Patch Gold....

  Before I get to tonight's sighting I did get to the patch at the beginning of the week and had a good bit of action
  On the shingle spit-
  1x Green sandpiper & 1x Common sandpiper  & returning migrants in 1x Sedge warbler ,,2x blackcap. Also 4x Chiffchaffs,3x Cettis & 5 x Common buzzards!

Common & Green sandpipers

  So I decided tonight that after we had put the kids down I would head to patch, in hope of a possible Grasshopper warbler , Barn owl or Tawny owl and to simply soak up the bird song as night falls. Unfortunately  George & Sophia had different plans and it wasnt until 7.45 pm that I was at the front door and in 2 minds weather to go or not. Well I decided on going & it would turn out to have been a great choice.
As I approached I could hear many Wrens singing there hearts out in this clear night. Then my first Willow warbler of the year, followed by 3x Sedge warblers and 4x Cettis as I approached the marshes. I searched for the Barn owls but no joy as I walked ,then I heard and saw a Tawny owl chasing or being chased by a Magpie( odd behaviour ?) this was well worth the visit alone as a patch tick. But as I stood watching the Tawny owl fly over the railway line I saw a bird fly across me into the bushes followed by a Blackbird. I thought nothing more untill I heard the loudest and most beautiful burst of song ....a Nightingale ! Yes a Nightingale! I stood with the biggest grin on my face and just listened to its bursts .

https://youtu.be/4EIuewXfChI

This is by far the best Buzz I've had from the patch along with the Merlin . As i remind my self of all those dull ,quiet ,lonely & sometimes disheartening days at the patch,this is whats it all for .... these magical moments.

Happy birding ,
Shaky

Brecks part 2

 So this Wednesday at 6 am I picked up james(of birdsandbeer fame) & headed to the Brecks to join up with Jim & Ben Lewis. Before we headed for the usual specialities we started off in search of the Golden Pheasent . Jim had taken me to a super little site 4 years back when we had great views of  2x males & a female . This time we drew blank but a close view of a Woodlark was nice

Woodlark

Then after we drew another blank at another site,  Jim( tour leader for the day) suggested we headed to santon downham. From the bridge we had Brambling, lesser Redpoll & a pair of Mandarin ducks flying up river. Then as we made our way along the path we saw a second pair of Mandarin ducks, both settling in the tree .

male & female Mandarin ducks

 Other then some drumming Gt Spotted woodpeckers and some nice showy, calling Kestrels we decided to turn back to the cars but before we left santon Ben picked up a Goshawk . We all got on it, super !After watching it until it disappeared , with  the sun trying to break through we all decided on following Jims advice of the next site. A great decision as we soon had a displaying Goshawk among many Common Buzzard and possibly a second . We all stood and soaked up the performance it put on. Magic!
Other then a passing Curlew & singing YellowHammers we headed off to East Wrethem (but not before we had some easter treats)




 

 

 We gave it 20 mintues and I had to shoot to go to work for the afternoon. I hear the boys had a good afternoon getting views of Red Kites & Stone Curlews among others.
 It was a great days birding, with great company. Thanks again Jim for sorting it out!
Happy birding,
 Shaky