Round Britain Tour - Day 6

An early start this morning although I was running a little late! Breakfast at our accommodation was set for 08:30 but the chef very kindly came in to serve us at 07:00. We managed to get away for about 07:45 so not all bad, only running 15 minutes late and fortunately the first stop was only 5 minutes away at the Parkend triangle for Hawfinch. Luckily I'd visited 2 weeks earlier so knew exactly where to locate the Hawfinches, it only took about 10 minutes before they flew into the same trees I'd seen them in before, that was target bird 1 ticked.

Next stop was for the Two-barred Crossbill but we decided to stop off at New Fancy viewpoint as we were passing to waste our time looking for Goshawk. We arrived atop the viewpoint and within about 2 minutes Lee Evans spots a Goshawk against the sunny blue sky over the treetops - DISPLAYING!! on the 24th January!!!! Goshawk was a bonus bird for the trip as we never expected to see them this early in the year, even better was the fact that it was a lifer for me :o)

We then drove around to a suitable parking area for a walk up to Brierley Hill and across Serridge Ridge where they have faithfully frequented for a number of weeks. We walked the ridge and had to take momentary shelter under the trees as a brief deluge tried to soak us, once it ceased we continued our walk and saw plenty of Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Goldcrest, Chaffinch and a couple of stunning Brambling but no Two-bars.

We had news of Great Grey Shrike showing at Crabtree Hill although we had no idea where that was. I attempted to find it on the internet but O2 my service provider (personal branding NO-2) wasn't really 'providing' said service, although this wasn't surprising, it was frustrating...! We walked in what Lee Evans presumed was the correct direction and we felt we'd found the correct area based on the reporting. We walked through the heath be no joy so decided to head back to the car via Serridge Ridge. On the way back across the heath the Great Grey Shrike was spotted, it was at a distant but sat atop a bare tree in beautiful sunlight affording us some amazing views.

96. Great Grey Shrike

96. Great Grey Shrike

96. Great Grey Shrike

 

 After that great find, we headed back to the car completely elated but it wasn't to end as on our way back across Serridge Ridge we came across a number of birders whom we stopped to talk to, whilst chatting the Two-barred Crossbills were heard and unbelievably landed just down from us in the top of a tree again in sunlight affording amazing views!

97. Two-barred Crossbill

97. Two-barred Crossbill

97. Two-barred Crossbill

97. Two-barred Crossbill

With all our target species for the day accomplished it was time to head across to Suffolk but we would go via Cotswold Water Park for Red-crested Pochard. They were reported on Pit 44, when we arrived I couldn't believe how many there were, I think it was 28 but I can't remember now.

Red-crested Pochard

We then continued onto Suffolk, heading for Thetford, we took another diversion via Staines Moor for Water Pipit but failed to locate any, the fields were flooded and it was dog walking time, we then popped into Staines Reservoir for Scaup with a bonus Black-necked Grebe. We managed to clock up Red Kite whilst travelling along the M4.

Red Kite

I only saw a total of 46 species today with 1 lifer (Goshawk). I'm now at 147 for the trip:

1. Hawfinch
2. Stockdove
3. Woodpigeon
4. Greenfinch
5. Blackbird
6. Jackdaw
7. Song Thrush
8. Mistle Thrush
9. Tufted Duck
10. Mallard
11. Moorhen
12. Coot
13. Lesser Black-backed Gull
14. Great Spotted Woodpecker
15. Blue Tit
16. Great Tit
17. Chaffinch
18. Bullfinch
19. Goshawk
20. Mandarin Duck
21. Brambling
22. Coal Tit
23. Raven
24. Two-barred Crossbill
25. Goldcrest
26. Carrion Crow
27. Common Buzzard
28. Red-crested Pochard
29. Goosander
30. Cormorant
31. Lesser Redpoll
32. Great Crested Grebe
33. Great Grey Shrike
34. Mute Swan
35. Red Kite
36. Kestrel
37. Magpie
38. Little Egret
39. Fieldfare
40. Shovelar
41. Gadwall
42. Pochard
43. Wigeon
44. Scaup
45. Goldeneye
46. Black-necked Grebe

Forest of Dean

On the way to pick the kids up I decided to go via the Forest of Dean, in particular New Fancy viewing platform to see if I could see a Goshawk before they finish displaying.  I arrived at the viewing platform, saw a pair of Buzzard over the canopy and a few Siskin in a tree close by.  Then literally within a few minutes of arriving and as my luck would have it of late, the skies opened up and the deluge began, aargh!!!!

I then popped over to RSPB Nagshead in hope of Hawfinch and Marsh Tit but again to no avail, I did manage a photo of a Song Thrush for the race though.....

13. Song Thrush

 

Since it was dire birding here I headed over to Cannop Ponds for Mandarin Duck and Dipper.  My luck improved slightly as there were a great number of Mandarin Duck present with very close views of both male and female.  Whilst I was there I scoured the brook between the two ponds for Dipper but failed to locate any, a small consolation was a pair of Grey Wagtail though so not complaining.  Then just as I was about to leave a large crow  appeared, and with a big wedge of a tail was unmistakably a Raven, even better it landed in the tree I was standing by so afforded some great close up views of this often 'seen in the distance' bird.  A couple of photos were gathered of some commoner species to make the numbers up for the race.

 

 14. Blackbird

15. Moorhen

 

 16. Treecreeper

 

 17. Lesser Black Backed Gull

 

 

As I managed to get some close up views of the Mandarin Duck I thought I'd add some of my favourite shots..

 



 18. Mandarin Duck

 

 19. Grey Wagtail

 

 20. Mute Swan

 



21. Mallard

 

 22. Coot

 

 23. Robin

 

 24. Raven

 

25. Great Tit

 

Little bit gutted about the Goshawk, will have to try again but next time check the weather forecast, especially as this would be a lifer for me.....