Thursday 6 March 2014

Back home


So, back in Littlehampton for a brief period before our next adventure begins on the FARNE ISLANDS!! Some lovely  birds around, only a few minutes from the house in the case of the first two, the long-staying first winter Kumlien's Gull and the second winter (3cy) Glaucous Gull. I have made two visits now, and both times they have been showing very well in the harbour mouth from West Beach. Light was poor on both occasions, but I managed to get a shot of both, with a nice one of the Kumlien's showing the brown wash in the primaries and the obvious dark tail band.

Kumlien's Gull, Larus glaucoides kumlieni

Glaucous Gull, Larus hyperboreus

Our second outing was to make the journey up to Warnham, which is always a lovely place to visit, but this time with the added incentive of a Mealy (or Common, whichever you prefer) Redpoll up for grabs. We spent 20 minutes watching the Redpolls, Siskins, Long-tailed Tits and others busy on the feeders before the star bird arrived for a brief showing. I managed a shot showing the two pure white wing bars, overall greyish tones and the contrasting dark ear covert spot, all key ID features.  Also on the reserve was a Raven, many Grey Herons busy nest building and a nice pair of Great Crested Grebes.

Siskin, Carduelis spinus

Long-tailed Tit, Aegithalos caudatus

Lesser Redpoll, Carduelis flammea cabaret
Mealy Redpoll, Carduelis flammea flammea

3 comments:

  1. Nice gulls .. Keep meaning to try for the Kumlein's but never quite getting there ! So off to The Farne Islands .. Job or vollie ?

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  2. Thanks mate. It's worth it, nice and easy at high tide at the moment. Farnes is a full blown job!! How are things going your end?

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  3. Great gig ! Well done .. Is that the seasonal post ? Nearly went for it myself .. But too far away from my home comforts. Things going ok thanks. Have work, but still looking for a job!

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