Best birding locations of 2014

The main reason I enjoy birding so much is the great places and environments it takes you. This year I’ve shared some great experiences with friends and family. Some have been places on my life bucket list for a long time so I’m very grateful to have now visited a couple of them.

I thought I’d work through my top five bird experiences of the year and in selecting these I’ve had to leave out the returning Ospreys at Rutland, a day out sea watching the Shearwater & Common Dolphins and of course the Hawling Owls which has been wonderful this winter to date.

5) Day on Long Mynd

 I’ve had some super walks over the Long Mynd in recent years so it was a pleasure to return in April to catch up with a flock of Dotterel not far from Gliding Club. The female birds were very stunning and well worth the trip out. After the session on the moor we dropped down to a very nice spot which was full of migrants including Redstarts, Pied Flycatcher, Cuckoo whilst Dippers and Grey Wagtails were busy feeding young along the stream.

4) Evening with the Nightjars

An evening in the Forest of Dean to catch up the “Forest Ghosts” was a great experience. As the light faded Woodcock were roding over head calling their distinctive "tchik-ik rrrrrr-rrrrrr" sound. The stars of the evening then came out to play clapping their wings as part of their courtship. One of Nightjars landed just above us and then on the path as we headed back to the car. The bonus of the night was a number of Wild Boar that we observed at close quarters. Certainly some where I will be going back to year on year.

3) Black Grouse and North Wales

4am alarm calls are never the best way to start a Monday but this early morning was very much worth the trouble as I teamed up with Alan Davies of the Biggest Twitch to watch the Black Grouse lek in North Wales. Alan had us in a great position to see and hear  the birds. The fun never ended there as after a hearty breakfast we travelled around the beautiful area including stops at Betws y Coed (Grey Wagtail and Dippers) and Nant Ffrancon (Ring Ouzel, Garden Warbler and Wheatear).

2) Highland birding

A five night trip to Scotland with Alan and Ruth Davies was a brilliant experience. Staying at the awesome Grant Arms Hotel, Alan guided us around the Highlands and caught up with a number of hard to see species including Capercaille, Crested Tit, Surf & Velvet Scoter, King Eider, Golden Eagle, Scaup, Black Guillemots and Ptarmigan. To see 80+ Ptarmigan on top of Cairn Gorn was just stunning We also saw some fantastic mammals including Pine Marten  Red Stags and Red Squirrel ! Even if you have never been to the Highlands I’d urge you to look up Alan and Ruth’s trips. They take care of everything for you which gives you the time to enjoy the wildlife.

1) Farne Islands

My favourite experience of 2014 was the three days I spent with the wife in Northumbria. Its part of the coast I’d never visited previously but it was simply stunning in its pure ruggedness. We were blessed with stunning weather throughout the trip which even allowed for some bare foot birding along the beaches. 

We took in the local delicacy of kippers and brown bread at the Ship Inn at Long Newton where we watched the Little Terns feeding  in the bay. After lunch we a great beach walk where the Terns flew past us with eels in their beaks ready for their youngsters.

Our long awaited trip out to the islands was every bit as I’d hoped. Staple Island treated us to over 20,000 Puffins whilst Shags, Cormorants and Razorbills were sat within yards of your every move. Watching the Puffins return from sea was a sight to behold and one I will always remember.

It was clear before landing on Inner Farne who the island belonged to as you could see the visitors being bombed by the breeding Arctic Terns. They duly delivered a similar welcome to us and I received a particular rough attach when crossing the path to the toilet block.  Many of the terns were nesting within centimetres of path hence their possessive nature. The sighting of the Bridled Tern just topped the day off. As we came back into Seahouses Eider ducks were nursing their young offspring.

Not a bad year………………