Eastern-crowned Warbler

Eastern-crowned Warbler at Brotton in Cleveland. A world tick! Took me several hours to get tickable views, even though I saw the bird five or six times in that time. Great views in the end during the last hour or so we were there (went with a car-load). Managed an appalling photo, so had to shamelessly pinch one from Surfbirds (I’ll remove it if anyone cares about the copyright).

 

A Yellow-browed Warbler was also calling in the same small copse, though I didn’t see it as I had other things on my mind.

Took in a showy Rough-legged Buzzard at Grindale in North Yorks on the way back.

 

Cornwall (Day 2)

Birded the three valleys: Nanquidno, Cot, and Kenidjack. Found nothing! Glimpsed someone else's Red-breasted Flycatcher. Worst year ever. But still enjoyed myself and will be back next year all being well.

 

Cornwall (Day 1)

Land’s End on my own for two days. Started at St. Leven. Birded the St. Levan, Porthgwara, and Nanjizal area. Took in the Yellow-billed Cuckoo, but didn’t see a lot else. Great fun trying. Took the usual pictures, but with no kids in them!

   

Yellow-browed Warbler

At last! On my fifth attempt I succeeded in seeing a Yellow-browed Warbler. One of the two (now probably one) that were found on Sunday 19th. It took all morning, but it eventually came in together with a Chiffchaff (thought I’d made a mistake at first when, after glimpsing the Yellow-browed, I then got on to the Chiffchaff). Lots of waiting around, and early mornings to see this Amwell first (this bird was the first). All worth it now. A Cetti’s Warbler was calling and seen well in the same spot at the same time. So three Warbler species at Amwell in late October. Quite impressive. A Ring-necked Parakeet also flew over during the wait. Stole this picture of the bird I saw from someone. Don’t know who, so apologies/thanks to whoever.

North-west Norfolk

Long day. Lots of walking. Holme to Titchwell. Hundreds of Goldcrests at Holme, but nothing special amongst them. A steady arrival of Redwings in-off. At Thornham I had a fly-over Lapland Bunting which was good. I then dipped a Penduline Tit at Titchwell that I could see people watching from Thornham! That wasn’t so good. Particularly as I saw a bird when I arrived at Titchwell that I was convinced was the Penduline Tit, but not from where people were watching. Too brief to be sure, but I’m sure it was it!

 

Red Sky In The Morning…

Should have taken the warning. A bad day. Nothing at Fowlmere in the morning and then made the wrong choice and went to Shepreth in the evening, whilst a Yellow-browed Warbler was found at Fowlmere!

EDIT: The Yellow-browed Warbler was a false alarm!

Feathered Thorn

I caught this Feathered Thorn in a pint glass. Upon releasing it, I was a bit disappointed to see a Robin fly across the garden and have it for breakfast. Felt rather guilty.

Norfolk

A free day, and headed to North Norfolk for dawn. Decided on Holme as was the nearest place, and was normally free from crowds. A real “pea-souper”. Very limited visibility but also very promising. It wasn’t good. Hardly a migrant. No Robins ticking or Redwings flying in.

So moved to Burnham Norton where I walked all the way to Holkham and back. Same thing. Best I could find was a male Brambling, presumably a migrant, though the sun at least burnt away the fog. Then whilst nearing the car ‘found’ a Great White Egret. No longer a BB rarity, but a good find all the same, even though I later realised I wasn’t the only one looking at it, and it had already been reported. It is also one of the world’s dullest birds in my opinion. Here’s a video to prove it (the Pink-footed Geese in the background noise are more interesting!)

Enough ‘birding’. Time for some twitching. Burnham Norton for the Steppe Grey Shrike. Showed fantastically.

  

Then finally went to Titchwell to see if I could find one of the two Yellow-browed Warblers which were in the carpark. I didn’t, thought did here one. Didn’t have time to visit the reserve properly.

So a quiet but enjoyable day on the coast.

More Rainbows

A trip to Fowlmere in the rain is never too exciting, but having had no time to bird the last few days, I just needed to get out. Also a good chance to test the new bin’s looking at the highlights of six Teal, two Little Grebes, and a Grey Heron. Wow! Still, got another rainbow picture.

Hobby

No time for birding today, but quickly cycled to Fowlmere Road to confirm that the Hobby had gone. Not seen now since the last day of September when it roosted. So officially gone!

Norfolk

Went to Norfolk, simply to try out some binoculars. Came away with nothing, but my mind made up I  I think. Pouring down with rain (so a good test for the bins), but eventually ended up walking Blakeney point to Halfway House. Saw absolutely nothing. Then car wouldn’t start and had to wait an hour and a half shivering waiting for the breakdown people to come and jump start it. Not a great afternoon! Took some nice photos though…

  

Hobby

No time for birding today, but quickly cycled to Fowlmere Road to confirm that the Hobby had gone. Not seen now since the last day of September when it roosted. So officially gone!