Galana's fourth effort. "Never mind the quality feel the width".

[Peter Connan]

[PeterHG]

[Galana]

Today's offering from 15th & 23rd March is:-

 

333/33M.  Eurasian Coot.

Probably the same bird on both days as it is one of a pair on this small Dubh that I pass regularly (or did! )

 

[Galana]

Making progress through my few sorties on the Island since my return from Uganda I can offer this today.

334/34M.  Common Gull. I would have waited for a better one in Scotland but that trip is off.

 

In response to Dave's @Dave Williams query as to how we all cope with our lock down.

I have no garden at all although I have sea views to the front and Municipal Park to the rear complete with lake.

I may grab some  passing birds, House Martins nest in my eaves but have yet to arrive, Jackdaws and Starlings too so not much joy there.

Happily I have a couple of webcams I take an interest in and the big news yesterday was that Lotte (Eagle Owl in Eifel mountains) hatched her first Owlet with one egg to go.).

No sign of hatching with the Nottingham University Peregrines yet but it must be any day now. 3 eggs all different colours.

[Galana]

The lockdown continues.

 

Here are some Gannets off the shore in March. Depending on conditions they come right inshore so if they appear off my lounge I will try for better on the next few high spring tides.

335/35M  Gannet or Solan Goose.

 

Nice to see @Dave Williams's patch.

Here is mine taken just this morning especially for you.

 

I daresay with a big enough lens I could find a few shorebirds or the odd sparrow to post but they have already been counted. High tides come right up to the grass.

 

I have seen Golden-eye and Egrets on the lake.

The mountain in the distance is Snaefell. 'Snow Mountain'. Our highest peak. Of course "they" have to spoil it by sticking up a communications tower.

The woods to the far right are Sky Hill the site of the Norse conquest.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Skyhill

Well if I can't find any birds I can do history to keep busy.

 

 

[pedro maia]

Nice views, what kind of movement limitations do you have right now?

[PeterHG]

Wonderful views from where you live, Fred! Interesting article about the history of Sky Hill, too. Thanks for showing us and keep safe and healthy over there.

Edited April 13, 2020 by PeterHG

[TonyQ]

An even better view in daylight!

[Galana]

2 hours ago, pedro maia said:

what kind of movement limitations do you have right now

See for yourself.

All borders closed and nailed shut. NO pax on our twice daily ferry.

Literally nobody allowed in or out.

The usual closure of non essential shops bars etc.,

Social distancing and outside exercise restricted.

And still some idiots think they can do as they please.

http://www.iomtoday.co.im/article.cfm?id=55052&headline=Two charged with Covid-19 related offences&sectionIs=news&searchyear=2020&cat=Crime

 

Thanks for the good wishes and comments on my "garden".

[Soukous]

2 hours ago, Galana said:

Nice to see @Dave Williams's patch.

Here is mine taken just this morning especially for you.

 

I think I prefer yours, one can imagine there are no boundaries

[Dave Williams]

Looks lovely Fred, a hint of days gone past too. The park looks in top notch condition where so many have fallen in to neglect in other places.

You also have the advantage of the Isle of Man being a tax haven too of course but the downside is I presume some things are more expensive, you also have the expense of escaping the island too. It's not a competition but I think I'll stay where I am but since I haven't been to the island since 1973 when they used to run a boat from Llandudno to Douglas maybe it's time I took another look. You have some great birds over there including Hen Harrier and , if I'm not mistaken an escapee Eagle Owl?

[Galana]

The Park is the town's pride and joy. Maintained at Ratepayers expense by Commissioners with sense.

 

Ha ha. To benefit from a "Tax Haven" one needs some cash to start with. I don't think my meagre Post Office Savings book will lure many Financial Advisers to my door.

There are still boats to/from Llandudno in the summer but I doubt it will come this year.

Planes and ferries from Liverpool in 'normal times. There is some bloke on "Safari Pal" over here that would look after you.

Was it an Eagle Owl? I know about the Great Horned Owl a couple of years back that was at large for a while with the 'owner' doing little to retrieve it. Then Government gave him 14 days or it would become their property and dealt with. Which I understand was what happened. It's OK. It was caught and sold across.

Edited April 14, 2020 by Galana

[Galana]

Further to the above may I just mention 'our' Hen Harriers. They have suffered these last few years due to two causes. Evidently they migrate to/from the UK and of course have been subject to the illegal persecution on that island.

The nests are also subject to disturbance over here by a mixture of illegal off road motor cyclists and thoughtless ramblers. One good thing to come from the current lock down is that these activities have ceased so perhaps this years crop of nestlings may do a lot better. During the Foot and Mouth outbreak in UK a few years back all island farmers reported that the yield of lambs was up 20% due to less disturbance at a week end.

 

And with that thought I give today's offering for my less than awesome Big Year.

336/36M. Eider Drakes.

[Soukous]

7 minutes ago, Galana said:

I give today's offering for my less than awesome Big Year.

 

Hah! Your less than awesome BY has still racked up 336 species by the middle of April. That's 4 more than I managed in the whole of 2019.

[Galana]

On 4/14/2020 at 2:07 PM, Soukous said:

Hah! Your less than awesome BY has still racked up 336 species by the middle of April.

Who said it was over?

Mind you it has come to something when I have to go after a bloody sparrer.

 

337/37M. House Sparrow.

[Soukous]

1 hour ago, Galana said:

Who said it was over?

 

I am sure it is by no means over, just on stand by.

[Galana]

On 4/15/2020 at 5:46 PM, Soukous said:

I am sure it is by no means over, just on stand by.

That's one way of looking at it.

Well standby for the next one.

338/38. Common Guillemot.

 

 

[Galana]

On 4/13/2020 at 12:13 PM, Galana said:

Depending on conditions they come right inshore so if they appear off my lounge I will try for better

No sooner said on Monday than done on Friday.

Not brilliant, I tried both IS0 200 and 800 but at least they came. The tide was only half full but it beats TV.

 

I am now told my Great Cormorant (174.) should be "White-breasted"  P.c. lucidus.

Do I change anything or leave well alone as I am not a splitter even though I could get another 'tick' by  leaning out of my lounge window?

What does the team think?

 

[xelas]

12 minutes ago, Galana said:

What does the team think?

 

I have changed it as I have a carbo already from Europe . Be careful with ticks, ours are highly contaminated .

[PeterHG]

Lean of your window and collect your well-deserved tick, I say! Don't lean out too far, though, the lockdown might not protect you there.

[Galana]

Well the window shots were rubbish, not that these are spectacular but needs must.

Went downstairs to the car park and washed my hands afterwards.

 

339/39 Flying Rats. Feral domesticus.

 

 

[Kitsafari]

Feral flying rats! never thought i would see it in this BY thread!

 

a very belated congrats on the 300th. Only just had a bit of time catching up with some BY threads, and i've lost track of all the TRs now. 

[Galana]

Well the island may be freeing up some restrictions on movement next week (and I do hope it is not TOO soon) so I will get out for some 'exercise' at last.

In the meantime my birdwatching is being done remotely.

Hows this for week old Owlets? Rapacious little beggars. They have consumed three Mallard and a Pheasant that I can count plus numerous rabbits and rats.

Cast list. Leo and Lotte. The mouse just gets a cameo appearance.

[pedro maia]

18 minutes ago, Galana said:

Well the island may be freeing up some restrictions on movement next week (and I do hope it is not TOO soon) so I will get out for some 'exercise' at last.

In the meantime my birdwatching is being done remotely.

Hows this for week old Owlets? Rapacious little beggars. They have consumed three Mallard and a Pheasant that I can count plus numerous rabbits and rats.

Cast list. Leo and Lotte. The mouse just gets a cameo appearance.

 

Lockdown is takin a toll on everybody´s belly...

[Galana]

I was got out of the house this morning when they were changing the guards so headed up to the coast.

What a change in five weeks. Bluebells are out, Swallows are here and so are the warblers.

The darn Whitethroats were just too sneaking and jumpy and the plaster on my trigger finger did not help.

Tide was out, can't win, so the Terns were too far even for me.

But it was good to be out. I might do it again if I don't get locked up.

340. Northern Wheatear. Smeale Ayres.

 

341. Willow Warbler. Never seen one in a Willow yet.   Ballakesh.

 

342. Moorhen. Ballaghennie Farm. Sorry about the gate bar.

 

I did get a Whitethroat but even I can do better than an EBC.