Soil Hill & Whiteholme; Week 16th August - 22nd August

Soil Hill

Although I have thoroughly enjoyed my time birding on Soil Hill this year, it has never felt like it ever reached the heights of last year. Although there has been some nice birds, nothing has stood out and there have been precious few days when the Hill itself seems to have been alive with birds and potential, as enjoyable as it has been.

This week however, the Hill has really felt alive. Despite a difficult breeze on most days and often foggy and drizzly conditions, the birding has been exceptional, with a good scattering of migrant species almost every day.

To kick start the week I flushed two Grasshopper Warblers out of the long grass at the bottom of the North Slope on the 16^th. These same birds were flushed every other day subsequently and on the 20^th they were even reeling from the brambles. Also on the 16^th were three juvenile Bullfinch along Ned Hill Track, but they did not linger during the week.

On the 18^th while trying to spot a calling Coal Tit in the garden on Taylor Lane, an immature Common Restart jumped out onto one of the conifers, sat for a few seconds and then dived back in. A subsequent search only got me another brief view in half an hour, so I called it a write off and went to check the rest of the site. On my way back I had another look and finally spotted the frequenting a small area of the garden where it would occasionally dive out of cover onto the lawn before returning. The message on the grapevine brought JJL up from Bradshaw and together we watched the bird feeding. Whilst we watched a Red Kite drifted over us heading west, which was a real surprise given the windy conditions. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was also calling in the same area but I could not spot it.

The following day on the 19^th, I was stunned to find that not only had the Common Redstart lingered, but it had now been joined by a second bird. When I passed at around 07:00 the two birds were frantically chasing each other round, but when I returned they had clearly drawn their lines in the sand, as each was operating from a separate end of the garden. Willow Warblers peaked for the week today, with nine, as did Wheatears with three. A pair of Collared Doves flew south over Taylor Lane, as did a Grey Wagtail, and a Sparrowhawk took out a Meadow Pipit in the field adjacent to the mast.

On the 20^th just a single Common Redstart remained and it was being rather elusive. But there was a lot of birds to get through. On Ned Hill Track I had a Tree Pipit fly north calling which is only my second here this year. At the bottom of the North Slope the aforementioned Grasshopper Warblers were attempting to reel, and in the same area was a juvenile Sedge Warbler. And then to crown it all off was a cracking juvenile Whinchat on the fence line between the reservoir and the neighboring field. As seems typical with Soil Hill Whinchats, it made rapid progress along the fence-line before flying off down into the valley, but it did spend a short time flycatching, allowing me to get a proper view of it.

In summary, a fantastic week for Soil Hill! 

-Common Redstart

-Red Kite

-Whinchat

Whiteholme Reservoir

I made two visits to Whiteholme this week. The first on the 17^th was a write off due to poor weather conditions but the second on the 19^th was much more productive. As I was arriving AT was leaving and he commented that there was a wader on the centre ‘island’ but it was too difficult without a scope. Since I had my scope with me we has a check and spotted an absolutely stunning adult summer plumage Grey Plover. This is my second here this year, but the vastly improved weather meant that I could actually take time to enjoy this bird, rather than get frustrating glimpses through the fog. In the end it stayed present, feeding away for the hour that I was present. 

-Grey Plover

Species List:
Soil Hill: Canada Goose, Mallard, Common Pheasant, Red-legged Partridge, Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Common Wood Pigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Common Swift, Common Moorhen, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, European Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Grey Heron, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Red Kite, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Common Kestrel, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Coal Tit, Eurasian Blue Tit, Great Tit, Eurasian Skylark, Sedge Warbler, Common Grasshopper Warbler, Barn Swallow, Willow Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Mistle Thrush, Common Blackbird, European Robin, Common Redstart, Northern Wheatear, Whinchat, Dunnock, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Tree Pipit, Common Chaffinch, Eurasian Bullfinch, Common Linnet, European Goldfinch, Common Reed Bunting,
Whiteholme Reservoir: Common Goldeneye, Red Grouse, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Grey Plover, Common Ringed Plover, Common Redshank, Eurasian Curlew, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Carrion Crow, Barn Swallow, Northern Wheatear, Meadow Pipit,

Whitehaven & St Bees

Whilst working in Cumbria I have had a little more time to head out birding. I visited RSPB st Bees a couple of times and also been around Whitehaven Harbour. Bird wise there was nothing particularly out of the ordinary, although a Spotted Flycatcher in the sycamores around the farmhouse was very nice. There are also a few Stonechats as well as a single Wheatear. As for the harbour, there was a limited array of species but some Rock Pipit were nice, as was a small group of Redshanks. At both locations we found hybrid Hooded x Carrion Crows. 

-Carrion Crow x Hooded Crow

-Redshank

-Meadow Pipit

-Stonechat

Species List:

RSPB St Bees: Common Scoter, Common Pheasant, Grey Partridge, Rock Dove, Common Woodpigeon, Black-headed Gull, European Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Red-throated Diver, Northern Fulmar, Great Cormorant, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Peregrine Falcon, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Raven, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Barn Swallow, Chiffchaff, Whitethroat, Wren, Common Starling, Blackbird, Robin, Stonechat, Wheatear, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Grey Wagtail, White Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Rock Pipit, Common Linnet, Goldfinch, Yellowhammer,

Whitehaven Harbour: Mute Swan, Rock Dove, Common Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Oystercatcher, Redshank, Common Guillemot, Black-headed Gull, European Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Great Cormorant, Magpie, Jackdaw, Starling, Robin, Rock Pipit,

Spurn Week 20

My final week at Spurn for this current term! Unbelievable to think how fast the last 20 weeks have gone, but here we are at the end. Next stop, India!

My last week could have been slow and birdless but that was simply not the case. Ringing has been steady with a few passerines caught when the wind has dropped sufficiently to get the nets open. We also had another wader ringing session on the 5^th, where we caught a few Redshank, Knot and a single Dunlin. Earlier in the afternoon we went out to try and drop a net on a Jack Snipe. Since we had no idea if the snipe was even going to be there I had my doubts, and when all the Common Snipe got up before we were even close I really began to question the method. We had just put the net down and was wandering round straightening it up when out of the grass beneath my feet out pop a Jack Snipe, straight into the net. Outstanding. What a stunning little bird.

-Jack Snipe

-Redshank

-Dunlin

Given its mid-winter the prospects of anything unusual were fairly low. On the 4^th a Waxwing was seen in Easington and I went up with Paul to have a gander. Waxwings are obviously stunning birds and this one showed rather nicely feeding on Juniper berries  in one of the gardens. Since we were already in the area we decided to have another look at the Rose-coloured Starling. We saw it, and that’s all there is to say on the matter really.

On the 5^th we had a great surprise when a Green-winged Teal was found on wetlands. Sadly it quickly moved out to sea where I was able to get brief but satisfactory views. This is my most dipped species, so to finally see one provides something of a relief. My first lifer of 2018, what else is to come?

Species List:

Spurn Bird Observatory: Wigeon, Teal, Green-winged Teal, Mallard, Shoveler, Pintail, Pochard, 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, Mediterranean Gull, 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, Waxwing, Starling, Rose-coloured Starling, House Sparrow, Tree Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Siskin, Linnet, Lesser Redpoll, Reed Bunting, Snow Bunting,

Soil Hill

23.03.2016

I was beginning to wonder where my additional points for Patchwork were going to come from, yet somehow managed to accumulate four more points from four species up on Soil Hill today...

First of all was not just a point, but a full blown patch tick, my 80th species up on Soil Hill in my 9 years of birding there. I was just photographing a distant Greylag Goose when I could have sworn I heard a Redshank somewhere. I scanned around me but could not pick it up, but it called again. Realising I had a patch tick on my hands but could not see it was infuriating to say the least. More infuriating perhaps was that I would be able to count it for PWC on call, yet it wouldn't actually be on my patch list...

My fears were put to rest when the bird dropped from the sky and landed on the largest pool in the center of the track and proceeded to feed there. It lingered for about 5 minuets before heading off NE. What a start to the walk.

-Redshank

The next points came from a similar source. I could hear an Oystercatcher calling somewhere down in the valley but I could not for the life of me pick it up. It took a few minuets but I eventually managed to get the 3 Oystercatchers coming south. They then turned, flew straight over me and then off Eastwards. That was another nice addition, and only the second time I have seen the species on the hill.

-Oystercatcher

The other two year-ticks were a Solitary Grey Partridge which gave me quite a fright when I spooked it and a single flyover Linnet, which is remarkable given then are usually fairly abundant on patch. Todays new birds put me on a nice 47 points from 43 species. Not bad going given I've probably clocked only around 2 weeks worth of visits over the course of the year.

Species List:

Soil Hill: Blackbird, Goldfinch, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Dunnock, Wren, Robin, Kestrel, Starling, Redshank, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeon, Grey Heron, Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Jackdaw, Grey Partridge, Linnet, Pied Wagtail, Herring Gull, Feral Pigeon, 

24.03.2016

Conditions took something of a turn for the worse today, with the wind speed picking up and the rain falling down. I went up yonder hill late morning in the hope that a migrant or something might have been forced down but if there were any then they were taking shelter.

One additional point from the hill was a nice Goldcrest down in the dell on the western side, another one pointer for PWC. 

Species List:

Soil Hill: Meadow Pipit, Carrion Crow, Skylark, Kestrel, Starling, Lapwing, Herring Gull, Goldcrest, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Jackdaw, 

25.03.2016

A bright but breezy morning, so spent a couple of hours up on the hill. I gathered a good species list but little of any real note. Up to four Kestrels and a Sparrowhawk were nice for the raptors. I flushed a Grey Partridge again and had 2 cock Pheasants. There was a flock of 10 Fieldfare in the fields just down from the hill too, presumably they will now be thinking of making their way back.

The main plus for the day was a patch tick, although its so long overdue I can hardly get excited about it. A Cormorant flew past the hill. The birds frequently move in and out of Ogden so how its taken me this long to spot one is beyond me. 

-Cormorant

Species List:
Soil Hill: Linnet, Chaffinch, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Robin, Dunnock, Blackbird, Woodpigeon, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Curlew, Lapwing, Herring Gull, Kestrel, Feral Pigeon, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Starling, Sparrowhawk, Cormorant, Jackdaw, Grey Heron, Pheasant, Grey Partridge, Pied Wagtail, Fieldfare, Moorhen, Mallard,

29.03.2016
It was a bleak day today, but a marked improvement on the last couple days which I missed. That being said the birds were a little thin on the ground, possibly as a result of the snowfall keeping things in shelter. Once more there were no migrants around. The best of the birds today was a small flock of Golden Plover, 7 birds, which flew south at some distance away. No additional points for patchwork today unfortunately

-Golden Plover

Species List:

Soil Hill: Carrion Crow, Magpie, Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch, Blackbird, Skylark, Moorhen, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Wren, Common Gull, Kestrel, Grey Heron, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeon

New Brighton

I decided to go straight for the laughing gull the day after the news broke. I was confident I would not see it, and so it turned out, as the bird was there 20 mins before I arrived and then turned up an hour after I left but not through the 4 hours that I was there.

Having said that, I had a fantastic days birding mainly due to a rather impressive wader roost on the pontoons. I say impressive, but I have never seen one on a man made structure, and never this close. There was also an impressive diversity within the roost. At first glance it looked to be made up of Redshanks and Turnstones. There was a rather distinct pale Sanderling right at the front which stood out like a sore thumb. Next birds I spotted were a group of my favourite none snipe waders, Purple Sandpipers. Having not had a good view of this species for so long I was thrilled to be able to see these right down in front of me. I was even able to get some reasonable photos though they did spend most of their time asleep. Filtering through the masses I picked out another wader species, in a lovely Knot. When it was asleep (Most of the time) it was difficult to separate from the Redshanks, but one it looked up it stoop out rather nicely. But the flock still had another species. The final species was a Dunlin which must have steadily made its way to the front of the pack before I noticed it. It was great to see so many species all in the same space and all so close.

-Wader Roost

-Knot and Sanderling

-Dunlin

-Purple Sandpipers

And it was not a complete loss for gulls either, as there was a stunning adult Mediterranean Gull around, which flew right over the heads of the massed twitchers, its white wings looking smashing in the sunshine. I only managed a couple of shots as I spent most of its appearances admiring the beauty of the wings. It really was a smashing bird.

-Mediterranean Gull

So no laughing gull, but since it seems to have stuck I may give it another go at some point. I had a fantastic days birding. And on the way back I even spotted a fox sunbathing on the rail banking. What a great day!

Species List:

New Brighton: Feral Pigeon, Pied Wagtail, Sanderling, Turnstone, Redshank, Cormorant, Mediterranean Gull, Carrion Crow, Purple Sandpiper, Knot, Black-Headed Gull, Dunlin, Common Gull, Oystercatcher, Starling, Greater Black-Backed Gull, Magpie, Woodpigeon, Collard Dove,

Spurn Day 54

Having wandered down the point yesterday I was unsure of what to do with myself for today. It was due to rain all morning, so I was tasked with cleaning the Warren which I took to with relish. I have to say the Warren has never looked so clean and tidy!

After I was finished I headed over to canal scrape to have a look since it was not far. There were odd bits and pieces including the Redshank with only half a leg. There were a couple of snipe, but you only really saw them when they flushed. As for none water birds, there were a couple of Willow Warblers and a pair of Whinchat on the fence line at the back. On Redshank, not the limpy one, came and landed very close to the hide, so I decided to grab a few photos.

-Redshank

The weather continued to be quite grey so I decided to return. On the way back I called in on Paul and Tim who were ringing. They had caught a Meadow Pipit (They had caught a few but were dealing with one when I arrived). I got to take a few pictures of this bird that is subtly very beautiful.

-Meadow Pipit

when up close. I was then offered the chance to release it which was a fantastic experience.

The final tern task was to be complete in the afternoon, the removal of the gear from the beach. So that’s where I headed after lunch. It only took an hour, but it was hard going. In the end though we cleared it all and left the hut for another year.

While up there I had a look at the ponds but there was not much going on there, though there was a Little Grebe, which is a nice record, if not rare but not common. I arrived back at the warren absolutely finished and fell asleep until the tern count.

I may as well have stayed in bed as the count was poor and nothing else was moving. As such we called it a night early and rounded off a quiet days birding.

Species List:

Canal Scrape: Whinchat, Reed Warbler, Reed Bunting, Coot, Mallard, Redshank, Snipe, Willow Warbler, Meadow Pipit,

Seawatching: Sandwich Tern, Common Tern, Arctic Skua, Common Gull, Gannet, Fulmar,

Orgreave Lakes

Today was a day that I had intended to spend in the flat saying farewell to the last guys still around, but at 12.00 I decided that since it was such a nice day, birdwatching seemed like the only really sensible option, so off I popped to Orgreave, possibly for the last time this semester.

I arrived on site in glorious weather. I really wanted hobby today, a species I have only seen once before. I therefore spent a lot of time with eyes to the sky. My first bird was a large soaring bird that turned out to be a very large gull, so presumably Greater Black-Backed. There were also numerous swifts, again skimming the water and other hirundines in smaller numbers, though I got exception views of Sand Martin as they flew over the causeway between the lakes.

The first thing I stopped for a photo of was not a bird, but a dragonfly. When I spotted it landed I identified it as a Black-Tailed Skimmer, but then there was another, a juvenile too. I was pleased to have found these two, my first of the year, but was unable to get very close.

-Black-Tailed Skimmers

I positioned myself on the western side of the causeway to set up and see what dropped in. There were not many people about, but those that were seemed hell bent of ignoring all the signs that said 'please don't walk here, nesting birds' so that there was turned very mobile.

That being Little Ringed Plover, Redshank and Pied Wagtails. The LRP I was unable to re-located for photos, as I think it headed up the bank where I had seen one before. There was also one on the island in the center of the small lake as well, which I was able to track down. I spent some time watching the swifts, but was unable to find any hobbys among them.

The real highlight from this position was a small family of Great-Crested Grebes on the lake. There was an adult and 2 chicks, the adult was feeding the chicks and they were quite close to the bank so I was able to get some good views.

I decided to move off, but in hindsight chose a terrible time as a couple with a dog had decided to walk along the side of the lake rather than on a path. I was very tempted to make some sarcastic comment, but the confrontational side of me is very small so I unfortunately I kept quiet.

On the bird front there was a Redshank calling from the mound, where it was calling from last time too, so they probably have a nest in there. 

-Redshank

On the waterside, when I finally overtook the morons, I found a pair of ringed plover chicks, they were well grown so obviously managed to survive the perils of the site. I was able to approach them, as they did not seem to mind me watching from the bank. What they did mind was the dog, but since they were grown they had no issue in moving off and flew away to a different part of the lake.

-Juvenile Ringed Plovers

I continued round having finally got rid of the morons, but did not have many additions. Those that I had included Stock Dove and Grey Heron. 

I decided to head off after a bit. I kept my eyes on the sky and spotted a small speck in the distance, which was moving erratically and seemed to have a pale colour, but it kept moving away and when I say in the distance I mean really far away. I thought hobby, but I guess its another that just got away.

But it convinced me to stick around to see if it would come to hunt the swifts that had gathered in great numbers above. Despite my vigil and constant swift checking I was unable to find it among the birds around.

But I did find another year tick in the form of Brown Hawker which seems extremely early to me for this species. As usual with hawker dragonflies I was unable to get a photo as it started to hunt the pathway. But either way I was pleased to have found it, my first proper large dragonfly of the year.

Species List:

Orgreave Lakes: Starling, Dunnock, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Black-Headed Gull, Blackbird, Mallard, Mute Swan, Feral Pigeon, Woodpigeon, Goldfinch, Pied Wagtail, Grey Heron, Lapwing, Tufted Duck, Coot, Great-Crested Grebe, Meadow Pipit, Lesser Black-Backed Gull, Greater Black-Backed Gull, Common Redshank, Reed Bunting, Stock Dove, Skylark, House Martin, Little-Ringed Plover, Ringed Plover, Sand Martin, Willow Warbler, Swallow, Canada Goose, Graylag Goose, Swift, Common Blue, Meadow Brown, Speckled Wood, Large White, Common Blue Damselfly, Black-Tailed Skimmer, Brown Hawker 

Yorkshire Dales Day 4

Its been a while, but I will finally commence the write up of this day, one of the best days of my life. Its only a year late, but still very fresh in my mind.

So after my dad came back from his bike ride yesterday claiming to have seen black grouse this morning I was allowed to be dropped off at the same point and have a go at finding them for myself. I was dropped off on the moorland area past the fields and began my commence of trying to find a black grouse.

First bird I encountered was a lovely red grouse among the heather, looking rather fine.

-Red Grouse

I had hardly gone very far at all when the first major bird of the day showed its face in the form of a stunning male wheatear, my first of the year and looking lovely in full plumage. It seemed weird however to see it, a migrant, in the same area as snow.

-Wheatear

For some reason, even though I had only gone about 100 meters, to turn back to the road. Heaven only knows why but on the way back I spotted in the field across the road a redshank feeding on one of the over sized puddles

-Redshank

So for some reason I ended up wandering down this road back towards the farmland. I can't remember why, maybe my parents had text me telling me they had seen a black grouse down that way, I dunno, but either way I did and just as well, for I myself found a black grouse at the far side of a rather large field. The view was poor but there was no denying it.

I decided to risk trespassing and jump the gate to try and get closer, I made it quite close before the bird disappeared behind one of the many mounds in the field. Stealth would be required...

-Black grouse

I even had birds everywhere in this seemingly void environment during my stealth. I had lapwing and starlings overhead, the starlings in good numbers. The lapwing was probably a given in this kind of habitat but it was still nice to catch up.

-Lapwing

-Starlings

Like a boss I made my way round until the grouse was back in view. I however found another male in the neighboring field before I caught up with the original and decided to try and approach this one. I did not have much success with this and the bird quickly took flight but I got some more shots that I can use to prove my sighting and to enjoy in my retirement...

-Black Grouse

Rounding the side of the mound unfortunately involved the crossing of some lovely marsh. However, during the process of this I flushed a snipe, which was very nice to see, and they were drumming overhead too I began to notice. Today was the day that just kept giving, snipe drumming is one of my favorite noises.

-Common Snipe

I eventually made it round to where the black grouse was and was able to approach it reasonably well. At least in these shots its far more recognisable as what it is in all its finery.

-Black Grouse

Sadly, as is unusally the case with my clumsy birding style, I got too close and the bird took off and flew back in the direction away from the road. I decided to follow, since the other bird had gone that way too. The neighbouring field was more marsh than the first one, and as a result my feet got quite wet, but it was well worth it. I had snipe going up all over the place.

-Common Snipe

But it was not only common snipe going up. I was doing my best to track them where they landed but more and more kept going up. One bird however struck me as being a bit bigger than the others, and the photo below would suggest that I had flushed a woodcock. It seems to tick all the boxes, which was great, but I would have preferred to I.d it on site so I could enjoy it there and then.

-Woodcock

Moorland birds continued to go overhead, like lapwings and curlews, so here is a curlew photo...

-Curlew

But as I have said, I did not manage to I.d the woodcock on site, but there was another snipe species that I did manage to I.d. One bird, seemingly squatter than the rest went up, and on its back were 2 clear gold lines. I was very excited and rattled off some shots of it in the air to see if I could confirm it, the photos did indeed prove that I had found a lovely Jack Snipe, only my second ever

-Jack Snipe

I was probably more excited about this than the Black grouse, even though it was not a lifer. I abandoned the black grouse hunt to follow the snipe as it flushed and settled, in the hope I could find it by my feet as you so often hear stories told. I failed and decided to leave the poor bird in peace, since I had some shots of it. There were other marshland birds around too, such as a pair of graylag geese at the top of the field.

-Graylag geese

I made my way to the final field in this row of three, the final involved jumping some barbed wire fence, but hey, on the far side there were black grouse in good numbers. I was not really prepped for where the birds where, which was on the fringes of the far trees, while I was at the back of the near tree's. As a result the birds all went up before I even knew where they were. Thus follows a selection of shots involving Black Grouse in flight

-Black Grouse

Since I was in this field I decided to wander round to see if any birds had stayed behind, but they had not. There were very few birds in this area, more like what I had expected than what I had got. I then stupidly trod on a patch of snow and went straight through into a bog underneath, leaving me with flooded boots for the rest of the morning. Wonderful!

There were still some birds around, such as this meadow pipit on the fields fence 

-Meadow Pipit

I then had another crisis in that my phone died so I had no way to contact my parents when they returned. With this in mind I decided it would be a good idea to get back to the road so that I could see them when they did return. The return to the road was not as bird filled as the walk away from it, and I had very little around. 

Once at the road I decided to head up the road back to the moors where I had left so suddenly earlier. On the way I passed some of the farmhouses and on the roof of one was perched on oystercatcher looking chilled.

-Oystercatcher

On the moors there were no Black grouse but there were red grouse looking lovely and rather close too, so I took some photos of it next to the path for the record and so I can enjoy the photos when I will not be able to get out and see them.

-Red Grouse

Once more, my visit to the moors was brief and I was soon heading back down the road to see if I could find any more black grouse. On the way I got a smashing day tick with a lovely male reed bunting which was feeding in one of the fields next to the road

-Reed Bunting

I also got great views of lapwings, which were sitting inn the field closest to the road. I was able to enjoy watching them, and then they flew off, but still quite close.

-Lapwing

My walk down the road continued to give me species for the day, and just to show the diversity I have included a photo of what is without doubt the most common bird I saw today, a simple mallard, which I flushed from a dyke in one of the fields.

-Mallards

I returned to the field where the Black Grouse had been, but there were no birds outstanding in it. I decided it would still be safe to look round this field without missing my parents so decided to explore again. I got one for the mammals on my exploration with a brown hare which I spotted from some way off but ran away before I got very close

-Brown Hare

I wandered round the field with little else to show for it, however I had a look back into the snipe field and spotted another black grouse peeking out from the sedge's. This bird saw me as soon as I saw it though and dissapeared into the sedges afterwards.

-Black Grouse

I returned to the road after that was the morning was drawing on and I did not want to miss my parents on their return. However, at the road I got the sight of the day... a Black grouse, up a tree. And not a substantial tree either, more like an overgrown bush in all honesty. It was bizarre to see such a big bird on such a weedy tree, and gave me a chance to get some different shots

-Black Grouse

My parents returned after that and so that ended the rather successful black grouse hunt. A very enjoyable morning to say the least. However, it did not stop there as on the way back my dad offered to go round all the back roads on a quest for red legged partridges. Of course I said Please and with that we toured the farms looking for RLP's. And we were successful, with spotting a few pairs on a barren field. I got some nice shots of them, and was very pleased to have seen such charming birds

-Red Legged Partridges

But where we stopped there was more than just partridges as out from the hedge wandered a shellduck, an adult male and not what I had expected to see in this kind of environment. It seemed placid enough and was able to get some decent record shots.

-Shellduck

But even that was not the end, as when we got back in prep for going home the birdfeeder that has given so much this holiday gave a little more, as a female reed bunting showed up and began feeding. There was been some unusual birds on this feeder, and this may not top tree sparrow but it was certainly something special and a great end to the holiday.

-Reed Bunting