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