Tuesday 9 April 2024

Dark-eyed Junco in Gillingham, Dorset




The Dark-eyed Junco was an American sparrow I'd been wanting to see for a long time. The only one that had been "twitchable" (easily reachable for birdwatchers) in my time was in Devon in 2019, and unfortunately, I was away at a family funeral.

When I saw one was reported as found in Dorset on Saturday, I figured it could be difficult without permission from the homeowner. Then, by the time I got home from Edgbaston, new information emerged: access would be available from 1 pm the next day.

A plan was duly hatched with Squire. We would set out the following morning at around 9:30, hoping to be near the front of the line when access was granted.

To our surprise, the kind homeowner opened his garden just five minutes before we arrived, giving me and Squire a fantastic spot on the second row. This small suburban garden would have a limited capacity, so our good spot was essential. The day got even better when, within five minutes, the bird flew in and fed on some suet in the garden for about 15 seconds, only to fly off again and not return for about forty minutes.

Thankfully, the returning visit was much improved, allowing some fantastic views of the bird on the ground and also perched on the garden conifer.

We left the property very thankful for the access the homeowner granted, and it was a pleasure to contribute to the cause he was collecting for. The Squire now only needs 9 to reach his goal of 400, fingers crossed the good year continues.

Record breaking Ring Ouzel numbers on Bredon Hill, Worcestershire









My third walk up Bredon Hill was definatly the most rewarding this spring with a wide selection of birds being observed.

Mark joined me for turned out to be an outstanding morning including 19 Ring Ouzel (24 recorded in evening), 2/3 Common Redstarts, 2 Stonechat, 1 Tree Pipit, 3 Raven, Red Kite & Buzzard.

Sunday 10 March 2024

Scotland double - Myrtle Warbler & Ayr Racecourse

















It took me 45 years to finally visit the British racecourses, so when a Myrtle Warbler was spotted in Ayr, the only course I hadn't been to yet, a plan was quickly put into motion. The Squire was enthusiastic about the idea of heading up on Thursday to catch a glimpse of the warbler and a Black Guillemot (which he needed for his lifelist), then staying overnight for the races the following day. Any chance to see an American Warbler was not to be missed. I'm not certain we would have gone when it was first spotted, as it would have been challenging to arrange at that time and neither of us like the crowds.

The alarm was set for a 5:30 am departure with an estimated journey time of 5 1/2 hours, although we did take a break for coffee and a stretch of the legs at Teebay. The Warbler sighting was in the garden of a resident in the small town of Kilwinning, eighteen miles north of Ayr. After parking safely, we took a short walk to number 32 and passed through the house to the garden, where Jimmy, the bird's finder, greeted us.

We managed to spot the bird very quickly, but the views were fleeting. Throughout the ninety minutes we spent there, a maximum of five other birders joined us in the garden. With patience, the bird appeared intermittently, although there was a period of twenty minutes when it wasn't visible. Watching it catch insects high in the trees was fascinating, and it occasionally landed briefly in the garden. It was quite unusual to birdwatch in a garden with wheelie bins, neighbors enjoying a smoke, and DIY activities taking place.

The Myrtle Warbler used to be referred to as a Yellow-rumped Warbler before it was split into east and west coast species. It's likely that this individual migrated with other American warblers last October. Its plumage clearly indicated it was a first-year male, with the yellow rump being very prominent.

After satisfying our Warbler fix, we headed to Ardrossan Harbour where we spotted three Black Guillemots, much to the delight of the Squire, along with a good number of Eiders. We didn't need much rocking after our evening meal, and we had a slow start the next day before doing some birdwatching around Greenan Castle, where we recorded sightings of Red-breasted Merganser, Eider, Black-throated Diver, Curlew, Rock Pipit, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Greenfinch, and Redshank. We also spotted another 14 Black Guillemots in Ayr harbour.

The afternoon was spent at Ayr Races before the long journey home. Great trip.

Melbourne (Western Treatment Plant- Part 5)

 Yellow-billed Spoonbill
Straw-necked Ibis
Australian Pelican
Australian Darter
Whistling Kite
Fairy Martin
Whiskered Tern
White-fronted Chat
Musk Duck
Blue-billed Duck
Great Egret
Welcome Swallows
Brown Falcon

Monday 4 March 2024

Melbourne (Western Treatment Plant- Part 4)

 Waderfest on the shoreline
Gray Teal, Silver Gull, Great Crested Turn
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper
Pied Cormorant

Little Black Cormorant
Brown Falcon
White-faced Heron
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper
Brown Falcon
Red-necked Avocet

Royal Spoonbill
Whiskered Tern (?)
Hardhead
Chesnut Teal