Another whole weekend!!!!!!
No shifts on Sunday again, which is not good for my bank account, but good for my soul!!!
Friday, 12 November 2010
Thursday, 11 November 2010
Vivien's Birthday
HAPPY BIRTHDAY VIVIEN!!!
Feel so sorry for my baby sister today, its her birthday, she got a stinking cold and sore throat/cough - is off work and at home on her own!
Late birthday celebrations this Saturday/Sunday when hopefully she will be feeling better.
Feel so sorry for my baby sister today, its her birthday, she got a stinking cold and sore throat/cough - is off work and at home on her own!
Late birthday celebrations this Saturday/Sunday when hopefully she will be feeling better.
Funky!!!!
DAVID LINDO'S updated website definately portrays birding as COOL and Hip Hop!!!
http://www.theurbanbirder.com/
http://www.theurbanbirder.com/
Autumn Watch tonight!
Tommy Hyndman was contacted by the BBC Two ‘Autumn Watch’ team about his waxwing pictures see:
http://fair-isle.blogspot.com/2010/11/waxwings-oct-25th-2010-day-well-always.html
Tommy’s Waxwing images will be on Autumn Watch Unsprung BBC tonight from 8.30pm
http://fair-isle.blogspot.com/2010/11/waxwings-oct-25th-2010-day-well-always.html
Tommy’s Waxwing images will be on Autumn Watch Unsprung BBC tonight from 8.30pm
Monday, 8 November 2010
Pallas's Warbler in 'Birding World'
Steve Gantlett asked me if he could use my Pallas's Warbler picture (that I took on 12th October) in this months BIRDING WORLD. Have not seen it yet - looking forward to receiving my copy.
http://pennyshotbirdingandlife.blogspot.com/2010/10/pallass-warblers.html
Received Birding World on Wednesday (thanks Sue).
http://pennyshotbirdingandlife.blogspot.com/2010/10/pallass-warblers.html
Received Birding World on Wednesday (thanks Sue).
Waxwings feeding from hand!!!
http://fair-isle.blogspot.com/2010/11/waxwings-oct-25th-2010-day-well-always.html
http://fair-isle.blogspot.com/2010/11/waxwings-oct-25th-2010-day-well-always.html
Sunday, 7 November 2010
Holkham - Sun, Sea and Shorelarks!
Got up early and arrived at Holkham at 7.45am. Parked on the main road near the bus stop, which saves paying to park in Lady Anne's Drive! It was freezing cold this morning. The plan today was to attempt to see the Shorelarks that were seen recently and then walk to Wells. Reaching the main beach gap, I followed the path east. I spoke to another birder who had seen 50+ Twite and a Rough-legged Buzzard, but he had not seen any shorelarks. It was high tide and the creek to my left was lapping across the sandy path - to my right the sun streamed through the pine trees. It was a beautiful sunny day with fluffy white clouds and blue skies, but with a strong north east wind - it was only spoilt by too many out of control, yelping dogs. A huge flock of 70+ Snow Buntings could be seen distantly, near the dune side of the saltings. I walked as far as Wells Lifeboat station and then crossed over to the dunes and then followed the path inland of the dunes looking over the saltings. Suddenly I came across the Shorelarks, all 17 of them at 10am!!! But sadly they were very difficult to photograph as there was a large area of water between them and me! They looked spectacular in the sunshine. Several skylarks also about. When I reached the end of the dunes I realised I couldn't get back to the main beach gap path at Holkham because of the creek that runs from the sea to the saltings - walked out to the edge of the sea and crossed over the rippling waters. It was at this point I realised there was hardly any difference between walking back to the main beach gap or walking to the west end of Holkham pines. So I walked to the west end of the pine belt. I didn't have my telescope with me, so couldn't really do any sea watching, but did note a red-throated diver, shelduck and lots of brent geese all going west. Left the beach and followed the dune path, seaward side of the pines and on route I found several different toadstools and also some hibernating wasps in a dead pine tree. The only birds of note along here was a wren and a blackbird. Crossing over through the pines I had a good look round the dune hollows and although it was tempting to walk Burnham Overy Dunes, I decided to follow the path back through the pines. I could see a buzzard distantly sitting on a fence post out on the marsh, but it was too distant and hazy to see ID it correctly. Lots of starling flocks going west today I noted. Found a tit flock not far from the start of the walk back along the pines which included long-tailed tits, blue tits, and several goldcrests and also a female blackcap. I watched these for quite a while as didn't want to miss out on seeing any LTT's with white heads! Heard a green woodpecker and several fieldfares 'chacking', saw a sparrowhawk and also a small raptor which I attempted to photograph as it flew over my head, not sure what it was! Two little grebes were in Salt's Hole. At least 10 goldcrests in the sycamores by Washington Hide and I noted several more on the way back. Excellent views of a treecreeper not far from the end of the path, just before the top of Lady's Anne's Drive which I got some decent photos of. Got back to my car at 3.45pm.
HOLKHAM BEACH.
Meadow Pipit.
Female Blackcap.
Long tailed Tit.
Salt's Hole, Holkham.
Treecreeper.
Attempted to get to Titchwell to see the Pallas's Warbler, but on arrival I realised the light had gone completely, so gave up and headed home. After leaving Holme I turned left after the Hun Bridge (just after the Ringstead turn off) past Old Hunstanton Church/pond and had fantastic views of a Woodcock (5pm) which got up off the road and relocated itself in the alexanders in the verge to give me awesome views right next to the car window. The camera was of course in the boot! A bit further up the road a Little Owl sat in the middle of the road which forced me to do an emergency stop!!! This road then joins up with the main A149 in Hunstanton. I absolutely hate the clock being changed - the day now ends much too quickly!
Gutted that I have again missed out on seeing the possible Northern Harrier that was seen again today at Burnham Overy Marsh south west of Gun Hill! See thread now started on birdforum.net http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=185248
Roll on Saturday!
More Arty Farty stuff!
Painted this from the photograph on the front cover of the "Birds of Israel" which was published in 1987. This is a framed picture which was a present to my father.
I painted and varnished this stone this when I was around 14 years old and in case you're not sure!, its a Great Grey Shrike which is the emblem of the Norfolk Ornithologists' Association. I sold this to someone at the time, who is currently a patient on my ward - his wife very, very kindly gave me this last week.
Saturday, 6 November 2010
Shorelarks and Fireworks in abundance!
Sun setting from the main bank at Titchwell RSPB.Choseley, Thornham and Titchwell RSPB
Stopped at Choseley to look for Dotterel, but no luck.
Text from Andy Wilkinson and Justin Lansdell to say they 130 Waxwings in Great Yarmouth!
Thornham
The copse by the end of Greenway held a surprise of a Chiffchaff, well I think it was, only saw it for seconds and a naff photo (see below) and it didn't call. Also 1 blackbird and a robin.
Chiffchaff?Titchwell RSPB
A pair of Bullfinches in the carpark. Whilst queueing up for cheese and onion pastie, I heard the familiar voice of Eddie Myers at the front of the queue, who I spent the rest of the afternoon birding with. 3 Twite on the new embankment leading to the new hide along with a reed bunting and later on at least 9 Twite on the fresh marsh. A Cettis Warbler also burst into song for a few moments. 9 Shorelark were seen distantly on the beach at the far east end of the boardwalk after lots patience at 3.15pm! Back along the main bank we saw at 3 pintail, 1 Water Pipit, loads of Golden Plover, Yellow legged Gull, several little egrets, lots of starlings, 2 Marsh Harriers and usual waders. http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/t/titchwellmarsh/sightings.aspx
One of nine Shorelark, east of the main Titchwell bank.
Sunset from the main bank, Titchwell RSPB.Watched Strictly Come Dancing with my parents. Photographed Fireworks at Hunstanton and then whizzed home to watch the rest of X-Factor!
* * * F I R E W O R K S * * *HUNSTANTON
Friday, 5 November 2010
Wednesday, 3 November 2010
Better than the documentary!!!!!!!!
See this thread on Birdforum discussing the 'Twitchers: A British Obsession Documentary' - as someone described, its better than watching the soaps!! Incredibly entertaining, sad, rude, scary, informative...... etc etc. Be warned it took me over 3 hours to read up to page 28!!! The thread is now locked!
Bother, bother, bother - I have just realised that through trawling through this thread, that I have missed 'Birds Britannia' that I wanted to watch on BBC4 this evening!!! (see my link in previous post)
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=148517
My 2nd posting on this thread is post 685 and reads:
"When I posted on page 13, I never imagined that this thread would continue on until page 32 with 786 posts!!! Having not looked at this thread again until this evening, I have been drawn in to reading every single post and its taken me hours! I congratulate Lee for having the b*lls to join in this thread, although I am sure now, that he wished he hadn't! There are some awful comments being said about him, which are utterly rude and uncalled for - there are some very sad people out there unfortunately, who are obviously very bored/unhappy in their own lives. I have always found Lee to be polite and courteous and helpful - I really don't understand why some people have got it in for him - jealously springs to mind I think. I am actually glad now for Sue Bryan's sake that she was left on the 'cutting floor' as it is obvious that the programme has just portrayed the negative/p*ss taking side to the whole Twitching scene. The media have always and will continue to portray a story how they want it, not how it actually was - this has happened to me on a few occassions, once for a national magazine who I sold a story to many years ago, which they completely changed and more recently a story in a local newspaper where they deliberately changed the facts to make the story sound more interesting. For the general public/non birder we will now all be seen as complete de-arranged fanatics that need to see our GP's asap for a Pysch. referral - oh well!!"
Bother, bother, bother - I have just realised that through trawling through this thread, that I have missed 'Birds Britannia' that I wanted to watch on BBC4 this evening!!! (see my link in previous post)
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=148517
My 2nd posting on this thread is post 685 and reads:
"When I posted on page 13, I never imagined that this thread would continue on until page 32 with 786 posts!!! Having not looked at this thread again until this evening, I have been drawn in to reading every single post and its taken me hours! I congratulate Lee for having the b*lls to join in this thread, although I am sure now, that he wished he hadn't! There are some awful comments being said about him, which are utterly rude and uncalled for - there are some very sad people out there unfortunately, who are obviously very bored/unhappy in their own lives. I have always found Lee to be polite and courteous and helpful - I really don't understand why some people have got it in for him - jealously springs to mind I think. I am actually glad now for Sue Bryan's sake that she was left on the 'cutting floor' as it is obvious that the programme has just portrayed the negative/p*ss taking side to the whole Twitching scene. The media have always and will continue to portray a story how they want it, not how it actually was - this has happened to me on a few occassions, once for a national magazine who I sold a story to many years ago, which they completely changed and more recently a story in a local newspaper where they deliberately changed the facts to make the story sound more interesting. For the general public/non birder we will now all be seen as complete de-arranged fanatics that need to see our GP's asap for a Pysch. referral - oh well!!"
Tuesday, 2 November 2010
Fathers' Birthday today!
What to buy for someone who says "I only want what can be flushed down the toilet"!!!!!!!!!
Well the usual favourite presents consisting of dark chocolates, chestnuts and coffee cake and also an added request Monday evening 'peace and quiet'!!!!
Well the usual favourite presents consisting of dark chocolates, chestnuts and coffee cake and also an added request Monday evening 'peace and quiet'!!!!
Birds Britannia - Wednesday 3rd November
9:00pm - 10:00pm - BBC4
Garden Birds
1/4, series 1
New series. Series examining the relationship between the British public and birds, beginning with an insight into how the robin became the nation's favourite bird, the relation between blue tits and milk bottles during the 20th century, and the decadence of the sparrow. Narrated by Bill Paterson, with contributions by Bill Oddie, David Attenborough, Tony Soper, Jenny Uglow, Chris Baines, David Lindo and Chris Frayling.
VIDEO Plus+: 8741999 -
http://www.radiotimes.com/ListingsServlet?event=10&channelId=47&programmeId=141756959&jspLocation=/jsp/prog_details_fullpage.jsp
Monday, 1 November 2010
Twitchers: a very British Obsession
Monday 01 November - 9:00pm - 10:00pm - BBC4
The documentary followed Garry Bagnell, the Craig family and Brett Richards on their twitches and portrays how incredibly obsessive twitching can become - says I after twitching the American Bittern and Green Heron at the weekend!!!
7 year old Mya Rose Craig (LGRE's year listing rival) didn't really look like she was that interested to me - may be wrong though. When asked by Lucy Leveugle, the programmes producer "What makes a good twitcher?" Mya replied "patience and good eyesight" - I would add to that question 'loads of dosh and time'!!!
Great to listen to Lee's thought's on everything!
Other celebs on there included Dick Filby and Will of RBA, Brett Richards, the Craig family, Jed Andrews, also noticed Rebecca Nason at the Eastern Crowned Warbler twitch.
NWT Cley was also shown, along with the Sandhill Crane Twitch and the Eastern Crowned Warbler twitch.
If Garry's wife didn't know about the cost of it all - she most certainly will now, after Garry's list of the cost of each bird was filmed - one of them being £600!
Entertaining and interesting, but it would have been good to have included some female twitchers and I know there's not many, but Sue Bryan was filmed for the documentary - don't know why she wasn't included.
The documentary followed Garry Bagnell, the Craig family and Brett Richards on their twitches and portrays how incredibly obsessive twitching can become - says I after twitching the American Bittern and Green Heron at the weekend!!!
7 year old Mya Rose Craig (LGRE's year listing rival) didn't really look like she was that interested to me - may be wrong though. When asked by Lucy Leveugle, the programmes producer "What makes a good twitcher?" Mya replied "patience and good eyesight" - I would add to that question 'loads of dosh and time'!!!
Great to listen to Lee's thought's on everything!
Other celebs on there included Dick Filby and Will of RBA, Brett Richards, the Craig family, Jed Andrews, also noticed Rebecca Nason at the Eastern Crowned Warbler twitch.
NWT Cley was also shown, along with the Sandhill Crane Twitch and the Eastern Crowned Warbler twitch.
If Garry's wife didn't know about the cost of it all - she most certainly will now, after Garry's list of the cost of each bird was filmed - one of them being £600!
Entertaining and interesting, but it would have been good to have included some female twitchers and I know there's not many, but Sue Bryan was filmed for the documentary - don't know why she wasn't included.
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