Paul F's pics from Dungeness

Some pics from Dungeness. Mystery Gull type and possible Arctic Tern in forground with Little and Common Terns. What do my vast army of followers think? Let me know by way of a "comment" or email me sh4rpy[at]hotmail.com

Reed Bunting

Oystercatcher

Oystercatchers

Linnet

Mystery

Mystery

Sandwich Terns

Little Tern (top middle,) Common Tern (far right,) Arctic Tern in foreground.

Yellow Wagtails

Yellow Wagtail

Yellow Wagtails

Yellow Wagtails

Shelduck

Shelducks

Singing Sedge Warbler

Dungeness

A days birding at Dungeness with Paul F. We visited three sites at Dungeness; ARC pit, "The Patch" / power station area and the RSPB reserve.

First port of call was the ARC pit; Whitethroat, Reed Bunting, Reed Warbler, 2 Garganey (pair,) 2 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Oystercatcher, Curlew.

"The Patch" and Power Station; Meadow Pipit, 8 Linnet, c20 Common Tern, c20 Sandwich Tern, 3 Little Tern, Arctic Tern, 6 Common Scoter, 2 Swallow, 3 Wheatear.

RSPB Reserve; 8+ Yellow Wagtail, Reed Bunting, Linnet, Cetti's Warbler, 20+ Sedge Warbler, Oystercatcher, Slavonian Grebe, 3 Marsh Harrier.

sh4rpy, Paul F.

2 Loons

An afternoon visit to a very quiet Staines Reservoirs produced the following; 2 Great Northern Divers, Swallow, Sparrowhawk, Wigeon, Teal.

Croxley Common Moor-Wilstone Reservoir

Croxley Common Moor; 3 Green Woodpecker, 2 Swallow, Chiffchaff and Blackcap singing.
Wilstone Reservoir; 19 Common Tern, Sparrowhawk, 3 Buzzard, 1 Swallow.

RSPB Nags Head 20th March 2011

Some pics from a recent visit to RSPB Nags Head with Brendan G and Paul F. Pics taken by Paul Frost do not use without his permission. Click on pics to enlarge.

Bullfinch

Mandarin

Mandarin (pair)

Symonds Yat 20th March 2011

Some pics from a recent visit to Symonds Yat with Paul F and Brendan G. Pics were taked by Paul Frost, do not use without his permission. Clic on pics to enlarge.

 View from Symonds Yat Rock

Raven

Goshawk

Goshawk

Titchwell Pics March 13th 2011

All the pics below were taken by Paul Frost. Do not use them without his permission. They were all taken on March 13th 2011 at Titchwell with the exception of the last pic which is a Stone Curlew in flight at Foxhole Heath.

Woodoaks Farm

A lunchtime visit to Woodoaks Farm produced the following; Yellowhammer, Red Kite, 4 Meadow Pipit, 6 Skylark, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Little Owl. Also noted 5 Hare's (2 adult and 3 juvenile.)

Beds n Herts then Beds again.

Blows Down, Ivinghoe Beacon, Wilstone Reservoir, Blows Down (again.) with Brendan G.
Arrived at Blows down about 08:30, target birds were Wheatear and Ring Ouzel. First we gave the "paddocks" a good going over but nothing much of interest. We then decided to go up to the "plateau," on our ascent we encountered another birder who informed us 2 Ring Ouzel had been reported on the "Kingsbury slope." But despite some intensive searching by ourselves and several other birders we could not locate any Ring Ouzel, however, we did note several Yellowhammer. We then made our way to the "Plateau" where we noted c20 Meadow Pipit, 10+ Skylark, 4 Buzzard and a single male Wheatear. We also noted a Hare.

Next stop was Ivinghoe Beacon. As soon as we had parked up we were straight onto a very distant male Ring Ouzel. We made our way towards the Ring Ouzel where we were treated to some great views of the bird perched up and feeding. Whilst at Ivinghoe we also noted, Red Kite, Blackcap and Willow Warbler. Also at Ivinghoe were top Maple Cross birders Paul Lewis and daughter.

From Ivinghoe we went to Wilstone Reservoir in Herts. Here we noted a pair of Mistle Thrush feeding young, 50+ Sand Martin, 2 Red Kite, 9 Common Tern and thanks to Local birder Steve Rodwell 6 Sandwich Tern on the bunds for about 40 mins before flying off towards Marsworth. Whilst at Wilstone we received news that there was a Pied Flycatcher at Blows Down.

Last site visit of the day was a return to Blows Down. We joined about 15 other birders and before long we were treated to cracking views of a summer plumaged male Pied Flycatcher. We then gave the paddocks another look and were rewarded with great views of a male Wheatear, then another great show by the Pied Flycatcher before we made our way home.

sh4rpy, Brendan G.

Blows Down and Ivinghoe Beacon

Midday visit to Blows Down and then on to Ivinghoe Beacon.
Blows Down; 2 Wheatear, Mistle Thrush, 6 Meadow Pipit, 4 Chiffchaff, c20 Skylark.
Ivinghoe Beacon; Chiffchaff, 2 Red Kite, Goldcrest.

Forest of Dean

Saturday 19th March 2011. Myself Paul F and Brendan G visited the following sites in the Foest of Dean; New Fancy, Symonds Yat Rock and RSPB Nagshead. First port of call was New Fancy, we arrived at approximately 08:17, nothing much of note for the first 45 minutes except for 3 Goosander in flight, then at a 09:00 we saw the first of 5 or maybe 6 Goshawk, also noted at this site were several Buzzard. Next up was Symonds Yat Rock. On route we noted a Sparrowhawk. First birds noted at Symonds Yat were 2 Nuthatch collecting nesting material, then from the watchpoint we had good views of Peregrine, Raven, Buzzard, Red Kite and up to three Goshawk including one male performing display flight (stunning!,) also noted were 3 Goosander on the river. Next up was RSPB Nags Head, not quite as much excitement as the 2 previous sites but we did note the following; Buzzard, Siskin, Bullfinch (pair,) Nuthatch, Treecreeper (upto 6,) Goldcrest, Coal Tit, 3 Mandarin including 2 summer plumaged males. On the way home we called in at Marlow Gravel Pits where we noted the following; 4 Egyptian Geese, 100+ Common Gull, Lesser Black Backed Gull, 2-3 Kingfisher, several Red Kite and a lone Mediterranean Gull.

Updates

Apologies to my vast legion of followers for my lack of updates recently.
Sunday 13th of March I went to Titchwell RSPB with Paul F. Only a few steps onto the reserve we located a perched Marsh Harrier offering good views if a little distant. Almost immediately Paul found a Barn Owl quatering the fields and then perched on a fencepost. Next birds of note were 6+ Pintails including males in summer plumage and Brent Geese. From the smart new hides most noteworthy birds were, Ruff, Redshank, Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Bar Tailed Godwit and good numbers of Avocet offering some good photo opportunities for Paul. Also noted was a pale looking Water Pipit, kindly i.d'd for us by an RSPB volunteer, however, we were not able to locate any of the Twite I had seen on a previous visit. From the beach, Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Sanderling, Turnstone. Vast rafts of Common Scoter contained 3 Velvet Scoter, also noted were good numbers of Eider including many drakes. On the way back we called in at Foxhole Heath more in hope than expectation of finding Stone Curlew. As soon as I had set up my scope a rather helpfull birder put it straight on a fairly close Stone Curlew (what a very helpfull chap!) Myself and Paul then located one more although 3 were at the site.

Wilstone, Marsworth, Tyttenhanger, Walthamstow.

A morning visit to Tring then London Colney.
Wilstone Reservoir; Water Pipit near jetty towards cemetery corner, Buzzard, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Goldeneye, Wigeon, Teal, Pochard, Yellowhammer, Cetti's Warbler (calling.)
Marsworth; Grey Wagtail.
Tyttenhanger; Skylark, Great Black Backed Gull, Common Gull, Oystercatcher, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Reed Bunting, Green Woodpecker.  2 Oystercatcher and a female Goosander on fishing lakes.

Later at Walthamstow Marshes. Great Spotted Woodpecker, Kestrel, 2 Mistle Thrush, 2 Ring Necked Parakeet.

Waxwings Again.

On the way home from work 30-40 Waxwings outside 62 The Avenue. There appeared to be 2 distinct groups, half were fairly mobile and often dropping down to eat berries. The other half were perched up and barely moving. Perhaps the second group were "fed up?" 

The Avenue, Waxwings

I went home via The Avenue, Watford today. Outside number 62 there were 60+ highly mobile Waxwings.
Click on pictures to enlarge.

Maple Lodge and Withey Beds

A quick visit to Maple Lodge then Withey Beds. At Maple Lodge; 2 Snipe from rotunda hide, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, Goldcrest, Kestrel, Ring Necked Parakeet, Song Thrush, Redwing, Wigeon, Teal.
Withey Beds; 2 Bullfinch (pair,) Goldcrest.

Staines Reservoirs South Basin

A morning visit to Staines Reservoirs produced Great Northern Diver and a drake Scaup. Whilst there i met up with Geoff L, Tony H and Paul F. We headed off to Hampshire in search of a recently reported White Tailed Eagle. Unfortunately we drew a blank.

Back garden; 2 Coal Tit.

Goldcrest, Bat n Buzzards

I had to take my car in to a garage in Two Waters, Hemel today. I decided to walk to Abbots via Grand Union Canal to Kings Langley then Egg Plant Lane. Not much about and generally I was walking more than watching. Near Kings Langley fishing lakes I located 2 Goldcrest. There seem to be a lot of Goldcrests about at the moment. Then further along the canal near to Kings Langley College I noticed a small Bat apparently hunting flies over the canal. This was about 14:30, I have never seen a Bat hunting like this in broad daylight. 3 pics taked with my phone below. Then in Long Wood near Egg Plant Lane, Abbots, 2 Buzzards both perched up roughly 300 yards apart.

 Some people spend lots of money on top of the range camera's but why bother when you can get such high quality pics with a mobile phone?

Walthamstow Marsh Nature Reserve

I attended an ice hockey match at Lee Valley Ice Rink this afternoon. I had about an hour spare before the game so had a walk around the nearby Walthamstow Marsh Nature Reserve. The best birds seen were 2 Stonechat, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker (showing courtship behaviour) and a Kestrel mobbed by a Magpie. The Stonechats my first (and second!) of the year.

Tree Sparrow at Woodoaks Farm

A morning visit to Woodoaks, As I walked along the "public bridleway" towards the farm cottages I discovered a Tree Sparrow feeding on the track with House Sparrows and Chaffinches. Also noted were Ring Necked Parakeet, Redwing and Fieldfare.

Earlier at Maple Lodge; c100 Siskin, 2 Goldcrest, 6 Teal, 2 Pochard. On Lynsters Farm 7 Egyptian Geese.

Back to Woodoaks at 15:00. No sign of Tree Sparrow but 7 Yellowhammer, 2 Greenfinch, Red Kite, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Green Woodpecker and Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Waxwings Toms Lane

20 Waxwings opposite Jane Parker's cattery, bottom end of Toms Lane at 16:50.

Bramfield

An early morning visit to Bramfield churchyard and nearby with Brendan G; 3 Hawfinch briefly, 7 Bullfinch in the hedgerow around the playing field, Buzzard, Red Kite. 07:30 to 09:30.

My Abbots back garden; Coal Tit.

Beds Short Eared Owl

An evening visit to Wixams near Wilstead in Befordshire with Brendan G.
We enjoyed good scope views of a Short Eared Owl, showing well between 16:15 and 17:15. Also seen 2 Snipe, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk and 2 Muntjac. Postcode for Sat-Nav MK45 3HT (Dane Lane.)

Waxwings Toms Lane, Kings Langley/Bedmond

c40 Waxwings feeding on rotten apples in front garden of house next to IPS fencing Toms Lane at 10:15 this morning.

Waxwings at Croxley and Maple Cross

24 Waxwing between Dorrofield Close and Sycamore Road, Croxley today from 14:00 to at least 15:30. Similar number at Maple Cross near Nissan and Renault buildings at about 14:45.
Woodoaks Farm; 6 Yellowhammer, 12 Goldfinch, Little Owl, 30 Redwing/Fieldfare, 13 Pied Wagtail.
Maple Lodge; Teal, Gadwall, Little Grebe, Ring Necked Parakeet, Goldcrest, Redwing, Fieldfare.

Waxwings Toms Lane

60 Waxwing bottom end of Toms Lane, 100 yards before railway bridge.
Also Sparrowhawk over Tibbs Hill, Abbots Langley.

Ivinghoe Hotspot

A mid morning visit to Ivinghoe Beacon. Extremely high winds especially up on the ridge, not much about as you might expect with such poor weather conditions, however, on the way back to the car park I noticed a Blue Tit in the hedgerow and on closer inspection I could see another bird flitting about in the background. I put my bins on the birds and noticed the Blue Tit was closely accompanied by a Goldcrest. Almost immediately they were joined by a Marsh Tit, Treecreeper, Coal Tit and Nuthatch. All birds were within 4 feet of each-other.
Then I crossed the road towards Incombe Hole. The only noteworthy birds were Goldcrest and Long Tailed Tit. I did, however, have a great view of 2 Weasels.

Mauritius

Arrived back from a family holiday to Mauritius on sunday morning, not much opportunity for birding but did note the following;

Seen from, or near our accommodation at Perybere in the north of Mauritius.
Zebra Dove, Madagascar Turtle Dove, Ring Necked Parakeet, Red Whiskered Bulbul, Mauritius Grey Whiteye, Madagascar Fody, House Sparrow, Masked Weaver (weaving nest,) Spice Finch,

On the shoreline Pereybere area.
Striated Heron, Ruddy Turnstone, Whimbrel, Common Sandpiper.

Black River Gorge National Park.
White Tailed Tropic Bird, Mascarene Paradise Flycatcher.

 Common Mynah

 Madagascar Fody

 Masked Weaver

 Ruddy Turnstone

 Red Whiskered Bulbul

 Spice Finch

Striated Heron

Updates

Mon 31st Jan, Woodoaks Farm; 2 Little Owl, c100 mixed flock Fieldfare and Redwing, 3 Red Kite, c50 Linnet, 12+ Yellowhammer. Withey Beds; 2 Mistle Thrush, Buzzard, Green Woodpecker. Cassiobury Park; 2 Siskin, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Nuthatch, 2 Goldcrest, Little Egret, 2 Water Rail.
sh4rpy, Geoff L, Martin.J.S.

Stockers

An hour at Stockers Farm and Lake, late afternoon in failing light.

Stockers Farm; Little Owl in hole in tree and later on branch near nestbox. In the field on the other side of the track 2 Mistle Thrush and a Redwing.

Stockers Lake Shoveler Hide, 20 Goldeneye 8m and 12f, 8 Goosander 4m and 4f, also Pochard, Shoveler.

Off on hols to Mauritius tomorrow, not a birding holiday and not sure if my broadband dongle will work. If it does and I do see anything noteworthy I will update my blog.

Waxwings in the Park

Around 11:30 this morning c40 Waxwing in trees either side of Cassiobury Park Avenue between Shepherds Road and Watford Met Station. The same flock then re-located to an area around the Cha Cha cafe in the park until spooked by a Sparrowhawk. Also noted 4 Fieldfare and 4 Ring Necked Parakeet.

Urban Birding

Rear of Royal Mail Sorting Office, Ascot Road, Watford; 4 Redwing, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Goldfinch, male Bullfinch.

Wood End Lane, Hemel Hempstead; c50 Waxwing.

Ex B.T. Bulding near "Magic Roundabout" Hemel Hempstead; Peregrine roosting on top of furthest right hand column.

Maple Lodge

Maple Lodge; c100 Siskin feeding furiously in the Alders near the clubhouse, Wigeon and Gadwall grazing on Lynsters Farm, f Goosander on Lynsters Lake.

Mon 10th Jan 2011 Stockers then Woodoaks Farm

Stockers Farm; Little Owl.

Stockers Lake; 2 Little Egret, 14+ Goldeneye, 1 Red Crested Pochard, 2 Red Kite, 20 Ring Necked Parakeet, Common Gull, 10 Lapwing.

Woodoaks Farm; Buzzard, 10 Yellowhammer, 9 Linnet, 2 Herring Gull, 100+ mixed flock Fieldfare and Redwing, 2 Little Owl.

Norfolk Birding

An excellent days birding in Norfolk with Brendan G and Dave J.

First stop was Thornham Marshes; Northern Harrier, Hen Harrier, Barn Owl, Red Breasted Merganser and Common Scoter the best birds seen. We had only been at Thornham for 5 minutes when the Northern Harrier showed really well, at first it was joined by a Hen Harrier but this flew off towards Titchwell. Not a bad start to the day!

Next stop, RSPB Titchwell; Highlights here were; Marsh Harrier, Black and Bar Tailed Godwit, Pintail, Eider, Slavonian Grebe, Velvet Scoter, Avocet, Grey Plover, Knot, Sanderling, Dunlin, Ruff, Spotted Redshank, Turnstone, Curlew, Twite, Merlin.

Finally, Burnham Overy; 2 Rough Legged Buzzard showing well with Marsh Harrier in close attendance, Brent Goose, Pink Footed Goose, Ringed Plover.

Not a bad day!!!!
sh4rpy, Brendan G, Dave J.

East Hyde and Batford

Another late afternoon visit to East Hyde and Batford. On the way I noted a Red Kite over the Bedmond Road in the Pimlico area. Then once parked up at East Hyde I went in search of the recently reported European White Fronted Geese, after a lengthy walk along the cycle track I located a flock of geese in a field on the opposite side of the Lower Luton Road, the flock contained mainly Canada and Greylags but also 8 Egyptian and 2 European White Fronted Geese. On returning to East Hyde I noted; Kestrel, Little Egret, Teal, Green Sandpiper and Jack Snipe.  Also noted 2 Hare's.

Jack Snipe at East Hyde

A late afternoon visit in fading light and pouring rain produced; Jack Snipe showing well in the stream close to the bridge also Little Egret and Water Rail. I located a flock of geese distantly on the hillside but no sign of White Fronted or Egyptian just Canada and Grey Lag, perhaps they had gone over the brough?

Scotsbridge Mill

In fading light a late afternoon visit to Scotsbridge Mill; 8 Teal, 4 Water Rail, 3 Little Egret.

Going Local

Scotsbridge Mill mid morning; 4 Water Rail, 3 Little Egret, Lots of Dog walkers.

Woodoaks Farm midday; Goldcrest, 150 mixed flock of Fieldfare and Redwing, Little Owl, c40 Yellowhammer, Linnet, Meadow Pipit, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Skylark, Song Thrush.

Stockers Farm; Little Owl, Ring Necked Parakeet.

Springwell Lake; 3m and 1f Goosander.

Stockers Lake; 4m and 4f Goldeneye, c30 Siskin, Ring Necked Parakeet, Goldcrest, c30 Lapwing.

Bury Lake; Pair Red Crested Pochard, Ring Necked Parakeet.

Waxwings in Hemel

At 15:30 today I located c40 Waxwings close to the A414 St Albans Road between Leverstock Green/Maylands Avenue Roundabout and Jarmans Park.

Earlier in the day a visit to Wilstone Reservoir produced the following; Buzzard, c30 Goldfinch, 12 Fieldfare, 7m Pheasant, 2 Pintail, Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler, Gadwall, Pochard, Grey Wagtail, Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Herts Birding

First stop was junction of Bruce Grove and St Albans Road, North Watford at 8a.m.; c 50 Waxwing.

Southern Country Park, Bishops Stortford CM23 4QZ. 2 Bearded Tit, 2 Reed Bunting, Water Rail (calling)

B181 Amwell; 31 Waxwing, Mistle Thrush.

Amwell Gravel Pits; Bittern, f Smew, f Goldeneye, 3 Skylark, Grey Wagtail, Wigeon, Teal, Common Gull, Water Rail, Little Grebe.
sh4rpy, Brendan G.