West Hyde

A late morning visit in cold, sunny conditions produced the following species:-
Great Cormorant (over), Grey Heron (over), Red Kite (2), Common Kestrel (1), Common Pheasant (2), Golden Plover (c90 feeding among oilseed crop), Black-headed Gull (over), Lesser Black-backed Gull (over), Herring Gull (over), Woodpigeon, Common Skylark (c60), Meadow Pipit (6), Wren, European Robin, Fieldfare (1), Song Thrush, Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Common Magpie, Western Jackdaw (4), Carrion Crow, Common Chaffinch, European Goldfinch (1), Yellowhammer (c100 feeding on fallow field).
 
A brief visit to Troy Mill G.P produced Common Kingfisher (1), Great Spotted Woodpecker (1), Mistle Thrush (1).

West Hyde

An afternoon visit in mild, overcast conditions provided the following species:-
Red Kite (2), Common Buzzard (1), Peregrine Falcon (1 hunting pigeons), Common Moorhen (2 at M25 drainage pond), Lesser Black-backed Gull (over), Herring Gull (over), Feral Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Common Skylark (c40 amongst oilseed crop), Meadow Pipit (10), Pied Wagtail (1), Dunnock, European Robin, Common Stonechat (pair), Common Blackbird, Fieldfare (3), Redwing (1), Common Magpie, Carrion Crow, Common Starling (2), Common Chaffinch, Common Linnet (2), Yellowhammer (6), Common Reed Bunting (2 at M25 drainage pond).
 

West Hyde

An afternoon visit in dull, overcast but mild conditions produced the following species of note:-
Red Kite (2), Common Kestrel (1), Common Skylark (6), Meadow Pipit (c60), Common Stonechat (pair), Fieldfare (2), Common Linnet (20), Yellowhammer (1).

                                                                   Meadow Pipit.

                                                           Common Stonechat (male).

Woodoaks Farm

An early afternoon visit in sunny, mild conditions provided the following species:-
Red Kite (2), Common Buzzard (2), Black-headed Gull (213), Common Gull (1), Herring Gull (2), Feral Rock Dove (8), Stock Dove (1), Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Green Woodpecker (1), Great-spotted Woodpecker (1), Pied Wagtail (10), European Robin, Common Skylark (18), Meadow Pipit (7), Common Blackbird, Long-tailed Tit, Eurasian Jay (1), Common Magpie, Western Jackdaw (c25), Carrion Crow (2), Common Starling (40), House Sparrow (2), Common Chaffinch, Yellowhammer (1).
  

                                                         Red Kite at the old orchard.

Barbezières, France

A short family vacation to Barbezières, France offered the opportunity for a spot of birding. We departed London Stansted on a Ryanair flight to La Rochelle and then drove the 104 km to our destination which took approx an hour and a half. Located in the Cognac region our cottage was surrounded by vineyards and mixed arable land mainly sown with maize and winter grain with small copses of mixed woodland present along the field margins. The weather throughout was very mild with warm sunshine and very light winds. I began each day with an early morning walk around the garden and adjacent farm land and took day trips with my family to Saintes, Angoulême and Aigre.


29-10-14
Great Cormorant, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Common Buzzard, Common Kestrel, Feral Rock Dove,  Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Common Kingfisher, Common Skylark, White Wagtail, European Robin, Common Blackbird, Common Chiffchaff, Firecrest (2), Black Redstart, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Common Starling, Eurasian Jay, Common Magpie, Rook, Carrion Crow, Common Chaffinch, European Goldfinch, House Sparrow.
During an early morning walk in the garden I happened across two Firecrest feeding in a conifer. At Saintes Cathedral several Black Redstart frequented the clock tower while below on the Charente River three Mute Swan basked in the sun and a Common Kingfisher passed by. 

                                                                         Firecrest

                                                                    Saintes Cathedral

30-10-14
Common Buzzard, Common Kestrel, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Great-spotted Woodpecker, Common Skylark, Barn Swallow, Crested Lark, Grey Wagtail, White Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, European Robin, Common Stonechat, Common Blackbird, Redwing, Common Chiffchaff, Firecrest, Black Redstart, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Common Starling, Common Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Common Chaffinch, European Goldfinch, European Greenfinch, House Sparrow.
During my morning walk I discovered a Red Squirrel feeding in a Walnut Tree while several Common Wall Lizards basked in the sunshine. At least three Firecrest and a single Common Chiffchaff frequented the garden. An afternoon visit to Aigre produced a Grey Wagtail feeding in the stream that runs through the village square.

                                                   Common Wall Lizard Podarcis muralis 

                                                               Common Chiffchaff

31-10-14
Common Moorhen, Common Buzzard, Common Kestrel, Common Crane, Tawny Owl, Little Owl, Barn Owl, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Great-spotted Woodpecker, Common Skylark, Crested Lark, White Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, European Robin, Common Blackbird, Mistle Thrush, Common Chiffchaff, Firecrest, Black Redstart, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Common Starling, Common Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Common Chaffinch, European Goldfinch, House Sparrow, Cirl Bunting.
A late morning visit with my family to the busier town of Angoulême produced more Black Redstart present at the Cathedral. During the drive back to Barbezières six Common Crane were briefly observed in flight probably on migration south, a good spot from my brother-in-law who was driving at the time! Later a lovely singing male Cirl Bunting was observed in the garden late afternoon while in the evening Two Little Owl, a calling Tawny Owl and a single Barn Owl finished the day well.  

01-11-14
Great Egret, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Common Buzzard, Common Kestrel,Western Marsh Harrier, Black-headed Gull, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Great-spotted Woodpecker, Skylark, Crested Lark, Meadow Pipit, Wheatear, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Redwing, Mistle Thrush, Firecrest, Great Tit, Common Starling, Magpie, Rook, Common Chaffinch, European Goldfinch, House Sparrow.
During my final morning I photographed more Wall Lizards before we headed off back in the afternoon to La Rochelle Airport. Nearing the airport Egrets and Herons were noted feeding in the marshes while at the departure lounge I noted at least two Western Marsh Harrier quartering the runway verges.

     

Maple Lodge Nature Reserve

A late afternoon visit to the Rotunda Hide provided the following species of note:-
Common Teal (11), Water Rail (1), Cetti's Warbler (singing male), European Greenfinch (2), Reed Bunting (1). The Water Rail showed well and at times was too close to photograph from the hide.

Stockers Lake & Bury Lake

An early morning visit to conduct a wetland bird survey provided the following species:-
Great Crested Grebe (7), Great Cormorant (13), Grey Heron (2), Black Swan (1), Mute Swan (34), Canada Goose (6), Eurasian Wigeon (15), Gadwall (16), Hybrid Mallard (3), Mallard (23), Northern Shoveler (29), Common Pochard (147), Tufted Duck (237), Red-crested Pochard (3), Common Moorhen (12), Eurasian Coot (293), Eurasian Sparrowhawk (1), Black-headed Gull (40), Lesser Black-backed Gull (3), Woodpigeon, Ring-necked Parakeet (5), Common Kingfisher (1), Green Woodpecker (1), Great-spotted Woodpecker (2), Pied Wagtail (2), Wren, Dunnock, European Robin, Common Blackbird, Song Thrush, Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Common Treecreeper, Eurasian Jay, Common Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, House Sparrow, Common Chaffinch, European Greenfinch.

Broadwater Gravel PIt

I visited mid-afternoon in sunny, mild conditions and followed the footpath along the River Colne eventually reaching the yacht club. Here the skies darkened rapidly and before too long I was caught in a heavy shower of rain and ended up completely drenched. The return leg back along the canal side of the lake towards the causeway was uncomfortable. I was surprised how over-grown the causeway had become and I had to force my way through some thick undergrowth to finally return to the Colne side of the lake. Before heading off home I stopped briefly to warm myself up at a huge bonfire that the fisherman had gratefully left behind.
A full list of species observed as follows:-
Great Crested Grebe, Great Cormorant, Little Egret (15), Grey Heron, Mute Swan (pair present with at least one large cygnet), Greylag Goose (45), Canada Goose, Gadwall, Common Teal (4), Mallard, Northern Shoveler, Common Pochard, Tufted Duck, Water Rail (heard only), Common Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Red Kite (2), Common Buzzard (1), Eurasian Sparrowhawk (1), Common Kestrel (1), Northern Lapwing (13), Common Snipe (5), Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeon, Common Kingfisher (1), Ring-necked Parakeet (5), Green Woodpecker, Grey Wagtail (1), Wren, Dunnock, European Robin, Common Blackbird, Common Chiffchaff (1), Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Common Treecreeper, Eurasian Jay (2), Common Magpie, Western Jackdaw (7), Carrion Crow, Common Chaffinch.


   

Maple Lodge Nature Reserve

A late afternoon visit began at the Rotunda Hide where a very obliging Water Rail fed among the reeds close to the hide. Out on the water four Common Teal fed in the shallows while overhead a single Red Kite passed by. From the Shell Hide two Little Grebe and an adult and juvenile Great Crested Grebe were noted before I headed off home. I bumped into one of our members during my visit who informed me of an Osprey that had been seen early afternoon at Broadwater Gravel Pit. Hopefully the bird will remain in the area and maybe visit the reserve. 

                                                            Water Rail Rallus aquaticus.

Raptor galore at West Hyde

An afternoon visit in sunny, mild conditions provided the following species of note:-
Red Kite (4), Common Buzzard (7), Eurasian Hobby (2), Common Skylark (2), Yellowhammer (17).

                                          Eurasian Hobby hawking insects low over the fields.

                                                              Displaying Red Kite.

West Hyde

An early afternoon visit in mild conditions provided the following species of interest:-
Red Kite (1), Common Buzzard (1), Common Kestrel (3), Eurasian Hobby (1), Green Woodpecker (1), Northern Wheatear (2), Common Stonechat (2).

                                                              Common Stonechat.

                                                               Northern Wheatear.

Woodoaks Farm

An early afternoon visit in mild conditions with a light breeze provided the following species of note:-
Red Kite (6), Eurasian Sparrowhawk (1), Common Buzzard (4), Common Kestrel (3), Eurasian Hobby (1), Barn Swallow (7), Yellow Wagtail (18), Meadow Pipit (1 over), Common Chiffchaff (1).

                                                                   Yellow Wagtail.

 

West Hyde

A late afternoon visit in dull but very mild conditions provided me with views of a wonderful Eurasian Hobby that was hawking insects over the fields. At the far end of the long hedge a single Whinchat was noted catching insects while overhead at two Red Kite passed by.
I also noticed an individual out on the fields hunting with a Merlin but was unable to successfully identify the prey species for certain.
 

Peregrine Falcon at West Hyde

While out this afternoon following the footpath towards the South Bucks Way I noticed a female Sparrowhawk having a dual with a Peregrine Falcon. Eventually both birds went their separate ways and I watched the Peregrine for several minutes before it went into a hunting dive and disappeared somewhere over West Hyde village. A couple of record shots below.

Woodoaks Farm

A mid-afternoon visit in mild but overcast conditions provided the following species of note:-
Red Kite, Little Owl (below old orchard), Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Whinchat (2) on side of track fifty metres past manure pile, Common Whitethroat (in hedge above old orchard), Common Chiffchaff (3), House Sparrow (25 opposite grain barn), European Goldfinch (4).

                                                 One of two Whinchat at Woodoaks Farm.

West Hyde

I paid an early afternoon visit in glorious sunshine following the footpath adjacent the new quarry road leading to the south bucks way. In the long hedge I noted 2 Whinchat that were busily feeding on insects while out on the fields 7 Red Kite and 2 Common Buzzard followed the plough picking off exposed invertebrates. Later a single Common Kestrel put in a brief appearance overhead. I then turned right and followed the footpath to the "ups and downs" where I found a single Common Chiffchaff. I then decided to have a look at the M25 drainage pond that is situated close to the footpath. Near the perimeter fence I discovered a single Northern Wheatear. I then made my way into the pond area and was pleasantly surprised to find a fairly large reed bed. I noted a few immature Common Moorhen feeding among the reeds and at least 2 Common Reed Bunting were flushed. I wish I had paid a visit earlier in the year as I would expect to find breeding Reed and Sedge Warblers here. I also discovered 3 species of Dragonlfly including a mating pair of Migrant Hawker.   

                                                                     Whinchat.

                                                            Southern Hawker (female).

                                                                  Common Darter (male).

                                                        Mating pair of Migrant Hawker.

Woodoaks Farm

A brief mid-afternoon visit in dull, wet conditions provided the following species of note :-
Red Kite (3 in old orchard), Common Buzzard (1), Green Woodpecker (immature), Yellow Wagtail (c10 feeding among cattle on pasture above the old orchard), Common Chiffchaff (2 including one in song).

31-08-14 Durlston Country Park

Another early morning walk from Swanage Bay View Caravan Park to Durlston in warm, sunny conditions provided the following species:-
Northern Fulmar (1), Northern Gannet (several out to sea), European Shag (2), Eurasian Sparrowhawk (mobbed by Western Jackdaw and Rook), Common Kestrel (3), Peregrine Falcon (1), Eurasian Oystercatcher (1), Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Feral Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Green Woodpecker (1), Great-spotted Woodpecker (1), Sand Martin (1), Barn Swallow (71), Meadow Pipit (1),Wren, Dunnock, European Robin, Common Stonechat (1), Northern Wheatear (6 at California Quarry), Common Redstart (female at California Quarry), Common Blackbird, Common Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat (2), Common Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Garden Warbler (2), Blackcap, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Eurasian Jay (2), Common Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Rook, Common Raven (2), Carrion Crow, House Sparrow, European Greenfinch, European Goldfinch, Eurasian Bullfinch (2), Common Linnet (22 at California Quarry).

                 Above the gully at Anvil Point Lighthouse an Adonis Blue Butterfly posed for the camera.

   

30-08-14 Durlston Country Park, Dorset

An early morning walk in mild conditions provided the following species:-

Northern Fulmar (1), Northern Gannet (several out to sea),  European Shag (4), Common Buzzard (1) , Eurasian Sparrowhawk (1), Peregrine Falcon (1), Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Black-legged Kittiwake (1), Feral Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove (5), Green Woodpecker (immature), Great-spotted Woodpecker (1), Yellow Wagtail (4 over), Grey Wagtail (1), Pied Wagtail, Sand Martin (4), Barn Swallow (10), Wren, Dunnock, European Robin, Whinchat (1), Northern Wheatear (4), Common Redstart (female), Common Blackbird, Common Whitethroat, Common Chiffchaff, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Eurasian Jay (2), Common Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Common Raven (2), House Sparrow (8), Common Chaffinch, European Goldfinch.
Later at Swanage beach 1 Little Egret made a very brief appearance while 2 Rock Pipit were noted at Peveril Point!

                                                            
                                                                 

West Hyde

A late morning visit in mild conditions provided the following species:-
Red Kite (9), Eurasian Sparrowhawk (1), Common Buzzard (3), Common Kestrel (1), Black-headed Gull (35), Herring Gull (2), Feral Rock Dove (1), Woodpigeon, Barn Swallow (2), Whinchat (1), Northern Wheatear (3), Common Whitethroat (2), Western Jackdaw (c100), Rook (c60), Carrion Crow, Common Starling (10), European Goldfinch (c30).

                                                             
                                                               Northern Wheatear

                                                                           Whinchat

Common Redstart at Woodoaks Farm

After returning from a brief visit to the farm I received a call from Geoff Lapworth notifying me that a Common Redstart was now showing well there. I returned and had fantastic views as the bird fed on the far side of the paddock below the old orchard opposite the cottages. Later I discovered a single Common Whitethroat accompanying the Redstart.

  

West Hyde

An afternoon visit during a break in the wet weather provided the following species of note:-
Canada Goose (25), Greylag Goose (9), Red Kite, Common Buzzard, Common Kestrel, Northern Wheatear (1), Whinchat (3).

                                      Two of the three Whinchat along side the quarry road.

West Hyde

Walking the footpath that leads to the south bucks way and is along side the new quarry road the following species of note were observed :-
Red Kite (3), Common Buzzard (1), Common Kestrel (1), Whinchat (1), European Goldfinch (27 feeding on thistle heads).

                                                                         Whinchat

Woodoaks Farm

An early evening visit produced the following species of note:-
Little Owl (2), Green Woodpecker (1), Barn Swallow (4), Northern Wheatear (1), Common Linnet (8).
At the Heronsgate side of the farm a bird that I first thought was a distant Whinchat turned out to be in fact an immature Northern Wheatear.

                                                A record shot of the Northern Wheatear.


I then drove to the Maple Cross end of the farm where I had fantastic views of two Little Owl that were present near the horse paddock below the old orchard.
 

22-08-14 Woodoaks Farm

An afternoon visit provided the following species:-
Red Kite (4), Common Buzzard (1), Black-headed Gull (3 over), Feral Rock Dove (4), Woodpigeon, Ring-necked Parakeet (1), Little Owl (2), Green Woodpecker (1), House Martin (1), Barn Swallow (8), Pied Wagtail (1), Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Whinchat (1), Common Chiffchaff (3), Long-tailed Tit, Common Magpie, Carrion Crow, House Sparrow (10), Common Chaffinch, European Goldfinch (2), Common Linnet (4), Yellowhammer (2).

                                                     Little Owl below the old orchard.

                             A distant Whinchat at the Heronsgate side of Woodoaks Farm.