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TonyQ Big Year 2017 (A second attempt)


TonyQ

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29. (UK.29). Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo

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Marsh Lane, nr Solihull 20.01.2017

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Marsh Lane, nr Solihull 20.01.2017

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30. (UK.30). Stonechat Saxicola torquata

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(f) Marsh Lane, nr Solihull 20.01.2017

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Dave Williams

Yellowhammer is a great bird to see, quite a rarity where I am nowadays too.

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@@TonyQ, the male Tufted Duck is quite a handsome fellow, and a nice photo.Are you using a tele-converter?

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Very nice Magpie shot! Are they common in the UK? (Here they are only in some areas, not where I live).

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@@elefromoz

I don't have a teleconverter. All photos are taken withCanon 70D and 100-400ii. I think the Tufted Ducks were very close, but I am also very happy to crop!

@@michael-ibk

Magpies are very common in England - there are many of them in Birmingham for example and we would see a number of them most days. I think they are not so common in parts of Scotland - although numbers are increasing.

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UK. (31). Pochard Aythya ferina

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(m) Trittiford Pool 07.02.2017

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(f) Trittiford Pool 07.02.2017

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UK. (32). Pigeon Columba livia

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Trittiford Pool 24.02.2017

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UK.(33). Snipe Gallinago gallinago

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Marsh Lane, nr Solihull 20.01.2017

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Marsh Lane, nr Solihull 20.01.2017

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Marsh Lane, nr Solihull 20.01.2017

I think this was the best sighting we have had of a Snipe. It was also a good day in terms of quantityas we counted at least 25 of these beautiful birds.

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UK. (34). Robin Erithacus rubecula

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Earlswood, nr Birmingham 24.02.2017

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UK.(35). Carrion Crow Corvus corone

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Swanshurst Park, Birmingham 01.03.2017

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Swanshurst Park, Birmingham 01.03.2017

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michael-ibk

Very nice shots in perfect light. Love the Snipes of course (how close was this?), but also the Crow - they are difficult subjects.

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UK. (36). Waxwing Bombycilla garrulus

(new bird)

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Just up the road, Birmingham 19.02.2017

 

In most years, the number of Waxwings visiting the UK in the winter numbers in the 100s. Every few years, when conditions are tough in continental Europe, up to 10000 may visit the UK. It seems that this winter is one of those special years - and probably the first since 2012-13. As it is a special year, and the first time I have seen them, I will be a little self-indulgent.

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Brownhills 14.01.2017

This was the first time we saw them. A flock of 30-40 sat in a tall tree above a row of smaller trees covered in berries. These trees were in front of a row of shops in the high street of this small town. Every few minutes the flock would descend on the berry trees, have a few minutes of feeding frenzy and then return to the tall trees. They did not seem to mind the shoppers going about their Saturday business,or the birders with their long lenses.

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Brownhills 14.01.2017

 

We were delighted that Waxwings then visited our local area. A flock of about 35 stayed for over a week, so we went to see them a few times. There were three trees covered in berries in a sports club car park - and the Waxwings made good use of this food source.

 

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Just up the road, Birmingham 19.02.2017

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Just up the road, Birmingham 19.02.2017

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Just up the road, Birmingham 20.02.2017

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Just up the road, Birmingham 20.02.2017

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UK. (37). Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus

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Just up the road, Birmingham 12.02.2017

The Mistle Thrush was in the berry trees at the sports club. Indeed, it appeared to think it owned them. It would agressively chase off the flock of Waxwings, and other birds such as Redwing that would dare to eat his (?) fruit.

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@@michael-ibk

Thank you. The Snipe was taken from a hide, and came fairly close down a small water channel. My software says that the bird was between 10m and 12.5m. The picture is cropped, but not heavily. The other Snipe we saw on the day were much further away, so we were very pleased with this one - especially as it walked into the dappled sunlight!

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michael-ibk

You're lucky in the UK with all your hides - none here for 100s of kilometres. :-) the Waxwings are a real treat - I have never seen one. Beautiful birds.

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Peter Connan

Beautiful photos @@TonyQ!

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It looks like this winter is great for briding in UK, @@TonyQ ! The Waxwings are adorable!

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Glad to set out on the 2017 challenge again, @@TonyQ! I do hope you'll match your UK record or better it. Well, it's fun trying anyway, isn't it?

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@@michael-ibk

Thank you - ys I think we are lucky for hides

@@Peter Connan

Thank you

@@xelas

Thank you - yes it is going well so far!. It was wonderful to see the Waxwings for the first time.

@@PeterHG

It certainly is fun trying!

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We had a few days in Scotland for family reasons so fitted in a bit of bird watching.

 

38. (UK.38). Curlew Numenius arquata

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Broughty Ferry, Scotland 15.02.2017

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39. (UK.39). Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus

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Broughty Ferry, Scotland 15.02.2017

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40. (UK.40). Common Gull Larus canus

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Broughty Ferry, Scotland 13.02.2017

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41. (UK.41). Herring Gull Larus argentatus

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Broughty Ferry, Scotland 16.02.2017

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42. (UK.42). Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs

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(m) Loch of Kinnordy 14.02.2017

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(f) Loch of Kinnordy 14.02.2017

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