Teased by a Teal

On a Saturday of uncertain weather (typical for a Bank Holiday), I headed west in search of one of our summering raptors (with a common name that reminds some of us of a type of pencil) which I saw after a wait of about 1 hour. A Goshawk and a Sparrowhawk drifted over whilst I waited.

I was then lured to Kidwelly in search of a reported Green-winged Teal. After searching for over an hour I eventually found the unimpressive reedy pool where it was alleged to be, but an hour later, with a view hindered by trees, I had found a pair of Little Grebes, a pair of Moorhens, a pair of Coots, and a Mute Swan with 4 cygnets. Passerines included both Common and Lesser Whitethroats carrying food for young.

On my perambulations to find the place, I had encountered some common, but photogenic creatures....

Still, the weather was kind whilst I was there, but my left hand is still slightly red and swollen after being bitten by a large insect.

All in all, not a vintage day out....but in might be my last for a while......

Nightjar Nuptuals

On a fairly cool Tuesday evening, 10 of us gathered at Llanwonno a couple of weeks earlier than usual for a Nightjar quest. On arrival at our usual site, Redpolls buzzed around overhead, and immediately I noticed a small bird in a dead tree nearby. It was a male Redstart, but what a strange place to see one. As it was still quite light, we had a short wait for any activity, but at 9.20pm, we had our first sight of a Nightjar. Much churring was heard, and excellent flight and perched views were had by all. The froglike croak was heard a few times, as was some wingclapping. Aerial chases happened over our heads, and the birds were generally very active. An appalling picture! It appeared that they were still pairing off, and so the timing was excellent. At about 10.00pm, we headed back to the cars, and in most cases to the pub, serended by more churring, a distant Tawny Owl, and an enthusiastic Skylark.

Cuckoo Tuesday

Having dipped twice at Uskmouth, and heard them twice elsewhere, I was not expecting to see this parasitic tinker this year, until a report on GBC website of 3 at Kenfig. Soon after arriving, I began hearing them, but it was a while before one showed, near the South Hide. 4 Whimbrel flew over calling, but it was quiet apart from common warblers. As I started to head back, another Cuckoo called, and flew down the west side of the pool, as I watched it from the small area of beach.

Once upon a time

One of my big tasks earlier this year was to scan 51 large photo albums into the PC so that the pictures could be put onto what turned out to be 5CDs, thus saving a lot of space in the house. Amongst the copious railway, scenery, cricket and family pictures were a few vaguely recognisable bird pictures: Bearded Tits at Minsmere, Sept 1996. My first ones, and very showy indeed!

Yellowhammer at Newton-under-Roseberry, North Yorks, April 1997

Red Grouse on the North Yorkshire Moors, April 1997. A good day, heard Hawfinch singing later in some local woods.

Short Toed Lark, Overstrand, Norfolk, October 1997. My first one.

Later the same day Common Cranes near Waxham.

A group of Ring Ouzels grounded by the weather near Niewpoort, Belgian coast Easter 1998. We saw at least 30 of them, a Blue Headed Wagtail amongst Yellow Wagtails, Redstart and Black Redstart in the same bush.

Assorted seabirds on the Farne Islands during 1998 and 1999, when I made three visits.

Roseate Tern:

Long Tailed Skua on Redcar Golf Course Sept 1999. I've only seen one other. 2 Blue Winged Teal were a few hundred yards away at the same time.

About 120 Waxwings were present in Newcastle in Dec 1999.

This juv Kumleins Gull was in Whitby Harbour January 2000, coming to chips...

The black dots are Black Grouse (honestly) near Langdon Beck, North Yorkshire, March 2000.

Dipper near Goathland, North Yorkshire March 2000. Mink were also present.

Nuthatch near Guisbrough, North Yorkshire, May 2000.

White Wagtail in the Ardennes, Southern Belgium, Easter 2001. The morning that I took the picture I saw this bird, Black Redstart, Crested Tit, Firecrest, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and Black Woodpecker before breakfast! Oh, and heard what was probably a

Western Bonelli's Warbler.

Ptarmigan on Ben Alligan, Scottish Highlands, June 2003. Still my only sighting.

Audouins Gulls at Porto Pollenca, Majorca, October 2003.

And soon afterwards, I went digital....

Flycatcherfest

Gill wanted to see certain black and white insect eaters before the birth, so off to Nagshead on a pleasant Sunday morning. As we walked down to the lower hide and pool, a pair of Goshawks circled overhead, with a Raven in close attendance at times. Sure enough a pair of Pied Flycatchers were visiting a nestbox near the pool, carrying food, presumably their young had hatched. Later, on the short trail, 2 Spotted Flycatchers were seen.