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


Galana

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oh and a belated well done on the "100" , already a distant memory...

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1 hour ago, elefromoz said:

Yes please keep us posted on the progress of the Peregrine chicks, so exciting being able to check up on them

As at 7th they were well advanced. I have to crop close so as not to reveal 'on line' the exact location so sorry about quality which when added to the lack of depth of field at full zoom does not make for the best of portraits even at 500th/Sec.

But here is one that shows their size now.

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L-R   Aramis in the corner, Athos at rear with Porthos in front. Porthos is virtually fully fledged now (at the front view) but still has much down on the back. I stick by my provisional fledge date of 14th. Fingers crossed.

 

I try to increase quality by only half zooming to increase depth of field for focusing but if anybody has other ideas I would be interested. I don't think a Tripod is  an option and upping the ISO makes them noisy.

Mannannan is wearing his cloak to hide the island from invaders today. (It's Foggy) but I may visit  in the afternoon.

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The fog stayed yesterday so I ventured up earlier this morning. Minutes before Mannannan put his cloak back on.

At first I thought the nest ledge was empty but then I spied young Aramis about 10 feet clear of the nest hunkered down against the mist and wind with the remains of  a Jackdaw to his left.

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No sign of Porthos or Athos though and eventually the fog cloaked everything.

A good safety tip. Don't wander steep cliffs in nil visibility so I went home.

 

But the Gods were kind to me and using the screen P & T were there all the time. Having lost most of their down they are much less visible.

Scan right to the flat rock.

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A judicious crop shows them to be well advanced now.

How long before they fly?

 

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Enjoy them while we can.

 

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wow, growing so fast, incredible

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Today was a Raptor Day.

First to visit the Musketeers and it was good to see them exploring their nest area.

Even Aramis is shedding his down now. Athos is clearly a female but she can keep the name as I think she hatched a day or two after her sibling Porthos who has almost lost his down and looking quite smart.

And we must not forget Mum who has successfully brought all three to this stage. I rarely see Dad but of course I am not there 24/7.

 

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Take a bow Mum. You done good and have made my lockdown bearable.

 

And moving on, it is Friday and I have weekend chores to plan so I took a Manx Crab Bap and a can of something cool to spend lunch out in the plantation.

First I got a flyby from the lurking Hobby but 'he' beat me to the draw and was gone before I locked on. Shucks.

And as I was finishing the last of my Pasteis de Nata (we do live well) Ask @Game Warden.

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a much larger bird flew by and I was quick enough to get a EBC shot through the windscreen to record it. Not only #103 but a first for the Plantation and a first for me on the island.

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Can you see what it is yet?

 

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See the tail? No doubt at all.

 

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103. Red Kite. Ballakesh, IOM. I nearly spilled my drink. I have been expecting one for years and today was the day.

 

And we were not done yet. In between the ubiquitous Goldfnches and Rabbits I was watching a Willow Chaff

hunting..

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when the Hunter became the hunted.

A blurred shape raced by and whacked the Warbler and raced off without so much as leaving a name. Too brown for the Hobby and too small for a Sparrowhawk. 98% sure it was a Merlin but it was over in a flash leaving us both to pick up our jaws. We both saw it but did'n't as it were.

Too much excitement for one day.

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michael-ibk

Beautiful Crossibills - they are so cool! And great to watch the Peregrines grow up. But I confess I love the Pasteis photo most - oh, delicious memories. :D

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How do you get Pastéis de Nata in IOM?

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15 hours ago, Galana said:

I was watching a Willow Chaff

 

You had me reaching for my books as I'd not heard of this one :rolleyes: eventually it clicked

Edited by Soukous
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57 minutes ago, pedro maia said:

How do you get Pastéis de Nata in IOM?

It is a little known fact that IOM is the centre of the Gastronomic world. It's not all "Spuds n 'errings" here.

We bought them in our local Fishmonger's shop whilst choosing a nice Sea Bass for dinner.

The Pasteis proved an irresistible dessert to our Picnic.

 

56 minutes ago, Soukous said:

as I'd not heard of this one

Don't worry. I think the Merlin got the last one.:P

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54 minutes ago, Galana said:

It is a little known fact that IOM is the centre of the Gastronomic world. It's not all "Spuds n 'errings" here.

We bought them in our local Fishmonger's shop whilst choosing a nice Sea Bass for dinner.

The Pasteis proved an irresistible dessert to our Picnic.

 


They look good but it’s not possible to know if they taste like they should.

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2 hours ago, pedro maia said:

but it’s not possible to know if they taste like they should.

It was from where I was sitting!:)

Baked by a Portugese Lady and tasting just like the one's I remember enjoying years ago.

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I have been out and about and the only possible increase to 103 was a Manx Shearwater but I missed it. We get that and the Balearic variety here and the year is not yet half done so I can be patient a while longer.

We leave for Western Scotland early Thursday so I may not venture forth until boat time. (Eyes glued to the sea to snap up anything this side of our border to add to the  Manx score otherwise it will rest at 103 until our return.

So I have been to see the Musketeers two mornings.

What a difference a few days make.....

I can end their story here as two are now virtually fledged.

Here are all three together yesterday 14th (the day I forecast for either Athos or Porthos to fly)

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Not the best of shots, are they ever?, but wee Artemis on the rock and siblings huddled together in his shade.

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A clearer shot but not as detailed of the two larger siblings. They are fully mobile around the nest site now and ready to go although they will remain dependent on the adults for a week or so yet..

Today I could not resist another visit if only to say good bye and thanks for making my Lockdown easier than it may have otherwise been.

 

I arrived to see 'young' Artemis being fed...

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He soon left to hide leaving mum to tidy up. The nest area is strewn with remains of prey. Mainly it seems Corvid. That will teach them darn Crows and Jackdaws some manners. I could also see an Oystercatcher or two with perhaps some gull wings too.

So where did young Artemis go?

 

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That's him down slope from mum.  More corvid remains just below the nest site.

 

So it was goodbye and thanks to Mum as she regained her look out point.

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And not to be left out and to make my day....

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Dad (much less barred) floated by on fixed wings just to thank me for keeping a look out for his kids and to wish me a pleasant holiday.

So that ends my Peregrine saga. I hope it was not too boring.

I now have to make my peace with the local Recorder for keeping the site secret.:)

 

 

 

Edited by Galana
corrected text
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wonderful to hear the young have fledged and fled! thank you for sharing the updates - they're never boring.

 

have a great holiday! say hi to the other ST-ers or is it just @Soukous then?

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Have really enjoyed following along with the Peregrine family. Best wishes on a great trip, Im a bit jealous

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Peter Connan

Belated congratulations Fred!

 

And safe and happy travels too.

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michael-ibk

A bit late but enjoy your trip Fred!

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  • 3 weeks later...
On 6/27/2021 at 6:45 PM, michael-ibk said:

A bit late but enjoy your trip Fred!

Thanks @michael-ibkIt went well enough despite some disappointments.

I will shortly start posting a few captures but so many egg shells to avoid.

 I may have to re-negotiate the IOM Challenge with the other Michael @mvecht.

So easy to confuse Isle of Man with Isle of Mull (and even Moli) and score a few more points inadvertently.:P

Not that I would of course.

And dodge mammals that may confuse the object.

Perhaps I could enter a tapestry competition of one sighting we enjoyed.

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Needle and thread anyone?

I saw many other mammals of course. And two sorts of Martins and Martens (sp) One enjoyed Peanut butter and the other came bearing gifts.

The IOM count stays at 103 for a while but I am not averse to using foreign product improvements.

Here is a re run of #91.

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Hen Harrier. Male.

And of course I did see Red Throated Divers on IOM too at #73 so my conscience would be clear if I could only find it.

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One adult and one youngster demanding food.

That is it for now.

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Time to add to the score.

I will go slowly to deflect being branded a stalker (although @Soukouswas actually following me. He even admits being last on the Ferry.)

 

One of the regular sightings follows.

Almost every lochside rock produced a little brown bird perched thereon. Either there or a convenient fence post seems to be the fashion in the Hebrides.

So here is the one that lived in our garden on Uist.Backing the car out was a delicate job as the chicks are so tiny.

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104. Common Sandpiper.

Given the broader aspect of this trip I am wondering if I should do some sort of Trip Report to cover the spectrum?

Meanwhile I can post the photo team with my trustee apprentice in action.

Tortoise @Dave Williamslook away now.

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The ultimate 'selfie'. Who needs night cameras?

 

Edited by Galana
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Good news today is that with expert help I have been able to dig some lost data from a failed card and now will need to filter them back in sequence. No animals were hurt in this project.

 

So to today's meagre offering:-

Our first morning at our cottage on Mull revealed a couple of birds that do exist on Man too but not counted for that score until seen on the right island.

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105. Red-legged and very damp Partridge.

Seen from Breakfast window. Torrans, Mull.

 

I am reading other members results from Scotland and anticipate trouble when I get to my 108 as the subject bird was captured in two different locations for different photo opportunities. So I may split them into 108A and108B to illustrate this and avoid 'overload'..

 

I have also spared the tortoise another PM portrait. Time enough for that when up to speed.

Edited by Galana
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On 7/16/2021 at 7:55 PM, Galana said:

 

Given the broader aspect of this trip I am wondering if I should do some sort of Trip Report to cover the spectrum?

 

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The ultimate 'selfie'. Who needs night cameras?

 

 

 

An excellent idea - this Trip Report. Id like to know the logistics and some of the places up north for a trip one day to see the puffins, guillemorts, razorbills, etc.

 

 

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Yes, do a trip report!

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10 hours ago, Kitsafari said:

Id like to know the logistics and some of the places up north for a trip one day to see the puffins, guillemorts, razorbills, etc.

 

 

1 hour ago, TonyQ said:

Yes, do a trip report!

OK. I will start it once BY is up to date. I will try and keep it short and sweet but with logistics to guide. I will post links etc.,

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Meanwhile we are on Mull. Eilein Mhuilich which I believe translates as 'Mountain Island.' Or maybe Headlands as 'Mull' is  common name for a Cape or headland. Viz McCartney and "Mull of Kintyre". Mull of Galloway etc., There are certainly a lot of headlands/capes on Mull .

 

Mull is also the land of two iconic bird species. Eagles.

Both Golden and increasingly White-tailed following a successful re-introduction programme in the 1960s.

So I had to go for these two birds for my BY.

Not easy and they don't take kindly to a bird table and a few peanuts in a feeder.

Views are often distant but if you know where to look you should have some success.

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Flying overhead works with luck with a steady hand on the camera.

Or sometimes a sharp eye on local crags gets results.

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106. Golden Eagle. Mull. Stretching the pixels a bit here but these are no Buzzards..

 

And so to the other bird.

Flying shots are doable especially if you go out on an organised trip and throw fish for them. Or just get lucky as one floats on by close enough to try a shot.

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But sharp eyes can also catch a bird sleeping off a meal on a distant shore thus:-

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One sighting on 20th June and three days later another..

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107. White-tailed Eagle. Loch na Keale, Mull.

Strangely I could not find a nest site within camera reach this trip as that is another good source.

 

Now I must go and worry on how to play #108 over two sites and different islands where the opportunities are the same but different.

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Well I have deliberated on the dilemma and will split 108 into 108A and 108B.

 

The reason for my reticence is that others have posted far better pictures of the subject, those that saw the bird at  all, and my photo opps are spread over two islands where priorities vary and I don't want Owl overload.

 

So to Mull.

My favourite place for this bird is Pennyghael and with my cottage being only 5miles away I did spend a fair bit of time here. Just sitting an watching as numerous owls presented themselves and threatened to produce that epic shot that never actually came.

Still here is what I did get.

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108A. Short-eared Owls. Pennyghael.

Park up by the old bridge and watch. At one time I had five birds in action all at once.

But not one came at me for that head on facial shot.

I posted the final one as it clearly shows the classic 'Carpal Comma' that is a great field mark.

I will come back with 108B as a different objective when I reach Uist in my travels but in the meantime we stay on Mull to keep my chronology straight.

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Whilst putting the electronic Equivalent of pen to paper the next sighting has some relevance to my topic on Owl spotting so I may as well get on with #109.

There are few things more surprising on a visit to The Highlands and The Hebrides  than seeing normal skulking birds perched prominently on fence posts. Waders are meant to wade on the shore or marsh (the clue is in their name) and not stand on gate posts for all to see.

They all do it from Curlew to Dunlin and yes even Corncrakes oblige sometimes.1-DSCN8371.JPG.16f6547bab6fba9192884947666c83ec.JPG Especially fascinating are Snipe that are normally the very devil to find and photograph lurking in thick cover now fully visible for all to see.

So here is my next exposure.

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Pennyghael. Isle of Mull.

and on Uist over a few days:-

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This last shot was from my kitchen window in 'Lochside'  whilst preparing breakfast whilst staying a week in what I call "The best equipped Birdhide in the UK."  Everything from Eagles, Owls and Hen Harriers to Otters and nesting waders and wildfowl on your doorstep and the large bed is darn comfortable too when on the rare occasions sleep is needed or even possible.  Even a fridge to keep the beer cool.

So. #109. Common Snipe. Mull and North Uist.

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