Sunday, 30 September 2012

On The Outside!


The Outside Bog. Unknown.

Anyone wishing to do so would be justified in accusing me of diverting too far away from birds on Birds2blog today in posting the pic above, but, no matter how hard I tried I couldn't resist what I would consider to be the best political statement of the century requiring no caption whatsoever, a picture speaking volumes.

 But back to the birds....

It was interesting to see the report of a Stonechat seen at Leighton Moss Thursday last. It was a male seen atop of the reeds near the Bearded Tit grit trays. I don't recall seeing a single record of Stonechat anywhere in the vicinity this year, and few reports from anywhere in our recording area in the breeding season, which prompts the thought, where is this bird from, and has it bred around this area this year.

 And a couple of excellent images to be going on with....
 Hawfinch. Phillip Tomkinson.

Not many opportunities to see - let alone photograph - the Hawfinch as well as this one, but PT made good use of his opportunity on this occasion.

Bittern. Phillip Tomkinson.  

Not many opportunities to see - let alone photograph - the Bittern either, but PT made good use of his opportunity on this occasion too. For all we know this image could well reflect the sum total of Bittern at Leighton Moss today as I suspect this may well be the case....But now someone is going come forward to tell us I'm wrong on that suggestion.

Thanks to Phillip Tomkinson for the two excellent photographs. 

 And finally... 

 Putting a smile into birding.

 For all the birding ID 'goofs'....don't worry I'm one too. A Wilson's Phalarope reported this morning was later identified to be a Spotted Redshank....Mmmmm!!  
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7 comments:

  1. Findlay Wilde30 September 2012 at 16:56

    The Hawfinch and Bittern are amazing photos. The Bittern visits Marbury Park near us in Winter, but has never stayed out of the reeds for long enough to get a picture. From Findlay

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  2. Pete Woodruff30 September 2012 at 17:08

    Snap....Just visited 'Wilde About Birds' and posted my comment Findlay.

    Thanks for visiting Birds2blog to share our mutual passion.

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  3. Warren Baker30 September 2012 at 17:08

    I would put different labels on those doors Pete, Employers and employees might go well, or maybe gamekeepers and raptors :-)

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  4. Pete Woodruff30 September 2012 at 17:12

    Yes....I did think about your Gamekeepers/Raptors suggestion Warren. In the context of what we are about its better than the original in the pic.

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  5. Unknown30 September 2012 at 18:31

    I thought I heard a stonechat on thursday at Leighton between the grit trays and public hide Pete.

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  6. Gary Jones1 October 2012 at 09:04

    we get loads of Stonechat down here in North Wales Pete, our local walk across the Clwydians is a great place to see them.

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  7. Pete Woodruff1 October 2012 at 19:51

    Martin/Gary....I'll e-mail you both re the Stonechats you mention. Meanwhile, thanks for the visit to Birds2blog.

    ReplyDelete