I go looking for the colourful Kingfisher at a bird reserve I have never been to before, I then go to my favourite high moorland and see a big surprise bird.
I have been saving the last three videos for a lovely binge watch, catching up with your birding adventures. Your total is really coming along nicely with some great birds and footage! I reckon your May birding challenge will have been 84, as long as you didn't try to photo or film them all! I hope the van is back on the road so no more leaky hotels, mentioned in previous video. My first male hen harrier was seen in north Norfolk over 35 years ago and like yours, an unexpected encounter. I wonder if your meadow pipit had discovered a snake? So much great content in your videos, thank you!
Kingfisher there is generally better in the winter. They move up the Ogwen valley to breed in summer. It’s a lovely little reserve when the birds are there but can be empty. Never know what’s going to turn up there though. Try Malltraeth by the estuary for KF.
I'm in the same boat as you were previously, I've seen hen harrier four or five times now but it's always been the ringtail females - never the male!! Good spot!
I've been trying for a Cuckoo photo since last year, I've been going to a great spot where I hear them all the time, but they seem to be playing me like a puppet, I'm really hoping to get a photo, it's place in Stafford, called Cannock chase, great for all types of birds, and dear lots of them, Big woodlands bits there, and open heath land, Warblers, chats, Skylarks, Pipits, wood peckers ,Cuckoos, Birds of prey, Finches, any bird will be there, it's worth the visit, it's west mids
Is it how many birds you see/hear or how many you film? I reckon you could crack 80 species with some hard work and luck. Kingfisher was a very lucky January 1st tick for me this year. I'm still way off your pace though.
We will lay out the rules on the next video. We have to see the bird. ( we are not counting birds we have just heard ), on this occasion we are not trying to get them all on film as that just takes too long.
