Jack Snipe at Calvert

18 November - another excellent shot of the Jack Snipe at Calvert Lakes (photo, copyright Calvert Birding). Still showing well, as it was when I saw the bird 2 weeks ago.

Lesser Scaup at Lydney, then Forest of Dean

16 November - The first-winter Lesser Scaup seen at Lydney pools briefly, together with approx 15 Tufted Duck (see photo, copyright Paul Masters).
Then a short trip to Brierley in the Forest of Dean - a Willow Tit heard, 9 Bramblings flew over and 15 Siskins in the area. 2 Ravens flew over. Glos 2008 year list now 185.

Blakehill and CWP

14 November - a morning walk at Blakehill produced a female Merlin low over the reserve, also Snipe in flight, Buzzard, Reed Bunting, a pair of Stonechats and large numbers of Fieldfares and Redwings.
Later a check on pit 95 at CWP revealed a Raven in a tree by the road, and at pit 74 120+ Golden Plovers and 300+ Lapwings were circling over the new lagoon.

Montagu's Harrier at La Janda, Sept 08

13 November - an excellent shot of one of the juvenile Montagu's Harriers at La Janda, Spain, while I was there in September 2008, taken by S Daly.

The Farmoor GND

12 November - A fantastic picture of the Great Northern Diver that I saw on Farmoor 2 reservoir last week, taken from Nic Hallam's Farmoor birding website.

Oxfordshire Cattle Egret

9 November - a county first for Oxfordshire, a Cattle Egret at Day's Lock near Dorchester, seen on a quick lunchtime visit (photo, copyright Steve Burch). Surprisingly elusive amongst the cattle on initial scanning, seen feeding and in flight with typical hunched posture and shortish yellow bill. Also present, an Egyprian Goose, a few Wigeon and a drake Shoveler.

An excellent afternoon's birding

7 November - first stop Farmoor reservoir, where the Great Northern Diver was showing in the centre of F2, diving very actively (photo, copyright Farmoor birding). Then on to Calvert Lakes, where I had fantastic views of a Jack Snipe - amazingly cryptic amongst the cut reeds. Probably my best ever views of this species - seen bobbing (photos x2, copyright Calvert birding). Then on to Berryfields, Aylesbury and the A41 layby - an excellent hour of raptor watching - 3 Short-eared Owls (photo), a Barn Owl and finally a ringtail Hen Harrier floated in at 4.35pm, mobbed by one of the Short-eared Owls. 2 Ravens also seen flying over to roost at 4.15pm. And there was the Red Kite over the A420 at Southmoor en route as well!

Slimbridge again

1 November - a trip to Slimbridge didn't really produce anything unusual - no Water Pipit or Jack Snipe seen, though one of the Meadow Pipits was much paler on the underparts than the rest of the flock...a Bittern was reported but not seen again. The first Bewick's Swan of the autumn was finally on the Rushy Pen. Also seen 55 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Dunlin and a Little Stint, and a Water Rail out in the open briefly. The Egyptian Goose was still on South Lake.