20th March 2015

On the afternoon of the 19th a phone call from John Oates telling me that a Black-tailed Godwit was showing very well at Marsh Lane,Meriden had me cussing as I was on the way to work luckily enough the next morning it was still present so had a choice Eclipse or Godwit (No brainer for me!!) The bird showed stunningly well right in front of the hide...........

22nd March 2015

Headed back down to the Forest of Dean for another crack at the Hawfinch's as last time we only had a single bird high up in the tree & only scope views so an early start to get a good place in the carpark was needed,on the way down we had to make a breif stop when a Little Owl decided to play chicken in the road before reluctantly moving onto the roadside hedge where we had stunning views....... We got to the site & had to make do with 2nd best spot but with upto 6 birds coming down to feed well worth the trip...........

15th March 2015

Headed over to Corby this morning for the single Waxwing which had been knocking about the only 1 near enough this winter with the birds being scarce this year,had great views although the light was poor before heading upto Gonalston in Notts for the Glossy Ibis which showed very well two good Year ticks but more importantly 2 Lifers for Donna............

7th March 2015

Headed upto Bempton RSPB for some more year ticking with the weatherman saying the weather would be warm & the best this year......... No it was blowing a gale & bloody freezing but picked up Razorbill,Guillemot & Gannet for the year before moving onto Filey where the weather was slightly better picking up Eider,Shag,Red Throated Diver & 20+ Purple Sandpiper etc only a cpl of year ticks for myself but a few lifers for Donna!! We then finished off at Holbeck for the Mediterranean Gulls meeting up with Dean Eades etc & had superb views of upto 5 birds........

1st March 2015

The last week or so has been spent picking up more quality Year Ticks adding birds like Hawfinch, Crossbill, Barn Owl,Common Crane, Great Grey Shrike,Short Eared Owl, Whooper Swan, Black Necked Grebe,Woodcock all quality birds & many lifers for Donna even picking up a lifer myself in the form of a Wild Boar with piglets in the Forest of Dean...... Today I decided to head West for Wales to show Donna the spectacular sight of Black Grouse lekking before moving on to Pensarn for the confiding Iceland Gull...............

20th February 2015

Headed up finally for the Laughing Gull at New Brighton,Cheshire!! Only my 2nd ever......... The bird was on view no sooner had we arrived also picked up a few good year ticks in & around the Wirral during the day inc Snow Bunting, Long Eared Owl,Great White Egret & Purple Sandpipers.........