What's your top 5 of 2018?...so far:smoke:
I've been a bit more creative this time as others were last yearB
1. Well, there can only be one. Was planning on a trip to the wilds of Scotland during my 50th year for this one. But when one turned up in Pembs the taxi was fired up and down we went - St Davids Head to be specific.
Snowy Owl
2. Getting more creative now. Settling down to some Welsh tapas at the end of our Ardnamurchan trip with the camera packed away when this little beauty turned up.
Pine Marten
3. The next are birding experiences with good company. Had a cracking half hour with my father at Llanrhidian marsh. In the space of 30 minutes we had Merlin, Hen Harrier, Kestrels, Red Kites and a very close Great White Egret.
4. Up before first light in Spring and headed East with my youngest. In the Forest of Dean we were listening to Nightingales when Max picked one out in the undergrowth. From here it was down to Hams Wall with Bitterns booming, Marsh Harriers everywhere and GWE's showing well. Max was delighted that he saw a flyby Bittern when I was looking in the other direction at a Cettis. Next it was further South in to Somerset for a cracking little Falcon. A beautiful female Red footed Falcon. A brilliant day.
5. A day out with Kev to deepest, darkest Cornwall, and my first Pelagic out of Penzance. Some great quality birds were thoroughly enjoyed by all including Wilsons Petrel, Storm Petrel, Fulmars, Corys Shearwaters, Sooty Shearwaters, Balearic Shearwaters and a couple of Bonxies. Stopped off for a Glossy Ibis on the way home to top off a great day. Probably shouldn't have taken 3 and half hours to get from PortToilet to Penzance though - well the roads are clear at 01:00:-O
Also in June a new birding buddy joined the family and despite only being 9 months old now, he's remarkably patient. His first twitch was to a Sabines Gull at Rhaslas Pond where he enjoyed being fussed by the other birders.
Still got a trip to Norfolk coming up but barring a Long Eared Owl, I think my top 5 is pretty set.
Rich
I've been a bit more creative this time as others were last yearB
1. Well, there can only be one. Was planning on a trip to the wilds of Scotland during my 50th year for this one. But when one turned up in Pembs the taxi was fired up and down we went - St Davids Head to be specific.
Snowy Owl
2. Getting more creative now. Settling down to some Welsh tapas at the end of our Ardnamurchan trip with the camera packed away when this little beauty turned up.
Pine Marten
3. The next are birding experiences with good company. Had a cracking half hour with my father at Llanrhidian marsh. In the space of 30 minutes we had Merlin, Hen Harrier, Kestrels, Red Kites and a very close Great White Egret.
4. Up before first light in Spring and headed East with my youngest. In the Forest of Dean we were listening to Nightingales when Max picked one out in the undergrowth. From here it was down to Hams Wall with Bitterns booming, Marsh Harriers everywhere and GWE's showing well. Max was delighted that he saw a flyby Bittern when I was looking in the other direction at a Cettis. Next it was further South in to Somerset for a cracking little Falcon. A beautiful female Red footed Falcon. A brilliant day.
5. A day out with Kev to deepest, darkest Cornwall, and my first Pelagic out of Penzance. Some great quality birds were thoroughly enjoyed by all including Wilsons Petrel, Storm Petrel, Fulmars, Corys Shearwaters, Sooty Shearwaters, Balearic Shearwaters and a couple of Bonxies. Stopped off for a Glossy Ibis on the way home to top off a great day. Probably shouldn't have taken 3 and half hours to get from PortToilet to Penzance though - well the roads are clear at 01:00:-O
Also in June a new birding buddy joined the family and despite only being 9 months old now, he's remarkably patient. His first twitch was to a Sabines Gull at Rhaslas Pond where he enjoyed being fussed by the other birders.
Still got a trip to Norfolk coming up but barring a Long Eared Owl, I think my top 5 is pretty set.
Rich
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