Despite the snow and pretty awful conditions, we set out for the fens of Cambridgeshire and Norfolk, in the pursuit of some Short-eared Owls. It was a long and careful drive through many untreated roads but we arrived at our Short-eared Owl site near Eldernell around eleven o’clock. We quickly encountered several birds hunting but all birds were too far away for the camera. We eventually counted around 8 – 10 birds along with three Marsh Harrier. Between here and our journey to the Ouse Washes, there were large numbers of wild swans feeding in the fields. Numerous Bewick’s Swan and much larger numbers of Whooper Swan. A cracking pair of local Barn Owls performed for the camera and I was able to test out my new lens and camera. The year list moved on a few notches to 236

Short-eared Owl – above two record shots – Eldernell, Cambridgeshire – Tony Davison©

Barn Owl – Above three images – Ouse Washes, Norfolk – Tony Davison©

Wild Swans – Ouse Washes area, Norfolk – Tony Davison©

 

From the 6th to the 9th of December, Glyn, Richard, Mike and myself spent a few days birding in Southern Poland. Our aim was to photograph some of the Long-eared Owls that roost at several sites around the city of Krakow. Glyn made contact with our local guide, Felix Felger, who made all the arrangements with a hotel, transport and birding hotspots. We visited several roosts on and off during our stay and had some remarkable views of LEO’s, despite two days of really poor weather conditions.

We visited some stunning ancient forest and we tried on several occasions for Ural Owl, but only had a female calling one evening at dusk, along with several Tawny Owl. The call of a female Ural Owl is remarkable, sounding just like a distant barking dog. We did however have some superb views of Middle Spotted and Grey-headed Woodpecker. Other decent birds were White-tailed Eagle, Rough-legged Buzzard, Great Grey Shrike, Caspian Gull, Black-thoated Diver and Smew. Several Red Squirrel, Roe Deer and lots of Wild Boar activity, but no sightings.

This was my first visit to Poland and I was very impressed. The old city of Krakow was very attractive, with a large Christmas Market making the experience very festive. Shame about the weather but at least we did get some half decent shots of LEO’s. Looking forward to visiting this country again some time.

 

Long-eared Owl – Above six images at one roost which had up to 13 birds – Tony Davison©

Long-eared Owl – A single bird on its own – Tony Davison©

Long-eared Owl – Taken one afternoon in very gloomy and hazy sunshine. The second roost we visited which held three birds. Tony Davison©

Middle Spotted Woodpecker – Probably a female – Above three images – Tony Davison©

Caspian Gull – Probably a fourth winter, near adult – Krakow, Poland – Tony Davison© – Photographs were taken in heavy sleet and very grey gloomy conditions.

Caspian Gull – 1st winter – Krakow, Poland – Tony Davison©

Common Gull – Krakow, Poland – Tony Davison©

Hoar Frost in the forest – Tony Davison©

 

Ancient Forest, Krakow, Poland – Tony Davison©

 

Ancient Forest – Krakow, Poland – Tony Davison© – There was a fantastic covering of Hoar Frost throughout the forest.

 

 

 

During the past week there have been many reports of Little Auk along the east coast of England. It has been many years since there has been a a so called “wreck” of Little Auk and I haven’t seen one of these enigmatic birds for many years. As these little Auks from the high Arctic were still being discovered, we decided on Saturday 22nd November, to head-off to the north east coast, South Gare, Redcar and Hartlepool, in the hope of finding one. Despite trying, I was out of luck but at Hartlepool we did have some excellent close quarter encounters with a large flock of King Canute’s bird – The Knot. At South Gare a very obliging Purple Sandpiper and Common Gull and along the coast numerous Red-throated Diver, Eider and a large flock of immature Common Scoter and two Long-tailed Duck at Redcar. No year ticks today. Some heavy surf and waves crashing in on the promenade at Hartlepool was pretty spectacular in the late afternoon sunshine.

Common Gull (above two images) – South Gare, Cleveland – Tony Davison©

 

Roosting Knot (above 4 images) – Hartlepool, Teesside – The less intrepid migrating Knot spend the winter in their thousands along the British coast. Tony Davison©

 

Knot – King Canute’s favourite bird, so the story goes. – Tony Davison©

 

Knot – A very obliging flock roosting just beyond the sea wall at Hartlepool during the high tide. Tony Davison©

 

Purple Sandpiper – South Gare, Cleveland – Tony Davison©

 

“Wave Goodbye “ – Some stunning waves crashing onto the promenade at Hartlepool during the afternoon – Tony Davison©

 

Sunday 13th October 2014 and in foggy conditions Glyn, Richard and myself set-off for Donna Nook on the North East Lincolnshire coast. Our target bird was an Arctic Warbler that had been discovered on Saturday 12th October 2014. It is not very often that an Arctic Warbler is discovered away from the Shetland Isles and Isles of Scilly, where they are traditionally found most autumns. After a two hour drive, we arrived to fine sunny weather and the bird was posing nicely in hawthorn bushes not far from the car park. After several hours watching the bird, we decided to head off for a celebratory pint and some food at a local pub. Just as we had arrived at a nearby pool looking for a Slavonian Grebe, the pager went off and a Radde’s Warbler had been found at, YES, Doona Nook. So a hastily 15 minute drive back and a good 10 minute walk and we were soon watching a stunning Radde’s Warbler. A nice bonus bird, especially as one had been discovered earlier at Flamborough Head, further along the coast into Yorkshire.

So two really good vagrant Siberian warblers, at the same site, same day – exceptional. Needless to say not much else about but some really good movements of Brent & Pink-footed Geese. Year List moves on to 227.

 

  

Above – Arctic Warbler – This Siberian vagrant really put on a fine show – note broad pale based bill, large flared supercillium, pale yellow legs, fine pencil-line wing bar

Radde’s Warbler – Another Siberian rarity that was found just a few hundred yards away from the Arctic Warbler – A little skulker, difficult to photograph due to distance involved whilst watching the bird.

Pink-footed Geese – A sign of winter – always a beautiful sight, to see these birds moving during fine sunny weather.

Brent Goose – Plenty of these on the salt marsh at Donna Nook.

 

 

Early September is usually peak time for wader passage and Frampton Marsh, Lincolnshire is always a great place to visit. Migrating Curlew Sandpiper normally peak during the end of August & first week in September. Today, 7th September 2014, there were small numbers on the marsh giving good views. At this time of year it is the juveniles that are predominant, the adults have usually moved through by now. One juvenile had been banded with colour rings. A red one on the left leg and a yellow “Flag Band” on the right with the letters EAE marked. I’ve reported this bird to the BTO and await the result of their investigation into where this bird was banded. Other waders on the reserve were a juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper; Spotted Redshank, Ruff, Black-tailed Godwit, Avocet, Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Curlew and Lapwing.

During the recent fine weather, blowing from the south east, unprecedented numbers of Whinchat have arrived into Britain. They seem to be everywhere and today several were at Frampton Marsh. Some inland sites have recorded record numbers in recent days. With numerous Migrant Hawker Dragonflies on the wing, in the warm autumn sunshine, a purple mass of Sea Aster across the marshes and several species of butterfly including Common Blue, it still feels like summer. The year list is moving along and is now at 197.

 

Above two images – Juvenile Curlew Sandpiper – Frampton Marsh – Tony Davison©

Juvenile Ruff – Frampton Marsh – Tony Davison©

 

Ruff – female in winter plumage – Frampton Marsh – Tony Davison©

 

Migrant Hawker – male – Frampton Marsh – Tony Davsion© – note the “Pinched-In” abdomen and Yellow Golf Tee mark.

 

Migrant Hawker – male – Frampton Marsh – Tony Davison©

 

Sea Aster – Frampton Marsh – Tony Davison©

 

Whinchat – Frampton Marsh – Tony Davison©