08/03/19. Elmley NNR, part 2. Lapwings.
At about 5:30am the lapwings seem to be most noticeable. They are wonderfully beautiful birds – iridescent green on their upper wings, white below; a “fascinator” on top of their heads. This time of year the male spends a lot of time showing off its aerobatic skills, sometimes alone, but also with other males. ...
08/03/19. Elmley NNR. Gulls and more just before sunrise.
Elmley National Nature Reserve is in Kent, on the Isle of Sheppey. It is a very large area of water and marshland, and absolutely full of birds. The recording below is from just before sunrise (so, around 6am), and is dominated by the sounds of black-headed gulls. Other birds include Canada geese, mallards, ...
27/02/19. Geltsdale by Tindale Tarn.
Sitting in the hide at Tindale Tarn around 6:30am. Lots of interesting sounds. Here are three short clips. Wind in reeds; a warbler – I’m not sure which one; goldeneye; crow Curlew; warbler, crow; pheasant; goldeneye; lapwing; Grebes splashing/calling (later in the clip); frogs; woodpecker; curlew; woodpigeon; goldeneye I think my favourite (excluding the curlew) ...
27/02/19. RSPB Geltsdale. Curlews and lapwings and other dawn singers.
RSPB Geltsdale is one of my favourite places. Sitting in the Pennines just east of Carlisle it is a wonderful spot for curlew, lapwing, black grouse and many other birds. This recording was made before sunrise on the meadow in front of the RSPB centre. Unfortunately it was quite windy, but the glorious sound ...
27/02/19. Sunbiggin Tarn Starling murmuration.
Sunbiggin Tarn sits in the Pennines near Orton, Cumbria. It is a wonderful remote spot, and popular with birds of all kinds. Today I was sitting by the tarn recording the evening chorus; it was afterall very quiet; I had expected more activity. But it was nice to just sit there, watch the sun ...
24/02/19. Titley Pool late Winter chorus
It was a cold frosty misty morning at Titley Pool; a nice quiet Sunday with less traffic noise on the nearby Presteigne-Kington road than a weekday. The earlier sunrise, today at 7:15am, also helps because people are still asleep. Recorded on the bank of the pool, near the bird hide. I recorded the sounds ...
11/02/19. Burfa Bog Dawn Chorus
Burfa Bog is a small nature reserve in Powys, owned and managed by the Radnorshire Wildlife Trust. It’s about 5 miles from where I live. It encompasses an old motte and bailey castle mound, and a few acres of stream, bog, tussocky grassland and woodland. It is a lovely place to hear the strengthening ...
