Wednesday 27th July

On todays trip I saw another largish Grass Snake in the usual place. A Green Woodpecker nearly decapitated an unsuspecting lady that I met, but despite that excitement it was rather quiet.

Bird wise I had another Little Egret which was on the river and flew towards Ladywalk. There were also two Common Sandpiper.

My garden had a family party of both Goldcrest and Treecreeper and I think the former bred again this year.

Catch Up

I have been over the Reservoir quite a bit, but have seen nothing of note apart from a couple of Common Sandpipers the other day and unto two Little Egret about two weeks ago. Common Tern numbers have been reasonable with around c.20 birds at any one time.

Also had a week in Majorca for a variety of birthdays including a meal out at a posh restaurant.

Majorca

Today Joy and I payed a visit to Draycote Water where we saw, c.5 Yellow-legged Gulls and a strange looking individual with a rather long bill, which was distinctly pale based (see photo), I suspect it is a 1st winter Yellow-legged Gull but the bill is strange, reminiscent in length of Caspian but the shape of the bird was wrong! I’m no expert on gulls so please make suggestions.

Adult Yellow-legged Gull, Draycote Water

Strange looking gull at Draycote Water, presumably 1st winter Yellow-legged Gull?

Also seen were four Little Egret, Wheatear, Common Sandpiper and a few LRP.

I have had a couple of lifers this summer with Great Knot at Titchwell and White-winged Scoter at Murcar GC in Aberdeenshire.

Great Knot, Titchwell, Norfolk

We have also started climbing Corbetts, these are hills in Scotland between 2,500 and 3,000 feet. I just can’t give it up!

The Summit of Mount Battock, the most easterly Corbett

Conachcraig with the cliffs of Lochnagar behind.