Lakenheath & Weeting Heath, East Anglia 21/05/2010.

Cuckoo

My first visit to Lakenheath was back in 2005 when I was desperate to see Golden Oriole at this site, this was before the visitor centre and toilets had been built and much of the reserve habitat was still being improved. I recall the day itself was very hot with great views of Marsh Harrier, Hobby and Cuckoo and eventually a few good glimpses of male Golden Orioles flying through the popular plantations, the views were brief but hearing it's fluty call more than made up for it not showing particularly well. My everlasting memory from the day would be despite the fact that the Golden Oriole is a bright yellow and jet black bird they can be a bugger to see.

A very close friend of mine has a son who has taken a bit of an interest in birding and of course soon found the Golden Oriole page in his bird guide, taking an immediate liking to this species he has been asking me to take him to see one since last autumn and I promised as soon as they returned this summer we'd take a visit to Lakenheath. Each time I visited them he asked me if they were there yet and when we would be going, that then followed by him telling me he'd seen them on their bird feeders so I guess you can say he was rather enthusiastic. Despite him continually asking throughout October, November, December, January and February I managed to quell his excitement until the Orioles arrived and then arranged the trip to Lakenheath and then on to Weeting Heath.

Sedge Warbler

Reed Warbler

We seemed to have picked the warmest day of the year so far and left with clear blue skies beckoning us towards the fens. We arrived at Lakenheath in very good time and an already busy reserve car park, after parking up we made our way to the visitor centre to have a quick look around and check the sightings board. We left the visitor centre and were soon greeted by the chattering calls of Sedge & Reed Warbler along with a few Reed Bunting from the reeds next to the path, this continued along the path right up to New Fen viewpoint and we had some exceptional views as the birds actively sang amongst the reeds. I really love this time of year when the once cold quiet winter reed beds suddenly come to life with bird song and activity, most of all from the warbler species that sing almost constantly and flit between the reed stems. Hobbies swift-like in their flight hawk overhead and the final part to the birders quintessential English summer, the Cuckoo. We hadn't gone 500yrds and there was so much going on around us it was difficult to know where to look at times, we came to a halt to watch a very vocal Sedge Warbler clinging to the top of the reeds right next to the path, it didn't seemed bothered by us and continued to chatter away right up to the point where I got my camera out and then it dropped in to the reeds. I waited for a few minutes and managed to get a few photos as others appeared and disappeared around me but I wasn't so lucky with the Reed warblers which were skulking low down in the reeds, I was tempted to go back towards the visitor centre and try where they were showing much better but there was no way my little birding buddy was going to let me steer him away from the Orioles.

New Fen viewpoint

We continued along the path towards New Fen viewpoint now hearing and seeing the odd Common Whitethroat around the scrub next to the railway track, a Cuckoo then flew over giving us great views which my friends were certainly pleased with, the clear blue skies really gave us great views and with 2 possibly 3 calling I hoped we might get better views of one perched up at some point. We continued passed the New Fen viewpoint and on towards Trial Wood with the calls of a male Cuckoo coming from the wood next to us, it was so close but obscured by the tree canopy so we decided to see if we could get a closer view by taking the footpath south towards the Railway track. We hadn't gone far when the unmistakable fluty calls of a Golden Oriole came from the same wood, we stopped in our tracks and listened scanning the trees whilst waiting for it's next call which it did at regular intervals but it was impossible to find. We edged our way along the path listening to both Golden Oriole and Cuckoo as we went, still no luck seeing either and after a couple of minutes the Oriole stopped calling. The Cuckoo or should I now say Cuckoo's flew in to the trees above us, firstly a male which perched in the tree tops above us quickly followed by a Rufous coloured female which was soon partly obscured in the trees, then from nowhere another male flew in to join the others. The males began calling to the female to which she replied with her bubbling chuckle, this continued for a few minutes allowing me time to get a few photos before they flew off one by one towards the last popular plantation. We were all very pleased at such good views and I actually managed to get a few good photos which was added bonus, fantastic birds and to see 3 together was a great moment.

Cuckoo

We followed the path along to the third plantation where right on cue a male golden oriole began to call, waiting patiently with a small group of people we scanned the poplars. The male showed briefly a couple of times as it flew between the popular stands but certainly not great views, it continued to sing on and off for over an hour and in which time Hants & Berks birder Andy Johnson had turned up. After waiting for the Oriole to appear and discussing the berks bird race that we had both taken part in a week before it was time for us to head off, I said goodbye to Andy and back towards the visitor centre we heeded with a fly over Hobby passing us near New Fen. The calls of Common whitethroat, Sedge and Reed Warbler still going ten to the dozen and yet another Cuckoo sighting overhead. I was certainly impressed at how the reserve has matured, the visitor centre is very nice and of course the staff are very friendly. Big thumbs up from me for RSPB Lakenheath and although we didn't get to see the Orioles up close the visit was well worth it.

After leaving Lakenheath we headed for nearby Weeting Heath with the hope of seeing Stone Curlew, although having visited before I did have my doubts as the heat would certainly give off a certain amount of heat haze and unless the birds were in close it would be difficult to get good views. From the west hide a Stone Curlew was spotted far off in the distance, more of a shimmering blur than anything recognisable but eventually as the temperature cooled and the bird moved it became more evident. We left the hide meeting a group of people watching another Stone curlew on the far side of the road, again shrouded in heat haze but this time more distinguishable than the last view. The day was very rewarding especially with the close views of Cuckoo at Lakenheath, I never tire of watching these fascinating birds and lets hope the current decline can be overturned, just imagine an English summer without the iconic call of the Cuckoo!!!

TABCG Wales Trip - 03/05/09

Avocet

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.

Elan Valley

Photos from previous trips can be found on the TABCG website here http://www.freewebs.com/tabcg

Dungeness, Kent. 27th April 2008.

Black Redstart
Sedge Warbler
Wheatear

We planned a day trip to Dungeness today and an early morning departure from my home with Roy and Keith on board meant that we would get a good couple of hours sea watching before heading off to the RSPB Dungeness reserve and no doubt bumping in to the Berkshire Ornithological Club who were also on a day trip.

As we drove through Skirmett on the way to the M40 a Little Owl was perched in one of it's favourite haunts starting the day off well. We made good time and after a quick coffee stop headed off to Dungeness, as we approached the sea front we could see the lighthouses in the distance and looked for a parking place.

Parking up by the old lighthouse we headed up the beach passing the nuclear power station, I commented that it might be worth having a look on our way back for Black Redstart and on we continued. At the first hide we joined a dozen or so birders that were watching the sea, we were greeted by a very friendly couple who told us what had already passed through out at sea, they regaled us with sightings of Great, Arctic & close views of Pomarine Skua passing off shore, suddenly the shouts went up "Great Skua" and we soon got views of our first Skua as it passed by in good view. With Dungeness having a large nuclear facility it didn't take long before we had a visit from the local Police on the beach, it did come as a surprise however that they were armed but after a short chat and some good humour they continued on their patrol. Over a 2 hour spell we watched Gannet, Great, Arctic & Pomarine Skua pass by with good views of rafts of Common Scoter that included Velvet Scoter flying by and later on the surface far beyond "the patch", a pair of Red-breasted Merganser & a small group of Whimbrels flew past and Common, Arctic & Sandwich Tern were all seen.

After spending 2 hours sea watching we made our way back towards the car park and soon heard a Black Redstart singing nearby, it stopped so we got in the car and slowly drove along until we located it again. we parked up and jumped out and watched a fantastic male Black Redstart singing on the perimeter fence, it soon crossed over the track and behind a nearby cottage giving only teasing glimpse's before heading back towards the facility buildings. It remained around the buildings singing from the rooftops and at one point we thought we heard perhaps two singing. Fantastic bird to see and I was delighted to have had such a good view of it as we all were.

At RSPB Dungeness we met up with the Reading Ornithological Club who were also spending the day here, we said hello to a few familiar faces and entered the visitor centre to gain entrance to the reserve. A quick read of the sightings board and a look round the shop and it was out into the reserve stopping at Firth Hide first, these pools were probably the busiest with the commoner waterfowl and the best birds being 2 Little Gulls and both Common & Arctic Tern. A Cetti's Warbler burst in to song next to the hide, Sedge Warbler & Whitethroat were also present.

We continued along the path hearing more Cetti's & Sedge Warbler and Whitethroat and after a short wait we had also seen them all with the Cetti's obviously proving much harder to see, the wait paid off as we started to continue along the path a female Marsh harrier drifted over giving excellent views as it slowly cruised over the reedbeds, passed the hide and out of sight.

Continuing along the path there was a hive of activity going on both sides of us, Common Whitethroat & Sedge Warbler being seen and heard at almost every step, plenty of Reed Buntings & Meadow Pipits, the odd Linnet here and there and again Cetti's Warblers singing. My first year sighting of Swift came near the Christmas Dell Hide as they wheeled over the freshwater pits, again the Marsh Harrier appeared over the pit and was soon chased off by Lapwing & Crows. Further along the path we stopped to view the floods seeing Whimbrel and a single Greenshank and soon saw our first Wheatears of the day, 2 cracking males which continued in their search for food very close to where we were standing.

We entered the Denge Marsh hide were a RSPB guide was hosting a group trip round the reserve, we squeezed in to a few available spots and tried not too disturb them. I unzipped my scope and looked through the lens and out on to the water, the first thing I saw was a male Garganey sat in full view, I called to Roy & Keith that I had found a male Garganey and before long the whole of the hide were watching it, as many were without scopes I offered them a chance to get a close up of it and headed to the other end of the hide where Roy had spotted a Hobby hawking over the far side of the lake, a stock dove was feeding in the fields and again the Marsh Harrier made an appearance and again it was seen off.

We had a chat to the RSPB guide who thanked us for pointing out the Garganey & Hobby and in return showed us the best place to see Bearded Tit, we waited at the viewpoint watching the reeds and listening for it's metallic "pching, pching" call. Roy got a glimpse as one flew round in front of him but it soon disappeared through the reeds and we waited in the hope it would return, moments later it flew back in to the opposite reedbed coming to rest in the front of the reeds, a fantastic view showed this bird to be a male.

Further along the path heading back towards the car park we stopped to view across the sheep fields, Roy soon found a wagtail that was standing underneath a Sheep, we knew Yellow Wagtails were present as we had already seen and heard two flying overhead earlier in the day and now perhaps we would get a better view. I have to say the moment it was in view I thought it was a Yellow Wagtail but there was some deliberation from one of the BOC members as to it being a Grey Wagtail, it certainly had the features of Yellow wagtail, yellow throat, olive-brown back, short tail and longer legs than the Grey but with a grey head and cheeks, black eye stripe and white supercilium. It wasn't till later that I realised that it was in fact a male Blue-headed Wagtail(Motacilla flava).

After returning to the car park we made our way by car back to the beach at Dungeness again with the news that an Iceland Gull had been seen at "the patch", unfortunately there was no sign of the bird but still good Skua passage out at sea. We wandered back towards the car park by the lighthouse again stopping to watch and listen to the Black Redstart. Stonechat, Wheatear and a few Meadow Pipits were also seen around the car park and nuclear facility and a quick stop off at the RSPB reserve again before we left gave us a good view of a male Cuckoo sat on a fence post.

Added To My Year List

151. Gannet
152. Arctic Skua
153. Great Skua
154. Pomarine Skua
155. Common Scoter
156. Black Redstart
157. Marsh Harrier
158. Greenshank
159. Swift
160. Hobby
161. Bearded Tit
162. Blue-headed Wagtail