Peak District

Wednesday

The parents came up for the day, so we went for a fairly chilled walk around the grounds of Chatsworth. Got a few bits and pieces seen, including a couple of Common Sandpiper, Blackcap and a few rather dashing Mandarins. I reckon we stumbled across at least four pairs of birds plus a solitary male. Not a bad haul to be honest.

-Mandarin

Friday

With nothing major on the cards and the dissertation in its final stages of being wrapped up I decided to make today my day trip into the peaks in order to track down any spring migrants I still needed for the year.

Technically the only migrant still required for the year-list was Wood Warbler, so I headed first to Blacka Moor Plantation where two had apparently been present for a week or so. It took some time on site before I had any luck, largely as a result of the fact that neither bird was singing. I caught snipits of song occasionally, but not enough to be sure of identification at any point. Each 2 second snipit of song would then be followed by a good quarter of an hour of silence, by which point the bird had moved to the other side of the wood. I was about to give up when I eventually got it, sat above my head for all of a few seconds before it scurried away through the canopy.

Possibly the most frustrating bird I have ever had to deal with...

-Wood Warbler

Next it was on to Padley Gorge and Moor where I did get a few of the migrants but sadly lacking in others, specifically Redstart, Tree Pipit and Cuckoo all failed to connect with. The Whinchat I had was distant but the Stonechat were on top form showing very nicely and the Pied Flycatchers were fantastic as they always are. They were also joined by a single Spotted Flycatcher.

-Whinchat

-Pied Flycatcher

Species List

Blacka Moor: Blue Tit, Robin, Woodpigeon, Chaffinch, Willow Warbler, Great Tit, Treecreeper, Spotted Flycatcher, Great-spotted Woodpecker, Wood Warbler, Mistle Thrush, Meadow Pipit, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Blackbird, Swallow, Mallard, Siskin, Pied Wagtail, Canada Goose,

Padley Gorge: Carrion Crow, Curlew, Meadow Pipit, Stonechat, Mistle Thrush, Spotted Flycatcher, Whinchat, Pied Flycatcher, Treecreeper, Wren, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Blue Tit,

Saltholme RSPB & Seaton Common - Double lifer day

I seemed to be at a bit of a loss today. With the dissertation all but wrapped up it was obvious that birding was on the cards, but exactly where to go was somewhat vexing. I settled on the seemingly settled Whiskered Terns at RSPB Saltholme but got the train late morning due to waiting on news before setting off. The day got an added boost when on the train up it became apparent that a Citrine Wagtail had also decided to set up in the area, leaving me with the possibility of a double lifer day, my favourite.

It was 13.00 by the time I arrived on site, but news of the wagtail was coming out sporadically, so with no news for two hours I decided to go to Saltholme first and gather up all the goodies on offer there. Classic of course that the wagtail came back on not 2 mins after I got off my bus. Upon arriving at Saltholme I went straight to the back Saltholme hide. Before I even reached the hide I could see the Whiskered Terns fishing close, so I set up to grab some photos.

I shouldn't have bothered, as the views were even better from the hide, with both Terns fishing only a couple of meters away and performing very nicely indeed. In the end I stayed for a couple of hours watching them show off. Its always nice when the birds you twitch put on a performance and these certainly did that.

-Whiskered Tern

The Whiskered Terns were fantastic, but they were not the only marsh tern on offer, as there were a handful of Black Terns around too. The numbers peaked at 4 but that was only for a short time, with only 1 seeming to have settled with the Whiskered Terns. It didn't show quite as well as the Whiskered but at the same time it was still my best view I have ever had of this species, a really smart bird to admire.

-Black Tern

The Terns were stunning, but there was a host of other goodies on offer too. The flock of 5 Spoonbills that had been reported present on site in the morning decided to give us a flyby having been settled out of sight at the back of the lake. It was only a brief flyby, only one bird actually landed in the open before it took off again and back round with the rest of the flock. Still, its always awesome to see Spoonbills, they are such good birds.

-Spoonbill

And talking of good birds, one of the many highlights was a pair of 1st summer Little Gulls that were dancing around the lake with the terns. They remained largely distant, with only one ever really coming close but always a pleasure to see such smart birds, especially in this plumage.

-Little Gull

Couple of other quick things. A nice male Garganey was also present at the back of the lake, distant, and then failed to stick around, flying off almost as soon as I had got optics on it. And towards the end of my stay at Saltholme a Peregrine came through and sent everything up. It took us a moment to work out what had done it but the bird decided to reveal itself when it flew straight through the middle of the lake, sending everything everywhere.

-Garganey

-Peregrine

News on the wagtail had continued to be sparse, but at half 2 news came out that it had shown again so I decided to make my move and by half 3 I was on site. The description from the birders on site was that it had not pinged it, but instead had walked out of sight as seemed to be its habit of doing.

So I set up and hoped it would play ball. I was in luck, as after only half an hour the bird walked out, showing for about 2 mins, and then walked out of sight again. It did the same thing about 5 mins later, but when it dissapeared next it failed to re-show until half 8 in the evening.

The Citrine Wagtail was a female, and had a lot more yellow on it that I was expecting. It was unfortunately quite distant but through the scope the views were fantastic when it was out in the open, as they usually are. I managed to grab a couple of record shots as it trotted around before its departure to who knows where.

-Citrine Wagtail

Given the wagtails poor showing record throughout the day I was buzzing to have seen it, especially since it did not show again for over 4 hours. Obviously it would have been nice if it had shown a little better but can't be fussy with a bird like that.

One bird that did show well however was the female Pied Flycatcher in the bushes nearby the Wagtail. It came absurdly close, so close in fact at one point I could have touched it. Perhaps it had just come in and was otherwise preoccupied but whatever the reason it was really something. One of the days many many highlights.

-Pied Flycatcher

Its hard to wrap up a day like that, but having got everything I wanted for the day, all with fantastic views and at least record shots. Its days like this which birding dreams are made of. 

Species List:
Saltholme RSPB: Redshank, Swift, Dunlin, Common Tern, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Ringed Plover, Herring Gull, Black Tern, Whiskered Tern, Little Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Gadwall, Mallard, Pochard, Great-crested Grebe, Reed Bunting, Canada Goose, Greylag Goose, Mute Swan. Meadow Pipit, Coot, Lapwing, Tufted Duck, Spoonbill, Shelduck, Starling, Red-breasted Merganser, Garganey, Little Egret, Feral Pigeon, Oystercatcher, Common Sandpiper, Peregrine, Reed Warbler, Avocet, Sand Martin
Seaton Common: Lapwing, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Mallard, Gadwall, Shoveler, Pied Wagtail, Yellow Wagtail, Citrine Wagtail, Redshank, Reed Bunting, Swallow, Sand Martin, Woodpigeon, Herring Gull, Shelduck, Carrion Crow, Greylag Goose, Linnet, Goldfinch, Pied Flycatcher, Grey Heron, Sedge Warbler, Swift,

A few days at Spurn

Got a message from Tim on Thursday asking if I wanted to go for some LSWs. We did and failed but he convinced me to go to Spurn for a few days. I had to come back on the Saturday for a 21st but the conditions looked great and he was confident there would be plenty of birds.

Sadly it did not materialise like that. There were 3 good birds over the weekend, but only 1 of which I managed to connect with; Turtle Dove (Bee-eater and Serin the others). Another Turtle Dove however is always great and appreciated. 

There were good birds about. On the first day I got to see my Little Terns again after a long time apart and spurn-ticked Garganey with two on Holderness fields. An evening walk down the canal yielded Cuckoo, fantastic views of Hobby and Spurns first Spotted Flycatcher of the year. Other year-ticks included Lesser Whitethroat and Whimbrel. 

Day two I decided to do sammies early morning and missed Serin for my troubles. The only decent birds I got in return were Tree Pipit and Short Eared Owl. The day was hot and with no birds grounded it was hard work. A short walk down the point was made but the only notable sighting was a pair of Common Lizards possibly fighting, but looks like a male and female (?), on the road which were very preoccupied and easy to view.

Day three was shrouded in sea fret but a few birds had dropped in. Spotted Flycatchers had increased and I had my first Whinchat of the year. The Turtle Dove was also today, although the view was only brief sadly. Something of a Spurn mega on wetlands with a Canada Goose thats apparently set up for the last month or so...

-Little Tern

-Garganey

-Hobby

-Lesser Whitethroat

-Short-eared Owl

-Common Lizard

-Whinchat

-Spotted Flycatcher

-Canada Goose

-Brown Hare

Species List:
Spurn Bird Observatory: Blue Tit, Oystercatcher, Blackbird, Robin, House Sparrow, Collard Dove, Swallow, Dunnock, Carrion Crow, Whimbrel, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Starling, Mallard, Greylag Goose, Mute Swan, Avocet, Shelduck, Skylark, Pied Wagtail, Little Grebe, Ringed Plover, Little Tern, Garganey, Sandwich Tern, Little Egret, Common Tern, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Black-tailed Godwit, Turnstone, Dunlin, Wigeon, Sand Martin, Gadwall, Yellow Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Reed Bunting, Linnet, Bar-tailed Godwit, Kestrel, Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, Spotted Flycatcher, Hobby, Cuckoo, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Reed Bunting, Starling, Short-eared Owl, Wheatear, Tree Pipit, Cormorant, Common Sandpiper, Grey Plover, Jackdaw, Whinchat, Canada Goose,

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,