NT
On the 19th January:
1993
Overnight in Auckland, North Island New Zealand, in the morning I headed southeast to the Firth of Thames, to Miranda, an area of coastal mudflats at the base of the Firth of Thames on its western shore, renowned for its huge numbers of wintering waders.
Here new birds were Wrybill, Royal Spoonbill, Little Black Shag, Sharp-tailed Sandpipers, New Zealand Dotterel and White-fronted Tern.
Photo: Wrybill.
2005
2016
A drive to Gloucester, to a new area for me called Horsbere Lake, a flood storage lake to the north of the city. I arrived late morning and the birds I had come to see had recently flown off! During the wait for their return I saw at least 4 Chiffchaffs, quite impressive for such a small area, also about 6 Reed Buntings, 2 Stonechats and a fly-over Raven.
Eventually the birds returned, 2 male Penduline Tits, feeding on the Reed Mace, good views but not close enough for photos.
2017
There was thick fog along the Severn for most of the morning, as it began to lift I went to Barrow Reservoirs to see the Long-tailed Duck, I saw it, but it was on the other side of tank number 3 and although it was now bright and sunny, it was freezing cold, so I only got a distant record shot!
Then I went to Chew Valley Lake, there were lots of ducks and gulls, the best being 8 Bewick's Swans, a Great White Egret, 4 Goosander, a Kingfisher and a Water Rail.
Photos: Very distant Long-tailed Duck.
Kingfisher.
Male Goosander.
