Our local reserve at Willington is by far the best place in South Derbyshire, at the moment, for passing waders. This morning there were some stunning Icelandic Black-tailed Godwits, with at least 15 individuals, most of them juveniles. Along with 6 Dunlin, 2 Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpiper and 12 Common Snipe and the usual […]
An eclipse drake Ring-necked Duck was discovered at the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust Reserve at Willington Gravel Pits on Saturday morning (11th August). I made a visit there this morning (12th) and despite no sign of the bird on my arrival, I very quickly re-located the bird preening just in front of the main hide, much
The delicate Lesser Yellowlegs, a North American wader, has been gracing the fresh marshes at RSPB Titchwell, Norfolk for several weeks. I have been meaning to pay a visit to see it but something else always seems to have gotten in the way. Any how 30th July paved the way and as there was also
Along with my good butterflying buddies, Barrie and Anita, I spent some time yesterday at Derbyshire’s first Butterfly Reserve at Hoe Grange, an abandoned limestone quarry on the edge of the Peak District National Park. The site has already recorded 26 species and also hosts several rare plants and a variety of insects. The rare
The fantastic RSPB Reserve at Bempton Cliffs, on the North Yorkshire Coast, is a hive of activity at this time of the year. Literally thousands of sea birds are nesting on the cliff ledges, a true Sea Bird City and quite a spectacle if one has never seen it before. Thousands of Gannet, Razorbill, Guillemot
Our family holiday this year took us to the Greek Island of Lesvos, located just off the coast of west Turkey. It had been many years since we last visited this beautiful island that holds a host of good birds. Although the holiday was not what I call a “Birding Holiday”, there was plenty of
Barrie & I decide to spend the day at the fabulous RSPB reserve at Frampton marsh in Lincolnshire. A Black-winged Stilt had been present the previous day, but alas had gone over-night as had the 1st winter Snowy Owl at nearby Freiston Shore reserve. Nevertheless we had some good birds – 4 Garganey; Little Stint;
We spent the May Day holiday at the fantastic “Falconry Experience Wales”, located near Machynlleth, Powys, with Barry and Luce. They were both extremely knowledgeable about their birds of prey which made the day very interesting. We met several stunning birds including Bald Eagle, Eastern Golden Eagle, Ferruginous Hawk, Lanner X Falcon, White-faced Scops Owl
