Kamchatka, Kuril Islands and Bering Sea - June 2009

15-30 June 2009 - a Heritage Expeditions trip to the remote Far East of Russia, including the Kuril Island chain, Bering and Medny Islands, and the Kamchatka peninsula. A very memorable experience, with generally very good weather (despite some fog), and a real frontier feel. Our base was the "Spirit of Enderby", an expedition cruise ship (pics 1-5). Wildlife highlights were many - Zapovednik island produced a glimpse of a Brown(Grizzly)Bear popping its head up at close quarters, as well as many White-tailed Eagles (p 6-7). Stunning weather on Iterup island gave us dramatic views of the volcano, and Pacific Swifts and our first very obliging Siberian Rubythroat (p 8-9). Highlights of the rest of the Kuril chain including
2 more Brown Bears (p 29-30), and thousands of auks including (p22-28) Parakeet Auklet, Horned and Tufted Puffins, Whiskered Auklets (a flight of thousands in from the sea at dusk), Spectacled Guillemot, Brunnich's Guillemot and Black Guillemot. Waders included Grey-tailed Tattler, Mongolian Plover and Rock Sandpiper. (p 10-12). The cruise around the Bering Sea was impressive in its own right - Red-legged Kittiwakes were much in evidence towards Bering Island (p 13-14) and cetaceans were very impressive - a Blue Whale on the last morning (p 15), also Sperm, Baird's Beaked Whales (p 16-17) and Orcas (p 18). Other seabirds included 3 Short-tailed and daily Laysan Albatrosses and long-tailed Skuas (p 19-21).
On the Kamchatka mainland, landings at river mouths gave us excellent sightings amidst dramatic snow-topped volcanic scenery. I finally saw a Lanceolated Warbler (p 31-34), and the Zhupanova River cruise in fantastic weather was memorable for multiple sightings of Steller's Sea Eagles and Red-throated Divers (p 35-38).
As a finale, Bering and Medny Islands (with a statue of Captain Bering himself) produced both dramatic fog-bound scenery (p 39-42) and splendid wildlife - including fantastic close-up Pechora Pipits, Sea Otters, Harlequins, and Glaucous-winged Gulls (p 43-46).
After the end of the ship cruise, a final day on the mainland in the Paratunka valley gave a last highlight, a mixed tern colony included a few pairs of Aleutian Terns, and numerous Olive-backed Pipits (p 47-49). The flight home left final memories of smoking volcanoes and dramatic sunsets (p 50-51).

Marsh Warbler at Otmoor

3 July - an evening visit to Otmoor gave a brief glimpse of the Marsh Warbler and a good opportunity to hear its complex song including mimicry (photo copyright Nigel Forrow/Otmoor Birding). Also seen - the female Marsh Harrier over the reedbed, 2 Turtle Doves, a Cetti's Warbler and 2 Little Egrets, and 2 Grasshopper Warblers heard reeling.

Little Bittern at Ham Wall

9 June - an evening visit after work and rewarded with multiple flight views of the male Little Bittern that has been present for several days - when not in view, the bird was calling frequently from the extensive reedbeds. Seen circling low over the reeds at close quarters at 9pm. Also seen, a brief view of a (Great) Bittern in flight - a unique UK species double - and a hunting Barn Owl. Photo of the Little Bittern - copyright James Packer (somersetbirder.co.uk)

Marsh Harrier at Otmoor!

4 June - an afternoon visit to Otmoor, the highlight being a view of the female Marsh Harrier that has been around for a while - hunting not over the reedbed, but over the field adjacent to the bridleway. Also seen, 3 Hobbies and 2 Red Kites. En route, a Hobby over the Oxford ring road, and 13 Red Kites in the Didcot/Whittenham area.