I discovered that Martin Garner was running one of his successful Gull Master Classes at Stubbers Green, near Walsall, West Midlands on 18th February, so I decided to register and join in the fun!! I was not to be disappointed. (Further information at http://birdingfrontiers.com). Martin has a unique way of passing […]
It was a very dull grey and cold morning as we stood on the bridge over-looking the river Derwent at Cromford. Suddenly it felt like spring as a Dipper burst into song and then four birds began staking out their territories and either side of the bridge Dippers were singing. Several Goosander were
The freezing cold temperatures on Saturday 4th February saw hundreds of Fieldfares & Redwings arrive in our gardens and trees around my village. There must have been a consolidated flock of at least three hundred birds and they spent the day frantically feeding on ornamental berries. Trying to get close to them on foot
Winter birding at Eyebrook Reservoir & Rutland Water generally produces a good selection of wildfowl and to-day was no exception. These are probably the best two waters in the midlands to see Smew. We had 3 “White Nuns” (drakes) and 6 Redheads, 2 drakes at Eyebrook and 1 drake 6 Redheads at Rutland.
A superb & very obliging male Desert Wheatear has been over wintering at Bempton Cliffs RSPB reserve in East Yorkshire. I have been wanting to see this bird for sometime and some 12 weeks into it’s stay I eventually managed to see it to-day. It was found on the 19th November, a typical time
Great Grey Shrike has eluded me on several occasions recently and so one that had been faithful to an area of Cannock Chase seemed to be a good bet this morning. It was a stunning morning, bright sunshine but gale force winds were blowing across the cleared fell area and it was two &
Two major British rarities were over wintering in Hampshire and although not “Lifers”, were well worth the trip down to the New Forest. There were also a number of other good birds in the area. The first, a male Spanish Sparrow was frequenting gardens in the small village of Calshot, the bird had apparently
The new birding year always starts with a trip to the North Norfolk coast. With several major rarities on offer, this weekend was no exception and several Barn Owl were seen on route. So we kicked off at the infamous Norfolk Trust reserve at Cley-next-the-Sea and despite several hours of searching and waiting, we dipped
