This morning 'The Early Birder', Anita and Tricia, a fellow blogger, visited Holmethorpe for a guided walk led by Graham (not really 'The Old Grouse') and ably assisted by local birders Richard & Gordon. We arrived early and were able to make a full circuit of Mercers Pit before the organised walk started and watched Rose-ringed Parakeets at their nest holes, probably stolen from the Starlings, a pair of Siskins, Great-crested Grebes, Green Woodpecker, Blackbird, Robin, plus Blue, Great & Long-tailed Tits.
During our walk Gordon located Peregrine Falcon, Common Buzzard & a Mediterranean Gull. We also saw Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Reed Bunting, Shelduck, Gadwall, Tufted Duck, a male Shoveller, a flying Little Egret, Common, Black-headed & Lesser Black-backed Gulls, Little Grebe, Redwing, Moorhen, Coot, Mallard, Yellowhammer, Common Snipe, Goldfinch and Cormorants.
After a brief stop back at the car park for refreshments Richard then located Lesser Redpoll and more Siskin were also seen. But the "bird of the day" undoubtedly has to be the 'resident' Barn Owl, enabling me to get a reasonable photo by digi-scoping.
Once again our thanks go to Graham for an excellent few hours of birding around his patch at Holmethorpe and in those immortal words "I will return". 
Hi Frank,
ReplyDeleteGreat to meet you and Anita. Thank you for your enjoyable company. Hopefully, we'll see you soon for the spring migration.
You all did great! Love the picture of the owl and congrats on the Peregine (my favorite raptor)!
ReplyDeleteThanks Graham, looking forward to the next visit.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kim, the Peregrine was a long way away so no chance of competing withyour close ups. I see you had a good day to.
As I mentioned to Tricia, you had a good day out there Frank, sounds like a good place to revisit.
ReplyDelete...very nice. Sounds like a wonderful trip with friends. The barn owl photo is beautiful. I'd like to learn more about digi-scoping.
ReplyDeleteWas a good day Frank and the Barn Owl was great :) You got a good picture.
ReplyDeleteHi Frank,
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a great birding trip to me, with friends and a lot of species spotted. I guess you enjoyed it.
Great day out Frank, and so many bird sightings! We had lashing rain and high winds most of the day. Beautiful photo of the lovely Barn Owl.
ReplyDeleteRoy, the previous visit was in 1993to see a Gt Northern Diver but I won't wait so long again - I've already made a diary note to go back once the migrants have arrived.
ReplyDeleteKelly, it was great to put faces to names of fellow bloggers. Try trawling the internet, I'm sure you have a few sites dedicated to digi-scoping. If not e-mail me & I see if I can help.
Thanks Tricia, you did well with that big borrowed lens.
Hi Chris, yes very enjoyable. Hope Paris is treating you well.
Jan, the weather came our way to but not until later in the day. I think the Barn Owl should charge royalties for the no of photo's taken over the last few months.
Love the Barn Owl. Thanks for taking us along.
ReplyDeleteYou are very welcome Taster A.
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