This isn't exactly the most convenient time for it to turn up, with all the travel restrictions in the UK currently, but a Walrus has turned up off Pembrokeshire. Hopefully it hangs around long enough for some UKers to twitch it!
ZooChat Big Year 2021
- Thread starter Chlidonias
- Start date
Probably the same one that turned up in Ireland on March 14th. Hope some people can go see it!
At the moment it is impossible for most of us as it is in Wales, which is in strict lockdown; the only people who could legitimately see it are these within a five mile radius!
Yes, I suspect the walrus will have moved on by the time anyone not right on the doorstep can see it. Pembrokeshire isn't the most accessible bit of Wales either, even in non-lockdown times. Where it moves on to is the question..!
Another interesting one to watch for twitcher movement is the Northern Mockingbird that has been present in Exmouth (Devon) for some weeks now. That's a massive rarity over here. With rules on travel in England set to change from Monday if it's still there then it'll be popular. The rules are only changing from 'stay at home' to 'stay local as much as possible' though - the mockingbird certainly won't be on my agenda (unless, I suppose, it sticks around until June, when all being well I should be in the area anyway..!).
Another interesting one to watch for twitcher movement is the Northern Mockingbird that has been present in Exmouth (Devon) for some weeks now. That's a massive rarity over here. With rules on travel in England set to change from Monday if it's still there then it'll be popular. The rules are only changing from 'stay at home' to 'stay local as much as possible' though - the mockingbird certainly won't be on my agenda (unless, I suppose, it sticks around until June, when all being well I should be in the area anyway..!).
I would much rather twitch the Walrus than the Mockingbird! Anyone in Wales may be able to go for the walrus from 27th, but if you live in England you may not be able to visit Wales until 17th May, unless you work there.
Do you not have one of those "Professional Walrus Inspector" permits for travel?
Absolutely!
And yes, the crossing the Welsh border question is one I'm keeping an eye on for family reasons (and a little for wildlife reasons!
). So far my impression is that the Welsh rules have tended to be specific but erratic, while the English ones are generally predictable but vague. Neither is very helpful, and I suspect when travel across the border is allowed it won't necessarily be obvious until it has happened..!Happy to be paid by you to inspect this walrus!
If there is one I'd like to claim it as I don't think I have ever seen one. In fact I want to return to Paira Daiza in Belgium to see them there but of course that is thwarted at present also. And now one turns up in Wales...but still too far away...
Saw a very brief video of it on Twitter from a local. I wonder if it can find enough to eat in unfamiliar waters...
It was reported as still being there a few days ago. Maybe Police cruise past the address to check if any non-local twitchers are there.
After Monday the term 'urged to stay local' is open to all sorts of abuse/interpretation of course- I imagine some diehards won't be able to resist making the trip then.
It was reported as still being there a few days ago. Maybe Police cruise past the address to check if any non-local twitchers are there.
Rare Bird Alert has a report of it from this morning so it's at the very least going to run it very close; part of me hopes it's going to go for massive japes and disappear the day before the rules change..!
But yeah, there will definitely be twitchers that do go for it. I think what for me would be at least a 6hr drive to (maybe!) see one bird would probably be hard to justify as avoiding unnecessary travel if you were asked - but equally I'm not sure stopping someone from doing it would actually be enforceable either.
That's the problem with all these restrictions. You only discover what you can actually do after its been 'tested'- usually by someone getting into trouble/fined and some attendant publicity. I'm not interested in how many people I can 'have a coffee in a park with'- curious that they always use this example- I'm told its because its a broad example of 'gathering'- but would like to know how far I can go- and when. If you can play golf next week, you can presumably drive as far away as the golf course is- you might not be a member of the most local one either. But they don't suddenly say- 'you can go anywhere you like now' as that would be an open invitation for people to take to the roads- non-information perhaps suppresses it for longer which is beneficial overall.
Last edited:
Rare Bird Alert has a report of it from this morning so it's at the very least going to run it very close; part of me hopes it's going to go for massive japes and disappear the day before the rules change..!
But yeah, there will definitely be twitchers that do go for it. I think what for me would be at least a 6hr drive to (maybe!) see one bird would probably be hard to justify as avoiding unnecessary travel if you were asked - but equally I'm not sure stopping someone from doing it would actually be enforceable either.
Its only about an hour's plus drive from me but no way would I consider it, even after next week. Half an hour is the most I'd go I think. But the Walrus...
Some birders made the news by getting fined for travelling to see it when the bird was first discovered. But after Monday, no, not enforceable anymore I don't think.
Yes, now you'd certainly be in trouble if you were spotted. But from Monday I think it'd only be strongly advising you to think again.
I think it's complicated further in the specific case of the mockingbird because it's in a housing estate - I think an hour or so's drive to an open nature reserve (or a walrus clifftop!) wouldn't be very controversial under next week's rules as long as you're distancing from anyone else who's there, but driving an hour to walk up and down a residential street definitely feels a bit dodgy..!
Yes, there are all sorts of little innuendos here aren't there- travel to an open area is probably fine, but not an urban area, at least for that reason. I remember looking for Rosy Starling on a housing estate once- its dodgy, scanning rooftops and chimney pots means you are literally focused at peoples' windows! I think the Mockingbird is faithful to one garden though.
Birds
93. Eastern Phoebe Sayornis phoebe
Unexpected surprise given the time of year, a trio of Pine Siskin visited the yard today.
Birds:
88. Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus)
5-88-5-2-0-15