Grasshopper Warbler

I had a really nice walk in the Goyt Valley recently, and on a side of the valley that I don't usually visit. It turned out to be a really productive walk, with plenty of birds and butterflies to see. There was a Red Kite over and plenty of Kestrels around. Stonechats were plentiful, with lots of juveniles on the walls and ferns. 

I did pick up on a bird that I was not expecting to hear, and that was a Grasshopper Warbler. These birds are not often easy to see, as they like to sing from within the grasses and bushes. This one however, kindly came out to show itself for me, and I was delighted as I'd not seen one all year. I had heard one other, but on that occasion it stayed hidden. These are great looking birds and another of our Summer migrating species. I was really pleased to see this one, and on a lovely sunny day.

There were also some really good looking butterflies around this day, with some Clouded Yellow, and my first ever Dark Green Fritillary. It's a stunning butterfly. (see below)

You can come with me and see my travels here on my YouTube channel.

Grasshopper Warbler

Dark Green Fritillary

Small Skipper

Red Kite

Stonechat

Norfolk Birding (again)

A long weekend at my parents always gives me the opportunity to look for birds that I don't really get on my doorstep. This visit was no different, with some really good views of two Glossy Ibis and loads of Bearded Tits. Add to that the waders and sea birds such as Curlew, Lapwings, Dunlin, Ringed Plovers, Gannets and Terns. The weather was very good on the first day, and then very cloudy on the second, but I made the most of both days and managed to capture a good collection of species. I even got some decent video too.

You can watch my latest adventure here:

Bearded Tit

Curlew

Glossy Ibis

Linnet

Little Egret

Sedge Warbler

Wren

Macclesfield Forest

I had a lovely walk around the foothills of Macclesfield Forest recently. I managed to find a few things that I wasn't expecting to see, and adversely didn't see some things that I wanted to see. The good weather continued though, and that is always a great to help to me when I get out. 

The reservoir edge had a Grey Heron, Common Sandpiper, Mandarin, Grey Wagtail and lots of the smaller species in the trees surrounding it. There were some brilliant butterflies, and a first sighting for me of a Purple Hairstreak butterfly. While I was wathcing this, a juvenile Common Redstart hopped into view, which in turn alerted me to a Common Sandpiper. It was just a lovely morning and very relaxing.

There was so much more to see, which you can see on my YouTube video below, and if you do like this sort of thing I'd really like you to Subscribe so that you can see more of my content and walks.

You can watch my recent visit here:

Common Sandpiper

Goldcrest

Grey Heron

Long-tailed Tit

Common Redstart

Ringlet Butterfly

Purple Hairstreak Butterfly

Red Admiral

Bempton Cliffs

I always look forward to a visit to RSPB Bempton, on the East Yorkshire coast. It's a chance to get up close to our sea birds in their nesting habitat, and not looking at some floating dots in the distance. It's even better when the weather is good, and it was another hot one. The birds didn't disappoint either, with hundreds and thousands of Gannets, Guillemots, Razorbills, Kittiwakes, Fulmars and Puffins all within touching distance as they went about their business of raising their young on the cliffs. The sights, sounds and smells are a real privilege to witness. I recommend it to anyone who has an interest in wildlife and even those who don't.

You can see highlights of my trip here:

Fulmar

Gannet

Kittiwake

Puffins

Razorbills

Western Reef Heron

A few weeks ago, I went in search of a bird that was a first for the UK. The Western Reef Heron had been moving around the Welsh coast for two or three weeks at this stage. Starting off down South and then moving to the North West, before spending a few days in Conwy. It was too tempting for me not to go and see if I could find it. 

It was an early start to get to the RSPB reserve where it was last reported, but it wasn't there. Word came through that it was on the estuary a few miles away. I soon, got my binoculars on it, before setting up my tripod and watching for a couple of hours. An amazing looking bird that usually resides in West Africa, it was similar in size to a Little Egret, but a rather nice looking blue colour instead of white. I was delighted to get it on the list.😀😀

You can see my escapade here:

Western Reef Heron

Pied Flycatchers

I spent a morning watching a pair of Pied Flycatchers feed their young recently. I got myself tucked out of the way, so as not to disturb the birds, and let my long lens do the hard work. It was a lovely warm  sunny morning, and it was a real joy and privilege to be able to spend time with these amazing little birds. I hope to head back in a few weeks to check up on them, but if they've fledged it could be a tricky task to track them down.

You can see my morning with the Pied Flycatchers here:

Male Pied Flycatcher

Female Pied Flycatcher

The Temperature's Rising

It was a very hot day, so I took myself to the Goyt Valley, where I was hoping that the tree cover and elevation may give me some respite. It did to a degree, but it was still a scorcher. Thankfully the birds were very active, as they have to feed their young no matter what the weather is doing. It was a very fruitful visit, with lots of new in Spotted Flycatchers, Pied Flycatchers, Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Redstarts, Tawny Owls and so much more. Everywhere had something to look at and watch. Even a little Goldcrest came nice and close for me, and these are not that easy to pin down.

You can see a more detailed version of my trip here:

Goldcrest

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Pied Flycatcher

Redstart

Spotted Flycatcher

Swallow