Friday 23 July 2021

9 Years and Counting.....

                                         17th July 2021  :  Oare Marshes

  

                                                         

Adult Bonaparte's Gull. 
 

As the headline of this blog post indicates the returning Bonaparte's Gull has now appeared for it's 9th year .


Superb plumage.


The Bonaparte's Gull is in superb plumage when it first turns up , dark black head (which extends down the nape a bit further then BHG) with white eye crescents which really stand out plus a small black bill and really bright red legs are all good features to look for when trying to locate the Bonaparte's Gull.


Bonaparte's Gull.

We actually heard the Bonaparte's Gull Call  on 3 separate occasion's on Saturday, a much higher pitched call compared to BHG.

According to Wikipedia Bonaparte's Gulls can live up to 18 years of age so hopefully we will be lucky enough to enjoy this bird for a few more years yet.


Bonaparte's Gull





 







 

Friday 2 July 2021

Been on My Travels......... June Highlights

                                           30th  June  :  Rspb Bempton Cliffs

 

                                   

Black-browed Albatross.

On the 30th June i travelled up overnight to Bempton Cliffs with RR & PG in the hope of seeing one of my most wanted birds, we arrived on site at 4.45am and joined the already gathered birders which were all viewing from the first platform overlooking the previous night's roosting site, however the Black browed Albatross had obviously moved overnight and depressingly could not be seen. 


Close flight views.

I decided to move further down the cliff to the Staple Newk viewing platform as there was only about 20 other birders there, still no BBA but great views of Gannet, Razorbill,Guillemot, Kittiwake & Fulmar plus i was really pleased to add Puffin to my year list.

Majestic bird.

After approx 2 & half hours of standing & hoping & praying all in a cold NNW  wind & squally rain showers there was probably only  a handful of us left at Staple Newk, the rest had returned further up the cliff to view from there, i was just about to have a sip of coffee when the birder next to me shouted   '' I'VE F*@KING GOT IT !!!!!! '' 

I was straight onto it and could not believe my eyes , never thought i would be lucky enough to see such a magnificent bird in the UK , needless to say our small group soon grew to 100 +, i glanced up the cliff and could see birders running towards us.

The Black-browed Albatross did several close  fly-bys affording amazing views, eventually it landed on the sea and started to drift doing a bit of wing stretching and preening.

I let half a dozen birders look through my scope as they hadn't seen it and could not pick it out on the sea, then the BBA took flight then came back round very close to the cliff.

A truly memorable exciting experience and certainly one of the best birds i have ever seen.


Black-browed Albatross



26th June  :  Icklingham Suffolk


Roller.


It's been a long time since i have seen a Roller in the UK so with news of one showing well near Icklingham Suffolk i headed there .

Distant views at first as it sat on a fence post drying out after the early morning drizzle but after a short while the Roller became more active.

It was constantly flying down to the ground catching beetles and then would fly up to the overhead wires, the Roller also caught several Bee's & Dragonflies.





Roller.


12th June  : Ham Wall Rspb  Somerset.


River Warbler

A River Warbler had set up territory at the superb Rspb reserve Ham Wall in Somerset, constantly 'Reeling' and showing well on occasions for several days, it's been several years since i have seen one in the UK and that one did not show as well as this bird.

The decision was made to go on the 12th June, i made our way around to the area the  River Warbler had been seen and i could hear it 'Reeling' before i even reached the area, the River Warbler showed really well , here are a selection of photos.



River Warbler.


7th June  :  Blyth Estuary Northumberland


Red necked Stint with Ringed Plovers.

A long trip up to the Blyth Estuary on the 7th June with RR was very successful with great scope views of the summer plumage adult Red necked Stint.

My digi scope photo's don't do this bird justice at all , it was keeping company with Ringed Plovers & a Little Stint. 



Red necked Stint.

This was a new bird for both RR & myself.