American Black Tern, Dorset & Patch

Date: 
3rd -10th October

Location:
Longham Lakes, Lodmoor, Newton St Loe

Weather: 
Sunshine, Plus Very Grey.

Species Highlights: 
American Black Tern, Grey Phalarope

Observation: 

A wander around the patch on the 3rd October produced a high count but not many pictures 47 species counted and this top little Stonechat, first of the year.

Work then rain for most of the weekend so Tuesday was next day out. 
An American Black Tern was showing at Longham Lakes, Dorset, so off I went (Lauren was recovering from a operation so I was on my own) after arriving and a short walk the Tern was obvious and a number of birders where lined up along the shore of the lake.

Struggling to see the difference between the Slimbridge Black Tern, last week I thought i'd do a ID picture to distinguish between the two similar species.

The light was tricky for the American Black Tern but the main difference is greyer under flanks and greyer head not black like the Black Tern.

  
A very mobile bird flying up and down the lake and in to the sun, but pleased with another new bird and year tick.

After spending a couple of hour with the tern I then drove along to Lodmoor to see what else I could add, Little Gull had gone but happy to watch the Godwits.

West path Lodmoor always good light and see close range birds.

After chatting to very friendly birders and searching for the elusive Grey Phalarope it suddenly appeared distant but you cant always see it like last year!

Huntspill 19/09/2018 100 mm

Med Gulls & Little Egrets looking great in the afternoon sunshine.

 Grey Heron was chasing the Great White Egret around the reserve.

1 of 2 Great White Egrets.

The skies above were starting to change colour from blue to dark grey, rain was on the way, last shot of the day was this handsome Black Tailed Godwit.

More heavy rain on the 9th so the 10th October was another patch walk, again not much to photograph but did a long walk hoping to see something good but Linnet, Meadow Pipits and this young Stag Roe was the best of it.

Plenty of Buzzard around patch counted 7 Birds this the Stanton Prior bird which always seems to come a bit closer then the Seven Acre birds.
With a few more ticks added to my #200 bird year, just 5 to go! (Lauren back out next week playing catch up, I hope)

Wayne Year Bird List: 195
Lauren Year Bird List: 182

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Year and Lifer ticks

Date: 
25th September - 3rd October

Location:
Weymouth,Newton St Loe, Greylake, Steart Marshes, Clifton Pits, Slimbridge

Species Highlights: 
Med Gull, Sandwich Tern, Black Tern, Common Scoter, Buzzard, Spotted Crake, American Golden Plover, Pectoral Sandpiper, Stonechat.

Observation: 
A busy few days after getting back from Cyprus starting off with a trip to Weymouth with Mr. Chard hoping to see the Long Billed Dowitcher which had been  there but on arrival it appears it had gone so we made do with what was there.

Little Egret always entertaining

2 Sandwich Tern

We then moved on to Radipole Mediterranean gulls but little else until chatting to another birder who told us about the Common Scoter.

Managed to get down to its level.

Never see them this close so very pleased,

Thursday a normal patch walk all very quiet until almost home a 3 Buzzards gave me a few photo opportunities.

Amazing how 3  Common Buzzards can look so different!

Work, then Monday out with Lauren to increase our count towards #200 and a good start ar Greylake with walking in the hide a Spotted Crake, a Lifer for Lauren i'd seen one before at Slimbridge 2016, but still good to see.

Right in front hide, it doesn't get much better. 

This was the Crake swimming to cover not to return out for us.

30 mins a way and on a roll we went to Steart Marshes as a  American Golden Plover was showing.... at around 1/4 mile away!

Lauren even got a flight shot.

But a lifer for us both and another year tick, we can always improve picture ... I hope!

Starlings a walk back to car park.

Wednesday i was free a deiced to try for the Pectoral Sandpipers at Clifton Pits, on arrival a group of Welsh birders had also just arrived so we started to scan the flooded fields, i walked further down to where it had been showing with no luck, the Welsh Boys were stood looking over hedge so i joined them and they had the 2 birds along with Ringed Plover, Dunlin.

A little more distant than i would like, but a horse walked up to them making them fly.

The flew and landed in there normal puddles but on the far side.

Managed to get a bit closer again nice and low.

Drove back via Slimbridge and popped into the South hide and the Black Tern was still about. 
Very tricky to focus on and light was awful, but happy with a few shots.

Best one of the day.

On to today and a patch walk not many photo opportunities but a very good count 47 species. 
Highlights being this smart female Stonechat, first for the year, also on top fields Linnet, Skylark and Meadow Pipits.

Apart from Teal on the lake not much change there Coot and Morhen still good numbers at 4 each. Almost home and this Buzzard suddenly appeared much too close but got this rushed shot....there either too close or miles away!
If you've looked at Blog leave a comment, and say its crap :)

Wayne Year Bird List: 192
Lauren Year Bird List: 182

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Forest of Dean & Newton

Date: 14/17 January 2019

Location: 
Forest of Dean + Newton St Loe

Weather: 
Overcast then Beautiful Sunshine.

Species Highlights: 
Dipper, Crossbill, Marsh Tit, Short Eared Owl, Buzzard.
Observation: 
Monday morning we popped over the bridge to the Forest of Dean to see the Crossbills that had been all over social media, we've been going in January since 2014 but this year it seems everyone else decide to go! We arrived at 8am with just one other car there but soon the small car park was full with people walking, chatting and more cars arriving all morning long after 2.5 hours we left with no Crossbills. On a up note we did hear a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Drumming. 
From Parkend we went to our usual spot for Dipper and excellent to see a Pair.

After checking out Woolgreens with not a single bird on the lake or seen on the walk we headed to Cannop ponds for lunch and soon had all the normal birds visiting.

Marsh Tit always a little stunner.

Even asking fashion advice, Does my bum look big in this!

The light was very overcast so a very high ISO but the bird performing well.

Nuthatch

Not getting our target birds we headed back up to Parkend, even more people were there but after a hour of waiting a flock of Crossbill landed in tree above us then 2 came down to puddle.

A very brief visit in fact 30 seconds but great to see.

All targets ticked we drove back to England and stopped at Aust to check in on the Shorties, on pulling in we immediately spotted a SEO pearch on a distant branch. Another Short Eared Owl appeared and a brief tussle started.

We had a great day with Siskin, Crossbill, Dipper, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Marsh Tit all added to our year lists.

Thursday my normal patch walk and the sunshine was shining like a summer's day top field still quiet but did see 5 Skylark and this lovely Buzzard flew towards me for a change.

Love the colour on his tail almost Red Tailed Hawk!

He soon spotted me and drifted off.

Lots of small birds through Send a Cow woodland and this Grey Wagtail feeding on the lower Waterfall, bottom lake.

Teal numbers have dropped right of now only 17 birds all swans present but little else to report from lakes.
A few Common Gull on back drive in orchard at end of drive the single Fieldfare we busly feeding and fallen apples, along we a female Blackcap.

After a walk ending on 43 species a few birds were visiting my feeders, mostley Goldfinch, Tits.

But great to see a pair of Blackcap looking good in the sunshine.

Off to Canada wednesday for 10 days so check our Twitter feed for updates.

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