Bloody Hell !

Bloody hell indeed, its been way to long since anything meaningful has been penned here. Dont expect anything of any worth in the meantime (nothing changes there).
But i promise i will be back !

Welcome Back .. !

To me that is .. A full report on the GOA's venture to the Isles of Scilly will appear very soon .. !

GOA Shetland tour 28.9 - 1.10.

The first GOA pilgrimage took place on the above dates with varied amounts of success. Our journey was a pain free one that had us journeying from Manchester to Sumburgh via Aberdeen using planes supplied by BA and BMI for a small charge. Once on shetland we picked up our 'wheels' for the next 4 days and made our way to our lodgings, a fantastic 3 bedroomed detached house by the sea. Once de-bagged we set off in search of birds, as it is with shetland birds are everywhere but had insider info of the rare Sardinian Warbler near a house and a hotel. Whilst searching for the rare warbler we met some photographers and some twitcher types who we kept a carefull eye on. With limited views gained we got news of the very rare Swainson's Thrush which had been seen on an island near another house, so with the welfare of the bird in our minds we set off to search for the thrush, whilst on the ferry we saw the 'toy like' little auk just bobbing around in the water . The GOA were on sentry duty as twitcher after twitcher were spotted speeding towards the thrush but on arrival it had not been seen. GOA member 'The Apprentice' managed to find the thrush hopping along the ground feeding a mad scramble started but was soon under GOA control. We watched the thrush for about 40 minutes then it flew off. Whilst on the boat back we got wind of the even rarer Siberian Thrush on another island but this time not near a house. So the next morning we set off not in our car but on a boat with a mad skipper who wanted to get everybody drunk, so rare was this bird there were twitchers from france on-board but the news was not pleasing to all as the thrush had flown away so we all went back. Back on the mainland and looking for a bird near a stream GOA member Radar thought a wash was in order and disappeared into the stream only to emerge wet and phone-less. The next day was spent exploring the GOA true spiritual home Unst, it was an emotional day but this was overcome with a good days general ornithology with many unusual species seen (Radar has a full and detailed species list). The next day we stayed local to our base as this was the day of our departure, an uneventful half day was had but still enjoyable then we said our goodbyes and headed off home.
A great reunion and see you next year.

GOARC Press Announcement.

The full report of the Scops-eared Long Owl on Tresco has been submitted and i am pleased to relay the finders details of this world first to you.
Unfortunately we have no current images to upload but we will hopefully be forwarded some in due-course.
The SeLO showed well in a tree for quite a while, the finders commented on how close they where to the bird that they could have 'stroked it'. Its plumage was sort of a brown colour but was definately not the colour of a LeO but maybe not as cryptic as Scop's. Its size was questioned but it was definately to small for LeO but it was a little obscurred by a twig or branch, it did a tail projection of about 4 inches that was below the twig or branch. Eye colour was also questioned and even tho the eyes were kind of open the colour could not be clarified, Frantic searches were made using the available birding literature and the only possible match was Screech Owl, but obviously this was instantly dismissed and put out on the birding super highway information channels as possible/probable Scop's Owl showing well. But the GOA are pleased to announce that with all the information gathered Scop's-eared Long Owl has been included onto the GOA species list.
Mr.Stern Rig & Mr.Watts were the finders and observers.

GOA logo winner !

Congratulations to Radar for his winning entry. With a little manipulation the logo has been completed and with any luck will be added to mechandise.
Watch this space.

Scops-eared Long Owl - Tresco

News reaches the GOA that a first for the world has been found on the Isles of Scilly.

A Scops-eared Long Owl ( Scops asio otus) of unknown origin was found by keen and observant G.O's on the isle of Tresco and showed well to passers by & dogs alike. A full and detailed account will hopefully be submitted to the GOARS and if all is well then the GOARC will include it on the GOABB list.

The GOA on tour 2007 - Shetland

Well the time is nearly upon us when the GOA embark on its pilgrimage to britains most northerly isles. The intrepid quartet (YoYo,LeDonis,The Apprentice & Radar) will be hoping for some real General Ornithology and with the prospect of a bird or 2 and maybe the odd rarer one.
With news that the islands are going to be swarming with twitchers the GOA will be present to make sure the welfare of the birds comes first.

GOA 'members only offer'.

The GOA are pleased to announce the next generation in General Ornithilogical Optics, The Hubble Birding Telescope. This innovation in birding technology allows even the most inexperianced G.O. to bird from great distances with no loss of image quality. With this state-of-the-art telescope troublesome bird identification will be a thing of the past. And with image stabiliser and inward lighting it makes it easy to use in high winds or in the dark. Be the envy of all G.O's and the laughing stock amongst twitchers with this once on a lifetime offer. Although slightly used it is in perfect working condition and can be yours P.O.A. All interested parties should visit www.GOAway.com

Radar tours Sweden !

The GOA are in possesion of some very disturbing news. It has come to light that GOA member Radar is to depart the UK for Sweden in the morning. We at the GOA are led to believe this visit is not for work purposes (as he told us) but an attempt to reform and join the swedish supergroup ABBA. If this news is true we shall be deeply disturbed and will only reinforce his desire to still live in the 70's

Eye Candy discovers Pecs on comeback tour.

This has nothing to do with the discovery of his nipple ringh during a body oiling session before meetinghis adoring largely female (or should that be large female) audience on his recent tour. It does however relate to his experiances with his own personal Venus. Contrary to rumour he was not examining Venus's pecs (she would have clattered him with her tennis racket). The Venus in question is a pool and the Pec a bird (not a muscle).
The honarary member of the GOA had discovered his own Pectoral Sandpiper and will now have to submit his record to the GOARC who will examine its mitochondrial DNA from photographs to determine its authenticity.

GOA member.

One of the original founder members of ther GOA, MP has many guises and alias's such as, Rick (above), Harry P and Adrian M to name but a few but with his be-spectacled look is easily recognisable in the field. Although he may look approacable be warned looks are very deceiving, in the field this GOA member can be very unhelpful and at times down right devious. His main attributes are his ability to upset the dead with his wicked tongue and manner and is an enemy of any twitcher.
You have been warned.

GOA Rarities Secretary (GOARS) request for information.

Dear Members after the recent sightings of Red-billed Herring Gull (Larus Chernobylus) at Hinkley Point, Somerset and an unknown location in Glamorganshire we are asking members to submit descriptions so the GOARC can substantiate these claims. The bird is believed to show characteristics similar to the picture above.
Please forward your descriptions to the GOARS.

GOA rarities commitee (GOARC) Press Announcement

With reference to the recent sightings of Yorkshire Swift (Apus Yorkshirus) in York, Chinatown Warbler (Acrocephalus Blackbeanus) in Greater Manchester and Bishops Rosefinch (Carpodacus Bashinus) in Hale, Cheshire. These species have now been accepted onto the GOA British Garden list by the rarities commitee. In light of this the GOA Garden list now stands at 642 species. Can all GOA members please amend your life/year list totals.

Please note scientific factual incidence using the very latest up-to-date DNA testing of feathers was undertaken and has thus proven beyond reasonable doubt that these species are new to science hence there appearance within the GOA's listing criteria.

Duck watching with the GOA.

To the G.O. the sound of a 'quack' from a duck is music to ones ears. So when news reached the GOA that a lost duck from the USA had taken up residence in cleveland (why, god only knows) we decided to make the perilous journey across yorkshire. This was a valuable excerise in duck accents, 'did it quack in a yank accent ?' this was what we went to find out. On arrival my good self, LeDonis and Bluebirder made the exhaustive trek over an embankment to view the pool the duck was residing on. With news from some G.O's that the duck may have flown back to the USA we were a little down hearted but decided a thorough GOA scan was in order to be sure. About an hour had passed and it seemed the G.O's were right there was no sign. But wait had Bluebirder seen the yank duck ? by the time my good self and LeDonis got to Bluebirder there was no sign. In vain we searched listening for the faintest hint of an accent but all we could hear were planes, cars, motorbikes and a fat woman with three children and a dog but no quacking. Using my Telescope i happened to see a duck that looked kind of good, so in true GOA style i stood looking at it for 3 hours waiting for it to quack but all it did was sleep, which in hindsight was a good idea having flown from america. G.O's came and went in the time some with fieldguides some with old fashioned telescopes but none with any clue if this could be the duck. LeDonis was becoming increasingly irratable (i think it was his bowels) so decided to go for some 'private time' around the pool, during his 'private time' the duck decided it was a good time to stand up and show of a fine pair of yellow legs and thus providing the GOA with the unfortunately necessary identification features of the duck. Unfortunate because maybe just a yank quack would have confirmed its identification a lot earlier. A brown duck, grey bill, eye ring, dark eye stripe, blue wing bar and yellow legs but no quack. Oh well theres always next time ?

GOA Honanary member #3

Sir Patrick Moore was born on 4 March 1923 in what was then the little Middlesex village of Pinner. At the age of six months he and his parents moved to Sussex where he has lived ever since - not counting the war years when he was a ringer for the YOC and a brief time in Ireland in the 60’s where he couldn’t list (GOA rules).Between the ages of six and sixteen Patrick was ill, on and off, and this fortunately prevented him from twitching and so he became a general ornithologist, working his local patch. Patrick has written over 60 books mainly on astronomy, but has penned some books on night time bird migration and owls. But it is his dedication to sea-watching that earns him a place as our 3rd honorary member of GOA. Patrick’s favourite bird – the clown of the seas – aka the Puffin.
Sir Patrick in death we salute you.

Out of bounds - A REMINDER

With all the expected 'rares' turning up in Ireland please can i remind all GOA members this area is out of bounds. Please do not be tempted to cross the water if you are in any doubt please refer to the GOA Operations Map.

GOA honanary member #2

The GOA are pleased to announce that 'Eye candy for the ladies' AKA the lowlister himself has been granted honanary membership of the GOA. Mr. Eye Candy (jill to the GOA) is the most well known of all low listers, in listing totals he is someone we should all aim to emulate one day for his dedication to the general studies of birdlife and should be awarded the highly coverted GOAbe from the queenfor his services to general ornithology. Chavtastic !

GOA Honanary member #1

The GOA are pleased to announce Mr.W.E.Oddie (bill to us at the GOA) has been granted honanary membership of the GOA. Mr.Oddie (bill) is probably the most well known General Ornithologist on the planet and is nothing short of an iconic figure to any G.O. He even has the ability to not only find rare birds in far flung places but then 'grips off' real life twitchers with his sightings. A truely remarkable general ornithologist. Mr.W.E.Oddie (bill) the GOA salute you.

Beware ! The St.Helens stringer.

The GOA have been informed on good authority of the abuse of the GOA's good name !
Investigations have led us to believe that a certain know person from the St.Helens area has been purposely releasing bogus information relating to RARE BIRDS seen in the St.Helens area most recent being White throated needletail and are led to believe the good name of the GOA has been mentioned when quizzed on his activities.
The GOA are and have never been associated with this certain known person and further more the GOA would never carry out such an act especially not in merseyside.