Paul's Birding Diary

Saturday 28th September 2013 Black Redstart The Black Redstart was still at the derelict Hill Farm, Leckhampton Hill, in the morning. It was very elusive at first in a cool easterly wind, but showed nicely as the wind dropped and short glimpses of hazy sunshine broke through the cloud. The bird made a couple of excursions towards the car park and was on power lines near my car later. Also a Wheatear at the farm briefly, which soon moved SE and then flew off, plus a charm of 35 Goldfinches . Wheatear The Black Redstart shows off its red start Hill Farm, Leckhampton Hill In the afternoon I went to Upton-on-Severn, Worcs, with Linda and Tansy (the daughter not the plant). On a pleasant walk along Upton Ham I saw two Kingfishers , also three Common Darters , two Migrant Hawkers , and an Angle Shades moth and Comma Butterfly. Also some Tansy (the plant not the daughter) in flower. Male Common Darter Female Migrant Hawker Angle Shades Tansy flowers

Saturday 21st September 2013 Buff-breasted Sandpiper The BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER showed well at the Dumbles edge over the high tide in the morning. A good range of other birds included Dunlins , Ringed Plovers , two Curlew Sandpipers , four Little Stints , a Golden Plover , a Bar-tailed Godwit , two Common Terns , Yellow Wagtails with the cattle, and last but not least a COMMON SEAL , my first in the county. Less cropped photo Juvenile Ringed Plover Buff-breasted Sandpiper (right) in front of a Dunlin, & Curlew Sandpiper (right) Nice work James! Also at Slimbridge, the wild 2nd yr Common Crane was in a field to the east of Van de Bovenkamp hide, the female Ruddy Shelduck was with collection birds again in the Asia Pen, and at Zeiss Hide a Spotted Redshank , two Greenshanks and ten Ruff . Common Crane Ruddy Shelduck

Saturday 14th September 2013 Common Crane The wild 2nd-year Common Crane was showing really well this morning at the back of the Asia pen at WWT Slimbridge; much closer than my views on Thursday. In front of it on the water was the unringed and fully-winged Ruddy Shelduck showing down to a few feet. Female Ruddy Shelduck A walk along the Holden/summer walkway earlier produced a Redstart , a Whinchat , a Wheatear , two Lesser Whitethroats , two Willow Warblers , at least 15 Chiffchaffs , c20 Meadow Pipits , a Sparrowhawk , and a Brent Goose out on the estuary.

Thursday 12th September 2013 Common Crane - 2nd c.y. bird, no rings and with complete wings A wild Common Crane turned up today among the collection cranes at WWT Slimbridge, later moving to the Top New Piece. Following a mad dash after work, I managed to get to Zeiss Hide in time to see it for a long overdue county tick. I didn't have time to take much else in, but saw a Buff-tip caterpillar on Willow in the grounds on the way back to the centre. Buff-tip moth caterpillar, WWT And now for a bit of a catchup. On 25th August I went to the Brown Hairstreak open day at Grafton Wood, Worcestershire. The Brown Hairstreaks showed nicely with several females seen along a long section of Blackthorn hedge, egg-laying. I made full use of the photo-opportunity: This female has just laid an egg - top centre in the photo The western perimeter ride at Grafton Wood, with the Blackthorn hedge on the left On 28th August, it was pretty quiet at WWT. I walked dow...