on-patch purps

Survived the easter holidays off-patch relatively unscathed although missing iceland gull & brambling could prove costly later! Biggest news in my absence was of a velvet scoter at the far end of Long Strand - its still floating about so I'm hopeful that when the wind drops, it might be visible from this end of the beach! Time will tell!

In the meantime, attempting to see it has got me two year ticks! A few sandwich terns were being blown around the bay yesterday, while today's gems were 4 (count 'em) purple sandpipers on the rocks at this end of Long Strand, well and truly on-patch (88)! Means I don't have to get up to any of this nonsense trying to get them on the year list - I'll just do that for the velvet!

migbashing in january

Today was freezing! Not as cold as the arctic conditions across the pond in englandshire but still way too cold to be looking for migs surely? It felt like the middle of January! with added wind chill! And yet there were birds about! And quite a few of them!

A male blackcap was an early bonus, and then the phylloscs took over, with c. 20 chiffchaffs and 2 willow warblers gleaned over the next hour or so (86). Most were working hedgerows and ditches on the sheltered side, trying to avoid getting iced by the savage wind, as was I!!

After a bit longer, the lure of cups of tea & warmth got too strong and I headed for home. Two warbler year ticks tho - pretty good for January!!

Springwatch

The very first hint of spring movement happened yesterday afternoon when a chiffchaff hopped and hooweted its way around the garden. The first official mig of 2013! Wasn't that confident that there'd be much doing this morning, as was still feeling pretty cold. However, the birding gods were on my side, as a male wheatear finally popped up just when I was about to give up, and then, while stalking the wheatear, a black redstart flew past! Bingo! Migrants galore!

Managed at least 3 chiffchaffs heading back towards Shite Lane, and then rounded Springwatch off nicely with my first swallow of the year over the lake (84) - 4 year ticks in the last two days! Spring must be here after all!

No migs yet

A lovely spring morning at Galley and I spent a pleasant 2 hours hoofing round the patch seeing very little! But it felt like there was always a chance of something; a wheatear, a hoopoe, or a great spotted cuckoo, which is the first time there's been any hope of a migrant since late October.

A scan of the lake this lunchtime, and the long-staying female long-tailed duck is still here. Did score a bonus half dozen black-tailed godwits in with the curlew flock (79), which was nice - can be tricky enough to get on the year list, so good to get them out of the way early on.

Exciting times ahead! Bring on the spring!

A twitch to Mizen Head

Finally got a chance to go for the two black ducks down near Barleycove on Mizen Head today, and was glad I made the effort! The two were sat on a flooded pool by the side of the road opposite the Barleycove Caravan Park, near Cockles Strand, looking very pleased with themselves!

Even though they were pretty close, I still managed to balls up the following record shots, but note the white underwing and lack of any rings on at least one leg! Fortunately one of the shots is almost in focus! Almost!

Look at the underwing on that!

Unringed (on one leg anyway!)

Couldn't get them both with their heads up at once! 

And then they went to sleep, no doubt still wrecked from their tough Atlantic crossing, so we left them to it!