Weekend birder

Another Mega for Gwent!

2012-02-19T19:52:00.000Z

The Yellowthroat showed really well this morning in stunning sunshine.Despite a few moans of bad behaviour off some in my opinion everyone was well behaved.

MEGA !!!

2012-02-16T23:35:00.000Z

Still to stunned to say much except for my apprentice didn't do to bad after a quick crash course in photography :-) Well done Chris

Grippback

2012-01-15T20:44:00.000Z

Not a bad weekends birding was had.Started off in Calshot for the Spanish Sparrow had a second look at the Junco.Made our way back to Newport and re found the Glossy ibis.Round 3 of the Goosander Survey took place Sunday with poor results but 3 Cracking Iceland Gulls made up for that.

Long Time

2012-01-09T23:15:00.000Z

Haven't been active on the blog for a while but managed to see a few good birds in the mean time.Finished last year on 273 Species with some massive highlights.Also managed to see a good few birds since my last post.Highlights being Western Sand,Common Crane,Rough-Legged Buzzard,Black Brant,Richards Pipit,Humes Yellow Browed and Dark-Eyed Junco.

Crazy Fools

2011-11-20T21:49:00.000Z

Waited for news before shooting over to Chew Valley Lake for a Sharp Tailed Sand.Had to take the Van so it was a bit like a scene from the A Team.Mad Murdoc and faceman took it in turns in the back.After viewing the Sand a pair of Dowitchers and a Spotted Sand we headead back home.Somehow we manged to find our way past Blagdon Lake and towards the M5 at Bridgewater.Talk soon turned to how far the Desert Wheatear was in Devon.After a few phone calls back home and a nice steady drive we were watching the wheatear.The light had gone by then so not many pics taken.So all in all a longer day than expected but some cracking birds were seen.

A Few More from Today

2011-11-18T16:58:00.000Z

Tricky Ricky

2011-11-13T23:04:00.000Z

Visited boat lane again this morning in search of the Small Canada Goose that i saw yesterday distantly.Still present and associating with the Canada's.Now where has this bird come from?I would imaging a few would say its come from someones collection.I'm not so sure.It is the right time of year.

Three birds have turned up in Ireland.Two in western Scotland.One in Somerset.

They are know as being long distant migrants.Gwents 2nd ever Greenland Whitefront has also arrived at the same time.(which it might have arrived with)A Black Brant and a few Pale Bellied Brents in the Gower.

Apparently there has been a curious pattern of dispersion across North America at the moment with, amongst others, three in Ottawa the other day apparently mega-alerted.It is associating with the Canada flock but what other geese are there in Gwent to associate with.I Guess we will never know but its still an interesting bird and well worth a visit if possible.

Tiny Little Thing

2011-11-12T22:09:00.000Z

The Slav grebe showed well at Uskmouth this morning.Other bits and pieces of interest were Blackcap Chiff Stonechat and quite a few more Redwing and fieldfare than of late.

This afternoons entertainment was at Boatlane where a Cackling Goose (B. h. minima) was with the Canada's on the tideline.Always distant so better views need to be obtained.Cracking little Goose whatever.

A Very IZZY Weekend

2011-11-06T21:34:00.000Z

When i was deciding what to do for the weekend there was a few choices.A Marathon a triathlon a decathlon or a Shrikeathon,i choose the shrikeathon as it would be a lot less stressful and wouldn't involve any running. The Wall Farm Steppe Grey was a bit distant but good scope views were enjoyed. The Porth Clais Isabelline (Daurian) Shrike just couldn't show any better if it tried.An Isabelline Wheatear was found on the Gower late afternoon.Didn't think it would stay so i opted for a look around Collister Pill Sunday morning.Managed to get to the end of Fishouse Lane before legging back to the van and heading in the direction of the Gower.About an hour later i was watching it down to about 30ft.

MEGA PEAR!

2011-10-23T11:46:00.000Z

MEGA News Broke of a juicy pear showing well in a Cornish valley.Two of us decided to go straight away seeing how rare it was.Three Hours later we were watching this little beauty.Cant understand why every one else at the twitch had such sad faces.It was a peach of a pear.With it behaving so well over 500 photos were taken.With the pear in the bag we shot off home.

More MEGA news!Another or could it be the same one has turned up on the Scillies.

Who Said Scilly Was Quiet!

2011-10-16T17:40:00.001Z

An excellent few days on Scilly.Other Highlights were Least Sandpider,Red Throated Pipit,Bluethroat,Yellow Browed Warbler and Loads of Wrynecks.Oh and speaking with Iolo off the telly.

Suffolk SANDHILL

2011-10-04T20:41:00.000Z

Just had to go a see it as it was in day tripping distance.

And a Photographer that didn't want to view from the two main groups.

You Could See The Severn Bridge.

2011-10-03T20:50:00.000Z

Seeing as the best time to see this bird was late afternoon early evening we set off at 3ish and was on the down at 4ish.Just at the top of the track the Pallid made a quick flyby over the farm and around the ridge towards the Ariel's.We carried on up to the trigg point were we had a brief view half way along the track.At the trigg we had nothing fo about an hour.We decided to change position further along the track where the sun would be behind us.The Pallid then after a while put on a spectacular performance hunting back and for in front of us. However we had just about lost the light for any

photographs.Cracking bird and so close to home.

What A Beach

2011-09-24T19:24:00.000Z

I was just pulling up to Goldcliff pools to see what was about when the phone rang.Darryl was on the other end saying he had an interesting plover when suddenly as we were talking it flapped a little and showed the briefest glimpse of dusky auxiliaries.15 minutes later i managed to get a pic showing an attenuated rear and black on the underparts extending way back towards the tail.Crept down towards where Darryl was positioned.Showed Darryl the photograph and news was put out as a probable.We waited for Chris and then positioned ourselves for a better look.Happy days AGP on the West Usk Beach(County First).Watched it for a while until a few fishermen flushed it further out onto the mud where we we able to get the Grey-Brown inner underwing in flight.See www.gwentbirding.blogspot.com for the finders story.

Scilly Daytrip

2011-09-21T21:00:00.000Z

Black And White Warbler and Northern Waterthrush was just to much to bear.Four Am Monday morning saw two of us heading down the M4 to connect with the scillonian for 9:15.Leach's Petrel was seen from the boat plus usual seabirds.Black And White Warbler,Red Eyed,Vireo,Solitary Sandpiper,Blue Winged Teal and Woodchat Shrike showed exceptionaly well.Dipped Northern Waterthrush and heard Bee eater only.The Helicopter was running late so another look for Waterthrush had us missing it by seconds.Straight forward dive home and back in bed by 11:30.

Black And White Warbler And Waterthrush Pics kindly Supplied By Ashley Howe.

The Greatest hide you will ever see.Full of fleas,lice,rats and shit!

Down And Dirty With A Phal

2011-09-20T19:44:00.000Z

A nice Surprise greeted me at West Usk Beach Sunday morning.Had to get down and dirty with it to get some pics.Well worth smelling like a farm yard for tho.Best of the rest were 2 Curlew Sands 1 Sanderling and 10 Barwits.

Click Big You Know You Want To!

All Gone

2011-09-15T22:20:00.000Z

Had some great pictures of this evenings Wryneck from Uskmouth but all were lost whilst transferring them to my computer.Major problems with error signs saying cannot create folder.Cf card full when it wasn't.~And I'm not even going to mention yesterdays trip to Cornwall.

Two Good Bids In A Day

2011-09-10T22:07:00.000Z

A walk around Green Pool At Llandegfedd produced this Osprey,lost it as it flew around the corner and couldn't relocate it.Nothing else of note here.In the afternoon news of a Wryneck at Garnlydan Reservoir came through and hour later a big twitch assembled comprising of two watching it sat on a post before flying into he only bush on the reservoir bank.It must of new that the rain was coming.Got absolutely drenched walking back to the van.Haven't seen rain like it for years.Non stop bouncing off the road rain with lightening all the way to Pontypool.

WRYNECK BUSH

West Usk Lighthouse

2011-08-27T12:10:00.000Z

The New Hide At Goldcliff

Gwents Third

2011-08-15T20:54:00.000Z

Tick tick hooray!A gwent tick today.Dropped everything in work and rushed down to the pools where the Cattle Egret preformed superbly for the next hour or so.It was reported early afternoon on the pager but no sign this evening from a brief visit but could well be still in the area.

The Mighty Llandegfedd

2011-08-14T23:06:00.000Z

Decided to have a nice quiet relaxed stroll around the North End and Green Pool area of Llandegfedd Reservoir at the weekend.Started off well until i got to Green Pool hide when on opening the hide slats i was greeted by reeds,reeds and more reeds.Excellent start.Next i thought i would walk around green pool and back along the north shore.First i had to pass through the small wooded area across the board walk.This is what i was greeted with.

Finally made it through the entrance with just a few cuts to show.

Next was how to get through the 5ft jungle of nettles.

After being stung 30- 40 times it was a quick look back to see how i ever managed it.

I did carry on around the North shore where the highlights were 2 Common Sands and a wigeon.

Terns Terns And More Terns

2011-08-06T21:41:00.000Z

Spent a few days down on the English Riviera.Popped out birding a couple of times with the best bird being a Roseate Tern showing well from the hide at Dawlish Warren(Cheers Lee)

Fresh In Fresh Out

2011-07-31T15:35:00.000Z

A call off CJ had me dashing down the pools late yesterday afternoon for a nice Pec Sand.The bird didn't stay long as it was seen to fly off high with a small group of Dunlin.

Fresh In

2011-07-28T21:46:00.000Z

Wood Sand,Marsh Harrier,5 Lrps and 2 Greenshanks were new in at the pools this evening.

Simply Stunning!

2011-07-25T22:49:00.000Z

A quick dash down to Weymouth and back late Sunday afternoon for one of the best looking waders about.The celebratory Maltessers were also most enjoyable.Always a bit distant but excellent scope views in near perfect light.Spur of the moment twitching at its best.

Cowabunga!

2011-07-15T07:56:00.000Z

Very rare in Gwent These Days.Rocked on up at dinner time ninja turtle style but dipped.Back after work and still in turtle mode there it was sat there on the wires.Cowabunga Dudes!Hereos in a half shell turltle power.

Lesser Grey Shrike

2011-07-09T20:24:00.000Z

We waited for news this morning before heading off as i couldn't stomach another Dip.This is how twitches should go.Nice drive down,Bird showing well,nice drive home with a celebratory Pasty to enjoy.

Barneys Back

2011-06-26T22:22:00.000Z

Looks like Barneys moved to Llandegfedd from Boat Lane and the spoonbill at Goldcliff has gone to Slimbridge.

Other highlights of the past week have been LRP,Marsh Harrier(male),Common Tern and Common Sand.

The Most Amazing Seabird Pics from Gwent Shores Ever

2011-06-19T20:46:00.000Z

Goldcliff

2011-06-13T21:50:00.000Z

A quick check at Goldcliff pools this afternoon was quiet until this flew in.

One Big Dip

2011-06-12T18:19:00.000Z

Six hundred Miles with just a Kiitiwake to show for it.Nice!

Best Efforts

2011-06-03T23:23:00.000Z

Very quiet this evening on the Nightjar front with 2 birds heard and one very briefly seen.

Below is the very latest in Nightjar head fashion!

And despite my best efforts i still couldn't draw one in.

More Jaunts

2011-05-26T22:31:00.000Z

Also nipped over to the Somerset Levels yesterday.Found by Gwent Birders i believe?Showing extremely well at times

HoopHoopHooray

2011-05-26T20:02:00.000Z

Gwent tick!!!!!! At Llandegfedd This Afternoon.

Seawatch Bonanza.

2011-05-22T21:50:00.000Z

Headed down to the Golden Cliffs this morning where it all kicked off within 15 minutes of peeping through my scope.Totals were 1 Guillemot, 11 Gannets, 76 Manx Shearwaters, 3 Arctic Skuas and 12 auks Sp during the morning.Then dipped on a Little Tern at Goldcliff Pools found by Darryl(see www.gwentbirding.blogspot.com)
and the Black Stork wasn't relocated in Glamorgan this afternoon.Lets hope it settles somewhere easily twitchable or even better in Gwent.

Old Boots New Blisters

2011-05-20T21:57:00.000Z

Took the old boots out to Norfolk for an airing yesterday but after 21 hours out i came home with these two beauties.

Not a bad selection of birds tho with the highlights being Golden Oriole,Stone Curlew,Shorelark,Temmincks Stint and Red Necked Phalarope.

Fifty Quid Finch

2011-05-15T18:22:00.000Z

A nice day was spent over on Lundy for theTrumpeter Finch.The Trump was showing well at Halfway Wall near enough all day.A few Puffins were also nice and a couple of Spot Flys in Millcombe Valley rounded off a nice day.

The Star

Supporting Cast

A Nice View

And an Extremely Excited Matt at the thought of seeing the Trumpeter Finch .

Quick Dash

2011-05-03T21:45:00.000Z

A Quick Dash from the Dotterel site to Uskmouth visitors centre Scrape.Nice!!!

Glamorganshire.

2011-05-02T20:31:00.000Z

Nipped up to Cwn Cadlan this afternoon.After the Short walk in gale force winds i was viewing these little Stunners.Shame i missed the couple on the Blorange a few years ago.Also added 2 Wood Sands Hobby and Whinchat back at the levels.

Gwent Tick

2011-05-01T20:03:00.000Z

Headed up to Chepstow first thing this morning after last nights posting on the Gos Site.Didnt really have much hope..Had a scan around the town centre but no joy.Then a twitter message came through of an Osprey flying up river past Severn Beach.Headed to Newhouse Ind Est as the view is not bad of the Severn from there.Got out of the van and had a scan and then the Stork flew in from the Mathern Area and landed on one of the Lamp Post.Had a few minutes viewing and made all the necessary phone calls when it decide to get up and fly low East.Spent another hour or so trying to find it but gave up and headed home.If you look closely it looks injured under its bill.Come on lets all get twitter and follow each other you never Know what you might find.

Land Of The Pastie

2011-04-24T20:15:00.000Z

A Few More

2011-04-11T20:43:00.000Z

43 Minutes Away

2011-04-04T21:46:00.001Z

Spot The Creeper

2011-03-30T21:37:00.000Z

If you squint it may be possible to see the nice new shiny ring on its leg.

Short-Toed Treecreeper

2011-03-28T22:23:00.000Z

Had to just do it.

Swiftastic

2011-03-26T23:29:00.000Z

A Quiet walk around Saltmarsh lane in search of migrants started off slowly but picked up pace when a lone Swift flew through making me think did i actually just see that.I rattled off a few record shots. Now at the time i got enough on it to put Alpine swift straight in the bin.So given the date either a mega early Common or maybe a Pallid.Most probably a mega early Common but with the rubbish record shots looking into the hazy sun we may never no,unless it gets picked up again giving better views.

Batfink

2011-03-24T18:45:00.000Z

Had this flying around near my house this evening.Any Ideas of which species?

Gwent Please

2011-03-20T22:30:00.000Z

Please could we have one of these in Gwent.On the wet field would be my preferred spot but anywhere would do.

Another one of these showing well at Llandegfedd would also be nice.

Sprung

2011-03-16T19:27:00.000Z

A quick look at the wet field in Caerleon this evening produced 1 LRP.

Scotland

2011-03-14T20:54:00.000Z

A family wedding in Scotland last week meant that i could spend a few mornings out in the Highlands.A nice selection of birds were seen.The best were Golden Eagle,Ptarmigan,Black Grouse,Parrot Crossbill,Crested Tit,Snow Bunting and huge flocks of Pinkfeet.

Great Grey

2011-03-13T18:06:00.000Z

Great Grey still at Wentwood this morning.Lots of white in that tail??

Movement

2011-03-12T20:11:00.000Z

Spotted this over the house this morning.Made a Call to another birder as he needed it for his garden list,Smiles all round.

Chipper In Chipping Norton

2011-02-19T22:02:00.000Z

Decided to go for the dove again.Good scope views from a garden further up the leys.Had another pop at number 41.Just before we got in it was feeding on the lawn quite happily until someone took a picture with the flash on.When we got in the dove was sat up in a tree obscured with branches.Never Mind.As we were heading back down the M5 past slimbridge the pager goes off, That Dam Gull back at Rainham.What to do,turn Left onto M4 towards the gull or turn right towards home.
Left it was but the least said about that the better.Haven't got a good record with gulls.

The 8 Till 5 Shift

2011-02-15T20:01:00.000Z

Spent the whole day camped outside number 41 The Leys Chipping Norton in the cold and rain.What for? absolutely nothing.Missed the dove by 10 People.Was Kept entertained tho by Bob with his 15 minute Quizzes.(well done Bob if you're reading this,it was an experience)

The Only other Highlight literally were Mats Pumps.(well done Mat also if you're reading this)

Weekend Shenanigans

2011-02-13T22:01:00.000Z

An evening visit to Lr for the Gwent Goosander Winter Roost Survey this evening produced 86 Birds,31 Males and 55 Redheads.Other birds of note were 9 Goldeneye ,4 Little Egrets and 1 YLGull.
Other Sightings over the weekend were 1 each of Spot Red and Greenshank at Goldcliff Pools and a Dipper at Phonthir.

New Out

2011-02-09T22:51:00.000Z

The Latest Birders Accessory.(Guaranteed To Find You Rares).

The Beast Of Baneswell

2011-02-09T18:59:00.000Z

Keep in your dogs and small Children but send your cats out whenever you want.

2011-02-05T23:01:00.000Z

A 90 minute watch from the Golden Cliff this morning produced just 2 Kittiwakes.

4 Easy Steps

2011-02-04T22:19:00.000Z

1- Pull up at Wentwood in van.
2- Walk 3 minutes into clearfell.
3- View bird
4- Walk 3 Minutes back to Van.

A Weekend Down South

2011-01-23T19:59:00.000Z

A Day and a half down south produced a few little goodies.Hampshire produced Red Breasted Goose and Ring Billed Gull with Devon producing Surf Scoter,Cirl Bunting,Smew and Black Redstart.No Pics of the Surf Scoter due to it being a bit distant.

636 Miles Covered

2011-01-04T23:15:00.000Z

A nice little selection of birds this weekend at Penzance and Dawlish Warren.Pacific Diver,GN Diver,RT Diver,Eider,Common Scoter,Velvet Scoter,Glaucous Gull,Med Gull,Bonxie,Grey Phal,Brent Goose(pale and dark bellied),Slav Grebe,Purple Sand and Waxwing to name a few.

Rare Filled Gwent!

2010-12-31T21:03:00.001Z

What a year its been with Megas such as Iberian Chiff and not forgeting that june day at Bleanavon.Who would have guessed Britain's 5th (I Think)Marmora`s Warbler turning up here in wonderful Gwent.

The Gwent year list ended on 191 i gave it a good go and tried to connect with everything that graced gwent this year but still missed a few.Another highlight for me was Gwents 2nd Lesserlegs on the evening of the 28th of September leaving early next morning with only a few Gwent birders connecting.

So all in all a great year for Gwent on the rarity front and a good year county listing.

Other highlights throughout the year were a few day trips to various parts, and a few days twitching as well, with the highlights being Bufflehead,Black Kite,Oriental Pratincole,Great Reed Warbler,bobolink,Solitary Sandpiper,Green Heron and American Bittern.

Best Of The Rest

No more Swans

2010-12-27T19:49:00.000Z

A walk around a rapidly thawing Lr this morning produced no Bewicks Swans and no half expected Smew.Birds of note were 8 Mandarin 1 Med Gull 1 Goldeneye and a nice looking Bhgull.

Ice Age

2010-12-26T20:16:00.000Z

River Usk At Caerleon

River Usk near Usk

Eight Waxwings opposite the Greyhound pub Usk

Whats going on.

2010-12-20T21:02:00.000Z

Cant upload any more photos at the moment due to a message coming up saying I've used my 1GB quota.please buy some more(yeah right).did have this problem a month or so ago but cant remember what i did.

Aderyn Y Bwn

2010-12-18T21:31:00.000Z

Had a walk around Uskmouth this afternoon,not much about but the bird highlights were 1 Bittern seen by a couple we bumped into.3 Water Rail 3 Cettis heard and the starling roost held a nice big flock.The most vocal,loudest weirdest sounding Water Rail you've ever heard opposite the visitors centre.We could still hear it outside the gates on the main road.Almost run over a Little Owl that was sat on the road on the way home..

Garden Waxwings

2010-12-12T20:05:00.000Z

Three waxwings flew over my head as i was finishing my cup of coffee on the back door this morning.Scoured Caerleon for an hour or so after but couldn't relocate them.On the way to Wentwood Reservoir i slowed down in Langstone by the old Hurrans Garden Centre and low and behold another two were raiding someones back garden.They're everywhere.Apart from that nothing else to report.Oh,Dartford Warbler reported this morning at Boat Lane.

The Things You Do To Try And Get A Year Tick.

2010-12-03T23:36:00.000Z

Two crazy men went armed with a million candles to search out 10 Whooper Swans at Ponthir Reservoir this evening.Just double figure Goosander and Mallard to show for our efforts.

More Waxwings

2010-11-27T22:29:00.000Z

8 at Maesglas industrial estate this afternoon.

190!!!

2010-11-19T16:59:00.003Z

Nipped up to Ebbw Vale this morning to get my 190th Gwent species this year.

Morning Out In Pembs.

2010-11-14T21:10:00.003Z

Arrived at Angle just after first light where the Squacco flew in after about 10 minutes.Checked out the Common Crane at Castle Martin.Lots of Chough about all over the place.Its about time Gwent had one.

R B MERG

2010-11-07T20:47:00.003Z

Mega movement of Wood Pigeons this morning over Magor Marsh.A Male Mandarin at Wentwood Res and a Female Red-Breasted Merganser at Llandegfedd Res were my highlights over the weekend.

Another Pin Sharp Photo.

The Art Of Being Tight

2010-11-05T19:06:00.003Z

Don't buy any fireworks this year,just watch the neighbours..What a display they put on.Very impressive!

All watched from the warmth of the house.

Pin Sharp photos

2010-11-04T19:29:00.003Z

A few Pin sharp photos of the American Bittern at Walmsley Sanctuary this Morning.The bird gave excellent scope views from the packed tower hide.It even did a runner across from one ditch to another.Velvet Scoter was the best at Dawlish.The best at Exminster was a bacon a sarnie and a pot of tea in the cafe on the corner.We did have to wait a while as the pumped up Exminster over 60's keep fit class beat us to the till.

Number 2

2010-11-02T19:10:00.002Z

A quick jaunt down to the pools just to keep ticking over.

WHERE ARE THE LAPS?

2010-10-23T14:14:00.002Z

Laps in every county apart from Gwent No joy from many hours of searching.Come on Laps where are you?

A Few Days On Scilly

2010-10-21T18:58:00.005Z

Had a few enjoyable days on scilly recently.We had regular stops for us to enjoy many cups of tea and cakes.Bird highlight for me was the Black-Eared Wheater.

Solitary Sand

2010-10-20T18:50:00.002Z

At a nice little Reserve in Devon.It also flew around a bit which was nice.
Must check those Greens at the pools.

The Lost Gardens

2010-10-17T20:53:00.003Z

On the way to Scilly myself and the lovely wife nipped in to the Lost Gardens Of Heligan for the Green Heron.Julie realised why it was called the lost gardens after it took her nearly an hour to find me. Good scope views were had where it sat on this log for ages.

Y FRONT

2010-10-14T21:37:00.003Z

First seen heading East over the pools but later relocated over in the Saltmarsh Lane area.

NO OSPREY FOR ME

2010-10-02T20:00:00.003Z

I MUST HAVE BEEN THE ONLY PERSON IN GWENT TODAY NOT TO SEE AN OSPREY!
Left salt marsh Lane at 9:45AM.BAD TIMING OR WHAT.

Entertaining

2010-10-01T20:18:00.003Z

No further sign of the Lesserlegs over the last couple of days.Two Brent Geese off Boat Lane kept me entertained and beating my previous best record.Now on 185.

What a suprise

2010-09-29T18:23:00.002Z

It came as a big shock coming across this when checking the Greenshank at the pools.

Got To Be One In Gwent Somewhere.

2010-09-25T18:57:00.004Z

Checked out Goldcliff Pools this morning.A couple of Little Stints and a Curlew Sand were the best.Got home and everyone was having a lie in.A quick cup of coffee was had and then i headed down to Sker Point for the Lapland Bunting for a few Photos seeing that it has been showing well.Only wish the Bobolink showed like this last week.

Beautiful Bobolink

2010-09-20T19:59:00.002Z

Shot down to Eggy Nunn straight after work for a beautiful Bobolink.After a few flight views it gave its self up almost and showed reasonably well shuffling through the long grass.The best was yet to come as it hopped up on some type of weed and showed in full view for about 30 seconds.No pictures as i was more concerned in seeing it well.

A Few From The Past Week Or So

2010-09-19T20:45:00.004Z

First my previous year list record has been broken.Now standing on183.

Wheres all the Lapland Buntings?

No Show Shrike

2010-09-13T19:50:00.002Z

A couple of us decided to head down Sunday morning for the Shrike in Hampshire.Managed to get to Reading before needing a toilet break.News came through on the pager the shrike was not showing.Hmm what to do now.No point driving any further so we nipped up to Radley Gravel Pits to see the Spotted Crake whilst waiting for news of the Shrike.The Shrike did not appear and the Crake showed distantly.

We All ORT It Would Get Better

2010-09-05T18:59:00.002Z

We headed down to Cornwall for the St Ives Pelagic.Not much happening at sea just 1 Arctic Skua, 5 Great Skua, 5 Storm Petrel and 1 Manx Shearwater.We twitched the Citrine wag and found 6 Ortolan Buntings and 1 Wryneck in the same field.Not a bad days work.

One Hundred And Eighhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhty

2010-08-31T21:07:00.002Z

One hundred and eighty species has fallen in the county of Gwent this year.Quite glad that the Black Tern buggered off as this is a much better 180Th to get.My 4Th Aquatic for Gwent,2 twitchable and 2 in the nets.5 Curlew Sands showed at Goldcliff later on but couldn't find any Egrets of any sort in the Usk area.

3 Questions For A Black Tern

2010-08-28T19:43:00.002Z

Question 1
Did you know i was on holiday as you turned up the day i left?
Question 2
Did you Know i would be back on Saturday so decided to leave on Friday?
Question 3
Did you know you would have been my 180Th gwent species this year?

Back to Cornwall and the winds looked good but didnt turn out to be anything near what was forecast.But a couple of seawatches later produced,Balearic and Sooty Shearwaters,Long Tailed ,Arctic and Great Skuas,Sandwich, Common And Little Terns.
Checked out the wet field at Caerleon this evening which held 1 Med Gull and 14 Lapwing.

Terntastic

2010-08-19T16:38:00.002Z

At Gwent's Tern HOTSPOT LR!

Shooting Stars

2010-08-12T23:24:00.003Z

Just been watching the amazing sight of shooting stars.Quite spectacular it was to.I wonder if there were any Meteorites.

Not Much To Blog About

2010-08-10T19:57:00.001Z

Highlights over the last week or so at Lr have been 1 Arctic Tern and 1 Gropper.

Hack Hack Away

2010-07-30T21:28:00.003Z

Managed to hack my way up into Sor Bay at Lr this evening.8 Common Sands 1 Mandarin 2 Shoveler Were the Best.

The Res Looking Good.

2010-07-27T22:22:00.003Z

A Few bits have been moving through over the last couple of weeks.

11 Different Common Terns

9 Species of Wader

Kittiwake,Med Gull and gull numbers generally picking up.

Port

2010-07-24T12:03:00.000Z

Check This Out. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNfbX6uvA6s

Llandegfedd

2010-07-23T20:31:00.002Z

Surprise Kittiwake at the res this evening.

Llandegfedd

2010-07-20T21:13:00.002Z

Since getting back from holiday Ive made quite a few visits up to llandegfedd res as the water level has been dropping. It’s going back up in recent days but still plenty of shoreline available for our feathered friends. Highlights over the last few weeks being Blackwit, Osytercatcher, Redshank Lrp, Dunlin, Curlew, Common Sand, Med Gull and 8 Different Common Terns. It’s going to pull in the biggy one day!Forgot to mention i was clearing up my computer the other day and lost all my photos from this year.Nice.

The Last Lot

2010-07-12T18:18:00.006Z

Even More Mallorca

2010-07-10T19:39:00.002Z