Monthly Archives: April 2011

Lesser Whitethroat

Posted on April 30, 2011 by Martin Garner

In the hedge and in the hand Lesser Whitethroat are intriguing. I can still remember finding (well at first hearing) my first ‘rattling’ Lesser Whitethroat in north Cheshire a very long time ago (about aged 12). With the growing interest in the ‘eastern taxa’ as well, I think … Continue reading →

Posted in Warblers | 2 Comments

Black Duck. Half a self-find?

Posted on April 29, 2011 by Martin Garner

Shetland, October 2010 and April 2011   Last October as I co-lead a Shetland Nature tour on Unst (Britain’s northermost island). I noticed a dark Mallard- type, whose dark body contrasted strongly from below with bright white underwings. It was also picked out independently by Brydon Thomason, by … Continue reading →

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Spurn Discovery Day

Posted on April 29, 2011 by Martin Garner

Sunday 29th May 2011 Join me and the Spurn Bird Observatory for a Day of Discovery. 8 hours of guided birding done in 2 segments: 6:30 – 10:30 am and 12:30 – 4:30 pm. While it is an early start this optimises the time periods when most bird discoveries and bird … Continue reading →

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Upgrade to Spurn Visible Migration spot

Posted on April 28, 2011 by Martin Garner

What have these got in common? 3 Red-rumped Swallows 1st summer Purple Heron 2 Bee-eaters White-tailed Eagle Collared Pratincole 2 male Blue-headed Wagtails and thousands of migrant birds of many species Answer: They were all visible from the Spurn migration watchpoint at the Warren,  just in April 2011. Thanks to Rich S. … Continue reading →

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Spurn Spring Special

Posted on April 28, 2011 by Martin Garner

Fully BOOKED The 3 days in May are now fully booked and oversubscribed. We are hoping to do shorter late May/ early June event. Info to follow soon. 3 Days at Britain’s Premier Migration Hotspot. Tuesday 24th- Thursday 26th May 2011.  £190:00 per person  … Continue reading →

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Garganey sunrise

Posted on April 28, 2011 by Martin Garner

April 25th, last day of the Easter break, and not a bad one at all. Sunrise at the Warren was beautiful. 2 Roe Deer could be seen racing out on the mud of the Humber- a buck with half-grown horns chasing the doe … Continue reading →

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Locustella Warblers Reference List

Posted on April 27, 2011 by Tristan Reid

Number Six Here’s the sixth of Joe Hobbs’ one stop reference lists. No 6. Locustella Warblers Reference List Locustella Warbler Reference List

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Another Red-rumped Swallow and Green Hairstreak

Posted on April 27, 2011 by Martin Garner

Spurn, April 23rd, 2011 SE Winds variable, slight fog/ sea mist remained though clearer than has been. Sunshine Highlight was the 3rd Red-rumped Swallow  in 10 days at Spurn, again past the Warren and fortunately I was in the right place. Other highlights for me: first male … Continue reading →

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1st summer male Blue-headed Wagtail

Posted on April 27, 2011 by Martin Garner

Is this one? Spurn has had its fair share of fine ‘obvious’ male Blue-headed Wagtails in the latter half of April 2011, with at least 4 males seen plus a male ‘Channel Wagtail’. This bird found in the evening on 23rd April was a little … Continue reading →

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