NT
1979
On the boat from Ilfracombe to Lundy on the way seeing at least 7 Manx Shearwaters, Fulmars and Kittiwakes, 4 Gannets, 4 Razorbills and 3+ Guillemots.
On the island, after the exhausting walk from the harbour, we walked half way along the east side to an area of Rhododendrons, Brambles and Willows where there was a Heligoland, and, it was in this area that the male Ruppell's Warbler spent most of its time. Only the 2nd British record and a new bird for us.
We watched the bird for sometime, also seeing a pair of Peregrines, 6 Turtle Doves and 2 Ravens and just had time for a drink in the pub before returning to the boat.
On the trip back there were similar numbers of seabirds, plus 2 Puffins and 2 Common Terns.
Drawing by Laurel Tucker.
1984
In Arizona leading an Ibis Tours group, 8 new birds, 3 new mammal and a new reptile seen today.
Mountain Bluebird.
1989
In Colorado on a sound recording trip for the BBC series 'Land of the Eagle'.
Richardson's Ground Squirrel.
1991
In Kazakhstan on a Sound Recording trip for the BBC series 'Realms of the Russian Bear'.
no new birds seen today.
Himalayan Rubythroat.
1996
A visit to Chew Valley Lake where there was a White-winged Black Tern.
1997
Aboard the Plymouth to Santander ferry to begin a sound recording trip to the Picos de Europa in northwest Spain.
2016
A visit to Slimbridge with Roy Smith, where there was a pair of Cranes with a week-old chick, on the Rushy, unfortunately it only survived a couple of weeks. Also of note were 3 Ravens flying over.
2019
On the early ferry from Uig to Lochmaddy on North Uist for a day on the Outer Hebrides, during the I hour 45 minute voyage there were a few Gannets, Guillemots, Razorbills, Kittiwakes, 2 Puffins and a Common Tern. The weather was cold and damp with occasional light showers, I headed for Balranald on the way seeing lots of Meadow Pipits and Skylarks, and, a Short-eared Owl. At Balranald I joined a small group of people who were viewing a field where they had heard a Corncrake, after a while I saw 2 birds flying, then they both began sparring in the air, before dropping down into the grass, Corncrakes, a new bird for me, although brief I had clear and good views of both birds.
I stayed for an hour or so, but they didn't call or show again, so, I went for a look around the area, there were lots of breeding waders - Oystercatchers, Redshank, Snipe, Lapwing and Curlew, I also saw Wheatears, 3 Buzzards, 2 male Hen Harriers, lots of Greylag Geese, a Black Guillemot and 14 Red Deer. Later, I went back to try and see Corncrake again, but, although there were 2 birds calling they didn't show. On the way back to Lochmaddy there was another Short-eared Owl and another Black Guillemot in the harbour.
I caught the evening ferry back to Uig, as we neared Skye there were lots of auks, then I returned to the hotel in Portree.
Red Deer on North Uist.