15th April 2009

When news broke of this fine North American Sparrow I knew I had to drop everything to see it. The bird was generally elusive feeding low down in the leaf litter, but on occasions it sat on the tops of bushes before flying off to feed again. I didn't think I'd be ticking a White-throated Sparrow as my 400th British bird.

1st March 2009

I enjoyed an early morning visit to Draycote Water, Warwickshire on the 1st. The conditions were a little misty but there was plenty to see Red-necked Grebe, drake Smew & a Great Northern Diver. I noticed the Diver had an unusually long upper mandible, a feature I had seen captured by Roy Harvey when he filmed a Diver at Barton, Lincs in February. Could it be the same bird?

24th February 2009

A nice spot of local birding in Warwickshire produced some great views of Black Redstart & Firecrest. Sadly the Firecrest at Hams Hall had an injured leg which slowed its movement down, giving me the rare opportunity to film this species.

7th - 9th October 08

A planned one day trip to Ireland for the long-staying Little Blue Heron suddenly turned into a three day mini adventure. I'd never been to Ireland to bird watch before so I really didn't know what to expect. The country is amazing, I always thought Scotland was picturesque but I found Ireland better. The Heron showed distantly at first but eventually flew to the bay right in front of us - giving great views.

With everyone happy we made our way to the airport, but on route news broke of a Scarlet Tanager at Garinish Point, Cork. I'd only packed for one day, I didn't even have a tooth brush, but it didn't take much persuading to change plans and drive down the next day. Overnight clear skies didn't give us much hope of it still being there, but on arrival we could see a small crowd of birders enjoying the bird. The bird was initially flighty but eventually settled around a garden and gave excellent views. Feeling more than content with two great days and two great birds I was ready for home - but then news broke of a Alder/Willow Flycatcher - Cornwall. Well, it was obvious I wouldn't be going home that day. On arrival at Stansted we decided to drive over night and arrived on site at around six o'clock. About 150-200 birders walked in the dark to Nanjizal valley and lined up scanning in hope that the bird had stayed. Thankfully It didn't take long for someone to shout "it's here!!" The bird showed fairly well all day and in the afternoon it was caught and ringed to confirm it's ID - Alder Flycatcher. I can't recall ever enjoying three days of birding so much - Great birds, great places and great people all the way.

19/08/08

After three attempts I finally caught up with an Audouin's Gull. This near adult had been showing well on and off around the Chapel St.Leonard coast line, although It took an agonising 11 hours before I finally managed to get this bird on film - well worth it.

16/07/08

Red-backed Shrike's are great birds to film, they're so photogenic. This long-staying male at Sea Palling, Norfolk sat on the top of brambles posing and preening for hours, occasionally catching the odd bee.

23/06/08

I've seen many Common Rosefinch but never a full adult male. So when I heard one had been favouring bird feeders at a Cafe, and present for two weeks, I travelled to see it as soon as I was able. Sure enough the bird came to feeders at first light. It then went missing for a good hour before re-appearing, singing in the tops of trees around the Cafe. Great views throughout my stay.

27/05/08

A female Red-footed Falcon at Ingleby, Derbyshire gave astonishing views during my visit. Initially it was quite distant, and the weather wasn't brilliant. But gradually the bird moved closer and closer until it fed just 15 ft from me. It was feeding on worms & slugs it picked off the ground.

17/05/08

I decided to spend my May holiday in Scotland, and started on North Uist in hope of catching up with one of the two Snowy Owls present - thankfully I got cracking views of the male at at Greinetobht. I was also able to add Corncrake to my life list - at last!, although the winds were wrong for any Skua's. Once on the mainland I headed for the Highlands for one of my favourite species of bird - Divers. I managed to get some of the best footage I've ever taken of both Red & Black- throated around Lochindorb.

23/04/08

After a lot of interruptions i.e. work, work, a Black Lark and more work, I finally found time to visit the Ross's Gull at Lytham St. Anne's, Lancashire. Initial views were distant and eventually the bird was lost in the heat-haze. After about three hours with no further sign I decided to have a look further up the coast. I couldn't believe it when I stumbled on the Gull sat on the salt marsh. I enjoyed stunning views for the next hour in perfect weather conditions.

9/04/08

My third Little Crake and this time a superb male, found at Exminster Marshes RSPB, Devon (well found AJ) The bird was mainly elusive but occasionally it would give amazing views at the front of the reeds.

8/04/08

I Finally got the chance to catch up with a bird I missed from 2007 - Dark-eyed Junco. This individual was found at Dungeness, Kent and showed well on the morning of my visit. Whilst down south I used the opportunity to visit the Ring-necked Parakeets at Wraysbury, Middlesex. They were all over the place and great birds to see.

17/03/08

There was an added bonus to a planned trip to Pembrokeshire in the shape of a Black Duck. A female bird showed well at Marloes Mere and became my second "lifer" for 2008. The Rose-coloured Starling was the main reason for the trip - but the bird kept us waiting well over an hour before it put in an appearance - worth it though !

11/03/08

Despite poor weather I managed to enjoy a good day birding in Lancashire and North Wales today. I started at Mere Sands Wood LWT for the Night Heron, which showed well from the track. Then onto Marshside RSPB for the Glossy Ibis, which kept it's distance, and thankfully a more obliging Green-winged Teal. Further North I visited Marton Mere for the Long-eared Owls and got great views of three birds. Finally I travelled over to Conwy for the Hoopoe. The bird showed fairly well until rain stopped play.

04/03/08

I finally managed to get out today and do a spot of birding, first time for a while. I started in Derbyshire for the Waxwing at Allestree and then a little further North for the Hawfinch at Cromford, I had great views of both. Then onto East Yorkshire for the Black-bellied Dipper - what a bird ! It showed very well for at least an hour. Finally, Clumber Park, Nottingham for the Great grey Shrike which showed well till sunset.

29/01/08

Not many birds would tempt me to go to France for a day-twitch - however, a Wallcreeper would and indeed did, especially as I heard it was on the coast & showing well. With just 6 Brits & 2 French birdwatchers scanning a huge area it wasn't surprising it took a while to find. When found it gave amazing views as it fed high up on the cliffs.

22/01/08

A day-out to see the returning Pacific Diver - Pembrokeshire became a "day to remember". Firstly, the Diver showed very well by the hide despite the poor weather. This 2nd-winter bird showed all the features of a Pacific - dark chin & vent-strap, dark flanks and the small rounded head. My friends then discovered a Black-throated Diver by the dam, giving us all the rare opportunity to compare the two species. We then had great views of the winter Black-necked Grebe, which has been present on site for a while. But just when we thought it couldn't get any better a Great grey Shrike appeared in fields behind the cycle track, found by "yours truly".

08/01/08

What a way to start the New Year - White-crowned Sparrow, found at Cley, Norfolk. It had been present for a few days before the locals finally discovered what it was. The bird gave great views, every half an hour or so, while it fed on seed put out for it. The crowd of between 100-200 were very well behaved, making the twitch most enjoyable.

07/11/07

I casually mentioned to a friend of mine about travelling up to North Uist for the Mourning Dove, not thinking it would ever really happen. Thankfully the bird seemed healthy & settled, so we made plans for the long drive. It took nearly twelve hours to get on site, but well worth it. The bird showed well the whole time we were there.

20/10/07

After a mini three-day break in the Scillies I expected to spend my last Saturday off work resting, but when news broke of a Red-flanked Bluetail I was soon driving up to Flamborough,Yorkshire. The bird showed very well at times, but I found it almost impossible to film. So for the last hour I switched off my Cam  and simply enjoyed the views.

11/10/07

I've been after better footage of a Purple Heron for years, so after hearing a Juvenile at Ouse Washes RSPB had been showing well, I decided to give it a try. After a four hour wait the bird finally flew into the reedbed in front of the Gorse hide. It showed well on & off for about twenty minutes.

09/10/07

Whilst on holiday in Norfolk news broke of an American Buff-bellied Pipit in Oxfordshire. To be honest, if the weather had been better in Norfolk I might have stayed put - as I'm not a big fan of Pipits. However I decided to go and was glad I did. The bird not only looked smart but showed very well on the causeway at Farmoor Reservoir for the whole time I was there, allowing great views.

04/10/07

After an amazing run recently I didn't think it could get any better - but then news of a Brown Flycatcher at Flamborough Head hit the pagers on the 3rd. I managed to get up there the next day and thankfully got great views of a great bird. A diversion on the way home paid off as I was able to get brief views of my first Blyth's Reed.

23/09/07

A Bluethroat had been present on the beach at Kilnsea since the 20th and had been showing very well, so it didn't take a lot of tempting to get me there. As on previous days the bird showed well, at times down to a few feet.

14/09/07

Windy conditions kept the Aquatic Warbler well out of view at Uskmouth N.R, Newport today. To be honest I was amazed it had stayed for a third day. After nine hours I decided enough was enough - I'd seen several brief flight views and a brief view on the ground, which is where I obtained this video grab. I can't grumble, it was better than the views I had at Slimbridge last year.

04/09/07

Without doubt the best Spotted Crake I've ever seen has to be the one currently present at Coombe Hill N.R. Gloucestershire. The bird showed down to six feet - right in front of the hide for at least two hours this morning. Great bird and a great reserve.