Salisbury Plain & RSPB Winterbourne Down :: 30 March 2024

I was scheduled to have lunch with some friends on Saturday to celebrate a birthday and so I asked Kev @kev07713 if we could perhaps bird on Friday instead, as it was a holiday for the Easter weekend. Discussing where we might go, and with the weather forecasting mixed conditions, some options were closer to home. Then he mentioned that his sister Karen @hobbylovinglife and her partner Dean @worlebirder were planning on visiting Wiltshire to see stone curlews and the great bustards - it has been seven or eight weeks since I'd seen them and so suggested that perhaps it would be nice to join them. The arrangements made, we would join them on Salisbury Plain on a track overlooking the valley where locating the great bustards is perhaps easiest - they are not hard to spot unless hidden down in a tall crop - they are the world's heaviest flying bird.

Historically, great bustards were widespread across Europe and Asia, but due to hunting and habitat loss, their populations have declined significantly. Globally, the Great Bustard is in peril, categorised as ‘Vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. It's estimated that there are fewer than 35,000 of these magnificent birds left in the wild. In the UK, the great bustard was extinct as a breeding species by the early 19th century. There has now been an effort to reintroduce them to the UK, particularly on Salisbury Plain; a vast expanse of chalk grassland and heathland, making it an ideal location.

Reintroduction efforts have involved bringing birds from European countries where populations still exist, such as Spain and Russia, and these birds released in the hope that they will establish breeding populations once again. Since the first releases in 2004, the population has gradually increased (currently a population of around 100 birds) and monitoring efforts have recorded successful breeding. A Great Bustard Group was created in 1998 with the aim of establishing a self-sustaining population in the wild, a target they achieved in 2019. They offer tours to see these magnificent birds, but it is possible to see them independently.

We'd come along the track before but there had been some work on it and so it was with regret than I didn't pay attention to the clearance my car would have over some of the materials - I heard a nasty sound as the stones tore away some of the plastic front engine under cover - bugger. Something I'll need to sort out in the coming week.

Kev and I arrived first and set up on the hillside overlooking the valley, picking out red-legged partridge and hearing skylark and corn buntings calling nearby. A short scan of the ridge ahead revealed eight great bustards feeding just beyond. In under ten minutes Karen and Dean arrived from the other direction, having entered by the farm road. They joined us looking over at the birds and scanning the adjoining fields.

A corn bunting dropped onto the left-hand fence line and perched in the early morning sun giving an opportunity for a photo. Corn bunting is a bird species that has faced significant declines across Europe due to habitat loss and changes in agricultural practices. Salisbury Plain, with its extensive grassland and agricultural areas, provides very suitable habitat and each time we visit, we are always treated with good views.

Other than seeing red kite and kestrels there were limited other species of note and so we drove further along the track to see the bustards from a different angle and as they had retreated a little over the brow of the hill. When we stopped, what was that coming over the hill? (The Automatic) - now 30 bustards! A great sight.

We'd spent a while admiring these birds and now made our way to RSPB Winterbourne as it is a great place to have views of stone curlews.

The stone curlew, is a distinctive bird species known for its large eyes and cryptic plumage. RSPB Winterbourne Downs is a key site and with increasing breeding success, marks the fruition of decades of dedicated conservation endeavours. This is where we visit to enjoy this species each spring as they enter the breeding season, and when they are at their most visible. They are unusual for wading birds, as you're most likely to find them on dry, stony ground. Eurasian Stone-curlews are seasonal visitors to the UK during spring and summer, nesting on sandy heaths, well-grazed grasslands, and arable fields. During winter, they migrate to southern Europe and northern Africa, with some British individuals documented as far south as Sierra Leone.

Stone curlews nest on the ground, relying on their camouflage to keep them safe. During the day, they remain motionless, making them extremely difficult to spot but as dusk approaches, they become more active using their large eyes to hunt beetles, worms, and other invertebrates, even in dim light. Not something I've witnessed though.

As soon as we'd parked up, walked up the slope and reached a viewing screen, Karen was onto a bird in a flash. Once she'd put us all on it, we admired the bird, and it was doing just what it said on the tin - sitting motionless and only visible as we were looking up the slope and it was proud of the clods of earth.

We didn't stop long as we could see at dog walker on the treeline beyond our bird and guessed there might be better views further up the track.

Having managed to see this bird better we decided to investigate the field on the other side of the trees, where there were apparently chances of more stone curlews. We looked from where we entered but drew a blank. Kev and Dean were some way back and so when the rain started to fall, Karen and I stayed under the cover of the trees. Soon I decided to go in search of the Lapwing Hide/Screen, stopping occasionally to see if I could see any of our target species. On the third stop I found one, two and then three - I called Karen and we watched as the birds eventually close the gap between them, allowing a photo with two together. We were thrilled as two displayed and called briefly. The call of is a distinctive and haunting sound, often described as a series of plaintive, wailing whistles or eerie, bubbling trills.

Out in front of us we had four hares chasing around, at one point boxing - I was a bit annoyed that I missed a photo of that.

We wandered down the track in the trees and found the Lapwing Screen, Kev and Dean. They'd also been able to see the birds from here and had videos of the two birds together, but unfortunately not when they were calling. Kev's here and Dean's here. The rain came and went, but the wind was constant. A couple of other birders joined us - after we put them on the birds we worked our way back to the car, picking out the single bird from earlier, but now further into the field. Beside us a kestrel hunted and on one attempt it came up with something in its talons, but we couldn't work out what it was, even when it landed on a distant post.

We made it back to the car park and heard a stone curlew call out in the field and amongst the sheep. Eventually Kev picked it out in a large stony hole - sheep and rooks walking through. We had lunch at a picnic bench and listened as the stone curlew called again - this time Dean picking it up on his scope.

A terrific day out - shame about the underside of the car.

Year list: 162.

Staines Reservoir/Moor & Ivinghoe Beacon :: 23 March 2024

The weekend arrived, so Kev and I discussed where we might go birding, thinking about where we might enjoy a range of species. Staines Reservoir looked good as there were reports of both Slavonian and black-necked grebes, water pipit a few days earlier (still in the area?), and a garganey at Staines Moor next door. We also often have ring-necked parakeets over there. Sold.

Staines Reservoir comprises two reservoirs, referred to as the North and South Reservoirs, providing a water supply for domestic and industrial use in the surrounding areas. The North Reservoir completed in 1902 and the South Reservoir completed in 1909 and were created by damming the River Colne and flooding the surrounding area; the combined area of both reservoirs is approximately 280 acres (113 hectares). The reservoirs and their surrounding areas provide habitat for a variety of bird species and are designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to their ecological importance. Staines Reservoir has also recorded sightings of an array of rare and migrant bird species, with various grebe and diver species often reported out of the breeding season.

We arrived and stopped for our usual breakfast, waiting in the car park for a short while hoping for a flyover from parakeets, but we had none. We jumped into the car, made our way to access the reservoir from the causeway that splits the North and South bodies and noticed how cold it was in the wind, making us resort to wearing gloves. We saw tufted ducks, goldeneye, coot and gulls and gradually made our way along the causeway. Meadow pipits rose and flew along the sloped concrete down to the water's edge. One bird looked interesting as it stayed very close the water’s edge, but we could never get a good look at it.

About halfway across the causeway we spotted a grebe and as we got close, we could see it was a Slavonian grebe in spring transitional plumage. I've only ever seen this species in winter plumage previously - perhaps one day I'll see them in their full glory. They feed mainly on fish and arthropods but are able to adapt according to food availability. They are very agile underwater, and forage by diving from the surface for around 20-30 seconds, but they also take food from the surface catching flying insects and floating items.

As we watched and I took photographs, a second bird appeared to the left - a a black-necked grebe, and a striking waterbird species ... result. During the breeding season, they display a blackish-brown neck and head, contrasting sharply with their white cheeks and throat. They have a black cap extending down to the eye, and their back is dark brown. Outside the breeding season, their plumage becomes more subdued, with less contrast between the black and white areas. We were in luck and our bird was looking very dapper. They are migratory birds, breeding in the UK during the summer months and migrating to warmer regions in southern Europe and northern Africa during the winter.

The feeding habits of black-necked grebes is the same as that for Slavonian grebes and so it was no surprise to see them working along together, getting closer and closer; eventually close enough to get them in the same frame.

At the end of the causeway we could see shoveler ducks, shelducks and a single Egyptian goose. We regularly scanned the black-headed gulls hoping for a little gull but no such luck. We chatted with a few other birders and decided that we'd head over to Staines Moor where a garganey had been reported the night before and at first light; there were also reports of ring-necked parakeets over.

We located where to park and set out along the path, passing birders coming the other way. Unfortunately, it seemed the garganey hadn't been seen since first light and these people had decided they'd given it enough time; they also mentioned seeing parakeets and blackcaps along the track. Although we could hear blackcaps, we couldn’t get one out in the open. We heard and then saw a ring-necked parakeet in a tree, but so briefly that I didn't get a photo.

We reached the advertised "five-bar gate" and found a birder scoping just beyond - he'd been here a couple of hours and not had a sniff. He eventually drifted off and a couple of ring-necked flew over. We continually scanned and scoped the water, working both from the gate and from under the trees, swapping positions and occasionally meeting up. I drifted back to the gate and eventually Kev joined me, setting up his scope - with no action in front, and not wanting to leave the other area unwatched, I strolled back. Up went a call and Kev had spotted the garganey - I rushed over and caught it as it swam left and out of view. It was over a stretch of water, through some reeds and in the water on the other side - distant and largely obscured.

Garganey breed in the UK during the summer months, typically between April and July. They prefer shallow wetlands with dense vegetation for nesting, such as marshes, reedbeds, and flooded grasslands such as the habitat in front of us. They are considered a Schedule 1 species under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, providing them with legal protection against disturbance and destruction of their nests. While they are not considered globally threatened, conservation efforts are in place to protect their breeding and wintering habitats.

We waited and hoped - occasionally some gadwall came around the edge of the reeds but were chased back by a coot - some teal worked past further back. A few other couples appeared, and I spotted the garganey briefly at the far right but it was flushed back out of view - I was the only person to have seen it. Another quarter of an hour past and Kev and I saw the bird over and between the reeds. It broke left and followed some teal across and out of view - I managed a photo and Kev a video.

We left space for others to get a view from where we'd been and soon made our way back along the track, now trying to locate a blackcap. We had a couple of jays in the trees but never had any eyes on them but saw a couple of birds fly across and up into a distant bush. I managed to pick out one of the birds working through a bush and could see it was a female blackcap - never did get my eyes on the male (probably the other bird). My first of the year.

Rain started to fall and some of the birders we'd left behind caught up with us as we reached the car. We decided that we'd detour to Ivinghoe Beacon and see if we could spot any of the wheatear reported the day before.

I'd never been before - Ivinghoe Beacon is a prominent chalk hill located in the Chiltern Hills, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Buckinghamshire. Rising to a height of 233m (764ft) above sea level, it offers commanding views of the surrounding countryside, making it a popular destination for hikers, walkers, and nature enthusiasts. Kev had visited and seen ring ouzel in the past.

There were quite a few hikers, dog-walkers, and families and so we decided to make some long-range searches with the scope, spotting up to four black rabbits - Kev was enthused with these. He then smashed it picking out a wheatear in a very distant field. Later one became two, then two became four and four became seven.

We added mainly raptors (kestrel, buzzard and red kite) and a very distant stonechat. With no further plans we made for home, and I'd added six new species for the year.

Year list: 159

Ayrshire :: 13 - 17 March 2024

I was scheduled to visit my mum for her birthday and had everything crossed that the Myrtle Warbler which had taken residence in a garden in Garnock View, Kilwinning would remain until I arrived, some 22 days after it was first reported. This marks the first documented appearance on the UK mainland since 2014. There have been only approximately 30 sightings of this bird recorded in the UK, with nearly all in the Western and Northern Isles.

This sighting also marks the first record of an American warbler species in Ayrshire.

Once listed separately in bird guides, the Myrtle warbler and Audubon's warbler have long been reclassified as eastern and western variations of a single species: the yellow-rumped warbler. Familiarly dubbed "butterbutts" by American bird enthusiasts, these warblers make migrations across North America each spring and autumn. The migratory forms, known as Myrtle and Audubon’s, populate most of Canada and every U.S. state except Hawaii. During the breeding season, males sport a striking palette of grey and yellow, while females and non-breeding individuals exhibit a browner hue with subtler yellow accents and faint streaks. However, a 2016 study hinted at the existence of at least three distinct species. If this were confirmed, it would disrupt a long-standing position lasting five decades, perhaps in the future reinstating two beloved common names, cherished by many birders.

We left Banbury at 5.00am to allow an extra hour for the journey and stop-off in Kilwinning - hopefully that would be enough time to still get to to my mum's house before lunch. As it was, we arrived in Kilwinning around 11.15am, parked up and made for the communal back garden of 22/32 Garnock View. Behind the gardens is a slope running down to the River Garnock - hence the street name. The river flows through the Garnock Valley, originating from the hills near Lochwinnoch and running in a generally north-westerly direction before emptying into the Firth of Clyde near Irvine. The access to the back garden was through a service door between the properties, through a hall and out a back door into the garden. I sort of expected other birders to be present, but we were the lone visitors. One of the residents was standing at an open window on the ground floor and chatted for a while - very welcoming and amazingly tolerant of the continued arrival of birders outside their properties.

It was only a few minutes before the bird dropped into the trees behind, working through at speed then eventually onto the various foods on tables and feeders positioned along the fence line. No doubt the bountiful availability of food is a reason it has remained in the area for so long - as far as I am aware, the UK long-stay record for this bird species is 37 days. I took some photos for insurance but really wanted it on a fence post or tree, not on feeders.

I eventually got my chance to take a photo in a better environment and now was just waiting for a repeat opportunity. A local elderly lady birder turned up having been recommended to do so at a birding society meeting the night before - normally she watches birds on her walks and activities rather than actively birding but had been convinced this was worth a trip given she was local in Dundonald. What we could see was a slight change in appearance and it was possible to observe the bird was in the early stages on moult.

Yellow-browed warblers typically undergo a single complete moult each year, usually after the breeding season; the timing of the moult may vary slightly. The moult often occurs in their non-breeding range, which includes areas such as Southeast Asia and parts of South Asia. During the moult, yellow-browed warblers replace all of their feathers, including those on the body, wings, tail, and head. It is often the case that they may become more secretive and less active than usual as they focus their energy on feather replacement and avoid predators. No sign of that here.

It was soon time to pack up and join my mum for lunch - it was what we were actually here for!

I tend to use the time before breakfast for birding on these visits and so the following morning I woke and made my way onto the beach, specifically to see if I could connect with the dippers in the burn that runs alongside the Seamill Hydro; I usually manage a bit less than 2hrs including any travel.

It was raining gently so I put a rain cover over the camera and made my way along the sand to the bridge crossing the burn. Even before I reached the bridge, rounding the corner, I could see a dipper in the far distance at the corner where the burn turns up to and under the road. I reached the bridge and went to take a photograph, then noticing a kingfisher on the opposite side of the burn but in the same shot. The two birds just perched there on the rocks, neither making any move to feed or depart. A couple walking their dog crossed the bridge and by coincidence or as a result the two birds left, both away from where I stood. I waited for a while to see if either or both might return but it seemed futile.

I walked further along the beach towards Ardrossan but only came across rock pipit as a species of note. Returning across the bridge I waited again for the dipper but it failed to reappear and I soon walked back to the hotel, stopping to see some seals on the rocks.

The following morning the weather was drier and I decided to visit Saltcoats to see the purple sandpipers that had treated me to such great views back in January. I approached the spot, situated about 500m south of Saltcoats Harbour and in the tidal pools, finding no sandpipers present. In contrast to other waders, these birds display a remarkable level of trust, often permitting an approach within 3-4 meters before cautiously retreating and maintaining a respectful distance. They have a slightly larger and more robust build compared to a dunlin, but sporting an overall grey plumage complemented by yellowish legs and beak. At first glance, you might assume their grey appearance renders them dull and unremarkable, but the subtle contrast between their grey plumage and vibrant yellow-orange bill and legs presents a striking and handsome bird.

Out in front, a turnstone appeared on the wall, followed by another. Redshanks foraged nearby as mute swans gracefully departed the pools with a cacophony of sound. A flock of birds soon joined the turnstone, walking along the wall's edge - purple sandpipers! Within moments, they took flight and landed in the pools in front. Lost in the birds feeding close, I suddenly remembered my task: taking some photographs.

A rock pipit dropped in beside and worked through the seaweed.

As I'd come off the road into the car park, I had spotted a birder sitting against the wall of Oscar's cafe, scanning the sea with his scope. I circled back to chat with him and he mentioned having seen gannets, common scoter, kittiwake and red-throated divers that morning. None of these were presently in view. I mentioned that I might go and see black guillemots and he said it would be worth a look down in the harbour as they are often on view there, often showing well as they enter the breeding season. Despite the low tide there were four birds on the water, all looking rather splendid. The harbour provides an ideal habitat due the availability of suitable nesting sites.

I checked out the other side of the harbour wall, through a small, gated opening leading down a few steps but found only black-headed gulls - it is apparently not unusual to spot otters from here - a mental note to try again someday. My time was up, and I returned to the hotel for breakfast.

On the next morning it started cold, and I made my way to Stevenston Point, looking out over choppy water - it was dry and so would be enjoyable whatever showed. Red-breasted mergansers passed at great distance, along with the ever-present shags. Common scoters bobbed on the water at even greater distance. While scoping the water I hadn't seen anything unusual but when I lifted my head, I found a gannet coming off the water and realised I'd missed it diving just offshore - my first of the year.

I got caught up watching a red-throated diver quite far offshore, diving frequently and staying under for long periods, often coming up a long distance from where it went under. Photos were always going to be record shots. I scanned the structures nearby and found a pair of purple sandpipers feeding on the water's edge but showing at greater distance than I'd been afforded the day before.

I'd resisted dropping down onto the beach but could easily scope the birds along the sand to the north and south. There were substantial numbers of sanderlings, often being flushed by over-enthusiastic dogs being walked along the beach. On a couple of occasions the birds circled past the point and onto the other beach, returning five or so minutes later.

Despite searching I could only add some guillemots far out on the water, rock pipit and turnstones on the rocks and eider ducks diving. I ran out of time again, heading back with only just enough time to have a shower and shave before a 9.00am breakfast.

On the Sunday I played golf with my brother, the first time I have played for around 13 years. I started well but soon fell into a rather mediocre rhythm as I tired, and the rain set in. I didn't bird that morning as time was tight.

On the final morning I decided to make my way down to Troon South Beach where a couple of snow buntings have been reported of late, although the latest reports had them across on Ayr beach, not far across the water or along the coast. Access is relatively simple across the Royal Troon golf course and at this time of the morning there was no one on the course, at least not this far round. Crossing the course onto the beach I spotted skylarks and meadow pipits but on the beach was treated to a flock of 14 curlews, initially on the ground but in the air as I broke the horizon. Along the water's edge were assorted gulls and oystercatchers. A lovely turnstone foraged at close quarters.

I worked up and down the beach, halfway back to Troon Harbour and down to Pow Burn but really only had fly-by red-breasted mergansers to show for it - the sea was rough, and it was difficult to spot if anything was on it.

Looking out from the beach I could spot a lighthouse which looked lovely in the early sun. Lady Isle Lighthouse is located on the island of the same name, around two miles southwest of Troon in the Firth of Clyde. The island once housed a chapel dedicated to Saint Mary and is located on a low-lying island warning of the Half Tide and Scart Rocks, and aids navigation along the Firth and into Troon and Irvine harbours. Established in 1903 to the design of David Alan and Charles Stevenson, it is unusual in design with a cross-shaped tower and external buttresses. An external staircase runs up the side of the tower, not visible in the photo below.

Overhead a small plane passed and when they do, I now often take a photo to show to Dave South - this plane was less remarkable and wouldn't probably be worthy. However, this Piper PA-46R-350T is based at Enstone Airfield, Shenington Airfield and London Oxford Airport, and previously at Wellesbourne Mountford in Warwickshire for over fifteen years. The operators 'Take Flight Aviation flying club and flight school' offer flying lessons, flight training and light aircraft hire. I looked up the plane's flights and see it wtook off from Coventry Airport at 6.35am to Glasgow Prestwick, landing at 8.07am. Amazing to have a plane from almost where we live on the border between Oxfordshire/Warwickshire fly over my head on the beach in Ayrshire.

It was nice to get out in the mornings and particularly satisfying to have been able to connect with the Myrtle warbler.

Year list: 153.