Welsh Cream Teas

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

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

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

North Norfolk Sites & Marsh Warbler Surprise

Titchwell, Burnham Market and Cley (Norfolk): Started at Titchwell: Curlew Sandpiper (1), Little Egret (3), Marsh Harrier (6), Bittern (1 heard), Red-crested Pochard (2 male), Bearded Tit (4), Ruddy Duck (1 male), Avocet, Cuckoo (heard), Cetti's Warbler (heard), Little Tern (4), Little Gull (3 immature), Egyptian Goose (1), Sedge Warbler, Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Reed Warbler, Fulmar (1), Swift and Swallow. We then travelled along the coast to Cley, via Burnham Market where we saw: Marsh Harrier (1), Buzzard (1) and Whitethroat (1). At Cley: Little Ringed Plover (1), Little Egret (2), Whitethroat (1), Marsh Harrier (6), Sand Martin (2), House Martin (1), Swift, Swallow, Little Tern (10), Sandwich Tern (5), Common Tern (1), Sedge Warbler and Reed Warbler. From Cley we heard news of a Marsh Warbler inland a few miles away which we visited on the route back to Tottenhill and enjoyed both hearing and watching the bird.

Water Vole

Water Vole
Reed Bunting
Ruddy Duck
Redshank
Mute Swan
Marsh Harrier
Marsh Harrier

Little Tern

Blackcap

Avocet

Gadwall

Chilterns M40: Travelling back from the Wirral this morning, we counted Buzzard (4) and Red Kite (18).

Anglesey Rarity

South Stack and Penmon, Anglesey, Wales: Staying with family in the Wirral, we decided to visit Anglesey on the bank holiday Monday: Guillemots, Razorbills, Puffin (1), Chough (3), Wheatear (3), Rock Pipit (4), Swallow, Swift, Gannet (20), Buzzard (2), Stonechat (2 male & female) and Whitethroat (4). It was also a very good time to visit this site to see the very rare Spatulate Fleawort that is unique to this area. Around lunchtime, we travelled to Penmon, where like South Stack, many people were present due to the bank holiday: Red-breasted Merganser (1 female), Guillemot, Razorbill, Sandwich Tern (10+), Puffin (4) and Shag (20).

Spatulate Fleawort

Stonechat
Herring Gull
Razorbill

Puffin