Army Birding

Audit takes on a whole new meaning when you lose one of Tony Crease's rings. I can be found on the naughty step for the next few months with mail redirected. So what target birds are left? The season deteriorates in quality with you and us but can you give us 'armchair New World birders' an idea of ...

A low dig from jealous of Somerset.

So remind me who's validating your ticks Richard?

At least there is a consistency regarding the procurement of Yellow Rail. No end of trouble if Rich had seen one!

Like deja vu reading this blog. Keep em coming.

Likewise I have seen LEOs roosting together and there are plenty of occasions when larger owls have come into urban areas to roost but usually in family groups. Lots of owls - lots of prey - shortly to be a cat-free region perhaps.

Two Chiffchaffs joined the overwintering Blackcap last weekend in Somerton. Migration is getting confusing!

Thanks Tim,

Certainly from all the photos available that is a very dark bird and a clear contrast with the New Forest Hen Harriers. Worth going to have a look on Saturday!

Roger

Not sure if this will work but should link to the Fair Isle Waxwings:

http://fair-isle.blogspot.com/2010/11/w ... lways.html

Roger

We ringed literally hundreds of Mealys in Sweden a fortnight ago, all heading South, and most large flocks contained an Arctic and Lessers, the latter being very distinctively darker brown.

Blow Salisbury Plain...get them all down to the Mendips.

Having been 'plagued' by dead and dying Greenfinches over the last couple of weeks, I took advice from the wildlife vet at London Zoo. The following may be of use: Below are our instructions for carcass packaging and postage; please let us know if you intend to send a carcass and please phone us on ...

Andrew,

Thanks for some great reports and adding colour to the location.

You have done for Florida what Katrina did for Louisiana, but with less wind. Brilliant.

See you for the GBBF!

Roger

These are really good photos Tony and will be just the job for any post tour write up!

Hope some of the development dust has settled by the time that you get back.

Many thanks and best of luck.

Roger

Continuing to survey the bird life of this excellent training facility where I have made myself bird member of the new conservation group, I headed out just after 5am in near freezing conditions to re-count the singing Nightingales. There are now clearly, 4 males at the south site and 4 males at the...

Well worth pursuing and although a bit close to the AGM, it would be worth pinning down a weekend in the early summer where a few of us from AOS etc could work as a team, repeating if possible next year? Let's talk it over at the AGM. I'm keen to have a ringing rep on the committee but only if it re...