Paul's Birding Diary

Wednesday 31st December 2014 Another good find by Martin and another county tick for me yesterday in the form of a female FERRUGINOUS DUCK . I returned today for a second look and experiment further with my new Nikon P600. It was on the Asia Pen again, but less cautious than yesterday, asleep at first, but later actively feeding down to a few feet. The fully-winged RUDDY SHELDUCK was there too, skating on the ice.

Sunday 21st December 2014 Rudy Shelduck, in captive company I spent a welcome break from fatherly duties (a.k.a. Paul's Removals and Junk Disposal) with Andy and Mark at WWT Slimbridge where we caught up with some nice birds. First, we found the Whooper Swan in the first field on the right after the canal bridge; on its own at 8.30am, but later at 11.30am with Bewick's. A mystery duck of apparently very mixed origins was at Martin Smith hide, with features recalling a few species including Red-crested Pochard and Pintail. Who are you ... who who, who who ?? A Water Rail was showing well at Willow Hide, swimming right in front of us, though poor light excused the poor photos I got. From Holden Tower, a Marsh Harrier flew past from the direction of Middle Point and towards the Top New Piece, where it was seen to take a hapless Black-tailed Godwit for breakfast. We watched a Barn Owl hunting distantly beyond, and entering an opening in one of the pill boxes. On South...

Friday 19th December 2014   Dartford Warbler I popped over to Cheltenham this afternoon to see the DARTFORD WARBLER at Pittville Park, found by John Sanders on Wednesday. It showed very well at times and kept company with a pair of Stonechats . Just a couple of record shots here - looking forward to Christmas and getting my hands on my P600. I noted at least one other Stonechat on site, also small groups of Goldfinches and Meadow Pipits were around. Always a treat to see one - especially in Glos Stonechat