A hint of Red Flanked Bluetail

I took a welcome break from decorating the new extension to have a day out birding with the lads; Shaun, Hawky, Jono and Bradders Jnr, in Suffolk.

First stop was the now long staying, and very smart, Red Flanked Bluetail, in Lowerstoft, Suffolk. Luckily we located the bird, which showed well on and off, quickly and enjoyed great views. I have now been lucky enough to see three of these cracking little birds, with this one probably being the brightest in colour.

Next stop Reydon for Rough Legged Buzzard. After a lot of searching and waiting eventually we were rewarded with distant views. A pleasant surprise were 2 Waxwings, my first of the winter.

On to a long walk along Southwold beach for Shore Larks. 10 were reported, we saw 3. A flock of Twite were seen on route, and on the way back Hawky spotted a Short Eared Owl coming in off the sea being harassed by gulls.

We gave the Great Grey Shrikes a go at Westleton Heath with no joy, with a few Dartford Warblers seen.

A great day as usual with some of Essex's finest!

Red KIte Cafe

If you are a fan of bacon sarnies and/or Red Kites, get yourself down to Chris' cafe, in Stockenchurch, Bucks. At 12pm each day (closed Sundays) scraps are thrown out into the car park and a Red Kite feeding bonanza ensues, providing plenty of photo opportunities. Enjoy!

Shetland Birds - October 2010

A few pictures from my recent trip to Shetland. A fantastic trip that included 6 life ticks (see post below) and many other good birds.

Lanceolated Warbler - Unst

Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll - Unst

Glaucous Gull - Lerwick

Buff Breasted Sandpiper - Eshaness

Red Breasted Flycatcher - Out Skerries

Black Headed Bunting - Out Skerries

Citrine Wagtail - Out Skerries

Black Guillimots - Vidalin

Otters - Vidalin

Raddes Warbler - Sumburgh

Shetland update - six of the best!

Six days, six ticks! The highlights: (new birds) Sykes Warbler; Swainsons Thrush; Black Headed Bunting; Buff Bellied Pipit; Hornemanns Arctic Redpoll and Lanceolated Warbler! As well as this impressive bunch also seen were Citrine Wagtail, two Buff Breasted Sandpipers, Red Breasted Flycatcher, Barred Warbler, Yellow Browed Warblers, Raddes Warbler, Glaucous Gull and Short Toed Lark. Four Otters were also seen well.
Full trip report to follow soon.

Shetland Bound

Does anyone know where I can by a re inforced umbrella? Tomorrow I am off to Shetland with a few of the lads and apparently Mr Weatherforcasterman is saying Shetland is going to be battered today and tomorrow with at least a million mile an hour south/easterlies, and therefore Mr UK400man is suggesting that we will be triping over megas. This being the case I expect to have common muck such as Barred warblers, Rosefinches, Bluethroats, Yellow Browdes, PG Tips etc raining out of the heavens, hence the need for the umbrella.

So far, bar the Norfolk yankee flycatcher sp. it has gone somewhat spectacularly wrong this autumn bird wise, missing out on lifers; Arctic Warbler, Isabaline Shrike and Icky (yes I still need icky!) so I am hoping to put it all right with a haul of megas on Shetland so impressive, you could put a tail on it and call it a weasel! (I love Blackadder as well as birding)

Watch this space!