Monday 10 August 2009

Much birding!

I recently spent 2 weeks birding with Connor and James in Poland. It was a brilliant experience and we clocked up 155 species! Highlights were Black and Middle-Spotted Woodpecker, White and Black Storks, loads of Common Cranes, Red-Backed Shrikes, Golden Orioles, and 16 species of Warbler including River, Savi's, Icterine, Marsh, Barred, Great Reed, and Aquatic!

Read a full report of it on my diary: www.freewebs.com/simsdiary

This last week I have spent volunteering at Titchwell RSPB (Norfolk). It was hard work and an insight to what actually goes on behind the scenes (lots!). I also had time for some birding and had some decent species: self-found Black Tern and Common Crane, as well as up to 10 Spoonbill, 12 Little Ringed Plover, 9 Curlew Sanpiper and a Little Stint. Plenty of Greenshank, Spotted Redshank and Whimbrel passing through as well. On the sea there wasn't much, a few Arctic Skua and a Great Skua, along with the usual sea duck and Gannet, and the odd Fulmar.

Finally, yesterday morning, I ringed the young Spotted Flycatchers from the nest in our garden. There were 4 in total, and I ringed 3 (my trainer ringed the other). Below are a couple of pictures of the ringed birds: