Hello birdwatchers The last four weeks have been a little different than normal in that I actually managed to leave the UK for a much needed holiday at the end of September. So, after an excellent shearwater cruise out of Bridlington harbour and a short walk around Middleton Park in
Continue readingHello birdwatchers We’re already 3 weeks into my new programme and on the last couple of trips there has been an autumnal nip in the air. The gloves have been on this month already! My new group of birdwatchers are meeting at Hollybush Conservation Centre on Monday evenings and, so far, have
Continue readingHello birdwatchers After 3 days at Rutland Water talking to fellow birders, watching events and walking around the extensive Rutland Water reserve, I’m now back at my laptop feeling a little deflated. It has been a weekend filled with friends, old and new, and some amazing views of ospreys. The
Continue readingI really thought that I would be able to catch up with myself over July and August but how wrong I was. Life events have pulled me in all kinds of unexpected directions and the old adage “best laid plans” has been mentioned on more than one occasion. Well, we can
Continue readingAfter a slow start to June, a few days of sun and moderate rain really helped the UK’s flora and fauna catch up and, as I write, most birds are either feeding chicks or have fledged their little charges and are thinking about their post breeding moult. Of course some will
Continue readingIt came as no surprise to me to hear the announcement that this spring has so far been the coldest in over 50 years. I think I’ve worn gloves for most of my classes since the start of my spring programme and I’ve even reverted to full winter gear on
Continue readingHello birdwatchers Spring migrants are like buses this year – one minute you can’t find one and then they all come at once! It has been a fantastic couple of weeks in the world of birds. Chiffchaffs and willow warblers are just about getting settled; blackcaps seem to be paired
Continue readingHello birdwatchers What a traumatic spring we’ve had so far for our migrating birds. Both incoming and outgoing birds have struggled to make their habitual journeys to their breeding grounds this year. Bird reports have been unseasonably winter-esk with long-tailed duck, smew, waxwings, redwing, fieldfare and siskins still being seen in
Continue readingHello birdwatchers The sunny skies on Saturday gave us a fantastic start to the month of March when we visited YWT’s Askham Bog followed by the Lower Derwent Valley. The water levels had receded considerably by Saturday morning but, due to time constraints, we stayed on the boardwalk at Askham Bog.
Continue readingHello birdwatchers I’m just back from Start Birding’s annual winter trip to Dumfries and Galloway in south-west Scotland. This year I was joined by 8 lovely people and, once again, we stayed at the wonderful Millbrae House in Rockcliffe owned by Linda and David Birdsall. This stunning countryside is home to thousands of
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