A full summer plumaged Pacific Golden Plover was found at Rutland Water, Rutland, Leicestershire on Monday 15th July 2013. It promptly disappeared during the day, on Tuesday 16th but was relocated in the evening. The bird was still present on Wednesday 17th and so we raced off late afternoon to see it. What a stunning […]
A decision was made last Thursday (11th July) to visit the Farne Islands off the Northumbrian Coast of England. A Bridled Tern had been found there about two weeks ago but had not been seen for a number of days, so presumed gone. Not to worry as I had seen the Anglesey bird in 1988. The Farnes are
During this time of the year there are usually a number of good species of Butterfly that are on the wing for a few weeks. Most butterflies are late emerging this year, mainly due to the cold spring, in fact some species are around 3 -4 weeks late. The recent warm weather has certainly helped
My local Patch – Staunton Harold Reservoir, South Derbyshire, is now proving tough to pick up new year ticks. The highlights of the past few weeks have been 3 Shelduck on 9th June; the arrival of 2 Yellow-legged Gull on 12th June, a 3rd Year & 2nd Year and both seen on and off during
On Friday 21st June 2013, the news of an Icterine Warbler in Notts was released over the Bird Information Services. Any Hippolais warbler inland is a good bird. As it was also a Midlands tick, I decided to go look at it. The bird had been discovered on Thursday 20th but the news was only released on
Trimley Marshes in Suffolk was definately the place to be yesterday the 15th June, except for me. A Pacific Swift was found mid-morning, a mega and mythical bird for many British Listers. Was this the same bird that had been seen at Spurn last week and later the same day further south in Lincolnshire? Due to
On the morning of Monday 10th June 2013, one of the local birders at Carsington Reservoir discovered a singing Marsh Warbler. A great find and only the 6th record for the county and the first twitchable bird for many years. The last county record was in 2009 and if my memory serves me, this bird was
My wife and I decided to spend a week relaxing on the Greek island of Samos. This unspoilt Greek island lies very close to the coast of Turkey and is situated in the centre of the Aegean, on the East side of the Sea of Icaria. The island has two large mountains, Mount Kerkis (or Kerketeus) in
