Blakehill in July

24 July - several visits during the month, quiet bird-wise but always something to see. Redstarts present throughout the month, but more heard than seen..... also 2 Whinchats on 23-24th. A family party of Kestrels have been prominent, and Hobbies are presumably breeding locally with several flybys seen. Red Kite and Buzzard also regular. Family parties of Warblers moving around the hedges. Juvenile Green Woodpecker seen twice with the vocal adults, and flyover Common Tern presumably travelling a fair distance from the nest to feed?

Scotland July 2020

20-22 July, my first visit since the lockdown...... day one in Deeside/Glenshee, then to the SW Highlands the following day.
An Socach is on the Invercauld estate, and the initial walk in produced Spotted Flycatcher, fem Redstart, Grey Wagtail, Crossbill and Peregrine. A very good start. Wheatears and Meadow Pipits were fairly numerous. Increasingly good views on the gentle ascent led to the extensive stony plateau. The definite highlight was a family party of Dotterel near the trig point, male, female and a beautifully-plumaged golden juvenile. The group was fairly confiding and I spent a few minutes sitting on a rock while the birds moved unconcernedly around the plateau. Fantastic, an outstanding and memorable experience. Surprisingly, not a single Red Grouse or Ptarmigan heard or seen, but a good reptile count with a young Adder and a Common Lizard, along with several Common Frogs.
Day two near Tyndrum was very scenic with the approach to Beinn Dubhchraig/Ben Oss being through relict Caledonian pines. Fewer birds seen, but another Spotted Flycatcher, Grey Wagtail, Meadow Pipits and Ravens. Great to be back in the Highlands!

Barn Owls ........

19 July - A magical hour before dusk at a local site watching a pair of Barn Owls, they were out an hour before dusk presumably as the previous night was rainy. The birds were feeding over uncut grassy fields and gave excellent views in the low sunlight "golden hour", then even after the sun dipped below the trees. Hopefully a breeding pair as this species is having a difficult time this year......

WWT

16 July - A return visit pre-booked to Slimbridge under the new arrangements. Good views of a selection of waders, especially of quite a few Black-tailed Godwits still in pristine chestnut summer plumage, presumably returning Icelandic birds. The moulting adult Spotted Redshank on the Rushy Pen with the Godwit flock first thing,. Also 11 Green Sandpipers on the Rushy. Several Ruff and juvenile Avocets on South Lake, also LRP, and both LRP, RP and several Dunlin from Zeiss hide.

Dorset coast

9 July - A rare foray further afield, to study the array of Shearwaters that have been seen in recent days off the Bill at Portland. These include a putative Yelkouan or Menorcan Shearwater among the exceptional numbers of Balearics that have appeared after some moist SW winds. Also flock were several classic Manx Shearwaters, so making for an identification master class. I saw the proposed Yelkouan ( identified from photos ) both on the water and in flight, so I will await the verdict of the gurus with interest. Also present Gannet, Kittiwake and Fulmar. Nearby at Ferrybridge, I had good views of some of the 40-odd pairs of Little Terns that are breeding in the protected colony - some were struggling out to sea in the teeth of a strong wind to fish, and giving fairly close views. Also a loafing flock of Med Gulls by the cafe here, waiting for the tide to fall. Finally, to Lodmoor, very quite wader-wise with no Godwits, and only Common Sandpiper seen, but good numbers of Common Terns at the colony, a couple of Sandwich Terns, and more Med Gulls.

Blakehill Summer ........

7 July - An unseasonal wet and windy spell at the weekend brought an extremely early (?postbreeding) male Stonechat that spent 2 days around the fenceline on the main track. Redstarts have also arrived for their summer sojourn but are typically elusive - a male, and a female/immature. They dart out briefly from the bushes but are mostly concealed, especially in the wind. Also seen, assorted raptors - Hobby and Red Kite, as well as Kestrel and Buzzard. The most obvious Warblers at the moment are Whitethroats, often in family groups.

Owls .......

6 July - A beautiful, calm evening after the stormy weekend, and a trip to an unspecified corner of the Water Park produced not one, but two, species of Owl - firstly, my maiden Little Owl of 2020 peering out at me from the gable of a barn (with a second, later, perched on a nearby building), then, an amazing view of a Barn Owl that was hunting over the pit margins in full sunlight at 8.15pm. an hour before sunset - presumably hungry after a couple of very windy nights - which proceeded to fly very close to me carrying rodent prey, backlit against the setting sun. A memorable combination and experience. It's been a good few days for Owls as a squeaky juvenile Tawny Owl has been vocal outside the house at dusk for the last few evenings.

Shorncote

1 July - fairly cool, no sign of any celebrity residents from the Hayward hide, but a good selection of birds - 2 passes by a Hobby, a Sparrowhawk carrying prey, a pair of Oystercatchers flying around noisily, several Common Terns, a Kingfisher flying back and forth several times and hopefully feeding young, an unseasonal flyover Grey Wagtail, and a surprising number of Warblers singing including Lesser Whitethroat and Garden Warbler. I haven't heard a Cuckoo now since June 25th.....

Heat Wave

30 June - A heatwave until 27th, with temperatures up to 30 degrees and increasing humidity. An evening walk at Blakehill with a bit of a breeze on 26th - fairly quiet, with no sign of Curlews, but a female Reed Bunting seen alongside the usual Skylarks, also Kestrel (hopefully breeding nearby) and a Buzzard. Green Woodpeckers also seen regularly at Blakehill. On 27th, cooler and a bit more windy, an adult Dunlin on Pit 200 with 9 Lapwings, and a fairly productive look at Pit 74 with a Red Kite, 4 Common Terns, and at least 35 Swifts and over a hundred hirundines (mainly Sand Martins) feeding low in the blustery conditions. A Hobby over on 29th also at Twitcher's Gate, but otherwise fairly quiet as we approach the quietest time of the year bird-wise.

Red-backed Shrike

24 June - A local, after-work trip in the heat (30 deg) and a wait in the sun resulted in good views (in the end) of the male Red-backed Shrike at Horsbere S of Gloucester. This small site has also previously hosted wintering Penduline Tits.... After a while gazing at the sunlit strip of hedge where the Shrike had earlier been seen, we looked round the other side where it was happily feeding, darting down into a sunlit weedy area, presumably after insects. As the sun dipped and the temperature dropped, it became more active a gave excellent views perched on the top of the hedge and on the fenceline. A very smart bird, and my first in Glos.

Midsummer Barn Owl ......

22 June - the last few evenings, with the sunset not being til 9.15 and clear skies, have seen the local Barn Owl emerge before dark and begin its hunting, especially on the evening of 19th following a very wet 36 hours. Excellent views of it hunting the field opposite the house at dusk in fairly good light - with its typical buoyant and very elegant flight, the pale plumage eye-catching as the light gradually fades. Unfortunately, with the field due to be cut for hay any day now, this spectacle will be short-lived, but a magical experience with the setting sun and red sky as a backdrop.

Blyth's Reed Warbler

20 June - There has been an unprecedented influx of Blyth's Reed Warblers into the UK this spring, mostly on the east coast. One bird in particular, at Far Ings nature reserve, has been giving exceptional views. I arrived early, with a sunny forecast after a couple of cloudy, breezy days, and the bird was audible as I walked up the lane to the waterside bushes where it has been holding territory. The song is distinctive, with loud chattering and some mimicry, and a lot less guttural than Reed Warbler. The bird was giving astounding views as it moved between song posts on its territory, overall the same colouration as, but slightly larger than its common congener, with short primaries and a fairly large head - it also adopted the "banana" pose at times. An incredible opportunity to see this species at close quarters - I've previously had 'scope views in Scandinavia, but nothing to be compared with this. Afterwards, a morning with a seabird fix at Bempton was in order. Gannets are the main fare here, and were constantly gliding and diving offshore, but a good population of auks as well, with quite good numbers of jet-black Razorbills in particular. Small numbers of Puffins too, perhaps 30 seen in total, mostly in flight. Kittiwakes are also here in large numbers (with their characteristic calls echoing along the cliffs) together with stiff-winged Fulmars. Also of interest, a sizeable colony of Tree Sparrows around the buildings.

Quick stop-off .......

19 June - A quick after-work stop at Twitcher's Gate fortunately coincided with the finding, and only brief appearance of, my second-ever Sandwich tern in CWP, the first being several decades ago and in Glos - this bird appeared after prolonged rain showers, and stayed for a short while only, calling characteristically as it did so. Noticeably larger than the accompanying, resident Common Terns.

Spoonbill ...........

17 June - One of the species that always excites me is Spoonbill, such an exotic looking bird, it looks special, and is indeed special to see in CWP with few records. One was found on Pit 74 from Twitcher's Gate this afternoon, but not seen early evening - when I heard about it I set off to have a look about 9pm, but of course this time of year it is light til about 10. Various White Egrets were on the scrap but not the bird in question, and I left about 9.40 as it started to get dark. Halfway home, I had a message to say that the bird was indeed still on the scrape and was feeding - so I headed back and had brief but good 'scope views as it fed behind the bund, being partially obscured at times despite being such a large bird. The bill had a yellow tip indicating an adult-type plumage, but the views were not good enough to see whether the primaries were white of whether there was any crest present, indicating breeding plumage. Another good bird for the Water Park and the year list.

Ospreys

15 June - An insect trip to Paxton allowed a short detour to Rutland Water - the visitor centre and hides are currently closed, but the Manton bridge nest is viewable from the road, and allows good scope views. There are no less than 4 large chicks on the nest, which must now be distinctly crowded...… both parents were also in attendance at one stage, as the second adult brought in a fish. Good to get an Osprey fix with Scotland still closed....

Return to WWT

11 June - having pre-booked a ticket, it was very good to make a return to Slimbridge. Not the best time of year migration-wise, but at least 50 pairs of Avocets breeding and some chicks now independently feeding, with their already-upturned bills, while their parents keep a watchful eye for roving Gulls and other predators. Also a pair of Oystercatchers with 2 part-grown young, and the non-breeding flock of summering Black-tailed Godwits. 2 pairs of Little-ringed Plovers breeding, with the nest ingeniously enclosed in wire by staff to minimise the predation risk. Nice to be back!

Otmoor

8 June - My first visit to the reserve since the winter, in view of lockdown, and I'd forgotten how good a reserve it really is. I had the place more or less to myself as currently only the bridleway is open, with the path and screens still being closed due to restrictions. In an hour or so I tallied the following - Turtle Dove feeding on scattered grain, Hobby flyover then perched, displaying Redshanks, drumming Snipe, calling Curlew, hunting male and female Marsh Harriers over both the reedbed and Greenaways, and best of all 3 flight views of Bittern including 2 birds calling and duelling in flight. Not to mention numerous breeding Lapwings, Red Kites and a plethora of Warblers including deafening Cetti's and showy Reed and Sedge, as well as Reed Buntings. Numerous Little Egrets and a Common Tern also seen. The Bitterns appear to be breeding away from the main reedbed, perhaps encouraged by the lack of visitor disturbance during the lockdown in April when they started nesting. A little bit of East Anglia or the Levels, on the outskirts of Oxford!

Cuckoos this spring

1 June - A Cuckoo calling at Blakehill this evening. They've been regular here this spring, for the first time for several years. It's been a good year for them also in the Water Park, with singing males being fairly numerous, and females also seen and heard bubbling. Let's hope that their decline has been reversed or at least halted. Interestingly, although the southern English population has been declining, they are increasing in Scotland. This must depend on several factors, including migration and wintering areas, host species populations and food supply.

Thursley Common

Little was I to know that my visit preceded a major fire at this heathland nature reserve by just a few hours... . An early arrival on another sunny morning was originally planned because I had never met Colin the Cuckoo, the celebrity photogenic Cuckoo that obliged by eating mealworms in a pasture at Thursley. We heard him calling but he didn't come in to feed, however the day was saved by 2 very obliging male Redstarts that perched up repeatedly for us, the colours being especially stunning in the early morning low light. My best ever opportunity to photograph this species. Also very good views of a Mistle Thrush, along with Woodlarks collecting food, presumably for a nearby nest containing young. Green Woodpeckers and Dartford Warblers also seen. Devastating news to hear that about a quarter of the heath (2oo acres) was burnt just a matter of hours later, the fire presumably started by a careless visitor. Happily the area of the heath that I visited was unaffected, but very significant damage has been done to the boardwalk famous for its dragonflies, and also to the reptile population.

Nightjars.......

29 May - Another perfect, warm evening during the current exceptional spell of fine spring weather. A change this year, for my Nightjar fix, a trip to the Forest of Dean rather than Greenham Common. I arrived a bit later than planned due to a road closure, but walked up to Crabtree in plenty of time. Two Fallow Deer in the clearing were followed by several adult Wild Boar accompanied by no less than 6 stripey piglets.....then about 10 minutes after sunset I heard the first brief churr of a Nightjar. Over the next 30 minutes or so I was treated to good views, at least 5 birds present, with a lot of wing-clapping by the males as pairs of birds flew in the dusk light, presumably courtship behaviour? At one stage a pair came within less than 10m and the white tail-corners and on the body were very obviously bright in the failing light. The churring call always has a slightly unearthly quality, ventriloquil in nature and hard to localise especially when the eyes are straining in the gloaming. A much better sight to view the birds than Greenham, with more open areas and less traffic noise. Surprisingly, and sadly, no roding Woodcock seen.

Spotted Flycatchers

27 May - Spotted Flycatcher is an increasingly hard bird to catch up with in the UK - it is fairly unobtrusive, and easily overlooked - I had a tip that a pair were being reliably seen in Corsham Park. There is an avenue of magnificent mature oaks here, and after a short wait I had several views of an adult feeding (flycatching) and calling. I didn't see one at all last year... yet when I was a kid (a few years ago now! they bred in our garden in a nestbox!

Hants/Wilts borders

25 May - a chance to take advantage of the current dry, sunny spell, and a fairly early arrival at Acres Down on the northern edge of the New Forest. A the day heated up, a variety of raptors appeared, including several views of male and female Goshawk. Sparrowhawk also seen for comparison. As thermals started a number of Common Buzzards rose and soared, then mid-morning a fairly distant Honey Buzzard appeared to the S and spiralled up with very flexible flat wings and acrobatic tail, climbing in tight circles, and then glided away on flat wings. Red Kite also seen soaring. In the adjacent woodland alongside the track, 2 Firecrests found immediately. Woodlark also seen at close quarters near the car park, Siskin and Stonechat logged, and flyover Hawfinch and Crossbills. En route home, Corn Bunting and Curlew seen at Haxton, but no Whinchats.

Farmoor

22 May - mid to late May is the traditional time for waders on passage to their Arctic breeding grounds to drop in briefly at Farmoor. The reservoir has now re-opened from 10am, but pedestrian access is allowed a few minutes before, so I bypassed the long queue of fisherman's vehicles and walked up to the causeway - 3 small waders were feeding half way along, a Ringed Plover together with 2 of my target species, the Sanderling. Unfortunately they were not in the full russet breeding plumage, but still a real bonus to see with their scalloped upperparts. Unfortunately they were very wary and within 10 minutes or so flew off high to the north, indeed some birders arriving a bit later did not see them at all. Waders on the causeway at Farmoor, especially autumn juveniles on their first migration, can sometimes give exceptional close views compared with the distant specks usually seen on gravel pits or estuaries.

Collared Pratincole !

21 May - A dilemma.... as lockdown eases, the chance to see a rare bird while still being socially distanced along the sea wall, at Pilning on Severnside. We are no allowed to travel an unlimited distance for exercise, so in evening sunshine I made the trip and, almost in the shadow of the Severn Bridge, a scan of the lagoon revealed a smart adult Collared Pratincole sat on the mud, alongside Avocets, LRPs and a couple of Black-tailed Godwits. Pratincoles are strange birds - almost like a cross between a Tern and a Swallow, but part of the shorebird family. This bird showed the fawn-brown plumage and the yellow throat patch, and between periods of resting on the mud it fed in erratic flight, jinking in a strangely fluid motion and approaching quite close at times. A mini-twitch with a few other locals present, and strange to have this reminder of normality, after so long a period of restrictions, it almost caused a slight feeling of guilt to be leaving the immediate environment of home...….

Lockdown eased......

21 May - Lockdown has now been eased for a week or so, with unlimited outdoor exercise now permitted. Traffic on the roads has returned to something approaching normal after the silence of April, though there’s still no real rush hour. I’ve ventured a bit further afield, by car, as well as the local cycling. A short visit to Salisbury Plain, in early morning before the heat shimmer, gave excellent scope views of several Stone Curlews on their specially-prepared breeding scrapes, and included a pair with 2 fledged chicks. Such strange birds, furtive in their movements and sometimes difficult to spot against broken ground, but they can be quite obvious at times. I also saw a bird in flight and heard them calling. A good morning for raptora as well, Buzzards and Red Kites as a supporting cast to rarer species. Can Buntings are numerous on the plain, and I saw Stonechats but no Whinchats. Eurasian Curlew also heard calling. Nice to be able to go a bit further afield to one of Wiltshire’s special places...... More locally, a combined list from birders active on 16th May produced a combined total for CWP of exactly 100 species..... confirming what an excellent area this is for breeding bird species, including Warblers and Cuckoos which have a stronghold here, and Nightingale which maintains a localized presence. Not that many waders on the list with a lack of many really good areas for them this spring, combined with the dry weather. We did however log Crane, and 5 species of Heron which is not too unexpected in the WaterPark these days...... With the ongoing sunny spring weather I also made an early foray to the Forest of Dean on 20th for my annual spring visit, one of the best times of year in the Forest. Very successful in terms of target species, being serenaded on arrival by parachuting Tree Pipits, then moving on to a more deciduous area, where 3 Redstarts we’re singing in the old trees, with one seen well - then one of my favourite songs, the haunting Wood Warbler which seems to echo through its forest habitat, especially where dappled sunlight filters through the leaves - 2 of these sang, one either side of me, with one bird seen well and showing its lemon-yellow throat in the sun. A Spotted Flycatcher in the same area was a real bonus as I didn’t see one at all in 2019 - and I then heard a singing Pied Flycatcher, although I didn’t see it up in the canopy, at Nagshead, currently only accessible by public footpath. Singing male Cuckoo, a small flock of Crossbills (c15) and Siskins also seen/heard. An excellent morning, and so mentally helpful to see nature and the seasons turning as normal in the current strange and anxious times. Other odds and ends - a flyover Hobby powered north over the garden last week, and a Sanderling dropped into CWP resplendent in evolving orange-rufous summer dress. The breeding season feels as if it is in full swing now, with birdsong starting to diminish. Swifts and hirundines appear to be back in full force, with Swifts screaming over the garden in the fine weather. And one morning at 5.30am I heard a Cuckoo while lying in bed - my first from the garden since 2018.

Sanderling in CWP

19 May - Eysey again, this time a Sanderling, a classic late spring shorebird migrant, was found on the new pit at Eysey and stayed all day. A smart bird, Arctic-bound, moulting into rufous summer plumage, with Ringed Plovers for company. Distant but good views.

Wessex

18 May - A trip south for exercise with the new relaxed rules, with an early start. Firstly, a walk on the edge of Salisbury Plain gave good views of no less than 5 adult Stone Curlews, one pair with 2 fledged young. Such strange birds with their large eye and ungainly appearance - one also seen in flight with its white wing bar, and the mournful slightly eerie call also heard. An undisclosed location a few miles away was scanned and after a few minutes a real bonus - a male Montagu's Harrier hunting the grassy slopes - watched for a few minutes, very buoyant flight with upturned wings, and the grey upperparts and white rump contrasting with the chestnut on the underwing. Such a rarity these days. Eurasian Curlew and several Stonechats also present here. Very good numbers of Brown Hares present throughout the area.

CWP rarities in lockdown

18 May - During lockdown, the travel restrictions meant that bird news could not be released as "twitching" even locally was off limits except for cycling or Shank's pony. Fortunately, living within easy cycling distance of the Water Park, I was able to do both my daily birding in various areas and to see a couple of rarities that arrived and could only be seen by locals within area. The first of these was only the second record of Black-winged Stilt for CWP, the previous record having been back in the 1980s. A bird arrived at Shorncote on 11 April and remained all day, being visible from the cycle path to Keynes Park. A very elegant wader as always, with impossibly long legs. It was found in Glos but then moved a couple of hundred yards into Wilts. The second rarity was a White Stork found a week later on 17 April, in meadows along the Thames at Waterhay. It fed in the field and moved off to roost, was not there the next morning but I relocated it, looking very bedraggled, at North Meadow, Cricklade. Due to a rainy day (rare this spring) it stayed until the following morning, when it was seen to fly off north, mobbed by one of the local Red Kites. The same day a female Long-tailed Duck was at Pit 125 near Fairford, again only seen by a few locals. One of the better periods in recent memory for CWP rarities unfortunately coincided with a period when not many people were able to see them.

Lockdown ongoing, week 7......

11 May - The weather has at last turned after another week of spring sunshine. The dawn chorus is in full voice, with the suite of local Warblers all present - Garden Warblers and Whitethroats seem to be in good numbers this year, and Lesser Whitethroats are also in reasonable numbers. Cuckoos are also very vocal especially on calm or humid days, and I heard one from the house on 10th, the first here since 2018. Hobbies have been obliging feeding on insects in the fine weather, with a peak of 9 seen at Lower Mill. Swifts are back locally, and screaming over the garden in the evening - fantastic - and numbers of Swallows also seem to have picked up. A few waders are passing through and I was fortunate to see 3 Whimbrel fly up calling from the scrape at Pit 74 last week - a Greenshank was around for a few days, and Ringed Plover, Dunlin and Redshank have all been seen in addition to the resident Oystercatchers. Wheatear passage has petered out at Blakehill, with a second Whinchat finally being seen. The leaves are fully out now, and birdsong will soon quieten as the breeding season begins in earnest.

Avocets!

3 May - The new pits at Eysey have been good this spring, with regular LRPs and Ringed Plovers on passage, and have also produced Little Egrets and a Cattle Egret and been worth checking on a regular basis. On 3 May, the morning was overcast and hirundines and Swifts were buzzing around low overhead. A check at Eysey initially revealed nothing new of note, but walking back a check on the loafing Gulls produced 2 other black-and-white birds amongst them - 2 Avocets feeding up and down the bank, that I could easily have overlooked on a quick glace. They gave good but fairly distant views. Avocets are becoming a more regular (but still scarce) migrant through the Water Park, as the UK, and especially local, breeding population increases, with Slimbridge this year for example hosting more than 50 pairs. Very elegant birds, and the 3rd time I have found this species in CWP.

Lockdown, week 5 and counting....... the end of April.

We've reached the end of April, with the weather reverting to type and some heavy April showers and cooler temperatures. It's been a strange spring, I've not travelled more than 10 miles from home in the last 5 weeks and I've had an unparalleled chance to watch the local spring unfold with near-daily cycles or walks - aided by the sunniest April for decades. The leaves are now out and the sun is stronger, and the long spring evenings are upon us. The first Swifts are scything the air, and in the last week or so good numbers of House Martins have appeared to augment the Swallows and Sand Martins that are here for the summer. I've also observed, visually, and audibly, the staggered Warbler arrival. First, Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps, then in the first two weeks of April Willow and Sedge Warblers, followed a few days later by Whitethroats and Reed Warblers, then Lesser Whitethroats and Garden Warblers around 20th April. A couple of Grasshopper Warblers have also been heard, always a good find. Nightingale was quite early this year around the 12th, I find it quite emotional to stand and listen to its song almost throbbing in the air on a still dawn. Several Cuckoos were in good voice from 15th, another milestone of the spring for me. Hobbies this year were on my earliest ever date, 22nd - I thought I might find an early one, and was amazed to see a flock of 6 hawking for insects in the unseasonably hot sunshine! The dawn chorus is approaching its peak - bird song in general being more noticeable this year with the reduced traffic noise - and the next few weeks will see a frenzy of breeding activity, and hopefully the arrival of a few passage waders. These have been very thin on the ground, along with Terns, due to the lack of shower activity to interrupt migration. But Bitterns are booming, Little Ringed Plovers, one of my favourites, are back in reasonable numbers, Curlews are calling at Blakehill with their amazing, evocative and wild sounds, and dragonflies should shortly be emerging to complement the butterflies (including good numbers of Orange-Tips) that have been taking advantage of the sunny spring.

Hobby Masterclass

23 April - A retrospective note, after lockdown - one of the highlights of the consistently fine, warm spring was the early arrival of Hobbies. They feed on insects when first here, and in sunny breezy conditions I had some of my best ever views, at Swillbrook, when an easterly wind drifted the insects, and 5 or 6 feeding Hobbies, towards the poplar trees here. The birds gave repeated close views as they fed over the pool here, so close that I could hear the snap of their bills and the whoosh of their rapid wingbeats as they acrobatically fed over my head. A memorable encounter.

Lockdown, weeks 3 and 4

20 April - I'm certainly seeing the spring unfold locally in a more detailed way than usual, in these exceptional circumstances - a combination of more or less daily cycles around various lanes in the nearer part of CWP - the lack of traffic noise - and the fine, sunny weather. Over the last couple of weeks all the expected Warblers have now arrived, although numbers of some have yet to build up. There is always that moment of excitement when an old friend is heard again for the first time for the forthcoming season, mixed with amazement at the migration some of these tiny birds have undertaken - often the same individual returning to the same territory as in previous years. A special example of this is the Nightingale which is sadly diminishing in numbers year on year, but returns to the same area within CWP each April. Garden and Sedge Warblers seem to be in good numbers this year, Gardens being one of the later arrivals. I've heard a couple of Grasshopper Warblers (and seen one) and Reed Warblers are back too. Blackcaps are also numerous, I would say more so than usual..... Swallow numbers seen sparse, Sand martins are around their colony areas and the first early Swifts have been logged. Cuckoos were first heard on 15th and several are prominent around Cleveland Lakes and Waterhay. The dry weather means damp patches are at a premium, but Little Ringed Plovers are back in the usual habitat of new gravel areas and workings, and several pairs of Oystercatchers are moving around noisily. The continued fine clear weather means that there are few migrants being grounded in any "fallouts" but a rainy day on 18th produced 4 Wheatears and a Whinchat at Blakehill. I've also seen a Leveret and a Grass Snake recently!

Lockdown week 2

6 Apr - Much more springlike weather the last few days, after a cold northerly a few days ago. There has been an influx of Blackcaps, and Swallow and Sand Martin logged on 5th April with my first 2 Willow Warblers today. Migrants should arrive en masse in the next week or two, so good to be able to get out for daily exercise with binoculars handy!

Lockdown week 1

30 Mar - The highlights locally are undoubtedly the Curlew that have returned to Blakehill and are currently displaying - at least 2 birds present, and their bubbling call is frequently heard, as they display across the plateau or feed in the nearby pasture. Apart from the Skylark chorus, Meadow Pipits are on the move in varying numbers. Green Woodpecker seen feeding on the mound on one day, Buzzards and Kestrels around with the odd Red Kite drifting over.

Coronavirus Lockdown

24 Mar - today severe restrictions were placed on travel by the Government, to try to slow the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic in the UK. One of the impositions, totally rightly in my opinion, allows us to leave home only for permitted exercise once daily. This will restrict me to cycling or walking to Blakehill and adjacent areas of CWP, so this spring will be unlike any other in that the focus on observing the unfolding spring migration will be on my local area. A unique opportunity, health and other commitments permitting, to focus on these local observations during the spring period, with visits most days to the same small areas - I'm fortunate to have such a variety of habitats and wildlife areas within local reach.

Pre-lockdown

23 Mar - with lockdown imminent, I opted for a solo walk on the northern edge of the New Forest in an area I've been to before, to hopefully see one of my favourite birds, Dartford Warbler - as visits will likely be off limits for the rest of the spring. In sunny weather, singing birds were obvious and active and I saw at least 5 very smart males perched up singing, and a couple of females flitting in the gorse. Stonechats also numerous, but surprisingly Skylark, but no Woodlarks, seen.

Scotland 20-22 Mar 2020

A short photographic trip, pre-planned but undertaken in the light of an evolving national crisis with the continuing spread of coronavirus in the UK, and consequent forthcoming travel restrictions to limit and slow its spread. I travelled with a bit of trepidation but I was not going to be in contact with anyone and was less at risk (and less of a risk to others) in the open spaces than when at home. I travelled up the A82 with blue skies and snow on the mountains - a stunning, wintry combination, which I had never really seen before. Difficult to capture with the camera but I tried, with SLR and iPhone. The Black Mount looked especially majestic with Loch Tulla in the foreground. The roadside loch at Glencoe held 3 Black Guillemots, plus Red-breasted Merganser and Eider, with Hooded Crows on the foreshore. My first photo day was in Mark Hamblin's Red Squirrel hide, and I had up to 8 Red Squirrels present at any one time, always hard to capture with their rapid movement. Also visiting were a variety of birds including Treecreeper and, best of all, a Crested Tit. Flocks of Pink-footed Geese were moving back north at regular intervals, calling as the migrated. A morning here was followed by an afternoon trip up to Elgin on the Moray coast, where I had very goods views of the wintering drake King Eider (with a small group of Common Eiders), along with small numbers of Long-tailed Ducks and a couple of Red-throated Divers. Waders included Bar-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank and Turnstone. Also present were a flock of 11 Pale-bellied Brent Geese. The last day was a Mountain Hare foray to the Monadhliaths with the excellent James Roddie. We had brilliant views of 7 or 8 Hares, mostly still in their white winter pelage, with 3 together around a snow patch, resting and washing their coats and staying perfectly relaxed at fairly close range. Two of them at one point even indulged in a brief bout of boxing. Ravens and the first arriving Meadow Pipits were seen, but no Eagles, Buzzards being the next best on offer. Perfect weather with weak sunlight filtering through the clouds and highlighting the remaining snow. A memorable experience.....

Blakehill flyby

17 Mar - A pleasant bright morning for a wander round Blakehill, the definite highlight was a female Merlin that I flushed from a Hawthorn, which very obligingly perched on a fence post within range for a minute or so before flying off after a Meadow Pipit then disappearing westwards. One of my best Merlin views ever. Also 2 flyover Shelduck, a Blakehill rarity!

Barn Owl

15 Mar - The best way to celebrate - an hour or so of Barn Owl watching in late afternoon sunlight, the bird always fairly distant but nice views of the amazing buoyant flight.

Glos jaunt

14 Mar - A trip out. My annual visit to the river near Stroud Waitrose usually gives good views of Dipper. This time the birds were very obliging - carrying nesting material and flying under the bridge with it, as well as feeding along the river edge and at one stage posing fairly nicely. Always a great bird to see - amazing how it can walk under the water, and close its adapted eyelids against the spray. Also seen here, Kingfisher and Grey Wagtail. Then on to Slimbridge, where a reported Spoonbill led me a merry dance between the hides til I finally caught up with it from the Estuary tower - A subadult bird, still a bit of black on the primaries but otherwise a crest and a yellow-tipped bill like an adult. Then home via CWP where a Cattle Egret, in partial breeding plumage, was at Ashton Keynes with Little Egrets - and a Pink-footed Goose with the Greylag flock by Pit 75. A good day.

Slimbridge

7 Mar - 2 Water Rails continuing to show very well under the feeders at Willow hide, outstanding views for such a secretive species. A pair of Oystercatchers, 12 Avocets giving a hint of spring, and a pair of Kingfishers at the nesthole in front of the aptly-named Kingfisher hide. A pre-dusk Barn Owl at Shorncote on a quick stop-off.

CWP cont ..........

4 Mar - A couple of recent visits to CWP A flock of 35 or so Golden Plover in flight over the floods at Eysey and the Thames, and the spring passage Shelducks starting to arrive. A flock of 8 Snipe flew over Shorncote - Water Rails still numerous there especially with the current flooding, and 2 Kingfishers in courtship feeding. Cetti's Warblers singing, but as usual not seen!

A solitary Waxwing......

2 Mar - Having seen a flock of Waxwings in Scotland in Jan, I didn't rush to head off to Evesham for the single bird that turned up there a few days ago. However, a sunny day tempted me and the bird was fairly obliging, although always tending to hide behind a clump of berries. However it was an adult bird, presumably a male as it has nice "wax" markings on the wings. Photos duly obtained. Typical Waxwing habitat - in a solitary rowan between a railway line and a car dealer!

Shorncote

27 Feb - The Barn Owl out well before sunset this afternoon, in good light, and at one stage buzzed by a speeding female Peregrine. .....

Bittern........

25 Feb - Always an elusive bird, in CWP as elsewhere. A bird has been booming at a site in CWP for a few days, and I heard it today. A slightly unreal and primeval sound, possibly already breeding in the Water Park as there have been sporadic records in most months of the year. Proving it, and estimating the numbers of birds, will be another matter, although probably more numerous than thought as it's so elusive, especially out of the breeding season. Also 8 Golden Plovers at Eysey.....

Whoopers

24 Feb - Another wet and windy day. 5 Whooper Swans with the Mute flock at Cote near Witney, on a brief stop. Not as impressive as the Whoopers in the sun on the Swedish marshes last week!

Barn Owls........

23 Feb - a second try for the Farmoor “daytime” Barn Owls, and successful this time...... a breezy sunny afternoon, and birds out from 2pm. Close views at times, both perched and quartering the rough ground. Such beautiful birds, all the walkers on the Thames Path were stopping to watch them......

Winter Sweden 17-22 Feb 2020

A winter photography trip with the excellent Daniel Green of birdsafarisweden.com, with whom I have done several previous trips. He has several winter hides set up, with feeding stations, and equipped with heaters and toilets! It has been an exceptionally mild winter in Sweden, as in the UK, and no snow was on the ground in southern Sweden in mid-Feb which is most unusual and unlike my previous winter trips. Because of this, some spring passage was already under way, and we saw flocks of Bean Geese and Whooper Swans moving north. Common Buzzards had also returned early to their breeding areas, which meant that Rough-legged Buzzards had moved and unfortunately we didn't see this species from the customised hide in a converted barn. The Eagle hide is a similar impressive set up with a view over a forest clearing visited by both White-tailed and Golden Eagles. The first day we spent in the hide was beautiful sunny day, and no eagles visited although we had distant views of White-tailed in flight. The second day was a frosty start some mist, then light rain later, and 6 or 7 White-tailed Eagles were in the clearing at dawn (we were in the hide before first light, in order not to flush these very wary birds). We then had some nice flight views of both adult and immature birds, before a subadult bird came down to the bait and spent an hour or so feeding. Superb views of its subtly beautiful plumage and immense size and power. Two subadult Golden Eagles were also around and flew over a couple of times, but did not come down. Excellent to have such prolonged close views of the White-tailed Eagles. A great experience in the hide, with these majestic birds on view for most of the day. The following day I spent alone in the Goshawk hide, overlooking a forest clearing. After a 2 hour wait during which I could hear the Goshawk calling, the male bird suddenly swooped in, and after glaring around for a few minutes proceeded to feed on the bait. a most impressive bird at close quarters. It fed for over an hour! The other big attraction in the Black River Valley area is wintering Owls, numbers of which vary greatly from year to year. This winter, a fairly reliable Hawk Owl has a territory in a forest clearing ad we visited the site on 3 occasions, having views of the bird at times a fairly close quarters. Very atmospheric sitting on a stump in the fading light of a winter evening, its colours cryptically blending in with the spruce stumps. the other attraction is Great Grey Owl, which has a small breeding population in this area, the southernmost in Sweden - we were fortunate to find the bird out hunting one evening, and have views of the amazing facial disc at close quarters. The final highlight before returning home was a bird feeder near a small river valley, near to Vasteras, frequented by a variety of species, but including up to 7 Hawfinches and also a male Brambling. The Hawfinches were surprisingly accommodating if we kept still, perching in the birches and very unobtrusive for such a big finch. A most worthwhile trip. And we did also see a flyover Rough-legged Buzzard!

Winter Glos

12 Feb - For a change, a calm sunny day. I had a bit of info on Bramblings in Cirencester Park, and I headed in from the Sapperton end to an area of stubble. There was indeed a sizeable finch flock in the area, predominantly Chaffinches and Linnets, but containing 10 or so Bramblings, including several quite well marked males. One of my favourite finches, striking and fairly hard to find, especially this year which has been a poor year for them. A male Merlin also flew through low and fast and caused a commotion briefly. In the afternoon, another bit of Owl watching, with both Short-eared and Barn Owls hunting in the sunshine, and a fly by Peregrine. A good raptor day!

Barn Owl........

11 Feb - I like Owls in general, but Barn Owl is one of my favourites, being predominantly nocturnal and therefore a challenge to see, also beautiful with the tawny/gold and white plumage and floating flight. Today the wind dropped below gale force for the first time in several days. and I guessed that the Owls at Shorncote might be hungry, as they've been having a tough time of it in the recent unsettled weather. My hunch proved correct, as two birds emerged half an hour before sunset and started hunting, although never seen particularly close. Always very atmospheric.

Forest of Dean

8 Feb - A sunny fairly calm morning offered a brief respite from the recurrently windy weather. A stop near Parkend church had a good result with 5 or 6 wary Hawfinches in the treetops around the Parkend Beech, initially picked up by their "ticking" calls. Difficult to see perched though, and more obvious in their parrot-like flight. New Fancy view is always reliable for Goshawk, and I saw a displaying male through the scope within 5 mins of arrival. Crabtree had flyover Crossbills, and then Roel Gate several elusive Bramblings with the finch flock on the game strip, but by now the wind had really increased. Then,a further showing from the Park Corner Shrike en route home, complete with the wintering but mobile golden Plover flock seen in flight over the A417. Finally, I was fortuitously at Pit 16 trying to photograph the Black-necked Grebe when Dave Creber found a Ring-billed Gull in the roost amongst the Common Gulls - pale eye, ringed bill and heavy chest / slightly larger size distinctive. A good day!

Blakehill

4 Feb - A couple of visits this week. The astonishing sight of 82 (!) Magpies congregating to roost was a highlight of sorts ……….Otherwise, Stonechats always a delight to see, Snipe on the plateau, wary Fieldfares and Redwings, and a Red Kite over. So much windy weather at the moment …...

Dix Pit

1 Feb - A trip to Dix Pit near the Stanton Harcourt recycling centre..... this pit was thronged with a huge raft of duck. I could not locate the redhead Smew that has been seen on and off, but a drake Garganey has been present during the winter and is starting to moult into summer plumage. Also a further 3 Scaup here, plus a brief flock of Siskins in the alders.

CWP

27 Jan - A morning visit to Pit 82, where the drake Scaup found by Nigel Pleass at the weekend was still present, and offering a good comparison with the Tufted Ducks in the flock. Goosander and Red-crested Pochard also seen around CWP.

Scotland 24-26 Jan 2020

A short visit to coincide with my first Munro trip of the year, which surprisingly coincided with the only snow-free weekend of the winter, so my crampons skills weren't tested...…. On arrival I headed to the First of Forth. Having quickly picked up the resident drake Surf Scoter, offshore from Musselburgh with a few Velvets, I picked up the news that the drake American White-winged Scoter had been located a mile or so west, off Joppa. I was there in time for good views, again with a small flock of Velvets so direct comparison of head and bill shape could be made. Much better views than I had the previous time I saw it. Long-tailed Duck, Eider and distant Common Scoter were also seen, along with Red-breasted Merganser, with a good selection of waders off Musselburgh including Bar-tailed Godwits. Glenfinnan the next days was very quiet bird-wise, only Raven being noted, but spectacular in the winter mist and stillness. Then on 26th a successful Waxwing chase, with at least 48 birds feeding in the unlikely surroundings of Falkirk, in isolated Rowans near a shopping centre - as typical location! Dull weather, but I spent a couple of hours enjoying the sight and sound of these spectacular birds as they swooped in to feed on berries every few minutes, and retreated to preen in between. I was the only person watching them, whereas in the south of England I would have been jostling for space ....

Slimbridge and around........

18-19 Jan - A sunny winter's day. amazing close views of 2 Peregrines passing at speed near the new Estuary Tower, and good views of 2 Water Rails at the Willow hide feeders. Plus the usual winter throngs of birds. The Great Grey Shrike obliged again at Park Corner, as did the Cotswold Short-eared Owls in the sun. Always atmospheric to see and hear Fieldfares and Redwings around the hedges especially when the low light catches their plumage.

Shorncote

16 Jan - Being at Shorncote for dawn resulted in seeing the Barn Owl return to its roosting tree at 7.25 am. Water Rails were calling, and 2 Snipe flew over.

Blakehill

15 Jan - My first visit for a while, and (presumably) one of the CWP Marsh Harriers drifted over the plateau. Maybe its usual hunting areas are waterlogged? Good to see and a rare bird at Blakehill. Also Sparrowhawk and the usual Stonechats, and a big flock of Lapwings (c400) over Chelworth. Unfortunately the Short-eared Owl has not been seen since the end of 2019, presumably due to a lack of voles, as Kestrels are also conspicuous by their absence this winter......

CWP revisited

14 Jan - 2 Marsh Harriers hunting together from Twitcher's Gate. An unsuccessful search for Smew produced a good total of 16 Goldeneye, including 10 males, on Dudgrove Pit 114.

CWP

13 Jan - A wintering Lesser Whitethroat has been found along the stream at Shorncote by Kim Milsom - possibly of the eastern race although we will never know for certain. It is very elusive, giving brief views as it feeds low in the streamside vegetation. Also in CWP, a wintering Black-necked Grebe found on Pit 16 by Graham Lawlor, it is keeping to the centre of the pit but fine to view through the scope. 2 adult Great Black-backed Gulls at Eysey.

Gloucestershire .........

11 Jan - A morning detour to Daglingworth (Park corner quarry) resulted in excellent views of the Great Grey Shrike, perched up intermittently fairly close to the road. Slimbridge was again productive, the Cattle Egret was on the causeway at South Lake and the first 4 Avocet of the year were also present. I logged Ruff for the year, and Water Rail under the Willow hide feeders. And I never tire of seeing Bewick's Swans during the 3 months they spend with us every winter.

Eastern vagrant Thrush........

8 Jan - A repeat visit to Whipsnade where a vagrant male Black-throated Thrush has been giving very good views, faithful to its berry tree which it is guarding from all-comers. Fortunately the bird was still present and my views were much better than in the fog before Christmas. A stunning bird, Fieldfare-sized with a shiny black throat and upper chest, and now fairly confiding as it has got used to its daily throng of admirers, mostly armed with cameras and lenses. Well worth the repeat trip to get such good views and photo opportunities...… a stop at Otmoor on the way home produced my first Barn Owl of the year, the expected Marsh Harriers, and a large flock of Golden Plovers and Lapwings, but no other raptors, as the Starling murmuration has dispersed very early this year.

Cleveland Lakes

6 Jan - A very flooded area on the walk to, and around the reed hide. A big flock of Egrets on the floods, with a good comparison of the GW Egret dwarfing its Little cousins. 4 Snipe flushed from the floods by an overflying Marsh Harrier. Sparrowhawk logged for the year, with a close perched male. No sign of the Dippers reported on the stream.....Kingfisher, Cetti's Warbler, singing Chiffchaff also logged.

Barrow Gurney trio

5 Jan - A bright but quite breezy morning. There is currently an impressive trio of wintering birds at Barrow Gurney. The returning drake Long-tailed Duck that has wintered here for several years now was looking as smart as ever, in stunning winter regalia. Nearby on the largest tank, a Great Northern Diver has been joined by its rarer (inland at least) cousin, a Black-throated Diver - both were surprisingly difficult to locate on the slightly choppy water, but gave good comparisons in the end, the Black-throat being more compact and smaller in size, also showing its distinctive white thigh patch. A couple of Common Sandpipers are also wintering here and flew with typical fluttering, bowed wings.

Farmoor

2 Jan - A quick stop at Farmoor gave nice close views of the smart, winter-plumaged Slavonian Grebe that has been on F2 for a few days now, and the 2 female-type Greater Scaup still with the Tufted flock on F1.

New Years Day 2020

A cloudy but dry and calm day to start the 2020 list. First stop the Water Park, Shorncote in winter is reliable for Little Egret, Water Rail and Cetti's Warbler and these were all logged (although I was too late for the Barn Owl). Stonechat, Kingfisher and Grey Wagtail also here, with winter Thrushes and a Green Woodpecker. Pit 56 holds Goosander and 5 were present, also a few Siskins calling. Red-crested Pochard on Pit 44 then to Twitcher's Gate, where Great White Egret and a hunting female Marsh Harrier were on view on the same scope view! good numbers of Pintail and Shoveler have been on this pit recently, possibly related to the flooding this winter around the Thames area and fields in CWP. At Daglingworth, c180 Golden Plovers circled calling mournfully, but the Park Corner Great Grey Shrike was not on view. On to WWT Slimbridge - the usual suspects went on the list here - Bewick's Swan,White-fronted Goose, plus a bonus of 8 Pink-footed Geese that have been wintering. Commoner waders included Curlew, Black-tailed Godwit and Redshank. The Frampton Tawny Owl was not at home, but a late afternoon detour to the Cotswolds produced 3-4 Short-eared Owls hunting. A Tawny Owl calling at home after dark gave a total for the day of 92 species.....