels</b> along the Sussex and Kent coasts: 203 past
Dungeness gives a flavour of it. Oh, plus 84 <b>Storm Petrels</b>, 49 <b>Little Gulls</b> and two <b>Sabine's</b>. I know I wasn't the only Lyme Bay birder who
had entertained hopes for something locally but the forecast winds didn't
really justify them. Absolutely the wrong direction for us.</p><p>Thank goodness for
yesterday!
</p>
<p>
Arriving at the shelter just before 07:00 I was greeted by a strongish
southwesterly, or maybe a notch towards SSW. Either way, I couldn't help but
liken conditions to a toned-down version of
<a href="https://notquitescilly2.blogspot.com/2022/11/thank-you-sea.html" target="_blank">this time last year</a>. Even so, I could hardly believe it when a small, dark shape appeared in my
scope at 07:42, skipping quite rapidly eastwards. Despite the hefty sea it was
easy to keep track of due to a fairly high flight line. Not close, but clearly
a <b>Leach's Petrel</b>. About ten minutes later, brief views of what was
almost certainly another, though back-on, as if lingering. It was lost before
I could clinch it. Finally, one more at 08:29. Like the first, it went rapidly
E, though somewhat closer. Great views. The final tally was 2+
<b>Leach's Petrels</b>, 1 <b>Pom </b>or <b>Arctic Skua</b> (probably
<b>Pom</b>), 3 <b>Brents</b>, 1 <b>Sandwich Tern</b>, 4 <b>Med Gulls</b> and
68 <b>Gannets</b>.
</p>
<p>
One bizarre incident. Shortly after 09:00 I picked up a distant <b>falcon </b>heading
very rapidly out to sea from the vicinity of West Cliff. It zipped low over
the waves, suddenly climbed and then dived. I missed the crucial moment due to
a dog walker inconveniently filling my scope, but next saw it flying back
towards land with a small bird in its talons. In my excitement I assumed I had
just witnessed a <b>Peregrine </b>taking a <b>Leach's Petrel</b>, but the cold
light of day forbids that sort of conjecture. Even so, it was pretty awesome.
</p>
<p>
In the afternoon I visited again. No seawatching, but I did glimpse a/the
<b>Black Redstart</b> briefly.
</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxii89Wz-ULSnFGpXRvlnsb3Hs9s0Lw1KSvci0rLd_DR19rmkEi6eJzEGrPrMkl5dAKCC62oQ-hbs1pyWBfXnkhTpkbstjWbuMSUbRyhSU7KqN5nKbVXeUtbC9yq-Zd8cO0mBXIgy1vQVe0KPK9sHHcixWK1-nMEcXiSOEsZW13h4taHqPNLTVjs9BZ0g/s1018/DSCN5102.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="684" data-original-width="1018" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxii89Wz-ULSnFGpXRvlnsb3Hs9s0Lw1KSvci0rLd_DR19rmkEi6eJzEGrPrMkl5dAKCC62oQ-hbs1pyWBfXnkhTpkbstjWbuMSUbRyhSU7KqN5nKbVXeUtbC9yq-Zd8cO0mBXIgy1vQVe0KPK9sHHcixWK1-nMEcXiSOEsZW13h4taHqPNLTVjs9BZ0g/w640-h430/DSCN5102.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
Taken from a similar spot to this afternoon's pic. Not calm exactly, but
definitely before the storm.<br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Gavin Haighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17242398421328525578noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-824385241230348874.post-75903293904610436942023-10-31T23:05:00.002+00:002023-10-31T23:19:22.435+00:00A Beautiful Mongrel<p>
The West Bay patch has suddenly grown some amazing new habitat. I first
noticed it yesterday afternoon, and this is what it looked like this
morning...
</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkyzK5lJSWu9pqemhtIbNqbWKiczksGZG_2UDMpjNlcI23hliLYZ7FyGc01eIzXScD5Slnf46TsbdSPfYn_9ZqxT9BIEVu0blueHMYsVC8x62HdeEwtreaQFliBoxCwZXCgx6dUuc2OjQYUZoYhIQXzj1iClh66zm_AusxEDrKpjThliyayaVfPEbx46g/s979/DSCN4826.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="735" data-original-width="979" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkyzK5lJSWu9pqemhtIbNqbWKiczksGZG_2UDMpjNlcI23hliLYZ7FyGc01eIzXScD5Slnf46TsbdSPfYn_9ZqxT9BIEVu0blueHMYsVC8x62HdeEwtreaQFliBoxCwZXCgx6dUuc2OjQYUZoYhIQXzj1iClh66zm_AusxEDrKpjThliyayaVfPEbx46g/w640-h480/DSCN4826.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
Lovely, lovely floodwater. And this isn't all of it.<br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<p>
Lying between the River Brit and West Bay Road, these fields are home to the
annual Melplash Show, one of the Southwest's top agricultural exhibitions. On
a more mundane note, they are also home to a million dog-walkers (who actually pay a
fee for the privilege) and therefore normally birdless. I assume the
combination of rain and a big tide has caused the Brit to burst its banks, and
hope sincerely that it will take a very long time (like, all winter please) to
subside. Thankfully the flood is extensive enough that birds are not
necessarily spooked by the dog-walkers around its fringes. After discovering
this Mecca late yesterday, I stayed until it was too dark to see. Apart from
two or three <b>Med Gulls</b>, there was a steady trickle of big gulls
dropping in for a pre-roost wash and brush-up. Nothing of note, but a heady
scent of promise!
</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAUmpKc1jYgTVLrAv9CLH8lj1W-1oXdeDvgF5VuZFWvn0qHOBX0CTq1V3buVdR3ttmKc941n5FAmIaKZYXzasE-wBVxCxHmANpSy9h_WRO8EZ4SHZzbDiJOR4uFEE-E46AJrCsVDWrtdDjxTkLo4AYw1vF0VH9uwcivwl6Y1BiZ4TfTB0TPn63DEUKR1Q/s1024/DSCN4769.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="767" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAUmpKc1jYgTVLrAv9CLH8lj1W-1oXdeDvgF5VuZFWvn0qHOBX0CTq1V3buVdR3ttmKc941n5FAmIaKZYXzasE-wBVxCxHmANpSy9h_WRO8EZ4SHZzbDiJOR4uFEE-E46AJrCsVDWrtdDjxTkLo4AYw1vF0VH9uwcivwl6Y1BiZ4TfTB0TPn63DEUKR1Q/w640-h480/DSCN4769.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
A grainy, high-ISO shot of one of yesterday afternoon's adult
<b>Med Gulls</b>.<br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<p>
As well as a sheet of water there are several lines of robust fencing for gulls to perch
on. The morning sun illuminates them beautifully...
</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkPohv88ElJWfcp1GkdwNAoRsQovwF4pfJG2kisaxQH8hDdR6QyP-RBUqFVWtXWixeMbntDrJonLj_Ty0JTejxXlhzy-50Axo2XcAGJTYnemIRkchzSq5vrK2n45yHLclReizMe3xuBxZH1nOu6-BYIozu2UQnqv2SxKM8UzGrZgV3Slc_DyRF78aH3Ew/s977/DSCN4839.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="735" data-original-width="977" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkPohv88ElJWfcp1GkdwNAoRsQovwF4pfJG2kisaxQH8hDdR6QyP-RBUqFVWtXWixeMbntDrJonLj_Ty0JTejxXlhzy-50Axo2XcAGJTYnemIRkchzSq5vrK2n45yHLclReizMe3xuBxZH1nOu6-BYIozu2UQnqv2SxKM8UzGrZgV3Slc_DyRF78aH3Ew/w640-h482/DSCN4839.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
Just one <b>Med Gull</b> this morning.<br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbd7puMt5_y96A8iWxmox_hriMk_KbhvhJbweE8ZSVVP-2Np0F-p8OCcyn_s7CWXIINnAJS9vBpsY6FljotBX4R3axqHM654X5pVRpZybaU4xfFi9QX22tRE3UWa-UABJyVF5zU8ByQ5RDH1mu11LWtxB9eLdQk_dS_UKkMwL4ihpU_1iZcO9swQn-bZE/s965/DSCN4784.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="726" data-original-width="965" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbd7puMt5_y96A8iWxmox_hriMk_KbhvhJbweE8ZSVVP-2Np0F-p8OCcyn_s7CWXIINnAJS9vBpsY6FljotBX4R3axqHM654X5pVRpZybaU4xfFi9QX22tRE3UWa-UABJyVF5zU8ByQ5RDH1mu11LWtxB9eLdQk_dS_UKkMwL4ihpU_1iZcO9swQn-bZE/w640-h482/DSCN4784.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
Adult <b>Med Gull</b><br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<p>
There were also decent numbers of large gulls. When I have the time to do it
properly, picking through a load of big gulls is one of my favourite pastimes.
Mostly they will be <b><i>argenteus </i>Herring Gulls</b> in various plumages. With adults (or near-adults) I am on the lookout for any that might be a
shade darker, which is usually the first step to bagging a
<b>Yellow-legged Gull</b>. And this morning there was just such a bird,
noticeably darker than nearby adult <b>Herring Gulls</b>. However, it was no
<b>Yellow-legged Gull</b>...<br />
</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPt0NA8kEax1N2RQZFAwQTNf0YSOs5Aa9eiMu5VZeSdPd8bCR7BqXfsamx_SqtfUKqQa6Agti09j-9Dk4zh4gShnonIlVjaXmE6nOQS1NaP_mrC7Lgq2DQevXOeq1ecGhV6dEOe7hxBGoAxVkIV4vAzdxrLlphwuZZZozA6FJdFBCbdxT8UtQgfe_b8Cs/s960/DSCN4902.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPt0NA8kEax1N2RQZFAwQTNf0YSOs5Aa9eiMu5VZeSdPd8bCR7BqXfsamx_SqtfUKqQa6Agti09j-9Dk4zh4gShnonIlVjaXmE6nOQS1NaP_mrC7Lgq2DQevXOeq1ecGhV6dEOe7hxBGoAxVkIV4vAzdxrLlphwuZZZozA6FJdFBCbdxT8UtQgfe_b8Cs/w640-h480/DSCN4902.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
That bill betrays its immaturity straight way. So, not an adult. Also,
with that coarse dark streaking on neck and head, not a
<b>Yellow-legged Gull</b> either.<br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvEZC0M014qJ4g9sO0pOa87PcwwPNQTuSg5NG22vcetd-_XUoda7YAV1z0pI1FSZsnJovQf8BWQsQChKy0hEgiqUF5oOd8kGONSicqiNE6uPjIPuJzDNIzT6-VoILt8xr8s4-MZoQsxIJMyod-iSwpmTlieKPP6w5GMuRIkh5aYEkRPH7Wm6ZHnJhqiXE/s991/DSCN4954.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="742" data-original-width="991" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvEZC0M014qJ4g9sO0pOa87PcwwPNQTuSg5NG22vcetd-_XUoda7YAV1z0pI1FSZsnJovQf8BWQsQChKy0hEgiqUF5oOd8kGONSicqiNE6uPjIPuJzDNIzT6-VoILt8xr8s4-MZoQsxIJMyod-iSwpmTlieKPP6w5GMuRIkh5aYEkRPH7Wm6ZHnJhqiXE/w640-h480/DSCN4954.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
Here it is alongside an adult <b>Herring Gull</b>. Slightly darker, and
a different sort of grey altogether.<br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsEG3t02aSAMUwTwoh4lFgBsUc8bU2obWN0T7urxW1b8gXgn0Fxa8Uzy4yKPwzquEIVQhwJAc2kefv3upgrjfGKU5EQqBFzO096TfqIvlklGfk7bn3IM6k7NMUFm2mYGIStfwIGsVYUQdmv4Dj1FD7V-tpum_AcNCePB-2hjGqKMi2ZhR9W-XGqjquwm0/s1000/DSCN5009.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="751" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsEG3t02aSAMUwTwoh4lFgBsUc8bU2obWN0T7urxW1b8gXgn0Fxa8Uzy4yKPwzquEIVQhwJAc2kefv3upgrjfGKU5EQqBFzO096TfqIvlklGfk7bn3IM6k7NMUFm2mYGIStfwIGsVYUQdmv4Dj1FD7V-tpum_AcNCePB-2hjGqKMi2ZhR9W-XGqjquwm0/w640-h480/DSCN5009.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
Size-wise it was in the 'small <b>Herring Gull</b>' bracket.<br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<p>
So, darker than <i><b>argenteus </b></i><b>HG</b> but definitely not
<b>YLG</b>. What other options are there? Well, one is
<b><i>argentatus</i></b><i>,</i><b><i> </i></b>or so-called <b>Scandinavian Herring Gull</b>, which
is a lot rarer down here than <b>YLG</b>. But <b><i>argentatus </i>HG</b> is
normally a big, heavily-streaked brute of a gull, which this is not.
</p>
<p>
The final option that I know of is <b>Herring </b>x
<b>Lesser Black-backed</b> hybrid. I haven't knowingly seen one for ages, but
recall that they tend to be on the small side. It would be nice to see the
wing pattern...
</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0S0VI22Ol2DcgflPJB8X1TanHdnjbwf13bcXzcrb1SsPaYR9Nc_RbhBJwgpmVcwROry2IoiJBcG4yTOXSuWYQ6xjXoEhRXBlVdoxGg8ezZbG7itaXVHBGeVxxXNijJN3S04tA0YgQc_E_Y8zNVV4g7tCkAPNOnoSU9kKXEblIL6FdNzFoytgCm-XWLbQ/s1007/DSCN5048.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="759" data-original-width="1007" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0S0VI22Ol2DcgflPJB8X1TanHdnjbwf13bcXzcrb1SsPaYR9Nc_RbhBJwgpmVcwROry2IoiJBcG4yTOXSuWYQ6xjXoEhRXBlVdoxGg8ezZbG7itaXVHBGeVxxXNijJN3S04tA0YgQc_E_Y8zNVV4g7tCkAPNOnoSU9kKXEblIL6FdNzFoytgCm-XWLbQ/w640-h482/DSCN5048.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
There we go! Note lack of mirrors in outer primaries; just a tiny white
spot on the left wing. <br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<p>
Black in the primary coverts and in the tail feathers, plus a brownish tinge
to some of the wing feathers, indicate a bird in its third calendar year, i.e.
3rd-winter plumage. A pure <b>Herring Gull</b> of this age ought to have
obvious mirrors in the outer primaries (<b>Yellow-legged Gull</b> too) while a
pure <b>Lesser Black-backed Gull</b> would be significantly darker, and
probably have more extensive black on the inner primaries, rather than just a
speck on p4. So I am pretty confident in calling this a <b>Herring </b>x
<b>Lesser Black-backed</b> hybrid. And rather beautiful it is too.
</p>
<p>
I can't believe we suddenly have all this lovely gull habitat. I am so
excited!
</p>
<p>On a different note...</p>
<p>
Last week was half-term, and West Bay had many visitors. Having lived here for
a while now, I am well aware of the hazards associated with our rugged coastal
scenery. But visitors may not be. So there are plentiful signs in prominent
places, warning of the dangers. Like cliff-falls, for example. Mind you, one
scan of the East Cliffs is enough to tell you that cliff-falls are frequent,
and often big. But hey-ho, it won't happen to me...
</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3idctIPx3_KJiXuGyB4bn8TUb8i6vMxdgIIuqstH4-VkMz-MTq_iBjdHrxgLC8G4V-rKO8rIp8OkcDHOpfaksqUXNsSn97JaCjcEtKsHgfVO4rMLNAFd0az07Ye3gKKDQleIDukJYJyA-xPq7pK2CIyKF7bxgDuD7mv8qplVAvLrOu6cdztOXh3VN4gM/s1024/DSCN4744.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3idctIPx3_KJiXuGyB4bn8TUb8i6vMxdgIIuqstH4-VkMz-MTq_iBjdHrxgLC8G4V-rKO8rIp8OkcDHOpfaksqUXNsSn97JaCjcEtKsHgfVO4rMLNAFd0az07Ye3gKKDQleIDukJYJyA-xPq7pK2CIyKF7bxgDuD7mv8qplVAvLrOu6cdztOXh3VN4gM/w640-h480/DSCN4744.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
The East Cliffs, with the remains of at least three recent falls in this
shot.<br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<p>
Cliff-falls often obliterate the beach below, from the base of the cliffs to
well beyond the low-water mark. Anyone caught in that would undoubtedly be a
gonner. Sometimes the beach is closed after such falls. Eventually the sea
washes away the rubble furthest from the cliffs, leaving just a steep mound at
the very foot of them, and the beach is opened again. But it is only a matter
of time until the next massive collapse...
</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNK4OO_LwFuKZO3-YzedkITusUGQtmzboPBB6HRlxvT3zTUpHN2UBgPUpqTQTpzOzbWqv3Muqm5dzpEIOtnmF_HnaUpbSXMdgMbRzNkCXc4zYz_sxVvPOY7VnnIsHyLpI5ZZRUkQyRdGECNVJ3cMYPvbpCRatnYLrQ-Z6kSttTmBAu8UrTIf8qqs3Ykbc/s1024/DSCN4742.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="770" data-original-width="1024" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNK4OO_LwFuKZO3-YzedkITusUGQtmzboPBB6HRlxvT3zTUpHN2UBgPUpqTQTpzOzbWqv3Muqm5dzpEIOtnmF_HnaUpbSXMdgMbRzNkCXc4zYz_sxVvPOY7VnnIsHyLpI5ZZRUkQyRdGECNVJ3cMYPvbpCRatnYLrQ-Z6kSttTmBAu8UrTIf8qqs3Ykbc/w640-h482/DSCN4742.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
Following a night of torrential rain... Russian roulette, with rocks.<br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Gavin Haighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17242398421328525578noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-824385241230348874.post-25672851943165907312023-10-26T21:02:00.014+01:002023-10-26T21:56:18.900+01:00UTVs<p>You're pretty sure what you've just seen, but couldn't quite clinch it...</p><p>UTVs. Untickable views.</p><p>Definitely one of the most frustrating scenarios in birding, especially if the bird was potentially a bit special. What to do in such cases? Unfortunately there is only one sensible option. You might report a 'possible' this or 'probable' that, but essentially you have to let it go.</p><p>Just occasionally though, such birds can be recovered. This has certainly happened to me. A couple of local seawatching UTVs spring to mind: <b>Long-tailed Duck</b> and <b>Pom Skua</b>. Both were picked up by others along the coast, and the IDs confirmed. But supposing your bird is never seen again? Mostly, that will be goodnight Vienna, but not always...</p><p>At lunchtime yesterday I braved the West Bay half-term crowds and went hunting for my first <b>Black Redstart</b> of the autumn. I tried all the obvious spots, but without success. However, while scanning likely hangouts from the far west end of the promenade, I noticed a bunch of <b>Rock Pipits</b> about 60m away on boulders at the base of the seawall. They were flitting around busily, too distant to check for rings but entertaining all the same. Suddenly I realised that one of them had incredibly pale underparts. Sideways on, its belly looked white. Seaside rocks are hardly classic habitat for the species, but it couldn't be a <b>Water Pipit</b> could it? I would imagine they're like hen's teeth locally, but what else could it be? The birds were a bit too far away for bins, but a photo would nail it. With one eye on the <b>pipits</b> I dug out the camera. They were bouncing around the rocks like mad things, in and out of view. Finally the camera was ready. I found the bird again, then tried to get it in the viewfinder. Yep...that's it. At least, I think so...</p><p>I managed three quick bursts, then had that horrible sinking feeling which goes hand-in-hand with photographing the wrong bird. Bang in the middle of the frame was a <b>Rock Pipit</b>. I cast around with the bins to relocate it, but <b>pipits </b>were already flying off in twos and threes. Very quickly they were all gone, and I never saw it again.</p><p>What to do?</p><p>Let it go, Gav. Let it go. I messaged Tom and Pete that I'd just had a <i>'v good candidate for <b>Water Pipit</b>'</i> blah, blah, and then did exactly that. All I'd seen on it was a pale belly. Goodnight Vienna.</p><p>So, this morning's vismig was all <b>Woodpigeons </b>and no punchline. Apart from the <b>Woodpigs </b>there were dribs and drabs of other species, but no outstanding highlights. Perhaps recent scarcities have spoiled me and I am expecting too much? There was one 'interesting <b>bunting</b>' to investigate on the recording when I got home, but even that proved to be a damp squib because I'd somehow managed to switch off the recorder after only nine minutes. Strewth...</p><p>Thank goodness for this...</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz9k3rkGwQdNADW7XxhQWL5_K3_n0GqqboUvk23kAUifGKAwGBfTKNuYOTVzyZaA3Jwy7vHiJtVMwtEodl9mcV2pNyrSDSkD60OybVWT9WNAfXOUHtNTNR5AXEefZnCCFPtvJnxwCbsZiJCYk9e5SUsFYg_2Nl0Xx9qNDxwHStW_Ej377vnNvU0aatHeE/s995/DSCN4763.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="747" data-original-width="995" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz9k3rkGwQdNADW7XxhQWL5_K3_n0GqqboUvk23kAUifGKAwGBfTKNuYOTVzyZaA3Jwy7vHiJtVMwtEodl9mcV2pNyrSDSkD60OybVWT9WNAfXOUHtNTNR5AXEefZnCCFPtvJnxwCbsZiJCYk9e5SUsFYg_2Nl0Xx9qNDxwHStW_Ej377vnNvU0aatHeE/w640-h480/DSCN4763.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first <b>Black Redstart</b> of the autumn. Encountered in typical habitat as I walked back into West Bay after the vismigging, unfortunately it didn't hang about for better shots.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>When I uploaded the camera's contents to the laptop, I included the pics taken at yesterdays <b>pipit </b>fail. To be honest, apart from a quick check on the back of the camera that confirmed my cock-up, I hadn't looked at them very closely. Here is the very first frame from the initial burst of three...</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJxfnvnXkDeOzKQu8vR_yvaNKbIUcFziv_vmkxrFwDzUB-AtKNrflw6r4qkdXHZa6bnOb5v_SMU5m3c2FwrIeK3maaCLrr72UMTHncTRmiD4d3uSXKeJgCSwFwadJGLhaYy5M22-zUAYAz0Keho-d9ISnqj1svwobnKzShJz4rRNEYjdp1NHBbqMFtTOI/s1024/DSCN4745.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJxfnvnXkDeOzKQu8vR_yvaNKbIUcFziv_vmkxrFwDzUB-AtKNrflw6r4qkdXHZa6bnOb5v_SMU5m3c2FwrIeK3maaCLrr72UMTHncTRmiD4d3uSXKeJgCSwFwadJGLhaYy5M22-zUAYAz0Keho-d9ISnqj1svwobnKzShJz4rRNEYjdp1NHBbqMFtTOI/w640-h480/DSCN4745.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Full frame at 1600mm zoom. Four obvious <b>Rock Pipits</b> and...er...what's that pale-bellied thing flying out of shot, bottom right?<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>With hindsight I suspect that I did actually point the camera at the correct bird, but assume it immediately flew, and was perhaps replaced(?) by a <b>Rock Pipit</b>. Whatever, that bird is not in the other two shots. The next burst - just seconds later - features only the <b>Rock Pipit</b> in the middle. And the final burst ditto. Or so I initially thought...</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsvOtSuOkbgNu37UF_z_vcMfgd-d-fM18Q2Wkn9POmdF60XIY5bKzqN7ZH4mSDmzsJ1u7mhFLg6FQjZ379QYNaVVKoIfDd2XjyAbNQOSlto7te6eVZ12odxaP_3MvhTgcQlfBUx8Cbt4ATu2fJDknq4iYBk_bVkNJ3exHflRqfMLSmm93xmN-p00IJU9k/s1024/DSCN4751-001.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsvOtSuOkbgNu37UF_z_vcMfgd-d-fM18Q2Wkn9POmdF60XIY5bKzqN7ZH4mSDmzsJ1u7mhFLg6FQjZ379QYNaVVKoIfDd2XjyAbNQOSlto7te6eVZ12odxaP_3MvhTgcQlfBUx8Cbt4ATu2fJDknq4iYBk_bVkNJ3exHflRqfMLSmm93xmN-p00IJU9k/w640-h480/DSCN4751-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First frame from the final burst. 2000mm full zoom. Wait a sec! What's that bird on the left, peeking over the top of the rock?<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd7W7aFedQdJPZ9bjh_y_KpbRe_GgMh5Xj4Oa5FREKIfQIS-iKPSueuu_s8PKl2HLTbnwzg2IlLOPYm7Sc8lk7ilrXqpJ0tnTFv-AVsG7D3jNhQX-pd25VMTvdN31BFLu9aanB8tWtkAwmoQ_ppQlfUmQBVe_fsCxj4txyOEuE9AZFUiO09Ly6PnOvbP4/s1024/DSCN4751.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="771" data-original-width="1024" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd7W7aFedQdJPZ9bjh_y_KpbRe_GgMh5Xj4Oa5FREKIfQIS-iKPSueuu_s8PKl2HLTbnwzg2IlLOPYm7Sc8lk7ilrXqpJ0tnTFv-AVsG7D3jNhQX-pd25VMTvdN31BFLu9aanB8tWtkAwmoQ_ppQlfUmQBVe_fsCxj4txyOEuE9AZFUiO09Ly6PnOvbP4/w640-h482/DSCN4751.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It looks remarkably like a <b>Water Pipit</b>!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Despite already suspecting that I was papping away at just a <b>Rock Pipit</b>, this burst comprises six shots. Thank goodness for that! Here are two of the others...</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Auf2XUWmYvT7MX0dDbtxuwGbjfNa1zMUwbg-2EnbMCQQL7RcVRMqtrMU3p2uM7rWXg8E0dkAr-kOYI3xmWM8uuFr40xwov_xx_MKnQMiZvq7xZESoCVn-EhaNcN268ZM1N0Ddr8z1Pm1dH59Rbdd9zH12U1ZOvQwSKkfVcX7JdouVTEkt5DoX0pM1rE/s1024/2023-10-25.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="713" data-original-width="1024" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Auf2XUWmYvT7MX0dDbtxuwGbjfNa1zMUwbg-2EnbMCQQL7RcVRMqtrMU3p2uM7rWXg8E0dkAr-kOYI3xmWM8uuFr40xwov_xx_MKnQMiZvq7xZESoCVn-EhaNcN268ZM1N0Ddr8z1Pm1dH59Rbdd9zH12U1ZOvQwSKkfVcX7JdouVTEkt5DoX0pM1rE/w640-h446/2023-10-25.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It <i>is </i>a <b>Water Pipit</b>!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Jammy or what?!</p><p>Jammy it may be, but so satisfying to have those initial suspicions confirmed. It does make me wonder how many of the countless other birds that I've let go in the past were exactly what I thought them to be. Perhaps I should no longer worry about UTVs? Just count them all, common and scarce alike? Not rare stuff though, birds that need a description. But wait a minute. Even then, I know what the bird would have looked like if I'd seen it properly, don't I? So I could certainly write a convincing description, couldn't I? Yes, of course I could. Nothing wrong with that at all.</p><p><br /></p><p>In the next post: <b><i>How to Cope with Ostracism from the Birding Community</i></b><br /></p>Gavin Haighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17242398421328525578noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-824385241230348874.post-83550219945861305592023-10-24T22:27:00.008+01:002023-10-25T07:55:08.799+01:00Vismig Riches<p>
For a while I've been meaning to join Tom Brereton for a bit of West Bay
vismig, especially as the season is hotting up now. And already I've missed
some gems: <b>Hawfinch</b>, <b>Corn Bunting</b>, a bunch of
<b>Tree Sparrows</b>, several <b>Woodlarks</b>, etc. So it was good to be able
to spare a couple of hours yesterday and this morning, and very much worth it.
</p>
<p>
For me, West Bay vismig basically involves nothing more than a bit of idle sky-scanning
and bush-watching. It's Tom who does all the hard work. I <i>never </i>hear
birds before Tom does, and often not even then. My ears have clearly had it,
especially when it comes to higher frequencies. I struggle hugely with the
background wash of sea-on-shingle, which I find swamps a lot of the fainter
calls. Though interestingly I can hear many of them well enough on a
recording, especially with the visual prompt of a sonogram, so perhaps I will
get better with practice. I hope so. Meanwhile I simply wait for Tom to tell
me what birds he can hear, then look for them. Tom also does all the counting
and all the writing down, though I do try to help with <b>Stock Doves</b> in
<b>Woodpigeon </b>flocks. Apart from <b>Stock Doves</b> though, what use am I?
</p>
<p>
Well, for one thing I am an extra pair of eyes. Also, as I discovered today,
the sound recordings made by my Zoom H4n Pro can be rather handy sometimes.
And finally, I am someone to share celebratory moments with! And yesterday
there were a couple of those. Kind of.
</p>
<p>
I last saw a <b>Swift </b>about two months ago, so was instantly on it when
Tom called '<b>Swift</b>!' at roughly 08:30 yesterday. Although it seemed to
be coming coastwards from inland, the bird was also drifting west in the wind.
Obviously we knew the potential attached to a late-October <b>Swift</b>, but
it never came close enough to allow anything better than a
'<b>Common</b>/<b>Pallid</b>' label.
</p>
<p>
We had already seen a <b>Little Egret</b> go through, so when I clapped eyes
on another <b>egret </b>a bit later, its bulk was immediately obvious...
</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnEkqw68N4I-Yn3mSLSfm2Bky9PVC4ttSpnUUjb82RO2c8IBLlI-ZMgz7b0DncMi1UGPBCAu9e5y5VZJz0akfyq5vjlu1N0XVZWOtOIQBqP2pTZaCnMmp6PXk6lRsw3YutJ2912TxOgC_ovvYnAu1uLcakymBBcvWBXrk5x7fOv4LWHT_tOCjuby6Wxc0/s1024/DSCN4684.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="770" data-original-width="1024" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnEkqw68N4I-Yn3mSLSfm2Bky9PVC4ttSpnUUjb82RO2c8IBLlI-ZMgz7b0DncMi1UGPBCAu9e5y5VZJz0akfyq5vjlu1N0XVZWOtOIQBqP2pTZaCnMmp6PXk6lRsw3YutJ2912TxOgC_ovvYnAu1uLcakymBBcvWBXrk5x7fOv4LWHT_tOCjuby6Wxc0/w640-h482/DSCN4684.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
Never close, but this <b>Great White Egret</b> was a West Bay first for
me.<br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<p>
Back on 30th September I saw a <b>Barn Owl</b> go to roost in the West Cliff
quarry. It has since become a regular feature, and Tom has discovered that its
roosting spot is just about visible...if you stand in exactly the right spot,
crouch slightly, and bend 20 degrees sideways...
</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVtgE9EiY7XEXk_JFdSvsZJRTkuRLKmWPZxRK2aKA6wBA0zBlNuQd0E3mzdHVlCPeGDBNedAxDzYW2m4uDTiCSsBL_bwPivzf0JcZ27oQoPblmiDW7l2PsqzLuHWr1ZzDy6IHFmSLHnEklZ1HJ3U36E40LIr7t9zY5MStemNJixk59GY1hevVwzN8SGL0/s1024/DSCN4699.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="770" data-original-width="1024" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVtgE9EiY7XEXk_JFdSvsZJRTkuRLKmWPZxRK2aKA6wBA0zBlNuQd0E3mzdHVlCPeGDBNedAxDzYW2m4uDTiCSsBL_bwPivzf0JcZ27oQoPblmiDW7l2PsqzLuHWr1ZzDy6IHFmSLHnEklZ1HJ3U36E40LIr7t9zY5MStemNJixk59GY1hevVwzN8SGL0/w640-h482/DSCN4699.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
The product of such precise contortions: a ropey shot of a comatose
<b>Barn Owl</b>.<br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<p>This morning's vismig was also very rewarding.</p>
<p>To start with, there was this...</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOtqK1IdbEPKRjWZgoRRGUQV5xRHQfFsK6zTsrocG408na95I-sqhQuDK4kcdu1Sh2SSMpFkk_xq0LirokiECaRk-rEOtf_FYVGyb5GS65vZo3xsHJ8YWIX1WeHty2o5GS-DGpSiU0j91LAuIooU-ApwriCwtzaeqJn1txtbi_uf9hq1KrCrJHOwPAVrM/s1024/DSCN4710.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOtqK1IdbEPKRjWZgoRRGUQV5xRHQfFsK6zTsrocG408na95I-sqhQuDK4kcdu1Sh2SSMpFkk_xq0LirokiECaRk-rEOtf_FYVGyb5GS65vZo3xsHJ8YWIX1WeHty2o5GS-DGpSiU0j91LAuIooU-ApwriCwtzaeqJn1txtbi_uf9hq1KrCrJHOwPAVrM/w640-h480/DSCN4710.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
Juv <b>Cirl Bunting</b> in the <b>Barred Warbler</b> bush!<br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<p>
Expertly spotted by Tom, perched on the very same twiggy <b>Elder </b>in which
last year's <b>Barred Warbler</b> first appeared, this is my first West Bay
<b>Cirl</b>, though Tom has seen the species here previously. It called
several times (though I couldn't hear it) and flew to another bush, before
heading purposefully east.
</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipIgQjX8EMN3qVhlIw5N9_GHZ3ai63ELdYJ80zsrtUmlDFujbFUR9hd6J4SPcZtboRY1WMb0W6WUF-dzb2OIf2Ii9c7p-xsbFB250R_wB-Xd9s5hQZtkEyJrI4-ctZlHDi64zbfdgoeNfQX17SPMwUmVZRRaNt7IN3sh6M-Ebnc-zs9JuiTUHsB0M9MHc/s1024/DSCN4736.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipIgQjX8EMN3qVhlIw5N9_GHZ3ai63ELdYJ80zsrtUmlDFujbFUR9hd6J4SPcZtboRY1WMb0W6WUF-dzb2OIf2Ii9c7p-xsbFB250R_wB-Xd9s5hQZtkEyJrI4-ctZlHDi64zbfdgoeNfQX17SPMwUmVZRRaNt7IN3sh6M-Ebnc-zs9JuiTUHsB0M9MHc/w640-h480/DSCN4736.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
West Bay <b>Cirl Bunting</b> in a spot of sunshine.<br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<p>Here are the three strongest calls, spliced together...</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='640' height='350' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw2GLklLpOdaR-HA2AtRSnvA3to1TRwCuooS2RbiV1gmP9UnoTe7c-GWn8AhCLjExVtI9bnn-GRyj0eXO7azA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>
</div>
<br />
<p>
Yep, the call is high-pitched. I can hear them alright on the recording, but in real life it was a case of 'the beak is moving, but nothing is coming out'.</p><p>A bit later, Tom said: 'It's probably nothing, but sounded like a
<b>Lapland Bunting</b> calling just now.' I had heard nothing. Then Tom heard
it again, faintly. I still couldn't hear it, and neither of us could see it.
And that was it. Faint, brief, unsatisfying. I made a note of the time, and
resolved to check the recording when I got home.
</p>
<p>The recording was a revelation.</p>
<p>
Initially there are three calls quite close together. They are perfectly
audible - especially after cleaning up the background noise a bit - and very
obvious on the sonogram. There is then a gap of 17 seconds before Tom voices
his thoughts as described above. Six seconds after that, and right in the
middle of a load of questions from me, more calls. They are no louder, but
slightly more numerous. I have played about with them and done some digging,
and reached the conclusion that it was actually a <b>Snow Bunting</b>...
</p>
<p>
The main reason for this conclusion is the sonogram itself. the multi-note
call of <b>Snow Bunting</b> is often described as a 'rippling' sound, and that
of <b>Lapland Bunting</b>, a 'rattling' sound. And there are corresponding
differences in the sonograms, with <b>Snow Bunting</b> calls showing a
blunter, rounder profile. Subtle, but also quite obvious...
</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix2jZb-NY7JnJM_F0RPWW9Y7qxHatSUVlYkV9PrYKW5-pA14FblEtZNsK038NDAmD-RL7qYRzl6HsiGrEE9X-8FDSsBOeOzDeNapitPXN-ZqdSYMi56RsTyTfnPf2TpoQtJBSP5N_Bk4n5xC2BRTQ2bwK6GD4UMZVN6oVvnvI8YdIvRxyIxvBoN-1jGOM/s1024/West%20Bay%20bunting.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="531" data-original-width="1024" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix2jZb-NY7JnJM_F0RPWW9Y7qxHatSUVlYkV9PrYKW5-pA14FblEtZNsK038NDAmD-RL7qYRzl6HsiGrEE9X-8FDSsBOeOzDeNapitPXN-ZqdSYMi56RsTyTfnPf2TpoQtJBSP5N_Bk4n5xC2BRTQ2bwK6GD4UMZVN6oVvnvI8YdIvRxyIxvBoN-1jGOM/w640-h332/West%20Bay%20bunting.jpg" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
Sonogram comparison of <b>Snow </b>and <b>Lapland Bunting</b> (with
thanks to Steve for access to his Beer Head recording).<br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<p>
So, next up is a spectrovid of the West Bay <b>Snow Bunting</b>, with all the
gaps edited down and the majority of extraneous sounds clipped out. And on the
end I have added the four calls shown in the above image, in the same order.
It takes a few listens to get your ear in, but <b>Lapland Bunting</b> is a
drier sound. Forty-odd years ago I dubbed a long-staying Staines Res
<b>Snow Bunting</b> 'Tiddles', on account of its call. To me,
<b>Snow Bunting</b> makes a rapid 'tiddle-iddle-iddle' sound, whereas
<b>Lapland Bunting</b> goes 'diggi-diggi-diggit'. Yeah, well, it works for me.
</p>
<p></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='640' height='345' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxI2sb2WOFvKrqTYgFlzVTiZgxWgbcKEEDn0R2C3HRuW2lXu3Zikdx5BUu1CfMcOLFGRiY7DAwll_X2ynUGdw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>
</div>
<br />
<p>
As for the other common call of each species - 'tew' or 'tiu' or 'chew' or
'however you like to write it' - well, you'll be pleased to know that I've
absolutely no reason to go into that.<br />
</p>
<p>
A really excellent West Bay record, nicely verified by sound recording.
Result.
</p>
<p>
Heading back down the hill, I decided to have a stomp through a load of rank,
weedy grass, just in case the '<b>Lap Bunt</b>' had dropped in. Imagine my
shock when a <b>Short-eared Owl</b> lifted off right in front of me! It looped
around to my left and up towards the quarry - and Tom - before heading for the
clifftop and dropping below the skyline. I hadn't had time for a photo or a
phonecall, but did get an eyeful. What a bird!<br />
</p>
<p>This vismig lark is okay.<br /></p>
Gavin Haighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17242398421328525578noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-824385241230348874.post-38094112430310837862023-10-22T23:04:00.003+01:002023-10-23T07:30:17.930+01:00Firecrest x2<p>
Well, no amount of rash fantasising ever produced scarce seabirds out of thin
air, so, needless to say, last Thursday morning's seawatch had to do without a
<b>Long-tailed Skua</b>. A nice juv <b>Arctic Tern</b> was the best of it, and
a <b>Med Gull</b> count of 98. Since then it has mainly been slim pickings
locally, with afternoon visits to Cogden contributing excellent step counts
but not too many birds. However, two <b>Firecrests </b>today were only my
second record at Cogden and therefore a major highlight...
</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvmlapzmTBvXWo6IW0NzdbvFliv1zJqymMd-pUi3GSihkGzamvrtTYpGjLr9Ci1naWi4CabBt_9AO0V2CrgTRsjorSs3QXs0EYAX5gMUvne6JK5FroxvxS7hWofb_94j52zbrV8OEcOCHxUXNn-qxopizPAdOTUuJzzEfja0eR6DKuqhU2u_xZRzNBwxU/s1024/DSCN4676.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvmlapzmTBvXWo6IW0NzdbvFliv1zJqymMd-pUi3GSihkGzamvrtTYpGjLr9Ci1naWi4CabBt_9AO0V2CrgTRsjorSs3QXs0EYAX5gMUvne6JK5FroxvxS7hWofb_94j52zbrV8OEcOCHxUXNn-qxopizPAdOTUuJzzEfja0eR6DKuqhU2u_xZRzNBwxU/w640-h480/DSCN4676.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Firecrest </b>at Cogden, one of two together.<br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<p>
Late yesterday afternoon, my fruitless efforts to kick up a
<b>Richard's Pipit</b> were scornfully watched from afar...
</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Mk6e4Ih_QeFyHJN3i9WngDnV2o10pNzfWcxgh-3onfdiGKiq6fr1i_harc0GZKH-rInZHQE1CX328V5rY6IXsxUvjVtFaKeRmA8tIxPl_8EPfAxp9VPOgdxRMYNq7Y33A1TFewWXKAZ1ElUupGI9WHA7kkSE4gFwl6sMhWMz-Y3-zG-J40ut-gDiRQs/s1024/DSCN4578.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Mk6e4Ih_QeFyHJN3i9WngDnV2o10pNzfWcxgh-3onfdiGKiq6fr1i_harc0GZKH-rInZHQE1CX328V5rY6IXsxUvjVtFaKeRmA8tIxPl_8EPfAxp9VPOgdxRMYNq7Y33A1TFewWXKAZ1ElUupGI9WHA7kkSE4gFwl6sMhWMz-Y3-zG-J40ut-gDiRQs/w640-h480/DSCN4578.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUOfbb1Xmy1IGb6KWfE-23bgPmimeHVtzFTURogSPSdApSO2t9nrkih2Fo3sAf1pyP80t-1Xpz6pVYP5YZvEgvaIfCKAPcFHMFh_13gk6bZ2Y56Cs0e09ZxuMqFbgE1qbE_FAbf_d18cfuhQLaWvZ1DFX3PHMoaJ0jeYfj6ASAz4Q2_MHTZxAfWqe-MlM/s1024/DSCN4613.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUOfbb1Xmy1IGb6KWfE-23bgPmimeHVtzFTURogSPSdApSO2t9nrkih2Fo3sAf1pyP80t-1Xpz6pVYP5YZvEgvaIfCKAPcFHMFh_13gk6bZ2Y56Cs0e09ZxuMqFbgE1qbE_FAbf_d18cfuhQLaWvZ1DFX3PHMoaJ0jeYfj6ASAz4Q2_MHTZxAfWqe-MlM/w640-h480/DSCN4613.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</div>
<br />
<p>
On Friday we entertained our eldest grandaughter for the day. She turned four in July,
which is not quite old enough to handle a pair of 8x30s. Still, she was game to try. A brief visit to
Seaton Wetlands seemed an appropriate choice, specifically the Island Hide on
Black Hole Marsh. While I spent a couple of minutes with an obliging
<b>Grey Plover</b>, Amilia found a bird to look at through her bins, which I
then photographed for her...
</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBpRBRwUZuGlGIkWnJzexG9wT1T-EKdMoyd_14UYVpTCb9k_eaCeyPYIwPsZikG6PWUJV9YmsSbG2eaVe41cothDLez9Yyk3io4MwbPS3L-90czpw0Gfw6ZgZ6OYNSgBF0PPa6_6F8re7uCL_Jq4nKvgCrBMXaAEit8MjbY9iO2qqTM_1vYrR2i1P7HLE/s981/DSCN4540.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="738" data-original-width="981" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBpRBRwUZuGlGIkWnJzexG9wT1T-EKdMoyd_14UYVpTCb9k_eaCeyPYIwPsZikG6PWUJV9YmsSbG2eaVe41cothDLez9Yyk3io4MwbPS3L-90czpw0Gfw6ZgZ6OYNSgBF0PPa6_6F8re7uCL_Jq4nKvgCrBMXaAEit8MjbY9iO2qqTM_1vYrR2i1P7HLE/w640-h482/DSCN4540.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
Juv <b>Grey Plover</b> at Black Hole Marsh<br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMnIAOSLSmNSgS_SUF5AggDMi_6L2Xp1v4AwdLCZvwYpIB2mm5hJXZgkIsPpJsy0QlPBrAAVxL0Km7QP4RNNreCBD8DB6IpSK15rrk-Gj-p7Qc39jzRM-mEG3Ucb2QTIDYfix0GD8a0UHRCxziGe9pDwfb8NYNhRnrYkQHtbdp5as43AMSy9k6B-eJlB8/s997/DSCN4562.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="749" data-original-width="997" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMnIAOSLSmNSgS_SUF5AggDMi_6L2Xp1v4AwdLCZvwYpIB2mm5hJXZgkIsPpJsy0QlPBrAAVxL0Km7QP4RNNreCBD8DB6IpSK15rrk-Gj-p7Qc39jzRM-mEG3Ucb2QTIDYfix0GD8a0UHRCxziGe9pDwfb8NYNhRnrYkQHtbdp5as43AMSy9k6B-eJlB8/w640-h480/DSCN4562.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</div>
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<tbody>
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<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhtqz_JVVz9RhFKGKzR-OBUv7otQwxvVvEyL_w8_yzwJL5aZMezDsj2z2fEYCnV314ydy2EybyeB4f-BwrVlUiOv43ttnQaAywYYq3n3jXEBk16j8_yjVDiXN5k-pBFRX3iy17zSo-IhNCxVbtYzWZvhUrUtmaOZMfXCguhzQXIHW2j81nckAb8iQhtaU/s1024/DSCN4557.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhtqz_JVVz9RhFKGKzR-OBUv7otQwxvVvEyL_w8_yzwJL5aZMezDsj2z2fEYCnV314ydy2EybyeB4f-BwrVlUiOv43ttnQaAywYYq3n3jXEBk16j8_yjVDiXN5k-pBFRX3iy17zSo-IhNCxVbtYzWZvhUrUtmaOZMfXCguhzQXIHW2j81nckAb8iQhtaU/w640-h480/DSCN4557.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
Amilia's bird. Good choice.<br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<p><br /></p>
<p>Finally, a Moth Diary update...</p>
<p><u>Friday night, 20th October</u></p>
<p>A paltry eight moths of seven species, but one was new for year.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht4QHCllVRL7LRIC3h2Er4zD9J2EDeKmc3n-Yo7rPD2zCbmSQy6axwwBoeER5R-KwEgsGFnUMXGTThG9_RB9oEHAQdG170g9-WNgGPsz4KZuM9FdReWYA80FLhd-IqfbFlj_Ee_D8MDW-E4vTEEvzIZj6NqLsLFJm6HYp8mTBlktm6vezf2qpJWEfn28s/s1024/DSCN4574.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="770" data-original-width="1024" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht4QHCllVRL7LRIC3h2Er4zD9J2EDeKmc3n-Yo7rPD2zCbmSQy6axwwBoeER5R-KwEgsGFnUMXGTThG9_RB9oEHAQdG170g9-WNgGPsz4KZuM9FdReWYA80FLhd-IqfbFlj_Ee_D8MDW-E4vTEEvzIZj6NqLsLFJm6HYp8mTBlktm6vezf2qpJWEfn28s/w640-h482/DSCN4574.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Feathered Thorn</b>. Not uncommon locally; we caught three last
year.<br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<p><br /></p>
<p><u>Saturday night, 21st October</u></p>
<p>
Another puny tally. Eight moths of seven species again, though two were new
for year and one was a nice migrant.
</p>
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<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVwJI8z7RSZYjOSQ7u7N6Aa82FTW36-N8PPClw1crTwqz4GXLt_LiRk4kMDRW0SQlydyzqhkBtbiAtqQ-vwzD0fx9_-skgwtlM3ULaoT3_62kSZzN-hhUJlNkqKhrpWUQfLGAvhrY_9runXicd5UHagF5gQ-Z8_p3384LkAivlNbeVePxmK1uYKaWj5yg/s1024/DSCN4628.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="767" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVwJI8z7RSZYjOSQ7u7N6Aa82FTW36-N8PPClw1crTwqz4GXLt_LiRk4kMDRW0SQlydyzqhkBtbiAtqQ-vwzD0fx9_-skgwtlM3ULaoT3_62kSZzN-hhUJlNkqKhrpWUQfLGAvhrY_9runXicd5UHagF5gQ-Z8_p3384LkAivlNbeVePxmK1uYKaWj5yg/w640-h480/DSCN4628.JPG" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
Always nice to catch a migrant <b>Vestal</b>. Unlike the others caught
so far this year, the stripes are definitely not pink on this one.<br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
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<tbody>
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<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvsSU1l2yT6VSAu2WlD5K9wUK5k1BFpNfb_P4nokiD09M8Maa7OboY84ddLV3s2gSlArJyh47KK77HHPZKYnG0NIGHoYqYNlyW1S3iC-LgXC81VjHgmAWA1ouX85D6Zy6z6ji-l9q4N_DyMB1ddsYc4AuQWHdGRvYJy6CEpC-eK5zxjmxsEYkh9Yzc0jc/s1024/DSCN4633.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="770" data-original-width="1024" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvsSU1l2yT6VSAu2WlD5K9wUK5k1BFpNfb_P4nokiD09M8Maa7OboY84ddLV3s2gSlArJyh47KK77HHPZKYnG0NIGHoYqYNlyW1S3iC-LgXC81VjHgmAWA1ouX85D6Zy6z6ji-l9q4N_DyMB1ddsYc4AuQWHdGRvYJy6CEpC-eK5zxjmxsEYkh9Yzc0jc/w640-h482/DSCN4633.JPG" width="640" /></a>
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<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Red-line Quaker</b> is new for year; we trapped 14 in 2022.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0mnrAa0xF5QxccOSCyALF55dhRexS5qPtYAe4LvghjkMoHAMWRoXYm0QFHovcnTkGCledShHcBehl5C1N9ju18n-bGHix3Pkyzu_Qwd2Eehsq__ikGX9FG9b-ck7gAJFR8mLz_0dEl6x8etLUm0rneimc8VL1Q9LE-PMqtNVhs6Oo_IVRYNv_H_p0Rg/s1024/DSCN4646.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="770" data-original-width="1024" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0mnrAa0xF5QxccOSCyALF55dhRexS5qPtYAe4LvghjkMoHAMWRoXYm0QFHovcnTkGCledShHcBehl5C1N9ju18n-bGHix3Pkyzu_Qwd2Eehsq__ikGX9FG9b-ck7gAJFR8mLz_0dEl6x8etLUm0rneimc8VL1Q9LE-PMqtNVhs6Oo_IVRYNv_H_p0Rg/w640-h482/DSCN4646.JPG" width="640" /></a>
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<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
After two in 2022, this is our first <b>Green-brindled Crescent</b> of
the year. Status-wise this attractive species seems to be on a par with
the likes of <b>Sallow</b> and
<b>Merveille du Jour</b> locally.<br />
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Gavin Haighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17242398421328525578noreply@blogger.com5