Sommaire pour July 2019 de Bird Watching

Photographer Tom Bailey reveals how our #My200BirdYear challenge rekindled his love of birdwatching. Page 20 Bird guide Ian Parsons throws the spotlight on the mysterious and elusive Quail, a bird you’re more likely to hear than see! Page 28 James Walsh investigates a north-south divide in birdwatching and wonders if some birders are missing out. Page 38 Renowned bird author Dominic Couzens explores the fragile world of the Little Tern, a bird whose numbers are sadly declining in the UK. P65 The Urban Birder David Lindo travels to the Norwegian capital of Oslo to discover its birding opportunities! Join him on page 86…

1 BEARDED TIT One of our most exotic and unusual birds, like no other European bird, the little Bearded Tit is also one of the prettiest and, yes, cutest of our birds! Everything about them is delightful, even the ‘ping ping’ sound as birds call to each other. Bearded Tits are reedbed specialists, often seen fleetingly as they fly over the tops of the reeds. However, in summer, you may see family groups feeding on the damp ground at the edge of a reedbed. Only males have the pale blue heads and long drooping moustaches; but females and juveniles are easy to identify, too. 2 GLOSSY IBIS Like our bird of the month, the Great White Egret, the Glossy Ibis is a bird which has been on the charge heading…

Summer is a time when bird song declines in abundance and volume as the need to defend a territory is outweighed by the requirements for some secrecy around the nest and the urge to feed youngsters. However, those youngsters, themselves, can be noisy blighters, calling in a most demanding manner, begging to be fed (and hence drawing attention to the nest hole). Great Spotted Woodpecker youngsters (right) produce a loud repetitive, (seemingly endless and insatiable) ‘pe pe pe pe’ somewhat like the same tone as a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker adult (almost like a falcon), but on the same note, repeated about four times a second ad nauseam… Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers begging calls are similar but higher pitched and often more rapidly repeated. Green Woodpecker youngsters have a much harsher sounding,…

Festival date Spurn Migration Festival takes place from 6-8 September, across Spurn, Kilnsea and Easington in East Yorkshire. Lectures, exhibitions and food are hosted by Sue and Andrew Wells at Westmere Farm in Kilnsea, together with a hog roast and lecture. This year’s keynote talk, Dispersal, migration and speciation in birds is being given by Swedish Professor of Ornithology Per Alstrom. Across last year’s festival more than 100 species of bird were recorded. Tickets available online at : spurnmigfest.com Osprey chick Rutland Osprey Project has welcomed its 150th chick into the world. Between 1996 and 2001, 64 six-week-old Scottish Ospreys were released at Rutland. The first translocated Osprey returned to breed at its adopted home in 2001 and the number of breeding pairs has gradually increased since then. There are…

Hopefully, reading about Tom’s exploits will be inspiring you to get out and go birdwatching. Maybe even to try the #My200BirdYear challenge yourself. You could, of course, spend the rest of 2019 laying the groundwork for next year. Scouting out your local patch, taking note of where passage migrants linger, and so on. Don’t let us stop you – you’ll see plenty of great birds, and as we keep stressing, you’ll also start to notice far more details about the appearance and behaviour of familiar species. But you could still hit the 200 mark this year, if you can’t resist getting started straight away. All you’ll miss out on is that first chance to see winter visitors, but that needn’t be a problem. First, make a list of all the…

Tawny Owl The male’s hooting song, sometimes in response to the female’s shrill ‘ kee-wick’ call (though both sexes make this call), is your most likely indicator that this strictly nocturnal predator is around, even though they’re both numerous and widespread – though they prefer mature woodland, they’ll also use parks and gardens, even in cities. But no matter how close the sound is, they tend to sit tight and remain hidden. 3 Bittern Although the population is expanding, this reedbed specialist is still very scarce, with fewer than 150 breeding pairs in the UK. And, except during freezing winter conditions, they rarely venture outside their reedbed homes. So, listen for the far-carrying and resonant ‘booming’ call, like a distant foghorn, or someone blowing across the top of a glass…

This is the month when we start seeing the first juvenile waders heading through the country from the north (most of our waders breed in the Arctic). There will also be UK-bred juveniles out and about in wetlands, gravel pits, moorland, damp grassland and along the shore. Often these birds look quite different from their parents: frequently neat, scaly and handsome, not the fluffy, scruffy juveniles you expect from other types of birds. Anyhow, here are six types of juvenile wader. The challenge is a simple one: all you have to do is identify these birds, and give them a name. Then, turn the page to see what we think they are and why we reached these conclusions. After giving yourself a pat of smug satisfaction on the back, you…

MORE SITES For a full list of the sites we’ve featured, go to birdwatching. co.uk/gbindex 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…

1 From the start there are House Sparrows (always check for Tree Sparrow), Blackbird, Song Thrush, Robin, Dunnock, Blue, Coal and Great Tit, Chaffinch and check for Brambling in winter. 2 Walking down the track check all the time the trees and bushes for Wren and all three common tits. Also check the nearby open fields for Fieldfare (in winter), Mistle Thrush and Sky Lark and in summer for Swallow, Swift and perhaps a Tree Pipit. 3 Then patches of woodland which are worth a check for spotted woodpeckers, Greenfinch, Linnet, Blackbird, Magpie, Jay and Woodpigeon. In summer, Wood and Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff should be around. 4 Finally, there will be some common species here like Robin and Blackbird but also check close by for those seabirds.…

● Of course, the British weather is far from reliable, but if we have a July anything like last year’s, then water will be at a premium, for the birds and for your gardening. So, remember again to keep bird baths (or your alternatives, such as upturned bin lids or large dish) topped up with clean, fresh water. ● As regards watering the garden, try to keep this to a minimum – that can be a lot easier if you have already planted Mediterranean species such as Spanish Broom, Lavender, Catmint and Rosemary. If you haven’t, then start thinking about doing so for the future. ● If we do have another long, hot, dry spell, cut back on... cutting back. The lawn can take care of itself for a few…

● Five nights’ comfortable accommodation at The Mountview Hotel, VisitScotland rated 3 Star. All rooms are en suite, with TV and hospitality tray. There is no single supplement, and guests are never expected to share. Single guests may be upgraded to double room accommodation at no extra charge. Two nights in a comfortable hotel in Aberdeenshire, all rooms en suite. ● Full Scottish breakfast, a substantial packed lunch, and a delicious dinner. ● Six full days of wildlife watching. ● Guidance from a professional group leader. ● All transport by comfortable minibus. ● A checklist specifically prepared for your holiday to record your sightings and notes. ● Courtesy bus service to and from Aviemore.…

Key birds in spring and summer at Kingley Vale include Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat and Nightingale, while autumn and winter are perhaps of most interest with Osprey, Hen Harrier (both on migration), Red Kite, Buzzard, Woodcock, Barn and Tawny Owls, Green Woodpecker, Hobby (on migration), Raven, Firecrest, Goldcrest, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Fieldfare, Redwing, Hawfinch and Bullfinch. Apart from the ancient Yews, other notable species include Yellow Meadow Ant, Hazel Dormouse, Yellow-necked Mouse, Water Shrew, Brown Hare, bats and deer. The chalk grassland is home to many flowering plants, including eleven species of orchid, that form a diverse mosaic of species. These attract 39 species of butterfly, including Brown Argus and Chalkhill Blue.…

Many birders think of Oslo as the gateway to Scandinavia’s Arctic avian delights. Thus, you would be forgiven for thinking that it was possible to roll out of a warm hotel bed on a cold winter’s morning, put your layers on and go out, crunching through deep snow to the nearest tree to find a Great Grey Owl glaring back at you. The truth is that although there might be snow on the ground, you more likely to see a Tawny Owl within Norway’s capital. That said, towards the end of February you may be lucky to hear calling Tengmalm’s and Pygmy Owls from deep within the forests surrounding Oslo. If you want to see the country’s classic Arctic birds, you will have to leave the city limits. After re-setting…

SOOTY TERN There have been fewer than 40 accepted records of Sooty Tern in the UK (plus a few more which could have been either this species or the similar Bridled Tern). June to August is the time to go searching for these beautiful seabirds. GREATER YELLOWLEGS Greater Yellowlegs (with about 60 UK records) is a very rare North American bird. However, when they do come over here, individuals have a tendency to hang around, perhaps reappearing in subsequent years. There hasn’t been one in the UK since 2016, so we are surely due another? PACIFIC SWIFT There have been fewer than 10 accepted records of this swift from the east in the UK, so it remains a treasured find. Most records have come from east coast counties (particularly East…

The glorious, (theoretically) 24-hour nonsense of birding a full ‘calendar day’ in spring, in search of record totals of bird species, is the highlight of the birding year in the Peterborough area. That said, it is an acquired taste and so far very few local birdwatchers have really embraced this particular challenge. And of the few that have tried, most have fallen by the wayside, broken people, their subconscious haunted by the visions of pain and exhaustion, nebulous memories now, but so very real at the time. So, there remain three of us: me, Will Bowell and Hugh Wright. A nameless team of mad men, who have dedicated the last few Sundays of early May bank holiday weekends to The Day. Every year, we start dreaming about and planning the…

I’m not going to apologise for reopening the debate about cats. As a recent headline put it: Canadian and US studies agree: Cats are the most lethal threat to birds. My family, friends and birding acquaintances have, sometimes under my influence, pledged to ensure that their feline friends are ‘indoor cats’, who are never allowed to freely roam. Some enterprising fellows have built ‘cat runs’ in their urban gardens so their moggies can get fresh air and exercise without endangering the birds that their owners feed and delight in seeing. This is great, but where is the campaign that has informed many other nations to ‘keep cats indoors’!? In the face of the facts, unscrupulous cat lovers have mounted misinformation campaigns designed to sow doubt in the public’s mind about…

Osprey is a much easier tick these days than back when you had to travel up to Loch Garten to see them, but why not see them, and Rutland Water’s myriad wildfowl and wader delights, in some comfort? Hambleton Hall in Rutland is one of the UK’s greatest examples of elegant country house style. Affiliated to Relais & Chateaux since 1980 and recognised by Michelin since 1982 it is a stalwart of the country hotel scene. It famously overlooks beautiful Rutland Water where Ospreys were reintroduced in the 1990s and now boast a population of 117 since the first breeding took place in 2011. Of the eight Osprey nests in the Rutland area, one is currently in use in the Rutland Water reserve. On Thursday 20 June, Hambleton Hall will…

Orkney is blessed with so many locations to go birding, either by walking, bike or using the car as a hide. This location offers you both moorland and freshwater, with marshes around a loch’s edge. This site comprises the Loch of Hundland, with 413 acres of water and marsh, while the moorland of Dunkadale seems endless and is part of 5,807 acres of the Birsay Moors RSPB reserve with huge swathes of moorland and blanket bog fringed by smaller areas of grassland and wetland. The site is part of the West Mainland Moorlands Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and the Orkney Mainland Moors Special Protection Area (SPA), designated for its specialist moorland habitats and breeding birds. It has the most northerly example of a calcareous valley mire in Britain.…

This picture-perfect village hides a troubled past. The row of 12 cottages that face the sea were originally built to house the people cleared from the land to make room for deer, however, most just moved away after being evicted. The village stands at the foot of Glen Catacol, a steep-sided U-shaped valley whose name is a corruption of the old Norse name for the ‘gully of the cat’. At the south end of the cottages is a track leading into Glen Catacol – take this and follow it through a farm to a gate and a ford. From the footbridge, scan the fields before you, for Raven, Swallows and House Martins. The track then follows the burn in which you can see young Brown Trout, and so it is…

Since Dr Beecham and Mr Wilson closed the railway line from Scarborough to Whitby (and the numbers of vans and lorries on the road increased enormously) the line has now become a wonderful walking track through lovely countryside with great views, lots of trees and shrubs, a very small stream and plenty of birds to see. This is a ‘there and back’ walk so you can decide how far to go. I have always enjoyed this walk because not only can you decide how far to go, but there are lots of off-the-track options, too. It is not far from the coast, so gulls often can be seen flying overhead or nearby. If you wish, and you have the time, it is possible to cross over to the Cliffside Walk…

This well-known location is part of the estate for the National Trust, covering 400 acres of a Site of Special Scientific Interes (SSSI) full of interesting plants and a mixture of birds. The area sits in the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is one of the main attractions for the area. Most people come here for the amazing stone structures, but the area has its own unique bird community. The stones even act as nesting sites for a mixture of birds, from Jackdaws adding their stick nests to hollow sections of the rock to Stock Dove and even Barn Owl using the old nests as roosts and even nesting in them. There is a nest box scheme with more than 50 boxes to attract mainly Blue and Great…

This is a delightful walk on the outskirts of the lovely little town of Much Wenlock, which is listed in 1086 in the Domesday Book as ‘Wenloch’. There is much discussion about its history, with timber-framed buildings, underground streams and, of course, the birthplace of Wenlock Olympian Games, set up by Dr Brookes in 1850 and then the National Olympic Games in 1866. There is also much discussion about the town’s name, with suggestions that it derives from the Latin ‘Locus’ meaning ‘place’ or the Welsh ‘loc’ meaning ‘monastery’, among other things. But let’s get back to the birds. This area is mainly woodland and open country birds, so your bins are essential. Walking round, you come across bits of small old quarries, hedges, woodland and open areas that are…

The Nene Valley, from Northampton right up to Peterborough, is lined with gravel pits, flood overspill lakes, and seasonally flooded wetlands, making it a major flyway for waders and wildfowl crossing the country – they make their way north-east along it to The Wash in spring, and back the other way in autumn. Summer Leys LNR is a Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire Wildlife Trust reserve not far off the A45. Although it gets its share of dog-walkers and joggers, it’s rarely busy, and several good hides make it easy to watch the birds in peace. Redshanks, Little Ringed Plovers, Lapwings and Oystercatchers breed there, and in spring you can expect them to be joined by ‘drop-in’ waders including Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Greenshank, both godwits, Whimbrel and Ruff, as well as…

Yes, there is Ynys Lochtyn some 10 miles to the east into Cardigan Bay, but this is accessible on foot at low water, so not a ‘proper’ island. Cardigan Island, not quite 40 acres in extent was acquired in 1944 as the first nature reserve of the Pembrokeshire Bird Protection Society, which, following several changes of name is now the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales. Rising to 172ft with no shelter and the only water being a tiny seasonal pond, the island, nevertheless, was occupied, perhaps not permanently in Iron Age times as witnessed by two settlement enclosures. The Book of Llandaff, circa 1130 AD, provides the first written reference, the name Teithi Island, a reference to the Teifi which enters the sea just over a mile away.…

Thrift Wood is an ancient semi-natural wood, south-east of Chelmsford, having mixed oak with a Hornbeam coppice underneath. There are also some Birch, Ash and coppiced Sweet Chestnut. There are also a number of Wild Service Trees. The wood is run by the Essex Wildlife Trust and coppicing is having a great effect on the flora and fauna, so much so that the benefit of the coppicing saw the Heath Fritillary Butterfly reintroduced in 1984. The loss of an income from coppiced timber meant that this wood and others failed to cut the woods, leaving it dark and no use for butterflies. More than 20 species of butterfly can now be found here, with other species, like Brimstone and Speckled Wood. Coppicing has even helped the Nightingale, which is the…

Situated between the New Forest towns of Lyndhurst and Beaulieu, the Denny Lodge section of the National Park is set among classic Hampshire heath, wood and bog habitats, so typical of this ancient landscape. Despite being in one of the most overdeveloped parts of southern England the Denny area has managed to retain that unique New Forest atmosphere, typified by its wooded inclosures and grazing lands made famous by the New Forest ponies. The open countryside around Denny supports a rich variety of wildlife and habitats, from coniferous and deciduous woodland to isolated ponds and streams. Significant tracts of heathland and bog, complete with scattered birch scrub and solitary pine trees, make for an ideal setting for Hobby, Tree Pipit and Nightjar. Dense coniferous plantations may seem an unlikely setting…

The Otterton Peninsula is one of most scenic and unspoiled areas of east Devon. The rolling countryside of small fields bordered by hedgerows and high banks with scattered copses is typical of this part of the West Country. In late summer, stubble fields attract flocks of finches and buntings, which are worthwhile checking through for Cirl Bunting dispersing from nearby breeding territories. The River Otter borders the western flank of the walk in contrast to the dramatic sea cliffs overlooking Lyme Bay to the east, complete with headland names, such as Danger Point, Brandy Head and Crab Ledge, which suggest a past link with smuggling and the sea. I’ve often thought that Choughs should be present along the clifftop turf in line with other similar Atlantic seaboard habitats, and, maybe…

Somewhere back in the evolutionary history of the Little Tern, something strange happened. Impossible though it sounds, thousands of years ago, a little strand of butterfly DNA found its way into the nuclei of Little Tern cells. Just look at them now. What should be a bird – and a seabird at that – has that unmistakable over-fast flutter, that lightness of body that means that the faintest whisper of wind unsettles its course, yet also has the butterfly’s grim determination to fight the vagaries of the atmosphere. No British bird, even those smaller and lighter than the Little Tern’s 55g (the same as a tennis ball), demonstrates the same unlikely convergence of movement and mien. It must be genetic. One of five British breeding terns, the Little Tern is…

Think before buying On behalf of RSPB North Bucks Local Group, of which I am a committee member, with the help of Naturetrek, I organised a private tour for group members to Spain and Morocco: Birding on Two Continents. On our first day in Morocco, we were taken to Merja Zerga lagoon on the north-east coast. We were soon to find out just what an exciting place this is when we got into two small boats. We had been joined by Hassan, a local guide, who knew the waters so well. This was the last place that Slender-billed Curlews survived and Hassan was one of the very last people to ever see one before they became extinct. He certainly knew where to take us and, very quickly, we were looking…

Q I have seen this woodpecker several times, recently. It seems to have something wrong with its beak. Any ideas? Brenda Collin, Herefordshire A The bird is a Great Spotted Woodpecker (a male, as indicated by the red patch on the back of the neck). It appears to have an extraordinarily elongated and crossed pair of mandibles (or, more technically, the mandible and maxilla). According to the British Trust for Ornitholgy (BTO), bill deformities apparently occur in ‘fewer than one in 200’ adult wild birds. That is still potentially a lot of birds! In quite extreme cases like your woodpecker, Brenda, the bird would presumably find conventional feeding pretty tricky (especially involving any chiseling of wood) and your fat cakes etc would be a welcome source of easily obtainable nutrition.…

Day 1: Saturday Arrival, welcome, dinner and briefing. Day 2: Sunday – Strathspey and the local area We may visit exclusive private estate woodlands or other favoured spots depending on where birds are showing, to see Capercaillie and Black Grouse. We also walk in the nearby Abernethy Forest to look for Red Squirrel, Roe Deer and Crested Tit. Scottish Crossbill are also found in this habitat, with both Crossbill and Parrot Crossbill present, too. Days 3-5: Monday to Wednesday – Aberdeenshire Adventure We head east for the area around the Ythan estuary, with a chance of rarities such as Snow or Red-breasted Goose among the commoner species, plus King Eider, and possible rafts of Common Scoter with a chance of Velvet Scoter, Surf Scoter, or perhaps even…

In winter, Arun Valley is home to thousands of wintering wildfowl and water birds including Bewick’s Swan. Hen Harrier, Short-eared Owl, Merlin and Peregrine hunt regularly. Breeding waders and songbirds, including Lapwing and Nightingale, feature in spring and summer, as do treats such as Barn Owl, Nightjar, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Hobby and Wood Lark. Autumn brings passage waders, Redstart, Whinchat, Yellow Wagtail and incoming wildfowl species. Amateur entomologists will not be disappointed with a good range of butterflies and dragonflies, including Emperor Dragonfly, Downy Emerald and Four-spotted Chaser.…

MOORHEN The Moorhen is the red-gartered, lobe-toed rail so familiar on so many village and inner city ponds and other watercourses up and down the land. It is surprising to think that in other parts of their extensive global range, that stretches from Ireland to Japan with populations in Africa, they can be quite shy and retiring. The very similar looking Common Gallinule of the Americas was recently split as a separate species. As with most members of its family it can be an inveterate traveller, with individuals finding themselves in the weirdest of places, sometimes well away from water. An interesting feature of the Moorhen’s love life is that it is the females that compete for males and not the other way around. This behavioural trait is unusual among…

All living things depend on water to a greater or lesser degree, and birds are no exception. Almost all species need regular access to water for drinking and bathing and catering for their needs can benefit the photographer as well as the birds themselves. The creation or use of a permanent water feature is an option, but temporary installations can work just as well. With photography in mind you need to pay close attention to the installation’s visual appeal through the lens, and to the background. 1 Drinking and bathing Some birds satisfy their dietary water requirements via the food they eat, or by drinking at puddles and pools they chance upon. But many rely on permanent fixtures – ponds and stream margins for example – to quench their thirst.…

This is a well-made, versatile lens that focuses fast and can produce very good images. Its maximum aperture is not remarkable but I didn’t find this too limiting. Its zoom range (16.6x) is currently unmatched for mirrorless cameras. Don’t expect it to do everything, though – there are likely to be times when you would like even more than 400mm. If you’re a micro-four-thirds user,this lens is highly recommended. Supplied with front and rear lens caps and a lens hood. olympus.co.uk…

HILLTREK KINTAIL LIGHTWEIGHT SHIRT, £125 Handmade on Deeside from lightweight ventile, this wind and weatherproof shirt can be worn with a baselayer or next to the skin. It’s “a perfect weight for summer use or overseas trips” and is “naturally mosquito proof”. The front, cuffs and flapped chest pockets fasten with studs, there’s a back pleat for easy movement and a scooped hem. And you can order it with a shorter or longer body or sleeves (£30 extra). Short sleeve version also available. S-XXL in dark navy or moon. 300g (medium). hilltrek.co.uk COUNTRY INNOVATION TRAVELLER II JACKET, FROM £195 CI have made the Traveller II better than its first incarnation. The upper and lower pockets now have side elastication so they open wider and there’s less strain at…

SOUTH WEST Highlights Highlights in the region during April included another sighting of a Black-browed Albatross, this one seen from near St Michael’s Mount, Cornwall, on 25th. Could this be the long-staying ‘German’ bird on tour, again? On Guernsey, Channel Islands, the American Royal Tern was reported from 7th to 26th. AVON MIGRATION: Spring migration continued with arrivals of the first Cuckoo (18th), Swift (17th), Hobby (4th), Sedge Warbler (7th), Reed Warbler (2nd), Grasshopper Warbler (9th), Garden Warbler (11th), Lesser Whitethroat (13th), Spotted Flycatcher (20th, the only report), Whinchat (18th), and on the 3rd, Ring Ouzel, Pied Flycatcher, Yellow Wagtail and Tree Pipit. The last winter departure dates (so far) were Fieldfare (21st), Redwing (6th) and Water Pipit (10th). SEA-WATCHING (SEVERN ESTUARY): The storms (23rd-27th) pushed seabirds up to coastal…

What first sparked your interest in birdwatching, and when? A Redwing on the grass outside my classroom when I was eight. Who was your birdwatching inspiration or mentor? Mrs Douglas, the teacher who told me about that Redwing. I started drawing birds, joined the Young Ornithologists Club (YOC), and devoured bird books. Do you bird alone or with a friend? I like a mix. There are benefits to both. Your dream bird to see? I have a few ‘bucket list birds’, topped by a male Golden Oriole, followed by Firecrest, Cirl Bunting and Crested Tit. Your favourite birding spot? Filey Brigg, for the beauty, familiarity, sense of adventure, and the birds (and seals). Your classic birder’s lunch, grabbed from the petrol station shop? I always pack my own. It usually…

Desert. The word conjures up images of sand dunes marching into the empty distance. A lonely nomad leads his camel train to the sanctuary of an oasis where palm trees cast shade over a pool of water. It’s a romantic Hollywood image and some parts of the desert in Morocco look just like that. But does your mental image include birds? Because they are here in the desert, too, they just take a bit more searching and local knowledge to find. We were on a birdwatching trip in Morocco, a beautiful country with stark landscapes of harsh mountains, stony plains, dry wadis and vivid green oases, wherever precious water came close to the surface. But my favourite region was the area of Erg Chebbi in eastern Morocco. This was the…

POSTCODE: KW17 2JD GRID REF: HY 295 253 HOW TO GET THERE: The loch and moor is off the A986 from the south onto minor roads. Then you go off the A966 from the north onto minor roads and the B9057 from the east and onto a minor road WHERE TO PARK: Most of the birding can be done by using a car as a hide or viewing from the side of it parking sensibly. If you leave your car to walk leave it in a place that does not block gates allowing traffic to pass freely TERRAIN: The walk is mainly on hard track. Use boots or walking shoes FACILITIES: Kirkwall or Stromness PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Buses pass the end of minor roads daily, although infrequently. Additionally OCTO bus (tel:…

POSTCODE: KA27 8HN GRID REF: NR 911497 HOW TO GET THERE: Drive the mile and half south from Lochranza on the A 841 and park off the road. Only use the Hotel car park if you intend to use their facilities WHERE TO PARK: Off the road near the bus stop TERRAIN: Once off the main road, the whole way is along a farm track, well maintained and level, but a little loose underfoot. The only ford has a wooden footbridge, and there are three gates to open and close ACCESSIBILITY: Open all year round and is suitable for walkers with dogs on leads FACILITIES: Other than the hotel and a bus stop, Catacol has no other facilities, although there is a shop and another pub at Lochranza. Please note…

GRID REFERENCE: TA 015 948 HOW TO GET THERE: From the A171 (Scarborough to Whitby road) WHERE TO PARK: Either carefully on the roadside or at the café car park TERRAIN: Originally a railway, so level going with only slight rises ACCESSIBILITY: Disabled access. Dogs under control FACILITIES: In the local villages and at the start there is a café and toilets (originally Cloughton Railway Station) PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Nearest railway station is Scarborough, National Rail Enquiries, tel: 08457 700 240; bus services, Traveline, tel: 08712 002 2éé ORGANISATIONS: Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, web: ywt.org.uk COUNTY RECORDER: Ian Court, email: iancourt@mypostoffice.co.uk MAPS: OS Explorer é01 and OL28, OS Landranger 101…

GRID REF: SE 2060 6506 POSTCODE: HG3 4DW HOW TO GET THERE: The two main roads are the A61 Harrogate to Ripon and the B6265 Ripon to Pateley Bridge. The site is 11 miles from Harrogate, coming off onto the B6165 turning at Summerbridge and 4 miles from Pateley Bridge off B6265 onto a minor road well signposted WHERE TO PARK: Pay & display (coins only). Car park £6 for 4 hours, £9 per day. Minibuses £12 (booking essential), motorhomes (6m and over) £12, coaches (booking essential) £18, motor cycles free. National Trust members free TERRAIN: The paths are often solid with occasional wet areas. Best to use stout footwear ACCESSIBILITY: All year round but check online at nationaltrust.org.uk/place-pages/52/ pages/opening-times-calendar FACILITIES: On site and at Pateley Bridge PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Daily…

GRID REFERENCE: SJ 634 021 HOW TO GET THERE: From Shrewsbury take the A458 or from J6 of the M54 then the A5223 (south) then the A4169 to Much Wenlock WHERE TO PARK: By the Priory with a small charge for the day. Grid Ref: SJ 625 002 TERRAIN: Slightly undulating but nothing too steep ACCESSIBILITY: Very limited disabled access Dogs allowed (on the lead at times) FACILITIES: All in Much Wenlock PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Nearest railway station is Telford, National Rail Enquiries, tel: 08457 700 240; bus services, Traveline, tel: 08712 002 233 CLUB CONTACT: Shropshire Ornithological Society, tel: 01743 761 507 WEB: shropshirebirds.com COUNTY RECORDER: Martyn Owen, 34 Peacock Hill, Alveley, Shropshire WV15 6JX. Tel: 01746 780 336, mob: 07736 286 675, email: soscountyrecorder@gmail.com MAPS: OS Explorer 242, OS…

POSTCODE: NN29 7TD GRID REF: SP 886 634 HOW TO GET THERE: From A45, take Hardwater Road towards Wollaston WHERE TO PARK: At least 20 parking spaces at entrance TERRAIN: Gravel and mud paths – generally sound, although large puddles after heavy rain! ACCESSIBILITY: Swing gates, but paths are wide, and hides have ramp access. Dogs allowed on leads. Free entry and parking for WT members FACILITIES: None on site, other than hides and picnic tables, but services nearby on A45, and everything you need in Wellingborough PUBLIC TRANSPORT: The X47 bus stops nearby, see traveline.info/; nearest railway station is Wellingborough CLUB CONTACT: Northamptonshire Bird Club, web: northantsbirdclub.blogspot.com COUNTY RECORDER: Mike Alibone, email: northantsbirds@ntlworld.com MAPS: OS Explorer 207, 208 & 224, OS Landranger 152 & 153…

GRID REF: SN160 516 POST CODE: SA43 1PR – post code for the Cardigan Island Coastal Farm Park, situated on the headland directly opposite the island HOW TO GET THERE: From the A487 in Cardigan, take the B4548 for Gwbert from where an unclassified road leads to the Cardigan Wildlife Park WHERE TO PARK: On the cliff top south of Gwbert, at the Cliff Hotel or the Cardigan Wildlife Park TERRAIN: Typical coastal footpaths with few strenuous climbs ACCESS: The coast, save for the headland occupied by the Cardigan Island Coastal Farm Park, is easily accessible by way of the Ceredigion Coast Path FACILITIES: At the Cliff Hotel and at the Cardigan Coastal Farm Park PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Cardigan itself is well served by bus. Traveline Cymru, tel: 0871 200 2233,…

POSTCODE: CM3 4HW GRID REF: TL 790 017 HOW TO GET THERE: The A12 by-passing south of Chelmsford is the best way and come off at Howe Green using minor roads to East Hanningfield and east to Bicknacre. Drive south on the B1418 with wood on your left only a mile out of this village WHERE TO PARK: Small car park just off the B1418 but limited to 3 -4 cars depending how folk park with overflow parking on the opposite verge! The entrance is on the B1418 road south of the Brewers Arm pub in Bicknacre TERRAIN: Most paths are hard but best to use stout footwear ACCESSIBILITY: Public access all year round FACILITIES: None on site so back to Chelmsford PUBLIC TRANSPORT: The nearest railway station is Chelmsford.…

GRID REF: SU 347 063 POSTCODE: SO42 7YQ HOW TO GET THERE: From Beaulieu, head north on the B3056 to Lyndhurst. After 5 miles, just past the junction of Beaulieu Road Station turn left into the car park WHERE TO PARK: Signposted car park off the B3056 near the station TERRAIN: A variety of footpaths, some unsurfaced, but generally dry and dusty in summer ACCESS: Year-round on public footpaths FACILITIES: None on site apart from interpretive boards. Full range of facilities in Lyndhurst or Beaulieu PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Regular bus service between Lyndhurst and Beaulieu that stops by the station, web: firstgroup.com Beaulieu Road railway station is on the South Western line, web: nationalrail.co.uk ORGANISATION: New Forest National Park, web: newforestnpa.gov.uk CLUB CONTACT: Hampshire Ornithological Society, web: hos. org.uk / membership…

GRID REF: SY 081 849 POSTCODE: EX9 7HY HOW TO GET THERE: From Exmouth, take the B3178 east for 5 miles, via Knowle, to East Budleigh and a further one mile across the river to Otterton. In the village, turn south off Fore Street along Jacketts to site WHERE TO PARK: Considerately in Park Lane off Jacketts TERRAIN: Mostly on the level along the river valley with a variety of paths and surfaced lanes. The coastal path section is more hilly and unsurfaced ACCESS: Year-round on public footpaths FACILITIES: None on site but the King’s Arms in Otterton is highly recommended. Otherwise a full range of facilities in Budleigh Salterton PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Stagecoach buses operate a service from Exmouth stopping in Otterton, for details: tel 0871 200 22 33, web:…

I am excited to announce the arrival of a pair of Goldfinches. They have appeared since I last wrote to you, and I’ve been spending a fair amount of time watching them while I should have been weeding the vegetable patch. But you know, weeds grow all the time. You’ve got to pick your battles… This is the first time since we moved that I’ve spotted Goldfinches and they are now regular garden visitors. I recently created a special area in the garden, as a space for birds to go and relax – there’s a cafe, a bath and plenty of places to take a rest. The peanuts are plentiful and I keep the tin bath regularly topped up with water for them. This is where the Goldfinches spend most…

For up to 10 people: ● Crossways Hotel, East Sussex: crosswayshotel.co.uk/ ● Sustainability Centre, Hampshire: sustainability-centre.org/stay-with-us.html Self-catering at various locations across National Park: ● amberleyhousecottages.co.uk/Sussex/Self-Catering-Holiday-Cottages-on-the-South-Downs Good central location: ● The Roundabout Hotel, Pulborough: roundabout.southcoastinns.co.uk/ Something a bit more upmarket: ● Wingrove House: wingrovehousealfriston.com/index.html…