Diary Update #27 2017

☁ Saturday 29th April 2017 ~

Wood Sandpiper ~ Fred Stokes

Nothing new at Brandon Marsh this morning, that is until I decided to go walk about from East Marsh Hide!

A phone call from Fred Stokes had me scurrying back a short time later but alas it was too late for the bird of the day: A Wood Sandpiper, which unfortunately didn't hang around long enough for me 😡



⛅  Sunday 30th April 2017 ~ Dee fancied a day out and decided that I should perhaps take her to Summer Leys Nature Reserve, a reserve she'd not visited before! Well of course I couldn't refuse, having had a good day there on Friday.

Whimbrel ~ Two of three seen today!

First stop on arrival was the Pioneer Hide and it wasn't long before a single Black Tern was found, most likely the same bird as Friday's. Lots of Common Terns but not an Arctic to be found among them today. A Cuckoo was calling at distance while here. We ventured around to the Paul Britten Hide and just as were about to enter the call of Whimbrel alerted us to three birds in flight, two of which dropped down just in front of the viewing screen!

Two Greenshank on the West Bank

A search of the fields on the opposite side of the road failed to produce a reported Whinchat, but the blustery conditions likely didn't help! While searching here the first of two Hobby's for the visit.

Possibly the third Whimbrel of the day!

After investigating Wollaston Lock on the River Nene we made our way back around to the car park along the disused railway line. A few stops on route to check out the banks produced two Greenshank, single Whimbrel, Little-ringed Plover, Oystercatcher and Redshank! Three Lesser Whitethroat today along with two Garden Warbler various numbers of Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Sedge Warbler and Blackcap to add to the many Hirundines!

Dee practicing flight shots on the Lumix FZ1000 ~ Kestrel

Lovely Brimstone photo from Dee today!

Diary Update #26 2017

⛅ ☔  Thursday 27th April 2017 ~ Brandon Marsh continues to frustrate, in more ways than one, with little movement on the birding front. That said there were a few highlights today which included my first Hobby of the year from the Carlton Hide (later on Farm Field) and a Grasshopper Warbler, which showed beautifully but for an all to brief period!

⛅  Friday 28th April 2017 ~ I had planned my usual visit to Brandon Marsh today but instead decided on a change, heading off to Summer Leys Nature Reserve in Northamptonshire. There came a point when I regretted my decision, having took nearly two hours (normally 40mins) to get there due to a motorway closure but I'm glade I persevered!

My first stop was the Pioneer Hide and it wasn't long before I was scanning thirty or so terns, mostly Common but eventually picking out two Arctic Terns before a single Black Tern took my eye. I was chatting away to a nice lady called Sue about the terns when a commotion to the right caught our attention, a group of Black-headed Gulls mobbing a Bittern. The bird circled twice before dropping down into the reeds at the scrape area. A delighted Sue and I said I'd give her a mention ✋ to my reader! Several Little Egret to be found today and a brief view of a Great White Egret in flight over towards the Paul Britten Hide was an added bonus.

Bullfinch at the feeders ~ Not too many photo opportunities today!

Several Swifts also today along with the many mixed Hirundines as I made my way around to the Paul Britten Hide, which has better views of the wader scrape. The usual warblers on route but sadly not a great selection of waders with just (4) Redshank and a single Common Sandpiper noted. A nice Male Yellow Wagtail also dropped in for a short while. Further along the track a Hobby, (2) Red Kite and (4) Common Buzzard enjoying a thermal, with excellent views of a couple of Hobby low over the water from the viewing screen a short while later. The feeders at the Charles Towler Hide offered an opportunity for a male Bullfinch photograph before I headed off to complete the circuit.

Record shot of my 1st Garden Warbler of the year!

Just before completing the circuit and reaching the car park my first Garden Warbler of the year, heard and seen! Denis Woodward was now in the hide and so we met up in the car park and he and I tracked back for the Garden Warbler, which showed extremely well, long enough in fact for a photo! We departed a little after 2.30pm with the two Hobby and single Black Tern still showing well, a very enjoyable visit!

Diary Update #25 2017

⛅ ☔ Monday 24th April 2017 ~ With the Wildlife Trust's minibus becoming less available to the team we reverted back to the old ways for the Brandon Marsh Volunteer 'Away-Days' and packed everyone in to three separate cars, our first stop Paxton Pits Nature Reserve Cambridgeshire. Two Red Kites on route and the traffic remarkably good for the journey.

Nightingale ~ Paxton Pits

Target bird for this particular site was the Nightingale and within a half hour of arriving we stood in awe watching one of these normally secretive birds perched high in the hawthorn singing his heart out! While enjoying this spectacle a Lesser Whitethroat, another secretive and hard to find species was also entertaining us nearby with his distinct song and although not as accommodating as the Nightingale offered the odd glimpse. We took a circular route around the Heronry Lakes, passing for a short while along the River Ouse. The lakes currently have a large nesting colony of Cormorant and an impressive count of 24 Common Terns was also recorded, along with the usual warblers and Hirundines. At least two Cuckoo and a second Nightingale before heading off.

Record shot of Stone Curlew ~ Cavernham Heath

From here on to Cavernham Heath National Nature Reserve, a stunning SSSI habitat of heathland and woodland near the village of Tuddenham in Suffolk. More target species here, this time Woodlark and Stone Curlew.

Wood Lark ~ One of several today at Cavernham Heath

After parking up we walked the track that runs up as far as the River Lark. It's not long before your scanning for Stone Curlew and listening for Woodlark and while doing so we picked up other species including Grey Partridge, Red-legged Partridge and many Skylark.

Woodlark

However, todays target species were found  in the same locality as each other and we enjoyed lunch while watching Stone Curlew and listening to singing Woodlarks, both offering some excellent views. Wheatear, Yellowhammer and at least a half dozen Stonechat by the time we returned to the car and on to RSPB Lakenheath Fen. Well I say WE on to Lakenheath but only in my car with Alan, Geoff and Kevin, the other lightweights heading off home 😉

Boeing V22 Osprey ~ Indulging my 2nd passion!

Lakenheath was actually quite chilly with the predicted cold front moving in, a strong breeze had also developed and we had to brave the odd downpour. It was worth the effort though recording two pairs of Marsh Harrier, more Cuckoo's and a single Glossy Ibis.  Waders included: Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Oystercatcher and Bittern were heard booming on two occasions!

Diary Update #4 Spain 2017

🔆 Monday 17th April 2017 🇪🇸  ~ The last day of our short break and a visit to Laguna de Fuente de Piedra, a vast saline lake almost 7 kms in length and 2.5 kms in width. The lake, together with the areas of scrub, marsh and reedbeds that immediately surround it, has been given the status of Reserva Natural and has been fenced off to prevent human interference. That said there's a modern visitors centre with viewing gallery and plenty to explore, along with a couple of hides to investigate.

A baron Laguna Dulce ~ Another disastrous loss of habitat!

Firstly though a stop off on route at Laguna Dulce a short distance away, which produced a real shock! Normally a great place to see summer plumage Black-necked Grebes, a variety of wildfowl and numerous waders and warblers, it had been completely drained. According to the Andalusian Birding Society this is apparently due to illegal extraction of water by local agriculture, which I'm told resulted in no punishment or action taken against those responsible. Yet another disaster for the area and when you consider what's going on in Malta and Cyprus, it just gets more depressing!!

Gulled-billed Terns were in double figures today!

Feeling a little deflated we arrived at Piedra a short while later and thankfully spirits were immediately lifted. Although not as full as I've seen it in previous years there was enough water to make the visit viable. As we drove to the parking area several Gull-billed Terns dropping down to feed over the water and a good selection of waders included: Little-ringed, Ringed and Kentish Plover, Ruff, Common, Green and Wood Sandpiper, Little Stint and Black-winged Stilt. Across the roadside two small raptors on the wires were Lesser Kestrel, a Common Kestrel also perched nearby giving an excellent identity comparison.

Wood Sandpiper

A walk across the boardwalk of the smaller lagoons held very little water but a single White Wagtail and Wood Sandpiper were noted, on the nearby fencing a Woodchat Shrike and a single Marsh Harrier at distance.

One of three Juvenile Stonechat

Around the mirador we came across a family of Stonechat and watched them occasionally being fed by the parents. A Little Owl flew into a nearby tree from his hidden rocky perch and then proceeded to fly back again just as I approached, camera in hand! A walk south along the perimeter track that runs parallel to the main laguna was very quiet, save for the many House Sparrows which seem to have thrived here and a singing Crested Lark. The hundreds of Greater Flamingo, the speciality here, could be seen across the main laguna shimmering in the sunlight!

Singing Crested Lark

Just prior to arriving at the Lagunetta hides a large raptor overhead turned out to be a stunning Montagu's Harrier, which circled for a while before moving on. Plenty of water from the hide viewing area offered little wader potential but the gulls were in their element with Black-headed, Yellow-legged, Lesser Black-backed and Mediterranean Gull all noted. Wildfowl included Pochard, Red-crested Pochard, Shoveler and the odd Gadwall. Dee picked out a summer plumage Black-necked Grebe, single Snipe and Cattle Egret, with Dave contributing also by finding a White Stork nesting on a distant chimney stack across in the town. Only a single Whiskered Tern to be found today, normally there in good numbers.

Back at the Villa on our last night before heading home Turtle Dove, with Scops Owl, Red-necked Nightjar and Tawny Owl all heard while having dinner a great end to an excellent short break.

More images of the day...

One of three Juvenile Stonechat

Greater Flamingo

Species Seen:

Shelduck, Mallard, Gadwall, Shoveler, Pochard, Red-crested Pochard, White-headed Duck, Red-legged Partridge, Black-necked Grebe, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Little Bittern, Night Heron, Cattle Egret, Squacco Heron, Little Egret, Grey Heron, White Stork, Greater Flamingo, Short-toed Eagle, Booted Eagle, Bonelli's Eagle, Black Kite, Marsh Harrier, Montagu's Harrier, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Lesser Kestrel, Peregrine, Moorhen, Coot, Avocet, Black-winged Stilt, Little-ringed Plover, Ringed Plover, Kentish Plover, Grey Plover, Dunlin, Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, Wood Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper,  Redshank, Greenshank, Ruff, Snipe, Black-headed Gull, Slender-billed Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Sandwich Tern, Gull-billed Tern, Whiskered Tern, Rock Dove, Collared Dove, Turtle Dove, Wood Pigeon, Cuckoo, Tawny Owl (h), Little Owl, Scops Owl (h), Red-necked Nightjar, Swift, Pallid Swift, Hoopoe, Bee~eater, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Crested Lark, Short-toed Lark, Barn Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow, House Martin, White Wagtail, Iberian Yellow Wagtail, Robin, Nightingale, Stonechat, Wheatear, Black Wheatear, Blackbird, Blue Rock Thrush, Blackcap, Common Whitethroat, Sardinian Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Cetti's Warbler, Reed Warbler, Great Reed Warbler, Chiffchaff, Pied Flycatcher, Wren, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Crested Tit, Short-toed Treecreeper, Woodchat Shrike, Jay, Jackdaw, Raven, Spotless Starling, Chaffinch, House Sparrow, Linnet, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Serin, Common Crossbill, Corn Bunting, Rock Bunting 

Diary Update #3 Spain 2017

🔆 Sunday 16th April 2017 🇪🇸  ~ Another very early start, this time in search of the illusive Red-necked Nightjars down at Zapata! Well illusive to me anyway as I arrived a few days to late last September to see them. The area in question is actually right on the perimeter of Malaga Airport and begins at the mouth of the Guadalhorce. Since my last visit here the unprecedented winter rains have certainly changed the terrain somewhat and driving off road in the dark here at the best of times is a risk! It was on my second circuit, after checking out the runway light stanchions that I flushed two individuals, which rose from the dirt directly in front of the vehicle lights as I spotted them, leaving a swirl of dust in their wake!! Good enough for a tick but must do better....

Record shot at dawn of my first Cuckoo of the year!

The sky was now brightening to the east so I parked up nearby the ford and managed to make out Black-crowned Night Heron and Squacco Heron standing midstream before they took flight. Several Nightingales in song and both Cattle Egret and Little Egret were beginning to move overhead.

Iberian Yellow Wagtail alongside the ford

A walk along the banks produced numerous Little-ringed Plover, Ringed Plover and Common Sandpiper. A single Greenshank could also be made out over on one of the small shingle banks, a Cetti's Warbler and then my first Cuckoo of the year! At least four Crested Larks, Reed Warbler, Serin and two Iberian Yellow Wagtail.

Sardinian Warbler

I took the track back to the main road along the river past a good area for Short-toed Lark and managed two, which flew overhead calling. A Common Whitethroat, Sardinian Warbler and Sedge Warbler before heading home.

Dave drove down to a bar in Fuengirola in the afternoon to watch his beloved Man Utd and dropped Dee and I off above Mijas, where we headed off into the disused quarry Cantera los Arenales. From here you make a steep climb and can reach up to 3,000ft . There are lots of tracks to explore producing some absolutely stunning views across the Hoya de Malaga. Among the vegetation, repopulated pines predominate, although these are mixed with Holm oaks and other typically Mediterranean shrubs in the areas closer to the summit.

One of two Black Wheatear at Cantera los Arenales

We spent an excellent couple of hours and although the raptor passage was not prolific it was quality with many Booted Eagle along with single Short-toed Eagle, Black Kite and Bonelli's Eagle. The walk produced most of the woodland species you'd expect here including: Pied Flycatcher, Crested Tit, Coal Tit, Jay, Chaffinch but strangely no Firecrest on this visit.

Black Wheatear

Finally a good search of the quarry back at the parking area produced two Black Wheatear, a real speciality here.

Diary Update #2 Spain 2017

🔆 Saturday 15th April 2017 🇪🇸  ~ Having picked up Dave from his delayed flight from Amsterdam at 2am from Malaga it was a sleep in for me this morning! I was still up just after 9am though and on the terrace for coffee and a vis~mig.

Wild Boar at work around the villa grounds....

The sheer amount of Common Swifts passing through at the moment is a sight to behold and in among the steady stream are smaller numbers of House Martin, Barn Swallow and Red-rumped Swallow. I'm hopeful that a few more Pallid Swift will come through while I'm here and an Alpine Swift is always on the cards.

Record shot of Booty Eagle over the villa!

Raptors have been a little thin on the ground but Common Kestrel, Booted Eagle and a Black Kite have all been noted. Bee~eaters are heard more often than seen and at one stage eight Crossbill passed over. In the surrounding scrubland just below the villa Nightingale, Sardinian Warbler, Serin, Jay, calling Red-legged Partridge and a Turtle Dove. The Wild Boar have also been at it again overnight with large swaths of ground dug up within the grounds. Several butterflies around the terrace including Swallowtail, Scarce Swallowtail and Clouded Yellow.

Rock Bunting at the observation area Refugio Juanar

In the afternoon a casual stroll, not particularly birding orientated, in the mountains above Marbella Refugio Juanar with Dee and Dave. At 1200 meters the mountain of La Concha is one of Marbella's most recognisable landmarks. We spent a little time around the olive groves checking out the many butterflies which included Small Heath, Clouded Yellow, Wall and Common Blue. The area is also covered in walnut and pine trees. Birds of note included Short-toed Treecreeper, Green Woodpecker, Nuthatch, Blue Rock Thrush and Rock Bunting.

More images of the day....

Scarce Swallowtail

Clouded Yellow

Diary Update #1 Spain 2017

🔆 Friday 14th April 2017 🇪🇸  ~ Arrived at the mates villa in Mijas around 10:30pm last night local time after an hour delay on the flight from Birmingham with Monarch!

A nice shower, a glass of wine, a bite to eat on the terrace around midnight and It wasn't long before I remembered why I love this place so much! The moon up above the Mediterranean casting a glorious sheen on the water, a Nightingale singing in the scrub below and then to top it all a Red-necked Nightjar calling as it flew through, stopping somewhere close-by and continuing to call.

I was up an hour before sunrise and down at Guadalhorce just in time to be eaten alive by the mosquitos! After parking at the church I took the short walk across to the reserve. First bird, a Great Reed Warbler grating away in the reeds that run alongside the Guadalhorce. I paused at the bridge crossing, making out at least a dozen House Martin in the now improving light, several Grey Heron silhouetted further down the river, plus a Cetti's Warbler calling from below.

Spoonbill on Laguna de la Casilla

From here around to the first hide at Laguna de la Casilla is literally Club-Med for mossies.... Reed Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, a couple of Nightingale in full song and the inevitable Zitting Cisticola (Fantail Warbler). The laguna was reasonably quite to start with, a couple of Pochard and at least twenty Black-winged Stilt, over 100 today in total I reckon with many nests! On to the del Rio Viejo and here four Spoonbills feeding, three Little Egrets and a single Cattle Egret, which flew through. Lots of Common Swift passage, in fact for the whole of my stay today and several Barn Swallows also passing thru'.

Kentish Plover ~ A regular nesting bird at Guadalhorce

Moving on to the Rio Viejo, the Old River, and here a good selection of waders which included: Avocet, Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Redshank, Grey, Little, Ringed and Kentish Plover. On the opposite side of the track a lot of cutting back has taken place, quite severe in places and so it was quite easy to pick out the odd Crested Lark. Amazingly it wasn't until I was almost at the de Aves Marinas sea-watch area that I noticed my first Monk Parakeets, which are normally marauding the reserve in packs as soon as you arrive. Four Sandwich Terns was the best I could pick out in the low harsh sunlight across the water.

Bee-eater ~ In the morning light

I took the beach walk past the restricted nesting areas but the fencing looks like it's took a real battering over the winter and a lot of it is in need of repair. Several Kentish Plover scurrying around, gorgeous looking Wheatear and a couple of Bee~eaters before I re-entered the reserve to the north.

Wheatear ~ Along my beach walk!

My final stop was at the Laguna Grande but with lots of water currently covering the scrapes little chance of seeing any waders at close range. In fact despite most of the reserve getting a spring makeover the vegetation around the hide had not, thus restricting viewing somewhat. The four Spoonbill I'd seen earlier were now roosting here and every so often the Black-winged Stilts were forced into action by Yellow-legged Gulls carrying out reconnaissance on the nesting areas. Three Slender-billed Gulls, two summer plumage Black-necked Grebes out towards the middle and a single Mediterranean Gull were other nice finds.

Guadalhorce a good place to find ~Slender-billed Gull

My final stop was at the Laguna Escondida and here the majority of White-headed Ducks were to be found along with two drake Red-crested Pochards and from the rear of the laguna a Little Bittern in flight. Serin on route back to the car but It wasn't until I arrived back at the church that I spotted my first Red-rumped Swallows, with two overhead.

White-headed Duck ~ A Guadalhorce speciality!

After lunch down in Fuengirola we spent the evening on the terrace watching some excellent visible migration which included: Three Pallid Swift among the many Common passing through, plus Short-toed Eagle, Black Kite, Bee~eaters, Kestrel and I seriously hope that the two Red-rumped Swallows which are now hanging around the villa are not thinking of nesting against the new exterior paintwork!!

More images from today......

A dozen or so Painted Lady!

Red-crested Pochard

Serin

Kentish Plover

Bee~eaters

Diary Update #24

⛅ Thursday 13th April 2017 A text message from Jim Rushforth at Brandon Marsh with news of a Grasshopper Warbler near the golf course first thing! It had me tempted but with a little further packing to complete before this afternoons flight to Spain I gave it a miss!

Common Redstart ~ Napton Reservoir

However, a few hours at Napton Reservoir later in the morning produced at least ten House Martins among the many Hirundines over the water before the cloud dissipated. At the top end of the reeds a year-first✅   Reed Warbler for me chattering away and a very loud Cetti's Warbler! No sight nor sound of the recent Lesser Whitethroat and indeed no sign of Tuesdays Redstart along the fencing, but I did locate probably the same bird in the horse field thru' the 2nd gate. Look towards the right hand end near the single stable if your visiting! Spain here I come ✈️

Diary Update #23

⛅ Tuesday 11th April 2017 ~ Arrived at Brandon Marsh around 8ish and began my tour with a look at the Farm Field and top reedbeds. Quite a pleasant morning with plenty of sunshine but a slight nip to the wind. Nothing new here and coffee in the hide a little later didn't produce any new arrivals on East Marsh Pool: Common Sandpiper, (4) Redshank, (4) Oystercatcher, (5) Little-ringed Plover, Ringed Plover and Snipe! A single Sedge Warbler from the hide and the usual Cetti's Warbler, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler and Blackcap around the reserve.

Smart looking Common Redstart ✅  at the top end of the reedbed in the sheep field!

To be honest I was grateful when a phone call from Richard Mays with a heads up on a Common Redstart at Napton Reservoir came through. I arrived within half an hour, just in time to catch up with Richard and Dave Cox, a Sedge Warbler singing away from the small pool near the car park.

Whats for lunch? ~ An inquisitive Common Redstart 

After an enjoyable banter I headed off to confirm the Redstart sighting 😀  I was onto the bird almost immediately, a smart looking male. Yesterdays Lesser Whitethroat was also very vocal in the same location and so I camped out and enjoyed my lunch while watching both birds, although the LW was extremely illusive. While here a Cetti's Warbler and♀Blackcap. The walk back to the car park produced White Wagtail and Common Sandpiper, when one flew across the reedbed before dropping out of sight!

Diary Update #22

⛅ Friday 7th April 2017 ~ Nuthatch activity in the woodland areas.

Nuthatch in Horsetail Glade, Brandon Marsh

☀ Saturday 8th April 2017 ~ Black-tailed Godwit

Record Shot ~ Black-tailed Godwit on East Marsh Pool

☀ Sunday 9th April 2017 ~ Common Sandpiper ✅  was a new arrival!

Yellow Wagtail ~ difficult to pick among the greenery! 

⛅  Monday 10th April 2017 ~ Since my last post on Thursday 6th I've spent a few hours each day at Brandon March in search of new arrivals. Despite the wind backing to a southerly over the weekend, along with high pressure the anticipated influx never quite came to fruition. Clear skies probably meant that any birds passing through would simply continue on to their breeding grounds. That said a smart looking Black-tailed Godwit dropped onto East Marsh Pool on Saturday morning and Sunday morning produced my first Common Sandpiper of the year, which was still on site today!

One of eleven Swallows at rest at Napton Reservoir today!

Today things did improve with three year-ticks in total: Firstly a single House Martin ✅  overhead as I paused at the Sheepfield Gate to listen for warblers, the second a Yellow Wagtail on East Marsh Pool. At Napton Reservoir a Lesser Whitethroat ✅  ,which was singing quite well at the top end of the reedbed was my third, two days earlier than 2016, when I also had my first Lesser Whitethroat of the year at Napton. Also at the Reservoir: 11 Swallows and although I'm still analysing a distant photograph taken on my Canon SX50 on full zoom, a possible Tree Pipit?

Diary Update #21

⛅  Thursday 6th April 2017 ~ Once I'd arrived at Brandon Marsh this morning I decided to give the work party a miss, basically to give my back a little respite! I took my usual route and managed to hear my first Sedge Warbler of the year singing along the access track near the 'Olive bench'.

Despite many throughout the reserve a rare sighting of a Common Frog!

I spent a while in East Marsh Hide for coffee and then on to Ted jury Hide but nothing new had arrived in overnight! A Muntjac on Wigeon Bank was a nice distraction! With work set on the East Marsh Pool I took the opportunity to spend some time touring the rest of the reserve, finding a small Frog nestled in the Primroses as I passed the Fisherman's Pool. My first walk around the Farm Pool and Top Reedbed early on produced little but after a snack in the centre the day had warmed sufficiently to produce a number of Butterflies!

Orange Tip butterfly on River Meadow!

At the Horsetail Glade bench a couple of Orange Tip, my first for the year, plus Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock. Down on River Meadow, a nice sun-trap along the blossom held four more Orange Tip and a further two Small Tortoiseshell.

White Wagtail ~ Napton Reservoir

A stop at Napton Reservoir on route home produced of note single Snipe and Cetti's Warbler, which showed well but briefly, Raven over and a White Wagtail, my first local one this year!