Merlin

Adult male Merlin, Broom GP, 28th October 2012.  This bird is ringed on its right leg.

Stewartby Peregrines

The two regular Peregrines on the chimneys at Stewartby.  The male is the top bird. 27th October 2012.

Farewell to Ceefax

How many birders of a certain age felt a little pang of nostalgia when they saw the news this week that Ceefax was finally being switched off? I certainly did, although I was also amazed it was still going in these days of mobile Internet and instant everything-on-demand whenever and wherever you want it.

It seems hard to believe now, but when I were a lad, in addition to Nancy’s Cafe and the grapevine, we used to find out about rare birds via Ceefax. There was a wildlife page, which I think was something like page 260, and on it, as well as general wildlife news, there was usually some very specific rare bird news. I can’t remember who used to update it, but it was a proper birder, who either had good grapevine contacts or used to ring Nancy’s to get the latest news.

There was one big drawback though – it was only updated once a week! Again, my memory is rather hazy (we are talking nearly 30 years ago after all), but I think it was updated on Thursday mornings. I remember going in to Coalville library to use their Ceefax TV, and jotting down anything of interest, which would then be firmed up (or not) by ringing Nancy’s on the Friday, and twitched (transport permitting) at the weekend. The Greater Sandplover at Cley in August 1985 is one bird I particularly remember finding out about on Ceefax, and there were several others. Even after Birdline started it was still a useful (and free) way of finding out what was around, on a Thursday at least!

It’s not quite hearing about a rare bird by postcard, but it’s not far off in terms of seeming ridiculously antiquated now!

Ring Ouzel

This bird has been in a Farley Hill, Luton garden yesterday and today. Photo by Giancarlo Dinghile

The Lodge Oct 21st 2012

Nuthatch

Blue Tit

Coal Tit

Nuthatch

Blue Tit

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Greenfinch

Greenfinch & Nuthatch

Black Swan

Morning Walk Around The Lodge 21-10-2012 with Steve Blain, heard a lot, saw a lot in flight, redwing, pied wagtails, redpole, jay's, chaffinch, greenfinch, reed buntings, linnets etc all on the move, heard the raven and got a very brief glimpse, finally got some pictures in the hide and a nice shot of the black swans in Woburn on the way home. Oh yes and we saw loads of Fungi

All in all a very pleasant morning.

Sean

Black-necked Grebes at Brogborough

Two Black-necked Grebes at Brogborough Lake, 20th October 2012.

Goldies

Flock of Golden Plover still loyal to their field at Hill Farm, Willington.

Rock Pipit call

Recording and sonogram of the Rock Pipit which flew over The Pinnacle in the fog this morning, 20th October 2012.

Merlin

Adult male Merlin at Broom GP, 15th October 2012.  He was sheltering from the wind behind this tussock of grass.

BIGmig in pictures - The Pinnacle

The highlight of the BIGmig from The Pinnacle wasn't really the birds, it was the bacon sandwiches cooked by Martin on-site!  And if you're interested in what we saw, here's the list:

Song Thrush	9
Chaffinch	62
Pied Wagtail	19
Goldfinch	25
Redwing	241
Yellowhammer	3
Black-headed Gull	163
Lesser Black-backed Gull	18
Common Gull	6
Great Spotted Woodpecker	2
Stock Dove	3
Siskin	1
Greenfinch	3
Linnet	35
Starling	7
Cormorant	4
Reed Bunting	3
Meadow Pipit	4
Wood Pigeon	84
Mistle Thrush	3
Canada Goose	1
Mallard	20
Bullfinch	1
Dunnock	2
Great Black-backed Gull	2
Jay	2
Skylark	22

BIGmig

This weekends BIGmig - are you doing it?

This years BIGmig is taking place on Sunday 14th October.  Several sites will be manned across Beds, Northanks, Bucks, Cambs, and even in London!  Get involved.  Contact Steve Blain for more details (for contact details see the records page on Beds Bird Club website)

Ravens and Black-necked Grebe - MVCP

 

 

Martin Palmer's photos of the two Black-necked Grebes and one of the two Ravens at Stewartby Lake today.

MVCP - Ravens & Black-necked Grebes

 

A couple of photos of the two Balck-necked Grebes that were near the lagoon corner of Stewartby Lake today. Whilst Martin Palmer and I were watching the grebes Martin heard a Raven calling and two flew over us. I was very pleased to see, and (badly...) photograph, these as they were a site tick for me... The last site tick I had was Spoonbill in September 2011. Photos by Martin Green.

Little Owl - Near Cardington

This Little Owl was photographed 2 miles South of Cardington by Martin Palmer.