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)