2 tick day

Like Andy, I also needed Stonechat for the SFYL and had a wander around Sandy Smith and Chicksands yesterday with no result. However, today was noticeably different with various birds on the move, such as dribs and drabs of Redwing, Swallows and Golden Plover.

Not a bird I needed for the list, but I was pretty surprised to see a Redstart on the path at Old Warden tunnel, so things were looking up. Moving on to Sandy Smith and there was a smart male Stonechat up by the silos, and then another 2 on the grassland where the public path cuts across the Chicksands MOD site.

I got a 2nd tick whilst watching and listening to a fairly large mixed flock of tits, Goldcrest and a few Blackcap at a site not very far away from the Stonechats (it's a private area, hence the vagueness). I was convinced I could hear a Firecrest in amongst them all but it took quite a while to be able to pick it up visually, due to the foliage and poor light. I didn't even manage to get a SFYL standard photo but did have the bird in the bins a couple of times for a good enough view to confirm the ID. This is only the 2nd Firecrest I've seen in Beds (I'm not a birder remember :-) ), so I may have to indulge in a small shandy this evening.

Chatting together

Needed Stonechat for my SFYL so with an hour to spare Sunday afternoon thought I would try Warden Hill as nearest bit of likely habitat, Seen more Stonechats on this hill over the years than Whinchats, Luck was in as within minutes caught up with a pair of birds; one of each.

Ahhh the joys of autofocus...

First passer of Spring

Not an SFYT for me having bumped into a pair in the brick pits in early February, but certainly felt like it as this looks a totally different to the drab winter plum on a dull day... Superb summer male Stonechat on Warden Hill Luton on Sunday 22nd March. Could not find a Black Redstart unfortunately !

Passagechats?

These two were new at a well watched site, so assume there is a passage on.  Anyway, an all-important "1" on the spreadsheet.

Stoner; 3 years in the making.............

All,
Firstly, I'd like to welcome our new participants and say a hearty 'hello' to the old guard. I would also like to mark the passing of dearly beloved Steve and John from the competition (you will be sadly missed).............

(respectful pause- not longer than a few seconds though)

Anyway, A bike ride around the tracks to the North of Upper Caldecote finally produced!
After saying 'this is a great place for Stonechat' to myself for the last 3 years and countless visits, one female type finally obliged in an area of set aside just South of Beeston.
So that's what SFYListing is all about really. Try out some of the less fashionable places- you never know your luck! Next time it could be a Great Grey Shrike..................

I have submitted a field sketch for your appraisal- as instructed by Richard.

Stonechat- Looking at my sketch, it is very obviously a 1st winter female.

A few trips out lately, including the Duck Hunt haven't exactly set pulses racing and just to clarify to the newbies-

Merlin at Broom GPs- seen, but not admissible due to it being a regular feature in the exact same area for as many years as I care to remember.

Pink-footed Goose at Broom GPs- seen, but not admissible for the same reasons; this bird, in a similar way to the droopy-winged Harold individual is present over Winter with the ever present Greylag flock.

Good luck to all and happy finding in the knowledge that we WILL have a new winner this year.

Matt

Having a chat

Two different chats this week. Firstly a chat with the top Beds listers at the Barred Warbler twitch Saturday morning, only my second Beds twitch of the year following Glossy Ibis. I had not intended to be out Saturday as it was my wedding anniversary and I had committed to staying home...mmm. Secondly, a jump on the Stonechat bandwagon with the discovery of a group of three at Brogborough Tip on a Sunday morning scout around some pits (all three pictured). Great to see these are back in force after some barren years, only found one individual in both of the last two years.

Aerodrome stoner.

Finally, a half decent SFYT with a Stonechat (rare bird this winter) on the airfield. 

Stonechat at last

iPhone held up to bins for "in the field action type shot" at Sandy Heath, behind the paddocks. 

Palmer-chats

I found a Whinchat accompanied by a Stonechat c5.30pm y'day at Woburn Road Wetlands - I'd already got Stonechat as a sfyt at this site back in spring of course but Whinchat was a welcome addition.

Its been a long time finding something - June to September busy with family and house improvement reasons have seen me hardly get in more than a couple of hours local birding/butterfling/dragonflying this summer but now that all those nasty tiny singing birds have gone I can get down to finding a nice fat duck or gull for my list!! I've not knowingly self-found a Gypo or a Mandarin this year - yet!

And adding in the Wiles Wood Short-eared Owl (I never did find a Spot Fly this year - just twitched the Tempsford ones when they first arrived).  MJP

Stone the chats

Not really a problem to find, but you've got to get out there. Here's Mr Blain phone-digi-scoping one of them.