Top US NEWS... Clinton? Trump? No....a Duck... Daniel.

Thursday October     World News.

You are not going to believe this!!!!   Have you heard of a duck called Daniel?  His full name is Daniel Turducken Stinkerbutt, Daniel for short.  He is a 4 ½ year old Indian Runner, who wears a diaper and red shoes, and who took his first flight to-day on a USA aircraft from Charlotte to Ashville, and received his first flight certificate.

Yep, whilst this could only happen in Trump-land, Daniel is actually an Emotional Support Duck, and is said to help calm nervous flyers. Check out Yahoo for more info.

Meanwhile, whilst not quite like the US Grand Prix this weekend, I’m enjoying the excitement of watching Christine and Amanda heading for their first 200 bird species by the 31^st December. I get text messages sharing each stage of their successes. Amanda sent an irritating one last week saying everyone at Old Moor had seen the Jack Snipe, and she hadn’t. Tuesday 18th, brief text “J Snipe – 3 smiley faces – 191”!!   

Meanwhile Christine went off to look for, and found the Purple Gallinule (OK - Swamp Hen!) at Alkborough Flats   The site is close to Blacktoft as the crow flies, but not by road. She also picked up Bearded Tit. Obviously buoyed with enthusiasm, a few days later a Glossy Ibis at Cossington, Leicestershire took her on to 194, and there are still 71 days to go for both ladies!! 

Chris is having a couple of days in Norfolk later in the year so I imagine Snow Buntings and Shore Larks are targets.

I’ve really got my daughter Sarah into watching the Red Kites when she goes south.   Last Wednesday, Mary and I went to Kent and saw one on the M25, both on the way and on the way back, and the trip included Buzzards (obviously!) and a hovering Kestrel, which don’t seem to be so frequent around motorways. And our cemetery visit at Leatherhead witnessed 7 Ring Necked Parakeets. As usual we heard them coming.

Sarah and Julian went to Surrey on Saturday, counted 26 RK’s + 4 on the M40, got so engrossed they missed the west turn on to the Magic Roundabout, and then got 2 more. Details of the return journey will be reported, if significant!

Talking of reporting, I told you about the Mute Swan with a ring that I saw at Attenborough on the 4^th October and reported to the BTO, and I said I would let you know if I got any more information.

I had a reply to-day informing me that Y619 was a male and was ringed as a Cygnet on 19^th September 2010, only 20 minutes away at Markeaton park, Derby. I also understand it is the parent of Y642 which was rung at Attenborough in May 2014. Wonderful what a mine of info a ring number can produce.

Carsington.   The volunteers have done some good work on Horseshoe Island this week, which will help the ground breeding birds next year, and they cut back the willow in front of the wildlife centre which was inhibiting views of the opposite bank.

PS : don’t forget the next Beginners Bird Walk is Sunday 6^th November. Book now, there are some places left.

I’ve not long finished reading a book with a compilation of the weekly column written by Jeremy Clarkson for a national paper. It’s the sort of book that you can read 2/3 of his articles then put it down. 

And I’m now on to a lovely book called “Nightingales in November” which only came out this year and written by Mike Dilger. Chris gave it to me when I was recuperating in July, and it’s just got to the top of my pile of books and mags to read. I mention it because if you see it for sale, it is a good read.

It is about the progress of 12 British Birds throughout a calendar year, covering each species 3 times a month.That gives over 400 short pars about how each specie is progressing throughout the year. It's a bit like Ckarkson's book in that you can read 5/6 short articles then put the book down.  

I’m on March at the moment, and have picked up all sorts of fascinating facts. The 12 include Peregrine, Bewick, Lapwing, Swallow, Tawny Owl and 6 others.

Well it's plenty of “this and that” this week, but only because I haven’t been out birding    But wait until next week… everything changes!!

Bald Heads.... again!

Sunday 9^th October,  and Chris and I decided to have a morning at Willington Gravel Pits.  

Straight away we bumped into a group of newbies from Burton, who were thrilled to see a Marsh Harrier even before they got to the first viewing platform – we didn’t.

Not much to report, apart from a Jay heading towards us.  First time I’ve been to Willington this year on medical grounds (it can get muddy!), so it was disappointing to see that Platform No 3 (the 4^th one on the right!!) had been removed, and Derbyshire Wildlife Trust had replaced it with a hide, accessible via a ramp, but only for members and those with the lock combination. 

Great pity because the previous platform had good panoramic views, particularly of a couple of island frequented by waders etc. And we heard the squealing pig sound of a Water Rail, but could not see it.

Anyway, let’s make up for it with this superb photo from Carsington

Yes it’s from Carsington  in Calgary, on what looks like a winter day……………………………….. oh sorry, did I get the place wrong, it should be Carrington, in Calgary. Well what’s a one letter error between friends (not even sure if I’ve got the right state!).  

A long past friend of Marys, Bob Boyne, who IS in Canada sent the photo, and said the photographer did not mind it being used on my blog.

Good news and bad news. My grandson Leo seems to be thinking wildlife conservation which at 10 is good. He sent me a message saying that the builders at his school in Ashby DLZ had accidentally found and disturbed a Sparrow Hawk nest. They placed it carefully in a nearby tree, and Leo reported that they had 2 eggs, both of which hatched.

Then came the text news from Leo, “Some IDIOTS!!smashed up the nest” (his words..angry, eh?). I’ve told him to be vigilant because if the parents can find a safe haven for the chicks, they will then be very busy looking for food to feed 4 beaks, and could be more visible. I also told him about the potential fine of up to £5,000 if the idiots could be found.

I have to give him positive thinking, but I don’t hold out much hope for the chicks.

I picked up an interesting bit of migration info this week.

Bardon Hill, near Coalville, is the highest point in Leicestershire, and overlooks a huge stone quarry, with grass covered upper slopes which are good for Ring Ouzels. From my own experience and knowledge, the third week in April is the best time to see these birds on their migratory route to the moors to breed.

So when I saw on Birdguides web site, 3 Ouzels had been seen on 10^th October at Bardon Hill, I could but wonder, was this a pair heading South now with a new juvenile? We will never know, but in the 16 years of Birdguides records for Bardon Hill, only on 16th October 2010, was there a report of birds heading South...... and that was 3 birds too!

Considering there are reports every year of RO's in April, one wonders why this is a resting point heading North, but not when heading South. Similar to our experiences with Ospreys at Carsington.  We have far more sightings of North bound Ospreys than those heading South for the winter.

So whilst on the subject of Ospreys, a cracking photo from Gary Atkins, the CBC press officer, taking during his annual pilgrimage to the NE wetlands of Majorca

Happy Birding!