tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2989019597517286422024-03-13T02:50:04.896+00:00Moysie's Birding BlogBen Moyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10198432385408789723noreply@blogger.comBlogger398125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-298901959751728642.post-73665813543780492112016-07-08T10:25:00.002+01:002016-07-08T10:25:27.440+01:00EXAMS ARE OVER!!!!Towards the end of June, I was finally able to throw away all GCSE school work, as my exams finally finished! Overall, I was fairly confident that they all went OK and there wasn't one exam where I felt like 'I failed that!' I think this is a promising sign, but who knows...... Anyway, the birds.......<br />
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Sorry for the lack of posts this year, but I hope that it will now start to pick up again now that school has finished until early September! So, where to start? Well, the highlight birds of this year have to be the following...<br />
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<b>Greenish Warbler at Gunton</b></div>
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<b>Kentish Plover at Landguard</b></div>
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<b>GREAT KNOT at Titchwell</b></div>
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<b>Caspian Tern at Breydon Water</b></div>
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<b>Record shot of 2 Temminck's Stint at Southwold</b></div>
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<b>Iceland Gull at Minsmere</b></div>
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<b>Golden Pheasants</b></div>
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<b>Pallid Harrier at Flitcham</b></div>
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<b><span id="goog_864711167"></span><span id="goog_864711168"></span>Lapland Bunting at Blakeney</b><br />
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<b>Great Northern Diver at Alton Water</b></div>
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<b>Black-necked Grebe at Alton Water</b></div>
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<b>Red-necked Grebe at Alton Water</b><br />
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The British Year List for 2016 currently stands at 201, and this year I'm hoping to break my record of 230. Also, so far this year, I have added 7 birds to my life list, which stands at 286, so is it possible that I could get to 300 by the end of 2016? I will try and keep you posted!</div>
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Ben Moyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10198432385408789723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-298901959751728642.post-63161778685604212582016-03-26T09:21:00.000+00:002016-03-26T09:21:03.383+00:002016 UpdateApologies for the lack of posts so far this year - but with revision, birding and other activities, there just hasn't been the time to do a post.<br />
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<b><u>Patchwork Challenge 2016 - so far</u></b><br />
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Yes, once again I have taken part in Patchwork Challenge this year, where you try to see as many birds as possible at your local area. These species then represent points, depending on how scarce they are.<br />
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So far this year, I am on 80 species which is equivalent to 84 points, which is 62% of last years total. 2 Patch Lifers have come into play so far, in fact yesterday, with a Caspian Gull, and a flyover male Marsh Harrier...<br />
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Other highlights this year have been the first Sand Martin, 2 Egyptian Geese (first in 5 years for me) - both yesterday, and a Peregrine...</div>
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We also had a male Blackcap in our garden on 11th March, which is my first winter record for the patch!</div>
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<b><u>Lifers for 2016</u></b></div>
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We had great views of Lapland Buntings at Blakeney in Norfolk on 2 occasions - there have been up to 15 birds present!</div>
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We also had a drake Green-winged Teal at Blythburgh, Southwold, but it was too distant for a picture. The final lifer we had was Golden Pheasant.</div>
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<b><u>Other Good Birds in 2016</u></b></div>
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We connected with the Pallid Harrier at Flitcham and later on at Roydon at the start of the year - great bird!</div>
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We also had Ferruginous Duck and Scaup at Holkham Park...</div>
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Also had a very nice drake Red-crested Pochard at Lackford Lakes along with the Long-tailed Duck</div>
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Also had Jack Snipe at Strumpshaw and Snow Bunting at Winterton on Feb 28th.</div>
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We also had a Glossy Ibis at Hollesley on 7th Feb, but it was a bit distant for us. We also had some White-fronted Geese on the same day at North Warren...</div>
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2 weeks ago, we had a cracking (but extremely mobile) Black Redstart at Shingle Street, which was another year tick...</div>
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And finally, Alton Water has held every UK species of Grebe this winter along with 2 Great Northern Diver!</div>
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Great Northern Diver</div>
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Black-necked Grebe</div>
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Great Northern Diver</div>
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Black-necked Grebe</div>
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Red-necked Grebe</div>
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This Slavonian Grebe was taken on New Years Day at Covehithe Broad.</div>
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Year List currently stands on 152. Life List currently stands on 281!</div>
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Happy Birding!</div>
Ben Moyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10198432385408789723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-298901959751728642.post-56534679054553310612016-01-14T17:41:00.000+00:002016-01-14T17:41:00.130+00:00Review of 2015!2015 has been a year focused on patching, visiting new sites nearby, but also trying to get the Life List up. Dad and I also visited the Birdfair at Rutland Water for the first time, where I had a great time helping the BTO promote the Young Birder's Membership with <a href="http://grimstonwarbler.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Toby Carter</a> and <a href="http://evieloution.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Evie Miller</a>. (if interested, click the link - <a href="http://btoyoungbirders.blogspot.co.uk/">http://btoyoungbirders.blogspot.co.uk/</a>).<br />
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In total, I got 225 for the British Year List, which contained 12 Lifers.I will run through each month of the year...<br />
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<b><u><span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;">January - Year List 123, Lifers 0</span></u></b></div>
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The New Years Day bird race got 2015 under way in Norfolk with 89 species to start the year off with a bang. Highlights from the North Norfolk Coast were White-fronted Goose, Twite, Hen Harrier and Rough-legged Buzzard. The real highlight of January were the Shorelarks at Covehithe, and Snow Buntings and Twite at Dunwich which we saw on the 4th.</div>
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<b><u><span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;">February - Year List 151, Lifers 5!</span></u></b></div>
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On the 1st, we got some Waxwings in Ipswich, taken in very poor light from the car.</div>
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February also featured our winter trip to mainland Scotland, where I got 5 Lifers out of the target 6, Capercaillie the bird we didn't see. The Lifers were Harlequin Duck, American Wigeon, Ptarmigan, Black Grouse and Red Grouse. Did also get self-found Glaucous Gull and Crested Tit...</div>
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<b><u><span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;">March - Year List 159, Lifers 1</span></u></b></div>
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On the 1st, we got a Great Grey Shrike down at Hollesley with a Spoonbill and Dartford Warbler, and then in the brecks we added Firecrest, Stone-curlew, Caspian Gull and Wheatear on the 22nd. Also during March, we added Lesser-spotted Woodpecker at an undisclosed site. This was the best ever view I'd had of this species... </div>
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At the end of March, I bagged another Lifer, where I managed to re-locate an ICELAND GULL in the pig fields at Great Livermere! No pictures unfortunately, but a great bird!</div>
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<b><u><span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;">April - Year List 181, Lifers 0</span></u></b></div>
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The summer migrants started to come through in April, with 22 year ticks. No rarities, but Bean Goose, Black Redstart, Jack Snipe, Water Pipit, Mandarin and patch Yellow Wagtail the highlights...<br />
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<b><u><span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;">May - Year List 194, Lifers 1</span></u></b></div>
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Little Bittern undoubtedly the highlight of the month being a lifer at Lakenheath Fen on the 27th May after a 5 hour wait, but unfortunately, not great pictures were obtained.</div>
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Other highlights were Red-necked Grebe at Livermere Lake on the 25th, Red-necked Phalarope at Minsmere on the 24th, and Great White Egret and great views of Bearded Tit also at Minsmere on the 28th.</div>
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<b><u><span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;">June - Year List 200, Lifers 0</span></u></b></div>
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A quieter month was June, with only 6 year ticks, in the form of Nightjar, Tree Pipit, Garganey, Arctic Tern, Gannet, but best of all HONEY-BUZZARD which was over my house!</div>
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Was very happy to see my Honey-buzzard got accepted by the Suffolk Rarities Committee, but was gutted I couldn't get any pics as it all happened a bit quick!</div>
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Didn't take any pictures of the year ticks this month, so will swiftly move on to July...</div>
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<b><u><span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;">July - Year List 203, Lifers 1</span></u></b></div>
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July was a brilliant month. Only 3 year ticks, but 1 of which was a LIFER, and the other 2 were a couple of my favourite birds. Long-eared Owl was the 1st year tick on the 3rd at a undisclosed site, followed by the amazing BEE-EATERS at Theberton (LIFER) on the 9th...</div>
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The months other year tick was a Black-necked Grebe at Great Livermere on the 17th. Did get Caspian Gull at Walberswick, and Black-tailed Godwit on the patch during July.</div>
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<b><u><span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;">August - Year List 209, Lifers 0</span></u></b><br />
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The month got off to a great start in the form of a patch lifer, an Osprey! It had present for a couple of days, and we picked it up over Needham town Centre! So there I was, in the middle of a town of busy shoppers, with a telescope, looking at a bird! Loved it...</div>
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August was the month of the Birdfair, where I added Wood Sandpiper and Black Tern, and later in the month of the 27th, we added Pied Flycatcher and Whinchat from Winterton</div>
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<b><u><span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;">September - Year List 215, Lifers 1</span></u></b></div>
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The first year tick in September came in the form of a Red-backed Shrike at Minsmere, along with my best views of migrant Redstarts too, and a couple of Whinchats were present too on the 2nd...</div>
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On the 13th, we got <i>some </i>views of a White-winged Black Tern at Filby Broad, but I say some as it was torrential rain, and the bird was very distant, so the views were awful. I finally added Shag from Winterton on the 13th too. The LIFER of the month came in the form of a cracking Red-breasted Flycatcher which was trapped and ringed on Orfordness on the 27th.</div>
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(<i>pic by David Walsh)</i></div>
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Also got Short-eared Owl on Orfordness on the 27th. The last tick hoewever was 2 Yellow-browed Warblers at Landguard on the 28th...</div>
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<b><u><span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;">October - Year List 216, Lifers 1</span></u></b></div>
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As the year starts to come to an end, year ticks are harder to find, but LIFERS are easier, so this month, we managed a Lifer, in the form of a cracking male Siberian Stonechat at Caister! It showed really well, providing good comparison with the nearby stonechats...</div>
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<b><u><span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;">November - Year List 223, Lifers 0</span></u></b></div>
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Good sea-watching conditions approached on the weekend of the 22nd, so Dad and I went to Sheringham, where we added 7 year ticks: Grey Phalarope, Little Auk, Great-northern Diver, Bonxie, Slavonian Grebe, Purple Sandpiper and Velvet Scoter. No pics, but a good haul for my first ever sea-watch.</div>
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<b><u><span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;">December - Year List 225, Lifers 2</span></u></b></div>
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A class month, with Cattle Egret being a LIFER at Sea Palling on the 28th...</div>
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And then brief and distant views of a Pallid Harrier at Flitcham on the 31st, but we did see it better earlier this year, but I will do a post on that soon.</div>
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Thanks for reading, sorry its a bit long but hope you enjoyed it!</div>
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Happy Birding!</div>
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Ben Moyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10198432385408789723noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-298901959751728642.post-11652308235877790762015-12-30T10:45:00.000+00:002015-12-30T10:45:18.627+00:00CATTLE EGRET and Classic Birds of the Norfolk BroadsOn Monday, we headed up to the Norfolk Broads, as I was very keen on seeing the Cattle Egret that has been present up there for a couple of weeks. We started off at Buckenham Marshes, to look for Geese. We got round to the viewpoint, and we picked out 2 distant Taiga Bean Geese amongst the pink-feet alongside 2 other birders. There were also 6 Eurasian White-fronted Geese present amongst the other geese. A Dunlin flew over as did a Brambling, and there were some distant Cranes calling on the other side of the river. A male Peregrine was causing a lot of havoc amongst the ducks, but it didn't stop the Wigeon from showing very well by the path...<br />
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We then made our way up to Sea Palling, and onto the Hickling Road that connects Sea Palling and Hickling together. We found the cow field with with the white cows in, and Dad soon clocked on to the Cattle Egret, a lifer for me, and we got very lucky as it showed very well...</div>
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We then headed to Stubb Mill, at the Hickling Broad Raptor Roost. We got their quite early, and we picked out 2 Cranes in the field. We went on to see 5 in total. The pictures below show a juvenile in with this flock...</div>
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The totals of the roost were as follows:</div>
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2 Hen Harrier, 5 Crane, 34 Marsh Harriers, Goosander (flyover), Sparrowhawk, 6 Red Deer, 3 Chinese Water Deer (we left a bit early hence the short list)</div>
Ben Moyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10198432385408789723noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-298901959751728642.post-91158831715670841402015-12-19T09:44:00.000+00:002015-12-19T09:44:28.667+00:00Sheringham Sea-watch and more patch ticks!On November 22nd (seems ages ago), Dad and I went to do a sea watch at Sheringham, as the conditions were in favour of a good variety of birds being on offer, and we weren't disappointed.<br />
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The previous day had produced Leach's Petrel, Long-tailed, Pomarine and Great Skuas, Grey Phalaropes, Little Auks, all 3 diver species and much more! Unfortunately, I didn't manage to get any pictures of the birds we saw during the sea watch, but I got 7 year ticks from a 5 hour sea-watch. These were <b>3 Grey Phalarope, 13 Little Auk, Great Northern Diver, Slavonian Grebe, 12 Great Skua, Iceland Gull, 3 Purple Sandpiper </b>and 2 <b>Velvet Scoter. </b>We got several other birds that we nice to see, like Eider, Guilemots, a Razorbill, Gannets, Common Scoters and several other common wildfowl.<br />
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Later in the day, we headed west, where we missed a Little Auk on the duck pond at Salthouse by 5 minutes! AARGH! That would have been amazing to see one that close! Oh well....<br />
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We finished the day at Warham Greens where we had <b>4 Hen Harriers (</b>2 males), <b>1 Short-eared Owl, 2 Merlin, 1 Peregrine </b>and <b>5 Marsh Harrier.</b><br />
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Stowupland has been a very good addition to my patch area this year, where I've seen 69% of all the birds on my patch this year. I managed another patch year tick on Thursday with a Curlew over the house, making it 119 species seen between Stowupland and various sights in Needham Market.</div>
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Pipps Ford is under a lot of disturbance at the moment due to a lot of habitat works going on, but weekends are your best chance of getting some birds on the scrape, even if it's just a couple of Swans and a Coot! I did have a nice Green Sand Thursday however...</div>
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Hoping to get out to North Norfolk tomorrow, with Cattle Egret (present at Sea Palling for c. 1 week), Red-rumped Swallow (at Cley - extremely late record and present for 2 days), and Lapland Bunting (small flock at Blakeney Freshmarsh with some Twite).</div>
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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!</div>
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Ben Moyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10198432385408789723noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-298901959751728642.post-19440167780747357982015-10-29T09:46:00.000+00:002015-10-29T09:46:18.940+00:00Siberian Stonechat, Great Grey Shrike and Holland HavenLast weekend we met up with David to go to Caister-on-Sea, Norfolk, where a male Siberian Stonechat had been showing by the edge of the golf course. We arrived in good time, but had a tense 30 minute wait before the call 'there it is' was shouted out, and we got great views of the Siberian Stonechat.<br />
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We were able to pick out the key differences between this bird and a nearby male Common Stonechat, so was a great educational twitch!</div>
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We then carried on north up the coast, our next destination being Horsey. Our target here was Great Grey Shrike, and if we were lucky, a Rough-legged Buzzard. The latter remained hidden, but David managed to pick out the Shrike, and we got quite close to it in the end!</div>
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News then came through of a Bluethroat at Happisburgh, but all it said was 'in beet field.' There are quite a few beet fields around Happisburgh, and we managed to find the right one through a local birder, but sadly, the Bluethroat didn't play ball.</div>
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The final action of that day was when news came in of an American Golden Plover at Breydon Water, so we dashed there on the way back, only to find that we had missed it by 10 minutes! Gutted! It was still a good day with a Lifer taking my Life list to 272.</div>
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<b><u>Holland Haven - 27-10-15</u></b></div>
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On Tuesday, we went down to Essex - a place we rarely visit to go birding - but we went for a good reason. There has been a vary tame Rough-legged Buzzard down at Holland Haven for the past couple of weeks, so we thought we'd better go and see it. </div>
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We walked up from Frinton, past the Golf Course, and towards the crowd of birders. We still had quite a way to go before we reached them, when I spotted the bird flying straight towards us. We got set up, with the camera ready, and it came and hovered about 20 metres away from us! INCREDIBLE! I think it had to be one of the best birding experiences yet!</div>
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The bird showed amazing well for about 5 minutes, then flew all the way over to the other side of the reserve. We then had a scan around the golf course, when Dad spotted a Short-eared Owl flying in off the sea, and landed on a post right in front of us! We got the best ever views of a SEO here, and I was quite pleased with the pictures...</div>
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We then left here as the Rough-legged Buzzard didn't look like it was going to come back, so we went to look for a Pallas' Warbler that had been reported at Frinton, but after a thorough search through the Goldcrests, there was no sign.</div>
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Finally, a brief look for the Pallas' Warbler at Landguard in the failing light also didn't show for us, but it was a brilliant day all in all!</div>
Ben Moyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10198432385408789723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-298901959751728642.post-8592335223304620852015-10-09T17:55:00.000+01:002015-10-09T17:55:12.831+01:00A lifer, lots of year ticks and the stuff in between....The last couple of months have been hectic at school as it's my GCSE year, so lots of school work as got in the way of doing a blog. When I have managed to get out, we have been very productive, with 11 year ticks and a LIFER since the last post. So here we go...<br />
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We managed to get some Little Stints at Hollesley and Minsmere (pics from Hollesley), showing very well at the former. At Hollesley, there were 4 birds present, 1 bird causing some discussion due to its very grey scapulars, but it has turned out just to be an odd Little Stint, thanks to Martin Garner from Birding Frontiers.<br />
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Wheatear, Whinchat were also present here, with a Lesser Whitethroat at Single Street.</div>
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After the highs of BirdFair (Black Tern and Wood Sand seen there), we then had our first trip to Winterton of the autumn, adding Pied Flycatcher (pic from last year)</div>
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Red-backed Shrike was the next bird with this juvenile at Minsmere...</div>
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This cracking Redstart was present too, along with a couple of Whinchat...</div>
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The following day with got this Long-eared Owl at Landguard in the evening after school...</div>
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We also got a White-winged Black Tern at Filby Broad, Norfolk, but it was very distant and th weather conditions were awful so no photos were obtained. </div>
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On the 27th September, we went on an organised trip to Orfordness with the SOG (Suffolk Ornithologists Group) in search of migrants. Highlights from the trip were Short-eared Owl, Redstart, Spoonbill, Osprey, Little Stint, and the LIFER, a cracking RED-BREASTED FLYCATCHER! It was trapped and ringed late afternoon, so everyone got brilliant views!</div>
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(pic by David Walsh)</div>
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The following evening we were on our own to relocate one of the Yellow-browed Warblers at Landguard. We went to the firs around the Old Mining Station, and one was flitting about! Managed these pictures, and by 5:30, we believed there were 2 in there. The pictured bird was ringed, but presumably by the Obs...</div>
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showing ring here</div>
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Happy Birding!</div>
Ben Moyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10198432385408789723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-298901959751728642.post-43865478888497357512015-08-02T16:28:00.000+01:002015-08-04T08:49:25.791+01:00The last couple of weeks.....Since the delights of the Bee-eaters at Theberton, there have still been some really successful trips in the last few weeks. For starters, the patch has provided me with 6 big fat year ticks, including 5 lifers:<br />
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<li>HONEY BUZZARD</li>
<li>Common Crossbill</li>
<li>BLACK-TAILED GODWIT</li>
<li>NUTHATCH</li>
<li>COMMON SANDPIPER</li>
<li>OSPREY</li>
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The Honey Buzzard was actually way back on June 28th (well, not that far back really), with it going over my own house with the local pair of Common Buzzards doing their best to see it off. This also allowed me to compare the 2 species really well, and enjoy this 116th bird for my patch life list!</div>
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Similar to the Honey Buzzard, the Common Crossbills were also over my house, with 2 over on the evening of July 14th. The next bird was Common Sandpiper, another lifer. Over the past week or so now, I have seen about 6 birds on the patch, an increasing visitor in July/August...</div>
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The next bird to go on the list was Nuthatch, where we had tried 3 times for this elusive bird in Shrubland Wood this year and failed. Well, on July 23rd, we finally saw one, calling and moving around the wood with a tit flock. Odd company I know, but its on the list! A Red Kite was also present here too. </div>
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When I realised I'd missed a flock of 17 Black-tailed Godwits on the patch, I was pretty miffed! But, I was notified on July 26th that there was one present, so in the pouring rain we went, and was rewarded!</div>
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The 5th lifer of the week was seen this morning, where we had an Osprey over Needham Market town centre! Incredible views but unfortunately no photos. It was seen yesterday morning down Pipps Ford, flying west at 9:30. This morning, it done exactly the same, but we picked it up at 10am on its way west! We're going to try again tomorrow morning.</div>
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A couple of weeks ago, we went to twitch the Black-necked Grebe at Livermere, which is still there today, and although it was distant, we saw it, along with amazing views of a Barn Owl too. I took a video of both the species as I didn't have my camera lol!</div>
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Last Thursday, we met up with David Walsh, and headed for a days birding on the Suffolk Coast. Minsmere was reasonably quiet with no Albatross being a real shock, but we did have Little Gulls, Spotted Redshank and Ruff...</div>
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Then, an afternoons Gulling with Brian Small at Walberswick taught me how to id young Yellow-legged Gulls, and we found a Caspian Gull to join in the fun!</div>
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Adult YLG</div>
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3cy YLG</div>
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2cy YLG</div>
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Caspian Gull</div>
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Happy Birding!</div>
Ben Moyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10198432385408789723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-298901959751728642.post-8451777797476711932015-07-10T19:11:00.002+01:002015-07-10T19:11:39.734+01:00BEE-EATERS!!!!Last night, Dad took me down to Theberton in the chance of catching the local Bee-eater flock coming in to roost in the black poplar trees down Moat Road. There has been 10 birds present, which have been frequently seen in the evenings and mornings before flying off for the day, and coming back to roost. When we arrived, we were shocked to see the amount of people that were there. There was probably about 70 people! We only expected a handful!<br />
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After chatting to several known faces (always great to have a catch up), the clock approached 7:30, and we were all wondering whether they were going to turn up, when all of a sudden, the fluty calls alerted us to them passing overhead, and then landing on the wires. An incredible moment! What fantastic colours on a Bee-eater! But not 1, 10 of them. Amazing. Here are my phone-scoped shots...<br />
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And here are my shots with the camera...</div>
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And a video...</div>
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<br /><iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/dJdLmSiNwkM/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dJdLmSiNwkM?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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An incredible evening twitch!</div>
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Happy Birding!</div>
Ben Moyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10198432385408789723noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-298901959751728642.post-13885437520530609152015-07-07T19:31:00.000+01:002015-07-07T19:31:46.356+01:00Long time no read!Sorry for the lack of posts over the last couple of months. I have had a week of mock exams, so there was a lot of revising and extra work which restricted my time to do a blog post. This post is a bit of a liquorice allsorts as to what it contains, so here goes...<br />
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On the last day of Springwatch, we were on Unsprung in the audience, so if you spotted a young lad with blond hair with his mum and dad, that was me! Because of Springwatch I was down guiding at Minsmere on most weekends over a month or two. Highlights and year ticks have been Gannet, Arctic Tern, Garganey, Great White Egret and the usual bits and bobs you would expect. The Bearded Tits have been showing well along North Wall..<br />
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Here is the Arctic Tern, and one of 3 Spotted Redshanks that were present on the 21st June...<br />
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Moving on to the the patch and I had my first year tick for 2 months over the house last Monday, but boy was it a tick............. a HONEY BUZZARD! And best of all, it was over my garden! Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture, but my local Common Buzzards were up with it, and you could compare the 2 species very easily.</div>
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We have also been out with our good friend David a lot too, and Mum and I joined him to go and look at Scarce Emerald Damselflies near Redgrave. It was a great learning experience for me to distinguish the differences between Scarce and common Emerald Damselflies by getting them close up in pots...</div>
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sorry but the pics are on the wonk for some reason!</div>
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Also on this day, we went to see some Orchids, where we saw Common and Heath Spotted, Southern Marsh and the rarer race of Early Marsh Orchid.</div>
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Heath Spotted</div>
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Southern Marsh </div>
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Early Marsh</div>
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Common Spotted, but again, all on the tilt!</div>
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We have also been to the Brecks with David, where we have seen Nightjar, Tree Pipit, Barn Owl and Long-eared Owl.</div>
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Happy Birding!</div>
Ben Moyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10198432385408789723noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-298901959751728642.post-70741439292419427502015-05-30T10:54:00.000+01:002015-05-30T10:54:16.812+01:00Little Bittern at Lakenheath and another day at Minsmere!On Wednesday, Dad and I headed for Lakenheath to hopefully connect with the Little Bittern. The plan was to arrive at 9:30, see the bird within an hour, then head off to North Norfolk for Dotterel. Sadly, 3 hours later, at 12:30, there was still no flight views, but the bird was constantly calling all day...<br />
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<b>Turn the volume up loud to hear it 'croaking'</b></div>
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We began to wonder if all our patience was for nothing, but at 14:20, a clutter in the reeds and the amazing Little Bittern took off and done a brief 5 second flight! This was followed by another flight view about 30 seconds afterwards, but we weren't ready, so this was the best shot we managed - that's what you get for resting!</div>
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There were plenty of Cuckoos about with Hobbies and an obliging Common Tern too...</div>
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Here are Tim Oakes' fabulous pictures of the Little Bittern. At least someone was ready...</div>
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As it was now about 14:30, we thought it was too late to go anywhere, so we stayed for the rest of the afternoon, where the bird didn't show any more, but still, a cracking lifer for me!</div>
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The following day, Thursday, I had another day at Minsmere volunteering to guide on the reserve. In the morning, I was with "Spineless Sy, " the two spined stickleback just before Island Mere, and to my surprise, it was actually quite entertaining to watch them. </div>
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I then swapped, and I went into Island Mere for the rest of the morning. We connected with the Great White Egret in 2 flight views, with Bitterns, Bearded Tits and all the other usual birds present. 3 Little Gulls were flying out the back with the Black-headed Gulls.</div>
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The Scrape in the afternoon produced more of the same, with 1 Black-tailed Godwit and 1 Turnstone being the only birds of note for this time of year.</div>
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I was gutted though to have missed a fishing Osprey at Island Mere, as by accident I turned off the reserve radio! Doh!</div>
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Did get some nice Bearded Tits though, with Hobbies about as well...</div>
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Happy Birding!</div>
Ben Moyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10198432385408789723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-298901959751728642.post-13923047297123584592015-05-26T09:55:00.000+01:002015-05-26T09:55:05.290+01:00Two types of Red-necks!On Sunday I was at Minsmere volunteering to help Springwatch run along smoothly! This will only be a brief post, so here are some shots of the male Red-necked Phalarope from the East Scrape. It kept its distant, so is a record phone-scoped shot. There were also a couple of Med Gulls about, 4 Little Gulls, Little, Common and Sandwich Tern, a rather late drake Pintail, Kittiwakes and the usual bits and bobs!<br />
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Then, yestersay afternoon/evening, Dad offered to take me to Livermere to see the full summer plumaged Red-necked Grebe. It was a fine looking bird, but very dozy to say the least. Like the Phalarope, it kept its distance, so the pics are pretty pointless even for a record!</div>
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Happy Birding!</div>
Ben Moyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10198432385408789723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-298901959751728642.post-59413812207166744322015-05-14T18:46:00.000+01:002015-05-14T18:46:23.492+01:00The Love of Patching!For the last couple of weeks, birding has been focused on the patch, so that my patch total for the year has the greatest chance of increasing as much as possible.<br />
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The first Little-ringed Plovers came in on the 6th April, with 3 present up to a week ago...<br />
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The first Swallow was also on the 6th, with the first 2 singing Blackcaps on the 7th. The first Willow Warbler was in at Wildwood on the 10th too. The first Nightingales were singing on the 15th along with the first Whitethroat and House Martins...</div>
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The first Sand Martins were feeding on the 19th, with Garden Warblers and the first possible 'Greenland' Wheatear was present on the 21st...</div>
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The first singing Lesser Whitethroat was present at Wildwood on the 22nd, and the first calling Tawny Owl, Hobby, Greenshank and Redshank on the 24th.</div>
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Redshank record shot</div>
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Then, a very productive 'tour' around the patch with David Walsh produced Sedge Warbler (scarce on patch), Cuckoo, Reed Warbler and Swift on he 26th. </div>
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On the 29th April, my luck was in as I found a cracking Yellow Wagtail. All the following shots are phone-scoped.</div>
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A good record was a Red Kite over Brewery Farm, Earl Stonham the Saturday just gone, and first my returning Spotted Flycatcher came back to the usual wood by my school on yesterday.</div>
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Bird of the month so far though was undoubtedly today, as I was walking out from school, a pair of Sandwich Terns passed over flying north! That's an incredible record for the patch, and takes my total to 103 species. That is already 3 more than my total last year!</div>
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Happy Birding (and patching)!</div>
Ben Moyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10198432385408789723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-298901959751728642.post-79199221981456659542015-04-19T12:19:00.000+01:002015-04-19T12:19:45.868+01:00Work Experience at The BTO!Over the last couple of weeks, with no school due to Easter, I have been able to get out a lot to do some birding. The first week of the holidays (last week), I was really looking forward to doing work experience at the BTO, similar to what Evie Miller did earlier in the year - see her blog <b><a href="http://evieloution.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">here</a>. </b><br />
<b><br /><u>Day 1</u></b><br />
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I started on the Tuesday, where I was set tasks by my '<i>boss'</i>, Paul Stancliffe. He was a great guy to be around, and would love to spend more time with him out in the field. After my tour and health and safety check, I was set to complete the BTO's Bird of the Month report for April, where I chose to do the Long-eared Owl, a favourite of mine and bird of concern for many in terms of the breeding and winter distribution of it in the UK. I was keeping an eye on the pager just in case something turned up though....<br />
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After getting half way through this, it was lunch break, and Dawn Balmer and Sarah Harris, both great people of the BTO, invited me to come 'Gulling' with them to Livermere Pig Fields, obviously Iceland Gull being high up on my hit list.<br />
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After lots of searching, we had no luck, until we got to the last flock by the road, where I picked out a near adult gull that looked to have white wing tips, but it was covered by another Gull. Then, they all got up, and you could see that the Gull was a stonking 3rd calender year Iceland Gull, a lifer for me!<br />
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Back at the Office, I continued with my bird of the month, until my first day of work experience was over, and it was the end of my shift. A brilliant first day and I was eagerly waiting for the next!<br />
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<b><u>Day 2</u></b><br />
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The second day of my work experience was more office based, doing a lot more media work than the previous day. This I thought was very beneficial, as in a real world of work, this is most likely what you do for the day.<br />
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I started with finishing my Bird of the month report, then proof reading a BTO membership leaflet. I done a range of other tasks that were office based before lunch break, where I went out onto the local Nunnery Lakes reserve with Sarah and Neil. The only thing of note was a Stone Curlew, which I thought about taking to my patch, which would have been very beneficial to others besides me ;)<br />
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In the afternoon, I worked in the Nest Recording Scheme and Ringing Unit, where I was identifying nests for their database. I must admit, after about 300 nests, it turned into sleeping material, but it was good fun anyhow!<br />
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After similar tasks in the afternoon, the day soon came to an end, with the next day approaching.....<br />
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<b><u>Day 3</u></b><br />
<b><u><br /></u></b>It was an early start to my final day of work experience at the BTO, as I was out ringing on the BTO's local reserve "Nunnery Lakes." I was being taken out by Lee Barber and Justin Walker, both great people, and we started ringing at 7am. I was able to ring up to 4 Brambling and 3 Lesser Redpoll, as it was great to actual get some proper training!<br />
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After the ringing session, it was back to the office at 9am on the dot! I finished writing a press release for the Garden Birdwatch team on the Dunnocks of Buckinghamshire before Paul arrived. After finishing this, I completed more media work, before the real deal of the day arrived! IOLO WILLIAMS!!!!!</div>
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Myself, Ieuan and Paul all had a good chat with him about bits and bobs that are happening in the nature world at that present time before we went for a walk with him on the reserve.</div>
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Iolo was here for a welsh interview with Ieuan, so as it was in Welsh, Paul and I had the foggiest as to what they were saying, so we just went a bit further ahead to the bridge out of their way to do some birding. </div>
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We were hoping for an Otter in the river but no sign. Then, a distinctive cronking call passed overhead, revealing a pair of bloody RAVENS!!!! We couldn't believe it! They flew through the canopy just over our heads chasing a pigeon and then through NW. That was both Pauls and my first Ravens for Norfolk, East Anglia to that matter!</div>
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After the interview, we discussed the Ravens, as Iolo and Ieuan heard them too, and that they could have got them calling in the background of the interview. Then, I had to ask Iolo for a picture with me - you've just got to with people as great as that!</div>
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After this, we went for an extended lunch break at Lakenheath Fen with Ieuan and Paul after we had to say "hwyl fawr" (welsh for goodbye lol) to Iolo. We only had time to go to the Washland viewpoint, and here we had 2 flight views of Water Pipit, but no hirundines. We hoped for one of the Great White Egrets or maybe even a Garganey too but no sign of either of them. </div>
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Back in the office for my last shift, I finished my last piece of media work before it was time to leave.</div>
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I would just like to thank the BTO, Ieuan and Paul for being absolutely brillaint and really making me feel at home. I even got Mike Toms book of Owls signed by him and all the people I worked ith while at the BTO. Fantastic!!</div>
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Sorry its on the tilt!</div>
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Happy Birding!</div>
Ben Moyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10198432385408789723noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-298901959751728642.post-32248395777401484852015-03-25T18:58:00.000+00:002015-03-25T18:58:40.441+00:00Breckland Produces - Again!On Sunday, Dad took me out to the Brecks again, to try and pin down some of the specialities, and also some early spring migrants. We started off at Great Livermere Lake, where a scan around picked up an slightly unusual gull sitting on one of the bars. My initial thought was Caspian, and lots of people said Caspian, but I'm no expert on finding and identifying scarce gull species. Here it is...<br />
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Further scanning around the lake produced 2 Mediterranean Gull, a late Pink-footed Goose and a lone Barnacle Goose which were the highlights...</div>
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We then went to look in the pig fields north of the lake to try and find an Iceland Gull which was seen the previous day. Unfortunately, we couldn't find it, but there was still hundreds of gulls that were not searched. </div>
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We moved on north to Santon Downham, to try and look for a hopeful Lesser-spotted Woodpecker. After a lot of searching, we couldn't nail it down, but we did get several Nuthatch, Grey Wagtail, Brambling, Chiffchaff and Lesser Redpoll. The star of the visit had to be a cracking Firecrest however...</div>
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We then got a call from our good birding friend David to say that he had a pair of Wheatear and 4 Stone Curlew at Cavenham Heath, so that's where we headed next. After scanning around, we picked up one cracking male Wheatear, 8 Stone Curlews and a singing male Stonechat. I do love the brecks!!!</div>
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Happy Birding!</div>
Ben Moyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10198432385408789723noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-298901959751728642.post-30559327654370675922015-03-08T19:33:00.000+00:002015-03-08T19:33:30.603+00:00Scotland - The Final Days (4, 5 and 6)On the Wednesday of our birding trip in Scotland, we went to the Moray Firth area, to try and see some of the lifers (for us) that had been lingering up there. First stop was Dingwall, where we had a look for the Ring-billed Gull. No sign of that, so we carried on along the coast.<br />
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Next stop, Alturlie Point, where there were a flock of about 150 Scaup. A bit distant for photographs, but you got great views through a scope.<br />
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We then went to Nairn harbour, where we had some distant Long-tailed Ducks, along with Knot and Turnstone but not much else. Then on to Culbin Woods, where a 2 hour walk provided us with only 1 Crested Tit and not the hoped for Scottish Crossbill. At this stage it was about 14 degrees, so I was just down to my T-shirt!!! </div>
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Next stop was Hopeman, where an Iceland Gull had been in the pig fields. But, with the luck how it was on that day, we didn't see it, so we moved on to our last stop at Lossiemouth, where we hoped to see a Green-winged Teal that had been there. Again, no sign of that - however, there was a nice Goldeneye which gave a lovely photographing oppurtunity in the fading light.</div>
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There was a large gull flock, which we couldn't be bothered to scan! Turned out we were idiots, and there was an Iceland Gull in there! Doh! Never mind....</div>
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<b><u>Day 5</u></b></div>
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On Thursday morning, we headed back to Loch Garten, as the previous day we had seen someone hand feeding the birds - a regular activity at Loch Garten. So on that morning, I decided to give it a try. To bring a long story short (after 49 out of 50 peanuts were finally eaten over 2 hours!), I didn't get the hoped for Crested Tits on my hand. However, I did get one that hoped on my foot! The only species that grabbed all of them peanuts were some cracking Coal Tits. It was a great experience!<br />
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There was also lots of common woodland species, a Great-spotted Woodpeckers and of course Crested Tits present. I was relieved that the Woodpecker didn't land on my hand - would have been a painfull experience...</div>
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We then moved away and towards the Cairngorms through a village called Boat of Garten. We had a cracking Red Deer by the side of the road...</div>
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We had noticed that there was a flooded field by the side of the road that had a few gulls on it. I had a quick scan through, but nothing of note. I then scanned the gulls that were flying around. I picked up a Herring Gull, then a Black-headed gull, and then a .................... GLAUCOUS GULL! I followed it and sure it enough it came to land on the flooded field. A great self found bird for us amateurs! It was a bit distant for the camera, but here are some record shots before it flew off.</div>
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It was then time for us to meet our guide Stuart again in the Cairngorm Mountains car park. We set out as a snow shower stopped, and already we could hear and see Red Grouse.</div>
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After quite a hike up the mountain, we saw our first Ptarmigan. It wasn't the best view, as it flew distantly over some rocks, but it was a sighting. As we moved up the mountain Cairn Gorm a bit further, I then spotted one sitting on the snow about 75 yards away. We moved up to it, and it showed incredibly well! What birds! In total, we saw 11 birds. 2 Raven were also seen...</div>
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We also got a Mountain Hare too...</div>
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After a successful hike up the mountains in some shocking weather, we were rewarded with some lovely Snow Buntings by our car - about 20 I think - love 'em!</div>
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<b><u>Day 6</u></b></div>
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Friday morning, we were being taken out by the RSPB Capercaillie manager to look for - well, you guessed it - Capercaillies. He took us round a long walk through a part of a Forest, but after examining a lot of their poo - we didn't see any birds. Something good from the walk however had to be in the form of a Scottish Crossbill, singing from a tree top.</div>
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In the afternoon, we went to the Findhorn Valley, for the last part of our trip. We had been told that there was a White-tailed Eagle up there, so we thought we would go and have a look. When we arrived in the car park, a Peregrine passed through, and a couple of Ravens were about. Then, the White-tailed Eagle took to the sky, being mobbed by Ravens, before drifting back along the road and out of sight.</div>
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A bit of patience rewarded us with good views of Golden Eagle, even if the picture doesn't do it justice, and a pair of Goosander on the river.</div>
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Well, that concludes our birding trip in Scotland, and what a trip it was! Some incredible birds seen, and would love to come back again at some stage - whether I will is another matter....</div>
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Thanks for reading and Happy Birding! </div>
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Ben Moyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10198432385408789723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-298901959751728642.post-17234186066350123962015-03-05T20:43:00.000+00:002015-03-07T17:31:43.100+00:00Scotland - Days 2 and 3Sorry for the delay on this post. I've got an exam this week, so have been preparing for that. Anyway, here is Day's 2 and 3....<br />
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Day 2 was a bit of a doss day, as we drove around looking for Crested Tits, not really knowing where to find our target bird, the Crested Tit. We knew they were at Loch Garten, but we didn't know where abouts on the reserve. We went for a pleasant stroll around the a part of woodland around the reserve but saw nothing - and I mean nothing, literally!<br />
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We popped in to Loch an Eilean as the last port of call for Cresties, and were given views of 2 birds, but you had to break your neck twice to see them as they were so high up! I think I will move on to a lot more productive Day 3....<br />
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<b><u>Day 3!</u></b><br />
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Today was our first day out with our guide Stuart Benn, who we had been linked up with through the AFON Conference in Cambridge sometime last year by Dr Rob Lambert - an incredible man and birder!<br />
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We were going to meet him at The Forestry Commision Office in the middle of the Abernethy Forest for a big walk - and I mean big! We must have walked for about 5-6 miles - but it was worth it!<br />
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After about 3 miles, we started to get our first good views of Crested Tit, but unfortunately we only got the picture below. We then spotted 6 blobs in a distant moor. These turned out to be resting Black Grouse, a lifer for me. Here is a poor record shot of these birds...<br />
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We then got to the final point, where a pair of Golden Eagles breed. We had to wait 35 minutes before a bird put in a appearance. It was only a flyby, but you got decent views through a scope.<br />
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After trekking it back to the car - my hamstrings were so tight it was unreal (so unfit lol), we headed to our final destination. Stuart was going to show us where the Crested Tits were at the Loch Garten reserve. It was easy to locate thinking back, and we got stunning views of at least 2 birds on the feeders and also hopping around in front of us about 10 feet away!<br />
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Hopefully, Day's 4 and 5 will be on here soon, and if your lucky, you may get to read it within the next week if I'm not busy.</div>
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Happy Birding!</div>
Ben Moyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10198432385408789723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-298901959751728642.post-16655214814172353472015-02-25T19:58:00.001+00:002015-02-25T19:58:35.361+00:00Scotland Trip - Day 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
For the whole of last week, we all went to the Scottish Highlands to try and get some of the Scottish specialities onto my life list. We arrived Saturday afternoon, and Sunday was our first day's birding. We thought we would go and look at the cracking Harlequin Duck in Aberdeenshire on the Sunday, as a mini twitch! </div>
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On route to Seaton Park, we passed a place called Tomintoul, an area of heather moorland. We were told to scan here for Red Grouse. Well, it didn't take long to get this bird on my life list. They showed really well quite close to the road...</div>
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When we arrived at Seaton Park, we parked the car, and set off. Walking down the River Don, we got great views of 2 Dipper, which were singing really well! </div>
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Further along the river, we located the target bird, the cracking Harlequin Duck, showing unbelievably well on a rock about 15 yards! What a stunning creature!<br />
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On the way back to the car, we noticed a couple of ducks sitting in the river, which turned out to be a redhead Goosander and a couple of drake Goldeneye...</div>
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Near the car park we saw a lot of splashing in the water, so we thought we'd go and investigate. Turned out to be a cracking Otter showing really well!</div>
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We then moved on to our final destination of the day, Meikle Loch, near the Ythan Estuary. Our target bird here was a drake American Wigeon that had been seen there the previous day. The weather conditions were appalling. From where we were parked, facing the flock of Wigeon, we had had 40mph head-on winds, rain and cloudy murk that lingered over the roadside pool. I got out, and the Scope nearly flew into the near-by field it was sooooo windy! I was out there for about 10 minutes, and still no luck, but I was determined to find it. Suddenly, I thought I saw it, but it soon went behind a Wigeon, but then, no it couldn't be, yes................................. A DRAKE AMERICAN WIGEON! My hard work paid off, and we were rewarded with decent views and pictures!</div>
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What a great opening day to our holiday. The following days will be on the blog soon!</div>
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Happy Birding!</div>
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Ben Moyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10198432385408789723noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-298901959751728642.post-91733287443292233492015-02-13T20:33:00.001+00:002015-02-13T20:33:20.113+00:00Update<b><u>Waxwings!</u></b><div>
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Waxwings have unfortunately been in very small numbers this year, probably due to the amount on berries in Scandinavia hence their presence here in the UK. However, dad took me to see the Waxwings in Ipswich on Sunday 1st Feb. The light was appalling, but still nice to see.</div>
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<b><u>The Patch!</u></b></div>
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I haven't reported about the patch much on the blog recently, so thought I would give you an update. I'm on a cracking 72 species, highlights being Barn and Little Owl, Golden Plover, Snipe, Water Rail, Barnacle Goose, Peregrine, Teal, Shoveler, Tufted Duck, Green Sandpiper, Lapwing, Grey Wagtail and Chiffchaff, all great birds for the patch! Only missing Reed Bunting, Red-legged Partridge, Tawny Owl, Jack Snipe, Mediterranean Gull (4 birds - the first in 8 years!), Goshawk (!!!), Little Grebe and Egyptian Goose, all of which have been seen this year but not by me unfortunately.</div>
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<b><u>Norfolk Broads 8th February 2015</u></b></div>
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Dad took me to the Norfolk Broads last Sunday to try and add to my year list - now standing at 128.</div>
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We started off at Halvergate Marshes, where we had good views of the winter-resident Rough-legged Buzzard, with a Peregrine fora supporting cast. It was great to catch up with Robert Wilson and Tom and his dad Kelvin too.</div>
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We then went to Ludham, where we saw in total around 400+ winter swans, mostly Bewick's, but about 50 Whooper's in the hazy conditions.</div>
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We then went to the Hickling Broad raptor roost at Stubb Mill, where we had: </div>
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<li>3 Hen Harrier (1 male), </li>
<li>27 Crane, </li>
<li>1 Merlin</li>
<li>1 Sparrowhawk</li>
<li>1 Tawny Owl</li>
<li>1 Green Sandpiper</li>
<li>1 Barn Owl</li>
<li>1 Fox</li>
<li>Plenty of Marsh Harriers</li>
<li>40+ White-fronted Geese over with Pink-foots.</li>
<li>2 Stonechat</li>
<li>and 4 cracking Chinese Water Deer</li>
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White-fronts</div>
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Happy Birding!</div>
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Ben Moyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10198432385408789723noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-298901959751728642.post-30740011249649204562015-01-27T18:24:00.000+00:002015-01-27T18:24:19.505+00:00Volunteering at Minsmere - 18th January 2015Last Sunday, I was volunteering at Minsmere for the day, and was really lucky to spend the day with a lady called Davene and her husband Steve.<br />
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We started off at Bittern Hide, where the lake was still frozen and there was a definite chill in the air. A single Mute Swan was resting on the only part of flowing water, but apart from that there was nothing. However, the sudden pinging of Bearded Tits alerted us to group of 9 in the far corner of the lake. Then, a Bittern flew in, but landed out of sight, followed by the first 3 Marsh Harriers of the day. A Sparrowhawk then came into view and sat in a tree near the Bearded Tits. Obviously, one bird was too busy feeding, and it was taken by the Sparrowhawk. How sad.... Here are some shots of the live birds!!!<br />
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Island Mere produced 3 Otters, another Bittern but no sign of the 2 Whooper Swans that were reported the previous day. Marsh Harriers were showing well, and there were some cracking Snipe in front of the hide however - I counted 8 in total. Also, the Teal were looking rather dapper!<br />
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The scrape in the afternoon held 2 Med Gull, the redhead Smew (not seen by me) but nothing else of note. I must say the cake in the visitor centre is lush!</div>
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In brief, had 1 female Goshawk and 8 Woodlark in an undisclosed site in the brecks, and a cracking Red Kite elsewhere on Sunday with our good friend David Walsh!</div>
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Happy Birding!</div>
Ben Moyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10198432385408789723noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-298901959751728642.post-33721501456116924892015-01-06T18:29:00.000+00:002015-01-06T18:29:14.197+00:00New Years Day Bird Race, and the Suffolk Coast!Mum, Dad and I decided to take part in the new years day bird race, so we thought we would go to North Norfolk - Titchwell and Burnham area.<br />
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In the garden before we left, we had Blackbird, Robin, Dunnock, Collared Dove, Starling, House Sparrow, Blue Tit, a flock of about 30 Fieldfare over, Black-headed Gull, Chaffinch, Magpie and Woodpigeon, which bought the total up to 12.<br />
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On the way up to Titchwell, we managed to see a further 29 species, making 41 species in total (see complete list at the bottom of the blog post for the birds seen). At Titchwell, the first new bird seen was Wren, followed by a Sparrowhawk. We then added the normal species on the fresh-marsh and salt-marsh, the highlight being a flock of 7 Twite from Parrinder Hide, and then a single Spotted Redshank on the salt-marsh. After finishing at Titchwell, we were on 77 species.<br />
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We then went to Burnham Overy, to look for the Rough-legged Buzzard. We soon jammed in on that, and we also got Common Buzzard and Canada Goose.<br />
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At the layby looking over to the west end of Holkham, we got a single White-fronted Goose to make the list 85.<br />
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We finished the day off at Warham Greens, where we got 3 Hen Harrier (1 male), Linnet, Merlin and a Woodcock, which concluded to a total of 89 species, a very successful day.<br />
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<b><u>New Year's Day Bird Species in order:</u></b></div>
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<li><b><u>Blackbird</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Robin</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Dunnock</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Collared Dove</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Starling</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>House Sparrow</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Blue Tit</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Fieldfare</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Magpie</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Black-headed Gull</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Chaffinch</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Woodpigeon</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Rock Dove (Feral Pigeon)</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Common Gull</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Rook</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Goldfinch</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Green Woodpecker</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Greylag Goose</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Kestrel</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Jackdaw</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Herring Gull</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Pheasant</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Lesser Black-backed Gull</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Great Black-backed Gull</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Moorhen</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Mallard</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Mistle Thrush</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Mute Swan</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Cormorant</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Carrion Crow</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Red-legged Partridge</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Song Thrush</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Egyptian Goose</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Great Tit</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Pied Wagtail</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Redwing</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Long-tailed Tits</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Greenfinch</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Jay</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Red Kite (2)</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Pink-footed Goose</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Lapwing</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Wren</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Sparrowhawk</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Coot</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Tufted Duck</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Gadwall</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Teal</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Wigeon</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Brent Goose</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Ringed Plover</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Little Egret</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Curlew</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Snipe</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Redshank</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Grey Plover</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Dunlin</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Shelduck</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Avocet</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Twite (7)</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Marsh Harrier</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Ruff</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Meadow Pipit</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Reed Bunting</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Water Rail</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Pochard</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Goldeneye</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Turnstone</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Knot</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Golden Plover</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Oystercatcher</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Pintail</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Shoveler</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Little Grebe</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Spotted Redshank</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Black-tailed Godwit</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Bar-tailed Godwit</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Sanderling</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Great Spotted Woodpecker</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Coal Tit</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Stock Dove</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Rough-legged Buzzard</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Canada Goose</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Common Buzzard</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>White-fronted Goose</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Hen Harrier</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Linnet</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Merlin</u></b></li>
<li><b><u>Woodcock</u></b></li>
</ol>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Covehithe Broad and Dunwich Shore Pools</span></u></b></div>
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Yesterday, Dad and I teamed up with our friends David and Ed to do a bit of Suffolk coast birding. Before that however, I was stunned to see myself looking at an adult male Bullfinch in the garden. The light wasn't brilliant, but it was still a cracking bird to have in the garden! A first in 4 years...</div>
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We started off at Covehithe where we ticked Brambling, flyover Barnacle Geese, Yellowhammer, and a brief Bearded tit before arriving at the broad. We could see the Shorelarks through our bins before looking at them closely, but then they took off and flew high south, and for quite a few miles. However they have been seen again today, so they must go for a fly about before returning. We also got Red-throated Diver offshore, a redhead Smew, and 3 Goldeneye in the area.</div>
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We then went to Dunwich Shore Pools. On the walk up, we got Common Scoter, Stonechat, several Great-crested Grebes offshore, Brent Geese, a Skylark, Rock Pipit, Reed Bunting and a cracking male Hen Harrier, which hunted the reed bed albeit a bit distant...</div>
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We then located the Twite flock with a bit of help from another birder, where about 20 birds were present.</div>
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Further up (about a further 2 miles!) we relocated the Snow Buntings, which were so obliging to us...</div>
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On the way back home, we had a lovely Barn Owl hunting alongside the road in Pettaugh which was another year tick taking the total up to 108.</div>
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We had a brilliant day, and I just want to thank David and Ed for taking us out, it was a real pleasure.</div>
Ben Moyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10198432385408789723noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-298901959751728642.post-35318200578215925982015-01-02T13:05:00.002+00:002015-01-02T13:05:46.896+00:00Review of 2014This is going to be a very long blog post, so get comfy, and grab a cuppa!<br />
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2014 has been my best year for birding by a mile, as I thrashed (in my opinion) last years British total by 14 species, where I got 216. This year, I have reached a whopping 230, so for the amount of time I go birdwatching compared to other birders (not as much as I would like because of school), I think that's a fine achievement.<br />
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<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><b><u>So this year:</u> British Year List: 230. British Life List Additions: 18. Patch Year List: 100</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>January: British Year List 104 - Lifers: 0</u></b></span></div>
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There wasn't any outstanding birds in January, just quite a lot of nice birds. 5th January bought Taiga Bean Geese, White-fronted Geese, Bewick and Whooper Swans, and a Hen Harrier in the Norfolk Broads.</div>
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We also got a Black-throated Diver on The Strand, Orwell Estuary on the 6th, Crossbills at West Stow and Mandarins, a Goosander and "Mable" the Tawny Owl at Christchurch Park, Ipswich which takes Bird of the Month.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vVuwsdUfzSc/VKE6U37-bwI/AAAAAAAAEcQ/JS_TIrWxKZ8/s1600/Crossbill%2B-%2BWest%2BStow%2B(5).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vVuwsdUfzSc/VKE6U37-bwI/AAAAAAAAEcQ/JS_TIrWxKZ8/s1600/Crossbill%2B-%2BWest%2BStow%2B(5).JPG" height="363" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Bird of the Month: Tawny Owl, Christchurch Park</b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><u>February: British Year List 139 - Lifers: 2</u></span></b></div>
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February got off on a great start, with both Richard's Pipit and Glossy Ibis on the North Norfolk Coast on the 2nd Feb (both lifers).</div>
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We then got 2 Smew at Minsmere and a Dartford Warbler on Westleton Heath on the 17th. </div>
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We jammed in with a Goshawk in Thetford on the 18th, followed by 4 Goshawks on the 22nd at the same site. On the 19th, Burnham Overy Dunes produced a Rough-legged Buzzard and a Short-eared Owl, where Titchwell produced c.15 Velvet Scoter amongst c.5500 Common Scoter.</div>
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Awful I know!</div>
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We also got Tree Sparrow at Ampton on the 23rd.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0T5UjlIc16A/VKFCZpN2-FI/AAAAAAAAEdQ/qV4kJuqPT-0/s1600/Tree%2BSparrow%2B-%2BFeb%2B2014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0T5UjlIc16A/VKFCZpN2-FI/AAAAAAAAEdQ/qV4kJuqPT-0/s1600/Tree%2BSparrow%2B-%2BFeb%2B2014.JPG" height="277" width="400" /></a></div>
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Bird of the Month - Richard's Pipit, Salthouse - no picture though</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>March: British Year List 147 - Lifers 1</u></b></span></div>
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March only had 9 new year ticks, including the first Chiffchaff of the year on the 22nd, and 4 Caspian Gulls at Landguard on the 23rd. However, the only lifer was 2 Two-barred Crossbill at Lynford Arboretum along with 4 Firecrest.</div>
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Dodgy record but Bird of the Month</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KjWePLTzGK0/VKFFhA1806I/AAAAAAAAEdk/8yBrVjKKY_0/s1600/Firecrest%2B-%2BLynford.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KjWePLTzGK0/VKFFhA1806I/AAAAAAAAEdk/8yBrVjKKY_0/s1600/Firecrest%2B-%2BLynford.JPG" height="321" width="400" /></a></div>
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This isn't brilliant either lol</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>April: British Year List 165 - Lifers - 0</u></b></span></div>
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Much better month compared to March, but couldn't connect with that elusive Lifer. The 5th produced Jack Snipe and Stone Curlew at Minsmere, and on the 6th my first 2 Swallows.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WowGM5A2y5Q/VKFHsYxKQEI/AAAAAAAAEdw/NA3uezf6t48/s1600/Jack%2BSnipe%2B(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WowGM5A2y5Q/VKFHsYxKQEI/AAAAAAAAEdw/NA3uezf6t48/s1600/Jack%2BSnipe%2B(2).JPG" height="275" width="400" /></a></div>
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On the 7th, I jammed in with Little Ringed Plover, Green Sandpiper and a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker all on my patch, which was great!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wErx3GW6s0Q/VKFIiKnkNaI/AAAAAAAAEd4/JTc0zANAeK0/s1600/LRP%2B-%2BPipps%2BFord%2B-%2BApr%2B2014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wErx3GW6s0Q/VKFIiKnkNaI/AAAAAAAAEd4/JTc0zANAeK0/s1600/LRP%2B-%2BPipps%2BFord%2B-%2BApr%2B2014.JPG" height="306" width="400" /></a></div>
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The 21st bought the first spring Ring Ouzels, this time into Kessingland, where 4 birds were great to see with the first Sedge Warbler and Whitethroat too.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DmRjFF4T8A0/VKFJVXEexFI/AAAAAAAAEeE/U4xgfYFyCsg/s1600/Ring%2BOuzel%2B(9).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DmRjFF4T8A0/VKFJVXEexFI/AAAAAAAAEeE/U4xgfYFyCsg/s1600/Ring%2BOuzel%2B(9).JPG" height="262" width="400" /></a></div>
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22nd bought Nightingale, Swift and Garden Warbler whilst ringing (the latter being ringed), but the bird of the year for me was a self found Ring Ouzel at Wildwood, Needham Market which was a patch lifer.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UtwRgjFFgv4/VKFJ5DTTm1I/AAAAAAAAEeM/tN83OXX-Xsw/s1600/RING%2BOUZEL%2B-%2BSELF%2BFOUND!!!!%2B-%2BWILDWOOD%2B-%2B22-04-14.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UtwRgjFFgv4/VKFJ5DTTm1I/AAAAAAAAEeM/tN83OXX-Xsw/s1600/RING%2BOUZEL%2B-%2BSELF%2BFOUND!!!!%2B-%2BWILDWOOD%2B-%2B22-04-14.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
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Bird of the Month - Ring Ouzel, Wildwood</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>May: British Year List 180 - Lifers: 2</u></b></span></div>
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The Norfolk Broads beckoned on 5th, and we jammed in on a Little Gull at Buckenham Marshes which was probably the highlight.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XtoDexzfnEw/VKFMWQVGO6I/AAAAAAAAEeY/PZtPTpAgMsQ/s1600/Little%2BGull%2B-%2BBuckenham.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XtoDexzfnEw/VKFMWQVGO6I/AAAAAAAAEeY/PZtPTpAgMsQ/s1600/Little%2BGull%2B-%2BBuckenham.jpg" height="276" width="400" /></a></div>
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Then on the 23rd, we got a pair of Turtle Doves at my Auntie's garden, and on the same evening, we got 3 Nightjars.</div>
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On the 27th, Mum took me to Landguard to get Greenish Warbler and Common Rosefinch, but neither showed well enough for a decent photo.</div>
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Bird of the Month: Greenish Warbler, Landguard</div>
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<b style="font-size: x-large;"><u>June: British Year List 184 - Lifers: 2</u></b></div>
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June was a MEGA month, as I bagged my first ever MEGA rarity, this being a Spectacled Warbler at Bunrham Overy Staithe, Norfolk on the 8th June. We also year ticked Spoonbill here too.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FlrdF55pBBM/VKZ6STb997I/AAAAAAAAEe8/Rfg1LlrgRzg/s1600/MEGA%2B-%2BSPECTACLED%2BWARBLER!!!.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FlrdF55pBBM/VKZ6STb997I/AAAAAAAAEe8/Rfg1LlrgRzg/s1600/MEGA%2B-%2BSPECTACLED%2BWARBLER!!!.JPG" height="316" width="400" /></a></div>
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On the 22nd, we jammed in with a cracking male Rose-coloured Starling at Carlton Colville, Lowestoft, which showed unbelievable well.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OiYCyyTWIDw/VKZ7ABUtQVI/AAAAAAAAEfM/QaAARQDGwus/s1600/ROSY%2BSTARLING.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OiYCyyTWIDw/VKZ7ABUtQVI/AAAAAAAAEfM/QaAARQDGwus/s1600/ROSY%2BSTARLING.JPG" height="295" width="400" /></a></div>
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On the 29th, we connected with another lifer for me, which was a cracking female Red-backed Shrike at Winterton Dunes, Norfolk.</div>
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Bird of the month: Spectacled Warbler</div>
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<b style="font-size: x-large;"><u>July: British Year List 190 - Lifers: 1</u></b></div>
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July was a good month for waders, and I got all of the 6 year ticks at Minsmere, including one beast of a bird: Collared Pratincole! </div>
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The other waders we year-ticked was Common Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper and Wood Sandpipers, Spotted Redshank and Greenshank.</div>
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Bird of the month: Collared Pratincole</div>
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<b style="font-size: x-large;"><u>August: British Year List 213 - Lifers: 3</u></b></div>
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August saw us going to the Isle of Islay, Argyll for a week. Here we grabbed 1 Lifer, Chough, and 16 year ticks - Osprey, Golden and White-tailed Eagles, Stonechat, Hooded Crow, Eider, Gannet, Black Guillemot, Raven, Manx Shearwater, Great Skua, Twite, Pomarine Skua, Whinchat and Fulmar.</div>
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On the 27th, Dad took me to the East Norfolk Coast. We got 2 lifers, them being Pied Flycacther at Winterton Dunes, and Barred Warbler at Eccles. We also got a cracking male Red-backed Shrike, a Wryneck and a Redstart at Winterton. I also saw another Wryneck at Minsmere on the 28th.</div>
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Bird of the Month: Red-backed Shrike at Winterton</div>
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I also saw another Wryneck at Minsmere on the 28th.</div>
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<b style="font-size: x-large;"><u>September: British Year List 218 - Lifers: 3</u></b></div>
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1st September bought another lifer for me, being an Eastern Subalpine Warbler at Landguard, Suffolk.</div>
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And the 21st bought Olive-backed Pipit (lifer) at Wells, Sooty Shearwater (lifer) past Cley and a Yellow-browed Warbler and Barred Warbler at Salthouse. A great day...</div>
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Bird of the month: Olive-backed Pipit</div>
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<b style="font-size: x-large;"><u>October: British Year List 226 - Lifers: 5</u></b></div>
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The month started off great, with my second MEGA of the year, this being Little Crake at Minsmere. I saw this on both the 5th and 7th, along with a Great White Egret on the 7th.</div>
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On the 12th, we got a Steppe Grey Shrike at Burnham Norton, which showed really well. We also got a Yellow-browed Warbler at Stiffkey on the same day.</div>
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On the 19th, we got bird of the year - Long-eared Owl at Walsey Hills, Norfolk along with a Grey Phalarope at Cley.</div>
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29th bought Surf Scoter and Slavonian Grebe along with Velvet Scoter in Holkham Bay, and the 30th and 1st Nov. bought a cracking Mid-Suffolk record being in the case of a Hoopoe at Framsden, along with an Osprey over on the 1st as an added bonus.</div>
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<b style="font-size: x-large;"><u>November: British Year List 228 - Lifers: 1</u></b></div>
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On the 9th, we got 2 Desert Wheatears: 1 1st Winter Male at Lowestoft, and 1 Female at Goreleston. We also got Purple Sandpiper at Ness Point too.</div>
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<b style="font-size: x-large;"><u>December: British Year List 230 - Lifers: 0</u></b></div>
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On the 23rd, we got White-fronted, Tundra Bean and 2 presumed esc. Red-breasted Goose at North Warren RSPB, Suffolk, and then 3 Shorelark and 12 Snow Bunting at Covehithe Broad.</div>
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What a year 2014 was. I wonder if I can beat it in 2015.....</div>
Ben Moyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10198432385408789723noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-298901959751728642.post-49321364462345258222014-12-27T09:33:00.000+00:002014-12-27T09:33:35.169+00:00Geese Galore and 230 for the year!On Tuesday 23rd December, Dad and I visited North Warren first to see the range of geese that had been seen there. There had been 7 species in recent days, so we thought we'd go and check it out...<br />
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This was only the second time I had visited North Warren RSPB, so I only really knew the path leading through North and South Marsh. However, on this occasion, a good friend of ours told us to walk the "full Monty" and keep going, through the woods towards Thorpeness Sewage Works!<br />
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There was a couple of other birders up there, and we scanned the geese. The obvious goose specie was hundreds of Barnacle Geese, which stretched most of the way across the Northern part of North Marsh. I scanned through them, and picked up the 2 Red-breasted Geese, presumably escape birds, and about 40 ish White-fronted Geese.<br />
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The Red-breasted Geese are in their somewhere!</div>
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Close up</div>
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I then picked up the flock of 15 Tundra Bean Geese on the right hand side of the flock, but like all of the geese present, they were a bit distant...</div>
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very hazy too</div>
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We did also see a very late Whimbrel, so don't know where he came from? Also present were some very nice Black-tailed Godwit and a pair of Stonechat.</div>
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We then headed to Covehithe Broad to look for the Shorelarks and Snow Buntings. On the approach road from Wrentham to Covehithe Church however, I glanced into the pig field on the left, and right by the road I thought I saw a Hooded Crow. I have had a lot of experience with these birds, so I was quite certain that was what it was, but as I was in a moving vehicle, I couldn't be 100% sure. </div>
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The light was brilliant, but the wind was a killer, so photography was difficult. Managed to get some OK shots of the Shorelarks though on the east side of the broad.</div>
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We then went to look for the Snow Buntings, but everyone we passed said they hadn't seen them, so we wasn't expecting any. However, we walked in front of the cliffs, and within minutes the flock flew over the sea and over our heads, but unfortunately landed in the private cliff-top field, so no pictures were obtained. A great days birding though! No time to go to Dunwich, and there was no sign of my possible Hooded Crow on the way back either.</div>
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Happy Birding!</div>
Ben Moyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10198432385408789723noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-298901959751728642.post-33700670437060240752014-12-14T18:19:00.000+00:002014-12-14T18:19:02.249+00:00Update from past 2 weeks!So sorry about the lack of posting. Been extremely busy with school GCSE's, a weekend in Derby and birding trips. Here is an update from the last 2 weeks.<br />
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On Sunday 30th November, a good friend of ours David Walsh took us down to do a 3-ish mile walk around Gedgrave Marshes and Butley area. It was a great walk, well worth the 4 hour walk! We got the ringtail Hen Harrier that had been present there for sometime (and still present there now!) with 2 Short-eared Owls on Havergate Island, with a second Hen Harrier. It was a great afternoon after a nice lay in!<br />
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The following weekend, I was really excited as we were going up to Swanwick in Derbyshire to take part in the annual BTO Conference 2014. It was the first time I had been, so I didn't really know what to expect, but it was definitely worth going!</div>
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Friday evening, we eventually arrived at 6:05, 2 hours after the sat nav predicted our arrival! However, it was great! I caught up with my young birding buddies which I hadn't seen since April I think: Ellis Lucas, Toby Carter, Abby and Evie Miller, Findlay and Harley Wilde and Josie Hewitt!</div>
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We had a great dinner (Lasagne!), and then enjoyed the first talk, which was by Helen MacDonald, where she talked about the history of hawks and humans. It was then a quiz where the young birders and I got together to form a team, where we came 4th I think out of about 9, so not bad considering the in-experience!</div>
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Saturday morning dawned, and the BTO Director, Andy Clements, kicked of the conference with a warm welcoming. We then listed to several talks, but it was then James Pearce-Higgins talk which I found particularly intersting about birds and climate change.</div>
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It was then lunch with Andy Clements (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!), Chris Packham, (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) and the other young birders (! lol). It was great to talk to Chris about the challenges he has done this year, including the illegal persecution of birds in Malta. We all also got a signed book from Chris about his <i>"100 Things That Caught My Eye". </i></div>
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We then had other talks, the highlights being Dave Leech's talk about nest recording (brilliant) and Mark Thomas about the illegal persecution of raptors, which was really inspiring! We then had dinner where I had Salmon - delicious!</div>
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Sunday morning was when all of the young birders, including myself, had to give a talk of how we got inspired by birds. All of the talks went really well, and I got a lot of positive feedback afterwards.</div>
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We then had our final lunch, before leaving - We had a brilliant time, and thank you to the BTO and Lucy McRobert for inviting us to the conference, Mum, Dad and I really appreciated it! </div>
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<b><u>Stour Estuary - Birds by Barge boat trip - 14th Dec 2014</u></b></div>
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The day started off well with a Peregrine on the first light ship, after setting out from Harwich towards Mistley early in the morning...</div>
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We then clocked on to a cracking Red-throated Diver on the way west, and then presumably the same bird at Mistley...</div>
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Mark Nowers, the guide of the tour, then clocked on to the Surf Scoter that has been wintering on the River Stour, where it showed really well, but we only had the little camera to hand, so hence the quality of the pictures.</div>
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On the way back, I picked up a cracking Great Northern Diver, which came really close, but again, only the little camera was around! Could've had some cracking pictures in the end, but hey ho!</div>
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Overall, we saw 38 different species which I've just added to BirdTrack! Here they are:</div>
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<li>Surf Scoter</li>
<li>Herring Gull</li>
<li>Sanderling</li>
<li>Marsh Harrier</li>
<li>Buzzard</li>
<li>Turnstone</li>
<li>Wigeon</li>
<li>Teal</li>
<li>Great Black-backed Gull</li>
<li>Redshank</li>
<li>Black-headed Gull</li>
<li>Great Crested Grebe</li>
<li>Brent Goose</li>
<li>Mute Swan</li>
<li>Cormorant</li>
<li>Dunlin</li>
<li>Knot</li>
<li>Red-throated Diver</li>
<li>Goldeneye</li>
<li>Common Scoter</li>
<li>Lapwing</li>
<li>Shelduck</li>
<li>Gadwall</li>
<li>Woodpigeon</li>
<li>Lesser Black-backed Gull</li>
<li>Bar-tailed Godwit</li>
<li>Avocet</li>
<li>Great Northern Diver</li>
<li>Little Grebe</li>
<li>Black-tailed Godwit</li>
<li>Curlew</li>
<li>Peregrine</li>
<li>Red-breasted Merganser</li>
<li>Common Gull</li>
<li>Jackdaw</li>
<li>Carrion Crow</li>
<li>Rook</li>
<li>Oystercatcher</li>
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Happy Birding!!!!</div>
Ben Moyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10198432385408789723noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-298901959751728642.post-89089604295595522492014-11-15T09:16:00.000+00:002014-11-15T09:16:24.275+00:00Lowestoft and Gorleston - 9th November 2014As this was my birthday birding treat, (my birthday was on the following Thursday), Dad took me to the east coast of Suffolk/Norfolk to see the 2 cracking Desert Wheatears, which would be great additions to my life list. We started at Lowestoft, and our plan was to bird around there, and then head up to Gorleston for the afternoon.<br />
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Several birders were on the sea wall, watching the cracking 1st Winter Male Desert Wheatear, hopping about on the sea wall. It was a cracking bird to watch. Penny Clarke was also there, so it was great to catch up with her too! Enjoy...<br />
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<b>Meant to say 9th November 2014, not 9th October 2014 on the title screen. Oops!</b></div>
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We then went to see the long staying Red-backed Shrike, that had been present in the turbine yard. We joined up with Peter Ransome to try and find it, and within a minute, we found it in the brambles. Very hazy, but still good views.</div>
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<b>Meant to say 9th November 2014, not 9th October 2014 on the title screen. Oops again!</b></div>
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We then went to Ness Point. We saw 5 Purple Sandpipers, which were new on the year list, but they didn't want to stop for a photo, which was a shame. 5 minutes of sea-watching produced 4 Red-throated Diver, 1 Med Gull and 3 Wigeon.</div>
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We then headed to Gorleston, and parked in Pier Gardens, and walked to the throng of birders. It showed brilliant, about 6 feet away on the sea wall!...</div>
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<b>Come on! Done it again! Meant to say 9th November 2014, and not 9th October 2014! Last time guys, I promise!</b></div>
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That was the end to that day, but what a day it was. We finally know our way around Lowestoft! Only took 5 years. Hey ho! </div>
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Happy Birding!!!</div>
Ben Moyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10198432385408789723noreply@blogger.com2