Birding and other distractions

News that a Marsh Warbler had been found at Northward Hill prompted a visit this morning. It was quite a warm morning. At first a singing Sedge Warbler caused some confusion but then the Marsh Warbler started to sing from a small sallow. Unlike previous years the bird was very visible and continued to sing for several minutes. Later we walked round the reserve to the main viewpoints enjoying views of Marsh Harriers on the marsh. However, it was surprising that no hirundines were seen. Marsh Warbler

My first visit to Stodmarsh this year. Weather was mostly sunny though a cool NE breeze. On the walk to Marsh Hide we encountered a showy Garden Warbler, though light conditions were difficult for photography. Three others encountered during the visit were only heard. From the hide a pair of Garganey were initially fairly distant but they came much closer and were joined by a second male. A Black-tailed Godwit and two Greenshank were also present. As the air warmed up we started see Hobbies, then from Reedbed hide they put on quite a show, catching dragonflies. There were at least six birds, plus a pair of Marsh Harrier. A brief visit to Grove Ferry yielded another Hobby though best of all a Bittern in flight. Two males and a female Garganey  Male Garganey  Garden Warbler Garden Warbler with matted head feathers probably due to nectar. Hobby As above  Hobby carrying prey Male Marsh Harrier

A very warm day. The lack of rain this spring is quite alarming. I walked the usual circuit, starting in SB, then through the woods to DV before finishing in TF. There has been no habitat management in PV which is now off limits with no access. It's very disappointing to think what a superb habitat it was just a few years ago. Needless to say butterflies were very active in the warm conditions. I've never seen so many first generation Adonis Blue in SB though maybe the timing of visits in previous years has not been optimal. Also found in SB was a Green Hairstreak, a Small Blue, and the odd Brown Argus. A Firecrest was singing in the private woodland at the bottom of the valley. Both DV and TF had more Common Blue than SB though very few Adonis. I found a single Green Hairstreak in both areas, plus a Grizzled Skipper and Small Copper in TF. Single Orange Tip and Painted Lady evaded the camera in TF. No reptiles were seen today. Pair of Adonis Blue  Female Adonis Blue  Male Ado...

Today I explored the highlands beyond Seki, signposted to Yayla Girdev. It was another warm and sunny day. I didn't have a target bird in mind though was pleased to find Rock Bunting, a species I haven't seen for a number of years. The calls initially heard from within a bush sounded much like Cirl Bunting, so I was pleasantly surprised when the bird dropped to the ground revealing its true identity. Other birds seen in the hills included Long-legged Buzzard, Rock Nuthatch, Eurasian Serin, Woodlark, Mistle Thrush, Cirl Bunting, Sombre Tit, Coal Tit, plus two distant kestrels,  probably Common rather than Lesser. Before driving back I couldn't resist another look at White-throated Robin in Seki, with a bonus of two Cretzschmar's Bunting by the side of the road. Rock Bunting  As above  As above  Coal Tit As above  Woodlark  Sombre Tit As above  Mistle Thrush  Cirl Bunting  Kestrel  Mountain view  White-throated Robin 

This site is the highest point (1850 metres) on the road beyond Seki, the village I'd visited two days ago. It took an hour and a half to reach the site this morning, the weather being perfect. The main objective for visiting the area was to find Red-fronted Serin, a species I'd never seen before. It turned out to be rather easy with a couple seen drinking from a puddle soon after arrival, and then others being watched feeding in meadows at quite close range. The site was also generally good for other finches, with Eurasian Serin, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, and many Linnets also present. Other species recorded were Chough, Crag Martin, Rock Nuthatch, Sombre Tit, E. Black-eared Wheatear, and a pair of Blue Rock Thrush, while Hoopoe and Mistle Thrush were heard though not seen. Red-fronted Serin As above  As above  Chough As above  Sombre Tit E. Black-eared Wheatear  Blue Rock Thrush  Female Blue Rock Thrush  Gogu-Beli Pass