Tuesday 28 August 2012

Norway, 9th- 15th August 2012

Another mini-tour of Europe in the campervan this summer and Norway
was the destination. We travelled through Belgium, Holland, Germany
and Denmark before catching the ferry across to Kristiansand and
travelling around South West Norway.

It was generally very poor, bird-wise, although my expectations weren't
high, (this being a non-birdy holiday) i did expect to see little more. The
scenery was stunning, with lots of waterfalls, fjords and mountains.

Some bird highlights were: Red-backed Shrike, Icterine Warbler, Sea Eagle,
Rough-legged Buzzard, breeding plumaged Red and Black-throated Divers,
and Grey-headed Wagtail. While travelling on the mainland i saw a 300 strong
flock of Black Terns along with Barnacle Geese, 35 Spoonbills, and Ruddy
Shelduck.

Rough-legged Buzzard was a superb sight, hunting over
Hardangervidda


The awesome Pulpit Stone

Common Tern

My first sighting of Beaver!



Icterine Warbler
Porpoise were very common
Common Gull






Friday 3 August 2012

Leighton Moss 31st July- 2nd Aug' 2012

I spent a few nights at Leighton Moss in the campervan and spent most
of my time in the Eric Morecambe Hide. I managed to see some good
birds; Spoonbill, 2 Osprey, Green Sand's, Spotted Redshank, Bearded
Tit and a huge, male Otter.

The Waders showed very well from the EM Hide and Kingfisher too!

Common Redshank

Black-tailed Godwit and others


Grey Heron

Common Redshank

Swift

Osprey with prize

Spotted Redshank with Common Redshank


This day old, Moorhen Chick fed by the path

Great-crested Grebe

Black-headed Gull


Kingfisher at the Eric Morecambe Pool


Local Birds, 29th July 2012

A summer plumaged Black-tailed Godwit was a surprise, as it
slept on the bank of Upper Foulridge Reservoir with Black-headed
Gulls. With brim-full water levels this year the Wader passge at the
Foulridge res's has been very poor. A Common Sandpiper and a
single Oystercatcher were present too.

On the Lower Res' a juvenile Med' Gull dropped in and was present
for a short while.
Black-tailed Godwit

Med' Gull

Later in the evening i visited a Long-eared Owl site. With the chicks now fledged,
i found it a little odd, that an adult Bird is still flying around in the early evenings.