Yellowhammer – tonydavisonphotography.com

A local overwintering “Sibe” Bunting

2021, Birds, Birds of 2021, Trips, Year No Responses »

Apr 112021

The Little Bunting is an annual migrant from the taiga forests of NE Europe and into Siberia. It is regularly discovered during the autumn months, most often on the outer islands of Shetland and Orkney, the Isles of Scilly and sites along the east coast of mainland Britain. It is not often one overwinters, but 2021 has seen several of these attractive little birds set up residence inland, including Nottinghamshire, Sussex and Surrey. The Nottinghamshire bird has spent over 130 days at the RSPB reserve of Langford Lowfields and I finally cracked to-day (11th April 2021), and went along to […]

On the Chase – 1st April 2012

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

Apr 012012

We were certainly in no mood for “Fooling Around” this morning!! Cannock Chase is only around 45 minutes drive from home and offers some good birds that are relatively on my doorstep. Providing, of course, you know where to go looking for them. It is a vast area and there are many access roads leading to all corners of this heathland habitat in the middle of Staffordshire. We were soon listening to the glorious song of the Woodlark and after putting in some time, we were eventually rewarded with good views of Dartford Warbler. Numerous small parties […]

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 […]

A New Birding Year – 1st January 2011

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

Jan 012011

The first bird for 2011 was a Wood Pigeon, rapidly followed by Collard Dove, House Sparrow, Black-headed Gull, Starling and Blackbird all in the garden and so the new years Bird List began. Throughout the day a total of 67 species was seen. Highlights included – Yellow-legged Gull; Caspian Gull, Goldeneye and Yellowhammer all at Staunton Harold Reservoir. White-fronted Goose & Little Owl at Ambaston. Kingfisher, Water Rail and Peregrine at Willington. Redhead Smew, Curlew, Goosander and Dunlin at Foremark Reservoir.