NT
On the 23rd February:
1975
On the cliffs at Llangrannog on the west coast of Wales, with Roy Smith and Tim Cleeves, looking for Chough of which we saw four, a new bird for us.
From our cliff-top position we also saw 2 Buzzards, 30 Razorbills, 10 Ravens, 10 Shags, 200 or more Guillemots, 12 Great Black-backed Gulls, 4 Fulmars, a Grey Seal, a Cormorant, 6 Rock Pipits, a Green Woodpecker, 200 Linnets, 300 Starlings and 6 Stonechats.
We then headed inland to Tregaron, where, on a walk alongside the raised bog, we saw 6 Buzzards, a Red Kite, 2 male Hen Harriers, 7 adult and an immature Whooper Swan, a Mute Swan and a Cormorant.
On the journey home we took the mountain road from Tregaron to Llandovery, stopping at times along the way, on one of the stops we saw a female Black Grouse which flushed from the heather, another new bird for us.
The other stops were not as exciting, seeing an early Common Frog, a Tawny Owl and a bat we couldn't identify.
Roy and Tim looking for Chough on the cliffs at Llangrannog.
1976
An overnight drive to Norfolk, to Coltishall, a small village northeast of Norwich, where in a field by the side of the river, on the outskirts of the village, was a male Black-throated Thrush, a new bird for us.
The bird was quite tame, remaining on view only 15-20 yards away for most of the time, only the 6th British record.
Also seen in the field were 4 Blackbirds and 2 Song Thrushes, so a nice size comparison, this bird was noticeably smaller.
From there we went to Buckenham, to a spot where we could view the Yare Valley, and saw a flock of 83 Bean Geese (Taiga), around 40 Wigeon and a male Hen Harrier.
Drawings by Laurel Tucker.
1983
First full day in Cyprus, one new bird seen today.
1985
A day trip to Weymouth, starting at Ferrybridge where there were lots of waders including 2 Sanderling, also 92 Brent Geese. We crossed the road to view the harbour seeing a male and female Long-tailed Duck, lots of Red-breasted Mergansers and around 20 Scaup. Overlooking the harbour from Sandsfoot Castle we saw 6 Black-necked Grebes, a Slavonian Grebe and 2 Velvet Scoters.
From there we went to the Nothe where the best birds were 2 Black Redstarts.
At Lodmoor we saw another Slavonian Grebe on the sea, on the marsh were lots of ducks including a female Smew and we also saw a Ruff. At Radipole Lake was another female Smew and we also saw 3 Cetti's Warblers and 2 Water Rails.
1986
In Pakistan, leaving Karachi headed east to Keti Bundar, 14 new birds and 1 new mammal today.
Photo: Pied Stonechat.
1990
In Kenya travelling from Saiwa to Lake Baringo. Only 1 new bird today.
Photo: White-billed Buffalo Weaver.
2004
A day out with the new camera again, firstly at Severn Beach where the 1st winter male Black Redstart was still showing, and then on to the Forest of Dean, where there were lots of tits and finches, including 4 Siskins and 8+ Bramblings, 2 Nuthatches, a Sparrowhawk and 2 Ravens. All the thrushes seen the previous day had gone.
2019
A day at Steart, where there were few ducks and waders, but masses of Skylarks, song everywhere, also 2 Cetti's warblers, a Marsh Harrier, 6 Ravens, a Little Egret and a Merlin which was sat on a tyre in the grass on Wall Common for ages before flying off.
