Frampton Marsh RSPB - 22/9

It is always a treat to visit Frampton Marsh and today was no exception. I started at the reedbed hide and immediately located a pair of juvenile Little Stints feeding on one of the small islands. The same lagoon also held up to 8 Ruff, most of which were juvenile birds. From the 360 degree hide I found several Meadow Pipits and a couple of adult Black - tailed Godwits as well as more Ruff. I now headed along the river Wissey to my Wash lookout post ! The tide was just starting to come in as I arrived. Immediately I spotted a good number of Gannets flying offshore. Within the next 2 hours I probably identified around 50 birds 70% of which were juveniles. On the sea close to the river mouth I also found a small flock of 15 Common Eider, presumably the same birds I had seen previously in the autumn and winter, including 3 eclipse plumage males. On the mudflats were a host of waders including over 1000 Golden Plovers, 400 Oystercatcher, 100+ Ringed Plovers, 100+ Grey Plovers, 80+ Knot, 200 Dunlin, 200+ Curlew and a couple of Bar - tailed Godwits and a Sanderling ! Fantastic. As if this were not enough I also managed to find a flock of 100+ Sandwich Terns loafing at the waters edge chiefly made up of juveniles. On the walk back a flock of around 40 Brent Geese flew along the river giving their evocative honking calls and a single Chiffchaff was found in the bushes. What a wonderful day !!

Rutland Water - 21/9

This was bird count day but the new lagoons held little of interest apart from a single male Blackcap and a pair of migrating Lesser Whitethroats in the trees close to lagoon 5. As I scoped over lagoon 1 I managed to find a single male Ruff amongst the Cormorants and wildfowl. After a brief trip back to Stamford I stopped at the dam and quickly found an adult Yellow- legged Gull on the southern shoreline. This seems to be a popular spot for this species. Further examination of the North Arm was fruitless until I scoped the far west end of the fishponds and there located a couple of skulking Green Sandpipers. All in all a quiet day.

Rutland Water and Eyebrook - 20/9

An early start at Rutland Water today. Lagoon 4 was empty but a single flying Kingfisher livened up lagoon 2 which otherwise contained wildfowl only. Continuing at South Arm III a huge concentration of wildfowl had arrived since my last visit with upwards of 3000 Tufted Duck alone. I managed to pick out a single Greenshank from Lapwing hide far to the right in the now almost dry bay but otherwise there was nothing of note. At Eyebrook the inflow held only 6 Ringed Plovers feeding on the muddy shore but on the main water were over 100 Great Crested Grebes, a magnificent sight ! A quick walk along the eastern shore revealed a single Common Sandpiper disturbed from its feeding at the water's edge and a huge tit flock making its way through the trees. Associated with this flock were at least 4 Blackcaps, a Coal Tit, 2 Goldcrests and a splendid Treecreeper.

Rutland Water - 19/9

A relatively quiet day today. I started out in the North Arm and the 1st notable observation was the return of the 13 Barnacle Geese that have frequented RW for at least the past 3 winters. These are generally considered to be feral but no-one has ever proved this conclusively to my knowledge ! Whatever the facts they are always a welcome sight. Apart from these returning birds I spotted a couple of eclipse Pintails in amongst the thousands of Tufted Duck, Shoveler, Wigeon and Mallard. Good numbers of Little Grebe had gathered by the fishponds dam as they do every year at this time. I was also pleased to see the 1st Meadow Pipits of the autumn with 2 feeding in the weed on the shore. The only other notable bird here was a 3rd CY Yellow- legged Gull. A brief trip to the Hambleton bakery mean't I got to see a good number of pheasants in the field adjacent to the building. Finally, I had a look in South Arm III, where the water level is probably at the lowest I've yet seen it, and I found single Redshanks and Curlew on the shore along with at least 25 Little Egrets ( this is the time of year when they flock ). A last look at the island in South Arm III and I was rewarded with a group of 2 Dunlin and 2 Ruff feeding. Obviously wader migration is now slowing down but the number of Chiffchaffs is still pretty high with at least 6 noted today.

Eyebrook Reservoir - 16/9

A late start at the inflow and the only bird of note was a 3rd winter Yellow legged Gull which soon flew off. At the island it was nice to find 8 juvenile Ruffs feeding along the shoreline along with around 100 Lapwings and several Cormorants. In the bay to the west I found another 3 juvenile Ruffs but no other waders. During the walk along the eastern shoreline I saw good numbers of tits and at least 3 Goldcrests. Then I heard a brief call from a Tawny Owl which may have been sponsored by the presence of a juvenile Buzzard. Further along the path I noted a single Greenshank on the western shoreline and then in the reedbed by the path I noticed a commotion of birds. On examination I found at least 3 juvenile Reed Buntings, a Reed Warbler and a Chiffchaff chasing each other around the reeds. Then another bird appeared at the top of a reed briefly but looked unusual. I noticed red/buff marks under each wing on the flanks and considered Red flanked Bluetail for a moment but the bird had no white throat gorget. It then flew up into the nearby willow tree calling briefly as it did so. I now needed another view to make a more definitive ID. After around 10 minutes the bird reappeared in the reeds but it looked too light on both back and breast to be a bluetail. It then a gave a short flycatcher- like flight and disappeared once more into the trees. Given this detail and the pale eye ring and white tail sides it was clear the bird was a 1st winter Red breasted Flycatcher. It was probably a little early in the year to expect this species in Leicestershire but it was a county 1st for me and a memorable sighting. There were also at least 5 Chiffchaffs in the same reedbeds.

Rutland Water - 15/9

Back to the tedium of England but I had bird counts to keep me sane. I started off on the new lagoons and they were unsurprisingly very quiet. In fact the only bird of note really was a Greenshank asleep on one of the islands on lagoon 8 although a single Kingfisher on the wet meadows was a nice surprise. In the North Arm I managed to find a single Redshank but apart from this and good numbers of wildfowl there was nothing.

Mas d'Agon, Marignane - 13/9

As this was our last day we contented ourselves with a brief visit to Mas d'Agon today. Arriving late there were only a few egrets and a couple of Grey Herons on the lagoon. A field north of the area did contain good numbers of Cattle Egrets though. A Marsh Harrier flew over the reedbeds to the west and then a Squacco Heron landed out of sight to the east. A brief walk along the road between the reedbeds produced at first a Tree Sparrow and then, oddly, a juvenile Western Orphean Warbler in the reeds. It soon flew up into the tree but was an excellent and surprising find. A final Zitting Cisticola was the coup de grace from the real Camargue !! However this wasn't the end of the worthwhile birds as on the car journey to the airport I spotted a Short toed Eagle soaring over the cliffs at Marignane. The 1st for the trip no less !! Then, even as we were taxiing in the plane onto the runway I noted a pair of Little Bustards standing cautiously in the long grass. What a place, simply unbeatable !!

Marais du Viguierat, Gimeaux - 12/9

The final full day mean't a visit to Viguierat. I arrived as the sun came up and soon located a female Blackcap, adult Melodious Warbler and a flock of Long tailed Tits along the sentier du Cabanes. Further into the reserve I found a Marsh Warbler skulking around in the wet bushes while Cetti's Warblers called constantly. The wet marshes were strangely quiet and only a pair of Zitting Cisticolas were seen in the maquis. A single juvenile Turtle Dove added some interest in a tree at the edge of the reserve. The path alongside the river held a calling Great Spotted Woodpecker but little else. The wet meadows opposite the entrance were now playing host to 12 Wood Sands and 50+ Yellow Wagtails and a single adult Purple Heron flew from the adjacent reeds. Overall rather disappointing with no raptors, no Bluethroats and no rare waders ! After breakfast we decided to head for Gimeaux and after only 5 minutes I spotted some birds soaring over the road. 3 Black Storks were soaring at great height giving a wonderful spectacle. Just the filip needed. Further along the Gimeaux road George noticed a bird alongside the road and an emergency stop revealed a splendid adult Red - backed Shrike hunting from some bushes 30 metres from the road. Another great spot ! The rest of the journey proved less enthralling but still some excellent birds.

La Capeliere - 11/9

A day to celebrate so a trip to Capeliere was called for. The first hide produced a group of 4 Little Egrets, 5 Green Sands and 3 Snipe all feeding. Within minutes something spooked the birds, they all took off including an adult Bittern hiding in the reedbed. Always a nice sight ! The trail didn't hold anything of note so I returned to the main hide and here were good numbers of Green, Wood and Common Sandpipers feeding on the lagoon. In addition to these were around 15 Spotted Redshanks and a ringed Spoonbill. A Kingfisher was also perched on a wooden pole. I decided to move across the road to the lagoon by the road and here were the same waders as on Friday but also a number of Ruff and a single Purple Swamphen which was periodically calling in its inimitable voice. This is the 1st time I've seen this species at Capeliere. Next, I noticed an adult Water Rail on the far side of the lagoon creeping around in the reeds as they always do ! Later in the day we travelled to the cemetery in Arles where I noted a pair of Spotted flycatchers and along the road to Mouries I found a female Northern Wheatear in flight !

Baisse de 500 Francs, La Phare de la Gacholle - 10/9

Another early start today for the long drive down to the environs of Piemanson beach. First stop at the beach corner and huge numbers of Little Stint are interspersed with around 20 Spotted Redshanks, a single Greenshank, several Green Sands, Common Sands and a Redshank. I drove slowly along the road scanning the flocks of waders. Soon I managed to find a small group of Ringed Plovers and Little Stints that contained 2 winter plumage Red - necked Phalaropes. I had hoped these would still be around as 4 were reported a couple of weeks ago. Result. Further along the road a tight flock of 200 or so Avocets were spotted and overhead the screeching of 3 juvenile Caspian Terns was heard. This time of year is particularly good for this species here. As I reached the beach another large flock of waders turned up a couple of Curlew Sands, good numbers of Dunlin, a pair of Turnstones and a Wood Sandpiper. I now headed to the Phare noting the large numbers of juvenile Yellow Wagtails along the roadside. Just as I entered the beach road at Amphise I spotted 2 juvenile Temminck's Stints right next to the road. They were incredibly tame and allowed excellent views. I parked the car in the car park close to the lighthouse and walked along the digue. In the lagoon to the south were 3 Curlews and a few Common Sands and in the one to the north were a splendid flock of around 200 Spoonbills. In the maquis were a few elusive warblers including Sardinian, Lesser Whitethroats and a good number of Whitethroats. On the drive back through the Camargue a single Osprey was feeding close to the road at Vaccares giving superb views. 2 Ospreys in 3 days, amazing !! Also on the journey a Roller perched on powerlines and a couple of Kingfishers flying by the road.

Mas d'Agon, La Chassagne, Vaccares - 9/9

Another early start at La Chassagne and a pair of Stone Curlews were watched on the reserve field and not only the 2 adults but a fuzzy furred chick which was calling continually. Brilliant, this was the first chick I had seen and what better place to see it than the Camargue. We drove down to Mas d'Agon and a juvenile Purple Heron was immediately spotted standing statuesquely in the reedbed. Apart from the heron and a few Great and Little Egrets the only other birds of note were 4 juvenile Black Terns in the distance. We continued down to Vaccares where the number of Black - necked Grebes had increased since yesterday to around 100 birds. Also present were a few Little Grebes, a flyover female Marsh Harrier and a pair of Squacco Herons. On the return journey to Arles we had a male Sparrowhawk and a couple of Zitting Cisticolas but nothing else.

The Camargue - September 8-13th

Mas d'Agon, Fangassier and Les Baux - 8/9

What a relief to be back in the sunshine and civility of France once more !! An early start on my first morning and as I pulled into the drive at Mas d'Agon what should be startled in the headlights but a Nightingale. Next up as the sun slowly peeked above the horizon were a flock of gulls heading off to feed and alongside them a single juvenile White winged Tern. Minutes later a juvenile Little Bittern took a short flight through the reeds only to disappear, what a start ! This was only my 3rd ever sighting of this species. Then I noted a couple of birders out in the reedbeds looking at something in the trees and following their gaze I spotted a juvenile Osprey preening in the tree. Incredible, only the 2nd Osprey I've seen in the Camargue and all before the sun had really begun to shine ! Then, to put the icing on the cake I spotted a flock of 31 Glossy Ibis heading north which disappeared out of sight around La Chassagne. Although I was reluctant to leave I decided to travel down to Fangassier/ Amphise in the hope of more waders. Alongside Vaccares in the small lagoon by Capelliere were a good selection of typical waders including 3 Curlew, 2 Common Sands, 2 Green Sands, 3 Wood Sands and 8 Black - winged Stilts. Actually on the main water of Vaccares were around 30 Black - necked Grebes which is unusual for this time of year. A further drive down to Fangassier was quiet and as I reached the enforces du vignolles it was obvious the water level was very low. On the beach were a good number of juvenile Kentish and Ringed Plovers and around 20 Dunlins but little else. I started to make my way back to the hotel when along the straight road I noticed a raptor in the trees. It had dark wings and a light grey body ! Shit, a Black - winged Kite. It soon flew off but what a sighting, the 1st for me in the WP ! A fantastic end to a brilliant 1st morning !

Rutland Water and Eyebrook - 5/9

Early start for me at RW and a juvenile Marsh Harrier quartering lagoon 2 was a nice start. The same lagoon held a couple of Green Sands and a Ruff. Moving on to Lapwing hide I spotted 8 Greenshank, a dozen Little Egrets and another couple of Ruff. The rest of the reserve was quiet so I travelled down to Eyebrook. At the inflow I found a superb pair of juvenile islandica Black - tailed Godwits and 3 juvenile Ringed Plovers. Taking a walk along the eastern shore it was clear that many of the waders had left although I did find a further 5 Greenshanks chiefly feeding along the west shore. A juvenile Osprey soon appeared and gave a wonderful display of aerobatics and fishing prowess. Further along the path I stumbled into a large tit flock and associated with it were at least 10 Goldcrests. What superb little birds they are ! Finally, on the way back to the lodge I noticed amongst the hundreds of wagtails a single juvenile Grey Wagtail feeding in the bay. This is the first I've seen for many a year and only the 3rd for Leicestershire ! Result !

Rutland Water and Exton Park - 2/9

An early start at RW on lagoon 1 and the wet meadows led to an unexpected group of 4 Green Sandpipers close to Snipe hide. These migrants should be on their way to Africa by now ! Next, from Harrier hide I found 4 Snipe feeding on the muddy shoreline along with many gulls, Lapwing, etc. As I was returning to the car park another Kingfisher flew across in front of me heading towards the new lagoons. Given that I hadn't seen one for over a year I had now seen one on consecutive days - what a bizarre hobby birding is !!!! The South Arm III produced more of the same as yesterday including an impressive juvenile Osprey fishing out by the island. I now headed to Exton Park for a long walk and turned up a juvenile Spotted Flycatcher, an adult Hobby feeding over the cornfields, a pair of Jays and another Treecreeper, plus several families of Yellow Wagtails. Given the number of Treecreepers seen this month this species must have done very well this year !

Rutland Water and Eyebrook - 1/9

An early start at RW was initially disappointing with only a single juvenile Ruff on lagoon 4 along with good numbers of BH Gulls and Lapwings. This was due to a higher water level than had been seen previously. Moving on to lagoon 2 things started to pick up. Here the water level was clearly wader friendly as the presence of a juvenile islandica BTG, several juvenile Ruff, a Green Sandpiper and a pair of Greenshank testified. Minutes later a Kingfisher flew across in front of Smew hide perching briefly on one of the tern rafts on the lagoon. This is the 1st Kingfisher I have seen at RW for over a year !! Next came Lapwing hide and here were many Ruff, 3 Greenshank, several Little Egrets and a fishing Osprey. Then in the bay to the right of the hide I noticed a wader feeding. Initially I thought it may be a Wilsons phalarope but it proved to be an adult Spotted Redshank, another bird I had not seen at RW for some time - March 2009 to be precise ! From RW I next visited Eyebrook and at the inflow I was pleased to discover the 2 Curlew Sandpipers seen earlier in the week alongside 2 Greenshanks, 2 Ruff and an adult Curlew. Soon an Osprey appeared and attempted to catch some breakfast before disappearing. A walk along the north shore produced good numbers of Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, a showy Great spotted Woodpecker and a single Treecreeper. After lunch I returned to RW where the only significant sighting was an adult Yellow - legged Gull in the North Arm. All in all a very good day !