Galana's. Third big year.

[Galana]

Concluding my short trip with a tour of the Galloway highlands failed to produce the sought after Pink foot, or much else to be blunt.

And so with a score stuck on 298 we packed up the cottage and started the drive home. We had plenty of time so took a turn through Dumfries (The fabled Queen of the South and one time home of Rabbie Burns.) where I found the Goosanders at home by the Caul and bettered my earlier offering from June.

Goosander. Whitesands Car park. Dumfries.

Caerlaverock held numerous Barnacles but the Pinkfeet were off feeding in the hills no doubt.

 

Nothing for it.

Would I find what I sought at Leighton Moss?

Straight to the Eric Morcambe Hide at the saltings. Innumerable Greylags, many Pintail, Teal and Shovellers but no Pink feet.

However checking out some distant Godwits I noticed some smaller waders on the left...

A pair came closer and there goes #299.

299. (Red) Knot. Leighton Moss.

And as often happens I later discovered I had not counted my earlier Godwits as I could not tell if they were Bar-tailed or Black-tailed.

These were clearly Black-tailed which showed well as they did their fly bys.

So....

300 became the Black-tailed Godwit.

The Pinkfoot lives to be captured another day.

 

Time for home. That's the boat I need to catch next time it passes.

Home for domestics but the year has 43 days to run.  Run Rabbit run!

 

[TonyQ]

Well done. Determination reaches 300

[Peter Connan]

Congratulations Fred!

 

I personally think leucistics and such should get bonus points...

[pedro maia]

Congratulations on the 300, you still have plenty of time for more!!

Edited November 18, 2019 by pedro maia

[xelas]

Fine count, Fred, #300 is good but it will be double that next year !

[Tdgraves]

Well done on 300

[PeterHG]

Congratulations  on a well-deserved #300! 

[Kitsafari]

Godwits to boost the count! Congrats on the 300th. 

[Galana]

Thanks all for the comments and for bearing up with my ramblings thus far.

There may be more to come.

[TonyQ]

49 minutes ago, Galana said:

 and for bearing up with my ramblings thus far.

There may be more to come.

I certainly hope so........

[Dave Williams]

Pleased to see you notched up your target 300 Fred. Can you catch the leader of the pack ? In with a chance I think!!

 

[Galana]

4 hours ago, Dave Williams said:

Can you catch the leader of the pack ? In with a chance I think!!

That would be pushing it hard but who knows? Trouble is I saw quite a few of the usual suspects in Namibia and only one LBR is allowed.

Also I am going for some 'specials' even though they only count for one BY tick.

But whilst the top podium may be a big step I feel I can/might close the gap on some of the field in the final  run in to the tape.

[TonyQ]

@Galana  where are you off to now?

[Galana]

3 hours ago, TonyQ said:

where are you off to now?

Zambia. My first time back for ten years.

Having witnessed some awesome leopard kills there I hope that like my Avatur a long slow stalk followed by a lightning and powerful charge might pay off.

[PeterHG]

That sounds exciting! Soon, I hope? Have a great trip then!

[Galana]

3 hours ago, PeterHG said:

Soon, I hope?

A week on Tuesday. 3rd December. I believe you are elsewhere around then so have a good one too.

[xelas]

 

Oh, two top birders going to birding trips end of the year ... this BY2019 will not finish that soon ... or that easy for current leaders!

[Galana]

12 hours ago, xelas said:

this BY2019 will not finish that soon

Well I won't hold anything up. Back Jan 2nd. Should have posted all by the week unless I just drip feed you all to keep you alert. But I can't linger as I will be packing to head out to the Pearl in February.

I cannot really see me making the leaders nervous.

[michael-ibk]

Contratulations on #300 Fred, well done. Have a fantastic time in Zambia - not jealous at all here!

[Galana]

Thanks @michael-ibk .

As you know both Zambia and Uganda are both excellent for old Bootface so just to whet your appetite and to show @xelas our high standards I attach a photo so that you all know in advance what is expected for Zvezda and him in February.  A tripod is just an encumbrance on our trips.

[xelas]

4 hours ago, Galana said:

A tripod is just an encumbrance on our trips.

No tripod but double the firepower ... we must come back with a significant amount of photos to scare The Tortoise for the rest of the year !

[Galana]

17 hours ago, xelas said:

to scare The Tortoise for the rest of the year !

Well we for sure did not scare him this year but surely he is not the only one in your sights?

 

Be careful that extra firepower does not overload the Makoro and scare the birdies.

[Soukous]

18 hours ago, xelas said:

No tripod but double the firepower ... we must come back with a significant amount of photos to scare The Tortoise for the rest of the year !

 

Oh dear, it is hard enough to try and keep up with all the dynamic duos, now there's a terrific trio to contend with. 

[Galana]

7 hours ago, Soukous said:

now there's a terrific trio to contend with. 

Fear not Martin.

Just two teams temporarily sharing the same ground.

[Dave Williams]

On 11/28/2019 at 7:38 PM, xelas said:

No tripod but double the firepower ... we must come back with a significant amount of photos to scare The Tortoise for the rest of the year !

 

Ah so @xelas doesn't hold high ambitions for 2020 then!!!