Highlights from a quiet few hours spent with Russ Webb at Beal and Holy Island, Northumberland: Whooper Swan (9) Long-tailed Duck (1) Yellow-browed Warbler (10) Ring Ouzel (1) Common Chiffchaff (4) Lesser Whitethroat (1) Northern Wheatear (1) Brambling (c20) Short-eared Owl (2) Snow Bunting (1)
Author: elliotsbirdingdiaries
Cleveland: Autumn on the East Coast
The East Coast is the place to be in Britain during the autumn, a whiff of easterly winds can bring in anything a large movement of Song Thrush, Fieldfare and Redwing right up to anything like a Pallas's Grasshopper Warbler, Pallid Harrier or everyone's favorite and most iconic autumn bird - Yellow-browed Warbler. Now being … Continue reading Cleveland: Autumn on the East Coast
The Skittles bird
The Euroepan Bee-eater, (part of the near-passerine family Meropidae that holds three genera and 27 species), was once a rarity to the British Isles. However, as have many species from the Mediterranean region it has increased its rate of occurrence in Britain and the rest of northern Europe. To the point that in 1991 it … Continue reading The Skittles bird
Hooded Merganser…
Following the end of my time volunteering at the Fair Isle Bird Observatory, I teamed up with no other than Shetland’s very Logan Johnson (believe or not, he’s Shetlands only young birder!), for a day’s birding before hitting Lerwick and making the journey back down to the Wirral. Kick starting our day tour were trips … Continue reading Hooded Merganser…
Fair Isle: The Dream Isle
Fair Isle; it’s a small isolated island no more than three miles long and a mile wide situated in the North Sea just 24 miles south of mainland Shetland. For those reading this who are Birders then this isle of legend needs no introduction, but for those who aren’t here’s a brief description. The isle … Continue reading Fair Isle: The Dream Isle
Bonaparte’s Gull…
Whilst attending the NGB Week at the Bardsey Bird & Field Observatory last week, news came through as I was leaving the island with L. Anderson that a Bonaparte's Gull had just been located at Hoylake, Cheshire. At first I thought Steve was just joking as he does to get us off the island...but he … Continue reading Bonaparte’s Gull…
Cornell: Trip of a lifetime
For the past 2 years now The Cameron Bespolka Trust has awarded a scholarship for one young British ornithologist to attend a young birders event at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology in Ithaca, New York state. For the first time in 2016, Hampshire's very own Amy Hall jetted off on this once in a life … Continue reading Cornell: Trip of a lifetime
Rainham Marshes: Capital Birding
Following my journey to the US of A to attend the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's Young Birder Camp in Ithaca, New York state (post to follow..). I took the opportunity to hit a reserve that's been on my bucket list for a few years now with Sam Levy, RSPB Rainham Marshes. Hitting the reserve early … Continue reading Rainham Marshes: Capital Birding
Snowy Owl….
Whilst on route with Luke for a weekend break in Wales, news came through via R. Sandham that a Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus), had just been spotted near the town of Amlwch on Angelsey; thankfully just a small detour from the route. Following our arrival at the towns port, the pair of us legged it … Continue reading Snowy Owl….
Ibericus: A catch up…
So, 44 days on since its discovery the 1st summer/2cy Iberian Chiffchaff was still strong as ever at Thurstaston Common this afternoon. It's been one of the most education birds I've had the good fortune of encountering and today, as seen below, I've collected two sonograms. Reason for this being that one of the one … Continue reading Ibericus: A catch up…
