Bulgaria May 2007 - part 1

17-28 May 2007 with Sunbird. A tour around most of the birding sites, from the central mountains to the Black Sea coast. Despite poor weather for the first 3 days, all the specialities seen, including Wallcreeper, Levant Sparrowhawk, Dalmatian and White Pelicans, 21 raptors, Semi-collared Flycatcher, Masked Shrike, Olive-tree and Paddyfield Warblers. Rollers, Bee-eaters and Shrikes were widespread along the roadsides. Both Broad-billed and Marsh Sandpipers seen on passage, also Spur-winged Plover. A selection of photos appear here;

Etara village
Pied Wheatear
Long-legged Buzzard
Black-headed Bunting
White Pelican
Lake Mandra
Honey Buzzard
Lesser Spotted Eagle
Isabelline Wheatear
White Stork nest

Great White Egret in the Water Park

23 August - The Great White Egret that has been around the R Thames area for a couple of weeks was relocated today by John Booth on pit 95, Wiltshire section of CWP. Seen feeding in the channels and also several times in flight, dwarfing the Little Egrets present. Very long, snake-like neck, but surprisingly elusive amongst the vegetation.

Autumn wader passage

3 and 12 August - Greenshank, 3 Dunlin and a Ringed Plover (3rd) and 2 Green Sandpipers (12th) at Kent End Farm quarry in CWP. A juvenile Hobby also on 12th, perched on a gravel mound til it flew off south.

Honey Buzzard in the New Forest

11 August - a morning visit to Acres Down in the New Forest in perfect weather. WIthin 5 minutes of arriving at 0930, a Honey Buzzard lifted off to the south and I watched it for 25 minutes as it circled and drifted gradually north. Presumably a male, with pale underparts and moderate barring on the wings. Typical flat and elastic flight profile, slightly bowed wings and mobile tail. The only raptor seen! Crossbill heard calling, 3 Graylings flushed from the path.

An amazing month at Farmoor - so far!

2 rarities on successive weekends at Farmoor;

5 August - a Marsh Sandpiper that had been at Abingdon the previous day was relocated at Farmoor, and seen on the floods adjacent to the R Thames. I only had binoculars with me, but had a brief view through someone's scope - long legged, slender straight bill, Greenshank-like. Also seen in flight.

12 August - a juvenile Purple Heron eventually seen well on Shrike meadow on a small pool then in flight towards the reserve. Buff-brown but with the typical snake-like head and flight profile.

Black Kite (and Montagu's Harriers)

22 July - an early morning visit to Nocton Fen in Lincs, where the long-staying Black Kite was first watched preening in a tree then flying around and gliding in typically buoyant flight. Surprisingly contrasting between rufous body and greyish head. A couple of Marsh Harriers also seen here. A quick visit also made to the Digby Fen RSPB watchpoint, where the male Montagu's Harrier seen flying and perched preening, one juvenile also seen (photo).

Summer?

18 July - at last, blue sky and sun, almost like July... a quick visit to CWP after work produced a Nightingale and Kingfisher (in flight) at Swillbrook 46/48. Pit 95 held a flock of 15 Curlew that flew off, and 3 Little Egrets, one of which posed for the 300mm lens. Few dragonflies, just a couple of Brown Hawkers at Swillbrook.

The last few weeks have been very quiet, almost continuous rain reducing birding opportunities. I managed a quick evening visit to Tidenham Chase, Forest of Dean, on 11 July and had good views of a Nightjar churring and in flight. Hobbies have been more in evidence last week or two - feeding young now?