A terrible weather forecast and heavy rain whilst on the way to Slimbridge was enough to dampen the spirits of any group other that the Oxford group. Our weather luck held - as we arrived at Slimbridge there was a perceptible lightening of the clouds and by time that we go out of the coach it was actually fine!  In fact within half an hour we actually had sunshine and that remained with us for most of the day.  The only time it rained we were in a hide!  Anyway enough about the weather.  Thirty five of us enjoyed an excellent days birding with a total of sixty six species.  The most notable being a large flock of Barnacle Geese and a brief sighting of Redpoll.  A good day.

Birds seen on trip

A cold overcast day greeted us as we arrived at Elmley Marsh RSPB Reserve.  However the visibility remained good the whole day and fifty eight species were seen.  The traditional numbers of waterfowl and waders were present including four species of geese, eleven of duck and fifteen of waders.  Distant sightings of both Barn and Little Owl were had. Unfortunately only sixteen people were there to enjoy the day.

Birds seen on trip

The Bitterns failed to show and some Waxwings also proved a fruitless search, but the sight of a Tawny Owl less than two days out of the nest proved a marvelous compensation.  This little fellow, though not so little in fact, was still covered in down so much so that it was likened to a cuddly toy!  Generally the birding was relatively disappointing as we only saw forty one species which also included a good view of Greenshank.  However the weather was good and we enjoyed the leisurely stroll round two new reserves for the group.  In spite of the relative lack of birds we all agreed that we will come back in the future.

Birds seen on trip

A blustery SW wind kept the forecast rain away more or less.  The two short rain showers occurred when we were in hides.  Our weather luck held out again!  Twenty six of us enjoyed a wonderful day's birding.  A total of eighty three species were seen, by far the best we have ever had.  The most memorable sight being that of a Cuckoo perching on a post directly in front of a hide and calling before flying off after a couple of minutes.  Excellent!

Birds seen on trip

A chilly day kept mainly dry and it did not stop us enjoying ourselves at these two reserves. At Nagshead we saw forty seven species plus a further four at Symond's Yat, a down turn from the last trip, but the quality!  We had excellent views of both male and female Pied Flycatchers as well as both Spotted Flycatchers and a solitary Redstart.  That wasn't all, we saw a small flock of Red Crossbills and two views of Northern Goshawk.  Wow! What a day.  Later at Symond's Yat we saw both male and female Peregrine Falcons near the nesting place together with good views of a Hobby quartering over the River Wye.

Birds seen on trip

A glorious evening gave us hope that we would see or at least hear a Nightjar and we were not disappointed.  One was seen perched on a tree about 100m from the track.  It remained there for about half an hour and gave us excellent views.  Whilst watching the Nightjar we saw several flights of roding Woodcock all in good light conditions.  The first bird that we saw on the Common was a Tree Pipit which was the first of several.  Parachuting displays were clearly seen. An excellent evening birding.

Birds seen on trip

21 Sep 2003

Titchfield Haven NNR, Hants

Twenty three of us left Headington on a glorious late summer's day.  The weather remained good though the cloud amount varied periodically.  Birding was good with fifty nine species being seen.  The main memories are of a large flock of male and female Eider on the water, Bearded Tit, Marsh Harrier, Water Rail and Green Sandpiper, the latter being seen everywhere.

Birds seen on the trip

Isle of Wight

We arrived at the Carlton Hotel, Shanklin after lunch on the Friday.  We were very warmly welcomed and found the hotel to be a very friendly place with good wholesome food. The accommodation was excellent with large bedrooms and comfortable beds.  All were en-suite.  Food was good and plentiful.  Ideal for this type of trip. They can be reached on www.netguides.co.uk/wight/carltonhotel. 

St. Catherine's Point NNR - Day 1

We decided to go the St Catherine's Point on the extreme south of the island, as it was the nearest birding spot to the hotel and would give us plenty of time to get some birding done before dark.  We started out here in a gale force NW wind which kept the lesser birds well hidden, though it was still very mild.  We got excellent views of two Peregrine Falcons together with European Shag and Stock Dove.  A flock of Long-tailed Tit kept us entranced.  A distant Eurasian Jay was visible.  Thirty one species were seen on the day which was quite good considering the conditions.

Birds seen on the day

Newtown Estuary NNR - Day 2

Newtown seemed to be a good spot for the first full day.  It lies mid way on the north west coast and was sheltered from the wind of the previous day.  In fact the wind was much less so the shelter did not matter.  We had a clear sky and there was very little wind.  Mildness was the feature with plenty of sun.  The Newtown Estuary is an excellent birding spot and we had excellent views of Kingfisher and little Grebe together with several flocks of Dark Bellied Brent Geese.  Greenshank were clearly seen as well.  Fifty five species on the day.

Birds seen on the day

The Needles and the Yar Estuary - Day 3

The Yar Estuary lies towards the western end of the north west facing coast.  We went there after a brief trip to the Needles The wind had increased in strength to a moderate E.  It was again partial cloud and the general temperature remained mild.  There was a long discussion on the identification of a large grey raptor which was finally concluded to be a Hen Harrier.  Black Redstart were also seen.  The only negative during the whole holiday occurred when one of our group fell and had to be taken to the A&E department at St Mary's Hospital Newport.  Fortunately all was well!  Fifty species on the day.

Birds seen on the day

Brading Marshes RSPB Reserve and the Bembridge Area - Day 4

Brading Marshes RSPB Reserve is a new reserve which still has a lot of work required.  Consequently we stayed on the coastal side before going to St Helens which lie on the extreme east of the island.  The weather was again windy though it had dropped a little in strength.  Partial cloud remained the theme but it still remained very mild. The variety of birds was similar to the other days with relatively few waders or wild fowl.  Clearly we were a little early for these winter migrants.  Little Grebe showed well as did Kingfisher.  We had great difficulty in identifying a large possible wader sitting on a post in the middle of a flock of Black Backed Gulls.  Eventually after circling right round it we saw that it was a Eurasian Curlew!  Rock Pipits showed well.  Fifty three species on the day.

Birds seen on the day

Parkhurst Forest and the Medina Estuary - Day 5

The last day was probably the best of the whole holiday.  We had really excellent views of several Red Squirrels in the Forest and also saw Coal Tit, Tree Creeper and Goldcrest whilst there.  Later in the Medina Estuary we eventually got an excellent view of a well camouflaged Kingfisher.  A large flock of twelve or so Little Grebes were lying close to the shore.  Forty five species on the day.  That made for eighty six for the whole trip!

Birds seen on the day

In conclusion it can be said that the trip was a great success.  The weather remained fine for the whole time though the winds were a little on the strong side for good views of passerines.  We were probably a little early in the season for the waders and waterfowl, but who cared?  The companionship and birding in general were excellent.  That coupled with the comfortable hotel gave us an excellent long weekend.

Birds seen on the whole IOW trip

 26 Oct 2003 

Farlington Marshes NR

Seventeen of us arrived at Farlington Marshes NR on a glorious sunny but cold day.  The wind was relatively light but was from the north.  Birding was excellent with sixty six species being seen.  The highlight of the day was an excellent view of an Arctic Skua which flew over us about 20 feet.  We also had good views of a Cackling Canada Goose, a miniature Canada Goose.  The waders were in profusion as were the Dark Bellied Brent Geese.  A large flock of thirty eight Eurasian Curlew flew past at close range,  This site is rightly famous for its waders.

Birds seen on the trip

16 Nov 2003

Chew Valley Lake, Avon

On a wonderfully clear November morning fifteen of us left for an old favourite spot in county Avon. The sun stayed out all day though the temperature was rather on the cold side.  Fortunately there was little or no wind to give wind chill. We saw in all fifty eight species.  That might seem relatively low but bearing in mind that we saw only four different wader species, the variety was good.  The best views were of a Kingfisher displaying near the causeway.  A Treecreeper also gave us great views.

Birds seen on the trip

7 Dec 2003

Pitsford Reservoir, Northants

This mixed habitat of open water, grassland, woodland and marginal vegetation was visited by nine pre-Christmas enthusiasts.  The weather was bright but rather cool.  A total of fifty species were seen.  It was regarded as a good site.

Birds seen on the trip