Up the Hammers

Me and martin celebrating West Ham Utd 3-1 win in the cup at home to Stoke


Congratulations to Paul and Jono for winning the silly hat competition on sunday

Five men and a year list

It was a early start this morning as five of us wanted to see the Red Flanked Bluetail at Arnolds walk in Suffolk which showed well feeding under the sycamore trees at the top of the hill but all to brief as its one of my favorite birds on my life list, they are just so smart.Then we went on to see the Rough Legged Buzzard distantly at Reydon and two Waxwings was a bonus also Bearded tits seemed to be everywhere. Next up was Dunwich shore to see the Shorelarks and Twite which gave good views and on the way back to the car Paul found a short eared owl coming in off the sea being harassed by gulls. We did look for the Great Grey Shirke but ran out of luck so the Dartford Warblers was compensation as they sang and showed well . A fantastic days birding and great company as always thanks to (paul,martin,david and jono)

Penduline Tits

I met up with Sam Shippey at Rainham Marshes this morning to hopefully see the Penduline Tits which we only had to wait half hour before seeing them (how lucky are we), anyway one showed briefly before it and another one flew high over the targets calling. While we were there we also had 4+ Bearded Tits trying to keep out of the wind. The Pink feet was seen and a young male Marsh Harrier,3 Stonechat by us as well.

More from the weekend

I was out on the patch this morning and had a Stonechat which is the first record here for two years also saw 10 Siskin,Grey wagtail were note worthy. No pictures from the valley today so here are some more of the Red Kites......

Red Kite Delight

There were highs and lows today the low was driving half way to Devon and hearing that there was no sign of the Solitary Sandpiper, the highs were seeing the Red Kites in Stokenchurch (Chris cafe off the M40 J5) on the way back. A very kind lady leaves scraps for the kites to feed on giving Martin, Steve and myself great views in poor light, its well worth going there we had about 37 Kites and 3 Buzzard. We sat on the wall watching in amazement how close they came and the sausage sandwich and tea showed briefly too........

More than a tick !!

Our friend phoned this evening to say that there was a small bird on her patio which may have flown into the patio door so I went around to have a look and found a green finch with a huge tick hanging from its head, we later got a call to say that unfortunately it had died, or if the kids are reading this...............it went to bird heaven!!!!

A mixed bag at the Valley

I have done the Valley both days this weekend but today sunday being the best.A Brambling,Coal Tit,Kingfisher were new patch year ticks bringing a total so far too 106 also seen Bullfinch,3 Snipe,3 Yellow Hammer.Still can't find a Ring Ouzel so watch this space?


Coal Tit my only second ever record in 15 years at the valley


Migrant Hawker

Ingrebourne Valley

I have been lucky lately with seeing rares but you can not beat finding birds on your own patch.This morning I had Marsh Harrier,Whinchat,14 Snipe,3 Siskin,Golden Plover,R N parakeet and Wigeon.

Fly Agaric

These Fly Agaric fungi were at Dunwich Road in Suffolk last Saturday ,I have never seen so many in one place before.