thejohnson5birds

California Twitchin' Jan/Feb 2012

2012-02-12T17:27:00.008Z

In the little Foster City Park, Western Grebe, Bufflehead, Ruddy Duck, Eurasian Coot, Common Merganser, and another grebe (Eared or Horned?) too distant to tell, and this White Crowned Sparrow,

Around our hotel: Snowy Egret, California Towhee, Mallard, American Green-Winged Teal, Great Blue Heron, Black Crowned Night Heron and this Rough Legged Hawk, which I saw when I heard a commotion of crows heckling something

After a hard week of work, I took Saturday off and headed up beautiful Route 1, along the San Andreas fault, to Port Reyes National Park. With 490 recorded species it is a top US birding destination.
Turkey Vulture, Ruddy Duck, Northern Pintail, Bufflehead, California Quail, White Crowned Sparrow, Acorn Woodpecker, Varied Thrush, American Crow, Stellars Jay, Dark Eyed Junco, Fox Sparrow, California Towhee, Winter Wren, Red Winged Blackbird, Brewers Blackbird, American Robin, Black Phoebe, Canada Goose, Mallard, American Wigeon, Western Gull, this Surf Scoter

, Marbled Godwit, Willet, Sanderling, Starling, American Kestrel, Western Grebe, Pelagic Cormorant, Killdeer and this Savannah Sparrow

Costa Rica July 2011

2011-08-12T21:09:00.005+01:00

Note: Full set of photos here

Even after about 24 hrs travelling after we awoke this morning, it was only about 4pm local when we arrived at our Hotel in the 'little America' (ie with all the Wendys and Pizza Hut one could be in USA) region of San Jose.

Before taking our luggage Leo and i did a recce in the grounds and found Rock Pigeon, Great Tailed Grackle (which are everywhere), Great Kiskadee on the fence, Blue & White Swallows zipping everywhere (the Blue only evident at certain angles), Blue & Gray Tanagers in the trees, Inca Doves on the ground.

First Variegated Squirrel in the trees and a large Spiny Tailed Iguana came out onto his Territorial Rock and did the dipping warning thing.

Carlos our guide reckons 120 species in the week is a a reasonable expectation; Leo and i had set oursleves 100 as a target.

Next morning leo saw House Sparrow, Turkey and Black Vultures, White Winged Dove. Together we saw Crimson Fronted Parakeet, Tropical Kingbird in the grounds.

First trip was up towards Volcano Poas. We had a stop at a hillside coffee plantation where we found Rufous Collared Sparrow fossicking everywhere and a Short Billed Pigeon sat in a tree. The national bird Clay Coloured Robin was there. Very strange that in a country with Respelendent Quetzals and Montezuma Oropendulas, such a dull bird should be chosen.

On up to the National Park entrance and a Volcano Hummingbird seen from the bus. As we start our walk to the crater, a Black Billed Nightingale Thrush is hopping around on the road. Although the crater was too misty to see, we had a clear view of a Violet Headed HB (the white ear dots being key to identification). On the walk back, good views of another HB which later study nailed as another Volcano, the red bill being key.

At the lunch stop, Bronzed Cowbird.

Next day, in Cartago town square Ruddy Ground Dove. On the way up Irazu volcano, Red-Tailed Hawk. At the top Bananaquit, Ruby Throated HB. Then some real specialites - Volcano Junco hopping around the crater rim and a slaty bird we nailed as a Slaty Flowerpiercer when we saw its unique bent mandible.

From there a long drive into the jungly hills (a Cattle Egret) and the amazing Guabayo remains deep in the forest. Band-backed Wren and Buff Throated Saltator identified, a 3-Toed Sloth high in a tree and our first Montezuma Oropendolas, though not clearly seen. Lots of spiders and snakes clearly around - would be an amazing place to spend more time.

Next day, from Turrialba off to the nearby agricultural research establishment CATIE which was bristling with birds. Lots of Oropendolas clearly seen, initially evident from the spectacular yellow tail flashes. I was really pleased to identify a Masked Tityra high in a tree, and then the joy of a Violaceous Trogon - when one finally sees one, their unblinking eye makes it quite clear that they have been watching you for ages. A House Wren, a 888 Flycatcher, Blue Black Grosbeak. After lunch in their canteen a walk round the lake yielded Northern Jacana, in a tree Black Crowned Night Heron, and Green Ibis, Variable Seedeater (black male with a few whitish blotches helping prevent confusion with the Grosbeak). Purple Gallinule, Boat Billed Heron, Gray Rumped Swift. Green Basilisk and a large Green Iguana. From the bar at the pool there, Hoffman's Woodpecker, Collared Aracari. Just boarding the minibus outside the hotel i saw a large Brown Basilisk splashing across the river (not walking on it!) and a Belted Kingfisher holding a fish.

Rufous Tailed Humming Bird in the garden of a Finca we ate at.

Next day on the journey to Tortuagero, Crested Caracaras in a field and Passerini's Tanagers (initially mistaken for RW Blackbird). On the rough road to the boat, we saw Laughing Falcon on a tree, possible Swallow Tailed Kite overhead and Groove Billed Anis in the pastures. Boarding our boat, Brown Pelican and Sandwich Tern. Then a fabulous trip along rivers and canals. First highlight a group of gorgeous Roseate Spoobills on a sandbank. Then Reddish Egret, Amazon Kingfisher, Spotted Sandpiper, Mangrove Swallow, Neotropic Cormorant, Green Heron, Anhinga, Little Blue Heron, Great White Egret, Magnificent Frigatebird, American Crocodile.

It was a noisy night at our Lodge. Didnt want to imagine what some of the creatures behind some of the noises look like. We saw a troop of White Faced Cappuchin monkeys and then were woken at 4.45 by the astonishing roar of a Howler Monkey which sounded like it was just the other side of the screen. It has something of the lion's roar in the way it resonates across the jungle, and prompts a reply from what sounds like miles away.

Setting out for a dawn boat trip we found Collared Mannikin and Blue Dacnis in a tree near the jetty. The trip itself yielded 'only' Black Cheeked WP and Bare-Throated Tiger Heron. Back at the lodge we met Mariano, a local birding expert and his advice enabled us to find several more species around the grounds - Squirrel Cuckoo, Plain Wren, Yellow Striped Sparrow. It seems he knows for every hour of the day where to look and what can be seen. He said that on some 1 week tours with Japanese birders he has found 500+ species.

e had an excellent afternoon boat trip - Slaty Tailed Trogon, Keel Billed Toucan, Chestnut Mandibled Toucan (what a trio to start with). Red Lored and White Crowned Parrot. Black Caiman and Black River Turtle, Spider monkeys - we watched a troop crossing a waterway by swinging through the trees. A mum reached across to grasp a tree on the other side then her baby walked along her body to get across.

Back in the lodge grounds, Golden Crowned Tanager, Yellow Crowned Euphonia (following up Mariano's suggestions again).

That night we headed out at 10pm to the beach to try to see turtles. It is very firmly policed - no cameras, no torches and very strict controls on a limited number of people (6) in each group, with a warden for each, who occasionally uses a red torch to illuminate proceedings . Once a group has seen the 3 phases ( digging, laying, getting back in the sea) they have to leave the beach to allow another group on. The night we were there, a massive electrical storm was raging out over the Caribbean and an edge of it passed over us so we had to shelter under some palm trees. The clouds obscured the moon so there was a lot of stumbling about in the dark. We saw a Green Turtle digging its pit and going back into the sea - that magical moment as the waves start breaking over the giant and it then goes from being a 'fish out of water' to become master of its element. There were lots of reports of turtles starting pits but heading back to the sea without finishing or laying. The emerging hypothesis was that the lightning was putting them off.

Wet, itchy and sweaty we got back to the lodge around midnight for a short nap before getting up for a 5am trip back to the beach to try to see hatchlings doing their 'scurry to the sea' thing. We walked along the beach for several hundred yards, and found another green turtle finishing the post-laying patting down of a decoy nest, before heading back to the sea - wonderful to see in the daylight. I saw a pair of Whimbrel on the beach. On the return boat we took a brief detour to the edge of the Caribbean and there saw Tricoloured Heron and Semi-Palmated Plover.

Back at the lodge before leaving we managed to find Northern Barred and Streak Headed Woodcreepers.

Then it was off on a boat back to rendezvous with the coach. The original route was due to be along a river which briefly takes one into Nicaragua, but this is precisely the area where a border dispute kicked off last year (sparked as i recall by Google maps drawing the border in the wrong place?). So we wereny allowed to go that way. Our guide planned an alternative route, which turned out to be a good thing as the way we came in was apparently flooded by the previous nights storms.

The river we went down was a narrow windy thoroughfare with fast flowing brown water; local boats were bombing along in both directions, undertaking on corners and narrowly avoiding head-on collisions at times. So it was a rather exciting trip! Finally we reached the busy interchange point for buses, which was just a muddy slope up which we human-chained the luggage in the continuing monsoon conditions.

A drive took us to Selva Verde lodge, one of the great birding destinations. Lovely spacious rooms on stilts, lovely polished wood everywhere. Despite being absolutely shattered we of course went straight out birding, starting at the Botanic Garden where we saw Stripe Throated Hermit and Violet Sabrewing.

One of the great treasures of any rainforest are the occasional giant trees, dominating the landscape and supporting a huge variety of life. In this area one such species is the Dipterix, an almond tree which has purple blooms at this time of year. One particularly celebrated specimen is a 3 hour walk from the lodge and has featured in 'world's greatest trees lists'. This species is the favoured feeding/roosting place of the Great Green Macaw, of which there are only 300 left in CR. We could see a couple of Dips from the Bot G, but no macaws.

We then followed the nature trail in the lodge's grounds and saw a couple of Poison Dart frogs, the Green & Black and the Strawberry (or Blue Jeans in honour of its blue legs). We bumped into Ian from the group, who had seen Scarlet Macaw and Tinamou. As we were walking back through the grounds with dusk approaching, we stopped to chat with one of the bird guides Michael. We were talking about the Macaws when he said 'hear that noise, that's them' so we dashed for some open space and saw two groups of 4 flying across high above the trees. What a truly magnificent sight, long tails streaming and operating in a plane high above the canopy.

Exhilarated, Leo and i headed for a final long-shot dusk visit to the Bot G and were rewarded with another pair flying over, alerted by the loud cawing (macawing?) which prefaces their arrival.

Next morning, up early of course. Michael had tipped us off about a fruiting tree which was good for Honeycreepers. So we went there first and found Green Honeycreeper as predicted. Then the Bot G which was excellent with birds at every turn. Mealy Parrot, Chestnut Woodpecker, Pale Billed Woodpecker (the ivory bill is so striking against the scarlet head). Heading back for breakfast, Orange Billed Sparrow.

We were off next for some fairly gentle white-water rafting - sufficiently gentle that we identified Green Kingfisher, Black Phoebe, and Buff Rumped Warbler from the boat.

A shame to leave Selva Verde so soon.

On the drive to Arenal, lots of Red-Winged Blackbirds.

In the morning off into a National Park on the edge of Arenal volcano. Yellow-Faced Grassquit, Yellow-Bellied Elaenia. In the afternoon off to a spectacular waterfall in the rainforest. Marvellous views of 2 Swallow-Tailed Kites on the way there. Golden-Olive Woodpecker.

Next day a very long drive round lake Arenal, Grey Headed Chacalaca whizzing across the road, Roadside Hawk perched, Orange-fronted Parakeets. It is a windy 1.5hr unmade road up to the Monteverde cloud forest. At the lunch stop, great views of White Throated Magpie Jay. Monteverde is a thriving community (alt 4200m) centred around outdoor activities - renminiscent in that way of Grindelwald or Ambleside. The daily deluge prevented an afteroon nature walk, but we were up at 5 for a chance to see Quetzal - Carlos had picked up a tip as to where they had been seen recently (they migate vertically up the hill and we are a bit late for this altitude).

The location was a meadowy area (after all it was farmers doscovering the negative impact on water table of clearing the forest which led to the initial formation of the park back in the 19th C) surrounded by forest. Not unlike a hilly area in the alps or even Northumberland. And not sweaty at that time of the morning. Overall the area is too cold for snakes for example.

As dawn broke, Carlos (our tour guIde) and Kenneth (driver) were whistling the Q call and soon we heard one responding (I made a faint recording on my iphone, as Carlos has used his mobile effectively to capture birdsong) but didnt manage to see it. We did however get Emerald Toucanet (which apparently move around with the Qs) and Brown Jay. Anne spotted an Agouti.

On these early morning outings i was able to wear all my multi-pocketed birding gear, thus peaking at 27 pockets!!

Back to the hotel for breakfast, then off for the deferred group nature walk. Purple Throated Mountain Gem, Ochraceous Wren, Gray Breasted Wren (much darker than in the book, but coincidentally we bumped into Carlos' local mentor, who said he knows the illustrator and has told him this!). Common Bush Tanager, 3 Striped Warbler, Black Faced Solitaire (song like a creaky gate swinging in the wind), Blue and Gold Tanager. There is a feeder at the Humming Bird gallery where we were able to add Coppery Headed Emerald, Stripe Tailed HB, Green Violet Eared HB, Green Crowned Brilliant and Green Hermit.

After this we did an extraordinary zip-wire course, including an amazing 1km wire high high above the tree tops. A quick lunch then out on a walk across suspension bridges above the canopy which gives beautiful views of a meadow-like serenity. We saw a pair of Black Guans high in the trees before a monstrous downpour set in. The night walk which was to have completed this exceptionally active day unfortunately fell victim to the weather.

Another Q trip at 0500 next day and we again heard the Q in the distance, but this time further away. We did pick up Band Tailed Pigeon however and enjoyed watching Pale Billed WPs and Masked Tityras who were nesting in a telegraph pole! We also stopped to observe a bundle of fur which was apparently a 2 toed sloth.

The days project was a journey down to the Pacific coast, but first stop was on the outskirts to follow up Adrian's tip that Bellbirds were around. On the way we had excellent views of another Laughing Falcon. We got to hear the Bellbirds chiming (?) clearly and were told they had been by the road at 0700 and indeed were now only 50 yds down a track, but felt we couldnt leave the group waiting any longer. So that's another one we'll have to come back for....

Whilst waiting, we made the effort to further distinguish between the yellow-based flycatchers and hence were able to add the Social Flycatcher.

Coming down from Monteverde on the Pacific side the views are spectacular, but its an hour plus on windy gravelly roads before reaching proper roads on the Pacific plains.

At around noon, after a puncture, we reached Carara (means 'river of alligators') National Park which is a transitional environment near the coast. We did the marked trail there. Much hotter and more humid than Monteverde, with consequently loads of insects and hence birds etc. DEETed up we braved the trail, which was frequently covered by route marching leaf-carrying ants, some of which were undoubtedly of 'must avoid' status eg Carlos pointed out the spiky bush where each spike houses an army ant.

Before we had walked 20m leo spotted a Turquoise Browed Momot. Rufous Naped Wren (a very big wren) followed with a Long Billed Woodcreeper in quick succession. A Coatimundi was scrabbling in the undergrowth. Long Nosed Bats were resting on a big tree. Down by a little river, leo got a Common Tody Flycatcher, we all saw White Ibis and Carlos glimpsed a Jacamar. Black Hooded Antshrike and Tawny Winged Woodcreeper seen on the way back. Unresolved female Mannikin and poss Parula?

On to Quepos, a rather sleazy coastal town on the rather over-developed Pacific coast. The heavy police presence is attributed to the significant number of 'elements'. A few miles out of town is Manuel Antonio N Park, and we stayed close to the entrance. At this pleasanter end of town, coloured ropes are strung across the road to enables squirrel monkey troops to cross safely. Some of our group saw a sloth hanging off the middle of one of these, seemingly settling in for the night oblivious to the traffic chaos below. The sloth has ano interesting symbiotic relationship with a particular moth and a particular moss. Its poo is key to this relatioinship.

As we arrived at our hotel Leo spotted a Mangrove (formerly Black) Hawk, one of his target species, in a tree.

Next day was spent in the park. But first up a good breakfast at Cafe Linda, an excellent, slightly groovy, backpackers hostel. Orange-Chinned Parakeet in the trees.

It is a 1km walk thru the jungle to the beautiful beach. Walking along the path behind the beach we found Streaked Flycatcher, had a nest of Killer Bees pointed out, saw Coatimundi, Racoon and Aguti. On and around a rocky islet we identified Brown and Masked Booby, and were pleased to work out a Blue Throated Goldentail hummer. Mountain and Hermit crabs. Leo found a Tropical Gnatcatcher and we both saw White Headed Puffbird (acting like a Kingfisher, but all white and black) and Red Legged Rail.

Last day was a cracker too. Pre-breakfast we ticked off Melodius Blackbird, Cherrie's Tanager (identical to Passerini's, but no overlap in areas apparently; i spent sometime trying to id a yellow-breasted, red throated bird only to have it pointed out as being the female Cherrie's), Palm Tanager, Golden Naped Woodpecker, Blue Ground Dove, Yellow Headed Caracara and finally a pair of Black Bellied Whistling Duck flew (rather incongrously) into a palm tree.

Last visit was for a boat trip from Tarcoles, where we saw some of their large crocs as well as a series of great birds: Snowy Egret, Osprey, Muscovy Duck, Least Sandpiper, Wood Stork, Zone Tailed Hawk (white band across the tail, Panama Flycatcher, Rufous Browed Peppershrike, Yellow Crowned Night Heron and little yellow Mangrove Warbler.

The big question was whether we would get to see the Scarlet Macaw - as Leo put it, 'we have seen the king (Great Green) now can we see the Crown Prince?'

We were caught in a heavy downpour and when it cleared our skipper/guide Juan Carlos (JuanCa for short - geddit?) Said there was a chance we would now see macaws flying from nearby Carara to the coast. It is a big open sky over the river, and I was delighted to spot a macaw coming over - flame of a tail undulating with the power from those great wings. Magnificent.

The almond trees by the beach in the village are a favourite haunt, and a group of urchins were keen to show us and flushed out some macaws with their imitations. I suppose tipping them for that might encourage a protection rather than hunting mindset?

So a great end to the trip. 151 species, 115 lifers way above expectation. Pura Vida.

WWT London

2011-05-02T21:04:00.002+01:00

A speedy visit to try to catch some of the reported migrants. Pair of ruff, common sandpiper, redshank, greylag and canada geese, shelduck, shoveler, mallard, gadwall, coot, moorhen, mute swan, lapwing, cormorant, tufted duck, great crested grebe, starling, magpie, swallow, sand martin, heard reed warbler, tufted duck, common gull, black headed gull, little egret.

North Yorkshire 30 Apr/1 May

2011-05-02T10:16:00.002+01:00

Perfect sunny days in the Howardian Hills. The expected farmland Swallows, Swifts, Skylark, Kestrel, Yellowhammer, Jackdaw, Crow, Woodpigeon, Pheasant, Collared Dove, Blackbird, Robin

And at the Castle Howard Arboretum, Whitethroat, Long Tailed Tit, Blue, Great and Coal Tits, Mute Swan, Coot, Moorhen, Mallard

Sardinia April 15-23 2011

2011-04-29T18:35:00.004+01:00

From the plane coming into Cagliari the flocks of European Flamingo are visible - must be one of the few bird IDs possible from 2000 ft!

It took ages to get to the Molentargius area due to confusing signposts etc (hooded crow (whose pale zones are very white here, rather than the grey I am used to), tree sparrow and kestrel from the car), and when we got there all the lake and marsh area were behind big wire fences. There are some hides, but no obvious way to get thru the wire to access them. But we got out of the car, and could see a colony of Cattle Egrets through the bushes (making a lot of frog-type noise). A Yellow-Legged Gull (photo) and then a Spoonbill flew past. We saw a Woodchat Shrike on a wire and a Sardinian Warbler (photo) hopping about (heard first). Shelduck flew over, and then unmistakeably a Slender-Billed Gull!

Driving on, we finally got to the sea front road along Stagni di Quartu and pulling over (not ideal safety!) In addition to Flamingoes at close quarters we had super views of a Black Winged Stilt, Greenshank, Avocet and a Spotted Redshank. A Gull Billed Tern overhead.

Then the long haul to Dorgali, glimpsing a variety of birds of prey. At Dorgali, blackbird, jay, hoopoe, great tit.

Next day we headed down to the coast at Casa Golonne. Around the car park of the nice little aquarium we found Collared Dove, Dartford Warbler, Calandra Lark (and shrike (photo) and sardy again).

By the sea, Whinchat then along the back of the beach Wood Warbler - bright yellow neck and clean white underneath. On the way back up to the car Buzzard, Serin (photo), Goldfinch and Sparrowhawk. A shearwater out at sea.
During the journey to Olbia, Greenfinch, Alpine Swift, House Martin.

Up in Porto Cervo, lots of Blue Tit, a wren. In the evening Leo and i headed up the hill and found Whitethroat, Linnet and Cirl Bunting (photo).

Mon morning, Red Kite overhead plus Wren, Great Tit, a pair of Blackcaps checking out a spiders web. Jackdaw. Sparrowhawk high above the hotel on Tue am.

We went on a Little Bustard hunt to the area around Tula - where the Fatbirder summary said they were common. It is a farming area on a high plateau and felt just right. Unfortunately we didnt see any of the little Bs, but we did see Corn Bunting (photox2), Stone Curlew (photo), Spotless Starling, Rock Dove, Stonechat, Marsh Harrier.

On the way back we detoured to San Teodoro and the Cinta beach, a magnificent blustery crescent with a large Stagno behind it. Great and Little Egret, Grey and Purple Heron (photo), Kentish Plover and Sanderling.

From the ferry back from Maddelena to Palau, Lydia (who had earlier seen a likely Pine Marten on Caprera) spotted a squadron of Mediterranean Shearwaters.

On our final day we saw some Barbary Partridge on the edge of the motorway after Olbia. We broke the journey at Cabras near Oristano. There is a good dirt road along the edge of the large Stagno with lots of birds, though no list additions. A last minute trip to the Cagliari sea front yielded Dunlin and last of all great views of a Pied Flycatcher.
(52, 7/8 lifers)

Barnes WWT

2011-03-20T18:25:00.002Z

Lovely spring day and a decent number of birds: jackdaw, pochard, coot, tufted duck, teal, magpie, long tailed tit, Canada goose, lapwing, black headed gull, grey heron, dabchick, great crested grebe, cormorant, moorhen, Egyptian goose, robin, blackbird, blue tit, mute swan, shoveler, wigeon, gadwall, greylag goose, coal tit, great tit, lesser black backed gull, common gull, carrion crow, snipe, rn parakeet, gs woodpecker, chaffinch, kestrel.

But actually my favourite was hearing the captive eider drakes 'woo'ing!

Actually, I should record some sightings from earlier in the year too:

January runs in Richmond Park yielded Mandarin Duck, Ring Necked Parakeet, Egyptian Geese, Green Woodpecker, Jackdaw

On the Thames runs, Mallard, Teal, Tufted Duck, Moorhen, Canada Goose, Coot, Great Crested Grebe.

Om a business trip to Portsouth, a Goldeneye.

A couple of train journeys to uni open days gave a few more: past Exeter the tide was out and we saw large numbers of Brent Geese, Shelduck, Curlew, Redshank, Carrion Crow, Grey Heron, Pheasant, Magpie, Cormorant, Common Buzzard, Mute Swan, giant cloud of Starlings, Woodpigeon. In the morning at Falmouth: Herring Gull, Blackbird, Mistle Thrush, Great Tit, Pied Wagtail.

On the way to Bangor we added Oystercatcher, Song Thrush.

Singapore 12 Mar 2011

2011-03-13T18:06:00.007Z

After a busy week in Jakarta and Singapore, I stayed on for Saturday to do some intensive birding.

Getting up early was a bit of a struggle, but I had a big breakfast outside at the hotel and ticked off Common Myna, Black Naped Oriole and Tree Sparrow flying around.

From my researches Bukit Timah looked a good starting point and I got there at 0830. It was packed with locals walking, running, cycling. I asked the ranger chap at the info desk which was the best route for birds. He laughed out loud and said 'no good for birds here', which was to be honest a tad less enthusiastic than I had hoped for. He grudgingly suggested the Green Route to the summit as the least bad, so I trudged off that way trying not to look too obviously crestfallen.

20min in and not a single bird seen. A glimpse of a Greater Racket Tailed Drongo was a boost, and then I saw a Little Spiderhunter on a flower right by the path - an opportunity to use my brand new camera bought for just this purpose. I was so excited that I forgot to zoom in, so the picture isn't quite the maiden epic it could have been.

Nothing else until I made it to the summit (at 168m Singapore's highest point). I saw White Bellied Swiftlet and House Swift flitting around but that was all....until I saw a chap with a huge lense ducking into the bushes. Following him I found a crowd of twitchers with huge lense tripods balanced precariously on the hill-side (and, rather comically, occasionally overbalancing). It turned out they were looking at a White Throated Rock Thrush, which I was able to see and photograph. It is classified as an Uncommon Passage Migrant in Robson, so that's a pretty good one!

Back down by the car park I added Black Drongo (pic), Oriental White Eye, Philippine Glossy Starling and Hill Myna (pic with Common Myna). At the quarry lake, in addition to the first Long Tailed Macacques, I spotted a Blue Tailed Bee Eater (pic) which proceeded to do some magnificent bee chasing - those metallic colours in the sunshine are such a fantastic sight. A Brown Necked Sunbird joined the Bee Eater on its branch, then a huge White Bellied Sea Eagle floated past overhead.

Terrapins, Asian Water Monitor and Plantain Squirrels in evidence, but I didn't spot one of the flying Lemurs.

I had intended to go on to MacRitchie reservoir, but it was (as always seems to be the case when I need one) taxi shift change so I ended up wasting an hour walking in roughly the right direction before thinking to dial a taxi. When I finally got picked up I decided to head to Pulau Ubin as it was already 1pm.

One gets there on a 'Bum Boat' from Changi Point ferry dock. The little boat chugs across once 12 passengers have accumulated. It takes about 10mins across the channel towards Malaysia to the island, which is a few km long and a km wide. There's really just the one little village by the ferry jetty with a few sea-side restaurants, and a few bike hire places. I set off towards the left and came first into a 'Sensory Garden' which was a great place for birds: White-rumped Shama (pic), Streaked Bulbul, and Scarlet Backed Flowerpecker.
Further along the trail out to the Mangroves, a Mouse Deer, Pied Fantail, Common Golden Backed Woodpecker, Olive Backed Sunbird, Brahminy Kite, Pink Necked Green Pigeon (from the observation tower). It is quite a shank, so bike wldnt be a bad idea.
On the way back, near some old prawn ponds: White Collared Kingfisher, heard a Red Jungle Fowl (ancestor of the farm chicken so it goes Cock a Doodle Doo!), Yellow Vented Bulbul, Water Cock, Purple Heron, White Throated Kingfisher, Stork Billed Kingfisher (pic together on a branch).

As I took advantage of one of the beer emporia at the end of the day I saw a Pacific Swallow (no dark neck band) on a jetty post, and back over at Changi there was a lot of roosting activity so I finished with Long Tailed Parakeet.

So that's 31 species, at least 4 lifers (possibly up to 11 dependent on cross-checking my records). 7 hours walking, and 16km covered so I'm knackered!

Venice 23-27 Feb

2011-03-13T18:05:00.000Z

Fantastic to be in Venice when it is uncrowded, with clear blue skies although distinctly chilly.

On the lagoons, Black-Necked and Great Crested Grebes. Herring, Yellow-Legged and Black Headed Gulls overhead with Grey Heron, Jackdaw and Cormorant also around.

Dabchick, Robin, Blackbird and Wren on Torcello.

Heard first Chiffchaff of the year from the garden of the Incurables on Guidecca. Tree Sparrow nearby.

North Yorkshire 28-31 Dec 2010

2011-01-01T15:28:00.002Z

A few days in a foggy and un-thawed Yorkshire provided a nice range of seasonal countryside birds.

In my parents' garden, Redwing, Blackbird, Goldfinch, House sparrow, Dunnock, Bullfinch (as many as 6 feeding on the ground at a time). A Yellowhammer out on Mowthorpe lane.

Around Sinnington, a field full of Partridge, Blue, Coal, Great and Long Tailed Tits, a Treecreeper in the woods up on the Scarp slope, Greenfinch. Floating majestically down the river, a male and 2 female Goosanders.

Barnes WWT

2010-12-27T16:17:00.002Z

A milder day so we visited Barnes this afternoon. The highlights were some Siskins in the trees by the feeders - with Goldfinch and Blue Tit, so some sort of a yellow-bird party going on! - and the Bitterns. We could see 3 from the Peacock Hide, and saw one being chased by a couple of crows so had excellent views of it in flight.

Full list: Long-Tailed, Blue and Great Tits, Shoveler, Shelduck, Coot, Moorhen, Grey Heron, Teal, Wigeon, Dabchick, Canada Goose, Robin, Wren, Crow, Magpie, Jay, Siskin, Goidfinch, Egyptian Goose, Bittern, Pochard, Blackbird, Ring Necked Parakeet, Chaffinch, Mute Swan, Starling, Cormorant and (as we got into our car!), Goldcrest.

Portland Bird Observatory

2010-10-31T14:33:00.004Z

We took a few days last week to stay at Portland Bird Observatory. It is an old lighthouse magnificently located on Portland Bill and one can book to stay in bunk rooms in the lighthouse or the adjoining cottage. Daily activity is centred around regular checks of the nets which are strung throughout the garden to gently capture some of the many birds which use this little area of copse and garden as a stopping-off point. The first daily check is around 0800 and there is a great sense of anticipation as the experts head off at the appointed hour - I thought I detected a hint of a skip in the first step of even the most seasoned ringer..

The nets are re-checked throughout the day, and any find is carefully disentangled, brought round for general scrutiny and admiration, then prior to release, if it is of particular interest, put in a soft bag for weights, measures, and ringing. This process has been going on for decades and the marvellous database is already online as far back as 2000, with the full history being worked on by a team of copy typists I believe.

The front room of the Obs has large windows opening onto a patio with a great view over the sea, so the mixed group of regulars, residents, locals and visitors can keep an eye on the sea, get periodic updates from the garden and are also at the epicentre of bird-intell for the area. All the latest news, with Martin's fantastic photographs are put on the website.

This lovely, comfortable, friendly room must be one of the 'birdiest' places on earth - packed with books and paintings and magazines, and conversation benefiting from the presence of some extraordinary knowledge and experience, Where else could a lengthy discussion be sustained on the short feathers just below the beak of a Pallas' Warbler?

On our first day we arrived late and headed down to the Bill (Pied Wagtails and Rock Pipits). Bad call- we missed by just 30 mins the find-of-the-week Pallas' Warbler.

We were up sharp for the morning check, but this was officially rated 'extremely quiet'. Couldnt actually have been any quieter, since there were no birds at all in the nets! Over our 2 days we saw Wren, Greenfinch and Redwing fron the nets.

Seawatching yielded Gannets, Lesser BB gulls, Cormorants, Guillemot (L), Great Skua (L). The local trees and fields had loads of Linnets, Goldfinch, Housesparrow with a Buzzard, a pair of active Kestrels and a Merlin.

Down at the Bill subsequently we found the reported Black Redstarts

Cley 28 Aug- 1 Sep

2010-09-19T12:14:00.005+01:00

For my parents' golden wedding anniversary, all the families got together for a few wonderful days at Cley-Next-the-Sea. From the car on the journey, we saw a harrier with a white rump - unmistakably a Hen Harrier. Great start! On arrival, we only had time for a short walk down to the sea, but nonetheless saw Wheatear, Spoonbill, Kingfisher, Greylag Goose, Mute Swan, Common tern, Black Headed Gull, Little Egret, Coot, Moorhen, Ruff, Greenshank, Redshank, Mallard, Shelduck, Grey Heron, Curlew, Woodpigeon and Lesser Black Backed Gull. There was a group of twitchers along the shingle so we tramped to catch up with them and were fortunate to spot the target - Short Toed Lark. Happily, toe-length is not the sole distinguishing feature - pale colour (and the guidance of experts) better guide.

On Sunday I had a glorious morning run out to Blakeney and back, and picked up Blue Tit, Dunlin and Marsh Harrier. we then did a big family walk along the shingle, in increasingly stormy conditions, to Salthouse (where we bought Samphire and Cromer Crabs) and back. We added Collared Dove, Oystercatcher, Jackdaw, Starling (there were some spectacular evening flock displays - and I also must confess to having got over-excited when mistaking juvenile starlings for something more interesting), Pied Wagtail, Avocet, Goldfinch, Lapwing, Greater Black Backed Gull, Little Ringed Plover, Dabchick, Canada Goose, Egyptian Goose, Great Tit, shoveler, Kestrel, Pheasant and the great highlight, a Common Crane flying overhead and then landing on a field. What a magnificent sight. In flight it is so long that it undulates, and then on the ground it really is of an ostrich scale.

A real storm was in progress now and Leo spent time down with the hardy souls cowering behind the shelter, but was rewarded with Great Skua, Gannet, Common Scoter (L) , Turnstone (L) and the next morning added Pomarine skua (L).

When the weather cleared up , we had a couple of sunny days with more time spent in the hides and added Curlew Sandpiper, Carrion crow, Wigeon, Teal, Common Gull, Black Tailed Godwit, Hooded crow (L), House Martin, Coal Tit, Green Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, Common Snipe, Whinchat, Dunnock, Yellow Legged Gull. We also saw Barn Owl from the enormous window at the cottage, and another at the stone bridge near the Swallow Inn, as predicted by Ben. News from the church there is that the proposed stained glass window to commemorate the White Crowned sparrow (and funded by its viewers) has been approved.

The other birds about which we didnt see where Bluethroat up towards Blakeney, Icterine Warbler around Snipe Marsh and Red Backed Shrike off the Salthouuse Road.

Vietnam & Cambodia Aug 2010

2010-09-19T11:56:00.005+01:00

We flew to Hanoi via Kuala Lumpur, which involved a couple of hours’ layover in KL airport. It is a shiny new airport and includes an enclosed area of a couple of dozen trees which one can boardwalk through. It was good to get some fresh (albeit hot and humid) air, and we also saw a Large Billed Crow and a pair of Black Naped Orioles in the trees. Common Mynas were, well, common and we saw some small birds chasing away a bird of prey which we decided was a Long Legged Buzzard.

Upon arrival in Hanoi our bleary eyes saw Tree Sparrows and a Red Whiskered Bulbul.

Day 1 in Hanoi took us to Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum complex where we found a Common Tailorbird skulking in the bamboo. Numerous Oriental Magpie Robins.

Day 2 early start to Ha Long bay. Maybe due to overfishing (apparently they used to use dynamite), the birds are disappointing. Black Kites everywhere. Saw several Blue Rock Thrushes on the cliffs and an occasional Pacific Reef Egret. Couple of Blue Eared Kingfishers.

Day 3 back to Hanoi and at our loo stop we found Oriental White Eye in a palm tree.

From the bus, Leo saw Yellow Bittern. Numerous Little Egrets and Barn Swallows.

Overnight on the Re-Unification Express from Hanoi to Hue. From the window White Throated Kingfishers and Black Drongos on power cables.

Next day at the mausoleum, Scarlet-Backed Flowerpecker and Red Collared Dove.

Leo has seen Green Tailed Sunbirds.

In Hoi An a Burmese Shrike (pic) in a tree at the farm and confirmed Great White Egret. Confirmed that the mystery bird at Marble Mountain was a Stripe Throated Bulbul.

On the way to My Lai, a great view of a Yellow Bittern flying over the road.

My Lai itself seemed to have a lot of birds, but neither of us could contemplate looking at them in a place of such horror.

An early flight from Danang to Saigon and then a long coach journey into the Mekong delta. At a loo stop, got a picture of a Scaly Breasted Munia.

Once on the longtail boat and heading into the delta proper the birds got better. Our local guide said that the kids here still use airguns to shoot birds - which is a variant on 'we've eaten them all' and 'the american defoliants are responsible'. I suspect all the above are factors.

We saw a beautiful Cinnamon Bittern, almost glowing amongst the mangroves. Collared Kingfishers patrolling their territories - apparently more often seen in evenings when tide is low so they can see the fish in the brown murky water, though surely the tide timings vary across all times of the day??

A Greater Coucal seen by Leo. Lydia spotted a brown wagtail which was surely the Mekong Wagtail, but I only saw a flutter.
Asian Palm Swifts emerging as usual as the afternoon progresses.

From our homestay we did a perambulation and nailed Ashy Tailorbird and Common Iora, both of which are particularly badly represented in both the Photographic guide and Craig Robson's. Also a White-Throated Fantail and Golden-Bellied Gerygone.

In Saigon itself no obvious venues, but the grounds of the Independence Palace at least yielded White-Vented Myna, Spotted Dove and Streak-Eared Bulbul.

The 'big' birding trip from Siem Reap is a full day to Tonle Sap which is apparently very expensive ($60ph?), and we just didn't have time for this, so instead just took opportunities as they arose whilst touring the temples.

At Angkor Wat, a Shikra patrolling over head. At Angkor Thom, a pair of Red Breasted Parakeets (pic).

Next day, at Beng Melea I saw a pair of Hooded Orioles high in a tree. We then went off to a fishing community in stilt/floating houses and took a boat trip along their river and out into the lake. We saw some massive birds circling up and identified them as Lesser Adjutants.

General update!

2010-07-30T18:45:00.003+01:00

Went to Mumbai last week. First visit since early 1990s and the most noticeable bird factor was not seeing any vultures. I remember on our previous vist - first visit - we arrived at night, then emerged blinking into dazzling sunlight in the morning with our first ever vultures, hornbills, parakeets, kites flying overhead, a totally stunning experience.
All I saw this time were pigeons, lots of Indian House Crows (pic), sparrows, kites and a few parakeets.

Last weekend I went to collect Leo's luggage from his flooded-out sojourn at the Glaslyn Osprey centre and we were given permission to go to the observation hide close to the nests where, even through the pouring rain we got to see 2 ospreys, which come to think of it are my first sightings in the UK.

And finally, on an early morning run today I saw 2 Egyptian geese in the river just by Putney boathouses!

China / Wetlands

2010-07-02T10:12:00.006+01:00

Hangzhou 26 June

It has been a rather gruelling week with 2 days in Jakarta and flying visits to Singapore and Hong Kong – living in air-conditioning hotel/taxi/meetings/taxi/airport. Have ended the week in Hangzhou and took a day off on Saturday.

The local leaflet tells me Hangzhou is 'the tea capital of China', whose West Lake Longjing Tea tops the 'Top Ten Renowned Teas in China'. This tea comes in 4 grades of which the top is Shifeng, whose 'Afore Tomb-Sweeping Day Tea' is the most renowned. Probably needed a good cuppa before sweeping the tombs.

A bit of preparatory googling had drawn my attention to the XiXi wetlands as being the obvious birding destination – China’s first wetland reserve.

I got up reasonably early and was relieved to see that the monsoon rains had abated as forecast, though the pollution kept everything murky. Pleased to see Chinese Bulbul as well as Tree Sparrow and Swallows outside the window. So I put some of my breakfast buns in a SanPro bag for lunch, donned some Rohans and went out to find an ATM and then a taxi out to XiXi. I thought my pronunciation of this was pretty good, but the taxi driver had to ring round various friends to find someone who could understand my intonation of XiXi – memo to self, get the hotel to write it down next time.

It is about 5km from city centre, but fare was only RMB 30 (=£3), When I got there I bought a ticket but have no idea what the ticket was for and it didn’t give me access to one of the areas. There were loads of visitors, but I was the only non-chinese I saw all day, and also the only birdwatcher which seems to me to be highly disturbing – surely a critical part of building environmental/conservation awareness is to encourage interest in the flora and fauna? Look how influential the RSPB is in the UK. Even the wetland museum when I went there (see below) had no coverage of birds!!!

The wetland is 11.5 hectares of pools, bamboo, reeds and mixed trees. It is a historically significant and famous site, with various temples and dwellings of Song and Ming dynasty figures in the process of being re-established, presumably having been razed in the latter part of 20th century. This is only partially completed and feels like work has stalled with only some complete – there is one temple with Buddhist monks and a couple of luxurious dwellings with significant stones. One thing which is finished is a network of hidden loud speakers playing traditional Chinese music, which does help with the atmosphere when trying to associate some muddy pond with a past poetic existence in the style of ‘pool of shimmering lotus and reflected cloud’.

There are many plaques with noble thoughts and exhortations such as ‘Water for Wetland and Wetland for Water’, ‘Wetlands connect Upstream and Downstream’, ‘Flowers are better for your cherishment’.

I spent about 5 hours in total pootling round – about 10k according to Garmin.

The birding started well with a Collared Finchbill proudly showing off a big dragonfly, then a Southern Great Tit (no Yellow on it), and Long Tailed Shrikes (pictured) right at the top of a couple of trees.

There were lots of Magpies but behaving differently from ours – sitting Goshawk-like in the top of trees looking round. Highlight I think was spotting and identifying a couple of Vinous Throated Parrotbills. They sound very exciting, but in fact are little russety birds with pronounced dark eyes and a parroty bill. I do enjoy a new Passerine though.

Also Chinese Pond Herons (pictured), Purple Heron, Moorhen and Little Grebe.

I kept hearing a very loud call which sounded like the whistle at the opening of Skippy. Tried numerous times but couldn’t see who was making it. Then I finally got a glimpse of a tiny warbler, and rooting thru Mark Brazil’s guide it was soon clear that this was a Brown-Flanked Bush Warbler. Lots of dragonflies, butterflies and a few scary monster-insects.

I must put on record that bulbuls must surely be the most annoying birds when one is spotting – there is something about their shape, the way they fly and the sound they make that gets one all excited time and again thinking that it is something new. I have had this repeatedly with Vented Bulbuls in SE Asia and Africa and these chaps, with their dramatic white cap, are just as bad

Great to get some new birds, but the number of species is rather depressing.

It was a bit hard to find a taxi back so walked in the direction of town and saw came across the astonishing USS Enterprise-style building pictured.

I went round to it and found that in fact the observation tower bit of a brand new National Wetland Centre. This is part of a 6-hotel resort being built by Westbrook, so maybe the Wetland Centre is in return for them getting to build on some of the land. If so, I hope their funding extends to long term development of the Wetlands, not just this rather white elephant.
I needed a lolly to perk me up and thought I was getting one filled with strawberry, but in fact it was Bamboo and Red Bean, which is a taste I haven’t yet acquired..

Whilst walking to the bus station to get a taxi, I saw a water tanker coming past, spraying the streets (presumably to keep the dust down?) to the tune of ‘Happy Birthday to you’. Actually its my birthday on Tuesday.

My conservation mood was somewhat diminished when I saw from the taxi a Shark restaurant with a 4ft shark swimming round in a small glass tank as an enticement.

On Sunday, I was up early and went for a 9.2km run in the drizzle
round West Lake. It was really wonderful, early enough to avoid the crowds and it is a truly great beauty spot. The lake’s limpid waters have just a few ripples, and with the weather there was no visible horizon so some of the picturesque boats appeared to be floating in the sky. All around the lake are pagoda structures, variously temples and tea-houses, some of which are built out into the lake and look fantastic. Also some superb statues – a huge Water Buffalo in the lake, a giant Samurai-type warrior emerging from the trees.

Over the course of a busy few days in Shanghai and Beijing, the only addition was 2 sightings of Azure Winged Magpies from taxis!

13 June Barnes WWT

2010-06-13T23:25:00.001+01:00

Highlight was a great view of a Whitethroat in the reeds on Wildside.

Also heard Reed Warbler and Chiffchaff.

Mallard, Ruddy Duck, Tufted Duck, Coot, Mute Swan, Pochard, Common Tern, Jackdaw, Cormorant, Starling, Sand Martin, Lesser BB Gull, Moorhen, Gadwall.

Recently seen lots of Jays and an Egyptian Goose on the thames banks.

Leo saw Gannet, Common Gull, Whibrel on way down to Falmouth from train.

Snowdonia

2010-05-03T21:35:00.004+01:00

At the Glaslyn Osprey Centre, where Leo will be helping out as a volunteer this summer, viewing area we could see the nest thru the scopes, and the CCTV showed that a bird was on its 3 eggs there, but we cldnt make it out directly. In the meadows, swallows, Mute and Bewick swans and Canada and Greylag geese. Greenfinch on the feeders.

Geraint, the RSPB warden told us that the male Osprey was originally from Loch Gsrten, resettled at Rutland Water before coming across here. 3 eggs, and reaching this weekend the vital 2 week stage when they become less attractive to evil egg collectors, as the embryo develops bones and therefore cant be blown. One of the options after this stage is apparently to pin-prick holes then leave in an ants nest who clear everything apart from the bones, which then rattle inside. He also said that evil collectors had taken 2 eggs in Scotland this year involving swinmming across the loch, replacing the eggs with painted chicken eggs, then swimming back across the loch with the eggs in their mouths to avoid breaking them. Shame they didnt drown.

A short stroll along the river into Beddgelert yielded a Whitethroat, Common Sandpipers, Goosander (pic) which did the slappy-feet running-on-water trick , Grey and Pied Wagtails, Dipper, TreeCreeper. First Cuckoo heard for many years. Blue and Great Tits, Crows and Buzzards. Blackbird and Chaffinch. Goldcrest, House Sparrow and Robin at our Cabins.

Whilst conquering Snowdon from Rhydd Dhu we picked up Meadow Pipit, Skylark, Dunnock and Wheatear.

At Portmeiron, ChiffChaff heard then lured with iChirp.

Kestrel, Long Tailed Tit, Red Kite, Magpie on the journey.

Productive migration-time outing to Barnes

2010-04-25T17:19:00.003+01:00

A beautiful afternoon down at Barnes WWT.

Herring, Common, Lesser Black Backed Gulls, Common Tern, Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Cormorant, Crow, Jackdaw, Robin, Reed Warbler (identified thanks to iChirp!), Mallard, Gadwall, Tufted Duck, Coot, Pochard, Lapwing, Stock Dove, Blackbird, Moorhen, Great Crested Grebes doing the dippy display thing, Starling, Greylag, Sand Martin, Dabchick, Grey Heron, Common and Green Sandpiper, Redshank, Wheatear, Little Ringed Plover, Yellow Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Magpie, Woodpigeon, Great Tit, Parakeet, Chaffinch. I also tried using iChirp to alarm a Canada Goose by playing the sound of a Golden Eagle but it didnt work!

Madeira 3-10 April

2010-04-11T18:13:00.002+01:00

Dawdling round the hotel gardens we found Macaronesian Blackcap warbling noisily, Macaronesian Blackbirds, Atlantic Canary in the palm trees and Common Terns plunging into the sea. Yellow Legged Gulls overhead.

On our first Levada walk, Madeiran Firecrest, Goldfinch, Madeiran Buzzard gliding over the trees and Macaronesian Kestrel on a lamppost.

At ponta da Pargo Lydia found us a linnet, and first Robins evident.

At Blandy's gardens we had good views of Madeiran Chaffinches (pictured).

Out beyond Canical, Bertholet's Pipits abound and we and we also had a great view of a Shearwater doing its thing. There were 3 Grey Herons out on the fish tanks.
A Little Egret on the river at Machico.

Porto Moniz lived up to its reputation with Shearwaters passing regularly and we were able to pick out Cory's, Great and Manx.

A turnstone on the rocks.

On the Levada walk above PM one enters Lauraceous forest and, sure enough, the Trocaz pigeon makes an appearance, several times seen way below flying over the treetops. The Chaffinches are absurdly gregarious on this stretch.

Birds made more delightful by the sunshine

2010-03-14T18:02:00.003Z

A few bird sightings made more delightful by the spectacular weather.

Greylag Geese in a Scottish field, Teal and Black Headed Gulls on the Thames, Red Kites from the Harewood community near Leeds.

On today's run, at Leg O'Mutton bumped into the chap I have met before who periodically counts the birds on the Thames between Putney and Barnes Bridges. He told me that Teal were more numerous than Mallards on the Thames, and that there were a couple of Gadwall on the Leg. He hadnt seen any herons and suspected they might alredy be on their (new?) nests. Wonder if he puts his data on the web?

Tromso 18-21 Feb

2010-02-25T20:12:00.002Z

Tromso is deep inside the arctic circle. May seems to be the best time for birding, so potential limited at this time.

However, in the town harbour outside our hotel were Long Tailed Ducks as well as Mallards. Hooded Crows are the ubiquitous sight here. Herring and Greater Black Backed Gulls everywhere, Cormorants frequent. Magpie in the trees.

On our dog sledding trip in a remote valley 90kn inland near the Swedish/Finnish border, Leo and I saw a Golden Eagle overhead. Wolverine, Lynx and Bear are in this region.

On a naturalist guided tour to the Island, we saw White Tailed Sea Eagle, Red Breasted Merganser and a crowd of Common Scoters.

On final day, found Leo’s first drake Eider.

Sungei Buloh 7 Feb 2010

2010-02-07T10:45:00.000Z

Correct pronunciation Sun-Gai Buloh

From the bridge, a 2.5m saltie, Little Heron, Redshank, Greenshank, Pacific Golden Plover, Collared Kingfisher, Little Egret, Great Egret, White Breasted Water Hen.

376 species on Singapore a young lad tells me.

Pied bird of prey floats past - I thought it might be a Pied Harrier, but the expert reckons couldn't have been that and maybe Black Baza. Greater Coucal, Black Naped Oriole.

Glad I have a broad-brimmed hat, as a sign reminds me that there's a flying tree snake here.

Common Sandpiper, Grey Heron, White Throated Fantail, Oriental Magpie Robin, Dollarbird.

The prawn pond loop was not much good, but out at the furthest point, the freshwater ponds, were some big trees which had the special something and were full of birds. Yellow Vented Bulbul, Pink Breasted Green Pigeon, more of those Orioles and a russet headed chap as yet not ID.

And finally, from the café, a Common Kingfisher.

The trick for getting back to the centre seems to be to get the 925 bus to Kranji station, where taxis are easy.

Sydney Olympic Park 6 Feb

2010-02-06T15:47:00.004Z

A free day in Sydney before an evening flight, but the day dawned wet and unpromising. I thought about going on to Brisbane early but the concierge said ti was even worse there! So I took th eferry out to Olympic Park again and had a good long damp twitch!

Aus Pelican, Pied Cormorant, Little Pied Cormorant, Silver Gull from the Ferry.

Along the river, Noisy Miner, Aus Magpie, Pied Currawong, Crested Tern, Little Black Cormorant, White Faced Heron, Superb Blue Fairy Wren, Aus Raven, Aus White Ibis, Red Browed Finch, Great Cormorant, Willy Wagtail, White Plumed Honeyeater, SilverEye, Leaden Flycatcher, Masked Lapwing, Welcome Swallow, Common Myna, Red Whiskered Bulbul, Striated Heron, Magpie Lark, Yellow Thornbill.

As I arrived at the Aus Birds hut a chap there pointed out an Aus Hobby overhead. I asked his advice about other '1 day public transport' birding spots and he suggested Royal National Park (train), and the lagoons along the northern beaches (bus). He had seen a Terek Sandpiper amongst Sharp Taileds, but I couldnt get to that spot on foot.

Moving inland Crested Pigeon, Swamphen, Aus Wood Duck, Pacific Black Duck, Chestnut Teal, Black Faced Cuckoo Shrike, Black Winged Stilt, Grey Teal, Bar Tailed Godwit, Great Egret, Red Wattlebird, Coot, Sacred Kingfisher, Tree Martin, Dusky Moorhen.

And finally in Centennial Park a Sacred Kingfisher. So 41 for the day!

Melbourne 31 Jan

2010-02-06T15:38:00.002Z

On Friday I went for a pre-flight run along the river in London - cold and wet, but I saw a superb male Sparrowhawk shoot into a riverside tree, then get chased away.

By Sunday morning, I was in sweltering in Melbourne! Went down to the Botanic Gardens and found Silver Gull, Rainbow lorikeet, Grey Fantail, a mystery blackbird (looked pretty much like a Blackbird - see photo) but can't work out what it is?, also saw a blackbird with brown tinges - what's that?, Brown Thornbill, Aus Magpie, Brush Wattlebird, Magpie Lark, Black Swan, Coot, Dusky Moorhen, Purple Swamphen, Hardbill, Aus Wood Duck, Spotted Turtle Dove, Common Myna, Bell Miner, Little Pied Cormorant, Pacific Black Duck, Crested Tern.

In the afternoon I speculatively went out to Studley Park, which turned out to be a good move with Noisy Miner, Grey Butcherbird, Willy Wagtail, great parrot views of Rainbow Lorikeet, Red Rumped Parrot, Eastern Rosella, Galah on the cricket pitch, Crested Pigeon, Welcome Swallows until the rain drove me off.

Wintry Twitch at Barnes

2010-01-09T16:23:00.002Z

I saw all the requests yesterday to feed the birds, but left it until this morning to put any out. As no birds came all morning I was worried that I had been responsible for the overnight extinction of all birdlife, but happily a trip to Barnes WWT was reassuring.

The lakes were almost entirely frozen over and we saw Water Rail and Snipe skittling about on the ice. Apparently we had just missed a 'Fox v Bittern Duel on Ice', and also a Jack Snipe.

Year list entries for Coot, Moorhen, Wigeon (pictured), Gadwall, Tufted Duck, Lapwing, Greylag Goose, Canada Geese, Crow, Blackbird, Starling, Great Tit, Magpie, Goldfinch, Blue Tit. Regrettably it seems Ring Necked Parakeets have survived the weather (Leo tells me actually they survive -10 in Ladakh).

Redwing flying over. Nice views of Lesser Redpoll (pictured). Leo saw Cetti's Warbler.

Woodcock fossicking about by the feeder.

Life List Update

2010-01-03T17:24:00.000Z

Richard 805, Leo 608

Perfect Winter Outing to Barnes WWT (40)

2009-12-18T15:17:00.003Z

There was a full set of usuals: Gadwall, Moorhen, Tufted Duck, Wigeon, Teal, Mallard, Great Crested Grebe, Dabchick, Lapwing, Heron, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Robin, Crow, Woodpigeon, Black Headed, Herring Gulls, Egyptian Geese, Mute Swan, Wren, blue and great tits, Jackdaw, coot, Pochard, Canada Goose, Starling, Shelduck, Shoveler, Cormorant
Kestrel perched in a tree and Peregrine in the distance on what we hear is a regular perch on Charing Cross Hospital
Plus some winter specials: Snipe, Redwing, Fieldfare, Stonechat, Pintail
Plus Grey Wagtail and great views of a Water Rail
Best of all, 2 CETTI'S WARBLERS in clear view

Hong Kong again - 9th december

2009-12-18T15:12:00.002Z

Back to Cyberport and had another chance to visit the little park where I added to my growing patchlist White-eye, Crested Mynah, Long-tailed tailor bird, Black Necked Staarling, Rufous backed shrike, Daurian Redstart.

Hong Kong Again

2009-11-21T06:31:00.002Z

Back to Cyperport.
Whilst working in my room I sensed that some of the birds of prey had a different jizz from the usual Black Kites. And sure enough one was a Buzzard and the other a Northern Goshawk: soaring like a Peregrine, strongly barred tail.
On a brief venture into the waterfront park I found chinese Bulbul, Red Turtle Dove (very striking with grey head, red body and black rear collar), Black Faced Laughing thrush, Magpie Robin, White Wagtail, and a migrant Olive Backed (Indian Tree) Pipit.
There's definitely more to be found there....

USA - NYC, DC, Dallas, Sunrise

2009-11-21T05:54:00.002Z

New York 24-28 Oct 2009
First sighting was a Peregrine Falcon at the top of the Empire State building.
Next a small Woodpecker outside a 5th Avenue store!
Up to Central park where we found American Robin, Blue Jay,
Dark Eyed Junco, Sparrows (see below),
From the Metropolitan Museum, we saw the Red Tailed Hawk being mobbed.
Later in the week, the park at Union Sq enabled us to nail the White Throated Sparrow, Gadwall and Mallard.
On to Washington. Near the Vietnam memorial, American Coot, Ring Billed Gull, Blue Jay, Double Crested Cormorant.
Red Tailed Hawks over the Mall. Grounds of the White House, Northern Mockingbird.
Next day, Northern Cardinal at the Botanic Garden. Trees at the foot of the Capitol: Mourning Dove and White Breasted Nuthatch. Chipping Sparrow in the Sculpture Garden.
Next day, Eastern Wood Pewee in Seward Square then on to Arlington Cemetery. As trailed by the enthusiastic Spanish bird bloggers, this was very good. Red Bellied Woodpecker early on. Then we found a brilliant patch of bush near Arlington House, where we got new lifers: Yellow Bellied Sapsucker (distinguishing call), Field Sparrow, Black Capped Chickadee, Crested Titmouse, Ruby Crowned Kinglet.
Unexpectedly, I was back in the US the following week. Initially in Dallas. The CBD seemed pretty desolate for birding - best bet seemed to be the area round the cemetery which turns into the grassy knoll of JFK assasination infamy.
On to Sunrise, Fort Lauderdale. a pretty desperate area of malls and car parks, but the landscaped lakes and trees (all that remains of lovely swampland I suspect) support some birds. Limpkin, White Ibis, American Redstart (which is, confusingly, brown and yellow!).

Hong Kong 13 -17 Oct 2009

2009-10-18T12:06:00.003+01:00

We stayed at the Meridien at Cyberport. Good to be away from the bustle and have a big view over the sea.
Black Kites wheeling all around. Overlooking some woodland where I saw a Greater Coucal. A small waterfront park was full of birds and merits a proper look - just Red Vented Bulbul and Magpie Robin on a jog-through.

Singapore Botanic Gardens 11 Oct 2009

2009-10-18T11:22:00.003+01:00

Arrived in Sing hotel at about 1430 which gave just enough time to scoot across to the Botanic Gardens. Common Myna, Hill Myna, Spotted Necked Dove,Yellow Vented Bulbul, Phillipine Glossy Straling, COMMON GOLDEN BACKED WOODPECKER, Kingfisher, Lesser Whsitling Duck, Eurasian Tree Sparrow, White Breasted Water Hen, KOEL. Also saw a Falcon sitting in a tree in the Rainforest section and an aeagle flew overhead.

Brazil 4 - Praia do Forte

2009-08-30T12:57:00.001+01:00

Final location was Praia do Forte, a coastal resort on the Bahia about an hour north of Salvador. Our hotel had many Kiskadee's and Tyrants plus Marmosets. There is a nature reserve a couple of km out of town but I didn't manage to get there. The location where Brazil's national bird (some sort of blue parrot) could apparently be found is no more.The rest of the group went on a bumpy boat to look for Humpback whales, which left me a few hours to explore. I continued south on the beach and came first to where a lagoon filters into the sea. There was a sandpiper there and some SOUTHERN POCHARDS.Striated Herons everywhere.I trudged on through the soft sand occasionally going thru the undergrowth to check the lagoon. Crested Caracaras overhead. CHALK BROWED MOCKINGBIRDS in the shrubs. Finally (well only a couple of hundred metres really) the lagoon bent inland and I followed a path which therefore headed away from the coast to an area of secondary scrub. And it was brilliant there. I was just taking in an all russet bird when I turned round and saw the uniquely clear stare (I think its the yellow eye rims which do it) of a BLUE CRESTED TROGON on an nearby branch. Glorious.The only tracks on the path were those of a dog......or maybe a jaguar?? I decided to head back to the coast but then found one of those trees which is full of new birds - a TROPICAL GNATCATCHER, PALE BREASTED GROUND DOVE, SWAINSON'S FLYCATCHER, WHITE LINED TANAGER.

Brazil 3 - Manaus

2009-08-30T12:50:00.002+01:00

On to Manaus. Up the river to our lodge where the grounds have more Cardinals, YELLOW RUMPED CACIQUE, GRAY BELLIED SWIFT over the water, BLUE AND GRAY TANAGER, BLACK NUNBIRD (prides in getting a massive insect in its beak), SILVER BEAKED TANAGER, TURQOUISE TANAGER, PALM TANAGER, WHITE THROATED HUMMINGBIRD, CHESTNUT WOODPECKER (from our hut), FORKTAILED FLYCATCHER. The pictured Toucanet I think is conclusively a GREEN ARACARI, despite Souza saying its out of range.On a late afternoon outing by boat we saw SMOOTH BILLED ANI (apparently a sure sign that monkeys are nearby) and watched a HAWK. We also had great views of a PINK DOLPHIN.Next morning our jungle walk included Rat Boa, Bullet Ant (12 months to recover from a bite) and some amazing big blue Morpho butterflies. Also glimpsed a SCREAMING PIHA in addition to hearing it all the time (our guide Anselmo says they contribute to lost folk going crazy).Afternoon trip to meet a local tribe added RINGED KINGFISHER and YELLOW BILLED TERNSunrise canoe added LADDER TAILED NIGHTJAR and a squadron of Military Macaws overhead (RED BELLIED MACAW)Later morning outing to Monkey Sanctuary ( squirrel and red-faced) and and we finally nailed the local 'hawk' as a YELLOW HEADED CARACARA,On our final day a stunning VIOLACEOUS TROGON from our hut.

Our first venture back to Manaus was taking the boat to the 'meeting of the waters' phenomenon, where a 'black' and 'green' river flow together unmingled for some distance after they merge. At the first landfall off the green river, a native village was our first reclaimed land and there were some new birds which I couldn't identify. An Antbird maybe? SPOTTED SANDPIPER.Then it was off on a speedboat along various waterways through a marshy area which was very good for birds as well as sloth and Iguana. We had great views of the magnificent BLACK COLLARED HAWK, a SQUIRREL CUCKOO, SCYTHEBILL, Snowy Egret, MUSCOVY DUCK (a very ugly motherd***er), WHITE FACED WHISTLING DUCK, CUI PARAKEET, the gigantic AMAZON KINGFISHER, LIMPKIN, BLACK CARACARA, and probably the greatest rarity deep in a flooded forest, beautiful CAPPED HERONS.Our schedule allowed a half day free in Manaus so we were determined to go to one of the sites mentioned in the World's Greatest 100 Birding Sites. The one which caught the eye was the INPA metereological tower, because it mentioned the possibility (heavily caveated) of Harpy Eagle . Our guide kindly put loads of effort into trying to find out how to get in, and eventually went to INPA directly who said that it had been closed to birders for some time because their visits had damaged/affected some instrumentation there.So the next listed venue was the Adolfo Ducke 'reserve'. An agency offered to provide a guide who had never been there before! So we decided to go it alone, and Anselmo asked to come to see if it would be a good place to bring future groups.It turns out that this is in fact a massive area of reserve with very limited access. The primary access is the Botanic Gardens, which is a very sleepy enterprise. A chap put on a shirt and boots and became a guide (which is mandatory). He led us round a maze of paths and kept looking intelligently into the trees, but the only bird we saw was a Woodcreeper which I spotted. So we decided to cut our losses and head to the other entrance described by the guide and consistent with the birding report I had found on the web. The adventure involves finding the KM 26 post on the main road, where one has escaped the city limits and is in an area of forest and big estates. At the post a track through some old iron gates heads spookily into the forest. The report describes that several km up this track is some sort of establishment. However, the first 50m has been dug up to prevent anything other than a 4x4 getting up there. So we left the car at the entrance and (somewhat nervously on my part)started along the track. The mood was not helped when an Agouti sighting prompted comment that this is a Jaguar's favourite prey, and Anselmo to confirm that yes this looked like certain Jaguar territory, and no they weren't afraid of people. I noticed that everyone had a leak in quick succession at this point.With no birds yet seen we decided to head back to the car and, as so often happens, just as we got close Leo spotted a Nunbird, which triggered Anselmo to see a Monksaci, a rare and scary looking monkey - black fur, stumpy tail and dark brown face. Very spooky to see this muscular dark figure jumping through the trees and scrutinising us. But venturing a few yards into the thick jungle also yielded good views of a RED NECKED WOODPECKER.It all felt rather strange - in a Tom Waits 'What's he building in there?' way. It is obviously an area actively used for some purpose as the track is in good nick and there are new markers every 10 yards or so. But they seem very keen to keep people out. Is it because of the special wildlife? Or some mysterious metereological experiment?Either way it seems a missed opportunity not to have organised access to some good birding facilities in this special area, as it would surely bring in good money.

Brazil 2- Igacu

2009-08-30T12:40:00.004+01:00

Off to Igacu, and first the Itapu Dam where we notched up Turkey Vulture, SNOWY EGRET, BANANAQUIT and from the car park CRESTED CARACARA.

On to the highly bizarre and downright spooky Hotel Carima where a damp dusk tour of the grounds added a WHITE WINGED SWALLOW and WATTLED JACANA and got us close enough to confirm that the hummingbirds we have been seeing are VIOLET CAPPED WOODNYMPHS and WHITE THROATED EMERALD (distinguished by the red bill). RED RUMPED CACIQUE. PALE BREASTED THRUSH.

Next day and off to the Bird Park where the aviaries are excellent for learning the local birds and especially for a very handsome pair of Harpy Eagles. But it is also a very good spot for wild birds and we saw TOCO TOUCAN, a juvenile BLACK CROWNED NIGHT HERON way up in a tree, PLUSH CRESTED JAY, RUFOUS CROWNED MOTMOT, GUIRA CUCKOO.

On to the stunning Igacu falls where we saw BLUE DACNIS and NEOTROPIC CORMORANT and an Azara's Aguti. On the road out a CRESTED CARACARA on the floor and ROADSIDE HAWK on the wires.

Back at the hotel it finally brightened up and I found an old orchard in the grounds where (before the mossies drove us away) we saw Smooth Billed Ani, CHOPI BLACKBIRD, EPAULET ORIOLE, SAYACA TANAGER, SAFFRON FINCH.

Short visit to the orchard before breakfast yielded one mossy bite and a CAMPO FLICKER. It was worth a bite....... Also some SHINY COWBIRDS. Then whilst waiting at the Argentinian border, a BLuE AND WHITE SWALLOW on a lamppost. House Sparrows frequent. GREEN KINGFISHER on a wire. At Iguacu, we saw South American Guinea Pig, GREEN IBIS, WING BARRED MANNIKIN then from the walkway a Broad Nosed Caiman, YELLOW BILLED CARDINAL, GRAY BREASTED MARTIN, then a Crested Caracara put up a glorious ANHINGA - really looks like a flying snake. Then Leo claimed an EULERS FLYCATCHER. After a speed boat trip under the falls we saw CATTLE TYRANT and CHALK BROWED MOCKINGBIRD.

Then, whilst rest of group went on a helicopter ride we had 30mins back in the Bird Park. Nothing new until the car park (so often the case) where we found CHESTNUT BELLIED EUPHONIA and VIOLACEOUS EUPHONIA.

Brazil 1 - Rio

2009-08-30T12:20:00.004+01:00

Always good to see a first bird from the plane before disembarking, and in this case it was a Black Vulture. In the minibus to the hotel there came suddenly a bellow of 'Frigatebird' from Leo and there they were - MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD huge birds, very distinctive shapes. And a Great Egret.Off to Christ the Redeemer statue, where there were SWALLOWS in the air and RUFOUS COLLARED SPARROWS on the ground. And an Aqaati!The next morning off to Sugar Loaf. In the car park there, in a mango tree, GREAT KISSADEE and RUDDY GROUND DOVE. From the top, great views BLACK CHESTED BUZZARD EAGLE, hovering 300m up. Little Marmosets running around. And a LESSER KISKADEE in the trees.At the Maracana stadium, SOUTHERN LAPWING in Pele's spot on the goal line.In the afternoon, off to the Botanic Gardens which is a great birding spot. Lots of RUFOUS-BELLIED THRUSH, GRAY-HEADED TODY-FLYCATCHER, CREAmY BELLIED THRUSH, BROWN TANAGER. A lovely MASKED WATER TYRANT. A RUFOUS HORNERO taking a dustbath. TROPICAL KINGBIRD. Anne spotted 2 DUSKY LEGGED GUANS. At the pool, Kiskadee's in classic flycatcher action. Then we started seeing parrots - PLAIN PARAKEET. I had just seen glorious GREEN HEADED TANAGERs when Anne spotted our first Toucan (albeit with a cry of 'Hornbill'!). RED BREASTED TOUCAN, probably the most extraordinarily striking first sight ever. Unbelievable.We came back towards the Leme hotel along the lagoon and saw through the dusk COCAL HERON and STRIATED HERON and Common Moorhen.Next morning we trooped down on to Copacabana beach and identified the birds glimpsed yesterday as BROWN BOOBYs. Superb birds, perfect markings, streamlined and sometimes skimming inches above the water.

Heron v Gull

2009-07-26T20:35:00.002+01:00

On my Thames Towpath run today watched a Common Gull attacking a Grey Heron. Quite a crowd gathered as it went on for at least 10 mins. The gull was divebombing like a falcon, and then occasionally swooping in along the water 'under the radar'. If it attacked from the front, the Heron would attack back with its bill, but it didnt see the attacks coming from other directions and yelped with shock whilst ducking.
Eventually the gull gave up, and the heron decided it would then move on anyhow.

Life List

2009-07-11T15:08:00.000+01:00

I have completed a count of all my records and am now at 699

Abu Dhabi 21 Jun 2008

2009-07-11T14:41:00.002+01:00

2 Day business trip. Anticipating the opportunity I asked for advice on the UAE birding forum. The response was initally discouraging..... "Gut reaction? Stay in your hotel and watch the National Geographic channel or BBC Wildlife! Its hot hot hot here now... If you want to try something a bit more adventurous, get out your suncream, hat and a truck-load of water and try this option: Take a taxi to the area next to (west of) the Emirates Palace Hotel (called 'Khalidiyah' or, to a taxi-driver, the public beach). From the western breakwater you can view a channel where you have a chance of Saunder's, Bridled and White-cheeked Terns, plus Socotra Cormorant. If you look from the public beach back towards the city you'll see the remains of a fine row of mature trees that used to form a huge rectangle round the area between the public beach and the other end of the Emirates Palace grounds. The remaining trees should hold the odd Eastern Olivaceous Warbler, and possibly a Rufous Bush Robin."

It was indeed hot, but I followed the advice and had a good outing. At the breakwater I saw Laughing Doves, a Cormorant - but I couldnt say it was Socotra, and BRIDLED TERNS. In the stand of trees were many WHITE CHEEKED BULBULS, INDIAN HOUSE CROW (pic), Purple Sunbird, and some Sandgrouse. An early evening walk in thje cOrniche park yielded Graceful Prinia (pic).

Zermatt 1-4 May 2009

2009-05-05T08:01:00.002+01:00

Flew to Geneva then train to Zermatt. Red Kites over the water of Lake Geneva. Wonderful to be back in Zermatt and back at the Kisseye. Snows in the last couple of days left deep drifts to haul our bags through. Along towards Pam in Winkelmatten, Black Redstart and great views of a Redpoll.

Coal Tits outside the chalet as before. Next day Alpine Chough and Crag Martin overhead. One of the few winter hikes available is up to Ried and we saw Treecreeper, Crested Tit, ROCK BUNTING (pic), Great Tit, Blackbird and Mistle Thrush.

Day 2 took the walk to Furi and added Fieldfare, Sparrowhawk, Swallow, Nutcracker(pic), Golden Eagle, Dipper(pic).

Final day excellent walk via Moos to Furi and then on until avalanche risk seemed unnecessary. Jay, Pied Wagtail, House Sparrow.

Czech Republic

2009-04-13T18:32:00.002+01:00

At Brno airport possible Black Redstart, and Collared Dove. Lots of hares in the fields attracting some big birds of prey, which we nailed as IMPERIAL EAGLES as we passed through the battlefield of Austerlitz, rather appropriately.

On the journey to Uherske Hradiste (lovely rural landscapes) we also saw Marsh Harrier, House Sparrow, Song Thrush, Pheasant, Lapwing, Starling, White Stork. Passed through glorious Zhivago-style beech forests at the pass over into UH - a road much enjoyed by Motorbikers.
From Adela's flat, Goldfinch. At lake near Lednice, Great Crested Grebe, Dabchick, Coot, Pochard. At the chateau: Grey Heron, Night Heron, Blackcap, White Wagtail, Nuthatch, Chaffinch, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Red Crested Pochard, Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, GREY HEADED WOODPECKER superbly spotted by Leo and id confirmed by its 9 note song, Mallard, Kestrel.

At the lake on the way to Valtice we stopped and Lydia brilliantly saw a bird in the Vineyard which turned out to be one of a pair of HAWFINCHes.

Next day on the walk up from Buchlovice to Buchlov Castle: Black Redstart, Greater and Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers, Siskin, Willow Tit, Jay, Magpie, Robin, Tree Sparrow, Long Tailed Tit.

At Velehrad, Sparrowhawk.

At the Model Village in Roznov Pod Radhostem, ChiffChaff and CROSSBILL.

On to Prague, where in the Petrin woodlands we found Willow Warbler.

Counting on the Thames (Year List R30, L29)

2009-01-19T07:54:00.003Z

On my run, met a chap who counts the numbers of birds on the river between Putney and Barnes bridges every month. He said Wigeon never seen on river, Pintail east of Putney Bridge, more Dabchicks than usual maybe due to cold spell meaning they need bigger water expanse.
I wonder if his results are published online?

Siskins at Barnes WWT

2008-12-31T21:34:00.000Z

Boxing Day at Barnes and my first SISKINS

Portland Bill 13 Dec

2008-12-13T21:55:00.003Z

Once over the border into Dorset the Buzzards are everywhere. In Dorchester we saw a Goldcrest from the kitchen window.
Then on to Portland Bill hoping to see the Short Eared Owls I had read were around. Dusk was on the way. Rock Pipits by the cliffs. Wrens in the bushes.
I asked some passing birders whether they had seen any owls 'oh yeah there are loads of them over there'...and indeed right by the road were 3. Magnificent views - little (short) 'ears' evident

Montagnes Bourbonnais 26 Oct

2008-12-13T21:54:00.000Z

In the region for a family wedding and took a day for a hike. Found where the GR3 crosses the N7 and had a splendid walk through perfect countryside to Chatelus and Arfeuille, which astonishingly turned out to be a place we had gite-d in 14 years ago!
Anyhow, great country birds too: kestrel, buzzard, jay, magpie, blue & great tit, green woodpecker, blackcap, corn bunting (superb identification by Leo!), song thrush, blackbird, wren, grey heron, chaffinch.

Australia Sep 08

2008-09-15T07:43:00.002+01:00

Visited Bendigo and in the 10mins of fresh air I managed to secure, saw a fine GANG-GANG.

Took another day off in Sydney to visit the Olympic Park again.In the harbour, Silver Gull and CRESTED TERN. Pied Cormorant. Aus Pelican LITTLE BLACK CORMORANT, White Faced Heron, Willy Wagtail, Aus White Ibis, Black Winged Stilt, Masked Lapwing, NANKEEN NIGHT HERON, Common Myna, Starling, BLACK FRONTED DOTTEREL, Magpie Lark, AUS GREY TEAL, BLACK BACKED MAGPIE, WHITE PLUMED HONEYEATER, AUS REED WARBLER, Red Wattlebird, Dusky Moorhen, DUSKY WOODSWALLOW, Superb Blue Fairy Wren, Great Cormorant, Spotted Turtle Dove, Royal Spoonbill, BROWN HONEYEATER?, red legged wren?, Coot, RED BROWED FIRETAIL, BW LTT, Pacific Black Duck, LITTLE FRIARBIRD, Noisy Miner

South Africa 9-24 Aug 2008

2008-08-25T16:44:00.007+01:00

Started in Port Elizabeth with SOUTHERN BOUBOU, COMMON FISCAL, CAPE GULL, GREY HEADED GULL, BLACK OYSTERCATCHER, CAPE CORMORANT, WHITE BREASTED CORMORANT, BLACK COLLARED BARBET (pic), House Sparrow, CAPE COLLARED DOVE, CAPE TURTLE DOVE, Laughing Dove, SPECKLED MOUSEBIRD, Pied Kingfisher, FORK TAILED DRONGO

Thence to Zuurberg, where we added SOUTHERN MASKED WEAVER, HADEDA IBIS, SOUTHERN MASKED WEAVER, CAPE WEAVER, CAPE WHITEYE, CAPE GLOSSY STARLING, OLIVE THRUSH, CAPE ROBIN CHAT, CROWNED HORNBILL

From Zuurberg, we visited Addo National Park and saw INTERMEDIATE EGRET, DOUBLE COLLARED SUNBIRD (pic), Sacred Ibis, BOKMAKIERIE, BLACK HEADED HERON, AFRICAN FISH EAGLE, RED FACED MOUSEBIRD, CAPE BULBUL, Little Grebe, SOUTH AFRICAN SHELDUCK, Egyptian Goose, BLACKSMITH PLOVER, THREE BANDED PLOVER, KILLITZ PLOVER, SOUTHERN BLACK KOURHAAN, COMMON OSTRICH, AFRICAN PALM SWIFT AND WHITE RUMPED SWIFT

Having had to flee Zuurberg when it was razed by a bush fire, we plucked up courage to return to the bush at wonderful Schotia, where we saw HELMETED GUINEAFOWL, CAPE LONGCLAW (pic), STANLEYS BUSTARD

Moving on to Knysna, at Tsitsikamma we saw LOURIE (KNYSNA TURACO now) and Lydia OLIVE WOODPECKER.

At the Featherbed Nature Reserve, JACKAL BUZZARD, ROCK KESTREL

Around Knysna, Speckled Pigeon, Red Winged Starling and Grey Heron.

Then on a great trip up the Keurboom River with an expert guide, Giant Kingfisher, REED CORMORANT, FOREST BUZZARD, (some excellent Lourie views), THICKKNEE PLOVER, WHITE NECKED RAVEN, WOOD SANDPIPER.

On to Outdshoorn, for CAPE SPARROW AND FOREST CANARY. Driving out from there thru the Little Karoo, PALE CHANTING GOSHAWK and probable Wattled Starling by the roadside. Near Swellendam, magnificent BLUE CRANE.

Final destination was Cape Town. At Hout Bay, HARTLAUB'S GULL and BANK CORMORANT. Excellent range at Cape Point: CAPE GANNET, ORANGE BREASTED SUNBIRD (pic), GREY BACKED CISTICOLA, CAPE GRASSBIRD, CAPE BUNTING and a Mystery Francolin(pic)! And we swam with AFRICAN PENGUINS!

A rainy trip to Kirstenboch Botanical Gardens nonetheless yielded a couple of SPOTTED EAGLE OWLS, SWEE WAXBILL AND CAPE CANARY.

On the way back from Robben Island, a Shearwater.

On the top of Table Mountain, a GROUND WOODPECKER (pic).

Last couple of days with Yolandi and Rob - African Harrier Hawk in their garden, CAPE SUGARBIRD (pic by Rob) first spotted on a (wet) high mountain pass. At Boschendal Winery in the dusk we saw a magnificent Spotted Eagle Owl flying, and also a pair of DUSKY FLYCATCHERs. Final morning a short hike in lovely Jonkershoek (SOUTHERN RED BISHOP enroute) yielded CAPE BATIS (pic by Rob), CAPE FRANCOLIN and BAR THROATED APALIS (identified and photographed by Rob!).

San Francisco 2-5 Aug 2008

2008-08-09T08:40:00.002+01:00

On the afternoon we arrived, back down to the Lee Ryan park and saw Dark Eyed Junco, a pair of Forster's Tern, Cormorant' American Crow and Raven.
Next day Mike was off to golf at Half Moon Bay so I google-planned a route along the coast to Pillar Point.The blue skies of the bay disappeared on the way over the hills to a grey and slightly chilly coastline.I reached the shore at Kelly Drive and from there through protected (for Snowy Plover) scrub along the beach. Brewers Blackbird, Cley Sparrow, Black Phoebe, House Finch, American Goldfinch, Barn Swallow in the scrub. Forsters Tern and Thayers Gull (the local Herring) in the air. Brown Pelican patrolling and diving. Jack Rabbit in the scrub, Grey Seal and Sea Otter. SNOWY EGRET at Miramar harbour. Willet and Sanderling wading and scurrying.
For lunch I found a gritty fish café (the famous - or at least that's what they say - Princeton Seafood 'we serve crabs and other fine customers') in a car park (my theory is that round here they started with one huge car park then built a few shops etc on it) and had a classic miscommunication: I ordered a Petite Salmon & Chips thinking that was some sort of young/small salmon - like a Slip Sole to a Sole at Mary's in Walberswick. In fact of course it meant a children's portion! Which was in fact just right as this is America.
On to Pillar Point salt marsh and harbour : Great Blue Heron, Common Loon and a flock of SURF SCOTERS (pictured) , Starling, Double Crested Cormorant, WANDERING TATTLER (pictured), WESTERN GREBE, Whimbrel, BLACK BELLIED PLOVER (pictured), MARBLED GODWIT.Up on to the cliffs behind and there's a Red-Shafted Northern Flicker in the woods. Back down to the marsh and a superb WHITE TAILED KITE hovering and diving. CALIFoRNIA TOWHEE in the scrub.

San Mateo 3-4 June 2008

2008-06-06T22:15:00.002+01:00

A couple of days in Foster City, just down the coast from San Francisco.
I identified a park near our hotel called the Leo Jordan park. Very manicured, alongside the artificial lagoon.a stroll on our first evening only found Crow, House Sparrow and Mallard.
But early next morning on a run I found that the landscaped copse was alive with birds. The only one I could identify without bins was an AMERICAN GOLDFINCH - a beautiful pale yellow. 0630 seemed to be the optimal time.
Around the hotel were dark-eyed Juncos.
Next morning I had to work rather than get out for a dawn watch, but in the afternoon we grabbed half an hour there before setting off to the airport and I found CHESTNUT BACKED CHICKADEE, HOUSE FINCH (like a redpoll), and BLACK PHOEBE (a twitching flycatcher).

The Gambia 8-16 Apr 2008

2008-05-05T09:06:00.006+01:00

The Gambia 8-16 Apr 2008

Venue/Total/Lifers/Trip New
Tuesday Airport, Hotel/13/10/13
Wednesday Hotel /25/23/25
Thursday Beach, Kotu/43/35/38
Friday Abuko /39/20/20

Saturday Lamin/42/18/23
Monday Secret Place, Tanji/56/24/29
Total 130 /148

The birding extravaganza got underway from the bus at the airport, with Pied Crow and Black Kite.

We stayed at the Senegambia, which is a bird watching destination in its own right. As we first stepped out of our room we heard a commotion above and saw an African Harrier Hawk (just like you see at London Zoo) being mobbed by a couple of Crows. A first tour round the grounds added White Crowned Robin Chat (one of the species it is famous for), Speckled Pigeon, Palm Dove, Collared Dove, the amazingly colourful Yellow Crowned Gonolek (a snap of which on Trip advisor had clinched our hotel selection, Northern Black Flycatcher (we happened to pass the resident birdwatcher’s hut and he pointed this one out), Zazou the Western Red Hornbill, Common Bulbul, Cattle Egret (which sips tea at breakfast) and Senegal Coucal.

Next morning we added Grey Headed Sparrow , Pia Piac, Red Bellied Firefinch, Village Weaver, Hooded Vulture African Grey Hornbill, Western Grey Plantain Eater, Long Tailed Starling, Yellow Billed Shrike, Fruit Bat, Senegal Parrot (flew over during the 1130 Vulture Feeding), Green Wood-Hoopoe and Blue Breasted Kingfisher. The resident monkeys are Vervets and Red Colobus.

At 5pm we joined the daily guided walk round the grounds, with Modou one of the Resident Birdwatchers. We saw Splendid and Beautiful Sunbirds, Grey Headed Gull (which we had seen in small flocks flying along the coast, Grey Woodpecker, Yellow Fronted Tinkerbird, Broad Billed Roller, African Thrush, Lavender Waxbill, Bronze Mannikin (which identified the flocks of little birds we had seen on first day), Black Necked Weaver, Brown Babbler, Blackcap Babbler, Nile Monitor, Yellow Headed Agama.

Thursday we saw Palm Swift before breakfast and then a stroll along the beach brought magnificent huge Caspian Terns and Royal Tern.

At 3pm we went on our first Modou venture- £60 for 39 species around Kotu! At the pond we saw Rufous Crowned Roller, Spur Winged Plover, African Jacana, Wood Sandpiper, Little Egret, Hammerkop, Black Winged Stilt, Painted Snipe, Squacco Heron, Greenshank, Dabchick and Long Tailed Cormorant. Along the Cycle Track we found Sacred Ibis, Black Headed Heron, Grey Heron, White Billed Buffalo Weaver, African Spoonbill, Western Red Heron, Western Reef Heron (the Umbrella Bird), Black Egret, Senegal Coucal. From the corner by the Palm Beach Hotel we watched Little Bee Eater, Abyssinian Roller, Beautiful Sunbird, Red Billed Hornbill, Green Wood Hoopoe, Shikra, Blue Bellied Roller. From Kotu Bridge Pied Kingfisher, Ringed Plover, Whimbrel, Grey Headed gull, Wire Tailed and white Throated Blue Swallows, Northern Crombec then Modou managed to tempt out by clever whistling an Oriole Warbler. Finally to the Sewage Works where we added Senegal Thick Knee, Fork Tailed Drongo Red Necked Falcon and White faced Whistling Duck!!

Next day, off with Modou to Abuko Nature Reserve. Shikra and Brown Throated Wattle-Eye on the way to the pond, then from the lookout there Grey, Black Capped, Squacco, Black, Purple, Black Crowned Night Herons, Black Crake, African Jacana, African Darter, Giant, Pied and Malachite Kingfishers, African Paradise Flycatcher, African Pied & Western Red Billed Hornbills, Village weaver, African Wattled Plover, Nile Crocodile, Little Greenbul, Violet & Green Turaco, Palm Nut Vulture, Greater Honeyguide, Grey Headed Bristle Bill, Senegal Parrot, Ahanta Francolin, Dik Dik, Red Cheeked Cordon Bleu, Lavender Waxbill, Fanti Saw Wing, Antelope, Grey Woodpecker, Blue Spotted Wood Dove, Snowy Crowned Robin Chat, African Thrush, Green Wood Hoopoe, Pied Crow, Hooded Vulture, African Harrier Hawk.

Next day we went with Tamba, the other resident ornithologist – equally as excellent – on a very different trip. An early start then off in a jeep – via Long Crested Eagle and Yellow Fronted Tinkerbird sightings - to a little hut under a weaver tree on the edge of the mangroves where a lovely breakfast awaited. Then into a boat, as the oyster women got into their dugouts to go and gather oysters from the Mangrove stems. Pied KF, Grey WP, Senegal Thicknee, Malachite KF, Sandwich Tern, Ringed and Grey Plovers, Striated Heron, Long Tailed Cormorant, Mouse Brown Sunbird, Wattled Plover, Grey Kestrel, Blue Bellied Roller, Fine spotted WP, Plaintain Eater, Wood Hoopoe, Yellow Backed Shrike, Pearl Spotted Owlets (replying to Tamba’s call – both he and Modhou use that call as it flushes birds out to mob the owl), African Golden Oriole, Brown Spotted Babbler, Spur Wing Plover, Double Spurred Francolin, Red Chested Swallow, Pink Backed Pelican, Whimbrel, Black Billed Wood Dove, Pied Crow, PiaPiac on a Donkey, Little Bee Eater, Palm Swift, Black Headed Heron, Red Bishop, Senegal Parrot, Rose Winged Parakeet (the only type in Africa – London has more varieties!), Great White Egret, Gull Billed tern, Black Kite, Rufous Crowned Roller, Great White Pelican.

Sunday we went to remote rural Senegal for a day – which is a separate and non-bird-based tale.

Monday, Modhou took us to the place which he and Tamba have discovered. Red Bishop, Black Headed Plover, Temmicks Courser, Green Backed Eremola, Beautiful and Scarlet Chested Sunbirds, Cordon Bleu, Little Weaver, Brubru, Yellow Fronted Tinkerbird, Zitting and Singing Cisticola, Tawny Flanked Prinia, Grey Backed Cameroptera, Plantain Eater, Buffalo Weaver, Brown Backed WP, Fine Spotted WP, Osprey, Dark Chanting Goshawk, Lizard Buzzard (another example of the dark grey series of Birds of Prey here), African Harrier Hawk, Hooded Vulture, Villots Barbet, Striped Kingfisher, Brown Babbler, Village Weaver, Violet Backed Starling, Double Spurred Francolin, Aby Roller, Yellow Fronted Canary, Namacqua Dove, Grey Headed Sparrow, Klaas’ Cuckoo, Yellow Billed Shrike, Venacious Dove, Northern Black Flycatcher, Northern Puffback, Cattle Egret, Rabbit. Then on to the lovely café at Tanji Beach for refreshment and a walk along the beach yielding Whibrel, Grey Headed, Lesser Back Backed and Slender Billed Gull, Pied KF, Wood Sandpiper, Caspian, Gull Billed, Lesser Crested, Little Terns, Turnstone, Sanderling, Gt White Pelican, Yellow and White Wagtail, Bar Tailed Godwit.

A Good Trip to Barnes WWT

2008-05-04T17:15:00.001+01:00

BLACK TERN, Reed Bunting, Sedge Warbler, Redshank, Greenshank, Common Sandpiper, 2 Red Breasted Geese (Ringed)

Suffolk & Norfolk 18-21 Feb (72)

2008-02-26T21:09:00.005Z

The annual pilgimage for Leo and I.
Day 1: Minsmere 18 Feb (51 in the day)
Marsh Harrier, Bitten, Blue, Great, Coal and Long-Tailed Tits, Goldcrest, Fieldfare, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Robin, Blackbird, Starling, Pigeon, Magpie, Jay, Green Woodpecker, Meadow Pipit (at the Sluice Bushes, which we hadn't visited before), Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Black Tailed Godwit, Dunlin, Redshank, Spotted Redshank, Ringed Plover, Coot, Mallard, Moorhen, Teal, Wigeon, Turnstone, Gadwall, Tufted Duck, Pochard, Snipe, Stonechat, Barnacle Goose, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Lapwing, Wren, Cormorant, Herring, Black Headed, Lesser Black Backed Gulls, Crow, Pied Wagtail, Pheasant.
We went to Hen Reed Beds to look for our traditional Barn Owl, and Leo saw a Bitten twice, plus lovely Marsh Harrier views, then a Grey Heron and then wonderfully 3 Egyptian Geese flew in (my favourite goose!) and landed in the field next door. But no Barn Owls by the time we decided to head off to Cley. Note for future, 5pm is the right time to turn up for the owls.
Day 2: Cley
Overnight at the George, which is (very - half price on weekdays) cheap and basic accomodation, but very good food and an outstanding local ale. Started at the impressive new visitor centre, which doesn't open until 1000 so we were not alone in waiting outside for the doors to be opened. however there were lapwings, black headed gulls and golden plovers to look at. Note: great views from here for lunch, but the family running the café don't exactly operate to a London metabolism. We walked the full 3.5 mile circuit and saw: coot, moorhen, Brent geese, greylag geese, wigeon, teal, shoveler, shelduck, black tailed godwit, avocet, pintail, stonechat, Dunlin, redshank, skylark, marsh harrier, grey heron, little egret, mute swan, oystercatcher, turnstone, greater black backed gull, herring gull, common gull, greenfinch, goldfinch, dunnock, wren, mallard.
The lady at the visitor centre was rather dismissive of the famous white crowned sparrow 'find the Swallow pub and then it will be obvious'. Indeed it was, apparently there are constantly birders there in all weathers. We joined them. Rumour was that it had not been seen for several days but there were still a dozen folk standing there looking at a bush (robin, chaffinch, house sparrow, blackbird). We got back in the car to leave when we saw them all rush to look at something. So we ran to join them. 'There it is !' they were crying, but we couldn't see it. So it seemed the closest we would get would be to have seen people who were seeing it! Then after another 20min, there it was right in front of us. Great view.
Then we snuck off to Titchwell
Also seen at Cley:Brent Goose, Little Egret, Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler, Shelduck, Pintail, Avocet, Bl Headed, Common, Herring Gull
New for the day: RED LEGGED PARTRIDGE seen in a field from the car, WOODCOCK, on/off beach Bar Tailed Godwit, Sanderling, Grey Plover, Ringed Plover, Goldeneye, Merganser, Curlew, Ruff, Cormorant, Long Tailed Tit, Dabchick, Pochard,
Overnight in Hunstanton - not a mistake I will make again, though the curry house boasts Beadle and Tarrant as previous vistors, and was actually rather good.
Day3:
Titchwell: New for the trip 7
Kestrel, a flock of Snow Buntings,on the sea: Eider & VELVET SCOTER, Brambling, Linnet, Reed Bunting
Other 23 Marsh Harrier, Cormorant, Merganser, Black Headed Gull, Long Tailed Tit, House Sparrow, Coot, Moorhen, both Godwits, Ruff, Shelduck, Shoveler, Mallard, Tufted Duck, both Redshanks, Grey Plover, Turnstone, Ringed Plover, Avocet, Snipe, Goldeneye

Palm Beach 2- 6 Feb 2008

2008-02-09T14:36:00.000Z

To The Breakers in Palm Beach for a conference. Flew into Miami then hired a car for the 90 min drive. Only Rock Doves around the airport, then loads of Great Egrets at the car hire place. On the drive tantalising over-flies by herons, egrets, ibises and vultures.On Sunday I had a free morning so drove up to the Macarthur Beach State Park and joined the guided bird walk there. Little blue heron white phase. Pictured: Great Blue Heron. Mourning Dove, Osprey. LAUGHING GULL. Turkey Vulture. Black Vulture, ANHINGA, Brown Pelican, Great Egret or Great White Heron, White Ibis, Double Crested Cormorant, Ring Billed Gull (Pictured - at last a gull with a name that helps identify it), Belted Kingfisher, Butterflies: Julia, Zebra Longwing (the state butterfly) a Sulphur and a Fritillary. Lots of the non-native Brown Anole lizard.

From the Hotel, a stroll on the beach saw a wader, pictured, which I think is a WILLET, even though that is down as an uncommon visitor to the Macarthur park. And around the pool loads of BOAT TAILED GRACKLES, where the female (pictured) is extraordinarily different from the male.

At sunrise, going for a run, I saw a cute little Sanderling beetling around the wave edge.Next day we had an outing to the Everglades, which was actually rather birdless except for Grackles, Vultures, Ospreys and a Belted Kingfisher. At Flamingo Gardens, a brave GREEN HERON was sharing the Alligator enclosure and WOOD STORK were taking advantage of the Flamingo food.

Portland Bill 29 Dec 2007

2008-01-01T14:06:00.000Z

I recently discovered, via 10,000 Birds, the excellent Portland Bird Observatory website (see Links). So when we were down to visit the in-laws in Dorchester and needed to blow the ague out of our systems, it was an obvious choice. It is an unexpectedly long drive even from Weymouth to get to the Lighthouse at the end of the Bill, but well worth it. It was a clear but windy day and the sea was spectacular - truly tempestous. We werent quite sure where to walk to, but pottering around found many Rock Pipits and a Stonechat. The Observatory itself is the old lighthouse and looks like it would be a brilliant place to stay. All we could see on the sea were cormorants, with Greater Black Backed Gulls soaring past. We moved on to Chesil Cove, where there Kittiwakes amongst the gulls struggling in the wind.
Then just across at the most sheltered part of Portland Harbour we found a group of Red Breasted Mergansers and, after lunch, a Diver.

Macau, Sydney

2007-12-01T17:44:00.001Z

Macau

Opposite the Venetian hotel is a lake which is getting a bit shabby. Egrets gathered to roost there: certainly Little Egrets and a larger one which was probably Cattle rather than Great according to the book - though it does say there are lots of Greats in winter....There were also some smaller brown herons. Also White Wagtails.

At Hong Kong airport Crested Myna were fluttering amongst the planes.

Arrived in Sydney and went for a run round the Opera House and then the Botanic Gardens. Saw Little Pied Cormorant, Aus White Ibis, Aus Wood Duck, Masked Lapwing, Aus Magpie, Silver Gull, Noisy Miner, Common Myna' Aus Magpie, Rainbow Lorikeet, and of course the giant bats - Grey-Headed Flying Foxes to be precise. Great description of the charms of the Bot G on 10,000 Birds http://10000birds.com/bonzer-birding-in-downtown-sydney.htm.

On Saturday I had a free day in Sydney. Googling the options suggested that the 1-day bird highlight is a National Park, but it needs a car to get there. The interesting alternative I found was the Olympic Park, which is a large area at the start of of the Parramatta River which has been redeveloped from an old military base and half of it given over to the stadia for the Olympics, but the rest as walking/cycling parkland. See report from 10000 birds http://10000birds.com/olympic-park-sydney.htm .The ferry ride from Circular Quay is a pleasure in itself (Great Cormaorant, Australian Pelican), and then I spent 6 excellent hours walking round the variety of habitats. Started walking along the river and found my first SUPERB BLUE WREN (pictured). There are loads of them there. Extraordinary bird.

Noisy Miner, Magpie Lark, Willy Wagtail, Aus Raven too. CRESTED PIGEON is a great sight too. Red Wattlebird, Pied Currawong (pictured), Purple Swamphen, Pied Butcherbird (loads of them at the Olympic Archery venue). Then on to the mangrove/mudflat area for Silvereye, Black Winged Stilt (pictured), Red Necked Avocet, White Faced Heron (pictured), Chestnut Teal, Australian Grey Teal, Coot, Dusky Moorhen. In the Bicentennial Park, in a mongst the wedding parties and Jacaranda groves, ROYAL SPOONBILL, Pacific Black Duck, Aus Wood Duck, Aus White Ibis. In a gravel pit near the stadia they have a circular raised walkway from whcih I saw Black Swan. Red Whiskered Bulbul, Brown Honeyeater, Aus (clamorous) Reed Warbler.

Jordan 20-27 Oct 2007

2007-10-30T19:58:00.000Z

At the Roman city of Jerash, LONG TAILED PIPIT, Hooded crow, Great tit (famously at its Easternmost extreme) , Crested Lark and House sparrow.
At Mount Nebo (Moses' tomb): Goldfinches, 2 LONG LEGGED BUZZARDS circling overhead and the first closeup of the ubiquitous Common (Yellow Vented) Bulbul.
The visitor centre at Wadi Rum gave our first WHITE CROWNED BLACK WHEATEAR and when we explored around our campsite the next morning we found (appropriately enough) DESERT LARK, DESERT WARBLER, PALE CRAG MARTIN AND BROWN NECKED RAVEN. Our first TRISTAMS GRACKLES were sitting on the camels that came for us!
On to Petra, where we found a RED BACKED SHRIKE in the trees opposite the hotel. On the way through the siq (the narrow rock cleft leading to the tombs) we saw a couple of SHORT TAILED EAGLES floating overhead. The rest of the day there was disappointing (only a Black Redstart in the village)) until we climbed up to the Monastery ( seeing FAN TAILED RAVENS on the way up). On the ledges to the left of the facade we saw MOURNING WHEATEAR and finally SINIAI ROSEFINCH (pictured). At about 4pm the ravine to the left of the coffee shop became full of birds....one of those special spots.
At Dana nature reserve the lodge we stayed at had a balcony with a stunning view over the valley and from there we saw numerous CHUKAR PARTRIDGES on the hillside below, SYRIAN SERINS in the bushes, Kestrels patrolling and then the magnificent sight of a SOOTY FALCON running through its full range of attack manouvres. In the orchards we saw Blackbirds. On our hike we saw a MASKED SHRIKE as well as a Chameleon and Nubian Ibexes. On an early morning patrol we found a BLUE ROCK THRUSH. the aeas where Lesser Kestrels, Verraux Eagles and Vultures were to be found were pointed out from a distance.
At the Dead Sea, no eponymous sparrows but a WHITE WAGTAIL, PALESTINE SUNBIRDS and what must have been a migrant Whinchat.

Helsinki 11/12 Oct 2007

2007-10-30T19:57:00.000Z

Overnight trip to Helsinki.
Whatever the collective noun is for a small flock of Waxwings, we got good views of several as they took berries from the laden trees. A particularly good view in fact from the restaurant of the Raddison 'Seaside' hotel ('Shipyard-side' I suppose would be less enticing even if rather more accurate).
Also Hooded Crows and Magpies in a park.

Thailand 27 Jul - 11 Aug 2007

2007-08-18T13:53:00.000+01:00

In Bangkok, and indeed everywhere else, are Tree Sparrows, Rock Pigeons, Common and White-Vented Myna's.

Zooming round the canals near BK I saw Oriental Magpie Robin, GREATER RACKET TAILED DRONGO and what appeared to be a domesticated Swan Goose (also seen outside Chiang Mai).

On the minibus ride to Kanchanaburi we saw Little and Cattle Egrets, Black Capped and White Throated Kingfishers, Spotted Dove, RED WHISKERED BULBUL and a group of BLACK HEADED IBIS.

Around KB, LINEATED BARBET and Scarlet Backed Flowerpecker.

At the River Kwai Bridge, ZEBRA DOVE (pictured) and OLIVE BACKED SUNBIRD.

On the river island Koh Kasem, where we stayed nearby, WHITE BREASTED WATERHEN, SOOTY HEADED BULBUL and superb BLUE TAILED BEE EATER. And Flat Tailed Geckos (pictured) in abundance.

At the Erewan Falls, BLACK CRESTED BULBUL and BLACK NAPED MONARCH.

Then up to Chiang Mai and a rather frustrating (in bird terms) couple of days in rural / jungle areas. I generally found it very difficult to find birds in the jungle. Puzzled as to why that should be.

On the way back we floated down the Mai Peng river and had great views of Weaver nests, and identified the STREAKED WEAVER.

From the hotel room GREATER COUCAL and MOUNTAIN BULBUL.

The Doi Suthep temple proved a good vantage point with a VELVET FRONTED NUTHATCH , but a half day of jungle solitude at the Falls yielded just a possible White Crowned Forktail.

Final period was on Koh Samed where we saw a couple of WHITE WINGED TERNS on a stormy day, a 1 ft Agama Lizard and a 2 ft Water Monitor Lizard (pictured).

Central Park NY 16 Jun 2007

2007-06-22T22:15:00.000+01:00

A recovery day. Jamaica Bay sounds like the best spot within reach, but the website has more insect warnings than bird details so I decided to stick to Central Park.

First widely recommended area is the Ramble just beyond the BoatHouse. The trees are tall so to avoid 'jungle neck' finding a high exposed rock seemed a good plan. American Robins everywhere, plus cOmmon Grackles, Starlings and Sparrows, Red Winged Blackbird. After waiting ages I began to see other things. An all-red bird went past: SUMMER TANAGER? Plus a silver grey silent leaf-exploring bird nyi. And high up up yellow tailed bird glimpsed. Walking on I found a woodpecker the size of a sparrow...DOWNY WOODPECKER. A large woodpecker glimpsed too.

On the Western Edge around 73rd street lots of screeching alerted me to a tree housing a family of BLUE JAYS teaching their young to fly.

Walked on to Harlem Pond. Gadwall and a BLACK CROWNED NIGHT HERON.

Egyptian Goose

2007-06-01T20:44:00.000+01:00

Having returned from Boston on the Red Eye (7 hours horizontal and eyes closed but no sleep) I got a couple of hours sleep before taking the kids to karate. I decided to go for my usual run, which in fact proved a very successful way of overcoming the jet lag.
Anyhow, I was amazed to see an Egyptian Goose by the water's edge near Corney Reach. I mentioned it excitedly to some people with binoculars further along and they were disappointingly un-excited, saying that a few years ago there had been a pair breeding on Chiswick Eyot.

Milwaukee

2007-06-01T20:32:00.000+01:00

Milwaukee 15-17 May 2007

On arrival I had a short get-sunlight walk and saw Common Grackle and CARDINAL. An early morning run the next day added American Robin and Red-Winged Blackbird (pic), plus others frustratingly glimpsed around the lake in Veterans/Juneau Park.

On our last day I grabbed an hour to go back to the lake properly equipped. Dozens of RWB and Grackles. Also WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW (which, i only read later, would have popped to the top of its bush if I had 'squeaked'). I vow to return and try that.....

Thrush by the water, that would be a NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH then.

Also a largish yellow bird and a warbler, which i havent identified yet.

Tenerife April 2007

2007-04-20T20:45:00.000+01:00

Staying in Los Cristianos. On the balcony Spanish Sparrow and Barbary Dove.

Around the town, Feral Pigeon, Rock Dove.In Adeje, in the tree outside St Ursula's, Blackcap, Canary Island Chiffchaff and BlackbirdAt the beach, Turnstone

All over the place, Plain Swift and Kestrel.

On the way up to Mount Tiede, the celebrated ZR Las Lajas lived up to its reputation: abundant BLUE CHAFFINCH (even one in a rubbish bin - pictured), BERTHOLETS PIPIT (pic), CANARY, CANARY ISLAND KINGLET (=Firecrest), Greater Spotted Woodpecker, Blue Tit, Great Tit.At Los Gigantes, confirmed that all the gulls are Yellow Legged.

On a whale/dolphin spotting trip we saw loads of CORY'S SHEARWATERS. There is apparently a white-tailed eagle nesting in the eponymous cliffs but we didnt see it.

At Las Galletas, walking round to the headland, TAWNY PIPIT and WHITETHROAT. in the scrub behind the beach a Great Grey Shrike.

Barranco del Infierno (has to be booked in advance) is a story of 3 warblers: ChiffChaff, Sardinian and Blackcap all prominent and voluble. Plain Swift, Kestrel and Raven above. BARBARY PARTRIDGE (pic) along the path. Grey Wagtail up at the waterfall. Blackbird, Bluetit and Robin also.

El Medano: Whimbrel and Grey Wagtail only on the rocks off the town. Then we went round to Monte Roja nature reserve. A beautiful area with a proper unspoilt beach. But only Bertholet's Pipit and Whimbrel again.

On the last morning, a Hoopoe by the cliffs in Los Chr.

Kestrel Nest at Leg o' Mutton

2007-03-17T12:45:00.000Z

I'm now running on Saturday mornings rather than doing Karate due to my falling-over-a-Xmas-tree shoulder injury. Last week at LoM I found a chap photographing a Kestrel pair. The male was proud on a tall tree stump and the female in the entrance to a nesting hole in a nearby large tree (apparently these are White Poplars, the tallest species in ....London? UK? Europe?). He had been photographing them mating and commented that they had done so 3 times in a short period, which he considered more like human than animal/bird behaviour.
This week I noticed that the nest hole has an entrance at the other side of the tree too, so the female snuck in without being seen by the watchful male.

ICELAND

2007-02-23T16:28:00.000Z

Reykjavik Feb 20-22nd 2007

There arent many birds around! On the Golden Circle tour we saw Crows (everywhere) and glimpsed a couple of PTARMIGANS still white and thats all. On day 2, we found redwings in suburban gardens, Whooper Swans, Greylag Geese, Tufted Duck and Mallard on the central lake, then from the steam of the Blue Lagoon I saw a 'snowflake' of SNOW BUNTINGS. Day 3 we drove up to Snaefellness, stopping for some time at Bogardnes. At Bogardnes i saw a distant diving duck with white head and black body. Book says it must be King Eider...but see below. Along the coast are many Eider, occasional Red Breasted Merganser. Late afternoon we went out to the lighthouse at Grotta where i saw Redshank, Cormorants and more of those mystery ducks. Finally I glimpsed a long tail as they dived, and then i saw them swimming along with the tail erect - LONG TAILED DUCK. Magnificent.

Feb 2007: Norfolk, Suffolk

2007-02-17T10:39:00.000Z

Minsmere (54): Magpie, crow, 25,000 starlings!, jackdaw, woodpigeon, blackbird, pheasant, blue tit, great tit, long tailed tit, coal tit, MARSH TIT, siskin, REDPOLL, dunnock, chaffinch, goldfinch, bullfinch, greater spotted woodpecker, green woodpecker, jay, whooper swan, mute swan, greylag goose, snipe, JACK SNIPE, WATER PIPIT, mallard, tufted duck, goldeneye, gadwall, pochard, moorhen, dabchick, coot, marsh harrier, dunnock, black headed gull, robin, greater black backed gull, herring gull, lapwing, redshank, dunlin, ruff, avocet, turnstone, pintail, smew, shoveler, shelduck, teal, wigeon, black tailed godwit
Hen Reed Beds: barn owl, BITTERN

CLEY Pied wagtail, GLAUCOUS GULL, SNOW BUNTING, golden plover, dark bellied brent goose, PALE BELLIED BRENT GOOSE, black headed, greater black backed juvenile, herring & common gull, black tailed godwit,bar tailed godwit, redshank, tunstone, pintail, mallard, wigeon, shelduck, shoveler, oystercatcher, curlew, mute swan, redstart, teal, moorhen, coot, common scoter, dunlin, greylag goose, crow, jackdaw,lapwing, common snipe,little grebe

Titchwell

Robin, woodpigeon, dunnock, housesparrow, chaffinch, greenfinch, marsh harrier, redshank, spotted redshank, dunlin, bar-tailed godwit, black-tailed godwit, sanderling, common scoter, red breasted mergnaser, goosander, goldeneye, brent goose, pintail, teal, brent goose, curlew, little egret, shelduck, shoveler, skylark, coot, great tit, blue tit, black headed gull, herring gull, starling, oystercatcher, turnstone, great crested grebe, avocet, magpie, LITTLE GULL, golden plover, common gull, wigeon,lapwing,knot, egyptian goose, canada goose

Singapore & Australia Jan 2007

2007-02-17T10:18:00.000Z

Singapore jan 2007

at the botanic gardens: yellow-vented bulbul, cattle egret, lesser treeduck, white-breasted water-hen, common kingfisher, scarlet-backed flowerpecker, black-naped oriole.We also travelled out to Sengei Buloh, which is a nature reserve based around mangrove swamps on the north coast facing Malaysia (one can hear the mosque across the strait). In the pouring rain we saw whimbrel, pacific golden plovers, little egret, redshank, greenshank, grey heron all very familiar from uk. But we also saw 3 enormous Monitor lizards, the biggest about 5 feet long! New birds were stork-billed and white-collared kingfisher.

Australia on our first day in Sydney we travelled out to the blue mountains and saw a black widow spider, masked lapwing, common bronzewing, eastern & crimson rosella, laughing kookaburra. We also heard a Lyre Bird and were played a recording of it imitating a variety of birds including a Kookaburra. A trip round the sydney botanic gardens yielded a tree full of ginormous flying foxes, australian white ibis, australian wood-duck, pacific black duck, dusky moorhen, silver gull, sulphur-crested cockatoo On to Melbourne: the botanic gardens/yarra river: Australasian Grebe, White-Faced Heron, black swan, little pied cormorant, purple swamp hen, black-faced cuckoo-shrike, grey & willy wagtail, brush wattlebird, bell miner, silvereye, common starling

Autumn 2006

2007-01-02T22:09:00.000Z

Dorset in October
Highlight was a trip to Arne where we saw a Dartford Warbler on the heath, plus a superb view of a Peregrine attacking. Loads of little egrets and curlews.At Studland we watched Red Breasted Merganser out in Poole Harbour, Redshank on the mud and Stonechat on the Heath.

Dec 9/10 at Staines
Great Northern Diver and Black Necked Grebe, plus Goldeneye.

Dec 17 at Oare
Leo glimpsed Long Billed Dowitcher. Also Little Stint.Dec 21 at Barnes. I saw the Bittern which Leo had been watching all week. Also an avocet, pintail and a sparrowhawk in a bush right outside Peacock hide.

Hong Kong Sep 2006

2006-09-23T09:44:00.000+01:00

3 days in Hong Kong. Found the HK Birdwatching Society website and managed to carve out an hour to visit City Park, which was the only recommended site within reach. After wasting a lot of time tramping round empty (it's 630am!) shopping malls i finally found the park.Black Kites overhead, several Sulphur Crested Cockatoos (not native, but have graduated to the main section of Clive & Karen's definitive text) in the trees, Crested Bulbul and on the ground Spotted Doves and Black Faced Laughing Thrushes. A few other species in evidence but I couldnt get a good enough view.

USA August 2006

2006-08-27T10:00:00.000+01:00

First stop was the Luxor in Las Vegas. Fossicking about on the ground outside were a number of long tailed brown birds. Mocking Birds?
On to Howard Hughes' ranch at Spring Creek. In the paddock with the horses we saw a Greater Roadrunner stalk the sparrows, pounce, catch one by the tail then bash it on the ground before scuttling off with it. Also lots of Brown Crested Flycatchers and a scarlet Tanager.
Passing over the mountains at Mountain Spring Lydia spotted what Leo identified as a Red Tailed Buzzard.
On to Furnace Creek Ranch in Death Valley (180 ft below sea level and 112¤F!) where there were several glossy (Greater ?) Grackles on the lawn plus some Ravens. Walking to the golf course we saw another pair of Roadrunners, Starlings roosting in the palm tree, Inca and Mourning Doves.
From the pool as dusk fell we saw some bats and then 3 Common Nighthawks with their slender wings, agile flying and the white stripe under the wings distinctive even in the gloaming.
In the morning we saw on the golf course Killdeer, Yellow Headed Blackbird, Brown-Headed Cowbird and a White-Faced Ibis, which we then saw in a flock, superb with iridescent green flashes under their wings. Rock Dove/Feral Pigeon.
At the lowest point, Badwater 282ft below and 116 F, we saw a Turkey Vulture.
Next day on to the Grand Canyon in a plane roughly the same size as that vulture! We saw a group of Elk near the airport. At Bright Angel our driver guide pointed out one of the 52 Californian Condors perched on a rock below. Also Moutain Chickadee and a female Western Tanager and a Ground Squirrel.
I went for an early morning run and saw Western Bluebirds and a Mule Deer. Leaving our cabin en famille we saw also lots of Pygmy Nuthatches, a Hairy Woodpecker and Dark-Eyed Junco. On our Rim walk we saw Least Chipmunk, Western Scrub Jay, Bush Tit, White-Throated Swift, Spotted Towhee, Black and White Warbler and several Hummingbirds.
At Jackson Hole we stayed at the Wagon Wheel village. Right outside our cabin were Yellow Headed Blackbirds and Red Winged Blackbirds. Common Grackle and Black Billed Magpie are common. At the Visitor Centre we saw Gadwall, Trumpeter Swan, American Coot, Canada Geese.
In Grand Teton we saw a glorious Osprey. We went for a walk round south shore of Jenny Lake and saw American Robin, Western Tanager, Audubon's Warbler, Rock Wren. Later a Western Gull on Jackson Lake near Sacred Heart.Late afternoon we went for a walk on Willow Flats and saw Cedar Waxwing, Cliff Swallow, Red Naped Sapsucker, Northern Flicker.On the way back we saw an American White Pelican near Oxbow then a Northern Harrier near Elk Flats.
Next morning, following a Ranger tip we saw 2 Sandhill Cranes near Flat Creek.On the way to Yellowstone we stopped at Oxbow and saw superb moose, an osprey diving right infront of us....magnificent.
On to Yellowstone proper where we saw Bald Eagle and Golden Eagle between West Thumb and Old Faithful. Subsequently Least Sandpiper and Great Blue Heron on the Madison (my favourite place in the world). Ferruginous Hawk at Canyon. White Crowned Sparrow at Fishing Bridge.Then on Swan Lake a dozen American Avocet and Ring Necked Ducks, at Sheepeater Cliffs Gray Jay.
On a float trip from Chico Spring we saw Belted Kingfisher and Kingbird.Next day in Blacktail we saw Swainson's Thrush,Mallard and Ruddy Duck, up beyond Jardine Clark's Nutcracker and Red Breasted Nuthatch, and in Lamar Valley, Mountain Bluebird, Western Wood PeeWee and a Peregrine.

Singapore June 2006

2006-07-02T12:27:00.000+01:00

Only had a few days in Singapore, so I popped out early on the last day to the Botanical Gardens. Unfortunately it was so humid that I couldnt see through my binoculars and all the birds were hiding away. And my specs were misted up which was a bit worrying as there were flying beetles the size of goats. I didnt see a single bird for 30 minutes!

It began to clear and the birds appeared just before I had to leave.

Spotted Neck Dove
Yellow-Vented Bulbul
Brown Throated Sunbird
Little Spiderhunter
Eurasian Tree Sparrow (hooray!)
Philippine Glossy Starling
Common, Hill and White Vented Myna.

I also saw some unimpressively-tailed squirrels and a rat thing which scurried about with its tail pointing straight up.

South Africa Jun 2006

2006-07-01T19:32:00.000+01:00

Johannesburg
Cape Wagtail (from the plane before we even disembarked)
Egyptian Goose in the Hotel Swimming Pool
Hadeda Ibis
Blacksmith Plover on Roundabouts
Black Collared Barbet
Grey Lourie
Cape Robin
Indian Myna
African Pied Starling
Laughing Dove
Cape Sparrow
White-browed Sparrow-weaver
Cape Town
Kelp & Grey-Headed Gull
Cape & Reed Cormorant
Great White & Little Egret
White Stork
Sacred Ibis
Helmeted Guinea Fowl at a Vineyard....maybe kept there to deal with snails??
Common Fiscal Shrike perched on posts at the Vineyard (as advertised)
Pied Crow
Red Winged Starling
Cape White Eye
Red Eyed Dove

7 May 2006

2006-05-07T22:52:00.000+01:00

Leg O'Mutton
The terns are back
Grey Wagtail
Long Tailed Tit
Ruddy, tufted ducks
Dabchick
Reed Warbler

31 April 2006

2006-05-01T22:43:00.000+01:00

Barnes WWT
Canada, Greylag, Barnacle Geese
Avocet; Dunlin
Common Sandpiper; Green Sandpiper
Reed Bunting; Reed Warbler
Shelduck; Sand Martin
Lesser Ringed Plover
Wandle
Blackcap Pair

Gran Canaria 10-17 April 2006

2006-04-30T15:16:00.000+01:00

Maspalomas Charco (Lagoon/Oasis)
ChiffChaff
Moorhen
Littel ringed Plover
Kentish Plover
Whimbrel
Hoopoe
Sanderling
Monk Parakeet
Collared Dove
Feral Pigeon/Rock Dove
Water Pipit
Bertholet's Pipit
Ugly Goose Thing (partner at Palmitos?)
House Sparrow
Spanish Sparrow
Coot
Great Grey Shrike
Blackbird

Castillo de Romeral

Turnstone
Little Egret
Grey Plover

Kestrel
Common Sandpiper
Squacco Heron
Sardinian Warbler
Waxbill
Black Headed Gull
Canarian Warbler
Turtle Dove
Goshawk
Buzzard
Grey Wagtail

East Anglia 16-18 Feb 2006

2006-04-25T20:38:00.000+01:00

Travelling
Magpie
Kestrel
Crow
Woodpigeon
Rook

Amwell Quarry
Tufted Duck
Mallard
pochard
Great Crested Grebe
Shoveler
Gadwall
Canada Goose
Greylag Goose
Shelduck
Cormorant
ReedBunting
Great Tit
Blue Tit
Pheasant
Robin
Coot
Moorhen
Lapwing
Black Headed Gull
Lesser Black Backed Gull
Grey Heron
Fieldfare
Goldeneye
Bittern
Chaffinch
Mute Swan

Minsmere
Pied Wagtail
Shore Lark
Pintail
Herring Gull
Greater Black Backed Gull
Blackbird
Smew
Barnacle Goose
Snipe
Ruff
Dunlin
Redshank
Black Tailed Godwit
Peregrine Falcon
Turnstone
Greenfinch
Teal
Wigeon
Red Throated Diver
Coal Tit
Long Tailed Tit
Goldfinch
Jay
Wren
Dunnock
Goldcrest
Treecreeper
Starling

Hen Reed Beds
Marsh Harrier
Oystercatcher
Barn Owl
Jackdaw

Titchwell Marsh
Cirl Bunting
Egyptian Goose
Brent Goose
Water Rail
Eider
Common Scoter
Red Breasted Merganser
Spotted Redshank
Golden Plover
Grey Plover
Ringed Plover
Knot
Bar Tailed Godwit
Siskin
Curlew
Whimbrel
Avocet
Dabchick
Merlin
Sanderling
House Sparrow
Tree Sparrow

Morocco 20-25 March 2006

2006-04-25T20:32:00.000+01:00

Marrakech
House (Striped) Bunting

Travel to Tamtert
White Stork
Little Egret
Cattle Egret
Magpie
Goldfinch

Tamatert
Rock Bunting
Chaffinch (N African Variant)
House Sparrow
Blackbird

Walk 1: Tamatert to Pass de Tamatert
Black Wheatear
Moussier's Redstart

Walk 2: Tamatert to Sidi Charamouche
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Coal Tit
Green Woodpecker
Crag Martin
?Vulture
Black Redstart
Chough
Alpine Chough
Pigeon

Walk 3 Azib Tamsoult
Bulbul
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Barbary Partridge
Barbary Falcon

Walk 4
Black Cap
Shore Lark
Kestrel

Walk 5
Crested Lark