Buff-bellied Pipit, Berkshire

I had a trip to the Queen Mother Reservoir in Berkshire on Sunday.  It can be found nestled under the flight path for Heathrow and boasts Windsor Castle as a backdrop.  I went to see the American Pipit of course and was not disappointed by views at literally point blank range.  The weather was overcast with the odd speckle of rain, but all things considered, not bad.  The bird was tending to favour the south side of the reservoir which was a fair walk around from the Sailing Club, but should help to prepare me for January's Foot It challenge!









There was a bonus cast of three Ring-necked Parakeets, two Red Kites and a Common Buzzard to keep everyone entertained, plus a small flock of Siskins around the car park.

It was good to catch up with Andy Walker on the day.  You can read his blog here.

I called in at Chenies, Buckinghamshire on the way back round the M25 to catch up with a Great White Egret found alongside the River Chess along with 4 Little Egrets and a Grey Heron.  A pair of Green Woodpeckers and a pair of Kestrels were occasionally seen and heard.

Now back to the Christmas festivities...

Red-spotted Bluethroat at Hartlepool Headland

A quick check of my email before I came away from work on Thursday revealed a Bluethroat had been located on the Headland in the afternoon.  It was found by Chris Brown and was a cracking adult male.  It scurried and flitted about the plants and shrubs and made the odd excursion to the gardens of 15-17 Cliff Terrace and apparently flew to Icky Alley earlier in the afternoon. A drizzly evening with a bit of a sea fret, but brightened up by this little beauty!










Fingers crossed for some more Spring crackers!

Nosterfield Crane

Here is a little collection of shots and footage of the Common Crane at Nosterfield over the last six months or so. Will it stay another six? Let's hope so.

14 January 2012, Flasks Lake

6 August 2011, Ladybridge Farm

3 July 2011, Lingham Lake

Desert Wheatears

I had a wander round East Yorkshire today dipping out on both the Tophill Low Cattle Egret and the Fraisthorpe White Stork, but did connect with the obliging male Desert Wheatear at RSPB Bempton, barely having left the car park.

Today's bird seemed far more well marked than the one I had in December at Newbiggin.