Broadwater Gravel Pit

A late morning visit in sunny mild conditions provided the following species:-
Great Crested Grebe, Great Cormorant, Little Egret (3), Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Greylag Goose, Egyptian Goose (13), Eurasian Wigeon (10), Gadwall, Common Teal (5), Mallard, Northern Shoveler, Common Pochard, Tufted Duck, Common Buzzard (2), Common Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Northern Lapwing (15), Green Sandpiper (2), Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Common Kingfisher (1), Barn Swallow (7), Pied Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, European Robin, Common Blackbird, Song Thrush, Cetti's Warbler (singing male), Common Chiffchaff (5), Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Common Treecreeper, Eurasian Jay (3), Common Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Eurasian Siskin (1).
Last winter I struggled to find Eurasian Siskin locally with only a few records noted. I'm pleased to say that records have begun to trickle in already during early Autumn and today I noted a singleton in flight, calling as it flew overhead. 

27-09-15 West Hyde

A late morning stroll in mild sunny conditiond provided the following species:-
Grey Heron (1 over), Red Kite (3), Common Buzzard (2), Common Kestrel (1), Eurasian Hobby (2), Herring Gull (35 over), Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Common Skylark (4), Meadow Pipit (2), Grey Wagtail (1), Wren, European Robin, Blue Tit, Eurasian Jay (2), Common Magpie, Carrion Crow, Common Starling (17), European Goldfinch (10), Common Linnet (c20), Common Reed Bunting (1).

                                                              Common Buzzard

                                                                    
                                                                 Red Kite

  

West Hyde

Another afternoon visit in sunny mild conditions provided the following species of note:-
Red Kite (4), Common Buzzard (6), Eurasian Hobby (3), Common Stonechat (1).
The immature Common Stonechat remains and was present on the hedge line busily catching insects. It was a good day for Raptors with Common Buzzard and Red Kite showing well overhead. Above the stubble field three Eurasian Hobby were busily hunting dragonflies and were present throughout my visit.
A few puddles remain along the footpath and it was near these that a Common Darter Dragonfly showed long enough for me to photograph.

  

25-09-15 West Hyde

An afternoon visit provided the following species of interest:-
Red Kite (3), Common Buzzard (1), Common Kestrel (1), Eurasia Sparrowhawk (1), Stock Dove (c20), Woodpigeon (c200), Common Stonechat, Common Linnet (100+), Yellowhammer (4), Reed Bunting (1).
While following the footpath adjacent the quarry road a single immature Common Stonechat was observed in the hedge hunting insects although distant. Out on the fields a large mobile flock of 100+ Common Linnet were nervously feeding amongst the stubble and were flushed by a hunting Eurasian Sparrowhawk.

Bedfont Lakes Country Park and Virginia Water

A late morning visit to Bedfont Lakes Country Park in unsettled conditions provided the following species:-
Great Crested Grebe, Great Cormorant, Grey Heron, Mute Swan (2 pairs with well grown cygnets), Canada Goose, Egyptian Goose (2), Gadwall, Mallard, Common Pochard, Tufted Duck, Common Buzzard (1), Common Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Black-headed Gull, Woodpigeon, Ring-necked Parakeet, Green Woodpecker (immature), House Martin, Barn Swallow, Wren, Dunnock, European Robin, Common Blackbird, Common Chiffchaff (5), Blue Tit, Great Tit, Eurasian Jay (2), Common Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, European Goldfinch.
I then visited Virginia Water early afternoon where two Eurasian Hobby were observed hawking insects above the cafe. Shortly after two Common Buzzard performed overhead for several minutes.

 

Maple Lodge Nature Reserve & Lynsters Farm

An afternoon visit in unsettled conditions provided the following species:-
Great Crested Grebe (1), Great Cormorant (2), Grey Heron (1), Gadwall (3), Mallard (19), Northern Shoveler (3), Tufted Duck (4), Red Kite (1), Common Buzzard (2), Common Moorhen (7), Eurasian Coot (5), Black-headed Gull, Stock Dove (20 Lynsters Farm), Woodpigeon, Collared Dove (1), Ring-necked Parakeet (4), Common Kingfisher (2), Green Woodpecker, Grey Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, European Robin, Common Blackbird, Common Chiffchaff (3), Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Common Treecreeper, Eurasian Jay (2), Common Magpie, Western Jackdaw (120 Lynsters Farm), Carrion Crow, Common Chaffinch.
Several Common Darter dragonflies emerged during brief periods of sunshine.

                                                       Common Darter (male).

                                                           Common Darter (female).

Stockers Lake, Bury Lake & Stockers Farm

A late morning visit to conduct a wetland bird survey at Stockers Lake & Bury Lake provided the following species:-
Great Crested Grebe (16), Great Cormorant (9), Little Egret (4), Grey Heron (1), Mute Swan (36), Domestic Greylag Goose (1), Hybrid Canada/Greylag Goose (1), Canada Goose (56), Gadwall (7), Common Teal (1), Mallard (36), Northern Shoveler (3), Common Pochard (18), Tufted Duck (60), Red Kite (1), Common Kestrel (1), Common Moorhen (8), Eurasian Coot (325), Black-headed Gull (50), Lesser Black-backed Gull (1), Woodpigeon, Ring-necked Parakeet (20 mobbing Red Kite), Common Kingfisher (1), Great Spotted Woodpecker (1), Barn Swallow, House Martin, Wren, Dunnock, European Robin, Common Blackbird, Blackcap, Common Chiffchaff (7), Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Common Treecreeper, Eurasian Jay (2), Common Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Rook (6 over), Carrion Crow, Common Starling, House Sparrow, Common Chaffinch.
At Stockers Farm two Whinchat were present on the non grazed part of the once flooded field.

09-09-15 Black Park Country Park

A morning visit in overcast, mild conditions provided the following species:-
Mute Swan (2), Greylag Goose (1), Canada Goose (2), Egyptian Goose (2), Mallard (41), Tufted Duck (10), Mandarin Duck (2), Common Moorhen (4), Eurasian Coot (17), Black-headed Gull (10), Woodpigeon, Ring-necked Parakeet, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Grey Wagtail (1), Wren, Dunnock, European Robin, Mistle Thrush (16), Blackcap, Goldcrest, Spotted Flycatcher (1), Long-tailed Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Eurasian Nuthatch, Common Treecreeper, Eurasian Jay, Common Magpie, Carrion Crow, Common Starling.
What I think was an invasion of Mistle Thrush from northern Europe were all observed feeding on a recently sown field adjacent Pinewood Road. At the heathland area a single Spotted Flycatcher was observed hunting insects from a large Oak.

West Hyde

Another late afternoon visit provided the following specis of interest:-
Red Kite (2), Common Buzzard (3), Common Kestrel (1), Stock Dove (7 over), Northern Wheatear (2), Whinchat (6 confirmed but possibly up to 8), Reed Bunting (1).
Walking my usual route along the footpath adjacent the quarry road produced the Northern Wheatear feeding amongst the oilseed stubble.  At the mixed plantation just inside the Buckinghamshire border I confimed 6 Whinchat busily feeding on insects. Due to their busy nature, constantly flying from one bush to another between feeding bursts, there may even have been up to 8 birds.

Migration continues at West Hyde

A late afternoon visit in sunny, mild conditions produced the following species of note:-
Red Kite (2), Common Kestrel (adult female with immature), Northern Wheatear (1), Whinchat (4), Common Reed Bunting (1).
Migration continues with a single Northern Wheatear and four Whinchat busily feeding on insects along the new quarry road adjacent the footpath.

                                                          Northern Wheatear

                                                                    Whinchat

                                                                    Reed Bunting

Maple Lodge Nature Reserve

A late afternoon visit produced the following species:-
Little Grebe (4), Great Crested Grebe (1), Great Cormorant (1), Grey Heron (3), Common Teal (6), Mallard (22), Northern Shoveler (1), Red Kite (2), Common Moorhen (9), Eurasian Coot (9),  Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull (1 over), Feral Rock Dove (13 over), Stock Dove (6 Lynsters Farm), Woodpigeon, Ring-necked Parakeet (2), Common Kingfisher (1), Green Woodpecker (1), Great Spotted Woodpecker (1), Barn swallow (3), Grey Wagtail (1 over), Pied Wagtail (3 over), Wren, European Robin, Common Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler (singing male), Blackcap, Common Chiffchaff (3), Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Common Treecreeper, Eurasian Jay, Common Magpie, Western Jackdaw (c100 Lynsters Farm), Carrion Crow, Common Chaffinch.
From the Clubhouse Hide an immature Grey Heron was present at the feeding station and was giving fantastic views no more than eight feet away. It has been observed successfully hunting and eating Brown Rats in this area and during my visit took a keen interest in a Grey Squirrel. 

Barbezieres, France

A family summer break to southwestern France began with a flight to Poitiers Airport and then an hour or so drive to Barbezieres. We arrived at our destination late afternoon and while relaxing in the garden a Eurasian Hoopoe appeared and began hunting insects on the lawn.

27-08-15
An early morning walk around a nearby small lake with a man made beach produced a Common Kingfisher, several Corn Bunting and a lovely Red-backed Shrike. Throughout the remainder of the day many Hummingbird Hawk Moths were observed feeding on Buddleia flowers around the garden.

                                                       Hummingbird Hawk Moth.

28-08-15
An early morning walk around the local fields produced a wonderful male Hen Harrier, a single Eurasian Hoopoe and a female/immature Pied Flycatcher. After breakfast we headed off to La Rochelle and nearing our destination a Little Egret and three White Stork were noted briefly. Along the old fort area of the old town Lesser Black-backed, Herring and Black-headed Gulls were all observed. We then visited the nearby beach area of the coast which is all man made and located a few kilometres south of La Rochelle. Along the shoreline several Ruddy Turnstone were observed.


29-08-15
A lovely hot, sunny day spent mainly around the garden. Species observed of interest included a stunning male Golden Oriole which was feeding in a nearby Oak. Several Barn Swallow were observed drinking water from the swimming pool while on the wing as did a small species of bat.

                                                            Golden Oriole (male).

30-08-15
Another early morning visit to the lake produced five Red-legged Partridge noted feeding in a field. 

                                                     Swallowtail Butterfly on Buddleia.

A full list of species observed as follows:-
Mallard, Red-legged Partridge, Great Crested Grebe, Little Egret, Grey Heron, White Stork, Black Kite, Hen Harrier, Common Buzzard, Common Kestrel, Eurasian Coot, Ruddy Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Little Owl, Eurasian Hoopoe, Common Kingfisher, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Barn Swallow, House Martin, White Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, European Robin, Black Redstart, Common Blackbird, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Spotted Flycatcher, Pied Flycatcher, Great Tit, Red-backed Shrike, Common Magpie, Eurasian Jay, Western Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Common Starling, Golden Oriole, House Sparrow, Common Chaffinch, Common Linnet, European Goldfinch, European Greenfinch, Corn Bunting.