Garden Spectacular
The cool and sometimes snowy weather of the last few weeks has brought a big influx of birds into the garden. We have had 35 House Sparrows, 36 Goldfinches and new records of 16 Redpolls, 5 Siskins and 6 Reed Buntings. For the first time this winter we have had more than 20 species each […]
The Hidden Gem
The ultimate challenge in springtime is to find a Woodcock incubating eggs. The camouflage when it lays them amongst leaves and bracken is superb as is shown by this weeks sitting female. She laid her eggs on or about the 20th March which is exceptionally early and means she had to sit through two periods […]
Early Breeding Goosanders
During the last fifty years Goosanders have increased in number and are now seen almost daily on our local canal. The female lays up to a dozen eggs in hollow trees and only leaves them to feed twice a day, usually in the company of the male. Her eggs take four weeks to hatch and […]
Snowy Owl
Today is the last day of March and snow has only just cleared from the Pennine hills. The heaviest fall of snow this winter was on the 4th March when five inches fell in less than four hours. I was in the unique position of being able to observe roosting Long Eared Owls and how […]
Looking For Feathers
There is little doubt that the most exquisite nest of any British bird is that of the Long Tailed Tit. In early March the dome of the nest is constructed and then by the end of March the search is on for feathers to line it. It takes up to ten days to line the […]
Iceland Gulls
Fifty years ago I visited Iceland for the first time and it made such an impression on me that it seemed the appropriate place to visit to celebrate my 70th birthday last week-end. We were treated to blizzards, gale force winds but no Northern Lights even so it was a delight to see it in […]
Himbrimi
An evocative name for the Icelandic Great Northern Diver. We have just returned from an extended week-end in Iceland to celebrate my 70th Birthday and not one Himbrimi was seen. The reason,of course is that they have all migrated south to the British Isles for winter and one young bird has already spent many weeks […]
Islay Magic
Two weeks on Islay is never long enough but with good winter weather and plenty of wildlife to see this February was one of the most rewarding winter visits we have ever had. The Geese always provide a spectacle for the birdwatchers and this weeks gallery includes many of my favourites from our visit plus […]
Icelandic Merlin
One of the reasons for visiting Islay in February is to catch up with the many raptors that winter on the island. As only one pair of Merlin breed on Islay in summer the winter sightings are of Icelandic birds that have come south in October with Redwings and like the Redwings they always seem […]
Winter On Islay
A week on Islay and a mixture of snow, rain, gales and sparkling sunshine. A walk around Islay’s beaches resulted in a flock of 80 Sanderlings being encountered in one sandy bay. It was great to watch their rapid feeding whilst uttering low contact calls. One bird had a multitude of colour rings on its […]