The RSPB reserve at Frampton Marsh, Lincolnshire had some rather special visitors this summer. Two pairs of Black-winged Stilts decided to breed on the reserve, raising at least six young. With global warming changing our weather patterns, it seems likely that this wader will become a regular breeding bird, and one that will be most […]
This year we decide to re-visit a favoured Greek island, the island of Lesvos, which lies in the Aegean Sea, just off the Turkish coast. It was our third visit, and one that was long awaited. The hotel was great, the food and people were great , the weather was great and the birding was
On Monday 1st May 2023, a Grey-headed Lapwing was discovered on the wader scrape pools at Low-Newton-by-the-Sea, in Northumberland. Goodness knows what the birder must have thought, when he set eyes on this extremely attractive wader, that had decided to arrive on his local patch. If accepted by the BOU, it would be a new
Early May always produces a good selection of waders and yesterday, 2nd May, was no exception at Frampton. There has been an influx of Black-winged Stilts into Britain these past few weeks, and no doubt some will be settling down to breed. A pair were at Frampton but were just a little distant, nevertheless showed
The old oak woodlands of the Derbyshire Peak District hold a variety of special birds that are summer visitors to Britain. Sadly, they are becoming increasingly scarce, so these habitats are of vital importance. The Pied Flycatcher and Common Redstart are two migrants that arrive in late April, followed by Tree Pipit, Wood Warbler and
Since returning from Mull, birding the local patch at Staunton Harold Reservoir has been hard work. The 22nd April produced the first returning Common Tern, House Martin, and Common Whitethroat. On the 24th April there was a good fall of hirundines, the most I’ve seen this spring, with c20 Sand Martin, c 30 Swallow and
16th – 21st April – During the week we covered most of the island in search of Eagles, Harriers, Owls and Otters. Both Eagles were seen well, as was Otter and Hen Harrier. Plenty of good views of several “Grey Male’ Hen Harriers but alas heat haze beat us, and birds remained distant, having been
During the back end of March a few early spring migrants arrived on my local patch, with a sprinkling of Sand Martins and Chiffchaffs. Chiffchaffs were well established by early April, with 7 birds singing on territories at Staunton Harold Reservoir from 1st April . A Great White Egret was a good patch year tick
