A Barn Owl at Greatham Creek opposite the car park was giving very good views this afternoon. I fell lucky when it dropped into the grass right in front of where I was stood and popped up again with a vole, taking it to a fence post to eat.
Three SEO's were in view from the road bridge. Two flew over the road to the north side to hunt and a third stayed on Greenabella Marsh.
Twite x11 were in the samphire coming onto the embankment for grit.
Amazing shots as always Ian,which is Greatham Creek,is that the place just north of the bus stop hide Avocet viewpoint ?.
Bob
Heres a link for the semi-resident Redpoll watchers at Rainton
http://birdingfrontiers.com/2011/01/19/trapped-arctic-redpolls-from-1995-1996/ ...
Thanks Steve. Martin has been sent a link to a gallery of the Rainton birds. It'll be great to have a new pair of eyes on some of the problematic birds - it's been a case of perhaps not being able to see the wood for the trees at times.
Plenty of Redpolls still in the area later yesterday afternoon, with 3 of the regular Arctics putting in an appearance.
Mark
I was thinking of coming down to RM tomorrow. Wondering if you Redpoll experts down there could tell me if morning or afternoon would give the best me the best chance for seeing an Arctic. Cheers.
I'm no expert but I seem to have noticed that afternoon from about 1 is best. However if you can make it all day I would highly recommend it!
I've been watching them regularly for about 4+ weeks now and they can come whenever they like during the day, not really loyal to any time. But 1 bird is pretty local to the silver feeder - good news:eek!:[/QUOT
Thought I had time to play with tomorrow but now looks like 11am 'till 1pm will have to do, so fingers crossed. Thanks alot for reply though. Not sure where silver feeder is but I've been to the freezer before when I was lucky enough to see the Bittern 5 mins before I had to leave, so will go there and ask someone.Cheers.
Redpoll feedersThought I had time to play with tomorrow but now looks like 11am 'till 1pm will have to do, so fingers crossed. Thanks alot for reply though.
Not sure where silver feeder is but I've been to the freezer before when I was lucky enough to see the Bittern 5 mins before I had to leave, so will go there and ask someone.Cheers.
Thought I had time to play with tomorrow but now looks like 11am 'till 1pm will have to do, so fingers crossed. Thanks alot for reply though. Not sure where silver feeder is but I've been to the freezer before when I was lucky enough to see the Bittern 5 mins before I had to leave, so will go there and ask someone.Cheers.
Well, had a great day at Rainham, enjoyed meeting mark and Super-sillu-um. Left at 3pm got back 7.30pm.
Just trying to work out which Arctics I saw except bird 3 which showed very well. Also saw Bird 4 and at the start (as soon as i got there) one with a raised big white rump which looked a bit like bird 2!
Then additionally there was one with a clear white rump that had a subtle pink wash to breast and lower down on underparts . So potentially 4 Arctic Redpolls seen!
Really enjoyed my day! But i am knackered now!