Shoveler – tonydavisonphotography.com

East Coast Waders – 19th August 2012

2012, Birds No Responses »

Aug 192012

Plenty of common waders on offer at RSPB Titchwell, in Norfolk and RSPB Frampton Marsh in Lincs. A total of 22 species were seen to-day. Highlights being a 1stw Red-Necked Phalarope at Frampton; 22 Spotted Redshank at Titchwell; c300 Black-tailed Godwit at both sites; c200 Bar Tailed Godwit at Titchwell along with 16 Spoonbill, an impressive sight especially when they all took off for a fly round. An immature Marsh Harrier at sea and several Eider and a single Arctic Skua were also at Titchwell. At Titchwell there were a number of Wall Brown Butterflies on the wing, this […]

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; […]

Dances with Grebes – Sunday, 27 March 2011

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

Mar 272011

Dances with Grebes - Sunday, 27 March 2011

Local birding in South Derbyshire. A very dull grey spring morning was brightened up by the courtship dances of the Great Crested Grebe. This pair were really putting on a show at Foremark Reservoir. A pity they were just a little distant for my camera lens. No luck with Lesser Pecker this morning but did manage several Grey Partridge. At least 6 singing Chiffchaff and several singing Yellowhammer. Once common birds locally, Grey Partridge & Yellowhammer are now getting exceedingly difficult to find. The woodlands around Ticknall were also unproductive for Lesser Pecker, another species that is very difficult and very […]

Wintery Willington – Sunday 30th January 2011

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

Jan 302011

Wintery Willington - Sunday 30th January 2011

A real dull and cold wintery morning at the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust reserve at Willington Gravel Pits. Still I did get my expected year tick – Willow Tit – also one of the Bitterns showed well but very briefly. Otherwise 16 Shoveler; 4 Shelduck; 5 Goldeneye and a calling Water Rail were the highlights. At Albert Village Lake the day-time gull roost produced none of the local rare species. Year list now on 133. A few Black-headed Gull photos to follow –