Microbirdology

Not the best of weather, but what would you expect in the UK at the end of March!  It felt like the winter visitors had more or less left but the summer migrants had not yet arrived in numbers. Partly due to the timing but also the cold winds in the UK and storms on the continent holding them back. Egrets and Heron, mostly at Cley The usual suspects on the excellent feeders at Sculthorpe Moor A number of raptors, incuding the almost mythical Little Owl at Abbey Farm . A poor picture because of the distance and shooting directly into the sun. Note to self, visit in the afternoon!  The Barn Owl was hunting on the fields near St Benets Abbey. Treecreeper at RSPB Titchwell Goldcrest at Holme , Dunnock at Sculthorpe , Water Rail at Cley and Missel Thrush at Sandringham And finally, a Common Crane at Old Beetley.

Catching up with a few birds seen relatively recently. The Eastern Black Redstart at Sheringham has been a long-staying, very confiding bird.   This is a asian subspecies group of the Black Redstart that occasionally appears in the UK as a vagrant.   There have been fewer than 25 accepted records in British history, mostly along the eastern and southern coasts. In its native range (Central and Eastern Asia, including the Altai Mountains and Himalayas). It breeds between 2,000 and 5,000 meters above sea level. They normally migrate south to India or northern Africa for the winter. The Red-flanked Bluetail near Dereham. This is a small, robin-like bird that has transitioned from a legendary "mega-rarity" to a scarce but annual visitor to the UK. While most sightings occur on the East Coast during autumn migration, it is increasingly found wintering in the UK. There is also an individual that has been wintering at Crockham Hill Common in Kent. The species breeds across a...

Until very recently, the Black-winged Kite (Elanus caeruleus) was considered a "mythical" bird for UK birdwatchers. However, this may now be changing, possibly due to climate change and a northward expansion from its traditional homes in Africa and Southern Europe. The Black-winged Kite is a small, strikingly beautiful raptor that looks more like a cross between a falcon and an owl than a typical kite. Plumage: It has a distinctive blue-grey back, a pure white underside, and prominent black "shoulders" (wing patches). Eyes: It is famous for its piercing blood-red eyes, which are forward-facing, giving it an owl-like appearance. Hunting: Unlike the scavenging Red Kite, the Black-winged Kite is a specialist hunter of small mammals. It is most often seen hovering with high-frequency wing beats, similar to a Kestrel, before dropping vertically onto prey. Date Location Significance April 2023 Montgomeryshire...

Located in the Cotswold village of Bourton-on-the-Water , Birdland Park and Gardens is one of the UK’s most iconic bird sanctuaries. Established in 1957, the park is set within nine acres of lush woodland and gardens, featuring the River Windrush winding through its grounds. The park is famous for being home to over 500 birds from more than 50 different species, ranging from the exotic to the rare. Notable Birds in the Collection Penguins: Birdland is home to the only breeding colony of King Penguins in England. They also house a   group of Humboldt Penguins. Flamingos: A vibrant flock of Greater and Chilean flamingos. Cassowary: The park keeps these large, prehistoric-looking flightless birds, which are among the most striking (and dangerous) birds in the world. Spectacled Owl Cassowary Emu Emperor Penguin Hamerkop Tawny Frogmouth Red-legged Seriema Rainbow Lorikeet Snowy Owl White crested Laughing Thrush Plantain Eater