Local Birding

Having been down to Kent to catch a Dotterel - and over to Dunge to see GWE and Red-backed Shrike. I wondered where I would go on my birthday!

I decided against Stodmarsh and a Glossy Ibis for local patch birding in the hope I might just find something special!

So Stanwell Moor and Staines Res were the two local patches picked today.

Well no rare finds however I was pleased with spotting a juv Whinchat perched high in a tree on my way out of the Moor. This was followed by finding a juv Whinchat at Staines as I arrived!

The trees and bushes on the Moor were full of birds.
A delightful Tit flock kept me amused for ages as I spotted Great, Coal and Long-tailed before finally finding a couple of Blues! Amidst this flock were half a dozen Linnets who flew off together into an ajoining bush.There were Willow Warblers a plenty as well.

In another part of the Moor a Green Woodpecker was calling and a Kestrel was hunting.

Then on the way back a Kingfisher flew low above the river flashing brilliant blue!

On the path just over the first bridge on the route back were Wrens, Robins and Blackbirds calling and appearing in bits! It took a while before I saw a whole bird. Then it was the turn of the Reed Warblers and yet more Willow Warblers flitting in the trees.

On arrival screeching RNParakeets had greeted me - not seen any for a week now.
There were dozens of House Martins stocking up on insects over and near to King George Res....the odd flyover Mute Swan and then the noisy Canada Geese.

On the way out I spotted a bird high in a tree and once the scope was on the bird a juv. Whinchat.


Off to Staines I was struck by the number of Great Crested Grebes with some juvs.
Wigeon a plenty as well....I searched for a nice wader or two and had to settle for Lapwings!

The weather was cloudy and overcast - with intermittant showers. I think I counted up to 35 species seen this morning.

Only person I saw on the moor was actually arriving as I was looking at the Whinchat.
The Staffie decided my trousers smelt exciting (cats and dogs I expect!) and the Rottweiler arriving later looked interested in my tripod! The bloke with them turned out to be a nice young man who was quite interested in birds - "dont know all the names but there are nice birds of prey here" he then went on to ask what are these?
"House Martins - look at the white on them" ....then it was all about the swallows gathering in August and September...

Off to Staines were there were Pied Wagtails entertaining as ever lots of Canada Geese and assorted Ducks....oh and the juv. Whinchat.


I did think about Barnes but decided against it today.

Kent birders are getting excited at seawatching this week - so Thursday looks like the day to go - Shellness? Reculver? or will I make Foreness early enough...looks like an early rise! Next w/e I plan on a couple of trips into Kent - I need to call in on friends in Maidstone on the way home Saturday and hopefully see a neice on the Sunday after a little light birding!



Looking forward to a fine dinner tonight at a local watering hole in Chiswick!