At home and further afield

Pete and I are getting ready for winter by setting up our feeding station on the Moors. We like to get it sorted before the weather turns too ugly allowing the birds to find it early on. Pete has made a superb Niger seed feeder from a shampoo bottle. The Goldfinch are loving it.

Pete and Taz by the feeding Station

 

Pete's DiY Niger feeder. It's been updated since this was taken.

 

They soon turn up for a feed.

 

 

Locally, I also managed a Common Gull on one of the lakes I keep an eye on.

 

Then, Lady Luck smiled on me. A Glossy Ibis was being reported everyday in Lowdham, Nottinghamshire.

Feeding in a roadside field and turning up most mornings. The first week of reports, I couldn't make it!!! The weekend came, and I still couldn't get over to see this bird. A life tick for me!

Week two. I winced everyday at work when it was reported again and again. I hoped it would keep showing until the following weekend. It was, as I hoped reported again on the Friday, and Saturday morning found me Nottinghamshire bound before first light. It was absolutely worth it. A new life tick achieved. The light was poor, the Glossy Ibis distant, but I spent an interesting couple of hours observing it. I took the best pictures conditions would allow, not great, but a nice record of my first Glossy Ibis.

Awesome Tick

 

Glossy Ibis Video.

 

Posted with Blogsy

Dusky Warbler - Life Tick

This was reported too late yesterday for me to do anything about it. Saturday morning however found Jon and I heading for Marsh Lane Nature Reserve.

It took just over a hour for the Dusky Warbler to make its presence know to us. It scaled a large Willow tree giving good views as it did so. Then, it dropped back into the undergrowth.

Another life tick for me, so very pleased with this one. An exceptional bird for the Midlands.

The Dusky was too mobile for pictures, so I found a plate and a picture from the internet. A memorable morning.

 

 

Posted with Blogsy