3rd June 2018

Walking through the Openspace this evening, I heard a Reed Warbler singing along the stream which eventually gave views through the undergrowth. This species is not an annual migrant, but this is the first Spring bird I've had here.

31st May 2018

A quick trip to Ilse Brewer's after work this afternoon was well worth it, as the female RED-FOOTED FALCON gave fantastic views as it hunted along the river. Also of note, a Lesser Whitethroat singing next to the road.

RED-FOOTED FALCON - Ilse Brewer's

 

28th May 2018

First stop this morning was Acres Down to try and catch up with the New Forest's honey buzzards. I failed to locate any last year and came away with pretty severe sunburn!

Thinking it was still a little early in the year, I was surprised to find both parking areas packed on arrival. I pulled up on grass verge (and remembered the suncream this time!) and headed out to the watch-point where several birders were already gathered. There were plenty of Buzzards about to check through, and before long the first Goshawk was picked out. This was followed by a pair of Hobbies, lots more Buzzards and at least 2 Crossbill flying about. Woodlark, tree pipit and nightjar were all heard and seen from the watchpoint, though I failed to connect. One birder then picked out a distant buzzard which seemed to be a promising candidate for honey. The heat haze certainly didn't help, and I only got onto the bird just as it dropped below the tree line - the wait continued. The morning was broken up by another Goshawk (at least 2 showed throughout the morning but it's likely more were present), the occasional flyover Crossbill and a male Cuckoo. I was somewhat surprised (and probably overreacted) to a flyover pair of Hawfinches, I hadn't even realised they bred in the south of the country. Eventually, one of the guys behind the main crowd said he had a good candidate heading in our direction. I was first onto the bird, it certainly wasn't a buzzard. As it got closer, we all got good views, and could see that it was indeed a Honey Buzzard. When I eventually looked up from my scope, I realised that it was virtually above us, and the bins allowed some great views of the bird's distinctive shape whist soaring. Great to finally catch up with one.

Honey Buzzard - Acres Down

On the walk back to the car, I located a singing male Firecrest to round the morning off. I considered heading to Portland next for the rose-coloured starling, but there was no further news by the time I reached Dorchester so I headed home.

I checked the evening reports around 6:45pm, and saw there was a black-headed bunting on Portland! A bit of manic drive down ensued and I arrived in good time. I was able to park near the obs and walked/ran to Culverwell. On arrival, the birders on site told me they'd been on site for an hour and hadn't seen it. Things weren't looking good, but seconds later a large yellow-brown bird popped out. Raising my bins, I could see it was the 1st winter male BLACK-HEADED BUNTING! What a stunner! Can't remember the last time one of these was twitchable, so a great bird all round!

BLACK-HEADED BUNTING - Portland

Whilst watching the bunting, someone picked out the Rose-Coloured Starling flying around. Once I'd had my fill of the bunting I went over and got some closer views. I saw a moulting adult back in late 2014, but close views of this fresh spring adult was a great end to the day!

Rose-Coloured Starling - Portland

26th May 2018 (Lincolnshire)

Bit of a weird one today: common rosefinch is a long-overdue lifer for me, so when I saw a report that one of the Gibraltar Point birds was still present in the morning, I decided I should head up. I forgot that it was the first day of the bank holiday, and the journey ending up taking 7 hours, with 17 Red Kites and a Yellow Wagtail seen from the car window on the way up. On arrival, it was negative news - what had I been thinking!? A walk around the last location of the rosefinch produced a Hobby, a Willow Warbler and a few Med Gulls - less than I saw on the journey!

Hobby - Gibraltar Point

My best ever views of Hobby on the deck was some consolidation at least

19th May 2018

Had a look at Lyde Road yet again this morning. A Reed Warbler was still singing in the reed bed, and single Reed Buntings were at the north field and the reed bed. Apparently, a pair of Reed Buntings were seen mating in the reed bed earlier in the year, so is seems this might be another breeding species for Yeovil.

The morning was cut short following news on a terek sandpiper at Rye Harbour, Sussex, a species I still needed. The drive over was uneventful and the TEREK SANDPIPER was showing on arrival. After most birders had left, I walked up to the far end of the path nearest to the bird, and some other twitchers advised me that great views could be obtained by stayed low and still in the grass. The fieldcraft certainly payed off!

TEREK SANDPIPER - Rye Harbour

Also of note were singles of Curlew Sandpiper and Cuckoo.

Curlew Sandpiper - Rye Harbour

12th May 2018

Another look at Lyde Road produced virtually nothing except for 3 Reed Warblers, the 2 at the reedbed again plus a new male south of the compound - good to see there is still some migrants moving through.

11th May 2018

Had a Little Egret overhead today near Yeovil College. My second in Yeovil this year. The species has been more or less annual in Yeovil for the last couple years even though there was a space of several years where I failed to see any, so quite a good local record.

5th May 2018

Another look at Lyde Road today produced another flight view of the Cuckoo which was as mobile as ever. There was no sign of yesterdays garden warbler but 2 Reed Warblers were still present. Fingers crossed they will breed here. Otherwise a couple of Grey Wagtails was the best managed.

4th May 2018

Headed down to Lyde Road after work again today and it paid off with a singing male Cuckoo heard on arrival, a new Yeovil species for me. It sounded distant to the south, so I started to head in the direction of the bird. Before I got far, the bird started singing again, but right next to me! Eventually I got my first flight view as it was mobbed by a couple of jackdaws. The bird was extremely mobile, and showed a few more times throughout the evening. I also had the 2 Canada Geese over again plus a singing Reed Warbler and Garden Warbler (annoying didn't see the latter).

29th April 2018 (Pembrokeshire and Dorset)

Made an early start up to Wales this morning for the GREEN HERON. As I was walking to the bird, it was reported as still present. Sure enough, the bird was showing well in the shadow of the morning. As time went on, the bird became a bit more active, but showed pretty well the whole time I was here. A great looking bird, I shouldn't be so surprised that one turned up as the last bird coincided with the last american bittern in the UK.

GREEN HERON - Llanmill

Next stop was Portland Bill in hope of seeing the two Golden Orioles. I had a 1st summer bird here last year, but an adult male was certainly worth a look! Thankfully, both birds were showing well when I arrived in the top fields, and the male was a real stunner!

Golden Orioles - Portland Bill

I'm glad I decided not to go for a red-rumped swallow at Belvide res, as a full adult male oriole is probably a rarer sight in the UK these days. Portland was alive with migrants, and other highlights included 9 Redstarts, 2 Spotted Flycatchers and singles of Whinchat and Garden Warbler plus an interesting brown bird with a rufous tail that I never got a good look at.

28th April 2018

Visiting my Grandparents in Taunton today. They told me that a female Redstart had been in behind garden briefly this morning. Looking out their back window, the bird instantly flew up! Unfortunetly, it went straight into a large oak tree, and didn't show again for the rest of the time I was here. Singles of Peregrine and Blackcap were also seen whilst waiting.

27th April 2018

I was in Weymouth this evening so had a look around Lodmoor this evening. There were large numbers of Swifts and hirundines around the reserve, plus plenty of warblers. 2 lesser whitethroats and a sedge warbler were singing but never provided any views. The best species of note was my first Whimbrel of the year, a few Bar-Tailed Godwits and a Common Sandpiper.

Whimbrel - Lodmoor

Bullfinsh - Lodmoor

22nd April 2018

I headed back down to Lyde Road this morning to catch up with a singing reed warbler found by Adam. There are large numbers of singing Whitethroats on patch now, so it seems likely that this is indeed a breeding site for the species.

The bird was singing in the reedbed area when I arrived. I never got a view of this bird on the deck, but a second non-singing Reed Warbler (a pair?) showed well in the vegetation along the railway line before chasing the second bird. I previously struggled to see this species in Yeovil as a migrant, but hopefully they may breed here. I wish I knew about this site sooner!

21st April 2018

Had a look at the Openspace this morning for the first time this year, however it was rather unproductive with just singles of Jay, Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler plus at least 6 Blackcaps. A flyover linnet was a bonus - a scarce spring species at this site.

20th April 2018

Decided to head down to Lyde Road after work this evening to search for migrants. Several Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers were showing at the top of hill on arrival. A walk along the river through the north field produced 2 Canada Geese, a male Mandarin and a male Common Whitethroat, a now scarce species back in North Yeovil so good to see one at this site. It will be interesting to see if they breed here this year. A male Lesser Whitethroat was singing alongside the railway line. I couldn't pick it out, though I did get a brief view of a second bird, presumably a female.

Walking back south, I heard reeling - after initially assuming it to be the power lines, I realised it was a gropper - a species I still need for my life list, nevermind my Yeovil list! After a bit of a tense search, I realised it was reeling from low grass. Gradually moving closer, I got within 5 metres - it was still singing away, and I still couldn't see it! Eventually I moved, and then flew to the next field. I headed off, happy to have finally ticked Grasshopper Warbler (embarrassingly, my 350th UK species!), but then it began reeling again, back where it started! I moved round again, and eventually got good on the deck views. The bird really didn't seem all that bothered with my presence, and continued reeling away at close range. A great little bird.

Grasshopper Warbler - Lyde Road

15th April 2018

I deliberated heading back to Carlton Marshes this morning for better views of the american bittern, but as it took me over 7 hours yesterday I decided against it and started the trip home. As there was heavy traffic on the M25, I changed course onto the M4. At the next stop I checked RBA and found that an ashy-headed wagtail was at Northwick! Seems the diversion was a stroke of luck, as the M4 lead almost straight to the bird! A hour later and I was on site. A total of 8 Red Kites were seen on the journey.

I picked out the ASHY-HEADED WAGTAIL amongst the Yellow Wagtails pretty quickly, but it disappeared for long periods and it took quite a while to get everyone on the bird. The bird remained distant, but the features seemed good for ashy-headed. We noted that the bird was slightly paler than the surrounding yellows when viewed from most angles, which I assume is why it was later reported as a possible female black-headed. I doubt the bird can be confirmed either way due to the distance. Also of note was a Stone-Curlew on the shoreline as well as my first White Wagtails, House Martins and Sand Martins of the year.

ASHY-HEADED WAGTAIL - Pilning Wetlands

Stone-Curlew - Northwick

It was pretty late by the time I was back in Yeovil, so I decided I should make the most of the day. I headed straight through the town and down towards Portland in hope of seeing the hoopoe. An initial search of the hut fields and the crown estate field produced little other than a Short-Eared Owl. However, as I walked back down the side of the Obs, the Hoopoe flew up into the tree in front of me! It was rather skittish, though it eventually afforded some good views. Also of note was a sub-singing Firecrest and the Obs Quarry Little Owl.

Hoopoe - Portland Bill

 

Short-Eared Owl - Portland Bill
 

Little Owl - Portland Bill

 

Kestrel - Portland Bill

14th April 2018 (Suffolk)

Having just returned from Norfolk, news of an american bittern in Suffolk made for a frustrating week! Thankfully, my car was fixed before the weekend, and I got up early ready to head up on Saturday. Checking the forecast, I noticed that the forecast that changed to 'moderate' - On the last day with a similar forecast, the bird hadn't been seen due to poor visibility. I decided to wait until news came through that visibility was actually very good!

I arrived at Carlton Marshes around 12:30. I soon regretting waiting this morning, as the bird was giving great views on the deck just 15 minutes before I arrived. 30 minutes later, and it was evident that the bird had disappeared - I was in the for long haul. Some entertainment was had whilst waiting, including a female Ring Ouzel, a male Blue-Headed Wagtail (a subspecies tick for me), plenty of Chinese Water Deer and a lifer in the form of a Raft Spider.

Ring Ouzel - Carlton Marshes

Several people had fleeting glimpses of the bird crossing gaps in the reeds, including people stood next to me, however I like many others failed to connect. Around 7pm, the bird was seen in flight with a eurasian bittern, however I was stood at the other end of the path and missed it again! It seemed the birds had flown to their favored roosting spot.

Eventually, I regrettably packed up my scope and headed back down the path. I could stay over night and try again in the morning. Of course, the call then went up. I looked over my shoulder to see 3 Bitterns in flight. I couldn't set up my tripod quick enough, the the birds dropped down. Others were celebrating, as one of the birds was apparently the american. I focused my scope on the point the birds dropped down, and several minutes later, a single bird flew up. I maneuvered the scope onto it - plain, contrasting upperparts, pale trailing edge, and thick stripes down the throat, it was the AMERICAN BITTERN!!! Finally, after over 7 hours of waiting! The bird was quite distinctive in flight, the contrast of colours on the upperwing reminding me more of little bittern than of eurasian.

The views weren't the best, but I was ecstatic just to have seen it! On the walk back to the car, I had 3 Barn Owls, and heard a reeling gropper - one day I might actually get to add it to my life list!

Barn Owl - Carlton Marshes

5th April 2018 (Norfolk)

Spent the Morning at Felthorpe where I had at least 2 COUE'S ARCTIC REDPOLLS by 11:00, plus a well-marked male Mealy Redpoll. Interesting to compare between birds in the flock, most of which were apparently mealy rather than lesser.

 

COUE'S ARCTIC REDPOLLS - Felthorpe

After a breakdown on the return journey to Somerset, the trip produced singles of Red Kite and Barn Owl.

4th April 2018 (Norfolk)

I had a second go at a couple of dipped species from yesterday. First stop was Cockney Cley. On the walk to the feeding stations, 2 Goshawks flew over, a good start to the day. After an hour or so, the Willow Tit appeared at one the tables. It fed twice and then disappeared once again as it's been doing for the last few days. Whilst waiting for the bird, I also had at least 3 Marsh Tit, a flyover Tree Pipit and a heard-only firecrest. On the walk back to the car, I had singles of Red Kite and Goshawk overhead.

Next stop was Santon Downham to try again for the LSW. On the way over, I had a pair of Grey Partridge on the roadside.

Grey Partridge

 

No luck again at Santon Downham, but ironically I had good but brief scope views of a singing Willow Tit! A few Brambling were all else of note.

3rd April 2018 (Norfolk)

With little else to twitch, I spent some time searching for a few target birds around Norfolk. First stop was Cockney Cley, where I failed to get satisfactory views of the willow tit with just a Red Kite as compensation. Next stop was Santon Downham, where I also dipped out on lesser spotted woodpecker! 2 Bramblings and at least 2 Mandarins were added to the day tally though.

Mandarins - Santon Downham

Brambling - Santon Downham

Third stop was for the pair of cranes at Welney. Large numbers of Whooper Swan were feeding alongside the Road as I arrived, though there didn't seem to be any bewick's amongst them. Large numbers of Tree Sparrows were giving good views in the car park, and allowed for some decent shots. An initial scan from the car park failed to produce the bird, was a nice bonus was an adult male Hen Harrier, my first non-ringtail of any harrier species and what a stunner! The staff in the visitor centre pointed my in the right direction, and soon enough I was watching the 2 Common Cranes (nice to have some tickable ones for a change!). Most of the reserve was flooded, and my brief walk round produced little more than a Peregrine and a few more Whooper Swans.

Common Cranes - Welney

Hen Harrier - Welney

Tree Sparrow - Welney

Whooper Swan - Welney

1st April 2018 (Lothian and Northumberland)

An early start from Norfolk to get up to Scotland to finally tick white-winged scoter. As far as I'm aware, this is the most southerly occurrence of the species so far in the UK, so this was my best chance to go. The trip up produced a Barn Owl and a second dark owl, probably a tawny.

On arrival at Musselburgh, there were plenty of Goldeneye on the river. I continued along the sea wall until I reached the crowd which was already watching the AMERICAN WHITE-WINGED SCOTER, however it still took my a significant length of time to get onto the bird, as the shoreline was quite far out from the sea wall. We also had distant views of the Surf Scoter (my first adult drake), large numbers of Velvet Scoters (No common though!) and Eiders, a few Great Northern Divers, 2 adult male Long-Tailed Ducks and singles of Slavonian Grebe and Red-Throated Diver.

AMERICAN WHITE-WINGED SCOTER - Musselburgh

Surf Scoter - Musselburgh

Velvet Scoter - Musselburgh

Slavonian Grebe - Musselburgh

Long-Tailed Duck - Musselburgh

Stopped off at Newbiggin-on-the-Sea on the way to try and grip back an adult male white-spotted bluethroat. There was no sign when I arrived, and the tide was quickly approaching and cutting off the beach, however the White-Spotted Bluethroat eventually showed in flight. A few flight views later and bird gave good on-the-deck views. Another Barn Owl on the return trip was a nice end to the day.

White-Spotted Bluethroat - Newbiggin-on-the-Sea