tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-270621489937496942024-03-14T15:08:21.308+00:00Sissinghurst Birds etc...This is an attempt to share some of the sightings of birds and various other wildlife that can be seen around the National Trust property here at Sissinghurst in Kent, plus some accounts of trips further afield.Alan Paveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09286527051679271536noreply@blogger.comBlogger351125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27062148993749694.post-10474324417083117262018-11-14T20:57:00.001+00:002018-11-14T20:57:13.261+00:00Canada 2018 - Ending the day at Hillman Marsh <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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With Stephen again at the wheel we headed west towards Point Pelee, it was approximately a 3 hour drive, we were looking for flooded fields or anything that might yield something new on the way. We actually didn't see too much so we found our Motel in Leamington (pretty much the closest place to stat for access to Point Pelee) then headed off to Hillman Marsh. We had heard this wasn't as good as it used to be, maybe this was so, but we found it entertaining nonetheless.<br />
The light was beautiful and the shallow muddy was situated on the west, where you could stand on the bank and view with the sun behind, perfect. Amongst a good number of waders 2 stood out and had drawn a crowd, AMERICAN AVOCETS, really smart birds, surrounded with LESSER and GREATER YELLOWLEGS, lots of DUNLIN, LEAST SANDPIPERS, SPOTTED SANDPIPER. Stephen did a great job finding a single SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER in among all the peeps.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American Avocets</td></tr>
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Adding to the assembled waders were at least 40 BONAPARTE'S GULLS, 10 RING BILLED, 20 CASPIAN TERNS, a handful of COMMON TERNS and a FORSTER'S! There was plenty more to see as we scoped the rest of the marsh and walked round the main lake ducks included BUFFLEHEADS, NORTHERN SHOVELER, RING NECKED DUCKS, GREEN WINGED TEAL and 3 RUDDY DUCKS, these ones safe from any cull. HORNED GREBES were also on the water.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mixture of Gulls and Terns</td></tr>
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By standing in the correct spot before we walked the lake we managed to find a GREAT HORNED OWL perched some distance away a nice distraction from the waterbirds. A SANDHILL CRANE made us look to the skies, where a CHIMNEY SWIFT whizzed in and out view at speed. On the walk we found a couple of WOOD DUCK and a couple of DOWNY WOODPECKERS gave good views.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sandhill Crane</td></tr>
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That was a great introduction to Hillman Marsh, and I haven't mentioned the hundreds of TREE SWALLOWS in attendance...<br />
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Next stop an early start at Point Pelee.Alan Paveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01692918061802982914noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27062148993749694.post-40965875744898360102018-11-01T21:37:00.001+00:002018-11-01T21:37:18.485+00:00Canada May 2018........Long PointA fairly short drive this morning from Grimsby to Long Point approx 1 hour 30 minutes, on the way we added SPOTTED SANDPIPER, 4 in total including 3 in small puddle in a field we also added a close immature BALD EAGLE and several YELLOW WARBLERS.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first Bald Eagle</td></tr>
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We arrived at Long Point and were greeted with GREY CATBIRD. A chat with a couple that knew the area headed us in the right direction towards the observatory at Old Cut. Loads of TREE SWALLOWS filled the air with the odd PURPLE MARTIN. We only stayed briefly around the obs after catching up with Paul and Dan from Spurn who were there on an exchange visit. A walk along Lighthouse Crescent produced SWAINSON'S THRUSH, VEERY, YELLOW RUMPED WARBLER and LEAST FLYCATCHER. Just passed the lighthouse itself a small area of bush held CHESTNUT SIDED WARBLER and a brief CAPE MAY WARBLER, Yellow Warblers were everywhere. HOUSE FINCHES were appropriately around the streets, a BLACK THROATED BLUE WARBLER was seen at the new park and soon we added BLACK AND WHITE WARBLER, DOWNY WOODPECKER and EASTERN TOWHEE, adult BALD EAGLES passed over head while GOLDEN CROWNED KINGLET was new back nearer the ground. EASTERN KINGBIRD was found near the beach as was our only FIELD SPARROW of the trip. In the old park, which was a pleasure to bird we added more warblers, PROTHONOTARY, AMERICAN REDSTART, PALM WARBLER, BLACK THROATED GREEN WARBLER, NORTHERN PARULA and a stunning BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER, here we also saw ROSE BREASTED GROSBEAK and WARBLING VIREO. WHITE CROWNED SPARROWS were very common, there were a couple of NASHVILLE and a TENNESSEE WARBLER here as well.Back at the car park at Old Cut Stephen found OVENBIRD and WOOD THRUSH, it was all a lot to take in and expectations were heightened at every turn. We had our quick bite to eat here, bread and cheese, danish pastry and an a apple, possibly a few crisps for good measure, this diet served us well for the whole trip :-)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tree Swallow</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Field Sparrow</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prothonotary Warbler</td></tr>
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A quick visit to the marsh nearby added TRUMPETER SWAN, FORSTER'S TERN, PIED BILLED GREBE and HORNED GREBE. The reeds seemed weird without being filled with Warblers singing scratchy songs, in their place were mainly Red Winged Blackbirds! More scanning added several Great Blue Herons a few SANDHILL CRANES including young, behind us over the main lake CASPIAN TERNS patrolled the shore. A 78 species day with some great birds and close views, 15 species of warbler stole the day......<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trumpeter Swam</td></tr>
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As the first day was so good at Long Point we decided to stay in the area as long as we could for the next day before heading off in the direction of Point Pelee, we enjoyed the Old Park so much we headed back there, CEDAR WAXWINGS were arriving and the amount of White-throated Sparrows everywhere was impressive, Blue Grey Gnatcatchers and a couple Brown Thrashers added to the mix, before we headed to the New Park.<br />
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In the New park we found our first MAGNOLIA WARBLER, a little elusive to start with but we did get some reasonable views, a few other warblers were evident but moving on we found a small feeding flock that held our attention, NORTHERN PARULA, a very obliging BLACK and WHITE WARBLER, AMERICAN REDSTART and best of all BLUE WINGED WARBLER, another new bird for the trip and lifer. Finally pulling ourselves away heading towards the beach a RED HEADED WOODPECKER appeared over the dunes towards us then it switched back and did a good job of disappearing in leafless trees!! Leaving it as long as possible we decided to head to our next destination and potential highlight of the trip Point Pelee. Hopefully the next instalment will be out before the end of the year when i've forgotten everything!!!!! :-)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Typical Black and White Warbler pose!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow Warblers were very common but absolute joy!!!</td></tr>
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<br />Alan Paveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01692918061802982914noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27062148993749694.post-22118074777730433602018-05-18T17:54:00.000+01:002018-05-19T19:53:04.716+01:00Canada May 2018.....Algonquin National ParkThe Blue Spruce Resort at the west side of Algonquin was the base for the next two nights, looking out over a mostly frozen lake, we still heard the haunting calls of divers as we woke on our first morning.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Typical of the lakes when we arrived</td></tr>
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We were soon on the road and heading for the Spruce Bog trail towards the east of the park, checking off other potential trails on our way, the first sighting of note was MOOSE!!! by the side of the road in the early morning glow, it moved off quickly before we had a chance to stop, great start to the day. As we approached the car park we saw a sign for the visitor centre, which had been host to some good birds over the winter, we decided to head there first but as we passed the entrance to Spruce Bog Trail, I spotted (couldn't miss) a large BLACK BEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!! standing in the entrance to the car park, we quickly reversed and Stephen managed to see the bear as well before it turned tail and headed into the woods, in the car park we couldn't hear or see anything so headed back to the visitor centre. Black Bears are easy to see in the west of Canada but apparently here not quite so easy we talked to a chap who has camped in the far reaches of the park every year for the last 20 years and he had never seen one! We didn't really add much back at the centre apart from a chattering CHIPMUNK. Back at Spruce Bog we took to the trail, no sign of bear, and hoping for Spruce Grouse, there was quite a lot of bird song, SWAMP SPARROWS sang, BLACK DUCK flew over the bog, a buzzy call took us back to October 1989, Holkham Pines in Norfolk as RED BREASTED NUTHATCHES were being pretty vocal, woodpeckers drummed and called and lots of Pine Siskins were heard overhead. A simple but pretty song turned out to be WHITE THROATED SPARROW, while a WHITE CROWNED SPARROW chipped in as we walked the icy paths. American RED SQUIRRELS and CHIPMUNKS were obviously used to people on the paths especially the former as it pretty much ran between our legs!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Breasted Nuthatch</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYazM5iQ6aMff0zsDAeF07hqoT11zC43nEA99g7w5vGvusp-IwHL7F3FPqCsO4y-ngB_MBZkur6vGcgQOQu0KqHXHdRHJcLJxWJTbCR3EeIKHGMVNTeW7kqD53JjgULlZp08WxlX7spKY/s1600/IMG_9417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1039" data-original-width="1600" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYazM5iQ6aMff0zsDAeF07hqoT11zC43nEA99g7w5vGvusp-IwHL7F3FPqCsO4y-ngB_MBZkur6vGcgQOQu0KqHXHdRHJcLJxWJTbCR3EeIKHGMVNTeW7kqD53JjgULlZp08WxlX7spKY/s640/IMG_9417.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chipmunk</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6H27niovf-b2ghQlMWBn7x4QY2tveavWJcElSAUIbzGqT5dL5bnwHZMFi07im8WQ2ITjoDw_0ctC9InR16ixAHeptdlp4sC6XW8WIgH7l2punSNkMpsTeFcOSQ1Ir1LZO-As0YZMG3MQ/s1600/IMG_9443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1095" data-original-width="1600" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6H27niovf-b2ghQlMWBn7x4QY2tveavWJcElSAUIbzGqT5dL5bnwHZMFi07im8WQ2ITjoDw_0ctC9InR16ixAHeptdlp4sC6XW8WIgH7l2punSNkMpsTeFcOSQ1Ir1LZO-As0YZMG3MQ/s640/IMG_9443.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American Red Squirrel</td></tr>
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A short drive east was Opeongo Road, our main target here was Grey Jay, the drive along it was fairly birdy a particularly good car park just before the snow gate was full of finches which in the main turned out to about 100 Pine Siskins, overhead the odd CROSSBILL called, before we moved on. At the end of the road was a store and a kayak centre, but with the lake mainly frozen it was very quiet, as we pulled into the car park a large woodpecker caught my eye, PILEATED WOODPECKER, a real monster, suddenly there was more action as about 6 EVENING GROSBEAKS dropped into the tree above the woodpecker, a bird I was hoping we weren't too late in the season to see. The car park remained the focus as we added YELLOW BELLIED SAPSUCKER, YELLOW RUMPED WARBLER, BLACK THROATED GREEN WARBLER, CHIPPING SPARROW, BROAD WINGED HAWK and RUFFED GROUSE. All the time Siskins and a few Crossbills could be heard and seen flying overhead with the odd Diver and Turkey Vultures joined them from time to time for good measure.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizPc18q6bqrYnIHgTVVQSqF6Ul8DaZJHFdmahCmM5rPdxEyMtqnZGTLl6lS83GUqwDTgjfRTgYT1LJN11sdwPUGunA1nxcHc6sM6jYZWcMk70_Wpue8DgUpMz-oh63nxsebP-dQiYA_Ys/s1600/IMG_9510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1007" data-original-width="1600" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizPc18q6bqrYnIHgTVVQSqF6Ul8DaZJHFdmahCmM5rPdxEyMtqnZGTLl6lS83GUqwDTgjfRTgYT1LJN11sdwPUGunA1nxcHc6sM6jYZWcMk70_Wpue8DgUpMz-oh63nxsebP-dQiYA_Ys/s640/IMG_9510.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow Rumped Warbler</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBoyvSl6EkWV8EJ3iiZFEwjAiXTm2VsabrQmdOSYKU_KUpIsyIe1yMsxx0F5DCGkr1Kz0YUywaSjj53x7d2K_i8CNN2R5zLClsW28I1OsuVa3uW2RPA4NeyGAi5MjKwNtVXhiqxf8f2Vs/s1600/IMG_9559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBoyvSl6EkWV8EJ3iiZFEwjAiXTm2VsabrQmdOSYKU_KUpIsyIe1yMsxx0F5DCGkr1Kz0YUywaSjj53x7d2K_i8CNN2R5zLClsW28I1OsuVa3uW2RPA4NeyGAi5MjKwNtVXhiqxf8f2Vs/s640/IMG_9559.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruffed Grouse</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFxFRhKJIkvB3eOtnsfP9UHCFfExPncYwe2GhnQBGeWjsy4LA-SzufoAHgX4shw8q1nd-jNSs7cllbpXLDX5h6bJMqjfWaGvCHDjtuqlnAapnDhYuAu2uyGd6EG6tWbg5K0sPt4YlgBgU/s1600/IMG_9961.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1049" data-original-width="1600" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFxFRhKJIkvB3eOtnsfP9UHCFfExPncYwe2GhnQBGeWjsy4LA-SzufoAHgX4shw8q1nd-jNSs7cllbpXLDX5h6bJMqjfWaGvCHDjtuqlnAapnDhYuAu2uyGd6EG6tWbg5K0sPt4YlgBgU/s640/IMG_9961.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evening Grosbeak</td></tr>
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No sign of Grey Jay, so we took a slow drive back along Opeongo to highway 60 (the main route through the park) heading east again the information we had for a tricky species to see was to head to the 53km post and wait? on the way 3 more SANDHILL CRANES drifted over. We stopped by some open water which of course had a BEAVER swimming across it very close to the 53km marker..... within seconds we heard the call of BLACK BACKED WOODPECKER it came from a telegraph pole on the other side of the road, the bird showed well for a short time then disappeared, we spoke to several people after this who had failed to find this bird so luck was on our side again.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE4iKLZQSLk9m0tQ3OP3R8eaBvZb7EFsAde0RYr6zmwZff_25Sos7QwzDeuDoXRrJunlCGlmTqZBTvNAUda6dDK8cxBWcXpTQSM4iVH0Q3sycaBMWC7sA3MupNPyJP8Trp4OL9rQczZr0/s1600/IMG_9728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE4iKLZQSLk9m0tQ3OP3R8eaBvZb7EFsAde0RYr6zmwZff_25Sos7QwzDeuDoXRrJunlCGlmTqZBTvNAUda6dDK8cxBWcXpTQSM4iVH0Q3sycaBMWC7sA3MupNPyJP8Trp4OL9rQczZr0/s640/IMG_9728.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beaver!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOsNVUVMKzhFG5fgluo0K39d0gN1nI4JKC0hGtP09Wvwf1UhIr-hYL-kSotSjxfruAIUxnTziHj8_Xv-52FzUsS0FjreoN2w81Pdex6kKPGWzXBclHYh2Wkyxa1i4fE2evd3Kuan9Vxmc/s1600/IMG_9619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="948" data-original-width="1600" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOsNVUVMKzhFG5fgluo0K39d0gN1nI4JKC0hGtP09Wvwf1UhIr-hYL-kSotSjxfruAIUxnTziHj8_Xv-52FzUsS0FjreoN2w81Pdex6kKPGWzXBclHYh2Wkyxa1i4fE2evd3Kuan9Vxmc/s640/IMG_9619.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Backed Woodpecker</td></tr>
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In our quest for Grey Jay we ended up visiting the above sites a couple of times each during the day, everywhere was a little quieter although we added OTTER at the woodpecker spot, as well as AMERICAN KESTREL, BELTED KINGFISHER and EASTERN PHOEBE elsewhere.<br />
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Day two in Algonquin was focused on two birds we couldn't find yesterday Spruce Grouse and the Grey Jay. An early walk at Spruce Bog proved fruitless for the Grouse but we did add PINE WARBLER, here was the only place we saw this bird. Another drive along Opeongo and a look in the car park near the snow gates again loads of Pine Siskins were joined by 2 WHITE WINGED CROSSBILLS and nearby a PURPLE FINCH, another nice stop, we walked the road from here for while and we were treated to a surprise close encounter with a BLACK CAPPED CHICKADEE who thought we had food!! We again headed to the main car park at the end of the road, the EVENING GROSBEAKS re-appeared giving some better views. Conscious we had to head south later in the day again tried the Spruce Bog Trail and jackpot!!!! a male SPRUCE GROUSE, strutted its stuff for us not far from the main path, a really well marked bird, we were well pleased to add this the life and trip lists :-) We thought our luck had changed for Grey Jay as well when we met a guy tracking breeding Grey Jays!!! Unfortunately he couldn't take us with him but gave us hope of a more friendly recently fledged family back on Opeongo, so off we went again. The tracking guy said if we whistled in the given area there was a chance the Jays would appear.........an hour or so later with my whistling starting to get on my own nerves let alone any poor unsuspecting Jay!!, we admitted defeat with only a couple of inquisitive Blue Jays to show for it!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7PNVvOlwSp5qnZs2_bToVG8Unllfhv-znAbNwO26rUK_bSySmnzdfMCzirf4A-RuGBRbjxkWjWta_JCoAsPxMpYyTTcMi3M5M0RNATYOHdnOgH552WbLsljhJMvAL7l2Bn23iYLejfq4/s1600/IMG_9870.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7PNVvOlwSp5qnZs2_bToVG8Unllfhv-znAbNwO26rUK_bSySmnzdfMCzirf4A-RuGBRbjxkWjWta_JCoAsPxMpYyTTcMi3M5M0RNATYOHdnOgH552WbLsljhJMvAL7l2Bn23iYLejfq4/s640/IMG_9870.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Capped Chickadee</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPipIYLjVvAwG2CuvwY_7kaGs2674eKGuleku2xyIPJ-YWC0FMHCzjeeeg0ktKFPP9wxR6TbpvQgrPZ_erTz4fbu7j1gLj5SxGtrnUKoJA_rCNKXYs6TVauWtifj1xeJqLmfF6S7FFW4E/s1600/IMG_9891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPipIYLjVvAwG2CuvwY_7kaGs2674eKGuleku2xyIPJ-YWC0FMHCzjeeeg0ktKFPP9wxR6TbpvQgrPZ_erTz4fbu7j1gLj5SxGtrnUKoJA_rCNKXYs6TVauWtifj1xeJqLmfF6S7FFW4E/s640/IMG_9891.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Friendly Black Capped Chickadee!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK6A_wqTQYDRSerN90ccmCpxjHTXYljycR9PF8XCXFdOjJtCsx5gCgHmCvJtMDLAcgtVDHlBWi-lsAKNXa_MSadS-ku-QGzdwGF3vk0DyhrFwlYgsE0RVP_veSmCGs24by6uJHfyEFjKk/s1600/IMG_9832.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK6A_wqTQYDRSerN90ccmCpxjHTXYljycR9PF8XCXFdOjJtCsx5gCgHmCvJtMDLAcgtVDHlBWi-lsAKNXa_MSadS-ku-QGzdwGF3vk0DyhrFwlYgsE0RVP_veSmCGs24by6uJHfyEFjKk/s640/IMG_9832.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spruce Grouse!!</td></tr>
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On the road again and Niagara Falls was the target for an hour so before it got dark, we were treated to one last offering from Algonquin as 2 MOOSE posed by the road before we left the park for good...we made it managing to avoid the USA border, the falls were nice and gave us close quarters with RING BILLED GULLS, as well as a few Terns, Divers and Cormorants, the weather soon<br />
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broke and we battled the driving rain to get to an impromptu Super 8 motel for the night. Ready for some good weather and a morning journey to Long Point.....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7588s-I7kgoso3GTJdY_HMeMdIEe5Ys90KG5BDWYSFgeE4X2ldEFXzX1H6sWQnyFx4wZp7_OoC9NRddNgeEuBv-ur_gp4KqChVJ-DyFlE-1RCV46K5UJY9gA_YlM6sULxTzCWy8L5miQ/s1600/IMG_9741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7588s-I7kgoso3GTJdY_HMeMdIEe5Ys90KG5BDWYSFgeE4X2ldEFXzX1H6sWQnyFx4wZp7_OoC9NRddNgeEuBv-ur_gp4KqChVJ-DyFlE-1RCV46K5UJY9gA_YlM6sULxTzCWy8L5miQ/s640/IMG_9741.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF0YvHVdcEOfryEH6w72ecjEgbrn4QlxXqRosiAVZsy82rtv74Xqm2pUeom5JV6GTwkgUxyV24uZ1zHh16KbQL-z0c1awDnB3ofs4V-6dSQiimW0-Gl9zeAErPXI5GWooah-CsGtjs7A0/s1600/IMG_9758.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF0YvHVdcEOfryEH6w72ecjEgbrn4QlxXqRosiAVZsy82rtv74Xqm2pUeom5JV6GTwkgUxyV24uZ1zHh16KbQL-z0c1awDnB3ofs4V-6dSQiimW0-Gl9zeAErPXI5GWooah-CsGtjs7A0/s640/IMG_9758.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moose!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5et5uBQYkRvXw65TFY2MA7Ugm74lJlRatAos8civHqumHJaRVWR4vNcHIRKQ31cGxOX5z8yAZVUIlJn0C50OG8CTa4mDZmW7kGy6DTK80AH9r2ROJ8RdBFrd7lQPztRBEsMNocoefwMk/s1600/IMG_0060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5et5uBQYkRvXw65TFY2MA7Ugm74lJlRatAos8civHqumHJaRVWR4vNcHIRKQ31cGxOX5z8yAZVUIlJn0C50OG8CTa4mDZmW7kGy6DTK80AH9r2ROJ8RdBFrd7lQPztRBEsMNocoefwMk/s640/IMG_0060.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Niagara Falls</td></tr>
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<br />Alan Paveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01692918061802982914noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27062148993749694.post-29869856600603162382018-05-17T14:40:00.001+01:002018-05-17T14:40:30.092+01:00Canada May 2018........A day on Carden Plains After birding with Stephen Message from our early teenage years we both hit the dizzy heights of 50 years on this earth recently, circumstance allowed for us to plan a birding trip to mark the occasion!<br />
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To be honest Stephen did the planning and very good it was to. So on May 3rd we headed to Heathrow with the usual excited anticipation these trips evoke.<br />
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Time was relatively short after landing late afternoon, so it was straight off to find somewhere to stay for the night close to our first site, we ticked off COMMON GRACKLES, RED WINGED BLACKBIRDS and an OSPREY perched, fish in talons by the road before reaching Orillia and adding AMERICAN ROBIN and DOUBLE CRESTED CORMORANT when we arrived.<br />
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The first full day was rather dull weather wise and tricky for photography but a couple of flooded fields on our way to Carden Alvar produced several GREATER YELLOWLEGS, totalling around 20 by the end of the day, the drive also gave us WILD TURKEY, BLUE JAYS, NORTHERN HARRIER and a flock of 8 COMMON LOONS (Great Northern Divers) flying over.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Zq91UWtSzIG6NnlFRSp2pMKR3oa_2kfLK9hHwFemYUILW8KgLQI9F3_uN78TPRXbPf3YOXDyaAktG6kbb_nxjn452-Lgi_93nwnFqhkawdhNb9VWUcRJTInwGpGGBhWmK3-q2UIxFME/s1600/IMG_9209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Zq91UWtSzIG6NnlFRSp2pMKR3oa_2kfLK9hHwFemYUILW8KgLQI9F3_uN78TPRXbPf3YOXDyaAktG6kbb_nxjn452-Lgi_93nwnFqhkawdhNb9VWUcRJTInwGpGGBhWmK3-q2UIxFME/s640/IMG_9209.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greater Yellowlegs</td></tr>
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Birding today at Carden was a case of driving slowly along a series of well known roads namely Wylie Road and Shrike Road mainly, near Kirkfield. These proved very productive, early on lots of, EASTERN MEADOWLARKS, a LESSER YELLOWLEGS, TREE SWALLOWS and a BROWN THRASHER sang from high also several Sparrows were seen. A strange whirring noise revealed WILSON'S SNIPE overhead. After some mis-direction by me we were on Shrike Road, several SAVANNAH SPARROWS were added NORTHERN FLICKER appeared briefly, eventually 3 UPLAND SANDPIPERS gave themselves up singing in flight and hopping up onto a rock, this was one of the target species here. Moving on along the road more Wilson's Snipe and Lesser Yellowlegs were seen then a bright yellow warbler flicked across the road, after a short while we worked out it was a NASHVILLE WARBLER, accompanied by BLACK CAPPED CHICKADEES and RUBY CROWNED KINGLETS, nearby a WOOD DUCK took flight and at least 8 AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES and a few PINE SISKINS buzzed around. Making our way back from the dead end on Shrike Road to head to Wylie Road, Stephen stopped the car with good reason....a SNOWY OWL was tucked up against a large rock, bonus!! It's very late in the year for these birds this far south but a couple were holding on we learned later, although this bird hadn't been documented.<br />
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Mourning Dove<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Upland Sandpiper</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SNOWY OWL!!</td></tr>
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Eventually we reached Wylie Road, this road was a little more tricky in places and after a short debate we turned back as we couldn't be sure the holes and amount of water in them would let us through as they got longer and deeper. Before this point however we had some great birding more Northen Flickers, HAIRY WOODPECKER, SWAMP SPARROW, 3 SANDHILL CRANES another NORTHERN HARRIER, plus another tricky species a singing GRASSHOPPER SPARROW!! Along this stretch were more Red winged Blackbirds, BLUE JAYS and a surprise SNOW BUNTING! We also couldn't resist one more look at the Snowy Owl. A look around the local lakes added BUFFLEHEAD, GREATER SCAUP, CASPIAN TERN and 3 OSPREYS.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Winged Blackbird</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue Jay</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow Bunting<br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sandhill Cranes</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bit more light on the Snowy Owl</td></tr>
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Well it was quite a start to the trip, the weather turned very windy late afternoon as we made our way towards Algonquin, passing a house that had just been hit by a falling tree! Algonquin was to be our base for the next couple of days.<br />
<br />Alan Paveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01692918061802982914noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27062148993749694.post-24387608057748195002016-11-20T13:03:00.001+00:002016-11-20T13:03:47.962+00:00In Search of the LynxA couple of weeks ago I did a first and embarked on a Naturetrek holiday, so an organised group holiday with guides etc.. Expectations were high but that's always as it should be with any wildlife watching, always be optimistic.<br />
The first day we all met successfully at Seville airport and we met our guides Byron and Laura for the first time and introduced ourselves to one another (12 in the group). An hour and half or so later we were in El Rocio on the edge of the Coto Donana reserve. El Rocio was a real surprise, comprising of dust filled streets instead of tarmac with an amazing wild west feel, horses were the norm and cars out of place. We spent the first hour or so before sunset scanning the dried out lagoon, it looked fairly deserted but soon ZITTING CISTICOLAS appeared, STONECHATS and a distant herd of RED DEER. Further scanning added RED KITE and the first SPANISH IMPERIAL EAGLE of the trip albeit distant, a few late HOUSE MARTINS drifted over the town joined by a few RED RUMPED SWALLOWS. A nice start to the trip. CRIMSON SPECKLED and VESTAL moths added a bit of variety with a SMALL COPPER and BLUE TAILED DAMSELFLY finishing off the first days sightings.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0nOb6EQ56QIKhyphenhyphengRNoQ3fiMJa2AYzx3pe2GWsO-6ktQRJ8IcE2_yvpGE1_dgOFhb6DTK2EJ_tAqWXWsfHIFRXfB-057KjvwlS9KinM_HbEPBsaC9xgsq_U0MARwXV3xRiaP9W_I7kg00/s1600/IMG_2286+%25281280x853%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0nOb6EQ56QIKhyphenhyphengRNoQ3fiMJa2AYzx3pe2GWsO-6ktQRJ8IcE2_yvpGE1_dgOFhb6DTK2EJ_tAqWXWsfHIFRXfB-057KjvwlS9KinM_HbEPBsaC9xgsq_U0MARwXV3xRiaP9W_I7kg00/s640/IMG_2286+%25281280x853%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sun sets on our first day</td></tr>
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DAY TWO<br />
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After a great meal the night before and sufficient breakfast we were off into the reserve, CATTLE EGRETS welcomed us and I picked out KINGFISHER on one of the only standing bits of water in the half light. Eyes were peeled as we made our way around the territory of one of the worlds rarest cats. WILD BOAR followed a few sightings of RED DEER and Tom did well to pick out a BUZZARD perched in the early morning mist and occasional flocks of AZURE WINGED MAGPIES (Iberian Magpie by it's new name) ghosted through the low trees, with no signs of Lynx after our first stint we parked up and scanned a large open area, SARDINIAN WARBLERS rattled in the nearby bushes and a flock of GOLDFINCHES were just visible. 8 CORN BUNTINGS flew overhead and when Anna drew our attention to a STONECHAT, Tom again scored with the first GRIFFON VULTURE of the trip sat out in the open on the edge of the mist. Gradually the mist cleared and everyone had good views of the Vulture, WOODLARKS sang as Peter called out and got us onto a fine male HEN HARRIER, unfortunately it headed away and wasn't seen again. Returning to our minibus we headed further into the open area where THEKLA LARKS showed close to the bus and LITTLE OWL and HOOPOE were added perched on a ring of old Eucalyptus stumps. Another trawl round the area was fruitless and we went for lunch.<br />
After lunch, a quick look near the hotel produced an unexpected pair of PENDULINE TITS. We then did the same routes looking for Lynx with no luck then headed towards a more open area, the posts were dotted with WHEATEARS, STONECHATS and good numbers of KESTRELS. A small piece of standing water near a visitor centre held BLACK WINGED STILTS, RUFF, GREENSHANKS and GREEN SANDPIPERS, just a bit further on we found a flock of late LESSER KESTRELS and a STONE CURLEW came up from one of the large fields.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP9mINUnOToZDqW9TB8w5iEr1gMz-1y4kNBN8mqMyBUNFiwbYbn08KZAbUE65jwSdbJJtpoFglTGhGZ9VwwwEOx6nULZ8EVsYpmvFPwk4xGDig8Vij4lUmPS7rYCf3UCq7eYdK3dnkBQE/s1600/IMG_2348+%25281280x897%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP9mINUnOToZDqW9TB8w5iEr1gMz-1y4kNBN8mqMyBUNFiwbYbn08KZAbUE65jwSdbJJtpoFglTGhGZ9VwwwEOx6nULZ8EVsYpmvFPwk4xGDig8Vij4lUmPS7rYCf3UCq7eYdK3dnkBQE/s640/IMG_2348+%25281280x897%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of many Griffon Vultures enjoyed on the trip</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC-tWXqnkRQ0j2hLUKnIh66w6HpGo7qBW7pdqDFL5Eft4oHK0DmWBOoqgBhyphenhyphenm94lHGi3VsSOYRERITjksDfZaopS7bVP5bFJtY2OfbARgDvrOeM2tV5pwt8cNK7mVmDCbfuDKjIssQ934/s1600/IMG_2367+%25281280x853%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC-tWXqnkRQ0j2hLUKnIh66w6HpGo7qBW7pdqDFL5Eft4oHK0DmWBOoqgBhyphenhyphenm94lHGi3VsSOYRERITjksDfZaopS7bVP5bFJtY2OfbARgDvrOeM2tV5pwt8cNK7mVmDCbfuDKjIssQ934/s640/IMG_2367+%25281280x853%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Actually quite cute..........</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Deer</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fine male Penduline Tit</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally got a close Hoopoe</td></tr>
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DAY THREE<br />
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Today was our last morning in Coto Donana before a 4 hour journey to Sierra Morena.<br />
We once again headed into the park, the KINGFISHER was again sitting on the pipe on the edge of the small piece of water, David managed to see it this morning. Unfortunately the mornings search proved fruitless again, we did see WILD BOAR again lots of RED DEER. A new route and another stop somewhere slightly more open proved eventful SOUTHERN GREY SHRIKES appeared in what seemed like every bush and Anna and Andrew saw a large bird of prey fly into a distant tree, closer inspection revealed a fine juvenile SHORT TOED EAGLE which kindly flew almost overhead after it's brief stop. A RED FOX scuttled across the open with an unfortunate rodent firmly gripped between it's teeth.<br />
The next move was to head towards our final destination in the Sierra Morena area.<br />
on the way we stopped again at some standing water, a BLACK STORK was seen near several WHITE STORKS along a drainage ditch. On a larger bit of water there were maybe 5000 GREATER FLAMINGOS!! Here too were loads of NORTHERN SHOVELER, BLACK WINGED STILTS and a few other waders but highlight for me here was my first ever <b>MARBLED DUCK</b> found by Byron.<br />
By the time we got to our hotel it was almost dusk, Andrew and I headed out for a quick walk and found NUTHATCH, LONG TAILED TIT and CRESTED TIT.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinqLvW3urORqJgBAQdMLZ-DMPJDhE8Yx11if_xQjfuMbT1yV1ZqW-EdxjJSQ4ch0XNCuDBrWrWkKDnMNlkgCneuStn96OFIAp_0OIx_cZi3TZOWgTMRDwO06_6uSFi772b9kH41q3juwA/s1600/IMG_2525+%25281280x872%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinqLvW3urORqJgBAQdMLZ-DMPJDhE8Yx11if_xQjfuMbT1yV1ZqW-EdxjJSQ4ch0XNCuDBrWrWkKDnMNlkgCneuStn96OFIAp_0OIx_cZi3TZOWgTMRDwO06_6uSFi772b9kH41q3juwA/s640/IMG_2525+%25281280x872%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Young Short Toed Eagle</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLBvE-dPhO37A9q-5167J42Z2-f-WsvP2MxcXU1YX-0w1ovbZ77CsXzbWbBlXs7Rmjschpypdn_U-dxovSe0dMR8Nvc54EholETwrlTHE0yZ9EgoFICjarOa-_ZAJjX6-wZIkEwVnaCuQ/s1600/IMG_2538+%25281280x783%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLBvE-dPhO37A9q-5167J42Z2-f-WsvP2MxcXU1YX-0w1ovbZ77CsXzbWbBlXs7Rmjschpypdn_U-dxovSe0dMR8Nvc54EholETwrlTHE0yZ9EgoFICjarOa-_ZAJjX6-wZIkEwVnaCuQ/s640/IMG_2538+%25281280x783%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fox and prey</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicOtwxAetr_egrlvAdLxZh6xR-NFEIG8_AAxaGcc41szKE2vtfyfdIgmOMQ1ouFMxaiddJ8P_U8tOiCaeNpqKorjYCSzvLyu94Wl3mu_lXbclpgP-tRVotfgxjePfU93PR1tzUo1hYWug/s1600/IMG_2539+%25281280x853%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicOtwxAetr_egrlvAdLxZh6xR-NFEIG8_AAxaGcc41szKE2vtfyfdIgmOMQ1ouFMxaiddJ8P_U8tOiCaeNpqKorjYCSzvLyu94Wl3mu_lXbclpgP-tRVotfgxjePfU93PR1tzUo1hYWug/s640/IMG_2539+%25281280x853%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">El Rocio our first base - felt like the wild west</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfOf8DM6KMbHr0VRBhpbTvw2yOKO9Aa6JBPB9JrOwzVXafzzCLB16kv9q3T5TALRgHkGld6i67nZb5Lut86MEcaSuR2CJJHTJUHXU_N3x59BvvN8w5mC5CNxZzzFVOazgAZf76YAtDNP8/s1600/IMG_2541+%25281280x853%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfOf8DM6KMbHr0VRBhpbTvw2yOKO9Aa6JBPB9JrOwzVXafzzCLB16kv9q3T5TALRgHkGld6i67nZb5Lut86MEcaSuR2CJJHTJUHXU_N3x59BvvN8w5mC5CNxZzzFVOazgAZf76YAtDNP8/s640/IMG_2541+%25281280x853%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">El Rocio</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOP_Ws4c_X_dTU_cz95SuJZ0r3apDO72I7DOnsKRVor8hR35QcCEuMsnjBrGY29r95HSz8EPGT-snUwx4Lx4d_4bPMKrAeMCicrk5m2FLqyE1H0dtpn0BtJO66qL4OP_S_16w21wkNULI/s1600/IMG_2557+%25281280x622%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOP_Ws4c_X_dTU_cz95SuJZ0r3apDO72I7DOnsKRVor8hR35QcCEuMsnjBrGY29r95HSz8EPGT-snUwx4Lx4d_4bPMKrAeMCicrk5m2FLqyE1H0dtpn0BtJO66qL4OP_S_16w21wkNULI/s640/IMG_2557+%25281280x622%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Impressive part of 5000 Flamingos!</td></tr>
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<br />
DAY FOUR<br />
<br />
With impressive pieces of doorstep toast devoured for breakfast and hooting TAWNY OWL added to the list we headed out to the hills, 30 minutes later we were viewing across grassy slopes dotted with trees and bushes, A GRIFFON VULTURE looked down on us from a rocky outcrop as we scanned for any sign of movement, a chorus of bellowing RED DEER were hard to ignore and some impressive stags wandered in out of view. Laura found a MOUFFLON somewhere near a small farm but it disappeared quickly. A DARTFORD WARBLER appeared behind us giving good views. I then saw a pair of white and brown legs standing beside a distant tree trunk eventually the animal moved and it was another MOUFFLON a fine male this time everyone got on in and it stayed in view for several minutes. Our next stop was on a dam just another 5 or so minutes further on, it was very impressive and a beautiful setting. Two HAWFINCH flew over as I got out of the van and 10-15 CRAG MARTINS whizzed around the dam, BLACK REDSTART was seen below the dam and Tom found our first SPANISH IBEX, the first of several in the area. A couple of distant raptors caught my eye and we added CINEROUS VULTURE to our growing bird list, Laura found an exceptionally cryptic male IBEX with just horns and head showing!! as well equally impressive finds of BLUE ROCK THRUSH and ROCK BUNTING, both distant. I noticed another two birds of prey breaking the horizon sitting on a rocky slope, Byron checked them out and they were GOLDEN EAGLES, we watched them for a time including a memorable encounter with one them locking talons with a Vulture. All this before lunch!<br />
During lunch we saw SPANISH IMPERIAL EAGLE, CRESTED TIT, HOOPOE, COMMON REDSTART and many GRIFFON VULTURES, we had split up a bit so not everyone saw all these, me included.<br />
After lunch we went to the other side of the dam after a short stop at the hotel. Here we were greeted with a nice feeding flock of birds, more HAWFINCHES zipped around a LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER stayed just long enough for ID only. KINGFISHERS and GREY WAGTAILS were along the river and a SPOTTED FLYCATCHER but still no Lynx. We also spent time here looking for Otter but without success.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSTId42w8WiBUC83_JjDn_2ppJAyehjMamWlcr4zIp6JCo5iefVprktOQ3sDcW8rqbhFux-1kjph68OmQ0DsX2iJCFq-2-HVhRy5IX1aAyUP3RyAjp6u4IvFdfXg9VkBpfda0O0Yas4R4/s1600/IMG_2592+%25281280x884%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSTId42w8WiBUC83_JjDn_2ppJAyehjMamWlcr4zIp6JCo5iefVprktOQ3sDcW8rqbhFux-1kjph68OmQ0DsX2iJCFq-2-HVhRy5IX1aAyUP3RyAjp6u4IvFdfXg9VkBpfda0O0Yas4R4/s640/IMG_2592+%25281280x884%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dartford Warbler</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKXEqdauNcNOeMOpAtTk2KYX-1js3ycFrYF3mq8h499zuTirUHhB97rUfzTHgvgovFWoVEauW4_V58dM1R-xmVrDYfjQdp0LpCHN-7n4f897P7kItbEgp8arlZ63tlx3srMwLjplpXnZw/s1600/IMG_2612+%25281280x836%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKXEqdauNcNOeMOpAtTk2KYX-1js3ycFrYF3mq8h499zuTirUHhB97rUfzTHgvgovFWoVEauW4_V58dM1R-xmVrDYfjQdp0LpCHN-7n4f897P7kItbEgp8arlZ63tlx3srMwLjplpXnZw/s640/IMG_2612+%25281280x836%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female Spanish Ibex</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpFVcs9QYAzFtI3GlI5hGeX0uLV0A6uBCetoqJ3ld2M1YVGtBzNCFByX5q8k6xgtnTh60nhHNB25lfFRmUogwnDYwEsS_VNoI4Im_MXcIu_3A9jAbwJbfZMORubFPaKXod1jMjob2WniE/s1600/IMG_2645+%25281280x769%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpFVcs9QYAzFtI3GlI5hGeX0uLV0A6uBCetoqJ3ld2M1YVGtBzNCFByX5q8k6xgtnTh60nhHNB25lfFRmUogwnDYwEsS_VNoI4Im_MXcIu_3A9jAbwJbfZMORubFPaKXod1jMjob2WniE/s640/IMG_2645+%25281280x769%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crag Martins</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTmccDcaW1Iln1MTicmgLVcX1T11l4xFl7-BPLTsQgMA5HlQ5Ce5ihYS3dqMD8bIEtscYOG5_S3MIFDi8KFHMdENugkVYaazmllgJnXlVNWlPrSt0UxB9HO-eXa-NePACVnzsaNeILRlQ/s1600/IMG_2662+%25281280x853%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTmccDcaW1Iln1MTicmgLVcX1T11l4xFl7-BPLTsQgMA5HlQ5Ce5ihYS3dqMD8bIEtscYOG5_S3MIFDi8KFHMdENugkVYaazmllgJnXlVNWlPrSt0UxB9HO-eXa-NePACVnzsaNeILRlQ/s640/IMG_2662+%25281280x853%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A nice view for lunch</td></tr>
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<br />
DAY FIVE<br />
<br />
Today we did the reverse of yesterdays itinerary starting along the river, it was tough going a few things gave themselves up gradually, the undoubted highlight was a superb SPANISH IMPERIAL EAGLE that sat in the open giving giving excellent scope views, eventually it, and another flew directly overhead, real shame the light wasn't better but brilliant views nonetheless. Still around the river area the first GOSHAWK of the trip made it's way powerfully through the trees on the opposite hillside. A picnic lunch was abandoned as the rain came in but on our way back to the hotel it cleared and we found a nice viewpoint to have lunch. IBERIAN MAGPIES were feeding just below us and above GRIFFON and CINEROUS VULTURES circled above. The preparation of the picnic was interrupted when Andrew caught a glimpse of something crossing the road in the distance, everyone scanned furiously but couldn't relocate what Andrew could only put down as being a LYNX, real shame for all but exciting all the same. Consolation was in the generous and extremely tasty pasta for lunch!<br />
The afternoon saw us back at La Lancha scanning the hills, a WILD BOAR lots of RED, and a few FALLOW DEER were all we could muster. A smart GRASS SNAKE, halted our progress on the way as it idled its way across the track in front of us. More VULTURES took centre stage in beautiful late afternoon sunlight.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQcIzZT302rg2IoJYdDRS3B9rvmiDrXd58hyEM9ngpXJTDFIiq4X7BrG68x1bTqvNHbWWTVe8l3p2e3zXz5ypywWtCICj-8yk-FYrFM9kLfTpgMIs2x3HkngzfVNqyvaTX4Dt4BXBR8Ns/s1600/IMG_2687+%25281280x754%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQcIzZT302rg2IoJYdDRS3B9rvmiDrXd58hyEM9ngpXJTDFIiq4X7BrG68x1bTqvNHbWWTVe8l3p2e3zXz5ypywWtCICj-8yk-FYrFM9kLfTpgMIs2x3HkngzfVNqyvaTX4Dt4BXBR8Ns/s640/IMG_2687+%25281280x754%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Poor light - Iberian Magpie</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicOd1Fu1LVzvndPs6YTy_OFD1_xKt4WYjJF_XdzNcWCFyl0N8NhcGqT7Qq0LOv80snK1JYYoXVecDJ2Om_RP7K6DCarXK0kK0vjA_1KPaqH1bc6AcZN66RLYTVAs20Ru_-K6nw34Z6SDk/s1600/IMG_2754+%25281280x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicOd1Fu1LVzvndPs6YTy_OFD1_xKt4WYjJF_XdzNcWCFyl0N8NhcGqT7Qq0LOv80snK1JYYoXVecDJ2Om_RP7K6DCarXK0kK0vjA_1KPaqH1bc6AcZN66RLYTVAs20Ru_-K6nw34Z6SDk/s640/IMG_2754+%25281280x640%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ditto - Spanish Imperial Eagle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG2QBDnBUY6uPLgTPjx_FFKy2C4iJIrMKnw2VEb-GxrajHw4SAGMPCoafLoLudcs23-vFT3KhCr90m-ICdStbnoNAbSEVUylJ76HrFEQyTQrZz_hhJ-4jG02b3SNTOcongIKJeKqcBAAE/s1600/IMG_2796+%25281280x753%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG2QBDnBUY6uPLgTPjx_FFKy2C4iJIrMKnw2VEb-GxrajHw4SAGMPCoafLoLudcs23-vFT3KhCr90m-ICdStbnoNAbSEVUylJ76HrFEQyTQrZz_hhJ-4jG02b3SNTOcongIKJeKqcBAAE/s640/IMG_2796+%25281280x753%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cirl Bunting</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWZNwqU97NgZR_Nuc0FZouuFWHwMeiCRKMYcghjqu8sYo-XP1rZDoVbOMRefiBIIP1nvhvXHBJv72l5M4Xx94tvgilEo5M3FZhV20fzaMJFIaBVDNtX5VVpxmLuEKBCsnt95DnHcadSfI/s1600/IMG_2847+%25281280x810%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWZNwqU97NgZR_Nuc0FZouuFWHwMeiCRKMYcghjqu8sYo-XP1rZDoVbOMRefiBIIP1nvhvXHBJv72l5M4Xx94tvgilEo5M3FZhV20fzaMJFIaBVDNtX5VVpxmLuEKBCsnt95DnHcadSfI/s640/IMG_2847+%25281280x810%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Legged Partridge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixr3aK_PWdduvQVEKN_l26SRUPeXsm-Dv_jdsKvmOoe5EgbgxhUY-Ho2g0SBc1hD5bQIjdW4yI4JO3xVDJvFTRgerF2_Pwq9VkrrHUg-Ke9lWbrKKqdeqxSFdOp8oWpMP73SddoKdD-4k/s1600/IMG_2859+%25281280x811%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixr3aK_PWdduvQVEKN_l26SRUPeXsm-Dv_jdsKvmOoe5EgbgxhUY-Ho2g0SBc1hD5bQIjdW4yI4JO3xVDJvFTRgerF2_Pwq9VkrrHUg-Ke9lWbrKKqdeqxSFdOp8oWpMP73SddoKdD-4k/s640/IMG_2859+%25281280x811%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grass Snake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb_lC1tNinRSxaLsqpqtSQV_3XSPkRlHJcEKN_gOhckllER9nr75cvGArsZMTX1TpDb3LLtiCTSk6uRyPIkQpRyf9LUvy8xjk_FEPwZQT28mQxxU3uN_rwvTO7WaEHSi34T8JK7oOpwx0/s1600/IMG_2877+%25281280x830%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb_lC1tNinRSxaLsqpqtSQV_3XSPkRlHJcEKN_gOhckllER9nr75cvGArsZMTX1TpDb3LLtiCTSk6uRyPIkQpRyf9LUvy8xjk_FEPwZQT28mQxxU3uN_rwvTO7WaEHSi34T8JK7oOpwx0/s640/IMG_2877+%25281280x830%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another Griffon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUQaJfyA3sTXJqCjKNZtgNPTIgpdXmv3wDNLl5Iyc4HwU24eU9WeSyNueiSTK52SL8zRJCsgmm6UPo1Rpr6h1Zm3hJX9cFIihcGIPNLSyJ_KNSiWFVn4I3jGgickECckbYQMcs_7l41_0/s1600/IMG_2915+%25281280x853%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUQaJfyA3sTXJqCjKNZtgNPTIgpdXmv3wDNLl5Iyc4HwU24eU9WeSyNueiSTK52SL8zRJCsgmm6UPo1Rpr6h1Zm3hJX9cFIihcGIPNLSyJ_KNSiWFVn4I3jGgickECckbYQMcs_7l41_0/s640/IMG_2915+%25281280x853%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and again...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJRFOUzITH-fL5rQdwO0uG9ZTkwu0zc8dvDIM2Ovt-9ijb9MMT2veYa74OkV6BE5JFWof0103-mT8_fjfaAhT2cmZoKeeygHcDrb36M53uUHPhupGhQVpPLgyBzQyNNHK1TZS4fG7hpJU/s1600/IMG_2936+%25281280x788%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJRFOUzITH-fL5rQdwO0uG9ZTkwu0zc8dvDIM2Ovt-9ijb9MMT2veYa74OkV6BE5JFWof0103-mT8_fjfaAhT2cmZoKeeygHcDrb36M53uUHPhupGhQVpPLgyBzQyNNHK1TZS4fG7hpJU/s640/IMG_2936+%25281280x788%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cinerous (formerly Black) Vulture</td></tr>
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<br />
DAY SIX<br />
<br />
So here we were on our last morning, it was back to the river and after a walk along the track we were rewarded with an OTTER as it showed itself briefly right under the bridge we walked to, almost everyone saw it before it retreated into the rocky bank. KINGFISHERS again whizzed up and down the river below us. We only had a short time, but we also added ROCK SPARROW to the trip list, a HAWFINCH sat close by on a pine and a male BLACK REDSTART caught everyones attention with it's bright white wing flashes. A SERIN called but never came into view. BYRON and LAURA walked back to the vans and soon returned and we were off...<br />
So no LYNX but a really enjoyable holiday and fantastic company throughout with two really good, friendly and knowledgeable guides.<br />
Thanks to all, looks like we'll have to do it all again one day.......Alan Paveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01692918061802982914noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27062148993749694.post-29579405929288279492016-10-08T20:47:00.000+01:002016-10-08T20:47:06.877+01:00Eastern Promise..........A long overdue trip was loosely planned a few weeks ago, dates were set but final destination was to be decided, the favoured place was Spurn in East Yorkshire with any Cornish valley the next choice depending on what the weather was predicted to do. As it was the weather pointed towards the north east coast and my first visit to Spurn, staying in the newly refurbished Obs. We set out around 2.30am Tuesday 4th October, we being, pretty much lifelong birding friend Stephen Message and myself.<br />
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Around 7.50am after skirting the Humber for a while we arrived at the Warren, one of the trapping areas at Spurn. A short walk along the point brought us to the breach that has washed away the access road to the point itself, here were plenty of waders and a few Robins flitting around, small flocks of TREE SPARROWS headed south, with plenty of pipits and thrushes for company. Without major excitement but with plenty of promise we headed back with the intention of dropping stuff off in the Obs, we were delayed by the arrival of lots of locals at the ringing station where a <i>Blythi </i> type LESSER WHITETHROAT was being shown. At the Obs the garden held loads of Thrushes and 2-3 YELLOW BROWED WARBLERS, the local pub garden of the Crown and Anchor just about out did the Obs with 4 Yellow Broweds, we added another at the Church and ended up with at least 10 for the day. Bags dropped we got out for a longer stint in the field. Thrushes continued to drop out of the sky these included 1 FIELDFARE and loads of SONG THRUSH and REDWING, We added a new bird to the Obs garden list when Stephen picked up a RING OUZEL as it descended out of the bright blue sky, one of 6 seen during the day. BRAMBLINGS were also arriving in lesser numbers although these numbers grew over the 3 day visit.Along Beacon Lane a strange Pipit called reminiscent of Red Throated but could not be relocated and a bird flushed by a dog walker appeared to disappear until Stephen flushed it, it called and immediately this Bunting was obviously something more interesting with a few brief views for confirmation we had just found a LITTLE BUNTING.. nice within just 2 hours of arriving! The day continued to produce some nice birds a RED BREASTED FLYCATCHER played hide and seek in the pub garden until it gave some nice but brief views a HAWFINCH whizzed over as we waited for the RB FLY. Later on a couple of miles away we saw ROSE COLOURED STARLING in Holmpton a few PINK FOOTED GEESE were heading down the coast. A surprise bird caught Stephens eye as a LONG TAILED SKUA headed out of the Humber to the sea. The variety was good and expectations high. As the day wore on news broke of a real gem of a bird about 90 minutes away, a decision had to be made.........<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_XCNnkiGuq7XjaSq2hJkET318kUGOYF-Br9COmlgEm9yH0Bc2nlRH85xUULr6EkZq6y2HurggQTvq9eJ75OrmakL0IrU9h7qbSQ3r9tF0OBIyLPx3CBxLjMUEJ3sm5KYEXjMKOLOkslk/s1600/IMG_1748+%25281280x853%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_XCNnkiGuq7XjaSq2hJkET318kUGOYF-Br9COmlgEm9yH0Bc2nlRH85xUULr6EkZq6y2HurggQTvq9eJ75OrmakL0IrU9h7qbSQ3r9tF0OBIyLPx3CBxLjMUEJ3sm5KYEXjMKOLOkslk/s640/IMG_1748+%25281280x853%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Blythi </i>type Lesser Whitethroat</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyw-VinkUyLv7eHjHGjtiJ0fK0yVePgUBRP68Vn2xNja5Mm3YDsAlZqAoFqc3u_OFrjzY6rHiDkNi03STMXuLSpTXeHiKRPsRWTyE0x7AoBwzU_e3VokbuM69mrMhuxAk3bHfVVnCttFo/s1600/IMG_1767+%25281280x853%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyw-VinkUyLv7eHjHGjtiJ0fK0yVePgUBRP68Vn2xNja5Mm3YDsAlZqAoFqc3u_OFrjzY6rHiDkNi03STMXuLSpTXeHiKRPsRWTyE0x7AoBwzU_e3VokbuM69mrMhuxAk3bHfVVnCttFo/s640/IMG_1767+%25281280x853%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roe Deer just for something different</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS0AUmYJpSHdjuHT7MIKEpG1nSk9B4kFFV7D8Ebats_5lEO75NOuF_AzdK_nd9NoEPM1ZMyz6qPBVt22v5aUdbHwsmJXpmCA7STjs7e8uo9VqNJt3f8pVkVzxHjF7dGtkK_xL3h25Ag7U/s1600/IMG_2045+%25281280x733%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS0AUmYJpSHdjuHT7MIKEpG1nSk9B4kFFV7D8Ebats_5lEO75NOuF_AzdK_nd9NoEPM1ZMyz6qPBVt22v5aUdbHwsmJXpmCA7STjs7e8uo9VqNJt3f8pVkVzxHjF7dGtkK_xL3h25Ag7U/s640/IMG_2045+%25281280x733%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow Browed Warbler in Pub garden</td></tr>
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Ok seems like a no brainer to anyone wanting to see good birds and new species but we're passed that stage after years of chasing other peoples birds so that was it, Spurn was where we were going to look for and hopefully find our own birds like the Little Bunting yesterday. So it was, a drive to Canal Scrape a look in the hide and great views of JACK SNIPE in the bag. Next was a search of the bushes to the south, a WHEATEAR flew up from the field and I noticed a bunting very close grovelling very close to the entrance to the field, after a couple seconds the bird showed again and LITTLE BUNTING no.2 was in the bag, this also made honours even as Stephen had found yesterdays bird! Next Stephen got reasonable flight views of a Pipit that which looked interesting, it became more interesting when it called like a TREE/OLIVE BACKED? unfortunately we think it disappeared over the sea wall and remained unidentified. A quick look at the sea and a chat with a local birder talking about the still present tempter to the north, suddenly that little voice in our heads said "lifer still there... 90 minutes.........." Away we went!!!<br />
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After an extremely windy Colin McRae style drive and almost exactly 90 minutes later we were at Bempton Cliffs RSPB, staring into a small copse which held the treasure. A short wait and the <span style="color: red;">EASTERN CROWNED WARBLER </span>showed not well for me, so I was after better views, unfortunately we got distracted by the news of a Black Browed Albatross which had gone south before we arrived apparently seen heading back north, a dilemma again so 20 minutes was spent staring out to sea waiting for it's appearance, it never did.. so back to the Warbler and finally some fantastic views of this Mega bird, just the 4th for the country 3 of which have been on the east coast Mainland. After all the excitement a visit to Flamborough seemed like a bit of an anti climax as yesterdays birds had moved on and the wind made viewing tricky, we left with adding REDSTART to the list and a couple more YBW's. Food and the Crown and Anchor beckoned.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd_M61RnWvCNjRjbeENuTjUqdXN4nA0UEmJB1FY7gxeiFBVO2dnG_DfywoKBw3-Uc7xXy3TKwq3WmbguWwqZyHbpzGUVdlTH7qCDQkYsDeG6lPCSHA9LpJSVIy9zcStfufAWZKkukjrVI/s1600/IMG_1817+%25281280x856%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd_M61RnWvCNjRjbeENuTjUqdXN4nA0UEmJB1FY7gxeiFBVO2dnG_DfywoKBw3-Uc7xXy3TKwq3WmbguWwqZyHbpzGUVdlTH7qCDQkYsDeG6lPCSHA9LpJSVIy9zcStfufAWZKkukjrVI/s640/IMG_1817+%25281280x856%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Bunting find...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwoR9K3Sfr2kkawmIhngfHuIfew5mSzU-k3__aXDGAzoxwTWZVFiHIlp_fz4ZJMwXELARzt4FSKBd099GpqUL_BlUOH8ALuho-JqYn6AEG8X6pNfyo9z34GrdlHwT0ihSescTBjbTlns4/s1600/IMG_1838+%25281280x846%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwoR9K3Sfr2kkawmIhngfHuIfew5mSzU-k3__aXDGAzoxwTWZVFiHIlp_fz4ZJMwXELARzt4FSKBd099GpqUL_BlUOH8ALuho-JqYn6AEG8X6pNfyo9z34GrdlHwT0ihSescTBjbTlns4/s640/IMG_1838+%25281280x846%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of shadow removal!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPOUImYovsngI4fY3DnJysUGVBdKLyjxjL0Wf7ayFmXyuCrju4ra7uzoMnwZmo4OJblJ7Ot2ZM8ckPQeHEVWnPuAtjSbk0G9YcWC_t7_EAb-qyfAVmgj9WlvOZhTxrVmFThk4UDIUMGdk/s1600/IMG_1880+%25281280x825%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPOUImYovsngI4fY3DnJysUGVBdKLyjxjL0Wf7ayFmXyuCrju4ra7uzoMnwZmo4OJblJ7Ot2ZM8ckPQeHEVWnPuAtjSbk0G9YcWC_t7_EAb-qyfAVmgj9WlvOZhTxrVmFThk4UDIUMGdk/s640/IMG_1880+%25281280x825%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wow.. just stunning EASTERN CROWNED WARBLER</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJXWOBFeOnJKFV6awJ6u71thGatoIFMX7IiHdqAZqYtD_Nx20Jtqyw8ZUpKU1WmDAa3jaZT-hNM5cGcdeQH2Vk8XKM6paNS_sXsG6KHe_fmMPxSfDsuEVoEInKvJNjQWw70qTMNGEf0Yw/s1600/IMG_1892+%25281280x770%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJXWOBFeOnJKFV6awJ6u71thGatoIFMX7IiHdqAZqYtD_Nx20Jtqyw8ZUpKU1WmDAa3jaZT-hNM5cGcdeQH2Vk8XKM6paNS_sXsG6KHe_fmMPxSfDsuEVoEInKvJNjQWw70qTMNGEf0Yw/s640/IMG_1892+%25281280x770%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As Above</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6S7XSJCngqDULYH_0G270Uj4rzNt_58z6mHYKI9Ner3JZ8LeGRUEdVWguiKUok4FDYcmzfTk6S-dnfdV4DAEs52-le9kbjPspkc4mtDUl1FPXAUEW029omUkDKlCSNIVF_yScJVpZp2U/s1600/IMG_1894+%25281280x873%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6S7XSJCngqDULYH_0G270Uj4rzNt_58z6mHYKI9Ner3JZ8LeGRUEdVWguiKUok4FDYcmzfTk6S-dnfdV4DAEs52-le9kbjPspkc4mtDUl1FPXAUEW029omUkDKlCSNIVF_yScJVpZp2U/s640/IMG_1894+%25281280x873%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ditto</td></tr>
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Day 3, we walked from the Obs, a YBW called again in the pub garden and after trawling through loads of crests and Chiffchaffs we finally found a FIRECREST just passed the pub, a SHORT EARED OWL flew over head, the first of three for the day. We added RING OUZEL at Beacon lane and a couple flocks of BARNACLE GEESE flew south, meanwhile BRAMBLING and ROBINS were everywhere. At Canal Scrape 5 JACK SNIPE and 3 DUNLIN gave great views and more surprisingly a PURPLE SANDPIPER dropped out of the sky and started swimming amongst the WIGEON!!! eventually it saw sense and flew to the safety of the near bank. We spent the whole day re-doing the circuit to try to find something different which almost certainly lurking somewhere waiting to be found. Just as we were ready to leave a Rustic Bunting was found in an area only accessible to Friends of Spurn we stepped a few feet inside but decided as the bird had flown and a 4 hour drive ahead we'd head back and get our stuff for the journey home. There was one last stop at Sammy's Point where one of my favourite birds showed well as they generally do once tracked down GREAT GREY SHRIKE, great end to a memorable introduction to Spurn what a fantastic place, we were lucky we caught the winds right and as I write so more great birds are being reported shame we couldn't stay longer...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipPcVDC7Xgq7aSwZGaB7uMtUbzumMePXl6ZJevYcdmQxQCs_XqwSjJKl0wQwjyYXJGE3H-a9AP9jj8ADP2QRc1l0lH05B4XmxeCk3mSWPph5t_UWbTfQOYtRyfzFgIMEKKmudmazmyeQU/s1600/IMG_1955+%25281280x780%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipPcVDC7Xgq7aSwZGaB7uMtUbzumMePXl6ZJevYcdmQxQCs_XqwSjJKl0wQwjyYXJGE3H-a9AP9jj8ADP2QRc1l0lH05B4XmxeCk3mSWPph5t_UWbTfQOYtRyfzFgIMEKKmudmazmyeQU/s640/IMG_1955+%25281280x780%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple Sand - Canal Scrape</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq7oPAIXlQf1-6ZanHkZp9Y6wbcP-jP3KIEipI_T9nUOLIR6MvUeXYbFhykZ88yeydfBsVClVgJ40KObJfNOfpxfrl5eUptpRr-3ZurbqCr_R_Yo6Oo1Xb6PsNvz0NTZPmMzhIbeJiFjU/s1600/IMG_1960+%25281280x816%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq7oPAIXlQf1-6ZanHkZp9Y6wbcP-jP3KIEipI_T9nUOLIR6MvUeXYbFhykZ88yeydfBsVClVgJ40KObJfNOfpxfrl5eUptpRr-3ZurbqCr_R_Yo6Oo1Xb6PsNvz0NTZPmMzhIbeJiFjU/s640/IMG_1960+%25281280x816%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loving Jack Snipe :-)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIUfmuDLq033aGRmFgwGShtM8KsYtc5SFOFsECvWZ7_DliPUaS3pBMPKv36zaZQPQdeocA-K7fc8jNJMt4qRv9scHxQbwJvn6GEv6ZGZw4WbSBPkGF_dX3MjbwNAQxqPhWEZnrD3OEz78/s1600/IMG_2012+%25281280x812%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIUfmuDLq033aGRmFgwGShtM8KsYtc5SFOFsECvWZ7_DliPUaS3pBMPKv36zaZQPQdeocA-K7fc8jNJMt4qRv9scHxQbwJvn6GEv6ZGZw4WbSBPkGF_dX3MjbwNAQxqPhWEZnrD3OEz78/s640/IMG_2012+%25281280x812%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spot Fly near Obs</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjthcenFrZXscc9sXksRq6i_aSUkF9udslf2EIFG77mQT1vytEsm5AhGvG-h2XsU1cFGyG-aPwgDS-NxQSmsIE_znAQw6mBQzU7mbVDDt3mEc6sNsAlfiuoco4Msn41DUyNIWH-M8q51e8/s1600/IMG_2160+%25281280x775%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjthcenFrZXscc9sXksRq6i_aSUkF9udslf2EIFG77mQT1vytEsm5AhGvG-h2XsU1cFGyG-aPwgDS-NxQSmsIE_znAQw6mBQzU7mbVDDt3mEc6sNsAlfiuoco4Msn41DUyNIWH-M8q51e8/s640/IMG_2160+%25281280x775%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great Grey finale</td></tr>
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Alan Paveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01692918061802982914noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27062148993749694.post-5066867460154461632016-08-30T22:12:00.000+01:002016-08-30T22:12:12.777+01:00Cornwall to OareI set off to Falmouth on Saturday morning at just before 5am, excited at the prospect of the day ahead. A delay of an hour and a half didn't dampen my spirits, I arrived with 30 minutes to spare and ready to get aboard my ak wildlife cruise.<br />
It was a steady start as we headed 25 miles east before heading straight out to sea, the highlight of the first couple of hours were MED GULL (several), immature LITTLE GULL and SANDWICH TERN for the birds in the water were many COMPASS JELLYFISH and a single OCEAN SUNFISH. As we headed further out a couple of MANX SHEARWATERS appeared and lots of GANNETS. The Gannets were key, as we spotted a large flock diving on the horizon, Captain Keith headed towards them and from a distance we saw something large break the water and splash down, loads of Manx Shearwaters appeared our first STORM PETRELS showed as we got closer, next it was COMMON DOLPHINS, before the shout of WHALE! rang out a 19ft MINKE WHALE was lunge feeding around the boat we waited and watched and managed to see the whale at least 5 or 6 times at one time passing right under the boat. Really exciting stuff and whatever happened after that didn't matter.<br />
As it was we soon had a couple of SOOTY SHEARWATER on the list plus GUILLEMOTS, RAZORBILL, ARCTIC SKUA and lots more STORM PETRELS. Everything calmed down eventually and the after checking a couple more feeding frenzies we headed back I did have a brief siting of a single BOTTLE NOSED DOLPHIN, unfortunately it didn't re-surface. An ATLANTIC GREY SEAL high up on a rock was the final addition to the list as the sun started to disappear behind The Lizard, a very enjoyable 7 hours.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRzAd8cety-taGMPxd6PVP7pX3nrjlcLsxGYoDh1wfsHYDXEDsw58Wo5WdunUSbK014iv3OYcU4E4fi4rDmsboY9Cwdgl24SF9XSZuMaIf-HctKZHxkCQA8WdABxBUuEiJzPLlPEpuIsw/s1600/IMG_0656+%25281280x853%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRzAd8cety-taGMPxd6PVP7pX3nrjlcLsxGYoDh1wfsHYDXEDsw58Wo5WdunUSbK014iv3OYcU4E4fi4rDmsboY9Cwdgl24SF9XSZuMaIf-HctKZHxkCQA8WdABxBUuEiJzPLlPEpuIsw/s640/IMG_0656+%25281280x853%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ocean Sunfish</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCqPq9-yFH1eRNokBRLI-NpYwLTCp-v_EV7ktPMRF01-tNzCxO1gP_01lNO_i6Bw291mHUgounbZLSniz-xH1bsjyn74s4fRPMlZnKp6cz2pxrY2cbnC1ToTjeoN3TCdb25qemCiXMovM/s1600/IMG_0721+%25281280x853%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCqPq9-yFH1eRNokBRLI-NpYwLTCp-v_EV7ktPMRF01-tNzCxO1gP_01lNO_i6Bw291mHUgounbZLSniz-xH1bsjyn74s4fRPMlZnKp6cz2pxrY2cbnC1ToTjeoN3TCdb25qemCiXMovM/s640/IMG_0721+%25281280x853%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loads of Gannets</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiX39s6AzwNSD-TybtQ7w1vbt2yDxOxlnGSgu_23W_KWiCUGgQhMyaWLPzZofrrQ59vGLGOBUgIUFTHAaU_OCGI77Y8CP-qFOND0hkEDyDrI5nSu2PUE36SZ4VIAUdTaNILaDJDWd0zrk/s1600/IMG_0742+%25281280x835%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiX39s6AzwNSD-TybtQ7w1vbt2yDxOxlnGSgu_23W_KWiCUGgQhMyaWLPzZofrrQ59vGLGOBUgIUFTHAaU_OCGI77Y8CP-qFOND0hkEDyDrI5nSu2PUE36SZ4VIAUdTaNILaDJDWd0zrk/s640/IMG_0742+%25281280x835%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Manx Shearwater</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggsIvgIzcEMPsoFqPrf1w8vtCWMP-JlAKVJYvLJTrHEX7D8jU8m9xi9qgwfOiKoxmRJBeulTDG9bqMg0U9X1a7pRPi-gsogioNELy1hvSQdaJE3nO9exqpP952F-IfxyqDLQxdE-jGe7I/s1600/IMG_0805+%25281280x853%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggsIvgIzcEMPsoFqPrf1w8vtCWMP-JlAKVJYvLJTrHEX7D8jU8m9xi9qgwfOiKoxmRJBeulTDG9bqMg0U9X1a7pRPi-gsogioNELy1hvSQdaJE3nO9exqpP952F-IfxyqDLQxdE-jGe7I/s640/IMG_0805+%25281280x853%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inquisitive Common Dolphin</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjknyh3FHlrL8s4kbieR219mou_fXhaUyWv_H_E2Bpd8j7Wk5igAz8safy-ORDqCFNWPwF5u8dng7ilCFrDjtLJdjt-SeJuB1WyHKKqzYkEJW58KvzIXH2nRbcmabIVLl8vfmJZpys5dos/s1600/IMG_0940+%25281280x853%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjknyh3FHlrL8s4kbieR219mou_fXhaUyWv_H_E2Bpd8j7Wk5igAz8safy-ORDqCFNWPwF5u8dng7ilCFrDjtLJdjt-SeJuB1WyHKKqzYkEJW58KvzIXH2nRbcmabIVLl8vfmJZpys5dos/s640/IMG_0940+%25281280x853%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Storm Petrel</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCuH6NHY15Z1RuigtdRJ2z4UYB5nrYSUx8ezz2BKZr9SS5kw4DaJ0nhrigF0QyoxH5k7GRs4Fmvfxh-vOWqcYy0I1lRXXVmktf7qLp1NVPXF32JIN7OH5UM_RTYRwcguWnbHp1T-pjRCc/s1600/IMG_0947+%25281280x853%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCuH6NHY15Z1RuigtdRJ2z4UYB5nrYSUx8ezz2BKZr9SS5kw4DaJ0nhrigF0QyoxH5k7GRs4Fmvfxh-vOWqcYy0I1lRXXVmktf7qLp1NVPXF32JIN7OH5UM_RTYRwcguWnbHp1T-pjRCc/s640/IMG_0947+%25281280x853%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Storm Petrel</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVPqz382N7yRDvvYxrfIwZAGADplniDAllZzeBPXr0ZHhPV_-_3yDXqPXy7OTocFkCzTl3kNraGxByyMXgCSCfcLwV4_U0WzklO8N_ZJX47CULyViEJuOCG4qy5ARfIOqI-P_Pj7IMgLE/s1600/IMG_0997+%25281280x853%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVPqz382N7yRDvvYxrfIwZAGADplniDAllZzeBPXr0ZHhPV_-_3yDXqPXy7OTocFkCzTl3kNraGxByyMXgCSCfcLwV4_U0WzklO8N_ZJX47CULyViEJuOCG4qy5ARfIOqI-P_Pj7IMgLE/s640/IMG_0997+%25281280x853%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gannet</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJrQaCDu2qVD9PZuK3H8aLYVdI0rXb-vKN3ELtrqGUv4MfTWvnJOgzxOnCGW3sYIvkEEzE6n2OKKacXSI3MZE9XJuJ0F_WDRuJ8dsptxrZdadZCTXv2wFXQkB-DHegJwuQ-avMSzToyCs/s1600/IMG_1069+%25281280x853%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJrQaCDu2qVD9PZuK3H8aLYVdI0rXb-vKN3ELtrqGUv4MfTWvnJOgzxOnCGW3sYIvkEEzE6n2OKKacXSI3MZE9XJuJ0F_WDRuJ8dsptxrZdadZCTXv2wFXQkB-DHegJwuQ-avMSzToyCs/s640/IMG_1069+%25281280x853%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Atlantic Grey Seal</td></tr>
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The following morning it was a case of where to go, with the report of Roller on the Lizard, I decided to give it a go, setting off from the National trust car park, I was again drawn by the sea, plenty of MANX SHEARWATERS were pouring passed after nearly an hour I picked up a large Shearwater, CORY'S SHEARWATER came close then headed out to sea a real bonus, they were being seen at Porthgwarra but I didn't really expect to pick one up myself, I tore myself from the sea and watched many SWALLOWS over the fields and found 2 CHOUGH further along the cliffs. a small cove produced several CHIFFCHAFFS, WHITETHROAT, 2 WHEATEAR a couple STONECHAT and that was about it. I found that i had missed Ortolan and Icterine Warbler, although i did manage a few minutes with a local birder looking for them but to no avail. I headed back to Kent.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxlwz6cOynFWbJCTOXCa-8NogSSE3nVx-70XrhtmPjMArTE5Q8QEk2f9a-ayWtAmVdOR93MlYRvTha5m1JpBMSjVJFE_rdI61etDge4gF-Ccb2v2xErcNUKtcilUwgCyc72vD1NDrE2pg/s1600/IMG_1100+%25281280x853%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxlwz6cOynFWbJCTOXCa-8NogSSE3nVx-70XrhtmPjMArTE5Q8QEk2f9a-ayWtAmVdOR93MlYRvTha5m1JpBMSjVJFE_rdI61etDge4gF-Ccb2v2xErcNUKtcilUwgCyc72vD1NDrE2pg/s640/IMG_1100+%25281280x853%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Restronguet Creek - No Pelicans</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguu78bLAKcE1PPiI-H7J5-VA9h_Wtqd7Sxcnw6MvkGAUrRpla3286Qu-eixABMulWsC0ZV963p2uXbIuso2xPYipCFR2u4yLMQrpnEFoYeoFqUOpWH02-AdQsTMdEDAXctXO5wK_B-1DI/s1600/IMG_1125+%25281280x853%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguu78bLAKcE1PPiI-H7J5-VA9h_Wtqd7Sxcnw6MvkGAUrRpla3286Qu-eixABMulWsC0ZV963p2uXbIuso2xPYipCFR2u4yLMQrpnEFoYeoFqUOpWH02-AdQsTMdEDAXctXO5wK_B-1DI/s640/IMG_1125+%25281280x853%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cornish Chough</td></tr>
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With the afternoon of the Bank holiday Monday unexpectedly free for me I headed to Oare Marshes with the prospect of lots of waders, I wasn't disappointed, highlights included 13 LITTLE STINTS, 19 CURLEW SANDPIPER, 3 SPOTTED REDSHANK, LITTLE RINGED PLOVER, 4 WHIMBREL, GREENSHANK, BAR TAILED GODWIT plus all the regulars. The cast was added to by several YELLOW WAGTAILS, SAND MARTINS, SWALLOWS and HOUSE MARTINS.<br />
Bird of the day though was an OSPREY seen heading along the Swale and then turning south, other raptors included MARSH HARRIER, HOBBY, SPARROWHAWK, KESTREL and BUZZARD. A really enjoyable afternoon in good company meeting Rob of Robs Birding blog and twitter and a couple of birders from London, enjoying a day out in Kent.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDJN3wkJypjrPiIFOuPGFk6iwp1oatW0ZBEkPeAa4qUo_vOKbirV6Wz7K1oXjBaI2G0qK4goAOKNx63QCQnSrEeTRH8I_svaabVUVlgFeVIWKgbFy7cwXMrhIYrKLFp4Ehxokt_T3BNLU/s1600/IMG_1160+%25281280x853%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDJN3wkJypjrPiIFOuPGFk6iwp1oatW0ZBEkPeAa4qUo_vOKbirV6Wz7K1oXjBaI2G0qK4goAOKNx63QCQnSrEeTRH8I_svaabVUVlgFeVIWKgbFy7cwXMrhIYrKLFp4Ehxokt_T3BNLU/s640/IMG_1160+%25281280x853%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Golden Plovers</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBGhiEnXFpby-iMc5QrIlwBitSHxVDsQrmLJT3UeAWfMcYsRGKd7l1apyzGMmqJP-joPESy_5Uk0DCBKpKZexJjYAQip7jcDsbcoHKDR9MVi9o_bJPmYJz4CbAD3w_sJmmY7duqgwR6GE/s1600/IMG_1241+%25281280x817%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBGhiEnXFpby-iMc5QrIlwBitSHxVDsQrmLJT3UeAWfMcYsRGKd7l1apyzGMmqJP-joPESy_5Uk0DCBKpKZexJjYAQip7jcDsbcoHKDR9MVi9o_bJPmYJz4CbAD3w_sJmmY7duqgwR6GE/s640/IMG_1241+%25281280x817%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Stint</td></tr>
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<br />Alan Paveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01692918061802982914noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27062148993749694.post-13053088107451012322016-07-03T19:11:00.001+01:002016-07-03T19:11:35.591+01:00Good Birds.....poor pics!Over the last few weeks in my quest to reach 400 species in the UK before I'm 50 (without going really mad) I have gone just a bit further afield. Norfolk to be precise with the draw of GREAT KNOT and CASPIAN TERN, two birds I was yet to see in the UK. The plan was to go to Lincolnshire in fact and look for the Caspian Terns then head onto to Titchwell to look for the Great Knot. This plan didn't quite come to fruition as the day in question the Caspian Terns disappeared. I did however catch-up with and was very happy to join the small crowd on Titchwell beach and watch the Great Knot most of the morning of the 19th June, it never came close but good scope views were more than adequate to pick out all the necessary features, in amongst the 100's of Knot gathered on the beach. So 395 was now the total of my British list. It was nice to see several LITTLE TERNS, LITTLE GULLS and a large flock of COMMON SCOTER on the sea during the morning.<div>
With half a day left to meander through Norfolk and no sign of the Caspian Tern, I headed off to do something I had been meaning to do for years and that was to look for SWALLOWTAIL butterflies at Strumpshaw Fen near Norwich. It was easier than I thought and busier than I thought, just as I approached the visitor centre a group of camera clad enthusiasts were clicking away at two of these special insects, I gladly joined in, a few hundred shots later, my thoughts turned to another insect I had never seen NORFOLK HAWKER, a short stroll into the meadows and several of these beauties were found patrolling their own little stretches of water filled ditch. The meadows were dotted with Southern Marsh Orchids to add to the Bee Orchids I'd seen close to the Swallowtails. An hour or so in the hide looking over the marsh produced a couple of HOBBIES, MARSH HARRIER (3) and a few flitting BEARDED TITS.</div>
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That evening I returned home to the news a Caspian Tern was seen at Breydon Water. Thankfully after disappearing for a couple of days it was refound and on the 26th I headed back up to Norfolk. Once I found the ASDA car park, I was soon watching this brute of a tern, firstly through a bit of heat haze but eventually after a bit of time close enough for the haze not to be a problem, again not amazingly close but great scope views. this time on the way back I popped into one of my favourite places Dunwich heath and watched a few feeding parties of DARTFORD WARBLERS and STONECHATS.</div>
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The local patch has been a bit neglected so still on 101 for the year. I did however head up to the Isle of Grain yesterday and enjoyed good views of the RED BACKED SHRIKE that has been there for a week or so now, it was also nice to bump into Sean and Barry while there and have a quick catch-up.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbAFJHMMYvsGDKFlSprPqpNOwlDX9Ur_EpMgL-pYZCro2vD7FdGshtGTg581dtlHOpKVPaGD4UuM6NL7r_7dyK9vG96Z8bASMa-IuLY7UuzFpUOwX5zLcrAkeGowov0IhjmnRmFnPQx7s/s1600/IMG_8913+%2528548x325%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbAFJHMMYvsGDKFlSprPqpNOwlDX9Ur_EpMgL-pYZCro2vD7FdGshtGTg581dtlHOpKVPaGD4UuM6NL7r_7dyK9vG96Z8bASMa-IuLY7UuzFpUOwX5zLcrAkeGowov0IhjmnRmFnPQx7s/s640/IMG_8913+%2528548x325%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heavily cropped Great Knot!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ZnU2_B1Ygmfpk2D4hdpxTVrANdwwE_0cNhn7b9s7oDJOkseS3TVhBMhjPiU6z6iEC67a8vHOpkYjiutotep1H6_WVBuQXXHwYsHpbZqG96xbctSpl_rrkJ4n-fG4psgmF3yMrkjHPzs/s1600/IMG_8991+%25281280x846%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ZnU2_B1Ygmfpk2D4hdpxTVrANdwwE_0cNhn7b9s7oDJOkseS3TVhBMhjPiU6z6iEC67a8vHOpkYjiutotep1H6_WVBuQXXHwYsHpbZqG96xbctSpl_rrkJ4n-fG4psgmF3yMrkjHPzs/s640/IMG_8991+%25281280x846%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swallowtail - Strumpshaw Fen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQpK9uCIg-KTgTWG_MQ_ORIVFXS6NuMygAVrxJAMOQYw7vM2qkSa19ZR8fdmLs98Tg0Zrpn5x154vEdiRRwpsVr4UDZxikKxYj3U_ifC03EogaYIViyKz0eUyS9HrvIUxUUwB6ee2ngO4/s1600/IMG_8999+%2528853x1280%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQpK9uCIg-KTgTWG_MQ_ORIVFXS6NuMygAVrxJAMOQYw7vM2qkSa19ZR8fdmLs98Tg0Zrpn5x154vEdiRRwpsVr4UDZxikKxYj3U_ifC03EogaYIViyKz0eUyS9HrvIUxUUwB6ee2ngO4/s640/IMG_8999+%2528853x1280%2529.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Southern Marsh Orchid</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcLg26BNWeOMAZdAuI28MypTtMcWLe0-6daK4ycqi8nk0c3fN35-lqD7-pfFNd2STSW2KVWkESN6OBHhSt70T8NlIZuHfG3y9dDBJfNGqN15AUb8szKnv6qZUF9nifWXHJ2obYlBLMryk/s1600/IMG_9011+%25281280x853%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcLg26BNWeOMAZdAuI28MypTtMcWLe0-6daK4ycqi8nk0c3fN35-lqD7-pfFNd2STSW2KVWkESN6OBHhSt70T8NlIZuHfG3y9dDBJfNGqN15AUb8szKnv6qZUF9nifWXHJ2obYlBLMryk/s640/IMG_9011+%25281280x853%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Norfolk Hawker</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjdY9hbNPiGVKJ6ry27NDJ6YP5LSsL1M73An2BIGObxETu6SleN7Psm6UET5mKwIJ9i-4DfpineRQnLASgl2eRS8BkfLqSSdDBBcht9BPX3pfRMCmBUVPeBzGf3HJVFbZaUn8sT9HCiAw/s1600/IMG_9118+%25281280x660%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjdY9hbNPiGVKJ6ry27NDJ6YP5LSsL1M73An2BIGObxETu6SleN7Psm6UET5mKwIJ9i-4DfpineRQnLASgl2eRS8BkfLqSSdDBBcht9BPX3pfRMCmBUVPeBzGf3HJVFbZaUn8sT9HCiAw/s640/IMG_9118+%25281280x660%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caspian Tern</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Zj5rTzcZlY3rZFb1Xzeuz6Ba-r2iAmvDd5cyH-kkKBqTdMIRD7nmmRpX0PayFVeiPjlnqZdQX1AmXhF9DXgKOZ928zcM7h0tabigkd10r2ScYOnkVXjZUf5tRypNtFfNE3jWPsLTIPE/s1600/IMG_9167+%25281280x586%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Zj5rTzcZlY3rZFb1Xzeuz6Ba-r2iAmvDd5cyH-kkKBqTdMIRD7nmmRpX0PayFVeiPjlnqZdQX1AmXhF9DXgKOZ928zcM7h0tabigkd10r2ScYOnkVXjZUf5tRypNtFfNE3jWPsLTIPE/s640/IMG_9167+%25281280x586%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caspian Tern</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmSseoEISvnZY6YIzTj15H27gIGli1cTs2PcQukXRbD4USS7GYBvZstXz9_xpJPtvBtA1-gkaANV9E-MYQMUT19DstFEG_ZsqY6cuSlHiOFoJz9ZuBZ8o_d4RpDXT46v1tnqFbGGBVJi0/s1600/IMG_9192+%25281280x562%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmSseoEISvnZY6YIzTj15H27gIGli1cTs2PcQukXRbD4USS7GYBvZstXz9_xpJPtvBtA1-gkaANV9E-MYQMUT19DstFEG_ZsqY6cuSlHiOFoJz9ZuBZ8o_d4RpDXT46v1tnqFbGGBVJi0/s640/IMG_9192+%25281280x562%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dartford Warblers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBq1p7QE6UwnbTKn59GYY1lt1FjyutmdJK6EhZdPJIa_1NOp32I_ohFTD5sh5D1oHEf5wTaHaqBe-MqKkzA0lhyG1ZYFOy9bBDBhiqQ8XbQ43v-_uc-mSWanXSIOOESYAsDlsaVmNu4wo/s1600/IMG_9217+%25281280x735%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBq1p7QE6UwnbTKn59GYY1lt1FjyutmdJK6EhZdPJIa_1NOp32I_ohFTD5sh5D1oHEf5wTaHaqBe-MqKkzA0lhyG1ZYFOy9bBDBhiqQ8XbQ43v-_uc-mSWanXSIOOESYAsDlsaVmNu4wo/s640/IMG_9217+%25281280x735%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Young Stonechat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixYghCjTR7GzxDhwEZUC8Um-D-mQo3rTJJ_Bpm6DbI-LkdJl3C0hCW_lVWqEhyj7bXk81nAl_QVbMqv_b-aOalQ8iBfSG5p_nzHX7axZrCo0-pNi0-L3cjD09KCITHnaO1yzkVdhz4hcw/s1600/IMG_9344+%25281280x853%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixYghCjTR7GzxDhwEZUC8Um-D-mQo3rTJJ_Bpm6DbI-LkdJl3C0hCW_lVWqEhyj7bXk81nAl_QVbMqv_b-aOalQ8iBfSG5p_nzHX7axZrCo0-pNi0-L3cjD09KCITHnaO1yzkVdhz4hcw/s640/IMG_9344+%25281280x853%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Backed Shrike</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNWMLnq6MA7CZcPs41I5W9cPiiZqMlZhKpmMAfx-y1mkQ8t5QE7wLDX5XZz7Lqy8JBSQz9RxLbWQut8VZATlo1VD5vL9XHHDVRNToqk0EGTuIAyTL8S0zuWwokxe8lOZ-E2H1pgYviXSw/s1600/IMG_9367+%25281280x845%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNWMLnq6MA7CZcPs41I5W9cPiiZqMlZhKpmMAfx-y1mkQ8t5QE7wLDX5XZz7Lqy8JBSQz9RxLbWQut8VZATlo1VD5vL9XHHDVRNToqk0EGTuIAyTL8S0zuWwokxe8lOZ-E2H1pgYviXSw/s640/IMG_9367+%25281280x845%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red backed Shrike</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Alan Paveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01692918061802982914noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27062148993749694.post-5734859040363453612016-05-15T20:32:00.001+01:002016-05-15T20:32:24.304+01:0015.5.16The patch again produced with 2 RINGED PLOVERS another first for the site for me, other highlights included my 4th COMMON TERN of the year, COMMON SANDPIPER, LRP, CUCKOO, TURTLE DOVE and good numbers of SWIFT. A FOUR SPOTTED CHASER was seen as were a few BANDED DEMOISELLE were on the wing.<br />
This afternoon we headed to Hollingbourne for a walk one of our favourites, it was fairly quiet although 2 NIGHTINGALE sung from the old quarry and a RED KITE flew west, a few butterflies were on the wing and I managed to catch up with a BROIMSTONE that landed briefly.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGixWjn-indUoZS6ofkK5JwAi1qnS6746toUqVjbLSzD3o_8pBuVlvn1i_Q9lCOXp4H7GKiVFkTJR9LE4km9_aXMhVeWWrormPb8DL-Oux-UYMLifHgWw7n1tUNjpacd3lyoFVkacI_tY/s1600/IMG_8596+%25281280x727%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGixWjn-indUoZS6ofkK5JwAi1qnS6746toUqVjbLSzD3o_8pBuVlvn1i_Q9lCOXp4H7GKiVFkTJR9LE4km9_aXMhVeWWrormPb8DL-Oux-UYMLifHgWw7n1tUNjpacd3lyoFVkacI_tY/s640/IMG_8596+%25281280x727%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ringed Plover</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAEOt4tS9vfRxaHuirH6Cv2mk7f4m64PTLkGd3DGbI11O66wv3LSooWCH2BV2ikSm2cAfb6AnatnrFGrkyD1TiztaaoWBTGarc7vRjlytqFq_3chzdjUR3W3zen1NdPE3FSJg4rdOHw84/s1600/IMG_8603+%25281280x853%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAEOt4tS9vfRxaHuirH6Cv2mk7f4m64PTLkGd3DGbI11O66wv3LSooWCH2BV2ikSm2cAfb6AnatnrFGrkyD1TiztaaoWBTGarc7vRjlytqFq_3chzdjUR3W3zen1NdPE3FSJg4rdOHw84/s640/IMG_8603+%25281280x853%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cuckoo</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCvjfoBHV3La8Dy-tPOb8uySBi65PCYQoKs4B3H-A3MEKjIfRkwVqsMGzZnpYSksmgZObt2OAfuY_N1jIq61YlwNBZ08hPgg1TjGS0QF_OW4frssTRB3xZAie4q3laV4Vkayfkp9B1Qd8/s1600/IMG_8681+%25281280x761%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCvjfoBHV3La8Dy-tPOb8uySBi65PCYQoKs4B3H-A3MEKjIfRkwVqsMGzZnpYSksmgZObt2OAfuY_N1jIq61YlwNBZ08hPgg1TjGS0QF_OW4frssTRB3xZAie4q3laV4Vkayfkp9B1Qd8/s640/IMG_8681+%25281280x761%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turtle Dove</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCtjJvaNcTMI_nofRyQGj45w6pEbAOd2RD6dhFRJJ749sg2HujrE_o5IT6Ktoo1XoCPw5DcffdMgUOMIpY8an36Q6sSP3jt5JSaU9cr9E-5jYCoNTtMuL-h9LbtgOpICsN0pTEkXeT-ks/s1600/IMG_8710+%25281280x853%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCtjJvaNcTMI_nofRyQGj45w6pEbAOd2RD6dhFRJJ749sg2HujrE_o5IT6Ktoo1XoCPw5DcffdMgUOMIpY8an36Q6sSP3jt5JSaU9cr9E-5jYCoNTtMuL-h9LbtgOpICsN0pTEkXeT-ks/s640/IMG_8710+%25281280x853%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brimstone</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_-3eGw74IUqtGvMsXx6aKuX5ZhZ-E-A8bkYhzTi1jtKYCCCbV3REKw8ZxPSrbv49uthFSm7IOhd7T4hZgC0It4WtEJKXqGueVTwAD8F0ka-rDEkd3Unvqwls1VqL8MRdkhnIGsS1y4lM/s1600/IMG_8722+%25281280x853%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_-3eGw74IUqtGvMsXx6aKuX5ZhZ-E-A8bkYhzTi1jtKYCCCbV3REKw8ZxPSrbv49uthFSm7IOhd7T4hZgC0It4WtEJKXqGueVTwAD8F0ka-rDEkd3Unvqwls1VqL8MRdkhnIGsS1y4lM/s640/IMG_8722+%25281280x853%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Strange Cow............?</td></tr>
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Alan Paveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01692918061802982914noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27062148993749694.post-12900580839069249372016-05-14T22:43:00.002+01:002016-05-14T22:43:42.665+01:007th - 14th MayWith a free day on Saturday 7th, Stephen and I headed for an early seawatch at Dunge, with the promise of Pom Skuas, after the large numbers from the previous day.........The reality was not quite what was hoped for, 3 and a bit hours later the highlights turned out to be a couple of WHIMBREL and a BLACK TERN. There was a Skua, I thought it looked reasonably heavy but we couldn't see any 'spoons' so ended up going down as Artic. We stopped quickly at the end of Kerton Road and found the reported WHINCHAT and heard a LESSER WHITETHROAT. So onto the reserve and a walk round the circuit was fairly quiet but still, lots of SEDGE were singing a BITTERN was seen from the ramp as were the first 2 HOBBIES of the year for me. BEARDED TITS 'pinged' and a GREENSHANK called as it flew high WNW.<br />
A change of scenery took us to Rye Harbour a bit of an old favourite. Timing was ok with the high tide only just receding, There were plenty of birds including a good number of 'tundra' RINGED PLOVERS. Other waders included DUNLIN, SANDERLING, WHIMBREL, AVOCET, BAR TAILED GODWITS and a couple of nice summer GREY PLOVER. Three WHEATEAR were also seen and best of all good numbers LITTLE TERNS hopefully on the road to some sort of recovery here. Still with plenty of time we headed back to Dunge, an unsuccessful search for Grizzled Skipper was followed by our final stop of the day at Arc Pits, we headed towards the Water Tower and found our only new grounded migrants of the day a smart male COMMON REDSTART and a SPOT FLY. On the way home I added HOUSE SPARROW to patch list!<br />
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Sunday morning started cool and back the local on patch almost the first bird seen was a WHIMBREL flying up from the edge of one of the lakes, great start. There were a few SWALLOW, SWIFT and HOUSE MARTIN, a CUCKOO called for most of the time I was there and was seen briefly and REED WARBLERS were constantly in earshot. As I approached the lower lake a I picked up a bird prey instantly recognisable as RED KITE, new for the year and for the patch! it got lower and lower then disappeared. A few minutes later it re-appeared and headed straight towards me, pretty much circled directly over head and drifted off north towards Maidstone. Yet another year tick was added when as I headed back to the car and a TURTLE DOVE called from near the car park. During the the week a couple of patch visits produced 2 OYSTERCATCHERS, REDSHANK and COMMON SANDPIPER.<br />
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With chores to do today I thought a quick patch visit would be the extent of my birding but I did better than expected so chanced my arm with a trip to Abberton Reservoir in Essex which was rewarded with long views, if not close views of the FRANKLINS GULL that had been present for the last few days, a new bird for me anywhere in the world, there were good numbers terns which included 4 BLACK TERNS. This was my first visit to Abberton, it was really nice and took only an hour and twenty or so to get to, also met a good guy from Norfolk who kindly bought me tea as I rang him to say the Franklins was showing, thanks Dave and really nice to talk to you and share a few birding stories :-) Random pictures from the week follow.......<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmt91clOFKBVNsYH5q6QkZ800ZHV_I268ILqFi_KS08SEOwFOzA197QwBgp-tMSCPyRlqARdZoXprQesdXVAyuICG3_BsqNQLoUxRUbvym1DKydu7A5qWvsOOniAJJOHffFrHSmeegdko/s1600/IMG_8386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmt91clOFKBVNsYH5q6QkZ800ZHV_I268ILqFi_KS08SEOwFOzA197QwBgp-tMSCPyRlqARdZoXprQesdXVAyuICG3_BsqNQLoUxRUbvym1DKydu7A5qWvsOOniAJJOHffFrHSmeegdko/s640/IMG_8386.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sedge Warbler</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reed Bunting</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Copper</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Kite - checking me out!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Tern - Abberton Reservoir</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mute Swans</td></tr>
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Alan Paveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01692918061802982914noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27062148993749694.post-17385739470188568992016-05-02T16:27:00.005+01:002016-05-02T16:27:53.334+01:00Bank Holiday Birding and recent stuffManaged several patch visits this weekend as well as a nice afternoon at Oare Marshes and a quick drive over to Otford for the WESTERN RUFOUS TURTLE DOVE, which showed well after only about an hour waiting, always nice to see a new bird and conveniently close to home!<br />
The new patch has been busy in the last week, lots of things arriving good numbers of SWIFT, SAND MARTIN, SWALLOW and HOUSE MARTIN. A couple of LESSER WHITETHROATS are rattling around the patch and a CUCKOO has been calling for about a week. Notable birds new for the year have been COMMON SANDPIPER, COMMON TERN (3 today) and a DUNLIN whizzed around the upper lakes. A few YELLOW WAGTAILS have been seen including a flock of 7 that dropped in briefly last weekend a PEREGRINE was only the second of the year and a nice surprise was a SHORT EARED OWL that flew up from the long grass in the small water meadow.<br />
On Saturday afternoon a stroll round Oare Marshes was a nice change of scenery, about 4 WHIMBREL were milling around the reserve and the LITTLE GULL was busy feeding over the east flood for most of the afternoon. Good numbers of SEDGE WARBLERS were in song and BEARDED TITS called almost continuously but didn't give themselves up easily, allowing only a few fleeting flight views in almost 30mins scanning the reeds. A LESSER WHITETHROAT and a NIGHTINGALE sang from the same group of bushes at the entrance to the west flood footpath. Birds of prey were thin on the ground with 1 KESTREL, 1 SPARROWHAWK and 2 BUZZARDS. There were still good number of BLACK TAILED GODWITS most in resplendent summer colours, AVOCETS were dotted around probably about 10-12 in all.<br />
The random HAWFINCH photo is from a work trip to Portugal!<br />
Various photos from the weekend follow.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX0OPhuSEdlTfgR1_qO8lRXdjkUea4o9XYiJqrmoQ442dfvCi2EC9L1MvHIUTjLkfz6KILSIBq2lHrGOwV9fRI-wJvAnaPU-fynM_8m3QWpHO9gOQOJL5d7ieq4zcCZVI4P2X83tKv490/s1600/IMG_7859.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX0OPhuSEdlTfgR1_qO8lRXdjkUea4o9XYiJqrmoQ442dfvCi2EC9L1MvHIUTjLkfz6KILSIBq2lHrGOwV9fRI-wJvAnaPU-fynM_8m3QWpHO9gOQOJL5d7ieq4zcCZVI4P2X83tKv490/s640/IMG_7859.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hawfinch - Portugal</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgINb2LLOpxDZZLs51W8N3RXA4akzyCWQ1_sMiyv8VABYsiGwLgglhvGfOCF00a7CasQLlrz5MyBy_uWhyGzoau1ieMWIEQgkN75n6ejs0mL32iWyckyTer5LWL92pMk2IFOFZM7klG3Bc/s1600/IMG_8053+%25281280x831%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgINb2LLOpxDZZLs51W8N3RXA4akzyCWQ1_sMiyv8VABYsiGwLgglhvGfOCF00a7CasQLlrz5MyBy_uWhyGzoau1ieMWIEQgkN75n6ejs0mL32iWyckyTer5LWL92pMk2IFOFZM7klG3Bc/s640/IMG_8053+%25281280x831%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little ringed Plover</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgHBlXjJU1hq3f6cpGB3nN25L0qx8vkfs7lGgzGgOly03ynaLq7NemcDWCZ4RRnko5g0HHxrgiSla8P8r_D_COg6RfD6wv_ghHikw14-uUr80IrivdJqGcdol8vrDziZwyCSyh_gOWWKg/s1600/IMG_8089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgHBlXjJU1hq3f6cpGB3nN25L0qx8vkfs7lGgzGgOly03ynaLq7NemcDWCZ4RRnko5g0HHxrgiSla8P8r_D_COg6RfD6wv_ghHikw14-uUr80IrivdJqGcdol8vrDziZwyCSyh_gOWWKg/s640/IMG_8089.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Gull</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whimbrel</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdg5crFpNreG3aGlPPanP0laZ4NAi0CNHdCfcKUh7xktvrGqzPWiS2LFA9mx0Z4Gdbsp1EwKNBH0Bzm_SK1DYicqAPm4hjY4i3RpAdTcwssvEW4UhRpc0VJ4OFa40ZpkNN4FfPVZXaCJw/s1600/IMG_8010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdg5crFpNreG3aGlPPanP0laZ4NAi0CNHdCfcKUh7xktvrGqzPWiS2LFA9mx0Z4Gdbsp1EwKNBH0Bzm_SK1DYicqAPm4hjY4i3RpAdTcwssvEW4UhRpc0VJ4OFa40ZpkNN4FfPVZXaCJw/s640/IMG_8010.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chiffchaff</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb43ktsqMEq7eeZMT0XUDfj0y0fo5N24AEYXro9scsKWS6kctqchKh6fQHaNe3pFd-cYzYrag07RbSRDEiyyUUifM7hZFjp61qxLFkzXsite1XNfauiwAvVl5qh9V5y4wa5uAYZNWPhhs/s1600/IMG_8246+%25281280x746%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb43ktsqMEq7eeZMT0XUDfj0y0fo5N24AEYXro9scsKWS6kctqchKh6fQHaNe3pFd-cYzYrag07RbSRDEiyyUUifM7hZFjp61qxLFkzXsite1XNfauiwAvVl5qh9V5y4wa5uAYZNWPhhs/s640/IMG_8246+%25281280x746%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Tern</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1uGyUQK_w0z2vPXk4xLFlw01W4Q1koWL5FuBfvCK_9ZHxcUsga2Vz_KCVmhL076WGc_ePymjDpgRoQ6reUVwVHmIYZSrrFtyDwIxs017OGlod1GCLaYryFXmlHfhhvtoX8PIB6NTyK0o/s1600/IMG_8250+%25281280x853%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1uGyUQK_w0z2vPXk4xLFlw01W4Q1koWL5FuBfvCK_9ZHxcUsga2Vz_KCVmhL076WGc_ePymjDpgRoQ6reUVwVHmIYZSrrFtyDwIxs017OGlod1GCLaYryFXmlHfhhvtoX8PIB6NTyK0o/s640/IMG_8250+%25281280x853%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tufted Duck</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kingfisher</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHdu07rpWbsIZUdqhytSqU7ukFsL3TtBL8tBRdXutw9OI1-gVZyhR44hpDXedqX-nhPiBhwivE6r9_YDAY421ccAIWeocumoiHeNRUDSjVEDHcQs6NlPiLRGgjIiFFr7vGnf4CUkHcIzs/s1600/IMG_8268+%25281280x834%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHdu07rpWbsIZUdqhytSqU7ukFsL3TtBL8tBRdXutw9OI1-gVZyhR44hpDXedqX-nhPiBhwivE6r9_YDAY421ccAIWeocumoiHeNRUDSjVEDHcQs6NlPiLRGgjIiFFr7vGnf4CUkHcIzs/s640/IMG_8268+%25281280x834%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reed Bunting</td></tr>
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Alan Paveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01692918061802982914noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27062148993749694.post-75069867406671209012016-03-27T17:10:00.002+01:002016-03-27T17:10:53.351+01:00Dungeness 25th MarchThe decision was local patch or Dunge, it wasn't until I sat in the car it seemed like a good move to head to Dunge. I arrived around 8.20 and had a quick coffee, first bird whilst pouring my strong starter for the day was a FIRECREST in the edge of the lighthouse garden, these were to become order of the day. A quick seawatch revealed little, a few GANNETS, a distant Diver sp. and 4 flocks of BRENTS was all I could muster in half an hour so I headed back to the lighthouse garden. There were maybe 4 or 5 Firecrests a couple of CHIFFCHAFF, soon to be joined by more and best of all MC and DW were watching 2 'Continental' COAL TITS, the first I had seen on this country from memory, which is not always to be relied upon!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Continental - Coal Tit</td></tr>
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A walk round the bushes produced at least 5 or 6 more Firecrests in various locations, a flyover SISKIN and 2 SPARROWHAWK, at least 2 Chiffchaffs also sung.<br />
I headed to the reserve and met briefly with SB before heading out around the walk, the weather was glorious, another Firecrest was added as were 5 SMEW, SPOONBILL, GREAT WHITE EGRET, BEARDED TIT and eventually round to see BLACK NECKED GREBES. I couldn't find the hoped for Sand Martin or Swallow.<br />
I decided to head back to the point to enjoy more Firecrest action in some great light, I also added 2 BLACK REDSTARTS to the days tally. Also here was an unexpected HUMMINGBIRD HAWK-MOTH<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9mqjy0YtQJeLl1OGc3aOxgEBiJ84ihP3t3dI4rKdu9v7Y_N5D3yadfGC_xyunoPuSi5AFwW1aOtPwxAW7_YWiZ3qzEKz3HP-QXBvO31i8m2mYkrPNJv7qne7PJtojFAJwbQivMVLKQfY/s1600/IMG_6267+%25281280x812%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9mqjy0YtQJeLl1OGc3aOxgEBiJ84ihP3t3dI4rKdu9v7Y_N5D3yadfGC_xyunoPuSi5AFwW1aOtPwxAW7_YWiZ3qzEKz3HP-QXBvO31i8m2mYkrPNJv7qne7PJtojFAJwbQivMVLKQfY/s640/IMG_6267+%25281280x812%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of many Firecrests</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fly by Sparrowhawk</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bearded Tit on the reserve</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKDpZoaF-yOfh3lv1zTCUJMAF3XWzrk-3Z04qlf0tPS1VgrpA-mZajkyO_xJdQX3_EKceWTdLTaRZjvuNdHCCRv1Yo0waSdaZJk6RZwhSh2N9lDRTjisravwfEJwMi3qBVi-_TvtZ-wlE/s1600/IMG_6446+-+Copy+%25281280x865%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKDpZoaF-yOfh3lv1zTCUJMAF3XWzrk-3Z04qlf0tPS1VgrpA-mZajkyO_xJdQX3_EKceWTdLTaRZjvuNdHCCRv1Yo0waSdaZJk6RZwhSh2N9lDRTjisravwfEJwMi3qBVi-_TvtZ-wlE/s640/IMG_6446+-+Copy+%25281280x865%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hummingbird Hawk Moth</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7xXOpIsew7NzFGP576-YcnTtj7qbg7YoeQopreAD2Onh7SkcfS4nBpSqw9T4tY9TgrBbBLSt5o9bBNDS6y1kTy7IvhkhxsahwnNFEf0JTylgcIEZ5-fjmU8laeIhZgjeJtuptpLiH-AU/s1600/IMG_6478+%25281280x820%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7xXOpIsew7NzFGP576-YcnTtj7qbg7YoeQopreAD2Onh7SkcfS4nBpSqw9T4tY9TgrBbBLSt5o9bBNDS6y1kTy7IvhkhxsahwnNFEf0JTylgcIEZ5-fjmU8laeIhZgjeJtuptpLiH-AU/s640/IMG_6478+%25281280x820%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Firecrest</td></tr>
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On the way home I popped into the local patch, it was fairly quiet no sign of the Little Ringed Plovers I had seen on the 21st or the Jack Snipe, the 2 SEO's were still present though.<br />
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<br />Alan Paveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01692918061802982914noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27062148993749694.post-45487328598743316332016-02-07T18:11:00.000+00:002016-02-07T18:11:13.137+00:00A quick dash to SheppeyI had a couple of hours spare today so decided that now Sheppey is less than half an hour away it was long overdue a visit to see if the SHORE LARK was still around. After a brief encounter with a smart SANDERLING, a group of three birders approached with the same goal in mind, what was nice is that I found they lived very close to me so hopefully it would be good catch up with them around Boughton Monchelsea, so Barry if you are reading this hope to see you again. One of the group quickly found the Shore Lark as it made it's way towards a group of fishermen it gave brilliant views and was happy to pose for photos until it ran out of beach to explore, when it flew off not too far to start again.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFU3_3TpPhuHQM_2WQrK_IUVWG-cTI9bRLVy1UuuIKtU5A3TWlZlVIIS_zGjVKAxSg_A5t2HzwapPonOuRggxk1qpgDAsFxUB4fAhXpLVyL6Es5kP5X9LH3RPciE-zrLfS4CCn-mLeO0k/s1600/IMG_4851+%25281280x794%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFU3_3TpPhuHQM_2WQrK_IUVWG-cTI9bRLVy1UuuIKtU5A3TWlZlVIIS_zGjVKAxSg_A5t2HzwapPonOuRggxk1qpgDAsFxUB4fAhXpLVyL6Es5kP5X9LH3RPciE-zrLfS4CCn-mLeO0k/s640/IMG_4851+%25281280x794%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camouflaged Sanderling</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great views of this Shore Lark</td></tr>
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With limited time it was either head to the local patch or take a quick look along the Elmley entrance track, I decided on the latter. As ever birding from the car afforded great views of the many birds spread along the track, from a distant PEREGRINE hunkering low to the ground, to splashing STARLINGS throwing water everywhere. There were good numbers of BLACK TAILED GODWIT, GOLDEN PLOVER, CURLEW and RUFF as well as 2 BUZZARD and at least 5 MARSH HARRIER. As I left a LITTLE EGRET hunted in a pool close to the track, a gust of wind produced a chance to see what Little Egrets would look like with hair gel!!!!!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lapwing</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidtIhvb9i1JUlSethqof_kK7PQoCEzewPKYJ-wCI_MB1duJ8rmpLrsNODxKkMbGw7KwnT-ys2xM7UcT3q1KfSY70bYEwWFs2Dr0NcERVeFYikIWSrGSvb1JR6j3jJA5ecVtg2o_gxZetw/s1600/IMG_5014+%25281280x788%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidtIhvb9i1JUlSethqof_kK7PQoCEzewPKYJ-wCI_MB1duJ8rmpLrsNODxKkMbGw7KwnT-ys2xM7UcT3q1KfSY70bYEwWFs2Dr0NcERVeFYikIWSrGSvb1JR6j3jJA5ecVtg2o_gxZetw/s640/IMG_5014+%25281280x788%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruff</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruff</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmLwWFOzoBnHdCnynl1Xi_WOe-THkpJjKDeqBcB7xj13o53ksb7P07RXTxQptb6N5KzgzIPiXLVDiBildVYgLPvFWO-u35E8zfF8gdgGseEWutCXSpB3Ov2CrjDbwpAz7vpl780NBdxco/s1600/IMG_5096+%25281280x853%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmLwWFOzoBnHdCnynl1Xi_WOe-THkpJjKDeqBcB7xj13o53ksb7P07RXTxQptb6N5KzgzIPiXLVDiBildVYgLPvFWO-u35E8zfF8gdgGseEWutCXSpB3Ov2CrjDbwpAz7vpl780NBdxco/s640/IMG_5096+%25281280x853%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stylish Little Egret</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Starlings making a splash!!</td></tr>
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Alan Paveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01692918061802982914noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27062148993749694.post-1305262578249466512015-12-30T19:18:00.000+00:002015-12-30T19:18:02.601+00:00Christmas Break BirdingWith a few days off and some good weather, a couple of days birding were long overdue. Stephen was free, so yesterday (29th) we headed to Norfolk for some general birding taking in the PALLID HARRIER at Flitcham, which showed very well and was a great start to the day, here we also saw BARN OWL, GREY PARTRIDGE and a fair number of PINK FOOTED GEESE flying over. While here a couple BRAMBLING buzzed as they also flew over, add to that several HARES, ROE DEER and an earlier MUNTJAC completing the scene it was a very productive first stop.<br />
A short drive to Choseley via a shop to pick-up my missing traditional Scotch Egg, we were soon looking for ROUGH LEGGED BUZZARDS. These proved more difficult and a couple of distant short views in an hour or more was all we could muster, still the light was good so weren't disappointed. Where to go next was the question, after a quick stop at Burnham Overy and a quicker drive round the fully rammed car park at Titchwell we headed for a quieter walk at Burnham Norton where we had 5 Goose species plus a few LITTLE EGRETS as well as nice fly-by MARSH HARRIER. Holkham was next and a small lay-by looking north provided a great vantage point to watch the thousands of PINK FEET, several COMMON BUZZARDS (including one particularly light individual), MARSH HARRIERS and a BARN OWL, no. 2 of the day. There was no sign the Red Rumped Swallow but the GREAT WHITE EGRET flew across the marsh just before we left. Driving to Cley we saw another 3 BARN OWLS, including 2 together just beyond Holkham. At Cley it was a bit too late to pick out the Black Brant but we enjoyed the spectacle as all the Brents and Pink Feet lifted off to head out to roost towards Blakeney Point, a great day out and great to catch-up with Stephen and reminisce about our birding over the years, including a magical morning on a snowy mountain in Poland watching Pygmy Owl and Three Toed Woodpecker............I can see them now as clear as anything :-)<br />
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So to today, strong southerly winds forecast, I was a bit late getting up but got to Dunge for around 9am GANNETS, GUILLEMOTS and KITTIWAKES were streaming down channel, many only just off shore giving great views. I was hoping for Sooty Shearwater as a few had been reported on previous days, the shout did come up twice while I was there but these were very distant and I didn't catch-up with them. There was plenty more to keep the attention though, the first winter CASPIAN GULL was seen several times and on the sea RED THROATED DIVERS, several BONXIES a single ARCTIC SKUA, SANDWICH TERN, plus a handful of RAZORBILLS all headed the same way. Trying to even things up were goods numbers of BRENT GEESE all heading up channel several hundred were seen this morning. Other birds here were SHELDUCK, FULMAR and TURNSTONE on the beach. A quick stop at the reserve added the LONG EARED OWL, almost hidden from view, 2 GREAT WHITE EGRETS and good numbers of GOLDENEYE. Driving back across the marsh didn't produce the hoped for Bewick's Swans just a couple of large flocks of FIELDFARE. Finally I dropped into the local patch which was quiet with just a single Snipe, Chiffchaff and Kingfisher.<br />
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pics from the last couple of days no particular order!!!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG4urSCbD03_T5QtLNCqek6ETLRHzIRmHaBJ6774obmnEhUtprG0SgFBrRLwY2rr_xfSin4oT5RuLwdD6Ld6A2SXNYaiAB4Khja9rwZF7qiIqph7cGKhANzMxrzU2-_6smmgT93Ad90y8/s1600/IMG_4441+%25281280x704%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG4urSCbD03_T5QtLNCqek6ETLRHzIRmHaBJ6774obmnEhUtprG0SgFBrRLwY2rr_xfSin4oT5RuLwdD6Ld6A2SXNYaiAB4Khja9rwZF7qiIqph7cGKhANzMxrzU2-_6smmgT93Ad90y8/s640/IMG_4441+%25281280x704%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of many Gannets today</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guillemot and an unseasonal Arctic Skua</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjBRwU32BWdtwfhddyt0A_-fL7_OmVH-6oRemlrLFE-JINUwXssUyESerEDFBA4n3vZMfruPyWBiV5m8ImJDxjW8sEWZXF2ulTAV39PBx14XzJ8OjFqdrN5NrwGhg7olmZ_V3W1iWjDl8/s1600/IMG_4521+%25281280x816%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjBRwU32BWdtwfhddyt0A_-fL7_OmVH-6oRemlrLFE-JINUwXssUyESerEDFBA4n3vZMfruPyWBiV5m8ImJDxjW8sEWZXF2ulTAV39PBx14XzJ8OjFqdrN5NrwGhg7olmZ_V3W1iWjDl8/s640/IMG_4521+%25281280x816%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great White Egret - Dungeness</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGY6o5HSEdb0C8OXcCiYk8lS7FTuW9aCdk0CJgQeDTq1NZVMieE7PSiPWrIyUzwHIRlM1xySjcAyBM0gk7RfUKHdFdRIcGyNJD55JMZvhL7rlKS8osrU7jNI4hOpM49Pbq9ZRz_mtrcEQ/s1600/IMG_4160+%25281280x825%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGY6o5HSEdb0C8OXcCiYk8lS7FTuW9aCdk0CJgQeDTq1NZVMieE7PSiPWrIyUzwHIRlM1xySjcAyBM0gk7RfUKHdFdRIcGyNJD55JMZvhL7rlKS8osrU7jNI4hOpM49Pbq9ZRz_mtrcEQ/s640/IMG_4160+%25281280x825%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pallid Harrier - Flitcham</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAfVN7l0mbe9ZJ4eWtq5vD8Skmb6FRViAP3EDuAMKCmaHskdl02ZpJqAJXXwwMPIEXfmbEKXyDHnM7i4RREgOFLnt6MoOeEj3UdrirOcP0krKd2eCDNSuUafcDj0J2SomSKW0gQNK_SHY/s1600/IMG_4204+%25281280x822%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAfVN7l0mbe9ZJ4eWtq5vD8Skmb6FRViAP3EDuAMKCmaHskdl02ZpJqAJXXwwMPIEXfmbEKXyDHnM7i4RREgOFLnt6MoOeEj3UdrirOcP0krKd2eCDNSuUafcDj0J2SomSKW0gQNK_SHY/s640/IMG_4204+%25281280x822%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from Burnham Norton walk</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdXUCB93PdgBNo4m_KnaiTGRXosG215P3UnhmRn4cnMEACb5c-A00Nry9yuYC7sYSuA2Y6p-KNKYZdO53I99K5zQtUX9Gs_aCjnxe5cG2I3lg9F55y2Lqhp9G18m3gXtt6Qu9xq4CDePM/s1600/IMG_4209+%25281280x768%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdXUCB93PdgBNo4m_KnaiTGRXosG215P3UnhmRn4cnMEACb5c-A00Nry9yuYC7sYSuA2Y6p-KNKYZdO53I99K5zQtUX9Gs_aCjnxe5cG2I3lg9F55y2Lqhp9G18m3gXtt6Qu9xq4CDePM/s640/IMG_4209+%25281280x768%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marsh Harrier</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDt_9AlnoBIOlOGrxr14TtQdoIHdAMFkF3QkeFeVoFjDGOiarF7efut8aIkFC1wj68Va9_hctYPEmhRsDsrxQ_IEHkyR1GFlUZ78Jzn7iadmANaWMS94zlCOIG7UOgk15QmoL_rgb3HtY/s1600/IMG_4276+%25281280x735%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDt_9AlnoBIOlOGrxr14TtQdoIHdAMFkF3QkeFeVoFjDGOiarF7efut8aIkFC1wj68Va9_hctYPEmhRsDsrxQ_IEHkyR1GFlUZ78Jzn7iadmANaWMS94zlCOIG7UOgk15QmoL_rgb3HtY/s640/IMG_4276+%25281280x735%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barn Owl</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwYOBCv32iUPCsz2jI24mHUtnrZeHYLNI6su-Qb8PsqAFkF3YlFrhE5Uc7V2b5OFcUXVkT8Z9Ks_uWyq-9FLieISxHG4epw-IkdqKhzggrbiJePZuu8wcurCWf46y2T-VEPEy2z07bzzI/s1600/IMG_4231+%25281280x853%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwYOBCv32iUPCsz2jI24mHUtnrZeHYLNI6su-Qb8PsqAFkF3YlFrhE5Uc7V2b5OFcUXVkT8Z9Ks_uWyq-9FLieISxHG4epw-IkdqKhzggrbiJePZuu8wcurCWf46y2T-VEPEy2z07bzzI/s640/IMG_4231+%25281280x853%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just a few Pink Footed Geese</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilhiiv_xtTeXoDO0yPDKELShHA19I8rjf46ZgcGxneW6uGWKv8ENs2fsFz870Aa9e3JphJLrjVmst-YFIGXjettZiB9jnzYlMIjkkj8Mpxfi_bPnwxqxRNUpVuAMhRTO6LZeSL5TeIfek/s1600/IMG_4313+%25281280x635%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilhiiv_xtTeXoDO0yPDKELShHA19I8rjf46ZgcGxneW6uGWKv8ENs2fsFz870Aa9e3JphJLrjVmst-YFIGXjettZiB9jnzYlMIjkkj8Mpxfi_bPnwxqxRNUpVuAMhRTO6LZeSL5TeIfek/s640/IMG_4313+%25281280x635%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barn Owl</td></tr>
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Alan Paveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01692918061802982914noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27062148993749694.post-74035968583976845082015-05-10T20:20:00.000+01:002015-05-10T20:20:39.658+01:00A bit of Local birdingAfter a couple of weeks of inactivity, I enjoyed a nice local walk. The new patch hit 100 species today, a little later than I hoped for but still a nice mark to reach, this year so far the total is 87 with several common species missing.<br />
There were good numbers of SWIFT, SWALLOW and HOUSE MARTIN around the area. Raptors were in good supply with at least 6 BUZZARDS, 1 KESTREL, 2 SPARROWHAWKS, 1 PEREGRINE and a HONEY BUZZARD! Other birds of note were 2 EGYPTIAN GEESE, several TUFTED DUCK, KINGFISHER, LITTLE OWL a couple of CUCKOOS, LITTLE RINGED PLOVER and a BLACK TAILED GODWIT! Some really nice local birds, add to that families of GREAT CRESTED GREBES, LAPWING and MUTE SWAN, it was a very enjoyable couple of hours.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A surprise find today</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Young Lapwing</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Distant Honey Buzzard</td></tr>
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<br />Alan Paveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01692918061802982914noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27062148993749694.post-8445987743609302142014-12-31T10:31:00.000+00:002014-12-31T10:31:01.109+00:00Suddenly some activity!With the new patch being 'unreportable', things to put on here have been a bit scarce to say the least! A couple of visits back to Sissinghurst have yielded the usual suspects which included a couple of flyover SISKIN a week or so ago, a bird that I haven't seen mentioned much this winter and a wintering BLACKCAP in the garden of our house Boughton Monchelsea has been nice.<br />
Anyway to the activity on the 28th Dec I headed to Chilham to look for the GREAT GREY SHRIKE. It was in it's favourite bush by the when I arrived around 8am and stayed in view moving to the hedgerow by the playing field for most of my time there, eventually I left around 11.30 having thoroughly enjoyed my few hours watching the bird. It was generally not close enough for any meaningful photos but when it was hunting it did come a little closer on one occasion.<br />
Monday 29th, I picked up Stephen and we headed to Pett Level, the LESSER YELLOWLEGS was soon located but distant and among the Greylags there were about 7 WHITE FRONTED GEESE. A walk round Castle Water at Rye was very pleasant, at least 3 MARSH HARRIERS were very active a SMEW was in amongst good numbers duck which also included a few PINTAIL. Stephen picked out a GREAT WHITE EGRET from the viewing ramp in with some sheep and a couple of LITTLE EGRETS. Next stop was Scotney gravel pit, we couldn't find the Scaup but did find the 2 BLACK NECKED GREBES at the far side of the pit. Soon we were along the Dengemarsh Road watching the long staying CATTLE EGRETS, a few photos later and we checked in to the RSPB reserve, here we added GOOSANDER, more SMEW another GREAT WHITE EGRET and BLACK NECKED GREBE. A search across the marsh proved fruitless for Bean Geese and Bewick's Swans but it was as I always say great to be out on such crisp clear winters day.<br />
Finally the 30th saw me on the new patch nothing out of the ordinary was noted but I had a slight mission that I wanted to get a half decent KINGFISHER pic having been watching the area nearly 6 months I had a spot in mind to set myself down for a while, the results are below. After getting a few pics news of a Little Bustard on East Guldeford levels came through and I was soon out with Stephen again searching the marshes a 6 mile walk and 3 hours or so later we admitted defeat, highlight on the walk was probably the 480 GOLDEN PLOVER near the wind farm and the odd MARSH HARRIER. Hopefully someone will have better luck in the coming days.<br />
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Alan Paveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01692918061802982914noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27062148993749694.post-30125103052587222642014-10-30T17:18:00.000+00:002014-10-30T17:18:00.187+00:00An unexpected day out 25/10Waking early Saturday and checking that there weren't any pressing chores to do!, had me thinking where could I go, Yellow Billed Cuckoo? Surf Scoter.. Norfolk??? I'm not as adventurous as I used to be so settled for a day on Sheppey, always a favourite of mine.<br />
Arriving at the NNR reserve at around 7.15am, the gate was locked but the sign said open at 7am I decided to climb the stile and walk a 100yds down the track and watch the sunrise, whilst waiting for the reserve to open, I was kept company by a couple of REED BUNTINGS and a STONECHAT. A KINGFISHER called several times and my first BRAMBLING of the autumn flew over calling and heading south-west. An early Buzzard drifted through the mist and a Fox was very active hunting in the long grass. The gates eventually opened at 8am by which time I had racked up nearly 30 species.<br />
Along the entrance track more Stonechats were seen plus at least 6 MARSH HARRIERS. Several people were looking for the Long Eared Owl/s in the orchard but it or they were not roosting in sight. From the screen on the bank a flock of AVOCET were added and further along the track I heard the 'ping ping' of BEARDED TITS which drew my attention, and a nice male showed well with others moving around in the background.<br />
Before heading towards the hides a brief stop and chat with another birder, who had just had a WHEATEAR in the fields, this prompted a quick scan which found 2 birds, one of my latest sightings. A hundred plus GOLDEN PLOVER dropped into the fields while I was here, another the first of the autumn for me.<br />
I then did something I don't remember doing before, I walked to Spit End, as the tide was coming in, there were plenty of waders and several Marsh Harriers to be seen, the highlight though was a PEREGRINE taking a wader from the many gathered at the waters edge, may not have been a highlight for the wader though! On the long hike back I stopped in South Hide where there was not a single wader to be seen despite the tide being a fair way in.<br />
Next stop was a short drive and a brief look at the sea at Leysdown not much doing apart from the odd TURNSTONE, so on to the raptor watchpoint along the road from Capel Fleet, I sat and had a quick coffee listening to Liverpool struggle against Hull, when two birds flew by which turned out to be a Marsh Harrier chasing a SHORT EARED OWL, I could just watch these birds for hours, I parked at the edge of one of larger passing spaces and waited the bird came passed on a number occasions in lovely light, I can never get exactly what I am after but below are some of the images I got, probably as good as I have had of these great birds so far. The final highlight was a ring tail HEN HARRIER that a couple of guys had been watching which I picked out flying next to the SEO, which had moved closer to Capel Fleet, a really enjoyable day out, always better when unexpected :-)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Bearded Tit</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turnstone</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Short-Eared Owl - overload</td></tr>
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<br />Alan Paveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01692918061802982914noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27062148993749694.post-91844323467561687812014-10-05T19:34:00.001+01:002014-10-05T19:34:38.495+01:00A Week off work and to dateWith nothing planned I wasn't sure what the week would bring but a couple of local walks and a couple of days each in Devon and Hampshire were pretty pleasant. Good weather nice scenery and a few birds nothing spectacular just some nice stuff during the w/c 22nd Sept.<br />
The local walks were one around Hollingbourne which produced 2 WHINCHAT, 2 STONECHAT and 2 HOBBY, consistent at least also loads of SWALLOWS, HOUSE MARTINS and MEADOW PIPITS. Then a second walk a little further from home but just into East Sussex at Rye Harbour was fairly quiet although CURLEW SANDPIPER was nice and 3 RUFF dropped in. A small flock of Brent Geese were on the flooded beach with several LITTLE GREBE diving around them.<br />
An early start on the 24th saw us in Devon for 9am not much doing GREY WAGTAIL at Cockington was the highlight, we then headed to Berry Head for some reason the Gyrfalcon I've seen a picture of many times over the years wasn't there! not to worry a WALL BROWN butterfly and a pod of about 8 COMMON DOLPHIN were enough to keep me entertained as was a call that I'm pretty sure was Cirl Bunting that I heard as I got out of the car. Again plenty of Pipits, Swallows and Martins were around and a few CHIFFCHAFFS. Onto Becky Falls and the first DIPPER of the trip plus a HOBBY, next stop was the hotel in the middle of nowhere at a place called Portsmouth Arms where the Northcote Manor Hotel was set in lovely grounds with views to Exmoor from the croquet lawn! The next day we walked A bit of the river Lyn with more DIPPERS, GREY WAGTAIL, BUZZARDS and RAVEN. The way back to Lynmouth along the coastal path we found several STONECHAT and a fine PEREGRINE sitting resting on the rocks. The last morning in Devon we walked near Saunton Sands, I was surprised to find 4 DARTFORD WARBLERS on the peninsula above the Saunton Sands Hotel.<br />
After the walk a 3 hour drive to the New Forest was uneventful and we were ready to explore a bit more the following morning. A walk the hotel recommended to us which was very disappointing as I hadn't realised it actually took us out of the forest, which was surprising with all that forest they advertised as being through their garden and straight into it!<br />
A second walk in the afternoon, this time of our own choosing was more productive, a few DARTFORD WARBLERS again, plus CROSSBILL many SISKIN, loads of SWALLOWS, MARTINS and PIPITS still. A group of FALLOW DEER were the first I've seen for several years. The last day away we headed for Acres Down here we had STONECHAT, BUZZARD (6+), WOODLARK and best of all GOSHAWK, we saw 2 and apparently they are doing quite well the first was very distant and the second a silhouette much closer but even so still great to see.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Becky Falls</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dipper</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lynmouth</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjYpogtvFgQWevPgo4iT6ozl2m_hV8xe68eSyrGhlsXOVCbJA3htLSdjP_NBsNdgqAAquYmfiA0PmEwnvmMzrzUBGQIhi4mUzyAHh0w0I-mI36AUh-vJElTV9GEKxZzCT0uF3kf9XG/s1600/IMG_4057+(1280x821).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjYpogtvFgQWevPgo4iT6ozl2m_hV8xe68eSyrGhlsXOVCbJA3htLSdjP_NBsNdgqAAquYmfiA0PmEwnvmMzrzUBGQIhi4mUzyAHh0w0I-mI36AUh-vJElTV9GEKxZzCT0uF3kf9XG/s1600/IMG_4057+(1280x821).jpg" height="410" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Copper</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7a3RbEQAPq34O2LR-ZxKcPDLCvj4L-dB1e1ytKS8Gtr7l8oPNCIRmSjhpzQNl-8-Idi7mXS-lZ_ZHKtCXfWAy_mi6dPc7q80yhP8dVYqMNC_nnaew7RsaO63yGd6vreYa-352S6Fr/s1600/IMG_4077+(1280x853).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7a3RbEQAPq34O2LR-ZxKcPDLCvj4L-dB1e1ytKS8Gtr7l8oPNCIRmSjhpzQNl-8-Idi7mXS-lZ_ZHKtCXfWAy_mi6dPc7q80yhP8dVYqMNC_nnaew7RsaO63yGd6vreYa-352S6Fr/s1600/IMG_4077+(1280x853).jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Croyde</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWRJmUDmcSqoUNeOXcRx5l7ymgYVcX9RLS9NL7scDbm5pytrcjjwXrWGU2vwYe5AwVF4ObeoXyyzA9EZE-4RBVrjKSBHtjKRvW7gg7wVgUSuDwiax3eysBtBZFV8tk6iqJLKJssHMJ/s1600/IMG_4123+(1280x853).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWRJmUDmcSqoUNeOXcRx5l7ymgYVcX9RLS9NL7scDbm5pytrcjjwXrWGU2vwYe5AwVF4ObeoXyyzA9EZE-4RBVrjKSBHtjKRvW7gg7wVgUSuDwiax3eysBtBZFV8tk6iqJLKJssHMJ/s1600/IMG_4123+(1280x853).jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saunton Sands - Devon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsk4yuPIRwWBl1vtTNM9V8d-Wh7nvSmSSWWIO0L449RB6MSxnHpJjxQlavwDCCwzb58SgRfeNNrzd0I9c4zQ54WJqaHgdt32wOrZq9z46Z9imC1Uo6mt7EwCFzvaBAXXmHmpYg23T9/s1600/IMG_4127+(1280x853).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsk4yuPIRwWBl1vtTNM9V8d-Wh7nvSmSSWWIO0L449RB6MSxnHpJjxQlavwDCCwzb58SgRfeNNrzd0I9c4zQ54WJqaHgdt32wOrZq9z46Z9imC1Uo6mt7EwCFzvaBAXXmHmpYg23T9/s1600/IMG_4127+(1280x853).jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Acres Down - New Forest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
So holiday forgotten and a busy week at work, the new patch got neglected. A short visit Saturday the 4th didn't produce much a COMMON SANDPIPER was still around the GREYLAG GOOSE flock was up to maybe 150 or so birds a couple of EGYPTIAN GEESE were also around and a few CHIFFCHAFFS called. Also there were 4 TEAL and a female TUFTED DUCK.<br />
This morning a GREEN SANDPIPER replaced the Common and several KINGFISHERS hovered and whizzed around, 20 LAPWINGS flew south and a flock of 12 TEAL flew east. The highlight came when I heard a familiar call I looked up and a BEARDED TIT flew over it went down in some reeds not far away, I was lucky to see it again and get a couple of record shots before it continued on its way, a brilliant surprise and hopefully not the last, the patch moves to 91 species since 4th July.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht1sVVuB3ldxfHTAM9mZ7lOSU_ELy7a37MLverE-8H8T03qsOn-g3tNUBfVmjA4zzaKR2syceyaXL83ZA8hSU4aMp7yioA3bS6PxxnIhWc0fBtKgU8h-Fgquw3xjgEingaWz2Lzei4/s1600/IMG_4209+(1280x404).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht1sVVuB3ldxfHTAM9mZ7lOSU_ELy7a37MLverE-8H8T03qsOn-g3tNUBfVmjA4zzaKR2syceyaXL83ZA8hSU4aMp7yioA3bS6PxxnIhWc0fBtKgU8h-Fgquw3xjgEingaWz2Lzei4/s1600/IMG_4209+(1280x404).jpg" height="202" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bearded Tit - new to patch today</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnr1OkEnH_-94BvjxyRBKaEVXK1-m2GRVzEHDBIzedfqmWXZcibFco6hc67Ff6nrV4mIO0Jxxe4RbEcL_-0KVllliOwWJdZMfy_Zmcua9BjhbfxbnP1thfRKgNnMjoc-HKvb601Ed7/s1600/IMG_4211+(1280x784).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnr1OkEnH_-94BvjxyRBKaEVXK1-m2GRVzEHDBIzedfqmWXZcibFco6hc67Ff6nrV4mIO0Jxxe4RbEcL_-0KVllliOwWJdZMfy_Zmcua9BjhbfxbnP1thfRKgNnMjoc-HKvb601Ed7/s1600/IMG_4211+(1280x784).jpg" height="392" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bearded Tit again</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Alan Paveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09286527051679271536noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27062148993749694.post-13525752826289937822014-09-08T14:07:00.000+01:002014-09-08T14:07:06.234+01:00A few recent picsThe new patch continues to produce new birds, 4 GADWALL were new on Wednesday this week when there were 2 GREENSHANK, 2 GREEN SANDS and a COMMON SAND, unfortunately my visit was just 20mins so who knows what else was around. Sunday morning I added MEADOW PIPIT as the autumn the first signs of autumn movement for this bird, there were also 3 YELLOW WAGS, 2 GREEN SANDS, COMMON SAND, 3 EGYPTIAN GEESE, at least 3 KINGFISHERS and loads of CHIFFCHAFF, I tried hard but couldn't find any Pied Flys or anything else different. Also added Sunday was a WATER RAIL, a bit earlier than I would expect at Sissinghurst.<br />
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Talking of which a couple of recent visits have produced SAND MARTIN, WHEATEAR plus yesterday HOBBY, YELLOW WAGTAIL and TURTLE DOVE.</div>
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Below are a few various pics from recent walks around Kent.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixYseGHusm4_-ghrS8o3HwE8vDKNa51VZJanlcUTcOk9bOxk_mOdLBG00Yh_4I8vxdIOYkU4XaeF8bUNVAPH6PujtPWfza_5z5mixs2vncNm8CGMeYBl__2EpWWM-ZVJlS7j4yMnOF/s1600/IMG_1903+(1280x853).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixYseGHusm4_-ghrS8o3HwE8vDKNa51VZJanlcUTcOk9bOxk_mOdLBG00Yh_4I8vxdIOYkU4XaeF8bUNVAPH6PujtPWfza_5z5mixs2vncNm8CGMeYBl__2EpWWM-ZVJlS7j4yMnOF/s1600/IMG_1903+(1280x853).jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Squirrel in Twisted Hazel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhICXPXuKn483XBhJ9sWHV4ZjZP8ipVUAhpgJapSUi8X3YEQNDKWjv6y3ktd5rkRMao0ZFJY8GHFwyJuYekEjm2qzJ1f52Fd6m1BHTFlMndrZGusDD4XJM_C7HlJG0MxKEfWneweBlB/s1600/IMG_2518+(1280x853).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhICXPXuKn483XBhJ9sWHV4ZjZP8ipVUAhpgJapSUi8X3YEQNDKWjv6y3ktd5rkRMao0ZFJY8GHFwyJuYekEjm2qzJ1f52Fd6m1BHTFlMndrZGusDD4XJM_C7HlJG0MxKEfWneweBlB/s1600/IMG_2518+(1280x853).jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Tern</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOnmbXNmnvCa3UPLUtUEFrBFEc3sYMUfVEyu_iY4LDUfFqHnHYXNR1yS1STHuUXbZ8-jdhp9NlQPiaL70RbkGRswhEsjcWXOHhZbMxWNUthbko3JzvtGjKy0ykHfsm-K4NNNEVBkwl/s1600/IMG_2673+(1280x853).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOnmbXNmnvCa3UPLUtUEFrBFEc3sYMUfVEyu_iY4LDUfFqHnHYXNR1yS1STHuUXbZ8-jdhp9NlQPiaL70RbkGRswhEsjcWXOHhZbMxWNUthbko3JzvtGjKy0ykHfsm-K4NNNEVBkwl/s1600/IMG_2673+(1280x853).jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greylag Geese</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0clUaMFd9hW8HBn_oWnoounwZ-fBpysaaiEtwQdRe7gzcU-Lqrs_qIMI61f5z7vT0AlxxI369doLOfMmSNPcXxs3e-DwJ6px4Sj-Yg0SrmDw2lsHOz6GCoVIbEa5VM_P9-gUGBfAL/s1600/IMG_3240+(1280x853).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0clUaMFd9hW8HBn_oWnoounwZ-fBpysaaiEtwQdRe7gzcU-Lqrs_qIMI61f5z7vT0AlxxI369doLOfMmSNPcXxs3e-DwJ6px4Sj-Yg0SrmDw2lsHOz6GCoVIbEa5VM_P9-gUGBfAL/s1600/IMG_3240+(1280x853).jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Strange Fuschia pic!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4nGt1bevFeQv5iYup3xAo7xZvyKypV0o4GWnnBw0BfLSj_Uf2jBzPsZrwgFOIQidoxgiwf7ws2G2ioclhKkhVjCldxGMk6SvJLu0h3IFl5z8dDRhyphenhyphenl-MRipqeMVJ0Xd8bG8fWiHlR/s1600/IMG_1705+(1280x1088).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4nGt1bevFeQv5iYup3xAo7xZvyKypV0o4GWnnBw0BfLSj_Uf2jBzPsZrwgFOIQidoxgiwf7ws2G2ioclhKkhVjCldxGMk6SvJLu0h3IFl5z8dDRhyphenhyphenl-MRipqeMVJ0Xd8bG8fWiHlR/s1600/IMG_1705+(1280x1088).jpg" height="544" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Southern Hawker</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ABilHwfJJHGHko1tadsJSuU5Do2BDsfXY3xj-ogm7C2JcCrisIjOz1aI9mxgqroBWoc9OQ33bv0_6qtJ_3IT5uGs0pel5-CqmdUhpBySxxRH9N8QHf0IArmV8PHfprtTrDS9zrU_/s1600/IMG_1765+(1280x853).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ABilHwfJJHGHko1tadsJSuU5Do2BDsfXY3xj-ogm7C2JcCrisIjOz1aI9mxgqroBWoc9OQ33bv0_6qtJ_3IT5uGs0pel5-CqmdUhpBySxxRH9N8QHf0IArmV8PHfprtTrDS9zrU_/s1600/IMG_1765+(1280x853).jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the White Cliffs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAV8ur4yqD3uPoC4173xZ6tZI6Olizc_nAx6QzcmPcgyPiS4R-ls8TNDGLZCNhF6A1kuNRFT4W7BpN-7RV56tzQgDPn4Da-o28loFhjLNiCuQ3AXOnZQmGygpTo0y3FAYsOfxRcgMj/s1600/IMG_1839+(1280x861).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAV8ur4yqD3uPoC4173xZ6tZI6Olizc_nAx6QzcmPcgyPiS4R-ls8TNDGLZCNhF6A1kuNRFT4W7BpN-7RV56tzQgDPn4Da-o28loFhjLNiCuQ3AXOnZQmGygpTo0y3FAYsOfxRcgMj/s1600/IMG_1839+(1280x861).jpg" height="430" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silver Spotted Skipper</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidYXR6Y2vSr_ef31vR1sC-GV431IJt8XdN98JDFROzXPKy7xuC2zVQBCdLEHVL3VJDLJJ7DbOHVwB-cvPm-YAMffDYAN68L2aqaj3xCsLUp1WU31-Ad6b5fxqaE4rAm8aowSAFTUUS/s1600/IMG_1893+(1280x791).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidYXR6Y2vSr_ef31vR1sC-GV431IJt8XdN98JDFROzXPKy7xuC2zVQBCdLEHVL3VJDLJJ7DbOHVwB-cvPm-YAMffDYAN68L2aqaj3xCsLUp1WU31-Ad6b5fxqaE4rAm8aowSAFTUUS/s1600/IMG_1893+(1280x791).jpg" height="394" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reed Warbler</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Alan Paveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09286527051679271536noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27062148993749694.post-1800677801124738132014-08-04T16:19:00.000+01:002014-08-04T16:19:03.944+01:00Pastures newFinally I have just a few moments to just to say I have moved from Sissinghurst to Boughton Monchelsea. I have managed to find a new patch but it is private and the owners aren't too keen on news coming out about what is there, which I will respect. This does give me quite a dilemma as I enjoy attempting to chronicle what I see. So far it has been very productive with 77 species since July 4th, so I will keep watching, as I think the potential is good for an inland site. I'm hoping to aid Don Taylor, (not that he needs my help :-) ) once we get things sorted in the new house, on his patch some weekends as access for me at the new patch is not as easy at the weekend.<br />
I will do the odd post of any birding/mothing type things I do and I will have to come up with a different title for the blog, so watch this space for sporadic posts!!!!!!!!!!!!<br />
A few random photos taken recently<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYECdaA3Vov84bwVVEFaL2HbGgu5WL-BPexxemVW8U2hr_OA_T-EllUuu7kCBlNjxdD8WKksaSg8z7p1qTNX9arBElVz_L3_oljFoGUXVqbvKcDC5Gt-nZyKa2NneO8-_8AJ9ZOxnG/s1600/IMG_1457+(1280x853).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYECdaA3Vov84bwVVEFaL2HbGgu5WL-BPexxemVW8U2hr_OA_T-EllUuu7kCBlNjxdD8WKksaSg8z7p1qTNX9arBElVz_L3_oljFoGUXVqbvKcDC5Gt-nZyKa2NneO8-_8AJ9ZOxnG/s1600/IMG_1457+(1280x853).jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Tortioseshell</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga-dXpCj66bcTXBp4S9dL_SUdMW6vFZ7J2ZASj5pe7HKJvQV_QkBY7mwNUUi_NtYlIIs79stLnYB1sTP82P_bAfA7eFN-aiCTVt1rkrLtXh2nGM5kBHSNJFXTm5iMakYX3XpqgpKTJ/s1600/IMG_1514+(1280x853).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga-dXpCj66bcTXBp4S9dL_SUdMW6vFZ7J2ZASj5pe7HKJvQV_QkBY7mwNUUi_NtYlIIs79stLnYB1sTP82P_bAfA7eFN-aiCTVt1rkrLtXh2nGM5kBHSNJFXTm5iMakYX3XpqgpKTJ/s1600/IMG_1514+(1280x853).jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great Crested Grebe</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh79GCtfcz95wuXhE-Ir6N1f1dU0V8ndjrOzMMkXgj7bn0JuZzxWbRRzLKe3pxktj70NPvdeE5paswgOtOJg1FdFdbTl1lbuyfsXPS8yYuL8RmBK_jhvVFz-ndkrWIPHaDrBoylu9o7/s1600/IMG_1532+(1280x853).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh79GCtfcz95wuXhE-Ir6N1f1dU0V8ndjrOzMMkXgj7bn0JuZzxWbRRzLKe3pxktj70NPvdeE5paswgOtOJg1FdFdbTl1lbuyfsXPS8yYuL8RmBK_jhvVFz-ndkrWIPHaDrBoylu9o7/s1600/IMG_1532+(1280x853).jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tree Lichen Beauty from the new garden</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Ranunculus from the new garden</td></tr>
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<br />Alan Paveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09286527051679271536noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27062148993749694.post-74564089349249011702014-05-26T17:55:00.000+01:002014-05-26T17:56:31.526+01:00Back on patch and a photography present :-) <br />
Pictures first for a change :-)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8PlyycurQqVR2MX8s9hQYa-8rCLP5XrIa03Wbikzb1SuIC-ogUGQ02kEizzT9RX0oVyISa32noetvD-MGOmTUM-pItma0pMe4zXltcefgIWfcsgAOEH3lNLwQiHFfpcwCqTkg9J53/s1600/IMG_9679+(1280x853).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8PlyycurQqVR2MX8s9hQYa-8rCLP5XrIa03Wbikzb1SuIC-ogUGQ02kEizzT9RX0oVyISa32noetvD-MGOmTUM-pItma0pMe4zXltcefgIWfcsgAOEH3lNLwQiHFfpcwCqTkg9J53/s1600/IMG_9679+(1280x853).jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swallow</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga-MV_1SJtjTYy9989f6SWMjRQxG7hnkgquWvTo7Q6SUbUHsv-qz3PvXHn4sYf8C2FBcc3YniyvCh3-so3pWuvPEs32HD-PWwEi-embJVhGozelBQSXzKPF3AUYjlvrFBwbOcoX1Tv/s1600/IMG_9669+(1280x853).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga-MV_1SJtjTYy9989f6SWMjRQxG7hnkgquWvTo7Q6SUbUHsv-qz3PvXHn4sYf8C2FBcc3YniyvCh3-so3pWuvPEs32HD-PWwEi-embJVhGozelBQSXzKPF3AUYjlvrFBwbOcoX1Tv/s1600/IMG_9669+(1280x853).jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garden Warbler</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8r4VbeM-l6Dm3ZxfoFSNjP-V2gZEdAXAeUxW-LlxDc3BeorRHr_qy2rqppYb2cODUA6DRebk3goKMWyi7qHdQ5AvS7ztZxK48PbtwWHOrPmj9d86aiEkNalGaEg1VRtlJUsTR2e6A/s1600/IMG_1111+(1280x745).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8r4VbeM-l6Dm3ZxfoFSNjP-V2gZEdAXAeUxW-LlxDc3BeorRHr_qy2rqppYb2cODUA6DRebk3goKMWyi7qHdQ5AvS7ztZxK48PbtwWHOrPmj9d86aiEkNalGaEg1VRtlJUsTR2e6A/s1600/IMG_1111+(1280x745).jpg" height="372" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An intent looking Little Owl</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcR1UVIQlqABL29eK_T2uOT5pAPUHB3ckz5K3IKFO24FJj2ejb3y9RWs94IvkpjK_Uw8N3pTPtn6Lh5rH8V34pmD5_rFLsO1J7qnp8PBMzBGTMjiMQ-HYhePFE-NOZ1kiT7H0RZmTn/s1600/IMG_1124+(1280x853).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcR1UVIQlqABL29eK_T2uOT5pAPUHB3ckz5K3IKFO24FJj2ejb3y9RWs94IvkpjK_Uw8N3pTPtn6Lh5rH8V34pmD5_rFLsO1J7qnp8PBMzBGTMjiMQ-HYhePFE-NOZ1kiT7H0RZmTn/s1600/IMG_1124+(1280x853).jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large Red Damselfly</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigMfQ4PO6tHAoxgaobgnPJa8jHO9o8MwQYH3v0kDE989kj_hsYvHePigGqZJXTxSPJKvYSFCyeMUqI-TNKIP1e3eMKX-MPO9R3fwhMH90U_SE85N3fgZLS7FrsxGA5RWibElHk8U6O/s1600/IMG_1150+(1280x853).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigMfQ4PO6tHAoxgaobgnPJa8jHO9o8MwQYH3v0kDE989kj_hsYvHePigGqZJXTxSPJKvYSFCyeMUqI-TNKIP1e3eMKX-MPO9R3fwhMH90U_SE85N3fgZLS7FrsxGA5RWibElHk8U6O/s1600/IMG_1150+(1280x853).jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mediterranean Gull</td></tr>
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The patch has been neglected over the past couple of weeks, so the list has no doubt suffered, I know I have missed another Red Kite at least! I did manage to add 4 <span style="color: red;">HOUSE MARTINS</span> (82) at the end of a guided walk back on the May 12th. Since coming back from Suffolk, I have managed a couple of walks, a <span style="color: red;">CUCKOO</span> (83) calling early on the 23rd was good, I was starting to wonder if I would get one on the patch this year. On Saturday from the house a couple of MEDITERRANEAN GULLS flew north and seemed to go down nearby. A walk Sunday morning produced 47 species which included KINGFISHER, LITTLE OWL, COAL TIT, a singing REED BUNTING. I also came across a family of NUTHATCHES and found a second nest with young in being fed regularly. The highlight was finally finding <span style="color: red;">SPOTTED FLYCATCHER</span> (84) although just one which is slightly worrying as we normally have at least three pairs here. There were a few Damsels and Dragons around, Beautiful Demoiselle, Blue tailed Damselfly, Large Red and Azure as well as well as a Four Spotted Chaser and several Downy Emeralds. Butterflies were scarce though with just an Orange Tip, Brimstone and about 4 Common Blues. Back at home and 11 MED GULLS dropped into a field opposite us giving a chance for a couple of pics.<br />
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On Friday I attended a photography course that my Wife bought for me for my birthday back in December. The course was on how to take pictures of birds in flight and how to set-up etc.. It was a really enjoyable day and not sure how much I retained from the day but certainly it was good practice and I did use a different set-up to the one I normally use and will give it a go in the coming weeks. Here are a few results from the day......<br />
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Alan Paveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09286527051679271536noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27062148993749694.post-67447833257456869892014-05-24T20:49:00.002+01:002014-05-24T20:49:57.673+01:00Suffolk Secrets....There aren't really any secrets but the title is the name of the company we booked a little flat in Aldeburgh with, for our stay in the area from the 17th- 22nd May. An early morning walk after a five star Fish and Chip supper on Saturday night proved pretty productive. We walked towards Thorpeness and cut in onto the North Warren reserve. LITTLE EGRETS fed in the shallow lagoons and SEDGE, REED and CETTI'S WARBLERS all sung in the first few hundred yards, best of all was the BEARDED TITS whizzing across the reeds regularly and dropping into to what must have been their nest site. Along the disused railway line NIGHTINGALE, GARDEN WARBLER and BLACKCAP were all heard. The reedbed area was also very busy 4 HOBBY, 1 BITTERN seen flying flying low across reeds and a couple of MARSH HARRIER completed the scene. Later in the day a SANDERLING and a WHIMBREL were seen during a stroll along the beach.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hobby just about to take an unfortunate dragonfly!!</td></tr>
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Our next long walk was the Sailors Path heading from Snape Maltings back towards Aldeburgh, this wasn't quite as long as we had anticipated as an early morning 5 mile run had taken it's toll!!!!! Despite the aching limbs we walked probably another 5 miles or so. A NIGHTINGALE was heard near Snape Warren where a WOODLARK was found with a beak full of food and a DARTFORD WARBLER called a couple of times otherwise it was fairly quiet but I did enjoy good views of GREEN HAIRSTREAK butterflies something I don't see often and a couple of CUCKOOS were calling on and off. An early evening visit to Hen Reed Beds near Southwold added a second BITTERN in as many days.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfK_MajRXnQ-GVZq3Fz4lU8_lbyBIIeEQhadfEbFZNonwJ8sQRn7JOvM3PeShjOFAZQ3uT8nZ6TrsjHt2S3uAgnY-jqJpkGF-uuOu0dDOnuAdJH82xnc88MiMM8lsmHUkz-LKKJ3Q7/s1600/IMG_9992+%25281280x853%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfK_MajRXnQ-GVZq3Fz4lU8_lbyBIIeEQhadfEbFZNonwJ8sQRn7JOvM3PeShjOFAZQ3uT8nZ6TrsjHt2S3uAgnY-jqJpkGF-uuOu0dDOnuAdJH82xnc88MiMM8lsmHUkz-LKKJ3Q7/s1600/IMG_9992+%25281280x853%2529.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green Hairstreak - Snape Warren</td></tr>
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One of my favourite walks was the one we did Tuesday, we parked on Westleton Heath and walked on to Dunwich Heath followed by Minsmere to the Island Mere hide. There is always a lot to see from the large herd of RED DEER to DARTFORD WARBLERS and WOODLARK to AVOCETS, BITTERNS, HARRIERS and HOBBIES not forgetting a few SOUTHERN MARSH ORCHIDS. We missed Adder which I was hoping for and also missed the Purple Heron that appeared later in the day.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSl1XE_ZqYXWaf0TyCJInrqtwe2YcjarvESUYc3LxVNnRxfYSW6R04jGaB6eHdAs3eLw49yaSSH4Bda22LmESDPlE1blZwSSXmFq_4WXpoFB7BWL7LRYwiR7-6izIkM1gmvCrI1o_X/s1600/IMG_0058+%25281280x807%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSl1XE_ZqYXWaf0TyCJInrqtwe2YcjarvESUYc3LxVNnRxfYSW6R04jGaB6eHdAs3eLw49yaSSH4Bda22LmESDPlE1blZwSSXmFq_4WXpoFB7BWL7LRYwiR7-6izIkM1gmvCrI1o_X/s1600/IMG_0058+%25281280x807%2529.jpg" height="402" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dartford Warbler - Westleton Heath</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Woodlark - Dunwich Heath</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sand Martins - nesting near the Minsmere Visitor Centre</td></tr>
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The other thing I was really hoping to see was OTTER, so at around 5am Wednesday I walking to Island Mere Hide again and was going to stay there for approximately 3 hours with just Otter in mind. I arrived to find a couple in the hide who had seen Otter at 4.30am!!! this is a familiar story for me and Otters, by 7 am they left with no more sightings, although we had seen BITTERN in flight 7 times including 3 in the air at once and had been continuously serenaded by booming Bitterns, Bearded Tits and Water Rails. I stayed in the hide and at 7.25 a ripple on the left caught my eye then nothing..... until a couple of minutes later when my first OTTER came into view! brilliant!! not fantastic views but that didn't matter.<br />
The last action of the break was another walk around North Warren where a HARRIS HAWK sat on the edge of the marsh and most excitingly a TURTLE DOVE flew through.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of several Bitterns seen while waiting for Otters</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not exactly sure what this male Marsh Harrier had caught but a hearty meal, possibly a Little Grebe??</td></tr>
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<br />Alan Paveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09286527051679271536noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27062148993749694.post-66366068041112871082014-05-06T06:15:00.002+01:002014-05-06T06:15:41.606+01:00Patch additions for the yearDad got his first <span style="color: red;">GARDEN WARBLER</span> (79) on the 23rd April, I picked up one a few days later on the 27th. Several have now arrived, as summer migrants continue to slowly be added to the year list. A busy period at work meant very few visits last week and my first proper walk was yesterday morning. I did get an interesting report from a local lady of an Albino Heron in the week which flew up out of the stream, the lady knows Little Egret and has seen many, so was happy that this bird was much too big, Great White Egret? Who knows but always interesting to hear what other people are seeing and either way I would have been happy to see that.<br />
So back to yesterday, the RED LEGGED PARTRIDGES were seen again, 2 pairs of SWALLOWS are now in residence and a pair of REED BUNTINGS were by the lake also a pair BULLFINCH flew up from here. A KINGFISHER flew from near the moat and the WILLOW WARBLER was still in song from its favoured spot, still not sure if it has found a mate though. The first of 2 NIGHTINGALES was seen and heard near the stream, the second was just off Digdog Lane and was shared with a couple who had never seen one before, most enjoyable for the three of us. Another chat with a regular walker around the castle revealed he had seen a Coot a week or so ago, another bird I haven't connected with yet this year here.<br />
The second walk of the day, in the afternoon with Bec, started well when a <span style="color: red;">HONEY BUZZARD</span> (80) was seen over Park Field it drifted north being harassed by crows. Finally I found a Common Blue Damselfly and what I think is a Beautiful Demoiselle the first this year. A few butterflies were around 3 BRIMSTONE, 1 ORANGE TIP, 4 SMALL WHITE and 2 SMALL TORTOISESHELL. The last action of the day was 2 <span style="color: red;">SWIFT</span> (81) heading north before we headed home, 48 species today, some good weather and meeting some nice people made it extremely enjoyable.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cold Play...............</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful Demoiselle?</td></tr>
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<br />Alan Paveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09286527051679271536noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27062148993749694.post-76115203126630082832014-04-27T20:28:00.001+01:002014-04-27T20:28:54.638+01:00Fleeting Dunge visitWaking at 5am, I decided to get up and head for Dungeness. I was undecided whether to seawatch first or look for the Black Winged Stilts reported yesterday, as they would be a Kent tick for me. In the end I made the wrong decision and parked in the ARC car park and walked onto the reserve heading for the hayfields. I did see my first CUCKOO of the year and there were SEDGE WARBLERS and COMMON WHITETHROATS everywhere. I added RAVEN, 4 MED GULLS and several BEARDED TITS but there were no Stilts and in fact no waders at all on the hayfields. Eventually I headed for the sea stopping off on the causeway between ARC and New Diggings, there were good numbers of Terns. Among them was 1 LITTLE TERN, 2 BLACK TERNS and at least 1 ARCTIC TERN with the rest being COMMON TERNS, a really nice stop, before heading off to the sea news came through that the Stilts were back on the hayfield! I met up with Neil, Jan and Paul and enjoyed good views of the BLACK WINGED STILTS (2) plus a WOOD SANDPIPER and LITTLE RINGED PLOVER. In hindsight I could have seawatched for a couple of hours before looking for the Stilts but it was good to be out and about, away from the local patch for a change. A couple of shots from today.....<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sedge Warbler</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Whitethroat</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Whitethroat</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Winged Stilts</td></tr>
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Alan Paveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09286527051679271536noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27062148993749694.post-1452286271029463902014-04-22T20:52:00.000+01:002014-04-25T13:07:56.564+01:00Another catch-upIt is still a struggle to find new arrivals here at the moment but they are still coming, <span style="color: red;">COMMON WHITETHROATS</span> (75) are now up to 4 and there are now 2 NIGHTINGALES in residence. SWALLOW numbers are also up a bit and finally at the weekend a pair look like they will stay. The best recent bird was on an early weekday walk with Pete, when a <span style="color: red;">LITTLE GREBE</span> (76) was seen being chased by a MOORHEN, it disappeared quickly and I haven't seen it since but it's the first one since 2010.<br />
There were mixed fortunes at the weekend, an early walk Saturday was very quiet and I struggled to get to around 30 species. Yesterday improved with a couple of walks the first new bird for the year was a fine male <span style="color: red;">WHEATEAR</span> (77) which stayed around most of the day and after waiting patiently I managed a couple of pics. There were 87 WOODPIGEON on the fields with good numbers of Corvids and a few STOCK DOVE. Further around the walk a <span style="color: red;">LESSER WHITETHROAT</span> (78) was quietly moving through a mature hedgerow. Several butterflies were on the wing ORANGE TIPS, SMALL TORTS, PEACOCK, SMALL WHITE and the first SPECKLED WOOD of the year.<br />
Still no Cuckoo, Garden Warbler or House Martin but still plenty of time, also no dragonflies yet although at home a couple of Hairy Dragonflies flew through the garden.<br />
A few pics from recent visits.....<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pheasant</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Little Egret dropped by briefly</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellowhammer</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pleasing to find a spring Wheatear and for the light to be good</td></tr>
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<br />Alan Paveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09286527051679271536noreply@blogger.com8