Woolhampton GP (22/03/11)

Dropped in for a quick visit on the way back from a customer meeting in Newbury.

My quarry immediately found on the southerly side of the gravel pit. The 3 Black-necked Grebes were actively feeding near to the bank. One was in full summer plumage, one in intermediate plumage and one in mainly winter plumage.

Also briefly saw my first Sand Martin of the year.

Old Basing (26/02/11)

On hearing that the White-tailed Sea-Eagle from the New Forest had relocated to Old Basing I decided to go shopping in Basingstoke and dropped into Old Basing on the way there. However, I found that the bird had flown off quite early and so I went on a drive around the lanes to see if I could locate with no success.

I then went off to do my shopping and returned later.

I returned to the original viewpoint and was rewarded with the bird sitting distantly in the top of a dead tree. After a while it got disturbed by a Range Rover and flew off low east. Once again I tried to relocate it without any success.

Also in the area were a number of Buzzards and at least 3 Red Kites.