2021

A look back:

Spring was (personally speaking) pretty unremarkable. Though perhaps, one got away: in the form of an in off pipit at SCP calling, sounded interesting....but fleeting..

Summer trip to Scotland, August 16th - August 24th, highlights being a Long-tailed Skua (Ferryhills/Forth), Roseate Tern(s) at Burntisland, a Sabine's Gull (adult) plus an in/off Wood Sandpiper (calling) at Fifeness; all enjoyed and experienced with my brother Graham - very memorable.  

IOW autumn migration highlights included the twitch-able Greenish warbler at Haddon's Pits on September 3rd. Two Honey Buzzards over Ventnor Downs on two separate dates Sept 6th and Sept 17th (the latter single a Male bird). A spell of Balearic Shearwaters in numbers by Ventnor/SCP plus a Sooty Shearwater (Sept 28th). Late Autumn vis-mig atop Ventnor Downs included a Snow Bunting (vocal, trying to settle, on Nov 5th) and a flyover Hawfinch (Nov 10th); both of which were sound recorded on my new (purchased last summer) recording set up, a Dodotronic parabola and mic combo.

Year's end

2021 closing out....

Seaview: mild, blustery westerlies...

Red-necked Grebe x1 and 2x Slavs (Dec 29th).

Up to 11 Glossy Ibis at Brading Marsh (reported).

Ringed GBB (1st Winter) but code obscured - green left tarsus and metal on right. Sandown canoe lake on 28th.

GND and RNG (Gulls, Adult and 2cy Yellow-Legged, Scandi)

Seaview has been productive: Slavs, Red-necked Grebe, GN Divers (x3) etc.

Sandown Canoe Lake: adult Yellow-legged gull and scandi/argie type herrings of note. 

Adult Yellow-legged at Sandown on December 15th.

2nd Winter Yellow-legged at the same site on 17th:

Argie/Scandinavian Herring Gull:

Darker mantle/heavy streaking/'fierce' expression.

Wing pattern:

Extensive white on P10, obvious greyish 'tongues' extending into the black.

GBB:

1st Winter GBB

Grebes

 Seaview 11/12/21: GND, Slav, Razorbill, Sarnies, C.Scoter (plus a duck sp)....

Pale-bellied (Dec)

Ryde Pier: plus 350 DB brents 

From last year: WTE at Ventnor, November?