Dantheman's UK yearlist 2008 (1 Viewer)

dantheman

Bah humbug

• May 14, 2008

• #21

31/03/08

Lisvane Reservoir

145 SPOTTED SANDPIPER, 1st w

A trip to S. Wales for other reasons allowed for a bit of a twitch to catch up with some of the good birds present in the region and the south west . .
Had a bit of trouble finding it, the reservoirs first and then the bird after walking all the way around both reservoirs . . . v few other birds to note (200+ LBBGulls, 2 GBBGulls, handful of Herring Gulls . . . ). A few spots showing on the rear of the bird. Cracking close-up views through the bars of the fence surrounding the reservoir in the end though

 

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dantheman

Bah humbug

• May 14, 2008

• #22

01/04/08

Marloes, Pembrokeshire

146 BLACK DUCK, female
147 Willow Warbler 1
148 Wheatear 2m
149 Chough 3

Stayed at the Youth Hostel, didn't make a particularly early start, but the star bird (dead exciting, however much others may diss it :t: !!) was there alright, out in the open at times, but mostly frustratingly just out of sight. There was at least 1 Willow Warbler in addition to the dozens of Chiffchaff flitting all along the waters edge. Dipped on the Rosy Starling in Haverfordwest. (Not reported on birdguides at all. Being kept quiet to respect householders privacy? Pah!) The starlings that were present all flew off after a while, so left it at that.

Dale, Pembrokeshire

149 b) Pale-bellied Brent Goose 20+?

Lifer, but not afforded full species status (hence the b) Nice nonetheless.

Found the 1st winter Med Gull at the head of the Gann Estuary, but not the Ring-billed in amongst the 30 or so Common Gulls (if it was present). The light and the fact they were mostly sleeping not helping. If it was indeed still present . .

Off the A40, west of Carmarthen, Wales

150 Red Kite 1, then 4 more subsequently,

Chew Valley Lake, Somerset

151 Swallow 2

Managed to turn up at almost last light in the slim hope of bumping into the Franklin's Gull. No such 'luck' of course . . .

 

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Last edited: May 15, 2008

dantheman

Bah humbug

• May 15, 2008

• #23

02/04/08

Cheddar Reservoir, Somerset

152 Sand Martin, c.200
153 Red-necked Grebe 1 summer plumage
154 Scaup, 4 distant

Greater Scaup id ok on jizz :t: Also 2 Raven, Pied Wagtails, Grey Wagtail, best views of the RNGrebe as it was ‘attacked’ from underneath by GCG, taking flight and flying to the edge of the reservoir just up from me. Maybe a standard response to underwater attack? Wheatear, Several Swallow at least . .

Northam Burrows, Devon

155 KING EIDER 1st w male

Had a long walk after being pointed in the right direction by a local, didn’t think would connect due to the fog, area to be covered etc . . . Also Shelduck, 10 Wigeon etc. The pic is definitely a 'record' shot Actual views weren't that much better, but I was happy enough with the features I could make out :t: Bonus points for id of the other species!

 

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dantheman

Bah humbug

• May 15, 2008

• #24

03/04/08

Two Mile Coppice, Weymouth, Dorset

156 PALLAS'S WARBLER singing male.

After a night in the car at Portland (too tight to stay at the obs -maybe next time), and a bit of an explore around with little to show but good views of an overhead f Marsh Harrier, headed off for the Pallas's on my way home. Had to wait a while but worth it. Cracking little bird. Excellent views in the end as it preened in the sallows. Would have been a good photo op but I'd left the scope around the corner!

'On the A352', N of Dorchester, Dorset

157 Yellowhammer

Nearly a first on the 'dead bird' yearlist. Fortunately not.

 

dantheman

Bah humbug

• May 15, 2008

• #25

03/05/08

Dartford Town Centre, Kent

158 Swift 3 wheeling

'The Allotment', Dartford

159 Whitethroat male

Another abscence of a month or so, this time the excuse being I was in the States for 2 weeks and then spent another 2 recovering! Had a fair few year ticks, but they don't count for this list! Nearly bringing the list into the current century . . .

 

dantheman

Bah humbug

• May 15, 2008

• #26

04/05/08

Hanningfield? Reservoir, Essex

160 Black Tern 21
161 Common Tern 3+

Sunday Afternoon trip, took the bins, rewarded with distant views of the terns! (Did check them for white bits on the wings, nothing doing). Could almost have been self-found as well, but I had heard on birdguides that one had been seen.

 

dantheman

Bah humbug

• Aug 5, 2008

• #27

05/05/08

Crossness NR, Erith, Greater London

162 Reed warbler
163 Tree Pipit
164 Wood Sandpiper

Took the trip out to try and catch up with the Richards Pipit which had been around for a few days (firstly on Rainham Tip). . . But it was last seen mid morning, and I was there late afternoon. Caught up with a few other year ticks though which was compensation enough in the circumstances. (Escaped Grey headed Gull had also been seen earlier in the day, but since there were 3 known fence hoppers just out not too much sleep to be lost there . . . )

 

dantheman

Bah humbug

• Aug 5, 2008

• #28

11/05/08

Rainham Marsh, Essex

165 TEMMINCK’S STINT (2)
166 Little ringed Plover
167 Greenshank

Made it out into the fresh air again, a bit of an influx of this excellent little wader doing just the trick. Dead cute and third lifer of the year. (Apparently a third bird was present, not showing when I was there though). Probably heard Lesser Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler too, but will wait for proper views before ticking these . .

 

dantheman

Bah humbug

• Aug 5, 2008

• #29

12/05/08

Dartford Marsh, Kent

168 Cuckoo 4+
169 Hobby

Out in this prime birding location (hmmmm . . ) scrutinising the habitat for my own rare stints, Great Reed Warblers, Red footed Falcons etc etc etc . . Obviously no chance, although the silhouetted hobby had me going for a brief while. Ah well. I had the belief . .

 

Last edited: Aug 5, 2008

dantheman

Bah humbug

• Aug 5, 2008

• #30

13/5/08

Swanley Park

170 Turtle Dove

Another year tick courtesy of Atlas listing. One purring from a telegraph pole by the lane.

 

dantheman

Bah humbug

• Nov 8, 2008

• #31

21/05/08

Amwell GP, Essex

171 GREAT REED WARBLER

Lee Valley CP, Essex

172 Nightingale (h)

(Dipped on Red-footed Falcon though . . .)

 

dantheman

Bah humbug

• Nov 8, 2008

• #32

21/06/08

Grove Ferry NNR, Kent

173 Bearded Tit
174 Green Sandpiper

(No sign of the White-rumped Sandpiper; it had gorne . . . )

 

dantheman

Bah humbug

• Nov 8, 2008

• #33

21/07/08

Swanley Park, Kent

175 House Martin
176 Lesser Whitethroat

(Just to continue a trend . . .) Actually probably saw the House Martins earlier than this from the garden, no date noted, so this being the first recorded. (Whilst Atlas birding).

 

dantheman

Bah humbug

• Nov 8, 2008

• #34

25/07/08

Cliffe Pools RSPB, Kent

177 Sedge Warbler
178 Whimbrel 9+
179 Curlew Sandpiper 3
180 Spotted Redshank 2

Went off to check out a report of a 'stint sp'. No sign, but some welcome year ticks. Hundreds of Avocet too.