Wednesday, 18 June 2025

Sierra de Maria with the Arboleas Birding Group

Wednesday 18 June

My word, it may have been the penultimate meet before the summer break but what some birds seen by the Arboleas Birding Group in their visit to the Sierra de Maria.  Had to smile though as Dave was discussing the wet weather whilst back in the UK it continues to be warm and sunny, no rail expected for a least another week and temperatures due to rise above 30C this week-end for the first official heat wave of the year!  But back to the bird like.  Difficult not to be envious when one reads about all the birds I am not going to see back here; Short-toed and Booted eagles, lesser Kestrel, Bee-eater, Roller and Griffon Vulture.  But at least I have seen a Turtle Dove and I can count Carrion Crows by the many score!  No real consolation though,.

Sierra de Maria  -  Wednesday 18th June

For our penultimate birding trip before our summer recess we have returned to my favourite local patch, the Sierra de Maria.  I picked up Nigel and we headed north into some heavy showers.  By the time we'd got past Velez Blanco the rains had stopped.  En route to the town we saw Woodpigeon, House Sparrow, Jay and Spotless Starling.  In town we added House Martin, Collared Dove and Common Swift.

We were the first to arrive at the La Piza forest cafe seeing Mistle Thrushes on the approach.   The feeders were empty but there was water and pieces of rolls available to the birds.  Numerous House Sparrows were taking advantage.  At least 3 Jays were taking large pieces away.  We were joined by Alan, Trevor, (Honest) Peter and Richard.  As we enjoyed a coffee we saw Crested and Great Tits, Serin, Blackbird and Chaffinch.  A Crossbill was heard.  As we walked back to the vehicles I recognised the call of a Great Spotted Woodpecker.  After a brief search it was seen.

Jay  (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

We commenced the loop. I only saw a Chaffinch in the wooded area and a Magpie and Crested Lark in the fields.  Alan and Trevor added a Carrion Crow and Richard was lucky enough to see a male Hen Harrier!  At the village stop we found a few Barn Swallows.  The star was a Short-toed Eagle. 

Short-toed Eagle (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

We travelled along the track.  Had hoped for a Roller at their nest box site, but did see one a few hundred metres later.  We saw Goldfinches and small flocks of Corn Buntings.  I spotted a distant Black-eared Wheatear on a fence.  As we arrived at the cliff face another Roller flew off as did a Rock/Stock Dove.  We heard Turtle Dove, Nightingale and Rock Sparrow, the latter being seen on the cliff face.  We walked to the "far side".  Alan found a silhouette view of a presumed Black Wheatear which Trevor confirmed with a white rump view!   As we moved off a huge shadow appeared across the road.  I stopped and looked up.  A plume of 19 Griffon Vultures was above us.  In the first village a pair of Bee-eaters showed well on the power line.  Trevor and Alan also saw a Hoopoe.  At the hamlet it took some time to spot two Lesser Kestrels.  I had one one a building down the slope and Alan found one on the door rail of one of the modern warehouses.

We moved on to the water trough, only seeing Crested Larks on the plain.  I spotted a Little Owl.  Out of the same tree flew a pair of Turtle Doves.  Alan added a Linnet and another Roller was seen.  Being hungry I was first to leave for the cafe.  Nigel and I missed the Booted Eagle!

We had to eat inside the bar as there were a huge number of flies round the picnic tables.  We did manage to add Blue and Coal Tits to the list.

Blue Tit (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

A great days birding in good company.  39 species seen.  Sending our best wishes to Juda.
Dave

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Sunday, 15 June 2025

Farlington Marsh

Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus

 Sunday 15 June

Another lovely sunny start to the day so off early down to Farlington Marsh to start my circuit just before 8.15.  Walking anti-clockwise through the trees immediately many Greenfinches along with a Kestrel, Woodpigeon and Carrion Crow.  Once out of the seawall to walk to the viewing point I added Herring Gulls and took note of the many Avocets and Shelduck on the lagoon, both with many juveniles of the year.  Also present a handful of Redshank and in the reeds to the left alongside the canal separating the water from the grazing field many calling Reed Warblers.

Avocets Recurvirostra avosetta

On the far side in addition to a few Lapwing a first sight of the many Canada Geese residing in this reserve then noticed up to a score of Swifts flying very low over the fields alongside the river.

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa

Returning a short distance I took the path trough the grazing field, complete with young cattle, to the old barn and noted not only the Reed Warblers but many Starling and a few Barn Swallows.  A pair of Magpies were resting in a short tree ahead of me and near the main bushes a cock Pheasant.  In addition to now coming across the resident Black-headed Gulls I also found a single Black-tailed Godwit at the river's edge along with a pair of Oystercatchers. To my left a Buzzard took off from its resting place in a thick bush and then, immediately in front of me, my first well-exposed Linnet.  Once at the old barn the lagoon in front held a handful of mallard and a couple of Lapwing until the female Bearded Tit put in a very brief appearance as it flew low over the nearby reeds.  Then, as a party of Starlings descended to the water's edge they disturbed a pair of Pied Wagtails.

Linnet Carduelis cannabina

Continuing on to the far seawall I came across my first Skylark and more Barn Swallows and once up on the top passing alongside the thick brambles below me the sight of a number of Linnet and Whitethroat plus the occasional Blackbird and a pair of Goldfinches.  Lots of singing Reed and Sedge Warblers at this point.

Goldfinches Carduelis carduelis

Approaching the Deeps my first close sighting of the many Canada Geese with their well-grown youngsters and both a Moorhen and Heron. On the islands and banks many Black-headed Gulls along with more Shelduck and a score of Coot.  A Little Egret at the far end and a second out on the mudflats near the narrow water channel.

Canada Geese Branta canadensis

Continuing on and taking the cut-off path near the corner I cam across a resting Meadow Pipit which seemed to be happy to wait ages as it preened and allowed me to get even closer and closer.  And once almost on top of the bird a Sedge Warbler popped up from its low, but visible, singing post to sit atop a small tree immediately in front of me and continuing to sing whilst posing for his happy shot of the day!

Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis

And so, basically, ended a most enjoyable two and a half hours birding and walking.  But having packed everything away and set of for home, joining the main road at the end of the reserve, no sooner on than I noticed the Red Kite immediately above me.  An even better  way to end the morning.

Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Mallard, Pheasant, Little Egret, Heron, Red Kite, Buzzard, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Lapwing, Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Swift, Skylark, Barn Swallow, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Blackbird, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Whitethroat, Bearded Tit, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet.

Greenfinch Carduelis chloris

Avocets Recurvirostra avosetta with a Shelduck Tadorna tadorna

Woodpigeon Columba palumbus

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Saturday, 14 June 2025

Fishlake Meadows, Romsey

 Saturday 14 June

Lovely sunshine and mainly clear blue skies along with a strong wind for my mid-morning visit to Fishlake Meadows, Romsey. All the usual small birds including a family of Garden Warblers and most of the singing being done by the Cetti's Warblers and Chiffchaffs ably supported by Wren, Robin and Blackbird.

Walking along the canal path I also recorded both House Martin and House Sparrow with many Woodpigeon, a Carrion Crow and a quartet of Magpies. A Collared Dove put in an appearance on the houses on the other side of the canal but just a couple of Sedge Warblers.

Using the scope I was able to pick out some of the Greylag Geese and a number of Mutes Swans but it was a visit to the roadside viewing point that produced most of the Mute Swans and Greylag Geese along with a single Egyptian Goose and just a pair of both Gadwall and Tufted Duck to accompany the few Mallards along with a handful of Great Crested Grebes. But over 70 Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

Calling in at Romsey Abbey on the way home in time to see the female Peregrine Falcon sitting atop the flag pole but as I lifted the camera she was off to chase an approaching gull - so a flight shot instead! Action certainly needed as the four young falcons should be fledging within the next four or five days.

Departing female Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus

Just as well as too much leaf coverage and tall vegetation to get any decent shots of the smaller birds.

Birds seen:

Greylag Goose, Mute Swan, Egyptian Goose, Gadwall, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Coot, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Common Tern, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, House Martin, Wren, Robin, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Garden Warbler, Chiffchaff, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, House Sparrow.

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Thursday, 12 June 2025

El Fondo, Elche

Thursday 12 June

Whilst most of the Arboleas Birding Group were birding up high yesterday, friend Dave Elliott-Binns was birding at a much lower level with his second recent visit to the fabulous El Fondo reserve near Elche. And in just a bout and hour a magnificent 36 species including such wonders as Red-knecked Nightjar, Red-rumped Swallow, Little Owl, Squacco Heron and Little Bittern.  What's not to like about such a return in such a short time!  Also lovely to see the massed flypast of the Whiskered terns plus the "favourite" residents of this special site, Marbled Duck, Red-knobbed Coot and Purple Swamphen.  Made be feel most envious just reading the report!

Marbled Duck (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)
El Fondo, Elche - Thursday 12th June

As I mentioned in my last El Fondo report I was due to return this week.  Today started early!  04.00 alarm call to pick up from friends from Los Higuerales, a barrio on Arboleas's outer boundary.  As I approached the urbanisation what was in the road but a Red-necked Nightjar!

I drove the couple to Alicante Airport and stopped off at El Fondo information centre.  En route I noted Red-rumped Swallow, Crested Lark, Common Swift and a Little Owl.  As before, I had a thermos tea as I collected my thoughts.  I could see Greater Flamingos on the large shallow pool in front of the car park, but due to the reeds, not a lot else. Overhead there was a constant flow of Glossy Ibises coming and going.  Also seen in flight, a Cattle Egret, Grey Heron and Yellow-legged Gull.  I walked round to the Information Centre side of the pool, seeing a Collared Dove on the way.  With a clearer view over the pond I added Common Pochard, Mallard, Coot, Slender-billed and Black-headed Gulls.  A number of Whiskered Terns were dip-diving for food.  A Squacco Heron flew between the reed beds.  A Reed Warbler was actually seen.

Juvenile Whiskered Tern (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

I checked out the small enclosed pond adjacent to the centre.  Again I saw Marbled Duck, Red-knobbed Coot with a tiny chick and another Squacco Heron.  I commenced the wooden walkway.  The reeds were a cacophony of "shouting" Great Reed Warblers (not seen).  I did see a Cetti's Warbler.  A pair of Little Egrets flew over.  There was a rumpus in the reeds as a Purple Swamphen imitated a bull in a china shop!  I sat down at the raised covered platform.  There was a pair of Marbled Duck sauntering along the reed line.  Three Red-knobbed Coots with chicks were seen.  Better was to come.  Twenty odd Whiskered Terns with an escort of 10 Collared Pratincoles flew round the platform for about 5 minutes. A Little Bittern showed briefly.  Yet again I saw a single Barn Swallow, the only one of the day here plus a pair of Little Grebe.  It was hot and sticky so I headed back to the oven of a car seeing House Sparrow, Blackbird and Sardinian Warbler.  En route back to the motorway I added Woodpigeon, Magpie and Hoopoe.

Red-knobbed Coot (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

Only a quick hour long visit but well worth it! 36 species seen.
Regards
Dave

One of the numerous flights of Glossy Ibis (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

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Rambla de Almanzora & Vera Playa

 Thursday 12 June

With Dave absent, great to see Alan sending in a report re this week's visit by the Arboleas Birding Group to the Rambla de Almanzora and Vera Playa.  Ant it certainly turned out very well with 42 species recorded including some special species such as Bee-eater, Nightingale and Kentish Plover. No photographs so have included a trio taken by self when still in Spain.

Rambla de Almanzora & Vera Playa: Wednesday 11th June

Dave was unable to lead the group as he had to attend a meeting in Almeria in the morning.  I met Barrie and Beryl at the ford, soon to be joined by Trevor. Several species had been seen or heard at this first site: Bee Eater, House Martin, House Sparrow, Reed Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Spotless Starling, Woodpigeon, Sardinian Warbler, Swift and Red-rumped Swallow.  

Red-rumped Swallow (PHOTO: Bob Wright)

We decided to walk to the treatment plant with the adjoining pool as we hadn't visited that site for a while, mainly because of the disruptive works in the river bed and the plant itself.  About to set off, we were joined by Kevin and two of his friends, Sarah and Trevor No.2, experts in the fieldcraft of identifying flora in our part of Spain.  On our way to the pool, Yellow-legged Gulls flew over, as did a Goldfinch.  At the pool we saw Little Grebe, Mallard and Moorhen.  A Nightingale was heard and Barrie found a Little Ringed Plover at the side of a small trickle of water that was still present in the river bed.  A second bird flew in to join the original.  On the way back to the cars we saw an in-flight Hoopoe, a Kestrel and a Serin.  A visit to the beach produced nothing so we went to the north bank at the river mouth.  Kevin and I climbed the bank to obtain elevated views whilst the others chose the flatter route.  Both parties saw the same birds: Grey Heron, Audouin's Gull, Kentish Plover, Magpie and, in addition, I saw an adult Gannet over the sea.  

Nightingale (PHOTO: Bob Wright)

Next, the dual carriageway where we were joined by Jackie.  Quite a few species here, the first to be noticed was Glossy Ibis with a couple of individuals fairly close.  Several Avocets were active and noisy and Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Spoonbill, Black-winged Stilt and Greater Flamingo were noted.  Further afield were Shelduck, Coot, Pochard, Red-crested Pochard, Black-necked Grebe and White-headed Duck.  Jackie had already seen a Little Bittern and we were treated to two more, a female then a male that flew in and perched in the reeds.  A Black-headed Gull was spotted by Barrie and a Male Blackbird appeared.  Finally, we visited the far tower hide where a single Great Crested Grebe and a White Wagtail were the only new birds.

Little Bittern (PHOTO: Bob Wright)

That seems to be 42 species seen on a very warm, energy-sapping morning but enjoyable in the company of fellow birders (and botanists!).

Alan

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Sunday, 8 June 2025

Tidgrove Warren Farm History

 Saturday 7 June

Tidgrove Warren Farm is part of the Tidgrove Estate situated near Overton on one of the chalk downlands in the north of Hampshire just west of Basingstoke.  As such it finds self in a handy position near Winchester and on the main road between the port of Southampton and London as used during the early centuries of Norman rule in Great Britain.  I believe the arable farm has been in the family for the past hundred years and until 1992 and grew moulting barley for the brewing and distillery industry. I was then that Charles Sainsbury-Plaice abandoned farming and turned the 70 acres into the wildlife establishment we see today; thirty years of dedicated work and inspiration.  Now, the present owner Raleigh Plaice is welcoming we birders to both see the result and enjoy the sight of breeding Stone Curlews and Lapwing overlooked by quartering Red Kites and Buzzards, along with very many bird and insect species, not to mention deer and foxes, etc. 

Further information on the Tidgrove Houses can be found on the Internet  at https://tidgrove.co.uk from which this information was taken.

The farm house and restored land with the largest of three created lakes in the foreground

TIDGROVE, THREE DECADES OF RESTORATIVE ECOLOGY

Tidgrove is located 12 miles to the west of Basingstoke and is situated about half way along the road from Kingsclere to Overton. From the pipe rolls it has long been known that in 1172 Henry II built ‘the king’s houses’ there, but until about thirteen years ago the actual site had not been identified.

In the nineteen twenties, Mr. Bull, a Kingsclere schoolmaster observed, in a corn crop, the outline of a large enclosure which he thought to be Roman. The existence of the enclosure has been confirmed by aerial photography, and its size of the enclosure, when compared with those of known medieval hunting lodges such as Writtle in Essex, suggested that this could be the site of Henry’s buildings. The landowner, Raleigh Place, his historian the late Rev. Robert Legg, and the Kingsclere Heritage Association thought that archaeological investigation would be worthwhile, and were fortunate in gaining the interest of the archaeological department of Southampton University.

Under the direction of Kristian Strutt and Professor David Hinton investigation of the site was begun, with the support of volunteers from the Kingsclere Heritage Association and the landowner.

Henry II builds houses at Tidgrove

Henry was not only King of England and lord of Ireland, but also duke of Normandy, duke of Aquitaine and count of Anjou. He spent more time in his French possessions than in England, some 20 years in France as against 13 ½ in England, Wales and Ireland1. In all he crossed the Channel at least twenty-eight times. The two places routinely visited in England were the treasury at Winchester, and the Exchequer at Westminster, which was the administrative capital whilst the King was out of the country. When in England the royal household probably numbered one hundred and fifty persons or more, and was accompanied by wagons and pack horses for the wardrobe and other heavy goods. This limited progress to about twenty miles a day. The route normally followed was Portsmouth, Winchester, Wolverton or Tidgrove/Freemantle2, Reading, Windsor to Westminster.

In 1171 Henry visited England and Wales and went on to sort out affairs in Ireland, returning to France in May 1172. The journey would have included a stay at Wolverton which, despite the fact that it had been regularly maintained, for some reason he found unsatisfactory. He gave orders for the building of new houses at Tidgrove, and in 1172 the sheriff of Hampshire claimed for: work on the king’s houses at Tidgrove £31 9s. 7d. by the king’s writ.

Remains of King Henry II's hunting lodge

The question must be asked, “Why, after ten years of occupation should Tidgrove be abandoned?” Freemantle, as later identified, was two miles north of Tidgrove, was less accessible, and as Cottington discovered when he built a house there in the eighteenth century, lacked a decent water supply, and no certain archaeological evidence has been identified to indicate a high status residence. The most probable and simple explanation is that by the king’s fiat both the houses and the forest were renamed. This has been obscured because these earlier royal houses, wherever they were, were abandoned after the death of John, but the site on Cottington’s Hill was firmly fixed in the popular mind because in 1251 Henry III gave orders for new houses consisting of a hall, kitchen, chambers for himself and the queen on the first floor, with a chapel at one end, under which there was to be a wine cellar.13 These, together with the deer park he laid out alongside the houses, would naturally be described as being at Freemantle.

Appropriate tree planting mixed with open grassland

Henry made at least three visits to Tidgrove after his return from France in August 1177, the last of which was in April 1180 when he was on his way from Reading to Winchester in order to embark at Portsmouth.19 It must have been then that he gave orders for the carriage of timber to Freitmantel l, and for building work to be done there‘. The crucial question is where was Freitmantel l for there is no evidence for a place of that name before 1181. It seems probable that the king chose to rename both the forest of Witingley and his houses there as Fromental, which the clerks recorded as Freemantle in various forms.

A smaller lake with surrounding low vegetation

The king’s houses built by Henry II seem to have been abandoned after the death of John since there is no further record of work done on them, but in 1251, as has been said, Henry III undertook the building, in Freemantle Forest, perhaps at Tidgrove, or as previously thought, at the top of what is now known as Cottington‘s Hill, a new hunting lodge in or adjacent to a park for fallow deer.

Creating suitable habitats for breeding Stone Curlews and Lapwings

As can be seen from the Liberate Rolls this was on a large and expensive scale. When completed the king made little use of it and in 1256 gave it to his son the Lord Edward who was little more interested and in 1276 gave the houses to Pain de Chaworth with permission to pull them down and make what profit from them that he could.20 In the course of time the houses at Tidgrove were forgotten and only Cottington’s Hill was remembered as the site of King John‘s hunting park, this concept is now shown to be erroneous, firstly the park was not constructed until 1252-4 long after King Johns death, and secondly by the dated finds and physical remains on the site at Tidgrove which shows use well into 13th. century.

Notice the variety of tree/hedge life

Indeed, a very big thank you to Raleigh Plaice for both establishing the environment and habitat and letting us share his work.  Very many thanks indeed.

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Tidgrove Warren Farm, Overton

Red Kite Milvus milvus

Saturday 7 June

Collecting Richard Osman just after 8 we drove to the north of Hampshire to visit Tidgrove Farm just outside the large village of Overton and a little west of Basingstoke.  Here we found forty cars waiting for us in a field next to the farm centre and joined about sixty birders under the leadership of HOS President, Keith Betton for a walk round the former farm which over the past thirty years has been converted from an arable farm into a marvellous 70 acre natural habitat for wildlife and flora.  The present owner, the farm having been in the same family for a hundred years, Raleigh Place welcomed we members from a number of local birding societies (and introduced us to what and how the land had been adapted) before we split up into five groups to walk the and in a range of directions in search of the, at least three (or was it five?) breeding pairs of Stone Curlews plus breeding Lapwing, Red Kite, Barn Owl, Corn Bunting and many others.  Indeed, the farm, probably, holds the highest number of breeding Stone Curlew in Hampshire and is now, possibly, the most important site in the country for this iconic bird.

Once former arable farming and now converted for natural wildlife including Stone Curlew habitats

During the introductory talk alongside one of the three newly-constructed lakes on the land, both Buzzard and a couple of Red Kites were noted above us and as we set off to climb the fist hill on this chalk downland a hovering Kestrel and a couple of Goldfinches.  From half-way up we were able to look back to the field used for car parking and see how the land had been prepared to encourage breeding Stone Curlew.  Ere long we had all had our first sighting of the birds by using the many scopes, including mine, that had been brought to the site. And to the right of the area we were scoping I even found a single Red-legged Partridge.

Stone Curlew Burhinus oedicnemus

Having split into our groups we made our way along the created tracks on the grassland and were able to appreciate the magnificent work that had been done to create this wonderful wildlife habitat.  Always a Woodpigeon or two to be seen but now we were hearing and seeing many Yellowhammers plus the singing and very occasional sighting of a Willow Warbler.  A Lapwing took to the air having been roused by a passing Red Kite and then the first of many Blackbirds plus a Robin. Having seen a flying Stone Curlew pass from left to right as we approached the path down to another, smaller, lake a Raven was seen flying in the opposite direction.  Chaffinches noted on this downward path and then on the horizon in from a tall tree holding a further four Ravens.  At the shallow lake a Mallard flew over and we recorded both Garden Warbler and Skylark.

Distant Ravens Corvus corax

So on to the site of the former hunting lodge built for King Henry II where we met up with the other small groups. In the middle of the archaeological site a Brown Hare which then entertained me as it seemed to run round the centre piece as if taking part ion a 400m race!  Also at this point where we all spent much time, owner Raleigh Plaice gave us a brief history of what had been discovered here with work undertaken by Southampton University.  But, also, still chance to find another pair of Stone Curlew and have more than  handful of Red Kites and a couple of Buzzards above us.  All became clear as we started on our homeward walk when we found the tractor ploughing a field and so providing plentiful food for the scavengers.  In addition to the raptors we also saw a couple of Carrion Crows.  

Brown Hare Lepus europaeus

Approaching the main house and lake we started, a Moorhen made a hasty departure form our side of the water and Greenfinches noted near the building and a number of House Martins above. After final farewells to friends we made our way back to the car to set off for home and hardly back on the main road before a pair of Linnets crossed in front of us and a Moorhen wandered along the grassy edge. reaching Overton we came across the field full of Jackdaws opposite the church where I has seen an individual on the outward journey.  A fabulous morning in great birding company and an absolute privilege to visit Tidgrove Farm and see the fabulous Stone Curlews at relatively close quarters.  And the wet weather stayed away until we reach home with Richard getting and early shower as he opened the door whereas I had to wait a couple of hours before the thunderstorm and heavy rains appeared!

Remains of King Henry VII's hunting lodge

NOTE:

A separate article will follow re the history of Tidgrove Farm and its historical importance

Birds seen:

Mallard, Red-legged Partridge, Red Kite, Buzzard, Kestrel, Moorhen, Stone Curlew, Lapwing, Woodpigeon, House Martin, Skylark, Robin, Blackbird, Garden Warbler, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Raven, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Yellowhammer.


Distant record shots of the Stone Curlew Burhinus oedicnemus

Red Kite Milvus milvus
Brown Hare Lepus europaeus

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