Seamill :: 03-05 April 2018

It has been a while since I got up to Scotland to see my parents. Booked the family into the Seamill Hydro but for the first three days it rained. From the hotel room it was possible to watch the shoreline and soon I had added red-breasted merganser to the year list.

Thursday was forecast to be set fair so I got up early and was on the beach before 7.00am. Initially no sign of the pair of mergansers but a photo of a bird flying over the waves turned out to be the male. Small flocks of rock pipit teased in the half light and skylark and meadow pipits regularly rose in song and dropped back to earth.

Before heading off to my parents house I got another view of the female merganser, in the water and on the wing.

The work on the retaining wall between the hotel and the burn is now complete but there was no sign of the dippers. Sand martins through and the year list progressed to 98 - I wonder what will take me to 100?

Sightings (42) included: black-headed gull, blackbird, blue tit, carrion crow, chaffinch, collared dove, common gull, cormorant, curlew, dunnock, eider, gannet, goldfinch, great black-backed gull, great tit, greenfinch, grey heron, herring gull, hooded crow, house sparrow, jackdaw, lesser black-backed gull, magpie, meadow pipit, mute swan, oystercatcher, pied wagtail, red-breasted merganser, redshank, robin, rock dove / feral pigeon, rock pipit, rook, sand martin, shag, shelduck, skylark, song thrush, starling, teal, wigeon and wren.

Wildlife BCN Summer Leys :: 25 February 2018

My first visit to Summer Leys this year. Updates on the Northants Birding website suggested I’d have a chance to encounter great white egret and brambling. A cold one but it didn’t seem to have deterred the visitors - the car park was full by the time I arrived. I’m sure everyone is happy for the interest in the site but I saw evidence of frustration that some use the site as a Country Park when it is actually a Wildlife Reserve.

In the car park was a manned Wildlife Trust tent. A brief chat confirmed that a single great white egret was showing on the western island looking from the hide shoreline. Sure enough, as I got to the Pioneer hide the GWE was visible but so distant that a photo was pointless.

Of note was the the count of wigeon and gadwall on the water, but few lapwing. Lapwing seem to have located in the surrounding fields rather than on the islands.

I met a woman photographing a great tit who said the screen at the feeding station had been busy with up to ten cameras following the brambling. It wasn’t long until I got there finding only two people. The brambling wasn’t visible but was reported to be taking 15min breaks from the feeders.

The female brambling turned up on the nearest table giving good views. At this point one of the others commented that they had seen the male that had turned up the day before - I waited 10mins and sure enough we were graced by the appearance of the male.

From the disused railway embankment, looking over Gull Island, a red kite harried the assorted gulls. Behind, a buzzard was being mobbed by a crow and a kestrel flew passed and onto a post, unfortunately facing the other way and flying off before I could get a photo.

Back at the Rotary Hide, the GWE was visible in the reeds ahead from the Pioneer Hide - although not visible from Pioneer.

I’m looking forward to coming back, although on the end he of my normal range for Saturday mornings.

Sightings (41) included: black-headed gull, blackbird, blue tit, brambling, bullfinch, buzzard, Canada goose, carrion crow, chaffinch, common gull, coot, cormorant, dunnock, fieldfare, gadwall, goldfinch, great crested grebe, great tit, great white egret, greenfinch, greylag goose, herring gull, kestrel, lapwing, long-tailed tit, magpie, mallard, moorhen, mute swan, oystercatcher, pochard, red kite, reed bunting, robin, rook, song thrush, teal, tufted duck, wigeon, woodpigeon and wren.

RSPB Arne & Branksome Dene Chine :: 16 February 2018

Half term and off to visit my daughter in Bournemouth. We have had the opportunity to try out a few B&Bs over the last three years and we have settled on one which is out of town on the edge of Poole / Sandbanks, almost opposite the top of Branksome Dene Chine.

Last October we were lucky enough to spot firecrest a hundred or so yards down from the top of the Chine so on this visit it was only natural to have another look - in fact we made it a daily visit on our way down to the promenade for our morning stroll and coffee.

Happily we were not disappointed and were able to watch these birds flit from tree to bush, hardly stopping long enough for me to get off any photos. However, with the new camera body [Nikon D7500] and the greater tolerance to low light (ISO settings) allowed me to take some photos at 1/500 thus avoiding much blur. I am very happy with the results and have been surprised by the positive response on Twitter.

Mid-morning we picked up our daughters and drove over to Mortons House Hotel at Corfe Castle in Wareham for lunch. As usual, the triple decker BLT was popular. We didn’t stay long as we were off to RSPB Arne for a walk around.

Arriving at the reserve, the main car park was full and we were immediately directed to the overflow car park. This suited us as we had decided that we would follow the Coombe Heath trail, as we had in February 2017. We walked round in a clockwise rotation stopping at the first screen. From here we could see Brent geese on the water and the fields beyond, redshank, avocet, shelduck, and had a spoonbill fly over. We continued onto the hide and from here could appreciate the numbers of avocet present - a few hundred rather than the 500 last time. We also added curlew, dunlin and black-tailed godwit.

Coming off of the estuary path we saw a single white doe off to the right - sika deer - and then two more in the gorse to the left. Despite looking we couldn’t locate any dartford warbler. Another couple of doe sika deer on the return trail before heading to the reserve cafe for drinks.

On the way back to the car we stopped off at the feeding station as they were closing up the hut. Charlotte had seen nuthatch earlier (but I hadn’t) but it stayed away - the consolation prize was a single male siskin on the feeders.

This really is a good place to visit and I’ll likely be back if not just to find dartford warbler later in the season.

Sightings (30) included: avocet, black-headed gull, black-tailed godwit, blackbird, blue tit, brent goose, carrion crow, chaffinch, coal tit, cormorant, curlew, dunlin, dunnock, great tit, kestrel, lapwing, little egret, long-tailed tit, magpie, mallard, mistle thrush, pied wagtail, redshank, robin, shelduck, siskin, spoonbill, teal, wigeon and woodpigeon.

RSPB Otmoor :: 11 February 2018

A sunny, cold and blustery day but better than the rain yesterday. Charlotte was out playing tennis from lunchtime so Sunday lunch was rescheduled for teatime. A visit to RSPB Otmoor was called for.

The car park was quite full again. It is good to see the interest in the reserve; its while since I visited and the car park was quiet. Nothing much around the car park or up to the feeding station; at the feeding station it was business as usual with ground feeders interrupted by two squirrels and a male pheasant. Just as I went to move on a kestrel swooped into position and hovered over Moorleys.

Crows, geese and ducks on Greenaways and not much in the sky. As I reached the turn for the hide, a mixed flock of golden plover and lapwing took to the wing, spooked by an invisible foe - noticeably fewer than when I was here in mid-January. In the hide the mixed seed was attracting good number of linnet, reed bunting, chaffinch and yellowhammer.

Onwards to the first screen, finding good numbers of wildfowl. It was noticeable that the water level was higher as the two island, one straight ahead and one to the right were both submerged. This meant that no snipe were visible and the majority of the birds rested on the leftmost waters edge. Waiting quietly a shout went up from the other inhabitant saying that the hen harrier was up - the male. Although distant it was beautiful to watch as it quartered the far edge of the reed bed, near the oak tree. All too brief but at least I got a photo this time. Shortly after a female marsh harrier followed suit hunting more to the left and slightly closer.

On the way back along the path between Greenaways and The Closes a redshank was spooked from one edge of a pond to the other, disappearing into the short grass stubble.

A cold but worthwhile visit.

Sightings (37) included: blackbird, blue tit, buzzard, canada goose, carrion crow, chaffinch, coot, dunnock, goldcrest, golden plover, goldfinch, great tit, grey heron, greylag goose, hen harrier, kestrel, lapwing, linnet, long-tailed tit, magpie, mallard, marsh harrier, moorhen, mute swan, pheasant, pochard, red kite, redshank, reed bunting, robin, rook, shoveler, stonechat, teal, tufted duck, woodpigeon and yellowhammer.

RSPB Otmoor :: 13 January 2018

It was time for my first visit of 2018 to RSPB Otmoor. Always a pleasure and a good place to move on with my year list. I decided to go early in the morning, as I usually do, although this prevents me seeing the spectacle of thousands of starlings in their winter murmuration. The car park was relatively quiet when I arrived and you could see evidence of reserve management taking place with lots of trees cut down and logs piled.

There were lots of bullfinch around the car park, joined by good numbers of blue and great tit. From here there wasn't much evidence of any movement in the sky but I could hear some distant geese calling. Soon these were seen in The Closes. Nothing unusual at the feeders I continued on and wondered if it was quiet and it was going to be "one of those" Saturday mornings. As I got closer to the hide I was greeted by a very large flock of golden plover taking off from Big Otmoor. The number on Big Otmoor alone has been estimated at 2,500 and as high as 5,000 on the whole site.

Into the hide and distant flocks could be seen - good numbers of linnet and reed bunting. As I waited the flocks got closer and were joined by chaffinch, dunnock and yellowhammer. As I sat a large fox ran past on The Closes side and crossed towards Greenaways.

Through the gate and towards the first screen I got better views of the golden plover, sharing the field with large but lower numbers of lapwing. At regular intervals they both were spooked and took to the air creating a swirling mass of birds - great to watch and be directly under.

From the first screen I had three marsh harrier, a pair and a juvenile female. It appears all the others have left the reserve. Joining them were large numbers of red kite across to the trees and hedgerow beyond. At one point I thought I had spotted the hen harrier but unfortunately not. A handful of snipe could be seen in their usual spot. No sign of bittern (three seen over the last weeks) nor water rail.

Rather than continuing onto the second screen I opted for a return toward the hide and a look along the path between Ashgrave and Big Otmoor. As I walked I could feel the mud getting deeper and wetter and wondered if this was a good idea ... up popped a female stonechat to be added to the year list, then wigeon. A group walking in the opposite direction suggested it might not be worth continuing on as nothing special had been seen further on.

As I approached the turn for the feeders I could see a goldcrest flying and hovering beside branches ahead. At the feeders I then added marsh tit.

A pleasant visit and added 12 species to take me to #70 for the year.

Sightings (41) included: black-headed gull, blackbird, blue tit, bullfinch, buzzard, canada goose, carrion crow, chaffinch, cormorant, dunnock, goldcrest, golden plover, goldfinch, great tit, grey heron, greylag goose, lapwing, linnet, long-tailed tit, magpie, mallard, marsh harrier, marsh tit, moorhen, mute swan, pheasant, pied wagtail, pochard, red kite, redwing, reed bunting, robin, rook, snipe, starling, stonechat, teal, wigeon, woodpigeon, wren and yellowhammer.

WkWT Brandon Marsh :: 06 January 2018

Still the first week of the year and my second outing. This time there was no specific bird in my sights but it had been quite a while since I went to WkWT Brandon Marsh so off I set. It was a cold morning with ice covering the car and the temperature still below freezing. Gentle set off aware that black ice may be an issue with Kat’s wide rear wheel drive.

On the hill up the Southam Road, atop a tree on the right, sat a peregrine - perhaps the same one noted by Gareth (@Grimsburybirding) recently. Nothing else of note on the remaining journey.

Through the Visitor’s Centre and onto the path I immediately caught sight of a jay. I stopped to observe and to my surprise the bird flew left and into a tree where I could see it better. As I headed for New Hare Covert I saw the jay again and followed it onto the waters edge where it flew on further than I could follow. I continued on and within another couple of minutes I saw two jay and had some reasonable views although not great photos due to poor light.

As I reached the tall trees at the centre of the New Hare Covert I saw treecreeper and while watching this also found goldcrest; last year I couldn’t buy a goldcrest sighting but no such problem this year. More sightings of the jays but becoming more distant. As I turned to walk between Swallow and East Marsh Pools, looking down the gated lane I could see a mixed flock which comprised Siskin, goldfinch and a couple of dunnock and reed bunting.

From the Wright Hide I saw a fine male goldeneye and shoveler ducks, but none of the snipe or wigeon listed in the last week.

Nothing else of note around the rest of the reserve other than the constant presence of goldcrest across all areas. More treecreeper too. The rain started while I was in the Carlton Hide but fortunately became intermittent and allowed me to get back to the car without getting too wet. From the Visitor's Centre I also added nuthatch and willow tit.

Back via Bicester Village I also added buzzard, red kite and collard dove taking my year list to 59.

Sightings on the reserve (37) included: black-headed gull, blackbird, blue tit, bullfinch, canada goose, carrion crow, chaffinch, coal tit, coot, cormorant, dunnock, goldcrest, goldeneye, great spotted woodpecker, great tit, greenfinch, lapwing, long-tailed tit, magpie, mallard, moorhen, mute swan, nuthatch, pheasant, red kite, redwing, reed bunting, robin, rock dove / feral pigeon, shoveler, siskin, teal, tufted duck, willow tit, woodpigeon and wren.

Draycote Water :: 02 January 2018

On a mission to add hawfinch to the 2018 year list and so returned to Draycote Water - seemed to be the best chance of getting the tick (although @987jonty reported one still at Thenford Church yesterday). Charlotte decided to join me, on the understanding that we visited the café in the Visitors Centre.

Started with lunch then down into the park to see if we could find the hawfinch. Green woodpecker [#20] standing out on the grass in the playground and mistle thrush [#19] calling from the trees started us off and we soon had our bird - the hawfinch [#25] but in the shadow of the copse on a very gloomy day. We also had a beautiful pair of bullfinches and a large mixed flock of fieldfare and redwing.

Up onto the waterside and we had goldeneye, goosander and a little grebe showing off it's catch. Quite a few dead gulls along the side of the water was upsetting to see. At the turn we saw good numbers of teal, although in the cold I couldn't spot the hybrid green-winged found a few days ago by @wildrainsbrook.

A quick coffee and hot chocolate then back home.

Sightings (31) included: black-headed gull, blackbird, bullfinch, carrion crow, coot, cormorant, dunnock, fieldfare, gadwall, goldeneye, goldfinch, goosander, great crested grebe, green woodpecker, hawfinch, kestrel, lesser black-backed gull, little grebe, long-tailed tit, magpie, mallard, mistle thrush, moorhen, pied wagtail, redwing, robin, song thrush, teal, treecreeper, tufted duck and woodpigeon.