Monthly Archives: November 2011

very late Blue-headed Wagtail

Posted on November 28, 2011 by

in Northumberland Near to the recent Eastern Black Redstart, this Blue-headed Wagtail was found yesterday. I did get a call and I guess as the bird’s finder Gary did, thought surely the odds would favour an eastern bird. Blue-headed Wagtails are pretty darn rare anywhere on the east coast from October onwards. Furthermore eastern birds … Continue reading →

Posted in Wagtails | 10 Comments

Last Day for Shetland Nature Groups 2011

Posted on November 28, 2011 by

Still scoring… Last day for the 2011 tours. I really enjoyed this group of 6 guys over the last week. What a hoot! Wild winds but still plenty of birds. We opted to take the early boat and see what … Continue reading →

Posted in Finches, Shetland | Leave a comment

1 field: 3 rare waders

Posted on November 28, 2011 by

Fetlar- never fails A day trip to Fetlar as part of our Shetland Nature experience, so far, has not failed. With previous strikes such as Taiga Flycatcher, Blyth’s Reed Warbler, White-billed Diver, Sykes’s Warbler and Grey-cheeked Thrush, its hard not to go with a little anticipation. With conditions still windy and uncompromising on Thursday … Continue reading →

Posted in Shetland, Shorebirds | Leave a comment

Olive-backed Pipit

Posted on November 28, 2011 by

Windiest day Tuesday 4th October proved to be the windiest days so far on Shetland. So birding was not easy. Much was done from the van or in the most sheltered places in the morning. Funny thing (and I need to remember it). Even … Continue reading →

Posted in Pipits, Shetland | 2 Comments

wing formula – Eastern Black Redstart

Posted on November 25, 2011 by

Close ups: With some discussion on the wing formula etc of the recent Eastern Black Redstart on Holy Island, here’s a quick blog post with a couple of photos showing what seems to me to be emargination on p6.  This seems right for … Continue reading →

Posted in Chats and Thrushes | 3 Comments

Evening talk in Cheshire – 2nd December

Posted on November 22, 2011 by

Coming soon to CAWOS I am looking forward very much to being back on old ‘home turf’ with the Cheshire and Wirral Ornithological Society on: Friday 2nd December 2011 (7:30 pm for 7:45 pm start) ‘BIRDING FRONTIERS OF CHESHIRE, WIRRAL AND BEYOND’  in Knutsford, Cheshire (map)………..FULL Details … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Lesser White-fronted Goose

Posted on November 22, 2011 by

NOT. The old guy is still hanging around the Sheffield area. I have seen him/her twice this month. Bit scary if it was in a distant flock of European Whitefronts don’t you think? Also featured here with more info/ comparison … Continue reading →

Posted in Wildfowl | Leave a comment

Greater Yellowlegs

Posted on November 21, 2011 by

At Last! It only took about 30 years. To see what I mean you will have to scroll down. Yesterday (20th Nov 2011). As well as wonderful company, a very special island, Brent Geese, Eiders, 3 Short-eared Owls and that awesome Eastern Black … Continue reading →

Posted in Shorebirds | 1 Comment

Eastern Black Redstart

Posted on November 21, 2011 by

1st winter male phoenicuroides 1st winter male Eastern Black Redstart, Holy Island, Northumberland, 20.11.2011 © Stef McElwee Sad but true. I have a photo of the wing formula on my phone. It’s the bird species/ subspecies/ taxon/ stunning eastern vagrant that I … Continue reading →

Posted in Chats and Thrushes | 2 Comments