Faulty starter motor, but I'll get it fixed . Soukous BY 2020

[Soukous]

13 minutes ago, Kitsafari said:

yay you got the barnie

 

I did indeed Kit, and I think these are the best photos I've managed to get of a Barn Owl so far, even allowing for the uninspiring perch. I'm a happy boy. Now I can look for something else.

[Soukous]

I visited a friend this morning to deliver some supplies ( he is high risk and cannot leave his house) and he mentioned at birding spot a few miles down the road from his place. Weird, I've driven past it so many times over the years and never thought to take a look. 

He told me that Slavonian Grebes had been seen there recently so I thought I'd better take a look.

 

No Grebes for me (yet) but I did pick up a few additions.

 

#135 - Reed Warbler - Acrocephalus scirpaceus - (FTP #49)

Bawdsey, Suffolk. UK. May 2020

 

For the record, I am not confident of this ID.

 

 

Edited May 9, 2020 by Soukous

[Soukous]

#136 - Pochard - Aythya ferina - (FTP #50)

Bawdsey, Suffolk. May 2020

 

 

 

and Mrs Pochard

 

Edited May 9, 2020 by Soukous

[Soukous]

#137 - Tufted Duck - Aythya fuligula - (FTP #51)

Bawdsey, Suffolk. May 2020

 

It took me a while to decide on the ID for this. There is no apparent tuft, and I had it marked down as a Scaup for quite a while, but I think there's a bit too much black on the bill for a Scaup and the distribution makes me think it is more likely to be the Tufted Duck.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 9, 2020 by Soukous

[Soukous]

#138 - Barn Swallow - Hirundo rustica

Bawdsey, Suffolk. May 2020

 

 

 

 

[Galana]

Nice day out in the sunshine.

Your Reed Warbler and Tufty are good.

The latter male's back is black rather than grey and Mrs T is showing a slight crest. Mrs Scaup would normally have a white patch on her 'ear' at this time of year.

[Soukous]

10 hours ago, Galana said:

Your Reed Warbler and Tufty are good.

 

Woo Hoo!

[Soukous]

No Barn Owl this morning, but I did see these guys in the road. I've been trying ot get them for ages but as soon as I get close they run for it. Standing in the middle of the road is not the ideal background, but I'll take it for now.

 

#139 - Red-legged Partridge - Alectoris rufa - (FTP #52)

Ufford, Suffolk. UK. May 2020

 

 

 

Edited May 10, 2020 by Soukous

[michael-ibk]

Love the Barn Owl and the Partridge, great sightings and shots!

[Zim Girl]

Lovely Barn Owl!

[Soukous]

After a couple of days of strong (and very cold) winds we enjoyed a beautiful sunny morning today. Much too nice to stay inside.

 

#140 - Whitethroat - Sylvia communis - (FTP #53)

Bawdsey, Suffolk. May 2020

 

 

 

 

they were in fine voice this morning

 

[Soukous]

#141 - Corn Bunting - Emberiza calandra - (FTP #54)

Bawdsey, Suffolk. May 2020

 

 

 

[Soukous]

I couldn't resist posting this quote from @Kitsafari

She added this comment on my BY in 2016 after I posted a Goldfinch.

 

"there are so many beautiful colourful birds in other countries. I wish more migratory birds would come through our little island. "

 

After your amazing collection for BY 2019 Kit, I think you have your fair share of colourful birds, migratory or not.

[Kitsafari]

.2016! Well before I was lured to the tweety-bird world. Little did I know then. 

 

 

[Galana]

46 minutes ago, Kitsafari said:

Well before I was lured to the tweety-bird world.

There is no known cure!

[TonyQ]

@Soukous a beautiful set of Whitethroat photos 

[Peter Connan]

I say who needs beautiful colourful birds if you can take photos like that!

Fortunately I am already known to be hypocrite...

[Soukous]

I am gaining an appreciation of small brown birds, that's for sure. 😅

[PeterHG]

Excellent Whitethroat photos! I did not know you still had Corn Buntings over there.

[Soukous]

38 minutes ago, PeterHG said:

Excellent Whitethroat photos! I did not know you still had Corn Buntings over there.

 

Thanks Peter. In my ignorance I did not realise they (Corn Buntings) were so rare. 

Although when I met another bird photographer who had come out specifically to look for them and asked me if I had seen any. I felt very 'clever' ( well, perhaps smug is a better word) when I told him exactly where he could find the Corn Buntings he was seeking.

 

Strangely they frequent one little patch of brambles where 2 footpaths intersect. They were in the same place last year as well.

 

I'll never forget the spot either as a very angry, abusive, farmer came up and told me that I was on private land. He refused to accept that it is a public footpath/right of way and that birders stand on that same spot just about every day. 

I did have a map in my pocket which I could have used to show him the footpath clearly marked, but social distancing rules, and his attitude, meant that was not possible. 

 

 

[Soukous]

After seeing the latest posts from @PeterHG I think that my Whitethroat (Sylvia communis) #140, may actually be a Lesser Whitethroat (Sylvia curruca) based on the dark cheek patch. 

 

What do you think @Galana

Edited May 13, 2020 by Soukous

[Galana]

1 hour ago, Soukous said:

What do you think @Galana

I think that is a very nice young Common Whitethroat whose head plumage is getting blown by the wind.

Sorry. The Lesser has grey back and primaries.

[Soukous]

3 minutes ago, Galana said:

I think that is a very nice young Common Whitethroat whose head plumage is getting blown by the wind.

Sorry. The Lesser has grey back and primaries.

 

Don't apologise, I'm happy with my Common Whitethroat. 

[Soukous]

Hmm, somehow I missed this one from my South Africa postings.

No matter, it can go on now.

 

#142 - Cape Wagtail - Motacilla capensis

Sani Pass, South Africa. Feb 2020

 

 

 

[Soukous]

which leads nicely into ...

 

#143 - Grey Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea

Levington, Suffolk. May 2020