Osprey at Weir Wood Reservoir Tuesday 10th September 09.00 to 11.00

 At last - an Osprey at Weir Wood on a volunteers day!

There have been several sightings this year but none on Tuesday mornings when the volunteers are working.  Not now - today an Osprey was present for a couple of hours, viewable from the car park at the west end.

I turned up early, hoping to see one, only to be told by my colleagues that an Osprey had been fishing but had just flown off.  My disappointment was soon quelled however when a lady visitor found it perched on a tree near Pintail Bank.  We enjoyed uninterrupted views for over 30 min.  We were hoping to see it fly but it stayed put.  

• Ian managed to capture the view with his camera ....  

Courtesy of Ian Hodgson

• ....  and Richard got close up views by digiscoping with his mobile phone.

Courtesy of Richard Allan

Sadly my colleague and I had to leave to carry out our weekly snake survey.  Walking away from an Osprey is not easy!

An hour later, back at the car park, we could still see the bird in the same position.  This time it took flight and flew west down the reservoir and out towards Whillets where we had just come from.  The views were outstanding - alas our photographers were no longer with us so no flight views were possible.

Happy days!

2024 species count=200

August birding continued - sandpipers, black terns and tree pipits.

 

Press Ridge Warren, Ashdown Forest with the Ashdown Bird Group - 9th August.

On one of our raptor watches, one of the bonus birds for me was tree pipit, my first of the year.  There were 2 in the canopy of the nearest tall tree.

Pagham Harbour,  West Sussex - 12th and 19th August 2024

I made 2  visits to the Ferry Pool at RSPB Pagham Harbour to see the semipalmated sandpiper.  On both occasions the bird had its back to me and spent most of the time asleep!  This was only my second "lifer" this year - my 370th UK bird overall.

On the second visit with Martin we also saw a little stint and several curlew sandpipers.

Scotney Sand Pits, East Sussex - 22nd and 26th August 2024

I had no luck locating the pectoral sandpiper on the sand pits.  On both occasions there were many green sandpipers, several curlew and common sandpipers and a very nice wood sandpiper.

This was a haven for waders and, incredibly, a brand new site for me!  

RSPB Dungeness - 26th August 2024

After our visit to the Scotney Sand Pits Martin and I carried on to Dungeness where we saw our first black terns of the year from the ARC Hanson Hide.  There were 2 flying around before settling on one of the islands.

There were also at least 4 cattle egrets, a glossy ibis and 12+ garganey on show today. 

2024 species count=199