A little poem - a birding holiday with Heatherlea by Carole Lacey

Carole went bird-watching up in Aviemore

The scenery was lovely she couldn’t ask for more

Although it did seem chilly the sun it tried to shine

The hotel was warm and cosy and well stocked with wine

There was about 8 of us and much to our surprise

It included a man of 90 who was quite small in size

Although he was barely mobile he tried his very best

He knew a lot about the birds and kept up with the rest

One day we saw an eagle and little crested tits

And a flock of waxwings made us thrilled to bits

We saw a velvet scoter bobbing on the sea

And a lovely Crossbill high up in a tree

The days were quite intensive from 8 o’clock till seven

So when we sat down to supper we felt we were in heaven

But all in all the guides did well and taught us all they knew

So nice to be out bird watching and see a lovely view.

The Crex Collective - Mulling it over

This years 'Big trip' for RSPB Liverpool saw sixteen birders land on the Scottish isle of  Mull, the 'Crex Collective', as we were known!

Staying at the glenforsa hotel  http://www.glenforsa.com,  

The Crexers in the Glenforsa upstairs lounge (Laura-photographer being eaten alive outside)

Our aim was to see eagles, crakes, otters and anything else that flew overhead or crossed our path! (And to avoid being eaten alive by the great whites of the Scottish insect world, midgies)

Here follows some re-collections, thoughts, magic moments and tall tales from our happy band!


'Chaff McVey'

16 off us set out on the Isle of Mull for hopefully a good days birding.  The weather was good, midgies not so good.  We were excited with the prospect of seeing more Golden and White Tailed eagles and any other birds for our count.  We arrived at a good location provided by a local farmer.  Other enthusiastic birders were already there, they had binoculars and scopes focused on the side of a mountain where a pair of Golden eagles with chicks could be clearly seen.  All 16 of us lined up and trained our bino's to see these spectacular birds and their nest with chicks inside. I stood back from the line to take in all of this majestic moment.  Then I noticed a Chaffinch only three feet from the line of birders on the ground.  There he was bobbing and fluttering up and down to show off, but no one took any notice of him because all was focused on the eagles and their chicks.  But I liked the Chaffinch and named him 'Chaff McVey'. Chaff was a cheeky little fellow, demanding he got noticed, then suddenly he must have had an idea and he flew of only to return within the minute, again he landed no more than two or three feet away from the line of birders, only this time he was wearing a 'kilt' in fine tweed and said to himself "Och I this will get me noticed".  

Chaff McVey

He stood there chest out and started dancing the highland fling, jumping up and down, turning and singing his heart out to a beautiful Scottish melody.  Still no one noticed.  Chaff stood, wings folded across his chest with his beak snared, clearly annoyed after all his efforts.  Then he had another thought and flew off, came back in front of the birders but this time he had 'bagpipes' under one wing and a tube connected to it in his beak.  He said " right laddie's and lassies wait till you hear this".  He closed his eyes, pulled in air, tightened the bagpipes closer to his body and played to the tune of ' Mull of Kintyre'.  When he finished he heard No clapping or shouts for "more, more" only to open his eyes to see no one had noticed him.  I could see a tear run down his cheek flow down his beak and spatter on the ground. He took of the bagpipes and threw them to the ground.  Shoulders slumped he turned and walked away, I thought he has not got the will to fly.  Watching him move away from the crowd, looking back occasionally to hear if anyone saying "did you see that Chaffinch" but to no avail.  I went after Chaff and caught up with him, knelt down in front of him, he lifted his head slowly so our eyes met.  I told him "wonderful, wonderful you were fantastic, I have never seen any bird do what you did".  Chaff smiled and said "was I that good", "Yes, Yes" I replied, you are a star I told him. I told Chaff " because others did not see you perform, I know all the people love all the birds all the same and just be yourself and you will get noticed".  With this Chaff was now happy and was fluttering about, then he flew of singing only to return soon with no kilt on, landed two to three feet away from the birders hoping in front of them.

On the way back to our hotel in the mini bus the other birders was happy and sharing a good days birding, someone said " did you see the Golden eagles taking turns on the nest, what a sight to behold".  I said "did you see the Chaffinch play the bagpipes in a kilt", to which I got no reply, only a few strange looks. Then I put my head back in my neck pillow and went to sleep.

So my favourite bird of the 'Crex tour' was 'Chaff McVey' the Chaffinch who gave me 'Magic'.

Chris McMelia.

The entire Mull experience with Shedluck Tours was just amazing.

Shortie

A lovely group of friends doing what they enjoy. My highlight was when I 'finally' spotted the Short Eared Owl, and the mighty cheer that went up from the group. 

Thanks to the Shedluck Sixteen.
Rhodie Mc

Loch Ba

Loch Ba

One moment I would like to highlight was our walk beside Loch Ba. This is a large freshwater loch, surrounded by woodland, as well as having views out to a high ridge. We were duly excited by one of our first proper views of golden eagles early on, and 

enjoyed a beautiful walk, but the bonus came on our way back to the minibus, 

Crossbill

just as we were nearing the end of the path, when one of the group spotted a small group of crossbills and we were all able to watch them feeding high up in the larches.   

Annie Mc

Loch Buie

Apart from all the wonderful wildlife, scenery and laughs along the way, I was really impressed with the honesty shop on the shore of Loch Buie, what a lovely idea in this remote part of the world.  Restores your faith in human nature.

http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/475071/Remote-island-shop-proves-honesty-is-the-best-policy

L Buie

My favourite little bird was the common sandpiper chick which was no more than a few days old with the characteristic little bob which gave its identity away, apart from the alarm calling parents.  It instinctively knew to go for cover, brilliant!

Carry on driver!

McTomo

                                                  

CREX

Oh Crex you have me vexed

Crex, crex you are my quest

Amid the swards of yellow flag

Your hiding in the grasses

The buttercups and nettles sway

Alas there is no finding you this day

Elusive Corncrake - RSPB images

Oh rasper, croaker of the corn, lift your head and make your call

Your summer home, on sacred ground, once sought by Scottish kings renowned  

Bewitching Iona your beauty sings loud

On this holy isle, peaceful solace can be found

A protected land, bonny and wild

A sanctuary for corncrakes; despite the pilgrim crowds

September will wane, no rasps are heard, our birds have flown to warmer climes

The meadow's quiet, but soon will know more, as wintering geese return to these shores.

And so I must leave you

My quest in defeat

My little corncrake teaser, deceiver

You kept me late

Yet, your call remains with me and perhaps

In a while, I'll return to Iona and we'll make it a date!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRywOWmAJg4&feature=youtu.be

Laura, Lowra, Lol or McBimo!  

Flying giants of Vyrnwy?

Goshawk - SteveRound

March is always a month I set aside for goshawk

As long as it is not raining or the wind is blowing a gale this is the time to look for a normally difficult to see bird.

The forecast for this Saturday wasn’t too bad so we headed to a favourite spot of mine at Lake Vyrnwy. Taking the path up from the Giants of Vyrnwy car park we were retreading the footsteps of the abortive RSPB meet of 2013. However, with better weather this year we were more confident of success.

Even before we had reached our normal viewpoint we had a large goshawk on the hill behind us which was soon joined by a second. After a while they drifted out of sight but it was a good start to the day.

We continued up the track and settled down to scan for birds. From our viewpoint we checked each bird in the sky. Usually these were buzzards or ravens but there we had numerous sightings of goshawks and there may have been up to four birds present.

One goshawk soared alongside a similar sized buzzard for some minutes before diving at a small bird which turned out to be a sparrowhawk (presumably male as the size difference was so vast).

Most of our sightings were across the valley above the hill of the Ty-uchaf tea rooms but birds were picked up from all directions. We had birds flying below us as well as a vertical stoop from above us into the valley below.

During our four hour watch we also saw a pair of peregrines, one merlin and a red kite. One or two sparrowhawks were also present. Crossbill calls revealed one bright red male in the trees below us but that was it for small birds.

If you have a nice sunny day with a bit of a breeze don’t leave it another year.

Terry

 Liverpool RSPB field Trip report - Black Grouse Lek

Sunday 29/04/12

Sunday found us up before the lark, leaving Liverpool at 4am in the pitch dark for a 5am meet at UPM Tilhill’s, Coed Llandegla Forest in Denbighshire. We arrived at the visitor centre just as dawn was breaking on the horizon. And flaming Palinka it was cold, 2 degrees Celsius with a bitter wind chill which soon got the better of my insulated gloves.

 

Seven hardy souls made it to Llandegla Moor in search of the lekking Black Grouse (tetrao tetrix), we were not disappointed. The count being 13 males and one grey female (ratio doesn't seem right to me somehow!). The species is red-listed in Wales, which means it is of the highest conservation concern. 50% of the Welsh Black Grouse population lives within one mile of the forest. The Lek, is an early spring display site, the male grouse mock fight to impress an audience of females - well hidden from our eyes this morning.  There are currently estimated to be 328 lekking males in Wales, a positive recovery over recent years. The Moor is managed for the grouse; the heather is cut consecutively, which forces new growth and allows the cotton grass and bilberry to gain a foothold, providing year round food for the grouse and their chicks.

          

A 30 minute walk through the forest brought us to our hiding place, a converted ships container – all mod cons here, magnolia walls, carpet on the seating bench, and a speaker transmitting the bird calls from a microphone hidden on the moor.  Although  400 metres away the  male birds  were easily visible on the open ground,  drooped wings, pure white tails feathers fanned out, bubbling, screeching  and strutting their stuff to impress the females. Just like miniature Capercaillies.  The highlight and best view by far was when the 13 males took to the air disturbed by a passing crow, their striking white wing bars evident as they quickly returned to their Lek and the important business of the day.

 

After half an hour or so the weather started to deteriate and the forecast rain fell as snow, time for a sharp exit… But just as we were leaving a rogue male flew towards the hide giving us a closer view. Apparently this bird has taken to displaying on a rise near to the container, its thought (hopefully) he could be starting up a new Lek.  

 

Taking the trail back through the forest offered us some protection from the inclement weather and gave us the other highlight of the day; Crossbills flying overhead and then a family group feeding in a Larch. Hooked bill, red underside and rich red rump a glorious male, a juvenile and the female of a more green hue. Despite the weather the dawn chorus was in full voice,  Willow warblers, Song thrush, Nuthatches and Robins sang out.  Overhead  small groups of Siskin and Redpoll flitted through the canopy. A Tree pipit in a tree gave us a closer view, as did a Coal tit, and Goldcrest.

 

As the snow came down we retreated to the Oneplanet cafe for a full Welsh breakfast, a bacon bap or would you rather have porridge and home produced honey?  We left at 9am just as the hordes of weather resistant mountain bikers arrived for the day.

.

Our day list: Crow-Dunnock-Blackbird-Woodpigeon-Siskin-Crossbill-Black grouse-Tree pipit-Goldcrest-Robin-Redpoll-Mallard-Canada Goose-Coal tit-Collared dove-Chaffinch-Jackdaw-Jay-Song Thrush.

 

Julie our RSPB guide at Llandega tells us ‘there be Nightjars’ on site and they plan to hold future Wednesday night viewing events - barbecue supper included !… so, get your white hankies ready and watch this space.

 

 

Report compiled by Stores and Laura.

 

Ps  Palinka is a Hungarian brandy – just getting ready for the groups big trip!