Brookie's Diary
• Saturday, May 10, 2008 - Red Footed Falcon
News of a bird I hadn't seen in England since 1987 saw me heading out the door. I arrived at Pugneys Country Park along with half of Wakefield due to the warm summer day. I headed out to the nature reserve with news that the bird was still about. I was soon on to the Red Footed Falcon (female) as she was busy feeding over the tree tops. We enjoyed the bird for about 30 minutes before she disappeared for a while. Whilst there I also added Reed warbler to the growing year list
View some pics at this guys blog site > of pies and birds < |
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• Monday, May 5, 2008 - Strid Wood
Futher afield today, a journey to one of the best woods around, a trip to Strid Wood nr Bolton Abbey. Arriving in the car park a 6am I soon heard the familiar sound of the Curlew on the surrounding moor. Further into the wood Song Thrush and Blackbird. Great Spotted Woodpecker and Nuthatch seemed to be everywhere. The river did hold Dipper and Common Sandpiper, joined by Mallard and a splendid male Mandarin Duck. Grey Wagtail was picked amongst the river rocks. I still hadn't found the birds I came looking for, I made my way back up the river. Then I heard a unfamiliar bird call I knew I had found one of the birds I had come for. A male Redstart. He was soon joined by a Spotted Flycatcher, but that wasn't around for long when the Redstart saw him, he soon had him off his territory. Wood Warbler then decided to join in two down one to go. Talking to a couple of guys in the wood I found out where my third bird was hiding out, but I didn't want to cross to the other side of the Strid. I came to the conclusion that what they saw over there I should surely be able to see over this side. I soon saw another guy on the other side looking in to one of the trees. I had a look. It took a good five minutes to locate the bird but there he was a male Pied Flycatcher and then another, like buses all of a sudden. With Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler added and again a missed Lesser Whitethroat I decided to return home to see whether any Dotterel had turned up on the local moor.
Around Ingbirchworth the local lads were out but alas no Dotterel seemed to be landing in the Huddersfield area this year. Checking the res. Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe and Mallard seemed to be the only birds about. I decided to check Broadstones in the hope of a Dotterel, in the past I believe they have stopped off here. At Broadstones I decided on dinner with Wilow Warblers, Meadow Pipits and Linnets and then athe surprise bird of the day a Raven making its way across the moor giving off that familiar call as it was buzzed by a Kestrel. Well no Dotterel again, end of a day. Day List |
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• Saturday, May 3, 2008 - Ingbirchworth Reservoir
| Once again I found myself wandering around one of the local reservoirs, this time I was looking for a Whimbrel on Whiteley Common. I didn't locate the individual but I did see Lapwings, Pied Wagtail, Curlew, Linnet and a few hundred Lesser Black Backed Gulls. Having not seen the Whimbrel I dropped down to Ingbirchworth Reservoir. It was here that I found two Black Terns, a first for me in the Huddersfield area, what a great compensation. Great Crested Grebes and Tufted Ducks could also be seen Willow Warbler and Green Woodpecker could be heard |
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• Friday, May 2, 2008 - Scout Dyke Reservoir
Club area reservoir visit again. Having parked the car it wasn't long before I heard the distinctive call of the Whitethroat. It's amazing how you quickly recall the songs of the returning migrants. I sat down for a few minutes to enjoy this amazing warbler to to marvel once again the wonders of migration, has it went about proclaiming it's territory for the summer months'. Nearby another summer migrant the Willow Warbler again proclaiming it's new found territory amongst the willow scrub. Swallow and sand Martin busy feeding on the wing, skimming over the water. Then a Common Sandpiper made it's self known, giving that distinctive flight, as it made its way to the dam wall. I carried on walking around the reservoir seeing Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting, Blue and Long Tailed Tits as I went. Litte Grebe joined by a few Great Crested Grebes on the reservoir water, but no quarry could be found, the elusive Lesser Whitethroat. I made my way back to the car having enjoyed the few hours I had had.
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• Saturday, April 26, 2008 - Ingbirchworth and Winscar Reservoirs
I decided on a couple of the Huddersfield Reservoirs today. Ingbirchworth and Winscar. The start was at Ingbirchworth. Looking on the dam wall I soon spotted Common Sandpiper making its way slowly arund the waters edge. Willow Warblers, the first for me in the Huddersfield Area, were giving their all from the bushes. Swallows were skimming over the water. Coot, Moorhen and Great Crested Grebe were on the water. Driving around the farmland I caught sight of Linnets, Lapwings doing their wonderful tumbling displays, and Golden Plovers piping and chasing each other. Meadow Pipits on the dry stone walls and Skylarks singing on high.
Winscar Reservoir Curlews and a displaying Snipe. I then made my way in to the wooded area. Here Coal, Blue and Great Tits, Siskin and Redpolls flying overhead. Chaffinch seemed to be continually singing from the nearby trees. I didn't find the bird I had come to find and time had run out once again, homeward bound |
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• Friday, April 18, 2008 - Ospreys and Migrants at Rutland Water
It was good to get back to Rutland Water away from the Birdfair to see what this place had on offer. We started at the Lyndon Reserve where you can get great views of the Ospreys. We saw the Male and Female at the nest site. The same male eating a fish a little while later, just a little bit away from the nest. They have I believe two nesting pair with four roaming males. Other birds at the site included returning migrants in the form of Willow Warbler,Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Swallow, Sand and House Martins. A few gulls including a single Little Gull.
After a while we went round to the Egleton part of the reserve. Here there were a few returning Common Terns. Wildfowl today included Tufted Duck, Mallard, Shelduck, Shoveler, Gadwall, Wigeon and still a few Goldeneyes knocking about. Down at the dam wall Yellow, Pied and one White Wagtail and a single Wheatear
 The weather was very overcast very windy and very cold in an easterly wind we did still manage to notch up over 60 species see List
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• Friday, April 11, 2008 - Digley Area
| Back on to the moors. On arrival the weather didn't look good, so I settled in the car and had dinner first slowly seeing the weather getting better. I kitted up and the first bird seen was a Short Eared Owl quartering the moor close to the car and then landing on the road side post, what a start. Walking along the footpath birds started coming Wheatear (2), Male Stonechat, Pied Wagtail, Red Grouse, Meadow Pipits too many to count. Lapwings and Curlews abound in the fields. Scanning the walls, I soon found a male Ring Ouzel busy preening with a female close by. I was distracted by the familiar call overhead of a Raven. On looking up I saw it was busy mobbing a Common Buzzard with another raven close by. Another Buzzard flew overhead has I returned to the car. Not a bag full of birds today but the quality was great. |
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• Friday, April 4, 2008 - Pugneys Country Park
| Out of the club area and to Pugneys Country Park. This place is becoming more and more popular with the tourists. However good birds were seen, Black Necked Grebes, Sand Martins and 1 Swallow across the road at the Redland site. Getting around to the hide and the nature reserve area the bird list came to life with Kingfisher, Oystercatcher, Common Gull, Black Headed Gull, Grey Heron, Redshank and Reed Bunting. Wildfowl at Pugneys today Ruddy Duck, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye, Gadwall, Shoveler, Shelduck, Mallard. Only one other migrant for today was a lonely Chiffchaff. |
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• Saturday, March 29, 2008 - Sands Lane
| A newly formed gravel pit area near Mirfield produced the desired result in the form of a female Scaup along with the first Chiffchaff of the year. Gulls on the water were Common and Black Headed.Other birds in the area included Robin, Blackbird, Redwing, Mistle thrush. A fly thru Sparrowhawk flushed out Long Tailed, Great and Blue Tits with Chaffinch and Greenfinch. Up over the Golf course Dunnocks, Wrens and a drumming Great Spotted Woodpecker. |
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• Tuesday, March 25, 2008 - Deer Hill
| Back to reality, birdwatching in England. On to the local moors to find snow. Sun with high temperatures now a thing of the past. Pied Wagtail, Chaffinch, Starlings and Greenfinch, playing in the lower fields. Around the farm Fieldfare, Lapwings, Curlew and Magpies, all busy searching for food where they do it best. At the known Twite feeding station. I found only 2 birds. Remarkably down on last years 34, and a few Meadow Pipits. No wheatears in the area yet and just adding Woodpigeon and Stock Dove to the list I was on my way home |
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• Sunday, March 16, 2008 - Tujering and Tanji
This was to be our last day with Yaya Barry. We made an early start and headed south to the new site of Tujering. This is a good site, we were soon in the thick of birds Plaintive and Singing Cisicolas, White Fronted Black Chat, Whinchat, Hoopoe, Vieillot's Barbet, Brown Backed Woodpecker, Cut Throat Finch, that was just the start. Having walked around Chestnut Crowned Sparrow Weavers, Scarlet Chested and Violet Backed Sunbirds, Yellow Penduline Tit, Long Crested Eagles were seen.This is a good place to get to see some common and uncommon African birds along with some migrating European birds.
We also had a quick stop at Tanji beach seeing the White and Pink Backed Pelicans. Terns included Caspian, Royal and Sandwich. Gulls Slender Billed, Grey Headed, Lesser Black Backed and Kelp. Waders Turnstone, Sanderling, Grey Plover and Bar Tailed Godwit (was I in Norfolk for a split second??)
Above Striped Kingfisher
End of the Birding Tour to see loads of Videos use the link My Videos on the right. Another end to a Gambian Trip, total bird list 179 this with 9 Lifers plus 4 birds to the Gambian list. Gambian List now 266.
Don't forget the Trip Report for a more detailed bird list |
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• Saturday, March 15, 2008 - Abuko Rice Fields and Nature Reserve
Abuko was our destination today. We started in the rice fields, a new area for us. Tawny Flanked Prinia, Red Bellied Paradise Flycatcher, and Black Flycatcher started the day. We added a couple of sunbird species to the list, Beautiful, and Splendid Sunbirds. In the main rice field area we saw a few waders and Egrets Greenshank, Wood Sandpiper, Little Egret, Black Egret, Cattle Egret and Squacco Heron. Leaving the rice fields we caught a Barn Swallow. We then added a couple lifers in the form of Grey Headed Bristlebill and Klass Cuckoo. I feel that Abuko is one of the better places to bird in the Gambia where you can get closer to the wildlife including the Crocs and Monkeys.
Fork Tailed Drongo at Abuko Nature Reserve |
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• Thursday, March 13, 2008 - Kotu Creek
Kotu Creek, one of the best biding spots in the Gambia. Star bird for me today Malachite Kingfisher (see photo). Always great to see the Malachite Kingfisher, this one was darting to and fro across the creek. This gave a great opportunity to photograph this beautiful bird. The creek held a few wading birds Greenshank, Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, Spur Winged Plover always in good numbers, Senegal Thick-Knees, Whimbrel, Wattled Plovers, Common, Green and Wood Sandpipers and alone Curlew Sandpiper in drab winter plumage.
Moving in to the rice fields Little Bee-Eaters and a two Red Necked Falcons overhead. Sewage ponds added Black Winged Stlit to the days tally. The cycle track area gave us African Spoonbills, Sacred Ibis, Black Egrets, and Yellow Billed Storks. 77 species of birds for the tiny area wasn't bad for a few hours early morning birding. Trip Report 2008 |
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• Wednesday, March 12, 2008 - Makasutu, Pirang and Marakissa
This is were the birding started. Yaya Barry the bird guide picked us up at 7:30am and our first stop was Makasutu. We soon had Grey and Fine Spotted Woodpeckers in our sites. With Red Bellied Paradise Flycatcher, Tawny Flanked Prinia, Yellow Billed Shrike, Fork Tailed Drongo and Bearded Barbets as supporting cast we were off and running again with our Gambian Birding
On our walk around typical Gambian birds were seen African Golden Oriole (see photo) Cattle Egrets, Abyssinian and Blue Bellied Rollers with African Hobby, Gabar Goshawk, Grey Kestrel, Lanner Falcon all putting in an appearance. Overhead we saw Hooded Vultures, Black Kites, African Harrier Hawk, Whalbergs Eagles, Booted Eagle and Lizard Buzzard.
We moved on to Pirang to and a few more birds to the days tally especially great to see the Yellow Throated Longclaw before we left.
Marakissa was our last stop for the day were we added a couple of star birds in the form of Lesser and Spotted Honeyguides. A great end to our first days birding. Trip Report 2008 |
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• Monday, March 10, 2008 - Bijolo Forest Park
After four days of being beach bums we decided on a stroll around the local forest park. We picked up a Birdwatching guide, Babu, from the Official Tourist Guide hut for half a day at 250 Dalasi. We later learnt on getting back to England that this was the hottest day of the holiday at 106°F.
Entering the park there was monkeys everywhere, Green Vervet and Red Colobus, no birds. Shikra soon floated over with the usual Hooded Vultures and Black Kites. Further in to the forest Little Bee-Eaters and Blue Bellied Rollers came in to view. A new bird for the Gambia for me in the form of a Common Kestrel was spotted high up in a Palm tree watching as we walked by. Blue Spotted and Black Billed Wood Doves seemed to be the common doves about. The usual Red Eyed and Vinaceous Doves were in evidence. We did then have a brief five minutes when birds seemed to be moving thru Snowy Crowned Robin Chat, Grey Backed Camaroptera and Oriole Warbler all giving excellent views and ID discussions.
On leaving the park a Yellow Fronted Tinkerbird flew up on to the wires proudly showing its self off. A slow start to the bird part of the Holidays due to the high heat but started it was. Trip Report 2008
Bird above Brown Babbler |
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• Sunday, March 9, 2008 - Gambia Trip 3
Bird Photo above showing Lesser Honeyguide
It was once again that I found myself back in the Gambia for yet more African birding. Over the two weeks at the Senegambia Beach Hotel I notched up a bird list of 58 bird species. A little bit down on last year but I did manage to add 10 new bird species to the hotel list. These included off the sea Royal Tern, Kelp Gull, Slender Billed Gull, Osprey. Around the gardens Grey and Fine Spotted Woodpeckers were added along with Black Shouldered KIte and Yellow Billed kite. Abyssinisan Roller, Wire tailed Swallow and Variable Sunbird were all found. Just outside the chalet Red Necked Falcon stopped briefly for a clean before moving on. The best bird was the bogey bird from last year Lesser Honeyguide I managed great views of this bird due to the fact it kept coming down to the water tap just opposite the chalet.
This tap became a very good place to get good views of various birds from the garden including Bronze Mannikins, White Crowned Robin Chat, Bulbul, Black Flycatcher, Senegal Coucal, Brown Babbler, Red Billed Firefinch, African Thrush, Yellow Billed Shrike.
Bird Photo below showing White Crowned Robin Chat
There off course were the familiar birds from previous years Speckled Pigeon, Laughing Dove, Red Eyed Dove, Vinaceous Dove, Long Tailed Glossy Starlings, Blue Breasted KIngfisher, Hooded Vultures, Black Kites, Beautiful Sunbirds, Little Swift, African Palm Swift, Red Billed Hornbill just to name a few.
Trip Report 2008
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• Saturday, February 23, 2008 - Blacktoft Sands
Blacktoft Sands to try and see the elusive Hen Harrier. Tree Sparrow, Greenfinch, Woodpigeons greeted us in the car park. On to the reserve and Marsh Harrier was one of the first birds we saw. Ducks were plenty with Shovelers, Teal, Mallard, Goldeneyes and Shelducks. Up at the Ousefleet hide a few waders were added to the list with Redshank and Black Tailed Godwits. We waited until dusk but no Hen Harrier and no bonus bird in the form of a Barn owl
Day List
| Crow |
Magpie |
Herring Gull |
Black Headed Gull |
| Pheasant |
Greenfinch |
Tree Sparrow |
Chaffinch |
| Wren |
Robin |
Tufted Duck |
Shoveler |
| Shelduck |
Mallard |
Pochard |
Teal |
| Goldeneye |
Moorhen |
Coot |
Lapwing |
| Mute Swan |
Greylag goose |
Redshank |
Black Tailed Godwit |
| Blue Tit |
Great Tit |
Marsh Harrier |
Blackbird |
| Woodpigeon |
Cormorant |
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• Saturday, February 9, 2008 - Night Heron
A reported Night Heron would be a first for the Huddersfield Club Area if accepted. With my wife and Grandson in tow we made the dash to Scout Dyke reservoir at about 3 o'clock in the afternoon. It had been reported late morning. As we came into the car park the said bird could be seen clearly in the bushes at the far side of the res. We stopped and enjoyed the bird a full Adult bird along with plumes. It was not reported the day after, sunday
Heres a photo, poor shot, my excuse is that it was hand held thru somebody elses scope (usual excuses)
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• Friday, February 8, 2008 - Fairburn Ings
Arriving at Fairburn Ings, I went along the Cut path to see if I could find the reported LSW. With extensive searching I could not find the elusive quarry, it escapes again. I did see however Coal, Long Tailed, Great and Blue Tits, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Treecreeper, and a Green Woodpecker 'yaffling'. The water held Tufted Duck, Pochard, Mallard but no Smew at this end. I then made my way to the visitor centre area to see Siskin, Tree Sparrow more Blue and Great Tits around the feeders. The hide area giving up Shelduck and Shoveler along with a Green Sandpiper a nice surprise to end the tour. >List < |
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• Saturday, January 26, 2008 - Draycote Water
I decided on a day out at Draycote Water. Set off at 6am, arriving at 8:15am. Car park fee for the day was £1.50 (don't forget a 50p next time). Toilets open at 7:30am, good job they did as well. First bird on arrival was a Great Spotted Woodpecker at the first toilet block and then a glimpse as it flew towards the visitor centre.
After getting togged up. I left towards Toft Bay for the long staying Lesser Scaup. On the walk down to Toft Bay birds encountered on the way were Lapwing, Great Crested Grebe, and Little Grebes, never have I seen so many Little Grebes in one place. Goldeneye (male and female) Cormorants, Goosanders (male and female) Black Headed and Common Gulls, Moorhen, Coot. Fieldfare, Redwing and Starlings in the adjoining fields with Pied Wagtails flitting between field and dam wall. Scattered around where Crows and Magpies.
I finally made it to the hide and settled in to scan the bay in the bottom corner. I saw many Teal, Pochard and Gadwall along with the usual Mallards. The bird feeder had Chaffinch and Greenfinch. I soon spotted the big raft of Tufted Duck and started scanning thru to try and find the Scaup. People came and went, and no Scaup reported. After two and a half hours I made my way round to the other side. Here I settled into the Picnic area, okay the willows blocked some of the view, but I could see clearly as the birds drifted passed. Half an hour came and went and there he was Lesser Scaup, seen and watched clearly as he drifted with the Tufted Duck. I settled in had dinner and watched the bird drift up and down. Here I saw Robins, Goldcrest and Blackbirds.
Off I set to try for the other two birds I had set my sights on for the day. It was near the dam wall. It was here that I finally caught up with the Great Nothern Diver, giving excellent views as it drifted in close. Here also there must have been 150+ Great Crested Grebes, but no number three bird. It was whilst I was talking with one of the locals that I found out where my third bird was, back down to Toft Bay. Sure enough there he was one drake Smew. All three birds in the bag time to return home, not before seeing a Peregrine Falcon fly thru on the return to the car park, nice end to a grand day out. >Day List<
View of Draycote Water looking towards Toft Bay, location of the Lesser Scaup and Drake Smew
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