Another ticker

A cracking (not literally, though it was 'tick'-ing and squeaking) Hawfinch slap-bang in the middle of the reserve this lunchtime - my first on as opposed to from - reminded me that it isn't just about the numbers!

That said, a spring migrant of some sort would've seemed a fair return for the efforts of the 4(+) of us who birded the reserve today. Still, when The Lodgers go ahead with Chiffchaff (what are you waiting for?! There were several around the Nunnery Lakes today!), at least we can fall back on Sand Martin.

Edit: Andy Schofield got Chiffchaff from inside The Lodge during a meeting this afternoon! Bad news travels fast ;)

Yesterday's highlights were a Woodcock and a/the Hawfinch for Mike Toms and Dave Leech, another Peregrine sighting, and a tick in the form of Orange Underwing.

Close but no cigar

Never mind about no photo Andy - will this do for now?

Not actually on the reserve but the adjacent Barnham Cross Common (though had I been on the reserve, I'd have seen all three from there!). I can live without HF on my personal Lakes yearlist for now though, safe in the knowledge that Andy has already done the honours, and that the Lodgers will be gripped ;-)

Actually it has been a day of close-but-no-cigars:

Closest Hawfinch to the Nunnery boundary: 43m
Closest Waxwing to the Nunnery boundary: 1.3km
Closest Hen Harrier to the Nunnery boundary: 7.8km
Closest Rough-legged Buzzard to the Nunnery boundary: 8.0km (for once I didn't care!)

Another one bites the dust...

Well, Crossbills are OK I suppose, but it was a relief this lunchtime finally to nail the Hawfinch that was kicking around the fringes of the Nunnery Lakes reserve just before New Year. No photos unfortunately, as seen (and heard) in flight only, although some Lesser Redpolls were more obliging for a change. Hopefully we'll pin the HF down again soon. Otherwise, Water Rail, Goosander and four Buzzards (none Rough-legged....) were the best of the rest. Back to work now...

Andy

The Final Countdown

Well it all kicks off in 36 hours and what am I doing? Heading up north to see family on New Year's Eve! Fortunately not all BTO staff are deserting Thetford for the New Year so there will still be a crack team out on 1 January, hoping to catch up with some of the recent avian highlights. The pick of the bunch was certainly a fine female Hawfinch that joined in with a mixed flock of tits, finches and thrushes mobbing a Little Owl on Wednesday; if only that can be repeated in a couple of days' time.

Despite all the Nunnery Lakes still being frozen as I type, the Mallards that have been making use of the ice-free Little Ouse river were joined by a female Mandarin on 29 December, another species we hope puts in a reappearance sooner rather than later. The best bird of this morning's ringing session was a Little Egret (nowhere near the nets!) - with four records under my belt this year, this is one species that ought to be guaranteed in 2011. Then again, we won't be counting our chickens, egrets or anything else until they are safely OTL (On The List); to quote Clint Eastwood: "If you want a guarantee, buy a toaster!"

Happy New Year and let the games begin...