randombirder

We continue to hold onto this glorious weather and oh my lordie it felt glorious today.  Even managed an afternoon kip in the sunshine that felt so comfortably warm, as I awoke, I was surprised to find that I wasn't actually at home. What a day anyway.  It was just supposed to be a long stroll through the forest but the birdlife was really incredible. There was plenty of activity in the woodland, a lot of birdsong including goldcrest and the incessant jangle of siskin always mobile overhead. There were plenty of highlights that started with a dartford warbler scratching away on top of a gorse bush.  There were stonechat everywhere, a couple of pairs getting prepared for the breeding season. A single lesser redpoll called as it paused briefly within a silver birch. We took a route round both sides of the car park at Acres Down.  It yielded much.  At least three woodlark were warming up for Spring.  Not quite in full song, but still enough ...

Go to Dungeness!  This fine weather even made Dungeness look acceptable today.  Such an enigmatic place, strange landscapes, but blessed with a varied habitat that fosters a breadth of species.  It's always good here. The fun started 50 metres into the reserve entrance where a Great Egret (one of four seen today) was sat up on the bank of Boulderwall farm, with two Whooper Swan present by the pools, and a Tree Sparrow in the cottage car park. Spirits were high, the sun was beating down, there was warmth in it. Heading slowly toward the Markpeace Hide, a Goldcrest and Chiffchaff (one of three seen today) were passing through the LEO bush by the pool. It's always a joy to see a drake Smew .  This one was particularly mobile and characteristically skittish diving regularly but seen well toward the far bank of Burrowes Pit. There were hundreds of Cormorant here, many of them in breeding plumage, adourning a grey 'shawl' making them look ...

It was a bumper day down on the Dorset coast despite the change in weather.  It stayed dry despite the fog and drizzle en route. The reserve at Lodmoor was teeming with birdlife.  Overwintering Lapwing were constantly made to swirl around the marsh with the constant harassment of the local Marsh Harrier .  Hundreds forced into murmurating with other overwintering waders such as Black-tailed Godwit  and  Dunlin.   Good numbers of Common Snipe were feeding along the muddy fringes. The Lesser Yellowlegs was still present but was frustratingly mobile only settling on the path-side pools for a few minutes before flying out-of-sight into the belly of the reserve. A Sandwich Tern was a nice surprise as it rested on the islands, congregated amongst good numbers of Mediterranean Gull . A total of four Spoonbill were seen around the reserve with three roosting together. This drake Ring-necked Duck was feeding in the ...

Where I live.

Just outside the M25 but inside the LNHS recording area, Mercer CP couldn't have felt more suburban.  A boating lake with not much wildfowl present, the juvenile Black-throated Diver was always distant as it coursed its way round the lake. Also noted was a Kingfisher along the periphery, a Chiffchaff , small groups of Redwing  and a  Treecreeper within the woodland.

Another visit to Denham Quarry on a crisp cold day but with very little to report other than a female Goosander and a female Goldeneye present on the main pit with around 50 Common Pochard and the same number of Tufted Duck . A group of 61 Coot were congregated on one of the adjacent smaller fishing lakes which were also still partially frozen. Plenty of Redwing were flying between the trees as were small groups of Siskin feeding on the tops of the alder.

This is Belfast.  A city absent from the conversations and experiences of intrepid travellers.  This is to say that I've not heard anybody speak of it.  I cannot imagine why. It is an eye-catching city.  A short trip to see Public Service Broadcasting perform at the Limelight - my new favourite band - was a spectacular show.  Check out one of their tracks 'Spitfire' below. The city itself is a pleasure to navigate.  Thankfully with pristine blue skies, the low winter sun illuminated the skyline and waterbodies that carry with it the poignant reflections of history.  The Old Town Hall stands regally in the centre of the city.  An impressive building. The Titanic Quarter, featuring the Titanic museum which is an absolute must visit.  Intelligently curated with a variety of interactive elements capturing the mind-blowing scale of the ships' construction as well as the tragic loss and its aftermath. ...