Just a query aimed mainly at the SFYLPD (Self-found Year List Police Department)-
Is the afore mentioned species 'selfable' over Southill Village? Clearly part of the ever-growing Shuttleworth/Southill Estate population..............................and therefore, would a long distance view from Broom GPs be applicable?
Thank you for your time,
Matt Burgess, age 41 of Upper Caldecote
Thursday, 13 February 2014
Sunday, 9 February 2014
Good Omen
Not adding anything to my SFYL for almost three weeks due to
the very pleasurable demands of being a new Grandad, I need to
kick start my list. Whilst out for a walk today around East India
Dock Basin we stumbled across a fabulous adult Iceland Gull,
I'm hoping it will prove to be a good omen for better things to
come for my Beds SFYL.
John
the very pleasurable demands of being a new Grandad, I need to
kick start my list. Whilst out for a walk today around East India
Dock Basin we stumbled across a fabulous adult Iceland Gull,
I'm hoping it will prove to be a good omen for better things to
come for my Beds SFYL.
John
Saturday, 8 February 2014
Birder gets Bittern while trying to get a Shag
Sounds like one from the tabloids...
With wind and rain around this week, thought best to look at some water again this morning. I got very excited about a bird that looked like and behaved like a Shag in the choppy water by the reeds on the distant side of the Pillinge and went for a quick walk round to get a proper view. Could not refind the bird but was surprised to disturb a Bittern from within reeds near the newly constructed hide which flew over the water and disappeared towards the corner where the old hide sits. Bumped into Mr Northwood and seems most likely that the "Shag" was a looky-likey Cormorant that he described and which he had similar initial thoughts about last week, and which has a Shaggy jizz too (small and springy in the dive). Worth keeping an eye out though,
With wind and rain around this week, thought best to look at some water again this morning. I got very excited about a bird that looked like and behaved like a Shag in the choppy water by the reeds on the distant side of the Pillinge and went for a quick walk round to get a proper view. Could not refind the bird but was surprised to disturb a Bittern from within reeds near the newly constructed hide which flew over the water and disappeared towards the corner where the old hide sits. Bumped into Mr Northwood and seems most likely that the "Shag" was a looky-likey Cormorant that he described and which he had similar initial thoughts about last week, and which has a Shaggy jizz too (small and springy in the dive). Worth keeping an eye out though,
Padders
Did Gadsey Brook this morning. One hoped for SFYT with Shelduck. Added Barnacle, Barn Owl and Green Sandpiper. And then there was this on the flooded Willington goose fields. Bling hidden but it's there and the first two letters are ZW...
Friday, 7 February 2014
Carbon-free; The Legend of the Trusty Steed
In the last post 'its all about carbon-free really' was mentioned. Well, this has been my ethos since the conception of SFYL'ing way back in 2012. (was it really that long ago!).
So with a fully refurbished bike, I set about the task once more. Unfortunately time constraints do hamper my progress in these competitions, but a willing competitor I am nonetheless.
My last couple of trips out have been fairly flat really, 3 hours around the villages to the SW of Bedford yielded very little apart from a stitch! I've found no finch flocks of note, no Woodcock and despite looking around all the rough areas between Beeston and Upper Caldecote; still no Stonechat- for the 3rd year running.
Today at Broom, the Ringo was still present, having already been 'selfied' (if that's a word?) by SCB. But then some light- just as I was about to leave, a Peregrine loomed up over the G&M Pits and drifted slowly south towards Broom. A half-decent selfie at last.................
So with a fully refurbished bike, I set about the task once more. Unfortunately time constraints do hamper my progress in these competitions, but a willing competitor I am nonetheless.
My last couple of trips out have been fairly flat really, 3 hours around the villages to the SW of Bedford yielded very little apart from a stitch! I've found no finch flocks of note, no Woodcock and despite looking around all the rough areas between Beeston and Upper Caldecote; still no Stonechat- for the 3rd year running.
Today at Broom, the Ringo was still present, having already been 'selfied' (if that's a word?) by SCB. But then some light- just as I was about to leave, a Peregrine loomed up over the G&M Pits and drifted slowly south towards Broom. A half-decent selfie at last.................
 |
| Meaner than ever: the fully armed and operational 2-wheeled, selfie conversion device. |
Thursday, 6 February 2014
Hmmmm, last place.
Well, now that Mr Hicks has added his very impressive "local birds for local people" total in, I can see I'm languishing somewhat. Martin (who usually gives up after April ;-), is leading, thanks to basically going birding a lot and finding a handful of pretty good SFYL species. Keep it up MJP!
I did add a species today in my first bit of birding. A Grey Wagtail over GLW. Not able to count the nearby Merlin and Ringed Plover of course.
Darren is doing his usual, "Walk and ye shall find" technique and doing very well. SCB? Well, he's doing alright too with some good birds already. And one does have to watch John L down south. Not a bad local patch...
Mr Grimsey looks to be repeating his 2013 policy of actually going to some good birding sites rather than just complaining about Luton. This does work, although you can still complain about Luton...
And then there's Matt...
As Darren said to me last week, its all about carbon free really and at least I've done a few miles on my bike and have a reasonable CF total.
Anyway, more birding to come. Good luck everyone!
RIB
I did add a species today in my first bit of birding. A Grey Wagtail over GLW. Not able to count the nearby Merlin and Ringed Plover of course.
Darren is doing his usual, "Walk and ye shall find" technique and doing very well. SCB? Well, he's doing alright too with some good birds already. And one does have to watch John L down south. Not a bad local patch...
Mr Grimsey looks to be repeating his 2013 policy of actually going to some good birding sites rather than just complaining about Luton. This does work, although you can still complain about Luton...
And then there's Matt...
As Darren said to me last week, its all about carbon free really and at least I've done a few miles on my bike and have a reasonable CF total.
Anyway, more birding to come. Good luck everyone!
RIB
Sunday, 2 February 2014
Unexpected wader
Not that shallow - on tiptoe as the cold water got uncomfortably close to the unmentionables.
The top of my wellies are some 15cm under water
Bonus was a new Cettis site for me at least with a bird in the reeds to the left of the photo, my fourth of the weekend after three in MVCP on Sat morning.
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