Penduline Tit, Darts Farm 25th February 2015

On Friday 5th December 2014 two Penduline Tits were found at Darts Farm RSPB reserve in Devon. Over the following months several birds were seen in the area. After not hearing any news for the previous week, three birds reappeared at Darts Farm.

Upon arrival mid-morning there was no joy at first, but after about an hour or so of waiting with a few other birders on site, the shout (whisper) went up & they'd suddenly appeared, two of them as if out of nowhere, in the reeds approaching the hide. Compared to other birds flitting around the reed bed, they were pretty tough to latch onto, with seemingly perfect camouflage.

Harlequin Duck, Aberdeen 23rd February 2015

On Saturday 3rd January 2015 an immature male Harlequin Duck was found on the River Don at Seaton Park, Aberdeen. I took the long trek north some weeks later to see this long staying Icelandic vagrant.

Upon arrival at Seaton Park, I continued along the road towards the River Don & followed the southern bank westwards. A couple with tripod informed they'd seen the bird & had it in the 'scope. After a quick look at part of a small shape moving behind the rocks at what turned out to be below Papermill Drive, I found my way through the housing estate & back down to the river. I edged around to the area by the fence coming down to the river, but there was no sign of the bird. As I looked around, downstream a small dark object dived. When it surfaced a few moments later it was unmistakably the Harlequin! The bird then spent some time on a small island before flying back to the rapids & continuing to feed. I departed Wallasey at 4.30am & returned at 10pm. Phew!

It's unusual for a Harlequin Duck to be so accessible. They're usually on some far flung northern island in coastal waters! While I was on site I saw only two other birders & had the bird to myself most of the time.

Video by Pete Hines

BBC Winterwatch 2015 - Harlequin Duck, Aberdeen

Laughing Gull, New Brighton 7th February 2015

On Tuesday 3rd February 2015 a first-winter Laughing Gull was discovered on the pontoon used by roosting gulls & waders on New Brighton Marine Lake by visiting birder M. Brown. I strolled along the promenade from my house the following Saturday & had great views of this very accommodating bird. This was my first attempt at phone-scoping a record snap.

Although being the 6th record of this American gull for Cheshire & Wirral, it's the first twitchable bird. The previous five records being:

1977 New Ferry, adult, 3rd August (Dr R.J. Raines).
1978 Hilbre, first-summer, 16th May (T.R. Cleeves, J.B.O. Rossetti).
1985 Latchford Locks, Warrington, second-winter, 21st November (S.W. Kennedy); presumed same, Woolston Eyes, 30th (D.S. Bowman, B. Martin).
1997 Houghton Green, adult, 12th January (K. Foster).
2001 West Kirby, first-winter, 2nd October (C.J. Butterworth, L. Greenstreet).