B.Y. 2019. The Tortoise rules!

[Dave Williams]

37)Rock Sparrow

I had only ever seen a single specimen in the past and that was in Spain too. We had a whole flock here!

Rock Sparrow  Petronia petronia by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[Dave Williams]

38)Serin

The first opportunity to photograph these gorgeous little birds at close quarters.They only came in to drink, not to feed and they were quickly set upon by the bully wagtails so you had to be quick!

 European Serin  Serinus serinus by Dave Williams, on Flickr

and so did they.

European Serin  Serinus serinus by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[Dave Williams]

39) Song Thrush

One of only two seen during eight days in Spain.Nice to get a close view.

Song Thrush Turdus philomelos by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[TonyQ]

Great photos from Spain- the Black Wheatear especially.

I think the White Wagtail is fair enough in Spain, but in Birmingham it is Pied 

Edited February 5, 2019 by TonyQ

[Dave Williams]

40)Grey Wagtail

Another seen just the once at this hide, and on only one other occasion. I see them more regularly at home, there again we have more water!

Grey Wagtail  Motacilla cinerea by Dave Williams, on Flickr

 

[Dave Williams]

41) Goldfinch

There were lots flitting around but just the one actually gave me a photo opportunity when it came in to drink.

European Goldfinch   Carduelis carduelis by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[Dave Williams]

42) Crested Lark

A reasonably common species, one or two visited a couple of the hides we used, I even saw one in the hotel car park too.

Crested Lark  Galerida cristata by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[Dave Williams]

43) Sardinian Warbler

The last species from our first day in the quarry hide and one that gave me a lot of satisfaction. I spent hours trying to get a decent image when in Corfu last year and failed as they were just too furtive and quick flying from bush diving straight in to cover.

Sardinian Warbler  Sylvia melanocephala by Dave Williams, on Flickr

They were quick here too, dashing in to grab food then off again

Sardinian Warbler  Sylvia melanocephala by Dave Williams, on Flickr

We had quite a lot of visits to try though!

Sardinian Warbler  Sylvia melanocephala by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[Zim Girl]

Stunning pictures of the Sardinian Warbler, Dave.  You have come back with a lovely selection of birds so far.

[Peter Connan]

Really great photography so far this year!

[Dave Williams]

44) Collard Dove

One I missed from day one but as I'm posting a blog too I won't add much more info on each species.

Eurasian Collared Dove  Streptopelia decaocto by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[Galana]

The 2nd Sardinian Warbler gets my vote. Stunning quality.

[Dave Williams]

45)Great Northern Diver

A mid week trip to Anglesey,North Wales for some "proper" birding. First stop near Holyead gave us Great Northern Diver reasonably close in, the photo reveals it's sadly tangled up in fishing line.

Great Northern Diver  Gavia immer by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[Dave Williams]

46) Hooded Crow

These two were being very furtive hiding on the roof of a retail outlet in Holyhead. No prizes for guessing where!

Seen regularly in Ireland these were the first `I have seen in Wales.

Hooded Crow  Corvus cornix by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[Dave Williams]

47) Barnacle Goose

Moving south to a recent acquisition by the RSPB, the new reserve of Cors Ddyga. A customer of mine who lived nearby died and left the RSPB their biggest legacy of over £18,000,000. I note that nowhere is her name mentioned in acknowledgement other, I'm told, than in the book of remembrance at their HQ. If that was her request fair enough but  otherwise.....

Anyway, it's a huge wetland area that attracts much wildfowl including on this visit two uncommon birds in North Wales.

A single Barnacle Goose

Barnacle Goose  Branta leucopsis by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[Dave Williams]

and  48) Whooper Swan

 

Whooper Swan  Cygnus cygnus by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[Dave Williams]

49) Water Rail

We returned to Bangor Pier where we had been earlier in the hope of photographing Red-necked Grebe.  We moved on when it didn't show and by the time we returned it was a tiny dot in the distance having earlier been right below the pier. Too far to even attempt a picture, would have been a lifer but hopefully it might stick around.

Instead we visited a local reserve known as The Spinnies hoping for Common Kingfisher. We failed on that but scored with Water Rail.

Water Rail  Rallus aquaticus by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[TonyQ]

Good to see Nort Wales producing for you!

[Galana]

22 minutes ago, Dave Williams said:

hiding on the roof of a retail outlet in Holyhead.

So even the Hoodies are shy of using those places to eat. Wise birds. I know how they feel.

You certainly had some excellent luck on your outing. You got your Whoopers at last and the Water Rail was almost compensation for dipping on the RN Grebe with that great shot.

Shame about the GNDiver's problem.

[Dave Williams]

50) Blackbird

Back to Spain for this common species.

Common Blackbird Turdus merula by Dave Williams, on Flickr

and the female

Common Blackbird Turdus merula by Dave Williams, on Flickr

Edited February 8, 2019 by Dave Williams

[Dave Williams]

51) Mistle Thrush

Mistle  Thrush Turdus viscivorus by Dave Williams, on Flickr

Edited February 8, 2019 by Dave Williams

[Dave Williams]

52) Rock Bunting

7M3A3842 by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[Dave Williams]

53) Cirl Bunting

Cirl Bunting Emberiza cirlus by Dave Williams, on Flickr

and female

7M3A3924 by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[Dave Williams]

54)Chaffinch

again in Spain but common throughout Europe.

Common Chaffinch  Fringilla coelebs by Dave Williams, on Flickr

and female

Common Chaffinch  Fringilla coelebs by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[Dave Williams]

55) Brambling

Brambling  Fringilla montifringilla by Dave Williams, on Flickr