29th October
The last weekend in september, and being car less had to miss out on some goodies further north. So nothing much doing all weekend locally, only a brimstone in the garden of note.
22nd October
The mornings weather was poor so we headed south, visiting some tourist attractions, at one of them a leucistic moorhen was seen. Onward to Leighton Moss where the Lesser Scaup was present. It was showing but a little distant upon arrival. Lots of common wildfowl but not much else apart from the tourist masses spending a sunday afternoon on a RSPB reserve. We headed south to Fluke Hall where there were no tourist hoardes. In fact we were the only ones there. The Glossy Ibis was present on arrival showing well on the very wet stubble field. Some whooper swans were grazing in the next field.
20th October
The longer than expected drive to Saltfleet provided nothing of note. On arrival the geese were distant and the wind blowing very strongly, several dark bellied brent geese were present feeding on the edge of the mud with a large flock of shelduck after a short while several more dark bellied brent geese showed themselves along with a single pale bellied brent goose. Eventually one of the red breasted geese showed itself in the shelduck flock. Some other birders arrived and we all watched the bird distantly. No sign of the other one. We headed for our weekend away in the Lake District.
17th October
Managed to get to Thorpness despite the best efforts of wide loads on the back roads. The red flanked bluetail was showing on my arrival and showed briefly several times before perching for 30 seconds allowing a couple of photos. A large groupe of brambling passed through showing nicely. Satisfied I headed to Dunwich and took a walk, the increasing wind was not helpful but a dartford warbler showed a couple of times along with loads of linnets.
16th October
Our last day and we went to Helston pool, not much here and we started the long journey home, via a few planned stops, however the News from Suffolk changed the plan and we headed there directly. Arrival at 5pm the red flanked bluetail was nowhere to be seen, it was seen but not where we were and we went home.
15th October
Sunday was tourist day, we went to St Michaels Mount, then Paradise park, a probable eastern race jackdaw was present in the paddocks. Late afternoon however we returned to Porthgwarra for the warbler again. I had just missed it on arrival, but within 30 mins the melodious warbler was showing well although not very close. No sign of the wryneck at Lands end.
14th October
A misty morning did not bode well for our pre booked day trip to the Isles of Scilly, there was nothing exceedingly rare but a few good birds and a change of scenery. We arrived at Land's End airport and the flights were delayed, there was an option to go on the Scillonian. I was already ill and did not relish 3 hours on a boat so declined. The plane did go about 30 mins late. Walking down from the airport, a little bunting was briefly seen but flew west and could not be relocated, so And we headed up Peninis head, whinchats seen on the way, on the top of the head we quickly found the Short toed lark, and briefly a wryneck, I was struggling and not well at all so it was decided not to take the boat to Tresco for the American Robin or the booted warbler on Bryher. We would explore St Mary's, at the dump clump the red brested flycatcher was easily loacted showing well. Then on to Hugh town for some refreshment, on the way we were put onto some prickly stick insects After lunch we headed for Carreg Du, to take a wander aroung the tropical garden. Here we had hummingbird hawk moth and lots of common but photogenic birds. The next stop was porthloo beach, black redstart within 1m stunning. But there was lots of interest in a wall, we investigated here were two convolvulus hawk moths. Next was a walk around lower moors not much doing and we headed to the airport, Tawny pipit and common rosefinch had been refound but quite some distance away, I was not up for a quick dash for them so we headed to the back of the airport where the lapland bunting was happily feeding. A phone call from the airport and we had to return ASAP as the weather was turning and we had to get off the Island. Lucky we were so close. We arrived at the airport and went straight onto a plane and back to the mainland. Returning to the mainland early allowed a return to Porthgwarra for that warbler. It did not show to dusk.
13th October
After an early start we arrived in Falmouth at 11am for the long staying surf scoter although a juv still worth a look and a good break in the journey. It was eventually found and we headed off the the far end of Cornwall where all the birds were. First stop was the melodious warbler at Porthgwarra we located the spot (where 10 or so other birders were standing) and waited, loads of red admirals everywhere also lots of clouded yellows including one of the helice form. The prize was a brief fly round from a red rumped swallow. After about 3.5 hours without a sign of the warbler we took a visit to the little cafe for refreshments and onto the Hayle estuary. Here thespotted sandpiper was easily found from the causeway. Further into Hayle the Least Sandpiper had beeen refound and we easily located it before heading to our accomodation in Lelant just down the road. I being ill for most of the week and not at all recovered went straight to bed.
October
The overnight drive to Beal arriving about 45 mins after dawn, only one other birder was present, was I missing something? No sign of our quarry, after 20 mins the heavens opened and I retreated to the car, the other birder went to scour the local villages. Two other birders arrived and promptly departed to look elsewhere. The rain stopped 30 mins later and I carried on the hunt alone. 5 mins later and there it was and adult Roller in the hawthorne's dropping into the set a side feeding. The first birder returned but could not see the bird but happily it did show itself a few minutes later and showed well although not particulary close all morning. I short trip to Holy Island, produced several waders but not much of interest. I headed for home eventually arriving at Crowland, after finding the golden plover flock I managed to pick out the american golden plover in the fading light.
7th October
Lots happening in the garden, several red admirals and hornets still active and a solitary migrant hawker still partolling my garden. Flocks of golden plover passing overhead and flocks of garden birds eating everything I can put in my feeders. No Yellowhammers at the moment but they will be here at the first sign of bad weather. A couple of kestrels guarding the telegraph wires in my field (well the field behind my house - I don't actually own it.)
1st October
Despite the weather, a late afternoon trip to north east Norfolk was undertaken. The target was the pallid harrier, eventually a distant and brief view was had. Then onto Winterton dunes and a recently found yellow browed warbler was on show. Not much else in terrible weather.
26th September
Just as I put my head on the pillow, the shreiking started - it was outside! I got up found my mega candle torch and headed outside to see my tawny owls tonight however they were not in my garden but in the farm opposite. I kept my distance and only got flight views of at least 4 owls, but they stayed in the farm and I headed back to bed.
25th September
Once again searching locally for the large falcon turned up nothing.
24th September
After a lie in, I headed off to look for the large falcon seen the evening before, despite an extensive search no sign of it but three corn buntings was excellent. I fancied a journey out and it was a toss up between North East Norfolk or Dorset. I headed for the latter, on arrival at Stanpit Marsh, I heard that famous quote, should have been here two minutes ago it was showing well. Anyway two minutes later and for the next 45 mins the marbled duck showed very well allowing good views of it. It was very flighty, very skulking and nervous, but unringed and fully winged. I also had clouded yellow butterfly but not much else apart from, mallard, lapwing and little egret. So moved on to Priory marsh and quickly found the cattle egret with the cattle. Nothing much around so headed to Mudeford Quay for an ice cream, not much doing so headed for home.
23rd September
Today was spent working in the garden, still some peacocks and both large and small white butterflies about, as well as a few common darters. Moving some rocks about I located common toad, common frog and smooth newts. All were moved to their new purpose built rock pile. Two trips out were made both for shopping, the first late morning and I caught up with one of the local buzzards I had not seen them for some time. The second late evening in the fading light produced a large falcon sp on the telegraph wires, a passing car disturbed it, and I could get any clinching ID features. I will look for it tomorrow. Nothing out of the ordinary birdwise in the garden.
22nd September
Once again very busy this week, with only an unsuccesful look for little owls near where I used to live today.
16th September
The monthly trip with the Stortford Crew, and off to North Norfolk, first call Kelling Water Meadows,little in the way of migrants down the track, but little stint was present with the dunlin and ruff. A whinchat was present near the road. Next stop Cley, along with the hoards, for the yellow browed warbler which eventually showed, the lapland bunting was not seen, spotted redshank was amongst the usual waders. Next stop was the west car park, a pied flycatcher was present in the middle of the road. The red backed shrike performed well acrobatically catching insects, whinchat also present. Sea watching during lunch produced great skuas, artic skua, fulmar, red throated diver amongst the commoner species All the action was at Burnham overy so that was our next stop, the long walk was well worth it with pied flycatchers, redstarts and garden warblers in good numbers. But our target was the red brested flycatchers and they duly obliged, allowing great views. The sign of winter in the form of a great grey shrike was seen distantly. The last stop was warham greens where we by passed the red backed shrike and headed to the wryneck which was extreemly confiding, definatly the bird of the day. We did stop for the red backed shrike on the way back to the car, showing much closer that the Cley bird. A classic day.
15th September
An after work trip to the seaside, to see Southend's most famous avian resident, Rossi ring billed gull was easily located on the seafront, a walk along the front with one of those famous ice creams eventually produced a couple of mediterranean gulls in the fading light.
14th September
Due to heavy work commitments and a few other things very little birdwatching done, but today lured out after work for the white winged black tern in the lee valley. I viewed the lake from the great weir hide, and could see the black terns yet despite long and hard searching I could not find it. There was a well marked black tern and I think this bird was mis-identified. I slipped over hurting my ankle so gave up and headed back to the car, there was little on the way back except some plastic barnacles by the Crannum hide. But the dipping area gave me a nice view of lesser spotted woodpecker which made up for everything else. The light was rubbish and all the birds far away so no pics. But some goldfinches oblidged on my feeders over the weekend including one with a big tick so I have put a couple of those on. I think the insect season is coming to an end, and I have had a great time with 33 dragon and damselflys and 46 butterfly species. Looking forward to the autumn bird migration.
7th September
An early morning trip to Amwell, where I had not been for months due to being a bit disheartened with all the "improvements", the weather was bright but a little chilly with the wind. Not much out of the ordinary from the viewpoint a couple of greater spotted woodpeckers broke the monotony. I headed to the hide, cetti's warbler showed briefly but remained elusive, a couple of reed warblers and the usual tits on the feeders. A couple of young water rails entertained in the waterless reedbed.
3rd September
The last week had large coppers of unknown origin - presumed escaped or released at Carr Vale NR, with no birds around these would be todays target. They were found shortly after arrival, just missed a male but two females showed well. Lots of migrant hawkers and common darters and a few speckled woods were seen on a walk round the reserve but the bird list was poor. So to rectify that the short trip to Easton was taken. The white stork was thermalling on my arrival but landed after a short while distantly behind some trees. I left heading to Warwickshire. After a bad accident on the M1 delayed me a while, and no sign of the indigo bunting infact a thorough search produced none of the goldfinches it has been associating with. A migrant hawker posed for the camera but nothing else of note. Another accident this time on the M40 prevented me from reaching Aston Rowant in time for any serious butterfly time.
