NT
On the 25th February:
1979
A day visiting the lakes, starting at Barrow Tanks where there was a Red-necked Grebe, which gave excellent views. Also there, were 4 Goldeneye, 8 Ruddy Ducks, 5 Great Crested Grebes, a Little Grebe, a Green Sandpiper and 4 Ruff.
We continued to Blagdon Lake where we saw 2 more Red-necked Grebes, a male Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Bewick's Swans and 76 Ruddy Ducks.
At Chew Valley Lake there was yet another Red-necked Grebe, a female Smew, 12 Dunlin and we saw 2 Bitterns.
1983
Our third day on Cyprus and the best birds seen were a Marsh Sandpiper, around 2000 Greater Flamingos, a male Ferruginous Duck and 6 Alpine Swifts.
1986
In Pakistan, today exploring the varied habitats around Keenjhar Lake. 8 new birds seen.
Photo: Indian White-backed Vulture.
1990
1991
A day out on the south coast, at Farlington Marshes I saw around 800 Brent Geese, 50+ Shelducks, 30+ Pintails, as well as Teal, Wigeon and a male Goldeneye. Also Dunlin, Redshank, Curlew, Oystercatchers and a Peregrine.
At Timsbury Gravel Pits there were about 80 Tufted Ducks, 50+ Pochard and a male Ring-necked Duck. From there we went to Beaulieu Road in the New Forest, but didn't see the Great Grey Shrike.
2004
A morning trip out to see and video the 1st winter male Black Redstart at Severn Beach again.
2012
In the garden at Portishead a male and female Blackcap, which had been visiting all month, on a couple of days 2 males.
Then a drive to Chew Valley Lake where there were good numbers of duck, an Avocet, a Peregrine, 4 Pink-footed Geese, several Reed Buntings, Song thrush singing, 2+ Cetti's Warblers, 2 singing Chiffchaffs, lots of Common Frogs mating and an adult Ring-billed Gull.
2016
Another drive to Gloucester, to Horsbere Lake to see the 2 male Penduline Tits again, this time there were fewer people and both birds were seen very well, in the reed-bed and in the hedgerow.
Also there I saw 2 Little Egrets, 2 Redpolls and a Chiffchaff.
From there I went to the Forest of Dene where I saw lots of Siskins, Chaffinches, Nuthatches and tits. At the ponds there was a Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Grey Wagtails, Mallard, Tufted Ducks, a male Mandarin Duck, 2 Mute Swans, Coot and 2 Little Grebes.
From New Fancy View I saw at least 2 Crossbills flying over and a male Goshawk, later joined by a female, both birds disappearing together.
Video & photos: Penduline Tit.
Also see here.
