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Neill pops into Mere Sands

Posted by on February 14, 2008 7:21 PM | 

Night%20Heron%20sands.jpg

HURRAH! to Neill Hunt, who just dropped these pix by tonight - the Night Heron at Mere Sands, and Marshside's perpetual Green Winged Teal.

Greenwingedtealbrick.jpg

Mr Hunt explains: "Thought you'd like a butchers at the adult Night Heron that is gracing Mere Sands Wood at the mo, been present since Tuesday, but not seen yesterday, lots of other stuff worth a look at as well, all the woodland birds you can shake a stick at are flitting about for your pleasure.
"Back at the marsh the Great White Egret was present again and the Yanky Teal was again showin' off in front of Stateside Sandgrounders."

The link to Neill's website is on the right, where you'll find more pix and gen about what "the man with no nickname" has been seeing...
I was being too romantic (and frantically busy) scouring petrol station forecourts for wilting flowers and dog-eared Valentine's cards to get out birding today.
Looking forward to a sunny weekend though.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies...

Comments (10)

Kevin wrote...

John,
I was wondering if I could draw upon your vast worldwide knowledge of birds, if not, one of your readers.
I was in New York just before Christmas and saw the most magnificent bird in Central Park. it was the size of a finch but orangey red in colour from tail to beak. The colour was showing through the darker markings on its back and wings.
Before you ask, I did have a few Millers the night before but was absolutely freezing cold sober when I sighted said bird. It looked like a flying satsuma.
I do have a couple of half decent,fuzzy photo's if it will help I.D.
Rgds
Kev

Posted by: Kevin  | February 15, 2008 10:24 AM

john wrote...

Hi Kev - Central Park is a great birding site at any time of the year (so I'm told), and Yankee birds are amongst the most colourful.
Yours sounds like a Northern Cardinal, but could also have been a wintering oriole, new world warbler (Cape May perhaps?), or even a House Finch.
There's a great website about birding in Central Park, with loads of photographs - www.birdsofcentralpark.com - which is worth a look.
Hope this helps.

Posted by: john  | February 15, 2008 11:18 AM

Kevin wrote...

Spot on John!
It was a male Northern Cardinal.
What a spectacular little bird.
Many thanks
Kev

Posted by: Kevin  | February 15, 2008 12:57 PM

Dave wrote...

John
Do you do master classes in birding for beginners and people like me who are rusty and gave up the hobby when they were teenagers a long time ago?

Posted by: Dave  | February 15, 2008 7:07 PM

john wrote...

I'm sure there are laws preventing me being given a position of such responsibility Dave (if there isn't, there should be)!
If you ever need any help or advice just contact me here, but really the best way to learn your birds is to bird, bird, bird.
No substitute for experience really, oh and there are a few other tricks of the trade:
1. Never let Bazzo drive.
2. Never let Tropical navigate.
3. When Jellyhead says, "I've got a good idea", run the other way. Fast.
4. Keep Neill well away from cable cars, chairlifts and rope bridges.

Posted by: john  | February 16, 2008 11:35 AM

Chris Tynan wrote...

John,
The various Rangers services in the North West lead guided bird walks through the year, as well as the local RSPB groups. Some walks can be local or habitat specific.

Posted by: Chris Tynan  | February 16, 2008 1:32 PM

Stephen wrote...

John
Do you happen to know any websites relating to birdwatching in South Africa or recomend any good field guides?
Great blog by the way!!
Thanks
Stephen

Posted by: Stephen  | February 17, 2008 12:09 PM

john wrote...

Hi Stephen - glad you like the blog. Luckily John Bannon is a big South Africa lister these days, I'll ask him to send you some gen.

Posted by: john  | February 17, 2008 10:01 PM

John Bannon wrote...

Where do you start, with SA?
Best websites are www.sabirding.co.za - www.birding.co.za - www.zestforbirds.co.za and birdlife.org.za
Loads of info and trip reports on Surfbirds, Fatbirder and other sites and best field guide is SASOL Field Guide, but there’s at least six
other books, including a newly published Roberts Field Guide and all are excellent.

Posted by: John Bannon  | February 18, 2008 2:38 PM

Stephen wrote...

Thanks for the information, hopefully they will help.

Posted by: Stephen  | February 21, 2008 5:51 PM

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