http://www.scilly-birding.co.uk/birding-forum/ Birding in the Isles of Scilly en Thu, 29 Jul 2010 18:35:19 +0000 http://www.scilly-birding.co.uk/birding-forum/topic/bird-atlas#post-25 Tue, 13 Apr 2010 14:59:00 +0000 DEBALMER 25@http://www.scilly-birding.co.uk/birding-forum/ <p>We are now in the third season of the breeding atlas fieldwork for the Bird Atlas 2007-11 project and really need some help with timed counts and casual records on the Isles of Scilly.</p> <p>There are still 3 tetrads to cover:<br /> SV81S - Bryher<br /> SV81X - Tresco<br /> SV91H - St Martins</p> <p>Only two 1 hour visits are required in the breeding season.</p> <p>Casual records are needed from all four 10-km squares covering the Isles of Scilly and we really signs of breeding evidence.</p> <p>If you can help please visit <a href="http://www.birdatlas.net" rel="nofollow">www.birdatlas.net</a> or contact Will Wagstaff or me at BTO (dawn.balmer@bto.org)</p> <p>Thanks for your help.</p> <p>Dawn Balmer<br /> Atlas Coordinator</p> <p><a href="http://blx1.bto.org/atlas-results/mapsscly.html" rel="nofollow">http://blx1.bto.org/atlas-results/mapsscly.html</a> </p> http://www.scilly-birding.co.uk/birding-forum/topic/mystery-acro#post-24 Wed, 09 Dec 2009 20:22:32 +0000 Malcolm Riddler 24@http://www.scilly-birding.co.uk/birding-forum/ <p>Hi KenM and all </p> <p>I understand that first winter reed warbler can show straw-yellow legs<br /> I also note that a further interesting Acrocephalid was recorded in Cornwell<br /> ( Kelynack, Cornwall October 14th ). I note same remarkable similarities<br /> and would be cautious to state the St Agnes bird as palustris on the strength of the pictures.<br /> Even ringing groups in the part have mis-identified - A palustris / scirpaceus wrongly and with Caspian Reed Warbler A. s. fuscus the problem is compounded.</p> <p>Best Regards Malcolm</p> <p>Link <a href="http://www.surfbirds.com/mb/Features/kelynack-acro.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.surfbirds.com/mb/Features/kelynack-acro.html</a></p> <p>ID Discussion by Brian Small </p> http://www.scilly-birding.co.uk/birding-forum/topic/mystery-acro#post-23 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:04:49 +0000 KenM 23@http://www.scilly-birding.co.uk/birding-forum/ <p>Hi all,</p> <p>I believe Marsh Warbler is a strong contender.</p> <p>Primary projection certainly as long as tertials, which as I understand, is a good structural wing formula bet!</p> <p>Plus the leg colour...appears to be a creamy,straw,yellow, strong or more subdued<br /> light would favour any of the aforementioned tones.</p> <p>In my experience, I have never seen Reed Warbler with any comparable leg colour as per the images shown. </p> http://www.scilly-birding.co.uk/birding-forum/topic/acro-warbler-at-big-pool-st-agnes-what-do-you-think#post-22 Sat, 14 Nov 2009 21:02:05 +0000 admin 22@http://www.scilly-birding.co.uk/birding-forum/ <p>Is it a Marsh Warbler? See the photos on the website and let us know you're thoughts. </p> http://www.scilly-birding.co.uk/birding-forum/topic/two-way-radios#post-21 Wed, 07 Oct 2009 21:05:21 +0000 Birdfinders 21@http://www.scilly-birding.co.uk/birding-forum/ <p>I would draw to the attention of all birders that we stopped using CB radios around 10 years ago and the radios now used are what are technically known as GMRS radios. Although these are available in the UK, they operate on a completely different frequency to the US models we use on Scilly and with 1w power output, the UK legal ones are little more than kids toys with a range of only a few hundred metres. The US version however, has a 5w power output and theoretically have a range of around 50km! In practice however, this is rarely achievable and 5-8km is more realistic unless you are in Holy Vale when it will be considerably less! Having said that, GMRS radios are substantially better than the old CB's, weighing a lot less, not having long aerials to poke peoples eyes out, not suffering co-channel interference, having a better range and having a far better battery life. Finally, there was a comment that they are license free which is true but I must draw to everyones attention that they are technically illegal in the UK as they work on unlicensed/unallocated frequencies. As usual I will be selling these two-way radios at the Birdfinders table at the Scillonian Club at the log every evening 20.00 to 22.00 from 10-23 October at a cost of £39.50 each. The radios require 4 x AA batteries which I will also have available and last several days (unless you transmit too much!). I only have a very limited supply so it's first come first served unless you contact me beforehand. Vaughan Ashby - Birdfinders </p> http://www.scilly-birding.co.uk/birding-forum/topic/collared-flycatcher-hybrid#post-20 Tue, 06 Oct 2009 20:06:08 +0000 BobtheBirder 20@http://www.scilly-birding.co.uk/birding-forum/ <p>Some months ago there was a report of a Collared Flycatcher in Fife, Scotland. Several birders were present when it was caught by Ringers in a mist net, and after extreme detailed study, it was concluded that the birds was a hybrid Collared/Pied.</p> <p>The photos of this Bryher bird look almost identical to the Fife bird. Could this Bryher bird be a hybrid?</p> <p>Not wishing to "teach Grannie to suck eggs", - I'm sure this has been considered, but it was just a thought.</p> <p>Fantastic to have the forum up and running - we need a few more ISBG's on the mainland!</p> <p>See you all soon for 2 weeks,<br /> Bob. </p> http://www.scilly-birding.co.uk/birding-forum/topic/rare-pale-morph-buzzard-in-cornwall#post-19 Tue, 06 Oct 2009 19:26:42 +0000 admin 19@http://www.scilly-birding.co.uk/birding-forum/ <p>The Cornishman newspaper excelled itself again last week publishing an article after someone photographed a pale Common Buzzard near Camborne. It was reported as a real rarity and was identified by an expert on the Isles of Scilly!! C'mon boys, own up! Who was it? </p> http://www.scilly-birding.co.uk/birding-forum/topic/mobile-phone-receptions#post-18 Tue, 06 Oct 2009 19:21:37 +0000 admin 18@http://www.scilly-birding.co.uk/birding-forum/ <p>Had a few comments about the short article on the website about Mobile phone receptions on the islands. It seems that T-mobile havent had a reception on the islands since 2005 and still not in 2009. I have just changed to Orange so will see at the end of October but had no problems with 3G over the last 3 years apart from around the southern and eastern coastal paths on St Mary's. </p> http://www.scilly-birding.co.uk/birding-forum/topic/two-way-radios#post-17 Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:45:36 +0000 Alan H 17@http://www.scilly-birding.co.uk/birding-forum/ <p>Hi pmac,<br /> Most birders who use radios now use two-way radios rather than CBs they use channel 1. hope this helps </p> http://www.scilly-birding.co.uk/birding-forum/topic/two-way-radios#post-16 Tue, 06 Oct 2009 09:17:02 +0000 pmac 16@http://www.scilly-birding.co.uk/birding-forum/ <p>As a regular October visitor, I know CB radios are used to alert birders to the latest information, however, I was wondering if anybody is, or plans to, use two way radios. If so, what channel(s) will they broadcast information on? I realise the range is more limited, but their low cost and ease of (license free) usage may make them a popular alternative. Any views appreciated. </p> http://www.scilly-birding.co.uk/birding-forum/topic/ron-lewis#post-15 Wed, 16 Sep 2009 09:19:33 +0000 dannibee 15@http://www.scilly-birding.co.uk/birding-forum/ <p>Sorry to hear about your father Sarah, please can you get in touch with me..... my email address is <a href="mailto:dannihudson@tiscali.co.uk">dannihudson@tiscali.co.uk</a> </p> http://www.scilly-birding.co.uk/birding-forum/topic/ron-lewis#post-14 Tue, 15 Sep 2009 20:44:01 +0000 sarah 61 14@http://www.scilly-birding.co.uk/birding-forum/ <p>Not sure if this is the right place to be posting this but I just wanted people to know that my Dad, Ron Lewis, who has been a visitor to the islands for 45 years, both in the summer for holidays and october for birding, passed away four weeks ago.</p> <p>I'm sure a few of the members of this site would know Dad. He had been fighting cancer since November 08. Just before his last visit to Scilly last october.He was a member of the bird group so felt I would just let people know.<br /> If this is the wrong place to post this then I'm very sorry.<br /> Sarah </p> http://www.scilly-birding.co.uk/birding-forum/topic/welcome#post-13 Fri, 21 Aug 2009 13:34:59 +0000 dave grundy 13@http://www.scilly-birding.co.uk/birding-forum/ <p>Thanks for the explanation - that's much easier than right clicking on the photo, keep up with the good work on the site - it's always good to hear wht's about just before i come over in the autumn,<br /> Best wishes<br /> Dave Grundy, Birmingham </p> http://www.scilly-birding.co.uk/birding-forum/topic/welcome#post-12 Fri, 21 Aug 2009 11:28:51 +0000 admin 12@http://www.scilly-birding.co.uk/birding-forum/ <p>Thanks Dave for your kind comments. As for the photos, you just need to 'hover' your mouse arrow over the photos and the information comes up in a box. Glad you enjoy the site. </p> http://www.scilly-birding.co.uk/birding-forum/topic/new-tracks-on-the-garrison#post-11 Thu, 20 Aug 2009 14:53:13 +0000 junco 11@http://www.scilly-birding.co.uk/birding-forum/ <p>Had the opportunity last week to reccie out the new tracks on the Garrison before our October visit. It will be interesting to see if the sightings of RB Fly's, Barred Warblers and Yellow Browed's pick up there. Nice to get a new area to explore.</p> <p>Neil </p> http://www.scilly-birding.co.uk/birding-forum/topic/welcome#post-10 Wed, 19 Aug 2009 12:29:28 +0000 dave grundy 10@http://www.scilly-birding.co.uk/birding-forum/ <p>Dear All,<br /> Only just found the 'new site' because it's coming round to that time of year again! Congratulations on whoever set it up - it's really excellent!<br /> Only one slight complaint - with the galleries section is there any chance of adding a caption next to each photo - ie bird ID and date, location on Scilly etc. I know that if you right click on the photo you can get most of this info, but would be good to see it straight away to save the extra click with each photo?<br /> Anyway keep up the good work and well done to all,<br /> Best wishes<br /> Dave Grundy </p> http://www.scilly-birding.co.uk/birding-forum/topic/passerines-at-lower-moors-and-samson#post-9 Fri, 14 Aug 2009 20:48:00 +0000 loftypeak 9@http://www.scilly-birding.co.uk/birding-forum/ <p>So a sedgy? It didn't seem to have the 'dry' overtones of the song I usually associate with them, however you are clearly much more familiar with what's going on, so thanks for that, one problem solved!<br /> The Samson birds were too big and too colourful to be Wrens, they were Chaffinch size, but there were no prominent wing or tail bars that I could see. Colourwise bright uniform (ie no obvious texture to the feathers) rusty red is probably the best description. One thing that I have learnt in this birding lark (forgive the pun)is that you have to trust your first impression otherwise all is lost, these registered as being unusual to me, but I come from the foreign climes of Scotland and one man's meat etc! </p> http://www.scilly-birding.co.uk/birding-forum/topic/passerines-at-lower-moors-and-samson#post-8 Wed, 12 Aug 2009 19:43:55 +0000 WillW 8@http://www.scilly-birding.co.uk/birding-forum/ <p>My guess your warbler might well be the one Sedge Warbler that was singing well untill recently on Lower Moors. It continued singing long after the Reeds stopped.<br /> As for your birds on Samson, not much to go on, but young Wrens would fit the bill as they tend to stay out of sight as much as possible and are quite rusty brown.<br /> Hope this helps. </p> http://www.scilly-birding.co.uk/birding-forum/topic/passerines-at-lower-moors-and-samson#post-7 Tue, 11 Aug 2009 14:29:55 +0000 loftypeak 7@http://www.scilly-birding.co.uk/birding-forum/ <p>Not really a reply but an expansion of item 1. Ran the Reed Warbler past a birding friend and from the song he thinks it unlikely, and certainly the song description in Collins does not do justice to what I heard. My friend wonders whether it may have been an Aquatic Warbler, is this likely/feasable? It seemed to me to be more contrasty in terms of breast/body colour than most warblers I have seen, but this was a distant view without bins and could have been a trick of the light. </p> http://www.scilly-birding.co.uk/birding-forum/topic/passerines-at-lower-moors-and-samson#post-6 Sat, 01 Aug 2009 20:27:54 +0000 loftypeak 6@http://www.scilly-birding.co.uk/birding-forum/ <p>Possible warbler singing at Lower Moors a week ago whilst we were on St Mary's, glorious song with a springy noise at the end of some phrases, heard twice on different days so presumably resident at present. Thought that it was probably a Reed Warbler, but now not sure, any ideas?<br /> Also two small, very russet coloured birds on the body seen very briefly on Samson (about 1 second!) came out of bracken and went back in at western bay, didn't notice any other distinguishing marks. Thought they should be easy to ID from the colour but again am stumped.<br /> You will gather that I am interested but not an expert! </p> http://www.scilly-birding.co.uk/birding-forum/topic/putative-collared-flycatcher-on-bryher#post-5 Sun, 28 Jun 2009 13:58:24 +0000 admin 5@http://www.scilly-birding.co.uk/birding-forum/ <p>The photos are now on the website. What are peoples thoughts on this bird?<br /> (http://www.scilly-birding.co.uk/finders-reports-rarity-descriptions-and-id-articles/putative-collared-flycatcher-on-bryher/) </p> http://www.scilly-birding.co.uk/birding-forum/topic/welcome#post-4 Thu, 25 Jun 2009 17:50:26 +0000 admin 4@http://www.scilly-birding.co.uk/birding-forum/ <p>to the ISBG Forum! Feel free to join in current discussions or add your own new one. </p>