South Coast

Feb 13 - A quick look at Langstone Harbour en route to Southampton, partly to try out the new lens......good views of 12 species of wader, mostly by Hayling bridge and the Ship Inn, with Bar- and Black-tailed Godwits, Redshank, Curlew, good numbers of Dunlin, Grey and Golden Plover, with a single Ringed Plover. 25 + Red-breasted Mergansers and a single Black-necked Grebe were bobbing in the choppy bay. An adult summer Med Gull was on the mud with BH and Common Gulls. Several Little Egrets were fishing in the shallows. Other waders included Black-and Bar-tailed Godwits, and then from Farlington car park, 52 Avocet just before the rain came. Year list 131. Photos JM.

Feeders.....

Feb 9 - Plenty of birds coming to the garden feeder after the recent cold snap, the highlight being 2 Long-tailed Tits paying brief visits. Also seen - Blue and Great Tits, Robin and Blackbird, as well as Dunnocks, House Sparrows and Starlings, and a female Chaffinch.

Harlequin on the River Don.......

Feb 7 - A lengthy and tiring, but enjoyable, day trip north of the Border for the long-staying immature drake Harlequin on the River Don. I saw the sun rise from the plane, and we were in Aberdeen by 8.15. After some initial confusion in the roadworks, I found my way to Seaton Park and the river, and joined a small group of birders who had located the duck upstream, with its distinctive brown plumage with a blue sheen, white facial markings and active diving in the rough water. It then moved to the Papermill Drive rapids, where it gave much better views despite the local canoeing classes (being a weekend). Also on the river, 2 pairs of Goosander and 30+ Goldeneye.

I had time for a visit to Girdleness headland, south of Aberdeen harbour, and here the highlight was a group of 25+ Purple Sandpipers, seen at fairly close quarters on the rocks below the lighthouse. One of my favourite waders.....also seen a few Turnstones, good numbers of Oystercatchers, Redshank and Curlew. 200-300 Eider were bobbing in the waters between the harbour and the point. Quite a few Guillemots also seen in flight. Home at 8.20pm! Year list up to 130.

Garden Long-tailed Tits

Feb 6 - The current cold snap is ensuring that the feeders are busy, and the highlight today was a brief visit by 2 Long-tailed Tits, attracted along with the Blue and Great Tits to the fat ball feeder I put out 3-4 days ago. A very smart Red Kite seen today heading from Coate Water over Marlborough Road in Swindon, mobbed by Black-headed Gulls.

Early morning fresh air.....

Feb 2 - an early morning walk at Cirencester Park, and a good variety of woodland birds......Marsh Tit, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Jay, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Goldcrest. Plus an atmospheric view of a very alert Fox. I also discovered a setaside field near South Cerney signed as a wild bird feeding area, and there was an amazing flock of Linnets numbering at least 400 birds, together with Reed Bunting, Goldfinch and Chaffinches. Pit 74 at CWP held 2 drake and at least 3 female Goldeneyes, and several Common Gulls.

Shorncote chill

Feb 1 - a chilly but sunny morning at Shorncote, with a strong northerly wind keeping activity low. There were not 1, but 2, Little Owls in the willow tree at South Cerney sports ground. The Siberian Chiffchaff was with 5-6 Common Chiffchaffs along the stream, but all elusive in the wind. 2 Water Rails and 2 Cetti's Warblers called from the reeds, and a Grey Wagtail fed along the stream edge. Flocks of Redwings and Fieldfares were also keeping a low profile in the hedges due to the strength of the arctic airflow. A Tawny Owl calling outside the house in the evening increased my year list up to 126. 4 species of Owl seen this weekend.....Short-eared, Barn, Little and Tawny - only missing Long-eared.....