The Ace Of Shovels

Very busy today, will give details of day tomorrow. Be warned, phenomenally poor photos

Gosh-hawk

As a birder, the worst thing you can be is unable to bird. And as such had I been. A fratured wrist had augmented a plethora of further factors that had inhibited my fundamental desire to bird (as it were).

From this position, there are very few things that can lift you out the induced state of depressed drifting. Very few, not none. One of these, is a patch tick. However, it can go beyond this. A patch tick is a patch tick but there are some birds which just make you watch in wonder. Some birds don't seem like anything other than divine incarnations (maybe not); and remind you why it was you enjoy birding so much. This is what birding's about, the majesty of them and the abiity of some to cause great positive emotion.

And so it was, that October the 2nd occurred. Aaron had called me at about midday to let me know that Crossbills had been reported by Boldermere. He picked me up and we headed up there straightaway. However, it turned out that the birds hadn't been within the patch boundary (albeit visible from) but the disappointment still flourished. Crossbill is a strange one for me. It seems like a reasonably easy patch tick as WALBOC is surrounded by suitable habo and there aren't exactly rare, next summer I'll try and put in the necessary effort to pick them up. On the way up Aaron told me that there had been a Grey Partridge on the Airfield early morning. This is the second of the year after a bird was picked up back in February by RSPB representatives who also picked up Mealy Redpoll on the same visit (I was at school typically).

I was heading back, feeling better for what had been my first patch visit in weeks. I walked along the footpath that straddles western end of the Cricket Pitch to the sight of nothing. I walked along, checking the Cattle for anything (yes, still annoyed about that). I arrived at the eastern end and scanned the tree-front (there is a small 'glade' here where Firecrest have been seen previously and Little Owl are common) where I was rewarded with Goldcreest and Treecreeper. I was just about to cut through the woods and go home...when I looked up.

Two Crows flapped lazily south. A Buzzard was drifting high overhead and far to the east. Two male Sparrowhawks wheeled in the air at a good height. I raised my bins to check that one of the Sparrowhawks wasn't in fact Britain's first Shikra (yes, I know) when something else caught my eye.

A large raptor appeared as if from nowhere. It looked like a Sparrowhawk, but the thing was, it was huge. It continued to glide towards me, quite low down. At this point, I was very confused. For a moment, it didn't really look like anything I knew to me. Then it twigged, this had to be a Goshawk. First thing's first I thought, photo. I raised my camera. At this point the bird was still quite distant, I found it in the viewfinder...nothing. I was so pissed off by that. Not the first time its happened. However, I had no time to be frustrated, I had to get as much on this bird as I possibly could. As I said, the most dtriking feature of this bird was it's size, it was enormous, buzzard-sized, far bigger than I'd anticipated. This set it out as a fem. I made notes on everything I could make out as soon as I could (almost instantly). The bird had clear white, undertail coverts with a barred tail. The bird's breast and coverts had much finer barring. I could make out a very protruding head and a dark crown. The bird passed overhead and continued west still gliding. I thought this was quite odd as it had been gliding for some time, longer than I thought they were capable of doing (although apparently some birds can glide for up to 500m). It then started flapping its wings with quite fast, deep wing-beats. As the bird passed further away, I was able to see more and more of its upperparts which were grey-brown (although more towards the grey side of the spectrum). The bird continued west out of sight.

Wow. I was exhilerated and quickly noted down what I'd made out on the bird. I was so annoyed with my camera that seem snow to have inherent issues and regularly fails on me. I have checked the batteries for historesis (by replacing them) but this doesn't seem to be the problem. I need a new one, end of.

It was a magnificent sighting that made my day.

My yearlist and patchlist do not increase however, as I recently realised I had yet to remove Lady Amherst's Pheasant from my list.

WALBOC Patchlist: 106
WALBOC Yearlist: 104

PS. The title? Poor at best, abysmal at worst.

Final update soon

September Gallery

A few shots I didn't upload earlier. There are 65+ Starlings in hat shot and the hunting Hobby sequence was a magnificent spectacle but sadly proves the demise of my camera more than ever.

More updates on the way.

Long Overdue

Part One (next parts due in the coming weeks).

So what have I been seeing since...September.

Lots and lots of Yellow Wags towards the end of the season (after very few before that), Red Kites increased and, much to my dismay, my beloved Wheatears disappeared. Wigeon and Pochard returned (the former in some style), the finch flocks picked up, Peregrines drifted over. I dipped big time on so many things. Pallid Harrier in Sussex was one but there were numerous others

In all honesty though, I'm very disappointed. Things just haven't been going my way. I've had a fractured wrist (trust me, you can't go birding with one). Then I've had football matches; Silver D of E; visits (compulsory) to relatives; too dark to visit over school; been overseas; and it seems that everything has been preventing me from going birding. Every time I get a text about good birds somewhere it just depresses me because I know there are things to be found thst I'm just not there to find. Something needs to change. In all honesty, WALBOC isn't really my patch anymore, more of a local birding site that I occassionally visit. Something needs to change. I'm desperate for somebody (Anybody!) to check Boldermere daily. I'm not concerned about the Airfield or the rest of the patch, I just need someone to scan Bolderemere for half-an-hour in the morning. Something which is just not happening. If this had happened, I'm almost certain Brent Goose would have been picked up recently along with who knows what.

Latest pics soon plus the rest of the updates.

Istanbul

Currently birding in Istanbul, will give trip report (overview) on return as well as previous promised posts. A few west pal ticks so far, Alexandrine Parakeet, Pallid Swift plus a probable Levant Sparrowhawk that was not seen well enough. Also picked up Palm Dove and Alpine Swift but neither were west pal ticks -still great birds though. However, there has been no sign yet of the supposedly common Yelkouan Shearwaters...here's hoping

October, How I've Missed You

October has begun. Well, you probably knew that beforehand but in any case, October has started. And in what fashion. The first Common Crossbills came through (first seen by anyone at least) the year's second Grey Partridge record came in (again, missed by me).

But there was one thing I didn't miss. A first for WALBOC and therefore by definition, a patch and year tick for me.

My right arm is in a sling so I cannot compose a long post, just to let you know. I will post once about the back end of September (so many Yellow Wagtails, seemingly the last Hobby of the year, much else besides); once about Sunday morning (dipping untickable Crossbills, hearing about an easily twitchable Grey Partridge too late); and once about Sunday afternoon and that bird.

'Til then  

Good Day

Despite what it may seem like (no posts since August) I have been visiting fairly regularly by my own horrific standards. I made a few visits in early September without any headline birds. I have also snuck in a few short visits after school but it has always been too dark to use my bins (defeats the point really). This morning I made a long visit in the hope that the weather would send something of interest low over my head.

The moody weather always threatened to produce something good. A stream of Herring Gulls and the odd LBBG went over. I scanned the tit flocks thoroughly hoping for anything to take me to 106. There were several Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs amongst them (more than last Sat) and a few Goldcrests but not the elusive year tick I craved. All the while I watched them I felt as if there was something there that I just wasn't seeing. This feeling continued all day. A few Mippits went over and Linnets and Chaffinches on the Airfield are beginning to form the monster finch flocks of the winter (can't wait). Masses of Skylarks flicked about, I flushed 4 Red-legged Partridge and heard a Little Owl. Throughout this whole period, absolutely enormous quantitites of hirundines went overhead. When the sun came out, in excess of 500 were visible at the same time. It was some sight. I genuinely do not think (except for when the hobbies were about) that I looked into the sky once without seeing a hirundine. Huge movement. Numbers of the seemingly resident Wheatears remained steady with 9 (probably more) today.

Whilst watching a couple of the Wheatears, I noticed that the hirundines had stopped chirping above me. I looked up and noticed a large, distant, raptor being harried by Crows. As it came nearer I saw it was a rather bedraggled Red Kite, first of the Autumn. About ten minutes later a second bird went over. Both headed north/north west. The numbers of both Red Kite and Wheatear at WALBOC this year have blown me away. Astonishing counts, highest in a day being five for Red Kite and 26 (!) for Wheatear. Wheatear is more common than Collared Dove, Rook, Grey Heron amongst other common stuff.

At Boldermere, I yet again enjoyed superlative views of Hobby. They are such a brilliant sight hunting low over the lake (you can get easily within 10 metres of them). Wigeon numbers have built significantly in a short time. (I saw my first returning birds on the 2nd of September when there were two) with about 15 today. Cormorant, Gadwall and GCG also showed well.

For the first time in a while I recorded more than 50 species today (53). It was a great day's birding yet I always had the feeling that I was missing something, that there was something rare around that I was simply unable to get onto. With luck, I'll find it tomorrow. 

Ah Well,There's Always September

Myself? Buoyant. It's been a good few days. Admittedly, WALBOC-wise it's been utter shite. Boldermere is just a distant memory. I am sure I have missed innumerable Barred Warblers, Wrynecks, Pied Flys etc. (alternatively, a mild swell in Wheatear numbers). However, and to my surprise as much as anyones, it doesn't bother me one J.O.T.

Today I acheived my hoped for mark in my Maths IGCSE (A* (if you're wondering why I only got one back it's because I took Maths a year early)).

For the past week, there have been a grand total of...err...that makes...well, zero visits to WALBOC because I have been in the sunny, exotic climes of North Yorkshire. Top birding up there. Red and better still BLACK Grouse, Ring Ouzels, Dippers, Redstarts, Peregrines, Spot Flies galore, and much else besides. If you, like me, actually care, then feel free to e-mail me and I'll give my complete checklist inc. sites for all birds seen. Fun for all. 

The rest of August will continue to be poor as concerns my WALBOC attendance. However, come September I have a full, free week to WALBOC (new verb). Any birders reading this please note that I would love for you to join me birding in those first few days to help pick up those inevitable (ahem) Wrynecks etc.

Exhibition Stuff

Pictures from top to bottom: WALBOC habo; Wisley Airfield (path off main runway); male Whinchat; male Whinchat again; Linnet; Red Kite on deck (in middle of fence - hard to find); Roe Deer x2; Lake Boldermere; Collared Dove; Common Whitethroat; Corn Bunting; Hobby (I know, I know); Little Grebes

First Tick Of The Autumn

Few days of WALBOC-ing to tell you about.

Autumn is definitely here, signalled by the weather more than anything however, huge numbers of jackdaws, rooks and crows are building on the cricket pitch, gulls are starting to appear again, starlings (a great mix of plumages amongst them inc. several moulting from juv to 1w) are flocking together at the farmhouse. Furthermore there are the first signs of the Airfield's magnificent winter passerine flocks starting to emerge wwith up to 30 House Sparrows and a couple of Yellowhammer and Chaffinch amongst them around the crops. Amongst this small flock on Thursday was a brown bunting that was most probably a Corn Bunt but it flew off wthout me getting much on it - for those wanting to see Corn Bunt now is a good time to check around the farmhouse and cover crops on the Airfield.

However, summer is still most cetainly clinging on. At least one Hobby can still be seen daily on Boldermere (along with two GCGs, Mallards, Pochards, Mute Swans, T Ducks, and masses of Coots). Additionally, for the first time in a while I heard at least two Cuckoos singing on Wednesday in what represents a very good year thus far at WALBOC for this species.

In terms of movement there have also been good signs. Whilst, much to my frustration, the exquisite muddy fringes in the marshes have remained (to my knowledge) completely wader (and Crake) free, Chiffys keep turning up along with Willow Warblers. Meadow Pipits and Common Buzzards are also noticeably on the up and on Friday I saw my second Tree Pipit of the year. Roll on a rarity.

I have also enjoyed a year tick! On Thursday in a brief gap in the rain I looked up to see 38 large birds flying in from Boldermere. As they approached I saw they were Canada Geese. In the back of my mind the thought occurred: 'This is exactly how it happened last year - overcast day, Canadas flying low over the stubble from Boldermere - here comes a yeartick'. I scanned the Geese and picked up two Greylags and one Egyptian Goose.  They went over low, made to land, before deciding against it and continuing South. Disappointing they didn't stay but a good tick round here.

WALBOC Patchlist: 106
WALBOC Yearlist: 104

Away Days

Another lengthy absence from WALBOC. I spent ten days in Norway from the 15th to the 25th of July where I recorded 50 species. These included five Ospreys (three juvs) in a nest that I discovered; Eider, Velvet Scoter, five species of wader, Merlin, Raven, Goosander amongst others. 50 seems meagre for a country with the birding riches of Norway but consider that it was not a birding holiday, I did not have the opportunity to go off and do any, and especially the fact that I had no bins, scope or camera!!

Today I went to Lodmoor in the hope of seeing the Stilt Sand. After a poor journey because the Hindhead tunnel was NOT open, despite 'opening' on the 27th of July. This added an hour onto what was a bad journey anyway. We eventually arrived at 11:30 and walked up onto the bank overlooking the scrape where three birders were present. The bird had not been seen for about an hour when we arrived and so I settled down expecting a long stake-out. Three Green Sands were on the scrape and an Oyk flew over but there was no sign of the Stilt Sand. Eventually it showed at about one o'clock, excellently in the centre of the scrape. It was on show for about five minutes before disappearing. Stilt Sand is an absolute gem of a bird. Stunning wader, best I've seen. Truly beautiful. Unfortunately it was too distant (and obscured by reeds) for a photo. Still a top bird though.

On to Radipole more for something to eat than anything. A Redshank was notable for the reserve. Whilst there I was pleasantly surprised to find the long-staying drake Hooded Merganser. It was in eclipse so not looking its finest but still good to see. The site warden told me it hadn't been seen in a couple of weeks so not a bad sighitng. I also saw my first ever Jersey Tiger Moth, stunner.

Cattle Regret

Hi all,

Its been a bloody long time! Apologies for my apathy and I shall endeavour to rectify my indolence.

On the 26th of June I picked up a year tick in the form of another (three in a row) small, nondescript, brown bird - one of many immortalised under the horrific sobriquet 'LBJ'. I was visiting Boldermere for the first time in god knows how long, buoyant after a sighting, my second of the year, of a Woodlark, perched on a trees tump before being frightened by dog walkers (grrr...). The lake was quiet (Common Tern, GCG, Pochard etc.) so I decided to check the far side of the lake (something I rarely do). I enjoyed a friendly Chiffy before seeing the aforementioned LBJ very briefly flitting between the reeds. I waded through the bog (shallow water and litter) and listened out. Unfortunately I could hear nothing but the near-deafening A3. Eventually it stayed still long enough for me to see it, a Reed Warbler. A pleasing tick. There was a singing male last year but this is the first of 2011.

This brings me to Friday. Friday. Oh, Friday. The day that would host the rarest bird ever to grace WALBOC. Only the second record of this bird - arguably the most successful on Earth - in Surrey (if accepted). The time? 11:25 The place? School. Aaron calls me, there is no answer. I would later check my phone and see a missed call from Aaron which would be greeted by anticipation and deflation (certainly a good bird but I'd most likely missed it). I called back, no answer. Three times more before I got through. 'Hi mate, I've had what I think is a Little Egret'. 'That's good' I thought 'that'll probably still be there, nice year and patch tick for me.' I replied: 'Oh right, nice one, whereabouts was that then?' 'School Farm'. Pause. Alarm bells started ringing. I was increasingly intrigued. For you see, there is no water near School Farm. 'School Farm, whereabouts?', 'In the field up the top with the Cattle.' 'Oh.'

A Little Egret. In a Cattle field far from water. 'What did it look like?' The description came.

'Very small, wouldn't get near your knee; it had a bright orange/yellow beak; yellowy legs; orange/brown on its crown, back and front; but was otherwise all white. It was happily amongst the Cattle.' To me, this was far from pleasing. Dipping a Little Egret was little problem, more would appear. OK, it might take a while but still, they would surely come. Dipping a Cattle Egret however, represented something much worse. Events continued to conspire until I found myself in the Cattle Egret field staring helplessly at a place that was clearly devoid of any sort of white heron. Aaron and four other observers had enjoyed views at down to ten feet. I showed each observer individually a picture of Cattle Egret from the field guide I carry around and each confirmed that it was '100%' the bird they had seen.

How could I miss it? It just didn't seem possible that I could miss a bird so magnificently, fantastically, supremely rare at the very patch I love and care for so deeply. The greatest gem it has ever unearthed and I was not there to see it. Few can tell you how completely devastating that is. It is not a feeling I would wish on any birder.

I searched for two further hours, before making matters worse by dipping the Unstead Red-rumped Swallow. I dipped it again on Saturday and had another monumental search but it had become clear this proverbial ship had sailed. To further augment my agony, I heard two Common Crossbills but could not pick them up. On Sunday I went to Stodmarsh with 'Devil Birder' where I enjoyed a Wood Sandpiper and great views of the two juvenile Night Herons.

Today, for the second time this summer I heard a Turtle Dove purring along he footpath behind School Farm's farmhouse. I just could not find it despite plentiful searching however. Should pick one up eventually (fingers crossed).

So to conclude, a period of highs and very deep lows, I have owed you a post - not an essay as I have delivered, but a post - and I hope it makes up for lost time. Over the long Summer I will hopefully split patching and birding further afield equally and get back to regular posting.

Cattle regret does not do my disgust justice.

WALBOC Patchlist: 105
WALBOC Yearlist: 103

Home Sweet Home And A Cuckoo Fest

I returned to the patch today for the first time in well over a month, actually, nearer to two. My absence is explained (but not excused) by a hectic period featuring countless exams, birthdays, cricket matches etc. So it was in high hopes that I went out today - I was hoping WALBOC would remind me of what I had missed. My plans didn't quite materialise. Aaron picked me up early and we went to Partridge Field where he said I'd be granted my best ever views of Cuckoo. He was right. A male was sitting in the middle of the bare ground. It just sat there for about 15 minutes until it was disturbed and flew a couple of metres before coming back down. I watched it through the scope, getting unbeievable views of this brilliant bird for about half an hour before going back home. I checked the field three more times throughout the day and the Cuckoo was present throughout all of them. I also enjoyed a few RLPs, a Peregrine and a couple of Hobbies over as well as a different Cuckoo, a very good return. The Cuckoo's behaviour puzzled me however. Perhaps it isn't that unusual and I have just not encountered it before but it simply sat in the middle of open, stony ground completely happy for huge periods of time. It had been doing this since Friday and had had the occasional dustbath. Not seen this before.

Full scan of the patch awaits.

June 6th

I was born bloody close to Hartlepool, could have done with being there today. White-throated Robin would have been bloody good. Instead, I was faced with the considerably less enjoyable prospect of a 2-hour Maths GCSE (don't ask). I haven't been to Boldermere since late April. Says it all. No visits means no birds.

Lucky Break On Unluckiest Day

The seemingly compulsory title 'Spotted' Flycatcher (or the many variations) was just too cliched so I went for this even more hopeless one.

Friday the 13th didn't bode especially well for birds but I had a thirty minute saunter anyway. I checked School Farm but saw nothing and so headed down the footpath that straddles the cricket pitch. There were plenty of birds about but were flitting so quickly between the dense foliage that the brief glimpses they afforded rendered them un-identifiable. Consequently I decided to settle down and wait it out. My decision was justified. Soon, a small , nondescript, streaky brown bird hopped onto a small branch just a few feet away from me. Brilliant. it soon left but before too long a different bird appeared and I had the privilege of watching two Spotted Flycatchers for a short while. They disappeared for about ten minutes before one bird showed on and off for another ten. There were two of them and the habo looks good so who knows how much more I'll be seeing of them...

All my WALBOC Spot Flys have been passage birds in Autumn at the farm on the Airfield so this was extremely unexpected.

Oddly, my last two yearticks have been small, brown, nondescript passerines but I have enjoyed them more than most.

WALBOC Patchlist: 104
WALBOC Yearlist: 102

Most Time Like The Present

For me, its been fairly dull of late. None of the Swifts have white bellies, none of the Swallows have red-rumps, and none of the thirty plus collared doves are in fact turtles (you know what I mean). May has been appaling for me. I have been to the Airfield just once, Blackmoor...just once, and I haven't been to Boldermere a single day in May due to other commitments etc. Its a horror show, an apocalyptic performance but still, its the best I can muster. 

It hasn't been all bad though, the third Common Sandpiper in four years was on Boldermere sat morning (I wasn't notified til yesterday so didn't get onto it), 2 - 3 Cuckoos can be reliably heard and less reliably seen etc. and that's with two proper visits in total in May so God knows what else there's been.

The total WALBOC 2011 Yearlist is on 112. I am on 101 so have accumulated an unhealthy-looking 90.17857143% of sightings aka disastrous.

Patchwatchers - YOU ARE NEEDED AND VERY MUCH WELCOME

Corn Does The Job

Two options faced me this morning. 1. Focus on some wedding that was apparently going on, or 2. Get up and find something good at the patch. Instead, I chose a combination. I slept til 11, realised I'd overslept and hared up to the patch. I did the usual check which was fairly quiet. Then came something I was not expecing (well I was - just not today). in birding I reckon you make your own luck, with endeavour. If you get up early and put in the hours, you get the good birds. If you don't go up the patch til midday, you shouldn't expect too much. Well, I don't know how it happened - but it did, and for that I am thankful.

1:49 p.m - I went to the farmhouse where I'd had Whinchat and Tree Sprog this year so was hoping for another good find. I managd to evade the bloody geese that have been the scourge of birding at the farmhouse and the source of many leg wounds.

1:50 p.m - bored, checked the pager, two Red-footed Falcons in Norfolk. I wondered what the chances of them turning up down here were - pretty slim I guessed.

1:51 p.m - it's nice that there's always House Sparrows about round here, nice fem there, and there and...hello!! I put the bins down and started to photograph my quarry. It stayed for a bit before flying off high east. I sent out the news - probable Corn Bunting. Nothing else I could do til I got home.

Once home, I blew it up on the comp. That's a Corn Bunt I thought. I sent the pic to Gareth Lewis to get a second opinion and the news cam back - 'reed bunt'. I was absolutely deflated. I also sent it to Devil Birder and later got the text ' that's a corn bunt mate'.

Officially, this is the fifth Surrey record since the turn of the century. However, I think WALBOC kicked up six records last year! None were submitted though, and so this remains the fifth Surrey Corn Bunting since the turn of the millenium. How's that for luck??

There will be pics of Corn Bunts, Whichats, Common Tern, Hobby etc. soon enough.

Brilliant.

WALBOC Patchlist: 103
WALBOC Yearlist: 101

Battle Begins

All the gimme's have been seen now, meaning the battle is on to get new yearticks. There are up to ten birds I would expect but wouldn't take for granted. There are five more that I would be thrilled to see but at the same time not entirely surprised at.

However, the best thing about the situation is that I will get another yeartick before the end of the year and I've seen everything expected. So something will come. And when it comes...it will be damn good.

(It could, however, be a Reed Warbler).

Swift One Hundred

I had returned from an uneventful day around when I received word from Aaron that the Cuckoo was still about and he had seen a Tree Pipit in the CTP. I couldn't go look for it, there would be more. Four hours later, when I was, of all activities to be doing when spotting birds, playing football. I saw a small-ish bird fly into the top of a tall conifer nearby and start singing its heart out. I grabbed the bins and confirmed it as a Tree Pipit. I was watching it parachute when another bird caught my attention. A Swift overhead, arriving on cue at Easter. 100. And what a bird to get it with (although I would have said that whatever I got it with. I was thrilled but also shocked in a way. I had never done a WALBOC yearlist before so thought at the start of the year that I would struggle to get to 100 in 365  days but I managed it with 220+ to spare. So, what will be next...

I am still photographing most of the birds I see and will upload them when I have more time on my hands, which will be in a while. Serious revision begins shortly.

WALBOC Patchlist: 102
WALBOC Yearlist: 100

Thick And Fast

After a four-day absence from WALBOC I had high hopes of a few year ticks in the form of migrants that had come in while I was away. First up and most expected was a Garden Warbler in the Marshes. I moved on up to Boldermere where the Boldermere blockbuster birds were in. Two Common Tern were on the rafts. I was hot and tired (it was the middle of the day and bloody hot) so I settled down in the shade to see what would turn up. After about fifteen minutes a very familiar falcon turned up. In no time at all I was watching five Hobby darting low overhead hawking. Brilliant views. I could see stuff was moving about so I settled down for a raptor watch but after a while none of the three hoped for raptors (marsh harrier, osprey and honey buzzard) showed. I moved back to the Airfield and something inspired me to check the farmhouse - I don't know what I was expecting. All I could see was House Sparrows so I turned to go back and was pleasantly surprised to see a male Whinchat flycatching. I enjoyed watching it for about half an hour and I let Gareth Lewis and Aaron Walker know about it before going home to recover from the blistering heat. Four ticks, good day.

WALBOC Patchlist: 102
WALBOC Yearlist: 98  

Cuckoo Woohoo

After four days of Shorelarks and Cranes and Blue-winged Teals around Suffolk, I was itching to get back to the patch. As soon as I arrived, I heard the most distinctive call in Britain 'Cuck-oo, Cuck-oo' (well, roughly). I headed down to the Yellow Marshes where they are fairly regular and where I suspected this bird to be. After a while, I saw it dash by and out of view, a brilliant Common Cuckoo. I love Cuckoos, hopefully there'll be a few more to see yet so I can get some pictures.

The ton is officially up, although I have seen a fair few more than this. I only started keeping an official list in September last year and that is what has reached 100. However, in truth my patchlist stands at about 115. I don't think there's anything I won't see again at some point so I'm not too bothered by it.

WALBOC Patchlist: 100
WALBOC Yearlist: 94

Mega Missed

Just as I was getting back home I got a call from Aaron 'Dartford Warbler in scrub by Watchpoint yesterday a'noon. I would have called you then but my phone was dead'. Sh*t, I raced up there as fast as I could and gave it an hour or so but there was no sign. This was my third Dartford dip in as many years. Once I arrived on the Airfield as usual to see five or so birders lined up at the Watchpoint. This is a very rare site, other birders are as scarce as Dartford Warblers round here. I got closer and saw they were packing up their scopes - never a good sign. 'What was it?' 'Dartford, showed well for about half an hour, just flew off a couple of minutes ago'. 'Bollocks.'

So much for no posting...

Update - Year Ticks and WeBS Count

Latest Year Ticks:
1 Peregrine over Bunting Field at c0945 17/04/11
1 Lesser Whitethroat Yellow Marshes 16/04/11
2 Bullfinch (floodgates have opened) hedge between RLP field and Cow Field 15/04/11 and Yellow Marsh

WeBS Count Boldermere:

2 Pochard
2 GCG
2 Mute Swan
1 Canada Goose
32 Tufted Duck
5 Mallard
2 Moorhen
4 Gadwall
44 Coot

WALBOC Patchlist: 99
WALBOC Yearlist: 93

The End

For reasons I will not divulge, I have decided to stop the blog for a while. I enjoyed it though and I'm sorry for the lack of any really good birds.

Just remember, birding is about the birds and nothing else at all.

To my readers - thanks to both of you.

Cheers,

Alex

More Of The Same

Woke up and checked the pager - nothing. Checked the phone: 'Wood Warbler Canons Farm'. God, I hate that place. Never a dull moment always a good bird (actually that's quite a good patch motto, I'll have to start using that for here although I need to find out what it is in Latin first). This year they have had Common Redstart, Ring Ouzel, Hen Harrier, Wood Warbler and probably something else good. What have we had? Err...I guess Gadwall are still quite rare? It got me thinking though, why do they turn up all these great birds and we get nothing, with as much habo and water. The answer is simple. Canons master & commander Devil Birder spends about 9 hours a day patching. I reckon he has visited the patch every day this year. Me on the other hand, I have made about forty visits all for no more than 4 or 5 hours. To sum it up, while he was finding Wood Warblers, I was asleep in bed. So truly, you snooze you lose.

My patch wasn't so bad though. First on the deck Yellow Wag of the year and it was one hell of a bird. It was so bright and colourful it actually hurt my eyes to look at it. I had to shield them from the glare. So I resolved to do this beautiful bird justice with a top notch photo. Said photo is at the top with a handy red ring around the bird to show you where it is. To clarify, I will be submitting this to YWPOTY (Yellow Wag Photographer Of The Year). Nice Buzzard on the Airfield as well. Went to the CTP in the small hope of a Firecrest or Trippit but no luck. I did however see the 'Whitethroat who will not be photographed' who sings his heart out every day in the plantation. I managed a phenomenal Wheatear site count of 26+ birds (WALBOC record?) and Aaron had our 20th Red Kite of the year (may as well go for fifty) which was on the deck on the Airfield. Most Surrey patches get the odd flyover so to get one on the deck is fairly special.

Nervous Nineties

Did the usual today with a couple of year ticks in store. A Yellow Wagtail flew low overhead on Cow Field giving its distinctive call. I hoped it would land for a photo but it kept on going out of the patch. On to Blackmoor where I was told I'd missed another Firecrest. I don't think they summer over here so I need to catch up with one soon. A solitary House Martin was amongst the Swallows on Blackmoor. I met B McG on the Airfield but nothing showed.

Back out in the afternoon to try and nab a Tree Pipit in the CTP but no luck. Maybe tomorrow.

WALBOC Patchlist: 97
WALBOC Yearlist: 90

One Sided Spectrum

A very one sided spectrum at the moment. Unbelievable numbers of Red-legs, the Black Redstart, and astonishingly, five Red Kites over today bringing the total number of Red Kite sightings for the year to 17. Having said that my only year tick of the day was not Red but a Common Whitethroat. I used this bird to enhance by blossoming reputation as a Warbler photographer extraordinaire as you can see in the third photo down. As for the other photos, one is of one of today's Red Kites, and the others are of one and then four of today's 19 Wheatear on the Airfield. A couple of shots of Red-leg as well. The first photo is of a typically Black Redstart-less Black Redstart song post something I'm getting quite good at (note the Green Sandpiper-less fringes and Little Grebe-less pond). The last photo is of a Black Redstart so Black Redstart fans don't go (stay) home too disgruntled.

WALBOC Patchlist: 96
WALBOC Yearlist: 88