Rutland Water and Ketton - 31/8/11

Today I started back at Green Bank and the resident waders were still around - 5 Greenshanks, 5 juvenile Ruff, a Green Sand and 3 Curlew were all feeding around the shoreline of South Arm III. A single Barnacle Goose was spotted alongside the large flocks of Greylag and Canada Geese and at least 6 Little Egrets were distributed between the North and South Arms. A single adult Yellow Wagtail was perched on the fence in the field behind Green Bank. The North Arm held just a single adult Ringed Plover. An unforeseen stop at Ketton quarry in the afternoon did pay dividends though. First, an adult Hobby flew over the quarry, heading south. This was the 1st Hobby I have seen since April/May. Then an immature Marsh Harrier flew over the scrub and forest to the south soon followed by a Buzzard soaring over the same trees. Finally, a pair of Sparrowhawks were located in a plantation close to the start of the footpath. Not bad for a ten minute spell !

Rutland Water – 11/8/11

A start at Green Bank again today and no real change in the wader population with 6 Greenshank, a single Redshank and 4 Green Sandpipers present. A pair of Ringed Plovers was scoped on the island but no sign of the alleged Little Stints seen by someone ! The North Arm was quiet with just a pair of Ruff feeding on the northern shore. I took a rare trip to the woods at the end of Hambleton peninsula and was rewarded with views of a feeding Nuthatch and a family of Treecreepers. Wonderful !

Rutland Water – 10/8/11

A red letter day today. I began at Green Bank where most of the waders from Monday were still present – 5 Greenshanks, juvenile Ruff, at least 4 Green Sandpipers and a single Common Sandpiper. On a whim I decided to try the field behind the hedge. What a good decision ! As I scanned the new fence I spotted a 1^st winter male Stonechat perched up on one of the fenceposts and caught a brief glimpse of another bird behind it. This mystery bird soon revealed itself as a juvenile Whinchat, a species I had been searching for at Rutland Water/ Eyebrook for 2 years !! Magic. Associating with the 2 chats were a pair of juvenile Whitethroats ! I managed a number of digiscoped pictures of the Whinchat as it showed superbly and, indeed, was still around 4 hours later. The rain started as I walked back to the car but I didn’t notice it ! The North Arm was something of an anticlimax after that although 3 Curlews, at least 6 Little Grebes and a pair of Ruff added some interest. A return to South Arm III in the afternoon meant that I located 3 Dunlin on the island but nothing else of interest.

Eyebrook – 9/8/11

At the inflow a nice, adult Yellow- legged Gull was a good start but waders were scarce with just a group of 4 Dunlin feeding on the mud. The island held the usual flock of cormorants and a single Ringed Plover. As I walked along the northern side of the reservoir an adult Osprey put in a brief appearance and 2 Green Sandpipers were scoped on the opposite shore. Good numbers of hirundines hawked over the water and a single Common Sandpiper was soon joined by 2 others as it relocated further along the bank. I returned in the afternoon but apart from a female Marsh Harrier and a single Greenshank little had changed.

Rutland Water – 8/8/11

A noticeable influx of migrant waders since last week. First, in the bay adjacent to Lapwing hide, an adult breeding plumage Turnstone along with a couple of Greenshank, 3 Dunlins and 5 Green Sandpipers. Then along the shoreline at Green Bank another 5 Greenshank, a juvenile Ruff and, as I was scoping, another newly arrived wader, a juvenile Sanderling ! Over in North Arm a pair of juvenile Buzzards were calling to each other and an adult Arctic Tern loafed on the spit in Tim’s bay. Apart from these not a lot of action – a couple of Greenshank and single Redshanks and Ringed Plover. However, a notable flock of passerines in the trees in Tim’s bay included chiffchaffs, willow warblers, tits (incl Coal Tit) and goldcrests.

Frampton Marsh RSPB – 5/8/11

Another amazing Frampton day although the primary target of Spotted Crake remained hidden. First bird seen in the scope on the western scrape was the Pectoral Sandpiper, which was the 1^st seen anywhere since autumn 2009! The lagoons also held 3 Wood Sandpipers, 20 Black- tailed Godwits, several Ringed Plovers, 3 Green Sandpipers, 8 Greenshank and 4 Ruff. The saltmarsh held 3 Brent Geese which appear to have taken a liking to the habitat after spending all winter here. A walk along the Haven resulted in a host of other waders feeding on the sandflats including at least 10 Grey Plovers, 50 Ringed Plovers, 500 Oystercatchers, 100 Dunlin, 3 Turnstones, 80 Redshank, 3 Whimbrel and 10 Bar- tailed Godwits. On the return journey I disturbed a covey of at least 10 Grey Partridges most of which were juveniles and a juvenile Marsh Harrier flew over. Back at the footpath’s junction with the reserve a Peregrine shot past spooking a flock of 20 Little Egrets. Finally the reserve was heaving under the weight of Yellow Wagtails – I must have counted more than 100 the bulk of which were juveniles.

Rutland Water – 3/8/11

Before the rains came I managed to find a single adult Arctic Tern on the fishponds dam plus 7 Greenshank, 5 Green Sandpipers and a Ringed Plover in the North Arm. In South Arm III a juvenile Osprey was watched fishing and at the reservoir dam at least 8 juvenile Yellow Wagtails were a nice surprise.

Eyebrook and Rutland Water - 2/8/11

An amazing first 30 minutes after arrival at Eyebrook saw a Red Kite put up a flock of 100+ Lapwing at the inflow and a Peregrine come out of nowhere straight through the distracted flock. Unfortunately it managed to miss everything. Waders were scarce with only a single Green Sandpiper and a single Ringed Plover at the inflow. Later, I had amazing views of at least 3 Ospreys fishing at the south end of the reservoir, including one bird flying off with a trout in its talons. In addition, I found a single Greenshank, a pair of Buzzards and Bullfinch, Marsh Tit and Goldcrests in the woods. Back at Rutland Water pickings were sparse with a pair of Green Sandpipers, single Common Sandpiper and at least 6 Little Egrets.

Rutland Water – 20/7/11

Today we twitched the Spotted Sandpiper and managed to arrive just after it had disappeared !! Some compensation was achieved, however, with excellent views of the Manton Bay pair of Ospreys together with their 3 young. We also found a record ( for me ) 14 Green Sandpipers spread out between Manton, South Arm III and North Arm. The reserve also held 5 Common Sandpipers, 4 Ringed Plovers, 2 Greenshank, and single Redshank and Dunlin.

Kingfisher Bridge – 19/7/11

The first bird of note was a Barn Owl hunting over the rough pasture surrounding the lagoon. Waders were disappointingly few with only 4 Green Sandpipers and a single adult Oystercatcher with an attendant chick. After some time a female Marsh Harrier flew in and settled down in the far reedbed, possibly on a nest. Apart from these a Green Woodpecker flew in front of the hide and a Kestrel perched for a time on a fence.

Rutland Water - 4/7/11

Not much to report today although a juvenile Osprey fishing in South Arm III was notable as it attracted a huge number of gulls intent on driving it away. A couple of Redshanks and an Oystercatcher were feeding along the North Arm shore and at least 4 Little Egrets were spotted in other locations. A possible Spoonbill was seen distantly from the Barnsdale car park along the southern shore of the Hambleton peninsula. Otherwise the usual warblers and finches were present.

17th - Today we visited Les Alpilles, specifically Les Baux and the Vallon de la Leque. We arrived at the south face of Les Baux around 9am and immediately spotted 2 or 3 Crag Martins wheeling around the rock face. A flock of Jackdaws were also present. After 30 minutes we spotted our first target, a splendid male Blue Rock Thrush flew from the bushes at the base of the rock face and hopped around for a few minutes before disappearing. A number of Sardinian, Dartford and Cetti's Warblers were seen in the bushes along the narrow pathway. We drove to another site  close by and walked along a path though the trees. Here we managed to spot Firecrest, Goldcrest, Blue and Great Tits, Chaffinch, Goldfinch and finally a pair of Crested Tits that gave brief views deep in the forest. We drove to the Vallon de la Leque and walked up the gravel track where we spotted Sardinian Warbler, Firecrest, Goldcrest, Serin and had excellent prolonged views of at least 3 Crested Tits. We also managed close views of Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff here. As we descended we saw a single adult Raven fly over the gorge and land on top of the rock face.

16th Oct - We began at the Baisse de 500 francs just after 8am and noted a good number of waders feeding on the lagoon including 2 Grey Plovers, 70 Little Stints, 30 Avocets, 60 Ringed Plovers, 300+ Dunlin, 15 Redshank and 5 Green Sandpipers. Overhead we spotted 20+ Sandwich Terns and a single juvenile Gull-billed Tern. We also saw 3 Kingfishers along the banks of one of the lagoons. Next stop was at the Phare de Gacholle where we walked to the lighthouse from the car park. Along the path we had good views of a pair of Crested Larks, a pair of Stonechats, a single Dartford Warbler, several Black Redstarts, Sardinian Warblers, Fan-tailed Warblers, and both single Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler flitting through the trees around the lighthouse itself. After an excellent lunch we visited the Marais de Grenouillet where a good number of wildfowl were feeding on the flooded marsh. We spotted 7 Greylag Geese, 30 Shelduck, 25 Gadwall, 70 Teal and 55 Shoveler amongst a large number of Mallard. In the distance I spotted a juvenile White Stork which was probably one of those hatched from the nest adjacent to La Capeliere. Scott spotted a fly-over Sparrowhawk and there were several Marsh Harriers and Common Buzzards in the area. We travelled the short distance to the small lagoon opposite La Capeliere and here located a pair of Curlews, 3 Spotted Redshanks, a single Snipe and a pair of Little Grebes. On Vaccares we found many Great Crested Grebes and 5 Black- necked Grebes plus a dozen flying Common Terns. A brief trip to Mas d'Agon was rather disappointing although a single Penduline Tit was heard. We then drove to Consecaniere in the hope of spotting an elusive Terek Sandpiper but only managed more Dunlin, Little Stints and Ringed Plovers plus a migrating Greenshank. The drive along the track back to Mejanes produced large numbers of flyover Meadow Pipits and Corn Buntings but not a single Reed Bunting! Our final stop was at Mas Lauricet but as we approached in the car I spotted a Water Rail walking along a roadside stream. Unfortunately it disappeared very quickly as we disembarked! We parked by the open woodland near the farm and all appeared quiet until I spotted a Green Woodpecker in the trees and Scott managed a great sighting of a juvenile Roller as it flew into the same stand of trees. This was a very late bird! On the journey back to the hotel we spotted a pair of Northern Wheatears which was another pleasant surprise!

27th - A visit to La Capeliere (1st since early July) and Mas d'Agon today. On the Etang de Vaccares I spotted at least 3 Black-necked Grebes and 15 Great Crested Grebes. At Capeliere the 1st hide was so full I decided to come back after I'd been around the reserve! It was a good decision as it turned out! At the next hide a good number of Spotted Redshanks (45) were feeding avariciously on the exposed mud, many moulting from summer plumage, and in their midst I spotted a juvenile Lesser Yellowlegs. Whether this was the same bird seen here in May I couldn't say. Unfortunately, it soon disappeared from view behind a reedbed and then the entire flock of waders was spooked by a Marsh Harrier and they headed off towards Vaccares. From this hide I also spotted an adult Water Rail creeping through the reeds on the far side of the lagoon. At the next hide a pair of Wood Sandpipers were feeding right in front of the hide and within minutes they were joined by 2 adult and 1 juvenile Greenshank. I managed to get excellent photos of these birds. I continued along the path through the trees but given the number of people on the reserve it wasn't a surprise that all was quiet! The lagoon overlooked by the tamarisk hide was dry and the lagoon over the road held only 5 Black-winged Stilts. I returned to the main hide which was now empty and quickly found the Marsh Sandpiper that had been around for the past month or so. It was feeding amongst 80+ Spotted Redshanks and I managed some reasonable photos. In addition I spotted a pair of Green Sandpipers, several Mallard and a pair of Teal on the lagoon. At Mas d'Agon I found Squacco and Purple Herons, Little and Great Crested Grebes, Whiskered Terns, a Kingfisher, a pair of Wood Sandpipers, 7 Bee-eaters and a Roller. I returned in the evening and the only sighting of note was 8 Night Herons, the most I have seen here!

26th - A brief visit to Vignolles and Vaccares today. At the Enfores de la Vignolles a good number of waders were feeding on the mudflats to the left of the track - these included 30+ LRP, 8 Ringed Plovers, 60+ Kentish Plovers, 25 Dunlin and 3 Curlew Sandpipers. Along the edge of the lagoon were a pair of Common Sandpipers and at least 3 Green Sandpipers. I drove back to the Etang de TdV and here spotted an adult Honey Buzzard, which soared above for 5 minutes or so, a number of Mallard, Gadwall and Shoveler in flight, Grey and Purple Herons, and a flock of 20+ Spoonbills that briefly took to the air over towards TdV. A Cetti's Warbler called and around 30 juvenile Yellow Wagtails flew amongst the garrigue. At Vaccares, apart from a single adult Gull-billed Tern and several Common Terns perched on the jetty and 3 summer plumaged Black-necked Grebes on the lake, everything was quiet. On the journey back to Arles I spotted 2 Rollers and 6 Bee-eaters.