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.