Alan Hobson
Well-known member
I have just returned from a rather special three days: one in the Dales, one in the Lake District, and one in Snowdonia!
I should stress straight away, though, that the "English" of the title is not so much a nationalistic statement as a statement of rarity. I know that quite a few of you have seen Golden Eagles and Black Guillemots in Scotland (and Black Guillemots in Wales and Isle of Man, too). However, those located in England are rather rarer: both in terms of Golden Eagles (one) and Black Guillemots (high count of five this year so far).
The long weekend actually started with a tutorial I was running in Leeds on Saturday morning [note in case my students are reading: obviously this was one of the highlights of the weekend too......]. Then shot off to Bolton Abbey for my annual very enjoyable trip there.
Saw the specialist birds there I had gone to see - Pied Flycatchers, Redstart, and Wood Warbler (all firsts for the year). Good views of all too. However - and has anyone else noticed this? - Wood Warblers seem to be getting much harder to see these days. When I first went to Bolton Abbey to see them in 1999, they were all over the place, including one at point blank range in the lowermost branches of a tree right by the main path.
However, each year they seem to have got more difficult to see. This year, having heard one, I had to scramble up a wooded slope (taking care not to trample the bluebells) to reach it. Eventually saw it after some looking, and got the good views, but only for about seven or eight seconds until it was off into the foliage again.
There was a strong supporting cast at Bolton Abbey as well, including Nuthatches, Dipper, Treecreepers, Grey Wagtails, Blackcap, Whitethroat, Song and Mistle Thrushes, Oystercatchers, Curlew, and Grey Heron.
On and upwards, on the next stage of the great expedition, to St Bees Head on the west coast of Cumbria, the site of England's only colony of Black Guillemots. Got there earlier than in past years, so, having missed the Black Guillemots there last year for the first time ever, I hit upon a cunning plan. Instead of waiting until the next morning, as I normally do, I went out that evening. And sure enough, I quickly saw one! Success restored after last year's miss. So happily retired to the v. good B&B I stay in annually.
Went out next morning, Sunday, and saw very good views of three Black Guillemots, plus Razorbills, Stonechats, Whitethroats et al, but missed the Ravens that I normally see there. Also very good views of the countryside (as at Bolton Abbey and indeed throughout the weekend).
Then on to the Golden Eagle site at Haweswater. The Eagle was there, still looking for a mate, and consequently we were treated to superb display flights. They certainly deserved success - hope a passing female Eagle agrees! It ended up perching incredibly close to us, right above the viewing centre - the closest I'll ever likely to be to a wild Golden Eagle. It looked stunning.
Also picked up two other first for the year - Ravens and Ring Ouzel, as well as Wheatears. The two Ravens were battling with two Crows midair - not much corvid solidarity there, then. Made for impressive viewing, though!
Then set off south, turning right at Wales and reaching Snowdonia. Made it before sunset so visited Dolbarden Castle and great views of it and surrounding scenery. Then reached the beginning of the Watkin Path at the base of Snowdon's foothills (recommended by BFer Paul Ashton), and settled down to sleep in the car (had brought duvet and pillows with me - if something is worth doing, it's worth doing properly!). And got a decent night's sleep as well.
Next day, Monday, in glorious weather, climbed Mount Snowdon. Saw Pied Flycatcher, Grey Wagtails, Stonechats, and Wheaters in the foothills. Then a disconcertingly long period with few birds (and hard slog!) before finally reached the top of the highest mountain in Wales and England. Saw four Ravens at the top, and, interestingly, Herring Gulls. And shortly after the descent began, saw Ring Ouzel too.
Alas, though, no Choughs! [sigh]. They have definitely taken over from Hawfinch [see another thread of mine!] as my bogey bird. However, it was still a terrific long weekend, with great birds, and a really enjoyable time. Year list up to almost 190, which for me in early May is a record!
I should stress straight away, though, that the "English" of the title is not so much a nationalistic statement as a statement of rarity. I know that quite a few of you have seen Golden Eagles and Black Guillemots in Scotland (and Black Guillemots in Wales and Isle of Man, too). However, those located in England are rather rarer: both in terms of Golden Eagles (one) and Black Guillemots (high count of five this year so far).
The long weekend actually started with a tutorial I was running in Leeds on Saturday morning [note in case my students are reading: obviously this was one of the highlights of the weekend too......]. Then shot off to Bolton Abbey for my annual very enjoyable trip there.
Saw the specialist birds there I had gone to see - Pied Flycatchers, Redstart, and Wood Warbler (all firsts for the year). Good views of all too. However - and has anyone else noticed this? - Wood Warblers seem to be getting much harder to see these days. When I first went to Bolton Abbey to see them in 1999, they were all over the place, including one at point blank range in the lowermost branches of a tree right by the main path.
However, each year they seem to have got more difficult to see. This year, having heard one, I had to scramble up a wooded slope (taking care not to trample the bluebells) to reach it. Eventually saw it after some looking, and got the good views, but only for about seven or eight seconds until it was off into the foliage again.
There was a strong supporting cast at Bolton Abbey as well, including Nuthatches, Dipper, Treecreepers, Grey Wagtails, Blackcap, Whitethroat, Song and Mistle Thrushes, Oystercatchers, Curlew, and Grey Heron.
On and upwards, on the next stage of the great expedition, to St Bees Head on the west coast of Cumbria, the site of England's only colony of Black Guillemots. Got there earlier than in past years, so, having missed the Black Guillemots there last year for the first time ever, I hit upon a cunning plan. Instead of waiting until the next morning, as I normally do, I went out that evening. And sure enough, I quickly saw one! Success restored after last year's miss. So happily retired to the v. good B&B I stay in annually.
Went out next morning, Sunday, and saw very good views of three Black Guillemots, plus Razorbills, Stonechats, Whitethroats et al, but missed the Ravens that I normally see there. Also very good views of the countryside (as at Bolton Abbey and indeed throughout the weekend).
Then on to the Golden Eagle site at Haweswater. The Eagle was there, still looking for a mate, and consequently we were treated to superb display flights. They certainly deserved success - hope a passing female Eagle agrees! It ended up perching incredibly close to us, right above the viewing centre - the closest I'll ever likely to be to a wild Golden Eagle. It looked stunning.
Also picked up two other first for the year - Ravens and Ring Ouzel, as well as Wheatears. The two Ravens were battling with two Crows midair - not much corvid solidarity there, then. Made for impressive viewing, though!
Then set off south, turning right at Wales and reaching Snowdonia. Made it before sunset so visited Dolbarden Castle and great views of it and surrounding scenery. Then reached the beginning of the Watkin Path at the base of Snowdon's foothills (recommended by BFer Paul Ashton), and settled down to sleep in the car (had brought duvet and pillows with me - if something is worth doing, it's worth doing properly!). And got a decent night's sleep as well.
Next day, Monday, in glorious weather, climbed Mount Snowdon. Saw Pied Flycatcher, Grey Wagtails, Stonechats, and Wheaters in the foothills. Then a disconcertingly long period with few birds (and hard slog!) before finally reached the top of the highest mountain in Wales and England. Saw four Ravens at the top, and, interestingly, Herring Gulls. And shortly after the descent began, saw Ring Ouzel too.
Alas, though, no Choughs! [sigh]. They have definitely taken over from Hawfinch [see another thread of mine!] as my bogey bird. However, it was still a terrific long weekend, with great birds, and a really enjoyable time. Year list up to almost 190, which for me in early May is a record!
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