Another Sussex Birder's Observations

Monday, 27 October 2014

North Norfolk weekend 24th - 26th October

Pink-footed Geese

The annual visit to Norfolk was once again a great weekend, in total the group saw 115 species, and I got another lifer with a Surf Scoter off Holkham gap putting me to 299 for UK, plus a year tick for Rough-legged Buzzard.

Despite looking species we were hoping for like Snow Buntings, Shore Lark, Twite, and Lapland Bunting were not there probably due to the mild weather.

Red Kite

Grey Phalarope

Common Seal pup

Wednesday, 22 October 2014

Red-breasted Flycatcher at Beachy Head another Lifer

A call from PJ sent me straight to Beachy Head to see the Red-breasted Flycatcher found earlier in the morning. Little did we know he was to stay for a week. On arriving at the old trapping area found easily by the 30 birders watching the bushes. Within 5 minutes it appeared and what a stunning bird.

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Tuesday, 21 October 2014

White-winged Black Tern another lifer! Sat 18th October

Despite a look at Castle Water Hide at first light on Saturday I couldn't find the Tern, but after hearing it was still around at lunchtime I took another look in the afternoon, although not close was quite impressive - an adult moulting.

Whit-winged Black Tern

White-winged Black Tern

On the Sunday we went to Dunge and I finally managed to get a Ring ouzel on my year list in fact there were nine.

Ring Ouzel -female I guess

Another visit to Caste Water in the afternoon where the Tern performed well in front of the hide but no better pics.

Sunday, 12 October 2014

Twitching a Steppe Grey Shrike Saturday 11th October

A 5.30 start meeting Paul at Sundridge by 6.30 we arrived at Burnham Norton at 9.00am.

A10 minute walk towards the sea was where we met 50 or more birders looking at the

Steppe Grey Shrike

Walking back to the car had great views of Bearded Tits

Male Beardie

Female

Female Bearded Tit

A walk around Titchwell and a look out to sea 1 Red and 2 Black-throated Divers, 2 Slavonion Grebes, On the reserve 4 Avocet, 2 Little Stints, Spotted Redshank, at least a dozen Ruff. Couldn't find the Yellow Browed Warbler reported. 2.15 pm we headed for home.

Wednesday, 3 September 2014

Dungeness 5 visits in 7 days.

27th August I went off to the Arc pit to see the Red-necked Phalarope a new bird for me although distant was ok through the scope

Hearing a Wryneck was at Galloways I sped over there to be told disappeared 10 mins ago. After waiting an hour I left.

On 28th hearing a Melodious warbler was at Dengemarsh I spent an hour looking for it and got a glimpse.

On 29th a Wryneck was now with the Melodious and after spending a couple of hours I got great views of the Melodious

Melodious Warbler

31st August reports of a Wryneck at Galloways again sent me over there 3rd time lucky one popped up after 10mins of arriving although distant.

Wryneck

Wryneck with a Dunnock

2nd September went for the day to Dunge with Bob all the usual things a couple Artic Skuas plus 4 Spotted Flycatchers in the ARC car park and another 2 in the pines.

Spotted Flycatcher

Spotted Fycatcher

Sunday, 10 August 2014

Monday 4th August Pennington Marshes

On the way back from Penzance we stopped off at Fishtail Lagoon on Pennington Marshes to have a look for the Pec Sandpiper, although hidden most of the time we managed a couple brief views.

Pectoral Sandpiper

A couple of Wood Sandpipers also present

Wood Sandpiper

Wednesday, 6 August 2014

Scilly Pelagic

Friday 1st August we took the Scillonion to Scilly see on the way Manx Shearwaters, Gannets and a Storm Petrel. Later that evening in the rain went out of St.Mary's on a pelagic seeing Manx, Great and Cory's Shearwater, Kittiwak, usual Gulls and a Storm Petrel. With dark skies and a grey sea the light was poor for photos.

Saturday brought warm sunshine and our trip turned up better views of both Cory's and Great Shearwaters, more Storm Petrels, one Wilson's Storm Petrel, a pod of Common Dolphins and a Leather-backed Turtle.