27/02/2014 A Firecrest and a female Scaup for the 2014 Year List

Thursday 27th February 2014
Arundel then Greatham Bridge

Time to go birdwatching on my own.  I could only manage the afternoon session so I set my heart on finding my first Firecrest of the year at the west side of Arundel, just off the A27 and  also picking up the female Scaup that had been reported at Greatham Bridge.  In other words, I went "twitching".

I duly found the Firecrest in the trees at Waterwoods at Arundel.

Firecrest
Library picture

 It showed very well in the tree ahead of me enabling me to tick off the key ID items i.e. the black eye stripe and the white above the eye.  At the same place I also saw Long-tailed Tits, a Nuthatch, and a splendid Mandarin duck.





After relocating to Greatham Bridge I eventually got my reward when I spotted the female Scaup along with a male Tufted Duck in the waters just south of the bridge.

Female Scaup
Library picture

  The key ID item here was the obvious white patch where the beak meets the head.  Question  - where was the male and why was she hanging around with a lone, male,  Tufted Duck?

Also seen were Wigeon, Pochard and Gadwall.




A very productive afternoon.

Additions to 2014 UK Bird List:
Firecrest   (173)
Scaup   (174)  

26/02/2014 A Hampshire Treat with my first Lesser-spotted Woodpecker and Water Pipit

Wednesday 26th February 2014
Hampshire - mainly the New Forest
RH and PJ

A truly memorable day in Hampshire today.  After leaving home at 05.30  I picked Paul up at 06.10; an early start to beat the rush hour traffic on the M27 around Southampton and the M3 intersection.  Shown below is the dawn skyline we saw as we left Brighton with a crescent moon flanked by the planet Venus - a good omen for the day!

The weather was perfect with a little cloud and mainly clear blue skies.

First stop was Mark Ash Wood in the New Forest.  Paul was very confident about seeing a Lesser-spotted Woodpecker here.

Brambling
Library picture

After seeing 8 Bramblings and 3 or more Hawfinches in the trees we heard the drumming of the LSW, with Paul explaining to me the subtle differences to that of the Great-spotted Woodpecker.  Not long after we were rewarded with absolutely first class views - my first ever - of this elusive bird.

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
Library picture

For nigh on 15 minutes we were able to watch and marvel as it flitted about in the trees.  When I showed my delight, a fellow birder shook my hands as if I had just announced a new grandchild - excellent!  Far from this being a first sighting of a LSW, the truth is I had never ever came anywhere close to seeing one; I had long ago accepted that I would probably never see one.

Before we left this site we were able, with help, find a roosting Tawny Owl in a dead tree.  It was sleeping in a wide crevice with 70% of it showing well. 

Tawny Owl
Library picture

What a start!  We had really benefited from our early start, catching the birds at the optimum time. 



Things just went from here in this rich vein of luck.  Next stop was Piper's Wait to see the Goshawk.  We were about 30 minutes behind schedule but still managed to see this superior raptor as it soared above the trees ahead of us and flew around effortlessly, in it's spitfire like wing style, for several minutes. 

Goshawk
Library picture



Paul and I had a thing about the Great Grey Shrike this year; we had pursued it relentlessly in Sussex at Greatham Bridge and in the Ashdown Forest and here in Hampshire a few weeks ago, only to miss out each time.  This time however at Shatterford we were to get our reward with two very good sightings of the resident bird. 

Great Grey Shrike
Library picture

We had to walk a long way through very wet and muddy terrain but eventually we made the ID; in both cases the shrike appeared at the top of a deciduous tree giving us clear views to admire the anatomy of the bird. 





My final treat, another "lifer" came in the form of a Water Pipit.  We had to drive to Drayton Farm Watercress Beds to make this ID.  This is a known Hampshire hotspot for this winter visitor; the watercress here being the principal reason the bird's presence.

 

Water Pipit
Library picture

Paul explained the main ID characteristics with powerful eye stripe, longish bill and clear wing bars.  

To see this number of rarities/scarcities is truly astonishing.  However the species list of the day would also include quite a number of interesting birds.  For instance Paul needed to see  the Ring-billed Gull at Gosport and while we were there we also saw a Mediterranean Gull and a pair of Goldeneye.  At Shatterford we saw a Dartford Warbler, at Drayton Farm we saw a Grey Wagtail and at Piper's Wait we saw several Ravens.

This day will live long in my memory, as much for the sighting of the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker as for the sheer number and quality of today's cast of birds.  Paul you are a genius for putting together the itinerary!

Additions to Life List of Birds:

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker   (247)

Water Pipit   (248)

Additions to 2014 UK Bird List:

Mistle Thrush   (167)

Brambling   (168)

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker   (169)

Goshawk   (170)

Great Grey Shrike   (171)

Water Pipit   (172)

21/02/2014 Amsterdam White Storks

Friday 21st February 2014
Amsterdam, Vondelpark

We wanted to go to the nature reserve at Oostvaarderplassen just outside of Amsterdam but it was not easy to get to using public transport so we compromised and visited Vondelpark, Amsterdam's largest city park.  The weather conditions were not good with light drizzle at times with some settled, overcast periods.

Although there were not many birds to be seen there were a number of highlights.

Top of the bill was the pair of White Storks seen close to their nesting area at the far end of the park.  Unfortunately one of them was limping and looked in some discomfort; no doubt, in such a central position it's condition would have been monitored continually by local wardens.  The views were excellent with the storks being less than 20m away. 
  

White Storks
Library picture

The most common species on view was the Ring-necked Parakeet; there must have been over 50 of them around adding colour and a lot of noise to the scene.


There were also good numbers of Egyptian Geese to be seen, scattered evenly around the park.

Apart from a Great-spotted Woodpecker the remaining birds were made up of the usual suspects - Starlings, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Woodpigeon, Jackdaw, Robin, Carrion Crow, Mute Swan, Mallard and Magpie. 

Under the circumstances we were pleased with the outcome.  The park was very busy with joggers, dog walkers, families and, of course, the numerous cyclists.  

This was to be our only birdwatching event - a pleasant and rewarding experience.

19/02/14. Kent Outing. Bitterns, Bearded Tit, Cetti's Warbler and Crossbills

Wednesday 19th February 2014
Kent Outing
Paul James

Great weather today, dry and sunny.  We decided to go east  to take in Dungeness,  looking  for the Hume's Warbler, Penduline Tits, Bitterns and Bearded Tits.

I'm afraid we failed to spot the Hume's Warbler or the Penduline Tits; these were seen later on by other birders.  We did,however, get excellent views of Bitterns fling, Bearded Tits in the Reed beds and Cetti's Warbler.

Bittern
Library picture

Cetti's Warbler
Library picture

Bearded Tit
Library picture

 Other birds of special interest included Great White Egret, Raven, Tree Sparrow and Goldeneye.

We then moved the short distance back into Sussex to see a pair of Snow Buntings at Camber Sands.  

Snow Bunting
Library picture

The views were remarkable considering the many dog walkers and children around.  The birds just carried on foraging for food, totally oblivious to everything going on around them.  There were probably 5 or more elsewhere on the beach but we were content to see this lovely pair.

Paul was keen to look for the 2-barred Crossbill that had been reported in Hempstead Forest so we headed inland.  Unfortunately we were unsuccessful.  We did, however, have some consolation by virtue of seeing a group of 10 or so Common Crossbills feeding on the cones at the top of the nearby trees.  A lovely Yellowhammer was also seen.

On the way home we stopped off at Potato Lane where I showed Paul the site of yesterday's Little Owl sighting;  this time however they were not there but 30 minutes later, after dropping Paul off, I returned and saw one of them.

Additions to 2014 UK Bird List:
Bearded Tit   (164)
Bittern   (165)
Snow Bunting   (166)

18/02/2014 Little Gulls, Little Owls and a Kingfisher. SOS outing with Paul James

Tuesday 18th February 2014
SOS Outing to Rodmell
Paul James

I joined up with the SOS group at Rodmell for this afternoon session  The target birds were Short-eared Owls and Barn Owls.Weather conditions were reasonable with no rain, thankfully, although there was plenty of cloud cover.

Overall there  were a good number of birds around with several highlights.

From the start we saw Little Gulls flying over the meadows and fields.  Finally we decided there had to be at least 9 present, 7 adults and 2 juveniles.  It was nice to see them flying out in the open.  It made it easy to study some of the ID issues pertaining to this lovely gull.

I saw my first Kingfisher (163) of the year on the River Ouse close to the point where Virginia Woolfe committed suicide over 70 years ago.  My initial view was fleeting but soon afterwards the bird was spotted perched on a fence overhanging the water where the views were much better.

Kingfisher
Library picture

Other birds of interest included Buzzard, Peregrine, Stonechat and Raven.

What a lovely afternoon out.  The only ingredients missing were the star items - for the fourth time in the last few weeks I had failed to see an owl of any description on this site.

By way of compensation, on the way home, I called in at the Potato Lane/Neave Road site to look for Little Owls.  This time my luck was in and there on top of the disused building was a pair of the beauties enjoying the early evening air.  Thanks to David Williams for the lead on this one. 

Addition to 2014 UK Bird List:
Kingfisher   (163)

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)

09/02/14. 150th bird of 2014 - a Tree Creeper

Sunday 9th February 2014
Folkestone

I wanted to try and twitch the Pallas' Warbler that had been seen adjacent to the Shorncliffe Army Barracks at Folkestone.  Despite spending over 2 hours there I had to admit defeat and head off home again.

Not all was doom and gloom however as I recorded my 150th species of 2014 - a lovely Tree Creeper seen on the main path soon after the start.

Treecreeper
Library picture

 I also enjoyed smashing views of a Green Woodpecker as it fed on the grass about 50m ahead of me.

A long journey but not a lost cause.


Addition to 2014 Uk Bird List:
Tree Creeper.   (150)

07/02/14 7 Short-eared Owls at the Norfolk Estate and a Glaucous Gull near Shoreham

Thursday 7th February 2014
RSPB visit to Norfolk Estate near BURPHAM

Joined a large group of RSPB members for this long-awaited visit to the Norfolk Estate near BURPHAM.  Thankfully it was dry and sunny for most of the time with excellent visibility for the photographer's in the group.

We gathered in one of the large barns to listen to the manager, Peter Knight, give a brief, recent, history of the estate.  For a while it has been run with conservation in mind.  Large fields have been replaced with a patchwork of smaller fields each with new hedgerows  spring crops, and strips of tussocky grass known as ‘beetle banks’  to provide year-round food and nesting sites for birds such as Grey partridge, Lapwing, Skylark and Corn Bunting – all species of high conservation concern in the UK.  For a fuller account of the conservation work please follow the link below

 http://www.rspb.org.uk/news/317846-arundel-farmer-wins-south-east-nature-of-farming-award



Afterwards we drove round the estate in tractor drawn trailers to see things at first hand.  Lots of interesting things showed up and a couple of the highlights are outlined below:-

•   There were lots of Red Kites around and in the bright sunlight they made a spectacular sight.  The most we could see in a single telescope shot was 6 - quite remarkable and  ever so impressive.

•   Brown Hares prosper on this estate and we managed to see up to half a dozen or so in the fields as we drove by.

•    You cannot visit this area without seeing the Grey Partridge, one of the species most protected by the farming techniques.  We saw several on our tour and they were only the tip of the iceberg - there are over 200 on the estate.

•   The event was closed by a spectacular finale when a couple of the estate management team went into the long grasses to flush out the 7 (seven) Short-eared Owls that had been roosting there all morning.  As the shocked birds took to the air they provided a never-to-be-forgotten spectacle of amazing proportions.  The purists among the birding fraternity would no doubt criticise this habitat intrusion but all those present really enjoyed it and no-one complained or was upset.

Short-eared Owl
Library picture

This was my third visit to the area in the space of a week and on every occasion there has been something different and immense to see.  This seems to be a truly genuine example where farming can be both profitable and beneficial to wildlife.  The Burgh is one of the top birdwatching sites in the county with it's farmland birds and huge raptor presence.

The event closed about 12.30 allowing me the time to call in at the Southwater Canal near Shoreham to look for the Glaucous Gull.  This bird has eluded me for weeks so I was keen to have another go at it.  Thankfully, after a wait of 45 minutes I was rewarded with lovely close views of the gull in the water and flying overhead.  I admired the show for 30 minutes but had to leave before it finished.  I believe it lasted all afternoon.

Glaucous Gull
courtesy of Dave Boddington

A great day and very informative.

Additions to 2014 UK Bird List:
Short-eared Owl (148)
Glaucous Gull   (149)

Today's Species List:

Short-eared Owl

Stonechat

Glaucous Gull   

Red Kite
Black-headed Gull
Grey Partridge
Buzzard
Kestrel
Song Thrush
Fieldfare
Redwing
Starling
Reed Buntings
Lapwings

06/02/14. The Burgh. Sussex Wildlife Trust Day1/5

Thursday 6th February 2014
Sussex Wildlife Trust visit to The Burgh

On another shocking day weather wise it was remarkable we managed to observe the range of birds that  we did.  We barely got started before it started to rain and things got progressively worse causing us to call it a day after barely 2 hours.

Before the rains came we saw at least 4 Red Kites in the valley to the south of us.  They were so clear that we spent the first 20 minutes or so watching them.  By any standards this was a super start.  While we were watching the Kites we were fortunate to see 9 lovely Grey Partridges in the field in front of the Kites patch.

Unfortunately 9 soon became 8 as a pair of Peregrines swooped in and predated one of them.  The larger, female, could barely fly with the prey in it's mouth and it soon landed on the ground and started to eat it.  It was joined by the male who also fed on the catch.  Being squeamish by nature I thought that observing this event might have distressed me but this was not the case; I found the experience strangely quite natural.

As the rain started we came across a flock of Yellowhammers in the hedges ahead of us and, despite the rain, we stopped to savour the occasion.  They were in a company which also included Chaffinches and Redwings as well as a hint of a couple of Corn Buntings.

A couple of Brown Hare's were visible in the fields to the north of us.  Just before that we got distant views of the 16 Bewick Swans that had been seen in this area for the last few weeks.

Overall we thought it was well worth turning out today but we were also very pleased to finish early and reach the welcome shelter of our cars.



Today's Species List:
Mute Swan
Bewick's Swan
Grey Partridge
Pheasant
Red Kite
Buzzard
Kestrel
Peregrine
Black-headed Gull
Common Gull
Woodpigeon
Collared Dove
Skylark
Carrion Crow
Blue Tit
Blackbird
Song Thrush
Redwing
Starling
Dunnock
Robin
House Sparrow
Chaffinch
Goldfinch
Yellowhammer
Corn Bunting (heard)


Brown Hare's




Today's species count = 26

05/02/14. No Little Owl but a Red Kite instead

Wednesday 5th February 2014
Birding near Uckfield

On reading on the SOS website about a Little Owl sighting just down the road from Uckfield at Ringmer, Sue and I jumped in the car and made for the Potato Lane/Neaves Lane intersection to look for the bird in the derelict outbuildings.    The weather today was atrocious so we grabbed our opportunity during a break in the downpour.

Unfortunately the bird was not there!

However as we were looking, Sue called to me and pointed out a  Red Kite hunting over the fields behind us.  For the next 20 minutes or so we got some stunning close up views of this majestic bird.  It was still hunting when we left just before midday to go for lunch.

I have seen many Red Kites in Sussex but non so close to our home.
Wow!

04/02/14 Hampshire Birding

Tuesday 4th February 2014
Hampshire Birding with C  CW, PJ, AK

We decided there was enough good news coming out of Hampshire to justify a day out.  The weather was reasonable, thankfully dry but with some breeze.

First stop was Pennington Marsh where the target bird was a Long-billed Dowitcher.  It was seen from the car park yesterday so hopes were high.  However after searching in vain for almost an hour or so we had to cut our losses and move on.  We did see quite a few waders, including several Ruff, which made the visit pleasant.  Looking on the Hampshire website later it was comforting to know that other birders had not found the bird either.

Next stop was Lepe to see the Lesser Yellowlegs.  This was a dead cert as I had seen daily reports of it since it started to winter here a couple of months ago. True to form it was there and showing really well; in fact it came very close to us just before we left allowing AK to get the photograph he wanted.   Among the waders showing was a welcome addition to my year list - a Black-tailed Godwit - the only one I would find today. 

We moved on to Bishops Dyke (SU3405) where hopes were high of a sighting of a Great Grey Shrike, but again, after a thorough search, we failed to find the bird.  They are obviously as elusive here in Hampshire as they are in Sussex.  

Our final stop was Blackwater Arboretum where the rest of the group had great success in the past watching Hawfinches coming in to roost.  Incredibly, yet again, we drew a blank much to the astonishment of my friends.

So a rather flat mood set in as we headed back to Sussex.  The birds behaved just like the rest of us in poor weather and found a safe place to sit it out.

Addition to UK 2014 Bird List:
Black-tailed Godwit   (147)


Today's species list:
Mute Swan
Greylag Goose
Shelduck
Wigeon
Mallard 
Gadwall
Shoveler
Pintail
Teal
Pochard   (10)
Tufted Duck
Common Buzzard
Kestrel
Peregrine
Moorhen
Coot
Oystercatcher
Dunlin
Curlew
Turnstone   (20)
Redshank
Ruff
Black-tailed Godwit
Golden Plover
Lapwing
Black-headed Gull
Kittiwake
Herring Gull
Woodpigeon
Robin   (30)
Blackbird
Song Thrush
Long-tailed Tit
Coal Tit
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Starling
Magpie
Carrion Crow
Chaffinch   (40)
Goldfinch


Today's species count = 41 (minimum)

01/02/14 Around the Arun Valley.

01/02/14  Around the Arun Valley.  Six more year ticks.
Paul James' Group

9 of us decided to risk the wet conditions and spend a day in and around the flooded Arun valley.  We were well rewarded with sunny spells up until 2 pm when the heavy showers arrived.  There were plenty of birds to see and I was able to add 6 species to my year list.

We started at Swanbourne Lake where we saw and heard quite a few birds.  Pick of the bunch were the Mandarins which skulked under the trees by the waters edge making it hard to see them.  However they eventually took to flight enabling us to get fleeting but good enough views to make the ID.  Try though we did we failed to see one of our target birds, the Firecrest.  However we did see a Grey Wagtail which was also on our list.

Grey Wagtail
Library picture

Next stop was Canada Barn and the Burgh where the birds came thick and fast.  First to show were the Yellowhammers off to our left in the trees.

Yellowhammer
Library picture

 There must have been at least a dozen busily going about their business.  Soon after we saw Corn Buntings in roughly similar numbers, on the track and fences ahead of us.

Corn Bunting
Library picture

 Red Kites were showing really well on the horizon and we were able to admire their elegant flight.

Red Kite
Libray picture

 All in all we saw at least 6 of them including a super ground show they put on with up to 3 Ravens and other corvids.  Back at the car we saw a small group of Grey Partridge keeping their heads well down in the strong winds here on top of the South Downs.  

Grey Partridge
Library picture

At Amberley Castle we saw 16 Bewick Swans on the flooded fields to our right.  In the superb lighting conditions and supported by a large cast of other water birds they looked truly regal.

By now the weather was deteriorating fast so we relocated to Rackham Woods and then  to Greatham Bridge hoping to carry on birding in the sunny intervals between the showers.  There was little to see in the woods with a surprising lack of birds like Treecreeper and Firecrest.  For the second time this year we were unable to observe the Great Grey Shrike at the railway bridge near Greatham.  However a fly-over Egyptian Goose was gratefully ticked off to complete our business for the day. 

Egyptian Goose
library picture

A rather flat, but not unexpected, end to what had been a lovely day.  Surely it has to stop raining soon!


Today's species list:
Goldcrest
Wren
Long-tailed Tit
Coal Tit
Marsh Tit
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Nuthatch
Robin
Stonechat   (10)
House Sparrow
Goldfinch
Chaffinch
Reed Bunting
Yellowhammer
Corn Bunting
Grey Wagtail
Meadow Pipit
Skylark
Starling   (20)
Song Thrush
Blackbird
Fieldfare
Magpie
Carrion Crow
Raven
Green Woodpecker
Woodpigeon
Grey Partridge
Golden Plover   (30)
Lapwing
Dunlin
Moorhen
Coot
Little Grebe
Teal
Wigeon
Pintail
Shoveler
Gadwall   (40)
Mallard
Shellduck
Tufted Duck
Pochard
Brent Goose
Canada Goose
Egyptian Goose
Bewicks Swan
Mute Swan
Black-headed Gull    (50)
Common Gull  
Herring Gull
Kestrel
Sparrowhawk
Buzzard
Red Kite




Today's species count = 56 (minimum)


Additions to UK 2014 Bird List:
Grey Wagtail   (141)
Yellowhammer   (142)
Corn Bunting   (143)
Red Kite   (144)
Grey Partridge   (145)
Egyptian Goose   (146)