Double Lifer!!!!!

Decided that I couldn't ignore the Pied Billed Grebe any longer so I took a trip to RSPB Ham Wall and what a great day, the sun was shining and the birds were all showing.

First notable bird of the day was a booming Bittern, this is the first time I've heard this weird call.  Next up was a Great White Egret feeding just off the first platform, never expected that today.  Whilst I was looking at it through the telescope someone called Bittern, I looked up and there was one flying across in front of us, unfortunately I wasn't quick enough with the camera but did manage a great view through the binoculars

7. Great White Egret

 

I then walked on up to the second platform which is where the Pied Billed Grebe has been reported from, on route I saw plenty of tit and finch activity in the trees and hedges lining the path and heard numerous Cetti's Warblers however was unable to locate any. I took a few shots of some Long Tailed Tits, one which I am quite happy with.

 8. Long Tailed Tit

 



I finally arrived at the second viewing platform but viewing was at a premium as it was very busy, this still didn't stop me getting some great views of the Pied Billed Grebe through my binoculars and some amazing views through the telescope; my first lifer of the day.  The pictures however are not as great, suppose I brought an entry level camera for a reason though so can't grumble.

 

9. Pied Billed Grebe

 

I'd heard there had been a Ring Necked Duck, Scaup, Smew, Black Necked Grebe and Ferruginous Duck present yesterday so I wandered on further along the track, on route I managed to snap a couple more birds for the list, Blue Tit and Chaffinch.

 

 10. Blue Tit

 

11. Chaffinch

 

I arrived at a group of people who it turned out where getting on/off glimpses of the Ring Necked Duck.  I managed to get onto my second lifer of the day - awesome!!  Again, not the greatest of shots as it was through trees and in a very narrow viewing window.

 

12. Ring Necked Duck

 

Whilst observing the Ring Necked Duck I happened to look up and notice 3 birds flying towards us, since I was having I lifer day my first hope was Crane - no chance.... however 3 Spoonbills were a nice addition to the year list.  I wandered further up as somebody informed us that the Ferruginous Duck had been located.  I arrived just it it disappeared behind some reedbeds, I waited for about 20 minutes but he wasn't coming out.  I decided to call it a day and head back to the car as I still had to go to work, on the way back I stopped for a quick look at the Pied Billed Grebe but he'd become elusive, a bonus though was that the 2 Black Necked Grebes had arrived back, great views but too far out for photos.  Lastly I found a Chiffchaff flitting about the tree tops by the carpark which was another nice addition to the year list.

 

All in all a great day; lovely weather, great birding, an awesome site and 2 lifers to boot.....Happy Days.

 



Farmoor

Was unsure where to go today so decided to head over to Farmoor as it's always been reasonably good to me, even though it is always freezing cold there....

Surprisingly it was quite devoid of wildfowl in comparison to my previous visits, a quick scan of F2 revealed a pair of Goldeneye and the odd Coot so took a walk along the causeway, had a quick scan of the Tufted Duck and notice 4 Scaup (2 pairs); it's taken me years to see my first Scaup, the first occasion being last year, now since then I have seen them on a regular basis at a number of sites as is typical with bird watching.

Scaup with the Tufted Duck

 

Next up was a male Goldeneye who obviously felt king drake in this pond with his hareem of 6 ducks in tow, not sure if the obvious benefits of 6 women outweigh 6 x nagging? (be in for it with the missus now!), also saw this Cormorant with an extremely white head.

 

 Goldeneye

 

Cormorant

 

Since there didn't appear to be too much on the Reservoir I thought I'd take a look in the Pinkhill Reserve but again not much to see as the whole area was flooded, there were however 4 Snipe skulking about, another bird which has seemed extremely abundant this winter.  Luckily I visited the hide as another birder came in and informed me that they'd just been watching a Barn Owl hunting so of course I headed over and got some fantastic views of it hunting in daylight.

 

 

Barn Owl

 

After watching the Barn Owl for about 10 minutes I walked back to the car via the causeway and managed to see, not a Rock or Water Pipit running up and down the water line but of course a Meadow Pipit, typical.. Then just as I was leaving I got to watch a Great Black Backed Gull fly in, still amazes me just how big they are.

 

Meadow Pipit

 







Waxwing surprise

10th February 2013 - Photos Added

Just setting off to Bournemouth for the weekend had to quickly pull the car over before I was out of street as I'd seen some birds in a bush which, as I went past came into view as Waxwings. I've taken a few photos which I'll upload upon my return. The misses is letting me out geeking all day tomorrow so need to decide between Arne, Christchurch Harbour or Portland, tough decision...

3 Scaup (2 drake) still on Caldecotte south lake not far from bridge at 11:45, again photos to follow.

Slavonian Grebe

After a tip off from a collegue at work, I headed to Tongwell Lake to see if the Slavonian Grebe (82) was still present.  Fortunately I managed to get straight onto it in the northern corner of the lake as reported.  Unfortunately that was all I got to see as I moved position for a better view but was unable to relocate it, plus the darkness set in rather quickly.  I did get to watch a small flock (300ish) of Starlings doing there evening sky dance before dropping from the sky into the reedbeds.
I'd been informed that a Scaup was also present but never managed to connect, I did however notice a female Tufted Duck with a significant white patch around the bill.