NT
1980
A drive south to Falmouth, where in Swanpool Bay we had excellent views of a 1st summer Forster's Tern, the first British record of this species.
We also saw lots of Kittiwakes, Gannets, 4 Razorbills, a Slavonian Grebe, about 60 Turnstone and 4 Purple Sandpipers.
From there we went to Pendower Beach where we saw 11 Black-throated Divers - one in full summer plumage, a Great Northern Diver and another Slavonian Grebe.
On the way back we went to the Camel River, but missed the Belted Kingfisher by half an hour! We did see 2 Buzzards and a Tawny Owl.
Photos: 1st summer Forster's Tern.
1986
1990
1993
In the New Forest on the first sound recording trip for a BBC Natural World called 'Ytene, the Ancient Forest' to record Mandarin Ducks, of which I saw 4 males and 3 females. Apart from the usual birds seen in the various areas visited, I also saw Marsh Tit, Nuthatch, 4 Hawfinches, 4 Woodlarks and Bullfinches.
2000
A visit to the Peregrine watch point overlooking the Avon Gorge, seeing at least 10 Buzzards, 3 Sparrowhawks, 2 Ravens, 2 Peregrines and a male Goshawk.
2016
A very high tide at Aust Warth, not covering the whole marsh, but it did flush a Jack Snipe, also seen was an Avocet on the water drifting down river on the outgoing tide, and 3 Common Gulls, unusual here.
In nearby Northwick Village the 2 Little Owls were out sunning themselves in the orchard.
2018
An afternoon visit to Aust Warth where there were 3 Short-eared Owls, two of them regularly flying close together at which point one would be aggressive towards the other and both calling.
Short-eared Owl. More photos here.