Not sure what to call this, or where to put it ... the idea is to ask people whether they have any old records, maybe from when they started out, that now seem to raise questions ... Here's what I mean.
I started birding on our first holiday in the Highlands of Scotland, Jul/Aug 1958.
The only book we had was the Observer's Book of Birds.
I didn't start keeping any sort of notes or diary till a bit later.
I can remember triumphantly id'ing a Whinchat (I can still 'see' that bird and I'm happy with it). I can also remember stringing a Golden Eagle (but can't remember what it really was).
Then we arrived at Gairloch in Wester Ross, and we wandered down to the sea shore (grid ref about NG801767). There was a family of ducks on the sea, very close in. One adult was all black, and the other dark brown with pale cheeks. There were at least half a dozen half-grown fledglings. Well now, an all black duck should be easy to find in the book, leaf leaf, yes, there it is, Common Scoter. Fine. Tick. Great.
And that was that. Now ... firstly, afaik this was not in the known breeding range of Common Scoter then (it certainly isn't now, of course); and secondly, what was a drake doing still with his missus and kiddies in early August ?
Any thoughts anyone has on this would be very welcome.
I started birding on our first holiday in the Highlands of Scotland, Jul/Aug 1958.
The only book we had was the Observer's Book of Birds.
I didn't start keeping any sort of notes or diary till a bit later.
I can remember triumphantly id'ing a Whinchat (I can still 'see' that bird and I'm happy with it). I can also remember stringing a Golden Eagle (but can't remember what it really was).
Then we arrived at Gairloch in Wester Ross, and we wandered down to the sea shore (grid ref about NG801767). There was a family of ducks on the sea, very close in. One adult was all black, and the other dark brown with pale cheeks. There were at least half a dozen half-grown fledglings. Well now, an all black duck should be easy to find in the book, leaf leaf, yes, there it is, Common Scoter. Fine. Tick. Great.
And that was that. Now ... firstly, afaik this was not in the known breeding range of Common Scoter then (it certainly isn't now, of course); and secondly, what was a drake doing still with his missus and kiddies in early August ?
Any thoughts anyone has on this would be very welcome.