February updates!

Where does the time go? February saw us visiting Pitsford Reservoir in snow and ice, Otmoor Reserve in cool but brilliant sunshine, Wicken Fen in the rain and a second visit to Pagham Harbour with Bedford RSPB Local Group and last but not least Titchwell and Holkham.
The highlights at Pitsford were a group of Goldcrests flitting in and out of the trees, Goldeneye and Smew in pairs and a very lucky fly-over of a Woodcock. There was a very large flock of Canada Geese which dominated the areas around the open water.

Smew at Pitsford

A pair of Goldeneye

After leaving Pitsford we went to Fineshade which was also very icy (except for the lovely hot chocolate, enjoyed in the cafe). There wasn't much about, Marsh and Coal Tit on the feeders were the best we could do! So we made our way back home via Corby, counting Red Kites as we went.

Malcolm and I went on a mid-week trip to Otmoor, hoping to see Short-eared Owls but the best we could do was a Peregrine, a large mixed flock of Fieldfare and Redwings and Mealy Redpolls and Yellowhammers near the feeders.
A morning visit, in drizzle, to Stockgrove gave us some good views of Nuthatch and some cheeky Grey Squirrels.

Nuthatch at Stockgrove

We went to Wicken Fen on a most unpromising day, weather-wise, but the forecast had said it would brighten later! So we didn't go out very early and we managed to stay reasonably dry. The effort was not wasted. Mid-afternoon saw us approaching the 'tower' hide which was already occupied by a couple of birders, we just filled it to capacity! We were delighted to see up to four female/juvenile Hen Harriers hunting and perching on posts or on the ground. The clouds drifted away to leave a beautiful setting sun which cast a golden glow across the reserve. The birds looked magnificent in the sunlight. A Short-eared Owl was seen, briefly, hunting over the fen and at least two Barn Owls joined in the hunting spree. Unfortunately it was not a good day for photography.
Our second visit, for the year, to Pagham Harbour was very enjoyable. We saw the usual waders and geese but the highlight for us was the overwintering? Black Redstart at Selsey which eventually showed very well. There were quite a few Med Gulls, especially on the beach near Church Norton, where the receding tide invited more and more waders down to feed.

Black Redstart

On the last weekend of February we decided to try our luck in North Norfolk for the Rough-legged Buzzard that had been eluding us last year. We made an early start so that we could visit Titchwell first - this proved to be a wise decision. Along the path to the visitor centre we stopped to see if the Redpolls were about, we could hear them but not see them until we spotted a couple flying over the tree tops and away. A Treecreeper calling was easy to spot, then another turned up so we watched them long enough to get a couple of photos.

Treecreeper at Titchwell

We caught up with the Redpolls in the alders along the path, they were a mixed group but we were unable to identify the Coue's in amongst them. Then we made our way down to the sea where we had one of our best Titchwell seawatches. Long-tailed Ducks, Red-throated Divers, Velvet Scoter and Eider to name but a few!
At Holkham we parked up and made our way to the beach in the hope of catching up with the Shorelark but there were too many people about on such a lovely sunny day! A Barn Owl sat on a post in full view, looking for it's lunch. After walking along to the hides and drawing a blank on the RL Buzzard we decided to call it a day. Sitting in the car ready to drive off Malcolm spotted a Buzzard flying along the woodland edge between Holkham and Wells and it was 'hovering' so we quickly got our bins out just as it dropped out of sight!! Perseverance paid off as it reappeared, briefly, a few minutes later. Not great views but definitely the Rough-legged Buzzard!

Winter Ducks and Geese

The first weekend in February, Gen and ourselves joined John, Pete and Geoff in Dumfries and Galloway to look for wintering waterbirds and anything else of interest. The weather was mixed with very wet conditions on the Saturday but fine, if chilly for the rest of the time. On the way we stopped off to visit WWT Caerlaverock, which was disappointing as the tides were not in our favour and the Barnacle Geese were very distant. Possibly the best birds seen there were a small flock of Yellowhammers feeding on the ground and in the bushes close to one of the hides.

One of the Yellowhammer flock (taken through glass!)

Further along the Solway, at Carsethorn, we had fantastic views of a Peregrine patrolling the shore and putting up the large flocks of Lapwing, Dunlin and Oystercatchers. Yet again geese were seen at great distance on the mud banks of the Solway.
As Saturday was such a washout, with poor views across Loch Ryan, we returned to our hotel in the afternoon, to amuse ourselves by a roaring fire, playing dominoes!
Sunday morning saw us at Port Beg cottage before breakfast for views of Black Guillemot, Eider, Red-throated Diver, Shag, Rock Dove, Fulmar and Gannet. Later, along the western shore of Loch Ryan we saw large flocks of Scaup, a group of Eider with a Long-tailed Duck, a trio of Long-tailed ducks, Slavonian Grebes, Mergansers and Black Guillemots and Red-throated divers, one in particular was quite close to  our viewpoint. We also found a couple of Rock Pipits on one of the slipways.

A flotilla of Scaup

Eider males

Long-tailed Duck

Slavonian Grebe

Red-throated Diver

Just beyond Stranraer we had a possible Iceland Gull, Turnstones, Redshank, Black-headed Gulls, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Knot and Oystercatchsrs with one leucistic Oystercatcher that has possibly been seen in previous years.

Turnstones, Redshank & Black-headed Gulls

We moved further east to a car park where views towards the northern end of the loch gave us a distant Great Northern Diver. From the eastern shore of Loch Ryan we counted two groups of Red-throated divers, one containing 12 and the other 10.
After leaving Loch Ryan we travelled to Wigtown where a Long-billed Dowitcher has been a long staying visitor but alas we were unable to locate it. Not a lot else to be seen apart from some very elegant Pintails and a Peregrine.
On our way home we crossed the moorland to the east of Stranraer in beautiful sunlight. Very few birds about except in the wooded valleys on the way through to the A75. Unfortunately patches of fog became more intense as we travelled and we found RSPB Mersehead enveloped in mist and fog. Views from the hide were very limited as the nearest ducks melted into the mist.

Pagham Harbour and Selsey Bill

Yesterday saw Gen, Paul and ourselves up before the crack of dawn to travel down to West Sussex for a birding adventure with Beds Birds. John, our leader for the day, had prepared for the trip meticulously including going down a day ahead and scouting out the best viewpoints.

We assembled at the visitor centre before setting off for a walk around the western side of the harbour. From the hide we had good views of Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler and a large number of Shelduck feeding on the water to the west of the road. Lapwing, Golden Plover and Curlew were also present. A couple of Red-legged Partridge were spotted at the back of the field. The walk along the 'embankment' revealed Redshank and Pintail feeding and dabbling in the saltmarsh. Further along the path we saw more Pintail, then a group of Avocet, Grey Plover, Dunlin and a couple of Oystercatchers resting on the end of one of the mud banks. In the distance, across the water, we saw Brent Geese along with more Shelduck. On our walk back to the cars Mike spotted a Goldcrest moving through a bramble hedge but it quickly moved on and only a couple of us saw it. The feeders outside the visitors centre were busy - we saw plenty of Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Blue, Great and Long-tailed Tit feeding there as well as a Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Then we all drove down to Selsey Bill for a sea watch and for most of the group a very fleeting view of a Black Redstart. There were several Med Gulls on and around the beach area as well as a small number of Mergansers a bit further out to sea. We also had an eclipse Eider moving rapidly westwards in quite a rough sea. Further round, near the Lifeboat Station we stopped for lunch and a more prolonged seawatch where the water was not quite so choppy. A large group of Turnstones were gathered on the slipway and at least one Great Crested Grebe diving around the moored fishing boats.

Lastly a visit to the Church Norton end of the reserve gave us views of the waders enjoying the increasing mud flats revealed by the retreating tide. New for the day were Ringed Plover, Little Egret and Knot. A short walk took us to the beach where another sea watch became more interesting as the receding tide left a sandier shoreline for the waders to forage along. The highlight here was the Slavonian Grebe that had been spotted the previous day but took quite a while to relocate. Unfortunately it wasn't a great day for photographs - just a great days' birding with friends!
  

Ducks and Swans

Ducks....... on the 14th January I joined Gen on a 'Duck Hunt' along the River Flit, through Flitwick Moor and Flitton Moor then on to Hollington Basin. It was a beautifully bright and frosty morning and although I started out in fog it was clear and sunny in Flitwick.
Our first significant bird of the morning was a lovely Goldcrest which alerted us to it's presence by it's call whilst it flitted through a garden conifer. Of ducks - not a lot to see. Our sightings were all on the millstream and river and amounted to Moorhen, Mallards and this odd hybrid!

Hybrid duck

We really enjoyed the walk despite the lack of ducks. There were 3 Grey Heron, standing in meadows, looking a bit fed up and two very vocal Little Egret flew over. This picture of the Soay sheep used for managing the Moor reminds me of the wintry views sometimes found on Christmas cards and jigsaws.

Best of all, was a pair of Bullfinches that were feeding on seed heads near the path. I managed to get a couple of photos but before I could get close enough for a decent shot a dog-walker disturbed the birds and they flew off.

Male Bullfinch

Unfortunately all the shallow water, including Hollington Basin was frozen and any water birds had gone elsewhere to feed.

Swans....... on Sunday 15th we went to the Ouse Washes and Welney with the Bedford RSPB Local Group. We visited the Ouse Washes first and were pleased to see that despite there being plenty of ice there were still plenty of birds. I was very glad not to be there to count them as there were Wigeon everywhere as well as plenty of Teal, some beautiful Pintails, Black-tailed Godwit, Snipe, Dunlin and a Temmincks Stint that some saw and others didn't. I think we saw it but as it was at distance we weren't sure. We had good views of a female Merlin hunting.

After lunch we visited Welney WWT. This was a chance for possibly the last visit this winter while the Bewick's and Whoopers are here. We certainly saw more Bewick's than we had last time we visited and they were better views. Malcolm took some video of this pair head-bobbing.

It was very busy in the main observation hide so we walked down to Lyle Hide, just in time to get good views of a perched Peregrine before it flew off. We were also lucky to see a small group of European White-fronts feeding with some Greylags. Although the hide was busy, people were sharing the space well and everybody managed to get a good view of a ringtail Hen Harrier that flew over. As the afternoon progressed the temperature dropped and light faded so we returned to the visitor centre to enjoy a hot chocolate and fantastic views of a hunting Barn Owl as it flew past the windows.

Happy Smew Year!

A great start to the new year list began with the cracking male Smew at Caldecotte Lake. We hoped it would still be there despite a negative report the day before - and we were lucky to find it busily feeding amongst Black-headed Gulls and a trio of Goosander. Unfortunately the light was not brillant and this photo is, at best, a record shot.

Smew at Caldecotte

After watching the Smew for a while we hastened to the north lake to look for the Great Northern Diver. Here again we were lucky and found the diver feeding just off the northern bank.

We then went to Linford Lakes to see if we could bag the Great White Egret. Unfortunately it had gone AWOL to Brogborough and by the time we got there it had returned to Bucks!! Nevertheless we did get good views of Goldeneye on the lake and Marsh Tit and Water Rail from the Woodland Hide. Whilst scanning the lake to see what was about we were visited, in the hide, by a very trusting young Robin.

Our friendly Robin

Marsh Tit

We returned to Bedfordshire and dipped on the GWE. After lunch we went for a walk round Stewartby Lake but with the weather rapidly deteriorating we were lucky to locate the GND which was fishing in the lea the Marston Corner. After a brief visit to the Gull Watchpoint we retreated from the increasingly wet weather.

The end of year round-up!

December has not been the best month for photography, as we've often been birding in poor light. Nevertheless trips to Burwell Fen and the Norfolk coast have given us some memorable birds.
We had a very pleasant days birding which started at Strumpshaw with Marsh Harriers, Coal and Marsh Tits on the feeders but nothing else of note. A seawatch at Winterton produced Gannets, Guillemots, Common Scoters, Red-throated divers and a brilliant Grey Phalarope fly-past. A cold vigil at Stubbs Mill resulted in 20+  Marsh Harriers, 10 Common Cranes and a few groups of Pink-footed Geese - not our best visit there but still enjoyable.
Of course we had to try for the Western Sandpiper at Cley. Along with many others we watched this charming little bird busily pottering along the shoreline of Simmond's Scrape from Avocet hide.

We drew a blank at Holkham looking for the Rough-legged Buzzard and apart from flocks of winter geese there was little else about.
A visit to Welney to catch up with the Bewicks and Whoopers gave us some good views, although the birds were distant.

Four trips to Burwell Fen in the past few weeks have yielded some good views of the Short-eared Owls that are wintering there. Today we had some of our best views, though not easily photographed.

The afternoon sun showed the varying plumage of the birds at their best. There were at least two dark birds, one with russet 'infill' on the upper wings and some on the body. The other with very little russet. The other birds were all paler to varying degrees. We saw at least six but as they are not inclined to fly simultaneously it's difficult to say if there were more.
    Wishing everyone a Happy New Birding Year in 2012!

A Great and Greater weekend in Northumberland

After our weekend in Northumberland in June we decided to return to see the Autumn/Winter visitors to the NE coast. On the way we stopped off at Prestwick Carr to view a Great Grey Shrike which seemed to like the area close to Newcastle Airport. We had reasonable views before it moved too far away to see clearly. A Peregrine, a small party of Bullfinches and a flock of Fieldfare and Redwing were also seen.

Great Grey Shrike (distant)

After lunch we went to Low Newton, where despite very blowy conditions, we saw a number of Purple Sandpipers, Oystercatchers and Turnstones on the shore and Eider ducks, Red-Throated Diver and a Merganser in the shelter of Long Nanny. 
Highlights of a pre-breakfast birdwatch on Budle Bay - increasing light revealed large numbers of Pink-foot, some Brents and a few Barnacle Geese accompanied by two very white Snow Geese (later put out on Birdguides as Ross's). There were also large numbers of Shelduck, Wigeon, Oystercatchers, a few Godwit, Goldeneye and a Merganser. A couple of Mistle Thrushes in the trees behind us and a beautiful male Hen Harrier hunting across the fields.
After breakfast we spent the day on Lindisfarne, checking out Straight and Crooked Lonnen, the sea, shore and harbour and anywhere else for birds. Thrushes were bountiful, Fieldfare, Redwing and Blackbird. 

A young Blackbird - very confiding.

Fieldfare

Redwing

Gannets, Eider, Kittiwake, Guillemot and Red-throated Diver were on or above the sea, whilst Starlings and Turnstones busied themselves along the shore.

Turnstones

There were a few Water Pipit scavenging along the shore opposite the castle. 

Two Water Pipits 

Groups of Eider, some males looking very smart, gathered in the lea of the island, just outside the harbour.

A group of Eider

The sunset was beautifully displayed behind the Priory with the purple and pink skies over the Cheviots viewed from the Lonnen. 

Sunset behind the Priory

Fading light over the mainland

We watched as numbers of Starlings wheeled and swirled into a good sized roost over the fields, slowly heading towards the reed beds. Keeping our eyes out for Short-eared Owls, which have been reported regularly in the area, we re-traced our steps along Straight Lonnen until we had views over the dunes and banks. Just as the light was fading we spotted at least one SEO out hunting across the fields and dunes.
Sunday was dull and damp. A pre-breakfast trip to Fenham Flats yielded more Geese, mainly Brents, Twite and Yellowhammers. 
The mouth of the River Tweed held Eider, Shag and Red-throated Diver. 

Red-throated Diver on the River Tweed

Whilst we were lucky enough to have two Snow Buntings fly in close by. Only minimally disturbed by dogs and walkers.

Snow Bunting

North of Berwick we found a young seal that appeared to have stranded itself, high above the tideline. The rocks held Purple Sandpiper and the only Ringed Plover of the trip (seen by the 'boys').
A trip to the Kyloe hills in the afternoon proved an enjoyable walk and hill climb but not many birds. Treecreeper being the only addition to the list.
On Monday we re-visited Lindisfarne briefly for a pre-breakfast birdwatch. Nothing new but it was good to check it out. Finally we set off for home via Druridge Bay. Starting at Hauxley we were amazed at the number of cars around - until we found ourselves in the middle of a twitch for a Greater Yellowlegs and a Grey Phalarope! Sometimes it's really good to be 'in the right place at the right time'. We had good views but not good photographic opportunities. Fortunately a very kind, local birder who had managed to get a reasonable shot of the two sent us a copy and agreed to allow us to put it in this report. So many thanks to Len Waterworth for the photo.

Greater Yellowlegs and Grey Phalarope at Hauxley
(Courtesy of Len Waterworth)

A Slav Grebe at Druridge Country Park was our last bird of note and having failed to locate the Green-winged Teal we set off back home.