A fine post-Christmas day off.......

28 Dec - at last, pink clouds and a fine sunrise. An early morning at Barbury Castle feeding station, and nice views of a male Brambling, also 2 Tree Sparrows and 2 Corn Buntings. A few photos of the Brambling, but on the gate not on the branches. A stop at Shorncote later in the morning was very wet......7 Snipe flushed from the field, 7 Little Egrets around, several Water Rails calling, 5-6 Cetti's Warblers and 4 Chiffchaffs - also 2 Grey Wagtails, a male Stonechat, 2 Yellowhammers, 2 Meadow Pipits and a Raven. A productive Boxing Day bank holiday.

Sunny day locally........

Dec 20 - At last, a sunny morning, and a productive hour at Shorncote. The first Golden Plover flock I have seen over here for several months, 80+ birds, together with a mobile flock of 150+ Lapwings, a Snipe in flight, and 3 Little Egrets outnumbering the one Grey Heron. Water Rails calling in the reedbeds numbered at least 6-7 birds, 20+ Teal were in the area - also Green Woodpecker calling, an obliging male Stonechat, 4 Cetti's Warblers singing and 3 Chiffchaffs along the stream, 10 Reed Buntings, a Goldcrest and a Grey Wagtail. 20+ Redwings wary as usual, 2 Yellowhammers (scarce here) and 4 Bullfinches in the hedgerow also seen. A beautiful sunny morning, a real treat, but flooding up to 9" deep by the hide. At dusk a quick look at Blakehill gave some distant views of the one wintering Short-eared Owl, but it remained too far away for the camera, despite the perfect light, and at 4pm flew high and dropped towards Purton Stoke. A male Stonechat was in the scrub, and Fieldfares and Redwings flew over.

Damp Waterhay

15 Dec - a murky morning at Waterhay and the usual suspects present....4 Water Rails heard, also Cetti's Warbler, and a Little Egret seen in flight. 2 Redpolls flew over and Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers seen. Also close views of Goldcrest, but Redwings as usual very elusive.

Poole Harbour and Brownsea........

13 Dec - An excellent day, with nice light for the camera, and little wind. The cruise round the harbour yielded 5 Great Northern Divers and good numbers of Red-breasted Mergansers, also a Black-necked Grebe and a Razorbill. The lagoon was fantastic with an impressive flock of no less than 32 Spoonbills loafing, and the usual fantastic selection of waders - 6 Spotted Redshanks, 10 Greenshanks, 6 Knot, and both Bar- and Black-tailed Godwits, not to mention 200 Avocets. Peregrine, Kingfisher and Water Rail also present, and a few dapper Red Squirrels running around. Late afternoon at Studland beach, adjacent to the ferry, produced a nice flock of 30 Sanderling running around, and 2 adult Med Gulls, one already going into summer plumage. Early morning at Holes Bay also revealed the female Smew still present, so a very good day......

Farmoor again.......

Dec 8 - A quick stop at Farmoor and the 2 Grey Phalaropes still present and very confiding, also close views (eventually) of the Great Northern Diver on F2, surprisingly elusive and riding very low in the water, and diving frequently. Definitely brightened the journey to my study day.

Bramblings..........

Dec 6 - A mixed finch flock reported near Daglingworth, and on a quick look the set- aside looks promising. Distant views of 2 perched male Bramblings with Chaffinches, also Goldfinches, Linnets and a pair of Stonechats.

Slimbridge.......weather forecast wrong!

A visit to WWT to try out the new 7D mark 2- rather duller and damper than forecast - good views of a family of Bewick's Swans with 3 young - 80 birds now in. Large numbers of Golden Plover and Lapwings wheeling over the estuary, and the 5 Greenland Whitefronts also seen on the Tack Piece.

Damp Shorncote

27 Nov - No repeat of the Firecrest sighting today, but the usual suspects seen/heard - a female Stonechat braving the weather, and 5 Chiffchaffs along the stream. No less than 17 Little Egrets in flight, presumably leaving their roost.

pre-work Farmoor

24 Nov - A small (!) detour to Farmoor and very close views of a confiding Grey Phalarope on F1, posing for the camera despite the dull light......also 2 Black-necked Grebes close to the causeway.

Firecrest at Shorncote !

23 Nov - One of those magical and memorable birding moments.....Shorncote always produces something of interest.....on checking the stream side bushes, as well as the usual wintering Chiffchaffs I saw 2 'crests flitting around.....amazingly, the second bird had a great big white eyestripe! I did a duo or take and after a frantic brief search relocated the bird and had good views of a stunning Firecrest at close range.....a tick for me in CWP and it even posed briefly for the camera!

Owls return to form........

Nov 22 - a calm fine afternoon and 2 Short-eared Owls seen late afternoon hunting at Blakehill - always distant, but 1 seen to catch a vole and perch on a post to eat it. A Barn Owl joined them at dusk. Good to see they're still around. Also 2 Stonechats, 3 Snipe and small numbers of Redwings and Fieldfares.

CWP cold blast.........

21 Nov - Very strong north wind today - hardly any passerines as a result, but a Red0necked Grebe still on pit 68a and a drake Pintail in flight.

Barn Owl and Waterhay.........

17 Nov - A nice surprise early morning from the window - a Barn Owl in the half light, so only a very grainy photo possible. 14 Little Egrets in the field opposite Waterhay car park. Snipe and Green Sandpiper in flight at 68a and a Red-necked Grebe still present. Water Rail and Cetti's Warbler calling. A nice haul of species in rather autumnal weather.

Another Blakehill mega........

15 Nov - Good views this afternoon of a first-winter / fem Black Redstart - surprisingly confiding along the fence line, feeding with a pair of Stonechats. Reasonable photos possible despite the breezy weather. No SEOs seen.

Gloomy Otmoor........

14 Nov - A visit with Julie's friends Lesley and David to Otmoor, hoping to see the Starling roost - too windy for any murmuration, but nice views of a female Marsh Harrier - they have apparently bred on site this year, very good news. Too windy for any passerines to be seen.

Blashford feeders

13 Nov - A rare sunny afternoon, and a visit with the camera to Blashford - 3 visits to the feeders by the male Brambling, but not seen on any photogenic trees! Also good looks at Nuthatch and Siskin, and a single Redpoll around.

Slimbridge - World wader conservation watch day (Waderquest)

Nov 8 - 10 spp of wader at Slimbridge for Wader Quest world wader watch day - the best being an unexpected Bar-tailed Godwit. Also seen - Blackwit, Snipe, Redshank, Dunlin, Little Stint, Lapwing, Golden Plover, and Curlew. 9 species.........

Blakehill again..........

Nov 7 -

Blakehill purple patch.......

Nov 6- The rain stopped mid-afternoon so a quick look at Blakehill before dark - 1 Short-eared Owl ventured out and hovered in the wind for 10 minutes - a smart male Merlin flew in at 3.40 then perched up preening, and to cap it all a Peregrine was on the ground nearby.......also a male Stonechat, and a Brambling flew over calling, my first ever here. 55 Fieldfares flew around chacking, along with Meadow Pipits. An unexpectedly worthwhile walk.

Waterhay........

Nov 3 - Murky low cloud - winter thrushes flying around and calling, but wary as ever - 5 Cetti's Warblers singing from scrub along the path, a Water Rail calling and a perched Kingfisher. Just one Red-necked Grebe seen today on 68a. A Goldcrest and 3 Redpolls near the car park, with Siskins and Redpolls also heard by 59.

Early morning at Aberlady and Musselburgh

Nov 1 -

And Blakehill dusk!........

1 Nov -

Loch Garten to Gosford Bay..........

Oct 31 -

Highland Wildlife

30 Oct -

Richard's Pipit at Selsley........

27 Oct -

Local birding

25 Oct -

Lower Moor......at last........

23 Oct - on my 5th attempt, early morning from the hide and a v shaped trail in the water.....3 Otters!! photos to follow.......

Waterhay - autumn sunshine

Oct 20 -

Arne and Tyneham

Oct 18 -

Brownsea Island.....Spoonbills and Red Squirrels !

Oct 17 -

Early morning CWP

Oct 16 -

Red - necked Grebes multiply at CWP !

11 Oct -

Rosy Starling........and a late Hobby

9 Oct -

Goldcliff Waders

Oct 8 -

New CWP bird........

Oct 4 - a new CWP bird for me this afternoon.......a Nuthatch calling at Lower Moor Farm. Also Kingfishers again from the hides.

Semi-P again, and Lower Moor Kingfishers.....

Oct 2 -

Semi-palmated Sandpiper at Slimbridge

Sept 29 -

Lunar Eclipse..........

Sept 28 - Not strictly wildlife, but an awe-inspiring total lunar eclipse in the early hours.......just an eerie orange-red disc visible as the earth's shadow covered the moon.......rising fog and the starry sky added to the experience. Worth setting the alarm for!

Shorncote.........and a Dipper.........

Sept 26 -

A few Scottish birds while Munro-ing.........

16-19 Sept -

Tarifa - Strait of Gibraltar

10-14 Sept - A few days at Tarifa and as usual an impressive raptor migration at the watchpoints, with fantastic views of some low flying birds - Honey Buzzards, Booted and Short-toed Eagles, Black Kites, Black Storks, together with Hobby, Lesser Kestrel, Peregrine and Montagu's and Marsh Harriers. Bee-eaters, Alpine Swift and Red-rumped Swallows spiced up the mix. Waders on the beach included Barwits and Whimbrels as well as Kentish and Ringed Plovers, Sanderlings and superb Audouin's Gulls. Cory's Shearwaters moved through the straits early morning.

Red-necked Grebes at pit 74.......

Blakehill migrants

Sept 5-7 -

Slimbridge wader passage........

Aug 31 -

Garganey at Kent End

Aug 24 -

Spotted Sandpiper revisited........

Aug 22 -

Rutland Water

Aug 21 -

Spotted Sandpiper at Coate ! A first for Wiltshire.........

Aug 17 -

Scilly Pelagic

Aug 15 -

Odds and Ends.........

Aug 9 - 2 Hobbies seen as flybys in the last week, 1 near Purton and 1 at Cirencester, both flying purposefully and presumably hunting hirundines to feed their young. Also 2 Ravens over the A419 by the Spine Road, and a Tawny Owl calling loudly outside the window at night. Several Swifts seen at Cirencester on 7th, and 1 at Haselmere, Surrey, on 8th....maybe the last ?

New Forest again..........

31 July - An excellent few hours in the New Forest. The first bird I saw on arrival at Acres Down was a soaring Honey Buzzard! good scope views for about 10 minutes til it drifted off SW. Floppy flight, distictive profile, dark carpal patches and tail barring all seen well. Also - 10 Common Buzzards, Peregrine, 2 Hobbies and a Goshawk.......other birds included flyover Crossbill and Siskin. A Dartford Warbler was calling at Slufter's Pond while I looked for Dragonflies. In the evening, a Barn Owl and a Little Egret seen at Purton, so, 7 raptors and an Owl for the day, including 3 Red Kites and 3 Kestrels seen on the journey.

Local goodies......

July 23 - A Little Egret flew along the river at the bottom of the paddocks late afternoon, and a Barn Owl was hunting a field along Stoke Common Lane at 9.15pm.

Common Scoter at CWP

17 July - A surprising midsummer sighting in the form of a pair of Common Scoter on pit 41, looking slightly incongruous amongst the Great Crested Grebes and the fishing Common Terns.

Dorset

4-5 July - A sunny couple of days in Dorset around Swanage. The highlight being a trip across to Brownsea Island, with the usual very close views of nesting Terns, their chicks being now near to fledging. A pair of Mediterranean Gulls also seen, sadly the main diet of the adults (and therefore young) seems to be Common Tern chicks. Waders on the scrape included a single Avocet and a flock of Black-tailed Godwits. Durlston Head had a surprisingly large group of Auks offshore, 40-50 Guillemots with a solitary Razorbill.

Otmoor summer......

3 July - An afternoon visit to Otmoor, and a soporific Turtle Dove was calling in the afternoon sun. A scan from the bridleway then revealed a hunting female (juvenile?) Marsh Harrier. Redshank, Little Egret and 6 Red Kites also seen. Hidden Reed and Sedge Warblers also singing from the vegetation, together with Whitethroats, provided a backdrop. A Common Tern was over the lagoon. 13 Red Kites counted altogether this afternoon.

High Summer

June 30 - hot sunny weather at present, and a superb Hobby flew over the house late morning, mobbed by bold Swifts, Swallows and House Martins. Earlier, a Red Kite was over Cricklade.

Shorncote again.......

26 June -

Barn Owl from the window.......

24 June - A superb Barn Owl was hunting the paddock at dusk this evening, the first I've seen here for several years. A real unexpected bonus on a sunny midsummer evening.

Red Squirrels ! ( and 1 or 2 birds........)

20/21 June - My best-ever views of Red Squirrels in the garden of our guesthouse in Kingussie, coming to the feeders. Superb animals, and I finally got some passable photos.

Highland Birding

20 June - A brief birding interlude during our Munro trip (Keith, Jen, Matt and myself) produced several highlights - a Slavonian Grebe at a traditional site near Strathpeffer, Red-throated Diver on a roadside loch near Achnasheen, and Ospreys on their pylon-eyrie at Lochluichart. Cloudy weather at Ullapool led to a change of plan from Munroing to boat trip.......the Loch Fleet cruise gave good views of a White-tailed Eagle adult, Eiders with chicks, and Black Guillemots and Fulmars around their nesting cliffs, together with wild Rock Doves.

Fannichs........

19 June -

Ben Klibreck

June 18 - A female Ptarmigan with 5 young, and Common Sandpipers on the loch, the highlights of a cloudy windy day in Sutherland......apparently the rest of the UK is basking in sunshine.....,

Scotland..........

17 June - Arrival in Scotland for a 4 day Munro trip with Keith, Jen and Matt. Very windy and showery, compared with summer down South, and a long drive from Edinburgh to Ullapool.......a couple of stops en route, for Slavonian Grebe and an Osprey eyrie, and a windswept Loch Broom outside the window of our accommodation. Hoping for less wind tomorrow.......

One or two raptors

14 June - a fast flyover by a Hobby, also a Red Kite, seen going over today.

Extremadura 5-6 June

Not a bad day!

May 30 - an excellent haul of species today.......first of all, distant views of a Honey Buzzard in the New Forest, with Goshawk and Hawfinch also seen, and Wood Warbler and Firecrest heard. Then positive news from Titchfield, and superb close views of the long-staying Greater Yellowlegs,now in summer plumage. A Med Gull was on a nest among the Black-headed Gulls and Common Terns. Then a well-timed text had me returning home via the eastern sector of the Water Park, and distant scope views of a female Red-necked Phalarope on pit 125, a real CWP mega. 4 Hobbies fed overhead. A good day!

Coombe Hill

May 25 -

Mountain birds.......20-24 May

Black-necked Grebes, and a Hobbyfest

May 16 - good views of the 3 summer-plumaged Black-necked grebes on pit 74, found by Nigel Pleass this morning. Also 3 Hobbies feeding over pit 74 and at least fourteen over 57/42/41 feeding on insects. A spectacular sight.

Farmoor excellent as usual......

May 15 - A Black-throated Diver still at Farmoor for its second day in full summer plumage, but unfortunately in the centre of F2 so record shots only...... Also a superb summer-plumaged Sanderling on the causeway, together with a Dunlin - a Cuckoo calling - 15 or so Common Terns - and a Yellow Wagtail at the water works.

North of the Border

14 May - A sunny West Highland day on Ben Vorlich, Arrochar, and a good selection of mountain birds on territory - 3 Cuckoos calling, a singing Whinchat, 3 Tree Pipits and many Meadow Pipits, 3 Wheatears, and a singing Ring Ouzel heard. Also flyover Ravens and Hooded Crows, and Siskins and Redpolls around the forest edge. A quick look at the Esk mouth at Musselburgh revealed far fewer waders and duck than a winter visit, but 21 Bar-tailed Godwits were on the tide edge, 2 Whimbrels flew over and 3+ Curlew feeding. 80+ Oystercatchers were gathering to roost. Eider numbered over 100 and a pair of Goosander and a pair of Wigeon also present.

Shorncote......and a Spoonbill!

May 11 - A pleasant couple of hours early morning at Shorncote, with a few waders around, namely 1 Oystercatcher and 1 Dunlin, together with 3 migrant Ringed Plovers, 2 LRPs and 15+ territorial Lapwings, including an adult with 2 chicks. 3 Yellow Wagtails were seen briefly, and posed for the camera. Warblers were singing everywhere including 4 Sedge and 2 Reed, Whitethroat, 2 Garden, a Blackcap, with at least 4 Cetti's. A Cuckoo flew over and a Green Woodpecker called. At least 14 noisy Common Terns were displaying, hopefully they will breed on the island.

A quick return visit after work was required when I was informed about a Spoonbill which had arrived at pit 74. Distant scope views were had, and the bird, an adult, even woke up briefly to preen and show its bill.......

Blakehill

May 10 -

Hobbies galore

May 9 -

Election Day birding

May 7 - a bit of evening sanity, before the long night begins........my first Grasshopper Warbler of the year, singing at Knighton, also there Sedge and Cetti's Warblers. Earlier, at CWP, a total of 7 Hobbies at pits 57, 42 and 74. A brief view of 3 Sanderling at pit 74 that flew off, also 2 LRPs and 2 Little Egrets there. A good Warbler chorus and a close Nightingale seen and heard.

Swifts......

5 May - The first Swift of the year over the house this morning, despite the gales and rain.....spring is trying to win out.

Spring morning in the Water Park

May 4 - A lovely Mayday bank holiday morning, still and sunny, and CWP bursting with Warblers of 9 varieties - only Grasshopper missing - also 4 Cuckoos and 3 Nightingales heard.

Farmoor in May......

May 3 - I managed a couple of stops at Farmoor this w/e, the highlight being close views of a flock of 5 migrant Sanderling on the causeway, together with 4 Dunlin - and Whimbrel heard calling overhead. Also seen - 2 Yellow Wagtails with the Pieds, a brief Little Gull and a Hobby feeding low over F2.

CWP Hobbies......and Blakehill migrants

1 May - another quick stop at CWP to try to photograph the Hobbies, up to 4 seen feeding over pit 57 and 1 or 2 fairly distant pics taken.

At Blakehill, a productive hour, with a Yellow Wagtail in the cattle field and Wheatear and Whinchat along the fence line. Also 7 Whimbrel still, and a singing Lesser Whitethroat.

Hobbies return to CWP

30 Apr - 3 Hobbies feeding over pit 57 late afternoon, very good to see them back, elegant as always and a thrill to see them again. Also a suite of warblers (except Grasshopper), Common Terns and LRPs around CWP. Nightingales singing at pits 43 and 74.

A second chance for the Hudwit!

29 Apr - Unbelievably, after missing the 3rd ever Hudsonian Godwit for the UK (and the first since 1988) on 25th as I was inconveniently located in Spain......it returned to the Somerset levels and Meare heath today! A trip down the M5 after work, and by 6.50 pm I was watching the bird in the evening sunshine, in the company of a flock of Black-tailed Godwits - very distinctive with its blackish plumage and chestnut cap - I had a glimpse of the dark underwing when it was preening. A very rare visitor to the UK/Europe, as it migrates down a central / western route in North America rather then the east coast flyway. A male Marsh Harrier also seen, and a Bittern heard booming. Photos JM.

Home again

26 Apr -

Catalonia day 2

Catalonia day 1

Apr 24 - Day 1 of 2 days with Carles in Catalonia again, and a bird race day - we ended with over 100 species. Sunny in the morning, then cloudy and breezy in the afternoon. A really good day of migration action and Mediterranean specialties. We started in a coastal woodland that held a flock of migrant Bee-Eaters, Turtle Doves and Iberian Green Woodpecker. Then the Garraf mountains, just inland from Barcelona, lovely scenery and good birds - Woodchat and Southern Grey Shrikes, Ortolan and Cirl Buntings, Black-eared Wheatear, Subalpine and Dartford Warblers, as well as flyover Red-rumped Swallow and Alpine Swifts. A roadside stop produced the expected Blue Rock Thrush, as well as Crag Martin and a superb Short-toed Eagle. Then on to Llobregat reserve - Hoopoe, Pied Flycatcher and Redstart from the woodland paths, then an amazing panorama from the hide - Little Ringed and Ringed Plovers, Wood and summer Curlew Sandpipers, nesting Stilts, a Collared Praticole, a brief visit from a flock of Whiskered and a Gull-billed Tern, Greater Flamingoes and Glossy Ibis, not to mention displaying Purple Herons, and close cryptically plumaged Snipe. Then at the other section of the reserve, several Great Reed Warblers were singing and close views were had of the world's 3rd largest Audouin's Gull colony, on an island in the river. Avocets fed on the sandbars and a pair of Garganey were on the floods. Most unexpected at Llobregat was a flyover migrant Roller, presumably en route to the steppes, or further north to Southern France. The day ended with Alpine Swifts circling the hotel, and a total for the day of well over 100 species. And, tomorrow, the Ebro delta!

Cotswold Water Park......

21 Apr -

Farmoor migrants

19 Apr - cloudy and chilly with an east breeze, but 2 Yellow wagtails, a Swift, 30 House Martins, 30 Swallows, and 2 Arctic Terns with at least 20 Common Terns.

More Warblers

Apr 18 - Whitethroat and a Garden Warbler added to the list for this spring on a brief stop at CWP.........

Oh to be in England now that April's here......

17 Apr - 5-6 Ring Ouzels at Liddington this afternoon, 3-4 males and 2 females - very elusive, but one sat up for a few seconds.....and a beautiful cool fresh breeze after the humidity of Texas. Also 30-40 Yellowhammers and several singing Corn Buntings. An hour in the evening at CWP produced Nightingale, Cuckoo, Sedge and Reed Warbler, and, surprisingly, Lesser Whitethroat, despite a cool wind.

Texas in spring.......9-16 April

9-16 Apr -

Warblers starting to arrive.......

Apr 8 - My first singing Willow Warbler of the year at Waterhay/68 this evening, also 2 singing Blackcaps, along with Cetti's Warblers and Chiffchaffs.

Greenham Common

Apr 6 -

Avocet at.......Shorncote........

Apr 5 -

Ring-necked Ducks.......4 !

Apr 4 -

Waterhay and a showy Cetti's Warbler........

Mar 30 -

Springlike at Shorncote

Mar 27 -

Farmoor........

Mar 26 -

LRPs herald Spring on the home patch

Mar 22 -

Finland and Varanger 16-20 Mar 2015

A birthday present to myself.......5 days in Finland and Northern Norway with Finnature, guided by Antero Topp. We started in blue skies and snow at Kaamanen, north of Ivalo, after a flight via Helsinki. Rustic accommodation here, and a superb bird feeder, busy with astonishing numbers of Pine Grosbeaks and Arctic and Mealy Repolls. Also visiting were Siberian Jays and Siberian Tits, both species I really wanted to photograph....as well as Northern Bullfinches and 2 Red Squirrels! Our night here was the only clear night of the trip, and we had views of a weak Aurora borealis, with green and white streaking across the sky, and a reddish glow evidenced on photographs. We then headed into Norway and to Varanger at 70 deg N, the weather turned cloudy and milder for the rest of the week. A boat trip to Hornoya resulted in spectacular views of huge numbers of seabirds - principally Guillemots ( a high percentage of them bridled at this high latitude ) but also Brunnich's Guillemots and Razorbills, a few Puffins, and Black Guillemots in the harbour. The coastline from Vardo to Vadso holds large numbers of sought-after Arctic seaduck, and we found several compact flocks of Steller's Eiders, accompanied by widespread small flocks of confiding Purple Sandpipers. Vardo and other harbours held small numbers of Glaucous Gulls among the large numbers of Herring and Great Black-backed Gulls. The finale was a drive over the snowy mountains ( several of our long drives being brightened by the fantastic sight of hunting roadside Hawk Owls, stunning birds epitomising the wintry Sandinavian landscape ) to the fishing town of Batsfjord on the northern Varanger coast. This felt much more Arctic in character, from the time we arrived at the Polar Hotel, to the frequent driving snow that interrupted our itinerary. Nevertheless, the floating hide in the harbour, and the boat trip around the natural sheltered waters, gave stunning close up views of a trio of sought after species, particularly for the camera - Steller's Eider, King Eider and Long-tailed Duck - together with more adult and juvenile Glaucous Gulls, and a juvenile Iceland Gull. No view of the partial eclipse due to heavy cloud cover! All in all, a memorable trip, and the limited number of species made up for by their quality and the exceptional photographic opportunities. And I haven't mentioned the views of an immature, and subsequently of an adult, Gyr Falcon - and of no less then 3 White-tailed Eagles - and last but not least, Black-bellied Dipper and flyover Waxwings in Batsfjord town, where the harbour offers true Arctic birding. Photos JM to follow.

Owls.......

Mar 13 - Sue and Anna from work had never seen a Short-eared Owl and wanted to after seeing my photos.....so we headed to Hawling, and in slightly misty conditions we had views of not only 2 Short-eared Owls, but also a Ghostly Barn Owl in the gathering dusk.

Springlike Shorncote

Mar 10 - A superb sunny still morning, and the highlight of my pre-work walk was a Jack Snipe that I flushed form the flooded field, along with 7 Common Snipe - it flew away low and silently without zigzagging. Unfortunately I didn't see any of the Snipe on the ground until they flew. Otherwise, at least 10 displaying Lapwings, 250+ Wigeon together with 30+ Teal, 25+ Tufted Duck, 10 Gadwall and a pair of Shoveler - a calling Water Rail, and 2 Little Egrets. 5 Buzzards seen soaring, and the Little Owl still in its usual tree. Passerines included 5 singing Cetti's Warblers and 3 singing Chiffchaffs, together with 7+ singing Reed Buntings (30 seen in total) 30+ Linnets and 20+ Goldfinches - 2 singing Skylarks, 6 Meadow Pipits and 20 Pied Wagtails. 10 Redwings were very wary as usual, a 2 Song Thrushes also singing. Spring is arriving and it was a glorious morning to be out. No Sand Martins or Ospreys unfortunately!

Firth of Forth and Laurie Campbell......

Mar 8 - A morning look at the Firth of Forth, then a photography day with Wildlife photographer Laurie Campbell. Early morning saw me at Musselburgh, still windy but the overnight rain had moved on. It was difficult to pick out the sea duck on the choppy water, but 10+ Velvet Scoter included several smart drakes, and Long-tailed Ducks totalled half a dozen, mostly in flight. Goldeneye and Red-breasted Mergansers complemented the numerous Eider. Waders at the Esk mouth included good numbers of Bar-tailed Godwit and Oystercatcher, along with Redshank, Dunlin, Curlew, Turnstone and 5 Grey Plover. Further east, Gosford Bay and Gullane gave more views of Long-tailed Duck, this time closer drakes, also more Velvet and then Common Scoter. I managed to pick out a Slavonian Grebe and later a Red-throated Diver on the choppy water. Laurie Campbell had a photography day limited to 6 participants, concentrating on technical issues such as white balance and manual exposure. He also gave us a talk including some breathtaking shots of Golden Eagles in the Hebrides. An inspiration! A full weekend.......well worthwhile. Photos to follow.

A few Northern specialties......

Mar 7 - my first foray to the Munros this season with Keith, and an extremely windy Driesh and Mayar negotiated safely. Surprisingly, despite the wind, we saw 3 Ptarmigan, in their striking winter plumage, along with 2 Red Grouse in flight.....also an early group of 5 Golden Plover. Crossbills and Siskins were around the treetops, mostly identified on call.

Forest of Dean comes up trumps

Mar 6 - An excellent morning in the Forest in sunny but windy weather....Brierley was busy with large numbers of finches, mostly Redpolls but also 15+ Brambling with Chaffinches, giving quite nice views although flighty. The Hawfinches by Parkend church were easy to locate, quite vocal, and obliging in the treetops. Dipper and Grey Wagtail were both seen briefly behind the Fountain Inn, then 2 Goshawks displayed briefly in the strong breeze at New Fancy View, where several Siskin were actively song flighting, and a Raven also flew over. One of the best times of the year to visit the Forest bird-wise, and it did not disappoint in the sunshine.

More Owls......

5 Mar - A late afternoon visit to Blakehill, and good views of a Short-eared Owl from 5pm, joined a daylight by a Barn Owl from 5.15pm. Also seen - Kestrel, 100+ Fieldfares with 20+ Redwings, a calling Mistle Thrush and a singing Skylark. Maybe the other Short-eared Owls have departed north for their breeding areas?

CWP

Feb 28 - A morning look around the Water Park with Heather. A bit drizzly but quite a good species haul - 4 Smew in flight, 3 Goosander, 2 Goldeneye, a drake Pintail and 30+ Shoveler amongst the duck - 100+ Golden Plover over at Shorncote together with at least 4 singing Cetti's warblers, 3 Chiffchaffs and singing Reed Buntings and Skylark - the Little Owl still at South Cerney in its usual tree.

South Coast morning...........

Feb 27 - a very productive morning on the south coast en route to visit family. First of all I had very good views of the drake Surf Scoter that is currently in Stokes Bay. A striking bird, and a good comparison with 2 accompanying Common Scoter - a larger bird, with string multicoloured bill and white patches on head. Lovely low sunlight on the bird, and a flat sea.

A few miles away, 8 Purple Sandpipers were roosting on the rocks at Southsea Castle, charismatic dumpy waders and always good to see. Hayling was at fairly low tide, Curlew, Redshank, Dunlin, Grey Plover and both Godwits all present. The harbour held 3 Black-necked Grebes and good numbers of Mergansers.

The highlight of the morning was the stunning views of Med Gulls getting into summer plumage. At least 55 birds present, calling and displaying on the Oyster Beds, and also in flight when the mewing call was very distinctive. Really beautiful birds with the jet black hoods and white primaries. My favourite European Gull alongside Audouin's. A privilege to see them at such close quarters. Year list now 139.

A late afternoon stroll with family at Hindhead common gave some nice scenic views, and a sunset - it looks good for heathland birds in the spring but nothing seen today.