Lakenheath

Reports came up at about midday that the adult Egyptian Vulture had again been seen inflight over the North Norfolk coast. Hopeful that it would be tracked from there onwards like many other fly-by birds usually do. Returning for a second day running. However half way up there negative news was recieved on the pager. So we decided to stay put in Lakenheath to see what we could get. We knew it was too early for the Orioles but Garganey showed well. A Grasshopper Warbler reeled, which were really the only noteworthy sightings.

On our way back home we stopped in Ouse Washes for Tree Sparrow (a year tick) which we saw well upclose.

Peacock & Mole at Lakenheath Fen RSPB and Stock Dove & Tree Sparrow at Ouse Washes RSPB (c) Ashley Howe

North Norfolk

Today we spent the majority of the day along the North Norfolk coast, our aim to get common migrants and any additional year ticks. From 2 in the afternoon onwards, we headed inland for the Iberian Chiff-chaff and for the hope the Egyptian Vulture was going to be located. Please follow this link to read the trip report and for photos - Iberian Chiff-chaff

Little Gull at Titchwell RSPB (c) Ashley Howe

Calshot Marshes

Yesterday afternoon, we visited Calshot Marshes for the Hoopoe which had been present from Tuesday onwards. The bird showed in a tree on arrival and soon flew onto the deck where it fed and became increasingly further away. We went around the back of the houses where we were able to approach the bird to get close enough for decent efforts. Heres what I got:

Hoopoe showing down to about 20 feet at one point (c) Ashley Howe

Manor Farm

A late afternoon/evening visit to Manor Farm revealed a couple of Nightingales in song as well as the same amount of Lesser Whitethroat, however Whitethroats were more numerous. However highlight came in the way of a Tawny Owl showing well as it roosted at times.

Tawny Owl roosting (c) Ashley Howe

Singing Nightingale (c) Lee Fuller

Budleigh Salterton & Prawle Point

It took a while for the day to get started and eventually we lcoated the Cattle Egret, now coming into summer plumage. The bird was several fields north of the small car park by the Otter Estuary and the only Egret there.

Swallow along the Otter Estuary (c) Ashley Howe
There was no sign of the Laughing Gull at Matford Pools so we headed south to Prawle Point. Here we got Cirl Buntings showing very well as were Yellowhammers. A quick stop at Slapton Ley revealed our first Sandwich Tern flying up the road.

A male Cirl Bunting allowing us to get very close (top 2) and a Yellowhammer also (bottom) (c) Ashley Howe

Next to Berry Head where there was plenty of Guillemots on the sea and Gannets moving through often. The best sighting from the sea was about 50 Manx Shearwaters flying south together. The were more Cirl Buntings to the west of the car park.

Buzzard circling over Berry Head (c) Ashley Howe

As we past back through Exeter there was again no sign of the Laughing Gull.

Scotland weekend

We spent Easter Bank Holiday in Scotland paying attention around the Cairngorms in particular we managed to see basically everything up there apart from Golden Eagles which we missed by very short periods of time on more than one occasion. Please follow this link to take you to the trip report including the many photos taken throughout > Scotland

Red Grouse at Lochindorb (c) Lee Fuller

Ptarmigan up Cairn Gorm Mountain (c) Ashley Howe

Crested Tit in the Abernethy Forest (c) Ashley Howe

Wildern School

27/03/07 - Black Redstart viewed outside my science classroom before flying off high north.

Titchfield Haven NNR

Unfortunately no sign of the Iceland Gull from Hill Head Sailing Club, apparantly it flew in the direction of the Isle of Wight. But the Spoonbill was visible, if a bit distant too from the bridge. The drake Scaup was also there with 2 Whistling Ducks. 2 Med Gulls flew in at high tide.

The adult Ring-billed Gull was on Haslar Creek and at least 5 Mediterranean Gulls were there companying it (4 adults & a 1st winter).

The Gulls weren't particuarly showing well but to get it between 2 summer Meds was quite nice. (c) Ashley Howe

New Forest

Another visit to the New Forest, where we tried for Goshawk. I'll keep stoom about the exact location as they do breed in the area. Anyway, the day took along time to get in full swing with only Mandarin and Grey Wagtail before midday. A few Siskin, Marsh Tits and Crossbill were about (the latter came down from the trees to drink). As we walked back to the car park we located a few Firecrest and a female Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (finally i have had a decent view of these little buggers).

By late afternoon we moved to the Blackwater Arboretum where we managed a few Hawfinch and Brambling, plenty of Siskin as expected. And a couple of showy Firecrests.

Male Crossbill feeding upside down on a Pine Tree (c) Ashley Howe

Cornwall and South Wales

Well this has been an amazing weekend although dipping the Glaucous-winged Gull was abit annoying. Follow this link: White-billed Diver, Spotted Sandpiper & Franklin's Gull on Hayle Estuary, Cornwall and more Trust me! Theres some pretty good pics on there.

(c) Ashley Howe. White-billed Diver on the Hayle Estuary by the Co-op bridge.

There are more pictures of everything if you follow this link