A steady day of work was drawn to a swift close by two things. First, it started to rain a bit, which presented me with the temptation to pack in a little early and head down the estuary for a gull check. Secondly, Steve phoned to tell me that he was already down the estuary checking gulls, but that his concentration had been ruined by 'my' warbler calling vigorously from over the road somewhere. Naturally I hurried to join him. In the event, Steve, Ian M and I stood in the wind and drizzle at the roadside, presenting a suitably gormless spectacle to passing motorists I expect. We saw and heard nothing.
Apparently it had called persistently for a while but been difficult to pinpoint, what with the intrusive noise from passing cars. Nice to know it's still there somewhere though, and hopefully we will eventually be able to nail it one way or the other.
Steve and I spent the remaining light trying to find a good gull or two. A 2nd-winter Med Gull flew downstream past us, but that was it.
So, the Hume's claim is still a very long way from being made...
Monday, 28 November 2011
Sunday, 27 November 2011
Short and Sweet
There were four of us at Coronation Corner/Axmouth Church first this morning, really hoping for the chance to make a solid claim (see yesterday's post) but, sadly, no evidence of anything even slightly resembling a Hume's Warbler. I had to leave around 08:30, by which time we'd notched up a Blackcap. On the way home I spied at least 4 Greylags out on Colyford Marsh.
My next interesting sighting wasn't until well into the afternoon - a pint of Otter Ale resting beside a whacking great plate of Sunday roast. Not far from us is a pub renowned for its carvery. We occasionally drop by to make an unannounced quality spot-check, and did so today in the company of four friends. By the time I was able to stand upright again it was dark, so no more birding for me...
I am ever the optimist, and although I hate the way the days get so horribly short in winter, the chirpy, cheery, chucklesome chappy within happily reminds me that in just over three weeks the days start getting longer again. Excellent!
Finally, an interesting little issue we have had to deal with in recent years. Until January 2008 Woodlark had not been recorded on the patch since 1947, but in that month Phil and Bun found a flock of 22 on some local farmland! Wintering Woodlark are always a sensitive issue, but the news and location was judiciously released to local birders. Although that number has not quite been matched since, Woodlark have become a regular feature of our winter bird population. So I was pleased to get a text from Phil today - 8 Woodlark. Good.
Personally, I have no intention of publicising the location. There is a school of thought - usually in the context of rarities rather than scarce winterers - that says you should not even release news of a bird's presence if you aren't going to reveal the location too. Why not? Because some birders will be unable to get their beauty sleep if they know there's a such-and-such down the road and they're being 'prevented' from seeing it. My desperately simplistic response to this is "Get over it!"
Admittedly it didn't used to be, but I'm older now. So, more relaxed then? Don't be daft! Haven't you heard me going on about hides? It's just that that one doesn't bother me any more...
My next interesting sighting wasn't until well into the afternoon - a pint of Otter Ale resting beside a whacking great plate of Sunday roast. Not far from us is a pub renowned for its carvery. We occasionally drop by to make an unannounced quality spot-check, and did so today in the company of four friends. By the time I was able to stand upright again it was dark, so no more birding for me...
I am ever the optimist, and although I hate the way the days get so horribly short in winter, the chirpy, cheery, chucklesome chappy within happily reminds me that in just over three weeks the days start getting longer again. Excellent!
Finally, an interesting little issue we have had to deal with in recent years. Until January 2008 Woodlark had not been recorded on the patch since 1947, but in that month Phil and Bun found a flock of 22 on some local farmland! Wintering Woodlark are always a sensitive issue, but the news and location was judiciously released to local birders. Although that number has not quite been matched since, Woodlark have become a regular feature of our winter bird population. So I was pleased to get a text from Phil today - 8 Woodlark. Good.
Personally, I have no intention of publicising the location. There is a school of thought - usually in the context of rarities rather than scarce winterers - that says you should not even release news of a bird's presence if you aren't going to reveal the location too. Why not? Because some birders will be unable to get their beauty sleep if they know there's a such-and-such down the road and they're being 'prevented' from seeing it. My desperately simplistic response to this is "Get over it!"
Admittedly it didn't used to be, but I'm older now. So, more relaxed then? Don't be daft! Haven't you heard me going on about hides? It's just that that one doesn't bother me any more...
Saturday, 26 November 2011
Not a Claim...Yet
No time for a morning excursion, so I didn't get out until about 2:30pm today. Although I didn't really do them justice yesterday it was pretty obvious there were good numbers of gulls to look at, so no need to agonise over where to spend my hour-and-something. Starting at the tram sheds I checked the lot. Today's nuggets were 2 Med Gulls and, at Coronation Corner, 2 excellent Yellow-legged Gulls. Neither was quite in adult plumage, though one was a lot closer than the other...
Although I didn't really see the open wing on this one it didn't go to sleep until I got the camera out, and the bill was very bright, just like an adult. It also has nice, bright legs. However, there is plenty of brownish smudging in the wing coverts, giving away its immaturity. I assume this is a 4th-winter bird
This one had duller legs, and dark markings on the bill. It also had a lot of blackish in the wing, including primary coverts. Despite there being no obvious brown in the tail I reckon this is probably a 3rd-winter.
After a fair old time of slim pickings gull-wise, it was very nice to get some reward again. There seemed to be more Lesser Black-backs around than normal - I wonder if there's any connection with the appearance of these 2 YLGs?
To claim or not to claim..?
I really don't like the way we use the word 'claim' in connection with bird records. It implies a bold, self-assured position, and suggests an out-thrust chin and readiness to defend that position. And it's invariably used by someone other than the person who saw the bird in question, is usually garnished with a derisive little snort, and has the specific aim of making you sincerely doubt that so-and-so ever saw the such-and-such at all, and inciting you to want to shove the cocky beggar right off his smug perch.
"Huh! Have you heard? Jeremy Tartlet is claiming a flyover Blyth's Pipit from his garden!"
You are automatically expected to think "Pah!!" and probably do. Most unfair on poor JT.
Because what Jeremy actually said was: "I was just taking the rubbish out when I heard this call. Reminded me of a sort of...er...kind of...um...high-pitched Richard's Pipit type thing...a bit drawn out and sharp. Wish I could have seen something, but...you know...the trees were in the way... Ah well..."
So, here's my NOT claim...
I pulled up at Coronation Corner this afternoon and climbed out of the car. I had just clapped eye to scope when I suddenly realised a bird was calling quite persistently from the big garden behind me, across the road. There were no cars going past - so no distracting noises to mask the sound - and it made me leave the scope where it was and leg it rapidly back down the road 50 yards or so. Yes, actual running, sort of. I got level with the bird and it stopped. The call had come from back in the trees somewhere, so I waited and waited, peering hopefully among the swaying leaves and branches. Not a peep. There was no doubt in my mind - it had reminded me instantly of the Hume's Warbler we had at Seaton Hole back in November 2005. I played Yellow-browed at it - the only bird on my phone. Nothing. "Could it have been some annoying strain of Chiff?" I thought. I didn't think so, and rang Phil to see if he was about.
With no more calls forthcoming it was back to the gulls with an ear cocked. Phil joined me in time to get one of the YLGs, but nothing better!
When I got home I was straight onto xeno-canto to listen to Hume's Warbler calls. Well, it sounded convincing enough to make me download a little sound file, stick it on my phone, and resolve to be at Coronation Corner for first light...
After a fair old time of slim pickings gull-wise, it was very nice to get some reward again. There seemed to be more Lesser Black-backs around than normal - I wonder if there's any connection with the appearance of these 2 YLGs?
To claim or not to claim..?
I really don't like the way we use the word 'claim' in connection with bird records. It implies a bold, self-assured position, and suggests an out-thrust chin and readiness to defend that position. And it's invariably used by someone other than the person who saw the bird in question, is usually garnished with a derisive little snort, and has the specific aim of making you sincerely doubt that so-and-so ever saw the such-and-such at all, and inciting you to want to shove the cocky beggar right off his smug perch.
"Huh! Have you heard? Jeremy Tartlet is claiming a flyover Blyth's Pipit from his garden!"
You are automatically expected to think "Pah!!" and probably do. Most unfair on poor JT.
Because what Jeremy actually said was: "I was just taking the rubbish out when I heard this call. Reminded me of a sort of...er...kind of...um...high-pitched Richard's Pipit type thing...a bit drawn out and sharp. Wish I could have seen something, but...you know...the trees were in the way... Ah well..."
So, here's my NOT claim...
I pulled up at Coronation Corner this afternoon and climbed out of the car. I had just clapped eye to scope when I suddenly realised a bird was calling quite persistently from the big garden behind me, across the road. There were no cars going past - so no distracting noises to mask the sound - and it made me leave the scope where it was and leg it rapidly back down the road 50 yards or so. Yes, actual running, sort of. I got level with the bird and it stopped. The call had come from back in the trees somewhere, so I waited and waited, peering hopefully among the swaying leaves and branches. Not a peep. There was no doubt in my mind - it had reminded me instantly of the Hume's Warbler we had at Seaton Hole back in November 2005. I played Yellow-browed at it - the only bird on my phone. Nothing. "Could it have been some annoying strain of Chiff?" I thought. I didn't think so, and rang Phil to see if he was about.
With no more calls forthcoming it was back to the gulls with an ear cocked. Phil joined me in time to get one of the YLGs, but nothing better!
When I got home I was straight onto xeno-canto to listen to Hume's Warbler calls. Well, it sounded convincing enough to make me download a little sound file, stick it on my phone, and resolve to be at Coronation Corner for first light...
Friday, 25 November 2011
Birding Again...Just
Outdoors with optics this afternoon - first time for a few days. A superficial look at gulls on the river produced nothing of note. Actually, if I'm honest it was just a look at the big gulls, because I wanted to have a quick scamper out past the Yacht Club to see if the Snow Buntings were still there. I could only find the one...
I've recently been scrabbling around in all my junk, trying to find an old birding notebook. It was the Mansands Desert Wheatear that prompted this. I saw the famous Barn Elms Res Desert Wheatear in London, and felt sure I'd done a sketch, but couldn't remember the year. I did a little googling and found out it was 1989. That got me looking in the right place and I soon located the notebook, and the sketch. But that's not why I'm recounting this long-winded tale - what I really wanted to tell you is how I learned the correct year...
Googling led me to this PDF: The London Bird Report List of Contents 1936-2005.
Absolutely fascinating! A list of every named editor, article author and section writer for every year from 1936-2005. And of course, the titles of all the articles etc. The list of names reads like a Who's Who of British ornithology. Amazing. The 1985 report was a bit special - it was the London Bird Report's golden anniversary, and to celebrate 50 years there are short articles commemorating the first three decades, written respectively by RSR Fitter, CB Ashby and DIM Wallace - all legendary players in the history of bird[watch]ing. Now, this is a bit sad I know, but my little chest swelled with pride when I spotted 'GM Haig' alongside these giants.
Yes, I am quite shallow really.
...but it was very obliging.
I've recently been scrabbling around in all my junk, trying to find an old birding notebook. It was the Mansands Desert Wheatear that prompted this. I saw the famous Barn Elms Res Desert Wheatear in London, and felt sure I'd done a sketch, but couldn't remember the year. I did a little googling and found out it was 1989. That got me looking in the right place and I soon located the notebook, and the sketch. But that's not why I'm recounting this long-winded tale - what I really wanted to tell you is how I learned the correct year...
Googling led me to this PDF: The London Bird Report List of Contents 1936-2005.
Absolutely fascinating! A list of every named editor, article author and section writer for every year from 1936-2005. And of course, the titles of all the articles etc. The list of names reads like a Who's Who of British ornithology. Amazing. The 1985 report was a bit special - it was the London Bird Report's golden anniversary, and to celebrate 50 years there are short articles commemorating the first three decades, written respectively by RSR Fitter, CB Ashby and DIM Wallace - all legendary players in the history of bird[watch]ing. Now, this is a bit sad I know, but my little chest swelled with pride when I spotted 'GM Haig' alongside these giants.
Yes, I am quite shallow really.
Thursday, 24 November 2011
A Slight Digression
Sandra gets back tomorrow. She might have something to say about the evident wine depletion but, due to my careful disposal of packaging, will know nothing of the big bag of Giant Buttons, the honey-roasted cashews and other acts of gluttony.
I do though, and feel a bit guilty.
One consequence of middle age appears to be your body's urgent desire to get itself into bigger and bigger trousers. It's like some kind of evil plot. And your brain is in on it too.
Body: "Hey, he-e-e-e-y! Look at that 4-pack of Chocolate Chip Muffins! Just what we need!"
Brain: "No probs - we'll work it off later with a 25-mile cycle, a nice hilly one."
Body: "Ha ha! Yeah, right!"
Brain: "Ssshhhhh! He he!"
As I look at my gently expanding middle-aged friends I can only assume that there's some sort of secret competition going on that we know nothing about...
"Look at this belt! I've got my bloaty lard-sack thinking about 44" trousers!"
"Oh-ho, nice one! I'm getting mine into doing a fish & chip take-away every week now...and he's constantly on the beer. I reckon we'll be looking at 42's in a few months!"
Any readers who remember this blog's previous incarnation might recall a photo of me aged 19, sans shirt, with a BSA motorcycle. I was very skinny. Not any more. But let's face it, lots of us were very skinny, and look at us now! I, for one, am going to fight back. I did pretty well at the start of this year, and actually managed to go down a trouser size. However, right now I am detecting snugness again. The winter is coming, and the cycling urges seem to have faded a bit, so I have purchased a Turbo-trainer.
For those of you none the wiser, let me explain what a turbo-trainer is. You know what an exercise bike is, right? Of course you do - one of those cycling machines that a female member of your household bought one January, installed in the spare room and used for a few months as a convenient place to hang damp washing, until someone else put their foot down and it went on eBay. [Apologies if that sounds misogynistic, but the data supports me here.] Well, a turbo-trainer is a device upon which you mount your own bicycle, but ultimately fulfills the intended function of an exercise bike, ie. to provide an indoor cycling exercise thing. But because you are using your own bike it should at least fit and be comfortable, and will have an air of 'seriousness' which the Argos 'Thrifty-Pedal' lacked.
Of course my intention is to use it, and to record an occasional summary of my endeavours on this blog. If I combine it with sensible eating and moderate drinking there will be plenty of slack for the inevitable Xmas gorging. As I say, that's my intention. But I could do with help. I am weak and easily led - especially by the nose to the bakery counter - so if you don't see any mention of turbo-training after a couple of weeks please nag me. I will thank you for it...
I do though, and feel a bit guilty.
One consequence of middle age appears to be your body's urgent desire to get itself into bigger and bigger trousers. It's like some kind of evil plot. And your brain is in on it too.
Body: "Hey, he-e-e-e-y! Look at that 4-pack of Chocolate Chip Muffins! Just what we need!"
Brain: "No probs - we'll work it off later with a 25-mile cycle, a nice hilly one."
Body: "Ha ha! Yeah, right!"
Brain: "Ssshhhhh! He he!"
As I look at my gently expanding middle-aged friends I can only assume that there's some sort of secret competition going on that we know nothing about...
"Look at this belt! I've got my bloaty lard-sack thinking about 44" trousers!"
"Oh-ho, nice one! I'm getting mine into doing a fish & chip take-away every week now...and he's constantly on the beer. I reckon we'll be looking at 42's in a few months!"
Any readers who remember this blog's previous incarnation might recall a photo of me aged 19, sans shirt, with a BSA motorcycle. I was very skinny. Not any more. But let's face it, lots of us were very skinny, and look at us now! I, for one, am going to fight back. I did pretty well at the start of this year, and actually managed to go down a trouser size. However, right now I am detecting snugness again. The winter is coming, and the cycling urges seem to have faded a bit, so I have purchased a Turbo-trainer.
For those of you none the wiser, let me explain what a turbo-trainer is. You know what an exercise bike is, right? Of course you do - one of those cycling machines that a female member of your household bought one January, installed in the spare room and used for a few months as a convenient place to hang damp washing, until someone else put their foot down and it went on eBay. [Apologies if that sounds misogynistic, but the data supports me here.] Well, a turbo-trainer is a device upon which you mount your own bicycle, but ultimately fulfills the intended function of an exercise bike, ie. to provide an indoor cycling exercise thing. But because you are using your own bike it should at least fit and be comfortable, and will have an air of 'seriousness' which the Argos 'Thrifty-Pedal' lacked.
Of course my intention is to use it, and to record an occasional summary of my endeavours on this blog. If I combine it with sensible eating and moderate drinking there will be plenty of slack for the inevitable Xmas gorging. As I say, that's my intention. But I could do with help. I am weak and easily led - especially by the nose to the bakery counter - so if you don't see any mention of turbo-training after a couple of weeks please nag me. I will thank you for it...
Wednesday, 23 November 2011
Struggling for Words...
I was going to write a post about twitching, but writer's block has got me again...
I could show you a couple of pics from previous November twitches that I've succumbed to?
The petrel was a massive DIP, but I thoroughly enjoyed it even so. Good company, and a good laugh, plus a Leach's Petrel and Pom Skua. The American Robin I had seen on its second day, but this was a weekend twitch with Sandra. It was also a dip, principally due to the behaviour of a few selfish characters who simply got too close to the bird so that it stayed buried in the hedge. Look, there they all are on the left. There was nothing enjoyable about this occasion.
If you catch me saying negative things about twitchers and twitching, it's probably because I've just had an American Robin experience and been forced to slash some tyres. In truth though, some of my most treasured birding memories involve twitching. I may not do much now, but I used to, and had some great times.
However, it strikes me recently that birders who do a lot of twitching are seen by some as less worthy than the diligent patchworker who finds lots of rarities. This snobbery is - to be frank - pathetic. Of course we're all entitled to our opinion, but I think far more important than the kind of birding you do - and a far better indicator of 'worth' - is the kind of birder you are. I've known one or two diligent patchworker types over the years who I would also descriibe as misanthropic oafs, whereas many of my more twitchy colleagues are immensely likeable, generous to a fault, and excellent company - they certainly put me to shame! I know who I'd rather spend time with. I suppose my point is this: there really is no more, or less, worthy way to pursue this hobby. Do what you enjoy, let others do likewise, and don't get too close to the bird at twitches if I'm there.
Well, some words came after all, though I don't think they're the ones I was looking for.
Quick Quiz
Date: 18 October 1996
Birds seen: male Subalpine Warbler, Red-breasted Flycatcher, 8 Firecrests, flyover Lapland Bunting.
And yet I went home very gloomy. What did I dip?
I could show you a couple of pics from previous November twitches that I've succumbed to?
Both the above - November 2009 - the Black/White-bellied Storm Petrel thing
November 2010 - the American Robin
The petrel was a massive DIP, but I thoroughly enjoyed it even so. Good company, and a good laugh, plus a Leach's Petrel and Pom Skua. The American Robin I had seen on its second day, but this was a weekend twitch with Sandra. It was also a dip, principally due to the behaviour of a few selfish characters who simply got too close to the bird so that it stayed buried in the hedge. Look, there they all are on the left. There was nothing enjoyable about this occasion.
If you catch me saying negative things about twitchers and twitching, it's probably because I've just had an American Robin experience and been forced to slash some tyres. In truth though, some of my most treasured birding memories involve twitching. I may not do much now, but I used to, and had some great times.
However, it strikes me recently that birders who do a lot of twitching are seen by some as less worthy than the diligent patchworker who finds lots of rarities. This snobbery is - to be frank - pathetic. Of course we're all entitled to our opinion, but I think far more important than the kind of birding you do - and a far better indicator of 'worth' - is the kind of birder you are. I've known one or two diligent patchworker types over the years who I would also descriibe as misanthropic oafs, whereas many of my more twitchy colleagues are immensely likeable, generous to a fault, and excellent company - they certainly put me to shame! I know who I'd rather spend time with. I suppose my point is this: there really is no more, or less, worthy way to pursue this hobby. Do what you enjoy, let others do likewise, and don't get too close to the bird at twitches if I'm there.
Well, some words came after all, though I don't think they're the ones I was looking for.
Quick Quiz
Date: 18 October 1996
Birds seen: male Subalpine Warbler, Red-breasted Flycatcher, 8 Firecrests, flyover Lapland Bunting.
And yet I went home very gloomy. What did I dip?
Tuesday, 22 November 2011
Devon Bird News
A non-birding day for me, so I've been preparing for winter. The waistline needs work because there is currently no slack available, and I'll need some later in the year. After a summer of cycling there was loads of room, and I just don't understand where it's gone. As I sit here with a glass of Keltek King, 2 slices of pizza and a big helping of honey-roast cashews I can't help thinking that the big bag of Cadbury Giant Buttons I'd planned for afters might be a bit much...maybe just half the bag instead.
I would like to talk briefly about Devon Bird News.
The germ of an idea back in August 2010 very quickly took root and grew into a pukka website, in the form of a multi-author blog. I have been quite amazed at its popularity, but I guess this just goes to show how much it was needed, really. The combination of snippets of news with photos (some of which are stunning I have to say!) has been a winner. Something else which adds to the appeal - for me anyway - is the fact that all the contributors have their own style. This gives the blog a very collaborative flavour which would be lacking if there was only one author. I mentioned that it is popular, but how popular? Here is a screenshot of part of the Statcounter page for the last week, captured around 22:30 this evening...
I would imagine that over 1,000 proper visits per day (not just page-loads) is pretty good for a county bird news site. If I were to subscribe DBN to the Fat Birder Top 1000 webring I wonder where it would be in the rankings? Pretty high I reckon.
At this point I shall do something again that I've done before - give a big Thank-You to all the contributors and visitors! To be honest, 'running' the site involves very little effort on my part, but even so, the number of contributions (both from regulars and 'occasionals') and the number of visitors entirely validate the blog's existence and continuation.
One last thing. Every day I get one or more emails (often a handful) addressed to DBN. Most are news items (often including photos) and most are well worth publishing. Some have been enquiries of various kinds, and a few have been soliciting a little advertising space. One even offered me a 'no-strings' opportunity to field test (and keep) a pair of binoculars. I didn't foresee any of this when DBN began, naïvely believing that a multi-author blog would simply run itself. I have now wised up! Anyway, as well as having limited time I am also NOT the world's best correspondent, and have completely overlooked an email on more than one occasion, and been a bit tardy on others. I have definitely managed to annoy a couple of people this way. If you are reading this, and are one of them - my apologies. I certainly don't set out to intentionally upset anyone. That said, I guess I should look at the big picture - DBN is thriving despite my flaws...
I would like to talk briefly about Devon Bird News.
The germ of an idea back in August 2010 very quickly took root and grew into a pukka website, in the form of a multi-author blog. I have been quite amazed at its popularity, but I guess this just goes to show how much it was needed, really. The combination of snippets of news with photos (some of which are stunning I have to say!) has been a winner. Something else which adds to the appeal - for me anyway - is the fact that all the contributors have their own style. This gives the blog a very collaborative flavour which would be lacking if there was only one author. I mentioned that it is popular, but how popular? Here is a screenshot of part of the Statcounter page for the last week, captured around 22:30 this evening...
I would imagine that over 1,000 proper visits per day (not just page-loads) is pretty good for a county bird news site. If I were to subscribe DBN to the Fat Birder Top 1000 webring I wonder where it would be in the rankings? Pretty high I reckon.
At this point I shall do something again that I've done before - give a big Thank-You to all the contributors and visitors! To be honest, 'running' the site involves very little effort on my part, but even so, the number of contributions (both from regulars and 'occasionals') and the number of visitors entirely validate the blog's existence and continuation.
One last thing. Every day I get one or more emails (often a handful) addressed to DBN. Most are news items (often including photos) and most are well worth publishing. Some have been enquiries of various kinds, and a few have been soliciting a little advertising space. One even offered me a 'no-strings' opportunity to field test (and keep) a pair of binoculars. I didn't foresee any of this when DBN began, naïvely believing that a multi-author blog would simply run itself. I have now wised up! Anyway, as well as having limited time I am also NOT the world's best correspondent, and have completely overlooked an email on more than one occasion, and been a bit tardy on others. I have definitely managed to annoy a couple of people this way. If you are reading this, and are one of them - my apologies. I certainly don't set out to intentionally upset anyone. That said, I guess I should look at the big picture - DBN is thriving despite my flaws...
Monday, 21 November 2011
A First for Seaton
It's not what you think!
First, I ought to get up to date with birding stuff...
Yesterday
Again I wasn't out until mid-afternoon, so didn't have time for much. For some reason I was also feeling really grumpy, so steered well clear of any hides and tried to avoid human contact. Eventually I wandered out past the Yacht Club. There were several people - including birders - on the top ridge, so I followed the edge of the river. Doing this I stumbled across the 2 Snow Buntings, presumably also a bit fed up with people. I tried not to antagonise them, and took this shot of the male as he preened...
Eventually I reached the rivermouth and sat down on the shingle to grill that scoter flock Phil and I spotted on Saturday. Nothing but Common Scoters, and they all looked like female/juv types too. Walking back to the Yacht Club I chanced upon the Wheatear again, so 20 November becomes my latest ever date for the species.
Today
It rained until well past lunchtime, so I popped out late again. I didn't see anything of note on the very full river. There were hardly any gulls, so I spent some time at the Farm Gate checking through Wigeon and Teal out on Colyford Marsh. Just Wigeon and Teal. There were still Greylags out there (at least 5) but I didn't see any Brents. Then a visit to Lower Bruckland Ponds. The habitat here is steadily being developed, and I'm sure there will be something really special here one day. As I arrived at the top lake I had a big surprise in the shape of a female Goosander! Likewise, it had a big surprise in the shape of me, and legged it before I could get the camera out! That was nice, and so was the Cetti's Warbler down the bottom end. Finally it was off to Seaton Hole for last knockings. I didn't encounter any hoped-for Black Redstarts, just a phenomenally distant adult Med Gull out in the bay...
...then home to check the computer and see if anyone violently disputes my Red-breasted Goose analysis. Of course, I should point out that it's not just my opinion - the same conclusion has independantly been drawn elsewhere. I must confess though, I do wonder what drove me to put so much effort into it. It's not a tick, I don't care a jot about Devon listing, and I'm not consciously aware of any axe that I wanted to grind. Maybe slight annoyance at all the speculation without investigation? I don't know. I think it was just an itch that wouldn't go away. And now it has. Good.
Foolishness
I briefly got embroiled in a BirdForum thread about self-finding. Someone totally misunderstood one of my posts. Aaagh! Why do I do it? I enjoy a lively debate, but on BF they so often just turn into bitter exchanges. And one or two contributors seem inevitably to resort to provocation and attack when what they should really be doing is maybe conceding a point or two, and showing a little humility. Or perhaps it's me? Perhaps I simply ought to keep away from the lively stuff on BF until my medication settles down...?
A Seaton Tick
In this morning's pouring rain Sandra dragged me down to the town...
The doors were opened to the public at 08:00, and by the time we got there around 10:30 it was heaving. While Sandra shouldered her way into the throbbing mass, I amused myself by taking photos and interviewing passers-by. The Store Manager obliged with a soundbite...
"Hi, my name is Ian and I'm here to help you. Yes indeed, some do say that Tesco is just the gaping maw of consumer capitalism at its slavering worst and that our corporate aim is to take over the world, enslave its producers, make everyone buy our stuff, and ludicrously enrich the very few at the expense of the very many, while tricking our customers into thinking we serve them...but, of course, none of that is true."
"No? What is true then, Ian?"
"Every little helps."
"Oh yes," I said, nodding. "That's true."
"And the fact that we give you Clubcard Points!"
I duly knelt on the ground and kissed his feet.
Here are some fellow worshipers assembled at the altar...
Believe it or not, the Seaton Town Crier was engaged for this gig. Here he is, crying to the town...
Sandra is going away for the week, and had bought some stuff for her trip. I snatched the receipt from her dithering grip and rushed to get it framed as a memento of this auspicious occasion.
First, I ought to get up to date with birding stuff...
Yesterday
Again I wasn't out until mid-afternoon, so didn't have time for much. For some reason I was also feeling really grumpy, so steered well clear of any hides and tried to avoid human contact. Eventually I wandered out past the Yacht Club. There were several people - including birders - on the top ridge, so I followed the edge of the river. Doing this I stumbled across the 2 Snow Buntings, presumably also a bit fed up with people. I tried not to antagonise them, and took this shot of the male as he preened...
Eventually I reached the rivermouth and sat down on the shingle to grill that scoter flock Phil and I spotted on Saturday. Nothing but Common Scoters, and they all looked like female/juv types too. Walking back to the Yacht Club I chanced upon the Wheatear again, so 20 November becomes my latest ever date for the species.
Today
It rained until well past lunchtime, so I popped out late again. I didn't see anything of note on the very full river. There were hardly any gulls, so I spent some time at the Farm Gate checking through Wigeon and Teal out on Colyford Marsh. Just Wigeon and Teal. There were still Greylags out there (at least 5) but I didn't see any Brents. Then a visit to Lower Bruckland Ponds. The habitat here is steadily being developed, and I'm sure there will be something really special here one day. As I arrived at the top lake I had a big surprise in the shape of a female Goosander! Likewise, it had a big surprise in the shape of me, and legged it before I could get the camera out! That was nice, and so was the Cetti's Warbler down the bottom end. Finally it was off to Seaton Hole for last knockings. I didn't encounter any hoped-for Black Redstarts, just a phenomenally distant adult Med Gull out in the bay...
...then home to check the computer and see if anyone violently disputes my Red-breasted Goose analysis. Of course, I should point out that it's not just my opinion - the same conclusion has independantly been drawn elsewhere. I must confess though, I do wonder what drove me to put so much effort into it. It's not a tick, I don't care a jot about Devon listing, and I'm not consciously aware of any axe that I wanted to grind. Maybe slight annoyance at all the speculation without investigation? I don't know. I think it was just an itch that wouldn't go away. And now it has. Good.
Foolishness
I briefly got embroiled in a BirdForum thread about self-finding. Someone totally misunderstood one of my posts. Aaagh! Why do I do it? I enjoy a lively debate, but on BF they so often just turn into bitter exchanges. And one or two contributors seem inevitably to resort to provocation and attack when what they should really be doing is maybe conceding a point or two, and showing a little humility. Or perhaps it's me? Perhaps I simply ought to keep away from the lively stuff on BF until my medication settles down...?
A Seaton Tick
In this morning's pouring rain Sandra dragged me down to the town...
Seaton's very own Tesco store opened today
The doors were opened to the public at 08:00, and by the time we got there around 10:30 it was heaving. While Sandra shouldered her way into the throbbing mass, I amused myself by taking photos and interviewing passers-by. The Store Manager obliged with a soundbite...
"Hi, my name is Ian and I'm here to help you. Yes indeed, some do say that Tesco is just the gaping maw of consumer capitalism at its slavering worst and that our corporate aim is to take over the world, enslave its producers, make everyone buy our stuff, and ludicrously enrich the very few at the expense of the very many, while tricking our customers into thinking we serve them...but, of course, none of that is true."
"No? What is true then, Ian?"
"Every little helps."
"Oh yes," I said, nodding. "That's true."
"And the fact that we give you Clubcard Points!"
I duly knelt on the ground and kissed his feet.
Here are some fellow worshipers assembled at the altar...
Believe it or not, the Seaton Town Crier was engaged for this gig. Here he is, crying to the town...
Sandra is going away for the week, and had bought some stuff for her trip. I snatched the receipt from her dithering grip and rushed to get it framed as a memento of this auspicious occasion.
Sunday, 20 November 2011
That Red-breasted Goose
Like many south coast birders I regularly visit the CHOG Sightings page to see what's been happening further east. On 18 October I tuned in to read this:
After a dismal morning at Hengistbury and elsewhere, it was all set for a fairly dour website post. However, things changed drastically at 5:00 tonight when CHOG's first ever Red-breasted Goose was found on South Marsh, Stanpit, among an increased number of Brent Goose. The bird, hatched this year in Siberia, has tagged along with 'brents' rather than keeping with its own and heading for the western coast of the Black Sea, which is the species' normal wintering ground.
I love the delightfully bold statement in the final sentence, even though it would be filed under 'Hopeful Speculation' rather than 'Fact'! So, is it a genuinely wild bird? Who knows?! But for such a notoriously common species in captivity, a juvenile arriving with Brents in mid-October has credentials about as good as you're going to get, short of a ringed individual.
It was at Stanpit until 28 October. On 30 October a juv Red-breasted Goose was in with Brents at Ferrybridge. On 31st one flew over Abbotsbury Swannery. No sightings for 4 days, then a Red-breasted Goose was found at Exminster Marshes on 5 November. Despite some strong lobbying in favour of at least one bird in 2009 there hasn't been a Devon occurence of Red-breasted Goose accepted by BBRC as a wild bird since 1963. [NB. The foregoing is the result of rather skimpy research, so if I need correcting please feel free]
The point is this - lots of Devon birders with listy type leanings were very keen for this bird to be the same individual that arrived at Stanpit with Brents - ie. a good candidate for a genuine vagrant rather than escape from captivity - ie. 'tickable'. Mischievously I hoped it wasn't. I'm not proud of the fact that I wanted this to be the outcome, but I can't help my sense of humour. Sorry. But it was the same age, and the timing was almost perfect so, like most people, I assumed it was the Dorset bird. But when I saw photos of both, and compared them, I began to think they were different individuals, based principally on seeming anomalies in the flank barring...
So, what is the truth? With grateful thanks to photographers Alan Hayden, Martin Cade, Dave Land, Chris Townend and Brian Heasman for supplying the pics, and Karen Woolley and Mark Andrews for facilitating the supply of some, here is a considered analysis of the Devon Red-breasted Goose. Hope it's useful...
Perhaps it is unusual to put the conclusion first, but I'll say at the outset that I am convinced it is the same bird, and then explain why by means of the following montages.
Flank - RHS
The way that feathers lie is obviously dependant on posture and other factors, but the biggest lesson for me was how variable the flank barring could appear. Those are presumably big, loose and therefore 'mobile' feathers! The markings outlined in red show (I think) just 2 feathers, but look how different they can appear depending on how they come to rest!
Very persuasive was the small 'm'-shaped marking in the yellow circle.
Another one is the pattern formed by the median covert feathers outline in green - though not consistent it is obvious in both Alan and Dave's photos.
The blue and pink rings likewise highlight similar-looking feather patterns/arrangements, though maybe not quite as obviously convincing.
If you spend a bit of time on the photos you can pick out other subtle similarities too.
NB - all the following montages will enlarge if clicked
Flank - LHS
I haven't bothered trying to show any similarities in the flank barring on this side but have focused just on the coverts, which are pretty convincing on their own. If you compare the Stanpit and Ferrybridge photos with the RH Exminster shot the similarities are obvious. But I've included Dave Land's other photo to illustrate how the lie of the feathers affects their appearance - if only the LH Exminster shot was available to compare with the Dorset bird it would be much harder to make the case.
Head Pattern
I'm not going to make any comment at all on these montages, but leave the reader to view, compare, and see how many similarities you can spot. A fair few I reckon. Bear in mind I have jiggled around with the originals to get all the heads at roughly the same angle, even though the bird's posture in each shot may have been very different! Also the quality and resolution of each image might vary a great deal.
Sorry it's been a few days coming, but it wasn't a five minute job putting that lot together! Once again, profuse thanks to all who made this possible. It's been quite an education for me, and I hope others too.
After a dismal morning at Hengistbury and elsewhere, it was all set for a fairly dour website post. However, things changed drastically at 5:00 tonight when CHOG's first ever Red-breasted Goose was found on South Marsh, Stanpit, among an increased number of Brent Goose. The bird, hatched this year in Siberia, has tagged along with 'brents' rather than keeping with its own and heading for the western coast of the Black Sea, which is the species' normal wintering ground.
I love the delightfully bold statement in the final sentence, even though it would be filed under 'Hopeful Speculation' rather than 'Fact'! So, is it a genuinely wild bird? Who knows?! But for such a notoriously common species in captivity, a juvenile arriving with Brents in mid-October has credentials about as good as you're going to get, short of a ringed individual.
It was at Stanpit until 28 October. On 30 October a juv Red-breasted Goose was in with Brents at Ferrybridge. On 31st one flew over Abbotsbury Swannery. No sightings for 4 days, then a Red-breasted Goose was found at Exminster Marshes on 5 November. Despite some strong lobbying in favour of at least one bird in 2009 there hasn't been a Devon occurence of Red-breasted Goose accepted by BBRC as a wild bird since 1963. [NB. The foregoing is the result of rather skimpy research, so if I need correcting please feel free]
The point is this - lots of Devon birders with listy type leanings were very keen for this bird to be the same individual that arrived at Stanpit with Brents - ie. a good candidate for a genuine vagrant rather than escape from captivity - ie. 'tickable'. Mischievously I hoped it wasn't. I'm not proud of the fact that I wanted this to be the outcome, but I can't help my sense of humour. Sorry. But it was the same age, and the timing was almost perfect so, like most people, I assumed it was the Dorset bird. But when I saw photos of both, and compared them, I began to think they were different individuals, based principally on seeming anomalies in the flank barring...
So, what is the truth? With grateful thanks to photographers Alan Hayden, Martin Cade, Dave Land, Chris Townend and Brian Heasman for supplying the pics, and Karen Woolley and Mark Andrews for facilitating the supply of some, here is a considered analysis of the Devon Red-breasted Goose. Hope it's useful...
**********************************************************************************
Perhaps it is unusual to put the conclusion first, but I'll say at the outset that I am convinced it is the same bird, and then explain why by means of the following montages.
Flank - RHS
The way that feathers lie is obviously dependant on posture and other factors, but the biggest lesson for me was how variable the flank barring could appear. Those are presumably big, loose and therefore 'mobile' feathers! The markings outlined in red show (I think) just 2 feathers, but look how different they can appear depending on how they come to rest!
Very persuasive was the small 'm'-shaped marking in the yellow circle.
Another one is the pattern formed by the median covert feathers outline in green - though not consistent it is obvious in both Alan and Dave's photos.
The blue and pink rings likewise highlight similar-looking feather patterns/arrangements, though maybe not quite as obviously convincing.
If you spend a bit of time on the photos you can pick out other subtle similarities too.
NB - all the following montages will enlarge if clicked
Flank - LHS
I haven't bothered trying to show any similarities in the flank barring on this side but have focused just on the coverts, which are pretty convincing on their own. If you compare the Stanpit and Ferrybridge photos with the RH Exminster shot the similarities are obvious. But I've included Dave Land's other photo to illustrate how the lie of the feathers affects their appearance - if only the LH Exminster shot was available to compare with the Dorset bird it would be much harder to make the case.
Head Pattern
I'm not going to make any comment at all on these montages, but leave the reader to view, compare, and see how many similarities you can spot. A fair few I reckon. Bear in mind I have jiggled around with the originals to get all the heads at roughly the same angle, even though the bird's posture in each shot may have been very different! Also the quality and resolution of each image might vary a great deal.
Sorry it's been a few days coming, but it wasn't a five minute job putting that lot together! Once again, profuse thanks to all who made this possible. It's been quite an education for me, and I hope others too.
Saturday, 19 November 2011
Off the Beaten Track
I was free after lunch, so headed down the river and checked gulls. A single adult Med was all. It would have been rude not to say hello to the 2 Snow Buntings which are still present by the Yacht Club, so I did. Also to Phil who was likewise present. Then both of us said hello to the Wheatear which popped up in front of us. Steve had mentioned this bird to me earlier, so it didn't give me the palpitations it must have given him this morning! I can imagine his thoughts when he realised it was just a Northern Wheatear! Still, the latest I've seen by quite a big margin.
Phil and I then sallied forth along the shingle. By the time we got to Culverhole we were 8 Rock Pipits richer, and had watched a Woodpigeon avoid the determined efforts of 2 Peregrines by skimming the waves to safety. Then we clambered up to the undercliff footpath, and back via the golf course to Axmouth. There was another adult Med on the river, 12 Brents, at least 6 Greylags and 50+ Canada Geese on the marshes, and a Black Swan opposite Stedcombe Vale. Then it was home for coffee and a lie-down.
Ooh, almost forgot to mention the Common Scoter flock. We were some way along the beach when we spotted a distant flock of ducks out to sea. There were plenty of Wigeon bobbing around, having a break from the marshes, but this lot were much further out. We only had bins, but they were pretty tight-packed and clearly Common Scoter. It was impossible to resolve individual birds, and there could have been a drake Long-tailed Duck in there and we wouldn't have known, so I tried something that's worked before in similar circumstances - I took some photos and enlarged them on the camera's viewing screen. Surprisingly effective...
Phil and I then sallied forth along the shingle. By the time we got to Culverhole we were 8 Rock Pipits richer, and had watched a Woodpigeon avoid the determined efforts of 2 Peregrines by skimming the waves to safety. Then we clambered up to the undercliff footpath, and back via the golf course to Axmouth. There was another adult Med on the river, 12 Brents, at least 6 Greylags and 50+ Canada Geese on the marshes, and a Black Swan opposite Stedcombe Vale. Then it was home for coffee and a lie-down.
Ooh, almost forgot to mention the Common Scoter flock. We were some way along the beach when we spotted a distant flock of ducks out to sea. There were plenty of Wigeon bobbing around, having a break from the marshes, but this lot were much further out. We only had bins, but they were pretty tight-packed and clearly Common Scoter. It was impossible to resolve individual birds, and there could have been a drake Long-tailed Duck in there and we wouldn't have known, so I tried something that's worked before in similar circumstances - I took some photos and enlarged them on the camera's viewing screen. Surprisingly effective...
Uncropped, pretty much as they appeared through bins
I guess a Surf Scoter could be hiding in there, but nothing white at least! Looks like 45-50 birds
Friday, 18 November 2011
Let Us Talk
One of my favourite angling writers - a bloke called Jim Gibbinson - used to do a column called 'Let Us Talk' - a mix of thought, opinion and anecdote on a variety of topics which may (or may not) have been tenuously linked. Though I may not match his writing prowess I can see a few of my posts fitting that loose description. This is one of them.
A nice dry day made for a busy work day. I didn't get up early enough to go out birding beforehand, so grabbed a half-hour slot at the end for gull-checking. The gull demographic is never constant. Med Gulls seem to be at a premium (I had just one adult today) whereas Common Gulls are becoming steadily more numerous - I forgot to mention I counted c.40 on Wednesday evening - and with them comes the hope of a Ring-billed. Actually, Ring-billed Gull is getting quite rare isn't it? Devon had a blank year in 2009, which was a bit of a shock at the time, but I cannot recall seeing any submissions in 2010 or so far this year either (is that right Steve?) so the species has suddenly become a bit special again, after many years of easy tickage by county year-listers. It'll become a BB rarity again if it doesn't get its finger out. To remind ourselves what to look for here's one we made earlier - a smart (and rather small) 2nd-winter bird which Steve found on 19 Feb 2007. That's a little spot of oil on the tertials...
While at work today I received several texts. I was informed of the Desert Wheatear at Mansands, the Sharp-tailed Sandpiper at Blagdon Lake and the Spotted Sandpiper at Lyme Regis. Although I am more than happy to receive such gen, it is slightly worrying. Why so? Well, none of it is patch stuff. Not even Lyme Regis, which is the wrong county as well. Don't get me wrong, it's very nice to know what's about as soon as news breaks, and I'm happy about that, but there is a downside too - the temptation to twitch. Are my birdy friends punting this stuff my way to see if something happens? Surely not. They know I gave all that up years ago.
But if Sandra got to hear about these birds........well.....
The Lyme Regis Spotted Sandpiper is interesting though. Lyme is only about 6 miles down the coast, but it's in Dorset of course, which means there is absolutely no point in any decent birds turning up there. Lyme also has easy Dippers, and Purple Sandpipers every winter. To know that such quality birds are brazenly cavorting so close to the patch, yet not even in Devon, is extremely galling. The last [definite] good bird in Lyme was this obliging Sabine's Gull that Bun found in September 2008...
This is pretty much the only way that good birds get found at Lyme Regis - by a visiting birder. If it really is true that the recent Dawlish/Exmouth Short-toed Eagle actually graced the skies above the Cobb, I can only assume an up-country birder was visiting his gran or something.
And thus we come to the Spotted Sandpiper...
As I understand it, the Spotted Sandpiper was found by Howard Vaughan - a London birder - who knows my buddy Paul. He remembered that Paul has this mate who lives not far from Lyme, so passed on the news of his Spotted Sandpiper find to Paul, who then texted me. Living proof that even in this age of technology and commercialised bird information, the grapevine still lives!
Early morning edit - This post looked a bit different (and a lot riskier) last night, but the cold light of day and a strong coffee have undermined such frivolity. Perhaps I should only write posts early in the morning...
A nice dry day made for a busy work day. I didn't get up early enough to go out birding beforehand, so grabbed a half-hour slot at the end for gull-checking. The gull demographic is never constant. Med Gulls seem to be at a premium (I had just one adult today) whereas Common Gulls are becoming steadily more numerous - I forgot to mention I counted c.40 on Wednesday evening - and with them comes the hope of a Ring-billed. Actually, Ring-billed Gull is getting quite rare isn't it? Devon had a blank year in 2009, which was a bit of a shock at the time, but I cannot recall seeing any submissions in 2010 or so far this year either (is that right Steve?) so the species has suddenly become a bit special again, after many years of easy tickage by county year-listers. It'll become a BB rarity again if it doesn't get its finger out. To remind ourselves what to look for here's one we made earlier - a smart (and rather small) 2nd-winter bird which Steve found on 19 Feb 2007. That's a little spot of oil on the tertials...
 |
| ©Steve Waite |
But if Sandra got to hear about these birds........well.....
The Lyme Regis Spotted Sandpiper is interesting though. Lyme is only about 6 miles down the coast, but it's in Dorset of course, which means there is absolutely no point in any decent birds turning up there. Lyme also has easy Dippers, and Purple Sandpipers every winter. To know that such quality birds are brazenly cavorting so close to the patch, yet not even in Devon, is extremely galling. The last [definite] good bird in Lyme was this obliging Sabine's Gull that Bun found in September 2008...
There's a photo of this bird in a recent county avifauna. The Birds of Dorset? No, The Birds of Devon. Hmmmm.......
This is pretty much the only way that good birds get found at Lyme Regis - by a visiting birder. If it really is true that the recent Dawlish/Exmouth Short-toed Eagle actually graced the skies above the Cobb, I can only assume an up-country birder was visiting his gran or something.
And thus we come to the Spotted Sandpiper...
As I understand it, the Spotted Sandpiper was found by Howard Vaughan - a London birder - who knows my buddy Paul. He remembered that Paul has this mate who lives not far from Lyme, so passed on the news of his Spotted Sandpiper find to Paul, who then texted me. Living proof that even in this age of technology and commercialised bird information, the grapevine still lives!
Early morning edit - This post looked a bit different (and a lot riskier) last night, but the cold light of day and a strong coffee have undermined such frivolity. Perhaps I should only write posts early in the morning...
Thursday, 17 November 2011
Not About Geese
I'm still awaiting some pics of the Stanpit Red-breasted Goose, and won't have much time this evening anyway, so here's a post about rare waders instead...
As has happened so often lately I am conscientiously hard at work when the phone rings. This time it's Ian M. He's just found an interesting small wader on the Colyford scrape; am I free? His initial impression was that it might be the White-rumped Sandpiper back again. I am suitably intrigued and reckon I can be there in ten minutes or so.
I nip home for my optics and pull up by the Coly Common gate. A quick call to Ian...
"Is it still there?"
"Umm...no...everything just this minute got up off the scrape, and it hasn't returned."
I'm just contemplating going straight back to work when Ian throws me a little baited hook...
"I've got some photos."
"Oh?"
"They're not very good, but worth a look. I'm thinking it might be a Temminck's Stint"
I realise I haven't actually asked a single question about the bird.
"Did you...er...manage to get the leg colour at all?"
"Yes. They're pale."
"Ah. I see. Ok. I'll be there in a minute."
Now Ian is a very capable birder, but I defy anyone to NOT think what I was thinking right then.
Now the pressure was all mine! NOT mucking it up was a fairly crucial requirement! I took my time, and was happy that it was indeed a Temminck's Stint, and then it flew. I had nice clinching views of the diagnostic white outer tail feathers and that was that. A phonecall or two, and several texts. Guess what a couple of the replies were...
Thanks...sure it's defo a Temminck's and not Least or Long-toed?...followed by apologies for doubting, etc etc!
There was no need for the apologies - I sympathised 100%!
And here it is, beautifully presented in a splendid little thumbnail gallery...
There have only been something like 25 Temminck's Stints in Devon and, as far as I can discover, none later than September. This is actually a very rare bird in the county. So why the slight sense of disappointment?
As has happened so often lately I am conscientiously hard at work when the phone rings. This time it's Ian M. He's just found an interesting small wader on the Colyford scrape; am I free? His initial impression was that it might be the White-rumped Sandpiper back again. I am suitably intrigued and reckon I can be there in ten minutes or so.
I nip home for my optics and pull up by the Coly Common gate. A quick call to Ian...
"Is it still there?"
"Umm...no...everything just this minute got up off the scrape, and it hasn't returned."
I'm just contemplating going straight back to work when Ian throws me a little baited hook...
"I've got some photos."
"Oh?"
"They're not very good, but worth a look. I'm thinking it might be a Temminck's Stint"
I realise I haven't actually asked a single question about the bird.
"Did you...er...manage to get the leg colour at all?"
"Yes. They're pale."
"Ah. I see. Ok. I'll be there in a minute."
Now Ian is a very capable birder, but I defy anyone to NOT think what I was thinking right then.
- It's the middle of November - I've never seen a Temminck's Stint later than the end of September I think.
- Pale legs - Least Sandpiper and Long-toed Stint have pale legs
- It's an absolutely classic ball-dropping opportunity, and...
- I would love to be IN on the finding and identification of a really rare wader like either of those two
Now the pressure was all mine! NOT mucking it up was a fairly crucial requirement! I took my time, and was happy that it was indeed a Temminck's Stint, and then it flew. I had nice clinching views of the diagnostic white outer tail feathers and that was that. A phonecall or two, and several texts. Guess what a couple of the replies were...
Thanks...sure it's defo a Temminck's and not Least or Long-toed?...followed by apologies for doubting, etc etc!
There was no need for the apologies - I sympathised 100%!
And here it is, beautifully presented in a splendid little thumbnail gallery...
|
|
|
There have only been something like 25 Temminck's Stints in Devon and, as far as I can discover, none later than September. This is actually a very rare bird in the county. So why the slight sense of disappointment?
Wednesday, 16 November 2011
My Head Hurts
Bit of a dreary day. Mostly I've been waiting in for a delivery of bathroom stuff. It finally arrived, so pretty soon I'll have to reacquaint myself with the contents of that big dusty toolbox. Then this afternoon it started raining. Sigh...
So, no work, but I popped out in the rain to have a look up the estuary. I couldn't even be bothered to get out of the van, and peered through wet windows at a small number of bog-standard gulls. However, I couldn't help noticing that there were quite a few in front of the Tower Hide, so drove round to the BHM car park. Empty! Yes! With a spring in my step I toddled eagerly through the rain, only to find two vehicles parked right by the hide. One was Fraser's truck, the other a car. It was Fraser and four office types and I was plainly gate-crashing a discussion about future Axe Wetlands developments. At least one bloke thought he was addressing about 200 people, and the gulls were noticeably upstream and downstream of the hide, but not in front of it! Thankfully the conference was soon over, and I had the place to myself until dusk. It was brilliant. Gull numbers built steadily, with very few heading further downriver or out to sea. There were still loads when I left at 16:30. It really was enjoyable sifting through them all, even though I didn't find anything better than 2 intermedius type LBBs...not even a Med Gull. Pretty surprising considering how many birds there were, but in a way it's one of the things I like about gull-watching - it is very difficult to predict!
On the way round to BHM I stopped next to Bridge marsh to snap this lot...
Talking of geese...
While I was waiting for the delivery this morning I wondered what useful household chores I could undertake to help make Sandra's life a bit easier. Then I remembered she'd left a Duty Sheet, and went to find it. Top of the list: Sort out that Red-breasted Goose! Can I tick it or not?
I honestly thought this would be an easy task, what with there being pretty good photos available to me, and sat down to review the evidence. I was quite looking forward to writing a self-satisfied little post where I revealed all with a triumphant "Da-daahh!!" Unfortunately, as I checked the photos for vital clues, an irritating little voice in my head was going "Ha! Not so fast, Mister Smug-Boots! Not as simple as you thought, is it? Eh? Eh?"
I was forced to agree.
Meanwhile, Steve had already weighed-in with his take on it before I'd even gathered enough material to present a case. On the question of whether the Exe Red-breasted Goose is the same bird that was in Dorset, Steve is presently undecided, though not exactly on the fence...if I've read his conclusion correctly, it is this: although Steve 'thinks' it's the same bird, he reckons no-one can say 100% either way. Ok, fair enough...
...but I do like a challenge! Personally I don't believe we should just leave it to the BBRC to decide. As if they care?! None of them has a personal stake in this, but I do! I have the moral integrity of my wife's Devon List to protect! If it's the Dorset bird come for a proper cream tea, she wants to know, so she can tick it! Not 'think' so! Hands up who keeps a list of birds they 'think' are okay to tick? Exactly...
Anyway, I'm still waiting for a few more photos that I can use [with permission] on the blog. As and when I get them I will then be doing a lot of cropping and cutting and putting together into helpful collages. If you're already bored stupid by my fixation with this trivial affair, don't worry - the post to NOT bother reading will be pretty obvious when it comes.
So, no work, but I popped out in the rain to have a look up the estuary. I couldn't even be bothered to get out of the van, and peered through wet windows at a small number of bog-standard gulls. However, I couldn't help noticing that there were quite a few in front of the Tower Hide, so drove round to the BHM car park. Empty! Yes! With a spring in my step I toddled eagerly through the rain, only to find two vehicles parked right by the hide. One was Fraser's truck, the other a car. It was Fraser and four office types and I was plainly gate-crashing a discussion about future Axe Wetlands developments. At least one bloke thought he was addressing about 200 people, and the gulls were noticeably upstream and downstream of the hide, but not in front of it! Thankfully the conference was soon over, and I had the place to myself until dusk. It was brilliant. Gull numbers built steadily, with very few heading further downriver or out to sea. There were still loads when I left at 16:30. It really was enjoyable sifting through them all, even though I didn't find anything better than 2 intermedius type LBBs...not even a Med Gull. Pretty surprising considering how many birds there were, but in a way it's one of the things I like about gull-watching - it is very difficult to predict!
On the way round to BHM I stopped next to Bridge marsh to snap this lot...
7 Greylags - maybe not the grey geese we would choose, but it's a start.
Talking of geese...
While I was waiting for the delivery this morning I wondered what useful household chores I could undertake to help make Sandra's life a bit easier. Then I remembered she'd left a Duty Sheet, and went to find it. Top of the list: Sort out that Red-breasted Goose! Can I tick it or not?
I honestly thought this would be an easy task, what with there being pretty good photos available to me, and sat down to review the evidence. I was quite looking forward to writing a self-satisfied little post where I revealed all with a triumphant "Da-daahh!!" Unfortunately, as I checked the photos for vital clues, an irritating little voice in my head was going "Ha! Not so fast, Mister Smug-Boots! Not as simple as you thought, is it? Eh? Eh?"
I was forced to agree.
Meanwhile, Steve had already weighed-in with his take on it before I'd even gathered enough material to present a case. On the question of whether the Exe Red-breasted Goose is the same bird that was in Dorset, Steve is presently undecided, though not exactly on the fence...if I've read his conclusion correctly, it is this: although Steve 'thinks' it's the same bird, he reckons no-one can say 100% either way. Ok, fair enough...
...but I do like a challenge! Personally I don't believe we should just leave it to the BBRC to decide. As if they care?! None of them has a personal stake in this, but I do! I have the moral integrity of my wife's Devon List to protect! If it's the Dorset bird come for a proper cream tea, she wants to know, so she can tick it! Not 'think' so! Hands up who keeps a list of birds they 'think' are okay to tick? Exactly...
Anyway, I'm still waiting for a few more photos that I can use [with permission] on the blog. As and when I get them I will then be doing a lot of cropping and cutting and putting together into helpful collages. If you're already bored stupid by my fixation with this trivial affair, don't worry - the post to NOT bother reading will be pretty obvious when it comes.
Tuesday, 15 November 2011
Words
Yesterday's post title reminded me of something totally unrelated to birding. In 1997 I spent 3 weeks in the USA courtesy of my employer at the time, Kodak Ltd. Our little group mingled freely with the natives, and I learned that we actually speak a different language. Americans tend not to 'queue', they 'get in line', and I was genuinely surprised that none I spoke to even knew the word. Another one was 'rota'. At one stage in my distinguished Kodak career I was unwisely given a supervisory role - I quickly found out that a Team Leader's most crucial function at the beginning of every shift was to organise the hallowed Tea-break Rota. We also talked of 'shift rotas', but our American counterparts had never encountered the word at all. Amazing. And true...
Why am I mentioning this? No reason particularly, but I do like words, and this is definitely word stuff. We know all about sidewalks and trash-cans, can tell a car's trunk from its hood, and know that a woman's purse is actually her handbag - because we have always been swamped with Hollywood films and American TV. These little gaps in the average American's lexicon must therefore be due to the fact that Hugh Grant films never have the hero rushing to get in the canteen queue when his turn comes up on the tea-break rota.
Today I did no birding at all. Yesterday I had a late look at gulls and saw a 2nd-winter Med.
That's the birding dealt with. So, some more word stuff...loosely. I am genuinely curious to discover whether or not the Red-breasted Goose currently at large on the Exe is the same bird that turned up with Brents in Christchurch Harbour back in October. And my motives are not purely mischievous, honestly. I have solicited some proper photos of the Devon bird from Dave Land, who has kindly allowed their publication on this blog. The idea is this: on your computer screen you bring up a photo of each bird side-by-side, in as similar a pose as possible. Then you compare the flank barring, wing covert fringes and face pattern of each with the other. You can find great pics on the CHOG website, on the October page (I did the link a couple of posts back) and you can find one naughty little teaser type pic of the Devon bird right at the bottom of this post. More to follow. Personally I think I've drawn a conclusion...and if others draw the same it could lead to some interesting ...er...words!
Why am I mentioning this? No reason particularly, but I do like words, and this is definitely word stuff. We know all about sidewalks and trash-cans, can tell a car's trunk from its hood, and know that a woman's purse is actually her handbag - because we have always been swamped with Hollywood films and American TV. These little gaps in the average American's lexicon must therefore be due to the fact that Hugh Grant films never have the hero rushing to get in the canteen queue when his turn comes up on the tea-break rota.
Today I did no birding at all. Yesterday I had a late look at gulls and saw a 2nd-winter Med.
That's the birding dealt with. So, some more word stuff...loosely. I am genuinely curious to discover whether or not the Red-breasted Goose currently at large on the Exe is the same bird that turned up with Brents in Christchurch Harbour back in October. And my motives are not purely mischievous, honestly. I have solicited some proper photos of the Devon bird from Dave Land, who has kindly allowed their publication on this blog. The idea is this: on your computer screen you bring up a photo of each bird side-by-side, in as similar a pose as possible. Then you compare the flank barring, wing covert fringes and face pattern of each with the other. You can find great pics on the CHOG website, on the October page (I did the link a couple of posts back) and you can find one naughty little teaser type pic of the Devon bird right at the bottom of this post. More to follow. Personally I think I've drawn a conclusion...and if others draw the same it could lead to some interesting ...er...words!
 |
| © Dave Land |
Monday, 14 November 2011
Queueing for Birds
There's an urgency about twitching that can be attributed to a simple fact - birds fly. And they sometimes fly completely away. The point is, they can go from being visible to invisible with a quick wave of their arms. Thinking about it, they can become equally invisible just by walking or swimming - or crawling feebly - into dense cover, or by disappearing down a predator's throat. Actually, thinking about it further (like I should have done right at the start of this paragraph) the issue is not even the bird's visibility, it's the bird's TICKability. You see, I just realised that birds can also die. If the bird pegged it before you arrived it might be visible, but definitely not tickable. What I'm trying to get at is this: a twitcher en route is a frantic thing. He (or she) needs to get that tick under the belt as quickly as possible while it is still there to be had. We've all seen this...
Panting twitcher sees rapt crowd glued to their scopes and puts on the desperate spurt.
Seasoned vet takes pity and goes "Here mate, it's in me scope...there you go..."
A quick look - just a few seconds - and there's visible relaxing, a tangible release of pressure, and our twitching friend sets up his own tripod smoothly and easily, his day 100% better already...
Anyone who has ever twitched will know that feeling of urgent need, especially when the bird is very rare indeed. So I find it hard to sympathise with the opprobrium being dished out to Northumberland Greater Yellowlegs twitchers who apparently climbed adjacent screening banks to see the bird 'rather than being patient enough to wait for use of the hide'. I'll ask a quick rhetorical question: Was there a queueing system in operation? I'll also assume the answer is "No, pal. That would take effort and self-sacrifice. This is 2011 you know!" Now I'll make a bald assumption: the hide was stuffed with photographers and others who had no intention of moving until they had had their fill of the bird, and besides, can't everyone else just climb the screening bank and look over...of course they can...so why should I give up my hard-won place in here?
A brief aside - Alan, if you should read this and I am way off the mark, feel free to put me straight and please accept my apologies for jumping to conclusions, but I'm going to have my say anyway...;o)
Twitching is just about the most selfish pursuit I can think of short of mugging. That said, twitchers are also - almost to a man and woman - a very decent bunch of people. Strange people, but nice. Despite the bad press they attract, I reckon if they sense that their interests are being cared for they can be extremely compliant. They will queue! They will stand in a line and wait their turn. Despite the frantic urges raging within they will behave, if...IF...they sense fair play. I'll bet a few readers were on Scilly in 1991 when a queue was organised to view the Porthellick Sora Rail after it had finally been identified correctly! My notebook tells me I got close and superb binocular views...but for just 30 seconds. I was happy with that, and came back for more on subsequent days. I don't remember anyone arguing the toss - if the bird was on view it was 30 seconds in the hide, then out. Brilliant. I'll bet everyone who wanted to see it that day, did. And that was back when 15,000+ birders were on the islands every day in October. I don't remember if Lee Evans was the only steward on queue duty at the time, but I certainly recall his proactive contribution.
And that is the main point of this post - unless folks are prepared to steward a twitch, to empty the hide every 30 seconds while the bird is on view so that everyone can get to see it as quickly as possible, or do whatever is necessary to ensure fair play, then the selfish will always spoil it for everyone else. Guaranteed. Always. Photographers will hog the front seats if they are allowed to. Duh! It's not rocket science! Twitching IS selfish! Tales of the in-hide fun and games at the recent Cornish American Bittern were typical.
I suppose one way to look at it is this...
A rare bird turns up on your patch. This is clearly an opportunity. It's an opportunity to raise money for a reserve or other charity. It's an opportunity for birders to visit your patch and come away with a smile and only good things to say about the site and the way things were organised for them. The twitchers are your customers. Treat them well, inform them where they can go and where they cannot, guide them and look after them. Endeavour to show them the bird and they will love you. And they will behave.
Big Waters Nature Reserve - 26 February 1990
Holme NNT - 2 September 1992
Both the above were occasions when I twitched and queued. The former (around 3 hours, my notebook says) for a Pine Bunting and the latter (4 hours to get into the sallows, and another 2+ for tickable views) for a Rüppell's Warbler. Along with loads of others I was happy to wait for my share of the limited viewing available, because I could see that I would get a share - someone was ensuring fair play. Had I been at the Northumberland Greater Yellowlegs yesterday afternoon, I'm pretty sure I'd have been climbing the screening banks with all the others. However, if someone had been organising a queue and kicking everyone out of the hide every 30 seconds, well...that would have been different.
Panting twitcher sees rapt crowd glued to their scopes and puts on the desperate spurt.
Seasoned vet takes pity and goes "Here mate, it's in me scope...there you go..."
A quick look - just a few seconds - and there's visible relaxing, a tangible release of pressure, and our twitching friend sets up his own tripod smoothly and easily, his day 100% better already...
Anyone who has ever twitched will know that feeling of urgent need, especially when the bird is very rare indeed. So I find it hard to sympathise with the opprobrium being dished out to Northumberland Greater Yellowlegs twitchers who apparently climbed adjacent screening banks to see the bird 'rather than being patient enough to wait for use of the hide'. I'll ask a quick rhetorical question: Was there a queueing system in operation? I'll also assume the answer is "No, pal. That would take effort and self-sacrifice. This is 2011 you know!" Now I'll make a bald assumption: the hide was stuffed with photographers and others who had no intention of moving until they had had their fill of the bird, and besides, can't everyone else just climb the screening bank and look over...of course they can...so why should I give up my hard-won place in here?
A brief aside - Alan, if you should read this and I am way off the mark, feel free to put me straight and please accept my apologies for jumping to conclusions, but I'm going to have my say anyway...;o)
Twitching is just about the most selfish pursuit I can think of short of mugging. That said, twitchers are also - almost to a man and woman - a very decent bunch of people. Strange people, but nice. Despite the bad press they attract, I reckon if they sense that their interests are being cared for they can be extremely compliant. They will queue! They will stand in a line and wait their turn. Despite the frantic urges raging within they will behave, if...IF...they sense fair play. I'll bet a few readers were on Scilly in 1991 when a queue was organised to view the Porthellick Sora Rail after it had finally been identified correctly! My notebook tells me I got close and superb binocular views...but for just 30 seconds. I was happy with that, and came back for more on subsequent days. I don't remember anyone arguing the toss - if the bird was on view it was 30 seconds in the hide, then out. Brilliant. I'll bet everyone who wanted to see it that day, did. And that was back when 15,000+ birders were on the islands every day in October. I don't remember if Lee Evans was the only steward on queue duty at the time, but I certainly recall his proactive contribution.
And that is the main point of this post - unless folks are prepared to steward a twitch, to empty the hide every 30 seconds while the bird is on view so that everyone can get to see it as quickly as possible, or do whatever is necessary to ensure fair play, then the selfish will always spoil it for everyone else. Guaranteed. Always. Photographers will hog the front seats if they are allowed to. Duh! It's not rocket science! Twitching IS selfish! Tales of the in-hide fun and games at the recent Cornish American Bittern were typical.
I suppose one way to look at it is this...
A rare bird turns up on your patch. This is clearly an opportunity. It's an opportunity to raise money for a reserve or other charity. It's an opportunity for birders to visit your patch and come away with a smile and only good things to say about the site and the way things were organised for them. The twitchers are your customers. Treat them well, inform them where they can go and where they cannot, guide them and look after them. Endeavour to show them the bird and they will love you. And they will behave.
Big Waters Nature Reserve - 26 February 1990
Holme NNT - 2 September 1992
Both the above were occasions when I twitched and queued. The former (around 3 hours, my notebook says) for a Pine Bunting and the latter (4 hours to get into the sallows, and another 2+ for tickable views) for a Rüppell's Warbler. Along with loads of others I was happy to wait for my share of the limited viewing available, because I could see that I would get a share - someone was ensuring fair play. Had I been at the Northumberland Greater Yellowlegs yesterday afternoon, I'm pretty sure I'd have been climbing the screening banks with all the others. However, if someone had been organising a queue and kicking everyone out of the hide every 30 seconds, well...that would have been different.
Sunday, 13 November 2011
The Listing Cavalier
First of all I must apologise for moaning yesterday. And I must thank all of you who sent me invitations along the lines of 'Come birding to MY patch then, you pathetic ingrate! Then you'll REALLY have something to whine about!' Very kind, but I don't actually want anything more to whine about, I've more than enough right here in this dump. Anyway, I've devised a special weekend ploy to avoid the afternoon crowds.
Straight down the seafront, a walk along the beach, and at 07:30 I was photographing these...
I must have overlooked them yesterday, because they were obvious enough this morning. I decided to have a look at the river, then come back later when the light was better, and try for some frame-fillers. The tide was up, and among the waders sploshing about on the islands were the Spotted Redshank, the Knot and 4 Bar-tailed Godwits. Up at Colyford Common the 11 Brents had lured in another. The 12th bird appeared a little coy, and was slightly apart from the others. I checked it carefully for signs of Red-breastedness, but there appeared to be none. So, back to the beach. Here I met Phil, and we walked out to the Snow Buntings together. I wish more birds were as agreeable. Completely unconcerned by our presence they gave point-blank views and made for some nice portraiture...
While I was engrossed in getting the most out of the Lumix, Phil was amusing himself in other ways...
Then it was back home for brekkie, and to implement step 2.
At lunchtime Sandra said: "Right then, time for step 3. Where are we off to this afternoon?"
"Well," I said, "I really hadn't given it much thought."
"I want to go and see the Red-breasted Goose!"
"Oh! Okay then."
Who was I to deny such a firm intention?
I duly garnered the necessary gen (thanks Mark) and we set off towards Darts Farm, near Topsham. Some wonderfully close Brents, but no Red-breasted Goose. It would have been very handy had we connected here - views would have been amazing. Ah well, Exminster Marshes then. We soon found some Canadas way out on the marsh, and headed for the canal bank to get a better look at them. A friendly chap told us the bird was in among them, but rather tricky to see. We persevered, and eventually the RBG showed very nicely, if very distantly. Sandra was delighted.
"Look," she said. "I know you take perverse delight in rubbishing any Red-breasted Goose that turns up in Devon, and try to make the listers squirm a bit, but I reckon this is the same juv that was at Christchurch. That one came in with Brents, and had as good a set of credentials as you're going to get on RBG. And don't give me any of that 'but it's with Canadas' tosh - you read on BirdForum how Steve explained that one away. Even you said it was plausible."
"True, but equally you read how Kev wasn't convinced it was necessarily the same bird, didn't you?"
"Yes I did," Sandra admitted. "So how about this then - you digiscope it, we go home and compare the pics with the Stanpit bird, and if it's the same bird I'll add it to my Devon list?"
"We-e-ell...."
"Look," she said. "You can do whatever you want with it. Just humour me."
So I did. The geese were about 3 miles away, and with digiscoping these days I cannot see the screen on the camera clearly enough to know even if the bird is still on it, let alone posing nicely. So this is one of the better shots...
Also, just for Sandra, I enlarged this one to clearly show the covert fringes, flank patterning and cheek patch, in fine detail...
"Wow!" exclaimed Sandra. "That's fantastic! Quick! Get on to the CHOG website October page and scroll down to 19th and 21st, where those Red-breasted Goose photos are!"
I immediately did so.
"There! There! Look at that!" she cried excitedly, comparing the photos with my clinical shot. "It's the same bird! There can be no doubt whatsoever. I'm having it!"
And with that, another Devon list found itself richer by one Red-breasted Goose.
Sandra looked at me. "Well? What about you?"
I pursed my lips and went to put the kettle on....but I had to admit there was no denying the evidence. Yep. Same bird. The photos prove it clearly...
- Nip out nice and early, and clean up
- Do indoor stuff for several hours
- Run away to somewhere else for the afternoon
Straight down the seafront, a walk along the beach, and at 07:30 I was photographing these...
I must have overlooked them yesterday, because they were obvious enough this morning. I decided to have a look at the river, then come back later when the light was better, and try for some frame-fillers. The tide was up, and among the waders sploshing about on the islands were the Spotted Redshank, the Knot and 4 Bar-tailed Godwits. Up at Colyford Common the 11 Brents had lured in another. The 12th bird appeared a little coy, and was slightly apart from the others. I checked it carefully for signs of Red-breastedness, but there appeared to be none. So, back to the beach. Here I met Phil, and we walked out to the Snow Buntings together. I wish more birds were as agreeable. Completely unconcerned by our presence they gave point-blank views and made for some nice portraiture...
Judging by the little deposit on a pebble there, I may have accidentally made the male jump slightly
Perhaps this one is better - a bit less embarrassing for him
While I was engrossed in getting the most out of the Lumix, Phil was amusing himself in other ways...
The female Snow Bunt is almost on the edge of the pic, about 8ft from my lens, just to the right of the green clump
Then it was back home for brekkie, and to implement step 2.
At lunchtime Sandra said: "Right then, time for step 3. Where are we off to this afternoon?"
"Well," I said, "I really hadn't given it much thought."
"I want to go and see the Red-breasted Goose!"
"Oh! Okay then."
Who was I to deny such a firm intention?
I duly garnered the necessary gen (thanks Mark) and we set off towards Darts Farm, near Topsham. Some wonderfully close Brents, but no Red-breasted Goose. It would have been very handy had we connected here - views would have been amazing. Ah well, Exminster Marshes then. We soon found some Canadas way out on the marsh, and headed for the canal bank to get a better look at them. A friendly chap told us the bird was in among them, but rather tricky to see. We persevered, and eventually the RBG showed very nicely, if very distantly. Sandra was delighted.
"Look," she said. "I know you take perverse delight in rubbishing any Red-breasted Goose that turns up in Devon, and try to make the listers squirm a bit, but I reckon this is the same juv that was at Christchurch. That one came in with Brents, and had as good a set of credentials as you're going to get on RBG. And don't give me any of that 'but it's with Canadas' tosh - you read on BirdForum how Steve explained that one away. Even you said it was plausible."
"True, but equally you read how Kev wasn't convinced it was necessarily the same bird, didn't you?"
"Yes I did," Sandra admitted. "So how about this then - you digiscope it, we go home and compare the pics with the Stanpit bird, and if it's the same bird I'll add it to my Devon list?"
"We-e-ell...."
"Look," she said. "You can do whatever you want with it. Just humour me."
So I did. The geese were about 3 miles away, and with digiscoping these days I cannot see the screen on the camera clearly enough to know even if the bird is still on it, let alone posing nicely. So this is one of the better shots...
Little stunner! Honest.
Also, just for Sandra, I enlarged this one to clearly show the covert fringes, flank patterning and cheek patch, in fine detail...
"Wow!" exclaimed Sandra. "That's fantastic! Quick! Get on to the CHOG website October page and scroll down to 19th and 21st, where those Red-breasted Goose photos are!"
I immediately did so.
"There! There! Look at that!" she cried excitedly, comparing the photos with my clinical shot. "It's the same bird! There can be no doubt whatsoever. I'm having it!"
And with that, another Devon list found itself richer by one Red-breasted Goose.
Sandra looked at me. "Well? What about you?"
I pursed my lips and went to put the kettle on....but I had to admit there was no denying the evidence. Yep. Same bird. The photos prove it clearly...
Saturday, 12 November 2011
Take a Deep Breath, Son
I made it out from around 2pm today. I had a mostly enjoyable time, but it is slowly dawning on me that a major change has occurred on our patch. For example, at one point I went to the beach near the Yacht Club to look for the Snow Buntings. I didn't find them, so sat down and scoped up some ducks out on the sea - mostly Wigeon off the estuary, but also one Shoveler and a group of about 15 Common Scoter. I heard the scrunch of shingle as someone approached, and turned my head.
"Hi. Do you know if the Black Redstart is still about?"
"Sorry, no idea. Haven't seen it myself."
"Ok, what about the Snow Buntings?"
"Nope, them neither. They might still be here, but I haven't found them."
I was sorry to disappoint, but slightly disgruntled too. Someone I had never seen before had innocently asked me for gen - something I have many times done myself - and yet I found myself vaguely resenting it. I wasn't happy about feeling this way, so tried to analyse why. I think it boils down to this: the patch is being invaded by strangers, and I don't like it. It's our patch, MY patch, and I want them all to go away! Until quite recently we rarely saw another birder here unless there was something to twitch. Now though, since the development of Black Hole Marsh and the new hides, the visitor numbers have sky-rocketed, and many of them don't stop with BHM but venture into other parts of the patch too, especially if they hear there's something to look at. Some of them even drive up the Axmouth side of the estuary, interfering with our gulls and clogging up the Farm Gate pull-in, curse them. Over at the Tower Hide there are clearly several new regulars now - faces I'd never seen until recently, but now see a lot. It's also a favourite with photographers, and a sunny afternoon like we had today sees them lining the front slots. And then there are the hordes of optic-less ramblers, filling the hide with their vast families...
I need to lighten up. Trouble is, I like a bit of solitude when birding, or the company of a select few, and am most certainly not Mr Sociable with all and sundry. I'm not proud of that, but birding is for me a means of escape, of finding a bit of space. If I am not to become a tiresome grump I'm going to have to learn to share...
Unfortunately the Tower Hide is ideally placed for looking at birds, otherwise I would (and sometimes do) avoid it like the plague. Today, for example, a drive up the river produced a Knot, a few other inconsequentials, and the obvious fact that lots of gulls were sitting right in front of the Tower Hide. I would simply have to go round there. In the event it wasn't too bad. Yes, there were quite a few people in it, and I couldn't find a single decent gull - not even a Med - but I clocked the Spotted Redshank upstream, and even got a ropey digiscoped shot...
A bit later I bumped into Phil and we drove up the estuary and watched gulls until dusk. Nothing of interest, and I had a little moan about the hide. "Don't worry," he said. "Just wait until the cold weather comes. That'll empty it!" We'll see, but I'm really not so sure.
We heard a few gunshots as the light faded, and what ducks had still been on the marshes came high down the river. Phil suggested that our little Brent flock might well have been persuaded to find other quarters! I hope not, but just in case we don't see them again, here's an intimate portrait from yesterday...
It's interesting how the gull situation has changed in the last few weeks. We had a very productive spell (Caspian Gull, several YLGs and lots of Meds) but that now seems to have completely dried up, and at the moment all we're getting is just the odd Med Gull here and there. I wonder if this pattern is evident elsewhere along the coast? Will keep looking though - there'll be something else before the year's out I'm sure...
"Hi. Do you know if the Black Redstart is still about?"
"Sorry, no idea. Haven't seen it myself."
"Ok, what about the Snow Buntings?"
"Nope, them neither. They might still be here, but I haven't found them."
I was sorry to disappoint, but slightly disgruntled too. Someone I had never seen before had innocently asked me for gen - something I have many times done myself - and yet I found myself vaguely resenting it. I wasn't happy about feeling this way, so tried to analyse why. I think it boils down to this: the patch is being invaded by strangers, and I don't like it. It's our patch, MY patch, and I want them all to go away! Until quite recently we rarely saw another birder here unless there was something to twitch. Now though, since the development of Black Hole Marsh and the new hides, the visitor numbers have sky-rocketed, and many of them don't stop with BHM but venture into other parts of the patch too, especially if they hear there's something to look at. Some of them even drive up the Axmouth side of the estuary, interfering with our gulls and clogging up the Farm Gate pull-in, curse them. Over at the Tower Hide there are clearly several new regulars now - faces I'd never seen until recently, but now see a lot. It's also a favourite with photographers, and a sunny afternoon like we had today sees them lining the front slots. And then there are the hordes of optic-less ramblers, filling the hide with their vast families...
I need to lighten up. Trouble is, I like a bit of solitude when birding, or the company of a select few, and am most certainly not Mr Sociable with all and sundry. I'm not proud of that, but birding is for me a means of escape, of finding a bit of space. If I am not to become a tiresome grump I'm going to have to learn to share...
Unfortunately the Tower Hide is ideally placed for looking at birds, otherwise I would (and sometimes do) avoid it like the plague. Today, for example, a drive up the river produced a Knot, a few other inconsequentials, and the obvious fact that lots of gulls were sitting right in front of the Tower Hide. I would simply have to go round there. In the event it wasn't too bad. Yes, there were quite a few people in it, and I couldn't find a single decent gull - not even a Med - but I clocked the Spotted Redshank upstream, and even got a ropey digiscoped shot...
A bit later I bumped into Phil and we drove up the estuary and watched gulls until dusk. Nothing of interest, and I had a little moan about the hide. "Don't worry," he said. "Just wait until the cold weather comes. That'll empty it!" We'll see, but I'm really not so sure.
We heard a few gunshots as the light faded, and what ducks had still been on the marshes came high down the river. Phil suggested that our little Brent flock might well have been persuaded to find other quarters! I hope not, but just in case we don't see them again, here's an intimate portrait from yesterday...
All 11 Brents out on Colyford Marsh
It's interesting how the gull situation has changed in the last few weeks. We had a very productive spell (Caspian Gull, several YLGs and lots of Meds) but that now seems to have completely dried up, and at the moment all we're getting is just the odd Med Gull here and there. I wonder if this pattern is evident elsewhere along the coast? Will keep looking though - there'll be something else before the year's out I'm sure...
Friday, 11 November 2011
Writer's Block
It rained a fair bit this afternoon, so I trundled up the river and on round to the Tower Hide. There weren't very many gulls and I saw nothing of note in that department. I did see the 11 Brent Geese over on Colyford Marsh though. I hope they stay. I don't know if our Spotted Redshank is around still, but if it is that would make a potential 3 wintering species that don't normally winter here - Spotshank, Brent and Bar-tailed Godwit (we still have about 4 on the river). It was also very nice to hear a Cetti's Warbler call a couple of times at Black Hole Marsh. So, that's the day's birding dealt with...now what...?
I'm experiencing a bit of writer's block at the moment. There are a few topics I have in mind, but it appears that's where they're currently staying. This is annoying. I have just poured a fat finger of lubricant to see if anything happens...Jura Superstition - 'Subtly Sweet Yet Smoky' - which is actually a single malt tick. Mmmmm, it's...er...kind of subtly sweet...yet...ooh yes...smoky too! Nice!
One of the things I want to write is an encouraging, inspirational post or two about gulls. You see, six years ago I'm pretty sure none of us on the patch here had the slightest clue how to identify any Yellow-legged Gull that wasn't an adult, or a Caspian Gull of any age! When I was last a keen birder (in the late '80s, early '90s) Caspian Gull didn't even exist as far as I can recall, not even as a subspecies. Or if it did, it was very quiet about it. And now look at us! We can pick out a young YLG from a glimpse of tertial at half a mile, and Caspian Gulls can no longer cavort naked on the estuary without fear of detection. My 'umble aim is to help birders who couldn't tell a juv YLG or 1st-winter Casp from a cowpat to become Really Good at Big Brown Gulls.
Does a gathering of large gulls intimidate you? If you're not sure, take a look at a flock next time you're out. If you start to shudder, instinctively shield your loved ones, and something like "Yuk! Look at those disgusting horrors!" comes out of your gob, then yes, they have intimidated you, and your natural defences have come into play to try and disguise your desperate ignorance. Fear not, in the very near future this blog will have everything you need to be able to stand foursquare to such a flock, facing them down with confidence. 1st-winter YLGs will cower beneath your steely gaze, and Caspian Gulls will no longer smirk at your ineptitude, no, no - in each case a full suite of diagnostic and supporting characters will be scrolling before your newly trained and analytical eye, and they will be nailed!
However, before writing any such posts I needed to seek permission to use a few photos that weren't mine. One of those photos appears at the end of this paragraph. I have to say that its publication was highly inspirational. Portland Bird Observatory is just down the road, so to speak, so when this photo appeared on the 'Latest News' page in July 2006 it was just what we needed at the time. All will be explained in some future words, when the blockage clears...
One final thing...
I am very interested in getting hold of photos of young Yellow-legged Gulls and Caspian Gulls for future use on this blog. Needless to say, credit will of course be given. I am after 'instructional' photos, ie. any that show useful ID characters. I have a few of my own, but they are mostly 2nd or 3rd-rate, quality-wise, and I would be most grateful for some decent ones. So, if you possess such photos and are moved with pity at my plight, please contact me either through the Devon Bird News contact email, or direct to me at gavinmhaig 'at' gmail.com. Many thanks. I love you all............
Well, I don't thik that Jura helped in the slightest...
I'm experiencing a bit of writer's block at the moment. There are a few topics I have in mind, but it appears that's where they're currently staying. This is annoying. I have just poured a fat finger of lubricant to see if anything happens...Jura Superstition - 'Subtly Sweet Yet Smoky' - which is actually a single malt tick. Mmmmm, it's...er...kind of subtly sweet...yet...ooh yes...smoky too! Nice!
One of the things I want to write is an encouraging, inspirational post or two about gulls. You see, six years ago I'm pretty sure none of us on the patch here had the slightest clue how to identify any Yellow-legged Gull that wasn't an adult, or a Caspian Gull of any age! When I was last a keen birder (in the late '80s, early '90s) Caspian Gull didn't even exist as far as I can recall, not even as a subspecies. Or if it did, it was very quiet about it. And now look at us! We can pick out a young YLG from a glimpse of tertial at half a mile, and Caspian Gulls can no longer cavort naked on the estuary without fear of detection. My 'umble aim is to help birders who couldn't tell a juv YLG or 1st-winter Casp from a cowpat to become Really Good at Big Brown Gulls.
Does a gathering of large gulls intimidate you? If you're not sure, take a look at a flock next time you're out. If you start to shudder, instinctively shield your loved ones, and something like "Yuk! Look at those disgusting horrors!" comes out of your gob, then yes, they have intimidated you, and your natural defences have come into play to try and disguise your desperate ignorance. Fear not, in the very near future this blog will have everything you need to be able to stand foursquare to such a flock, facing them down with confidence. 1st-winter YLGs will cower beneath your steely gaze, and Caspian Gulls will no longer smirk at your ineptitude, no, no - in each case a full suite of diagnostic and supporting characters will be scrolling before your newly trained and analytical eye, and they will be nailed!
However, before writing any such posts I needed to seek permission to use a few photos that weren't mine. One of those photos appears at the end of this paragraph. I have to say that its publication was highly inspirational. Portland Bird Observatory is just down the road, so to speak, so when this photo appeared on the 'Latest News' page in July 2006 it was just what we needed at the time. All will be explained in some future words, when the blockage clears...
 |
| © Martin Cade |
Know what this is? NB. Guessing correctly isn't knowing ;o)
One final thing...
I am very interested in getting hold of photos of young Yellow-legged Gulls and Caspian Gulls for future use on this blog. Needless to say, credit will of course be given. I am after 'instructional' photos, ie. any that show useful ID characters. I have a few of my own, but they are mostly 2nd or 3rd-rate, quality-wise, and I would be most grateful for some decent ones. So, if you possess such photos and are moved with pity at my plight, please contact me either through the Devon Bird News contact email, or direct to me at gavinmhaig 'at' gmail.com. Many thanks. I love you all............
Well, I don't thik that Jura helped in the slightest...
Thursday, 10 November 2011
The Lazy Man's Post
Today's weather put the kibosh on any birding intentions I might have had. At 07:45 it was dry as I headed out to work, expecting to get rained off any moment. Gone 4pm it was still dry and I was knackered. So that's what a full day's work feels like? Not even a nice rare-text from Steve to break things up a bit.
So, I have no birding to write about. I have also been out all evening and just got home. It's not that far away from midnight. Since this blog got going again I have managed at least one post before midnight every day. You can see where this is going? That's right - there isn't time for a well-thought-out post of pontification, so have this instead...
Yesterday saw my first employment of this pitiful cop-out. To my shame, it's not even original, and I am slavishly copying the b-a-a-a-a-d example of loads of other lazy bloggers. Yes, it's the old 'On This Date in xxxx' ruse...
On This Date in 2008!
Steve is displaying all the signs of a heart-threatening 'sugar high'. I would say...ooh...probably at least two rapidly-consumed Co-op Big-Boy Jam Doughnut six-packs. Either that, or he's just found a Surf Scoter. Let's see...
So, I have no birding to write about. I have also been out all evening and just got home. It's not that far away from midnight. Since this blog got going again I have managed at least one post before midnight every day. You can see where this is going? That's right - there isn't time for a well-thought-out post of pontification, so have this instead...
Yesterday saw my first employment of this pitiful cop-out. To my shame, it's not even original, and I am slavishly copying the b-a-a-a-a-d example of loads of other lazy bloggers. Yes, it's the old 'On This Date in xxxx' ruse...
On This Date in 2008!
Steve is displaying all the signs of a heart-threatening 'sugar high'. I would say...ooh...probably at least two rapidly-consumed Co-op Big-Boy Jam Doughnut six-packs. Either that, or he's just found a Surf Scoter. Let's see...
...Ah yes, a scrunched-up doughnut bag carelessly tossed into the sea
Edit - Is it my imagination, or was everybody a lot slimmer 3 years ago?
Edit 2 - Is it my imagination, or is a small, insistent part of my brain suggesting that actually publishing the previous sentence was unwise?
Wednesday, 9 November 2011
A Severely Edited Post...
Hmmm. This post started out much, much longer. If you got to it before the scissors did, well, that's just one of the many soap-boxes that occasionally force themselves under my feet...
What a dismally wet day it's been. No work, but plenty of errands and stuff to keep me busy. After lunch I got out for a quick look at the river. It was absolutely tanking down so I thought I'd have it all to myself, but there was Stevie in his car opposite the tram sheds. He pointed out a couple of nice Meds (adult and 2nd-winter) and I told him I was off to sit in the Tower Hide and pull rare gulls out of my hat. We parted and I drove up to the lay-by which overlooks the hide. A fair few gulls, so I decided to give them a quick going-over from where I was. Nothing of note...so I let my scope stray towards the Tower Hide itself. Aaaagghh!! It was bursting! Every slot not facing the weather was wide open and peppered with faces, and even through the closed ones I could make out lots and lots of hopeful pale blobs behind the wet glass. When the hide was built back in the spring I thought: 'Brilliant! It'll be busy in the nice weather, but come winter and we'll have it to ourselves.' Wrong.
I put all thoughts of hidery out of my mind and went to look at the sea. A diver sp. flew W...then a very big gap...then a Gannet flew W too...then another very big gap...then nothing. Shame, because the sea was raging nicely. But also emptily.
Another look along the river. Another brief goggle at the stuffed hide. A sigh and a shudder. Then home.
The camera stayed warm and dry, so have this gem from the One Year Ago Today category...
What a dismally wet day it's been. No work, but plenty of errands and stuff to keep me busy. After lunch I got out for a quick look at the river. It was absolutely tanking down so I thought I'd have it all to myself, but there was Stevie in his car opposite the tram sheds. He pointed out a couple of nice Meds (adult and 2nd-winter) and I told him I was off to sit in the Tower Hide and pull rare gulls out of my hat. We parted and I drove up to the lay-by which overlooks the hide. A fair few gulls, so I decided to give them a quick going-over from where I was. Nothing of note...so I let my scope stray towards the Tower Hide itself. Aaaagghh!! It was bursting! Every slot not facing the weather was wide open and peppered with faces, and even through the closed ones I could make out lots and lots of hopeful pale blobs behind the wet glass. When the hide was built back in the spring I thought: 'Brilliant! It'll be busy in the nice weather, but come winter and we'll have it to ourselves.' Wrong.
I put all thoughts of hidery out of my mind and went to look at the sea. A diver sp. flew W...then a very big gap...then a Gannet flew W too...then another very big gap...then nothing. Shame, because the sea was raging nicely. But also emptily.
Another look along the river. Another brief goggle at the stuffed hide. A sigh and a shudder. Then home.
The camera stayed warm and dry, so have this gem from the One Year Ago Today category...
Long-billed Dowitcher - opposite Axmouth FC - turned up 9 November 2010
Tuesday, 8 November 2011
Two Bright Spots in the Gloom
My day began with a little twitch - a quick dash out into the gloom to see the 2 Snow Buntings which Steve found near the Axe Yacht Club. Apart from a Beer Head bird in November 2009, and one by the tram sheds in November 2008, the patch has only had one previous Snow Bunting - in March 2006 - and it was in exactly the same spot! Bun, Karen and Ian M all made it too.
Snow Buntings are always pretty confiding, especially if you just sit still, and of course the camera was all warmed up and raring to go. Unfortunately, this morning was perfect for showing up the limitations of a superzoom, ie. really, really dull. [Skip the rest of this paragraph if snapper-talk bores the pants off you...] I hate to use high ISO because it just gets too grainy, so I stuck with 200. In aperture priority mode (A) I used as small an f-number as possible, and -1/3 exposure compensation. This gave me the desperately abysmal shutter speed of around 1/20 - 1/25 sec. Guaranteed blur! However, the amazing Image Stabilisation function + very carefully resting the camera on my scope gives a pretty stable image. The only problem then is that Snow Buntings are never still! Their little heads are constantly bobbing and darting as they forage for seeds. 1/25 sec is too slow to freeze even a sloth, and out of 150+ photos I would say less than 10 are satisfactorily sharp. A few comprise just a long beige smear. I wonder if it's possible to produce a superzoom with a really good, DSLR-quality light sensor? Even if it is possible I'm sure camera manufacturers would balk at the idea - they obviously want the punters who yearn for such desirable technology to buy DSLRs and lots of lenses, not just a cheapskate superzoom. Ah well...
Anyway, here are the inevitable results. Apologies if you've just been enjoying similar subject matter on other blogs...though it's hard to overdose on Snow Bunts...
You notice I quite like this side-by-side photo layout? New skills are only worth having if they can be flaunted regularly.
There were also 4 Brent Geese on the sea for a short while before they flew off W, but that is the sum total of my birdy thrills today. I went to work and got drizzled on a lot. I learned that the White-rumped Sandpiper was seen only first thing (by James McC) and then not again until after 3pm. James' reputation was naturally in the balance until the resighting...
It's a bit of a nuisance all these birds turning up. I keep having to write posts about them instead of the juicy Daily Mail-type topics that really matter...Scilly vs Shetland, suppression, gonydeal angles. I'm sure it'll all quiet down soon...
Edit - Changing Franklin's Gull and Red-throated Pipit for Shorelark and Dusky Warbler on my Buttons list. I've stuck it on the Buttons page as a 'comment' because comments have a date & time attached which can't be diddled with as far as I know - I wouldn't want to be accused of cheating when I win the Big Bag of Beautiful Belly Busters! Birders are a disbelieving lot.
Snow Buntings are always pretty confiding, especially if you just sit still, and of course the camera was all warmed up and raring to go. Unfortunately, this morning was perfect for showing up the limitations of a superzoom, ie. really, really dull. [Skip the rest of this paragraph if snapper-talk bores the pants off you...] I hate to use high ISO because it just gets too grainy, so I stuck with 200. In aperture priority mode (A) I used as small an f-number as possible, and -1/3 exposure compensation. This gave me the desperately abysmal shutter speed of around 1/20 - 1/25 sec. Guaranteed blur! However, the amazing Image Stabilisation function + very carefully resting the camera on my scope gives a pretty stable image. The only problem then is that Snow Buntings are never still! Their little heads are constantly bobbing and darting as they forage for seeds. 1/25 sec is too slow to freeze even a sloth, and out of 150+ photos I would say less than 10 are satisfactorily sharp. A few comprise just a long beige smear. I wonder if it's possible to produce a superzoom with a really good, DSLR-quality light sensor? Even if it is possible I'm sure camera manufacturers would balk at the idea - they obviously want the punters who yearn for such desirable technology to buy DSLRs and lots of lenses, not just a cheapskate superzoom. Ah well...
Anyway, here are the inevitable results. Apologies if you've just been enjoying similar subject matter on other blogs...though it's hard to overdose on Snow Bunts...
|
|
||||
|
|
There were also 4 Brent Geese on the sea for a short while before they flew off W, but that is the sum total of my birdy thrills today. I went to work and got drizzled on a lot. I learned that the White-rumped Sandpiper was seen only first thing (by James McC) and then not again until after 3pm. James' reputation was naturally in the balance until the resighting...
It's a bit of a nuisance all these birds turning up. I keep having to write posts about them instead of the juicy Daily Mail-type topics that really matter...Scilly vs Shetland, suppression, gonydeal angles. I'm sure it'll all quiet down soon...
Edit - Changing Franklin's Gull and Red-throated Pipit for Shorelark and Dusky Warbler on my Buttons list. I've stuck it on the Buttons page as a 'comment' because comments have a date & time attached which can't be diddled with as far as I know - I wouldn't want to be accused of cheating when I win the Big Bag of Beautiful Belly Busters! Birders are a disbelieving lot.
Monday, 7 November 2011
A First for the Patch...
...and yet the Buttons are not under threat! Excellent!
It's rather nice having someone like Steve on the patch. His circumstances allow an awful lot of daytime birding in the week, plus he is dead keen, very sharp and covers a lot of ground. This means I get to see lots of good midweek birds. Of course, the downside is that I don't get to find many of them!
And so it was today. There I am, beavering away up at Rousdon, when my little phone rings.
"Are you local?"
I just knew it was a bird! "Rousdon. What've you got?"
"Small wader at Coronation Corner, with a Dunlin. I'm pretty sure it's a Baird's or White-rumped, but it's very distant."
I was right in the middle of a job, but explained I could be there in about half an hour. After a brief exchange I rang off and suddenly found another gear...
It had sounded like the Tower Hide was going to be the best bet, and I timed my arrival there with Steve and Ian McLean's. It was just across the river from the hide, and was clearly a White-rumped Sandpiper. It was quite a while before we got a flash of actual white rump, but plenty of other features gave the game away, so the news was put out anyway. It was always too far away for decent photos, and the light (though nice and flat) was very, very dim. Nevertheless, here are a few efforts...
I suppose White-rumped Sandpiper would be a fairly predictable addition to the patch list, but guess what - not predictable enough! So the Buttons are safe. For now, anyway...
Ageing this bird seemed straightforward at first - we noted the several nicely dark-centred scaps and the obvious flank streaks and thought it must be an adult. However, I've changed my mind since, and am pretty sure there are too many pointers suggesting a juvenile, moulting into winter plumage. The greater coverts especially look rather nicely pale-fringed, plus the neat, streaky breast band, distinct cap. Plus, responding in the affirmative when an oafish young Dunlin goes "Well...'ello darlin'! Fancy comin' to the Axe wiv me then?" indicates a naïvety that can only belong to a bird of the year.
It's rather nice having someone like Steve on the patch. His circumstances allow an awful lot of daytime birding in the week, plus he is dead keen, very sharp and covers a lot of ground. This means I get to see lots of good midweek birds. Of course, the downside is that I don't get to find many of them!
And so it was today. There I am, beavering away up at Rousdon, when my little phone rings.
"Are you local?"
I just knew it was a bird! "Rousdon. What've you got?"
"Small wader at Coronation Corner, with a Dunlin. I'm pretty sure it's a Baird's or White-rumped, but it's very distant."
I was right in the middle of a job, but explained I could be there in about half an hour. After a brief exchange I rang off and suddenly found another gear...
It had sounded like the Tower Hide was going to be the best bet, and I timed my arrival there with Steve and Ian McLean's. It was just across the river from the hide, and was clearly a White-rumped Sandpiper. It was quite a while before we got a flash of actual white rump, but plenty of other features gave the game away, so the news was put out anyway. It was always too far away for decent photos, and the light (though nice and flat) was very, very dim. Nevertheless, here are a few efforts...
|
|
||||
|
|
I suppose White-rumped Sandpiper would be a fairly predictable addition to the patch list, but guess what - not predictable enough! So the Buttons are safe. For now, anyway...
Ageing this bird seemed straightforward at first - we noted the several nicely dark-centred scaps and the obvious flank streaks and thought it must be an adult. However, I've changed my mind since, and am pretty sure there are too many pointers suggesting a juvenile, moulting into winter plumage. The greater coverts especially look rather nicely pale-fringed, plus the neat, streaky breast band, distinct cap. Plus, responding in the affirmative when an oafish young Dunlin goes "Well...'ello darlin'! Fancy comin' to the Axe wiv me then?" indicates a naïvety that can only belong to a bird of the year.
Sunday, 6 November 2011
Is It Just Me?
In my blog list you'll find a link to Devon Bird News. If you were to click on it and scroll down the reports for today, 6 November 2011, you would come across a post about Thurlestone Bay by Mike Passman. It recounts a superb day's patch birding and includes the finding of a Great Bustard! But........the bird was wing-tagged #06 - presumably from the Salisbury Plain Great Bustard release scheme. I learned of this bird shortly after its discovery, thanks to a timely text from Mark Bailey...
'Great Bustard South Huish'
I replied: 'Ta Mark. Tagged plastic? Don't tell me it's a real one!:o)'
Mark confirmed it was tagged. Re-reading my reply I cannot help feeling it comes across a bit cynical. Perhaps. But it is also honest, and reflects my opinion of the Great Bustard release scheme. That opinion is not a high one. It is not a particularly learned one either I suppose, but I'm not too bothered by that. The moment Mark confirmed the Bustard was a wing-tagged bird I lost all interest. A genuinely wild bird might even have squeezed a twitch out of me, but I wouldn't go further than our patch for one of these. Am I the only birder to feel this way about them? If I found one on Colyford Marsh I would be momentarily thrilled, but the euphoria would last only as long as it took me to spot the wing-tag, and then I would feel horribly swindled. Sure, the bird would still be a truly majestic beast...but utterly valueless. That probably says all sorts of bad things about my attitude to this hobby, but I'll bet I'm not alone.
On a lighter note...I am not usually one to miss an opportunity. Neither have I any shame when it comes to repeatedly using the same images for purely grippage-type purposes. Well, a wing-tagged Great Bustard has given me the opportunity, and my lack of shame has allowed this image to be trotted out once more...
Ian M and I did the Beer Head to Branscombe undercliff walk this afternoon. Karen joined us for some of it. Gloriously warm and sheltered, but nothing out of the ordinary bird-wise. A couple of Blackcaps, a Goldcrest and a Stonechat were probably the highlights, and a Wheatear which Karen found on the clifftop. Unfortunately just a Northern Wheatear, but still my latest on patch by a day. The bird list belies how busy it actually was down there - the constant flitting of Robins, Song Thrushes, Chaffinches, Bullfinches, Blue Tits, Great Tits and Long-tailed Tits is actually quite exciting and full of promise. You can keep your plastic Bustards.
Through the grass and into the sun. Appalling photo, but legitimately getting a Wheatear pic on the blog in November makes it worthwhile, just about. And finally, a lot of cliff and a tiny little bit of sea - looking west from the undercliff path...
'Great Bustard South Huish'
I replied: 'Ta Mark. Tagged plastic? Don't tell me it's a real one!:o)'
Mark confirmed it was tagged. Re-reading my reply I cannot help feeling it comes across a bit cynical. Perhaps. But it is also honest, and reflects my opinion of the Great Bustard release scheme. That opinion is not a high one. It is not a particularly learned one either I suppose, but I'm not too bothered by that. The moment Mark confirmed the Bustard was a wing-tagged bird I lost all interest. A genuinely wild bird might even have squeezed a twitch out of me, but I wouldn't go further than our patch for one of these. Am I the only birder to feel this way about them? If I found one on Colyford Marsh I would be momentarily thrilled, but the euphoria would last only as long as it took me to spot the wing-tag, and then I would feel horribly swindled. Sure, the bird would still be a truly majestic beast...but utterly valueless. That probably says all sorts of bad things about my attitude to this hobby, but I'll bet I'm not alone.
On a lighter note...I am not usually one to miss an opportunity. Neither have I any shame when it comes to repeatedly using the same images for purely grippage-type purposes. Well, a wing-tagged Great Bustard has given me the opportunity, and my lack of shame has allowed this image to be trotted out once more...
Proper Great Bustards...
...and I don't believe the subsequent 24+ years have provided any more twitchable ones, have they? Shame.
Ian M and I did the Beer Head to Branscombe undercliff walk this afternoon. Karen joined us for some of it. Gloriously warm and sheltered, but nothing out of the ordinary bird-wise. A couple of Blackcaps, a Goldcrest and a Stonechat were probably the highlights, and a Wheatear which Karen found on the clifftop. Unfortunately just a Northern Wheatear, but still my latest on patch by a day. The bird list belies how busy it actually was down there - the constant flitting of Robins, Song Thrushes, Chaffinches, Bullfinches, Blue Tits, Great Tits and Long-tailed Tits is actually quite exciting and full of promise. You can keep your plastic Bustards.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)