Beddington Farm - The Tern Chronicals!

During the night I awoke amidst a rain storm and wondered for a few seconds where I was. The rain was pounding the roof and the guttering was overflowing. I came to my senses and realised I was at home and not in the middle of a Paraguayan tropical storm!

The rain continued on into the morning and there was no alternative than to get the heavy duty waterproof gear out and trudge my way to my corner through the flooded causeway to the south lake.

The weather was ideal for the Farm with a NE wind, low cloud and of course the rain! The news started building up through the morning with another invasion of Black Tern. Could this be the day my Farm duck would be broken with the appearance of this species! 

The day was overall quiet with a local Red Kite and Buzzard making an appearance. Raptor of the day appeared early evening in the form of a Hobby that twisted and turned in pursuit of a hirundine meal!

I was prepared for a long stake out and was not going to leave until all possibilities had dried up! Team Daiwa to the rescue during the worst of the rain and yes I was once a fisherman!

News continued to flow throughout the afternoon and into early evening but despite my efforts no Black Tern entered the airspace!

Swift were present in number with a couple having to take evasive action as they were confronted by the man under the brolly! 

No rain forecast tomorrow but the N/NE wind continues!

Beddington Farm - New Life in Abundance!

This is a great time of year at the Farm, where new life oozes from the various habitats on the Farmlands. It makes you forget about the landfill site and the incinerator that has been built adding a blot along the skyline.

An evening walk is always a good time to see the new arrivals to the site and with Egyptian Goose breeding for the first time what other species would take advantage of the conditions. I met Pete Alfrey and we made our way across Bedzed and Bikers field to check out 100 Acre. Our quarry was shorebirds that had been driven into the area by the previous evening’s storm.

A Common Sandpiper was the only find but this was likely to be the bird that was found on the south lake.

The first surprise was in the form of a single Shelduck chick which had both parents in close proximity to it. I wondered if the pair had used one of the boxes situated on the island. Whilst checking the numerous sludge beds Lapwing and Moorhen chicks that looked only days old were noted.

A walk through to the lakes saw a crèche of Canada Goose goslings at varying stages of growth fed along the side of the mound and the waters edge. Wow the site had really come to life! What a fantastic way to spend a couple of hours!

On a random note today I carried out my late visit for Oaks Park BBS square and found an interesting sentry overlooking the fields that are popular with dog walkers. There are not many walkers out at stupid o clock but I was surprised to add this species to the count bearing in mind there are no lakes in the vicinity!

Beddington Farm - Great Expectations but Nothing Terned Up!

The North-easterly blow continues as spring migration enters the MEGA season! Birding at the Farm is a test of patience at any time but there is always the thought of the MEGA turning up on your shift!

Yesterdays watch saw me entrenched on my favourite corner which has a good panoramic view of both lakes and more importantly places me closer to the heavens and any migrant that does not fancy a pit stop on the lakes.

The day started off chilly with blue skies, which was not the most ideal of conditions but I assumed my sky watching position (having first checked out the lakes which had a Common Sandpiper and LRP on the south.

As the cloud started to close in I had a burst of raptors all within a forty minute period! Red Kite was first with three birds (two of which I photographed) heading across the Farm in different directions.

Buzzard was close behind them with four individuals in varying stages of moult. I find it amazing how they still manage to fly as well as shake off the Farms resident corvid welcoming party.

This individual was the most complete with only a couple of primary/secondary feathers in moult. I saw this individual again today.

This bird looked as though the corvids had began plucking it’s feathers. It made particular hard work of shaking off the pursuing group.

One bird seemed very tatty with the outer tips to the flight feathers worn.

The cloud started to roll in and the forecast was for rain later on in the afternoon! Now this was getting interesting, Black Tern was beginning to turn up in numbers and on inland sites too! The day now had my full attention as I have not seen Black Tern at the Farm before.

As time moved on it seemed I was surrounded by Black Tern but would any cross the boundary and add themselves to my Farm tally of 189 species! The reinforcements were also brought in as Pete Alfrey who had been sweating on the weather whilst driving back from Wales! He arrived just before a thunderstorm which resulted in us both pinned to the back of the hide as the rain pelted us as we continued our vigil.

Sadly despite a thirteen hour shift no Black Tern graced the Farm with their presence but there was a first breeding record for Egyption Goose whos proud parents shepherded their two chicks (goslings) away from any prying gull eyes!

Beddington Farm - Bits and Bobs!

Today was survey day at the Farm and with the continuing north-easterly blow who knows what might grace the farm with its presence. The morning started with a light mist over the lakes but the birds were in good voice providing numerous registrations for my maps.

As it turned out the weather was not going to disappoint the group of birders that had gathered on the sand martin bank. Pete was the first one up having spotted a female Pintail on the south lake. I caught up with this bird later on in the morning.

Whilst walking back from 100 Acre I saw a shorebird take a short flight in the area which will eventually be the wet grasslands. I noted a wing-bar in flight and saw the Ringed Plover settle down on the west side of this rugged area. The tricky bit was sneaking close enough to get a shot of the bird. A managed a few shots but they were lacking in quality.

The small group of key-holders had gradually dispersed leaving Devilbirder and I on point in the blazing sun. Several Buzzard was taking advantage of the conditions inviting the attentions of the local corvids! Enter stage right the largest species in the UK a Raven which had also drawn the attention of a crow as it attempted to land on the landfill! Nice spot DB!

Not the greatest days for me behind the lens but an interesting morning in the sun despite the cloudless sky!

Lincolnshire - Frampton Marsh RSPB - Howlsthat!!

Today was ticking along nicely with my focus on sorting out non bird related issues. My progress was halted in its tracks when news on RBA broke of the female Snowy Owl at Frampton Marsh RSPB in Lincolnshire. Amazing where had this bird been hiding for so long!

Strigiforms are my favourite order of birds. The main family is Strigidae with Tytonidae which consists of the Barn Owls. Snowy Owl has been at the top of my wish list of Owls! On previous attempts in Norfolk and just along the coast in Lincolnshire I had failed miserably to add this species to my all time list!

I contacted Devilbirder (DB) at Birdguides who confirmed the source was the RSPB. I expected follow up news soon after but this did not appear until about an hour later. DB sent me a text confirming the bird was still there and in a flash the “Kojemobile” had set its wheels in motion in the direction of Lincolnshire!

I later learnt the reason why news was delayed having arrived and set out on a three mile walk to the mouth of the river where the bird was resting! There were only a handful of people around all had seen the bird in its splendour and were returning to their cars. I established where to look and found myself the only one in the area looking.

Fortunately the Snowy Owl was very visible on the near bank to a small channel and I settled down amongst the hawthorns to view this magnificent bird through my telescope. I took over a hundred pictures but really hoped for a flight shot to complete a perfect afternoon. By now there was a small posse of birders watching the owl.

The tide was coming in and numerous shorebirds were heading towards the scrapes on the main reserve. A combination of the advancing shorebirds and the tide seemed to unsettle the Owl and it took a very short flight which I completely missed. This was not going to happen again. I had one eye in the telescope and my camera was poised above the eyepiece waiting for another indication that the bird would fly. I did not have to wait long and the owl took flight towards the river mouth scattering every bird in the vicinity. The Owl flew out of sight past the river mouth. What an amazing sight!

I appeared very composed from the outside but my organs were doing cartwheels inside. Thank goodness I had learnt from previous visits and travelled when news first broke! Who knows where the bird will be tomorrow with so much suitable habitat in the area.

This is by a clear mile my bird of the year and would feature in my top ten all time species. I caught up with a wheatear on the walk back but did not see the Black Winged Stilt. The car journey was the quickest four hours I have spent behind the wheel. This was a result of an inpromtue concert as I sang my way home to Jamiroquai and like music. I kept the windows up as not to disturb fellow motorists!

The biggest Woooo Hoooo of the year!!