Welcome to a fuller account of our trip to Africa – October 2023. I thought you might be interested in hearing a little more about our recent trip to Uganda and Zambia. After all it wasn’t all about Bee-eaters, Rollers and Kingfishers, indeed there was much more than birds to fascinate and entertain. We arranged…
Let’s talk about Bee-eaters, Rollers and Kingfishers (again). Anyone who has followed my previous blog (Eastern Bushchat) and/or has purchased my book (see panel to the right), will know of my quest to see all the world’s species of the aforementioned bird families. Not an easy task, mainly because these birds are scattered throughout Africa…
Champions of the Flyways (COTF), is an annual bird racing event held in the southern part of Israel centered around Eilat. It is an event operating on a global scale, involving teams of birders from every part of the world regardless of nationality, ethnicity, or religious and cultural background. All participants are united as part…
Welcome to my 220 for 2022 – End of Year Summary. The final episode of a frantic year. I must admit it’s been a real blast. As I write this in early January 2023, I’m actually missing the thought of seeing new things, but am not missing the self-imposed pressure to meet some meaningless target….
Welcome to my 220 for 2022 – November Update. The title of this venture is a little mute now since we’re looking at 220 in our rear view mirror. The challenge has morphed into one of how many species can we actually cram onto our lists before 31st December. From a personal perspective this goes…
Welcome to my 220 for 2022 – October Update. A month of southerlies, westerlies, and yet more southerlies, not what us east coast birders want during autumn. We needed a spell of sustained easterly airflow bringing drift migrants from the continent and even Asia, but it wasn’t to be. There were a couple of days…
In Norwich Castle Museum there is a room full of mounted bird skins. In this room there is a large glass case, and in this case are contained the skins of a drove of 7 Great Bustards. The last of the species to have ever walked on the sandy soils of the Norfolk Brecks. As schoolboys,…
There is often great concern expressed about the damage ivy can do to trees, but contrary to popular belief, the plant is not parasitic. Ivy has its own root system which obtains nutrients directly from the soil; the tiny, root-like structures on its stems merely enable it to cling to its support without causing damage…
Welcome to the 220 for 2022 – September update. It’s been quite a ride this month, with a slow start gradually gaining momentum to take us to a grand finale where some wonderful and exotic birds were seen. These autumn months are where the quest will prosper or falter. Gone now the threadbare summer months,…
Welcome to the 220 for 2022 – August Update. 1st August 2022 – no new birds today, but a surprise was in store at Strumpshaw where half way through my shift I was invited to step outside. I was met with all available reserve staff gathered to present me with my 20 years volunteering service…