LM's 6th BY, 2021 - in search of consistency, with better photography

[Zim Girl]

That was a really interesting collection of birds from Orlando, and from only 5 hours - amazing!

[Galana]

19 hours ago, lmSA84 said:

I think I have individual photos of all the extra birds

Yup. they came up later on.

A great haul in such a short time.

Should be entered in Big Day competition.

I have to say that Red-bellied Woodpecker must be one of the most misleading names I have come across. Nice bird.

Edited July 4, 2022 by Galana
added text.

[Tdgraves]

4 hours ago, Galana said:

 

I have to say that Red-bellied Woodpecker must be one of the most misleading names I have come across. Nice bird.

I had the same thought and looked it up!

[Dave Williams]

Excellent half day haul. Claire , my o/h has no wish to head that way which is a shame, I'd quite like to!

[michael-ibk]

Very impressive score for such a short outing indeed, well done!

[Kitsafari]

an excellent haul from just five hours! How I wish every birding trip would yield such results in every 5 hours. 

 

I did like that reptilian in the last shots, as long as it stays a distance from me, of course. 

[Peter Connan]

Beautiful stuff!

[lmSA84]

@Peter Connan- you're too kind! I hope all is well in RSA

[Peter Connan]

Thank you very much @lmSA84

[lmSA84]

All the next lot of images were taken at the London Wetland Centre

 

152. Sand Martin, London, April

 

 

153. Mandarin Duck, London, April

 

 

and a Great Crested Grebe - just cause I like it 

 

[lmSA84]

154. Common Redstart, London, April

 

This has been one of my highlights of the year. A Redstart in the garden.

 

[lmSA84]

Earlier in the year I went on a special trip to see the Welsh Islands - in particular Anglesey, Ramsey and Skomer, with a quick stop off in Coed Hafod Y Llyn on the way down from Angelsey to Ramsey.

 

For those who haven't been I highly recommend a spring trip to Wales and in particular to Skomer which has to be one of the UK's star locations!   

 

I prepared a small map to help illustrate the locations

 

 

 

 

Edited July 28, 2022 by lmSA84

[lmSA84]

First up some of the highlights from Angelsey.

 

The wind was vicious when we were there and I was travelling with my 3 year old and my parents so we didn't over do it. We mainly birded at South Stack, Cemlyn and Cors Ddyga. Whilst I enjoyed Angelsey (particularly the people) I won't rush back for the birding. 

 

155. Common Guillemot, South Stack, April

 

 

[lmSA84]

156. Sandwich Terns, Cemlyn, April

 

[lmSA84]

157. Rock Pipit, South Stack, April

 

[lmSA84]

158. Northern Fulmars, South Stack, April

 

[lmSA84]

Just because I liked the shot - Meadow Pipit

 

 

[xelas]

3 hours ago, lmSA84 said:

Just because I liked the shot

 Me Too!!

[PeterHG]

On 8/1/2022 at 4:28 PM, xelas said:

 Me Too!!

And here’s another one!

[michael-ibk]

Count me in as well! Always enjoy seeing Europe´s Seabirds as well.

[lmSA84]

@michael-ibk, @PeterHGand @xelas- thanks for the kind words.

 

As usual I started this post - meant to get it all done in one go, got interrupted and now I didn't even get past the first site. 

 

Coed Hafod Y Llyn 

 

This was my second favorite site on our little road trip. It's an absolutely beautiful patch of Welsh forest full of warblers, flycatchers and redstarts. I didn't see the later but I found my target warbler and flycatcher, both of which were UK lifers.

 

159. Wood Warbler, Coed Hafod Y Llyn, April

 

 

160. Pied Flycatcher, Coed Hafod Y Llyn, April

 

 

A few other forest scenes

 

 

 

 

 

   

[lmSA84]

Ramsey Island

 

Ramsey Island is a 260ha island, about 1km off the coast of Pembrokeshire. Managed by the RSPB, this site is famous for Chough and a few of the UK's other seabirds.

 

161. Northern Gannet, Ramsey Island, April

 

 

162. European Shag, Ramsey Island, April

 

 

163. Common Raven, Ramsey Island, April

 

 

164. Red-billed Chough, Ramsey Island, April

 

The star of the show

 

 

 

This one was see back on the mainland and is my first one in a long time

 

165. Bullfinch, Pembrokeshire, April

 

Edited September 2, 2022 by lmSA84

[lmSA84]

166. Razorbill, Skomer Island, April

 

Without a doubt the star of our road trip was Skomer Island. I just loved it. Yes, the weather was excellent and that certainly isn't always guaranteed but the birdlife and scenery on Skomer was just fantastic. I feel like the Farne Islands get all the glory in the UK (and I haven't been so I can't compare) but I would absolutely rate Skomer as one of my favorite UK destinations and one that I'll return to for an overnight stay.

 

In our one day on the island we saw almost all there is to see, apart from the Curlews, Owls and the Shearwaters (at least not alive). Skomer is home to one of the largest colonies of Manx Shearwaters in the world but they only return at night, almost like bats returning to a roost. Seeing this spectacle is why I'm planning an overnight stay. 

 

On a side note the latin name for Manx Shearwater is Puffinus puffinus - that strikes me as false advertising!! But hey, I don't make the rules 

 

 

As you arrive at the Skomer landing area there are 100s of Seabirds in the ocean all around you 

 

 

 

Edited September 2, 2022 by lmSA84

[lmSA84]

Whilst the seabirds are the highlights there are plenty of passerines to be found on the land

 

167. Common Whitethroat, Skomer, April

 

 

[lmSA84]

168. Willow Warbler, Skomer, April