Sunday 28 April 2019

Just Pics


Saharan Dust


Distant Wood Sand







Male and Female

Yellow Wagtails




Grasshopper Warblers



White Wagtail


Lesser Whitethroat




Friday 26 April 2019

To Go or Not to Go ...


As I sat filling in my WeBS form online (at 4am) from last Sundays count. I pondered a visit to Holy Island. The afternoon rainstorm on Thursday had not materialised, just a light shower. 

Nevertheless I decided to make my first visit of the year and thought I might get a flycatcher or Whinchat. My first observation was a flock of 50 Fieldfare landing briefly in the churchyard trees before continuing East.


Then 3 Pied Flycatchers. Yes! There were birds about (these are not necessarily in the order seen). A couple of Wheatears, Sev Willow/Chiffs, Goldcrests, 3 Whinchats, Yellow Wag, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, SEO, 


... and this beauty!


Subalpine Warbler 

At first I thought I must be mistaken, but no, it was pinky/orange. I put the news out on RBA as a probable knowing that SR was on the island. Then as soon as he saw the bird and confirmed I wasn't hallucinating I put the news out again. I'm not too confident about assigning it to a race but hopefully someone may be able to from the photos














Sadly it and the nearby Redstart and Lesser Whitethroat disappeared. Even a check back later was negative in very windy conditions. Hopefully it is refound on the island tomorrow when the wind eases.

Thanks to SR for confirmation of ID.


Thursday 25 April 2019

Mixed Bag


Rhynchokinesis


Curlew Sandpiper


Dunlin
(easy ID in Summer Plumage)


Mistle Thrush
Newbiggin Golf Course


Some Stonechat variation to muse over.


Pale female Newbiggin


Bright Male
East Chevington




Male
East Chevington


Not back at Chevington yet. This was one from the Country Park.


Sedge Warbler




A surprise find at Lynemouth


These two having a welcome drink and bathe after their long flight over the Himalayas.