February 13th 2012

A male Pintail surprisingly walked out of toft bay, Draycote Water to feed past the hide with a group of Mallard otherwise Bob and I struggled though there was an overnight increase in Teal and Wigeon. A Yellow-legged Gull adult on the island, 14 Goosander and 6 Siskin was the best we could manage.

I was bored so took this and very few birds on the feeder.

Meanwhile I have received enquiry’s about the progress of my picture, the Space Shed and Steam Trains. Unfortunately I have not had time to paint since I arrived back from my holiday as my Gambian Diary is taking longer than anticipated so here’s how it looks at the moment.


No Steam Excursions due through the patch at the moment and the “shed” is just starting to perform its evening fly over’s but good viewing passes not until the 20th so will post times later in week.

My first moth for nearly a month has just appeared – Spring Usher.

Richard

February 12th 2012

This morning was a balmy -2c and climbing compared to yesterdays numbing -13c on the Nene Washes as Dave and I trawled the Grandborough Valley this morning. The highlights were a brock Badger caught in the car headlights at Woolscott for 2 minutes, Tawny Owl near Willoughby, 8 Buzzard loafing on telegraph poles, 6 Tree Sparrow on the Basaely smallholding (no sign of Thursdays Jack Snipe) and 6 Kestrels.
Visibility at the pond wasn’t brilliant while we walked out to farborough spit though there was an obvious increase in Gadwll (35), Pochard (130) and Goldeneye (45) numbers since my last visit. Other birds of note included a Buzzard feeding on a dead gull on the island, 2 adult Yellow-legged Gull among the many gulls post roosting on the frozen surface of toft and parts of biggen bay, 20 + Linnet and 10+ Goosander.
Biggest surprise of the day was at Brandon Marsh where a Red Admiral fluttered past us chased by Dunnocks just after we had missed a Bittern by seconds (many thanks for the heads up Conservation Team) while a wander around the west and east marsh produced 5 Great-spotted Woodpecker, 2 Marsh Tit, 2 Goldcrest, Green Sandpiper and at least 8 Jays. The feeding station by the visitors centre produced 2 Coal Tit and 2 Nuthatch.
On our way home there were at least 80 + swans in two groups at Bretford but traffic flow did not allow us a closer inspection and afternoon visitors to my garden included Rook, Yellowhammer and Common Gull.

Richard

February 8th 2012

Today's visit was very disappointing - freezing me nuts off for only a Sparrowhawk carrying a recently caught dove, 70 Pochard, 7 Goosander, 10 Linnets, 2 Shoveler, Dunlin, 2 Graylag and and a Fox worth noting. Signs are up in country park warning visitors to obey all on site instructions in regards to the construction work along Draycote Bank.
The garden has fared better with visits from Reed Bunting, Willow Tit and Treecreeper.

Richard

February 5th 2012

Flecknoe Road, Grandborough Valley

A week ago I was on a canoe going up the Gambian River with friends sweating buckets while today was the total opposite with 3 inches of overnight snow bringing tranquility to the patch accept for the chattering of teeth.
Despite the effort we put into the Grandborough Valley at first light we only managed 7 Buzzards and 11 Tree Sparrow with no sign of any owls though we did have a Fox, 6 Hare and 4 distant deer species.
Brandon Marsh was iced up with a small amount of open water. The best here was 4 Goldcrest and 5 Snipe while Lawford Heath had 3 Tree Sparrow.

East Marsh, Brandon Marsh

February 3rd 2012

Had to take my bins and Dave’s scope to the Focus Optics doctor and they have been hospitalized in Austria and Germany for life saving operations so it’s back to eye balling birding for me. On our way back we had a Coal Tit and Jay at Brandon while eating to keep warm and a Corn Bunting on the heath along with 2 Buzzards.

Richard

February 2nd 2012

The biting easterly wind made Draycote Water bitterly cold this morning. The highlight was 2 Whooper Swan which arrived with 2 Mute Swan late morning while other sightings included 6 Shoveler, 34 Goosander, 26 Goldeneye 12 Reed Bunting, 20+ Yellowhammer, Jay, 10 Fieldfare and 4 Dunlin.

record shot of Whooper Swan by Bob Hazell

Unfortunately there will be a lot of disturbance over the next few days from the construction of a sailing club car park in the picnic area and the construction of a pipeline on, along and eventually through draycote bank as Severn Trent have been granted a license to extract water from Newbold Comyn connecting too an already present pipe line with the intention of raising the water level by at least a meter as soon as possible. Purification Works traffic today was being diverted along draycote bank while supplies were delivered.

February 1st 2012

I arrived home at 2pm this morning after a weeks birding with Halcyon Gambia and it was a shock to the system hanging around for the airparks bus to arrive in -2c after sweating buckets in 30c 6 hours earlier and watching Dave scrape a heavy frost off the car windows before we could leave.
No way was I going out with Bob to the pond as planned and invited him round for coffee after his walk so we could play catch up and find out what I had missed.
As for the holiday it was stunning with a provisional count of 291 species seen adding 14 to my Gambia and world list which far exceed my expectations due to being well organized by Phil and Clare at Halcyon Gambia in the UK, Bob and Jane who ran the Halcyon Gambia Compound in Bijilo, Gambia plus being well guided by Mustapha and our ever smiling driver Aladdin. I will put a full report on the blog once I get my act together and receive a few pictures from the gang.

Richard

January 24th to January 28th 2012

January 24th 2012
Flew out of a very wet Birmingham Airport and eventually had clear sky’s over the Western Sahara and thankfully the boredom of a six hour flight was lifted when we enjoyed panoramic views of the sandstone plains of Mauritania before arriving at Gambia’s Yundum Airport on time. Being my third visit to Gambia and most of the groups second with Halcyon Gambia once I was through passport control I grabbed a porter who I knew would jumped the queue and put my luggage though the security checks in double quick time so I was soon heading for the exit to be met by our guide for the week Mustapha. While I went outside to enjoy the heat it did not take long for Mus to round everyone up and once our luggage was loaded on to our mini bus we made our way to the Halcyon compound in Bijilo noting the usual first birds on any visit to Gambia, Speckled Pigeon, Black-headed Plover, Hooded Vultures and Cattle Egret while enjoying the glorious sunshine and getting use to Mus talking again about his beloved Barnsley in his mock Yorkshire accent, even though he has never been to the UK.

Halycon Compond

At the compound we were cheerily greeted by Bob and Jane our hosts and the rest of the compound staff and allocated our rooms. Once we had freshened up the last couple of hours of daylight was spent chilling out by the pool, watching the feeders, drinking beers and chatting as if we had never been away.

Red-billed Fire-finch

African Mourning Dove, African Palm Swift, Beautiful Sunbird, Black Kite,
Black-headed Plover, Cattle Egret, Common Bulbul, Grey-headed Sparrow, Hooded Vulture, Laughing Dove,Greater Blue-eared Glossy Starling, Little Swift, Village Weaver,Pied Crow, Red-billed Fire-finch, Long-tailed Glossy Starling, Shrika,
Speckled Pigeon, Red-cheeked Cordon-Bleu, Squacco Heron, Village Indigobird, Vinaceous Dove, Western Grey Plantain-Eater.

January 25th 2012
Up early raring to go and after breakfast we boarded our minibus for the short journey to Koto Bridge which had hardly changed since our last visit except for a great hole in the bridge. Certainly no Health and Safety here – just a large stump jammed in to stop you splashing around 10 ft below. Loaded up with water we then went walk about revisiting Koto Creek, Casino Cycle Track, Lily Ponds and Koto Sewage Ponds before a welcome cold drink at the Gambian Birdwatching Association garden where they have a shelter to cool down. Once rested we returned to the minibus and moved on to Fajara Golf Course for a short walk before finally arriving at a beach bar at Cape Creek for Lunch. Birds were coming thick and fast so grateful for the peace and quiet the bar gave us – once the native dancing troop had stopped practicing – to my ears it was just a racket although I noticed a few of my group tapping along. Had to give the semi- naked bronzed wrinklies a wide berth while searching the beach then on to Brutfut for a stunning couple of hours. Mus had two party piece up his sleeve. The first was 2 roosting Verreaux's Eagle-Owls high in a palm tree – a longed for life tick for me and the second was taking us to a spot where he indicated there was a roosting Long-tailed Nightjar with in 6ft of us but it sure took 7 of us a while to locate this gem among the leaf litter. We arrived back at the compound hot, tired and 151 species under the belt.

Verreaux's Eagle-Owl, Brutfut. Colin Potter

Pygmy Kingfisher, Brutfut, Colin Potter

African Grey Hornbill, African Harrier-Hawk, African Jacana, African Pied-Hornbill, African Spoonbill, African Thrush, Bearded Barbet, Black Scimitar-bill, Black-billed Wood Dove, Blackcap Babbler, Black-crowned Night Heron, Black Egret Black-headed Gull, Black-headed Heron, Black-necked Weaver, Black-shouldered Kite, Black-tailed Godwit, Black-winged Stilt, Blue-bellied Roller, Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Blue-cheeked Bee-Eater, Blue-headed Wagtail, Bronze Mannikin, Brown Babbler, Caspian Tern, Chiffchaff,Common Sandpiper, Crested Lark, Double-spurred Francolin, Eurasian Hoopoe, European Roller, Fork-tailed Drongo, Great White Egret, Green Sandpiper, Green Turaco, Green Wood Hoopoe, Green-backed Eremomela, Greenshank, Grey Heron, Grey Kestrel, Grey Plover, Grey Woodpecker, Grey-backed Camaroptera, Grey-headed Gull, Gull-billed Tern, House Sparrow, Intermediate Egret, Lavender Waxbill, Lesser Blue-eared Glossy Starling, Lesser Honeyguide, Little Bee-eater, Little Egret, Little Grebe, Little Ringed Plover, Little Weaver, Lizzard Buzzard, Long-tailed Cormorant,Long-tailed Nightjar, Malachite Kingfisher, Marsh Harrier, Mottled Spinetail, Namaqua Dove Northern Black Flycatcher, Northern Red Bishop, Olivacious Warbler, Orange-billed Waxbill, Osprey, Palm-nut Vulture, Pearl-spotted Owlet, Pygmy Kingfisher, Pink-backed Pelican,Pied Kingfisher, Plain-backed Pipit, Red-billed Hornbill, Red-billed Quelea, Red-chested Swallow, Redshank, Red-winged Warbler, Ringed Plover, Rosy Parakeet,Saced Ibis, Sand Martin, Senegal Coucal, Senegal Parrot, Senegal Thick-knee, Slender-billed Gull, Splendid Sunbird, Spur-winged Plover, Striped Kingfisher, Tawny-flanked Prinia, Variable Sunbird, Verreaux's Eagle-Owl, Violet Turaco, Wattled Plover, Western Reef Heron, Western Sub-Alpine Warbler, Whimbrel, White Wagtail, White-billed Buffalo Weaver,White-faced Whistling Duck, White-shouldered Black-Tit, Willow Warbler, Winding Cisticola Wire-tailed Swallow, Wood Sandpiper, Woodchat Shrike, Yellow Wagtail, Yellow-billed Shrike, Yellow-breasted Apalils, Yellow-crowned Gonolek, Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird, Zitting Cisticola

January 26th 2012
A beautiful Black-shouldered Kite sitting on a roadside telegraph pole greeted us as we drove out of Bijilo along with Lizzard Buzzard and Grey Kestrel on our way to the riverine forest reserve at Abuko where we had a leisurely walk finding a number of good species with the highlight for most being the Western Bluebill, Grey-headed Bristle Bill and 2 Buff-spotted Woodpecker before leaving which gave us chance to enjoy the attention of the stall holders and a cold drink chatting to the locals before moving on to Lamin Rice Fields.

Painted Snipe by Graeme Dunlop

Here our visit produced the hoped for Painted Snipe with at least 2 showing well amongst the mangroves while the small agricultural plots held many species new for our trip list.
Over a long lunch at Lamin Lodge the food went flying as we scrambled to see a flyby Goliath Heron go past our lofty position watched by a sharp eyed Green-eyed Velvet Monkey who despite our gallant efforts finally made off with the sugar bowl. As the heat of the day subsided we searched the surrounding fields and tracks behind Lamin Lodge village finding a delightful Western Violet-backed Sunbird but missed by seconds the White-crowned Robin-Chat.
Back early at the compound giving us chance to pack for tomorrows up country trip then enjoyed the sight and sounds of the compounds garden and feeders while downing a few very welcome cold Beer’s

Buff-spotted Woodpecker Common Wattle-Eye European Bee-eater Fanti Saw-wing Giant Kingfisher Goliath Heron Grey Headed Bristle Bill Grey Plantain-eater m, Hammerkop, Kestrel Lanner Falcon Little Greenbul Moorhen Painted Snipe Pied-winged Swallow Purple Heron Red-bellied Paradise-Flycatcher Red-eyed Dove Reed Warbler Sandwich Tern Scarlet-breasted Sunbird Sedge Warbler Snowy-crowned Robin-Chat Western Bluebill Western Violet-backed Sunbird Yellow-fronted Canary Yellow-throated Leaflove

January 27th 2012
Needing an early start to catch the ferry to Barra over the Gambian River for our journey to Georgetown we dragged poor old Bob and Jane out of bed at some ungodly hour for breakfast and were mightily impressed that our mini-bus had transformed into a coach when our new driver Aladdin and his renovated 22 seat “Skylark” arrived. By Gambian standards this was luxury and boy did we benefit from having plenty of spare room for our gear and a window seat each.
Once we were parked up inside the dock awaiting the ferry’s arrival we stood on the quayside adding a few tern and gull species before boarding and heading for the top deck which gave us panoramic views of our crossing. The highlights were a couple of Skua species, Royal Tern and 100s of African Palm Swift flying low so you could actually appreciate what they looked like as normally they are so high overhead.
Once Aladdin had eased past the disembarking traffic and passengers we left Barra be hind and headed east though we hadn’t gone far when a call for a comfort stop produced over 60+ roosting Bruce’s Green Pigeon.

Bruce's Green Pigeon by Colin Potter
Further on Mus spotted a helmet-shrike and as we charged off the coach we had excellent roadside views of 2 White Crested Helmet-shrike along with 2 African Golden Oriole and 2 African Green Pigeon. We continued our journey stopping at various wetlands which produced many new species for the trip and one or two lifers for the group. The best were Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Lark, Cut-throat, Southern Grey Shrike, Sudan Golden Sparrow and Yellow-billed Oxpecker at Kerewan, Pin-tailed Whydah at Batung Wetland and Kaur Wetland produced many species including Kentish Plover, Kittlitz's Plover, Knob-billed Duck and Spur-winged Goose. In between theses locations we also had from the coach Exclamatory Paradise-Whydah, 2 Northern Anteater-Chat, Lanner Falcon and 3 Ruppell's Vulture.
As the long journey continued we were soon jolted out of our fatigue and slumber by Mus announcing we are going to look for coursers and bustards. Having spread out and with Lamin on point duty and Mus using his knowledge of the area we managed to find 4 Temminck's Courser, Black-bellied Bustard, 2 White-bellied Bustard and a Savile's Bustard so it was a dusty sweaty, smiling gang that returned to the coach totally buggered but most experiencing 4 life ticks from one area - magic.

Chestnut-backed Sparrow-lark by Colin Potter

The rest of the journey was a mixture of fortunes such as failing to find any Egyptian Plovers and seeing 3 more White-bellied Bustard before arriving just before dusk at Georgetown. We needed to be on the south bank and could see our accommodation but we were the 11th vehicle awaiting the ferry which could only take four at a time so while we waited we looked for Pearl-spotted Owlet finding two. Eventually we crossed in the dark allowing stunning view of the clear sky’s including a few constellations I had not seen before. Once we arrived at the Baobalong Camp we freshened up then it was out again for a look for nightjars and owls finding one unidentified nightjar species and hearing a Verreaux's Eagle-Owl.

African Golden Oriole ,African Green Pigeon, African Oriole, African Silverbill, Arctic Skua, Avocet, Black Rumped Waxbill, Black Tern, Black-bellied Bustard, Bruce’s Green Pigeon, Bush Petronia, Chestnut-backed Sparrow-lark, Collared Pratincole, Common Redstart, Common Tern, Cormorant, Curlew Sandpiper, Cut-throat, Dark Chanting Goshawk, Exclamatory Paradise-Whydah, Four-banded Sandgrouse, Grasshopper Buzzard, House Martin, Kentish Plover, Kittlitz's Plover, Knob-billed Duck, Little Green Bee-Eater, Little Stint, Little Tern, Marsh Sandpiper, Med Gull Montagu’s Harrier, Northern Anteater-Chat, Northern Wheatear, Pygmy Sunbird, Pied Hornbill, Pin-tailed Whydah, Pomarine Skua, Purple Swamphen, Quail, Red-necked Falcon, Royal Tern, Ruff, Ruppell's Vulture, Sand Partridge, Savile's Bustard, Southern Grey Shrike, Spur-winged Goose, Sudan Golden Sparrow, Temminck's Courser, Western Bonelli's Warbler, White Crested Helmetshrike, White-backed Pelican, White-bellied Bustard, White-winged black Tern, Yellow-billed Oxpecker.

January 28h 2012
The intensity of dawn to dusk birding and long travel days can start to wear you down so it was very welcome just to walk 200 yards from our accommodation down to the rivers edge and board our motorized covered canoe for a trip along the north bank at first light.

We soon spread out but I was unfortunately not on the bank side when a shout of hippo had me racing to the other side but too late. Those on the ball were lucky enough to see its nostrils and ears and hear it snort before submerging –damn. New trip birds came thick and fast with plenty of activity in the river-side vegetation where we had at least 14 kingfishers of three species, 6 Swamp Flycatcher, 4 African fish Eagles and 2 Striated Heron amongst the many herons and egrets.

African Fish Eagle

The main highlights was the 10 Red-throated Bee-Eater a must see species when up river along with the 2 elusive African Fin-foot hiding amongst the mangrove roots, a close fly by Long-crested Eagle that flew over then perched allowing good views and the large amount of Turtle Dove’s we flushed as we chugged along at a leisurely pace. The icing on the cake was on our way back when I took an interest in a small clump of trees covered in vines and somehow managed to spot what I thought was an owl roosting. The canoe turned round and a closer look showed a Verreaux's Eagle-Owl just sitting quietly half way up – magic.

African Fin-foot by Colin Potter

Once back on dry land we finished packing, loaded the coach and left Georgetown for Bansang Quarry further up country where we had more Red-throated Bee-Eater plus Cinnamon-breasted Bunting and European Golden Oriole added to our trip list before heading back wast to Tendaba. Though a lot better since being re-graded there’s no luxury like the north road tarmac and this road is very dusty and a boneshaker but somehow you get use to it and a number of stops produced more children than birds at some locations.

Aladdin our superb driver who never stopped smiling and one of the nicest guys you can ever meet and was always a favourite with the children - not surprising since he has 11 of his own.

Highlight from the coach was Rufous Crowned Roller at the junction for Georgetown when we slowed for a military check point and at the village of Fula Bantang a Donkey carcass attracted 2 Ruppell's and 18 White-backed Vulture while overhead a Beaudouin's Snake-Eagle circled though out our short stay. Nearby a Marabou Stork colony had at least 40 of these big ugly beasties

Marabou Stork

Arrived at Tendaba where Dave and I had the local ladies in stitches as our room allocation meant we were expected to share a bed but that but was soon sorted out and we appreciated the running water to freshen up which was a lacking at Georgetown.
Once we had gathered ourselves we were out again to nearby Kiang West looking for Abyssinian Ground-Hornbill but we not quick enough when one was seen by Mus going back in to the forest undergrowth then we eventually made our way to an ideal spot for nightjars and waited for the sun to go down. After a short wait we managed at least 4 Standard-winged Nightjars but the there show was stolen by the 2 calling African Scops Owl with one appearing in adjacent tree.

African Fin-foot, African Fish-Eagle, African Scops Owl, Beaudouin's Snake-Eagle, Broad-billed Roller, Brown Snake Eagle, Cinnamon-breasted Bunting, European Golden Oriole, Fine-spotted Woodpecker, Greater Honeyguide, Grey Hornbill, Long-crested Eagle, Marabou Stork, Oriole Warbler, Purple Glossy Starling, Red-rumped Swallow, Red-throated Bee-eater, Ruddy Turnstone, Rufous-crowned Roller, Standard-winged Nightjar, Striated Heron, Swamp Flycatcher, Turtle Dove, White-backed Vulture,

Jan 29th to 31st 2012

January 28th 2012

We had another relaxing canoe trip to start the day exploring the balons opposite Tendaba just as the sun was coming up. Presumably it was a large fish that breached the surface as we crossed and caused some brief excitement hoping it was a dolphin then on approaching the first balon a small bat was still out hunting among the mangrove roots. Again kingfishers were plentiful with over 30 seen and at this hour a lot of species were just thinking about leaving their roost sites so species such as Herons, Egrets and African Darters were seen in good numbers.

African Darter

Palm-nut Vulture

Abyssinian Roller by Colin Potter

As we continued creeping along we managed to find a number of passerines feeding in the undergrowth like African Blue Flycatcher, plenty of Mouse-brown Sunbirds, Senegal Batis, Northern Crombec and Yellow-crowned Bishop while a woodpecker species was eventually tracked down and found to be another lifer for me-Golden-tailed Woodpecker. In the clearer areas we had Woolly-necked Stork and Montagu’s Harrier while overhead we kept an eye out for the longed for Martial Eagle that had been present but it wasn’t to be but did find a Mosque Swallow. Some of the specialised birds of this habitat such as White-crowned Night Heron we dipped on but Goliath Heron and African Fin-foot did appear. The Fin-foot decided it would perform and showed for along time allowing plenty of photographs and videos to be taken.

On our return to Tendaba we grabbed a cool drink then went for a walk behind the village managing 8 White Crested Helmetshrike and 60 White-backed Pelican overhead but nothing added to the trip list then on our return we packed and started out for the long journey back to the Halcyon compound, Bijilo. To get back to the main road we followed a number of dirt tracks through Kiang West seeing White-fronted Blackchat but the Lesser Kestrel female put doubt in the minds of a few and never made the list.

As we headed east a comfort stop brought us our first Tree Pipit of the trip and we experienced Mus buying firewood and charcoal for his mum from the roadside as it was cheaper than in the capital. Arrived back tired and dusty but soon perked up with a hot shower and food and as the gang drifted away for beddy byes, Dennis and I had a Barn Owl flying over the compound and a White-faced Scops Owl was heard later on in the evening.

African Blue Flycatcher, African Darter, Barn Owl, European Swallow, Golden-tailed Woodpecker, Mosque Swallow, Mouse-brown Sunbird, Northern Crombec, Senegal Batis, Swallow-tailed Bee-Eater, Tree Pipit, White fronted Blackchat, White-throated Bee-Eater, Woolly-necked Stork, Yellow-crowned Bishop.

January 30th 2012
Our last full day in the field started at Farasuto a local wood near Mus’es home village which the local community had turned in to reserve where there was a stunning roosting Greyish Eagle Owl which had taken up residence. Earlier we had spent some time under the canopy where we managed to see Oriole Warbler, Green Crombec and Grey Headed Bristle Bill from the 60 or so species recorded here.

Next stop was Faraba Banta where we added Copper Sunbird to the trip from a tree dripping with sunbirds before moving on to have our packed lunch at Tanji Beach. – Not the prettiest location due to the local fishing industry but there were plenty to see while sheltering from the heat of the day and we managed a few species not previously seen on the trip Bar-tailed Godwit, Caspian Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Sanderling and after a long wait I finally caught up with Kelp Gull. Plenty of other gull species seen here and 2 Ospreys.
Once rested we were back on the move this time to Turjering and managed Cardinal Woodpecker, Klaas's Cuckoo, Northern Puffback, Vieillots Barbet, Common Swift and Whinchat amongst a wide range of species.

January 31st 2012

Speckled Pigeon

African Mourning Dove by Colin Potter

We were not due at Yumdum Airport till 3pm so chilled out by the pool enjoying the wares of a travelling stall holder we had invited round to buy gifts which saved us from the hassle of the markets


The final group pic then homeward bound to -2

Richard

January 18th to 21st 2012

January 18th
First light produced 37 Waxwing feeding on berries in Mancroft Walk, Norwich, Norfolk then it was a look at the adult Lesser White-fronted Goose with the Taiga Bean Geese flock on the Buckenham Marshes RSPB reserve. Once satisfied with our views we pushed on to Egmere near South Creake for a Great Grey Shrike then hit the North Norfolk coast at Cley Marshes NWT for the long staying Western Sandpiper. Unfortunately it was not on show when we first arrived so took the opportunity to check out the sea with Great-northern Diver, 2 Red-throated Diver and 3 Red-breasted Merganser offshore before the Western Sand decided to show from Avocet hide.
With time against us we moved along the coast taking a quick look at the Black Brant on the pitch and putt course at Wells-next the Sea before arriving at Titchwell RSPB reserve. Luckily the Coues’ Arctic Redpoll was on show with a few Siskin and Lesser Redpoll while in fading light 5 Long-tailed Duck were offshore and Short-eared and Barn Owl showed on our return to the car park. Two Barn Owls seen on the way home

January 19th
Draycote Waters male Smew was off draycote bank and after walking with Bob to toft shallows I sat in the hide for an hour in case of pending rain when a Nuthatch landed in the Oak tree opposite having flown in from Thurlaston village. Not a lot else on offer, 3 Siskin in toft shallows, 60 Pochard, 2 Meadow Pipits and 112 Golden Plover over in 5 flocks.

January 20th
A wet miserable day with 11 Lesser Redpolls and 3 Treecreeper at Brandon Marsh

January 21st
A damp blustery morning with male Smew, Kingfisher and Grey Wagtail at the pond, Great-northern Diver and Grey Phalarope on Farmoor Reservoir and an unexpected Temminick’s Stint for this time of year at Rushy Common, Oxfordshire.

Richard

January 16th 2012

Failed to see the space shed go over this morning just before we went to the pond and the cold weather has affected duck numbers with increase in Wigeon (150), Teal (150), Pochard (41), Goldeneye (50+), Shoveler (6) and Gadwall (16) but Goosander numbers have plummeted with only 4 present. Seems to be some confusion whether the Red-breasted Merganser is present but as far as I am concerned it’s gone. The male Smew is still around but mobile being seen off draycote bank, farborough spit and hensborough bank today. Only other birds of note were 37 Golden Plover in two separate flocks both heading south, 5 Lesser Redpoll and 12 Siskin in toft shallows, 24 Greylag, Sparrowhawk, 18 Long-tailed Tit and 40 Linnet.

Redwing by Bob Hazell


The space shed is still going round and round and round and round and round and ....


Can you tell what is yet - if so your doing better than me - Iv no idea how it will end up - thats the fun of it.

I had to break a life long promise never to go back to my old school but as they were holding a BBC Stargazing Live Showcase I had to eat humble pie – well at least my promise lasted 45 years though soon as I walked through the doors memories of some of my dastardly deeds and punishment came flooding back.
There was a very good turn out with various talks and workshops as well as many telescopes available to look through but the star of the show was the sky it self. Mark and I were like kids in a sweetshop especially as we added M36 and 37 to our Messier List. I was also thrilled to get my best views of Andromeda and through someone’s telescope Jupiter’s band were incredible and Orion’s Nebula awesome. Listen up family – I know what I want for my 60th birthday so start saving. We also had a meteorite and 2 satellites.

Richard

January 14th and 15th 2012

Thank god for clear nights and Astronomy to save the weekend as birding was frustrating with everything either giving poor or very brief views leaving one thinking why the bloody hell do I bother.
Early Saturday morning was spent on Lawford Heath studying the constellation Orion managing Tawny and Barn Owl while the juvenile Glaucous Gull arrived just after daybreak then promptly disappeared.
Sunday with Dave found us down the valley enjoying the planets Mars and Saturn either side of a bright moon and freezing temperatures which probably meant good hunting conditions for Short-eared Owls and they roosted earlier than usual. Also on the downside we failed to see any Barn Owls for the first time in ages but in the valley we did find 6 Tree Sparrow and 56 Yellowhammer but failed to see the Peregrine at Broadwell resting on a tree stump until it was too late and we drove to close.
Napton Reservoir had an impressive 45 Wigeon, 10 Gadwall and 10 Pochard while Brandon Marsh was again quiet with Lesser Redpoll, Shelduck, Snipe and Cetties Warbler.

Richard

January 13th 2012

With the night remaining clear and the temperature dropping like a stone I grabbed a few hours sleep before going out extremely early so I could look for owls before early mist hampered viewing, Back home my second Spring Usher of the year was in the trap and must have arrived long before the frost set it last night then it was off
to Brandon Marsh at mid-day with Dave but it was very quiet with only 3 Shelduck worth noting

Spring Usher me

and by Bob Hazel

Its progressing - I'm pleased though Dave thinks its a bunch of squiggles - animal


Lesser Redpoll by Bob Hazel at the pond today

Richard

January 12th 2012

A brief glimpse of a Barn Owl near Oxford as we travelled south to Hampshire was a good start to a very long day adding 2 Red Kite, Little Egret and Little Owl by the time we arrived at our first port of call Calshot where we had excellent views of the Spanish Sparrow. Some argue that its credentials are questionable either helped or hindered by the presence of a Dark-eyed Junco at Hawhill Inclosure where again good views were obtained. But what ever your views are who cares – 2 good looking birds in the bag so now it was time to explore the surrounding New Forest area where we had Great Grey Shrike, Ferruginous Duck, Black Redstart, Lesser-spotted Woodpecker, Peregrine, Firecrest, Woodlark, Dartford Warbler, Crossbill and Hawfinch. Unfortunately we missed Goshawk by seconds and ran out of time to see, Cattle Egret, Ring-billed Gull and Iceland Gull. Still with over eighty species recorded that is what I call a good day out.
No sooner home then it was out again to meet up with the boys in the pub at Cubbington with this and next years holidays high on the agenda then on the way home we trawled for owls managing a Barn Owl by the junction of the Fosse Way and Coal Pit Lane before parking up and doing a bit of star gazing on Lawford Heath. Despite the temperature dropping we had at least 15 Winter Moths flying around. The impressive constellation of Orion and especially the Orion nebula (M42) showed brilliantly while the open star cluster Pleiades (M45) more commonly known as the Severn Sisters revealed many of its 1400 members. Also worth looking at were Jupiter and Sirius. BBC Stargazing Live starts this Monday for three consecutive nights and in conjunction with this program many local astromany societies are holding there own events so well worth finding out what’s going on in your area. Clear sky’s are forecasted for the next few nights so get out there and enjoy.

Richard

January 11th 2012

I was doing a good impression of billy no mates on farborough spit totally pissed off that the place was dead and why do I bother when suddenly a male and female Smew flew past.
A quick heads up call to Bob who was on the north side and he returned the call 20 minutes later to say they were off draycote bank so Keith and I decided to leg it to hensborough bank for better views and found another male nearer the valve tower.

Smew male by Bob Hazel

While Keith continued to join Bob I stayed in the picnic area managing to locate the Red-breasted Merganser female, watch my second Peregrine of the day attack the many gulls that were present and have a female Merlin fly past close while finishing off the last of my Christmas cake. So a crap day turned in to paradise. Other sightings included adult Yellow-legged Gull, 10 Meadow Pipits, 50 Goldeneye, 60+ Wigeon, 130+ Teal, 8 Gadwall and 30 Pochard although other duck species such as Mallard and Tufted Duck have left in droves.

Richard

January 10th 2012

The Space Shed continues to pass over my estate with a few more passes that are visible though those at 8:28am on the 16th and 8:10am on 18th will be in daylight but should still be bright enough to see as long as we don’t get the dreaded cloud which seems to appear every time I publish.

Moths are doing well this winter with this prolonged mild spell producing Spring Usher and Early Moth to my garden trap breaking my January record of species recorded in what is normally a dire month for moths – 7 so far.

On the birding front it was a cracking early morning owl session down the valley with 2 Little and 2 Barn Owl with the additional bonus of 4 Tree Sparrow by the entrance to Valley Farm and a Woodcock over the Hill Rd/ A426 junction.
Napton Reservoir on the other hand needs a bloody good shake up with very little of note and Napton on the Hill did not fare much better with only Coal Tit in the churchyard and 5 Raven over the windmill but I needed to be back in town to stock up on supplies for our forthcoming trip abroad so did not give it the coverage it deserved.



Another bright idea - we will just have to see if it avoids the dustbin that most of my paintings go in.

Richard

January 9th 2012

Did not get out with Bob till gone mid-day so this gave us a chance at the roost joining up with JJ but we failed to produce any white wingers only managing 2 adult Yellow-legged Gull and a leucistic Black-headed Gull. Also seen were 3 Shelduck, 3 Raven, Peregrine, female Red-breasted Merganser, 40 Linnet, 2 Buzzard and 2 Dunlin.

Richard

January 8th 2012

We decided on a early morning trawl for owls along the lanes around the Stoneton area managing a single Tawny and 4 Barn Owls before moving on to Brandon Marsh where yesterdays Whooper Swans had moved on but we managed views of a stunning Peregrine low over east marsh. Also recorded were 6 Snipe, Cetties Warbler, Great-spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, 5 Siskin, 3 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Coal Tit and 2 Nuthatch. Little of interest on Lawford Heath

Richard

January 6th 2012

Finally got to grips with my 2011 garden moth records. Final scores on the doors for the year were 15,768 moths trapped adding 7 macros and 51 micros to my garden list with record monthly macro counts for January, March, May, July, October, November, and December. Garden list since August 2005 now stand at 523 species from 58,881 moths (305 marco and 218 micro). In the same period Dave has trapped 89,310 moths in his garden of 314 macro and 254 micro species with 12 macro and 79 micros added in 2011
This afternoon’s visit to Brandon Marsh with Dave produced 4 Goldeneye, 2 Snipe, Cetties Warbler, 3 Coal Tit and Great-spotted Woodpecker while on the way home we were luckily enough to find a Marsh Harrier male flying east between Lawford Grange and Billingham’s Barn towards Bretford.

Richard

January 5th 2012

Finally met up with Bob for our first visit to the pond together this year which had great expectations after a very stormy night with winds of up to nearly 50mph and driving rain but we struggled to even see the Red-breasted Merganser and 2 Dunlin.

Richard

January 3rd 2012

The stormy conditions over the UK today brought in horrendous weather to the pond with gusts of up to 56mph recorded and driving rain making standing almost impossible and viewing just as difficult. A Kittiwake adult was being battered against the north shore by the valve tower and I must have almost stepped on a Snow Bunting as it called very loudly close by but I failed to see it which was bloody frustrating. Also present today were Red-breasted Merganser, 51 Goosander, female Pintail, 14 Gadwall, 2 Siskin, Raven and Great-spotted Woodpecker while the roost held first winter Glaucous Gull, adult Iceland Gull and adult Yellow-legged Gull. The garden moth trap had 3 Chestnut, Dark Chestnut and Winter Moth so a good start to the year.

Richard

January 2nd 2012

I spent the morning around Nocton Fen, Lincolnshire area seeing 2 male Hen Harrier, 10 Bewick’s Swan, 10 Whooper Swan, 46 European White-fronted Geese, female Merlin, Barn Owl and 3 Short-eared Owls. Also noted were Redshank, 4 Common Buzzard, 76 Mute Swan, 25 Red-legged Partridge and 200 Lapwing while on the way we had a Tawny Owl perched above the roadside on our way near Fulbeck.

Richard

January 1st 2012

Out mega early with Dave but failed to start the year with decent views of any owls due to very poor light so moved on to the pond where some of Warwickshire’s finest were gathering for our annual catch up stroll before breakfast.


Male and female Pintail and Shoveler were soon found along with the Red-breasted Merganser female but not much else so after breakfast we searched Long Lawford, Lawford Heath and the Avon valley but found very little apart from 100+ Chaffinch, 15 Yellowhammer, 3 Buzzard, 40+ Wigeon and 24 Mute Swan and were about to give up and go home when JJ rang regarding adult Iceland Gull at the pond.
We raced back over and were soon reminded why we don’t go to the pond at this time of day at this time of the year as it was heaving with Joe Public trying to get rid of their hangovers and mince pies. Just as we started searching some donkey in a power boat was flushing all the gulls and duck but Dave finally found what we thought could be the bird in biggen bay but it was miles away and spent most of its time head on. While we were there a Little Egret flew over the reservoir and draycote bank, 4 Dunlin in rainbow and at least 54 Goosander counted flying around because of the disturbance.

Richard

December 31st 2011

The year ended with the Red-breasted Merganser and Shag still present at the pond and a great view of the Space Station going over with Jupiter in the background but on the down side I failed to see a Great-northern Diver at the pond this year for the first time since 1996 and only the 5th year since 1977 I have not recorded one here.

Richard

December 30th 2011

Despite the dull drizzly conditions Bob kindly took me over to Wormleighton to see Tornado go through with The Shakespearian Express where we met up with Terry and at least she wasn’t disappointing as she steamed past though I managed to cock up my shots but Terry and Bob captured it.
Before she arrived we had 20 Tree Sparrow and 100 Golden Plover over while the railway embankment was full of Fieldfare and Redwing but after coffee at Long Itchington we decided to give the pond a miss because of the rain.



Tornado Terry Southgate and Bob Hazell - oops the smoke is my picture

Alan Anscomb saved the day with this image between Leamington Spa and Warwick

Only seen the shed once over the festive period as the weather has been crap but lets hope it shows on the 1st

Moon and Venus by Mark Phillips taken on the 28th

Richard

December 29th 2011

Dave and I called in on my little sister holidaying in Thornham, Norfolk for breakfast then spent the rest of the morning being blown about at Titchwell RSPB resulting in the reserve being quiet with only 7 Little Egret, 2 Marsh Harrier and an Avocet on offer amongst the normal fare while the sea was a lot more productive with 14 Great-crested Grebe, Great-northern Diver, 22 Red-throated Diver (some very close in), 2 Black-throated Diver, 12 Goldeneye, 3 Red-breasted Merganser, Guillemot, 2 Razorbill and 2 Fulmar.
On our return a Chinese Water Deer was showing on the marsh and we caught up with the redpoll flock by the visitors centre. Having found 10 Lesser and 2 Mealy Redpolls when we first arrived this second look finally produced the hoped for first winter Coues’s Arctic Redpoll amongst 17 redpolls and a couple of Siskin.
On our way out of Norfolk we took a look around Beacon Hill above Thornham finding 20+ Red-legged and Grey Partridge, 300 Linnet and 5 Marsh Harrier.

Richard

December 28th 2011

Another mild night produced Chestnut and either Acleris hastiana or Acleris cristana in the garden trap which normally hibernates at this time of the year and one of those species you have to cut the gonads up to identify for certain, rest assured it flew off with meat and two veg still attached after Bob took its mug shot.


Draycote Water was blustery this morning with Grey Plover heading west over rainbow, female Red-breasted Merganser off draycote bank among a very impressive gathering of 50 Goosander (26 male), first winter Shag on the small island then draycote bank and adult and second winter Yellow-legged Gull. Supporting cast included 3 Goldcrest, 31 Yellowhammer, 350 Stock Dove, Dunlin, 3 Buzzard, 2 Raven, 75 Wigeon and 22 Goldeneye.
JJ offered me a lift back to the pond late afternoon to do the roost and we caught up with yesterdays first winter Iceland Gull and also found a first winter Glaucous Gull by which the time both Jupiter and Venus were on show. I was home in time to finally catch up with the shed as it passed over just before 5pm.

Richard

December 27th 2011

Lots of e-mails recieved regarding info on Fridays train so here is the majority of the route.


Another mild night so out early down the valley lamping managing 8 Winter Moth and a single Acleris schalleriana along Hill Road though this was over shadowed by a probable Long-eared Owl on the roadside fence near Warsner Spinney and the ears briefly caught in the lamplight before flying off. A Barn Owl hunting near Gymswood but I arrived too late for any Short-eared Owl’s.

Richard

December 26th 2011

My pressy from Mrs Dave - There's more chance of me finding a Bluethroat in my garden than sharing this beauty.

Five Short-eared Owls, 2 Barn Owl, Tawny Owl heard, 4 Hare and a Fox down the valley at first light and 10 Goosander, Yellow-legged Gull adult and first winter Shag at the pond.

Richard

December 24th 2011

I couldn’t think of a better way to start off the festive season (apart from kicking the s*** out of Santa) than to be flat on ones back down the valley, watching the wonders of the universe spread out above me. After yesterdays rain the sky was crystal clear which gave me my first views of the Comet P/2006 T1 Levy as she enters the Great Square of Pegasus at +8th magnitude and there was plenty of other delights to see including the planets, Venus, Mercury, Saturn, Mars and Jupiter, as well as a few meteorites from the Ursid meteor shower.
With the air still owls were very prominent with 2 Tawny and 2 Barn Owl heard and as the cloud cover came in at dawn then both Barn and Short-eared became active with 3 of each seen. Other birds seen in the valley included Woodcock, Buzzard, 3 Raven, 3 Red-legged Partridge and 6 Bullfinch. Called in on the pond on the way back home with Shelduck, 22 Goosander, first winter Shag and the Pintail hybrid worth mentioning. Garden had 3 Coal Tit plus Raven and 60 Redwing over mid-day.

Richard