Nene Washes, Deeping Lakes & Gloucestershire :: 27/28 January 2024

The RSPB Nene Washes reserve is renowned for being a significant breeding ground for black-tailed godwits. However, during the winter season, it becomes a hub for various other bird species. Every year, Kev @kev07713 and I embark on a visit to spot short-eared, long-eared, and tawny owls, along with common cranes, lapwings, and numerous winter ducks.

Kev and I drew up in the car park located at the end of Eldernell Lane, and from there have a perfect vantage point to observe the flooded grasslands that stretched into the distance; our primary focus though would be on the owls.

Setting out along the elevated track, we scanned the hedge for any indication of short-eared or long-eared owls. These two species seldom choose the same roosting area - according to past experiences, the short-eared owls tend to be in the hedge nearest to the car park, while the long-eared owls are usually found farther along, typically just before the hedge branches off from the main track.

A pair of birders were lingering in the vicinity where we anticipated spotting the short-eared owls roosting, and as hoped, one was present but partially hidden by branches and twigs. One of the birders said there were two owls, prompting both Kev and I to begin searching for the second bird. Scanning around we found the second bird was initially concealed behind the first, and not immediately noticeable. We viewed through Kev's scope, and I snapped some photos in the hope of extracting clear images where the twigs and branches wouldn't pose a significant obstacle - I was partly successful.

Short-eared owls are known for their distinctive facial discs and striking golden eyes, typically gracing the British Isles during the winter months as they hover and hunt over open moorlands, marshes, and coastal habitats. Some are resident all year round, but numbers are boosted by visitors from continental Europe.

The number of short-eared owls visiting the UK each year can vary based on factors such as weather conditions, prey availability, and overall population dynamics. This year seems to be a good one for shortie numbers. Short-eared owls stand out for their daytime hunting habits, although they also pursue prey at night. Their peak activity occurs during dawn and dusk hours, when they gracefully glide low over the ground in their quest for food.

A few more people passed, and we helped them locate the birds and view through Kev's scope - he's a good egg. We proceeded along the track, vigilant for any additional signs until we arrived at the cluster of brambles where the long-eared owls seem to prefer roosting. And indeed, we spotted one - it was nestled deep within the foliage but still visible. After observing for a few minutes, I shifted my position along the track, attempting to see anything else within the bush from this different perspective. As I'd hoped, a second bird was visible, affording a clearer view from this elevated position - the sun was directly behind making photography difficult.

These enigmatic and secretive owls, recognised for their unique elongated "ear" tufts and cryptic plumage, are inclined toward dense woodlands, coniferous forests, and marshy locales. These owls are uncommon, and there are reports of a decline in their numbers. They can be found as year-round residents but are rarely observed or heard outside the breeding season. Their primary hunting activity takes place at night, as they fly close to the ground, capturing predominantly small mammals; additionally, they may also target small birds, amphibians, and insects.

After enjoying the views, we decided to descend to the woods, a location where a tawny owl is frequently spotted basking in the sun. Fellow birders confirmed the owl's presence, and we were eager not to miss the opportunity in case it retreated into its tree and disappeared from sight.

True to expectations, the owl was perched with its eyes either closed or slightly ajar – although I've seen photos featuring two birds in the hole, we 'only' observed one. Two birders with sizable camera lenses were patiently waiting for some activity, but they had yet to capture any noteworthy photos after around 45 minutes - the bird had been almost motionless.

The tawny owl is widespread in Britain and is recognisable by its distinctive hooting calls; the tawny owl is a medium-sized owl with a rounded face and reddish-brown plumage, providing effective camouflage in wooded habitats. They are predominantly nocturnal and are commonly found in a variety of environments, including woodlands, parks, and gardens. They are skilled hunters, preying on small mammals, birds, and insects. Tawny owls are known for their adaptability, often nesting in tree hollows but also utilising nest boxes or even the abandoned nests of other birds. Our bird blended in with the tree beautifully.

Having obtained good views, Kev ascended the slope and scanned the area to our left - over the flood - while I wrapped up. By the time I reached Kev he had located a couple of whooper swans on the far water's edge. Lots of wildfowl were on the water or on the edge: moorhen, coot, gadwall, mallard, teal, wigeon and more. Later, a small group of whooper swans flew by.

We observed buzzards, a kestrel, and numerous marsh harriers, but unfortunately, no hen harriers were on show – perhaps they would emerge later in the day. Opting to revisit the owls, a fellow birder joined us as he had initially walked past the owls without spotting any. Although the sun had shifted, producing improved conditions for photos, the foliage remained a significant obstruction to capturing the long-eared owls. Walking on a mixed flock of small birds worked along the water's edge, and I picked out a couple of chiffchaffs. So many more now overwinter in the UK.

We paused at the location of the short-eared owls and glanced back along the track. There we noticed a photographer standing by the fence line, aiming their camera at the long-eared owls. It was apparent that they wished they could get closer for a better shot 😖 – a somewhat disappointing situation. After reaching the car and taking a coffee break, we observed someone else engaging in similar behaviour in front of the shorties.

I'd never explored the reserve along the track to the east and so we headed off hoping for views of other species of raptor or wildfowl. A handful of stonechats entertained perching on the scrub or dropping to feed on the ground.

Kev picked out numbers of pintails on the flood and as I watched them, I saw a common crane creeping through the reeds behind - soon we were able to pick out four. Above and at distant a flock of birds passed, flashing white as they turned and weaved. I snapped a photo and confirmed they were black-tailed godwits and not golden plover as first thought.

We chatted with a couple of birders and soon after we'd left them I noticed the cranes coming over some trees, landing in the water and walking into the reeds. Kev heard some cranes call to our left and the three more joined the original four as they all took to the wing and flew off to our right - another year tick.

On our previous visits, we continued onto LWT Deeping Lakes in pursuit of long-eared and little owls, and with recent reports also mentioning a glossy ibis in the area we repeated the exercise. With a sandwich lunch from a corner shop picked up enroute, we ate as an Egyptian goose glided by. Once finished, we ventured onto the reserve, pausing to scan the water from a screen to where the glossy ibis had been recently observed - no immediate sign. A lone pink-footed goose stood on an island. A few passing birders inquired about the ibis although didn't linger but just minutes after their departure, the ibis made an appearance along the island's edge, feeding constantly as it traversed the front.

The glossy ibis is a wading bird that has been expanding its range, and sightings in the UK have increased significantly over the years. Conservation efforts and habitat protection might play a role in creating environments that are conducive to glossy ibis populations but changes in climate and temperature may also be influencing migration patterns and distribution.

We stopped at the gully we'd seen long-eared owl previously but didn't spot one. From the next hide we did see one after a birder pointed it out - he really had to as it was almost completely obscured - apparently this was a favoured roost. We got talking to a local and he joined us to where little owls resides - one of the trees has fallen and so we searched up and down the row hoping to catch sight - nothing. I did add a green woodpecker to my year list though. After quite a time we had to admit defeat and returned to the car for the journey home, seeing a great white egret as we did so, another green woodpecker, and seven Egyptian geese.

Charlotte and I had friends round on Saturday night and I didn't rush to get up on Sunday morning - just in time thought to watch the men's final at the Australian Open tennis. At lunchtime Charlotte left to play in a tennis match in Mapledurham while our girls announced they were going to the cinema to see "Mean Girls" - I declined their invitation to join them. Instead, I travelled over county lines into Gloucestershire to try and catch some better views of short-eared owls hunting. A barn owl would make it a four owl species weekend.

On arrival I found there were a lot of people already there - very popular birds, having been absent last year. I joined a group with large lenses and scopes - the birds had not yet been seen. I talked with Alan McCuskie @AlanMcCluskie as we waited. A birder found a shortie sitting in the grass and alerted us to its position - I took a photo - the bird made some hunting flights but at extreme distance. A chap with a major lens arrived and set up, and about ten minutes later called a barn owl behind us and further along the road. I took a few photos but didn't venture far from my position, while others strayed along the lane to get better views and photos.

Staying where I was turned out to be a great decision as one and then two shorties showed at reasonably close quarters. Three of us enjoyed the best views that would be provided today - I was happy with the views and resulting photos.

Final views were of one of the short-eared owls having a bit of a ding-dong with a kestrel. I've seen several images recently showing conflict between these species, mostly when a kestrel tries to steal food from the owl. Unfortunately, the action was very distant.

It would be a return journey of about 45-50 minutes, and as the light was now falling, I made for home.

Year list: 128.

Acres Down :: 20 January 2024

On Friday night Kev @kev07713 and I made arrangements for Saturday but noted that there was little in the way of lifer opportunities and elected to have a day out with no specific target. We chose to visit Acres Down as we ‘don't do enough woods’ and given the prevailing weather, many inshore water bodies would likely be iced over - perhaps reducing the birds available.

We stepped out of the car having had to park on the road verge due to the number of cars already in the main car park. I'd seen a treecreeper just before arriving at the car park, but Kev hadn't managed to get on it - it was a year tick today for us both - perhaps we would look again later.

We were listening and scanning the hedges when another birder rocked up; we recognised him from visits to Normandy and Pennington Marshes - Kevin of Lymington (Kev II). We walked along the track together and soon a bird flew up from the ground and into a group of trees - against the sky it was largely a silhouette but with some exposure compensation and correction I could get a photo - a lovely lesser redpoll, but on its own.

We wandered further down the main track and came across a group of birders standing opposite a tree, favoured by a lesser spotted woodpecker - an individual had been reported at 10.50am the day before and this explained how busy the car park was. People out to get a view of a rather elusive species - I'd not seen one at all in 2023 despite making a few attempts at Middleton Lakes, while Kev had when he visited with his wife Karen. We watched and waited … but no dice - I picked out a brambling amongst the finches landing on the main tree and feeding down in the leaf litter.

Eventually we decided that waiting for a sighting of a single bird was not crucial today so moved on, catching up with Kev II. We'd seen some people stop further up the track and heard of a roosting tawny owl - like them we saw no sign. However, there was another finch flock and in this we managed to pick out two more bramblings; one female and a male (only Kev saw – “it’s on the left side of the tree, halfway up” was not the most helpful comment of the day - in dense woodland! - we've all done the same 😂).

We continued and could hear calls from a marsh tit - we found it through our bins high in the canopy; it did eventually drop down low enough for me to attempt a photo. Really nice to connect with one – and it wouldn't be the last of the day.

We met a couple of birders coming down the track and they mentioned that there had been successful in locating crossbills and that they were showing quite well. We had planned to go that way anyway and so we set off hopeful, meeting another birder who said much the same. Stopped and looking across the heathland we saw a couple of mistle thrush, fieldfare and several meadow pipits feeding on the ground. Behind us a crossbill called. I located it before it left - a female but no chance of a photo.

We searched along this stretch and then a track on our left. Only after 15 minutes or so I spotted a male crossbill landing on top of a distant tree - I alerted Kev I and Kev II. We watched as it perched high and distant, eventually leaving and flying away parallel to us - another three then flew over. Considering comments of 'loads' and 'showing well', we was robbed! (though happy to have had views).

We circled back around to where we’d waited for the lesser spotted woodpecker to find only a couple of people remaining - we hadn't missed anything. A passing firecrest pair didn't stop, but at least gave us a view; goldcrests were more considerate and stopped to feed. We walked back to the car park and Kev went in search of the treecreeper I'd spotted earlier.

I hung around the holly hoping for a better view of firecrest - and there one was, right on cue. It fed along the front of the holly, occasionally low and almost in the bracken. I had good views and called Kev back and he got to see the bird as it worked back in the opposite direction. Firecrests were first recorded breeding in Hampshire in 1962 but have since extended their breeding range northwards through southern, central and eastern England and into Wales. They are not as easy to encounter as their cousins (the goldcrest) but like goldcrests, they can often be found combing trees and bushes, especially conifers and holly, for small invertebrate prey.

We hovered around the area I'd seen the treecreeper and soon saw it fly back, and under a fallen tree. Within a few minutes Kev was on it, and we watched as it fed, eventually scaling the trunk of a nearby tree, and then departing across the road and behind a wall of holly. We climbed to look over the heathland beyond the car park for goshawk but no such luck - though Kev did spot another firecrest dancing around the base of some holly bushes and apparently feeding in the bracken.

We walked back down the track to see if we could spot a nuthatch - quite a few had called but none had showed. Again, we had calls but no view. We strolled back towards the car and who should we see but Adrian Sparrowhawk @sparra1959, Bryan Manston @BryanManston and Mark Crockford @markcrockford3 coming the other way. Hide as we might (😂) they spotted us, and we had a good chat - they'd been down to Pennington Marshes to see a few birds reported the previous day but from the target list they reeled off, they had only been able to locate the Slavonian grebe - still a nice bird and lots of other species seen no doubt.

Overhead we had a sparrowhawk, I picked out another firecrest, we had another brambling, Mark picked out another marsh tit, and at last a nuthatch high in the tree canopy. We'd heard that someone had seen goshawk earlier and while Ady, Bryan and Mark went off to try and find that (and some crossbills), Kev and I went to try for the lesser woodpecker once more. Although we didn't find the woodpecker, Kev did locate a hawfinch - my view was somewhat fleeting as it was turning to leave by the time I had my bins on it. I also had a jay over - noisy little beggar.

Other than searching for an elusive goshawk there was little else we could reasonably expect to see and we called it a day and headed for home. Wonder what next week will bring?

Long Itchington & Farmoor Reservoir :: 17/18 January 2024

I was sitting watching BBC Winterwatch when I got a message from one of my work colleagues - he said his wife had asked if I had seen any waxwings this year - on the programme they had been discussing that this was a 'Waxwing Winter'.

When large numbers of waxwings migrate to Britain, sometimes in flocks of hundreds, from their summer breeding grounds in Scandinavia and Russia, the birds are often easily spotted in carparks around our towns and cities where ornamental rowan trees bear their favoured berries. It isn’t every year that we see these birds in large enough and widespread numbers to constitute what is known as a ‘Waxwing Winter’ but this year has been one of those years.

The large arrivals of Waxwings seen in mid-winter are thought to belong to the Fennoscandian breeding population. Their breeding season is relatively late with egg laying beginning in May. Their predominant diet in summer is insects, switching to fruit and seeds in the winter and it is this reliance on fleshy fruits that drives them to range away from their breeding grounds.

I'd previously visited Brandon Marsh on reports of up to twelve waxwings at the entrance, but they had departed before I arrived. I had also visited Long Itchington but with limited time hadn't connected with the birds. So, with a couple of days off to attend a friends birthday celebrations I found myself with a few hours where I could make a better go of it - they are worth making the effort for.

I awoke at my usual time for work and jumped into my clothes and left without breakfast and made my way past the office and to Long Itchington. I parked up and found that I was the only birder there - reports have dropped off as the locals have all seen the birds - in flocks of three to fifteen. I started my search up and down the main road, and down to the canal where I'd heard of reports before - nothing. There had also been reports of the bird down past a layby and near some pools and so I extended my search area but found only winter thrushes.

I searched for an hour and a half, deciding to try again closer to where I'd parked the car - on the way back up the slope I found c.14 waxwings hanging out in a large tree on the opposite side of the road feeding on some berries in the base, occasionally flying off and returning - always leaving a few individuals behind. Lovely to see.

Success and great views of these special birds - ideally, I'd have waited for better light as the day and sun got into full swing but I was on the clock. I decided that I was close to Draycote Water and so on the way home dropped in to see the black-throated and great-northern divers (both at extreme distance) and bonus goosanders. I couldn't spot the common scoter that had been reported but I had seen rafts of these off Stevenston Point a couple of weeks ago and so while it would be nice to see an inland bird, it wasn't critical.

As I watched one male goosander it dived, returning to the surface with a perch. It began to shuffle the fish round so that it could eat it headfirst, avoiding issues with the spiny and sharp dorsal fin; located in the middle of the back, it is divided into two sections; the front section is spiny and the rear section is soft rayed. Bizarrely, great-crested grebes were also new for the year.

Having returned from our party and overnight stay at late lunchtime, Charlotte said she was going to watch tennis from the Australian Open and so I slipped out to connect with the scaup and great-northern diver at Farmoor Reservoir. The sun would be dropping when I was there, but these birds usually give good opportunities for photographs. There was also the possibility for knot that had been reported over recent days.

I made my way across the causeway between F1 and F2, stopping to chat with a birder coming the other way - he confirmed that the scaup was in its favoured place and that the great-northern diver was out in the middle of F2 and travelling great distances on each diver and so could end up anywhere. I reached the scaup and it gave immense views, as always. No sign of a knot but a year tick for a common sandpiper - I do have a photo but rather frustratingly I took the photo with a very odd aperture setting - must have spun a dial inadvertently.

I set about scanning for the great-northern diver and located it back down the causeway, but some way off. I made my way down to find it had travelled towards the western end and back round the corner to where I had been standing. I returned and managed to get several photos, some in the shade and others in the low sun. Such a lovely bird.

I saw the common sandpiper again, but it was very flighty, and I couldn't get an angle to take a front or side on photo so didn't bother - I already had a record shot. A short but productive visit and in the end both birds showing well.