Singing Blackcap

Was surprised to find a singing blackcap in ashmeadow walled garden on Friday 27th March - possibly an overwintering bird? Still no singing chiffchaffs for me despite plenty of records from Silverdale. 

First Migrant

Wednesday 25th March. Cycled over to Heversham to pay bill for floor. Highlight was a wheatear on the marsh road flittong from post to post. At least 3 singing skylarks.

Laughing Gull

Monday 23rd March after Focus concert on the 22nd March. The Laughing Gull on the pontoon together with many turnstones and five purle sandpipers

Madeira

A week spent in Funchal as part of mobile learning 2015. 

Around the Hotel: Sardinian Warbler, Black Redstart, Madeiran Kestrel and yellow-legged gull with Cory's Shearwater and Common Tern on the sea. Also ring-necked Parakeet and Serin.

A trip to the southern tip of the Island: little egret and grey heron on the farmed fish nets. Short-toed Lark, Rock Dove, Madeiran Kestrel and lots of Serins. Best event was arrival of a party of Swallows which included a house Martin and a red-rumped Swallow. 

A cable car ride up from Funchal. Picked up plain swift and a migratory whitethroat on the top. Then started a levada walk which was lengthened by a diversion. However Chris spotted Madeiran chaffinch and Madeiran firecrest in one tree! 

Another cross island trip brought a yellow wagtail with a blue head - possibly of the Iberian race.

Biibury

Our last trip to Bibury before Jane and Pèter depart for France. A walk along the river produced grey wagtails plus red kites, buzzard and a Kestrel. A walk on the Sunday (8th March)to get a paper had singing yellowhammer and a flock of Lesser Redpolls.

Appletreewick

13-20 February 2015. Another great week spent in wharfedale. Frequent sightings of dipper and goosander along the river. One sighting of kingfisher plus lots of redwings, fieldfares, grey wagtails and buzzards. Occasional kestrel and Sparrowhawk sightings.

Lowther Park

10th February 2015. A circular walk around lowther park following the river. Not a great deal to report apart from buzzards and goosander on the river. One or two grey wagtails plus a Sparrowhawk.