Great day. Cheers Simon for organisng it and your dad the lift to the service station and everybody everybody else for their good company.
Must do it again.

But I never got a black eye in the process

You really do have something about the western isles don't don't you Simon Scilly in October pal... second best place to the discerning birders choice of the Cornish valleys

(and yes, I've just got in from the pub after a days rugby, which we won, a nice black eye to show for it and missed dipping on the Sammy's Point Sharp-tailed, which I'm led to believe you didn't Simon)

Geoff, how about the Western Isles?

simon,nice report,when,s the next trip out?,all and sundry,i,ve got 20+ general pictures of the spurn trip(my bird ones are numerous but not your quality stuff) plus one highly prized photo of annette.i,m happy to share so send me a pm with your e mail and i,ll oblige(2.2mb)over the weekend

cheers geoff

Superb write up Simon...I am glad everyone enjoyed themselves. Some great shots too...put me to shame!

-- Edited by Adrian Dancy at 20:30, 2007-09-07

It was worth the wait Simon
A great write up of a great day

A memorable days birding.

Cheers Dean.

Excellent report and a lovely spread of photos. A fitting write up for a great day.

Great report Simon! Happy memories of a top day's birding. Excellent photos too.



-- Edited by declan savage at 15:12, 2007-09-07

Ok guys the trip report is on the Articles section

Some cracking photo's (well done Annette and Adrian) sum up the day nicely

lol best things come to those that wait

Ahhh right well I guess you can never rush a genius lol!

Yeh come on Simon stop this birding lark and start writing

Cheers Dean.

who me..

come on then simon stop chasing white ghosts and finish the write up

cheers geoff

Nope I am awaiting an imminent write-up of the day from it's organiser, Simon Warford, where upon I will add in the photos along with a few comments and publish it onto the 'articles' page of the website.

Ian
Am I missing something? Where are the group and shrike photos from spurn?

I only knew cause one of the locals told me at Spurn

I think its historical that the landlady doesnt like birders, somehow they can never get used to the hundred's of birders and cars in all corners of the car park on certain days in September and October when that mega turns up. Youd think they would be glad of the trade in October!

Just for interest I enclose the history of the colour-ringed Spoonbill we encountered at Patrington Haven, needless to say that Warfy was spot on whilst we were there when he said it had spent some time in Scilly. Info thanks to Judith Smith.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
date country and site or reserve observer days dist sexe
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
17-08-05 NL Lauwersmeer Achter de Zwarten Otto Overdijk 70 12 km.
21-08-05 NL Lauwersmeer Achter de Zwarten Eddie Douwma 74 12 km.
05-10-05 F Finistere Ile de Sein Jacques Corbierre 119 980 km.
07-10-05 GB Cornwall Scilly Islands John Sutherby 121 948 km.
08-10-05 GB Cornwall Scilly Islands Tristan Folland 122 948 km.
08-10-05 GB Cornwall Scilly Islands Nigel Hudson 122 948 km.
19-04-06 GB Cornwall Scilly Islands John Judge 315 948 km.
20-04-06 GB Cornwall Scilly Islands John Judge 316 948 km.
03-05-06 GB Cornwall Scilly Islands Ian West 329 948 km.
03-09-06 GB Cornwall Scilly Islands Jim Askins 452 948 km.
03-10-06 GB Cornwall Scilly Islands Carina Oosterhuis 482 948 km.
11-10-06 GB Cornwall Scilly Islands Dave Leech 490 948 km.
26-04-07 GB Wales Cardigan Richard Dobbins 687 749 km.
26-04-07 GB Wales Cardigan Arfon Williams 687 749 km.
28-04-07 GB Wales Cardigan Richard Dobbins 689 749 km.
13-05-07 GB Wales, Ceredigion Ynyslas, Dyfi estu. John Ashley Davis 704 691 km.
21-05-07 GB Norfolk Titchwell reserve Paul Eele 712 393 km.
03-08-07 GB Yorkshire Patrington Geoff Dobbs 786 414 km.
12-08-07 GB Yorkshire Patrington Geoff Dobbs 796 414 km.

One or two I'll do anything to get thrown out of a pub, not that it'd take much with the 'miserable trout', no names equals no slander, no doubt she's scanning the website now trying to find where we live so she can come down and rearrange our furniture like she promised. Probably on her broomstick too

I took about five or six group pics, but cos my camera is a wind-up one the film has to be developed, and then they will have to be scanned (or whatever the technical phraseology is). Then they can go on the misc. page on the main site. Best photo is of Mr McKerchar dancing on his chair in the pub !.............what do you mean Ian you don`t remember that ? How many did you have ??????

John, doing a trip report which Ian should put on the website soon along with some photo's if i can keep away from Elton for abit

That's spooky John, i've just this minute sent you some pics of the Shrike. I'll go back and send you a group pic.

Dean.

COME ON SOMEONE STICK A PICTURE ON HERE OF YOU LOT AT SPURN!!!

proper day out that was,even though my tripod failed me i still managed to add a grand total of 10 lifers to my meger list, and i am itching to go back,many thanks to simon for organising the show and everyone else for their help in spotting birds that i,d probably miss on me own,i,ve got the group photos to sort an send to ian,i got some half decent shots of the shrike(well 4 that i,ve put on a disc in the bank) just in case annette,s and adrians get lost.
so costing 10 lifers == 12 hours hard core birding
transport == tenner in very nice economical corsa
sustinence == butties, pop, crisps,chips,2 beers(only 2) tenner
196 digital pictures== bobbins
4 pictures of a red backed shrike= invaluable
advice,friendship and good company =PRICELESS
cheers geoff

I had a great day too. Was good to put so many faces to names. Im sure Ive probably passed half of you whilst out at some time or other. My thanks go to Simon and his dad for the lift and for everyone good enough to share views of birds with me through their telescopes, especially judith who gave me views of 2 garden warblers together (one of two life ticks for me) My other lifer was Spoonbill which sadly spent all thier time asleep but then thats birding for you!
Had 2 UK ticks with red backed shrike and 2 sand lizards.
I think my highlight had to be the shrike, a gorgeous bird that at the begnning gave some close views, Will give the photo to Ian for the gallery along with a photo I took of the whole group busy counting waders at Patrington haven. ;)
Look forward to more trips and alot more rarities which can only add to my meagre list.

I enjoyed myself....lifers red-backed shrike, spoonbill and lizard...no, I have never seen a wild lizard before....I had a Steve Irwin moment when I nearly trod on it. Shrike could have been a bit nearer for me as could everything else....

Despite the lifers my highlight of the day was Judith spotting a wheatear at great distance which when searching for it again in her telescpoe was trying to explain where it had been. It had flown towards us and landed on the road about 10ft away from me ...it looked at us then flew off...I'm sure it had a cheeky grin on its face.

Looking forward to the next one.

-- Edited by Adrian Dancy at 23:28, 2007-08-28

-- Edited by Adrian Dancy at 23:29, 2007-08-28

Hopefully not the last Genetically Modified birders day out. A great laugh from start to finish, and even some good birds. Thanks to Warfy for organising it, and to the people who did the driving.

Highlight of the day? It's got to be that insane landlady!

Getting a bit carried away there i think. 6 of them where just that extra 1% i needed to count em. Sanderling, Yellow Wagtail, Common Scoter, Little Gull, Turtle Dove and believe it or not Grey Partridge. Seen em before but not well enough to count em. They all had question marks against em.

Lesser Whitethroat and Red Backed Shrike absolute lifers

Dean.

Yeh thanks to Simon for organising a superb day, i actually had 8 lifers today some very common, just never ticked em. Nice meeting a great group of people, look forward to the next one
Cheers everyone

Dean.

ps what was the landlady's problem?


pps it was deffinately Simon's idea, he mentioned it on the way in

It was an absolute pleasure to be out birding with the GM contingent today, superb company and so well organised, so a big thank you to Simon Warford from us all I'm sure

I think we managed around 67 species between us at Spurn so the day total would be even better but you'll all have to wait for the trip report coming soon on the website as soon as Simon has his beauty sleep!

A great day so well summed up by Simon's post all that remains is to thank all those who participated in making it a memorable day

P.s. for all those wondering, it was of course Simon himself who mentioned going to Partrington Haven, either him or his dad Alan anyway

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar at 22:03, 2007-08-27

The day started slow at Spurn and got even slower until midday until someone, dont know who suggested we go to Patrington Haven on the way home where we had some pretty decent birding. Some people also had a lifer or two. Weather was better for sunbathing rather than looking for fresh arriving migrants.

These are collective highlights, apologies for any omissions-

Spurn Point/Kilnsea :-

Turtle Dove - Seen by all except the rabble that headed off up Beacon Lane
Med Gull - Grip back by Ian/Tom and Paul.
Common Scoter Pair
Arctic Skua
Razorbill
Gannet
Whitethroat lots
Sedge Warbler 2
Reed Warbler 3/4
Garden Warbler 4+
Lesser Whitethroat 1
Blackcap 1
Yellow Wagtail 10+
Whinchat 2/3
Wheatear
Whimbrel Few
Snipe
Grey Plover
Turnstone
Sanderling
Bar Tailed Godwit

Rather unproductive brief seawatch where we just watched a Yacht sinking off the tank blocks.

After a quick beer in the Crown and Anchor we headed off to Patrington Haven where we had :-

RED BACKED SHRIKE - Juv - nice one Mr Mckerchar! Right near the car park and gave excellent views to us all Well we were on a roll now.
Kingfisher
Marsh Harrier
Sparrowhawk
Wheatear
Little Egret 3-4
Spoonbill 2 Adults
Knot - fair to say there was quite a few, maybe 10,000.
Grey Plover - alot maybe up to a 1000 loads in stunning summer plumage
Greenshank - 7+
Common Sand 3+
Green Sand - found by Simon Johnson (cant you tell hes used to seeing Green Sands at Ringley)
Dunlin lots
Redshanks lots
Ringed Plovers lots
Black Tailed Godwit 7+
Bar Tailed Godwit 50+
Snipe
Little Gull 3 adults 1 juv
Eider
Gadwall
Teal
Wigeon
Shelduck
Turnstones
Partridge 2
Common Tern

So at least we managed to find our own Red Backed Shrike

Man of the Day - Ian Mckerchar for finding Red Backed Shrike(we gotta keep him happy)
Photo of the Day - erm well Annettes pic of the Red Backed Shrike.
Highlight of the Day - Red Backed Shrike again, and a lifer for some
Tip of the Day - never rearrange the tables in the Crown and Anchor when theres more than 4 of you that want to sit together! You are expected not to chat and sit in opposite corners of the pub.
Dissapointment of the Day - Mr Woosey's dissapointment at the point cafe being a caravan (bet the chips made up for it though).

Right bit tired now, until next time


-- Edited by warfy at 21:35, 2007-08-27

Sounds good ....nail it to a post please! see you all soon....

Barred Warbler this evening at the Canal Zone.

I'm in. See you all in the morning.
Never been to Spurn, really looking forward to it.

Cheers Dean.

Thanks Rez, just dont find any county rarities tomorrow!

Well hopefully it will be a fun day anyway with fellow county birders even if we fail to find anything good!

Maybe we should be going to Crosby Marine Park Tom?

Cya all in the morning.

Hope you all have a great trip. I'm not jealous, but it would be nice if a rarity turned up at Elton Res tomorrow morning!

Well unfortunately the overnight forecast and tomorrow's weather looks crap for any interesting passerines. But NW winds are strangely the best for east coast seawatching (don't ask me why cuz I don't know), although the feeble inshore strength of them and the predicted beautiful unbroken sunshine throughout the day may hinder things a bit/a lot/completely. Nevermind. My tip for the day would be to check the Starling flocks for a Rose-coloured, and the terns for a Roseate or 2, or failing that just sit in the sun and get burnt all day, occasionally paying a quick visit to the Crown and Anchor for refreshments.

See you all nice and early!

-- Edited by Tom McKinney at 10:53, 2007-08-26

Just wnated so say i hope you all have a cracking day on Monday and get to see all sorts of odd stuff. If i wasnt blood working id be with you.

Good Luck

Andrew

count me in. will meet at birch at 5am. i have 3 spaces in my car if needed. see you all on monday.

Can anyone who has BBS forms bring them along? I have asked Adrian to bring WeBS forms along if he has received them.
The forecast is good. By the time I arrive at 0930hrs after my beauty sleep, I shall expect all the good birds pinned down by you young tyros!

Now also in Suffolk and Kent, Spurn on Monday, Crown and Anchor car park

There all in Norfolk though Simon

It will probably sail past behind you Ian whilst your gazing out to sea

Greenish warbler already on the east coast so could very well be seeing them on monday!

Well..............what CAN I say ?.......... Maybe I`ll just sit down somewhere on my own and gaze out to sea - then something`s bound to sail past me !

I thought that's what you like doing Simon

As for the dipmeister Woosey, we'll all be fighting to get away from him when we're there, incase we catch his curse (now sit back and await his response )

I like the optimism Ian - why is it always me getting the beers in!? So while "Dipper Woosey" is still on the M62 we'll be watching several Greenish's..

Annette, I will pick you up at 4.30am and Steve 4.45am.

Just to reiterate the arrangements for Monday, we will be meeting at Birch Services on the M62 at 5am (so please try not to engage me in any meaningful conversation, as I will be largely incapable at that time!) and will be setting off about 10 minutes later, so if you're going to be late for any reason please give Simon or myself a ring to let us know to hang on. We will be journeying in convoy, other than Woosey who will be left behind when the big hills come and struggles to keep up, but hey you've gotta make some sacrifices eh . On arrival at Spurn we will be running around like headless chickens finding allsorts of major rarities in the huge fall of migrants that awaits us, no doubt finding one or two Fea's Petrels in a short seawatch as a change to finding Greenish Warblers all over the place (and the latter is a definate intention of mine ). After exhausting ever blade of grass and bush Simon will be treating us to a pint in the Crown and Anchor pub as a thank you for making his trip so successful, where upon Long-toed Stint will fall to the Manc invasion as we scan the Humber from the benches oputside the pub!

Then again it could be quiet but then...that's birding

Sightigs for Tuesday 21st...

Another autumnal day with blustery northerly winds and mist or drizzle throughout a small arrival of birds today with the highlight being a Wryneck but very little at sea.

New in were a very flighty Wryneck at the Point, 4 Redstart, 7 Whinchat (4 New Scrape), a Wheatear, 3 Grasshopper Warbler (2 Warren, 1 New Scrape), 6 Garden Warbler, 23 Willow Warbler and 3 Pied Flycatcher. Elsewhere of note were 8 Manx Shearwater N, 23 Teal (22 S), 65 Common Scoter N, a Marsh Harrier u-turned over the Triangle, a Merlin, 425 Oystercatcher S, 17 Snipe S plus 7 in the Triangle, 10 Whimbrel, 3 Greenshank, a Green Sandpiper (Canal Scrape), 8 Little Gull N and 2 Little Tern N.

Late news for monday was a Common Sandpiper at the Warren and a Grasshopper Warbler also at the Warren.

Weather forecast looks promising for those luck souls heading to Spurn next week. Winds SW on Saturday turning South Easterly on Sunday and remaining SE/SSE until monday night. Could be good, especially if the weather is right over mainland Europe as well.