Year end, 2017

30 Dec - So ends another year. Ornithologically speaking, I've been fortunate to see some amazing things, both in the UK and overseas. Several highlights spring to mind - Puffins on the Farnes just feet away, beaks full of sandeels against a backdrop of a constant cacophany of Terns - being chased and pecked (hard!) by a "rogue" Capercaillie in a Swedish forest - being mesmerised by a Great Grey Owl on the same Swedish trip, on a beautiful fine (long) spring evening - and seeing my first (British) Elegant Tern appear in flight, after several hours vigil at Church Norton in West Sussex. Other varied memories include Rollers actually "rolling" in display in Extremadura in the morning sun - breeding Ptarmigan, Dunlin and Golden Plovers high in the Scottish mountains - and vast flocks of waders twisting in "seemingly) synchronised flight over wetlands such as Slimbridge (where I also had my best-ever view of a Jack Snipe, standing and bobbing in full view). I've also had some fantastic mammal encounters - the two most memorable both in Scotland - a fantastic Otter in Argyll on a photography day with Philip Price, the animal dozing then feeding just a few yards from us crouched in the seaweed - and the wonderful Pine Marten that suddenly appeared after a 7-hour wait on the Black Isle. It felt very special to be in the world of these 2 threatened mammals, albeit briefly. The year ended with a superb Great Northern Diver in the Water Park, that obliged for some close photos. Let's hope that 2018 gives more memorable encounters........

Winter sunshine

28 Dec - A superb sunny winters day with a bit of lying snow. We had arranged a trip to Otmoor with Julie's friends to see the Starling murmuration - an amazing spectacle, 1000s of birds streaming in at sunset from all directions - not a lot of aerobatics as no wind, but a fantastic sight and 70-80 people there to see it. Also a pair of Marsh Harriers performing well, but surprisingly no other raptors at the roost. Kingfisher and Cetti's Warbler also present, with Water Rail and Snipe, and large flocks of Golden Plover and Lapwing. In the morning a beautiful sunrise, I managed a brief walk at Shorncote - frozen pools meant there were Stonechats and Meadow Pipits standing and looking a little puzzled - also Reed Buntings and Bullfinches in good numbers. 4 Little Egrets on the unflooded Thames Water field, and the Cetti's Warblers and Water Rails in good voice and surviving the cold so far.

Christmas GND

26 Dec - My old friend the Great Northern Diver continues at pit 125 - seen in drizzle on 24th, and sparkling wintry sunlight on 26th. Also Water Rail and Cetti's Warbler calling, but no sign of the elusive Bittern on my visits so far ......

Gloucester Penduline Tit .......

21 Dec - I'm not sure what it is about Gloucester, maybe the proximity to the River Severn? but after the 2 Penduline Tits at Horsbere last winter, another has been found, this time a single bird at Plock Court wetland reserve, a tiny pool with a few reeds on the northern side of the city. I picked the bird up in flight low in the reeds after waiting for a few minutes, it then gave good views especially in the adjacent hedgerow before returning to the reedbed. Distinctive black face mask and chestnut back, very active, and loud callnote helped in locating it. No more than 4 observers at any one time, so all very civilised as the bird fed happily (after the reported hassling from photographers earlier in the week). A few photos taken, but the light fairly poor. A quick stop at Slimbridge was excellent as usual - a Peregrine hunting the massed waders, and the Little Stint very close to the Rushy hide, as well as the usual Snipe, Water Rail and Bewick's Swans. Mild and fairly bright, so not bad for the shortest day of the year ............

GND

19 Dec - I tried once more for photos of the GND in the afternoon light, this time it did not come so close but reasonable views in the afternoon as the sun was filtered out by high cloud. The bird is not particularly wary, but has the ability to move quite a distance when it dives so can be difficult to track. Also Water Rail and Kingfisher heard, and a flyover Snipe, but no sign of the Bittern.

GND etc..........

18 Dec - A quick stop at pit 125 en route to work and lovely low winter sunlight for the Great Northern Diver which is still present - this time very close to the southern bank, but no camera and no time! Excellent scope views of the red eye and impressive bill, and amazing slinky dive to fish leaving no wash. Water Rails heard again, but no sign of a Bittern flyby in the few minutes I was there (seen here 2 days ago). Very little time for birding this w/e, but late aft in the Cotswolds resulted in a dusk sighting of 3 Short-eared Owls, impressive as always, emerging too late for the camera though. And I'm still trying to photograph the Fieldfare that is appearing in the neighbour's apple tree, but it's rather wary. I love the low winter sunlight at this time of year, the colours are amazing. But the dull days are very dull and dark !

Slimbridge

14 Dec - No apologies, Slimbridge is such a great place to go for a morning. A beautiful, fairly mild, sunny Dec day. Up to 3 Water Rails at the Willow hide, with good views on occasions and a nice low window for the camera. Bewick's Swans numbers increasing, and superb low sunlight to see them at their best. Plus close Snipe and wildfowl, 3 Little Stints on the Rushy Pen and awe-inspiring wader flocks over the floods when flushed by Peregrines and other raptors. Very therapeutic as always.

CWP GND ...........

11 Dec - A quick check on pit 125 in the eastern section en route to work, and the Great Northern Diver still present, though rather distant (especially as I only had bins for a quick look). Hopefully it will stay around for a few days, and the chance for a photo. It was certainly fishing actively.

Wintry weekend !

9-10 Dec - A weekend of 2 halves - sunny and cold Sat, then snow Sat night and through Sun, stayed in as 4-5in depth and side roads v difficult. Lots of winter thrushes on the move in the cold weather, one or two perched in hedges briefly but none in the garden. Views of Short-eared Owl Sat aft - I thought they'd be out early in the cold weather, but they didn't emerge til 4pm and rather dark for any decent photos. Always exciting to see though.

Short-eared Owl at Blakehill ............

9 Dec - A late afternoon visit to Blakehill in dull but mild weather, fairly uneventful initially but quite good numbers of winter Thrushes 60+ Fieldfares and 10 Redwings. At 4.05pm I had one last scan and amazingly a Short-eared Owl had appeared and was quartering the plateau - the first sighting this winter. I watched it for a few minutes in the gathering gloom - the unexpected magic of birding!

Dancing on Ice!

1 Dec - An afternoon stop at Pinkhill, Farmoor, and as I expected Water Rails very active in the cold weather - but the bonus was seeing them in the open several times, crossing the frozen shallows and looking slightly nonplussed as they slipped on the ice - exceptional views for the camera, and winter sunlight as well! Reed Buntings also around the feeders, and a brief pose by a Cetti's Warbler - and a very close Snipe which took off when scrutinised. But the Water Rail show was the highlight.

Parrots...........

30 Nov - Another beautiful crisp sunny winter morning with a cold north wind. I headed to Wishmoor in Berks, part of the military heathland near Sandhurst, a surprisingly open area in densely populated SE England. After a wait of an hour or so, and after a couple of single flyover birds, the Parrot Crossbill flock that has been here for the last few days appeared and circled calling, then landed in the pines. Impressive birds with very chunky bills and thickset necks, even more so in superb light. Very good views of red males, and green immatures/females, feeding in the pines, and flying down to bathe. Well worth the trip. Also around the heath 3-4 Dartford Warblers and several Stonechats, and a Woodcock flushed early morning. A short trip out late afternoon gave good views of a hunting Short-eared Owl, which emerged before sunset and in good light, always exciting to see these fantastic, charismatic birds. The hedgerows here were full of hungry Fieldfares and Redwings, though getting photos clear of twigs and branches was more of a challenge. A good day all round, and fantastic weather and winter sunlight.

Shorncote evening

26 Nov - A late afternoon walk at Shorncote, and worthwhile as usual. 14 presumably feral Barnacle Geese were a first for Shorncote for me. Teal and Wigeon present but wary as usual, 2 Little Egrets, 3 squealing Water Rails, a Green Sandpiper and a Kingfisher calling. Finch flocks included Linnets and Reed Buntings, with good numbers of Cetti's Warblers calling. Late afternoon a Sparrowhawk whizzed through the gathering murmuration of pre-roost Starlings, and Fieldfares and Redwings roosted.

Coate........

25 Nov - I've finally got round to buying a permit for the hides at Coate Water, and I decided to give hide 2 a go on this frosty fine morning. Armed with peanuts to distribute, I had several visits from Jays, but the highlight was the showy Water Rail that fed under the feeders for about 10 minutes - at times, quite obliging for the camera despite the poor light. Also flyby Kingfisher x3 and posing Shoveler and Gadwall. I will be going back, especially in frosty weather.

Somerset

24 Nov - A beautiful day of weather was forecast, and I decided to go to Westhay on the Levels to try to photograph the Bearded Tits that have been obliging on the boardwalk here over the autumn, where they collect grit for their digestion of seeds. Unfortunately the birds disperse for the winter, so I only had a brief view of a female, but the trip was well worth it as I had excellent views of Bitterns (x6!) in flight at nearby Ham Wall, and finally got some passable photos - as well as the more usual Marsh Harriers and Little and Great White Egrets. The extent of the reedbeds here is truly impressive. Large numbers of duck winter here, as well as waders including Snipe, and I saw a Peregrine strike down a Snipe from a panic-stricken flying flock of this species it was pursuing. Passerines included large numbers of calling Chiffchaffs and Cetti's Warblers, as well as Redpoll and Siskin. A stunning day of weather in a beautiful place.

Snow Bunting........

23 Nov - A brief morning visit to Wilstone near Aylesbury, and the early morning sun revealed the Snow Bunting to still be present I spent quite some time watching this very confiding and charismatic bird feeding on the reservoir edge, unafraid of me and a few other birders watching at close quarters. Tricky to photograph due to the sloping terrain, but watching this lone migrant from northern regions always makes me think of the Arctic terrain where it breeds, an evocative reminder of wilderness. A first winter male by plumage, with a lot of white in the wing and tail, as well as the characteristic gentle facial expression of this species. Well worth the early morning trip. Also a flock of Golden Plover present at the reservoir.

Martin Mere WWT

18 Nov - An opportunity to visit the WWT reserve at Martin Mere, Lancs, as their NorthWest bird festival is this weekend. A combination of excellent lectures (including Nick "bug boy" baker talking about his favourite bird, the Ring Ouzel) with the winter bird spectacle. I arrived at 8am just in time for the cacopaphy of sound that was the morning departure of 1000s of Pinkfooted Geese from their overnight roost to feed in the surrounding fields. Spectacular numbers of these birds that are so scarce on the SW. Also good numbers of impressive Whooper Swans building up to the 100s for the afternoon feed, and close views of some waders including Black-tailed Godwit, Snipe and Ruff, together with impressive numbers of wildfowl. A great reserve to see, with superb hides, but I feel not quite the spectacle that is Slimbridge, though different.

Hawfinches

17 Nov - Excellent views of a group of Hawfinches in beautiful sun this morning. A site with a few Hornbeam trees which are their favoured food source in the winter. This winter really is proving exceptional for this species, normally so scarce and elusive. Also a bonus Little Owl, my first of 2017, sitting in the sun.

Farmoor

16 Nov - A sunny morning (before the predicted cold front and rain arrived) and I decided on a short session in the Pinkhill hide at Farmoor where some good Water Rail pics have been taken recently, when the bird emerges from the reeds to pick up fragments under the feeders. The Rail made 2 short visits in my time there mid-morning, but always tended to be partly obscured in terms of the camera - but nice views. Also seen a Kingfisher, fem Reed Buntings and Great Spotted Woodpecker. Green Woodpecker and Cetti's Warbler heard. 2 Grey Squirrels were also in attendance but the squirrel-proof feeders proved their worth. A few winter Thrushes about, and a nice group of Goldeneye on F2.

Hawfinch in Ciren !

13 Nov - At last! On a walk in Ciren Park this morning on a lovely cold sunny autumn morning, 2 Hawfinches flew from the trees and overhead towards Cecily Hill - a brief view but very distinctive large silhouette, front-heavy with big bill, and long wings with white wingbar the length of the wing. Good to log this excellent Cirencester record as part of the current national invasion.

Cleveland Lakes work party

13 Nov - The highlight from the weekend work party at CWP, removing willow scrub from the reedbed, was a flyover Marsh Harrier, presumably the bird that seems set to winter here. Also a few Pintail in with large flocks of Wigeon and Teal, flyover Little Egrets, and 2 flyby Snipe. A strong cold northerly wind, but very clear.

Photo Hide........

10 Nov - A morning visit booked in a photo hide in Worcestershire, and we were fortunate with the weather, sunny intervals and not too windy. The morning session was on a small river where Kingfishers regularly fish and we were fortunate to have 4 visits from the bird over a 4h period, each time perching for a minute or 2 on a small branch approximately 5m from the hide - superb views of this stunning bird, surprisingly small in close up, and an all-dark bill so a male. I managed to capture the bird in sunlight, and especially in the morning the light was at a nice angle. In the afternoon we had good views of a male Kestrel feeding and perching on posts also in good sunlight, a beautiful bird at close quarters. Altogether a very successful day.

Slimbridge fix......

9 Nov - An early morning visit to WWT, always good to go in before general opening, and the first Bewick's Swan of the winter has arrived. A good morning for raptors - a male Sparrowhawk perched in the hedge from Martin Smith hide, also Buzzard and a flyby Peregrine seen, and a Kingfisher made a brief stopover on the post that has been erected to entice them into view. A good number of waders on the Top New Piece including Golden Plovers, Blackwits and Snipe, with Curlews on the Tack Piece. Not much time so no visit to South Lake and Zeiss. Good numbers of winter duck now building up. En route home I detoured through Winstone to look for the Golden Plover flock that is usually around this area (but mobile), and I had a real bonus in the shape of a male Merlin that flew close to the car hunting the fields, then perched up more distantly in an oak - nice views of the blue/grey colouration and compact size. A 3-falcon morning!

Autumn is here......

6 Nov - darker evenings since the clocks went back, and signs of changing seasons with Fieldfares and Redwings becoming more widespread, including in CWP and at Blakehill on 4th, and over the garden. No Hawfinches yet, despite the invasion nationally ........

Leckhampton Hill

3 Nov - No sign of the Snow Bunting that has been present at Leckhampton for the previous two days, but a flock of 60+ Golden Plover circling over and up to 10 Bramblings with the finch flock, especially around the grain silo at the farm - including 2-3 smart male birds. Always exciting to see. Also my first Gloucestershire Fieldfare of the autumn. Nice autumnal views across Cheltenham to the Malvern Hills.

Exe Estuary Trail

2 Nov - A beautiful day on the south coast coincided with our planned cycling excursion from Topsham. My first time on the Exe estuary trail which is traffic-free, and gives good views alongside the Exe estuary all the way down to Exmouth. The route then follows the old railway line as far as Budleigh Salterton, with its genteel air and pebbly beach. The tide was out on the way down, and in on the way back, so arriving back at Topsham the timing was perfect (as was the late afternoon sunlight) for the high tide wader roost - 23 Greenshanks together at Goosemoor, and an impressive gathering at Bowling Green Marsh - over 100 Avocets, with Curlew, both Godwits, Redshank and Dunlin as well. A very enjoyable trip.

CWP rarities / scarcities

30 Oct - A productive weekend at CWP. Nigel Pleass found a North American rarity, drake Ring-necked Duck at pit 74, which was rather distant but viewable from the old hide. Distinctive once found with the Tufted Duck and Pochard, but diving a lot, presumably recently arrived and hungry! There were also 7 Whooper Swans at pit 132, one of which stayed around with the Mute Swan flock. Marsh Harriers are still being reported, but I've yet to catch up with one of the current birds.

Otmoor

27 Oct - A perfect, sunny, autumn day and the more enjoyable after the poor weather of recent weeks. I decided to head for Otmoor and it paid off - a seven-raptor day, the highlight being the long-staying male Hen Harrier - stunning - which performed well, mobbed by Sparrowhawks and Red kites - and a Peregrine see twice. Several Marsh Harriers, including juveniles, hunted the reedbed, and I had no less than four flight views of Bittern, alas, all too distant for photos. Best of all, an incredible flock of a thousand or so Golden Plover circled calling mournfully in the blue above, and eventually landed and bather nervously before flying off again (with a supporting cast of several hundred Lapwing!). A male Brambling at the feeders and a juvenile Whinchat along the bridleway were the icing on the cake. A really enjoyable few hours, and I'm still waiting for the Bittern and Kingfisher photos...... next time......

Autumnal Shorncote

26 Oct - Autumn is one of the most productive periods of the year at Shorncote (my previous finds at this time include Bearded Tit, Firecrest and Great Grey Shrike) and the slightly misty atmosphere always suggests that the unexpected might be lurking. On this occasion the highlight was a confiding flock of at least 28 Lesser Redpolls feeding on the weed seedheads with 70+ Goldfinches and 15 Linnets. My best ever views at CWP. 2 male Stonechats were feeding alongside the path, confiding as always. Other migrants included 4 Grey Wagtails, a dozen seeping Meadow Pipits, 9 Song Thrushes and my first 4 UK Redwings of the autumn going high west. Cetti's Warblers appear to have had a good breeding season with at least 8 singing, 3 Water Rails called from the reeds and a Kingfisher flew by. Just one Little Egret, also a flyover Green Sandpiper. No rarities but an atmospheric and enjoyable walk.

Dyrham Park

23 Oct - A visit to Dyrham Park at the weekend with the thought of photographing the Fallow Deer - they were being very retiring amongst the trees due to the volume of visitors, but I saw about 10 animals including some fine bucks with antlers. For a large animal they can be very unobtrusive among the trees. A repeat visit at a quieter time is in order, before the rut finishes.

Rock Thrush revisited..........

20 Oct - The temptation of an increasingly photogenic male Rock Thrush, not too far away, was too great to resist, so I made a repeat visit to Blorenge complete with camera, in increasingly sunny weather. The bird is being faithful to a particular quarry and was allowing views down to 15- 20 yds or so. It appeared slightly lethargic at times, but then flew up to the lip of the quarry, where it perched in more typical habitat. Striking especially in the sun, with scalloped plumage and the typical long bill and short tail of the Monticola family. Far fewer people present than last Sat, so a more pleasant experience all round. Plus nice views across the valley to Abergavenny and the Sugar Loaf, and stunning views from the second Severn crossing en route.

Musselburgh

15 Oct - A weekend Scottish trip at the weekend to coincide with and celebrate Matt completing the Munros - a good evening was had by all, as he had a short break in the wet and windy weather to climb his final two, Beinn Ghlas and Ben Lawers. I managed a short stop at Musselburgh on the Forth, which usually produces some northern coastal birds depending on the season and the tide - it was extremely windy, but the highlight was a flock of 6 Twite feeding along the seawall - excellent views of this attractive and localised finch, and a few photos, despite the wind. There was also a fem Long-tailed Duck close in, sheltering under the seawall, and Slavonian Grebe, Goosander and Eider also noted. Flyby waders included Oystercatchers and Ringed Plovers, and Gannets were offshore. No Scoter or other seabirds visible in the white water.

Rock Thrush!

14 Oct - A real British rarity, a male Rock Thrush moulting into winter plumage was found on 11th Oct in a quarry nr Newport. I made an early morning trip to see it, having plans for later in the day. The weather was dull, brightening up gradually, and the bird was seen briefly early morning around the quarries then disappeared for an hour or so - it was then very obliging, both in appearing at close quarters perched up and feeding, and in timing its relocation just before I had to leave.... a smart bird, long-billed and short-tailed, with the rufous plumage still visible. No photos as I didn't take the camera (the bird had been very distant the previous day) but I tried phonescoping with mixed results ......

WWT

12 Oct - Another WWT fix, and a real red-letter day - prolonged close views of an almost-mythical creature, a Jack Snipe newly arrived for the winter. It was roosting in a channel near Hogarth hide, and eventually started feeding along the stream edge, giving good views of its cryptic plumage and facial pattern, together with shorter size and smaller bill. Even when in the open, the bird became extremely difficult to see when it froze motionless, the beady eye giving it a Woodcock-like appearance. Probably my best ever view of a Jack Snipe, most being of birds flying away when flushed. 2 Common Snipe were nearby for comparison, even better....... The autumn wader bonanza continues, with 2 juv Curlew Sandpipers still on South Lake, and excellent views of the juv Spotted redshank on the Rushy, now moulting into smart pale winter plumage.

Finland Autumn Safari

1-7 Oct - A few days with Finnature for their autumn bird photography trip. The main objective was their forest Golden Eagle hide, where the Eagles are supplied with carrion and come most days at some stage - though due to the predominantly dull and wet weather during the week, we had to wait a long time. The birds showed up the first day, but kept their distance in the treetops - the next day they didn't show at all in persistent rain - although there was a succession of forest birds to keep us entertained, in the form of Willow Tits, Bramblings and Jays. Finally, on the third attempt, the weather brightened up and things looked more promising. At lunchtime, a Golden Eagle swooped in, and over the course of the next hour made several low passes looking at the food put out - its amazing wingspan being very impressive. Finally it landed and we hardly dared breathe - it was only 20m away, we kept absolutely still, feeling its piercing gaze could surely see us through the reflective glass in the hide windows? The eagle started to feed but did not settle for photos so close - but we got some shots of the adult female (which accompanied the first, immature bird) perched in the clearing and on an adjacent pine.

A truly memorable moment to see the Eagles so close, and what a truly impressive creature. The Oulu area is also good for wetlands, with Liminka bay and adjacent fields - large numbers of Eurasian Cranes still present this autumn, together with herds of Whooper Swans, including non-breeders that stay year-round. We finally had a clear morning on the 6th, and there was an impressive movement of southbound migrants - including 4 Rough-legged Buzzards, also flocks of Bean Geese, and Redwings, Fieldfares and Bramblings. We also found Black Woodpecker and Crested Tit in the forest. The last morning outside the hotel (at a reedbed on the coast) was also productive with migrant 2 Great Grey Shrikes and 6 Smew offshore, together with Goosander, all moving S from their northern breeding grounds. Other raptors seen included Merlin, Goshawk and Sparrowhawk. The autumn tree colours were very impressive, especially birches, some trees almost glowing yellow even in the cloudy weather.

Slimbridge

28 Sept - An early morning arrival at Slimbridge, and superb views of a Snipe in low sunlight from the Rushy, with Curlew Sandpiper and Spotted Redshank also present along with Ruff and Black-tailed Godwit. A Greenshank briefly from Zeiss hide, and Red-breasted Goose and 2 Brent Geese from Kingfisher hide. A beautiful sunny autumn morning.

Back to Shorncote

26 Sept - My first visit to Shorncote for several months, and I was disappointed to see that improvement" work had destroyed the stream bank and wet area adjacent to the first hide, and a gravel path has also been bulldozed through. Such is "progress". Anyway, the rest of the area is as before.....there is always something to see.... my tally included 2 Green Sandpipers and 2 Snipe, 3 Little Egrets, 2 calling Water Rails, a Kingfisher and 4 Little Grebes. A Whinchat (patch tick) and a pair of Stonechats were feeding in the rough ground. Raptors included a female Sparrowhawk and a loose group of 6 Buzzards. Good to visit the patch again for the start of the autumn/winter period, and hopefully the habitat damage will mitigate in time.

Waders galore .......

21 Sept - A big wader day as it turned out. First thing, I had decided to head SW to Davidstow (a quick journey as M5/A30) and I had really good views of the assembled waders here, in morning sun after the early rain cleared- including 2 confiding, smart Buff-breasted Sandpipers which posed well, also Ringed Plover and Dunlin. I then headed back via Farmoor, where an inland rarity, a Red-necked Phalarope, had arrived - much rarer than its cousin the Grey which I've also seen (and found!) this autumn. Very nice views of this tiny bird with its needle-thin bill, spinning on the choppy waves as it found microscopic food particles. A productive day.

Last garden Swallow

19 Sept - A Swallow I saw this evening turned out in retrospect to be the last of the summer (or autumn) for this year....... a lone bird feeding in the breezy conditions.

WWT again.......

16 Sept - A morning visit to Slimbridge, always mentally relaxing especially with the camera. The highlight was 3 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers from Zeiss hide, feeding in a loose group in the morning sun. Also very nice views of a group of Snipe from Hogarth hide, close for the camera but a little into the sun.

Farmoor

15 Sept - A quick trip to Farmoor as 2 Little Stints reported - one of my favourite waders. Fortunately, I arrived just in time, as the first bird had departed and the second flew off about 10 minutes after I arrived, but not before I got a few decent photos. The wader passage at Farmoor has been poor this year, maybe due to a lack of easterly winds?

Post-storm Sabine's Gull

14 Sept - Storm Aileen blew through on 12th Sept (see previous post re Grey Phalfest) and news broke of an inland juvenile Sabine's Gull - to be expected at this time of year - and only an hour or so away. I drove to Daventry reservoir and the bird was still present - it flew off shortly after I arrived, giving good flight views of the striking wing pattern - then returned and fed on the shoreline. A charismatic Gull, one of my favourites, I think a combination of the striking flight pattern and the fact that it is a pelagic species and seldom seen close to land. Stormy weather is bad for bird, but good for birders.

Slimbridge waders .............. self-found Grey Phalarope !

12 Sept - The morning after Storm Aileen I was undecided where to go - I thought a look at Slimbridge (which I always find therapeutic) was in order. The Curlew Sandpiper was on South Lake as expected, my first of the year, and I checked the Rushy, Green Sandpipers and Ruff with Black-tailed Godwits as usual. I was going to return via Farmoor, but decided to check Robbie Garnett hide - and when I looked out there was a Grey Phalarope spinning away in full view! I did a double take, and then put the news out on Twitter, and WWT staff started to arrive within a few minuted to view this very scarce visitor. There was in fact a good scattering of these birds across the country, doubtless due to the storm that blew through and displaced them from the Atlantic. Always good to see (or find!) and attractive fearless high Arctic breeders. SO my trip to Oxfordshire wasn't necessary after all...... always better to find your own!

A bit of a Twitch

12 Sept - A fairly rare opportunity today - a free day and my first "twitch" for a while, several good birds within range, including 2 waders, one of my favourite groups. I headed first for Chipping Sodbury common where a juvenile Woodchat Shrike has been in residence for several weeks - in morning sunshine it was feeding actively and with patience it allowed a fairly close approach, a smart bird at close quarters, and feeding from exposed perches as is usual. Also present, Whinchat and Wheatear. Then to Lodmoor in Dorset and a duo of waders from North America - firstly, a diminutive Least Sandpiper which was very obliging, tiny and mouse-like, and a juvenile Stilt Sandpiper, more elegant with a decurved bill, but still small compared with the adjacent group of Black-tailed Godwits. Good views of these vagrant waders in the sunshine - then a detour to the Bill where after a wait I had reasonable views of the Wryneck that has been present for a few days - my first in the UK for several years, amazing cryptic plumage as always. An adult Med Gull at Ferrybridge rounded off a good day!

Scotland Sept 17............

7 Sept - at last a window of fine weather coincided with me being free and Munro no 200 was clocked up. Birds seen during the Munroing included Meadow Pipits and Wheatears, now moving south on passage - a flyby female Merlin and several Buzzards, together with Siskins and Redpolls wherever there was forestry. A bit of additional birding logged 2 Crested Tits at Culbin Forest and a lone Whooper Swan at Ardersier which has apprently been resident for a while. Udale Bay gave distant views of waders on the tide, including good numbers of Bar-tailed Godwits, but the highlight here was 2 flyover Ospreys, one of which gave a close pass. The 7th Sept was a day I had booked with Philip Price of Lochvisions - Otters! We arrived on the west coast of Argyll and more or less immediately were treated to an Otter sleeping on the rocks - we managed to stalk it fairly close keeping downwind, and were rewarded with a superb display - it fished and ate 2 large FLounders in front of us in the seaweed, yawned, rolled, snoozed and cleaned its fur, and was then joined by another animal! After this the day couldn't get any better, but we saw 1 or 2 more animals as well as an adult White-tailed Eagle and an Osprey. Superb, despite the rain most of the day that made everything v wet including the camera. A memorable experience, and some decent photos despite the initial adrenalin!

CWP pit 132

27 Aug - An early evening visit to probably the best current wader spot in CWP and a good variety of waders on show - as well as a Wood Sandpiper, 3 Greenshanks, 4 Green Sandpipers, 2 Common Sands and a juv LRP. A Hobby was perched up in a dead tree. Definitely worth keeping an eye on this drained pit the next few weeks.

Otmoor

26 Aug - A morning visit to Otmoor on a fine bank holiday Saturday with increasing sun, warm and humid. initially quiet but a few things in view from the first screen - 6 Snipe, a Greenshank, Green and Common Sandpipers, a flyby Kingfisher, a juvenile Marsh Harrier, 6 Red Kites, and briefly on a dead twig, my first Spotted Flycatcher of the year. Following directions from Peter Barker the warden, I headed over to the fields adjacent to the rifle range and the old hedgerow and scattered bushes here held 3-4 Redstarts, including 2 obliging males, also another Spot Fly and a mixture of passage warblers. Using an old target wall as cover it was possible to get good views of the Redstarts flycatching. A Hobby also flew over here. Home just as the traffic was starting to build.

Water Voles at RWB...... and Blakehill

25 Aug - I'd heard a lot about the Water Voles on the restored canal at Wootton Bassett so I went to have a look this morning - and very obliging they are. I saw 5 in half an hour...... fairly quick in and out of the bankside vegetation, but a few photos had as they swam low in the water collecting food. lots of bankside tunnels obvious to see. An evening walk at Blakehill was productive - 3 Redstarts including a male that perched out - a Wheatear - and a brief Whinchat. Also 2 Lesser Whitethroats with 4-5 Whitethroats, and Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers.

WWT again

24 Aug - Another early visit to Slimbridge, arriving for the members only entrance time of 8.15am. Nice views of Black-tailed Godwits on the Rushy together with LRP, Ruff and Green Sandpiper, and atmospheric reflections on a calm morning. A large mixed flock of Dunlin and Ringed Plover from the Zeiss hide (high tide) and more Ruff, Godwits and Dunlin on South Lake. A few early Snipe arrivals too.

Odds and Ends

21 Aug - A few weekend odds and ends - a superb brief, but close, view of a Hobby as it flew over the garden Saturday morning - 3 late Swifts over Ciren Sat eve - a flock of 7 Buzzards over Winstone - and a Redstart at Blakehill that was out in the open for once. An autumnal feel with some rain and cool temperatures.

CWP (E)

18 Aug - A morning visit to pit 132 in the eastern CWP - a flighty Greenshank still around, also a couple of Common Sandpipers. flyover Hobby was a bonus.

Pelagic

11 Aug - I decided to go on the Isles of Scilly pelagic boat trip that I'd pencilled in, as it's been a very good seabird season in the SW especially with all the unsettled weather. So a drive and a crossing on the Scillonian set me up for an evening trip out with Joe Pender and a return home the next day (after b and b for 1 night). The weather was cloudy with a SW breeze, good conditions, and the crossing from Penzance was eventful with very large numbers of Manx Shearwaters - also 5 Cory's and a Sooty Shearwater, with a few Storm Petrels also seen. The trip on the Sapphire was very bouncy on a sea with a considerable swell, but almost immediately we came upon a mixed flock of Shearwaters including both Great and Cory's - unfortunately photography was a challenge with the poor light, a bit of drizzle, and the swell affecting balance on the boat - but good views were had especially of the majestic Cory's gliding around, and of the slightly more delicate Greats "shearing" in the wind. We also put out some fish oil to attract Storm Petrels, and as well as the fluttering Stormies we saw 2 Wilson's Petrels - distinctive with their larger and squarer size, stronger secondary bars and projecting feet. The trip is also excellent for views of Gannets and Fulmars, and these accompanied us back to harbour as the evening closed in. Terrible traffic on the Saturday trying to get back from Cornwall - 6 hours! but worth it.........

Wood Sandpipers

10 Aug - 3 juveniles of this very elegant species have been at Slimbridge WWT for the last few days, probably stalled on their southbound migration by the wet weather. They've been feeding with Green and Common Sandpipers for a fieldguide-type comparison - compared with these two species the Woods are very slim and elegant, longer-legged, and are always sought after as a regular but fairly scarce passage migrant. The Wood Sands were fairly cooperative for the camera from the Robbie Garnett hide, and as usual South Lake was giving good views of Black-tailed Godwits (and also Ruff) though the bright light can be a problem here for photography.

South of the county

6 Aug - A stop en route home, and as well as a couple of family groups of Whinchats I was scanning around when a raptor flying low in the valley caught my attention - a male Montagu's Harrier! It flew through and continued south, a real bonus. I even managed a record shot.......

WWT again

29 July - Another look at WWT to try to photograph the Greenshank - alas it remained fairly distant but I obtained a few record shots - one of my favourite waders. Also further good views of Black-tailed Godwits on Rushy Pen. The Swifts were screaming around the village noisily this evening in the rain - they will be leaving us soon for their incedible flight to Africa where they stay airborne for months on end.

Pectoral Sandpiper at WWT.......

27 July - A Pec Sand at Slimbridge found last night by @Robertabirder. and still present today - good but distant views from Zeiss hide. Also Greenshank, Redshank, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, a colourful summer-plumaged Black-tailed Godwit flock, Little Stint and Dunlin, with Green Sandpipers from Robbie Garnett hide and on the Rushy. Wader numbers should increase as the autumn passage gets under way and the juvenile birds start to move. Few passerines seen in very windy conditions.

Northumberland 14-21 July 2017

A week in Northumberland by motor caravan...... generally v good weather, lots of wildlife, cycling and relaxation. The highlights were many - the beautiful wild coast, dunes islands and castles, pennines, Scottish border, and uncrowded roads. superb views especially around Lindisfarne/Holy Island, Seahouses, Crater and Alnmouth, the Farnes, and Amble / Coquet Island. Plentiful coastal wildlife..... thousands of pairs of Puffins finishing their breeding season on the Farnes affording close views with beakfuls of fish, with a supporting cast of Razorbills, Kittiwakes, Arctic and Sandwich terns and Grey Seals - and of course the rare Roseate Terns at their only regular breeding site in England, Coquet Island, over 100 pairs this year and great views from the boat trip. This stretch of coast in my opinion is the UK version of the Galapagos and is an outstanding wildlife experience, giving wonderful photographic opportunities. And it does not disappoint. Historically it is also fascinating, with the town of Berwick-upon-Tweed having changed hands between England and Scotland multiple times over the centuries, accounting for the impressive city walls. A very enjoyable few days, with fresh air and wildlife in abundance.

Scotland....... Black Isle and Cairngorms

A couple of days in Scotland. On the first day, the incessant rain of the previous 24h had let up, leaving cloud and some initial drizzle. A had a day booked in a hide on the Black Isle, and had been looking forward to this for a while. I settled in for the day, the view being a forest edge with logs suitably positioned in the clearing. The main attraction was mammalian, not avian ( despite Great Spotted Woodpeckers and a Tawny Owl) and a Red Squirrel soon made an appearance and continued to entertain through the day. The suspense continued, until finally at around 6pm an inquisitive face and pointed ears appeared out of the heather - a Pine Marten! I could hardly believe it, but I watched it climb and eat some food for 10-15 mins until it disappeared again, ever alert to any noise from my hide. A privilege to see such a shy, elusive and rare mammal at close quarters. And a very good photo opportunity, despite the poor light. The next day started with a window of fine weather and I parked up early in Glen Feshie on the eastern end of the Cairngorms. Superb conditions, and a good path throughout led up onto Carn Ban Mhor, then onto the plateau area, expansive views from the Cairngorm massif round to Ben Alder. A family of Ptarmigan gave close views, along with several displaying Dunlin, no Dotterel though. Also a calling Ring Ouzel. Beautiful Caledonian pines in the Glen gave a rewarding walk back up to glen - these are conserved by fencing out the deer. I drove home for 2 reasons - firstly, there was no flight ...... and secondly, ornithological highlights. First of all the North Pennines - breeding waders, especially Curlew calling and perched beside the road.......along with Snipe and Lapwings. Secondly a superb 1st summer Sabine's Gull at Nosterfield - exceptional views of is normally pelagic Gull - especially the striking flight profile. Worth the stop. Then, finally, the celebrity Bee-Eaters that are nesting in a quarry in S Notts - along with the attendant crowd. Not forgetting Black Grouse back in the Pennines, Co Durham. A busy couple of days........

In the county......

24 June - A successful foray late morning in the county - 5 Stone Curlews seen, and, best of all, a female Montagu's Harrier watched hunting the fields. Also Whinchat, Corn Buntings and Meadow Pipits, and a Curlew calling.

Greenham Common.........

21 June - the midsummer solstice, and a trip to the heathland at Greenham with Richard Williams and Matt Pringle. Not dark til after 10 on the longest evening of the year, but the Nightjars churring from 2149h, at least 2 males, close by at times and a brief flight view. A fantastic summer sound. Also a roding Woodcock heard, and seen briefly, and a juvenile Tawny Owl by the car park. As it turned out, the last day of the June heatwave, 32 deg C!

Red-letter day at Blakehill

16 June - A busy day....... Robin Griffiths found the first Red-backed Shrike for Blakehill, a male, at lunchtime, and it stayed for the rest of the day, giving excellent views in the afternoon sun and some ops for photos - an excellent birding day following the Sussex Tern!

Elegant Tern!

16 June - on my return to the UK, a morning visit to Church Norton, and after several hours wait some flight views of the male Elegant Tern currently residing in the Tern colony in Pagham harbour. A New British bird for me and "elegant" at that as all Terns are - also Little, Sandwich and Common Terns seen, as well as a family of Peregrines on the shingle. Good numbers of nesting Med Gulls also seen on the island.

Northern Spain

8-15 June - An excellent 3 centre tour through very scenic Northern Spain, full of scenery, historic towns and villages, and lots of wildlife. Picos de Europa is west of the Pyrenees and extremely scenic, heavily forested but with dramatic crags and peaks - and an extremely scary cable car at Fuente De which I could not face going on. Griffon and Egyptian Vultures, Short-toed Eagle and Black Kites were obvious, and mountain species such as Firecrest, Black Redstart, Crag Martin and Alpine Chough. Stunning mountain villages and the very attractive town of Potes was the local base. Our intermediate stop was LaGuardia in Alava province - conveniently, with local Rioja vineyards, beautiful rolling valleys, many singing Nightingales - and the lakes, reed-fringed and excellent for warblers including Great Reed, Bearded Tits, and a few smart Purple Herons. The walled town here was fascinating and characterful. A further drive on very quiet and good roads ( a novel experience) took us to the Spanish side of the Pyrenees, stunning, with forest, crags and snow-flecked tops despite the exceptional temperatures during our visit. The bird life is very impressive - Vultures, Eagles, Swifts including Alpine, Crag Martins, high altitude species including Wheatear and Water Pipits - plus, after much looking and with the help of Ricardo Perez, superb views and some photo opportunities for Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush, my most-wanted species on this trip - memorable views of the male perched up in the early morning sun. Altogether a most enjoyable few days, I'd like to go back there again.......

The Little Bittern at Shorncote........

6 June - I was amazed three days ago to see an excellent photo of a female Little Bittern on Twitter.taken at Shorncote! Panic. A mega on my patch, and I hadn't seen it.......furthermore, a very skulking species. Over the weekend, the reports from others were that it hadn't been seen, despite a presence in the hide all day from 5am. However, early the next morning, the bird was seen briefly in flight, and I headed down in the afternoon prepared for a long vigil. The weather was showery, with a period of heavy rain for half an hour or so. The sun then came out....... and Matt Pringle suddenly said "it's sitting in the reeds!" Cue panic. No need, as the bird then sat, drying off and giving good views, for a full 15 minutes. Unbelievable and there was a hide full of happy people. Unfortunately I only had the 400mm lens with me, but I got a reasonable record shot. The first Little Bittern in Glos since 1964 ! A first for CWP. A real purple patch at Shorncote, with a Bittern seen several times in flight, and subsequently heard booming, just shows what is found when a site is well-watched. Thanks to John Fletcher for the find !

Ham Wall - amazing place

1 June - A fine, calm sunny morning, and at last a window for a trip to Ham Wall, one of the best RSPB reserves in the UK. A large reedbed with an amazing array of wildlife. Altogether I saw 8 Bitterns, including 3 in the air together - in addition to hearing several booming. This is the only site for breeding Great White Egrets in the UK - apparently at least 16 pairs nesting this year, and birds seemingly all over the place, both fishing and in the air. 3 Little Egrets, 2 Cattle Egrets and several Grey Herons also seen - plus, after 2 vigils totalling several hours, the male Little Bittern at the eastern end - calling on and off, and seen in flight over the reeds. Marsh Harriers were also much in evidence, with 2 nesting pairs - other birds seen included Hobby, Barn Owl and Glossy ibis (on Meare Heath pool) with Bearded Tits heard, in addition to all the usual reedbed species. Several male Cuckoos calling also a female heard. An amazing place especially at the peak of spring.

Dorset

26-27 May - A quick visit to Durlston on the Dorset coast on arrival on the south coast, on the last of the hot sunny days - a couple of flyby Guillemots seen. A beautiful if quite breezy afternoon with a slightly hazy, fine view. Downshay Farm provided a restful and convenient base for our trip to meet old friends. The following day was cloudier following an overnight storm, but a visit to Brownsea Island was rewarding as always - after a walk around the island the 9 of us all went to the DWT hides on the lagoon, and the real bonus was 2 Roseate Terns on a sandbar - complete with pinkish flush, black bills and overall pale, short-legged appearance. One of my favourite seabirds and a south coast rarity - indeed, they had gone the next day. A lot of activity at the Sandwich Tern and Common Tern colonies, busy with nest-building and pairing up. A few passage waders still present - Greenshank and Black-tailed Godwits, together with a few breeding Oystercatchers.

Blakehill

22 May - A quick evening walk was unsuccessful in hearing any calling Quail, but a Cuckoo was singing to the west of the fields, and Grey Heron and Great Spotted Woodpecker flew over. Highlight was really good views of 3 brown Hares, one of which hopped to within 7-8 m of me as I was upwind and keeping still. Also 4 Roe Deer feeding.

''Tis the season for Hobbies........

21 May - A lunchtime visit to Somerford Keynes area of CWP which at this time of year attracts feeding flocks of Hobbies in fine weather - no less than 10 birds circling high feeding on hatching insects alongside Common Terns, Swifts and hirundines. A further 4 birds were over adjacent pits 42/44. Also a Cuckoo singing.

Scottish odds and ends

17-20 May - A few birds logged during 3 days Munroing in overall fairly decent weather, perhaps not as many as I would expect in May but including a distant Golden Eagle, obliging Ptarmigan, Red Grouse, displaying Golden Plover and several Wheatears - also Dipper and Common Sandpipers - Wood Warbler, Redpoll and many Siskins in the woodlands with quite a few singing Cuckoos.

Central Sweden.....

11-14 May - A short trip with Naturetrek, and a very successful one it turned out to be, to the Black River Valley with Daniel Green. From our base at Satra Brunn, we explored the forest and wetlands of this scenic and sparsely populated area. The first evening we set off in search of one of the main targets of the trip, to a quiet forest clearing at Skagersta - where after a wait, a shape silhouetted on a spruce materialised into a superb Great Grey Owl, a magical bird with a mesmerising stare, giving a feeling of tremendous privilege in sharing its world. We spent 2 evenings in total watching this bird, a huge owl floating around the clearing on silent wings yet surprisingly inconspicuous at times. The hotel grounds themselves held an extremely obliging pair of Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers, as well as Pied Flycatchers and nesting Fieldfares and Redwings - interesting to see and hear singing on their nesting grounds. A male Black Woodpecker was seen well in the nearby forest, where Cranes were calling, and we also had the chance to see Ural Owls at 2 nestboxes, with good views of the adults perched nearby, at times blending well into the birch trees - less impressive than the Great Grey, but with a strangely hypnotic gentle stare. Other highlights included a Hazelhen seen well in flight, as well as the highlight of the last morning, a rogue male Capercaillie which we watched displaying at close range, and which decided to see me off in no uncertain terms. The lakes and adjacent marshes and wetlands were bursting into life for the spring - migrant Barnacle Geese on their way north were alongside arriving summer visitors such as Whinchats and Black Terns. The lakes were a superb spectacle - highlights included Ospreys and an adult White-tailed Eagle, smart adult Little Gulls with summer plum Black Terns - Slavonian and Black-necked Grebes in breeding plumage - and migrant waders including numerous Wood Sandpipers alongside Whimbrel and Common Sandpiper. Other passerines seen included Brambling, Wryneck and a singing Thrush Nightingale, Grey-headed Wagtail and other highlights such as Hobbies and a flyby Montagu's Harrier. The last stop was a breeding site for Ortolan Bunting where 2 males were singing, and a garden feeding station with up to 4 feeding Hawfinches! A very successful trip.

Waterhay

10 May - Another fine evening and spectacular sunset. On a late evening visit to pit 68 Waterhay I finally heard the Grasshopper Warbler singing - my first ever in the Wilts section of CWP. Also a Cuckoo calling, and Reed, Sedge and Cetti's Warblers. Plenty of Swifts back now, including the local birds screaming around in the evenings - they're only here for 3 months of the year, so I never take then for granted. A Red Kite over central Swindon, Old Town this morning.

Bank holiday birding

1 May - a showery day and an east wind, good for spring birding. I headed for Frampton where Black terns had been seen on the sailing lake, and had good views of one bird together with several Common Terns. Distinctive smaller size, dark plumage and dainty flight. Always good birds to see on their spring migration. Another was performing well in front of the hides on South Lake at Slimbridge, where numbers of the waders present were moulting into their breeding plumage - male Ruffs with their head and neck finery, and smart chestnut Black-tailed Godwits. A first-year Spoonbill was present on the Tack Piece, and the summer walkway out to Mid Point resulted in views of a very showy singing Grasshopper Warbler, exceptional for this normally skulking species. Summer-plumaged Grey Plovers also present on the river. Finally, a check at Shorncote revealed the Greenshank still to be present, always elegant and one of my favourite waders - accompanied by 2 Common Sandpipers and 2 LRPs. In addition, a Hobby appeared and circled at close range, and a male Yellow Wagtail perched up obligingly. Other birds today - Cuckoo, Nightingale, nesting Avocets. A very productive session and home for a late lunch......

Odds and Ends

28 April - it's difficult to resist picking up the binoculars this time of year, so a trip to Shorncote produced a good variety as ever, including a nice little party of summer-plumaged Dunlin accompanied by 2 Common Sandpipers and a LRP. Plenty of Warblers including Lesser Whitethroats and Garden W, as well as A cacophony of Reed and Sedge Warblers in the main Reedbed. A quick evening stop at Blakehill was well worth it with 2 male Whinchats and a line up of 7 Wheatears on the fence posts.

Ring Ouzels ...... half a dozen!

27 April - After an initially fruitless search for Ouzels at Cleeve Hill, thanks to Roy Shilham I checked the cattle pen area and after first seeing his 3 birds, a total of 6 Rouzels were seen feeding around the gorse bushes on the northern slope. Fairly wary as always, but with patience and by keeping still good fairly close views were had. Always exciting birds to see, en route to their remote northern breeding grounds. En route home, 5 Whimbrels seen on the tide at Fretherne, along with 3 Grey Plover, also Common Sandpiper and Dunlin, together with 3 Wheatears.

Hobby

26 April - A nice bonus after a rubbish day at work - A Hobby flew fast and low in front of the car, over Commonhead roundabout heading towards Coate. One of my favourite UK birds, and my first of 2017.

Swifts.......

24 Apr - Right on cue, the first Swifts this morning over pit 74 with a large hirundine flock. Always good to see them back for the 3 months they spend with us in the UK.

Weekend Warblers

23 April - A nice weekend of spring weather - a lot of summer visitors now back with a good warbler chorus, in particular Whitethroats, Sedge and Garden Warblers - also the CWP Nightingales are in full voice. Common Terns are also back, and Cuckoos are much in evidence.

Extremadura briefly!

21 April - A full day's birding in Extremadura courtesy of Carles Oliver, and a superb tally for a single, warm, sunny day, albeit windy. Early morning at Arrocampo reservoir and an impressive array of Herons - Night Herons flying to roost, Little, Cattle and Great White Egrets in the air - several Squacco Herons and a good number of smart Purple Herons, one of my favourites, struggling into the strong wind. Gull-billed Terns were feeding over the nearer part of the lake. Unseen warblers singing included Savi's and Reed, together with Fan-tailed. Black-winged Stilts and a Glossy Ibis were feeding in the adjacent lagoon. Next stop Santa Marta de Magasca, one of the highlights of the day - and excellent views in the low morning light of several pairs of stunning Rollers, displaying around nestboxes and presumably fairly newly arrived. Beautiful, and worth the trip for these birds alone. Also a female Montagu's Harrier hunting, with Calandra Larks singing and overflying Sandgrouse. The drive to the dramatic Penafalcon and Castillo at Monfrague was enlivened by more typical Extremaduran birds - Red-rumped Swallows and Azure-winged Magpies, and raptors soaring including Booted Eagles and many Black Kites, together with White Storks. Monfrague itself produced good numbers of Black Storks, including a nest on the cliffs, and amazing numbers of raptors - many Griffon Vultures and a few Blacks, with a supporting cast of Short-toed Eagle and Peregrine, in addition to numerous Black Kites. A Blue Rock Thrush sang from a rocky perch, and Crag Martins and Alpine Swifts fed overhead, the Alpines giving close views in the wind. The journey back to Madrid was punctuated by a stop at a roadside Bee-eater colony, in addition to more RR Swallows, Storks and raptors. A full but successful day........

Nightingales! and Stilts..........

20 April - An early morning stop at pit 43 CWP, and amazing views of Nightingales singing and feeding, a calm and slightly drizzly morning, but very close songsters, magical to hear them again, and at least 2 males quite visible at times, sparring for territory. My first Cuckoo of the year in the background added to the symphony of nature. One of the wonders of spring, the thrill is the same every April....... A quick afternoon look in at Slimbridge secured me views of 3 of the 6 Black-winged Stilts seen yesterday, at fairly close range on the South Lake. Possibly a suitable location for breeding ? An exotic combination when seen alongside the resident Avocets.

Farmoor / Otmoor

18 April - A busy spring period while the weather lasts. Farmoor this afternoon held a large (20+) flock of Yellow Wagtails, and a smart Channel Wagtail was along the causeway. No sign of the Bonaparte's Gull, morning is the best time to see it. My main reason for the short drive was to go to Otmoor during the peak of spring activity, and it didn't disappoint...... amazing to be at a screen overlooking a large reedbed, with a Bittern booming and a Marsh Harrier displaying, and to be not in East Anglia but in Oxfordshire! Also Redshank, Curlew, Lapwings and 4 Snipe. One of the Grasshopper Warblers was reeling actively in the car park field, other Warblers included Reed, Sedge, Garden and at least 3 Cetti's. Very nice views also of a Brown Hare close to the bridleway. An atmospheric hour or so with the sun dropping over the wetland. a wild oasis in the crowded south of England. No Cuckoo or Hobby yet......

Easter Monday

17 April - Blakehill was pleasant in the spring sun with a chorus of Skylarks - also a confiding pair of smart passage Wheatears, a singing Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Swallows and a Mistle Thrush. A stop off at Farmoor didn't produce much with just 2 Swifts and a Common Sandpiper new for the year, and a large hirundine flock over the water in windy conditions, several Common Terns also present.

Scotland cont.......Musselburgh

17 April - A retrospective on Scotland - before returning home, a couple of hours also spent at Musselburgh on the rising tide. As usual, an impressive array of waders and sea duck - Bar-tailed Godwits, Curlew, Grey Plover, Oystercatchers, Redshanks and Turnstones. Offshore, groups of Velvet Scoters, the males, very smart, and a few female Common Scoter. Also, unexpectedly, several Long-tailed Ducks including males moulting into summer plumage. A Red-throated Diver and a few Guillemots also present. Also Eiders displaying and a scattering of Red-breasted Mergansers. A nice variety of birds in good light, but I couldn't find the resident Surf Scoter......

Mainly Dippers.......

15 April - A strenuous walk up Sgurr Mor in Glen Dessary, the remote West Highlands today - prime Eagle country, but none seen in rather showery conditions. We did however see no less than 4 Dippers, including a displaying pair. Also several groups of Red Deer on the hill, and quite a few in the glen on the drive out in the evening.

Lochaber

14 Apr - Few birds on Carn Mor Dearg today in cloudy breezy weather, with snow above 1000m, but they included 2 Ptarmigan still in winter plumage, and a Snow Bunting. A Red Grouse also seen. Willow Warbler and Meadow Pipit heard, so back for the summer.

....and Evening at Loch of Lowes........

13 April - part 2 for today - after travelling to Scotland, a couple of hours at the Osprey hide at Loch of Lowes near Dunkeld on a beautiful still evening. A good performance by the Ospreys which are busy incubating their 3 eggs in a bulky nest in a Scots Pine - the male bringing in a large fish to the female, and seeing off an intruding Osprey, probably a young bird looking for a territory. Also seen - Red Kite, Buzzards, Sparrowhawk, Crossbills and Roe Deer.

Early morning

13 Apr - I had an hour or so early morning, so headed out after sunrise, as the weather is forecast to turn more unsettled. no Nightingales yet at CWP, bit Garden Warbler and Reed Warbler now in, and very showy Sedge and Cetti's Warblers, also Whitethroat song-flighting. 4 Oystercatchers flew over the Spine Road, and the imm Little Gull still feeding over pit 74.

Shorncote

11 Apr - An evening walk at Shorncote - 2 Oystercatchers and 2 LRPs the highlight, also Shoveler, 9 Teal, Shelduck, Little Grebe, Red Kite, House Martin (my 1st of the year) Swallow and 30 Sand Martins. Quite breezy for much birdsong but Cetti's Warbler and Blackcap obvious. Spring perhaps on hold with the cooler weather.

Bonaparte's Gull

9 April - The 1st-summer Bonapartes's Gull at Farmoor on F2, this rare nearctic Gull slightly smaller and more graceful than Black-headed Gull with black bill, gray head patch and pink legs. Farmoor also hosting my first Common Tern and Yellow Wagtail of the year. The vivid yellow of the Wagtail is always a sign for me that spring is really here.

Savernake, then Blakehill purple patch.......

8 April - A beautiful morning in Savernake, frustratingly a male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker heard but not seen. No sign of Firecrests, but good views of Marsh Tits, Blackcaps, Jay and Nuthatch. Pit 132 at CWP produced Green Sandpiper, Curlew, LRP and 9 Shelduck. A quick evening look at Blakehill for Wheatears turned up trumps, with 2 Brown Hares enjoying the evening sun and allowing photos, instead of racing off to the horizon as is their usual behaviour

and, most unexpectedly, a superb Short-eared Owl hunting the plateau in full sunlight - the first here for 3 months - so, presumably, a passage bird. Also Curlew calling and 3 Roe Deer.

Warbler fest

6 April - A morning visit to Shorncote area - a good one, with a singing Whitethroat heading the cast (my earliest ever). Also Willow W, Blackcap and Cetti's very vocal. A LRP was on the waters edge, Green Sandpiper and Oystercatcher also seen together with Lapwings. 2 Sand Martins overhead and a female Wheatear on the rough ground. A Sedge Warbler at pit 43, again my earliest record, brought the days warbler tally to 6, spring is definitely here!

Several Orange Tip butterflies much in evidence in the sunshine but not settling for long.

Grass Snakes at Stanton

4 Apr - The sun came out this afternoon and gave me the chance to call in at Stanton country park where Grass Snakes have been seen daily in the stone walls during the fine weather recently. I suspected that the snakes might emerge into the afternoon sun after a cloudy morning, and after detecting movement I had good views of a Grass Snake, as it slithered unobtrusively along and between the stones, curling up on itself at times, greenish/black markings and slender scaly body obvious along with the beady black eye and the forked tongue. My best ever views of this species.

Spring

3 Apr - A sunny morning and a quick walk before work. Singing Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blackcap and Cetti's Warbler at Waterhay...........

Cleeve and WWT

31 Mar - A cloudy start then sun again. Cleeve Hill didn't produce the Ring Ouzels seen the day before, but a bonus was 4 Short-eared Owls, presumably on passage, that I nearly trod on - good views, but no decent photos as I couldn't locate them again on the ground. Yellowhammers, Linnets and Meadow Pipits all seen. I'll try again later in the month as it's a reliable spring stopover site for the Ouzels. I decided to call at Slimbridge on the way home and I'm glad I did, as not only was the Spoonbill still there, and giving very good views from Robbie Garnett hide, but I also found an immature Little Gull feeding over the South Lake, very elegant with its tern-like flight and small size. It's amazing to think that I hardly gave the 40 or so Avocets on the South Lake a second glance, whereas 5 years ago Avocet was a scarce passage migrant in Glos.

Greenham etc

30 Mar - A sunny morning once the clouds dispersed. A brief early look at Blakehill finally produced a male Wheatear which disappeared again before I could get anything other than a record shot, unlike the confiding and numerous Skylarks and Meadow Pipits. A perfect time of year for the short trip to Greenham Common, now a heathland, and the easiest place I know to see Woodlarks - 2 seen very well feeding at close range and quite confiding, also at least 5 Dartford Warblers seen, including a male which was singing in the open and affording good views. Also logged - Meadow Pipits and Linnets, a flock of 19 Golden Plover which were circling on and off for an hour, and 3 Red Kites (plus another 10 on the journey via Hungerford). Also 2 LRPs and 2 Curlews at pit 132 at CWP E, and a flyover Swallow near home. A productive morning, with spring well and truly under way in the current southerly winds.

One Swallow doesn't make a summer............

28 Mar - Not one Swallow, but four, at Coate Water this evening with c 50 Sand Martins, feeding in blustery conditions high over the lake. Worth a quick look on the way home.

CWP wander

25 Mar - My first chance to get out all week after a very busy schedule. Shorncote was not especially productive in the strong east wind, no LRPs seen, highlights being a Green Sandpiper and 2 Grey Wagtails apart from the usual singing Cetti's and good numbers of Buzzards, none of which became an Osprey on closer inspection. I then drove to pit 132 in the eastern CWP - the habitat here is ideal for LRPs with gravel islands and spits,

and 2 Little Ringed Plovers flew in just as I was about to leave having scanned several times - the male immediately calling and displaying. Also here an obliging perched Peregrine, a few Lapwings, a Snipe, a pair of Goosander and 2 Little Egrets as well as a couple of obliging Red Kites. All in all, a successful morning.

Odds and Ends

19 Mar - A Peregrine flew N over Cirencester Abbey Grounds this afternoon, and 5 Sand Martins over pit 65 this evening. Cool and blustery today.

Garganey on cue

18 Mar - A quick trip and views of the fairly elusive Garganeys on the South lake - also close looks at Curlew and Redshank and Grey Heron,

together with Avocet and Black-tailed Godwits. A flight view of a Kingfisher, but smaller birds generally elusive in the strong breeze. Still waiting for my first Wheatear and Sand Martin of the year......

Savernake and south......

16 Mar - A weather forecast of a fine sunny start, deteriorating for the afternoon. I arrived soon after sunrise at Savernake, and a good selection of woodland birds in the early morning stillness of the woodland - several Roe deer and a Muntjac testimony to the lack of disturbance. The main target, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, was heard drumming distantly but not seen - however 8 Great Spotteds heard/seen, together with 3 Green Woodpeckers, 3 Treecreepers, c15 Nuthatches, 2 Marsh Tits, 4 Jays, and a Raven.

A quick stop at Southsea Castle was successful in locating 7 roosting Purple Sandpipers on the rocks straight away, on of my favourite waders - I then progressed to the oyster beds at Hayling, where the Oyster beds hold the spectacle each spring of a pre-breeding gathering of Mediterranean Gulls - no less than 440 seen here last week! The sun was gradually filtered out by high cloud, a the breeze picked up, good conditions for the noisy gathering of Med Gulls in stunning breeding plumage mixed with the more numerous Black-headed Gulls.

A cacophany of displaying and squabbling birds, on the shingle and in the air. Plenty of photographic opportunities. Also a few waders seen - Oystercatcher, Curlew, Redshank and Godwits. Home lunchtime before the strong winds arrived.

WWT

12 Mar - A quick look in the morning in improving weather, from cloudy to bright - the highlight was the second-year Mediterranean Gull on South Lake, distinguished from the adjacent Black-headeds by the developing black hood extending down the nape, together with the red bill, larger size and smaller amount of black in the wingtips. Small numbers of Meds pass through every spring, and maybe one year they will colonise? Also c40 Avocets - now arrived to breed - 120+ Black-tailed Godwits, Oystercatcher and Ruff. On the Tack Piece, very close views of the White-front flock that will probably shortly depart on migration to Russia, together with various duck species in full breeding plumage.

Stop in the Cotswolds

11 Mar - A quick late afternoon stop at Hawling and fairly distant views of the Great Grey Shrike currently present - also a hunting Barn Owl, but fairly poor light as a cloudy evening. No SEOs.

Mountain Hares!

10 Mar - My birthday present to myself - a day photographing Mountain Hares in the Peak District with wildlife photo professional Tesni Ward - and a great day it was. Early fog on Bleaklow cleared to cloudy but bright conditions, ideal for the white coats of the Hares as against full sun. Some animals were quite approachable, others very wary, and their colouration varied from fawn/brown to mainly white - when they stood out against the (non-snowy) landscape. Some reasonable images obtained, in a variety of settings, and Tes is a fun and enthusiastic guide www.tesniward.co.uk. Also Golden Plover and Red Grouse on the moors. A very worthwhile day.

Otmoor

9 Mar - A beautiful morning, warm and sunny for March. A couple of hours at Otmoor - several views of the male Marsh Harrier, including in display - also Red Kites and Buzzards. A spectacular large flock of Golden Plovers performing aerobatics in the sunlight and calling, with their mournful note that always evokes the northern wilds where they breed. Redshank and Curlew also on the floods alongside numerous Lapwings, preparing for the breeding season, a Grey Heron nestbuilding in the reedbed, and Reed Buntings and Cetti's Warblers singing and establishing territory. The water level high at present after the recent rains.

Shorncote patch

6 March - A beautiful early spring morning, so a walk at Shorncote before work. At least 10 singing Reed Buntings, and 5+ singing Cettis's Warblers were harbingers of spring, in contrast overflying Redwings and Fieldfares were signs of winter not yet being over. 15 Shoveler was a good count, a Water Rail was heard, and a Little Grebe fairly unusual here. 3 Grey Wagtails logged, but no waders, not even a Lapwing. 2 Goldcrests and 4 Meadow Pipits were probable migrants. No sign of a passage Bittern as yet (seen last year). The Stonechats appear to have moved on, and there were 5 at Blakehill yesterday evening, probably also passage birds. The Black-necked Grebe and male Scaup were still on pits 65 and 57 respectively on 3rd at least, I 'll have another look in the next few days as the Grebe might start to moult into summer plumage for the camera.

A few Glos Scarcities

2 March - with the forecast being a sunny day today, then return to cloud and damp for a few days, I decided to head out early, starting with another try for Hawfinch photography at Parkend. A couple of hours here resulted in 3 visits by a female Hawfinch, unfortunately I was in the wrong place first time, but, hopefully, finally got some decent shots in good light. This location is becoming very popular and there were 6 cars here by 9am, all behaving and using the vehicles as a hide........ also, a Dipper was on rocks by one of the bridges in Parkend, and two groups of Crossbills flew over.

Beautiful spring-like weather at Slimbridge, and wildfowl in full courtship mode.....only 23 Bewick's Swans left (also some Whitefronts) and they will doubtless start their epic migration soon.

Good views of the Spotted Redshank, posing alongside some Commons, also 20+ Avocets back for the spring, and 3 pairs of Oystercatchers. Knot, Ruff, Curlew and Black-tailed Godwit also present. Down the road, the flock of Waxwings in Frampton was still present and trilling away noisily, though flighty, and 2 Cattle Egrets were in fields on the Fretherne Road (alongside 5 Littles). Late afternoon, in view of the fine weather, I headed out again I went to a local site for Owls and was rewarded not only with Barn Owl in good light, but also 2 Short-eared Owls, with quite close views at times.

Amazingly, without really trying too hard, I saw 86 species in Gloucestershire today........