TonyQ: Big Year 2023

[TonyQ]

A duplicate - just because I llike them...

Wren

 

 

[TonyQ]

131.UK.131 Pied Flycatcher  Ficedula hypoleuca           

(M) Wyre Forest, Worcestershire 14.05.23

Again, the Wyre Forest is the only local place where we have a good chance of seeing these.

[TonyQ]

132.UK.132 Tawny Owl  Strix aluco  

Wyre Forest, Worcestershire 14.05.23

Wyre Forest, Worcestershire 14.05.23

An unexpected bonus from the forest

When we were looking for the Pied Flycatcher in one of their favourite patches, a Young birding couple pointed out where they had seen one - and there was this on. As we were leaving this spot we were able to point the bird out to a man that had just arrived. In return, he was able to tell us where he had seen the Owl and after a fair amount of searching we found it. THe Young Birding couple came along later and we were able to point out the Owl to them - so good exchanges of information!

[michael-ibk]

Very cool - still have never seen one. Agree with you about the Wood Warbler, am very fond of them myself.

[Galana]

Another fan of Wrens. Irrestible.

Envious of the Tawny Owl.

[PeterHG]

Beautiful Tawny Owl! I also love your Wood Warbler. It's been quite a few years since I last saw one and you're right, they are pretty warblers!

 

[TonyQ]

thank you @michael-ibk@Galana@PeterHG

A few more additions

133.UK.133 Common Whitethroat  Sylvia communis       

Earlswood, nr Birmingham      15.05.23

[TonyQ]

134.UK.134 Swift  Apus apus

Very HIgh, Earlswood, nr Birmingham      15.05.23

[TonyQ]

135.UK.135 Common Tern  Sterna hirundo 

Earlswood, nr Birmingham      15.05.23

Earlswood, nr Birmingham      15.05.23

It was good fun watching them catching insects from the surface of the water - and good fun trying to photograph them doing it!

[Zim Girl]

Love all the new additions Tony, the Barn owl was a great sighting!

[xelas]

Wow, a thirsty Tern drinking! Just awesome, @TonyQ!

[Galana]

Great shot of Tern.

[Peter Connan]

Great shot of fhe skimtern!

[TonyQ]

@Zim Girl@xelas@Galana@Peter Connanthank you

First a few duplicates

Coot nest building

Kestrel hunting

Robin in the garden - worms for babies?

Ruff - nice to see locally

Treecreeper with Spiders web - they use the material in the nest building - first time we have seen this behaviour

 

[TonyQ]

It is the time of year for babies - so here are a few

It is always a treat to see Great Crested Grebe carrying their babies - you can only see one but it had three

Swan with babies (6)

Can you guess the baby EBC?

Does anyone of a certain age remember "Tribbles"?

Shelduck babies - there were 10 altogether

 

[TonyQ]

And a few new additions

136.UK.136 Garganey  Anas querquedula   

(M) Belvide Reserve, Staffordshire           21.05.23

Belvide Reserve, Staffordshire           21.05.23

[TonyQ]

137.UK.137 Redstart  Phoenicurus phoenicurus           

Wyre Forest, Worcestershire 27.05.23

Distant, but quite distinctive

[TonyQ]

138.UK.138 Dipper  Cinclus cinclus  

(Juvenile?) Wyre Forest, Worcestershire 27.05.23

A very brief glimpse in the dark forest

[Zim Girl]

29 minutes ago, TonyQ said:

Does anyone of a certain age remember "Tribbles"?

Shelduck babies - there were 10 altogether

Yes!!

The Shelduck babies are very cute.

[Towlersonsafari]

As in " the  trouble with....." ? @TonyQ

[TonyQ]

14 minutes ago, Towlersonsafari said:

As in " the  trouble with....." ? @TonyQ

The very ones…

[PeterHG]

Lovely shots of the babies and interesting behavioural insight into the Treecreeper!

[TonyQ]

@PeterHGthank you - we found the Treecreeper very interesting

 

SO it is quite hot and sunny here at the moment, and we are inbetween different phases of migration, so not many new birds about.

However there is a good local spot for a particular bird. I have put in a lot of photos as I don't have any other additions !

 

139.UK.139 Peregrine  Falco peregrinus

Adult, Leamington Spa,Warwickshire           03.06.23

Adult, Leamington Spa,Warwickshire           03.06.23

Pergrines have nested on the Town Hall, in the clock tower for a number of years. This year they have produced 4 chicks and have very well to raise them all to this level

Chick, blue eye ring and bits of down on the top of the head, Leamington Spa,Warwickshire           03.06.23

2 chicks visible, one exercising wing muscles, Leamington Spa,Warwickshire           03.06.23

 

Adult, Leamington Spa,Warwickshire           03.06.23

Adult, Leamington Spa,Warwickshire           03.06.23

I just checked, and a couple of days ago the first chicks were flying!

They have their own Twitter page    https://twitter.com/leamperegrines?lang=en-GB

 

 

Edited June 14, 2023 by TonyQ

[Galana]

Indulge away @TonyQNever get bored with these falcons.

Enjoy the weather while it lasts.

The blue background to the flying shots really says it all. A true master of the air.

[Peter Connan]

Beautiful!