17/02/14 Red-flanked Bluetail, Red-crested Pochard and ....

Monday 17th February 2014
Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Hampshire
With PJ and AK

We made our long-overdue visit to Marshfield in Gloucester to see the rare Red-flanked Bluetail.  This bird had been around for some time and true to form it was exactly where it had been reported. 

Red-flanked Bluetail
Library picture

 Even in the light drizzle it showed up well and enabled Andrew to get some terrific photographs.  Of course this was a "lifer" for me the first of two I would get today.

Red-flanked Bluetail
Librry picture

Incredibly it was still only mid-morning and with our main business concluded we were able to address Paul's extras list.  



First stop was the Cotswold Water Park just south of Cirencester to see Red-crested Pochards.  I had seen a distant, beautiful, male at Titchwell in Norfolk a couple of days earlier but this was something much different.  

Red-crested Pochard
Library picture

There were at least 16 present on the lake and very close.  Also being the only ones there we felt very privileged to share their company so we stayed a good while to savour the experience. 

Our final stop, before the long drive home, was near Hungerford in Wiltshire.  Paul had a hunch he wanted to follow.  In a lovely secluded valley (flooding as we walked) he felt that the habitat was just right for the Willow Tit a rare bird, now almost extinct in the south of England.  He had done his background research so we decided to give it a go.  Boy how we were rewarded!  When we came across any woodland birds, Paul played the Willow Tit call from his phone and we listened for any response.  After several attempts we were successful.  After returning the call the bird showed up well on the branch of a small tree close by and then it flew to the opposite side of the road before appearing again on a similar branch.   I have never seen Paul so excited.  

Willow Tit
Library picture

We later found out it was almost 4 years ago since his last sighting and he feels we may never see one again the way things are going for it in this country.  Needless to say this was another "lifer" for me.  As a passing note I should point out we also saw Marsh Tits, Treecreeper, Goldcrests and Red-legged Partridges as well as hearing a Tawny Owl in the distance.

The journey home seemed painless as we mulled over a truly amazing day's birding.  A halcyon day! 



Additions to 2014 UK Bird List:
Red-flanked Bluetail   (160)
Willow Tit   (161)
Tawny Owl (heard)   (162)


Additions to Life List of Birds:

Red-flanked Bluetail   (245)

Willow Tit   (246)

16/02/2014 Ashdown Bird Group in East Anglian Final Day

Sunday 16th February 2014
Ashdown Bird Group Visit
Final Day

The agenda for the final day included another attempt to locate the Glossy Ibis in the fields on the Holt Road just south of Cley by Sea and a visit to Norwich to look for a Waxwing before heading up to Horning to spend some time with Nic before heading home in the evening.

The Glossy Ibis eluded us yet again and incredibly we just missed the Waxwing at Norwich; despite our staying for over an hour it did not return.  However........

While we were waiting we met a really interesting local birder, David, who gave us some really good birding advice including a good place to see a Glossy Ibis near to where Nic lives.  He also told us about his garden at home at Blofield just east of Norwich where he had a tick list of over 300 bird sightings!!!! (including an Osprey)  -   more than my life list from 3 continents.  His blog can be seen by following the link below:

http://birdsoftheheath.blogspot.co.uk

We took David's advice and, having duly picked up Nic, we headed out to Martham TG438191 where, true to form, a superb Glossy Ibis was feeding in the field less than 10m from the path we were walking along.  Thanks David!

We ran out of time to pursue David's other recommendation a Two-barred Crossbill at Hoveton Hall  TG312200.

A good final day in Nic's company.  

The visit ended just after 18.00 and we arrived home some 3 hours later -tired but fulfilled.  A lovely time!

Five new sightings this year and a species count in excess of 80 was a commendable effort under the circumstances.

Species List for Visit:

TO BE ADDED SOON

15/02/14 Ashdown Bird Group in East Anglian Day 3

Saturday 15th February 2014

The weather was fine, but very windy and overcast, early on with a forecast of heavy rain from lunchtime.  The  forecast turned out to be accurate which impacted greatly on our day.

An early sea watch from Sherringham was reasonable with Common Scoters a couple of Red-breasted Mergansers and various gulls seen on the sea.  Along the shoreline there were lots of Turnstone but no sign of the Purple Sandpipers.

Our attempts to locate the Glossy Ibis just outside of Cley proved fruitless.

Things picked up for us at Holkham where we saw thousands of Pink-footed Geese (159) from Lady Anne's Drive.

Pink-footed Geese
Library picture

 We moved round to the hide to get better views and were there when the heavens opened and there was a torrential downpour.  We passed the time looking at Hen Harriers and geese until it was safe to head back to the cars.  On the way we saw Grey Partrdiges and Red-legged Partridges in the sodden fields.  As we left we saw 4 or 5 Egyptian Geese in the nearby fields.


Our final port of call was to the marshes at Stiffkey where we were delighted to see at least 4 Ring-tailed Hen Harriers over the duration of our hour-long stay.  It was a pleasure to watch these birds go about their business in the distance totally unaware that they were being watched.  Thankfully the rain held off and we were one of the few from our group to return to the hotel in dry clothes. 

Considering the awful weather conditions we had a remarkably productive day!



Addition to 2014 UK Bird List:
Pink-footed Goose (159)

14/02/2014. Ashdown Bird Group in East Anglian Day 2

Friday 14th February 2014
Ashdown Bird Group
Titchwell


Overcast but dry to start with but rain came in at 12 ish causing us to run for the hides and then to head off early to the hotel.  However we did manage to get in some useful sea watching beforehand so the day was not lost.

Out to sea there were lots of Scoter, mainly Common but with the odd Velvet seen as well.  There were lots of Goldeneye including, my favourite, the drake.  A couple of Red-breasted Mergansers showed prominently on the water.  There were lots of waders including Bar-tailed Godwits, Knot, Turnstone and Dunlin.

On the reserve I got my first sighting of 2014 of the Avocets - a group of 20 or so were tucked in to the left hand edge of one of the very few islands left.

Avocet
Library picture

 The Pintails made for a pretty sight as they moved regally through the water.

From the hide the highlight was the Red-crested Pochard showing well tucked in at the far edges of the pond.  This was a first for me this year.

Red-crested Pochard
Library picture

A shortened day but pleasant and productive with an expanding species list for the trip including 2 new year ticks with the Avocet (157) and the Red-crested Pochard (158)

13/02/2014. Ashdown Bird Group in East Anglian Day 1

Thursday 13th February 2014
Ashdown Bird Group

Glorious sunny day with no rain and little wind.  A full day saw us visit Lackford Lakes, Strumpshaw Fen, Hickling Broad before finishing at Stubb Farm.

The highlight had to be the Cranes seen at Stubb Farm.  3 of them flew across us, returned later on before making a final show just before we left.  In the bright sunlight they made a really special imprint.

Close behind was the spectacle provided by the Marsh Harriers.  at one point I counted 20 in the skies as I panned round.  Others managed an even bigger total.  I have never seen as many as this before.  Amazing!

We managed to see a Muntjac Deer and a Chinese Water Deer to add some variety to the proceedings.

There were quite a few Goldeneye to be seen, including the very good looking drake.

The only new bird for me this year was the Merlin that was seen by a few of us at Stubb Farm.

Merlin
Library picture

Not a bad start with one addition to my 2014 Year List - Merlin. (156) and a species count of over 40.


Our hotel for this trip was the Links Hotel, West Runcton near Cromer on the NE Coast of Norfolk.









Addition to 2014 UK Bird List
Merlin    (156)


Other Species
Muntjac Deer
Chinese Water Deer

12/02/14. Welney Wetland Centre. Whooper Swans

Wednesday 12th February 2014
Welney Wetland Centre

Came up early ready to join our Ashdown Forest Birdgroup tomorrow morning.  Arrived at Welney about an hour before closing time.  Weather conditions were awful with very strong winds and rain.

There was time to admire the Whoopers from the visitors centre.  There were well over a hundred close by with more out on the fens.  They are truly a majestic species as they move regally through the water.

Whooper Swan
Library picture

Whooper Swans
Library picture

From the main observation hide the scene was dominated by hundreds of male Pochards.  There were a few females too.  Tufted Ducks, Wigeon, Coots, Black-headed Gulls, Great Black-backed Gulls, Herring Gulls, Cormorants and Lapwings were also evident.

A good start after a long journey in very poor weather.

Addition to 2014 UK Bird List:
Whooper Swan.  (155)

11/02/2014 4 New Birds and an Albion Win!

Tuesday 11th February 2014
West Sussex Trip with PJ

We decided to start late due to yet another overnight storm.  Picked up Paul at 11.00 then tried Widewater and Goreham Beach before heading off to Littlehampton when, as predicted, things got better; the sun began to shine and the birds came out to play.

At Littlehampton, West Beach, thanks to Paul, we soon located 1 of 4 LITTLE GULLS to provide me with a welcome year tick and some excellent on-the-spot training.  Paul was really after the KUMLIEN'S GULL and the GLAUCOUS GULL both of which duly turned up, much to the delight of myself and a couple of fellow birders.

After priding myself on ID'ing a couple of Med Gulls we decided to relocate to West Dean to try our luck with the LITTLE OWL.  Despite the awkward drive through flooded country roads we were rewarded with superb views - is this the same owl I saw 3 years ago with Bernie Forbes and the SOS?  If so it was equally beneficent.


Our final destination was Greatham Bridge to seek the Great Grey Shrike.  Yet again we were doomed to fail - 5th time for his majesty but only my fourth.  To ease the pain Paul directed Sandra and myself to a fly-over BULLFINCH to clinch my 4th new 2014 Bird of the Day.

We packed up early to allow Sandra, Paul and myself to prepare for and enjoy the Albion beat Leeds United 1 - 0 later on at the Amex.

Additions to 2014 UK Bird List:
Little Gull   (151)
Kumlien's Gull   re Iceland Gull  (152)
Little Owl   (153)
Bullfinch   (154)


Addition to UK Life List of Birds:
Kumlien's Gull    (244)