Another Great Day in the Pyrenees 2014 (2 Viewers)

rosbifs · Apr 2, 2014

Ok so it's been a while but a lot has been going on! Unfortunately, not all birds...

So a brief summary so far:
-Been trying to keep up with the Black Shouldered Kites - watched a couple 'parading' - a very funny call which didn't even resemble a bird of prey. Got a very distant photo but missed the fly over.
- Woodpecker prospecting has begun. Managed top find the usual suspects but no White Backed! Black and Green (normal not sharpei in woods visited) in full voice. I think the Black has settled on a 'damaged' tree this year. I guess the next week will confirm.
- Came across some bear tracks which was very exciting. Ok it does make a little nervous for a little while but they won't be around in the day!
- Lammergeiers are busy feeding young.
- Egyptians have returned - well a couple - unfortunately, the most visible nest has been pinched by the Griffons. They are lazy - always evicting other birds...
- The Eagle Owls are sitting tight at the moment. Very quiet for them at this time - not much hooting.
- Some hirundelles (swallows) have passed but fairly quiet on that front.
- Watched some Crested Tits scoping a nest site. Hope they choose it because it's right next to a path (lightly used so should be ok).
- Black Kites are back in some numbers.
- Dissappointing returns on Wallcreeper this winter - barely a showing - although have only really been checking around village.

Anyway, will try to keep on top of updates.....

rosbifs · Apr 2, 2014

Some goodies from a couple of recent outings...

Ratal · Apr 2, 2014

Smart birds you have around your area. Love the Ring Ouzel pic. Will follow this thread for sure!

rosbifs · Apr 8, 2014

Bit of walking in the woods as usual at this time of the year. Error number 1 - left too late - error number 2 - a badly packed rucksack meant no speakers, no water, no twix all of which meant no motivation and a half hearted attempt to climb up a very steep pitch to no avail!

Back on the road met a nice french birdwatcher - they do exist - not the nice bit the birdwatcher bit...
Anyway, we proceeded to clock a pair of Golden Eagles sat on the ridge above their nest.
A pair of Short Toed Eagles (my first of the year) - better still they paraded a bit then scoped and entered last years nest in a large conifer tree in front of us.
A flyover Egyptian Vulture - again first of the year for me.
A few Griffons, Black Kite and Buzzards.
We also had a good chat measuring each others binoculars!

I thought I would check out ouor 'local' Hoopoes- one had been seen in my village on Friday. However, no sign of the nesters. I did get a very nice Short Toed Treecreeper - even managed a half decent photo!

On the road to Lourdes I noticed a few circling Grifters so thought would investigate. Got a couple of shots...

rosbifs · Apr 9, 2014

Big news was a possible drumming White Backed Woodpecker! Been scoping all the local woods for nine years - and although I have been to Lourdios to see them - and this was my first 'local'.

I'm at about 90% certainty but it only drummed once but definately got the acceleration. Back at first light when it should be more active. The only remaining local site is about 1km further down the road - one contact last year and on average one per year...

rosbifs · Apr 11, 2014

Well no further news. Spent the morning in the woods. Saw everything but. Went off road between two stretches of wood and spooked a snake. Ok it spooked me and i ran back to the path. There were calling Black Wood and Green. Short Toed Eagle overhead, a female Sparrowhawk.

2nd spooking was a baby Wild Boar. What a creature and how well camouflaged as he snuffled around in the leaves. I suddenly thought that if the mother appears she will not be too happy so i scooted off again. I had been poised with the camera but it was just above me so well hidden and then i realised what it was...

On the way back to the car got a drumming Great Spot and a Red Squirrel. Guess they're not best of friends. So whilst i drew a blank on the target species i got some more evidence in terms of photos of the 'woodpeckered' trees. I will send them to 'our' (birdforum) woodpecker man to get a second opinion...

Ratal · Apr 11, 2014

White Backed Woodpecker? That would of been a superb find! Impressed with the raptor count too. On another subject, ever heard of a 'water to go' filter bottle? Inexpensive, highly effective and mine goes all over the Scottish Highlands for all my water needs (bar sea water). An amazing day extending device as it means i have unlimited days water rather than rations.

rosbifs · Apr 11, 2014

Hir Ratal,

There is a long standing site down the road but I have never had any luck there (one possible about 3 years ago). The National Parks had one last year but I wasn't with them! This has been my nemises - prospecting every spring in most of the beach woods around here. I had to go a couple of valleys across to actually get the bird!

Today was back in the next wood along - Green, Black, Great! Did have the bonus of Lammergeier, Golden Eagle and poss Gos (on another thread)...

Rosbifs

ps in 2001 there was an estimated 300 pairs of White Backed in the French Pyrenees and 80-90 on the spannish side - hasn't made things any easier...

pps water filter sounds interesting.

Ratal · Apr 11, 2014

rosbifs said:
Hir Ratal,

There is a long standing site down the road but I have never had any luck there (one possible about 3 years ago). The National Parks had one last year but I wasn't with them! This has been my nemises - prospecting every spring in most of the beach woods around here. I had to go a couple of valleys across to actually get the bird!

The dreaded Nemesis... mine was the Bittern. Took years to catch up with one lol. Glad you found yours. They are painful to endure :t:

Today was back in the next wood along - Green, Black, Great! Did have the bonus of Lammergeier, Golden Eagle and poss Gos (on another thread)...

Black Woodpecker... now that's a supreme bird. Nicely done. As for the Lammergeier, well, I'd have to admit this after Steller Eider and Harlequin Duck sits at number 3 for my 'must see' lifer list.

pps water filter sounds interesting.

Link.

http://www.watertogo.eu/testing-23-w.asp

rosbifs · Apr 30, 2014

Well have been having big problems with my internet connection hence lack of posts.

Where did I get up to? Well had a good day out at Pau last week. First Golden Oriol of the year along with Black Shouldered Kite and a Marsh Harrier passing through. 500 or so Black kites at the tip. And a nice pair of Crested Lark at Tarbes (they are very scarce around here). Unfortunately, the weather was rubbish – rain so didn’t really get out of the car.

Big news is I gone DSLR. I know its an old model but went for the Canon 60D. I have been out practicing today on Water Pipits and a first Rock Thrush of the year. They had been reported at Gavarnie last week and are always nice to connect with. The camera is very quick and so far so good.

rosbifs · May 2, 2014

Still having Internet problems so can't post photos yet but got some of a Wallcreeper at gavarnie! Was a fraction too far to be spectacular and the speed a little too slow but was quite happy with some...

Guess should have upped the ISO to get the speed up. Still not a bad subject to practice on!

rosbifs · May 6, 2014

some pictures

Ok so I have to change the date on the camera - it is set to 2010!

Some early pictures with the camera - still experimenting! This a little too far away and also th elight wasn't that great. In hindsight should have upped the iso...

rosbifs · May 6, 2014

some others

Couple of lens options at mo - 70-300 tamron and 500mm sigma...

rosbifs · May 7, 2014

Some pictures taken today. A couple of them for Larry....

Very happy with some of them -this is just a selection. All taken with tamron 70-300mm zoom.

rosbifs · May 7, 2014

I wanted to get a 'crisp' flight shot. I guess I will have to keep trying. I was chasing Crag Martins last night and its pretty hard!

rosbifs · May 7, 2014

Forgot to do yesterdays write up. Numerous Whinchat - 11 on one fence, Golden Oriol, buckets of Black Kites, first Red Backed Shrike, Short Toed Treecreeper, Booted Eagle, first Swifts (for the village - there were a few at St Jean De Luz last week), Marsh Harrier, numerous Wheatear, Fan Tailed Warbler....

Geoff WORCS · May 7, 2014

rosbifs said:
I wanted to get a 'crisp' flight shot. I guess I will have to keep trying. I was chasing Crag Martins last night and its pretty hard!

Hi,
If you are interested in flight shots check this guy out http://lutleybirder.blogspot.com/
I think its just amazing how many good in flight shots of migrating birds he manages to take. Perhaps he could give you some pointers.
Regards
Geoff Laight

http://englishbirderinserbia.blogspot.com/

Ratal · May 10, 2014

Dear Rosbifs...

Thank you for adding to my 'heck yes' travel list. Wallcreeper.... yeah, I'm going to say right off the bat that this is a 'bucket list' bird.

What a fantastic selection of birds.

Boro Birder · May 10, 2014

Ratal said:
Dear Rosbifs...

Thank you for adding to my 'heck yes' travel list. Wallcreeper.... yeah, I'm going to say right off the bat that this is a 'bucket list' bird.

What a fantastic selection of birds.

The Butterfly bird, some call it the Holy Grail and it fits the bill for me, loving this thread and possibly visiting in 2016.

Damian.

Ratal · May 10, 2014

Boro Birder said:
The Butterfly bird, some call it the Holy Grail and it fits the bill for me, loving this thread and possibly visiting in 2016.

Damian.

hahahahaha B

I'll drink to that!

:t:

Another Great Day in the Pyrenees 2014 (2 Viewers)

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