NT
1978
An overnight drive to East Kent, in fields near St. Nicholas at Wade we saw a male Great Bustard, a new bird. It was at great distance, over a mile away, then it flew towards us and landed to feed in a cabbage field about 200 yards away, where we had great views of it, and noticed that it was limping.
Also seen in the area were lots of Skylarks, several Corn Buntings, 100+ Lapwing, around 400 Golden Plover and a female Hen Harrier.
Later we went to nearby Stodmarsh, where apart from the common ducks we saw 5 Bearded Tits, a Glossy Ibis, a Jack Snipe and 4 Cetti's Warblers.
1981
A visit to Chew Valley Lake where we saw 11 Goosanders, 3 Oystercatchers, 10 Siskins, 3 Redpolls, 2 Bramblings, 2 Chiffchaffs and a Common Sandpiper.
1983
A drive to Staines Reservoir with Tim Cleeves and Keith Vinicombe to see a Baird's Sandpiper.
Also there were 150+ Snipe, 10 Ruff, 7 Golden Plover, 40+ Dunlin, 20+ Redshank, 10+ Ringed Plover, 50+ Teal, 6 Lapwing and 40+ Tufted Ducks.
From there we decided to drive to Felixstowe to see what is now being called 'The Felixstowe Stint' which we first saw in November, when it was in mainly immature plumage, now in 1st winter plumage the controversy still remained over its identification, whether it is a Western or Semipalmated Sandpiper.
But, as soon as we saw it we were more convinced than previously that it was a Semipalmated Sandpiper, and when it called we were all certain.
Drawings by Laurel Tucker.
Photos of 'Felixstow Stint' by Tim Loseby.
1990
1991
Flight from London to Miami and then a drive to the Everglades National Park.
1995
A visit to Snuff Mills in Bristol, where along the River Frome was a singing Dipper, 3 Grey Wagtails and 2 Nuthatches.
1998
A trip to Central Wales, to Tregaron bog where there were 20+ Buzzards, several Ravens, Redwings, 10 Red Kites and 2 Willow Tits.
2004
A windy day at Severn Beach, where on the beach the 1st winter male Black Redstart was singing now and again, also a Wheatear and on the estuary around 100 Kittiwakes had been blown in.
2021
At home, where around midday there were c200 Common Gulls circling over Cam. The sheep were back in the field next door with lots of lambs, and, there was a Red-legged Partridge feeding under the feeders at the back of the lawn.
