Tick, Dip, Dip, Tick

Date: 
10th- 14th November

Location:
Newton St Loe, Forest of Dean, Kenfig, Mumbles, Chew Valley.

Weather: 
Drizzle, grey skies

Species Highlights: 
Great Grey Shrike, Kittiwake, Whooper Swan,Fieldfare, Green Winged Teal.
Observation: 

On the 10th wandered out to Newton Park Whooper Swan still present, but with little else to show for my effort, but excellent that our Whooper is still present.

Monday 11th November we'd planned a trip to Forest of Dean, a few more ticks were on the cards, but overnight a Shorelark had arrived at Newton Point, NR. Porthcawl where we had such a great time the previous week, Not to change our plan we headed to Forest of Dean first for the shrike first. We spent around 2 hours searching but found it on the footpath!

It then flew towards us and perched on a high tree, so big crop but a cracking bird. News of the Shorelark were still positive so we rushed back  and drove to Newton Point....News came to us it had gone! Note to self "Lifer, must go to this bird first!!" 
Almost there we decided to drop in to Kenfig as a Slavonian Grebe was there, Nope. We then walked a fair distance to where we saw the Snow Bunting last week as a Long Tailed duck was present , nope! Walked back to van feeling cold and fed up.

Lauren needed to get something to add to here total so Kittiwake's at the Mumbles seemed our best bet, on arriving at pier, no sign of the Kittiwake but Lauren spotted then distantly floating out at sea, pheww!

Wednesday was my next outing and at a loss headed up to Marshfield, almost nothing  seen so made a loop and dropped into Corsham Lake, Goosander had been seen that morning so high hopes. No Goosander and very little else except for Fieldfare dotted around lake.

Spent a while sneaking up on them only for them to suddenly fly off, I wondered why looked behind me a dog and walker said what you doing!! "Nothing now" I replied!

I did managed a few shots against the grey and cold skies.

Then the Goosander landed but never stayed in view. A message alerted me to a Green-Winged Teal at Chew, Lauren working from home so picked here up and headed to Chew for a lifer!

Not the views I wanted, but a lifer and can always improve a record shot I suppose, while still at Chew we also saw the Yellow Legged gull another tick for Lauren.

14th Nov was Thursday and even though it was pouring down I headed out to Newton Park, Whooper Swan still present and into it 22nd day.

I'd  driven out to village and on short trip back this Sparrowhawk sped across road and perched up looking for a target. that was the end of a mixed week of high, lows, 250 miles driven and 20 miles walked. 
But with Lauren getting closer to her 200 and me exceeding not all bad, and beats working!

Wayne Year Bird List: 203
Lauren Year Bird List: 193

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Brean Down - Black Redstarts

Date: 28th November 2016

Location: Brean Down → Chew Valley Lake

Weather: Blue Sky, Sunny with Cold Wind 

Other Species: 6+ Stonechat, 2 Black Redstart, 1 Kittiwake, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Kestrel, 5+ Goldfinch, 10+ House Sparrow, Oystercatcher, Shelduck, Common Gull, Tufted Duck, 500+ Dunlin -
Of Note

Observation: A sunny day forecast so we headed down to try and photograph the Black Redstart at Brean Down. We had a quick look in the Cove, but with no sign apart from Stonechat, Dunnock, Wren and Robin's. We walked up the many steps to the Fort.

At the Fort, there was a bitter cold wind, but there weren't alot of birds there. Until a huge flock of 500+ Dunlin flew past shortly followed by a Peregrine Falcon. After a further 10 minutes of searching for the Black Redstart, there were no signs so we returned via the lower path. As we returned to the steps this Raven flew along the hill top giving us some lovely views.

Near the bottom of the steps, 1 of 3 Meadow Pipit were present scurrying around.

We tried our luck at looking back in the Cove for the Black Redstart, as we turned to return to the Van, we spotted a distant Black Redstart! Within minutes the second Female was spotted. Fairly jumpy to start with but after around 20 minutes, the Black Redstart started coming close to us in perfect light!

She even had a good clean after some rapid fly-catching.

What a bird!! Unfortunately no Male present but the 2 females were just as welcome!

We had a short stop off at Chew Valley Lake, and the Lake was in a stunning golden light.

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Bempton Cliffs and Yorkshire

Date: 25/05/2015 - 27/05/2015

Location: East Yorkshire, Bempton, Blacktoft Sands

Observation: First time to Yorkshire and Bempton Cliffs, hoping for Tree Sparrow, Gannets and Puffins! 

We got to Bempton around 8am and on getting out van there were Tree Sparrows in car park !! 

             Only walked about 10ft !

Arriving at cliff edge the sound and slight smell reaches you with Gannets sat on cliff tops and flying past.

Kittiwake's screeching Guillemots and Puffin's groaning! 

Superb place Birds everywhere.

 Beak on this one !

+ Fulmars cruising past, Great Bird !

Quite a few Gannets, Kittiwake's, Puffins were either sat on nests or building.

Seen at least 20 Puffins excellent little chaps and lasses !

And there were things we didn't expect to see like.... I'll call him the Bempton Barnie, seen the owl numerous times flying right in front RSPB visitors center and across the footpaths at midday !

RSPB Bempton Visitors Center and Barnie 

 This Skylark who didn't seem to care as we were stood 10 foot from him !

 Then this we watched a Peregrine Falcon a number of times hunting the cliff faces.

While following him a Rock Dove flew past us in panic as the Falcon was in hot pursuit then smashed into the poor Rock Dove!

  The Rock Dove ended up the Falcon breakfast !! Amazing to Watch !! 

On way home dropped in to Blacktoft RSPB reports of the Montague's Harrier and Weasel my year challenge to get a photo of one. Failed but did see a Weasel cross path in front of us!

And this stunning Yellow Wagtail.

Marsh Harrier a plenty there, we spotted 6. Also nesting noisy Avocets with chicks. 

Would recommend East Yorkshire, Bempton is a must 

We will end on another Puffin from Bempton Cliffs to end a fantastic trip with my birding buddy Lauren check her Flickr Out !

Weather: 3 days Cloudy with Blue Skies at times - Temperature average 12 - 17c

Other Species: 
Bempton: Puffin, Gannet, Kittiwake, Fulmar, Barn Owl, Kestrel, Guillemot, Razorbill, Tree Sparrow, House Sparrow, Meadow Pipit, Rock Pipit, Whitethroat, Yellowhammer, Skylark, Peregrine Falcon, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Swift, Jackdaw, Crow, Corn Bunting, Herring Gull
Blacktoft:  Stove Dove, Black-Headed Gull, Yellow Wagtail, Marsh Harrier, Avocet

Other: Grey Seal, Wood Mouse

Thanks For Reading 

Cheers For Now :)

Little Terns @ Ferrybridge!

Date: 9th June - All Day

Location:  Portland Bill - Ferrybridge

Observation:  We parked at Reforne and started walking part of the South West coastal Path at 9am. It started off with a bit of rain and alot of white cloud, a singing Whitethroat started our walk and a few fly-past aswell as some nesting Fulmars passing the cliffs. Just before Blacknor Bridge (which is closed due to a landslip) we seen a Fox down near the bottom of the cliff, with Jackdaws swooping at it, trying to defend there nests. Moving on, we seen a Kestrel hovering over the path, which kept moving down when we got closer. On the whole of the walk there were Skylarks singing and Pipit sp. everywhere! Mostly Meadow Pipit's and a few Rock Pipits (close to the lighthouse). Apart from plenty of gulls we didn't really see much else, down by the M.O.D there were alot of Gulliemot's and Kittiwake's on the cliffs nesting, with alot of the Guillemots and some Razorbills (possibly juvenile) taking off flying around in a circle and landing on the cliffs again, maybe practicing to fly? Now down to Pulpit Rock, there was a fledgling Rock Pipit calling but was staying away from trouble high on a rock. We had some lunch and had a look out to sea, nothing really flew past apart from a few Shag's. The weather from now onwards got very warm and sunny! A few calling Raven's a one very photogenic Raven was the first for the way back, and apart from plenty of Pipit's and gulls nothing really added to the species list for the walk. Almost back to the van and a Kestrel came and hovered above us, no higher than 5 feet above us, but now of course too close for pictures! (Always the way!) Before we packed up and drove home we stopped at Ferrybridge and walked along Chesil Beach to see the Little Tern nesting.  We weren't disappointed, plenty of them fishing close to the shore and flying over with fish , also very protective and fending off ALL gulls that pass anywhere near them or their nest!  Driving home just past Yeovil there was a Red Kite searching the fields, which was a nice surprise! Although no rare birds (apart from the Little Tern's of course!) it was a lovely few days in the sun!

Weather:  Sunny, Warm, Blue Sky, Broken Cloud

Other Species: Crow, Jackdaw, Rook, Raven, Buzzard, Kestrel, Rock Pipit, Meadow Pipit, Skylark, Guillemot, Fulmar, Kittiwake, Razorbill, Shag, Greater Black-Backed Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-Backed Gull, Linnet, Stonechat, House Sparrow, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Swift, Little Tern, Sandwich Tern, Common Tern, Red Kite

Butterflies:   Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Large Skipper, Common Blue, Six-Spot Burnet 

Dipper + Kittiwake !

Date: 10th February - All Day

Location: Wookey Hole - Burnham-On-Sea -  Chew Valley Lake

Observation: Stopeed off at Wookey Hole on way down to Burnham-On-Sea, stopped in the car park, seen Dipper flew down stream which late flew back up, calling and feeding, first new bird of the day! Moved onto Apex Lake + Burnham, just the normal suspects about. On the estuary, seen 5+ Redshank and a small group of Turnstone, also 200+ Starling flying over towards Steart. Popped into Chew Valley on the way home, luckily we did! After 10 minutes of being there we spotted a 'gull' within 10 foot of us, on closer looks, we noticed the black flash on its head, and when it stood up black legs, this stumped us! Watching it for a while, was obvious that was exhausted, but would fly very short distances when cars arrived to try and get food, it did manage to grab a big of bread, so should be better in no time! After positive ID from Rich Andrews, this proved to be adult Kittiwake in winter plumage, very nice and second new bird of the day, hopefully will be off flying soon!

Weather: Heavy Showers, Sunny Intervals, Warm

Other Species: 1 Dipper, 5+ Redshank, 10 Turnstone, 50+ Black-Headed Gull, Herring Gull, 3 Great-Crested Grebe, 2 Cormorant, 7 Greylag Geese, 11 Mute Swan, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Pied Wagtail, 1 Kittiwake, 200+ Starling, 8 Shelduck, 6 Redwing