30/01/2015 On my Patch.

Friday 30th January 2015
Churlwood in Ashdown Forest



A quiet day today on my patch. 


The highlights included Great-spotted Woodpeckers, Coal Tit, Goldcrests and my first ever sighting of a Firecrest here.

29/01/2015 Kumliens Gull at Littlehampton. Third time lucky!

Thursday 29th January 2015
West Beach,
Littlehampton

After 3 failed attempts,  I was relieved to get good views of the Iceland Gull (Kumliens) at West Beach, Littlehampton. 

Both times previously I had arrived late afternoon, in quite windy conditions.  Today it was bright and sunny with much lighter winds.

It took me 30 minutes or so to make the sighting as there were so many gulls to check.  Eventually it showed, just opposite me, on the other side of the water channel that ran out to the sea.  Then it flew a few metres closer and landed on the small wall to give me even better views. 

Addition to BUBO UK 2015 Bird List:
Icelandic Gull (Kumliens)  136

A good morning's work!

27/01/2015 A "lifer" at Bray by the M4 in Berkshire

Tuesday 27th January 2015
Bray,  Berkshire

On a fine, clear January afternoon I managed to "twitch" another "lifer", my third in 2015.  The drake Ring-necked Duck sighting was particularly pleasing as Sandra, Paul and I were unsuccessful here earlier this month.

I was lucky that the duck was moving about as I got there, making the ID much easier with the grey side panels and the distinctive beak.  In my excitement, trying to signal to another birder on the western edge of the lake, I lost sight of the bird, by which time it had decided to rest up and in doing so tucked it's head in.  When the other birder got to me I was unable to find it again.

We were joined by a couple of birders, one from West Sussex and his friend, from Surrey, who had seen the resting bird from the other side of the lake and were able to pick it out for us.  This time nobody took their eye of it and we were rewarded with good views of it's head when it stirred from time to time. 



Ring-necked Duck
Library picture

What a remarkable contrast between the ID skills needed for a moving bird and a sedentary one - and that was for a drake!


Addition to BUBO 2015 UK Bird List:
Ring-necked Duck   (135)

Addition to BUBO UK Bird Life List:
Ring-necked Duck   (282)

Cornell Lab of Ornithology 

You can find Ring-necked Ducks in fairly small, shallow wetlands. They breed mainly across far northern North America, so check the range map and look for them during migration and in winter, when they can form large flocks. Don’t look for a ring around the neck—it’s really hard to see. Look instead for the bird’s peaked head shape, white ring around the bill, and white patch just in front of the gray flanks.

26/01/2015 On my Patch.

Monday 26th January 2015
Churlwood in Ashdown Forest



Didn't get going till 15.45.    On my patch, at Churlwood,  apart from a Buzzard the only real interest was a group of 8 Redwings feeding on the ground with a Blackbird in the paddock adjacent to former Prime Minister  Harold Macmillan's family home at Birch Grove.



I probably started too late in the day and missed some birds that had gone to roost.





Today's species list:
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Carrion Crow
Long-tailed Tit
Buzzard
Redwing
Blackbird

25/01/2015 Shellness means Hen Harriers and Short-eared Owls

Sunday 25th January 2015
Shellness
East Grinstead RSPB Group

On a fine crisp January morning, 14 of us made the trip to Shellness.  The lighting was excellent with little or no cloud.

• I arrived early and was rewarded with two superb views of a Short-eared Owl; maybe the same bird twice but my gut reaction was that it was 2 birds.

• Early on I saw a male Hen Harrier,  50 metres west of the concrete structure,  and soon after the rest of the group were able to see it as it took to the air.  We were entertained by this bird for quite some time.  Later on we managed to spot a "Ringtail" in the distance but the views were nowhere as good.

• The other sightings were quite standard but, nevertheless, most welcome including Reed Bunting, Shelduck, Lapwing, Marsh Harrier, Black-headed Gull, Oystercatcher, Redshank, Little Egret, Mute Swan, Pied Wagtail, Blackbird, Brent Goose, Tufted Duck, Woodpigeon, Robin and Magpie.

All too soon it was time to bid farewell to The Isle of Sheppey and turn into a football hooligan at noon. 

Shaun rang me in the evening to reassure me that I had not missed much in the afternoon - Corn Buntings but no Hen Harriers or Short-eared Owls at Capel Fleet.

 

 

 

 

Another good birding experience on Sheppey! 

24/01/2015 Dell Quay and West Dean Woods - a birding bonanza!

Saturday 24th January 2015
West Sussex Trip
Paul and Group  7 (1 + 6)




Dell Quay
This place was just alive with birds on the rising tide.  The weather was terrific; cold but dry, excellent visibility and temperatures just above freezing.  Most of the usual suspects were present and showing well.  Below are the highlights of the morning visit:

• First new bird of the day was the Yellowhammer, one of many seen today, on the path from the church to the estuary. 

• Next new bird was the Black-tailed Godwit, many of which were sitting in the water with their backs to us.  Also showing well, in the water, was the first of our Spotted Redshanks.

• The Grey Wagtail flew from it's usual place and did the same again on our return leg.

• At our innermost stopping point we saw a couple of Greenshanks and another Spotted Redshank.

• As I left to return to the car Paul called me back to see the elusive Whimbrel, close to the area where we had seen the Godwit earlier.

West Dean Woods

• Paul and I arrived early to find a Brambling in with the Chaffinches.  It was in the tree directly above us.  Unfortunately all the birds flew off before the rest of the group could get there.  However they did get a second chance at the end of the day when we returned to the cars which were parked nearby.

• On the way to the Hawfinch "hotspot" we had excellent views of the Little Owl as it enjoyed the sunshine in it's usual tree.

• The Hawfinches were more elusive than usual and we had a long wait to see a single bird in flight before getting quality views of a perched female.

What a great day - just another day at the office for Paul and the group!

Additions to BUBO UK 2015 Bird List:
Yellowhammer    (125)
Black-tailed Godwit   (126)
Grey Wagtail   (127)
Greenshank   (128)
Whimbrel   (129)
Little Owl   (130)
Brambling   (131)
Hawfinch   (132)
Mistle Thrush   (133)



Today's species list:Mute Swan
Brent Goose
Shelduck
Wigeon
Mallard
Pintail
Teal
Goldeneye
Pheasant
Cormorant   (10)
Little Grebe
Great Crested Grebe 
Little Egret
Buzzard
Kestrel
Red Kite
Coot
Oystercatcher
Lapwing
Grey Plover   (20)
Turnstone
Whimbrel
Curlew 
Redshank
Spotted Redshank
Greenshank
Common Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Herring Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull   (30)
Black-headed Gull
Woodpigeon
Little Owl
Magpie
Great Tit
Blue Tit
Starling
Blackbird
Song Thrush
Mistle Thrush   (40)
Robin 
Dunnock
House Sparrow
Pied Wagtail
Grey Wagtail
Rock Pipit
Chaffinch
Brambling
Goldcrest
Marsh Tit   (50)
Coal Tit
Hawfinch
Yellowhammer
Carrion Crow
Raven

23/01/2015 A chance to go to Norfolk for the day. Wow!

Friday 23/01/2015
Norfolk

Family business called for someone to go to Norfolk for the day and being the sort of guy I am I volunteered!  I set off early and came back late!  My family duties were not carried out very well but the bird watching was awesome, if somewhat hurried!



Hunstanton

• Having read about Waxwings showing well in Hunstanton, I was up early and in the area by 10.45.  A few minutes after arriving, I saw a couple of them at the top of a small bush in the coach car park opposite Tesco's in Southend Road.  In fact there were 4 birds with the other 2 on the ground.  They were less than 10 metres away from me and only a few feet from another birder with a camera who, alas, didn't see them.  The views were stunning!

I talked to the other 2 birders and they said the birds arrived at the same time as me - they had been there over an hour without seeing them.  How lucky can you get?



Titchwell

• Next stop was Titchwell where I saw one of the Water Pipits and one of the Rock Pipits in the pools to the west of the main path leading from the reception to the seafront.  Being short of time I didn't go any further, having been told that the pools outside the main hides were frozen over and activity by the sea was quiet.

Thornham

• I made a flying visit to Thornham, hoping to see the Twites that had recently been seen there.  Unfortunately none showed  but I compensated by seeing my first Ringed Plover, Spotted Redshank and Skylark of 2015.

Stubb's Mill on Hickling Broad

• Having concluded my family business I just had enough time to get to Hickling Broad where my target species was the Crane.  Fortunately 2 of them were showing in the distance as I arrived.  A little later they took to the air, much to everyone's pleasure, and flew towards us before landing and performing  an elegant  dance routine which included jumping up in the air like a ballerina..  A little later still they flew away,  affording us superb views.  Earlier, on my way down to the viewing point I had seen 2 other Cranes flying over.

• On the approach to the viewing area I saw a couple of Egyptian Geese, my first of the year.

• It would have been embarrassing to come away from Norfolk without having seen Pink-footed Geese.   Thankfully a skein of 50 or so flew overhead as we were watching the Cranes.

• At the end, we heard a Tawny Owl and then one guy got distant scope views which he shared with the rest of us.  What a lovely end to a lovely day.

 

 Arrived home at 9.30 p.m. - ELATED!

 

 

 

Additions to BUBO 2015 UK Bird List:

Waxwing   (115)

Water Pipit   (116)

Rock Pipit   (117)

Spotted Redshank   (118)

Ringed Plover   (119)

Skylark   (120)

Egyptian Goose   (121)

Crane   (122)

Tawny Owl   (123)
Pink-footed Goose   (124)
 



21/01/2015 White Fronted Geese at Pett Level then a Great Grey Shrike at Chilham

Wednesday 21st January 2015

• I was debating whether to go east or west today when I got a text from Andrew to say that he had seen a small flock of White Fronted Geese earlier this morning  - so east it was to Pett Level!  Soon after I got there I spotted 4 of them with some Greylags,  a little further east and north of where I saw the Lesser Yellowlegs last week.

• As it was still only 12.45 I decided to go further east, into Kent, to twitch the Great Grey Shrike at Chilham.  It was exactly where the Bird Guides report had said it was earlier, Branch Lane, TR074533.  Branch Lane is a minor road and all I had to do was to pull up on the bridge, wind down the car window and use my binoculars to get excellent views barely 30 metres away to my right - no need for the telescope.  

A smashing twitch and well worth the drive.

 

 

 

 

 

Additions to BUBO 2015 UK Bird List:

White Fronted Goose   (113)

Great Grey Shrike   (114)

 



20/01/2015 Night Heron near Hythe in Kent

Tuesday 20th January 2015
Hythe, Kent

I made the long journey east to Hythe in Kent to twitch the Night Heron that has been seen around for some time now.  From earlier reports, I half expected to be knee-deep in mud, in danger from unfriendly dog walkers and in the end only finish up with long distance views of this bird. 

• On the contrary, it was a mere 5 minutes walk from the car with only patches of mud, no dogs or other birders and the views were terrific, from less than 10 metres. 

•  This was easy birding - large, sedentary bird showing prominently half way up the left hand edge of a bush.  No need for the scope or indeed the binoculars for this one.

This was a UK first for me but not a "lifer" having seen a several in Melbourne, Australia a couple of years ago and another in France last year on one of Andrew's trips.




Night Heron
Library picture

Addition to BUBO UK 2015 Year List:
Night Heron   (112)

Addition to BUBO UK Life List:
Night Heron   (282)

Life History

Mainly crepuscular. Roosts by day in thick cover, especially leafy trees. It breeds only all continents except Australasia and Antarctica with most European birds wintering in sub-Saharan Africa. Usually a colonial nester and often nesting amongst other herons and ibis but only loosely gregarious outside the breeding season. Most UK records are of single birds.

UK Status

This is a scarce migrant bird to the UK which is usually less than twenty records per annum.

18/01/2015 Dungeness and District - what a show - yet again!

Sunday 18th January 2015
Paul and Group  (1+6)




ARC Hanson Hide, Screen Hide: Dungeness, Kent

• We saw some special birds today, notably the rehead Smews ,  male and female Goldeneye, Great White Egrets and a Ruddy Duck, all of which I had seen on previous visits this year but nevertheless were a joy to see again.
• The highlight for me was the great views we got of the Bitterns  first from the reeds opposite the ARC hide and even better when one flew past us at the Screen hide.  A memorable first sighting of the year.

Dungeness Nature Reserve, Kent

Lots to see here but nothing new.

• From Dennis' Hide we saw the majestic drake Smew, my second sighting this year.

Seawatching from Dungeness Fishing Boats, Kent
The weather was poor from the start, with continuous light rain so our normal seawatch at the start of the trip was postponed until almost lunchtime.  Nevertheless it was a notable experience and netted 4 new additions to my 2015 Year List.

• The highlight was the splendid views of the auks with several Guillemots and a Razorbill.

Denge Marsh Road, Lydd, Kent

• A flying visit here and my second chance to see the 2 Cattle Egrets. 
• We also to see several Common Gulls close to the Egrets - my first of the year.

Walland Marsh

• The Bewick's Swans numbered 80+ with a single Whooper Swan in with them (found by Paul). 

• The highlight of this stop however were the Harriers that came to join the show.  First a smashing male Marsh Harrier appeared from over the bank and shortly afterwards a superb male Hen Harrier, my first this year, came swooping in before settling on the ground near the swans.  After a short flight it made another stop before flying away over the bank.  Amazing! 

Scotney Gravel Pits, Sussex

• Nothing new for me here but another chance to see the Scaup and the Black-necked Grebes.

Winchelsea Beach, Sussex

• A new site for me but a familiar bird was the attraction.  The Lesser Yellowlegs had obviously moved here from nearby Pett Level where I saw it last week.  This time the views were much better with the bird moving around the waters edge barely 30 metres away.  The pool was alive with ducks and waders.
• A quick look out at the seashore produced another 4 additions to the year list, making this a most productive and enjoyable first visit.

Rye Harbour NR, Bittern Viewing Area
Andrew and I stayed on at the end to look for our first Barn Owl of 2015 at Rye.  Right on cue the bird turned up to complete a memorable day.






Fabulous - a species count of well into the 60's, with 11 new entries for my 2015 list and all this on a day when the weather was foul.





Today's species list:
Mute Swan
Bewick's Swan
Whooper Swan
Greylag Goose
Canada Goose
Brent Goose
Gadwall
Wigeon
Mallard
Shoveler   (10)
Pintail
Teal
Pochard
Tufted Duck
Scaup
Goldeneye
Smew
Ruddy Duck
Gannet
Cormorant   (20)
Bittern
Grey Heron
Little Egret
Little Grebe
Great Crested Grebe
Black-necked Grebe
Marsh Harrier
Hen Harrier
Kestrel
Moorhen   (30)
Coot
Oystercatcher
Lapwing
Golden Plover
Grey Plover
Sanderling
Dunlin
Ruff
Turnstone
Curlew   (40)
Redshank
Common Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Herring Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Black-headed Gull
Kittiwake
Guillemot
Razorbill
Woodpigeon   (50)
Barn Owl
Magpie
Jackdaw
Rook
Great Tit
Blue Tit
Starling
Blackbird
Song Thrush
Robin   (60)
Stonechat
Dunnock
House Sparrow
Tree Sparrow
Pied Wagtail
Chaffinch
Reed Bunting
Lesser Yellowlegs




Additions to 2015 Year List:
Bittern   (101)
Common Gull   (102)
Kittiwake   (103)
Gannet   (104)
Razorbill   (105)
Guillemot   (106)
Sanderling   (107)
Grey Plover   (108)
Dunlin   (109)
Golden Plover   (110)
Barn Owl   (111)

16/01/15 Water Rail - number 100 on my Year List

Friday  16th January 2015 
West Rise Marsh near Eastbourne

This had to be my shortest birdwatch of all time.  A few minutes after starting I suffered from really bad **** and abandoned my plans to look for Bearded Tits and Jack Snipe at West Rise Marsh.

In my moment of most distress I am pleased to announce that I still managed to see a lovely Water Rail as it crossed the flooded channel moving east.  The things people will do to get a year tick! 



My 100th bird species this year and here we are still only half way through January.




Addition to 2015 UK bird List:
Water Rail   (100)

15/01/2015. Ashdown Forest. Ravens and Redwings

Thursday 15th January 2015
Ashdown Forest

With the awful overnight gales and rain I did not venture out till 15.00 hours.  I decided to stay close to home and targeted Redwings in the Ashdown Forest at Old Lodge.  I had seen a flock of them at the far end of the reserve on a previous visit just before Xmas.

• True to form a large group of 30+ Redwings were feeding on the ground in the self-same place as before and I was able to watch them for nearly 30 minutes in the lovely evening sunset.

• A few metres further down the reserve I watched a fabulous pair of Ravens enjoying some sort of courtship routine in the adjacent MOD land.

Not a bad end to a very weather troubled 24 hours.





Additions to UK 2015 Bird List:
Redwing.  (98)
Raven.  (99)

14/01/15   Brighton RSPB at Warnham NR in Horsham

It was great to make contact with this group again after my terrible 2014 attendance record,  .A lovely day with hardly a cloud in sight.  Bright clear skies and temperatures of 8-9 degrees C. 

• Black-headed Gulls or Herring Gulls dominated the water scenario.  Also present were a smattering of Tufted Ducks and Pochards with the odd Great-crested Grebe or Mute Swan.

• As usual it was very busy at the feeders.  The most interesting birds were the 3 Nuthatches, the Great-spotted Woodpecker and the odd Reed Bunting.  I saw my first Greenfinch of 2015 at the feeders but that was the only one I saw.  A beautiful Song Thrush joined the party but it was very skittish and ran into the scrubs at the slightest hint of trouble.

• In the woodland we managed to see several Goldcrests and a couple of Marsh Tits.

Warnham is a lovely reserve and it was well worth visiting.  Normally at this time of year we would expect to see Lesser Redpoll, Siskin and Brambling but the mild conditions this winter mitigated against this.



Additions to 2015 UK Bird List:
Nuthatch   (94)
Greenfinch   (95)
Song Thrush   (96)
Reed Warbler   (97)


Today's species list:
Black-headed Gull
Herring Gull
Pochard
Tufted Duck
Coot
Moorhen
Cormorant
Great Black-backed Gull
Great-crested Grebe
Chaffinch   (10)
Greenfinch
Blackbird
Blue Tit
Carrion Crow
Coal Tit
Goldcrest
Goldfinch
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Grey Heron
Long-tailed Tit   (20)
Magpie
Marsh Tit
Nuthatch
Reed Bunting
Robin
Song Thrush
Woodpigeon
Wren

13/01/2015 Bough Beech Reservoir Mandarins at third time of asking!

Tuesday 13th January 2015
Bough Beech Reservoir near Tunbridge Wells in Kent.

With an unsettled weather situation I decided to stay close to home and took the opportunity to make a overdue return visit to Bough Beech. Top of my list was Mandarin ducks - this would be my third attempt this year having failed to make a sighting at Arundel and at Weir Wood .  It was mid afternoon before I was able to get going.

Initially there were no Mandarins to be seen but as dusk approached I could see a single drake which was stationary in the water but well camouflaged by the overhanging trees.   As it started to get dark another 9 of them took to the air from the trees.  More followed and the final total was around 15.  Apparently this relocation to other parts of the reserve is a nightly ritual. which local birders come to witness.  Their "puffin like" flight pattern with it's rapid wing beats made them easy to recognise, I was reliably informed.

I spotted 6 Snipe at the waters edge about 50 metres from where I was.  Soon afterwards all the birds in the area took to the air in panic and we  were able count 19 Snipe among the fleeing flock.

The other noteworthy species was Goosander which came in to roost just before dusk.  Numbers started with a modest 5, grew to 8 and finally exceeded 15 before I called it a day and went home.  The locals were disappointed with this total with numbers of over 30 frequently seen.



Additions to 2015 UK Bird List:
Mandarin Duck  (92)
Snipe   (93)



This afternoon's species list:
Tufted Duck
Mandarin Duck
Goosander
Black-headed Gulls
Herring Gulls
Gadwall
Goldfinch
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Chaffinch   (10)
Snipe
Carrion Crow
Jackdaw
Magpie
Woodpigeon
Robin
Blackbird
Mallard
Mute Swan
Coot   (20) 
Moorhen  
Great-crested Grebe
Canada Goose
Pochard
Fieldfare

12/01/2015 Ring-billed Gull but no Greater Yellowlegs

Monday 12th January 2015

Hampshire Twitch

• I made the long journey to Titchwell Haven to check out the Greater Yellowlegs that had caused such a stir since it was first seen yesterday.  Weather conditions were not good ,with rain and low cloud.  Unfortunately, despite lots of birders looking for it, it did not show. 

• Not to be put off I then switched to plan B and went into nearby Gosport to twitch the Ring-billed Gull at Walpole Park. Workmen were making alterations to the section of the park closest to the car park and "Waldo" was not among the few gulls present on the grass bank where we normally see it. He was, in fact, not far away, with the gulls in the harbour away from the noise of the contractors.  I also saw my first Lesser Black-backed Gull of the year some 10 metres from the "star" of this particular show.

West Sussex

• A female Red-crested Pochard was reported on Chichester Gravel Pits yesterday so I called in on the way home to see if it was still there.  It was, on the Triangle Lake and I was able to get good views despite the inclement weather.  

• My final stop of the day was at Widewater Lagoon at Shoreham where, despite the heavy rain, I saw 2 pairs of Red-breasted Mergansers, as expected, but no sign of the female Common Scoter that had been seen there lately.  As well as the other "usual suspects" I was pleasantly surprised to find a close, male Goosander with it's head tucked in.

Despite missing out on a lifer and being dogged by very poor weather it was a very good experience and I was able to add 5 species to my UK 2015 list.


Additions to 2015 UK Bird List:
Ring-billed Gull   (87)
Lesser Black-backed Gull   (88)
Red-crested Pochard   (89)
Red- breasted Merganser   (90)
Goosander   (91)

11/01/2015 Spoonbills in Sussex

Sunday 11th January 2015


South Marsh, West Wittering
I only had time for a morning twitch today so I made the overdue trip to West Wittering to see the Spoonbills at South Marsh.  It was hard to miss them as they stood proud on a small island, bracing themselves against the breeze. 

Other than the "usual suspects" there was little else to see on the marsh or on East Head - it was low tide so it wasn't the best time for a visit.



Water Woods, Arundel
Having a little time to spare, I visited the Water Woods at Arundel to look for Firecrests.  As on previous visits the activity was very close to the two bungalows at the entrance to the woods.  I managed to get good views, in the binoculars, of one of the Firecrests and also one of the Goldcrests. 





A fair bit of travelling meant that both my visits were "short and sweet" but the birds seen were immense.




Additions to the 2015 UK Bird List:
Spoonbill   (83)
Goldcrest   (84)
Firecrest   (85)
Jay   (86)  

Saturday 10th January 2015
Newhaven Tidemills

I only had time for a quick visit to Newhaven today to look for Purple Sandpipers on the afternoon high tide.  True to form they were there - 6 of them together with 3 Turnstones.  With very strong winds I think others were present but tucked out of sight.

I managed to get round to the west quay and see a couple of Fulmars flying close to the cliffs.

Additions to 2015 UK Bird List
Purple Sandpiper   (81)
Fulmar   (82)

09/01/2015 Lesser Yellowlegs at Pett Level

Friday 9th January 2015

East Sussex:  Pett Levels
The Lesser Yellowlegs at Pett Levels was my primary target species this morning as I set off just after first light.  When I got there I could not see it among the birds on show but after a while Neil, a well known Sussex birder, drew my attention to a bird asleep in front of some vegetation just off to the left.  In the scope it had all the attributes but I wanted to see it'd head and beak.  Soon the bird obliged and I was able to confirm my first Lesser Yellowlegs sighting in Sussex; last year my first ever sighting was at Lepe Country Park in Hampshire. 

Lesser Yellowlegs
Library picture

A lovely Ruff, one of several, was also showing well.  On the beach a dozen or so Brent Geese added to the attraction.


Kent: Dungeness
Next stop was Dungeness to look for the drake Smew that had turned up a few days ago.  I caught up with it on Burrowes when it  was showing very well, over the water directly in front of me.  Incredibly it then flew nearer and landed 30 metres or so away, to give a very special occasion.  This has to be one of the best looking birds at this time of year. 

Drake Smew
Library picture

Earlier, at the ARC Hanson Hide, I was greeted by a friendly Kingfisher from the trees overhanging the water to my right.  Soon after I saw the male and female Goldeneye, a Great White Egret, my first Green Woodpecker of the year and a Ruddy Duck. 

On the way home I visited Walland Marsh to see the Bewick Swans and the Whooper Swan but I did not see any Bean Geese.  On the way I was lucky to see my first Tree Sparrows of the year and soon after I came across a flock of 30 or so Fiedfares.



A lovely day out with some very scarce birds added to my 2015 UK Bird List which now totals a very respectful 80.




Today's Species List:
Mute Swan
Bewick Swan
Whooper Swan
Greylag Goose
Barnacle Goose
Brent Goose
Ruddy Duck
Shelduck
Wigeon
Gadwall   (10)
Mallard
Shoveler
Teal
Pochard
Scaup
Tufted Duck
Goldeneye
Smew
Black-necked Grebe
Cormorant   (20)
Little Egret
Grey Heron
Kestrel
Moorhen
Coot
Oystercatcher
Lapwing
Ruff
Turnstone
Curlew   (30)
Redshank
Black-headed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Collared Dove
Woodpigeon
Kingfisher
Green Woodpecker
Pied Wagtail
Wren   (40)
Robin
Blackbird
Fieldfare
Chiffchaff
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Magpie
Rook
Carrion Crow
Starling   (50)
House Sparrow
Tree Sparrow
Chaffinch



Additions to UK 2015 Bird List:
Brent Goose   (68)
Oystercatcher   (69)
Ruff   (70)
Redshank   (71)
Great Black-backed Gull   (72)
Lesser Yellowlegs   (73)
Goldeneye   (74)
Smew   (75)
Kingfisher   (76)
Green Woodpecker   (77)
Fieldfare   (78)
Tree Sparrow   (79)
Ruddy Duck   (80)

07/01/2015 Dusky Warbler - my first lifer of the year!

Wednesday 7th January 2015
West Sussex Birding with Paul

Paul and I arranged to "twitch" the Dusky Warbler at the Chichester Gravel Pits and, depending on the time available afterwards, to look for the Whooper Swans, the Bewick Swans and  Red Kites.

• On arrival at the gravel pits we were greeted with the news that the Dusky Warbler had been seen but had gone missing for nearly an hour.  Paul and I searched high and low for it for over an hour before sighting it -  thanks to an inspired piece of birding by Paul.  He knew that the only real way to find the bird was to listen for it's distinctive sound and then make the sighting.  Being "hard of hearing", I was unable to help but Paul, good detective that he is, was on to it and soon located the area where the warbler was calling from.  We then waited for the bird to show.  Ironically, I was the one to get the best view as I saw it clearly, albeit briefly, in my binoculars.   It eluded us for another 15 minutes or so before we got further views along with the dozen or so other birders who benefited from Paul's skills.  This time I got the glimpses and Paul, deservedly, got the better views.  Job done - another "lifer" and one closer to my target of 300.



Dusky Warbler
Library picture




 

• At Barnham Brooks we saw the 4 Whooper Swans among the Mute Swans.  On to the Burgh where we located the 39 Bewick Swans before driving round to the Triangle, just in time to see my first Red Kite of the year.

• Earlier at Widewater Lagoon, before picking up Paul at his house, there was not too much happening but I still added Little Grebe and Turnstone to my 2015 year list.

Additions to 2015 Year List:
Red Kite   (60)
Turnstone   (61)
Little Grebe   (62)
Dusky Warbler   (63)
Little Egret   (64)
Wren   (65)
Chiffchaff   (66)
Long-tailed Tit (67)

Additions to BUBO Life List:
Dusky Warbler   (280)



Today's species list:
Mute Swan
Bewick Swan
Whooper Swan
Pochard
Tufted Duck
Great Crested Grebe
Greylag Goose
Canada Goose
Wigeon
Mallard   (10)
Teal
Shoveler
Pied Wagtail
Dunnock
Cetti's Warbler
Long-tailed Tit
Great Tit
Blue Tit
Magpie
Carrion Crow   (20)
Cormorant
Sparrowhawk
Kestrel
Coot
Black-headed Gull
Woodpigeon
Wren
Blackbird
Chiffchaff
Starling   (30)
Red Kite
Turnstone
Little Grebe
Dusky Warbler
Little Egret


Interesting facts about the Dusky Warbler:

• Breeds in east Asia
• Migrates in winter to south east Asia
• Prone to vagrancy and it has wintered in UK
• Similar to Chiffchaff.  ID by prominent whitish supercillium and fine pointed bill.

06/01/2014 Jevington for Rough-Legged Buzzard then Horse Eye Level for Short-eared Owls

Tuesday 6th January 2015

Yet another day when I could only find a couple of hours to go birding and it was mid-afternoon before I got going.

Jevington
Made another visit to Jevington to see the Rough-legged Buzzard.  Initially it was not there and I began to think it was going to be a re-run of New Years Day when I was one of a few not to see it.  After a short wait however it appeared from the bright sunlight made a short flight before settling in the bushes at the right hand end of the wood as viewed from the car park.

Horse Eye Levels
I  just had enough time to get to the Pevensey Levels to look for the Richard's Pipit and look for the Short-eared Owls again.  I dipped again on the pipit but managed to see 3 "shorties" before it got too dark.




Additions to 2015 UK Bird List:
Rough-legged Buzzard   (57)
Stonechat    (58)
Sparrowhawk   (59)

05/01/2015 Twitching in France and Belgium 2 Penduline Tits, White Fronted Geese and Shore Larks

Monday  5th January 2015
Belgium and France
Day 2


Having rested well and after eating a healthy continental breakfast we headed slowly back towards Calais for the train home, stopping of at 3 sites on the way to do more birding.

• Top of the list was a visit to a reserve on the outskirts of Ghent where  Penduline Tits had been seen in the last couple of days.  It wasn't long before we got our reward with smashing views of 2 of them in the bulrushes by the pond.  All we had to do was to sit back and enjoy the situation as the tits went about their business.  A local birder informed us that up to 10 of this species were around but, with time against us, we left after 30 minutes or so to get to our next stop en route to Calais.  After near misses last year in the UK at Dungeness and  Bedford it was nice to finally see this very stylish bird - my second "lifer" of the trip after yesterday's Wall Creeper.

Penduline Tit
Library picture



Penduline Tit
Library picture

 

• Next stop was on the outskirts of Blankenberge (Uitkerkse Polder) where one of our target bird species, the White-fronted Geese was present in the thousands.  Wherever we went there were large flocks of them.  We spent the next couple of hours looking through these flocks for our second target species, the Red-breasted Goose, but try as we may we could not find one.  It was a delightful time, with birds a plenty and a habitat reminiscent of Holland and Norfolk.  None of us had ever seen so many "white fronts" assembled in one place at the same time.

  

  White Fronted Goose
  Library picture

White Fronted Geese
Library picture

• There was just enough time to get to Platier d'Oye on the outskirts of Calais where we didn't see the Snow Buntings we hoped for but, even better, we were lucky enough to come across 8 Shore Larks moving to our right across the sands between us and the sea,  Again 8 birds was more than any of us had ever seen together in a group before.

Shore Lark
Library picture

Our luck held out, even stretching to include the travel arrangements, when we benefitted from an earlier train through the tunnel so that I arrived home an hour early at 21.00. 


Another amazing day to conclude another memorable trip across the channel to northern France/Belgium.

04/01/2015 Twitching in France and Belgium 1 - Wall Creeper at Dinant.

Sunday 4th January 2015
Dinant in Belgium

An early start at 05.45 to join Andrew, Sandra and Paul to catch the 07.20 from Folkestone to Calais.  Arrived in Dinant about mid-day after a two and a half hour drive.  The weather conditions were good - overcast but dry and clear with temperatures around 3 C. 
There were plenty of birders around, which is not surprising since the Wall Creeper was last seen in Belgium in 1988 (1978 in UK).

• The bird had just flown away as we got there but it was not long before we got our much prized sighting, high above us on the rocky cliffs the creeper was moving up and down the rocks trying to get food.  The long, narrow, black beak and the flashes of red plumage were the immediate, most striking ID features. 

Wall Creeper
Library picture

• We tracked the bird all afternoon, even ascending the cliffs using the steep steps of the citadel to get nearer.   Finally, we returned to our starting point, where the early birders had obtained their best views and we were rewarded with the most fabulous views you could ever wish for -  close ups from 50 metres or so and every detail you could ask for showing clearly  - truly amazing!  Here are a couple of pictures from the web, taken a day later when the lighting was obviously much better.



Wall Creeper flying
Library picture



 

 

 

 

Wall Creeper
Library picture

 

 

 

• With the light fading we reluctantly headed away from the site and headed nearer Calais to our delightful hotel at Casino De Namur with our rooms overlooking the splendid Meuse River.  



Wall Creeper
Library picture

 

An unbelievable day - until Andrew emailed me a couple of days ago I had never even heard of this species!

UNFINISHED!  (learning how to show a youtube video of the event to provide some idea of the awe and wonder we experienced)  - get back to me later.

03/01/2014. Long Eared Owls at Horse Eye Levels, Pevensey

Saturday 3rd January 2015
Horse Eye Level, Pevensey


The weather today was shocking resulting in my going out being delayed until 14.30.  I cut my losses and headed for Pevensey Levels hoping for a sighting of the Short Eared Owls and possibly the Richard's Pippit.

The rain continued all the time I was there, making it highly unlikely that I would see much of my target birds.  However, just before 15.00, I was rewarded with superb views of 3 close Short Eared Owls flying low in the field directly in front of me; two of them seemed to be having an altercation

Earlier I had seen 4 Pintails as I waited in the car when there was heavy rain.  They were happily going about their business in the pond that had formed from the downpour along with scores of Canada and Greylag Geese.



Additions to 2015 UK Bird List:
Pintail.  (55)
Short Eared Owl.  (56)

Once again, a short trip but well worth the effort!




 

02/01/2015 Weir Wood Reservoir - a late dash!

Friday 2nd January 2015
Weir Wood Reservoir

Despite the fabulous weather I wasn't able to go birding until 15.30.  I played it safe and visited Weir Wood reservoir hoping to catch the Mandarin Ducks  and the resident Marsh Tit.

• There was no sign of the Mandarins - I probably got there too late and they had gone to roost. 

• The Marsh Tit proved more accommodating and I had regular views when it came to the feeder. 

• There was little to see on the water until the Geese came in for the night, including Greylags and Canada's. 

Additions to 2015 UK Bird List:
Buzzard    (44)
Robin   (45)
Marsh Tit   (46)
Coal Tit   (47)
Chaffinch   (48)
Moorhen    (49)
Dunnock   (50)
Black-headed Gull   (51)
Great Spotted Woodpecker   (52)
Canada Goose   (53)
Gadwall   (54)






I really enjoyed my hour or so in these peaceful surroundings, managing to add a few more species to  my 2015 UK list.