Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Odds n sods

Rather more exotic looking Pheasant at Rempstone. Looks like some Reeves influence here


Juv Eider off of Cleavel Point


Blackwit and Knot flying into Newton Bay



Goosander Long Island





Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Arne

More disturbance surveying today, a bit quieter than Brands Bay here.
Looks like the watcher is being watched




Only other thing of note was this big canoeist and his friend




Saturday, November 19, 2011

Brands Bay

Rather peaceful looking Brent


Not for long though (click to enlarge)


Then there were 5





Everything leaving. Well nearly everything, some ended up in the water.



Thursday, November 17, 2011

Durlston

Highlights at Durlston with Hamish last couple of mornings was long awaited (for me) Twite. Well 2 to be precise. Also Snow Bunting and quite a few more Crossbill.
Today came the Pigeons, thousands of them. I am not a great Pigeon fan but these flocks were impressive, with many into the thousands. Total came to around 54, 500. During the count it looked as though there was going to be a much bigger count but all of a sudden they just stopped coming. Presumably they had all roosted in a similar area.






A Short-eared Owl put in a brief appearance


Late Speckled Wood in the winter sunshine


Sunday, November 6, 2011

Portland

First stop Ferrybridge where a Black Brant was in with the Brents.
Some noticable movement overhead also, mostly Redwing


Short-eared Owl flying around Obs


Fair few birds coming back in off the sea






Distant Pintail moving past


Rather feisty Merlin



Eventually settled down










Friday, November 4, 2011

Durlston purple patch

Richard's Pipit, Hawfinch and a British record 118 Bullfinch over in the past couple of days was trumped today by a Pallid Swift today. First picked up at distance by Hamish, we only initially had the briefest of views but new immediately it looked good. It was heading south and soon disappeared behind trees. After a rather long run and some anxious waiting we relocated it quite a way west. It circled around a couple of times and then headed off west






Also moving, Woodlark, Crossbill and Bullfinch