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

[Soukous]

15 hours ago, Galana said:

Kenya off the Red list from next week. How much longer must I wait.

 

Indeed, how much longer.  These decisions seem more political than medical. 

[Galana]

Well if Africa is off the agenda a while longer where better to spend the Indian summer weather currently on the Isle of Man.

We are getting more than our fair share of visitors both by sea and air.

 

Watching me watching him.

 

Autumn Airways coming in on PoA 24R.

 

And are pleased to announce the arrival of

Flight 130 (106 IOM).

130/106  Sanderling.

[Galana]

Residents and visitors alike were out this morning to enjoy the sunshine despite the increasing wind strength.

A walk to my local patch yielded no new birds but I got the distinct feeling that  I was being watched carefully as I went by.

You are never alone in the woods. A young female.

 

And so to the beach to check what the wind may have blown in..

Among the many other waders were a few Black-tailed Godwits. (There was also a Stint but I could not isolate a decent, even for me, shot.)

But at least the score got moved along in this increasingly difficult year.

131 (IOM 107) Black-tailed Godwit. Blue Point. IOM.

 

Edited September 22, 2021 by Galana

[PeterHG]

Love your Wallaby shot :)! You could have fooled me with the Godwits by claiming them as Bar- tailed…;)

[Galana]

6 hours ago, PeterHG said:

by claiming them as Bar- tailed…;)

It was a tough one but the straight bill persuaded me it was the more common Black-tailed.

That twig wrecked the wallaby portrait.

[Soukous]

18 hours ago, PeterHG said:

Love your Wallaby shot :)! You could have fooled me with the Godwits by claiming them as Bar- tailed…;)

 

I am very rarely brave enough to question any of Fred's identifications so I didn't look too closely at the Godwits. But now that Peter has mentioned it ...... 

I think I agree with @PeterHG- 

I struggled to find any colour at the base of the bill and what plumage I could see on the wings looked more like -Bar-tailed to me. But what do I know?

[TonyQ]

I thought Black-tailed because of the strAight bill.

@Galanado you get the Icelandic sub species on IOM?

[Galana]

2 hours ago, TonyQ said:

@Galanado you get the Icelandic sub species on IOM?

'Probably'!

I am persuaded by the straight bill too as well as the unspotted/unstreaked breast area.

I can find some pink.

 

I do like a challenge.

 

Size matters too.

[PeterHG]

Yes, the bills certainly look quite straight, so I agree that would point to Black- tailed. Somehow the streaked back and longer white ‘eyebrow’ had a more Bar-tailed feel to me. Of course it’s your call and you are usually right, so….

[elefromoz]

Great Seal photo, very obliging. Lovely little Sanderlings, still on my Wishlist for the year, summers coming and them too I hope.

[michael-ibk]

Cute Sanderlings, and love the Seal. FWIW, I’m also with Bar-Tailed. Have seen quite a few these last days, the upward curve is not always very pronounced.

[Galana]

Well I am not going to go down in history as having a closed mind so Bar-tailed it is.

Especially when I went through more of the 'flock shots' and found this.

Go back one place. Try harder.

[Galana]

No Barwits this time. Just a blog about returning friends.

A bit of a breeze as the cold front passed through leaving the usual unstable North Westerly airstream. I left for a check of the area noting I had not filled the tank for 380 miles.

Bit it does bring in some returning migrants such as these Golden Plover.

There were about 30 of them tucked down out of the wind. I think they would be within a few yards of where I last saw them in March. #10 in this BY on 3rd Jan.

 

Guillemots  in winter dress now braving the waves.

 

I don't think Frank has been very far from his favourite pond.

 

But this female Teal will stick around for the winter.

And so back home when the instruments said "limited range". Well they would when I am in only first gear.

Nevertheless I stopped by and topped off with 60 litres of Regular grade. That should do me until I head back for Scotland in November for some more returning migrants from the about to become frozen north.

Edited September 29, 2021 by Galana

[Kitsafari]

those golden plovers shine like gold in that lovely light. we're very jealous of your 30 golden plovers and in that plumage. 

[Galana]

7 hours ago, Kitsafari said:

we're very jealous of your 30 golden plovers and in that plumage. 

Thank you. They are very nice when the sun catches them. Sadly we rarely see them here in their stunning black and gold breeding plumage.

[Galana]

Went to the beach and bumped into what passes for a Twitch in these parts. About five or six grown persons huddled around scopes on a windy headland staring out to a storm tossed sea looking for an avian needle in a liquid  haystack. Allegedly some dreamer has seen a Grey/Red Phalarope. Good for them. Keeps em off the streets I suppose.

I declined to get involved in this although I did see a very light coloured wader flushed by somebody's labrador walking the beach. Sanderling??

Back to town and it was nice to see another winter resident had returned to his /her old haunts by the swing bridge.

22. First captured 12th January. I shall now have something to look for when I walk into town each day.

 

This Cormorant was chasing the tide and looked surprised to see me.

I need to get out more.

[Galana]

I got out again today despite the wind. Had to clean the salt off the car as we copped for a growler on Peel Harbour where I had parked to be clear and left the car in care of Lady G who was not a happy bunny on my return.

Anyway the rough sea did bear fruit in that I found a replacement for IOM107.

We do have some pure strain of Rock Dove but usually in inaccessible places. I think this one had come in from the cold.

130 (107 IOM) Rock Dove.

 

And even the Eiders were in taking shelter in harbour.

 

[Peter Connan]

Lovely shots Fred!

[PeterHG]

Beautiful Rock Dove and Eider!

[Kitsafari]

well i never saw rock dove looking  more lovely and less common.

[elefromoz]

Beautiful Golden Plovers. The Eider is just so unique and  handsome

[Galana]

17 hours ago, Kitsafari said:

rock dove looking  more lovely

Tanks. They do shine well in the right light unlike their common descendants.

 

The Goldies are gorgeous in the winter sun too.

[Galana]

Today I found some more Teal settling in to a local Dubh for a few days but I doubt they will stay but who knows? Posted as a change from my usual EBC favourites.

Lots of Eider, Gannets off shore but on the mammal front this chap decided I posed no danger and hauled out for some October sunshine right in front of Lady G and I.

I could only watch.

Made it. Time for some quality sunbathing.

 

He did not mind as I relocated to get some flippers etc.,

 

Just looked up to keep an eye on us.

 

And take a scratch.

 

Then roll on his back and snore. I suggested Lady G go down and help but was politely refused.

A full grown mature Bull is almost 3 metres long and weighs in at 300Kg.  They should not be trifled with no matter how friendly they can appear. (Bit like Lady G really!)

 

A farewell wave and we left him to the beach as the tide was still flooding..

 

[shazdwn]

Wow, great seal sighting. Are they common in your area? 

[Galana]

2 hours ago, shazdwn said:

Are they common in your area? 

Yes. Whenever we are on the coast we will generally see them. Fishermen would say they are too common as they eat fish. Even rod fishing is prone to loss as unless you reel in very fast all you will get is the head as the seal will have had the rest.

The Seal today was the Atlantic Grey Seal which is the bigger of our two species here. The smaller 'Common Seal', is not that common here but they pop up from time to time on the sandy areas.

This one kept us entertained for a few days when we passed her on the way to the shops most mornings.