Friday, February 27, 2009

Brandon - 27/02/09

Yesterday I spent my usual Thursday at Brandon Marsh Nature Reserve with the conservation team works party. (view-map)
I arrived at dawn as usual with the intention of getting in some 'birding' before the work started in earnest.
My first site was a couple of Barn Owls looking very striking and eerie in the dawn light. After enjoying the display and continuing on there was the usual dawn chorus of Song Thrush in and around the New Hare Covert, an extremely pleasant wooded area of the reserve which also had a Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming from within. It's great to see so many Song Thrush around at the moment I counted 5.
Passing Newlands, a large bed of common reed phragmites australis, which is managed by the conservation team, as well as spotting the usual Finches, Tit's, Robins etc I encountered a Cetti's Warbler, several of which are often heard and seen on the reserve. Popping in quickly to the Wright Hide which lies to the south of East Marsh Pool there was the usual collection of wintering wildfowl, Gadwall, Shoveler, Pochard, Teal, Tufted etc plus 2 Wigeon a pair of Goldeneye and 4 Shelduck. A selection of 8 Snipe and 2 Oystercatcher were also on view.
In the Swallow Pool which lies at the back of Wright Hide I found Great Crested Grebe and a lone Barnacle Goose in amongst the Canada Geese which were cackling away as usual.
Arriving at the Carlton Hide it wasn't long before I had a stunning view of the Bittern, which I have a great record of seeing on almost every visit here. While I was surveying the surrounding reeds I was disturbed by a sudden whoosh of noise to my right and immediately panned around to get a close up view of the Bittern flying in. From the direction of flight I would estimate that it had been foraging on the River Avon which lies directly behind. I was joined shortly after by other members of the team who also got good views of the Bittern. From the Carlton Hide I also picked up another Snipe, a couple of Little Grebes, now beginning to get some colour and a Water Rail.
During our conservation duties today, see here for a description, we noted a pair of unusual arrivals to the East Marsh Pool (pictured above). After much deliberation we concluded that the female appeared to be a pure bred Cape Shelduck and the male a Cape/Australian hybrid. I'm sure there will be more on these two to come!
After work and tea in the cafe a couple of us decided to go and investigate our new arrivals a little more closely. During our time in the main hide we also noted a couple of Common Gull, and a Lesser Blacked backed amongst the many Black Headed. Around 15.45 a couple of Ringed Plover flew onto willow island. Also observed were Buzzard, Kestrel, Grey Heron and some good numbers of Lapwing, a large flock of what looked like Golden Plover were seen in the distance. Quite possibly the same flock I'd spotted in my previous post!
Shelduck picture courtesy of David Melville

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Brandon - 25/02/09

We arrived back at Wigram's last night at around 5pm after a few days out moored at bridge 100 of the Oxford Canal. This is one of our favourite spots, no locks, car parking nearby and only about 1 hour 30 minutes cruising from the marina.
It's the first time this year we've taken our narrowboat out onto the system due to the icy conditions of previous weeks. I took the cruise out alone on Sunday as Dee my partner was working and would drive over afterwards, parking at a spot which is a 10 minute towpath walk to our mooring.

Departing the marina on Sunday afternoon I had a quick scout of the many bird feeders that have been scattered around by other moorers which didn't yield anything other than the regular Blue and Great Tits. The small reedbeds which surround the moorings had the usual Wren and Reed Bunting fliting around within but no sign of our resident Kingfisher, which I normally see quite often flashing around the marina. On route there were the usual Canada Geese, Mallard and Moorhens but nothing out of the ordinary, mind you cruising along alone is not the perfect way to investigate the bramble and trees in more detail!

On the Monday Dee and I had a long towpath walk heading towards Braunston which is around an hours walk away. At the rear of where we moor is part of the old LNWR railway line which ran from Marton Junction to Weedon and closed to passenger traffic in 1963. On approach we spotted a group of Finches which contained a number of Chaffinch mingled with several Siskin. A brief detour down the disused line yielded a lone Sparrowhawk which we encountered a couple of times as we walked. Looking across the open spaces on a winters day with obviously nothing in bloom I commented to Dee on how baron our countryside looks in this particular locality. The lack of hedgerow and trees in the area and very little bramble for smaller birds to feed and forage is a clue as to why we saw little in the way of small birds.
However, on our return to the boat we picked up 2 Wigeon which were foraging in the local farmers pool at bridge 99 and to our delight got a good sighting of a 100+ flock of Goldfinch slightly further on. Arriving back aboard around 3pm I had my well earned cuppa seated at the stern enjoying the site of several Fieldfare in the trees opposite. It was shortly before dusk that our birding day ended with the site of a huge flock of Golden Plover manoeuvring to and fro and flicking from yellow-brown to white as they turned. We watched them for a good half hour before they eventually departed.

On the Tuesday 24th I spent the day at Brandon Marsh, see here for my observations and having arrived back aboard around 3pm we set sail for home. Turning a 60' boat on a canal requires a designated winding hole and our normal turning point is between bridges 98/99. On approach to the turn Dee, who always comes up with the goods, spotted a Barn Owl hunting in the field opposite which is always a pleasure to see. On the trip home we encountered several Yellowhammer and a flock of around 20 Lapwing, eventually mooring at our home berth just as the light was fading.
A great couple of days out.

Monday, February 23, 2009

My Lists and Me

Me at Lake Louise, Alberta Canada
Most birder's keep lists and of course I'm no exception! However, my lists are purely for personal reference and so therefore I only keep the basics, where, when and what. I'm definitely no anorak!

I've been a keen Birder since I was about 7 years old and have some really happy memories of my Young Ornithologist Club outings with the school, hosted by a very eccentric physics teacher called Mr Scales. If I'm really being honest I should also mention that during my youth I'm sad to say that egg collecting was also a passion of mine, until at around 12 years old I realised the error of my ways! Education is a great thing.

I've been lucky enough to visit and work in various countries so far in my lifetime, Kenya, Tanzania, Oman, Arab Emirates, Cuba, Canada and Venezuela to name but a few, and indeed still plan to visit more, but my work always seemed to take priority. So during 2004 I made the life changing decision to give up my £60K a year job, sell my house, and go travelling! I also purchased a traditional English Narrowboat, which is now my base and U.K. home.

Having spent 4 years touring the canal system aboard my boat, affectionately called 'Quidditch' and spending time abroad, I'm now moored at Wigram's Turn Marina, Napton in Warwickshire, on a more permanent basis. After my return to the U.K. and with lots of time on my hands, I decided to join Brandon Marsh Voluntary Conservation Team in December 08, up until that point I'd forgotten about how really passionate I was about nature and in particular bird watching, having had a job that was 24/7 and my life literally spinning around it's axis, I'd simply never found the time to enjoy.

My voluntary work at Brandon has revitalised my passion for nature and the outdoors, not that living on a narrowboat is anything but outdoory, if that's a word! The people that I've met on the team are an inspiration and also very knowledgeable too. I joined with an open mind and an idea of learning at least three new things every visit. I've now lost count and find myself spending endless hours at the reserve working and birding, I must also thank my wife Dee, who I married in Banff, Canada in 2009, for her patience and support.


Brandon-List
Life-List
Canada May 2009.

Sunday, February 22, 2009

My Local Patch

Wigram's Turn Marina is located on the junction of the Oxford and Grand Union Canals, just outside the village of Napton-on-the-Hill, Warwickshire. I have used Wigram's as a base since the Summer of 2005.
The marina is home to some 200 narrowboats and also houses the 30 strong Black Prince Holiday fleet. Over the past 18 months the nearby Calcutt and Ventnor marinas have been further expanded by nearly 400 berths dramatically increasing the canal traffic and thus making the area one of the busiest on the canal system. Now with over 1000 craft within a 5 mile radius and affectionately known as 'Tick over Alley'. The increase in canal traffic over the past several years has in my opinion somewhat diminished what was once an idyllic stretch of water (one of the reasons we arrived here) and is inevitably having an impact on the local wildlife.
Fortunately great thought was put into the natural structure of the marina during it's building and we are reasonable well off for bramble, hawthorn and common reed. We are lucky enough to have Reed Bunting, Sedge Warbler and Willow Warbler nesting during the breeding season and we also have a resident Kingfisher.

Napton Reservoir a much smaller reservoir than the nearby Draycote Water is located just opposite the canal junction, this is a deep water reservoir that feeds the canal system and so is useful for finding diving ducks and grebes. It has also been known to attract a good range of passage birds, and some fine rarities, a Ring-Necked Duck in early 2006 for example and Bearded Tit the following year! Alongside the deep water, Napton's other attraction is a large reedbed at the back - this means that the reservoir plays host to Reed Warblers, Reed Buntings, Sedge Warblers and Cettis Warblers. In the winter months large murmurings of Starling can be seen with the occasional Sparrowhawk dropping in!

The Cruise Option is what makes my way of life even more rewarding. Apart from the wildlife in my immediate vicinity I get the option to pop out for the odd weekend or overnight cruise and take a look at what's on offer slightly farther afield. My favourite stretch of canal is the section that runs from Napton Junction through to Braunston.
This passes through open countryside with a backdrop of hills. The land is agricultural, with just a few houses in sight. There are initially no locks, no villages and the bridges are well spaced, making a very pleasant rural stretch of canal. There's also a good section of the disused LNWR railway line which ran from Marton Junction to Weedon to explore, the line closed to passenger traffic in 1963.
The cruise from the marina to Braunston takes around 90 minutes and has in the past thrown up some good moments. For example it was on this stretch that I first watched a pair of boxing Hare's and also spotted my first American Mink. More recently I spotted no less than 4 individual Kingfishers on a round trip to Braunston and back.

Sunday, February 15, 2009

La Mata Bird List

Below is a complete list of birds observed during our stay in Torrevieja, Spain and visits to the Salt Marshes & La Mata Natural Reserve. Monday & Wednesday 14th & 17th September 2009.



Black Necked Grebe
Great Crested Grebe
Little Egret
Flamingo
Shelduck
Sparrowhawk
Kestrel
Marsh Harrier
Osprey
Avocet
Little Ringed Plover
Ringed Plover
Kentish Plover
Golden Plover
Sanderling
Turnstone
Little Stint
Black Headed Gull
Common Gull
Gtr Black Backed Gull
Mediterranean Gull
Herring Gull
Yellow Legged Gull
Audouin's Gull ** Lifer
Little Tern
Gull-Billed Tern ** Lifer
Common Tern
Wood Pigeon
Stock Dove
Collared Dove
Swift
Barn Swallow
Hoopoe
Green Woodpecker
Crested Lark
White Wagtail
Blackbird
Whitethroat
Willow Warbler
House Sparrow
Great Grey Shrike
Starling
Spanish Sparrow


Butterflies



Painted Lady
Clouded Yellow

Canadian List

Below is a list of birds and notable wildlife encountered on my various trips to Canada in May 2009, September 2010 and March/April 2011. However the list is not definitive!
Bird-Log (Using Sibley North American Bird Guide)

Last updated April 11th 2011 (186 Species)

Loons (3)

Red-throated Loon Gavia stellata
Pacific Loon Gavia pacifica
Common Loon Cavia immer

Grebes (4)

Horned Grebe Podiceps auritus
Eared Grebe Podiceps nigricollis
Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps
Western Grebe Aechmophorus occidentalis

Pelecaniformes (1)

American White Pelican Pelecanuus erythrorhynchos

Cormorants and Anhinga (2)

Double-Crested Cormorant Phalacrocorax
Pelagic Cormorant Phalacrocorax pelagicus

Wading Birds (3)

American Bittern Botaurus lentiginosus
Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias
Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax

Swans, Geese and Ducks (34)

Mute Swan Cygnus olor
Trumpeter Swan Cygnus buccinator
Tundra Swan Cygnus columbianus

Canada Goose Branta canadensis
Brant Branta bernicla
Greater White Fronted Goose Anser albifrons
Snow Goose Chen caerulescens

Wood Duck Aix sponsa
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos
American Black Duck Anas rubripes
Gadwall Anas strepara
Northern Pintail Anas acuta
American Wigeon Anas americana
Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope
Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata
Cinnamon Teal Anas cyanoptera
Blue-winged Teal Anas discors
Green-winged Teal Anas crecca
Eurasian (Common Teal)
Canvasback Aythya valisineria
Redhead Aythea americana
Ring-necked Duck Aythya fuligula
Greater Scaup Athya marila
Lesser Scaup Aythya affinis
Harlequin Duck Histrionicus histrionicas
Long Tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis
Surf Scoter Melanitta perspicillata
White Winged Scoter Melanitta fusca
Barrow's Goldeneye Bucephala islandica
Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula
Bufflehead Bucephala albeola
Hooded Merganser Mergus cucullatus
Common Merganser Mergus merganser
Red-breated Merganser Mergus serrator
Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis

Diurnal Raptors (18)

Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
Northern Harrier Circus cyaneus
Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos
Bald Eagle Haliaeetus ieucocephalus
Sharp-Shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus
Cooper's Hawk Accipiter cooperii
Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis
Red-Tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis
Swainson's Hawk Buteo swainsoni
Rough-legged Hawk Buteo lagopus
Common Black Hawk Buteogallus anthracinus
Golde Eagle Aquila chrysaetos
Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Osprey Pandion haliaetus
Merlin Falco columbarius
American Kestrel Falco sparverius
Gyrfalcon falco rusticolus
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus

Upland Game Birds (3)

Ring-necked Pheasant Phasianus colchicus
Spruce Grouse falcippenis canadensis
Blue Grouse Dendragapus obscurus

Gruiformes (4)

American Coot Fulica chloropus
Virginai Rail Rallus limicola
Sora Porzana carolina
Sandhill Crane Grus canadensis

Shorebirds (12)

Black Bellied Plover Pluvailis squatarola
Semipalmated Plover Charadrius semipalmatus
Killdeer Charadrius vociferus
Black Oystercatcher Haematopus bachmani
Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca
Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes
Marbled Godwit Limosa fedoa
Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularia
Black Turnstone Arenaria melanocephala
Sanderling Calidris alba
Dunlin Calidris alpina
Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago

Gulls, Terns and Skimmers (14)

Bonaparte's Gull Larus philadelphia
Franklin's Gull Larus pipixcan
Mew Gull Larus canus
Ring-Billed Gull Larus delawarensis
California Gull Larus californicus
Herring Gull Larus argentatus
Thayers's Gull Larus thayeri
Iceland Gull Larus glaucoides
Glaucous Gull Larus hyperboreus
Glaucous-winged Gull glaucescens
Western Gull Larus occidentalis
Pigeon Guillemot Cepphus grylle
Caspian Tern Strena caspia
Common Tern Sterna hirundo

Pigeons and Doves (4)

Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura
Rock Dove Columba livia
Band-Tailed Pigeon Columba fasciata
Eurasian Collared-Dove Streptopelia decaocto

Owls (4)

Barn Owl Tyto alba
Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus
Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus
Northern Saw-whet Owl

Swifts (1)

Black Swift Cypseloides niger

Hummingbirds (2)

Anna's Hummingbird Calypte anna
Rufous Hummingbird Selasphorus rufus



Kingfishers (1)

Belted Kingfisher Ceryle alcyon

Woodpeckers (6)

Red-naped Sapsucker Sphyrapicus nuchalis
Downy Woodpecker Picoides pubescens
Hairy Woodpecker Picoides villosus
Three-toed Woodpecker Picoides tridactylus
Northern Flicker Colaptes auratus
Pileated Woodpecker Dryocopus pileatus

Tyrant Flycatchers (4)

Western Wood-Pewee Contopus sordidulus
Olive Sided Flycatcher Contopus cooperi
Willow Flycatcher Empidonax traillii
Western Kingbird Tyrannus verticalis

Shrikes and Vireos (4)

Northern Shrike Lanius excubitor
Red Eyed Vireo Vireo olivaceus
Cassin's Vireo Vireo cassinii
Hutton's Vireo Vireo huttoni


Jays, Crows and Their Allies (7)

Steller's Jay Cyanocitta stelleri
Gray Jay Perisoreus canadensis
Western Scrub-jay Aphelocoma insularis
Clark's Nutcracker Nucifraga columbiana
Common Raven Corvus corax
American Crow Corvus brachyrhynchos
Black-billed Magpie Pica hudsonia

Swallows (5)

Bank Swallow Riparia riparia
Norther Rough Winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx serripennis
Tree Swallow Tachycineta bicolor
Violet-Green Swallow Tachycineta thalassina
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica

Chickadees and Their Allies (5)

Black-Capped Chickadee Parus atricapillus
Mountain Chickadee Parus gambeli
Boreal Chickadee Poecile Chickadee
Chestnut-Backed Chickadee Parus rufescens
Bushtit Psaltriparus minimus

Nuthatchers and Creepers (2)

Red Breasted Nuthatch Sitta carolinensis
Brown Creeper Certhia americana

Wrens (3)

Bewick's Wren Thryomanes bewickii
Marsh Wren Cistothorus palustris
Winter Wren Troglodytes troglodytes

Old World Warblers, Thrushes, and Their Allies (9)

American Dipper Cinclus mexicanus
Golden-crowned Kinglet Regulus satrapa
Ruby-crowned Kinglet Regulus calendula
Townsend's Solitaire Myadestes townsendi
Mountain Bluebird Sialia currucoides
Varied Thrush Ixoreus naevius
American Robin Turdus migratorius
Swainson's Thrush Catharus ustulatus
Hermit Thrush Catharus guttatus

Starlings and Mynas (1)

European Starling Sturnus vulgaris

Wagtails and Pipits (1)

American Pipit Anthus rubescens
Waxwings (2)

Bohemian Waxwing Bombycilla garrulus
Cedar Waxwing bombycilla cedorum

Wood-Warblers (4)

Yellow Warbler Dendroica petechia
Yellow-Rumped Warbler Dendroica coronata
Myrtle Warbler Dendroica coronata Sub-species of Yellow Rumped

Common Yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas
Wilson's Warbler Wilsonia pusillia

Emberizine Sparrows and Their Allies (12)

Spotted Towhee pipilo maculatus
American Tree Sparrow Spizella arborea
Chipping Sparrow Spizella passerina
Savannah Sparrow Passerculus sandwichensis
Vesper Sparrow Pooecetus graminius
Golden-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia atricapilla
White-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia leucophrys
Fox Sparrow Passerella iliaca
Song Sparrow Melospiza melodia
Lincoln's Sparrow Melospiza lincolnii
Dark-eyed Junko Junco hyemalis
Snow Bunting Plectrophenax Nivalis

Icterids (4)

Western Meadowlark Sturnella neglecta
Brown-headed Cowbird Molothrus ater
Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus
Brewer's Blackbird Euphagus cyanocephalus

Finches and Old World Sparrows (8)

Evening Grosbeak Coccothraustes vespertinus
Pine Grosbeak Pinicola enucleator
House Finch Carpodacus mexicanus
Purple Finch Carpodacus purpureus
Red Crossbill Loxia curvirostra
Pine Siskin Carduelis pinus
American Goldfinch Carduelis tristis
House Sparrow Passer domesticus

Other Species

Grizzly Bear Ursus arctos
Black Bear Ursus americanus
Coyote Canis latrans
Golden-Mantled Ground Squirrel Spermophilus lateralis
Columbian Ground Squirrel Spermophilus columbianus
Douglas Squirrel
Red Squirrel Tamiasciurus hudsonicus
Least Chipmonk Eutamias minimus
Deer Mouse Peromyscus maniculatus
Woodland Caribou Rangifer tarandus
Mule Deer Odocoileus hemionus
White Tailed Deer Odocoileus virginians
Elk Cervus elaphus
Mountain Goat Oreamnos americanus
Beaver castor canadensis
Hoary Marmot Marmota caligata
Common Raccoon Procyon lotor
Garter Snake Thamnophis elegans terrestris
Pika Ochotona princeps
Bobcat Lynx rufus

Life-List

This is my 'New Dawn' life list. Over the many years I've watched birds I've also visited many countries, Cuba, Tanzania, Kenya and Venezuela to name a few and have seen many species. However, I think I'll start afresh having rekindled my passion for birding more recently.

Total January 1st 2009 to February 10th 2011 - 352 bird species

NEW DAWN LIST

Bird Species

Great Northern Diver Gavia immer
Common Loon Cavia immer
Slavonian Grebe Podiceps auritus
Black-Necked Grebe Podiceps nigrocollis
Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis
Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus
Red Necked Grebe Podiceps grisegena
Horned Grebe Podiceps auritus
Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps
Western Grebe Aechmophorus occidentalis
American White Pelican Pelecanuus erythrorhynchos
Fulmar Fulmarus glasialis
Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus
Gannet Morus bassanus
White Pelican Pelicanus onocrotalus
Cormorant (Great) Phalacrocorax carbo
Double-Crested Cormorant Phalacrocorax auritus
Bittern Botaurus stellaris
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
Little Egret Egretta garzetta
Great Egret Egretta alba
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea
Purple Heron Ardea purpurea
Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias
White Stork Ciconia ciconia
Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus
Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia
Flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber
Mute Swan Cygnus olor
Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus
Bewick's Swan Cygnus colunbianus
White Fronted Goose Anser albifrons
Pink Footed Goose Anser brachyrhynchus
Greylag Goose Anser anser
Canada Goose Branta canadensis
Ross Goose Anser rossii
Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis
Brent Goose Branta bernicla
Shelduck Tadorna tadorna
Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiacus
American Black Duck Anas rubripes
American Wigeon Anas americana
Cinnamon Teal Anas cyanoptera
Mandarin Duck Aix galericulata
Teal Anas crecca
Green-winged Teal Anas carolinensis
Blue-winged Teal Anas discors
Wood Duck Aix sponsa
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos
Gadwall Anas strepera
Shoveler Anas clypeata
Wigeon Anas penelope
Pintail Anas acuta
Pochard Aythya ferina
Red-Crested Pochard Natta rufina
Canvasback Aythya valisineria
Redhead Aythea americana
Ring-necked Duck Aythya fuligula
Greater Scaup Athya marila
Lesser Scaup Aythya affinis
Harlequin Duck Histrionicus histrionicas
Barrow's Goldeneye Bucephala islandica
Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula
Bufflehead Bucephala albeola
Common Merganser Mergus merganser
Hooded Merganser Mergus cucullatus
Red-Breasted Mergasnser Mergus serrator
Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula
Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis
Common Scoter Melanitta nigra
Cape Shelduck Tadorna cana
Eider Somateria mollissima
Smew Mergellus allbelas
Mandarin Duck Aix galericulata
Goosander Mergus merganser
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
Northern Harrier Circus cyaneus
Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis
Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos
Bald Eagle Haliaeetus ieucocephalus
Sharp-Shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus
Red-Tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis
Swainson's Hawk Buteo swainsoni
Common Black Hawk Buteogallus anthracinus
Osprey Pandion haliaetus
Merlin Falco columbarius
Red Kite Milvus milvus
Black Kite Milvus migrans
Short-toed Eagle Circaetus gallicus
Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus
Montague’s Harrier Circus pygargus
Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus
Buzzard Buteo buteo
Honey Buzzard Pernis ptilorhynchus
Rough Legged Buzzard Buteo lagopus
Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus
Kestrel Falco tinnuncullus
Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni
American Kestrel Falco sparverius
Hobby Falcon subutteo
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus
Spruce Grouse falcippenis canadensis
Blue Grouse Dendragapus obscurus
Red Legged Partridge Alectoris rufa
Grey Partridge Perdix perdix
Quail Coturnix coturnix
Pheasant Phasianus colchicus
Water Rail Rallus aquaticus
Moorhen Gallinula chloropus
Purple Gallinule Porphyrio martinica
Coot Fulica atra
American Coot Fulica chloropus
Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus
Avocet Reccurvirostra avosetta
Black-Winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus
Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola
Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula
Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius
Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus
Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria
Amerian Golden Plover Pluvialis dominica
Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola
Caspian Plover Charadrius asiaticus
Lapwing (Northern) Vanellus vanellus
Red-Wattled Lapwing
Knot Calidris tenuirostris
Sanderling Calidris alba
Turnstone Arenaria interpres
Dunlin Calidris Alpina
Little Stint Calidris minuta
Ruff Philomachus pugnax
Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus
Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos
Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola
Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularia
Common Redshank Tringa erythropus
Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus
Greenshank Tringa nebularia
Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes
Black-Tailed Godwit Limosa limosa
Bar-Tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica
Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus
Curlew Numenius arquata
Woodcock Scolopax rusticola
Snipe Gallinago gallinago
Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus
Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla
Fulmar Fulmarus glasialis
Common Gull Larus canus
Black-Headed Gull Larus ridibundas
Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus
Herring Gull Larus argentatus
Yellow-Legged Gull Larus cachinnans
Audouin's Gull Larus audouinii
Lesser Black-Backed Gull Larus fuscus
Great Black-Backed Gull Laris marinas
Bonaparte's Gull Larus philadelphia
Franklin's Gull Larus pipixcan
Mew Gull Larus canus
Ring-Billed Gull Larus delawarensis
California Gull Larus californicus
Herring Gull Larus argentatus
Iceland Gull Larus glaucoides
Glaucous Gull Larus hyperboreus
Glaucous-winged Gull glaucescens
Little Tern Sterna albifrons
Gull-Billed Tern Sterna nilotica
Common Tern Sterna hirundo
Caspian Tern Sterna caspia
Black Tern Chlidonias niger
Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybridus
Sandwich Tern Thalasseus sandvicensis
Guillemot Uria aalge
Razorbill Alca torda
Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura
Rock Dove Columba livia
Stock Dove Columba oenas
Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus
Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto
Turtle Dove Streptopelia capicola
Cuckoo Cuculus canorus
Short-eared Owl
Tawny Owl Strix aluco
Barn Owl Tyto alba
Little Owl Athene noctua
Long-Eared Owl Asio otus
Nightjar Caprimulgas europaeus
Belted Kingfisher Ceryle alcyon
Kingfisher Alcedo atthis
European Bee-eater Merops apiaster
Hoopoe Upupa epops France
Rose-Ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri
Red-naped Sapsucker Sphyrapicus nuchalis
Downy Woodpecker Picoides pubescens
Three-toed Woodpecker Picoides tridactylus
Northern Flicker Colaptes auratus
Pileated Woodpecker Dryocopus pileatus
Green Woodpecker Picus viridis
Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos minor
Sky Lark Alauda arvensis
Calandra Lark Melanocorypha calandra
Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla
Thekla Lark Galerida theklae
Woodlark Lullula arborea
Creasted Lark Galerida cristata
Shore Lark Eremophila alpestris
Western Wood-Pewee Contopus sordidulus
Western Kingbird Tyrannus verticalis
Cassin's Vireo Vireo cassinii
Steller's Jay Cyanocitta stelleri
Gray Jay Perisoreus canadensis
Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius
Clark's Nutcracker Nucifraga columbiana
Common Raven Corvus corax
American Crow Corvus brachyrhynchos
Black-billed Magpie Pica hudsonia
Azur-winged Magpie Cyanopica cyana
Magpie Pica pica
Jackdaw Corvus monedula
Chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax
Rook Corvus frugilegus
Carrion Crow Corvus corone corone
Swift Apus apus
Pallid Swift Apus pallidus
Sand Martin Tringa stagnatilis
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
Tree Swallow Tachycineta bicolor
Red-rumped Swallow Cecropis daurica
Violet-Green Swallow Tachycineta thalassina
House Martin Delichon urbica
Rock Pipit Anthus petrosus
Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis
Pied Wagtail/White Motacilla alba
Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava (**Includes 1 x Blue Headed European species)
Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea
White Wagtail Motacilla alba
Black-Capped Chickadee Parus atricapillus
Mountain Chickadee Parus gambeli
Chestnut-Backed Chickadee Parus rufescens
Fan-tailed Warbler Cisticola juncidis
Savi's Warbler Locustella luscinioides
Great Reed Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus
Melodious Warbler Hippolais polyglotta
Aquatic Warbler Acrocephalus paludicola
Subalpine Warbler Sylvia cantillans
Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala
Garden Warbler Sylvis borin
Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla
Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca
Whitethroat Sylvia communis
Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus
Grasshopper Warbler Locustella naevia
Cetti's Warbler Cettia cetti
Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus
Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus
Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix
Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita
Iberian Chiffchaff Phylloscopus ibericus
Goldcrest Regulus regulus
Fiecrest Regulus ignicapilla
Black-Capped Chickadee Parus atricapillus
Mountain Chickadee Parus gambeli
Chestnut-Backed Chickadee Parus rufescens
Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata
Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca
Great Tit Parus major
Coal Tit Parus ater
Marsh Tit Poecile palustris
Blue Tit Parus caeruleus
Willow Tit Parus montanus
Long-Tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus
Crested Tit Parus cristatus
Bearded Tit Panurus biarmicus
Nuthatch Sitta europaea
Red Breasted Nuthatch Sitta carolinensis
Treecreeper Certhia familiaris
Red-Backed Shrike Lanius collurio
Great Grey Shrike Lanius excubitor
Golden Oriole Oriolus auratus
Wren Troglodytes Troglodytes
Dipper Cinclus cinclus
Common Bulbul Pycnonotus barbatus
Dunnock Prunella modularis
Robin Erithacus rubecula
Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos
Black Redstart Pheoenicarus ochruros
Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus
Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe
Black-eared Wheatear Oenanthe hispanica
Stonechat Saxicola rubicola
Whinchat Saxicola rubetra
Red Breasted Nuthatch Sitta carolinensis
Brown Creeper Certhia americana
Marsh Wren Cistothorus palustris
American Dipper Cinclus mexicanus
Golden-crowned Kinglet Regulus satrapa
Mountain Bluebird Sialia currucoides
Varied Thrush Ixoreus naevius
American Robin Turdus migratorius
Swainson's Thrush Catharus ustulatus
Song Thrush Turdus philomelos
Redwing Turdus iliacus
Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus
Swainson's Thrush Catharus ustulatus
Fieldfare Turdus pilaris
European Starling Sturnus vulgaris
Spotless Starling Sturnus unicolor
Bohemian Waxwing bombycilla garrulus
Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus
Cirl Bunting Emberiza cirlus
Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella
Corn Bunting Miliaria calandra
Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis
Yellow Warbler Dendroica petechia
Yellow-Rumped Warbler Dendroica coronata
Common Yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas
Wilson's Warbler Wilsonia pusillia
Spotted Towhee pipilo maculatus
American Tree Sparrow Spizella arborea
Chipping Sparrow Spizella passerina
Savannah Sparrow Passerculus sandwichensis
Vesper Sparrow
Golde-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia atricapilla
White-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia leucophrys
Fox Sparrow Passerella iliaca
Song Sparrow Melospiza melodia
Lincoln's Sparrow Melospiza lincolnii
White-Throated Sparrow Zonotrichia albicollis
House Sparrow Passer domesticus
Tree Sparrow Passer montanus
Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis
Dark-eyed Junko Junco hyemalis
Western Meadowlark Sturnella neglecta
Brown-headed Cowbird Molothrus ater
Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus
Rusty Blackbird Euphagus carolinus
Blackbird Turdus merula
Evening Grosbeak Coccothraustes vespertinus
Pine Grosbeak Pinicola enucleator
Purple Finch Carpodacus purpureus
Red Crossbill Loxia curvirostra
Pine Siskin Carduelis pinus
Common Crossbill Loxia Curvirostra
Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs
Serin Serinus serinus
Brambling Fringilla montifringilla
Linnet Carduelis cannabina
Redpoll (Lesser) Carduelis cabaret
Goldfinch Carduelis carduilis
Greenfinch Carduelis chloris
Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula


Butterfly Species

Large Skipper
Small Skipper
Painted Lady
Red Admiral
Common Blue
Holly Blue
Marbled White
Meadow Brown
Ringlet
Green Veined White
Small White
Large White
Small Heath
Small Tortoiseshell
Peacock
Comma
Orange Tip
Speckled Wood
Brimstone
Small Copper
Clouded Yellow
Swallowtail


Other Records

Rabbit
Hare
Muntjac Deer
American Mink
Stoat
Weasel
Hare
Feral Cat
Red Fox
Black Fox
Common Brown Rat
Black Rat
Water Shrew
Grizzly Bear
Black Bear
Coyote
Grey Squirrel
Golden-Mantled Ground Squirrel
Columbian Ground Squirrel
Red Squirrel
Least Chipmonk
Deer Mouse
Wood Mouse
Door Mouse
Field Mouse
Common Shrew
Woodland Caribou
Mule Deer
White Tailed Deer
Elk
Mountain Goat
Beaver
Otter
Hoary Marmot
Common Raccoon
Garter Snake
Grass Snake
Cuypu
Pika

My Brandon List

This is a List of species I have logged at Brandon Marsh since joining the conservation team in December 2008.
For more information about Brandon Marsh, click here.

Total Bird Species: December 18th 2008 to January 1st 2011 - 135

Bird Species

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis
Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus
Cormorant (Great) Phalacrocorax carbo
Bittern Botaurus stellaris
Great White Egret Egretta alba
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea
Mute Swan Cygnus olor
Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus
White Fronted Goose Anser albifrons
Pink Footed Goose Anser brachyrhynchus
Greylag Goose Anser anser
Canada Goose Branta canadensis
Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis
Shelduck Tadorna tadorna
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos
Gadwall Anas strepera
Shoveler Anas clypeata
Wigeon Anas penelope
Teal Anas crecca
Green Winged Teal Anas carolinensis
Pintail Anas acuta
Pochard Aythya ferina
Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula
Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis
Cape Shelduck Tadorna cana
Goldeneye Bucephala clangula
Mandarin Duck Aix galericulata
Goosander Mergus merganser
Osprey Pandion haliaetus
Red Kite Milvus milvus
Buzzard Buteo buteo
Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus
Kestrel Falco tinnuncullus
Hobby Falcon subutteo
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus
Grey Partridge Perdix perdix
Red Legged Partridge Alectoris rufa
Pheasant Phasianus colchicus
Water Rail Rallus aquaticus
Moorhen Gallinula chloropus
Coot Fulica atra
Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus
Avocet Reccurvirostra avosetta
Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula
Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius
Lapwing (Northern) Vanellus vanellus
Dunlin Calidris Alpina
Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus
Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos
Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola
Common Redshank Tringa erythropus
Greenshank Tringa nebularia
Black-Tailed Godwit Limosa limosa
Whimbrel
Curlew Numenius arquata
Woodcock Scolopax rusticola
Snipe Gallinago gallinago
Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus
Black-Headed Gull Larus ridibundas
Common Gull Larus canus
Herring Gull Larus argentatus
Yellow-Legged Gull Larus cachinnans
Lesser Black-Backed Gull Larus fuscus
Great Black-Backed Gull Laris marinas
Common Tern Sterna hirundo
Stock Dove Columba oenas
Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus
Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto
Cuckoo Cuculus canorus
Long-Eared Owl Asio otus
Short-Eared Owl Asio flammcus
Tawny Owl Strix aluco
Barn Owl Tyto alba
Little Owl Athene noctua
Swift Apus apus
Kingfisher Alcedo atthis
Green Woodpecker Picus viridis
Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos minor
Sky Lark Alauda arvensis
Sand Martin Tringa stagnatilis
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
House Martin Delichon urbica
Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis
Pied Wagtail/White Motacilla alba
Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava (**Includes 1 x Blue Headed European species)
Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea
Wren Troglodytes Troglodytes
Dunnock Prunella modularis
Robin Erithacus rubecula
Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe
Stonechat Saxicola rubicola
Whinchat Saxicola rubetra
Song Thrush Turdus philomelos
Redwing Turdus iliacus
Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus
Fieldfare Turdus pilaris
Blackbird Turdus merula
Garden Warbler Sylvis borin
Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla
Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca
Whitethroat Sylvia communis
Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus
Grasshopper Warbler Locustella naevia
Cetti's Warbler Cettia cetti
Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus
Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus
Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita
Goldcrest Regulus regulus
Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata
Great Tit Parus major
Coal Tit Parus ater
Blue Tit Parus caeruleus
Willow Tit Parus montanus
Marsh Tit Poecile palustris
Long-Tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus
Nuthatch Sitta europaea
Treecreeper Certhia familiaris
Magpie Pica pica
Jay Garrulus glandarius
Jackdaw Corvus monedula
Rook Corvus frugilegus
Carrion Crow Corvus corone corone
Raven Corvus corax
Starling Sturnus vulgaris
Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs
Brambling Fringilla montifringilla
Linnet Carduelis cannabina
Redpoll (Lesser) Carduelis cabaret
Goldfinch Carduelis carduilis
Greenfinch Carduelis chloris
Siskin Carduelis spinus
Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula
Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus
Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella

Exotica (Hybrids or Escapees)

Cape Shelduck
Pochard/Lesser Scaup
New Zealand Scaup



Butterfly Species - 22
Large Skipper
Small Skipper
Painted Lady
Red Admiral
White Admiral
Common Blue
Holly Blue
Marbled White
Meadow Brown
Ringlet
Green Veined White
Small White
Large White
Small Heath
Small Tortoiseshell
Peacock
Comma
Orange Tip
Speckled Wood
Brimstone
Small Copper
Brown Argus



Other Records

Grey Squirrel
Muntjac
Rabbit
Fox
Hare
Water Shrew
Field Vole
Wood Mouse
Grass Snake
Common Brown Rat
Mink
Stoat
Common Toad
Smooth Newt
Great Crested Newt
Common Frog

Sunday, February 01, 2009

Holland Trip October 09

Below is a complete list of birds observed during my stay in Holland October 16th - 20th 2009 - 92 Species seen, 5 new Lifers!

Great Crested Grebe
Little Grebe
Cormorant
Grey Heron
Mute Swan
Greylag Goose
Barnacle Goose
Brent Goose
Ross Goose (Lifer)
Egyptian Goose
Shelduck
Wigeon
Mallard
Gadwall
Shoveler
Pintail
Teal
Green Winged Teal
Pochard
Tufted Duck
Goldeneye
Eider
Common Buzzard
Kestrel
Sparrowhawk
Peregrine
Hen Harrier
Pheasant
Partridge
Moorhen
Coot
Avocet
Oystercatcher
Ringed Plover
Sanderling
Dunlin
Knot
Turnstone
Redshank
Greenshank
Ruff
Bar Tailed Godwit
Golden Plover
Grey Plover
Caspian Plover (Lifer)
American Golden Plover (Lifer)

Lapwing
Curlew
Common Snipe
Black Headed Gull
Common Gull
Yellow Legged Gull
Herring Gull
Lesser Black Backed Gull
Great Black Backed Gull
Common Tern
Collard Dove
Wood Pigeon
Skylark
Shore Lark
Meadow Pipit
Rock Pipit
Grey Wagtail
Dunnock
Wren
Robin
Fieldfare
Redwing
Blackbird
Song Thrush
Goldcrest
Firecrest (Lifer)
Bearded Tit
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Long Tailed Tit
Crested Tit (Lifer)
Coal Tit
Tree Creeper
Nuthatch
Great Grey Shrike
Starling
Jay
Magpie
Jackdaw
Common Crow
Raven
Tree Sparrow
Greenfinch
Chaffinch
Reed Bunting
Snow Bunting