STEVE ASHTON'S WILDLIFE GALLERY

November 2008

Red Flanked Bluetail and Siberian Stonechat.

An early start today, as I arrived in the dark at King George VI park, being joined by Allan Ashdown and Martyn Wilson, and as soon as it was light, we located the Red Flanked Bluetail, in the same part of the park as yesterday. We were joined by Gadget and Dylan Wrathall, where an hour of good natured banter was exchanged, and together with an increasing crowd, we were treated to great views of the bird, although the light in the park was far from ideal for photography. Mid morning, along with Martyn and Allan, we left the park and drove to Bockhill, as we wanted to see the reported Siberian Stonechat, that was present by Bockhill farm. Steve Ray was at Bockhill to meet us, and we set of in pursuit of our quarry. The bird was easily located, a Female, and I was immediately surprised at the difference in appearance this bird was to its European counterpart. It was pretty distant, but did come close enough for a few photographs, before I said my goodbyes to the others, and returned to the King George VI park, to see if the light was any better, and try to get a few better photo’s of the Red Flanked Bluetail. There was quite a large crowd when I arrived back at the park, and the bird was continuing to show on and off, and although the conditions were far from perfect, a few more photographs were obtained. Also seen in the park were 1 Sparrow-hawk, several of the resident Ring Necked Parakeets, and I would estimate that I saw at least 40 Goldcrest, and that was just in the few surrounding trees where I was stationed. The end of a busy seven days, adding 4 new species, five if I count the Siberian Stonechat.