Tuesday 17 April 1990

London to King's Lynn Return Journey by Train, Norfolk, 17/04/1990

Variable, bright, showers.

Birds seen on lakes and in fields and patches of vegetation: Coot, Mallard, Pheasant, Song Thrush, Moorhen, Grey Heron, Canada Goose, Greylag Goose, Black-Headed Gull, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Tufted Duck, Mute Swan and Great-Crested Grebe.

The highlight of the journey and the whole holiday was two Short-Eared Owl which appeared to be either fighting or courting. It was still a few hours until dusk and the birds were oblivious to the train. They were identified by typical straight-winged flight and yellow-brown plumage and medium/large size.

16 species including 0 new species.

Monday 16 April 1990

River Tweed Walk at Dusk, Galashiels, Scotland, 16/04/1990

Cold.

Rook in river-side rookery. Mallard, Gooseander and Oystercatcher on river or river-side. Two Dippers also seen exhibiting unusual behaviour, they appeared to be either a courting pair or a couple disputing territory - they flew up and down the river forcing one or the other under the water also their peculiar song was heard which I have never heard before.
A Great Spotted Woodpecker was also seen flying over the river towards trees.

Sunday 15 April 1990

Galashiels - St. Abb's Head, Scotland, 15/04/1990

Bright/cloudy, very windy.

Birds seen on journey: Rook, Black-Headed Gull, Pheasant, Jackdaw, Woodpigeon, Starling, House Sparrow, Carrion Crow, Red Grouse (in heather by roadside), Lapwing, Herring Gull, Greenfinch.
On Mire Loch: Mute Swan.

There was a surprising lack of birds on the cliff-faces, the majority of birds were on the sea (Kittiwakes were still pairing-off perhaps?). We saw absolutely no razorbills or guillemots either on the cliffs or on the sea which seemed very unusual.
Birds seen were: Kittiwake, Gannet, Shag, Cormorant, Linnet (single pair on grassy tops), Fulmar, Lesser Black-Backed Gull and birds in woods nearby carpark: Yellowhammer and Goldcrest.

22 species seen including 0 new species.

Saturday 14 April 1990

Grey Mare's Tail - Galashiels, Scotland, 14/04/1990

Cold, heavy, showers.

Carrion Crow, Rook, Black-Headed Gull, Lapwing, Mute Swan, Mallard, Tufted Duck were all birds seen in locality whilst driving to the Mare's Tail.

Birds seen at the Tail and on return journey were: Meadow Pipit, Jackdaw, Pied Wagtail, Wheatear, Kestrel, Curlew, Oystercatcher, Pheasant, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Song Thrush, Starling, Greenfinch.

20 species including 0 new species.

Friday 13 April 1990

Train Journey from Brize Norton to Edinburgh and Car Journey to Galashiels, 13/04/1990

Variable.

Birds in fields: Pheasant, Crow, Rook, Jackdaw and birds on lakes and seen on coastline 'beaches': Mallard, Tufted Duck, Great-Crested Grebe, Coot, Blackbird, Mute Swan, Herring Gull, Black-Headed Gull, Lesser Black-Backed Gull, Fulmar, Lapwing, Blue Tit, House Sparrow, Starling and Eider (also including other birds seen on journey).

19 species including 0 new species.

Sunday 1 April 1990

Local Forest Western-Central Germany, 01/04/1990

Bright, sunny, warm.

Birds on local patch of woodland all birds heard in song: Blackbird, Robin, Chiff Chaff, Song Thrush, Wren, Chaffinch, Blue Tit, Nuthatch and Woodpigeon.
Skylark and Carrion Crow on nearby fields.

Birds seen at other woods near Venekoten including birds on other lakes in area: Jay, Teal, Mallard, Greylag Goose, Mute Swan, Lapwing, Coot, Great Crested Grebe and Buzzard.

20 species including 0 new species.