Faro, Portugal 14/6/14

Pallid Swift - 10

Pete Neatherway - RIP

I have just learnt the horrific and very sad news that my very good birding friend, Pete Neatherway has passed away.


Please see http://beachyheadbirding.blogspot.com to understand what a kind hearted, welcoming and fantastic person Pete was. I've had the pleasure of knowing Pete for 8 years, the first time when I saw my first ever Honey Buzzard at Beachy Head, and from then on we have watched some amazing birds together, including the River Warbler where he all too quickly came up and congratulated me.


He will be missed by myself, and many others so much. I can't quite believe it, and even writing this I've got a bit teary eyed, but I will always remember Pete, as he was a top, top bloke!! Such a loss, and no doubt Beachy Head won't be the same without him.

Ouse Washes RSPB 10/6/14

It was about time I added this superb looking Heron to my UK list, so I headed up with Mick to the Washes. Just a shame it was a 50 minute walk to see the bird, but it was worth it. 

SQAUCCO HERON - 1 adult in s/p

Bittern - 1 heard

Cuckoo - 2

Ring-necked Parakeet - 1

It looked a bit like this one

.......and this one

(Squacco Heron in Mallorca)

but actually like this one.
(Sqaucco Heron at Ouse Washes RSPB - phone scoped)

Rome 8/6/14

Hooded Crow - 2

Black Kite - Mt. Caburn 3/6/14

Just as I sat down ready to demolish a pizza, a text came through from David Cooper saying he had a Black Kite drop down in a field near Beddingham. As DC was at Rodmell, he couldn't see it in the field, but it sounded like it was still there.

So 15 minutes later I arrived, started scanning, then out of nowhere the BLACK KITE flew out right in front of me and for the next half hour, myself, John & Doreen Cooper watched this beauty circling in front of Caburn, where eventually it drifted off west and (according to RBA) landed in trees near the dog kennels. What a result, another great find by DC at Rodmell!!

Black Kite at Beddingham - light was poor!!

Burnham Overy Dunes, Norfolk 2/6/14

SPECTACLED WARBLER - 1 male in song

Whilst out in search for Dragonflies near Warnham with Chris Glanfield, the mega alert sounded, and after a brief look at the phone, we were in no doubt that the dragons would have to wait for another day. We left straight away (picking up Jake on route) and arrived in north Norfolk just under 4 hours later.

After the lengthy walk out to the dunes, the bird showed straight away. It was simply a stunner (for a Sylvia), and was easy to track due to its really distinctive song. It was watched either singing on top of the bushes, or feeding on the sand.  A brilliant looking bird and a very straight forward twitch........!!

That was until when we arrived back at the car to find the back left tyre was flat as a pancake. To cut a long story short, it took three tow vehicles to finally get us back in touch with our own vehicles, and only SEVEN hours later after we were intending to leave the 'car park'. Still, a memorable experience I guess.

 male Spectacled Warbler - check out those legs!!