Window to Wildlife

We set out today in search of Grey Partridge, conspicuously absent from our annual year list. We had drawn a complete blank at The Burgh a couple of weeks ago, so hoped for better luck today, and on advice from Bernie delayed our walk till late afternoon. This proved to be sound advice and it didn’t take us long to encounter our first covey of birds, many hunkered down like small boulders, but one standing alert showing a distinct black belly and orange-brown head, making identification very easy.  Around the dewpond, the shrubs were a froth of common farmland birds, and we had great views of Yellowhammer, Corn Bunting, Linnet and Goldfinch as they chattered in the trees together. Several Red Kites drifted overhead, and a Kestrel, Buzzard and juvenile Peregrine were all seen well. A flock of Stock Doves in flight added to the spectacle.  Corn Bunting At the entrance to a side footpath, we spotted another covey of Grey Partridge, a family group, and we managed to get much close...

We were leading another Sdos walk at Pagham Harbour this morning, meeting at Church Norton. The tide was rising fast as we gathered in the car park, so we headed straight to the benches for a wader watch, hoping to make the most of the rapidly disappearing mudflats. Oystercatchers and Redshanks were scattered around the harbour and a gathering of Grey Plover showed really well in the scope. A couple of Knot were picked out foraging amongst them. A few Dunlin and Ringed Plovers were seen distantly, but disappointingly a large group of Curlew Sandpipers were too far away for us to really see. Turnstones were more obliging, as were a smattering of Curlews, and a single Bar-tailed Godwit showed well in the scopes. Probably the star turn at this location, was a flock of Spoonbills. Initially elusive, with just their bills visible, as the tide rose higher they took off and we enjoyed the spectacle of nine long necked birds circling round, before landing in a much better position, giving exce...

 We took an afternoon walk along the river this afternoon, in rather grey and dismal conditions, but needing our daily exercise. Pausing near the railway bridge, while Tim was counting Turnstones, I noticed five white birds with long necks approaching. As they came nearer and flew over the bridge I was able to confirm my suspicions - Spoonbills! An unusual sighting for us here on the river in Shoreham. We put the news out, although it was unclear where they were headed, and continued on our way.  We were rather surprised about 20 minutes later when they reappeared, again flying up the river towards the sea as we headed in the opposite direction. Having seen them flying south, we were not expecting to find them approaching from the north, presumably having circled round out of sight. We again spread the word and continued on our way. Returning to Shoreham, we heard news they were now feeding on the saltmarsh opposite Coronation Green. Dashing round, we were gutted to find the h...

 Tim was at the allotment when, news of a local Little Stint came through, so I rushed round to alert him, and we were soon on our way. The location, near the iron bridge in Steyning,  was a long shallow ‘puddle’ in the field, a semi permanent flood feature which normally attracts little more than Pied Wagtails. However today, there was a juvenile Little Stint, with characteristic tram lines on the back, and also a Dunlin, allowing a helpful comparison of the size differential. It was unusual to get such close views of this species, so a worthwhile effort in going along to find it. Little Stint with. Dunlin  Little Stint

 Following our successful grouse trip in May, we once again set out very early this morning, headed for Worlds End, near Llangollen. This time we had grandpa, enticed to visit by the prospect of seeing grouse, and a very excited Emile, who was gutted to have missed them last  time, when Kate and I went alone. On our last visit we got lost, and ended up in the wrong place. This time we found Worlds End easily enough, but somehow managed not to recognise the bend where the lek occurs! This led to a long detour around a circular loop to reach the site again, while also ensuring grandpa was seated on the right side of the car for photography. Fortunately, once we eventually arrived, the birds put on a cracking display, as they strutted, displayed and dashed aggressively at each other. Emile was thrilled by their antics, and Tim got some great pictures, so it was worth it in the end. A Wheatear moving about behind the lek site was also a nice new bird for Emile Black Grouse After t...

Once again we started at the moth trap, mostly finding the same birds as yesterday,  but today there were no Spot-billed Toucanet or White-crowned Woodcreeper. However we did have a couple of new birds, with a Rufous-capped Spinetail working its way along the low-lying vegetation and a Greenish Schiffornis which appeared briefly in the low vines,  and  then a White-necked Thrush moving beneath the moth light. A Yellow-olive Flatbill  was also spotted in the branches. Yellow-olive Flatbill We enjoyed the usual suspects by the hummingbird feeders, then returning to the lodge a large Red-ruffed Fruit Crow flew into a nearby tree. Red-ruffed Fruit Crow The last bird of the trip was a Surucua Trogon, which I suddenly noticed sat silently on a distant tree, and we were all able to move closer for a decent view, before returning to the lodge for lunch, followed by our transfer to the airport.  Surucua Trogon Unfortunately, the journey home provided a hiccup to a brilli...