Sommaire pour February 2019 de Bird Watching

Writer and bird guide Ian Parsons urges you to give the Purple Sandpiper more than just a second glance on your next coastal visit. Page 42 Renowned bird author Dominic Couzens reveals all there is to know about the remarkable life of the Water Pipit on page 66 Back garden birder Clare Howcutt-Kelly finds that birds can be seen and enjoyed during even the most mundane of tasks, on page 74 Writer Ed Hutchings visits two very different places to report on the birds there – the Isle of Thanet on page 83 and Oman on page 86 Urban Birder David Lindo enjoys some great birds in Seville, Spain, from the moment he steps off the plane. Join him on page 90…

Remember the cover of last month’s Bird Watching? It featured a beautiful Waxwing and the bold claim ‘It’s a Waxwing winter’ as the main cover-line (if you excuse my ‘journalese’). We were suggesting you could even get a Waxwing in your garden. Of course, this was our January issue, so naturally, as happens in the curious world of magazine publishing, it was flopping through people’s letterboxes in mid-ish December. While I was out birding over the Christmas period I was even gently teased about the idea of a ‘Waxwing winter’. After all, despite a promising mini-invasion in the late autumn, with decent flocks of Waxwings in north-east Scotland and a few smaller gatherings moving southwards, they were not really taking over the country’s supermarket car parks. There was a not…

I can still remember worrying, as an 11-year-old, about the prospect of being conscripted. In peacetime, it seemed to me a dangerous anachronism as young amateur soldiers should not be thrust into theatres of war. Heaven knows it’s bad enough for well-equipped and very well-trained professional soldiers called upon to keep the peace in places like Kosovo. However, National Service did do two very positive things; instilling a sense of purpose and self-discipline in directionless young people and being, to an extent, a leveller of social classes. Disparate lads had to learn to live together with a bunch of strangers and bind into a society of loyal brothers-in-arms. Faced with a failing society seemingly unable to cope with austerity and impending ecological disasters in all directions, maybe the time has…

My 2018 birding year was rather lopsided. I started, of course, on my local Nethybridge patch – always a pleasure to include Crested Tit in my first 20 species! Most years, I manage an early visit to the coast, but not this time, as I instead joined our group in Jamaica. With 28 endemics and many American species, it’s a great start to anyone’s year, and I’m very very lucky to have this job! By the end of the month, I’d seen hummingbirds and New World warblers, though not many UK birds. Total 114 species. In early February, I had a recce to Kenya, followed by a couple of days in Uganda with a group. My main responsibilities are to check holiday logistics, and often I’m visiting hotels by early…

As winter tightens its grip in the Cairngorm mountains, temperatures drop to well below freezing, and so low is the trajectory of the winter sun, that in the shadows of the north-facing corries, no sunlight will reach for up to two months. This is where the Ptarmigan, unquestionably Britain’s hardiest bird, finds refuge and shelter. During periods of heavy snow, when the snow is too deep for them to dig down to gain access to food, they move to windswept ridges, where they graze and scrape at meagre offerings of grasses and heather, and I often wonder how they survive on such a nutritionally poor diet. This is where the Ptarmigan are fully adapted to the conditions they have to endure, and reign supreme. From head to toe they are…

Cairn Gorm Mountain is a rich habitat for wildlife, including a number of other wild birds. There are a variety of species which you are likely to see in the area. These include Red Grouse and Snow Bunting on the mid-to upper-mountain, along with summer month species such as Dotterel, Ring Ouzel, Wheatear, Meadow Pipit, Dunnock, Dipper, Willow Warbler and Pied Wagtail. Lower down, near the forest edge, Wren, Scottish Crossbill, Black Grouse and occasionally Capercallie have all been recorded.…

KEY Sites may be best visited by car, or a car may be required to get from point to point. Requires birding to be done on foot. Specified points to visit, but can be done in any order (known as KEYPOINTS) Specified points to visit and are best done in numerical order (known as WAYMARKERS) NB: The MILES ON FOOT is the amount of miles you will need to walk and not necessarily the amount of miles in the whole route. The TIME is how many hours we recommend. So, if there are fewer miles per hour, it could be that there is more to see. COLLECT & KEEP Every month we bring you 10 more sites to build up your GO BIRDING collection…

GRID REF: TV 515 985 POSTCODE: DN25 4AD HOW TO GET THERE: Take the A258 west for Eastbourne towards Brighton. After 5 miles Seven Sisters Country Park is signposted on the right at Exceat WHERE TO PARK: Pay and display car park by the visitor centre open daily from 7am; check the noticeboard for closing times TERRAIN: Mostly on the level through the valley with some muddy tracks; the scrape and beach is accessible to wheelchairs users along a metalled lane. Elsewhere, the downland section has steep slopes ACCESS: Year-round access on public footpaths FACILITIES: Visitor centre with shop, interpretive boards, restaurant and toilets PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Southern Railway provide a train service from Eastbourne stopping at Polegate.Web: nationalrail.co.uk / Bus service between Brighton and Eastbourne stops on site, web: buses.co.uk…

This morning, I pulled my parka down from the coat hook, zipped it up over my pyjamas and headed out in the cold to put the bins out. It’s a glamorous job – but someone’s got to do it. The bin is noisy as it rumbles along at more than full capacity. Neighbours are heading to the shop for the paper and a dog attempts to cock its leg somewhere near my gatepost, before being ushered on by its human. My aim is to bump the bin down the step as quietly as possible so as not to lower the value of my neighbours’ houses. As I do, I look towards the stone cottage next door to me and spot a crow above, carving a slick black flightpath as if…

I completely agree with Bo. I have visited several reserves in the UK and apart from RSPB Leighton Moss, there were not enough benches and accessibility was restricted everywhere. I use a stick to get around but when mobility is more limited, I use a wheelchair from a trust/nature reserve. To be fair, this is usually an easy process, but the chairs may require more maintenance than they receive. It can be dangerous to use a wheelchair or mobility scooter, especially when the track is narrow or bumpy. Seat belts in all chairs and handrails on some tracks are a good idea. So is training for reserve staff. I often wonder, as I try to get into a hide or hobble along a very long path, whether any people who…

PALLID SWIFT The Pallid Swift can be a real headache to decipher from the more familiar Swift. In good light, the marginally broader wings that produce a less frenetic flight pattern, and generally browner plumage easily distinguish it from the blacker and more spindly Swift. However, in poor light and when lone birds occur out of range that is where the confusion begins. Add to that, immature Swifts can also look pretty brown. You can be more assured in Seville. Unlike the Swift that it outnumbers, Pallid Swifts do not disappear for long during the winter. The last birds are generally gone by the end of November only to return by January or February whereas the Swifts are gone by October with the first returning in April. You may still…

One thing we can guarantee, if you take our #My200BirdYear challenge, is that you’ll see at least some species that you’ve never come across before – for me, last year, that included a lovely Stilt Sandpiper at Frampton Marsh RSPB. Turn to page 20, and you can find out how to take the challenge, and set out on the path to seeing more birds than ever before. Two I missed in 2018 were Ptarmigan and Water Pipit, and on pages 36 and 66 respectively, we have all you need to know about these very different but equally intriguing species – why not aim to get them on your 2019 list? Our UKBS section takes a rest this issue (it returns in March) but from page 102 we have our round-up…

TAIGA MERLIN Last February, a first-winter which appeared to be of this subspecies of Merlin was found in the far north of Scotland, near Thurso. Taiga Merlins are darker, with more heavily streaked breasts and multiple banded tails. There would be glory in refinding this bird this year! DUSKY THRUSH With fewer than 20 accepted UK records, this Asian thrush is a seriously rare bird. But, six of those records have come since 2010, so perhaps there are promising signs that it may be becoming a bit more regular. AMERICAN ROBIN The closest thing to a North American equivalent of a Blackbird, the pretty American Robin is a rare visitor to these shores (don’t be fooled by the London bird perching on Mary Poppins’ finger!). Half a dozen of the…

Britain’s best breeding site for Nightingales is a step closer to being saved, but a major threat to the celebrated songbirds remains. In mid-December, Homes England, the ‘Government’s housing accelerator’, which owns Lodge Hill, in Kent, announced that it was scaling back its plans there from 2,000 to 500 houses, and said it now intended to build outside the boundary of the protected area. The reason given was ‘environmental sensitivities’; the destruction of Lodge Hill, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), would have set a precedent for all nationally protected wildlife sites. The announcement came after three rounds of public campaigning, led by the RSPB and Kent Wildlife Trust, in 2014, 2017 and 2018, in each of which more than 10,000 people called for the Government and local authority…

If you enjoyed taking part in #My200BirdYear 2018, then you’re probably already happily ticking birds on your 2019 list, determined to improve on last year’s total, even if you passed the magic 200 mark. But if this is all new to you, here’s how it works. Here at Bird Watching magazine, we want to encourage as many people as possible to see more birds than ever, and so you have the whole of 2019 to see 200 bird species. Simple, isn’t it? Go to birdwatching.co.uk/2019-signup to sign up, and you can get started straight away. Throughout the year, there’ll be expert tips and advice in these pages, as well as on our website and dedicated Facebook page at (facebook.com/groups/my200birdyear), and you’ll receive regular emails containing more useful information and exclusive…

January Make plans If you’re reading this, you’re already making plans, so give yourself a pat on the back. But remember to keep buying Bird Watching throughout the year, and to look for updates at birdwatching.co.uk Get your garden regulars Many of these – including Robin, Blackbird, Great and Blue Tits – will be resident birds, so look for them on your feeders now. Try the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch between 26 and 28 January, and see what comes along. Check your local lake for wildfowl This month often sees ‘peak wildfowl’, so now’s the time to tick the likes of Goldeneye, Wigeon, Pintail, sawbills such as Goosander and Smew, and even sea-ducks. February Explore your local woodlands The trees are bare, making it…

Have you ever been disappointed by a bird when you saw it for the first time? I have to admit, I have. When I was a teenager growing up in the Devon seaside town of Exmouth, I heard that a bird called the Purple Sandpiper could be seen feeding along the rocks as the tide came in. Purple Sandpiper? What a name to conjure up an image! If you can imagine a Dunlinshaped bird in the colour scheme of a Purple Swamphen, then you are picturing the sort of bird that I expected to see. So, on a cold winter’s day, I was left underwhelmed at what appeared to me (at the time) to be a rather drab little bird dodging the waves as they crashed over the rocks. Now,…

The sea loch and surrounding countryside is designated as the Kyle of Tongue National Scenic Area, one of 40 such areas in Scotland, defined so as to identify areas of exceptional scenery and to ensure its protection from inappropriate development. This is also another section of the North Coast 500 drive, with the potential of adding many more bird species to your list. The causeway has two large car parks so you can scan both sides of the estuary. Looking south has the shallow side, while looking north is the deeper water plus islands. Arctic Terns are a big plus in spring and summer and can be found around the islands breeding in the estuary, with more than 600 birds counted. This far north a Little Tern is a great…

The short river of the Kent originates in hills surrounding Kentmere, and flows for around 20 miles into the north of Morecambe Bay. It is said there used to be 60 mills utilising the power of the river, but there are none today! The valley itself has mainly a single track road connecting the many farms in the valley. One outstanding building is the Kentmere Hall, a lovely 14th Century tunnel-vaulted pele tower with five-foot thick walls. The valley has two areas of standing water, with the mere an amazing mix of habitats from willow carr to wet grassland and woodland with amazing views around the valley. This is the best area for birds with breeding grebes and ducks, plenty of warblers, like Grasshopper, Sedge and Willow; Water Rails and…

These Yorkshire gravel workings are becoming an amazing site in a very industrial farming area. Prehistoric mounds thought to be linked to Stonehenge also give history to the area, but it is the birds that find these new workings that attract birders here to see anything from reedbed specialists to migrating waders and gulls. Such a wide variety of birds is hard to believe so far inland, but the nearby River Ure must be a flyway as I even found Dunlin and Green Sandpipers when I lived on it back in the 1960s. Large numbers of Canada Geese were common then and are now joined by increasing Greylags and migrant geese like Pinkfeet, even Brent, Taiga Bean and both Whitefronts. Sea ducks, such as Long-tailed, Scaup and Common Scoter pass…

Running eastwards from Llanddona Beach, Red Wharf Bay to reach Fedw Fawr a new section of the Wales Coast Path means access is much improved on what was previously one of the least visited sections of the Anglesey coast. Do not miss a visit to the stonewalled hill fort of Bwrdd Arthur, which occupies the summit of the limestone plateau and provides one of the finest views in the whole of Anglesey. From here, take in the sweep of coast northwards to Point Lynas and eastwards to the Great Orme, while to the south, the peaks of Snowdonia fill the skyline. Early occupants, including Romans, would, one imagines, have enjoyed not only the seascape but the safety the fort afforded, while centuries later Rabbit warreners with ferrets and nets plied…

This relatively short walk has lots of interest with open areas, hedgerows, trees and a lake that encourage a good variety of birds, depending on the time of year. There are plenty of local birds such as Blackbird, Robin, Song Thrush and crows and, of course, families of House Sparrows chattering away. Woodpigeons are common here and, during the summer months, Swallows and House Martins are seen around the church and farm buildings and, no doubt, a Cuckoo will be heard. Interestingly, the word Prees was originally a Celtic word meaning ‘brushwood’ which, again, means shrubs, broken off branches, scrub, twigs etc. So, does this confirm the shape of the area? A shallow sea once covered parts of Shropshire during the early Jurassic Period (about 190 million years ago) laying…

Midlanders like myself long ago learned to make the most of even the most meagre body of water to get our fix of wildfowl and waders, but a small number of ‘inland seas’ – Rutland Water, Carsington Water, Draycote Water and the subject of this site guide – can produce sometimes spectacular numbers and variety of birds. A walk round the complete circuit is seven miles in length, but there are plenty of chances to view smaller parts of the site, with the causeway being one of the more obvious stopping-off points. The whole reservoir was given SSSI designation in 1970, mainly because of the large numbers of wintering wildfowl, which include good numbers of Wigeon, Gadwall, Pintail and Teal, while north of the causeway is a Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and…

Waterford Heath is a former sand and gravel quarry that has been restored into a wonderfully varied community nature park as a joint enterprise in the 1990s by Lafarge Tarmac, Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust, and East Hertfordshire District Council. A giant 39 hectares, the site is split in two with the north and south heaths divided by Vicarage Road. To the north and west, the reserve includes the River Beane and Waterford Marsh, important habitats for Kingfisher and the elusive Little Egret. Flooding at the marsh can attract winter visitors drawn to the submerged meadows, however, you may wish to bring your wellies! The scrubland at Waterford Heath provides a perfect habitat for breeding Sky Larks and Willow Warblers once the spring temperatures rise and in the autumn has…

This early spring walk along the northern shore of the River Severn on the Welsh border is centred on the village of Sedbury, beside the southern starting point of the ancient linear defensive earthwork of Offa’s Dyke. In contrast, the view from the coastal path at Sedbury Cliffs could not be more different, affording spectacular views towards the Severn Road Bridge and overlooking the vast intertidal mudflats of the estuary, where the wetland habitats vary enormously between tidal ranges. The hinterland section winds through low-lying farmland, which often floods attracting wildfowl at high tide, with a chance of White-fronted Geese before they head north to breed. Lapwing, Golden Plover and Starling flocks attract the attention of raptors such as Peregrine, Merlin and Sparrowhawk. Other bird-rich habitats include a mature deciduous…

This tranquil riverside walk between Althorne and Burnham-on-Crouch offers fantastic views of unspoilt land either side of the Crouch Estuary. More than 25,000 waterbirds visit this area with many species found on the river banks or hiding in the barrowdykes (ditches) behind the sea wall. Visitors are disturbed only by the cry of the seabirds or the occasional hum of a passing train. The salt flats, marsh and intertidal habitats of the Crouch Estuary are an important habitat, not just for birdlife, but Grey Seal, Common Seal and Harbour Porpoise. However, one of the main reasons birdwatchers come to this area is the quantity of dark-bellied Brent Geese that over winter on the fields adjacent to the tidal River Crouch. From Althorne station, head south down to the River Crouch…

Set in one of the most unspoiled sections of the Channel coastline, the country park is named after the Seven Sisters chalk cliffs to the east towards Beachy Head, that forms part of the Sussex Heritage Coast and a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Seven Sisters Country Park has a visitor centre sited in an old barn and adjacent restaurant and is managed by Sussex County Council. There is the added bonus of the River Cuckmere that cuts through the South Downs and meanders into the sea at the Haven. Associated riparian habitats along its watercourse include grazing meadows, attractive to wildfowl, and scrub, suitable for tired migrants. The river is good for Kingfisher and Grey Wagtail and maybe a first Sand Martin of the year pushing inland. A…

Have you seen an Alpine Accentor in Britain recently? No? Thought not; almost nobody has. What about a Wallcreeper? No, it hasn’t been recorded in Britain for more than 30 years. So, what about two other birds of the European mountains, the White-winged Snowfinch and the Alpine Chough? Despite breeding within a long day’s drive of our shores, neither has ever reliably been recorded on our islands, ever. It is, therefore, quite something that one bird of the European high tops, which breeds in the Pyrenees, the Alps and the Carpathians among various other mountain ranges, is a regular visitor here. That bird is the Water Pipit, arguably one of the lowest-profile of all British birds. Lots of birdwatchers have seen one, but very few seem to know what an…

● Feeding your garden birds in February is more vital than in any other month – natural food supplies will be running out, and while the lengthening days, nest-building and courtship displays might fool you into thinking winter’s over, in fact our coldest weather is often now, so keep all your feeders topped up. ● The need to search for food means birds roam away from their usual haunts now, so keep an eye out for less regular visitors, such as Redwings and Fieldfares, Mistle Thrushes, Siskins and redpolls. The first three will appreciate you putting out soft fruit, while the latter two like peanuts or black sunflower seeds. ● Bullfinches may be more obvious now – they feed on buds, so visit gardens to find these. Ash seeds are…

North Foreland can be reached by following the B2052 north from Broadstairs. There is a car park, from where one can seawatch, overlooking Joss Bay, just north of the lighthouse. The clifftop between Foreness Point and Botany Bay may be accessed by following the B2052 west past the Captain Digby pub for half a mile. Turn right into St George’s Road and take the second right, Kingsgate Avenue. Follow this to its end and park. Walk north-west along the coast to Foreness Point. It is possible to drive to Foreness Point by proceeding north along Queen Elizabeth Avenue, turning sharp right and then left into Princess Margaret Avenue until one reaches the pitch and putt golf course. Park in the spaces provided and walk to the Coastguard Station, which offers…

1 GREAT WHITE EGRET: Our star species – and the proud logo of Somerset Birdwatching Holidays – is one of Britain’s greatest conservation success stories. Having arrived on the Avalon Marshes less than a decade ago, these stately herons now breed in large numbers – sightings are guaranteed. 2 BITTERN: Or ‘toasted heron’, as one local schoolboy named it. One of Britain’s most elusive species, it has made an extraordinary comeback, from 11 booming males in the 1990s to more than 50 now on the Avalon Marshes alone! We’ll keep a sharp eye out for them on the edges of reedbeds. 3 CRANE: Europe’s tallest bird – and one of its most spectacular – can be hard to track down in this huge wetland, but we’ll check out the latest…

Seabirds suveyed Staff and students at the University of Gloucestershire are using drones to more accurately survey seabirds without disturbing colonies. The university has developed a protocol for carrying out surveys with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) on breeding colonies of Lesser Black-backed Gulls. During observations of 12 different gull colonies, no instances of nest loss were recorded and the UAV had no noticeable impact on gull behaviour. Visit: glos.ac.uk/ madeatuni Back from the brink A duck thought to be extinct for 15 years has been brought back from the brink and given a new home on a remote lake in Madagascar. Twenty-one Madagascar Pochards spent a week in the safety of the world’s first floating aviaries on Lake Sofia. This pioneering approach is to allow the birds to become accustomed…

1 ‘Grill’ the garden The cold weather means this will probably be the peak time of year for garden visitors, especially if you put out food for them. Take a day or two to get used to what species regularly visit – you may well be surprised at how easy it is to get past 20 ticks without leaving the comfort of your armchair, as the likes of Blackcap, Nuthatch, Green Woodpecker and Brambling may join the more familiar Robins, Blackbirds and tits. 2 Scout out sites Whatever parameters you’ve set yourself, it’s much easier to hit the 200 total if you have a regular ‘beat’. Find two or three reserves or walks within a few miles of home, that you know you’ll be able to visit regularly. It’s all…

Christmas is behind us, the days are lengthening and spring is getting closer! We just have to get through January and February for spring to be within our grasp, but these two months are usually the coldest of the year, so we do need to be prepared for a sudden cold snap. For birds, this is a busy time, trying to take on lots of calories at the beginning and end of the day and, particularly on mild days, starting to establish and defend a territory and attract a future mate, so it is an ideal time to help them out with supplementary feeding and nesting sites, which will encourage them into your garden for some excellent birdwatching opportunities! Once the morning rush at the feeders is over, try listening…

The best areas to see these wintering waders are on the Shetland and Orkney Isles, the eastern coasts of Scotland and northern Britain and the rocky coasts of Devon, Cornwall and Wales. They will, and do, turn up regularly along other coasts, particularly on the eastern side of the country, but their preference is for rocky wave bashed ones, so if you want to find yourself a Purple Sandpiper to add to your #My200BirdYear list, then it is these coasts you should be concentrating on.…

GRID REFERENCE NC 573 588 POSTCODE IV27 4XH HOW TO GET HERE: Kyle of Tongue sits on the North 500 route which is accessible from A838 from the south and the east. Once here drive around the minor roads to get a better chance of more wildlife WHERE TO PARK: There was ample parking down on the course way when I was there and there are a few pull offs and passing-places all along this single-track road TERRAIN: Most birding can be done by your car or bike ACCESS: Year-round access FACILITIES: No birding facilities – local shops and pubs at Tongue PUBLIC TRANSPORT: The 803, web: thedurnessbus.com LOCAL INFO: web: highlandbirds. scot/kyle-of-tongue.html ORGANISATION: The SOC, Waterston House, Aberlady, East Lothian EH32 0PY. Tel: 01875 871 330 / Highland SOC…

GRID REFERENCE NY456018 POSTCODE LA8 9JF HOW TO GET THERE: Exit the M6 at Junction 36 following signs for Windmere via Kendall on the A591. Kentmere is found by turning right off the A591 into Staveley about 5 miles north of Kendal. In the centre of Staveley turn right to follow signposts to Kentmere for about 3 miles WHERE TO PARK: For the first walk there is roadside parking for about 6-8 cars before the factory but do not park by the factory or continue for another mile or so and there are two fields open for parking (payment to the landowner) near the church and start your walks from there TERRAIN: Some rough tracks, so go prepared ACCESSIBILITY: All year round FACILITIES: In Staveley or Kendal PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Buses…

GRID REFERENCE: SE283804 POSTCODE: DL8 2PQ HOW TO GET THERE: Off the A1M you can take the B6267 Masham/ Sandhutton road heading for Nosterfield village. The entrance to the reserve is on your right before the village. From Ripon: Take A6108 to West Tanfield (5.5 miles), turning right at mini-roundabout (signposted Wath) and left at next mini-roundabout (0.5 mile). Carry on until you reach the B6267 and turn left and then right into the car park. From Bedale: from the Market Place take B6268 for 4.8 miles, turn left (East) onto B6267 driving through the Nosterfield village and the entrance is on your left WHERE TO PARK: Car park provided TERRAIN: The paths are often solid, with occasional wet areas. Best to use stout footwear OPENING TIMES: All year round…

GRID REF: SH605 819 POSTCODE: LL58 8PH HOW TO GET THERE: Having crossed the Menai Straits, take the A545 for Beaumaris, then, close by the castle, the B5109 for Llangoed beyond which the minor road for Glan-yr-afon then Mariandyrys, here turn right then almost immediately left steeply downhill on a very narrow lane to reach the coast WHERE TO PARK: The road terminates in a small car park TERRAIN: Steep slopes, cliffs and a rocky shoreline ACCESS: Open at all times along a section of the Anglesey coast path FACILITIES: All available in Beaumaris PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Nearest train stations in Bangor and Llanfairpwllgwyogyll. Bus services seven days a week. Traveline Cymru, tel: 0871 200 2233, web: travelinecymru.info ORGANISATIONS: National Trust Wales Regional Office, Priest House, Tredegar House, Newport, NP10 8YW.…

GRID REFERENCE: SJ 565 335 POSTCODE: SY13 2ES HOW TO GET THERE: From the A49, about 4 miles south of Whitchurch, turn into Prees village then take the road east under the A49 to the east side of the village WHERE TO PARK: Near the church, grid ref: SJ 558 336 TERRAIN: Generally level going but can be a bit muddy after rain ACCESSIBILITY: No disabled access. Dogs on a lead. Swing gates and a style. FACILITIES: Some in Prees village and all in Whitchurch PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Nearest train station is Prees. National Rail Enquiries, tel: 08457 700 240. Bus services, Traveline tel: 08712 002 233 ORGANISATIONS: Shropshire Wildlife Trust, web: shropshirewildlifetrust.org.uk CLUB CONTACT: Shropshire Ornithological Society, tel: 01743 761 507, web: shropshirebirds.com COUNTY RECORDER: Martin Owen, 34 Peacock Hill,…

POSTCODE: NN6 9DG (this is for Brixworth Country Park) GRID REF: SP 780 701 (this is the car park at the western end of the causeway) HOW TO GET THERE: Pitsford Water is five miles north of Northampton. The causeway is Brixworth Road, between Brixworth and Holcot, accessed from the A508 or A43 WHERE TO PARK: There are extensive car parks at Brixworth CP and at the western end of the causeway, plus a smaller one for the nature reserve TERRAIN: Tarmac and gravel paths for some of the way, with some grassier and muddier areas in the nature reserve ACCESSIBILITY: Opening times vary by season, but viewing from the causeway is possible at any hour. One hide in the NR is wheelchair accessible FACILITIES: Brixworth Country Park has a…

GRID REF: TL 318 150 POSTCODE: SG14 3LU HOW TO GET THERE: From the A414 take the A119 north. In Waterford, take Vicararge Lane on the right to reach the reserve car park WHERE TO PARK: Reserve car park situated on Vicarage Lane TERRAIN: Stout footwear is advisable. Paths can be muddy in winter, some ascent required ACCESS: Open at all times. Dogs under control FACILITIES: Picnic tables. Further facilities in Hertford PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Bus 390 to Waterford High Road. Hertford North train station more than a mile away ORGANISATIONS: Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust, web: hertswildlifetrust.org.uk CLUB CONTACT: Herts Bird Club, web: birdweb@hnhs.org COUNTY RECORDER: Email: birdrecorder@hnhs.org MAPS: OS Explorer 174/182, OS Landranger 166…

GRID REF: ST 548 929 POSTCODE: NP16 7HD HOW TO GET THERE: From Chepstow take the A48 signposted to Lydney. After a mile, cross over the River Wye and turn right at Sedbury along Beachley Road. After half a mile turn right on Butlington Hill to site WHERE TO PARK: Butlington Terrace TERRAIN: A combination of footpaths and metaled lanes mostly on level ground ACCESS: Open access on public rights of way throughout FACILITIES: Found in Chepstow and Lydney PUBLIC TRANSPORT: No. 755 bus service, operated by James Bevan, runs between Lydney and Chepstow. Web: jamesbevancoaches.com ORGANISATION: RSPB South West, web: rspb.org.uk CLUB CONTACT: Cheltenham Bird Club: cheltenhambirdclub.org.uk COUNTY RECORDER: Richard Baatsen, email: baatsen@surfbird.com MAPS: OS Landranger 162, OS Explorer OL14…

GRID REF: TQ 9051 9792 POSTCODE: CM3 6DG HOW TO GET THERE: Head towards Burnham-on-Crouch on the B1010 until you reach Althorne. Turn right down Bridgemarsh Lane. Return by train WHERE TO PARK: Althorne Station NCP car park TERRAIN: One ascent, mainly level. Paths are uneven and may be muddy after heavy rain ACCESS: Full access all year round FACILITIES: None available PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Train, visit greateranglia.co.uk Buses web: traveline.org.uk ORGANISATIONS: Essex Birdwatching Society, web: ebws.org.uk COUNTY RECORDER: Mick Tracey, email: micktrac@aol.com MAPS: OS Landranger 168, OS Explorer 176…

I’ve done a lot of long-haul travel recently, which has given me plenty of thinking time, and I’ve amused myself pondering how the nature of my birdwatching has evolved. My birdwatching journey, an over-used phrase but an accurate description, has taken me from a back garden birdwatcher to a full-time world record-holding bird guide. My birdwatching has developed from a passing interest into a passion and I realise how lucky I am to be able to earn my living from this passion as I share birds around the world with others. As my interest has developed, so has the amount of ‘stuff’ I own in connection with my hobby. A quick glance at the bookcase will show you an ever-increasing number of bird books. From humble beginnings with my first…

The great thing about arriving at Seville Airport during the summer months, apart from the welcome heat, is the legion of Pallid Swifts that greet you as they swirl in the air. Much wanted in the UK, there is a very large population of this graceful bird around the airport area and, indeed, it is the default swift species in Seville. Look up, as they, along with the many House Martins, eke out breeding sites within the many crevices in the airport buildings. A summer walk on an evening around many of the city’s wooded areas may result in hearing calling Scops Owl. There does not appear to have been any census of the numbers of this migratory owl in the city. Aside from the obligatory Feral Pigeons and House…

Tour leader Stephen is one of Britain’s best-known naturalists, authors and wildlife TV producers. His TV credits include Springwatch and Birds Britannia, while his many books include The Robin: A Biography. Stephen moved to Somerset 12 years ago with his family, and loves showing people the bird and wildlife wonders of his adopted home. GRAEME & KAY MITCHELL ran a holiday company for 25 years. Having settled with their family in Somerset two decades ago, they founded Somerset Birdwatching Holidays in 2017. Graeme’s guiding skills and Kay’s wonderful cooking make them the perfect hosts for your stay.…

Getting the best out of the birds you want to photograph and their surroundings is vital to achieving a great shot. But never should you put the welfare of our birds in jeopardy in your quest for brilliance, says Paul 1 Fieldcraft Some bird photographers are happy to ‘follow the pack’, but many prefer the satisfaction of going it alone, creating their own opportunities and doing all the hard work themselves. Occasionally, bird photographers en masse are not an issue – at regulated seabird colonies and wader ‘spectaculars’, for example. But generally photography is best regarded as a solitary pursuit, rather than a social pastime, not least because of the potential for disturbance. And arguably the best images are produced using this approach, especially by photographers who have mastered the…

You may have noticed that this is a woman’s boot, and I am not a woman. So, once again, Ruth was drafted in to help. Muck Boot is one of a number of brands that produce footwear with the functionality of the traditional welly – useful in wet and muddy places, but with more comfort. The Tremont Supreme has been described as a ‘fashionable winter boot’. Don’t be put off by the fashionable label. This boot is totally waterproof and, we are told, good in temperatures from -30°C to 10°C – it’s a far cry from the welly of your youth. For Ruth, this was a totally new ‘welly’ experience. The footbed was unexpectedly and exceptionally comfortable, even with very thin socks. She has the dual density EVA insoles with…

VELBON UT-3AR TRAVEL TRIPOD, £79.99 Aimed at photographers, this tripod folds down to just under 30cm in length (think about that for a moment) but has a maximum height of 135.5cm (118.2cm with the column down). It has a ball and socket head with an Arca Swiss compatible quick-release plate, and five-section twist-lock legs. It weighs 787g and can cope with 3kg of load. And if you want to get down low, the centre column can be inverted. With case and carabiner. Five-year warranty. intro2020.co.uk SUNFLOWER HEARTS COCONUT SHELL TREAT, FROM £14.75 FOR 10 It’s nothing clever or complicated. It’s half a coconut shell, stuffed with a mix of suet and sunflower hearts. Delicious with vanilla ice-cream. That last bit is not true – chocolate ice-cream is better. Feed your…