31.12.07

before the weather closed in this morning i had great views of a huge finch flock at ludwell valley country park. the flock was a good 500+ birds including brambling, gold and greenfinch, house sparrow and reed bunting all feeding on seeds in rough pasture. also the first bird of the day was a sparrowhawk. 3 fieldfare were in the bushes too.

i am a bit gutted about this year as i only had 1 bird more than last year and that was low. this years count was 177 species.

better luck next year.

happy new year!!

22.12.07

Scaup at stover. lovelly.

21.12.07

i had a hour or 2 to do a bit of birdin so i started around allerbrook fishing ponds. 6 canada geese, goldcrest, 20 siskin with a few goldfinches in. also a green wody in the background.

i moved onto the teigngrace rd to see if the cattle egret was there, it was and i had great, close views. also present pied wag, little egret, mipipit and redwing. in the field opposite was a single fieldfare.

i then went to the passage house. as i got there 40 lapwing went up, i think that is the most this year. many blackheads and herrings and blackbacks. a single redshank and greenshank were feeding in the rising tide.

13.12.07

Drove to Countess Weir in Exeter. Another cold morning, really starting to feel like winter.

Made my way around SWW works to the Sludge beds. Saw blue, great and long tailed tits. I looked through the gulls but nothing out of the ordinary.

I wandered around the sludge beds not seeing much from the blinding low sun. I came to the walk way by he pylon and saw a robin feeding on the ground but some thing else was there too, skulking through the mud and leaf litter, a Water Rail. I had really great views of this hard to see bird, made my day.

I continued around and found 2 chiffs chasing each other! Also gs woodpecker and Kingfisher flying across the marsh.

10.12.07

I finally caught up with the Cattle Egret that is so close to home. I went to find it yesterday but the rain was so heavy. There was Curlew, mipipit, redwing and pied wags there too.

I have had a poor year birding this year, my list is down( i won't count it until 31.12.07) but i have had some good birds. saying that i have missed some good birds too.

I still need Short eared owl for the year. Bogey birds are Hoopoe for the UK and Hawfinch for life. maybe next year will be better!!