Forest of Dean 20/2 Grey Shrike

A visit to Gloucester today and the Forest of Dean.  Firstly a visit to Plock Court, Gloucester for the Penduline Tit. Several birders had gathered but after an hour here and more than two hours for some the bird was a no show. 

Onto the Forest of Dean and our next target the Grey Shrike on Crab Tree Hill. After parking up we took a forest track that led us up to a patch of heathland. Coming down the track were a bunch of friendly birders that had seen the Shrike but it was fairly mobile. It didn't take long for us to spot the Grey Shrike another stunning bird.  Although I could only get distant shots we had fantastic views through our binoculars and that's what counts!

No Hawfnches on this visit or any sign of Goshawks from the viewing area at New Fancy so we decided to visit Cannop Ponds. Lovely to see good numbers of the striking and colourful Mandarin Duck.

On our way home we stopped at Aust hoping to see a Short Eared Owl.  A good number of birders were gathered also hoping to see the Owls but alas they didn't appear perhaps a bit too windy for them.   We did however see a Merlin whizz past. 

A grand day out even though we only saw one of our target birds we also met some great birders and enjoyed the magic and beauty of the forest to the full. We will just have to do a return visit soon! 

    Grey Shrike a first distant view

               

                   A little closer a typical Great Grey Shrike pose

   Cormorant on Cannop ponds 

               

                   Warm sunshine on its back the Cormorant closes an eye

   

      A group of Mandarin lurking amongst the tree roots

                

                    A handsome fellow

               

                

                    Eye to the sky perhaps looking at a Buzzard overhead            

                

                   Sails up, the males get these incredible feathers during breeding 

                

                    Female Mandarin 

Cheddar Reservoir 4/1/18 Mandarin and Goldeneye

The weather forecast was pretty grim with 60 plus mph winds promised with sunny spells. Not much sun to speak of but the strength of the wind didn't disappoint as we made our way around the lake. The wind gusts were so severe at times that it felt like there was a possibility of being blown into the lake! The water was very choppy which made it more difficult to search out birds as was trying to hold the binoculars in the wind.  

For our efforts we were rewarded with great views of the Mandarin Duck pair which are very photogenic.  Also great to see a Goldeneye in the 'waves' and good number of Pochard with Tufted Ducks.  Huge numbers of Coot on the lake as well as Great Crested Grebes that are starting to get their Spring colours. Nice to spot a single Common Gull in amongst the Black headed Gulls. 

Other birds seen whilst walking around were Buzzard, Kestrel, Raven, Cormorant, Pied Wagtail, Mallards and a Green Woodpecker was heard.

    Mandarin Ducks 

               

   Riding the waves

               

               

               

                  Juvenile Common Gull

   Goldeneye

               

   Winter Great crested Grebe

                

                   Tufted Duck

   Mandarins in a little closer 

  

               

                   Striking Male

    Beautiful subtle female 

               

               

               

                   Handsome couple!

Forest of Dean - 5th April, Pied Flycatcher, Redstart, Wild Boar

The mission today was to try and see a Hawfinch which would be a lifer for us. An early start then across the Severn Bridge to the Forest of Dean and the RSPB Nagshead reserve where Hawfinches have been seen.

We arrived at about 8am to sunny blue skies with a cool breeze. First stop was the Campbell hide but unfortunately there was not anything to be seen. We did however outside the hide get a great view of a Great Spotted Woodpecker. 

From the hide we decided to walk the long nature trail that took us through woodland and out onto a small area of Heath. Along this route we spotted a Mandarin Ducks quite high up in the trees.  Plenty of Coal, Great and Blue Tits seen as well. Pretty sure that I had a 5 second glimpse of a Hawfinch before it flew through the woods. 

From our beautiful walk around the reserve we then paid a visit to the Lower Hide for a coffee break. As soon as we arrived a young Boar was pointed out to us. Despite being young the Boar still looked pretty big to us. Didn't realise they were that big.

We spent quite some time at this hide which overlooks a large pond area. Very lucky to see Pied Flycatchers, Redstart as well as Grey Wagtail, Treecreeper, Green Woodpecker etc from here.

A return visit to the Campbell hide and we saw both Chiffchaff,  Willow Warbler and Goldfinches come down to drink from the small pond. Still no Hawfinches!

We decided to take our lunch down to a Hawfinch hotspot at Parkend. A few sunflower hearts were placed on a rock in anticipation but still no Hawfinches. The sunflower hearts were however enjoyed by a couple of sheep!! 

A very quick visit to Cannop ponds saw some more Mandarin Ducks however we decided to return to Nagshead for one more try for the elusive Hawfinch.  Again we had a great view of the Redstart from the Lowerhide and a few Blackcaps. Great to see a few Comma butterflies on the wing as well. 

28 birds seen for the day including Coal Tit, Blackcap, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Grey Wagtail, Redstart, Pied Flycatcher, Nuthatch, Buzzard, Mandarin, Treecreeper, Green Woodpecker, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Goldcrest. Not forgetting the Wild Boar.

A great reserve to walk around, we will return and hopefully find a Hawfinch.

   Through the trees we spotted a pair of Mandarin Ducks, this one a female. Quite strange to see them in trees.

               

                   Wild Boar from the lower hide. Our first ever sighting of one

                

                   Still with its stripes the Boar is a young one, it still seemed pretty big!

                

                   Very vibrant colours on a Grey Wagtail 

                

                   This Green Woodpecker stayed in this position for some time

   Blackcap

               

                  Singing Blackcap, plenty of males singing for their territory 

   Chiffchaff making its way down to drink 

                

     

               

   Thirsty work this migration- Willow Warbler 

               

                

                

                    Handsome male Mandarin at Cannop ponds

          

                

      

               

                  A watchful eye on me

               

                   Splashing around - Blue Tit

                

                   Beautiful Comma butterfly

                

                   Redstart, a fine male with striking colours. Viewed from the lower hide and right        

                   at the back. Brilliant to see this lovely Spring migrant return.