Turtle Doves!!!! And Nightjars!!!!

Last night I was invited round my Aunties house to come and see the pair of Turtle Doves that they have every year. I hadn't really seen decent views of a Turtle Dove before, so I was really excited. I had seen them in her garden before, but only flying.

We got there and started to go round the back when we were waved back the other way through the front, as the Turtle Doves were in the garden!!!!! We raced through the front, and would you believe it they flew off before we got anywhere near the kitchen! Gutted. So we waited for them to come back.

While waiting we got a Great-spotted Woodpecker on the peanuts, which was nice to see. A Pheasant then came to the feeding station, so while that was there, the Turtle's weren't going to come down and feed. It took 10 minutes for the Pheasant to go away. Obviously hungry!

After the Pheasant went away, I saw a couple of doves land on the fence through some thick foliage, but they weren't there for long, as they flew towards the feeding station. They looked promising, but not definite. Within minutes I noticed a pair of Doves sitting on top of the feeding station, preening, and blow me down they were a pair of Turtle Doves! AAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHH!!!! I got some pictures through the window which were terrible. I creeped outside to get of a picture of one that was left on the feeding station before it flew off to join the other one over the fence...

I then crawled under the line of the fence, and gradually peered above the fence, and they were sitting right next to me. Outstanding views....

Westleton Heath

We left for a Nightjar watch at Westleton Heath at 19:30, as 3 had been sighted. We got a cracking Little Owl on a telegraph pole in Peasenhall on the way. We got there at about 20:30. It was a great evening. Clear skies and no wind. A Nightingale was singing, so we listened to that for a bit. Lovely birds to hear, pity about not seeing it!

We then listened to a pair of Dartford Warblers singing before hearing the first Nightjar churring.

After getting a nice flighty bird, we ended the night with 3 Nightjars, favouring a fallen tree as it's perch. There were also Stone Curlews calling as well, presumably the ones from Minsmere? A great day!

Isle of Mull - Day 3 and Nightjars

I shall start with some food. I have been very busy the last couple of days, so no time to blog. By the way, Happy Fathers Day to all you Dad's out there! I was busy cooking all day yesterday, making a cracking Cheesecake for today and a Pizza for last nights supper.

Day 3 of Mull - Target Bird - Corncrake

We were heading to Iona today to hopefully connect with the Corncrakes. On the ferry, we saw Common and Arctic Tern, Gannet, Kittiwake, Shag, Razorbill and Guillemot. Someone reported a Mink but we didn't see it. We got over to Iona, and went to the fields at the back of the Fire Station. Straight away, a calling male was wandering below a gate.

He then came out into the open.

We got a couple of Sedge Warblers plus another Corncrake, and the Gannets were fishing out in the bay. We walked back round towards the ferry when we picked up a fourth Corncrake! Not showing very well, but you could see it's head.

We then moved on to Fidden, and we picked up about 25+ Whimbrel.

We then went to Uisken, and on the beach held Rock Pipit, Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Turnstone and a couple of summer plumaged Sanderling.

Very Poor Light! Sanderling on far right.

We got a nice Yellowhammer, Mountain Hare, White-tailed Eagle, 4 Great Northern Diver, and Raven on the way back to the hotel.

Raven

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On Friday Night, Dad and I went on the guided Nightjar walk at Minsmere. They took us onto the Bridleway to the heath, not Westleton Heath like last year. We could hear a Nightjar churring as soon as we got to the heath. In about 10 mins, 2 males were flying about through the woods. And then, at about 9:35pm, 3 Nightjars were flying feet above our heads. I was using the White handkerchief trick to attract them, and it actually worked. Best views of Nightjar ever. Unfortunately, I left it too late for the camera. :(

Fantastic well done to Jonny Rankin for finding the Pacific Swift at Trimley. An amazing find. Pity we can't go and see it! 

Happy Birding!