96 and counting

This female DESERT WHEATEAR at Rattray Head has now completed 96 days on site, thanks to the enormous effort of local birder Tim Marshall. Tim has been helping the bird to sustain its body weight by providing it with mealworms throughout its stay. Simon Knight obtained this latest batch of outstanding images - just 18 more days to go to make it the longest staying UK individual ever.

GOSHAWK TOURS

JT, Paul Steventon, Melanie Pond and her vet pal Sonia all enjoyed an excellent day out on Tuesday on my second GOSHAWK WORKSHOP with no less than 8 different GOSHAWKS seen at two separate locations. The weather conditions were superb, whilst bonus birds included Woodlark, Dartford Warbler, Hawfinch, Common Raven, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, Greenshank, RED-BREASTED GOOSE and Bittern. It was a fabulous team.

The weather forecast for the rest of the week does not look good so it is likely that the next Workshop will be Monday 11th March, followed perhaps by two more (12th & 13th). Trips cost £20 per person - Vouchers available from Lee at LGREUK400@aol.com

This male CAPERCAILLIE was one of the highlights of my most recent of SCOTTISH trips - this bird hopefully being on the menu of my next trip up there on 3-6 May 2013 on which there are still places (email LGREUK400@aol.com for details)

GOSHAWK watching trips

The weather forecast for this week is poor (rain from Wednesday) so the only planned trip for this week is TUESDAY 5 MARCH. Meet at Junction 18 of the M25 at 0700 hours prompt or pickup en route - trip vouchers obtainable from LGRE at LGREUK400@aol.com

More trips are planned from Monday to Thursday of next week weather allowing

Present for its 82nd day

This female DESERT WHEATEAR has now been present at Rattray Head (Aberdeenshire) for 82 days. Tim Marshall took these excellent images.

Membership of the BBA

Membership to the Club costs just £25 per year. This makes you eligible to receive PREMIER BIRD NEWS from the Association via email for 12 months and gives you full access to the club's publications such as the Top 1,000 Listing UK and WP birders and Definitive Checklists and provides you with the privelege of seeking out any particular information you require on any species of bird in the UK or wider Western Palearctic. It also provides you with the opportunity of booking on exclusive bird tours, such as those for Lady A & Golden Pheasants, Goshawk, Montagu's Harrier, Honey Buzzard, Golden Oriole and so forth. Simply send a cheque or postal order to Lee G R Evans, Chaffinch House, 8 Sandycroft Road, Little Chalfont, Amersham, Bucks, HP6 6QL

Spaces on Forthcoming Tours

The 'Harlequin' Winter Scottish birding tour is now completely FULL but availability is still there on GOSHAWK tours in early March. Available dates are 1, 4, 5, 8, 11 & 12 March. Tours are £20 each and commence 0700 hours from Junction 18 of the M25. LADY A tours are completely sold out for 2013 and 2014 at present but spaces are available on LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER tours in March. To receive your Voucher, please email Lee on LGREUK400@aol.com

Still lots of places on forthcoming tours, particularly SPAIN (two different trips), EGYPT (7 days in early April), MOROCCO/WESTERN SAHARA (10 days in May), OHIO (May), CHINA (September) and seawatching trips from late summer onwards. Three places left on OCTOBER EXTRAVAGANSA rarity specials (1-2 week trips).

Arranging trips for up to 6 persons on an ongoing basis, so if you have ideas or favour a particular venue, please do not hesitate to contact me.