Barcombe & Warnham LNR

                                               9th & 13th  April :  Barcombe

                                                                 

White Throated Sparrow.

2 trips to Barcombe to see the superb looking White Throated Sparrow were taken in April and both times the bird was quite elusive, however with a bit of patience the WTS eventually showed really well on the 9th.

White throated Sparrow.

The WTS was alot more elusive on the 13th but was heard singing most of the time, some great views were obtained on the ground and i also saw it briefly on the picnic table.

White Throated Sparrow.

13th April  :  Warnham LNR

After enjoying the White throated Sparrow on the 13th i decided to head to Warnham LNR to hopefully see the long staying Little Bunting, and i was not disappointed.

Digi scoped Little Bunting

Little Bunting

I think these birds are really great looking Buntings and to see this bird so close was a real treat.

Little Bunting.

Other birds coming to the bird feeders included a smart ♂ Siskin and a  Marsh Tit.

Marsh Tit.

It was also very good to see a Wood Mouse & a Bank Vole.

Wood Mouse.

Bank Vole.

 

Some Local Birding.........

                                          April 7th  2021 :  Ashford Community Wood

      

                                                               

Pied Flycatcher.

A first time visit to Ashford Community Wood on the 7th April was rewarded with superb views of a ♂ Pied Flycatcher in stunning summer plumage, I only normally see them in their autumn plumage which is not quite as stunning.

Pied Flycatcher.

11th April 2021  :  Graveney Marshes

Grasshopper Warbler

News of a fresh in Grasshopper Warbler just down the road from where I live last Sunday morning was a welcome treat, Chidders had heard then saw the bird and put news out (good find mate) , on arrival it didn't take long for the Grasshopper Warbler to start 'Reeling' and eventually it showed well in front of it's favoured bramble bush.

Grasshopper Warbler.

There was also 2 Wheatear & 1 Common Whitethroat seen on the sea wall, plus several Sedge Warbler could be heard and seen in the nearby reed bed, a single Yellow Wagtail flew overhead and a female Merlin was briefly seen dashing over the seawall .

Wheatear.

 

Northern Mockingbird & American Herring Gull

                                     Iona Avenue, Exmouth Devon 

                   

                                                      

Northern Mockingbird

I finally gave into temptation and travelled down to Exmouth to see the long staying Northern Mockingbird , I didn't stay long, just long enough to see the bird and take a couple of photo's then left the site , the bird was in the Holly tree and showed very well.

Northern Mockingbird.

Newlyn Harbour  Cornwall

So after the Northern Mockingbird i carried on my trip to Cornwall to see what would hopefully be my 2nd Lifer of the trip American Herring Gull.

Thankfully this proved successful and very good views were obtained, here are a selection of photo's i took :

Blends in well with background.

Long Billed.

Long primaries

Black tail band & secondaries

Bulky bird.

Dusky underwing.

American Herring Gull.