Farlington Marshes

Wednesday 21 January 

Left my visit till 10 this morning as the forecast suggested dry and cloudy.  It may have been when I left home but a few spots of rain upon arriving so over-trousers on and well wrapped up against the strong, cold wind when I set off.  No sooner through the gate than the first drops started to fall.  Lots of Brent Geese on the mud flats which were quickly succumbing to the incoming tide.  Indeed, many Pintail as well along with a few Shelduck and Teal.  Not too many gulls about and almost all Black-headed save for a couple of Herring Gulls.  Also on the shore a couple of Curlew and a distant Great Black-backed Gull.

Off down to the lake and its viewing point which in the gloom presented many more Teal and Pintail along with the resting Wigeon.  Rather than face the open exposure to the elements, I retraced my steps to take the track across the meadow alongside the river where I came across more Shelduck, Brent Geese and a Mute Swan on the open water. A couple of Moorhen and a tight flock of about fifty Coot made a dash from grass to water as I approached.

A long rest in the shelter of the old barn and a chance to use the scope from the drier back of the building.  Lots of Canada and Brent Geese on the Hay Field but, eventually, up and on along the main track up towards the sea wall.  Brent Geese and many Mallards in the fields each side of the track and in front of me as I approach the main gate of the right a departing Little Egret and a Kestrel had just landed in the tree further ahead.  Also noticeable the number of Moorhens that seemed to appear out of nowhere as I made my way along the main track.  Nearer the top I stopped under the shelter of the trees to scope the main marsh which held scores of both Brent and Canada Geese but also a good number of both Lapwing and Starling.

Should I carry on up along the sea wall.  The mater was finally settled when, at last, I found one of the visiting White-fronted Geese in amongst the geese, Lapwings and Starlings.  Good enough for me as I made my back to try and remove as many wet layers as well as boots before driving back to Warsash. Obviously no photographs taken as the camera stayed safely inside the rucksack, so the following is a previous shot of a White-fronted Goose.

White-fronted Geese Anser albifrons

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Cabo de Gata & Rambla Morales with the Arboleas Birding Group

Wednesday 21 January

Well what a day the Arboleas Birding Group had at may favourite Almerian site with all those lovely Trumpeter Finches along with Iberian Grey Shrike.  Great new and I trust at least one will be around when I visit on 20 February!  A bit windy you say, so be pleased with yourselves as not only cold but wet and very windy back in the UK when I made my, to be abandoned, visit to Farlington Marshes, near Portsmouth this morning.  Finally gave up and returned  home - but not before catching up with the visiting White-fronted Goose.  Perhaps I'll try again at the weekend when the weather promises to be a little better with some warmth (all very relative when compared with you out in Spain)

Cabo de Gata & Rambla Morales: Wednesday 21st January

A cool, chilly day.  Bit windy, but clear blue skies.  I picked up Nigel in the truck and headed south on the A7/E15.  Near Sorbas the northbound was closed with a major lorry accident. I made our way to the first hide only seeing some Collared Doves as we passed through Retamar Sur.  The water level was quite high.  We scanned the salina in front of the hide.  Greater Flamingo, 5 Spoonbill on the rocky causeway, Black-winged Stilt, Mallard and Little Egret.  Nigel spotted a Redshank and Slender-billed Gull whilst I added Black-tailed Godwits.  We were joined by Trevor and Kevin.  Kevin soon picked out Dunlin and Greenshank.  Trevor found an Iberian Grey Shrike on the power line behind us.  Kevin had already seen Jackdaw, House Sparrow and Spotless Starling.  A Yellow-legged Gull flew by. Numerous Chiffchaff were flitting around the shrubs.

We adjourned for coffee in Cabo village then headed along the beachside track towards Rambla Morales.  I'm very happy to report that all the infrastructure work has finished.  The track had been levelled and laid with compacted gravel so the going was good.  The last 50 metres prior to the parking area reverted to a soft sand layer on top but passable.  There were a few dog walkers around but they didn't seem to faze the small Coot, Moorhen and Sanderling flock at the estuary's end.  I found a Gannet out to sea.   Nigel spotted a Shoveler.  Kevin added a Shelduck.  Also seen were Greater Flamingo, Mallard, Chiffchaff and Stonechat.  A Cetti's Warbler was heard.  Disappointed...was hoping for more!

We drove to the beach opposite the second hide.  I decided I'd forego the walk to the hide and drive slowly along the roadside track to see if I could spot any Dotterel.  The lads headed to the hide and I commenced my slow drive.  I first added a Black Redstart, then a small flock of Greenfinch.  In the next area I spotted more finches on the ground.  At least 15 Trumpeter Finches.  I stopped the truck, rang Nigel with the news and waited some 15 minutes for them to come up behind me.  The Trumpeter Finches were still there but a bit further away.  Seen by all, a lifer for Nigel. 

Trumpter Finches (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

At the second hide they had seen Grey Heron, Little Grebe and heard a Sardinian Warbler.

I carried on to the public hide.  I parked in the usual place.  Recent rains had left a puddle nearby. Trumpeter Finches were arriving in good numbers to drink . Kevin counted at least 35.  Never seen so many at one time.  One was later seen on a photograph with a leg ring.  The observations from the hide were disappointing.  Dunlin, Avocet, Greater Flamingo, Shelduck and Cormorant.  Kevin had visited earlier in the morning and had seen Lesser Black-backed Gull and a pair of Black-necked Grebe.

We ended up with 37 species.  Bit disappointed but seeing all the Trumpeter Finches overshadowed that feeling. 

Trumpter Finches (PHOTO: Nigel white)

Motorway still closed so diverted onto a windy A road! 

Best wishes to Jane, Carole, Peter 1, Seamus and anyone else with this dreaded lurgy! 

Regards

Dave 

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New Forest Birding

Saturday 17 January

Ringed Plovers Charadrius hiaticula (center) with Pintails Anas acuta (left) and many Dunlin Calidris alpina

Out whilst still dark to arrive at Normandy Lagoon on the Solent coast of the New Forest opposite the Isle of Wight south of Lymington before 8. Still cloudy and calm and the sun, at best, trying to make a belated entry but without much success.  But at least dry, only the slightest breeze and not too cold.  Even so, more than pleased to record 43 species during the 1 and 3/4 hours.

Whilst preparing to walk from the lane to the sea wall Blackbird, Dunnock, Blue Tit, Robin, Song Thrush, Woodpigeon, Magpie and Carrion Crow recorded. In the neighbouring fields mixed flocks of (mainly) Canada but also Brent Geese.  Even a lone Heron in the access field plus both Chaffinch and a handful of House Sparrows.

Once on the sea wall lots of Lapwing plus the odd Turnstone and Redshank and then the ducks, mainly Teal but also Shelduck, Gadwall, Pintail, Tufted and Wigeon.  In the distance a few Mallard plus a single Spoonbill and Little Egret along with a couple of Cormorant.  Obviously, not to be missed, the fifteen Avocet.

Avocets Recurvirostra avosetta near top

Once on the outer sea wall thousands of Dunlin to be seen rather than the hundreds from the previous viewpoint.  Not only many resting and feeding but out on the Solent near the exposed "islands" huge murmurations.  There might even have been many Knot but too distant and dull to be sure of their identification.  Also with the Dunlin scores of Ringed Plover, the odd Redshank and nearby Teal, Pintail, Wigeon and a couple of Brent Geese.  A Stonechat was seen n the fence below, first a female than a male, and at the back of the water many Oystercatchers and Black-tailed Godwit.

Pintails (top) plus a pair of Brent Geese Branta bernicla

Across the water on the grassy islands a group of 13 resting Spoonbill and a pair of Great Black-backed Gulls. As I made my way back another Great Back-backed Gull and a Black-headed Gull in the lagoon and then a pair of Mute Swans on Oxey Lake. leaving the lagoon I came across my first Meadow Pipit and as I crossed the meadow a couple of Redwing in the bushes and a Pheasant at the back of the field.  Once at the car a Wren foraging in the ditch opposite.

Ringed Plovers (centre) with Brent Goose (bottom) and Pintails (above left)

before driving on to nearby Pennington Marsh I stopped to check out Acre Pond and found both an Egyptian Goose and a passing Kingfisher.

Rest at last for the Kingfisher Alcedo atthis

Arriving at Pennington Marsh at 9.45 I stopped at the bend in the road in front of the access gate but no sign of the visiting Bean Goose.  Lots of Lapwing and certainly no shortage of both Canada and Brent Geese.  However, also lots of Shoveler plus Teal, Wigeon and Shelduck on the flooded area.  Nearby I also noted Carrion Crows, Magpies and a Robin.

Moving on to the end of the lane to park up I noted a large resting flock of both Oystercatcher and Black-tailed Godwit in the field behind the caravans along with many Canada and Brent Geese. So on down to Fishtail Lagoon noting the many Teal, Shelduck, Mallard and Lapwing on my right.  Around me a number of Blackbirds plus a Song Thrush in the bushes in front.  Both Meadow Pipit and a group of forty resting Curlew seen. Up on the sea wall looking back I could also pick out Coot and a distant Heron.  A Meadow Pipit posed for me as I approached the steps up to said sea wall.

Song Thrush Turdus philomelos

However, at this point I received an urgent phone call to return home as guests had arrived so no chance of adding to my list or completing the usual circuit.  Cutting across the bushy are as the quickest way back I did check one of the larger pools and found a pair of Greylag Geese so a further two species in total to add to the day's total.  And no sooner in the car than the sun came out and the temperature shot up!

Greylag Geese Anser anser

Birds seen:

Greylag Goose, Brent Goose, Canada Goose, Mute Swan. Egyptian Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Pintail, Tufted Duck, Pheasant, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Spoonbill, Coot, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Ringed Plover, Lapwing, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Kingfisher, Meadow Pipit, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Stonechat, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Redwing, Blue Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, House Sparrow, Chaffinch.

Teal Anas crecca (center left) and Dunlin

Pintail and mainly Dunlin

A few score of the thousand plus Dunlin Calidris alpina

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Weston Shore, Southampton

Friday 16 January

Mute Swans Cygnus olor amongst the very many gulls and Carrion Crows on Weston Shore

After more rain following yesterday's but the weather eventually cleared up with a bright, sunny afternoon and mainly clear blue skies and just a light breeze.  Even a temperature of almost double figures so off down to nearby Southampton Water at Weston Shore to see if the Black-throated Diver was still about.  Seen this morning but now, with a low, bright sun facing me, unable to find the bird.

Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus

On the shore with a receding tide numerous Herring and Black-headed Gulls along with a total of 15 Mute Swans.  Also seen a quartet of Curlew and a score of Oystercatchers.  Out in mid-channel a quintet of Great Crested Grebes and all around me, on the beach, in the trees and bushes as well as in the air, so many Carrion Crows.  Also wandering around a dozen or so Rock Doves (Feral Pigeons).

Mute Swans Cygnus olor

Scope away and time for a wander round the woods on the other side of the road.  Climbing a slight incline I came across a Jay on the path and then both Robin and Great Tit in close order.  Lots of Blue Tits about and even a quartet of Goldcrests counted.  As I left the wood a very noisy Nuthatch and a Great Spotted Woodpecker having a good go at a nearby tree.  Making my way back to the car I came across a Blackbird in front of me and a pair of Brent Geese on the water close to shore.

On way back I stopped at Sophie's Pond near  to the entrance to Victoria Park, Netley and came a cross a pair of Mallard and a trio of Moorhen.  Lots of "messing about" on the water behind the trees near the Mallards but unable to positively claim to have seen the Mandarin Duck recorded this morning.

Mute Swan Cygnus olor

Birds seen:

Brent Goose, Mute Swan, Mallard, Great Crested Grebe, Moorhen, Oystercatcher, Curlew, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Robin, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Goldcrest, Nuthatch, Jay, Magpie, carrion Crow, Starling.

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Fishlake Meadows, Romsey

 Wednesday 14 January

A very cold start to the day and with congested traffic on the M27 it took twice as long to reach Fishlake Meadows in Romsey for what was intended to be a short visit.  Not only 0C but very few birds on show and truing to see the water from the canal path was proving very frustrating due to the low-lying mist over the water and meadows.  Just about make out a trio of Mute Swans from the canal path but that was all.

The atmospheric canal at Fishlake Meadows

Upon arriving in the car park both Magpie and Woodpigeon on the grass and then off down the canal path into the reserve proper.  Both a Blackbird and Robin in the nearby trees and no shortage of resting Woodpigeons. s I walked on down more Robin and another Blackbird before coming across the second Magpie of the morning.  

Robin Erithacus rubecula

A Song Thrush was singing from a bush on the other side of the canal and at last sight of the number of singing Blue Tits.  Ere long I was taking the path through the gate on the left down towards the far end and approach to the screens.  As I approached the the next turn a Heron flew across the path in front of me and disappeared into the nearby tall grasses tot the right.  With a deep puddle at the end of the path and only waring trainers, I decided to turn round and retrace my steps back towards the car park.  However, resting in the log grass now on my left, I came across a resting cock Pheasant, looking very handsome despite the cold and misty conditions.

Cock Pheasant Phasianus colchicus

Once back on the canal path more Robins and then a Great Spotted Woodpecker in the tall trees on the other side of the canal.  Passing the turn to the car park I continued on and under the road bridge to take the path up to the main road and over to the viewing point overlooking the main water.  Very misty with a good number of resting Black-headed and Lesser Black-backed Gulls but no sign of any Coots, ducks or geese.  But another trio of Mute Swans before just making out the resting Cormorants on the far bank almost hidden by the low mist.  So ended the short visit and still no sign of a Great White Egret this year.

Distant Cormorants Phalacrocorax carbo in the hidden mist

Birds seen:

Mute Swan, Pheasant, Cormorant, Heron, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Blue Tit, Magpie.

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Sierra de Maria with the Arboleas Birding Group

Wednesday 14 January 

So, it was a "tad chilly" at 5C for you whereas this morning I had low lying mist over the water and the temperature gradually rising from -1 to +3C at Fishlake Meadows in Romsey!  But at least we were all out and about but very few birds for me in the UK whereas, despite the cold, you managed to find a number of birds I am yet to see this month or even this year - apart for my three week visit commencing mid-February.  Who knows, perhaps this year I'll find a local Little Owl.  So a good, if somewhat chilly, start to the birding New Year and I wish all the members of the Arboleas Birding Group all the very best and lots of happy, successful outings in 2026.

Sierra de Maria  -  Wednesday 14th January

Happy New Year to you all!

"'Twas a tad chilly!"

On a cool morning Nigel picked me up from home and we drove to Sierra de Maria.  The peaks were covered in snow.  The temperature was 5c !  Between Velez Blanco and the La Piza forest cafe we only saw one Carrion Crow and a Chaffinch.  The cafe was closed to customers as they were doing a deep clean after their Christmas and New Year's break.  The bird feeders had been empty since the 15th December!  Unsurprisingly, there were no birds around.  I filled the feeders.  We were joined by Kevin, Trevor, Carolyn and Steve........oh and an Iberian Red Squirrel!

Thirsty and cold we commenced the loop.  By the farm building we saw Spotless Starlings.  Next a Magpie followed by three Calandra Larks on a display flight.  We stopped at our usual place just by the village.  There was a small flock of Corn Buntings on a small tree.  Also seen were Goldfinches.  We carried on along the track.  We saw some large mixed flocks of Linnet, Goldfinches and Rock Sparrows.  A pair of Hoopoe flew over.  We had singles of Woodpigeon and Red-legged Partridge.  The cliff face was deserted.  A small bird silhouetted up on the opposite rocks wasn't identified.  At the farm buildings we added House Sparrows.  Along the fence beside the airstrip Nigel and I saw a Greenfinch with some Linnets.  Passing through the cave house village Collared Doves were seen.  Some White Wagtails were feeding behind a tractor and plough.  At the hamlet, the Little Owl was in its usual place on top of the barn.  The plain was devoid of birdlife.  The goat trough area produced Thekla Lark. I spotted a hovering Kestrel. 

Little Owl (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

We returned to La Piza where the local birds had rediscovered the full bird feeders.  We saw Great, Crested and Blue Tits.  Nigel spotted a male Crossbill.  We adjourned to our old haunt at the Repsol Garage cafe for coffees and tostadas.  On the way back to Velez Blanco we came across about 12 Griffon Vultures heading off to feed somewhere.

We ended up with 25 species.  Despite the cool temperature we had a good days birding in good company.

Best wishes to Richard, Carole, Peter 1 and Seamus.  Hope you all feel better soon.

Dave

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River Itchen, Southampton

Sunday 11 January 

With rain promised to start at around 11am and continue for the next twelve days or so, I decided to pay an early morning visit to the River Itchen in Bittern, about a couple of mile from Southampton centre.  Having reached 99 species for the month, I was hoping I might pick up one of the resident Black Swans and a further 3km walk up river produce a Grey Wagtail to make sure that I reached the hundred mark for the year in Hampshire.  It was not to be - at first!

Family of Mute Swans Cygnus olor

Upon arrival at 8.50 a family of Mute Swans under Cobden Bridge and walking up stream scores of resting Black-headed and a handful of Herring Gulls.  But no Black Swan in sight.  Continuing on up river the occasional Moorhen but, out of nowhere, a pair of Ring-necked Parakeets flew over my head and settled in a small tree full of berries.  (Photo taken but very small.) A trio of Cormorant as I continued.

2 Ring-necked Parakeets Psittacula krameri (left and right in bush)

Turning at Mansbridge I made my way back and soon picked up a busy Little Grebe.  All around me numerous Carrion Crows including a flock of over 50 on the playing field.  Magpies and Woodpigeons also present plus a final total of 60 Mallard, mainly on the upper, non-tidal river.  A Blackbird flew across the river and before returning to the main river near Bitterne Triangle I had seen a further three plus more Moorhens.

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis

Then, where I had expected to find the Black Swans in the first place, a pair feeding under the bank and fortunately lifting a head to make me stop and patiently wait for the Black Swans to move out and more into view.  So, mission accomplished with two new birds for the year and the century achieved.

Black Swan Cygnus atratus

Birds seen:

Black Swan, Mute Swan, Mallard, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Moorhen, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Ring-necked Parakeet, Magpie. Carrion Crow, Blackbird.

Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 

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