Sommaire pour April 2019 de Bird Watching

Bird guide Ian Parsons explains why the Little Ringed Plover can easily be confused with its close relative. Learn some top ID tips on page 18 Writer Matt Williams speaks to the experts about the impact that climate change is having on our birdlife. Read more on page 24 Renowned bird author Dominic Couzens reveals why so many birders believe they have missed out on seeing Song Thrush. Page 33 Tour guide Ruth Miller wants us to embrace the magnificent Chough this year, a bird she’s lucky to see on her own birding patch. Page 42 Urban Birder David Lindo highlights just some of the birding hotspots in close proximity to the city of Nottingham on page 70…

Legal eagles Wild Justice, a not-for-profit company set up by TV presenter, photographer and wildlife campaigner Chris Packham CBE, author, blogger and campaigner Dr Mark Avery and blogger, researcher and wildlife campaigner Dr Ruth Tingay, has been launched. It will take legal cases on behalf of wildlife against public bodies where they are failing to protect species and/or habitats. Wild Justice is working with legal teams in England and Scotland. Legal action will be funded by public donations and crowdfunding appeals. Visit wildjustice.org.uk Bittern boon Lee Valley Regional Park Authority is investing half a million pounds to create a new Bittern Information Point and bird hide at Fishers Green, near Waltham Abbey, Essex. The new Bittern Information Point will replace the current hide, which was first built more…

Great Sand Plover, C. leschenaultii Breeds in the semi-deserts of turkey and eastwards through central Asia. Winters in east Africa, south Asia and Australasia. rare vagrant in western Europe. Kentish Plover, C. alexandrinus A scarce visitor to the UK, but familiar at suitable mudflats etc in Europe, especially the south (but it breeds as far north as Normandy). Lesser Sand Plover, C. mongolus Breeds in the himalayas and across to north-eastern siberia. Winters in east Africa, south Asia and Australasia.…

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…

Day 1 Our tour starts with arrival at the Princes Arms Hotel in the picturesque Conwy Valley in time for lunch. After lunch, we visit RSPB Conwy, where we can expect to enjoy waders and wildfowl at close range. Day 2 We visit the beautiful island of Anglesey, with its dramatic coastal scenery. Chough and Black Guillemot will be high on our wanted list but we will also look for migrants, raptors and seabirds. A visit to RSPB South Stack will be one of the highlights on this day. Day 3 A short drive takes us to the Great Orme headland; the sea-cliffs and limestone pavements here are a temporary home to migrant birds and this Local Nature Reserve has a track record for turning up the unexpected. We also…

People not native to the fine city of Nottingham in the East Midlands would be forgiven for associating it with the likes of the late Brian Clough, Robin Hood and Sherwood Forest, the erstwhile haunt of the nation’s favourite bandit. While the aforementioned are great reasons to honour the city, there is more than that to meet the eyes of a curious urban birder. So where are the birds in Nottingham? Perhaps the most obvious birding site associated with Nottingham is indeed Sherwood Forest itself. However, it is not within the city, being nearly 20 miles outside of the centre. It is hardly urban. Presently, it is a 450-acre national nature reserve replete with a brand new RSPB visitor centre. Walking around the ancient woodlands is a wonderful experience with…

BRAMBLES FLOATING SWAN AND DUCK FOOD, £7.99 FOR 1.75KG Feeding the ducks can be a positive early encounter with wildlife. But throwing bread at them isn’t ideal – this is a much better idea. It’s a delicious concoction that includes linseed, wheat, rice, peas and fishmeal. It tastes good (ask any Mallard) and has the right balance of nutrients, vitamins and minerals for swans and ducks. It’s also good for geese, Moorhens and Coots. This family business is an approved supplier to the RSPB. In 1.75kg and 12.55kg (£27.99) packages. bramblespaw.co.uk TILLEY POLARIS HAT, £80 New from the Canadian hat guru, the Polaris has a PFC-free finish that shrugs off water and dirt. Meanwhile, on the inside, moisture is absorbed and then wicked away. Its pièce de résistance, though is…

April 2016 saw the launch of the British Isles’ most southerly bird observatory in Alderney, located eight miles west of the French Cotentin peninsula. The Alderney Bird Observatory (ABO) is extremely well placed to monitor bird migration and is aiming to become the 21st accredited bird observatory. Experienced ABO warden John Horton shares some of his experiences from the first few years of monitoring: “Since April 2016, our monitoring has already produced records that clearly demonstrate how Alderney is on a major migration flyway for many thousands of birds. Field observations and bird ringing are our two main methods of monitoring, with the latter being widely used for identifying birds’ migration routes, and increasingly helping to estimate species population dynamics and trends.” Although bird ring numbers are mostly recorded by…

While some species migrate on a broad front, and others follow narrower, more clearly-defined routes, certain locations have a reputation as hotspots for watching migration in action, as geographical factors and prevailing weather conditions funnel birds in to a particular spot. We’ve selected 10 of the best to try this spring, to ensure you see plenty of migrants, both common and more scarce. Remember two things, though. One is that there’s an element of self-fulfilling prophecy about all this – the more birders that visit a location with a reputation as a hotspot, the more pairs of eyes there are to spot unusual species, or simply to log large-scale migration, and so it goes on. And secondly, in April, good numbers and variety of migrants are likely just about anywhere…

CRETZSCHMAR’S BUNTING This close relative of the Ortolan Bunting from the eastern Mediterranean is a strikingly rare bird in the UK, with just seven accepted records. Three were on Fair Isle (Shetland; with one in April to May 2014, the earliest in the year of any of the seven) and two were on Orkney. ORIENTAL TURTLE DOVE The rarity of Oriental Turtle Dove is obfuscated somewhat by the fact that birds, on the rare occasions when they do turn up, are often long-stayers. But there have in fact been just 25 accepted records, though in the last decade this has included a disproportionate seven. We are due another long-stayer... CALANDRA LARK This large, southern European lark, with a heavy bill and dark underwing, has been recorded just 25 times in…

The name of the Dunnock is somewhat sad, for what is really a very pretty and sweet little bird. It literally means ‘little dull brown’ and may as well mean Little Brown Job. The generally grey and streaked-brown plumage and size and small shape have also brought upon it the name Hedgesparrow (or Hedge Sparrow) in the past. Of course, Dunnocks are not really sparrows, though, they are part of a family called accentors (which refers to them being singers), hence they have also been dubbed Hedge Accentors, a curious hybrid name which doesn’t exactly separate it from some other accentors. As a very familiar and common bird, Dunnocks have had as many as 50 vernacular names over the years, including such monikers as Blue Tom and Hedge Betty and…

Do you have nicknames for birds? I do. As I have doubtless explained before, for years I tried to resist standard, very frequently used ones, such as Barwit (for Bar-tailed Godwit), Mipit (Meadow Pipit), Sprawk (Sparrowhawk), Peg (Peregrine). But I have instead got a whole bunch of names I can’t resist using. For example, from the previous list, I call those godwits, Barretts, and those falcons, Grins. I have also picked up some juicy, addictive names from fellow birdwatchers over the years. For instance, bird artist Dave Nurney has passed on Greasy Grebe (Great Crested [GC] Grebe) and Gordon Hamlett’s provided Spadger-basher for Sparrowhawk. And with excessive time in the field, and hanging out and birding with certain friends, the names have become distorted, ingrained, and clichéd to an almost…

What do the Brown Tree Snake (Boiga irregularis), the Burmese Python (Python bivittatus) and Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia japonica) have in common? All are wonderful in their own environments but a disaster when accidentally introduced elsewhere. The Brown Tree Snake stowed away in decommissioned military equipment to Guam, where it has become an epidemic of massive detriment to the local fauna with tree-nesting birds suffering most. In Florida, python owners have ‘given their pet its freedom’ when it became too unmanageable, and now there are more there than in Myanmar and they are the ecosystem’s top predators. Here at home, Japanese Knotweed spreads like wildfire, smothering every other plant in the process. Like very many invasive species, it is really hard to eradicate. Across the world, ecological disaster often follows man’s…

The poem on the previous page is a slightly shortened version of what was voted, in 2005, as Britain’s 46th best-loved poem, by the Victorian romantic Robert Browning. I quote it for two reasons. One is for its delicious description of the song of one of Britain’s favourite birds, the Song Thrush. And the other is to bring to your attention something distinctly odd about the poem itself. Beginning with the second matter first, there is a peculiarity at the heart of Home Thoughts from Abroad. It is generally regarded as a lyrical depiction of homesickness, thought to have been penned in northern Italy, at a moment when Browning is clearly pining for England. However, what is truly strange is that the author appears to be lamenting the lack of…

Spring stints: Little Stint vs Temminck’s Stint Little Stint • Slightly more compact shape, like mini-Sanderling• Speedy, typical Calidris movements• Chestnut and buff pattern, with orange cheeks• Black legs Temminck’s Stint • Elongated, attenuated shape, like mini-Common Sandpiper• Creepy, crouched, deliberate movements• Dull grey-brown with pectoral band; scattered spots on back• Yellow-green legs Riddles in the dark Waders are great wanderers and spring sees a huge number of them passing over the country en route to northern breeding territories. Often, these flights happen at night. And waders are very vocal birds, even in the dark. ID-wise, if you want to know what is flying overhead after night falls, you’ll have to do a bit of revision. As we have said before (more than once) there is no better resource for…

Just off the North 500 tourist trail, a visit to the Flow Country without getting your feet wet is a chance to see some amazing birds from the road. The proposed Flow Country World Heritage Site straddles Caithness and Sutherland, lying at the heart of one of the largest areas of blanket bog in the world. This journey takes you around a small area of the 1,500 square miles of the Flow and gives you an idea of the scale. Spring and summer is the best time to visit, but who knows what’s there in the rest of the year, if you don’t try it! Breeding wading birds are probably at the top of the list for most birders, so look out for Lapwing, Golden Plover, Redshank, Snipe, Curlew and…

I went to Glenfinnan as a normal tourist, thinking it was just a visitor centre and a monument to the famous uprising in 1745, and came away after a magical walk full of wildlife history and the great Caledonian Forest (well, remnants of it!). At the head of Loch Shiel is the monument to the gathering of the Jacobite army under Bonny Prince Charlie, but I wonder how many visitors then scan the loch for divers and other waterbirds? The area is full of wildlife and finding both eagles would not be impossible, plus those great ‘tourist eagles’ – Buzzards and the modern day ‘fish eagles’ – Ospreys – in summer. The walk into the forestry along a guided trail offers the chance of Redstarts, Tree Pipits and even Wood…

Wet Sleddale Reservoir is an artificial water among the Shap Fells, just south of the village of Shap, and lies just within the boundary of the Lake District National Park. It is small compared to its big brother over the hill at Haweswater. With its more open appearance, the reservoir can attract a range of species travelling around the area. Geese are a year-round possibility with both Canada and Greylags drawing in Pinkfeet on migration and the potential for other geese dropping in, too. Whooper Swans have visited the area and sea ducks, such as Scaup and Common Scoter, have been located here. Black Tern have passed through and a Slavonian Grebe was a great find. Grey Heron is a common bird of the area, but a Great White Egret…

A beck is a brook or stream in the northern areas of England. Originating from a Middle English word, and probably originally from the Old Norse word ‘bekkr’, it will sometimes have a stony bed or be following a rugged course. Scalby Beck is linked to the River Derwent that, since the Ice Age, flows from the North York Moors to the River Humber. Scalby Beck was originally dug by local people to flow to the sea at Scalby Mills, helping to prevent flooding in Forge Valley and other areas. The walk starts on the western edge of Scalby village and heads along to where it joins the River Derwent. We start off with lots of the more common birds, such as Blackbird, Dunnock, Chaffinch and House Sparrows. It’s likely…

This site has gained something of a reputation in recent years as a migration hotspot deep in the heart of Stoke-on-Trent, and is a designated Local Nature Reserve of 395 acreas, comprising rough grassland with small copses and pools together with horse paddocks and high ground – the perfect recipe for some birding during the spring and autumn migration seasons. The area was previously scarred with mining activities and brick works, but the regeneration has led to a pleasant space for all to enjoy, although it is now once again under threat from housing development. The much-anticipated spring migration brings in Wheatear (often well into double figure counts), Whinchat, Tree Pipit and Redstart, with the horse paddocks below the masts being particularly attractive to them. This area is also favoured…

Although this is not a long walk in a large area, there are so many optional tracks that one can spend much time here, and the river is quite fascinating in itself. There are good woodlands and some open spaces, adding to the possibilities. At the start, the church attracts common locals and, in the general area, Buzzards are around and the Red Kite is seen more often in the northern parts of Shropshire. Halfway round the walk, there’s a bridge you can use to overlook the river where Grey Wagtails are regularly seen. There is a little bit of interesting history along the way as you come to a medieval moated site, which probably dates back to the 7th Century. I’ve suggested a view of the river from the…

The steep sides of the Upper Tywi Valley crowd in upon the river, which has poured from the massive Llyn Brianne Reservoir. The dam, at 300 feet the tallest in Great Britain, was completed in 1972, just a mile upstream from The Dinas. Surging on its southward journey, the Twyi at one moment pours in cascades over boulders, then the next settles for tranquil, slower-moving waters, much loved in summer by that most jewel-like of damselflies, the Beautiful Demoiselle. As it sweeps around the west side of the Dinas, the Afon Doethie flowing from the north makes its contribution to the flow. To the north the high ground crowding in rises to some 1,500 feet, the hill of The Dinas by contrast a modest 610 feet. It was here that…

Wormley Wood is part of a collection of woods to the west of Hoddesdon, comprising the largest block of mixed woodland in Hertfordshire, and the county’s only National Nature Reserve. While much has been planted with alien conifers through the years, important deciduous sections, particularly of Hornbeam and oak, are now in the safe hands of the Woodland Trust, and managed accordingly under the auspices of Natural England. Old Hornbeam coppices still harbour a few Hawfinches that nest high up in the canopy and come down to feed on seed and invertebrates found among the ground litter. Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers are similarly scarce and difficult to locate once ‘drumming’ ceases and the leaf cover is complete, but are present in small numbers. Marsh Tits are just about surviving, although the…

Since the 1930s, the old Stover Canal, near Newton Abbot, has lain dormant. Originally constructed to carry clay and granite to ships at Teignmouth, it is now cared for by the Stover Canal Trust. Quarrying still takes place in the area and urban sprawl is never far away, but despite this the canal and the nearby River Teign host a good array of wildlife. Near the south-east end of the canal, lying within the River Teign floodplain, is the Jetty Marsh Local Nature Reserve, an area of rich habitats including reedbeds, scrub, grassland and open water. Cetti’s Warblers are the treat of the reserve. There is also a great richness of plant and insect species. The canal extends for two miles and varies considerably throughout this distance – not all…

An early start for a birding day trip to northern France is well worth the effort at this time of year, with the prospect of late spring migrants and rare breeding birds not now found on our side of the Channel. A short drive down the coast from the Channel Tunnel terminal at Calais brings the birdwatcher to the delightful town of Wissant and the nearby village of Tardinghen. Habitats include a broad expanse of beach and intertidal areas, including sand dunes and mudflats, ideal for those continental specialities, such as Crested Lark and Kentish Plover. The foreshore is also good for passage waders on their way north to breed, many of which may be sporting their nuptial plumage, such as Bar-tailed Godwit, Knot and Grey Plover. A series of…

Q While watching the birds on the feeders at the Upton Warren nature reserve (Worcestershire) I noticed the small birds disappearing into the bushes! Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a bird fly into the nearby trees, moving slowly so as not to disturb it, I managed to fire off a few shots. Looking at my books it looks like a Buzzard; just wondering if you could confirm my identification, please ? Dave George A Great photo, Dave; and we agree that this bird is a Buzzard. Buzzards are immensely variable (within limits) in terms of plumage, but this one appears pretty typical. A bird of this size and shape could only be a Buzzard or the much rarer Rough-legged Buzzard, in the UK. Only an adult…

This dainty woodpecker, barely bigger than a sparrow, is by far the least likely resident woodpecker to be encountered in the UK. Their love for existing near the tops of trees doesn’t help with their detection either. They are largely restricted to southern England and are absent in Ireland. Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers are also very rare in Scotland with the only record being from Shetland in October 2012. The species has declined dramatically over recent years for reasons that are not clearly understood. Some feel that it is due to competition with the far more successful Great Spotted Woodpecker. Globally, they are found throughout Europe and eastwards as far as Japan. Curiously, there is an isolated population in north-east Algeria and north-western Tunisia – its only presence in the whole…

I’ve been birding in a Country Innovation jacket for a few years now, and I’ve had no complaints at all. Comfortable, rustle-free, capable of keeping out the worst of the elements, and with so much pocket space I can get away without taking a bag out most of the time. So what does the Woodlark offer? Well, more of the same. It’s made from a tough cotton material, which is soft to the touch and rustles very little in the field, and which combined with a breathable waterproof lining offers great protection from wind and rain. It’s very comfortable, too. There are waist and bottom hem drawcords, for a better fit (very useful if you’re putting on or taking off extra layers underneath), adjustable cuffs, and an excellent detachable hood,…

ZEISS Terra ED binoculars are robust, reliable and easy to use. Their sleek, state-of-the-art design makes them lightweight and comfortably compact, whilst the highest optical precision and hydrophobic multicoating guarantee brilliant images down to the very last detail. The Terra ED binoculars are also waterproof and nitrogen-filled, built to handle any kind of weather Mother Nature throws your way. For comfortable and fast focusing, the large, smooth and easy-to-grip focus wheel makes focusing particularly easy and, most of all, quick on a ZEISS Terra ED. You’ll notice this as soon as you pick them up, as your index finger automatically lands on the focusing wheel. There are six models to choose from, starting with the 8x25 and 10x25 pocket binoculars, along with the 8x32 and 10x32s, and finally the 8x42…

The ZEISS Victory Harpia combines a revolutionary new optical system with a 3-stage wide angle zoom, providing a constant apparent field of view over its entire magnification period. The combination of an up to 70x magnification with the choice of either 85 or 95mm objective lenses delivers easy and unobstructed views into open space. The ZEISS DualSpeed Focus facilitates quick, exact focusing, even at high magnification. One of the many innovations of this high-performance spotting scope from ZEISS is that magnification and focusing are controlled with collars on the body of the scope and not, as usual, with the eyepiece. This combined with the DualSpeed Focus system for fast switching from close to long range allows you to adapt quickly to the current situation and brings dedicated birdwatchers and wildlife…

I’ve just woken up from a 26-minute nap. That’s the optimum length of time for a siesta, according to the app I use to facilitate it. It even wakes you up with a chorus of birdsong, which is rather pleasant, indeed! So, anyway, I’m obviously awake now, refreshed and ready to tell you about the goings-on here and while talking of sleep, have you ever seen a sleeping bird? I absolutely want to, but I haven’t. We’ve just come out of what is optimistically-described as a cold snap and the water in the bird bath became a mini-glacier. It was so sharp that it poked into my skin as I lifted it out and treated the birds to some fresh water. Ever-resourceful, however, the Blackbird had found an alternative water…

Types of bird feeder Here are the main types of bird feeder that are used in gardens, these days. Gone are the days of red or green plastic nets, which have trapped birds’ feet (and tragically killed them); though some foods, such as fat balls, may still be sold in such bags: dispose of them carefully! PLASTIC SEED FEEDER These have several plastic-lined mid-sized holes (often with perches) so multiple birds can feed at once. Most are based on a clear plastic central tube which is filled with mixed seed, sunflower seeds or even peanuts. NUT FEEDER Modern peanut feeders are mostly made of a cylinder of rigid wire mesh, allowing access to the nuts all over. Nets are dangerous for birds, so don’t use them! NIGER FEEDERS Niger seeds…

The latest addition to Hawke’s range of award winning optics is the Frontier X binocular, awarded Best Bird Watching Binocular 2019. Adding to the success of the ED range, Frontier X series binoculars are now available with HD optics. As well as new 32mm models for a small, lightweight option without optical or mechanical compromise. Available in 8× or 10× magnification in a green or grey finish. From £259. Visit life.hawkeoptics.com/award-winning-optics  to see all the award winners.…

1 DIG A HOLE For a more natural look, it is best to make it a less regular shape (eg a crude oval). For the best results, you should try to dig to about a metre (or at least 60cm), to prevent complete freezing in mid winter. The side should be quite gently sloping, to allow creatures to move in and out and for birds to drink and bathe. Put a plank across to make sure the sides are level (with a spirit level). 2 ADD A BASE LINING Most soils will contain plenty of stones which can potentially tear plastic pond liners. So, it is best to have an underlayer of, for example, an old discard from a carpet or similar to line the bottom of the hole. 3…

In addition to being a place for birds to come and drink and bathe, wildlife ponds are the most exciting, dynamic, diverse and vibrant parts of any garden. Standing water like a pond (especially with suitable plant life) naturally and very rapidly attracts animal life, in the form of a range of insects (from the air) as well as amphibians, such as Common Frogs, Common Toads and Smooth Newts, which have an uncanny ability to seek out garden ponds. Within a relatively short time, the surface could be alive with Pond Skaters and their slower cousins, Water Measurers; and Whirligig Beetles; while beneath the surface, Backswimmers and Lesser Water Boatmen, diving beetles, and a host of insect nymphs and larvae (think caddisflies, soldierflies, dragonflies and even some moths) will have…

Many birdwatchers also love watching other creatures, and are especially fond of ones which are easy to name! And if they conveniently turn up in your garden, then all the better. Chief among the nameable creatures which regularly turn up in people’s gardens are insects, and particularly butterflies and dragonflies (which are traditional birdwatchers’ favourites!). They are relatively large (for insects), reasonably low in diversity and easy to identify and they all have common English names. What more could you want? Here are some butterflies and dragonflies which can occur in gardens in spring (both butterflies and dragonflies are seasonal in their emergence). Butterflies EARLY EMERGERS There are four species of British butterfly which hibernate as adults. These are Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, and Brimstone. Naturally, these are usually the…

Birdsong could top the charts in April, as the RSPB releases a specially-created track of birdsong titled ‘Let Nature Sing’. It aims to highlight the loss of over 40 million wild birds from the UK in just half a century, and contains what were once among the most recognisable birdsongs – Cuckoo, Curlew, Nightingale, Crane and Turtle Dove – some of them now sadly on their way to disappearing forever. The RSPB is urging people to download, stream and share the single and help get birdsong into the charts for the first time. Not only, they say, could that help highlight conservation issues, but it could also help people reconnect with nature – birdsong has been proven to aid mental health and promote feelings of well-being. Directed by award-winning singer…

April is a month when birds flood in and through the country. Beautiful birds. Wonderful birds. Like waders in their spring finery, heading up north through the UK on their way to their Arctic breeding grounds (in many, but not all, cases). We are blessed with a nice diversity of waders in the UK, with our estuaries and mudflats being particularly attractive to passage and wintering shorebirds and waders being available for all to enjoy throughout the whole year. Here are six species of wader which may be on the move in April. They may not have achieved breeding plumage perfection quite yet, but they are on their way. Name the mystery birds below (no really leftfield rare birds, we promise!). Then, turn the page for our solutions and answers.…

A distinctive sound made me prick up my ears and scan the skies: ‘cheeoow! cheeoow!’ Somewhere nearby Chough, or Red-billed Chough to give them their ‘correct’ title, were on the move. One of the benefits of living where I do in Llandudno on the North Wales coast, is that I have the rugged limestone headland known as the Great Orme right on my doorstep. This local nature reserve is six miles in circumference and makes a dramatic rocky backdrop to the town. On the top, it is covered in sheep-grazed grass, dotted with gorse bushes and exposed areas of limestone pavement, with a skirt of steep sea cliffs all round. It’s my local patch, and as local patches go, it’s pretty spectacular. Fulmar, Guillemots, Razorbills, Black Guillemots, Kittiwakes, Cormorants and…

POSTCODE: KW11 6UG GRID REF: NC 693 440 HOW TO GET THERE: Come off the B871 from Bettyhill down to Dalvina turning off onto the single track road to join the A897 and then north towards Thurso WHERE TO PARK: Number of pull-ins where you can walk out, especially via the villages and plantations TERRAIN: Stout footwear advisable if you plan on leaving the car FACILITIES: Toilets available at Forsinard RSPB. You’ll need to go to Thurso for most other things PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Trains from Inverness stop at Forsinard three times a day LOCAL INFORMATION: RSPB Forsinard Flows, Flows Field Centre, Forsinard KW13 6YT. Web: rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/forsinard-flows/ ORGANISATIONS: RSPB North of Scotland, Etive House, Beechwood Park, Inverness IV2 3BW. Email: nsro@rspb.org.uk , tel: 01463 715000 CLUB CONTACT: Caithness branch, Angus McBay,…

POSTCODE: PH37 4LT GRID REF: NM 907 806 HOW TO GET THERE: From Fort William, take the A830 west for 15.5 miles. Look out for the National Trust for Scotland Visitor Centre at Glenfinnan on your right WHERE TO PARK: In the National Trust for Scotland car park (non-members pay a fee). Also, nearby the viaduct if you intend to view that area at grid ref: NM 906 808 TERRAIN: Most of the short walk is along hard track and boardwalk, with only the wood being on a rough path, with tight corners including low stone steps, uneven surfaces and low branches, while the longer walk is on a moorland track FACILITIES: At the visitor centre, but for more visit Fort William or Mallaig PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Limited buses from Fort…

GRID REF: NY 555 114 POSTCODE: CA10 3NE HOW TO GET THERE: From the north or south, take junction 39 off the M6 turning west towards the A6 and right towards Shap. Take the first left onto a United Utilities road and again left towards the dam, which is signposted WHERE TO PARK: Drive up to the dam on its left side and there is a car park. Use the car as a hide before approaching the dam to look out for wildlife TERRAIN: Can be a little wet near the reservoir and above Thorney Bank the path is not clear as it is rarely used. Best to use stout boots or wellies ACCESSIBILITY: An all-year-round walk FACILITIES: In nearby Shap PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Buses between Penrith and Kendall. Nearest railways…

GRID REFERENCE: SE 010 898 HOW TO GET THERE: From the A171 Scarborough to Whitby road, turn west through Scalby village and turn left just past the church WHERE TO PARK: Just after the bridge park at the side of the road on the Newby side of the beck TERRAIN: Level going tracks. Can be muddy in parts ACCESSIBILITY: No disabled access. Dogs on leads FACILITIES: All in Scalby village PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Nearest train station is Scarborough. Local buses Scalby to Scarborough ORGANISATIONS: Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, Web: ywt.org.uk COUNTY RECORDER: Ian Court, email: iancourt@mypostoffice.co.uk MAPS: OS Explorer OL 27, OS Landranger 101…

GRID REF: SJ 906 453 POSTCODE: ST4 2NR HOW TO GET THERE: Take the A50 from Stoke-on-Trent and follow signs to Fenton. Turn onto Victoria Road and take Fenpark Road and turn left by the Methodist church. Nearest motorway M6, exit junction 15 WHERE TO PARK: There are several access points around the area. For the masts and paddocks at Fenton ST4 2NR, a small amount of parking near the church. Hall Hill Drive ST2 9AL. (Adderley Green), which offers better access for the lower slopes TERRAIN: Good surfaced paths but muddy tracks in parts. Steep incline in parts ACCESSIBILITY: Open all year round. The area is popular with dog walkers FACILITIES: None on site. Plenty of pubs and shops all around the area PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Regular buses from the…

GRID REFERENCE: SJ 561 212 HOW TO GET THERE: Take the A53 to Shawbury WHERE TO PARK: Near the church (no charge), grid ref: SJ 559 210 TERRAIN: Level and easy going ACCESSIBILITY: Disabled access along the tracks. Dogs allowed under control FACILITIES: All in Shawbury PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Nearest railway station is Shrewsbury, National Rail Enquiries, tel: 08457 700 240. For bus services, Traveline, tel: 08712 002 233 CLUB CONTACT: Shropshire Ornithological Society, web: shropshirebirds.com COUNTY RECORDER: Martyn Owen, 34 Peacock Hill, Alveley, Shropshire WV15 6JX. Email: soscountyrecorder@gmail.com MAPS: OS Explorer 241, OS Landranger 126…

GRID REF: SN788 471 POST CODE: SA20 0PG HOW TO GET THERE: From the A40 in Llandovery take the minor road for 10 miles north through Rhandirmyn towards Llyn Brianne WHERE TO PARK: 15 spaces at the nature reserve TERRAIN: Woodland with very steep slopes bordering the Afon Tywi. The circular footpath at first is fairly level with some sections of board walk before becoming rugged, uneven, rocky and slippery in places. This section is best attempted by those who are able bodied and used to rough hill walking ACCESS: Open at all times FACILITIES: Toilets are available between Easter and September, otherwise head a mile north to Llyn Brianne Reservoir where there are disabled facilities, alternatively return to Llandovery PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Bus service Monday to Saturday from Carmarthen to…

GRID REF: TL 326 064 POSTCODE: EN10 7QP HOW TO GET THERE: From the A1170, Broxbourne High Road at Hoddesdon, turn west at Broxbourne roundabout along Bell Lane. Continue for 3 miles past Paradise Wildlife Park to site WHERE TO PARK: Small, signposted car park in White Stubbs Lane TERRAIN: A mix of rough tracks and bridleways, but all on the level ACCESS: Full public access throughout the year FACILITIES: None on site apart from information boards. Full range in nearby Hoddesdon PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Arriva buses between Hertford and Broxbourne. Tel: 0871 200 22 33, web: arrivabus.co.uk ORGANISATIONS: Woodland Trust, tel: 01476 581135, web: woodlandtrust.org.uk / Natural England, web: naturalengland.org.uk COUNTY RECORDER: Alan Gardiner, e-mail: birdrecorder@hnhs.org MAPS: OS Landranger 166, OS Explorer 174…

GRID REF: SX 858 734 HOW TO GET THERE: Just 2 miles from Newton Abbot. Take the A382 heading north, then Exeter Road as far as the car park near Teign Bridge. Using the post code in Sat Nav is the best option for finding it WHERE TO PARK: Stover Canal car park is handily situated for the walk, right on busy Exeter Road. No charge but popular, so a bit of a scramble for spaces TERRAIN: Easy level walking ACCESSIBILITY: All hours, year-round FACILITIES: MT Tums Café is just along the road from the car park, towards Newton Abbot (01626 685657). There are lots of other options in Newton Abbot and The Old Rydon Inn, Kingsteignton, TQ12 3QG (01626 354626). You’ll find toilets at refreshment stops PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Newton…

POSTCODE: 62179 Pas-de-Calais MAP REFERENCE: 50/87N, 01/61E HOW TO GET THERE: From the Channel Tunnel take the A16 south to Boulogne, exiting at Junction 7. Take the D235 north to Wissant and then the D249 to Tardington. In the village follow Route du Chatelet signposted to the church by the coast WHERE TO PARK: Follow the signs to the church and park in the free car park TERRAIN: A mix of grass and surfaced tracks, boardwalks and metaled lanes. For those with mobility problems there are various lay byes for scanning along the lane to the church ACCESS: Full public access throughout the year FACILITIES: Good information boards on site. Full range of facilities in nearby Wissant ONLINE: Trektellen for up to date bird sightings in northern France: trektellen.nl MAPS:…

Look out especially for quiet rural accommodation options, here in abundance thanks to the Basque government’s nekazalturismoa (agritourism) programme, which offers the opportunity to stay in traditional Basque farmhouses and private homes, usually in areas of outstanding beauty, at very reasonable cost (€45–75). You can get details from the region’s many excellent local tourist offices (which also handle bookings) or online at nekatur.net While a reasonable network of buses connects all the sizeable towns, the easiest way to get around the Basque Country is by car. If you want to follow the coast, the dramatic hills and cliffs mean there isn’t always a shoreline road; with public transport especially, you must keep returning to the main roads way inland. Train services are relatively poor. San Sebastián lies on a major…

The ability to fly is a defining quality of birds as a group and their mastery of the air is an inspiration for bird photographers. However, it is also a challenge, due to the speed at which most birds move, and the often unpredictable three-dimensional nature of flight. But many modern camera and lens combinations are up to the challenge – if the photographer makes the best use of their equipment. Unless you intentionally want to depict movement, an exposure time of less than 1/2,500th second is needed to ‘freeze’ a bird in flight. Back in the days of film, high speed flash was often used to photograph birds in flight, and is still used today with specialist subjects such as hummingbirds. However, because modern cameras operate successfully at high…

SOUTH WEST Highlights The rarest birds of the month were the couple of Pacific Divers off Cornwall, and the Eastern Yellow Wagtail still on Scilly. Lesser Yellowlegs were at Lodmoor, Dorset and Devoran, Cornwall. A Hume’s Leaf Warbler was at Portesham, Dorset. AVON SEVERNSIDE: A Brent Goose was at Oldbury (7th), and five White-fronted Geese spent the month at Northwick Warth, which also had the best count of coastal Wigeon at 650. Portbury Wharf had a booming Bittern (9th), and two Avocets (24th & 28th). Oldbury hosted the only Bar-tailed Godwits, but the flock of Black-taileds at Northwick Warth peaked at 155. Most Jack Snipe records were coastal with maximum four at Severn Beach. Most Short-eared Owls were on Severnside with up to four at Aust, and a Merlin patrolled…

The Victory SF is the most stunning and user-friendly pair of observation binoculars ZEISS have ever produced, with a unique ErgoBalance concept which allows for hours of fatigue-free viewing. Featuring an unparalleled field of view, an impressive 92% light transmission an innovative Ultra FL lens system for outstanding image quality, the ZEISS Victory SF has been developed especially to capture your birding moments. The Victory SF shows its strength in particular when observing for extended periods. In order to minimise tiring muscles, the centre of gravity was moved towards the eye piece by moving the prisms. The index finger intuitively moves to the focusing wheel when holding the binocular and does not need to be repositioned for focusing. These unique features allow for hours of relaxing birding without fatigue. Available…

If you can’t get to any of those, don’t despair – you can find your own local patch’s migration hotspot. ● It’s likely to be high ground, in relative terms at least. This is because some birds use it as a navigational pointer, because birds will pass over at lower altitudes, and because it will give you more of a vantage point. ● It will probably have water nearby – not only does this increase the range of species likely to be found to include waders and wildfowl, but it also means insect food and drinking/ bathing water for all species, plus again, birds use bodies of water to navigate by. ● Ideally, it will have a mixture of habitats, and not be too disturbed by non-birding visitors.…

● Use mulch to improve the organic content of the soil around established trees and plants – use homemade compost for this, or the likes of shredded bark. ● Spring-flowering plants provide valuable early nectar for insects. Ornamental cherry trees and yellow forsythia should already be a blaze of colour in warmer parts of the country, while native plants such as Blackthorn and Wild Cherry start flowering this month. If you don’t have any of these, start making plans to plant them for next year. ● Leave the foliage on daffodils and tulips for a couple of months after flowering – this allows nutrients to be fed back into the bulbs. ● Plant evergreen hedges such as Holly and Yew – your garden birds will appreciate the cover and berries…