The Coronavirus Pandemic has certainly put paid to travelling any distance to go birding. So I’m very fortunate to have Staunton Harold Reservoir, Melbourne Pool and some excellent farmland within a 2km circle of my home. Staunton Harold is just a 5 minute drive or 15 minute walk from home, so well within the “Lockdown […]
On the 15th December I had a very brief view of what I was sure was a Diver species. I was in a rush due to work commitments and already running late, but I decided to head back to the main car park to see if I could relocate the diver as it was working
Well 2020 has been a mighty strange year to say the least. The COVID Pandemic has caused chaos across the world and may have changed our lives. I’m not so sure things will ever be the same again. I managed a trip to Mongolia in March, to finalise my Snow Leopard Quest but I paid
Whilst counting the waterbirds on Staunton Harold Reservoir, I came across a gull roosting on one of the buoys. I paid little attention to it as I was distracted by the Great Northern Diver out in the middle of the reservoir. The diver disappeared so I went back to the gull and immediately discovered it
I videoed the Great Northern Diver, that I found on 15th December, on Saturday 19th December and it looked decidedly unwell. It was later caught by Seven Trent Wardens and found to have fishing tackle wrapped around its neck and bill. It was released but wasn’t seen again until 23rd December and, thankfully, looking in
Whilst looking for the Great Northern Diver at Staunton Harold Reservoir on Thursday 17th December, I received a phone call from Rob Hutchinson, around mid day, to say he may have found a Ring-necked Duck, but only had binoculars. I said I would be with him in 10 minutes with a scope. On my arrival
In these strange times of COVID19 lock-downs and Tier Systems in place, it is difficult for me to venture out of my comfort zone. In other-words, travel farther afield than ones home patch. I am very fortunate to live in a rural area and have plenty of places on my local doorstep to go birding.
2 local Cattle Egrets were found in amongst a flock of Mute Swans feeding in a field between Willington and Repton early afternoon ( 21st Nov). Quite a rare bird for my area so worth paying them a visit. There was also a male Peregrine briefly over the area. This morning 2 Yellow-legged Gulls at
