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Shetland Trip – 2022

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Feb 112023

My annual trip to Unst took place during 23rd September to 1st October. Our first port of call on arrival into Lerwick was at Gulberwick on mainland, for a smart drake Surf Scoter. Unfortunately too far to photograph.

On arrival on Unst our first decent bird was a Woodchat Shrike at Feall, then followed by a Slavonian Grebe at Norwick and a Great Northern Diver at Uyeasound. Later in the day we had a Yellow-browed Warbler and 3 Common Rosefinch at Valyie.

During the rest of the week we managed to pick-up a decent bird on most days. A Storm Petrel and a Red-backed Shrike on 25th Sept. A drake Long-tailed Duck, a Barred Warbler and a Snow Bunting on 27th Sept. Red-breasted Flycatcher, Hornemann’s Arctic Redpoll and a Blythe’s Reed Warbler on 29th Sept. We had several cool encounters with Otter during our week.

Some horrendous weather during the end of the week prevented any proper birding, but on 1st October, back on mainland, we had another Hornemann’s Arctic Redpoll, a Great Grey Shrike of the race Homeyeri and bird of the week, a Swainson’s Thrush at Mid-Yell. Finishing off with a 1st winter drake King Eider at Wester Quarf.

Great Grey Shrike – race *Homeyeri* – Hillswick, Mainland Shetland

Hornemann’s Arctic Redpoll – Hillswick, Mainland Shetland

Hornemann’s Arctic Redpoll – Uyeasound, Unst – always distant

18th April 2022 – A few days break in the Scottish Highlands

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Dec 162022

During mid-April I finally managed to spend a few days with Black Grouse at a Lek in the Scottish Highlands. I booked myself on a photographic workshop, organised by pro-photographer Andy Howard.

Well worth it, despite several very early morning rises. We had to be located in the hide well before daybreak. It was a fantastic experience to be just a few yards away from lekking Black Grouse, as the males strutted their stuff in front of several females. By 7am, the battles were all over for another day.

Sadly, Black Grouse is now a fast declining bird in Britain, and it is on the Red Data List of most endangered species. Many fear that it will soon be lost as a British breeding bird, along with its close relative, the Capercaillie. Conservation measures are in place to try and improve habitat for Black Grouse, and reduce threats. These measures are making some improvements, in some areas of the Scottish Highlands. The Leks are usually located at traditional sites, some can be many years old, and so if the areas are disturbed or habitat is lost, then the leks disappear, along with the birds.

During my 5 days in the Highlands of Scotland, I also spent some time with a number of special birds, including Slavonian Grebe, Red Grouse, Red Kite and of course the Mountain Hare.

9th April 2022 – Albert returns

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Dec 162022

Affectionately known as “Albert”, the Black-browed Albatross returned to the RSPB reserve at Bempton Cliffs on the Yorkshire coast, in early April. Albatrosses are renowned for their long distance travelling, and this particular species is some 10,000 miles off course. The breeding grounds are located in the southern oceans, around the Falkland Islands. Albert has now revisited Bempton three years in succession, giving many people the unique opportunity of seeing an Albatrosses in British waters.

Lets hope Albert returns in 2023, fingers crossed.

April 2022 – Spring Bramblings

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Dec 162022

I’m lucky to live fairly close to Calke Park and Abbey, in south Derbyshire, which is owned by the National Trust. It has one of the best bird feeding stations in my area and is often a good place to see Brambling in early spring. The males at this time of year look stunning as they begin to moult into their full breeding plumage.

On this occasion, in early April, my timing was right as there were small numbers at the feeders, including several males. Also an assortment of other woodland birds including, Nuthatch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Stock Dove, Greenfinch and Goldfinch.

Fuertaventura – A few days in the Canary Islands

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Jun 062022

During mid March 2022, we spend a week visiting the island of Fuertaventura. It was our first visit to the Canary Islands and sampling some early spring sunshine. With limited time available, it also provided me with an opportunity to see some of the islands very special birds, including Houbara Bustard, Fuertaventura Chat, Black-bellied Sandgrouse and a few others.

We based ourselves at the resort of Caleta de Fuste, with its rocky coastline and many rock pools. Staying at the superb hotel, Barcelo Fuertaventura Mar.

I visited the Tindaya Plains and Villaverde, spending a day exploring this vast area, finding four Houbara Bustard, lots of Spectacled Warbler, small flock of Trumpeter Finch, two Stone Curlew, 2 Black-bellied Sandgrouse, several Barbary Partridge, 8 Egyptian Vulture, 3 Fuertaventura Chat, Berthalot’s Pipit, Ruddy Shelduck, Lesser Short-toed Lark and Plain and Pallid Swift.

During the remaining time I made early morning visits to the shoreline and beach area surrounding the hotel and found a Whimbrel, Greenshank, Turnstone, Common Sandpiper, lots of Cory’s Shearwaters off-shore, a Hoopoe in-off the sea, Sandwich Tern and Yellow-legged Gull.

A trip to Peter Scott’s home – Slimbridge

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Apr 042022

We made a trip to the UK’s headquarters of the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust at Slimbridge, the home of Sir Peter Scott. A man who, as a small boy, had a major influence on my interests in birds and wildlife in general. Slimbridge is also the home of the Bewick’s Swan, and for generations now, these wild swans winter in good numbers at Slimbridge.

Peter Scott, during his studies of the Bewick Swan, soon realised that each swan could be individually identified by their bill markings, in a very similar fashion to the human finger print. An information bank has now been created at Slimbridge, enabling scientists to identify each swan on its annual return.

We had left it a little late, visiting on 7th March, and most of the Bewick’s had already left the reserve, heading back to arctic Russia and Siberia where they breed.

Note the pattern of yellow on the bill. Bewick’s Swan are smaller that Whooper Swan but the best way to tell them apart is by the shape and patterning of the yellow on the bill. The yellow finishes at a point on Whooper Swan, but on Bewick’s Swan it is squared off.

Common Cranes are also on the Dumbles now and it was great to see around 6 of these birds. It is also a good place to see Pintail and luckily these beautiful ducks put on a show for my camera.

A rare goose close to home

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Apr 042022

Pleased to have received phone messages from a couple of local birders on 6th March. A few minutes later, met-up with them and was watching 2 Tundra Bean Geese in fields at Swarkestone, Derbyshire. It’s been a few years since we have had these rare geese in the Trent Valley. A really excellent discovery, whilst looking for the 2 Russian White-fronted Geese that were also on view in nearby fields. A goose extravaganza as they say. Well done and big thanks to Chris & Colin.

Tundra Bean Geese – Swarkestone, Derbyshire – March 2022

Local updates – February 2022

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Apr 042022

A walk around the local fields on 3rd February produced a flock of 4 and another flock of 9 Yellowhammer. Good to see they are still close by, although none at Staunton Harold Res so far this winter. 2 Brambling at Staunton Harold on 5th Feb, 9 Red-legged Partridge, c200 Fieldfare and c50 Redwing and a Little Egret on 12th Feb. The Feb WEBS count produced following highlights on 23rd Feb – 105 Great Crested Grebe, 103 Tufted Duck, 3 Goosander, a Great White Egret, but not a single Teal anywhere. A drake Goldeneye and the juvenile Peregrine still around on 25th Feb. A Red Kite, 2 Oystercatcher, Great White Egret and c 50 Brambling on 27th Feb.

A photo session at Melbourne Pool during the month was productive, as a confiding female Goosander was a bonus. The two feral (dubious origin) Red-crested Pochards still present, still looking spectacular though. Plenty of Gadwall and a few Wigeon.

One of the two dubious origin Red-crested Pochards – drake

The Scottish Highlands for a special bird

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Apr 042022

I decided to spend a few days in Scotland photographing Crested Tit with my good friend and Pro Photographer Pete Walkden. (https://www.petewalkden.co.uk). Highly recommended..

I had a marvellous time as always, and the weather couldn’t have been better. Heavy snow in the forest, some sunshine and blue skies, making conditions ideal.

I also spent sometime birding the coast around my base at Nairn, and managed to find the overwintering drake King Eider, small numbers of Long-tailed Duck, an adult Iceland Gull, 46 Scaup, Hooded Crow and a scattering of common waders.

At the Crested Tit site I managed to find a female Brambling amongst the Chaffinches and we had 4 Crested Tits.

Here are a few of the many photos of Crested Tit that I took during the workshops, along with a few others.

Adult Iceland Gull – Alturlie Point, Nairn, Highland.

A Wild Goose Chase to Norfolk

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Apr 042022

A rare Red-breasted Goose had arrived in Norfolk with a flock of Dark-bellied Brent Geese. It was regularly frequenting the area around Cley, Blakeney and Salthouse, so we decided to head over and spend a couple of nights in early February 2022, giving me more than ample opportunity to get some photos of this stunning goose.

A visitor from eastern Europe, the Red-breasted Goose breeds in small colonies on the arctic tundra. It mainly winters in Romania and Bulgaria, where flocks of several thousand can gather. I managed to see this spectacle in January 2018 when I made a short trip to the Black Sea area in Bulgaria.

Often the odd straggler will get mixed up in a party of Brent Geese or White-fronted Geese that are making their journey to Britain to spend the winter.

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