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Winter Returns – Briefly – 18th March 2012

2012, Birds, Birds of 2012, Year No Responses »

Mar 182012

Winter Returns - Briefly - 18th March 2012

The weather this morning was a complete contrast to last weekend. Upon arrival at Carsington Water this morning, we were met with a freezing cold mixture of snow & heavy rain. The front lasted for well over an hour, then grey but very calm conditions and Carsington turned into a “Mill Pond”. The day did however produce my first spring migrants for the year. We were hoping for a Kittiwake dropping in but no such luck. In fact apart from the long staying Great Northern Diver, the numbers of wildfowl were very low. Five Goldeneye; 5 Oystercatcher; […]

Recent updates – March 13th / 19th / 20th

2011, Birds, Birds of 2011, Year No Responses »

Mar 192011

Recent updates - March 13th / 19th / 20th

March 13th 2011 – Blithfield Reservoir, Staffordshire. My second attempt for the Great White Egret, eventually paid off. Seen in flight briefly before disappearing from view in dense willow scrub. Also my first spring migrant for 2011- 2 parties of Sand Martin – 1 off 11 birds and 1 of 6 birds. Nice to see and a sign that spring is on the way. Year list now on 146 March 19th 2011 – A fresh male Brimstone flying in warm spring sunshine, Melbourne, Derbyshire. My first butterfly for 2011. March 20th 2011 – A superb morning watching raptors from an […]

Gulls and Wildfowl – 3rd January & 9th January 2011

2011, Birds, Birds of 2011, Year No Responses »

Jan 092011

Gulls and Wildfowl - 3rd January & 9th January 2011

Foremark Reservoir, Derbyshire – 3rd January 2011. The gull roost held a 3rd winter Glaucous Gull and the redhead Smew was still present, also c25 Goosander and 3 adult Yellow-legged Gull also in the roost. Eyebrook Reservoir & Rutland Water, Leicestershire – 9th January 2011 – Both sites are well worth a visit in the early new year. There is usually a good variety of wildfowl often with some good semi-rarities amongst the vast numbers of birds. Today was no exception with highlights as follows:- A Red Kite at Oakham, Slavonian Grebe, Long-tailed Duck & Red-Crested Pochard at Barnsdale, Rutland […]