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.