Now that I have your attention – don’t panic. It’s just reminiscence. Pulse rates back to normal please.
As things are a little quiet this time of year the recent observations at Whiteholme reminded me of what was probably my best find in Calderdale. It was mid June 1978; I had been married a few months earlier so I must have been on day release! I remember sitting on the north edge of Whiteholme looking into the sun (bad idea) when a wader just on the shore close by caught my eye. It was clearly a Phalarope, Grey? Red necked? I eventually picked out the neck pattern and my heart missed a few beats. I cannot remember what I muttered – something like “goodness me it’s a female Wilson’s.”
Now you Birders of a young age will not appreciate the dilemma we older ones had. – Totally isolated – mobile phones were not invented, at least 20 minutes from my car and then find a phone that works, or do I stay and enjoy the bird? If I stay and the bird goes will I be believed? I can’t remember how long I stayed but did eventually get to a phone. Now from this point I have no memory! I know that Nick and Nigel saw it, did you David? Who did I ring? Anyone else see it? It arrived about noon and stayed until the next day. When did you all get up there, what are your memories?
13 comments:
Ive just had Kittens and spilt my coffee all over the place.
Sorry Nick. You and others I guess!
Yep - got me too.
Ah, happy days! My memory may be a bit faded these days but I'll never forget that bird, got excellent views the day after it turned up. Well remember the long walk on the drain to get to the res which when you are so close to a real mega on your home patch seemed to take ages! I can't remember what day it was but had it in my mind we threw "sickies" off school to get it, clearly this can't be right, I assume we would have been on hols in mid June?
One thing is for sure birding Calderdale in those days was a tad different to what it is now, no mobile phone grapevine or internet and e mail just the good old phone to keep us all in contact. Not many of the birders from those times still in Calderdale just Nigel, Dave and Bruce, the rest either having gone to the great twitch in the sky or seen the light and moved to better birding locations!
As a couple of young keen birders Nigel and I benefitted greatly from the friendship and knowledge so freely given by the "older" birders of the time, certainly helped to cement a life long interest for me, thanks guys!
Just realised, 1978 thats 31 years ago!! I'm going for a lie down.
I remember it well Bruce although I did not see it! Just had to day release David from fatherly duties so he could!. 13th June 1978 in the evening following a phone call from David Crawshaw who received your call Bruce! David has in his notes " one female in immaculate breeding plumage seen down to a minimum of 20yards" Just shows how long ago it was -we were still working in imperial measures -well David was! What is more having spent most of our married life birdwatching(my role more as a spotter than identifier) (35years tomorrow!)I still haven't seen a phalarope of any description! Well done Bruce - now it is time you found another. Now I am going to get my bus pass and walking stick out ready for the coming week and hoping as ever that something might just turn up where we happen to be!
Nick C seems a bit muddled on his age. I Left School in the summer of 1978 and Nick is I believe 3 years my senior, unless he stayed on an extra 3 terms he should have left in 75 or 76.
PS Im just jealous I didnt see the bird but I remember getting the old scientific report with it in.
Good to be reminded of some great times birding in our younger days Bruce! What a cracker that was, I remember getting the call from David Crawshaw and shot up there late evening - what a find that was and all credit to you. Are you still using the same bin's?
If my memory serves me right (?)!!
I think Alan Mitchell, who lived at Mytholmroyd also went for the bird that evening. Alan was a very devoted and skilful birder who regulary watched this site. Unfortunately Alan passed away quite a number of years ago now.
I am sure David Crawshaw will also have some recollection of this bird at Whiteholme. Thanks for the reminder Bruce.
Nick
My diary shows we saw it from 2pm to 3.15pm, but we didn't see it again later (7-9pm). You'd already left School by '78 and I'd just finished my A Levels, so no bunking off required.
I remember it as vivid as yesterday. We could go on to talk about Buff Breasted Sand, Black-necked Grebe and the like .... Those were the days and, yes, a huge debt of gratitude is owed to David Crawshaw and Bruce.
PS the full bird list for the day was:
1 Oyc
2 GP
15 Dunlin
5 prs Redshank
1 Wilson's P
2 LRP
1 Wheatear
+ gull roost
David, Alan was a real gentleman,I knew him well. I used to play chess with him to 2am some days! I beat him twice. I remember finding the long tailed duck in 73 at Ogden it was almost pitch black when I got there. Something told me to go to Ogden. The duck was a few feet away from the embankment. within 5 minutes I could not see a thing. I asked Dave Crawshaw to look at it the following morning. Alan went and missed it. As far as I know he never did get to see a long tailed duck.
Yes I still use the Carl Zeiss, I remember we saw our first bird in Majorca through our new bins. In case you forget it was a Zitting cisticola near the airport. I prefer Fan Tailed Warbler, bald tyres, cups of tea and loaded rifles!
Your right Nick, I reckon by that time I was probably in my sandwich year and working in Bradford, as you get older I've found the best thing to do with age is get it muddled!
Yes Bruce - I prefer Fan Tailed Warbler too. How can I ever forget the loaded rifles - just pleased no shots were fired !
I looked back in my records and I saw the L T D on 22nd, 24th November and 1st December 1973. Another rone of your gems!
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