Post Israel blues

After birding one of the WPs hotspots and gathering 5 new ticks, the spring back home seems very sow arriving and birding can be a little hard work. It's been almost a month now and Cleveland's been quiet to say the least, though a Great White Egret on Dormans brightened up last weekend.

Then, with a bang, Cleveland strikes! A 1st winter Black-throated Thrush was found this morning by Chris Sharp and performed well for the crowd - even singing! This is a 1st record for Cleveland and only my second ever. Monster county tick :-)

A week in Israel, 5 targets, 5 ticks....eventually

So, having saved the dosh for Nubian Nightjar (see 'Thayer's Gull') it was off to the Holy Land for a week's twitching. Sunday's target species were the two plastic Cat Cs near Tel Aviv, Vinous-breasted Starling and Nanday Parakeet. Thunder, lightning and VERY heavy rain put paid to them so it was off to the Dead Sea to try and retrieve the day with the Nightjar. Finding our guest house locked and being totally ripped off for a few bits of bread and beer added to our crap day 1 and light rain seemed to put the nightjar out of our reach too but it was all to turn good. Fantastic views of the Nightjar and of Desert Eagle Owl was a highlight ranking alongside any in the last 30 years birding... Incredible... thanks Yoav!

























The rest of the week was set aside for the wintering Oriental Honey Buzzard and Small Skylark, a more regular winterer. These both proved much easier than expected and the lark was a real education, a fantastic 'birders bird' if you know what I mean.



Back to TA for Starlings and Parrot, which proved almost no problem in the much improved weather and two days to spare.



Chose Hula for the first, an inspired choice as it coincided with about 10,000 Cranes setting off on their return to Europe - quite a spectacle! Thw wintering Demoiselle had the decency to hang around long enough for us to see too:-)



Last day at various fish ponds around Keffar Ruppin (poor) and Bet She'an (fantastic) allowed us superb views of GBH Gulls and confusing nightmares with lots of 1st winter white-headed gulls... just how do you split Caspians from Armenians at that age?

A Ray of Light

Isn't it weird how after thirty years of birding you can still be surprised by the sheer beauty of even the commonest birds.
Today at Cowpen Bewley Woodland Park, I was watching Tree Sparrows when one was caught in a shaft of sunlight. The orange colours in its back were highlighted and it made me realise what little stunners they really are...

Back to work......

... after a long weekend. Shame about the weather not being good for birding but managed a fruitless search for Green Woodpeckers in the drizzle at Urlay Nook. Nice views of Willow Tit and Water Rail were some compensation though. Can't wait for the spring... nicely coincides with my retirement plans :-)

Miserable Weather

A morning at Hartlepool in the rain. No sign of any divers today but the large scoter flock was close inshore off Parton Rocks. Two Velvets among the many Common and a Long-tailed Duck was a treat. The gull numbers around the estuary are really impressive, there must be a goody amongst them somewhere.....

Thayer's Gull

With few WPal ticks available, I'm wondering why I'm sat on my arse doing nowt when there's a mega in Ireland that I've yet to see. MONEY!! I reckon it'll cost well in excess of £100 quid which I haven't got spare :-(. With an Israel trip to fund at the end of the month, it's a straight choice between the gull or Nubian Nightjar. If only I was rich..........

Welcome to my new blog. Here you'll find updates on local birding and trips abroad, including details of guided tours around some of the birding hotspots of Europe.