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Rossendale Birds Forum -> Out of Rossendale Trip Reports -> Dusky Thrush at Margate Cemetery 18/5/2013
Post Info TOPIC: Dusky Thrush at Margate Cemetery 18/5/2013
David Ousey


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Dusky Thrush at Margate Cemetery 18/5/2013
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Rising at a respectable 8-00am on Saturday morning and having lots of "chores" to do, I  thought I would check the bird news. Nothing could prepare me for what I read,"female Dusky Thrush in Margate Cemetery and showing well". Morphing into,  "Twitcherman".  I began texting people hoping to get some interest and go for the bird almost straight away!  Finally getting a squad together from Yorkshire, with Mark  and Nigel from York and Darren from Leeds. We met at Junction 38 on the M1 and set of at 10-45am. We went down the M1,M25,A2,M2,A299 and A28 reaching the cemetery gates in 4 hours. The traffic conditions had been kind to us and it was nice and sunny! Would the Dusky Thrush be there? About 100 birders were present and watching the bird as we got there, result,my old motto of, "strike whilst the iron is hot" has worked again! Got between a couple of graves and had very good views of this enigmatic species,although a female,  lots of plumage details were noted. The bird flew from tree to tree catching small prey items,but, generally towards the tree tops,it would then remain still for a couple of minutes. We all enjoyed the bird for about an hour and met a few of the older faces that were present. News of a female Montagu's Harrier at the nearby Reculver Marshes finally got us away,but not after driving through Margate town center and watching the local police chasing a criminal down a street behind us! We reached Reculver and admired the ruins and the pub called,  "King Eggbert" with people sat outside and enjoying a pint,very tempting? The female Montagu's Harrier showed quite well as it hunted the marshes.It was 5-30pm and time for heading home,the driving was well shared out and we reached Junction 38 at 9-30pm. I got back to Whitworth at 10-30pm having had an unexpected new bird,now back to the "chores".
Regards,
Dave O.

 

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sarfraz


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Hi Dave,

Great account! I feel like becoming a twitcher myself at times but not sure if I could manage it time wise and expenses wise. Do you go to every twitch?

Sarfraz

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David Ousey


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Hi Sarfraz,

Its not easy, a lot of traveling involved and at very short notice. You would not believe the excuses people give me.I only tend to go for new birds but there have been 3 new one's this year!

Dave Ousey.

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sarfraz


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Hi Dave,

What excuses do you get? Have you ever met that Lee Evans?

Sarfraz

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David Ousey


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Taking your grandma out, going shopping with wife, need I carry on? Why don't people just tell me that they don't want to sit in a car and drive 500 miles just to glimpse a rare bird for 5 seconds! First met Lee Evans on the Scilly Isles in 1984 and believe you me he is an excellent birder and will go out of his way to show people a "new" bird! Dave Ousey.

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petectid


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Agree with you Dave about Lee Evans, he gets alot of flack from birders on other forums that he does not deserve, in my opinion he is a excellent birder and very helpful, not seen him for about 15 to 20 years when I decided to give up chaseing rare birds around the UK.



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