Kristian's Wildlife Blog

Unfortunately, I could only manage a brief visit of Leighton Moss this morning, but I hoped it would be enough to catch up with the two Lesser Scaup that had been present for most of the week. Arriving, I dashed down to Lower Hide, in cold and windy weather, hearing multiple booming Bittern from the surrounding reedbeds. In the hide, a flock of approximately 30 diving ducks was present directly in front of the hide - the pair of Lesser Scaup were right at the front of this group! The new camera was definitely put to good use! My only previous Lesser Scaup was a very distant female at Ham Wall last Winter, so to see them both this close was a massive improvement. The male in particular was beautifully plumaged and more delicate than the more familiar Greater Scaup. The whole flock was diving regularly, which made them difficult to keep track of. The female was also surprisingly distinctive Back at Lilian's Hide, a quick scan produced the long-staying female Ring-Necked Duck . Unfor...

Having waited for over a week to have a crack at Kilwinning's over-wintering Myrtle Warbler, this Sunday I finally got the chance. Arriving after a four-hour journey, I made my way through the door of a small block of flats (quite a surreal experience but apparently okay to do so!) and within seconds I was watching the Myrtle Warbler on a garden bird feeder! I couldn't quite believe it and still hadn't got used to it by the time I left. The bird was quite wary, but occasionally showed very well coming to the bird feeders and also making its way around the ornaments of next door's garden! It was also highly territorial, chasing off the resident Blue , Great and Long-Tailed Tits . This was my fifth New World warbler in the UK, and by far my best views. Unfortunately, as I'm still getting used to my new camera, the pictures were much worse than they should have been! Not the brightest of birds, but my best views of a New World warbler! With a little time to kill befor...