Tony Marchese
@tonyvicenza.bsky.social
Socialist, birder, proud father, grandfather and widower.
November 14th 2018. Trevose Head, 1st year female Pied Wheatear. A much longed for rare bird. Thanks to Pete Roseveare and Bob Bosisto for relocating and putting the message out, I managed to get there by 1pm. And I'd just bought a new Canon 100-400 camera lens so an ideal christening.Magic!
November 15, 2025 at 11:45 AM
November 14th 2018. Trevose Head, 1st year female Pied Wheatear. A much longed for rare bird. Thanks to Pete Roseveare and Bob Bosisto for relocating and putting the message out, I managed to get there by 1pm. And I'd just bought a new Canon 100-400 camera lens so an ideal christening.Magic!
Had to join the party at Gunwalloe,Lizard on Sunday having had a rubbish passerine October. Last saw this species/subspecies in 2014,Burnham Norton. Like that formerly called Bogdanov's. But windy ( my excuse for crap photos). Then to Truro for 2nd time Lesser Legs. Met up Ironfists and Tim P.
November 4, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Had to join the party at Gunwalloe,Lizard on Sunday having had a rubbish passerine October. Last saw this species/subspecies in 2014,Burnham Norton. Like that formerly called Bogdanov's. But windy ( my excuse for crap photos). Then to Truro for 2nd time Lesser Legs. Met up Ironfists and Tim P.
A bit of wobbly video of the W-R Sandpiper,mostly roosting.
October 8, 2025 at 8:50 AM
A bit of wobbly video of the W-R Sandpiper,mostly roosting.
Finally caught up with a White-rumped Sandpiper at Siblyback yesterday.My 3rd American wader of the season (having missed Baird's and Semi-palmated) Strange that no Least Sand/ Lesser Yellowlegs/Long-billed Dowitcher in the South-west this autumn.
October 8, 2025 at 8:49 AM
Finally caught up with a White-rumped Sandpiper at Siblyback yesterday.My 3rd American wader of the season (having missed Baird's and Semi-palmated) Strange that no Least Sand/ Lesser Yellowlegs/Long-billed Dowitcher in the South-west this autumn.
Phalaropes move very quickly when feeding on flies. Hard to video! But fun to watch.
October 2, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Phalaropes move very quickly when feeding on flies. Hard to video! But fun to watch.
Tues 30th Sept back to Gwithian to see the Snow Bunting ( fun birds) and Red-necked Phalarope (rarely see both this and Grey in an autumn) nice chat with Billy Nason about sewatching.
October 2, 2025 at 11:56 AM
Tues 30th Sept back to Gwithian to see the Snow Bunting ( fun birds) and Red-necked Phalarope (rarely see both this and Grey in an autumn) nice chat with Billy Nason about sewatching.
Late Sept trip to Hayle and Gwithian. Prolonged views of Pectoral and Curlew Sandpipers. Then to see Grey Phalarope. And at last a trip to Prawle on Sunday 28th. On arrival a mini-fall. 60+ Chiffchaffs,30+Blackcaps, 1 Garden Warbler,1 Reed Warbler,1 Spot Fly. Wall Browns,2 breaching Tuna.
September 29, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Late Sept trip to Hayle and Gwithian. Prolonged views of Pectoral and Curlew Sandpipers. Then to see Grey Phalarope. And at last a trip to Prawle on Sunday 28th. On arrival a mini-fall. 60+ Chiffchaffs,30+Blackcaps, 1 Garden Warbler,1 Reed Warbler,1 Spot Fly. Wall Browns,2 breaching Tuna.
@microsoft.com How do you justify this 15% increase in your annual charge given the current international rates of inflation? Or is it politically motivated?
September 27, 2025 at 12:04 PM
@microsoft.com How do you justify this 15% increase in your annual charge given the current international rates of inflation? Or is it politically motivated?
Waders seen at Davidstowe in between torrential rain on Saturday 20th September. No Pec Sand for me but 1 Little Stint, 4 Ruff, 40+ Ringed Plover, Dunlin and 1 Lapwing. And 2 Wheatears.
September 22, 2025 at 11:40 AM
Waders seen at Davidstowe in between torrential rain on Saturday 20th September. No Pec Sand for me but 1 Little Stint, 4 Ruff, 40+ Ringed Plover, Dunlin and 1 Lapwing. And 2 Wheatears.
3 more photos of birds recently seen. 1st image of the 3 Buff-breasted Sandpipers at Colliford Lake. Try to spot them. 2nd a fabulous photo of a juvenile Sabine's Gull at Exmouth. And finally a juvenile Rosy Starling at Wembury.
September 18, 2025 at 9:12 PM
3 more photos of birds recently seen. 1st image of the 3 Buff-breasted Sandpipers at Colliford Lake. Try to spot them. 2nd a fabulous photo of a juvenile Sabine's Gull at Exmouth. And finally a juvenile Rosy Starling at Wembury.
A few record shots of birds recently seen. Grey Phalarope today at South Huish ( with 1 Curlew Sand, 8 Dunlin, 6 Barwits and 1 Yellow Wagtail- picked up by ironfists in a photo of the Phal!!)
2 of 3 Buff-breasted Sandpipers at Colliford Lake. Dipped on the Bairds at Siblyback but did see a Pec!
2 of 3 Buff-breasted Sandpipers at Colliford Lake. Dipped on the Bairds at Siblyback but did see a Pec!
September 17, 2025 at 8:27 PM
A few record shots of birds recently seen. Grey Phalarope today at South Huish ( with 1 Curlew Sand, 8 Dunlin, 6 Barwits and 1 Yellow Wagtail- picked up by ironfists in a photo of the Phal!!)
2 of 3 Buff-breasted Sandpipers at Colliford Lake. Dipped on the Bairds at Siblyback but did see a Pec!
2 of 3 Buff-breasted Sandpipers at Colliford Lake. Dipped on the Bairds at Siblyback but did see a Pec!
My first sighting of a Box Tree Moth at my home in Tavistock last night. An Asian invasive species I understand @savebutterflies.bsky.social . I stand to be corrected bluesky people.
September 16, 2025 at 7:40 AM
My first sighting of a Box Tree Moth at my home in Tavistock last night. An Asian invasive species I understand @savebutterflies.bsky.social . I stand to be corrected bluesky people.
Never twitch a Hoopoe or a Wryneck? Well I've done both this year. Y'days Wryneck at The Turf, Exeter. Such a showy one. Magical.
August 29, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Never twitch a Hoopoe or a Wryneck? Well I've done both this year. Y'days Wryneck at The Turf, Exeter. Such a showy one. Magical.
Ist couple of trips for a while. South Huish, 21st. 2 Little Stints, Dunlin, Blk T Gods 1 Bar Tailed 1 Ruff Plus Yellow Wags, Wheatears, 4 Egyptian Geese. Then joined y'day's gathering of the clan at Blackhole Marsh for the beauty Marsh Sandpiper-my 5th for UK.Last one seen in Devon BGM 20 yrs ago?
August 23, 2025 at 10:39 AM
Ist couple of trips for a while. South Huish, 21st. 2 Little Stints, Dunlin, Blk T Gods 1 Bar Tailed 1 Ruff Plus Yellow Wags, Wheatears, 4 Egyptian Geese. Then joined y'day's gathering of the clan at Blackhole Marsh for the beauty Marsh Sandpiper-my 5th for UK.Last one seen in Devon BGM 20 yrs ago?
Someone scored in extra time!
August 9, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Someone scored in extra time!
So news of a Woodchat at Dawlish 1st thing but committed to U3A Italian class till 12.30. Arrived 2pm and caught up with a Whitethroat (gulp, such is my Spring birding) but W.had moved up to the point. Long slog but helped by @LeeCollins @KenNeal @DavidBailey (thanks). And present! c 9000 steps.
June 20, 2025 at 8:56 PM
So news of a Woodchat at Dawlish 1st thing but committed to U3A Italian class till 12.30. Arrived 2pm and caught up with a Whitethroat (gulp, such is my Spring birding) but W.had moved up to the point. Long slog but helped by @LeeCollins @KenNeal @DavidBailey (thanks). And present! c 9000 steps.
Classic 'mistaken' report :
June 5, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Classic 'mistaken' report :
Not many hours birding this week due to knee problems. But did see the Durleigh Res Whiskered Tern. Photos when laptop mended. Today trip to East Devon woods. Did see my 1st Willow Warblers and Tree Pipit. Later male Pied Fly. And best of all, when noone around a Lesser Spotted Woodie.
April 17, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Not many hours birding this week due to knee problems. But did see the Durleigh Res Whiskered Tern. Photos when laptop mended. Today trip to East Devon woods. Did see my 1st Willow Warblers and Tree Pipit. Later male Pied Fly. And best of all, when noone around a Lesser Spotted Woodie.
So who said 'never twitch a Hoopoe'? Well thanks to @clennonvalley.bsky.social I received the message and not wanting to miss out on the (?) largest influx of spring migrants/overshoots, I set off for Berryhead. And there it was. A bit distant and with a bit of heat haze photos not sharp but...Also.
April 9, 2025 at 12:17 PM
So who said 'never twitch a Hoopoe'? Well thanks to @clennonvalley.bsky.social I received the message and not wanting to miss out on the (?) largest influx of spring migrants/overshoots, I set off for Berryhead. And there it was. A bit distant and with a bit of heat haze photos not sharp but...Also.
Yesterday's trip continued the theme of 'catch up' but also an essential spring migrant to see each year. So to Cheddar Reservoir for Black-necked Grebes in breeding plumage. Then to Ham Wall to see a Garganey, Glossy Ibis, Spotted Redshank, Marsh Harriers and Great Egrets. Also a Ring-necked Duck.
March 30, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Yesterday's trip continued the theme of 'catch up' but also an essential spring migrant to see each year. So to Cheddar Reservoir for Black-necked Grebes in breeding plumage. Then to Ham Wall to see a Garganey, Glossy Ibis, Spotted Redshank, Marsh Harriers and Great Egrets. Also a Ring-necked Duck.
Then to South Huish and saw a summer plumaged Water Pipit (recently in said Vic.) Also 13 Cattle Egrets.
March 26, 2025 at 10:55 PM
Then to South Huish and saw a summer plumaged Water Pipit (recently in said Vic.) Also 13 Cattle Egrets.
Still trying to catch up with winter birds...so to Broadsands where despite Jet skiers I was able to pick out the Surf Scoter (colourful bill and pale nape patch) with the fem.Common Scoter. They flew off showing the Surf Scoter's pale underparts. Also the 2 summer plumaged Red-necked Grebes.
March 26, 2025 at 10:55 PM
Still trying to catch up with winter birds...so to Broadsands where despite Jet skiers I was able to pick out the Surf Scoter (colourful bill and pale nape patch) with the fem.Common Scoter. They flew off showing the Surf Scoter's pale underparts. Also the 2 summer plumaged Red-necked Grebes.
I fear my days of yomping are coming to an end, after yesterday's trip to Bellever.Walked up to the forest but as no sign I returned, only to glance to my right..jammy. A distant flight shot but the Great Grey Shrike for sure. Good to meet up with Leon and Julian. Better views later tho poor images.
March 24, 2025 at 10:09 AM
I fear my days of yomping are coming to an end, after yesterday's trip to Bellever.Walked up to the forest but as no sign I returned, only to glance to my right..jammy. A distant flight shot but the Great Grey Shrike for sure. Good to meet up with Leon and Julian. Better views later tho poor images.
I too enjoyed the Wagtail-fest at South Huish yesterday. 10 in all and 8 Blue-headed. Intensity of blue varied with light and angle seen. One blue at the nape, olive green on the crown and blue on the forehead. Focusing issues with the camera ( Canon 6D) so bit blurry. Also 7 of 13 Cattle Egrets.
March 22, 2025 at 10:46 PM
I too enjoyed the Wagtail-fest at South Huish yesterday. 10 in all and 8 Blue-headed. Intensity of blue varied with light and angle seen. One blue at the nape, olive green on the crown and blue on the forehead. Focusing issues with the camera ( Canon 6D) so bit blurry. Also 7 of 13 Cattle Egrets.