Biking Birder 2015 - A cycle ride to every RSPB and WWT reserve. (1 Viewer)

[dantheman]

When is it the time for Pom Skuas at Dunge? Sometime around now? Guess he wants to hang around the SE and hope for some more exciting spring overshoots from the continent, along with a bit of seawatching?

 

[Phil Andrews]

Yes, Dungeness is the next stop for a couplebof days with a mix of seawatching (particularly for skuas), any overshoot migrants and the lingering Bean Goose. The weather conditions over the next couple of days aren't ideal ....

 

[Phil Andrews]

After dipping the Tundra Bean Goose at Denge Marsh on Wednesday afternoon, yesterday was equally frustrating for Gary with a lack of migrants, only saved by two Velvet Scoter off Pett Level (#222).

 

[Phil Andrews]

Another difficult day on land in unproductive conditions was rescued late on with movement offshore comprising Arctic Skua (#223), Manx Shearwater (#224) and Bonxie (#225).

 

[Phil Andrews]

After another blank day at Dungeness yesterday, Gary has made the difficult decision to leave the south coast and start the journey back up to North Norfolk. Today's targets will be the Rufous Turtle Dove and Wood Warbler combination in the Sevenoaks area with a meandering route likely to include the Lady A's site, Ouse / Nene Washes, Lakenheath etc.

Currently on 225 species, Gary is still approx. 25 ahead of the same time last year and well on target for the ambitious goal I gave him to be on 250 by the end of May. The potential make-up of the next 25 species over the forthcoming 31 days includes:

A rare heron, Honey Buzzard, Montagu's Harrier, Spotted Crake, Quail, Lady Amherst's Pheasant, Temminck's Stint, Wood Sandpiper, a rare wader (Kentish Plover / Black-winged Stilt etc), Woodcock, Dotterel, Little Tern, Little Gull, a scarce / rare tern, Pomarine Skua, Turtle Dove, Nightjar, Tree Pipit, Whinchat, Wood Warbler, Garden Warbler, Grasshopper Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, a couple of scarce migrants (Wryneck / Bluethroat / Golden Oriole / Woodchat / Red-backed Shrike)

 

[Phil Andrews]

Unfortunately the Wood Warbler had moved on but the Rufous Turtle Dove at Otford (#226) is an excellent addition to Gary's year list, then seventh bird he didn't record in 2015. Now on to Norfolk via the Lady A's.

 

[Farnboro John]

Unfortunately the Wood Warbler had moved on but the Rufous Turtle Dove at Otford (#226) is an excellent addition to Gary's year list, then seventh bird he didn't record in 2015. Now on to Norfolk via the Lady A's.

Good catch, do we expect an entry in Your most recent life bird then?

John

 

[Phil Andrews]

Good catch, do we expect an entry in Your most recent life bird then?

John

No - Gary had previously seen the Chipping Norton orientalis

 

[Phil Andrews]

Today Gary added Garden Warbler in the Lee Valley (#227).

He also has advised me that in recent weeks he has had a surpressed very rare breeder at an undisclosed location (#228). Hopefully news will become public later in the spring on the announcement of successful breeding.

 

[Phil Andrews]

Gary moved on to Lidlington today, adding Lady Amherst's Pheasant to the list (#229) - another species he didn't record in 2015.

 

[Phil Andrews]

A day at Welney and the Ouse Washes saw Gary add Temminck's Tint (#230). It's now up to the North Norfolk coast tomorrow just as it's all happening.

 

[Paul Chapman]

This is a good yearlist let alone green yearlist. A really impressive effort.

All the best

 

[Torchepot]

A day at Welney and the Ouse Washes saw Gary add Temminck's Tint

Can't find this on the Dulux chart - presumably a subtle shade of green! (appropriately) 8-P


Seriously though Phil - thanks for all your hard work keeping us up to date.

 

[Phil Andrews]

Can't find this on the Dulux chart - presumably a subtle shade of green! (appropriately) 8-P


Seriously though Phil - thanks for all your hard work keeping us up to date.

No worries - it's nothing. The real efforts are all Gary's (as a still slightly overweight, asthmathic, 60+ year old) in cycling all these miles, camping out the majority of nights and still connecting will all these birds.

 

[Phil Andrews]

A triple tick day for Gary today, adding Dotterel at Choseley Barns (#231), Little Tern at Titchwell (#232) and Woodcock at Wolfreton (#233).

 

[a_j_steele]

Bumped him to today at titchwell great to spent a bit of time at then end of the day with him thinking he was going to try his luck with the AA, hope he gets lucky tomorrow.

 

[Phil Andrews]

Bumped him to today at titchwell great to spent a bit of time at then end of the day with him thinking he was going to try his luck with the AA, hope he gets lucky tomorrow.

Gary certainly was lucky today without having to travel more than a few miles with Tree Pipit (#234) at Dersingham Bog first thing followed by a day at Titchwell adding Whinchat (#235), Wood Sandpiper (#236), Spotted Flycatcher (#237) and finally this evening Grasshopper Warbler (#238).

 

[Phil Andrews]

Gary's run of ticks continues with Turtle Dove (#239) at Holme followed by Montagu's Harrier (#240) at an undisclosed location. Tomorrow will be the Cley / Blakeney area.

 

[Phil Andrews]

After yesterday's wash-out Gary got the year list moving again with a female Red-backed Shrike (#241) at Burnham Overy Dunes.

 

[Phil Andrews]

Gary relocated to Frampton Marsh on Friday with mixed fortunes - the Wryneck had moved on overnight, he arrived too late for the Broad-billed Sandpiper but did add Curlew Sandpiper (#242).