'Channel' Wagtail

Whilst exploring an under-recorded area for butterflies near Eggington, I discovered a Blue-headed x Yellow Wagtail hybrid (flava x flavissima) or 'Channel' Wagtail. The bird was quite some distance in to a bean field, so the images have been enlarged for viewing.





In the same area, a pair of Yellow Wagtail were carrying food, and at least one fledged juvenile bird was seen.

Lesser Whitethroat

Back in Bedfordshire, this Lesser Whitethroat was singing from a Blackthorn hedge and eventually showed well - albeit briefly.

France - Day trip 10/06/09

We started birding near Bologne at 07:40 - just 3 1/2 hours after leaving Bedfordshire. First stop was a forest near the coast at Mont Saint Frieux. Our target bird was Black Woodpecker, which we heard calling during a downpour, but did not see. Brief views were had of Crested Tit, and Short-toed Treecreeper was heard.

We then moved inland to Romelaere, an area of marsh and lake near St. Omer. En-route, a flyover Honey Buzzard and Hen Harrier caused some excitement as did Serin in St Omer. At the marshes on the Romelaere reserve we found Great White Egret, Little Bittern and Golden Oriole. Good birds can be found in car parks. On this occasion a pair of Lesser Peckers were flitting around - our fourth specie of woodpecker on the trip.

Nightjar @ the Lodge

A Nightjar this close does not happen very often. A male was found snoozing on a log within feet of the path on the restored heathland.





Earlier a Wood Sandpiper was discovered on the scrape at Dunstable STW