Isle of Wight

 

Wood Sandpiper

Officially I am now allowed to put some extra letters after my name. Often used B.O.G., but now a pensioner I can add O.A.P..

This also means I am the proud owner of a 'Bus Pass' and 'Metrocard'. So here comes the Bus Pass Birder. (Oh, not giving up the car just yet.)

In need of a change of scenery I decided to take a trip to the IOW. Travelling by coach and hovercraft. Then covering the island on foot and local buses. The overnight coach to London was a bit too much but the rest of the trip was very enjoyable.

White-tailed Sea Eagle

Two adults at Brading Marsh. Frustrating the local birders by refusing to breed even though they have been present since 2019.

I had hoped for some common migrant birds, in good numbers but was disappointed. The lack of movement largely due to the cold Northerlies (although not as bad as those back at home).

Ventnor Wall Lizard

The local bus service is fabulous. Despite the road closures most areas could be reached. Sharp bends and inconsiderate parking made Ventnor quite a challenge for the bus drivers, yet they still managed the task. The bus app is also great for tracking your route and for timing the arrival of your bus.

The Lizard is worth googling. Briefly DNA studies have linked it closely with Italian Wall Lizards. So it is thought it might have been brought to the IOW by the Victorians, released and now naturalised.

Ventnor Downs

Once you have climbed the steep hills the walks along the ridges are terrific. Adding Meadow Pipits, Skylarks and an occasional Stonechat the atmosphere was very relaxing. I was happy to also see several Dartford Warblers. Located by the scratchy one syllable call and occasional burst of song. Sadly none were singing from the top of the gorse because of the chilly wind.

Probably pleased the route to 'The Needles' was blocked so I didn't have to put my dislike of heights to the test. So I headed for Headon Hill/Warren.

View from the Hotel. Not bad for seawatching but not good in Northerlies.

Sandown Bay

Large Red Damselfly

Some early damsels were emerging.

Walking along the promenade from Sandown to Shanklin I heard a strange call, then the Cronk of a Raven. Then I noticed it was mobbing a Buzzard Sp?. Not sure whether it had just come in off the sea or whether it was crossing the bay before it turned inland. Moments later I spotted an Adult WTE circling high and heading for France.

Orange Tip

Plenty of common Butterflies in the shelter of the Hedgerows. A few Brimstones were the highlight but did not settle for a photo opportunity. I was two weeks early for the Glanville Fritillary so that was disappointing.

Mediterranean Gull

Meadow Pipit

Jay

On this day I managed to see 6 species of crow! (No Chough though.)

Holly Blue

Greenshank

Common Buzzard

Brown Hare

Lords-and-ladies

Very pale Common Buzzard.

Great trip. Lots of common birds, a few unexpected birds and a little bit warmer than the North East.

March into April

Avocet back at Washington

Feeding Station pulling in the birds.

Bullfinch and Siskin

Skylark

Good numbers along the Leas, South Shields but frequently disturbed. Shame there are no fenced areas to protect them.

Snow Bunting

Think these might be Tawny Mining Bees. There was a huge emergence along the Whitburn cliffs on 29th March. Haven't seen another since.

.

Wheatear

Gradually the summer visitors started to put in an appearance and continue to arrive in small numbers into April.

Willow Warbler, Little Ringed Plover, Ring Ouzel, Swallow, Sandwich Tern.

Also some movement of the winter visitors. Fieldfare, Redwing, Whoopers and Pink-footed Geese still moving through

Click and Zoom to see the Crooked neck of one of the Whoopers.

 

March

A couple of trips to Derwent reservoir and the surrounding moors this month. Always difficult birding new areas; where to park where to walk etc. You can't beat local knowledge and with the area containing some sensitive species it can be hard to get information.

So my visits weren't that successful. However I now have a key to the hide at the reservoir and I did manage to see 3 Ring Ouzels. They are early arrivals and don't always drop in on the coast.

White-fronted Geese

These geese are becoming harder to see in the North East so I was pleased to hear IH had found a family group at Boldon Flats.

Nearby a Glaucous Gull had been sighted regularly on a flooded field but I failed to catch up with it , so I was very happy to stumble across this one near Souter Lighthouse.

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Roe Deer

Newbiggin

Stonechat

After many years of snapping these beauties, I still can't resist the opportunity to photograph yet another one.

Whoopers on the move Northwards.

As always March promises much but rarely delivers. Wheatears, Sand Martins, Swallows and Willow Warblers pepper the coast as far as Yorkshire and then we have to wait until mid April for our turn. I did manage to see one Sand Martin and good numbers of Chiffchaffs so March has not been a total disappointment.

April should see the migration season kick off and for me will be helped with a week on the South coast. Fingers Crossed!

 

Rutland Water

Sparrowhawk

An unexpected Journey. Ended up at Rutland Water and enjoyed a good 4 hours birding. Probably could have spent twice as long but the access to some of the 35 hides was restricted due to the water levels and seasonal closures. It is also exceptional value at £7 (or £6 if you are as old as me).

Scarlet Elf Cup

Great White Egret

Green Woodpecker

Birding highlights included this woodpecker. It is quite some time since I saw one in the North East. Red Kites are now very common in the area. Smew (including a distant drake).

My favourite of the day was when a Cetti's Warbler exploded into song within a couple of feet. Although now widespread and common in the North East, every time I hear them it reminds me of seeing and hearing some of the first colonisers at East Chevington.

Aaaah!

Red Kite

Most of the views were much closer but tended to be when I was driving down the lanes with traffic preventing a sudden stop.

Lovely Reserve and I will make a couple more visits this year and combine my trip with stops at other reserves over a few days in the area.

 

Saltholme

This gorgeous Blackcap greeted me in the Car Park. Still enough berries to feast on even if they are a little shrivelled/

Ducks are in full breeding plumage like this drake Gadwall

Great White Egret

Well quite a day. 2 GWE, 6 Little Egrets, 7 Grey Herons, 1 Spoonbill and a Cattle Egret.

Moorhens

'Spring' is in the air.

Spoonbill

Cattle Egret