A lovely family morning trying archery on Saturday before a spontaneous cinema visit to see Guardians of the Galaxy 2 today. Sonya was just booking tickets on my phone when it started ringing like crazy. Familiar names popped up on the screen meaning only one thing - long distance mega. And so it was - RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD on North Ronaldsay! A UK first nonetheless so the first big twitch of the year was well and truly on!
Rapid plans were made and so early morning on Sunday 30th April started with a trip to a Yorkshire airfield for me, Simon Slade, Mark Sutton, Malc Curtin and Al Orton. News of the birds continued presence was spread very early by the NR Bird Obs staff and we were at the airfield waiting for the pilot by 7.45. As we waited, 7 arctic terns went over (part of the big national movement today with the weather finally switching to the east) and a lesser whitethroat rattled and showed in the hedgerow too.
The pilot arrived at 8.30 and we were in the air at 9am. Everything went like clockwork and 2hours and ten minutes later we landed on North Ron. There was some slight confusion as we weren't initially sure where to head, but soon sorted that and walked a few km to the north end of the island. Lots of breeding waders & greylag geese en route, plus a lovely dark arctic skua, rock doves, fulmars, wheatear and swallow. Calling common gulls were all over and looking stunning in breeding attire.
Rapid plans were made and so early morning on Sunday 30th April started with a trip to a Yorkshire airfield for me, Simon Slade, Mark Sutton, Malc Curtin and Al Orton. News of the birds continued presence was spread very early by the NR Bird Obs staff and we were at the airfield waiting for the pilot by 7.45. As we waited, 7 arctic terns went over (part of the big national movement today with the weather finally switching to the east) and a lesser whitethroat rattled and showed in the hedgerow too.
The pilot arrived at 8.30 and we were in the air at 9am. Everything went like clockwork and 2hours and ten minutes later we landed on North Ron. There was some slight confusion as we weren't initially sure where to head, but soon sorted that and walked a few km to the north end of the island. Lots of breeding waders & greylag geese en route, plus a lovely dark arctic skua, rock doves, fulmars, wheatear and swallow. Calling common gulls were all over and looking stunning in breeding attire.
The blackbird proved elusive, sticking in the iris beds, so was only showing after organised flushes when it would perch up if you were lucky. We stayed for 3 if these and got good scope views in the first flush, pretty poor views on the second but good views on the third, if a little brief, when it sat up on a chimney. Job done - didn't see that one coming!!!
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| Red-winged blackbird by Stuart Piner |
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| My best effort! |
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| By the finder Simon Davies |
We were back in the plane mid afternoon and, after a brief delay as the plane wouldn't start, finally were on our way. The pilot took the scenic route back along the Northumberland coast, often at just 250ft. Breathtaking views of Lindisfarne, Bamburgh Castle and Whitley Bat rounded the day off nicely, and I was home for 7.30pm.
All in all a splendid day out!
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