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.