Previously “Diary of a Birding Medic”; “Rugby Birder”; "Bempton Birder”. All views expressed in this blog are my OWN and do not represent the opinions or policies of any organisations or entities whatsoever with whom I have been, am now or will be affiliated. Reference to Bempton Cliffs in NO way promotes the organisation known as RSPB Bempton Cliffs, but rather the FREEdom of the cliffs.

Tuesday, 26 March 2013

Marsh Lane

Wigeon

Having spent a couple of hours this morning at Ladywalk, I decided to call in at Marsh Lane, in the hope of locating a Jack Snipe. Of course, I came away disappointed but the other species were worthy of my time. A Little Egret was distant on the car park pool, with two Oystercatchers and two Redshanks on the islands. The Black Swan was also on the car park pool with around twenty Meadow Pipits to the right of the hide.

Wigeon










Black Headed Gull




Dabchick



Gadwall




Meadow Pipit





Snipe




Jackdaw



Lapwing



Todays Sightings:

Great Crested Grebe; Dabchick; Cormorant; Little Egret; Mute Swan; Black Swan; Canada Goose; Greylag Goose; Shelduck; Wigeon; Mallard; Gadwall; Shoveler; Teal; Pochard; Tufted Duck; Buzzard; Kestrel; Pheasant; Coot; Moorhen; Oystercatcher; Redshank; Lapwing; Snipe; Black Headed Gull; LBB Gull; Stock Dove; Wood Pigeon; Meadow Pipit; Dunnock; Wren; Robin; Blackbird; Fieldfare; Blue Tit; Great Tit; Starling; Jay; Magpie; Jackdaw; Carrion Crow; Rook; Chaffinch; Greenfinch; Goldfinch; Yellowhammer; Reed Bunting.

The Ladywalk Scaup and a "groovy" Cormorant!

Scaup


Well, I needed to get Scaup on my 2013 list and with one at Ladywalk, this was my first call of the day.  Couldn't resist taking some images of a rather "groovy" Cormorant and wondering whether I could use its stylist?

Scaup















"Groovy" Cormorant





Todays Sightings:

Great Crested Grebe; Dabchick; Cormorant; Mute Swan; Canada Goose; Greylag Goose; Shelduck; Wigeon; Mallard; Gadwall; Shoveler; Teal; Scaup; Tufted Duck; Goosander; Pheasant; Coot; Moorhen; Oystercatcher; Lapwing; Curlew; Snipe; Black Headed Gull; LBB Gull; Wood Pigeon; Collared Dove; Great Spotted Woodpecker; Pied Wagtail; Dunnock; Wren; Robin; Blackbird; Fieldfare; Song Thrush; Chiffchaff; Cettis Warbler; Blue Tit; Great Tit; Starling; Magpie; Jackdaw; Carrion Crow; Rook; Chaffinch; Greenfinch; Goldfinch; Bullfinch; Reed Bunting. 

Monday, 25 March 2013

Draycote Water

Thurlaston village landmarks from Draycote Water


This morning, the super human (me!) braved an early morning visit to Draycote Water, in the hope of seeing Wheatear. I was, of course to be disappointed but other birds were more obliging, in seasonally fresh conditions! The long staying drake Smew was off Farborough Spit and three Oystercatchers were mobile along Farborough Bank. Toft shallows had three Chiffchaff, Goldcrest and Treecreeper

Gadwall





Great Crested Grebe











Drake Smew









Goldcrest







Oystercatcher




Song Thrush


Dunnock



Carrion Crow



Canada Goose




Natures Ice Pops