Trips and Dips

Purple Heron at Saltholme? Dipped.  Richard's Pipit at St. Mary's?  Dipped.

And now the better news.

Semi-palmated Sandpiper at Greatham (consolation prize):

(Trust me - it's the one on the left!)

Pectoral Sandpiper at Castle Lake:

And today, early start (via Maccy D's), and to Sleddale/Commondale.  Windy, cold, clear and occasionally bright.  It took until 11:00 am for the first Rough-legged Buzzard to show, from the chevrons, arriving from the north over the tumulus and after two failed attempts at catching Red Grouse, it landed on the west side of a tall conifer along Sleddale Beck (so out of sight).  A second Rough-legged Buzzard arrived a wee while later and had a dogfight with a Common Buzzard.  Also seen were Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Merlin and Peregrine by the time I left at 12:30pm.

The one that got away:

Seen the hunted, now the hunters:

Ready! Aim! Fire(crest)!

Firecrests showing obscenely well from day break to 09:20 today at Old Hartley/St. Mary's. Yesterday, it/they were in the shrubs on the west side of the second mound, if walking south from Old Hartley car park (on the east side of the path). Today, the bird(s) had moved north into the shrubs, on the first mound, walking south. Often, the view was within feet and at head height, or the bird dropped to the grass/path. Some of the proper photographers got some absolutely phenomenally brilliant shots. As for me...

Circus! Act!

Never thought I would get to see a Pallid Harrier (Circus macrourus).  This year, as others have commented, has been a bumper year but many miles from here.  So yesterday's BirdGuides report, and only 45 miles away, was a real appetite whetter.

And so at 07:57 when it rose this morning, and a short while later when it hit t'interweb, it had to be done.  A small deviation from the working day (time off, of course) had to happen.

Some of the 280 on my life list have been really special.  Some still draw my attention and I would travel to see them.  Red-backed Shrike, Redstart (bit of a red theme here) and Green Woodpecker to name but three.  BUT, I have never seen a bird as majestic, breath-taking, stunning, beautiful (need I go on?).

I arrived at 11:30 and left 40 ornithogasmic minutes later, with some superb views (but NOT through the camera!!!).  To those who criticise their own photographic endeavours, I offer the following to the competition entitled, 'Tell me what that is again, please'!!!