Wednesday, 23 May 2018
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.
Tuesday, 22 May 2018
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!
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.
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
Thursday, 3 May 2018
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.
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.
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.
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!
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
Wednesday, 2 May 2018
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.
After a breakdown on the return journey to Somerset, the trip produced singles of Red Kite and Barn Owl.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
31st March 2018 (Norfolk)
Headed up to Norfolk today to visit relatives and had 3 Red Kites on the way up. A brief stop at Lynford Arboretum produced a single Hawfinch, plus a few Siskins and Marsh Tits.
25th March 2018 (London, Kent and East Sussex)
Headed to the southeast today for a few year ticks. On the drive over, I had 4 Red Kites, a Ring-Necked Parakeet and, surprisingly, a pair of Mandarins flying over the M25!
There were plenty of Ring-Necked Parakeets around Walthamstow Wetlands, though they rarely provided good photo opportunities. The feeding station was being visited by quite a few Reed Buntings, but eventually the Little Bunting flew down and fed just a few metres away from the crowd (though not giving quite as good views as the Cardiff bird I had a few years ago). A Peregrine and a few Egyptian Geese were all else of note.
The next stop on the agenda was Dungeness for the adult male white-spotted bluethroat (my only previous bird was a 1st winter). As it hadn't been reported all morning, we went in search of the three Smew, a species I haven't seen for over 5 years now. Two females were showing on arrival along with a Great White Egret. A female Sparrowhawk afforded great views with freshly-caught prey.
A check through the gulls at 'The Patch' failed to produced just 2 Sandwich Terns, however a flyby Red-Necked Grebe was a nice bonus. Heading back to the car, a few Firecrests gave incredible views, feeding on the ground just metres away from us.
Last stop of the day was Eastbourne, where a check of the harbour failed to produce the Black Guillemot. So I dipped the two birds I originally came for, but with plenty of compensation I can hardly call it an unsuccessful day.
There were plenty of Ring-Necked Parakeets around Walthamstow Wetlands, though they rarely provided good photo opportunities. The feeding station was being visited by quite a few Reed Buntings, but eventually the Little Bunting flew down and fed just a few metres away from the crowd (though not giving quite as good views as the Cardiff bird I had a few years ago). A Peregrine and a few Egyptian Geese were all else of note.
Little Bunting - Walthamstow Wetlands
Ring-Necked Parakeet - Walthamstow Wetlands
The next stop on the agenda was Dungeness for the adult male white-spotted bluethroat (my only previous bird was a 1st winter). As it hadn't been reported all morning, we went in search of the three Smew, a species I haven't seen for over 5 years now. Two females were showing on arrival along with a Great White Egret. A female Sparrowhawk afforded great views with freshly-caught prey.
Sparrowhawk - Dungeness
Great White Egret - Dungeness
A check through the gulls at 'The Patch' failed to produced just 2 Sandwich Terns, however a flyby Red-Necked Grebe was a nice bonus. Heading back to the car, a few Firecrests gave incredible views, feeding on the ground just metres away from us.
Firecrests - Dungeness
Last stop of the day was Eastbourne, where a check of the harbour failed to produce the Black Guillemot. So I dipped the two birds I originally came for, but with plenty of compensation I can hardly call it an unsuccessful day.
19th March 2018
Following the cold spell, 3 Hawfinches had been reported opposite Bluebell Road. I suspected they had been in the area for a while, but I certainly wasn't expecting what I saw this morning! Initially, a pair of Hawfinches overhead. Which was then joined by a group of 10, and another group! During the couple minutes I spent walking past, I counted at least 33 Hawfinches overhead! A great local record, though it seems they are starting to head back up North now.
18th March 2018
Had a look at Lyde Road this morning in the hope that the second cold spell of the year would be as successful as the first. In the end, a single Snipe and a flyover Hawfinch was the best managed. The backup cast consisted of a 1st winter Common Gull, 4 Skylarks, 5+ Linnets, 5 Lapwings, 2 Cormorants, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Kestrel, and a Stock Dove. A single Treecreeper was my first at this site, and a male Sparrowhawk showed well briefly. Not exactly the totals I'd been hoping for but good nonetheless.
Had my first proper look at the openspace this afternoon. With a single male Blackcap the only bird of note, a further 4 Hawfinches at the top end somewhat saved the day, also allowing me the opportunity to finally get some shots of the species on patch.
Had my first proper look at the openspace this afternoon. With a single male Blackcap the only bird of note, a further 4 Hawfinches at the top end somewhat saved the day, also allowing me the opportunity to finally get some shots of the species on patch.
Hawfinch - Yeovil Openspace
These are potentially the same birds I had here a couple of months ago.
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