The first opportunity for the masses to twitch the 1st winter Oriental Turtle Dove (race orientalis) that was re-discovered over wintering in Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, turned out to be a total embarrassment for anyone who considers themselves to be a “Birder”. I’ve never seen such pathetic and selfish behaviour from what appeared to be a […]
I need Bewick’s Swan for a year tick, so thankfully a small herd of 16 adults turned up within 10 minutes drive of home. Got the birds yesterday 17th Feb, so decided to try and get a record shot of them to-day. Two Mute Swans with them. Year List currently on 139
The morning started at Willington Gravel Pits to catch-up on the Black-throated Diver that was discovered by RMRJ on 1st February. This was the first in the county since 2005. Little else here other than 3 Goldeneye, “Redhead” Goosander & a singing Willow Tit. We then decided to head-off for Cannock Chase and hopefully a
A real dull and cold wintery morning at the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust reserve at Willington Gravel Pits. Still I did get my expected year tick – Willow Tit – also one of the Bitterns showed well but very briefly. Otherwise 16 Shoveler; 4 Shelduck; 5 Goldeneye and a calling Water Rail were the highlights. At Albert
A very poor day for photography so no new bird pictures I’m afraid. Instead a day out year ticking some of the local species around my county at this time of year. Cromford Wharf is now the traditional site for Hawfinch and eventually 5 birds gave themselves up. On the River Derwent Dipper was singing
A day out in North Norfolk provided some real cracking birds with 9 species of Raptor being seen during the day. Hunstanton seafront is always a good place to start and we soon found a single Snow Bunting, 5 Mediterranean Gulls and after a tip-off, a fine Purple Sandpiper. Plenty of common waders and
Foremark Reservoir, Derbyshire – 3rd January 2011. The gull roost held a 3rd winter Glaucous Gull and the redhead Smew was still present, also c25 Goosander and 3 adult Yellow-legged Gull also in the roost. Eyebrook Reservoir & Rutland Water, Leicestershire – 9th January 2011 – Both sites are well worth a visit in the
At Staunton Harold Reservoir this morning I found a superb flock of Redpolls and after carefully checking through the flock of around 80 birds, I discovered at least 30 Mealy Redpolls mixed in. At least 2 birds appeared to be colour ringed. Unfortunately I was not able to determine the colours and
