As my review was posted prematurely, a few more details....
The LESSER YELLOWLEGS I spoke of was the bird showing well from the second hide near Kingsmill Lake, north of Saltash (Cornwall) (at SX 427 608) - and now present for its 92nd day.
The Kent Hooded Merganser is unringed and reasonably wary and present at Whetsted GP, 3.5 miles east of Tonbridge; park in Five Oak Green and foolow the footpath from Moat Farm to TQ 642 467.
On Scilly, the first-winter WILSON'S SNIPE reappeared at Lower Moors on 25th
Wednesday, 29 February 2012
February 2012 comes to an end - 268 species
With some early spring migrants appearing such as the likes of Stone Curlew, Little Ringed Plover, White Wagtail and Northern Wheatear, the total number of species now recorded in Britain and Ireland in 2012 stands at an impressive 268 species.
However, it is the rare passerines that continue to steal the show....
In South Wales, the eleventh COMMON YELLOWTHROAT for Britain continues to thrill allcomers in Rhiwderyn, 3 miles west of Newport (Gwent). Park in Caerphilly Close before entering the farmland by the stile.
Meanwhile, on St Mary's, Isles of Scilly, the overwintering NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH continues to parade around Shooter's Pool on Lower Moors, far and away the longest-staying example of a North American 'warbler'.
Hampshire on the other hand, still harbours the first-winter male DARK-EYED JUNCO in the New Forest at Hawkhill Inclosure, 1.5 miles NNW of Beaulieu (in the vicinity of the fallen pines in the main clearing NNW of the car park), with the male SPANISH SPARROW cheeping and chirping in Calshot Close, Calshot village (follow on-site instructions and refrain from visiting prior to 0800 hours; always park 500 yards away at the main car park).
The other main attraction is Pagham Harbour's PADDYFIELD WARBLER in West Sussex. Wintering by itself, this bird has once again reverted to frequenting the grass inside of the North Wall as well as the Phragmites west of the Breach Pool and has been performing very well at times (park at the end of Church Lane in Pagham village and walk west for 400 yards to view)
Now for the rest.......
The most reliable RED-NECKED GREBE in recent days has been that at Alton Water (Suffolk), viewable from Lemon's Hill Bridge in Tattingstone, whilst a plethora of GREAT WHITE EGRETS remain far and wide (including no less than 8 in the Somerset Levels) and the WHITE STORK of unknown origin at Kirkby-on-Bain Landfill Site (Lincs).
GLOSSY IBISES remain in very good numbers with 5 on the island of Eigg (Highland), the first-winter at Leighton Moss (Cumbria), several in the Marloes Mere area of Pembrokeshire, 4 in the Yare and Bure Valleys in Norfolk and the first-winter at Eastbridge/Minsmere RSPB (Suffolk).
Up to 3 different ROSS'S SNOW GEESE remain in Norfolk, with another adult of unknown origin in the Caerlaverock WWT area (D & G), with large numbers of TUNDRA BEAN GEESE still present throughout the country and a number of vagrant GREENLAND WHITE-FRONTED GEESE (including two different birds in Suffolk). The first-winter SMALL CANADA GOOSE remains at Torr Reservoir, East Cranmore (Somerset), with RED-BREASTED GEESE perhaps of continental origin in Dumfries & Galloway, Suffolk, Essex and in Hampshire.
Drake FERRUGINOUS DUCKS continue at Bray GP, Maidenhead (Berks) and Ivy Lake, Blashford HWT (Hants) but are both intermittent in their appearances, with LESSER SCAUPS at St John's Loch (Caithness), Slimbridge WWT (Gloucs) and Cosmeston Lakes CP (Glamorgan) and SURF SCOTERS at Dawlish Warren NNR (South Devon), Mount's Bay, Penzance (Cornwall) and in Wales at
The first-winter female BUFFLEHEAD is still to be found at the north end of the Loe Pool, Helston (Cornwall) whilst a female-type Hooded Merganser of unknown origin remains for a third week at Whetstead GP, Tonbridge (Kent)
The 2nd-winter WHITE-TAILED SEA EAGLE appears to have departed back to the Continent, having not been reported from Kent for over a week now, whilst the only (GREENLAND) GYRFALCON of the New Year being a formidable and most majestic white morph juvenile on North Uist at Grenitote (Outer Hebrides)
A LESSER YELLOWLEGS continues to show well from the second hide
whilst the SPOTTED SANDPIPER is still to be seen at Stanpit Marsh, Christchurch Harbour (Dorset). A LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER continues to feed with Common Redshanks on the low tide of the Cydweli Quay (Carmarthenshire).
Huge numbers of ICELAND-TYPE gulls remain in Scotland and elsewhere, including a record count of 75 in Stornoway Harbour on Lewis (Outer Hebrides), with perhaps 4% being KUMLIENI in appearance. GLAUCOUS GULLS, on the other hand, remain few and far between, perhaps indicative of the source of the influx.
The four SHORE LARKS remain in Holkham Bay (Norfolk), ranging up to 400 yards east of the Gap, with WATER PIPITS more numerous than of late (with 35 in the Stour Valley at Stodmarsh, Kent) and the first wave of Continental WHITE WAGTAILS arriving.
A male PENDULINE TIT remains elusively in the reedbeds close to the Hanson Hide, Dungeness ARC Pit (Kent), with a superb adult ROSE-COLOURED STARLING visiting gardens in Muirhead, Troon (Ayrshire) and a more dowdy first-winter in Holyhead (Anglesey). A single first-winter SCANDINAVIAN ARCTIC REDPOLL remains at Titchwell Marsh RSPB (Norfolk).
In IRELAND today, an immature BLACK-BROWED ALBATROSS was seen at sea a staggering 184 miles SW of Mizen Head (County Cork), with the adult BONAPARTE'S GULL still at ballygally, LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER at The Cull (County Wexford), juvenile PALLID HARRIER at Lough Corrib (County Galway), the adult FORSTER'S TERN at Traught Beach, Galway Bay (County Galway)and CATTLE EGRET at Hillsborough Lake (Co. Down).
However, it is the rare passerines that continue to steal the show....
In South Wales, the eleventh COMMON YELLOWTHROAT for Britain continues to thrill allcomers in Rhiwderyn, 3 miles west of Newport (Gwent). Park in Caerphilly Close before entering the farmland by the stile.
Meanwhile, on St Mary's, Isles of Scilly, the overwintering NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH continues to parade around Shooter's Pool on Lower Moors, far and away the longest-staying example of a North American 'warbler'.
Hampshire on the other hand, still harbours the first-winter male DARK-EYED JUNCO in the New Forest at Hawkhill Inclosure, 1.5 miles NNW of Beaulieu (in the vicinity of the fallen pines in the main clearing NNW of the car park), with the male SPANISH SPARROW cheeping and chirping in Calshot Close, Calshot village (follow on-site instructions and refrain from visiting prior to 0800 hours; always park 500 yards away at the main car park).
The other main attraction is Pagham Harbour's PADDYFIELD WARBLER in West Sussex. Wintering by itself, this bird has once again reverted to frequenting the grass inside of the North Wall as well as the Phragmites west of the Breach Pool and has been performing very well at times (park at the end of Church Lane in Pagham village and walk west for 400 yards to view)
Now for the rest.......
The most reliable RED-NECKED GREBE in recent days has been that at Alton Water (Suffolk), viewable from Lemon's Hill Bridge in Tattingstone, whilst a plethora of GREAT WHITE EGRETS remain far and wide (including no less than 8 in the Somerset Levels) and the WHITE STORK of unknown origin at Kirkby-on-Bain Landfill Site (Lincs).
GLOSSY IBISES remain in very good numbers with 5 on the island of Eigg (Highland), the first-winter at Leighton Moss (Cumbria), several in the Marloes Mere area of Pembrokeshire, 4 in the Yare and Bure Valleys in Norfolk and the first-winter at Eastbridge/Minsmere RSPB (Suffolk).
Up to 3 different ROSS'S SNOW GEESE remain in Norfolk, with another adult of unknown origin in the Caerlaverock WWT area (D & G), with large numbers of TUNDRA BEAN GEESE still present throughout the country and a number of vagrant GREENLAND WHITE-FRONTED GEESE (including two different birds in Suffolk). The first-winter SMALL CANADA GOOSE remains at Torr Reservoir, East Cranmore (Somerset), with RED-BREASTED GEESE perhaps of continental origin in Dumfries & Galloway, Suffolk, Essex and in Hampshire.
Drake FERRUGINOUS DUCKS continue at Bray GP, Maidenhead (Berks) and Ivy Lake, Blashford HWT (Hants) but are both intermittent in their appearances, with LESSER SCAUPS at St John's Loch (Caithness), Slimbridge WWT (Gloucs) and Cosmeston Lakes CP (Glamorgan) and SURF SCOTERS at Dawlish Warren NNR (South Devon), Mount's Bay, Penzance (Cornwall) and in Wales at
The first-winter female BUFFLEHEAD is still to be found at the north end of the Loe Pool, Helston (Cornwall) whilst a female-type Hooded Merganser of unknown origin remains for a third week at Whetstead GP, Tonbridge (Kent)
The 2nd-winter WHITE-TAILED SEA EAGLE appears to have departed back to the Continent, having not been reported from Kent for over a week now, whilst the only (GREENLAND) GYRFALCON of the New Year being a formidable and most majestic white morph juvenile on North Uist at Grenitote (Outer Hebrides)
A LESSER YELLOWLEGS continues to show well from the second hide
whilst the SPOTTED SANDPIPER is still to be seen at Stanpit Marsh, Christchurch Harbour (Dorset). A LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER continues to feed with Common Redshanks on the low tide of the Cydweli Quay (Carmarthenshire).
Huge numbers of ICELAND-TYPE gulls remain in Scotland and elsewhere, including a record count of 75 in Stornoway Harbour on Lewis (Outer Hebrides), with perhaps 4% being KUMLIENI in appearance. GLAUCOUS GULLS, on the other hand, remain few and far between, perhaps indicative of the source of the influx.
The four SHORE LARKS remain in Holkham Bay (Norfolk), ranging up to 400 yards east of the Gap, with WATER PIPITS more numerous than of late (with 35 in the Stour Valley at Stodmarsh, Kent) and the first wave of Continental WHITE WAGTAILS arriving.
A male PENDULINE TIT remains elusively in the reedbeds close to the Hanson Hide, Dungeness ARC Pit (Kent), with a superb adult ROSE-COLOURED STARLING visiting gardens in Muirhead, Troon (Ayrshire) and a more dowdy first-winter in Holyhead (Anglesey). A single first-winter SCANDINAVIAN ARCTIC REDPOLL remains at Titchwell Marsh RSPB (Norfolk).
In IRELAND today, an immature BLACK-BROWED ALBATROSS was seen at sea a staggering 184 miles SW of Mizen Head (County Cork), with the adult BONAPARTE'S GULL still at ballygally, LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER at The Cull (County Wexford), juvenile PALLID HARRIER at Lough Corrib (County Galway), the adult FORSTER'S TERN at Traught Beach, Galway Bay (County Galway)and CATTLE EGRET at Hillsborough Lake (Co. Down).
Sunday, 26 February 2012
Help for wiontering DALMATIAN PELICANS
Due to the abnormal severe winter in Daghestan, since mid February over 500 DALMATIAN PELICANS have found shelter in the port of Makhachkala, on a small area of unfreezing Caspian waters near the shipyard. These rare birds, escaping from frosts and starvation, left nobody unconcerned.
The very first days Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of Daghestan organized extra feeding of the pelicans with fish. Many other organizations and institutions joined the action such as Daghestan Nature Reserve, Russian Bird Conservation Union (RBCU), Charitable Fund ‘ChistoyeSertse’, World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Corporation ‘Sibirskoye Zdorovye’etc., and thousands of volunteers – common citizens, students and school children.
Several birds (the most weakened and injured) were brought to the cordon of Daghestan Reserve. There, in cooperation with Russian Bird Conservation Union and Bird Hospital ‘Zeleny Popugay’ (Green Parrot), was organized a field hospital. The hospital has enough room, food, necessary medicine and equipment, among them a mobile laboratory, ultrasound apparatus, etc. Now, it is important to provide pelicans with necessary conditions to restore and gather strength and help these birds be ready for the spring migration.
Gadzhibek Dzhamirzoev, Daghestan, Russia
The very first days Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of Daghestan organized extra feeding of the pelicans with fish. Many other organizations and institutions joined the action such as Daghestan Nature Reserve, Russian Bird Conservation Union (RBCU), Charitable Fund ‘ChistoyeSertse’, World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Corporation ‘Sibirskoye Zdorovye’etc., and thousands of volunteers – common citizens, students and school children.
Several birds (the most weakened and injured) were brought to the cordon of Daghestan Reserve. There, in cooperation with Russian Bird Conservation Union and Bird Hospital ‘Zeleny Popugay’ (Green Parrot), was organized a field hospital. The hospital has enough room, food, necessary medicine and equipment, among them a mobile laboratory, ultrasound apparatus, etc. Now, it is important to provide pelicans with necessary conditions to restore and gather strength and help these birds be ready for the spring migration.
Gadzhibek Dzhamirzoev, Daghestan, Russia
Sunday, 19 February 2012
New parking instructions for YELLOWTHROAT as heavy rain turns field into mudbath
We have had to change parking and access arrangements due to the poor weather experienced today. Updated information including a map is now available at www.gwentbirding.blogspot.com
Glad you liked the 'service' Lee A whole band are helping including Richard Clarke, Chris Jones, Matt Meehan, Tom Chinnick, and the finder Matt Broome (who deserves the top credit). Hope I haven't forgotten anyone. Some new volunteers on hand tomorrow too.
Darryl 'push the car' Spittle
Glad you liked the 'service' Lee A whole band are helping including Richard Clarke, Chris Jones, Matt Meehan, Tom Chinnick, and the finder Matt Broome (who deserves the top credit). Hope I haven't forgotten anyone. Some new volunteers on hand tomorrow too.
Darryl 'push the car' Spittle
Friday, 17 February 2012
The COMMON YELLOWTHROAT in Gwent - 8th British record
I was one of at least 400 people today twitching the Gwent first-year male COMMON YELLOWTHROAT and first of all, I must congratulate the finder on an outstanding discovery and secondly, say a massive thank you to Darryl Spittle and other local observers involved in the crucial organisation of parking facilities. A truly top job and very much appreciated by all those that visited.
The bird itself is pretty difficult, fast-moving and generally elusive. It is ranging widely over an area of farmland and without large numbers of observers, could well prove hard to locate. I have marked on the map above the circuit is was following this morning (marked in red). These are the hedgerows it was frequenting.
After the initial panic had subsided, and many observers actually had a 'tickable' view rather than just a fleeting flight view, the bird was watched feeding in the grass for over 20 minutes, affording some excellent views. In fact, it seemed to favour the grassy edges of the hedgerows, eeking out tiny grubs in the damp soil and grass blades. At very close range, its weak 'tacc' call-note could be heard.
DIRECTIONS
Leave the M4 at Junction 28 and then head NNW on the Caerphilly road (the A 4072). Continue towards Caerphilly on the next two roundabouts and after less than a mile on the A 468, turn left in Rhiwderyn at the Ruperra Arms. Take this Pentre Porth Road SW for just over a mile and then turn right onto the very narrow, single track road adjacent to the brown 'Farmer's Daughter Restaurant' signs. Drive very carefully and slowly down this road to just beyond the Bryphedydd Farm and park in the field on the left (please note that the car park opens at 0700 hours). The field is at SO 258 868 and the bird is in the valley to the east of the road.
This morning, the bird first appeared at 0825 hours.
The bird itself is pretty difficult, fast-moving and generally elusive. It is ranging widely over an area of farmland and without large numbers of observers, could well prove hard to locate. I have marked on the map above the circuit is was following this morning (marked in red). These are the hedgerows it was frequenting.
After the initial panic had subsided, and many observers actually had a 'tickable' view rather than just a fleeting flight view, the bird was watched feeding in the grass for over 20 minutes, affording some excellent views. In fact, it seemed to favour the grassy edges of the hedgerows, eeking out tiny grubs in the damp soil and grass blades. At very close range, its weak 'tacc' call-note could be heard.
DIRECTIONS
Leave the M4 at Junction 28 and then head NNW on the Caerphilly road (the A 4072). Continue towards Caerphilly on the next two roundabouts and after less than a mile on the A 468, turn left in Rhiwderyn at the Ruperra Arms. Take this Pentre Porth Road SW for just over a mile and then turn right onto the very narrow, single track road adjacent to the brown 'Farmer's Daughter Restaurant' signs. Drive very carefully and slowly down this road to just beyond the Bryphedydd Farm and park in the field on the left (please note that the car park opens at 0700 hours). The field is at SO 258 868 and the bird is in the valley to the east of the road.
This morning, the bird first appeared at 0825 hours.
Thursday, 16 February 2012
COMMON YELLOWTHROAT in Gwent
The Welsh COMMON YELLOWTHROAT has been present since last Friday but only positively identified today. Five people saw the bird this afternoon and negotiated access arrangements with locals.
The bird is in Gwent west of Newport at Rhiwderyn. It is frequenting a number of hedgerows in farmland and seems to be following a well-rehearsed circuit around them and special temporary access has been granted by the local landowner. The gates to the field will NOT be opened until 0700 hours and access to the car park field is only possible by a single track narrow lane. Therefore,DO NOT arrive any earlier as this will create disruption to a number of local residents.
From the A468, take Pentre Porth Road southwestwards for about a mile before turning right opposite the sign for The Farmer's Daughter restaurant and park in the specially designated field (£3 per car charge)
The bird is in Gwent west of Newport at Rhiwderyn. It is frequenting a number of hedgerows in farmland and seems to be following a well-rehearsed circuit around them and special temporary access has been granted by the local landowner. The gates to the field will NOT be opened until 0700 hours and access to the car park field is only possible by a single track narrow lane. Therefore,DO NOT arrive any earlier as this will create disruption to a number of local residents.
From the A468, take Pentre Porth Road southwestwards for about a mile before turning right opposite the sign for The Farmer's Daughter restaurant and park in the specially designated field (£3 per car charge)
Tuesday, 14 February 2012
Rick Remington's encounter with a vagrant SNOWY OWL and its subsequent attack by a Peregrine
Click here to see the full story and some outstanding photographs - http://www.nabirding.com/2012/02/12/when-a-snowy-met-the-locals/
Sunday, 12 February 2012
Please support petition to safeguard Shibdon Pond
Shibdon Pond has been a particularly productive site with several Spotted Crake records over the years, 2 Laughing Gulls, Ring billed Gull, Ring necked Duck, Golden Oriole and a host of other interesting species.
The link to the petition is on the Gateshead Birders website::-
www.gatesheadbirders.co.uk
and the relevant piece on the front page reads:
The continued management of countryside sites by Gateshead Council’s Countryside Management Team is under serious threat of being axed in next year’s budget spending plan.
If the proposal is accepted it will have a catastrophic effect on Gateshead’s countryside and the wildlife. The country parks and nature reserves will fall into decline and degradation, litter and vandalism will grow quickly. Sites will become insecure.
We would urge you to go to Gateshead Council’s website and sign the e-petition “Save the Countryside Management Team” using the following link:
https://consultation.gateshead.gov.uk/KMS/EpetitionHome.aspx?loggingIn=tempVar&strTab=EPetitions&noIP=1&SessionId=RBN3WKB57P
I would be most grateful if you could sign and support the petition
The link to the petition is on the Gateshead Birders website::-
www.gatesheadbirders.co.uk
and the relevant piece on the front page reads:
The continued management of countryside sites by Gateshead Council’s Countryside Management Team is under serious threat of being axed in next year’s budget spending plan.
If the proposal is accepted it will have a catastrophic effect on Gateshead’s countryside and the wildlife. The country parks and nature reserves will fall into decline and degradation, litter and vandalism will grow quickly. Sites will become insecure.
We would urge you to go to Gateshead Council’s website and sign the e-petition “Save the Countryside Management Team” using the following link:
https://consultation.gateshead.gov.uk/KMS/EpetitionHome.aspx?loggingIn=tempVar&strTab=EPetitions&noIP=1&SessionId=RBN3WKB57P
I would be most grateful if you could sign and support the petition
Monday, 6 February 2012
Shocking news from North Kent - GORDON ALLISON dies at the tragic age of 50
Chris Gibbard telephoned me this evening with the shocking and most devastating news that Elmley and Northward Hill RSPB reserves warden Gordon Allison died in his sleep early this morning. Gordon was just 50 years old, a year younger than me. He was also incredibly keen and birdwatched from dawn until dusk whenever he could. He was a great guy, a good friend and a keen twitcher and was part of the regular 'RSPB bunch' that visited the Isles of Scilly in October regularly between 1984 and 2000. He travelled the world extensively and was particularly fond of India and was tragically with Ray Turley in Goa when that legend of a man also died. He leaves behind many good friends from the KOS and the Kent birding fraternity, as well as professional partners within the RSPB, particularly Adam Rowlands, and will be very sorely missed
Lee Evans
Lee Evans
Saturday, 4 February 2012
More shots of the Sussex large-billed Crossbill
This selection of new images were taken by Mike McKee of the apparent PARROT CROSSBILL at Blackdown
Thursday, 2 February 2012
PARROT CROSSBILL identification
Jaane Aalto has corresponded with me further on Parrot Crossbill identification. I have sent the Finns a selection of the Sussex bird images and many agree with me about the concerns over the head structure and silhouette. We still need sound recordings. In every respect though, it resembles a Scottish Parrot Crossbill
Some more pictures to browse -:
A nice male Parrot here
http://koti.mbnet.fi/caligata/lintukuvat6/Loxpyt.html
A female Scottish Parrot from Abernethy
http://koti.mbnet.fi/caligata/lintukuvat6/Loxsco.html
A female Scandinavian Parrot Crossbill that does share characteristics with the Sussex female, having a forehead and a smaller bill
http://koti.mbnet.fi/caligata/lintukuvat6/Loxpyt2.html
Some more pictures to browse -:
A nice male Parrot here
http://koti.mbnet.fi/caligata/lintukuvat6/Loxpyt.html
A female Scottish Parrot from Abernethy
http://koti.mbnet.fi/caligata/lintukuvat6/Loxsco.html
A female Scandinavian Parrot Crossbill that does share characteristics with the Sussex female, having a forehead and a smaller bill
http://koti.mbnet.fi/caligata/lintukuvat6/Loxpyt2.html
BRUNNICH'S GUILLEMOT from last year
Last year's incredible record annual tally just keeps on rising with news of Heatherlea's BRUNNICH'S GUILLEMOT in Burghead Harbour, Moray, on 17 November - see more photographs here on Mike Weedon's blog : http://weedworld.blogspot.com/2012/02/brunnichs-guillemot-easily-overlooked.html
This revises the total for the year to 456 species
This revises the total for the year to 456 species
Wednesday, 1 February 2012
Apparent PARROT CROSSBILL remains on site today
The bird showed up at about 0910 hours this morning and then remained in the area for about an hour, showing well. Undoubtedly large-billed, it still seems to have too much profile in the forehead. Whether an aberrant Common Crossbill, a Scottish Parrot Crossbill or vagrant Eastern Crossbill or Scandinavian Parrot Crossbill is still indetermined and I still look forward to sound recordings of its call. More of Simon West's excellent images can be found at his Flikr site at www.flickr.com/photos/sinlw
Monday, 30 January 2012
Finnish birdwatcher enjoys himself twitching in UK
I was very pleased to share some birding time with visiting Finnish birder Matthias at the putative Parrot Crossbill twitch in West Sussex and delighted to add Brambling, (British) Bullfinch, Siskin and a few other species to his building life list. Hope to meet up again with him in Finland in the future. The enthusiasm of Finnish birdwatchers is undiminished and Matt was certainly keen on learning.
EASTERN and PARROT CROSSBILLS
David Cooper very kindly sent me this link to a juvenile Eastern Common Crossbill trapped and ringed on Fair Isle in June 2005
See here
http://www.fairislebirdobs.co.uk/Sightings/2005/jun_2005.htm
This illustrates the variability in the size of Common Crossbill bills and the Sussex female is very similar in proportions and forehead shape
See
http://www.wildbirdgallery.com/images/birds/loxia_pytyopsittacus/pytyopsittacus.htm
A portfolio of Scandinavian Parrot Crossbills for comparison
See here
http://www.fairislebirdobs.co.uk/Sightings/2005/jun_2005.htm
This illustrates the variability in the size of Common Crossbill bills and the Sussex female is very similar in proportions and forehead shape
See
http://www.wildbirdgallery.com/images/birds/loxia_pytyopsittacus/pytyopsittacus.htm
A portfolio of Scandinavian Parrot Crossbills for comparison
Winter Weekend Trip to Scotland
I am putting together a winter trip (long weekend) in early February to witness the spectacular invasion of white-winged gulls and to see the wintering geese and wildfowl, as well as to search for eagles, Ptarmigan and other specialities. Please email me if you fancy it - LGREUK400@aol.com
Sunday, 29 January 2012
Apparent female PARROT CROSSBILL present for at least 4th day in West Sussex
David Cooper managed to obtain an interesting selection of shots of the female-type putative PARROT CROSSBILL at Black Down today and these can be viewed at http://eastsussexbirding.blogspot.com/
This bird was still present this afternoon but was very difficult to pick out from the rest of the flock in the Larches. It is noticeably greyer, especially about the head and nape, and has a bright pale lemon rump. The bill proportions are quite impressive but I have seen some Eastern Common Crossbills with bills like this. The lower mandible thickness is noticeable though and the bird itself does look bigger in proportion on occasions
This bird was still present this afternoon but was very difficult to pick out from the rest of the flock in the Larches. It is noticeably greyer, especially about the head and nape, and has a bright pale lemon rump. The bill proportions are quite impressive but I have seen some Eastern Common Crossbills with bills like this. The lower mandible thickness is noticeable though and the bird itself does look bigger in proportion on occasions
The bird is present with at least 55 Common Crossbills at Black Down, 2 miles NE of Fernhurst. It is a 20 minute walk from the main car park and the flock favours the isolated conifers at the top of the hill
Walking from Land's End to John O'Groats for Butterfly Conservation
Seth Gibson and I are walking from Land's End to John O' Groats for our honeymoon after our wedding in May this year. It is going to take over 2 months and more than 1000 miles and we'll be trying to raise as much money as possible for Butterfly Conservation. We've set up a justgiving page to this end and would be absolutely delighted if anyone could sponser us
See the following link for details - http://www.facebook.com/l/iAQHCRI8OAQGWuEVxPsoMy-FYh6rDbeYlJibbsIfWr5gpaw/www.justgiving.com/epicbutterflywalk (Sami Webster)
See the following link for details - http://www.facebook.com/l/iAQHCRI8OAQGWuEVxPsoMy-FYh6rDbeYlJibbsIfWr5gpaw/www.justgiving.com/epicbutterflywalk (Sami Webster)
Thursday, 26 January 2012
KUMLIEN'S & THAYER'S GULLS
Anticipating the usual flood of Kumlien's-like gulls in the west and Thayer's-like gulls in the east, I've put together a proposed thayeri-kumlieni-glaucoides scoring system at http://www.tertial.us/gulls/tkg.htm
It's a first draft cut to develop some consensus about how we talk about and evaluate these things. Feedback is welcome. (I've already got ideas to improve it, but I want to hear more ideas.)
Basically, it's a 4-point scale:
0 = glaucoides
1 = in between
2 = kumlieni
3 = in between
4 = thayeri
evaluating 7 different features of first cycle birds. So a maximum score of 28 is a classic Thayer's, while a minimum score of 0 is a perfect nominate glaucoides. The key caveat is at the end: "even if we come up with a formula that satisfies most birders, there's still no guarantee we would be accurately placing birds in the correct category until further research, ideally tracking birds from the breeding grounds to the wintering grounds, is done."
Steve Hampton, Ph.D.
It's a first draft cut to develop some consensus about how we talk about and evaluate these things. Feedback is welcome. (I've already got ideas to improve it, but I want to hear more ideas.)
Basically, it's a 4-point scale:
0 = glaucoides
1 = in between
2 = kumlieni
3 = in between
4 = thayeri
evaluating 7 different features of first cycle birds. So a maximum score of 28 is a classic Thayer's, while a minimum score of 0 is a perfect nominate glaucoides. The key caveat is at the end: "even if we come up with a formula that satisfies most birders, there's still no guarantee we would be accurately placing birds in the correct category until further research, ideally tracking birds from the breeding grounds to the wintering grounds, is done."
Steve Hampton, Ph.D.
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