On Monday 1st May 2023, a Grey-headed Lapwing was discovered on the wader scrape pools at Low-Newton-by-the-Sea, in Northumberland. Goodness knows what the birder must have thought, when he set eyes on this extremely attractive wader, that had decided to arrive on his local patch. If accepted by the BOU, it would be a new […]
Early May always produces a good selection of waders and yesterday, 2nd May, was no exception at Frampton. There has been an influx of Black-winged Stilts into Britain these past few weeks, and no doubt some will be settling down to breed. A pair were at Frampton but were just a little distant, nevertheless showed
The old oak woodlands of the Derbyshire Peak District hold a variety of special birds that are summer visitors to Britain. Sadly, they are becoming increasingly scarce, so these habitats are of vital importance. The Pied Flycatcher and Common Redstart are two migrants that arrive in late April, followed by Tree Pipit, Wood Warbler and
Since returning from Mull, birding the local patch at Staunton Harold Reservoir has been hard work. The 22nd April produced the first returning Common Tern, House Martin, and Common Whitethroat. On the 24th April there was a good fall of hirundines, the most I’ve seen this spring, with c20 Sand Martin, c 30 Swallow and
16th – 21st April – During the week we covered most of the island in search of Eagles, Harriers, Owls and Otters. Both Eagles were seen well, as was Otter and Hen Harrier. Plenty of good views of several “Grey Male’ Hen Harriers but alas heat haze beat us, and birds remained distant, having been
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
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
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
