Vince Halley-Frame

From Londonbirders

I started birding at Dagenham Chase in my early teens, and i started making notes from 1988 onwards which was also the year that i started out on the twitching scene.In my early patchwork days i was introduced to the late Ken Barrett with whom i shared many great times and info with, the place will never be the same without him. The best birds that i have found over the years include, Slavonian Grebe (displaying pair ),3 immature Whooper Swans(circled the site together ),Drake Ferruginous Duck on 7th-8th April 2007 ,3 Honey Buzzards,7 Red Kites,1 Osprey, Juvenile Kittiwake, 2 Quail, Summer Plumage Water Pipit, several Ring Ouzels, Marsh Warblers ( breeding ),Cetti's Warbler and Juvenile Red-backed Shrike. My worst omission is Oystercatcher, in 2005 i missed one by 2 minutes ! I have also seen the only two official rarities recorded at Dagenham Chase, Great Snipe and Pine Bunting, with a third ( Drake Ferruginous Duck )pending.My foreign birding is limited to just three trips, Canada (Pelee ), Lesbos and USA (Arizona ).

London lifelist additions in 2007:

Squacco Heron at Crossness Southern Marsh on May 29th.

Little Tern at Rainham Marshes Stone Barges Car Park on August 24th.

British lifelist additions in 2007.

White-tailed Plover at Leighton Moss RSPB Lancs on June 16th.

Asian Brown Flycatcher at Flamborough Head on October 4th.

American Buff-bellied Pipit at Farmoor Res Oxon on October 9th.