Okay I'm certainly no Butterfly or Moth expert, infact I know very little about them but when there's not a bird to digiscope and I see an opportunity to get a decent photo I'll always have a go. I managed to get a few Butterfly photos recently including a Moth species that I had never seen before, okay when I say I've never seen one before I have seen them in Larva form near Hambleden Lock, Berks a few years ago but not in Adult form. The species being The Cinnabar (Tyria jacobaeae) a rather attractive black and red moth, these photos were taken in a garden in Henley on Thames, Oxon.
The Photos of the male Peacocks were taken early morning in Aston, Berks in a private garden, I noticed 4 together which included 3 males and a female, all rather worn.
Pratincoles have always been a species I've been desperate to see, not just a life tick but a species that when flicking through bird books has always found me stopping at the Pratincole page where I have often stopped to daydream and hope of seeing this enigmatic small, dumpy tern-like wader. I've seen some excellent birds on my birdwatching journey and exploits but this is one that I really wanted to see.
I had never seen any of the Pratincole family so when a Black-winged Pratincole was found in Kent on the 8th May I was more than interested, with the Black-winged Pratincole being the rarer of the 2 Pratincole species recorded in this country I couldn't resist the chance to go and see it. Due to other engagements I couldn't go straight away and hoped that the bird would remain until I had a chance to go and see it. I contacted my Berks Bird Race team mate Roy Rose and we arranged a visit for the next free available date for both of us.
Saturday the 23rd arrived and thankfully the Black-winged Pratincole was still at Grove Ferry NNR, Kent and often commuting to the nearby Stodmarsh Reserve, some excellent photos published on Birdguides added to my excitement and as soon as Roy arrived we loaded up the car and set off for Kent.
We arrived at Grove Ferry NNR and parked in the car park with Roy paying for a ticket that we later realised we didn't need on a weekend. Crossing the road we headed along the footpath towards a group of people assembled in the distance, walking along the path Chiffchaff, Blackcap and Sedge Warbler could all be heard singing in the hedgerows and trees beside the path. After a short walk we arrived at the observation point and joined twenty or so birders who were viewing a mud spit on the water, the Black-winged Pratincole was present but hidden behind grass and weeds and a group of Mallards that were asleep or preening. It was possible to see the tail feathers of the Prratincole and every so often a brief glimpse of it was seen as the Mallards moved around it, I was taken back by how small it was and the surrounding Mallards gave a good size comparison.
Whilst we waited for the Pratincole to come in to view from behind the Mallards we scanned the wetlands, a single Redshank and 2 Greenshank were wading through the edges of the water behind the spit, 2 Ringed Plovers and 3 Common Terns on the spit, 3 (2m&1f) Garganey were present often swimming briefly in to view before disappearing amongst the reeds and 4 Black-tailed Godwits were busy feeding on an adjacent pool.
After a short wait the Pratincole became visible again amongst the Mallards on the spit, it took a short walk from the group of Mallards picking off a few low flying insects from the ground before taking to the air where it slowly gained height and began hawking insects in flight. It continued hawking acrobatically for at least 30 minutes often gaining great height before swooping down as it searched for insects, it's Tern-like flight was incredible to see and we got great views as the Pratincole flew closer and closer until it was almost overhead.
Looking out from the observation ramp a Kestrel appeared in the distance shortly followed by a single Hobby which drifted overhead, there was so much going on at this point it was difficult to know what to look at. 2 Marsh Harriers drifted over the reeds and gave very good views as they slowly quartered the reedbeds often coming to rest in the reeds. A single Little Egret appeared low in flight over the wetlands and by the time I had quickly checked where the Pratincole was the Egret had disappeared. During the whole time we were there a Cuckoo called constantly and a brief burst of song from a Cetti's Warbler was also heard.
We remained watching the Pratincole in flight until after about 30 minutes it returned to the spit where it landed and gave good views for a few minutes, it was now possible to see the small red base to the bill and the small tail in relation to the wing-tips. It didn't take long before the Pratincole shuffled behind a couple of Mallards and again became hidden behind them. After a couple of hours we decided to head for home, as we headed back to the car a Turtle Dove was purring from beside the path which rounded off a fantastic day.
Male Garganey
I guess we timed our visit just right as the Pratincole was last seen mid-afternoon on the 25th at Elmley Marshes RSPB Reserve, with no more sightings since.
TABCG Berkshire Bird Race 2009 Winners Marek Walford, Mike McKee & Paul Bright-Thomas(insert) 114 Species.
No sooner had I returned from the TABCG Wales trip my attention turned towards the forthcoming TABCG Berkshire Bird Race.
With Roy Rose, Cathy McEwan and myself teaming up again we aimed to beat our previous years record and get at least 100 species, with little migrant activity we had to make sure we got all the common species with a few 'specials' along the way. Knowing the top teams would be recording somewhere between 105 to 110 species the 100 mark would likely put our team in the middle of the pack, but this could be decided by 1 or 2 species so we would have to re configure our last years route to maximise a few of the nocturnal species and find time to get to at least 2 more sites in East Berks.
In previous years we had done a few reccy's to a few of the local sites but this year we had done very little indeed, Roy had located a couple of local Owl sites and I had a few extra sites planned to the route. Last years race had proved 2 sites extra were needed to achieve a semi decent score in the hundreds and we certainly needed to find some extra time along the way, it always seems easy in principle but time ebbs away waiting or looking for that elusive species whatever it may be and lets face it when you've been on the go since before midnight there's times when the brain says go and the feet sat no. At this point even the most common species are valuable and can spur an extra surge of adrenaline to carry you on to the next site.
So this year I had made a slight change to our starting place in the hope that we might get some of the nightime species early thus giving us more time later on to find a few of the difficult daytime species at some new sites. Well you know what they say about best-laid plans!.
The early hours of the bird race went fairly well with the team recording some of the important nocturnal species, 4 Owls & Nightjar amongst a few common species. Despite trying a few locations we didn't connect with Woodcock and another night calling specialty failed to call.
The rest of the day went fairly well as we picked up Warblers and the more regular daytime species, a visit to Coombe Wood being extremely productive giving us sightings of Marsh & Willow Tit and Raven. After visiting another part of the downs we headed East stopping off at Greenham Common, Thatcham Discovery Centre and Lower Farm. We lost a lot of time in this stint of the race but desperately needed a few of the key species at these sites which we didn't find for sometime. We managed to make up for this at the Thatcham Discovery Centre where the Red Crested Pochard that had been on site for awhile was no more than 8 - 10-ft away from the bank, a major bonus that wasn't expected so quickly. Sadly the time we made up was soon evaporated as we waited in the hide at Lower Farm for a duck that Roy and Cathy had seen but I hadn't, with some small consolation we did manage to pick up a few extra species whilst we waited.
We continued Eastwards stopping off at Padworth and Woolhampton and returned to pick up a species that we had missed during the night stint but by now time was well and truly against us. There was no time to make it to West Berkshire where we really needed some of the forest species so headed for the Searles Lane area instead, from here we made our way back to the finish at the Fox and Hounds Pub stopping at sites along the way.
Unfortunately we never got to the 100 species and instead finished on 98, we recorded some good species and missed some glaring common species again. The winning team finishing with a very respectable 114 species, Congratulations to the winners and well done to everybody that took part.(Results Below)
We also managed to see Grey Squirrel, Fox, Badger, Roe Deer, Muntjac & Stoat.
I will write a complete post of the day once I receive our bird race sheets.
1. Marek Walford, Mike McKee, Paul Bright-Thomas 114 2. Fraser Cottington, Adam Bassett, Andy Johnson 113 3. Ken Moore, Ken Spring, Nigel Rampton 107 4. Hugh Netley, Jim Reid, Steve Ricks 101
Bruce Archer, Robert Godden, Roger Stansfield 101 5. Cathy McEwan, Ashley Stow, Roy Rose 98 6. Mike Taylor, Phil Bysh, Adrian Lawson 96* 7. Chris Robinson, Renton Righelato, Jim Burnett 94* 8. Jan Main, Milary Morton, Mary-Anne Thomas 73**
* Entire race conducted on bike
** Most of the race conducted on foot
"Bird of the day" was Redwing, recorded by Mike Taylor, Phil Bysh & Adrian Lawson.
We arrived at Goldcliff to glorious sunshine and parked up in the small car park at the entrance to the reserve. As we got out of the car a Chiffchaff greeted us with it's song, amazingly from the same tree as in the previous two years trips, whether it's the same individual each year is another question but is does seem that it's waiting for our arrival each year!
After we had grabbed a quick bite of food, our scopes and binoculars the group headed through the gate and along the track next to the wetlands getting views of Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Common Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler along the hedgerows. After assembling at the first screen we viewed the reserve, Avocet, Little Egret, Shelduck, Oystercatcher, Redshank & Ringed Plover being the more interesting species present.
Goldcliff
Plenty of Skylark and Meadow Pipit activity in front of the screen with one individual sitting on the post in front of us while it preened, surprisingly no Curlew or Whimbrel which we could normally guarantee seeing.
Meadow Pipit
Viewing the wetlands from the second screen found a single Bar-headed Goose and Barnacle Goose hiding in the grass, presumably both are escapees from Slimbridge. No sight or sound from Lesser Whitethroat which we have been treated to in previous years but did have a Cuckoo calling from the field behind the reserve for most of the visit. we left Goldcliff with the car park Chiffchaff doing his bit and a male Blackcap skulking in the bushes below him.
A short drive and we soon arrived at Newport Wetlands RSPB, from the car park we soon heard Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler calling and after assembling ourselves we headed towards the reserve centre. Whilst I was hoping that the Subalpine Warbler that had been seen the weekend before would still be present I wasn't very optimistic, sadly the Subalpine Warbler hadn't been seen for a few days and although I was disappointed there would still be plenty to see.
Newport Wetlands RSPB
Walking out into the reserve from the RSPB centre we were greeted with a Cuckoo calling long and hard from a nearby tree, plenty of Warblers skulking in the hedgerows which included Blackcap, Common & Lesser Whitethroat. I was tuned in to the Lesser Whitethroat call due to our garden visitor only days before and Roy and I waited for it to show, it didn't and as the rest of the group left us and began to head towards the reserve we left the Lesser Whitethroat hoping to catch views of it on the way out. We caught up with the group at the entrance to the reserve and in good time as a Cetti's Warbler burst in to song quickly followed by another at the other end of a long thicket, we waited and listened to them as they continued their rivalry by song, each bird bursting in to song as the other finished. We had a few brief views and then headed in to the reserve. The reedbeds were a hive of activity and we quickly spotted Sedge Warbler as a singing bird edged it's way up a reed stem in full view, Sedge Warblers could be heard singing throughout the reeds and the gentle breeze often showed individuals as the reeds parted in the wind. We headed towards the East Usk Lighthouse stopping at the first viewing screens on either side of the path that view the waterways, they had little activity with a few ducks but little else until somebody called 'Bearded Tit'. I quickly looked through the scope to find a female at the top of the reeds which soon dropped to the bottom of the reeds and out of sight, it was so quick that most of the group missed it and it was then that everybody searched the reeds intently in the hope of finding another. We didn't have to wait too long and by the end of the visit everybody in the group had one or two good views of them.
Common Whitethroat
Feral Rock Dove
We carried on towards the East Usk Lighthouse crossing over the rubber walkway and through the dense reedbeds on each side, you really get the feel of the reedbeds as you pass over the water beneath you and cross into the reeds. Looking out to sea from the lighthouse we could see the tide was out but there was nothing to be seen across the mudflats, we continued along the pathway hearing and seeing Reed & Sedge Warbler and a few Common Whitethroats put on good shows as they sang from he top of many of the thickets and bushes along the path. Another view across the mudflats and out to sea brought a few distant waders in to view but sadly they were just too far to identify.
Sedge Warbler
We had a long day ahead of us so we headed back to the centre for a quick coffee and use of the amenities before we headed off to look for Dipper at our regular site. Making our way back to the reserve centre we stopped at the viewing screens again where we got fantastic views of a pair of Little Grebes with four young in tow, each adult had two young with them and they dived for small fry below us which they then fed to their young. We continued on to the centre where Roy and I stopped at the hedgerow hoping that the Lesser Whitethroat would show itself, after a few minutes we got some great views as it appeared at the top of the thickets along the edge of the path and then later by the car park.
Little Grebe
Little Grebe
Goldfinch
After leaving Newport Wetlands we headed off to our regular Dipper site on the River Usk, on arrival we searched some of the regular spots and after awhile we finally found a Dipper along the river bank. No Goosander or Common Sandpiper this time but we did mange to see Grey Wagtail. The Dipper eventually showed well allowing everybody in the group to get a good view as it preened on a rock on the side of the river and by the time we left we had also seen another flying along the river.
River Usk
Dipper
Our next stop was the Elan Valley, this is one of my favourite locations on the Wales trip and gives an excellent opportunity to see Pied Flycatcher and Wood Warbler up close. As we entered the pathway up the side of the Elan Valley we soon were gifted great views of a singing male Pied Flycatcher in the trees next to the path, he continued to flit through the trees before being lost to view amongst one of the Oak trees. As the Pied Flycatcher disappeared from sight we were soon picked up on the unmistakable "spinning coin" trill of a Wood Warbler and didn't have to wait long before we spotted it as it flew into the trees in front of us. we hadn't walked more than 25ft and already seen two of the key species of the day and I decided to get the camera at the ready, digiscoping isn't easy here due to most of the birds flitting around in the tree tops and not sitting still for too long. As we made our way along the path and up the hill we soon spotted Redstart, Willow Warbler, Garden Warbler, Nuthatch and Siskin amongst some of the commoner members of the Tit family, a few more Wood Warblers and Pied Flycatchers were also seen and further up the path we managed to see a Tawny Owl in one of the nestboxes
Wood Warbler
On the way back down we added Goldcrest and Treecreeper to the day list and again had great views of Pied Flycatcher and Wood Warbler, approaching the car park 2 "Kronking" Ravens drifted over the hills. This is where we said our goodbyes before heading for home, the rest of the group headed to the Rhayader hills where they saw Wheatear, Whinchat and Stonechat.
An excellent addition was added to the garden list on Friday. Whilst listening to a male Chaffinch singing with vigour from the trees nearby I heard a call that I couldn't quite recognise, I waited for it to call again to try and locate the bird and after a few short burst of song I found it calling from one of the trees on the perimeter of the nearby paddock. I now had to wait for the unknown individual to appear from the far side of the tree, with a barbed wire fence running along the adjacent field it wasn't possible to view it so I had to sit tight and wait for it to show itself. As I listened to the short, sharp rattling song I was beginning to think that it was a Finch or Bunting, the song of male Chaffinch that was singing away nearby sounded similar but the unknown individual's song seemed to stop short of the final flourish of notes. I was scratching my head at this point and was going over songs in my head to shed some light. Firstly the 'Little bit of bread but no cheese' song of the Yellowhammer, this was nothing like it and it certainly didn't have the whistling dull song of Reed Bunting or the wheezy calls of many of the common Finches. So by now I'm edging towards Warblers, Obviously not Chiffchaff and this song was far too raw and rattling to be confused with the melodic tones of Willow Warbler, Blackcap and Garden Warbler. Eventually after about 5 minutes the bird flew in to an adjacent tree which luckily has only just started to leaf giving me clear views of it as it perched in the bows, it was now clear to see that it was a male Lesser Whitethroat and I watched it sing from the tree for a good few minutes before it flew along the row of trees coming to rest in a Hawthorn. From here it sang again and showed briefly before disappearing in to the undergrowth. It continued to sing on and off for about 30 minutes slowly moving from tree to tree along the hedgerow until it fell silent and couldn't be located. No doubt a brief visit from a migrating bird.
I have never recorded them in this area before so to have one actually in the garden is a fantastic record.
I took a drive round the Hambleden countryside today, with the area consisting of rolling hills, mixed woodlands and arable farmland there's a great variety of wildlife species to be seen but today was slightly different.
My first stop was Chisbridge Lane where a small covey of 6 Red-legged Partridge crossed the road in front of the car. A quick view across the fields revealed the usual Corvid flocks with a few Woodpigeon and Pheasant but little else.
Lapwing
Further along the lane I stopped to view some of the arable fields and soon found a Common buzzard and 3 red kites searching for food it the newly ploughed furrows, they were joined by both Red-legged Partridge and Pheasant. A number of Skylarks were singing from high above and a distant Yellowhammer could be heard singing from across the field. 4 Lapwings suddenly appeared from the edge of the field and soon took dislike to the Common Buzzard which they chased off noisily, the Buzzard finally coming to rest in a tree overlooking the field but not before putting up a large flock of Woodpigeon and Stock Dove which circled the field and then dropped back down in to nearby crops. A single Meadow Pipit flew over calling and a Kestrel was seen hovering over the fields.
'Leucistic' Pheasant
Whilst this was all going on I noticed a white object moving along the field edge some 300-400yrds away, it often disappeared through the fence to the next field and then back again and amongst the overgrown field edges was difficult to see. Finally it wandered in to view and I was greeted by an awesome sight, a White Pheasant! or correctly described as an 'Leucistic' Pheasant. It was a striking individual and I was disappointed it didn't show itself a bit better so I could have done it better justice with my photos, this wasn't to be and it skulked back into the long swards off grass and out of sight.
I headed off towards Heath and Homefield Wood next hoping that there would be a slim chance of hearing a Cuckoo in the area that I had heard one last year. I stopped at a number of locations in the area with no luck, a few Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps singing but nothing else. I carried on to Rockwell End but Before I got there I was halted in my tracks by a 'herd' of Helmeted Guinea Fowl which crossed the road in front of the car, I say 'herd' rather than flock because as they passed the car they were more reminiscent of 'herd' of elephants than a small group of birds. It was a bit surreal watching them pass before me and after they had all filed across the road and into the fields alongside me I parked up and went to have a look.
'Melanistic' Pheasant
Helmeted Guinea Fowl
They were feeding in a stubble field amongst Red-legged Partridge and Pheasant, one of which was another colourful individual, this time it being an 'Melanistic' Pheasant More Helmeted Guinea Fowl arrived through the hedge and by now there was in the region of 20 with more calling from the fields on the other side of the lane. this is the 3rd location I have seen Guinea Fowl in the area. I checked the fields once again hoping that a Grey Partridge might be involved in the melee, there wasn't but I did find a lone female Mallard sat in the earth which was a bit of a strange sight. Chiffchaff and Blackcap calling nearby, Red Kite & Buzzard present.
Helmeted Guinea Fowl
Mallard
Brown Hare
Heading towards Hambleden a lone hare was feeding in one of the fields and despite managing to creep up on it and get a couple of photos it soon spotted me and darted off across the field. In the fields near Mill End at least 2 House Martins were with a group of Barn Swallow which were feeding on insects over the fields next to the Hambleden stream with another Chiffchaff calling nearby.
A lunchtime visit to Aston proved very fruitful today, with the glorious sunshine beating down I made my way from Remenham Lane and along the footpath towards Hambleden Lock. A male Kestrel was hunting in the fields adjacent to the footpath and while watching it 2 Red Kites drifted over shortly followed by a Common Buzzard, while waiting for the opportunity to digiscope the Kestrel I was soon distracted by at least 3 Skylarks singing from high above me. I listened transfixed to their fast rolling song which duly reminded me of summers gone by until in the distance I heard a faint drumming coming from the backwater copse near Hambleden Lock, I picked up my scope and headed off on the direction of the drumming.
I arrived at the copse and waited for the drumming to begin again, as I waited a Chiffchaff began to sing nearby and before long it flew to the trees above me and into view, here it started to sing again and as I watched it something caught my eye. I quickly scanned the trees next to me to find a Nuthatch in full view, I watched it inch it's way along the tree branch until it sat looking at me, it was soon joined by it's mate which fed it something and then flew off. After eating it wiped it's bill on the tree and then sat patiently in view which gave me a chance to grab a few photos, as it shuffled up the tree I did the same to give me a clear view between the branches and this continued for about five minutes. The other Nuthatch returned and fed it's mate again and then they headed off further along the tree and out of view.
Nuthatch.
During this time a Blackcap had started singing nearby and by the time I had finished watching the Nuthatches it was close-by, after at least 3 or 4 minutes of scanning the bushes it appeared at the top of a bramble thicket before flying further into the copse and to begin it's song again. This seemed to alert another Blackcap which joined in the chorus.
The drumming started again but this time sounded stronger but shorter, it could only be Great Spotted Woodpecker and despite not being able to see the bird I was pretty sure i knew what it was. I walked down towards the River Thames to look back towards the backwater, from here I could view the tree tops and any possible Woodpecker activity. There seems to be a few favoured trees and perching spots along the backwater which I got to know when I lived at Hambleden Marina some five years ago.
I reached the River and looked back along the tree tops, the first tree I looked at is a large Pine/Spruce tree and within seconds I found a male Great Spotted Woodpecker, he soon started to drum and within a minute or so of drumming a female flew across the Rver Thames from the island at Hambleden Marina and joined him in the next tree along. He seemed buoyed by his attraction skills and looked her up and down, he then hopped down the down the tree and started drumming again. It was while I was watching him drum that I suddenly picked up on the faint drumming I had heard earlier, it was a great comparison as both birds drummed together and I know knew that a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was in the vicinity, I hadn't seen one here since 2005 and I was eager to see if I could locate it and even better get some photos.
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. (Aston 30/08/05)
The male Great Spotted Woodpecker seemed angered by the intruder in his territory and went to investigate, he flew along the copse and out of sight. Moments later anxious calls echoed from the copse from what seemed to be both Great & Lesser Spotted arguing over territory, the last call came from the male Great Spotted Woodpecker which called twice before flying over the river to the island with the female following close behind it. Believing I had seen the last of them all I wandered slowly back towards Aston getting no more than 40ft before I heard the faint drumming again, 'one last look' I thought as my lunch hour ebbed away and walking back to the river front for one last time I scanned the trees. It must have been fate as the first tree I set the scope on had a male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker hanging on the underside of a branch towards the top of the tree, seeing one of these birds is always quite a feat and I was delighted to get a good minutes view of it before it flew off further along the backwater, good to know there still here. Before heading off 2 more Red Kites drifted over the county border from Buckinghamshire and into Berkshire airspace, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets flew along the river and at least 7 Red-legged Partridge crossed the footpath near the Flowerpot Pub, Aston and later in the day a female Sparrowhawk was seen circling high over the fields.
I couldn't resist the lure of going to see the White-throated Sparrow at Old Winchester Hill in Hampshire, having seen an array of superb photos on Birdguides I decided that as soon as the weather improved I would take a visit to see it. Sunday brought fine weather and with the sun high in the sky I headed off to Hampshire in search of the White-throated Sparrow.
We arrived at Old Winchester Hill and after finding a space in the car park we headed off to see the Sparrow, a dozen or so birders were standing just inside the gate to the reserve viewing the pathway to our right as we entered the reserve.
Chiffchaff.
I set my scope up and got talking to an nice old chap who told me he had originally found the bird in November and had been feeding it from his car. We were talking for a couple of minutes and then the bird appeared briefly on the pathway in front of us, I struggled to see it a first and was kindly put on to it as it hid behind a dock leaf on the side of the path. It continued to eat seeds from behind the dock leaf only briefly popping it's head up and then flew back in to the bushes. I hardly had time to see the bird and after learning that it disappeared for an hour at a time and then returned I decided to wait for another view, I certainly didn't want my first ever sighting to be a brief view and quick tick. I waited patiently for the Sparrow to return getting the chance to digiscope Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Chaffinch and Robin while I waited. A Marsh Tit appeared in the bushes next to the pathway and not being able to resist free sunflower hearts it dropped to the ground to feed. True to fashion it didn't hang around long and as I went to take a photo it flew off.
Willow Warbler.
Chaffinch.
Robin.
For about an hour I scanned the bushes watching everything that moved, Blue & Great Tit, Dunnock, Chaffinch and Robin all coming to feed on the seed and raising everybody's hopes when they did so. Suddenly the White-throated Sparrow appeared on the pathway and it quickly began feeding on the seed, I was desperate to get some decent photos and didn't know whether to digiscope or view the bird through the scope, whatever I was going to do I had to do quick as I was advised that the bird can often stay for a couple of minutes before disappearing. I decide to get as many photos as I could and having the camera set up on continuous shoot I placed it against the scope eyepiece and snapped away, after taking 50 or so photos I viewed the Sparrow through the scope getting some fantastic views as it fed in front of us. After being on view for a couple of minutes it disappeared back in to the undergrowth and out of sight. A very enjoyable day to say the least.
I managed to digiscope a few photos of this very obliging Red-legged Partridge sat on the garden wall. They are often around the garden and surrounding fields but don't hang around to have their photo taken so I was more than pleased when this individual sat long enough for me to get a few photos.
I returned again to Aston Rowant late afternoon today to see if I could get any better photos of the male Ring Ouzel that was still present. Unfortunately it was rather nervy and remained out of sight for long periods and when it did show it was at distance for most of the time, it spent much of it's time feeding close to the fenced paddocks in the middle of Linkey Down before disappearing out of view behind the fenced pens. Other than a few Blackbirds, Red Kites, a pair of Buzzards, an over-flying Meadow Pipit, 2 Chiffchaffs and a Willow Warbler it was quite quiet. I learnt later that somebody had seen a birder walking along the bottom of Linkey Down which isn't a public footpath and perhaps may account for the rather nervy Ouzel.
I made an early evening trip to Aston Rowant to see the male Ring Ouzel that had been found on Linkey Down SU726962 today. After stopping off a number of times last week with no success I was eager to see if I could get any good photos of him. It is an extremely difficult place to get decent photos due to the distance away from the birds but always worth a try.
Leaving the car at the lay-by I headed off towards Linkey down, at the entrance to the reserve a single Willow Warbler was singing from the pathway near the picnic tables and 3 Chiffchaffs could be heard calling from further afield. The usual Red Kites were circling overhead as were a pair of Buzzards that later were seen perched in the trees in the western woods at Linkey Down. Approaching Linkey Down a few Skylarks were in full song hovering high in the sky above the fields and the hedgerows hosted both Blue and Great Tit.
I met a gentleman who was on his way up the path after watching the Ring Ouzel and he told me the last seen location, after a quick chat I headed off to view the reserve. I set up my scope and scanned the area mentioned without any luck.
I was then joined by another birder and we continued to scan the juniper thickets without much joy, a distant pair of blackbirds proved difficult to immediately identify as they disappeared behind the fauna giving poor views. After sometime we finally got good views of them and hoped that the male Ring Ouzel would be with them. it wasn't and I scanned the vast area across the downs starting at the point it was seen earlier, as I scanned the fenced pens on the eastern slope I spotted the Ring Ouzel moving in to view. it must have been there all along but out of view from where we were standing. It continued searching for food amongst the juniper thickets and grass whilst moving slowly down Linkey Down, a few worms were seen to be taken no doubt aided by the wet weather we had earlier in the day softening up the ground.
The male Ring Ouzel continued to feed around the fenced pens for 30 minutes before being flushed by 2 Roe Deer running across the down. I left at 19:15 with the bird still present.
I normally view Linkey Down from the footpath tat leads down to Hill Farm SU727963, from the lay-by follow the path towards the picnic tables, then through the gate which leads to Linkey Down. After walking along the path you will see the busy M40 in front of you and a short walk down the hill will take you to another gate at the side of Linkey Down. After opening the gate as quietly as possible (it's noisy and alerts everything to your presence) walk 50-75yards and then over to the barbed wire fence on your left, from here it is possible to look down and view the reserve. Over the years I have noted that the Ring Ouzels seem to have a few favoured spots which include the long strip of juniper bushes directly below the viewing spot mentioned above, Along the fence line that stretches north-east to south-west and dissects Linkey Down with the open grass fields. failing that the fenced pens of trees and juniper bushes on the eastern slope are also a good spot but can be difficult to view from some areas.
Earlier in the day whilst working in Chalgrove, Oxon I had seen small numbers of Swallow passing through with one small group including a lone House Martin.
I got a bit of a surprise on Tuesday evening when a couple of friends arrived a the door with a bird they had found unconscious in the road at a nearby village. Un-cupping his hands he showed me what they had found and I was shocked to see a Goldcrest sat in his palm.
It was obviously stunned as it sat quietly in my hands not moving, I checked the wings, body and feet for damage which all seemed fine. It was a male and at first it seemed a bit dazed when I put it down on the top of a chest height tool shed where it sat hunched up but all of a sudden it came to life, flew back to me landing on my t-shirt and then flitted up to my shoulder where it perched. I was pleased to see it could fly although it was a still a bit unsteady on it's legs and after removing it from my shoulders I decided to release him as quickly as possible. I placed him carefully on the tool shed where after 10 seconds he sat up and flew over to a row of evergreens where he started to search for food amongst the bows. I stood next to the tree and watched him closely to make sure he didn't have any problems, he continued to flit between the bows just inches away from me stopping every so often to stretch his wings and preen. I was just about to leave him to it when he flew out of the tree and on to my head, then down on to my chest where he clung to my fleece leaving a little message on my sleeve before returning back to the tree bows. I managed to get a short clip of him before I left him to it.
I saw my first Swallows of the year today with a pair sat preening on the wires by Remenham Church, Berks. A quick walk around Aston at lunchtime was quite eventful and produced some good birds. Over the fields at Aston 6 Buzzards and 9 Red Kites were circling and a single male Kestrel was hovering next to the pathway leading to Hambleden Lock. A few Skylark were singing from high above the fields and a single Grey Heron was feeding along the backwater stream and another by Hambleden Lock. Plenty of Red-legged Partridge were about mostly in pairs and a few Pheasant around the fields. 3 Chiffchaffs were in full song from several areas and I got fantastic views of 2 Nuthatches inspecting nest holes next to the path. It didn't take long to get views of the local Ring-necked Parakeets as 5 noisily passed overhead and by the time I had reached the Hambleden Lock I had also seen 3 Stock Doves and a single Kingfisher.
Swallow - 2 Remenham Buzzard - 6 Aston Red Kite - 9 Aston Kestrel - 1 Aston Red-lggd Partridge - 11 Aston Skylark - 3 Aston Grey Heron - 2 Aston & Hambleden Lock Ring-necked Parakeet - 5 Aston Starling - 23 Aston Blue Tit - 3 Aston Great Tit - 5 Aston Dunnock - 2 Aston Chiffchaff - 3 Aston Nuthatch - 2 Aston Kingfisher - 1 Hambleden Lock Stock Dove - 3 Aston
I was in Henley on Thames this afternoon to take a look at some gardening work I've been asked to do and whilst chatting with the owner I could hear an unmistakable "trilling" noise coming from nearby. Knowing the call to be Waxwings I was itching to get back to my car and grab my binoculars and after explaining what I could hear we both wandered round the house to find 12 perched in a tree top on the south east corner of Damer Gardens(SU762817). Just as I got them in view 2 Wood Pigeons flew in to the tree flushing the Waxwings which hastily flew over our heads calling with their trilling "sirrrr", they then headed off in a northerly direction and out of sight.
As I grew up in the area I know it very well and searched all of the known berry bushes including the train station, supermarket car parks and the old Woolworth's car park where I first spotted the invasion flock in February 2005, despite checking many locations I had no luck in relocating them. I returned to Damer Gardens in the hope they had returned but there wasn't any sign of them. Most of the berry trees in the area are now bare so I'm not sure if there likely to hang around long.
On a number of occasions I had heard a sound that I just couldn't figure out what it was or what was making them, only heard late at night I was sure it was an Owl. With all three common Owls being present in the area it had to be either Barn, Little or Tawny Owl that was making this strange quiet warbling noise but despite researching and trying to track the culprit down I still had no answers. I finally managed to record it out of our bedroom window late one night and heard a Tawny Owl which seemed to be replying? in the background whilst the warbling/trill continued. After searching many websites I found the God's Own Clay website which has a large selection of recordings including the "Xylophone Trill" which finally told me that is was a Tawny Owl. The Tawny Owl calls and vocalizations can be found on their website here
Collins Bird Guides(Mullarney/Svensson/Zettertrom/Grant) describes the following - During courtship either sex utters a low-pitched,shivering tremolo(the so called 'xylophone trill'), o'o'o'o'o'o'o'o'o'o'o'o....., audible only to c.50m.
It's quiet so you'll need to turn the sound up and perhaps your speakers to hear it.
We've had some interesting sightings in and around the garden over the last week and with a glimpse of warmer temperatures and perhaps the first signs of Spring bird activity has been very high. After nearly a 3 week absence one of our local Marsh Tits has returned to the feeders, it's great to see they survived the cold weather and snow and I guess they are much tougher than I give them credit for. 2 Coal Tit's and a Nuthatch are also regularly in the garden.
On Wednesday 18th I spotted a large Finch flock in Horse paddocks whilst driving along Parmoor Lane, Frieth (SU793900). Quite a varied selection of species that included Meadow Pipit, Skylark, Linnet, Brambling, Chaffinch and a couple of Pied Wagtails all feeding in the paddock but very mobile. A lone male Kestrel perched on top of a telegraph pole and 7 Red Kites circling over Little Frieth were also seen. Early Thursday brought views of an extremely pale Buzzard perched on the fence posts of a boundary fence outside our cottage, it was so white it was more reminiscent of an Osprey in appearance and although I have seen a couple of pale individuals a few miles away I have never seen one this pale around the cottage before. It was perched hunched up on a fence post looking in to the field which I have never seen them do here before, if there not circling above with Red Kites they can often be seen sat on telephone posts or some of the tall trees that overlook the mass of open fields so I was surprised to say the least. Although I could see it with the naked eye I thought it certainly needed closer inspection and with a number of Rough legged Buzzards turning up in neighbouring counties I rushed off looking for my binoculars, by the time I had found my binoculars it had moved to the next post and was partly obscured behind a small tree. I started to look for some of the key features to separate the Common and Rough-legged Buzzard by firstly looking at the tail which did seem very pale, the Buzzard then tuned side on and I decided to run upstairs and view it from the bedroom window with my scope. I ran upstairs with the elegance of Todd Carty from Dancing on Ice and grabbed my scope and proceeded to put up the tripod, I made my way over to the window and looked out only to find the bird had gone and despite going outside and scanning the skies, hills, fields and woodland it was nowhere to be seen. It hasn't been seen since and I'm kicking myself for not getting a good view of it, with daily sightings of both Red Kite and Common Buzzard I have got a bit used to seeing them and don't always check each individual out, perhaps a valuable lesson. To be honest these days I see more Red Kites on a daily basis than I do House Sparrows!!
I was woken in the early hours of Friday morning, 5am to be precise by the hooting calls of a Tawny Owl perched on the chimney. It continued for over 10 minutes before it fell silent and I drifted back off to sleep. There seems to be at least 3 or 4 calling most nights from the woods in the surrounding valley and due to our remoteness and distinct lack of traffic noise they can be heard clearly as they claim their territories and potential mates.
Our resident Little Owls have also become very vocal calling during both day and night, I was watched sternly by one individual which was sat in a tree overlooking my car in the week and we've also had a few brief sightings of single birds sat on the paddock fence posts overlooking the adjacent fields.
I returned home on Friday evening and was immediately halted in my tracks as I approached the front door, hearing the eerie drawn-out screech of a barn owl nearby I stopped and listened patiently. Within 30 seconds I heard it again but this time it seemed closer but due to the light it was impossible to track it down, being miles from civilisation there are no street lights here and no ambient light so it's dark to say the least, our 500watt security light does light up the area around the cottage but not in to the fields. I tracked it by it's calls to the field next to the cottage and listened next to the fence, it continued calling on and of for about 5 minutes but by this time was moving further away. Barn Owls aren't uncommon in the area and I've seen them in at least 4 nearby locations including a incredible experience I had in our orchard where I managed to film the individual in the films below.
At 4am Saturday morning nature called and I made my way downstairs to take a leak, I always switch on the outside light in the hope that I might catch a glimpse of something interesting, often the early hours give great views of Owls, Deer and other wildlife going about their nocturnal activities. Looking out of the living room window and out in to the paddock I noticed a grey lump hunched over in the long grass, thinking it was a Rabbit I started to pull the curtains but as I did a black and white striped face looked up from the grass and stared back at me. It is my first Badger sighting in the garden this year and I watched intently for 10 minutes as it snuffled it's way through the grass and towards the edge of our garden, it certainly looked like the Brock that visited regularly and brought his family to the garden to feed during 2006-2007
Common Gull
Saturday was a glorious day weather wise, finally the grey cloudy skies made way for blue skies with outbreaks of warm sunshine and the first signs that Spring is on it's way. A Red Kite perched outside the cottage was whistling away from the top of a telephone pole and with the weather being so nice I decided to have a good look around the garden to see what was about. I watched the feeders from the bedroom window and spotted Great, Blue, Coal and Long Tailed Tit, only 3 Chaffinches feeding beneath the feeders, a Robin and 2 Blackbirds occasionally popped in and out of the garden and a Dunnock which continually broke in to it's sweet warbling song from the edge of the bushes in the garden. Walking out in to the garden I could soon see 2 Common Buzzards and 5 Red Kites circling above and from the surrounding fields the squabbling Corvids could be heard as they searched the fields for food. No sign of any Black-headed gulls today but 12 Common Gulls were joining a small flock of Jackdaws that were feeding in one of the Sheep fields off Shogmoor Lane. After viewing the surrounding fields I made my way back towards home hearing a small flock of Long-tailed Tits as I walked, they soon flitted overhead and into the hedgerow next to me and as I watched them I soon heard the contact calls of 2 Goldcrest that were in the hedgerow as well. As I was watching them I began to hear a Bullfinch calling nearby and leaving the Tit flock I carried on further along the hedgerow and towards the calling Bullfinch, it didn't take long to see both male and female Bullfinches feeding in the hedgerow but they soon noticed me and flew further along the path and back in to the hedge. I slowly approached where they were feeding and this time inched myself into a good viewing position and watched as they ate new shoots and buds in the hedgerow, they stayed for a good ten minutes mostly deep in the hedge but now and again came to the top to clean their beaks on a number of thicker branches giving exceptional views of this normally shy species. I wandered back to the cottage and immediately picked up on 2 large black birds flying south-east towards Hatchet wood, they soon called and before I had time to look at them through my binoculars I knew they were Ravens. They continued flying over without stopping but I could still hear "Kronking" even with them out of sight. I'm certain that there is at least one pair in the area and with fairly regular sightings over the cottage there's a good chance that they are resident and possible breeders.
Bullfinch
A Red Kite returned to the top of the telegraph pole near the garden and from the bedroom window I could see it was eating something, being curious I headed outside again . I managed to hide behind a large Laurel bush which meant I could get relatively close view without flushing it, I was a bit taken back when I saw what it was eating as I had at first thought that it would be probably feeding on a dead Rabbit or some other road kill. After doing a double take I realised that I wasn't going mad and that the Kite was eating what looked like a sponge cake(make and origin unknown!), I have often had them swooping into the garden after I have put bread out for the birds but never seen them take anything so this came as a bit of a surprise. It finished everything and then took off and began circling the fields with 3 other Kites and a Common Buzzard. It had a metal leg ring on it's left leg but it wasn't possible to read it.
With the heaviest snowfall for 18 years covering most of the south east of England the Chilterns were no exception. Even with weather reports informing the whole of the UK that severe weather was on it's way I wasn't totally sure what to expect, On Sunday evening I was still trying to track down a Woodcock that had been seen briefly near the cottage and as dusk approached the temperature dropped and the first snow started to fall leaving me in no doubt that something was on it's way. The first snow showers were quite aggressive with an inch or two laying very quickly before 6:30pm when as quickly as it had started the snow ceased to fall, nothing much happened for the rest of the evening and it wasn't until the early hours of Monday did things really get going. By 3am there was already a good covering of snow and it wasn't stopping, I couldn't believe the amount of snow and the speed at which it was falling. By morning the valley was covered by a layer of snow that stretched as far as the eye could see and the distant windmill at Turville Heath famed for it's starring role in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang was now partly obscured during occasional bouts of snowfall.
I had filled the feeders the night before ready for any early morning arrivals in search of food and after surveying the surrounding countryside I watched to see what the garden had in store. Great, Blue and Coal Tit were already in situ along with Robin, Dunnock and Chaffinch, 3 male and 1 female Blackbird were surprisingly well behaved amongst each other with the female again taking charge of any unruly behaviour. I decided it was time to put out a few treats for the ground feeders and after finding a selection of wholemeal bread, fruit and the remainder of a rather expensive panettone cake I braved the elements outside. After scattering the food across the lawn and refilling the bird bath I scanned the orchard and fields next to the cottage. Our now regular pair of Red Kites were sat in the top of an old Apple tree viewing the fields, they looked rather cold and I did wonder how well these beautiful birds of prey would adapt to this weather that would certainly hamper their feeding, despite the area having an abundance of Rabbit and Pheasant the snow would have soon covered anything that hadn't made it through the night and the fields were now baron wastelands devoid of any life. Of course after getting my scope and attempting to get a photo of them they flew off, I thought it best to leave them rather than pursue them for the perfect snow shot as they would certainly need all the fat reserves they had to get them trough the severe weather.
I wandered back to the cottage hearing a Meadow Pipit calling as it flew overhead, it dropped down into a nearby field and I headed off to investigate. Although Meadow Pipit is quite a common species of bird I have never heard or seen one near the cottage before, I was lucky to see one perched on wires about a quarter of a mile away from the cottage earlier this year. After negotiating a number of hidden Rabbit burrows I set my scope up to view the field, the glare from the snow made it difficult to find anything and I was about to give up when I saw a flock of about 50 or more birds take to the air from the centre of the field which included both Skylark and Meadow Pipit. I watch ed as they swirled round the centre of the field coming down almost the same place they had taken of from. It does seem that there are good size flocks of both Skylark and Meadow Pipits in the area at the moment.
unsurprisingly the Black headed and Common Gulls that are present most days around the nearby fields were nowhere to be seen, a mixed flock of Carrion Crow, Rook, Jackdaw and Magpie were doing there best to forage in the downtrodden snow that the local sheep had carved across the snow covered fields.
We are pretty remote at the best of times and with the heavy snowfall the area seemed very cut-off to say the least, fields and woodland were covered with a blanket of snow as far as the eye could see and they were beckoning to be explored. Finding as many layers as we could get on we headed out in to what felt like Narnia and after traversing the fields we headed north east towards Adam's Wood stopping a the entrance of the wood to grab a few photos. The wood itself was eerily quiet, no sight or sound of any bird life and the silence was strange to say the least, it was almost like every living creature in the wood had be exiled leaving an incredible silence.
As we continued through the wood the first signs of bird life became obvious, a Red Kite perched in the tree tops took flight sending a cascade of snow from the branches to the woodland floor, a Nuthatch called from nearby and after tracking it's call we found it with a small flock of Blue and Great Tits as they searched the woodland for food. A Common Buzzard called as it drifted over and shortly after the delicate contact calls of a number of Goldcrests could be heard from the woodland interior.
After following the footpath through Adam's Wood we arrived at Little Frieth and soon encountered 4 Red Kites circling the fields, Blackbird, Robin, Blue and Great Tit were in good numbers along the gardens and hedgerows. Leaving Little Frieth along Shogmoor Lane a number of birds were scattered along the hedgerows, Dunnock, Blackbird, Blue & Great Tit and a possible male Blackcap, I say possible as the view was so brief I just didn't get a good enough view. The pond at the top of Shogmoor Lane was almost all frozen over with a number of Mallards keeping the remaining water unfrozen by swimming in it, 2 Moorhens were also present searching round the pound fringes for food. A good size flock of Greenfinches has been present in this area recently and along with Chaffinch and a few Goldfinches must have numbered somewhere in the region of 60 birds, feeding in 2 separate groups either side of the road they soon took flight as we walked the road between them. They sat nervously in the trees along the field edges and the noise of all these Finches calling together was incredibly loud.
At the top of shogmoor lane we could see a distant group of Red Kites circling over Fingest Wood, it was difficult to count exactly how many there were due to the snow showers and mist that was caused by the wind blowing surface snow across the fields. They seemed to be circling one particular area with some intent and on occasions would drop suddenly out of the sky and out of view behind the trees, I estimated that there were roughly 16 Kites but it could have been more.
We made our way along the footpath and in to Hill's Wood which like Adam's Wood was silent at first, a number of Blackbirds both male and female were encountered on the footpaths before they hastily flew deeper in to the woods and now and again the contact calls of Goldcrest could be heard. Finally a Robin appeared next to the footpath as if to see if we had anything to offer before it too disappeared in to the wood. 2 Common Buzzards passed over calling as they went and shortly after a Red Kite followed them but there was still little to be seen in the woodland itself. As we approached Hatchet Wood a Nuthatch was heard calling and at least 4 Goldcrest were calling to each other at the tops of nearby Conifer trees. We came to a clearing and watched as a Brown Hare suddenly shot out from the woodland in front of us, we obviously startled it from it's daytime resting place and it raced across the clearing with the speed and agility of a Olympic sprinter, it's long legs pushing it at great speed through the wood with it's long black-tipped ears held tightly against it's shoulders. Within 30 seconds it was gone and the only signs that it was ever there were the far spaced footprints that it left in the snow.
We continued along the footpath through Hatchet Wood walking on previously un-trodden snow, an almost fairytale landscape greeted us with snow covering the countryside and adorning almost every bow and branch throughout the wood. 2 Red Kites drifted over calling as they went and the odd cackling flock of Fieldfare passed across the tree tops overhead. Suddenly we noticed a bird take flight from the undergrowth just in front if us, we stood and watched as a dumpy looking bird with a long bill flew along the edge of the wood before dropping down again. We approached slowly only for the bird to take flight and fly further into the woods but this time it was clear to see that is was a Woodcock. I know they often can be found in open areas in times of severe weather and perhaps this was the reason why one turned up in the garden on the previous day, I was delighted to see this species so near to our home and will certainly be on the look out for Roding males in spring.
By the time we reached home we had added Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush and Redwing to our sightings for the day and our regular male Pheasant was tucking in to the leftovers in the garden
The garden has been busy especially in times of very cold weather, Still no sign of Brambling and Siskin in the garden as we have seen in previous years but with temperatures dropping and snow covering the fields and surrounding countryside there's always the possibility of something turning up.
Regular sightings of Blue, Great, Coal, Marsh & Long-tailed Tit. Wood Pigeon, Robin, Wren, Dunnock, Chaffinch and the odd Greenfinch,(a large flock of 40+ Greenfinch has been seen on numerous occasions at the top of Shogmoor Lane), a Treecreeper returned to the garden and was seen briefly climbing tree trunks before it flew off towards the trees in the orchard. Both Red Kite and Buzzard are daily sightings as are large flocks of corvids, Carrion Crow, Rook, Jackdaw and Magpie all present in large numbers feeding with Black-headed and Common Gulls in the surrounding fields. A Raven was seen and heard in early February flying south-east over Hatchet Wood and perhaps one of the birds that has been seen at nearby Marlow Common. A Collared Dove that stopped in the garden in late January was a first, occasionally seen flying over they are not a common sighting around the garden but just 600 yrds down the road in Skirmett village can be seen sat on the overhead wires. Perhaps they just don't like what we have on offer, anyway the Dove stayed minutes before it flew off, brief visit to say the least!.
Treecreeper
We still have a good number of Blackbirds in the area and numbers probably reach the mid twenty's , 3 or 4 visit the garden to see what's on offer with a particularly dominate female keeping the males in order. Both Mistle and Song Thrush are present in and around the surrounding fields and a small number of Redwing remain, only a few small groups of Fieldfare are in the area and are often heard but not seen. Our regular visiting male Pheasant has spent the last couple of nights roosting on the garden wall, i found him sat on the wall with his head tucked under his wing at 6:45am on the 3rd Feb looking rather cold.
The resident Little Owls are staying out of sight at the moment and are only seldom heard unlike the Tawny Owl which seems to have started calling from the top of the cottage chimney again. It obviously favours this spot as it has done for the past couple of years, as we have an open fire which is in use most nights through the winter I'm wondering if it uses the chimney as it knows it's going to be nice and warm.
The most exciting news came on the 1st February when my girlfriend told me she had just flushed a unusual bird from the orchard, she was walking through the orchard when a bird took flight in front of her and zig-zaged its way past the garden. Louise got a good view of the bird and after she told me this I sat her down and the Spanish inquisition began. what did it look like I asked?, to which she replied it was a dumpy wader looking bird with a long bill. I was intrigued and requiring more information I continued the questioning, where exactly did you see it? it was in the overgrown area at the side of the filed and it looked like a Woodcock as the bill was too long for a Snipe, I was taken back by her observations even though she has accompanied me on many of my birding adventures. Every year we go to Padworth, Berks on the TABCG Nightjar walk and often see this species a number of times as they rode overhead, we have also seen this species up close at Titchwell, Norfolk when on a Focus on Birds weekend trip with Tom McJannet we were gifted extremely close views of a single bird sat in the undergrowth next to the car park. I was disappointed at missing this very unusual sighting in the garden but have no doubt that Louise saw was a Woodcock and this would be proved the following day...
Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni) 23/05/09.JPG)
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Cinnabar (Tyria jacobaeae)30/05/09
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Peacock (Inachis io) 02/06/09
Black-winged Pratincole.JPG)
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Male Garganey
TABCG Berkshire Bird Race 2009 Winners
Avocet.JPG)
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Goldcliff .JPG)
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Meadow Pipit.JPG)
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Newport Wetlands RSPB.JPG)
Common Whitethroat .JPG)
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Feral Rock Dove.JPG)
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Little Grebe.JPG)
Little Grebe.JPG)
Goldfinch.JPG)
River Usk.JPG)
Dipper.JPG)
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Elan Valley
Lapwing.JPG)
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'Melanistic' Pheasant.JPG)
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Helmeted Guinea Fowl.JPG)
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Helmeted Guinea Fowl.JPG)
Mallard.JPG)
Brown Hare.JPG)
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Nuthatch..JPG)
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Nuthatch.
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Chiffchaff..JPG)
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Willow Warbler..JPG)
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Chaffinch..JPG)
Robin..JPG)
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White-throated Sparrow..JPG)
The Viewing Area..JPG)
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Old Winchester Hill..JPG)
Awaiting The White-throated Sparrow.
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Ring Ouzel.
Linkey Down, Aston Rowant.
Male-Goldcrest (Regulus regulus)
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Coal Tit.JPG)
Common Gull.JPG)
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Bullfinch.JPG)
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The Cake Eating Kite.JPG)
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Red Kite 
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Red Kite
