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.
     

Wilstone Reservoir, Tring

A late afternoon visit produced the following species:-
Little Grebe (2), Great Crested Grebe, Great Cormorant, Little Egret (14), Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Common Teal, Mallard, Northern Shoveler, Common Pochard, Tufted Duck, Common Buzzard (1), Common Kestrel (1), Water Rail (1), Common Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Ringed Plover (1), Northern Lapwing (c250), Dunlin (1), Common Greenshank (2), Green Sandpiper (1), Common Sandpiper (1), Wood Sandpiper (1), Black-headed Gull, Common Tern (1), Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Sand Martin (1), Barn Swallow (2), House Martin (25+), Grey Wagtail (1), Pied Wagtail (2), Wren, European Robin, Common Blackbird, Common Chiffchaff (1), Long-tailed Tit, Common Magpie, Carrion Crow, Common Chaffinch.
From the hide most of the wading species were observed feeding on the exposed mud including a wonderful Wood Sandpiper. Along the reed fringed margin a single Water Rail probed about the mud looking for food before disappearing for short periods into the reeds. Near the hide a lovely stag Roe Deer fed on Crack Willow leaves which it grazed while on the move. 

                                                      
                                                        Common Greenshank.

                                                              Wood Sandpiper.

                                                                    Roe Deer.

16-08-15 Stockers Lake and Bury Lake

A morning visit to conduct a wetland bird survey provided the following species:-
Great Crested Grebe (18), Great Cormorant (2), Little Egret (1), Grey Heron (2), Mute Swan (47), Canada Goose (37), Gadwall (18), Mallard (18), Common Pochard (2), Tufted Duck (64), Common Buzzard (1), Common Moorhen (5), Eurasian Coot (282), Black-headed Gull (26), Lesser black-backed Gull (1), Common Tern (1), Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Ring-necked Parakeet, Common Kingfisher (1), Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, House Martin, Barn Swallow, Grey Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, European Robin, Common Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler (1), Common Whitethroat, Blackcap, Common Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Common Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Common Starling, House Sparrow, Common Chaffinch, European Goldfinch.
At Bury Lake a pair of Common Moorhen were noted with young while at Stockers Lake a duck Tufted Duck was present with two small ducklings. Along the bank of the River Colne near the meadow at Stockers Lake a singing male Cetti's Warbler was heard briefly.

28-07-15 Durlston Country Park, Dorset

A quiet morning mainly due to the strong, gusty wind keeping most passerines out of sight. A juvenile Common Cuckoo was most welcome although viewed briefly in flight at the meadow adjacent the old visitor centre.
At Tilly Whim a pair of Common Kestrel were busily hunting and were observed feeding their fledged young at the cliff face. Several Gannet were out at sea and two Sandwich Tern fished the bay below Durlston Castle. A full list of species observed as follows:-
European Shag, Northern Gannet, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Kestrel, Common Swift, Common Cuckoo, Rock Pipit, Feral Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Great black-backed Gull, Sandwich Tern (2), Wren, European Robin, Common Blackbird, Common Chiffchaff, Great Tit, Common Magpie, Carrion Crow.

                                                     Common Kestrel (juvenile).

Although it was windy there were a few species of Butterfly present in more sheltered areas.

                                                             Marbled White.

                                                                Large Skipper.

Stockers Lake & Bury Lake

A morning visit to conduct a wetland bird survey provided the following species:-
Little Grebe (1), Great Crested Grebe (17 inc 2 pairs noted with young), Great Cormorant (3), Little Egret (3), Grey Heron (7), Mute Swan (36), Greylag Goose (2), Canada Goose (32), Gadwall (26), Hybrid Duck (1), Mallard (22), Common Pochard (6), Tufted Duck (31), Common Moorhen (2), Eurasian Coot (243), Red Kite (1), Black-headed Gull (23 inc 2 pairs noted with young), Lesser Black-backed Gull (3), Herring Gull (1), Common Tern (15 inc several fledged young), Feral Rock Dove, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Ring-necked Parakeet, Common Swift (2), Common Kingfisher (3 inc pair feeding young at nest), Green Woodpecker (1), Barn Swallow, House Martin, Grey Wagtail (2), Pied Wagtail (2), Wren, Dunnock, European Robin (juvenile), Common Blackbird, Song Thrush, Blackcap, Common Chiffchaff, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Common Treecreeper (2), Common Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Carrion Crow (pair with fledged young), House Sparrow, European Greenfinch, European Goldfinch, Common Bullfinch.

Butterflies:-
Small White, Large White, Gatekeeper, Speckled Wood, Comma, Red Admiral, Peacock, Small Skipper, Small Copper.