Welcome to my new blog for 2012, i hope you enjoy sharing my travels.
Kent suprise
What was planned as a pleasant relaxing day in Kent, turned into a mad dash across the county for a Short-toed Treecreeper, very elusive but called regularly. A new British Bird for me as i had missed last years Landguard individual, so was able to catch back up on my crew (who got Yellowthroat back on me the other week!).
The day started at Dungeness with a flyby Bittern, Smew, Yellow-legged Gull, Long-tailed Duck, Bearded Tit, Tree Sparrow and a distant Great White Egret, not bad for starters; moving towards the point we added the resident Glaucous Gull.
The mega-alert hit as we left the reserve gates, so a quick 50 minute drive saw us staring at a bush where the Treecreeper had been some time earlier - dejection disappeared as the bird flew back in calling from across the railway. Difficult to view and only a few record shots grabbed.
The day ended at Harty Marshes, where around 10 Short-eared Owls gave varying views, along with a Barn owl and a few Hen Harriers.
3 good days in as many weeks, the spring will have a lot to live up to!
Hampshire 3rd March 2012
We finally made it to Hampshire to catch up on the fine selection of wintering rarities, going straight to Calshot for the Spanish Sparrow was a wise choice, the rain had just stopped and the bird appeared and fed in the roadside hedges for 30 minutes before disappearing with the House Sparrows. Only the 2nd record for me after the long staying Waterside, Cumbria bird.
The Dark-eyed Junco at Hawkhill Inclosure was not quite so confiding, in 4 hours i failed to take a single shot and saw the bird for about 30 seconds in total, great bird though and my second North American passerine in 7 days, the 3rd record for me after the Chester and Langham birds.
A quick drive saw us staring into back gardens in Hordle where an adult Rose-coloured Starling was holding territory, good views but to me this type of birding leaves me cold.
The end of the day was spent at Shatterford where the wintering Great Grey Shrike was finally located and showed relatively well, the afternoon was rounded off with good views of 3 Dartford Warblers, it was good to see this species is still clinging on despite the recent run of cold winters.
25th February 2012
After our trip to Ecuador it took a good bird to get us motivated, and this was just the ticket! Superb weather, a bird that although was not easy gave good views, although getting the definitive shot was a little more difficult (well done Richard Stonier!). Three of our group needed the bird as a lifer, although myself and Jayne have seen the species on Scilly in the past.
After a few hours we headed to New Fancy View in the Forest of Dean where up to 4 Goshawks gave some stunning views, one male gave a flypast at about 200 yards range, best views i have ever had of this species. Cannop Ponds produced about 25 Mandarin Ducks and a Kingfisher.
An excellent days birding, can't wait till next week.