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1 Dec Kerry Gyrfalcon [Edward Carty ] 1 Dec Re: Christmas Party [Breffni Martin ] 1 Dec Christmas Party ["Aidan G. Kelly" ] 29 Nov UK400 Club Rare Bird Alert for Saturday 29 November 2008 [Lee Evans ] 28 Nov Re: Slaty-backed Gull Article [Paul & Andrea Kelly ] 28 Nov Re: Sligo GSW's [Paul & Andrea Kelly ] 28 Nov Re: Sligo GSW's [richard mundy ] 28 Nov Re: Slaty-backed Gull Article [Owen Foley ] 28 Nov Slaty-backed Gull Article [Dermot Breen ] 27 Nov Re: Sligo GSW's [Mícheál Casey ] 27 Nov Re: Sligo GSW's [Michael O'Keeffe ] 27 Nov CCBO web page [steve wing ] 27 Nov Re: Cape Clear Natural History 1959 -2009 ["Eoin C. Bairéad" ] 27 Nov Re: Cape Clear Natural History 1959 -2009 [steve wing ] 27 Nov Re: Cape Clear Natural History 1959 -2009 [steve wing ] 27 Nov Re: Cape Clear Natural History 1959 -2009 [rick HOY ] 26 Nov Re: Cape Clear Natural History 1959 -2009 ["Eoin C. Bairéad" ] 26 Nov Re: Sligo GSW's [Breffni Martin ] 26 Nov Re: Sligo GSW's [Mícheál Casey ] 26 Nov Re: Cape Clear pics [steve wing ] 26 Nov Cape Clear Natural History 1959 -2009 [steve wing ] 26 Nov Sligo GSW's [Tom Cooney ] 25 Nov UK400 Club Rare Bird Alert for Tuesday 25 November 2008 [Lee Evans ] 25 Nov FYI [Joseph Doolan ] 23 Nov NIBA Bird Report [Wilton Farrelly ] 21 Nov No sooner than Arctic winds blast down, an IVORY GULL turns up [Lee Evans ] 21 Nov Bird Atlas [steve wing ] 21 Nov Patch listing [Owen Foley ] 21 Nov Illustrated talk on birding NI [Breffni Martin ] 20 Nov Re: Misc [steve wing ] 20 Nov Buzzards [Paul Lynch ] 19 Nov Fw: West Cork Whale Watch Tomorrow Thurs 20th [Peter Wolstenholme ] 19 Nov Re: Barrows [Derek Charles ] 19 Nov free resource dedicated to RAW-based camera image quality [Joseph Doolan ] 18 Nov Re: Misc [Michael O'Keeffe ] 18 Nov Re: Barrows [craig nash ] 18 Nov Re: Barrows [irishbirdnews ] 18 Nov Re: Misc [steve wing ] 17 Nov Misc [Michael O'Keeffe ] 17 Nov Re: Barrows [Lee Evans ] 17 Nov Barrows [Wilton Farrelly ] 16 Nov British Birding Association Rare Bird Alert for SUNDAY 16 NOVEMBER 2008 [Lee Evans ] 16 Nov CAVE SWALLOWS IN NEW BRUNSWICK AND NEWFOUNDLAND [Lee Evans ] 15 Nov Re: Fwd: A Request [Phil Davis ] 14 Nov Re: waxwings ["Fitzpatrick, Dara" ] 14 Nov Re: Irish Birds Volume 8 No 3 [Lee Evans ] 14 Nov Irish Birds Volume 8 No 3 [steve wing ] 14 Nov Re: waxwings [Breffni Martin ] 14 Nov Re: waxwings [Derek Charles ] 14 Nov waxwings [Evan Salholm ] 13 Nov UK400 Club Rare Bird Alert for Thursday 13 November 2008 [Lee Evans ] 13 Nov Fwd: A Request [richard mundy ] Subject: Kerry Gyrfalcon From: Edward Carty <vireoed AT YAHOO.CO.UK> Date: Mon, 1 Dec 2008 15:35:41 +0000 Some of you may be aware that a juv white phase Gyr has been taken into care in the Kingdom (pg 16 Irish Independent mon 01 Dec) it landed on a trawler well of the Kerry coast 5 days ago and it is hoped that it will be released over the coming days....... I will post a message with regard to release details as soon as I get them, it may be a day or 2 notice so anybody wishing to see it will probably have to act fast.........! Ed.Subject: Re: Christmas Party From: Breffni Martin <bmartin AT REGINTEL.COM> Date: Mon, 1 Dec 2008 14:24:09 -0000 Cheers Aidan, Tonight's talk by Anthony McGeehan will also serve as the occasion for the Louth Branch Christmas drink, or one of them anyway! Upstairs at Spirit Store Pub on Dundalk docks at 8pm... All the best Breffni ----- Original Message ----- From: "Aidan G. Kelly"Subject: Christmas Party From: "Aidan G. Kelly" <agkelly AT MAIL.TCD.IE> Date: Mon, 1 Dec 2008 10:35:52 +0000 Hi all,
Sean Farrell, who is not on IBN, asked me to post this
message on his behalf.
Aidan
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
The Northside Birders Christmas bash will take place in the Addison
Lodge, Glasnevin, on Fri 12th December
from 8pm. All are welcome.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Sean
--
**********************************************
Aidan G Kelly
Department of Physiology,
Trinity College,
Dublin 2
Ireland.
tel: +353 1 8961351
fax: +353 1 6793545
e-mail: agkelly AT tcd.ie
**********************************************
Subject: UK400 Club Rare Bird Alert for Saturday 29 November 2008From: Lee Evans <LGREUK400 AT AOL.COM> Date: Sat, 29 Nov 2008 19:23:32 EST This is the UK400 Club Rare Bird Alert for Saturday 29 November 2008, issued at 2300 hours and published in association with Rare Bird Alert Pagers, whilst utilising additional information gleaned from the Regional Birdlines, BirdGuides, local email groups and websites and individual observers. The first-winter male DESERT WHEATEAR was still enthralling visitors at Nigg Bay beach, Girdleness (Aberdeenshire) (see Mark Caunt's outstanding images above), with Dougie Preston twitching down from Lerwick in Shetland for it. An adult male PENDULINE TIT remained for a second day at Attenborough NR (Notts), showing well in the small reedbed at Tween Pond in Barton Lane (park at SK 516 340). It performed well early but then disappeared at about 0930 hours and was not seen again until 1220. Bedfordshire's first-ever RED-BREASTED FLYCATCHER remained for its 7th day today, being seen briefly at 0900 and 1030 this morning. It was frequenting Rotten Corner Coppice but was generally elusive and very difficult to locate. From Junction 11 of the M1, take Dunstable Road towards Luton and after 100 yards turn left into Stoneygate Road. At the roundabout take first exit and follow Oakley Road to the traffic lights. Turn right at the lights and continue along Grange Avenue to the traffic lights. Pass under the railway to the Limbury Mead 'McDonalds' roundabout, where from here take first exit along Sundon Park Road for 600 yards. On the right hand side, just before the roundabout, is a public car park. Park here and traverse the field to the right keeping the stream to your left. After about 80 yards the river Lea winds through two bends and it is this general area which is most attractive to the flycatcher. Elsewhere in Bedfordshire, a SLAVONIAN GREBE was newly found on Brogborough Lake (Lol Carman, Bob Chalkley, Roy Nye, et al), along with 9 adult WHOOPER SWANS on the Broom Village Pit and the female-type RED-BREASTED MERGANSER on Kempston Hardwick South Pit (to early afternoon only). The family party of 4 TUNDRA BEAN GEESE remain east of Clophill, favouring the bean field just SE of the village. Staffordshire's third ever SPOTTED SANDPIPER remains at Tittesworth Reservoir, showing well at times on the dam, whilst the first twitchable CATTLE EGRET for the county was in grazing fields at the south end of Barton-under-Needwood village. It transpired that it had been present since 6 November. The two CATTLE EGRETS remain near Milnthorpe (Cumbria), frequenting fields half a mile east of the town and just north of Wasset NW of the B6384; park only by the electricity station and walk along the road to view from the entrance to the farm at SD 507 812. A GREAT WHITE EGRET is present for a second day just south of Springfield (Wigan, Gtr Machester) by the Leeds and Liverpool Canal at Pagefield Marshes on Walmersley's Lake. Park by the rugby stadium and walk west along the canal towpath to view. The adult white morph SNOW GOOSE is again with up to 4,000 Pink-footed Geese in fields south of South Pool at East Chevington Pools (Northumberland), whilst the adult RED-BREASTED GOOSE was again with Dark-bellied Brent Geese on Normandy Marsh, Pennington (Hants). An adult BLACK BRANT is still consorting with 1,200 Dark-bellied and 16 Pale-bellied Brent Geese at Ferrybridge, Portland Harbour (Dorset), whilst a single adult RICHARDSON'S CANADA GOOSE is with 600 Barnacle Geese on Berneray (Outer Hebrides). The adult drake LESSER SCAUP is still present on the A52 Pit at Holme Pierrpont (Notts), with the first-winter drake still on Frampton Court Lake (with two female Greater Scaups) and the female at Helston Loe Pool (Cornwall). The fabulously confiding and beautifully plumaged HOODED MERGANSER remains at Radipole Lake RSPB (Dorset) The adult female SURF SCOTER remains offshore at Dawlish Warren (South Devon), along with 2 Great Northern Divers and 4 Slavonian Grebes, with 8 Pale-bellied Brent Geese with the wintering brent flock. The drake AMERICAN GREEN-WINGED TEAL remains with Common Teal on Folly Pond, Caerlaverock WWT (Dumfries & Galloway) with another at Capringstone Flash, Ayr (Ayrshire) On Tiree (Argyll), a RING-NECKED DUCK was at Loch Bhasapol, with the female SURF SCOTER and 15 Long-tailed Ducks in Hough Bay. A total of 52 RED-CRESTED POCHARDS was counted at Baston & Langtoft Pits (Lincs) today The GREY PHALAROPE remains on Covenham Reservoir (North Lincs), whilst the regular returning ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD was at Eastchurch Marshes, Capel Fleet, Isle of Sheppey (North Kent) today A SIBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF is at Billingham Green (Cleveland) in Station Road, frequenting trees opposite the Black Horse pub at NZ 458 224 with a YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER behind the Winking Prawn Restaurant at Hangar Creek Reedbed Reserve in Salcombe (South Devon). The odd Mealy Redpoll is being identified, with several with Lesser Redpoll flocks in Thorndon Country Park (Essex), one on the Chafford Hundreds estate (Essex) There are still large numbers of BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS to choose from, with 150 at Garscube Estate, Glasgow (Clyde), 17 in Townhead (Glasgow, Clyde), 20 in Dumbarton (Clyde), 42 near Dalmuir Golf Course (Clyde), 100 near Linlithgow Academy (Lothian), 21 in Bo'ness (Forth), 385+ in Whitehill Gardens, Musselburgh (Lothian), 31 in Glenogle Road, Edinburgh (Lothian), 5 in Ayr (Ayrshire), 60 at Kingholme Quay, Dumfries (D & G), 40 in Dalston (Cumbria), 72 in Victoria Street, Preston (Lancs), 7 in Carnforth Booths car park (Lancs), 9 at Stocks Reservoir (Lancs), 2 in Derby Road, Ramsey (Isle of Man), 15 in Fairfield, Stockton-on-Tees (Cleveland), 44 in Bramley, Leeds (West Yorks), 32 in Crosspol, Sheffield (South Yorks), 35 in Riddlesden (West Yorks), 20 in Crossflatts(West Yorks), 17 in Fairburn village (West Yorks), 20 in Marfleet, Hull (East Yorks), 15 in Oldham village (Gtr Manchester), 22 in Tentercroft Street, Lincoln (Lincs), 2 in Westwood Avenue, Norton (West Midlands) and 3 in Ipswich (Suffolk). Most freshwater GREAT NORTHERN DIVERS remain on site, with two juveniles on Rye Harbour NR Long Pit (East Sussex), two juveniles on Farmoor 2 Reservoir (Oxon) and singles at Grafham Water (Cambs) and Bough Beech Reservoir (Kent). Two BLACK-NECKED GREBES appeared in the fog on Paxton North Pit (Cambs) early morning, with another at Cheddar Reservoir (Somerset), whilst this week has seen the arrival of two 'new' freshwater RED-NECKED GREBES with singles on Sprotborough Flash (South Yorks) and Hanningfield Reservoir (Essex) Up to 16 EURASIAN SPOONBILLS remain in Poole Harbour (Dorset) with another long-staying bird at Cliffe Flamingo Pool (North Kent). The 2nd-winter RING-BILLED GULL was still performing at Lamby Lake, Cardiff (Glamorgan) with the regular adults at Westcliff-on-Sea esplanade (Essex) and Walpole Park Lake, Gosport (Hants). Meanwhile, a first-winter is showing well on Helston Boating Lake (Cornwall). A Siberian Lesser Whitethroat is still visiting the garden feeders at Halistra (NG 248 595), Waternish Point on Skye (Highland), whilst a NORTHERN GREY SHRIKE is present for a third day near Denver Sluice (Norfolk) on the south side of the farm buildings along the east bank of the 100ft Drain. In IRELAND, the late BARRED WARBLER remains just north of Kilmore Quay (Co. Wexford), with at least 50 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS still in Ballinderry Road in Lisburn (Co. Antrim). A first-winter drake LESSER SCAUP was today by the yacht club at Quoile Pondage (Co. Down), with the drake AMERICAN GREEN-WINGED TEAL on Webb's Field at Kilcoole (Co. Wicklow) and another in Bell Harbour (Co. Clare) At Nimmo's Pier, Galway Harbour (Co. Galway), 4 Sandwich Terns and 2 adult RING-BILLED GULLS were noted, whilst the adult LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER was again at Dundalk Docks (Co. Louth). Lee G R Evans British Birding Association UK400 Club, Rare Birds Magazine, Ornithological Consultant and Conservationist Discussion Forum/Email Group: _http://groups.yahoo.com/group/UK400Club/_ (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/UK400Club/) Rare Bird Alert: _http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RareBirdAlertforBritainandIreland_UK400ClubBBA/_ (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RareBirdAlertforBritainandIreland_UK400ClubBBA/) Email Address: LGREUK400 AT aol.com Website Address: _www.uk400clubonline.co.uk_ (http://www.uk400clubonline.co.uk/) Blog Sites: _http://uk400clubrarebirdalert.blogspot.com/_ (http://uk400clubrarebirdalert.blogspot.com/) _ http://birdingamersham.blogspot.com/_ (http://birdingamersham.blogspot.com/) _ http://birdingtringreservoirs.blogspot.com/_ (http://birdingtringreservoirs.blogspot.com/) http://calvertbirding.blogspot.com/ Chaffinch House 8 Sandycroft Road Little Chalfont Amersham Buckinghamshire England HP6 6QL Telephones: 01494 763010 and 01494 581157 Mobile/Text Alerts: 07881 906629 (Lee Evans Enterprises incorporate documentation of rare bird occurrences in Britain & Ireland and elsewhere in the Western Palearctic and in North America; Rare Bird Information and Rare Bird Alerts; Rare Birds Magazine and other related publications; Bird Tours for Birders)Subject: Re: Slaty-backed Gull Article From: Paul & Andrea Kelly <paulandreakelly AT EIRCOM.NET> Date: Fri, 28 Nov 2008 19:11:22 +0000 Magic Dermot, just magic. Paul. ----- "Dermot Breen"Subject: Re: Sligo GSW's From: Paul & Andrea Kelly <paulandreakelly AT EIRCOM.NET> Date: Fri, 28 Nov 2008 19:10:34 +0000 Yes, well in the US they do. Paul. ----- "richard mundy"Subject: Re: Sligo GSW's From: richard mundy <ruckrick AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Fri, 28 Nov 2008 18:18:18 +0000 Do sapsuckers use feeders? Rick Mundy On Thu, Nov 27, 2008 at 9:50 PM, Mícheál CaseySubject: Re: Slaty-backed Gull Article From: Owen Foley <pariah.owen AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Fri, 28 Nov 2008 10:49:42 +0000 Brilliant as always! Say no to gulls! Owen On Fri, Nov 28, 2008 at 10:21 AM, Dermot BreenSubject: Slaty-backed Gull Article From: Dermot Breen <breen.dermot AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Fri, 28 Nov 2008 10:21:08 +0000 Detailed identification article on Slaty-backed Gull at below address. Could be useful especially given the recent record of an adult in Lithuania! http://www.freewebs.com/punkbirder/idfeatures.htm DermotSubject: Re: Sligo GSW's From: Mícheál Casey <m.casey AT IOL.IE> Date: Thu, 27 Nov 2008 21:50:13 +0000 Agreed, Mike but unfortunately it seems the bird hasn't been back.......... Mícheál On 27 Nov 2008, at 20:51, Michael O'Keeffe wrote: > Sapsucker needs to be ruled out also. > > Regards > > Mike > > ----- Original Message ----- >> From: "Mícheál Casey"Subject: Re: Sligo GSW's From: Michael O'Keeffe <okeeffeml AT EIRCOM.NET> Date: Thu, 27 Nov 2008 20:51:30 -0000 Sapsucker needs to be ruled out also. Regards Mike ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mícheál Casey"Subject: CCBO web page From: steve wing <stevewing AT EIRCOM.NET> Date: Thu, 27 Nov 2008 13:37:05 -0000 Hi All, Over the winter months, one of my projects is going to be upgrading the Bird Obs web page within BirdWatch Irelands own web site. One of the planned 'improvements' is going to be a species list with English, Irish and scientific names, status on the island and photo(s) of each species. Out wit the begging bowl now! Does anyone have shots of any species, preferably taken on Cape, that they would like to see on the CCBO web site! If so, please email them to me! Names of photographers will probably be included in a separate panel on the same page, not alongside each shot. Many thanks! SteveSubject: Re: Cape Clear Natural History 1959 -2009 From: "Eoin C. Bairéad" <ebairead AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 27 Nov 2008 10:22:02 +0000 Apologies - finger too fast 2008/11/27 rick HOYSubject: Re: Cape Clear Natural History 1959 -2009 From: steve wing <stevewing AT EIRCOM.NET> Date: Thu, 27 Nov 2008 10:19:37 -0000 Nil gaeilge agum, I'm afraid! Steve ----- Original Message ----- From: "Eoin C. Bairéad"Subject: Re: Cape Clear Natural History 1959 -2009 From: steve wing <stevewing AT EIRCOM.NET> Date: Thu, 27 Nov 2008 09:50:17 -0000 Nice one! ----- Original Message ----- From: "rick HOY"Subject: Re: Cape Clear Natural History 1959 -2009 From: rick HOY <rickzz01 AT MSN.COM> Date: Thu, 27 Nov 2008 00:30:08 +0000 If the book is in Irish there better be plenty of pictures Rick > Date: Wed, 26 Nov 2008 23:25:48 +0000> From: ebairead AT GMAIL.COM> Subject: Re: Cape Clear Natural History 1959 -2009> To: IBN-L AT LISTSERV.HEANET.IE> > Hi a Mharion.> Tá lucht na néin ó Chléire ag cainnt faoi stair dúlra an oileáin a scríobh.> > Is ó ghach áird na cruinne a thagann siad, agus is beag a dtaithí ar an> nGaolainn.> > An mbeadh éinne ón oileán fhéin in ann cúpla focal a chur le chéille agus a> sheoladh chuchu?> > Beir Beannacht.> > Eoin> > ---------- Forwarded message ----------> From: steve wingSubject: Re: Cape Clear Natural History 1959 -2009 From: "Eoin C. Bairéad" <ebairead AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Wed, 26 Nov 2008 23:25:48 +0000 Hi a Mharion. Tá lucht na néin ó Chléire ag cainnt faoi stair dúlra an oileáin a scríobh. Is ó ghach áird na cruinne a thagann siad, agus is beag a dtaithí ar an nGaolainn. An mbeadh éinne ón oileán fhéin in ann cúpla focal a chur le chéille agus a sheoladh chuchu? Beir Beannacht. Eoin ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: steve wingSubject: Re: Sligo GSW's From: Breffni Martin <bmartin AT REGINTEL.COM> Date: Wed, 26 Nov 2008 17:59:13 -0000 We had a report (in fact it went out on Mooney i think) about a lesser spotted pecker in Dunleer. I think the consensus on that bird was that it was a juv GSW. Interestingly an adult female turned up at Dromin several weeks later, just three miles of this first sighting. Regards Breffni ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mícheál Casey"Subject: Re: Sligo GSW's From: Mícheál Casey <m.casey AT IOL.IE> Date: Wed, 26 Nov 2008 17:28:57 +0000 Hi, There was an unconfirmed report by a non-birder that a bird (identified by him from field guides as a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker) had been visiting a peanut feeder in a garden in Sligo town about two weeks ago. The observer agreed to contact a local birder (who lives beside him) if it was seen again, but he has not been heard from since, so I assumed the bird was not re-found. As far as I recall the bird was described as showing some yellow in its plumage, which gave rise to concerns regarding the record. The report was not published/ publicised at the time pending confirmation which hasn't yet happened. There was only one bird seen at that time. I do not know how/if this relates to your report, Tom. We live in hope! Mícheál On 26 Nov 2008, at 10:04, Tom Cooney wrote: > Hi. > > Have received report of two great spotted woodpeckers (last week) at > garden > feeder in County Sligo. They were at the feeder at the same time! > Description > of birds by non-birders seems to be accurate and reliable. I'm > following up this > record. Birders in County Sligo might keep an eye on their feeders. > > Tom >Subject: Re: Cape Clear pics From: steve wing <stevewing AT EIRCOM.NET> Date: Wed, 26 Nov 2008 17:15:52 -0000 Hi Eugene, Would love to have the story..... and soon?!!!! All the best, Steve ----- Original Message ----- From: "Eugene ARCHER"Subject: Cape Clear Natural History 1959 -2009 From: steve wing <stevewing AT EIRCOM.NET> Date: Wed, 26 Nov 2008 16:47:41 -0000 Hi All, Some time ago I asked if any were interested in putting together a few words to describe one of their good days on Cape.The project is now beginning to take shape and start trundling towards setting out the draft copy and I am looking for more 'good days'! Somebody out there must remember one or two days - even allowing for Cotters and CDM's! Please do get back to me soon if you want to contribute to the new book. For those who have already said you will, forgive me asking again ( and please start writing!) SteveSubject: Sligo GSW's From: Tom Cooney <tmcooney AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Wed, 26 Nov 2008 10:04:19 +0000 Hi. Have received report of two great spotted woodpeckers (last week) at garden feeder in County Sligo. They were at the feeder at the same time! Description of birds by non-birders seems to be accurate and reliable. I'm following up this record. Birders in County Sligo might keep an eye on their feeders. TomSubject: UK400 Club Rare Bird Alert for Tuesday 25 November 2008 From: Lee Evans <LGREUK400 AT AOL.COM> Date: Tue, 25 Nov 2008 15:02:15 EST This is the UK400 Club Rare Bird Alert for Tuesday 25 November 2008, issued at 1900 hours and published in association with Rare Bird Alert Pagers, whilst utilising additional information gleaned from BirdGuides, the Regional Birdlines, local email groups and websites and individual observers. The third SPOTTED SANDPIPER for Staffordshire, a juvenile, is showing well for its fourth day at Tittesworth Reservoir, favouring the dam. The first authenticated RED-BREASTED FLYCATCHER for Bedfordshire remains for a third day, showing well in Rotten Corner Coppice (at TL 060 247) at Leagrave Marsh in North Luton. The bird, a first-winter, was discovered by Jon Palmer an hour before dark on Sunday afternoon, feeding from the same line of tall trees in which it still remains today. DETAILED DIRECTIONS: From Leagrave Railway Station and the main Marsh Farm to Lewsey Farm road, take Sundon Park Road north on the east side of the railway and park on the right after 400 yards. Walk to your right then follow the brook for about 130 yards to where the two tributaries meet. The bird favours the tall trees in the small wood opposite and can be frequently seen darting out for insects over the river. It is also very vocal. Not that far away from the 'RBF' remain the family party of 4 TUNDRA BEAN GEESE at Cainhoe Lakes, east of Clophill (Beds), with two female Greater Scaup and a Red-breasted Merganser at Kempston Hardwick North Pit. A beautiful first-winter male DESERT WHEATEAR is present for a second day on Nigg Bay beach, Girdleness (Aberdeenshire), this being the same male as that seen over a week ago at Donmouth and Murcar. It is a wide ranging bird and was present early afternoon at Walker Park, 100 yards from the Higg Bay car park. In the Northern Isles, the presumed BROWN SHRIKE was relocated near Vallay Strand, North Uist (Outer Hebrides) yesterday, where it showed well in gardens and on fence lines WSW of Malaclete throughout much of the day. In the meantime, the North Ronaldsay (Orkney) large pipit was trapped today and confirmed as a RICHARD'S PIPIT, most likely of the form dauricus (many late or wintering birds are of this form and share some characteristics of Blyth's Pipit). An adult white morph SNOW GOOSE was seen for a second day in the Holywell Pond area (Northumberland), consorting with a flock of 80+ Pink-footed Geese, but despite searching, no white vagrant geese of any kind have yet to appear with the Norfolk Pinkfeet. ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARDS have certainly been attracting the crowds, with 3 birds (an adult and two juveniles) NE of Pocklington (East Yorks) at Millington Pastures, an adult between Farforth and Scramblesby (North Lincs) (viewable from the gate a mile south of Rowgate Hill Crossroads at TF 296 785) and the 2nd-winter male still north of Reed, two miles south of Royston (Herts). A further bird was seen at Leighton Moss RSPB (Lancs) on 22nd, with another in the Elmley/Capel Fleet area of Sheppey (North Kent). The first-winter SAXAUL GREY SHRIKE remains in residence at Grainthorpe Haven (North Lincs) (TA 392 002), performing tricks for its admirers in the vicinity of the small concrete bridge. This charming but exceedingly rare bird has now been enjoyed by over 4,000 visitors. The GREY PHALAROPE remains at Cley Marshes NWT (Norfolk) with another in the SW corner of Covenham Reservoir (North Lincs) (this latter location also hosting a Purple Sandpiper and a Long-tailed Duck) whilst in South Devon, the adult COMMON CRANE remains west of Modbury and south of the A379 at SX 638 516. A single EUROPEAN SERIN remains at Rainham Marsh RSPB (London), with a late first-winter COMMON ROSEFINCH in gardens and on feeders between Wellhouse Farm and the Charlie Hurley Centre in Whitburn (Durham). BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS abound with 53 in Portobello Road, Edinburgh (Lothian), 10 in Piershill Cemetery, Edinburgh (Lothian), 38 in Dalkeith (Lothian), 4 in Musselburgh (Lothian), 30 in Balerno (Lothian), a staggering 650+ in the Glasgow area (Clyde), 30 in Kilmarnock (Ayrshire), 70 in Dumfries (D & G), 25 in Carlisle (Cumbria), 7 in Keswick (Cumbria), 16 in Dalston (Cumbria), 35 in Preston (Lancs), 9 in Poulton-le-Fylde (Lancs), 4 in Clarence Road, Llandudno (Clwyd), 11 in Deganwy (Conwy), 25 in Spennymoor (Durham), 3 at Rumworth Lodge Reservoir (Gtr Manchester), 30 in Crosspol, Sheffield (South Yorks), 55 in Hull (East Yorks), 4 at Bestwood CP (Notts), 22 in Lincoln (Lincs) and 9 in Wednesfield (West Midlands). In SE England, 10 were seen in Pegwell Bay (Kent) briefly. GREAT NORTHERN DIVERS at freshwater sites include 2 at Rutland Water (Leics), 2 at Draycote Water (Warks), 2 at Farmoor Reservoir (Oxfordshire) and singles at Carsington Water (Derbyshire), Chasewater (Staffs) and at Bough Beech Reservoir (Kent). The drake LONG-TAILED DUCK remains on Ibsley Water (Hants). The CATTLE EGRET is still present at Urswick (Cumbria), in the field opposite the primary school at SD 265 739 with two more in fields half a mile east of Milnthorpe (Cumbria) and just north of Wasset in the field NE of the B6384 (view from the farm entrance at SD 507 812). An adult BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON visited the Royal Military Canal at West Hythe (Kent) on 22nd-23rd. Drake LESSER SCAUPS remain at Hogganfield Loch (Clyde), the A52 Pit at Holme Pierrpont (Notts) and Frampton Court Lake (Gloucs), with a female at the north end of Helston Loe Pool (Cornwall) but despite recent cold weather, the number of SMEW in Britain remains extremely low (with a drake in Lincolnshire and the odd redhead elsewhere). A first-winter RING-BILLED GULL has been present for several days now on Helston Boating Pond (Cornwall) WINTER FAVOURITES The adult winter RING-BILLED GULL is once again wintering (for its 8th consecutive year) at Walpole Park Pond, Gosport (Hants), showing well by the Boating Lake or on the neighbouring Haslar Creek at low tide. The beautiful drake HOODED MERGANSER continues its residency at Radipole Lake RSPB (Dorset), favouring the cut by the 'Concrete Bridge' and wandering as far south as the Gurkha Bridge, with the female SURF SCOTER offshore at Dawlish Warren (South Devon). The adult GLOSSY IBIS is present for its third winter season at Warton Marsh, east of Lytham St Annes (Lancs), favouring the pools and creeks immediately south of the caravan park. IRELAND A juvenile SPOTTED SANDPIPER is present for a second day at Giles's Quay (Co. Louth), with a female Ring-necked Duck on Lough Corrib at Angliham (Co. Galway). A late HOOPOE is at Traught Beach (Co. Galway) having been present for several days, with a BARRED WARBLER at Fethard (Co. Wexford). An impressive flock of 82 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS is feeding on shrubs and berries on Cromore Road, Coleraine (Co. Derry), with 4 still in Antrim (Co. Antrim) on Moylena Road Lee G R Evans British Birding Association UK400 Club, Rare Birds Magazine, Ornithological Consultant and Conservationist Discussion Forum/Email Group: _http://groups.yahoo.com/group/UK400Club/_ (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/UK400Club/) Rare Bird Alert: _http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RareBirdAlertforBritainandIreland_UK400ClubBBA/_ (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RareBirdAlertforBritainandIreland_UK400ClubBBA/) Email Address: LGREUK400 AT aol.com Website Address: _www.uk400clubonline.co.uk_ (http://www.uk400clubonline.co.uk/) Blog Sites: _http://uk400clubrarebirdalert.blogspot.com/_ (http://uk400clubrarebirdalert.blogspot.com/) _ http://birdingamersham.blogspot.com/_ (http://birdingamersham.blogspot.com/) _ http://birdingtringreservoirs.blogspot.com/_ (http://birdingtringreservoirs.blogspot.com/) http://calvertbirding.blogspot.com/ Chaffinch House 8 Sandycroft Road Little Chalfont Amersham Buckinghamshire England HP6 6QL Telephones: 01494 763010 and 01494 581157 Mobile/Text Alerts: 07881 906629 (Lee Evans Enterprises incorporate documentation of rare bird occurrences in Britain & Ireland and elsewhere in the Western Palearctic and in North America; Rare Bird Information and Rare Bird Alerts; Rare Birds Magazine and other related publications; Bird Tours for Birders)Subject: FYI From: Joseph Doolan <joseph AT INDIGO.IE> Date: Tue, 25 Nov 2008 19:51:25 -0000 FYI. http://reviews.photographyreview.com/blog/red-announces-epic-and-scarlet-dsmc-system/ Regards. JoeSubject: NIBA Bird Report From: Wilton Farrelly <wilton.farrelly AT NTLWORLD.COM> Date: Sun, 23 Nov 2008 10:29:28 -0000 The latest NIBA bird report has been published. It contains records for 2005 & 2006. There are also a number of colour phototographs and an obituary to Willie in it. NIBA members will receive it over the next few weeks (it is free to members). If anyone wants a copy please email me privately with your address. The cost is £6 or 8 Euro (cash \ stg cheque only). WiltonSubject: No sooner than Arctic winds blast down, an IVORY GULL turns up From: Lee Evans <LGREUK400 AT AOL.COM> Date: Fri, 21 Nov 2008 14:32:20 EST Bang on cue and most likely as a result of strong Northeasterly winds blowing down from the Arctic, an IVORY GULL has been reported on Shetland Mainland, in flight over Seafield in Lerwick. If confirmed, this will represent the first Ivory Gull of the year. Also in the Northern Isles, a pipit showing some characteristics of a Blyth's Pipit was seen this afternoon (and photographed) briefly on North Ronaldsay (Orkney). Again, this would represent a first 2008 record if confirmed. The first-winter SAXAUL GREY SHRIKE continues to survive at Grainthorpe Haven (North Lincs), still frequenting the fields adjacent to the small concrete bridge at TA 392 002. It is ridiculously confiding but please, for the welfare of the bird, refrain from baiting it with mealworms. It will come to rely on them and may well affect its ability to migrate. In North Yorkshire, the male TWO-BARRED CROSSBILL continues to visit the two peanut feeders by the isolated Garfit Farm in Bilsdale (North Yorkshire Moors) at NZ 563 030. Its visits are fairly regular and views afforded are excellent. Please park on the B1257 3 miles SE of Stokesley and walk the uphill track for just under a mile to the farm. In South Devon, the female SARDINIAN WARBLER remains typically elusively at Berry Head, Brixham, whilst the adult COMMON CRANE remains west of Modbury, favouring stubble fields south of the A379 at SX 638 516. The adult female SURF SCOTER remains off Langstone Rock, Dawlish Warren (South Devon) A marked influx of ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARDS includes 3 different individuals NE of Pocklington (East Yorks) at Millington Pastures (park sensibly and courteously along the narrow lane at SE 835 535), a 2nd-winter at Reed (Herts) and an adult at Farforth (North Lincs). The odd YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER is still around, with one still at the Hartlepool Headland (Cleveland) on 20th and another on Lower Moors, St Mary's (Scilly), whilst a single EUROPEAN SERIN continues to be seen at Rainham Marshes RSPB (London). In Hampshire, the regularly returning adult RED-BREASTED GOOSE has taken to grass-grazing again (as it did on several occasions last winter) and has been feeding with Canada Geese NW of the Balancing Pond on Pennington Marshes, whilst not that far away and to the east, a BLACK-THROATED DIVER is present for a 6th day by the Millenium Bridge in Gosport (Hants). The wonderfully-plumaged drake HOODED MERGANSER continues to draw admirers to Radipole Lake (Dorset), where this bird is consorting with resident Mallards and wintering wildfowl at the concrete bridge, half a mile north of the visitor centre. Recent weeks have seen a large influx of RED-CRESTED POCHARDS from Continental Europe, including 25 at Abberton Reservoir (Essex) and up to 25 at various inland localities, including 10 on Foxcote Reservoir (North Bucks) and 5 drakes at Tringford Reservoir, Tring (Herts). A first-winter drake AMERICAN WIGEON was with 45 Eurasian Wigeon at Lower Farm GP (Berks) on 19-20 November, whilst the drake FERRUGINOUS DUCK was again at Cosmeston Lakes CP (Glamorgan). A GREY PHALAROPE graced Simmonds Scrape, Cley NWT (Norfolk), throughout the day, with another at Covenham Reservoir east bank (North Lincs), but there was no sign of this week's bird on Hampton Park Lakes today. In Bedfordshire, the 4 TUNDRA BEAN GEESE were seen again at Cainhoe Lakes, Clophill, this morning, with a Dark-bellied Brent Goose for a third day in Kensington Gardens Round Pond (Central London). An adult SNOW GOOSE is with Greylag Geese at Craob Haven (Argyll). The CATTLE EGRET remains with cattle by the flooded field at Urswick (Cumbria) with the adult WHITE STORK still on floods at Glascoe Dubh (Isle of Man). There is still very large numbers of BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS in the country, with the largest numbers still in Scotland, with 300+ feeding on Rowan berries in Tillydrone Avenue, Aberdeen (Aberdeenshire), 20 in St Andrews (Fife), 22 in Grangemouth (Forth), 37 in King's Park, Longniddry (Lothian), 120 in Bathgate (Lothian), 37 in Joppa (Lothian), 26 in Gullane (Lothian), 30 in Ayr (Ayrshire), 15 in Dalmellington (Ayrshire), 60 in Dumfries (D & G), 50 at Corby Hill, Warwick Bridge, Carlisle (Cumbria), 19 by Arnside School (Cumbria), 100 in Penrith (Cumbria), 70 in Durham Road, Darwen (Lancs), 350+ in Jackson Way, Jarrow (Durham), 97 in Skipper's Lane Industrial Estate, Middlesbrough (Cleveland), 70 in Billingham (Cleveland), 10 at the Holy Trinity Rosehill School in Stockton-on-Tees (Cleveland), 45 in Halifax (West Yorks), 80 in Marfleet Lane, Hull (East Yorks), 12 at Scathoe Baths, Grimsby (Lincs), 21 in Tentercroft Street, Lincoln (Lincs), 14 in Thorpe St Andrew (Norfolk), 15 at Whitlingham CP, Norwich (Norfolk), 4 in Sutton-in-Ashfield (Notts) A first-winter LONG-TAILED DUCK remains on the Lancaster Canal, Conder Green (Lancs), favouring the Glasson Branch section 250 yards SE of the A588 (park at the Mill Inn car park at SD 461 554). The GREAT NORTHERN DIVER remains for its 5th day on Bough Beech Reservoir (Kent), with two juveniles still on Farmoor 2 Reservoir (Oxfordshire) and further singles at Chasewater (Staffs), Westbury (Wilts) and Welton Water (East Yorks), whilst inland RED-NECKED GREBES include singles at Grafham Water (Cambs) (feeding offshore of the Lagoons) and at Draycote Water (Warks). In IRELAND, 51 GREY PHALAROPES flew south past Kilcummin Head (Co. Mayo) on 20th, along with a single LITTLE AUK. The regular returning adult winter FORSTER'S TERN visited the rocks just east of Mutton Island Causeway, Nimmo's Pier, Galway Harbour (Co. Galway) at high tide today, whilst a very late PECTORAL SANDPIPER was at Loughbrickland (Co. Down). The BOHEMIAN WAXWING influx has reached Ireland, with one in Cabinteely, Dublin (Co. Dublin) and 8 in Moylena Road, Antrim (Co. Antrim). Two BLACK BRANTS remain in Dungarvan Harbour (Co. Waterford) The report of the Quoile Pondage Barrow's Goldeneye returning has so far been unsubstantiated. Lee G R Evans British Birding Association UK400 Club, Rare Birds Magazine, Ornithological Consultant and Conservationist Discussion Forum/Email Group: _http://groups.yahoo.com/group/UK400Club/_ (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/UK400Club/) Rare Bird Alert: _http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RareBirdAlertforBritainandIreland_UK400ClubBBA/_ (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RareBirdAlertforBritainandIreland_UK400ClubBBA/) Email Address: LGREUK400 AT aol.com Website Address: _www.uk400clubonline.co.uk_ (http://www.uk400clubonline.co.uk/) Blog Sites: _http://uk400clubrarebirdalert.blogspot.com/_ (http://uk400clubrarebirdalert.blogspot.com/) _ http://birdingamersham.blogspot.com/_ (http://birdingamersham.blogspot.com/) _ http://birdingtringreservoirs.blogspot.com/_ (http://birdingtringreservoirs.blogspot.com/) http://calvertbirding.blogspot.com/ Chaffinch House 8 Sandycroft Road Little Chalfont Amersham Buckinghamshire England HP6 6QL Telephones: 01494 763010 and 01494 581157 Mobile/Text Alerts: 07881 906629 (Lee Evans Enterprises incorporate documentation of rare bird occurrences in Britain & Ireland and elsewhere in the Western Palearctic and in North America; Rare Bird Information and Rare Bird Alerts; Rare Birds Magazine and other related publications; Bird Tours for Birders)Subject: Bird Atlas From: steve wing <stevewing AT EIRCOM.NET> Date: Fri, 21 Nov 2008 15:49:40 -0000 Hi All, Declan at BWI has asked me to put this out: "Guys, Put your birding to good use!! The National Bird Atlas is now well underway and in its second season - we need your sightings!!!! If you're going to the trouble of noting down your records somewhere, then please send them in - Bramblings, Slav's, Ruffs,Snow Buntings, Buzzards etc are all desperately needed (as well as the ubiquitous Dunnocks!!!!) So please put your birding to good use this winter and submit your sightings as Roving Records to the Atlas www.birdatlas.net or to Birdtrack (which will automatically feed into the Atlas). Both are easy and quick to use. You could also get more involved and take on a square. (It only requires two hours birding per season!!!!) If that's too much trouble then send your records in written form and post them to Brian Caffrey, BirdWatch Ireland, Crank House, Banagher, Co. Offaly or even just email them to him each Monday after you've been out over the weekend - bcaffrey AT birdwatchireland.ie Everyone likes to see accurate distribution maps and we'll all be using this Atlas in years to come. But it wont happen by magic - it needs YOUR help. I've even been sending in the Cape stuff - Choughs, divers...and Yellow Warbler, the works! This weekend would be a good time to start. So what's stopping you? Declan" Any thoughts? SteveSubject: Patch listing From: Owen Foley <pariah.owen AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Fri, 21 Nov 2008 15:23:14 +0000 Bubo listing have added an interesting patch and site list facility to their website for those interested. http://www.bubo.org/listing/BUBO-Listing-News/Patch-Lists.html Regards Owen -- In the beginning the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and has been widely regarded as a bad move. - Douglas AdamsSubject: Illustrated talk on birding NI From: Breffni Martin <bmartin AT REGINTEL.COM> Date: Fri, 21 Nov 2008 14:58:48 -0000 Hi folks Anthony McGeehan will do an illustrated talk Monday week (1st December) in the Spirit Store (upstairs) Dundalk Docks at 8pm. The talk will cover birding in Northern Ireland and Anthony has promised a few interesting tales as well. All are welcome! Please pass the information onto anybody who may be intersted. Best wishes BreffniSubject: Re: Misc From: steve wing <stevewing AT EIRCOM.NET> Date: Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:26:53 -0000 Funny you should say that.......! More to follow on next years competition(s) later, Have a good Christmas everyone!! Steve and Mary ----- Original Message ----- From: "Michael O'Keeffe"Subject: Buzzards From: Paul Lynch <paulllynch AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 20 Nov 2008 12:48:06 +0000 Hi All There was a total of 6 Buzzards at Rogerstown yesterday, but I thought the behavior of 3 was interesting. While one bird sat in a tree the other two proceeded fly up to the top of the tree and break off branches and then fly around with the branches in their talons. I suspect it was two males trying to impress a female but is this usual at this time of year? Regards Paul www.bwifingal.ieSubject: Fw: West Cork Whale Watch Tomorrow Thurs 20th From: Peter Wolstenholme <wolsten AT INDIGO.IE> Date: Wed, 19 Nov 2008 12:39:02 -0000 ----- Original Message ----- From: "Padraig Whooley"Subject: Re: Barrows From: Derek Charles <Derek AT METSTEEL.CO.UK> Date: Wed, 19 Nov 2008 10:04:59 -0000 The Barrows didn't return to the Quoile until the 24th November last year so plenty of time yet for a re appearance. I was at the Qouile on Saturday and around twenty Goldeneye were present. Also present was a Green Winged Teal off the Castle Island Hide among large numbers of Teal as well as 4 Scaup and 8 Pintail both of which are not common here. DerekSubject: free resource dedicated to RAW-based camera image quality From: Joseph Doolan <joseph AT INDIGO.IE> Date: Wed, 19 Nov 2008 07:28:34 -0000 FYI. A different perspective. http://www.dxomark.com/ Regards. JoeSubject: Re: Misc From: Michael O'Keeffe <okeeffeml AT EIRCOM.NET> Date: Tue, 18 Nov 2008 18:52:26 -0000 Fun competition and a handly earner for the tick jar - as if it were needed! Clearly there were those who took it seriously and went for relatively common migrants. Then there were those who went for the long odds (and the acclaim) of predicting a rare yank or eastern vagrant. Maybe it should be altered to a prediction of the rarest bird recorded on the island (not just ringed). That might shake up the odds a bit more and secure another crop of willing gamblers next year. You'll have Paddy Power opening a shop next! Regards Mike ----- Original Message ----- From: "steve wing"Subject: Re: Barrows From: craig nash <pluvius AT HOTMAIL.CO.UK> Date: Tue, 18 Nov 2008 15:22:01 +0000 WiltonLiving only 2 miles away from the pondage I go down almost dailyand have been looking out for the barrows to no avail. There are a few Goldeneyearound at the moment and one in particular seems to frequent the area near theyacht club but sadly it aint the Barrows. Maybe it has gone home to castle espiethis winter!!Craig> Date: Mon, 17 Nov 2008 18:12:40 +0000> From: wilton.farrelly AT NTLWORLD.COM> Subject: Barrows> To: IBN-L AT LISTSERV.HEANET.IE> > Just to be clear, the Barrows, as reported to Flightline has not been > confirmed.> > It was reported to Flightline on Saturday by the two persons who seen the > bird in question. They said it was distant and the light was poor and they > were not certain about its identity but they did see the bird first last > November. It was reported by us as possible and not confirmed. It seems to > have escalated into 'its back' on some of the information services in GB.> > Please correct me if anyone has information to the contrary.> > Wilton> > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Lee Evans"Subject: Re: Barrows From: irishbirdnews <irishbirdnews AT EIRCOM.NET> Date: Tue, 18 Nov 2008 10:15:33 -0000 Thanks Wilton, for the record, BINS carried the report as an unconfirmed sighting. Eric ----- Original Message ----- From: "Lee Evans"Subject: Re: Misc From: steve wing <stevewing AT EIRCOM.NET> Date: Tue, 18 Nov 2008 07:15:20 -0000 Hi Mike, Sadly no Yanks at the PO this year! Reed Warbler was in front almost from the first day and stayed there until the end, with Alan Horan netting (excuse the pun!) 140 euro. Same again next year, but this time we'll take in the spring as well. Predictions welcomed as of now - along with the cash of course!! Many thanks to everyone who took part, Steve ----- Original Message ----- From: "Michael O'Keeffe"Subject: Misc From: Michael O'Keeffe <okeeffeml AT EIRCOM.NET> Date: Mon, 17 Nov 2008 23:01:13 -0000 Steve, Who won the ringing quiz on Cape and what was the rarest catch? You did catch that Blackpoll Warbler didn't you? Regards Mike PS Who needs Spoon-billed Sandpiper when you've got Spoon-billed Ibis! http://www.surfbirds.com/blog/birdingitalynet/Subject: Re: Barrows From: Lee Evans <LGREUK400 AT AOL.COM> Date: Mon, 17 Nov 2008 13:57:05 EST Many thanks for this update Wilton - I didn't realise there was any doubt about it. As you say, it was reported as FACT on this side of the Irish Sea. Keep us updated Best wishes LeeSubject: Barrows From: Wilton Farrelly <wilton.farrelly AT NTLWORLD.COM> Date: Mon, 17 Nov 2008 18:12:40 -0000 Just to be clear, the Barrows, as reported to Flightline has not been confirmed. It was reported to Flightline on Saturday by the two persons who seen the bird in question. They said it was distant and the light was poor and they were not certain about its identity but they did see the bird first last November. It was reported by us as possible and not confirmed. It seems to have escalated into 'its back' on some of the information services in GB. Please correct me if anyone has information to the contrary. Wilton ----- Original Message ----- From: "Lee Evans"Subject: British Birding Association Rare Bird Alert for SUNDAY 16 NOVEMBER 2008 From: Lee Evans <LGREUK400 AT AOL.COM> Date: Sun, 16 Nov 2008 14:43:03 EST This is the British Birding Association and UK400 Club Rare Bird Alert for Sunday 16 November 2008, issued at 1900 hours and published in association with Rare Bird Alert Pagers and utilising additional information from the Regional Birdlines, BirdGuides, local email groups and websites and individual observers. Bird of the day was a stunning male SLATE-COLOURED JUNCO in the back garden of Steve Turville's parent's garden in East Coker (Somerset) at ST 536 130 - at 25 Mill Close (per Tim Farr). Although elusive, it showed well several times this afternoon in the Leylandill hedgerow alongside the house, as well as on the shed roof, where the family have very considerately placed some seed there to encourage the bird to feed out in the open. The bird was seen by about 30 local observers before dusk and photographed by James Packer. PLEASE PARK SENSIBLY AND COURTEOUSLY IN THE HOUSING ESTATE AND DO NOT BLOCK DRIVES. RESPECT ALL PRIVACY OF RESIDENTS AND DO NOT VISIT BEFORE 0800 HOURS. It represents the second Somerset record. In North Lincolnshire, the extremely tame and confiding first-winter SAXAUL GREY SHRIKE remains at Grainthorpe Haven, favouring the stubble field and hedgerow adjacent to the small concrete bridge at TA 392 002, whilst Reighton's first-winter female PIED WHEATEAR relocated slightly further south at Bempton Cliffs RSPB (East Yorks). In North Yorkshire, the beautiful male TWO-BARRED CROSSBILL continues to visit the two peanut feeders at Garfit Farm in Bilsdale (North Yorkshire Moors), showing well at regular intervals and fighting for its place at the feeder with Coal, Great and Blue Tits. Park sensibly and courteously at the side of the B1257 and walk the 0.75 mile access road uphill to the farm. An elusive female SARDINIAN WARBLER is in the first bushes beyond the car park left of the main track at Berry Head, Brixham (South Devon), with a RICHARD'S PIPIT at Porthgwarra (Cornwall). The first twitchable ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD in 34 years for Hertfordshire involves a juvenile for its second day in Red-legged Partridge shooting fields just north of Reed village, 2 miles south of Royston. The bird is favouring the game crop to the west of the A10 at TL 355 274 and can be viewed from the track to Hatchpen, 200 yards along the road towards Barkdale. Park sensibly on the verge just before the Hatchpen entrance and walk down the lane 500 yards to view. A juvenile Hen Harrier is also in the vicinity, as well as Red Kite, Peregrine and several Common Buzzards. In Cambridgeshire, a juvenile AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER is present for a third day amongst 832 European Golden Plovers on the sludge lagoon pools at Barleycraft GP, whilst another was identified in Hamford Water (Essex) early afternoon only, in fields inland of the sea wall west of Beaumont Quay. An adult drake SURF SCOTER was a superb find by Maurice Jones in Lancashire this morning, offshore at Starr Gate, Blackpool, from 0950-1125 hours with 3 Velvet Scoters. It flew off north. A first-year unringed WHITE STORK is present for a third day in flooded fields on the south side of Glascoe Dubh (SC 447 989) on the Isle of Man and may well have been the bird seen last week (Monday) NE of Fort Augustus at Gorthleck over Loch Mhor (Highland). A GREY PHALAROPE remains for a 4th day on the Rick Pond at Hampton Court Pond (London), showing extremely well to allcomers (park in Church Grove and walk 800 metres to the pond at TQ 172 680), whilst at the east end of London, 4 first-winter EUROPEAN SERINS, 2 Dartford Warblers, 2 Water Pipits and at least 7 Scandinavian Rock Pipits remain at Rainham Marshes RSPB. In Ayrshire, the GREY PHALAROPE remains off Stevenston Point. BOHEMIAN WAXWING flocks seem to be everywhere, with 40 in King Brude Road in Inverness (Highland), 53 in Kingussie (Speyside), 60 in Stonehaven (Aberdeenshire), 120 on Abbotshall Drive, Cults (Aberdeenshire), 7 at Montrose Basin (Angus), 6 in Kilmany (Fife), 9 in Dalgety Bay (Fife), 36 in Grangemouth (Forth), 30 in Whiting Bay, Isle of Arran (Clyde), 53 in Helensburgh (Clyde), 11 in Motherwell (Clyde), 230 in Saltcoats (Ayrshire), 101 in Largs (Ayrshire), 41 in Ardrossan (Ayrshire), 2 in Kilmarnock (Ayrshire), 1 in Bell Close Car Park, Keswick (Cumbria), 10 in Whalley (Lancs), 6 on Whalley Road, Barrow (Lancs), 26 around the leisure centre car park in Morpeth (Northumberland), 50 at the end of Saxon Way, Jarrow (Durham), 33 in the Horsley Road area, Barmston (Durham), 2 in Burton-in-Lonsdale (North Yorks), 13 at Wortley Recreation Ground, Leeds (West Yorks), 28 in Ilkley (West Yorks), 4 at Fairburn Ings RSPB (West Yorks), 4 on the A57 at Crosspool, Sheffield (South Yorks), 35 in Hull (East Yorks), 1 at Worlaby Carrs (Lincs), 1 in Grove Lane, Holt (Norfolk), 11 opposite the water tower on the A1152 at Rendlesham (Suffolk), 1 in London Road car park in Ipswich (Suffolk), 1 in Holywell Lane, Fen Drayton (Cambs) and 7 at The Lodge RSPB, Sandy (Beds). A BLACK GUILLEMOT was off Cley Coastguards and Blakeney Point Halfway House (North Norfolk) this morning (presumably the first-winter which has been offshore in the area all autumn). An adult drake LONG-TAILED DUCK was again present in the SW corner of Ibsley Water, Blashford Lakes HWT (Hants), with the juvenile still north of the causeway at Blithfield Reservoir (Staffs) Three GREAT NORTHERN DIVERS are now on Draycote Water (Warks), with the RED-NECKED GREBE still there (see images above), with 3 more on Carsington Water (Derbyshire), where also 7 Common Scoters remain. Two further juvenile GREAT NORTHERN DIVERS are on freshwater on the Long Pits at Rye Harbour NR (East Sussex), with the very confiding juvenile still on West Kirby Marine Lake (Cheshire). Grafham Water (Cambs) also retains its juvenile GREAT NORTHERN DIVER (off Marlow Car Park), its RED-NECKED GREBE (off the Lagoons) and juvenile Common Scoter (off Mander Car Park), whilst Bedfordshire today yielded the long-staying juvenile Red-breasted Merganser on Grovebury Quarry, Leighton Buzzard, with another with two Greater Scaup at Coronation Pit. Rutland Water (Leics) has GREAT NORTHERN DIVER (in Whitwell Creek), BLACK-THROATED DIVER (off Dam) and SLAVONIAN GREBE (from Gadwall Hide). Wintering NORTHERN GREY SHRIKES include singles at Wykeham Forest (North Yorks), Wishmoor Bottom (Berks), Bellever Forest (Devon) and at Arne RSPB (Dorset) In terms of wildfowl, BLACK BRANTS are at Titchwell Marsh RSPB (Norfolk) and Ferrybridge, Portland Harbour (Dorset) (2), whilst the regular adult RED-BREASTED GOOSE is again with Dark-bellied Brent Geese on Butts Lagoon, Pennington Marshes (Hants). The 2nd-winter drake KING EIDER remains off Appledore (North Devon). The adult drake LESSER SCAUP continues with Tufted Ducks on the A52 Pit/Blotts Pit at Holme Pierrpont (Notts), with a 'new' first-winter drake NE of Harbour Road and south of the railway at Lydney Lakes (Gloucs) and an adult female on Helston Boating Lake (Cornwall). A drake FERRUGINOUS DUCK is present for a second day at Cosmeston Lakes CP on the West Lake (Glamorgan) whilst the long-staying drake American Green-winged Teal remains at Capringstone Flash (Ayrshire). The drake Hooded Merganser in all its splendour continues to delight admirers at Radipole Lake RSPB (Dorset), with an adult female SURF SCOTER off the Langstone Rock at Dawlish Warren NNR (South Devon). A further female SURF SCOTER is at Hough Bay, Tiree (Argyll), the same island hosting a drake RING-NECKED DUCK on Loch Bhasapol. The female RING-NECKED DUCK remains on the Great Broad at Whitlingham CP, Norwich (Norfolk), with the regular drake at Foxcote Reservoir (North Bucks). An adult RING-BILLED GULL is at Carsington Water (Derbyshire), with the regular bird at Walpole Park Lake/Haslar Creek, Gosport (Hants), with the 2nd-winter still at Lamby Lake (Glamorgan) (ST 217 784). The long-staying 2nd-winter Glaucous Gull was again at Donna Nook (Lincs) with a 2nd-winter KUMLIEN'S GULL at Skateraw (Lothian) on 15th. In Poole Harbour (Dorset), the 15 wintering EURASIAN SPOONBILLS remain, with the ever-present adult GLOSSY IBIS again at Marshside Marsh RSPB (Lancs) and the French-origin colour-ringed adult GREAT WHITE EGRET at Mockbeggar Lake, Blashford (Hants). A HUME'S LEAF WARBLER was present at the Loch of Strathbeg RSPB (Aberdeenshire) yesterday, as was the first BLUE-WINGED TEAL of the year in Britain - an adult drake at Back Saltholme Pool (Cleveland). The latter site also yielded a CATTLE EGRET on 14-15. A SIBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF is in Sallows and scrub behind the Water Lane Sports Centre in Lowestoft (Suffolk) The adult WHITE-BILLED DIVER still retaining some breeding plumage remains in Water Sound, Burray (Orkney) In IRELAND, the drake BARROW'S GOLDENEYE has reappeared for a third winter at the Quoile Pondage NR (Co. Down), with a first-winter LESSER YELLOWLEGS is at Clonakilty (Co. Cork) and drake American Green-winged Teals at the Quoile Pondage (Co. Down), at Kilcoole NR (Co. Wicklow) and in Inchydoney Bay (Co. Cork). Lee G R Evans British Birding Association UK400 Club, Rare Birds Magazine, Ornithological Consultant and Conservationist Discussion Forum/Email Group: _http://groups.yahoo.com/group/UK400Club/_ (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/UK400Club/) Rare Bird Alert: _http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RareBirdAlertforBritainandIreland_UK400ClubBBA/_ (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RareBirdAlertforBritainandIreland_UK400ClubBBA/) Email Address: LGREUK400 AT aol.com Website Address: _www.uk400clubonline.co.uk_ (http://www.uk400clubonline.co.uk/) Blog Sites: _http://uk400clubrarebirdalert.blogspot.com/_ (http://uk400clubrarebirdalert.blogspot.com/) _ http://birdingamersham.blogspot.com/_ (http://birdingamersham.blogspot.com/) _ http://birdingtringreservoirs.blogspot.com/_ (http://birdingtringreservoirs.blogspot.com/) http://calvertbirding.blogspot.com/ Chaffinch House 8 Sandycroft Road Little Chalfont Amersham Buckinghamshire England HP6 6QL Telephones: 01494 763010 and 01494 581157 Mobile/Text Alerts: 07881 906629 (Lee Evans Enterprises incorporate documentation of rare bird occurrences in Britain & Ireland and elsewhere in the Western Palearctic and in North America; Rare Bird Information and Rare Bird Alerts; Rare Birds Magazine and other related publications; Bird Tours for Birders)Subject: CAVE SWALLOWS IN NEW BRUNSWICK AND NEWFOUNDLAND From: Lee Evans <LGREUK400 AT AOL.COM> Date: Sun, 16 Nov 2008 12:38:29 EST At least 13 CAVE SWALLOWS have occurred in NE North America in the past week giving rise to the possibility that individuals may make further landfall in Europe, perhaps in Ireland or Britain. Brian Small has provided an excellent summary of identification criteria highlighting the differences between American Cliff Swallow and American Cave Swallow (see below) Cave vs Cliff ____________________________________ Cave vs Cliff Swallow Just to aid those that might be out there searching for that Cave Swallow, below is a list of features to look for, plus some links to photos of the two species. Cave Swallow has a number of different populations, so I will stick to that which is likely to appear in UK, ie that which occurs in Texas and New Mexico pallida (the differences between this and other populations is relatively slight and largely revolves around the extent and strength of rufous). Cliff Swallow also has various subspecies, but the most widespread and northerly is pyrrhonata. The area you will need to concentrate on most is the head. Cave Swallow is slighty smaller (but this is unlikely to help much with a lone vagrant), the paler rufous or orange throat and cheeks, extending onto the hindneck as a collar, contrast with the dark cap and ‘mask’ – on young birds the orange colour can be a dirty cream or buff; the forehead is also rufous and more extensive than Cliff. _http://www.schmoker.org/BirdPics/Photos/Swallows/CASW2.jpg _ (http://www.schmoker.org/BirdPics/Photos/Swallows/CASW2.jpg) _http://www.pbase.com/ngannet/cave_swallow _ (http://www.pbase.com/ngannet/cave_swallow) Cliff Swallow has the ear coverts often deep chestnut (adults) or dark brown (flecked) on young birds, and the throat is also darker (though sometimes a little paler), thereby contrasting less with the dark crown, forming a ‘hooded ’ effect. The hindneck is greyer and on adults the forehead patch is white, whilst on first-autumn birds it is pale off-white or creamy. _http://www.schmoker.org/BirdPics/CLSW.html_ (http://www.schmoker.org/BirdPics/CLSW.html) _http://www.bobsteelephoto.com/Species/clsw.html _ (http://www.bobsteelephoto.com/Species/clsw.html) _http://www.pbase.com/gtepke/cliff_swallow_ (http://www.pbase.com/gtepke/cliff_swallow) - great shots of an adult in flight _http://www.pbase.com/dancinec/cliff_swallow_ (http://www.pbase.com/dancinec/cliff_swallow) - a young bird Possible hybrid CavexCliff _http://www.pbase.com/sloughbirder/cavelike_swallow _ (http://www.pbase.com/sloughbirder/cavelike_swallow) Cave Swallows often appear in NE America in mid November as they vacate the breeding areas late, so this is the prime time for possible vagrants in Europe. A good article by Julian Hough, ‘Identification of Cliff Swallow and Cave Swallow’, is in Birding World 13: 368-374.Subject: Re: Fwd: A Request From: Phil Davis <phildavis AT IOL.IE> Date: Sat, 15 Nov 2008 11:49:12 +0000 Hi Rick, I would be prepared to do it in Ballycotton. Phil. www.artofphildavis.com -------Original Message------- From: richard mundy Date: 11/13/08 18:38:55 To: IBN-L AT LISTSERV.HEANET.IE Subject: Fwd: A Request Dear all, I have been asked to lead a 'birding day' (actually 3 or 4 hours) for Cork Irish Wildlife Trust members (generally non-birders) in January and I can't really commit to it as I might be out of the country. Would anyone else be willing to do it? The date is flexible, any weekend in January. Location is also flexible, anywhere locally, Cork Harbour, Roscarbery, Ballycotton, Clonakilty, anywhere in Co Cork with plenty of birds. Obviously we can't say for sure but I would imagine there will be between about 15 and 30 people wanting to attend. If anyone is up for it could they get back to me as quickly as possible as IWT need to know whether to include it in a newsletter that is going out very soon. If anyone can think of anyone else not on IBN please forward this on to them. Thanks very much for your time, Rick MundySubject: Re: waxwings From: "Fitzpatrick, Dara" <d.fitzpatrick AT UCC.IE> Date: Fri, 14 Nov 2008 11:51:18 -0000 I'm pretty sure I've just seen a flock of 30 waxwings fly over Crosshaven here in Cork! I'll try to locate them. A Ring Ouzel was seen yesterday just north of Charleville also. Regards, Dara ________________________________ From: Irish Bird Network on behalf of Derek Charles Sent: Fri 14/11/2008 09:58 To: IBN-L AT LISTSERV.HEANET.IE Subject: Re: waxwings Evan, Only three single birds in Northern Ireland so far but i would expect more in the next few weeks considering the numbers currently in Scotland. Derek ________________________________ From: Irish Bird Network on behalf of Evan Salholm Sent: Fri 14/11/2008 11:03 To: IBN-L AT LISTSERV.HEANET.IE Subject: waxwings Seven waxwings,with wind-blown crests, in tree at end of our garden at 8 this morning.We live in Drumcondra,a couple of miles from Dublin city centre. I'll be checking out Corpus Christi church yard at lunch-time. I presume there we are now experiencing an invasion which has already been seen in Scotland & northern England? EvanSubject: Re: Irish Birds Volume 8 No 3 From: Lee Evans <LGREUK400 AT AOL.COM> Date: Fri, 14 Nov 2008 06:43:39 EST In a message dated 14/11/2008 11:31:30 GMT Standard Time, stevewing AT EIRCOM.NET writes: Papers include The status of Twite in Ireland 2008, What were the conclusions made in this paper. What percentage reduction has there been in population in the past 20 years? Best wishes LeeSubject: Irish Birds Volume 8 No 3 From: steve wing <stevewing AT EIRCOM.NET> Date: Fri, 14 Nov 2008 11:30:33 -0000 Irish Birds Vol 8 No. 3. Irish Birds is annual Journal of BirdWatch Ireland. Key Members of BirdWatch Ireland receive a complimentary copy by post. Papers include The status of Twite in Ireland 2008, Aspects of the breeding biology of Hen Harriers in Ireland, the results of the Irish Wetland Birds Survey (I-WeBS) 2006/07 and abstracts of the 5th Ornithological Research Conference, UCC November 2008. The Seventh Annual Report of the Irish Rare Breeding Birds Panel, covering 2007 and The Irish Rare Bird Report for both 2005 and 2006 also appear in this issue, as well as The Irish Ringing Report for 2007. Available online at http://shop.birdwatchireland.ie/birdwatchireland/product_info.php?products_id=682 Declan Murphy Sales and Administration BirdWatch Ireland Unit 1 Springmount Newtownmountkennedy Co. Wicklow Telephone: 00353-1-2819878 Fax: 00353-1-2810997 http://www.birdwatchireland.ieSubject: Re: waxwings From: Breffni Martin <bmartin AT REGINTEL.COM> Date: Fri, 14 Nov 2008 11:19:22 -0000 I had a flock of 15 to 20 birds near Dundalk docks yesterday... Breffni ----- Original Message ----- From: "Derek Charles"Subject: Re: waxwings From: Derek Charles <Derek AT METSTEEL.CO.UK> Date: Fri, 14 Nov 2008 09:58:34 -0000 Evan, Only three single birds in Northern Ireland so far but i would expect more in the next few weeks considering the numbers currently in Scotland. Derek ________________________________ From: Irish Bird Network on behalf of Evan Salholm Sent: Fri 14/11/2008 11:03 To: IBN-L AT LISTSERV.HEANET.IE Subject: waxwings Seven waxwings,with wind-blown crests, in tree at end of our garden at 8 this morning.We live in Drumcondra,a couple of miles from Dublin city centre. I'll be checking out Corpus Christi church yard at lunch-time. I presume there we are now experiencing an invasion which has already been seen in Scotland & northern England? EvanSubject: waxwings From: Evan Salholm <Evan.Salholm AT SPD.DCU.IE> Date: Fri, 14 Nov 2008 11:03:35 -0000 Seven waxwings,with wind-blown crests, in tree at end of our garden at 8 this morning.We live in Drumcondra,a couple of miles from Dublin city centre. I'll be checking out Corpus Christi church yard at lunch-time. I presume there we are now experiencing an invasion which has already been seen in Scotland & northern England? EvanSubject: UK400 Club Rare Bird Alert for Thursday 13 November 2008 From: Lee Evans <LGREUK400 AT AOL.COM> Date: Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:42:59 EST This is the UK400 Club Rare Bird Alert for Thursday 13 November 2008, issued at 2100 hours and published in association with Rare Bird Alert Pagers whilst utilising additional information gleaned from the Regional Birdlines, BirdGuides, local email groups and websites and individual observers. On the Isles of Scilly, the first-winter SNOWY OWL reappeared today, favouring the desolate Porthminnick and Giant's Castle area of St Mary's, whilst in South Devon, a female SARDINIAN WARBLER was seen twice at Berry Head, Brixham, on 12th (Mike Langman et al). Quite surprisingly, the latter is a massive Devon blocker and was seen by just 17 birders all told. It also coincided with the first twitchable Devon Barred Warbler in six years. A first-winter male DESERT WHEATEAR was an excellent record at Instow (North Devon) on 11th November. In Northumberland, the first-winter RED-FLANKED BLUETAIL remains on Holy Island, favouring the Vicar's Garden and adjacent Churchyard, where it shows well on occasions, whilst the first-winter SAXAUL GREY SHRIKE continues to attract admirers at Grainthorpe Haven (TA 392 002) in North Lincolnshire (park at Horse Shoe Point car park and walk 1.5 miles SE to view). Nearby, the first-winter female DESERT WHEATEAR continues at Saltfleet Haven, with the first-winter female PIED WHEATEAR still at Reighton Sands Holiday Camp, south of Filey (North Yorks). The first-winter male DESERT WHEATEAR present near Newbiggin (Northumberland) in recent days was not seen today. A HUME'S LEAF WARBLER remains in Willows by the toilet block on St Mary's Island (Northumberland) with late-ish Yellow-browed Warblers at Croir Croft Garden, Great Bernera, Lewis (Outer Hebrides), in Norwich (Norfolk) (in Lakenham suburb), at Holme NOA (Norfolk), Pakefield (Suffolk), Shingle Street (Suffolk) and trapped and ringed at Nanjizal (West Cornwall). The beautiful male TWO-BARRED CROSSBILL continues to visit the two peanut feeders either side of Garfit Farm in Bilsdale (North Yorkshire Moors), showing up for up to 25 minutes at a time at least twice a day. Park sensibly on the verge on the west side of the B1257 and walk the 0.75 miles uphill along the entrance to the farm. Parking is limited at the farm and should only be used by the infirm or elderly. At Rainham Marsh RSPB Reserve (London), up to 7 EUROPEAN SERINS are now being seen, including an adult male and 6 first-winters. One is regularly visiting the feeders by the Information Centre, with the others on embankment weeds just under a mile west of the centre. A single TWITE is also still with the mobile Linnet flock (Howard Vaughan, et al). A late Curlew Sandpiper also visited the reserve today, visiting Aveley Pools. A first-winter GREY PHALAROPE remains for a third day on flooded fields adjacent to Radwell Bridge, whilst elsewhere in the Midlands, the first-winter RED-NECKED GREBE and 2 GREAT NORTHERN DIVERS remain at Draycote Water (Warks) On the coast, a further GREY PHALAROPE shows very well just south of Stevenston Point (Ayrshire). Further GREAT NORTHERN DIVERS inland include juveniles at West Kirby Marine Lake (Wirral), Welton Water (East Yorks), Staines Reservoirs South Basin (Surrey) and two on Farmoor Reservoir (Oxon). The juvenile AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER was again with 2,000+ European Golden Plovers SE of East Harling (Norfolk) and north of the Lopham road in fields by Flint Hill Farm TUNDRA BEAN GEESE have been arriving in reasonable numbers, with 10 in East Kent at the weekend followed by two adults at Belvide Reservoir (Staffs) (still present today) and a party of four at Cainhoe Lakes, Clophill (Beds). A CATTLE EGRET flew NW over Sunk Island, adjacent to the River Humber (East Yorks), at 1030 hours, with another in flooded fields adjacent to Church Road, Ulswick (Cumbria) until late afternoon (it roosted in trees at Urswick Tarn). View from the eastern side of the tarn at SD 270 774. A female Ring-necked Duck remains for a third day on Whitlingham GP Great Broad, Norwich (Norfolk), whilst the only Smew in the country (a redhead) was at Tophill Low 'O' Reservoir (East Yorks). The 2nd-winter drake KING EIDER remains at Appledore (North Devon), with a first-winter drake off Hartlepool Headland (Cleveland) on 12th., whilst a very confiding female LESSER SCAUP remains on Helston Boating Lake (Cornwall). A juvenile ROSE-COLOURED STARLING is present in Newquay (Cornwall), favouring gardens in Penhallow Road at SW 832 621 (please respect the privacy of residents) In Dorset, two adult BLACK BRANTS, 19 Pale-bellied Brent Geese and 1,500 Dark-bellied Brent Geese remain at Ferrybridge, Portland Harbour. After the huge excitement of the autumn, birding in IRELAND has largely quietened down, with a juvenile AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER at Omey Strand (Co. Galway) and two juvenile SURF SCOTERS off Doonbeg Beach (Co. Clare). Lee G R Evans British Birding Association UK400 Club, Rare Birds Magazine, Ornithological Consultant and Conservationist Discussion Forum/Email Group: _http://groups.yahoo.com/group/UK400Club/_ (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/UK400Club/) Rare Bird Alert: _http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RareBirdAlertforBritainandIreland_UK400ClubBBA/_ (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RareBirdAlertforBritainandIreland_UK400ClubBBA/) Email Address: LGREUK400 AT aol.com Website Address: _www.uk400clubonline.co.uk_ (http://www.uk400clubonline.co.uk/) Blog Sites: _http://uk400clubrarebirdalert.blogspot.com/_ (http://uk400clubrarebirdalert.blogspot.com/) _ http://birdingamersham.blogspot.com/_ (http://birdingamersham.blogspot.com/) _ http://birdingtringreservoirs.blogspot.com/_ (http://birdingtringreservoirs.blogspot.com/) http://calvertbirding.blogspot.com/ Chaffinch House 8 Sandycroft Road Little Chalfont Amersham Buckinghamshire England HP6 6QL Telephones: 01494 763010 and 01494 581157 Mobile/Text Alerts: 07881 906629 (Lee Evans Enterprises incorporate documentation of rare bird occurrences in Britain & Ireland and elsewhere in the Western Palearctic and in North America; Rare Bird Information and Rare Bird Alerts; Rare Birds Magazine and other related publications; Bird Tours for Birders)Subject: Fwd: A Request From: richard mundy <ruckrick AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 13 Nov 2008 18:37:42 +0000 Dear all, I have been asked to lead a 'birding day' (actually 3 or 4 hours) for Cork Irish Wildlife Trust members (generally non-birders) in January and I can't really commit to it as I might be out of the country. Would anyone else be willing to do it? The date is flexible, any weekend in January. Location is also flexible, anywhere locally, Cork Harbour, Roscarbery, Ballycotton, Clonakilty, anywhere in Co Cork with plenty of birds. Obviously we can't say for sure but I would imagine there will be between about 15 and 30 people wanting to attend. If anyone is up for it could they get back to me as quickly as possible as IWT need to know whether to include it in a newsletter that is going out very soon. If anyone can think of anyone else not on IBN please forward this on to them. Thanks very much for your time, Rick Mundy |