Friday 31 October 2014

RNG revisited......

31 Oct - An amazingly warm day for the end of October, with a temp of 23 deg in London......I called in at Farmoor as I was passing, and as usual the Red-necked Grebe gave good views, this time on F1. Also the usual GCG and LG, and several Meadow Pipits on the grassy banks.
Earlier, a quick look at Shorncote early morning resulted in no sign of the Bearded Tits, but 50 Fieldfares and 30 Redwings, moving west, and the usual trio of good birds - Cetti's Warbler, Water Rail and Little Egret.

Tuesday 28 October 2014

Shorncote twitch continues......

28 Oct - I arrived at Shorncote at dawn on a lovely fine morning, and after an hour or so the pinging calls of Bearded Tits could be heard......and then we had good views of the birds in the reedbed bushes. I got a few distant record shots. Also seen - Kingfisher, Green Woodpecker, Cetti's Warbler and Chiffchaff, 3 Stonechats, Meadow Pipits and Skylarks passing over, Reed Buntings, Yellowhammer and Linnets, 5 Siskins, and a male Sparrowhawk - and Water Rails calling and a Little Egret. I've never seen the hide at Shorncote crammed before.

Sunday 26 October 2014

The Shorncote Bearded Tits......

26 Oct - These amazing photos of the Bearded Tits currently at Shorncote were taken early this morning from the hide by, copyright, Dave Soons, when he saw 2 pairs in the reeds. Not seen this afternoon, but a female Sparrowhawk, a Green Woodpecker, 18 Redwings and 2 Chiffchaffs seen, as well as the usual Cettis's Warblers and Water Rails heard.

Saturday 25 October 2014

Shorncote comes up trumps....

25 Oct - I went for a late afternoon walk at Shorncote this afternoon, and my wandering thoughts were interrupted by the unmistakeable "pinging" of Bearded Tits.....and from the hide I had a flight view of 1 of the 2+ birds I heard. A really good CWP find, and it was to lead to a sizeable subsequent twitch by local standards.....also seen, the usual Shorncote specialties, Water Rail and Cetti's Warbler, together with 2 Ravens, 2 Stonechats, a Green Sandpiper, 2 Snipe and the resident Barn Owl that appeared as darkness descended. A very successful couple of hours.

Friday 17 October 2014

Sunday 12 October 2014

Farmoor.....

11/12 Oct - Farmoor birds this w/e included the long-staying Red-necked Grebe, obliging on F2, as well as high numbers of Great Crested and Little Grebes. A Common Sandpiper was on the causeway on evening of 11th, when there was a dramatic sunset (1-3) as well as 2 Kingfishers and a Rock Pipit on 12th.