It doesn't seem long ago but on this day in 2017. Shropshire welcomed a Yellow Browed Warbler...
Yellow-browed Warbler is hardly a national rarity nowadays but it certainly is a prized tick in Shropshire with (until today) quite a few of the top listers still needing it. All that was about to change with one being reported in a garden in Shawbirch! There's history in this area too, with one turning up in Andy Latham's garden on 12th October 2008...
There have been four previous records, all autumn birds so this is the first spring visitor to be found - but who knows how long has it been in the area?
After appearing briefly in a private garden mid-morning, it disappeared for nearly four hours and was finally relocated in a small copse east of the B5063 in Shawbirch at about 2.00pm. It showed pretty well on and off disappearing for quite a time but everyone who had come by 4.30 had connected :-)
Hard work to see, photography as difficult as it gets! Nevertheless, here's a few record shots from the session.....
One of the most striking features was how 'untidy' it was (we are used to pristine autumn 1st winter birds!)
And of course there was ALWAYS a branch, twig or leaf in the way!!
And if only this moment had occurred a bit nearer? Another fly about to meet its doom!
I was one of the lucky ones to have seen Andy's bird, a few demons were exorcised by this one for others and yet another good bird for the shire too!
On April 2nd 2016, enjoyed my first Willow Warbler for the year at Venus Pool...
With nothing happening wader wise, a highlight today was the first Willow Warbler of the year singing next to the main hide. It was confiding too!
And adopting some strange postures!
Difficult to keep up with, flitting in the tangled branches of an elder...
But occasionally pausing in a more open situation.....
And eventually, a half decent shot or two!
The light could have been better but these will do for now :-)
More warblers needed - bring em on!
On 2nd April 2012, two Long-billed Dowitchers enticed me to call in at Shapwick Heath, Somerset after a trip to Devon...
I picked Shapwick Heath in Somerset as my main destination for the day whilst returning home, some good birds were hopefully guaranteed? A
Common Crane in flight over the Ham Wall side just after I'd arrived, was a good start!
It was a gorgeous day and the walk in flat and featureless with
Blackcap singing and a distant male
Marsh Harrier in flight.....
Eventually I reached the main lagoon and for the first time in a week of two, there was no sign of the Long-billed Dowitchers :-(
There were two
Great White Egrets however. Both were now in breeding mode with black bills, quite mobile but one bird lingering distantly....
A fair number of
Black-tailed Godwits were feeding up with a single white headed
Ruff. Every now and then they would perform an impromptu 'red arrows' display!
Just after midday, my luck returned - not the two smaller waders joining in on the display flight - the two Long-billed Dowitchers!
They flew about for a while before settling down on the nearest muddy island!
Kingfisher was added to the day list and eventually the heat shimmer made photography impossible, nothing new had arrived, it was time to move on....
April is prime time for a passage Osprey and on 2nd April 2008, one called in at VP. I can remember this one like yesterday...
Well, what better way to follow a fantastic March with a key bird for April openers. An Osprey had been seen by a few observers on the evening of March 31st and it returned with a vengeance today!!
It was present for much of the afternoon and during the evening today. Obviously stuggling, given the very windy conditions and surface ripple etc, it remained fishless for hours! I managed to get a couple of decent but distant record shots.
A useful sense of scale provided by one of several mobbing rooks!
Best views were in the fading light at 7.00pm however, whilst with Dave Western in the top field. We were watching a Barn Owl hunting over the seed crop......
when suddenly the Osprey reappeared over the Trout pool, OMG - which way do we turn! The Osprey got the vote and it was a quick dash to the causeway for closer views, climaxed over the next 30 mintes with two attempts to nail a fish. The first plunge was amazing - the Osprey literally disappeared under water for a few seconds before the head reappeared, followed by the wings and then a monumental effort to become airborne again! Oh to have captured this - closer and in decent light.....
These are really dodgy pictures but help to convey the scene......
