2014 - Can I see 1000 species? (1 Viewer)

[Jon Turner]

Further to your interest Chris, I googled NZ Bugatti tour 2014, and it shows LOTS of Bugatti's taking part in the rally, although not where we saw them (in Cheviot between Christchurch and Kaikoura).

Here's some pics from the boat trip to Motuara Island out of Picton.

1&2) NZ Robin - 1st pic on my rucksack!
3) Little (blue) Penguin
4) Hector's Dolphins

 

[Jon Turner]

Am in Cornwall and can now replace 589 with

589) Grasshopper Warbler - hooray, thought I'd missed this one!
602) Nightjar
And it's odd but gratifying to catch up with a bird I shoulda seen in Spain:
603) Purple Heron - showing well early morning at Marazion.

Also added Corn Bunting and Chough to the UK score....

 

[Jon Turner]

I'm glad there are so many Larids. Just recorded the 23rd of the year.

604) Bonaparte's Gull

Bowling Green Marsh has had a cracking streak just lately, hope there might be a few more!

 

[Jon Turner]

Motuara Island

The other birds at the tiny pool on the island:

1) Yellow-crowned Parakeet
2) Bathing Bellbird
3) South Island Saddleback.

Fortunately nearly all the other trip participants went on the walk to the top of the island, leaving me and one or two others in peace to see these beauties.

 

[njlarsen]

Jon, I thought you had given up on this thread due to the inactivity ...

Niels B

 

[Jon Turner]

Jon, I thought you had given up on this thread due to the inactivity ...

Niels B

Busy busy doing home-based stuff (mainly fighting with my overgrown garden!) And watching a little footy! Hampshire in a few days, then Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly mid July. Nothing much new to see of late, and still considering the options for later in the year.

WIll keep posting pics from the world trip - next lot will be N Island NZ.

 

[Jon Turner]

Actually this pic from the Great Barrier Reef caught my attention. What can you see here?

 

[njlarsen]

I am thinking Brown Noddy and Sooty Tern, but I do not know what the little one is

Niels

 

[njlarsen]

Looking at this again: the one I called Sooty might very well be a Bridled Tern, it I now am correct in seeing a greyer neck in contrast to the cap. I don't think I have enough experience with the relevant species to give any good input for the small one.

Niels

 

[Jon Turner]

Out ringing today so only just got back to see what thoughts there are. I had them as Brown Noddy (adults and juvs I think) and Bridled Tern. The little one may be just that: Little Tern, although I'd be happy to be corrected. When I reach that part of the trip, I'll post a few more pics of them.

 

[sycohawk]

Hi

 

[Earnest lad]

1000 species

Sri Lanka is good too although not as good as colombia.
Nonetheless 250 birds in a fortnight with good guide.
In Sri Lanka the birds tend to be approachable and not as shy as elsewhere

 

[Jon Turner]

Hi Syco - thanks for that very brief greeting!

Kasfig - went to Sri Lanka in 1999 - but not specifically birding. Loved it. Still investigating options...... watch this space!

 

[Jon Turner]

26th Feb to N Island NZ

Lovely ferry ride up through Queen Charlotte Sound, a few Penguins and Cormorant/Shags, and a few Albatrosses half way over the Cook Straight.

1) NZ Pigeon - in Wellington Botanic Gardens - well worth a visit.
2) Kokako - in a cage at the Mount Bruce Wildlife Centre - also worth visiting.
3) New Zealand Pipit - in typical habitat - car park!
4) New Zealand Dabchick - Lake Taupo
5) Orakei Korako - lovely!

 

[Farnboro John]

Out ringing today so only just got back to see what thoughts there are. I had them as Brown Noddy (adults and juvs I think) and Bridled Tern. The little one may be just that: Little Tern, although I'd be happy to be corrected. When I reach that part of the trip, I'll post a few more pics of them.

Definitely Bridled, the white super extends well behind the eye.

John

 

[Jon Turner]

Definitely Bridled, the white super extends well behind the eye.

John

Thanks for that John. It was the reappearance of the Farnes bird that made me post the pic! Not seen BT in the UK.... and I'm certainly not driving all the way to Northumberland to see this one!

 

[Farnboro John]

Thanks for that John. It was the reappearance of the Farnes bird that made me post the pic! Not seen BT in the UK.... and I'm certainly not driving all the way to Northumberland to see this one!

Go on, you know you want to.... better than driving to Hedge End for a White Stork!

On Sooty Tern the super for want of a better word stops at the eye and goes up at a steep angle to the forehead, giving a quite different "expression" to the face. Also the bird just looks brown, Sooty does what it says on the tin.

John

 

[Nutcracker]

Not seen BT in the UK.... and I'm certainly not driving all the way to Northumberland to see this one!

Onychoprion anaethetus melanopterus (Atlantic, inc. Northumbs . . .)
Onychoprion anaethetus anaethetus (Australian waters . . .)

Come the end of the year and you're on 999 species, and someone decides Bridled Tern needs to be split . . . :king:

 

[chris butterworth]

Difficult to tell but the extensive white crown and dark looking primaries look better for non-breeding Little than Fairy Tern.

 

[Jon Turner]

I could, if we go the southern route, be driving right by Hedge End tomorrow.... I'll see what 'er indoors wants to do!
8 hr drives for a bird are not what I do. Never really been out of the SW for a new bird, just taken in what was available near(ish) to where I happen to be (was in Birmingham so saw the Redhead, but missed the Cedar Waxwing!)
If I get any where near 999, I'll be including Brown and California Quail!
Thanks Chris for the Tern id, pretty much what I thought. I see you're off on another blinder of a work trip - jammy stuff!