April began and remained cold, winter did not want to loosen it’s grip. Many winter wildfowl remained including lots of Pintail whilst at the same time….Mallards were hatching young.

2 April 2013 After a late March visit to my doctor, on advice I managed to organise some days off as I was feeling run down and tired. The bitter wind from the North was affecting migration and the birds. It was tough going in the field too if you did not wear the right clothes. Despite this the sun shone and any sheltered spot held birds. As with my March blog at Abbotsbury I was finding Chiffchaff feeding on the ground and struggling, it was possible to see over 100 on a morning out locally, all fearless and focussed on whatever insects they could find. I have never witnessed this in Gloucestershire before, certainly not at this level. Here are a few images of these delightful, tiny warblers.

Chiffchaffs MJMcGill

Also out on the Severn I watched this Red Knot fly in. It hung around for a bit and allowed a few shots. Britain is vital for this species, it occurs in vast numbers but is uncommon on the Upper Severn, a passage migrant in varying numbers.

Red Knot (non-breeding plumage)

3 May 2013  A visit to the Forest of Dean, Cannop Ponds to look for the Garganey intially failed. I had brought a selection bird feed as I know people regularly put food out for the passerines here. Here is a selection of shots.

Robin…full of character and posturing.

  

Blackbird…tailess and using albanisitic markings to do a Ring Ouzel impersonation. You got it the wrong way around mate…the white should be on the breast.

Blue Tit

Nuthatch

Coal Tit

Garganey time…

It was my intention to focus on Garganey. Maybe my favourite dabbling duck. They breed at WWT Slimbridge, often not rearing many young and are secretive. The FOD birds had been around for a few days and  I gathered that they could show well, they are a rare bird in the Forest of Dean. I had a male many years ago at Woorgreens at 0400 in the morning, I was on a bird race. Today seven were present but split into two groups. Two males and a female at Woorgreens, I watched them here but it was so cold and windy I left early. At Cannop Ponds there were three males and a female. The females were so hungry they fed continously, the usual insects to be found on the surface of the water were not present due to the cold weather. These little summer migrant ducks must have had a rough time of it after migrating from Africa to the UK. Flying against such strong winds is hard for any bird. The female was so pre-occupied with feeding she ignored humans, the males were so desperate to pair with her they also ignored humans. I think the presence of so many tame wildfowl such as Mallard and Mandarin and it always being so busy with people helped calm these migrant birds down. At  It provided a unique opportunity to get close to a stunning bird without disturbing them.

Garganey at Cannop Ponds, Forest of Dean MJMcGill

5 April 2013 A wander out at Frampton on Severn produced a pair of sunbathing Little Owls that my daughter and I enjoyed watching. Note the right eye more dilated than the left.

Little Owl

6 April 2013 First Brimstone butterfly in my garden and for the year.

7 April 2013 I was back to work at WWT Slimbridge after my five day break, a few images from around the hides.

Black tailed Godwit

Jackdaws always look like they are up to something
this pair used false beards to disguise themselves.

Fishing Little Egret

Redwing are always more approachable in late March and early April. Why do they lose their fear, is it because they become accustomed to seeing people due to remaining on a winter territory.

8 April 2013 The influx of Mediterranean Gulls was welcolme, here the plainest of plumages and what is probably most overlooked by the casual observer, a first winter. The black primaries (wing tips) match the attendant Black-headed Gulls.

Life changes…..

This was my last picture for much of April, at the end of the day, tired and mentally fatigued whilst working alone I had a horrible accident involving the tractor I use almost daily. In a second I ended up with a dislocated left leg at the hip and crushed all bones in my foot and ankle in the right leg. I also suffered knee, back and other injuries. I do not know what happened in the time between feeling my bones crunching, feeling the agony and being left on the floor in a dusty hollow. Looking at the times on my phone I think I was out for five minutes. I desperately tried ringing people at work as I needed to get my location out, Phil Tovey rang back after two minutes and got the ball rolling with ambulances and first aid. The next few hours were horredous for me, agonising pain and I had it in my head I was going to die as I could not understand the paralysis and pain that was going on. I rang my wife at 4.27pm to say goodbye etc just in case. I had one last glance of the reserve, one last desperate scan for any birds even in this state.

My colleagues and friends were a great help and comfort, especially Phil, Nige, Mo and Micheal plus many others, I was out of it on pain, shock and eventually drugs. The ambulance crews were amazing and saved me from going too far into shock, the air ambulance crew got me stable and delivered me ‘home’ to Frenchay Hospital…the next 24 hours in hosptial was painful and scary. I then never slept for a few days as I was on the confused ward. So many sorry fellas who do not know what is going on. They slept most of the day then become alive at night with strangled shouts, screams and wild ramblings. They continued all night, staff had to spend all night with them on a watch to prevent them getting up. There confused minds not computing that they will cause themselves harm if they move. I was going downhill in this ward, lack of sleep was a real probelm. I was moved to a side room, it had a window and a view of the sky and part of the roof. I could have the window open and enjoy a breeze, one night I could feel the damp creeping into my lungs and felt cold. I opted to have it shut overnight from then on.

A repeat of excrutiating pain occured after my third operation to rebuild my foot, I spent all night, every five minutes injecting myself with a pain killer, I kept up all night doing this, I was in such a bad way I nearly called an ambulance from the hospital, cannot describe the agony, the cast was cut off, providing some relief, it happened again later, after losing it and swearing uncontrollably I eventually had my medication increased and finally after all night and all morning relieved me of this burden. I never want to go through that again.

I have to credit NHS staff with doing a great job, the majority of nurses are excellent, caring and compassionate and very professional under huge pressure. A few may have lost the passion for nursing, maybe due to having famlies of their own and working night shifts and balancing life, maybe just because they are just not into it any more. I have to say after fifteen days in hopsital that I was fortunate to have a team which held some caring and helpful male and female nurses, from those starting out to those well experienced plus pain team, nutristionists, the volunteers who bring tea around to you. I even had a visit from the spiritual and religous chap who must bring comfort to those that follow their respectives gods, we talked about football which was a small moment of mental escape.

The Orthopediac surgeons appear to have done a good job in doing what they could with so many shattered and crushed bones, the Plastic Surgeons also mangaged to graft skin from my inner leg to repair and cover the horrifying wounds. The first operation the day after the incident was to get my foot into shape, I had a scary looking external fixator where they drill into the bones in eight places to hold the foot in shape. Hard to move with this framework box around your foot and ankle. The second operation cleaned up all dead tissue and the wounds. The third lasted six hours and was to rebuild the foot. After fourteen days I tried to prove I was OK, the physios came and tried me on a zimmer frame, then crutches. A walk on crutches to the end of the ward saw me ready for a test on the stairs, my head began spinning and swaying, despite my insistence they told me to get into the wheelchair and ‘there is no chance you are going near any stairs mate’.

Next morning I got up at 0600, washed, used the loo on crutches, no more bed pans and bottles for me. I sat with my feet over the bed upright and waited for the physios. At 0830 they came I passed the stairs test, they gave me the all clear to come home. I spent the rest of day trying to look with it so I could get dishcharged and go home, eventually all the boxes had been ticked and I got out with medication at around 1800hrs.

During my stay it had been hell at times, despite this I managed to see 24 species of bird from that window including what I believe was an Osprey head NE after ‘kettling’ over the hospital. After coming home I still woke bathed in sweat and fear in the middle of the night, this appears to have gone but I get flashbacks which make me wince. The medication and so much of it combined with the memories have made it something of an up and down mental situation, I get depressed and sad but also feel lucky and unlucky all at the same time, it’s known as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. I hope in time this will fade away. I am frustrated by the lack of mobility, the lack of freedom and independence. I enjoy seeing friends and also need the time to rest, repair and think my own thoughts to fight a few demons.

Whilst I was in hosptital I received so many messages, cards and visitors. So many thoughtful gifts. I have hundreds of wonderful friends.

My family have been so crucial, my Mum and Dad (must have been serious as he was hugging and kissing me), mother in law Catherine and my wife Harriet who was at my side every day for two weeks.

I now need to rest and recuperate and eventually learn to walk again. I am fiercely independent and determined but I still need a lot of help.

I hope, all being well to be able to take up some Anser trips again in the autumn.

Martin

27 April 2013 Whilst in hospital I was visited by Michael Smith (Defender and Player of the season) and Conor Gough (Goalkeeper) both are Bristol Rovers players. This was set up by Phil Tovey. It really lifted me to speak to them, after all I am a long standing Gashead. Michael offered me his two tickets for the last game of the season away to Torquay. I never thought it possible but I made it a target. On Friday I felt strong enough to get from a car into a stadium, next day my mate Smarty was driving us down the M5 to Plainmoor. The Torquay staff were very helpful, we were in place, front row and seated. A very entertaining game, a bit of everything, missed penalty by Rovers and in the last minute…an equalising goal from Matt Harrold who has been out injured for seven and half months. An inspiration to see him back and scoring after so long. I was delighted that the ball for this goal was delivered by Michael Smith. Torquay 3-3 Bristol Rovers.

Rovers defend.

Brown’s penalty saved

Yet another cross from Michael Smith

Celebrations at the Gashead away end, Michael Smith revs the crowd up, note: he is already getting back in position to defend whatever time is left.

Players and John Ward applaud the 1553 officially present Gasheads

After match Smarty and I followed the coast road to Labrador Bay RSPB. He saw a Cirl Bunting, I was happy with the views. Top mate for taking me out to Devon for the day. I was navigating on the way home and we diverted to Durleigh Res near Bridgwater, Somerset where we bagged the Whiskered Tern among 11 Arctic Terns.

29 April 2013 I have been taken down to Frampton Townfield Lake a couple of times by Nick Goatman and Neil Smart. I managed to see my first Swifts, Whimbrel, Common Sandpiper, Garden Warbler and to catch up with all these Arctic Terns.

Mute Swan and masts….

 

31 March 2013

Wheatear, possibly the latest..first of the year for me on the Severn.

27-28 March 2013 An overnight visit to Dorset to cut reeds at Abbotsbury Swannery on the Fleet meant a stay at Portland Bird Observatory. Despite really only having snatched moments of birding I did see a few birds. On arriving Steve Groves pointed us in the direction of a party of nine Greater Scaup (five males, four females) among the diving duck plus the three Long-tailed Ducks. I managed to pick up the hybrid Scaup x Tufted? female but not the hybrid male. Images of this bird and all recent sightings can be found on Steves Swannery Sightings Blog.

http://stevesswannerysightings.blogspot.co.uk/

Two GREATER SCAUP with a POCHARD

A trio of LONG-TAILED DUCK

Waking up at the Obs

A short seawatch from the Obs patio over breakfast produced a fine ‘conveyer belt’ of auks floating by Portland Bill before flying back west, a Fulmar, 3 Red-throated Diver plus Shag and Cormorant. Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs were about the garden plus a couple of Siskin. As we were about to leave Martin Cade announced they had trapped a Bluethroat, we hung on had a quick close up view before it was released after being ringed. I reminisced about seeing my first Bluethroat at Portland, he reminded me when…almost the same day….25 years ago!

Visit the Observatory website for more video and images of the three recent Bluethroats and more.

http://www.portlandbirdobs.org.uk/

Back for a days work at the Swannery

MARSH HARRIER male over the Abbotsbury tanktraps.

CHIFFCHAFF Lots were about the swannery and Fleet, many on the ground.

In the afternoon I did a double glance at an incoming white bird…not Mute Swan or Little Egret but a Spoonbill that was dropping in, I radioed Steve to tip him off who located it immediately on the shore of the swannery. See Steve’s blog for images.

25 March 2013 A male and three female Brambling on my home bird table. I saw four males together last week so I now wonder how many are visiting. Very important to keep feeding, cleaning feeders and providing water on frozen mornings.

I saw at least four Chiffchaff in one spot today feeding out in the open and on the ground. Not a pretty sight, poor things appear to be starving. A party of four Little ringed Plover were busy on the Tack Piece and Dumbles scrape.

The Spoonbill and Garganey were together on the Top New Piece and the 4 Cranes, 24 White-fronts, Tundra Bean and 7 Bewick’s Swans remained at WWT Slimbridge.

24 March 2013 At home on the bird table was a female and two male Blackcap plus female Siskin on the sunflower seeds. Nice to catch up with Spoonbill at WWT Slimbridge whilst on my rounds at work, even better was when the Goshawk flew over and flushed it. It created a stream of white excrement as it took flight, actually sh1**ing itself on seeing this fearsome predator. I was intrigued to hear of Bob Evans’s studies of this bird, he had observed it leaving the water to poo on a few occasions which is something the Bittern also does. It pays to keep your fishing grounds clear of pollutuon…something humans could do with learning too.

Whilst scanning over the Severn with my trusty Swarovski scope I added another new bird for me in 2013. It was a pair of Common Scoter that hung about for a few locals to catch up with them. I was happy with what they were but to confirm they both did a wing flap with head down neck snap.

SPOONBILL feeding and roosting with ‘hair’ blasting in the wind.

At least four CHIFFCHAFF struggled to feed on this cold day.

21 March 2013 My first LITTLE RINGED PLOVERS of 2013 from the Holden Tower.

Barn Owl hunting on the WWT reserve and foreshore of the Severn on 19 March 2013

PINTAIL have been stunning at WWT Slimbridge.

 

BEWICK’S SWANS have been migrating back to breeding grounds.

Seen wildfowl migrating in v-formation but these WIGEON are feeding in v-formation!

 

15 March 2013 I had a day off wander about the Glos to Sharpness canal and WWT reserve to establish Redshank and Lapwing activity and search for migrants as they weather had changed and the tide was high. Only one Lapwing looked on territory on the Great Narls and 12 Redshank were seen among the Teal, Wigeon and Shoveler. A pair of Pintail here was notable. 10 Little Egrets were in the 100 Acre and a Bittern flew the length of the reedbeds (not flushed and viewable from towpath). Other notable birds were 2 Lesser Redpoll and 2 Water Pipits, the latter flying around calling and landing briefly near me and scopable before flying high toward WWT wetland centre. Also I thought they had all gone but no…there were 28 E White-fronted Geese, they came in from the north and headed down channel like Brents often do at this time of year. Also of note was displaying Meadow Pipit.

LESSER REDPOLL

14 March 2013 A very busy day at work. My mowing deck is out of action so we had a contractor in to do the job on the Top and Bottom New Piece. Basically preparing for breeding waders while we have got the levels down and it is a dry period. Whilst out there (ice and lack of birds made it easier as few birds around) I constructed some ‘Avocet or even stilt castles’. Will see what happens when they arrive back. On another note the Bittern showed very well at 4pm.

REED BUNTING

Snow storm heading for Cotswolds and Cam

11 March 2013 Still one male Brambling in the garden.

5 March 2013 My first UK White Wagtail of the year dropped in next to me in the Bottom New Piece at WWT Slimbridge before skipping into the TNP, it was still moulting the black cap so was probably a 2cy bird.

2 March 2013 Day trip to Devon, see trip reports.

 

 

 

The Bittern from Zeiss Hide-who hasn’t taken a picture of this showy bird.

BRAMBLING– up to four in the garden.
This one not so well. I disinfect my feeders and table but this may demonstrate not everyone does?

COMMON SNIPE– always looking good in the sun

TUNDRA BEAN GOOSE– three present at WWT Slimbridge all month.
This one an adult, surely Jackdaw is not a new ‘carrier species’ for geese!

And the juvenile or first winter

 

And with European White-fronted Geese in flight (4th from top right)

BEWICK’S SWANS

LAPWING, GOLDEN PLOVER and DUNLIN

KINGFISHER– my first of the year was flying down the A38 at Fromebridge, this one more typically at WWT Slimbridge.

9-28 February 2013 Highlights in images above…

8 February 2013 The two male and female Blackcaps are still in my garden.

7 February 2013 A calling overflying wader that headed out and N upriver on the Severn estuary gave a persistent double call , it proved to be a Ruff, rare that I hear them. The Bittern showed well from Zeiss Hide again today.

2 February 2013 A Coal Tit in the garden.

1 February 2013 Just had to go and have a look at the Great Northern Diver that John Sanders spotted whilst getting his morning paper yesterday. It has appeared on Pittville Park, Cheltenham perhaps due to the gales, maybe it is under the weather, whatever the reason this is an unusual place for it to be. This allows a great opportunity to see one up close and not in a sea swell in the UK. I have studied them on the only European grounds in Iceland but this species is effectively North American. It was interesting to see it driving small fish ahead, many leaping out of the water and apparently cornering them against the bank. Some low res studies of the bird follow.

 

The diver was pleasing enough but I went home to get on with something on the laptop, duing a screen break I looked out the window to see 6 Waxwings in a neighbours birch tree. I crossed my fingers that they had seen my apples….they had! Soon after they flew to my beech tree, then to the wires over the garden, then down onto the apples….result….at last. I have been putting out apples all winter for them and the thrushes and Blackcaps but these are my first Waxwing this winter. It was interesting to see the squabbling amongst them even though there was plenty to go around. They spent just over an hour with me and I even got the County Recorder around to have a look as he is a co-Whitminster resident and had not seen them in the village before. Look out for his pic on the Gloster Birder website.

28 January 2013 The four Great Crane Project Cranes were back on the WWT Slimbridge reserve, I saw them under the oaks apparently foraging acorns. They have also taken to the maize field.

27 January 2013 Two Tundra Bean Geese in flight with a E. White-fronted Goose
An adult and first winter arrived at WWT Slimbridge on 15th with a third adult on 26th January.

And a single Tundra Bean Goose with E. White-fronted Geese 28th January 2013 and a female Goldeneye flies from the Top New Piece 30 January 2013

 

Reed Bunting at WWT Slimbridge (a few are now on the feeders)

18 January 2013 The snow that fell drew lots of birds to my garden apples. I had 62 Fieldfare on the deck and low shrubs at one point!

Male Blackcap (at least three present)

Even the Blue Tits had a taste

14 January 2013 The Whooper Swan called in again, this time spotted by Nigel Pleass.

Whooper and Bewick’s Swan, The Rushy, WWT Slimbridge MJMcGill

13 January 2013 Despite the Lesser Redpoll flock being present all winter at WWT Slimbridge it is always nice to see them close up on a calm and sunny day.

Acrobatic Redpolls…

 

 

Rock Pipit on the Severn

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some images from a quieter month birding-wise for me. Norfolk on 1 December kicked the month off with some great birding, a brief trip report on the  relevant page. Only the one half day out to the Forest of Dean on 15th,  a few Waxwing forays and the excellent birds on offer at WWT Slimbridge to note due to short days and mostly wet weather. Despite having leave around Christmas the weather and short dark days was not really condusive to much in the way of dry or comfortable birding.

Bewick’s Swans have been showing beautifully at WWT Slimbridge with over 200 present and very mobile.

Bittern– always intersting to watch go about it business.

One freeze up proved too much for some local wintering waders forcing a move on. This perhaps the last picture of the Long-billed Dowitcher among its stable mates.

Waxwings– I had three and a single fly over me calling at work on two different dates. Only the third and fourth for me at WWT after two singes in previous invasions. A mobile flock of 15 in Slimbridge village were vocal and showy on one Saturday morning and a flock of 80 in Gloucester on 15th made it a good month for sightings. Despite getting the apples out I never scored with any in the garden…yet.

A large Teal count (3000+) at work on Christmas eve was rewarded with first winter Green-winged Teal that I picked out on the floods among 500 Teal from the Holden Tower. I think this is the first one I have seen on the Dumbles.

I hope everyone has had a restful period over the Christmas holidays and wish you all a happy new year for 2013.

30 November 2012 A frosty but sunny start to the day, good journey to Cambridgeshire via a coffee stop, two Red Kite were noted during this journey. Our first port of call was to see a flock of 40 Waxwings in a village outside Cambridge. For most of us it was the first sighting of the current invasion and as ever very welcome. This flock were engaged in standard Waxwing behaviour of spending time sitting in a large Ash tree, dropping to Pink Rowan (sorbus) to grab berries before retreating to digest with a good lookout point. Flight forays away from the site were likely to be for water.

Moving on to Norfolk we had a look around the Wolferton Triangle on request for a Golden Pheasant but had no luck. At Thornham Harbour we spent the rest of the day watching the movements of bird to feeding areas or to roost as it was fairly calm and a sunny end to the day.

Thornham was a busy birding spot, I spent much of the time straining my ears to hear if any Lapland Buntings were around, there were plenty of birds to see. Rock Pipits called regularly, various waders fed or flew about the creeks as it was low tide. A large flock of 1600 Pink-footed Geese arrived and landed on the beach, Jayne spotted a leucistic bird among them.  More Pink-feet were at Holme marsh along with a Buzzard and more notable a Red Kite. Two Snow Buntings flew low overhead calling as they headed for Titchwell. A Short-eared Owl also hunted the marsh here and the Brent Goose flock were occasionally flighty and showed over the saltmarsh.

A female Merlin was on the beach and hung around for a while no doubt waiting for a meal, the Linnets that were feeding in the saltmarsh would have done nicely for it. It was a fine sunset with many birds calling as they went to roost. As we passed Titchwell the Short-eared Owl was still hunting up and down the edge of Thornham marsh with Pink-footed Geese and Greylags feeding there too. We relocated nearby to Brancaster beach car park and watched Goldeneye and Red-breasted Mergansers on the sea and coastal creeks. At dusk a search for Barn Owl ensued around many of the villages on the way back. None were seen but a Tawny Owl was pinpointed in the headlights for all to see.

1 December 2012 A wet and blustery start to the day, a pre-breakfast visit to Gore Point was trying, the rain, wind and darkness made it difficult to see but a few birds were noted, I did see two Snow Buntings on the beach shingle but they were very hard to see and breakfast called. After eating we headed for Titchwell RSPB where we watched Spotted Redshank alongside Common Redshank and Little Egret on the brackish marsh. Large flocks of Golden Plover and Lapwing roosted on the freshmarsh. At the beach it was fairly busy, male Long-tailed Duck, a Great Northern Diver that drifted and dived away into the surf, Red-throated Divers, Goldeneye, Eider and 2 close Common Scoter and flocks of them further out. A few Guillemot were drifting by.

We had to return to the hotel at lunch to sort out a problem with rooms but were soon back on the birding trail.

Looking out from Hunstanton cliffs the Fulmars were crusing gracefully and a few more species were noted on the sea as the tide was on the way out. Heading back along the coast a flock of the bizzarre Egyptian Geese were seen near Burnham Overy. Next stop was in Wells next the Sea, Brent Geese flew over the town whilst some lunch items were sourced and facilities used. A good walk out was the next plan so we returned to Holkham and drove slowly along Lady Anne’s Drive looking at the geese on the way. The Pink-footed Geese were fabulous, thousands of them in good light and close. A walk out and through the gap exploring saltmarsh and dunes was very bracing in the cold wind. A couple of girls were actually paddling bare-foot in the sea, good luck to them.

We finally found a few Skylark, Meadow Pipits and Linnet flocks but not the hoped for Shore Lark. They are rather scarce this winter, even as I finish this report on 31 December there are none being reported. A walk along the pines provided sheltered birding and we enjoyed the geese again but also a hunting Barn Owl that gave prolonged views. We returned after dark to the hotels.

2 December 2012 A lovely sunny start to the day, a Waxwing flew over me calling as I walked into the hotel for breakfast. Our first stop was Titchwell RSPB where we headed for the beach passing three Marsh Harriers, we walked part way to Thornham Point. It was high tide as we arrived and thousands of birds were on the beach with a rough sea to boot. Once again a male Long-tailed Duck did a fly-by, perhaps the same bird as yesterday. Plenty more Red-throated Divers were moving along the coast with Great Crested Grebes, Goldeneyes, 3 Goosander (male and two females), scoter, distant auks, gulls and dabbling duck. Large flocks of Sanderling scurried along the beach with Dunlin, Bar-tailed Godwit, Knot, Turnstone, Oystercatcher and gulls. A single Ringed Plover and at least three Mediterranean Gulls were also seen. A really good birding session with plenty to see.

Heading back across the reserve we had a look at the new hide and the marshes, Little Grebe, Shoveler, Wigeon , Teal, Pochard and Pintail were all present. A small flock of Black-tailed Godwit were noted. Back on the seawall and despite the wind three Bearded Tits were found, it was a case of ‘there behind you’ as Ruth spotted them, she was the only one looking the other way when they appeared. We had Water Rail and Cetti’s Warbler calling in the carr.

A Holme village a flock of Waxwing flew over the car as we got out. We relocated them in the dunes as they fed on Sea-buckthorn, they rested and digested whilst looking out to sea across the Wash, crests waving in the wind.

A thorough search of the shingle and beach did not give up any Snow Buntings but a selection of waders and Linnets and Goldfinches gave us something to look at. News of Penduline Tits in Cambs and pretty much on the way home gave us a target but as we arrived on site it was getting dark and there was not enough time to search for them.

We arrived back safe after some traffic around Birmingham with a fair list of birds and a weekend that certainly blew the cobwebs away.

Martin