Rutland Pied-Billed Grebe.

I saw one of these earlier this year, but it was on the San Diego River.

 Very confiding and great views.

Thanks this time to Rhys for the lift.

Glossy Ibis at Hicks Lodge.

 At last my patience paid off and I managed to get both a British and county tick. Pity it was not at Thornton!

 It did not seem to be in breeding plumage. Despite Hicks Lodge providing an ideal habitat the Ibis departed at 1900. My thanks to Paul and John for the transport on this twitch.

 Back at Thornton a fly through Osprey was a treat at 1030 today(9th April)

 It flew in from the Markfield inflow and across the reservoir. It was mobbed by gulls, crows and eventually a pair of Buzzards. It out climbed all of these and circled off to the North West.

Also at Browns wood a pair of Marsh Tit were nice to see and Willow Warblers are in song.

Just a Common Buzzard me thinks!

Could it be a Booted Eagle, first for the county? What about a dark phase Swainsons Hawk moving back to the prairies via Thornton? How about a Honey Buzzard, earliest ever in the county? No, pity, I think it is just a very dark Common Buzzard, but I would love someone to re find it and prove me wrong.

Raptor Species over Thornton????

 Had this Raptor fly in at 1805 at Thornton on Friday 4th. Up to 6 Common Buzzard are in the area, but this bird was immediately mobbed by Crows. My attention was drawn to it I think because it seemed longer winged and dark.

 

I would appreciate any comments on this and just wish I had been able to obtain better photos.

Early House Martin.

A trickle of Sand Martins have  been coming through, but it was a surprise to find a single House Martin with them on Sunday 23rd. This is 8 days ahead of the ten year average and only 10 days after the earliest ever. Also on Sunday small groups of Meadow pipit were flying north west. Several Chiffchaff are calling around the reservoir. Two rather grey birds have been seen, which may be of the northern race abietinus. A single female Grey Wagtail was at the out flow and a smart male Reed Bunting was in the hedge off Stony bank.

Wonderful Baja.

 

 Here are a selection of photos from my recent Baja California trip.

 Good numbers of Northern Elephant seals were in residence.

 Magnificent sunrises enhanced the spectacular locations.

 The Searcher, our home for the trip.

 Impressive cactus in an arroyo

 Rattleless Rattlesnake. Not as big as it looks.

 Good numbers of Black vented Shearwaters were seen.

 An impressive Osprey nest. I wonder how many years it has been used?

 Eye to eye with a Grey Whale

 Road Runner doing what it does best.

 

 Tail fluking Blue Whale. It does not get any better than this!

 We marvelled at this mega beast that kept us entertained for over an hour as it repeatedly tail fluked.

 The tall columnar blow of a Blue Whale.

Thanks to Captain Art and the wonderful crew of Searcher for a trip of a life time.

Spring Migration begins..

Recent sightings at Thornton have included a smart male Yellowhammer in the pony fields. At least 4 Chiffchaff are calling and one very pale bird was photographed by John Statham. Two Sand Martins were over the dam on 15th March. There was also a pair of Goldeneye on the 16th and a Red Kite flew west on the same day. The Red Kite was again seen flying along the dam on the 18th, disappearing towards Ratby Burrows.