Catching up.
Posted 09-11-10 at 08:07 AM by Dave H
It's quite a while since my last entry and since my last forum entry.
Seems that I don't have much to report, but that's only because our sightings are run-of-the-mill.
Some highlights of the year since my last entry are probably the Crossbills near Loch Sunart, Cuckoos and various warblers around the same area.
We were feeling hard done to when walk after walk, we failed to see a Kingfisher other than in rapid transit. This was remedied almost accidentally when we happened upon a pair lit up in brilliant sunlight, not more that 20 yards from us on a river bank almost under the M6 in Lancs.
For a best of the year (so far), we were thrilled to watch Wood Warblers do their dance and song routine in the foliage of the Oak woods in Sunart.
During a visit (work) down near Crawley I went to an RSPB reserve nearby and had very good sightings of Green Woodpecker and, courtesy of the birders there, a Redstart and Lesser Whitethroat.
It feels like a move to a "Lesser" anything is an advancement. Makes my wife jealous.
And, talking of jealousy and irrational behaviour, last night on TV we watched that birding programme about (top) twitchers. Oh my! And we thought that birding could be an inexpensive and pleasant pastime! some of those have it bad!
Seems that I don't have much to report, but that's only because our sightings are run-of-the-mill.
Some highlights of the year since my last entry are probably the Crossbills near Loch Sunart, Cuckoos and various warblers around the same area.
We were feeling hard done to when walk after walk, we failed to see a Kingfisher other than in rapid transit. This was remedied almost accidentally when we happened upon a pair lit up in brilliant sunlight, not more that 20 yards from us on a river bank almost under the M6 in Lancs.
For a best of the year (so far), we were thrilled to watch Wood Warblers do their dance and song routine in the foliage of the Oak woods in Sunart.
During a visit (work) down near Crawley I went to an RSPB reserve nearby and had very good sightings of Green Woodpecker and, courtesy of the birders there, a Redstart and Lesser Whitethroat.
It feels like a move to a "Lesser" anything is an advancement. Makes my wife jealous.
And, talking of jealousy and irrational behaviour, last night on TV we watched that birding programme about (top) twitchers. Oh my! And we thought that birding could be an inexpensive and pleasant pastime! some of those have it bad!
Total Comments 4
Comments
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Good to read of your latest sightings Dave,we always think of Kingfishers living in quiet serene surroundings don't we.......and yours were that close to the M6!
I've yet to see a Lesser Whitethroat.....I must try harder next Spring!
You might like to read this thread from the forum re the Twitcher TV prog!Posted 09-11-10 at 08:55 AM by Twitcheruth
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Hi Dave, nice to see you back!
I'd be more than happy with any of those birds on your list. I came close to a Wood Warbler earlier in the year - heard it, got an ID, but couldn't find it again!
Glad you got your Kingfisher in the end.Posted 10-11-10 at 01:41 PM by alanjns
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You're right about the serious twitchers. Totally shocked at some of their behaviours and the money they spend just travelling.
What do they do when ther's no rare birds spotted LOL
I would love to watch the great crested grebes do thier mating ritual.Posted 21-11-10 at 06:37 PM by Maggie28
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Have you been watching Birds Britannia Maggie? Working nights I miss all these shows, but I was catching up on BBC iplayer and episode 2 has loads of footage of GCGrebes doing the mating dance. I was lucky enough to see a pair doing it at Mere Sands Wood last year - some pics in my album of same name - really need a video for this though!!!
Sorry to hijack your blog Dave!!Posted 23-11-10 at 09:32 AM by alanjns
