Lower Farm GP (09/10/11)

The immature Spoonbill was still present so I went to have a look.  Originally viewable from the far right of the hide, it then moved slightly left and was quite difficult to spot behind the undergrowth.  Also a Little Egret here.

Suffolk (03/10/11)

At last! The Sandhill Crane originally seen in Scotland had now become within my reach as it had pitched down at Boyton in Suffolk.  I set my alarm early so to get there at first light but eventually reached the location 1/2 hour after sun up.

However, the bird was still on site and feeding reasonably close in a field at the end of Mill Lane.  What can you say - a large grey bird with a red patch on its head and a long dagger like bill.  However, it was a lifer and a British tick! It was busy feeding in the field mostly with its head down but looked up occasionally.

I then drove to Minsmere - what a mistake, it was dead!  4 Red-breasted Geese (escapes) amongst the Barnacle Goose flock was the oddest thing.  The only birds of note were 2 Little Egrets and 4 Ruff.  There was supposed to be a Garganey on the scrape but I couldn't find it.

Finally I went to Levington Creek where after a few minutes frustration I managed to get onto the moulting adult Dotterel which was amongst the large numbers of Golden Plover on the far side of the creek.

Fudgy duck (Dinton, 02/10/11)

When the news came through that this bird was good for Ferruginous Duck I headed over.  It was feeding on the west side of Sandford Lake loosely associating with Tufted Ducks and Coots.  Obviously a male with its pale eye but lacked the rich mahogany colouring of a full adult so must be a bird of the year.

Nothing interesting from Lee Farm, just a Barn Owl at Lavell's and two Red Kites which flew over as I was leaving.

Back to Pennington

The lure of another good bird at Pennington had me back to the south coast and straight away over to the Shoveler pool.  Initially picked up a Little Stint and then the Semi-palmated Sandpiper.  Superficially similar to the Little Stint in size but much greyer with much more evident supercilium.  The sandpiper also lacked the obvious white V on the mantle. It appeared slightly more bulky than the Little Stint.  At times it showed so closely that it was possible to see the palmations between the toes.

After viewing the bird for some time I went for a walk down to Keyhaven and then back on the inland path.  Other species included an adult Mediterranean Gull, Greenshank, Spotted Redshank and 2 Curlew Sandpipers.

Also 2 Wheatears, one on the path by Fishtail Lagoon, the other on shingle at Keyhaven.

Also heard a Cetti's Warbler calling.

Black terns galore (Theale, 25/09/11)

On hearing of a potential Berkshire tick it was off to Theale Main Pit.  On arrival the flock of Black Terns were feeding at the back of the lake towards the motorway.  Although I only managed to get to 49 in my estimates I was led to believe there were 54 birds!

The Little Gull was seen quite early on but the Berkshire tick, two juvenile Kittiwakes, were a little mor erratic in their appearances.

Also over the lake was a single Hobby and 2 distant Red Kites.

Amazing Pec (24/09/11)

The Pectoral Sandpiper originally seen at Crookham Common had returned (or it was another bird!) so I went to see it.  I've never been to this site before so didn't know where to go but eventually found the areas of water.  Initially, I couldn't find any other birders but I then saw a couple of guys sitting on the ground watching something.

I crept over to them and realised the Pectoral Sandpiper was feeding unconcerned right next to them.  Over the next hour or so I sat enthralled watching this wader from point blank range, sometimes down to about 10 feet.  At one point I thought it was going to walk under my tripod.

After admiring this bird I needed to retrieve my scope but I didn't want to flush it so had to wait.

When I headed back to the car I caught the unmistakable song of a Dartford Warbler and looking at the bush where it came from saw 2 birds and a Chiffchaff.

Also in the area I heard Woodlark and 2 Yellow Wagtails flew by.  A distant Red Kite was being mobbed by corvids.

Harrier time (20/9/11)

The harrier at Burpham, just north of Arundel, had been identified as a Pallid Harrier so I had to go for a look as this would only be my 2nd in Britain after the distant difficult male on the Isle of Sheppey years ago.

Initially I followed the map to The Burgh but this turned out to be totally the wrong place although it did yield 20+ Grey Partridges and a Wheatear.  I then found the right place which turned out to be only a few hundred yards from the car!
Eventually I caught a glimpse of a ring-tailed Harrier disappearing into the valley.  I called it out and a few moments later the juvenile Pallid Harrier gave a cracking view as it floated over the base of the valley just above the ground.  Could see the "boa" on its neck and the gorgeouse unmarked orange underparts.  It proceeded to fly around the hill we were stood on then disappeared from view.

A while later it flew over the other side of the hill and appeared, a bit more distantly, over the further fields.

At one point it landed briefly in the field.