Daventry Reservoir (13/07/11)

As soon as I looked at Birdguides I saw that a Greater Yellowlegs had been seen at the reservoir. I immediately jumped in the car and drove to Northamptonshire.

On arrival I paid my £2 and then proceeded to the reservoir and immediately scoped the bird. It was indeed Greenshank like with yellow orange legs that were muddied, strong streaking on the breast and an obvious eye-ring. I did notice quite a lot of white on the back when it stood preening but not having read up on the identification did I spot a problem with it.

I took a few snaps and then headed home. On arriving home I looked at my identification guides and saw that Greater Yellowlegs doesn't have white running up the back. Also one guide said that some Greenshanks can have yellowish legs. Alarms were ringing so I got onto the web and found out that indeed the bird had been re-identified as a odd looking Greenshank - bugger, all that way for a Greenshank!

Dorothy Tubb (27th February 1942 - 21st June 2011)

Mum & me in Kenya 2005

Tragically my mum died of cancer at St Barnabas Hospice (Worthing) on the 21st June.

She was a brilliant artist (see attached picture), great cook and an admirer of nature (which is probably where I get my love of wildlife, and particularly birds, from). Above all though she will be remembered as a lovely mum and wife to my dad, Laurie.

In her final days she was taken care of very well at St Barnabas' and they are always looking for donations: http://www.stbarnabas-hospice.org.uk

She was buried at the Sustainability Centre at East Meon in a very moving ceremony, in the woods that she so loved (http://www.sustainability-centre.org)

Love you mum, goodbye, xxx

Ober Water (3rd July 2011)

Based on Paul Winters recommendation (Bird Forum) I explored the water east of the A35 and managed to see at least 3 adult male Scarce Blue-tailed Damselflies.

Also in the area:

Golden-ringed Dragonfly (5)

Blue-tailed Damselfly

Small Red Damselfly

Large Red Damselfly

Beautiful Demoiselle

Keeled Skimmer

White-legged Damselfly (8)

Azure Damselfly

Broad-bodied Chaser (1)

Also 2 Little Egrets flew over and a family of Redstarts were flying around

New Forest (26th June 2011)

Another trip to Ober Water to try and find Scarce Blue-tailed Damselflies but not much luck.

The weather started misty and warm but by lunchtime was clear and very hot.

I did see a fair selection of other dragonflies including:

Azure Damselfly - 1

Keeled Skimmer - several, mostly tenerals

Small Red Damselfly - 3

Large Red Damselfly - 6

Southern Damselfly - c30

Broad-bodied Chaser

Beautiful Demoiselle

Birds included a fly-over Hobby, male Redstart and a very showy Woodlark singing over my head.

Bartley Wood/Swinley Brick Pits (21/05/11)

First real true dragonfly hunt of the year.

Species at Bartley Wood:

3 Broad-bodied Chaser
3 Four-spotted Chaser
Large Red Damselfly
Azure Damselfly

Species at Swinley Brick Pits:

Four-spotted Chaser
3 Downy Emerald
Azure Damselfly
Large Red Damselfly
Emperor Dragonfly

Poms at last (02/05/11)

Didn't sleep very well so I slunk out of bed at 6.30am and decided to go to Selsey Bill for a seawatch. A lot of other people were there on arrival and it appears I hadn't missed up but then for the next 3.5 hours it was one of the most enjoyable seawatches I have had. Approximate numbers are:

8 Pomarine Skuas:

• Flock of 7 including one dark phase @ 8.25am









• Single light phase @ 10.35am

18 Little Terns
Many Gannets
80 Bar-tailed Godwits
190 Common Scoters
3 Whimbrel
2 Bonxies
2 Great Northern Divers
Black-throated Diver
Red-throated Diver
3 Arctic Terns (positively identified)
Lots Common Terns
12 Sanderling
5 Grey Plover
5 Golden Plover
Fulmar
2 Great Crested Grebes
7 Curlews
2 Black Terns
Razorbill

One the way home dropped in to Sidlesham Ferry where there was a summer plumaged Spotted Redshank, 2 Avocets, 2 Greenshank, LRP, 2 Common Sandpipers and a drake Garganey. Finally dropped into Farlington Marshes but it was so windy that birding was very difficult and the highlights were a singing Lesser Whitethroat and 3 Greenshank on the lake.

Dinton Pastures (25/04/11)

My annual, early morning spring visit to Dinton Pastures. Not particular good this year missing out on Lesser Whitethroat and Swift and some common finches etc. However, still some good birds particularly the pair of Mediterranean Gulls on Lee Farm GP which after an altercation with the local Black-headed Gulls flew off at 6.30am.

Other good birds included 4 Egyptian Geese, 2 Garden Warblers, 11 Common Terns, Cuckoo, Cetti's Warbler (seen well), Nightingale, female Grey Wagtail, Red Kite and Buzzard.

Only managed to hear Reed Warbler, the brisk wind probably kept them out of sight.

Overall tally was 51 species (one heard)