PTOrnithphotology

Friday 30 September 2011

Leggy Stint at Lound

Seen on 29th Sept on Chainbridge Scrape all day, photos and video taken at 10.45am. I am certain this was the same bird reported as a possible Long-toed Stint.

Thursday 31 March 2011

3 Great Northern Divers present, 2 juveniles and 1 adult still predominently in winter plumage. Also a Black Redstart discovered today near the wildlife centre by another birder....... after I'd left...... Doh!!!

Also a genuine wild Barnacle Goose with the domesticated flock on Stones Island, apparently first tagged as a first year bird at Caelaverock reserve in 1997.

Old Moor and Wombwell Ings RSPB

Old Moor - First sand martins of the year and a swallow through. 2 Med Gulls in the Black-headed Gull colony on the Mere. 1 Pintail on Wath Ings.
Wombwell Ings - Pair of Garganey (seen copulating!), pair Shelduck, pair Pintail, pair Red-legged Partridge, 1 Green Sandpiper, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Curlew and 7+ Redshank

It's a Grebe Fest!

The harsh weather and frozen inland water bodies meant that sightings of grebes became very scarce for me this winter. No doubt that many decided to head for the coast for the winter, but sure enough as the weather and temperatures have picked up in late Feb and into March, they all begin to return.
A day in the environs of Hatfield Moors, near Doncaster, is a good call for a grebe fix this spring. Supporting a generous number of breeding Great-Crested and Little Grebes the area is fast becoming a strong hold for Black-necked Grebes aswell. Add to this the unusual but sight faithful summering Red-necked Grebe at Ten-Acre Lake and you really can't expect much more on the grebe front within a smallish area.

Black-necked Grebe

Great-crested Grebe

Red-necked Grebe

Spring at Blacktoft Sands RSPB

Spring was in the air at Blacktoft with marsh harriers sky dancing, great-crested grebes displaying and the duck species .....well........doing it!

Wigeon

Common Buzzard

Little Grebe

Marsh Harrier

Common Snipe

Barn Owl

March 8th 2011 - Raptor Watch at Howden Reservoir

Fantastic morning that was so good it ended up being a whole day staked out at Windy Corner in brilliant sunshine! Spring is in the air!

Sightings - 1 juv Rough-legged Buzzard, 1 ringtail Hen Harrier, 3+ Goshawk, 3+ Sparrowhawk, 3 Peregrine, 7+ Common Buzzard, 4 Kestrel, 7+ Raven, 1 male Red-brested Merganser, 6+ Curlew, 3 Goldcrest.

Also took a walk up the top end of the valley past Slippery Stones and onto Howden Edge late afternoon. At least 50 Red Grouse up there and at least 12 Mountain Hares most still with very white fur!