Fraser's Birding Blog

Willow Tit drawing

2012-02-08T14:14:00.001Z

Did a final drawing for the Ayrshire Bird Report last night. The Willow Tit (Poecile montanus) is one of Ayrshire's rarest breeding species but it can still be found at a few sites in the county despite the downward trend in the national population.

Crystalline

2012-02-06T17:53:00.005Z

I like to cycle in the snow whenever I can (a rare event in London) and a trip to Brent Reservoir yesterday found it almost frozen over. A few patches of water remained, each populated by a distinctive collection of birds. There was the Coot/Gadwall covert in the Woodfield Park corner, a game of Mute Swans on the south side of Cool Oak Bridge, and a posse of Canada Geese and more coots on the north side. Meanwhile, Moorhens were skating everywhere. Most of the interesting wildfowl had departed with just a few Gadwall, Shoveler, Wigeon and Teal remaining. Lapwing, Fieldfare and Redwing were on the move overhead while both a Green and Common Sandpiper were on the outlet behind the dam. When there is snow on the ground every bird looks even better due to the reflected light on their undersides - even Wood Pigeons!

Blue Tit drawing

2012-01-31T10:53:00.004Z

This one of a Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) took me quite a bit longer than the last two due to the greater feather detail. Based on a photograph taken back in December, the bird briefly stopped, looked at me, then carried on foraging on what was a very wet and misty day. Its head feathers were wet and spikey looking. Click for a larger version.

More at: www.fssbirding.org.uk/sketches.htm

Shelduck drawing

2012-01-27T13:17:00.003Z

Another sketch from last night: Shelduck (Tadorna tadorna).

Click for a larger image!

www.fssbirding.org.uk/sketches.htm

Little Egret drawing

2012-01-24T12:19:00.002Z

Did another drawing for the Ayrshire Bird Report, this is a Little Egret (Egretta garzetta). It was an exceptional year for these birds in 2010 with at least seven individuals recorded in Ayrshire. Click for a larger version.

More: www.fssbirding.org.uk/sketches.htm

Sun on the Solway

2012-01-12T19:14:00.022Z

Well the sun did appear for around ten minutes in a whole week spent in southern Scotland late last month! I've uploaded a species list for our Caerlaverock birding trip here:

www.fssbirding.org.uk/caerlaverock2011.htm

I didn't take many bird photographs at all with the SLR gear and most of these images were created with the Canon G12 compact.

Florida fieldwork trip report

2012-01-12T19:07:00.011Z

I've uploaded a species list to my main website for all the birds seen on and around Summerland Key in Florida last month. While it was a work trip, the birds were ever-present and easy to see. The highlights were: Brown Pelican, Magnificent Frigatebird, Great White Heron, Reddish Egret, Tricored Heron, Little Blue Heron, Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, White Ibis, Roseate Spoonbill, Wood Stork, Bald Eagle, Royal Tern, Blue-gray Ganatcatcher, Gray Catbird, Florida Prairie Warber, Palm Warbler, Bay-breasted Warbler, Yellow-throated Warbler Ovenbird and Northern Waterthrush.

www.fssbirding.org.uk/floridatrip2011.htm

Catching up with 2012

2012-01-12T18:59:00.003Z

Well, I'd better start posting or it will be February before I know it...

White Ibis, Summerland Key

2011-12-18T00:39:00.011Z

Before field work today I did some pre-breakfast birding around Summerland Key. First I checked the lagoon on East Shore Drive which held 7 Tricoloured Herons (very active feeders), 7 White Ibises, 18 Snowy Egrets, 8 Greater Yellowlegs, and singles of Belted Kingfisher, Great White Heron, Great Blue Heron, Brown Pelican, Great White Heron, Pied-billed Grebe, Ring-billed Gull and American Kestrel. A pair of Ospreys were active at a roadside nest. In the surrounding scrub were Gray Catbird, Palm Warbler, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Northern Mockingbird and 12 Red-winged Blackbirds while a few Turkey Vultures circled overhead.

I then moved on to a small freshwater pond on Katherine Street which held 14 Blue-winged Teal, a pair of Wood Ducks, two pairs of American Coot, a Pied-billed Grebe, 2 Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, a Great Blue Heron, and a White Ibis. Wandering around the roadside, a group of 8 White Ibises were probing in the verge.

Later in the day, I saw two Northern Waterthrush while kayaking some small mangrove channels on Sugarloaf Key.

Green Iguanas in Florida's Mangroves

2011-12-17T23:57:00.004Z

The most interesting reptile seen while kayaking in the mangroves this week was a Mangrove Salt Marsh Snake (Nerodia clarkii compressicauda). Andrew and Bernhard found it and mananged to photograph it. We've seen many Green Iguanas (Iguana iguana) too. This species is not native to Florida (Central & South America) and is classed as invasive. There are some real monsters around, several feet long, but are remarkably agile in the thin branches of the canopy. I've seen them in Peru but never this close - they don't seem too bothered at human approach here. This one below was one of 25 iguanas sunning themselves at dawn around a small freshwater pond on Summerland Key.

Florida Keys field work

2011-12-14T03:52:00.002Z

I’m back in the Florida Keys on field work, kayaking and snorkelling for a marine polyclad called the tiger flatworm Maritigrella crozieri. It feeds on the ascidian tunicate or sea squirt, (Ecteinascidia turbinata) in the mangroves. Before the plane had even landed at Miami I saw a Loggerhead Shrike flying around some vegetation on the runway. Today I got great looks at Yellow-crowned Night Heron, Brown Pelican, Royal Tern, White-crowned Pigeon, White Ibis, Osprey, Belted Kingfisher, Red-bellied Woodpecker and Great White Heron. Unfortunately water and cameras don't mix (unless you have under-water housing) but here is photo from last time.

Sketching & stretching

2011-12-11T19:54:00.002Z

Did another quick sketch last night for the forthcoming Ayrshire Bird Report - a drake Common Eider (Somateria mollissima).

Crane of the swamp

2011-12-07T18:30:00.003Z

A few months ago in London's China Town, I saw this sake (a type of rice wine) in a small market. I really bought it becauses of the attractive packaging which depicts the Japanese or Red-crowned Crane (Grus japonensis). The brand name Sawanotsuru translates as 'crane of the swamp' from Japanese mythology. I made these images in my home-made studio white box.

Leaf Fall on the Light Box II

2011-11-30T06:30:00.002Z

Feeding Coot blurs with head-bobbing trails

2011-11-29T21:10:00.004Z

These images were created in-camera using a long shutter speed and wide-angle lens to capture the head-bobbing trails of Eurasian Coots (Fulica atra) as they fed on a city lake.

Previous blog on this technique here.

Birds posing at famous London landmarks

2011-11-28T07:42:00.005Z

I've started taking a few birds photographs in context now - ok, mainly pigeons and their 'famous' environment. I think these are much more interesting than just the birds isolated with a narrow depth of field and no background. What landmarks should I use for the next backdrops? A red telephone box or red bus would be iconic! Unfortunately Trafalgar Square has very few pigeons these days.

Swan Dreams

2011-11-24T20:14:00.006Z

I often overhear tourists describing the swans as elegant and graceful but in a city park in winter they often just form an ungainly squabble for bread. I attempted to re-capture their elegance again by using long shutter speeds and deliberate over-exposure.

Autumn in slow motion

2011-11-23T07:23:00.015Z

These autumn blurs were all created in camera using slow shutter speeds with various maneuvers during the exposure.

A cool morning fog

2011-11-22T07:18:00.000Z

Since the weekend, fog has been forming around London. In towards the centre of the city it has not quite been 'pea soup' but it lingered long enough for me to take these images before the sky cleared to blue for capturing the Starlings below.

Starlings: Frozen in Flight

2011-11-20T22:45:00.001Z

More success this weekend with capturing Starlings in flight! This time I used a Canon Speedlite 430EX II Flashgun with a diffuser.

The Art of Extinction

2011-11-20T22:40:00.013Z

There's only three days left of the Ghosts of Gone Birds art exhibtion in London and if you live locally I really recommend a visit. It features around 200 works from over 120 artists, writers and musicians created to highlight the plight of threatened and near-extinct species as well as remembering those now gone forever. The exhibition is at Rochelle School, Arnold Circus, Shoreditch, London E2 7ES. Admission is free but donations and sales will go towards BirdLife International’s Preventing Extinctions programme.

www.ghostsofgonebirds.com

visions

2011-11-17T21:12:00.004Z

www.fssbirding.org.uk/visions.htm

Choose an inappropriate shutter speed, for example 30 seconds.

Don't worry about holding the camera absolutely steady.

Shoot when the light is poor, for example at night.

Don't worry about the subject matter, just imagine.

East Tilbury

2011-11-17T21:09:00.003Z

My dad was down visiting from Scotland last weekend and we made a trip out to East Tilbury on the Thames estuary. It was so mild that I was wearing a T-shirt! Redpoll, Skylark and Meadow Pipits were on the move, but strangely no Redwing or Fieldfare. Best birds of the day were three Arctic Skuas (two chasing the Common Gulls, another drifting upstream on the rising tide), ringtail Hen Harrier, juv Marsh Harrier, 480+ Avocets, plus hundreds of Dunlin, Grey Plover and Knot, along with smaller numbers of Black-tailed and Bar-tailed Godwits.

Leaf Fall on the Whitebox

2011-11-15T18:05:00.004Z

Birds on Beer Bottles

2011-11-15T18:03:00.000Z

On his travels, my dad often brings me back beer bottles with birds depicted on the label. Here are a couple from the Allendale Brewery in Northumberland: Golden Plover & Wagtail Ale.

Hovering Starlings

2011-11-07T18:57:00.005Z

Trying to capture Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) in flight, hovering at close range, is quite difficult with a wide angle lens, even with the tame birds in the London parks. Holding bread in one hand, camera in the other, results are usually (a) bird too far away, (b) bird too close (c) good capture but wings clipped. It would be much easier with an assistant to feed the birds, allowing more concentration on them flying into the frame. Interestingly the boldest bird had been ringed - perhaps they have less fear of the human hand now?

Mute Swan: another angle

2011-11-07T18:50:00.004Z

A tourist throws bread for a Mute Swan in a central London park.

Taken with the Canon 10-22mm lens.

Pallid Harrier, Garnock Floods, Ayrshire

2011-11-02T17:37:00.008Z

Click images for larger versions. Better quality images can be found on my photography site:

www.frasersimpson-birdphotography.com

Ayrshire's first recorded Pallid Harrier was found in the Garnock Floods/Bogside area by Gordon McAdam on 27 October 2011. On site the following day was Chas Moonie, photographing birds, concealed and out of view of Gordon. Chas luckily obtained some close-range images of what he assumed was just one of the local Hen Harriers but Gordon's suspicions were confirmed when the images on Chas's camera revealed a juvenile Pallid Harrier! I made an overnight trip up from London at 2325h to Glasgow on the coach to see this cracker and add it to my Ayrshire list on Sunday night, before heading back down on Monday night. Catching a train from Glasgow to Irvine at 0800h, it’s route actually passed right through the marshes where the bird was present, minutes before the line enters Irvine. I met Lisa here before we headed up to join some local birders including Gordon, Angus, Mike and Rab. It was a grey day with some showers and the harrier only approached to about 130 metres on it closest circuit and I knew that I was only going to obtain 'record-quality' images.

These images however show the following features:

(1) A striking head/neck pattern dominated by a broad, unstreaked head-collar, ranging in colour from white on the top of the head to buff/cinnamon below on the neck/throat; contrasting with mid-brown neck bands forming a semi-collar extending from the nape down to just below eye level (in horizontal flight position); plain dark brown cheeks/ear coverts and 'eye-patch' contrasting with delicate white stripes above and below the eye and pale brown forehead.

(2) Plain, unstreaked buff/rufous underparts complete from the lower neck to the vent, continuing over all of the underwing coverts.

(3) A contrasting underwing pattern comprised of rufous coverts, dark brown secondaries with a visible pale outer band and hint of an even paler inner band; pale grey primaries with prominent dark brown barring on the lower half though with a contrasting, unbarred patch towards the primary base, separated from the under primary coverts by a denser strip of barring; in addition a distinctive pale trailing edge to all the upper and lower flight feathers apparent.

(4) Underside of the outer tail feathers relatively plain with barring barely visible.

(5) The upperwing and uppertail show less distinction from the other Circus species with the exception of the pale trailing edge on the primaries and secondaries. The white upper-tail (rump) coverts are perhaps more extensive than is typical.

The bird is still present, to 04.11.11 at least.

Egyptian Goose brood

2011-10-30T19:06:00.008Z

The Round Pond in Kensington Gardens has a very late brood of Egyptian Geese. This pair has produced three broods this year.

Fish Eye view

2011-10-30T19:01:00.001Z

I used my compact Canon G12 in 'fish-eye' mode for this shot of a tourist feeding the swans in central London.

Richmond Park Deer

2011-10-28T17:53:00.015Z

Some more images of Red and Fallow Deer last weekend at Richmond.

Grey Herons portraits: preening and exfoliating

2011-10-25T08:30:00.000Z

I spent several hours with these herons, initially creeping in short stages through the grass until I had positioned them against dark woodland. After a while they always ignore me, settle down to sleep and often start preening. There has to be some trust before they begin preening as they often close their eyes or position their head in such a way that I remain out of their vision. Most of these shots are full frame, some with slight trimming of the black background.

Richmond Deer: Dawn till Dusk

2011-10-17T08:00:00.002Z

Saturday, Richmond Park... here is one of the first photographs of the day in the cool mist and morning frost, followed by one of the last after a warm afternoon, ending with rich sunset colours.

Dabchick Drawing

2011-10-10T07:22:00.001Z

New sketch of a Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis)

Indian Summer Rut

2011-10-07T17:12:00.006Z

I made a short visit to Richmond last weekend while the week-long 'summer' of blue skies in the south-east hit 29C. The Red Deer were taking it easy in the shade until late in the day when the territorial battles commenced. I concentrated on getting some shots of stags showing some accidental ornamentation.

Drawing Urban Parakeets

2011-09-19T08:41:00.001Z

Did another drawing at the weekend of a Ring-necked Parakeet (Psittacula krameri) based on a photograph from Richmond Park. Although naturalised, self-sustaining populations are present in many cities in western Europe (category C1E on the British List) it is still quite scarce in Scotland. One or two have been present in Ayrshire for a year or two, hence another drawing for the Ayrshire Bird Report.

Tiger Flatworm larvae under the microscope

2011-09-16T18:07:00.001Z

Day-old Tiger Flatworm (Maritigrella crozieri) larvae fresh from Florida collected by Bernhard & Johannes. Filmed through a binocular microscope in the laboratory using my Nokia N8 cameraphone.

Back to the drawing board - Dunlin

2011-09-07T07:59:00.002Z

I've started drawing again for the Ayrshire Bird Report, motivated by my PC which has decided to break down, allowing me to get back to basics with just pencil and paper.

I like doing wing details, particularly on waders (shorebirds). Here is a Dunlin (Calidris alpina). Click the image for a larger version.

Previous drawings can be found on my main website:
http://www.fssbirding.org.uk/sketches.htm

At work

2011-08-19T17:17:00.015Z

When I'm not birding, I'm working (or sleeping). Some photographs from the molecular biology lab...

miniWorlds

2011-08-18T17:52:00.020Z

The blog will shortly be getting back to birds, but in the meantime here are some miniature photographs of London. Also viewable as slideshow on the main site here:

www.fssbirding.org.uk/miniworlds.htm

River Clyde at night

2011-07-27T19:07:00.006Z

After Aberdeen, I headed south to Ayrshire where I spent most of the time cycling and surveying the disused railway line between Knockentiber and Springside (Quails!...more to come on this later). One evening, a few of us headed up to Glasgow to try some night photography along the River Clyde. After dark, some nocturnal wader migration was evident with, surprisingly, four species heard: Greenshank, Common Sandpiper, Oystercatcher and Curlew.

Lisa's Graduation

2011-07-27T18:48:00.024Z

A few weeks ago I was up in Aberdeen for Lisa's graduation. The weather was perfect and during a celebratory meal in a fish restaurant on the seafront, an Osprey appropriately flew south over the sea (ok, I was having haggis!). Tern passage was evident too with Little, Common, Arctic and Sandwich Terns all moving south. Immediately after the ceremony at the reception on the lawn, Oystercatchers noisily flew overhead, much as they had done for the past four years (and for many graduations previous).

Vegetation Analysis 2.8

2011-07-05T19:25:00.000Z

Birding and cycling to work in London

2011-06-28T17:30:00.019Z

Earlier this month I moved flat though my cycle to work route is much the same, if a little longer (100 miles/week), taking in Brent Reservoir and Regent's Park on the way. Currently stuck on 95 species for the year, I should break my modest target of 100 before Christmas. Additions have slowed now that summer is here though I should try and add some scarce London residents such as Little Egret before things pick up in the autumn. Click here for the full list so far. Here is a little photo project on one of my two-wheeled modes of transport:

[cycle_deconstruction]

Bird report for Kindrogan 10-17 June 2011

2011-06-28T16:52:00.014Z

I've uploaded a bird report to my main site for Kindrogan FSC field centre 10-17 June with some excerpts and photos below: www.fssbirding.org.uk/kindrogantrip2011.htm

Click here for the Kindrogan website (Scotland’s National Centre for Excellence in Field Studies and Biodiversity Training)

Goosander Mergus merganser
Female with b/5 on the River Ardle, upstream of the field centre, on 14/06 (AW). Seven flew NW upstream over River Ardle on 13/06.

Red Grouse Lagopus scotica
One observed (by students only) on walk up Ben Vrackie on 13/06.

Ptarmigan Lagopus muta
One or more birds heard at the summit of Ben Vrackie in extremely low visibility on 13/06.

Woodcock Scolopax rusticola
One to two roding along the main drive from dusk to dawn.

Cuckoo Cuculus canorus
Singing males heard at the field centre, Straloch, Glen Brerachan, Kindrogan Hill, Tullochcurran and Moulin. Singing from 03:39 on 14/06, 03:58 on 15/06, 03:39 on 16/06.

Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis
Common in birch woodland in Glen Brerachan and Strathardle. Six singing males around the graveyard clearfell.

Dipper Cinclus cinclus
Pair present in territory at Kindrogan Bridge; adult on the tiny burn at Moulin Inn 13/06; juvenile on the River Ardle on 15/06; adult carrying food to young in the nest at Kirkmichael.

Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus
Two singing males in open birch slopes at the east end of Glen Brerachan on 16/6.

Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe
Singing male on Ben Vrackie on 13/6.

Ring Ouzel Turdus torquatus
Singing male at usual site on Ben Vrackie 13/6.

Grasshopper Warbler Acrocephalus naevia
Singing male in rank heather on Moulin-Ben Vrackie trail on 13/06; around a marshy stream with very small willows.

Garden Warbler Sylvia borin
Singing males at the walled garden, front lawn, Kindrogan Bridge, curling pond and Tullochcurran. Pair carrying food for young at the walled garden on 11/06. Singing from 03:48 on 13/06, 03:26 on 14/06, 03:44 on 15/06, 03:29 on 16/06.

Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla
Better numbers than usual with 12+ singing mm between Enochdhu-Kindrogan Field Centre-Straloch. Singing from 03:56 on 14/06; 03:58 on 15/06, 03:57 on 16/06.

Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix
Singing male holding territory all week in open spruce forest (with larch/birch edge) at the East/West Balbald all week.

Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus
Common this year with a minimum of 25 singing mm around the clearfell and restock on NE side of Kindrogan Hill; 15+ singing males between Kindrogan Bridge and West Lodge (including two at the walled garden). Singing from 03:34 on 14/06, 03:49 on 15/06, 03:38 on 16/06.

Goldcrest Regulus regulus
Common in coniferous areas. Three fledged broods observed around the field centre on 11/06; 2 singing male at Straloch on 16/06. Singing from 03:23 on 14/06, 03:37 on 15/06, 03:33 on 16/06.

Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata
Pairs or singles noted at the field centre (3 territories), graveyard in clearfell, Enochdhu (2), East Lodge, curling pond (2), Balnald, Davan, West Lodge, East Lodge and eastern end of Glen Brerachan. Also noted at Moulin. Singing from 03:32 on 13/06, 03:48 on 14/06, 03:54 on 16/06.

Siskin Carduelis spinus
Abundant this year. Minimum of 15 at feeders on 12/06 including a juvenile being fed by an adult. Small flocks encountered elsewhere including 20+ in graveyard clearfell.

Lesser Redpoll Carduelis cabaret
Two over the curling pond on 13/06.

Crossbill Loxia curvirostra
Four over the curling pond on 13/06; 3 over East Lodge on 15/06.

Chronology of the Dawn Chorus

2011-06-14T17:22:00.008Z

I'm at Kindrogan FSC field centre in Perthshire in the Scottish Highlands this week on the usual Field Methods in Biology undergrad course. This morning I was up and out at 3am in time for the dawn chorus. The chronology (when song from each species is first heard) was as follows with all species singing in much the expected order before sunrise around 04:23.

03:03 Robin
03:08 Song Thrush
03:21 Blackbird
03:23 Goldcrest
03:26 Garden Warbler
03:24 Willow Warbler
03:39 Cuckoo
03:43 Chiffchaff
03:48 Spotted Flycatcher
03:54 Chaffinch
04:03 Wood Pigeon

Unusually for the first time since I began these crazy morning observations in 2003, this is the first year that no Wrens have been on territory at this site. They would be expected to kick in around 03:35.

Rumours of Cranes

2011-05-27T16:46:00.003Z

From the 'Short Notes' section of No.1 of Volume 1. of Scottish Birds (Autumn 1958) published by the SOC:

PositiveNoise

2011-05-20T08:40:00.002Z

The new System 7 track from their UP album - sounding great live at Ginglik last night.

Just joined SoundCloud

2011-05-18T19:15:00.000Z

Common Nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos) singing by fssbirding

Grey Heron brood in movie mode

2011-05-18T07:51:00.001Z

Surprisingly, I have had the 7D body for about six months and hadn't tried to movie mode until now. Now I wish I had used it earlier while at Bosque del Apache. The quality is very good through the Canon 500mm f4 (with 1.4x extender here), though YouTube obviously has compressed the file so quality is reduced in the clip below.

The young punks of Regent's Park

2011-05-17T07:50:00.011Z

This year in the Regent's Park heronry, a pair has nested in an unusually low position in the crown of a small willow on the main island, with the added benefit (for heron-watchers at least) of clear, unrestricted views from the north side of the lake. Following Tony's blog on the development of the brood of three over the last few weeks, I decided it was time to photograph them at the weekend. There were only two feeds by the adults between 0530h and 1100h.

Recent sound recordings from the past year

2011-05-11T17:07:00.009Z

Icterine Warbler (Hippolais icterina)

Waide Motell Campsite, Elva, Estonia 58º 23' 22.5'' N 26º 33' 29.7'' E

25 May 2010h, 0421h. Territorial song of male in secondary growth within mature mixed woodland; sonogram is an excerpt of a much longer recording.

Common Rosefinch (Carpodacus erythrinus)

Sutlepa Meri, Estonia 59º 01' 16.7'' N 23º 34' 00.5'' E

28 May 2010, 1603h. Territorial song (~8 elements in each strophe) of male high in Ash in open meadow.

Red-breasted Flycatcher (Ficedula parva)

Tooma, Endla Looduskaitseala, Estonia 58º 52' 21.4'' N 26º 15' 59.4'' E

21 May 2010, 1531h. Territorial song: single strophe preceded by two faint high-pitched notes (~7.0-8.3 kHz) from high in spruce glade with deciduous understorey.

Redwing (Turdus iliacus)

Nigula Bog, Nigula Looduskaitseala, Estonia 58º 00' 25.2'' N 24º 42' 50.8'' E

27 May 2010h 2206h. Territorial song at dusk from flooded spruce forest with larch and alder: three to four descending, fluty notes followed by complex twittering phrases, delivered at eight strophes per minute.

Common Bulbul (Pycnonotus barbatus)

Menara Gardens, Marrakech, Morocco 31° 36' 51.57" N 08° 01' 05.12" W

19 February 2011 1044h. Powerful song phrase uttered from olive grove - part of a much longer delivery.

Alpine Chough (Pyrrhocorax graculus)

Oukaïmeden, High Atlas, Morocco 31° 12' 22.38" N 07° 51' 32.30" W

13 February 2011h 0922h. Calls from a roving flock feeding in the snow - Red-billed Choughs in the background.

Monk Parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus)

Casa de Campo, Madrid, Spain 40° 24' 56.70" N 03° 45' 05.30" W

21 February 2011. Call froms a small party - very common species in this city.

European Bee-eater (Merops apiaster)

Parque Natural de Los Alcornocales, Andalucia, Spain 36° 08' 59.4" N 05° 35' 00.6" W

9 Apr 2011, 1533h. Calls from a small feeding party.

Iberian Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus ibericus)

Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de Los Alcornocales, Andalucia, Spain
36° 08' 46.8" N 05° 34' 58.2" W 11 Apr 2011, 1209h
Territorial song from cork oak/holm oak woodland. This bird was singing with continual variation between successive strophes.

Western Bonelli's Warbler (Phylloscopus bonelli)

Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de Los Alcornocales, Andalucia, Spain
36° 08' 46.8" N 05° 34' 58.2" W 11 Apr 2011, 1307h
Territorial song from cork oak woodland. Strophes repeated 5-6 times per minute.

Sardinian Warbler (Sylvia melanocephala)

Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, Andalucia, Spain 36° 08' 46.4" N 05° 35' 04.3" W

11 Apr 2011, 1337h. Territorial song from skulking male in thorny, evergreen scrub on open cork oak slopes. Fast, chattering, scratchy warblers, each strophe lasting 3-8 seconds, mostly uttered from within cover.

Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis)

Bosque del Apache NWR, New Mexico, US 33° 51' 33.21" N 106° 52' 37.65" W

26 December 2010. Trumpeting call from bird feeding in flock.

White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys)

Bosque del Apache NWR, New Mexico, US 33°49' 59.87" N 106° 51' 27.65" W

26 December 2010 1725h. Call froms birds preparing to roost.

Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla)

Kindrogan, Perthshire, Scotland 56° 44' 54.3'' N 03° 32' 55.1'' W

16 June 2010 0529h. Territorial song from Yews beside walled garden.

Coal Tit (Periparus ater)

Kindrogan, Perthshire, Scotland 56° 44' 54.3'' N 03° 32' 55.1'' W

16 June 2010 0704h. Territorial male singing from open larch woodland.

Wood Nuthatch (Sitta europaea)

Kensington Gardens, London, England 51° 30' 28.7" N 00° 10' 43.8" W

26 March 2011 1201h. Male singing 'fast song' from outside nest in London Plane; up to 10 strophes per minute.

Green Woodpecker (Picus viridis)

Wanstead Flats, London, England 51° 35' 31.0" N 00° 13' 37.7" W

26 March 2011 0817h. Territorial/advertising 'yaffle' from mature Sessile Oak copse; note the unusual higher-pitched second and third elements.

Black-whiskered Vireo (Vireo altiloquus)

Long Key State Park, Long Key, Florida, United States 24º 48' 49.3'' N 80º 49' 18.2'' W
5 July 2010, 0850h. Territorial song from flooded mangroves.

Florida Prairie Warbler (Dendroica discolor paludicola)

Long Key State Park, Long Key, Florida, United States 24º 48' 53.5'' N 80º 49' 22.2'' W
11 July 2010, 0819h. Calls from male feeding along the edge of mangroves.

Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)

Long Key State Park, Long Key, Florida, United States 24º 48' 50.3'' N 80º 49' 05.7'' W
5 July 2010, 0925h. Territorial/advertising song of male in hammock scrub.

Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)

Long Key State Park, Long Key, Florida, United States 24º 48' 45.4'' N 80º 48' 58.2'' W
5 July 2010, 0918h. Territorial/advertising song of a male in hammock scrub.

Marsh Frog vocalisations

2011-05-10T07:53:00.000Z

This noisy chorus of Marsh Frogs Rana ridibuna (well, probably this species as the European Water Frog group is complex with much hybridisation) was recorded in southwest London at WWT’s London Wetland Centre. The species isn’t native in the British Isle though this species does add some vocal colour to the wetland habitat here.

Black Swan Art

2011-05-09T17:32:00.008Z

While sound recording at the WWT London Wetland Centre last weekend, I was distracted by the snoozing pair of Black Swans (Cygnus atratus) in the collection ponds and immediately saw the potential to create some attractive images of their beautiful plumage textures.

Scenes from Zahara de los Atunes

2011-05-06T07:10:00.012Z

Zahara de los Atunes is a small town on the Costa de la Luz in Cádiz province in south-west Spain. Last month, I was on a field course there which provided sightings of Northern Bald Ibis, Griffon Vulture, Booted Eagle, Black Kite, Montagu's Harrier, Kentish Plover, Audouin's Gull, Caspian Tern, Pallid Swift, Bee-eater, Calandra Lark, Red-rumped Swallow, and Blue Rock Thrush in the town and surrounding fields and hillside.

When a strong Levante (Levanter in English) is blowing, raptors and other larger migrants trying to cross the Straits from Morocco to the Gibraltar/Algerciras/Tarifa area can be forced as far west as Zahara in certain conditions, allowing raptor watching from shore-front hotel roofs!

Cetti's Warbler, London WWT

2011-05-05T07:39:00.009Z

Well it was a windy bank holiday weekend and the only species I managed to sound record was this Cetti's Warbler (Cettia cetti) in the sheltered Wildside area of the WWT London Wetland Centre.

WWT London Wetland Centre, England 51º 28' 51.48'' N 00º 14' 5.38'' E 30 April 2011

Single strophe of song burst, uttered every 3-5 minutes from waterside alder and bramble scrub.

Mallard duckling cuteness

2011-05-03T07:26:00.004Z

I like my Opal Fruits with the wrappers on

2011-04-28T13:05:00.004Z

Gulls in Aberdeen are well known for cleaning up all the food detritus left by humans, even if they do get a little over-excited on occasion and enter shops to steal Nik-Naks crisps or snatch chips from unsuspecting tourists. At the weekend I observed a Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) tucking into a forgotten bag of Starburst (aka Opal Fruits), wrappers and all! Since gulls probably have limited olfactory senses they can’t enjoy the rainbow of fruit flavours anyway! ... wait, that was the catchprase for Skittles, but no doubt they’d try them too.

Iberian Water Frog Chorus

2011-04-20T19:10:00.007Z

Well its been a while since my last post! Earlier this month I was in south-west Spain for eleven days on an annual ecological genetics field course (a 2nd year undergraduate course) based around Zahara de los Atunes, near Tarifa. One of the study sites is the Arroyo del Tiradero in Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, a beautiful mountain stream where students study mate guarding in the pond skater (or water strider) Aquarius najas. Our particular stretch is lined with alder trees and surrounded by cork oak dehesa-like habitat. Interesting bird species here include Iberian Chiffchaff, Western Bonelli's Warbler, Short-toed Treecreeper, Cirl Bunting, Firecrest and Hawfinch, while there is often a spectacular array of raptors overhead. As well as being fantastic for bird song, at least when the wind is not blowing, there is an almost constant chorus of singing Iberian Water Frogs (Rana perezi) at this time of year. The vocal output tends to fluctuate from quiet periods when just one or two individuals are singing to almost deafening (at close range at least) crescendos during communal displays involving many frogs. This is likely to be lekking behviour (Ruff and Black Grouse being good examples in birds) but it is difficult to approach these frogs to closely observe them as they either go silent, or dive underwater.

Eurasian Crane Unison Calls

2011-04-02T10:26:00.013Z

We often read of Crane vocalisations described as ‘bugling’ or ‘trumpeting’ but I recently found a paper in the Journal of Comparative Physiology by Gaunt, A.S. et al (1987) that suggests that rather than comparison with a wind instrument, a better analogy would be with a stringed instrument such as a violin. Through experiments involving surgery of the trachea, or wind-pipe (I wonder if this sort of work still occurs today?) they found that the syrinx (the avian voice box) works like the ‘strings’ resting on the ‘bridge’ of an instrument, in this case the crane’s trachea (acting as a resonator), with the vibrations transferred to the sternum (breast bone). The sound is further amplified as the sternum is connected to a system of air sacs. Looking at pictures of the anatomy of the crane trachea, I had no idea it was so coiled.

I recorded the unison calls from a pair of Eurasian Cranes (Grus grus) in Sweden last year and if you listen to the sound file and look at the sonogram you can hear the harmonic sounds produced from both sexes during display. The male utters the single, longer call (lowest, or fundamental, harmonic between 0.65 - 0.90 kHz) lasting around 0.6 seconds with the female duetting with two shorter, slightly higher-pitched calls (lowest harmonic 0.95 - 1.15 kHz) lasting around 0.15 seconds. I was in a small hide just metres away from the pair and the loudness and intensity of crane vocals at this range was amazing. Quite different is hearing a pair at long range, echoing over a northern bog when the sound becomes evocative and beautiful… and I’ll post more on this later.

Red-necked Grebes in Estonia

2011-03-31T18:15:00.002Z

The sound of territorial song from a displaying pair of Red-necked Grebes; low-pitched growling from the edge of a reed island. Recorded at Ilmatsalu fish ponds in Tartu County, Eastern Estonia.

Drum majors and minors

2011-03-28T18:49:00.005Z

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopus minor)
Wanstead Flats, London, England, 26 March 2011, 0729h.
Territorial drumming on mature Sessile Oak; 24-30 taps in each 1.2-1.5 second roll (up to 14 rolls per minute).

Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopus major)
Parque Natural de Los Alcornocales, Andalucia, Spain, 15 April 2010, 1228h
Territorial drumming on mature Cork Oak; 15-17 taps in each 0.80-0.85 second roll (up to 11 rolls per minute).

Vocal Mimicry in the Whinchat

2011-03-24T18:38:00.018Z

In early June 2009 I made a sound recording of a Whinchat (Saxicola rubetra) in Glen Brerachan in Perthshire, Scotland. It was early morning (0540h), misty and a light drizzle was threatening to become heavier. Within a ten minute period this male surprised me with its vocal mimicry as it sang from a silver birch slope overlooking a juncus rush marsh. I recognised at least 15 avian species plus the sound of a distant lamb (of which there were several grazing nearby) and quite probably a frog (also abundant in the area). Several other phrases may have been from unknown species picked up in the wintering quarters in Africa. The Corn Bunting/Corncrake combination suggests that this bird may have been reared, or spent a previous breeding season, in either the Inner Hebrides or even Eastern Europe (if Thrush Nightingale is indeed what is replicated below). However, Scottish-ringed birds have been recovered on migration in Morocco, Iberia and France (BTO/The Birds of Scotland, 2007) and first-year birds may learn from other species in these areas. The rain put paid to further recording and I did not manage to find time to revisit the area later in the week. I tried to locate this bird again in 2010 but did not find it.

The following sonograms are from a single male Whinchat mimicking at least 15 avian species (plus lamb & frog!) in a 10 minute period.

Displaying White Storks in Madrid

2011-03-16T08:01:00.007Z

A few weeks ago when I passed through Madrid I observed White Storks nesting colonially in Casa de Campo. Pairs were displaying on the nest and in fact both sexes appeared to perform the same display. This involves some very strange looking postures in which the bird begins to squat and rapidly (though fairly gracefully) throw its head backwards with the neck bending right back until the head is resting on the back. Then, more slowly, the head is brought back forward, continuing until the whole bird was leaning forward, tailed raised, wings half-open, until the bill touches the nest. Some single birds appeared more aggressive in their display, particularly as other storks flew in and landed on neighbouring trees and it probably performs different functions in different situations. The display is often accompanied by loud bill clattering which was difficult to hear as some nearby construction involving pneumatic drills made this a little difficult.

Yellowhammer alternating song types

2011-03-14T07:47:00.006Z

The course of an old railway line between Knockentiber and Springside in Ayrshire provides some good scrubby habitat for Yellowhammers (Emberiza citrinella). While surveying the territorial males there last May, I heard one bird that was singing two song types which were alternated almost one after the other. Most of the birds in this area sing about eight strophes (or deliveries) per minute and stick to one song type for quite long periods, though occasionally dropping the final ‘cheese’ phrase. Listen to this excerpt of a recording below of this bird and you’ll see what I mean. The first strophe I’ve termed the ‘Fast High’ song type/strophe and the second, the ‘Slow Low’ song type/strophe.

The ‘Fast High’ strophe is around 1.84 seconds with the first phrase comprised of a rattle of 10-11 syllables spanning 4.22-6.76 kHz and lasting 1.07 secs. The second phrase – just a single element, and the familiar ‘cheese’ of the popular British mnemonic for this species – is around 4.85 kHz and lasting 0.68 secs.

The ‘Slow Low’ strophe is longer at around 2.11 seconds with usually 12 lower-pitched rattles spanning 3.07-5.04 kHz and lasting 1.37 secs. The 'cheese' phrase is also lower pitched at 4.4 kHz, lasting 0.55 sec.

Another element in the song that is quite difficult to detect in the field with the human ear (and while listening to playback of recordings) is the very short (0.04 secs) and high pitched (up to 8 kHz) element that immediately proceeds the rattle. It is visible on the sonogram but see if you can pick it out in the recording.

Travel photography from Morocco - part 2

2011-03-11T06:21:00.032Z

I've uploaded two slideshows from my recent trip to the main site at www.fssbirding.org.uk/moroccophotosindex.htm
The emphasis on this trip was general travel photography rather than birds

Travel photography from Morocco - part 1

2011-03-07T19:10:00.001Z

I've uploaded two slideshows from my recent trip to the main site at www.fssbirding.org.uk/moroccophotosindex.htm
The emphasis on this trip was general travel photography rather than birds.

Urban Birding in Madrid - Casa de Campo

2011-03-07T08:01:00.006Z

On returning from Morocco I had a day and a night in Madrid with my brother (who lives there and knows the city well). I'd hoped to get some photographs of the city combined with a bit of birding in the green spaces. One such space is the vast area known as Casa de Campo – and 'urbanised' dehesa of more than 1700 hectares, which I guess could be the equivalent of London's Richmond Park. In spring and early summer and with a lot more time this area should provide species like Hoopoe, Scops Owl, Hawfinch, Black Kite and possibly shrikes in the quieter areas! The problem was I had a touch of food poisoning (ok, I should have abstained from the salads in Morocco, but they were tasty!) and my enthusiasm was a little reduced. A walk around produced Short-toed Treecreeper, Serin, Iberian Green Woodpecker, Spotless Starling, nesting White Storks, White Wagtail, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Stock Dove, Jay, Tree Sparrow, and numerous Monk Parakeets. The highlight though was a migrating flock of over 400 Eurasian Cranes heading north which began to circle slowly high above the area. It was the chorus of bugling calls that first attracted my attention and on looking up it felt that spring was now beginning. These birds would probably be heading up from Andalucia via Laguna Gallocanta, across the Pyrenees into France, then Germany and into Scandinavia.

Gambel's Quail in the Chihuahuan Desert

2011-03-04T08:05:00.002Z

Here is a recording of a group of Gambel's Quails (Callipepla gambelii) from Bosque del Apache NWR, New Mexico, on 28 December 2010. It features some advertising calls from a male and social/contact calls from other quails.

White-crowned Wheatear - roosting & singing in human habitation

2011-03-03T07:58:00.001Z

During two nights stay at Kasbah Hotel Yasmina (formerly Cafe Yasmina) at Erg Chebbi, north of Merzouga, an adult White-crowned Wheatear (Oenanthe leucopyga) appeared after dark inside the main room while we were having dinner. It favoured the wall-mounted lamp covers (moths available for night time snacks) and appeared completely at ease with the coming and going of staff and guests. In fact, during a tebilat drumming session, it even began to sing! Apparently it been present for a long period and so I didn't want to disturb it with a camera flash. Instead, here is a photograph of a first year bird (with no white crown) in the nearby dunes.

Tristram's Warbler recordings from Morocco

2011-03-02T08:34:00.003Z

I managed to get a recording of a Tristram's Warbler singing (not full chrystalised song?) from very low in a tamarisk beside the dried-out Yasmina Lake at Erg Chebbi where a few winter. The vocalisations were quiet and subdued (like sub-song) and a desert wind was also blowing.

Calls from the same individual above: slightly stuttering, and sparrow-like.

Travels through Morocco

2011-02-23T08:56:00.007Z

My brother and I spent last week travelling over the High Atlas from Marrackech to the edge of the Sahara near the border with Algeria. Our interest was general photography though I could not help but see some good birds along the way. Sometimes on birding trips in new places (trip report from 2007 here) I can be looking so hard for new species on a tight itinerary that I forget to enjoy the birds themselves. On a more relaxed approach, absorbing the wonderful landscapes of Morocco through a wider angle, the birds may find you - and somehow the experience can be richer. I'm talking about the Desert Sparrows that land three feet away from you when you're concentrating on photographing sand dune ripples, the House Bunting that wakes you up by singing within a hotel, the Tristam's Warbler that scolds in typical Sylvia tones above an al fresco desert breakfast, or the Hoopoe Lark that runs past when your transportation becomes stuck in not so terra firma! I'll post a lot of photographs later but for now: Snow in the High Atlas, Camels in the desert, verdant terraces of agriculture in the Atlas foothills, Djemma El Fna at sunet, an oasis near Tineghir, a curious Desert Sparrow (Passer simplex saharae) at Erg Chebbi, and White Storks nesting on top of a minaret in the Dades Gorge.

New Mexico

2011-02-10T07:07:00.001Z

After we departed the Bosque del Apache and Socorro area, we traveled around this exciting desert state from the Chihuahuan Desert in the south to the snowy peaks in the north. General birding and sight-seeing of various geological features were the main interests and as a result I spent little time on trying to get record shots of different species. Below are some photographs from sites such as the White Sands gypsum desert, the Three Rivers Petroglyphs sites, Taos Pueblo, Tent Rocks, Roswell, Rio Grande Gorge, San Francisco de Asis Church, Old San Miguel Mission, Santa Fe, Sandia Peak, El Malpais, Very Large Array, Plains of San Agustin, Valley of Fires, and Valles Caldera.

All these photos and more can be viewed in a slideshow on my main site at:

www.fssbirding.org.uk/newmexicophotos.htm

www.fssbirding.org.uk/newmexicophotos2.htm

Biking & birding to work

2011-02-04T07:50:00.008Z

I cycle a minimum of 85 miles per week to work from zone 4 in North London to zone 1 in the centre. Last July I gave up on 'the tube' (London Underground) due to the poor service, endless strikes, though mainly due to the fact it is 'hoachin'... and I miss cycling. Though it doesn't compare to cycling in the Scottish countryside (countryside=safe, city=dangerous), its does keep me fit, I save money, and I see more birds! Arriving at work, I feel energised too (the tube saps your enthusiasm and drains your energy). Amazingly I can cycle door-to-door in about 33 minutes cycling time compared with 45 mins on the tube (which included a one mile walk to the station). So not only is the humble push bike faster than the car through urban London, it can also leave the tube behind! In late January 2011 I decided to keep a list of all species seen for the year. My usual route takes me through busy suburban and urban streets which provide less interest so diversions over the course of the year through parks and past reservoirs should yield interesting finds. Highlights so far have included 100 Waxwings in Finchley Road and a pair of Firecrests and a Water Rail in Regent's Park.

Regular visitors to this blog will know I like birds with long legs and long wings and I now see even more herons if I pass by the heronry in Regent's Park. The breeding season is getting under way with lots of activity there now and the birds are particularly vocal at dusk. Last week weekend I made some sound recordings of Grey Herons on the nest as they settled in for the night.

Can you see what it is yet?

2011-02-03T08:05:00.003Z

Created at Tagxedo after seeing the Wanstead Birder's swan.

Final set from Bosque

2011-02-02T08:56:00.003Z

Here is the final set of photographs I'll post from Bosque del Apache. All these were taken full frame in the vertical/portrait format. The birds in flight were taken in Al Servo mode with the top zone manually selected in the 7D.

More Magic from the Rio Grande

2011-01-18T18:44:00.000Z

I've uploaded two more slideshows from Bosque del Apache to my main photography site. Please visit the following links for better quality versions (and with a smooth transition in IE at least):

www.frasersimpson-birdphotography.com/bosquedelapacheslide03.htm

www.frasersimpson-birdphotography.com/bosquedelapacheslide02.htm

Bosque Predators

2011-01-14T19:27:00.004Z

The Sandhill Cranes and Snow/Ross's geese feed on specially-grown fields of maize around the refuge. Multi-species flocks comprised of Red-winged Blackbird, Yellow-headed Blackbird and Brewer's Blackbird swarm over the left-over grains, while Northern Harriers and Red-tailed Hawks sail overhead. Rows of corn are periodically flattened to allow the birds access to a steady and controlled food source throughout the winter. The more dominant cranes appear to access the freshly knocked-down cobs, where outbreaks of aggression and general social interactions are more frequent. Having access to the best feeding sites may come at a cost though. Coyotes lurk in the cover of the standing corn. Several times during my visits near the farm deck, a peaceful scene of feeding geese became a snowstorm of wings as the Snow and Ross's Geese erupted into the air in a spectacular and coordinated fashion. Up to three coyotes were trying their luck and twice I saw them get a meal by successfully grabbing a goose. There were many false alarms when the geese would half-heartedly take to the air but then quickly re-settle. On the occasions that a goose was taken, the whole flock did not return for hours. The cranes on the other hand, while still responsive to the presence of the coyotes, were far less keen to fly off. While they lack the immediate speed and agility of the geese they would flap a few feet to a safe retreat before turning and facing the Coyotes and on one occasion formed a wide semi-circle around a coyote, almost like a coordinated mob of the mammal. A few hundred long, sharp bills pointing its way was enough to make it think again and it retreated back into the corn.

The second obvious predator was the Golden Eagle, often two birds hunting together. The arrival of this species would often cause the blast-off of thousands of geese as they soared over a much wider area with the sky becoming a confusing, swirling mass of individual flocks. The power of this raptor became very clear one day when one dropped from the sky with such speed that it sent a goose thundering towards the ground as it lost is grip on the initial impact. The goose appeared to be dead after hitting the ground and the eagle came down for its meal, attended by Common and Chihuahuan Ravens and Red-tailed Hawks.

The Beauty of Bosque

2011-01-11T17:32:00.044Z

I'm back from the blue skies of New Mexico to the drab of London. The first two weeks were spent photographing Sandhill Cranes, Snow Geese, Ross's Geese and other species from dawn till dusk (rest on Christmas day) at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge on the Rio Grande south of Socorro, followed by another week touring around the state, sightseeing, birding and trying Green Chili Cheese Burgers! I've started a slideshow/gallery of Bosque del Apache, for photographs made in the landscape/horizontal format at the link below on my main bird photography site - more will be added in the coming days along with a gallery/slideshow in the portrait/vertical format. I'll also post some stories and notes shortly.
Slideshow:
www.frasersimpson-birdphotography.com/bosquedelapacheslide01.htm

Bosque del Apache, New Mexico

2010-12-23T05:51:00.004Z

Well I escaped the country last week just before the airports closed due to snow! I’m in Bosque del Apache in New Mexico for a couple of weeks, photographing Sandhill Cranes, Snow Geese and Ross’s Geese. This huge refuge is a photographer’s paradise most days, but yesterday when a Golden Eagle took one of the thousands, a blizzard of Snow Geese swept over the road like a tsunami and I just stood in awe at the power and sound of the collective wings! Then I remembered to try and capture it all on camera. Until I get home and process the images, here are a few of today’s Sandhills....

Drawings in print

2010-12-15T07:41:00.003Z

Prints of my drawings at 6" x 4" are available to buy at £2.50 including postage. Larger sizes are available on request.

Dancing on ice

2010-12-14T08:06:00.003Z

I created this blur of Coots as they ran after some bread on the ice. London was mild at the weekend and I was already missing the cold weather... but it is forecast to return.

Ayrshire Waxwing Invasion 2010

2010-12-10T19:30:00.002Z

Following three major influxes/invasions of Bohemian Waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus) in Ayrshire in the last decade (2000/01, 2004, and 2008/09), a further influx is underway. As previously (see here), this post will be updated regularly with reports. A full report of the autumn-winter period records will be published in the Ayrshire Bird Report 2010. Please email me with additional sightings of Waxwings for the blog and bird report at recorder@ayrshire-birding.org.uk or by adding a comment below. Thanks to the following for records: Gordon McCall, Angus Hogg, Mike Howes, Brian Orr, Jim Johnstone, J Anthony, Kevin Beck, Tony & Gerda Scott, Robert Kelly, Mark Medcalf, Vallerie Firminger, Jim Thomson, Gordon & Stella Nixon, Frances Brown, Derek Hall, Ian & Monica Clark, Jason McManus, Charlie McGill, Alison McKellar, Dave Grant, Kirsty McEwing, Dick Vernon, Ayrshire Birding Yahoo Group, Birdline Scotland, BirdGuides.

Waxwing, photographed in 2008 on the disused railway line at Bonnyton, Kilmarnock.

10/12/10
15, Annick roundabout, Irvine

09/12/10
35, Annick roundabout, Irvine

07/12/10
20, A77, Holmston-Hollybush roundabouts, Ayr

06/12/10
20, St Leonard's Road, Ayr
20, Prestwick Airport (Robert Burns International Airport)

05/12/10
25, River Garnock, Kilwinning

04/12/10
5, Drybridge

03/12/10
100, Ayr
15, Shawill House, Sandyford

02/12/10
34, St. Leonard's Wynd, Ayr

01/12/10
90+, River Garnock, Kilwinning
55, St. Leonard's Church, Ayr
20, Milgarholm roundabout, Irvine
1, Shawill House, Sandyford
1, Auchincruive

30/11/10
40, Kilwinning railway station, Kilwinning
27, Fullarton Street, Irvine

29/11/10
100, Castlehill Farm, Stevenston
20+, A78, Stevenston

28/11/10
36, Ayr Hospital
15, Coll Gardens, Dreghorn
8, A77, Ayr

27/11/10
10, Ayr Hospital
200, Fullarton Street, Irvine
10, Ayr Hospital

26/11/10
200, Eglinton Country Park, Irvine
80, Fullarton roundabout, Irvine
55, Mossblown
5, Kilwinning railway station, Kilwinning

25/11/10
25, Bathurst Drive, Ayr
1, Dundonald Road/Central Avenue, Troon

24/11/10
100, Harris Terrace, Dreghorn
30, Ayr Hospital
8, Shawhill House, Prestwick
1, Rigg Street, Stewarton

23/11/10
12, Holmston Road, Ayr
10+, B7038, Caprington GC, Kilmarnock

22/11/10
100, River Garnock, Kilwinning
52, Ardeer quarry/Highfield Drive, Stevenston
50, Fullarton Street, Irvine
25, Ayr

21/11/10
140, River Garnock, Kilwinning
25, Ayr Hospital
5 W, over Straiton

20/11/10
30, Ayr Hospital

19/11/10
165, Ayrshire Central Hospital, Irvine
20+, Fullarton Street, Irvine
14, Kirkmichael
8, St Joseph's Academy, Kilmarnock
8, Coylton

18/11/10
100, Shawfarm Industrial Estate, Outdale Avenue, Prestwick
65, Fullarton Street, Irvine

17/11/10
150, Maybole Road, Ayr
25, Coll Gardens, Dreghorn
20, Rigg Street, Stewarton

16/11/10
220, Fullarton Street, Irvine
110, Shawbank Place, Kilmarnock
60, Mayfield Road, Stevenston
40, West George Street, Kilmarnock
26, Shawfarm, Prestwick
30 Bridgend, Kilwinning
26, Shawfarm, Prestwick
19, Coll Gardens, Dreghorn
8 Blacklands Avenue, Kilwinning

15/11/10
220+, Irvine
200, High Road, Saltcoats
75, Ewenfield Road/Robsland Avenue, Ayr
42+, Maybole
12, Glencairn Street, Stevenston
12, Rigg Street, Stewarton
11, Kilwinning Community Sports Club, Kilwinning
9, Semple Crescent, Fairlie

14/11/10
100, High Road, Saltcoats
50+, Coll Gardens, Dreghorn
20, Glasgow Street, Ardrossan
8, Home Farm, Culzean
6, Culroy

13/11/10
90, High Road, Saltcoats
40, Ewenfield Road, Ayr

11/11/10
85+, Marlepark, Ayr
70, Racecourse Road, Ayr
70, Saltcoats
10, bus station, Cumnock

10/11/10
300, Shawfarm Road, Prestwick
200, Auld Brig, Ayr
150, Fladda Avenue, Bourtreehill
130, Ladykirk House, Skye Road, Prestwick
80, Craigston Avenue, Ayr
70, Capringstone
60, High Road, Saltcoats
40, Southpark Road, Ayr
15, Towans Hotel, Prestwick
6, St. John Street, Ayr

09/11/10
400+, Fencedyke Way, Bourtreehill
100+, Atlantic House, Prestwick
64, Tanyard, Cumnock
50, High Road, Saltcoats
42, Ladykirk House, Skye Road, Prestwick
30, Lismore Way, Dreghorn
20, Heathfield, Ayr
7, Fraser Court, Newmilns
4, Station Road, Galston

08/11/10
200, Skye Road, Prestwick
100, High Road, Saltcoats
30, walled garden Culzean
10, High Road, Ayr

07/11/10
100+, Tanyard, Cumnock
84, Ayr
80+, Lang Road, Troon
45, Bourtreehill
32, Home Farm, Culzean
32, Midton Road, Ayr
28, Prestwick Academy, Prestwick
20, Dalry Road, Saltcoats
6, Wesley Street, Girvan

06/11/10
50+, Tanyard, Cumnock
40, St. Quivox
20, Mill Street, Ayr
10, Heathfield Road, Ayr

05/11/10
14, Monkton Services, Prestwick

04/11/10
13, Boyd Court, Kilmarnock

02/11/10
4, Springside

01/11/10
8, Irvine Road, Kilwinning

31/10/10
13, Coll Gardens, Dreghorn
30+, Yacht Club, Largs
8, Irvine Road, Kilwinning

29/10/10
42, Strawberrybank Road/Dean Lane, Kilmarnock

28/10/10
24, Boyd Court, Kilmarnock

27/10/10
4 N, Balkissock, Ballantrae
1, Pinwherry

26/10/10
40, disused railway line, Bonnyton, Kilmarnock
8 E, Muirhead, Troon
4, Kirkoswald
10, Ayr Cemetery, Holmston Road, Ayr

25/10/10
16 S, Turnberry Point

24/10/10
20+ W, Bennan, Straiton
15, over Kirk Hill, Dailly
12-15, Maidens
10 N, Mauchline Road, Hurlford

Click below to listen to Waxwings calls recorded at Kilmarnock in 2008:

Three high-pitched calls around 6 kHz (from group of 3 birds) uttered while perched followed by longer flight call.

Flight calls from three birds leaving hawthorn hedgerow feeding site.

More drawings for the Ayrshire Bird Report

2010-11-30T19:42:00.005Z

Here are the final two drawings I did for the report at the weekend: a hovering Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) and a fluffed-up Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus). Click for larger versions or visit:
www.fssbirding.org.uk/sketches.htm

Ayrshire Bird Report 2009

2010-11-26T20:37:00.006Z

I've almost completed the Ayrshire Bird Report 2009 and will be ready to send to the printers on Monday. I'll keep all Ayrshire birders posted on when it is available to purchase. Sample images below are of the front cover, title page, internal sample page, & rear cover. More details to follow.

Grebes & Shoveler sketches

2010-11-22T08:40:00.003Z

Here are a couple of pencil drawings I did at the weekend: a pair of displaying Great Crested Grebes and a wing-flapping Shoveler. Click for larger versions or visit the main site: www.fssbirding.org.uk/sketches.htm