Year List – Page 4 – Neil Baldwin's blog : Warning contains walking, technology, photography, holidays.

Holiday bird list

Bar-tailed Godwit, Bearded Tit, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Common Sandpiper, Common Swift, Common Tern, Dunnock, Golden Plover, Greater Black-backed Gull, Greenshank, Grey Plover, Little Tern, Linnet, Redshank, Reed Warbler, Ringed Plover, Rock (Feral) Dove, Sand Martin, Sandwich Tern, Sedge Warbler, Short-eared Owl, Spotted Redshank, Swallow, Wheatear, Whimbrel, Egyptian Goose, Barnacle Goose, Brent Goose, Cetti’s Warbler, Common Cuckoo, Hobby, Knot, Little Ringed Plover, Mistle Thrush, Pochard, Temminck’s Stint, White Wagtail, Wood Sandpiper, Yellow Wagtail, Common Crane, Golden Oriole, Stone Curlew (101 YTD 129)

Stiffkey to Blakeney

Got the bus to Stiffkey Fen just outside Stiffkey. On the way to the Fen two bird watchers let us know that there was Temmerick Stint and Little Ringed Plover to be seen. We did our best but it took the help of a friendly couple to track them down. Whilst we were searching we could hear a Cuckoo then after a while it flew across right in front of us We headed on towards Morston where we heard a very vocal bird in a bush which we eventually caught sight of it was a Cetti’s Warbler. The coastal path is fantastic and the blue skies and southerly breeze made for a great day out walking, especially this time of year. We eventually got to Blakeney then got the bus to Cley where we had lunch at Cookes tea room. Later on we plan to walk down the north edge of the reserve hoping to see the Spoonbill on Billy’s Wash, and the Little Terns on Arnolds!

Barn Owl from the office window

Some of you may know that I keep a list of the birds I see from my office window. Well this morning a Barn Owl flew past along the hedgerow. Unusual to see one so late in the morning (09:00) perhaps it has young so is having to hunt into the day. It also gets added to the 2009 year list, which I need to tally up before we go to Salthouse on holiday.

What a day!

Today, Sunday was glorious. After a night on the tiles at the Wool Pack pub in Stoke Mandeville,we managed to get up early. Headed out to the hills around Ivinghoe beacon. The atmosphere was really clear and the clouds were white and fluffy, great day for taking photos, which I did and you can see here.

Walked from the NT car park towards Incombe Hole (where a Ring Ouzel had been reported which we failed to find) , and saw Whitethroat and Willow Warbler, spring is definitely here. Went back to Helen’s folks for coffee and cake, then saw the start of the Grand Prix.

After the Grand Prix we headed out on the bikes to a small nature reserve nearby where there are lots of butterflies. Today we have seen Small White, Large White, Green Hairstreak, Peacock, Tortoise Shell, Spotted Wood, Brimstone, Orange Top, and Comma which is a good start to our butterfly list.

The Independent is running a promotion where you can get a butterfly chart. Goto http://www.independent.co.uk/promo-offers enter your details and a the promotion code BUTTERFLIES, and they will send you the chart.

Stop Press — The Woolpack burnt down over night see the link http://www.bucksherald.co.uk/news/Police-close-road-in-Stoke.5206829.jp

Normal service resumed

Following complaints from blog followers (Angela) here is another blog entry. Out for a walk from end car park of Wendover Woods. Here just for Angela is a bird list.

Blackbird, Red-legged Partridge, Robin, Skylark, Chaffinch, Great Tit, Pheasant, Rook, Lapwing, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Little Grebe, Coot, House Martin, Wren, Dunnock, and Collared Dove.

Along the way many spring flowers were out including bluebells and wild garlic.

Eels Foot Inn day 2

Clocks went back, so had to get up earlier than usual. Button won the Grand Prix. Added to list on the way to breakfast Pied Wagtail on the lawn.

Decided to park at Minsmere and walk to Dunwich and back. Weather cold but clear blue skies. Stopped at Dunwich for fish and chips part III, skate and chips was my choice, and very nice it was too. After lunch headed back to Minsmere, but not via the beach as the tide was in and the pebbles looked heavy….but after an ill advised change of mind the draw of the sea was too much, and yes we did regret it! Back at the visitors center by 15:30, on the road by 15:45 homoe by 18:30, a good run with only a slight queue t the M25 Aylesbury turn off.

Pied Wagtail, Collared Dove, House Sparrow, Wood Pigeon, Chaffinch, Dunnock, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Rook, Moorhen, Marsh Harrier, Mute Swan, Greylag, Canada Goose, Greenfinch, Coal Tit, Magpie, Black Headed Gull, Dartford Warbler, Kestrel, Robin, Cormorant, Long-tailed Tit, Goldfinch. (22 YTD )

Back at the Eels Foot Inn

We are treating Helen’s parents to a weekend away, the pub at Eastbridge is just the ticket. Arrived at around 7:00 on Friday.

Had breakfast the headed off towards Dunwich Heath. Weather showers which seemed to be showering when we were walking. After a tea break at the coast guard cottages we headed off round the hides of Minsmere. Late lunch at the visitors centre, I had the lovely spinach bake. Quick trip to Southwold for the papers then a rest and into the pub for a well earned beer.

Blackbird, Chaffinch, House Sparrow, Goldfinch, Blue Tit, Wood Pigeon, Greenfinch, Great Tit, Mute Swan, Greylag, Mallard, Moorhen, Goldcrest, Robin, Green Woodpecker, Carrion Crow, Stonechat, Kestrel, Cormorant, LBB Gull, Red-throated Diver, Black-headed Gull, Gadwall, Black Tailed Godwit, Turnstone, Ringed Plover, Avocet, Little Egret, Cormorant, Marsh Harrier, Shelduck, Herring Gull, Coot, Lapwing, Meadow Pipit, Wigeon, Shoveler, Knot, Oystercatcher, Jay, Coal Tit, Jackdaw, Rook, Snipe, Starling, Curlew, Pheasant.

Rock Pipit (Scandinavian)

On the way to work got a text claiming a Scandinavian Rock Pipit at Wilstone Reservoir. I was less than a mile away and was early for work so I headed on down to the reservoir. The car park was empty, which considering the text was timed 5 minutes earlier is strange.

Anyway I went up the steps to have a look, looking along the concrete beach around the edge of the water near the steps all I could see were a couple of Pied Wagtails, just just as I was giving up I noticed a small brown job, which looked a lot like a Pipit.

Apparently the Scaninavian one gets lumped in with Rock Pipit so I dont think it would count on the life list, but I haven’t seen a Rock Pipit this year so it makes it onto the 2009 list. If you want to know what one looks like try this Google image search (1 YTD 70)

Welney swan feeding

Did a trip to Welney WWT with parents. Thought we would have to go the long way because the road would be flooded but saw signs for Swan feeding and tried the short way. Turns out the floods had receded recently.

Wood Pigeon, Rook, Blackbird, Jackdaw, Black-headed Gull, Comorant, Magpie, Pheasant, Mute Swan, Mallard, Collared Dove, House Sparrow, Red-legged Partridge, Lapwing, Wigeon, Coot, Kestrel, Blue Tit, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Pied Wagtail, Reed Bunting, Shelduck, Pochard, Whooper Swan, Redshank, Moorhen, Herring Gull, Greylag, Avocet, Black-tailed Godwit, Tree Sparrow, Dunlin, Great Crested Grebe, Starling. (36)

Sky Larks

Helen saw the first one as we drove back the morning after an evening at Ian and Rosie’s. Later that day I went for a walk from Edlesborough round “Pulpit Hill” and Chequers. In the field that runs next the the village hall about 10 Sky Larks.

Walk runs from the village hall carpark, up the road toward Checquers take the footpath across the field, toward the church, then up round the hill, now public access. Up through some over grown privet, then down and across the drive of Chequers. Up to Coombe hill down the other side to the golf club and along the road back to the village hall. (1 YTD 69)