NT
On the 17th February:
1980
A mild, sunny day and a visit to Frampton pools where in a mixed finch flock of 100+ birds were 5 Bramblings, we also saw 5 Redpolls, around 25 Siskins, 3 Treecreepers, lots of tits and winter thrushes, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and 2 Kingfishers, which were heard dueting. By the river there were a few waders a flock of 30 Skylarks, 25 White-fronted Geese and a Bewick's Swan.
1984
In Ethiopia with the whole morning to explore Lake Awassa, later an excursion to the hot springs at Wondo Genet. 27 new birds and 2 new mammals seen today.
Photo: Hamerkops.
1985
A trip out locally, first to Chew Valley Lake where there were lots of winter duck and a Bittern, then at Cheddar Reservoir where there were 100+ Goldeneyes, 7 Scaup and a Black-throated Diver. Back in Bristol, at Cumberland Basin I saw a Slavonian Grebe.
1987
My last day in The Gambia, I spent the morning at Abuko seeing 4 new birds and 1 new mammal.
Photos: Immature Night Heron.
1990
1992
In Norfolk at Snettisham to record the high tide roost of 1000's of Knot. On the mud-flats there were 100's of Pink-footed Geese, also good numbers of Brent Geese, Oystercatchers, Redshank, Shelduck, Curlew, Grey Plover, Ringed Plover, Dunlin, 1 Sanderling, Bar-tailed Godwit, Mallard and Wigeon.
These ducks were also on the pools, with Pochard, Little Grebe, Tufted Duck, a Common Scoter, a Long-tailed Duck, 6 Scaup, Goldeneye, Greylag Geese, Gadwall, Shoveler, a female Ruddy Duck, Mute Swans and a big flock of Lapwings.
Around the pools and along the beach I saw Skylarks, Grey Partridges, a Short-eared Owl and around 35 Snow Buntings.
1993
In Fiji on Vanua Levu, at Savusavu and then Savasi Island. 2 new birds seen today.
2015
A trip to Slimbridge where there were around 200 Bewick's Swans, 58 Black-tailed Godwits, about 200 Dunlin, 9 Common Cranes, 181 White-fronted Geese, 20+ Greylag Geese, 190 Barnacle Geese, 800+ Wigeon, 200 Pintail, 24 Shoveler, 300 Teal, 130 Pochard, 130 Shelducks, 2,000+ Lapwing, around 1,500 Golden Plover, 3 Little Stints and a very obliging Water Rail.
Video and photos: Water Rail.
Also see here.
