http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/ Birding UK and Ireland Bird Forum en Thu, 09 Sep 2010 19:07:20 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/images/misc/rss.jpg http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/ http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/astafjevs/348-new-forest-weekend.html Mon, 12 Jul 2010 16:33:38 GMT We made a very vague plan to 'go camping' in the New Forest this weekend, knowing full well it was going to be very, very busy!

We didn't manage to set off early either so it was after lunchtime that we arrived at Beaulieu Road train station. We'd visited here last year and seen very little but given Chaz's crossbill tip I thought we'd give it another go. No crossbills in the pines, but lots of chaffinches, greenfinch and a mistle thrush instead. We then took a walk over the heath on the otherside of the road, with linnets and stonechats. I really wanted to see a Dartford Warbler, but once again they eluded me totally. Two buzzards overhead, but not a lot else of note either on the heath or in the woods, other than a couple of treecreepers. Finally, on the walk back along the road we heard a bush that was singing. Eventually, it dawned on me that the bird must be on the other side of the bush, and as I inched round I spotted a bird definitely a lark, and probably not a skylark (it was in a bush, and when it took off it didn't sing for as long or fly as high as a skylark tends to), so I'm thinking it might have been a woodlark. I will google a woodlark's song and see if it sounds similar. Overall, I think we must be doing something wrong because Beaulieu Road is heavily tipped as a good site on the internet and in my book, but we've seen relatively little on both our visits so far. Perhaps its a seasonal thing.

Continuing the theme of following Chaz's tips, we then headed south to Pennington Marsh. We parked at Lower Pennington, and as we walked along the path towards the seawall we spotted a Common Whitethroat. On the sea wall itself we walked towards Keyhaven and saw loads of sand martins, Lapwing, Black-tailed Godwits, Common Tern and a possible Ringed Plover running along the far edge of the pool, along with oodles of Oystercatchers, Coots and Black-headed gulls. We stopped for dinner in the Gun at Keyhaven and then walked back the way we'd come. There were a lot more birds on the pools when we walked back than there had been on the way down. Amongst the Oystercatchers and Godwits were countless little waders. I thought they might be Dunlin, and had it confirmed for me by a kind birder who was watching them through a scope. I am fairly useless when it comes to iding waders, but I've never definitely seen a dunlin before so was chuffed with these. Further along, there were lapwings, and oystercatchers on the rock pools to the right of the path along with a good four or five definite ringed plovers, another lifer, along with what I'm fairly sure was a common sandpiper. Further along, we saw more whitethroats, including one that I think might have been a lesser (no pic, so its not a definite and thus not a lifer!) and another sandpiper-ish bird which didn't look much like the common we'd seen earlier. The light was fading by now and so I didn't get any concrete observations with which to id it by, but I'd be interested to know what other 'leggy' waders are on the marsh at present!! The last bird we saw was a very obligingly perched female Reed Bunting, a lovely bird.

We then got back in the car, thinking we were heading home since it was now approaching 9pm and we hadn't sorted anything else yet. We had a good look at a couple of forestry commission campsites which were very clearly labelled 'full', before taking a wrong turn in Lyndhurst and heading out on the A35. Attempting to rectify it, we took the Emery Down road towards Stoney Cross, when it suddenly dawned on me we'd be passing the road to Acres Down, where we'd visited last year, and we remembered there was a campsite at the foot of the hill; so on a whim, we tried it, and they had room, so we got to camp after all. After the tent was up, the football had finished, and I'd run out of beer, it was very nearly dark so we took a short stroll up the hill to listen for nightjars. We were rewarded, too, with churring from at least three seperate locations of various distances from us. Whether it was three birds or one mobile one, I couldn't say. We also saw bats!

Later that night, I woke up in the middle of the night and couldn't get back to sleep due to the biker that was snoring three tents over; I wouldn't like to know how his partner put up with it. I dozed for a bit, and then woke again to find the snoring had been joined by the very distintive churring of a nightjar. I would like to think that the nightjar was trying to impress the snorer. I promise I am not making this up!!

That morning, we walked back up the hill to the raptor watch point. Two distant buzzards, was all. After a while we wandered down into the woods to try for redstarts, but my run of bad luck with redstarts continued. That said, I was pleased with spotted flycatcher and marsh tits. I also got a glimpse of a big brown, bird of prey type thing flying away from us through the trees. Buzzard, I don't doubt!

Later on, we returned to Beaulieu Heath (different location, on the road between Beaulieu and Lymington) to try for Dartford Warbler. We got lots of linnets and stonechats, and a meadow pipit but I am starting to believe that Dartford Warblers simply don't exist. After that, we stopped for an ice cream and to see the deer at Bolderwood (no birds, too many people) and then set off home to be back in time for the World Cup Final.

All in all, a good weekend. ]]> astafjevs http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/astafjevs/348-new-forest-weekend.html http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/astafjevs/338-lake-district-scotland-part-three.html Thu, 10 Jun 2010 17:03:40 GMT Saturday was the day of the Abernethy tour, so we got up early and made the short drive, nearly running over two daft red squirrels on the way in... Saturday was the day of the Abernethy tour, so we got up early and made the short drive, nearly running over two daft red squirrels on the way in (they were playing chicken in the road, and nearly everyone said the same thing when they arrived at the car park!) Both had beautifully blonde ears and tails! The tour of the reserve was really interesting, but not half as productive for birds as I'd hoped. That said, we did hear a crested tit, see crossbills in flight, and I managed to tick Tree Pipits and Whinchats too. We also got good, if distant, views of a pair of soaring golden eagles. We also visited the Osprey Centre, whch provided ospreys, a GS woodpecker, a female redstart and a very nice comparison between a greenfinch and a siskin side by side on a feeder.The closest we got to capercaillies was being shown their droppings though, and the closest to a black grouse was being given a whisky tasting that evening! We did however learn a lot about the conservation work they're doing, and the very ambitious plans to double the size of the forest, as well as being given a good tip for locating breeding Slavonian grebes at a local pond! We took the opportunity to look for them during the break between the tour and the evening reception, and was very suprised to find an information board on the roadside advertising their presence! However, the view point is a long way from the pond and the light wasn't brilliant and so while I could clearly see a dark little grebe bobbing about amongst the tufted ducks and gulls, I couldn't see enough of it to positively id it as a Slav. So another maybe!

Having failed to see one at Abernethy, we spent Sunday traipsing around Loch an Eilean in the rain looking for crested tits; no luck, but we did see coal tits, a splendidly close Treecreeper, and a possible female crossbill (or a possible greenfinch!) as well as getting thoroughly soaked. The rest of the day was spent driving to our next, and final destination of Whithorn in Galloway. After dinner, we visitied Barsalloch Fort and saw a pair of Kestrels (i'd never previously seen a pair together and side by side the female really is bigger!), watched the sunset at Port William, and then visited the Drumtroddan standing stones.

Monday, our final day, dawned and started with breakfast at the B&B; this wouldn't normally have been worth remarking on (in fact, every other day started like that too!) but on this occasion, we had it in the conservatory of the wonderful Ravenstone B&B, which afforded us great views of feeding sparrows, a family of yelllowhammers, a song thrush and a goldfinch! From there, we headed to Portpatrick to see Little Sparrow's black guillemots (they're still there, another lifer for me, thanks again for that tip!) and then to the Mull of Galloway reserve. We got simply the best possible views of guillemots and razorbills on the cliffs, and also black guillemots on the water, along with puffins (x4) and a squadron of juvenile gannets (x7) flying in formation. On the cliff tops we got abundant meadow pipits, linnets and a whitehtroat. From there, our final stop was the Wood of cree, which, despite being a beautiful place and a very pleasant walk, I am sorry to report contains no birds. Only joking, but other than hearing an invisible wood warbler, and spotting a couple of chaffinches, we'd virtually walked the whole woodland circuit before it redeemed itself at the last minute with a brief glimpse of a pair of pied flyctachers and a treecreeper! This took us nearly to teatime, and needing to get back for work the following day we reluctantly began the long drive back. The last bird noted was a red kite gliding across the road somewhere near Dumfries.

All in all, it was a wonderful trip and I hope I'll be back very many times in the future! I'll check the lists when I get home and edit in anything important I might have missed! ]]> astafjevs http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/astafjevs/338-lake-district-scotland-part-three.html http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/astafjevs/337-lake-district-scotland-part-two.html Thu, 10 Jun 2010 12:13:31 GMT The following day we embarked on stage two of the journey to Aviemore (where we'd opted to base ourselves for the Scottish part of the journey). We stopped for lunch in Dalwhinnie, and as we left the car park I saw two or three largeish birds in the opposite field. We stopped, and got the bins out and identified them as golden plovers, which was a first for me. And then a lovely male in summper plumage put his head up, rendering the previous id efforts almost pointless!

We made it to our destination in good time and took in a tour of Tomatin distillery (unremarkable tour, pleasant enough whisky!) and headed up the Findhorn Valley in search of eagles and ouzels. Along with a vast herd of red deer and two hares (possibly one of each type), there was a small group of birders with scopes at the end of the track, so we got out and asked what they were watching, which turned out to be a nesting Peregrine. They let us have a look, whhich was kind, and then we walked on up the valley surrounded by house martins and noisy oystercatchers. No dippers on the river, no ring ouzels (I think we could hear them) and large brown birds of prey appeared above the hills on two occasions; the first was definitely a buzzard, in my opinion, but from the frustratingly brief look at the second I got, I'm really not sure about the second. Seemed bigger and brown beneath the wings. Still, didn't get a positive id on it so its down as a maybe!

After that, we headed to Aviemore, and were pleased to see lapwings in the field next to the b&b, and swifts overhead (in fact, I think virtually every town we visited or passed through had swifts!). Other than that, Aviemore is thoroughly unremarkable!

Thursday dawned, and we set off for Skye! Our route North provdied several buzzards and took us past the Black Isle north of Inverness, and a spectacular piece of poor navigation by me put us 15 miles in the wrong direction; however, the wrong turn did provide us with two red kites we wouldn't have otherwise seen, so I believe it was serendipity rather than poor map reading on my part! The very scenic route across to Kyle of Lochalsh provided us with a very good view of a soaring golden eagle overhead, and as we approached the bridge we got our first views of hooded crows, which I always like seeing as they're so different to the crows here!

The purpose of the trip to Skye was to hopefully see a sea eagle, but as we drew close it became apparent I hadn't really researched it very well. That notwithstanding, almost as soon as we got off the bridge, my attention was drawn to a bird with a simply massive wing span flying off into the distance. By the time we'd stopped and got the bins out,it was out of sight, and so it will have to go down as a maybe, but if it wasn't one, I'd love to know what it was! We stopped in Portree for lunch, and then headed out on the Staffin road to the Old Man of Storr. We climbed up to it (literally, since we took the wrong path at the top!) and were rewarded with two very confiding ravens. Wheatears and meadow pipits abound on Skye, and lots of things that I think were twites but can't quite be sure, but other than that we didn't do especially brilliantly for birds on Skye; we stopped at Duntulm castle at the top of the island and there were gulls and shags on an island just off the coast. I particularly enjoyed the fine views of the outer hebrides, seeing as this was my first visit to a hebride of any description! We continued our tour of the Trotternish peninsular all the way round to Uig, and then headed towards Penifiler in the hope to resume the eagle search. Couldn't find any access or anywhere to park the car, so gave up! We headed instead to the otter hide at Kylerhea. No otters, but lots of seals in the water were fun to watch, and a couple of herons fishing. Eventually, we headed back across the bridge for the long drive back to Aviemore.

Next day, we headed to RSPB Troup Head on the opposite side. This is a coastal cliff reserve and Scotland's only mainland Gannet colony. the drive there provided more buzzards, and as we got closer onto the very small roads we saw yellowhammers too. The reserve is great, we got astoundingly close to the gannets who didn't seem at all bothered and also great views of the razorbills and guillemots. The information boards said if we were lucky we might see a puffin, and we were doubly lucky because we saw two! I was chuffed to be able to pick them out from the cliff as they were a little way out to sea. We then headed to Banff for lunch and saw rock pipits on the harbour, and made our way back along the coast towards Elgin, stopping at Portsoy to look at the old harbours. Having seen Elgin cathedral we headed inland to Cawdor Castle, but we were approaching last admission so settled for an ice cream and a quick peek over the wall instead! We then followed the country roads inland to the Ardclach Bell Tower. The tower is nice and the walk back from it provided a blackcap, but the river below is much nicer, and having befriended a horse, we went down to see if we could find a dipper (they'd been frustrating me all trip thus far!) no luck initally, so we made our way a few hundred metres up the bank, and found ourselves staring directly across at a dipper. He (or she) didn't move from his spot the whole time we were there, but while we were watching him something else flew by... I initially thought it might be a baby dipper, but once I'd found it on the rocks I could see clearly it was a common sandpiper, another lifer! I was suprised to find this was the same River Findhorn as we'd visited two days earlier, although a lot further along! Back in the car, we continued our scenic touring, and got a great spotted woodpecker, and four curlews up on the heather moors. I'd not seen them anyway but muddy places before! We went to Tomintoil for our dinner, and they had swifts and house martins there too. The drive back provided me with the first red grouse I've ever seen not on a whiskey bottle, and so all in all it was a very good day!

(there's still a part three to come!) ]]> astafjevs http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/astafjevs/337-lake-district-scotland-part-two.html http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/astafjevs/335-lake-district-scotland-31-5-7-6.html Wed, 09 Jun 2010 16:54:18 GMT Being 'Friends' of Abernethy Reserve, we were invited to this years open day for a guided tour of the reserve. For the uninitiated, Abernethy is right up in the Cairngorms which is a long way from Bristol, so we thought we'd better make a week of it!

We planned to have a short break in the Lake District before continuing our journey north, and booked to stay in Keswick. Arriving in Windermere early on Monday our first bird was a greenfinch which was hiding in a tree but making enough noise that I could find it eventually! We took a short stroll along the lake and saw swallows, house martins, mallards, geese and swans, and lastly a song thrush. From Windermere, we took the Wrynose pass to Hardnott Roman Fort, which produced wheatears and meadow pipits and some stunning scenery. From there, we headed to Haweswater in an attempt to see an eagle! We saw buzzards on the way, as we had regularly on the way up the motorway, and a kestrel, but no eagles en-route to the car park. The information boards seemed to point us in the wrong direction but luckily my other half has orientation skills better than I and we headed off in the right direction, a little disheartened to have learnt that a) there was only one eagle (I remembered reading about the female going missing once I'd had my memory jogged) and b) the view point shut at 4 and it was a 45 minute walk away (it being about 3.40 by this time!). We virtually sprinted up the hill, and halfway up I was about to ask a couple of birders coming down how much futher it was and whether the eagle was about, when I hesitated. Yes, that was Bill Bailey walking towards me!! I decided against interrupting their conversation and ploughed on up the hill, lots of wheatears but no visible ring ouzels (which was to become a recurring theme!). We arrived at the viewpoint at 15.55 just as the RSPB man was starting to pack up! He told us we were in luck, the eagle was there, and he kindly agreed to stay open until the advertised time! The RSPB scope was pointed straight at the eagle, which was sitting under a tree looking resplendent in the sun, so it was pretty much the easiest bird I've ever had to spot, England's only Golden Eagle! Poor old thing, I thought. He's been on his own for six years now but the RSPB have no plans to 'interfere', which on balance is probably the right thing to do.

Later that evening we were walking home from the pub surrounded by little bats overhead, which was nice. I have absolutely no idea which type, but they were small and would imagine they were pipistrelles. They followed us right into the B&B car park, and then we could continue to watch them from our bedroom window!

The following day we went for a walk on Walla Crag in the drizzle, and saw some interesting views of the fells and lakes. Not much bird activity, but we saw willow warblers and chaffinches, and a buzzard. After lunch we visited the Forestry Commission's Dodd Wood which overlooks Bassenthwaite Lake and contains a nesting pair of Ospreys. And beautiful they were too, especially when the male came in with a fish, perched, and then was up again to chase off a crow that had flown to close to the nest!! So that was both big birds I'd hoped to see in Scotland ticked off before we even got there! On the way back down, we saw blue tits, coal tits, great tits, siskins and a great spotted woodpecker, as well as a very fat red squirrel on the feeders.

(part two to follow, silly length limit!) ]]> astafjevs http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/astafjevs/335-lake-district-scotland-31-5-7-6.html http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/astafjevs/93-nightingale-sang-cotswold-water-park.html Sun, 26 Jul 2009 16:25:06 GMT ...well, very briefly it did. I paid my first ever visit to Cotswold Water Park yesterday; its name is a bit of a misnomer. Its actually a... ...well, very briefly it did.

I paid my first ever visit to Cotswold Water Park yesterday; its name is a bit of a misnomer. Its actually a collection of more than 100 flooded gravel pits, rather than what I would imagine a Water Park to be; not a flume in sight.

My 'Where To Watch Birds' book gave its usual very vague directions, and said to head for lake 36 as a good place to start*. Not very easy without a map, so after a little to-ing and fro-ing we eventually settled on Swillbrook Lakes, a Wiltshire Wildlife Trust nature reserve bordering a building site.

The very first bird spotted was a distant gull with a strange flappy un-gull-like flight. My binoculars revealed it to be a Tern, which I could confidently id as Common, seeing the information board at the entrance had told me I'd see one. Still, my first ever tern - a good start. Only coots on the first lake (46 or 48, couldn't tell which - thats the lake number by the way, there were 2 coots on it). The information boards said to look out for nightingales, and so I duly did, and saw a couple furtively darting into bushes. Glimpses were frustratingly brief and they weren't singing much at all, but I heard and saw enough to be confident they were Nightingales (plain brown above, whitish below, slightly bigger but very Robin-like), so thats a second new species in five minutes! Also, buzzing around overhead were three or four hirundines which were probably sand martins. I couldn't definitively say they weren't house martins, but in terms of habitat (gravel pits!) and what was on the information boards, sand martins seem more likely.

We walked on, and reached a fairly unscenic building site (part of the very odd Lower Mill Estate development, the UK's 'first residential nature reserve') and saw another Nightingale, as well other small brownish birds, the only reasonably certain ID I got was a Willow Warbler (nice to be able to id a non-singing one!) although there is always the possibility it was a chiffchaff!

Lots and lots of butterflies (peacocks, painted ladies, brimstone, red admirals amongst lots of unidentified whites and browns of various sizes and a couple of blues!) and we walked on past the development, flushing a male bullfinch and to another lake where I really couldn't be sure we were on private property or a public footpath (contradictory signposts). Assuming no harm would come of it, we pressed on into a field where a sign told us to be aware of nesting Little Ringed Plovers on the ground. Unfortunately, we weren't to see one, which is a shame as it would have been another first. We did see though, lots of swans, coots, great crested grebes, black-headed gulls and lots and lots of Common Terns (red bill with the dark tip!), in flight, on land and in the air, some hovering like kestrels.

We came to a bizarre raised stile which a sign said was raised over an electric fence to keep the beavers in the adjacent field/lake. Not sure how I feel about 'reintroduced' beavers which are essentially captive so we walked on past, rather than entering and were rewarded by a hobby swooping down, picking up some prey (assume dragonfly) and proceed to eat it in the air. Great sight! On we walked, aiming for the bird hide on the opposite side of the lake to where we'd started. A kestrel overhead, more terns, grebes, coots and then we eventually came through a gate that told us retrospectively we'd be on strictly private property but then told us the footpath was open April - September. So I'm still no clearer as to whether we were supposed to be there!

The hide was closed for 'maintenance' although I'm sure its more to do with the fact its directly facing the glass-fronted buildings of the very posh Lower Mill development!!

We sat down to eat our sandwiches on the side of the lake, and the red arrows flew by (in the distance!). A bit surreal! Then a stoat ran past.

We decided to walk back exactly the way we came but didn't see anything much at all on the way back other than a couple of rabbits. One downside, the leather strap on my ancient binoculars snapped and will need replacing. Or the bins will!

I'd definitely visit CWP again, but start in a different spot and research my visit in advance!

On the way home we stopped off at the famous Uffington White Horse near Swindon, and walked up the hill to the ancient horse and hill-fort. Although not really there for the birds we did see meadow pipits, skylarks, a linnet and some very close goldfinches, and I nearly got hit on the head by a black kite. Unfortunately, it was made of plastic and shaped like a shark!

edit: having looked at an online map today, I'm fairly sure lake 36 doesn't even exist. ]]> astafjevs http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/astafjevs/93-nightingale-sang-cotswold-water-park.html http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/astafjevs/87-bristol-peregrines.html Mon, 13 Jul 2009 18:55:31 GMT Took a detour on the way home from work tonight onto Bristol downs, to look for the local peregrines. It's only a mile or so from our flat but despite a few attempts the only time we'd previously managed to see one was with the help of Bristol Ornithological Club and their telescopes. We were on our own tonight!

No sign at first, but we were soon joined by either a very scruffy birder or one of the local winos. A brief conversation determined he was both, and after he moved on to occupy a bench, bottle in hand, we had a wonderfully close naked-eye sighting of the juvenile peregrine raised in the gorge this year, very brown and buff still, as he flew by.

After a lot of squinting through my not-exactly-top-of-the-range- binoculars we eventually determined there was an adult peregrine on the opposite cliff. Unfortunately he was perched with his back to us, so it was very tricky to see him, but he occasionally turned his head to allow a brief glimpse of detail.

Funny to think, in a Greater Urban Area of a million people or more, only two were watching these amazing birds barely a mile from the city centre. Also great to know that although one chick didn't make it, at least the surviving one has made it out of the nest and is well on its way to adulthood. ]]> astafjevs http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/astafjevs/87-bristol-peregrines.html http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/astafjevs/83-grey-day-greylake-11-7-09.html Sun, 12 Jul 2009 15:18:59 GMT Spent a couple of hours at RSPB Greylake, another reserve on the Somerset levels. No waders, but noisy coot families, sedge warblers, linnets and... Spent a couple of hours at RSPB Greylake, another reserve on the Somerset levels. No waders, but noisy coot families, sedge warblers, linnets and blue tits, on the way to the poshest hide I've ever seen. From the hide, little egret, heron, swallows, ducks, little grebe, a pair of distant buzzards, a charm of goldfinches, swifts, house martins and a tree with a hundred starlings in it! Top spots were my first ever water vole, and a stoat.

Unlike Ham Wall, not sure this reserve is worth a specific journey for, but well worth an hour or so if you're passing by. Did start to head for Berrow Beach for some coastal birds, but the rain put us off so we'll leave that for another day. ]]> astafjevs http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/astafjevs/83-grey-day-greylake-11-7-09.html http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/astafjevs/78-arne-dusk.html Sun, 05 Jul 2009 21:29:25 GMT I was visiting relatives in Dorset on Saturday and so took the opportunity for an evening visit to RSPB Arne in the hope of spotting, or at least... I was visiting relatives in Dorset on Saturday and so took the opportunity for an evening visit to RSPB Arne in the hope of spotting, or at least hearing, a nightjar, a bird I've not encountered before.

We got there a couple of hours before dusk and so headed for the Shipstal trail. First spot was a pair of G S Woodpeckers, an adult and a juvenile. Past the farm with swallows overhead and a bathing greenfinch, and a field full of Sika deer with little babies. Not a lot on show through the woods, some swifts in a clearing and a distant yaffle indicating an unseen green woodpecker. Out in the water, herons and little egrets. From the hide, redshanks, curlew, black headed gulls. On over the heath, ravens (unexpected!), and a great photo op with an egret, oystercatcher and black tailed godwit jostling for position, and a pied wagtail making a last minute bid to get in the frame.

With the light fading, we headed back towards the start of the Coombe trail, where the nightjars have been seen regularly. We didn't see or hear anything for a while, but then a very odd buzzing, sounding like a distant diesel engine. Definite churring! And then, silent and silhouetted against the orange sky and looking like a giant swallow, my first nightjar! Darkness quickly fell with us still out on the heath, and the intermittent churring was punctured once or twice by barn owl shrieks. I couldn't see one, until it dawned on me that the white shape in the half-light I could barely see wasn't in fact a fence post, but a perched owl staring at me. Or at least I thought it was, but confirmation wasn't had until it flew off! We got more glimpses of nightjars in the last of the light, and then back to the car for a long drive home. Well worth it! ]]> astafjevs http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/astafjevs/78-arne-dusk.html http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/astafjevs/73-lundy-25-27th-june.html Sun, 28 Jun 2009 15:56:14 GMT Our much anticipated (by me at least) trip to Lundy was a resounding success! The weather was lovely, the island spectacular, and the wildlife... Our much anticipated (by me at least) trip to Lundy was a resounding success! The weather was lovely, the island spectacular, and the wildlife plentiful! (* denotes a 'ticked' species)

Day one began with an 8am departure aboard the M.S. Oldenberg, from which we spotted dozens of manx shearwaters*, in flight and also riding on the waves. Herring gulls outnumbered Lesser Black Backs, with a single gannet* amongst them. The crossing was relatively rough, but it was still a surprise when the tannoy announced we'd be unable to dock due to the strength of the wind, and we'd be heading around the south of the island for a pleasure cruise whilst we waited for it to subside. This was an unexpected bonus which provided hundreds of seaborn guillemots*, razorbills*, shags*, another gannet, lots more gulls, and eventually I noticed some of the guillemots had white faces.. puffins*! A group of 5, just swimming on the ocean! We then headed for the landing jetty in some really bumpy water, compensated by a glimpse of three magnificent dolphins crashing through the waves at the rear of the boat.
Having landed, we spotted a rock pipit on the beach and then walked up the mile long beach road to the village with linnets and chaffinches overhead. A stop in the village for lunch meant sparrows, swallows and chaffinches and a house martin (which proved to be the only one we spotted all stay which makes me wonder if it was just a poorly-id'd swallow on my part!). We then headed straight for the top of the island on the 'middle' path, which provided meadow pipits, skylarks (still singing from on high) and wheatears (almost a *,my only previous one being a single female). To the top of the island, herring gulls, LBB and also greater black backs for comparison, as well as oystercatchers and then the very pleasant site of half a dozen grey seals in the water below. The walk back along the upper west path provided good views of guillemot (and undoubtedly some razorbills) and kittiwake colonies, shags but no puffins.Overnight in the tent we did hear rain but not the manx's which apparently come onshore at night.

Having read the log book the day before, day two began with a trip back down the beach road to Millcombe Pond for a 'reliable' glimpse of the breeding water rails. We heard them (they sound exactly like piglets!), but they would not show. Good views of linnets, including males in very pink breeding plumage, and a reed warbler (not particularly common on Lundy) and then I apparently missed a water rail crossing the road because I was distracted by chaffinches! Back up the hill and towards the west coast, where we spotted what was apparently a raven that had paired itself with a crow, not sure what they had in common but they seemed at ease together all the same! Further up the west coast, rock pipits and wheatears abound, and also more ravens and the ubiquitous guillemots/razorbills (its very hard from a distance, I was dividing them by those that looked 'very' black and those that looked a shade greyer.), shags, gulls and also ravens. A prolonged stop to hunt puffins amongst the seabirds (unsuccessfully) did provide some super views of a perched pair of peregrines, the male being very much smaller than the female. They flew off, and we continued up and down the west side of coast looking for puffins, which we didn't get, and seals, which we did, loads of them. We also spotted Fulmars*, hiding under an overhanging rock and once we'd spotted them it was apparent that not all of the herring gulls in flight were in fact herring gulls, and I could eventually pick out fulmars, kittewakes and herring gulls in flight. I got my first ever experience of a peregrine in 'fast' mode overhead, possibly a juvenile as it seemed quite brown, and presumably just testing himself as he wasn't 'stooping' as such and certainly didn't get close to catching anything!
An after dinner stroll without the binoculars to look for the water rail (again heard but not seen, it can't have been more than 3 feet away at one point!) provided a very brief view of a juvenile cuckoo* (note: never leave the binoculars behind!!).

Day three again began with a great view of the cuckoo in flight (initally thought it was a kestrel!) and an unsuccessful water rail hunt (at which point I gave up, they remain un*'d) and a long walk up the more sheltered east cost. Not as good for seabirds as the west, although the gulls were still abundant, and we spotted a stonechat. We got fantastic views of a school of at least 30 dolphins in the sea below us, and the whole of the east coast seemed to be sprinkled in seals, and linnets on the east side are as abundant as wheatears on the west! We then had a very surreal moment, where we spotted a pure-white bird of approximate linnet-size, which flew out of the bracken for about 20 yards, then landed back in the bracken. Two of us saw it, but other than it was white I didn't see anymore detail; we sat for an hour hoping it came back out of the bracken, but although linnets were abundant, we didn't see it again. Surely not a snow bunting at this time of year, so my best guess was an albino\leucistic bird, and due to their abundance, probably a linnet. Weird though! We caught a couple of glimpses of peregrines flying up and down the coast, and then reached the top of that path in the company of rock pipits, seals and fulmars in flight. We then crossed over to the west side for a final hunt for puffins. One guy stood on a rock shouting that he could see puffins was actually looking at guillemots, but I didn't have the heart to tell him; then walking back we were aprroached by a man asking if were 'interested in the birds?' to which we naturally said yes, and he told us that he and his wife that morning had spotted a woodchat shrike and where we could expect to see it; obviously we were very interested and fully intended to go and try to see it, but I was desperate to see an on-shore puffin first! I asked if hed seen any on shore, and he said yes, all week! Apparently nobody on Lundy has seen more than 6 or 7 puffins this year, but some at least were nesting. He took us to a point not very far at all from where we'd seen the peregrines the day before, and pointed to some burrows right at the very, very edge of the cliff. And then, a puffin popped out! From that distance, the orange feet were the most distinguishing feature (they really are big!), and as we sat there we saw one or two more, but never more than one at once. Eventually, one took off, and flew out to sea and out of sight. That made the trip complete for me, so anything else was a bonus, and what a bonus!! We went back to the quarter wall, where our friendly birder quickly waved us over, and pointed to an empty fence. Within seconds, the woodchat shrike landed on the fence, but some distance away and in monochrome due to the position of the sun. The friendly birders let us 'go first', as they'd already had good views and we very slowly and quietly moved towards the bird. To my utter amazement, it remained still as we got to within about 20 yards of it, and got to view it from all sides, its head glowing almost like copper in the sunlight. The other couple moved off with a wave, and I was left staggered that on an island full of birders we were the only ones looking at this quite magnificent bird. Eventually, it got bored of us long before I was bored of it, and it flew off over the field. How I regret taking too many pictures of distant guillemots and missing out on an absolutely glorious opportunity to get really good pics of the shrike because the battery had run out shortly after the dolphins earlier in the day!
All that was left was time for a quick final pint in the tavern, and then move off towards the boat for the return journey. We got some manx's and three more gannets (not quite adults, judging by the wings) and then home.

I couldn't have asked for more from the trip (i'll even forgive the water rail!) and I would recommend the place to anyone. I'll definitely go back, and I can imagine Lundy at migration time would be unreal! Its good enough in the summer!

edit: full Lundy list (including birds seen from the boat): Manx shearwater, herring gull, little black backed gull, gannet, guillemot, razorbill, puffin, shag, rock pipit, house sparrow, chaffinch, collared dove, feral/racing pigeon (they had rings), house martin (uncertain), swallow, skylark, meadow pipit, oystercatcher, wheatear, starling, swift, greater black backed gull, wren, blackbird, linnet, crow, robin, pied wagtail, reed warbler, fulmar, peregrine, raven, kittiwake, cuckoo, stonechat, goldfinch, mallard, woodchat shrike. ]]> astafjevs http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/astafjevs/73-lundy-25-27th-june.html http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/astafjevs/71-bad-day-voles.html Sun, 21 Jun 2009 23:52:07 GMT For the first time in my life we joined an organised wildlife walk today, and it proved to have been as good a £6.50 as I've ever spent. Ham Wall was once again the destination, for the RSPB's Barn Owl walk.

Arriving early, we headed to Shapwick Heath which wasn't quite as productive as last time. Still, good views of lapwing,whitethroat, reed warblers, swans, cormorants and gulls. Heard but not seen were chiffchaff, willow and cetti's warbler. It's locally renowned for its easy otter spotting but once again my luck was out! We did see herons and egrets though.

So on to the main event, and a guided walk around the parts of Ham Wall which don't have public access. First up, a noise that has had me scratching my head for a while; turns out its a greenfinch. Walking on, and a marsh harrier is pointed out. I couldn't see it and we moved on far too quickly for my liking, but I needn't have worried as a couple of minutes later its back, and not even I can miss it! A nearly-adult male, I'm told. Grebes, herons, tufty's, pochard, reed warblers chattering, and then a distant barn owl. Walking on we get really good views of a hunting owl, which soon becomes a view of an owl and a vole. On we go, past an obligingly perched reed bunting, past a G C grebe on its nest, where we get a good view of the changing of the guard and an insight into how odd they look on land, another view of a barn owl, egret and heron, and then embark on the return leg. A different barn owl, also with vole, and then the walk ends with me unable to watch a barn owl hunting because there's a bittern in the way. Unbelievable stuff, magical place, and I haven't even mentioned the soup and cookies included in the price! ]]> astafjevs http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/astafjevs/71-bad-day-voles.html http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/astafjevs/69-new-forest.html Sat, 13 Jun 2009 21:40:42 GMT Spent today in the New Forest, checking out reputedly good birdy sites. Didn't see any of the local specialties, but Beaulieu Heath threw up more Stonechats than you could shake a stick at and a female Redstart, as well as a Pipit which had enough of a distinct supercillium to make me wonder if it was Tree rather than Meadow and some Goldcrests.

Acres Down, a noted raptor watching point provided only a single Buzzard, but also a male Redstart, a Marsh tit, and a pair of Mistle thrushes.

Things spotted from the car include buzzard, kestrel, sparrowhawk, song thrush, and a stop at a pub on the way home gave me the closest view of a house martin I've ever enjoyed.

So no ticks, but a decent day out all the same! Just a shame we left the camera at home. ]]> astafjevs http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/astafjevs/69-new-forest.html http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/astafjevs/66-grand-day-out.html Sun, 07 Jun 2009 20:11:28 GMT Ham wall was a place transformed today. Where as yesterday we'd been two out of half a dozen visitors, today cars were parked right up the narrow access road, on both sides. More on that later.

The day began with a trip to the Bristol Downs for the local bird club's 'peregrine watch'. And behold, there on the cliff, a good view of a bird I'd long assumed was a myth, such has my repeated inability to spot the thing - the Avon gorge Peregrine. So, a good start. On to Ham Wall for day two of the hobby hunt-

As already mentioned, something was definitely up at Ham Wall, and it soon became apparent that the place was Twitcher City. Apparently a Little Bittern had been spotted that morning. Far too exotic for a novice like me so ignoring it completely, on I wandered. Possible Cetti's feeding fledged young, baby G C grebes, and then overhead, a long pointy dark... Hobby! Moving on, not a lot else to see there, but a bittern (normal one) to be heard.

So over the road to the English Nature's Shapwick Heath reserve. Swifts, swans, unknown waders, and then a big brown broad winged bird flapping over reedbeds. Bittern, i think, and raise the bins. Bird of prey! Very slowly, flying low over the reeds, surely not?! And yes, down into the reeds and thats the last I saw of the Marsh Harrier.

Also got good and definite views of sedge and reed warblers, loads of cormorants, good long views of three or four hunting hobbies, and last of all, a little egret.

What a day, lets see how the pictures turn out!

EDIT (as can't comment!): Thanks for the comment, Neil.

Ham Wall (RSPB) and Shapwick Heath (Natural England) are adjoining reserves that make up 2/3rds of the 'Avalon Marshes' wetland area on the Somerset Levels. Most famous for the winter Starling roosts (literally millions of the things, truly astonishing to watch) but as I'm increasingly finding out, an absolute pleasure to visit in all seasons.

Bit of an update on the blog after I've seen how the photos turned out, the family of "possible Cetti's" turned out to 'only' be Whitethroats, but the "unknown waders" have kindly been identified by John (Clydebirder) as Black-Tailed Godwits, which is a tick for me! (and no, the pictures won't be posted, unless anyone expresses a particular desire to look at some very distant wobbly blurs!) ]]> astafjevs http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/astafjevs/66-grand-day-out.html http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/astafjevs/64-hobby-hunting.html Sat, 06 Jun 2009 21:20:25 GMT Spent an hour or so at the RSPB reserve Ham Wall today, ostensibly to look for hobbies, which I thought would be abundant. I was wrong, apparently... Spent an hour or so at the RSPB reserve Ham Wall today, ostensibly to look for hobbies, which I thought would be abundant. I was wrong, apparently they've already been and gone. There was talk of one in the distance but it was well out of the range of my feeble bins. Had to console myself with a best-ever view of a bittern in flight, and a very distant view of the first barn owl I've seen in years. Swifts were there in their hundreds, and grebes both little and great crested were present alongside tufty's and herons, but try as i might I could not see a Cetti's warbler despite their very audible proximity. Absolutely love the place and would recommend to anyone, but I'm going to have to go back soon, maybe even tomorrow, if I'm going to get my hobby. What a pity! ]]> astafjevs http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/astafjevs/64-hobby-hunting.html