Cannock Chase & back into Oxfordshire :: 15 March 2025

There seemed to be a few options for Saturday morning, but I had a preference for going to see the great grey shrike on Cannock Chase - it has been ages since I had a good view of one. Having stopped for breakfast Kev @kev07713 drove the last leg and to a spot where he had parked just a few days before - the road was very uneven and had to be taken carefully so as not to ground the car.

The great grey shrike is a regular winter visitor to the UK, primarily seen between October and March. They typically inhabit open heathland, young forestry plantations, and scrubby areas where they hunt small birds, mammals, and large insects. This is a predatory songbird, known for its habit of impaling prey on thorns or barbed wire (stashing for consuming later), earning it the nickname "butcher bird".

In the UK the number of these shrikes varies each year - this year seems pretty lean - there has been a significant decline in wintering number from a BTO estimate of 29 individuals wintering annual between 2012 and 2017, circa 12 in the winter of 2021-22, and 11 in 2023-24. They breed in Northern Europe and Russia, usually migrating south in Winter. Our bird was (I think) first reported on 19th October 2024 and has been elusive, going awol on several occasions. Kev had visited a few days earlier and so had some intel, first on where to park, and then where to start looking - this proved invaluable.

We set off from the car along the track and noticed a man with a scope to our left. He seemed to be watching specific trees, though not in an area where the bird had been recorded. Ignoring the distraction, we continued toward the valley, scanning the trees beyond, but there was no sign of our target. This was just a brief stop, so we carried on up a slope, reaching the brow. After a few minutes, Kev told me to keep my eyes open in case I walked right past the bird. I paused, realising he wasn’t speaking hypothetically - I already had! Perched near the top of a tree to our left, bathed in bright sunlight, was the shrike, a brilliant sight.

Our luck was remarkable to be on the bird so quickly - some people have visited multiple times and not seen it at all. Just as we spotted another birder approaching from the right, the shrike suddenly dropped out of view ... neither of us saw which way it went. Kev walked over to chat with the newcomer while I stayed behind, scanning the trees in hope of finding it again – he hadn’t seen where it went either

I briefly joined Kev and the other birder, but after he left, I retraced my steps, carefully scanning all the likely perches. Within minutes, I spotted the shrike perched at the top of a small, twiggy tree. I called Kev over, but just as we tried to get a clearer view, it took off again.

Kev was again the one to relocate it, now silhouetted against the sky, farther to the left. I set up my scope, deciding to switch things up by taking a video before switching back to my camera. Kev quickly moved around the track to find a better angle and managed to capture another short video before the shrike took off again, this time flying far to the right, disappearing over a stand of tall trees. As an added bonus, a flushed woodcock made for an even better morning out. Unfortunately, I was busy fumbling with my phone and scope and completely missed it - muppet.

We had two options: embark on a long search for the shrike or wait patiently for another sighting - we chose neither. Instead, we decided to head back to the car and try for some other birds elsewhere. Our next stop was farmland near Woodstock, where Kev had previously spotted a finch flock along with a striking male brambling.

As soon as we arrived, we saw a few finches along with a small group of yellowhammers - it suddenly dawned on me that I hadn’t seen any "yammers" yet this year.

Unfortunately, the main finch flock was nowhere to be seen. Eventually, we realised they had moved to the far side of a tree line, just beyond the crest of a cornfield. We repositioned to get a clearer view, particularly of the hedge where the finches tended to land after flushing from the ground. For about an hour, we watched and managed to spot a female brambling a couple of times - likely the same bird.

Our session was cut short when a sparrowhawk glided through, sending the birds scattering in all directions. With the flock thoroughly dispersed and showing no signs of returning anytime soon, we called it a day and made a new plan.

We set off and saw five hares in a field, scattered by a tractor piling through.

We arrived at Lower Heyford and followed the track. Kev had visited earlier in the year but hadn’t managed to find any corn buntings, though he had spotted grey partridges - both were high on my wish list for the day.

The ploughed field to our right was empty, so we focused on the hedgerow to our left, but that too was quiet. As we reached a bend at the top of the track, we paused to scan the grassy field ahead. On my second sweep, I noticed a promising shape. Then, as it lifted its head slightly, I realised it was a grey partridge! And not just one, but two. They remained low, feeding cautiously, hunkered down and mostly out of sight. I called Kev over.

Once a common sight in farmland, grey partridges have declined drastically due to habitat loss, modern agricultural practices, and pesticide use. With their plump bodies, chestnut flanks, and distinctive orange faces, they’re unmistakable -though at this distance, I wasn’t going to get a frame-filling shot. Adding to the challenge, the occasional burst of sunlight created a frustrating heat haze. I was reminded of my best-ever encounter with the species at Holkham, quite a different outcome, and this photo.

We watched these birds for a short while but could hear some calls from round the corner. We eased round to find some yellowhammers flying along the hedge, and then picked out a couple, no three, corn buntings. We stayed put and scoped the birds, taking some video and photos. Numbers of corn buntings grew until we were sure we had more than 15, along the hedge line and some back down the track. Having seen our birds there was no need to disturb them anymore.

Walking back a handful of yellowhammers and corn buntings stuck to the hedge and flew ahead - I did get the opportunity for a closer photo, but a little into the sun. Soon they tired of this and flew across the field behind the hedge and across to the hedge on the opposite side. We scoped them through a gap in the hedge and returned to the car.

We stopped once more to look for little owl but dipped that, although I did add a lovely female blackcap to my year list, and we spotted a single corn bunting in with the finch flock. Another great day out birding with Kev.

Year list: 140.

Somerset day out :: 08 March 2025

A 5.00am departure saw Kev and I heading southwest to Burnham-on-Sea (affectionately referred to as Burnham-on-Mud) to meet up with his sister Karen and her partner Dean. This would be the first of a few stops around Somerset to see a few 'nice' birds in the same area. Up to now the Kentish has been showing well early and on a rising high tide. Recently though this behaviour has changed a little - views have been good generally from first light until about 9.00am.

The Kentish plover is now primarily a passage migrant and winter visitor in the UK but formerly bred, particularly along the coasts of East Anglia and Kent. It became extinct as a breeding species in the country in the mid-20th century. It is more now more commonly found in southern Europe, Africa, and Asia during the colder months.

It is a small plover with pale sandy brown upperparts, white underparts, and a distinctive black bill. During the breeding season, males have a black band on the forehead and around the neck - females and non-breeding birds are duller with less contrast. They still breed in continental Europe, particularly in France and Spain, where conservation efforts have helped protect their populations.

The Kentish plover has been a notable visitor to Burnham-on-Sea in recent years, usually seen between late December and early March. Sightings are typically reported near the Burnham-On-Sea Coastguard station, along the esplanade, and on Stert Island. Early mornings and/or around high tide are usually recommended, as the bird may come closer to the shore before human activity increases.

This individual was first ringed at a nature reserve in northern Germany on June 14, 2021, as an adult female. The German population of Kentish plovers typically migrates to Spain, Portugal, or Africa for the winter. However, this bird has been wintering at Burnham-on-Sea over multiple years, first seen on December 26, 2019, and returning in subsequent winters.

Enroute we had a call from Karen to say they had arrived before 6.30am and were already on the bird and checking how far out we were. We arrived to find Karen and Dean on the esplanade with a couple of other birders, the Kentish still resting on the beach with numbers of both ringed plovers and dunlins. Kev and I joined them and within a minute were on the bird - not tricky as it was still essentially roosting, but not asleep - head up, not tucked under the wing.

The ringed plovers were particularly motionless whereas the dunlin started moving around feeding. After twenty minutes or so the Kentish followed suit and started scurrying around, stopping to preen and pause.

Rays from the sun started to extend over the buildings and wall of the esplanade, crawling closer and closer to the plovers and dunlins. We waited to see the birds bathed in sunlight before deciding what we'd do next - breakfast, as we'd all come out and directly to the site to ensure we'd connect with the bird - it was still just a little after 8.00am.

We had breakfast just outside Bridgwater and then made for WWT Steart Marshes where two little ringed plovers had been reported the day before. Unlike ringed plovers which prefer coastal habitats, the little ringed plover is more commonly seen in inland areas, particularly around gravel pits, reservoirs and riverbanks. Our bird had arrived on cue - usual arrival in March from Africa where it winters to breed, and then departing in September.

We headed toward the viewing screen, spotting a linnet, several pied wagtails, and a reed bunting along the way. Karen and I reached the screen first, and I began scanning with the scope, hoping to pick up the little ringed plovers. My search turned up my season’s first skylarks, followed by a pintail sleeping among the ducks near the water’s edge. The water itself was teeming with wigeon and teal, while 21 avocets fed.

Before long, I spotted one of the little ringed plovers and quickly shared its location with the others. With little else of note - aside from a small flock of linnets passing through, and a skylark briefly mimicking the stance of a wheatear - we made our way back to the car. On the way, we paused to watch a Cetti’s warbler as it called a couple of times and moved to a new perch.

Next stop was Monkton Heathfield where a rose-coloured starling had been reported around the rear of someone's back garden and in the tall trees around the park beyond. Karen and Dean had visited the previous weekend, and Karen had some rather stunning photographs.

The rose-coloured starling, also known as the rosy starling, is a rare but increasingly frequent visitor to the UK, especially during the summer and autumn, though occasional winter records exist. It breeds in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, moving to India and the Middle East in winter - the increase in UK records is likely related to climate change and shifting migration patterns.

Its size is similar to our native starling with adult males in breeding plumage sporting a striking pink body with glossy black head, wings, and tail, and a long, slightly curved pale bill. Females and juveniles have buff-brown plumage, making them harder to distinguish from young native starlings.

The bird spotted in Monkton Heathfield has been identified as a first-winter male, based on its plumage and bill colouration; it has been seen both perched in trees and hiding in brambles.

We took our positions and began scanning the treetops and nearby gardens. Between us stood a dense wall of brambles - the bird’s chosen hiding spot. Inside, a group of starlings called persistently, their chatter competing with the house sparrows that flitted between the garden, brambles, and surrounding trees.

We soon learned that the bird had made a brief appearance just five minutes before we arrived - typical luck - before vanishing back into the brambles. And there, we assumed, it remained for well over an hour until Dean finally spotted it emerging, perching on a branch for only a few seconds before dropping out of sight again. I managed to catch sight of it just as it flew down.

Determined to relocate it, we resumed scanning the brambles. Against the odds, someone managed to pick it out, though it was heavily obscured by stems and tangled foliage. After seeing it through my binoculars, I attempted a photograph, relying on manual focus since the autofocus struggled with the dense cover. I managed to capture something, and as the bird appeared settled, often closing its eyes, we decided to move on in search of another target: a yellow-browed Warbler. Having somehow avoided seeing one in 2024, this was the perfect chance to add it to my year list.

The yellow-browed warbler is a brightly marked warbler that is a regular autumn migrant in the UK, most commonly seen between September and November, with peak numbers in October. They are found in wooded areas, coastal scrub, and parks, especially those with sycamores, willows, or ivy-covered trees. It breeds in Siberia and parts of northern Asia, migrating to Southeast Asia for winter. UK birds are mostly vagrants, blown off course by strong easterly winds in autumn.

They are tiny, not dissimilar to a goldcrest but with greenish upperparts, pale underparts, and distinct yellow eyebrow (supercilium) and two pale wing bars. Numbers in the UK have increased significantly in recent decades. More birds are now overwintering, possibly due to climate change and milder winters.

We arrived on the road leading to Wells Sewage Treatment Works (STW) in Somerset, where the yellow-browed warbler had been reported since 28 February. Karen and Dean had tried for it the previous weekend but had no luck. This time, after speaking with friends, they had a better idea of where to look.

As we approached the area, we met another birder also searching for the warbler, and he joined us as we walked further along the track toward the most likely spot. Within minutes, we found the bird, actively feeding alongside a goldcrest and calling. It was quite distant, making photography seem unlikely, but we gave it a go. It remained in the same area, foraging on the right-hand side of a tree, and its calls reassured us it was still present. A fantastic bird to watch and a great addition to the year list.

I’d been battling a cold all day, and by 3:45 pm, it was time to call it a day and head home. The journey took around 2 hours and 45 minutes, but it had been a fantastic outing, well worth the effort.

Year list: 134.

RSPB Middleton Lakes & Casington Water :: 01 March 2025

The weather was forecast to be sunny, though it would start off cold, making it an ideal opportunity to try for a lesser spotted woodpecker at RSPB Middleton Lakes, where sightings had been reported throughout the week. Kev @kev07713 and I debated whether to visit for the bird first or grab breakfast, but in the end, we decided to eat on the way and arrived in the car park around 7.30am. A dozen or so birders were already gathered and we joined them, waiting for and hoping the woodpecker would visit one of its favourite trees.

The lesser spotted woodpecker is the smallest (about the size of a sparrow) and least common of the three woodpecker species resident in Britain. Over recent decades, its population has experienced significant declines. The BTO reports an 81% decrease in breeding pairs between 1997 and 2022, with current estimates around 600 pairs while The Woodland Trust estimates a decline of 83% since 1970, suggesting no more than 2,000 pairs remain. This decline has led to the species being classified as 'Red' under the Birds of Conservation Concern 5: the Red List for Birds (2021). Several factors contribute to this decline, including the loss of ancient and mature woodland, removal of dead and rotting wood, and potential competition from the increasing great spotted woodpecker population.

This species typically has black and white plumage with distinctive horizontal barring on the back - males have a bright red crown, while females have a black-and-white head without red. The undersides are pale white or buff-coloured with faint streaks. It is a shy and elusive bird, often hard to spot as it moves among tree branches, feeding on insects, spiders, and larvae, pecking at dead wood to extract food. They are often high in the canopy, making it hard to locate the bird.

Drumming is one of the key signals, fast and high-pitched compared to other woodpeckers - typically in short bursts, consisting of up to 15–20 strikes. It is heard mainly in early spring (March–April), when males and females drum to establish territories and attract mates. Unlike in many woodpecker species where only males drum, both male and female do, the females in slightly shorter bursts, often lasting less than a second - softer and quieter, making it harder to detect in dense woodland.

We continued to wait, listening to the drumming of a great spotted woodpecker. After about 30 minutes, we finally heard the distinctive drumming of a lesser spotted woodpecker. Excitement grew as everyone scanned the trees, and sure enough, a few birders near the favoured tree spotted it as it dropped in. We gathered around them, but it wasn’t until the bird relocated to the next tree that I caught my first, albeit brief, glimpse.

As it moved into better view, we watched closely, following it as it relocated again to a tree further to the right. It was showing well, and the views through the scope were excellent. However, given the bird’s tiny size, the distance, the early morning light (now around 8:00 AM), and its position high in the tree, capturing frame filling photos was not possible. Fortunately, Kev managed to record the moment on video - videos here.

Some birders were having trouble spotting it, so I helped direct them to its location and set up my scope to give a few birders standing beside me a closer view.

A second lesser spotted drummed off to our right but we concentrated on the first bird until it departed over and behind, eventually disappearing from view. We took this as our prompt to pack up and make for another site to add to our year list and catch up with a few more nice birds.

On the way we stopped for willow tit as they are a bird that we are unlikely to come across just by chance - they've faced serious population declines in the UK. We had to wait for about half an hour, but we were graced by a single individual coming down to feed. The best way to identify them is hearing their harsh "tchay-tchay" call, but ours didn't make a sound. We watched a second visit as it then flew off and into some scrub - it was easy to watch but the view was interrupted by twigs. From time-to-time coal tits would pass through, raising our attention - they are lovely to see but not what we were waiting for.

We then headed to Carsington Water, where a red-throated diver, great northern diver, scaup, and a female ring-necked duck had all been reported. Upon arrival, we met up with our friends Adrian, Bryan, and Mark, who had also chosen the same location. Together, we thoroughly scanned the water, hoping to spot some of our target birds.

First up was the red-throated diver, far across on the opposite bank. It dived frequently, making it easy to lose track of as it resurfaced a considerable distance away. However, through the scopes, we all managed to get a good look at it.

Kev and I had already managed to see the great northern diver but soon we were all on it when Mark called it out in front of us. We snapped off some photos but at distance they wouldn't be anything but record shots - at one point the bird surfaced with a fish it had caught. It would be nice to get closer to some of these birds this year as all my diver sightings have been distant - there is time and hopefully I can get some better views.

Two down, and two to go. We continued scanning the water along the main reservoir promenade, but after a while, Adrian, Bryan, and Mark decided to take a break at the café. Kev and I skipped that and headed further around the back to check the water beyond, covering a few hundred meters, but found nothing. We made another sweep of the main reservoir, but the ducks were nowhere to be seen. In the following days, there were no further reports of them - they must have moved on overnight on Friday. Oh well, we’ll have to try for them elsewhere!

Year list: 128.

Winteringham & Hollowell Reservoir :: 22 February 2025

With little of interest locally, aside from the Richard’s pipit near Milton Keynes, Kev @kev07713 and I considered a longer trip, possibly to Abberton Reservoir. Instead though, we decided to head to Winteringham in North Lincolnshire for the Eastern yellow wagtail, which would be a lifer for both of us.

Since the bird was typically reported from mid-morning onwards, there was no need for a particularly early start so I picked up Kev at 6:00 am, and we made our way north stopping just outside Lincoln for breakfast. While eating, we received an update on BirdGuides confirming the wagtail had already been spotted, earlier than on previous days but reassuring to know it was still present. We set off, hopeful of adding the bird to our lists.

The Eastern yellow wagtail is a rare visitor to the UK, with only a handful of confirmed sightings, breeding as it does in temperate Asia and typically migrating to Southeast Asia during the winter months; individuals when observed in the UK, are often during migration periods.

Identification can be challenging due to its similarity to the Western yellow wagtail, a regular summer migrant in the UK, with key distinguishing features including differences in plumage and vocalisations. The Eastern species often exhibits a distinctive head pattern and lacks the bright yellow underparts seen in its western cousin - additionally, its call is described as a high-pitched, piercing note.

Notable records in the UK include a sighting in Suffolk in November 2019, where an individual was identified at Corporation Marshes in Walberswick with another occurring on the Isles of Scilly, marking Britain's first-ever spring record of this species.

There were clear instructions on where to park to ensure the farm at the end of the lane had unrestricted access for work vehicles. However, on arrival, we noticed some people had parked in the prohibited area but fortunately, they were well out of the way of any passing machinery, so it wouldn't be an issue.

We parked across the road from the junction, adding an extra walk of under 100 meters. After changing our shoes, we set off down the lane and soon met a couple coming the other way. They informed us that the bird hadn’t been seen since the update before 8:00 am.

Apparently, the farmer had recently ploughed muck into the soil to aid decomposition and enrich the land. This had been done just days before our target bird was first spotted, drawing in large numbers of pied wagtails - and, of course, the Eastern yellow wagtail.

We waited for an hour, confident we would eventually see it. Over at Ogg Farm, a poultry facility housing around 40,000 birds, we could see small flocks of pied wagtails, though those flying through our area arrived only in singles. Reports indicated that our bird had been associating with a flock of about 15 pied wagtails. As we scanned the landscape, I spotted a couple of hares in the far distance, moving along the field margins.

Suddenly, a call went up - someone had spotted the wagtail flock gathering along the margin of the main ploughed field, and our bird was among them. Yes! We quickly got on the scopes, and I then managed to snap a couple of record shots.

Having spotted the bird along the field margin, we hoped for a closer view - ideally, if it relocated to the ploughed field, especially on the Composition Lane side. We moved slightly up the slope and waited, watching as the wagtail flew back over the farm.

Our patience paid off within five minutes when the bird returned, offering us some good views. It moved locations a few more times, disappearing for about half an hour at one point. However, before we left, we were fortunate enough to see it at least three more times.

While waiting for the wagtail’s final return, the man beside us, accompanied by his wife, spotted a white or albino 'brown' hare bounding in from the right at a distance. It dashed through a small flock of curlews before disappearing into a gully just before the hedge line. A few minutes later, it reappeared, running left to right before vanishing from view.

Albino brown hares are rare in the UK, their striking white fur, pink eyes, and pale skin the result of a genetic mutation that prevents melanin production; their lack of natural camouflage makes them particularly vulnerable to predators. More commonly, leucistic hares are seen - these have a partial loss of pigmentation, often appearing pale or patchy while retaining some normal colouration, including dark eyes rather than pink. Looking back at my photos, though not entirely conclusive, it appeared this hare’s eyes were dark, suggesting it may have been leucistic rather than a true albino.

Having seen the wagtail multiple times, there was little reason to stay longer, so we headed back to the car for a coffee before making our way home. On the way, we stopped at Hollowell Reservoir, hoping to spot some regularly reported jack snipe.

Upon arrival, we spoke with a birder who confirmed he had seen a couple earlier, but despite our efforts, we were unable to relocate them, managing only to find a single common snipe. A song thrush sang from a nearby hedgerow, but we never quite managed to pick it out.

Out on the water, a gathering of gulls included a notable proportion of common gulls. I also saw my first reed bunting of the year in a tree on the water's edge.

A couple of cormorants perched onto some posts poking just a little above the water, one perched with its wings outstretched, a behaviour that serves multiple purposes. Unlike many other waterbirds, their feathers are not fully waterproof, which helps them dive more efficiently by reducing buoyancy. However, this also means they need to dry their feathers after extended periods in the water. The outstretched wings may also help regulate body temperature and aid digestion after feeding.

Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis is a subspecies of cormorant that is (circa 10%) smaller than the nominate race (species carbo carbo) and can be identified by the shape of its gular patch, which has a rear border that drops vertically from the gape to the throat; the gular patch is often orange-tinted. They have arrived from continental Europe and have led to an increase of inland cormorant nesting colonies. One of the birds perched was a member of this species and looked stunning.

After more than an hour we remained empty-handed and called it a day, heading home.

Year list: 126.