09/01/20 Welney WWT

Thursday 9 January 2020
Welney WWT

On the way up to our first Norfolk tour of 2020 Tom H-J and I called in at Welney WWT centre.

• We just missed out on tree sparrows on the feeders in the visitor centre - there were no birds at all, presumably they were scared off by a raptor.
• On the nearest island there was a snipe, my first of the year.
• A kestrel flew overhead, the first of several seen today.
• When play resumed at the feeders the only new bird seen was a female reed bunting.

We signed up for a hare walk, starting at 2 pm.  This was most enjoyable with at least 8 hares seen.

We then returned to the centre to take in the swan feeding session.

• On the way to the hide there was a superb barn owl following a path parallel  the stream flowing east away from the centre.
• There were 50+ whooper swans at the feeding session but no bewicks.



A very gentle afternoon session to get us warmed up for the 3 day event to follow with Marcus.

07/01/2020 Pett Level and Weir Wood Reservoir

Monday 6 January

Pett Level, East Sussex

Reports of a glossy ibis at Pannel Valley saw me travel down to Pett Level yesterday afternoon. 

• The long walk to the nature reserve proved unproductive - there was no sign of the ibis.
• I did add grey heron and buzzard to my year list.

Tuesday 7 January 2020

Weir Wood Reservoir

• I had a funeral to go to this afternoon so my volunteer work at Weir Wood lasted less than 1 hour today but I did manage to see my first kingfisher, marsh tit, great spotted woodpecker and Canada goose of 2020.

I will dedicate these 4 birds to you Val .  RIP

05/01/20 Rye Harbour for the Black-necked Grebe

Sunday 5 January 2020
Rye Harbour

I spent an enjoyable couple of hours at Rye Harbour NNR this afternoon where I targeted the black-necked grebe that has been around for weeks.

• I made the trek to the west end of Long Pit and did not have to wait long to get excellent views of the grebe as it moved around, diving frequently.  With excellent lighting it showed well in the distance - well over 100 metres away.

• Smew is a particular favourite of mine so I could not resist another look from Denny's hide - my third in less than a month!  The bird was showing well at the far end of the water.  After a good look, I moved round to the main path by the new Visitor Centre to get a closer view but the bird had disappeared by the time I got there!

At Dungeness I had no luck with the drake smew at Tanners Pool or with bittern, hen harrier or short-eared owl from Denge Marsh hide at the end of the day.

Another enjoyable afternoon birding in the area.

04/01/20 Only 2 species added today

Saturday 4 January 2020
Dog Walking in Uckfield

With the Albion kicking off at 15.01 I had no chance of an afternoon birding session.

• Whilst walking the dogs in the morning, I added chaffinch and coal tit to my 2020 list taking me comfortably past 50.

03/01/20 Redhead Smew and Long-tailed Duck

Friday 3 January 2020

Another enjoyable afternoon slot twitching in East Sussex and Kent!

• First stop was Rye Harbour where I met up with the same redhead smew that I saw with the East Grinstead RSPB Group a few weeks ago.  This time it was somewhat further out.

• With no time to waste, I moved on to Scotney Gravel Pits where I saw 2 of the 3 long-tailed ducks at the Sussex (west) end directly opposite me on the far side of the water. 



credit mikelink and twitter

 



• Next stop was Tanners Pool at Dungeness RSPB reserve where I had my first setback of the day when the drake smew did not show.  By way of compensation I saw my first great white egret and my first marsh harrier of 2020.

• On ARC from the Screen Hide and then from the Hanson Hide I could see no sign of any bitterns even though it was roost time.  Again by way of compensation I did pick up on my first goldeneye sightings of the year including a superb drake. 

A really good afternoon's birding - if somewhat rushed!  Not a huge 2020 bird list but one that oozes quality already.

02/01/2020 Whipsnade Zoo for the Black-throated Thrush

Thursday 2 January 2020
Whipsnade Zoo, Bedfordshire

After walking the dogs this morning I had a chance to do some birding so I decided to twitch the black-throated thrush that has been at Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire since 11 December 2019.

• When I arrived at lunchtime I was amazed to find only 3 other birders there.  With a new year list just starting this rare bird should have attracted back all those who saw it in the past 3 weeks for a second look.

• The bird was only 5-10 metres away in a tree laden with berries.  It kept popping out on to the outside to feed before disappearing into the central area again.

Credit: Anthony McGill

• breeds in Siberian taiga, westward to the western slopes of the Urals
• occasionally strays to western Europe, especially in late autumn and winter

• There was also a redwing in the same tree.
• On my way home I saw my first red kite of 2020, on the M40/M25 intersection.

Another quiet day but the thrush was a lifer for me and the other 2 birds weren't bad either!

01/01/2020 A quiet start to the new birding year

Wednesday 1 January 2020
Uckfield

With a lunchtime KO for the Brighton v Chelsea fixture, the only chance to get some birding in was when I walked the dogs in the morning before I left for the game.

It was lovely to hear birdsong on such a drab, overcast day.  The song thrushes dominated the scene, dunnocks were also in fine voice and the green woodpecker "yaffled" loudly.


As I walked the dogs in the evening, I heard the sound of a distant tawny owl, which was rather nice.

Here's my day 1 list:
Blackbird
Blue Tit
Carrion Crow
Collared Dove
Dunnock
Great Tit
Green Woodpecker
Herring Gull
House Sparrow
Jackdaw
Magpie
Mallard
Pied Wagtail
Robin
Song Thrush
Starling
Tawny Owl
Woodpigeon
Wren

A nice quiet start!