I decide to take a walk round Staunton Harold Reservoir this morning, my “Local Patch”. It proved to be a good move as no sooner on site I discovered two female Common Scoter. The birds were sat in the middle of the reservoir at the dam end and the first record here for a number of years. These sea-duck seem to be regularly encountered on inland waters during July. They were very distant & I could only manage a heavily cropped record shot. Also nearby on one of the marker buoys the regular near adult Yellow-legged Gull, was […]
I discovered that Martin Garner was running one of his successful Gull Master Classes at Stubbers Green, near Walsall, West Midlands on 18th February, so I decided to register and join in the fun!! I was not to be disappointed. (Further information at http://birdingfrontiers.com). Martin has a unique way of passing on his knowledge and expertise when it comes to gull identification. After an initial intro to the party of 10 enthusiastic birders, we were soon staring down our telescopes, picking out various 1st winter & adult Large Gull species. The idea of the day was […]
The new birding year always starts with a trip to the North Norfolk coast. With several major rarities on offer, this weekend was no exception and several Barn Owl were seen on route. So we kicked off at the infamous Norfolk Trust reserve at Cley-next-the-Sea and despite several hours of searching and waiting, we dipped on the Western Sandpiper. Just as we arrived a raptor flew across the reserve and put up the entire flock of birds and they dispersed in all directions. A large flock of Lapwing & Golden Plover were about with a few Ruff. The Western Sand […]
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.