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| Gloomy start to the day weatherwise |
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| Good job were not here for the weather! |
Diary Update #4 Birding Spain
At dusk last night Dee and I sat out on the terrace for a few beers and to listen out for anything of interest. It's a shame I'm not into moths a little more, something I've been considering getting more involved in but haven't really progressed yet, as there were several attractive species to be found around the porch lights.
Nightingales, which sing well into the night were still going, we think at least three in total and It wasn't long before at least two Tawny Owls began calling. Shortly after a Scops Owl, which calls each night began but the bonus was a churring Nightjar! Which could be heard, sadly at some distance, for the whole hour or so we were out. A few Bats too, probably Pipistrelle before we called it a night, it gets quite chilly here at the moment after sunset.
Today (Saturday) the weather has deteriorated a little more with low cloud and drizzle and a very chilly 10C! My morning walk had the usual selection of species with Nuthatch, Golden Oriole, Nightingale, Firecrest, Chaffinch, Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Cirl Bunting singing from his usual tree.
Birding Spain - Cap de Creus
Dee and I decided to revisit Cap de Creus today after last Sundays birding attempt was thwarted by 70/80Km winds. The Cap de Creus forms the most eastern part of the Iberian peninsula as it juts out towards the sea and offers excellent varied habit. The weather today had deteriorated a little with overcast conditions and temperatures varying from 18/20C.
We began the day after a ninety minute drive at Vilajuïga, Red Kite on route and just after passing through the village stopped for a while to investigate the olive groves and bushy areas. Sardinian Warbler and Nightingale were the first species of note but a walk further into cover revealed Orphean Warbler, found by a song I've now managed to memorise. Distant Golden Oriole singing and Common Swift, House Martin and Barn Swallow constantly overhead.
A second stop instantly revealed a Woodchat Shrike, which came up off the ground into a nearby oak. A calling Wryneck had us searching for a little while before we finally connected, but then disappeared into the undergrowth. While we were trying to relocate a couple of Spotted Flycatchers entertained us, along with Greenfinch, Goldfinch and Serin. Corn Buntings seemed to be everywhere!
Further up the valley the landscape becomes more open with rockier terrain and more bushes. A ruined house was home to a pair of Stonechat and here too, House Sparrow and Sardinian Warbler. Hoopoe could be heard calling and after a short while one revealed itself as it flew through. Our second ♂Rufous-Tailed Rock Thrush of the holiday was perched up on a distant rock formation and a Thekla Lark was found not far away, revealed by the song. Another search of the terrain produced Tawny Pipit and Linnet. Having already visited and recorded Peregrine, Black Redstart and Common Redstart on Sundays visit we bypassed the Benedictine monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes, although its well worth a visit if your ever in the area. Get high enough and Alpine Swift are a certainty.
After lunch in Cadaqués we made the final ascent up to the light house at Cap de Creus, stopping on route in known areas for Spectacled Warbler, but not today. Having been surprised at how busy the whole area had been with cyclists, ramblers and sightseers, it came as no shock to find the lighthouse mobbed! Still the intrepid two completed a walk out to the headland for a sea-watch. Yellow-legged Gull, Crag Martin and only a few distant and indistinguishable Shearwater Sp. to be found on a quiet sea. However, we did manage our first Blue Rock Thrush of the visit. A few butterflies while enjoying the scenery included Painted Lady, Scarce Swallowtail and Swallowtail. While enjoying a Café con leche, or beer if your not driving at the lighthouse hostelry two Pallid Swift were among the stream of Common Swift overhead.
A real mystery as to why no raptors were noted today but on route home a White Stork was circling over the town of Figueres, almost causing me to ram the car in front!
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| Dee managed to snap this Nightingale, for once out in the open! |
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| Woodchat Shrike - Quite common to the area with at least a half dozen seen today! |
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| Corn Buntings in abundance |
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| Blue Rock Thrush at Cap de Creus |
A real mystery as to why no raptors were noted today but on route home a White Stork was circling over the town of Figueres, almost causing me to ram the car in front!
A few of the wife images of the day!
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| Swallowtail |
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| Stonechat |
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| Wall Brown |
Birding Spain - The Pyrenees
Dave, who's now joined us from his home in Mijas near Malaga, Dee and I managed to meet up with Steve West from Birding Spain on Tuesday for a day out exploring the Pyrenees.
Setting out from Solsona, around 100Km or so south from the Andorran border we made our way up into the Parc Natural del Cadí-Moixeró.
The Cadí and Moixeró which are connected by the Tancalaporta pass, form an imposing mountainous barrier in the Pre-Pyrenees. They extend 30 km from west to east and offer stunning scenery, not to mention equally as stunning birding. The geography offers a variety of landscapes, such as those of foothill, alpine and sub-alpine areas, as well as rocky environments with their characteristic rich vegetation and fauna. Just outside Solsona on the road up we stopped for while to investigate, encountering Corn Bunting, Wood Lark, Northern Wheatear, Western Bonelli's Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Rock Bunting, Red-legged Partridge and Stonechat, a Roe Deer shot across the road before disappearing into the undergrowth.
As we continued our ascent another stop to check out a few soaring raptors produced a displaying Goshawk and while here the calls of a Wryneck which, after a few short attempts we never quite managed to connect with. One of the target species for the day had to be Lammergeier and it wasn't long before we'd nailed it! In fact it took us so much by surprise I hadn't even set the camera. The lower alpine slopes produced Crested Tit, Firecrest, Common Crossbill and Short-toed Treecreeper, before more raptors included Black Kite and Griffon Vulture.
Prior to lunch at Gosol we passed through the ski resort of El Port de Cante and shortly after came across a small group of Citril Finch, normally quite accommodating but today a little shy! Although I did manage a photo when one dropped onto the roadside. Dave came up trumps a short while later when he spotted a pair of Rock Thrush on the overhead wires, I think Steve was pretty impressed with that from a non birder, but he has been well trained! We stayed for a while to enjoy the thrush's and while here Common Redstart, Black Redstart and Subalpine Warbler. A real surprise came when checking out more soaring raptors, as an Eleanora's Falcon passed through, obviously on passage in these parts and a species I last observed in Majorca a few years back.
After lunch we made our final ascent to Mirador de Coll de Port, at 1,650 meters our highest point. Red-Billed Chough were a feature as we progressed and at the Mirador the slightest chance of Wallcreeper, but sadly not today! Notwithstanding, Alpine Chough were a treat and while enjoying the breath-taking views at least two Cuckoo could be heard in the woodland below. From here it was downhill, pausing to observe Booted Eagle and Short-toad Eagle, plus some great views of Orphean Warbler. The final species for the day were several Alpine Swift as we continued our descent back to Solsona!! A really terrific days birding and great to catch up with Steve.
More record images of the day:
Although primarily for the birding a number of butterflies were encountered and the ones I managed to ID included: Scarce Swallowtail, Cleopatra and Brimstone. Mammals: Roe Deer and Fox
A full birding day list follows:
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| Heading up! |
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| Record shot of Lammergeier - In fact I hadn't even set the camera! |
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| Citril Finch - This one in the road |
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Orphean Warbler - One of three encountered today!
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More record images of the day:
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| Short-toed Eagle |
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| (Rufous-Tailed) ♂Rock Thrush |
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| (Rufous-Tailed) ♀Rock Thrush |
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| Dee's photo of Orphean Warbler |
A full birding day list follows:
Diary Update #3 Birding Spain
Our first few days have been spent sightseeing, a nice visit to the coast Sunday, albeit blowing a gale and a day out in Barcelona today in glorious sunshine. So most of our birding thus far has been mainly around the villa in the early morning and late evening. Thankfully the weather has improved immensely with a nice 22C today but the nights chill down to around 5C, so I'm glad we brought some warm cloths.
I heard the Golden Oriole calling once again this morning, although lower down the valley, Nightingales are singing well, particularly at dusk and a couple of Cirl Buntings are very vocal from time to time. A nice find on Sunday was a ♀Subalpine Warbler, in fact I'm almost certain there's a pair around the grounds, with a brief glimpse of what I believe may have been the male today. After dark the unmistakable call of a Scops Owl, something that requires a little investigation as I'm certain he's pretty close by!
Several Firecrests around the grounds are a real treat and have even obliged for the camera. There's a constant flow of Common Swift overhead but I'm still trying to pick out my first Alpine! Booted Eagle and Honey Buzzard have drifted over while we've been out on the terrace, along with several Raven. Additions to the villa list this evening have been Serin and Great Spotted Woodpecker.
With the warmth a number of butterflies have been on the wing and the most popular thus far has been the Provencal Fritillary with a couple of Brimstone around too.
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| Subalpine Warbler - A nice find! |
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| An obliging Firecrest! |
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| A dozen or so Provencal Fritillary around the grounds! |
Diary Update #2 Birding Spain
Woke up to a stunning, if not freezing morning at the villa, with almost cloudless skies and a dawn chorus to die for! The morning mist was shrouding the valley's below and the sun just creeping from behind the mountains.
A couple of Nightingales singing just below the villa as I set off around the grounds and then the stunning calls of a Golden Oriole. Try as I might I simply couldn't get any decent views of these shy and mobile birds, save for a brief glance as it flew to its next hideout. The surrounding conifers are providing excellent cover but patience paid off when I managed Crested Tit (2) Firecrest and a noisy Nuthatch (several seen) appeared before perching on the telegraph pole for a while. Quick views of a Treecreeper, which at this point will have to remain as Eurasian, with Short-toad Treecreeper also residing in this area I'm listening out for the calls for a more positive ID.
A Cirl Bunting was singing from what I've now decided is his favourite spot, having come across him yesterday evening. Two Ravens over as I made my way in for a coffee, at least a dozen Bee-eaters calling as they passed through and a constant stream of Common Swift, even at this early hour. Wren, Chaffinch and Jay around the patio and distant sounds of drumming Woodpeckers. Looking forward to a day at the coast later!
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| Nuthatch reveals himself! |
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| Cirl Bunting in his favourite perch! |
Diary Update #1 Birding Spain
We finally arrived in our villa near Albucies, Catalonia mid afternoon after a painless flight from Birmingham airport, that's UK not Alabama!! Unfortunately this was followed but an absolute nightmare with Avis car rental at Barcelona airport. Without going into the finer details ninety minutes to get the keys was a disgrace and despite an upgrade never again!
Anyway here we are and after a torrential downpour this afternoon with temperatures struggling into double figures, we're all stocked up on food and drink, log fire burning and ready for the next couple of weeks. The weather is thankfully set to improve from here on so bring on the birding.
Managed to do a little exploring late afternoon around the villa grounds and it would seem that Cirl Buntings are plentiful in the area, constantly calling and showing occasionally. Every so often 10/20 Common Swift will fly through the valley and Common Crossbill can be heard in the nearby conifers. A couple of distant unidentified large raptors circling over the mountains, plus Serin, Nuthatch, Cuckoo calling, Chaffinch and Firecrest, even a fly by Turtle Dove is a nice start to the holiday.
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| Cracking views but I'm not sure a swim is in order! |
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| Our home for the next fortnight! |
Diary Update #40
A bit of a fragmented week birding wise, with not as much time as normal spent out in the field. On Tuesday an early visit to Napton Reservoir produced my first local Whinchat of the year, along with Common Sandpiper, Yellow Wagtail, (3) Sedge Warbler, at least (3) Lesser Whitethroat, White Wagtail and single Snipe.
Later on in the morning a visit to Brandon Marsh, mostly searching around the peripheral of the reserve. Nothing new of note but the little time I spent in the hides produced: (2) Common Terns, (2) Common Sandpiper, (3) Little-ringed Plover, White Wagtail, (4) Oystercatcher and (3) Redshank.
Today at Brandon Marsh my first Hobby of the year flew through the 'Tip' area while a few of us were bashing some invasive birch! A couple of Cuckoo calling and a Mistle Thrush singing for most of the morning produced the quintessential British countryside, a sound to behold. All we needed was some summer sunshine, not a freezing cold northerly!!
I can finally reveal that the Brandon Marsh Report 2015 is out from the printers and something that Jim Rushforth and I can be proud of as editors. Available from the Brandon Volunteers or at the Nature Centre, priced at £6 this year, which is in fact cost price!
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| Sedge Warbler - Napton Reservoir |
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| ♀ Blackcap - Napton Reservoir |
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| Brandon Marsh 2015 Report Available NOW! |
Diary Update #39
A quick diary update after my trip to Summer Leys this morning.
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| A couple of Yellow Wagtails at Napton Reservoir this afternoon! |
Summer Leys NR
I decided to begin the new birding week with a visit to summer Leys NR in Northamptonshire. Strangely enough only a 35 mile drive from the marina but a reserve I've never visited before!
I arrived shortly after 9 O'clock and having just missed a heavy downpour I decided to begin my visit in the comfort of the Pioneer Hide. On approach the noise from the Black-headed Gull population told me straight away that this was a nesting colony and so it turned out! Swallow, House Martin and Sand Martin low over the pools but it wasn't long before I picked up a Wood Sandpiper over on the wader scrape. A couple of Whimbrel next, which were across on the grassland over towards the disused railway line. Two year ticks already, followed almost immediately by a third, when a Greenshank was noted asleep, once again on the far side. At least a half dozen Common Tern, single Oystercatcher, two Redshank and three Little-ringed Plover before moving on. My fourth year first happened almost immediately upon leaving the hide, when four Swift flew overhead, a great start to my visit.
Moving on I took an anticlockwise route heading off towards the Paul Britten Hide. The thick hedgerow along the paths provide good habitat and by the time I'd arrived at the hide for a coffee, which offers an elevated view of the reserve, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest and Greenfinch had all been noted in song. From the hide a better view of the Wood Sandpiper but before I could get the customary record shot it took flight, almost a display flight actually, calling and dipping as it flew off! In fact I noted it several times more during the morning.
After leaving the hide I was extremely lucky as I emerged almost adjacent to a field which, according to a new report, had a Whinchat showing. Scanning the field in question, which I believe was on Mary's Lane, it wasn't long before I had decent scope views of the bird. Which was flying from posts onto higher fencing which overlooked a further pool, a fifth year tick! While here a ploughed area of the field held three stunning Yellowhammer, almost like canaries in the stark contrast of the dark soil. A little further on I paused for a time at the feeders and while here scoped the pools, recording a couple of late stayers, with both Wigeon and drake Goldeneye.
The remainder of the 2 mile circuit yielded of note: Red Kite, Sparrowhawk, (2) Buzzard, (2) Green Woodpecker, (3) Sedge Warbler, (2) Cetti's Warbler and several more Swift and Common Tern. An excellent reserve and one which I will certainly visit more often!
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| Summer Leys NR, Northamptonshire |
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| Sedge Warbler - Very few photos opportunities during my visit! |
After leaving the hide I was extremely lucky as I emerged almost adjacent to a field which, according to a new report, had a Whinchat showing. Scanning the field in question, which I believe was on Mary's Lane, it wasn't long before I had decent scope views of the bird. Which was flying from posts onto higher fencing which overlooked a further pool, a fifth year tick! While here a ploughed area of the field held three stunning Yellowhammer, almost like canaries in the stark contrast of the dark soil. A little further on I paused for a time at the feeders and while here scoped the pools, recording a couple of late stayers, with both Wigeon and drake Goldeneye.
The remainder of the 2 mile circuit yielded of note: Red Kite, Sparrowhawk, (2) Buzzard, (2) Green Woodpecker, (3) Sedge Warbler, (2) Cetti's Warbler and several more Swift and Common Tern. An excellent reserve and one which I will certainly visit more often!
Diary Update #38
A story of Wagtails a Napton Reservoir this morning with Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail and Yellow Wagtail all recorded. Lots of Hirundines over the water with at least 30+ House Martins among the many Swallow and Sand Martins. Lesser Whitethroat singing from the sheep field hawthorn and a brace of Sedge Warbler in the reed bed.
Brandon Marsh next and here yesterdays Wood Warbler was still on site, singing and showing occasionally in Horsetail Glade. The pools were generally quiet with (4) Oystercatcher, (4) Redshank, (2) Little-ringed Plover and (2) Common Terns the best of note. Brief visits to Ted Jury and Carlton Hide produced Cuckoo & Willow Tit, with the remainder of the reserve yielding the usual Warblers, this time with the addition of (2) Common Whitethroats and (2) Reed Warblers, which are now arriving but it would seem not in any great numbers.
An attempt at connecting with a reported ♀Redstart on the 'Tip' area in the afternoon proved fruitless, but did throw up a rather interesting warbler, watched for a short period and which brought up visions of a Dusky Warbler, but I'm not for one minute suggesting it was!!
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| Grey Wagtail at Napton Reservoir |
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| Yellow Wagtail at Napton Reservoir |
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