Welcome to my online wildlife diary, which I update from time to time with sightings, thoughts, comments and photos relating to birds, and nature generally. I am based in Gloucestershire but like to visit other counties, especially Norfolk, and like to visit foreign shores too.
Day out in West Sussex
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Saturday 10th March 2012
Paddyfield Warbler, Pagham Harbour
I spent a great day out in West Sussex with Jake, Mike and John, the main destination being Pagham Harbour for the PADDYFIELD WARBLER. We arrived at around 8am after an early start, and it wasn't too long before it was seen by other birders between the third and fourth benches along North Wall. After a brief glimpse, and a bit of a wait, by 10.00am we were getting superb views of it moving through the reeds near the third bench, fly-catching above the reeds, and perching for a while in shrubs. Hearing calls and a brief bit of song added to the experience. Photography-wise I just wasn't in the right place at the right time - the one below is by Mike - my best effort is the one above (mine definitely record shot status), but what a cracking bird.
Paddyfield Warbler, Pagham Harbour (photo: Mike)
And a video, also by Mike:
Other interest here included c170 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, a few Black-tailed and Bar-tailedGodwits, and good views of Cetti's Warblers.
The Paddyfield's reedy channel, from North Wall
North Wall and the tidal marsh, Pagham Harbour
We then headed for Ferring where we caught up with a Red-necked Grebe among c50 Great Crested Grebes on the sea. Nine adult Mediterranean Gulls were stunning, with six on the sea and a further three on a field behind among Black-headed Gulls, and three Red-breasted Mergansers flew by.
The Burgh
We finished the day at The Burgh, north of Arundel, for a Rough-legged Buzzard. By now the earlier cloud had given way to warm sunshine and perfect Buzzard weather. Despite seeing at least 10 Commons in the air, I dipped the Rough-legged, which Mike and Jake had seen back at the car while John and myself had stayed at its usual haunt just beyond the triangular-shaped wood. It wasn't too desperate though given the star bird earlier, and the good range of birds seen including a Short-eared Owl hunting in the sunshine, a Red Kite, Grey Partridges and Corn Buntings.
Grey Partridge, The Burgh
Many thanks to Jake, Mike and John for a great trip.
Saturday 1st - Saturday 8th October 2016 Hoopoe - Maspalomas A week in the hot sunshine of Gran Canaria at the start of October produced some good birds despite this island not getting much representation in the available range of published bird guides. This isn't surprising since it doesn't hold any populations of the endemic Canary pigeon species which can be found on Tenerife and La Gomera, and Blue Chaffich is much easier to find on Tenerife; next to impossible on Gran Canaria. Based in Maspalomas at the southern tip of the island, my birding was incidental, or confined to the occasional short solo exploration on foot, in between simply being on holiday. A brackish lagoon, La Charca, stretches behind the beach at Maspalomas, cut off the sea by the beach, and with the dunes along one side. La Charca was always interesting to visit and turned up some good birds. The highlights included (no particular order): Canary Island Chiffchaff - common and vocal virtually ever
Monday 7th - Tuesday 15th May 2018 Sword-leaved Helleborine, Cephalanthera longifolia Recently I have caught up with Fly Orchids and Sword-leaved Helleborines in the Cotswolds, the latter being a threatened and particularly scarce species in the UK. I have only previously seen Sword-leaved Helleborine, also known as Narrow-leaved Helleborine, in Switzerland, where it more common. Fly Orchid, a close relative of the Bee Orchid, are more widespread but with a localised distribution and not one I have seen before. Both are exquisitely beautiful and very special plants. Fly Orchid, Ophrys insectifera On 7th I had a Hobby fly over the garden and managed a couple of hurried record shots of this garden tick. A Coal Tit was a surprise garden visitor on 15th as I haven't seen one in the garden since the early spring. Flyover garden Hobby, 7th May Coal Tit, garden, 15th May
Saturday 16th January 2010 The Canada Goose showing characteristics of the race Branta canadensis interior , commonly known as Todd's Canada Goose , was in the Rushy Pen at Slimbridge WWT this morning (photos in poor light above and below) , before flying off with other Canada's at 9:40am. This is a very interesting bird, showing several features which together set it apart from its feral counterparts. My observations of the differences are: it is slightly smaller with a more slender neck; shorter bill; narrower white cheek patch; the black on the chin is linked to the black of the neck; at the bottom of the neck at the back, the black joins the brown of the mantle, with no white in between; the pale fringing on the scapulars etc. is much less distinct; the tertials are more contrastingly paler, giving the effect of a pale wing panel; it has a pale eye-ring; and if these features don't help - it has a limp! Other sightings this morning included: Sharpness Docks A female/imm
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