Slimbridge Goshawk, Bittern and Newton St Loe Goosander and Green Woodpeckers

Date: 5th-8th December 2016

Location: 
Slimbridge + Patch - Newton St Loe

Weather: Mostly Grey

Spreadsheet Sightings

Observation: 
First of had my birthday so been a bit busy so a catch up blog.
Slimbridge and a very grey day but had the new 100-400 mk2 lens to try out!!
Just need a nice day to fully check it out but so far its working well.

First shot was a Goshawk from Slimbridge! Not bad for first shot, a very distant sighting and as you can see very grey but a Goshawk!!

Was in the Zeiss Hide looking for Bittern which we found! Moved to Van de Bovenkamp

Hide and Lauren spotted Goshawk off to a great start I'd say!

Such great camo.

Also saw Brent Goose missed the Bean Goose but the Wigeon where showing well and in good numbers.

Did full patch walk Tuesday and a low species count 34. 

Spreadsheet above species can be seen
.

 But Redwing constantly overhead at around 75+.

On back drive of Bath Spa, Common Gulls in a large group 50+ with a few Black Headed mixed in. 

On return walk along top lane looking down Common Gulls number seen to double that with Common's covering 2 fields.

Spotted Buzzard, think he spotted me too, a field and half away, new lens seems to be working well at a distance, my old one seemed to struggle.

Wednesday back walking again Walking Site Here. Went to Kingston Deverill, Wiltshire and while walking saw a Red Kite only had 135mm lens but brilliant to see these great birds. Also on walk Chiffchaff, Buzzards, Yellowhammers in good numbers plus Linnet and Corn Bunting's a great walk, but my mate is not a birder otherwise would have spent longer watching.

Did another Patch walk Sunday with Lauren, very quiet around, again species count in above spreadsheet. 

A Roe Deer on dog track plus 15+ Blackbirds near Orchard and Redwing feeding in Fields. A single Fieldfare at distant in village.

Farm shop had Christmas Fare going on, shooting in nearby woods and Church Bells ringing so did walk opposite way round. Lots of Rooks in Back Drive feeding.

Carried on to Lake and the Goosanders were back 3 Male 2 Female all feeding, but very jumpy. Last year in January had 17 was best count.

Shame cant get much closer, but as soon as you venture off path they fly so took this from path, maybe better light would help.

 While watching saw the resident male mute swan frantically flying up and down the lake. Strange we thought? 

On looking why spotted 2 dumb ass dog walkers in field off footpath and 2 dogs, we think the Jack Russell went for the female because as we approached bottom lake saw female in field sat down not looking well!!!

We watched for 15 mins and she seem to recover and managed to walk up to Top Lake where we fed her, she had some blood on bill but looked ok. 

She flapped wings and all was looking good. The stupid dog walkers made a hasty retreat before we could talk.. shout at them !!

The Male did what he could but talking a Jack Russell on and American bulldog not advisable! Its not the dogs fault just more stupid dog owners!

Anyway will check on her in next couple of days hope she's ok.

Also on Lake 8 Moorhens a record count.

After walking on back towards Church, Lauren spotted this cracking Green Woodpecker.

As you can see from Bill, was feeding looking for worms no doubt.

Such a great looking bird when you get close, unfortunately you cant get close that often!

Back in to the Village and cars from the Christmas Market and people but a few House Sparrow buzzing in car park hedges and that was the end of walk with not much else to report, apart from Stonechat in normal place. 

So until the next one bye for now :) 

Thanks For Looking !

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Forest of Dean + Ticks

Date: 26/01/2015

Location: Parkend - Nags Head RSPB, Forest of Dean 

Observation: With Lauren still away in New York, and Snowed in! Her List is up to 10 new birds I think so it was of to the Forest of Dean for a couple of ticks. Not the stick on yer leg suck your blood kind ! 

Its the first time here so explore and wander! So with reports of Parkend being the place to go headed there early being tight decided not to pay toll, headed up towards Gloucester after traffic, should have paid the toll! 

Arrived at Woodgreens saw a Hawfinch and no camera handy !!!! Headed down to Nags Head RSPB and parked up, Goldfinch, Coal Tit and Greater Spotted Woodpecker on walk along to Cannop Ponds .

At Cannop Ponds Saw Nuthatch 4 Female Goosanders 

At main car park just missed a Dipper ! But 5 or 6 Mandarins Duck were Floating along.

Nice Tick 1

Headed Back round towards Parkend up to Church. Surprised to see so many people Scopes and cameras! Just missed Crossbill in puddle 5 ft in front of photographers!

Crossbills were in Trees above but white sky didn't help pictures .

But A Ticks a Tick ! 2

While watching Crossbills a Goshawk buzzed overhead then as I left 2 Sparrowhawk appeared over woods .

After walking down towards Parkend Train Station saw I think a Willow Tit ! 

On getting home checked sound it was making i think it is, another first ! 3 

             Headed back towards Nags head and to van. On Way home went to Fancy Viewpoint just a reckie almost dark so nothing about. Parking everywhere in Forest a definite return soon ! 

Weather: Grey Skies - no light :( 

Other Species: Coal Tit, Willow Tit or Marsh, Nuthatch, Mandarin Duck, Crossbill, Goshawk, Buzzard, Mistle Thrush, Siskin, Sparrowhawk & Lots of Great & Blue Tits.

Plus everything else I missed !

The Adventures of Portland Bill (not to be confused with the 1983 tv show !)

Date: 21 + 22/09/2014

Location: RSPB-Lodmoor, Wyke Regis, Portland Bill 

Observation: Left home in Bath at 2pm for Weymouth, got to Lodmoor around 4ish. Spotted 2 of the long staying Spoonbill almost straight away with Ruff & Black Tailed Godwit close to the bank a few photos.

Black Tailed Godwit @ Lodmoor

 Then of to Swallows Rest Campsite, great place for birds with Ferrybridge a 20 minute walk along coast and a few large fields as our view from van. Did a few nighttime, Long shutter shots of MilkyWay then to sleep for early start !

Yellow Wagtails at least 15 !

At 7.30 on opening door a flock of around 15+ Yellow Wagtails (A Citrine Wagtail also seen, no pic :( . 20+ Meadow Pipits were there to say good morning! After poached egg headed to Portland Bill for the main event! Started at Reforne road, by church headed towards SW Coastal Path, Kestrels were the first spot with amazing close up views.

Giving me Evil's !

Meadows Pipits and Barn Swallows Over head, and on ground.

4/5 Stonechats but Not much else till East Wears by Prison with Peregrines on kills and in air ! 

Breakfast for Peregrines !

Then while looking what we thought was Kestrel at a distance, as it came towards us binoculars focused to reveal a Goshawk with Ravens in close chase, bird flew north towards Ferrybridge.

Lauren's Pic I was on binoculars !

Look at me !

With more Kestrel's as we walked on with Wheatears posing at every rock ! As we approached the Bill we saw a Grey Seal bobbing around diving for about 5 mins then bobbed some more! Nice !

Grey Seal Video!

After chips and coffee a Clouded Yellow and Wall Butterflies kept us company up the strip fields. Then by Coastguard obs a friendly Stonechat posed for a few shots with Kestrel's hovering above us all afternoon.

Blackberry Stonechat

We left Portland and dropped in to Lodmoor on way home, Spoonbills still there with Ruff, Dunlin, Lapwing and Starlings looking good in the golden sunshine. 

All in all a great trip !!  

Weather: Warm some blue skies & sunshine

Other Species: Linnet, Yellow Wagtail, Greater Black Back Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Wheatear, Rock Pipit, Meadow Pipit, Stonechat, Goshawk, Kestrel, Buzzard, Spoonbill, Dunlin, Black Tailed Godwits, Willow Warbler, Peregrine Falcon, Shag, Ruff, Lapwing, Cetti's Warblers, Blackcap - Of Note .

 Raven giving it the Beans !

 Kestrel's Everywhere on Bill

 Another flight shot 

 Last The Ruff @ Lodmoor.

 Thanks for looking, now comment !!!