Corton Olive- backed Pipit

Having missed the OBP yesterday, (brilliantly found by James B), as I was working at Norwich, only driving past Corton at 6.10pm in the pitch darkness, I parked at the Corton church west car park at 7.35pm this morning. Conditions were misty and spitting with rain. I walked through to the field just north of the Church and this was bordered on the south and east by a large Sallow hedgerow. By the edge of the field was long grass and several tall weeds. Also here were about 10 birders including Ricky F, Phil H, Jeremy G, Rene B, and several others. Ricky had seen an interesting Pipit fly up from the long grass into the east hedge it remained silent in flight, intriguing! A co-ordinated walk through the long grass, first flushed a calling Meadow Pipit, and then the silent Pipit with an interesting looking dark back flew up to the east hedge. Rene did well to spot it perched just 2 feet off the ground, behind a large silvery leaved bush. I got my bins on it and instantly called it as "It's the Olive- backed!" It was of course the superb Olive- backed Pipit. I could see the striking cream supercilia, bordered above by the distinctive dark lateral crown stripe. The cream supercilia showed the characteristic supercilium drop at the rear of the ear coverts with the dark spot just underneath this. The back was a reassuring olive- green colouration. It then flew to the ground and walked on the ground before flying up and being seen breast on. It had a heavily streaked dark markings on the white and cream upper breast. I also noticed it pumping its tail another distinctive action of this species. It then flew down again and could not be seen. Regrettably, the time had now reached 8.35pm and I had to leave for work! Sadly no pictures of the bird due to the misty and wet conditions. After work, I drove to Warren Road, Gorleston in search of the RBF at the Anglian Water compound but I couldn't find the compound and the light was deteriorating fast. I tweeted for help and phoned James B and thanks to him and Andrew E for telling me that in my haste I had gone right past it. For the record, it is where the tarmacked road in the dip meets the sandy track in a dip where the houses end, the compound being on the west side of the road. The area had tall Sycamores meeting in the middle the crown of these touching in the middle. Problem was, I was over half way down the track towards Hopton Holiday Camp and had to rapidly retrace my steps. Unfortunately, the very poor light now hampered me & it failed to reveal either movement or the audible sound of the slight tacking call of this bird.

Fogbound Migrants

A slightly foggy day latterly became a very foggy day, whilst searching through Sparrow's Nest, I failed to see the YBW despite 2 hours of searching through several flocks of Long- tailed Tits c180 seen and Goldcrests c140 seen. There were also several roving flocks of Redwings in both Sparrows Nest (around 30) and especially Belle Vue Park (around 60). Several Song Thrushes seen, around 10 around the parks in total. I met up with Rob Win and Don & Gwen were seen in the distance too. Walking along the Denes, the fog was increasing and becoming more dense, more Redwings, c70 seen on the ground and flying overhead calling, too. The chacking of a Fieldfare saw 1 flying up to the top of a tree, whilst 7 Redwings were in the wind break bushes here, plus several 3 Robins too.At Warren House Wood, around 50 Redwings seen. At the small copse, just north of here, 4 Jays seen plus 6 more Redwing and 2 Fieldfare. By Gunton Beach Dunes another 12 Redwing seen plus 4 Fieldfare and a female Stonechat perched on the bushes here. Walking back along the beach around 30 Redwing and 3 Fieldfare flew overhead in off the sea, viz mig in action! By the sea wall, by Marram grass, a movement caught my eye and revealed a lone Chiff- Chaff which was feeding on insects by a plant, before a dog flushed it and the bird flew back along the beach. On the Oval, 4 Fieldfare were seen on the field close to the east wall, as I was watching them, 2 Redwing calls were heard directly overhead, they were perched in the pine tree that I was standing next to. I intended walking back to the car but seeing Neville S, he was watching the trees lining the east of the Sparrows Nest car park, I joined him and around 30 Redwing and 4 Fieldfare seen here, whilst on the Ting Dene static fenced caravan park, now a building site, we initially saw 6 Redwing, 4 Fieldfare, a Song Thrush, all feeding on the grassy area near the fence barely 40 feet away. Whilst we were looking at these we saw an excellent 1st winter female Ring Ouzel, we got on it at the same time, it was a dull bird with just a hint of silvery wings and a very pale breast band. I was looking at it, thinking it was a female Ring Ouzel when Neville said "it's a Ring Ouzel!" Walking south of here by the corner path, a Redwing, a Song Thrush and a female Blackbird seen by a puddle just 20 feet away. walking along the Netposts area, a further 6 Fieldfare seen on the ground and 3 Redwing all just 20 feet away! By the weedy area, another Robin seen here too. Rechecking Sparrows nest, 7 Redwings flew west over the Bowling Green. Whilst in Belle Vue Park by the memorial ground, I heard the rasping of a Brambling and saw a male Brambling in a beech tree together with 3 Chaffinches. An incredible day with 250 Redwings, 28 Fieldfares, 15 Song Thrushes, 5 Blackbirds, and 1 female Ring Ouzel seen. A great day for Thrushes, I subsequently heard they'd been bigger falls elsewhere including at Corton.

Schizophrenic Grebe!

Sunday 21st October didn't start to well, a bit like my car which had a flat battery. Early on I visited Oulton Broad, around the Wherry hotel where the Slavonian Grebe showed very well just down from the Wherry car park showing down to 2 feet on several occasions! Unfortunately the sky was dark and it was starting to rain steadily! It dived regularly frequently catching several small fish. Having a look at the bird, it seemed obvious to me, whichever side I looked at it that it was a Slavonian Grebe, although I have heard when it had been first found, it had been initially tricky to ID because initially it had been mistaken for a Black- necked Grebe. Later on during the day, I visited a rain soaked Corton and pounding the MOD stubble field, together with 3 other birders we eventually saw a calling single Lapland Bunting fly up in the company of several Sky Larks. A Snipe was also seen in flight. Around 60 Sky Larks seen in total, Brambling also heard here too. Travelling back along the A12 by Barn owl Lodge, a dead Fieldfare was seen at the side of the road, too.

Last Days on Scilly 2012: Days 7 & 8

The last couple of days, included on day 7, Friday 19th October, the Red- breasted Flycatcher was in the same spot near the Dump clump woods in the tall trees at the back of the former Pumpkin field. A walk back along the lane of Oldtown Churchyard, briefly revealed a confiding Redwing on a bush, which only flew when I stooped down to retrieve the camera. On Tresco, a Herring Gull sat and posed on the picturesque rock! Looking across the Great Pool from the plush Swarovski hide, revealed the 6 Whooper Swans, mostly asleep on the far side of the water by another fence. 2 Mute Swans were with them and from time to time the Swans would wake up and swim left for a while. many c120 Gadwall, 2 Teal and 1 Redshank were seen on the Pool near the Abbey. Goldcrest seen and Brambling heard only. Just down from the Abbey there along the lane we saw and heard 2 Yellow- browed Warblers, one posed nicely on an exposed perch for around 20 seconds. Walking back along the road, 100 yards past the Abbey, by an area of Rhodadendron bushes, I spied a gorgeous male Golden Pheasant on the track ahead and it was running towards us! A fantastic riot of colour of red, yellow and gold, it looked like a pet fit for a Pharaoh of Ancient Egypt especially as it sported a yellow head dress not dissimilar to the ones for kings of Egypt wore! It kept running towards us and right up to us looking for food, to say it was confiding was an understatement and Tim and I had to walk half way back up the road to take pictures and we took full advantage, albeit in very poor light. The bird took a particular liking to Roy's rolls. John wasn't happy the bird was this confiding but it is as wild as you get here, there is a small breeding population on Tresco around the Abbey woods and this bird has taken advantage of the possible feeding opportunities given up by the passing tourists. Another stunning male Golden Pheasant was seen further up the road and quickly darted into cover of the bushes on the right. Stunning birds which I always enjoyed seeing at Wayland Woods and when the Rhodedendrons were cut back there by the NWT it led to the demise of the Golden Pheasants there. Finally, male and female Stonechat seen on the walk up to the other quay. Saturday 20th October was our last day on scilly this year, i went to Lower Moors and seeing 3 Snipe and a Grey heron from ISBG hide, I went to Phyllis hide saw little and met John & Roy back at the ISBG, from the right, I spotted a Jack Snipe fly across and I called it as it landed on the left side of the lagoon, going into some reeds then running right and away into an area of thicker cover. Again, 2 Grey wagtails heard only as they flew over. On the boat trip back, little seen initially apart from 3 smart kittiwakes, but we encountered flocks of Gannets (30, 40, 120), we had a superb Balearic Shearwater fly along just off the starboard side of the ship banking showing its brown plumage above and smudgy white underparts as it flew right. later, a Gull was harried by 2 Bonxies and an Arctic Skua flew right just off the stern of the ship continuing to fly right. The best was saved to last in fading light I had just come back onto deck following a comfort stop, and saw people peering over the starboard side of the ship, I looked over and saw a super group of 20 Common Dolphin, diving and even breeching out of water right by the side, their white striped sides could be seen clearly at close range albeit in fading light. The Dolphins swam underneath the ship, a really spectacular site that elicited several whoops of joy from the ladies present and big grins on evryones face. Finally the Dolphins were seen behind the ship, a couple still breeching putting on a superlative display.

Aftermath of the Low: Scilly 2012; days 5 & 6

By day 5, Wednesday 17th October it was very windy, with a strong south- westerly wind blowing and we were hopeful for more American arrivals following the RND's. From Morning Point battery, we saw several c30 Gannet fly past and on the Battery grass itself, a Snow Bunting fed amongst the grass, but in the high winds it was very flighty, first feeding by the gun and then flying to the edge of the cliff before flying down and out of sight. Walking up to Porthellick Pool, from the seaward side hide, we could see Mallard and Gadwall and the 3 Ring- necked Duck were swimming right in the middle before swimming over to the back. They swam towards us and then left, right across the hide giving good views. Porthellick Bay produced 7 Ringed Plover but little else. At Longstone, we saw a Swallow and a mystery Martin flying overhead, the Martin was dark above and completely white below but no white rump but it flew off and its ID will remaain a mystery, sadly. Overlooking the Pine trees at Kittydown, I heard the deep croak of a Raven, and the bird flew up from the trees briefly then flew down again and out of sight. Walking back along Telegraph road, 2 Grey Wagtails were seen routing about in a ploughed but weedy field. Often seen running and feeding up and down the furrows, I stayed a while to take a few pics. We chased down to Porthellick Beach to view on the far side of the beach, a fine Pale- bellied Brent Goose, amongst the rocks close to the shore line. By Thursday 18th October, nipping down to Porthcressa beach again, by the large rock, 2 Rock Pipits seen and swimming out on the sea was the Pale- bellied Brent Goose It swam close and left and was briefly joined by an immature Shag before the Goose eventually got out of the water and onto the beach, walking up. I was joined by pro photographer Steve Young and eventually Tim H joined me and we got some great shots of this very confiding bird, I had step back it was that close! At Porthmelon beach, 3 Rock Pipit and 3 Pied Wagtail seen posing quite well for the camera. back at the Dump Clump woods, in exactly the same spot where the Spotted had been seen days earlier, a Red- breasted Flycatchers showed quite well hunting for insects. The Hume's warbler was heard caalling its distinctive "chee- wee" call several times. Unfortunately I had to leave it to catch the 10.15 boat to one of our favourite islaands, St. Agnes. Walking down to the beach area just past the Great Pool, a Richard's Pipit showed amongst the grass and rocks in the middle distance. 2 Wheatear seen at the tip here too. At the Parsonage, by the road opposite the school, a Pied Flycatcher showed exceptionally well favouring various branches for its hunting excursions, at time it was barely 10 feet from us. A Spotted Flycatcher was seen here briefly too, plus a Coal Tit hunting for insects amongst the ivy wrapped around the tree trunk. A while later the "Tseeeeopp" call heralded a Yellow- browed Warbler flying in the top of the trees right in front of us and I was pleased with get some shots in as it momentarily perched on a branch for a minute or two. 2 Chiff- Chaff, Goldcrest and a Grey Wagtail flying overhead was heard on 3 occasions.

Arrival of the Americans: Scilly 2012, days 3 & 4

On Scilly today, Monday 15th October, we went back to Bryher, in the hope of seeing the elusive Blackpoll. Back at Veronica's farm, after spending ann hour and a half staring at where the Blackpoll had been, we saw a Robin, Chiff- Chaff, a male Blackcap and a female Sparrowhawk flying over. We also heard Coal Tit calls, and moving right 50 yards we saw first one then 2 excellent Irish Coal Tits, perch in the isolated bush in the clearing then fly to the Pines to the right where we had seen one before. A shout went up that the Blackpoll had been seeen slong bushes to the track to tquay barely 500 yards away. We arrived and a group of 40 people awaited the Blackpoll, that didn't disappoint as it worked its well to the top of the bush and showed briefly, a superb Blackpoll Warbler, Tim and I then went round the back to get some shots but this was a mistake and we went back to the track, specifically the corner where the Blackpoll was making its way towards and it showed well on occasions in a large bush here before it flew someway left. 2 female Sparrowhawk flew over our heads, whilst from the quay we saw a hybrid Hooded Crow, initially it looked good as it fed on a sandy island in the bay, but when it flew it showed black and not light grey undertail coverts, a crucial feature needed for a pure Hoodie. On the journey back on the boat, I saw 2 Grey Plover on an island, on Green island, amongst the middle of the Gulls, I could clearly see a Spoonbill and shouted it out and most people got onto it, fortunately. On the far left of this island, amongst 15 Curlew on the extreme right was a Whimbrel and groups of 5 and 15 Sanderling. Finally on the sea, an impressive feeding flock of 27 Shag were seen. On Tuesday 16th October, a quick look on the garrison end of Porthcressa beach revealed the usual Rock Pipits and very black looking Pied Wagtail. I then wandered along to the Dump Clump woods, where a gathering of people eventually revealed a very close Hume's Leaf Warbler, calling a distinct and ID clinching "chee- wee" call and looking very similar to a YBW completely lacking the grey and mucky tones we usually associate with this bird back home. It popped out of the ivy and in the foliage of the tree directly in front of us giving brief neck breaking views at times. A walk around Old town churchyard revealed little, with Oldtown Bay revealing Greenshank, 3 Oystercatcher and a heard only Oystercatcher. The usual very tame Song Thrush, Blackbird and House Sparrows posed a little too well for the camera, too close. This must be the best spot in Britain to photo Song Thrush. Albeit you'll only need a 100mm lens! No sooner had we left there than we returned to watch from the churchyard looking over the trees lining the lane, a Red- breasted Flycatcher that eluded us earlier. The bird flitted about and posed quite well on occasion for the gathering crowd. Back at the Dump Clump woods, the Hume's Leaf Warbler showed briefly again in the same area, but this time it was calling its chee-wee call more frequently. By the very tall trees aat the back of the ex- Pumpkin field nearby, a Spotted Flycatcher showed well on occasion in the trees here. Hearing on the CB that the Solitary Sandpiperwas seen in a field off the road leading out of Old Town towards the Airport, by an Artists studio. I went along and saw the bird walking around a distant puddle, together with 2 Grey Wagtails. Opposite the entrance to the Airport in scrub here, I heard a Yellow- browed Warbler call several times but it eluded me. At Peninnis, it was very quite with Stonechat and Greenfinch, the only birds seen. The Garrison was also quiet and just 2 Meadow Pipits and another Stonechat seen. Again on the CB, we heard 3 RND's were on the sea just off Porth Melon Beach and we rushed down to the Pottery to see if we could view that section of the bay and sure enough, we could we see, very distantly, but with the 50X turned up on our scope, we could ID them as 3 Ring- necked Ducks (1 immature male and 2 females). They initially sat and bobbed up and down the sea swimming towards the beach there and then they flew over Hughtown and appeared to drop down onto Lower Moors. We dashed down there hopeful of some excellent photography, if we could get into the hide, no sooner had we stepped on the boardwalk, merely 50 metres from the hide, than the 3 Ring- necked Ducks flew very close directly overhead and appeared to fly north.

Soggy Scilly: Scilly 2012 days 1 & 2

A crack team of birders, John H, Tim H, Roy H and also myself visited the Isles of Scilly this October in search of rare birds and good photography. Happily we achieved both, but both John & failed to add any new birds to o

ur life or UK lists. On Saturday 13th October, the boat trip on the Scillonian 3 was relatively uneventful with 25 Guillemots, in one's, two's or three's 3 Razorbills, a Red- throated Diver, many Gannets and 7 Kittiwakes (2,3 & 2) seen. At Hughtown, our accommodation was the upstairs flat "All Winds" the location was at Sally Port, just round the corner from the town centre, 2 minutes from Porthcressa beach and 3 minutes from the Garrison, perfect! A calling Grey Wagtail flew over Hughtown calling, as we boarded a boat for the Bryer, paying the hefty fee of £8.20 for the return trip! We walked straight to view a manure dump by a farm, close to Hell Bay hotel. On the heap were several brown hens, a Starling, a Dunnock and the object of our quest, a superb Solitary Sandpiper, feeding really well rather incongrously amongst the Hens, on the insects crawling around there! Only the second Solitary I have ever seen, our first was also the first bird seen on the trip on our initial trip to Scilly in 2000. Carrying onto Veronica Farm, no sign of the very elusive Blackpoll, but further along a shout went up and in a Pine tree was a superb Irish Coal Tit, distinctive in being a little larger than our Coal Tit with yellowish cheeks and yellowish wash on the breast and flanks. The Irish Coal Tit flitted around the top of the Pine and was even hanging upside down at one stage. On Sunday 14th October, a Grey Wagtail flying over Hugh Town again. In Old Town Bay, we saw Greenshank, Curlew, Oystercarcher and 3 Rock Pipit. At Giant's Castle, I saw 2 single Wheatears tussocky grassy turf near the edge. In Porthellick Bay, 2 Greenshank were seen. By a hill overlooking the leeward side of Porthellick Pool and the loop trail. We saw Tim who had secreted himself under a Pine in the hope of photographing the RCS. A female Sparrowhawk flew over and right over Tim's head. With that S'phawk gone it was the green light for the really strikingly pale immature Rose- coloured Starlingto appear.It, first flew right and dropped down into a bush, then flew left and back and settled on the line of bramble bushes showing really well our side, feeding on the berries, albeit at some distance but giving good views through the scope. Turning around and scanning the beach we could the grey looking American Golden Plover sitting on the beach by the stream of water coming out of an outflow pipe next to a rock. At Porthellick Pool, it was almost like spring, with a male Mallard with homicidal tendencies trying to drown and hold the head underwater of a potential rival, an unfortunate fellow male Mallard. Fortunately the other male escaped. The female Mallard looked distinctly unimpressed! At Higher Moors by the road between Porthellick/ Holy Vale trail we looked way across into the distance to some trees and saw a Scilly mega! Walking back we saw a Wryneck fly out to rocks by the beach, I scrambled onto rocks further back and saw the excellent Wryneck perched on the edge of a rock, eventually it flew onto a path and fed on the grassy banks either side sometimes dropping onto the path. Until a walker walked past and spitefully flushed the bird into a bush because the path was blocked by birders. From here it flew onto a stone wall right in front of me and I managed a few shots here. Before birders coming down the path flushed it over. It was a female Great- spotted woodpecker coming in and out of a hole. At Lower Moors, from ISBG hide, 3 Snipe, a Grey Heron and a sleepy Greenshank were seen. I raced up to the Garrison to the Pig field area , where in the far hedge, a fine male Ring Ouzel was seen perched on the bushes and eating blackberries. At Lower Broome Platform, 2 Goldcrest seen around the bushes finally a Kestrel seen flying over the accommodation.