Slimbridge and Hawling

29 Nov - A beautiful sunny late autumn/early winter day, and a couple of hours at Slimbridge followed by late afternoon Owl watch at Hawling in the Cotswolds. The Tack Piece at Slimbridge held thousands of birds - huge flocks of Golden Plover and Lapwing, mesmerising when they flew in the sunlight, with Curlew, Black-tailed Godwit, Dunlin, Redshank, and also 7 Ruff and a Little Stint as backup. Wildfowl are in very good numbers for the winter, including an off-track Pink-footed Goose, but the highlight was some of the 55 Bewick's Swans returned from Arctic Russia. Later, the Short-eared Owls at Hawling were out in full daylight, up to 4 being seen of which I saw 2, hunting and also being mobbed by corvids. Superb light as the sun set on a clear sky. Also here a Red Kite and a group of Golden Plovers flew over, along with groups of Fieldfares. Photos JM.

The berry tree......thrushes.......and frost......

24 Nov -

25 Nov -

And a frosty Waterhay, 25th -

........and Waterhay sunset........

23 Nov - A stunning sunset after a miserable day of rain cleared away about 3pm. Quite a few birds going to roost at Waterhay reedbed - 100+ Fieldfares and Redwings, 10 Reed Buntings, 30+ Pied Wagtails, and 4 Cetti's Warblers and 2 Water Rails calling.

Shorncote morning

22 Nov - A relaxing early morning walk at Shorncote, in showery but mild conditions, after a week cooped up inside. The highlight was a flock of approximately 300 Golden Plovers that circled above alongside 55+ Lapwings. Snipe and Green Sandpiper were seen in flight. Teal are arriving back, with 25+ seen. A female Stonechat still mobile around the scrub, and a flock of 50+ Skylarks and Meadow pipits mobile around the area. Good numbers of Cetti's Warblers calling - at least 5 - and 2 Water Rails seen and 2 more heard.

Scottish Odds and Ends.....

16 Nov - A day in Strathfarrar, in predominantly good weather. Subdued autumn colours, and large numbers of Red Deer in the Glen including some magnificent stags. Some small pools along the river held 6 Whooper Swans, newly arrived from Iceland. Up on Maoile Lunndaidh 2 Red Grouse and 4 Ptarmigan were seen in flight. My last mountain birds of the year.

Firth of Forth and Lothian coast.......

14 Nov - an exceptional afternoon along the coast east of Edinburgh in perfect weather. The Esk mouth at Musselburgh was my first stop, and held a mixture of confiding waders - Curlew, Bar-tailed Godwit, Ringed Plover, Redshank and Dunlin - and scanning offshore in the Firth produced very good views in the sunshine of the main target, a drake Surf Scoter with it's amazing head pattern, alongside very smart Velvet Scoters for comparison. Eider and RB Mergs were also present alongside large flocks of Goldeneye. A Red-throated Diver and 3 Slavonian Grebes were also see. Gosford Bay offshore from Longniddry was magical - the water mirror-calm and 60 or so Long-tailed Ducks were feeding in groups, including stunning drakes. 2 Red-necked Grebes were here with at least 15 Slavonian Grebes. A close group of Velvet Scoters were accompanied by a few Common Scoter. Finally, Aberlady Bay was a wonderful viewpoint for a magical sunset over the estuary - and flocks of Golden Plover were glowing in the setting sunlight. Wader flocks flew in to roost, calling, and over a hundred Pink-footed Geese roosted on the mudflats. A very successful afternoon, and very memorable views of scarce species seen well, in perfect weather and followed by an amazing sunset. That's what birding is all about, an experience that lives with you for a lifetime.

Morning and Evening

14 Nov - Admin work sandwich by 2 walks - first, Waterhay early morning, a lovely autumn start with The usual birds seen and calling, including Cetti's Warbler, Water Rail and Raven. Winter Thrushes also arriving. Late afternoon, a trip to Cow Down did not produce the Great Grey Shrike, but 17 Grey Partridges was the most I have seen for a while - 5 Red Kites roosted at the gallops where at least 2 Short-eared Owls were active well before dark, and gave good views through the scope, though not quite close enough for anything other than a record shot. I never tire of seeing these charismatic birds, and it potentially seems to be a good winter for them, with high numbers at some traditional sites. Photos JM.

A Thrush and a Kite..........

11 Nov - A territorial Mistle Thrush has taken a liking to the garden berry tree, but is very wary. Also, a flyover garden Red Kite.....I wonder how many I miss while at work?

Rough-legged Buzzard.......

9 Nov - Very good views - eventually - of the Hertfordshire juvenile Rough-legged Buzzard. Seen perched, with its strikingly contrasting plumage, then in flight, and late morning soaring giving a good display. Longer-winged than Common Buzzard, more eagle-like, with obvious white rump and chestnut belly patch. There has been a large influx from Scandinavia this autumn, and hopefully a few obliging birds will settle down for the winter. Photos JM.