Grey Phalaropes

[dafi]

Hello everyone

Over the last few days here on Orkney we have had an influx of Grey Phalaropes. They are concentrated around the barriers in small flocks. There are others being reported singly here and there all over as they crop up. I think there were ninety odd in one count around the flow yesterday. So I was wondering if Phalaropes were being found on the north coast as well. And if any of you had seen any?

Cheers
Daf.

[kas]

Hey Dafi, long time no speak.

I have seen the posts and Wow what numbers. I had a dead on brought into me at work this morning, and a friend saw 2 here in the bay last Sunday heading for my house so phoned straiht away but I never saw them. There was also 6 a few weeks back.

I see you also have Waxwings, my favourites so fingers crossed for both species tomorrow.

Cheers
Kas

[dafi]

Hi Kas nice to see you. I thought i might contribute on this side of the water from time to time. This is an exelent(and huge) web site. The internet wasnt invented when i lived in Caithness!! There are flocks of Waxwings in Kirkwall Finstown and Stromness at the moment. I ran off a job in Stromness to chase some this afternoon..hehe. There are loads of Phalaropes across the barriers. The numbers (i think i am right in saying) are the highest ever recorded in scotland. I have some photos and a bit of ropey film on my blog.
http://dafsorkneybirding.blogspot.com/
The film is in local films on the side bar....if you are intrested..

Cheers for now
daf

[Mystical Potato Head]

Hi Dafi,the internet wasn't invented when i lived in Stromness.
Great images of the Phalaropes and good to hear the Waxwings have arrived,hopefully they'll be winging it across the Firth soon.
Excellent blog btw...Nice to get some info from across the watter.

[kas]

Hooray scored with the Grey Phalrope this morning at a flood pool in Murkle thanks to Nemosia. Then the Waxwings in the Thurso back streets, and also had Long tailed tits in Achsvarasdale. Now hows about sending that Pacific Diver over.

[Mystical Potato Head]

Had a good wander around the town but no luck on the waxwing front.
Will try again tomorrow.

[kas]

Check out around Granville Crescent, thats where we saw them, they were flitting around and were also in Duncan street.

[nemosia]

Managed to find a lone grey phalarope at Murkle this morning. Then thanks to a text from Kas I caught up with the waxwings and got to try out my new camera.

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i160/nemosia/caithnessbf/waxwing00.jpg

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i160/nemosia/caithnessbf/waxwing02.jpg

Fantastic birds.

[Mystical Potato Head]

Kas,was up and down Granville crescent 4 or 5 times today,grrrrrrrrrrr.
Last time i saw Waxwings was there eating at rosehips behind Catholic church 2years ago.
Had a big flock that year that landed on a Rowan tree at the bottom of our garden,there weren't many berries on it before they came and about 15 mins later there was none.
When i was a kid in Stromness saw dozens of them almost every winter so i have a bit of a soft spot for them,kinda makes my winter when i see them.
Would it be worth heading out to the St johns pool area on the off chance of seeing a Phalarope?
Cracking photos Nemosia.

[kas]

They were very mobile. So luck is a big part of it. Nemosia you know I love your photos and am going to post another Waxwing thread with a link to the photos, just so nobody misses them and I also think you should if possible post the Phalarope photo.

[dafi]

Glad you folks are getting some Phalaropes. Tim Dean had a birding class across the barriers to day and there wasnt a single Phalarope to be seen. Looks like ours have moved off.....Glad your finding Waxwings tho.

[dafi]

Here is a quick snap to see if i can sus this posting pictures.

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee174/dafiduck/DSCN8047.jpg

[nemosia]

...if possible post the Phalarope photo.

OK, here it is. Taken with SwaroATS65HD/CP51000 combo.

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i160/nemosia/caithnessbf/greyphalarope.jpg

And a short clip

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i160/nemosia/caithnessbf/th_greyphalarope_0001.jpg (http://s71.photobucket.com/albums/i160/nemosia/caithnessbf/?action=view&current=greyphalarope_0001.flv)