Little Egrets

14 Nov - a quick look while passing the CWP in the afternoon produced 2 Little Egrets on pit 301, right by the A419; and 3 female Goldeneye on pit 74, the first of the winter. 1000s of Starlings were performing aerobatics at dusk over the Waterhay reedbed, a very impressive sight.

Short-eared Owl still at Shorncote

13 Nov - a late afternoon walk, and the Short-eared Owl still hunting between the pits and the South Cerney crossroads. I took the photo a couple of weeks ago. No sign of the resident Barn Owl today. Also this afternoon - a male Stonechat, a Grey Wagtail, 120+ Fieldfare, Buzzard, Kestrel, a pair of Shoveler, male Wigeon, Teal, 2+ Water Rail and 2+ Cetti's Warblers heard.

American Robin in East Devon

12 Nov - An American Robin only 2hrs away was too good to miss so I went early to Exminster Marshes and had very good views of the bird, a first-winter, feeding on berries and preening in the hedges. I was home before midday. I was definitely watching the correct bird as I was standing next to LGRE.....the second one of this species I have seen in the UK. Photo, copyright Gavin Haig.

Shorncote

7 Nov - a short walk late afternoon did not produce the Short-eared Owl, which had been seen earlier - but a Barn Owl was perched, a Little Egret flew over, 2-3 Cetti's Warblers and 2+ Water Rails called and 2 Snipe were also heard. An atmospheric winter dusk, cold and clear with little wind.

Cheddar reservoir

6 Nov - I managed to combine a trip to Bristol with a quick look at Cheddar reservoir, where, after some scanning, I found that the Red-necked Grebe was still present, in the centre of the reservoir - photos, copyright Rich Andrews (top), Gary Thoburn (lower). The two Whooper Swans were also still present, together with good numbers of duck including Pochard, Teal, Shoveler and Wigeon.

American Bittern (again).....and AGP

5 Nov - a repeat visit, fortunately to this end of Cornwall, and after a 2-hr wait, excellent views of the American Bittern which has relocated to Walmsley sanctuary near Wadebridge. The bird was feeding in the ditches of the reserve, and occasionally walking in the open and being seen in the reeds along the dykes, where it was amazingly well camouflaged. The above pictures (top two, copyright) were taken while I was watching the bird, by Mike Barker, who was sitting next to me in the hide - he kindly e-mailed me the copies above. Distinctively smaller than Eurasian Bittern, darker in colour, with obvious coarse streaking on the breast, black moustachial stripe and lemon yellow bill. Also present on site - Whooper Swan, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew and 100+ Snipe.
On the way home, a stop at the Exe estuary produced distant views of the American Golden Plover (lower photo, copyright Dave Stone) - small and slender, with prominent supercilium - together with Grey Plovers, Bar- and Black-tailed Godwits, Avocets, Red-breasted Mergansers, and 11 Little Egrets.

American Bittern photo

3 Nov - this photo of the American Bittern, taken in dull light, copyright Penny Clarke, shows the bird in flight on the day I saw it at Trewey Common. The bird is now giving much better views at Walmsley Sanctuary near Wadebridge.