Craigs UK Bird Photos

Well what a start to the year and the day, stood at the back door waiting for the dog to come in when i heard a Tawny Owl calling. Made my way to chris's when i saw a Barn Owl and once i got to chris's i jumped in his car to pick up Tristan when on the way out of Blindcrake I saw a Little Owl sat on a fence post, brilliant i had 3 owls before we even got to Tristans. 

So now we were on our way to Caerlaverock, the American Wigeon had appeared on the Whooper pond a couple of days before, we just had to see it, Tristan and Chris saw it last year at Mereshead albeit distantly, so this was a good oppertunity to see it much closer. On arriving at Caerlaverock, there was no sign of the bird, or any rare Canadas. This wasnt looking good. We gave the reserve a good scan up until dinner with only Twite to show for it. We then left for Mereshead to see if it had returned there. We had a good scan but nothing, it was nice to see a mix of ducks though.

We decided to go back to Caerlaverock to take another look, as we were driving down the lane i spotted the Taverners Canada Goose, Brilliant!!!!It was showing really well too, pitty i couldnt take a decent pic!

When we got to the reserve the warden said the American Wigeon had returned, How our fortune had changed! It was back on the Whooper pond, it was a little distant at first and hiding in the long grass but it did come closer and land on the pond, shame the light had gone by then.

Chris and i had a male Hen Harrier the Scaup x Tuftie was still present and a 1st Winter male Scaup was also now here. Our final task was the Cackling Canada goose (minima), this had been seen from the Avenue tower. From here we got good views of the bird with the Barnies in the juncus. Here too was 1 Pinkfooted Goose and a Leucistic Barney.

It was nice to see a vast array of Wildfowl still at Caerlaverock, what a fantastic place, it never fails!

January 1st,2nd and 3rd Happy New Year

What a Start to the year.

Ok So i only did Bassenthwate Lake and Siddick ponds, but whats to come is pretty amazing.

At Bass the lake was pretty much frozen, worst ive seen for a long time. In the unfrozen parts were plenty of wildfowl, including 16 Teal 4 Drake Pintail, lots of Tufties
Lots of Goldeneye, 8 Little Grebe, 8 Pochard, 2 Buzzard, Fieldfare,  Redwing, 6 Mute Swan, 9 Goosander, 1 Red Breasted Merganser and a Great Creasted Grebe.

Siddick ponds was Completely frozen and a load of nutters were on the ice, so the only birds about were a Couple of Water rail, 3 Bullfinch and a Sparrowhawk.

2nd

Now onto the exciting stuff. Rach an i headed towards Dundee hoping for my first lifer and tarts tick of the year, an Adult Ring Billed Gull, on arriving it was nowhere to be seen, so i started to wounder if i was in the right area so rang Tristan as he had already seen the bird. Just as i was about to ask him if i was in the right area i spotted it flying in and landing on the sea. I got a bit of bread out and attracted it close and what a cracker it was too. And it took only a few minutes.

Next stop was to Peat Inn for a reported Little Bunting, another lifer, but i didnt even no if i was in the right spot and had limited time so i looked for only 30 min, so no success this time but not to worry, ill get it one day. There were plenty of Thrush's about.

Next stop was to Anstruther for a cracking 1st Winter Iceland Gull, again found immediately, this was looking to be  great day.

Last but not least we headed for Kincraig point for a Drake King Eider, it was just starting to get dark by this time making finding this bird quite tricky, but find it i did, along with Velvet and Common Scoter. Wicked finish to the day, and amazingly i did manage a record shot of the King Eider.

3rd

Now this was the Icing on the cake. The Previous day i was preparing to stay the night in the Fife area, but i got the news of a Glaucous Winged Gull in Cleveland, now this changed everything, i just had to get back and that i did. So the next morning i picked chris up then Tristan and his son. We made our way to Cleveland and Cowpen tip/Bewley we made very good time, but still missed the bird by seconds. We made it round to the tip where nobody had seen it but then got news it was around the far side of the tip, so we jumped into the car an made our way carefully round the otherside where i picked the gull up immediately as it was the first bird i came to Woohoo. The bird soon took flight and i managed to get chris onto it i think tristan saw it too. Over the next couple of hours we saw it intermitently taking flight and on the deck if not distant. This is only a second For the UK

There was a Leucicstic Herring gull knocking around with the GWG which everyone was calling an Iceland Gull, it ws obvious it wasnt one ;).We then decied to go elsewhere, but didnt add much to the day. We then returned to the tip on Tristans message which said adult Glaucous gull, nice we better go look but then on getting there it actually said Glaucous Winged Gull, and it showed much much better, so were glad we went back for a second look, we all felt much happier. Tristan found an Adult Med Gull a nice year tick. We then decided to have a quick look at Tees Barrage for the regular Yellow Legged Gull, it was now getting dark but we chucked some bread out and the only 2 birds to appear out of nowhere were a Black-headed Gull and the Yellow Legged Gull. 8 species of Gulls in all. Brilliant what a Gull fest.

To Finish off, on the Drive home we had Woodcock and Barn Owl, Great Days!!!!