February 22/23

 After a late night friday social with most of the oxfordshire birders i decided on a early morning walk round the local rspb reserve . I stayed there most of the day hoping to see the  ringtail it did show a few times but only at great distance . Walking back to the car late afternoon I bumped into Andy and Jason , after chatting for a few minutes Andy mentioned that he had a spare seat in his car going to sussex on sunday .

Sunday morning Andy,Ewan and I arrived in Littlehampton at about 9.30 we were looking for a Glaucous and kumliens gull which Andy and Ewan quickly found .

Glaucous and Kumliens fly by 

                                              

Glaucous gull © Andrew last

The gulls gave us great views and photo opportunities

Kumliens gull © Ewen urquhart

Glaucous gull © Ewen urquhart

After an hour or so we left the gulls in peace and moved on to Cuckmere haven to look for a spoonbill which we found hiding in a ditch along with two little egrets . And from there we went to New heaven to look for purple sandpiper which Ewan quickly found hiding under the pier sheltering from the wind . A quick stop at Widewater on the way home to see a male and two female red-breasted merganser brought the day to an end . A big thank you to Ewan and Andy  

                                                 

Have a good week

Dawn Sortie into Gloucestershire

Saturday was spent local, bumped into Tezza and arranged an early morning assault to catch up with the Red Flanked Blue Tail. 

We arrived at 8am and departed at 11am, Tezza's suggestion of setting off early was the best move of the day. 

What with barking dogs and crying kids, I have had quieter times at my old school discos!

I then spent the rest of the day in complete contrast, at Balscote Quarry Banbury.

There are now that many birds at Otmoor, they are stacking like jumbo's going in to Heathrow!

"Don't know what all the fuss is about? It's only a bird with a blue tail!"

One of three Ravens, displaying at Balscote.

February 8/9 2014

Due to bad weather I did not make it to Norfolk to meet my old pal, so instead ended up staying local. Not knowing really were to go, I ended up going to the local RSPB reserve where I met up with my old friends the Stonechats. They were looking really smart!

Even the chaffinches have taken up wading

Spent four hours in the reserved car park trying to take photos of these tricky little fellas

 Have a good week and lets hope it dries up

Stayed local this weekend, birding in oxford with a few pals. It was great fun saw some great birds!

A few record shots of Otmoor's ringtail. Although this bird showed really well, it was always at a distance. Therefore these shots are massive crops. That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it! 

However the Stonechat's were a lot more obliging.