The Power Of Yoda

Yes Yoda (aka Mike) has once again turned on his magnet and attracted 2 Mega's just by being vague. Vagueness is strong in him and by being vague he confuses birds into dropping into the country and sticking till he arrives to see them. Being vague also confuses other birders making them part and let him through to the front at big twitches. Don't underestimate him, he will be vague and you just won't know he's doing it! That's how he gets you. Or is it? You'll never know.

Alpine Pissed!

The above bird makes a mockery of me pretty much annually. This year it decided to show itself to most of South Wales and to Matt of T.W.A.T fame (Oh well done you!). However, for me it made me wait for 9 hours and then still didn't show! It didn't even like showing for one local birder who thought it was his god given right to play an mp3 of its call at many decibels, this birder thought becuase he had arrived on site he should talk loudly in his native tongue and play the bird its native tongue at the same time! Whoever he was he had a degree from the University of Dudeville. Where has all the fieldcraft gone!!!!!!

House Heron.

Not only do Curlews like a boogie but so do Herons. In fact, recent footage, again from Wales, has shown a Heron in full dance nirvana both in a club and in a house party environment.

The following picture shows how Herons like to stand right by the DJ booth and watch the crowd. Maybe this is due to their love of watching fish which is kind of similar in some club environments.

The next shot shows this dancing Heron in a tight embrace with T.W.A.T member Matt.

I suppose sometimes male urges take over when it comes to birds!

Birds just love Tech-House!!!

On a recent outing with T.W.A.T (The Welsh Association of Technobirders), to which S.P.A.T are affiliates, a drunken Curlew was spotted enjoying the finer points of belgian beer and techno. A bit tipsy it decided to ruffle its primaries in the laser light to attract a mate. Just to make clear to some local dudes, this is a Curlew and not a Whimbrel which seems to be a bit of a confusion species of late!

Merlin and Mandarins!

An early start in search of Gropper was the aim of the day. 5 a.m and we were off into the hills. It was a no show but we put that down to the windy conditions emulating from Robs posterior. Yoda's (aka Mike) Jedi mind tricks were not working on this bird but on another, a female Merlin came swooping at pace towards my car whilst we were scanning the moorland. The wind and cold became too much so we headed down into the valleys to try and find a new arrival to the area. We chose a valley where we knew Redstarts liked to hang out but as we walked along the track we started to wonder if any were there. Then we heard the call in a tree nearby and Yoda lost his magic touch, whilst me and Rob got on this bird, he didn't. A small chase began but this bird wasn't having it and eventually we decided to head back down to the car and home for bagel-daisy-toasts (well bagel with marmite actually and a cuppa).

Are they having a pee, scaring sheep or looking for Redstart? You decide! (Rob and Mike in action).

A family day out was planned for me to meet my folks and my brother. As all birders know, any family meeting can be tied in with a birding opportunity and so we opted for a picnic at a Derbyshire beauty spot which I suggested would be a great place to meet ;) . Lunch was a battle with very variable weather conditions, high wind (no pickled onions involved here), rain then sun and eventually blistering heat. After lunch a walk was planned and this was where out the corner of my eye I spotted these beauties....

What a lovely pair! (yes I did take this photo)

a pair of mandarin ducks, probably in love and living in a local penthouse tree apartment nearby. On further investigation of the surrounding woodland/reservoir highlights included common sandpiper, redpoll, treecreeper (almost got a photo) and garden warbler (got a photo of its bottom so not really worth showing you unless you like looking at birds bottoms).

All in all a good 4 year tick day was had! Lol!!!

Morning Wood!

After an early morning pre-work birding session to see, and hear, the delights of the wondrous Wood Warbler there is nothing like a good pie in celebration of a successful trip!

S.P.A.T Birders!

S.P.A.T is a group of birders from Shropshire who have a common interest:

Shropshire

Pies

Ale

Techno (or Twitching) - an interchangeable option.

This blog will cover aspects of all of the above and will highlight some of the adventures we have both in the shire and beyond.