2nd August 2015

Went to Dawlish Warren this evening but the roseate tern didn't show. All of note were singles of Knot, Grey Plover and Bar-Tailed Godwit, a large flock of Common Scoter on the sea and a Grey Seal.

Also, good to finally see the A1 Peppercorn class 'Tornado' through Dawlish Warren today:

1st August 2015

A good start to the month, an evening trip to Lodmoor, Dorset produced singles of Green Sandpiper (a long overdue year tick), Wood Sandpiper and Yellow-Legged Gull.
Also many Mediterranean Gulls, a few Great Black-Backed Gulls and Common Sandpipers and singles of Black-Tailed Godwit, Ringed Plover and Sandwich Tern, though no sign of any of the little ringed plovers reported yesterday.

Wood Sandpiper

Green Sandpiper

Common Sandpiper

Yellow-Legged Gull

Great Black-Backed Gull

Med Gull

Sandwich Tern

 

French Trip Review

Back in the UK now. I only saw 39 species in France, though it wasn;t a birding trip, so I'm quite pleased. Best species managed was at least one Serin, 4+ Crested Tits and a Ringtail Harrier Sp. (Presumably Hen Harrier) from the window of the Eurostar, plus 2 Red Kites on the drive to London.

Serin

Crested Tit

29th July 2015 (France)

French birding today was much as yesterday; had multiple Crested Tits, some of which showed at incredibly close range, but I was still unable to secure a good photograph. Also had a Serin again near the hotel.

Crested Tit

Blackcap

28th July 2015 (France)

Had another good day for birds today in France, considering it's not a birding trip. Delighted to see Crested Tits and a Serin from the Hotel Window this morning, and I also had a possible Western Bonelli's Warbler in flight a few times and 5 flyover common terns.

Crested Tit

Serin - What looks like a pale throat patch on this bird is actually a reflection on the camara screen.

These are pictures of my camara screen taken with my phone, so some may not be quite right, I will upload the proper pictures when I get back to the UK.

27th July 2015 (France)

Drove to Ashford yesterday, and had 2 Red Kites on the A303 and M3.

Took the Eurostar to France around noon today, and had a Ringtail Hen Harrier and a hobby from the train window, both French Ticks for me.

25th July 2015

Went to Portland Bill this morning, had singles of Raven and Kittewake and a flock of Manx Shearwaters.

Linnet

A short watch at Ferrybridge produced large numbers of Dunlin, Ringed Plover and Sanderling, with a few redshank, oystercatchers and turnstone and the first returning Med Gulls.

A look at lodmoor failed to produce the wood sandpiper, but a good selection of wader species were present, including common sandpiper, greenshank, redshank, dunlin, lapwing and black-tailed godwit.