Category Archives: Spring 2021

A rare birding trip away from NO. On Sunday 15th March a drake Baikal Teal was found on Ripley Farm Reservoir south of Ringwood in the Avon Valley. The news was kept to a handful of observers. One of these people added their record to eBird and as a result the news services, RBA andContinue reading “Tuesday 16th March 2021”

A sea-watch with Ian first thing produced almost nothing only partly ‘saved’ by a male Eider heading east. Meadow Pipits were singing in the cattle field on the walk to the hides, the Greenshank showed beautifully again in front of DL’O hide and the Black-headed Gulls continued to show interest in the rafts. The countContinue reading “Sunday 14th March 2021”

With a strong south-westerly forecast I headed to the beach for a couple of hours sea-watching. The large bush near MM’s house provided great shelter from the wind although it didn’t protect me from the torrential hail shower. Most migrating sea birds travel along the seaward side of the Isle of Wight and so sea-watchingContinue reading “Friday 12th March 2021”

One of the most familiar sounds at the Reedy Ditch in spring is the far crying rapid babbling trill of the Little Grebe. They’re often hidden but this one drifted out into view. Just behind it a newly arrived Chiffchaff flicked through the reed bed, my first of the year. 16 Avocet were feeding alongContinue reading “Sunday 7th March 2021”