Paul's Birding Diary

Chew and Other Musings

noreply@blogger.com (Paul) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 12:31:00 +0000

Friday 3rd and Saturday 4th February 2012

Yellow-browed Warbler, Stratford Hide

A good day's birding with Andy on Friday in Somerset started at Chew Valley Lake before 8am. In -8^oC temperatures at Herriot's Bridge the SPOTTED SANDPIPER still had frost on its back before the sun was up. Lot's of Goldeneyes and Goosanders were off Picnic Area No.1 plus the drake Red-breasted Merganser. A Cetti's Warbler and a few Siskins were at Picnic Area No. 2, but the star bird of the day was the YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER at Stratford Hide in the afternoon. We watched it for some time in front of the hide, and later fly-catching in the sun from trees to the left. Also here was a Chiffchaff, this was very grey looking with just the merest hint of buff on its flanks; with no call though we weren't able to confirm Siberian tristis but it looked very good. At Portishead four Purple Sandpipers were at Battery Point at high tide, and we stopped of at Avonmouth on the way back where a Bittern was still showing, one of two that had been seen earlier. No sign of the Little Gull here, but viewing is very difficult through the only gap in the hedge. There was also no sign of Shorties at Aust Warth.

Spotted Sandpiper at dawn, now with added spots ... and frost, Herriot's Bridge

The WWT Festival of Birds was very enjoyable on Saturday, the snow giving a picturesque look to everything, though the severe frost had disrupted the wild birds with no sign of Bittern at Zeiss Hide. It was nice to see the LESSER SCAUP again though in a very crowed Rushy Pen late afternoon.

Teasel, near South Lake hide, Slimbridge WWT

The South Lake causeway

The mostly ice-covered South Lake

No Bitterns showing from Zeiss Hide - a bleak-looking Top New Piece

These Willows in the snow look stunning, like a Renoir

The Rushy Pen - waiting for the afternoon feed

The Rushy again - The Lesser Scaup can be seen if you look hard

A crowded Rushy Pen at dusk, seen from Sloane Tower

Twite at Oldbury Power Station

noreply@blogger.com (Paul) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 18:31:00 +0000

Sunday 22nd January 2012
It was great seeing the four Twite this morning with Andy and Mhairi. After a leisurely saunter around the site we located the Twite in a Maize stubble field SSW of Lagoon III, perching on the hedges surrounding the field (ST603934) among a small party of Linnets. After flying across the field a couple of times, the Twite eventually settled hidden amongst the stubble to feed. Lots of other birds were noted including on Lagoon III 130 Dunlin, 280 Lapwings and four Ringed Plovers; along the shore c15 Turnstones, a Redshank, and another 40 Dunlin; and around the stubble field c20 Yellowhammers, six Reed Buntings, six Skylarks, a few Chaffinches and Goldfinches, c40 Curlews, and c150 Starlings. Magic!

Garden Visitors

noreply@blogger.com (Paul) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 18:10:00 +0000

Thursday 12th January 2012

Lesser Redpoll

Two Lesser Redpolls were on my Nyger feeder on Thursday, competing with the Goldfinches. Hopefully the Redpolls will be regular visitors for a while. A male Great Spotted Woodpecker is also being seen on a regular basis, and a male Bullfinch has been feeding on cherry tree buds beyond the back of the garden. I haven't seen the male Blackcap since 1st but I'm sure he's still around. Good number of Greenfinches are coming to the feeders, the twelve on Thursday being the highest number so far this winter.

Lesser Redpoll on Nyger feeder

Goldfinch - one of up to five visiting currently

Green and Gold together

WWT Slimbridge Birding

noreply@blogger.com (Paul) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 20:07:00 +0000

Saturday 7th January 2012

Female Lesser Scaup

... the best kind of birding when it's like this morning and it's your first birding of the year. The target birds initially proved elusive though. I had to wait over half an hour to eventually locate one of the BITTERNS as it crept through the reed-bed in front of Zeiss Hide. A Cetti's Warbler was more accommodating showing a couple of time near the hide and singing. After an earlier unsuccessful search I returned to the Rushy and then Robbie Garnett Hide where the female LESSER SCAUP was showing nicely, albeit in its usual sleepy state. Each raise of its head was accompanied by a burst of shutters from within the hide. More photos below.

The Tack Piece was teeming with thousands of waterfowl and waders, the latter being frequently panicked into the air by a young Peregrine causing the Dunlin, Lapwing and Golden Plover flocks to take to the air. The waders also included at least three Ruffs and 15 Redshanks.

Male Pochard

From Holden Tower the 225 White-fronted Geese was the highest count so far this winter (though still no Beans). A large gull in the Rushy was appeared to be the result of a Herring Gull x Lesser Black-backed liaison. My year list is looking bit healthier now (though I still haven't seen a Dunnock in 2012!).

Apparent Herring x Lesser Black-backed hybrid

Magpie Inkcap

noreply@blogger.com (Paul) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 22:11:00 +0000

Monday 2nd January 2012

Magpie Inkcap Coprinus picaceus

I was doing mainly doing family things over the festive break, and hindered by seasonal germs this meant I haven't been able to get out birding for what seems like quite some time. Monday's outing involved a ride on the superb Severn Valley Railway stopping off at Bridgnorth in Shropshire. In Castle Gardens at Bridgnorth we came across a group of the fruiting bodies of Magpie Inkcap (above). I'd never seen them before, and very attractive they are with dark brown with cream scales. Oh I almost forgot, I did do some birding - on the return ride back to Kidderminster station I year-ticked Pheasant near Bewdley; also Elephant and Rhinocerous as the line passes the West Midland Safari Park! It was nice to see a male Blackcap turn up in the garden just after Xmas, it should stay around for a while. A high count of 20 Chaffinches in the garden on Monday gives hope of Brambling, so fingers crossed.

GWR 7812 Erlestoke Manor at Kidderminster Station

Lesser Scaup at WWT

noreply@blogger.com (Paul) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 23:17:00 +0000

Wednesday 28th December 2011

Some photos here of the female LESSER SCAUP taken this afternoon from Robbie Garnett hide at WWT Slimbridge. The photo above was taken in one of its rare and all too fleeting waking moments, as most of the time it looked like in the photos below, bobbing around among the Tuftys and Pochard. In fact I spent so long trying to get a decent 'head-up' shot I hardly had time to study the thousands of other birds on the Tack Piece, including Dunlin, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Black-tailed Godwit and Wigeon.

Temminck's Stint at Shorncote

noreply@blogger.com (Paul) — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 09:21:00 +0000

Friday 9th December 2011

'Always rather distant' - but you can see the yellow legs!

The TEMMINCK'S STINT was at Shorncote again yesterday. I arrived at the hide overlooking pit 84 at around 1.50pm to the news that it was there earlier but had 'flown left'. I was getting a distinct sense of déjà vu after arriving to the same news last Saturday and dipping. At 2.15pm however, it flew right and back into view. I watched it for a good hour and it was still there when I left, quietly feeding on the muddy margin at the back of the lake, and for a period dozing / basking in the sun (photo). The views were always rather distant (c240m - I measured it on Google Earth), but at least it was nicely lit in the afternoon sunshine. Other birds noted included 16 Teal, 30+ Lapwings, and at least three Water Rails were squealing from within the reeds in the area.

View from the hide overlooking pit 84, Cotswold Water Park (West)

A Semi-P at Chew Too!

noreply@blogger.com (Paul) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 21:14:00 +0000

I am grateful to Paul T for alerting me to the fact that the apparent Little Stint I saw along with the Sharp-tailed Sandpiper etc. on 20th November, was in fact a SEMI-PALMATED SANDPIPER! For some photos, see the Chew Valley Birding website. My second of the year and I didn't even realise it at the time; must try harder.

Mallorca Diary

noreply@blogger.com (Paul) — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 19:13:00 +0000

I have put a trip report of my holiday in October here.

Chew Rarities

noreply@blogger.com (Paul) — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 21:20:00 +0000

Sunday 20th November 2011
I caught up with the SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER at Chew Valley Lake this morning, and very distinctive it looked, despite the misty, murky conditions and distance - not much chance of a photo!. Also viewed from Herriot's Bridge, the two LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS were also still present and correct. Both species were lifers for me. The SPOTTED SANDPIPER was on Herriot's Pool on the other side of the road, and a Little Stint and a Green Sandpiper added to the interest. Thanks to Andy for a great morning.

Pied Wheatear at Oldbury-on-Severn

noreply@blogger.com (Paul) — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 20:50:00 +0000

Friday 18th October 2011

I finally had an opportunity to catch up with the female PIED WHEATEAR at Oldbury-on-Severn after work this evening. Arriving just after 5pm I spent the next hour watching it darting around the roof of the Thornbury Siling Club building, occasionally launching into the air after insects. It is a very obliging bird, and I spent much of the time photographing it from just about every angle - what a nice way to start the weekend!

The evening sun sinking behind the Severn bridges:

Setting the scene, the Sailing Club building:

Reflections of Mallorca

noreply@blogger.com (Paul) — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 20:51:00 +0000

I've recently returned from a fantastic 10 days holiday in Mallorca, based in Port de Pollença. Good weather, good wine, good food, and of course, good birds - nine lifers, plus some new butterflies and dragonflies. I'll do a trip report soon but in the meantime, here's a few photos.

Above: Purple Swamphen, Black-winged Stilt, Sardinian Warbler

Snow Bunting and Whooper Swan

noreply@blogger.com (Paul) — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 21:22:00 +0000

Saturday 8th October 2011

A great morning out with Mark, and the SNOW BUNTING was still present this morning at Saul Warth and showing well (above and below). A Wheatear was also seen on the sea wall and a Swallow was perched in a tree with Goldfinches near Hock Ditch.

Movie:

At Frampton, an early WHOOPER SWAN (below) was on Court Lake ,along with four Greenshanks and nine Little Egrets.

Local Wildlife

noreply@blogger.com (Paul) — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 18:51:00 +0000

Tuesday 27th September 2011

A couple of photos here taken on a bike ride with Amelia this evening along the canal between Parkend Bridge at Moreton Valance, and The Pilot at Hardwicke. The Brown Hare, above, sat tight quite near the canal hoping I hadn't seen it, then eventually took flight. This 16-Spot Ladybird (Halyzia sedecimguttata), below, landed on my sunglasses!

Autumnal shades along the Gloucester-Sharpness Canal:

WWT Sightings

noreply@blogger.com (Paul) — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 21:01:00 +0000

Wednesday 21st - Sunday 25th September 2011

A photo above of a Chiffchaff taken near the Martin Smith hide at WWT Slimbridge last Wednesday; I liked the red stems of the Willow glowing in the sun. The best bird in recent days was the juvenile SEMI-PALMATED SANDPIPER, the latest in a good run of local birds, and well worth getting soaked for on Sunday morning, though it has to be said the views weren't as good as when I saw the last one on 22nd September 2006:

Finally, back to the present with a study of a Black-tailed Godwit again taken last Wednesday at South Lake:

Buff-Breasted & Dotterel on The Dumbles

noreply@blogger.com (Paul) — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 11:45:00 +0000

Saturday 17th September 2011

An excellent morning birding on The Dumbles at WWT Slimbridge with Mike (and the other birders there), the main focus being the juvenile BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER and juvenile DOTTEREL which both showed well (record shots of BBS above and Dotterel below).

A MANX SHEARWATER floated up on the incoming tide spotted by Ian R. distantly , the ID Ian confirmed a bit later by Ian at Middle Point where he had a much closer view. Other birds included a Little Stint, a Curlew Sandpiper and c8 Sanderlings among the Dunlin/Ringed Plover flocks, a Grey Plover, three Knot, three Golden Plover, a Wheatear, three Arctic Terns, a Peregrine and a first-winter Yellow-legged Gull.
Quite a crowd joined the Wader Walk group on The Dumbles:

Spotted Sandpiper at Lydney

noreply@blogger.com (Paul) — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 21:15:00 +0000

Thursday 15th September 2011

A very nice bird this evening south of Lydney Harbour in the shape of a juvenile SPOTTED SANDPIPER, a county first - well done to John and Viv for finding it. Also a Common Sandpiper and a Wheatear.

Fulmar at Hock Ditch

noreply@blogger.com (Paul) — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 20:25:00 +0000

Monday 12th September 2011

A grounded Fulmar was found by Greg and Tom this evening at Hock Ditch, resting in the lee of the sea wall immediately north of the sluice. There was little else of note with light giving out before the evening tide properly got underway. The remains of a Manx Shearwater and another bird, later identified by James & Martin as an Arctic Skua, were nearby.

Movie:

Recent days
The highlight of the weekend was the superb adult SABINE'S GULL at WWT Slimbridge seen from Holden Tower on Saturday; other good birds being a juvenile Black Tern on Frampton Townfirld (sailing) Lake(Saturday), Arctic and Common Terns at Sharpness and Hock Ditch (Saturday/Sunday), and also a Manx Shearwater seen briefly and fairly distantly Sunday morning at 8.30am beyond Hock Cliff.

South Hams Weekend

noreply@blogger.com (Paul) — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 19:46:00 +0000

Friday 26th-Sunday 28th August 2011

Above: female Cirl Bunting, Prawle Point
I spent a few days with Linda in South Devon last weekend for my birthday staying at the lovely Buckland Tout-Saints Hotel near Kingsbridge. The first birding highlight was a family party of CIRL BUNTINGS at Broadsands on Friday, followed by somewhat tame Turnstones wandering around the quayside at nearby Brixham, in the rain. The replica Golden Hind there is well worth a visit.
Turnstone, Brixham:

On the Saturday, my birthday, we headed for Prawle point, where in cloudy and breezy conditions, I eventually tracked down c10 CIRL BUNTINGS feeding in a more sheltered barley field, one allowing close views.
Another pic of the obliging female Cirl Bunting:

A rather shy male Cirl Bunting!:

Prime Cirl Bunting habitat, a view from near Langerstone Point looking towards Peartree Point:

Prawle Point and Arch Rock, the 'Horse's Head', at its tip:

Two Wheatears, two Chiffchaffs, two Whitethroats, a Lesser Whitethroat and several Stonechats were also seen along the coast path, and c15 Oystercatchers, a Shag, a Little Egret and five Rock Pipits were on the rocky shore. A short sea-watch from Prawle Point itself produced five Manx Shearwaters, six Gannets, all flying east, and a Fulmar.
Juvenile Wheatear near Prawle Point:

Later at East Portlemouth beach, after a trip over to Salcombe on the foot ferry followed by a crab salad back at The Venus cafe, I noticed an adult winter Mediterranean Gull scampering around on the sand, and took a short film with my brand new Lumix TZ-20.
Adult Mediterranean Gull in winter plumage:

Med Gull movie:

Sunday was best of the days for weather with unbroken sunshine by midday. We spent most of the day at Salcombe, visiting the nearby National Trust property Overbeck's. The upper floor of the house is like a mini natural history museum, with cases of stuffed birds and mammals, and displays of butterflies and moths and other curious objects like Walrus tusks. In the sun on the walk into the town of Salcombe I noted at least six Holly Blues dancing around the ivy-covered walls and terraces. A stop at Dartmouth on the way back on Sunday evening completed a very relaxing and enjoyable weekend.
Holly Blue (very worn), Salcombe:

Wryneck at Sharpness

noreply@blogger.com (Paul) — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 11:36:00 +0000

Monday 29th August 2011

After a fantastic few days in South Devon it was also great to get to see the stunning WRYNECK at Sharpness this morning (well done to WWT's Dave Paynter for finding it). Some photos here, the bottom two experimental digiscoped images taken with my new birthday present, the TZ20. First one below, on someone's roof-rack!

Finally, a closer crop of the roof-rack shot:

Weekend Round-Up

noreply@blogger.com (Paul) — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 18:32:00 +0000

Saturday 20th & Sunday 21st August 2011

Above: View N from Selsley Common, All Saints Church centre right
On an overcast Saturday morning with some light rain at first the Land Rover safari produced five Wheatears, four Yellow Wagtails among sheep on the saltmarsh, nine Greenshanks, a Black-tailed Godwit, five Redshanks and c15 Teal on Frampton Pill scrape, and a Wigeon, a Little Grebe, two juvenile Great Crested Grebes and an adult, and two Common Terns with a juvenile on the WWT 100-Acre; the only Odonata seen were two Blue-tailed Damselflies. Five Green Sandpipers were on the Rushy Pen and a Spotted Redshank (below) and two Ruff were on South Lake plus c200 Black-tailed Godwits and c15 Redshanks.

Today, a warm and sunny day but with an assertive WSW breeze, particularly at high level. My second UKBMS Wider Countryside butterfly survey on SO7713 turned up only a handful of butterflies, but a pair of mating Common Darters was interesting. A walk around Selsley Common this afternoon produced a Wheatear, and a Meadow Pipit which was carrying food. Butterflies comprised numerous Meadow Browns and Small Heaths, and a few Common Blues, the latter confined to the first 'quarry' near the road sheltered from the wind. Earlier, a Raven flew over Quedgeley near my garden.

Hidcote Wildlife

noreply@blogger.com (Paul) — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 18:57:00 +0000

Sunday 14th August 2011

Some wildlife shots from Hidcote Manor Garden today. The Grass Snake was quite a draw in the Lily Pool, a big snake too, about 72cm long. Also Great Crested Newts in the same pool, including juveniles still with external gills.
More photos of the Grass Snake:

Female Great Crested Newt:

Juvenile Great Crested Newt:

And some insects at Hidcote: -
White-tailed Bumblebee Bombus lucorum:

Hoverfly Syrphus vitripennis:

Woodchat Shrike Revisited

noreply@blogger.com (Paul) — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 11:33:00 +0000

Saturday 13th August 2011

I returned to Sodbury Common this morning with Mark where we had some excellent views of the Woodchat Shrike. I couldn't resist another look, and this time got some slightly better photos.

Woodchat Shrike

noreply@blogger.com (Paul) — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 18:49:00 +0000

Sunday 7th August 2011

I finally had an opportunity today to go for the Woodchat Shrike at Sodbury Common. Thankfully it had stayed long enough for me to add it to my life list, and I managed to avoid the showers and find it within 10 minutes of arriving. I watched it for some time, hunting from its favourite bush catching grasshoppers/bush crickets and the like. What an excellent bird to round off the weekend!

Chalkhills and Walls

noreply@blogger.com (Paul) — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 09:13:00 +0000

Friday 5th August 2011

After butterfly surveying my BBS square at Hardwicke for the UKBMS, SO7713, (most numerous were Gatekeeper - 24) I headed to Crickley Hill to look for more butterflies. I noted four Wall Browns, though these were very active in the sun and hard to photograph (bottom photo), plus at least nine Chalkhill Blues, which were more obliging (photos above and below). Other butterflies of note included a female Silver-washed Fritillary, a male Brimstone and a Brown Argus.

Wall: