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About Martin Garner

I am a Free Spirit

Bee-eaters, Golden Oriole, Nightjar

Posted on May 17, 2012

and friends. 17th May. Spurn. Early morning didn’t look too promising. Conditions rather still. However this is Spurn! The Golden Oriole was still present just along from our caravan. I had flushed it in a magic moment the previous evening. Beautiful low sun, heading off on … Continue reading →

Posted in Spurn Guided Events | Leave a comment

Big Bean Goose

Posted on May 17, 2012

Spurn, East Yorkshire, 12 May 2012 This one seems to have eluded me. Was present on/off last Saturday and hasn’t reappeared since. Those familiar with (Western) Taiga and Tundra Bean Goose were struck by its size and bill shape. Looking at the pics, it’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Wildfowl | Leave a comment

Pallid Harrier

Posted on May 15, 2012

2nd Cal Year in Yorkshire Plenty going on at Spurn and nearby finally got this Pallid Harrier this morning after 3 attempts at nearby Patrington Haven. Tiny (male?!) looks very falcon- like especially flying away. At one stage did some kind of … Continue reading →

Posted in Raptors | 4 Comments

Possibly Iberian Pied Flycatcher still?

Posted on May 13, 2012

The last word?   I have always been fascinated by variety in birds, by migration, and the sheer wonder, even dare  I say mini-miracles that can be encapsulated in a ‘bird’. The Flamborough Flycatcher is just such an example  of intriguing variety, and a potentially interesting displacement. Is its plumage really just normal nominate Pied Flycatcher variation? (That’s’ … Continue reading →

Posted in Flycatchers | 2 Comments

Flycatcher Comes Good

Posted on May 12, 2012

Black and White Sounds Was frustrated getting the Doc’s text about the Flamborough Flycatcher this morning. He was surprised as anyone (thanks to him for processing this so quickly). The data we have says: ‘just a Pied’! Being a little peeved didn’t last long. I really enjoyed seeing the bird and … Continue reading →

Posted in Flycatchers | Leave a comment

Cretzschmar’s Bunting

Posted on May 12, 2012

Tricky ID’s Seems ridiculous to say but both Cretzschmar’s and Ortolan Buntings can in the space of a few hours, become backcloth birds in southern Israel in spring. Just a walk in the small urban parks produces flock of both species, sometimes 40-60 birds feeding together. Yes, it is ridiculous! Both of these photos were taken just … Continue reading →

Posted in Buntings | Leave a comment

Atlas or Iberian Flycatcher?

Posted on May 10, 2012

Getting Closer All we need is ONE good recording! I have been frustrated having tried on a couple of occasions to record this bird’s call. Others have had some success at least in hearing it; indeed it appears the bird both calls and on occasionally sings as well. Delighted when Scott … Continue reading →

Posted in Flycatchers | 3 Comments

Afrotropical Pratincole Mystery

Posted on May 10, 2012

K20, Eilat, April 2, 2012 P.S. Thanks to all those who had a go here. Hopefully this explains some things… Last minute birding dot com. Yes we were squeezing every last ounce out of our time this spring. Southern Israel experienced on of its best spring in 20 years. Flip it was good! … Continue reading →

Posted in Israel, Shorebirds | Leave a comment

Your invitation to Spurn, May 2012

Posted on May 10, 2012

Day Trips and 3 Day Spring Special   Special reduced rates! on events this month. Myself, Paul Collins (Warden), Andy Roadhouse (Report editor and King of Visible Migration) and the rest of the keen Spurn team, will be leading folk through a birding feast. We are on again … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Flamborough Flycatcher

Posted on May 9, 2012

No Interviews Went this morning. Beautiful conditions before anticipated inclement weather of next couple of days. Hoping, hoping to record a call. Good chance it would be identifiable with a recording. Unfortunately in 2.5 hours I managed less than a minute of views and no … Continue reading →

Posted in Flycatchers, Woodpeckers | 8 Comments