@jarpartridge@DungenessBO@GrasshopperSpot We've got/had a colony on the coast at West Bexington in Dorset for a couple of years, but I've not heard them this year yet. I have a concern that the tidal serge from Storm Ciarán last November washed them out...
Final opportunity, if anyone in Dorset or in the Bristol area is interested in a complete set of Twitching/Birding World for free please reply .. thanks.
A bit distant and later than some, but our first Wheatear at West Bex this morning. Also two Greylags through from the south... likely feral but scarce here so just possibly migrants...
Just back from a birding trip to Costa Rica...seems very popular at the moment. Bird of the trip was an easy choice. I had really hoped to see Sunbittern and was just pleased to find one near Arenal observatory lodge...and then something magic happened!
A Little Gull at West Bex briefly this morning, but there's been no sign of the Cirl Bunting flock since Christmas. They've probably moved to a more sheltered location.
Refound the bunting flock this morning and it's made up of at least 10 Cirl Buntings (two birds unidentified). They are feeding in two grassland fields without footpaths, but if the birds linger I'll try to get access in the New Year. @DorsetBirdClub
Came across a mobile flock of eight or more buntings on patch this morning. Managed to clinch four as Cirls before they flew off, but I suspect they all were. Hopefully they will linger and we can pin them down in the coming weeks.
@easingtonbirds@SwannerySteve@DorsetBirdClub Thanks Colin, we don't see enough Aythya hybrids here to be able to form any opinion ourselves. Plenty of examples on the Internet but often the mix isn't known. Cheers..
The Swannery hybrid Aythya turned up at West Bex this morning. The spread black bill-tip is surely a killer for Lesser Scaup, but whatever the cross it's difficult to believe the species isn't involved. @SwannerySteve@DorsetBirdClub
White-tailed Eagle west through West Bexington this morning... looks like G801 (with overgrown bill tip) that been around Poole Harbour recently. @DorsetBirdClub