Kites Birding & Nature Life

North West Norfolk

2012-01-31T22:05:00.000Z

29^th January 2012

Today we had decided to do a trip to North West Norfolk we had a early start leaving London at 06-00 hrs in the end there was just the two of us as Corrina is still not feeling well. As we set of and it was very misty but as we drove along the M11 this turned to fog we stopped for breakfast to set us up for the day as we left here the fog was patchy, So on to our first stop at Fakenham armed with some information we drove to the spot and parked up we spoke to someone leaving and was told the Great Grey Shrike was showing when we got to the spot for it had just flown back to where we had walked from it then flew further along the old road where we had good views of it we also had 2 nice male Bullfinch here

Now it was on to the Norfolk coast starting at Salthouse where we had a nice flock of 25+ Snow Buntings and some Pink Footed Geese and some White Fronted Geese, I had some very close Turnstone which i got some pictures of

Next to Cley after getting our permit for the reserve we set of to see if we could find the Western Sandpiper we tried one of the hides overlooking pat’s pool where we found a flock of Dunlin we had been told that it was with the Dunlin flock after a short time we had a small wader fly of but it went out of sight so we then went round to the other hide overlooking the pool from the other side, some birders where on a small wader the other side of the pool after watching this for a short time everyone was happy that it was the Western Sandpiper other birds seen here included Avocet, Black Tailed Godwit, Ruff, Teal, Brent Geese, Shellduck, lapwing.

Keeping to our plane for the day our next stop was Holkam we parked up and set off for the gap we did stop near the path and have a quick look for Firecrest but with no luck, So it was on to the gap on arriving there was a party of birders of to the west looking at something so we headed out to where they were but they were just looking at the large flock of Skylarks ( it was a bit later that we learned that there were some Twite in the flock) which we did not see, We then headed off to the east side of the gap where there were more birders watching the sea they told us the birds we were looking for where behind us so we set of to see if we could find the Shorelark after a short time with some other birders we found the 4 birds there was also a large flock of Snow Buntings here, We then went back to have a look at the sea where there was a Red Necked Grebe, Slavoinion Grebe, Red Breasted Merganser, Razorbill, Guilemot, on our way back to the car we scanned the large flock of Meadow Pipits looking for Rock Pipit no luck

We now headed to the end of Holkam Park where we parked and then walked back along the road to view the marshes for Geese he we had Brent, Canada, White Fronted, Pink Footed , Eygutian, and the small flock of Barnacle Geese

As we were driving along the A149 we stopped at Burmham Overy to see if the flock of Lapland Buntings where showing no sighting of them but we did have a couple of sub species of geese Black Brant and Pale Bellied Brent Goose, as we had already seen Rough Legged Buzzard we did not wait to see this bird because time was getting on.

Our next stop was Titchwell after a coffee we had a look to see if we could see the Cole’s Arctic Redpoll which we found after a short time there where a good selection of birds on the feeders Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Blue Tit, Great Tit, House Sparrow also in the trees we had Lesser Redpoll and Siskin, Robin, We then moved on along the path towards the shore having Black Tailed Godwit and a close Spotted Redshank on the sea we had Goldeneye, Red Breasted Merganser, Common, Scoter, Eider, Slavonian Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, 3 Long Tailed Duck, along the shore line there where Sanderling, Knot, and a selection of the 5 gulls you would expect to see Black Headed, Common, Herring, Lesser Black Backed and Greater Black Backed, On the way back to the information we had a Water Rail showing very well managed to get some pictures

We now headed for Hunstanton where we had Fulmer and Bar Tailed Godwit

As we were driving along the A149 near Heacham we had a Barn Owl hunting over a field, We now decided that there might just be enough light to have a look at the scissors at Wolverton for Golden Pheasant no sign of any we then drove around the edge of Sandringham looking for Woodcock with no luck as we came down the A10 near Ely a Tawny Owl flew along under the street lights

The final total of birds seen today was 101

Raptor Weekend

2012-01-23T20:17:00.001Z

Saturday 21^st & Sunday 22^nd January

Saturday we left home about 9 o’clock for a trip into West Sussex we had a Red Kite fly over the A3 Esher by pass then another Red Kite near Petworth we also had Kestrel and Sparrowhawk on route, Our first stop after breakfast was Selsey we spent a short time at the car park at the bill only birds of note seen Gannet, Cormorant, Herring Gull, Black Headed Gull, Then we drove round to Bill House but it was very quiet.

Next stop was Church Norton to have a look at Pagham Harbour here we had a good selection of waders Curlew, Grey Plover, Ringed Plover, Black Tailed Godwit, Dunlin, Sanderling, Knot, Oystercatcher, Redshank, Gulls seen Black Headed, Herring, Great Black Backed, Mediterranean, we also had 2 Slavonian Grebes in the channel in the harbour entrance there where Red Breasted Merganser, We then walked along the beach to get a better Look at the Harbour as we had been told there were some Pintail there but no sign of them we had a quick look at the sea not a lot going on, We then had a look along the west side behind the Church still no sign of the Pintail so we drove back to the Ferry pool and had a walk along the west side alongside the long pool to have a look at the North West corner of the Harbour where we finally found the Pintail on our walk back to the car we had a Common Buzzard sitting on a fence post.

Our next site was The Burge at Burpham when we arrived the wind was very strong so it did not look very promising but we decided to have a short walk anyway we found 2 birds of prey flying down the valley one was the Light Common Buzzard that is present we did not get a very good view of the other bird but it gave the impression that it might be the Rough Legged Buzzard we then lost sight of the two birds so decided we would walk further up along the Burge as we walked along the road we had a flock of 60+ Corn Buntings in a bush After we had past the farm and took the path to the right so we could view the valley we had a Male Hen Harrier, Then we had the two buzzards up again this time much better views and now we could see that it was in fact the Rough Legged Buzzard as we here walking back we had a Raven fly along the valley and a flock of 14 Grey Partridge other birds seen included Yellowhammer, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Rook, Linnet, Kestrel.

Next we decided to have a look at Waltham Brooks here we here looking for Short Eared Owl but with no luck we did have a Ringtail Hen Harrier as the time was getting on it was time to start heading for home so ending a god days birding

Sunday

The Isle of Sheppey there should have been 3 of us going on this trip but as Corrina was not felling well it was just me and my mate Bob we had Kestrel and Sparrowhawk on route, We stopped for breakfast at what used to be a little chef it is now Nicky’s Rock Cafe and very pleasant it was after breakfast our first stop was Kings hill farm at the RSPB reserve at Elmley we had a look here to see if we could see Little Owl but no luck we did have a mixed flock of Lapwing and Golden Plover, We then headed for the road to Harty ferry and the Raptor watch point on our way along the road we had the Rough Legged Buzzard over Mockett’s Hill not long after arriving at the watch point we had a female Peregrine sitting on the ground plenty of Marsh Harriers quite a strong wind here you had a job standing on top of the mound, We then drove to the end of the road we had Red Legged Partridge on the road and a Fieldfare sitting on the road at Harty ferry Inn where we had a look over the marsh but not a lot going on so we headed back along the road where we stopped to over look the marshes as it was nice and sheltered here we decided to have lunch (Bob’s homemade soup and sandwiches) from here we had ringtail Hen Harrier. And more Marsh Harriers

Our next stop was Muswell Manor where there had been a large flock of Lapland Buntings we did not have much information as to where we should be looking ( I have now discovered we here in the right place) but as there was a strong wind there was not that many small birds to be seen we sheltered behind a barn and had a female Merlin fly across in front of us it then landed on a mound out of the wind we had god scope views of tit so after braving the wind here we headed back to the Harty marshes when we got to the raptor watch point there were a lot of birders there but nothing more than we had earlier we got talking to one of them and he said he had seen the Spoonbill near the hart inn so we drove to the end of the road again and found it feeding on the marshes then it was back to see if we could find any Owls but as there was a wildfowl shoot going on it turned out to be a bit of a waste of time so we packed up and headed for home so ending a good Raptor Weekend.

Raptors for the weekend total of 9

Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Merlin, Common Buzzard, Rough Legged Buzzard, Hen Harrier, Marsh Harrier, Peregrine and Red Kite

15th January

2012-01-16T20:02:00.000Z

Dungeness Area

Today we visited the Dungeness are in south east Kent as we were driving down the temperature dropped as we drove over the weald a stop for breakfast at a little Chef this is one of the ones to be closed so will need to find somewhere else in future after breakfast we headed for Walland marsh, Near Lydd we had a small flock of Lapwing and Golden Plovers plus Common Gulls in a field we then continued to a spot we know for Tree Sparrow where we found some on the feeders and in the trees nearby on crossing the marsh we had a flock of 49 Bewick’s Swans as the farmer has done a lot of clearing around the barn area no sign of Corn Bunting or Yellowhammer, Our next stop was the RSPB reserve centre here we checked the list to see what was about we then took a walk around part of the reserve stopping at a couple of the hides hopping to see Pintail but we had no luck all day with this bird (there was a group of wildfowlers being show around the guy leading them was a bit over the top he was making more noise telling them about the ducks and other birds than the group themselves) birds seen on the way to Christmas Dell hide included Little Egret, Shovler, Gadwall, Wigeon, Cormorant, just as we were approaching the hide Bob found a Raven from the hide we had 2 Red Head Smew then the group arrived so we moved on stopping at Denge marsh hide where had a Marsh Harrierso it was now back to the car, Meadow Pipit was added to the list we then stopped near the wardens house where we had more Tree Sparrows then it was off to the car park at the ARC pit we walked to the shelter hide here we had 2 more red head Smew bob also had a Drake Smew then it was off to the main hide after talking to some birders there we found the bird we had come for the Long Tailed Duck but no sign of the Great White Egret that had been seen earlier in the day we had a quick look at the pit from the road but added no more birds to the list, We now decided to have a look at the sea taking in the flocks of Gulls on route, our sea watch produced 40+ Gannets, Guilimot, Razorbill, Brent Geese, lots of Kittiwake and 14+ Red Throated Diver’s ,we stopped to have a look at the Gull’s again but no sign of the Glaucous Gull, We now decided to return to Walland marsh and have a look at the spot for raptors hoping for a Barn Owl with no luck but we did watch the Marsh Harrier’s coming into roost we had 10 in the air at once, It was a cold day not as cold as some we have had in past years< And so another good days birding comes to a end, Have arranged o go to the Isle of Sheppey next Sunday

Spanish Sparrow / New Forest and Blashford lake

2012-01-14T18:09:00.003Z

Spanish Sparrow

I had arranged to go to Hampshire with me mate Bob and Corrina for the Spanish Sparrow we set off a little after 7 o’clock and where at the spot for the sparrow just after 9 o’clock we joined the rest of the birders and after a short time the Sparrow appeared in the hedge then flew across the road where we all had good views of it (I did attempt to take some pictures but the bird was too far away and they are not that good ) on leaving here we had a Brambling fly in front of the car, Our plan for the rest of the day was next to see if we could see the Red Eyed Junco that had been present since Christmas near Beauliue after a minor mix up over witch road to take we arrived at the car park and set off for the short walk to the spot here we had a good number of Crossbills which was nice to see after a while the Junco appeared in the tree with the Crosbills and a flock of Reed Buntings, Our next port of call on the agenda was Blashford Lakes on route we stopped for breakfast come lunch then on to the lakes where we had a Ferruginous Duck on the feeders from the woodland hide we had Siskin, Lesser Redpoll, Great Spotted Woodpecker after speaking to a local we headed to Ibsley where in the fields we had a Whooper Swan 3 Bewick’s Swans and then someone told us there are some Egyptian Geese in the field further back we had a pair of Common Buzzard and some Canada Geese, After this we headed back to Blashford Lakes and returned to the north hide where we had 2 Water Rails and a brief sighting of a Bittern we also had some close views of Sisins and lesser Redpoll, The next stop on the list was Blackwater arboretum for Hawfinch we arrived at about 2 30 and it was very quite after a short stroll around bird life picked up Coal Tit, Wren. Robin then Bob found 5 Bullfinches in a tree by now more birders had turned up and aftera short time Corrina found a Hawfinch at the top of a tree which we all had good views off as we were leaving me and Bob had another Hawfinch, As Corrina had a meeting we now had to start heading for home just before leaving the car park Bob heard a Song Thrush singing this was located then back to the car and home so ending a good days birding

The Chilterns and Stockers Lake

2012-01-14T17:14:00.001Z

8^th Jan 2012

Chilterns / Stockers Lake

We decided to have a look for Red Kites today so off we set for the Chilterns driving along the M40 we started seeing our first Kites by the time we left the motorway we had seen 12+ birds we then drove through Christmas Common looking for more Kites finding one and two on the way we then took a road out of the village and found a spot where there were 10 birds flying around and I managed to get some pictures (see end of report) also had a Common Buzzard as we were driving back towards Stowenchurch we came across something dead on the road and above us where 8 more Kites we now decided to head for Stockers Lake Red Kites seen 60+ birds + a selection of common birds

Stockers Lake

On arriving at the car park we decide to have lunch (homemade soup and rolls) birds seen during lunch on Springwell Lake included Gadwall, Great Crested Grebe, Black Headed Gull, Robin, Blackbird, Chaffinch Coot, Moorhen, Fieldfare, Long Tailed Tit, Then after lunch we had a walk around part of Stokers Lake where we had more Gadwall, Shovler, Goosander, Heron, Canada Goose, back at the car we had a coffee and I had a short wander around and found Siskin, Redpoll, as the temperature started to drop we headed for home

1st to the 4th Jan 2012

2012-01-08T17:02:00.004Z

1^st Jan 2012

Decided on a trip to west Sussex today started at the burgh at Burpham was hoping to see the Rough Legged Buzzard saw a few birds on route, On arriving at the car parking spot the first raptor that we saw was a Red Kite we then spoke to a couple who told us the R l Buzzard had flown behind the farm and landed out of sight, So we walked along the road past the farm to see if we could see it after a short time I had a Peregrine chasing a flock of Starlings we also had a Kestrel we then continued on past the farm where I found a Buzzard sitting in a bush but even through the scope you could not make out what it was as it was misty and it just started raining there had been a Common Buzzard seen before we arrived we then found some where to get out of the rain but after a while we realised that it was getting heavier so it was a Buzzard Sp we then headed back to the car where we had lunch after lunch the rain had not eased off so we then headed to Arundel WWT where we spent the rest of the afternoon Birds seen on the downs and at Arundel included Yellow Hammer, Marsh Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Blackbird, Linnet, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Moorhen, Coot, Mallard, Gadwall, Snipe, Black Headed Gull, Birds seen on route included Rook, Carrion Crow, Woodpigeon, Starling, Magpie,

2^nd Jan

Today spent some time on Staines Reservoir where we had Great Northern Diver, juv Shag, Cormorant, Scaup, 2 Water Pipit, Black Necked Grebe, Goldeneye, Wigeon, then we had a look at the pits at Wraysbury we parked by the station and looked at the pits here we I found 2 red head Smew on our way back to the car we had Mistle Thrush and then found a small flock of Redwings with 1 Fieldfare other birds seen included Tufted Duck, Shovler, Teal, Pochard, Wren, Robin, Long Tailed Tit, Ring Necked Parakeet

Total number of species seen over the 2 days was 61 so not a bad start to the year

4^th Jan

Have added Goldcrest, Song Thrush and heard a Tawny Owl at Witley station

Local Birding

2011-12-30T19:28:00.000Z

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

2011-12-29T21:20:00.001Z

Doing some local birding this week will post a report later

Donna Nook Grey Seals

2011-11-26T17:16:00.002Z

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

Red Kites

2011-11-14T21:37:00.000Z

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

Saturday 29th October

2011-10-31T06:49:00.000Z

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

2011-10-16T07:33:00.000+01:00

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

2011-07-05T20:18:00.004+01:00

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

2011-05-10T22:02:00.002+01:00

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

2011-05-09T21:32:00.000+01:00

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

2011-04-27T20:58:00.002+01:00

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

2011-04-02T22:28:00.000+01:00

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

2011-03-14T07:06:00.002Z

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

2011-03-07T07:36:00.001Z

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

White Tailed Eagle

2011-02-27T17:33:00.002Z

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

2011-02-14T07:55:00.000Z

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

2011-02-12T21:13:00.002Z

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

2011-01-28T11:41:00.000Z

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

2011-01-27T11:32:00.004Z

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

2011-01-27T05:07:00.001Z

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

2011-01-23T12:38:00.005Z

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

Saturday 22nd January

2011-01-23T11:09:00.002Z

Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary

My second visit to this reserve again with Rayman and the birder and his wife that I did the last trip with early start 5-50 we arrived at the first stop at 5 past 7 this was the same spot we stopped at the last time some of the same birds Asian Fairy Bluebird, Hooded Golden Oriole, Golden Oriole, Malabar Grey Hornbill, and some good views of Black napped Flameback, Long Tailed Shrike, Bronzed Drongo, Plum Headed Parakeet, Brown Capped Pygmy Woodpecker, White Headed Starling, Golden Fronted Leafbird, Red Whiskered Bulbul, Green Bee Eater, and two new ones Crimson Backed Sunbird, Scarlet Minivet, we then started to drive to the second spot on the way we heard a Grey Jungle Fowl calling so we stopped to see if we could locate it we just took our bins with us as we approached where the call was coming from a bird of prey flew across in front of us and landed in a tree some way off but you could tell it was a Changeable Hawk Eagle and the Jungle Fowl had stopped calling as we headed back to the car Rayman caught sight of a Dark Fronted Babbler another new one we also had good views of Greater Flameback we where now some distance from the car where our cameras and scopes where and then all of a sudden birds started appearing Asian Paradise Flycatcher, Bar Winged Flycatcher Shrike, White Rumped Shame, White Tailed Flycatcher all new birds as I said no camera still there is always another time, as we were about to get back in the car Rayman spotted a Flycatcher with red on the breast the flycatcher you get here is the Red Throated but there was some doubt that it might be Red Breasted Flycatcher as you do get both but the Red Breasted is scares he but the bird just kept moving away from us until we lost it so Flycatcher sp, Our next stop was the second spot we did last time more of the same that we had last time but a good spot for getting pictures of Blue Headed Rock Thrush other birds seen here included Forest Wagtail, Western Crowned Warbler, Bright Green Warbler, Brown Fronted Flycatcher, Black Napped Monarch, still no sign of Trogan which is the bird we had stopped for, Then it was on to the car park by the zoo entrance Rayman and Ruth went to have a look at the zoo I had a wander down by the stream with the other birder more Dark Fronted Babblers not a lot else then we had a break and while we sat at the picnic benches a Orange Headed Thrush gave very close views and we managed to get some good pictures watching the video last night it was not that good as the bird was to near and slightly out of focus another one to try and get again did get a couple of pictures through the scope now the heat of the day was upon us so it was time to return to Calagute we did have a look by the small reservoir for Trogan no luck on route back we had a Greater Spotted Eagle sitting in a tree near Calagute so will have to see if I can locate again so ending another goods days birding as I am still missing a few of the birds you can see here I have arranged to go back next Wednesday with the same birders as I know there is something that he is after and this is a good spot to find it with a bit of luck

Bird list is Currently 225

Last 4 Birding Outings (Goa)

2011-01-21T15:33:00.004Z

Monday 17th January

Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary

Well I have decided to use taxis for the trips to the Western Ghats so I might as well use some of the bird guides as I said before I have been out with Rayman and he is very good. So a early start pick up at 5-50 it took 1 hour 10 minutes to get there on arrival we stopped at a spot that Rayman always stops at (the list of lifers was a total of 35 so I will list them separately) as you can imagine birds where coming fast being with the guide helped a lot as if I had been on my own I would not have worked it the way he did we spent some time here as Rayman called Blue Bearded Bee Eater that flew over but we could not relocate it, we then stopped at another spot on the way to the main entrance to the sanctuary we were looking for Trogan here with no luck, we then stopped and paid our entrance fee and stopped once on the way to the picnic area by the river we were looking for the Blue Eared Kingfisher wich Rayman had seen the last time here which was last Friday but with no luck new birds seen were Brown capped Pygmy Woodpecker, Greater flamback, Brown Headed Barbet, White Checked Barbet, Malabar Grey Hornbill, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Nilgirl Wood Pigeon, Crested Serpent Eagle, Crested Hawk Eagle, Asian Fairy Bluebird, Blue Winged Leavebird, Black napped Oriole, Large Cuckoo Shrike, Bronzed Drongo, Greater Rachet Tailed Drongo, Blue Capped Rock Thrush, Red Throated Flycatcher, Tichell’s Blue Flycatcher, Chestnut Headed Staling, Velvet Fronted Nuthatch, Grey Headed Bulbul, Black Crested Bulbul, Yellow Browed Bulbul, Ashy Prinia, Western Crowned Warbler, Bright Green Warbler (race of the Greenish Warbler), Brown Cheeked Fulveter, Plain Flowerpecker, Purple Rumped Sunbird, Crimson Sunbird, Little Spidereater, Forest Wagtail, Black Headed Munia. As we were leaving we had the 2 raptors mention above as we approached Calagute we had a Indian Roller on the wires, The other birder on this trip said do you fancy doing this again so it was decided to go this Saturday and I am looking forward to it
****************************************************
Wednesday 19th January

Today I spent some time just riding around a few of the areas that I have been doing over the past month just trying to get some pictures mainly of birds sitting on the wires will be putting some on blog if I have Enough credit on my Dongle as it cost to up/down load items
*******************************************************
Thursday 20th January

Lake Mayem

6-30 start today again a trip with Rayman the main birds were nightjars and a kingfisher with Rayman’s knowledge of this site it did not take that long to find the 2 nightjars Grey & Indian but no luck with the Orientale Pygmy Kingfisher Rayman did see it fly but we could not relocate it other birds seen included Orange Breasted Pigeon, White Browed Wagtail, White Bellied Drongo, Ashy Drongo, Golden Oriole, Eurasian Blackbird, Puff Throated Babbler, Blue Tailed Bee Eater, Changeable Hawk Eagle, as we were leaving and heading for another site we had 2 Pied Kingfisher’s on the wires we then went to a site south east of the lake We drove round the site looking for Lesser Adjutant with no luck but did have a Greater Spotted Eagle we then went to the other side near the river were we had Gull Billed Tern, Whimbrel, Redshank, Little Egret, Intermediate Egret, Great White Egret, Grey Plover, and then flying around a Lesser Adjutant, and the Greater Spotted Eagle again as we were heading back to the car we had a Striated Heron in the ditch and good views (got some video of it)we then took the ferry across to the road leading to Panjim where we stopped at some paddy’s as the tide was high here we had Lesser Sand plover, Temminck’s Stint, Little Stint, Redshank, Greenshank, and Rayman found a Greater Sand Plover then it was back to Calagute so ending another good days birding.
****************************************************************
Friday 21st January

Quite morning did a bit of ridding round the Philern area did find Indian roller on the wires then spent about ¾ of a hour trying to get some video of it no luck it just kept moving found this a lot lately think some of the birds are just arriving aftwr the bad monsoon spent the afternoon updating my reports then spent a couple of hours this evening in Apora Wood this was to see if I could finally see Indian Pita got to the spot to find a Finnish bird group there and where they noisy amazed they saw anything but after about 20 minutes they left and I was on my own could hear a Pita Calling then after about a hour and a half I was watching a Puff Throated Babbler and it just popped up in front a Indian Pita sat there for about 30 seconds and was gone so at last I have seen one

WOW What A Day

2011-01-15T17:04:00.003Z

14th January I spent part of the morning at Apora Paddies most of the time was spent videoing Small Pratincole and I did manage to get some footage I also took some photos through my scope Then in the afternoon I paid a visit to Apora woods where I met some birders who had only just arrived in Goa they said that they had spoken to some other birders and had been told that there was Blue Bearded Bee Eater about we stayed till dark but no sign of it will return first thing in the morning

15th January
Well a early start up and out by 6-40 at Apora woods by 7-00 took a slow walk into the woods reached the qaury area before I could put my scope up I disturbed a bird on the dead tree (this tree is good for getting some good sightings of some of the birds) as it flew across in front of me I knew it was what I had come for the Blue Bearded Bee Eater well chuffed I know some people have been trying for over eight years to get this bird so a twitch in Goa what a result did not see any one until I was leaving a birder with a guide who turned out to be one of the Indian birders who leads trips I said I would like to visit he western ghats and the birder said we are going there next week spoke to the guide and he asked the birder if he minded if I joined them no problem he said will keep the cost down so that was set then I then asked if they had any more trips planned (found out that his wife had not come out this morning) he said we have a afternoon trip to Diva Island this afternoon and you are welcome to come if you want well has I have not been there and it is not on most of the trip reports that I have read I said what are you looking for Raptors was the reply well if you know me RAPTORS are what I like so I said yes that sounds good what time are you leaving so we arranged a time and pick up point (which was 2-30 at the Calungate roundabout) I was there in plenty of time once on route we stopped at the shore at old Goa where we had Lesser Sandplover, Little Stint, Dunlin, the guide Raymond thensaid we stop here this a good spot for Terek Sandpiper and there it was on the edge of a pool have been told this guy is good he knows what you want and he trys to make sure you see it we then moved on a little further along the coast and found Whimbrel then it was on to the ferry on to Diva Island as we where wating we found a Osprey sitting on a post (now I was not aware of what would happen over the next couple of hours all I can say is I will be coming back to Diva Island again) let me continuer we drove to a area Raymond new and spent the rest of the afternoon there I suppose I have to let you know what birds were seen as we approached the are where we stopped the first raptor we had was a Black Shoulder Kite sitting on the wires by the road as not to disturbed we drove on then stop in the shade of a nice big tree we we parked there was a football pitch on this we had Richard’s Pipit, Rosy Starling, Oriental Skylark, Great Short Toed Lark then we started scanning the area I then released this was going to be a raptor afternoon we then all got on a harrier as it was quite a way off no one would call it then it dropped down out of sight so Harrier sp but then things just got better the next harrier that came into sight was a Female Pallid after which
We had a imm Montague’s Harrier then we turned around and found a second Black Shouldered Kite on the wires the other way also on the wires we had Black Drongo, Green Bee Eater, Malabar Lark, Thick Billed Crow , House crow, Stonechat, and Rosy Starlings, of course we had the two Kites now I must say that some of the black kites are a bit different so we had a discussion on this matter and come to the conclusion that some are the Black Eared Kite when you get the two together there is a difference so back to the harriers we had 5 Palled, 2 Monty’s, & 2 Marsh Harriers we were just about to pack up when some said what is that just landed in the tree we all got on it but where it came from no could say we thought it had been sitting in the field all the time we where there after a short debate we had it as a Lesser Spotted Eagle then as I was trying to get some video of the Black Shouldered Kite the call went up a harrier coming along the road nd yes there just 6 feet in front of me was a male Palled Harrier what a sight so intent on watching it totally forgot about the video still the sight will always remain with me we then had a Spotted Owlet in the tree we were standing next to now it was time to leave as Raymond said we will make the 6-15 ferry so we drove back to the ferry and on route we had a Shrika so ending a very enjoyable after noon’s birding in Goa

The trip on Tuesday has been changed to Monday so looking forward to another good days birding with Raymond

Goa Update

2011-01-15T07:03:00.000Z

In the past week I have been to Siolim paddy fields and area 3 times all at different times of the day there is a road that goes through the centre of the paddies where most people watch from because I have had more time I have found 3 other places it is worth watching from where if you take care you can get a bit closer to the birds. Birds seen include Asian Openbill, Wooly Necked Stork, White Stork, Glossy Ibis, Great White, Little, Intermediate, Cattle, Egrets, Western Reef Heron, Indian Pond Heron, Stork Billed, White Breasted and Common Kingfishers, Black Winged Stilt, Pintail Snipe, Common Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, both Kites, barn Swallows, Wire Tailed Swallow,

I have also been looking at the paddies and fields around Pilern these areas are god for Pipits & Larks most people watch from the road that runs through the middle of most of these paddies as I am on the scooter I take some of the small tracks across as long as I do not get off the scooter I can get close to some of the birds just cut the engine and sit birds seen include Marsh Harrier, both Kites Little Bee Eater, Paddyfield Pipit, Richards Pipit, Malabar lark, Greater Short Toed Lark, Black Drongo, Stork Billed Kingfisher, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Intermediate Egret, Indian Pond Heron, Long Tailed Shrike, Brown Shrike,

I have also Been Looking for the Indian Pita but still no luck

27th December Apora Wood and Paddy

2010-12-28T11:52:00.002Z

Started out at 7-30 this morning arrive at Apora Wood at ¼ to eight on the walk up to the wood I had Great Coucal, Common Ioras,Rufous Treepie, as I approached the wood there were a lot of small birds calling Purple Sunbird, Black-Lored Tit, Fan trailed Warbler, Little Bee Eater, only had a quick look for the Pitta no luck expect I’ll get this bird when I’m not looking for it then I met a couple of birders Just as I spoke to them we had a Rufous Woodpecker a good bird for this site I also got onto a Common Hawk Cuckoo, we then found 2 Golden Fronted Leafbirds, then we had about 20 Monkeys go through the tree tops back to the birds Coppersmith Barbet, Grey headed Bulbul, Barn swallow, Mountain Iperal Pigeon, Brahminy Kite carrying nesting material. On my way back to where I had parked I had Loten’s Sunbird, Little Bee Eater,

Next stop was the paddy that I visited yesterday not as many Small pratingcoles plenty of Little Egrets and Great white Egrets a couple of Marsh Sandpiper extra wader today was Green Sandpiper I had the Osprey again flying around then some of the waders got up and I found a Bersa flying towards me on the wires nearby I had Malabar Lark

As I am here for awhile I am playing with some of the settings on my Video Camera so hope to have some good footage which I will need to down load when I return to the UK

List is currently stands at 161

26th December Boxing Day

2010-12-27T11:29:00.000Z

Well after yet another night’s sleep interrupted by the people in the next room coming in at about 3 o’clock and slamming the doors and rearranging the furniture I did manage to get some sleep and was up and out by 7 o’clock

I decided to start by having a look at Baga Hill (Baga Jungle) I had a White Breasted Sea Eagle on the way to the Hill I took the scooter to the top of the hill no walking for me park up and walk out onto the hill I had only been there a short while when another birder appeared, we got talking and exchanged some details of other sites spent a couple of hours up here also met another birder some more information changed hands Birds seen included Peafowl, Greenish Warbler, (these are quite common) Radd’s Warbler,(good views) The usual 2 Kites, Golden Oriole, Black Hooded Oriole, Ashy Drongo, Purple Sunbird, Red crested Bulbul, Thick Billed Crow , House Crow, did not see the Quail that I had been told about

Next stop was a paddy at Apora more information from the birders I met on the hill they said I would not be disappointed and I was not Small Pratingcole c 150, Pacific Golden Plover c12, Kentish Plover c25, Marsh Sandpiper c4, Redshank, Greenshank, Common Sandpiper, Great White Egrets c15, Little Egrets c20, Indian Pond Heron c30+, Little Cormorant,On the wires were Barn Swallow, Needle Tailed Swallow, Long Tailed Shrike, Little Bee Eater, Black Drongo, here I met some more birders and while I was talking to them we had a Osprey flying around in front of us I will be visiting this site more Know I now of it

Next stop Apora wood in the hope of seeing Indian Pitta no luck I will keep tryong
I have not put all the birds I have seen or heard today as this would just take up space my Goan list is around the 150 mark at the moment

Now time for Breakfast so a full English is called for and very nice it was
Now as the heat is getting to much it’s back to base for a few hours (I have ac this time and very welcome it is)

This evening I decided to take a look at Augarda again after the Indian Pitta still no sign but I did hear one calling other bids here included Red Whiskered Bulbul, White Breasted Kingfisher, Stork Billed Kingfisher, Paddy field Warbler,

2010-12-06T11:25:00.000Z

Sunday 28th November
Had a look at some of the local spots around Baga and found some new ones that look good for some morning birding before work have some of the bird song and calls so this should help

Rest of the week up to Friday more of the same

Friday 3rd & Saturday 4th December
Decided to try some new sites which I had found some information on not a successful couple of days there is a lot of new building going on so some of the sites do not hold that many birds now
One bird I did get a very good view of this week was a Orange Headed Thrush normally they skulk but I had taken the scooter up on to baga ridge you can walk but it is a bit of a clime so I rode up just as I was coming back down the bird was sitting in the middle of the road and of cause the camera was in my rucksack on my back so no chance of a picture

Sunday 5th December
Booked a taxi for today planned on having a look at Carambolim Lake and area the other side of the village. The taxi arrived at 7 o’clock and we set of arrived at the lake at ¼ to eight got caught at the railway crossing take ages for the trains to pass, but soon as we have I notice some duck on the lake but decide to have a look at the other side of the village first where there is some mud flats and a good marsh area opposite this there is a good grass area had a look at the mud flats first there were a lot of waders which included Redshank, Greenshank, Marsh Sandpiper, Black Winged Stilt, Common Sandpiper, Ruff, and Temminck;s Stint. After about ¾ of a hour all the waders took of I turned around and found a Osprey sitting on a dead tree where it stayed for the next hour. I then had a look at the grass area found a shady spot and set up my scope the first bird was a Peregrine sitting on a post but this took off and flew over me and out of sight. Other birds were more of what I have been seeing in this sort of area Black Drongo, Cattle / Intermediate / Little / Great White Egrets, Black Kite, Great Couracal , then sitting on a bush not that far away I found a Grey Shrike (will need to check on this has I have been told you do not get Grey shrikes here) then is was back to the taxi and back to have a look at the lake the duck where still there Lesser Whistling Duck other birds seen where Indian Pond Heron, more Egrets, Purple Swam Hen c30 , Bronzed Winged Jacanas, Pheasant Tailed Jacanas, Brahminy Kite, Pied Kingfisher, as it was now getting busy as it is Sunday I decided to have a look at the Paddy fields at Santa Cruz as the grass is still on the long side very kittke mud for waders plenty of the normal birds Black Kite c70. And 6 White Breasted Kingfishers did not stay to long will see what it is like in a couple of weeks (this is a good site for getting close to some of the waders) I then mentioned to the driver about some vague information about another spot nearby could not find it from what info I had but the driver said he knew of a good spot so we went to have a look for another day as the heat of the day was upon us and it looked very interesting so hope to go back next weekend (need to have a look at the map and give this site a name as I have not found it mentioned on any of the reports that I have read) Looks like it could be good spot for Birds of Prey as it was now getting hot returned to base ending a very good mornings birding.

Back in Goa

2010-11-15T06:33:00.000Z

Well I am back in Goa so will be doing some birding while I am here

Saturday 13th of November
I decided to try a site that I had not been to before my intension was too take a walk along the river at Candolin not far from where \i am staying this time round I set off with the information that I had been given all well until I try and find the footpath that was mentioned I arrived at the spot directed no sign of a footpath so I ask how can I walk along the river told to go to the track up the road by the chapel did this only to be told no access to the river I am well prepare for what happened next so I said no thanks (he asked for 500 rupees) so did not get to have a walk by the river after trying a few different spots decided that this was a waste of time so I then went for breakfast and a nice one it was (will be going back again) then it was back to my room this time round I have Air Con and what a welcome it is in the heat of the day at about 4 o’clock I decide to have a look at the area behind the hotel Beira Mar in Baga this can be watched from the other side of the marsh from a small road which is nice and quite at about 5 o’clock I then decided to take the road out of Baga to Calangute where I found some paddy fields that looked like they might be of interest (note to have a look here in the morning

Sunday 14th November

First stop today was the marsh behind the Beira Mar hotel in Baga spent some time here plenty of birds calling not aiming to get them all out of the way as I will be here till the end of Jan 2011 I then returned to the Paddy fields that I found last night and spent the rest of the morning here as there where a few birds to film found a nice quite spot in the shade all the birds are more of what I have already seen so will start putting my list together soon we had some rain late afternoon so did not do any birding to night

Life in GOA

2010-07-12T07:51:00.003+01:00

Spent the weekend looking at some of the main spots that are good in the dry season plenty of local birds only the 2 Kites in the way of birds of prey as most go till the monsoon is over will get around to doing a sea watch this week just need to get up early will update when I have done a few

Monday 28th June

2010-06-29T11:33:00.002+01:00

Early start for work today left at 06-45 on the edge of Anjuna I had a family of Wild Boar cross the road just ahead of me watch them for a short time when they disapeared out of sight

Update

2010-06-16T08:47:00.002+01:00

Not a lot happening at the moment Monsoon has started so not doing much birding hope to get some sea watching done over the coming weeks will post a report then

Pictures From Goa

2010-05-12T09:23:00.003+01:00

Here are a few pictures of some of the birds seen in Goa

Pictures of the Weekend In Maharashtre District of India

2010-05-06T10:33:00.003+01:00

Weekend In Maharashtre District of India

2010-05-05T09:08:00.004+01:00

Spent the weekend up in the jungle area north west of Kolhapur Maharashtre I was travelling with one of the English chaps who are working out here at the same factory as myself we started of late Friday.We started of collecting some of the things to take with us once done we headed for Kolhapur where we where staying the night

Saturday morning our first stop was for provisions as the place we will be staying is in a remote area on route we picked up more of the people who would be joining us this included a party who had drove from Bombay not long after we arrived it started to rain and every one was hopping it would not last long but it lasted three and a half hours witch put a bit of a damper on the afternoon as there was no where to shelter ended up in the car for part of it when it did stop I managed to do hour and half of birding birds seen included Streaked Throated Woodpecker, Common Myna, Laughing Dove, Clamorous Reed Warbler, Red Whiskered Bulbul, Spotted Dove, Red Collared Dove, Long Billed Crow, Greater Coucal, Black Headed Cuckoo Shrike, Common Wood shrike, Bluethroat, and a Indian Pita a bird I have been looking for in Goa . (any new birds seen on this trip will be added to my Indian list

Sunday we drove to the dam that is near by some of the party went for a swim in the reservoir I went for a walk along the edge and up into the jungle area birds seen included same as I had yesterday plus Steppe Eagle, Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher, Short Toed Eagle, White Eyed Buzzard, House Swift, I also saw a Wild Boar, We returned to the shelter of the canopy that had been put up and just spent the heart of the day relaxing where I had Shirka, Steppe Eagle, Red Vented Bulbul, then a Vulture put in a appearance witch turned out to be a long Billed Vulture after the heat of the day had died down I went for a walk around the village there are only a hundred people live here which makes it nice and quite and peaceful, after lunch every one else gone for a swim I had a wander down the lane opposite the gate more of the same birds seen

Monday took a walk along another of the tracks that lead to another of the small farms same birds seen as the last couple of days plus a Blue Bearded Bee Eater after we just chilled out till 12-00 when we left Our drive back took us through some very scenic countywide and we arrived back in Anjuna at 17-30 so ending a very enjoyable weekend, Now it’s back to Goa Birding

21st April 2010

2010-04-21T13:31:00.001+01:00

Wednesday 21st April

Well day off today so decided I would book a taxi and go back to Santa Cruz with the intention of finding the area that the reports call Santa Cruz creek the information that I have is a bit vague so I have plotted on the web map what I think is where I want to be so we set off at 07-00 hours on arriving at Santa Cruz the driver asked where we go first so I said we try and find the creek so with a sketch map I took from the net we set off got it slightly wrong (nothing new there then) but after talking to some young men we did find where I had pin pointed on the map and yes I am sure this is where we should be so on with the report
After getting out of the car I did a quick scan of the area and thought I will be spending some time here a few Intermediate Egrets, Little Egrets, Great White Egrets and Indian Pond Heron to start with I then walked along the road for about 150 yards ( sorry not going to do it in metres) and found some shade under some trees it is now only a quarter to eight and the heat is getting up I could hear waders calling now this is what I had come here for first wader I saw was Ruff then it took over half a hour to find some more the vegetation is high so to see the birds it is best to concentrate on one area this I did I then had 2 Pintail Snipe which I watched for about 10 minutes then another bird appeared from the right this turned out to be a Jack Snipe then I continued to walk down the road where I had both the Kites these are the most common raptors that I see on a daily basis and have to say the numbers are good (If I can not identify a Black Kite after being out here for 3 months then I should give up birding that’s meant to be a joke) so what next well the only way to see anything is just scan a area on doing so I found a White Breasted Water hen ( will tell you all about my first one later) right lets continue birding the time now is only half past eight I then walked back down the road and found some shade under a tree just off the road quite a busy road so to be able to get away from the traffic was nice (I’m now getting to see the same people and getting the same greeting every time Good Morning Papa ) at least the dogs are used to me I then spent over a hour scanning and picking up a few waders Wood Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper then a small flock arrived I got on 4 off them and they are one of the smartest waders to watch Marsh Sandpiper while I spent some time watching them some more waders joined them 2 went out of sight but the other 2 came a bit closer and turned out to be Terek Sandpiper so my Goa list is increasing I have now added 2 to the list could it get better well the answer was yes a stork flew over and put up a good flight show this turned out to be a Lesser Adjutant yes another one to the list which at this point stands at 143 I also had a common Kingfisher perch on a rock briefly so after watching the waders for a while I decided it was time to visit the paddy fields on arriving about nine 50 I noticed that there where not that many Egrets or Indian Pond Herons as on previous visits so was a bit concerned of what I might see but I continued down the path still plenty to see and hear White Breasted Kingfisher where calling Common Myna then sitting on the wires a Stork Billed Kingfisher plenty of kites but no other raptors today I walked along the path as normal just the same birds not a wader in sight until I was on my return to the car only wader I had was a Little Stint so ending a very enjoyably mornings birding and the list now stands at 144

update from Goa

2010-04-19T19:30:00.002+01:00

Hi

List is now up to 141 will be putting some pictures up soon

15th April Sea Watch & Local Birds

2010-04-15T08:06:00.003+01:00

This morning I spent just over a hour sea watching of the Anguna coast not a lot happening at first then after about 20 minutes I had 5 Lesser Crested Terns go by followed by a Gull Billed Tern there was a movement of Yellow Legged Gulls then close in a Slender Billed Gull past by, I then decided to have a ride to the next beach along the coast but not much else the House Crows and Long Billed Crows where noisy as ever over head the 2 Kites put up a good show (Black Kite & Brahminy Kite) I then rode around and had some of the birds that I see most days Black Drongo,House Sparrow, Intermediate Egret, Greater Coucal, Common Myna, White Breasted Kingfisher, Green Bee Eater, Indian Pond Heron I then had a look at the pond on the edge of Anduna (need to give it a name) as I arrived there where Red Wattled Plovers, and plenty of House Swifts then a bird flew across that caught my eye immature Black Crowned Night Heron it flew into a tree where I could see 4 more 2 Adults and 2 more immature nice to see them going to roost will try again to see if I can get any pictures as I was ridding back for breakfast I had Malabar Lark on the wires
this is the best time of day to see the birds nice and cool part of the day

Goa Update

2010-04-14T15:12:00.002+01:00

Couple more to add to the list today so far my bird list stands at 130 bear in mind that i have not been to the western ghats or any of the big reserves yet so I do not feel thats a bad number I only have a few hours at a time for birding I am out here to work which takes up a lot of my time having to work six days a week hope to go some where new this weekend will keep you all informed

Snakes in Goa

2010-04-09T08:03:00.001+01:00

Have managed to identify 2 snakes Common Blind Snake & Golden Tree Snake

Dawn In Goa

2010-04-08T10:47:00.002+01:00

Early this morning about 05-30 the dogs where making a lot of noise outside so I went to investigate at first could not see what they where having a go at then at the end of the lane there it was a Indian Wild Cat had been told some time ago that there was one in the area there are not that many cats around so a good one to spot

Mistake

2010-04-07T09:26:00.001+01:00

In the last blog I put a Bay Backed Shrike this was a mistake after checking the books that I have with me in fact the bird was a Brown Shrike

4th April 2010 Goa

2010-04-05T12:35:00.002+01:00

Santa Cruz Paddy Fields

This is a area that I like always seem to turn up a few different birds so far arrived at 07-30 set of down the path under the shade of the palm trees this shade is very welcome a bit later as the sun comes up

First bird I saw was a Glossy Ibis by the time I had my scope set up it had flown but still plenty of Egrets and Indian pond Heron to watch, I then moved a bit further down the path where there is a area of small pools in the fields waders seen Ringed Plover, Redshank, Greenshank, 5 Temminck’s Stints, Ruff plus in the trees Common Myna other birds included Thick billed Crow, House Crow there was a good thermal of Kites Black & Brahminy I then continued to he spot that I normally turn back at but decided to continue on I walked for another half hour nearly reaching the highway where I had superb views of a Black Kite sitting on a post as I passed a small pool area I flushed a Slaty -Breasted Rail I then returned along the path and scanned the pools on my return where I found Wood Sandpiper I then returned to the car and watched the fields the other side of the road here I had Grey Heron, Purple Heron, Bronzed Winged Jacana, Red Rumped Swallow, White Breasted Kingfisher, Blue Tailed Bee Eater, Bay Backed Shrike.

We then tried to find the creek with no luck did not have the map with me think I know where to go next time, We drove through Santa Cruz and found a spot that looked like it might be worth a look I spent the next hour getting to grips with some of the small birds witch included Paddyfield Pipit, Malabar Lark, Richards Pipit, Ashy Crowned Sparrow Lark, baya Weaver, Blue Tailed Bee Eater, Green Bee eater, Greater Short Toed Lark, White Breasted Drongo, also another very close Black Kite (no photos as still have a problem with camera) this has now been sorted changed some of the settings so hoping to get some video shots on the way back had Stork Billed Kingfisher, White Breasted Kingfisher, Black Drongo, Long Tailed Shrike

This evening I took a ride around the north of Anjuna found a small reservoir where I had Red Wattled Plover, Thick Billed Crow, Great Coucal plus a few birds calling that I still need to identify so ending another birding day in Goa

3rd April 2010 Goa

2010-04-04T15:18:00.000+01:00

Carambolin Lake and area
Today I returned to Carambolin lake but instead of having at look a the lake I had a look at a area east of the lake this was some information that I fond on the net some one had posted a sketch map of the area witch included grassland, marsh 3 small woods and a mud flat area so I was set for the morning left my lodgings at 07-00 reached the area just before 08-00 we found the area with no trouble has I had the Sketch with me

On arriving I stood on the raised bank and scanned the marsh area the first birds that caught my attention where some small birds in the bushes in front of me they turned out to be Grey Breasted prinia I also had Intermediate Egrets, Darter, Indian Cormorant, Black Kite, Black Drongo I then walked along the bank for a short while and had very good views of Coppersmith Barbet and Purple Sunbird I then had a walk around one of the woods where there were Golden Oriole, Black Hooded Oriole, Plum Headed Parakeet as I came to the edge of the wood I flushed a Indian Pond Heron so tried to get a picture still having problems with the camera then I spotted a bird of prey sitting on the wires some way off I walked towards it and to my surprise it turned out to be another Black Shouldered Kite witch I watch and filmed (the video not the best) as I tried to get closer I was stopped by the fact that there was a ditch in the way but did have great views through the scope I then walked back through the wood to where the taxi was waiting then decided to walk beyond the edge of the wood to see if I could get any better views over the mud flat area as I approached the gate to this area one of the chaps remembered me from my last visit to the lake and just waved me through here I had 8 Black Headed Ibis my first Black Winged Stilt I also had Curlew, Kentish Plover, Little Egret, Great White Egret, Ruff, Black Tailed Godwit then some small waders flew across to the marsh area where there are a few pool these turned out to be Green Sandpiper and along the edge there where Clamouse Reed Warbler I then had a look at the other wood with more or less the same birds I then walked around the corner to view the mud flat are again from a different angle but nothing different as we drove back past the lake I had Purple Swaphen, Bronzed Winged Jacanas more Egrets and Pond Herons Lots of House Swifts, Red Rumped Swallows so ending another pleasant mornings birding

Goa Update

2010-03-30T05:47:00.003+01:00

Been busy with work over the past week so not done much birding did have a Spotted Eagle fly over me on the way to work yesterday just the same kites this morning Black Drongos on the wires by side of the road hope to be doing some more birding this week

22-03-2010

2010-03-23T07:20:00.004Z

Had to go back to my lodgings as I had forgotten something on the way back had a Nice Black Shouldered Kite on the wires by the road about 8 ft away but no camera so will have to start taking that to work with me the normal Kites sen today Blue Tailed Bee Eater, Black Drongo, White Breasted Kingfisher,the two crows had another look for Indian Pitta but still no luck so will keep trying

weekend in goa

2010-03-21T18:50:00.002Z

Hi
another weekend in goa slipped into the Indian working week witch means I have to go in on Saturday spent Sunday getting to grips with the Scooter reminds me of some of my birding days in the UK but much more fun out here Have been given a spot for Indian Pitta no luck today but will be trying again only takes 25 minutes to get to work so will be doing some birding on the way in a lot of the sites are on route taken me a few days to get back into it it

Lunch Walk

2010-03-19T08:12:00.002Z

I am back in Goa for another month
Took a stroll at lunch time today the normal kites plus I had 4 Vultures need to sort out what they where no book with me today hopping to do some more birding this weekend so will be posting what I get up to

Monday / Tuesday / Wednesday

2010-03-10T05:25:00.003Z

Monday 08-03-2010

Went back to Baga today I was looking for a spot mentioned in one of the trip reports that I have still not sure if we went to the right spot ended up on the beach and headed for the headland to the north where I found a spot to sit down and then watched the sea for over a hour lots of Gulls and Terns going by Pallass Gull, Heuglines, Brown Headed gull and Yellow Legged Gull, Terns included Lesser Crested, Sandwich, Gull Billed on the edge of the beach there were Grey Heron Little Cormorant In the bushes behind me I had Red Throated Flycatcher then on the drive back I had a thermal of Black Kites & Brahminy Kite the total number was a count of 50 birds mainly Black Kites plus the mix of Egrets and Indian Pond Heron in the fields plenty of House Crows, Thick Billed Crows on the wires at the side of the road had Green Bee Eater, Blue Tailed Bee Eater, Black Drongo,

Tuesday 09-03-2010

Today headed for Santa Cruz took about ½ hour to get there the driver said this is one of the best spots for birding a quick scan and I was hooked from where we had parked I could see some waders so I walked down a path in the shade of the palm trees and was not disappointed about 20 minutes after arriving the sky was alive with kites c80 in with them was a Oriental Honey Buzzard I then continued on and found 6 Ringed Plovers, Watercock on the wires I found Long Tailed Shrike, Blue Tailed Bee Eater I also had 4 Wooly Necked Storks fly over so now was time to look for the waders Marsh Sandpiper followed by Wood Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, Temminck’s Stint Just about to move when a Snipe caught my attention it did not look right on closer inspection turned out to b e a Pintail Snipe there were lots of Indian Pond Herons, Intermediate Egrets, Cattle Egret, Thick Billed Crows and House Crows, Common Myra, Great Coroucal, Rock Pigeon

On the way to the bar tonight I had Indian Nightjar

Wednesday 10-03-2010

Well my final day in Goa so where to go well I think I left the best till last so it’s back to Santa Cruz on arriving a Asian Openbill flew over there where the usual selection of Egrets and Indian Pond Heron Wader wise much the same as yesterday plus Greenshank, Over head the kites showed very well on one of the thermals I found a Changeable Hawk Eagle
So ends my birding in Goa will be putting full lists of birds together over the next couple of days

Friday / Saturday / Sunday In Goa

2010-03-08T04:27:00.002Z

Friday 05-03-2010

Last night on the way back we went to see if we could find the easy way to watch Pilerne Lake after asking someone for directions we found it you get out the car and have a walk of 20 feet so will be going back again

This morning did a retune trip to Morjim Beach but this time I spent it looking at the scrub and bushes behind the beach cafes and bars birds seen included Red wattled P)lover, House Crow, Large Billed Crow, Oriental Skylark, Pied Kingfisher, Paddyfield Pipit I had a scan of the see where I found Lesser Crested Tern plus the usual gulls the two kites where seen also seen and White Breasted Kingfisher, Red- Rumped , Swallow, Common Myna, Barn Swallow, Dusky Craig Martin then just before I returned to the car I found a Indian Robin so another good mornings birding
on the way back to Anjuna tonight I had Blue Tailed Bee Eater,House Swift,Common Kestrel and Red Necked Falcon so ending another day in Goa.

On the way back from the bar to my loggings I had Spotted Owlet

Saturday 06-03-2010

I mentioned to my driver last week that I would like to go on one of the river trips one of his friends run these trips so today we set of for old Goa where I boarded a boat for what turned out to be a great 3 hours on the Zuari River and creeks the main thing you are looking for is Mugger Crocodile bird wise this is a trip for Kingfishers there are 6 to see if you are lucky as we set of I had the Black & Brahminy Kites it was bit quiet for the first half hour then as we got into some of the creeks it livened up White Breasted Kingfisher followed by Common Kingfisher then after about a hour we found a crocodile in the water you could just see its head we carried on and had Pied Kingfisher and then I found a Whimbrel, Redshank, Greenshank, we also had Little Egret, Great White Egret, Cormorant, The captain was very good at pointing things out then he says Collared Kingfisher (target bird for me) had good views but no picture as it then flew off as we continued on I had Western Reef Heron and sitting on a low branch a Black Crowned Night Heron and then what was to be the final Kingfisher of the day Stork Billed Kingfisher so giving me 5 of the 6 not bad over head we had a small thermal of Black Kites, Then the captain said crocodile on the bank as the boat pulled up alongside there it was all 6 meters of it I have some video of this I will put it up when I’m back in the UK so as everyone was happy it was back to shore and what a very pleasant way to spend three hours

Sunday 07-03-2010

Today I went to Lake Mayem and really got to grips with a lot of the birds I have been listening to and some I got better sights of as the driver wanted to take me to the lake’s edge we finally found our way in we ended up driving along a track then had to stop and do the rest on foot of about ¾ of a mile and find our way to the edge where I had Red Wattled Plover, White Browed Wagtail, White Breasted Kingfisher, Little Cormorant, Rock Pigeon, now ¾ mile would normally take me about 15 minutes to walk this took me over 2 hours as the birds came thick and fast the track had a lot of paths leading of it you only had to go a short way up each one you then came to a clearing where you could look down the hillside so getting views of the birds in the top canopy of the trees well let’s start the following list includes birds seen today and those from the past week that I have finally identified Red Whiskered Bulbul, Red Vented Bulbul,White Browed Bulbul, White Eared Bulbul, Asian Brown Flycatcher, Purple Sunbird, Great Coucal, Puff Throated Babbler, Yellow Eared Babbler, Lolen’s Sunbird, Oriental White Eye, White Bellied Drongo, Small Minivet, Asian Koel, Banded Bay Cuckoo, Green Bee-Eater, Coppersmith Barbet, Jungle Myna, Palm Swift, Common Iora, Common Woodshrike, Orange Headed Thrush, Earasian Blackbird, Brown Shrike, Rufus Treepie, Black Hooded Oriole, Black Headed Cuckooshrike, Malabar Whistling Thrush, Baya Weaver, Plum Headed Parakeet, Rose Ringed Parakeet, Yellow Fronted Green Pigeon, then on the way back we stopped at Chilli Anroma as I had noticed a few pools on the way here I found a small reed bed where I found Clamorous Reed Warbler, Blyth’s Reed Warbler, we then continued to Anduna after short while we came across some birders watching a area at the side of the road they were watching Yellow Wattled Plover nice to see another only my second so far other birds seen on the way back House Crow, Intermediate Egret, Black Drongo, Common Myna, Both Kites,

This evening I went for a stroll on the edge of Anduna where I had more White Breasted Kingfishers, Cattle Egret, Black Kite, Tawny Eagle, Common Kestrel, Rock Pigeon,

More from Goa

2010-03-04T07:36:00.001Z

Wednesday 03-03-2010

Fort Aquada a cliff top site (used to be a former prison) had a wander along the cliffs plenty to see and here starting to get to grips with some of the calls not always seeing the bird as some are very secretive but fun trying the usual kites had Peafowl when we arrived at our next spot the old helicopter landing area just wandered round the edge seeing and hearing more of the same did find a Red Whiskered Bulbul sitting out in the open another site I will be returning to

Thursday 04-03-2010

Today decided to take a look at Pilerne Lake this is tucked away in a small valley hidden by trees, but once we found the way in had a short but hazarded walk needed to go across a channel just two planks spanning this but once at the lake edge what a nice and pleasant surprise had to walk along the side to get better views of the birds also mind full of the cattle, the first bird I put my bins on was what In had come here for Yellow Wattted Plover, there where plenty of egrets present Cattle, Great White, Intermediate and on the lily pads Bronzed winged Jacanas plenty of Indian Pond Herons as I only had a limited time I concentrated on what was on the water and the edges rather than the bushes, while scanning for the Plovers some waders landed which included Little Ringed Plover, Common Sandpiper, Ruff, and a Marsh Sandpiper then it was back to the car where the driver said he had spoken to someone and there might be a better way in which we will check out tonight and I will be coming back to this site again

Tuesday 02-03-2010

2010-03-04T04:20:00.000Z

Tuesday 02-03-2010
This morning the taxi picked me up at 7 o’clock and we headed of to Morjim beach target birds where Pallass Gull Heuglines Gull also had Brown Headed gull and a few Black Headed Gulls but no sign of any Terns but I will be going back here again after watching the gulls for awhile I moved further along the beach and had Lesser & Greater Sand plovers, After this I had a look at the scrubby area behind the beach where I had Oriental Skylark, House Crow, Black Drongo, Tawny Pipit, plus the usual Kites Black & Brahminy just as I was about to move off I had a Oriental Magpie Robin sitting on the wires showing very well but was gone before I got the camera set up, On the way back in the evening I had a Indian Roller sitting on a post by the side of the road because I am birding on my own I am still not identifying everything I see or hear which means I will have to go back to some of the places

My First bit of Birding In Goa

2010-03-03T04:06:00.000Z

Been in Goa just over a week have been busy most of the time but have done some birding as It looks like I might be out here for a while after this three weeks I decided to go birding on my own rather than book a guide, I have arranged with a taxi driver to take be to some of the spots that I am aware of from reading trip reports found on the net (Let me just say here that if you come to Goa and only have limited time I would suggest that you use a local guide) this takes me back to the beginning of my birding days trying to work out calls (must see if I can find any on disc) and identification but I am slowly getting there spent two days over the weekend doing just that
Day One Carambolin Lake
This is a spot recommended by most people so we set of at 6-00 and it took 45 minutes to get there on arriving the driver spoke to a local who said that he would give me some information on watching the lake and fields which was very useful. So I set of and like everyone says the number of purple swamp hens is just amazing just scanning from where we had parked I saw bronzed winged jacanas, little egret, great white egret, intermediate egret, moorhen, Indian pond heron, I then walked down the east side of the lake where I added Purple Heron, White breasted Kingfisher, Common Kingfisher, Pheasant tailed jacanas, Stork Billed Kingfisher, I then spent some time getting to grips with Swallows and martins, barbets and minvets then it was off to scan the fields for Small Pratincole which I found after a short time birds of prey included , Brahminy Kite, Black Kite, Shrika, then at 11-00 hrs it was time to go back as the heat of the day makes it impossible to continue birding

Day Two
Today decided to go to Baga where from the information I had sounded good and it was there is a marsh behind one of the hotels as we could not see how to get to it the driver asked and they let me in so I spent 2 hours birding from the patio area first bird seen was Indian Pond Heron have a picture of it then it was back to sorting out minvets and barbets also had Wooly Necked Stork, black Kite, Brahminy Kite, Purple Heron, and then a White Bellied Sea Eagle put in a appearance on the wires there where Black Drongos, green Bee-eater, then a couple of dogs run across the marsh and put up a bird I was hoping to see Great Painted Snipe and there where a few birds I still need to Identify, after leaving the hotel grounds I headed for the area by the football pitches where I had more barbets and a few of the bulbuls and again because of the heat it was back to my room and the comfort of the fan.

Goe Here I Come

2010-02-19T22:04:00.003Z

Well It is final happening I am Off to Goa for the next tree weeks this is to work out there but I hope to do some bird watching ( and Mammals watching If I can) so keep watching i will be posting some Pictures and Videos if time allows

Iberia Lynx 23rd to 27th January 2010 Summery

2010-02-03T07:31:00.025Z

We where based at the Apartments Los Pinos

in the Si8erra de Andujar we had a apartment witch consisted of 3 bed rooms a sitting area and a small kitchenette this was very useful as we could do our own breakfast and packed lunch as and when we wanted to. This was a ideal base as we where only ½ hour drive from the good spot for Iberian Lynx

Places we visited where as follows

El Escorial (lynx watching and birds of Prey)
The dam at Jandula reservoir (this is where we were looking for the wall creeper but with no luck)
The river Jandula (this used to be the spot for watching Lynx) also a good spot for Otter which we did not see
The church at Santuario Virgen de la Cabeza

where my sister had a look around (she said it is well worth a visit)
Area Between the bridge at the river Jandula and the apartment complex
fuente de piedre
Guadalhorce Nature Reserve

Mammal List
Iberian Lynx 5 sittings
Iberian Hare
Rabbit
Red Deer
Fallow Deer
Mouflon

Birds of prey
Golden Eagle
Spanish Imperial Eagle
Black Vulture
Griffin Vulture
Buzzard
Black Shouldered Kite
Peregrine
Sparrow hawk
Kestrel

Iberian Lynx

2010-01-29T09:56:00.009Z

Here is a short video of the Iberian Lynx a bit distance but you can see what it is

Iberian Lynx part four

2010-01-28T16:48:00.002Z

Day Five 27-01-2010

After breakfast we set of on the drive back to Malaga on route we had Raven , Buzzard, Crested Lark we returned to fuente de piedre to see if we could locate the Lesser Flamingo witch after some effect I found as it came out from behind one of the islands it then disappeared behind the same island and did not reappear it then started to rain so it was back into the car and continued on towards Malaga, we then spent a short time at the Guadalhorce Nature Reserve, where we had a look at the sea where we had Audouin’s Gull, Med Gull, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Black Headed Gull, Balearic Shearwater, Gannet, Little Egret,
We then headed for the airport where we had 3 hours to kill before our flight I will be putting together a summary of the trip.

Iberian Lynx part three

2010-01-26T22:20:00.006Z

Day four 26-01-2010
We had a change of plan for today, We had a earlier start and went back to the Lynx spot (This is the best place to see Lynx) about a hour into the watch my sister found a Lynx and I had a brief view through her scope it then diserpeared out of sight then about half hour later my mate found it on top of the ridge we were watching where it sat down for a short time it then again diserpeared but at least it was another sighting of the Iberian Lynx, We had some more Red deer, Fallow Deer, and 2 more Mouflon’s Then it was back to the hotel for lunch and a short break. Bird wise more of what we had already seen
Then at 13-15 we set off to a spot for a walk along the river jandula where we had Red Deer & fallow Deer. Bird wise Black Vulture, Griffin Vulture, Grey Heron, White Wagtail, Hawfinch, Crested Tit, Hoopoe, Long tailed Tit, Woodpigeon,
We then drove up to Santuario Virgen de la Cabeza were we had a coffee and my sister had a look around the church. Witch I will report on later, we then started the drive back to the hotel where we stopped at a lay by to see if we could find any more Lynx we spent over a hour with no luck, Then as we were driving back to the hotel we Had a Iberian Lynx at the side of the road very briefly So ending our final day with 2 sightings of the Lynx, we then had a hour relaxing then another excellent meal so ending another day in Spain.

Iberian Lynx part two

2010-01-25T17:17:00.003Z

Day Three 25-01-2010

After breakfast we headed back to the spot to see if we could find any Iberian Lynx where we stayed until 13-00hrs with no luck on the Lynx, We then headed for the dam as there had been a wintering Wall Creeper there for the past 2 months we had no luck in locating it, then we returned to the Lynx spot where we stayed until 17-00hrs but again no luck with the Lynx but we did have Red Deer, Fallow Deer & a Mouflon . Birds of note included Imperial Spanish Eagle, Golden Eagle, Black Vulture, Griffin Vulture, Little Owl, Southern Grey Shrike, and around the hotel I had Crossbill, Hawfinch, Serin, Crested Tit plus the common birds.

Tomorrow we are of to a different site for The Lynx

Iberian Lynx part one

2010-01-24T17:45:00.006Z

Short break to Spain
23-01-2010

Me my mate and my sister are on a trip to Spain in search of the Iberian Lynx

We started our day at 2-45am on Saturday 23-01-20010 by taking a taxi to Gatwick for our 5-55am flight to Malaga the flight was 15 minutes late taking off we arrived on time and met Jules (Of Olivia Rama Tours who we are booked with for the next 5 days) we then drove to fuente de piedre looking for a lesser flamingo but because of the rain we did not see it but did have 50+ common cranes
On route we had common buzzard, kestrel, golden plover, yellow legged gull at the airport and as we were traveling along the motorway we had a Black Shoulder Kite sitting on a pylon so we went to the next exit and drove back to see if we could re locate it which we did and had excellent views of it, We also had some of the common species, we then headed for our hotel were on arriving we had a large flock of Azure Winged Magpie, my mate went for a walk and added a few more birds on to his list, After a short time relaxing at our hotel we then had our evening meal and what a meal it was so back to our rooms so ending a long and enjoyable but tiring day

Day two 24-01-2010
After breakfast we headed for a spot to watch for the Iberian Lynx after about a hour we had a sighting of a Lynx so what a start to a very enjoyable day .

We stayed at the spot until about 16-00 hrs were we had Griffon Vulture, black Vulture, Golden Eagle, Spanish Imperial Eagle, Iberian Green Woodpecker, Firecrest, Blue tit, Long Tailed Tit, Woodlark, Chaffinch,

We then drove to the dam were we had more Spanish Imperial Eagles, Golden Eagle, Blue Rock Thrush, Black Redstar, Black Wheatear, Grey Wagtail.

We then drove back to the spot for another look to see if we could see any more Lynx, we gave ourselves till 17-00 hrs just as we were about to leave I had a lynx cross the path that we were watching I saw it for about 10 seconds and it then diserpeared out of site so we got ready to leave and where called back as they had another Lynx on the path which we watched for a short time until this one diserpeared, as this was a diffrent one to the one that I had cross the path that makes 3 Lynx for the day.Then it was back to the hotel

Bird of Prey Count
Griffon Vultures 100+
Black Vulture 20
Golden Eagle 3 (1 Adult & 2 Imm)
Spanish Imperial Eagle 5 (2 Adults & 3 Imm inn in diffrent stages)

Short Trip to Spain

2010-01-23T20:55:00.003Z

We are on a trip to Spain in seach of the Iberian Lynx not a bad first day but no Lynx yet because we were put of by the rain (But Jules has seen the Lynx with the grizzled skipper) but bird of the day was Black Shouldered Kite seen from the side of the motorway and what views we had will be posting a report of the first 2 days tomorrow

Fleet Pond

2010-01-17T15:29:00.002Z

on Saturday 16th Jan on my way home from work I missed my train and as the next one was stopping at fleet I decided to get of there and have a look around the pond witch is next to the station, I walked through the car park to the far end where you can get onto the path that goes around the pond on the edge of the pond I had Mute Swan, Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, Jay, Blackbird, Song Thrush, so adding a few to the years list, then I decided to have a wander along the east side of the pond where I found a flock of tits that included Great, Blue, Coal and a Marsh, a bit further along I found a few Redpolls with 6 Siskins, As it was now getting a bit dark started the walk back to the station at the bridge I had a final look at the pond where I had a Bittern fly across this was the bird I was hoping to see so it was worth missing my train for a good hour wandering around fleet pond

Beddington Sewage Farm

2010-01-03T22:17:00.003Z

Sunday 3rd Jan

Was going to go to Fleet pond today but after checking found that there was engginerring works going on so decide to have a look at Beddington Sewage Works have not been here for a few years a lot has changed but still had a pleasant wonder around the edge of the works the target bird was Tree Sparrow wich I did locate other wise a lot of Grey Herons and a good selection of Gulls plus a few other bits

Hope to keep my blog updated a bit more this year will be posting some more of my videos and pictures from my archive

Start To the year

2010-01-03T22:08:00.002Z

Well as the last 5 months of 2009 just seemed to fly by with very little birding going on due to my work witch now includes working Saturdays so am hoping to do a bit more this year

Saturday 2nd Jan
Went to see the Brown Shrike on Staines Moor only got a couple of glimses as the bird was being chassed around so am not supprised if it has gone
then spent some time at the pits at Thorpe Park where after a while did manage to find a female smew along with a number of other ducks while taking a toilet break on the edge of one of the pits I found a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker so not a bad start to the new year

Wetland Centre London

2009-12-28T19:28:00.005Z

Spent a short time at the Wetland Centre this afternoon walked to the peacock hide where some birders where watching a Perigrine sitting on the ground after a short while it then tried to find some water to have drink (You've seen dancing on ice well this was Perigrine on ice where it put up quite a show for aboout ten minutes) Other birds of note included a Water Rail calling and out in the open for a brief spell I also had a Watter pipit

2009-12-28T18:51:00.008Z

Here is a short video of the Water Voles at Arundal wich I filmed in August they where very obliging at one point they where to close to film as I have now sorted out uploading to my blog I will be puting some more clips from my archive

Hi

2009-12-26T21:59:00.004Z

Hi All
It's been a quite a while since I last posted this is due to a heavey work load But I am able to do some birding on Sundays so I hope to be able to do some birding and Wildlife watching over the coming months I have totaly miss the migration all I have been up to is a few trips into Sussex, I took a weeks break in Spain and stayed at Gran Alicanti where I had a most welcome and enjoyable break did a bit of birding and booked Jules Sykes of Olivia Rama Tours for a day trip in the Alicanti area click HERE to see jules report go to Sunday 6th December what a day it was Eagles Rule !!!

2009-09-18T21:37:00.002+01:00

Hi to every one who visits my blog not done much birding or wild watching over the past 6 weeks due to heavy work load witch includes working weekends (thats the life of working as a contractor take the work when every I can) hope to get back into it very soon as I am missing the autumn migration hope to to do a long haul trip next year Bolar Bears in Canada looks like it might be on the cards so will keep every one informed of what I might be up to

Saturday 1st August Radipole & Lodmoor

2009-08-02T12:43:00.007+01:00

Today Saturday 1st August I went to Weymouth and had a look at Radipole & Lodmoor RSPB reserves, I do not normally go here by public transport as it is a bit costly but as South West Trains are having a Summer Madness during august (weekends only) £10 return any where within the South West Trains region I decided I would give it a go,It had been raining most of the way down but on arriving at Weymouth the rain had stopped so my first call was at Radipole Lake I was looking for the Hooded Merganser (the bird is in eclipse at the moment) so took a while to locate but I did find it lucking under the willows by the information centre where I was told to have a look, I then took a look around Radipole birds seen Cormorant, Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, Mute Swan, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Gadwall, Pochard, Swallow, Sand Martins,House Martins, Greenfinch, Reed Bunting, Sedge warbler, Willow Warbler, & a selection of Gulls Then after a while the rain started again just a fine drizzle so I took shelter under the bridge at the south end it did ease up so I now decided to walk the mile along the sea front to Lodmoor where on arriving I had lunch under the shelter by now the rain had stopped again I spent quite a bit of time here as waders where coming and going the first little flock of wader produce Wood Sandpiper, Dunlin, Little Stint, Redshank Common Terns where busy feeding young I then I moved on round to the west side where I had better views of the waders and found Greenshank, 3 Common Sandpipers, Little Egret (which I managed to video) along her I had Bearded Tit, Sedge Warbler, Blackcap, Then the rain started again so it was back to the shelter more waders where coming and going then just as I was about to leave 2 Curlew Sandpipers came in with the Dunlin, as it was starting to rain quite heavy now I decided it was time to head for the station on arriving I had just missed my train so had another 40 minutes to wait so I returned to Radipole and had another look at the Hooded Merganser so then it was back for the train so ending a very enjoyable but slightly damp day

Thursday 30th Day in Norfolk

2009-07-31T09:18:00.004+01:00

We spent today in Norfolk our main aim was to see if we could see the Pacific Golden Plover at Breydon Water Great Yarmouth after arriving we walked to the hide but this was full and we where told you could only just see the head of the bird we where talking to some other birders and decided to walk further along the bank to see if we could get a better view of the bird after short time the bird was picked up we had distant but good views, Other birds seen at Breydon Water -- Avocet, Golden Plover, Greenshank, Whimbrel, Black Tailed Godwit, Bar Tailed Godwit, Common Sandpiper, Common Tern, Black Headed Gull, LBB Gull, GBB Gull, Herring Gull, Oystercatcher,

After we had finished at Breydon Water we then decided to drive to Great Ryburgh raptor watchpoint as we drove through some rain showers (or should I say mini monsoons) it was not looking good to do any raptor watching, But as we arrived the rain stopped so we took our chairs and sat up the top of the field we had 4 Common Buzzards, Kestrel, Woodpigeon, but not a lot else after a while it started raining again so back to the car as the rain was getting heavier we decided to drive to Swanton Novers watch point on arriving it was dry and sunny we spent some time here and did finally have a Honey Buzzard plus Common Buzzard other birds seen Turtle Dove, Stock Dove, Yellowhammer, Skylark, Carrion Crow, We then decided to have another look at Great Ryburgh but all we had where the same Common Buzzards so we called it a day and headed for home

Scotland (Part Two)

2009-07-26T20:32:00.040+01:00

Isle of Mull (Where Eagles Fly)

Day Four 23^rd June

Nice clear morning the weather is supposed to be a lot better today while eating breakfast I had 2 Ravens flying over the Ridge plus 2 Grey Herons, Swallow, Chaffinch, Mistle Thrush. This mornings plan is for the sisters to visit Torosay Castle while they looked at the castle I took a walk of 1 mile through the woods back to Craignure along the shore for part of the way over looking Duart Bay birds seen Oystercatcher, Curlew, Ringed Plover, Rock Pipit, Red Throated Diver, When I reach Craignure I took the path back through hedgehog-wood to Torosay Castle a walk of about ¾ of a mile woodland birds seen Blackbird, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Wren, treecreeper, Chaffinch, Lesser Redpoll, Siskin, Robin, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Redstart, Crossbill and a Sparrowhawk, on a cleared area there were Whitethroat, Linnet, Meadow Pipits, & Mistle Thrush. I then met up with my sisters and we headed to Grasspoint for lunch and to see if we could find White Tailed Eagle but no luck (found out later that this nest failed last year so not sure about this year but birds have been seen in the area) then on our way back to the main road we did have a Common Buzzard fly over, We then drove back to Knock on route we had to get some petrol (we moan at home when it goes over 102.9 her it is 115.9) and we where told that the weather had been bad for the past 3 Weeks so we are hopping it stays like it was today, as we approached the valley leading to Knock we had a Golden Eagle over our heads we had a look at the humped back bridge to see if we could see Dipper on the river but no luck, on arriving at Knock we spoke to a few people about what had been seen then after a short time we had another Golden Eagle flying over the ridge, (met a couple who will be on the Wildlife Trip Tomorrow) as we left Knock we had a Fallow Deer in the field by the road, we then had a look along the Aros River for Dipper but Again no luck, we then drove back to Salen stopping on the way to see if we could find Otter, All we have had so far are a few glimpses we had more families of Eider, Black Headed Gull, Herring Gull, Red breasted Merganser, Oystercatcher, we then had a look at the spot we had been told about but again no Otter it was now back to the cottage so ending another day on Mull, later just as I was getting ready for bed I looked out of the window and a Woodcock flew over the trees. No evening walk today as tomorrow we are booked on one of the wildlife trips around the Island and this will be a early start, this is so the driver can have a rest from driving for a day

Today’s Weather Hot and Sunny

Day Five 24^th Jun

Today we went on one of the Wildlife day trips we chose Discover Mull Click Here We drove to Dervaig where we had a Common Buzzard on the way we started the trip at 09-30 from Dervaig we then drove towards salen along Glen Aros and stopped where we had some Red Dear up on the top of the ridge opposite us we then continued to view the southern end of Loch Frisha and had a look to see if we could see the White Tailed Eagle with no luck, other birds seen along this drive where Curlew, Lapwing, Snipe, we where then taken to a few of the spots that we had already done for Otter but still with no luck, at one of the spots we Heard a Wood Warbler singing witch I located, Then on to a new spot for White Tailed Eagle where we had very good views of a the female sitting in a tree witch we watched while having coffee and biscuits We then drove to Knock as we arrived we where told that there was a Golden Eagle sitting on the bluff above us witch we located and had very good views off (we where told that the bird had been sitting there for the past three hours) it was now back to Salen for a comfort stop and another look for Otter but not one to be found, the rest of the day was to the north west of the island. We had lunch of home made soup and a mix of sandwiches over looking Loch Tuathwhere I found a Sedge Warbler, we also had some more Red Deer, we then moved on to Eas Fors waterfalls where we where shown Bog Asphodel bird wise we had Common Buzzard, Kestrel, we then drove on taking in Calgary Bay where we had another toilet stop (not that many on Mull) here we had a Cormorant we then stopped at a spot for Orchids where we had Lesser Butterfly Orchid, Spotted Orchid, Northern Marsh Orchid and Vagrant Orchid then it was on to Caliach Point where we spent a short time watching the sea we had Fulmar, Shag, Kittiwake, Great Skua, Guillemot, Razorbill, Herring Gull, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Common Gull. Other birds seen today included Yellowhammer, Linnet, Meadow Pipit, Swallow, Oystercatcher, Common Sandpiper, House Sparrow, Rock Pipit, It was hen back to Devaig so ending a very enjoyable day

Weather today Fine and sunny with a light breeze

Day Six 25^th June

Today my sisters wanted to have a look at Duart Castle on route we stopped at Fishnish to see if we could find the elusive Otter still no sign of one then on to the castle I had a wander along the cliffs and around the castle grounds where there were Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Song Thrush, Chaffinch, Hooded Crow I then found a nice area for Orchids where there was Spotted Orchid, Heath Spotted Orchid and Northern Marsh orchid. After finishing here we went back to Fishnish over looking the sound of mull for lunch our next stop was to have a look at Loch Ba birds seen included Goldcrest, Coal Tit, Raven so our next stop was back to Salen for a comfort stop, we then drove to Topermory our aim now was to stop off at a few spots on the way back again looking for Otter, after a short coffee stop we then stopped at Aros Park where we took a short walk to the reed bed where I located a Grasshopper Warbler, we then continued to drive south stopping at a couple of spots we then stopped at Aros Castle (ruin’s) where we took a walk around the base of the castle where we had a Whooper Swan plus 2 Storm Petrels fly along the sound of Mull we then continued on to the spot for Otter and again no luck, we now drove back to the cottage as we where about to turn into the parking place one of the sisters said what is that we then had good but a brief view of a Golden Eagle flying over the cottage so ending another day on Mull

Weather today sunny with a light wind

Scotland (Part One)

2009-07-20T12:52:00.011+01:00

Isle of Mull (Where Eagles Fly)

This trip was a family holiday with myself and two of my sisters as there was a lot of birds and wildlife this report is what I saw

I purchased a copy of The Isle of Mull Bird Report and Species List for 2008 I found this very useful as in the front there is a list of sites with information on what you might see at each site I used this with what knowledge I all ready have of Mull

Note while reading this report you might think it a bit odd reporting some of the birds but remember on Mull some of these birds are less than 10 pairs so seeing them was quite a achievement others it was a case of being in the right place at the right time and some are common but not that easy to see

Day One 20^th June

We left home at 06-40 and took the bus to Heathrow where we then flew to Glasgow the flight was on time after we landed at Glasgow and picked up our hire car it was now 12-00, We then drove to oban got a bit lost coming out of Glasgow Airport but a look at the map and we where back on route, we then got caught behind a car towing a caravan we stopped for a coffee break so we could lose the caravan getting lost and this cost us about ¾ of a hour so we did not reach Oban till 15-30 where we then did a bit of shopping for the next week then we had a look in Oban Harbour where I found a Black Guillemot and Herring Gull now it was of to catch the ferry to Mull while on board we had a meal then went out on deck where we had Kittiwake, Gannet, Lesser & Great Black Backed Gulls, on arriving at Craignure on Mull we then drove the short distance to our cottage that we had booked for the weeks stay, (Kilbeg Cottage near Salen along Glen Forsa) we where escorted to the cottage and had a short chat with the owner she introduced us to our neighbors a small herd of Highland Cattle After unpacking and a drink I decided to go for a walk one of my sisters came with me on leaving the cottage I was scanning the ridge and said our first White Tailed Eagle she got on to it so we went back and got my other sister so she could have a look we then continued to walk down into the glen as we came to the end of a plantation I scanned the ridge again and found 2 White Tailed Eagles I then heard a bird of prey calling on locating the bird it turned out to be a Peregrine Falcon while we where watching this a Male Hen Harrier flew by, I heard a Ring Ouzel singing and got brief views of it then it disappeared behind the plantation and I could not relocate it less than 2 hours on the Island, we then returned to the cottage where I looked out of my bedroom window and found a Barn Owl. We also have Swallows nesting on the end of the cottage

Today’s weather was fine and clear with light showers to the ferry then when on mull bright and sunny turning cold

Day Two 21^th June

This morning we decided to have a drive around the north of the island and we where glad we did as driving on single track roads is tiring and slow so gave us a chance to judge how long it would take to get to some of the places as we are booked on a wildlife trip later in the week that leaves from Devaig on the north of the island. We had a look at a spot the owner of the cottage told us about for Otter but no luck. As we took the B road to Ulva we had 2 Common Buzzards, Raven, Blackbird, Swallow, Meadow Pipit, we arrived at the car park where you catch the ferry to Ulva birds seen included more Meadow Pipits, Skylark, Oystercatcher, and our first White Tailed Eagle of the day, we now decided to drive to Tobermory on route we stopped a few times and we had Eider, Red Breasted Merganser on the sea. we also had Raven, Hooded Crow, Herring Gull, Starling, We then spent some time in Tobermory after which we drove to Dervaig on the way back we stopped at the northern end of Loch Frisa where we had a White Tailed Eagle sitting on top of the ridge other birds where Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, Swallow and we looked up above us to find a Golden Eagle that gave good views, We now returned to Salen and the spot for Otter but still no luck then it was back to the cottage where we had a look at some Orchids near the cottage witch we identified as Heath Spotted Orchid and Early Marsh Orchid, It then started to rain so we had a we dram of Malt and our evening Meal

Weather for today Fine and clear rain early evening

Day Three 22^nd June

Woke up to rain today, We had planned to take a bout trip to Staffa but after a quick call to the tour company we where advised that the trip would probably not take place so had to reschedule our plans for today, we decided to have a look at The Ross of Mull area, on route we stopped at Garmony Point near Craignure birds seen included Eider, Shag, Oystercatcher, Redshank, Red Breasted Merganser, Goosander, Willow Warbler, We then stopped a bit further down the road and added on Greylag Goose, & Canada Goose, our next stop was Lochdon looking for White Tailed Eagle but with no luck but we did have a Swift , we then drove to Fionnphort stopping at Pennyghael for a coffee stop where I had Twit, Hooded Crow, Pied Wagtail, plus a family of Eider. Other birds seen on Ross of Mull, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Pure Rock Dove, Mistle Thrush, Sand Martin, Whinchat. I Was thinking of going over to Iona for the Corncrake but when we got to Fionnphort the mist was so thick there did not seem much point so we just had a look at a couple of the roads leading from Fionnphort after witch We then drove back to a spot that we new of for White Tailed Eagle where we had the female sitting near the nest and could just see the head of a young bird in the nest we where told that the male was sitting in a tree about a quarter of a mile away witch I located we then drove the scenic route back to Salen witch was covered in mist so no chance of seeing Golden Eagle we then had a look at the spot for Otter but still no luck we then returned to our cottage for our evening meal then at 19-30 we went for a short walk by the river birds seen Willow Warbler, Grey Wagtail, Swallow. Then It was back to the cottage so ending another day on Mull

Today’s Weather mostly rain with a few dry periods

Update

2009-07-08T23:26:00.005+01:00

Will be putting up my report from Mull soon this will be in three parts as it is quite a long report and I do not want to bore you to much I am still getting some of the pictures together I am still having a problem uploading video footage so will be posting some pictures of the trip as a separate report so keep watching this space

The North Run

2009-06-19T09:20:00.015+01:00

Day One Saturday 13th June

We started of by leaving London at 10-15 our first stop was for brunch after witch we then decided as we were doing well on time we would have a look at Welbeck Raptor Watchpoint to see if we could find Honey Buzzard but with no luck but we did have a very light common Buzzard, On the lake we had Great Crested Grebe, Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, Tufted Duck. We then headed for the Pennines with a stop at Wetherby Services for coffee and a cake then on to Moor House-Upper Teesdale National Nature Reserve for Black Grouse where we arrived at 17-00 we found 5 black cocks, after this we booked into our hotel. Then we took the road to Cow Green Reservoir across Widdybank Fell

where we had a lone Red grouse on the way to the Car Park other birds seen included Oystercatcher, Common Snipe (drumming), Redshank, Golden plover, Lapwing, Meadow Pipit, Wheatear, Skylark, Mallard, Swallow , House Martin, Blackbird, It was nice to see all these birds on there breeding grounds, We then took a short walk from the car park where had more Meadow pipits and a Wheatear, Then as we left the car park we had a family of Red Grouse 2 adults plus 5 young On the way back down we had Pied Wagtail, Song Thrush and more swallows and House martin, Willow Warbler, and a hare, we did have a glimpse of what might have been a Ring Ouzel but could not relocate it, we then returned to have another look at the black grouse where we now had 9 Black Cocks. Then it was on to our hotel for our evening meal and what a meal it was washed down with a few pints, after witch my mate went for a short walk while I was sorting out some of our route for tomorrow, I then joined him and he said he had found a Common Sandpiper on the river we relocated it sitting on a rock in the middle of the river, so ending a good days birding

Day Two Sunday 14^th June

We were woken up at 10 to 5 this morning by a Cuckoo calling witch we found sitting on top of a tree, my mate went for a pre breakfast walk, while I finished sorting out the route for today, He had Spotted Flycatcher, Grey Wagtail, and the Cuckoo being mobbed by Meadow Pipits, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Chaffinch, Pheasant, Song Thrush. I then went for a pre breakfast walk and saw all the above plus I had a Male Merlin being mobbed by Lapwings. After Breakfast we then set of for Coquet Island on the Northumberland coast

our target bird being Roseate Tern, on route we had 2 Common Buzzards, Raven, Rook, Magpie...On reaching the coast we found the tide was out so we could not take the boat out to the Island, (you can only get to go round the Island you are not allowed to go on the Island) we then went to a watch point to view the Island where we had Roseate Tern, Common Tern, Arctic Tern, Sandwich Tern, Guillemot, Razorbill, Puffin, Shag, Cormorant, Eider. Black Headed Gull, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Herring Gull, and Grey Seals. We now decided to start heading South and our next stop was going to be a new site for both of us in North Yorkshire, Wykeham Forest Raptor Watchpoint for Honey Buzzard we arrived at about 15-30 after a slow drive we got caught up in slow moving traffic (witch at one point the police where trying to control we think they mad matters worse). We walked out to the viewing point and got talking to some one who said they had seen Honey Buzzard about 2 hours earlier plus Goshawk, we spent the next hour and a half with only 2 Common Buzzards, then when most people had gone at about 17-10 we had a Honey Buzzard come up over the trees we watched it for about 10 minutes other birds seen or heard in the forest where Chaffinch, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Bullfinch, Crossbill, Garden Warbler, Yellow Hammer, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw. We now set of looking for a B&B for the night witch we found a few miles down the road, my mate went for a short stroll to stretch his legs after all the days driving and he had Lesser Whitethroat, Red Legged partridge, and a selection of common birds. We then found a pub for our evening meal, after witch we had a walk along the lane near the B&B where we had Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, Greenfinch, Yellow Hammer, Red Legged Partridge, Wren, Robin, Dunnock, and a good find Tree Sparrow, we also had Stock dove, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long Tailed Tit and Linnet. We then decided to drive through the lanes to see if we could find the Barn Owl we had been told about but with no luck, we ended up back near the Raptor Watchpoint to see if we could find Nightjar but again no luck now as the midges where getting to us it was back to the B&B so ending another good days birding.

Day 3 Monday 15^th June

Today we awoke to rain so it was a quick re think on what to do as we had planned to go back to Wykham Forest for the morning, Instead we started to head south by the time we had got to York the weather had changed and it was now sunny and dry, So we decided to go to site we new for Montague’s Harrier after a short while we had the male quartering one of the fields we went to another spot to see if we could find any more Montague’s Harriers but no luck, but we did find a Turtle Dove sitting on the wires. But there was a storm brewing on our way to The raptor Watchpoint at Swanton Novers in Norfolk, we had a stout cross the road in front of us, we arrived at about 15-00 Hrs planning to stay for a couple of hours no sign of any raptors, birds seen Skylark, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Yellowhammer, Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, but at 16-30 the rain started again so we stated to head for home looking for some where to eat the first little Chef was not serving food because of the rain (boy did it rain) we finely found one that had just re opened after it was closed because of the rain then as we where leaving we heard that the rain in Norfolk was causing problems as some of the roads where closed because of flooding from then till we got back to London it was fine with a couple of light showers

So ended a very enjoyably but (mad) 3 days Birding

Was Hoping to put a short video up but I am having problems with uploading at the moment seem to have lost all my videos on my blog

Update

2009-06-16T12:42:00.003+01:00

Not done much Birding over the past month other commitments have had a look at a few Orchids there will be a report of a trip I did with my mate to the North of England just need to sort it out then I will post, Of to Mull this Saturday for a week will post a report when I get back

Saturday 16th May

2009-05-18T21:01:00.001+01:00

Today a trip in to the New Forest we new the weather was going to be bad for any decent bird watching our first stop was Aces Down to see if we could see the Honey Buzzard did have a buzzard come up but the wind was so strong even I was having trouble standing up could not identify what it was so a buzzard sp. Our next stop was to see if we could locate the Iberian Chiffchaff at Brokenhurst after a short walk we found said bird, Then we did a sea watch at Milford on Sea birds of note where Great Skua, Manx Shearwater. The rest of the day was just having a look around Lynington on the way back we had a Black Tern on the wind Surfing pit at Chichester by the A27. Other wise a very wet and windy day

Saturday 9th May

2009-05-10T22:25:00.001+01:00

Breckland / Nene Washes

As I was back in London for the weekend my mate phone Friday night how about a trip to the Brecks. So we set of from his house about 20 past 8 our first stop was the comfort café for breakfast. Then it was of to Weeting Heath the Norfolk Naturalist Trust has a reserve there for Stone Curlew we duly arrived and asked the best hide to view from we where told the west hide was best as we got there 1 was being watch and we had good views but a bit distance as there is not a lot more to see we the set of for the RSPB reserve at Lakenheath. This is a area that we have been birding for the past 30 years and in creating this reserve from scratch we think they have done a very good job, Our target bird was Golden Oriole, On arriving we asked where the best place was for seeing the Oriole and the very friendly chap told us, So we set of along the path round the back of the reserve on route we had lots of Whitethroats, and head a cuckoo calling then as we came around the corner we could see a group of birders looking into the plantation so that is what we headed for as this was the place to see Orioles as we walked along we had Hairy Dragonfly, Blue Tailed Damselfly, Orange Tipped Butterfly, we also had 6 Hobbies feeding on the dragonflies On arriving at the spot that every one was we heard a Bittern booming we then concentrated on see the Golden Orioles we had 2 Males flying around chasing each other and we also heard a Female calling, We the continued our walk to the end as we could still hear the Cuckoo calling and as my mate had not seen one this year we set out to find it after about a hour the bird finely flew out of the wood and sat on top of a bush well at least it stop me mate from moaning he had not seen one yet this year by now we had more Hobbies the count was up to 25, We then decided to return to the information centre as we past the spot for the Orioles we again had the 2 males and the female calling we then continued back along the track and again heard a Bittern Booming as we approached to chaps taking pictures a Bittern flew across the reed bed in front of us and yet more Hobbies we are now up to 30 then as we continued along the track we could hear the Cranes calling the other side of the railway I then spotted them fly low across the field where they landed in a ditch so we continued back to the info centre by now our Hobby count was up to 35+ birds there have been up to 47 seen over the past week, On arriving at the information centre we decide a well earned coffee was what was needed and we gave our information to volunteers on duty which they where glad of (this gives them a idea of what is about and how many Orioles there are)

Our next stop was the Nene Washes to see if we could find the Cattle egrets that had been present for the past week on arriving we had 1 along side a fence this was being harassed by 2 Little Egrets it then flew of and landed in a ditch where we found the other 2 so all 3 where seen, We then had a quick look around the back of the reserve to see if we could hear Corn Crake (as there is a introduction program of the birds in this area) We then had a look at the pager to see if there was anything we could see on our way back to London we noted a Temminck's Stint in Bedfordshire so a quick look at the map and we said it is only just of the A1 so of we set to Willington Gravel Pits as we did not know this site it took us a while to find the pit we needed to look on but we did have a pleasant evening stroll around Birds see included 6 Little Ringed Plovers, Oystercatcher, Redshank, Linnet, Grey partridge, Mallard, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Blackbird then just we had decided to leave my mate said I will just have a look from the point over there and called me over the on the edge of one of the little islands was the Temminck’ Stint

So all in all another good days birding

4th May

2009-05-10T22:24:00.001+01:00

Climping & Arundel

Walked from the car park at climping beach towards Mill House we had Redstart, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Grey Partridge, Blackbird, Woodpigeon, then we found a small bird resting in the bushes after a short while this turned out to be a Tree Pipit. Our next stop was Arundel Wetland Trust as we got out of the car a Cuckoo flew across in front of us, Birds on the reserve included Great Tit, Blue Tit, Greenfinch, Goldfinch on the feeders 4 Cetti’s Warblers singing Common Tern, Black Headed Gull, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Oystercatcher (there is a pair breeding there) Redshank

Sunday 3rd May

2009-05-10T22:21:00.000+01:00

Pullbourgh Brooks
Took a trip to Pullbourgh Brooks today to try and see if we could see Nightingale, We heard 6 singing and managed to see 2 of them,
It was a good day for warblers we had Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff,
Other birds seen Mute Swan, Mallard, Teal, Swift, Sand Martin, Swallow, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Dunnock, Woodpigeon, Collared dove, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Magpie, Rook, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Sedge Warbler,

25th & 26th April

2009-05-03T21:35:00.002+01:00

Bit late updating due to working hours over the past week here is a update for last weekend

Saturday 25^th April

Decided to go and see if we could see Dartford Warbler this morning so we set of driving north of Chichester on the A286 at West Dean we had 2 Common Buzzards and a Red Kite, Then it was on to a site for the Warbler we arrived and after a short walk we found 3 Dartford Warblers singing and 1 showed well, after having a lunch break we then decided to go to Selsey Bill to do a sea watch after settling down I was rewarded with Gannet, 1 Artic Skua, 2 Pomarine Skuas, Common Tern, Sandwich Tern, Swift, Common Scoter, Cormorant, Herring Gull, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Swallow

Sunday 26^th April

Did a late afternoon walk around part of Pagham Harbour Nature Reserve we started at the car park at Church Norton walked down to the harbour where we had Grey Plover, 5 Little Egrets, Sandwich Tern, Common Tern, Little Tern, and sitting on the rocks in the harbour was a Common Seal, We the walked along the shore line towards the severals where we had Wheatear, Whinchat, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, and a Cetti’s Warbler singing, we the took the path between the severals where we had Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Linnet, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Great & Blue Tit, and then found a nice Lesser Whitethroat, Then it was back to the car with the usual carrion crow, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Magpie, Pheasant.

On the drive back as we where going through Sripney village we had 2 Turtle Doves sitting on some wires

22nd April

2009-04-23T22:33:00.003+01:00

Took the short walk to Tesco at lunch time to get my lunch in the small copse by the car park I found a Male Pied Flycatcher,

Then on the way way back to Chichester I went via the north wall at Pagham harbour nature reserve to see the Pectoral Sandpiper which I found and some one let me have a look through there scope as I only had my bins with me hoping not to miss to much at Pagham this Spring, Did miss the Dotterel at Climping last weekend as I was back in London still you can not see everything

Monday 20th

2009-04-20T21:08:00.003+01:00

Left home in London at 1/4 to six this morning for my Monday train trip back down south to work in Littlehampton
Have a nice sleep on and off until we reach Billinghurst then I'm into some bird watching from the train birds seen this morning included Woodpigeon, Carrion Crow, Starling, Kestrel, then as we past between Arundal & Amberly I had a Common Crane in the fields by the side of the railway and has we approached the junction at ford there was a nice male Perigrine sitting in a field to my right
other birds Herring gull, Black Headed Gull, Magpie, so not a bad start to the week,
Then when I got back to Chichester tonight Had the Male Perigrine sitting on the roof top opposite my flat

Saturday 18th April Day out in Kent

2009-04-19T16:42:00.004+01:00

Dungeness & Grove Ferry

Back in London for the weekend so I decided I would go birding with my mate we have now been birding together for over 30 years

We decided that a day out in Kent was on the books but where do we start Dung or Grove, We left my house and headed for the motorway just as we reached the M25 I looked at the Pager and found that there was a Hoopoe at Dungeness so now we new where we would be going first. So after a quick and enjoyably breakfast Dung here we come

Dungeness
On arriving at the observatory we parked and had a walk around the mout as we could not see any birders looking for the Hoopoe there were a small group of birders looking in the shrub(we found out later that they were looking for a nightingale) our walk around the mout produced very little Linnets, Meadow Pipits and we found 3 Whitethroats in a bush as walked towards them 2 flew of leaving 1 in the bush after a short while we realised that it was a Lesser Whitethroat but not showing very well but it was singing. Then I noticed some birders coming back across from the trapping area as they got closer we asked about the Hoopoe and they told us where to look after short while we found the Hoopoe but it then flew the other side of the power station road into the desert area, Now we had a look around the shrub but there was not a lot more to see in the way of migrants so it was of to do a sea watch as there had been a few Skuas seen earlier in the morning, But no luck with Skuas we did have Gannet, Kittiwake, A small movement of Sandwich Terns, and some Common Terns over the patch, other birds seen where 18 Whimbrel 1 Bar tailed Godwit,25 Common Scoter. Flying by. We the drove back past the ARC pits where had a Little Ringed Plover, Spotted Redshank, Our next stop was the RSPB reserve to see what else might be about not a lot on the main reserve but there was a few bits to see on the ARC pits on arriving at the car park we set of down the track we could hear Cetti’s Warbler & Sedge Warbler singing, After a short while we heard a Cuckoo but we did not manage to find it, My mate had gone on a head of me then called to say he thought he had a Reed Warbler I caught up with him and after a little while we did manage to find the Reed Warbler, We had a Marsh Harrier flying around over the back of the pits, We then had a look from one of the hides and found 3 more Little Ringed Plover, & a nice Male Garganey, Other birds seen in the Dungeness area Herring Gull, Common Gull, Greater Black Backed Gull, Gadwall, Tufted Duck, Shell Duck, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Woodpigeon, & a large number of Stock Doves so it was now time to leave Dungeness and head for Grove Ferry where there had been some migrants seen

Grove Ferry Stodmarsh Nature Reserve
On arriving we parked and started the walk to the viewing area I spoke to a birder who gave us some information our first bird of note was another Lesser Whitethroat but a bit different from the one at Dung as this was showing and singing very well, we then had a look at the viewing area where we found 6 Greenshanks, 1 Ruff, Redshank, 1 Little Ringed Plover & a Yellow Wagtail and yet another nice Male Gargeny ( must say I do like watching Gargeny) we also had Swalloow, Sand Martin flying over the water, Then took a walk around to the Hide where we found 3 more Little Ringed Plover & Hose Martin,
We now decided to have a drive around the back roads to see if we could find Nightingale but with no luck we did have what we thought might be a Garden Warbler but could not find any where to park to try and locate it

So all in all a nice and pleasant days birding

Easter Monday

2009-04-13T21:46:00.003+01:00

Spent the afternoon doing a walk around part of Pagham local nature reserve as we passed the ferry pool on our way to church norton we had a Hobby fly over we started at the car park at church norton took the path down to the Harbour then went right towards the sea in the trees and scrub we had 3 Blackcap , a Garden Warbler then in the bushes by the paddocks I had a Lesser Whitethroat there were also Chiffchaff, and Willow Warbler. We then took the path along to the severals were we had Swallows and House martins flying over the water at the path between the severals we had 8 Whitethroats 4 Sedge Warblers and a Cetti's Warbler singing, We then took the path between the severals back through the fields were we had more Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers on the corner near the farm we had a Cetti's Warbler sitting on the side of a bush nice to see as you nearly only hear them, We then took the path back to the lane and back to the car park.

We then took a look at Selsey Bill but there was not a lot going on

Buttewrflies seen today Comma, Large White, Peacock, & Red Admiral

Saturday 11th & Sunday 12th April

2009-04-12T21:58:00.002+01:00

Saturday

Spent a hour and a half at Selsey bill not a lot going on did find the Purple Sandpiper on the beach in with the Turnstones and a Common Tern plus more Swallows coming in of the sea.

Our next stop was the car park at Church Norton for lunch we had a look around the church yard and a Osprey flew over the harbour not much in the way of migrants and as it was starting to rain we headed in land. Our next stop was Chichester Gravel Pits I decided we would have a look at the pits going in from North Mundham, We took a short stroll keeping a eye on the weather a few Chiffchaffs, Blackcap and plenty common birds to see

Sunday

Well after keeping a eye on the pager yesterday we set of for what in any ones mind would be a twitch our first port of call was Winchester Hill for the White Throated Sparrow My sister who has been on some of my birding outings over the years said she would drive me there other wise I do not think I would have got there on Public Transport this would be her first full blown twitch after taking the wrong turn we finally got to Winchester hill we arrived at about 11 o’clock by 11-30 we had good views of the bird and managed to scope it for a few people I did not take any pictures but with the bank of cameras I’m sure there will be some good ones on the net, As we where leaving we had a Common Buzzard Then we drove to Farlington Marshes this is a good winter spot and also good for migrants in the spring and autumn, Migrants seen Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Yellow Wagtail, Whitethroat, other birds of note included Bearded Tit, Spoonbill, Peregrine, Black Tailed Godwits, a raft of Great Crested Grebes, Med Gull, Cetti’s Warbler, Common Buzzard, plus the common species you would expect to see

Sunday 5th April

2009-04-12T15:21:00.004+01:00

Took a stroll along Climping beach

Where we had Wheatear, Grey partridge, Sandwich tern. After we crossed the road from the car park I scanned the paddocks sitting on a post in the middle was a Male Black Redstart, We then took a stroll along the road leading to mill house where I had a Swallow come in of the sea, just as we where leaving we had 2 Common Buzzards

Sunday 22nd March

2009-03-22T23:00:00.006Z

Started today in Chichester on leaving my flat we had a look to see if we could see the Peregrine on the cathedral after a quick scan I found the male sitting on one of the lower turrets.

Our next stop was The WWT at Arundel on arriving at the car park one of the party picked up on a Common Buzzard flying over head, We then walked around the reserve birds seen included Shell Duck, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Marsh Tit, Chiffchaff, Reed Bunting, Black Headed Gull, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Coot, Moorhen, Mallard, Cetti’s Warbler heard only, while we had lunch in one of the hides we had a Sparrowhawk No water vole or Kingfisher on this trip. Just as we where about to leave we had 4 Common Buzzards over head.

We then decided to show one of the party the Wild Daffodils up on the south downs on arriving at the spot where we parked after a short walk along the the path I spotted a bird of prey over the trees to our right this turned out to be a Goshawk, We then continued along the path and we found a few daffodils by the side of the path as we got further along the path we had more flowers in the woods and at a clearing we found some more not as many as we have had in the past I think we might have been a week early to see the big display that you get there

Here are a few pictures of the Daffodils

Saturday 21st March

2009-03-21T21:04:00.000Z

Spent the afternoon having a short wander around part of Pagham Harbour first stop was the ferry pool not a lot of waders as the water level was high did find 2 Avocets and a female Garganey, Our next stop was Church Norton where we had a walk round through the fields to the shore line where we found a Red Necked Grebe and a Sandwich Tern, In the harbour we had Curlew, Black Tailed Godwits, Dunlin, Grey Plover, Ringed Plover, Oystercatcher, Turnstone.

Other birds seen included Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Robin, Dunnock, Goldfinch, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Green Woodpecker, Rook, Jackdaw, shellduck, lapwing, Mallard, Teal, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Great Tit, Blue tit, Black Headed Gull, Herring Gull, Common Gull, Great Crested Grebe, and 3 Chiffchaff singing

All finished of with a nice meal and a few pints

Sunday 15th March

2009-03-21T21:01:00.000Z

Spent a very pleasant day at Rainham marshes (RSPB Reserve) The main object was to see if we could see the Iceland Gull that had been about for the past week, We did a complete circuit of the reserve and a very pleasant day was had plenty of ducks still about a few waders and lots of gulls which after a long search we did find the Iceland Gull.

This is a reserve that I will be visiting again and hope it turns up some goodies in the spring and autumn

This trip was by car but it does look easy to do by public transport

Saturday 28th Feb Forest Of Dean / Slimbridge / Frampton

2009-03-03T20:44:00.005Z

Today 28th Feb 2009 was our trip to the Forest of Dean we had arranged to leave my mates at 7 o,clock at about 1/4 to our other fried phoned to say they where feeling unwell so we set off just the two of us we had a plane for the day and we stuck to it and what a day we had

Our first port of call was The New Fancy Watch Point in the forest of Dean we arrived and climbed up to the watch point for Goshawk our target bird for the day after a short while we had Raven, Crossbill, then one of the other people looking said I have have a Goshawk sitting in a tree and what a view the best I have seen Goshawk in a long time, We then had 4 more birds in the air displaying what a start to our day we also had Common buzzard.

We then had a look at the feeders in the car park where we had Brambling we then had a short stroll looking for Willow Tit but with no luck then it was back to the car and as we passed the feeders a willow Tit flew of.

Our next stop was Cannop Ponds where we had Grey Wagtail, Mandarine Duck, Goosander, we also had a look at the bridge for Dipper but no Luck but we had been told of another site which was our next stop where we did find Dipper thanks to a screaming child who moved it from under the bridge now has we had seen most of the species in the forest we then headed for Slimbridge where a American Wigeon had been seen we then had a look to see if we could find my mate a Water Rail this is a god site to see them but no luck, I did have Spotted Redshank. we also had a nice Sparrowhawk sitting on a post very close, Our next stop was Frampton for the Long Eared Owl that had been present for most of the winter as we where driving into Framptom we came upon a group of people watching something at the side of the road this turned out to be 22 Waxwings very nice indeed then it was onto the spot for the Owl, when we arrived we where the only people there but after a short while some one else turned up and said you need to walk past the reed bed and look back (this turned out to be information from the previous day) while we where watching for the Owl my mate finally got his water rail after a short while a local turned up and said your looking in the wrong place and put us on the bird after watching the Owl for a while we then had a short walk where we found a distant Short Eared Owl

So all in all a very pleasant birding day

21 Feb 2009

2009-03-03T20:15:00.003Z

Bit late updating my blog been a bit busy over the last couple of weeks

report for Sat 21 Feb 2009

My mate gave me a call on Friday night and said do you want to do some birding in Sussex tomorrow as I had decided yo stay in Chichester for the weekend I said yes

We arranged a meet up just north of Chichester on the Saturday our first stop was Goring

to see if we could see the Waxwings that where there we only had to wait about 20 minutes

and the 10 birds showed well this was a new Sussex bird for me, Our next stop was Widewater at Shoreham to see if we could see the Black Rerdstart that had been there in the week but no luck, Our next stop was the East arm of Shoreham Harbour for Purple Sandpiper but no luck here either we then stopped at the power station to have a look and see if we could see a Peregrine we found the Female sitting on the rail at the top, Next we headed for the Pannel Valley in seach of the Great Grey Shrike this is a site that we had not been to before we where quite impreesed with this site and we will be visiting again we had a good selection of duck Marsh Harrier but no Shrike by now the light was fading so time to call it a day

Weekend 14th &15th Feb

2009-02-15T21:05:00.008Z

Saturday 14^th Feb

Back home to London for the weekend had a arranged a day trip to Norfolk with me mate when we looked at the weather decided to cancel. So instead on Saturday 14^th me and my mate and and another good friend headed south first stop not far from where I am staying in Chichester. We headed for west witterings to see if we could see the Red Breasted Goose on the way down it came on the pager that the goose was in the harbour just north of East Head we decided to park at the church and not the car park (as I know this site quite well it turned out to be a good move) we walked through the church yard and then across the caravan park to the road we then turned right and then onto the harbour as we were crossing the green towards the harbour edge my mate picked up on a lone goose flying across from the right and said that’s it and we had good views of the Red Breasted Goose flying around it did a circuit and landed back with the Brent geese that it had been with (Now that is what you call luck being on your side) We then had a look at Snowhill mash where my mate found a jack snipe in with the common snipe other birds seen in this area, Redshank, Black Headed Gull, Curlew, Oystercatcher, Dunlin, Ringed Plover. Our next stop was Dell Quay where we had Little Egret, Red Breasted Merganser, Kingfisher, Grey Plover, Lots of Dunlin. Redshank, Black Tailed Godwit, Grey Plover. We then decide as time was on our side we would have a look at thr great deeps on Thorney Island we walked out to the deeps and had Little grebe, Great crested Grebe, Brent Geese, Golden Plover, on arriving at the deeps the water level was high but we did find 8 Greenshank, wigeon, Pintail Duck, Common Buzzard, and on the way back Yellow Hammer, there where also lots of Skylarks.

We are now on a bit of a twitching mood we had other sites we wanted to visit So our next stop was Beaulieu Road Station in the New Forest. Here we where looking for the Great Grey Shrike we walked down to denny wood but we where spread out after a while I spotted the Shrike flying across only one of the other in the party got on it this was the only sighting I had I also had a lone woodlark.

Our next stop was to Black water Arboretum to see if we could find Hawfinch this is a new site for us we arrived at about 10 past 2 we wandered down to the arboretum and spoke to a locale who told us the best place to wait then at ¼ past 3 the first birds started to arrive we ended up with 8 Hawfinches in the tops of the trees and some very good views of the birds. We also had info on another site in this area for a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker but did not have time to have a look as one of the party needed to be back in London by 6 o’clock, we did a quick walk around the arboretum where we found Treecreeper so it was back on the motorway London Bound

But all in All a very nice day bird watching and a few new sites to our list

Sunday 15^th Feb

Today me and my sisters and one of the sisters god child headed of to the area around Christmas Common in Oxfordshire to see if we could see any Red Kites as we travelled along the M40 we had 15 Kites by the time we turned of at junction 6 we then headed for a site that I know to see if we could locate any Willow Tits after a short walk we found a Willow Tit then as we returned to the car I heard another one calling after a short time I located it by now we have had 40+ Kites some just over our heads and one sitting on a post as we parked up but as another car went by the Kite took off. We then had a look at some other sites that I know in the area and by the time we left we had 60+ Red Kites plus 4 Common Buzzards, Sparrowhawk & Kestrel, We Also had some Redwing sitting on top of a bush,

Quite a nice day out

Sunday 1st Feb

2009-02-01T21:27:00.002Z

Not done any birding over the past week, but did have a Little Owl near Ford disused airfield on Thursday morning seen from the bus

Saturday 24th (Isle Of Sheppy)

2009-01-26T21:50:00.004Z

Decided to spend the weekend back in London I was not going to do a lot just wanted a nice relaxing weekend but my mate phone do you fancy a afternoon on the Island ( the Island being The Isle of Sheppey) this is one of the best winter raptor watch point in the south of England

We set of from my house at 11-30 and on route we had a quick look to see if we could see Waxwing but no luck

Then it was on to the Island we drove straight to Capel Fleet we stopped at the first corner where we found a buzzard sitting on one of the mounds of rubbish
At first we thought it was a Rough Legged Buzzard but it turned out to be just a common buzzard which was the first of 4 common Buzzards we had, then some one come up and said that the chap on the corner was watching the Rough Legged Buzzard just down the road so off we went to have a look and yes the R L Buzzard was flying around this was 1 of 2 that were present. We also had 2 ring tailed Hen Harriers , plus 8+ Marsh Harriers we also had White Fronted Geese

Then it was of to the raptor watch point on route we had Corn Bunting this was my 100 species of the year on arrival at the watch point we had a pair of Peregrines and more marsh Harriers and a immature Merlin sitting on a fence post we stayed here for a while watching raptors plus golden plover, and Red Legged Partridge

Our next stop was at the church and a walk down towards the swale reserve we only walked a short way down the track when we both picked up on the Hooded Crow and had excellent views of the bird sitting on top of a bush ( When I say excellent views in birding terms I mean Cripperling views the best we have seen here for quite a while) which was good as I had forgotten my boots so no need to get my feet wet

Next stop was at Harty Ferry thought we might find a Little Egret here but no luck but we did find the Great Northern Diver that had been seen from Oare marshes the other side of the swale the bird was a long way up river but we still had good views of It

Then it was back to the raptor watch point soon after arriving we had 2 Short Eared Owls plus 2 Barn Owls and more Marsh Harriers, plus the female perigrine was still about We then drove back along the road and found 1 of the Short Eared Owls Sitting on a post

No Little Owl and still no Redwing

So all in all a very good afternoons birding on the Island

Raptors for the day
Rough Legged Buzzard…………………………..1
Common Buzzard…………………………………..4
Marsh Harrier………………………………………..40+
Hen Harrier (ring tailed)………………………….4
Peregrine……………………………………………….2
Merlin……………………………………………………1
Kestrel (on route)…………………………………..6

Owls
Short Eared…………………………………………..2
Barn Owl………………………………………………2

Plus a few other good birds

This is why It is one of the best winter raptor watch points but remember it is not always as good as this we where as you say B***** Lucky

But I do Have a Habit of having good birding luck on my side as some of the up and coming reports from some of my past trips will prove

So keep tuned I will be posting more now I am back into a routine

Update

2009-01-24T20:34:00.003Z

Not been updating that much of late due to the fact that I have been job hunting now back at work so will be updating more

Last weekend spent 2 hours on Saturday sea watching at Selsey Bill a very cold 2 hours but I did manage to see a few good birds Red Throated Diver, Black Throated Diver, Gannet, Common Scoter and Guilemot

On Sunday spent a very pleasant afternoon at the Witterings I will do a blog on this site at a latter date birds seen included Brent Goose, Red Breasted Merganser, Grey Plover, Ringed Plover, Golden Plover, Slav Grebe, Black tailed Godwit and a Little Egret