Sierra de Maria with the Arboleas Birding Group

Wednesday 15 May 

Yet more cracking birds seen by Dave and his Arboleas Birding Group seen up in the hills of the Sierra de Maria.  Not here, but all those Red-billed Choughs and even Golden eagles; now that's birding with a vengeance!  Still, looking on the bright side, I've just booked passage on Brittany Ferries Portsmouth - Bilbao service for a three week visit to Spain in October so, maybe, still chance to catch up on all those birds you have been seeing

Sierra de Maria  -  Wednesday 15th May

Juda came to my house and we went to the Overa hotel to pick up Peter 1.  We then drove to Velez Blanco where the bird count begins as we headed to Maria town.  En route we saw Woodpigeon, Collared Dove and Common Swift.  In the town itself we saw House Sparrow, House Martin and Spotless Starling . On arrival at the La Piza forest cafe we discovered Trevor had seen a Hoopoe. Richard, Mike 1 and Kiersten had seen Griffon Vulture and two Golden Eagles.  In the meantime, Kevin had logged Jay, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Crested Tit, Chaffinch and Blackbird around the bird feeders which I re-filled.  We were joined by Peter 2 and his wife, Linda plus Mike 2 and Sue, friends of Mike 1 and Kiersten.  Whilst we had coffee both Coal Tit and Crossbill came for a bath in a shallow puddle. Richard saw a Short-toed Treecreeper.  Also seen were two Iberian red squirrels and a Fox spotted by Trevor.

Coal Tit (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

We left there and commenced to do the loop.  Peter 1 and I in the lead car managed to see Goldfinch, Crested and Calandra Larks.  In the cars following they added Carrion Crow and Jackdaw.  Juda spotted a Kestrel.  We stopped outside the village for a catch up and scan.  Linda found a Woodchat Shrike. Kevin found a Corn Bunting on a distant reed.  Barn Swallows were quartering the meadow in front of us. Moving on we saw Magpie and Rock Sparrow near to where last year Rollers bred in a nest box on the side of a farm building.  Alas no sign of them this year.  As we approached the cliff face I noticed a plume of about 50 Red-billed Chough soaring above it.  I saw a Stock Dove land on its nest in a crack in the rock face.  We heard Nightingale, Reed Warbler and Turtle Dove.  Linda spotted a Black Wheatear high on the ridge.  We walked to the far side. Saw a Chiffchaff.  We were elated to see a flight of 15 Black-bellied Sandgrouse fly over the cliff.  We left there.  I spotted a Black-eared Wheatear.  A Hoopoe flew across in front of us.  We saw two distant Griffon Vultures flying away from us.  Next seen was an Iberian Grey Shrike near the cave house village where Peter 2 and Linda added a Bee-eater.  En route to the hamlet we saw another Calandra Lark plus a Raven.

Apart from a pair of Red-billed Chough seen by Kevin, the hamlet was a disappointment.  No Lesser Kestrels!

The sheep trough area was better.  We added White Wagtail, Serin, Greenfinch and Linnet.  Also seen were Rock Sparrows.  Juda found a Mistle Thrush, Sue spotted a pair of Turtle Doves and Richard saw a Roller.  As we were leaving Peter 1 added a Northern Wheatear. 

We returned to the forest cafe where we had lunch seeing more of the same species from the morning.

I handed the staff 4 bird boxes donated by Jacky.  Thank you.

We ended up with 46 species.  Had a great day. Good birds and company.  The only downer was the automatic gearbox on my car started to slip gears.  Sounds expensive!

Regards

Dave

Jay (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

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Workmans Lane & Solent Shore

Sunday 12 May

What might be the last dry day for a while so of up to the top of Workmans Lane in the village and then a clockwise walk down to the Solent shore at low tide after a diversion along the horse field track on the way.  Once at the shore, continue northwards up Southampton Water until the Scrape before returning as far as Chilling Head to take the path back up to Workmans Lane and back to the car.  A lovely two and a half hours in warm sunshine and hardly a breeze. 36 species in total and the pick would, probably, be Whimbrel, Marsh Harrier and Raven but, again, observing and listening to both the Whitethroats and Skylarks would lift anyone's spirits.

Whitethroat Sylvia communis

Walking down the lane I quickly recorded Chaffinch, Blackbird, Robin and Woodpigeon before, overlooking the house field on the other side of the hedge I picked up a couple of Canada Geese.  In the tree immediately in front of me a resting Song Thrush with a Wren down low a little further on.  Greenfinches were calling and moving around above me and even, for the first time, a pair of House Sparrows.

Song Thrush Turdus philomelos

Continuing on down the lane my next check on the horse field confirmed a number of Jackdaw plus a pair of Shelduck on a small flooded area not so far away and, on the flooded are of the field on the right-hand side another pair of Shelduck. Reaching the track at the bottom of the horse field a dozen or more Starlings, mainly adults but feeding well-grown young.  A couple of Carrion Crows were seen as a Collared Dove announced its presence.

Shelduck Tadorna tadorna

I started my walk along the track at the bottom of the horse field by noting the pair of Goldfinch drinking from a puddle in front of me and a Great Tit in the trees to my right. Strange to see a female Mallard up against the fence just twenty metres in, especially as there was a quartet at the end of the track near the small lake.  Also present there a single Egyptian Goose. Twenty Canada Geese counted at the back of the field alongside a dozen or so Black-headed Gulls then the sight of the Whimbrel almost at the back of the field.  Whilst t the far end, along with a couple of other birders on site, we watched a departing Raven from its nest on the electricity pylon and the first of at least three singing Skylarks. On a nearer pylon a Kestrel was resting on the top beam.

Skylark Alauda arvensis

The first of the Magpies noted as I made my way back to the lane and continued on down to the Solent shore. More sightings of Skylarks and the continuous singing of the Whitethroats but, as yet, no clear view of the bird.  However, I did stop on the gravel pathway to watch a ting bank Vole "limp" across the path with a definite tilt to the left as if injure or "drunk."  It came to rest to enable me to take a photograph and, I surmise, died at that spot.

The almost dead Bank Vole Myodes glareolus

Once at the shore no birds on the beach but a close sand bar, presently above water, held a mixed large group of Oystercatchers and Herring Gulls. A Little Egret flew down the Solent as I made my way to Chilling Head noting yet another Skylark above me to my right. Then it was on to the Meandering Pool, with not a single bird in sight, before taking the path alongside the gorse patch (where, following the fire which damaged much of the habitat and fence posts back in 2022, I noticed that all the fencing had now been removed) to record a number of Linnet and a male Stonechat at the far end.

Resting Oystercatchers Haematopus ostralegus and Herring Gulls Larus argentatus

So to the Scrape which held a number of Black-headed Gulls but also a half-dozen Mallard and another pair of Shelduck.  A pair of Avocet was resting on the small island to my right and at the back of the water a single Little Grebe plus a Common Tern resting on the posts. A Moorhen was noted paddling away on my far right and then time to set of back along the beach to Chilling Head.

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos, Oystercatcher, Shelduck and Avocets Recurvirostra avosetta

Passing alongside the gorse area not only a couple of Magpies at the back but above them, just clearing the trees and heading slowly southwards, a most handsome quartering male Marsh Harrier.  Still the Stonechat and a number of Linnets on show and then time o head up the tarmac path back to Workmans Lane.  Now, not only the singing, but good sightings of the many Whitethroats about.  At the top of the path , looking to me left, I noted that the nest box intended for the Little owls was occupied by a pair of breeding Stock Dove and once back on the lane the second nest box was in a similar situation. So on up to the car seeing and hearing most of the birds recorded on the outward journey.

Stock Dove Columa cenas

Also Stock Dove Columa cenas in the nearby second nest box

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Egyptian Goose, Shelduck, Mallard, Little Grebe, Little Egret, Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Moorhen, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Whimbrel, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Common Tern, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Skylark, Wren, Robin, Stonechat, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Great Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Raven, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet.

Linnet Carduelis cannabina

Whitethroat Sylvia communis

Isle of Wight across the Solent seen from near Chilling Head

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New Forest Birding

Saturday 11 May

For this beautiful warm and sunny day I was out of the house by 6.30 and of to the new Forest making a first stop at Normandy Lagoon before driving "round the corner" to Pennington Marshes. Almost 50 species recorded with the final bird of the morning being the recently-visiting Garganey on the flooded pools at the eastern end of Pennington.  First one I've seen for  few years, probably in Spain before Covid raised its ugly head.

Dunnock Prunella modularis

Greenfinch, Robin, Dunnock and Whitethroat as I made my way across the field to Normandy Lagoon and then, with the low sun in my face, almost to the end of the first die before being able to look backwards and check out the occupants.  Lots of Black-headed Gulls and Common Tern along with Avocets, Redshank, Lapwing and both Mallard and Tufted Duck. 

Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta

On the muddy sea side more gulls plus Heron and a solitary Bar-tailed Godwit. And I did not expect to see a quartet of Dunlin on the lagoon and took a while to locate the pair of distant Little Terns.  Along the edges a number of both Whitethroat and Linnet.

Whitethroat Sylvia communis

Working my way back to the car via Acre Pond I added Chiffchaff, Chaffinch, House Sparrow and Wren followed by more Whitethroat.  And, as a bonus, in addition to the Heron a single Greenshank resting on a mud bank.

Greenshank Tringa nebularia

A short drive took me to the bottom of Lower Pennington Lane where I undertook a clockwise circuit taking in the western end of Pennington Lagoon before following the path past Butts Lagoon to Fishtail Lagoon and then up the bank and back to the car.  Very little on the sea other than a pair of Great Crested Grebe but the initial walk to the sea wall produced Robin, Whitethroat, Linnet, Goldfinch, Dunnock and a number of Skylarks.

Linnet Carduelis cannabina

Butts Lagoon provided the Tufted Ducks and Mute Swan along with many singing Reed Warblers whilst Fishtail Lagoon held more Avocets and Mallard plus plenty of Black-headed Gulls and Shelduck.  A Barn Swallow flew past as I made my way down the steps and then up the bank to follow the eastern side of the lagoon as I made my way back.  Looking at the back of the lagoon, not only a about thirty resting Black-tailed Godwits but a pair of Egyptian Geese and a sleeping Spoonbill.

Resting Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa

Moving back to the left-hand bend near Normandy Farm, I stopped to check the flooded field at the back of Normandy Marsh and not only more Canada Geese, Lapwing, the occasional Magpie and Carrion Crow but, near a few Mallard, along with three other birders we found the visiting Garganey.  That and the passing Jackdaw ended the morning's birding and back home by 11.30 to continue the exterior painting before the bad weather returns.

Heron Ardea cinerea

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Egyptian Goose, Shelduck, Mallard, Garganey, Tufted Duck, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Spoonbill, Marsh Harrier, Coot, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, bar-tailed Godwit,  Redshank, Greenshank, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Common Tern, Little Tern, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Collard Dove, Skylark, Barn Swallow, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Reed Warbler, Whitethroat, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Blue Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet.

Common Terns Sterna hirundo

Dunlin Calidris alpina

Lapwing Vanellus vanellus

Linnet Carduelis cannabina

Distant Little Terns Sterna albifrons

Redshank Tringa totanus (left) with Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus

Tufted Duck Aythya filigula

Common Whitethroat Sylvia communis

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Casbrook Common, Romsey

Thursday 9 May

Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos

Following up a lead that Nightingale had been heard at Casbrook Common, a couple of miles north of Romsey, Jenny and I were away by 8 this morning and despite the gridlock on the M27 we were on site by 9.30. What a pleasure and privilege to hear the harmonic and joyful sounds of singing passerines for ninety minutes.  Non-stop from the minute we arrived until we left to return to Romsey itself for a wander around the town centre and enjoy a pun lunch.  But before partaking, we called in for ten minutes at the viewpoint from the main road overlooking Fishlake Meadows and recorded thirteen species in that short time.

Robin Erithacus rubecula

Blackbirds, Robins and Chaffinches calling as we entered the common and  made our way up to the nearby clearing which produced that welcoming melody of continuous bird song. Both Woodpigeon and Carrion Crow flew over as we made our way across the open ground to the copse on the far side and as a Cuckoo called from far off too our right we were then serenaded by Wren, Common Whitethroat and Chiffchaff.

Male Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs

Making our way through the open copse we recorded first Blackcap and immediately a Garden Warbler.  Both Blue and Great Tits were added to the morning's list as we walked along the open fields at the top, recording more Chaffinches, Whitethroats and Blackbirds.  It was whilst making the return journey that we noted our first Lesser Whitethroat.  However, having come back to the road a little further away (hence seeing both Starling and House Sparrow) and leaving Jenny at the car, I went back to the nearby open space and spent some time listening to the bird calls and obtaining frequent glimpses of the individuals.  This was when, not only did I locate a second Lesser Whitethroat, but also able to confirm the singing Nightingale.

Female House Sparrow Passer domesticus

Standing at the edge of the area beneath the distant trees, I watched a Willow Warbler and Redstart in the tree above me and also, once again, heard both Nightingale and Cuckoo.  Away in front of me a Song Thrush was singing from  high bush.

The nearest I could get to photographing the Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus above my head!

Making our way back to Romsey we stopped for ten minutes to check the main water at Fishlake Meadows from the roadside viewing point and immediately noticed the five Mute Swans, a quartet of Great Crested Grebes and the odd Mallard, Tufted Duck and Coot.  A Woodpigeon flew across the water so revealing the pair of resting Lesser Black-backed Gulls, Greylag and Canada Geese present.  On the far side just the one Magpie but both Blackbird and Great Tit nearer to our observation point.  Finally, overhead as we made our departure, a soaring Buzzard to complete the morning's sightings.

Obscure Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus

Birds seen:

Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Buzzard, Coot, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeon, Cuckoo, Wren, Robin, Nightingale, Redstart, Blackbird,  Song Thrush, Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch.

Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus taken in Warsash 2023

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Cabo de Gata with the Arboleas Birding Group

Wednesday 8 May

Birding may not have been as good as last week but, by jove, some lovey birds seen in good company at my favourite site in Almeria.  And I'm still to see the first House martin of the year.  As the months go by since my return to the UK I get quite nostalgic about the regular sighting of bird such as shrikes, Purple Swamphens, Red-knobbed Coots and all the various eagle of the region.  Not quite the same to admit that I now find regular sightings of both magpie and Woodpigeon which was not the case in Malaga province, albeit no Iberian Magpies!

Cabo de Gata & Rambla Morales: Wednesday 8th May

I picked up Juda ( and a 4 week old male kitten she'd adopted and needed feeding) from Los Gallardos and headed south on the A7/E15.  Enroute to the first hide we saw the usual suspects...Yellow-legged Gull, Collared Dove, Spotless Starling, Carrion Crow, House Sparrow, Magpie and most notably, a pair of Raven near the BP garage.  Kevin was already at the first hide and had already had a good look around the reserve as he'd been in his campervan overnight.  The list contained Crested Lark, Greater Flamingo, Avocet, Redshank, Shelduck, Ringed and Kentish Plover, Yellow Wagtail, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Jackdaw, Grey Heron, Mallard, Black-winged Stilt, Gull-billed Tern and Collared Pratincole.  We were joined by Trevor.  A scan produced most of the aforementioned species apart from the pratincoles which had flown away.  There were 4 Gull-billed Terns on the rocks.  I found a Whiskered Tern and some Slender-billed Gulls.  Three Cattle Egrets flew in and landed nearby.  Kevin spotted a House Martin. 

Cattle Egrets (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

We found a distant Iberian Grey Shrike.  The numbers of Greater Flamingos were well down.  Only about 150 in the salinas we could see.  I reckon there was a total of 250 individuals on the reserve compared to the recent 5 - 700 numbers.  Kevin found a Grey Plover in near breeding plumage.  Also nearby were some Curlew Sandpipers.  I found a group of 12 closer by.

A plethora of Curlew Sandpipers (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

We had a cup of coffee in Cabo village.  We drove to the beach by the second hide.  A seawatch produced nothing.  We trundled to the hide.  I found a Spoonbill. and some Little Terns.  Kevin added another Grey Heron.

We moved on to the public hide.  There were another 23 Curlew Sandpipers in front of us feeding in the shallows.  Trevor spotted a Yellow Wagtail.  Kevin then added an Oystercatcher.

We convoyed along the track to the Rambla Morales.  I only saw a Yellow-legged Gull en route.  My back was hurting so I didn't take the scope to the hump.  Kevin brought his.  He saw Turnstone, Sanderling and Moorhen.  Down the far end Kevin spotted some fighting White-headed Ducks.  There was a pair of Shelduck with 11 ducklings.  Juda added a Sardinian Warbler.  On our walk back we checked out some Slender-billed Gulls on the far shoreline.  I also found White Wagtail, Gull-billed Tern and a Little Stint.

Shelduck and ducklings (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

We ended up with 47 species.  Best birds of the day were the Curlew Sandpipers.  Birding was not as good as the previous weeks, but still a good day.  Thank you to Trevor for carrying my scope for me!

Dave

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Workmans Lane, Warsash

Stock Dove Columba oenas

Sunday 5 May 

Light rain forecast today so out of the house just after 8 and managed an hour's walk down Workmans Lane at the top end of Warsash plus a very wet and muddy side walk along the bottom of the horse fields. As soon as I set off I was recording Robin, Collared Dove and Magpie and before half-way down the lane had also added Woodpigeon, Carrion Crow and many Blackbirds. A Dunnock was resting in a bush on my left and nearing the seasonal pool at the back of the field on my right noted  pair of Canada Geese on which, upon my return, also held a second pair of Shelduck.

Dunnock Prunella modularis

Checking the fields on my left I noted a few Jackdaws along with the Carrion Crows and also a pair of Shelduck resting in a small pool.  A handful of Starlings were close by and at the back of the field near the entry path to the stables, a quartet of feeding Whimbrel.

Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus

Once at the end of the lane adjacent to the entry to the horse field, I checked the nest box on the opposite side of the road in the local nature reserve and, as last year, noted that the Stock Doves seemed to have once again taken over so no sight of the local Little Owl.  Both Greenfinch and Blackbird were present in the nearby hedgerow along with more Wrens and Dunnocks.

Stock Doves Columba oenas at the intended Little Owl nest box!

Moving a little further down the lane I recorded my first of four Whitethroats in the area in addition to both Blue and Great Tits.  A Pheasant made a rapid departure from behind the hedge on my right and so back to walk along the very wet and muddy path a the bottom of the horse field.  More Carrion Crows and Jackdaws but the Whimbrels had departed, probably as a result of the gate being opened and the arrival of those going to attend the horses.

Jackdaw Corvid monedula

Making my way across the horse field a Goldfinch drinking from a puddle in the track in front and a pair of Mallards resting on the grass on the opposite side.  At the back of the field in the far distance another seven Canada Geese.

Whitethroat Sylvia communis

Time to make my way back to the top of the lane and noting the many Chiffchaff and more Whitethroats, Dunnocks and Wrens. Both Black-headed and Herring Gull flew over above me.

Wren Troglodytes troglodytes on the wire above

However, I did take a short walk into the field opposite and managed to find another couple of Stock Doves and as I left the scene a Linnet flew over.

Greenfinch Carduelis chloris

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Shelduck, Mallard, Pheasant, Whimbrel, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Starling, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet.

Whitethroat Sylvia communis

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