Thornton Reservoir & Summer Leys :: 16 November 2024

Kev @kev07713 and I weren’t sure how to spend our Saturday morning, but we ultimately decided to head to Thornton Reservoir in Leicestershire, where a young drake long-tailed duck had been reported for the past three or four days.

The long-tailed duck is a small sea duck that winters in the UK. Breeding in Arctic regions, they favour tundra pools and marshes during the summer before migrating south to spend winter on the sea, often gathering in large flocks. Winter males are striking, predominantly white with brownish-black markings and their signature elongated tail feathers, from which the species gets its name.

While they’re most often found in sheltered bays and harbours from Northumberland to northern Scotland - places like Shetland, Orkney, and the northeast coast - long-tailed ducks occasionally appear inland, especially during unusual weather.

We stopped for breakfast just before Thornton and parked near the dam wall. Spotting a couple of birders along the wall, we figured they were on the bird. As we approached, they packed up and confirmed the duck was relatively close in. Sure enough, when we reached the spot, the bird was closer than any I’d previously encountered, whether at Draycote Water or on the sea at Seamill.

It was highly active, diving frequently, often vanishing just as you managed to get it in your scope - it would raise its rump a little just before it dived showing a larger area of white. After watching for a while, our patience paid off - the duck swam even closer and began preening, giving us an incredible view. I took plenty of photos, making the decision to visit here well worth it!

Watching from the dam wall had its challenges, as it also doubles as the edge of the road leading into the village. Occasionally, cars came from both directions, forcing us to shift out of the way or momentarily block traffic, creating a bit of an obstruction.

Once we’d had our fill of the long-tailed duck, we decided to head south, making a stop at Wildlife Trust BCN Summer Leys to try our luck at spotting a jack snipe - one of our favourite spots for finding them (you can read about a previous sighting here). However, recent flooding across the country has left water levels quite high. We’d been receiving regular updates from Stuart Mundy, who mentioned that levels were gradually dropping but were still elevated.

As we pulled into the car park, a sparrowhawk darted through the trees near the Pioneer Hide, a promising start to the visit. Our destination was the Paul Britten Hide, a double-decker structure overlooking the scrape. This area is vital for ground-nesting wetland birds like lapwing and redshank, and it’s one of the best locations to spot common and jack snipe.

On the way to the hide, we came across a pair of bullfinches in their “usual” spot, along with plenty of teal, wigeon, coot, and gulls scattered across the pools. Upon entering the hide, we found the upper level completely empty, giving us the space to settle in and start scanning. Before long, we had spotted six common snipe.

A short while later, Kev spotted a jack snipe far off to our right, tucked along the edge of the pool. It was partially obscured by dense cover, making it tricky to spot without a scope, but its characteristic shorter bill was unmistakable. We watched as it bobbed and moved while feeding, but it frustratingly stayed out of clear view. A few minutes later, it darted to the right, disappearing over the grassy brow and into the reeds beyond. Not long after, a common snipe appeared in its place. Despite our efforts, we couldn’t relocate it or find another. Over on the far hedgeline the glossy ibis wheeled over the trees and dropped behind before Kev could get. on it.

We left the hide, making for the feeder area and Mary's Lake beyond. We could now have better views of the hundreds of golden plovers with the lapwings. Occasionally they would rise and circle in the sky but with the weather as it was, there wasn't the usual white flash as they wheeled and turned.

We reached the feeders and found the area teeming with grey squirrels and a couple of small rats. Every so often, a mixed flock of blue, great, and long-tailed tits visited, with the long-tails being the most numerous. We also spotted a couple of goldcrests along the track, busy feeding in the denser parts of the hedgerow.

Crossing the lane, we looked out across Mary's Lake and spotted a couple of common snipe, along with another bird that appeared smaller - it disappeared before we could make a positive identification. Together with Moon Lake, Mary's Lake is part of the Upper Nene Valley Gravel Pits, a series of pits recognized for their international importance to overwintering waterbirds. The area is designated as a Special Protection Area (SPA) and regularly hosts significant numbers of species such as gadwall, wigeon, pochard, and tufted duck. The lake is fenced off to prevent otters from entering and preying on the fish.

For birdwatchers, Mary's Lake offers a chance to observe a variety of species, though access is limited, with the best views available from the gate along the lane. On the lake but distant, we spotted several cormorants, one of which was struggling to swallow a large fish. After several failed attempts, it abandoned the catch and swam away - what a waste. Hopefully, it will be carried by the current to be eaten by another predator.

We continued exploring but eventually returned to the double-decker hide. After more than half an hour of scanning, Kev spotted another jack snipe on a distant island. Unfortunately, it soon disappeared over the brow and remained out of sight for the rest of our visit, always too distant for a photo.

Another cracking day out.

Year list: 245.

Grimsbury & Staines Reservoirs, Seaford :: 08/09 November 2024

Velvet scoters are large sea ducks typically found in marine environments but on November 8, two first-winter birds were reported at Grimsbury Reservoir in Oxfordshire - a notable inland sighting, as these birds are usually associated with coastal waters where they dive for molluscs and other invertebrates. Their specialised diet of marine life, such as mussels, makes their presence in inland waters even more remarkable.

This species usually form large, tight flocks at sea and are rarely seen inland; records are typically during the winter months, when the birds may venture away from their usual coastal habitat. It is not typical for them to stray far from the sea, though some birds, particularly young ones, have been known to explore freshwater environments before settling back in coastal zones.

Velvet Scoters have a bulky shape and large bill, with males displaying a distinctive white 'tear drop' mark behind the eye and a white patch on the wing, while females are generally dark brown with paler facial patches.

I had seen hundreds of them at Musselburgh over the summer while searching for the Stejneger's Scoter (report here), but the chance to see them up close was too good to pass up. I only had a half-hour break from work, but luckily, the spot was less than ten minutes away.

I parked and headed around the west side, assuming the view would be better from there - a strategy that works about 75% of the time. Sure enough, they were there, gathered in the northwest corner but gradually drifting toward the middle. The overcast sky wasn’t ideal for photos, and the light wasn’t on my side, but I couldn’t complain - I was fortunate they had stuck around.

I snapped a few quick shots before turning back to return to the office, passing Paul Wyeth on the way for a quick chat. The birds were starting to settle down to sleep, and I didn’t have time to wait for them to return to the water's edge.

A Lapland bunting had been found at Staines Reservoir in Surrey on November 5, 2024; this sighting was reported by David Hutchinson and featured on BirdGuides. Staines Reservoirs, located near Heathrow Airport, are known for regularly attracting various bird species, making it a popular spot - it wouldn't be the first time we'd been there this year.

Lapland Buntings are slightly larger than reed buntings, characterised by a well-marked head pattern, chestnut nape, and chestnut wing panel. They spend most of their time on the ground and it has been reported that the bird has been showing extremely well, allowing observers to approach within 5 meters. It has also been hopping even closer to under a metre.

The ring-necked parakeet, also known as the rose-ringed parakeet, is a medium-sized, bright green parrot with a distinctive red bill and a long, narrow tail. Males feature a black and pink neck ring, while females and juveniles lack this marking. Originally native to Africa and southern Asia, ring-necked parakeets have established a significant population in London. Their adaptability to urban environments and the availability of food sources have contributed to their proliferation. The British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) estimated approximately 12,000 breeding pairs in the UK where the population has experienced significant growth, with a 2,154% increase between 1995 and 2022 - and with numbers continuing to grow.

In Staines, located to the west of London, they are also observed in areas such as Staines Moor, where they are listed among the resident bird species. Their presence here reflects the species' expansion beyond central London into surrounding regions and while their vibrant appearance adds an exotic element to urban wildlife, ring-necked parakeets have raised ecological concerns. They compete with native bird species for nesting sites and food resources, potentially impacting local biodiversity.

We continued onto the causeway and saw two groups ahead, two lines about 20m apart. The Lapland bunting was between the two and feeding back and forth - this little stunner was putting on a great show, coming too close for photos at times.

We watched as it pushed up against our line and then the other further west along the causeway.

After enjoying fantastic views of the Lapland Bunting, we decided to head over to Staines Moor for the rest of the day. Wanting to give others a chance to see the bird and reduce any pressure on it, we passed on our positions and began our walk. As we left, we both checked BirdGuides for any nearby sightings. To our surprise, a report of a pied wheatear at Seaford popped up! Although it wasn’t exactly close - around 75 miles away on the coast near Beachy Head - the prospect of a lifer was too tempting. With plenty of daylight left, we exchanged a glance, shrugged, and hit the road.

Usually found in southeastern Europe and western Asia the pied wheatear is considered a rare vagrant in the UK, with most sightings occurring during late autumn, particularly in October and November. Records are sporadic, with occurrences noted in various coastal regions - typically they inhabit open, rocky terrains and are known for their distinctive tail movements. They fit right in on the Sussex cliffs.

We pulled into the car park along the esplanade and saw reports that the bitd had been lost about 45 minutes before, over the edge of the cliff. We stopped for a coffee and then joined a group heading for the base of the cliffs - a female black redstart perched on the railings to the jetty, then flew across to the white cliff, stopping to watch us approach.

Two birders dropped down onto the beach to work along and see if they could spot the bird there but came back empty handed.

We watched as two black redstarts darted across the square boulders and up the cliff face, while meadow pipits flitted about on the cliff tops. A robin frequently caught our attention as it foraged, momentarily raising hopes it might be the bird we were searching for. Climbing to the top of the first cliff face, we spotted the female black redstart, offering phenomenal insane views to a couple of photographers.

We worked further up the slope stopping regularly and scanning the cliff edge and back onto the golf course behind. The views were getting better and better. A pair of stonechats showed on the edge of the golf course, dropping onto the ground regularly. A few rock pipits could be found closest to the cliff edge.

We worked along the clifftops and stopped regularly to ensure we wouldn't miss the bird if still there. I got a WhatsApp update from our friend Adrian Sparrowhawk to say he'd arrived and that he and Bryan Manston were having lunch. After a mile we stopped and scanned ahead but we couldn't find our bird and neither could anyone else.

The pied wheatear is characterised by its distinctive black and white plumage, with males displaying a black face and throat contrasted by a white crown and rump. Our bird was said to be a female and generally browner but still exhibiting the species' characteristic tail pattern. A few birders had ventured along further but came back empty handed so we decided our luck wasn't in today. We had a hard-stop to be back in Banbury and so worked our way back to the car and stopped for a late lunch. Despite the weather and temperature, some were venturing into the water - absolute madness.

On the way home the bird was refound, presumably pushed back up onto the cliffs by the high tide (scheduled for 4pm). Damn. Kev would go back and ticked it on the Wednesday while I was in Sheffield working.

Year list: 244.

Great Tew & Thenford Church :: 02 November 2024

It had been a long week at work for both Kev and I, so we decided not to chase around the country and to stay local. There has been a large influx of hawfinches to the country with many reports of birds flying over, particularly by people out at key sites monitoring migration of various species. We decided that hawfinch would our target bird for the day. As we were local, we didn't have to set out too early as we would be waiting on the light rising - I picked Kev up at 7.00am.

The hawfinch is a striking and elusive bird, best known for its large powerful bill capable of cracking open hard seeds. Though native to the UK, it is a rare sight due to its shy nature and generally low population, boosted in numbers by migration in winter months. They are the largest UK finch and exhibit a beautiful mix of colours, including a rusty-brown body, a blue-grey nape, and striking black markings on the wings and face. They prefer mature deciduous woodlands with hornbeam, beech and yew trees. They can also sometimes be found in parks and large gardens with suitable tree cover.

Historically hawfinches were more widespread across the UK but are now mainly concentrated in certain areas, such as the Forest of Dean, the New Forest, parts of Kent, and woodlands in Sussex and Surrey. They are on the UK's Red List for conservation concern, highlighting the need for habitat protection. They are relatively quiet birds, but they have a distinctive 'tic' call that can help identify them when hidden in treetops.

In the winter of 21-22 there was a significant number of hawfinches at Great Tew in Oxfordshire, and this was repeated in 22-23, but last year there were really no reports at all. With this year looking like more of an 'irruption' than last year, many hawfinches have arrived from mainland Europe, and it is likely the habitat around this village is likely to be of interest to this species again.

We arrived and met up with Dave South who also wanted to catch up with some of these elusive birds. There was a slight mist and light was generally awful; it was obvious that there would be no award-winning photos today. We worked around the church, then split to look along the main road and down into the village. Lots of other berry and seed eating birds fed around the trees including many redwings and a handful of mistle thrush. A pair of jays appeared regularly, occasionally calling - a loud, harsh, and rasping screech. The most common call is a repeated, grating 'raak-raaak' or 'shreeeek' which carries over long distances.

We spent several hours searching without success, so decided to head to Thenford, where John-Friendship-Taylor had reported spotting three hawfinches the previous day. The best vantage point in the area is from St. Mary’s Church, a picturesque medieval church with sections dating back to the 13th century. It showcases elements of early English Gothic architecture but has undergone several restorations, particularly in the 19th century. The church's tower stands as a striking feature in the local landscape.

Dave joined us there, and as we stepped out of the car, a raven's call echoed from a distant pine. We spotted its head rising above the treetops as it called, its distinctive bill clearly visible. Circling the church, we noticed another birder perched on the far wall of the graveyard. He mentioned he'd been watching for about 45 minutes without seeing anything noteworthy but was facing the church and the trees behind it - opposite to the direction we expected most activity. Referring to a photo from the previous day, we identified the tree where two of the hawfinches had been seen and began our vigil.

Eventually, the other birder left, followed by Dave, leaving just Kev and I to continue the search. We watched as redwings, jays, and mistle thrushes busily fed on berries, hoping our target birds would soon appear.

Time was getting on, but I saw birds drop into the top of a distant tree, looking very much the right size and shape. Sure enough there were three hawfinches, confirmed through the scope. In under a couple of minutes they dropped from the tree down and out of sight in the lower canopy. We waited but we had no further joy.

A flock of jackdaws, conceled on the other side of the trees, started making quite a racket and then circled in the distance. I commented that it was a bit early for a murmuration but within seconds the reason for their displeasure became apparent - a peregrine flew through.

We waited for a while and were amused to see a grey heron perched on a tree out in front. Though it's more common to see grey herons standing in shallow water or wading along riverbanks, it's not unusual for these birds to perch in trees when they are resting. When perched, they may appear slightly out of place due to their large size and typically aquatic habits, but their adaptability is a hallmark of the species. In the tree, the grey heron adopted a relaxed posture, with its neck slightly retracted and its sharp beak pointed forward, scanning the area and pool below.

Mrs. Heseltine drove past us in a buggy and was notably displeased with our presence in the churchyard, insisting that we should have contacted "our" Rector to request permission to stand there. We explained our purpose and assured her that we were being respectful of the space, but our response did little to appease her.

A little later, another gentleman approached us, and his demeanor was far more congenial. We chatted about the birds, and he kindly asked if we could do him a favour by ensuring the church door was properly closed - a request we were happy to fulfill.

It was a pleasant day overall, and we were able to spot our target bird, albeit at quite a distance - a refreshing change from the recent intensity of Saturday birding.