Thoughts of warmer climes!

Kentish Plover on the Salt pans of Pak Tha-le

Marsh Sandpiper

Black-naped Tern

White and dark phase Pacific Reef Heron

White Wagtail SSp leucostis

Black-crested Bulbul

Red-whiskered Bulbul

Asian Emerald Cuckoo

Spotted Pigeon

White-throated Rockthrush

Yellow-vented Bulbul

Mugimaki Flycatcher

Blue Rockthrush

White-handed Gibbon

There you go, a few more of the creatures encountered during the trip to parts warmer. A little more interesting than parts colder at the moment. Still chaasing Crane and Firecrest keep things interesting!!

More in a little while? perhaps when it warms up.

Paul

They are at it again!

With the longer then average cold spell many of the early breeders have had an awful lot to contend with.

It has however provided some good spectacle over the last few days, as the Great Crested Grebe have begun their mating rituals. But getting closer to them during this time has proven to be a real bugger, but that was overcome the other days after the snow. The hide was up, the coffee hot and black, and it was just wait for the light to improve which it did and the results are as follows.

Female Tufted Duck

Male Pochard

Some bill rubbing

Look how georgeous I am

Well that worked well!

Intruder alert

They performed all of the normal display, how odd though the Weed Dance was the only thing missing so it looks like lots more hours in the hide waiting and watching for that most lovely of displays. Don't half make your feeties go cold, even with thermal socks and in boot heaters, boy it was Brrrr.

More on your next visit

Paul

In County stuff, at last!

With some blue sky and and some birding needing doing it was out around the county to see what could be got, and was pleased to find two birds I needed for the year list. The Crossbills performed well and the Whooper were where they were supposed to be!! Oh! two of which are carrying leg rings, information has been sent to the ring recovery centre.

 Six of the 21 present

One of the two ringed

The females were a little more elusive so stayed on the males.

 Well that is it a little of the in county stuff found on Tuesday.

cheers
Paul

Floging the Meres or something like that!

Well blow me down, what with Worm drowners, people draggers, controlled and mostly uncontrolled that is.

and a very lazy wind, being as it would rather go through you than round. All without a sniff of the RBM!

A cry for help perhaps?

Female Goosander

Male Goosander

Male Goldeneye

A bit closer

Nowt much else around the county apart from the annual elusive darn Common Crane!!

cheers

Paul

A bit more out of County stuff

As per usual after a trip a few of the birds seen as we backpacked around Thailand. Next time its hotels all the way, my back's killing me! still that will teach me!

Black-winged Stilt

Kentish Plover

Orange-headed Thrush

Ruff

Hainan Blue Flycatcher

White-rumped Shama

White-throated Kingfisher

And there's more to come

thanks for stopping by

Paul

The Venus Pool Sparrowhawk

With only the briefest of views of the Female Scaup before doing another disappearing trick, ther was a flurry of activity as the Sparrow hawk appeared doing it's lets see if anything flushes when I fly around!.

between Jim and I we probable fired a hundred shots and both ended with a few keepers. so here they are. Well mine at least

and a nice group of widgeon

oh well! back to watching paint dry.

Paul

Birds, Beer and Breakfast and Beer!

Having been in Singapore as a young lad, I had always wanted to return to Asia. Well 2010 proved the year, to start a good three week trip to Thailand, on the trail of some spectacular birds, and the odd beer!! in fact we drank one of the lodges dry on several occasions, forcing a re-supply run. So what follows is a selection of some of what was seen.

 

This wee! beastie (Monitor Lizard) was in the magnitude of 2 meters plus certainly

removed the desire for a mid-day dip, no matter how hot it was.

However this little lizard, only about a foot and a half top to bottom was a little more inclined for a photo opportunity.

The number of Squirrels around the country was impressive all sorts of sizes colours and agility.

A Common Mynah

This Asian barred Owlet really posed for a good while before disappearing back into the jungle.

Asian pied Starling

Green Bee-eater

Blue whistleing Thrush

A Grey headed Woodpecker, although many Woodpeckers were heard this the only one were able to get onto.

Checking out a rubbish pile produced the Lesser necklaced laughing Thrush

A Little Cormorant

Egret all at sea, for a paddle

After the paddle a quick dip!

And breakfast secured

Long toed Stint

Another one

A Marsh Sandpiper

The leg flags are from an ongoing ringing scheme in Thailand the colours are the Thai colours

this was taken at some fantastic pools at the Environmental research station near to the Spoonbill Sandpiper site. If you go, go here, you should really allow at least two days in this area.

Pacific golden Plover

A Woodsandpiper

A Sanderling

Paddyfield Pipit

Ruddy breasted Crake

Stripped tit Babler

Just a taste of some of the photos gathered over the three weeks, with over 200 species bagged and a whole load of lifers it was a brill trip and to be repeated as soon as possible, for the got aways perhaps concentrating on one area for a week then move on, will have to see. theres more to come

Cheers

Paul