Earlier in the week Barry Reed found three Parrot Crossbills in Broxbourne Woods-part of this autumn's influx. The first records ever for Hertfordshire, and the first in the London recording area since the mid 19th C, so they have been rather popular. Being stuck at work and with other commitments, today was my first available opportunity to get down there.
By the time I got there at 9am, with one other car load in front of me, there had already been one report so it was a case of getting to the right area and waiting. Gradually numbers built up, including Simon West, Darren Bast, David Darrel Lambert, Colin Wills and Richard Pople, so there was plenty of chatting to while away the hours. David had been down yesterday with his recording gear and was using it again today, but unfortunately the Gibbons at the nearby Paradise Wildlife Park were pretty much the only things making a noise this morning.
We had lots of corvids and gulls going over, the occasional Redpoll and Siskin, and the usual species one can find in conifer plantations. Just about the only thing not showing were Crossbills. Richard and I stuck it out until just before noon, before giving up.
One distraction on the way back was a very close flyby Raven which was rather problematic as I was following Richard up the lane and we were both trying to avoid an oncoming car in the very narrow lane.
Sunday, 24 December 2017
Sunday, 3 December 2017
A few hours at Amwell
I didn't go on any major birding trips this weekend. The White Crowned Black Wheatear in Scunthorpe was a non starter from the moment the news came out (returned to the aviary yesterday). The recent influx of Parrot Crossbills with a couple of flocks in Berkshire and the Brecks were better but I thought we'd try for those later in the month since Colin wasn't available.
This morning wasn't all that inspiring, overcast, light misty rain at times, but since it has been a while, I spent some time at Amwell this morning.
The recent work by the gas board seems to have gone fairly well so far, with a lot less damage and disruption than expected. Rather more worryingly though is British Rail's determination to close the level crossing on 'safety' grounds even though there have not been any problems in the 30 odd years since I have been visiting. This would make accessing the reserve very difficult, cause major problems for those living on the canal, and prevent any sort of vehicular access to the marina. Fingers crossed on this one.
Water levels are reasonably high considering the lack of rainfall. Lots of Wigeon in today, with some Gadwall, Teal and Shoveller. Only one pair of Goldeneye though. Recently Pintail have been present, and there have been sightings of Goosander as well (presumably wintering in the Cheshunt complex). Lots of large gulls around, with maybe a dozen Greater Black Backs, similar numbers of Lesser Black Backs, some Herrings and a few Common Gulls. A couple of white headed Herrings caught my eye and I spent some time on one particular individual before deciding that it wasn't anything unusual. Pity really as I then picked up a Yellow Legged Gull which quickly moved off, but I managed to get everyone on it and obtained one image. Its the one on the left in the close up.
A walk down to Tumbling Bay didn't produce much in the one tit flock that I found. The alders had the usual Siskin and Goldfinch flock, but no Redpolls. Nothing much on the feeders at Hollycross.
I found a Treecreeper on the way back that performed reasonably well for me (would have got better images if didn't have to change the battery in the camera).
This morning wasn't all that inspiring, overcast, light misty rain at times, but since it has been a while, I spent some time at Amwell this morning.
The recent work by the gas board seems to have gone fairly well so far, with a lot less damage and disruption than expected. Rather more worryingly though is British Rail's determination to close the level crossing on 'safety' grounds even though there have not been any problems in the 30 odd years since I have been visiting. This would make accessing the reserve very difficult, cause major problems for those living on the canal, and prevent any sort of vehicular access to the marina. Fingers crossed on this one.
Water levels are reasonably high considering the lack of rainfall. Lots of Wigeon in today, with some Gadwall, Teal and Shoveller. Only one pair of Goldeneye though. Recently Pintail have been present, and there have been sightings of Goosander as well (presumably wintering in the Cheshunt complex). Lots of large gulls around, with maybe a dozen Greater Black Backs, similar numbers of Lesser Black Backs, some Herrings and a few Common Gulls. A couple of white headed Herrings caught my eye and I spent some time on one particular individual before deciding that it wasn't anything unusual. Pity really as I then picked up a Yellow Legged Gull which quickly moved off, but I managed to get everyone on it and obtained one image. Its the one on the left in the close up.
A walk down to Tumbling Bay didn't produce much in the one tit flock that I found. The alders had the usual Siskin and Goldfinch flock, but no Redpolls. Nothing much on the feeders at Hollycross.
I found a Treecreeper on the way back that performed reasonably well for me (would have got better images if didn't have to change the battery in the camera).
Sunday, 26 November 2017
Birding in a Porsche
Well I finally got a run in Colin's new Macan yesterday. Still not feeling brilliant, with a lingering cough, but we had a short day out in Norfolk. Thoughts that the a walk in the fresh air would help didn't exactly work as it was very cold with a strong wind, but we had a good time.
The car is a bit more compact than the Nissan, handles much better and is far more comfortable. It is also a lot more economical and has a 500+ mile range so long distance twitches should be a bit easier on the pocket. I spent a good deal of the journey fiddling with the 18-way seat adjustments. I haven't quite got the passenger seat right yet but its close. The one failing of the car, if I can call it that is that the GPS altimeter doesn't like being below sea level, and at one point was reading 19999 feet when we were near Welney. All I need is a lottery win.
We kicked off at Thornham where we hoped to see a wintering flock of Twite. Not much of a challenge as they spent most of the time in the channel just behind the car park.
Viewing from the sea wall was a bit challenging with a very strong wind so I didn't stay long. Scanning the harbour mouth produced the typical selection of Brent Geese, Curlew, Redshank, Oystercatcher, Dunlin and assorted gulls. Hopes for a Merlin or Hen Harrier appeared to go out of the window due to a shooting party on Thornham Marsh, though I was later told that it didn't usually cause much disturbance.
Titchwell was pretty quiet for a change, plenty of spaces in the car park. The tide was just about high when we arrived, though it wasn't a big one. Despite this, the fresh marsh was pretty full with only a few small flocks of duck and waders. One Avocet, a small flock of Knot and a few Godwits being the highlight. Seemed to be more Ringed Plovers than usual, but no Ruff, Spotted Redshanks or Greenshank.
Most of the interest was on the sea. This proved to be a bit tricky with the wind and the fairly rough conditions. Most of the birds were some distance out in the heat (!) haze. The usual flocks of Great Crested Grebe and Red Breasted mergansers were in the bay, with a few others scattered over the sea. One or two close Red Throated Divers were easy to identify, but most other divers were a along way out and only one Great Northern was identified with certainty. Also a long way out were a coupe of Great Skuas and many auks. Luckily a few Guillemot and Razorbills were close inshore as were one or two smaller birds-my first Little Auks for several years.
Returning to the car we spent some time scanning the Pink Footed Geese on the grazing marsh but failed to find anything else-Taiga Bean Geese have been seen in the area and a small flock that we saw fly over Thornham was supposed to have a Greenland (?) Whitefront with them. All I managed to see were a few Snipe and Red Legged Partridge.
We called it a day after lunch, not wishing to spend too much time in the cold and returned home via Welney. No raptors or owls, in fact apart from a few Lawping flocks most of the fields were empty, and we only managed to locate two herds of wild swans. The only one we got close to turned out the be Whooper.
The car is a bit more compact than the Nissan, handles much better and is far more comfortable. It is also a lot more economical and has a 500+ mile range so long distance twitches should be a bit easier on the pocket. I spent a good deal of the journey fiddling with the 18-way seat adjustments. I haven't quite got the passenger seat right yet but its close. The one failing of the car, if I can call it that is that the GPS altimeter doesn't like being below sea level, and at one point was reading 19999 feet when we were near Welney. All I need is a lottery win.
We kicked off at Thornham where we hoped to see a wintering flock of Twite. Not much of a challenge as they spent most of the time in the channel just behind the car park.
Viewing from the sea wall was a bit challenging with a very strong wind so I didn't stay long. Scanning the harbour mouth produced the typical selection of Brent Geese, Curlew, Redshank, Oystercatcher, Dunlin and assorted gulls. Hopes for a Merlin or Hen Harrier appeared to go out of the window due to a shooting party on Thornham Marsh, though I was later told that it didn't usually cause much disturbance.
Titchwell was pretty quiet for a change, plenty of spaces in the car park. The tide was just about high when we arrived, though it wasn't a big one. Despite this, the fresh marsh was pretty full with only a few small flocks of duck and waders. One Avocet, a small flock of Knot and a few Godwits being the highlight. Seemed to be more Ringed Plovers than usual, but no Ruff, Spotted Redshanks or Greenshank.
Most of the interest was on the sea. This proved to be a bit tricky with the wind and the fairly rough conditions. Most of the birds were some distance out in the heat (!) haze. The usual flocks of Great Crested Grebe and Red Breasted mergansers were in the bay, with a few others scattered over the sea. One or two close Red Throated Divers were easy to identify, but most other divers were a along way out and only one Great Northern was identified with certainty. Also a long way out were a coupe of Great Skuas and many auks. Luckily a few Guillemot and Razorbills were close inshore as were one or two smaller birds-my first Little Auks for several years.
Returning to the car we spent some time scanning the Pink Footed Geese on the grazing marsh but failed to find anything else-Taiga Bean Geese have been seen in the area and a small flock that we saw fly over Thornham was supposed to have a Greenland (?) Whitefront with them. All I managed to see were a few Snipe and Red Legged Partridge.
We called it a day after lunch, not wishing to spend too much time in the cold and returned home via Welney. No raptors or owls, in fact apart from a few Lawping flocks most of the fields were empty, and we only managed to locate two herds of wild swans. The only one we got close to turned out the be Whooper.
Saturday, 18 November 2017
Bramfield Hawfinches
I haven't posted anything here for a while now. I did a long circuit around Aston End the Sunday before last, and tried getting some autumn colour landscapes but it was hard work and only a couple of images were worth working on.
I missed last weekend completely as a sinus infection started to take hold. I had planned on either looking for Hawfinches, following the large invasion over recent weeks, going to Tyttenhanger for the Great White Egret, plus several other good birds, and then meeting up with Colin the next day and doing Norfolk. Colin was quite keen, mainly, as it turned out, because he has changed his car and wanted to show it off, but by then I was too ill to consider it.
Ive still got a bad cough, feeling tired and very bunged up, but at least I am mobile. Been back at work for a few days and managed to survive that, so this morning felt like getting a bit of fresh air.
There were a couple of big Hawfinch roosts at Danemead and Broxbourne Woods last night but I decided to try Bramfield Church as a few are present again this winter.
Turned out to be a good move as shortly after I arrived, a couple of guys up from London told me that they hadn't seen any birds at either roost. The Church yard has had a bit of work done since I was last here and the big limes have been severely pruned, so it is a lot more open now.
The usual birds were present-lots of vocal Nuthatches, a few Coal, Blue and Great Tits, some Goldcrests and Long Tailed Tits and Lots of Jackdaws and Rooks. Redwings seemed to be flying over on a regular basis, maybe 50 at a time, with a few Fieldfare and Song Thrush among them.
Two Hawfinches were eventually located, in one of the trees in the adjacent garden. They sat up in the tree for quite some time before the male flew west towards the woods. The female remained for a while then flew into the vicarage opposite. Some time later, it or another flew out and over the church and presumably also into the woods.
Luckily I got to see Colin and was able to try out his new car- he's downsized from a Murrano to a Macan, which is a lot more economical to run. And a bit more stylish and upmarket.
I missed last weekend completely as a sinus infection started to take hold. I had planned on either looking for Hawfinches, following the large invasion over recent weeks, going to Tyttenhanger for the Great White Egret, plus several other good birds, and then meeting up with Colin the next day and doing Norfolk. Colin was quite keen, mainly, as it turned out, because he has changed his car and wanted to show it off, but by then I was too ill to consider it.
Ive still got a bad cough, feeling tired and very bunged up, but at least I am mobile. Been back at work for a few days and managed to survive that, so this morning felt like getting a bit of fresh air.
There were a couple of big Hawfinch roosts at Danemead and Broxbourne Woods last night but I decided to try Bramfield Church as a few are present again this winter.
Turned out to be a good move as shortly after I arrived, a couple of guys up from London told me that they hadn't seen any birds at either roost. The Church yard has had a bit of work done since I was last here and the big limes have been severely pruned, so it is a lot more open now.
The usual birds were present-lots of vocal Nuthatches, a few Coal, Blue and Great Tits, some Goldcrests and Long Tailed Tits and Lots of Jackdaws and Rooks. Redwings seemed to be flying over on a regular basis, maybe 50 at a time, with a few Fieldfare and Song Thrush among them.
Two Hawfinches were eventually located, in one of the trees in the adjacent garden. They sat up in the tree for quite some time before the male flew west towards the woods. The female remained for a while then flew into the vicarage opposite. Some time later, it or another flew out and over the church and presumably also into the woods.
Luckily I got to see Colin and was able to try out his new car- he's downsized from a Murrano to a Macan, which is a lot more economical to run. And a bit more stylish and upmarket.
Sunday, 29 October 2017
Six Mile Walk
Went for a rather long walk this morning. The clocks changed, and I got up at my usual time to had an extra hour before dinner so I tacked on a diversion before my usual circuit around Aston End.
Earlier in the week a drake Manadarin turned up in Fairlands Valley, and I had considered going for it before work, but decided to do it today. No idea if its wild or an recent escape but its unsigned so what the hell.
Walking over to the lakes was a bit miserable at first, with some drizzle and a rather cool northerly breeze, though it did improve as the morning progressed. I didn't really see a great deal on my way apart from a few pigeons and crows, plus a few Blackbirds and Robins. The Millennium Lake as its called now, had it's usual assortment of Mallards, Coot, Moorhens Cormorants and Canada Geese and the Mandarin was soon found tucked into one of the more secluded viewpoints. It was rather approachable so maybe not a good sign, but it was nice to see nevertheless. The main boating lake didn't seem to have anything apart from Black headed and Lesser Black Backed Gulls.
Getting over to Aston End involved a bit of a walk along some paths and roads I probably haven't been down in over twenty years, maybe more. Ashtree Wood, a place I use to visit weekly, was full of mature trees, little understory and no birds. Apart from an interesting flock of tits and Goldcrests along Tatlers Lane I didn't see anything noteworthy until I reached the Aston End water tower. The fields were being resown the last time I was here and there was a big flock of Starlings and a mixed Chaffinch and Yellowhammer flock-around 20 of the latter, feeding, along with a few Skylarks. A bit further down I found 15 Redwings in some Hawthorn trees, but things then went downhill and I had a hard time finding any birds at all. The strengthening wind may have played a part.
There was nothing whatsoever along the (very dry) river, and the horse paddocks were empty as well. The ploughed/seeded fields on the way up to Chells Manor had a few more Skylarks, some corvids and a Long Tailed Tit flock which held a few warblers which I never got to see or hear properly. Hope I didn't miss a Yellow Browed.
Earlier in the week a drake Manadarin turned up in Fairlands Valley, and I had considered going for it before work, but decided to do it today. No idea if its wild or an recent escape but its unsigned so what the hell.
Walking over to the lakes was a bit miserable at first, with some drizzle and a rather cool northerly breeze, though it did improve as the morning progressed. I didn't really see a great deal on my way apart from a few pigeons and crows, plus a few Blackbirds and Robins. The Millennium Lake as its called now, had it's usual assortment of Mallards, Coot, Moorhens Cormorants and Canada Geese and the Mandarin was soon found tucked into one of the more secluded viewpoints. It was rather approachable so maybe not a good sign, but it was nice to see nevertheless. The main boating lake didn't seem to have anything apart from Black headed and Lesser Black Backed Gulls.
Getting over to Aston End involved a bit of a walk along some paths and roads I probably haven't been down in over twenty years, maybe more. Ashtree Wood, a place I use to visit weekly, was full of mature trees, little understory and no birds. Apart from an interesting flock of tits and Goldcrests along Tatlers Lane I didn't see anything noteworthy until I reached the Aston End water tower. The fields were being resown the last time I was here and there was a big flock of Starlings and a mixed Chaffinch and Yellowhammer flock-around 20 of the latter, feeding, along with a few Skylarks. A bit further down I found 15 Redwings in some Hawthorn trees, but things then went downhill and I had a hard time finding any birds at all. The strengthening wind may have played a part.
There was nothing whatsoever along the (very dry) river, and the horse paddocks were empty as well. The ploughed/seeded fields on the way up to Chells Manor had a few more Skylarks, some corvids and a Long Tailed Tit flock which held a few warblers which I never got to see or hear properly. Hope I didn't miss a Yellow Browed.
Friday, 20 October 2017
Amwell
Having had a bit of a rest on Thursday, I went down to Amwell for a couple of hours this morning. Work on the gas pipes has yet to start, so the entire reserve was still accessible. Pity about all the 'improvements' on the A602 as it was a bit of a slow drive in both directions.
Weather was very autumnal, fairly mild, rather overcast and with a bit of a south westerly breeze. Nice to see that a lot of the area in front of the view point has been cleared, and some of the channels and pools down there have been re-done. Water levels are still on the low side, with lots of exposed mud, but it does look a lot better now.
Missed a couple of good birds. The recent Rock Pipit appears to have gone, and an adult Mediterranean Gull had departed by the time I arrived. There were a few Common and Lesser Black Backed Gulls, the usual collection of wildfowl and reasonable numbers of Lapwings. Small birds were moving around all the time, with regular flyover Skylarks, Meadow Pipits, Goldfinches and a few Siskin. Redpolls are around-Barry had 25 and while I did see some distant flocks of finches, they were unidentifiable. Two Swallows flew down river-potentially my last of the year.
I went for a walk over to Hollycross which is now apparently open all year round and met up with Barry on the bridge. We had a big tit flock here with at least one Marsh Tit calling and several Goldcrests with them. I managed to get a few Goldcrest shots but the light was rather poor so they are not all that great.
I didn't see a great deal on Hollycross so returned via the woods and picnic area finding a few Siskin here and then back to the view point. Two Red Kites, two Sparrowhawks a Buzzard and Kestrel were in the air. I spent some time checking distant corvids hoping that one of the Ravens might come up and join them, and then decided to go round the woods again just in case the Redpolls were present, but didn't find anything new.
Weather was very autumnal, fairly mild, rather overcast and with a bit of a south westerly breeze. Nice to see that a lot of the area in front of the view point has been cleared, and some of the channels and pools down there have been re-done. Water levels are still on the low side, with lots of exposed mud, but it does look a lot better now.
Missed a couple of good birds. The recent Rock Pipit appears to have gone, and an adult Mediterranean Gull had departed by the time I arrived. There were a few Common and Lesser Black Backed Gulls, the usual collection of wildfowl and reasonable numbers of Lapwings. Small birds were moving around all the time, with regular flyover Skylarks, Meadow Pipits, Goldfinches and a few Siskin. Redpolls are around-Barry had 25 and while I did see some distant flocks of finches, they were unidentifiable. Two Swallows flew down river-potentially my last of the year.
I went for a walk over to Hollycross which is now apparently open all year round and met up with Barry on the bridge. We had a big tit flock here with at least one Marsh Tit calling and several Goldcrests with them. I managed to get a few Goldcrest shots but the light was rather poor so they are not all that great.
I didn't see a great deal on Hollycross so returned via the woods and picnic area finding a few Siskin here and then back to the view point. Two Red Kites, two Sparrowhawks a Buzzard and Kestrel were in the air. I spent some time checking distant corvids hoping that one of the Ravens might come up and join them, and then decided to go round the woods again just in case the Redpolls were present, but didn't find anything new.
Wednesday, 18 October 2017
Two Barred Greenish Warbler
Back in 1996, Colin and I had an amazing mid October, with many very rare birds seen over a week and one day stands out for various reasons. We watched the sun rise over the chemical works on Teeside before picking out a Great Knot in the half light. There was then a long drive down to Holme in Norfolk for Colin's first Isabelline Shrike (and my second in three days), and I seem to remember Wryneck and Red Breasted Flycatcher there as well. Then we went to Wells Wood for a Two Barred Greenish Warbler which gave everyone the run around. We heard it call, but few actually got to see it-Colin sat down for a bit, saw it but I didn't. I remember getting back to the car park completely shattered, had a coffee before Steve Gantlett appeared to say it showed well after we left. I couldn't face going back and staring at the pines again, so left for home via a Blythes Pipit at Weybourne. We don't seem to have autumn days like that anymore.
Yesterday I got a call from Colin asking that since he had caught me up with the Rock Thrush wether I would like to get one back on him. Turned out that a possible Arctic Warbler in Dorset on Sunday had been re-identifuied as a Two Barred Greenish Warbler. I said yes.
We decided to leave at six, hoping that we would miss the A1M, M25 rush hour traffic. We didn't, and it was a very slow run down to the M3, but surprisingly the Winchester-Southampton stretch was trouble free. Had the expected delays on the A31 though and we arrived at St Adhelms head around 0930.
The bird has been frequenting the small wood and bushes on the quarry edge, but with limited viewing space it was rather difficult. Added to the problem is that we could only see the tops of the trees and one or two elders and field maples-much of the wooded area was completely out of view.
After about 40 minutes we became aware that some of the birders to our right and higher up had seen it, and I noticed a warbler drop down low in one of the maples, got a superb view of the Two Barred as it popped out, perched on a branch briefly , though only a few near me could actually see, it before it flitted up and over the Sycamores.
The next 40 minutes were very frustrating as it was glimpsed occasionally. A few managed to see it from the quarry gate, though the viewing angle was very restricted. Some of us tried to view up the slope and into the back of the trees but there were only sporadic views. I eventually made my way back to the top and was just getting the camera set up again when there was a big rush to the southern end which was more open, and we discovered that it had been showing very well in the big Sycamores there. I had some lovely views of it actively feeding, it then dropped down into an Ash, in front of Colin before we lost it again.
So it was back to the main viewing area again for another wait. Colin left, so I had a quick chat with William before he departed. The next half hour or so was very frustrating. I had staked out a good spot with a clear view, but the Two Barred never obliged, with only the occasional glimpse from time to time. Several Firecrests were more visible, but even so, I was never able to get the camera onto any birds, so with conditions deteriorating (drizzle and fog all day getting worse) I eventually left without any photos. Then again, neither did most of the other photographers.
Initially I had thought about spending the afternoon elsewhere-maybe Portland or Poole harbour but with visibility down to 200 yards in places we decided it wouldn't be worth it, and the run back was rather slow anyway as the M3 was shut, which wouldn't have been much fun had we been coming back in the rush hour.
Yesterday I got a call from Colin asking that since he had caught me up with the Rock Thrush wether I would like to get one back on him. Turned out that a possible Arctic Warbler in Dorset on Sunday had been re-identifuied as a Two Barred Greenish Warbler. I said yes.
We decided to leave at six, hoping that we would miss the A1M, M25 rush hour traffic. We didn't, and it was a very slow run down to the M3, but surprisingly the Winchester-Southampton stretch was trouble free. Had the expected delays on the A31 though and we arrived at St Adhelms head around 0930.
The bird has been frequenting the small wood and bushes on the quarry edge, but with limited viewing space it was rather difficult. Added to the problem is that we could only see the tops of the trees and one or two elders and field maples-much of the wooded area was completely out of view.
After about 40 minutes we became aware that some of the birders to our right and higher up had seen it, and I noticed a warbler drop down low in one of the maples, got a superb view of the Two Barred as it popped out, perched on a branch briefly , though only a few near me could actually see, it before it flitted up and over the Sycamores.
The next 40 minutes were very frustrating as it was glimpsed occasionally. A few managed to see it from the quarry gate, though the viewing angle was very restricted. Some of us tried to view up the slope and into the back of the trees but there were only sporadic views. I eventually made my way back to the top and was just getting the camera set up again when there was a big rush to the southern end which was more open, and we discovered that it had been showing very well in the big Sycamores there. I had some lovely views of it actively feeding, it then dropped down into an Ash, in front of Colin before we lost it again.
So it was back to the main viewing area again for another wait. Colin left, so I had a quick chat with William before he departed. The next half hour or so was very frustrating. I had staked out a good spot with a clear view, but the Two Barred never obliged, with only the occasional glimpse from time to time. Several Firecrests were more visible, but even so, I was never able to get the camera onto any birds, so with conditions deteriorating (drizzle and fog all day getting worse) I eventually left without any photos. Then again, neither did most of the other photographers.
Initially I had thought about spending the afternoon elsewhere-maybe Portland or Poole harbour but with visibility down to 200 yards in places we decided it wouldn't be worth it, and the run back was rather slow anyway as the M3 was shut, which wouldn't have been much fun had we been coming back in the rush hour.
Tuesday, 17 October 2017
Autumn Colours
I went for a walk around Aston End on Sunday. I woke up to find it very misty, but gradually the Sun started to break through and the garden was illuminated by a lovely golden light.
I set off through the plantation with sun beams shining through the pines and I was looking forward to getting out into the countryside. At which point the light went out. The wind picked up and as the mist lifted, it was replaced by a thick cloud layer, and it became rather chilly. Very disappointing.
Birds were in rather short supply as well and it was hard finding anything. What wasn't helping were the farming activities, most of the fields have just been ploughed and tractors were out and about in force-some seemed to be sowing seed, others spraying something which didn't smell all that nice.
May explain why I haven't been feeling great the last couple of days.
Anyway, once I got onto the Walkern road, and then down to the paddocks, things did pick up a bit. There were several Skylarks, including one or two singing. some Meadow Pipits, and a few Linnets and Yellowhammers flying over. I got my first Redwings of the autumn too, with initially four birds seen, then another flock of 15, all heading down the Beane Valley.
I eventually managed to find some autumn colours.
Yesterday I received a package from Germany-a Leica digiscope adaptor for the spotting scope. On the GX8 it gives effective focal lengths of 1710mm at 25x and 3420mm at 50x. The focal ratios are very slow and it needs good light and high iso's to get sharp images. A test soon after it arrived wasn't successful. The light was very poor thanks to ex Hurricane Ophelia with a really weird sepia tint to everything and a dark red Sun (on the rare occasions it could be seen) thanks to Portuguese wildfires and Sahara dust. This is an iPhone snap of the garden mid afternoon.
I tried this morning in good light. I discovered I really needed the phone app to control the camera thanks to the very high magnifications. This is a Leonotis half way down the garden from the patio, so around 25-30 feet away. The flower is maybe 2" across.
I set off through the plantation with sun beams shining through the pines and I was looking forward to getting out into the countryside. At which point the light went out. The wind picked up and as the mist lifted, it was replaced by a thick cloud layer, and it became rather chilly. Very disappointing.
Birds were in rather short supply as well and it was hard finding anything. What wasn't helping were the farming activities, most of the fields have just been ploughed and tractors were out and about in force-some seemed to be sowing seed, others spraying something which didn't smell all that nice.
May explain why I haven't been feeling great the last couple of days.
Anyway, once I got onto the Walkern road, and then down to the paddocks, things did pick up a bit. There were several Skylarks, including one or two singing. some Meadow Pipits, and a few Linnets and Yellowhammers flying over. I got my first Redwings of the autumn too, with initially four birds seen, then another flock of 15, all heading down the Beane Valley.
I eventually managed to find some autumn colours.
Yesterday I received a package from Germany-a Leica digiscope adaptor for the spotting scope. On the GX8 it gives effective focal lengths of 1710mm at 25x and 3420mm at 50x. The focal ratios are very slow and it needs good light and high iso's to get sharp images. A test soon after it arrived wasn't successful. The light was very poor thanks to ex Hurricane Ophelia with a really weird sepia tint to everything and a dark red Sun (on the rare occasions it could be seen) thanks to Portuguese wildfires and Sahara dust. This is an iPhone snap of the garden mid afternoon.
I tried this morning in good light. I discovered I really needed the phone app to control the camera thanks to the very high magnifications. This is a Leonotis half way down the garden from the patio, so around 25-30 feet away. The flower is maybe 2" across.
Sunday, 15 October 2017
Rock Thrush
Way back in May 1995 I had a memorable day in Norfolk twitching a superb male Rock Thrush at Holme. I spent a couple of hours with it from about five in the morning, before spending the rest of the day elsewhere, but it was so good that I went back that evening for seconds.
There haven't been many since, and of the 28 records, only two since have really been available-one for five days on Scilly in 1996 and a two day female at Spurn in 2013. As Colin wasn't available for the Holme bird, I was surprised at his lack of enthusiasm about my suggestion of going for the Spurn bird, but I think he had decided he would only go for something more colourful.
He was rather keen when I phoned on Friday to tell him that there was a nice male bird at that well known Mediterranean bird attractor of the hills north of Blaenavon in south Wales (many hundreds went to see the Marmora's Warbler there in 2010).
We arrived around 1030, and managed to find a parking spot on the narrow lane at Pwll Du right by the start of the footpath to the quarries, and we quickly unpacked and joined the constant stream of birders. The forecast had been for a warm sunny day, and I was rather unhappy to find that it was rather cold, very windy and drizzly at times-I only had my fleece on. I had also brought my Nikon slr, Zeiss lenses and filters expecting to get some nice landscapes but decided to leave them in the car due to the poor light. I took the 500mm, converters and the GX8, and Colin took my scope.
When I got to the bird, it was showing on scree beyond the quarry but quickly flew off before popping up briefly again and then dropped out of view. After about twenty minutes most of us headed off in the direction it had flown, where we found a small group watching it at fairly close range. It put on a good show for us actively feeding on beetles, and seemed to be very curious about the assembled crowd, peering down at us intently.
Apart from the Rock Thrush, there were a couple of Wheaters, lots of Rock Pipits, a couple of Red Kites, some Nuthatches and Jackdaws. We spent some time around the quarry as there were three Ring Ouzels present, but they proved to be very elusive though I and one or two others had distant 'Blackbirds' flying over the hill top which we presumed to be Ouzels.
Unfortunately we weren't all that familiar with the birding sites of South Wales apart from the Forest of Dean, so we thought about scenery as I had brought all the gear with me. Colin found Tintern Abbey after a quick search, but when we got there, the light was awful as were the crowds so we thought we'd come home via Westonbirt Arboretum. This was a bit of a mistake as the car park was virtually overflowing by early afternoon-it really needs to be avoided at weekends, so we decided not to go in.
There haven't been many since, and of the 28 records, only two since have really been available-one for five days on Scilly in 1996 and a two day female at Spurn in 2013. As Colin wasn't available for the Holme bird, I was surprised at his lack of enthusiasm about my suggestion of going for the Spurn bird, but I think he had decided he would only go for something more colourful.
He was rather keen when I phoned on Friday to tell him that there was a nice male bird at that well known Mediterranean bird attractor of the hills north of Blaenavon in south Wales (many hundreds went to see the Marmora's Warbler there in 2010).
We arrived around 1030, and managed to find a parking spot on the narrow lane at Pwll Du right by the start of the footpath to the quarries, and we quickly unpacked and joined the constant stream of birders. The forecast had been for a warm sunny day, and I was rather unhappy to find that it was rather cold, very windy and drizzly at times-I only had my fleece on. I had also brought my Nikon slr, Zeiss lenses and filters expecting to get some nice landscapes but decided to leave them in the car due to the poor light. I took the 500mm, converters and the GX8, and Colin took my scope.
When I got to the bird, it was showing on scree beyond the quarry but quickly flew off before popping up briefly again and then dropped out of view. After about twenty minutes most of us headed off in the direction it had flown, where we found a small group watching it at fairly close range. It put on a good show for us actively feeding on beetles, and seemed to be very curious about the assembled crowd, peering down at us intently.
Apart from the Rock Thrush, there were a couple of Wheaters, lots of Rock Pipits, a couple of Red Kites, some Nuthatches and Jackdaws. We spent some time around the quarry as there were three Ring Ouzels present, but they proved to be very elusive though I and one or two others had distant 'Blackbirds' flying over the hill top which we presumed to be Ouzels.
Unfortunately we weren't all that familiar with the birding sites of South Wales apart from the Forest of Dean, so we thought about scenery as I had brought all the gear with me. Colin found Tintern Abbey after a quick search, but when we got there, the light was awful as were the crowds so we thought we'd come home via Westonbirt Arboretum. This was a bit of a mistake as the car park was virtually overflowing by early afternoon-it really needs to be avoided at weekends, so we decided not to go in.
Monday, 9 October 2017
Wilson Phalarope
I started my usual two weeks off this weekend, and, as usual it looks to be pretty hopeless for the east coast if the long range forecast is to be believed. With a bit of luck, one or two things might appear.
I went down to Kent on Sunday with Colin, as there were a few long staying birds which would be worth seeing. The plan was to visit Oare Marshes and then see what happens.
Oare has had a couple of regular returning American birds-a Bonaparte's Gull seems to spend part of summer there, and a Long Billed Dowitcher winters. We have been for both in the past and failed to see either. The gull departed some time ago, but the Dowitcher has been joined by a Wilson's Phalarope. We haven't seen one in a long time, in fact twenty years ago when one was at Staines (unfortunately the day of Princess Diana's funeral so we had to get in and out of London before everything shut down. I was back home by 8am).
Car parking at Oare was the usual mess so Colin dropped me off on the road side. The Phalarope was rather easy being the nearest bird and doing it's typical spinning madly feeding routine. The Dowitcher was a bit harder as it was some way off on one of the mud banks. Plenty of other waders present-Redshank, Ruff, Black Tailed Godwits, Dunlin, Golden Plover, Snipe, with Oystercatcher, Curlew and Bar Tailed Godwits on the Swale. Lots of Meadow Pipits and Skylarks were flying around and we found a nice Wheatear near the car park.
Walking around the perimeter, Bearded Tits were pinging everywhere, and we heard lots of Cetti's Warblers, found a couple of Stonechats and bumped into Darryl and Tony Hukin coming round the other way. They put us onto our other target, the Black Necked Grebe which was very hard to see in the river channel-the tide was well out and the river was all but invisible. We had to go down to the sluice on a bend and look up the channel to see the grebe a long way off.
Back on the road, the Phalarope was still performing, and the Dowitcher had flown out and was now within camera range, but never really posed well for me.
With nothing much on the pager, we decided to visit Dungeness. This seemed to be a mistake as the Ashford road was closed and the diversion down a very narrow lane was all but grid locked at times, but we eventually got there.
A Temminck's Stint had been reported earlier so we made enquiries when we got to the visitors centre-the lady on duty had been volunteering here since 1955 (!) and told me a bit of what it was like in the early days. She pointed us in the direction of some of those looking at the Stint.
Worryingly one was on the phone saying the Stint had black legs and looked to be very grey on the back. Not what one expects with Temminck's and not really ideal for Little either. Some of them were thinking of Semi-Palmated Sandpiper.
Unfortunately the bird was a long way off and we were looking through glass windows, but it did look interesting. Colin and I headed off to the adjacent hide where we found it again, still a long way off, but it was very flighty and soon headed off west. We then walked over to the western end of the pit, joined a few others and carried on searching. A normal Little Stint was found, as were five Great White Egrets and a Marsh Harrier. We never found the suspect Semi-P and later the pager simply reported two Little Stints.
We went down to the power station and had a quick look at the sea. Lots of Herring, Black Headed and Lesser Black Backed Gulls over the outfall with three Mediterranean Gulls and several Gannets.
A Woodlark had been reported around the old Lighthouse in the morning, and it would have been nice to find a Black Redstart, or a few warblers but the area was pretty quiet so after a few landscape images we packed up and returned home.
Saturday, 30 September 2017
Autumn Colours
Flu jab today. Took Mum down to the surgery quite early, and then went on to Amwell arriving well before 9am. It was rather damp, particularly the grass, but improved once the Sun came out.
Initially Barry and Chris were birding, and Graham White was present, doing some survey work.
In the process, everything was flushed of course, but he did kick up a few Snipe for us. Otherwise it was a bit quiet. Some Wigeon are in, a few Swallows, Meadow Pipits and Skylarks were going over, and the female Stonechat that turned up recently put an appearance.
I eventually went down to Hollycross and spent some time there. A few migrant Hawkers and darters are still around, and as many have noted, there were plenty of Red Admirals on the wing. The sunny side of the walkway was very productive. The large tit flock included three Marsh Tits, two Blackcaps and several Chiffchaffs. A few Jays and Blackbirds were feeding here as well.
The trees are colouring up nicely.
Back home I had a quick look around the garden, finding a couple of nice subjects.
Initially Barry and Chris were birding, and Graham White was present, doing some survey work.
In the process, everything was flushed of course, but he did kick up a few Snipe for us. Otherwise it was a bit quiet. Some Wigeon are in, a few Swallows, Meadow Pipits and Skylarks were going over, and the female Stonechat that turned up recently put an appearance.
I eventually went down to Hollycross and spent some time there. A few migrant Hawkers and darters are still around, and as many have noted, there were plenty of Red Admirals on the wing. The sunny side of the walkway was very productive. The large tit flock included three Marsh Tits, two Blackcaps and several Chiffchaffs. A few Jays and Blackbirds were feeding here as well.
The trees are colouring up nicely.
Back home I had a quick look around the garden, finding a couple of nice subjects.
Friday, 22 September 2017
Sunspot
Since Sunday, I haven't been out birding, but have been busy pottering in the garden instead. Today was very clear, so I did what I have been meaning to do for some time and try the Panasonic GX8 on the Sun. Unfortunately there is only one spot on there at the moment, and the air wasn't particularly steady.
Tuesday, 19 September 2017
Norfolk
We haven't gone up to the Norfolk coast for quite a while, and as a few things had been seen, Colin and I decided to travel up on Sunday. There had been a lot of overnight rain, and it was quite misty and murky, but by the time we got near the coast it had cleared and we actually had a nice day weather-wise.
Titchwell was busy by the time we arrived with a lot of cars in the car parks. A stroll up to the fresh marsh produced a Robins and Chiffchaffs in the bushes but not much else apart from a family of Bearded Tits. We were told that the Red Necked Phalarope had apparently disappeared behind one of the islands-it later transpired that it had flown off. So one of our targets had gone. Lots of Ruff, some Godwits, Golden Plover, Avocets and Dunlin were on the marsh, and I picked out a couple of juvenile Mediterranean Gulls.
The sea was a bit quiet, despite the light north easterlies. Gannets and Common Scoter were flying around, and there were a couple of lingering Sandwich Terns. We missed some Skuas and divers which were seen much earlier.
A spell in Parrinder Hide failed to produce a lone Purple Sandpiper hiding in the vegetation on the salt marsh. We also missed Little Stints here. Several Pied Wagtails were checked in the vain hope that one would be a Citrine.
On the Fen Trail, I spent some time looking for Willow Emeralds, which were not showing but got a nice image of a Common Darter. No-one managed to locate the Yellow Browed Warbler that had been around for a day or two.
News of an Arctic Warbler at Wells Wood would have been tempting, were it not for the high cost of parking, added to which it can be hard work finding anything, so we went to Cley instead.
Here we were able to finally get a year tick with a Red Necked Phalarope, but unfortunately it remained on the far side of Simmond's Scrape and the distant photos weren't all that great. Had a couple of Curlew Sandpipers and Little Stints, a few Snipe and a Yellow Wagtail, but we didn't stay long.
We finished up at Cavenham Heath just in time for a brief thunderstorm.
Once the rain had cleared we scanned the field near the river, picking up 13 Stone Curlews, though numbers were far higher as 30+ had been seen earlier.
Returning to the car I got a nice surprise for the plane spotters, with an OV10 Bronco flying over.
I last saw one of these at Mildenhall some time around 1979.
Titchwell was busy by the time we arrived with a lot of cars in the car parks. A stroll up to the fresh marsh produced a Robins and Chiffchaffs in the bushes but not much else apart from a family of Bearded Tits. We were told that the Red Necked Phalarope had apparently disappeared behind one of the islands-it later transpired that it had flown off. So one of our targets had gone. Lots of Ruff, some Godwits, Golden Plover, Avocets and Dunlin were on the marsh, and I picked out a couple of juvenile Mediterranean Gulls.
The sea was a bit quiet, despite the light north easterlies. Gannets and Common Scoter were flying around, and there were a couple of lingering Sandwich Terns. We missed some Skuas and divers which were seen much earlier.
A spell in Parrinder Hide failed to produce a lone Purple Sandpiper hiding in the vegetation on the salt marsh. We also missed Little Stints here. Several Pied Wagtails were checked in the vain hope that one would be a Citrine.
On the Fen Trail, I spent some time looking for Willow Emeralds, which were not showing but got a nice image of a Common Darter. No-one managed to locate the Yellow Browed Warbler that had been around for a day or two.
News of an Arctic Warbler at Wells Wood would have been tempting, were it not for the high cost of parking, added to which it can be hard work finding anything, so we went to Cley instead.
Here we were able to finally get a year tick with a Red Necked Phalarope, but unfortunately it remained on the far side of Simmond's Scrape and the distant photos weren't all that great. Had a couple of Curlew Sandpipers and Little Stints, a few Snipe and a Yellow Wagtail, but we didn't stay long.
We finished up at Cavenham Heath just in time for a brief thunderstorm.
Once the rain had cleared we scanned the field near the river, picking up 13 Stone Curlews, though numbers were far higher as 30+ had been seen earlier.
Returning to the car I got a nice surprise for the plane spotters, with an OV10 Bronco flying over.
I last saw one of these at Mildenhall some time around 1979.
Friday, 15 September 2017
White Winged Black Tern at Tyttenhanger
A White Winged Black Tern was found at Tyttenhanger on Tuesday. Its a rather rare bird for Herts, with only seven previous records, usually at Wilstone/Tring and two together at Hillfield. Usually they don't linger, so most birders went down that evening, or early the next morning as it roosted overnight.
I didn't. Stevenage to Tyttenhanger involves going up and down the two lane section of the A1M which features on the traffic news most rush hours, and a short very busy stretch of the A414 at London Colney. Basically I was stuffed, I had a couple of appointments as well, immediately after work so there was no realistic chance of seeing it.
It lingered into Thursday, my last day at work for a week so there was hope. At breakfast on Friday, Tom Spellar put out a message that it was still there, and once the worst of the school run was over I departed (via Knebworth as the A1 was as usual very slow) and got to London Colney just after 9am.
It was a nice, cool sunny morning with a bit of a breeze, and Robins ticking in the hedges as I walked rapidly down to the main pit where I found Rupert Evershed scoping from the gate. He mentioned the two Ruff-a nice bonus Herts year list and pointed me towards Willow Farm lake where I soon joined a couple of guys up from London.
We walked along the Fishing Lake bank, without seeing a great deal apart from large numbers of House Martins, along with Sand Martins and Swallows. Seeing a couple of birders on the causeway I saw the familiar face of Lee Evans, and it was clear the Tern wasn't showing. Rather despondently we
arrived at the causeway, and at the same time the Tern appeared, flying around only a few feet away from us. Over the course of the next hour we were treated to stunning views as it did innumerable circuits of the small lake, dropping down to the water in front of us from time to time.
For the first time this year I regretted taking the GX8 and 100-400mm lens as the bird was too close, too fast and too agile. I had to back the zoom off to 200mm and even then I had problems. The 300mm Nikkor and the D3s would have been a better choice, but I managed to obtain a lot of excellent images.
Lee mentioned a male Redstart in the big field hedge and he also wanted to see the Ruff so we both went back to the main pit. No sign of the Ruff so walked up the hedge without seeing anything apart from a few Reed Buntings. One of the locals was at the top and pointed out where the Redstart had been, and Lee went off to the viewpoint as the Ruff were visible from there-as was the Tern, now roosting on the mud.
Eventually we got good views of the Redstart low down from a range of about 100yds, occasionally perched in the hedge, but sometimes dropping onto the ground to feed. I eventually managed to get a bit closer and got a few images, before being joined by Alan Meadows and a few other Tern twitchers.
I didn't. Stevenage to Tyttenhanger involves going up and down the two lane section of the A1M which features on the traffic news most rush hours, and a short very busy stretch of the A414 at London Colney. Basically I was stuffed, I had a couple of appointments as well, immediately after work so there was no realistic chance of seeing it.
It lingered into Thursday, my last day at work for a week so there was hope. At breakfast on Friday, Tom Spellar put out a message that it was still there, and once the worst of the school run was over I departed (via Knebworth as the A1 was as usual very slow) and got to London Colney just after 9am.
It was a nice, cool sunny morning with a bit of a breeze, and Robins ticking in the hedges as I walked rapidly down to the main pit where I found Rupert Evershed scoping from the gate. He mentioned the two Ruff-a nice bonus Herts year list and pointed me towards Willow Farm lake where I soon joined a couple of guys up from London.
We walked along the Fishing Lake bank, without seeing a great deal apart from large numbers of House Martins, along with Sand Martins and Swallows. Seeing a couple of birders on the causeway I saw the familiar face of Lee Evans, and it was clear the Tern wasn't showing. Rather despondently we
arrived at the causeway, and at the same time the Tern appeared, flying around only a few feet away from us. Over the course of the next hour we were treated to stunning views as it did innumerable circuits of the small lake, dropping down to the water in front of us from time to time.
For the first time this year I regretted taking the GX8 and 100-400mm lens as the bird was too close, too fast and too agile. I had to back the zoom off to 200mm and even then I had problems. The 300mm Nikkor and the D3s would have been a better choice, but I managed to obtain a lot of excellent images.
Lee mentioned a male Redstart in the big field hedge and he also wanted to see the Ruff so we both went back to the main pit. No sign of the Ruff so walked up the hedge without seeing anything apart from a few Reed Buntings. One of the locals was at the top and pointed out where the Redstart had been, and Lee went off to the viewpoint as the Ruff were visible from there-as was the Tern, now roosting on the mud.
Eventually we got good views of the Redstart low down from a range of about 100yds, occasionally perched in the hedge, but sometimes dropping onto the ground to feed. I eventually managed to get a bit closer and got a few images, before being joined by Alan Meadows and a few other Tern twitchers.
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