Late afternoon visit to Staines Reservoirs

17th October 2012, As I was on the early shift at work, I decided that on the way home I would drop into Staines reservoirs for a much needed birding fix.

I looked over both basins their banks and the causeway and found the following birds:
Little Grebe (1 on North Basin), Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Mute Swan, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Shoveler, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye (3 South Basin), all the wildfowl starting to look very smart as they come out of their ecilpse plumage, Kestrel ((North Basin Tower)



Lapwing, Black-headed Gull, Ring-necked Parakeet, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, Goldfinch & Linnet.

Angle Shades

Thank you Martin Cade, Brian Clews & David Ferguson for naming the mystery moth.

http://ukmoths.org.uk/show.php?id=1731

Mystery Moth - Can you help?

On Sunday had this moth in our house, still trying to find out what it's name is, Can you help?

Mud, Mud, Glorious Mud

On Saturday I did a 5km run/walk at Eridge Park, Tunbridge Wells, Kent for charity with Tracey, most of her office colleagues and two of our son's, Alex and his partner Amy and Callum, and most of us were wearing Jester's hats.
http://www.majorseries.com/

Eton Wick brings up 220 for the year

After work on 3rd October I headed of to Eton Wick to see the Little Stint that had been there for a number of days, this being the same flooded field where the Pectoral Sandpiper was seen in September. On the walk to the viewing area I saw House Sparrow, Woodpigeon & Carrion Crow. I quickly found a Dunlin, 2 Green Sandpipers and then the Little Stint, this little bird has taken my year list to 220 (http://www.berksbirds.co.uk/photos.asp), then a Snipe came into view feeding at the rear of the flood. I did a quick count of the Lapwings (100) and Black-headed Gulls (37), other birds seen Cormorant in the dead tree, 3 Teal, Mallard, Grey Heron, 3 Canada Goose, Stock Dove, Magpie and Starlng. Along the brook in the reeds and trees Wren, Robin, Cetti's Warbler, Chiffchaff, a Ring-necked Parakeet flew over, then a Grey Wagtail landed on the egde of the flood close to the brook and then a Hobby flew low across the rear of the field.

I then walked out to the Jubliee river for a quick look, on the water Great Crested Grebe, Mute Swan, Cormorant, Mallard, 2m & 1f Gadwall, a Grey Wagtail on the weir and in the bushes was a mixed flock of Chiffchaffs, Long-tailed Tits, Blue Tits and Great Tits.




On my return to my car noticed that the Black-headed Gulls had increased in number, so another count came back with 81.

22nd to 29th September 2012 - Holiday

On Saturday 22^nd September with my wife Tracey and our 4 dogs, we took the caravan down to the Caravan & Camping Club Site at Southbourne.

We planned to explore areas that we had not before, as well as revisiting places we had to previously & I also had a new book, Birduder 344 – A Lift List Ordinary by Rob Sawyer to read in the evenings.
 

Arrived on site in the afternoon, set up and had a quick walk with the dogs, found a local Co-op, so did some shopping to stock up the caravans cupboards. Then got stuck into Birduder 344.

Sunday 23^rd we walked out to the coastal/harbour footpath and headed in the direction of Cobnor Point, we did not reach it, and returned going inland into the fields to get away from the wind and rain. We warmed up with a big bowl of porridge and a mug of tea.

Monday 24^th made a packed lunch and we all walked around Thorney Island.

Tuesday 25^th another packed lunch and off to Cobnor Point, we reached it today, and sheltered on the way under the oak trees and in the hide at the point. We then continued round to Chidham then cut across the fields back to Southbourne. Really enjoying the book, and turning the pages quickly.

Wednesday 26^th went to Bosham, East Wittering and Bracklesham today, I can recommend the Fish & Chips at Moby’s Bracklesham, and we drove down to the car park overlooking the sea, and ate them in the car.

Thursday 27^th had a lazy day, spent most of it reading, I’m starting to think that I’m a Birduder as well.

Friday 28^th had a look around Pagham village and West Itchenor, finished my book. In the evening some friends came down in the evening and we went to The Ship Inn, West Itchenor (http://www.theshipinnitchenor.co.uk/) for a great meal, there was a Brucie bonus as they had free wine tasting and a very good magician who went around the tables.

Saturday 29^th In the morning Alex dropped off our grandchildren Alfie & Bella, Tracey made a packed lunch and headed off to the park down Beach road, Selsey.



Walked along the beach collecting shells and bits of crab!

 

Then went to the riviera (http://www.riviera-restaurant.co.uk), for dinner, you get a big plate of food here. On the way back to the caravan great the dogs a quick run at Church Norton, great hearing the birds calling out on the marsh in the dark.

Sunday 30^th Packed up and returned home.

Turnstones near Selsey Lifeboat Station.



Going through my birding notes I saw the following 61 bird species (none added to year list):

Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Gannet, Cormorant, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Buzzard, Kestrel, Red-legged Partridge, Pheasant, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, Lapwing, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Greenshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Herring gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Common Tern, Sandwich Tern, Stock Dove, Collared Dove, Woodpigeon, Green Woodpecker, Skylark, Swallow, House Martin, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Wheatear, Blackbird, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Reed Bunting.