Galana's Fifth - The only way from here is UP!

[Galana]

5 hours ago, Kitsafari said:

Sorry I've hijacked your BY thread. 

You have good cause.

[Galana]

On 5/18/2021 at 7:47 AM, elefromoz said:

@Galana, so much going on there on your little island.

Stay tooned. It gets better.

I went off to our only City to see if I could add Kittiwake to my list. Failed.

So I practiced more EBC with flying shots. BIFEBC. Another Vowel and there could scope for an anagram there.

Northern Fulmars. (071)

 

And while I was leaning on the harbour wall I was joined by a friend who posed nicely.

Black Guillemot.(054) I cannot see enough of these lovely birds.

 

A Pipit on a rock. Rock Pipit. Simples.

The morning was not yet done.

 

[Soukous]

Beautifully focused on the back end of the Black Guillemot and the Rock Pipit. Most people aim for the front, but each to their own. 

[Galana]

24 minutes ago, Soukous said:

Most people aim for the front, but each to their own. 

Remember who you are dealing with. Why should Eyeshine and sharp bills get all the limelight? You can always count on me for a good tail.

[Galana]

I promised the day was not done although perhaps the birding was.

However I thought to share some other excitement.

I was left leaning over the harbour wall wondering where all the Kittiwakes had gone when I heard a sharp output of breath.

Dolphins!

This longshot clearly shows three with a small newborn to the left.

 

There is a definite size difference in the two larger ones too..

They cruised by as I picked up my jaw so indulge me. Bottle nosed Dolphins are not often seen in Summer here..I would not have been surprised to see Common Dolphins or even Risso's  at this time of year but not Bottle-nosed.

Here we can glimpse the smaller one alongside 'mum'.

But is that an even smaller one close in to her left?

Just cruising. Or is she?

Note the increased 'wake' as she accelerates to snatch her prey.

Fresh Mackerel . Very nice.

 

A final wave from juvenile and I left them to it.

 

A bit of research and I know for sure I had been entertained by "Moonlight" and her 18 month old Calf "Starlight".

Born locally in August-September 2019 but there was a third animal. I think this calf is too small to be "Starlight" who would now be 20 months old and weaned. I will check if Moonlight could have already borne another.

 

So how do I know it is/was "Moonlight"?

Two notches at the top rear of the dorsal. Her story is interesting. The people studying the famous Moray Forth  (Inverness) Dolphins saw photos of this lady and ID's her as 'one of theirs' who had gone missing. Well if you will name an animal "Moonlight" you should not be surprised if it does one!

So Moonlight came to live in our waters two years ago. Obviously liked the place and decided to stay and meet a Manxman and raise kids. There is a lot of it about.

Our Bottle-nosed Dolphins commute to and from Cardigan Bay (West Wales) so it is nice to have a nice Scots lassie come and join us.

More details on what can be seen around our coasts can be found here...

https://mwdwresidentbottlenose.weebly.com/

Time to get back to birds before @Game Wardenreminds me of what this thread is meant to be about.

[xelas]

That was one extraordinary encounter, and many thanks for sharing it with us, @Galana!

[Soukous]

16 hours ago, Galana said:

Time to get back to birds before @Game Wardenreminds me of what this thread is meant to be about.

 

Don't worry, he's keeping a low profile in case he gets mistaken for a member of the invading tourist horde 

[Zim Girl]

What a wonderful dolphin encounter!

[Peter Connan]

Stunning sighting!

[Dave Williams]

Superb Dolphin shots Fred ( and the last diving Gannet was pretty damn good too!). I'm hoping to see the Channory Point, Moray Firth Dolphins in June. Hope it's not too early!

[elefromoz]

Learning everyday here, I didn't know there was a "black" Guillimot. Now I'll have to revisit my photos from the Treshnish Isles. Great luck and photography with the Dolphins, Bottlenose are our local species too. Im an official "dolphin watcher" here, a small citizen science contribution. Interesting to hear other countries have similar programmes with IDing and monitoring. 

[PeterHG]

An amazing series of Dolphin shots, @Galana! Even including the catch of a mackerel, thanks for sharing these with us and the interesting additional info. I'm somewhat envious of you Black Guillemot, I must confess. They are very rare on our coast, but one had been hanging about in one of the little harbours of the island of Texel. It decided to leave on the day we arrived there, to spend a few days on the island.

[TonyQ]

A wonderful dolphin sighting, and great to see a Black Guillemot!

[Galana]

@Dave Williams

Good luck with the Moray Dolphins. Tell them 'Moonlight' sends her best wishes.

 

@elefromozBlack Guillemots are my favourite even over the Puffin. They are very confiding and will roost on moored boats in harbour here. I don't recall seeing them actually on Lunga (Treshnish) but they were on  Staffa last time I was there. I will pay more attention next month when I should be on Lunga on 22nd or 23rd.

Yes. We have Dolphin watch people in most areas of British Isles. I have spent many a day at sea 'on watch' with great results. We also get Basking sharks too which are enormous.

 

@PeterHGThanks. They were a pleasant surprise and the mackerel very exceptional.

I would think Netherlands are not rocky enough for "Trysties" as we call them. More reason to come to Britain. West coast only.

@TonyQThanks. Black Gillies are here all year round. Seldom go far off shore even in winter. In summer Peel harbour has them nesting in the harbour stonework and very visible. They pose on the bow rails of boats.

 

Well that's my bit for the IOM Tourist Board for today.

[Kitsafari]

wow on the dolphins,, and great series of captures. 

so you're a black guillemot whisperer then!

[Galana]

3 hours ago, Kitsafari said:

so you're a black guillemot whisperer then!

If that is a Sin I will plead guilty as charged.

 

Meanwhile I think it time to move the score from this enchanted Isle forward a notch.

It was time to see our world traveller's show up for their northern hemisphere season and sure enough the outriders are now arriving. About ten pairs with more to follow.

First a little gift for the Ben my Chree. (They speak Manx fluently)

 

Then take your partners.

Then,

Blimey you lads don't mess about. Wot sort of girl do you think I am?  One bloomin Sand eel? Really?

097. Arctic Tern. Point of Ayre. Isle of Man.

That's enough of that.

 

On the way  home I called in on my lady friend and see all is well after yesterdays rain.

Just in time for lunch. All three seem OK at 16-17 days old.. I could not make out what the meal was.

 

 

 

 

Edited May 21, 2021 by Galana
added text.

[Galana]

All quiet today. I went some distance from home but nothing much moving as the new leaf is now hiding a lot of movement and no doubt many females are sitting on eggs.

I did find two of the feral Peacocks having a sparring match. I include as an improvement for 001 and would mention that these two were about 8 miles as the crow flies from the place where 001 was taken so they are definitely free range.

[Kitsafari]

Those brilliant blues on the peacocks really stand out. I don't suppose feathers flew....?

[Galana]

6 hours ago, Kitsafari said:

I don't suppose feathers flew....?

No. Despite me waiting to see if they meant business it seems it was all for show. I took about 5 mins of video hoping for action but in vain.

[shazdwn]

Wow, what a great dolphin viewing.  I'm really enjoying watching the peregrine chicks too. 

[michael-ibk]

Oh, that Dolphin sighting - terrific, I'd love to see that. 

[Galana]

A quiet outing for specimens. More a re-run.

I spend some time with both Greater and Lesser Blackbacks more for amusement than anything.

And then I found two birds that were ringed.

 

That was straightforward enough.

 

This may be harder to trace although I do know the cause of death.

[Galana]

A lovely morning, if a trifle cold for birdsong, had me heading almost to the opposite end of the island, all of 20 miles or so as we are small but perfectly formed, to a small Manx Wildlife Trust  reserve created by a local Farming family which is maturing well.

https://www.mwt.im/nature-reserves/ballachurry

I had a reedbed in mind as my other source of this bird has not produced for two years now.

And so I sat and waited with nothing much than a resident Moorhen for entertainment for over an hour. Just as I was about to give up and try elsewhere the little beggar must of felt sorry for me and popped up briefly if not clearly.

But clear enough for a reasonable shot.

098. Sedge Warbler. Ballachurry, IOM.

 

Ballachurry. Balla (farm). I don't know for sure but Churry is pronounced with a hard 'Ch' (as in Loch) as 'K' so why not Kerry's farm?

I now know for sure, barring mishap or Lady G hiding my trousers, that I should get my 100 for this small island. The question is when?

[Galana]

Nothing new today. The Law of diminishing returns at work.

So after checking on the family I went off to Ballakesh for an hour or so.

The family are fine and mum came and posed for me. Don't try this at home. Hanging over a sheer drop with both hands trying to hold the camera steady is not a good idea.

Far safer are the denizens of Ballakesh.

Spotted, striated, Flycatcher. Male. They have a nest nearby.

 

 

Dunnock. Lots of nesting pairs. A fledgling joined her at this perch.

 

Much safer location. So nice and warm I may take a folding chair and a cool box tomorrow.

 

 

Edited May 27, 2021 by Galana

[Galana]

Today saw the start of a long weekend so somewhat busy.

Decided to give BY a miss so went to check on the Manx Musketeers to find them up on their feet now. I work out the largest should fledge on 15th or thereabouts.

 

Athos, Porthos and Aramis sleeping. 26 days old.