Garganey: Wanstead Flats, London

Having failed to locate the Garganey at Dungeness yesterday, it was very welcome news this morning when one was found on Jubilee Pond at Wanstead Flats. It's only a seven-mile drive from home, but there's still the worry that the bird might take flight at any moment. Parking up along Dames Road opposite Jubilee Pond we crossed the road and spotted the Garganey immediately. It was quite skittish and would take small flights when any other bird approached it. 

After watching it for 10-15 minutes it took flight and headed towards the playground end of the pond. It was refound tucked in along the near bank and remained wary of the resident ducks and geese and it was no great surprise when the bird was not present the following day.

Lesser Yellowlegs: Lodmoor, Dorset

The long-staying Lesser Yellowlegs at Lodmoor was our target this morning. After nearly three hours and 160 miles, we were parked up in the car park. A short walk and we were scanning it's preferred feeding area, the West scrape. We found it resting at the back of a raised grass bank, not the views we had been hoping for. The scrape itself held impressive numbers of Med Gulls among the Black-headed Gulls. A walk along the footpath added Sand Martin and Swallow to the year list. Forty to Fifty Sand Martins were seen with only 2-3 Swallows found among them. The trees bordering the scrape produced our first calling Chiffchaffs of the year. A Willow Warbler was heard calling but remained elusive among the foliage. With the sun out and hardly any wind the Bearded Tits were heard "pinging" regularly. As we headed back towards the car park the Lesser Yellowlegs was relocated on an island. Still distant but we enjoyed close views with the aid of the scope. 

Lesser Yellowlegs

We left Lodmoor and dropped in at Radipole Lake. A Ring-necked Duck had been on site since the 4th November and after parking in the small car park by the tennis courts we quickly located the duck in the channel with a small group of Tufted Ducks

Ring-necked Duck

At Portland, we failed to locate the Little Owl in the quarry, but a Black Redstart and several Wheatears and Stonechats were found around Lloyds Cottages.

Portland Bird Observatory

Before heading for home we made another visit to Lodmoor and after initially finding the Yellowlegs in the same place we had left it this morning, it decided to make a short flight and landed in the shallows by the grass bank.

Dungeness, Firecrests and Cattle Egrets

Another visit to Dungeness this morning, hoping to find our first Wheatear of the year. We checked the lighthouse gardens for any Firecrests that may have recently arrived and found two among the Rhododendrons.

Firecrest (B Anderson)

Seawatching Hide

A search of the beach from the Lifeboat station to the power station compound failed to produce any sightings of Wheatear, but a drive down to the Bird Observatory was more rewarding when a male was found close to the moat. A Raven was seen flying along the line of pylons heading towards the power station which added another year tick.  

Distant view of RH & DR steam train

Heading away from the reserve we found the four Cattle Egrets in a sheep field close to the roadside.  

We cut the trip short after being unable to drive along Galloways due to the red flags of the MOD and the rain showers had now turned to Hail.  

Rough-legged Buzzard, Elmley NNR

It was a disappointing morning at Dungeness today, water levels were very high resulting in very little wader action. Forty to Fifty mph winds sweeping across the beach and surrounding areas meant that anything that may have been around stayed well hunkered down and out of sight. The only birds seen of note were the four Cattle Egrets, which were happily feeding in the fields behind the horse paddocks opposite Homeleigh Farm along Dungeness Road.

Dungeness (Both lighthouses in the distance)

Deciding to head closer to home we visited Elmley NNR and managed distant scope views of a Spoonbill on the scrape left of the main track for a welcome year tick.

Spoonbill was left of the barn in the distance!

But the real highlight of the day was a Rough-legged Buzzard which was seen hunting the fields bordering the track.

Marsh Harriers mobbed it but it paid little attention and continued hunting, even a hunting Peregrine overhead produced no reaction. It may have made a kill earlier as it didn't seem interested in the numerous Rabbits around it and quickly saw off the crows and gulls that arrived.

Green-winged Teal: Herringfleet, Suffolk

Our main target this morning was the Green-winged Teal at Herringfleet in Suffolk. On route, we stopped at Thetford Forest hoping to connect with the Great Grey Shrike along ride 7. Unfortunately, the shrike could not be found, however, the area was alive with Woodlark, Skylark, Yellowhammer, Meadow pipit and Stonechats. The walk back towards the car produced several Brambling among the numerous Chaffinches and a calling Lesser-spotted Woodpecker nearby was an added bonus.

Woodlark

Leaving Thetford we headed East along the A11 and found the Estate car park at Herringfleet without any problems. The Green-winged Teal had been present since the 26th of February but could be quite elusive at times. Heading through the woods we reached the flooded marshes and were pleased to find the small group of birders had already located the bird. It was feeding along the channels with several of its European cousins. It remained distant but allowed good scope views through the gaps between the trees.

Heading back along the A11 we stopped off at Cavenham Heath and began searching for any signs of early returning Stone Curlews and managed to locate a single bird among the heather. 

Stone Curlew (Phone-scoped)

Brian managed to grab a better shot of the bird with his camera

Stone Curlew (B Anderson)

Two more additions to the year list today which stands at 174.

Penduline Tit, Crossness NR

I spent the best part of four hours on the 22nd February searching the dipping pond and Nature Reserve either side of Eastern Way failing miserably to find the Penduline Tit. 

The Penduline Tit continued to be reported on a daily basis so another visit to Crossness Nature Reserve was made this morning hoping for better luck. After another lengthy search, our luck did change! The penduline tit was heard calling from the reeds left of the viewing screen and soon it's seen in flight and lands in a Hawthorn close by.

It soon takes flight and begins feeding among the reed mace at the back of the pool. 

Two visits and over seven hours searching finally paid off.