[nigelblake]

Although there are pagers and other means of keeping up with rare bird reports why not take some time to add your sightings here, it might not have to be rare as a species, how about reporting species that are particularly tame, suitable for novice photographers or digiscopers to get to grips with. There are places in th U.K. where birds get used to people and are therefore very approachable, Dovedale in derbyshire for instance is a good place to see dipper very close to.. actually Steve if you read this it might be worth having a separate forum for locations where tame species can be seen!

[Reader]

Nigel

Most of our major reserves can lay claim to that. Titchwell for instance will have numerous birds around that can be easily photographed. If had had a better system last year I would have gotten me some cracking shots of Bearded Tits as they were out sunning themselves one day I was there. Slimbridge, Welney, Minsmere, the list goes on.

On the local reserves, such as our Upton Warren and Brandon Marsh you should be able to connect with some good photo opportunities as well. I can think of reserves around many places that fall into this catergory. It wouldn't take much effort to find a place close by. The rewards could be tremendous if you are willing to put the time in.

[nigelblake]

I was thinking more along the lines of a specific location for a particular species, i.e. Lea Valley Bittern watchpoint for Bitterns and the Track to Elmley for Lapwing, etc. Places that give a very high percentage chance of conecting with that key bird.

[nigelblake]

Also perhaps your local town park has tame Grey Wagtails or Woodpeckers, These are the sort of reports that would be nice to hear about.
Nigel

[IanF]

I couldn't agree more Nigel, such information would be very useful.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you.............St James Park, London!

On offer: Tufted Duck, Red-breasted Merganser, Goldeneye, Eider, Shoveler, Greylag, Canada and various other Geese, Pochard, Mandarin Duck, Wood Duck, Little Grebes and many more.

Thanks to Nigel for starting this typically thoughtful thread.

[Szabo Jozsef]

speaking about parks, just saw a new species for my window freom the office, a lesser spotted woodpecker. chances to get the other two species that are missing from the list (of the window) are quite low for they are quite rare in towns: the three toed (never saw in low altitudes) and the white-backed which has one record here in the town where I live (2 more weeks).

Jozsef

[birdman]

Clumber Park (North Notts.) is quite a good place for fairly tame birds. There's a well marked footpath to the North of the lake (near the chapel and the main car park) which has a couple of locations where food is put out for the birds. Great Spotted Woodpeckers are not unusual, and all the little favourite, tits, finches, sparrows and the like. Probably close enough for a good photo. And of course, there's the wildfowl.

On a slight tangent, the Chaffiches at Glen Affric (Dog Falls) are pretty tame. Put it this way - I was opening a Cornish Pasty, and the Chaffinches got a bite before I did!!!

[Reader]

Talking of Clumber Park. With a digiscope you are in with a good chance of Hawfinch in the trees near to the Chapel. They usually stay at the top of the trees and give tremendous views. There are a few of them being reported there now.

Nigel

I agree about Dovedale especially upstream by that small weir type area. I have had Dippers within 10 feet of me there.

Specific sites

Slavonian Grebe - Loch Ruthven (Nr Inverness) April-May
Black throated Diver - Lochendorb (near Grantown) April - May
Gannets, Guillemot, Razorbill, Puffin - Bempton Cliffs
Fulmars - Hunstanton Cliffs
Bittern - Ladywalk (Nr Coleshill Warwickshire)
Little Egret - many places but I like it around Kingsbridge - Devon
Whooper & Bewick Swans - around Ouse Washes
Norfolk for almost anything, especially Geese

Come on, let's have some more sites. This is a good thread and with it we might get to find out sites we had never thought of. Likewise we might get to note sites that at some time we might be on holiday, or visiting, where they are close by.

[Andy Bright]

Dartford Warbler... Dunwich Heath, Suffolk. I've seen Dartfords in a few U.K. locations but this has got to be number one for photo opportunities, the place is just full of them.
Best bet is very Early Spring when they can be a bit less active whilst singing, especially handy for those without AF cameras (i.e. digiscopers).
The heath can be surprisingly empty of people, holidaymakers often content up at the carpark. Try one of the small car parks well before you get to the coastguard buildings.

Check out the path at the side of Dunwich heath (down the bank) that runs alongside Minsmere, excellent for Bearded Tit and Merlin.
Andy B

[Osprey]

One further thought; PLEASE, PLEASE do not give out locations of vunerable or rare birds that "eggers" might find useful.

An instance that springs to mind is Slovian Grebes. 5 or so years ago a certain breading site was widely circulated between birders.

Outcome: The species deserted the site and has never bred there again. The reason is not clear. But it could be down to disturbance etc, etc.

Osprey

[Andy Thatcher]

Bittern at Tring.

Londoner had a seriously good shot but just failed to get everything together before it skulked off !

Andy, Londoner will have you for that - it was Alastair Rae!

[Andy Thatcher]

Freudian slip, he would have had a great shot !

Many apologies Alastair.

[LuBird]

Hawk Mountain,Berks County, Kempton,PA. Beautiful Raptors!!!

www.hawkmountain.org

[gliderman]

Hi nigel
Can you just tell me how rare if it is or not, is a black & white warbler.
Regards Will, ps No its not a pied wagtail

[Steve Lister]

Originally Posted by gliderman

Hi nigel
Can you just tell me how rare if it is or not, is a black & white warbler.
Regards Will, ps No its not a pied wagtail

If it is in Leics it definitely is rare! Or anywhere in Britain come to that.

Steve

[dbradnum]

Will

CAn you describe a bit more about this black and white bird? How big, compared to other common species? What sort of habitat was it in, and what was it doing?

Cheers,

[gliderman]

Hi David
It was in my garden it arrived with some blue tits in the ivy, at first I thought coal tit as it was to far away, but then it came down to about ten feet from window into a small bush it stayed there for about 30 seconds not enough time to get the camera this all happened sat morn about 0800 I didnt see it again until this morn I had camera ready but it just flew over the house and away, so it is still aroud, right it was between blue tit and great tit in size a little plumper like robin it had black stripes above & below eyes ,its back and sides were like male house sparow only black & white, in flight it had black & white flash under wings I hope this helps, Will

[John N]

Could it be Pied Flycatcher??

[nigelblake]

Sounds to me like a juvenile Long-tailed Tit

[Brian Stone]

The hides on the reserve at Ferry Meadows CP in Peterborough are good for close views of Water Rail in winter. At least one there at the moment. Might get lucky with Kingfisher there too.

[Pluvius]

Nigel
What an excellent idea.
RSPB Belfast Harbour for Black Tailed Godwit. They come within a few feet of hide windows.

[nigelblake]

Ace, its taken just 4 years for this thread to take off, but this is just whatIwas hoping to see!

[dave123]

what a great idea nigel i can see this thread kicking off really well.
farmoor reservoir is good for close up shots