Soil Hilll

 The forecast was for a pleasant day on Soil Hill for my final visit of the autumn, but unfortunately, the wind direction (easterly) did not forecast much migration. And so it transpired, with only a small number of Meadow Pipits and finches moving throughout the morning. However, this disappointment was offset by a couple of standout species, including a surprise patch tick.

  The species in question was the Ring-necked Parakeet! When I scanned the horizon, I picked out the two birds rather distantly heading south down the Ogden valley. I managed to grab a few record shots, but they quickly passed behind the hill as they continued on their journey. Last year, I had heard this species whilst on Ned Hill Track, but had eventually dismissed the calls as coming from the captive parrots at the end of that lane. It was only once I got home and read BS blog, where he had recalled his morning at Ogden seeing two Ring-necked Parakeets, that I realised I had been a fool and had almost certainly dismissed a patch tick. Fortunately, this memory can now be looked back on as a quirky tale, and not as a missed opportunity. 

  Despite the patch tick, the highlight of the morning has to be the Great Egret that I had circling over Ogden before heading north. The change in abundance of this species within this area over the last 10 years has been astonishing, and if I were to stay a full autumn on Soil Hill, I would almost expect to see one. Still, this is only my second record after a bird last year that also headed north. 

  And finally the morning was nicely rounded out by a large flock of 241 Pink-footed Geese heading southeast over Halifax. An enjoyable morning to remember as I return to Paris for the next month, missing out on the best month of the year for birding! 

-Great Egret

-Ring-necked Parakeet

-Pink-footed Geese

Spurn Week 16

On the 7^th December the Yellowlegs departed, on the day that I decided to have another look at it. Still, my checking of the areas numerous wetlands did provide me with a number of goodies; a tame female Snow Bunting was nice, as were the two Scaup still in residence on Kilnsea Wetlands. Just the sheer number of wildfowl was also nice, including well over 100 Brent Geese. A Jack Snipe was also a bonus.

-Snow Bunting

On the 8^th I headed down for a weekend away in London with Dan. Whilst the birding down there was obviously limited we did have a good time in the parks. Hand feeding the Squirrels, Robins and Parakeets were great fun. We also recorded the ringed Black-headed Gulls and Coots, as well as any other ringed species we saw. The beauty of the parks is being able to get so close to many species, things like Grey Herons which are often wary were nearly feeding from our hands.

-Grey Squirrel

-Ring-necked Parakeet

I did not get back until late on the 11^th and the 12^th was mainly spent sorting out all the bits and pieces I had missed whilst I was away.

Species List:

Spurn Bird Observatory: Wigeon, Teal, Mallard, Shoveler, Pintail, Scaup, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Brent Goose, Barnacle Goose, Greylag Goose, Moorhen, Coot, Little Egret, Pheasant, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Gannet, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Golden Plover, Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, Lapwing, Knot, Dunlin, Turnstone, Redshank, Bar-tailed Godwit, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Common Snipe, Jack Snipe, , Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Feral Pigeon, Woodpigeon, Collard Dove, Tawny Owl, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Redwing, Song Thrush, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, , House Sparrow, Tree Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Siskin, Linnet, Lesser Redpoll, Reed Bunting, Snow Bunting,

London: Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Egyptian Goose, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye, Mallard, Teal, Wigeon, Gadwall, Cormorant, Great Crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Coot, Moorhen, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Feral Pigeon, Woodpigeon, Ring-necked Parakeet, Robin, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, 

Kent - Triple Lifer Day

Of course, as soon as I could I made my move for the Oriental Turtle Dove in Kent. It was only right, given its a species I have long wanted to see, seemed predictable in its pattern and was particularly expensive to get to (Less than £50 for a journey into Kent is not bad). Its my first ever visit into the south-east so that alone was something I was excited about. I was very excited for the whole thing in fact.

I set off from my house at 01.00 to get a taxi to Meadowhall to get my coach into London. Once in London I made the short walk from the coach station to Victoria train station where I got a half an hour train to Otford where the dove was residing. I was on site by half 6 in the morning, the earliest I could have realistically been. I swear I only got about two hours kip on the coach, and I did have fears for how my body would hold up, but fortunately I was fine until the train back to London in the evening.

In the three hour morning wait the Dove showed for a grand total of 5 seconds at 7.30. Super looking bird and well worth the trip down, but sadly a little brief. It spent all its time in the garden feeding out of sight. I was obviously a little disappointed at its showing but I knew I was coming back later in the day and fancied my chances then. Plus I'd seen it, and there are plenty of birders who have not. Also on site were a couple of Ring-necked Parakeets, and commoner garden species. 

-Oriental Turtle Dove

It was also great to meet a few of the Norfolk NGB's there, who arrived just in time to see the bird. In total we managed to clock up just over 30 species for the site during the time there.

When it became apparent that the bird was not going to show again I made my move. I had decided to get the train down to Tonbridge and walk along the river, as a couple of European Turtle Doves had been seen there over the last couple of days, and as my biggest tarts tick I felt this needed attention. From Tonbridge, once I connected (or not) with any doves I had planned to go to a country park near Maidenhead for Nightingale but when I suddenly learnt that would take an absurd amount of time I decided instead to walk from Tonbridge to Paddock Wood train station along the river Medway, before getting the train back to Otford for the evening.

Once I gathered my bearings in Tonbridge I was soon out into the countryside along the river. I quickly picked up my first Swift of the year, followed by both Sedge and Reed Warbler. Oddly I also had my first Robin and Great Tit fledglings of the year, showing just how much faster things really do move down south.

The river walk was lovely. I was surrounded by singing Whitethroat, Yellowhammer, Wren, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Willow Warbler, Sedge Warbler and Cuckoo, although I failed to see the later species. I was also serenaded by Turtle Dove. I was strolling along and suddenly I picked up on the purring sound coming from the trees across the river. However it stopped too quickly and I lost any location I had on it. It took it 20 mins or so to start again but by then I had already picked it up in the top tree, badly backed against the light and rather distant. Through the scope the views were fantastic but I sadly failed to get that with the camera.

Its so sad to think this is my first ever Turtle Dove, but I guess thats a sign of the times. Its such a smart bird it really is so sad whats happened to them. But I finally connected with one and got to spend a good hour watching it chill in the top of the tree. Given the poor conditions I only included a couple of my record shots, no point using up data.

Double Turtle Dove lifer day...

-European Turtle Dove

The weather was on point today, with glorious sunshine and barely any wind. It was lovely. There were plenty of butterflies on the wing, including Holly Blue, Speckled Wood, Orange Tip and Peacock.

Continuing along the walk I had a bird whizz over my head. It only took a short view to realise it was in fact a Hobby, my first of the year and very exciting too. It circled a couple of times over the field allowing me to get a few nice record shots of what was probably my best unexpected species of the day looking back. A really nice surprise.

-Hobby

I had looked on the Kent Bird Club sightings page before I left and found a few bits and pieces on an old gravel pits near paddock wood at the end of my walk, so I decided to call in there. A few Nightingales were reported there and since I had now ruled out going to Maidenhead it seemed like my best chance of seeing one. The site was really smart, although there were fewer waterbirds than I imagined for the quality of the site. However, the bushes were full song and it did not take long for me to pick out a Nightingale. I headed over to where it had called from and somehow managed to miss it, only spotting its bright red rump flying away from me. However, with some persistence I did manage to get a shot of it sat out in the almost open. Lifer number three. Whilst I waited I also got another yeartick when two Common Tern flew overhead.

-Common Tern

-Nightingale

Although the bird itself proved elusive during my hour trying to get a photo of it, it kept singing the whole time and that song was beautiful, really pleasant to listen to. 

I had not quite realised but the walk between the stations was well over 10km, and with carring the tripod on my shoulder, wearing two jackets as it was cold when I set off and all my gear in my backpack, I was more than a little exhausted when I stumbled into the station. Still, I got half an hours sit down as I made my way back to Otford. On the way I recieved a notification informing me of the bird showing again.

And when I arrived on site it was doing just that, siting out fairly well in an area we could get much closer to it than before. The only downside was the light was against us but that was only an issue for photographers. For me, a good record shot is all I ask and I definately got that. Through the scope I got fantastic views of the bird preening as well as moving round. All in all I got everything I wanted. What a superb bird.

-Oriental Turtle Dove

The Parakeets also kept appearing, with one bird sitting out in the open so much it would have been rude not to take a photo...

-Ring-necked Parakeet

My coach back left London at half 8, so I left the Dove at 19.00 to make sure I was there in good time. By that time the bird had dropped back into the garden and with the light continuing to fade there really was not worth staying for.

I arrived back home in Sheffield at 00.30, by the completely exhausted but so thrilled about an incredible days birding, possibly one of the best I have ever had. Three lifers, year-ticks galore and a host of other awesome birds, more than I could have dreamed of at the start of the day.

Species List:

Otford: Robin, Kestrel, Blackbird, Starling, Oriental Turtle Dove, Feral Pigeon, Ring-necked Parakeet, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Chaffinch, Woodpigeon. Goldfinch, Dunnock, Greylag Goose, Herring Gull, Jay, Collard Dove, Grey Heron, Wren, Sparrowhawk, Pied Wagtail, Jackdaw, Greenfinch, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Common Buzzard, Stock Dove, House Sparrow, Long-tailed Tit, Mallard,
Tonbridge: Swift, Grey Wagtail, Feral Pigeon, Woodpigeon, Goldfinch, Sedge Warbler, Blackbird, Herring Gull, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Collard Dove, Mallard, Magpie, Long-tailed Tit, Robin, Whitethroat, Reed Warbler, Song Thrush, Blackcap, Yellowhammer, Linnet, Chaffinch, Dunnock, Wren, Swallow, Pied Wagtail, Stock Dove, Turtle Dove, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Herring Gull, Common Buzzard, Starling, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Bullfinch, Hobby, Skylark, Nightingale, Common Tern, Moorhen, Coot, Great-crested Grebe, Tufted Duck, Mute Swan, Wheatear,

Bradshaw

Last night when it was fairly late evening I received a text from Brian about a Ring-necked Parakeet in Bradshaw. Not long after and I was off to hopefully track the bird down but alas I failed, the bird presumably gone off to roost.

I considered that to be that really and when I went down for a look this morning I did not expect it to still be there, and after 10mins wait in a fairly chilly breeze my expectations had not increase. I was at the point of leaving when, to my relief, I heard the bird call and the picked it up in one of the trees behind the four-seasons flats.

It was initially distant but soon came closer, allowing a chance at some photos of this local rarity. It was tragic in a way, as the bird was quickly drawn to its reflection in one of the windows, which it obviously presumed was another of its species given the way it tried to interact with it. For a social species to be on its own like this must be difficult, despite the presence of a good food supply.

I got to watch it for about half an hour before it moved out of sight behind some trees, although it will be back there during the day I am sure. Congrats to John Little for finding this local Mega, what a superb bird.

-Ring-necked Parakeet

Species List:

Bradshaw: House Sparrow, Collard Dove, Starling, Goldfinch, Ring-necked Parakeet, Linnet, Woodpigeon, Blackbird, Jackdaw, Woodpigeon, Carrion Crow, Canada Goose, Chaffinch, 

Saltholme RSPB and Hartlepool

So today I decided to take a short break from my patch at Soil Hill and go on a little adventure to the North-East to see if I could put to bed the demons of Penduline Tit and green-winged teal. Being in Halifax the public transport options are more limited but in the end I only lost an hour from Sheffield and I arrived at Saltholme RSPB at around quarter to eleven.

Within minuets of getting off the bus I had eyes on the Penduline Tits. They were distant but the sun was out and in the light they looked really smart. They would be up feeding on the Bull-rushes for about 10 minuets before they would drop for another 10 and then repeat. They showed really well when they were up though, if a little distant. I tried to get some decent photos but the distance made it difficult, still I managed some nice record shots...

-Penduline Tits

I was thrilled to have got them on the list having dipped them on their first day. Given their pattern of showing I decided to move on after an hour of watching them. I headed into the reserve in the hope of finally seeing a green-winged teal. I can safely say now that green-winged teal is my bogey bird, as once again I did not see it. This is the fifth time I have dipped this species...

I did however see plenty of common teal, including a large group of males which were displaying, something I can't remember seeing before and was really nice to watch. I also saw the female Smew again and had year-ticks of Black-tailed Godwit. The Smew was badly against the light so I was unable to get any decent photos. There was a nice Little Egret from the wildlife watchpoint though which I grabbed a couple of photos of to compensate.

-Smew

-Little Egret

By half 2 I decided to call it time on my hunt for the teal, which was not reported all day, and get on with my day. I got the bus off the reserve at half 2 and headed up to Hartlepool. The next stop for me was Ward Jackson Park to have a look at Hartlepool's resident population of Ring-necked Parakeets. I have no shame in this, its a species I have not really had the chance to photograph and have hardly seen at all to be fair.

As soon as I arrived at the park I could hear some calling but it took a while to pin them down, and then again to find one that was in a suitable position for a photo. When I eventually got a few in a photogenic position thought they were very obliging, and I was able to get a few nice photos in the late afternoon light.

-Ring-necked Parakeet

There were not many other birds in the park, but there was a very tame Gadwall on the pond, that was willingly coming to bread with the mallards. I had to suspect its origin but could see nothing so would have to assume that it is a wild bird that has become familiar with people. Either way it meant I could get some nice shots of it...

-Gadwall

By four I had wrapped up in the park. I could have gone home then but decided to endure the long trek to the headland to see the Shore Larks again. It was some walk there and by the time I arrived I never wanted to walk again.

The larks took some finding but this time I was able to pick them up on the deck rather than flushing them as before. They were more distant this time and I did not try to get too close. The light was much better this time, and in the early evening they looked fantastic. I mean they are Shore Larks, so they look fantastic anyway but when the conditions are right they really look the business. 

-Shore Lark

By the time I left the larks the sun was well on its way to setting. What a fantastic days birding, with a lifer and a host of other goodies. And all by public transport. All very nice indeed.

Species List:

Traveling: Common Buzzard, Jay, Little Owl, Grey Partridge, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Blackbird, Feral Pigeon, Herring Gull, Black-headed Gull, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Collard Dove, Red-legged Partridge, Pheasant, Skylark, Kestrel, Rook, Starling, Chaffinch, Jackdaw,

Saltholme RSPB: Penduline Tit, Smew, Blue Tit, Reed Bunting, Tree Sparrow, Wren, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Wigeon, Teal, Pochard, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Moorhen, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Little Egret, Great-crested Grebe, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Redshank, Meadow Pipit, Coot, Little Grebe, Shoveler, Shelduck, Lapwing, Gadwall, Common Snipe, Curlew, Pintail, Oystercatcher, Black-tailed Godwit, Greylag Goose, Stock Dove, Barnacle Goose, Chaffinch, Lesser Black-backed Gull,

Ward Jackson Park: Magpie, Treecreeper, Gadwall, Mallard, Moorhen, Coot, Tufted Duck, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Chaffinch, Ring-necked Parakeet, Woodpigeon, Carrion Crow, Feral Pigeon, Herring Gull

Hartlepool Headland: Skylark, Shore Lark, Meadow Pipit, Ringed Plover, Oystercatcher, Carrion Crow, Herring Gull, Sparrowhawk, Woodpigeon, Feral Pigeon, Magpie

day 3 of london holiday 7 april

marsh frogs-very big

snipe-sat right infront of the hide

redhsank

tufted duck

sand martins

egyptian geese

dabchick

great crested grebe

ring necked parakeet

willow warbler

got half way through the day without event. howver i underestimated what my evil camera could do. even though i spent £20 on a memory card, half way through the day for no reason whatsever the lense broke. £150 worth of equipment refused to work.

what i saw today at the london wetland ceter was

4 dabchick

3 great crested grebe

5 cormorant

6 grey heron (in a line)

5 mute swan

9 greylag goose

15 canada goose

2 egyptian geese

50 mallard

4 gadwall

10 shoveler

1 wigeon

13 pochards

54 tufted ducks

1 kestrel

100 moorhen

100 coot

13 lapwings

7 redshank

1 snipe

23 herring

1 greater black backed gull

6,000,000,000,000,00,00 woodpigeons

7 ring necked parakeets

100 sand martins

1 willow warblers

2 chiffchaff ( although probably the same bird)

1 water vole was looking for one in the area where they are supposed to be, when suddenly the warden shouted vole. we all turned round an i just saw its bum and the v shaped mark it left. techincally it was a vole but i could have been better.