tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11071502796672944172024-03-12T23:14:51.995+00:00MorgithologyA blog of birds, wildlife and ecology in Lothian and beyondMorghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02174037399595814606noreply@blogger.comBlogger325125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1107150279667294417.post-6516603987327103612017-01-02T11:23:00.000+00:002017-01-02T11:23:33.035+00:00Gannet at Barns Ness, 31 Jan 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I reported this Gannet as a possible <b>Cape Gannet</b> and then I thought I had nailed the gular stripe and I was fairly convinced. After examining the images (all video grabs) I am now unconvinced and think this bird is a subadult <b>Northern Gannet</b>.<br />
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At about 11:00 am I picked up the Gannet as it was shearing low across the strong SW wind. Initial views were confusing as I thought I was looking at a bird just slightly larger than a <b>Fulmar</b>. With its bold and clean patterning I did not recognise it immediately as a <b>Northern Gannet</b> and thinking it was a smaller bird I thought about a <b>Booby or Cape Gannet</b>. It also seemed to be making almost no progress against the wind unlike the other Gannets I had already seen. In the 40 or so minutes that I watched it at this point it made almost no headway other than slowly drifting out and disappearing (with the benefit of hindsight I think it probably settled on the water). Barns Ness has constant streams of <b>Northern Gannets</b> passing by for most of the year but this bird's behaviour seemed distinctly unusual and wasn't something that I was aware of noticing before. At this stage however I was assuming that the bird was a <b>subadult Northern Gannet</b> but keen not to give up on a possible <b>Cape Gannet</b> I watched the bird as much as possible and tried to get footage. Handheld phonescoping at high magnification resulted is unwatchable footage but allows images to be grabbed.<br />
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The light was good and despite careful observation at no point could I see anything other than pure white coverts and fully dark flight feathers and tail. I knew that this was unusual for subadult <b>Northern Gannet</b> so posted some images to Twitter - at this point it was an idle tweet rather than any sort of identification but suggesting a possible <b>Cape Gannet</b>. I then had a look online and reread an <a href="http://morgithology.blogspot.co.uk/2011/01/northern-gannets.html" target="_blank">old blogpost of mine</a> and the <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/webzine/article.asp?print=1&a=1073" target="_blank">BirdGuides ID article</a> for <b>Cape Gannet</b>. Both of these (unreliable?) sources indicated that clean white underwing coverts is very strong indicator. At this point I decided to look for a gular stripe and was amazed when one of the first screen grabs showed what seemed to be an extensive gular! This I now think is an artifact - although it shows up on several of the images I think that it is a result of zooming into the image too far...<br />
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I then had to go and buy a phone charging cable and it was a couple of hours later before I was able to have another look for it. Incredibly the bird was still off shore batting against the wind. I put the news out and 3 other Lothian birders who were in the area saw the bird. Nothing further could be ascertained from these views plumage-wise but it was strange how it had only made about 1km progress in several hours - at no point did the bird actively feed (probably due to sea state). There was opportunity to see the bird in more direct comparison with other <b>Northern Gannets</b> and it seemed similar in size.<br />
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More careful review of the images shows the bird to be a <b>Northern Gannet</b> in my opinion - the secondaries are not extensive enough as a proportion of the upperwing so form too narrow a bar as mentioned by others on Facebook. The overall wingshape is also too long and angular in my opinion - I think that <b>Cape Gannet</b> would show a shorter wing overall.<br />
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So, in conclusion, a smart-looking <b>Northern Gannet</b> that fooled me into putting news out of mega...<br />
<br />Morghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02174037399595814606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1107150279667294417.post-64760750140314298702015-01-11T00:06:00.000+00:002015-01-11T00:09:32.537+00:00Giant, White-shouldered and Black-headed Ibises<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOK30LG_nM2oVLijatIqgSe8u7HIEh_m5W1Y_m3PRVk3_gX4VTR2OLzVdi2i5NzVWfpWPABxm3dNlfsWhDBjOiDlHuKLOCUWAKDFQsZVx4Q696ORsbdQ8morbv2mGu4dmyd-qVCW1xAR4/s1600/IMG_5026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOK30LG_nM2oVLijatIqgSe8u7HIEh_m5W1Y_m3PRVk3_gX4VTR2OLzVdi2i5NzVWfpWPABxm3dNlfsWhDBjOiDlHuKLOCUWAKDFQsZVx4Q696ORsbdQ8morbv2mGu4dmyd-qVCW1xAR4/s1600/IMG_5026.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Critically endangered White-shouldered Ibis roosting at Tmatboey, Cambodoa, 24 Dec 2014</td></tr>
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Is it possible to combine a non-birding family holiday with a hardcore birding trip? Well, you'd have to ask Gill and the kids to find out their side of the story, but here are the three species of ibises that I saw during our recent break. My elder daughter certainly seemed to enjoy watching and photographing the <b>White-shouldered Ibises </b>coming into roost at Tmatboey, Cambodia, on Christmas Eve. The sunset certainly added to the occasion.<br />
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I could not get any takers for the 4:00 am rise the next morning to watch a pair of <b>Giant Ibises</b> waking up for the day. It is understandable that non-birding teenagers would rate this as low on their priority list on any morning of the year, but I did warn them that should they take up birding later in life they may regret their decision... As it happens, that morning at Tmatboey was not just about another critically endangered ibis species, but was packed full of amazing dry dipterocarp forest species. It ended up as the most enjoyable early morning birding trip I've ever had - I was seeing so many amazing new species at such a fast rate that it felt just like Christmas...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbb0fUXOa5FW9fyuQUD9C4A9rq1foPmtpjSlD0Rde-UmesqRNM6iKPovFBgc693GO1o3FyIFtE8Hnlngvp26i9wvxFdtrXODu2e9A-7GpLg9qjP1bd6DrMH5VfjFnvA0uaFDkqOoXZQqk/s1600/IMG_5028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbb0fUXOa5FW9fyuQUD9C4A9rq1foPmtpjSlD0Rde-UmesqRNM6iKPovFBgc693GO1o3FyIFtE8Hnlngvp26i9wvxFdtrXODu2e9A-7GpLg9qjP1bd6DrMH5VfjFnvA0uaFDkqOoXZQqk/s1600/IMG_5028.JPG" height="638" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two critically endangered Giant Ibises about to leave their roost Tmatboey, Cambodia, 25 December 2014</td></tr>
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We had already seen the <b>Black-shouldered Ibises</b> at Prek Toal, Tonle Sap, a couple of days earlier. Tonle Sap is both South East Asia's largest lake and largest waterbird colony and it was enjoyed equally by all, birder and nonbirders alike. The wealth of wildlife, some of which was at close quarters, was staggering, and of equal interest were the fascinating floating and stilted villages, housing communities that make their living on or from this lake, the size of a small sea.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUcQbVhoD2tEPJnXzOyTk88ujAon7NvaqGVJtlcx9ymHsLgFDuz36wOqjETz_ahNAKIoZTowLuQ8svMASuDowCKKAoikm7OvC1GQHqufgFR25ZJc8D9dMJtLXXxPM8ohZNUwNuLw4WeZ4/s1600/IMG_4720.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUcQbVhoD2tEPJnXzOyTk88ujAon7NvaqGVJtlcx9ymHsLgFDuz36wOqjETz_ahNAKIoZTowLuQ8svMASuDowCKKAoikm7OvC1GQHqufgFR25ZJc8D9dMJtLXXxPM8ohZNUwNuLw4WeZ4/s1600/IMG_4720.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of several Black-headed Ibises seen at Prek Toal, Tonle Sap, Cambodia, 23 December 2014</td></tr>
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Many thanks to the Sam Veasna Centre and to our guide Sophoan for all their help in making this trip so successful.<br />
<br />Morghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02174037399595814606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1107150279667294417.post-46325388572242597442014-11-09T19:54:00.003+00:002014-11-09T19:57:56.977+00:00Rough-legged Buzzards, Lammermuirs, 9 November 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Birds and blog posts are clearly like buses. I was searching for <b>Rough-legged Buzzards</b> today - it is not a common bird in Lothian with only about 25 records - but there has been a bit of an invasion into the UK this winter so far so it seemed a good idea. After a couple of hours in the Moorfoots and Lammermuirs I was beginning to doubt my decision. While I had seen some good birds (3 Black Grouse, 21 Golden Plover, 1 Whooper Swan) they were few and far between and the moors seemed to be fairly devoid of life. As it happens I was sitting in the very layby from which I saw a <b>Rough-legged Buzzard</b> in May - and once again I saw one flying along the same line of pylons interacting with a couple of <b>Common Buzzards</b> - and I drove the same 2 miles along the road to intercept it - this time not quite so clinically. It all felt like deja vu - although in an exciting adrenaline fueled way!<br />
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The <b>Rough-legged Buzzard</b> did not hang around for long and was soon lost in the distance. I decided to move to another spot and walk in to try to see it again. En route I noticed it back nearer the initial point. A little confused by its behaviour I worked my way back to a suitable viewing area and slowly walked in through the heather.<br />
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The <b>Rough-legged Buzzard</b> obliged by appearing over a nearby ridge and then working its way towards me. I sat in the heather the bird come over apparently to investigate me. Unperturbed it swept over me a few times and then hovered in the updraft. Unbelievably awesome views!<br />
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As if it couldn't get better a second bird suddenly appeared - and this made sense of the bird's inexplicable movements earlier. The two, both juvs, hunted side by side and sparred in mid air, much to my delight. Siblings from the same nest perhaps...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjXnTyLwsdPnigS_DEKla1k9pz2ZLyVI4YRjsEZIxiQu9QBoO4RP0gJYTlQzgvX-HZUVcC4JFdn3MSbHsZr4GtmChhg81la26tIyuIj-_pAJ-bqfQsLTWI4aTOWi1DBlxW0PUvEOU2bgM/s1600/IMG_1958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjXnTyLwsdPnigS_DEKla1k9pz2ZLyVI4YRjsEZIxiQu9QBoO4RP0gJYTlQzgvX-HZUVcC4JFdn3MSbHsZr4GtmChhg81la26tIyuIj-_pAJ-bqfQsLTWI4aTOWi1DBlxW0PUvEOU2bgM/s1600/IMG_1958.JPG" height="425" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg34ZvSr6QrgKly6CfST1dIKohJRffLtvNwNlJ7j1fZxdGsENfAjDMDLM8GoC9AghH9CgAUWPPU609fpSgEITEpvtjehYfrEh2HXNWM6fQwmUSNnWmdCDjzdx8GYezDCwKfSdFpOQ7fBqM/s1600/IMG_1972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg34ZvSr6QrgKly6CfST1dIKohJRffLtvNwNlJ7j1fZxdGsENfAjDMDLM8GoC9AghH9CgAUWPPU609fpSgEITEpvtjehYfrEh2HXNWM6fQwmUSNnWmdCDjzdx8GYezDCwKfSdFpOQ7fBqM/s1600/IMG_1972.JPG" height="425" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlURTIWILUlZXiXxadnokwzrGsXueHAmPsvoa6je3OrPsDkySAvREkSdYPORLuz537AdFD_t5OsRWUW97kamRU_aZJEz6t-m8v_SIIkBjCGHuEOVTW59e1OBmhZ4sj-oQp5_jp4GnyNwE/s1600/IMG_1974.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlURTIWILUlZXiXxadnokwzrGsXueHAmPsvoa6je3OrPsDkySAvREkSdYPORLuz537AdFD_t5OsRWUW97kamRU_aZJEz6t-m8v_SIIkBjCGHuEOVTW59e1OBmhZ4sj-oQp5_jp4GnyNwE/s1600/IMG_1974.JPG" height="397" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Morghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02174037399595814606noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1107150279667294417.post-89561122412779315892014-11-08T13:12:00.000+00:002014-11-08T13:12:17.130+00:00New York State birding, Oct 2014<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfLqaAnfS0bYC3Nv68z2_g2HJyyyTnCGctootwX7U_KDIUuAmCVJbJeQSYwL8ZnDUaUBXU9tDbRftDfGgxlmxdS2FDvqeTEHYzi4_rwuu-qeZi3GtT2aWs8ZCMVFGg4m_XRuCjwGKuvVE/s1600/IMG_1130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfLqaAnfS0bYC3Nv68z2_g2HJyyyTnCGctootwX7U_KDIUuAmCVJbJeQSYwL8ZnDUaUBXU9tDbRftDfGgxlmxdS2FDvqeTEHYzi4_rwuu-qeZi3GtT2aWs8ZCMVFGg4m_XRuCjwGKuvVE/s1600/IMG_1130.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juvenile Cooper's Hawk in Central Park Ramble</td></tr>
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I feel fortunate that my teaching job takes me to interesting parts of the world every year or so. This autumn I spent two weeks in Toronto, Rochester and NYC. It was not a birding trip, but like most birders I maximised the free time... Highlights were a few hours at Braddock Bay Bird Observatory coinciding with one of their busiest catches of the season, several walks along the Pittsford Loop Trail (turned out to be a great adopted patch for a week in Rochester) and a day of birding in Central Park, NYC, which included joining one of Deb Allen's guided walks (this was great as I hadn't explored the North end of the park before). I have a real soft spot for birding in the North America - something to do with 30 years of drooling over the plates in the National Geographic guide and hoping to someday find a vagrant this side of the Atlantic. Although I've never managed a proper birding trip on the other side of the pond I've seen almost 300 species there ... including 10 additions on this trip. All pics taken with a CanonSX50 - can't always lug my 100-400 around when in the company of 'normal' folk!<br />
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<b>New World Warblers - who doesn't love em?</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLlQPl0oZuRksBSObgxi-OxG47w5CxhygGE80stwRk6OqqdP48MG0eowlrAY_Y85iaYlkmZldsXzmwrNm6fkwT7Rbyc2wub_91rwCnKUZkwbByP0kWbtFzEK-S7afrUY9xivfSs_qbr7U/s1600/IMG_0651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLlQPl0oZuRksBSObgxi-OxG47w5CxhygGE80stwRk6OqqdP48MG0eowlrAY_Y85iaYlkmZldsXzmwrNm6fkwT7Rbyc2wub_91rwCnKUZkwbByP0kWbtFzEK-S7afrUY9xivfSs_qbr7U/s1600/IMG_0651.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow rumps were everywhere - the only species I really expected to see. Totally underestimated how many species would be about: managed to also find Tennessee, Nashville, parula, magnolia, black-throated blue, black-throated green, palm (east & west), blackpoll, black & white, american redstart, ovenbird, Wilson's, yellowthroat</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo3Yo5-zrLBQAi-3-AJYO6O68XfFE4Gzax-xwMthatPlZZOJQgb9mLMXqHItDVLe2jBigKPgWwMD6i0Namk7FYGllq11NHmbIq2PtMcGygbZnnW4KLyA1Si6G7yydQqVgXwr4w1P5545c/s1600/IMG_1079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo3Yo5-zrLBQAi-3-AJYO6O68XfFE4Gzax-xwMthatPlZZOJQgb9mLMXqHItDVLe2jBigKPgWwMD6i0Namk7FYGllq11NHmbIq2PtMcGygbZnnW4KLyA1Si6G7yydQqVgXwr4w1P5545c/s1600/IMG_1079.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">B&W in Central Park</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ovenbird in Madison Square Park</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhghAgfgae12pCv_cTli-RZoSenHTY7biiYchKyOSK1WNzBSltfuS1WxDBxqXPBmGGT_MwkdfBgGpL7qapVcqDcCrNv-MLsXczEQhblk7yzLey8lCsAZ_WS9wiT9-nVfR8baNb3HXLqGpk/s1600/IMG_1097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhghAgfgae12pCv_cTli-RZoSenHTY7biiYchKyOSK1WNzBSltfuS1WxDBxqXPBmGGT_MwkdfBgGpL7qapVcqDcCrNv-MLsXczEQhblk7yzLey8lCsAZ_WS9wiT9-nVfR8baNb3HXLqGpk/s1600/IMG_1097.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blackpoll - only previously seen breeding plumage male so keen to see this plumage had better views than this!</td></tr>
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<b>Woodpeckers - always seem so much more abundant in North America</b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Had six species on Pittsford Loop Trail including plenty of downy woodpeckers</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjksfaMjeZCSG4BbFn99pU4O_gB5m31Z8W_7-Gqry7I4O86XZxCjb5_8-RzrTUmxIQSUV1RwdHNDEivkPfAyA3mMAvAQC6pyaMHSngq6IIHjIJMP2ac5yWZg5JtzvH_KLwshZkb25S3VMg/s1600/IMG_0322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjksfaMjeZCSG4BbFn99pU4O_gB5m31Z8W_7-Gqry7I4O86XZxCjb5_8-RzrTUmxIQSUV1RwdHNDEivkPfAyA3mMAvAQC6pyaMHSngq6IIHjIJMP2ac5yWZg5JtzvH_KLwshZkb25S3VMg/s1600/IMG_0322.JPG" height="400" width="264" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pileated was new to me - amazing views! Obviously I was more interested in focussing on the twig!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEged1RzpTj8DqRLrID1LCs97atayJJn3Z2NsUjG6Q_q-Q7Fz5QyxfGMsFRJyZFPZsrwjsNgDcHY1-dOANK_cw8Scq7wmjHPK2Kgq_Z-WgtqAa1pS8EhyphenhyphenTYsVKxpOVhlfLfIXoiuNahZqnI/s1600/IMG_0915.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEged1RzpTj8DqRLrID1LCs97atayJJn3Z2NsUjG6Q_q-Q7Fz5QyxfGMsFRJyZFPZsrwjsNgDcHY1-dOANK_cw8Scq7wmjHPK2Kgq_Z-WgtqAa1pS8EhyphenhyphenTYsVKxpOVhlfLfIXoiuNahZqnI/s1600/IMG_0915.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was also a much enjoyed new species - lots seen. This one is a ground level in Madison Square Park.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4edpsin2zdYY1RcsTIpEsFGBlQJXoDjPrv8LbTCfEQnX58jYlr9wrCkkwG3a3Rdd8nncJBERSPODbzjZctnqlD2CPJ6ddRg-M43qNFm9KFQTdLcu_Cms-rrCYmg6sIIhZsQIvHyj1ugY/s1600/IMG_1022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4edpsin2zdYY1RcsTIpEsFGBlQJXoDjPrv8LbTCfEQnX58jYlr9wrCkkwG3a3Rdd8nncJBERSPODbzjZctnqlD2CPJ6ddRg-M43qNFm9KFQTdLcu_Cms-rrCYmg6sIIhZsQIvHyj1ugY/s1600/IMG_1022.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow-shafted Flicker - evolving into a groundpecker by the looks of things</td></tr>
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<b>Sparrow migration was well underway</b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White-throated Sparrows were everywhere. This one right next to Wegman's supermarket.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White-crowned Sparrow in the same area</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Field Sparrow alongside the other two species</td></tr>
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<b>Finches - finally connected with Pine Siskin and Purple Finch!</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDdJdRgshEf3tiXjX8wR4-Vha42Gr4NR-EDCaB_6Gd1FaeV7Y_hBV-mAZKe71YjJrW38s2RQAMcwf_lcABojYiyedwCGFof8nkgpYI_CLl_27vtWaH5EClAGy0vXF59punMff4kU7qgnI/s1600/IMG_0658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDdJdRgshEf3tiXjX8wR4-Vha42Gr4NR-EDCaB_6Gd1FaeV7Y_hBV-mAZKe71YjJrW38s2RQAMcwf_lcABojYiyedwCGFof8nkgpYI_CLl_27vtWaH5EClAGy0vXF59punMff4kU7qgnI/s1600/IMG_0658.JPG" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pine Siskin - a species I duffed in California (but it was only a flyover anyway). So enjoyed jamming into these - think there has been a bit of an invasion since. Gorgeous aren't they...?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even the American Goldfinches were looking worse for wear...</td></tr>
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<b>Thrushes - a nice selection</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinbHSeIcZ1LEDUr2OHR9_Inf9u-it6mu-XotGVpuzUzsSHuM5f1oW-h_rwf-ryJWn73JGwf9OPb0cdSSUIvLMqSQ6EY3B6phetx8W9dznuGBEvVwAZerqz7SqqwZHEYmm-Beo8I_CmRQ4/s1600/IMG_0865.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinbHSeIcZ1LEDUr2OHR9_Inf9u-it6mu-XotGVpuzUzsSHuM5f1oW-h_rwf-ryJWn73JGwf9OPb0cdSSUIvLMqSQ6EY3B6phetx8W9dznuGBEvVwAZerqz7SqqwZHEYmm-Beo8I_CmRQ4/s1600/IMG_0865.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eastern Bluebird in upstate New York - these birds are AWESOME</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfXJtQRynIT_Bib9E5XWJhVZ9BXahd3q0SPBaAJ_HLaXAh9A_2DMBRtRCl6EiVT9hrPcjuNgUT2LSUV66PWi5sYLUnQTf5sWWcFDDoK0jc6eUwNaVqlQt6jsa0yP6Bqe_s76sXAzmcWJ0/s1600/IMG_0721.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfXJtQRynIT_Bib9E5XWJhVZ9BXahd3q0SPBaAJ_HLaXAh9A_2DMBRtRCl6EiVT9hrPcjuNgUT2LSUV66PWi5sYLUnQTf5sWWcFDDoK0jc6eUwNaVqlQt6jsa0yP6Bqe_s76sXAzmcWJ0/s1600/IMG_0721.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hermit Thrush in the hand at Braddock Bay - already seen this species on Fair Isle this year on another school trip (jammy eh?)</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Dg-yYCNDHTy4fvtXbX0nbcPXiCzLpg1di189HmxGz26Tu3z6Ppj3kM4zJadrcayQDdSESgojhCkAl1N5tlqkXG6hL4BX-Q7OZ6Z1z8SIY1UleILUvwapkVVwDgWziFBhEAxfc55hQOM/s1600/IMG_1038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Dg-yYCNDHTy4fvtXbX0nbcPXiCzLpg1di189HmxGz26Tu3z6Ppj3kM4zJadrcayQDdSESgojhCkAl1N5tlqkXG6hL4BX-Q7OZ6Z1z8SIY1UleILUvwapkVVwDgWziFBhEAxfc55hQOM/s1600/IMG_1038.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A very obliging Swainson's Thrush in Central Park that I decided to take a very bad picture of for some reason...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxHWyLfdXJQoln84z5hvBugNJdfThjoiGTkiARON2G1yQ3RDS8LK_xT5jDDyUhI81WLkZMpj4qQSOmKoFYzZ9qmmyP5KczlylAqMS8X7unf9IWJunZqR9cRWP-91WximcZL-2leq_Vm2g/s1600/IMG_1020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxHWyLfdXJQoln84z5hvBugNJdfThjoiGTkiARON2G1yQ3RDS8LK_xT5jDDyUhI81WLkZMpj4qQSOmKoFYzZ9qmmyP5KczlylAqMS8X7unf9IWJunZqR9cRWP-91WximcZL-2leq_Vm2g/s1600/IMG_1020.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Wood Thrush in Central Park - only my second sighting ever I think...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbo5TRvJAyECYYHHl5HB_zQ2VhpNQwGnWf8FLiq2CjjGJZ62e-80p0BayTisB2jE7JWJ7-Rcxv6zKkxTQ8LECZgNh5gFB_S1ZjK-hxEj12vc7v18qSG3AwrggAa8TaavYciSvzG3w-Rrg/s1600/IMG_0739.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbo5TRvJAyECYYHHl5HB_zQ2VhpNQwGnWf8FLiq2CjjGJZ62e-80p0BayTisB2jE7JWJ7-Rcxv6zKkxTQ8LECZgNh5gFB_S1ZjK-hxEj12vc7v18qSG3AwrggAa8TaavYciSvzG3w-Rrg/s1600/IMG_0739.JPG" height="640" width="432" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one is a Gray-cheeked Thrush - nice one!</td></tr>
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<b>Icterids - some of these are stunning close up</b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhw2KnyOR7Z5H4r2ouIbM5gxIB16J041ZkegPp5PfzWIO3cO8LWjoTgwCi7UwvEIaaYyjlY4si_QqvGXxPiPjLIoQHnP2HfBL3tAiKSkuWuBe0_haWwRFyWc5u9GYkzPAu1nNnst_H03U/s1600/IMG_1030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhw2KnyOR7Z5H4r2ouIbM5gxIB16J041ZkegPp5PfzWIO3cO8LWjoTgwCi7UwvEIaaYyjlY4si_QqvGXxPiPjLIoQHnP2HfBL3tAiKSkuWuBe0_haWwRFyWc5u9GYkzPAu1nNnst_H03U/s1600/IMG_1030.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Grackle in Central Park. No pic but did manage to see my first Rusty Blackbird on Pittsford Loop Trail - tick!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0lhyxfaA7c_p-CO9VHZPefTINiy8vXEBTQnT-k7xRSwDTFA0WHldOEdqu-gS_LXBHEbAiDROzbBSxb1pLo1jOcwnwksPdKgFmgvmGnoPljwSuSs3ieXPmQu1YPT_yLw86_aQgqn577ys/s1600/IMG_0853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0lhyxfaA7c_p-CO9VHZPefTINiy8vXEBTQnT-k7xRSwDTFA0WHldOEdqu-gS_LXBHEbAiDROzbBSxb1pLo1jOcwnwksPdKgFmgvmGnoPljwSuSs3ieXPmQu1YPT_yLw86_aQgqn577ys/s1600/IMG_0853.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-winged Blackbird on Erie Canal Trail</td></tr>
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<b>Other bits and bobs...</b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipp0VDerQsNRl18aa6yE9JbM7MaX0VQ7a9Sbk2gcZSy2-LT3WUOIHCkFUYqcK_3YKA-OXK9-4lVJsP44hSLAI825KN1M6mAiBMRS8TH_78mZ6MMlXnPbQ_yxjPU8Y1ZjLUmfUGKv1nQVo/s1600/IMG_0373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipp0VDerQsNRl18aa6yE9JbM7MaX0VQ7a9Sbk2gcZSy2-LT3WUOIHCkFUYqcK_3YKA-OXK9-4lVJsP44hSLAI825KN1M6mAiBMRS8TH_78mZ6MMlXnPbQ_yxjPU8Y1ZjLUmfUGKv1nQVo/s1600/IMG_0373.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of Blue Jays around - on some days a steady trickle moving S overhead</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2RdP0m6zzguh3-ecq443RIc0hS76fFwfmt5GscFxBk1fWQRSOJEOKEFvi79hnsulyMrdRU33SZSTivSc49SGCzKufGqJG8BbIAmoD1HGRlY-3IW2dh_Qg9Gcd3xkcW32Z2JZOY3W75FQ/s1600/IMG_0672.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2RdP0m6zzguh3-ecq443RIc0hS76fFwfmt5GscFxBk1fWQRSOJEOKEFvi79hnsulyMrdRU33SZSTivSc49SGCzKufGqJG8BbIAmoD1HGRlY-3IW2dh_Qg9Gcd3xkcW32Z2JZOY3W75FQ/s1600/IMG_0672.JPG" height="419" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pure Black Duck or hybrid Black Duck x Mallard. Don't know but happy with the ones I saw in Wellfleet MA 2 years ago... phew</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT4rKXXhS-CebxHmVgcMBI1Ij-uo8Zs16eN6_zKNfV2hgaMxaGq2rPLFAytlar3vPsG5rjw3W-eIXPkWmmvEdEgDCkJzMPYuNsTQXotwlEBjE-beTqMFPDjNz-vE7EByd5VAK9APM9AuI/s1600/IMG_1045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT4rKXXhS-CebxHmVgcMBI1Ij-uo8Zs16eN6_zKNfV2hgaMxaGq2rPLFAytlar3vPsG5rjw3W-eIXPkWmmvEdEgDCkJzMPYuNsTQXotwlEBjE-beTqMFPDjNz-vE7EByd5VAK9APM9AuI/s1600/IMG_1045.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Non breeding male Scarlet Tanager - was pleased to find this one in Central Park - don't think I've seen this plumage before... so difficult to remember some stuff before digital cam (I'm very poor at field notes...</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhal7fnUhnTg9Wq053_q8vX6-gmRFx5lS_ZB9V6vEvux5sRTF9Gy1F3bCN6UZyGXGTRDOOpNxheVXIGMDbO3FuKTPlebq40Rfo1p_3x5SW2Dgd3SMOcKZCIqNLTu7hor9pm2FdcTRDLf0c/s1600/IMG_0822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhal7fnUhnTg9Wq053_q8vX6-gmRFx5lS_ZB9V6vEvux5sRTF9Gy1F3bCN6UZyGXGTRDOOpNxheVXIGMDbO3FuKTPlebq40Rfo1p_3x5SW2Dgd3SMOcKZCIqNLTu7hor9pm2FdcTRDLf0c/s1600/IMG_0822.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally as a treat for anyone who has scrolled this far - my best shot of the trip - incoming Cedar Waxwing. An easy bird to see in the states it seems...</td></tr>
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Morghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02174037399595814606noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1107150279667294417.post-33790245932842136702014-07-04T00:22:00.000+01:002014-07-04T00:22:00.514+01:00June birding: more two-barred crossbills and LEOs<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgft_uXaDmbS_UvyYHhLdRQVsHqooV29nMJRtttL4YDOaDsBUhTwmyn_esZIn0Djs1aCVbo86hnGw_80owUAp_GzouAqfcS5rmijgm0Zk-CyvDulAgnidNba8XeNC4WL79ibJo0XlF2oKY/s1600/IMG_0702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgft_uXaDmbS_UvyYHhLdRQVsHqooV29nMJRtttL4YDOaDsBUhTwmyn_esZIn0Djs1aCVbo86hnGw_80owUAp_GzouAqfcS5rmijgm0Zk-CyvDulAgnidNba8XeNC4WL79ibJo0XlF2oKY/s1600/IMG_0702.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another self-found Two-barred Crossbill - this time in Lothian - not quite as exciting as earlier in the year as this was simply a case of doubling the number of 2barXbills in a flock from 1 to 2 (eventually others recorded 7!)</td></tr>
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After an amazing May birding in Lothian this year, I was expecting June to be a disappointment.Well, it turns out that I needn't have worried - June was another stunner. <b>Greenish Warbler</b> and <b>Two-barred Crossbills</b>, <b>Long-eared</b> and <b>Short-eared Owls</b>, <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv9aGQ06IFmmlMs5pUmK1uXe0xf-oKvmxmgidfRJ0EooUwH2tVYYczM4qfPhzE7SXf8_1uKGQweeMZu5-cFv6WxwM4TNRSOqpMiZFSbsAHWgTiqzj-VY7j8AegRe39hkcMGHq71JLa0wQ/s1600/IMG_0700.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv9aGQ06IFmmlMs5pUmK1uXe0xf-oKvmxmgidfRJ0EooUwH2tVYYczM4qfPhzE7SXf8_1uKGQweeMZu5-cFv6WxwM4TNRSOqpMiZFSbsAHWgTiqzj-VY7j8AegRe39hkcMGHq71JLa0wQ/s1600/IMG_0700.JPG" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here she is again, on the right, along with a male and female Common Crossbill</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaD3ZenUZoZbBKo0JjiYdmFidrd_go5LHN2XpxohBo92whjwuOtWldCXMF8r4vm2ncpn4VbFVp2BtsYVzKx7x-1o0szJ2XNGDraUPtxI7-iQVoLYG75u3c6ATAVQRPJpYN1ZZM1zd19BM/s1600/IMG_0712.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaD3ZenUZoZbBKo0JjiYdmFidrd_go5LHN2XpxohBo92whjwuOtWldCXMF8r4vm2ncpn4VbFVp2BtsYVzKx7x-1o0szJ2XNGDraUPtxI7-iQVoLYG75u3c6ATAVQRPJpYN1ZZM1zd19BM/s1600/IMG_0712.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And here is the male drinking from the Hedderwick Burn</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1lsPcVUZs3Hvbfq5Zhsu60UiWhQdAm-JT4apa5wgodzK1Gqor0VHcME0aeU-2MpN3jMg92d7pHn6LMXHRtgdXmEJT0e6inYt8npHcrKFtLLA4os0kbIwWv5S1r3-3M-FX8hmHgopTwmE/s1600/IMG_0711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1lsPcVUZs3Hvbfq5Zhsu60UiWhQdAm-JT4apa5wgodzK1Gqor0VHcME0aeU-2MpN3jMg92d7pHn6LMXHRtgdXmEJT0e6inYt8npHcrKFtLLA4os0kbIwWv5S1r3-3M-FX8hmHgopTwmE/s1600/IMG_0711.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ok, probably not the best shot, but gives an idea...</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9i7_YB3-V7LK5iK1WPlP3YTs94-AGk2WKKWqlEflVNvqqjMXYtRjRFi7N7VqZgaolrbOhXrIhFnrDf_pXLyWmsCI8yRZZJd-pH4zsBa5P5IoKGVlh23Mh5QNXZvVU-rGymLfOcjC380U/s1600/IMG_0689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9i7_YB3-V7LK5iK1WPlP3YTs94-AGk2WKKWqlEflVNvqqjMXYtRjRFi7N7VqZgaolrbOhXrIhFnrDf_pXLyWmsCI8yRZZJd-pH4zsBa5P5IoKGVlh23Mh5QNXZvVU-rGymLfOcjC380U/s1600/IMG_0689.JPG" height="441" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greenish Warbler was the other outstanding bird at the site on the same day</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDXwzNipSRz3p96QViJMgejzEFBHOSFbVZpYl0T8XDXQh8ECqalUxznlE2SkkWNNR5AfQVnwpZlFCjFW142q4fZbsFQm7KYS56Mh4aEKpaMfMrT31Mb7PyNSgqdOCNJKWOQzR8nCsVV24/s1600/IMG_0680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDXwzNipSRz3p96QViJMgejzEFBHOSFbVZpYl0T8XDXQh8ECqalUxznlE2SkkWNNR5AfQVnwpZlFCjFW142q4fZbsFQm7KYS56Mh4aEKpaMfMrT31Mb7PyNSgqdOCNJKWOQzR8nCsVV24/s1600/IMG_0680.JPG" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Singing away - a song I had never heard before - and one that I could easily have overlooked</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXOtzDGG5ywJjPabf_AL08iLEgATCMUdnUOq6YLTA-zSaDfsmnPiHZAYm0XUc_oTAfsBiExOrjZkGE1P9hirb809PKvS8SOz36pXn1vX8zJCjt8SawHUSxZFJ8uIEce8OG_epUbk1L7iE/s1600/IMG_0794.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXOtzDGG5ywJjPabf_AL08iLEgATCMUdnUOq6YLTA-zSaDfsmnPiHZAYm0XUc_oTAfsBiExOrjZkGE1P9hirb809PKvS8SOz36pXn1vX8zJCjt8SawHUSxZFJ8uIEce8OG_epUbk1L7iE/s1600/IMG_0794.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Long-eared Owls were the highlight of the month for me, culminating in watching this adult hunting under streetlights in Edinburgh</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZv-LFKzP5cnj7sCG9H0SphJvBeS1_jGLsvYo1abGIHfy3Qo2W3e_ONYc_RnGIukngX6zHF-rjg3_eQbTPWFNTn0icDgTYiZxamQtYXBH3Ap52yTM3IAC3515a8omu1X_Ttg1-Sd80Cnc/s1600/IMG_0722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZv-LFKzP5cnj7sCG9H0SphJvBeS1_jGLsvYo1abGIHfy3Qo2W3e_ONYc_RnGIukngX6zHF-rjg3_eQbTPWFNTn0icDgTYiZxamQtYXBH3Ap52yTM3IAC3515a8omu1X_Ttg1-Sd80Cnc/s1600/IMG_0722.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I found 5 broods of young in total, some younger than this</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigr1TMaG2winNjRW-NNSv9doT1-z5-fVSIpBr1DpjTeQ2kOn2-h-vX01qjNCwZNKtMnXZuRI99wSKjJVe1hhkBCga0g_6YiNBGJMDrxp3MZDYuKS1pZgPaLI5IH7YfHt_pWhgqFxt3BPo/s1600/IMG_0815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigr1TMaG2winNjRW-NNSv9doT1-z5-fVSIpBr1DpjTeQ2kOn2-h-vX01qjNCwZNKtMnXZuRI99wSKjJVe1hhkBCga0g_6YiNBGJMDrxp3MZDYuKS1pZgPaLI5IH7YfHt_pWhgqFxt3BPo/s1600/IMG_0815.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And some barely distinguishable from adults - the constant begging helps, of course</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_lb80Qq0cSIsoBW6MdKzxj_Gfls5s4g8DsAcpZ-PUa800ieX8qFXDHi5xOORFubYOyBbgH2KlqAJ8jpu7ZEDv0vUJJi-xsTShvUSGaYKSGKWImiDkFwM1nY-APU0DOEvQQSEiNXR99ww/s1600/IMG_0772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_lb80Qq0cSIsoBW6MdKzxj_Gfls5s4g8DsAcpZ-PUa800ieX8qFXDHi5xOORFubYOyBbgH2KlqAJ8jpu7ZEDv0vUJJi-xsTShvUSGaYKSGKWImiDkFwM1nY-APU0DOEvQQSEiNXR99ww/s1600/IMG_0772.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I bumped into two Short-eared Owls this month as well... don't think they bumped into each other though...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGIKsL_jj952IEu-zLNyQr0B4Ofdb5g6TMHZ4oGCnLmUsWrBXz2MWWm1VLQfcggQpylCEfJpwVwI2Z1VECH5TyApxpGSd7GRckz0t0IoVZ0GoRLPZYeW3PD5mIqXKNcw6dxneNFW62MY/s1600/IMG_0887.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGIKsL_jj952IEu-zLNyQr0B4Ofdb5g6TMHZ4oGCnLmUsWrBXz2MWWm1VLQfcggQpylCEfJpwVwI2Z1VECH5TyApxpGSd7GRckz0t0IoVZ0GoRLPZYeW3PD5mIqXKNcw6dxneNFW62MY/s1600/IMG_0887.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Red Kite (a 2CY bird?) was a county tick for me - sadly it only has one leg (just a stump on the left) - is it a coincidence that it is in a grouse moor area with lots of mammal traps?</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaFsM03hnhuoRsvqY5cjRlx7CRYqB9VY2YdrmmDOH5kRebhh0iUKi3GiTiymL0XeWqD3pyzFrFEUtTZtKamdlYh7XuEmTGOuH-fCbF2KRgAgqPNABsQgxY49FP2FsCe9XdgwZcZeQ4wlQ/s1600/IMG_0876.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaFsM03hnhuoRsvqY5cjRlx7CRYqB9VY2YdrmmDOH5kRebhh0iUKi3GiTiymL0XeWqD3pyzFrFEUtTZtKamdlYh7XuEmTGOuH-fCbF2KRgAgqPNABsQgxY49FP2FsCe9XdgwZcZeQ4wlQ/s1600/IMG_0876.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This month I saw more Whinchats than I have seen in Lothian before - the result of exploring upland areas I have not visited before</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidc7pZOCXlrG7p8VxBDYaLGrzGzSiurFfr5urFEH8REAJThIiRnzpozeeFLwL2zbIOXGuaGiZZdnJG9Pg-8xaIJ79k2IUz0BSQoDlSTQyWsCT1MsGB0VnG01VmdRkda-DiVfcbNrp30N4/s1600/IMG_0833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidc7pZOCXlrG7p8VxBDYaLGrzGzSiurFfr5urFEH8REAJThIiRnzpozeeFLwL2zbIOXGuaGiZZdnJG9Pg-8xaIJ79k2IUz0BSQoDlSTQyWsCT1MsGB0VnG01VmdRkda-DiVfcbNrp30N4/s1600/IMG_0833.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It only seems a few weeks since the Common Sandpipers arrived in the uplands, but there are almost full grown young already - this one scuttling next to the road</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLpTBFm-B-oeEqejgubY14XlhDeq3AeeryRmBKl2W7U4Y_7xa5JbFuhnyNm55XdKMyFWCV88sfxa09d0I1BwzzI03U77ZRSfmRcnrfFhqDoqCYTHX_ycY0nuf4ITVZnCYu4I9AYqrJgi4/s1600/IMG_0905.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLpTBFm-B-oeEqejgubY14XlhDeq3AeeryRmBKl2W7U4Y_7xa5JbFuhnyNm55XdKMyFWCV88sfxa09d0I1BwzzI03U77ZRSfmRcnrfFhqDoqCYTHX_ycY0nuf4ITVZnCYu4I9AYqrJgi4/s1600/IMG_0905.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As was this juvenile Lapwing - not quite as cute as last month's pic</td></tr>
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Morghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02174037399595814606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1107150279667294417.post-20091275959972753182014-06-04T23:47:00.000+01:002014-06-04T23:47:00.861+01:00May 2014: best birding yet!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBqxzVyXTIuZPWQw0JpOpvK-z14d2c6j-sKBuddBCcbRuDLnzs4ugp9q7XTltUOJ606MPLnjx5DDnxm-pYG-EgRkrHX12Y7U8g1yuF1NynTYP5Pr9SkrkNiWkZRk1cFmp1Xj3222su0ek/s1600/IMG_2982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBqxzVyXTIuZPWQw0JpOpvK-z14d2c6j-sKBuddBCcbRuDLnzs4ugp9q7XTltUOJ606MPLnjx5DDnxm-pYG-EgRkrHX12Y7U8g1yuF1NynTYP5Pr9SkrkNiWkZRk1cFmp1Xj3222su0ek/s1600/IMG_2982.JPG" height="636" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first dark morph Montagu's Harrier in Scotland - my best find since moving to Lothian in 1994</td></tr>
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Well it looks like May 2014
provided some of my best birding ever - and that's after about 40 years
of birding to choose from! Here are some of the highlights... Pictures mainly from inland and upland Lothian and Fair Isle...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy03l-m15u2ifaCL8eaXmHyxDrjlMgTQhnjRk314pidly8otyCCY7JrujgRmqJDS3yFAGpSCboizR9xjX-_Yx5PSwIolOBjJHRGf6vsOMMeXnVPYeVO9lraOHhIC_M4zgH4T6TmG1w4Mo/s1600/IMG_9938.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy03l-m15u2ifaCL8eaXmHyxDrjlMgTQhnjRk314pidly8otyCCY7JrujgRmqJDS3yFAGpSCboizR9xjX-_Yx5PSwIolOBjJHRGf6vsOMMeXnVPYeVO9lraOHhIC_M4zgH4T6TmG1w4Mo/s1600/IMG_9938.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rough-legged Buzzard - found while trying to re-locate the Monties!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhywEU2XYkf-YOhenGjduBlb94-iujbesYTXNOCaDMnT2IcsebhPHhcGhBuB8swIIEhU2YZbpdWT-qbrINVa8sLtWfRm3pACcEzQxINbX76qtO_HdbuZJS-U7t4sQXztguvMLd7C5gUgPk/s1600/IMG_0117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhywEU2XYkf-YOhenGjduBlb94-iujbesYTXNOCaDMnT2IcsebhPHhcGhBuB8swIIEhU2YZbpdWT-qbrINVa8sLtWfRm3pACcEzQxINbX76qtO_HdbuZJS-U7t4sQXztguvMLd7C5gUgPk/s1600/IMG_0117.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Quail at Aberlady Bay - another find and my first ever view of the species rather than 'heard only record'</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCIhMqtgbseQpglpV4m5qKKwMRsm1A217bCOe1N5ES4yoai39Zlp65Cxvm3ES8gkjYv0aw60qBbRLaKKvHDo2xpzNplUIF_KINTmVXXGqtqIk8tCZWrrZjRyUN3TFox43AX7EeYyePWWM/s1600/IMG_0269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCIhMqtgbseQpglpV4m5qKKwMRsm1A217bCOe1N5ES4yoai39Zlp65Cxvm3ES8gkjYv0aw60qBbRLaKKvHDo2xpzNplUIF_KINTmVXXGqtqIk8tCZWrrZjRyUN3TFox43AX7EeYyePWWM/s1600/IMG_0269.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the highlights of the Fair Isle - awesome male 'Caspian' Siberian Stonechat</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpbQCRpfO2oWlPxjb5Wj5K6QMpSmxkUB4aChnBUqB1X62W16SbjhG0kVySndeyl7unuEWx-uS-8v0mW7B85M-XtBhMUcitxOzYOPRJ_RQZK36eSz0H2EKBydwz5cm8XedDex-JOG2SGS8/s1600/IMG_0202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpbQCRpfO2oWlPxjb5Wj5K6QMpSmxkUB4aChnBUqB1X62W16SbjhG0kVySndeyl7unuEWx-uS-8v0mW7B85M-XtBhMUcitxOzYOPRJ_RQZK36eSz0H2EKBydwz5cm8XedDex-JOG2SGS8/s1600/IMG_0202.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Re-finding the Hermit Thrush very early on its second day</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFTLl2huw7WzE7KZswo2UrKZJO_BRu8N0EvT7AAs_7mgh2aJooE9g9ZGT8DPnNSmSilc71E0ubRjacEPM6QKhOtw9teYnXWTQ6SHgbfH-_tywM2Ao-C3_wPfwFTEIwiAlH6koeVoLQN_A/s1600/IMG_0364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFTLl2huw7WzE7KZswo2UrKZJO_BRu8N0EvT7AAs_7mgh2aJooE9g9ZGT8DPnNSmSilc71E0ubRjacEPM6QKhOtw9teYnXWTQ6SHgbfH-_tywM2Ao-C3_wPfwFTEIwiAlH6koeVoLQN_A/s1600/IMG_0364.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Western Subalpine Warbler - another British tick for me on Fair Isle - took several days and a cat to locate it!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5mEFVgMG433HNfD4E2REkwfxXEI86ugT3R3cFMrRsRuizga-pWWOw_NPm9kKbuWdGyF2qKJobx-MgtjmgNZ7qEXisJ4wosBTYdt7kd-snZ3jQPktLdoGLC37kMTYRRdbYEl4UPwPTb08/s1600/IMG_0146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5mEFVgMG433HNfD4E2REkwfxXEI86ugT3R3cFMrRsRuizga-pWWOw_NPm9kKbuWdGyF2qKJobx-MgtjmgNZ7qEXisJ4wosBTYdt7kd-snZ3jQPktLdoGLC37kMTYRRdbYEl4UPwPTb08/s1600/IMG_0146.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fast declining even on Fair Isle - the Arctic Skua</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghozrRsIVzkRkdDqFVsdghIjjtCTusIB5nseAwL-2-lTPZ4AAPjiifxt5iFRcXf7nif8wwsu2u1DSLptJ46fetfLvWLVLf2vE-nbHOz99sSeazG5M7dBqLGDH7M2_v-Uz9w5hd-S4MhsI/s1600/IMG_0219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghozrRsIVzkRkdDqFVsdghIjjtCTusIB5nseAwL-2-lTPZ4AAPjiifxt5iFRcXf7nif8wwsu2u1DSLptJ46fetfLvWLVLf2vE-nbHOz99sSeazG5M7dBqLGDH7M2_v-Uz9w5hd-S4MhsI/s1600/IMG_0219.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Twite - even closer views in the hand for the whole group</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilRoHevdt8t1fJxyMxLi4JwpwEOASH15RghpXQlO4daTjJ1lP2ycsLTD6kVaiaw_ge08MBN7yzd06TobD6V4-32VOHo0HkQ7e1ZC6NWM5biGakNB57JG0Wqytw1VLnMU3XThYXnSyAFuQ/s1600/IMG_0125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilRoHevdt8t1fJxyMxLi4JwpwEOASH15RghpXQlO4daTjJ1lP2ycsLTD6kVaiaw_ge08MBN7yzd06TobD6V4-32VOHo0HkQ7e1ZC6NWM5biGakNB57JG0Wqytw1VLnMU3XThYXnSyAFuQ/s1600/IMG_0125.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Puffins a highlight of the Northern Isles trip for most of the group</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9KIBlcmam_FjdvxSnlL5iWp1lIx2ESQE8WDTkPuc1ICgMiaeTJ_Qn7pVq56fJ9kr8ljy3MBcSAEaKLEvuWagei0xGFnEgKuYeK1UrHiEhksdR0fciw_cabEyhdM9wH8EuNp3W2IY7LUM/s1600/IMG_0006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9KIBlcmam_FjdvxSnlL5iWp1lIx2ESQE8WDTkPuc1ICgMiaeTJ_Qn7pVq56fJ9kr8ljy3MBcSAEaKLEvuWagei0xGFnEgKuYeK1UrHiEhksdR0fciw_cabEyhdM9wH8EuNp3W2IY7LUM/s1600/IMG_0006.JPG" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A twitch for Avocets at Musselburgh was interrupted by this hunting Peregrine</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirrgxLA734lo0YAIq6p-nsl3SIRch4qH4Mgrp6c0s8uj37phy430YUq5mxZHg80We-eNXPblOEZNQAoR_xVicjMO_KznUe6YHQ3pHfMDuVF43WckwV21ZgdfgArN0Z7JQ8RjToYjIuNNk/s1600/IMG_0078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirrgxLA734lo0YAIq6p-nsl3SIRch4qH4Mgrp6c0s8uj37phy430YUq5mxZHg80We-eNXPblOEZNQAoR_xVicjMO_KznUe6YHQ3pHfMDuVF43WckwV21ZgdfgArN0Z7JQ8RjToYjIuNNk/s1600/IMG_0078.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Grouse were splendidly showy this month </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6DiMJkPChGJ8ZUACOOE9DJVxJQ6vQijHflHQJqJSuOHy9BycBuKqoC6pqYTqL0TFlQ-gkOpbH447OrJ0yZJZ_YDG9rYDs3juuHO77PmMlkJTuTUNVnVGmoEONq-klc6alLh1g2dzr4LQ/s1600/IMG_0443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6DiMJkPChGJ8ZUACOOE9DJVxJQ6vQijHflHQJqJSuOHy9BycBuKqoC6pqYTqL0TFlQ-gkOpbH447OrJ0yZJZ_YDG9rYDs3juuHO77PmMlkJTuTUNVnVGmoEONq-klc6alLh1g2dzr4LQ/s1600/IMG_0443.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A southern Golden Plover is presumably a local breeder</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9RKP57a4QCzXZvHf520HXwHrYdekzyg1xmy4S5tTnOAQZhCAaA7h_JG0q-elrBW9QqyJ9UDWzM0jjupWAQG4Cxu2yJZyPHPzj-gTWKP5fDJYLpVbAWc3mlUu0dTYr5w49p4Nh2aJUG7s/s1600/IMG_0484.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9RKP57a4QCzXZvHf520HXwHrYdekzyg1xmy4S5tTnOAQZhCAaA7h_JG0q-elrBW9QqyJ9UDWzM0jjupWAQG4Cxu2yJZyPHPzj-gTWKP5fDJYLpVbAWc3mlUu0dTYr5w49p4Nh2aJUG7s/s1600/IMG_0484.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A brood of Red Grouse provided entertainment in the Lammermuirs</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3m_-SJgFfVVqVqAJetc1tg4tG_IuoLAs_EsC0U1dWCVE-USke-q8CjUxD_j0__B69BvboqX9an1v16uWNnT0QFFspoSccp4vDoOz9ha0YDBxdWT6wKPnPtCmZGCGXO0mf9z3VRbWVgIU/s1600/IMG_9960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3m_-SJgFfVVqVqAJetc1tg4tG_IuoLAs_EsC0U1dWCVE-USke-q8CjUxD_j0__B69BvboqX9an1v16uWNnT0QFFspoSccp4vDoOz9ha0YDBxdWT6wKPnPtCmZGCGXO0mf9z3VRbWVgIU/s1600/IMG_9960.JPG" height="636" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Although this Lapwing was far more cute</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi86Jn0m5Hhd17jCCbW77R3uoqNvZ7qR9Ifez8MgsGA7J4GbZBB-VySS7p4nprZJlM5KDcvEgWUXLTCwNfOH7ZPZf8Hg7Tfiy7OxX8aUaCo3LLqZWMkv6G-T0qb56bMRWNhm8-40z5rlnc/s1600/IMG_9972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi86Jn0m5Hhd17jCCbW77R3uoqNvZ7qR9Ifez8MgsGA7J4GbZBB-VySS7p4nprZJlM5KDcvEgWUXLTCwNfOH7ZPZf8Hg7Tfiy7OxX8aUaCo3LLqZWMkv6G-T0qb56bMRWNhm8-40z5rlnc/s1600/IMG_9972.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Stoat killed a Rabbit right in front of me</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7cvPLcLqEv-uCgUb7lFVV5zF-GACgSdSiDZbMCwQincXVsSlhSYF5UT6xGzSGomhjnFWGObSlS-ycUcJcz5ppChx3xuuaaFNc3v60N2MQHcIjcGYum-CXFQUygfBQexwTuF1OArZqaac/s1600/IMG_0573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7cvPLcLqEv-uCgUb7lFVV5zF-GACgSdSiDZbMCwQincXVsSlhSYF5UT6xGzSGomhjnFWGObSlS-ycUcJcz5ppChx3xuuaaFNc3v60N2MQHcIjcGYum-CXFQUygfBQexwTuF1OArZqaac/s1600/IMG_0573.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plenty of views of Redpolls - Common Redpolls in the Northern Isles and Lesser Redpolls like this one in Lothian</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLbQhVucgRR84akOCxEDZ4RLD_9mhWDr8psfrzMn6HJpPWRO7vwPFsPWy2Q0SCDKMjXvLSIfkbhWQ4ERXyhHkno7LaktEn44RqeegJTy5BNcCM9ZG5meFjh9SMuA7vAbjclImCqQdMRXo/s1600/IMG_0434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLbQhVucgRR84akOCxEDZ4RLD_9mhWDr8psfrzMn6HJpPWRO7vwPFsPWy2Q0SCDKMjXvLSIfkbhWQ4ERXyhHkno7LaktEn44RqeegJTy5BNcCM9ZG5meFjh9SMuA7vAbjclImCqQdMRXo/s1600/IMG_0434.JPG" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And, finally, gulls - my best hybrid candidate at Musselburgh - although it could be a pure LBBG (watch this space?)</td></tr>
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Morghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02174037399595814606noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1107150279667294417.post-9972227528159321232014-02-19T00:39:00.001+00:002014-02-19T00:39:51.626+00:00Two-barred Crossbills, Nercwys, 17 February 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I hadn't been back to my old patch at Nercwys for over a year and I was anticipating some good birding. In particular over the course of the long weekend I wanted to see some <b>Crossbills</b>. The various plantations on the hill have held <b>Common Crossbills</b> regularly since the mid/late 1980s and as a young birder my formative years involved flocks chipping and glipping overhead on what seems like an almost daily basis. Occasionally a flock would even pause and pose for close inspection although more often views were of distant birds on the topmost branches of some great larch or spruce. Very rarely I would see birds in the lower branches - such as when newly fledged young with uncrossed bills were being fed in some scrubby saplings. This weekend was going to be different, though. Not only, was I going to get my first decent views of <b>Crossbills</b> for over a year, but I was also going to search the Nercwys flocks for a rarer straggler - a <b>Parrot Crossbill</b> or even a <b>Two-barred Crossbill</b>. An influx of both species into the UK this winter fueled my optimism - the latter species had already been recorded in Norfolk, Gloucestershire, South Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. In addition, since the views from Nercwys extend for 60-100 miles to the North and East I reckoned that there was a good chance that a rare irrupting <b>Crossbill</b> could not help but end up there. <br />
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Sunday morning was my first opportunity. A beautiful day, but I did not have much time to search. As the spruce seemed to be devoid of cones I concentrated on larch hoping to find some feeding birds. Disappointingly I only had four <b>Crossbills</b> and they were brief in-flight views. Intriguingly two of the silhouettes had calls that did not strike me as typical and a quick listen to XenoCanto seemed to indicate that they might have been <b>Two-barred</b>. So, nothing concrete but an encouraging enough start to free up time on Monday to have a proper go. After a quick breakfast I was out on Monday at an earlier time than the day before. A much duller day, with heavy skies, I cursed not having spent more time birding the day before. Almost immediately though a flock came over and checking out the larches as I went I headed in the same direction. Instead as I reached the top of the hill a flock of about 20 swirled up from the top of a nearby pine and descended again. I hopped over the gate and pushed along a track to an area with scattered pines. The <b>Common Crossbills</b> were systematically nipping off pine cones and were feeding away contentedly. I settled down to take photos with the aim of trying to pick out a <b>Parrot</b>. The flock was remarkably quiet at times - at times I was watching the wings of the pine seeds floating down to the ground and thinking how easy it would be to miss the birds once they are settled. After about 30 minutes they seemed to become jittery and most of the flock flew to the top of a western hemlock before selecting another pine tree as their next feeding station.<br />
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At this point I noticed that they had been joined by a bird with wingbars. With a sudden increase in excitement my photo rate rocketed as I alternated between shooting pics and grilling the bird through binocs. I could see a pair of great wingbars but no tertial spots so I was suddenly filled with horror that the apparent <b>Two-barred Crossbill</b> might be a wing-barred Common or even worse a hybrid... At that point I realised that there were two birds - as the bird had appeared to change sex as I watched it! From my photos it can be seen that there were 3 birds in this tree - and the tertial spots (which are easily worn) are present on one of the females. After 5 minutes the whole flock lifted into the air calling loudly. In flight there were apparently four <b>Two-barred Crossbills</b> - they are noticeably smaller - I only knowingly saw 2 birds while perched, but having seen a third in the pictures I am happy that all of these smaller birds would have been the same species.<br />
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Despite my best efforts for the remainder of the day and a few hours on Tuesday morning I could not relocate the birds. Remarkably, there have only been two previous records of <b>Two-barred Crossbill</b> in Wales - ironically, if I had known that I may not have tried looking for them! So, not only a life/self-found/British/Welsh tick for me, but also a new bird for the Flintshire list!
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A pair of bright yellow legs stood out at Seafield this morning. Not the mythical <b>Yellow-legged Gull</b> but a <b>Yellow-legged Herring Gull</b> - probably from the Baltic population of Herring Gulls that often show these custard yellow legs. A nice bird and the most custard-like one I have seen yet. The wing formula is not easy to interpret but P6 has a solid band and P5 just a couple of isolated spots.<br />
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Also a brownish <b>Common Redpoll</b> at Figgate Park today. A rarity in Lothian requiring a description but I can't get excited about this bird as it is so subtle and as they should be lumped with Lessers anyway! So why is it not a Lesser - well in my opinion its white covert bars, pale rump and slightly greyish brown tone point to Common. In life it appeared at the large end of the scale for a redpoll and seemed to have a pretty extensive primary projection. The reality is who knows... I'm sure plenty of folk would consider it on the Lesser-Mealy borderline.<br />
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<br />Morghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02174037399595814606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1107150279667294417.post-70898844949441235302014-01-26T17:51:00.000+00:002014-01-26T17:51:20.105+00:00Otter at Cockenzie 25 Jan 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTmZtoKtKKvrvP1bfYZyuJcu-bCvQHDBxmh1Chvz2MnaU4vE7e-OEDyY1wjCxbSzGJdqWAfCxlQWTdrFn93ohGpRMASOcppn1imb0JGnsaIYDimdtevLr2yViA_iQryFuuoTeOTQyjQas/s1600/IMG_2917.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTmZtoKtKKvrvP1bfYZyuJcu-bCvQHDBxmh1Chvz2MnaU4vE7e-OEDyY1wjCxbSzGJdqWAfCxlQWTdrFn93ohGpRMASOcppn1imb0JGnsaIYDimdtevLr2yViA_iQryFuuoTeOTQyjQas/s1600/IMG_2917.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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A rather wet day for a long walk in Lothian, but I was very glad that I persisted. In total 27 miles walked from Liberton to Port Seton and back again. The highlights were mammalian, with three <b>Red Foxes</b> in the dark and then this fantastic <b>River Otter</b> in the sea off the Cockenzie Power Station promenade. Its appearance coincided with some of the heaviest rain of the day and as I watched it fish it soon came up with a scorpionfish. After posing for a few shots it made a beeline for the harbour area to the East and I lost it as I rushed to get my camera back into its drybag...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEH46K1mDzX77jbyUr7_gZcj4njB_OUCJIoGw6WCn0hwzZCIriTU3jtrCelm1Nfrh3MWEHRgEwDEbckQ1JGGt9omvtteGbsZOSo_QeD0hSiokxVx-bENccyKWJd5kDrm5QfxzWyvWQeqE/s1600/IMG_2891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEH46K1mDzX77jbyUr7_gZcj4njB_OUCJIoGw6WCn0hwzZCIriTU3jtrCelm1Nfrh3MWEHRgEwDEbckQ1JGGt9omvtteGbsZOSo_QeD0hSiokxVx-bENccyKWJd5kDrm5QfxzWyvWQeqE/s1600/IMG_2891.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This young Kittiwake did a flypast as I was waiting for the Otter to reappear</td></tr>
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<br />Morghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02174037399595814606noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1107150279667294417.post-4448705557390011072014-01-19T19:14:00.002+00:002014-01-19T19:28:01.296+00:00Unusual Dipper at Figgate Park, Edinburgh 18 Jan 2014<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjocMZ0G2GRAiFjm6OYRZiuO-GmB06WO796ygEG1e17-lbr3rVRcXB24EAsxhyphenhyphen8eY_vxK5G_BxPPmYrHHyIzTrSXeY1kSUFUSKWZjP_dgYAPxUG8kGM0Nxtpuv5f6zl1XW_sYnYeBfpseo/s1600/IMG_2822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjocMZ0G2GRAiFjm6OYRZiuO-GmB06WO796ygEG1e17-lbr3rVRcXB24EAsxhyphenhyphen8eY_vxK5G_BxPPmYrHHyIzTrSXeY1kSUFUSKWZjP_dgYAPxUG8kGM0Nxtpuv5f6zl1XW_sYnYeBfpseo/s1600/IMG_2822.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking good for cinclus?</td></tr>
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I am in the habit of checking (and photographing if possible) every <b>Dipper</b> I come across in Edinburgh in case it is a continental <b>Black-bellied Dipper </b>subspecies <i>cinclus</i>. So far, while occasional individuals look darker, the broad chestnut band beneath the white bib can be seen once good views are obtained. One of Saturday's three birds (two at Figgate Park and one at Musselburgh) on the other hand genuinely had a much darker belly with only a narrow chestnut band. This appeared to flare a little more on one breast and this latter asymmetric anomaly makes me wary of attempting to assign it to any race, although it looks closest to the subspecies <i>hibernicus</i> found on the west coast of Scotland. The validity of separating <i>hibernicus</i> from our <i>gularis</i> has been questioned so I think there will be little chance of establishing the subspecific identity of this individual... Back to gulls maybe?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFtZ_u_BTRfgYWCJK31e7DjI-t4oKzSLuHjZVK9nwgq9BpCOpgA8lQlkGdY1WgexCvoJtRZhJPWxJfX3lW0cb6vQpB9Whv4G5YOVlQjuaPd-RYHHA2FMWvkHdkclO2lgpaBbRr4TuXCd8/s1600/IMG_2827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFtZ_u_BTRfgYWCJK31e7DjI-t4oKzSLuHjZVK9nwgq9BpCOpgA8lQlkGdY1WgexCvoJtRZhJPWxJfX3lW0cb6vQpB9Whv4G5YOVlQjuaPd-RYHHA2FMWvkHdkclO2lgpaBbRr4TuXCd8/s1600/IMG_2827.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still looking good...</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyu2FuM7rPVWpigpSveFmUcC64eNUyMXr_w2bjDH2lYLOKO_ick-UW1tsCQ5HBDZ-aSfRxXsauixDYCbTlLJowEoD5JJTRGI7ky047NkGV9qs-ECjQwN33YTLGSbhIwXlHgfnijnP5M7o/s1600/IMG_2824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyu2FuM7rPVWpigpSveFmUcC64eNUyMXr_w2bjDH2lYLOKO_ick-UW1tsCQ5HBDZ-aSfRxXsauixDYCbTlLJowEoD5JJTRGI7ky047NkGV9qs-ECjQwN33YTLGSbhIwXlHgfnijnP5M7o/s1600/IMG_2824.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aww.. maybe not?... just a little too much of a hint of chestnut beneath the white bib?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDYjA5lbyqFgRjSLKHX-ujsArU8yG0HaeH2SsiaEAbdFOMsoDq4FzcYwmpI6l4ek8cpmC0ow4hiHg49j3dhNIoC6cCpgtdKXT5sXMNdx9tQ9JQRJNfg-L5aRS3gdNRgqRrCez743bHJyE/s1600/IMG_2814.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDYjA5lbyqFgRjSLKHX-ujsArU8yG0HaeH2SsiaEAbdFOMsoDq4FzcYwmpI6l4ek8cpmC0ow4hiHg49j3dhNIoC6cCpgtdKXT5sXMNdx9tQ9JQRJNfg-L5aRS3gdNRgqRrCez743bHJyE/s1600/IMG_2814.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But certainly different from normal, especially with this view</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8l8usyHpK_VMYH59JslCllzK2EEN9iixBFlUzL6Y1JAz4lVMItOLUix4hjvvD_iruQJbD5ULk89AC8MlmAEPvx7uEA4mjntA1MrWXYrCocLDTyDt38pS9iYOihL3WNQxvRTwnUHC_CS0/s1600/IMG_2802.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8l8usyHpK_VMYH59JslCllzK2EEN9iixBFlUzL6Y1JAz4lVMItOLUix4hjvvD_iruQJbD5ULk89AC8MlmAEPvx7uEA4mjntA1MrWXYrCocLDTyDt38pS9iYOihL3WNQxvRTwnUHC_CS0/s1600/IMG_2802.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Too much of a blob of chestnut on this side</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix9sj8SIrqga1z0ZMWL12rW9aBJmwDe0DA7GGCim5c7fB6cVd1Yc2Ya09iawiHASRFq5mtQlJpD-iNVnz747Js89f0vx9BLIez5tuCbbnDK4iNWqFWAByygXfpc_zNNYbyuROL_OL-Kv8/s1600/IMG_2812.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix9sj8SIrqga1z0ZMWL12rW9aBJmwDe0DA7GGCim5c7fB6cVd1Yc2Ya09iawiHASRFq5mtQlJpD-iNVnz747Js89f0vx9BLIez5tuCbbnDK4iNWqFWAByygXfpc_zNNYbyuROL_OL-Kv8/s1600/IMG_2812.JPG" height="638" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ah well, every dipper is worth more than a look anyway</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnsHD283a73zDIJKcfcxq_QxmT3Xrxm7olG-XcTucTaUquLb2BxVqnTT7wcdbhEPuoZxhyphenhyphenR2c2POFtvE7heZdW1kJ2Pyl8UrN-uUiPWPSo23xcIbH1bWXsqo6UWwDg003HzCIhQSvtAZU/s1600/IMG_2828.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnsHD283a73zDIJKcfcxq_QxmT3Xrxm7olG-XcTucTaUquLb2BxVqnTT7wcdbhEPuoZxhyphenhyphenR2c2POFtvE7heZdW1kJ2Pyl8UrN-uUiPWPSo23xcIbH1bWXsqo6UWwDg003HzCIhQSvtAZU/s1600/IMG_2828.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blurry shot but gives a good indication of colours of bird's belly</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguWt83PDlAlHSsnrgIEmqTZvUVTjwy40ImqHRM1yAfAUvSO7kocZNAg8oAhcbdxzONVpCeFtKjqIKRU3IeH6gghyphenhyphenttPMcNmwy_UVlub3s5zc3-Qeo_m3u_kj7kne5-YLWli6Dtn-xpFHo/s1600/IMG_2829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguWt83PDlAlHSsnrgIEmqTZvUVTjwy40ImqHRM1yAfAUvSO7kocZNAg8oAhcbdxzONVpCeFtKjqIKRU3IeH6gghyphenhyphenttPMcNmwy_UVlub3s5zc3-Qeo_m3u_kj7kne5-YLWli6Dtn-xpFHo/s1600/IMG_2829.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />Morghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02174037399595814606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1107150279667294417.post-83894080403665200852014-01-08T21:32:00.001+00:002014-01-08T21:32:44.003+00:00Hybrid Herring x Lesser Black-backed Gull in Edinburgh<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDsCXj_wCldXHcNBjGYilJBL9uiM1bZjB5wSOTEVMHpClevOatA8hFmQ2z9THLoamHWYG07_Abjys1jW9rvvp5tmpDEDqoF1HQYfntZ9GM97ryN5nz8VbiXC-I8TyjRqlXg0KFp-Io12c/s1600/IMG_2678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDsCXj_wCldXHcNBjGYilJBL9uiM1bZjB5wSOTEVMHpClevOatA8hFmQ2z9THLoamHWYG07_Abjys1jW9rvvp5tmpDEDqoF1HQYfntZ9GM97ryN5nz8VbiXC-I8TyjRqlXg0KFp-Io12c/s1600/IMG_2678.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Probably the best shot showing the ring on the right leg - palish yellow legs and mid-toned grey uppers</td></tr>
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Hybrid gulls... By looking closely at the gulls of Edinburgh and Lothian over the last couple of years I've seen quite a few probable <b>Herring x LBB Gulls</b> without yet connecting with a YLG or Caspo. I was seriously considering making 2014 a hybrid-gull-free year by taking a beak from the search for southern European <i>larids</i> in and around Edinburgh. Well, what do you know, a hybrid <i>argentatus</i> x <i>fuscus</i> seems to have taken a shine to the grassy pitch outside my office window in Merchiston. It has been there for the last two mornings, but has disappeared before the light has been good enough for decent photographs. Even with my DSLR on hand this morning the shots are poor. Both days I have seen it in direct comparison with <b>Herring Gulls<i> </i></b>and a single <b>Lesser Black-backed Gull</b>. Its mid-tone mantle and upperwing plus yellow legs are distinctive. Excitingly the bird is ringed on its right leg - although it will take a miracle to get close enough for a ring read I would imagine.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9rUpB9xmbGRTC7a0-uhyphenhyphens2MKDxIrXjfbCrEwnLSenItxiSQbEhkZyzLVWUiBSts1BttLChMtejrJS-d_4DJo7ncu_Esf6lQYKU135efONJ_rbpEnKHmQ-CGaY3JI7mHx3MUYAeXKCbUA/s1600/IMG_2675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9rUpB9xmbGRTC7a0-uhyphenhyphens2MKDxIrXjfbCrEwnLSenItxiSQbEhkZyzLVWUiBSts1BttLChMtejrJS-d_4DJo7ncu_Esf6lQYKU135efONJ_rbpEnKHmQ-CGaY3JI7mHx3MUYAeXKCbUA/s1600/IMG_2675.JPG" height="268" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hybrid HerringxLBB Gull on right with Herring Gull</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeCIXQ7SfZdNSswXRkCI-AKkAZ9ZUtUtS6wOO1fdoBEWPMvTWJlEM5ERpDC7-IaDCWGMqgkeztrHL8KcshynMr5idfwDdTflGP9CfXvIXTDPzGEVSkJPM7Z0v4j5EopnfOBjgryVVm4Ks/s1600/IMG_2684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeCIXQ7SfZdNSswXRkCI-AKkAZ9ZUtUtS6wOO1fdoBEWPMvTWJlEM5ERpDC7-IaDCWGMqgkeztrHL8KcshynMr5idfwDdTflGP9CfXvIXTDPzGEVSkJPM7Z0v4j5EopnfOBjgryVVm4Ks/s1600/IMG_2684.JPG" height="398" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A poor shot in the low light levels - but the wing-tip pattern can just about be discerned - a narrow band on P5 and typical pattern for hybrid</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Morghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02174037399595814606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1107150279667294417.post-90233557038332952482013-12-30T15:51:00.002+00:002013-12-30T15:51:50.540+00:002013 Highlights<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As the year draws to an end I am surprised by just how many amazing wildlife encounters I have managed to fit in. Here's to 2014 being just as exciting for us all.<br />
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<b><u>Finally, to gulls</u></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUvxJ1YyptdA_Dar43fI8gFiu6qNAn4NLNKhyphenhyphenuvuKXKgKZPkPZmFDz_vQyPVRXxNEAU3c88uWJLTkXS9MFICR6ISkS_R4ZMn52-L3VRjj9vBsivxIB3o28a5JfP7xq7FqK7Zdml07wIIU/s1600/IMG_8712_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUvxJ1YyptdA_Dar43fI8gFiu6qNAn4NLNKhyphenhyphenuvuKXKgKZPkPZmFDz_vQyPVRXxNEAU3c88uWJLTkXS9MFICR6ISkS_R4ZMn52-L3VRjj9vBsivxIB3o28a5JfP7xq7FqK7Zdml07wIIU/s640/IMG_8712_2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favourite gull shot of the year - a juvenile Glaucous Gull photographed at Seafield with a Greenland-esque landscape of Salisbury Crags and Arthur's Seat in the background</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An isabel dilutant mutant Herring Gull at Seafield with a more normal individual</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A scarce gull and my best gull find of the year - a Ring-billed Gull in Lisbon</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnyRNlHEjISYWsTazLtUnaFx8elJJktoOaRcb2uQwUrQLTgnPC5aaWFPSWO2lVFXmdabUP9qYPglcr3A2LI6jZzC8HyeC2vuVQ40ovJsUCi8X6i5MuBY9mWI2X-MStLMgQlRaHqIV4bV4/s1600/IMG_0641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnyRNlHEjISYWsTazLtUnaFx8elJJktoOaRcb2uQwUrQLTgnPC5aaWFPSWO2lVFXmdabUP9qYPglcr3A2LI6jZzC8HyeC2vuVQ40ovJsUCi8X6i5MuBY9mWI2X-MStLMgQlRaHqIV4bV4/s640/IMG_0641.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hybrid HerringxLBB Gull photographed in between one of each</td></tr>
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<br />Morghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02174037399595814606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1107150279667294417.post-13784561731316933482013-12-28T23:48:00.003+00:002013-12-28T23:48:46.446+00:00Grey Phalarope at Skateraw<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I was heading out to Belhaven again to try for the <b>Caspian Gull</b> seen on Friday when news broke of this lovely little wader just a little further along the coast at Skateraw. I was delighted to see it was present and performing as I haven't had much luck with twitching this year... still irked by the unreasonable behaviour of the two Northumbrian <b>Ivory Gulls</b>... After watching the <b>Grey Phalarope</b> for half an hour or so I tried again for the gull at Skateraw tip and Belhaven. After a good few hours at the latter site, where the highlight was a <b>Greenshank</b>, I headed back and had a bonus <b>Merlin</b> from the A1 as I passed the Blindwells area. Not only was the <b>Phalarope</b> a Scottish/Lothian tick for me but the falcon was the first in 2013. Nice though to see so many of the Lothian bird-finders out and about today - keep it up guys, maybe I'll pay you back... I'm hoping for a much better run in 2014...<br />
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Morghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02174037399595814606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1107150279667294417.post-78130676757389408312013-12-21T13:12:00.002+00:002013-12-21T13:12:53.027+00:00Patching: Kingfisher and Wigeon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I decided to stay close to home today. Now that the leaves have fallen I have been able to peer towards Little France when passing Craigmillar Castle and have been surprised that the building works area has actually been turned into a flood prevention scheme - bingo! a whole array of previously un-noticed birding habitat! <br />
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A quick look around this morning produced a nice selection including 25 <b>Lapwing</b>, 23 <b>Stock Dove</b>, <b>Skylarks, Reed Buntings, Linnets </b>and<b> Meadow Pipits </b>along with a handful of loafing gulls. Most surprising was a total of 98 <b>Mallard</b>, 4 <b>Teal </b>and patch ticks in the form of a <b>Kingfisher</b> and 2 <b>Wigeon</b>.Morghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02174037399595814606noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1107150279667294417.post-68575460389897789642013-12-15T22:58:00.000+00:002013-12-15T22:58:05.122+00:00Sub-adult hybrid Herring x LBB Gull, Skateraw, 15 December 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I had only commented on Twitter yesterday that I had been unable to find a hybrid gull in Edinburgh for a few months (despite looking hard) when I picked one out at Skateraw Landfill site East Lothian today. Viewing is distant and the images poor. Aging these subadults is hard as I am pretty sure they follow their own rules in terms of plumage. This individual has white underparts and tail and a clear trailing edge on the open wing but signs of immaturity in the coverts and tertials.Morghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02174037399595814606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1107150279667294417.post-29188911106797370852013-12-01T23:37:00.003+00:002013-12-01T23:37:58.273+00:00Identification of 1st winter large white-headache gull<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Oh no! Its a snouty, pale under-winged, venetian-blind upper-winged first-winter large white-headed gull... Maybe some <b>Caspian Gull</b> genes in there but if so it does not quite look like what it should look like. Best then to ignore the <i>cachinnans</i>-like coverts and tertials and put it down as a weird <i>argentatus</i> <b>Herring Gull</b>. After all - every gull at Seafield is a Herring!<br />
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Never did see the tail...Morghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02174037399595814606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1107150279667294417.post-16075669658665035422013-11-23T22:42:00.003+00:002013-11-23T22:42:51.729+00:00Harried Harris Hawk<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carrion Crows and CarrionxHooded hybrids hassling the Harris Hawk</td></tr>
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A couple of brief trips to Seafield so far this weekend have produced a couple of interesting sightings. Yesterday an adult <b>Mediterranean Gull</b> was offshore with the <b>Common Gulls</b> at the outfall. Only a brief and distant sighting sadly. Today's unexpected bird was another view of the falconer's <b>Harris Hawk</b> on top of one of the buildings. The gulls seemed to be slightly worried. The corvids on the other hand were flocking in droves to get a good look at this tropical species.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CarrionxHooded Crow hybrid showing off its giveaway darker scapular and vent feathering. Taken on the 4 Nov - which clearly was a sunny day!</td></tr>
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There were a couple of regular hybrid crows joining in this attempt at mass bullying. Earlier I had seen what could have been a pure hoodie over Duddingston but of course it is far more likely to have been a hybrid. Here is a nearly-pure <b>Hooded Crow hybrid</b> on Seafield shore earlier in the month.Morghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02174037399595814606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1107150279667294417.post-72615876296912454822013-11-17T22:37:00.003+00:002013-11-17T22:37:48.085+00:00River Otter off Musselburgh<br />
I arrived at Musselburgh sea wall today just at the right time today. Another observer had just found an <b>Otter</b> offshore. We scoped it as it headed in the general direction towards Fisherrow Harbour. Distant views for me - but enough to get good looks at its head tail and body out of the water each time it surfaced and dived. We rushed around towards the harbour by car but sadly could not relocate it.<br />
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My best <b>River Otter</b> sighting of the year is shown above - an amazing, prolonged close view of an individual feeding at very close range in a river in Andalucia in July. A few minutes later I also saw my first ever <b>Black Stork</b>!<br />
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Morghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02174037399595814606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1107150279667294417.post-36702343684443543422013-11-17T22:25:00.001+00:002013-11-17T22:25:23.182+00:00Steel grey Scandinavian Herring Gull <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I can't be sure without a colour ring, but I think that this <b>Herring Gull</b> has crossed the North Sea for its winter break in Musselburgh. The steel-like grey upperpart tone combined with reduced black in their outer primaries are pointers to the identification of Scandinavian <b>Herring Gulls</b>. Another bird at Seafield this morning was darker grey and had <i>thayeri</i>-like wingtip pattern - that's a classic combination for a northern <i>argentatus</i>. This one is slightly trickier on both counts, so maybe its origins are slightly less far north?<br />
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<br />Morghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02174037399595814606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1107150279667294417.post-24591268496884350212013-10-28T23:40:00.002+00:002013-10-29T08:20:13.404+00:00Hybrid Crow at North Bull, Dublin<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hybrid crow on right with a pure Hooded Crow</td></tr>
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<br />Morghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02174037399595814606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1107150279667294417.post-16986053538082482002013-10-27T13:26:00.005+00:002013-10-27T13:26:50.870+00:00Scandinavian HerringGull (subspecies argentatus) at Seafield<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It has been an extremely quiet autumn for me bird-wise - lots of looking but not much finding. I have not once managed to time a trip to the East coast that coincides with decent conditions for grounded migrants. Other than a few brief views of <b>YBWs</b>, a very brief <b>Sardinian Warbler</b> and another self found <b>Ring-billed Gull</b> (in Dublin, of course), decent birds have been conspicuous by their absence.<br />
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Today I managed to squeeze in an hour or so at Seafield and the best I could manage was my first <b>Scandinavian Herring Gull</b> of this coming winter season. This bird had very little black in its wing-tip compared to our breeding birds and an upperpart shade that is darker. In the shot of it on the shore it can be seen that it is obviously darker than the accompanying <b>Black-headed Gulls</b>. Note that P10 is still growing on this bird and that P9 shows no back extending to the web - ie a thayeri pattern. More often, in my experience, these northern gulls keep their distance and seeing these details can be tricky. This one today treated me to a nice flypast.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scandinavian Herring Gull standing in water to right of roosting BhGs</td></tr>
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<br />Morghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02174037399595814606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1107150279667294417.post-29307546492515480212013-10-06T22:26:00.001+01:002013-10-06T22:26:25.963+01:00Twitching Sardinian Warbler<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A male Sardinian Warbler in Spain in the summer - today's bird at St Abb's looked about 100x smarter!</td></tr>
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We had a family walk today at St Abb's Head. Not because there is a cracking male <b>Sardinian Warbler</b> there, but let's say it didn't exactly put me off. On arrival at the Mire Loch, two birders told us that they had waited 7 hours for a view so I was pretty much certain that we would just be walking and not watching. The rest of the family seemed happy to let me have a few minutes to have a look around the favoured areas of gorse and bramble so I decided to give the area a quick circuit before continuing. Deep within the first area I checked I could hear a subdued complex warble and thought that I might be onto something. I quickly got my camera out but before I was quite ready the stunning <b>Sardinian Warbler</b> had hopped up onto the top of a sprig of gorse. As I pointed the camera it disappeared into the thicket again with a scolding call. Wow! I wasn't expecting that to be so easy. No picture, but a stunning close view in good light, with the bird's plumage looking much smarter than the moulting birds that I was looking at in Spain in July. Anyway, five minutes effort and its on my British list and we can get on with the family walk. Only difference is that now I seem to be much better company! Maybe I could get used to this twitching... Meanwhile here are some more <b>Sardinian Warbler</b> shots taken in Spain this summer - just as difficult to photograph as today's bird.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyDSsxxIxRR6GBWdTZuvT1aC_q1MycsVYIMFAQ7j6tkbXxnCZI_lWAfmhJ7ko_16DmzT5RMYMNmHf9EbJUDoVWp3ZlwjpKtQ5Atvj-WbQ5_W0xmKeU-wY0o4Z5Nhwqovmu87KcPmtUTdA/s1600/IMG_0336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyDSsxxIxRR6GBWdTZuvT1aC_q1MycsVYIMFAQ7j6tkbXxnCZI_lWAfmhJ7ko_16DmzT5RMYMNmHf9EbJUDoVWp3ZlwjpKtQ5Atvj-WbQ5_W0xmKeU-wY0o4Z5Nhwqovmu87KcPmtUTdA/s640/IMG_0336.JPG" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWEu7jEPDuy53Nvfo5-2-PNN5Dgn2YsCWhJXA4Y5a7TB4cJLR0wORb8Y54uaEk4jY7pV4Yn9t1u2sYQd3Q08wmwWU9sNJMo7wfGn6M38sNRSVMzazqVd_uElRCF6ReHuUCf_OH8nLqQiA/s1600/IMG_0339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWEu7jEPDuy53Nvfo5-2-PNN5Dgn2YsCWhJXA4Y5a7TB4cJLR0wORb8Y54uaEk4jY7pV4Yn9t1u2sYQd3Q08wmwWU9sNJMo7wfGn6M38sNRSVMzazqVd_uElRCF6ReHuUCf_OH8nLqQiA/s640/IMG_0339.JPG" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYZFeWf9aqI7Je3srQhaIUeqt4AqcyCpq_96ZEwvU51XCo66X-4SNb74RDgKJKKsHGcnf8qfsEZXdjBCQjnpXno19KfnxelXhvi21p2RM0aDqjGhrcw_7HF63W1GW00oeFmSy2yUu3DdU/s1600/IMG_0294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYZFeWf9aqI7Je3srQhaIUeqt4AqcyCpq_96ZEwvU51XCo66X-4SNb74RDgKJKKsHGcnf8qfsEZXdjBCQjnpXno19KfnxelXhvi21p2RM0aDqjGhrcw_7HF63W1GW00oeFmSy2yUu3DdU/s640/IMG_0294.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi67fh-xOiWJN7tHb_A-T1a7SHCPSicC9yDg7TdjhQX61qANpCj3P3VGXjNmVvW5vHXSU_blBPYphJtBw86oUqWaSpMxsx_KiiYQj33CIk4A2ooz56PWaywyTmZ8SS_fs8P2Z4QNyp5fhY/s1600/IMG_0351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi67fh-xOiWJN7tHb_A-T1a7SHCPSicC9yDg7TdjhQX61qANpCj3P3VGXjNmVvW5vHXSU_blBPYphJtBw86oUqWaSpMxsx_KiiYQj33CIk4A2ooz56PWaywyTmZ8SS_fs8P2Z4QNyp5fhY/s640/IMG_0351.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_DlgIraTeINonDcKSugLPORGCkzRpOzvvIGB8rlVbvsz1OsWdSQ1w3iyOxPHu82giDsMcFE07tcdyfPI_6Q0nefaLcwAodbWy7HPYwk108IgNp_5aynNv6xLoIXNvj2HMTX3UraHWKSE/s1600/IMG_9938.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_DlgIraTeINonDcKSugLPORGCkzRpOzvvIGB8rlVbvsz1OsWdSQ1w3iyOxPHu82giDsMcFE07tcdyfPI_6Q0nefaLcwAodbWy7HPYwk108IgNp_5aynNv6xLoIXNvj2HMTX3UraHWKSE/s640/IMG_9938.JPG" width="640" /></a>Morghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02174037399595814606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1107150279667294417.post-42171177354116160352013-10-01T20:54:00.003+01:002013-10-01T20:54:43.383+01:00Honey-Buzzards in Lothian<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN1rfJsl_FXv7e5XGsJEsT5cvfUZuhNMNCDNtgxC3SPmXo5PFzjkp-2XCVbsoShW6eE5Zbld6Nf_l7KAbT1IumyHSl8f87AJFZyoj8egcBP53SyF0wQdCk8eWyXYyBZB9AYHG3y-t_fAM/s1600/IMG_9712.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN1rfJsl_FXv7e5XGsJEsT5cvfUZuhNMNCDNtgxC3SPmXo5PFzjkp-2XCVbsoShW6eE5Zbld6Nf_l7KAbT1IumyHSl8f87AJFZyoj8egcBP53SyF0wQdCk8eWyXYyBZB9AYHG3y-t_fAM/s640/IMG_9712.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I don't have a recent shot of a Honey-Buzzard - so here's a Short-toed Eagle from Andalusia this July</td></tr>
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I have been Phil B's shadow this month. Everywhere I have gone birding he has been there or vice versa. Except Sunday morning when I popped out to Seacliff to see if I could get a better view of an interesting <b>Lesser Whitethroat</b> or any sort of view of a heard-only <b>Yellow-browed Warbler</b> from a few days before. Well, I only managed a <b>Nuthatch</b>. Meanwhile, Phil was at Musselburgh soaking up views of a <b>Honey-Buzzard</b> circling over towards Newhailes. I must say I'm pretty gutted as I am yet to see one in Lothian. The last one I saw in Britain was a September bird self-found at my patch in Nercwys in North Wales and that was pretty exciting to say the least. I reckon that this is something like Lothian's 30th Honey-Buzzard and looking through the past records this one was seen on the prime date with about third of all records seen in the period 25–29 September. In terms of locations, almost all of these autumn birds have been seen along the coast from Hound Point to Skateraw. I know where I'll be next year...Morghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02174037399595814606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1107150279667294417.post-49410693688112524942013-09-29T22:05:00.001+01:002013-09-29T22:09:28.126+01:00Yellow-browed Warblers in Lothian Sept 2013<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9oq6FnlBgJFtlBi36wL0HeQmQ-UyqY4uqFjP3WSyZ7dO_rRbtfCZrjQN9aUHX55EjTMxWYXYQ2iPGqz-JW4qMcV8lVvP1t-X0Oe5PbCH744V7MUwF0S9-vm4s_O6ozKJg1ZK3UZ50RuQ/s1600/IMG_1348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9oq6FnlBgJFtlBi36wL0HeQmQ-UyqY4uqFjP3WSyZ7dO_rRbtfCZrjQN9aUHX55EjTMxWYXYQ2iPGqz-JW4qMcV8lVvP1t-X0Oe5PbCH744V7MUwF0S9-vm4s_O6ozKJg1ZK3UZ50RuQ/s640/IMG_1348.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of two Yellow-browed Warblers at Scoughall today</td></tr>
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With unprecedented numbers along the east coast of Scotland, we are in the middle of the largest invasion of <b>Yellow-browed Warblers</b> into Lothian. Today Mike H managed to see 9 in total! There have been approximately 19 birds recorded since Wednesday morning in the region with site maxima of 3 at each of Barns Ness old campsite, Whitesands triangle and Scoughall, two seen at each of Torness, Thorntonloch, Skateraw and Dunglass and the single bird that I heard at Seacliff on Friday (now safely confirmed after hearing another 5 birds over the weekend...). The distribution closely matches the 75 previous records in Lothian. Even more exciting is the real possibility of more arrivals with the wind swinging easterly again today. In addition we may have a run of records away from the coast as the high numbers in the northern isles start to filter south.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFufJa56mx1shMLn0uQrmfGrroqF4nZpNlevnw0WrkeDwR__-n2ACVrnyLxLVgfEP1BAWNFXze6auQ0sx9Sl-tsoYe8DeFyL5-e9r_YfUXE1mxQ2-DY_T8M8jozJTxq9Pt1gjx1dCLdTA/s1600/IMG_1356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFufJa56mx1shMLn0uQrmfGrroqF4nZpNlevnw0WrkeDwR__-n2ACVrnyLxLVgfEP1BAWNFXze6auQ0sx9Sl-tsoYe8DeFyL5-e9r_YfUXE1mxQ2-DY_T8M8jozJTxq9Pt1gjx1dCLdTA/s640/IMG_1356.JPG" width="640" /> </a></div>
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One thing that has always puzzled me about the <b>Yellow-browed Warbler</b> is its latin name <i>Phylloscopus inornatus</i>. The genus is understandable as it is one of the leaf-peeping warblers that gleans its insect food from foliage, but <i>inornatus</i> implies a terrible blunder in suggesting that this multiply striped sprite is 'un-ornate'. I literally dusted off the Old Handbook (Witherby et al.) and the answer was supplied. The initial latin binomial was <i>Motacilla superciliosus</i>. Now if we can ignore the genus (Motacilla was used much more widely for passerines in the 18th century) the specific name seems so much better. Unfortunately it soon turned out that another 18th century taxonomist had already used this latin name for another species so the name could not be used for the <b>YBW</b>. Instead an alternative was found in the literature as the <b>Yellow-brow</b> had also been described by Blyth as <i>Regulus inornatus</i> - essentially calling it the 'Crownless Kinglet' or something similar. Further readjustment was to the current genus, but the specific name has had to stick. Well, I'm looking forward to finding a Crownless Kinglet in Edinburgh - maybe the royal parks would be worth a shot?...</div>
<br />Morghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02174037399595814606noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1107150279667294417.post-9084088836443462022013-09-27T23:28:00.002+01:002013-09-27T23:28:31.354+01:00Siberian Lesser Whitethroat?, Seacliff<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW-O6aX3wwe9iO5pZLYPsV5giffCxQM2SghCgegmFfMcghsml8iFDD-UZhNhqqHTwLER39MP09fnyg-4roSMvGO1Cwvvmo0CfmO8NNmPM8Cc0NeEuOmBy8qNti7sWBS16WoklJeUTXYGg/s1600/IMG_1325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW-O6aX3wwe9iO5pZLYPsV5giffCxQM2SghCgegmFfMcghsml8iFDD-UZhNhqqHTwLER39MP09fnyg-4roSMvGO1Cwvvmo0CfmO8NNmPM8Cc0NeEuOmBy8qNti7sWBS16WoklJeUTXYGg/s640/IMG_1325.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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This week has been frustrating bird-wise. I have dashed off to the coast after work on several days to enjoy the amazing fall of <b>Yellow-browed Warblers</b> that have arrived from Asia. Of the 8, 10 and 7 reports over the last 3 days in Lothian I have managed to see precisely none. Site high totals this week have been Barns Ness and Whitesands 6, and Torness, Thorntonloch, Skateraw and Scoughall all with 2 apiece. So, somewhere between 14 and 25 birds perhaps. The sites have tended to be very quiet in the late afternoon and early evening periods that I have managed to visit and it has left me wondering whether the birds have moved on already given the improvement in the weather since Wednesday morning - or whether they are jet-lagged and keeping a central Asian time clock?...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW87A1LA65tH-Vih_TcnBesKqshv-i5efVTztAyvQbpdLbOclAqJLqjaKURzXugF1TbuW6zrIhwnu_zNkLGhmd62NHiGfFJILqgijddGFXT1t-OksZ1PZB2HuGk3Pwbu0ZQfPowsMDhr0/s1600/IMG_1328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW87A1LA65tH-Vih_TcnBesKqshv-i5efVTztAyvQbpdLbOclAqJLqjaKURzXugF1TbuW6zrIhwnu_zNkLGhmd62NHiGfFJILqgijddGFXT1t-OksZ1PZB2HuGk3Pwbu0ZQfPowsMDhr0/s640/IMG_1328.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Underside of tail just visible before it disappears into the sea buckthorn</td></tr>
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Today I'm pretty sure that I did hear a <b>Yellow-browed Warbler</b> briefly at Seacliff but could not locate - there is quite an area of sycamores to search. Instead the highlight was this <b>Lesser Whitethroat</b> which looked to me to be of the Siberian subspecies <i>blythi</i> although it is not possible to be really sure without much better views combined with DNA testing most likely. Anyway it was a bright brown above (including crown) rather than the more normal dull tones of our subspecies with great contrast between the throat and the flanks. In addition it certainly appeared to have white outer tail feathers with dark shafts. None of these features have come out well in the photos unfortunately. In terms of call a blackcap-like 'tack' but no distinctive churr heard. So one that I think I should pop back and try for again.<br />
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<br />Morghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02174037399595814606noreply@blogger.com0