Carlton Marsh

 Just a few hours guiding on site today. With several conversations, with several local people. Best bird was a very fleeting fly in and out GREEN SANDPIPER . Managed a flight shot as it shot of towards Oulton. Other sightings include. Little Egret, Buzzard, 30 Swallow, 1 House Martin.

At it again.

 Update on Anglesey visit : It seems that  the  Chough that I photograph that I took while at South Stack was rung in 2004. From a group at Roscolyn, some off which moved to th Isle of Man.

Pathways : Little about but good to catch up with the GREY HERON. Just one SAND MARTIN. 

Carlton Marsh SWT

 Short time volunteering today best bird being a adult LESSER WHITETHROAT which shew well, but far off. LITTLE EGERET 4, MARSH HARRIER 5, COMMON BUZZARD 2, KESTREL 2 and a single STOCK DOVE.

Anglesey Holiday

 Back home for me, to the place of my birth. Long time ago now. It is a long old drag and gets no nearer. But an enjoyable time with family.

This was my best ever encounter with a RAVEN who took an interest in us for over 20 minuets, What a great bird and what a pleasure a simple thing like this can bring. Also on site at RSPB South Stack. Also STONECHAT, GANNET, LINNET, SWALLOW,

Meet the scruffiest ROBIN in the world, fist bird seen where we stayed at Gaerwin, Anglesey.

South Stack gave itself its due reward with this CHOUGH and his three compatriots. 

                                         As for the RAVENS one was absolutely a good friend. 

The most local RSPB was Cors Ddyga, this low marsh was a new one for me  and managed to bring in

some small stuff with BLACKAP, BLUE TIT, REED BUNTING, REED WARBLER, STONECHAT, GREY LAG GEESE, COOT, MALLARD, MUTE SWAN, BLACKBIRD,

 Penros: Feeding the gulls was a means to finding a MED GULL, LITTLE EGERET 3, CURLEW 31,OYSTERCATCHER,

Cemlyn Bay RSPB:  Best bird was this young YELLOW WAG of which there was two. MEADOW PIPIT, GUILIMOT and MANX SHEARWATER flying past the headland COMMON TERN with young and also two flyover WHIMBRAL.

Great Orm: Many large skippers and six spotted burnett.

Minsmere RSPB

Out for a walk with friends from Waveney Bird Club. A few hours brought in 34 species of bird. Also a BLACK TAILED SKIMMER and a WEASEL ran across the track in front of us. But back to the birds and the best was to have John Grant with us who explained the distinctive patterning of a juvenile  YELLOW LEGGED GULL.

Large dark bill.......White front to face....Black eye patch.....Tertials heart shaped.....Black tail.

Many dead birds around with even the bird above devouring one. A single RUFF as well as GREEN SANDPIPER. a single KINGFISHER flew through. A pair of STONECHAT on the dunes and off shore a single WHIMBRAL flew South as did a flock of 50 COMMON SCOTER. 

Carlton Marsh and Home.

 First time since November back as volunteer at Carlton Marsh. Pleased to be back. Good conversations with visitors and well worth the interaction. Best bird a juvenile STONECHAT put in a brief visit. By the looks of it they must have bred on site. Also PERGRINE, LAPWING, and altogether 32 species in four hours.

Home: Had my first ever BOX TREE MOTH in the garden today. Also COMMA and BROWN HAWKER in good fettle. Several flocks of STARLING heading out onto the marsh this evening with about 200 birds. Also several flocks of MED GULL with largest flock of 11 birds. 

Back Agin

 Must be getting older as I am still suffering health issues. My instruction to the grandchildren is simple. Don't get old.

But now back on track and first visit to Pathways in weeks. Perhaps not the birds you would like to see with only one LITTLE GREBE and 8 MALLARD on the lake was it, But best was Four RINGLET BUTTERFLIES and two PEACOCK as well as eight MEADOW BROWN. Best pic was of a female LONG TAILED SKIMMER. and about four EMPORER DRAGONFLIES, 

Plants are still showing up with ST JOHNS WORT, and best of all was three plants of CORNCOCKEL classed as critically endangered and a surprise. So pic available.