1100hrs approx.....From front door of house had approx 80 Pink Footed Goose coming up through Haslingden, at first on a steady North West tracking and then when above Bury Road veered West to bring in Grane.... Spoke with Charlie not long ago and he had them coming through Grane, same number, same time obviously same birds......
These are my first returning birds. vismig reports show some on Sat going through above the football match at Leeds and some more reported today at 1200hrs via Denby Dale.....
Worth watching over next few days, will peak at around the 15-17th so get watching for them.........dont seem two minutes since they came...
Cheers and happy new year to all... Bryan....
PS: been out regular looking for waxies, checked every hawthorn bush in hassy but no joy so far.... thinking of you Ste, I'll bet youve been in your element with all these sightings, just wish I could have picked some up for you, which would have stayed a bit longer..... but theyve bin here eg: Holme Lane and Holcombe Road, Clod lane, Bentgate etc etc......
Shortly off to check out my tailorbords, Yellow Wattled lapwings, Thick-Knees, Koels, Orieles, Mynas, Hornbills, Ospreys, Sea Eagles and all the other common species which are lying about in the 1300 checklist... I dont want to sound boring but it would be nice to have something different this year instead of all these commoners, something like the Indian Pitta would do.
PS again: Almost forgot Charlie had 3 Crossbills at Calf Hey today..
Sounds good where abouts are you off to? I've been doing my homework for Goa but it's quite mind blowing really as 90% of the birds I have never seen before.
I mean Paddyfiled, Blyth and Richards!
Like you say it really does not seem two minutes since the pinkies were coming in....but it means we are half way through winter at least!
Bye for now.
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www.wildrossendale.blogspot.co.uk/ Go On...Go Wild!!
Hi Ste, Blyth and Richards can be seen anyday you want and just let me know when you are going and I will tell you the best place.
Yes its Candolim.....where I go, but the Warblers you mention are best seen in Baga go to the Beri Mera Hotel, and out the back is a swamp field with allsorts...
Hi Bryan We are staying not to far away from you at Arpora in the Marinha Dourada in about 2 1/2 weeks, and seemingly not to far away from the Beira mar. I here it's good for Cinnamon Bittern and Painted Snipe in particular.
Booked 3 days at Backwoods but have not had courage to tell wife yet, I think I will just say it's a mystery tour!
Quite looking forward to it now to be honest. Have you been quite a few times Bryan? The only thing I am a little concerned about is getting a good taxi driver/guide whilst there.
Any tips or info?
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www.wildrossendale.blogspot.co.uk/ Go On...Go Wild!!
Hi Ste, The Marinha Dourada is probably the best place to stay for any birder and you are guaranteed variety from the off, you litterally just need to walk out of the entrance of the Hotel and thick birding is there and immediate. Alwayhs lots of Mynas and Rosy Coloured Starlings around there, its also a main flightpath for Egrets, (little,cattle and large) and also Night Herons, allsorts of Waders, Chats etc....I usually go there on every visit to Goa, if not the Hotel, the area of Arpora, Baga, Baga Hill etc are always very tempting and produce suprises, every time I go. Across the way from your hotel there is the fields of Apora which back up to the Maizons Hotel across the way (first hotel I ever stopped at), in the general area you could I bet notch up to about 75-120 species with little effort. The immediate habitat closeby is superb with River, Mango Swamp, Tiger Prawn/Salt Pans..., not far away is Forest mainly Palm but also decideous mixed.
Never had the two species you mention, but I do know they are around there. The warblers you mentioned earlier are usually around Arpora or if not a little further towards the coast (about 3/4 mile) they would be found on Baga playing fields.
With regards taxis, dont worry too much, I have loads of phone numbers but its a couple of years now since I was there (been 14 times with this visit), but you are better to ask around when you get there. The hotel will at anytime of the day have about 10-15 taxis ranked immediately outside the main entrance and obviously some of these will be more interested in birding than others, just keep asking, check with your hotel reception. I would think that you will see many other birds about with stopping at the Marinha.. ask them about the taxis etc. there are one or two which will be reasonable birding guides, so thats what you want, dont book the first you see, leave it for a couple of days until you feel your way... before you get anybody more permanent..
Go to Anjuna market on Wednesdays and walk ovr Baga Hill to get there (probably 2 hours) and then get a taxi back, the walk over the hill will produce Blue Rock Thrush and serpant Eagles, etc.
If I can think of anything else, I will mail you direct or if you need to ask questions, please ask....
Cheers and have a fantastic trip..
You probably already have, but just in case, type in your browser "birdwatching in Goa" and it will bring up loads of reports especially for the Arpora area, read through these, it gives you some idea of whats about. I am going looking especially for the Indian Pitta this year....
Hi Peter, To Press I think Tuesday and Wednesday have been the main days with lots of records of skeins heading North West throughout the North of England especially during these two days... and it was interesting to read about your Nicholas's records. Haslingden seems to have been under a cloud of mist for the past 3 weeks and when you travel to either Accrington or Rawtenstall it clears.... but if there where good numbers going through you would struggle at times to see them..
Yep! same here, Im ready now for the real thing... we could have caught up... but you go about 2 or 3 days after I return (going Sunday). If theres anything special going down or whatever I will let you know when I get back...
Steve, yes it would have been nice, but it would have had to be a coffee or coke with me..... but interesting you say Kingfisher, they are for peanuts over there probably about 50p (or 35 rupees a bottle), the guy who actually owns Kingfisher lives about 1/2 mile up from where we are at Candolim, massive pad with gurkers guarding the exits. Once a failing company on verge of bankrupcy and the only thing different they did was change its name to Kingfisher, and the name caught on and the Company became a instant success overnight and is now one of the World Leading Companies especially in that part of the world. Everywhere you go you see there adverts...... just thought I'd mention it..... promise no more now... just enjoy Bryan....
