Honey Buzzard over

Today at 4.40pm a Honey Buzzrd was being mobbed by 4 Crows over my garden and went NE towards the Ingrebourne Valley. Which was a garden and patch tick. Honey Buzzards have a narrow head and neck,longer tail and a more elastic flight action than the more Common Buzzard that we normally get over the garden/patch.


Raptor watch point (my garden)

Pallid Harrier in Essex

While some of my birding friends enjoyed some quality birds in the Isle of Scilly today, Paul,Monkey,Dick and Myself enjoyed a quality bird at Colne point Essex. A juvenile Pallid Harrier. After an hour wait, we had great scope views of the harrier going over the fields and reed channels. The under parts was a nice rufous colour and you could pick out the light collar.A great bird for Essex and a very nice find for someone? Also seen there were two Marsh Harriers, one which was wing tagged with a white tag on is left wing.

Well Choughed

The pair of Chough in Cornwall was the best view I've had ever had. In the past they all have been fly overs. What was a bit of a surprise, is the amount of colour rings each bird has on each leg?

Showing well

Here are some more pictures from the weekend, why can't it always be this good...








This Sabine's gull was on KGV reservoir

Cornwall for 24hrs

The weather forecast looked good for the weekend in Cornwall, so Paul, Monkey and myself made the trip down over night on Friday. Saturday morning we were sea watching at Porthgwarra and had great time. The highlight being a Great Shearwater as it pasted inside of the runnel stone. I must do more sea watching I really enjoy it. After adding to our year lists we checked out the Black Kite in Polgigga, which showed well over Bosistow farm. Then on to Drift Reservoir where the Pectoral Sandpiper showed really well. Such a lovely bird close up and too were the other waders there. So for now, here are some shots from the weekend and will update more in the next day or two.

Whinchat passage

With numbers of Whinchat into double figures, we are having the best year of passage of these smart birds. What is also good about this year of Whinchat is they are being found all over the valley. Like most Whinchats this individual did not let me get too close, even when I was crawling along the floor like a commando and dodging the horse poo, they always move a bit further away as you get near.

Western Bonelli's Warbler at Cromer

It was third time lucky for Monkey and myself to twitch a Bonelli's Warbler.On Friday, news broke that a Bonelli's had been seen at Warren Wood Norfolk.So Saturday morning we were on the road at 5am, and some six hours later we had great views of the Bonelli's in with the tit flock feeding in the Sycamore tree's. Although some of us had brief views before that,we could'nt be 100% sure of it's true identity due to the weather conditions, it was pissing down most of the time but, Once the rain cleared and the sun came out it was worth the wait. After getting some record shots, Martin and I made a short trip up the road for the escaped Burrowing Owl in the field next to the caravan park. I've not seen one before and although it's plastic ie: it's an escape, it was still nice to see. What was also good about the day, was the good company of Paul boy,Bradders and jono we always a good laugh.


(click on to enlarge)


A escaped Burrowing Owl