Zim Girl's 6th Big Year 2023

[michael-ibk]

Yes, definitely Cutthroat in there.

 

I think your Thrush is an Abyssinian (split from Olive a while ago). Bare-Eyed should have a more pronounced eyepatch.

 

Really do not think that´s a Cisticola there but not quite sure what it is. Flipped through the birdbook and am none the wiser. Maybe an immature Banded Parisoma?

 

For your third one there´s only one man on this forum who can help you. Ask @xelas, he sees this bird everywhere!

[Galana]

What @michael-ibksays.

There is also a Golden-breasted Bunting with your Cut-throat.

I at first thought that your Cisticola was a Prinia but prompted by Michael's Parisoma I took a look in my book and chanced upon Yellow-bellied Eremomela. I like the red eye which the Parisoma lacks.

The last one is what Alex calls an AFB.

[michael-ibk]

6 hours ago, Galana said:

I at first thought that your Cisticola

 

You know that was my first impression as well. And the more I think about it the more I am convinced this is in fact a Tawny-Flanked Prinia. Went through some TF Prinia photos from Kenya on ebird and there are quite a few shots of very greyish birds with very pale bellies. And we don´t see the back pn Angie´s bird which might very well be a bit tawny. Not quite happy with the eye but I assume the photo is cropped and the light / white balance might be a bit misleading.

[Galana]

I concur. It was my first thought and they are often the right ones.

https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-e&q=Tawny-flanked+Prinia

 

Seeing as how we are now getting the hyphen correct it is maybe time to up the game and mention that the second of a hyphenated word is always lower case?

[Zim Girl]

@Galana and @michael-ibk, you two are stars, thank you!

 

Ok, so I agree Abyssinian looks right for the thrush, don't know how I missed that, I went through enough thrushes.  

My 'cisticola' definitely looks more like your Tawny-flanked Prinia.  The Yellow-bellied Eremomela does look similar but isn't in range for Kitich, however, the Yellow-vented is and is also listed in the Kitich bird book, but I think the tail of the bird in my picture better suits the Prinia.

Thanks for confirming the Cut-throat.

@Galana, I assume you are looking at the b&w stripey headed birds in the group pic for Golden-breasted Bunting.  I thought this was the female/nb male version of the Eastern Paradise-Whydah I have already posted.  I am not sure the stripes look quite right for the bunting.  However, as already determined, I know very little, so if you are happy with the bunting, I will post it.

 

[Galana]

8 hours ago, Zim Girl said:

I am not sure the stripes look quite right for the bunting. 

Neither am I but the f/nbr Whydahs are much duller and don't have those white wing bars.

  Leave it you. It's a tough one. @michael-ibk?

[Zim Girl]

Not sure either.  I won't post just in case.  

So here are the last three to complete the Kenya birds.

 

218. KE106.  Abyssinian Thrush

 

219. KE107.  Tawny-flanked Prinia

 

220. KE108.   Cut-throat  (in middle of picture)

 

@Galana and @michael-ibk, thank you for the id of the Bulbul.  I can see it now that you have told me but I would never have got it without help.  I have already posted one so it doesn't add to the count.

I am pretty pleased with 108 birds for Kenya.  That is the most 'foreign' birds I have got so far in BY.  

I still have more to post for the UK, but holding out for a week or two more, just in case I can do any better.

 

 

 

[michael-ibk]

Congrats Angie, really enjoyed your Kenya birds. Since Fred asked - I´m really not sure about the Whydah / Bunting neither.

 

Looking forward to your UK birds!

[Zim Girl]

Thank you Michael.  Don't worry about the bird.  You and Fred spent more than enough time helping me with the id's.

[BRACQUENE]

Congratulations with your Kenya birds and the 200 !

[Zim Girl]

Thank you @BRACQUENE.

[Zim Girl]

Well the rubbish weather put paid to any significant birding over the last few weeks, so I am tipping out the early ebc's and finishing off my BY for 2023.

 

221.  UK 117.  Common Linnet

Fields near home  -  21/01/23

[Zim Girl]

222.  UK 118.  Eurasian Siskin

Foulshaw Moss  -  04/03/23

Edited January 2 by Zim Girl

[Zim Girl]

223.  UK 119.  Grey Wagtail

River Brock  -  25/03/23

 

[Zim Girl]

This is a resident Little Owl not far from here, that appears on my BY each year.  One day I am hoping it will come a bit closer.

 

224.  UK 120.  Little Owl

Staining Village, Lancs  -  03/04/23

 

[Zim Girl]

225.  UK 121.  Stock Dove

Staining village, Lancs  -  03/04/23

[Zim Girl]

226.  UK 122.  Common Pochard

Marton Mere LNR  -  29/04/23

[Zim Girl]

Seen a few of these this year but just couldn't tie one down to a good picture.

 

227.  UK 123.  Goldcrest

Glenridding, Lake District  -  13/05/23

[Zim Girl]

Really poor picture of a marsh harrier this year, but there is a small bit of added interest in that it is carrying a gosling.

 

228.  UK 124.  Western Marsh Harrier

RSPB Leighton Moss  -  26/05/23

[Zim Girl]

Always seem to find these hard to get close to, so a couple of flight shots.  The 2nd was above the back garden where a crow was chasing off the buzzard.

 

229.  UK 125.  Common Buzzard

Silverdale, Lancs  -  14/10/23

Back garden  -  04/06/23

 

[Zim Girl]

230.  UK 126.  Little Grebe

Conder Pool, Glasson  -  28/10/23

[Zim Girl]

Spent all year picking up ebc's of this bird.  Best of a bad bunch.

 

231.  UK 127.  Eurasian Jay

Helsington Barrows, Cumbria  -  04/11/23

[Zim Girl]

Another bird I just couldn't pin down for a good pic.  This was the only one we saw perched all year, the rest were all flying.

 

232.  UK 128.  Common Kingfisher

RSPB Leighton Moss  -  25/11/23

[Zim Girl]

The Whoopers have started to come back to their usual over-wintering area near the coast.  When we were there, the Bewicks hadn't appeared yet but 4 have since turned up in last couple of weeks.  We didn't have another chance to go look for them.

 

233.  UK 129.  Whooper Swan

Near Glasson Dock  -  02/12/23

[Zim Girl]

Bit happier with the pictures of these birds.  Probably the closest I have ever managed to get to them. Shame the light was so poor.

 

234.  UK 130.  Redwing

 

Silverdale, Lancs  -  16/12/23