The reason that I keep a Hope Carr list is precisely on account of the sites history. My comments about intensive coverage is meant of course in a modern day context and in recognition of the physical changes there since its recognised heyday.
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Challenges are inevitable, but failure is optional.
. With intensive coverage who knows what could be turned up here over the course of a year?
Sorry to hijack the thread somewhat but there seems to be a common misconception (that I am also informed has been intimated elsewhere) that Hope Carr seems never to have been watched 'properly'?
Shame then that since the actual nature reserve scrapes where constructed back in 1991/92 those bi-daily visits (or more at times such was the change-over of waders on site) by a small band of enthusiastic watchers for the next several years or more seems to go unrecognised. My own site list is really rather impressive for the little place, though I still need to catch up with that Black Redstart, and despite what people think, yes, the site is a mere shadow of its former glory but that of course doesn't mean its still not attractive to birds or a well worth a look over .
Phalarope and Curlew Sand country!!! Cant be that underwatched a site!
. With intensive coverage who knows what could be turned up here over the course of a year?
Sorry to hijack the thread somewhat but there seems to be a common misconception (that I am also informed has been intimated elsewhere) that Hope Carr seems never to have been watched 'properly'?
Shame then that since the actual nature reserve scrapes where constructed back in 1991/92 those bi-daily visits (or more at times such was the change-over of waders on site) by a small band of enthusiastic watchers for the next several years or more seems to go unrecognised. My own site list is really rather impressive for the little place, though I still need to catch up with that Black Redstart, and despite what people think, yes, the site is a mere shadow of its former glory but that of course doesn't mean its still not attractive to birds or a well worth a look over .
I visited 6 times without a sniff of a sighting. Spent 27+ hours in vain until the 7th visit (11th Feb) when I pretty much walked up to it.
After the initial panic of seeing it drop into long grass, It eventually gave itself up and showed well for a good 20 minutes or so. Well worth the wait. (well it was my birthday!)
Thanks for the moral support, but its not so much down to dedication as symptomatic of a disturbed mind.
I know many other people paid half a dozen or more visits. Even prior to the Warbler turning up I have maintained a life list for Hope Carr, - not many (if any) other people outside of GM do that. I failed to see the Black Redstart and the Mediterranean Gull, but enjoyed a roam round the site nevertheless. With intensive coverage who knows what could be turned up here over the course of a year?
Cheers,
Mike
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Challenges are inevitable, but failure is optional.
As we all know, twitching any bird is mostly a matter of luck. I have been twice for the Blyth's Reed Warbler and on both visits the bird was instantly showing for me as I arrived. I even got some decent photos. Call that jam?
I feel most sorry for birders who took several visits and especially those who have travelled great distance. Mike Passant being one who did three trips from County Durham before connecting with the bird. That is dedication. Well done Mike....I was willing you to see it.
Four times for me. Three unsuccessful(but appreciated lifts from friends (fog, arctic winds and the dull day when it called twice after Andy Bissett saw it at the west end of the sewage works fence) then took a chance on public transport on Thursday and arrived just as it had an active spell. Caught most of it when it perched on top of the brambles for 5 seconds, then filled in the missing bits as it worked the fence line for the next hour. Probably the most consecutive visits I've made for a particular bird.
3 trips for me, the Sunday that Sid mentions, 3 hours and nothing, the following Saturday, 5 hours and nothing, about 2.5 hours today, with the bird showing for over an hour and not a care in the world. An enigma!
I really enjoyed it today for the feeling of having put the time in before; not sure how it might have felt if I'd been lucky the first time, but I imagine less satisfying.
Been four times, saw it well on my second visit (when I was chatting with you John) but dipped on the other visits. In fairness, Ive been more interested in trying to see the Black Redstart on the last two visits. I was chatting to some friends from Yorkshire today who've done a few visits so far and spent 6hrs on site. They managed a brief glimpse of it today.
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No one on their death bed ever said they wished they'd spent more time at work. http://bitsnbirds.blogspot.co.uk
I was there twice John:- the best part of three hours in a howling gale on Sunday 27th January, no sign and then next day, Monday 28th I was there about 10 minutes and there it was, right in front of me in the sunshine - very lucky I guess, knowing of other's reports.
The Blyth's Reed Warbler will soon be entering its third week and I expect nearly everyone who wanted to connect will have seen it by now. As has become apparent it has been remarkably elusive at times, even when the weather seems favourable. I wondered how many visits it had taken for some to get adequate views. Personally I have been 5 times (seen it well twice and dipped 3x) but I know of birders who have been more often than that. Others have walked straight up to point blank views.
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lifts from friends (fog, arctic winds and the dull day when it called twice after Andy Bissett saw it at the west end of the sewage works fence) then took a chance on public transport on Thursday and arrived just as it had an active spell. Caught most of it when it perched on top of the brambles for 5 seconds, then filled in the missing bits as it worked the fence line for the next hour. Probably the most consecutive visits I've made for a particular bird.