Running out of fingers

Thursday 22 December 2016

The count for Little Egrets on the Ewelme Watercress Beds has reached 4 and there were 2 Water Rails and a Green Sandpiper. The beds are beginning to come into their own with the warm water attracting birds. All we need is a bit more cold weather and we might even get a Snipe or two!

Why do Water Rails like dark places where my camera leaves something to be desired.

Just in the nick of time

Saturday 17 December 2016

I had just about given up hope of a Water Rail turning up before the end of the year but in the gloom this morning there it was, albeit briefly. If it hadn't arrived it would have been the first time since 2001 that one hadn't turned up during the last 3 months of the year. Also there today green Sandpiper and Little Egret and the usual handful of Grey Wagtails.

Showy Green Sandpiper

Monday 5 December 2016

Seeing double

Tuesday 29 November 2016

Thought I was seeing double today as both the Little Egret and the Green Sandpiper appear to have found friends! Unfortunately not posing together. Had trouble with my account so guess I should note the November Swallow seen over the airfield on 27th.

Dorchester WeBS count

Tuesday 15 November 2016

Managed to avoid injury on the barbed wire fence this time! Total of 2150 birds of 24 water species. Highlights were a single male Goosander, 4 Red-crested Pochards, 90 Golden Plover and 190 Lapwing and always good to catch fleeting views of a couple of Kingfishers.

Ice

Sunday 6 November 2016

Great work by a group of trainees from RAF Halton yesterday helping open channels on the cress beds.  Today the first ice on the new pond heralded by the first sighting this winter of a Green Sandpiper.

Winter must be near

Wednesday 2 November 2016

First sighting this winter of Little Egret but no Water Rail as yet.