Paul's Birding Diary

Wilson's Phalarope

paul_masters@tiscali.co.uk (Paul) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 22:08:00 +0000

Saturday 7th November 2009
I managed to get to Slimbridge WWT just in time to see a Wilson's Phalarope on the Top New Piece; in less than ten minutes after I arrived it took to the air, landed briefly and then took off again flying quite high over the centre, going east. It could not be relocated in a check of the other hides; I'm glad I made it in time for this excellent county tick.
I had spent the morning at Ashleworth and Coombe Hill with Mark, where highlights were as follows: Ashleworth Ham - Five Snipe, c60 Fieldfares, c15 Redwings, c1000 Starlings, a Reed Bunting and 12 Pied Wagtails. Coombe Hill Meadows - Six Teal, eight Meadow Pipits, a Pied Wagtail, c300 Fieldfares and c40 Redwings. Water levels are very low at both sites, but good numbers of winter thrushes are now evident, with Fieldfares in particular very numerous.

Glossy Ibises at Catcott

paul_masters@tiscali.co.uk (Paul) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:05:00 +0000

Thursday 5th November 2009

A business engagement at Bridgewater afforded me the opportunity of checking out nearby Catcott Lows N. R. afterwards for the Glossy Ibises reported earlier in the week. I was pleased to find three Glossy Ibises present, and quite near the first car park, giving great views and looking particularly 'glossy' in the late afternoon sunlight as they fed on the marsh (above and below).

One of the birds (below) is ringed, wearing a metal ring on the right leg and a plastic ring with the letters N4C on the left leg; I shall investigate this for more details.

There was a good supporting cast of birds with 330 Wigeon, 28 Shoveler, 35 Teal, two Pintail, 23 Mallard, 10 Gadwall, two Black-tailed Godwits, eight Mute Swans, a Greylag Goose, 30+ Fiedfares, with a Redwing, and other flocks also seen in the area, a Buzzard, a Great Tit, a Wren and 30 Starlings plus two Roe Deer. Around 3000 Starlings were seen in pre-roost display between Burtle and Westhay.

Gull-fest at Didcot

paul_masters@tiscali.co.uk (Paul) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 23:52:00 +0000

Saturday 31st October 2009

I spent an excellent day's 'gulling' with Richard and Andy at Appleford (near Didcot), Oxfordshire on Saturday. The target bird was the adult 'Azorean' Yellow-legged Gull, L. michahellis atlantis, which kept us waiting until mid-afternoon, long enough to become very familiar with the gulls on the pit just next to the level crossing. Gulls of particular interest noted were three Caspian Gulls, a first-winter and two third-winters (the third winters were very distinctive with their white head and, small dark eyes), seven Yellow-legged Gulls, an intermedius Lesser Black-backed Gull (much darker mantle and smaller than the usual graellsii) and a few 'Scandinavian' Herring Gulls, L. argentatus arentatus (much larger than the other Herrings) . A count of other gulls on the produced 180 Black-headed Gulls, 560 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, eight great Black-backed Gulls, 160 Herring Gulls and a Common Gull. Other birds seen were 15 Red Kites, a Grey Heron, seven Coot, seven Moorhens, six Little Grebes, five Teal, six Tufted Ducks, two Mute Swans, four Pied Wagtails, five Goldfinches, c60 Linnets, two Meadow Pipits, a Green Woodpecker, a Kestrel and a Buzzard. Most of the gulls had departed by about 1:30pm, but eventually, at 2:45pm, news came that the 'Azorean' Yellow-legged Gull had been located in a nearby field on the other side of the level crossing, with other gulls. After watching it sat on the ground for some time (photos above and below), it stood up and proceed to regurgitate a large chicken bone, no doubt the remnants of it having spent some time earlier on the nearby tip. Perhaps thankfully, my, Nikon's 4500 battery had run out by this time, so you are spared seeing photos of this part of its performance here; photos above and below show its previous, more relaxed phase! Whilst reviewing its earlier meal, it attracted the attention of some of the surrounding gulls, who, licking their bills at the tasty offering on view, started making a move to grab the delicious morsel. They chase the gull as it took to the air, and flew right over our heads, still carrying its take-away in its bill! As can be seen from these photos, the bird has a very distinct appearance, with heavy dark streaking on its head forming a hood effect; when it stood up, it was seen to have pale yellow legs.

Here some photos of one of the Caspian Gulls (third-winter):

Scillies

paul_masters@tiscali.co.uk (Paul) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 20:51:00 +0000

Friday 9th October to Saturday 17th October 2009

I have recently spent a great week's birding on the Isles of Scilly, with a host of fantastic memories and of course, photos. The weather was generally like Summer, with plenty of warm sun nearly every day and very little wind. OK, this did mean that the rarities were a bit thin on the ground, but I didn't mind at all. Being my first time on the islands I was wowed by the place, and whilst some Scilly birding may have been disappointed, I loved every minute. Thanks are due to to Richard, Geoff, Nigel, Stu and Paul T. for their great company and many laughs.
(photo above: St. Martin's from the B. N. Islander)

Friday 9th
After an early start, we arrived at Land's End in time for a search in Nanquidno Valley for a Wood chat Shrike which had been about. That was unsuccessful but we did see two Choughs, plus three Stonechats. After the short (15-minute) flight from the Land's End Aerodrome, we arrived on St. Mary's in the early afternoon, and dropped our bags off at the house on Porthmellon just in time to dip a Red-breasted Flycatcher at Parting Carn.

We then headed for Porth Hellick Pool to see 10 Whooper Swans (above) which had arrived there and were to stay on the islands all week, plus a Green Sandpiper and a Snipe.

Saturday 10th
A check on Porthloo beach turned up two Mediterranean Gulls, a first-winter and a second-winter (above), a Curlew, a Wheatear and a Cormorant, while at the Garrison we saw two Yellow-browed Warblers (below) and a Willow Warbler.

It was then off to St. Agnes where I got good views of a Tawny Pipit at Beady Pool (below), Wingletang Bay. A Red-throated Pipit flew over, calling, and carried on flying SW straight out to sea. A Whinchat, two Stonechats and two Wheatears were also in the area.

A Rose-coloured Starling showed briefly but well between the lighthouse and the Coastguards (below), and c45 (European) Starlings were also seen. At Periglis Cove we saw four Bar-tailed Godwits, 20+ Ringed Plovers, three Dunlins, 30+ Turnstones, 96 Shags and three Swallows, and a Common Darter was near Big Pool.

Five Chiffchaffs were at Chapel Field, with another at The Parsonage and a Yellow-browed Warbler. In Barnaby Lane, en route to the Turk's Head, there was another Yellow-browed Warbler, two Firecrests (below) and two Chiffchaffs.

Sunday 11th
On the dullest day, with light rain later in the afternoon, a walk to Peninnis Head after breakfast produced just three Wheatears, two Skylarks, two rafts totaling 500+ Shags and several Gannets. Later, a Kittiwake and eight Little Egrets were seen from the boat crossing to Tresco. On Tresco, three Goldcrests, a Jackdaw and nine Stock Doves were in the Great Pool area, and eight Wigeon, several Teal, a Little Grebe, many Gadwall, three Canada Geese, 21 Greenshanks, 27 Redshanks and a Migrant Hawker were on the pool. A Water Rail was seen at Abbey Pool. An Angle Shades moth visited the house that evening (below).

Monday 12th
I took the pelagic on the Sapphire, which lasted from 9.30am to 4.00pm, and enjoyed every minute. The birds seen were two Fulmars, two Puffins, two Guillemots, four Razorbills, two Arctic Skuas, three Great Skuas, a Meadow Pipit (!), two Common Gulls, a Black-headed Gull, 25+ Great Black-backed Gulls, 10+ Herring Gulls and 30+ Gannets. Other wildlife included an Ocean Sunfish, six Common Dolphins (very close to the boat) and seven Harbour Porpoises, plus a Basking Shark at Porth Minnick, which had been feeding there all afternoon.

Pelagic photos starting with Kittiwake:

Arctic Skua:

Fulmar:

Razorbill:

Great Skua:

Common Dolphin:

Basking Shark:

After the trip I walked to Giant's Castle to see a Wryneck, plus two Stonechats and two Wheatears. On the way, the Basking Shark appeared to be just leaving Porth Minnick and was rounding Tolman Point.

Tuesday 13th
Five Common Scoter were scoped distantly in The Roads from Porthmellon beach and two Firecrests were at Old Town churchyard. We then headed for St. Martin's where sightings on the island included a Peregrine from the boat just off St. Mary's, two Sandwich Terns and a Kestrel were at Higher Town Bay, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Redwing and a Fieldfare were at Higher Town, seven Red-legged Partridges were near School Lane as was a Pheasant, a Skylark, seven Linnets, c40 Meadow Pipits (but no sign of a Red-throated Pipit seen the previous day), six Golden Plovers and a ring-tail Hen Harrier were at Chapel Down. Looking north out to sea three Sooty Shearwaters and two Great Skuas were seen near a fishing boat as were a pod of at least seven Risso's Dolphins, and several groups of Harbour Porpoise were also present. The best sightings though were of a Minke Whale which spent the afternoon feeding off Watermill Cove (St. Mary's) near the Eastern Isles, which I watched along with many other people from Chapel Down on St. Martin's for some time.

Wednesday 14th
As the warm, sunny weather continued, it was off to Bryher for another superb day. Two Shelduck were spotted off Sampson by Richard from the boat on the way, while on the island we saw a Richard's Pipit near Great Pool, which unfortuntaley flew off just after we got there, but at least I did see it and get good views of it in flight; three Ring Ouzels, six Fieldfares and 20 Redwings were in The Green/Sampson Hill area, a Chiffchaff and a Black Redstart were near the dump, a Merlin was on Shipman Head Down and a Sparrowhawk and two Kestrels were also seen.

Before catching the return boat trip, three Spoonbills were seen in flight having been flushed from Green Island (there were four there in total but the fourth bird apparently landed nearby); the three birds, all immatures, landed back down on Stony Island and we then saw them from the boat (above).

In the evening, I couldn't resist going to see the Wryneck again, which was now on the coast path at Porth Minnick, and was rewarded with excellent views (above). A Black Redstart and two Stonechats were nearby.

Thursday 15th

We returned to St. Martin's following news of a Radde's Warbler, and also a Little Bunting, seen the previous day at Little Arthur Farm. In fact a lot of other birders had the same idea, which was a bit of a pattern for the week given the low number of rarities. The Radde's was a no show but we did get very good views of the Little Bunting as it fed in a weedy field (above), and later mud-bathed in a field opposite. Two Blackcaps and three Chiffchaffs were also seen here. I was glad we and returned to St. Martin's as I wanted to find a real rarity, and a specialty of this island. After a search on Chapel Down near the Damark, I eventually found, on the path, a Red-barbed Ant (below). This is a solitary species closely related to the Wood Ant and found only here and in a location in Surrey.

Other sightings were a Wheatear, several Turnstones, c130 Sanderlings, c110 Ringed Plovers and four Dunlins at Neck of the Pool earlier, a Ring Ouzel and a Redstart were near Higher Town cricket pitch, several Fieldfares (below), a few Redwings and Song Thrushes were at Higher Town, and an immature Arctic Tern and a Stonechat were at Chapel Down.

Back on St. Mary's, a Black Redstart was near the lifeboat station.

Friday 16th
I spent most of the day exploring St. Mary's solo, seeing the parts of the island I hadn't previously been to. My first part of the walk though took me back to Porthloo Beach, where I saw four Bar-tailed Godwits, a Curlew, 13 Ringed Plovers, three Oystercatchers, a Grey Heron, a 2nd-winter Mediterranean Gull, four Mallards, eight Herring Gulls, a Great Black-backed Gull, a Black-headed Gull, eight Gannets offshore, two Pied Wagtails and two Carrion Crows. Sightings on the next section from Seaways Farm to Carn Morval Point were a Skylark, a Linnet, a Stonechat, eight Meadow Pipits and three Swallows and three Meadow Pipits, two Goldfinches and 28 Linnets were at Telegraph. A Water Rail was at Newford Duck Pond (below) along with a Moorhen, 26 Mallards of various shades, two Chiffchaffs, a female Blackcap and two Blue Tits.

At Trenoweth in the Jac-a-Ba garden there were two Goldcrests and a Chiffchaff, and a Grey Wagtail and a Kestrel were at Watermill Cove. It was at this point that I got a call from Richard about a Radde's Warbler, seen the previous day, which had been re-found at Carreg Dhu. This was on my route anyway, and after a pleasant walk up Watermill Lane and past Holy Vale, I arrived at Carreg Dhu. It was soon obvious that the bird was not going to play, so after a pit-stop at the Longstone Cafe I headed through Higher Moors to Porthellick Pool.

The ten Whooper Swans were still present and very close to the hide (above), and a Jack Snipe was feeding in the open at the edge of the pool (below). I also noted a Water Rail, four Moorhens, three Greenshanks, a Little Egret, c20 Swallows and a Meadow Pipit here.

There was little of note on the extremely pleasant coast path back to Old Town, just three Rock Pipits at Porth Minnick. Not long after getting back, news came through from Richard that had me and Geoff racing to Sandy Lane, near the Longstone Cafe. After some wait, and in fading late, the re-re-found Radde's Warbler finally showed, and gave good but all too brief views, before skulking back off into the undergrowth as is the habit of these birds. We returned via Lower Moors where a Snipe, a Water Rail, two Moorhens and a Chiffchaff were just about seen at dusk.

Saturday 17th
The last day, but with the return flight not until mid-afternoon, there was plenty of time to make the most it, starting with a Curlew and 15 Turnstones on Porthmellon Beach, a Black Redstart, and two Bar-tailed Godwits and two Rock Pipits at Porthloo. A female Blackcap was near the Longstone Cafe and a Firecrest was at Carreg Dhu.

Whilst sipping ale at The Old Town Inn, Geoff noticed a Black Redstart on the roof of the pub (above). These birds seemed to be quite abundant on the island by the end of the week. The walk back took us through Lower Moors again, where a singing Chifchaff and two Jack Snipes (below) rounded off the week nicely.

The total species count was 106 for the week, with a handful of lifer's thrown in: Tawny Pipit, Red-throated pipit, Rose-coloured Starling, Richard's pipit, Little Bunting and Radde's Warbler. Then there were the cetaceans, Common and Risso's Dolphin and Minke Whale, and the Basking Shark - all lifer's - as was the Red-barbed Ant.

Green Woodpecker

paul_masters@tiscali.co.uk (Paul) — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 10:25:00 +0000

Sunday 4th October 2009

A Green Woodpecker in the garden this morning (above), also on Friday a singing male Chiffchaff and again yesterday.

Slimbridge

paul_masters@tiscali.co.uk (Paul) — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 19:48:00 +0000

Saturday 26th September 2009

At Slimbridge WWT this morning with Mark, the best birding to be had was from the Zeiss Hide, where the highlights were a Little Stint, seven Ruffs, 22 Snipe, a Water Rail, two Spotted Redshanks, 12 Redshanks and six Black-tailed Godwits. Another five Snipe were showing well from Martin Smith Hide (above and below) and a Cetti's Warbler was seen at Robbie Garnett Hide whilst another was heard within the grounds; three Swallows were seen over the Tack Piece; 21 Black-tailed Godwits were on South Lake. There wasn't much of note at Middle Point, four Ravens, a few Curlews, lots of Shelduck and a Little Egret, and the only migrants noted were a total of five Chiffchaffs between Robbie Garnett Hide and Middle Point.

A pair of House Martins were still active at a nest on the centre building feeding three young (below).

Weekend Sightings

paul_masters@tiscali.co.uk (Paul) — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 17:22:00 +0000

Saturday 19th - Sunday 20th September 2009

A trip to the GWT Lower Woods reserve on Saturday afternoon turned up some interesting wildlife including a Hornet (above), a Grass Snake and a Long-winged Conehead (below);

Also a Helophilus pendulus hoverfly:

Mothing at Jake's in the evening on National Moth Night produced a few species before it started raining:
Setaceous Hebrew Character

Lesser Yellow Underwing

Broad-bordered Underwing

Large Yellow Underwing

Common Marbled carpet

Brimstone

Ghost Moth

Dusky Thorn (below)

Highlights of a morning's birding with Andy on Sunday were:
Fretherne/Saul Warth - A Little Stint, two Ringed Plovers, c10 Dunlins and a Wheatear; Sharpness - Three Chiffchaffs, two Blackcaps and c70 Goldfinches.

All the Tits

paul_masters@tiscali.co.uk (Paul) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 22:13:00 +0000

Friday 18th September 2009
In the Forest of Dean, there was no sign of yesterday's Black-necked Grebe at Woorgreens this evening, but three Willow Tits and a Chiffchaff were with a mixed flock of Long-tailed, Coal, Great and Blue Tits. A Little Egret, a Snipe, a White Wagtail and two Ravens were at the lake. A Marsh Tit at Cannop Ponds on one of the stone works feeders completed the local Tit collection.

Marsh Warbler

paul_masters@tiscali.co.uk (Paul) — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 17:29:00 +0000

Thursday 10th September 2009
I made it just in time after work to glimpse the probable first-winter Marsh Warbler at Slimbridge WWT. Let's hope it gets accepted; that would make it two in one year after seeing my first at Otmoor RSPB, Oxfordhire, in July.

WWT

paul_masters@tiscali.co.uk (Paul) — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 20:37:00 +0000

Sunday 6th Spetember 2009
Back at Slimbridge this morning there was a good selection of birds on the Top New Piece from Zeiss hide this morning including two Greenshanks, a Ruff, a Spotted Redshank, two Little Ringed Plovers, around 40 Lapwings including the leucistic individual, and three White Wagtails including an adult male.

Cattle Egret on Safari

paul_masters@tiscali.co.uk (Paul) — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 17:55:00 +0000

Saturday 5th September 2009

Some excellent birding today with Andy started off at Frampton looking for the Cattle Egret on the 100-acre at Framton from Green Lane. It couldn't be seen so we decided to get down to Slimbridge WWT and book on the morning Safari. The Cattle Egret showed well late morning, by which time it was perched in a tree and was viewable from the 100-acre platforms in Green Lane. We got good views were later when it was feeding amongst the cattle in the Bull Ground (above and below). Other highlights were a Wood Sandpiper, three Green Sandpipers, four Common Sandpipers, three Snipe, a Hobby, three Wheatears (bottom), 14 Dunlin, three Sanderlings and a Ringed Plover. Also a Grass Snake and insects included Common Darter, Migrant Hawker and painted Lady.

This Oak Bush Cricket was under the roof of the trailer:

Sabine's Gull

paul_masters@tiscali.co.uk (Paul) — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 20:51:00 +0000

Thursday 3rd September 2009

After having to leave last Thursday before it arrived, I made another trip to Upton Warren, Worcestershire, this evening to find the Sabine's Gull (above and below) had already come in for the evening. That was just after 7:00pm; I watched it for over an hour, savouring another lifer - I've had a bit of a run of lifers recently. A Black Tern was also present, and other species included Green Sandpipers, Little Ringed plover and Curlew.

Farmoor Terns

paul_masters@tiscali.co.uk (Paul) — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 16:35:00 +0000

Sunday 30th August 2009

A trip to Farmoor Reservoir, Oxfordshire, with Andy J. produced the goods. The juvenile American Black Tern (above) and juvenile White-winged Tern (below) were both present, along with a juvenile (Eurasian) Black Tern to compare with the American. The American looks quite a lot darker than its European counterpart, with obvious grey flanks, and it was good to have both to compare and study for a long period.

More photos below of American Black Tern in flight, with a Black-headed Gull, and White-winged Black Tern and American Black Tern together:

A large number of hirundines were also present, plus three Swifts.

Yesterday morning I saw my first Arctic Tern of the year at Frampton on the Sailing Lake, a juv., along with a juvenile Black Tern and four Common Terns (3 ad. 1 juv.)

The Gower

paul_masters@tiscali.co.uk (Paul) — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 17:05:00 +0000

Monday 24th - Wednesday 26th August 2009

I spent a few days on the Gower, earlier this week, staying in Berry, near Scurlage. It was a family break but there were a few birding highlights.

Above: Worm's Head, Rhossili
On Tuesday I spent an hour seawatching at Port Eynon Point and saw five Manx Shearwaters, a Kittiwake, five Sandwich Terns, a Fulmar, and three Shags (below). On Wednesday at The Mumbles there were around 100 Kittiwakes (next photo below) on and around the colony on the pier, and about 30 Turnstones (bottom photo) on the beach. The best birds however were two Choughs (top photo) at Worm's Head, near the coastguard lookout, being alarmed initially by a Raven.

Black Tern

paul_masters@tiscali.co.uk (Paul) — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 16:52:00 +0000

Thursday 27th August 2009

I managed to fit in a quick bit of birding in the morning by nipping down to Frampton where a juvenile Black Tern (above and below) was still present from yesterday on the sailing lake. Also present were four Common Terns (three adults and a juvenile) and three Sand Martins.

Below: Black Tern, left, with juvenile and adult Common Terns:

Wryneck

paul_masters@tiscali.co.uk (Paul) — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 19:15:00 +0000

Wednesday 26th August 2009

Not long after arriving back from a few days on the Gower, I legged it down to Witcombe Reservoir to see this Wryneck (record photo above) found by Terry Fenton. This is a lifer for me, and very welcome after two dips in recent years. The bird tended to be somewhat elusive, but I did get a couple of good, but very brief, views; well worth it despite getting damp in the rain. Two Common Sandpipers, a Whitethroat and a Grey Wagtail were also present.

Birding Bore & Mothing

paul_masters@tiscali.co.uk (Paul) — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 21:39:00 +0000

Saturday 22nd August 2009

A excellent morning spent on the Birding Bore event at WWT Slimbridge, then on the Land Rover Safari. Highlights on the high tide included a juvenile Cuckoo, two Turnstones, three Sanderlings, three Wheatears, and Yellow-legged Gulls. A full list of the sightings is shown on the WWT website. Two Green Sandpipers (above) were seen later on the Tack Piece and a Greenshank and a Wheatear were on the Holden Pool, before being spooked off by a Peregrine chasing a Woodpigeon. On safari the highlights were two Bank Voles, a Smooth Newt (below) and a Grass Snake, plus Brown Hawkers, Migrant Hawkers, Ruddy Darters and Common Darters, and Short-winged Coneheads (second photo below).

In the evening I went round to Jake's with Richard for an evening's mothing. Some of the moths found are below, in order are: Burnished Brass, Canary-shouldered Thorn, Green Carpet and Setaceous Hebrew Character.

Slimbridge & Guiting Power

paul_masters@tiscali.co.uk (Paul) — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 08:12:00 +0000

Tuesday 18th August 2009

The highlight of a visit to Slimbridge WWT was the close views of Black-tailed Godwits on (above and below) the Tack Piece, from Robbie Garnet hide, and on South Lake, with 19 at each location. A Green Sandpiper was also on the Tack Piece as were 1-2 Yellow Wagtails. The tide was out at Middle Point so most things were a long way off, including a Peregrine, a Little Egret and two adult Yellow-legged Gulls.

Below: a Shoveler on South Lake

Back in the garden, a Common Darter was seen briefly. As well as the hoverflies, a couple of Mint Moths Pyrausta aurata can usually be seen on - you've guessed it - the Mint (below).
Monday 17th August 2009
On a walk around Guiting Power and Naunton with Linda we came across three Whinchats, four Wheatears and two Whitethroats north of Grange Hill Farm. Also a juvenile Little Grebe at Barton.

In the garden, one of my favourite hoverflies Myathropa florea was feeding on the Mint (below).

Coombe Hill Meadows & The Mythe

paul_masters@tiscali.co.uk (Paul) — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 17:05:00 +0000

Sunday 16th August 2009

A morning's birding with Andy and Mark produced:
At Coombe Hill Meadows, a Whinchat, a Greenshank, three Green Sandpipers, a Snipe, a Little Egret and a Sedge Warbler. Along the canal there was a lot of passersine activity including five Willow Warblers, four Chiffchaffs, a Lesser Whitethroat two Whitethroats, a Blackcap and a Treecreeper. At The Mythe, Tewkesbury, a Spotted Flycatcher was hawking insects at Mythe Pool, also a Willow Warbler, and on the Odonata front two White-legged Damselflies (above) and six Brown Hawkers (below).

Turtle Dove

paul_masters@tiscali.co.uk (Paul) — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 20:02:00 +0000

Sunday 9th August 2009

With Jake and Andy L. I finally saw a Turtle Dove (above) in Gloucestershire this morning, at Ruardean Hill. They are becoming very scarce in the county, and having tried the usual locations of Crabtree Hill and Oakenhill several times, I had all but given up hope. The bird was perched on a spruce tree, below houses down a track next to the sports and leisure centre, GR SO635165. After that it was on to Boys Grave where there were 40+ Crossbills, 15+ Siskins, a raven, a Nuthatch and a Buzzard. The final stop was Poor's Allotment, Tidenham, where the highlights were five Redstarts, c30 Linnets, four Bullfinches, a Marsh Tit (heard), 2+ Yellowhammers, a Sparrowhawk and Holly Blue (below) and Small Copper (bottom) butterflies.

Wood Sandpipers & Insects

paul_masters@tiscali.co.uk (Paul) — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 20:25:00 +0000

Friday - Saturday 7th-8th August 2009

Yesterday I headed for Coombe Hill Meadows early where two Wood Sandpipers (above) were still present from the Grundon Hidealong with a Common Sandpiper, 7+ Green Sandpipers, a Little Egret; two Willow Warblers and a Chiffchaff were singing along the canal. I the afternoon the highlight of a Wider Countryside Butterfly Survey near Clarke's Farm. Hardwicke, was two Clouded Yellows (below) north of Monks' Hill.

A Belted Hoverfly Volucella zonaria has been in the garden the last two days. Its quite impressive, being the UK's largest hoverfly(below).

This afternoon, a visit to Rodborough Common produced a good selection of butterflies including Chalkhill Blue (below), Holly Blue, Common Blue and Brown Argus (bottom).

Crossbills

paul_masters@tiscali.co.uk (Paul) — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 11:49:00 +0000

Sunday 2nd August 2009

After missing out all year so far, and hearing lots of reports lately, I finally caught up with Crossbills this morning, with 27 at Boys Grave, Forest of Dean, feeding on Larch (above and below). Also here, a Spotted Flycatcher, a Hawfinch (heard), two Ravens, a Buzzard, two juvenile Pied Wagtails, a Blackcap and two Willow Warblers.

Painted Ladies

paul_masters@tiscali.co.uk (Paul) — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 19:21:00 +0000

Saturday 1st August 2009

Despite the weather, at least one Painted Lady was back in the garden; yesterday nine were counted at one point (above), plus at least six Peacocks. A lot of my free time at the moment is spent fitting my new kitchen, but I did manage to get down to Slimbridge WWT this afternoon for a couple of hours where a Green Sandpiper was on the Holden pool, and on South Lake, 43 Black-tailed Godwits, a Ruff, six Redshanks and 167 Lapwings.

Croome Insects

paul_masters@tiscali.co.uk (Paul) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 18:24:00 +0000

Sunday 12th July 2009
Here are some photos from a very pleasant afternoon spent at the National Trust's Croome Park in Worcestershire.

Brown Hawker:

Pond Skater:

Green-veined White:

Meadow Grasshopper:

Six-spot Burnet:

Blue-tailed Damselfly:

Ruddy Darter:

Black-tailed Skimmer:

BBS Hardwicke SO7713

paul_masters@tiscali.co.uk (Paul) — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 20:54:00 +0000

Sunday 5th July 2009

I carried out my second Breeding Bird Survey visit to SO7713 this morning; although not much to report there was at least a good showing of Yellowhammers (above) and Whitethroats, and flocks of 15 Swallows and 60 Wood Pigeons were notable. Butterflies encountered included a Small Copper, and lots of Ringlets and Meadow Browns.