Birding Paradigms

Dover Harbour & Ham Pits Faversham

2012-02-04T00:00:00.000-08:00

Kumlien's Gull (Second Winter)

Rock Pipit

Smew. Ham Pits, Faversham

Dungeness

2012-01-14T21:00:00.000-08:00

Caspian Gull, first winter

Red-throated Diver

Guillemot

Shellness, Isle of Sheppey, Kent

2012-01-07T21:00:00.000-08:00

Sanderling

Reed Bunting

Oare Marshes

2011-12-22T21:00:00.000-08:00

Merlin

Chatham Maritime

2011-11-27T00:00:00.000-08:00

Long-tailed Duck

Eastern visitor at Margate

2011-11-12T00:00:00.000-08:00

Eastern Black Redstart

Rock Pipit

Sanderling

Gulls at Dungeness

2011-11-05T00:00:00.000-07:00

Yellow-legged Gull

Blakeney & Cley, Norfolk

2011-10-25T00:00:00.000-07:00

Cattle Egret

Short-eared Owl

Horsey, Norfolk

2011-10-24T00:00:00.000-07:00

Daurian Shrike

Titchwell, Norfolk

2011-10-23T00:00:00.000-07:00

Meadow Pipit

Isabelline Shrike, Cliffe

2011-10-16T00:00:00.000-07:00

For a quality digiscoped image of this bird, take a look at Andy Lawson's image here: Daurian Shrike

Daurian Shrike

Oare Marshes

2011-10-15T00:00:00.000-07:00

Lapwing

Little Stint

Golden Plover

Grey Heron

Reculver

2011-10-08T21:00:00.000-07:00

Grey Phalarope

Oare Marshes

2011-10-01T21:00:00.000-07:00

Little Stint

Curlew Sandpiper

Last of the evening light at Oare Marshes

2011-09-28T00:00:00.000-07:00

Oare Marshes (Kent): Curlew Sandpiper (4), Kingfisher (1), Marsh Harrier (1), Little Egret (6), Snipe (4), Avocet (3).

Little Egret

Dungeness

2011-09-17T00:00:00.000-07:00

Little Egret

Chiffchaff

Great Tit

Marsh Harriers

Garganey (2)

Goosander

Wells-next-the-Sea & Titchwell

2011-08-29T21:00:00.000-07:00

Wryneck

Ruff

Cley

2011-08-28T21:00:00.000-07:00

Red-backed Shrike

Green Sandpiper

Stodmarsh and the distant Night Herons

2011-07-09T00:00:00.000-07:00

Night Heron (x2) if you look really carefully!

Elmley Marshes

2011-06-25T21:00:00.000-07:00

Decided to get some walking in today, so ventured over to Elmley Marshes to try and get a look at the Spoonbills that have been in the area for some time. From the car park we were off to a great start with Common Buzzard, Yellow Wagtails, Marsh Harriers and Green Sandpiper so the birding was already underway. Walking to the seawall some distance past Southfleet hide enabled us to enjoy reasonable views of the six Spoonbills alongside the fleet and in addition to the expected birds such as Little Egrets, Common Terns, Avocets, Black-tailed Godwits, Reed Warblers, Sedge Warblers and Mediterranean Gulls we were also treated to nine Spotted Redshanks from the Counterwall hide before making our way back to the car park and a final bonus of three Barn Owls to complete our visit. Quality!

Redshank

Avocet

Common Tern

Hare

Dungeness RSPB Reserve

2011-06-18T21:00:00.000-07:00

Arrived at the Dungeness RSPB reserve soon after 10:00. Whilst walking to the raised view point we came across a number of small groups of Whitethroat and there were a large number of Common Swifts everywhere. Within minutes of arriving at the view point we were watching the Squacco Heron where it took shelter under a Willow at the edge of a channel from the strong south westerly winds. After ten minutes, it flew and was relocated nearby on Denge Marsh, viewable from the gateway. After some twenty minutes of watching from here, we started to make our way through the reserve managing to view the Great White Egret briefly feeding on the marsh before flying across the reedbed and landing eventually from view. Other birds seen today elsewhere on the reserve included: Little Egret (3), Hobby (2), Marsh Harrier (1), Common Tern (8), Little Ringed Plover (2), Brent Goose (1), Sedge Warbler (1), Reed Warbler (4), Swallow and House Martin.

Squacco Heron

Flitcham Abbey & Salthouse Heath

2011-06-02T00:00:00.000-07:00

Linnet

Moorhen

Grey Partridge

Dragonfly (Broad-bodied Chaser)

Welney

2011-05-30T00:00:00.000-07:00

Reed Bunting

Swallow

Titchwell

2011-05-29T00:00:00.000-07:00

Wren

Greylag Goose

Pied Wagtail

Woodpigeon

Little Gull

Oare Surprise & Canterbury Woodlands

2011-05-21T00:00:00.000-07:00

White-spotted Bluethroat

Heath Fritillary

Common Buzzard

Lakenheath & Weeting Heath

2011-05-08T00:00:00.000-07:00

Leaving the house at Tottenhill to our nesting Coal Tits and singing Cuckoo and Nightingale we headed to Lakenheath in Suffolk where we recorded: Cuckoo (heard), a booming Bittern, Garganey (pair), Hobby (5), Swift (10), Marsh Harrier (2), Common Buzzard (1), Black Tern (1), Common Tern (4) and various commoner summer visitors. Lunchtime was spent at nearby Weeting Heath where we managed to obtain distant views only of two Stone Curlews from the hide.

Norfolk Weekend: Titchwell & Cley

2011-05-07T21:00:00.000-07:00

Started our day at Titchwell: Garganey (male), Little Stint (1), Little Tern (3), Spotted Redshank (1), Whimbrel (2), Little Ringed Plover (4), White Wagtail (1) and Brent Goose (20). Moving onto Cley we recorded: Shorelark (5), Spoonbill (2), Temminck's Stint (2), Whinchat (1), Wheatear (5), Yellow Wagtail (20), Marsh Harrier (2), Sandwich Tern (6), Little Egret (1), Pink-footed Goose (1) and Sparrowhawk (1).

Shorelark

White Wagtail

Common Sandpiper

Little Ringed Plover

Avocet

Shoveler

Woodpigeon

Greylag Goose

Northern France

2011-05-01T00:00:00.000-07:00

We joined Bob Knight and Jeremy Hall this morning for our near annual day drip to France to visit some of the well known and easily reached birding spots within easy reach of Calais. Our first stop was Sailly Bray where aided by fine weather, we were soon watching: Marsh Harrier (2), Hen Harrier (male), Bluethroat (2), Whinchat and Grey Wagtail (2) among an assortment of the usual summer migrants.

Following our enjoyable start, we headed towards the coast and the area of Saint Valery sur Somme and our run of good fortune continued as we added a well observed Black Kite to our days tally. Also, circling on a different set of thermals was a single flock of ten White Storks.

With time pushing on, we continued our drive to Le Bois de Cise adding a Red Kite on route and a further three Marsh Harriers. The birding quietened down at this time but for a small number of Mediterranean Gulls offshore so we took the opportunity to enjoy some lunch and a well-earned (if not expensive!) beer at a beach front restaurant before continuing.

From this location, we had noticed that there was some significant flooded areas at nearby Hable D'Ault so we started our journey back via this location. This proved to be an inspired decision, as before long we had added Little Ringed Plover (5), Spoonbill (1), Kentish Plover (2), Crested Lark (1), Garganey (5), Red-crested Pochard (5) and a Caspian Tern to our list of sightings.

Time really had marched on considerably by the time we had soaked up these delights and there was now no alternative but to begin the journey back. As we passed the area of Saint Valery sur Somme, we noticed from the car a large Egret feeding in a roadside pool. After turning the car around to confirm our suspicians, we were able to see that there were actually two Great White Egrets feeding together!

Caspian Tern

Fulmar

Kentish Plover

Cyprus

2011-04-24T21:00:00.000-07:00

Lesser Kestrel

Red-footed Falcon

Cyprus

2011-04-23T21:00:00.000-07:00

Montagu's Harrier

Redstart

Hoopoe

Serin

Blue-headed Wagtail

Bonelli's Eagle

Cyprus

2011-04-22T21:00:00.000-07:00

Squacco Heron

Masked Shrike

Golden Oriole

Cyprus

2011-04-21T21:00:00.000-07:00

Cretzschmar's Bunting

Mouflon

Cyprus

2011-04-20T21:00:00.000-07:00

Wood Warbler

Spotted Flycatcher

Glossy Ibis

Cattle Egret

Black Francolin

Cyprus

2011-04-19T21:00:00.000-07:00

Semi-collared Flycatcher

Collared Flycatcher

Black-eared Wheatear

Roller

Olivaceous Warbler

Long-legged Buzzard

Cyprus

2011-04-18T21:00:00.000-07:00

Black-winged Stilt

Blue-cheeked Bee-eater

Collared Pratincole

Lesser Kestrel

Hoopoe

Garganey

Little Egret

Cattle Egret

Cyprus

2011-04-17T21:00:00.000-07:00

Little Crake

Greater Sandplover

Great Spotted Cuckoo

Little Owl

Tawny Pipit

Olivaceous Warbler

Whinchat

Cyprus Warbler

Black Francolin

Cyprus

2011-04-16T21:00:00.000-07:00

Coal Tit

Jay

Masked Shrike

Woodchat

Corn Bunting

Cyprus

2011-04-15T00:00:00.000-07:00

Cyprus: will add dialogue on return home (time allowing!), just the photos being posted for now...

Red-rumped Swallow

Naked Man Orchid

Cyprus

2011-04-14T21:00:00.000-07:00

Cyprus: will add dialogue on return home (time allowing!), just the photos being posted for now...

Wood Sandpiper

Ruff

Marsh Sandpiper

Little Stint

Little Ringed Plover

Spur-winged Plover

Yellow-legged Gull

Red-throated Pipit

Black-eared Wheatear

Crested Lark

Hooded Crow

Hoopoe

Ortolan Bunting

Cyprus

2011-04-13T21:00:00.000-07:00

Cyprus: will add dialogue on return home (time allowing!), just the photos being posted for now...

Squacco Heron

Black-headed Wagtail

Blue-headed Wagtail

Kentish Plover

Little Stint

Osprey

Pied Flycatcher

Short-toed Lark

Wood Warbler

Whiskered Tern

White Wagtail

Purple Heron

Garganey

Coot

Red Arrows practising for the royal wedding

Cyprus

2011-04-12T21:00:00.000-07:00

Cyprus: will add dialogue on return home (time allowing!), just the photos being posted for now...

Sardinian Warbler

Cyprus Wheatear

Collared Flycatcher

Tree Pipit

Cyprus

2011-04-11T21:00:00.000-07:00

Arrived in Cyprus late yesterday so will add dialogue on return home (time allowing!), just the photos being posted for now...

Collared Flycatcher

Dungeness

2011-04-02T21:00:00.000-07:00

Ring Ouzel

2011-03-26T21:00:00.001-07:00

Black Redstart

Reed Bunting

Robin

Cley Marsh [West Bank]

2011-02-25T21:00:00.000-08:00

Barn Owl

Coot

Brent Goose

Black-headed Gull

Black-tailed Godwit

Lapwing

Cley Marsh [East Bank]

2011-02-23T21:00:00.000-08:00

Shorelark

2011-02-20T21:00:00.000-08:00

Stayed close to home venturing over to Welney only for a spot of lunch at the hide. On the way there by way of Runcton Holme, we saw Egyptian Geese (27) and eight Goosander (1 male, 7 female/first-years). Welney itself was interesting with hundreds of Black-tailed Godwit and Golden Plover over the flooded fields. Other species of interest seen here included: Marsh Harrier (2), Avocet (3), Pink-footed Goose (1), Ruddy Duck (1), Tree Sparrow (6+) and an escaped Greater Flamingo complete with coloured ring reading M30 on the right leg! Driving back to the cottage we counted three Barn Owls and briefly stopping to view Tottenhill Gravel Pits we saw four Goldeneye (2 males, 2 females).

Barn Owl

Greater Flamingo

Moorhen

Ruddy Duck

Whooper Swan

Reculver

2011-01-29T21:00:00.000-08:00

Snow Bunting

Snowy-headed Wonders

2011-01-16T21:00:00.000-08:00

Northern Long-tailed Tit

Long-tailed Tit

Glossy Ibis

Shoveler

Westcliff-on-Sea

2011-01-15T21:00:00.000-08:00

Ring-billed Gull

North Norfolk Coast

2011-01-08T21:00:00.000-08:00

Spotted Redshank

American & Eurasian Wigeon

American Wigeon

Thanet

2011-01-03T21:00:00.000-08:00

Foreness (Kent): Visiting relatives at Westgate today, we took a couple of hours out to look around the coast at Foreness and Westgate: Fulmar (4), Eider (1), Ring-necked Parakeet (5), Peregrine (1) and Rock Pipits (3).

Fulmar

Curlew

Oystercatcher

Redshank & Turnstone

Great Black-backed Gull

KOS Field Trip: Dungeness

2011-01-02T21:00:00.000-08:00

Dungeness (Kent): We joined others for the KOS organised Gull 'workshop' at 09:00 lead by Andy Lawson who delivered a very enjoyable day to all that attended. Starting at the coast, there was a noticeable large movement of Red-throated Divers moving east, a first winter Glaucous Gull, Gannets (6), Guillemot, Kittiwakes and a Merlin that gave chase relentlessly to a small passerine!

A little after an hour later we moved to the 'patch' where much sifting through Gulls took place. An interesting second winter Herring Gull 'type' was located and there was much discussion about whether it was a Caspian or not, but as with many Gulls of this type the final identity will probably remain inconclusive. Other birds located here though included: Mediterranean Gull (winter adult), Peregrine (1) and a distant Skua that those present agreed was most likely an Arctic Skua.

Moving onto the RSPB Reserve: Black-necked Grebe (1), Smew (1 male, 4 female), Goosander (2 male, 3 female), Bittern (1), Goldeneye (1 female), Little Egret (2) and Marsh Harriers (2) added significantly to the days highlights. As the afternoon wore on, a final visit to the 'patch' was made to again view the Gulls; on this occasion what was certainly a first winter Caspian Gull and a first-winter Yellow-legged Gull were located concluding an enjoyable visit to the Dungeness area.

Glaucous Gull

Smew

Common Seal

Chatham Maritime, Cliffe & (Ito Way), Gillingham

2011-01-01T21:00:00.000-08:00

Following a late night we decided to start the new year at a fairly relaxed pace, primarily at Cliffe, dropping into nearby Chatham Maritime on route. It was at the Maritime basins we arrived to good views of a Shag that was swimming and feeding fairly close to the basin wall. Moving onto nearby Cliffe (Alpha Pool), we saw: Velvet Scoter (1), Eider (1 female), Red-breasted Merganser (1 female), Goldeneye (2 female), Marsh Harrier (1), Redwing (2), Scaup (1 male, 1 immature male & 2 females) and a Tufted Duck x Pochard hybrid.

Finally as the light fell away and the weather deteriorated around 15:30, we headed through Gillingham and were fortunate to come across three Waxwings near to where Ito Way meets Sharps Green on the edge of the Medway Estuary.

Shag

Great Crested Grebe

Velvet Scoter

Foggy Sheppey

2010-12-30T21:00:00.000-08:00

We popped over to Sheppey but the fog ensured that our visit was briefer than it might have been! Starting at Capel Fleet, we managed to locate a barely visible flock of c200 White-fronted Geese through the fog. We also saw: Common Buzzard (1), Linnet (60) and Marsh Harrier (4). Driving round to Shellness, we saw: Brambling (1), Chaffinch (70), Ruff (1), Marsh Harrier (2) and Brent Geese (6).

Goose Chase

2010-12-27T09:51:00.000-08:00

Winchelsea (East Sussex): We travelled down to Winchelsea in East Sussex this morning to see the Red-breasted Goose located yesterday. After a little over an hour in very cold winds, the bird was located and we enjoyed reasonable views. Other birds enjoyed today included: Brent Goose (four Pale-bellied and c60 Dark-bellied), Barnacle Goose (c60), White-fronted Goose (c150), Barn Owl (1) and Marsh Harrier (3).

White-fronted Geese

Barnacle Geese

White-fronted, Greylag, Red-breasted & Barnacle Geese

Red-breasted Goose

Barn Owl

Trilling in Gillingham

2010-12-26T21:00:00.000-08:00

Travelling to visit family for lunch we quite literally bumped into a Waxwing flock along the hedge at the Anchorians playing fields near 'Ito Way' in Gillingham. Stopping the car to take stock, we were surprised to count a minimum of 160, but more probably nearer 200 as small numbers were already leaving!

Trilling Waxwings and the tailess Glaucous

2010-12-11T12:36:00.000-08:00

The dilemma today centred around the need to complete further Christmas shopping while still managing to get out in to the field; as Waxwings were in evidence at many sites throughout the county and the juvenile Glaucous Gull was still at Dungeness. We travelled to Folkestone arriving soon after 10:30 and shortly after arrival were watching some 240 Waxwings at the busy retail park. After soaking in the experience for a while, we left for Dungeness and visited the RSPB reserve to pick up a few suitable presents for family and garden birds before catching up with the 'tailess' juvenile Glaucous Gull near the fishing boats. Other species seen on the ARC included: Goosander (2 females), Ruddy Duck (6), Goldeneye (3), Yellow-legged Gull (1) and Cetti's Warbler (heard).

Waxwing

Thawing Snows

2010-12-04T00:00:00.000-08:00

Ham Road Pits, Faversham (Kent): The recent snows were melting away quickly so we stayed local: Red-breasted Mergansers (2), Kingfisher (1), Great Spotted Woodpecker (1), Marsh Harrier (1), Redwing (1), Green Woodpecker (1), Green Sandpiper (1) and Greenshank (1).

Red-breasted Merganser

Rook
[Aberrant] Herring Gull

[Aberrant] Herring Gull

Shellness

2010-11-28T21:00:00.000-08:00

Grey Plover

Broadstairs

2010-11-27T21:00:00.000-08:00

Blackbird

Ring-necked Parakeet
Carrion Crow

Peanut Surprise

2010-11-25T00:00:00.000-08:00

Working from Faversham today, it was a lovely diversion from mundane work matters to peer out of the window and view a female Great Spotted Woodpecker availing itself of the easy pickings at the nut feeder. At lunch time, I treated myself to a four-mile run in the cold, but enjoyed the Little Egret and Fieldfares (25+) viewed on the route.

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Eastern Sheppey

2010-11-20T00:00:00.000-08:00

Reacquainted ourselves today (after picking up Bob Knight), with the Shellness and Capel Fleet area, arriving shortly before midday. It had been quite a while since we visited this area due to the usual time pressures, but what a great time we had, even though much of what we saw was fairly distant (particularly from a photographic perspective).

At Shellness, we enjoyed a flock of Common Scoter (40+), Great Crested Grebe (2), a hunting ring-tail Hen Harrier, several Marsh Harriers, Brent Geese (c10), Green Woodpecker (2), Short-eared Owl (1), Sanderlings, Curlews, Oystercatchers, Turnstones, a flock of Chaffinch (100+) concealing among them a single Brambling, though it was quite possible that we missed others as the flock was flighty and often out of sight!

Following a spot of light lunch at Leysdown we ventured on to Capel Fleet where we added Corn Bunting (40+), Common Buzzard (1), Green Sandpiper (1), Little Egret (1), Linnet (15+), Merlin (1) and further Marsh Harriers and another Short-eared Owl.

Short-eared Owl

Short-eared Owl
Marsh Harrier

Hen Harrier

Brambling (with Chaffinch)

Oystercatcher

Dungeness

2010-11-13T00:00:00.000-08:00

We made our way lazily to Dungeness (Kent), this morning, driving along the coast from near Rye and bumping into Neil, Jan and Dave at the East Sussex/Kent border viewing Scotney Pit around 9:30. We'd only seen a single Green Sandpiper and two or three Marsh Harriers, but here we added Little Egret, Barnacle Goose (c55), and the nine or ten strange hybrid geese with white heads.

Exchanging some local news, we moved on to view the three Bewick's Swans visible from the roadside before the RSPB reserve entrance before enjoying a breakfast/lunch at the cafe next to the light railway. Fueled up, we then replenished our winter bird food supplies at the RSPB visitor centre enjoying a couple of Tree Sparrows along the track on route. Moving over to the ARC side of the reserve, we enjoyed watching two Bitterns flying out from the reeds across the water on three occasions. We also saw: Marsh Harrier (1), Kingfisher (1), Goldeneye (4) Ruddy Duck (6) and the three Bewick's Swans seen earlier flew in.

News on the pager then alerted us to a Grey Phalarope on a pit between Lydd and Camber Sands, so we made the effort to arrive before the light became any worse and was amazed to find on arrival both Ray Turley and Paul Trodd watching the phalarope about six feet from them! After the bird had moved away some, we joined them on the bank side and it was not long before again the phalarope entertained us almost within arms reach. Wonderful!

Grey Phalarope

Grey Phalarope
Grey Phalarope

Grey Phalarope

Bittern

Bewick's Swans

Welney Trio

2010-11-07T00:00:00.000-07:00

Welney (Norfolk): Great Spotted Woodpecker (1), Tree Sparrow (2), Green Sandpiper (1), Marsh Harrier (1), Bewick's Swan (2), Whooper Swan (30+), Redwing (4) and Black-tailed Godwit (200+)

Bewick's Swan

Bewick's Swan
Whooper Swan
Whooper Swan
Mute Swan

North Norfolk Coast

2010-11-06T21:00:00.000-07:00

Arrived at Titchwell (Norfolk) around 08:30. Twite (30+), Velvet Scoter (1), Marsh Harrier (4), Little Egret, Arctic Skua (1), Great Skua (2), Common Scoter (100+), Goldeneye (1), Grey Phalarope (1), Siskin (10), Rock Pipit (2), Pink-footed Goose (200) and Brent Goose (100). After lunch we drove on to Cley: Green-winged Teal (1), Marsh Harrier (1), Brent Goose (400) and Little Egret (2)

Green-winged Teal

Teal
Egyptian Goose
Twite

Skylark

Dunnock

Coal Tit

Black-headed Gull

Sábado (Saturday)

2010-10-30T21:00:00.000-07:00

Our last full day in Portugal. Visited a site inland near Tavira called Cascata Moinhos Da Rocha first thing: Sardinian Warbler, Waxbill (6), Azure-winged Magpie, Cattle Egret (4) and Blackcaps. Selected to take the thirty minute drive to Castro Marim: Greater Flamingo (66), White Stork (9), Caspian Tern (9), Spoonbill (40), Crested Larks, Azure-winged Magpies, Marsh Harrier (2), Stone Curlew (3), Hoopoe (1), Steppe Grey Shrike (4), Crag Martin (2), Kentish Plover (2), Cattle Egrets, Little Egrets, Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Kingfisher (1), Little Stints, Blackcaps and Sardinian Warblers.

Sexta-feira (Friday)

2010-10-29T21:00:00.000-07:00

Tavira Saltpans & Ilha De Tavira: Greater Flamingos, Spoonbills, Black-winged Stilts, Avocets, Yellow-legged Gulls, Waxbills, Spanish Sparrows, Sardinian Warblers, White Storks, Crested Larks, Kentish Plovers, Great Skua and Zitting Cisticolas.

Spanish Sparrow

Kentish Plover

Quinta-feira (Thursday)

2010-10-28T21:00:00.000-07:00

The area around Castro Verde; highlights included: Crested Lark, Steppe Grey Shrike, Black-winged Kite (2), Spotless Starling, Black-bellied Sandgrouse (20+), Calandra Lark (60+), Hen Harrier (2), Red Kite (10), Hoopoe (6), Stone Curlew (4), Woodlark (3), Griffon Vulture (20), Sardinian Warbler, Little Owl (1), Cattle Egret (80+), Little Egret, Wheatear and Azure-winged Magpie.

Black-shouldered Kite

Quarta-feira (Wednesday)

2010-10-27T21:00:00.000-07:00

Quinta Do Lago: Bluethroat, Little Bittern (1), Squacco Heron (1), Purple Swamphens (4), Red-crested Pochard (2), & Tavira Saltpans: Greater Flamingo (80), Caspian Tern (1) and Slender-billed Gull (3)

Bluethroat

Greater Flamingo
Greater Flamingo
Greater Flamingo
Gadwall and Terrapin
Purple Swamphen
Common Sandpiper
Lesser Black-backed Gull

Red-crested Pochard

Little Stint

Yellow-legged Gull

Slender-billed Gull

Ringed Plover

Sanderling

Zitting Cisticola

Terça-feira (Tuesday)

2010-10-26T21:00:00.000-07:00

Cabo De Sao Vicente: Short-toed Eagles (9), Booted Eagles (7), Griffon Vultures (88), Balearic Shearwaters (6), Serins (6), Chough (70+), Blue Rock Thrush (1), Great Bustard (1) and Hen Harrier (1). Quinta Da Rocha: Osprey (1), Raven (2), Steppe Grey Shrike (1), Hoopoe (4), Stone Curlew (2) and our only Swallowtail butterfly of the trip.

Steppe Grey Shrike

Crested Lark
Short-toed Eagle
Hen Harrier
Booted Eagle

Sardinian Warbler

Griffon Vultures

Great Bustard

Chough

Segunda-feira (Monday)

2010-10-25T21:00:00.000-07:00

Castro Marim, Barragem Do Beliche (Portugal) and Isla Cristinia (Spain): White Storks (105+), Audouin's Gull (35+), Caspian Tern (10), Steppe Grey Shrike (3), Greater Flamingo (11), Black-winged Stilts (40), Kentish Plover (16), Zitting Cisticola (3)

Azure-winged Magpie & Magpie

Black-winged Stilt
Black-winged Stilt
White Stork
White Storks

Spotless Starling

Coot

Little Egret

Crag Martin & Common Buzzard

Stonechat

Domingo (Sunday). Arrival in Portugal!

2010-10-24T21:00:00.000-07:00

Praia De Faro following arrival to Portugal to unpack the gear! Straight into some great sights and birds including: Osprey (1), Kentish Plover (10), Hoopoe (1), Azure-winged Magpie, Crested Lark, Sardinian Warbler, Greater Flamingo (50+) and Black-winged Stilt. Walking into and around the town of Tavira in the evening for our meal: Griffon Vulture (1) and Bluethroat (1).

Greenshank

Crested Lark
Azure-winged Magpie
Kentish Plover
Dunlin

2010-10-23T21:00:00.000-07:00

Rainham Marsh RSPB Reserve (Essex): Pink-footed Goose (3), Peregrine (1), Little Egret (2)

Pink-footed Goose

Rosy Pastor

2010-10-16T00:00:00.000-07:00

A bright and dry day tempted us out for the day to Newhaven, East Sussex to see the Adult Rose-coloured Starling present for a few days. While here, we also saw: Wheatear (2), Swallows (40+), House Martin (1), Redwing (1) and Chiffchaff (1).

Rose-coloured Starling

Rose-coloured Starling
Wheatear

October Visible Migration

2010-10-10T00:00:00.000-07:00

With noticable visible migration in progress around the country (and county), yesterday, and expecting more today, we left at a reasonable hour this morning to see what we could find on the north east Kent headland: North Foreland, stopping first to view the area that is Margate Cemetary before moving on to the Joss Bay (Elmwood Avenue) area. At the cemetary, we met others, including: Bob Knight, Jeremy Hall, Barry Wright, John Tilbrook and Dave Gilbert. Slowly making our way round, Goldcrests were calling, we had brief views of ring-tail Hen Harrier, Firecrest and several Sparrowhawks. Along with Bob and Jeremy, we moved on to walk Elmwood Avenue, here we watched, 11 Grey Herons (a group of 6 and a further group of 5), 17 Jays (a group of 10 and a further group of 7), Swallows (3), Bramblings (6), Siskins (heard), Linnets (40+), Sparrowhawks (2), Black Redstart (1), Yellow Wagtail (1), Chiffchaff (2), Redwing (heard), before stopping for a lunch time drink at the 'Captain Digby' from where we saw: Kittiwake (1), Brent Goose (6), Sanderling (8).

Brambling

Goldcrest
Jay

Sparrowhawk

Scotney & Dungeness

2010-10-02T00:00:00.000-07:00

We arrived at Scotney shortly after 09:00, being joined shortly after by Barry Wright. We soon picked out one of the Buff-breasted Sandpipers some distance away and walking along the footpath in an attempt to get closer, we were soon looking at two Buff-breasts together. While at Scotney, we also enjoyed views of a partial albino Lapwing, Little Stint (2), Marsh Harrier (1), Little Egret (1), House Martin (2), Golden Plover (many), and Swallow (2).

After enjoying the birds at Scotney we moved on via an early lunch at the cafe, to the observatory area where we saw Swallow (20), Wheatear (2), Sparrowhawk (1) and were busy checking through feeding Meadow Pipits (80+), when the pager alerted us to a Barred Warbler at the RSPB reserve. We made our way to the reserve and were soon enjoying brief but fairly frequent views of the Barred Warbler. While at the reserve, we also saw the Great White Egret, Little Egret (2), Peregrine (1), Marsh Harrier (2), Blackcap (1), Chiffchaff (3) and Cetti's Warbler (heard).

After returning to the visitors centre and car park, a phone call from Barry alerted us to the presence of the Black-throated Diver on the New Diggings, so we were soon in the car making our way to the road bisecting the pits at which point the weather started to deteriorate. We were soon enjoying good views of the Diver and Red-breasted Mergansers (2) and Black Tern (2), on the ARC.

Barred Warbler

Barred Warbler
Barred Warbler
Buff-breasted Sandpiper
Buff-breasted Sandpipers
Buff-breasted Sandpiper with Ruff
Buff-breasted Sandpipers with Ruff
Ruff

Reculver and Oare (Kent)

2010-09-25T00:00:00.000-07:00

Arrived at Reculver in bright conditions with north westerly winds. There were already a large number of observers gathered among the towers sheltering from the wind and searching for seabirds. From 09:00 till 14:30 we counted in excess of 200 Gannets moving west, 3 Swallows, 25 Sandwich Terns, c15 Wigeon west, 1 Common Scoter east, 30+ Great Skua west, 5 Arctic Skua, 2 Divers, 1 Auk and great views of a single Snow Bunting on the grass area just inland.

After, we visited Oare to view the very distant Sabines Gull that had been hanging around the Swale since this morning, where we also saw: Spoonbill (1), Great Skua (3), Arctic Skua (1), Gannet (25), Common Scoter (3), Avocet (60), juvenile Little Stint (1) and Swallow (6).

Snow Bunting

Herring Gull

Gannet

Great Skua

Ringed Plover

Ruff & Golden Plover

Oare (Kent)

2010-09-21T21:00:00.000-07:00

Quick visit after work: Yellow Wagtail (32), Ruff, Avocet, Swallow, Water Rail

Snipe

Grove Ferry, Bockhill & Oare (Kent)

2010-09-18T21:00:00.000-07:00

After being unable to get out last weekend due to work commitments, we were lucky to get a second chance at the Wilson's Phalarope at Grove Ferry. We also saw Hobby, Bearded Tit, Green Sandpiper before driving to Bockhill where we saw Lapland Buntings (6), Lesser Whitethroat (1), Whitethroat (1), Chiffchaff (25+) and Blackcap (1). We finished the day at Oare with the White-rumped Sandpiper and Yellow Wagtail (2).

Grey Heron

Yellow Wagtail

2010-08-21T21:00:00.000-07:00

Cley (Norfolk):

Marsh Harrier

Marsh Harrier
Spoonbill

2010-07-25T21:00:00.000-07:00

Welney (Norfolk):

House Martin

Sedge Warbler
Pectoral Sandpiper

Wood Sandpiper

2010-07-23T08:00:00.000-07:00

Dungeness (Kent): Great day in the field with a new Kent bird for us in the shape of the White-tailed Plover that thankfully stayed around for us to catch up with, Garganey (1), Purple Heron (1) and Great White Egret (1).

White-tailed Plover

White-tailed Plover
Great White Egret

2010-07-03T21:00:00.000-07:00

Oare (Kent): Evening visit to Oare in lovely weather.

Ruff

Little Grebe

Moorhen

Little Egret

Lapwing

Avocet

Welsh Cream Teas

2010-06-12T22:00:00.000-07:00

Blorenge, near Abergavenny (Wales): An early start ensured that we arrived at the site by 8:20 and we were enjoying the first summer male Marmora's Warbler present for over a week soon after. Also: Tree Pipits, Ravens, Willow Warblers, Buzzards, Cuckoo (heard), Whinchats and Stonechats were also in the area. The weather was wonderful and endulging another of our passions we breakfasted locally before heading off for cream teas and the second-hand book shops at Hay-on-Wye before beginning the evening drive home, while being glued to the car radio as England v USA in the first-round of the World Cup ended 1-1.

Marmora's Warbler

Tree Pipit

Dusk Woodland Birding

2010-06-09T23:00:00.000-07:00

Challock, Kings Wood (Kent): Evening visit around dusk; at least 1 Nightjar singing, calling and wing-clapping but seen poorly in comparison with previous visits to this site. Also a couple of Woodcock and an unidentified species of bat.

Stilts & Montagu's

2010-06-05T21:00:00.000-07:00

Titchwell and Burnham Market (Norfolk): News of 5 Black-winged Stilts together at Titchwell resulted in a change of plan and despite having visited this site yesterday, we returned this morning and obtained distant views of the Stilts together. Also: Bittern (heard), Cetti's Warbler (heard), Cuckoo (heard), Ruddy Duck (1), Little Egret (2), Marsh Harrier (3), Little Gull (3 immature), Little Ringed Plover (1), Common Tern (1), Swallow, Swift, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Blackcap, Avocet, Black-tailed Godwit, Bar-tailed Godwit, Knot and Bearded Tit (3). We then travelled up to a site in the Burnham Market area where we enjoyed good views of 2 male Montagu's Harriers together along with Marsh Harrier (3) and 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls.

Black-winged Stilt