Black Scoter

Distant scope views of a Black Scoter at Cheswick Sands Northumbria yesterday. On route we had good close but sadly brief views of a male Goshawk at Kielder Forest plus several Common Crossbill. we also saw several Common Buzzard both dark and pale morph one which has a pale rump base and got us excited briefly as we thought we were onto a Rough legged but sadly not!

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.

Two barred Crossbill

Five Two barred Crossbill at Broomhead Reservoir today, one female and 4 juveniles. Also seen were normal Crossbill but interestingly they didn't mix with the Scandinavian rarities. Had a different softer Bullfinch like call

Night Heron

Myself and Dave Evans went down to Thornton Leicestershire for good scope views of the Night Heron. Bit too far for anything more than record shots. On way back we stopped at the Wellbeck Raptor point and saw no Honey Buzzards but several Common Buzzards and a nice group of 8 juvenile Crossbill. Our final stop was Old Moor RSPB where we had good views of several Green Sandpiper and a Kingfisher

Crossbill

Had a look at the feeders at Binn Green this afternoon in the mist. Plenty of Siskins and Goldfinch plus 2 Lesser Redpoll. Best bird though was a lovely female Crossbill feeding on a larch tree nearby. I must remember to bring the camera. Other local news was of a Long eared Owl on my doorstep at Dovestone seen yesterday by the warden. Great pics on RSPB web site taken yesterday. I'm going to have a look tomorrow.

Rose coloured Starling

A weekend of highs and lows. Me and Dave got up early yesterday and went to Wykeham Forest hoping for Honey Buzzards. The weather was aweful so no show from the Honeys. We did get great views of Goshawk, Hobby, Common Buzzard, Crossbill and Turtle Dove.
Today as it was father's day I managed to briefly escape and twitch the amazing Rose coloured Starling at  Rhos on sea. I also got to test out my new Nikon 80-400VR lens. I am very pleased with the results and glad I got rid of my Sigma 150-500 which I just couldn't get on with, too heavy and consistently soft results.

Kielder Goshawk

Had a fantastic bright and sunny Saturday 17th. March at Kielder Forest. The target were Goshawk  and we were not to be disappointed. We arrived before 9 and saw none for the first couple of hours. We did see enormous numbers of Crossbill though and it was great watching them feed and get good experience in listening to their calls. We saw several soaring Common Buzzards before a brief drive in the car to get some refreshments. As we drove out onto the main road we watches a male Goshawk fly over the road and circle back several times before disappearing ofcourse before I got to the camera! We then returned to the Bakethin area and watched at least 2 Goshawk sky dancing, climbing high then diving with folded wings and shooting back up still with closed wings like a roller coaster. It was quite spectacular.
On the way home we stopped off at a service station just before Carlisle ob the M6 and was at least 200 Pied Wagtails on the car park area and in the trees getting ready to roost. We picked out one White wagtail amongst them. Kielder is a fabulous remote area and I look forward to returning again.

Rough-legged Buzzard

Went to Winscar and had good but distant views of 2 rough-legged buzzards initially followed by one being harrassed by a Peregrine! Also saw 2 Ravens and a flock of 25-30 Crossbills.