Summer Birds, Summer Butterflies, nearly summer...

This weekend was more than eventful, Saturday saw me going to a site in North Yorkshire for the rare Duke of Burgundy butterfly. The species has undergone massive losses in numbers and the species is rare, not only is it a stunning butterfly (both above and below) but it is also Britain's only 'metalmark'.

 (Duke of Burgundy Fritillary - © Andrew Kinghorn)

 (Duke of Burgundy Fritillary - © Andrew Kinghorn)

(Duke of Burgundy Fritillary - © Andrew Kinghorn)

After soaking up the species and enjoying both fantastic views and photo opportunities I switched my attention to the Pearl-bordered Fritillary which is at a site relatively close by. In terms of the UK this is a slightly more common butterfly but by no means is the species widespread; also very rare but some are starting to make a comeback and pick up in number. These also showed well but very flighty due to high temperatures which made for a fantastic and truly red hot day.

 (Pearl-bordered Fritillary - © Andrew Kinghorn)

(Pearl-bordered Fritillary - © Andrew Kinghorn)

After the excitement of the butterflies on Saturday Sunday brought another fantastic surprise this time in the form of a bird; White-winged Black Tern. The bird was a 2nd summer and I had not seen the species in this plumage in the past so it was an education, as always good bit banter on site and great time watching the bird. Next was Greatham Creek in the hope of seeing Black Tern for 'The Finch'. We were sadly unsuccessful so we checked Crookfoot Reservoir; which was nearly bird-less! Back home for some tea and a scrub up and then back out west to Hamsterley Forest in the hope of catching up with Nightjar. This species was a rather embarrassing one I had not seen in Durham, I had only seen the species previously on Salthouse Heath on the North Norfolk coast. The birds started up around 09.45 with a bit of light left, we were treat to some superb views in fairly good light and then some fantastic views of display flight and breeding behaviour in falling light. It's great to stand around, listen and watch the Nightjars. Roding Woodcock were common and we had at least 4 and at least 4 Nightjar seen and heard. Here are the best of a bad bunch...

 (White-winged Black Tern - © Andrew Kinghorn)

(White-winged Black Tern - © Andrew Kinghorn)

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Now some catching up to do!

On Thursday I had a mad dash to Teesside before University to see Durham's second ever Long-billed Dowitcher. However unlike the previous bird this was in partly summer plumage. The bird was stunning if not a little distant, the bird was also a county tick for many and so smiles all around. Another species I wasn't expecting to see any time soon.

Today I went over to Muggleswick to see if I could catch up with Green Hairstreak before the year was out; I was succesful with my search and located a few but not all that many as the season is now drawing to a close for the species. It was great to get a Cuckoo being mobbed by a Meadow Pipit, also another surprise graced the skies. But the species is sensitive in this area so I can't mention it.

(Green Hairstreak - © Andrew Kinghorn)

A fantastic few days!

Until next time, Foghorn out!

Getting Twitchy

Past week I have been very twitchy indeed. It all started last Tuesday when a cracking male Kentish Plover graced the causeway at Holy Island, I needed the species for the UK and knowing how rare they are anywhere north of the south coast I set off. I arrived to discover fellow birders from Northumberland and the DBC chairman assembled looking for the bird. 'The Chairman' (Paul Anderson) was staying on Holy Island and had not yet seen the bird as when news broke he was on the wrong side of the tide. We started to scan and it wasn't long until we picked out a cracking summer plumaged Curlew Sandpiper amongst the throng of Ringed Plover, Sanderling, Turnstone, and Dunlin. While scanning through the Dunlin I picked out an inreresting wader and it reminded me of a White-rumped Sandpiper, I dismissed it and moved on looking for the Kentish Plover. Short while later I picked up the same bird and this time 'The Chairman' took a look and he agreed with me that it could be a White-rumped Sandpiper. As is typical it took off and we didn't see it again. Next day; White-rumped Sandpiper. Anyway just after the event of the possible White-rumped Sandpiper 'The Chairman' picked out the Kentish Plover and we all enjoyed superb and fairly close rang views of this fantastic male. It was yet another bird I wasn't expecting to see in Britain any time soon.

(Kentish Plover - © Andrew Kinghorn)

Please view the video in HD:

(Kentish Plover - © Andrew Kinghorn)

Next was a day out down Teesside on Saturday, the day started looking for migrants and failing to see anything of note. Then down to Teesside where I managed to catch up with 2 Wood Sandpipers and the cracking drake Garganey. I was on my way to check for Whinchat at North Gare when I got a text on the way down to the car park, when checking it informed me there had been a male Citrine Wagtail found at Thornwick Bay in East Yorkshire near Flamborough Head. A decision was soon made and I was on my way, arrived at around 4.45 ish and we were soon watching this stunning example of a 1st summer male Citrine Wagtail. I wanted to see one of these beauts with some lemon yellow colour on it, I wasn't disappointed. An absolute ace bird and performed incredibly well and allowed for superb views. To top of the day a cracking Barn Owl flew past the car on the way out of the car park. 

(Citrine Wagtail - © Andrew Kinghorn)

Please view the video in HD:

(Citrine Wagtail - © Andrew Kinghorn)

Finally yesterday; a day I will not be forgetting any time soon. Sunday evening saw the news braking of an adult Cream-coloured Courser in Herefordshire. I managed to tempt 'Stringer' to go down for it, he was already keen and just needed a gentle push. We arrived early afternoon and walked to the site and I picked out the bird with the naked eye even before I had set up my bins and scope. The bird showed superbly well and it was fantastic to see the species, yet another I thought I would never see in the UK let alone on the mainland in Herefordshire. The bird was only about 40 minutes from where I was staying with my parents last summer (and will be staying this summer). We watched it for about an hour before leaving for the long drive back north. Thanks to 'Stringer' and Brian for doing all the driving and the great company and laughs; much appreciated. Now...where's that Sociable Lapwing? 

(Cream-coloured Courser - © Andrew Kinghorn)

(Cream-coloured Courser - © Andrew Kinghorn)

Please view the video in HD:

(Cream-coloured Courser - © Andrew Kinghorn)

Until next time, Foghorn out!

Bluethroat - Hartlepool

New broke late afternoon yesterday of a Bluethroat at Hartlepool Headland; the weather had turned up a goody! I simply could not resist having only seen one previous bird a few years ago just 5 minutes walk from this bird. My only previous bird was an Autumn migrant so it was not as stunning as this individual which was a perfect looking male in a stunning plumage. I had some amazing views, its one of those birds which really does take your breath away; they are that stunning. These photographs hopefully do the bird justice.

 (Bluethroat - © Ian Forrest)

 (Bluethroat - © Ian Forrest)

(Bluethroat - © Ian Forrest)

Wednesday saw me down at Cowpen Bewley Woodland Park where I gained some cracking views of the Nightingale on the fence! Then later on singing in the bushes. It was great to see but better to hear, even just hearing the bird makes it worth while going to see. Truly fantastic birds purely on song, not to shabby to look at either. Hopefully it will stick around like it did last year, with it being the same bird Thrush Nightingale still remains a commoner bird in Durham. 

Until next time, Foghorn out!

Well its certainly a flycatcher....

Last Tuesday afternoon saw me preparing for the drive to Flamborough Head in East Yorkshire to twitch the presumed Atlas Flycatcher. A species I didn't know even existed until it was mentioned to me the previous day. 1st year birds aren't really identifiable in the field and so feathers were obtained when the bird was caught and ringed. Some discussion ensued as to whether or not the birds feathers were taken or whether the feathers just fell out naturally, anyway put that to one side; it was an interesting bird. Stunning looking bird and it will be interesting to see if the DNA results confirm the bird to be an Atlas Flycatcher or something else, probability states it is likely to be an Atlas, but I wait with anticipation of the DNA results. If it is an Atlas Flycatcher its'a first for Britain. 

(Atlas Flycatcher - Andrew Kinghorn)

Until next time, Foghorn out!