LESSER GREY SHRIKE at Newton Links

1st winter LESSER GREY SHRIKE performed very well in a paddock next to Newton Links car park Elmarie Humphries

  Since we left Scilly, we went to the small venue, Islington Assembly Hall, to see Ed Harcourt. Overnight, As soon as we shook Ed's hand straight after the show, we drove all the way up to Glasgow to see a disappointing Queens of the Stoneage at the The Hydro. A few nights later at the SECC and at last we were going to see Bob Dylan and his Band, for the first time. It was exactly how I expected to be, but not once did he pick up a guitar. If he wasn't playing the piano then he was at the front singing with one hand on his hip. Many times when he walked from mike to piano, dressed in a black cowboy suit, he looked like he was going to fall over. He only said a few words 'Thank you my friends' and he didn't sing 'Roll on John'  Ed Harcourt was amazing and he signed my guitar.

  From Glasgow we started making our ways south along the east coast stopping off at a few places along the way. As we were not far away from where the LESSER GREY SHRIKE was, Elle and I thought we would like to see it and were not disappointed. From the car, you could relax as the shrike sat on posts nearby. After a few minutes of observing it, the bird disappeared for a good half an hour. It returned to it's favoured paddock and showed superbly at very close range. 2 Chiffchaff were also in a garden across the road from the paddock.
  Just before this, I called up will Scott from Bambough Castle car park looking over towards the Farnes and through his scope he could see us both waving to him. He also told me to go a few minutes up road to Stagg Rocks and from here there were Long-tailed Duck, Eider,Common Scoter 2 Great Northern Diver and singles of Velvet Scoter and Red-throated Diver

 

All pics above taken by Elmarie Humphries

 

 

 

What a bird!!

 

 

  We joined up with our friend Jason at Golf Course to do a few hours ringing. Highlight were 4 Tree Sparrow, 2 Coal Tit and a single Goldcrest. A total of 28 birds were trapped at the feeding station.

 

Up to 4 Mottled Umber and a single November Moth were also at the golf course

 

A few days ago we drove over to a very bitter cold and wet Holy Island

  

The late Floyd "Red Crow" Westermnan performing Kris Kristofferson's song 'They Killed Him' at the Rainbow Warrior Festival in Santa Fe, New Mexico in August of 1988. This song stuck out as one of the most moving of the entire 12 hours of music at the Green Peace festival. Authentic, powerful, moving and real.  Watch the whole festival at http://www.viddler.com/v/b4e96b4b I feel that this song fits this day of the JFK anniversary very well and unfortunately Dylan, who also covered this song, didn't sing it when we saw him at the SECC in Glasgow.