Honey Buzzard, Glowworms, Fulmar – July 2009

Birders often say that July is quiet. After the surge of spring migration that often spills into June, and before the long backwash of autumn, the month tends to hold fewer surprises than those that surround it.
But of course what birders mean when they say that July is quiet is that it’s quiet for birders. [...]

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Raptors at Middle Farm

Limited birding today – but about 20 minutes spent sat next to the duckpond at Middle Farm this morning yielded 2 Buzzards, 1 Sparrowhawk and a Hobby.
The Hobby flew low over the farm centre, allowing the two older children I was with to see it well. They were pretty impressed, although if I’m honest [...]

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Migration therapy

After the rubbbish summer, we deserved something. And that came this weekend, with a bout of spectacular early autumn weather that had the good grace to include birds in it.
The good stuff started on Saturday morning when Paul Stevens came running over to say that he had a probable Honey Buzzard over his garden. Unfortunately, [...]

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The Month in Birds – July 2007

Poor weather between mid May and mid June didn’t make it easy for breeding birds across the country. The May Bank Holiday downpours were particularly destructive, with most of the Bitterns’ nests at Minsmere in Suffolk washed out by flash flooding.
Closer to home, there were some good reports though. On Glynde Levels, one excursion found [...]

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Local goodies

Some good finds in the local area of late (sadly, none of them mine…)
Two weeks ago, 3 Cattle Egrets on Lewes Brooks. Rare visitors, but the Ouse Valley now seems to be their favourite place to turn up in the UK.
Last week, a Honey Buzzard reported flying in a SE direction over Malling Down. Surely [...]

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