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 current London list is 219 species, Squacco Heron at Crossness Southern Marsh on 29th May 2007 and Little Tern at Rainham Stone Barges on 24th August 2007 being the latest additions.My British list is currently 472 species,the latest three additions in 2007 being White-tailed Plover at Leighton Moss RSPB on the 16th June,Brown Flycatcher at Flamborough Head on the 4th October and Buff-bellied Pipit at Farmoor Reservoir on the 9th October. My foreign birding is limited to just three trips, Canada (Pelee ), Lesbos and USA (Arizona ).