randombirder

The Short-eared Owls were a joy to watch as they quartered the center of the reserve between the shore path and Aveley Pools.  It was mid-afternoon on Halloween, but despite the sunshine, the high cloud created an eerie feel to a cool autumn day.  A light mist hovered ghoulishly above the reed beds as the ghostly movements of the Owls patrolled the sinister marshland. A flock of Lapwing , with 10 Dunlin , 17 Golden Plover and a Curlew were spooked from Purfleet Scrape, and a pair of Stonechat appeared over the reeds, before apparating into thin air. A chill began to descend over the reserve, but we left the Owls to conjure up a few morsels before light began to creep toward darkness...

It started off bright but then clouded over, the rain held off though.  On the Waterworks, 18 Gadwall and 10 Shoveler were on Bed 17, with a total of eight Snipe (2 on Bed 17, and 6 on Bed 16). Five Chiffchaff and six Goldcrest were mixed in a mobile group. A Jackdaw flew low over, a Shelduck flew high over, and a Common Gull drifted through. There were two Redpoll and Siskin flyovers. A single Meadow Pipit and a Fieldfare flew over the pitch and putt.

A mild and slightly breezy morning - but with a real autumnal feel. The roll call for today were two Goldcrest , two Siskin , a Chiffchaff , and a Peregrine flew up onto the pylon. A vocal Kingfisher flew through.  There were a total of 33 Teal and nine Shoveler on Bed 17.  A Redpoll called is it flew over and a Common Gull flew through.  The Cetti's Warbler was still present.

It started off grey today but gradually the clouds thinned and the sun began to appear.  It was a lovely morning and it felt like something interesting might fly through. Have starting off at the increasingly depressing Walthamstow Marsh, I watched a Sparrowhawk successfully impale a Pied Wagtail not too far from where I was standing.  A truly impressive sight. I was however keen to make it over to the Waterworks which started off with a minimum count of six Goldcrest and three Chiffchaff .  There was a total of 36 Teal on the beds along with three Shoveler . I then stood in the 'circle' and gazed at the sky for a while.  Most suprising were small groups of Lapwing flying through, first eight, then 16, then a group of 4, a total of 28 and I'm sure a few more either side of my stay.  In addition, there were three Skylark and four Redpoll flyovers, a relentlessly calling Cetti's Warbler , and a 1st winter Common Gull .

The plan today was to head down to Pennington Marshes - a bit of a drive but thoroughly worth the effort.  The place looked magnificant - the light was brilliant, that was faintly softened by a subtle aquatic haze that just made the surroundings look perfect.  The walk along the Solent Way trail was just so relaxing, we were both enjoying the convivial surroundings. Of course there was avian interest here, the pools were filled with wildfowl, mostly Teal and Wigeon , and a few Pintail more than making up the numbers.  On the Solent side, the tremulous call of the  Dark-Bellied Brent Goose could be heard against mirrored waters.  There were plenty of common waders here too, Dunlin , Ringed Plover , Grey Plover , Curlew and Oystercatcher on a receding tide. Of course I can't deny that the Long-Billed Dowitcher was a target today that was picked up without fuss on the Jetty Pool, roosting peacefully in the company of  Teal , Redshank , and Commo...

Thankfully the  American Golden Plover that had previously been observed at Eyebrook Reservoir was relocated on private farmland near the Stockerston Junction where it was seen in company with a party of European Golden Plover and Lapwing . The bird was easily identifiable, standing out from it's european cousins adorning its clearly visible white eye-stripe, its striking adult moulting plumage, and also appearing more upright and elongated. A really lovely bird. This was apparently the first for Leicestershire, but definitely a first for me.

There was a feeling of 'after the Lord Mayor's show' about this morning as I made my way up to North Norfolk.  The previous days had seen a veritable bounty of eastern migrants propelled by favourable winds off the continent and devoured gluttonously by many twitch-hungry birders. It did however look ominous today when by 10am and in clear blue skies, the bird news was relatively bereft of the rares that had graced the arboreal northern coastline. My pursuit was not tempered by these unwelcome developments and deciding to park up on Lady Anne's Drive, was unceremoniously robbed of a fiver for the privilege of parking the car there for four hours. Despite the extortion, the clock was set and I marched into the forest. There were plenty of birders around, we were even graced by the presence of Lord Evans whom at every sighting seemed to be harassed by something or someone. First at the drinking pool, the hushed silence was palpably audible as we all waited for t...

Back down to earth in gloomy conditions.  It felt cold. Best of today were two flyover Redpoll with three Common Snipe on Bed 16, three Goldcrest in a small flock of titmice on Bed 13, five Shoveler on Bed 17, at least five Chiffchaff , and a calling Cetti's Warbler .

93 species: House Sparrow - common Collard Dove - common Mallard - common Song Thrush - common Shag - common around the rocks White Wagtail - seen regularly on Porthmellon Beach Robin - common Firecrest - 1 at Lower Broome Platform Willow Warbler  - 1 at Lower Broome Platform Goldcrest - common Swallow - regularly seen with a group of 40 over Porth Hellick House Martin - seen in small numbers Herring Gull - common Greater Black Backed Gull - common Curlew - seen regularly Oystercatcher - common along the shorelines Chaffinch - small numbers seen around the island Starling - common Feral Pigeon  - common Blackbird - seen regularly around the island Goldfinch - small groups seen regularly around the island Meadow Pipit  - common with a flock of 150 seen on Penninis Head Chiffchaff  - common Peregrine - seen daily, two over Beachside Redwing  - large influx midweek Carrion Crow  - regular throughout the island Phe...

Some of the exotic flowers scattered around the island.

Well it was a great trip, an exceptional trip, replicating the heady days of the 80's and the 90's were never going to happen.  This was about making a first well overdue trip to some of our most stunning out-islands, to get a feel for the place, to experience the nuances of island life, the exceptional scenery from one coastal path to the next, the warmth of locals and visitors alike, and the palpable aura of a birding history that still permeates through each scrape and hedgerow. The place has left an indelible mark on me that will see me returning back in the years to come. With one last walk before the long journey home, I took a circular walk through the Lower Moors, up to Penninis Head and through the town back to Beachfield.  Along the way, a first-winter Mediterranean Gull was present on the shoreline of Porthcressa Beach along with two Black Redstart on the rocks. The Blyth's Pipit continued to show well in its favoured field.  I, well I had a he...

A totally different day weatherwise.  it started off cold and overcast which was a bit of a shock.  It felt cold, there was a breeze and it took a few by surprise including me.  However, it was business as usual, lots of walking and lots to hopefully see. The main target was the Siberian Stonechat found the previous evening, but due to a total lack of energy, decided against making the long walk from the Quay up to Pungies Lane in the hope it would be there the next day. Indeed it was, but it gave us the runaround eventually showing reasonably well under duller skies.  A difficult bird to clinch but well worth the scrutiny to claim a sixth new species. Thankfully it brightened up and warmed up.  I rather regret not going for the Hudsonian Whimbrel on Tresco choosing instead to go for a long walk round the the lower half of the island with little reward. A flyover Redpoll and three Golden Plover over the golf course were the best of the day. ...

The day started again in glorious morning sunshine.  Viewing from Porthloo beach, a couple of Black Redstart were flitting around the rocks.  In the distance, a Spoonbill was picked out on rocks on Sansom Island, as were three Shelduck , distance specks for sure but obvious nonetheless. A summer plumaged Great Northern Diver cruised past the island, again distant, but all features conspicuous.  A Whimbrel roosted on nearby rocks, not quite ready to awake from its slumber.   This was altogether a more relaxing day, so deciding to head over to Tresco, it was nice to wander round a different island.  Again, really very picturesque, unsurprising really, and a few interesting things to see.  Most noteworthy was an Osprey feeding high up on a tree on its latest catch. The Great Pool also held some interesting things, two Pink-Footed Goose was a locally rare bird, with 13 Wigeon , six Redshank , and a Raven flypast.

Same balmy weather - different day. Felt a bit battered by the exploits of the previous day but was really satisfied with the effort.  I was able to ramble today so started off with a stroll through Lower Moors where a Jack Snipe was seen feeding at the back of Shooters Pool but partly obscured by the vegetation.  However, the views from the ISBG hide were exceptional with at least five birds there. A Greenshank also flew onto the scrape which would be a regular sighting throughout the trip. From Lower Moors, an attempt was made for the Little Bunting on the standing stones field but there was no sign of it so I headed instead up to the airfield where the Short-Toed Lark had been present for the last few days but there was no sign of this either, apart from a female Merlin that dashed through low by the terminal building briefly sitting up on the brow of the slope, and a group of around ten Skylark all but disappearing behind the long grass.  I headed ...

Leaving the B&B, I headed out for what would be my first full day on the island.  I meandered slowly down the sandy track that passed the gorgeous Porthmellon Beach, the glint of the golden sands, accentuated by the blue sun filled morning sky. The plan was to catch the 1015 boat to St Agnes where the Bluetail had been present for a couple of days.  Heading onto Telegraph Road toward Hugh Town, a steady stream of birders were displaying the diagnostic  ' twitchers march' heading in the opposite direction.  For a moment, I stood and observed this phenomenon but then thought it best to politely enquire about the reason for their haste.  Well as luck would have it, a Radde's Warbler had been trapped at Porth Hellick and I wanted a part of it - so I joined the party and expressed my own level of intent to get there before it was released. I joined the strident advance of small interspersed groups that like coiled springs, had been released into action by th...