Peregrine – tonydavisonphotography.com

A Twitch for a Welsh Yank – 19th February 2012

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

Feb 192012

A Twitch for a Welsh Yank - 19th February 2012

A first winter male American Common Yellowthroat was discovered last week in fields at an unpronounceable Welsh Village in Gwent called Riwhderyn (I believe pronounced something like Ruth Derran ). Nevertheless a very nice and friendly village and a totally unexpected place to find a “Yankie Passerine” in February. The bird had obviously managed to overwinter from last autumn. A superb morning and setting and very soon this stunning little bird was performing to a well behaved crowd of birders. So far a good candidate for bird of the year. The last one I saw was in 1997 on […]

A “peep” in Norfolk – Sunday, 4th December 2011

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

Dec 042011

A "peep" in Norfolk - Sunday, 4th December 2011

2011 has been one of the best years in memory to see American Waders in Britain. At least 17 species had been seen up to 28th November. The only species not found at this time was Western Sandpiper. So it was inevitable that one would be discovered somewhere!. Cley NWT Reserve was to be the host site for this rare wader. It was first identified as a Semi-palmated Sandpiper but as the bird was eventually seen and videoed at close range, the finer points of the bird’s plumage could be seen and it was eventually re-identified as […]

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.