Xmas Tits (and other prezzies) Christmas 2017

 On Christmas Eve we took a trip with Olive to Stover Country Park. I was quickly on to Marsh tit, and even managed a decent shot.

We also saw one again from the raised walkway feeders so there's obviously not bad numbers here. I also managed to get a couple of nice snaps of the long tailed tits. With a bit of time and patience this would be a great spot to get some good photos. Mental note - one for 2018. 

Christmas Day saw a report of the Wally, the Yankee Widge, back in Exeter. So early Boxing Day I took another trip to Matford Marsh, parking in the layby we identified on the last trip. It was a cold morning, and I wrapped up against the chill. I had a quick scan of the group of wigeon on the main pool, but was pretty sure the wigeon hadn't moved overnight. I walked around to the back pool where it had been reported. There were lots of ducks over there, and one of the first I saw was a female mandarin, which was quickly lost from sight. There was an absolute scrum of wigeon feeding and bathing, and I waited for a few moments, eye down the scope to see if the American Wigeon was there. After a few minutes searching I tried the back field, but shortly returned. This time, after a few minutes I was rewarded with a fairly short view as it emerged from behind reeds to the left of the group, and it was out long enough to get a few poor digiscope record shots.

On 28th Dec we took  a trip to Broadsands so that I could try for a BNG. There didn't seem to be any on view, but after I scanned from the right of the beach I could see two divers from the cliffs. We walked Olive up to the top, and a gent informed us there were lots of Dolphin out in the Bay. I swung the scope out, and immediately found a pod over towards Brixham Harbour, and managed to show Jess them in the scope. I had some great views of some jumping out of the water too. The two divers typically moved over towards the other side of the Bay, but we could see them quite well in the scope. There were many cormorants and shags feeding in the bay, and we also saw a guillemot out past the main cormorant hang out point.

So, no black-necked grebes for me this year, but a nice last outing over Christmas all the same.

Xmas Birding 2017 - 22/12/2017

The last few go's... 17/12/2017

Even though I was still tired from Friday's work do, Nick and I set off early to Garw Nant in the dark on a willow tit quest. We picked up Ai-lin from home on the way and the three of us. We arrived at Garw Nant in the breaking light, though you could barely tell that the sun was rising in the gloom and drizzle. It didn’t look at all promising, but as the rain died a little we ventured down the road and into the area that Dan had suggested, coats pulled up tight against the inclement drizzle and cold. We scanned Llwyn Onn in case of any specials, and with just the cormorants on view, we took a path to the waters edge and followed it along a few meters.

We saw two blue tits in the lakeside trees ahead of us, and thought that seemed positive – if they were up and out, why wouldn’t their cousins be? I asked Nick to play his Collins app willow tit call, and to our astonishment, a willow tit popped into view behind us almost immediately, inquisitive but nervous.  It gave us a quick lap, though never stayed still long enough for a picture.

And that was it.

A result non-the-less, and a triumphant victory considering the weather.

We dropped Ai-lin back off, and grabbed a Maccy’s brekkie to celebrate (and sort out my hunger pangs), and then we headed to Ogmore to find the goldeneye. From the water treatment works we could see quite a few species. Goosander, several little grebe, lots of gulls, redshank and a Canadian squadron flyby. We carried on to Portobello where we immediately picked up the goldeneye, including some perched out of the water, but they shortly flew further down river.

Coming up on year end - and mopping up. Dec 2nd & 09th 2017

Last Saturday saw Tara, Nick and myself head down to Chard Reservoir in order to go and see the Red Necked Grebe. Seemed a funny one for me, having seen lots in Denmark earlier this year, but it felt good to see one at home. Shortly after we arrived we got on to it, but it motored over to the other side of the reservoir and after a while went out of sight down to the South West Corner.


From there we headed to Matford Marsh where we tried for the American Wigeon, to no joy, but it was nice to explore a new part of the Exeter compliment of reserves. We then headed to Exminster and Bowling Green Marsh before heading home.









I had a couple of sitters left in the shape of White-fronted Goose and Bewicks, so Jess and I headed to Slimbridge this morning for a Christmas visit. Not long after arrival we scored both over on the Tack Piece, and so spent the rest of the morning at our leisure.

We also had fun watching some wild bank voles popping up like a whack a mole game.

I'm aiming for 225 by the end of the year now, so 3 left.. All to play for!

Working North Side - 17/11/2017

The only year tick I've had in recent weeks was brambling, when I saw several amongst a flock of chaffinch up at Manmoel on my second visit, having gone back with Nick after scoping it out the day before.. Brambling was actually a lifer, and a particular bird I wanted to see this year, so it was great to catch them easily on the second visit. However, I didn't get as lucky at Lake Vyrnwy yesterday, as there were no marsh tit about. There were lots of birds about though, including some stunning siskins which I always enjoy seeing. 





This morning I thought I'd try for Black Gilly for the 3rd time this year.. After scanning the marina I decided to try one last go at scrying online for info in the car, and I managed to find a forum post from 2009 which suggested checking the harbour mouth from the fish quay.. I arrived there shortly after, and the only things on show were a GCG and cormorant. However, as I was turning to leave, I clocked one! It was swimming near to the mooring posts, not very far away at all. A lifer before work started! 219, and still 2 bankers left... Is 225 doable???

Dorset round 2! 14/10/2017

Another 5.30am alarm adventure beckoned, and I joined Nick and Tara on a trip that saw them visiting Dorset for the second weekend in a row. After coffee and almond croissants (I made a right mess) at Starbucks en route, we arrived at RSPB Arne for my second visit to the site. We had a quick listen out for firecrest, but with none forthcoming while Nick got the lowdown on the Stilt Sandpiper (apparently might have been predated  the day before! I was sure the news would have gotten out if that was the case though), we headed off. 

We watched the gathered waders at high tide for a while, with nearby darties calling but not showing themselves, before I spotted a male marsh harrier flying over. Green woodpeckers were seemingly everywhere after Tara pointed out the first one. There were hundreds of avocet and lots of waders, including a few smaller candidates, but we knew we were going to have to wait for the tide to drop a little to see if our bird was still kicking.  

We made our way down to the hide, through a trench cut into the banking and took our places. However, hunger bested me and while I had my sandwiches early Nick and Tara scanned the assembled waders. Nick started making some encouraging noises and set the scope on some birds.. Tara and I checked them, but his particular bird had moved out of shot. He shortly readjusted and I checked again..YES!! Stilt Sandpiper in the bag, back from the dead. Noticeably different from the others present, but difficult to keep track of at such distance. Nick had done well to find it when he did as a harrier came through, presumably the male from earlier, and scared stuff away. 

With that, we made a move and headed back to the car, checking by the rare raft spiders pond on the way. There was only one on view that we had time to check for, but what a creature!



Back at the car park we enlisted help from the local RSPB staff member whom Tara knew, and we tried playback in the area that he does the ringing. When that failed, we headed to a spot the other side of the car park and tried again. That time, instantly a small inquisitive bird came to see, and with it being so dark in the lane and the constant movement amongst the leaves and branches, I couldn't quite clinch the ID at first. It even put me in mind of a chiffy from below, and it was only being able to see the eye stripe that we were able to confirm it. It was a situation where my 10x bins didn't really help matters, but just goes to show again how difficult ID in the field can be given adverse conditions.

Our next stop was RSPB Lodmoor where we weren't quite sure on our plan of attack. We headed to the shelter, and met Adrian and some of the Glamorgan BC birders who tipped us off as to where the lesser yellowlegs was hanging out. There was an awesome amount of birds on display from the shelter, green sandpiper, snipe, GWE, spoonbill,  kingfisher amongst others.

Retracing our steps on the way over to the second yankee wader of the day we wondered what the purpleish daisy-like flower was everywhere we looked. Ai-lin later informed me that it was sea aster. Nick's Birdguides informed us that a bluethroat was at Newport Wetlands, but our sickened feeling was brushed aside when we found it it was ringed and in a part of the reserve with no access.

Phew.

Shortly after arriving to where we had been told to expect the lesser yellowlegs, I clocked it with the naked eye, and confirmed it quickly with the bins. It stuck out a mile on a bank, and we had some great views before it dropped out of sight for a little while.

After re-emerging the bird was clearly on alert, as you can tell from the posture in this second shot when this juvenile gull flew overhead. 

Little stilt, dunlin, ruff, and godwits were all in close, and I was amazed at what Lodmoor had to offer - much better than my previous visit!

After that we made our way to Portland where we stopped for a little while on Avalanche Road to explore the nearby copse for YBW. No luck, but we did bump into Trevor and co who told us that a YBW and several firecrest were at the observatory garden. At this point the sun had come out, and what was originally a grey day turned out absolutely stunning and we were soon on to firecrest in the garden near a feeder and we once again bumped into Adrian and the boys.

I had an absolute blast trying to take photos of the firecrest, and whilst none of the shots turned out as good as I might have hoped there were a couple that stood out. The next day they ringed over 60 there because they had a massive fall overnight!  

Spurn 30th birthday birding 07/10/2017

Big birding day! 23/09/2017

 I set out early to get some birding in, and arrived at Goldcliff for the second day in a row (after a brief visit yesterday around work) and headed around to the newest platforms. I could see a single little stint from the first, but headed around to the brand new one.. and there were 4! So that was at least 5. 2 marsh harriers flew over which was cool. The new platform is great, and the waders are much closer. However, news broke that the red necked phalarope was still at WWT Llanelli, so I jumped back in the car and made my way.

The red-necked phalarope was still behind the British Steel hide, and I spent a while watching it feed on the pool. The waders had headed out to the estuary however, so still no knot, but there two sleepy spoonies were roosting at the back.

When I got home, Nick whatsapped us that a wryneck was at Llandegfedd reservoir.. I drove over to Nicks, and Tara met us to go for a drive on the chance that we caught up with it - And we did! 

Finito

Strumble Head 16/09/2017

Grey Phal Ogmore - 12/07/2017

Black tern(s!) 08/09/2017

News broke Thurs night of a black tern juv. in Cardiff Bay, but too late for me to have a go for it as it was already dark. However, it was reported again the next day, and a few Whatsapp messages later, Nick picked me up from work and we headed to a rainy and blustery Prospect Place. After a few pans with the binoculars, Nick picked it up with his scope, and we could confirm it by it's typical tern behavior, diving and swooping. We ventured around to the barrage where we picked it up again and I had a go of Nick's HD 8x42's.. We soon realized we were on different birds, and the initial inkling of there being two was confirmed when they went side by side, battling the winds together!

Image credit - Nick! (As he said, with imagination).

I awoke with a start on Saturday morning by loud owl screeches outside. I hastily made my way downstairs, and crept out into the garden. After a while it called again loudly, and I realized it was silhouetted on the chimney of the house opposite! After a short while it flew away, but I was very happy - finally, my first Tawny sighting, and an all-round tick at 2.15 in the morning!

Sunday evening saw a late report of arctic tern juv. and I went down with Jess and Olive in tow. I thought I managed to get it in the scope looking towards the barrage, and after trying to get some footage I lost it and never re-found it.. In doing so I managed to talk myself out it, and so it was that the second dip of the year on Arctic tern came to pass.

Aug Bank Hols Birding 2018 - 25-28th Aug

A long awaited bank holiday break arrived, and due to the fact that Jess and Olive had gone down to Devon on the train the day before, I had an opportunity to get some numbers for the 200 Challenge.

My first stop was Newport Wetlands for bearded tit. When I arrived at the pontoon bridge I simultaneously accidentally spooked a kingfisher and a grey heron. It was a warm still morning, and as I listened out for the tell tale ping of beardies, several things began to happen at once. One of the little grebes dived and surfaced close to the pontoon, allowing for some snaps. A peregrine flew over head from out over the estuary. A sedge warbler popped up near me, but I daren't move for fear of spooking the little grebe. And then, most surprisingly a water rail appeared in the reed edge near the other end of the bridge - my first of the year and a difficult one for the time of year. This was a weird one, because I had been thinking about water rail on my journey down in the car..

Shortly after I saw a male beardie very briefly after a couple of false starts with reed and sedge warblers. John Lawton arrived behind me and we chatted for a bit while a cetti’s was busy skulking behind us on the bridge. Fromthe pontoon I made the short loop down to the other screen across that channel around just in case there was something like a wryneck around, or the beardies were down that end, but no such luck (though I heard a few 'pings', so with two ticks in the bag I went for an adventure breakfast at Maccy’s.

Whilst shovelling down a Sausage and Egg Mcmuffin I clocked that a juv. black tern was at Durleigh reservoir which could have been an option on the way south. However first stop was Ham Wall where I picked up glossy ibis from the first platform. Traffic was bad on the way down and even though I mistakenly ended up heading to Bridgewater i figured it wasn’t worth the risk to see if the tern was still there. That was also a mistake as it was in fact reported there later that day. Welazed in the garden in the afternoon, and Jess's mum pointed out a butterfly she didn't recognise, and to my surprise, it was a silver-washed fritillary!

Managed to get quite close to this red admiral with my phone cam!

The next day I headed down to Bowling Green Marsh to try for the curlew sandpiper at high tide. Upon arrival the usual local birders spilled out of the hide and duly told us that the curlew sand was in, and also a wood sandpiper (typical after my specific Goldcliff trip!). After some searching through the waders on the point, I could see the curlew sandpiper. A nudge bigger than the surrounding dunlin and given away by the orangey moult on its breast and belly. Also a greyish back with notably different patterning from some angles. There was no sign of the wood sandpiper however.

Shoddy record shot at distance!

After a while the wood sandpiper reappeared and flew across to the left of the hide and allowed for some digiscope shots, not being quite close enough for my 300mm. Then it was off down to Thurlestone beach for some time with the fam. Four ticks over two days was great going, taking me up 194 (193 with the now deemed sketchy night heron at Shrewsbury).

Stonker

Bank Holiday Monday morning saw me agreeing to try a trip to the Gower for the male woodchat shrike. Nick picked me up at 6.20, and we set off. We found the place after a quick wrong turn, and arrived on the common in the morning mist. We could see some guys heading down to the area, quite obviously on something already. Sure enough, it was the woodchat shrike - and only my second, the first having been from the saltmarsh at Kenfig several years ago now! Stunning bird. Nick picked up another tick  in the form of a dartford warbler which I spotted near the cars after a heads-up from Andy and the other birders.

A great weekend, and it leaves me within spitting distance of completing the 200 year challenge!