Paul's Birding Diary

Saturday 29th September 2012 The highlight was Avro Vulcan XH558 performing a flypast at Staverton on its Diamond Jubilee tour. See http://www.vulcantothesky.org/ and get the App to help support it. Some photos here as it did its rounds just before 4pm in glorious sunshine. Earlier at WWT Slimbridge, the juvenile RED-NECKED PHALAROPE was feeding on floods on The Dumbles, but quite distant. Around the high tide, waders seen from Holden Tower included two Curlew Sandpipers , 45 Grey Plovers , three Little Stints , a Sanderling , a few Ringed Plover and c100 Dunlin .On the Top New Piece from Zeiss Hide, the LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER with Black-tailed Godwits , two Spotted Redshanks , a Greenshank , three Knot , 50 Golden Plovers and 33 Redshanks . A fully-winged drake Mandarin was near the hide.

Saturday 22nd September 2012 Pectoral Sandpiper, left, and Buff-breasted Sandpiper, right - both juvenile birds The midday guided walk at WWT Slimbridge on to The Dumbles produced absolutely stunning views of both the BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER and PECTORAL SANDPIPER feeding together on the tidal salt-marsh ledge. The lighting was perfect, and many people enjoyed the experience, many with cameras. Thanks to the WWT staff and volunteers for arranging and facilitating a great couple of hours. Here are a few of my best pics of the Yankee sandpipers; first, Buff-breasted: And Pectoral: As if that wasn't enough, I spotted my first PAINTED LADY for two years on the Ivy near the In Focus shop. The Ivy flowers were swarming with Hoverflies, including Helophilus pendulus , and several other butterflies; I counted seven Red Admirals , five Commas and two Small Tortoiseshells . Painted Lady Elsewhere on the reserve the LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER was on the...

Sunday 9th September 2012 Wheatear (first-winter) A stunning sunny morning at Aylburton Warth produced a modest selection of birds, but this Wheatear provided a nice photo opportunity (above) .  Aylburton Warth, looking across The Severn towards Oldbury The main highlights were a total of five Wheatears (mostly first-winters), three Yellow Wagtails , 20+ Goldfinches , mainly juvs, three Skylarks including a recently-fledged bird, c20 Meadow Pipits , also several juv birds, two Chiffchaffs , three Buzzards , and a Stock Dove . Hoverflies included three Helophilus trivittatus (below) . Oh, and a Brown Hare. Helophilus trivittatus - the yellow face, with no black stripe, is a good ID feature  - a very photogenic hoverfly - great patterns and elegant shape, set off nicely against the Ragwort flowers Two Souther Hawkers were in the garden (below) today, also a Common Darter . Southern Hawker

Monday 21st August - Sunday 2nd September 2012 Green Sandpiper, WWT This Green Sandpiper was coming very close to the hide on the Rushy on Sunday (2nd September), giving a great photo opportunity. Video here . Here are some other highlights from recent days, including my week-and-a-bit leave: 22/8/12 Two Willow Warblers were in the front garden early morning. Hidcote Manor Gardens was teeming with butterflies later, on a warm, sunny day. Lots of Peacocks and Red Admirals especially but also a Holly Blue , a Brimstone , a Comma , and Large , Small , and Green-veined Whites . Also a Migrant Hawker and a Brown Hawker . Holly Blue, Hidcote Holly Blue, Hidcote Peacock, Hidcote Late afternoon a Common Darter was in the garden. Male (not fully mature) Common Darter, garden 23/8/12 No sign of White Storks at Whit Moor - they had moved on to Dorset and beyond, but I found a Great White Egret along with 32 Little Egrets and c50 Grey Herons . At Shapw...