TonyQ's Big Year: Number 4

[Galana]

A good trip indeed. Very nice to see the species on home territory that are somewhat harder to find in British Isles.

[Peter Connan]

Really interesting birds from the North Tony, and some stunning shots too!

[Dave Williams]

Yes, a good haul from Iceland Tony. Did you go whale watching?

 

[TonyQ]

Dave, yes, we went from Husavik. Saw a number of Humpbacks- some very close, and also a closeup Blue Whale

[Dave Williams]

We had an excellent trip from there too. The blow from one Humpback was so close we were all sprayed! No Blue Whales for us but there were 3 different Humpbacks.

[michael-ibk]

Love your Iceland Collection Tony. Beautiful shots, and many birds I´ve never seen!

[Kitsafari]

all caught up now, and such amazing photos of the birds. the red-throated divers looked almost unreal and that's a beautiful mirror photo of the fulmar. 

[TonyQ]

@Kitsafari @michael-ibk @Zim Girl @Peter Connan @Galana @Dave Williams  thank you

@xelas thank you - and a few photos for you before I put up some more birds!

 

View from Hotel at Myvatn

 

 

 

 

 

Typical busy road!

 

[TonyQ]

Back to the UK, not much around, so a few not very good photos collected - and saved in the hope of better

 

346.UK101. Common Tern  Sterna hirundo  

On a nesting raft, Upton Warren, Worcestershire           17.07.2019

Edited August 28, 2019 by TonyQ

[TonyQ]

347.UK102. Skylark  Alauda arvensis

Grimley, Worcestershire         21.06.2019

We have seen these in the UK before, but this is the first time we have seen one locally. We found it by hearing it singing - but it was singing in the grass rather than in a display flight.

Edited August 28, 2019 by TonyQ

[TonyQ]

348.UK103. House Martin  Delichon urbica   

Holte, Worcestershire 21.06.2019

Holte, Worcestershire 21.06.2019

Edited August 28, 2019 by TonyQ

[TonyQ]

UK104. Green Sandpiper  Tringa ochropus   

Already seen in India

Upton Warren, Worcestershire           22.08.2019

Upton Warren, Worcestershire           22.08.2019

[TonyQ]

349.UK105. Red-legged Partridge  Alectoris rufa      

Near Coney Meadow, Worcestershire            22.08.2019

This was on a single track road. Just as we saw it, a car came in the opposite direction. Luckily it reversed to a passing point and we were able to grab a few shots from our car. Most of my photos were rubbish but this one was OK

[Tdgraves]

@TonyQ your second green looks common....

[Dave Williams]

Agreed, it's a different bird Tony.

 

[xelas]

Beautiful landscape shots, @TonyQ! Thanks!

[TonyQ]

@Tdgraves @Dave Williams Thanks for that 

@xelas thank you

[Peter Connan]

Those are magnificent landscapes Tony!

[TonyQ]

I have been on 349 for a long time, so here is one I took in February to bring up a round number! I hoped for better......

 

350.UK106. Goldcrest  Regulus regulus        

Moseley Bog, Birmingham      03.02.2019

[xelas]

4 hours ago, TonyQ said:

one I took in February

You should not leave it in the folder for so long, @TonyQ, as this is a nice photo of a bird I have not even saw yet, less so to photographed it ... and it is already October tomorrow.

[Galana]

On 9/30/2019 at 1:23 PM, TonyQ said:

so here is one I took in February

Well at least the Gold does not tarnish even when neglected.

Congrats on the rounding up to another milestone.

[TonyQ]

@xelas  thank you - I was hoping to get a photo that showed the gold crest, but nevermind!

@Galana thank you1

 

We visited Kenya early in September 2019. (This was our second trip to Kenya. Our first, in January 2016 was when we first really got into birding.)

Areas visited were:

A full day visit to Nairobi National Park (with Ben from www.bensecologicalsafaris.com)

3 nights at Porini Amboseli camp, which is in the Selenkay Conservancy. Our trip here also included a one day visit to Amboseli National Park.

4 nights at Kicheche Mara Camp, which is in Mara North Conservancy? Our trip here also included a one day visit to the Masai Mara National Reserve.

Mara Naboisho Conservancy

4 nights at Kicheche Valley Camp which is in the Mara Naboisho Conservancy.

 

351.K1. African Blue Flycatcher          Elminia longicauda

Kicheche Mara Camp (Mara North)    09.09.2019

 

A stream runs alongside the camp, and there is a small bridge that crosses the stream leading to the pickup point for the vehicles. We saw this down near the stream as we were birding near the middle of the day. In deep shade but a very pretty bird.

[TonyQ]

352.K2. African Darter Anhinga rufa   

Nairobi National Park  04.09.2019

[TonyQ]

353.K3. African Fish Eagle     Haliaeetus vocifer

Kicheche Mara Camp (Mara North)    09.09.2019

This was taken from the sitting area in front of our tent. It was the only good view of a Fish Eagle that we had during this trip.

[TonyQ]

354.K4. African Grey Flycatcher         Bradornis microrhynchus microhynchus        

Mara North Conservancy        08.09.2019