Hudsonian Godiwt at Meare Heath Somerset

On Friday 1st May, I had been working down in Bournemouth, so when I had completed all the work scheduled for the day, I looked at the days bird sightings, and found that the Hudsonian godwit was still at Meare Heath in Somerset. So I left Bournemouth and drove to Ashcott Corner arriving around 17:45, I made the short walk to view Meare heath and was put on to the HUDSONIAN GODWIT by another birder. It was feeding on the closes part to us all, and it then flew to the rear, which enabled me to see the dark underwing, I then took some record shots, and I would have liked to stay longer but I had to leave and get back to Farnborough.. So a new bird for my UK list and I also added BITTERN & RUFF to the year list.

2015 Year List = 156

25 more in April, including a local Hoopoe.

On Tuesday 7th April I had been working at a site in Havant, so at lunchtime parked up at the end of Southmoor lane, and had a walk looking over this part of Langstone harbour and Budds farm wastewater works. I saw the following, Little grebe, Great crested grebe, Cormorant, Little egret, Mute swan, Canada goose, Dark-bellied brent goose, Shelduck, Gadweall, Teal, Mallard, Tufted duck, RED-BREASTED MERGANSER, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Curlew, MEDITERRANEAN GULL, Black-headed gull, Common gull, Lesser black-backed gull, Herring gull, SANDWICH TERN, Woodpigeon. Wren, Robin, Blackbird, Cetti's warbler, Chiffchaff, Long-tailed tit, Magpie, Carrion crow & Greenfinch. Three more added to year list.

2015 Year List = 131

Monday 13th April I went to a site in Berkshire for work and found a work colleague already there, so called in, and was put "on call". So I headed to Long Crendon for the 4 GARGANEY (3m & 1f). I Parked up next to the church in Preist End Thame and then walked up the old road crossing the A418 and continued until I reached Mead Farm and the large pond they were on. Also added SAND MARTIN, SWALLOW and GREY WAGTAIL.

2015 Year List = 135

I then headed to Combe Gibbet Berkshire, where I had great views of WHEATEARs & RING OUZELs.

2015 Year List = 137

Friday 17th April started the day in Coventry, and I soon completed all my call's, so on the way home i popped into Farmoor Reservoirs Oxfordshire where I added COMMON TERN & BLACK TERNs (2)

2015 Year List = 139

I then went to Standlake (Pit 60) also in Oxfordshire, where I added RED-CREATED POCHARD (6m & 1f), RING-NECKED DUCK (1m & 1f), COMMON SANDPIPER, BLACKCAP & WILLOW WARBLER

2015 Year List = 144

Wednesday 22nd April, I had a lunchtime walk at Little Marlow gravel pit, added HOUSE MARTIN.

2015 Year List = 145

Thursday 23rd April, and work took me to Kings Hill Kent, so at lunchtime I went to Leybourne lakes country park, bird song everywhere, adding NIGHTINGALE, REED WARBLER & WHITETHROAT.

2015 Year List = 148

Friday 24th April, back to Kings Hill, so I tried a different location for my lunchtime walk, Holborough Marshes, which gave me HOBBY & LESSER WHITETHROAT

2015 Year List = 150

While at work, I found out about a HOOPOE at Crawley near Winchester Hampshire, an area I knew well as I was based at Crawley Court when it was NTL.

2015 Year List = 151

Wednesday 29th April, after completing my work in Bournemouth,  I went to Acres Down New Forest before going home, and had singing TREE PIPIT & REDSTART.

2015 Year List = 153