Monday 13 June 2011

Collared Fly theory and Roller memories

I have put some comments and a link to two photos of the Collared Flycatchers that turned up on Fair Isle and the Holme bird this Spring. Both first summer birds, within three days of each other and both with remarkably similar plumage features... coincidence? I think not.

The finder of the Fair Isle bird had contacted me and also thinks they could be the same bird. Not sure it will be possible to prove. If anyone has photos of the Norfolk bird in flight it sounds like the tail pattern could be the proof. The F Isle bird did have quite distinctive outer tail feathers...Will be interesting to see if the rarity reports treat them as different birds.

Meanwhile, lots of birders getting excited about the Roller in Suffolk. Great birds. Dave and I watched at least 8 birds along one stretch of road on Spain recently, whilst reminiscing about one of the first twitches we ever went on from London to Devon back in 1989!

Will not venture into the unknown and out of Norfolk this time... But if it carries on north and over the border then I would be tempted!!

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=202813


Monday 6 June 2011

Back to the search for the big rarity

Encouraged by the amazing find up in Cleveland today (The first twitchable W T Robin) I decided to do a quick seawatch and then a stroll up to the Point ... just in case there was a mega hiding out in Norfolk too!

The highlight of the seawatch was a summer plumaged Great Northern Diver heading close in going West .. not a plumage i've had the pleasure of seeing in Norfolk before.

Razorbills x3, Guillemot x1, Fulmar x2 and about 30 Gannets past ..... It appears the NW winds not quite as good as the recent NE winds were for passage seabirds.

The walk up to the Point was livened up by the usual Little Terns, Oystercatchers with chicks etc

At the Plantation:
Spotted Flycatcher (my first of the year)
Willow Warbler
Wheatear x 2 .. late birds?

No June mega but a pleasant walk despite some rain

Extremadura

Back from a great trip to Spain .. Not so 'Pointless Birding' with Dave Gandy, my friend who lives in Thailand

We cleaned up on all the target birds within the first few hours of the day

Spanish Imperial Eagle
Great Bustards .. Still displaying which was a real surprise!
Little Bustards
Black-bellied and Pin-tailed Sandgrouse
.... not to mention the huge number of great common birds like Calandra, Thekla and Crested Larks. Rollers, Hoopoes etc etc

Mega rare Eagle .. Spanish Imperial
Great Bustard turning itself into popcorn!

R R Swallows