TonyQ Big Year Number 5

[Galana]

6 hours ago, PeterHG said:

I'll just repeat my likes, too ;))

Yup. I repeated all mine too.

Double the ticks too. I would.

Something weird on happening on the Forum at the moment.

[michael-ibk]

Congrats on #250 Tony, really beautiful photos. Especially like the Dunlin and the Sanderling - and the Reedling of course, one of my favourite birds.

[elefromoz]

Well done on 250. Pleased you managed to make the break in time, looks like another great bird spot. What a stunner that Bearded (shouldn't that be "moustached") Tit is. We once had a cricketer called Merv Hughes, he had a similar mo.

[TonyQ]

@PeterHG@Galana@michael-ibk@elefromozthank you

I remember Merve Hughes and agree on the moustache!

 

251.UK.118. Grey Plover  Pluvialis squatarola          

Titchwell Marsh Beach, Norfolk          14.10.20

Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk    15.10.20

[TonyQ]

252.UK.119. Knot  Calidris canutus   

Titchwell Marsh Beach, Norfolk          14.10.20

Titchwell Marsh Beach, Norfolk          14.10.20

[TonyQ]

253.UK.120. Marsh Harrier  Circus aeruginosus       

Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk          14.10.20

Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk          14.10.20

We didn't get any good views of Marsh Harriers on this trip (a bit of a surprise) so we had to make do with a distant very heavy crop!

[TonyQ]

254.UK.121. Pink-footed Goose  Anser brachyrhynchus      

Holkham, Norfolk        14.10.20

Showing their Pink Feet!, Holkham, Norfolk        14.10.20

[TonyQ]

Another couple of duplicates

Meadow Pipit

Red-legged Partridge

[TonyQ]

255.UK.122. Red-throated Diver  Gavia stellata        

Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk    14.10.20

Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk    14.10.20

We actually saw this bird from our balcony! The photos were taken from downstairs just in front of the apartment as it allowed us to be a bit closer. Only the second we have seen in the UK.

[TonyQ]

256.UK.123. Purple Sandpiper  Calidris maritima    

New bird for us

Salthouse Marshes, Norfolk    11.10.20

Salthouse Marshes, Norfolk    11.10.20

Very pleased to see a new bird

That is the last bird from the Norfolk trip. We were very lucky with the timing of this and it does give us a mental lift before winter and further lockdown.

[Galana]

A successful trip. A Red throat from the Door is to be envied.

[PeterHG]

More beautiful additions!

[elefromoz]

On 11/12/2020 at 1:52 AM, TonyQ said:

it does give us a mental lift before winter and further lockdown.

Good planning, hope it doesn't last too long for you

[Dave Williams]

Nice images in there and your duplicates would suit me nicely too. A good score all things considered, well done.

[TonyQ]

@Galana @PeterHG@elefromoz@Dave Williamsthank you

 

Another couple to add, but first a dupliicate Buzzard, seen on a local walk

 

We often see them flying fairly high over the city, but it is not so common to see them sitting in a tree.

[TonyQ]

UK.124. Kingfisher  Alcedo atthis  

(Already seen in Malaysia)

So we reached November without a good sighting of a Kingfisher

 

So the first day of our new lockdown (you can go for excercise)   Walking around Earlswood lakes, we saw a stunning flash of bright blue as a Kingfisher flew right in front of us, lit up by the sun. We tried to track it down and eventually MrsQ saw it on an island in the middle of the lake -so very distant

Earlswood, nr Birmingham      05.11.20 

But it is surprising what a lift to the spirits seeing such a bird can give!

Next day we went for a walk around a local park area. A small river runs along one edge of the park and we were delighted to see

     

near Trittiford Pool, Birmingham         06.11.20

near Trittiford Pool, Birmingham         06.11.20

near Trittiford Pool, Birmingham         06.11.20

Still fairly distant, but in nice light. Again a really positive lift from seeing it. We had seen kingfishers flying along this river before but have not such a clear view here before.

[TonyQ]

257.UK.125 Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros    

 

Birmingham     19.11.20

We returned in the hope of a second view.Birmingham     22.11.20

This is about a mile away from where we live. It is a residential street. The interesting thing is that in January 2019 we saw a Black Redstart in front of the same house (they have some feeders in the front garden.)

 

On the second visit, a young boy from the house came and talked to us about the bird. He said it had been coming for three years and they really enjoyed seeing it. He told us quite a lot about it. Then his mother cam out and started talking about the bird. She said her little daughter had put a sheet over a table to make a hide so that she could take a photo of the bird without scaring it (a budding bird photographer). She said that her two children "adore the bird" - and that the adults were very fond of it as well.

(We may go and look in January to see if it is still around for Big Year 2021!)

[Galana]

18 minutes ago, TonyQ said:

We may go and look in January to see if it is still around for Big Year 2021!)

Sounds like a good plan.

Lovely photos of both species.

[PeterHG]

Beautiful photos and great story with the redstart!

[Towlersonsafari]

i really like the Black Redstart-have only ever seen one and that was a long way away!

[Zim Girl]

Lovely shots of the Kingfisher and the Redstart story is great.

[elefromoz]

@TonyQgreat luck with the Kingfisher, back in November. I agree, seeing a lovely little Bird, an unusual one even better, going about its business is uplifting (as long as you're not getting too frustrated by everything else going on around you).  Ive enjoyed your lovely photos and following along on your local trips this year. 

[Kitsafari]

Beautiful redstart! good plan for tomorrow, or, alright, for Saturday to kickstart your next BY list!

 

 

[Galana]

Another one egging you on to get our early for that BlackRedstart.

A good year lies ahead.

[xelas]

On 11/30/2020 at 11:11 AM, TonyQ said:

(We may go and look in January to see if it is still around for Big Year 2021!)

 

Just a quick reminder that both January and BY2021 are starting in less than 4 hours ! Happy Birding, @TonyQ!