The Little Swift was still pleasing the crowd when I left at 6.30 - by that time it had moved a couple of 100m down the prom towards Wallasey

Who Dares, Wins! -No sign of the beastie today.

Well done Henry and Co. - Yes, the Headland does haves its share of goodies.

How about a Rufous Bushchat for next year's bird (May /June time seems to be a magic period).
Perhaps just down the coast a few miles in more suitable habitat for it, say on Seaton Common?

Regards,
Mike P.

With my gardening plans severely disrupted this morning, I set off for Hartlepool, a bit disgruntled that another one of my old blockers was letting me down so soon after the Cream-coloured Courser had pulled the same stunt.

On arrival at 9.45 am, there were only about 40 people there, all looking expectantly towards the bowling green perimeter bushes/trees into which the bird had disappeared on its release an hour previously.
Remarkably this was only a yard or two from the section of turf where the White-throated Robin had been on show some 51 weeks earlier.

I feared that to see this bird would prove more challenging, tucked away in cover; and so it proved.
After some anxious 40 minutes, during which time the gathering was in danger of becoming another of those "social occasions," ( one birder whom I'd not seen for some time told me - "I thought you were dead"), someone picked out the target bird perched in a leafy sycamore through a gap in the foliage.
Soon, via a process of sharing peeps through his 'scope, helpful directions, and pleasingly, good cooperation all round, everyone was relieved and we all focused (literally) on enjoying what views we could.
All that was visible was a front on/ side on head view, (showing the blackish crown and ear coverts of a male bird cleanly contrasting with white below the rest of the face and throat), some upper mantle, and a bit of upper flanks. The bird was notable for its inactivity, and seems not to have flown for some 2 hours at least as I type this.

According to the ringers, this was judged to be of the Western form, though from the views in the field, (with no sight of the vent or undertail
coverts available whilst I was there), I could not have formed a view as to "Eastern or Western" from what I saw, other than an obvious smudgier buffier contrast along the upper flanks. I could barely see a hint of a pale eye and speculated that this might be indicative of a first summer bird.

This might be a hard bird to see tomorrow; it's inactivity may be some indication of exhaustion (I should have enquired as to its weight, but I had to get home and the ringers were not to hand when I was leaving). If anyone is tempted to go for this, it may be critical to get there today therefore if possible.

At the time I saw the Scilly bird of 1981, (hard earned, as I went to Scilly that year on crutches with a broken ankle), the species had not then been split. I have heard various comments that the Scilly bird was of the Eastern form and others confidently saying it was judged to be of the Western form.
I myself have no up to date reference source as to which it was and so have no firm view on the matter. I did look at the latest "Collins" of a friend which does show the main distinction as being the duskier underparts of the Western birds, with mention of relative bill dimensions and of course different vocals.

Best Wishes,
Mike P.

Damn Looks like my biggest remaining blocker is about to become unblocked

Hartlepool Headland strikes again with an Eastern Orphean Warbler trapped and ringed this morning due to be released in 10 minutes, so you'd better move fast.

Having suffered a back spasm a couple of days ago I won't me moving anywhere - not even to the doctors garden !, which should be fun if it dissappears in there like the White-throated Robin did and all the mayhem that ensued . That was almost a year ago to the day and was my last UK tick.



-- Edited by Pete Hines on Tuesday 29th of May 2012 10:02:28 AM

Doc Brewster wrote:

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Thought I'd share this one, as it's not far from Greater Manchester - male BAILLON'S CRAKE singing yesterday S.of Llangefni at Malltraeth Marsh late evening, from A5 W.of Gaerwen turn L.beyond Holland Arms Garden Centre & use car park on R.by minor road beyond bungalow & follow on-site directions SH464725.

-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Wednesday 23rd of May 2012 05:28:43 PM

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Still singing this morning. May never get seen but you can hear it clearly on a video on Youtube....

Thought I'd share this one, as it's not far from Greater Manchester - male BAILLON'S CRAKE singing yesterday S.of Llangefni at Malltraeth Marsh late evening, from A5 W.of Gaerwen turn L.beyond Holland Arms Garden Centre & use car park on R.by minor road beyond bungalow & follow on-site directions SH464725.

-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Wednesday 23rd of May 2012 05:28:43 PM

Several forum members were fortunate enough to connect with the short staying Black-winged Pratincole at Burton Mere Wetlands today, as per the Cheshire and Wirral thread.

Finally made the trip to Hampshire today for the Spanish Sparrow and Dark-eyed Junco. Details under "All other counties and regions".

A 5.30 start this morning had Mr Barber and myself on the road to Rhiwderin in Gwent in the hope of catching up with the Common Yellowthroat. During the two hours or so we were there we had probably 9 or 10 sightings, mostly fleeting views of this skulker but sufficient to appreciate its characteristic features. The bird spent much time hidden in a large clump of brambles but flitting out occasionally to forage in the underlying vegetation or to fly to another close-by clump of brambles.

A nice trip in cracking weather - even the £6 Severn Bridge toll was soon forgotten

Sid, did you see the male Goshawk that flew over found by our very own Phil Rhodes, it even did the decent thing and perched up in the conifers, magic! The Forest of Dean didn't dissapoint either with Goshawks, Peregrine, Hawfinch, Crossbills and loads of Bramblings. Glorious day for it.

-- Edited by Simon Warford on Saturday 25th of February 2012 10:46:48 PM

Simon Warford wrote:

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Phil Owen wrote:

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Hot on the heels of the Greater Yellowlegs in Northumberland last week was good views today of the Sharp-tailed Sandpiper in Somerset. Keep them megas coming!!

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There like buses Phil, you wait all Autumn then three come at once. Its been 15 years since my dad gripped me off with Greater Legs in Cumbria - nice to get that one back this weekend too. How good is Northumberland birding ? 400+ White-fronts, Bean geese, Green-winged teal, Red-necked Grebe, Slav grebes, Barn Owl just in one afternoon!

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Totally agree Simon, some brilliant birding to be had up there!

The Veery is very tempting too , glad you got that one!!

Hot on the heels of the Greater Yellowlegs in Northumberland last week was good views today of the Sharp-tailed Sandpiper in Somerset. Keep them megas coming!!

Gallanach Farm, Isle of Muck. - Saturday/Sunday, 19th/20th Nov.

The Veery is still present this weekend, showing really well on Saturday to 23 or so delighted birders who journeyed over from Mallaig on two charter boats, the 23 mile crossing was quite rough (though very enjoyable) and took an hour. Cost was £45 per head.

The bird ( a first winter) is happily feeding around/on a manure heap ( here appropriately called I guess a "muck" heap) enclosed in a stone bay just yards across from the farm garden, often in loose company with a robin , a Dunnock and a Blackbird.

Among other commoner birds noted were Ravens, Hooded Crows, Buzzards (including a really dark individual) Red-throated Diver, Great Northern Diver.
Although Rhum and Egg dominate the northern and eastern horizons there was no sign of any Sea Eagles, as according to the farmer they are rarely encountered due to the absence of rabbits on the island, which is only 2 miles long and home to some 35 souls.
Worth the money for the trip alone to a beautiful little island with friendly folk, with the bird as a bonus.
For the round trip drive up from Manchester allow 16 hours of night time driving (and preferably a team to share the driving).
For any details of the charter arrangements please feel free to "P M" me.

Regards,
Mike P.

For completion, an extract from my Lancashire & Merseyside, Garstang Area posting from today re the the Solitary Sandpiper :-

John Barber and I arrived at Humblescough farm, Nateby at approximately 07.45 this morning and were taken down to the scrape by the farmer - we were first there. We set up our scopes to within 100m of where the Solitary Sandpiper spent most of its time while we were there. As a result of being so close we were able to note how pale brown the bird looked and when it wing-stretched and turned around and on one occasion made a short flight, the dark central area to the rump was clear - also the prominent white eye ring was easily picked up. A lifetime first for both John and I.

Mike Passant wrote:

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A Sooty Tern sighting was reported at 9.54 this morning from Colt Crag Reservoir (Northumberland) said to be "showing well."

Cheers,
Mike P.

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My RBA Pager had this sighting as an 'Unconfirmed Report' thereby casting doubt on the original sighting...... they seemed to know something!!

I don't have any details of the observers and this is unsubstantiated as yet, but both RBA and Durham Bird Club "Sightings" page report a sighting of a Sooty/Bridled Tern flying across Derwent Reservoir (on the Durham/Northumberland border) at 13.55 today.
Later at 18.45 is a report of the same from Waskerley Reservoir (some 10 kms. to the south and well into Durham), when it was said to be heading back north towards Derwent.

If we have two totally independent sightings there may well be something in this.
I was out briefly late morning checking Tunstall Reservoir (which is 5 kms. SE of Waskerley, and a couple of miles from where I live) looking specifically for storm driven seabirds, but drew a blank.
I'll possibly get over to Derwent tomorrow if I can find the time (as I'm going away on Thursday; itself a good pointer to something big turning up!)

Cheers,
Mike P.

Pete Hines wrote:

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Now a Lesser SandPlover would prompt a 'speedy' recovery. i'll trade one of my three Greaters for one

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Sorry, Pete, only got 1 Lesser Sand Plover on the list so none available for Swoppsies!! Looks like I've got into a car of 4 going from Yorkshire on Saturday, but the way things keep changing that'll probably be altered tomorrow !!!

If it helps anyone to make a decision this weekend, my two pals Doug and Tony zoomed up yesterday and encountered 12 birders already watching the White-winged Scoter, which was closer in than of late and giving pretty good views (better than Durham's recent Surf Scoter, they said).

Speaking for myself, I didn't relish the trip as I have jobs to do, and anyway was rather spoiled by the Robin turning up on the 6th not quite "on the doorstep."

The way rare Scoters are turning up off the NE coast, I shouldn't be at all surprised if a White-winged Scoter also appears off Northumberland/ Durham this winter; - there'll be no shortage of birders searching.

Ah yes Rob, but if one was, perchance in Aberdeenshire already & was now going to stay overnight........

....... can answer myself here.. still another 140 miles!!!

-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Thursday 16th of June 2011 04:43:22 PM

Cheers Pete

Will PM you my mobile too. Yeah I sort of knew that BOU were treating it as seperate, but I think it's the case that a record needed acceptance before the split was actually on the British List. This should get that situation sorted. I've been following the thread in 'the other place' & yeah it doesn't sound straightforward & between the lines there's accusations flying around that folk have ticked the wrong bird!! Oh the politics of listing, don't ya just love them

There's extra news today, that a Greater Sand Plover has turned up at Dornoch Point, a fair bit higher up the east coast of Scotland..... but I need it, oh decisions, decisions!! I saw the Lesser Sand Plover in Lincs but was in South Africa for the last twitchable Greater.

Decisions about when to travel will be made tonight or later so if we defer I'll let you know, Pete, you may be well enough if we travel next week

There's an American White-winged Scoter up in Aberdeenshire at the moment. It's showing daily and has been around for a few days now. The word is that when accepted the BOU will treat it as a split, i.e. a full species, so effectively this is the first available one for Britain (another has been reported but I think it was never submitted as a record). It's a long, long way from the NW (of England!!) but severeal folk have travelled already. If anyone is interested in going & car sharing please send me a Private Message, I have myself & 1 other interested for the weekend, preferably Saturday.

Cheers
Paul

Having shared Pete Welch's disappointed at Hartlepool yesterday my day out today with the Manx Birder changed from a half day's birding locally to another visit to the North East - having seen early on that the White-throated Robin had been refound.

In contrast to yesterday we were badly delayed by a traffic accident on the way, consequently we didn't find the bird when we arrived late lunch time. After a good look around we decided to go over to RSPB Saltholme but kept in touch with events at the Headland. When we got the call from John Barber we went back immediately and had smashing views of the bird down to a few metres, on the inner bowling green until it went off back into the doctor's garden.

The bird was seen at Olive Street yesterday morning but then wasn't seen all afternoon right through until dusk. This morning it has been seen at the outer bowling green, back at Olive Street (inner bowling green) and then late morning flew back over the wall into the Doctors Garden (ladders at the ready!!). I think the summary of all this - today & yesterday - is that the bird is getting a lot more mobile and it may require a wider search to locate it.

Good luck to anyone who's going today - I can visualise exactly where its showing today having spent two hours walking round the area yesterday to no avail At least we had more luck at Wykeham - see other post.



-- Edited by Pete Welch on Friday 10th of June 2011 09:21:23 AM