July Birding

 July is known as the doldrums month for birdwatching, where many birds skulk out of sight as they moult from their breeding plumage and grow new feathers. Nevertheless, we managed to meet up with Andy for a few very successful birdwatching opportunities.

 8th July Lavington Common

Andy had never seen a Nightjar and our attempt to find one on Dartmoor earlier in the year was unsuccessful. The best time for locating the birds is while they are still calling in June and July, so Andy drove down for an evening visit. Tim then drove us all to Lavington Common, a fairly small heathland area where they are regularly found. We soon heard their distinctive churring song, cupping our ears to try to ascertain the direction of sound in the hope we would then locate a bird. We stood on a mound with clear views in all directions, but occasionally wandered off to the path, scanning the conifers in case a bird could be spied resting on a horizontal branch. Andy was thrilled to return from one such foray having had a bird circle right over his head. As he excitedly described the moment to us, another bird appeared and flew across the mound before melting into the fading light. Andy agreed it was well worth the long drive for a rather special lifer!

14th July Abberton Reservoir and Old Hall marshes

Just a morning excursion today, but very rewarding as we managed to find our targeted Red-necked Grebe at Abberton, which showed well in the scope but was too far away for decent photos. A fellow spotter alerted us to news of nesting Spoonbills and we were pleased to find the nest in the trees close to the causeway. Bird guides flashed up a report of a Pectoral Sandpiper at Old Hall Marshes, which seemed too good an opportunity to miss as it was just a short drive from where we were. Again, the bird was at some distance, and a strong wind made scope viewing a little tricky, but eventually we managed to see the distinctive V-shaped breast to clinch the ID. Also of note here were a Ruff and a number of Spotted Redshank.

27-29/9 Essex weekend

We spent a few days staying with mum, but also spending time with Andy, in the hope of offering some support following Angela’s untimely death and some relief from the practical demands of funeral arrangements. A short visit to Bowers Marsh  gave us excellent views of a family of Black-necked Grebes, but unfortunately we had forgotten to take the camera with us! 

The following day we had a full day out, first visiting Wrabness for Turtle Doves. We had superb views and this time we did have the camera!

Turtle Dove

There were still many Sand Martins present too from the nearby colony, swooping low over the water in pursuit of insects.From here we had a wasted journey to Holland Haven since the hide was closed, although a distant Green Sandpiper was a rather unsatisfying tick for us all. However, we finished the day on a real high, with a very successful drive at Great Totham looking for Little Owls in ‘the usual tree”! We of course had no idea where the usual tree was, but decided it must either be near a lay-by or parking spot, or in a position without too much cover so it could be easily seen while driving past. We stopped by a large spreading oak tree, but had no luck. Then we pulled in by the churchyard, full of tall trees and oaks, again no luck. This was like looking for a needle in a haystack,  but we continued down the road before heading home. A few stunted trees formed a hedgerow between some fields sand these showed some bare branches. Andy slowed the car and as I scanned with a rather unhopeful ‘That looks like a perfect Little Owl tree’ I followed up with ‘and there one is’! Andy could not believe it, but we reversed the car back and there was a lovely bird, gazing right at us. In fact, as we got out and looked back along the hedgerow we realised there was more than one bird. This species is in significant decline and becoming increasingly difficult to find, so this was a  moment of pure joy in a difficult week.

Little Owls