Woodlark

Several displaying Woodlark seen at Budby Common. Great to listen to the amazing song. Plenty of Yellowhammer and a 4 Mandarin Ducks too. Then onto Long Eaton GP to see a Black necked Grebe. We also saw several Sand Martin and 2 Swallow. It was also nice to see and here several Chiffchaff. We finished off at Carr vale NR for a drake Garganey

Lady Amherst's Pheasant

Headed down to Bedford yesterday after news of one of the last 5 wild Lady Amherst's Pheasants left in the Western Palearctic broke on twitter last week. It appeared within a few minutes of me arriving but it was a fleeting sighting as it walked from one area of forest through the clearing to the next. Sadly I had no further sightings in the next 2.5 hours.
Heard my first Chiffchaff of the year

                                                 Library Picture, sadly not mine!

Warbler Day

Beautiful sunny conditions today on the Dee Estuary and Greater Manchester for a great day viewing new spring arrivals. We managed six species of warbler including reeling Grasshopper Warbler at Red Rocks which proved the most elusive to see. Also seen were Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler.
A hawk circled overhead which on first impression looked large and possibly a Goshawk. However on looking at photos it appears to be a male Sparrowhawk.

Dusky Warbler

Brilliant birding day yesterday at Flamborough Head. Dusky warbler seen poorly at South Landing in the morning but we were rewarded with excellent views later in the afternoon. Also seen at the Old Plantation were a very showy Red breasted Flycatcher and many Goldcrest and Chiffchaff. A Mealy Redpoll was also seen well. The rarities continued with a rather distant Great Grey Shrike near the lighthouse and a male Ring Ouzel. We missed out on a Raddes Warbler in Buckton but still had a fine day in a very special part of England

Nightingale Bluethroat and Montagu's Harrier

Quality not quantity today. The main objective was to see Nightingale at Whisby Gravel Pits near Lincoln so we set off from home at 5. We had great success immediately hearing at least 2 birds north of the railway line and quickly getting some excellent views and pictures. Job done!

It was then a tossup to somewhere on the East coast to connect with spring migrants. We opted for Norfolk and went in search of the Bluethroat at Cley. I had the briefest view of a flash of blue, quick display and then back into the reeds. Sorry Dave! Sadly there were no more sign of the bird for the next 2 hours although we did see a Hobby pass through and had a Little Owl sat on a wall.

All was not lost though as we went inland to a site that has seen Montagu's Harrier in the past and were rewarded with crippling views of a male hunting over the adjacent field. Just a shame I didn't concentrate on my camera's autofocus settings in the excitement.....