Common Rock Thrush: Pwll-du, Gwent

An afternoon dash along the M4 on Saturday 20th proved to be very frustrating. Despite reports throughout the morning and continued reports on route, we arrived on site to learn that the bird had been flushed and had flown from it's favoured feeding area and was last seen disappearing into the valley opposite the quarry. Despite prolonged searches throughout the afternoon and into the early evening we headed back along the footpath in darkness without any sightings of the bird. 

Brian unable to sleep made the 360 mile round trip again on Sunday morning and after another search was rewarded when the bird made an appearance in the 3rd quarry.

I thought my chance of seeing this bird had gone, but Brian gave me another chance when he decided to make a third trip this morning!

After remembering the clocks were due to go back we left home at 4.30am and arrived three hours later to find plenty of cars already parked up. After a brisk mile-long walk along the edge of the quarry, we joined the assembled group of birders to find the Rock Thrush feeding on a grass bank just feet away!  

We enjoyed stunning views of the bird throughout our 5-hour visit. 

The Rock Thrush seemed to follow a routine of feeding among the short grass, then visiting an area where someone had left some mealworms and then returning to the rocks to rest up for short periods only to repeat the same routine a short time later albeit with a visit to one of the small puddles left by overnight rain.

So thanks to Brian making the trip for a third time, just the1080 miles! I finally managed to see this stunning bird.

American Wigeon: Rutland Water, Leicestershire

Leaving at 5.30am this morning, with a plan to head Northward along the A1 and if the Scops Owl was found roosting we could continue up to Ryhope and view the bird.

Arriving at Rutland water nice and early, we headed off along the footpath towards Smew Hide. The hide looks out across Lagoon II, and the American Wigeon was quickly located feeding among a flock of Eurasian Wigeon.

American Wigeon

With no news on the Scops Owl, we decided to have a search for Willow Tits at a site we have had success with on previous occasions. On the walk down to the first hide, Brian and I heard a Willow Tit calling. Your best chance of seeing Willow tits here are when the feeders have been filled-up. While waiting we were entertained by a Kingfisher that landed on the posts at the water's edge. A Snipe emerged from the reeds and two Green Sandpipers dropped in.

The trees around the feeders are frequently used before the birds drop down to feed, plenty of birds were visiting. All the usual suspects were regularly seen including Great Tit, Blue Tit, Robin, Dunnock, Wren, Chaffinch and a stunning male Bullfinch made a brief appearance.

It took an hour and a half, but eventually, we were finally rewarded with a visit from a Willow Tit!

Willow Tit

Long-billed Dowitcher & Wilson's Phalarope in Kent

A little bonus trip this afternoon, and after braving the mid-day traffic we eventually arrived at Oare Marshes. Normally on our, dawn visits, there are very few cars and parking is easy. Today the place was packed!

Water levels had dropped considerably from our last visit and there were large numbers of birds taking advantage. Both the main target birds, Long-billed Dowitcher and Wilson's Phalarope were quickly found with both happily feeding in front of the viewing area on the West side along the entrance track. 

Alongside these two North American vagrants, there were plenty of supporting cast members with 2 Curlew Sandpiper, 3 Little Stint, 2 Ruff a single Greenshank and Water rail. Large flocks of roosting Dunlin, Golden Plover and Black-tailed Godwits were very obvious along with good numbers of Ringed Plover, Avocet, Redshank and Lapwing.

Red-throated pipit, Landguard NR

At 9.45am yesterday morning a Red-throated Pipit was found at Landguard NR. It remained at the Southern end of the common throughout the day. With only four accepted records of Red-throated pipit in Suffolk, the last of which was at Minsmere in 2001, this individual had many Suffolk birders hurrying to Landguard to bag a very welcome county tick. 

With heavy overnight rain forecast, we thought there was a good chance of the bird still being present this morning. Light rain was falling on route but it had ceased by the time we pulled into the car park along View Point Road. Leaving the car we headed along the path in front of the Observatory and made our way towards the Wardens Cottage. As we approached, we could see a small group of birders including LGRE scanning the shingle and grass near the boardwalk. The bird had been heard calling and had been seen briefly in the company of a couple of Meadow Pipits. As we started scanning the area the bird flew directly overhead calling. It dropped down onto the short grass and began feeding close to the concrete blocks.

It fed on the common for 15-20 minutes and then relocated to an area a short distance from the warden's cottage. I managed a few record shots using the phone held to the scope.

Red-throated pipit 

Red-necked Grebe: Roding Valley Lake, 3rd Visit

I made another brief visit to Roding Valley Lake this afternoon hoping the Red-necked Grebe would still be present. A quick scan from the West bank and I found it out in the middle of the lake.

I turned away from the lake as a Common Buzzard drifted across the cricket pitch and a Sparrowhawk flew across the top of the Willow Trees near the water's edge.

I'm not sure if the Buzzard or Sparrowhawk had spooked the Grebe, but it was nowhere to be seen when I scanned the lake again. No sign of it at it's favoured Southern end or along the Eastern side. Having walked around most of the lake, noting two Little Egret, three Grey Heron and two Terrapins (Red-eared) possibly? I eventually found the Grebe drifting along with a small group of Coots. The weather was dull and overcast and the Grebe remained distant, but I took a few shots all the same.

The local Canada Geese approached much closer. Trying to grab some of the attention away from the star bird.

Red-necked Grebe, Roding Valley Lake

As twitches go, there won't be a closer one to home than this. A five minute amble across the field and I'm standing at the edge of the lake. I had a quick look on Friday evening, but the light was fading fast and I only managed brief scope views before the light disappeared completely.

The weather forecast today was much more favourable and with the sun shining mid-morning I took another stroll over to the lake. It had been favouring the Southern corner for the majority of its stay, but upon arrival, the Grebe was way over in the Northern corner close to the over-hanging branches of the bankside Willows. However, within 15-20 minutes it soon returned to its favoured Southern corner. Cue the cameras!

Spotted Crake, Ingrebourne Valley

Another short trip today and a visit to the Ingrebourne Valley, where a Spotted Crake had been located yesterday. Arriving shortly after 8am, It's a short walk from the car park to the viewing screen, but there had been no sign of the bird so far this morning. After 30-45 minutes of scanning, Brian and his lucky jumper picked the bird out. It was moving through the short reeds to the left of the viewing area. It spent the next hour playing hide 'n' seek with us. Showing well at times, but it didn't like open ground and would run from one area of cover to the next.

Spotted Crake

Another year tick added to the list today and the last four days have produced 2 lifers and six year ticks.