Paul's Birding Diary

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 .