Chukotka Spoon-billed Sandpiper expedition 2011

29 June - I have been following the SBS expedition blog (http://sbsproject.wordpress.com) and the fascinating attempts to harvest eggs from the wild in Arctic Russia, to raise Spoon-billed Sandpipers in captivity, using the expertise of Martin McGill and colleagues from Slimbridge WWT. This is being seen a last resort, as their extinction in the wild seems likely in the next decade. I have been fortunate enough to see this wonderful bird four times in the wild, both in winter quarters, and on spring migration in superb summer plumage - as in the fantastic photos above from the SBS blog, taken by Martin McGill (upper) and Jochen Dierschke (lower).

Slimbridge purple patch

25 June - A last-minute change of plan and a quick visit to Slimbridge as 3 excellent birds there today - I saw them all within an hour or so, and photographed 2 of them. A full adult Spoonbill was on South Lake (1-4) together with a 1st-summer Med Gull and 30+ Black-tailed Godwits (8). The breeding plumage female Red-necked Phalarope reappeared today from Zeiss hide (5), and a smart summer-plumaged Spotted Redshank was on the Tack piece from Robbie Garnett hide (6-7). All photos JM (except RN Phal, copyright James Lees WWT).

Scottish interlude

24 June - A Munro trip to Glen Lyon in Tayside, and a few good birds - Dotterel heard calling, a flyby Ptarmigan near the summit of Meall nan Aighean, and along the ridge Golden Plover calling, Wheatears, Ravens and Meadow Pipits. In Invervar village, several Willow Warblers still singing and a Spotted Flycatcher, and a Common Sandpiper on Loch Tay.

Garden tick - Red Kite !

23 June - While clipping my hedge, I looked up and there was a Red Kite drifting over fairly high, I almost missed it!......no time to get the camera, I took the photo a few weeks ago at Goring. A long-awaited garden tick.

Midsummer....

19 June - A perfect midsummer evening, sunset at 9.24pm with Swifts screaming overhead, and twilight lasting until 11pm.....

Extremadura briefly

16-17 June - An amazing 24h birding trip to Extremadura, central Spain, courtesy of Air Miles. Warm, sunny weather, and an unbelievable birdlist as follows -

Black Kite 113 (pic 4)
Griffon Vulture 57 (pic 5)
Black Vulture 3 (pic 6)
Egyptian Vulture 1
Booted Eagle 7 (pics 7, 8)
Short-toed Eagle 2 (pic 9)
Bonelli's Eagle 2 (pic 10)
Marsh Harrier 2
Montagu's Harrier 1 (pics 27,28)
Red Kite 1
Lesser Kestrel 14
Hobby 1
White Stork 185 (pics 19, 20)
Black Stork 1 (pic 17)
Purple Heron 28 (pics 21-23)
Black-crowned Night Heron 50
Cattle Egret 350+ (pic 25)
Great White Egret 1 (pic 24)
Little Bittern 1
Collared Pratincole 12
Gull-billed Tern 4 (pic 26)
Roller 6 (pics 31-35)
Bee-Eater 26
Alpine Swift 8 (pics 12-14)
White-rumped Swift 2 (pics 19-20)
Southern Grey Shrike 3
Woodchat 14
Woodlark 2
Azure-winged Magpie 4
Crag Martin 2
Red-rumped Swallow 16 (pics 29-30)
Blue Rock Thrush 1
Great Reed Warbler 2
Savi's Warbler 2

Unspoilt mountain/dehesa scenery and good light conditions for photography. Highlights included - the high density of raptors soaring throughout, especially in Monfrague (1-3, 11) - the wetland at Arroyocampo (18) with the mix of Heron species and Warblers in the reedbed - finding Rollers unexpectedly at 2 locations, including an obliging pair at Sierra Brava - and a close male Monty's as well - flyover Bee-Eaters - superb Alpine Swifts and elusive White-rumped Swifts at Monfrague - and roadside White Storks throughout. The general abundance of birds and lack of traffic made travelling a pleasure.

Golden Plovers

14 June - excellent views of a pair of Golden Plovers on moorland territory while walking in Glencoe - plaintive calls as they allowed fairly close approach, presumably with a nest in the area. One of the characteristic and charismatic birds of the uplands. Photos JM.