Weston Turville Reservoir :: 23 August 2022

It had been, and was shaping up to continue to be, a busy week at work and so when reports of a purple heron at Weston Turville Reservoir dropped, I was a bit frustrated - by the time I packed up in the office and got there it would be dark. Kevin Heath and Nick Truby had both already set off and for an hour or two were also frustrated as the bird has been lost. Nick gave up but Kev toughed it out and was eventually rewarded as the bird took to the trees to roost - a life tick for him. The next morning Nick returned and had some great views and photos but nothing to match those of the Summers Leys bird last year.

Later at work it got to about 5.45pm and packed up at work having agreed to pick up my daughter from the train station at 6.00pm. We arrived home finding dinner was almost prepared and on the table soon after. I wolfed it down and asked for a pass to go to Weston Turville - approved.

I arrived at 7.30pm and hurried onto the dam finding Hasan Al-Farhan and Gyorgy Szimuly (Szimi) already on the bird. I set up my scope to have a look - the bird was on the edge of the reeds about 400m away - a nice year tick. A shout went up and we saw a very distant bittern fly back from the far reed bed and into the distance, eventually dropping down.

I bid my farewells to the other two and made my way around the reservoir behind the fishing pegs - I would be able to get closer views from here although photos would be increasingly challenged by the failing light. I reached the end peg and found that a young couple had decided that this was a good spot for courting and so I retreated one peg and joined a couple of fishermen - they were just returning a carp back into the water - 40lbs8oz! I set up the scope and scanned for the heron - it had moved - once I stopped weeping and cleared the tears from my eyes I swept the reeds and trees. Ahead of the platform was dense weed and he'd eventually had to wade out and land the fish on the far edge of the weed - fortunately he was dressed for the occasion. May this have been the event that had flushed the bird – he was a pleasant guy and just getting on with his hobby.

It took at least 5 minutes but eventually I located the purple heron in a distant tree on the opposite bank (225m away). I watched but the bird was in full “crouching tiger” mode, and I could only achieve record shots. By just after 8.00pm it was getting dim and I resolved that I wouldn't be getting anything better and returned to the dam.

I stopped at the dam, joining a group still watching the bird perch in the tree but it was back at greater distance and fading light and so I didn't stop long. By the time I reached Aylesbury it was already dark and the return to Banbury was uneventful.

RSPB Ham Wall :: 20 August 2022

We were struggling to think what we'd do on this Saturday morning – deciding that we'd never been to Ham Wall together and given there had been a spotted crake there since early in the week, we'd give it a go. Kev picked me up and we made our way through Stow-on-the-Wold and Bourton-on-the-Water, running parallel to where we'd birded in Hawling the previous weekend. As we passed between beautiful Cotswolds fields, a quail ran alongside the road - typical - we did consider turning back after we had shaken off the cars behind but decided it had probably skuttled off into the hedges and fields by now. Of course, given the travel distance it was an early start and we broke the journey with a breakfast stop - it was amazing how many people were gracing the service station but holiday makers were obviously making best use of the quieter roads.

We arrived at Ham Wall and armed with intel from Kev's sister Karen, we set of for a gap in the trees just beyond the path to Avalon Hide from the canal path. There was no one there which surprised us and so we looked at the more formal viewing area just beyond - the chap there seemed oblivious to the fact that there had been a spotted crake reported. We decided to continue and see if we could find anyone looking for the bird on ahead and found four guys in a viewing area on the other side of the canal trained on the pool where the bird had been reported. We circled around, crossing the canal and joined them. It was clear they hadn't seen the bird and said it had been spotted to the left of where we were viewing. Snipe flew around but landed out of view, and a distant wood sandpiper showed amongst a large flock of little egrets and lapwing. After a good 30 minutes or so, one of the chaps we were with had a message to say the crake had been spotted by someone they knew and from the place we had originally stopped off. We decamped and joined the caravan.

There were now a good number of eyes on the muddy beach and the spotter had indicated where the bird had last been seen - it had been a relatively brief view but clear as to what it was. An adult water rail marched through the edge of reeds. And so our vigil began. We'd see occasional water rails, predominantly a juvenile but no luck on our target bird. As lunchtime approached a chap from the next viewpoint came to tell us that they'd had a few seconds view of the crake from the rightmost point of the reedbed we were watching – an area not visible from where we were. We went for a look and saw a wood sandpiper and at least three green sandpipers. The egrets had started to disperse and had been joined by a few great white egrets. If it hadn't been for the sandpipers then they said they wouldn't have been looking so hard and have noticed the crake. We waited for a short while but decided that it was not going to be likely that we would see the bird here and returned to our stakeout, then to the car for a drink and quick lunch.

After lunch we decided to have another go - we hadn't planned to stay all day and had thought that after ticking this bird we'd head over for the citrine wagtail at Goldcliff Pools NR near Newport. Instead, we'd grow roots waiting for this bird - hopefully seeing it in the end ...

As we waited, we saw what initially looked like a distant buzzard but on inspection we could see that the tail was all wrong and it was in fact a goshawk - a nice addition to what was generally a slow day. Time passed and Kev and I took shifts scanning the beach hoping for a view - it was now over seven hours since we'd arrived. On one of my shifts, I spotted the juvenile water rail again, until it turned and I could see it was our spotted crake - I called Kev over and relinquished the scope back to its owner. Result! and at long last - no dip but a big investment in time and the longest we have staked out an individual bird. Others joined from the other viewing area and then passers by - the bird then showed well for over 30 minutes albeit at about 100m from us. Given its size (about the same as a starling or song thrush) you really need to observe through the scope to have any decent views.

Kev and I then took some time to try and take some video and photographs through the scope - my video turned out to be better than I feared, and Kev had quite a nice close up but still not a clear shot with both the crake and water rail in frame. We'd seen it though! - a lifer for us both.

- "Spotted crake & water rail" : Copyright and courtesy of Kevin Heath -

Around Hawling, Cotswolds :: 13 August 2022

It was a more relaxed start to the day as we were going to be more local than of late - since June we have made quite a number of longer hauls to see specific birds. Today was all about trying to at least hear a quail - this part of the Cotswolds is absolutely the right place to be. Kev had some intel from our friend Nick Truby and we set off through Chipping Norton, Stow-on-the-Wold and Napton to an area around Hawling.

We were getting close to our target location and stopped to view a freshly harvested hay field. There were six buzzards working the area, often pausing atop the round hay bales. They looked amazing in the warm morning light.

About a mile short of our selected pindrop we stopped on a lane with farmer's gates either side - the field on the right sloped down to a hedge line with a wood beyond - it looked prime quail territory. We stopped here for a good half hour and listened. As we watched we could see red-legged partridge, skylark, yellowhammer and assorted LBJs - also hares, one of which appeared to think it was hiding in cover but was in plain sight. Eventually the hare departed, stage right and down the slope out of view. It was a wonderful place to be, watching and listening to the farm bird calls.

And then there it was, a quail call from the foot of the slope - then a reply from over to the left. Result. A candidate bird flew to the base of a wagon off to our right, but we never got a proper look at it due to the dense grassy cover. We were well happy.

We tried a few other sites along the lane but weren't lucky enough to find any more - they were out there. We reached a crossroads and made our way directly over onto another lane, even narrower. We jumped out and looked around but didn't see any species of particular note. After 10 minutes or so we continued, stopping when we saw some birds flitting around in bushes ahead - bullfinches, common whitethroat and then lesser whitethroats. I jumped out the car and approached but the lesser whitehroats I was trying to photograph were skittish; I didn't continue long as they were obviously not happy with my presence. As I returned to the car Kev pointed to my right and a common redstart flew from the bush - damn, missed that photo opportunity but great to see. A little while later we saw another brief glance of common redstart.

We moved on and spotted a layby and a footpath sign leading past stacked hay bales - flying from the nearby trees to the bales were up to six spotted flycatchers. We stopped and watched these for a while until Nick and Anne Truby arrived - we'd dropped the location of the quail (and where we were), and they'd dropped by - only a brief stop before they were off again.

This was a great spot and we had mixed flocks of tits through, including a marsh tit, great spotted woodpeckers, two handfuls of mistle thrushes, nuthatch and of course more visits from the spotted flys. What a tremendous visit to this part of the Cotswolds and a great morning out with my bud – and our mission accomplished.

It was proving to be a really warm weekend and so on the Sunday we were all in hiding – the temperature in the shade was around 35°C. The family were planning to play some cards and so I decided that the car had aircon and that a tundra bean goose was showing up near Bromsgrove (at the Upper Bittell Reservoir) – I would visit. I mentioned my madness to Kev and he thought he could feel a bit of a turn coming on - he got a pass and we were off. The pin drop on BirdGuides didn't help and we eventually made a complete circuit of the reservoir to arrive at the Sailing Club - stopping short as vehicle access was restricted. On the road down we had a family group of chiffchaff but soon reached the edge of the reservoir - a lot of muddy edge was exposed by the reducing volume of water - a common theme across the country and a result of the continued dry and hot conditions. A birder was already in residence and pointed out where the bean goose was, I looked though his scope and soon after we had Kev's scope on it - amongst a mixed flock of Canada and greylag geese. We prepared to take some photos through the scope but as we did so the bird disappeared, presumably down the slope from where it had been. As we searched, we found a rogue bar-headed goose in amongst the flock.

We searched for what seemed an age until I spotted the bird through Kev's scope - still very distant but we watched it flush with the rest of the flock and it made its way along the water's edge and eventually out for a swim. To our right a peregrine cut across the water but didn't have any luck in catching anything, Common sandpipers followed later. Common terns fished and dived in front of us before a linnet perched within reach of my lens.

In amongst the ducks (predominantly mallard) was some form of hybrid, perhaps Muscovy with ? ... it was a big brute. We'd got to teatime and so made our way back along the road to the car and home.

Ayrshire Coast :: 8-11 August 2022

We'd booked to make a trip up to see my mum and stopped at RSPB Leighton Moss on the way up - we couldn't stay long and as it happened the regulars said they'd never seen the reserve so quite (bird wise). We will have to try again during the winter to see if we can connect with bearded tits on the grit trays.

The following morning I arose early to get on Seamill beach at sunrise and popped on some walking boots mainly just to stop picking up sand on my shoes and trailing it through the hotel and car. As soon as I got on the beach, I could see a godwit feeding on the water's edge with oystercatchers - I took photos as I closed the distance to be sure and have a record should it depart. I got reasonably close, and the bar-tailed godwit seemed relatively at ease.

A couple of gulls flew too close and put up the oystercatchers and barwit up and they flew off towards Portencross - I decided to follow in pursuit all the while being watched by grey seals bobbing in the shallows. A big storage ship was positioned offshore (the Petrojarl Foinaven - length overall x breadth extreme: 250.2 x 34.05 m) - the Petrojarl Foinaven is an Offshore Support Vessel built in 1997 and currently sailing under the flag of Bahamas. Who knows what it is up to ... after about 10 minutes it set sail towards dock at Hunterston, taking a couple of support vessels with it.

I walked along, investigating each curlew however distant to see if I could identify a whimbrel - no joy along to Portencross Beach. It was obvious though that the number of redshanks had increased considerably from my previous visit - there were also more pied wagtails. On two occasions a group of six sandwich terns flew passed, presumably the same individuals on a circuit.

There was nothing else of note other than the usual gulls, gannets, cormorants and shag out on the water and so I turned and made my way back and passed the Seamill Hydro then out towards the three towns. Passing over the bridge crossing the burn I stopped to see if I could see a dipper - no dice - perhaps on the return. Not far ahead I came across a common sandpiper, working along the edge of the beach and away from the water's edge - it observed me from a distance and flew ahead and closer to the water, this time allowing me closer and a photo to be taken. On the rocks I stopped to look for rock pipits but was frustrated until a bird flew through, sporting a white flash on its rump - a wheatear - they must be back on the move after the breeding season. I followed it along the beach and eventually found it with a rock pipit just before the corner leading to the Waterside Hotel. Out on the rocks, amongst the oystercatchers, was my bar-tailed godwit taking a rest before it would be moved on by the incoming tide.

Time was marching on and so I turned back noting linnet and meadow pipits overhead. A pair of ringed plovers were very keen to catch my attention and are presumably still have a nest given their display. I tried not to linger long so as not to disturb them but still long enough for a couple of photos.

Halfway back I stopped and scanned the rocks as there were a number of birds together including curlew. A smaller bird flew across a channel and when it landed I could see that it was a whimbrel - excellent. I kept on surveying, but I couldn't locate any purple sandpipers. Back to the hotel at the allotted hour, a shower, and then breakfast.

The following day started warmer and clearer, so I decided to have a trip down to the Irvine Bogside Gold Course and Bogside Flats SSSI beyond. Here there have been hen harriers and short eared owls in the past but not on this occasion. I got a little excited when a large bird opened wings on a distant structure but on review it was a juvenile pheasant. I watched and waited at the end of the driving range seeing chiffchaff, willow warblers, sedge warbler, stonechat, skylarks and both house martins and swallows. Eventually I moved on to see if I was in the wrong spot and reached the Garnock River. Here I saw many stonechats, skylarks, meadow pipits and flyover curlews and also the usual redshank and oystercatchers out on the muddy water's edges. A number of stonechats that I was watching appeared to be a family group.

I wandered back to the driving range and found someone almost able to reach the perimeter fence. I kept off to the side just to be sure. Looking out I could see a roe deer watching me and presumably thinking I couldn't see it. I heard grasshopper warbler call briefly but couldn't see it - focussing on stonechat and sedge warblers instead. Then again, I heard grasshopper warbler - while I'd seen them at this site before it was on the opposite side of the flats. A sedge warbler had dropped into an area of pinkish flowers, and I took some photos - the bird was too obscured and so when I reviewed the photos they were not in sharp focus. A dunnock dropped in on the front edge of the flowery stalks and I took a photo; it was only then I realised it was actually a grasshopper warbler - that made my morning.

I made my way back to the hotel for breakfast and a shower - we were going to have lunch at Souters Inn in Kirkoswald; built on the site of the old schoolhouse where Robert Burns studied in 1775. The restaurant is named after Souter Jonnie, a shoemaker immortalised in a poem by Robert Burns, unveiling his everyday life and the skills of his trade. After a delicious meal we made our way across to Maidens Harbour only to find the tide out - while this exposed much of the harbour bed for waders, there weren't many of them. There were ringed plover, dunlin, oystercatcher, redshank and assorted gulls but nothing of interest out on the water. A single sand martin caught flies over the harbour, returning regularly to the pier wall - presumably still young in the nest. Grey mullet cruised up and down in the shallows of the harbour. We walked around, admired Ailsa Craig from close quarters and then set off down the coast road to Girven. Passing Turnberry Lighthouse we noted the parking and I hope someday to do some sea watching from there.

Wednesday morning birding didn't come to pass - I had a work thing - normal service was resumed on Thursday with a trip out to Stevenston Point. The sun was just rising as I arrived and watched rock pipits, sandwich tern, gannets, shag, cormorants, and eider ducks from the car park. I could see sanderling down on the beach to the south and made my way there passing stonechats on the way. I counted individuals along the shore and decided there were about 100 sanderling in three main groups.

For a change I walked right along the beach, the gulls ahead being particularly skittish. At the far end I could see guillemots and eider ducks out at distance, plus a bird I couldn't identify - it looked a bit like a Slavonian grebe - others thought so too in response to my Twitter post. I walked back to the point and from there watched the sandwich tern and gannets feeding offshore. I didn't manage to see any manx shearwaters but did see a couple more distant guillemots.

On the rocks I could see there were now ringed plovers with dunlin but no sign of purple sandpipers - I was going to be leaving Ayrshire empty handed with this species. As I packed up a group of sanderlings spun across the water and back, landing on distant rocks. All in all, a very enjoyable few mornings of birding.