Crazy Fools

Waited for news before shooting over to Chew Valley Lake for a Sharp Tailed Sand.Had to take the Van so it was a bit like a scene from the A Team.Mad Murdoc and faceman took it in turns in the back.After viewing the Sand a pair of Dowitchers and a Spotted Sand we headead back home.Somehow we manged to find our way past Blagdon Lake and towards the M5 at Bridgewater.Talk soon turned to how far the Desert Wheatear was in Devon.After a few phone calls back home and a nice steady drive we were watching the wheatear.The light had gone by then so not many pics taken.So all in all a longer day than expected but some cracking birds were seen.

A Few More from Today

Tricky Ricky

Visited boat lane again this morning in search of the Small Canada Goose that i saw yesterday distantly.Still present and associating with the Canada's.Now where has this bird come from?I would imaging a few would say its come from someones collection.I'm not so sure.It is the right time of year.

Three birds have turned up in  Ireland.Two in western Scotland.One in Somerset.

They are know as being  long distant migrants.Gwents 2nd ever Greenland Whitefront has also arrived at the same time.(which it might have arrived with)A Black Brant and a few Pale Bellied Brents in the Gower.

Apparently there has been a curious pattern of dispersion across North America at the moment with, amongst others, three in Ottawa the other day apparently mega-alerted.It is associating with the Canada flock but what other geese are there in Gwent to associate with.I Guess we will never know but its still an interesting bird and well worth a visit if possible.



Tiny Little Thing

The Slav grebe showed well at Uskmouth this morning.Other bits and pieces of interest were Blackcap Chiff Stonechat and quite a few more Redwing and fieldfare than of late.

This afternoons entertainment was at Boatlane where a Cackling Goose (B. h. minima) was with the Canada's on the tideline.Always distant so better views need to be obtained.Cracking little Goose whatever.

A Very IZZY Weekend

When i was deciding what to do for the weekend there was a few choices.A Marathon a triathlon a decathlon or a Shrikeathon,i choose the shrikeathon as it would be a lot less stressful and wouldn't involve any running. The Wall Farm Steppe Grey was a bit distant but good scope views were enjoyed. The Porth Clais Isabelline (Daurian) Shrike just couldn't show any better if it tried.An Isabelline Wheatear was found on the Gower late afternoon.Didn't think it would stay so i opted for a look around Collister Pill Sunday morning.Managed to get to the end of Fishouse Lane before legging back to the van and heading in the direction of the Gower.About an hour later i was watching it down to about 30ft.