This post covers January to March 2023
The year began fairly quietly, with January involving lots of survey work on both banks of the Humber and bits of guiding up here on the coast, but was soon to become much busier. A full month in the USA for much of February and the first week of March, visiting family and friends across New England, was a joy:
Red-breasted Merganser, Maine
An initial few days back at Amity's homestead in the woods of Western Massachusetts was followed by a memorable trip to see our dear friends Kat, George and Indigo on the coast of Maine....
Steller's Sea Eagle, Maine. An unforgettable adventure - read the full story here
Memorable for many reasons, not least the (still) unbelievable timing - it's hard to undersell just how lucky we were to cross paths with a Steller's Sea Eagle, just twenty minutes away, on what turned out to be the last day of its brief visit to the area.... outrageous!
Post-Steller's aftershocking
After Maine, we journeyed down to the far north-eastern coast of Mass, specifically Plum Island, where we spent a fine few days with the American Pearson clan. As it happened, it was very birdy, both on- and offshore - lots out on the waves, and plenty of action on the saltmarsh, too.
White-winged Scoter (above) and North American Horned Lark (below), Plum Island
From there, back into interior Massachusetts, where it was all about the family. Birding-wise, there were plenty of classic winter New England species in the garden and on local walks, of course, as well as a few excursions a little further afield (including, for example, to the nearby Quabbin Reservoir).
Dark-eyed Junco in the garden, Warren, Ma.
While we were in States, at the end of February I completed my #ASwift1K challenge - 1000km (600 running, 400 cycling) over twelve months, to raise money for the brilliant Sheffield Swift Network.
Bald Eagle, Quabbin Reservoir
Happily I raised in excess of £4000 (thanks to a great many generous contributions), and just to add a bit of drama, I only just completed my target, with a broken toe (sustained in Maine a week earlier) and with a killer cold (courtesy of our otherwise perfect nieces). I won't forget those last runs in the ice and snow of Greenfield in a hurry....
Lichenstein's Sandgrouse, Israel
Back home for ten days or so in mid-March (and more surveying) before our next trip, this time for a wonderful fortnight in Israel. For the last week of March and the first week of April, we were there for Champions of the Flyway and to spend some downtime further exploring and enjoying this beautiful, bird-rich country, which I've had the pleasure of visiting many times in recent years.
Male Common Redstart, Ofira Park - classic Eilat urban birding scenes
There were a great many highlights (as is always the case when we're there), but some included:
Guiding for the Eilat Birds Festival, particularly on one crazy day of overwhelming migration in one small fertile patch of the desert at KM76 - enough birds to last us all year and beyond back in the UK.....
Hen Harrier, KM76
The joys of Eilat, which included some of the best urban birding imaginable, some fun nights out, an insane encounter with a Bonelli's Eagle, and most memorably, multiple, blissful snorkelling sessions in the Red Sea.....
Bonelli's Eagle, Israel
Running the comms and team support for the always-wonderful Champions of the Flyway - a joy, particularly after the upheavals of the previous few years, to have our international community back together and raising vital funds (this year for Red-breasted Geese); Spending lots of quality time with our dear friends the Perlmans (and lots of birding with brother Yoav);
Semi-collared Flycatcher, Ashkelon
Exploring corners of the country I'd never ventured into before, including the mountains and the far north; and birding and staying with our good friend Nadav, and lapping up the birding joys of his backyard, the Hula Valley, with him.
Watching displaying Demoiselle Cranes in with the commoners with Nadav, Hula Valley
A contrasting, friend-, family-, travel- and bird-filled first part of the year, and back in position in good time for spring to kick in back home.
Part two to follow shortly
