lapland

Sunday, 24 August 2014

Curlew Sandpiper and a very brief encounter with a Glossy Ibis.

On Thursday we visited Saltholme to see if the Glossy Ibis had stayed over night, when we arrived we were told that it had not been seen since first thing, as we were talking about what to do next the Ibis flew over our heads and into the distance, not to be seen again .............well at least we didn't dip out on seeing it!

Friday was quiet again but a early evening visit to the Tidal Pools at Greatham Creek gave us a nice Curlew Sandpiper our first of the year.

Glossy Ibis

Curlew Sandpiper

Saturday, 23 August 2014

2 Days on Mull - flying visit.

Had a very short break on Mull to visit David and Becca who were on holiday there. Had a good journey up and the weather was kind to us for the short time we were there. Managed to catch up with the WTSE juveniles who were taking some of their first flights, managed a male Hen Harrier on our visit and a Corncrake on Iona. also managed 3 separate Otter sightings during our stay. An excellent couple of days but far, far too short. Can't wait for our next visit.

Corncrake

Iona is a beautiful place

WTSE

Otter taken by Becca

Wheatear

Scotch Argus

A very sad find by David and Becca around Strontian on their way to the Lochaline ferry they are rare enough as it is without coming to such an unfortunate end.

Friday, 8 August 2014

A trip to the Farne's and a Stilt Sandpiper the bonus.

Things have been pretty quiet lately so not much for the blog, decided to have a run up to the Farne Islands to catch up with a few birds not on our year list. Had a bit of late start and had problems getting parked when we got there. Eventually got on a short trip to the islands as we were short on time, brilliant weather but the birds were in short supply as many had already moved off to sea. Wish we could have stayed longer but never mind. Back on the main land we spotted our first Painted lady of the year, on our way back to the car. Then off to Cresswell where we caught up with the Stilt Sandpiper another one on the life list!

Stilt Sandpiper

Arctic Tern

Sandwich Tern

Roseate Tern

Fulmar

Kittiewake

Puffin

Seal pup

Seal

Painted Lady

Monday, 21 July 2014

Holly Blue and Barn Owl today.

It's been very quiet over the last week and sometimes you need to stay in and play catch up on the household chores anyway. Its nice when the wildlife comes to visit you, as this Holly Blue did today......wonder if it will come back tomorrow?

The local Barn Owls are still feeding young......... nice to see them tonight.

Barn Owl

Holly Blue

Monday, 14 July 2014

White-winged Black Tern and a a few bits from the weekend.

Saturday gave us the opportunity to see the White-winged Black Tern at Saltholme.

Sunday we had a trip to the North-west, at Gatebarrows we managed to see Grayling and a surprise Gatekeeper but none of the species we had gone to look for. Around Leighton Moss we caught up with Marsh Harrier and Peregrine but nothing else of note......lovely weather there.

During the week we had a visiting Sparrowhawk in the garden not sure what it had caught ...but such is life!!

White-winged Black Tern

Marsh Harrier

Gatekeeper

Grayling

Silver Y

Sparrowhawk

Monday, 7 July 2014

Black-winged Pratincole and a few Butterflies.

A weekend of contrasts........Saturday was the opportunity to see the Black-winged Pratincole at Hurworth Burn Reservoir an excellent bird and a lifer for us. Also went to Wingate Quarry to see the Marbled Whites in between viewings of the BWP. Sunday we ventured to North Yorkshire and saw our first Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary of the year.