JWN Andrewes
Poor Judge of Pasta.
Had a quick attempt for Bittern over at Pennington Flash CP on 2nd, with no luck. Couldn't find the Long-tailed Duck that's been there either but got the year list started off with the likes of Goosander, Kingfisher and Scaup (which we missed last year).
Finally sorted out this year's targets (down from twelve to ten, but with Bittern still outstanding from last year). And here they are...
Barnacle Goose - a real one (we've seen a few that I've disallowed)
White-fronted Goose - Greenland or European will do for now
Ring-necked Duck - I've decided to let a couple of scarcer ones on this year...
Surf Scoter - ... this being the other one.
Woodcock - nocturnal birds are have a certain charisma
Hobby - probably second only to...
Turtle Dove - ... in the most-wanted stakes
Nightjar - see Woodcock
Grasshopper Warbler - heard in spring 2016, so unfinished business
Crossbill - well, smart aren't they.
So, game on.
Had a very brief window today, so headed to Wrexham Industrial Estate to look for Waxwings with Arch (Sam didn't want to come). Spent ages trying to find the units they're supposed to have been by, never did locate them because Arch suddenly started yelling "Waxwing! Waxwing! Waxwing!", and sure enough there one was, a typical tree top bird, with at least twenty others as it turned out once we stopped and got out to look. Very nice, and as we headed back trough town he announced he thought he'd seen another flock go by, and sure enough as we passe the bottom of Vicarage Hill there were at least two dozen sat up in one of the trees up on the left. Year list currently on 52.
(NB - on the last of the Waxwing pics the bird appears to have Gapeworm, something I'd never heard of until recently but now I seem to see it everywhere. But don't worry, it got better just after I took the photo.)
Finally sorted out this year's targets (down from twelve to ten, but with Bittern still outstanding from last year). And here they are...
Barnacle Goose - a real one (we've seen a few that I've disallowed)
White-fronted Goose - Greenland or European will do for now
Ring-necked Duck - I've decided to let a couple of scarcer ones on this year...
Surf Scoter - ... this being the other one.
Woodcock - nocturnal birds are have a certain charisma
Hobby - probably second only to...
Turtle Dove - ... in the most-wanted stakes
Nightjar - see Woodcock
Grasshopper Warbler - heard in spring 2016, so unfinished business
Crossbill - well, smart aren't they.
So, game on.
Had a very brief window today, so headed to Wrexham Industrial Estate to look for Waxwings with Arch (Sam didn't want to come). Spent ages trying to find the units they're supposed to have been by, never did locate them because Arch suddenly started yelling "Waxwing! Waxwing! Waxwing!", and sure enough there one was, a typical tree top bird, with at least twenty others as it turned out once we stopped and got out to look. Very nice, and as we headed back trough town he announced he thought he'd seen another flock go by, and sure enough as we passe the bottom of Vicarage Hill there were at least two dozen sat up in one of the trees up on the left. Year list currently on 52.
(NB - on the last of the Waxwing pics the bird appears to have Gapeworm, something I'd never heard of until recently but now I seem to see it everywhere. But don't worry, it got better just after I took the photo.)