RSPB Otmoor

A mid-afternoon visit provided the following species:-
Little Grebe (1), Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Eurasian Wigeon, Gadwall, Common Teal, Mallard, Northern Shoveler, Common Pochard, Tufted Duck, Red Kite, Marsh Harrier (female), Common Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon (1), Common Pheasant, Water Rail (1), Common Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, European Golden Plover, Northern Lapwing, Common Snipe (2), Eurasian Curlew (1), Common Redshank (6), Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Stock Dove (2), Woodpigeon, Green Woodpecker (1), Eurasian Skylark, Wren, Dunnock, European Robin, Common Blackbird, Song Thrush, Common Chiffchaff (2), Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Common Magpie, Rook, Carrion Crow, Common Chaffinch, European Goldfinch, Common Linnet (2), Reed Bunting (c50), Eurasian Bullfinch.

A pair of cock Common Pheasant were so engrossed fighting each other they forgot all about me allowing close views.  

 
A juvenile Muntjac deer appeared from the reeds and began to graze in front of the hide for several minutes.

 
Returning home via West Hyde I noted c50 Fieldfare in flight above the A412.

Farmoor Reservoir

An afternoon visit provided fantastic views of the adult Red-necked Grebe sporting breeding plumage. The weather was far from ideal for photography, overcast and windy with rain in the air. Despite this I did mange to take a few half decent photos.

Langley Park, Buckinghamshire

A morning visit in dull, overcast conditions provided the following species:-
Great Cormorant (1), Egyptian Goose (pair), Mallard (20), Tufted Duck (2), Red Kite (4), Common Moorhen (3), Eurasian Coot (9), Northern Lapwing (1), Black-headed Gull (19), Feral Rock Dove (1 over), Stock Dove (2), Woodpigeon, Ring-necked Parakeet (5), Green Woodpecker (3), Wren, Dunnock, European Robin, Northern Wheatear (female), Common Blackbird, Mistle Thrush (1), Song Thrush, Goldecrest, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Eurasian Nuthatch, Common Treecreeper, Eurasian Jay (1), Common Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, European Goldfinch, Common Chaffinch.
Despite the wintry feel to the morning evidence of breeding activity was observed when several Western Jackdaw were seen busily collecting nest material. On reaching the lake a noisy pair of Egyptian Goose displayed in a tree before settling down to feed on a winter wheat field. On the Maize stubble below the pond a female Northern Wheatear was noted.

                                                        Northern Wheatear.

Broadwater Gravel Pit

An afternoon visit in mild conditions with hazy sunshine and very little wind provided the following species:-
Great Crested Grebe, Great Cormorant, Little Egret (1), Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Greylag Goose (4), Canada Goose (13), Hybrid Goose (1), Egyptian Goose (7), Eurasian Wigeon, Gadwall, Common Teal (4), Mallard, Northern Shoveler, Common Pochard, Tufted Duck, Common Goldeneye (5), Red Kite (3), Common Buzzard (2), Common Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull (6), Herring Gull (c50), Feral Rock Dove (1 over), Woodpigeon, Ring-necked Parakeet (4), Common Kingfisher (1), Green Woodpecker (2), Great Spotted Woodpecker (2), Grey Wagtail (pair), Wren, Dunnock, European Robin, Common Blackbird, Song Thrush, Cetti's Warbler (3 singing male), Common Chiffchaff (8), Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Common Treecreeper (2), Common Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Common Chaffinch, European Goldfinch (2), Eurasian Bullfinch (1). 
Along the river side of the lake a total of three Cetti's Warbler were heard bursting into song with one individual giving good views. The remains of a Canada Goose lay sprawled across the pathway and as I neared this a Red Fox was flushed from the undergrowth. Signs of spring was evident with Blackthorn, Colt's-foot and Lesser Celandine all in bloom.

Hengistbury Head, Dorset

A late morning visit in mild, sunny conditions provided the following species:-
Great Crested Grebe, Great Cormorant, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Brent Goose (light bellied), Eurasian Wigeon, Common Teal, Mallard, Eurasian Coot, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Common Redshank, Ruddy Turnstone, Purple Sandpiper (2), Black-headed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Green Woodpecker, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, European Robin, Common Stonechat, Rock Pipit (2), Meadow Pipit, Common Skylark, Common Blackbird, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Common Magpie, Carrion Crow, Common Starling, House Sparrow, Common Chaffinch, European Greenfinch.

                                                           Black-headed Gull

                                        Black-headed Gull and Eurasian Oystercatcher.

                                                          House Sparrow (male).

                                                    House Sparrow (female).

Surf Scoter at Gosport

I made a brief visit to Gosport to view the reported male Surf Scoter that was present with a single Common Scoter in Stokes Bay. I arrived at mid-day and parked up adjacent Pebbles Fish & Wine Bar right next to the beach. There was already a couple of birders viewing the bird from the beach so after only a few minutes I too was watching this stunning American species. I watched for half an hour or so as the bird made short feeding dives in close proximity to a lone Common Scoter. Along the beach a single Mediterranean Gull glided past and eventually landed.

                                   A distant record shot of the Surf Scoter and Common Scoter.