O.Reville1989
I started off with nothing and I've still got some
I think some of the 'moaning newbies' ought to get off their keyboards and learn what real birding is about.
I'm sure the "newbies" will love this.....
I think some of the 'moaning newbies' ought to get off their keyboards and learn what real birding is about.
I am looking for a more friendly forum.
Finally, I now believe (yes, honestly!) that we should rename these birds 'Changeable Swifts'- no, not the snipe, silly.Pallid Swifts are a nightmare.
I see Norfolk forum is hotting up for the long winter nights, no birding possible after work for most of us, so lots of time to discuss very little. Norfolk forum is a great place to keep a feel on what's happening from afar, if like me the sea is a long way away. I think some of the 'moaning newbies' ought to get off their keyboards and learn what real birding is about. Us oldies had no pagers, mobiles, internet forums to guide us (or mis-guide us it seems) in our early years, it was hard graft all the way- at the monthly birdclub you would hear what you had missed and read B.B. 3 months after the birds had gone! Still, keep up all the news and gossip it's way more exciting than the TV and at least you have got the birds and the coast, what more do you need?
Jack: you won't find one more useful for BIRDING IN NORFOLK, or with such a national and international readership. Six posts since yours have concerned Swift ID (one wing of the 'Pallid's' having a different shape from the other)- and that is how many (most?) threads are. Sort the wheat(ear) from the (chiff)chaff.
<SNIP>
Finally, I now believe (yes, honestly!) that we should rename these birds 'Changeable Swifts'- no, not the snipe, silly.
I was pretty happy I was watching a pallid swift from beeston bump at c11am (same bird as Dave's photos). First quite distant and then once coming close enough to see more of the plumage detail. It banked and showed the dark outer most primaries and then a paler window in the wing. It also looked very pale fore headed, with a big white chin patch and contrasting dark eye patch.
walking back to the car we had it overhead, much harder to say in silouhette, definitely one to see against back ground or in much better light.
Will I continue to post...................Yes.
I noticed that too, John. Other shots also suggest rounded tips
Heading to Snettisham on Sunday to see the "spectacular". Just read up on the tide times etc then realised the clocks change :s As I understand it I have to be at the car park at 6 15am ready to take the trek to the hides. Trying to figure out if I am going to be an hour late and miss it all or hanging around for an hour because I got there too early
The times have been adjusted to take the time change into account the clock change. Reserve staff and volunteers will be getting to site from 06:15 onwards.
Paul
Personally I've enjoyed the 'Great Black-throated Diver Saga of 2011' so much so that I almost strung a few in Norfolk last week just to keep things ticking over!! Being a sad old git I've got a 'sticky' reminder on my laptop to check the 2011 Bird Report for this bird; and of course records of Cory's. Plus of course Oliver and Kieran's names in the contributors list! As for Jack, well if you're looking for cuddly soft, nice easy going forums then you're going to struggle - BF is really tame. Elsewhere in cyberspace most people seem to be nutters who should start the day with a shot of thorazine!! Much nicer here; just bite the bullet and 'muscle up'. As for the swifts Pallid are tough; I'm sure many people will be adding this to their Nofolk/UK/Life/year list on the basis of others id skills.Oh, and I'm sure I should litter this with smilies/emoticons but I can't be ar*ed. Good birding to all, not difficult in a county dripping with good birds as I write this.
Russ
....
I know that there are not many birds about to discuss at the moment but can we keep the forum to birds or maybe it is time to close the Norfolk thread?
Paul (getting bored of it all)
two hour seawatch off East bank this afternoon, stunning juvenile Sabine's Gull and 4 Poms, 200+ Lil' Gull details later.
two hour seawatch off East bank this afternoon, stunning juvenile Sabine's Gull and 4 Poms, 200+ Lil' Gull details later.
Did anyone seawatch all afternoon from Cley or somewhere else? Sheringham dawn til midday (would have been later but I had other things to do) produced about 150 kittiwakes and just over 1200 Little Gulls all east, a really impressive site. I wondered if there would be a Sabine's through today. Sorry to have missed it.
It would be interesting to work out the full number of Little Gulls passing today.
Pete