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

[Zim Girl]

Great find with the Cuckoo!

[PeterHG]

Well done on the Cuckoo! I'm also still waiting here...

[Galana]

Out again today and I was pleased to find that the EBC filter repair had worked and I was back to normal.

Lots of the usual stuff but my eye was taken (at about 200 yards) to a lone Golden Plover now in lovely Spring colours.

Probably just worth posting as a contrast to those earlier in the year but it was a long reach for my lens.

The fuzz is Heat Haze.

 

And my only tick today, though welcome, was another late stayer. Two actually that I had dismissed as a pair of Curlew or may have done better. Which I will in the Autumn when they all come back.

 

087. Whimbrel. Ballaghennie. IOM.

[shazdwn]

Congratulations on your cuckoo find, an exciting addition!

[Galana]

Have I no shame at all? (Rhetorical)

So I do want a Raven on IOM and so far this year they have stayed far from my lens.

Today he was croaking is defiance from quite a distance but I took up his challenge with the following result.

They are quite common here and often fly by but my need for BY IOM overcame my shame. Got him.

Of course tomorrow six will tap dance along the road causing me to break hard.

 

But for now.

088. Raven. In the bag he goes. Maughold Broughs. IOM.

 

[Dave Williams]

Getting close to the ton Fred.New birds are getting harder to find as the year progresses but not long before you flee the island unless you decide to hire a jet ski for a quick trip soon!!

[Soukous]

3 hours ago, Dave Williams said:

not long before you flee the island

 

Border Force have been alerted and are bringing in specialist reinforcements as we speak

[Galana]

4 hours ago, Dave Williams said:

Getting close to the ton Fred.New birds are getting harder to find as the year progresses

Thanks. I should get by >90 when I find a Whitethroat and House Martin. I would like to get 100 for IOM just out of interest as I have never counted Island only before.

Yes in six or seven weeks I will run the gauntlett of the 'bissies' on the M6 and run the Border at Gretna for Crianlarich and Oban. A certain election will be over by then so I don't know if the place will be celebrating or closed for a wake so will rely on my foreign Registration plates until on the islands.

A few Eagles and the Puffins of Treshnish will then boost the overall score until I get to Uist for a few more.

@SoukousHa Ha. Martin. "No speeky Eeenglish. Me from Seeria. Where eez 4* Holiday Inn pleez?" " Boris Johnson she very nice lady"

Edited April 30, 2021 by Galana

[Galana]

On 4/30/2021 at 12:48 PM, Galana said:

Thanks. I should get by >90 when I find a Whitethroat

Oh yes.

After a terrible week end of weather I just had to venture forth to check on a lady's nest I was monitoring half convinced it would have been deserted. But no she is a tough bird and was sitting hard. Hatching should be in a few days. Fingers crossed.

OK. Now let me go find what else may be around. I could record Four Ticks but even I had to bin one as below par even for me. EBC filter or no EBC Filter there are limits! And the Tortoise's Bogey bird was mine today.

Down to the beach first as it is about now the other Terns will arrive to breed.

Yup!

On the beach with a couple a late departing Sandwich were about 20 Little Terns.

Honest. The haze was making life hard but there they are.

089. Little Terns. Smeale Beach. IOM

Two for the price of one.

Returning to the car I indulged with a nice Wheatear.

I just can't resist.

Noted a small falcon get up from the grass and tracked it to a perch.

Blurred on top of the no dogs sign.

Trying to get closer it flew.

Merlin!! Drat. Not going to even try to count that.

Oh well. More to come.

 

 

[Galana]

Then to a spot where the first Whitethroats appear each year.

A long wait produce my first of the year.

It'll do. More will no doubt follow.

Well at least we can see what it was./is.

090. Common Whitethroat. Smeale Ayres. The only one to show in an hours stake out.

 

But all was not lost. Corvids were cruising along enjoying the stiff breeze with a bouyant flight adn I nearly missed another practitioner know for its bouyant flight.

I cottoned on it was not a Corvid just as it crossed the track low down (probably hunting Whitethroats and Pipits.)

I dare not risk too much zoom for fear of focus problems and literally aimed where I guessed it would appear and pointed and shot.

091. Hen Harrier and I think I deserve this one. Smeale Ayres.

[Dave Williams]

Hen Harrier and Merlin.... that's not fair! Nice one though!

[Galana]

And I did not count the Merlin. Must be getting old!

[Galana]

Prior to going out today I thought to share another Raptor with you.

I think @Kitsafarimay be monitoring this site but in view of the happy event of yesterday may I introduce "Son of Archie" taking his first feed at less than 24 hours old.

 

[elefromoz]

15 hours ago, Galana said:

Blurred on top of the no dogs sign.

I'll say!   The Wheatear are lovely though and having seen and heard the little Whitethroats singing their heart out, always enjoy them too.

Into the nineties, I hope you get your local 100, its a long year ahead still. Im sensing quite a bit of optimism from your half of the world now, but maybe Spring does that to folks. As we start the slide into Winter.

[Kitsafari]

5 hours ago, Galana said:

Prior to going out today I thought to share another Raptor with you.

I think @Kitsafarimay be monitoring this site but in view of the happy event of yesterday may I introduce "Son of Archie" taking his first feed at less than 24 hours old.

 

 

 

Drat! i missed yesterday's hatching. and i missed the eagle owl's too. 

 

[Galana]

Yes. You have to see it fly off to recognise that blur. I could not count that. And today I saw another but was still too slow. They seem to be after Linnets.

2 minutes ago, Kitsafari said:

i missed the eagle owl's too.

Lotte hatched all three eggs but the smallest did not make it to the eyes open stage.

[Galana]

Today was short and sweet. blowing a gale and nearly got to fly solo down the cliffs.

As above.

Linnets galore.

And a pair of Choughs.

I have worked out how to forecast a Merlin appearing. All the Linnets dive into the gorse.

No new ticks to take me towards the Century for the Island.

[PeterHG]

Another magnificent Linnet!

[Peter Connan]

What a stunning Linnet close-up!

[michael-ibk]

Indeed - such a lovely little bird, but I only ever see them from a distance.

[Galana]

15 hours ago, michael-ibk said:

I only ever see them from a distance.

I could easily arrange close encounters should you call. The cake may not be so good but the fish is.

[Galana]

15 hours ago, michael-ibk said:

but I only ever see them from a distance.

I could easily arrange a closer audience. My cakes may not pass muster but I make great pies.

[Soukous]

48 minutes ago, Galana said:

I could easily arrange close encounters should you call. The cake may not be so good but the fish is.

 

46 minutes ago, Galana said:

I could easily arrange a closer audience. My cakes may not pass muster but I make great pies.

 

Fish starter

Pie for main course and Michael brings a cake for dessert. Sorted

[michael-ibk]

Sounds like a good plan to me!

[Galana]

Oh. Repeating myself. The first one vanished before sending. Wonder where it went?

Anyway you can now choose the package according to menu.

And we offer roast Loughtan at a supplement to order.