Patchwork Challenge 2017

This year I've registered four patches for PWC 2017 on their superb new website. Two back at home (Wales mini league) and two in Cornwall (Coastal South and Inland South mini leagues)

1. Amroth to Pendine

I couldn't fit Amroth and Ginst Point into a 3km patch so I had to split them in two. This patch is the stretch of coastline between Wiseman's Bridge and Marros. The patch also includes some small valleys, the moorland and woodland near Llanteg and my garden. Plus it over looks Camarthen Bay which has nationally important numbers of wintering Common Scoter, although they're often very distant. During the first week of January when I was back home, I visited nearly every day. The first bird of note was the 1st winter Yellow-legged Gull that's been around Amorth and Wiseman's Bridge for the last few weeks. On the 4th the a large raft of Scoters had come reasonably close in off Marros and Morfa Bychan. Viewing from the far east end of patch and looking over towards Morfa Bychan, I made way through a raft of about 1,500 birds. It was worth it! About mid-way through the raft I picked out a cracking adult drake Surf Scoter!! Unfortunately, view was only brief and almost as soon as I found it, I lost it as it tucked it's head and went back to sleep. What a start to 2017! The next day I went down to the same site but with no success. Some consolation was a Velvet Scoter and 6 Brent Geese flying east, which are actually quite rare along this coastline.


2. Ginst Point

This patch is the far east end of Pendine beach and the Taf estuary. It also includes the wet inland fields which have thousands of Golden Plovers and Lapwings in the winter. Its on MOD land so access is only permitted on weekends and there are certain areas with no access at all. However, despite this there are some great birds around the area. Some of the highlights last year were, a Spoobill, Marsh Harrier and a Curlew Sandpiper. Unfortunately, I didn't have anytime to visit the site before I moved back to Cornwall so my score will sit at 0 until I get home!


3. Lizard Point

I adopted Lizard Point as my patch when I started university in September last year. During the autumn I racked up a nice selection of common migrants and a few scarcities amongst them. The potential of Lizard Point is truly amazing and it's why I'm so motivated to regularly cover the site. It's one of the few places where you feel anything could turn up, as the whole area has a very 'rare' feel! Although the area is fairly quite at the moment, there's still a few interesting things about. To start, my first day out was rewarded with a good movement of auks past the point, with mostly Guillemot and Razorbills but also a single Puffin! Since then other noteworthy birds have included, 4 Black-throated Divers past, a male Hen Harrier, Jack Snipes, a Yellow-legged Gull and probably best, a *Sooty Shearwater*! I'm really excited to see what the year will bring to this fantastic place.


4. College and Argal Reservoirs

As these sites are so close to where I live, I thought I'd turn them into a patch. There's a nice selection of woodland around the reservoirs which is a really good place for Firecrest, and the reservoirs themselves have good numbers of wintering wildfowl. There's also a small reedbed at the south end of College Reservoir which has had a Bittern in the past, but we haven't had any luck with that...yet. Although College Reservoir is considerably better in terms of number of birds, Argal still have it's moments, like that Whiskered Tern in September last year! I've also included some of the surrounding fields which often have winter stubble for larks, finches and buntings or may hold the odd migrant in spring and autumn. I am currently up to 64 species which includes some nice birds like Firecrest, the 1st winter drake Scaup (which I found at College in December), Med. Gulls and a wintering Yellow-browed Warbler.

Highlights of 2016

Iceland Gull,  Wiseman's Bridge

A good winter for white-winged gulls started with 2 Iceland Gulls on patch at Wiseman's Bridge. A Glaucous Gull and another Iceland Gull were also seen during January.

Penduline Tits, Horsbere Reserve

Birding remained quiet through February but these Penduline Tits at Horsbere Reserve in Gloucester brightened up a dull day on the 7th. The other highlights of the month were the drake Lesser Scaup at Cosmeston on the 20th and a wintering Yellow-browed Warbler at Monk Haven on the 28th. 

Long-billed Dowitcher, Cresswell Pond

American Golden Plover, Angle Bay

A week holiday to Northumberland at the end of March allowed me to catch up with long-staying Long-billed Dowithcher at Cresswell Pond NWT.  This very showy bird, had just started to acquire its summer plumage when I saw it, but had nearly fully moulted before it headed off. This marked the start of what would be a good year for American waders. Almost exactly a month later I managed my second wader from across the pond, an American Golden Plover in Angle Bay, Pembrokeshire on the 29th. Only the 2nd record for the county.

Golden Oriole, Marloes Mere

May started great with a fantastic day of county birding on the 7th. The highlights included a cracking Golden Oriole and a pair of Garganey at Marloes Mere. 

Semipalmated Sandpiper, Gann

Nothing much, birdwise, to note through June and July but this little beauty at the Gann on the 9th August showed that autumn wasn't far away.

Hudsonian Whimbrel, Perranothnoe

I moved down to Cornwall on the 11th September to start my degree at the Univeristy of Exeter's campus in Falmouth. The next three months was spent birding all over the county. One of the first places to visit was Perranothnoe where the long-staying Hudsonian Whimbrel was still on the beach at Boat Cove on the 12th.

Whisked Tern, Argal Reservoir

The other stand out bird of September was this juvenile Whiskered Tern at Argal Reservoir, only 5 minutes from campus!

Rose-coloured Starling, Gwithian

Red-backed Shrike, Porthgwarra

A great day of county birding on the 30th started with the juvenile Rose-coloured Starling at Gwithian. Also that day I re-found the Richard's Pipit at Sennen and finished with the juvenile Red-backed Shrike at Porthgwarra.

Short-toed Lark, St Agnes Head

More scarcities were seen through October. The month started in style, with a very showy Short-toed Lark in the car park at St Agnes Head on the 13th. This more than made up for missing the 

Pembrokeshire bird in 2014.

Red-breasted Flycatcher, Church Cove

Whilst I study in Cornwall, I have adopted the Lizard as my 'patch'. Being only half an hour from campus I can easily visit this amazing place a couple of times a week. The highlight of the autumn here was a Red-breasted Flycatcher in Church Cove on the 15th. Other highlights during the autumn included a self-found Wryneck in Housel Bay, Great and Cory's Shearwaters and plenty of Yellow-browed Warblers.

Isabelline Wheatear, Godrevy Point

Probably the rares bird of the autumn, in a Cornwall context, this Isabelline Wheatear at Godrevy Point on the 20th was the second for the county. This was surprisingly my second as well having seen the Pembrokeshire bird in Martin's Haven in 2013.

Franklin's Gull, Hayle Estuary

Despite the persistent easterly winds through October a few Nearctic birds made landfall here including an adult Franklin's Gull at the Hayle Estuary on the 27th. It spent most of its time in the fields around the town but would return to the estuary periodically. It took me two attempts but eventually it showed well just of off the causeway.

Pectoral Sandpiper, College Reservoir

The reservoirs near campus delivered again with this juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper on College reservoir from the 10th. It stayed for over two weeks and showed very well, down to a few metres at times.

American Golden Plover, Hayle Estuary

The good birds kept coming through November, with Liam finding this smart 1st winter American Golden Plover at Hayle on the 3rd...my second of the year! Also on this day we saw a rather elusive Dusky Warbler at Lands End (my second of the autumn after one at Chapel Porth on the 17th October).

Cattle Egret, Sennen

A great day of county birding on the 5th was made even better when Calum and I stumbled across this Cattle Egret whilst driving through Sennen. This turned out to by 1 of 3 seen in 2016.

Rose-coloured Starling, Longrock

Also on the 5th Calum and I saw this Rose-coloured Starling at Longrock...my second of the autumn!

Green-winged Teal, Hayle Estuary

A day out on the 9th started with a successful seawatch at Pendeen, with the highlight being 2 Pomarine Skuas. We finished the day at Hayle, where, after scanning through a large group of Teal, I picked out a smart 1st winter drake Green-winged Teal. My best find of the year. It is still present and has since moulted in to adult plumage. On the 13th I connected with the drake American Wigeon, in a very unusual setting, on the sea off Fistral Beach!

Desert Wheatear, Thurlestone

One of the main highlights of the year, the stunning Desert Wheatear at Thurlestone, Devon on the 5th December. It chose to winter and is still present at Leas Foot beach! Also on the trip there we made a stop in Broadsands and had great views of Cirl Buntings in the car park. 

Dusky Thrush, Beeley

At the start of the Christmas holidays I spent a weekend birding with Calum in Cambridgeshire. The highlights of the weekend was the female Ring-necked Duck at Paxton Pits and Shorelarks at Holkham Gap, Norfolk. The 11th was set aside for a twitch up to Beeley, where, after an anxious two and a half hour wait, the very smart Dusky Thrush finally showed in the orchard.

Masked Wagtail, Camrose

Not very often you have a first for Britian in your home county, so my first full day back in Pembrokeshire (the 13th) was spent watching the Masked Wagtail in Camrose. Despite the poor weather the bird showed very well. 

Blue Rock Thrush, Stow-on-the-wold

My last British rarity of the year, the Blue Rock Thrush at Stow-on-the-wold on the 28th. The debate about its origins continue but, whatever the outcome, it's still a very smart bird. The year drew to a close with the return of the adult Ring-billed Gull to Llys-y-fran on the 29th. 

Total

Year list: 233

Including 10 BB rarities: Long-billed Dowitcher, Semipalmated Sandpiper, HUDSONIAN WHIMBREL, Whiskered Tern, ISABELLINE WHEATEAR, Franklin's Gull, Desert Wheatear, DUSKY THRUSH, MASKED WAGTAIL, BLUE ROCK THRUSH

Scarcities: Penduline Tits, Lesser Scaup, American Golden Plover (x2), Golden Oriole, Rose-coloured Starling (x2), Red-backed Shrike, Short-toed Lark, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Pectoral Sandpiper, Dusky Warbler (x2), Cattle Egret (x3), Green-winged Teal, American Wigeon, Ring-necked Duck and Ring-billed Gull.

Top 5 birds of the year

1. Dusky Thrush
2. Desert Wheatear
3. Masked Wagtail
4. Semipalmated Sandpiper
5. Franklin's Gull

Finds

Green-winged Teal, Cattle Egret, Wryneck, Great Shearwater, Cory's Shearwater and lots of Yellow-browed Warblers. 

Back In Pembrokeshire

I got back home on the 12th, so the next day I had to go to Camrose to see the MASKED WAGTAIL. Unfortunately the weather wasn't great but as soon as I got there the stunning bird was walking and feeding along the road. It walked straight towards me at one point and got with in two metres. The bird was a little soggy due to the wet weather but that big bib and mask was very distinct. I had a bit of time afterwards so went down to Newgale to have a look around. Lots of pipits and gathered on the flooded campsite, and most of them were Water Pipits! I counted 7 in total the most I've ever seen and a new bird for me in Pembrokeshire.

MASKED WAGTAIL

Water Pipit

I spent the next few weeks birding on patch at Amroth and Wiseman's Bridge. Gulls were the main target with a large gull flocks on both the beaches. The highlights were 2 1st winter Yellow-legged Gulls (one last week and one the week before) and 3 Med Gulls (2 adults and 1 1st winter). The sea really delivered over the last few weeks starting with a Velvet Scoter flying west off Wiseman's Bridge on the 15th. The next day at Amroth a *Black-throated Diver* was offshore. A rare bird in Carmarthen Bay and great surprise. The usual Red-throated Divers, Great Crested Grebes and Red-breasted Mergansers were always present and it seems a very good year for scoters easily 4,000 in total with a reasonable number within scoping distance. When checking the gulls at Amroth on the 22nd it was great to see a *Long-tailed Duck* flying east through the bay. I eventually saw it close in off Wiseman's Bridge and aged it as a 1st winter drake. I saw it again on the 23rd, 24th and 25th from both Coppet Hall and Wiseman's Bridge. A *Slavonian Grebe* was also off Coppet Hall on the 24th a very good bird to see down here but unfortunately just off patch! At Ginst Point on the 26th loads of ducks including my highest count of Pintail, 70 in total from the river and east marsh and 2 Tufted Ducks, my 141 species on patch this year.

Long-tailed Duck

Catch Up- Cambs, Norfolk and Dusky Thrush...

After then end of my first term at university I spent a few days in Cambridgeshire birding with Calum. Our first start was to Paxton Pits where after a good look of the area, we finally picked out the female Ring-necked Duck, albeit quite distant, with a small group of Tufted Ducks. A while later I picked out the *Great White Egret* on the adjacent pit.

The next day was spent on the north Norfolk coast, starting at Titchwell and finishing at Cley. Titchwell got off to a great start with a smart female Brambling on the feeders (surprisingly on the second I've ever seen). Other birds on the reserve including a textbook adult Yellow-legged Gull and 3 Spotted Redshanks. The sea, our main target was full of birds, in a hour seawatch we had 39 Long-tailed Ducks, 8 Velvet Scoters, 3 Scaup, 40+ Goldeneye, about 300 Common Scoter, 2 RT Divers and 25 GC Grebes. Next to Holkham Gap, with our target being the flock of *Shore Larks* that had been frequenting the location regularly so far this winter. Walking the the marsh, it wasn't until the far east end that we finally put up a flock. They settle a short distant away and soon had great views of the these stunning birds on the deck. We counted 25 in all, but they were quite unsettle never sat for long. They eventually flew further east and out of view. Walking back another group flew in from the west and settle in front of us. We counted about another 20, making 45(!) in total. By now a group of 10 Brent Geese were feeding in the marsh. One stood out and was very black with white flank patches and a very thick white neck collar...it was a Black Brant, bonus! Finally at Cley hoping for the gull roost that unfortunately never really happened. The highlights here were a large gathering of Ruff and very close views of a Water Rail.

Brambling

Shore Larks

Black Brant with Dark-bellies

Dusky Thrush twitch: We didn't leave particularly early so after a two hour drive we arrived at Beeley shortly after 1pm. Then the anxious wait started. After ten minutes of no sign someone pointed it our flying over head, We got onto it, but only very briefly, and I didn't even see it through bins! That would not do, we'd have to see it better. Worryingly, there was no sign of it for over two hours, but eventually,  much to everyone's relief, it returned to the orchard and after a mad dash over, we had some great views of the very rare and very smart DUSKY THRUSH. Photography was difficult in the poor light so only managed a few record shots that don't really do the bid much justice.

DUSKY THRUSH (record shots)

Devon- Desert Wheatear and Cirl Buntings

On Monday morning we left campus and drove north with the hope of seeing the Desert Wheatear at Thurlestone on the south coast of Devon. After an anxious drive up we arrive shortly after 11am. Luckily, Leas Foot beach (where the Wheatear was present) is a very small beach, so after a quick scan of the area, we soon pick up the stunning Desert Wheatear, amongst the seaweed on the strand line. The bird entertained us for hours and was very showy, even down to a few metres at times! The combination of the orange/sandy tones, the black wings, face and tail and the white rump make this very attractive bird, surprising camouflaged against the sand, usually in a desert, but in this case on a beach!  A fantastic bird and very much worth the trip to see it. We turned our attention briefly to the sea. Quite with a few Razorbills and Gannets moving past, that was until Calum picked up a Bonxie flying along the coast! 

Desert Wheatear (what a stunner!)

We had a few more hours free before we need to get back so we decided to drive a little further north to Broadsands with the possibility of seeing *Cirl Buntings*. We had a quick lunch and then carried on to look around the site. A local birder gave us some useful infomation as to where to find them so we took his advice and walked on the seafront checking the hedgerows alongside. 14 Brent Geese including 1 pale-bellied were close in shore but there was till no sign of our buntings. However, our doubts were short lived as Calum picked up a few calling in the reeds. A smart male then jumped into view and gave good but brief views. By now a little group of about 8 had joined and seemed to be moving along the hedge, Back at the car park we found a pair coming to seed place just alongside the hedge, here we had some really great views of another very smart species. Just before the light faded to much we had a look offshore, A small scoter flock was very distant but I was happy to call at least 2 Velvet Scoters with a few Commons, Also, a Black-necked Grebe out in the bay.

Cirl Buntings

Cornwall, Somerset and Cornwall again...

I haven't had a chance to update the blog in a while due to university work so here's the catch up from the last few weeks.
The afternoon of 25th November, Max, Ben and I went down to Marazion to witness the spectacular flocks of Starlings going into roost. Before the Starlings arrived I had a look out into Mount's Bay. A Red-throated Diver, 2 Common Scoter and a Red-breasted Merganser were the highlights. On the marsh loads of Snipe and the best views I've had of Jack Snipes, 2 were feeding in the open on the edge of the marsh. The Starling numbers started to build around 4pm with roughly 10-20,000 roosting in total. The noise and numbers were amazing! The day ended perfectly with nice views of a *Bittern* flying over the marsh at dusk.
Max, Calum and I spent the day out birding on the 26th, we started at Tehidy woods, and soon heard a calling *Yellow-browed Warbler*. We soon picked it in the tit flock and eventually it gave some great views. Next to Hayle, which unusually was fairly quite. A Spoonbill showed well from the causeway, and based on the large amounts of black in the primaries, I am pretty sure its a third bird. Very few gulls around and no yellow-legs, but I did manage to pick out the Green-winged Teal with the other ducks. Also, 5 Goosanders there too. We had a look for divers at Carbis Bay and got all three common species. 5 Great Northerns, 3 Red-throats and 3 Black-throats, the latter a new bird for Calum. Another Great Northern was off Penzance and surprisingly a pair of Goldeneye too. A fantastic male Black Redstart showed well on the rooftops by Newlyn Harbour. We finished the day at Marazion for the Starling roost, as always a great spectacle and there was still 1 Jack Snipe on the Marsh.

 

Spoonbill

A very early start on the 29th as I met with the guys to spend the whole day birding in Max's home county-Somerset. We arrived at RSPB Ham Wall shortly before 7am and made our way to wait for the mass emergence of Starlings; it really didn't disappoint. The noise of the birds was amazing and after a short while they all took of in huge flocks a couple of thousand strong to spend the day elsewhere on the levels. Max also promised me *Great White Egrets*. And it wasn't long before we saw our first of the day, 2 flew over the reserve. Walking back a further 3 together were seen. Next to Westhay Moor, and unfortunately the Bearded Tits didn't make an appearance but we did flush 8 Jack Snipe with 15 Snipe. At RSPB Greylake loads of Teal were just out from the hide and at least 1 Water Pipit was with the Mipit flocks, though very distant at the back of the marsh. At West Sedgmoor early afternoon, a large flock of ducks gathered. Mostly Wigeon and at least 4 Pintail. 3 Marsh Harriers together harassing a Teal flock and Peregrine zoomed through. I picked up 3 *Cranes* flying over the marsh and the settle in the nearby fields. Also present were 15+ Blackwit and a Green Woodpecker. We returned to RSPB Ham Wall to watch the Starlings come into roost. A Great White Egret was still on the marsh and showed very well. The Starlings started to arrive in there thousands, murmurating overhead before settling into the reeds. And finally a Bittern put in an appearance flying over the reeds. We finished the day on 80 species, a pretty impressive list.

 

Starlings 

On Thursday afternoon, we heard news of *Velvet Scoters* in Carrick Roads, so Max took us up to take a look. We viewed from Mylor, with the first birds being 7 Red- breasted Mergansers. I picked up 2 distant ducks, closer to Feock side. Although very distant, we were pretty sure they were Eider, a female and a 1st winter drake. Max picked up the scoters in flight and we picked them up as they landed on the water. Great views of the 2 females and an immature drake. Other interesting birds included: 3 Great Northern and 3 Black-throated Divers and 4 Black-necked Grebe.
That evening I was down at College Lake and picked out a duck that looked like a Scaup with the Tufted Duck, the light had faded so much I wasn't sure so Calum and I went down there yesterday morning. We walked down through campus and picked up a *Yellow-browed Warbler* calling nearby, unfortunately we didn't see it. At the lake Calum found  2 Firecrests together, and 3 female Goldeneye were close to the dam. We could see the group of Tufted Ducks from here so decided to have a quick scan for the duck. I picked it up and we were fairly confident it was a Scaup but it was still a little distant. 7 Med Gulls were with the Black-heads but nothing interesting with the larger gulls. We walked further around and got closer enough to see the tufties well. I picked up the duck again, views were much better, and we confirmed it was indeed a Scaup, a 1st winter drake. Also 4 Shoveler on the lake and nice views of a Marsh Tit in the woods.

photo by Calum Urquhart

 Scaup (record shot)

 Later in the afternoon, we headed up to Feock to check Carrick Roads. Again plenty of birds present including 5 Great Northern and 2 Black-throated Divers, 10 Black-necked Grebes and 14 Red-breasted Mergansers. More birds were in the bay but they were to distant to ID so we went to Mylor to look from there. From here I picked up the 3 *Velvet Scoters*, (distantly from Feock) and an extra Black-throat and 3 more Great Northern Divers.