Nick Bonds Birding

For all my adventures and sightings in 2008 please check out our new Widerscope website here...

 

22nd December 2007 : Went back to Southwick in the afternoon and my dad joined me in the hope of seeing a repeat of two good local birds and also to re-attemt to photograph them. As soon as we pulled into Hove lagoon the first gull i spotted was the Glaucous, which was flying away from us and headed back towards the canal, we then had a brief search for Long-tailed Duck here but with no luck this time, so headed onto the enterprise centre. There were several birders present and the Little Auk was on full view, in exactly the same spot it was frequenting last week. A kingfisher flashed by again but the light was really poor, I then re-located the Glaucous Gull which was flying around the fishing boats before perching on top of one, something i never saw last week. I managed to get a record shot below, which considering the distance and the light came out ok

The Little Auk had moved further up-channel then was showing amazingly close, down bto several feet, you could literally reach out and touch it, also you could see it under water at it dived to feed, the bird was not fussed with people either, there was a gent present actually filming it with what looked like a movie camera, he must have some amazing footage, the best I could muster was the effort below

At times this bird was too close to digiscope....amazing sight and made a lot of birders present happy!

16th December 2007 : Headed out earlyish with Garry and the day got off to a positive start, as I returned through my back garden from getting my boots out of the garage a Redpoll duly flew low overhead calling away...and the sun started to break through any cloud cover that was present at first light. We made Southwick our destination and this was a site that me and Garry had never visited before. I purchased a loaf of bread en route and this was to come in use later on, we arrived at Southwick and parked near the power station. We headed down towards the waters edge and searched the few gulls that were present there, we noticed there were several large gulls to the east of the power station. With that a group of large gulls headed over from the west and amongst them was a the juvenile Glaucous Gull that we had come to see. The Glaucous Gull continued eastwards and was followed until it was no longer viewable. We searched the waterway in the hope of re-locating the Little Auk that has been seen recently. With no luck here we decided to return to the car and head for Hove Lagoon which was also in the direction that the Glaucous Gull had flown. On the walk back to the car we found a male Stonechat, we shortly found and parked up at Hove lagoon and the Long-Tailed Duck was seen at very close quarters and was even tame....mmm, is this a wild bird? Anyway we decided to search the Southwick Canal out and we managed to get a good vantage point from Hove enterprise centre. We shortly managed to re-find the Glaucous Gull, flying around with Herring Gulls and not settling at all. Upon scanning the waterways, the Little Auk was eventually found by Garry but dived and went out of view and did not reappear again, rather frustarting as the viewing here was restricted especially as there was a lot of water that was out of view due to the moored up boats, with this I decided it was time to entice the Glaucous Gull with my loaf of Hovis. I started throwing bread out onto the water and straight away brought the attention firstly by Black-headed Gulls followed by the Herring Gulls, then within a minute I had the Glaucous Gull flying around me for the best part of thirty seconds, it decided my bread wasn't good enough and duly departed. I thought it was worth a try though! A bird flying up-channel caught my attention and was rapidly flying towards us......'Little Auk' I shouted and in a brief panic Garry tried to locate the bird, which he did as it flew close by us and landed in the water...Nice! Little Auk and Glaucous Gull in the same field of view and before you ask, yes I was in West Sussex! There were several birders present and upon seeing the Little Auk they gradually dissapppeared, I was interested to watch the Little Auks behaviour. It seemed to dive a lot and associate with three young Black-headed Gulls, it was almost as if they were protecting the Little Auk. Eventually the Little Auk moved closer and popped up just a few yards from us before diving again and heading further out. Despite there being several biders on site there was no reports on my pager so I duly informed RBA that all three birds were all present. We decided that we could not ask for better prolonged views and decided that the cold easterly wind had got to us both to make a way home, but before we did a Kingfisher flashed past! As we picked our scopes up to leave I was approached by a older gentleman...who promptly asked 'have you seen it yet'? my quick but polite reply was 'seen what'? to which he replied 'the Auk'! I quickly located the Little Auk for him and it turned out he had no knowledge of the Glaucous Gull so duly pointed that out for him as well as he claimed that he has not seen one in years. He shortly returned to his car and was on his way, not a bad bit of express birding for him! I even had some bread left to have some toast when I returned home!

9th December 2007 : Managed a few hours out in a rather cold bleak day, with my uncle and another local trip to see the two Cattle Egrets that had recently just been found just north of Chichester at East Levant, managed to locate the birds fairly quickly and were feeding and commuting to a pig field with 15 Little Egrets. Just as you would expect to see them...Cattle Egrets in a cattle field! Nice, shame the light was fairly poor, windy and the birds were distant at times to get anything but record shots, heres Garry's effort below!

Cattle Egret(1 of the 2 birds present) - East Levant - West Sussex

Ring-billed Gull - Walpole  N.Bond

Red-breasted Goose - West Wittering - West Sussex

 N.Bond

Ring-billed Gull - Walpole Park, Gosport - Hampshire

1st December 2007 : Went out birding with my uncle today.....we tried at first after a short drive for the Red-breasted Goose that had been seen yesterday at East Head, West Wittering....on the approach road we noticed a rather large flock of Brent Geese so pulled over and scanned through, there had to be in the region of a 1,000+birds here but no Red-breasted Goose, 14 Curlews, several Skylarks and 3 Roe Deer were observed so we moved onto the approach road to the beach car park, again the field to the right was full of Brents and after a short scan Garry picked the bird out! We parked in a lay-by and soon had scope views of this beauty, there had to be over 3,000 Brents here but I certainly wasn't gonna stand here and attempt to count them! We both managed some record shots which was proving difficult in a stiff westerly. the bird eventually flushed with some Brents and appeared to land in a field on the other side of the road we was on. We decided then to move onto Hampshire as Garry wanted to try for the White-tailed Eagle. Upon arrival we spent a while trying to loacte the bird and even tried the same vantage spot where we observed the bird last weekend but to no avail, so we gave up as there had not been any further sightings since 10.30am. It seems early mornings are best for this bird. We dropped into Gosport and Walpole Lake on the way home and scored with the Ring-billed Gull that had returned to it's usual winter haunt....not a bad day out in the end and a good start to December.

November 25th - Hampshire : White-tailed Eagle, Great White Egret, Goosander...report to follow!

November 18th - West Sussex : Spent the afternoon out in west sussex again just with Seth this time and managed to brave some very harsh wind and rain to see a juvenille Long-tailed Duck at Widewater Lagoon, which was also present with a single Red-breasted Merganser, also had a search at Ferring beach and Seth came up trumps with a single Snow Bunting, before we both retired and tried drying out over a welcome burger king!

November 11th - West Sussex - Selsey Bill : Spent the afternoon sea-watching at this site with Seth, Glen and Garry, was vey productive, with a couple of Little Auks passing through heading west also a few Pomarine Skua's were noted and at times were observed harrassing the vast amount of Kittiwakes that were in the area, a few Red-throated and a Black-throated Diver passed through and a Purple Sandpiper was with a few Turnstones on the beach. Four Swallows, headed south before two decided to head back in-land, and a very late Clouded Yellow was kicking around....very enjoyable afternoon indeed!

October 15th - 20th : Isles of Scilly : Trip report here!!!

October 12th : West Sussex - Selsey Bill : Adult summer plumaged White-billed Diver feeding offshore, good local bird to see, although distant at times and was also briefly seen in flight!

October 7th : Littlehampton - Elmer Sands :Lots of small stuff on the move with small pockets of hirundines moving east consisting of mainly Swallows, also 182 Goldfinches, several Pied Wagtails, Meadow Pipits, Siskins and 12 Linnets moving east in 2hours, 3 Wheatears, 8 Stonechats, several Chiff Chaffs including 2 singing, 6 Skylarks NW, 4 Grey Parteridges in Climping fields. At Elmer Sands at low tide 1 Little Egret, 50c Ringed Plover, 20c Turnstones,6 Dunlin, 6, Oystercatchers, 3 Sanderlings, 1 Brent Goose. There as also another Brent Goose on Littlehampton east beach, with a further 4 seen flying west. A few butterflies on the wing, 3 Clouded Yellows the highlight...... had a few hours at Climping (5th) and there was a summer feel about the weather but a autumn feel about the birding. 17 Sandwich Terns were gathered on the west pier at Littlehampton, all in winter plumage, and patch-ticks were added when 10 Brent Geese flew by west, Peregrine Falcon sitting in the large ploughed field...(haven't found the name for it yet) before setting off stooping on the resident Wood Pigeons, and 4 Stonechats had arrived...apart from a few Chiff Chaffs all was pretty quiet. 4 Little Egrets were also noted. I paid my first visit to Cissbury on the 6th, quite a few hirundines on the move but again only a few Chiffys were noted, a few butterflies were still knocking around with Red Admiral, Peacock, a single Meadow Brown, Speckled Wood and a unidentified blue

Sept 28th,29th, 30th : Cornwall, Isles of Scilly : Had not planned anything significant for my weekend off of work except I was determined to get out birding.....finished work on the Friday at 1pm and the heavens opened and got rained on as I left the train station....great start to the weekend...almost felt like turning back and going back to work!But as I was planning the weekend the opportunity arose where my uncle phoned offering a lift to Cornwall and eventually getting to Scilly.....I had ten minutes to make my mind up....I made it in about 42seconds and within fifteen minutes we were on the road to Cornwall. Fighting the friday afternoon traffic was proving a nightmare and we managed to get digs at the Longboat hotel....forgetting one thing is that on a Friday and Saturday night there is Karaoke and disco going on til 2am.....not great if you are wanting to get up early to catch the scillonian! Anyway arrived late grabbed a bite to eat and checked out the ticket office and lucky we did as the boat was setting sail at 8.30am and not 9.15am due to unusual tides!! Ticket office opens at 8am so me being me I was there at 7am as realyy did not know what the demand for tickets were!Anyway after about two hours sleep and music still ringing in my ears I was there at the ticket office at 7am....only a handful of birders had the same idea as me..the rest of them sensible people were probably eating a healthy breakfast before strolling down to get their tickets but one thing was gauranteed....I  was first in the que! anyway the ladies arrived and opened the ticket office at 7.30am as 'they were expecting a few' and it got even better when upon producing the money I was told they were doing 'a special' and that the fee was £25.00 per person return.......bonus! The boat set sail on time and was now getting excited, not only going for a lifer...but my first trip to Scillies, something I always planned on doing until Cyprus interfered! In the meantime managed to meet up with Richard and Gary's friend Andrew who were also going for the pipit.

Anyway the sea was so calm and perfect for caetacean watching, the two hours plus to St Marys flew by as we took in stunning views of first a couple of Common Dolphins, then plenty of Harbour Porpoises to keep us interested, the real excitement happened when Richard had spotted what he thought was a large caetacean, I managed to get onto the subject but was too distant to tell what we were looking at but at the same time got a few people looking and soon we were surrounded by Risso's Dolphins, at least 12 and some with young...a lifer for most..there was a buzz around the boat now and more interest was added with a odd looking Blackbird landing on the roof of the boat and was not seen again until it saw land at St Marys where it was identified as a Ring Ouzel, there was also plenty of Gannets en route, a single Arctic Skua and a few Great Skuas. Richard also put us onto a passing Storm Petrel. More Common Dolphin's were present as we reached St Marys and at times swam next to the boat!

Arrived on St Mary's and it was quick to see why this place appeals to many, stunning scenery and the weather could not be better! We managed to get in-touch with 'the pirate' and he kindly tried to arrange a taxi for us to the bird, but not realising that 30 other birders had the same idea, we got on the chartered bus that took us to our destination and after a short walk....the bird! Within the next few minutes we were all feasting our eyes on what was quite suprisingly smart (American) Buff-bellied Pipit as it fed amongst vegetation in a ploughed field in the pleasant but felt like summer sunshine. I was only torn off this sighting by an Osprey that was circling quite low over Porth Hellick. We spent a few hours with the bird and managed a few record shots(below), by this time Dan and a friend of his had joined. We then headed for the airfield to check for Buff-breasted Sandpiper but with no luck but saw a couple of Greenland Wheatears along the way. Our last stop was the Garrison where managed to see a Yellow-browed Warbler and retired into the Mermaid for a quick refreshment before we said our goodbyes and re-joined the boat. On the butterfly front there were plenty of Clouded Yellows, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell and the endemic form of Speckled Wood which has extra orange....sounds like an advert for Robinsons barley water! but I know what I mean! 

Buff-bellied Pipit

Very quiet to start with on the journey back, but soon changed with more sightings of Harbour Porpoises, but the sea-birds really turned up the heat, with a single Grey Phalarope on the sea another Stormie, a single Pomarine Skua, two Arctic Skua's, three Great Skua's a Balearic Shearwater and finally a  bird that I was hoping to see on our visit to Cornwall in August, a Sooty Shearwater! A celebratory fish and chip super was had by all four of us before spending a night at the quieter, friendlier and a damn good bed and breakfast in Penzance, the Honeydew Guest House which is only a stones throw away from the train station.....fully reccommend......!We will definatley return there! It was also good to see the Cornish team on-board..

...

St Marys - Hugh Town Quay - Isles of Scilly

August 29th : Norfolk : Was picked up by Seth and Glen at the Chessington BP garage and headed straight to Norfolk which we made in good time with the objective of seeing at least one of a few Greenish Warblers that had been found scattered along the north Norfolk coast over the last few days. So we found ourselves at Walsey hills at Cley and after a while of searching through the various warblers we had all got to eventually see the Greenish Warbler, I managed to see it well and also heard it call several times...nice bird and another UK lifer for me...then onto Holme to try for the juvenille Red-backed Shrike that was present....this bird showed well and we watched it from the access road even managing a few photo's!

Red-backed Shrike

August 28^th 2007

A lot quieter today

Littlehampton west beach : 2 Northern Wheatears 1 along boardwalk and 1 on beach, several Meadow Pipits around and Sparrowhawk over pulses of Swalows going through east.

Climping Gap : Common Redstart briefly, 7+Long-tailed Tits through, Great-spotted Woodpecker, Swallows and Sand Martin's through heading east, several Whitethroats, Willow/Chiffs, 6 Curlew flew over and headed inland, 3 Grey Herons over and towards sea late evening. Several Sandwich Terns lingering offshore and large number of gulls on beach including Common.

Climping : 3 Grey Partridges along byeway track, a couple of Wheatears in the fields an 6 Meadow Pipit's, several Yellow Wagtails with upto 12 counted. A Whinchat and a Kestrel were along the 2field track west of Climping beach. Swallows were trickling through all day

August 27^th 2007

At least 15 Long-tailed Tits moved through garden at 10am.

Littlehampton west beach : A lesser and greater black-backed gull were on the groynes, a couple of Wheatear were kicking around. A Little Egret was on the Arun

Climping gap : A single Spotted Flycatcher seen briefly, 100c Yellow Wagtails were in the fields with smaller numbers heading east, a single Garden Warbler, male Blackcaap were noted, seemed to be more Whitethroats, willows/chiffs etc around but less in evening. Also heard Willow Warbler singing!A Buzzard was also seen and a couple of Wheatears, 6 Meadow Pipits and a Whinchat were seen in the fields in-between, 100c Starlings were gathered at Climping. 2 Whimbrel were in the fields north of the golf course. Hirundines were also on the move with pulses containing 50+Swallows with a few Sand Martins heading east.

August 26^th 2007

(A few hours spent late evening)

Climping gap : 4+Garden Warblers, several Whitethroats, less willow/chiffs, male Common Redstart still but more elusive, less butterflies but Painted Lady, Meadow Brown and Small Tortoishell seen. A male Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Blue Tit and several Goldfinch's present. A Green Woodpecker and Great-Spotted Woodpecker also heard.

Littlehampton west beach : 2 Wheatear and a male Whinchat, 4 Meadow Pipits, several gulls loafing offshore including several Common, at least 6 Sandwich Terns headed west. A Tree Pipit over heading SE.

Between Climping gap and Climping : 2 family flocks of 4 Grey Partridge in the green fields, also 3+ Wheatears and 2+Whinchat. A Yellow Wagtail also in field. A male Sparrowhawk was perched at the Climping head before heading over fields towards Climping Gap.

Genaerally less finch flocks around also a Kestrel was present around the house area.

August 25^th

Climping to Bognor

Shell garage : 1 Sparrowhawk

Littlehampton west beach : 7 Common Gulls with flock of Black-headed and several Herring Gulls, also a couple of Wheatears on return journey

Climping Gap : Several Whitethroats, Chiffs and Willows, a Spotted Flycatcher, male Common Redstart, a few Red Admirals and several Painted Ladies and Small Tortoishell Sandwich Terns offshore

Climping : a juv Common Redstart, Garden Warbler, Whinchat, several Chiffs/willows/whitethroats also 15c Wheatears in back fields, large number of gulls roosting offshore

Between Climping and Elmer : 100+flock of wader containing Sanderling, Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, Turnstone and possibly Grey Plover also 2 Little Egrets on tideline, Whichat and Kestrel, Sparrowhak in area!

Sizeable flocks of Linnet, Goldfinch, Greenfinch were generally seen

August 22^nd 23^rd 24^th - Cornwall…….Waders at Hayle included a confirmed Semi-palmated Sandpiper on 22^nd, 9+Sanderling, 30c Ringed Plover, 30+Dunlin, 1 Med Gull on 23^rd

^{Semipalmated Sandpiper}

5 Ravens seen at Portgwarra, 8c Basking Sharks, several Manx shearaters, good numbers of Painted Ladies…Golden-winged Dragonfly in the valleys…..quite a few Buzzards and Chiff/willows

August 10th+11th - Oare Marshes Kent : Got a text from my uncle around 2pm friday afternoon informing me a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper had been discovered at Oare Marshes...I quickly distributed the news and within a few hours was in the car with Seth and Glen and headed for the bird.....was battling time and the notorious M25 but managed to get there and fairly good views of the bird before the light started to rapidly deterioate. I returned on the Saturday with my uncle and again had fantastic views but better light than the night before, there were also several Garganey around aswell as a Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Little Stints and several Ruffs.The bird remained on view for the remainder of the day but was not seen again thefollowing day!

August 7th - Wales : Glen text me advising not to plan anything that night and the following day with the possibility of heading to South Wales to see the European Roller that had been present for the previous fives days but news was only just released....within a few hours, arrangements were made and met Seth and Glen the following morning at 4am to head for our goal! I have seen several Rollers in Cyprus the previous two years but never thought I would get the opportunity to see one in the U.k. I've never twitched Wales before and was not really familiar as to where we were going but hey....within a few hours we paid £5.10 to enter Wales via the Severn bridge and was shortly past Swansea and on to Gower for the Roller. En-route no news was released over the pager so hopefully the bird was still present. There was a few birders around and I noticed a stocky bird sillouete on the telegraph wires.....a quick look through the bins and were were watching the target bird before it flew past the car and then to the right of us before it settled back on telegraph wires again. Top bird and so close aswell. The Roller then stooped down and seemed to catch some prey before returning to the wires again where the bird was observed for at least 20minutes. I managed to get some shots and some stunning views of this beautiful bird which I find even more brilliant in flight! With that the bird took-off and headed back left of us and settled on wires again.....Seth rang the news through to RBA and with the time being around 8'ish we decided to make the long haul up to Anglesey to try for the Black Stork. We did think of trying for the adult Gull-Billed Tern at Ynyslas en route but as there was no news we went straight to Anglesey. The journey seemed to take a life time on the winding roads as we went throgh Snowdonia and every West Wales town! We eventually arrived at the Alaw Estuary where we were met by several birders heading back to their cars, of which one birder informed us that the Stork had flown further down the estuary and that one birder knew an area where the Stork could be possibly viewed from....with that it was a dash in the car alond with three others and parking upo and briskly walking along the estuary to a viewing area where the Black Stork was re-located.....Uk lifer number two for the day! The bird was feeding in shallow water and jumping up and down in the water stiring it up. About 7birders including us were enjoying this spectacle at a reasonable distance in the basking Welsh sunshine....then about ten minutes later the bird took off and started thermaling gaining great height very quickly and with ease!The was even a Common Buzzard circling in the same field of view at one point. We continued to follow the Stork as it gained more height by this time the other birders were content with their views and headed off. The Stork started to soar and seemed to be heading out further towards the sea until it baked back around and eventually flying over our heads for amazing views. The Stork then headed far, far away until it was left as a speck in the sky and out of view.....whilst heading to South Stack the only news was that the Stork had been reperted landing at as site in-between the A5 and A55, with no further sign later on in the day....perhaps the Stork had finally left the area??Anyway, we finished the day off at South Stack, my first ever visit here and was amazed with the stunning beauty of this area. Our target birds here were Chough's and I have to admit they are a lifer for me as I have never really gone to an area where they have been present before...within ten minutes a family of four birds flew by and me and Glen walked further down the cliffs to see if we could get better views..mainly to photograph! This proved difficult as there was so many people around but managed to get a few shots and at least 12 individuals were seen along with several Ravens a Kittiwake colony and a juvenille Wheatear. A few butterflies were present with Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown and a single Grayling which eventually decided to land on my leg! With that we headed home through North Wales and back to London via the M6 etc..arriving home around 10pm. A top, top day 3lifers, a sun-tan and a tour of Wales all for £25.00 not including food!

July 27th - Kent - Oare Marshes and Cliffe Pools :

Scarce Emerald Damselfly

Essex Skipper

July 25th - Kent - Oare Marshes : Met Glen at Surbiton and headed to Faversham by train arriving around mid-day. We took a taxi from the station which dropped us outside the Three Mariners Pub and the road that takes you down to the reserve. Walking down the road a couple of Corn Bunting's were observed with one individual singing its heart out in rather blustery conditions. As we reached the horse addock area a Turtle Dove could be heard but not seen and a few butterflies were seen noticeably Gatekeeper and Meadow Browns also Essex Skipper was found which was duly photographed. We spent the afternoon concentrating mainly on the East Flood and checking through the waders. Water levels were pretty good considering how much rain we had had recently. There were 300+Black-Tailed Godwits present along with un-told numbers of Redshank including some young birds. A couple of Dunlin still in summer plumage were feeding amognst them and at least 6 Ruff were observed including several males a breeding plumaged female an a juvenille. More difficult to pick out was the summer plumaged Knot that was hiding amongst one of the Black-Tailed Godwit flocks. Other waders on the east flood included one Greenshank and a Whimbrel dropped in briefly. Other birds observed on the east flood were Lapwing, several Shelduck including young, Ruddy Duck, an eclipsed Garganey, Shoveler, a single Teal, loads of Coots again including many young birds. Two family flocks of Bearded Tit were heard with one individual seen briefly as gusty conditions made viewing difficult. Large numbers of Sand Martins were moving through as were smaller numbers of Common Swifts and Swallows. A juvenille Meditteranean Gull dropped into the east flood before settling with Black-Headed Gulls on the west flood. Little Egrets were scattered around, several Whimbrels were on the shore along with 3 Green Sandpipers and a Common Sandpiper. Several Red Admirals and a knackered Common Blue butterfly were also seen but raptors were thin on the ground with only Common Kestrel seen. Pochard and Tufted Duck with young were also seen around the reserve. We managed to nail down a Turtle Dove aswell as a juvenille bird seen further down the road as we headed back. Another Turtle Dove was seen by the Three Mariners pub as we waited for our taxi to take us back to Faversham station. A good day in rather blustery conditions but at least it managed to stay dry!

Corn Bunting - continuously singing!

Black-Tailed Godwit

Common Blue - sheltering in Glens jacket!

Little Egret - one of several around the reserve

Turtle Dove - Juvenille

Meditteranean Gull - juvenille

Pochard(female that was present with three young)

July 11th - Dorset - Portland and Weymouth area : Met up with Seth and Glen and headed for Lodmoor where a Roseate Tern had been present the last few days. Arrived at Lodmoor and checked through the Terns which only revealed Common with quite a few young birds. The Terns were coming and going from Weymouth bay so decided to check later in the day. Whilst we were here we checked around the reserve where several Black-Tailed Godwits were present as were a couple of Common Sandpipers and a single Little-Ringed Plover. After leaving the reserve we decided to check out Radipole where Glen found 3 Common Sandpipers on the island in front of the visitor centre. We then headed for Portland via ferrybridge. Seth and Glen were keen to see a Large Tortoiseshell that had been seen on and off. Dropped into the observatory for a while to say hello then headed out into the field briefly checking the quarry where a Marbled White and Peacock butterfly were seen. We then done some sea-watching from the bill and quickly spotted a Balearic Shearwater aswell as a few Manx Shearwaters. A Puffin was also seen on the water as well as another Balearic Shearwater, there was at least four birds present. Walking back to the obs Glen spotted this butterfly and briefly had it in the bins....pretty sure it was a Large Tortoiseshell, had to make a quick phonecall to Seth as he was hunting around in the top fields and after a good search we could not re-locate the butterfly. We then checked out the area behind the Mermaid pub where plenty of butterfly were present and Seth and Glen managed to get on a flying Large Tortioseshell. There were various butterflies here including Ringlet, Common Blue, Marbled White, Peacock, Small Skipper, Comma and a Clouded Yellow. We eventually made our way back to Radipole and eventually the Roseate Tern was located and seen well preening and roosting, the bird was in the same field of view at one point with a Sandwich, Arctic and two Common Terns. Good stuff!

  

Who's looking at who?? Sandwich Tern and Roseate Tern

Roseate Tern(above 3 photo's) juvenille Black-Headed Gull

In this photo we have Sandwich, Arctic, Roseate and 2xCommon Terns

June 27th - Norfolk : Trip out with Seth and Glen with an early start and our first site which is un-disclosed at first light was to see Stone Curlews, within stepping out of the car I could hear them calling, then at least 9 individuals were seen, we followed on from here to Lakenheath RSPB, and were greeted with a calling Turtle Dove then further down the track we heard a Grasshopper Warbler reeling away! The Golden Orioles were proving tricky to connect with, and we had to make to do with one calling, also Common Cranes were heard and not seen and a single Barn Owl was seen hunting. We tried Titchwell for the Little Bittern but had no luck here but saw a nice summer-plumaged Black Tern that Seth pulled out. Then went to another un-disclosed site and struck lucky with good views of a male Montagu's Harrier, we also tried Wayland and Wolferton for Golden Pheasants with no luck but at least managed a couple of Marsh Tits at Wayland!

June 17th -  Kent Dungeness area : Common Crane, Great Reed Warbler, Little Gull, Cuckoo etc(report to follow)

White-Tailed Plover - Caeverlock WWT - Dumfries and Galloway

(poor shots due to distance and taken around 6.30am)

7th June 2007 - Caerlaverock WWT - Dumfries and Galloway Scotland : was picked up by Seth and Glen and headed up for Scotland for hopefully a White-Tailed Plover!!. Got up to the site around 6am to discover the site was already open and also suprised by a general lack of cars, but anyway after paying £4.40 entrance we took a fast rather long walk down to the 'tower hide' where apparantly the bird had been showing. There were birders already in the hide and was greeted with the news that the bird currently was not on show.........but the three of us did manage to get a seat each and sait and paitently waited....about twenty minutes pased and then the bird appeared briefly flying right to left before dropping out of view again. Brief flight views were for me not good enough but at least we were happy that the bird was present!!!Glen decided to make a desperate dash for the bog back at the visitor centre...and we joked that while he was gone the Plover would come out land and do a little dance for us before flying back out of view...no sooner we were joking the bird was seen flying again this time landing on the slands to the right of the hide....but still fairly distant........I got the bird in-scope and whilst watching rang Glen to inform the bird was showing....first off he thought we were on a wind-up but sounding a bit 'flushed' he said he was on his way back. The bird eventually settled after biefly being harrassed by a resident Oystercatcher, but was soon feeding, preening etc......by now more people were arriving and there was a lot of banging/clanging around especially peoples tripods hitting the metal stair rails....by this time Glen had arrived back and was enjoying the views. Stunning bird but photo opporunities were bad as the light was not great at 6.30am! being completley satisfied with our views we allowed other people who could not get front seat views our seats....the bird eventually went out of view again so could not ask for better and according to RBA reports the bird was flushed by a Sparrowhawk and flew out of view where it remained for the rest of the day.......Seth then decided to take me up to Ardrossan harbour for Black Guillemots as I have never seen them before......apart from a wedding at Gretna I have never been to Scotland or any other Black Guillemot sites in my life!!!after a brief search we connected with at least 6 Black Guillemots which were displaying, calling and on just sat on the edge of a nest hole.....beautiful birds and managed at least a few photo's which would be posted on here shortly.....long journey back and well done to Seth for doing all that driving....in one day....I know that I for one could not drive that far in 1 day.....cos 'my eyes' wouldn't have coped loladded White Tailed Plover to my UK list......

Black Guillemots - Ardrossan - Scotland

January 2007

5th - Went to Bushey Park, first bird outing of the year with just a brief visit. No Tawny Owl, but was seen earlier in morning so good to see that they are still in 'their' tree. Bird of the day was the target bird....Lesser-Spotted Woodpecker with one possibly two birds seen in the woodlands garden. There was a lack of finch flocks but was fortunate to connect with 2 Redpolls, 2-3 Siskin's. There was a large Goldfinch flock present but you get the feeling that a real cold snap is needed for this place to come alive, although there was at least two parties of Long-Tailed Tits. A couple of Goldcrest and Nuthatch's were also seen well and 2 Common Gulls were on the cricket pitch as I left the park.

7th -Rainham Marshes Rspb - London : A early morning start for a journey for the first time to Rainham Marshes as an 'official' RSPB site! Met Glenn, Danny and Paul at Surbiton station and the journey by train and tube took us from Surbiton-Waterloo-West Ham-Barking then about an hour and a half later to the nearest station at Purfleet. After about a twenty minute walk we were in the reserve at entering via the new visitor/education centre which looked liked it had been made from lego at a distance! My aim for today was to see how long and easy it was to get to Rainham by train, have a good days birding and see the Penduline Tit that has been seen on and off, would be a nice bonus! I also knew that I did not have a lot of time here as was starting work at 4pm. First birds seen were small number of Wigeon and Shoveler with a couple of Gadwall. A Sparrowhawk put up Redwings and a few Fieldfare as we made our way round to the area in which the Penduline Tit favours. I had a feeling that we would have no luck today with the Penduline Tit due to very gusty winds that were surely keeping the bird low.......and over an hours searching proved this as neither of us saw the bird. Good birds were on offer tho, a Peregrine Falcon caused major disruption by making sure everything took to the sky, 2 Black-Tailed Godwits were seen along with a good number of Lawing and 25+Golden Plover. At least 4 drake Pintails were also seen. I then had to depart leaving the others to explore the rest of the reserve. Going back to the aims it proved a success apart from the non-sighting of the Penduline Tit but I am sure that this reserve will be visited again!

13th+14th Portland Bill and Weymouth area - Dorset : Two days visit to this bird haven in dorset. Arrived at Surbiton at 6.20am to meet Glen and Paul but unfortunatley Danny had not arrived as was running late and advised he would meet us down there. We arrived at Weymouth station via Woking at around 9.45am, Common Buzzard, Cormorant and Little Egret were all seen en route. We took the number 4 bus to Lodmoor RSPB and managed to see male Bearded Tit with others also calling nearby. We managed to locate a pair of Scaup amongst a flock of Pochard and Tufted Duck. We also saw another female from the roadside of the reserve. 4+ Cetti's Warblers were heard singing around the reserve and a single Water Rail also heard. After just missing a return bus we decided to walk it taking the coastal path towards Weymouth Pier, along here there was 9 Turnstone seen. Our route then took us through Weymouth town centre up towards Northe Forte and the coastal path that would eventually take us to Ferrybridge offering excellent views of Weymouth and Portland harbours. In the Ferry channel as leaving the town centre there was upto 6 Shag's seen. Once up on the higher ground this allowed us to start scanning the harbours. A diver was soon located and was identified as a Black-Throated Diver, showing well but distantly. Moving into Portland harbour we viewed the area from the vantage point at Sandsfoot castle, large flocks of Red-Breasted Mergansers were seen and very shortly managed to connect with a single Red-Necked Grebe. Also the were 3-4 Great-Northern Divers on offer in the harbour but as we reached the area called small mouth we saw another 4 birds very close in. There were also 4 winter-plumaged Razorbills here. As we reached Ferrybridge, 9 (dark-bellied)Brent Geese flew up-channel and there was a single Curlew feeding here. Our last site for the day was Chesil Cove and by now the wind had really picked up. As soon as we reached the sea wall a Peregrine Falcon flew overhead followed shortly by a Rock Pipit calling as it flew overhead. Out-to-sea we managed to locate the two Little Gulls that had previously been reported here. So day-one finished, a lot of walking but some excellent birds seen so we took a bus back to Easton to watch the Blackburn-Arsenal game in the New Inn and also to write our notes up. This is where Danny also caught up with us having tried for the Red-Breasted Goose in Wareham on his way down. Took a cab down to the bird observatory and after dropping our stuff off it was dinner time at the Pulpit, and as per usual it was Glen that was first to discover another ditch

 Day two : Up at first light and straight down for a brief seawatch which produced the first Red-Throated Diver's, Gannet's, Kittiwakes and Guillemots for the year. Also on the rocks here there were 2 Purple Sandpipers, 1 Turnstone and a Oystercatcher. A walk up the west cliffs produced a single Fulmar and the return walk via the top fields and culverwell produced just a handful of Skylarks and a single Linnet. Back at the obs a fellow observer managed to locate a Red-Necked Grebe on the sea. For me it was good to stay at Portland again and was nice to have a chat with Martin(warden) and several other familiar faces that I have come across the times I have stayed there before. Our return route took us to Chesil Cove first by taxi where the cab driver got a bit confused and though Paul was female! Anyway, with the calmer conditions it seemed the Little Gulls had moved on so it was onto Ferrybridge where there were 5 Pale-Bellied Brent Geese. The Great-Northern Divers were still in the small mouth and how I wished I had my camera! Our next destination was to see the Yellow-Browed Warbler that has been present for the last few days. We were given directions at the obs and headed for the area where the bird favoured. We walked down some steep steps and were soon on the beach. Looking back on ourselves there was an overgrown area with trees and scrub. Shortly several Chiff Chaffs were seen then the Yellow-Browed Warbler appeared feeding at the very top of where we could see. Over the course of an hour this bird showed very well on and off and with standing on the beach and the sunshine on us all it was hard to believe that it was January! By now Danny had moved on to try for the Scaup that we saw yesterday, there was plenty to see to keep us here. A Firecrest seemed more elusive than the Yellow-Browed but eventually showed well as did a single Goldcrest. I would say that there was at least 4 Chiff Chaffs in the area and were also treated to 5 Bullfinches. A Common Buzzard and Sparrowhawk were also seen here as a was a Black-Throated Diver, Common Scoter and 3 Mediterranean Gulls in the harbour. We reluctantly had to leave this site as we had to head back to get our train via Weymouth town centre and Radipole and only saw another single Great-Northern Diver and a Mediterranean Gull amongst a flock of Black-Headed Gulls flying towards Portland Harbour. So that was it, two days of intense birding and I for one was knackered!

15th - Barnes(London) Wetland Centre : A afternoon visit with my dad to this sight with the objective of seeing the Bittern that was wintering here. I have seen Bittern before at this site and had been informed that this bird ocassionally showed well. We were (badly)advised by the member of staff that the bird was showing from the WWF and Dulverton hides so we headed there first. 3 Pintails, a Shelduck and some kind instructions from a fellow birder later, we were making our way to the Headley hide and within 15 minutes we were watching the Bittern. For long periods it sat tight and done very little but then when it decided to move it decided to put on a swimming show aswell, I have never seen Bittern does this before! A pair of Egyptian Geese, good number of Gadwall, Shoveler, Wigeon and Teal were also on show aswell as a Rock Pipit showing features of the 'Scandinavian' race. A Water Rail was also heard in the Wildside area.  

16th - Bough Beech - Kent and Beddington SF - Surrey: My uncle picked me up at 10.30 am and headed to Bough Beech in Kent with the hope of seeing the female Ring-Necked Duck that has been reported here. There was plenty of rain on our journey there and when we arrived at site there was two other birders already present. Within a few minutes located the bird and had fairly good but slightly distant views as the bird associated with a group of Tufted Ducks. The weather was deteriating fast so we decided having seen the bird to move onto Beddington. The weather wasn't too great here either and the occassional driving rain restricted the viewing of the many gulls here so most of the birding here was done from the shelter. Apart from the gulls there was not much on offer here but a adult Mediterranean Gull was bathing not far from us and seemed to be carrying a silver ring. A adult Yellow-Legged Gull was also seen here.

21st - Beddington SF and Kent : Headed to Beddington at 8am with my Uncle and saw very little although we did not give it long here and moved onto Kent with the first stop at Brooklands lake near New Hythe, with the target bird being a female Ferruginous Duck. I had been to this site last winter so needed no maps etc and found the site easy enough. The bird showed really well and was quite close-in at times and was associating with a group of Tufted Ducks, as we left the bird had moved a lot further out. Apart from a few Pochard little else was seen here so we then moved onto Oare Marshes. The place was mobbed by cars and there were a lot of people around. Scanning the Swale my uncle noticed a Marsh Harrier flying low over the water heading towards Sheppey. The tide was in but noticed a distant flock of Knot and Shelduck and Little Egret were seen here. We then walked along the road to view the east flood then onto the hide where we first saw the 1st winter Long-Billed Dowitcher. A Black-Tailed Godwit was also seen from here and two Little Stints were seen from the hide amongst a flock of Redshank. Better views of the Long-Billed Dowitcher were seen from the roadside and my uncle found a single Greenshank with the flock of Redshank. The wind was picking up and was making viewing difficult so we decided to call it a day and head home.

23rd - Beddington SF - Surrey : Got the train fom Chessington North and was at Hackbridge for 1pm where I met my uncle. Was bitterly cold and headed straight to the mound to scan through the hundreds if not thousands of guls that were here today. Shortly after arriving all the gulls had took to the air and a Common Buzzard was circling over the main lake and quickly moved on. We continued to look through the gulls and at times it was difficult to know where to start, hopes were raised when my uncle picked out a 1st winter Caspian Gull on the beach of the main lake and showed well before flying off over the back of the tip. Then another bird was close-by in the water area and flew off just as my uncle was preparing to take a picture so this bird is obviously camera shy like many others! Another 20minutes or so passed by and by now it was beginning to feel really cold, so fortunatley the 1st winter Iceland Gull decided to appear on the bank in front of us before flying up-and-over the mound, I am sure this bird is more used to this weather than us. Having seen the bird we headed down to the shelter to scan the lake and see a Common Snipe, by now my hands were too cold to move the scope so headed home to de-frost. Absolutley freezing but really worthwhile!

24th - Brooklands Lake and Isle of Sheppey - Kent : Woke up to a blanket of snow and my first thought was that if it was like this here whats it like in Kent where we were heading for the day! I met up wit Seth and Glen at 7am and headed straight for the m25, the journey started slowly as traffic built up but proved only to be drivers slowing down to look at a Morrisson's truck that had cloesed the m25 on the opposite side. We arrived at Brooklands lake and after several scans the female Ferruginous Duck was seen, during short walk around site we found 3 Chiff-Chaffs trying to find food on the snow covered ground. We left for the Isle of Sheppey and harty marshes. We had not been on the road long and was soon watching a Marsh Harrier while a female Merlin was sat on a post. Here on Sheppey there was no sign of snowfall, but was still bitterly cold. Moving further down the Harty road more Marsh Harriers were soon but so far no luck with any Hen Harriers. We decided to spend some time scanning the Swale and the marshes by the Harty Ferry pub, and walking down the track we found a Water Pipit. The marshes themselves turned up some Avocets, 4 Bar-Tailed Gotwits, and for Seth he was delighted with a Skylark! A large flock of Golden Plover were found and Ruff were in with them, again more Marsh Harriers and Seth found 2 Peregrine Falcon's perched. A couple of local birders told us of a site nearby for Little Owl and this came up trumps as the bird showed well in a nearby barn, so thanks to them. They also pointed us in the right direction of the Rough-Legged Buzzard and me+Glen located the bird almost at the same time which was lucky as the bird was not perched for long before flying off out of view! Whilst in the same spot a Sparrowhawk was seen as was 20 Corn Buntings and then a ring-tailed Hen Harrier showed superbly. We then decided to head of for the last hour to Shellness, on the track leading down there were many gulls, Golden Plover, Lapwing and several Ruff. Turnstone, Sanderling, Knot, Oystercatcher and Ringed Plover were all seen here as was several more Skylarks!By now there was even 'big snow' had arrived so decided to head back in-case we got snowed-out. All in all another good(cold)day,  was good to see Seth again and a thanks goes out to him for doing the driving, oh and not forgetting thanking Glen for the much appreciated soup! 

28th - Isle of Sheppey - Kent : Hooded Crow, Short-Eared Owl, Merlin, Hen Harrier, Corn Bunting(report to follow shortly)

29th - Hampshire - Farlington, Gosport, Hillhead, Blackwater : 4 Goldeneye, Black Brant, 7 +Mediterranean Gulls, adult Iceland Gull, 12+Hawfiches, Brambling, 3 Lesser-Spotted Woodpeckers.(report to follow shortly)

30th - Surrey - Beddington : 1st winter Iceland Gull, 1st winter Caspian Gull, 1 adult and 1 2nd winter Yellow-Legged Gull, 6 Snipe and a Kingfisher.(report to follow shortly)

February

13th - Hertfordshire - Amwell Quarry works : Having been working a lot of days recently, decided to get out and the choice was between Wraysbury or Amwell where there has been a Little Bunting present. Got the train from Chessington North to Vauxhall, from there on the lovely underground to Tottenham Hale, and from there to St Margarets in Hertfordshire(£13.60 return). This train took us past the Lee Valley country park and the path that took us up to Amwell was part of the Lee Valley walk. I found the viewing point easily enough and was quite suprised by the amount of people here. It was around mid-day when I arrived and was soon met with news that the bird had not been seen since 9am! GREAT!! but held out hope as with previous reports the bird can be elusive etc etc! A large number of Reed Buntings and Chaffinch's were coming down to feed in the cut-reed area where the bird has been seen. Time was filled with distant views of a drake Smew and at least 3 Goldeneye's with one drake. Also there was a remarkable Water Rail that was not shy one bit, and soon attacked another Water Rail that entered its feeding area. He chased the bird making it fly up over the reeds into the next reedbed. I have never seen Water Rail fly before and managed to get photo's and video of this bird. As I was thinking about leaving another birder called out Bittern and soon was watching this fantastic bird showing well but distantly in the winter sun. I gave it til 4pm with still no sign, so gave up and headed home so it was unlucky 13th for me although it was a good day and a good site. It started to rain on my journey home so at least I had the weather on-side!

Water Rail - Amwell - Hertfordshire - 13th February 2007

March

2nd, 3rd, 4th - Cornwall : 5 days off work so decided to organise a trip down to Cornwall. I had been planning on heading down at some point to see the long-staying Spotted Sandpiper and when news of adult Pacific Diver then a White-Billed Diver present there was only one place to go! My uncle picked me up early on the Friday and took a steady drive down to Cornwall, when we left London it was bright and sunny but as soon as we hit Devon the weather deterioated with plenty of cloud and rain! We arrived at Hayle and after a short search and two Great-Northern Divers later we were watching the White-Billed Diver. The bird was feeding on the copperhouse creek and offered fairly decent views in the poor conditions. We were informed by a local that a Franklin's Gull had recently been found at Lelant station so we headed around there but drew a blank and took us a fair while to connect with the Spotted Sandpiper just along from the Olde Quay House Inn. We found a bed+breakfast and had about an hours worth of birding with no rain and connected with a Raven, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 3 Greenshank, 7+Bar-Tailed Godwits and a Knot. Up early on the Saturday after a comfortable stay at the 'Penpole' Bed+Breakfast in Hayle(tel.01736 754584).

The good weather brought with it more birders and a sizeable crowd had gathered to watch the White-Billed Diver. The bird was feeding very well and was catching and eating plenty of flat-fish, one of which was originally too big but the bird still managed to gulp it down! The bird showed down to arount 10/15ft and caused plenty of interest with the local shoppers at the Co-op supermarket. It was amazing to see a diver in such shallow water and could be seen feedinding under water when diving. Managed to catch up with Glen, Seth and Sarah here aswell who had made the journey down that morning. In the same morning we had better views of the 1st winter Spotted Sandpiper and the 1st winter Franklin's Gull was seen distantly. We decided that we could probably get better views from Lelant station and this proved the case and was viewed for around 10mins before the bird took-off and headed for the back fields. A couple of Greenshank were present here aswell as a Spotted Redshank. Towards the saltings we saw the probable 'Central Asian' Lesser Whitethroat and whilst here 4 Buzzards were circling overhead with 2 Sparrowhawks and a Peregrine Falcon also seen. We then decided to drive up to Stepper Point and try for the Gyr Falcon that had been present from January 16th. On the journey we listened to the Liverpool V Man.Utd game and with Man.Utd scoring in the very last minute(again) the day did not get any better, with the falcon not seen after a long wait the bird did not come into roost, it was almost dark when we left as had many other birders. Sunday was a washout so decided to cut the break short and head home. Photo's of Spotted Sandpiper and Franklins Gull to follow. 

'snorkeling'

White-Billed Diver - Hayle Estuary - Cornwall

Spotted Sandpiper - Hayle Estuary - Cornwall

Franklin's Gull - Hayle Estuary - Cornwall

March 14th - Surrey - Beddington : Glorious spring weather, heard a Blackcap in sub-song in a garden near Moor Lane school, so there was certainly a spring feel today. Got to Beddington just after 1pm, and was pretty much hit with a Chiff-Chaff in full song. Further signs of spring with sightings of a couple of Red Admiral and Comma butterflies and several ladybirds. Another Chiff-Chaff was singing further towards 100acre where 3 Wigeon were also present and a Little Owl heard calling. A Sparrowhawk and 3 Shelduck were also seen but 'bird of the day' had to be awarded to a fantastic partial summer-plumaged Water Pipit. Unfortunatley on a sad note one of the last sightings of the day was a fox helping itself to a drake Shoveler!. 

March 15th - Surrey - Staines and Beddington : On another pleasant spring day we decided to try our luck for the Black-Necked Grebes at Staines. Spent about an hour at this site and soon connected with the Black-Necked Grebes on the south basin, there was at least nine birds although they were difficult to count as were continually diving and we were looking straight into the sunlight, it was nice to see the birds in summer plumage tho. A Redshank, 6+ Goldeneyes, 50c Wigeon were other birds of note here. Spent the afternoon at Beddington and explored the site a little more, discovering 4 Little Egrets, 2 Redshanks (one of which had a ring on its right leg) and at least 3 Chiff-Chaffs and a Blackcap present. A Sparrowhawk was seen and a pair of Great-Crested Grebes were displaying on 100-acre. At least 2 Green Sandpipers were present. Butterflies were thinner on the ground with a Comma and a possible Peacock the only ones seen.

Great-Crested Grebe's - Beddington - Surrey

March 21st - Berkshire - Wraysbury : Met up with Glen and Paul and spent the morning exploring the area, was pretty cold at first but warmed up as the day went on. Highlights here included 35c Goldeneyes on various pits, 2 Common Snipe a Kingfisher, 25+Lapwing. Good number of Black-Headed and Common Gulls were also resent. A Cetti's Warbler was heard briefly in song and several Chiff-Chaffs were seen and heard. A Blackcap greeted us at the railway station car-park.

March 23rd - London - Barnes wetland centre : Spent a couple hours in the hope of a few early migrants at this site, managed a single Water Pipit, 5 Redshank and a Sparrowhawk, other than that was pretty quiet and the light slowly deterioted, so called it quits and headed home. Still good number of winter duck on-site.

March 26th : Surrey - Beddington : Still quite cold in the breeze but in the sheltered areas it was quite warm in the spring sunshine, this where we were to find the butterflies again with a Speckled Wood(Portland had recorded their first one of the spring today also) being a first for the spring with two Comma's also on the wing. A Water Pipit was again seen near the 'crow' scrape, a Great-Spotted Woodpecker seen near Beddington Park and a single Little Egret. Seemed to be lots of work being done on site today so was a bit quiet bird-wise with just a single Chiff-Chaff and a adult Yellow-Legged Gull and a couple of Linnet's  worth noting.

April

April 4th - Amwell Gravel pits - Hertfordshire : Travelled up by car this time with Seth, Danny and Glen to try again for the Little Bunting as the bird was still present. Got to the viewpoint and after a brief scan through the buntings present the bird appeared from the left hand side briefly before being chased off by a Reed Bunting. 2 Little Ringed Plovers were also present and pair of Common Buzzard did a brief display over-head. After a short period the bird showed well again but for around 10 minutes allowing me to take the shot below. I was rather pleased seeing this bird after having spent a rather cold day up in here in February, but I forgave the bird after this display! Staines reservoirs was the next destination as it was on the way home (via a little de-tour)as Seth needed grub and managed to finish the day off nicely with 4 summer plumaged Black-Necked Grebes, a summer plumaged Slavonian Grebe, and a pair of Red-Breasted Mergansers.

Little Bunting - Amwell - Hertfordshire - April 4th 2007

April 8th - Pagham Harbour -West Sussex : Travelled down by car with Seth, Glen and Danny and started off at the visitor centre. Siddlesham ferry pool produced very little and the water level looked a little high for waders but Glen managed to pick a male Northern Wheatear at the back of the pool, also my first Willow Warbler in full song. Church Norton was visited next and a couple of Mediterranean Gulls in full summer plumage was a nice find, with two Sand Martin's also passing through and a single Sandwich Tern seen offshore along with a few Red Breasted Mergansers. Stopped off at Chichester gravel pits and 4 Little Gulls were at Ivy Lake including 2 adults, good day out with a few migrants and was quite pleasant in the spring sunshine. Adder and Slow-Worms at undisclosed Surrey site.

Little Gull - Ivy Lake - Chichester - West Sussex

April 13th - Beddington Sf - Surrey : 2 Swallows moving north, 2 singing Blackcap, a Willow Warbler were main highlights. Plenty of butterflies on the wing, with Holly Blue, Orange Tips, Brimstone, Speckled Wood, Small Tortoishell and Peacock.

April 14th - Beddington sf - Surrey : 2/3 Swallows, 5-6 signing Blackcap, female Ring Ouzel, a Little Egret, Common Snipe 5+ Green Sandpipers, singing Sedge Warbler, a House Martin and 9 Sand Martin's.

Tree Sparrow - Beddington - Surrey

April 18th - Barnes area - London : Just a afternoon visit to the Barnes wetland centre area, did not enter the site as too many kids around so done riverside instead. A Garden Warbler was singing by the riverside and good views were had of a male Blackcap, a Reed Warbler was heard singing from the reserve and 5+ House Martins, 10c Sand Martins were also seen within the car-park area. Plenty of Marsh Frogs were calling and displaying in the main pond by the entrance, Common Toad were also observed, Orange Tip, Holly Blue and Speckled Wood butterflies were all seen.

April 19th - Beddington - Surrey : Spent the whole day at Beddington today as the Glaucous-Winged Gull was seen by my uncle and Johnny Allan the day before. The gull did not re-appear but was still a good day with a male Marsh Harrier passing over high, 5 sightings of Common Buzzard, Peregrine Falcon, Yellow Wagtail, Little Ringed Plover, Lesser Whitethroat, Common Whitethroat all seen aswell as Kingfisher. Swallows and Sand Martin's were also moving through in small numbers.

April 20th - Beddington - Surrey : Another day spent at Beddington, with the following sightings, first Common Swift of the year, 20c House Martins, 2+Sand Martin's, Swallow, Yellow Wagtail, 2 Grey Wagtails, Common Whitethroat, Garden Warbler singing on Mitcham common.

April 21st - Beddington - Surrey : This place is certainly attracting the spring passerines at the moment with a Grasshopper Warbler singing alongside a Nightingale along the main path, other sightings included a Yellow Wagtail, 5+Common Swift, 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, Willow Warbler(both on site and also singing on Mitcham Common), Common Snipe, Sand Martin, 25+ House Martin's, 2 Grey Wagtail, Kingfisher.

April 22nd - Rye Harbour - East Sussex : Went on a coach trip with the Surbiton and District Bird Watching Society with other 30 people attending. Arrived on site around 10.30am and made our way around the whole reserve before being picked up at 16.45pm.....it was along walk, but a nice sunny day and some good birding kept us going. Northern Wheatears were seen around the site in good numbers with a few singing individuals. Little Terns, Common Terns and Sandwich Terns were all present on the Ternery pool and feeding offshore, Mediterranean Gulls were also seen in good numbers within their breeding colonies, several Yellow Wagtails were seen and heard, 2 Grey Partridge also showed well, waders were seen with a Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Ruff, 5+Knot, 2 Avocets, 5+ Bar-Tailed Godwits, Turnstones, Sanderlings, Ringed Plovers, and 3 Whimbrel. Sedge Warblers, Reed Warblers, Common Whitethroats, and Lesser Whitethroats were also seen. Hirundines were thin on the ground with only Swallow seen. I think the group total topped 90 species for the day.

Common Terns - Rye Harbour - East Sussex

Mediterranean Gull - Rye Harbour - East Sussex

Mediterranean Gull(2nd summer) - Rye Harbour - East Sussex

Turnstone - Rye Harbour - East Sussex

Turnstone - Rye Harbour - East Sussex

April 24th - Horton Country Park - Surrey: A short evening walk with Paul produced the following :singing Garden Warbler, 8+Blackcaps, 8+Chiff Chaffs , 2 Common Whitethroats, 1 Swallow, possible Hobby.

April 28th - May 4th : Portland - Dorset : Travelled down by tarin on the Saurday morning and once arriving at Weymouth took at taxi to Portland to drop our luggage off, then done a bit of birding in the top fields where a few Northern Wheatears were seen with a few of the Greenland race in amongst them. After watching football locally headed by bus to Lodmoor to look for Garganey, had no luck at this site but saw a small flock of Bar-Tailed Godwit's with a few in full summer plumage, we did eventually see Garganey with a stunning drake at Radipole where I also picked up my first Common Sandpiper of the year on the island in front of the visitor centre. The following day a morning sea-watch produced very little apart from movements of Whimbrel and Bar-Tailed Godwit's, but the highlight being 2 Puffin's close inshore. We then heard news of a Hoopoe at the Nothe, so Guy kindly gave us a lift and after a short journey I was watching my first Hoopoe of the year, the bird was feeding well but being a Sunday there was a lot of disturbance for the bird and a dog off of the lead ruined any hopes of photo's!. A bit of birding inland at Reap Lane had a fly-over female Marsh Harrier, 3+Whinchats, a few Wheatears and a Yellow Wagtail. Spent the evening sea-watching an there was a lot more movement with plenty of Manx Shearwaters passing through, more Bar-Tailed Godwits and a single drake Eider and Great Skua.

Broad-Bodied Chaser - Observatory garden

Willow Warbler - Culverwell

The following day was very quiet on land and sea, but managed to see my first Arctic Skua of the year. The remaining days were spent with all our birding done on the island, I managed to see my first Pomarine Skua at 6.30am on the Tuesday along with another 2 Arctic Skuas, then had a fantastic Pomarine Skua at 6.15pm on the Wednesday flying east really close inshore viewed from the observatory gardens, it must have cut-off the 'bill' as sea-watchers down there did not see the bird, so the bird was enjoyed by just Peter Morgan and myself! The last few days were pretty hectic as on the Thursday afternoon the easterly winds that had been with us all week dropped completly, a flurry of migrants were soon evident in the garden including Common Redstarts, Spotted Flycatchers and plenty of Willow Warblers around, the signs were good for the following morning and we were then treated to a Tree Sparrow in-the-hand, probably one of the few birds that were seen around the top-fields over the last few days. I was informed by Peter that they trap and ring fewer Tree Sparrows than Melodious Warblers at Portland!

Well, I said the signs for the following morning looked good and we were not dissappointed. There were birds everywhere! Willow Warblers, Common Whitethroat's arrived in good numbers, but other migrants were on the move with a Hobby and Turtle Dove over, there were also Spotted Flycatchers, Pied Flycatchers, Sedge Warblers, Reed Warblers, Lesser Whitethroats and more Common Redstarts on offer. We were then informed of a male Kentish Plover being present at Ferrybridge and Duncan kindly drove us down there and te bird was seen really well associating with a few Ringed Plovers, I have seen Kentish Plovers abroad but this was the first one in the UK for me. No sooner had we arrived back at the obs we were walking up towards the west cliffs to see our second Hoopoe of the trip, the bird being viewed at one-point with a female Common Redstart perched just in front of the Hoopoe. The cloud started to clear and we had to catch our train home, so had to tear ourselves away from the place....a good weeks birding and was good to see the regulars at Portland again, and was nice to meet other birders aswell such as Julian Thomas, Steve Reynolds, Guy and Tim...no doubt will bump into them again at Portland!

Common Redstart - Observatory Garden

'Greenland' Wheatear - Top Fields

Grasshopper Warbler - Observatory Garden

Kentish Plover - Ferrybridge

Pied Flycatcher - Culverwell

Spotted Flycatcher - Culverwell

Tree Sparrow - Observatory Garden

Little Owl - Obs Quarry

May 24th - Undisclosed Surrey site : Visited a local site very close to home in the hope of Nightjars and Woodcock. Met up with Glen and was on site in plenty of time and took a while to find the cleared area where Nightjars were present for the previous two years. En-route the place was full of bird-song and plenty of Willow Warblers, Chiff-Chaffs, Blackcaps and Common Whitethroats were heard along with several Garden Warblers. Shortly after 9.30pm a Woodcock flew straight overhead calling followed shortly by the first Nightjar churring, fairly distant at this point, but 10mins later the bird was churring a lot closer and was soon seen displaying bringing the female up from the ground and flew up and around us!. Another bird was heard churring whilst on our walk back, so a succesful evening and nice to know the birds have returned for a 3rd year.

May 29th - Thrupp - Oxon : Scops Owl, Little Owls, Red Kite en route

May 31st - Crossness Southern Marshes - London : Managed to brave this trip across London by train but was well and truly worth, was given good instructions beforehand and also met another birder en-route and between us we managed to find the location, the Squacco Heron was seen from a small screen originally from the back of the gathered crowd then eventually when they moved on the camera was clicking away to get some decent record shots as seen below....I told two other birders about a Spoonbill that was on Rainham, so as a thankyou for giving them the news they gave me a lift there by car...never been on that Woolwich ferry before! Anyway we saw the juvenille Spoonbill abeit distantly, but stayed on and did a bit more birding and picked up two Avocets.....felt more like I was in mediterranean than London!!

Squacco Heron - Southern Crossness Marshes - London - May 31st 2007

1st June - Brookwood/Sheet Heath - Dartford Warbler, Hobby, Woodlark