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?