She's back

Got a tip-off of an interesting Aythya at Ynysfro yesterday, as a result my lunch-break consisted of eating crisps on the dam. The bird in question was still present and, after a 10 minute snooze, awoke to allow a few snaps to be grabbed. Having perused the pics it would appear to be the same individual that was at Uskmouth, Goldcliff and Slimbridge(?) last winter/spring (see entries for 5th March and 6th May). Structure and bare parts point to Pochard whilst overall darkness and tone to the plumage, particularly now it is definitely not a 1st-winter, suggest Tufted Duck (or maybe Fudge Duck?). I'm still opting for 'mostly Pochard', once again, Gwent produces another avian gem.

That's more like it

An Atlantic alcid, the perfect pick-me-up for those suffering from post-hols depression, drooping dampness of the spirits, dismal blue devil doldrums and dejected disconsolate despondency. What might prove even more amusing is any forthcoming tale of how the bird was found, temporarily duffed and finally identified, next month's Birding World (?),... can't wait.





PS. LONG-BILLED MURRELET, ON MY LIST! WOOHOO!

Oh well, back to the shit

Due to predicted northerlies (and the possibility of flights being cancelled) we cut the end of our stay on Corvo short. Peter and I had a flyover Bobolink on Monday but, beyond that, the end of our trip was all a bit of a rush to get off. Terceira produced 3 Ring-necked Duck, 1 Night Heron, 3 White-rumps and 1 Lesser Legs but it was, to say the least, a bit 'after the Lord Mayor's show'. Back in shitsville now planning the next trip away.

Christ on a bike

Today it happened as follows: Yellowthroat in the bean fields, Chimney Swift over the bean fields, American Barn Swallow over the bean fields, Indigo Bunting in the bean fields, Chimney Swift over the village whilst having a quick coffee, probable (requiring a quick lit. check to confirm) Trinidade Petrel off the west end of the airport (two very close views of a dark-morph for me and Pete, four other observers had one view and three missed out), Semi-P Plover on the airfield and Pied-billed Grebe on the road in the village. "Anything anywhere" is rapidly becoming the saying out here. I also missed a few of the long-stayers and a flyover possible Least Bittern.

It is all too much...

TRINIDADE PETREL, for f**ks sake!

Sweeeeet

A stonking male Black-throated Blue was turned up by Fred today and, following a little effort to refind the female of a few days ago, I can now claim to be the first (and at present) only birder to have seen a male and a female on the same day in the WP. Not the worst claim to fame.

One man down, another on his way

Duncan left today, although he did have time to find a Killdeer first. Peter did not leave today but did get diagnosed as having bronchitis... the team is mortally wounded.

Finding them all... FINDING THEM ******* ALL

Peter Alfrey and myself just found a second for the Western Pal, and unblocked a 50 year wait in Europe - SUMMER BLOODY TANAGER - PULL THAT OUT OF THE FUCKING ONION BAG!!
Four and a half hours later everyone on the island had seen it.

Whilst awaiting the other birders on here I picked out a flyover Yellow-rumped Warbler (ziiit), luckily it ditched (briefly) and three of us got on it.

Must dash, more fields to bash.

Seeing them all... SEEING THEM ******* ALL

1 Black-throated Blue, 2 Yellow-rumped, 2 RB Grosbeaks, 1 Red-eyed Vireo, 2 Yankee Swallows...

Ola ladies

Morning all, sunny Corvo calling, just a quick update. The real fun has begun: 2 yankee barn swallows, 1 yellow-rumped warbler, 15 black ducks/hybrids, 1 'greenland' redpoll, 1 lap bunt, 4 snow bunts, 3 more white-rumps, another semi-p plover, a flyby probable spot sand and cory's sat on the roads at night... like a pig in shit is the phrase that springs to mind.

More (pics, etc.) to follow...

Arriving in style

Nice to fly into Corvo by private jet...