30 Aug 09 Hogganfield Loch

A short visit on a bright Sunday morning revealed a probable juv Scaup and several Great Crested Grebes including several young birds. No sign of any Ruddy Ducks.

Close in to the car park the usual Grey Lag Geese and lots of Lesser Black Backed Gulls including lots of juveniles.

Several Little Grebe and Tufted Ducks

29 August 09 Barons Haugh

2 Greenshank, 1 Black Tailed Godwit & 1 Common Sand from the Marsh Hide but not much else.

Round at the Causeway hide there were several hundred Lapwing on the far side, probably the same 2 Greenshank & 1 Green Sand.

Two Herons flew in scattering all the ducks including Gadwall, Teal & Shoveler. All 3 hirundines still around.

Female Kestrel on the reserve & 3 Buzzards over Strathclyde Park on the way home.

23 Aug 09 Cresswell

The adult winter Semi P had been 'rediscovered' at Cresswell in Northumberland and with it being kind of on the way home from the Bird Fair I took the opportunity of adding it to my life list.

There were several birders obviously watching something some c 1/2 mile down the beach and when I got there the Semi P was very close & easily located amongst a small mixed flock of Dunlin & Sanderling. Unfortunately, by the time I had fiddled with the camera, the flock was flushed by the incoming tide and the bird could not be located again. Although I had seen it, I had not had any time on it & really needed to see it again.

Fortunately, it had relocated to the main pond and whilst not as close as on the beach it gave good views. Very obviously smaller than Dunlin with a short straight bill. Very obvious dark central scapular feathers, no russet tones, dark cap giving it a capped effect which further set off a well defined supercillium. Some white on the lower back. Dark legs & when disturbed by the other feeding birds it would jump & the palmations could be seen between the toes.

Other birds of note were 1 pale phase Arctic Skua, several Sandwich Terns, 1 Wood Sand, 1 Ruff, 1 Greenshank, 1 Curlew Sand, Black Tailed Godwit, 1 Swift, 5-6 Yellow Wags, 1 Wheatear.

22 Aug 09 Rutland Water

Camping with the family on site at the Bird Fair offered the opportunity to do some birding at Rutland Water.



Tawny Owl & Greenshank heard during the night.



Up early on the morning of the 22nd part of the south part of the reserve was easily reachable on foot and the first birds of note were 2 Willow Tit. From the Mallard hide I was largely looking into the sun but several Ruff could be seen. Gadwall was the best duck. 1 Sedge warbler. A small party of Long tailed Tits were seen and several Willow Warblers & Chiffchaffs heard/seen.



Met Bob & Andy in one of the markees in the morning & arranged to meet up with them early afternoon for some birding round the reserve. Birds of note were lots of Great Crested Grebe, a possible Garganey, Egyptian Geese, 3 Ospreys, 3 Buzzard, 5-6 Little Egret, 6 Green Sands, 1 Common Sand, 3-4 Greenshank, Black Tailed Godwit, Ruff, 3 Common Tern, Green Woodpecker distantly in flight, Sand Martins.

16 August 09 Barons Haugh

More water in the Haugh than last week. Several Common Sands in front of Causeway hide, at least 2 Green Sands, 1 Ringed Plover but no sign of any of the reported Ruff. Several young Pied Wagtail seen.

Ducks including Teal & Shoveler.

Water Rail heard squeeling in front of Causeway.

09 August 09 Barons Haugh

Water levels very low ! Water only in front of Causeway & Phoenix hides.

Young Water Rails frequently in the open to the left of Causeway hide. A Greenshank also there. 7 Black tailed Godwit, 1 Dunlin, 1 Ringed Plover, up to 4 Green Sands & perhaps 8-10 Common Sands, small no's of Lapwing.

Ducks in eclipse included Gadwall and also several Little Grebe. Kingfisher briefly on post in front of Phoenix hide.