Woodoaks Farm

An hour at Woodoaks before work; Red Kite (4), Buzzard (3), Kestrel (3), Sparrowhawk, Green Woodpecker, Yellowhammer (3), Red-legged Partridge (2), Chiffchaff, Golden Plover (c100 over).

Scottish Trip

I'm off to Scotland next sunday with Paul and Dave. Were staying at Nethybridge and hoping to see as many Scottish specialities as possible. I have trawled various websites for hints and tips as to good places to go but if any visitors to my blog have any info please email me sh4rpy[at]hotmail.com or post a comment. I will do my best to keep my blog updated but all depends on internet access.

An afternoon at Dungeness

An afternoon visit to Dungeness with Brendan.
Sea watching at "the patch" foggy so visibilty poor: Brent Goose (c20), Gannet (6), Sandwich Tern (12).
Observatory; Chiffchaff (2), Song Thrush, Black Redstart (2).
ARC Pit; Wigeon, Teal, Pintail, Shelduck, Oystercatcher, Snipe, Curlew, Golden Plover, Little Grebe, Little Egret, Tree Sparrow (c10).
RSPB Reserve; Dunlin (4), Oystercatcher, Linnet, Cetti's Warbler (singing), Bearded Tit (calling), Marsh Harrier.

Dartford Delight!

An early morning visit to Coombe Heath, Dorset in search of Dartford Warbler.

A couple of circuits of the reserve failed to produce any sightings of the elusive Dartford's. I decided to stake out an area of heathland and follow a pair of Stonechat's. After a few minutes a Dartford Warbler joined the female Stonechat in a tiny gorse bush. The Dartford followed the Stonechat's around the heath although it tended to stay low in the heather occassionally sitting up to allow some good views. At one stage the Chat's flew strongly from one side of the heath to the other where they were quickly joined by another Dartford. Interestingly the Dartford's tended to stay closer to the female Stonechat than the male.
Also noted; Spoonbill (4), Little Egret, Black-tailed Godwit (c150), Redshank, Shelduck, Wigeon, Teal, Buzzard, Kestrel, Great-spotted Woodpecker, Mistle Thrush, Linnet, Coal Tit, Meadow Pipit, Chiffchaff, 4 Sika Deer.

Black Redstart at Woodoaks Farm

Thanks to a text from Tony and Geoff I put aside my domestic chores for a while and made my way a couple of junctions around the M25 to Woodoaks Farm, Maple Cross. I met Geoff and Tony and they were soon able to put me onto a very mobile male Black Redstart. It was busily flitting around the farm outbuildings catching flies.

3-0 to the Paddyfield

I'm off work this week so I made another visit to Pagham Harbour. Same result as previous 2 visits only this time I didn't get wet. From Pagham I made my way over to Acre's Down in the New Forest. Better luck here with the following noted; Goshawk (4+ displaying), Buzzard (8), Sparrowhawk, Coal Tit, Meadow Pipit, Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush, Stonechat, Goldcrest, Firecrest. Also a Woodmouse.

Dorset pics

Pauls' pics from our trip to Dorset. Great Black-backed Gull, Wheatear, Stonechat, Fulmar, Guillemot and Shag, Rock Pipit and Razorbill. All at Portland Bill. Glossy Ibis pics at Radipole and Ruff at Lodmoor.

Dorset Birding

A days birding in Dorset with Paul.

Portland Bill; Fulmar, Gannet, Shag,  Buzzard, Oystercatcher, Turnstone, Great Black-backed Gull, Guillemot, Razorbill,  Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Rock Pipit, Stonechat, Wheatear, Peregrine.

Radipole Lake; Glossy Ibis, Kingfisher,  Reed Bunting, Cetti’s Warbler.

Lodmoor; Chiffchaff, Spoonbill,  Ruff, Great Black-backed Gull, Cetti’s Warbler.

Withey Beds

Mid morning at the Withey Beds; 5 Bullfinch, Great-spotted Woodpecker, Nuthatch, Fieldfare, Redwing, Kestrel.
Paul's pics added to my previous 2 postings.

Norfolk

A day trip to Norfolk with Paul, Brendan and Dave.

Ringstead; Corn Bunting.

RSPB Titchwell Marshes; Coues' Arctic Redpoll, Mealy Redpoll, Lesser Redpoll, Pink-footed Goose, Brent Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Teal, Pintail, Brent Goose, Long-tailed Duck, Velvet Scoter, Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser, Little Grebe, Slavonian Grebe
Marsh Harrier, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Grey Plover, Knot, Sanderling, Dunlin, Ruff, Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit, Bar-tailed Godwit, Spotted Redshank, Redshank, Turnstone, Mediterranean Gull, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Cetti’s Warbler, Siskin, Linnet, Reed Bunting.

Holkham; Buzzard, Marsh Harrier, Ruff, Golden Plover.

Lynford Arboretum; Hawfinch, Common Buzzard, Redwing, Goldcrest, Common Crossbill.
Paul's pics below; Muntjac, next 3 Coues' Arctic Redpoll, Spotted Redshank, all at Titchwell the marsh Harrier at Holkham.

Stockers.

A pleasant morning visit to Stockers Lake with Paul F, Tony H and later Joan T.
Stockers Farm; Little Owl, Green Woodpecker, Sparrowhawk. Grand Union lock gates; Grey Wagtail (pair). Stockers Lake; On the causeway a Cetti's Warbler calling and showing well. Then on our walk around the lake the following were noted; Goldeneye (pair mating), Goosander, Pochard, Egyptian Goose, Great-crested Grebe, Common Gull, Kingfisher, Nuthatch, Ring-necked Parakeet, Reed Bunting, Great-spotted Woodpecker, Kestrel.

Withey Beds with Paul and Joan; Green Woodpecker, Great-spotted Woodpecker, Kestrel, Ring-necked Parakeet.

Harefield Village with Paul; Tree Sparrow (4).
Paul's Pic of the Cetti's below.

Rose-coloured Starling, Hordle.

An early morning visit to Hordle, Hampshire with Paul. After standing in the rain for an hour and a half the Rose-coloured Starling showed really well. First of all on the roof of a house then feeding on the lawn, then drinking, feeding and bathing in the guttering of the garage. Finally it settled in the garden hedge which is where we left it.
One or two pics below. First two pics are Pauls all others are mine. Click on pics to enlarge.

Saturday 3rd March 2012

A visit to the Burgh near Burpham with Paul F; A Rough-legged Buzzard offered good scope views, also 6 Common Buzzard and 2 Red Kite. Earlier in the day we spent several hours at Pagham Harbour hoping to see the Padyfield Warbler but no luck (again!). Paul's Pics below.
Reed Bunting, Curlew, Teal.