Kleine Schiedegg to Jungfraujoch, Switzerland, 31/10/1988

Bright and sunny but very cold.

Flocks of Alpine Choughs over Kleine Schiedegg and at Jungfraujoch where they were very tame, waiting for hand-outs!
Dark bird with strangely undulating flight led to an easy identification of a Nutcracker, a new species to me. 4 were seen at one time perched on cable car cables. Also birds were seen flying about Kleine Schiedegg which enabled close views revealing brown plumage flecked with white and a white triangle at base of tail, also stout beak.
Whilst waiting for Jungfraujoch train two birds floated into view, identified as Buzzards although rather pale.
At Jungfraujoch on ice field a flash of white against dark was enough to identify a Snow Finch, also a new bird. Only confusable with snow buntings which do not frequent the Alps.

4 species including 2 new species.

Elmpt to Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland, 30/10/1988

Holiday to Switzerland 1 of 9.

Mostly fair and quite bright.

Amazing number of Buzzards seen on car journey totalling 32.
10 Kestrels also seen and became less common further south.
Two large birds of prey mobbing and fighting between themselves first appeared to be a Buzzard and Osprey. After reference in books the pale bird was more likely to be a pale phase Buzzard, upping the total to 33 seen.
Lapwing and Starling on arable fields.
Magpie, Jay, Carrion Crow in small numbers.
Great Tit at stop. Sparrowhawk chasing other small birds across motorway.
Black Headed Gull in small numbers also same with Woodpigeon.
Great Spotted Woodpecker undulating across motorway.
Grey Heron also seen flying across motorway.

Total species = 13 including 0 new species.

Venokoten and Area, Germany, 01/05/1988

Hot and sunny.

All songbirds in full song on this lovely day.
Yellowhammer, Blackcap 'tack tack', Blue Tit, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Dunnock, Robin, Chiff Chaff, Nuthatch (appeared from nest-hole with seemingly some remaining down feathers, possibly a fledgling), Mistle Thrush, Great Crested Grebe (one pair nesting on lakeside), Buzzard, Mallard, Coot, Grey Heron, Jay, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Wren, White Wagtail, Carrion Crow, Willow Warbler, Garden Warbler (identified by clear musical song, after some time, first this year).
Long-Tailed Tit, Tree Sparrow, Mute Swan, Black Headed Gull, Skylark.

28 species including 0 new species.

RSPB Titchwell, Norfolk, 13/04/1988

Hot, sunny, cold wind.

Oystercatcher, Black Headed Gull, Bullfinch, Dunnock, Linnet, Woodpigeon, Tree Pipit, Skylark, Mallard, Shelduck, Coot, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye, Canada Goose, Gadwall, Ringer Plover, Teal, Cormorant, Dunlin, Lesser Black-Backed Gull, Greylag Goose, Pochard, Avocet, Redshank, Pied Wagtail, Kestrel, Marsh Harrier, Grey Heron, Great Tit, Robin.

30 species, 0 new species.

Bass Rock to Craig, Berwick, Scotland, 07/04/1988

Via boat trip. Cold and misty.

Gannet, Kittiwake, Shag, Fulmar, Herring Gulls, Lesser Black-Backed Gulls, Greater Black-Backed Gulls, Cormorant, Guillemot, Razorbill, Curlew, Eider.

Also seen were about a dozen common seals seen in water or basking on rocks.

12 species, 0 new species.

Megget Reservoir to Manor Water, Borders, Scotland, 04/04/1988

Hot and sunny.

Lapwing, Mistle Thrush, Chaffinch, Tree Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Skylark, Curlew, Carrion Crow.

8 species, 0 new species.