#indoorstoomuch

More digi scoping practice with some pretty horific results, i was pleased with this as it was about 50ft away and has just landed, it was a find target and shoot type of shot. Although i did take about 180 and only got this one :) keep trying i spose

or does the area around the Stone Barges smell of burnt Peanut Butter at the minute?   I spent about an hour and half this morning looking for the recently sighted Bittern over at the Members Only, No Public Access fishery at Ingrebourne but no joy.   (I have just been informed that i loose things, ie the last half hour has just been spent looking for a car key, she, being Mrs B, has looked everywhere, my coats, my jeans, my everything. After the "well what have you done with them" speach and just as she was about to launch into "this is ridiculous......" we located them; where? and you know whats coming...her coat)   Then this afternoon i decided to go to the Stone Barges for a brief spell of Digi Scoping. This is only the second time i have tried this, the first time i was in the back garden; no digiscope attachment yet so this is all just holding the camera up to the scope. As well it was getting a little dark but i think they are not to bad. 41 shot...

  I tried digiscoping it, too close. The old compact is not doing so well these days but im glad i went    

A London first apparently; it would also be a first on every list for me; subject to getting there in one piece.   Hell took its alternate name today, it called its self the M25. Tailbacks and crashes pretty much all the way round, the most favourable route seemed to be via the major crash at the Dartford Tunnel. The tunnell anti clockwise was shut and the queues were imense, i certainly wouldnt have wanted to be in that pile up, it was awful, i hope all are alive, it looked that bad.   It put things in a bit of perspective really, there i am on a jounrey to look at a bird when some of those families Christmas and maybe lives have just been ruined.   Should i have tunred back knowing what the rest of the journey was to be like, oh yes....did i? no, today i was a twicher, a low low lister but a twitcher.   Three tailbacks, crashes later and i had safely negotiated my through Hell and was in the safe surroundings of the Queen Mum.   ...

I managed to fit a couple of hours in this after noon starting at the Stone Barges in hope of a Water Pipit, it didnt happen but some good numbers of varying gulls to wade through and an obliging Grey Wagtail.   Shortly after i decided to head for Mucking, just to see what it was like as ive heard good things, bad timing for me as although the Thames hide was empty the tide was way out and still going, i did manage Curlew x20 and a swirling mass of Avocet , after they settled i started a count c315.   Waxwings have been over at the Valley for three days now so i headed on over to Albyns Farm, nobody or no waxwings about so i spent the some time looking and listeneing for that trill.   Just about to give up when i bumped into Dmc who said those words.."you just missed one" but then on a tree to out left it was back and we spent easily half an hour on it, with Dave getting some cracking shots .    

I managed to get a couple of hours this afternoon and was heading over to the Stone Barges, however i decided that as i hadnt actually been in Rainham RSPB for a while (Bailons being the last time and even then the walk round to Butts was in the dark) it would be something different.   As i was heading up the old A13 news came in for Bewicks Swan x3, 2 adults and 1 juvenile, this was good news, not only a patch first but a life first and 2012, a London first and Essex first...oh the lists......   Upon leaving the center and heading down the ramp it was looking promising, two swans on purfleet scrape. One head later and my attention shifted form the Mutes and was draw to a guy digiscoping at the end of the ramp. Maybe he could help, no he hadnt seen them and at the moment a guy passing us heard the conversation and pointed them out over the far side near the Canada Goose flock.   courtey of www.natureconservationimages.com   After some goo...

Information from Pablo Hawkins found me this morning jumping in the car and heading off to Grange Waters, South Ockendon for a supposedly easy first sighting for me of a Long Tailed Duck. Arriving about 10.15ish i found the gates closed and parked up just outside; taking a wander down to the main center also found this closed. A quick call and directions received i found myself squelching trough a recently ploughed field, walking through a gap in fencing and then pushing my way passed some rather spiky Hawthorn. Myself and two others @debbiejay and Russ Sherriff found ourselves with the bird on the far side of the waters: Slowly after about and hour the bird started heading our way, rather aggressively having goes at both Tufted Duck and any Black Headed Gulls that came in its path. After a little while i took a walk further along and found us all a better vanatage point with the bird now closer to us than the other bank, Russ at the front getting his shots, Debbie with h...

Spent about 5 minutes over the Valley this morning, the fog and then the rain......   In the afternoon after dropping the family off at varying locations, i rushed over, yet again in the rain, to Rainham to pick up the single Waxwing. The closet views i have had and a new one for the Rainham List taking 2012 to 100   Now to catch up in the valley!

Saturday morning with No1 son, parking today at the Albyns Farm car park. Fieldfare, Redwing, Pheasant, Great Spotted Woodpecker all before we got to Tit lake.   I was on a Siskin hunt today and had full intentions on spending the morning over the Berwick Side.   Tit Lake was busy, Canada Geese, Cormormant x2, Greylag, Coot, Moorhen, Black Headed Gull x23 and Tufted Duck.   By the time we got to the Lower Paddock he wanted out, so off he went around the Glades, only to find when i took my eyes off a small group off Greenfinch him standing at my side, head skyward with his hands forming an imaginary set of bins.   The rain came in and after chasing him about for a couple of minutes (didnt put to much effort in he was having fun in the rain), i strapped him back in the buggy and we headed off towards Berwick.   Berwick was good although not for Siskin, first i heard one, then another. I edged towards the area it had come from and sure en...

Saturday again...over the Valley however this time my dad tagged along with Me and No.1 son. Raining, not hard; but enough to make it unpleasant.   Dad's only been over the Ingrebourne once before and by the sounds of it went over the iron bridge to the top paddock and back.   We went first to the small stream behind the play area....now for the last few months i've been looking for Kingfisher and Snipe, even at the birders beer the other Friday i was saying to Dick i was after Kingfisher - nothing, not even heard one.   So explaining to Dad, this areas good, its had Water Rail, Grey Wagtail, Kingfisher....whats that he asks as a bird darted towards us and landed on the first main tree over hanging the stream.....noooooo, Kingfisher and not only can you see it clearly, its still. The best views i've ever had before it vanished off back the way it came.   A Valley first and a 2012 first as well.   courtesy of www.theora.com   We h...

I've only seen one Shrike - a Woodchat Shrike at the Retendon round about near Wickford, Runwell Road and this was back in April 2011, apparently eaten by a Sparrowhawk the follwoing day.   I've had a go at seeing more, dont get me wrong, ive not chased around the country at every report but i have been to Vange Marsh for a Red Backed Shrike, Fingringhoe Wick for a Great Grey Shrike and also Salcot Cum Virley for the same.   Today i finally managed to connect with the Great Grey Shrike showing at Hardy's Green, Colchester.   It was favouring the same spot it had been all week, just down the road past the Big Red Barn.   First hedgrow on the same side as the barn, then viewing to the bottom of it by the telegraph wires and poles.   right of the hedgerow left of the hedgerow   I initially caught it in flight dropping down into the planted field above, staying down for a few minutes before returning back to t...

It was not the intention to be going Abberton, although after realising how close it was to where i was dropping the wife and kids off this morning i thought it would be rude not to.       Firstly i went to the Layer Breton Causeway and arrived shortly after 11am, i had heard about the Bittern here and after a few initial scans nothing was on show apart from Shoveller, Teal, Wigeon, Tufted Duck, Eyptian Goose, Coot along with Pintail x4 and Snipe x2.       Within a few minutes Mr Rob hornchurch fc Burgess arrived after photographing the Desert Wheatear over at the EWT center; apparently showing well.     Shorlty after arriving he shows me a Red Crested Pochard, life tick no1, and right under my nose then he calls a Bittern flying from the right hand reeds to the far bank, catching this in flight and entering the reeds it becomes life tick no2 for the day.   courtesy of www.andrewcareyphotography.co.uk ...

On my own this morning i arrived at Hornchurch car park for 6.15am. Taking a walk to Ingrebourne Hill, back to the iron bridge along the lower paddock up to the fields, through the woods and back down the river. All in all three hours which produced quite a few ticks in one way or another. The walk to the hill via Tit lake produced the same as yesterday although the numbers of Redwing & Fieldfare have gone through the roof night. Yesterdays count around this area was about 25-30 of each, today was easily in excess of 100 each. The only change to this bit of the walk was a single Sparrowhawk. The lower paddock and the fields came up with the goods today. The lower paddoock was buzzing with even more Fieldfare & Redwing all over the berries; i cannot imagine they will last that long.   Yellowhammers, Goldfinch & Greenfinch could be seen in good numbers as well in the same area .  Skylark were over, heading towards the hill. Firstly a...

I shook things up today on my usual Saturday morning wander over the Valley with No.1 son; well as much as you can do :)   Parking at Albyns Farm car park at 9.20am i got out of the car and heard the chatter of Fieldfare , spinning round i caught c30 leaving a tall tree and heading off towards Ingrebourne Hill. Great start and it got better, checking my phone it became clear that Fieldfare was a patch tick.       Things were going well, as i put Heath in the pram Bullfinch x2, over follwed by c25 Redwing.       The aim for today was to head up the path towards Ingrebourne Hill and a bit of sky watching; it wasnt to be, i was cold and i was moving, the poor little fella in the pram looked frozen in the icy wind. So we turned and headed for the viewing area hoping the trees would shelter us from the wind.   It did...   Tit lake produced, Gadwall x4, Shoveller x6, Mute Swan, Cormorant, Black Headed Gu...

Through my parents lounge window; landed on their bird feeders

The Snipe is a bird that i like, colouring, shape, bill...i like it; however they have eluded me over at the Valley and i have searched for quite a few hours this autumn, then just to rub it in reports from Dave & Shaun that they are seeing them.... I tried again yesterday taking a slow walk down the main viewing marsh but still didnt have any luck. This morning though i went again and decided to view the flooded area along the main viewing marsh again and after about 15 minutes - jackpot, one Snipe. A VAlley first for me taking the Valley 2012 list to 85 and the Valley life list closer and closer to that 100 mark. courtesy of shropshire birds

Finally, after what seems like an eternity i managed a couple of hours over the Valley this morning and very enjoyable it was too. The Hornchurch car park to Tit lake return produced 42 species and excluded some of the more usual such as Goldfinch and House Sparrow.   As im still on the look for a Snipe i took it slow alow the main viewable marsh, water levels have been very high by the looks of it but now small amounts of muddy areas are on show.   Teal camouflaged well were very obundant along with Moorhen & Shoveller. In the farm fields vast numbers of Jackdaw & Crow but no Rook. There was activity every where and it was here where i got a 2012 first and patch first, Yellow Wagtail x2 flew low over my shoulder heading towards the paddocks.   courtesy of Jo Strong   Skylark were flying in groups of 3/4 towards Ingrebourne Hill nunbering around c20 and large numbers of Greylag & Canada Geese headed in the same direction. ...

Its taken three years; i've been taunted by calls and song; at times frustrated that i chose to do a "seen only" list for it.....   Finally this morning while taking out the rubbish i heard it again and this time managed to connect.   The humble Chiffchaff on the Garden List!   Seeing the Baillons prompted emotions of "nice" this morning i was jumping with joy!    

Well as you can gather i havnt been out doing much birding of late, in fact much of anything; work, home decoration and general family stuff taking precedent.   I have managed no more than 3 hours over the patch throughout September and even on those visits did not find too much; Green Sandpiper probably the most exciting.   Needing a new bird for the patch and year list i spent most of those hours looking for Snipe and Kingfisher around the viewing area and checking out every black Corvid that flew over in hope of a Rook.   A Snipe was seen though on the day previous to one of my visits.   Highlight of the month would be the Red Kite seen low over the fields at Little Haddam in Hertfordshire. Apparently its become a bit of a local attraction appearing in the local press.   Lets hope October allows more time out!    

A first for me as this was the earliest i had been birding before, it was still dark and about 5.30am. After reaching the hide, front row seats had already gone and the first standing row was building. I took my place next to Tony who new the approximate area the bird had been seen the day before.   It wasnt long before a bird was seen in the channel just in front of Butts Hide; finally connecting with it for a bit before it vanished and wasnt seen again for some time. Not the best of views but they all count.   That takes the Rainham 2012 list to 99.   Also seen; a group of c25 Little Egret flew in, Water Rail x2, Little Grebe   On the way back from the hide i took brief stops at the jetties off the Northern Boardwalk: Snipe x4, Greenshank x6, Green Sandpiper, Redshank. A Hobby flew low over the reed edge.   Thanks to Howard and the volunteers who openned up early again; the reserve looked amazing that early as the sun came up slowly reve...

Back to school means that Saturday mornings dance classes for the girls also has a new term and as such i was over Ingrebourne for 9.15 with No1 son in tow and for the second time after being out the night before with the local birders i was hanging.   The sun was already warm, not what i wanted, so after a decision i stuck to the main marsh and viewing areas all morning; until 12; heading from shady tree to shady tree.   There were very few people around and it was a really beautuful morning.   A showy Cettis Warbler , always good to see one of these rather than just hear, another Ring Necked Parakeet went noisily over.   30 Species in all but no Baillons Crake.

As i was passing the Valley this morning, i took a quick stop to wander along the path to the bridge leading to farm fields. Whinchat on the posts between the Top Paddock and the next field. Pheasant, Green Woodpecker, Mixed Tits, Dunnock, Canada Goose x15, Pied Wagtail, Chiffchaff, Woodpigeon.

A walk with the kids along the wall to Aveley Bay and back at high tide didnt provide to much however the kids got to see their first Wheatear that was on the concrete river edge about half way between the reserve center and the bay.   Also an unidentifiable (for me) small wader flying up river; all i got on it was a small white wing bar, feet protruding from tail feathers, white rump with a darker center line/area seperating it in half and no white area protruding up its back. Also its flight action seemed unsmooth.

After dropping family off at Stansted i was back for 6am and over at the Hornchurch car park. I took a stroll down to the viewing area and up to the top paddock through the fields and back along the river.   The number of wildfowl from the viewing area was the most i have seen there; C20 Canada Geese, C15 Shoveller, easily C30 Mallard, Moorhens and Coots in good numbers; it was then i thought i had a Valley Year Tick with x3 Teal (wasnt until i got home that it turned out i had seen them in January). In addition there were Grey Heron & C15 Black Headed Gull.   The sky was also busy with small groups of the same flying towards the Berwick Reservoir which is where most of the birds on the lake eventually headed.   There was also a lot more Woodpigeon than last time i got there for 6.   Up at the Top Paddock a single Whinchat eventually showed on the posts seperating paddock and field after the farmer had moved on with his tractor a bit.   ...

Thanks to Shaun for keeping me in the loop about the Whinchats in the Top Paddock over the patch the last couple of days; after two failed attempts i finally caught two on the fence posts between the top paddock and field this morning. Dave Mcgough had seen, told Shaun who in turn text me! The Valley drums were pounding.   So a new one for the 2012 list and Valley Year list taking it to 83.

I have not been out much over the last couple of weeks due to holidays and work; i did manage a trip last Saturday morning to the Valley and caught a Ring Necked Parakeet heading over from the woods (Optimist End) towards the Hornchurch Country Park car park along the river.   A single bird and only the second for me this year over Ingrebourne.   With no birding over the bank holiday it looks like some of these local lifers that have been popping up over the last couple of weeks have and will be missed putting my target of 200 on the life list by the year end potentially out of sight. Tawny & Tree Pippits along with Spotted & Pied Flycatchers from Wansted, Barking & Ingrebourne. Update: and now a Wryneck at Wansted that i'm missing. Update, Update: and now Spot Fly & Pied Fly at barking

Arrived this morning at 6.30am and immediately came accross what looked like a Peregrine over the reserve heading towards the Hacton Lane end. Didnt get enough on it for me to make a positive ID, wish i had as it would have been a patch tick. A Pied Wagtail over the car park, first for me in a while at the Valley with the last one being early June. Heading towards the viewng area the Black Headed Gulls could be heard some distance off. The water levels have dropped a little and a small edging of mud was now on show; no waders for me today (although about 2 hours later reports of 4 Green Sandpiper). On the bend by the Heronry a first for me, i actually heard a Bullfinch , so far all my finds of this bird have been silent ones. This was a male calling as it headed towards Tit Lake. Tit Lake held the usual, Coot, Moorhen, Canada  & Greylag Geese, Mallard and Grey Heron. Onto the the hill and it was depressingly quiet with the noticeable abscen...

I got over to the Valley later than normal yesterday, about 10.15 and was supprised to see that it was extremely quiet; one other car in the car park, only a couple of dog walkers around the play area. Not only that, there was little or no sound all the way to the viewing areas where a small group of about 10 Black Headed Gulls broke the silence. Reed Warbler and Reed Bunting also to be seen along with two singing Cettis Warbler. On to the Top paddock via the Berwick Glades; Willow Warbler, Linnet and a lot of Greenwoodpecker, it was about now when Shaun tweeted to advise on a patch MEGA at the Hacton Lane end, he had just heard a COAL TIT singing. With no.1 son in tow i decided i would make a casual walk back. Going over the iron bridge an abliging Sparrowhawk flew over head and in the area for a good few minutes before heading off towards the viewing areas. courtesy of wikipedia I ended up though over at Tit Lake with not much else to show for it, Mixed Tits...

Finally and with thanks to a computor virus that has over the last couple of days been chewing its way through my hard drive i got out; recovery disks in and a good few hours install, i managed to get over to Rainham for a bit. Bird wise not a lot within the reserve; although earlier, Whimbrel, Dunlin, Green Sandpiper and Snipe x3 all seen from Purfleet Scrape. About five or six had gathered and looking but nothing in sight when i arrived. A brisk walk along to Butts Hide and my ever increasing interest in the butterflies and moths resulted in my first Marbled White courtesy of www.butterfly-conservation.org Followed quickly by a Small Tortoiseshell Small Tortoiseshell Heading out of the reserve and over to Aveley Bay i was on the look out for Yellow Legged Gulls and Whimbrel both of which i havnt had this year. Not overly confident with the Yellow Legged Gull due to ID but they have been in the bay quite a bit of late. In the bay were plenty of gulls a l...

Is this a Swallowtailed Moth?? - My guide looks as if they are white/green but the one in my porch area looks more white/yellow. Any ideas please? Swallowtailed Moth - ??

Over the Valley this morning for 6am; it got off to a good start with a great view of a singing Song Thrush just behind the play area but sadly nothing much else happenned, the usual suspects all the way to Ingrebourne Hill; no raptors to be seen on or around it. The water levels were abviously high so no waders. Mallard, Mute Swan, Pochard, Grey Heron and Little Egret x2 . view from iron bridge This is then where i decided that wellies were more appropraite than boots; cutting through on the bike trail, it was pretty flooded and then the new amount of growth was huge so not only a boot full but i was soaked from the rain on the greenery; gave up and came home - short and a disapointing little trip. Although the car park regular made up for it, initially on the car roof when one of the dog walkers appeared from the path over by the play area. He held out his arms, whistled and it flew straight to him landing on his hat where they both proceeded to walk to his car. Apparen...

Can you name this Neon Bird - just for fun, no prizes

Purley to increase this years patch list over at Rainham i madly drove over to Aveley Bay for Greenshanks & Whimbrel this morning in what seemed like apocalyptical rain. Visability was dreadful so rather than being able to view from one end to the other of the bay walking to various vantage points was essential. I couldnt find the Whimbrel but managed to pick up two Greenshank as they flew along the shoreline and only then because of their calls, finally managing to watch them land further up the bay and get on them for a short while. One things for sure, the top quality waterproof trousers i have are only top quality in normal / heavy rain. Sunday they decided they would give up! Rainham Marshes 2012 is now at 94

I was kindly invited to the local birders monthly beer last night and finally got to put some faces to the names i have heard over the last 18 months since i started birding. A welcoming and friendly bunch of guys; i had a good evenning and a reasonable head ache this morning. Lets hope my drunken state warrants another invite........ Yesterday Wood Sandpipers x7 were counted over at Rainham Marshes RSPB late afternoon. Hoping they would hang about for today i managed to get over there this morning. After a long wait they didnt materialise, although one had been seen early this morning. Then nothing for the rest of today. A couple of Green Sandpipers on view the whole time proved too much for some and after a while comments started to be floated about how they were Wood Sand; they were not, they were Greens but they happily none the less convinced themselves, ticked and left. There was an adult Spoonbill to view from the same vantage point off the Northern Boardwa...

I was fortunate to be given a pass for the morning and headed over the valley arriving at 6.30am. It was relatively clear with a small breeze although a little chilly. I parked in the Hornchurch car park and headed firstly along to the viewing area checking the small area behind the play area as i went. Chiffchaff, Whitethroat, Cettis Warbler, Song Thrush, Greenfinch, Blackbird along with a couple of flyover Common Gull before reaching the main viewing point. Checking the smaller point first nothing of note other than a couple of Shoveller , it did seem very quiet down there. The main view confirmed it; not much at all. Heading on towards Tit lake and as i approached the junction for the iron bridge a Lesser Whitethroat , the same spot as yesterdays bird; i couldnt see it so headed on. Cormorant x2 flew along side me and banking off towards the houses. Green & Great Spotted Woodpeckers seemed in abundance around the areas as you come down the path off the steep...