TonyQ: Big Year 2023

[pedro maia]

Looking forward to see more, I didn’t know you had Stone curlew in the UK.

[michael-ibk]

Neither did I, a great find! 

[Kitsafari]

amazing you found the curlews - they are so good in blending in with the environment as we found out in Catalunya!

 

 

OOoh little owl! and the partridges showed well at the farm (just 20mins from titchwell)

 

[PeterHG]

Excellent species and photos, @TonyQ ! Granted, the Stone Curlew is understandably not among the best shots, but what a great sighting. I just love that first partridge photo!

[Tdgraves]

Excellent sightings in Norfolk @TonyQ

[TonyQ]

@Galana @Tdgraves@Kitsafarithank you

@michael-ibk@pedro maiathank you. We didn't know it was possible to see the Stone-curlew until about a week before we went. We saw a blog from a Norfolk Birder who visited. We then checked the website for Weeting Heath and found we didn't need to go too far out of our way.

@PeterHGthank you. I was pleased with the Partridge shot. It was one where I wasn't quite sure how it would come out, but I aleays like seeing behaviour shots.

 

A few more

86.UK.86 Shorelark  Eremophila alpestris    

Holkham, Norfolk        16.04.23

This is only the second time we have seen Shore Larks.  The previous time was in virtually the same place in 2016!

We went to see them on the first morning because we knew they could leave at any time as they are Winter visitors. It was about a 10 minute drive from Welles.

We were delighted to see them again.

Edited May 8, 2023 by TonyQ

[TonyQ]

87.UK.87 Tree Pipit  Anthus trivialis  

Holkham, Norfolk        16.04.23

"sparse thin black streaks on flank" and a "long strong pale strip above the eye"

So we were pleased to see this while looking for Shore Larks

(confession- I didn't know we had seen it until examining the photos. I just thought "Pipit")

[TonyQ]

88.UK.88 Redshank  Tringa totanus 

Cley Marshes, Norfolk            16.04.23

Cley is about 20 minutes drive to the East from Welles. Some loveley birds there on this visit.

[TonyQ]

89.UK.89 Bearded Tit  Panurus biarmicus    

Cley Marshes, Norfolk            16.04.23

This is my entry in the EBC of the Year competition.

It was very windy and the Bearded Tits were deep in the reeds, jumping about. I did get clearer views than this but I was not quick enough to photograph them - so this will have to do

[TonyQ]

90.UK.90 Black-tailed Godwit  Limosa limosa          

Cley Marshes, Norfolk            16.04.23

Cley Marshes, Norfolk            16.04.23

There were quite a few BLack-tailed Godwits around, many in their beautiful breeding plumage.

[michael-ibk]

That Bearded Reedling will sure be hard to beat this year in the fierce fight for the most awesome ebc!

[mvecht]

Great sightings of Little Owl and Stone Curlew.

[PeterHG]

Another special sighting with the Shorelark! And I agree with Michael: your effort with the Bearded Reedling got you a great contender!

[Galana]

7 hours ago, TonyQ said:

This is my entry in the EBC of the Year competition.

I am more envious of this than your Stone Curlew and Shorelark together. If there was a Green Emoji I would use it.

[pedro maia]

Right now the Bearded reedling has my vote.

[Zim Girl]

Great to find a Stone Curlew and Shorelark!

Lovely sequence of the Marsh Harriers too.

[TonyQ]

@mvecht @PeterHG@Zim Girlthank you

 

@pedro maia@michael-ibk thank you for your appreciation of such a fine piece of work

@Galana this is a real vote of confidence from the Master

 

A few more

91.UK.91 Bar-tailed Godwit  Limosa lapponica        

Cley Marshes, Norfolk            16.04.23

Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk         18.04.23

As someone who lives in the middle of the country, it is always great to see the sea.

[TonyQ]

92.UK.92 Pintail  Anas acuta 

 

Cley Marshes, Norfolk            16.04.23

Against pretty strong sun light so poor but recognisable photo

[BRACQUENE]

So jealous of your Bearded Tit Tony as I have been desperately looking for it this year , even more so after seeing the one from @PeterHGsome weeks ago  ; I am patient and my time will surely come  especially after seeing your masterpiece  

[TonyQ]

93.UK.93 Common Gull  Larus canus           

Cley Marshes, Norfolk            16.04.23

Despite the name, it is not common where we live, so good to see it here.

 

Thank you @BRACQUENE !

[TonyQ]

94.UK.94 Ruff  Philomachus pugnax

Cley Marshes, Norfolk            16.04.23

[TonyQ]

95.UK.95 Long-billed Dowitcher  Limnodromus scolopaceus  

A New Bird for us!       

Cley Marshes, Norfolk            16.04.23

This is a Vagrant from North America with a few hundred records for the UK. This one had been at Cley for a few weeks so we were pleased that it stayed for our visit! It has since left.

Cley Marshes, Norfolk            16.04.23

It was generally hanging around with Godwits, but relations were not always friendly!

 

 

[PeterHG]

Another exciting sighting, @TonyQ and beautifully caught on camera!

[Galana]

Great sighting of a vagrant. Well done.

[michael-ibk]

Congrats on a lifer - have never seen one myself.