Paul's Birding Diary

I have put a trip report of my holiday in October here .

Sunday 20th November 2011 I caught up with the SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER at Chew Valley Lake this morning, and very distinctive it looked, despite the misty, murky conditions and distance - not much chance of a photo!. Also viewed from Herriot's Bridge, the two LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS   were also still present and correct. Both species were lifers for me. The SPOTTED SANDPIPER was on Herriot's Pool on the other side of the road, and a Little Stint and a Green Sandpiper added to the interest. Thanks to Andy for a great morning.

Friday 18th October 2011 I finally had an opportunity to catch up with the female PIED WHEATEAR at Oldbury-on-Severn after work this evening. Arriving just after 5pm I spent the next hour watching it darting around the roof of the Thornbury Siling Club building, occasionally launching into the air after insects. It is a very obliging bird, and I spent much of the time photographing it from just about every angle - what a nice way to start the weekend! The evening sun sinking behind the Severn bridges: Setting the scene, the Sailing Club building:

I've recently returned from a fantastic 10 days holiday in Mallorca, based in Port de Pollença. Good weather, good wine, good food, and of course, good birds - nine lifers, plus some new butterflies and dragonflies. I'll do a trip report soon but in the meantime, here's a few photos. Above: Purple Swamphen, Black-winged Stilt, Sardinian Warbler

Saturday 8th October 2011 A great morning out with Mark, and the SNOW BUNTING was still present this morning at Saul Warth and showing well (above and below) . A Wheatear was also seen on the sea wall and a Swallow was perched in a tree with Goldfinches near Hock Ditch. Movie: At Frampton, an early WHOOPER SWAN (below) was on Court Lake ,along with four Greenshanks and nine Little Egrets .

Tuesday 27th September 2011 A couple of photos here taken on a bike ride with Amelia this evening along the canal between Parkend Bridge at Moreton Valance, and The Pilot at Hardwicke. The Brown Hare , above, sat tight quite near the canal hoping I hadn't seen it, then eventually took flight. This 16-Spot Ladybird ( Halyzia sedecimguttata ), below, landed on my sunglasses! Autumnal shades along the Gloucester-Sharpness Canal:

Wednesday 21st - Sunday 25th September 2011 A photo above of a Chiffchaff taken near the Martin Smith hide at WWT Slimbridge last Wednesday; I liked the red stems of the Willow glowing in the sun. The best bird in recent days was the juvenile SEMI-PALMATED SANDPIPER , the latest in a good run of local birds, and well worth getting soaked for on Sunday morning, though it has to be said the views weren't as good as when I saw the last one on 22nd September 2006: Finally, back to the present with a study of a Black-tailed Godwit again taken last Wednesday at South Lake: