Birds you've never seen and it's a bit embarrassing (1 Viewer)

[Creamcolouredcourser]

Tree pipit Little Ringed plover and Hobby

 

[Angnix]

yeah, but I looked for Henslow's sparrows a couple miles from my house where I was told they nested several times and never found them.

 

[wolfbirder]

Corncrake for me. Tho living in midlands is hardly best place. Also need Great Shearwater, Terek, Baird & Upland Sandpipers, and RT Pipit as lifers. I would also love to see a stunning adult Bluethroat instead of dowdy juveniles.

Also would like more than a glimpse of the Savi's Warbler I saw last year, and I have to admit to not having Paddyfield Warbler, Tawny Pipit, Kentish Plover or Corys Shearwater on my UK list tho seen loads abroad. To see them in UK would normally mean going a considerable distance and I would have to feel a bit more stimulated than I currently do just to add a UK tick.

 

[Chris D]

Have not seen a sitella in 2 trips to Australia.

 

[arniemonkey]

Well, I used to be embarassed about never having seen a Ring Ouzel, until I relaised that it's obviously a birder's in-joke to catch out newbies. A bit like sending the new guy out for tartan paint.

??? whats the in joke am i being dumb or what seems like a normal bird not to have seen

 

[hollis_f]

??? whats the in joke am i being dumb or what seems like a normal bird not to have seen

Not when you've been to half the places in the country where 'You can't possibly miss them'.

 

[ben_lewis]

As Arnie has said, I saw this post the other day and it made me chuckle...you do know that a ring ouzel is a real bird dont you?? Not so much like tartan paint after all.

 

[Seatallen]

But they are little wotsits for flying off just as you nearly see them.

 

[JTweedie]

All I can say is that I saw a Ring Ouzel very well when I went up the funicular railway in the Cairngorms a few years back. Watched it for about 20 minutes before if flew off.

 

[Seatallen]

I have a friend who's really good at seeing them. Unfortunately, she's also a faster uphill walker than me so they inevitably fly off just as I hove into view behind her. I finally saw my first one in the Lakes a couple of summers ago much to my relief.

 

[Dog]

Oddly enough, I have seen tons of Willow, but still haven't seen Yellow-bellied or Acadian Flycatcher (hopefully the latter I will knock off this year in North Carolina)

Henslow's Sparrow is actually pretty tough, so I don't think it's an "embarassing" miss.

When I was at Point Peele in 1990 The best way to find Henslow's Sparrow is to look for a crowd of birders stood in a circle about 6ft across & this is how I saw my one & only Henslow's, the same can be said for Lanceolated Warbler, I was on top of Ward Hill on Fair Isle in 08 & could see the Shetland Wildlife Group in a Circle & thought the've got a locust & after a mad dash I got my first British Lancy which was my bogey bird for Britain, later the same day I got my second.

Mike.

 

[Azzy]

Have not seen a sitella in 2 trips to Australia.

Funny, I came here to list that too. I live there and I still haven't seen one either

 

[Chris D]

I'll be around Darwin for a week (in early July) - hopefully have better luck. Perhaps if I drink more beer this time. And have pies......hmmmm...... Great country. Nice to get back.

 

[David FG]

As Arnie has said, I saw this post the other day and it made me chuckle...you do know that a ring ouzel is a real bird dont you?? Not so much like tartan paint after all.

Yes, it's not like a Woodlark which really doesn't exist outside the pages of Field Guides...

 

[Blue Alert]

My bogey birds are Great Skua, Jack Snipe and Merlin. I don't think it's embarrassing to have not seen them, but it is annoying.

The only bird I'm embarrassed to have never seen is a Redpoll.

 

[Keith Dickinson]

Yes, it's not like a Woodlark which really doesn't exist outside the pages of Field Guides...

I'll agree with that

 

[Kev23]

I'll agree with that

Usually, if it's a "guarantee" I'm guaranteed to not see the species (!) however i've visited Thursley common about a dozen times over the last two years, and have always heard and seen woodlark, especially near to the small wooded area to the right of the "hill". There's never really an abundence of birds in this habitat so they're pretty easily picked up as more often or not they seem to be in small groups, even around the breeding season. But don't take my word, come along in a month or so and see for yourself! Ironically, my bogey bird is the aforementioned crossbill, which are always reported over Thursley. But not seen by me!!

Also LS woodpecker and Hawfinch, two birds that can be found near me (but not by me!) at a few locations (Bushey park for the LSW for example). With the leaves seen to reappear on the trees, I may have missed the boat again!!

Good location for Hawfinch, anyone?

 

[Espen]

GG Shrike was my bogey until a few weeks ago, you'll only have to wait another 8 years to see one! Unless you're luckier than me.

I was!!!!! saw one today at bircher common, in torential rain|||||||||=)||=)|

 

[Espen]

oops forgot to ad the pic's!

 

[Jacana]

what's this? a decent bird in Herefordshire!?!?!? The world's gone mad