Skomer and the Cotswolds Water Park

Last Thursday I went onto Skomer. It was great to see Puffins and the other seabirds nice and close but I spent most of the day in land in north valley and around the farm. I managed great views of the Short-eared Owl feeding in the valley and later found the Little Owl on the wall next to the farm. A Willow Warbler in the elders by the farm had me wishing for Greenish but it darted away quickly, turns out there was one in the north haven ivy the next day!

Wren

Puffin

We spent the weekend in the Cotswolds Water Park because my dad was taking part in a half ironman. The event was on Sunday so Dad and I visited some of the pits to see what was around. A few Red-crested Pochards was nice as were many Common Terns which were nesting on some the islands in the pits. Black-headed Gulls were also nesting on these islands. An early start on Sunday for the event allowed me time to search sites hoping for a Nightingale. Luckily Pit 43 was fairly close to the start of the triathlon so I could walk there and still be near the race. I was very surprise and happy to soon hear a Nightingale singing its fantastic song in an area of scrub by the pit. I watched and listed to it sing for about 3 hours and managed to get quite close to it at times. Although sometimes skulking, it often came onto the top of a tree or bush to sing its repertoire, allowing some great views. Sedge Warblers were nesting in damp scrub nearby and a Cetti's Warbler sang from the reeds. Another nice surprise was a Lesser Whitethroat in an area of brambles next to the footpath.

Sedge Warbler

Nightingale

SWAINSON'S THRUSH on Skokholm!!

As soon as finished my exams, on the 2nd, I heard that a Swainson's Thrush was found on Skokholm. I didn't expect to see it because it was on Skokholm which is particularly hard to get to so it came as a surprise that a twitch would be arranged. A boat was set to leave on Thursday but I couldn't get a place. However, Dave Astins and the Skokholm wardens arranged a small rib to take 12 people hoping to see the bird today. 

The boat trip over was bumpy but great fun. It was made even better when a Risso's Dolphin put in a brief appearance in broad sound. After the half an hour crossing we arrived at South Haven soaking 

wet. We were met off the boat by the warden who then lead us up to the courtyard where the bird spent most of its time. It wasn't long before the fantastic SWAINSON'S THRUSH appeared on its usual perch. It showed well on and off for the whole time, but it was clearly more active, sending prolonged periods in the leaf litter searching for food out of view but would always return its perch. I was so preoccupied with watching the bird I forgot to take pictures of it. Luckily just before we left it showed one last time and I managed to get a quick photo but the bird was partially obscured. 

SWAINSON'S THRUSH