[Andrew]

CJW, do Rosy Starlings hang about long. There is one that has been found today in North Devon and I am not sure whether to take the gamble of getting there by bus from down here.

[Andrew]

A BF weekend on IOM would be brilliant!

[CJW]

Originally posted by Andrew
CJW, do Rosy Starlings hang about long. There is one that has been found today in North Devon and I am not sure whether to take the gamble of getting there by bus from down here.

Hi Andrew, I think generally speaking, yes, they do. Especially if they get themselves in amongst the local Starling flocks.

The BF weekend was a sort of semi-serious suggestion, unfortunately it's damned expensive just getting here and when you put hotel bills and beer on top of it......mind you, I know a couple of good local guides

[Andrew]

Yes it would probably eat away at a holiday budget.

[peteh]

James,
It wasnt as difficult as I thought it was going to be :)
Ive been meticulously scanning thru our local starling flocks for months now, hoping for a rcs but after seeing one I realise now I could probably scan with the naked eye, they stick out like a sore thumb. :)

[CJW]

Did my usual coastal route this morning and, while nothing of great note was seen, it was just nice to be sat on a beach with just myself and the birds - I didn't see another soul!
Highlights were 3x juv. Peregrines harrassing the waders, large parties of Sandwich, Little and Arctic Terns feeding offshore (carefully avoiding getting hit by the Gannets) a few distant Manx Shearwaters and several dozen Grayling butterflies. Because of the attentions of the Pergrines, a flock of Dunlin and Sanderling flew right past me as I (like a dude) paddled in the surf!
I managed a few snatched photos.

[gary jb]

Hi Chris,sounds Like A Lovely Place.i Would Love To Jump On The Ferry And Spend A Few Days On Yhe Isle Of Man.

Gary...........

[CJW]

The last couple of days at Port Mooar (see post #1) have been really good in Manx terms. Yesterday morning my mate Rob and I found a Pallas' Warbler amongst a flock of Long-tailed Tits (no photos though, as the camera was asleep and the bird moved on very quickly) and this morning what was presumably the same flock went through the 'valley' and amongst them was a 1st Winter caudatus or 'Northern' Long-tailed Tit! A Manx first and only my second ever.
Sorry about the poor quality of the shot but the bird was quite distant - still at least the camera was awake this time!

[christineredgate]

Originally Posted by Andrew

A BF weekend on IOM would be brilliant!

Yep,I second that esp if it was booked for June(TT fortnight!!)

Thanks,CJ,for the lovely account accompanied by the photos of your area,made me feel very nostalgic.I often think of the Fairy Bridge and the intense smell of wild garlic.A beautiful,charismatic island.