A few target species for UK nr. Hertfordshire in August (1 Viewer)

[Birdy1]

So I'm seeing I have a fair bit of spare time during end of July to end of August, and thought it would be a good time to try and see a lot of new species that I've always wanted to see. I don't need to see everything in one go, but am looking for places that are probably a maximum of ~3 hrs away, the closer the better. I'm looking to see and, if possible, photograph them too.
The species I am looking for are listed below, if any of them are red listed, or people won't like telling me where they are, just let me know privately or on the thread and I will remove it.

Dipper (A big one for me, as I've always wanted to see one!)
Arctic Tern
Sandwich Tern (not a lifer, but only seen at a distance)
Cuckoo (heard but not seen)
Golden / White-Tailed Eagle (are they even possible within 3 hrs driving distance?)
Pied Flycatcher
Bearded Reedling
Common Swift (I know these are everywhere, but is there anywhere specifically that I'm likely to be able to get good close-up photos of them?
Little Tern?
General sea birds (gannets, guillemots, etc.)
Nightingale
Lesser Whitethroat (an annoying one that isn't that rare, but I've never been able to see or hear)

TIA

 

[simmojunior]

So I'm seeing I have a fair bit of spare time during end of July to end of August, and thought it would be a good time to try and see a lot of new species that I've always wanted to see. I don't need to see everything in one go, but am looking for places that are probably a maximum of ~3 hrs away, the closer the better. I'm looking to see and, if possible, photograph them too.
The species I am looking for are listed below, if any of them are red listed, or people won't like telling me where they are, just let me know privately or on the thread and I will remove it.

Dipper (A big one for me, as I've always wanted to see one!)
Arctic Tern
Sandwich Tern (not a lifer, but only seen at a distance)
Cuckoo (heard but not seen)
Golden / White-Tailed Eagle (are they even possible within 3 hrs driving distance?)
Pied Flycatcher
Bearded Reedling
Common Swift (I know these are everywhere, but is there anywhere specifically that I'm likely to be able to get good close-up photos of them?
Little Tern?
General sea birds (gannets, guillemots, etc.)
Nightingale
Lesser Whitethroat (an annoying one that isn't that rare, but I've never been able to see or hear)

TIA

Dipper - Dovedale in Staffordshire / Derbyshire is good. Probably about your closest option
Arctic Tern - possible on north Norfolk coast at that time of year, maybe Blakeney Point on a seal watching trip. Regular breeding sites more than three hours away. Regular migrant in Hertfordshire, mainly in spring but possible in August.
Sandwich Tern - anywhere coastal. This is the easiest bird on your list. Blakeney Point or Titchwell for example.
Cuckoo - common in Hertfordshire at e.g. Amwell, Lee Valley or Cambridgeshire sites (e.g. Wicken and Ouse Fen). Late July - August not a good time as stopped singing and dispersed but you can run into one.
Golden Eagle - not within three hours drive
White-tailed Eagle - reintroduced birds regular at Pennington Marshes, Hampshire. Otherwise possible as a vagrant.
Pied Flycatcher - possible as a migrant in August. Try Blakeney, Minsmere, Winterton etc... in easterly winds. Note that males will not be in full plumage.
Bearded Tit - not the best time for them but common in Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. Good sites include Minsmere, Titchwell, Ouse Fen and Lakenheath.
Common Swift - anywhere. Always difficult to photo but move through Spurn in huge numbers in south westerly winds in July.
Little Tern - nearest colonies include Pennington Marshes (Normandy Marsh), Blakeney Point, Minsmere or Horsey.
Gannet - should be straightforward off Norfolk or Suffolk coast at this time of year. Nearest breeding colony Bempton is probably more than 3 hours drive.
Guillemot - possible in Norfolk coast towards end of August
Nightingale - relatively straightforward in Lee Valley, Paxton Pits etc... in May but unlikely in late July or August.
Lesser Whitethroat - anywhere. Common migrant towards the end of August.

 

[Birdy1]

Dipper - Dovedale in Staffordshire / Derbyshire is good. Probably about your closest option
Arctic Tern - possible on north Norfolk coast at that time of year, maybe Blakeney Point on a seal watching trip. Regular breeding sites more than three hours away. Regular migrant in Hertfordshire, mainly in spring but possible in August.
Sandwich Tern - anywhere coastal. This is the easiest bird on your list. Blakeney Point or Titchwell for example.
Cuckoo - common in Hertfordshire at e.g. Amwell, Lee Valley or Cambridgeshire sites (e.g. Wicken and Ouse Fen). Late July - August not a good time as stopped singing and dispersed but you can run into one.
Golden Eagle - not within three hours drive
White-tailed Eagle - reintroduced birds regular at Pennington Marshes, Hampshire. Otherwise possible as a vagrant.
Pied Flycatcher - possible as a migrant in August. Try Blakeney, Minsmere, Winterton etc... in easterly winds. Note that males will not be in full plumage.
Bearded Tit - not the best time for them but common in Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. Good sites include Minsmere, Titchwell, Ouse Fen and Lakenheath.
Common Swift - anywhere. Always difficult to photo but move through Spurn in huge numbers in south westerly winds in July.
Little Tern - nearest colonies include Pennington Marshes (Normandy Marsh), Blakeney Point, Minsmere or Horsey.
Gannet - should be straightforward off Norfolk or Suffolk coast at this time of year. Nearest breeding colony Bempton is probably more than 3 hours drive.
Guillemot - possible in Norfolk coast towards end of August
Nightingale - relatively straightforward in Lee Valley, Paxton Pits etc... in May but unlikely in late July or August.
Lesser Whitethroat - anywhere. Common migrant towards the end of August.

Thanks very much!
Will look into all the places stated and see what I can do!

 

[Andy Adcock]

As stated, Dovedale is good, just get yourself to the Peak district and just check all streams and rivers, you will see one. They're not rare, just get yourself to the right place.

For the Terns, treat yourself to a weekend 'up North' and day the trip the Farne Islands, you'll have Terns (Common, Arctic and Roseate) and Puffins at your feet. You'll be standing, right next to nests on or near the path, you'll see eggs and young, so be careful where you put your feet and don't go off the roped off path, I've been two or three times, it's a fabulous place. Take a hat too, the Terns will bombard you fort being near their nests.

You can book a place on the boat here

Billy Shiel’s Boat Trips | Farne Island Boat Tour | Farne Island Boats

Discover the beauty of the Farne Islands on a guided boat trip. Our knowledgeable crew will take you on an unforgettable journey to explore the rich wildlife and stunning scenery. Book your adventure today!

www.farne-islands.com