Gary T's Birding Blog: November 2013

Sunday 24th November 2013

I received a text message from Andy Jordan yesterday, to ask if i fancied going to see the Western Orphean Warbler, in Pembrokeshire. I said 'Yes'. So an early start today. We met at Aust Warth at 5am, for what we thought was about a 3 hour drive. As it turns out, it was only 2 hours, not bad at all. We arrived to see about 40+ birders, waiting outside the car park (farmers field). By the time we got to nearly the garden, we were told we had to wait, as there were already lots of birders in there. It took about an hour, before we could get in, but by then the light had really improved. The message on the pagers had said, garden open from 8am - 1.30pm, so we decided we would as long as possible. As it was it was a realy good decision. The Warbler showed, but was not always easy to photograph. Other birds, some quite surprising, in, over and around the garden included, Curlew, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Peregrine, Bullfinch, Redwings, Fieldfare, 3/4 Chiffchaffs along with lots of Tits.

Western Orphean Warbler

Sorry can't resist putting a few pix of this bird on here. Think this may even be my first UK lifer of the year!!!!!!!!

Western Orphean Warbler

Saturday 23rd November 2013

The Black-throated Diver has stayed put at Chew all week! Showing well most days, but today is supposed to be sunny?? We will see……

Black-throated Diver

For once the forecast was right, but the sun was always from the wrong direction, not even they can help that though!!!!! Looked around a bit, then came back to Woodford, hoping the bird would show well again, in the RIGHT light! It did show, but not as close, but still got some decent shots. Other birds of note were a few Goosanders, Ruddy Duck, a Long-tailed Duck (Dam) and 2 Pink-footed Geese (Herons Green Pool).

Black-throated Diver

At one stage the Diver flew off towards Denny Island, but gradually work its way back in fairly close. Nice light, even if it didn't come as close as before.

Black-throated Diver

Saturday 16th November 2013

Parents having a new sofa delivered today. So had to stay around to help. Typically there is a juvenile Black-throated Diver, showing really well near Woodford Lodge, Chew!!!!!!!!

Did manage to get out to Chew late in the day, couldn't see the bird from Woodford Lodge though. But, we then saw the bird distantly, from the Tearooms car park, near the Dam, it looked like it was right by the Lodge. So back around, now sign again, then it swam out and into sight, but soon went back in. We drove around to Whalley Bank, where the bird did give itself up, but the light gave up too! Oh well did get the shot below, lets hope it stays for a while, and it brightens up for pix?

Black-throated Diver

Almost forgot, i was chatting to a Fishing Ranger at Woodford Lodge, before i got to see the bird. He told me the bird had been there for 3/4 days. He also told me he had asked a 'birder', what it was as he had not seen one before, and, this is why i put 'birder', he was told it was a Goosander!!!!! Maybe not a birder after all, huh??????

Thursday 14th November 2013

Just a little message to Roger Treeby & Graham Bools (and anyone else who follows my blog), thanks for asking about my blog, i am getting there slowly guys, WILL catch up soon, and hopefully, will try to keep up from now on!!!!!

Sorry for getting so far behind, hope you still enjoy reading all my crap?

AS YOU CAN SEE I HAVE FINALLY OVERTAKEN THIS MESSAGE,

HOPE YOUR STILL ENJOYING THE BLOG???

Saturday 9th November 2013

Today we decided to go to Newport Wetlands RSPB, to see the Penduline Tit, which had taken up residence, near the visitor centre there. Got there and saw the birders group, so knew where to look straight away. Sure enough the bird was there, and showed well, if slightly too far away, over the next couple of hours. Later it flew off over the pool near the centre, and was watched at distance from there. It did come back to the same little reed bed later, but only very briefly, it then flew towards the main reed beds, nearer to the Severn. It did land, but don't think anyone refound it today. Nice sunshine and lovely bird, so a great day anyway.

Penduline Tit

Sunday 3rd November 2013

Overnight stay in Penzance, then after breakfast, a return to Porthgwarra. When we got to the car park, we realised there were very few birders today. Got out of the car, and had a chat with a birder, who then told me, another birder thinks he has seen something which looked like the Hermit Thrush!!! I spoke to this birder, who said he only had this bird very briefly, but it had a rusty coloured rump and upper tail, and it was about the right size and shape. Wow, could be good, the weather was a lot better, light was too, and no wind (well up to yesterday anyway). Sadly, fours hours later, still nothing! Oh well it was worth a look.

Nothing more to report after that either really!!!!!

Saturday 2nd November 2013

Another trip to Cornwall today, hoping the Hermit Thrush is still there.

We arrived at Porthgwarra car park at 9.45am. There were quite a few birders there, but no-one had seen it. I was told there were at least 100 birders there before the last rain storm went through, but they had mainly gone after that. It was also really windy in the valley, which won't help either…..We stayed for hours, nothing, in fact there were very few birds at all there. We gave up, and the bad day got worse, we went to St Levan, the lady parking attendant told us, "everyone who have gone looking have seen it today". So, confident we set off for the Red-breasted Flycatcher and Yellow-browed Warbler that had been seen there. NOTHING!!!!!!

Common Darter

All we got was a very late Common Darter….had to photograph it and check it for Vagrant Darter, being so late, but as my day had gone, it wasn't!!!!!!!!

Common Darter

We moved on to the Hayle Estuary, to see if we could find the White-rumped Sandpipers that had been around. We parked at Ryans Field and walked to the hide there. They were there, at last a decent bird. Only 2 were being seen, an adult and a 1st Winter bird, there had been 3 before. They were at the far side of the flood, behind an island, but we could see them. I walked around to the road, it was a lot closer, but the light was now from the wrong direction, typical of the day i suppose! The one thing to my advantage was the tide was still coming in, and was covering the little island they were hiding behind. Gradually, it pushed them off the island, and they showed quite well, for once the clouds played a good part, they stopped the suns glare on the water, and i managed some half decent shots. Oh well, something i suppose.. Gonna stay tonight, and try again tomorrow for the Thrush! Hope my luck changes…….

White-rumped Sandpiper (Adult & 1st Winter)

White-rumped Sandpiper (Adult)

White-rumped Sandpiper (1st Winter)