One hour's drive led to one of my least favourite birding localities, namely a suburban housing estate. Shortly after we (Philip Precey and myself) arrived, the male Black-throated Thrush flew over at rooftop height, uttering a chuckling call. The black throat was obvious in flight, contrasting withe the white underparts and buffy underwing coverts.
The thrush pitched into a stand of birches where it was grilled for the next ten minutes. Satisfied with our first rarity of 1999 and our second Black-throated Thrush, we headed for Wraysbury Gravel Pits.
Plenty of wildfowl were in evidence at the pits and we picked up one, then another three female Smew along the many Goosander and Goldeneye. Other ducks noted were Ruddy Ducks and Gadwall.
We had parked along the interestingly-named Magna Carta Lane where three years earlier I had seen a roost of Ring-necked Parakeets. As we were about to depart, a loud screech announced the arrival of nince of these beautiful Asian newcomers. They settled in the very same trees as I had seen them in all those years previously.
Next, we headed to Staines where we eventually picked up the Slavonian Grebe at the back of Number One reservoir. Leaving Staines, we drove to Ibstone along the M40 in pursuit of reintroduced Red Kites. Alongt the M40 we struck lucky seeing two kites soaring overhead. At Ibstone we were treated to about ten kites hanging over the village. One kite repeatedly swooped into a back garden; presumably somebody had put some food out. Another pair was seen displaying, locking talons and tumbling. Heard to call, a soft, rather weak mewing.
An excellent start to the day and year!
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