The People's Walk for Wildlife

I was looking forward to going to The People's Walk for Wildlife to show my support for nature and the constant struggle it faces. I was also given the opportunity to join other passionate conservationists to hand in the People's Manifesto for Wildlife at Downing Street, something I was not going to miss!

Speakers at the event

I travelled up by Tube, a very short journey, and arrived in time to see Kabir Kaul and his brother Aryan Kaul sharing their views on the problems facing our wildlife via the big screen.

I went over to meet them and Arjun Dutta, as well as briefly speaking to Alex White and Mya Bambrick. 

Me, Arjun, Kabir and Aryan with Bill Oddie 

The main talks then started, with powerful and inspirational speeches given by all, including talks on racial diversity by Mya (Birdgirl), and conservation from Bella Lack, Dara McAnulty, Georgia Locock, Ruth Tingay, and a very powerful speech by Dominic Dyer. Unfortunately, some of the talks had to be cut short due to time pressures, but I they were successful in getting a positive message across.

We then started our journey to Downing Street. I walked with Kabir, Aryan and Arjun, although Arjun had to leave soon after it started. It was so encouraging to hear that the estimated number of people was 10,000 (I was way off with my guess!). People played birdsong on their phones, of species such as Song Thrush, Blackbird, Blackcap and Nightingale, and there were real birds there as well - Kabir spotted a Peregrine flying over. 

As we reached Parliament Square, more speeches were made, including ones from Mark Avery, George Monbiot and Chris Packham; all huge inspirations to me. 

Then, together with Chris, Dara McAnulty (who had travelled all the way from Northern Ireland to be here!), Bella Lack, Zach Haynes, Georgia Locock and Mya, aka Birdgirl, we were led through the gates to Downing Street to hand in the Manifesto.

This was, undoubtedly, one of the highlights of my life, going to Downing Street and presenting a manifesto that could spark serious change.

Conservationists at Downing Street - I'm happier than I look
Photo credit @LukeDrayPhoto

The day also gave me new ideas about what else I could do for conservation, including some things I can start doing immediately. 

- Volunteer for conservation projects. I know a few places I could do this, including organisations that clean waterways and help with habitat management and creation.

- Use social media and blog more about conservation and problems facing wildlife. 

- Campaign against events that destroy the environment, (for example balloon releases). 

- Write a letter to my local MP asking him what his thoughts are on the Manifesto and what steps he can take. (I should get this done in the next couple of days.)

Not everyone was so happy with this event, though. Certain people who enjoy hunting have decided to perceive this march for our wildlife as a personal attack on them, and have responded angrily to it. Surely if they really cared about conservation (most of the event was not even about hunting), they would have supported the walk?

After handing in the manifesto, we headed to Portcullis House to discuss how we would tackle conservation issues with Lord Randall, the Special Advisor on Environment, Prime Minister's Office, including ideas about helping young people to understand and appreciate nature.

I am hoping that there will be another Walk for Wildlife next year, as there is no doubt that I will be attending that, as all I have to say about this one is positive.

Spurn Migfest

I almost went to Migfest last year, but didn't know much about it or what happened, so it was exciting to eventually be going to this famous event for the first time.

I had been shortlisted as a finalist for the Young Birder of the Year competition, so I would be participating in numerous tests to assess my bird identification and general knowledge of birds and migration.

Unfortunately, the weekend began with some bad luck when my train was delayed by over two hours, and this meant it would be dark when we arrived at Spurn and put up the tents...at least it wasn't raining (yet).  The tents were very small but good enough for a couple of nights.

I did a quick tour of the barn where there were numerous stalls, although it was soon closing. I also briefly met Kabir Kaul, another young London birder and finalist for the competition.

I got up relatively early on Saturday and tried to do some birding before the assessments. The bushes were very quiet, so I joined the many birders vis-migging briefly, but still didn't see much here, although there were a few Meadow Pipits passing and 5+ Red-Throated Divers on the sea. I also saw a Redstart on the way to the Canal Scrape hide.

It was soon time to start the tests, so I went inside the observatory building and met the other participants, who were Kabir Kaul, Jack Bradbury, Angus Jennings, George Henry, and Rowan Wakefield. Nick Moran gave us a brief introduction speech then we were split in to groups of age - 14+ and 13 and under, with a winner being picked from each group. I was put with Angus and George in the 14+ group, and we were driven to do our seawatch and vis-mig test.

As there were 3 of us and 2 stations, I was the first to wait in the car park, where I heard a Lesser Whitethroat. Before long though, I was heading to the vis-mig station area, being assessed by the locally famous Jonnie Fisk.

There were hardly any birds going over, but I did see Meadow Pipit, Lesser Whitethroat and a Reed Bunting in the bushes. I was asked questions about migration at Spurn and about migratory Pipits.

Next I went seawatching, probably my weakest area of birding, and was asked to identify three species of birds. I struggled on the questions at this station however.

Next we switched over with the younger birders, so I was about to be assessed on birds in the bushes. There wasn't much around, but I did see/hear Robin, Blue Tit, Goldcrest, Kestrel and Siskin. I was also asked a couple of questions.

Next was the lab test, where I was asked to name feather areas of a stuffed Whimbrel and identify calls.

I am surprised to have misidentified Whitethroat song at this station, as this is a bird I can always recognise in the field.

My final section was the Estuary test, where I was asked to identify birds on the Humber from a hide situated in someone's garden, then was asked a question about which waders have white rumps.

All the assessors were very kind and helpful, and the tests weren't stressful at all.

We then had a buffet lunch and the winners were named, Jack Bradbury from the younger group and Angus from my group, both very well deserved winners. We then received answers for the assessment and discussed it.

Later that day, I went looking for the Rosefinch that had been seen earlier, and met David Walsh, Jack Bradbury and Kabir Kaul. It was raining quite hard now, and Kabir, David and Jack went to the seawatching hide, but I decided to stay and hope for the Rosefinch.

Soon after they had left, the Rosefinch did a quick fly-by and flew out of view. But a few more minutes of waiting saw it emerge from the bush and perch in view on the fence post. It showed well in various places throughout the next few minutes, so David, Kabir and Jack were also able to see it.

Unfortunately, even though there were good photo opportunities, the camera I use had broken.

That night, I attended an interesting talk about advances in migration studies at Long Point, and was presented with my prizes for being a finalist in the young birder of the year competition.

Next morning, I got up early to walk down Beacon Lane, where I saw Reed Bunting, but Beacon Ponds and Kilnsea Wetlands were quiet.

I spent most of the day in the Kilnsea churchyard, where I hoped for Pied Flycatchers but there was almost nothing there the whole time I was present. A brief view of a phylloscopus excited me for a minute, because it had the look of a wing barred phyllo (I didn't actually see a wing bar), but with 2 Chiffchaffs and a Willow Warbler calling in the same spot afterwards, I had probably made a mistake.

I met David Walsh again, who I went looking for Pied Flycatchers with. We did not manage to find any but David told me many interesting things about bird calls and his patch in Suffolk. He also told me what a Pied Flycatcher sounded like, something I hadn't known up until now.

At the end of the day, just before I was about to leave, I was looking for birds in the Crown and Anchor car park when I heard a call which made me run over to where it was coming from, Kew Villa Camp Site.

This was because it sounded identical to the call David Walsh had played earlier to tell me what Pied Flycatchers sounded like. After a couple of minutes of persistent calling, the sound got louder until it was right above my head. I located it in the tree and got good views of it moving through the leaves.

Thank you to David Walsh, who taught me the Pied Flycatcher call. I wouldn't have identified it otherwise. 

I then got a taxi to head home, the Migfest weekend being very entertaining and something I definitely want to attend again, with many good birds, but also a lot of helpful and interesting people.

Spurn Again

A trip I had been looking forward to for a long time, although late August isn't the 'classic' time to visit. I went here at the same time last year as well, and it was successful, so I was hoping it would be similar, or better, this year.

However, I had a few things planned before I arrived at Spurn. The first was a pelagic trip off the Norfolk coast, but this was unfortunately cancelled due to strong winds. So, instead, we headed up to Frampton for the day.

Frampton was a reserve I had heard about a lot, as it has a huge variety of waders, as well as the bonus of the Stilt Sandpiper being present.

I arrived to large numbers of Sand Martins and Yellow Wagtails in the car park, and quickly headed up the path to view the marsh.

Birds here included Ruff, Redshank, Dunlin, Black-Tailed Godwit, Snipe, Gadwall and others, but the Stilt Sandpiper was apparently hidden amongst the Godwits. After a short while, someone noticed it in the flock and put me on to it briefly, but I could hardly make out any of the features.

A few more minutes and no sign of it, so I was beginning to think it had moved somewhere else. Just then, though, someone came with the news that it was showing well with a couple of Godwits on another marsh.

I rushed over there to see it, and found it was on the side of the marsh nearest to me! I got excellent views as it fed out in the open and occasionally hid behind vegetation.

I tried looking around the other marshes, where there was a flock of Spotted Redshanks and a few other waders, but there wasn't much of a variety. Snipe showed very well and I had brief views of a Water Rail from the 360 hide.

I headed up a path with thick hedges on either side where there was a lot of birds, but most refused to show themselves. I saw a Willow Warbler and heard what sounded like a Garden Warbler alarm calling, although I didn't confirm this.

I was staying in a hotel in Titchwell, where I found out there was a path to the RSPB reserve at the back. I took this path in the evening and managed to see Spoonbill on the fresh marsh, although I hadn't brought the scope.

On the way back, I witnessed an interesting sight of about half a dozen Chiffchaffs all feeding in a small clump of bushes. Within this group there was a flock of Long-Tailed Tits, a few Blackcaps and one Lesser Whitethroat.

Lesser Whitethroat

The next day, originally planned for Frampton, was spent at Gibraltar Point where a rain storm unfortunately started before I could look for any migrants.

So I took shelter in the Mere hide, where a Spotted Crake had been reported to be showing. Someone else in the hide told me where it was last seen, so I waited and scanned that area, and was surprised to see it walk right in front of the hide!

Over the next hour it appeared and disappeared, never showing very well or for very long. But, I got lucky as it decided to walk in front of the hide as it had done on the first view, but this time stayed out in the open long enough to get a proper view!

Spotted Crake

It was still raining hard, however, so there wasn't much chance of finding any migrant birds. I had lunch in the cafe then headed up to Spurn for the afternoon.

I arrived at the seawatching hut, where I hoped to see the evening tern roost. However, the hide was packed, and I had trouble viewing any of the terns, as well as the fact I had to leave early because I needed to make time to eat in the nearby pub.

It was quite a quiet day for migrants in the morning, with a few Common Whitethroats and Willow Warblers around.

The sea-watching hut gave good views of 5 Whinchats sitting on the fence posts, which was the most I had seen in one area.

Whinchat

However, later in the day I headed up to Sammy's Point where the bushes were a good shelter from the strong winds. Once again, there were few birds until I accidentally flushed a Long-Eared Owl from one of the bushes.

This had been seen a couple days previously but I had forgotten it was around. It settled in a dense clump of vegetation where there was no hope of re-finding it.

A brief visit to Kilnsea Wetlands produced a Pintail and an adult Yellow-Legged Gull.
There were a few Greenshanks calling from the Humber, including a couple which showed well as they flew past.

Later that day I headed to the Kew Villa viewing area, which is often good for migrants. A Pied Flycatcher had been seen here recently and it didn't take long to see it perched out in the open, although it didn't stay where it was and flew away without returning. 

Later in the day I visited the churchyard and managed to see a Pied Flycatcher, presumably the same one that was at Kew. A different bird on a wire caught my eye, and this turned out to be a Spotted Flycatcher, showing very well. A Wall butterfly was also a new species for me.

Wall

At the Kew Villa viewing area, it was possible to see both the Spotted and Pied flycatchers in the same bush at the same time, which was exciting as I'd never even seen them on the same day before!

I arrived at the seawatching hut early and spent over 4 hours looking at the sea. It was quiet at first, although a Bonxie and a few Arctic Skuas flew through, as well as Kittiwakes, Fulmars and a Manx Shearwater.

The tern roost was the highlight, though, with thousands of Common Terns passing, and among them a few Sandwich Terns. It wasn't long before I began to see Roseate Terns and Black Terns, the latter being a lifer. There were Arctic Terns in the flocks too, although I was struggling to pick these out.

The light started to fail, so I headed back to the observatory.

The next day I watched birds flying over in the observatory garden, and saw many birds including Grey Wagtail, Kingfisher, Green Sandpiper and a flock of Tree Pipits, picked up by one of the local birders. 

Later that day, I walked down to Spurn Point, quite a long walk, made harder carrying the scope, but it was worth it, even if there weren't many birds. Wheatear, Willow Warbler, 8+ Lesser Whitethroats, and other common migrants including Common Whitethoat were around the bushes at the point, but, other than that, it was quiet. 

I took my place in the seawatching hide that evening and saw fewer common terns, just over 4000, but also saw many more Black Terns and had better views of two Roseate Terns. 

On Wednesday, I got up early to watch birds in the Obs garden, seeing my earliest ever Fieldfare, but soon went to the triangle to search for migrant birds. I realised the day would be good when I arrived here, as there were a lot of migrants making their way through the bushes.

Fieldfare with berries - it looks like winter!

Whitethroats were in almost every bush, a Sedge and Reed Warbler sat in the same view, Lesser Whitethroats called from deep in the vegetation and Willow Warblers were common, with one Chiffchaff as well. Yellow Wagtails were constantly flying over and I saw the Fieldfare I had seen earlier again. 

The best bird here was a Pied flycatcher that I had brief views of, but it showed the main features. 

Pied Flycatcher 

Upon entering the area where the path joined the road, one of the volunteers passed me and gave me the news that a Woodchat Shrike had been found at the Warren!

I rushed over to hear it was sitting out of sight in a dense bush, so I waited for it to appear. After waiting and circling the bush a lot, it started to show out in the open, although it was still hard to find an angle where it could be viewed. 

After another short wait, it flew over to the other side of the path, where it remembered it was a Shrike, and started to perch on bushes out in the open! I was soon enjoying clear views through the scope of what was clearly the Woodchat Shrike, with a very prominent white patch on the primaries. 

Woodchat Shrike

There were also two more Pied Flycatchers showing at the Warren. 

I walked back along the Triangle, seeing 5+ Whinchat and a Wheatear, then travelled to Sammy's Point. There were three more Whinchats and another Wheatear near the car park, although the bushes held disappointingly few birds, but the quality improved hugely when I found a bush containing three Pied Flycatchers.

Each one would make a short flight to catch an insect, then return to their perch, which was usually out in the open.

As I was driving back from Sammy's Point, I received a message that an Icterine Warbler was present in the Obs garden, so I headed in that direction. 

The bird hadn't been seen for half an hour when I arrived, and there was no one searching anymore, so I began to look around the garden. After about 10 minutes of searching, I noticed a bird moving through the trees, and when checking it more closely, I realised it was the Icterine Warbler (or an Icterine Warbler - it could have been a different bird to the original)! 

It disappeared quickly, and it was only seen a couple more times until it wasn't observed again. But while hanging around, I got the news that one of the Icterine Warblers had been caught in a net and would be released shortly! 

After missing an Icterine Warbler in the hand last year at Spurn (on this exact date!) it was good to see one in the nets. I like to get in-field views as well, but it is always exciting to study a bird up close. 

Icterine Warbler

I spent the rest of the day checking the bushes and watching common migrants, including one more Pied Flycatcher. 

The next day was my last full day at Spurn, and a large clear-out had happened overnight so I could find hardly any migrants in the bushes.

A few Whinchats in the Triangle was the best at first, until I heard news of a Barred Warbler at the Warren, although it was behaving typically and never gave perched views, and after about an hour waiting all I had was a couple of flight views. 

Other migrants about included Yellow Wagtails, Sedge and Reed Warblers, Greenshank and a few Whimbrels on the Humber. A Wheatear and a Kingfisher were also seen on a brief walk.

Wheatear 

My final day at Spurn was slow-paced but eventually turned out to be very good. It started with chasing an Icterine Warbler around and failing to see it for a couple of hours. One of the local birders told me that there were probably more Icterine Warblers around, and the best way to see one would be to find my own. 

I immediately went to Kew Villa viewing area, where there were few birds. However, a large warbler caught my eye, and upon looking at it more closely I was amazed to see it was an Icterine Warbler! It was most likely the one that had been seen at Kew the previous day, but I was still happy to record the first sighting of it for the day.

Later that day, on another brief visit to Kew Villa, the warden walked up to me and gave me news that a Citrine Wagtail was on Canal Scrape. I rushed over there, and guessed the hide would be packed so I took a risk and tried to view from the canal path, but as I approached the scrape, I heard the call of the Citrine Wagtail, sounding like it was getting more distant. 

I reached the group of birders who told me it had flown away, but another Icterine Warbler was about to be ringed in  Church Field. Someone kindly gave me a lift here and for the second time in a week, I was watching an Icterine Warbler in the hand, most likely the bird I had seen in Kew Villa. 

Iccy 2, looking even better than the first

I was due to leave in half an hour so I gave up hope of re-finding the Citrine Wagtail. 

I was actually about to get in the car to head home when a flight call alerted me and I looked up to see that the Citrine Wagtail was flying over my head! If I had left just one minute earlier, I wouldn't have seen it, so the moment was definitely very well-timed. 

Very satisfied by my time at Spurn, with six lifers over the week, including the birds at Frampton and Gibraltar Point. I didn't have to wait long before my next visit, as next week was the Migfest, which I will be writing about soon.