Nightjar Safari

I had a great evening out of county last night on the hunt for nightjars.
First we walked through a dense birchwood in search of adders and despite the hot temperatures we were rewarded with great views of a basking male, we also saw a variety of dragonflies and the only one I could confidently identify was a broad bodied chaser.In the birchwood we had brief views of a jay, a pair of great spotted woodpeckers and a family of long tailed tits.
next stop was the edge of the marsh and again we were rewarded with the sight of two large heaths that posed rather obligingly.
further round we went and heard a distant cuckoo until we reached our intended destination.
It looked promising as we watched a hunting hobby and then we waited.
The mosquitoes and midges were absolutely unbelievable-we were unprepared and it was almost unbearable with constant bites and insect buzzing round all the time.
Fortunately another birdr gave us some insect repellent and this did the trick albeit we had already been bitten half to death.
The night was perfect and the wind disappeared, it was great to heard the birdsong at 10.30 in almost pitch black-we could pick out robin, blackbird, whitethroat and tawny owl.
Then as it was almost pitch black the nightjars started churring, first one then another we counted seven in all and a couple were clapping and calling.
Unfortunately and despite waiting while gone 11 we didn't see any in flight, but the experience was truly magical, even the insects added to the plot.
Will definitely be going again, thanks to Sam for great company.

American Wigeon

Just popped out to Tophill Low this evening for a look at a reported pair of American Wigeon.
Not exactly what I would expect at this time of year but a legacy of last weeks strong westerly winds?
No signs of any rings so on the photo list it goes.

Beacon Ponds

It seems as though the migrants have started to thin out just lately so with that in mind I thought I would see if I could get some shots of the little terns at beacon ponds.
I went up on Saturday and in fairly strong winds, I got set up in a likely looking spot out of the wind.
during the 3 or so hours i was there I was treated to some fantastic close views of the little terns fishing although the poor light didn't help.
with having such a good day on the Saturday I was up there again yesterday, this time it was improved by not only close views of the terns but also a sprinkling of decent waders-not least a red-necked phalorope but also 3 little stints and some close view of common waders, and some interesting behaviour with herons and the little egret.
The walk back last night was in glorious evening sunshine punctuated by the song of skylarks and just as i got nearer the car a cracking corn bunting performed magnificently only a few metres away.
I must stress that the area is quite sensitive for breeding birds and anyone heading up there must stick strictly to the marked paths and not go anywhere near the breeding grounds of the little terns.