Here are some of my more memorable (it doesn't get any more exciting than this) birding experiences.
Your comments are most welcome!
Made a trip to Blashford Lakes with my birding buddy Pete Blanchard. A beautiful February morning over Ibsley Water, spotted a Goldeneye, Gadwall, Little Grebe and Shoveler. From the woodland hide we were treated to Siskin, Chaffinch, Lesser Redpoll, Brambling and Nuthatch to mention a few species.
On the way home we stopped off at Wyke Down to see if the Shorties were present this year. After a couple of hours it became evident that they weren't.
A great day birding!
A very enjoyable week of birding in Gloucestershire with my mate Pete Blanchard, culminating in three species added to my life list (Hawfinch, Penduline Tit and Scaup). Better still we now have two care homes signed up. The residents of the Greathouse, Kington Langley and the Avon Court, Chippenham will be benefitting from the installation of a BIG bird garden. These installations will start towards the end of February and should be ready for the breeding season.
I'm still struggling with a bad back, but I have managed to photograph 33 bird species since the start of the year and the BIG Fund now stands at £1425.00.
If you would like to join me on a birding trip, please let me know.
Thank you all for your support! If you would like to make a pledge or donation please use this link:
http://www.philgowerbirdphotography.com/big-year-fundraiser/
To see the 2016 bird gallery use this link: http:
//www.philgowerbirdphotography.com/2016-big-year-gallery/
A milestone was achieved today for the "BIG Year".
Avon Court in Chippenham, Wiltshire will be the first care home to have a BIG Year bird garden. Installation will begin in February, just in time for this year's breeding season.
Avon Court Care Home, Rowden Hill, Chippenham
Avon Court offers a wide range of care for up to 60 residents, including nursing and residential, as well as dementia and palliative care.
This recently refurbished home has a newly created garden area which will be ideal for the location of the bird garden for residents to enjoy. This will dovetail with the home's popular activities programme to keep mind and body stimulated.
My morning continued with a trip to Corsham Park with my birding buddy Pete Blanchard. We captured 1 new species: Great Crested Grebe, and some additional photographs of a Goldcrest and Robin.
In the afternoon, we ventured further afield, ending up at Blakeshill Farm to try to capture a the Short-eared Owls, that had been spotted there yesterday. No luck with the "shorties", but we did see a Bard Owl quartering the site, but from some considerable distance.
The BIG Fund currently stands at £1300 and the bird species photographed tally stands at 12. Only 188 bird species to go!!
If you would like to make a pledge or donation, you can do so here.
Thank you for your support!!
Goldcrest at Corsham Park