I spent this morning, Sunday 29th Jan, at my local patch at Staunton Harold Reservoir. Another gloomy morning with heavy mist making visibility impossible across the reservoir. I was determined to try and find a Tree Creeper, so I decided to spend half an hour in the little copse by the car park. A fruitless […]
Saturday 28th January, Barrie & I decided to spend the day birding at various locations along the North Norfolk coast. This was my first trip to Norfolk of 2017, so I knew I would be in for a few year ticks. We decided to start the morning at Holkham, as a small flock of 29
USA Birders call the White-billed Diver, Yellow-billed Loon, what a great name for a great bird and what a pleasant surprise when one was discovered on the 21st January 2017 on the River Witham, near Woodhall Spa in Lincolnshire. Unbelievably this was the second time a juvenile has been found on the same river within a few
In recent days there has been a huge influx of Glaucous & Iceland Gulls, so called “White-winged Gulls”, from the high arctic regions. Swept in on the last northerly weather front, they have appeared right across the country, as well as the outer islands and coastal sites, many have been recorded down our east coast. So,
So a new Birding Year begins and I’m already wondering what may turn-up during the next 12 months. I can’t imagine that it will be as good as 2016, but we can live in hope. I part chopped a couple of camera bodies that I wasn’t using any more and decide to treat myself to
A juvenile Surf Scoter was discovered at Rutland Water a few days ago, another rare sea duck on an inland water. I decided to go and see it this morning (30th Dec) as it was another opportunity to observe a rare scoter at close quarters. Juvenile Surf Scoter are simply dark brown with several small
The last few mornings I’ve spent birding on my local Patch at Staunton Harold Reservoir. The 2 immature Velvet Scoter are still around, giving occasional good views through the telescope, often they are some distance out on the water and can be difficult to locate. It’s great to be able to watch and observe these
The two Velvet Scoters, probably a female and a first winter drake, were still present today at Staunton Harold Reservoir, South Derbyshire. This morning, I was fortunate enough to be taken out onto the water in one of the local Yacht Club’s Ribs and was able to get a few good shots of one of
