Monday 25th March - Migrants

Not having been out for a couple of weeks due to work and the weather, withdrawal symptons set me off to Dungeness in search of anything new for the year. Stopping off at Pett Level 300+ Brents a few Bar-tailed Godwits were the only thing of interest, a 90 second sea watch as my eyes were watering in the raw north easterly wind found one Great Crested Grebe. Fingers aching set off to Dunge.

On arrival the "Bloggers" were around the old Lighthouse Plodding and Plovers looking at a stunning male Black Redstart.

 Trying to get nearer for a better pic it went to the Old lighthouse garden

 then disappeared. A wander around I caught sight of a white rump and tracked down my first Wheatear of the year.

After losing both I set off for the ARC which was quiet other than the usual ducks and 2 male Goldeneye bobbing on the rough water. It looked like the sun was coming out so went back to the lighthouse to see if I could get any better pics of the B Redstarts. 2 were around but wouldn't stay still but it was nice to see through the scope.

The best I could get.

Then the phone went with Bird Guides text of Kentish Plover at Rye Hbr, so the seed dump at Tickners Lane was given a miss and off to Rye. On arrival Chris Bentley kindly picked me up in his truck and took me to back to Lime Kiln Cottage where good but distant views were had of one then two Kentish Plovers.

It wasn't long before the "Bloggers" arrived followed by the local names - so I left!

A good on the spur of moment session with a twitch on the door step.

Saturday 9th March SWW New Forest

For the third year running a misty drizzle morning but on arriving at the New Forest the weather was breaking.

It wasn't long before Paul heard a Woodlark singing and then another, Ian found a Hawfinch  and shortly after I saw a distant rapter, Paul confirmed it as a Goshawk.

Wing shape and Long tail = Goshawk

A male stonechat was the other species of interest seen before setting off to Blashford Lakes

The photo doesn't do justice, 25 plus Gooseander, 100+ Black-tailed Godwits, 100+ Shoveler, Lesser-black back Gulls, and Goldneye.

also a White Wagtail.

White Wagtail

Next stop was at the hide with the feeders 15 species were seen - best of the bunch

My highlight was this Brambling

My first Goldfinch of the year

A visit to Ivy Lake hide, just like last year a Bittern was close by.

Now we were off on a twitch..

At Farlington Marshes we soon put onto a Merlin sitting on a post, and it wasn't long before we were watching the Red-breasted Goose.

Also an adult Spoonbill in full mating plumage was seen in the distance. Next stop was to Warblington Cemetary where a Glossy Ibis had been seen. After a search of a couple of fields we eventually found it although distant we had good scope views.

What a great day, 12 more birds onto my year list, and with great company.

Sunday 3rd March - Off on a Twitch

Having missed out on the Penduline Tit at Dungeness a couple of weeks ago, and having only seen one in 2010 I noticed that the one at Stodmarsh had re-appeared after a weeks absence. Waking this am I was unsure whether to go but after walking the dogs decided to go for it. Eventually finding the boardwalk and being told it disappeared about 20 minutes ago I waited and within 10 seconds up it popped. a quick look through the bins and it flew 10 yards, landed on a reed mace giving enough time to get the camera out.

 There had also been 5 Water Pipits reported from the Marsh Hide so I set off in wellies through the deep mud to a deserted hide. A nice view over the marsh and reedbeds but not alot of birds, a couple of Snipe, half a dozen Greylags, a few Teal, and a male Marsh Harrier.

After about half an hour 5 small birds flew in landing on a distant muddy island looked good for Water Pipits through the scope, but a poor very heavily cropped pic.

Set off back for home stopping off on Walland Marsh at the feeders with plenty of House Sparrows, Reed Buntings, the Tree Sparrows staying on the other side of the road. Hundreds of Fieldfares on the ground were put up when a ringtail Hen Harrier floated over.

On Pett Level the 4 Pink feet were still with the Greylags but distant.

Sunday 17th Feb Once more over the border.

Saturday evening searching whats around, heading off to Kent Sunday am looked a good idea. After walking the dogs thick fog gradually started to lift so I set off at 10am stopping at Pett sea wall to ask Pete Rouse what he's seen already - only the "4 Pink Feet" and the usuals. From here went onto Scotney G. P. and eventually found the female Scaup. Then onto Greatstone and after half an hour search around the Varne Sailing Club the 3 Snow Buntings came from nowhere and landed infront of me.

Next stop was to Lade Gravel Pits for the Black-throated Diver, walking from Seaview Avenue towards the pit another birder kindly pointed me in the right direction on the other side of the pit.

 It was good to see one fairly close (as usually distant flying over the sea) but not close enough for a good pic

 Looks a bit odd here as the sun caught the head. So far 3 out of 3 on my list for today

Next stop was onto the RSPB reserve first for the 5 Bean Geese that were distant but easy to find as the crowd were eager to point out.

 A walk round to the mound (not stopping at the hides) for no 5 on the list Penduline Tit reported yesterday. After an hour of looking without success but did see a Bittern and a couple of fly by Beardies and 7 Barnacle geese.

 I decided to start heading for home. But stopped off again at Scotney to have another look for the Scaup and to my amazement a Drake had joined the female. - So not seeing one last year I now see 2 in one day. Albeit very distant.

Drake Scaup

As high tide was approaching I stopped off at Rye Harbour reserve and managed to find my first Avocets of the year (5) the Little Stint and eventually the over wintering Spotted Redshank.

Another good day.

Friday 15th Feb. Looking like Spring

With a bright morning and light winds the local birds were singing and a Great Spotted Wood was drumming so I set off to Brede Woods for some woodland birds. Getting out of the truck silence, and thats the way it stayed for most of the hour and half walk through muddy paths.

 Apart from a couple of Tit flocks I found 3 pairs of Marsh Tits

 Heard a couple of Great Spots drumming, possibly a Goldcrest, a few Wrens and a couple of Blackbirds

 Finally a Common Buzzard went high overhead.

Sunday 3rd February Distant Geese

Hearing reports over the last week of 2 Pink-footed geese are on Pett Level today I stopped at the sea wall looking over the pools towards the canal was the flock of Canadas and Greylags just on the edge of the flock 2 slightly smaller and darker headed grey geese. To get a better view a walk along the very muddy canal bank hoping to get nearer. Almost at Pannel Valley they were still distant but sure these are the Pink-foots.

 Within a couple of minutes they disappeared over the grass bank.  8 Whitefronts were also present.

 At Carters a few Teal and Shelduck, A hunting Barn Owl was robbed by a Kestrel.

Its been a good year aso far for seeing Barn Owls.

Saturday 2nd February SWW around West Sussex

5 of us met up at Swanbourne Lake Arundle, I was late due to trying to see the Angmering Waxwings that had departed by the time I got there. The group already had Grey Wagtail and Treecreeper on their list 2 I wanted to see!

A walk around the lake found 2 Firecrests, a singing Mistle Thrush.

A couple of Marsh Tits, no sign of the Mandarins, plenty of crossbred ducks plus Gadwall and Tufted Ducks

 Heading off to the Burgh we stopped off at Warningcamp for the 29 Bewick Swans.

and a distant Red Kite.

At the Burgh 10 Corn Buntings were near the triangle.

Also seen 2 more Red Kites, Buzzards, 2 Ravens, Merlin, Skylarks, more Corn Buntings and Grey Partridge.

Next stop was at Rackham for another Red Kite, Treecreeper, Nuthatch, Longtailed Tits, and a mystery bird that ended up being a Buzzard but was thought at times to be anything from a Kestrel, Juv Goshawk, to a S.E. Owl.
Amberley Brooks being well and truly flooded.

Next stop at Pulborough Brooks for the easiest Water Rail in Sussex

 Also a Song Thrush getting in on the meal worms put out for Wally.

Our last stop was a Coldwaltham, stopping at the sewage works found a Grwey and Pied Wagtail, 2 - 3 over wintering Chiff Chaffs. On the Brooks 3 Barn Owls

also a flock of Linnets but the bird of the day at dusk was the Ringtail Hen Harrier coming into roost.
Another good day with great company.