Duck giving the run around (29/12/14)

First time i've been out in ages and went over to Jubilee River for the drake Ring-necked Duck, but it had disappeared and no sign of the Jack Snipe.

I then decided to see if the duck had moved back to Bray GP's.  It had - I found it at the back of the gravel pits by the motorway picked up by its grey flanks with a white peak to the front.  It was mostly asleep but did poke its head a couple of times where I got reasonable views of its bill.

Tice's Meadow (06/09/2014)

My first trip out for a while and a nice selection of birds including 3 Curlew Sandpipers (one adult), Wood Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, 2 Garganey, 6 Ruff, Hobby and Greenshank.

Pagham (05/08/2014)

Quite a long wait but eventually it was worth it as the Long-tailed Skua, after making a few attempts at chasing terns, flew in to the harbour giving reasonable views.  It then moved a fair way inland before turning back around and moving back onto the sea where it landed and couldn't be relocated.

On one of my trips back to the car a Peregrine flew over being harassed by a couple of Kestrels.

Pennington Marshes (04/08/2014)

A pleasant early morning walk around the marshes produced a Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Wood Sandpipers and at least 3 juvenile Water Rails.  6 Eider were in the harbour and eventually had good views of the Pectoral Sandpiper on the Fish-tail Lagoon.

Esher Pond (20/07/2014)

Eventually when it warmed up the Brilliant Emeralds came out (maybe 2 of them).  I tried to photograph them but no luck and then I managed to net one and got some up close and personal views before letting it go.

Warren Heath (19/07/2014)

At least 2 Brilliant Emeralds and amazingly my first Kingfisher of the year.

Esher Pond (13/07/2014)

Excellent views of Brilliant Emerald but frustratingly difficult to photograph.  There were at least 3 of this species here.

Thursley Common (12/07/2014)

No Brilliant Emeralds but did see a Spotted Flycatcher feeding in the pines.

Warren Heath (29/06/2014)

Spent ages looking for Brilliant Emerald at this site and pretty sure I had at least one male.  I nice selection of other dragonflies/damselflies and butterflies as well.

Esher Pond (22/06/2014)

Despite like being at Crufts where all manner of dog breeds were being walked or were swimming in the pond I am fairly sure I saw at least 2 Brilliant Emeralds in the SW corner, one actually flying up and down a small stream off the main pond.  I believe I also saw a female ovipositing at the side of a small footbridge - I have video'd her.

Other species here were Black-tailed Skimmer, Emperor, Downy Emerald, Four-spotted Chaser, Common Blue Damselfly, Large Red Damselfly, Blue-tailed Damselfly and my first Brown Hawker of the year.

Ashdown Forest (20/6/2014)

I tried first from Long car park but I couldn't only find a nice male Redpoll.

I then drove to Gill's Lap car park and joined a small band of birders looking out over the valley.  After seeing the occasional Buzzard someone started running to the front and then the Short-toed Eagle was seen to drift up the valley on fairly flat wings, quite pale underneath with little markings and very broad wings and barred tail.  It then soared around for a while before drifting across the heath and landing in the top of a dead pine where reasonable views were obtained.

Very obvious in the tree being quite pale with a shaggy, owl like head - it appeared quite Osprey like funnily enough.  The bird then took off and flew around again and moved to another dead tree further away.  I then made a move up the road and joined another birder who had the same idea.  We got much better views and I could see the pale, piercing eye and the long orange bare legs.  The bird then took off again and moved back across to near where it was originally but then I lost it.  While walking back to the car it was seen again in flight but this time in the company of a Buzzard where the size difference was quite marked.

Thursley Common (07/06/2014)

Lots of Early Marsh Orchids, 2-3 Downy Emeralds, Cuckoo and 2 Raft Spiders.

Great Gulls, South Devon (08/06/2014)

I first stopped at Bowling Green Marsh, Topsham where the Spoonbill was showing well and I picked up a distant small gull which was a Little Gull.

I then moved to Yarner Wood where I was told to park elsewhere but given instructions on finding Dipper.  I moved to the location and found a singing Wood Warbler and eventually had views of a male Pied Flycatcher at a nest box.

I moved to the river Bovey where eventually I pinned down a Dipper feeding on a area of fast flowing water.

I then drove back to Topsham where I picked up a Mediterranean Gull and then moved to the hide where I waited.  Picked up a couple of Common Gulls and Mediterranean Gulls and then on cue the 1st summer/winter Ross's Gull and 1st summer Bonaparte's Gull showed nicely in amongst the other gulls.

I then drove home via  Martin Down but had no luck with any Quail or Turtle Dove, just a couple of Corn Buntings and a Hare.

Staines Reservoir (01/06/2014)

Still no sign of the Bonaparte's Gull

Lakeside Park/Staines Reservoir (31/05/2014)

Eventually saw 3 Scarce Chasers including 2 adult males and an immature male at Lakeside Park.

No sign of the Bonaparte's Gull at Staines Reservoir despite waiting for 5 and half hours.

Isle of Purbeck/Martin Down (25/05/2014)

Despite the breezy conditions and much hard work I managed to see all the species I wanted at Dancing Ledge except Peregrine.  I managed 2-3 Puffins of which 2 showed well from the edge of the ledge, 3 Ravens gave a good show over the cliffs, Shags and Guillemot were in evidence all the time.  The Razorbill and Kittiwake were a little more tricky, I saw a couple of Razorbills briefly in flight before one have itself up on the water off the cliffs.  5 Kittiwakes eventually showed together including a moulting 1st winter bird which did settle on the sea.

The Turtle Doves at Martin Down took some finding but eventually heard one purring, saw it briefly disappearing behind some trees and then a pair flew across in front of me.  Also here was a Cuckoo, Raven, 2 Corn Buntings, Hobby and a Lesser Whitethroat.

A new butterfly for me was found - a Grizzled Skipper.