Hoopoe - Hinksford,Staffs

We went back for the Hoopoe today at Hinksford, it had been showing really well but today it didn't want to it was quite happy feeding in the grass, but we still got closer views than last time and was really nice to see him again, we stayed on site for 3 hours which was nice watching him through bins and managed to get another record shot :)

Norfolk weekend :)

Had an amazing weekend in Norfolk we started of trying to get the Pallid Harrier but it was a no show but had my best views of Brambling :) We then went for the Red- rumped Swallow which was also a no show and we went to Holkham for the Shore lark and they were also a no show we were starting to think that luck wasn't on are side lol
We went for the Rough-legged Buzzards and Dave soon located one, I was over the moon such a stunning bird I have seen photos before but nothing compares to seeing it in real life so striking and stands out even from a distant I managed to get a distant record shot, so happy to off seen one another lifer.
We then went to do a Harrier roost, and we saw three female Hen Harriers stunning birds and one that I have always wanted to see, I was a very happy bunny :)
We then headed to Daves friends Dean and Alicias where we were stopping the night had an amazing night was so much fun I have never laughed so much and Dave and Dean are like naughty twins when there together lol
The next day we went to another location Gun Hill, Burnham Overy to try for Shore Lark again they hadn't been reported for awhile here so we wasn't sure they would be there we were walking along and Dave said there they are they flew and landed we just sat there they wern't bothered by us at all it was so nice to just sit and watch them such beautiful little birds.
Had been a brilliant weekend with lot's of birds and 3 lifers, love norfolk :)

Great Northern Diver- Ladywalk Nature Reserve

Went to Ladywalk to see the Great Northern Diver a tick for me for Warwickshire so special when its a local tick and I love great northern divers, was quite distant but still lovely to see.
As he was in the fishery which is private we couldn't get any closer.
We went again on boxing day and the Fishery manager gave us access which was so kind of him and really nice to have better views and get a couple of record shots.

Grey Phalarope at Farmoor Res, Oxon

We headed to Farmoor Res in Oxon for the Grey Phalarope the weather didnt look to good but we thought we would risk it, but we was not expecting the gale force winds that greeted us, it was awful because the bird was in the water the wind was making the waves so stormy looked like you were at sea, but the Grey Phalarope was loving it, such a cute beautiful bird and amazing to be able to watch him for so long, I did really struggle with the winds, I hate the wind and it was just none stop wind, and very hard to get photos which was annoying because the bird was so close, but even though at the time I get annoyed afterwards it's not the photos or the weather I even think about its the bird I think off and being able to watch this bird is amazing and my first Grey Phalarope in winter plumage loved him, really hope he stays so we can go back :) Would be lovely to see him again and with better weather conditions lol
I got a couple of record shots with my camera and also Dave let me have a go with his Canon 1D Mk111 & Canon 300F4is + 1.4 conv was really nice to have a try with a different camera and got a better record shot with Dave's brilliant camera, but I still love my camera its the perfect size for me and It's my little camera :) It was a brilliant day I just need to try and learn to cope better in bad weather and keep motivated I will get there still only been birding properly for just over a year the main thing is i'm loving it all the feeling I get from bird watching is an amazing feeling love every bird :)

My Canon SX50

My Canon SX50

Taken with Dave's Canon 1D Mk111 & Canon 300F4is + 1.4 conv

Trittiford update November and Decemeber

Trittiford has been very quite and with the work going on there you can't walk round the one side of it, but each time iv'e been theres been lots of Cormorants think there enjoying the fish to themselves lol. Also there's been a total of five Male Pochards so far hopefully we will get some more.
The Little Egrets have returned at the Old Mill pond and also for the first time I saw one actually on Trittiford which was nice.

I have not given Trittiford much attention this year but next year i'm going to go regular and keep up with the bird counts as I have my car now so it is easier to check it regular and I still think Trittiford, Old Mill pond, Priory fields and the Dingles is a great patch and i'm determined to find something new there lol :)  

Hoopoe - Hinksford, Staffordshire

A brilliant day we went to Hinksford in Kingswinford for the Hoopoe I was so excited it's one of the birds I have been dying to see.
When we arrived they said the bird had flown off, I felt gutted was just praying it would come back we waited awhile and Dave said he will give it till eleven, it was five to eleven and the bird flew back in, how lucky was we :) I was over the moon to finally be seeing a Hoopoe what a bird so striking and the color and pattern just extraordinary looking bird so so beautiful and even got to him with his crest up, was a little distant but had great views through scope the smile on my face was so big :)
I got a record shot and took a video too but seems a bit shaky I do seem to have this habit of shaking it was chilly standing there, totally worth being cold for this bird :)

This is one of Dave's amazing photo's :)

Taken by Dave Hutton

Short-eared Owls and Barn Owl

Amazing weekend we went to Coleshill Gravel pits looking for Short-eared owls and Hen Harrier never saw Hen Harrier but the Short-eared Owls and Barn owl put on a show for us.
We were walking over the gravel pit's when Dave said Short-eared Owl I couldn't see it at first but when I saw it I just thought wow wow :)
We then walked up the bank to get closer views, it showed so well hunting right in front of us at one point it even turned it's head and looked right at us I will never forget that moment those beautiful eyes, then Dave spotted another one, and then another one flew in, couldn't believe this was happening three Short-eared Owls hunting and in Warwickshire too very very special and then a Barn Owl appeared from behind the tree love them even though we've had great views of them in Norfolk nothing beats the feeling of seeing them in warwickshire and with Short-eared owls too couldn't ask for more. :)
We went back on Sunday to try and get some pics waited awhile for them to show but when they did they showed well again, we are so lucky there was 2 Short-eared owls tonight possibly 3 and the Barn Owl showed stunningly, I never managed to get photos they came out blurry the light was bad and I was so cold I was shaking with the camera but Dave got a couple of beautiful shots I do admire his photography it's perfect.
Hopefully I will manage to get a pic if they stay for awhile but just having the experience of watching them is an image that will be in my head forever :)

 

Taken by Dave Hutton 

 

Taken by Dave Hutton

Crag Martin - Chesterfield

We finally caught up with the Crag Martin when it turned up last weekend we were out looking for cars for me so when the news come through that it was still there we were looking forward to the weekend on the Saturday news didn't come through till late morning and we were out looking at more cars, we were praying that it would still be there sunday luckily it was and we were very lucky as it showed straight away such an amazing bird and so worth the wait had lovely views of it flying round the church can't believe how fast it flys, beautiful bird and so pleased we got to see him even got a glimpse of the white marks on his tail. Honour to see this bird :)
Also managed to get me a car, perfect weekend big big thank you to Dave :)

Autumn Moths

So far this Autumn we have had some amazing Moths Trapping in Dave's garden and at mine is brilliant were getting a nice selection of Moths new ones for Dave as well which is so nice, I get so so excited trapping when I get a new Moth i'm like a child at xmas time unwrapping presents lol
We have had Mottled Umber in my garden and in Dave's, also November Moth in both are gardens and The Brick in my garden and I also have had two beautiful Green-brindled Crescents stunning moths and Feathered Thorn lovely dark male.
I think my fav so far this autumn has to be the Angle Shades in Dave's garden one I had been waiting to see, Dave saw it fly in and it was so nice because he gets as excited as me even when it's one his already seen :) The shape of the Moth and the pattern is just so beautiful.
Dave's garden has also produced Black Rustic, Juniper Carpet and the amazing Blair's Shoulder-knot one that Dave really wanted to see again we were both over the moon, were always over the moon at all the moths.
Every night is exciting when Moth trapping you never know what you might get, love it :)

Angle Shades

Angle Shades

Mottled Umber

Mottled Umber

Mottled Umber

November Moth

Juniper Carpet

Blair's Shoulder-knot

Black Rustic

Black Rustic

Green-brindled Crescent

Feathered Thorn

The Brick

 

American Golden Plover - Eyebrook, Leicestershire

Great Weekend a Lifer for me American Golden Plover and one that Dave really wanted to see again as it was an adult, we went to Eyebrook in Leicestershire for it on the Saturday it was reported in the morning and we left straightaway but when we got there it had flown off we were very disappointed we stayed for awhile in the hope it would come back and searched near by fields but no luck the rain was getting heavier too, so we headed back home.
On the Sunday we thought as its not too far we have to try again there was no news on bird guides so was a little nervy but as we pulled up there was lots of birdwatchers so was more hopeful, Dave scanned on his scope and then said those lovely words Iv'e got it babe :) it had just flown in, as my eyes got to the scope straightaway I just thought wow what a stunner, beautiful bird and really stands out from the Golden Plover, the American Golden Plover is alot darker and the markings really stood out, really love him and over the moon that we got to see him, dipping on the Saturday makes it even more rewarding and exciting, was to distant for photos but had amazing scope views.
Also had my best views of Red legged Partridge they really are beautiful, on the Saturday there was loads of them in the fields so nice too see so many and on the Sunday we had one just on the Roadside amazing :)  
My life list is now on 240 can't believe that I have seen that many birds, and we have had great views of the majority i'm so so lucky. :)  

Lifers in Norfolk, Red-flanked Bluetail, Hume's Leaf Warbler and more ....

Amazing day in Norfolk, Six new birds and another lifer for Dave.

 We started at Wells Woods, and the first bird we saw was Red-flanked Bluetail, so so beautiful fell in love with him straight away, stunning the first views was of the front where you could see the beautiful orangy on his chest, such a lovely cute face then it flew and landed lower down where it turned the other way showing me his amazing blue tail, love this bird.

We then went to find the Blyth's Reed Warbler waited awhile before Dave saw it fly into the Brambles I just got a glimpse and looked from a flash very white, then we walked round to try and get better views, I didn't get very good views but still over the moon to see another great bird.

We then walked down to where a Hume’s leaf Warbler and Pallas warbler had been reported, Dave heard the Hume’s straightaway we stood there and waited and it flew up to the tree giving nice views you could see how much greyer he was in comparison to Yellow-browed Warbler.

Couldn't find the Pallas’s Warbler, but we did also see Brambling in flight another new bird for me, love there call very distinctive. 

We then went onto Holkham for the Isabelline Shrike was very hard to locate but Dave found him very distant even with scope views but could clearly see the shape of him and the shape of the bill.

We then went to see the Pallas's Warbler, I really struggled with this bird it was in the sycamore tree and hard to see with all the leaves, I was getting frustrated with myself which I think was making it worse, I got a few glimpses in the end and the very white underparts really was striking. 

Birds in trees with leaves is a real problem for me think its something I need to work on think I need to be faster with my responses see movement and get those bins to eyes quicker and not stress lol

It's all a learning curve and enjoying every second of it :) The excitement and Buzz I get is just the best feeling.  

Also today we saw Redwing, Fieldfare and 3 Crossbill lovely to see them all again.

So many birds in one day im so so lucky to see all these birds and love all of them love birdwatching :)

Spurn Adventures - Citrine Wagtail and more :)

Such an exciting day at Spurn first time at Spurn and what a day, We were hoping that the Citrine Wagtail that had been there the day before would show up again today as it would be another lifer for Dave and Me.
We started of walking to Spurn point but as we were about half way there a man with a radio had an alert come through that the Citrine Wagtail was outside the hide on Canal Scrape so we walked back up as we arrived there was a dog tied up outside barking its head off, which had scared the bird off two minutes before we got there, we were both very upset and annoyed we feared the worst and thought we had missed the chance we walked backed to the car park I was about to go to the toilets as Dave shouted the Citrine Wagtail just flew over he heard its call lol he really is just amazing to recognize the call even though it's a bird he has never seen is truly amazing.
Dave said it looked like it was going in the direction of the caravan park so we started walking that way as we were walking along Dave thought he heard it again but wasn't sure we walked back up when a man had it come through on his radio it was on the Warren which confirmed that Dave was right again with the call he heard we had lovely views from the scope it then flew of again towards Canal scrape hide where it had been previously so we walked back there and to are extreme joy it was right outside the hide showing so well, to get such amazing close views of a beautiful bird like this is what dreams are made of, and I'm so so happy for Dave it's so nice that he got two lifers within in two days, love the feeling when it's a new bird for both of us. We got some photos but mine didn't come out that well think I'm getting to fussy I have such a passion for photography but the main thing is the bird its the bird I remember not the photos.
We then walked round to see what we could find we had a Yellow-browed Warbler nice views through bins love this warblers there so striking :)
We were then walking back down the road as groups of people were walking up and then one birder said they've caught a Arctic Warbler there ringing it then going to bring it round to show people, so we walked back up, could not believe how many birders had gathered totally amazed and as he Brought the Arctic Warbler round I felt all overwhelmed to see a bird like this in someones hand so up close, such a beautiful little bird, a lovely greeny colour. :)
We then walked back to the car then decided to go and look for the Little Bunting that had been reported by the visitor Centre, people were walking fast down the road and cars driving by then a birder said they've caught it and Ringing it when going to show it around, I was like wow amazing another bird that I was going to see so close I was so excited really was feeling like a dream now lol
What a stunning bird with chestnut colour cheeks and looked very dainty in comparison to Reed Bunting.
I feel so lucky to have seen such amazing birds over the past two days one lifer yesterday and three today, has been a dream weekend a massive thank you again to Dave for a lovely weekend, perfect weekend,the birds are wonderful but it's Dave being by my side that makes it perfect makes every weekend perfect :)

Record shot

Here are a couple of Dave's amazing photo's I know I always moan about not getting photos like his lol but I love his photos and so proud of his photos there always top quality and he puts so much effort and patience into them and the bird always come before his photography which is why to me his photography is perfect :) 

Taken by Dave Hutton

Taken by Dave Hutton

Semipalmated Sandpiper at Slimbridge and Captive birds

Had a brilliant day at Slimbridge Me and Dave both got a lifer the Semipalmated Sandpiper one that Dave had been waiting along time for, I love it when there new birds for Dave I get even more excited a lovely looking Sandpiper we had really nice scope views watching Dave's smile and excitement when the bird showed brings me so much joy I get joy out of every bird I see and Dave is always happy too show me new birds but it's so nice watching how much it meant to him to get this bird :)
We then walked round Slimbridge too see the Captive birds and get some photo's the Flamingos are still my Fav there just stunning, but also really liked Yellow-billed Duck the bill is such a bright yellow, and loved the screamers there stunning birds.
Had really up close views of the Eiders they really are beautiful :) all the birds are stunning so nice to see such selection of birds from all over the world.
Also had a nice wild Rook really close still struggled with photos they never seem to come out well, really do love these birds there's something about them. Got some photos of Moorhen even though there common never had them as close as here.
Also had lovely views of the Captive Otters such beautiful animals there so cute :)
Took hundreds of photos I have just picked a handful.

Common Eider (Male)

Common Eider (Female)

Smew (Female)

Bewick's Swan

Golden Eye

Moorhen

Rook

Screamer

White-backed Duck

African pygmy goose

Orange-headed Thrush

Black-winged Stilt

Black-winged Stilt

Flamingo

Flamingo

European Crane ( Blurry photo)

Otter

Yellow-billed Duck

Ruddy Shelduck