A stunning first summer female RED-FOOTED FALCON had been hiding itself away from local birders since Friday 17th June. It had been favouring horse paddocks at Breaston right on the Derbys/Notts border. News came out onto the pager systems to-day about the bird, which I believe had been discovered by “Non-Birders” not specifically knowing what […]
An immature drake American White-winged Scoter was amazingly discovered by local birders amongst a huge flock of moulting scoter at Blackdog, Aberdeen on 11th June 2011. This was a first record for Britain of this scoter species and not surprisingly, it took the local birders some time to clinch the ID. Reading various reports
A mixed bag to-day – first thing this morning it was like a summers day, clear blue sky, sun shining so a walk around Calke Park at Ticknall seemed like a good idea. First surprise of the day was the sighting of two separate Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers, along with 3 Green &
On Monday 6th June 2011, a female White-throated Robin was trapped on Hartlepool Headland, Cleveland. This was the third record for Britain and most modern day Birders & Twitchers albeit needed this bird. No way could I make it on the Monday, so keeping my fingers crossed that it would stay overnight, I
Early morning at the DWT reserve at Willington Gravel Pits produced just 8 Black-tailed Godwit of note. They very quickly departed after about an hours stay, heading off west. The first gatherings of young Blue & Great Tits were noticeable in the hedgerows. Still a variety of common warblers singing. A
A week relaxing in Cornwall to re-charge the batteries. Some birding, some butterflies and some plants. No “heavy stuff” but nevertheless pleasant to see “Cornish” Chough, Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, a few new plants and stunning views of Common Dolphin in Coverack Bay for a couple of hours on the 29th May 2011. Other butterflies
A great day in the Breckland of East Anglia with several Golden Orioles singing and on view at one of the reserves and Stone Curlew showing well at another traditional site. Numerous Marsh Harrier, a single immature Red Kite, Cetti’s Warbler, Bearded Tit and many Reed & Sedge Warblers. Several early species of Dragonfly
Carsington Water, in my county of Derbyshire, has held several Great Northern Divers during the winter of 2010-2011and one of which has now attained full summer plumage. A bird that was well worth seeing, stunning and showed very well but just a little too distant for the camera. The above image is
