White throated Robin

Littlesparrow · #1 (**permalink**) 08-06-2011, 05:27 PM

I have just heard Radio Stoke talking about a White throated Robin, seen in the area. Has anyone seen it yet and do you know where it is now? it is expected to fly off to Turkey soon so won't be here long.

solus · #2 (**permalink**) 08-06-2011, 06:08 PM

It's at Hartlepool Headland. There's a massive thread on Birdforum all about it and appartently it's been in most of the (national) Daily papers and NE local TV as well.

WHITE-THROATED ROBIN in Cleveland - Breaking news from RBA (8.34am 6 Jun) - Page 11 - BirdForum

Edit: Ooops, that link takes you to the [current] last page of the thread, best to start on the first!! ;-)

Littlesparrow · #3 (**permalink**) 08-06-2011, 07:07 PM

Thank you Solus, I took a look.

Hobjob · #4 (**permalink**) 09-06-2011, 10:19 PM

Access is not easy all the time, though it seems the locals are being very helpful. Check the bird-guides listings (I don't think you need to be a member to do that) to get up to date information.

FUDGEY · #5 (**permalink**) 10-06-2011, 05:16 AM

This is one part of birding that I can not stand. It is to me really sad that people hound these rarities. I mean look at the scene here at the Doctors garden where the WT Robin is. Its scenes like this that give birders a bad name IMO.

RobinP · #6 (**permalink**) 10-06-2011, 07:11 AM

I hear the local trades people are doing a roaring trade in hiring out ladders to the twitchers

actionfinch · #7 (**permalink**) 10-06-2011, 08:30 AM

Apicture in the daily paper suffices for me..theres no garuntee that it would be there if u did make it all the way.

Adam Cheeseman · #8 (**permalink**) 10-06-2011, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FUDGEY

This is one part of birding that I can not stand. It is to me really sad that people hound these rarities. I mean look at the scene here at the Doctors garden where the WT Robin is. Its scenes like this that give birders a bad name IMO.

Have to disagree with you here Fudgey. The Doctor gave permission for people to climb ladders to view into his garden and many locals were more than happy to provide ladders, vehicles, drinks and sandwiches to the assembled birders for a donation to various local charities. I have not heard of any bad behaviour come from this twitch. It has been widely covered by all sorts of media including Radio 2.

Cheers,

Adam

FUDGEY · #9 (**permalink**) 10-06-2011, 11:03 AM

No probs Adam , I didnt realise the Doc had given them permission. As long as the bird doesnt get disturbed to much then you are correct. What if this bird was in a public place, would it be disturbed then? I have no experience with this kind of thing, but Im guessing they would disrupt it some way.

Adam Cheeseman · #10 (**permalink**) 10-06-2011, 11:54 AM

Briefly, major twitches like this may seem a melee, but are usually well organised by people such as Franko Maroevic etc. who do an excellent job of marshalling the crowds so that as many peoplw can get to see the bird without causing too much disturbance to it or indeed the local residents. I know that with the Rufous Turtle Dove in Oxon Lee Evans met with the local residents groups to discuss what they could expect in terms of numbers turning up and also what the locals wanted from the birders in return, in terms of where they could or couldn't go, park etc. Twitches like this are an incredible revenue for local communities and charities. However you will always get those who don't conform to the requests or expected behaviour and it thes people who give twitches/birding a bad rap. If you look on birdforum you will see that these people are usually pilloried for their behaviour/attitudes.

As this is a first year bird I expect it will hang around for some time as it is in non-breeding fettle at the moment. It also seems to favour the confines of the walled garden so any direct disturbance should be minimal.

Cheers,

Adam