A.M

Went back to Roud. Last week it was -2c, this week 12c. So markedly different conditions. The frenetic activity of last week's crest and chiff activity near the sewage works was absent. The odd chiff about including one that was singing, but sadly not with a siberian inflection, and no sign of that particular bird from last week. Decided to move on.

P.M

Onto St Helen's. Looked across Brading marsh first. No sign of a bittern for me: one has been seen in the area recently. Marsh harriers showed well again. And two GC grebes were interesting to watch, and although slightly concealed by the reeds, they appeared to be interacting in courtship-like display, but they disappeared out of sight. Flock of curlew and black tailed godwits flew over towards the harbour.

Checked out the duver: 4 greenshank of note. 3 ravens (poss 4th). 1 GC grebe in the harbour. 3 grey plover.

Red legged partridges - Roud

Ravens - St Helen's duver

One of two turnstones - Bembridge Harbour

Mixed wader group - two of the four greenshank at the front

Sadly a dead shag on duver beach

wow

Roud IOW

Given the mild winter we've been having, today felt more like what winter should feel like with a frosty start and icy conditions. Headed to a place i've never investigated before and a place where there's a sewage works. (Brading sewage works has altered recently, but it was good at attracting sibe chiffs, water pipits, and firecrest etc).

First thing I came upon whilst walking along the road was a green sandpiper; I must have flushed it from the river, but it came up calling and then I got on it.

When I got to the sewage works quite a few things were flitting about. Goldcrest and chiffchaffs. Then 1 firecrest. 

One chiff looked interesting. Possible sibe? Didn't hear it call so might not hold up on plumage/jizz alone. Complete set of pics here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/139729595@N08/sets/72157663987567145

 (EDIT: General consensus is it is a siberian chiffchaff - Phylloscopus collybita tristis)

Above pic shows an interesting comparison in one shot: top chiff a typical collybita, with the greyer paler bird below it... 

Looked more grey in different light

Interesting

Despite being a close and showy firecrest, this was the best shot i got.

Roud looking north

Glorious 18th

There'd been sightings of a male hen harrier at Brading marsh NR over the weekend, but due to work commitments I never got a chance to check it out. On my day off today I thought i'd give it a go, with the weather being fair, if dull and fairly nippy (about 5c). Soon picked up a marsh harrier cruising over the reeds. Distantly saw a peregrine swoop down at speed and catch something then fly off with it; interestingly it took its prey to almost the exact same spot me and my bro had watched one doing the same thing, so must be its fave plucking area.
Then moved further down the lane and scanned east of me: my brain caught up with me and I remember thinking 'it's a hen harrier; a male one.' Seemed almost accidental, but I'd locked onto this smart bird and quickly took some vid of it, and though distant, enough for record shots. It didn't show for very long. Then saw it again a bit later on but further to the east of the Yar.

Great to see one, especially given these birds are in such decline to the point of being in serious danger of becoming extinct in England, a consequence of the unnecessary human hunting practices employed in the name of sport.

Otherwise fairly quiet about the marsh, though ended with a water pipit flying over towards the reed beds at dusk.

Distant record shots - but you can see what it is.

marsh harrier

Med gulls Seaview

Interesting sightings of little auks recently. My bro had 630 at his local Scottish patch.

 

 

A constant stream of Little Auks battling north in the stormy seas off Fishtown of Usan

HAPPY NEW YEAR