During mid-April I finally managed to spend a few days with Black Grouse at a Lek in the Scottish Highlands. I booked myself on a photographic workshop, organised by pro-photographer Andy Howard. Well worth it, despite several very early morning rises. We had to be located in the hide well before daybreak. It was a […]
Affectionately known as “Albert”, the Black-browed Albatross returned to the RSPB reserve at Bempton Cliffs on the Yorkshire coast, in early April. Albatrosses are renowned for their long distance travelling, and this particular species is some 10,000 miles off course. The breeding grounds are located in the southern oceans, around the Falkland Islands. Albert has
I’m lucky to live fairly close to Calke Park and Abbey, in south Derbyshire, which is owned by the National Trust. It has one of the best bird feeding stations in my area and is often a good place to see Brambling in early spring. The males at this time of year look stunning as
During June 2021 a rare White-tailed Plover was discovered at Stodmarsh in Kent. It was then re-located at RSPB Blacktoft Sands reserve in Yorkshire, on 26th August. The bird eventually left in December and was then re-discovered in Lincolnshire at East Halton on 31st December to 6th March 2022 (presumed same bird). Re-discovered at RSPB
During mid March 2022, we spend a week visiting the island of Fuertaventura. It was our first visit to the Canary Islands and sampling some early spring sunshine. With limited time available, it also provided me with an opportunity to see some of the islands very special birds, including Houbara Bustard, Fuertaventura Chat, Black-bellied Sandgrouse
We made a trip to the UK’s headquarters of the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust at Slimbridge, the home of Sir Peter Scott. A man who, as a small boy, had a major influence on my interests in birds and wildlife in general. Slimbridge is also the home of the Bewick’s Swan, and for generations now,
Pleased to have received phone messages from a couple of local birders on 6th March. A few minutes later, met-up with them and was watching 2 Tundra Bean Geese in fields at Swarkestone, Derbyshire. It’s been a few years since we have had these rare geese in the Trent Valley. A really excellent discovery, whilst
A walk around the local fields on 3rd February produced a flock of 4 and another flock of 9 Yellowhammer. Good to see they are still close by, although none at Staunton Harold Res so far this winter. 2 Brambling at Staunton Harold on 5th Feb, 9 Red-legged Partridge, c200 Fieldfare and c50 Redwing and
