Almost correct...!

 You can’t ever give up during spring out here. After 45 minutes and 4 migrants of 3 species (ok, one was an Upcher’s Warbler that appeared in the tree above us whilst I was gassing with Steve: generally not a good way to find any birds) I walked round a hedge at the racecourse and almost trod on a male semenowi Cinereous Bunting. This counts as a major result in my book: only my 3^rd on AD island (the previous two being within 4 days of each other in 2009) and better, only the 6^th I have ever seen, anywhere! He gave wicked close views for a good 20 minutes before I felt obliged to go and try to find (again) his much commoner congener on the golf course nearby. Nothing doing there, but Red-throated Pips have now almost reached semi-respectable figures (30).

OSCAR

Total so far - 139 (79%)

Last addition – Cinereous Bunting (11^th April)

As you were

Fully expected Oscar and Simon to have passed 140 and 130 respectively in my absence; pleasantly surprised to see that the distinct lack of much happening round here this lunchtime (2 more Willow Warbler and a Blackcap being the only discernible change since I left for SW Portugal on 2 April) has been mirrored elsewhere. Still have 2 hirundines, 2 Acros, LRP and Cuckoo as easy catch-ups on Simon, and miraculously still have the (joint) lead with 78%!

ps By Ace Of Spades at Mai Po, Oscar, I can't decide whether you mean Long-billed and Asiatic Dowitcher alongside each other, or memorable adult male Pied Harrier right overhead, or something altogether more spatulate (and predictable)? ;)

pps When it comes to 4 spectacular sparrers, I reckon 4(!) tussling imm Spanish Imperial Eagle, with a backdrop of displaying Calandra Lark, 55 Black-bellied Sandgrouse and a 'mixed flock' of 5 Great and 1 Little Bustards has to be in with a shout for best Circle Jerker sighting this Easter - though I'm sure Chris'll have a contender or two from Spain in due course... However, given that none of Portugal, Spain or Taiwan are anywhere remotely near our circles, it might be argued that we should all be hanging our heads/bins in shame?!

ppps You know you've done too much world birding when Great Bustard is your 18th bustard sp., Eurasian Eagle-Owl your 11th Bubo sp. and Spanish Imperial Eagle your 10th Aquila sp.!

Percentage of target to date - 78%

Distance cycled - 235.2mls / 378.5km

Latest addition - Willow Warbler (121) 1 Apr

Normal service now resumed

Back in business as from Sunday and, as would be expected after a 2 week lay-off, there are a few birds needing clocking up. First, predictably, was Red-throated Pipit on the first scan of the Officer’s Club grass and I soon followed that up with a Willow Warbler in my White-throated-Robin-any-day-soon grove of trees nearby. Next day was especially prolific, with Barred Warbler and a hepatic Cuckoo – with no radio transmitter – first and then both Barn Swallow and Sand Martin together; not bad at all for an hour’s work. I don’t expect many more hours like that this year! Other than that, there’s been the merest dusting of migrants on the ground; only 3 shrikes in total (but one was Masked) and the only wheatears remaining are a few female Pied amongst a few Tree Pips, wagtails and that’s about your lot. Next up should be Nightingale and / or Ortolan, any day soon.

OSCAR

Total so far - 137 (78%)

Last addition – Barn Swallow (9^th April)

PS Simon: we should talk more instead of competing! Hope Taiwan is as good to you as it was to me: I set the bar at any three out of the following: one million fireflies, 70 Black-faced Spoonbills,  40 Collared Bush-Robins or 20 Golden Parrotbills all in one morning as an absolute minimum. And all trumped by the Ace of Spades amongst 10,000 waders at Mai Po and 4 of these beauties sparring in the same bush (Chris, look away now...)

The last post before the Far East

A speculative early run to Ibsley Water this morning (an Osprey had been seen fishing there last night, but no real chance of it sticking) turned up a new species - a smart male Wheatear (128) on the shingle peninsula. Also a displaying LRP and still two Ruff flying about. More Swallows and Sand Martins about today, too.

Now for my break from the hostilities - off to Taiwan and Hong Kong for a fortnight. Possible intermittent posts/emails to follow....

One spring dip, another spring tick

I cycled up onto the western escarpment of the Forest today in search of a Redstart - sadly, none were present in Redshoot Wood (yet) - but I did find a stunning displaying pair of Firecrests, about half a dozen Hawfinches, and a distant singing Cuckoo (127). I suspect not one of Moran's satellite-tagged birds.... Also another Swallow over the road on the way there.

Not summer....definitely!

A pleasant walk in the sunshine to Ibsley Water this afternoon turned into a freezing cold and wet walk home - but one species to the good! Three Swallows (126) were in a sense the highlight, but also a 1st summer Little Gull, a Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Ruff (2 of them showing superbly right by the hide), 60 Sand Martins and a Green Sand to pad the list. Now feeling like a drowned rat.

WW1

Willow Warbler (1). Strictly speaking, another 'twitch', as Neil Calbrade found it this morning and texted to let me know. It was still singing away in the same place when I gave the Nunnery Lakes a thorough bashing this evening (though frankly I'm confident I'll find my own before too long, Pete) ;)

Percentage of target to date - 78%

Distance cycled - 235.2mls / 378.5km

Latest addition - Willow Warbler (121) 1 Apr