Farmoor Terns again

30 August - some excellent shots of the current flock of mixed marsh terns at Farmoor - White-winged Black, American Black, and Black Terns. Upper 2 photos, Nic Hallam, copyright Farmoor website - lower 2 photos copyright Phil Bishop.

Spotted Crake photo.....

29 August - this excellent portrait of the Greylake Spotted Crake was taken by Jeff Hazell (copyright).

Somerset Levels

29 August - a morning visit to the Somerset levels, sunny early then showery, the M5 very heavy with bank holiday traffic. First stop, Greylake RSPB reserve, and good views of the adult Spotted Crake (photo JM) that has been present for a few days. Also a Water Rail on the same pool, 3 Yellow Wagtails over, a Kingfisher and 15 Little Egrets in the area with 3 Snipe.
Then on to Ashcott corner, Meare Heath and Noah's lake - a few waders here included 21 Snipe, 2 Green Sandpipers, 2 Ringed Plover and a Dunlin. An Osprey was in a dead tree at the back of Noah's lake, and a Marsh Harrier showed very briefly. A Bittern flew across Meare Heath on the walk back.

American Black Tern (and White-winged Black Tern) at Farmoor

28 August - an evening visit to Farmoor and rather more than I bargained for! I saw the juvenile White-winged Black Tern as expected, but arrived to the news that a juvenile tern present had been identified as a juvenile American Black Tern. The quintet was completed by 3 juvenile Black Terns. The WWB Tern was very distinctive as ever, with a dark "saddle" contrasting with pale wings (and underwings) - the American Black had a sooty grey wash on the underparts, with grey on the breast sides, and a uniform tail colour. Identified by Ian Lewington, and a 3rd for the UK. Photos of both birds together, copyright Archie Archer. A late Swift was with the hirundine flock.

Wryneck in Glos!

27 August - a morning visit to Witcombe reservoir, where the Wryneck was still present around the ruined cottage at the far end of the causeway, and showed very well feeding on ants on the ground,approaching to within 8-10 feet and giving amazing views of its cryptic plumage (photos, JM). A Glos tick for me. Also present, a White Wagtail and a Common Sandpiper, putting my year list for Glos up to 150.

Wood Sandpiper at CWP

24 August - an evening visit to Kent End pit at CWP (just in Wilts). A juvenile Wood Sandpiper still present, also 2 Common Sandpipers. Small groups of Curlew flew in to roost, totalling 31 birds by the time I left. 2 Little Egrets fishing on the pit, and a family party of Little Grebes with 3 young.

Sabine's Gull at Upton Warren

22 August - an evening visit to Upton Warren for the gull roost, and I joined the crowd in the packed hide. At 8.15pm, the adult Sabine's Gull flew in, and settled in full view (photos, copyright Jim Almond) and gave several brief flight views. Slightly smaller than the Black-headed Gulls, a darker mantle, almost a full hood and dark bill. Striking flight pattern. Also a juvenile Mediterranean Gull, 2-3 Green Sandpipers, a Common Sandpiper, a LRP and 4 Whimbrels.

Rutland Water (British Birdwatching Fair)

21 August - a brief birdwatch at Manton Bay, Rutland Water, and fairly productive. An Osprey sat on a post throughout (photo, Anglian Water), and a Hobby gave a flypast as it chased hirundines. 2 Little Egrets fished in the creeks, and 4 Black-tailed Godwits and 2 Curlews were on the shoreline.

Brownsea Island - Spoonbills and waders

20 August - an afternoon visit to Brownsea Island lagoons, and as usual very close views, especially of the waders from the hides. 2 Spoonbills roosted on one of the islands, one showing its bill briefly when preening. 120+ Black-tailed Godwits (pics, JM), some in summer plumage, were seen very well, and 110+ Avocets lined up in the lagoon. Also seen were a Curlew Sandpiper, 10 Greenshank, 3 Spotted Redshanks, and 12 Little Egrets. A Raven flew over, and 3 Sika Deer were in the reedbeds. No Red Squirrels seen this time.

Garden list goes up by one....

16 August - a calling Yellow Wagtail, flying south late this afternoon, was number 76 for the garden list.

Red-backed Shrike in Wiltshire (at last)

15 August - a visit to Hindon, on the edge of Salisbury Plain, and a female Red-backed Shrike seen well, feeding on insects around scattered hawthorns on the slopes of the downs. A brightly marked bird, with some barring on the sides. Photo by Dave Perrett. Also seen, a male Whinchat and a male Redstart. Wiltshire list now 225, one of the more obvious gaps on my Wiltshire list now filled.

Spoonbill at Otmoor

14 August -an early morning visit to Otmoor, and as I approached the bridleway a hot air balloon flushed birds off the scrapes - 5 white birds - 4 Little Egrets and the juvenile Spoonbill! An Oxfordshire tick, good flight views, showing the black primary tips and pinkish bill (photo on ground by Roger Wyatt). Also heard, Cetti's Warbler, Snipe and Redshank. Then, off to Dorset....

Lyme Bay Pelagic

6 August - a full day pelagic courtesy of Naturetrek, and frequent showers under cloudy skies despite a bright start - no wind however. A Balearic Shearwater (lower) was seen and a Sooty Shearwater, together with 8 Manx Shearwaters and good views of 6 Storm Petrels, including a group of 3. 4 Great Skuas and a drake Common Scoter also flew by, together with numerous Fulmars and Gannets (middle, JM). Several small pods of White-beaked Dolphins were seen, some giving good views (upper, JM).