Draycote Water :: 09 April 2017

Looking on Twitter in the morning I saw that @draycotebirding had spotted three BN grebes in the evening following our morning visit - apparently not seen for almost a week then spotted after I'd been - good at hiding or just poor at finding them?!

Decided to have another go so dropped back into Draycote Water. Decided on a full circuit, this time anti-clockwise. Chiffchaff, blackcap were entertaining but not the target bird. Long-tailed tits loving the early morning sun as was song thrush and a pair of great spotted woodpeckers around the trees behind Biggin Bay.

Unbelievable ... another circuit and another dip on the BN grebe. Worst still, a Lon-tailed duck dropped in later in the day. This early morning slot may not be ideal ...

Sightings today (34) included: black-headed gull, blackbird, blackcap, blue tit, canada goose, carrion crow, chaffinch, chiffchaff, common sandpiper, coot, cormorant, dunnock, fieldfare, gadwall, great crested grebe, great spotted woodpecker, great tit, greylag goose, jackdaw, lesser black-backed gull, long-tailed tit, magpie, mallard, moorhen, mute swan, pied wagtail, reed bunting, robin, rook, song thrush, starling, teal, tufted duck and woodpigeon.

Draycote Water & Daventry CP :: 08 April 2017

Wanted to catch up with the black-necked grebes so I decided to have a go at Draycote Water. Charlotte had been struggling to get her walking distance up so joined me for an early start. From photographs earlier in the week the birds had been spotted from Rainbow Corner, round Draycote Bank to the valve tower. Chiffchaff were quite vocal and showed high in trees. Large numbers of great crested grebe on the water but no sign of BN.

Bumped into Helen and Gerry on the way out. On the return we spotted a pair of red-legged partridge in a field adjoining the park. Joining them were three skylark, chasing one another around a foot off the ground, occasionally stalling and dropping into the vegetation. 3.2 miles, a nice walk, met friends, but no BNGs. Consoled ourselves with a hot chocolate and coffee at the Visitors Centre.

Reports of another BN grebe at Daventry CP so we decided to make for there. Parked up and started an anticlockwise circuit. Good views of long-tailed tit, chiffchaff, blackcap and treecreeper but no BN grebe. It appears that it was not visible from the path but was near the dam (SW corner) along with RN grebe. Time was short so didn't backtrack to find it (5.8 miles in total for Charlotte).

Sightings at Draycote (26) included: black-headed gull, blackbird, blue tit, canada goose, carrion crow, chaffinch, chiffchaff, coot, cormorant, dunnock, gadwall, great crested grebe, jackdaw, magpie, mallard, red-legged partridge, reed bunting, robin, rook, skylark, tufted duck and woodpigeon.

Sightings at Daventry CP (24) included: black-headed gull, blackbird, blackcap, canada goose, carrion crow, chaffinch, common tern, coot, cormorant, great crested grebe, great tit, greylag goose, herring gull, jackdaw, lesser black-backed gull, long-tailed tit, magpie, mallard, mute swan, robin, treecreeper, tufted duck, woodpigeon and wren.

Boddington Reservoir :: 25 March 2017

Back from a week in Italy visiting the Company's HQ (the "Mother Ship"). A bit to do at home and in town to get prepared for Mother's Day so set off later in the afternoon than intended. Decided on a circuit of Boddington Reservoir, for a change, and given the available time before tea and the arrival of our evening visitors.

We came across a red-legged partridge just before reaching the car park, then saw a reed bunting while changing into walking boots and as always a friendly robin watched on. Many great-crested grebes on the water plus black-headed, lesser black-backed and common gulls. As we walked the breeze stiffened and we were glad of our jackets. A little egret beside the tower and then towards the halfway point, now out of the breeze and in the sun ... glorious.

Back down on the path to the main road where we came across blue and long-tailed tits. We saw another bird pass through without being able to identify it. Shortly it gave itself away, singing at full tilt - my first chiffchaff of the year.

On the final stretch we watched a chap land a sizeable common carp, to the delight of his young son. Very soon after a small bird flew adjacent to the main road, landing on the trunk of a tall tree. It was obviously a treecreeper and scurried up and around the tree. A minute later it was joined by another - great to see.

Sightings (27) included: black-headed gull, blackbird, blue tit, buzzard, canada goose, carrion crow, chiffchaff, common gull, coot, dunnock, great crested grebe, great tit, lesser black-backed gull, little egret, long-tailed tit, magpie, mallard, moorhen, mute swan, pheasant, red-legged partridge, reed bunting, robin, treecreeper, tufted duck, woodpigeon and wren.

WkWT Brandon Marsh :: 11 March 2017

No coffee before we went out onto the reserve on this occasion. Straight away we could hear a great spotted woodpecker drumming somewhere between the New Hare Covert track and the Visitors Centre. By the tall trees we also found a treecreeper who danced between the trees and over our heads. As the treecreeper was lost from view it was replaced by a nuthatch, although high in the canopy.

Nothing significant from Wright hide and when we got back to Goose Pool we decided to stop for a coffee back at the Centre. As we reached the south end on Grebe Pool we were lucky enough to spot a redpoll feeding. A successful morning even if we'd stopped there.

Back out and a march down to East Marsh hide. Snipe visible from there and after a few minutes a total of five counted. Nothing from Carlton but on then to the final hide. Two buzzard resting in the distant trees were joined by a pair of great spotted woodpecker. Grey heron entertains a hoard of visitors being guided round.

On our return we came across a mother and son watching another redpoll but unfortunately I got too close before realising what was going on and was too close for a photo fearless redpoll! Stepping backwards to make space the bird flew off.

More redpoll in trees as we approached the Visitors Centre, then homeward bound.

Sightings (36) included: black-headed gull, blackbird, blue tit, buzzard, canada goose, carrion crow, chaffinch, common gull, coot, cormorant, dunnock, great crested grebe, great spotted woodpecker, great tit, greenfinch, grey heron, greylag goose, herring gull, lapwing, lesser black-backed gull, lesser redpoll, magpie, mallard, moorhen, nuthatch, oystercatcher, pochard, reed bunting, robin, shoveler, snipe, teal, treecreeper, tufted duck, woodpigeon and wren.

At home, Banbury :: 10 March 2017

A bit of a surprise in the garden today when two red-legged partridge decided to visit at breakfast time. Damned lucky I took the time to glance around - bit of a rush to get the girls to school and difficult to get a photo at an angle through the kitchen window. Fortunately I picked them out underneath, and mostly behind, the kerria along the back wall. I wonder what else might visit if I lived in the countryside. A nice addition to this year's and the garden lists.

A nice coincidence as I thought I saw a pair when driving to Bridgnorth, Shropshire yesterday but was unable to stop due to the line of traffic I was in.

Wildlife Trust Summer Leys :: 04 March 2017

After a busy couple of weeks, this was a welcome stroll around @wildlifebcn Summer Leys with her indoors. An early breakfast and off, travelling through sunshine but arriving slightly overcast - it didn't take long for the weather to catch us up.

As usual the first stop was the Pioneer hide. Good numbers of gadwall, lapwing and black-headed gulls. Three little egrets were sitting low in branches to the far left from the hide, heads out of view - a most unusual sight. A pair of male pochard we in front of them with one soon taking flight.

Out onto the reserve for a circuit and as soon as we cleared the hide we saw two green woodpeckers working their was along the trees - also lots of birds in small flocks as we went, joined by a solitary redwing.

From the feeder hide we saw lot of the usual garden birds, joined by quite a few reed bunting. However, if you want to get Charlotte excited about the birds she sees it can only be bullfinch and jays - the three bullfinches duly obliged.

Met a chap going the other way who gave details of where the red crested pochard could be found. Sure enough the short diversion yielded another tick for the year list (now #85), although views were distant and only allowed for a record shot.

From the next open hide good numbers of teal were foraging with yet more gadwall behind. Perhaps the most gadwall I've seen on one visit. Soon after we saw a grey heron low in flight and watched as he strolled into the water for a spot of fishing.

No sign of the great white egret that had been on-site recently; I suppose just another Saturday morning dip ... all too frequently birds seem to move as the weekend arrives.

Our 2 mile circuit complete I checked that there was nothing new from the Pioneer hide and set off home. Will be back in the spring to catch the migration and to catch up with my regular garden warblers at their usual spot.

Sightings (39) included: black-headed gull, blackbird, blue tit, bullfinch, buzzard, canada goose, carrion crow, chaffinch, common gull, coot, cormorant, dunnock, gadwall, goldfinch, great crested grebe, great tit, green woodpecker, greenfinch, grey heron, greylag goose, lapwing, little egret, long-tailed tit, magpie, mallard, moorhen, mute swan, pochard, red-crested pochard, redwing, reed bunting, robin, shelduck, shoveler, starling, teal, tufted duck, wigeon and woodpigeon.

Harbourside Park, Poole :: 15 February 2017

After a delicious lunch at Rick Steins place in Sandbanks we went for a stroll along the promenade. Parking was running out so we decided to pop down to Poole to park up and have a look out at the water. As we got into the car park I noted a bird on the barbed wire ahead, flitting back and forth across the train line, so took out the camera and went to investigate.

Turned out to be a female stonechat, new for this year. Nothing too exciting spotted when we tried to add to Charlotte's daily steps but made my day to see the little stonechat.