Showing posts with label red kite. Show all posts
Showing posts with label red kite. Show all posts
Monday, September 12, 2016
Monday, June 23, 2014
Suffolk, Norfolk and Lincolnshire
Summer birding weekend went well in great weather. Plenty of Cuckoo at Lakenheath plus Cetti's Warbler, hunting Barn Owl and a lone Hobby sat in a tree.Sadly no Golden Oriole have arrived this year. In the evening went to Thetford Forest for my best ever view of a Nightjar.
The following morning it was an early start at Weeting Heath for superb views of at least 6 Stone Curlew one showing in flight and giving its distinctive call. From there we went to Norfolk where we saw Marsh Harrier but no Montagu's Harrier at a favoured spot. On to Cley where there were Red Crested Pochard, Spoonbill and Avocet. We finished up at Frampton where we were rewarded with 3 Turtle Dove. Other highlights of the weekend were Marsh Tit, Red Kite, Lesser Whitethroat, Grey Partridge and Red Legged Partridge
The following morning it was an early start at Weeting Heath for superb views of at least 6 Stone Curlew one showing in flight and giving its distinctive call. From there we went to Norfolk where we saw Marsh Harrier but no Montagu's Harrier at a favoured spot. On to Cley where there were Red Crested Pochard, Spoonbill and Avocet. We finished up at Frampton where we were rewarded with 3 Turtle Dove. Other highlights of the weekend were Marsh Tit, Red Kite, Lesser Whitethroat, Grey Partridge and Red Legged Partridge
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Best Images of 2011 Pre Blog
just a few images of some of the birds seen in 2011 before I started this blog. Stunning pictures of Dotterel taken by Dave Evans
Friday, April 20, 2012
Spectacular Scotland
Me and Dave headed up to Nethybridge for 4 dyas last Friday for a birding trip focusing on the Scottish specialities. We saw the drake Blue-winged Teal at Gilmourton Pools on the way up. First full day saw a fail at the Caper watch at Loch Garten but at least we got good views of the Osprey. In poor wintry weather conditions we still managed to see some Ptarmigan on the boulder fields to the right of the Cairngorm funicular railway. We also saw several Crested Tits in Abernethy Forest.
The following day we had success at the Caper watch and got good distant views of a male Capercaillie. We then headed to the coast to see the long staying drake King Eider at Ythan estuary. There were also hundreds of Common Eiders, many Goosanders and several Long-tailed Ducks some in summer plumage. We then went over to Loch Strathbeg and saw a drake Green-winged Teal but failed to pick up the long staying Greater Yellowlegs. We also saw a stoat chasing rabbits.
The next day had us looking around Abernethy Forest for crossbills and crested tits but despite better weather we had a frustrating morning and saw nothing of interest. In the afternoon we headed up the Findhorn valley and saw at least 2 Golden Eagles but they were distant views. In the valley we also sa a Raven, several Kestrels and a Peregrine. There were loads of Common Buzzards soaring around and some smart looking summer plumage Common Gulls. We also saw a couple of Red Kites.We then went onto Loch Ruthven to see the summer plumage Slavonian Grebes. We finished back at Loch garten where we finally saw some Crossbill (probably Common but might have been Scottish!!) feeding at the top of the trees in the car park. Dave also saw a male Sparrowhawk come out of nowhere and take a chaffinch. We also saw a Roe Deer and heard several of then" barking" in the forest.
Our final day had us meeting up with Dave Slater from Birding Ecosse for a trip over to the west in search of Sea Eagle. We were not to be disappointed! Shortly after arriving at Shieldaig we witnessed an adult White-tailed Sea Eagle being mobbed by Hooded Crows ( Dave's ultimate birding fantasy!!) and gulls. It was a truly spectacular sight and the highlight of our trip. There were also several Black Guillemots in the bay and Rock Doves on the island.We also spotted a sea otter.
We then went onto Gruinard Bay where there were numerous Great Northern Divers in mixed plumage, many Red-throated Divers in summer plumage and 5 Slavonian Grebes. We also saw 2 stunning summer plumage Black throated divers in a small lochan on the way.
In total we saw over 90 species, bagged all the Scottish specialities except Scottish crossbill which appears to me to be impossible to tick without sonogram proof and enjoyed the incredible scenery, flora and fauna that northern scotland has to offer.
Finally a big thankyou to Dave Slater of Birding Ecosse for an incredible last day's guided birding and for Trish at Balciuin for looking after us and feeding us a great Scottish breakfast!
The following day we had success at the Caper watch and got good distant views of a male Capercaillie. We then headed to the coast to see the long staying drake King Eider at Ythan estuary. There were also hundreds of Common Eiders, many Goosanders and several Long-tailed Ducks some in summer plumage. We then went over to Loch Strathbeg and saw a drake Green-winged Teal but failed to pick up the long staying Greater Yellowlegs. We also saw a stoat chasing rabbits.
The next day had us looking around Abernethy Forest for crossbills and crested tits but despite better weather we had a frustrating morning and saw nothing of interest. In the afternoon we headed up the Findhorn valley and saw at least 2 Golden Eagles but they were distant views. In the valley we also sa a Raven, several Kestrels and a Peregrine. There were loads of Common Buzzards soaring around and some smart looking summer plumage Common Gulls. We also saw a couple of Red Kites.We then went onto Loch Ruthven to see the summer plumage Slavonian Grebes. We finished back at Loch garten where we finally saw some Crossbill (probably Common but might have been Scottish!!) feeding at the top of the trees in the car park. Dave also saw a male Sparrowhawk come out of nowhere and take a chaffinch. We also saw a Roe Deer and heard several of then" barking" in the forest.
Our final day had us meeting up with Dave Slater from Birding Ecosse for a trip over to the west in search of Sea Eagle. We were not to be disappointed! Shortly after arriving at Shieldaig we witnessed an adult White-tailed Sea Eagle being mobbed by Hooded Crows ( Dave's ultimate birding fantasy!!) and gulls. It was a truly spectacular sight and the highlight of our trip. There were also several Black Guillemots in the bay and Rock Doves on the island.We also spotted a sea otter.
We then went onto Gruinard Bay where there were numerous Great Northern Divers in mixed plumage, many Red-throated Divers in summer plumage and 5 Slavonian Grebes. We also saw 2 stunning summer plumage Black throated divers in a small lochan on the way.
In total we saw over 90 species, bagged all the Scottish specialities except Scottish crossbill which appears to me to be impossible to tick without sonogram proof and enjoyed the incredible scenery, flora and fauna that northern scotland has to offer.
Finally a big thankyou to Dave Slater of Birding Ecosse for an incredible last day's guided birding and for Trish at Balciuin for looking after us and feeding us a great Scottish breakfast!
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