Wales August 9th to August 15th

   Two nights at Gigrin Red Kite feeding station.  A wander around the nature walk produced a surprising Green Sandpiper a few distant Spotted Flycatcher, Jay,Nuthatch, Great spotted Woodpecker as well as the 300+Red Kite, Raven and 8 common Buzzard

   The Green sandpiper was found on a small pool and viewed from a Hide over looking the pool and wetland patch along the nature walk along with Spotted Flycatcher. The sand piper shot off south after about 2 minutes. Must have been upset by all the Raptors around

  Two night in a campsite next to the Osprey center in Mid Wales produced very distant views of the Spring Watch Osprey's. a few common Lizards. Redpoll and Kingfisher.

    A final two nights at Towyn North wales found 3 Chough en-route nothing of note except for 3 common Scoter off shore. and a stop off at the Pondarosa cafe at the top of horse shoe pass produced Raven, Buzzard, Stonechat and Whinchat. 

    A good few days all in all even if the original plan was for a trip to Gigrin and return home but as the weather behaved we decided to move on to Mid Wales and then on into North Wales for the final stay. a total round trip of 560 Miles and loads of fun with my wife 3 grand children and Darcy a friend of my Grand daughter Skye.

HIDE AND SEEK

   A couple of days in the wind and snow at Chapel st Leonard's to open up the Caravan for the season gave me a chance to visit Gibraltar Point Nature reserve.
  On arrival A Barn Owl flew in front of me while I was still driving. Probably the closest view I have ever had of a wild Barn Owl. Not happy I couldn't get a photo. I parked up and turned round and to see the same Owl in the distance and slowly going off out of sight.
   A quick visit to the visitor centre and a look through the window towards the coast produced Brent Goose, Curlew, Redshank, Skylark a Magpie and distant gulls.
   back to the motor home to drive the short way to the beach car park and there was the same Barn Owl still in the distance quartering the field to the west.
   I parked up in beach car park and headed for one of the hides. from here I had  Moorhen, Coot, Canada Goose, Curlew, Black-tailed Godwit, Shoveler, Teal, Pochard, Wigeon, Tufted Duck and a Kestrel.
   Back to the motor home and then decided to walk the beach path a short way to another hide. I found Yellowhammer and Skylark and then there was The Barn Owl again just out of range. Just round the corner and there it was again busy hunting and always heading away from me. In the Hide all I saw was 1 pair of Goldeneye.

  That was it time to head for skegness to pick up the wife, Daughter and Grandson.

Waxwings in Stockingford

  A notification from Dave Hutton via west Midlands birding alerted me to the presence of Waxwings just down the road from my home. So I had to go. 

  Arrived at the location to find only a single goldfinch in Aldi Car park. The arrival Of Bob The Birder and Dave Hutton Kept me from leaving.  

  20 Waxwings arrived and sat in a tree at the rear of a garden.

 Not long after they relocated to the front garden and began to feed on berries at about 6 foot from ground level. exelent  views of waxwings. the best I think I have ever had of these birds.