The Juvenile Birder

Short Stay Story in Scotland! We set off from home at around 12:30am and arrived in the Scottish Highlands at around 10:00am. As soon as we got out of the car, we were struck by the freezing cold weather. We started scanning the open moors in hopes of finding either White-tailed or Golden Eagle (either would be a lifer), along with other raptors. After stopping in various passing places along the narrow road and scanning the crags, ridgelines and moors, we were unsuccessful in finding any raptors. We did however see around eighty  Greylag Geese (presumably Icelandic birds overwintering) along with around ten Goldeneye . We then decided to try for the eagles at another location. We arrived at our next site at around 1:00pm and straight away got to scanning. We were joined by a few other birders who were also looking for eagles. Suddenly, I noticed a commotion, and one of the birders that was there seemed to be getting his scope onto something. I asked him if he had seen anything, an...

Crowd Pleaser!  We arrived at Winterfield Park in Dunbar at around 9:00am with Dave in hopes of seeing a rare shrike. As soon as we got out of the car, we immediately spotted a big, pale bird perched on top of a wall. It was our target bird, the Steppe Grey Shrike . We then made our way over to the crowd where at first the bird was sat up on a wall a few feet away. However, it then decided to come down from the wall and feed only a few metres away, giving us all incredible views. It then sat back up on the wall long enough for me to get a record shot through Dave's scope, capturing almost every little detail of the bird's head. Since this bird is a subspecies of the Great Grey Shrike, it is not a proper lifer for me. However, it is still an armchair bird, in case the bird gets split and it is certainly a great bird to see! We then decided to scan the sea, spotting two Shags , a Great Black-backed Gull , a Goosander and an Oystercatcher . Suddenly, the Steppe Grey Shrike dropped...

Wykeham Forest Wildlife! We arrived at a site just outside of Wykeham Forest in hopes of seeing Turtle Doves. As soon as we arrived, we were  treated to an abundance of activity. Initially we noticed five Yellowhammers  feeding and showing very well, including what looked to be a few fledglings. Suddenly, two Great Spotted Woodpeckers flew in and started feeding in a tree just opposite us. There appeared to be one juvenile and one adult bird. Although not uncommon, I have not had many views of this majestic bird this year. I then got out of the car (which we were using as a hide) and started looking in and around the bushes, spotting a few Nuthatches , as well as both adult and young Great Tits  and Blue Tits . I then spotted five Tree Sparrows , including at least three young, all perfectly perched on one branch. I didn't expect to see them here, so it was nice to find five of them! I also got a brief view of a Marsh/Willow Tit , however I didn't get to see it long enoug...

Hiking in the Highlands! We set off at 2:00am in the morning and arrived at a secret site up in the Highlands of Scotland at around 9:00am. Our only target was Ptarmigan. I had dipped this last year, after a hard and long climb up a mountain, in the snow! We were feeling strangely optimistic about this adventure, as lots of the snow had melted, meaning that the Ptarmigan should hopefully stand out. Enroute to the site, I spotted loads of Red Grouse . As soon as we arrived in the car park, the first bird we saw was a Red Grouse  feeding in the grass only a few metres away. After scanning the boulder scree on the mountain from the car park, I couldn't initially spot anything that stood out as Ptarmigan. I then started scanning the few patches of snow. Suddenly, two white specs caught my eye as one of them moved. They were Ptarmigan ! I was ecstatic, and immediately got a digiscoped image of them. The pair were showing well, however they were extremely distant. They were a lifer for m...

 Birds Soaring & Sailing! Image from James B, (same bird, but taken on different date) We arrived at Duncombe Park at 12:30pm in hopes of seeing a Black Kite. When we arrived, someone mentioned that the bird hadn't been seen for a bit, last being seen dropping down behind some trees. However, Steve (the person we were talking to) mentioned that he wasn't ticking it with the views he got, as with the views he had he couldn't confirm it, but the guys who got in on the scope said it was it. After waiting for a few minutes, we saw a few Red Kites , Buzzards  and Kestrels when suddenly (at around 1:00am) someone shouted that they had the Black Kite above the treeline, in front of a cloud. I scanned in the direction he was describing and saw it. It was quite distant so I couldn't get it in my camera, however you were able to see the dark shape in the sky with a naked eye. A kind birder got it in their scope and let me take a look at the majestic raptor. I watched as it so...

 Scarce Woodland Raptors and Songbirds! We arrived at 8:00am in hopes of seeing Honey Buzzards (As advised by Rob). We walked through the woodland and to Raptor Viewpoint. There, we waited, seeing Common Buzzards yet no Honey Buzzards. Just then, as someone was talking to us, he spotted a raptor circling to the left above the trees fairly close. At first he yelled 'large raptor circling above trees, large raptor circling above trees' and then it was a 'Honey Buzzard! Honey Buzzard!' I looked up and saw it. There were 10/10 views with 1/10 being bad. It then kept popping up and then going down. A new tick! Shortly after, someone pointed out a Goshawk as it flew near to where the Honey Buzzard was but in the opposite direction towards the open space. It only showed briefly so 4/10 views of that yet it was another tick! Then, to finish off the first part of our trip, someone pointed out a Common Crossbill as it perched on top of the pine tree and then flew off. Our final t...

 Quick Drive to See a New Tick! We arrived at 9:00pm for an evening drive down Jacob's Lane (as advised by Rob). We got onto it via Moss Lane West. We turned left and examined the road and then pulled over to check the trees. We then turned and headed to the other side, passing Moss Lane West and Moss Lane East. We then ended up at a road called Blue Moor. We were looking for Yellowhammer, a bird I really wanted to see and something that would be a lifer. I then thought I saw a possible one but judging on how bad the light was and how many Goldfinches were around, I couldn't confirm it. We then drove onto Blue Moor and then an unnamed road. Present was a Buzzard and nearby was where I thought I saw the possible Yellowhammer go. With no luck, we then went for a final time on Jacob's Lane. Presently, I spotted one! I watched in amazement until it flew off. This bird by far gave me the most joy to see. An absolutely fantastic trip! 

  Raptors! ​It was our first time visiting Burton Mere. Parking was good and it was our second time visiting an RSPB site. Burton Mere is located near Wales, on The Wirral. When we arrived, we saw a pond with both a Great White and Little Egret along with the usual winter ducks. We walked along the Burton Mere trail at around 1:20pm but didn't see much. We then went on the Reed and Fen trail. We viewed the Reedbed Screen where we saw some Mallards and a Common Moorhen. We then arrived at the Marsh Covert Hide where we saw two Eurasian Coots and a possible Water Rail go past. I didn't get a good look at the Water Rail so it wasn't a confirmed sighting. We then went on a bridge that lead to a boardwalk that went across the reedbed. We then arrived at the Border Hide where we saw Gadwalls, Mallards, Tufted Ducks, Eurasian Wigeons and Northern Pintails. We also saw a flock of Eurasian Curlew fly by as well as some Long-Tailed Tits passing through the trees. We then walked towar...