Friday 6 July 2012

Blankety Blank

Like two old farmers, the Guv'nor (clearly the much older farmer!) and I were chewing the fat yesterday afternoon at one of the new(ish) wooden gates at Arcot.  Only Coots on the water, and the odd House Martin over, and talk of optics (that's the birding ones, not those behind the bar).  Pager message and Rosy Starling (Lifer in waiting) at N-b-t-S and so I morphed into Cruella and off north.  Alas, arriving 30 minutes after it was seen, it had flown west from the Church Point church roof never to be seen again (despite a good search about).

And then at 8:30pm, a listen for another Lifer-to-be between the Cheese Farm and Stannington (albeit Lifers have to be seen and not just heard), and again, 'nil points'.

And looking out the office window now, little chance of ornithorgasms today, and if the weather forecast is to be believed, not tomorrow or Sunday either.

But here's hoping!

Monday 2 July 2012

Yerrsssssssssssssssss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No, dear Reader, not last night's Scouser-rant when Spain's third went in, but the thrill of making good for not being able to see yesterday's Red-necked Phalarope.

Shit weekend; weather affected three electrical appliances Chez Liverbirder (Mr Sedgedunum Warbler, when I got back on-line yesterday after a few days off due to a zapped computer, your plight put mine into perspective).

So a night of classical culture at the Sage Gateshead and whilst rushing to get ready, news from the Guv'nor that there was some ornithological excitement, and not too far away, but it might as well have been.  No chance of a peek on the way out, nor on the way back - bugger!

A check on t'interweb later suggested it would probably not stick around, so in to work for 6:40 and a check later on trusted BirdGuides and it was there (if you put the report on, thank you).  Into the Cruella-mobile, and against the flow of inbound traffic, arrival at 8:10 and one birder who hadn't seen it (yet).  And within a few minutes, bird located by moi, with a Common Sandpiper, Lapwings and Starlings.

Belter!

Now, can anyone mend a TV or a PS3?