10th October 2010, Ditchling Common

Early morning visit with Doreen to Ditchling Common in the hope for early morning bird activity and to beat most of the dog-walkers. Lovely morning and the Common looked good with many berry trees etc., but dire for birds with virtually no small birds present in the bushes and none flying over. Very disappointing.

A Brimstone Butterfly flew through our garden this afternoon, and a Peacock also seen nearby.

Just the Moorhens showed well.

6th October,2010 Arlington Reservoir

Visited Arlington Reservoir with Doreen and David and my first birding trip since my transplant operation in early August. Excellent views of the juvenile Buff Breasted Sandpiper also 1 Avocet, 7 Dunlin, 1 Black Tailed Godwit and 3 Ringed Plovers. Up to 50 Pied Wagtails feeding on the mud and smaller numbers of Meadow Pipits. Also c70 Great Crested Grebes and 15 Tufted Ducks.

Juvenile Buff Breasted Sandpiper

Avocet

25th September, 2010 Ditchling Common

My first visit with Doreen to Ditchling Common after having my stem cell transplant in early August. Not a lot seen other than a few common birds although 1 Goldcrest & 1 Tree Creeper with very white underparts & flanks.

6th August, 2010 Ashdown Forest.

Went with Doreen to The Old Lodge N.R. in the Ashdown Forest to look unsuccessfully for the Black Darter. The only dragonflies seen were 1 male Keeled Skimmer, several Small Red Damselflies and 2 Azure Blue Damselflies. Butterflies seen: 1 Holly Blue, fair numbers of Common Blues, Meadow Browns & Gatekeepers and 2 Small Coppers.

Also nice views of 2 Spotted Flycatchers.

male Common Blue

Holly Blue

worn Small Copper

male Keeled Skimmer

male Small Red Damselfly

Svalbard cruise - views, birds, mammals etc.