I'd be interested in Mr Rhodes timings - might head up for the Crossbill tomorrow but hadn't considered trying for both.
Simon Warford said
Sat Nov 8 6:42 PM, 2008
Rob Smallwood wrote:
12:29 08/11/08 Two-barred Crossbill N Yorks Bilsdale 11:58 male again briefly at Garfitts Farm NZ563030; park at the farm and ask permission to view feeders
I never saw anyone asking permission, more like a free for all, happy to report all gm birders behaved impeccably. Cheers for the lift back to the car John Saw Mr Rhodes and happy to report his car made it to Lincs and N Yorks in one day
Judith Smith said
Sat Nov 8 4:35 PM, 2008
A step too far I'm afraid - I know now where they are, not really within my twitching range!!
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Nov 8 1:13 PM, 2008
Judith Smith wrote:
But where are they? some of us don't have pagers!
£5 a week
Rob Smallwood said
Sat Nov 8 12:45 PM, 2008
12:29 08/11/08 Two-barred Crossbill N Yorks Bilsdale 11:58 male again briefly at Garfitts Farm NZ563030; park at the farm and ask permission to view feeders
11:40 08/11/08 Steppe Grey Shrike Lincs Grainthorpe Haven 11:30 1st-winter still; park at Horse Shoe Point TA381018 and walk southeast for 1km to the pumping station then walk inland for 800m to view from the hay bales
Judith Smith said
Sat Nov 8 12:43 PM, 2008
But where are they? some of us don't have pagers!
Paul Heaton said
Sat Nov 8 12:00 PM, 2008
Rumours have it that half of Manchester is out and about this day, Steppe Grey Shrike and at an other location Two Barred Crossbill both showing well for GM birders.
Get back in the county and Keep Birding
Paul Heaton said
Sat Oct 25 8:21 PM, 2008
Bugger Its a long way home when the bird dont show, maybe its on its way to GM
keep birding
Simon Warford said
Fri Oct 24 6:04 PM, 2008
LITTLE BLUE HERON confirmed in Camarthenshire today and looks like its a different bird than the Ireland one!
sid ashton said
Sat Oct 18 10:23 PM, 2008
Ian - this smacks of Blue Headed Yellow wags - think I'll have a lie in tomorrow!!
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Oct 18 10:18 PM, 2008
Snowy Egret has yellow lores, occasionally a pale bill base or lower mandible and bright yellow/green to the rear of the legs. Tread carefully either way
sid ashton said
Sat Oct 18 10:12 PM, 2008
The Dear Me in my previous post was for the Red-footed Falcon story!!! - Again can anyone point out the obvious differences, apart from size between a Snowy Egret and a little Egrte to a novice birder?
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Oct 18 10:06 PM, 2008
Pete Hines wrote:
I should imagine a few smug GM birders may returning home tonight after a few beers to descover they've had a nice cosy armchair tick, and only a first at that, the Tophill Low Red-footed Falcon has been reidentified as an AMUR FALCON, present from 14th Sept to 15th Oct. For those who didn't call in the way back from the Brown Shrike - I just can't find the appropriate avatars, so how about AAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!!!!!
Do they feel satisfied though If you do, then hmmm, do you count birds you see on the telly too if it's live TV
sid ashton said
Sat Oct 18 9:56 PM, 2008
Dear me - Anyone know the main difference between a Snowy Egret and a Little Egret or should I just stay at home tomorrow instead of heading off to Meols early doors?
Snowy Egret reported by Birdguides and Deeestuary web sites.
-- Edited by sid ashton at 22:05, 2008-10-18
Pete Hines said
Sat Oct 18 9:49 PM, 2008
I should imagine a few smug GM birders may returning home tonight after a few beers to descover they've had a nice cosy armchair tick, and only a first at that, the Tophill Low Red-footed Falcon has been reidentified as an AMUR FALCON, present from 14th Sept to 15th Oct. For those who didn't call in the way back from the Brown Shrike - I just can't find the appropriate avatars, so how about AAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!!!!!
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Oct 17 1:52 PM, 2008
I've been reliably informed today that Birdnet pagers work fine on the Western Isles and are probably the only ones that do so on Uist
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Oct 14 8:19 PM, 2008
Too true Pete.
Plus's- you get to know what's about
Minus's- it p***es you off when you can't get there
Of course there's much more to it than that but Birdnet Information reign supreme, after all, not only do they provide the number 1 bird information service but they sponsor this (my very own) forum, without which it might just not be here
Pete Hines said
Tue Oct 14 8:03 PM, 2008
There are pluss's and minus' s to both information systems, recently discussed with Tom and Chris Heard, though I can't be bothered to go into it right now.
It could make an interesting new thread though !
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Oct 14 7:49 PM, 2008
Pete Hines wrote:
PS: most/all pagers don't get a signal in Ireland, Cornish Valleys, Outer Hebrides etc, though Birdguides text alert messages do to your mobile phone. -- Edited by Pete Hines at 19:06, 2008-10-14
-- Edited by Pete Hines at 19:13, 2008-10-14
My Birdnet pagers has always had a fine reception in the Cornish Valleys Pete, okay it won't pick up right in the bottom of most of them but then neither will my phone, so I wouldn't get any Birdguides messages either. When I'm in the 60ft cover at Porthgwarra I only have to climb out of it on the northern side and the recption is great, same at St.Leven too, as for Cot Valley it's patchy but I can get a signal pretty much all over there! Fortunately it works fine in the cottage we use in Nanquidno, it woke me up from a dinner time nap once with a message that there was a Wryneck right outside the door, and there was too complete with half a dozen birders
Pete Hines said
Tue Oct 14 6:59 PM, 2008
Didn't I suggest staying in Kilbaha on Wednesday night Tom ?, then we decided it was too far, as we were too knackered ! I wonder how long that Philadelphia Vireo has been around !. Again I'm glad I don't need it , nor did I need the Tanager , although I did need the Alder Flycatcher . Could do worst than spend a couple of days birding in Co. Galway and West Cornwall at this time of year
PS: most/all pagers don't get a signal in Ireland, Cornish Valleys, Outer Hebrides etc, though Birdguides text alert messages do to your mobile phone. -- Edited by Pete Hines at 19:06, 2008-10-14
-- Edited by Pete Hines at 19:13, 2008-10-14
Tom McKinney said
Fri Oct 10 11:03 AM, 2008
Got back from Ireland yesterday evening with Pete Hines. Pete went straight down to Cornwall and I went home then into Manchester to top up my Guinness levels. Got home late and thought I'd made a huge error not going to Nanjizal, but looks like I got it right for once!
Henry Cook said
Thu Oct 9 5:56 PM, 2008
Confirmed as a 1stw Male ALDER FLYCATCHER this afternoon. Feather has been found (taken) for DNA analysis! Feeding merrily and making lots of flights around the valley. Light was bad when I connected but a massive buzz from jamming in on this bird. Well done Kester! Henry.
Simon Warford said
Wed Oct 8 12:02 PM, 2008
Paul, you should get down there asap, Willow or Alder Flycatcher (another first i think) at Nanjizal Valley
Paul Heaton said
Tue Oct 7 6:04 PM, 2008
ITS KICKING OFF PRU
Blooming heck, Nighthawks, Tanagers, roll on weekend.
Nighthawk the lizard Cornwall today
Scarlet Tanager Co.Cork.
keep birding.
Simon Warford said
Sun Oct 5 11:01 AM, 2008
Proper mega in County Galway a LITTLE BLUE HERON(1st for Europe), present 12 days at least, juvenile bird though so will look like a small dumpy Little Egret. howd you like one of them on Scilly next week Paul?
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Jun 6 7:33 PM, 2008
Never a problem with a Birdnet pager Henry and they get pretty much all the Greater Manchester birds first, well before any other bird information services
Henry Cook said
Fri Jun 6 4:13 PM, 2008
Citril Finch on Fair Isle, Shetland. RBA went nuts and put out Evening Grosbeak at first, it seems that they can't cope with this sort of mega, "computer says Grosbeak" sort of moment!
-- Edited by Henry Cook at 16:14, 2008-06-06
Paul Wilson said
Tue May 27 1:02 PM, 2008
Stilt Sandpiper at Rutland Water.
Paul Heaton said
Sat May 17 9:29 AM, 2008
Dorset EASTERN OLIVACEOUS WARBLER at Portland bill ringed and released.
There may be one in a tree near you.
Keep Birding
Paul Heaton said
Tue May 6 9:27 AM, 2008
White throated sparrow in Lancs at heysham nr to be released at 09.45, has been trapped and rung.
keep birding
Paul Heaton said
Sun Apr 20 5:52 PM, 2008
SHETLAND CALANDRA LARK fair isles today
NORFOLK BLACK LARK winterton dunes.
OUZELS all over Manchester.
KEEP BIRDING
Mike Chorley said
Tue Jan 29 12:14 AM, 2008
Paul Wilson wrote:
Paul Heaton wrote:
Paul Wilson wrote:
Paulh wrote:
WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW NORFOLK. AD Seen at Cley this morning near church coming to seed.
Bet it doesn't stay around until we go at the end of Jan!
END OF JAN THIS WEEK AND ITS STILL THERE GOOD LUCK IF YOUR GOING THIS WEEK
Going tomorrow. Just hoping the cats around there are being well fed tonight!
The pub's cat ,I know, is being kept indoors until the bird goes. Thank goodness "Ronnie" & Reggie" (previous pub cats) aren't around anymore. They'd have gone for the Laughing Gull let alone a sparrow!
-- Edited by Mike Chorley at 00:15, 2008-01-29
Paul Wilson said
Mon Jan 28 9:36 PM, 2008
Paul Heaton wrote:
Paul Wilson wrote:
Paulh wrote:
WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW NORFOLK. AD Seen at Cley this morning near church coming to seed.
Bet it doesn't stay around until we go at the end of Jan!
END OF JAN THIS WEEK AND ITS STILL THERE GOOD LUCK IF YOUR GOING THIS WEEK
Going tomorrow. Just hoping the cats around there are being well fed tonight!
Paul Heaton said
Mon Jan 28 8:39 PM, 2008
Paul Wilson wrote:
Paulh wrote:
WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW NORFOLK. AD Seen at Cley this morning near church coming to seed.
Bet it doesn't stay around until we go at the end of Jan!
END OF JAN THIS WEEK AND ITS STILL THERE GOOD LUCK IF YOUR GOING THIS WEEK
Simon Johnson said
Sun Jan 20 11:11 PM, 2008
Thanks to the Warfords for a cracking day out... one i'll remeber for a long time! Seemed to clean up on everything we went for.
It all started with finding the White Crowned Sparrow within 10 minutes of arriving at Cley village, and away from the crowd which had gathered by the driveway....saving us from getting elbowed in a scrum! The local fences and grass verges havent been fared that lucky tho! (and neither have Cley Bird club who are footing the bills for the repairs!)
The Snow Buntings at Salthouses were amazing whizzing past your heads and literally running round your feet with the local Turnstones that were coming for seed put out.
8000+ Pinkfeet all in one field was another amazing sight and with a lesser Snow Goose thrown in for good messure!
Very strange to see the Shag on Holkham Hall lake! other birds in the Holkham area included Nuthatch,Treecreeper, all the common ducks and waders and a couple of Stonechat.
And then topped off with Roydon Common.... Great Grey Shrike and 4 Hen Harries all in view at the same time! Fantastic day out!
Simon Warford said
Sun Jan 20 8:27 PM, 2008
Cracking days birding in North Norfolk, today, me, Warford senior and Simon Johnson, within 10 minutes of arriving at Cley, Simon found the WHITE CROWNED SPARROW in the hedge whilst the small crowd were looking down the driveway, great start GM birders leading the way again, further good views were soon had as it fed on the driveway, great bird! Bumped into Mark Rigby, aka Riggers, he was staying in the Three Swallows, no escaping GM birders. Then a bacon butty and a brew, all very sophisticated. Contributed to the collection, which is now over £3000, some of which will be used to repair the village green and fences accidently damaged by crowds of birders.
Supporting cast of at least 59 Snow Buntings at nearby Salthouse, soon followed by a Lesser Snow Goose amongst 8000+ Pink Feets!! amazing sight. Then Holkham Freshmarsh with White Fronts, Barnacles, Brents, Black Wits, Peregrine, 2 Female Marsh Harriers. In Holkham Park itself Smew on the boating lake plus loads of Egyptian Geese and a 1st Winter Shag found by simon also. Best was all 3 Woodpeckers with a superb male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker showing very well and sat still long enough for us all to obtain lenghty scope views! At Roydon Common was Great Grey Shrike, singing Woodlark and 4 Hen Harriers (1 male) all visible at once.Not a bad days birding.
Pete Hines said
Mon Jan 14 10:03 PM, 2008
I too saw the '95 Seaforth bird, though the occurrence of this one made me realise that it was '95 or '96 since I last visited Cley and I felt the urge for a short break there on my days off, Thurs/Fri.
I must be getting old as I didn't kip in the beach shelter (a.ka. The Coastguards Hotel) or Cley church porch (a.k.a Vics place) or even in the car this time, but stayed at The Three Swallows Pub. I had a good banter with the locals and ran up quite a tab
Any crowds of twitchers had depleted after midday and you could have the Sparrow all to yourself. A cracking bird and only 50m from the pub, which has been opening for bacon butties and breakfasts etc from 8.30 -11.30 for the visiting twitchers and seemed to doing ok for business in the morning.
-- Edited by Pete Hines at 22:09, 2008-01-14
Eddie Chapman said
Fri Jan 11 6:08 AM, 2008
Can I note a touch of jealousy here Mr. Rowley? Not had the chance to twitch the bird yourself? There is always a chance that the bird has escaped, but one must remember the EU banned all imports of wild birds because of fears of avian flu transmission. There have been no legal imports of wild caught birds from the Americas since October 2005. This being the case, I should think that White-crowned Sparrow are not a common cage bird in the UK, and not an easy species to buy on the open market.
If you saw one on Chat Moss, you would be claiming it
-- Edited by Eddie at 19:54, 2008-01-11
Alan Rowley said
Thu Jan 10 7:40 PM, 2008
Maybe I'm a cynic. Cley depends on tourism and birders must be its main tourists. January is a quiet month for birding at Cley. If 2,000 birders can be encouraged to visit and each buys a few pies and a pint, tops up his or her fuel tank for the journey home, that's approximately £120,000 in the bank for the local economy.
How much would a White-crowned Sparrow cost from a dealer?
One to ponder:
Simon Warford said
Thu Jan 10 6:23 PM, 2008
yes feeling the need to escape for a day so i might actually see something for once.. if i can persuade warford senior!
Paul Heaton said
Thu Jan 10 5:38 PM, 2008
Still around today but looking at weather would say this sat is best bet, then you can have a nice day in norfolk keep birding
Judith Smith said
Wed Jan 9 10:08 PM, 2008
Only a matter of time, Pete, if Peel Holdings get their way and open the Ship Canal up with the new Post Salford at Barton....
pete berry said
Sun Jan 6 5:42 PM, 2008
Pity the Ship Canal doesn't still have the big ships coming down it,one of those sparrers might not have jumped ship till it got to Salford Docks!!
Paul Heaton said
Sun Jan 6 4:03 PM, 2008
yes I saw that one too and you know what it just goes to show that you do not have to travel to far too see good birds, if they dont turn up in GM they will always turn up in the northwest.
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Jan 6 3:28 PM, 2008
What a 'tarts tick', seen one of them only 30 miles away from our very own county
Paul Wilson said
Sun Jan 6 12:48 PM, 2008
Paulh wrote:
WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW NORFOLK. AD Seen at Cley this morning near church coming to seed.
Bet it doesn't stay around until we go at the end of Jan!
Paul Heaton said
Sun Jan 6 12:41 PM, 2008
WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW NORFOLK.
AD Seen at Cley this morning near church coming to seed.
I never saw anyone asking permission, more like a free for all, happy to report all gm birders behaved impeccably. Cheers for the lift back to the car John
£5 a week
male again briefly at Garfitts Farm NZ563030; park at the farm and ask permission to view feeders
11:40 08/11/08 Steppe Grey Shrike Lincs Grainthorpe Haven 11:30
1st-winter still; park at Horse Shoe Point TA381018 and walk southeast for 1km to the pumping station then walk inland for 800m to view from the hay bales
Get back in the county
keep birding
Do they feel satisfied though
Snowy Egret reported by Birdguides and Deeestuary web sites.
-- Edited by sid ashton at 22:05, 2008-10-18
Plus's- you get to know what's about
Minus's- it p***es you off when you can't get there
Of course there's much more to it than that but Birdnet Information reign supreme, after all, not only do they provide the number 1 bird information service but they sponsor this (my very own) forum, without which it might just not be here
It could make an interesting new thread though !
My Birdnet pagers has always had a fine reception in the Cornish Valleys Pete, okay it won't pick up right in the bottom of most of them but then neither will my phone, so I wouldn't get any Birdguides messages either. When I'm in the 60ft cover at Porthgwarra I only have to climb out of it on the northern side and the recption is great, same at St.Leven too, as for Cot Valley it's patchy but I can get a signal pretty much all over there! Fortunately it works fine in the cottage we use in Nanquidno, it woke me up from a dinner time nap once with a message that there was a Wryneck right outside the door, and there was too complete with half a dozen birders
PS: most/all pagers don't get a signal in Ireland, Cornish Valleys, Outer Hebrides etc, though Birdguides text alert messages do to your mobile phone.
-- Edited by Pete Hines at 19:06, 2008-10-14
-- Edited by Pete Hines at 19:13, 2008-10-14
Henry.
Blooming heck, Nighthawks, Tanagers, roll on weekend.
Nighthawk the lizard Cornwall today
Scarlet Tanager Co.Cork.
keep birding.
RBA went nuts and put out Evening Grosbeak at first, it seems that they can't cope with this sort of mega, "computer says Grosbeak" sort of moment!
-- Edited by Henry Cook at 16:14, 2008-06-06
There may be one in a tree near you.
Keep Birding
has been trapped and rung.
keep birding
NORFOLK BLACK LARK winterton dunes.
OUZELS all over Manchester.
KEEP BIRDING
The pub's cat ,I know, is being kept indoors until the bird goes. Thank goodness "Ronnie" & Reggie" (previous pub cats) aren't around anymore. They'd have gone for the Laughing Gull let alone a sparrow!
-- Edited by Mike Chorley at 00:15, 2008-01-29
Going tomorrow. Just hoping the cats around there are being well fed tonight!
END OF JAN THIS WEEK AND ITS STILL THERE GOOD LUCK IF YOUR GOING THIS WEEK
It all started with finding the White Crowned Sparrow within 10 minutes of arriving at Cley village,
and away from the crowd which had gathered by the driveway....saving us from getting elbowed in a scrum! The local fences and grass verges havent been fared that lucky tho! (and neither have Cley Bird club who are footing the bills for the repairs!)
The Snow Buntings at Salthouses were amazing whizzing past your heads and literally running round your feet with the local Turnstones that were coming for seed put out.
8000+ Pinkfeet all in one field was another amazing sight and with a lesser Snow Goose thrown in for good messure!
Very strange to see the Shag on Holkham Hall lake! other birds in the Holkham area included
Nuthatch,Treecreeper, all the common ducks and waders and a couple of Stonechat.
And then topped off with Roydon Common.... Great Grey Shrike and 4 Hen Harries all in view at the same time! Fantastic day out!
Supporting cast of at least 59 Snow Buntings at nearby Salthouse, soon followed by a Lesser Snow Goose amongst 8000+ Pink Feets!! amazing sight. Then Holkham Freshmarsh with White Fronts, Barnacles, Brents, Black Wits, Peregrine, 2 Female Marsh Harriers. In Holkham Park itself Smew on the boating lake plus loads of Egyptian Geese and a 1st Winter Shag found by simon also. Best was all 3 Woodpeckers with a superb male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker showing very well and sat still long enough for us all to obtain lenghty scope views! At Roydon Common was Great Grey Shrike, singing Woodlark and 4 Hen Harriers (1 male) all visible at once.Not a bad days birding.
I must be getting old as I didn't kip in the beach shelter (a.ka. The Coastguards Hotel) or Cley church porch (a.k.a Vics place) or even in the car this time, but stayed at The Three Swallows Pub. I had a good banter with the locals and ran up quite a tab
Any crowds of twitchers had depleted after midday and you could have the Sparrow all to yourself. A cracking bird and only 50m from the pub, which has been opening for bacon butties and breakfasts etc from 8.30 -11.30 for the visiting twitchers and seemed to doing ok for business in the morning.
-- Edited by Pete Hines at 22:09, 2008-01-14
There is always a chance that the bird has escaped, but one must remember the EU banned all imports of wild birds because of fears of avian flu transmission. There have been no legal imports of wild caught birds from the Americas since October 2005. This being the case, I should think that White-crowned Sparrow are not a common cage bird in the UK, and not an easy species to buy on the open market.
If you saw one on Chat Moss, you would be claiming it
-- Edited by Eddie at 19:54, 2008-01-11
Cley depends on tourism and birders must be its main tourists. January is a quiet month for birding at Cley. If 2,000 birders can be encouraged to visit and each buys a few pies and a pint, tops up his or her fuel tank for the journey home, that's approximately £120,000 in the bank for the local economy.
How much would a White-crowned Sparrow cost from a dealer?
One to ponder:
keep birding
Bet it doesn't stay around until we go at the end of Jan!