Local Birding

Over the past couple of days I have visited a couple of sites that I have not been to for the past 2 years the first was a walk along the river Hogsmill this is now called the Hogsmill Local nature Reserve a lot has changed and it was a nice pleasant walk lots of local bird life I started from the A3 and walked through to ruxley lane in Chessington then back across to the Chessington industrial estate the area between the A3 and Malden Manour is now call the Hogsmill open space the area the other side of the Ewell road is the Bonsgate open space  the river in places is a bit over grown so a visit in the spring and summer looks good for summer visitors

The second site was the Woodland Gardens in Bushy park

A lot of changes here the car park is now inside the gardens and there are toilets and a cafe the first part of the gardens  had some common birds then I went into the second part this was a lot better for wildlife the area where the trees have fallen are very good

Will be looking at some more of the sites I used to visit years ago

Update

Doing some local birding this week will post a report later

Donna Nook Grey Seals

Saturday 26th November
Today we wenrt to Donna Nook in Linconshire to see the Grey Seal Colony here are some pictures

Red Kites

Some pictures of the Red Kites on the Chilltons Saturday 12th November

Saturday 29th October

Spent some time at Pullbough Brooks RSPB today we where trying to see if we could see the Short Eared Owl that is about but with no luck there are some wintr ducks in Wigeon, Pintail we also had a Blacktailed Godwit, Ruff plus a selection of ythe birds you would expect to see we spent some time on the Hanger where we had a close Peregrine Falcon sittinbg in a tree plus the adult and juv Marsh Harrier

owI havehe blog sorted will be putting some pictures up from ove the last couple of years

North Norfolk Coast

Saturday 16th October

Today me and my mate took a trip to the North Norfolk Coast our aim was to see if we could see the Rufus Tailed Robin that had been found late Friday as we where checking the pager on route it became quite clear that the bird had gone over night as it was a clear evening by 10 o’clock we decided to head straight for Stifkey to see if we could see the Bluethroat that had been found after parking and walking out we heard a Yellow Browed Warbler in the trees by the road and decided we would have a look for it on our way back we then went out to the salt marsh we there where about 30 birders already looking for the Bluethroat it had started on the footpath but then flew out on to the salt marsh where it was seen briefly we spent the best part of a hour there with no sign so we gave up and headed back to the car on route we had a few brief glimpses of the Yellow Browed Warbler. Our next stop was Wells Wood to see if we could see some more Yellow Browed Warblers as there had been 4 reported there we heard 2 birds but no sightings after a stop for lunch we then headed to Holme where there was a Red Flanked Bluetail that had been ringed and released early this morning after paying the parking fee we headed for the pine trees where we joined the birders looking for it aafter a short time we had some views of the bird as it was flying between the pines then the bird flew over our heads and came down in the fenced of area here we had some godd views of it. We then decided to head for Salthouse as there had been a Richards Pipit seen earlier in the day but no sign of it when we arrived we then joined some birders watching some thing out to sea asking what they had they said they had a large bird coming in of the sea but there was some debate on what it was we found the bird they where on and you could tell it was a Owl as there had been Short Eared Owls coming over the past couple of days that is what they thought it was but the debate went on as it did not look right for one after a lot of debating over the bird we all came to the conclusion that it was a Long Eared Owl, It turned out that a couple we where talking to had seen the Rufus Tailed Robin yesterday not that many people saw the bird only about 30. We then had a look at Arnolds marsh where we had a Peregrine and 2 Marsh Harriers so ending a good days birding

North Trip Pictures

After a lot of hazzle I have now been able to upload some of the pictures from the trip north the first 5 where taken at Bembton Cliffs and the last 5 where on the Pennies


Kittiwake

Fulmar

Razorbill

Guillemot

Gannet

Lapwing

Common Sandpiper

Golden Plover

Red Grouse

Black grouse

Tuesday 10th May

Finnished work early to day after I was droped of in Towcester went for a walk couple of birds you would expect to see Cuckoo and Kingfisher plus some common species on the way back from work was talking about whast you might expect to see in the area and the chap who gave mwe a lift said there had been red kite seen in the area well it was a supprise when I had one fly over head while I was walking along the water meadows I then had a look around the church yard and yet another supprise sitting on top of a grave stone a nice male Pied Flycatcher so a nice evening walk

Update

Friday 29th April

Late start today so decided to do a little shopping then on to Climping beach as they have sorted the car park out do not mind parking here now but be warned if you park in the road do not think it is out of the way so no one will know wrong they do book you for it after a coffee we went for a walk along the road behind the dunes towards the golf course lots of Whitethroats and we had 3 Lesser Whitethroats all new birds for the year other birds seen included Blackbird, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Chaffinch, Pheasant, Magpie, Buzzard, Black Headed Gull, Gold Crest, Then we had a look around the small wood by the car park birds seen included Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Green Woodpecker plus most common species

Saturday 30th April

Today decided we would start by going to a site in West Sussex to see if we could see Dartford Warbler on route we had Black Tern on the pits at Chichester alongside the A27 also had House Martin then on to the site for the warbler as I was not sure how they had coped with the winter plus the fact it was a bit windy we did not see any but did have a Crossbill fly over the car park, We then decided to head for Pulbourough RSPB reserve on the way across we were passing a National trust reserve when I spotted a raptor so we stopped at the car park and walked through the trees to see if we could rer-locate it after a short time I found it on a thermal and it turned out to be a female Goshawk, we also had a look around the common again for Dartford Warbler but still no luck, Then it was of to Pullbourough where we had lunch then did the walk around the reserve where we had Nightingale, Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Willow warbler, Chiffchaff, we had a look of Jupp’s View where we had Little Ringed Plover, Egypton Goose, Buzzard, Wigeon, Teal, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Little Egret, Redshank then on to the hanger more of the same here we then continued on round as we passed through the gates leading to the Winnpenny Hide there were more Nightingales singing and we also had a Spotted Flycatcher other birds seen Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Great/Blue Tit, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, House Sparrow, Green Woodpecker, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Rook, Magpie, Mistle Thrush, We also had Marsh Tit in the car park area so ended a very pleasant days birding

Sunday 1st May

First stop today was Selsey Bill did just over a hours sea watch sopme nice close Gannets Pom Skua, Artic Skua, Common Tern, Sandwich Tern, other wise very quite we then had a walk around part of Pagham Harbour from the church car park around by the several through the fields and back to the car park most of the common birds you would expect to see after lunch which we had in the church yard we then took a look at the Ferry pool birds seen included Avocet, Whimbrel, Little Ringed Plover, Greenshank and I had a Wood Sandpiper fly in again plenty of common species, We then drove round to mill lane on route we had a Cuckoo then stopped at Halsey Farm where we had a short walk and found Turtle Dove

Short Update

Not done much Birding or Nature watching due to heavey work load but this weekend will be getting out and about so will post reports

Dungeness 02 April 2011

Set of from home at a quarter to nine me mate picked me up and we set of for Dungeness in Kent as normal we stopped of for breakfast as we left the little chef the police had blocked the road of due to a accident so we had to go the long way round to Dungeness on route round we had Tree Sparrow & Willow Warbler, Then on to the old lighthouse as a Ring Ouzel had been seen there on arrival no sign of the bird so we had a wander across the shingle towards the obbs then Bob said I will go and get the car and left me near the moat area around the obbs not a lot going on but did have Wheatear and Stonechat then Bob phoned me to say the Ring Ouzel had been seen again so I made my way back to the old lighthouse on arriving was told the bird had flown into the garden by the lighthouse me and a few others made our way round to the other side to get a better view of the garden then after a short time the Male Ring Ouzel sat out in the open on a bush and gave good views we also had a Black redstart some one pointed to the sky above us where there was a Peregrine, We then decided to have a look at the sea where we had a Common Tern, Sandwich Tern, Gannets, Common Scoter, Brent Geese, Kittiwake, a selection of Gulls including Little Gull, Med Gull, Divers flying Red Throated & Black throated we had the pair of Ravens sitting on the beach, Our next stop was the RSPB reserve here we had Yellow Wagtail we then went to the car park at the ARC pits to see if we could see Sedge Warbler but no luck so it was back to the reserve where we had been told that there was sedge warbler near the hooker watch point on the way round some one told us that they had heard Sedge Warbler behind Christmas Dell hide so we headed for there on the way we had Swallow, Bob had a wander along the path I sat on the bench when Bob returned we heard the Sedge behind me which we located on the walk back to the car over the Deng Marsh we had a Hobby, Then it was of to have a look at the far end of the ARC pits for Little Ringed Plover but no luck

Other birds seen or heard today included Cormorant, Marsh harrier, (On Route Kestrel, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk) Cetti’s Warbler, Mallard, Shovler, Gadwall, Blue Tit, Wren, Robin, Blackbird, Mistle Thrush, Chaffinch, House Sparrow, Reed Bunting, Linnet

12th & 13th March

Spent the weekend at Pagham Harbour on Saturday just picking up some of the common birds also had the Hen Harrier flying along the north wall birds in the harbour included Ringed Plover, Redshank, Little Egret, Grey Plover, Black Tailed Godwit, and a Spotted Rerdshank behind the church at church norton I had a Chiffchaff

On Sunday started at Chichester Pits for the Little Gull then on to Selsey Bill for a Sea Watch very quite but did manage to see Common Scoter, Velvet Scoter and a early Sand Martin in of the sea so slowly getting back into british birding

Sunbury Waxwings

Here are a few pictures of the Sunbury Waxwings not the best but it was raining at the time

White Tailed Eagle

Was thinking of going to Norfolk for the Northern Harrier but had a few things to sort out at home so decided to day to go and see if we could see the White Tailed Eagle in Hampshire set of at 10-30 well the next 3 hours and that is what it took to get there the M3 was closed between junction 3 and 4 so we where diverted on arrival it started raining so we decided a drink in the pub sounded a good idea (no I am back in the UK at 3-60 a pint) once the rain had stopped by 14-00 so of we set we stopped at the spot it was reported yesterday with no luck a local told us it had been seen further up the road at 11-00 so we went to have a look but again the rain started and no sign of the bird so i decided we would return to the spot we had started at we where then told that it was behind the barn down the lane but as it is a private road so no access but after a while I had the bird flying along the back of the buildings then Carol says here it is and yes the White Tailed Eagle flew over our heads it took a hour and half so in the end well worth it also had a few Bramblings

Back to British birding

Yesterday 13th February
I went birding with my mate we decided to go east to try and escape from the rain we headed for Dungeness our first stop was the RSPB reserve as this was my first full days birding this year in the UK most birds would be new for the year list and there were a few target birds to see we had a look from the information centre where we had Gadwall, Cormorant, Herring Gull, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Common Gull, Coot, Mallard, then we decided to do the walk around the reserve to see if we could find any of the target birds as we set off I had Pied Wagtail we then stopped in the first hide were we added Great Black Backed Gull, Then we had a look at Christmas dell hide on the way I had Little Egret as we approached the hide we the 2 Ravens that a present in the area (these are my first in Kent) we did have a look for the Firecrest but with no luck as it was quite windy we had a look in the hide just to get out of the wind for a while where we had Teal, Pochard, Shovler, Great Crested Grebe our next stop was the Denge Marsh Hide where there had been reported a Black Necked Grebe and a Red Necked Grebe we found both and had good views as it was now starting to rain but only a drizzle we headed back to the car on the way we had Little Grebe, Canada Goose, Greylag Goose, Reed Bunting, Blackbird, Our next stop was the ARC pits we drove along the road and had a look from the car where we picked up Goldeneye, Black Headed Gull, Moorhen, and on the end of the bushes in the middle we had a Chiffchaff, We then had a look at the long Pit again for Firecrest butr as the rain was a bit heavy now still no luck then we drove to the car park on the ARC pits and walked to the hide where we had Smew, Grey Heron, and more of the same ducks we had seen earlier we did have a walk around the Willow Trail as a Firecrest had been seen there this morning but the wind and the rain made it difficult to see any small birds so no sign of Firecrest today, Our next stop was for another of the target birds Glaucous Gull we knew it was somewhere on the beach near the boats so we stop along the road when we spotted some large gulls coming in but these turned out to be more of what we had already gull wise so we continued along the road until we found another large flock of gulls but still no luck as we were scanning along the shingle beach we could see that the Gannets where very close in so we thought this would be a good sign to do a sea watch later the Bob says there it is flying along the beach so another target bird seen, It was now time for a coffee and a pasty to keep out the cold after we headed for the beach and tried to get some shelter from the wind which was blowing straight at us we could now see why the Gannets where so close as were some of the other birds which included Kittiwake, Guillemot, Razorbill, Red Throated Diver, then Bob called diver flying left when we got a good view we could see it was a Black Throated Diver another good bird to see as we where both at each end of the hide it was difficult to hear one and other I then found a Slavoion Grebe which Bob did not get on but he had already seen Slav grebe in the end the wind drove us back to the car as it was difficult to keep the scope still, So we next had a look at Great stone beach but the tide was to far out to see much did have Oystercatcher, Our next stop was for another of the target birds Purple Sandpiper that Bob had seen last year at Hythe we tried one spot with no luck so we then drove further along the coast to where there were some more rocks and after a short time we found 2 birds now as the rain was setting in and it was getting dark we set of for home so not a bad days birding back in the UK total species seen today was 62

Picturtes

Been asked how I am getting some of my pictures will explain later but hope you are enjoying them I am hoping to go back to Goa next January for a month not many new birds but just good birding hope i have it now sussed so should be a good trip

Wednesday 26th January

Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary

Well another early start pick up at 05-45 for my third trip to this sanctuary had 2 target birds for today as we arrived we saw some other birders some I had seen earlier in the week at Apora Woods not sure what it is with birders and guides out here no one seems to want to tell anyone anything so we started at the same spot as before and after a short time Rayman says Heart Spotted Woodpecker we had good views but just too far to get a picture so one of the target birds seen while at this spot other new birds for me where Spangled Drongo, Flame Throated Bulbul, other birds seen here included Asian Fairy Bluebird, Black Rumped Flameback, Indian Golden Oriole, Black Hooded Oriole, Black Napped Oriole, Long Tailed Shrike, Red Whiskered Bulbul, Changeable Hawk Eagle , Ashy Drongo, White Cheeked Barbet, we then moved on to another spot that we had not stopped at before we had just got out of the car and Ruth said theres a female Malabar Trogan which we got on we then had a male but they were very flighty and after a short time we lost sight of them second target bird seen but as always who knows what you might see so we continued birding well at this spot more new birds Vernal Hanging-parrot was the next then while Rayman went looking for the Trogan myself and Ruth had Verditer Flycatcher yes another new bird then as we started to get back in the car another new bird appeared Malabar Woodshrike so turning in to another great days birding we then continued on to the picnic area near the zoo hoping to see the Blue Eared Kingfisher but no Luck after a short break for a drink and some food we then started back on the way Rayman says we will take a look around the temple which is on the way here we had Ashy Woodswallow ,Indian Black Robin 2 more new birds so ending another great days birding now I have seen most of the birds here next time I come I know it will be some good birding I am planning on coming back to Goa early next year
My Bird List Stands at 242 so still a few more to see

More Pictures

a few more Picture
They are
Indian Golen Oriole
Changeable Hawk eagle
Black Napped Oriole
Brahminy Kite
White Breasted Kingfisher

Sunday 23rd & Monday 24th January

Sunday 23rd January

Today I had a quick look at Siolim paddy fields not a lot going on as the fields were being worked I then dropped into Apora Woods to see if I could find the Brown Fish Owl witch I did locate but it did take a long time to find not a lot else today just had a ride round watching much the same as most days

Monday 24th January
Morning Apora Woods / evening Baga Hill

Got to Apora Woods by 7-30 took a slow walk in not a lot of bird life to begin with set myself up at the quarry where there were a couple of birders already some of the birds seen included Golden Fronted Leafbird. Red Whiskered Bulbul, Purple Sunbird, Ashy Drongo, White Bellied Drongo, Greenish Warbler, Jungle Babbler, Common Woodshrike, Spotted Dove, House Crow, Scarlet Minivet, Green Bee Eater, Puff Throated Babbler, Grey Headed Babbler. A White Bellied Sea Eagle flew over, then one of the other birders got onto a warbler at first glance we thought Greenish but hold on said he it does not have a wing bar we then lost sight of it about half hour later in reappeared in the bush at the other side of the path where we had excellent views the bird was not acting like a greenish now just slowly hopping about the bush after checking in the book we came to the conclusion that the bird was a Tytler’s Leaf Warbler so another new one for me as it was now getting on for about 11-00 time for breakfast then back to base for a rest

Baga Hill

Took the scooter to the top of the hill this evening and watch from a few different spots on the way back down did not go onto the top of the hill today just stayed on the road birds seen Red Whiskered Bulbul, Green Bee Eater, Orange Headed Thrush, Greenish Warbler, Black Drongo, Ashy Drongo, Black Kite, White bellied Sea Eagle, Treepie, Jungle Babbler, Common Myra, Only a few more days left so will make the most of them

Pictures from Goa

Here are a few pictures I have taken of birds seen in Goa
They are
Whimbrel
Spotted Owellet
Small Pratincole,
Indian Pond Heron
Orange Headed Thrus
Green Bee Eater
Blue Headed Rock Thrush
Black Drongo