Go to a RSPB reserve of course!
I spend pretty much my whole working week at Radipole Lake, so decided today, on my day off, to go over to nearby Lodmoor. I know its a bit sad going birding on my day off when all I really do all week in work is bird watch (don't tell the boss!). I am the first to admit that I am a bit of a nerdy birder who keeps a year list, life list etc so a day off give me chance to get a few 'Year Ticks'. Those aren’t those annoying little critters that attach themselves to your leg and steal blood; it’s actually a new species that I haven’t seen yet this year. After yesterdays Sand Martins at Radipole, I thought I’d have a good chance at Lodmoor. I am pleased to say i was right and saw at least five of these little wanderers feeding busily over the reedbed.
Year ticks aside I also got a load of other nice species which are always a pleasure to set eyes on. Spoonbill and Bittern were probably the best of the bunch but a nice highlight was a few pairs of Oystercatcher getting paired up and being very vocal. Chiffchaffs and a few White Wagtails were the only other migrants apart from sand martin.
I really must apologies for the Spoonbill photo. My excuse is the misty murky weather rather than my inability to work a camera properly. To veiw the picture click on the title 'what to do on a day off' and then click the attatchment link which i placed underneath the blog entry.