12th August 2015

An early morning trip to Yeovil Openspace produced the First Garden Warbler and 2 Willow Warblers of the autumn at this site. Also, the male bullfinch was still present, as well as 4 goldcrests, 2 song thrush, only 1 Chiffchaff and 6 blackcap.

A mid-afternoon trip to Sutton Bingham Res produced a summer-plumaged dunlin on the bank opposite the car park. All else of note was a few Sand Martins from the north causeway.

9th August 2015

Went to Middlebere to look for the Black Stork, though due to unfortunate circumstances we were not able to arrive until midday, so dipped out. Returned in the evening but again no sign, only consolidation was a distant Spoonbill and a herd of Sika Deer.

Spoonbill

6th August 2015

Went to Sutton Bingham Res again today, the 2nd Summer Great Black Backed Gull was still present at the north end, as well as a juvinile Mediterranean Gull (my first for this site) and a kingfisher.

At the southern end, had 2 Mandarins and another Kingfisher.

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