Trent Lock to Attenborough: Success in the Cold

Searching for Whooper Swans - 28th January

I've always had a soft spot for the elegant swan. When I started birding, flicking through my wetland birds FSC guide, I found out that more than one species visits the UK. Ever since I've wanted to see a Whooper or Benwicks, but never heard of any sightings locally (and rarely ventured out in winter)! Last week I found out they'd been sighted along the River Trent in Nottingham and were on the Attenborough NR sightings board. So after numerous sightings of them in fields along the Trent (Thrumpton for those local) I drove to Trent Lock and walked towards Attenborough determined to see them. After encountering a few friendly Mute Swan (above), I found the Whooper Swans amongst a field of Mutes. Being quite far away I struggled to get decent photos but the best are below. 

The excitement continued as a little further down I found a flock of geese, Candian, Greylag and Bean Goose! Bean Goose is another first for me, but something spooked them so it was a brief encounter. When I walked further down the river I found a single male Goldeneye (a first) then entered the reserve to meet my Dad. I stumbled upon another first, the Pintail. Four firsts in one hour, pretty good going! 

A male and female Mandarin were also showing well by the visitor centre. Taking my mind off the fact I'd just scratched my camera lens. We stayed around in an attempt to see the Starling murmurations (around 6000 Starlings have been coming into roost at Attenborough in the evenings). The light night meant they didn't come in as early as expected, so we missed the bulk as we headed home to warm up. We did however, catch the small 'warm-up act'. I'm planning on heading back to see the murmuration this week.

A very successful day!

Attenborough Nature Reserve - Goosanders

Attenborough Nature Reserve - Sunday 22nd January

January can be a depressing month. I leave for work in the dark and return in the dark. However, some amazing wildlife migrates here for winter and getting a glimpse of these species at the weekends brightens my week. I'd heard that Attenborough was doing well for Goosanders, being guilty of avoiding the outdoors during winter, I'd never actually seen one! As soon as I got to the visitor centre there was a few females close-by meaning I could get a good look and a photo or two! Walking around we also saw males but much further away. One of the reserve's team said they counted around 60 Goosanders, a good year! 

Much of the wildlife was busy finding food. The cold certainly wasn't bothering Wrens and Robins which were out in force. Gadwall and Teal were frequently seen. At one point we got within a few feet of a juvenile Heron who was fishing next to the foot path. Cormorants were also fishing very close to the bridges. Whooper Swans were listed on the sightings, apparently reported to be chilling with some Bean Geese. Sadly, we couldn't locate either! I'll have to try again next weekend! 

Reminiscing Holy Island

Holy Island - Wales

In October I visited Holy Island for my first time. Sitting now in my cold, landlocked apartment, I can't wait to go back in April. I recently booked this second visit to coincide with the nesting seabirds, finally I'll hopefully see the iconic puffin. It's been a while since I've blogged, or even been out for a bird-y walk! It's been a very busy few months but a new job and the end of my studies is on the horizon. 

I'm hoping to get back out tomorrow (likely Attenborough Nature Reserve) so to get me in the mood I'm going through the photos from my Holy Island visit. I thought I'd share my favourites. 

South Stack Cliffs

Penrhos Coastal Park

RSPB Valley Wetlands

South Stack Cliffs

South Stack Cliffs

South Stack Cliffs

South Stack Cliffs

RSPB Conwy

Willington Gravel Pits

Willington Gravel Pits Derbyshire

Willington Gravel Pits are former sand and gravel quarries managed by the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust. They're a quick 15 minute drive away from me and provide the best bird watching in the area. It's become my local patch as try to regularly visit to keep my eye in! Sadly, I don't get much chance at the moment due to work commitments, but I'm looking forward to spending my October weekends at Willington in hope of adding some rare migrant birds to my list. 

I completely fell for Willington recently, unable to make it to Spurn Bird Fest I decided to get out and spend an afternoon birding. At the first viewing platform a Hobby was gliding overhead, swopping down to catch insects, giving me some fantastic views. It then shot towards a tree and knocked another Hobby into flight. After a few minutes 4 Hobbies were hunting, dipping and looping over the wetland, chasing each other when they got too close. What a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon. It was my first time seeing Hobbies, being able to watch them feeding so closely was captivating. Another highlight was a single Black Tern, perching on a post the far side of the site. A rare(ish) bird to add to my list! 

My other sightings from Willington include: 

21/6/16

Teal

Reed Bunting 

28/8/16

Snipe 

Buzzard

Kingfisher 

Shoveler 

Hobby

Black Tern

10/9/16

Long Tailed Tit 

Common Sandpiper

Green Sandpiper

Black-Tailed Godwit

Rumour has it Willington plays host to Marsh Harriers and Great White Egrets too, I hope to see them soon before they migrate! 

Rutland's Great White Egrets

Rutland Water Nature Reserve - 3rd September 2016

Flicking through my RSPB Handbook of British Birds, one of my favourite sections is the 'rarities' at the end. As with any birder, it's good to know them just in case! One bird in this section has always been my favourite, the Great White Egret. A large, widespread bird but rarely seen in Britain. There's something about this large white heron with it's typical laboured flight that just fascinates me. Closely related to another favourite family of mine, the spoonbills, large water birds, albeit not the most graceful, are my guilty pleasure.

While fantasising in the Swarovski hide at Birdfair, I spotted my first Great White Egret. Sadly, we had to dash to the events marquee but I knew I'd have to pay Rutland another visit soon. 

The bottom right-hand corner (Great White and Little Egret) really shows how large these birds are! 

On a rather gloomy Saturday, I was soon cheered up as we walked into the Anglian Water Birdwatching Centre. The centre overlooks one of Rutland's many lagoons. Straight away I saw a Great White Egret in the distance, while one of Rutland's famous Ospreys soared overhead and swooped down to catch fish. What a way to start the day! Despite the rain we carried on exploring some of Rutland's 36 hides. Other sightings included: Gadwall (by the 100's!), Green Sandpiper, Hobby, Pochard, Shoveler, Little Grebe, Snipe, Kingfisher and (adding a mammal) Hares. Rutland also have a 'photographic hide' in a woodland area set up with feeders. It's one of the most beautiful spots for feeders I've seen, nesting in the woodland with a central pond and plenty of ground flora. Sadly the weather seemed to deter many of the woodland birds.

RSPB statistics state that 35 Great White Egrets winter in the UK. However, expansion of their range means that sightings are becoming increasingly common. Rutland Water is 'internationally famous' and a great place for any birder! Especially those favouring waders and wildfowl. We didn't manage to see all of the reserve, therefore, I obviously have no choice but to go again soon.

Attenborough Nature Reserve - Nottingham

Attenborough Nature Reserve - 29th August 2016

On a surprisingly sunny bank holiday, we headed to Attenborough Nature Reserve for a little birding. Turns out we weren't the only ones with that idea as we entered a packed out car park. Attenborough Nature Reserve is a highly popular spot ran by the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust. 

First we headed to the Sand Martin Hide, a few of the Sand Martins were still about, flittering in and out of their man made holes. This hide offers stunning views across one of Attenborough's flooded gravel pits, towards a sadly vacant Osprey platform. As the hide doesn't offer opening windows, birds get very close up along the shore. Among the Canada and Greylag Geese were a few Lapwings and a Common Sandpiper. 

After watching the Sandpiper bob up and down in its attempt to find insects, we headed back to the visitor centre and acquired the code for the Delta Hide. I've visited Attenborough many times, and even through they have a trail and a hide named after the Kingfisher I'd had yet to witness one at the reserve myself. However, once we'd sat down in the Delta Hide opposite a purposefully made Kingfisher perch, a Kingfisher appeared that seemed to have its eye in for being a model. 

I came away with close to 100 photos of this bird. It was sat right in front of us for 20 minutes. Allowing me to get a good look at a Kingfisher, a bird I'd only observed in the past as a blue flash. They're fascinating birds to watch as they look around for their next prey item, so beautiful and striking. 

A few other species of interest that we saw walking around: flocks of Starlings, Gadwall, Long-Tailed Tit, Little Egret and Jay. I'll be visiting again later in the month as hopefully more waders come in! 

Birdfair and Motivations

Rutland Water Nature Reserve - 20th-21st August 2016

Last weekend I travelled to Rutland Water for a weekend of birding fun at the annual Birdfair. This was my first Birdfair, after only starting to take an interest in birds during my Biology degree a couple of years ago. Overall, I found the whole experience completely overwhelming and highly motivating. Seeing and hearing about the work of selfless individuals and the impact their work is having on wildlife worldwide moved me. Alongside this inspiration, Birdfair had a huge impact on me as I met and heard from other people with the same ideologies and beliefs as me. It's very easy to go about the world thinking you're the only person with concerns for wildlife, concerns for the environment and biodiversity. I'm more than often the only person in my age range sat in a bird hide, add to that being female and I'm certainly an under-represented group in the area. It's easy to feel alone. 

The one talk that really touched me the most was Simon King's 'Enough'. Highlighting the impact everyone of us has on the environment, and the species with which we share our planet, everyday. To sit in a packed marquee with people in the hundreds who really do care about these issues showed me that I'm not alone. 

Hence, in true 21st century fashion, I'm taking to the internet to share my experiences. I'm by no means an expert, but hope to provide a little entertainment, and if nothing else, add to the voice of nature conservation.