Rain again today, so a walk around Willen Lakes.
Not much on the South lake as lots of water sports were going on, so everything had moved up to the North end.
Ducks were plentiful, especially Wigeon, but good numbers of Tufted, Pochard, Mallard and Teal. A Water Rail screamed in the reeds near the inlet,4 Little Grebe were in front of the hide, 4 Snipe were seen on the Spit and a Yellow-legged Gull paid a brief visit.
To be honest it was another disappointing trip out, but you have to keep getting out there. I must be due something good soon !
Tuesday, 26 October 2010
Monday, 25 October 2010
Chris's Local
A spare couple of hours this afternoon, so as I was nearby, I took a look around Manor Farm.
It really was quiet unless you are really in to Magpies, Carrion Crows Woodpigeons and Black-headed Gulls - lots of these around.
On the pools a small flock of Lapwings, contained a single Green Sandpiper and 2 Little Egrets were nearby. A single Cormorant and a few Common Gulls mingled with the Black-heads.
Several Pied Wagtails lurked on the mud along with one Grey, but that really was about it - no ducks , Geese or Swans.
To make things worse while I was there a Text came through saying Bob T had seen 3 Waxwings near the iron trunk bridge, just a couple of hundred yards away.... I didn't even see Bob T.!
It really was quiet unless you are really in to Magpies, Carrion Crows Woodpigeons and Black-headed Gulls - lots of these around.
On the pools a small flock of Lapwings, contained a single Green Sandpiper and 2 Little Egrets were nearby. A single Cormorant and a few Common Gulls mingled with the Black-heads.
Several Pied Wagtails lurked on the mud along with one Grey, but that really was about it - no ducks , Geese or Swans.
To make things worse while I was there a Text came through saying Bob T had seen 3 Waxwings near the iron trunk bridge, just a couple of hundred yards away.... I didn't even see Bob T.!
Sunday, 24 October 2010
Sparrows on my patch and merry Lap dance
First light saw me at Gayhurst Quarry today.
Lots of birds around, but nothing much other than common stuff.
Duck numbers continue to increase, with Mallards, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal and Pochard all in abundance. Only 2 Little Egrets and 4 Little Grebe present this time and at least one Kingfisher.
Passing under the motorway bridge I had an interesting sighting of a big Dog Fox. He was walking as bold as brass between the cattle, with them taking absolutely no notice of him at all - if that had been my dog they would have chased her around the field. I would have loved a photo of this, but unfortunately he saw me and was off.
Quarryhall was a shade more interesting birdwise. I could hear Tree Sparrows, but they were difficult to pick out. I did eventually see some, but never more than 4 at any one time. I'm guessing there were probably around a dozen, as they were extremely vocal.
Yellowhammer numbers are building up with around 10 seen, also about 30 Linnets, 50 Skylark, 4 Meadow Pipits, a few Goldfinch and Chaffinch, 2 - 300 Fieldfares and a couple of Buzzards.
This afternoon I met up with Paul and Nik to try and see a Lapland Bunting that had been at Ivinghoe Beacon earlier in the day.
It had been seen briefly amongst a flock of Skylarks in an emerging Oilseed Rape crop.
Having got there we soon realised how impossible this was going to be. - The field was huge - the Skylark flock was huge and ranged over a huge area, - and the birds disappeared as soon as they landed.
Needless to say we didn't find it, but we did see probably 50 Linnets, a couple of hundred Fieldfare and at least 3 Bramblings in the Whitebeam trees on the way down.
Lots of birds around, but nothing much other than common stuff.
Duck numbers continue to increase, with Mallards, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal and Pochard all in abundance. Only 2 Little Egrets and 4 Little Grebe present this time and at least one Kingfisher.
Passing under the motorway bridge I had an interesting sighting of a big Dog Fox. He was walking as bold as brass between the cattle, with them taking absolutely no notice of him at all - if that had been my dog they would have chased her around the field. I would have loved a photo of this, but unfortunately he saw me and was off.
Quarryhall was a shade more interesting birdwise. I could hear Tree Sparrows, but they were difficult to pick out. I did eventually see some, but never more than 4 at any one time. I'm guessing there were probably around a dozen, as they were extremely vocal.
Yellowhammer numbers are building up with around 10 seen, also about 30 Linnets, 50 Skylark, 4 Meadow Pipits, a few Goldfinch and Chaffinch, 2 - 300 Fieldfares and a couple of Buzzards.
This afternoon I met up with Paul and Nik to try and see a Lapland Bunting that had been at Ivinghoe Beacon earlier in the day.
It had been seen briefly amongst a flock of Skylarks in an emerging Oilseed Rape crop.
Having got there we soon realised how impossible this was going to be. - The field was huge - the Skylark flock was huge and ranged over a huge area, - and the birds disappeared as soon as they landed.
Needless to say we didn't find it, but we did see probably 50 Linnets, a couple of hundred Fieldfare and at least 3 Bramblings in the Whitebeam trees on the way down.
Tuesday, 19 October 2010
Lesser is definitely more
Heavy rain curtailed my afternoons work today, so I decided a twitch was in order.
I undertook a trip to Port Meadow on the banks of the River Thames at Oxford.
Leaving Newport in heavy rain and hail, I was pleased that by the time I reached Bicester I was ahead of the rain clouds and the sun had come out.
Arriving on site the flooded meadows were absolutely full of birds; over a hundred Wigeon, a few Teal and Shoveler, around 300 Golden Plover on the opposite bank and an enormous flock of Greylag Geese with 15 Feral Snow Geese mixed in amongst them. Pied Wagtails and Meadow Pipits fed around the edges of the flood.
The bird I had come to see was found easily on my side of the river at about 30 yards range - a juvenile Lesser Yellowlegs. This handsome transatlantic wader showed extremely well all the time I was there along with it's close buddy a Ruff. These two seemed inseparable and were never more than 5 yards apart, if one flew,the other followed - the bright yellowlegs shining out like a beacon behind the American bird.
After about an hour the rain finally reached me, so this was my cue to head home.
I undertook a trip to Port Meadow on the banks of the River Thames at Oxford.
Leaving Newport in heavy rain and hail, I was pleased that by the time I reached Bicester I was ahead of the rain clouds and the sun had come out.
Arriving on site the flooded meadows were absolutely full of birds; over a hundred Wigeon, a few Teal and Shoveler, around 300 Golden Plover on the opposite bank and an enormous flock of Greylag Geese with 15 Feral Snow Geese mixed in amongst them. Pied Wagtails and Meadow Pipits fed around the edges of the flood.
The bird I had come to see was found easily on my side of the river at about 30 yards range - a juvenile Lesser Yellowlegs. This handsome transatlantic wader showed extremely well all the time I was there along with it's close buddy a Ruff. These two seemed inseparable and were never more than 5 yards apart, if one flew,the other followed - the bright yellowlegs shining out like a beacon behind the American bird.
After about an hour the rain finally reached me, so this was my cue to head home.
Sunday, 17 October 2010
Norfolk again
Our latest RSPB trip was once again to North Norfolk.
Mainly chasing around and missing out on scarce vagrants, but there were some highlights.
We started off at Warham Greens, where a Pallas's Warbler had been present for 3 or 4 days. Unfortunately after about an hour or so it became apparent the bird had moved on as no-one had seen it all morning.
Cley was our next destination, and it was en-route to here that we noticed a group of Birders looking at the front of a house in Blakeney. We stopped to find they were watching a smart Black Redstart that was moving along the rooftops.
At Cley itself, a seawatch produced a couple of Red-throated Divers, some Common Scoter,3 Eiders, a couple of Gannets and lots of Brent Geese. A couple of Snow Buntings were near the Eye Pool and a ringtail Hen Harrier flew over
Snow Bunting
My latest attempt to get Curlew Sandpiper on to my yearlist was thwarted as our walk down to Arnolds Marsh where one was reported to be present, was interrupted by a text from Ray saying there was a Red-breasted Flycatcher at Holkham - No Contest !
Shortly after we were walking down the West Track to join the small crowd assembled arond an Ivy covered tree where the bird was hiding. It did prove to be very elusive, but eventually gave good if very brief views, but what a cracker it was.
Other birds seen here includes lots of Coal Tits, Goldcrest, Chiffchaffs, many Jays, a Buzzard and a Marsh Harrier.
While we were here, news of an even bigger rareity came through - a Red-flanked Bluetail just down the road at Holme. So we were off again.
Now to say this bird was elusive was an understatement. It had been showing on and off all afternoon, but in the hour an a half we were there up until dusk the only view I had one brief view of it flying quickly into a bush. If I hadn't been told that was the bird, I certainly wouldn't have guessed, so I will have to wait another day before I can add RFB to my life-list.
Mainly chasing around and missing out on scarce vagrants, but there were some highlights.
We started off at Warham Greens, where a Pallas's Warbler had been present for 3 or 4 days. Unfortunately after about an hour or so it became apparent the bird had moved on as no-one had seen it all morning.
Cley was our next destination, and it was en-route to here that we noticed a group of Birders looking at the front of a house in Blakeney. We stopped to find they were watching a smart Black Redstart that was moving along the rooftops.
At Cley itself, a seawatch produced a couple of Red-throated Divers, some Common Scoter,3 Eiders, a couple of Gannets and lots of Brent Geese. A couple of Snow Buntings were near the Eye Pool and a ringtail Hen Harrier flew over
My latest attempt to get Curlew Sandpiper on to my yearlist was thwarted as our walk down to Arnolds Marsh where one was reported to be present, was interrupted by a text from Ray saying there was a Red-breasted Flycatcher at Holkham - No Contest !
Shortly after we were walking down the West Track to join the small crowd assembled arond an Ivy covered tree where the bird was hiding. It did prove to be very elusive, but eventually gave good if very brief views, but what a cracker it was.
Other birds seen here includes lots of Coal Tits, Goldcrest, Chiffchaffs, many Jays, a Buzzard and a Marsh Harrier.
While we were here, news of an even bigger rareity came through - a Red-flanked Bluetail just down the road at Holme. So we were off again.
Now to say this bird was elusive was an understatement. It had been showing on and off all afternoon, but in the hour an a half we were there up until dusk the only view I had one brief view of it flying quickly into a bush. If I hadn't been told that was the bird, I certainly wouldn't have guessed, so I will have to wait another day before I can add RFB to my life-list.
Friday, 15 October 2010
Jayhurst Quarry
Gayhurst had it's name changed today. The big Oak down near the stables is heaving with acorns and it seemed every Jay for miles was there collecting and taking away their winter supplies - I was told recently that they can carry as many as seven at a time to go and hide somewhere or other.
Down at the pits there were huge numbers of Geese ( Canadas and Greylags ), Ducks ( Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard and Tufted) and Swans ( all Mutes, but including the 2 Polish). Cormorants were up to 19 - the most I can remember here, Little Grebes up to 5, and 3 Little Egrets. I heard 2 or 3 Kingfishers, but only managed to spot one of them.
Up at Quarryhall the Lapwing flock has increased to around 150 and there were also large flocks of Starlings and Woodpigeons. Chaffinch and Reed Bunting numbers are on the increase.
Birds flying over included several Skylarks, Meadow Pipits and a single Buzzard.
Down at the pits there were huge numbers of Geese ( Canadas and Greylags ), Ducks ( Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard and Tufted) and Swans ( all Mutes, but including the 2 Polish). Cormorants were up to 19 - the most I can remember here, Little Grebes up to 5, and 3 Little Egrets. I heard 2 or 3 Kingfishers, but only managed to spot one of them.
Up at Quarryhall the Lapwing flock has increased to around 150 and there were also large flocks of Starlings and Woodpigeons. Chaffinch and Reed Bunting numbers are on the increase.
Birds flying over included several Skylarks, Meadow Pipits and a single Buzzard.
Tuesday, 12 October 2010
Oh Yes it is...
Oh no it's (a) Knot.
I Popped over to Manor Farm at lunchtime to see if the Knot found by Chris G was still there.
It was and showing very well from up by the top path - just as well really as I didn't have time to go searching for it. Only my second ever in the county and well worth being late back to work for.
Also seen in a very brief visit were 2 Little Egrets, a Green Sandpiper, a few Lapwings and a group of Black-headed Gulls.
I Popped over to Manor Farm at lunchtime to see if the Knot found by Chris G was still there.
It was and showing very well from up by the top path - just as well really as I didn't have time to go searching for it. Only my second ever in the county and well worth being late back to work for.
Also seen in a very brief visit were 2 Little Egrets, a Green Sandpiper, a few Lapwings and a group of Black-headed Gulls.
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