Home Park

Trip out this afternoon to Home Park (or some times called Hampton Court Park) I entered via the gate at Kingston bridge after walking past the Leg of Mutton pond I heard a couple of Magpies making a lot of noise and flying back and forward to a tree as I got closer I could see they where mobbing something took a little while but I finally found what it was a Little Owl after a while it had enough and flew off, so I continued on to the long water set myself up by the fence and at 20 past 3 the first Short Eared Owl appeared the a about 10 minutes later I had 2 Short Eared owls in the air did manage a few shots not the best so will have to go back plenty of Ringed Neck Parakeets, And I nice flock of 30+ Fieldfare with about 20m Redwing, Other birds seen included Great Tit, Blackbird, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Black Headed Gulls, Green Woodpecker so ending a good afternoon in the park

Lee Valley Country Park

Saturday 30th January

We decided on a trip to the Lee Valley today after a drive around the M25 we arrived at Fishers Green car park then took the short walk to the Bittern Information Hide we spent some time here but no Bittern, We did have a Water Rail and CettiI am now on 134 for the year

Bit of London Birding

Monday 25th January

Me and my mate decided to have a look for the Great Grey Shrike at Edgeware on arriving the bird was putting on a good show, After this we then headed for Stockers Lake and after a very pleasant long walk we finally found what we had come for we had 2 pairs of Red Crested Pochard that was hard work, Birds seen included Goldeneye, Wigeon, Gadwall, selection of Gulls, and a few of the more common birds, we then headed for Beaconsfield services on the M40 on route we had 5+ Red Kites bring my total for the year to 129

Great Grey Shrike

Great Grey Shrike

Pair of Red Crested Pochard

Trip to Hampshire

Wednesday 20th January 2016
Me and my mate Bob and Corrinna decided on a trip into Hampshire today we had a sort of plan so on meeting them at Bobs for a * O'clock start after a very cold trip on the bus (no heating) we set of our first stop was

Rooksbury Local Nature Reserve at Andover our target bird here was the 2 Ringed Necked Ducks we arrived and checked the map a short walk and after a short time we found them, so it was back in the car then of for a breakfast stop, our next stop was

Kingfisher lake near Blashford Lakes Target bird Ferruginous Duck spent some time looking but with no luck this looks like the last time here as they are putting up a fence that will block the lake of they are having a lot of problems here, we did have a flock of 20+ Goosanders here with some Wigeon, Tufted Duck,Coots, Gadwall, and a selection of Gulls So on to

Blashford Lakes Nature Reserve
on arriving we had a few common birds on the feeders by the info hut we then set of for the woodland hide on entering we found it a bit noisy so we sat down and had a look at what was about (when I say noisey there was one local gentleman  that was a bit on the loud side and he got quite shirty when Bob asked him to be quiet) but we did have some good birds her Redpoll, Siskin, Great Spotted Woodpecker, on the feeders and an ice Brambling on the ground after a short time we could not take any more of the noise, So we set of to have a look at some of the other hides plenty of Wigeon, Pochards, Gadwall, Tuffted Ducks, Coot, Cormorants and a selection of common birds, on the way round to the Ivy Lake North hide we some more Siskins on the feeders we then entered the hide to be  told there was a couple of Bitterns and after a short time one put up a good show the best pics I have got of a Bittern then the second one appeared for a short time , also we had Water Rail, and more of the ducks so then of to the Tern Hide where Bob found the 2 Black Necked Grebes, a Yellow Legged Gull I also had a Egyption Goose and another flock of 30= Goosander. our next stop was

Blackwater Arboretum
On arriving we had a few Crossbills fly over which we heard then we spent some time looking for Hawfinch  we did manage time find a Crossbill sitting in the top of a tree, Then another couple called us and they had a Hawfinch on the top of a tree very quite here not a lot of birds so we then decided on what to do to finnish the day with as it would only take 15 minute to get to Beaulieu Road we decided to try for the Great Grey Shrike we had a wander out but the light was going and we did not find it

So ended a good days Birding in Hampshire

Ringed Necked Duck

Ringed Neck Duck

Bittern

Bittern

Bittern

Bittern

Brambling

Brambling

Brambling

Nuthatch

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Greenfinch

Siskin

Siskin

Staines Reservoir

Return trip to Staines Reservoir sorted out a better way to get there then spent 2 and a half hours up on the reservoirs that was hard work finally found the Great Northern Diver after 2 hours plus 1 of the Scaups plenty of Tufted Duck , Goldeneye, Wigeon, Pochard, Teal, Gadwall 2 of the Black Necked Grebes, plus the Little Gull by the causeway then a new route home avoiding the school buses bit windy but a nice pleasant couple of hours putting me on 119 for the year.

South East kent

Planned a day out with my mate today met him at 07-00 hrs when then decided where to go we chose The Dungeness area of Kent we set of and after a breakfast at the Oasis Cafe we where all set for the day, Our first stop was a look at wellard marsh area here we had Fieldfare, Bewick,s Swan, a large number of Tree Sparrows Chaffinch , Yellowhammer, House Sparrow, Blackbird, Mistle Thrush,  Common Buzzard and a good number of Stock Dove the most I have seen in this area. As this was the first full days birding Bob has had since retuning from Spain most birds would be new for the year for him, we did a circuit of the area picking up Golden Plover , Lapwing ,Redwing, Blue Tit, Great Tit , Kestrel then Bob found a raptor sitting on the edge of a field which was a Marsh Harrier.
Our next stop was the RSPB Reserve after quick stop at the info centre we headed for the Long Eared Owl as we got there most people left those that where left did not know where the owl was so we decide to come back and set of for the hides where we had a Great White Egret, Female Smew, Goldeneye, Shoveler, Gadwall,  a selection of Gulls Black Headed, Common, Herring , Lesser Black Backed , Greater Black Backed, We then continued the walk to Denge Mash Hide on Route we Found  a Raven from the hide Great Crested Grebe, Greylag,. On our way round good numbers of Tufted Duck, Shoverler, Pochard,  We then went to the ramp area looking for the Penduline Tits after talking to a few people we realized this was  going to take some time as they had not been seen for some time so we decided to have a look for the Slavonian Grebe witch some one said was on the back of Hookers pit we set of with him and found it. We then returned to see if the Leo was showing as we approached people where watching some thing and we finally got a view of the Long Eared Owl. so back to the Information Centere for a coffee, From here we had a look at the new diggings for Black Necked Grebe which we did not find. From here we headed to do a sea watch where we had Kittiwake, 2 Red Throated Divers, Gannet, Guillemot,  We then had a look at Greatstone where we had Grey Plover, Ringed Plover, Bar Tailed Godwit, Sanderling, Knot , Oystercatcher,Dunlin. From here we headed to Hythe where we found 3 Purple Sand Pipers, So ending a very good days birding, Other birds seen included Greenfinch, Reed Bunting, Robin, Dunnock, Green Woodpecker, Wren.

Last 3 Days Nonsuch |Park / Wetland Centre / |Home Park

Bit of a update of the past 3 days

Tuesday Nonsuch Park
Had a wander around Nonsuch Park hoping for woodpeckers only managed to find Greater Spotted Woodpecker and a Bullfinch plenty to see Goldcrest, Blue Great and Coal Tits, Carrion Crow, Blackbird, Nuthatch, Black Headed Gull, Mistle Thrush, Ringed Necked Parakeet, (can not get away from them) then the rain came so retreated to the station and the train back home..

Wednesday Wetland Centre
Trip to the Wetland Centre London was hoping for some some pics but not a lot showing so ended up spending the afternoon Bittern watching had a good view of one from the peacock tower as I was leaving a second one flew of to our right (there was also a report of one on the main lake) so it looks like there are 3 there at the moment, then I walked round to the wildside hide to see if I could get a pic of the one sitting in the open but just as I got there it flew along the reed bed and landed behind the large Island after a short time I located it and got a few people on it then a group came in and we finally got them on it some where well pleased there first Bittern not the best of views but you could see what it was, on the walk round to the wildside hide I had a wintering Blackcap..

Thursday Home Park / River Thames
Had a very pleasant afternoon walk in Home Park and then back along the river Thames to Kingston Bridge came in via Hampton Court and walked along side the Long Water did find a Green Woodpecker in the park more Ring necked Parakeets, Carrion Crow, Plenty of Coots a small flock of Tuffted Duck and on one of the ponds some Gadwall a good number of Black Headed Gulls, Great Crested Grebe, Mute Swan, plus some common species..

That now puts me on 103 for the year

Widewater and Shoreham Fort

Quick trip to Widewater and Shoreham Fort Goosander showed well but was a sleep most of the time also had the Red Breasted Mergansers, at the fort had a Kittiwake fly by and 3 Purple Sandpipers in the harbour entrance putting me on 99 for the year

Staines Reservoir

Was planning on going to Widewater today but heard this morning that no sign of the Goosander so change of plan went to Staines Reservoir instead met Corinna on the causeway between the reservoirs our target birds where Scaup and Black Necked Grebe Corinna had already seen a Black Necked Grebe by the time I arrived so we set of across the reservoirs scanning the large flocks of ducks plenty of Tufted Duck and Pochard with good numbers of Wigeon took some time but I found a Scaup  we then continued across where we had a flock of 20+ Meadow Pipits with a Water Pipit with them I found a Black Necked Grebe then Corinna found 2 more we also had a Med Gull fly over and a few Dunlin on our return back along the path on the south basin we had Goldeneye as we got back to the other side I found another Scaup other birds seen Mallard, Carrion Crow, Black Headed Gull, Coot, Pied Wagtail, Teal so ended a good afternoons birding I added 4 for the year putting me on 93

Wetland Centre London

after the rain this morning decided a trip to the Wetland Centre London was a place to go on arriving set of for the Headley hide spoke to one of the volunteers he said best place to look for the Bittern was the wildside hide so setting of then going back because I forgot my brolly  i then caught up with him in the hide we started looking but no sign he then left and a lady volunteer arrived plus one other in the hide after a short while I found the Bittern sitting in the reed preening we all had good views for about 10 minutes from here I also found the Female Goldeneye on the the main lake I had Mandarin Duck I then set of for the other side of the reserve and headed for the Peacock Tower on route I had a Peregrine   my 3rd of the week also had Sparrowhawk from the tower I had Great Crested Grebe and after a bit of finding the Jack Snipe and  on my back to the bus I had Mistle Thrush on the playing fields so ending a good afternoons birding  that puts me on 89 for the year

Rainham Marshes

Trip today to Rainham Marshes after a very quick journey arrived at the marshes at 11-20 sat watching the feeders and the reserve I had a Little Egret while waiting for Corinna to arrive just before 12 we set of round the reserve first stop was to see if we could see Dartford Warbler after a short time in the rain we located one with a couple of Stonechats we also had a Raven the rain did stop so of to one of the hides here we found the Water Pipit (second one in 2 days) here we had Snipe, Pintail, Teal, Shoverler. Black Headed Gull, we then continured ouw walk a few Cetti's Warblers Calling as we walked along by the railway Corinna spotted a Perigrine as we walked towrds the shooting but hide we had a lot of Lapwings in the air on closer inspection we found some Golden Plovers in with them, So on to the hide here we had a selection of Wigeon more Pintail I had a Meadow Pipit then I found a Marsh Harrier sitting in a small tree after spending some time in the hide we set of for the area behide the toilets where we had been told to look out for Short Eared Owl after a shoert time I found one flying behide the old shooting buts then Corinna found a second fly behind us that flew behind the buts nice views of both we then continured back to the centre other birds seen included Carrion Crow, Magpie, Robin, Wren, Reed Bunting, Pied Wagtail,Blue Tit Great Tit, Coal Tit, Blackbird, Greylag Geese, Brent Goose, Mute Swan, House Sparrow, Sttarling, Collared Dove, Stock Dove,

On my way back to the train I had a Redshank, Turnstone and Rock Pipit along the river so ending a very good days birding I added 17 for the year taking my total for the year to 81

Beddington Farmland

Got the bus to Hackbridge walked to the fenced of area on Beddington Farmland had 1 Tree Sparrow, Gadwall, Shovler, Teal, Coot, Moorhen, Grey Heron, Canada Geese,Meadow Pipit , Water Pipit, Greater Black Backed Gull, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Common Gull, Herring Gull Black Headed Gull, Peregrine. I then walked along side the fenced of area towards Mitcham Common where I had Lesser Redpoll, Green Sandpiper flew over Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Magpie, Robin, Great / Blue Tits. I then walked to Mitcham Junction station and got the train to Bookham Common

Bookham Common

Had a wander around the common here I had more Lesser Redpolls plus 4 Siskins, Redwing and Fieldfare plus a good selection of common birds plus Common Buzzard after a couple of hours wander I was standing by the Car park when I had 1 Hawfinch the bird I was hoping to see it was a nice sunny and pleasant day just as I got on the train to come back the rain started