Army Birding

As at 2nd February the AOS Adjutant Storks are at 75. The total of species seen is 108 with highest team seeing 96 and the lowest only 44. A visit on sunday (8th) produced a possible 2 more - Rook & Greenfinch. Highlights were 100+ Dunlins on purfleet scrape, 60+ Redshanks high tide roost, 50+ Pinta...

I started the AOS team list today with 66 species. The highlights were a fly in Bittern, very closely viewable Water Rails (for those without superzoom lenses), Kimgfisher, 34 Snipe, 50+ Dunlin, Barn Owl, Common Buzzard, 3 Marsh harriers, Peregrine. Also 2 Common/Harbour seals hauled out onto the ke...

The Rainham Marshes birdwatchers are organising a year long bird race for teams to generate more interest & birdwatching. There can be upto 4 members in each team, although they don't all have to be present for the records to count. If you are likely to visit this year & wish to participate let me k...

Tim, thanks for the advice & the chance to see a lifer for myself. The Iberian Chiffchaff was still singing away from the top of an open tree by the path showing very well & seemingly undisturbed by the constant small group of birders beneath him. Also 2 male Cetti's warblers (I'm a little surprised...

Tim

thanks for the tip. I will give it a go & probably rutland water too. See you tomorrow.

Tony

I had just popped out into the garden to keep an eye on the dog, just before my dinner. As she was snuffling through the borders, my eyes turned to the skies of central Chelmsford for the local wildlife, which was much as usual, except for a funny looking gull over the nearby lake in Central park. I...

what a great site tick to have as well as merlin & barn owl. I usually catch up with waxwings in Pitsea high street, too near to Basildon. A walk between there & tesco's carpark or another carpark behind the shops to the north can locate the birds in the fruit trees. However they've only appeared on...

I was given a ticket on the Sailing Barge Victor, as a Christmas present, for last weekend (Saturday 6th) on the River Stour from Mistley, Essex. This was a RSPB organised trip, with sailings each winter, when the tides allow, so mostly elderly birders, with the odd family & a few experienced birder...

I spent 5 days in Norway last week with my girlfriend on a Northern Lights cruise. Not on a luxurious liner but a Hurtigruten ferry from Tromso to Kirkenes. Facilities good but expensive. Good weather for the lights, only 6-7 hours of daylight (the sun never got above the horizon) so not too good fo...

Been too busy at work to get out recently but have been checking other websites for the sightings from the lucky birders whom managed to get out. Today lots of geese have been flying up the Thames from Rainham to the LWC. Mainly brent geese but also bean goose & pink-footed geese too. When this happ...

Richard

Happy New Year. Here's a web site for updates about the reappeared brown shrike, which disappeared after the pre christmas heavy snow falls: http://londonbirders.wikia.com/wiki/LatestNews

Have a good R&R & safe end of tour

Tony

What a prime wintering spot afghanistan seems to be from your reports. I would have thought it would be fairly lifeless just from watching TV news. I just wish my wintering merlin sightings were as warm & sunny but thankfully slightly safer!

Good birding & keep your head down on topcover

Tony

Hi All,

most of the above have been seen again this weekend so, with any luck, most should hang around for another 6 days. Wildfowl & wader numbers are building up too. Any problems call 07722 715289. For details see the expeditions message page.

Good birding

Tony

A female/juvenile serin has been at rainham marsh over the last week. It's located outside the actual reserve site and there are 2 ways of getting to the "serin mound" after a small flock visited there last year too. The serin hangs out with goldfinches currently feeding on the thistles etc. Firstly...

Tim, I came to the same conclusion after reviewing my photos that night. I focused too much on the bill & not on the plumage. I must buy the paperback collins field guide as my pocket guide was a little misleading. However I've got bad news, as the bird was found dead in the river on tuesday. I will...