randombirder

Dropped in at Reculver in between A28 breeding bird surveys just to see what was around. In the past, this site has provided me with desert wheatear and baird's sandpiper so it was worth a look. Not walking very far from the car park on a warm but windy late afternoon, a few common migrants were feeding close to the path. A couple of scruffy juvenile whinchat , wheatear , and a male stonechat made for pleasant walk along the seaward track.

 A different feel to today, the temperature had dropped somewhat on a cool breeze.  It was windy that made strolling around a little less comfortable as of the last couple of days. The male Common Redstart was still present in the same place as yesterday but there was a marked increase in Wheatear with a minimum of 15 counted along the coastal path.  A Whinchat  also sat up nicely along the fenceline. A few metres on, a Raven appeared, settling on the top of the cliff-face.   The far end of the coastal walk was where the vegetation had built up.  It looked good for passerines.  A warbler flew up from seaward side of the path into the scrub.  It was worth a look and from a brief agonising appearance looked like a Melodious Warbler but sadly I couldn't quite get the prolonged view I was hoping for. Later on in the day, a visit to Shanklin was generally quite underwhelming failing to realise that there were going to be hoards of people there....

It's hot these days, not that I'm complaining but spending too much time out in the full glare of our sun isn't sensible.  A quick cycle out of town exploring my new environs in North Herts was well overdue. It's great to be out in the countryside again. The reported Whinchat were still present just off the Wallington Road with six present along a hedgeline that held three Corn Bunting , a Yellowhammer and a Common Whitethroat . Later from the flat balcony, a Yellow Wagtail flew low over, two Red Kite and a Common Buzzard were thermalling high over the town, and at least 15 late Swift were hawking insects against a glorious blue late summer sky.

There are some places in the UK that for me are are just pure magic.  Wales in one of them, and specifically mid-to-north Wales.  For the second year running, a visit was made to the fabulous RSPB Gwenffrwd-Dinas reserve around ten miles from Tregaron. It was spectacular, and much like last year, the sun was shining against a crisp blue sky. It started with a showy Garden Warbler singing freely near the top of a willow.  At least two Willow Warbler were in song in the vicinity.  The boardwalk enters the woodland where a subtle sounds of the Welsh woodland specialties draw in the senses. Wood Warbler are particularly vocal, the trills echoing through the sun mottled woodland, with a couple of males seen displaying and at least six males heard around the reserve. Pied Flycatcher are seen all around the reserve as are Common Redstart .  At one point, a male of each species were within ten metres of each other, while Tree Pipit and Wood Warb...

The best day of the trip.  The day started clear and mild and that's how it remained for much of the day. After a fruitless walk around the Garrison, I headed to the quay for the short trip across to St Agnes. The Greenish Warbler from the day before was still present and showed brilliantly in the sunlight, flitting along the tops of the laurel bushes, dashing into pines, and calling a couple of times.  A very strong mono-syllabic ' sweet '.  Very Pipit-esque. A Firecrest was also present here. Shortly after I thankfully bumped into David Bradshaw and proceeded to walk down to see the juvenile Red-backed Shrike that was equally as showy. He kindly invited me back to his digs at Porth Killier joined by Jamie Partridge sitting in the warm sun in almost exactly the same spot four years ago on my first visit to the Isles.  That time it was shortly after a serious flare-up of my UC.  The visit to the Scillies had expedited my recovery immeasurably...

Decided on something a little different today - an area of coastline I had never explored.  Having spent a lazy morning in Margate, eating and exploring some of the more quirky sights of this ecclectic seaside town, we made our way to Cliftonville. The habitat here looks good for passerines, particularly chats and so it was no surprise to find a minimum of seven whinchat  a couple of northern wheatear , and a common whitethroat  here. The Viking Trail meanders along the coastline with stunning views of the white cliffs lining the coast overlooking the sea.  The path does detour away from the coastal edge in places, routing around Joss Gap but then rejoins the path a little further on.  As Broadstairs edges closer, steps lead down onto the sandy beaches where a promenade sweeps past a number of gaudy beach huts. Broadstairs itself a lovely town, exuding a sense of class sadly seldom found in seaside towns.  Much like...

The rain had cleared and the morning started fresh, clear and sunny. The coming days would bring some welcome warm spring sunshine to momentarily banish the protracted drabness of the British winter. The morning drive took us to the resort town of Side, 50km east of Antalya. The town dates back to the conquests of Alexander the Great and is characterized by the ruins of an old Roman settlement, and features an amphitheater that was well preserved and presented the focal point of the scattered remains. Walking round the site in warm sunshine interspersed by an extremely laid-back lunch overlooking the bay was rather pleasant before commencing on a pedestrian wander around the ruins. A Whimbrel and Sandwich Tern were seen offshore. It was rather quiet birdwise, but an adult Masked Shrike immediately captured my attention with two seen on our walk through the site. A Little Owl sat on top of a remain of the old city wall before flying off as we approached.  ...