Pallid Harrier

Spent Saturday at Welwick Saltmarsh and saw an incredible 9 species of raptor. The juvenile Pallid Harrier was seen a few times initial view was alongside a Hen Harrier and Peregrine. Also see were Kestrel, Merlin, Marsh Harrier, Short eared Owl, Sparrowhawk and Common Buzzard

Sparrowhawk

Stunning views of a female Sparrowhawk feeding on a pigeon he must have just caught at Martin Mere. Also lots of Whooper Swans

Masked Shrike

Wow! Mega at Kilnsea today a juvenile Masked Shrike. Also seen were Spotted Flycatcher, Pied Flycatcher, Red Breasted Flycatcher, Whinchat, Sparrowhawk, Redstart, Wheatear, Stonechat, and Barred Warbler

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.

Yellow-Browed Warbler, Firecrest and jack Snipe

Lovely warm sunshine at the east coast for some quality birding at Spurn today. Highlights were good views of Yellow-browed Warbler and Firecrest and a bobbing Jack Snipe. Also seen were Curlew Sandpiper Grey Plover and Sparrowhawk.

Spotted Crake, Stilt Sandpiper, Wryneck and Red Backed Shrike!!

Classic birding day yesterday with all targets successfully seen. First stop Spurn where  I had crippling views of the juvenile Red Backed Shrike. We also saw the Wryneck that had hung around since last weekends fall but the views were fleeting as it darted from a bush. It was seen again in flight but no more after this. Also seen were several Whinchat, Redstart, Sparrowhawk and a female Crossbill. As the tide came in there were good numbers of waders including several very smart looking juvenile Curlew Sandpipers.
On the way back we stopped off at Neumann's Flash in Cheshire and had scope views of an adult Stilt Sandpiper. We then were undecided to either head home or go for the Spotted Crake at Belper Derbyshire. We decided on the latter and incredibly within five minutes of arriving with reducing light the Crake appeared and we watched it walk along the edge of reeds for several minutes. Sadly too dim for any photos.

South Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire

We went to Rufford country park this morning in search of Lesser Spotted Wood today but no look. We were straight onto a nice Hawfinch though. Then onto Old Moor for a Bittern but again no show. I took some pics of a pair of Bullfinch and best of all was the arrival of a male Sparrowhawk.  We finished this short day at Pugneys for a Smew but again no luck. Over the road at Calder Wetlands we managed a male Scaup and a Long tailed duck

New Year's Day Norfolk

Great winter day birding in Norfolk. Bearded Tit Richardson's Canada  Goose Hen Harrier Marsh Harrier Brambling Sparrowhawk Barn Owl Eurasian White-fronted Geese Barnacle Geese being the highlights of a total list of 62 species

Honey Buzzard......Finally!

After at least 4 trips to Wykeham Forest and no definite sightings of Honeys just Common Buzzard and Goshawk on every visit, I turned to Wellbeck Raptor Point in Nottinghamshire. I went last weekend and saw Goshawk, Osprey, Common Buzzard and Sparrowhawk. I also had one brief gliding raptor that looked like a honey but was gone below the treeline in a flash. A free morning yesterday and with the weather looking decent I went again. I had two good views of a dark probable female Honey Buzzard at 10.30 and 12.15. The second time it was seen it soared up and then suddenly dropped height like a whiffling goose. Spectacular! It was a great reward for the hours of failure until yesterday. Also seen were a Goshawk and several Common Buzzards

Grasshopper Warbler and more

Managed to get some birding done this lunch. Went to Altrincham sewage works and got great views of a reeling grasshopper warbler. I'd left the camera in the car so quickly went back to get it and spent an hour seeing or hearing no more sign of it. Typical! Also present were willow warbler, chiffchaff, and blackcap, a whitethroat and a nice sparrowhawk over.
Then went to Astley Green where there were lots of yellowhammer, and a lovely willow tit. A single whimbrel was in a field sadly no sign of cuckoo, crane or hobby.

I finished off in Rochdale at Kingsway business park where incredibly there are 4 ruffs in summer plumage. I hope they hang around as a couple of the males are starting to develop some neck/breast feathers. Also present were 2 wheatears and several ring and little ringed plover

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and more!

What a great Sunday 15th. Jan. myself and Dave had. We drove to Rufford Park and were almost straight onto 2 or 3 Lesser Spotted woodpeckers drumming and moving around in the trees near the carpark. Theye were joined by Greater spotted woodpeckers which was great to comapre the drumming and the size difference. The drumming is very muffled and they are half the size of their bigger brothers!

Then onto Frampton RSPB where there wer good numbers or ducks, several Whooper and 2 Bewick swans. There were hundreds of dark bellied brent geese and one Barnacle goose. Also present were godd numbers or Golden plover and a nice mixed flock of Linnet and Greenfinch.
We walked to the view over the Ouse marsh and were very lucky to see a male Hen Harrier hunting. Shame it didnt come closer. Dave could see at least another male hunting way out in the distance.

Finally we headed to Millenium green in North Hykeham to check the gull roost. We quickly located to adult Caspian Gulls and saw our compulsory Sparrowhawk in the failing light to round off a top day's birding