Another Lifer ( Killdeer ) at Ripley Hampshire.

The three of us meet up at 5.45 am for the two-hour trip to Hampshire in the hope of seeing a lifer for all three of us that was seen yesterday at Ripley Farm reservoir.  

We were told parking was bad, with not a lot of places near the farm. When we arrive around 8am, we pull into a layby and find one space there, so it's a good start to the day. 

Out of the car, we take the path up the side of the farm for about a mile till it opens out and a small group of birders has the Killdeer in their scopes, and all three of us have another Lifer. 

The bird is a fair way over the other side of the water, and not many photos were being taken.

It was easy to pick out as it walked about on the bank of the pool. It was bigger than a Ringed Plover with two neck bands and a longer neck and tail.

After a couple of hours watching the bird, we don't think it is going to come any closer for any decent photos, so it's off to see if we can find the Great-tailed Grackle that has been around for some time. It is only 20 miles away, in Holbury. so although it's not a bird, we can count it as a tick; we had to go for it. I have not seen one before, in Britain, and as we pull into Southbourne Avenue, we spot it before even getting out of the car.  

Parked up, we spent an hour watching the Grackle walk right up to us and then flying up to a wall or the trees nearby when it would bust into a call that we all found very funny.

So off home after a really nice time, and really got lucky as the weather forecast said it was going to rain nearly all day, but we never got wet, so it was a real bonus.

                                                          

                                                               

The Great -tailed Gracle

                                                                                

                                                                              

It is there just. The Killdeer.

Part of the twitch.

Top left corner on the ridge.

Quick trip to Lemsford Springs.

 With very little time to spare, Jimmy and I decide to head up the A1(m ) to the small reserve in Hertfordshire, Lemsford Springs.    

A reported Jacksnipe was the aim. It took us 40 minutes to reach the springs in Welwyn Garden City. 

We really were on the clock and were pleased to find the entrance gate open for us.

It's only a few minutes' walk to the first hide; it had a few birders in there, but they were very accommodating and made room on the bench for an old boy, much appreciated.

One Jacksnipe was in the middle of the water, right in front of the hide, to give us great views of it.

We only spent 15 minutes watching it before we headed back to the car, probably the shortest time we have ever spent on a birding trip. 

We were told that two more Jacksnipes were seen at the second hide, but not as good a view as we got from the first hide. On the way home, it's reported that there are now five Jacksnipe being seen. A very quick year tick, but well worth the effort. 

Also seen while there were some Green Sandpipers, Grey Wagtails, and Common Snipe.

    

                                                        

                                                                 

                                                                            

                                                                           

                                                              

New year list off and running.

With Brian under the weather on New Year's Day, we had to wait until January 2nd, when we set off for Abberton, which is only an hour away from home, just in case Brian was still feeling a bit under the weather and it's not too far to drive home.

On arrival, just after 8am, we spot the 3 Bean Geese in a field with the Greylags just before the causeway. At the causeway, 2 Little Stints are seen, Green Sandpiper, Goosander, Black-necked & Salvonian Grebe, and a Marsh Harrier flies overhead.

A look over the road reveals a Rock Pipit and a perched Kingfisher, always a nice sight to see.

White-fronted Geese are seen opposite Billet's farm.

A drive round to Lodge Lane, where Jimmy soon picks out the Lesser Scaup, and we see Greenfinch, Song Thrush, Mistle, Redwing, and Fieldfare. Some of the birds were in a large garden down the Lane, and as we were looking, a fellow who lives there invited us to look round the back of the house, where he had fantastic views over the area and the reservoirs. 

Although we never added to the tick list, it was greatly appreciated.

Back to the causeway, we pick up a few more ticks and then pop into Ardleigh reservoir and tick the Red-necked Grebe so easily, as it was the only bird on there.

On the 3rd Jan, we head off to St Albans, a nice, easy trip as it is only 30-odd minutes to get there.

A Yellow-browed Warbler was the aim, and we found it within 10 minutes in Verulamium Park, just by the Cathedral. We spent over an hour watching the Warbler feeding on the leaves and not troubled by us at all. Nuthatch, Goldcrest, and Grey Wagtail are seen.

Not far away is the lovely little Watercress reserve. Here we get Lesser Redpoll, Bullfinch & Siskin. So, a nice start to our birding year. So, without going too far from home, and with 13 ticks seen in my own garden, my year total is not too bad at 87.