Norfolk birding (59 Viewers)

[Lightthiscandle]

We had 15 Common Buzzards in the air together recently.

Shame you didn't have the camera out for the Raven or the Ibis, maybe next time.

I was driving when I saw the Ibis and it was raining when I saw the Raven: I only take my 'good' camera out when it's fine, for obvious reasons.

I find it vaguely amusing that people feel the need for one-upmanship and aspersion casting! Actually, I've taken loads of decent pictures and put them on here and FB, People who know me will recall that my wife and I published annual rare bird videos back in the 80s and 90s: we have 400+ lists: the Ibis & Raven both existed!

Just once it would've been nice if someone had said: "Nice photos: very interesting!"

 

[David Norgate]

Sorry I made you paranoid, I was just adding to Tideliners numbers. It seems that day was exceptionally good for raptors all over the county and attributed to many sightings of a variety of species.

As you may know, I don't have a 'good' camera and take it out in all weathers to get records of 'the birds as I see them' (as someone once desrcibed my pictures!) Each to their own/for themselves as it seems to be in birding at the moment:smoke:

Just read your edit: now I found that amusing. Having a 400+ list makes no difference, I should know and yes, I know you, you have presumably forgotten, and had some of your videosB

I was driving when I saw the Ibis and it was raining when I saw the Raven: I only take my 'good' camera out when it's fine, for obvious reasons.

I find it vaguely amusing that people feel the need for one-upmanship and aspersion casting! Actually, I've taken loads of decent pictures and put them on here and FB, People who know me will recall that my wife and I published annual rare bird videos back in the 80s and 90s: we have 400+ lists: the Ibis & Raven both existed!

Just once it would've been nice if someone had said: "Nice photos: very interesting!"

 

[postcardcv]

I had to pop out this evening and coming home I stumbled upon a long-eared owl - perched just a few feet from the ground and showing extremely well in the car headlights... the first time I've seen one in the village, I'm well pleased.

Strangely just over 11 months later and another long-eared owl on exactly the same perch!

 

[firstreesjohn]

Not so code, today

As I said, I was not decrying their use in the appropriate place (survey grids, etc.), where they must be invaluable.

However, I defy anyone who does not know these accurately to guess what ‘SQ’ or ‘UY’ are.*

I would also lurv to know how some of the less obvious ones were arrived at. As I asked previously, is there an account ?

some of the codes make more sense than first meets the eye for example: Spotted redshank = DR= Dusky Redshank, the old name for the species.

There was me thinking SpotteD Redshank. But Stone Curlew’s ‘TN’ from Thick-knee is wonderful. Thank you Ben and willowgrouse.

[*The answers are, of course (!), Common Rosefinch and Dusky Warbler. Greenish Warbler is ‘NP’. Help !]

With such clear logic as this in evidence, I have downloaded the following on to my iPod:
http://www.bto.org/sites/default/files/u10/downloads/taking-part/species_codes.pdf

It is the ‘long list’ of ‘Abbreviated Codes’, containing both 2-letter and 5-letter (British and Irish ringers’) codes. If my knees (not particularly thick, but with cartilage issues) ever again allow me to do survey work, I will perforce use the former on the form. For me, formerly they were an irritation, now they are formally a translation and transcription tool.

 

[lostinjapan]

The probable White-tailed eagle near Ormesby was seen by Gary White (Garybirder on here) on his way home from Yarmouth. It was initially seen being mobbed by Buzzards before landing in a tree near the A149. The 'probable' relates to the White-tailed bit, he didn't have his binoculars on him so couldn't swear that it was this species of Eagle. He will put a map showing the exact location up here later, but its his wife's birthday, hence me posting the details

What an excellent find. Will be out looking tomorrow am so a map would be much appreciated .

Was really close to there photographing Snow Bunting today. Shame didn't notice the news til later!!

Sean

 

[willowgrouse]

... However, I defy anyone who does not know these accurately to guess what ‘SQ’ or ‘UY’ are.*

...[*The answers are, of course (!), Common Rosefinch and Dusky Warbler. Greenish Warbler is ‘NP’. Help !].

Nice one FTJ - you have chosen excellent examples. Its obvious really. The old 'Scarlet' Rosefinch would of course be SR, as would Spotted Redshank, but that code is in use for Great Grey Shrike. Therefore, DR is used for spotshank (as Ben stated, due to the old vernacular name) and SQ for grotfinch (Q being next to R in the alphabet and GR in use for Greenfinch)...still with me? Dusky Warbler should be DW but that is used for Dartford Warbler, therefore UY is used for dUskY warbler. PF was a possibility for UY (Phylloscopus fuscatus) but as we all now know that is in fact used for Pied Fly. OK?...you'll like this bit...NP is used for Greenish warbler as not so long ago Green Warbler (P. nitidus), Greenish Warbler (P. trochiloides viridanus) and 2-barred Greenish Warbler (P. t. plumbeitarsus) were considered a conspecific ring-species (look it up). Thus N from nitidus and P from Phylloscopus.

... For me, formerly they were an irritation, now they are formally a translation and transcription tool.

A convert! Spiffing! Commit to memory and sleep well. We'll be testing later.

Willowgrouse

 

[Tideliner]

Willow grouse ,yes I do have a need for them when territory mapping , but they are not for anyone else’s consumption. For that I turn them back to normal English names. What is the point in using codes in public forums if the majority of people do not understand what they mean.

 

[Garybirder]

White-tailed? Eagle

I saw this bird whilst driving home along the A149 just south of Ormesby St Margaret, in the distance I originally thought I was watching two Jackdaws mobbing a Buzzard, as I got closer I realised that the scale was all wrong, the long heavy wingflaps of the larger bird looked odd, then I noticed the small birds were Buzzards and this was indeed an eagle.

The Eagle then landed in the wood at the red spot, I pulled off the A149 onto the Filby Road the car behind me had also seen the Eagle and stopped to ask what it was commenting on its size.

I then waited and watched the Buzzards continue to circle around at the bird in the trees below, the bird was out of sight and I hoped that someone with optics would turn up so that I could clinch the id. After 30mins I then walked up the road to the pink dot and could clearly see the bird sat in the tree at the red dot, the shape and stance of the bird looked White-tailed Eagle but I cant be 100% sure as I could only see it by eye.

After I put out the second message on RBA the bird then flew along the yellow line, and appeared to land in the area of the blue dot, the Buzzards got up again and started circling above the trees and calling. It was already quite dark so I am sure the Eagle wouldn't of gone far.

A few other birders then turned up and we tried to look from the orange area which is a public bridle way and there is a layby at the purple bit to park cars, we had no luck as it was just too dark.

I hope that all makes sence, and I hope its about in the morning.

Eyes to the skies everyone.

 

[Andy Musgrove]

Willow grouse ,yes I do have a need for them when territory mapping , but they are not for anyone else’s consumption. For that I turn them back to normal English names. What is the point in using codes in public forums if the majority of people do not understand what they mean.

Of course, one might cheekily also ask what the point of people calling themselves pseudonyms in public forums, instead of real names, if the majority of people do not understand who they are... [I think that's been done before though, and I'm only being mischievous - apologies in advance!]

Tideliner, you're right of course and as it was me that sloppily used "2bxb" I apologise for any confusion. Two-barred Crossbill was foremost in my mind at the time, and so it seemed obvious but I accept it may not have been. Will try to do better.

Although some of the rarities have 2-letter codes, I would seldom ever use those except when entering data. Clearly you're right, virtually no-one is going to be familiar with the code for Greenish Warbler. However, I do find the 2-letter codes of the commoner species extremely useful - saves me a lot of notebook space. But that's just me (and useful for texting other BTO staff with birds on the Nunnery lakes at lunchtime).

P.S. My personal favourite code is I. (one of the select band of one-letter codes)

P.P.S. - Mega find Gary - surely you're right - I haven't checked but I guess it could well be the Beds/Herts/Sussex/Kent bird. What a find (and I speak from experience, see 1993 BBRC report)

Andy

 

[lostinjapan]

That's brilliant. Thanks for posting the map.

I'll be getting a bus up from Gt Yarmouth.

Cheers

Sean

 

[Andy Musgrove]

Actually, according to BirdGuides, the Kent bird was seen 2 days ago but not since. If it is the same bird, then should be easy to check as it's a pretty distinctive plumage - see http://213.253.6.41/iris/pictures.asp?v=1&f=338939. Very pale underbody.

Looks like the bird in Lincs last year (that passed through Norfolk) was last reported on 7th August. That was a younger bird. Seems good chance same individual is involved?

Andy

 

[O.Reville1989]

Actually, according to BirdGuides, the Kent bird was seen 2 days ago but not since. If it is the same bird, then should be easy to check as it's a pretty distinctive plumage - see http://213.253.6.41/iris/pictures.asp?v=1&f=338939. Very pale underbody.

Looks like the bird in Lincs last year (that passed through Norfolk) was last reported on 7th August. That was a younger bird. Seems good chance same individual is involved?

Andy

I really hope it is last years bird! I was very worried to see it just disappear into thin air after being present in one spot for so long. If by some chance it follows the coast again my work position should mean it passes right overhead!

 

[JPAC]

Cilla's coming home?

 

[firstreesjohn]

My personal favourite code is I. (one of the select band of one-letter codes)

That is rather sweet: Solitary Sandpiper. This is, of course, in line with its usual sightings in the UK: 1, seen on its own.

Couldn’t locate this one, at first. I posed this: ‘Is there a reverse code look-up, with the codes in alphabetical order?’ Then, answered it myself, as ‘yes-ish’: www.cbrg.org.uk/Downloads/BTOcodesforspeciesnameentry.xls

Andy and willowgrouse have turned up trumps with their explications. There is no logic to some (the more obscure) of these codes and how they were arrived at, from letters either chosen from their English, Olde Englishe or scientific names, is intriguing.

As to being a ‘convert’: not wholly willing, as with decimalisation. I still yearn after the groat. (Please note ‘r’ in that word!)

 

[Garybirder]

Actually, according to BirdGuides, the Kent bird was seen 2 days ago but not since. If it is the same bird, then should be easy to check as it's a pretty distinctive plumage - see http://213.253.6.41/iris/pictures.asp?v=1&f=338939. Very pale underbody.

Looks like the bird in Lincs last year (that passed through Norfolk) was last reported on 7th August. That was a younger bird. Seems good chance same individual is involved?

Andy

I was a few minutes late this morning missing the bird, but if anybody was there and got a picture I would love it if you could email it to me.

I then headed north up to Martham for a scan but had no luck.

I did think yesterday when the bird first flew over the car that it look very pale underneath so could well be the kent bird, but there was a low bright sun shining on the underneath so i did think that that could attributed to it.

Its now in Stalham per RBA (8.30)

 

[willowgrouse]

... As to being a ‘convert’: not wholly willing, ...

John, I'm a bit surprised you haven't picked up on Al's arctic redpoll at Kelling (AL). More study needed!

On a less spectacular note than the WT Eagle in Broadland (well done Gary), there was a ruddy shelduck at Holme NWT grazing marshes this morning. Too distant to sex/age but could it be the Bradwell bird re-located? (If so, let the 'big boy' follow the same route). Bizarrely, at the same site I also had 8 barnacles with pinks, and 6 rc pochard (3 males/3 females). It's a zoo out there! All seen as a result of a bevy of Marsh Harriers causing panic as they hunted in unusually close proximity.

Real birds:
barn owl
bittern
water rail
marsh harrier - 6
buzzard - 2

Willowgrouse

 

[Nick Moran]

I share an office with the code-master, John Marchant. The codes were originally derived for the Common Bird Census and obviously there are only a limited number of combinations, hence the most obvious letters / codes are generally reserved for the most common species (R. = Robin, RO = Rook, GO = Goldfinch [rather than Golden Oriole] etc etc).

New codes are assigned with caution, where a specific need exists - every first for Britain / newly-recorded escaped species wouldn't automatically receive a code, particularly now that there are <80 combinations remaining.

There is a logic behind each code, and John would know what it is, but as others have indicated, these aren't always immediately decipherable.

Tideliner may have missed my original (and follow-up) point - I'm not suggesting blanket use on here, just highlighting the value of a standardised system for personal note-taking and communicating with those who also use the codes.

That said, scattered throughout this and other forums are non-standardised abbreviations of bird names. Without any searching, I noticed xbill, BT and GN Diver (Blue Tit and Goldeneye Diver ) in the last ~24 hours. Whilst these may be obvious to us, folk for whom English is not a first language might struggle with these (as someone else already implied). I'm not suggesting standardised 2-letter codes instead, just offering food for thought.

 

[O.Reville1989]

Cilla's coming home?

Let's hope so! More than welcome to stop off in Norfolk on the way though, Burnham Deepdale would be a good place

 

[RonMac]

Lynford arboretum

Good flock of hawfinches in the paddock this morning, attached is a very poor photo showing part of the flock of at least 28 also in the paddock 2 woodlarks (another poor picture attached below) and several common crossbills.

 

[Lightthiscandle]

Wow! 28! Excellent Ron....
I must try and find a window of op to get down there!