Your top 3 "bogey" birds? (1 Viewer)

[lazza]

Headlands, cruising, pelagics.... yes, all of these are good options.... but then I'll get really badly found out on my sea-bird ID skills and knowledge!

So, I have spent the odd hour here and there staring out to sea from the headland in Newbiggin, and there is in fact every possibility that I have seen several of the "unseen" species: probably one of the long and growing list of unidentified black dots in the distance that I never worked out! Gannets and Manx Shearwaters are about the limit of my abilities (and binoculars) beyond a certain distance.

Seriously, though, I think the large list of missing seabirds is probably a sign of my amateurish approach to birding. Not just in terms of my variable (and mostly poor) knowledge, but also in the time I can commit to birding. Most of my birding is done by bike at weekends, allowing me to combine two "hobbies" in the limited "me time" I can get, but therefore doing neither activity well! Fitting this in with a job that takes me away from home a lot, and family time when I am not away, is already challenging (I'm sure I'm not alone) so I think I just need to be realistic about what I can expect to see.

Um...anyway... less of the grumbling. I didn't know you could get a day pass for Gosforth Park, so that's now moved well up the list of possible weekend adventures. Might even be able to rope the kids into that one: a morning at the Hancock followed by an afternoon at GP reserve...

 

[Nutcracker]

I didn't know you could get a day pass for Gosforth Park, so that's now moved well up the list of possible weekend adventures. Might even be able to rope the kids into that one: a morning at the Hancock followed by an afternoon at GP reserve...

Dunno whether it's possible to take kids on the reserve - you'll need to check with the Nat Hist Soc Northumbs staff at the Hancock if there's a minimum age admission policy.

 

[pratincol]

Headlands, cruising, pelagics.... yes, all of these are good options.... but then I'll get really badly found out on my sea-bird ID skills and knowledge!

So, I have spent the odd hour here and there staring out to sea from the headland in Newbiggin, and there is in fact every possibility that I have seen several of the "unseen" species: probably one of the long and growing list of unidentified black dots in the distance that I never worked out! Gannets and Manx Shearwaters are about the limit of my abilities (and binoculars) beyond a certain distance.

Seriously, though, I think the large list of missing seabirds is probably a sign of my amateurish approach to birding. Not just in terms of my variable (and mostly poor) knowledge, but also in the time I can commit to birding. Most of my birding is done by bike at weekends, allowing me to combine two "hobbies" in the limited "me time" I can get, but therefore doing neither activity well! Fitting this in with a job that takes me away from home a lot, and family time when I am not away, is already challenging (I'm sure I'm not alone) so I think I just need to be realistic about what I can expect to see.

Um...anyway... less of the grumbling. I didn't know you could get a day pass for Gosforth Park, so that's now moved well up the list of possible weekend adventures. Might even be able to rope the kids into that one: a morning at the Hancock followed by an afternoon at GP reserve...

Yep- there's more to life than birdwatching.You'll have more time on your hands when the kids get older and you aren't tied down with work..
A scope helps with the old seawatching.I used to do some of that from the golf course at Seahouses- not a million miles from you.There was a decent sheltered spot by the tee nearest the sea, as you enter the course by the caravan site at the south end of the town.
Good days!

 

[Nutcracker]

A scope helps with the old seawatching.

It does, indeed. But it's also very tricky when you're on a bike (been there, done it)

 

[lazza]

It does, indeed. But it's also very tricky when you're on a bike (been there, done it)

haha! I can imagine. I already feel a bit overloaded compared to "proper" cyclists, with my binoculars and occasionally my compact camera!

As for GP: I'll check. They're pretty good kids, patient with me hijacking their trips out with the occasional stop somewhere random to look through binoculars (and although they don't realise it yet, they're building up pretty decent life lists!!). They made all the right noises when I was showing them my waxwing shots from earlier this week!

 

[roo.]

Tawny Owl
Yellowhammer
Black-tailed Godwit

Plus I have no luck with chats and flycatchers (except Stonechat which I see fairly often)

Reading over the thread, get to my own post and realise I put Black-tailed when I actually meant Bar-tailed *sigh*

 

[kb57]

Perhaps some of those RSPB North Sea boat trips would help, though I believe they can be a bit bouncy.

I agree there is a place for pelagics, but at least sitting on a headland you don't get seasick and you can leave when you've had enough, without a three-hour chug back to the harbour. Generally you don't have to book headlands three months in advance and cross your fingers for the weather, either!

John

Headlands are a lot cheaper too - free if you're nearby, or a few quid if you're a few miles away. But it's rare to get change out of £30-40 for even a short pelagic these days.

You do however get vastly better close-up views on a pelagic!

I did my fair share of seawatching in younger days, 'getting hypothermic on a headland' did actually happen to me once...I agree pelagics are expensive, difficult to organise and prone to cancellation, but when everything comes right they are great. Did a cetacean RIB trip out of Seahouses last year, which while quiet on the bird front (one brief view of an Arctic skua) and definitely somewhat bouncy, provided superb close-up views of white-beaked dolphins. Another example of a 'vastly better close-up' from Sagres attached...

 

[Paul Chapman]

I did my fair share of seawatching in younger days, 'getting hypothermic on a headland' did actually happen to me once...I agree pelagics are expensive, difficult to organise and prone to cancellation, but when everything comes right they are great. Did a cetacean RIB trip out of Seahouses last year, which while quiet on the bird front (one brief view of an Arctic skua) and definitely somewhat bouncy, provided superb close-up views of white-beaked dolphins. Another example of a 'vastly better close-up' from Sagres attached...

Sagres is a cracking location for pelagics. Unfortunately my camera skills and the sun deserted me on my one pelagic there but highly recommended. I'd like to go back with the sun shining.

All the best

Paul

 

[ClarkWGriswold]

1. Grey Partridge(still!!!!)
2. Capercaillie (missed displaying male by 10 mins this year)
3. Dotterel

Will be up in Yorkshire so hoping to knock Grey Partridge off the list:t:

Rich

Got 2 of these this year and heard Caper. Need a new bogey bird thread so I can finally stop saying Grey Partridge:-O

Rich

 

[Larry Sweetland]

Especially after today...Great Shearwater.....Great Shearwater....and..Great Shearwater

 

[AidenD]

Black-Headed Gull, Orange-Crowned Warbler, Canada Warbler.

 

[stuartvine]

In UK/Europe: Little Owl (I mean, how ridiculous is that?) Crossbill (the bastards migrate to avoid me) In funny foreign: King Vulture (to be fair, I have seen 4 million Turkey Vultures and Black Vultures while trying to spot just one of the damned things).

 

[Andy Adcock]

My UK bogey is Caspian Tern, for a long time it was Broad-billed Sandpiper and that was eventually my 400th bird.

A

 

[kuzeycem]

My Turkish bogies are Collared Pratincole, Booted Eagle and Common Quail. All widespread, all common, all very mean.

 

[Silverwolf]

My super all time bogey in the UK is still honey buzzard as it has been for the past two decades...I'm going to celebrate on my 50th visit to Acres youknowwhere...by never going again

I finally scored my other decade+ bogeys, firecrest and hawfinch, on my last UK visit, so that leaves the top 2 spots for quail and bittern.

In California my top 3 are semipalmated plover, Ridgway's rail, and common poorwill (probably tied with western screen-owl).

 

[rosbifs]

For county [Northumbs]:
1 Honey-buzzard - all the ones I see are Common Buzzards
2 Bee-eater - seen loads across the river in Durham, but they never come to Northumbs
3 Cetti's Warbler - missed one that I should've got up for but for a dose of 'flu

For world:
1 Sandgrouse, any. Dipped in Morocco and Portugal.
2 White-winged Snowfinch, & 3 Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush - two birds I'd like to see, but haven't.

Nedd to come here for the Snowfinch and Rock Thrush!

 

[Julie50]

Hi all

I am new to birding, so have just gone out and observed what was there before, but I had my first experience of missing a bird I had specifically gone to find this week - a great white egret at Upton Warren. I think there is no hope for me now

So my three are now;

Great white egret
Bittern
Water rail

There seems to be a theme!

 

[ClarkWGriswold]

Hi all

I am new to birding, so have just gone out and observed what was there before, but I had my first experience of missing a bird I had specifically gone to find this week - a great white egret at Upton Warren. I think there is no hope for me now

So my three are now;

Great white egret
Bittern
Water rail

There seems to be a theme!

Hi Julie. Head down the M5 to Ham Wall in Spring. Should have a good chance at all three there.

Rich

 

[Julie50]

Thanks for the tip Rich. Just googled it and it looks amazing. I am going to Dartmoor for a holiday soon, so looks like I'll have an early recce

 

[Nutcracker]

For county [Northumbs]:
1 Honey-buzzard - all the ones I see are Common Buzzards
2 Bee-eater - seen loads across the river in Durham, but they never come to Northumbs
3 Cetti's Warbler - missed one that I should've got up for but for a dose of 'flu

For world:
1 Sandgrouse, any. Dipped in Morocco and Portugal.
2 White-winged Snowfinch, & 3 Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush - two birds I'd like to see, but haven't.

Nedd to come here for the Snowfinch and Rock Thrush!

Got Rock Thrush on the Spanish side of the Pyrenees in April; didn't get high enough for Snowfinch though. Also broke the sandgrouse jinx with a Black-bellied.

No advance on the home targets, sadly.