I’ve got a bit of a record going when it comes to producing decent birds whenever my parents come to visit. Glossy Ibis, Woodchat Shrike and parading Bitterns have all helped add to the mystique that in reality comes down to nothing more than damn good timing on their part. Read more…
Anyone who knows me will have by now realised that I love snow. From November onwards I am constantly glued to various weather forecasting services in an attempt to work out when the first flurries will arrive. Of course we usually just end up with rain and sleet but having Read more…
Before Waxwing fever gripped us a couple of weekends ago we’d already had quite a successful days birding and walking at Bosherston lily ponds in Pembrokeshire. It seems like an absolute age since we were last there, a visit which sticks in the mind due to the then drought conditions Read more…
Back in the winter of 2010 the UK found itself under attack from the Scandinavians. They arrived in their thousands and took up residence in every industrial estate and supermarket car park from the Shetlands right down to our southern coasts. With much of the population focussed on forthcoming festivities Read more…
In the words of everyone’s favourite Austrian, I’m back. From where I hear you ask? Norfolk I answer, hoping to bring this slightly awkward opening exchange to a swift conclusion. Ah you say in clear disregard to my previous statement, see any Waxwings? I think we may be about to Read more…
One of the problems at this time of year is that I don’t get out of work until after dark. The upside is I can clean the house less often as energy saving light bulbs are simply too dull to show the dust, but it also means that evening walks Read more…
I was back in the Midlands visiting family this weekend which of course meant that the painful experience of watching Saturday night reality TV had to be endured. I could bore you with details of who danced the best Rumba or which wannabe singer actually managed to hit a note, Read more…
The coming of October heralds the return of free parking at Port Eynon, which may or may not have explained my sudden urge to visit there on the first of the month. That particular soiree ended in a very wet dash back to the car following a downpour that felt Read more…
After our success in Pembrokeshire we kept things local on Sunday and headed down to Mewslade on Gower. A Yellow-browed Warbler had been reported there the day before so we spent a good while scanning through the trees in the hope that it was still around. Unfortunately the fine weather Read more…
I’m fully aware that this is a day late but I’m sure no one has begrudged seeing that wonderful Wryneck sitting at the top here for an extra twenty four hours or so. The fact is that making promises concerning deadlines on the internet is definitely something I ought to Read more…