You have to try

I went for the Bufflehead at Covenham Reservoir on Saturday only to be disappointed of its departure over night. I did get to see White Wagtail, Little Gull and Yellow Wagtail whislt there.

I also popped in to see a very distant Black-winged Stilt at Frampton RSPB.

Also today I popped to Acle to see the two White Storks that had appeared, I saw a House Martin here and later on after work I got to see three Swift over the house.

Monday, and the Patch Today

The day after the trip down to Dorset and I popped to Horsey after work, clearly migration was happening as the only birds I saw was 1 Ring Ouzel, 3 Wheatear and a Hoopoe, it is now possible that I was the last person to see the Hoopoe as it has not been reported since.

Today I popped up to Trimingham but was limited on my movements as had Lauren strapped to my back. Didn't see much apart from Blackcap, Swallow and a pair of displaying Sparrowhawk.

Portland Bill Migrant Hunt and Home

The second day in the south west was to be spent on Portland in search of migrants we headed out early in hope of finding some spring birds down at Portland Bill. It started well with Swallow's flyover the car park. The only worry was that all the Swallows were fighting against a fearce Northerly wind this can't be a good sign when looking for migrants coming from the south.
We trundled on and soon found a group of 6 Wheatear this was a great start.

A few Rock Pipts were also in the mix.

We then had a brief sea watch and saw Manx Shearwater, Kittiwake and Gannets. Nesting on the Cliffs were Guillemot, Fulmar, Razorbill and in the sea with the Guillemots and Razorbills was a summer Puffin.

I heard a Yellow Wagtail fly over but looking straight into the sun we could not see it.

We then walked up the cliff see this very close Kestrel. A House Martin flew through with more Swallow.

On the walk back down the hill a Raven flew over our heads as did a Sand Martin. Linnets were sing from every bush.

After that we headed for breakfast and after breakfast we headed for the quarry's on the island in hope that migrants will be sheltering from the wind.

We walked around for two hours a saw a Greenfinch. That was it a Greenfinch!

Poorly we chucked it in and headed off to see some birds, this time a Radipole Lake RSPB.

It is a nice place and as we walked around we could hear Sedge and Reed Warblers and we got a great view of a Cetti's Warbler.

Some people were feeding the ducks including this Tufted Duck.

We then got told about the Glossy Ibis so we headed up to have a look, it wasn't showing when we arrived but a Marsh Harrier and Kingfisher kept us entertained.

We soon got to see the Glossy Ibis as it kept flying around in front of the hide.

After this we walked back to the car and got to see a singing Reed Warbler. We then went back to Portland and check some scruby area's only the cliffs only to find a Great Tit.

With this we headed back to the hotel.

The next morning we got up early and headed back to Portland Bill it was colder and more windy than the previous day. A few Wheatears were still around and Two Lesser Redpoll flew over in the hour that we spent there.

After this we headed for Penath to see the Lesser Scaup.

After this we headed home seeing Red Kite along the M4

The South West a quick summary Day 1

On Friday Adam, James and I all headed South West in celebration of Adams impending wedding.

Our first stop was Hordle in Hampshire and it wasn't long until we were watching the Rose-coloured Starling.

The whole time were there it was very mobile and flying between gardens.


After this we went to Steeple Langford in Wiltshire and saw this Ferruginous Duck. We also saw Kingfisher, Great Crested Grebe and Sedge Warbler. I also heard A Lesser Whitethroat but this could not be seen.

After this trip to Somerset and to Chew Valley Lake where this very showy Grey Wagtail was almost as good as the distant Spotted Sandpiper.

Still in Somerset but further south we stopped at Meare Heath NR where one of the two Long-billed Dowitchers has started to turn into summer plumage.

The Cormorants have started nesting.


This Great White Egret flew over our heads and landed in the pool.

After this we headed into Dorset and caught up with very distant views of Black-winged Stilt.