22/03/2015 Drake Garganey at Charleston Manor Reedbeds

Sunday 22nd March 2015
Charleston Manor, East Sussex

• Went to Charleston Manor Reedbeds to twitch the Garganey but the event was far from straightforward.  Not having spent enough time researching the latest sightings, I started looking in the wrong place - some 300 metres south of where the duck was last seen.  With the help of a local birding colleague I was put back on track. 

• Unfortunately the water levels had dropped significantly in the last couple of days, making the duck harder to find.  Patience paid off in the end however and the drake Garganey finally showed in the exact location that my colleague had predicted.  The view was stunning in the late afternoon light.  Less than a minute later the duck took flight and landed in a ditch some 25 metres further south - unfortunately out of sight again!  There was no sign of the female at all.

• There were a number of other interesting birds around (see species list below) but the overriding memory will be of the 2 Egyptian Geese with at least 4 goslings in tow!

Addition to BUBO UK 2015 Bird List
Garganey   (185)



Today's species list:
Egyptian Goose
Canada Goose
Snipe
Pintail
Black-headed Gull
Garganey
 Mute Swan
Teal
Wigeon
Coot
Shelduck
Gadwall
Mallard
Shoveler
Little Egret
Grey Heron
Buzzard
Coot
Ruff
Redshank
Woodpigeon
Green Woodpecker (heard)
Pied Wagtail
Meadow Pipit
Wren (heard)
Magpie
Jackdaw

(27)

21/03/2015 Rye Harbour with the East Grinstead RSPB Group Sandwich Terns and Common Sandpipers

Saturday 21st March 2015
Rye Harbour and Pett Level
East Grinstead RSPB Local Group


17 of us made the trip down to the south coast for a day's birding at Rye Harbour and Pett Level.  The biting northerly winds meant that the temperature felt much colder than the 8C showing on the thermometer.  Nevertheless the sun was shining and the light was good.

Rye Harbour

At Rye Harbour we managed a creditable species count of 58.  Some of the highlights included:

• 3 Sandwich Terns, recently returned from Africa, showed well on one of the islands and we were able to view them from 2 of the hides.  There were several Mediterranean Gulls including 3 or 4 very close views of them resting on one of the islands.

• The most abundant of the waders were the Black-tailed Godwits.  We also saw a couple of Bar-tailed Godwits but with their beaks tucked in and their legs not showing it was a while before we could confirm the ID.  Ringed Plovers, Dunlin, Turnstones, Sanderlings and a couple of Common Sandpipers added to the excitement.

• The star attraction for most of us however was the Avocets and they were there in good numbers and showing really well. 

• High tide was about 11.00 and today's was particularly high, with perhaps the highest water levels most of us had seen here.  A brief look out to sea found several Great-crested Grebes before we were called back some 100 metres when Matt found a Black Redstart in the foliage where the coastal path meets the canal path.  While we were enjoying excellent views of this bird Matt managed to see a flock of 20+ Common Scoters out to sea.

Pett Level

 

For the late afternoon session a small group relocated to Pett Level where a further 7 species were found.  In a short visit the headlines were made by the following birds:

• A couple of Marsh Harriers were showing really well from the raised banks as they hunted over the marshes.

• Lots of Snipe were flushed from the reed beds to give us excellent views.

• When we moved base west towards the cliffs, as well as the Fulmars nesting on the ledges, we were lucky to get superb views of 2 Peregrines.

A lovely day out with several new faces and a couple of returnees, and everybody seemed to enjoy themselves.





Today's species list:
Avocet
Bar-tailed Godwit
Black Redstart
Black-headed Gull
Black-tailed Godwit
Blackbird
Blue Tit
Canada Goose
Carrion Crow
Cetti's Warbler (heard)
Chiffchaff
Collared Dove
Common Sandpiper
Common Scoter
Coot
Cormorant
Curlew
Dunlin
Dunnock
Fulmar
Gadwall
Goldfinch
Great Black-backed Gull
Green Woodpecker (heard)
Greenfinch
Grey Heron
Greylag Goose
Herring Gull
Jackdaw
Kestrel
Lapwing
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Little Egret
Little Grebe
Magpie
Mallard
Marsh Harrier
Meadow Pipit
Mediterranean Gull
Mute Swan
Oystercatcher
Peregrine
Pied Wagtail
Pochard
Redshank
Reed Bunting
Ringed Plover
Rock Dove/Feral Pigeon
Rock Pipit
Rook
Ruff
Sanderling
Sandwich Tern
Shelduck
Shoveler
Skylark
Snipe
Stock Dove
Teal
Tufted Duck
Turnstone
Wheatear
Wigeon
Woodpigeon
Wren

(65)


Additions to BUBO UK 2015 Bird List:
Sandwich Tern  (183)
Common Sandpiper   (184)

18/03/2015 to 20/03/2015 Short Break in Cumbria Great Grey Shrike, Hawfinch and Spotted Redshank

Wednesday 18th March to Friday 20th March 2015
Short Break in Cumbria



Sara and Jen booked a property in Windemere for the week but could only stay from Saturday to Wednesday and, with various family members being unable to use the spare days, Brian and I stepped in and used it as our base for a short birding break in the South Lakes. 

Wednesday 18th March

I zig-zagged my way up north.  On the M40, in the Chilterns area, I spotted at least 25 Red Kites.  Then after a detour to the Chester area, I twitched the long-staying Long-eared Owl at Burton Mere Wetlands RSPB site.  My second detour was to Lytham St Anne's on the outskirts of Blackpool to twitch the Red-throated Diver at Fairhaven Lake; it looked majestic in the early evening sunshine.

Thursday 19th March

Sizergh Castle

We were up bright and early and off to Sizergh Castle, near Kendal, to catch the Hawfinches in the car park.  It was essential to get there before the cars  arrived to catch the birds on the ground underneath the Hornbeam Trees.  Thankfully one (of two birds) was showing well just as we got there but we were just in the nick of time as a van and then a most thoughtless birder drove into the zone and flushed the birds.

We managed to see 3 (of probably 4) Hawfinches in the canopy of the trees, with some excellent views in the scope.  This was Brian's first sighting of them in 2015; even more pleasing because he and Kenny were unlucky on the previous trip.  We rather cheekily texted Kenny to taunt him about not being here and what he had missed.

Other notable birds included a Great-spotted Woodpecker.

Dalton Crags near Burton in Kendal

From Sizergh Castle we hurried to Burton in Kendal to look for the Great Grey Shrike on Dalton Crags.  From the trig point on the summit, Hutton Roof, Brian soon spotted the shrike and for about an hour we enjoyed excellent views as the bird perched on the tops of the trees some 200 metres north west of us.

 

We were joined by Bryan Yorke, local patch birder, who gave us some really useful background information.  This patch is particularly good for Garden Warblers and Tree Pipits in summer.  Check out his blog using the link below

 

http://arnsidesilverdale.blogspot.co.uk/

 Other birds of note included a pair of Stonechats, a Song Thrush, several Skylarks and Meadow Pipits, Reed Buntings and a Green Woodpecker was heard.

Foulshaw Moss

Next stop was Foulshaw Moss near Witherslack on the A590 near to the M6 intersection.  Ospreys use Foulshaw Moss Nature Reserve as a nesting site and Brian wanted to check out this site for future use. 

The Ospreys are due to return in the next 2 to 3 weeks.  The warden was on site and he told us that the reserve is also a hot spot for Hobbies in the summer months.  No birds seen but we gained some excellent information.

Leighton Moss RSPB Nature Reserve.

We spent the rest of the day and most of the next morning at Leighton Moss.  There were numerous birds showing here and some of the highlights are shown below:

 

 

• By far the star attraction were the Avocets and we were not to be disappointed as there were many around, most of which were very close to the hides, affording us excellent views.

 

• The Spotted Redshank showed really well and at one point passed right in front of us at the Eric Morecombe hide

 

• There were loads of Black-tailed Godwits, several Pintails, at least one Goldcrest and one Marsh Tit   

 Friday 20th March

 

Solar Eclipse

We tried to get into Sizergh Castle for another look at the Hawfinches but the car park area was closed in preparation for a funeral of a local personality.  Whilst we were there we witnessed the darkening caused by the Eclipse of the Sun but we could not see anything because the sun was obscured by the clouds.

Brigsteer

Before returning to Leighton Moss, we visited the new Wetlands area at Brigsteer.  Unfortunately we were at the rear end of the reserve and the gate was locked.  One for the future I feel.  

• However we did manage to see Reed Buntings, Bullfinches and a Sparrowhawk as we returned to the car.

• After a late morning visit to Leighton Moss I said my farewells to Brian and headed off home, calling in at Pennington Flashes to twitch the Willow Tit on the way.

What a great trip.  Decent accommodation in the south of the county, facilitating easy access to the local reserves, meant we saw some quality birds.  Brian managed at least 5 year ticks and I was able to add 3 more to my list.




Additions to BUBO 2015 UK Bird List:
Long-eared owl   (180)
Red-throated Diver   (181)
Willow Tit   (182)


Species List for Leighton Moss:
Avocet
Black-headed Gull
Black-tailed Godwit
Blackbird
Blue Tit
Canada Goose
Carrion Crow
Chaffinch
Coal Tit
Coot
Curlew
Dunnock
Gadwall
Goldcrest
Great Black-backed Gull
Great Crested Grebe
Great Tit
Greenfinch
Grey Heron
Greylag Goose
House Sparrow
Jackdaw
Lapwing
Little Egret
Magpie
Mallard
Marsh Harrier
Marsh Tit
Moorhen
Mute Swan
Pheasant
Pied Wagtail
Pintail
Pochard
Redshank
Redwing
Reed Bunting
Robin
Shelduck
Shoveler
Snipe
Spotted Redshank
Stonechat
Teal
Treecreeper
Tufted Duck
Wigeon
Woodpigeon
Wren

(49)

17/03/2015 First Wheatear of Year

Tuesday 17th March
Seaford Head, East Sussex

After a couple of hours tidying the garden I managed to get away late afternoon.  In glorious sunshine I travelled down to the coast to look for Wheatears.

During the ascent to Seaford Head from Splash Point I spotted a lovely, newly arrived one on the golf course to my left.  It looked glorious in the evening light as it fed on the insects in the grass.


Addition to BUBO 2015 UK Bird List:
Wheatear   (179)



A sure sign that spring is nearly here!

16/03/2015 Arlington Reservoir

Monday 16th March 2015
Arlington Reservoir


I decided to stay local again today and visited Arlington Reservoir.   Leaving in the late afternoon just as the sun was breaking through for the first time, conditions were the best they had been all day.
 
There were no major surprises, just a good steady stream of common birds presented themselves.
 

• Perhaps the highlight was seeing a flock of 8-10 Redwings in the trees adjacent to the car park.

 

• Several Long-tailed Tits visited the site.

 

• Arlington specialises in Great-crested Grebes and I was lucky to observe some of the well-documented courtship behaviour that they indulge in at this time of year.

Nothing out of the ordinary then but a splendid time nevertheless.  A walk around the reservoir with the South Downs forming the backdrop is always going to be a winner and the birds provide the bonus!




Today's Species List:
Black-headed Gull
Blackbird
Blue Tit
Canada Goose
Carrion Crow
Chaffinch
Collared Dove
Common Gull
Cormorant
Great Black-backed Gull
Great Crested Grebe
Great Tit
Grey Heron
Grey Wagtail
Herring Gull
House Sparrow
Jackdaw
Kestrel
Long-tailed Tit
Magpie
Mallard
Moorhen
Pied Wagtail
Redwing
Robin
Rook
Starling
Wigeon
Woodpigeon
Wren

(30)

15/03/2015 Dartford Warbler

Sunday 15th March 2015
Ashdown Forest

Saw my first Dartford Warbler of 2015 in the Ashdown Forest at lunchtime today.  After 4 days of searching I manage to see 3 today, including one superb view of a male on top  of a gorse bush.





Addition to BUBO 2015 UK Bird List:
Dartford Warbler   (178)



Really pleased with this one!

12/03/2015 Kensington Gardens and another remarkable birder.

Thursday 12th March 2015
Kensington Gardens, London

After being well prepared by my birding friend Sandra, I set off for Kensington Gardens to look for Tawny Owls and Little Owls.  The weather was, once again, superb with sunshine and little or no wind.

• With the help of Colin and another birder I soon found the Tawny Owl.  It was adjacent to the nest tree and showing well on the main trunk, some 3 metres from the top.  This was the only time I have ever seen a Tawny Owl out in the open and it was, by far, the best view I have ever had.  It was a good chance to appreciate just how big this bird really is.

Tawny Owl   Kensington Gardens
Courtesy of Ralph Hancock

I then went looking for the Little Owls, following Sandra's directions.  When I got there, I found Colin and another birder at the tree in question.  They told me the Little Owl (female) had been there but had taken exception to their presence and moved back into the cavity and out of sight.  The other birder turned out to be Ralph Hancock, whose blog had given me the detailed notes I had printed out to supplement Sandra's directions.

From then on we went around as a trio with Ralph knocking us out with his intimate knowledge of the site.  He managed to hand feed a Blue Tit, a Great Tit and a Coal Tit as well as fill us in with regard to the bird life in the park including some interesting history.  For instance there have been 196 species recorded on this site - an amazing figure for a city centre park.  Another surprise was to discover that one of the rarest birds since 2000 is the House Sparrow; for reasons unknown they left around 2000 and did not return.

• After observing the Scaup on the Long Water, we went back to look for the Little Owl again and this time it was showing, to the right of the trunk and showing well. Job done !  Quite soon, however, it again sensed our presence and retreated back into the cavity.



Little Owl    Kensington Gardens
Courtesy of Ralph Hancock

• Ring-necked Parakeets were everywhere - a year tick for me - but they are, obviously, not the local birders favourite with their loud call and "in your face" manner.  They are, however, the people's favourite; with their exotic colours and friendly disposition they make ideal photographic objects.




Ring-necked Parakeet
Library picture

Ralph seems to me to be the equivalent of Ploddingbirder in Kent, or the SelseyBirder in West Sussex, in his meticulous overview of the local habitat.  The birding fraternity owes so much to these people.  Long may they carry on with their invaluable work.






What a terrific day; 2 types of Owl in the capital city, a new, dedicated, birder and a year tick to boot!




Addition to BUBO 2015 UK Bird List:
Ring-necked Parakeet   (177)


Today's species list:
Blue Tit
Blackbird
Carrion Crow
Cetti's Warbler
Coal Tit
Common Gull
Coot
Cormorant
Feral Pigeon
Great Crested Grebe
Great Tit
Grey Heron
Greylag Goose
Jackdaw
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Little Owl
long-tailed Tit
Magpie
Mallard
Mandarin Duck
Moorhen
Mute Swan
Ring-necked Parakeet
Robin
Scaup
Shoveler
Starling
Tawny Owl
Tufted Duck
Woodpigeon

(30)

11/03/2015 The Burgh with the Brighton and District RSPB Local Group

11th March 2015
The Burgh, West Sussex
Brighton and District RSPB Local Group

Part of a group of 18 who enjoyed 4 hours birding on the Burgh in glorious sunshine.
 
There were a number of highlights today:-

• Bird of the day for me was the Short-eared Owl seen at the usual place just before lunch. I saw 3 of the 4 birds on show; 2 flying over the field and 1 perched on a small tree along the edge of the field. They really showed up well in the good lighting conditions that abounded.

 

• At least 6 sightings of the Red Kites were made with 2 of them from close range, offering excellent views of the birds.

• I even managed a new year tick when I saw the first of the many Grey Partridges that were around today.

• We saw at least 3 Hares in the fields and for a moment it looked like 2 of them might start their boxing routine. Alas, they didn't.

 A really pleasant morning with some good birds around!

Today's Species List:
Black-headed Gull
Blackbird
Buzzard
Carrion Crow
Chaffinch
Common Gull
Corn Bunting
Dunnock
Great Tit
Grey Partridge
House Sparrow
Kestrel
Linnet
Magpie
Pheasant
Red Kite
Red-legged Partridge
Reed Bunting
Robin
Rook
Short-eared Owl
Skylark
Sparrowhawk
Woodpigeon

(24)


Addition to BUBO UK 2015 Year List
Grey Partridge   (176)

10/03/2015 Little Owl at Barcombe

Tuesday 10th March 2015
Barcombe, East Sussex

Managed to get out to Barcombe at noon, in brilliant sunshine, to see the Little Owl.  It was exactly where Andy showed me and it was showing well in the Oak tree.

Lovely!

09/03/2015 Woodlarks in the Ashdown Forest

Monday 9th March 2015
Old Lodge NR


Got a tweet from Andy, after more than a year, wanting to meet up and go birding at Old Lodge.

There was not much to be seen apart from a couple of Woodlarks, a Stonechat, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a couple of Ravens.

In the area around Counties car park we came across another 6 Woodlarks as well as a Meadow Pipit, a Skylark and a couple of Fieldfares.

At Stonehill we saw 3 more Woodlarks as well as a flock of 6-8 Fieldfare flying over.

Our last port of call was to a Little Owl site near the Anchor Inn at Barcombe.  Unfortunately the Owl was not showing when we got there, probably because it was too late in the day when it could have been hunting for food.



Really nice to meet up with Andy again.  The Owl site was a new one for me and one I will try to visit again tomorrow.

08/03/2015 Dungeness with the Ashdown Bird Group

Sunday 8th March 2015
Dungeness
Ashdown Bird Group

Sue and I, together with friends Anne and Chris, made a rare appearance with our Ashdown Bird Group.  In bright sunshine but with a fair breeze, 10 of us ventured around Dungeness NR.

• The bird of the day for me was the lovely drake Goldeneye that we saw near the end of the trip from ARC Hanson Hide.  With it's exquisite iridescent green head and white circular patch in front of, and below, it's yellow eye it made a superb view.

• On the same line, the Kingfisher we saw from Scott Hide showed brilliantly in optimum lighting conditions.

• There were not many Marsh Harriers on view but we did get an exceptional view of one sitting on the banks of the New Excavations from the Christmas Dell Hide and at least one good sighting of the bird in flight over Denge Marsh.

• After a struggle we finally got sight of a Great White Egret just behind the reeds on Hookers Pits then lo and behold if another 2 appeared from nowhere and all 3 then flew away to the south west.

• We had excellent views of the female Smew but the male counterpart was not seen.

We were unable to see any Bitterns on this trip.   Even the Cattle Egrets let us down and were nowhere to be seen on Denge Marsh, despite being seen there earlier in the day.  A stop at Scotney on the way home proved fruitless with the winds getting very strong, there was no sign of the Grebes or the Scaup.  We looked hard for the Little Stint but couldn't find it so I was unable to confirm whether or not the bird I saw on Thursday was the correct one and for now I cannot tick this species as seen in 2015.


A nice leisurely trip to Dungeness, with friends, on a bright but breezy Sunday afternoon - it doesn't get much better than this!


Today's species list:
Barnacle Goose
Bearded Tit (h)
Black-headed Gull
Blackbird
Blue Tit
Carrion Crow
Cetti's Warbler (h)
Chaffinch
Chiffchaff
Coot
Cormorant
Curlew
Gadwall
Golden Plover
Goldeneye
Great Black-backed Gull
Great Crested Grebe
Great Tit
Great White Egret
Canada Goose
Greylag Goose
Herring Gull
Kestrel
Kingfisher
Lapwing
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Little Egret
Little Grebe
Magpie
Mallard
Marsh Harrier
Moorhen
Mute Swan
Oystercatcher
Pheasant
Pied Wagtail
Pochard
Redshank
Reed Bunting
Robin
Shelduck
Shoveler
Smew
Teal
Tree Sparrow
Tufted Duck
Wigeon
Woodpigeon
Wren (h)

 (49)

07/03/2015 New Forest again!

Saturday 7th March 2015
New Forest Birding
Paul and group


Mark Ash Wood

• After a short wait, we heard the Lesser-spotted Woodpecker drumming deep in the forest so we went in search of it.  We soon found it high in the trees just ahead of us.  We had enough time to set up the scopes and get a short but very clear view of a lovely male with it's characteristic red crown.  Soon after it flew away and we never saw it again.

• Driving out of the wood we got a fleeting view of a Brambling as it flew with scores of Chaffinches.  With it's characteristic white rump it stood out from the chaffinches.

Acres Down

• At Acres Down the Goshawks showed well again today but the number of sightings was less than yesterday, probably due to  windy conditions.  We did, however, get one superb, close view of one.

• Also seen were Buzzards, a Sparrowhawk, a Raven as well as some spectacular scenes provided by flying Woodlarks.

Blashford Lakes

• We saw the Long-tailed Duck on Ivy Lake today - it usually stays on Rockford Lake.

• On Rockford Lake the most interesting bird was the female Goldeneye.  At least 6 Bullfinches were seen as we headed back from the lake on our way to the Goosander Hide. 

• From the Goosander Hide  we saw the Goosanders, of course!

• From the Tern Hide we saw the Black-necked Grebe as well as my first Mediterranean Gull of 2015.

• I saw my first butterfly of 2015 - a Brimstone.  In fact there were 2 together.   

Brimstone
Library oicture

Piper's Wait
At Piper's Wait, around 16.00 we didn't see any Goshawks but we did get good view of a Peregine as it flew from left to right in the distance.




Addition to BUBO 2015 UK Bird List:
Mediterranean Gull   (175)



Today's species list:
Mute Swan
Greylag Goose
Canada Goose
Egyptian Goose
Wigeon
Gadwall
Teal
Mallard
Pochard
Tufted Duck
Goldeneye
Goosander
Little Grebe
Great-crested Grebe
Black-necked Grebe
Cormorant
Little Egret
Goshawk
Sparrowhawk
Buzzard
Coot
Lapwing
Mediterranean Gull
Black-headed Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Herring Gull
Woodpigeon
Stock Dove
Green Woodpecker
Great-spotted Woodpecker
Lesser-spotted Woodpecker.
Woodlark
Grey Wagtail
Meadow Pipit
Dunnock
Robin
Blackbird
Song Thrush
Mistle Thrush
Goldcrest
Long-tailed Tit
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Coal Tit
Nuthatch
Magpie
Jackdaw
Rook
Carrion Crow
Raven
Chaffinch
Brambling
Greenfinch
Goldfinch
Bullfinch
Reed Bunting

(56)

06/03/2015 New Forest again to see the Goshawks and Lesser-spotted Woodpecker

Friday 6th March 2015
New Forest

Travelled down to the New Forest with Alan and Shaun to look for Goshawks and Lesser-spotted Woodpeckers.  An early start meant we were in the area for 08.30 and raring to go.

• At Mark Ash Wood we soon heard the Lesser-spotted Woodpecker drumming away.  I managed to spot it and get a fleeting view in my binoculars before it flew away.  That short but sweet view was to be the only one we would get.

• At Acres Down we had numerous views of Goshawks during our stay which lasted from 10.15 to 14.15.  Most of them were quite distant but they were clear and definitive.  One or two of the views were closer and, in the good light we had all day, enabled us to pick out the key ID features.  All agreed that, despite numerous sightings, there were probably only 4 Goshawks on show.

All agreed it was a most worthwhile trip.    

 

 

 

Addition to BUBO 2015 UK Bird List:

Woodcock   (174)

 

 

 

05/03/2015 Fulmars at Fairlight Cliffs, Pett Levels

Thursday 5th March 2015
Fairlight Cliffs near Pett Level

Andrew texted to say the Fulmars were nesting on the cliffs at Fairlight so I travelled down mid-afternoon to observe them at this lovely period in the calendar.  I first witnessed this last year with Andrew and was blown away by the sight of Fulmar's in such a convivial setting.

This year was no exception with most pairs sharing the nest on the cliff sides with the odd few flying around like mini "spitfires" to provide the aerial display. 

After 20 minutes or so I felt the need to leave, having intruded long enough on this intimate experience. 

03/03/2015 Birding in Essex on the North Thames at Coalhouse Fort and Concrete Barges

Tuesday 3rd March 2015
North Thames



Coalhouse Fort
I finally got to the North Thames site, at Coalhouse Fort, where Paul took the group last year to show them some of the birds he observed during his many surveys there. Unfortunately I was away at the time and so missed the trip.  The target bird, as before, was the Avocet with Paul having, more often than not, recorded numbers in excess of 1000 in his surveys.
 

• Today was no exception and we were privileged to see 1250+ Avocets on the muddy shore as the tide came in and by high tide they started flying around in formation.  The Avocet is such a lovely bird in it's own right so the sight of 1250+ all flying around against a backdrop of several large container ships passing by was truly unforgettable.  I have never seen such a display before - indeed I have never ever seen such a large gathering.

Avocets on the River Thames
Library pictures

• When I tell you the Dunlin outnumbered the Avocets at least 2 to 1 then you begin to realise what an exciting place this is.  Their aerial display was similar to watching a murmeration of Starlings -  truly mind boggling.

Dunlins on the Thames
Library picture

• The third most numerous species on view today was the Grey Plover with 400-500 seen, near the Avocets and mixed in with the Dunlin. 

• I was able to see Bar-tailed Godwits for the first time this year with 12+ showing quite well amongst the thousands of birds on the reserve.

Concrete Barges
We then transferred to Concrete Barges, another strategic wartime site, where we saw 12+ Redshanks huddled together on one of the barges but conditions were not suitable to find the Caspian Gull that was our primary target.  95% of the gulls were on the nearby landfill site and continuously flying around in search of food making it nigh on impossible to pick out our target gull.


A cracking experience with thousands of birds present, 2 new species for my year list and a couple of new venues visited.



Additions to BUBO 2015 UK Bird List:
Avocet   (172)
Bar-tailed Godwit   (173)


Today's species list:
Avocet
Bar-tailed Godwit
Black-headed Gull
Blackbird
Buzzard
Carrion Crow
Chaffinch
Common Gull
Coot
Cormorant   (10)
Corn Bunting
Curlew
Dunlin
Dunnock
Gadwall
Goldfinch
Great Tit
Green Woodpecker
Grey Heron
Grey Plover    (20)
Herring Gull
Kestrel
Little Egret
Little Grebe
Magpie
Mallard
Meadow Pipit
Mistle Thrush
Moorhen
Oystercatcher
Pied Wagtail   (30)
Pochard
Redshank
Redwing
Reed Bunting
Ringed Plover
Robin
Rock Pipit
Shelduck
Skylark
Song Thrush   (40)
Starling
Stock Dove
Stonechat
Teal
Wigeon
Woodpigeon
Wren

01/03/2015 Penduline Tits and Cirl Buntings in Devon and Black Guillemot in Dorset

Sunday 1st March 2015

With a good weather forecast for the first part of the day I decided to take Paul's advice again and go to Dart's Farm near Topsham in Devon to twitch the Penduline Tits that have been there for some time now.

• An early start meant I was on site for 09.50 and it wasn't long before I saw my first Penduline Tit near the top of the reeds to the left of the hide.  It then flew even closer to be in the trees just a few metres away.  It was soon joined in the tree by a second one.  The views were excellent in the sunshine.  This was the first sighting of this bird in the UK for me, having narrowly missed it near Bedford earlier in the year.  It was, however, not a "lifer" as I had seen several on our recent trip to Belgium.

Penduline Tits at Darts Farm near Topsham, Devon
Library picture

• Next stop was Broadsands  near Torquay to see 40+ Cirl Buntings feeding on the ground and in the surrounding bushes. 

• On the way home I detoured to Portland in Dorset where I saw my first Blackcap of the year at the observatory, a lovely female and the resident Black Guillemot in the harbour.

A lot of driving but well worth the effort.  Another valuable addition to my UK Life List - only 12 needed to reach the magical 300!





Additions to BUBO UK Birds Life List:
Penduline Tit   (288)

Additions to BUBO 2015 UK Bird List:
Penduline Tit   (268)
Cirl Bunting   (269)
Blackcap   (270)
Black Guillemot   (271)



The penduline tit ( Remiz pendulinus) is irregularly distributed in river scrub and marshes across Eurasia. An 11-cm- (4.5-inch-) long brownish bird with a black mask on its whitish head, it is named for its two-chambered nest (built by the male), which consists of a finely felted bag of plant down or wool, suspended from the tip of a branch (sometimes in reeds).