Staunton Harold Reservoir is my local patch, being about 1-2 miles from home. I try to visit on a daily basis, usually stopping off at the main car park for 20-30 minutes first thing each week day morning before heading off for work and visiting at least early morning on a Saturday. During the migration […]
Local Patch Birding Really paid off to-day. Another early morning start at Carsington Water. After a walk around "Stones Island" and a visit to the main Wildlife Hide, we had seen very little. The regular adult Yellow-legged Gull and a few Chiffchaff and Blackcap. We then made our way to Sheepwash Hide and on arrival
Local patch birding in my county of Derbyshire is hard work but sometimes rewarding. It is all down to the quality of birding one is looking for. In my view you cannot compare a days birding in Derbyshire, to a days birding at a coastal site in Norfolk or Yorkshire. These locations would win hands
I managed to get a record shot of the lingering near adult Yellow-legged Gull that has been present on and off at Staunton Harold & Foremark Reservoirs for the past few months. Not a great deal else at the local patch this morning. Tufted Duck numbers are building as I count around 260 this morning.
I decide to take a walk round Staunton Harold Reservoir this morning, my “Local Patch”. It proved to be a good move as no sooner on site I discovered two female Common Scoter. The birds were sat in the middle of the reservoir at the dam end and the first record here for
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
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
The first bird for 2011 was a Wood Pigeon, rapidly followed by Collard Dove, House Sparrow, Black-headed Gull, Starling and Blackbird all in the garden and so the new years Bird List began. Throughout the day a total of 67 species was seen. Highlights included – Yellow-legged Gull; Caspian Gull, Goldeneye and Yellowhammer all at
