Hamble River, Warsash

 Monday 29 November

Leaving home early afternoon for a walk alonghside the Hamble River from where it departs Southampton Water at Warsash, I encountered Dunnock, Goldfinch and Magpie before taking the adjacent footpath to the water's edge.  Then it was upstream to well beyond the small, arched footbridge along the now potholed waterside track covering just over a mile before my return in calm, clear weather but cold, very cold!  Immediately a couple of Dunlin and both single Black-headed and Herring Gulls before seeing my first Brent Geese, which eventually produced a grand total of almost eighty individuals.

Teal Anas crecca

Once underway on the track regular appearances of individual Carrion Crow and a small flock of Starling departed the shore to the nearby trees.  Lots of individual Redshank and then the first of three Little Egrets, and looking very cold and hungry.  Once the first Turnstone had been found I came across the first of the ducks and on this occasion a healthy flock of forty-five Wigeon.  Almost immediately thirty Teal and both species were to be further recorded in good numbers.

Wigeon Anas penelope

Meanwhile, another Curlew every so often and then a Grey Plover.  Not just an isolated individual as two more were to be seen as I progressed upstream. The grassy plain to the right of the path held more Black-headed Gulls and a party of eighteen feeding Shelduck.  Nearer me I counted thirty Ringed Plover and a little further on a lone Lapwing.  Three Heron rested towards the back of the area on the edge of the reedbed.

Curlew Numenius arquata

At the water's edge my first of four Black-tailed Godwit and then a lone Kingfisher landed on the side of an old hulk before flashing away to the back of the now empty, muddy creek. That was when I discovered my first of three Greenshank and a lone Common Gull sitting on the water.  

Common Gull Larus canus

Almost at the turning point and I found an Oystercatcher on the shore followed by a further three as I made my way back downstream to Warsash.  I was somewhat surprised to notice that a trio of Mallard had arrived at the water's edge and then as I started on the footpath away from the water towards the car park, a Wren popped up in front of me to go foraging below the bushes on the other side of the track.

Greenshank Tringa nebularia

Birds seen:

Brent Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Mallard, Teal, Little Egret, Heron, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, Lapwing, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Greenshank, Redshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Kingfisher, Dunnock, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, Goldfinch.

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Sierra de Maria with the Arboleas Birding Group

 Wednesday 24 November

Good to see that friend Dave Elliott-Binns back in the warmth and able to take his Arboleas Birding Group on their first birding visit of the winter.  Whilst I was enjoying 4C in the sun at Frampton Marsh on the The Wash back in the UK Dave was up the mountain trying to outdo me in the cold game at the Sierra de Maria and searching out the snow.  Not too sure on where I would prefer to be!  Anyway, welcome home Dave and you'll soon be far warmer than me.

Sierra de Maria   -   Wednesday 24th November

After seven weeks away in the UK it was good to return to my favourite birding location, the Sierra de Maria albeit a tad chilly at times!  Juda arrived at my house in good time and we headed north.  We didn't see any birds after we'd passed the bird list starting point outside Velez Blanco until we got to the Repsol garage cafe in Maria town.

You can imagine my surprise when this man pulled down his mask to reveal a smiling Les!  He's been in the UK for about two years having suffered a series of heart attacks.  He looked like the old Les! Equally surprised were Trevor, Michael, Karen, Richard & Mike who joined us for a coffee.

Due to the cold temperatures I decided we'd "do" the loop.  There was a scattering of snow on the mountain ridge and in the shaded areas beside the road.  We convoyed towards the village and only began to see any birdlife after we'd left the pine forest and were surrounded by ploughed fields.  We saw medium sized flocks of Goldfinch, Linnet and Rock Sparrow.  There were a smaller numbers of Greenfinch and Corn Bunting plus singles of Stonechat and Thekla Lark.  I stopped and check out some corvids. Carrion Crows or so I thought.  Michael had also found a single Red-billed Chough with them. We stopped for a chat by the village.  Les added Crested Lark, Mistle Thrush and Woodpigeon to the list.

Hoopoe Upupa epops

We carried on. As leading vehicle I had a good view of an obliging Hoopoe and a Red Legged Partridge.  I missed the Common Buzzard that Richard & Trevor saw.  We saw another pair of Red-billed Chough.  As we approached the cliff face an Iberian Green Woodpecker flew into a distant tree, later seen by some others flying off.  Some of us walked to the far end of the cliff face.  We were rewarded with views of a pair of Black Wheatear and a Little Owl.  Les spotted a Magpie.  A single Griffon Vulture was seen. 

Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa

We carried on seeing Collared Dove, Iberian Grey Shrike and more Magpies, Kestrel, Stonechat and flocks of finches.  Les had a White Wagtail.  Heading towards the hamlet we added a pair of Ravens. Karen also saw a Robin.

We stopped at the hamlet but didn't see anything.  And nothing on the plain apart from more distant Griffon Vultures.

La Piza forest cafe here we come!  Some Crossbill were drinking from a puddle as we parked up.  We sat outside for our lunch and watched GreatTits, Long Tailed Tits, Blue Tits and Crested Tits using the nut feeders.  Also seen were Chaffinch and a Robin.  On the way back to Maria town there was a plume of about 10 Griffons to the north.

Crossbill Loxia curvirostra

We ended with a respectable 31 species, not bad considering the cold weather.  It was great to be out and about in good company.

Regards

Dave

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Lincolnshire Wetlands

 Tuesday 23 November

Frampton Marsh looking towards Boston and now starting to fill

A beautiful calm and sunny start to the day with clear blue skies.  However, very cold with the temperature still at 4C approaching 10 o'clock starting my morning's birding at RSPB Frampton Marsh. Approaching the reserve I had already recorded Carrion Crow, with more to follow once on site, Wood Pigeon and Rook.  Next up both Collared Dove and Blackbird plus a lone Pied Wagtail.  But once parked up at the end of the lane near the Wash embankment nothing but Wigeons here, there and everywhere; there were thousands. Yes, many Teal but only a dozen or so Shoveler and even fewer Mallard.  And that was it as far a duck species went.

A few of the thousand plus Wigeon Anas penelope along with some Brent Geese Branta bernicla

What a honking noise as I looked up and watched at least two hundred Pink-footed Geese pass over.  Probably more than twice that number on the reserve with a good number of resident Greylag and Canada Geese plus three figures worth of Brent Geese. It very much then became a challenge to find something different, especially of you discount the very large number of wintering Lapwing.

A few of the scores of Brent Geese Branta bernicla

A lone Heron was found on the far side and climbing up to the top of the high bank a quartet of Meadow Pipit passed over,  Below on the scrapes I managed to find a couple of Redshank and out on the marsh itself a distant Short-eared Owl that was mobbed by a gull.  Making my way back tot he main car park I noted Little Egret, a couple of Pheasant way out on the left and, nearer to the Visitors Centre a handful of House Sparrow.

Wigeon and Brent Geese

Next came a walk to the Reed Hide and stooping on the way I managed Moorhen, a Snipe and three Dunlin.  Having scoped past all the Wigeon and many Teal I then found a pair of Avocet.  Once in the hide a Little Grebe towards the far island and a single Black-tailed Godwit.  However, the best sighting of all was the Water Rail that casually made its way along the shore immediately in front of the hide and not ten metres away from those of us inside.

And then the Water Rail Rallus aquaticus walked in front of us

All appearing very quiet so I decided to cut short my visit and make a stop at the Deeping Lakes Nature Reserve rather than Baston Gravel Pits on my way back to Stamford.  But as I left the reserve both Goldfinch and Great Tit in the trees near the exit and then a Starling followed by a few Black-headed Gulls.

Thirty minutes later as I entered the Deeping Lakes reserve to the south-east of Deeping St James a couple of Red Kites quartering a recently ploughed field close to the ground and then a stop to check the first pool revealed a few Mute Swans plus a large flock of Black-headed and a few Herring Gulls.  Jackdaws were resting on one island and the one to the right held a pair of Egyptian Geese.  All around a number of Wigeon and Teal plus a handful of Shoveler and a pair of Mallard.  At the back a few Canada Geese but to the right a male Pintail.

The distant male Pintail Anas acuta

A walk up the bank to look at the River Welland produced more Mute Swans plus a quartet of Little Grebe and a a couple of Mallard. Back inside the reserve and on the hide overlooking the main water produced Blackbird, Great and Blue Tit plus both Carrion Crow and Wood Pigeon.

A large selection of species observed from the hide including Cormorant, Great Crested Grebe, Heron and Little Egret.  Ducks included Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler, Mallard, Pochard, Tufted Duck and Gadwall. In addition, there were scores of Coot and I also found both Moorhen and a few Greylag Geese.

Completing the circular walk to the far end, through the woods and back along the river bank I found a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a couple of Starlings feeding on ripe berries.  (I was also informed that there is presently a large murmuration of Starlings in the area totalling ,many thousand.) 

Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris

In the next field a couple of Magpie and as I made my way back to the car park a dozen or so swans flew over the river and appeared to land on the entry pool.  Reaching the exit, I stopped to double-checked having noted the additional Mute Swans present and, sure enough, they included three Whooper Swans amongst their number.  Was I or was I not very pleased!  All that now remained was to note the Kestrel sitting on the wire just round the corner with a trio of Collared Doves on the pylon and no less than five Pheasants in the field opposite.  Two visits and both returned a total of 34 species with a species return of 50 for the day.

Whooper Swans Cygnus cygnus with Canada Goose Branta canadensis and Black-headed Gulls Larus ridibundus

Whooper Swans Cygnus cygnus

Birds seen:

Pink-footed Goose, Greylag Goose, Brent Goose, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Whooper Swan, Egyptian Goose, Gadwall, Wigeon, Mallard, Shoveler, Pintail, Teal, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Pheasant, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Red Kite, Kestrel, Water Rail, Moorhen, Coot, Avocet, Lapwing, Dunlin, Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Back-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Short-eared Owl, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Goldfinch.

Just the two Egyptian Geese Alopochen aegyptiaca

Jackdaws Corvus monedula at the sea-side!

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Rutland Water

 Friday 19 November

Collected friend Chris Bell from Stamford railway station and over at Rutland Water to check out the North Arm just outside Burley Ponds by 8.30.  All very sad really as this will not only be my last visit this year but also, probably for many a year as we move south to Warsash on Southampton water.  But at least we had a great five hours plus birding eventually recording 60 species.  And to help things along dry and cool with some occasional sunshine on the warmest day pf the week.

All the usuals such as Wood Pigeon, Carrion Crow and Magpie recorded as we approached the small car park just beyond the private road to give a view of the south shore of the North Arm. A Blackbird flew across the road and on the water we son recorded Coot, Mute Swan, Mallard, Cormorant and both Little and Great Crested Grebe. We next moved half-way up the hill towards Upper Hambleton where we were able to park in the entrance to the lane leading down to the fishing area.  Once out of the car a Robin and Chaffinch and then, wonders of wonders, both a Dunnock and Wren working a large pile of dead cuttings.  Then followed a pleasant walk down across the fields towards the shore before looping round to the left and back to the car.  Recorded on the water the first of eight Great White Egrets to be seen during the visit along with Heron, Greylag Geese, Pied Wagtail, Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler, Black-headed Gull, Goldfinch and Blue Tit. Chris also heard a Mistle Thrush but we were unable to locate the bird.

Great White Egret  Egretta alba with Mallard and Wigeon

A great start to the morning then as we headed off to Egleton and the Visitors Centre finding our fits of many Jackdaw as we approached the village.  Welcomed to the car park by a solitary Collared Dove but the feeding area only held Blue and Great Tits along with a single Robin.  Once in the upstairs viewing room we could see that the water levels were still low but the water held Cormorant, Lapwing, Shelduck and Gadwall. A pair of Egyptian Geese were resting on an island as a couple of Mute Swans drifted past and then a trio of House Sparrow.  However, mot pleased to see the arrival of a pair of Pintail.

On this occasion we headed south towards the Snipe Hide.  Whilst there was little initially to be seen apart from distant Mute Swans, Cormorants and a range of the above ducks we did eventually find a resting Buzzard on the water's edge.  But on the main track leading towards the hide we stopped to observe the large number of moving Blackbirds and, in short time, noted the occasional Fieldfare and a small flock of Redwing.  At the same time, a constant movement of Long-tailed Tits through the hedgerow.  Before leaving the hide a small flock of Canada Geese flew westwards in front of us.

Just a small section of the 1500 Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria

Retracing our steps towards the Visitors Centre we then headed north to visit Lagoon 4 and as we looped around Lagoon 2 we found a quartering Red Kite and not one but two Great Spotted Woodpeckers.  Straight to the Dunlin Hide where we found a flock of approximately 1500 Golden Plover along with very many Lapwing.  Mainly Black-headed but also a few Lesser black-backed and at least a couple of Greater Black-backed Gulls.  Ducks present included Wigeon, Mallard, Gadwall, Pochard and Teal plus a late sighting of Common Gull.

Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus with much smaller Black-backed Gull L.ridibundus

Missing out Sandpiper Hide we went straight to the northern Plover Hide but nothing new added to the sightings.  However, as we approached a Jay flew away from us down the track and upon leaving we heard then saw a Green Woodpecker on the lagoon's bank.

Female Goldeneye Bucephala clangula

Working back to check Lagoon 3 we settled into Shoveler Hide and were rewarded by more Great White Egrets, Great Crested Grebe and the first Moorhen of the morning.  Lots of Pochard and Lapwing plus a number of Teal and Mallard.  A Pied Wagtail paid a visit to the island in front and looking beyond the Tufted Ducks we were able to identity a pair of Goldeneye.  Checking the resting Lapwings to our left we managed to pick out the single Black-tailed Godwit.  Chris heard another Pheasant and so onto the Lapwing Hide via a short stop at the Crake Hide.  The latter was almost dry but did hold a few duck but Lapwing Hide eventually, at the last calling, produced our first Little Egret of the visit with two seen along with another couple of Great White Egrets.

Male Stonechat Saxicola torquatus

It was on the start of the return walk to the car park that Chris heard the call of the Cetti's Warbler at the nearby Crake Hide and with a final stop at the Grebe Hide overlooking Lagoon 2 we found a trio of Pied Wagtail and a single male Stonechat.  Also Moorhen, Teal, Wigeon and Mallard on the water. But when looking at the distant Great White Eagle we were also able to uncover the feeding Curlew.

Distant Heron Ardea cinerea but note the Curlew Numenius arquata in the foreground

Birds seen:

Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Egyptian Goose, Shelduck, Gadwall, Wigeon, Mallard, Shoveler, Pintail, Teal, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye, Pheasant, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Great White Egret, Heron, Red Kite, Buzzard, Water Rail, Moorhen, Coot, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Back-headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Greater Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Rock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Stonechat, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Redwing, Mistle Thrush, Cetti's Warbler, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Goldfinch.

Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus with Lapwing Vanellus vanellus

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Rutland Reservoirs

 Thursday 18 November

A lovey start to the morning with bright sunny spells and some clear blue sky; ideal birding weather.  So with Jenny, once the necessary shopping had been completed, off to Eyebrook Rervoir, which has the Rutland/Leicestershire border running smack through the middle, to see if the two rarities were still present.  On the other hand, no point simply driving straight past Rutland Water with the possibility that the recent Great Northern Diver might still be present, so a stop to check out the water on front of the dam.

Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula and a Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus

No divers but a female Goosander along with a number of Wigeon and Tufted Duck plus both Little and Great Crested Grebes.  A few Cormorant and Black-headed Gulls were also present.  Continuing on through Edith Weston in time to record Carrion Crow, Magpie and Blackbird before the briefest of stops at the Lyndon Visitors Centre to check the feeders.  Straight away a female Bullfinch in the nearby hedgerow and a couple of hen Pheasants below the feeders.  On the feeders themselves Blue and Great Tit along with Chaffinches.  A Wren was watching the activity from the adjacent bush whilst out on the water and edges plenty of Mute Swans, a single Heron, Cormorants and a Great Black-backed Gull.

Continuing on via Uppingham to Eyebrook Reservoir we approached along the narrow lane coming out on the Leicestershire side on the inflow bridge.  Over the bridge and stop to check the feeder below and the shallow end of the water.  A few Mallard and a single Little Egret on the reservoir side along with hundreds of Black-headed Gulls both resting on the water and following the tractors ploughing the field in front of us.  Unfortunately the bright, low sun was almost straight in our eyes so a more detailed study would have to wait until we reached the car park on the way to Stoke Dry.  However, the feeders did provide sightings of Blue and Great Tit along with a few Goldfinch, the occasional Chaffinch and a wandering Moorhen.  Meanwhile, overhead, the first bird recorded was a departing Raven along with a couple of Carrion Crow and Jackdaws were heard before eventually seen. 

Checking the very many gulls on the way, of which the great majority were Black-headed along with  number of Common Gulls, we arrived at the car park and found a few resting Mallard.  On the water, now with the sun almost behind us, a good number of Mute Swans plus Little and Great Crested Grebes along with both Wigeon and Tufted Duck and a number of Cormorant.  On the edge of the ploughed field to our right as we retraced our steps towards the bridge a couple of Pied Wagtails.  Above the wagtails a huge flock of Lapwing up in the air above the trees, no doubt as a result of the lone Red Kite drifting towards us at a low level.

Mainly Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula with Pochard Aythya ferina. Scaup?

Once on the other side of the water a stop at the first view point confirmed the birds already seen along with a couple of Blackbirds. Here there was also a large flock of Teal.  However, it was to be the next viewpoint that really turned up trumps.  Not only hundreds of Tufted Duck with the added mix of both Pochard and occasional Wigeon but the two recently seen rarities.  Fortunately , a local birder was also present with his scope to point out the distant Ring-billed Duck which, it was hoped, might remain for the rest of the winter.  Much nearer, though, mixing with the large flock of Tufted Ducks, a couple of Scaup.  Very difficult to get decent views as they were forever either diving of facing the other way to preen.  But seen if not photographed - using my own scope.  And further to our right a number of Greylag Geese.

More of the same but where is the Scaup Aythya marila?

As we set off to drive round to the other side and back into Rutland, first a Buzzard followed by a small flock of Wood Pigeon and then a hovering female Kestrel.  In total, 37 species for the morning which, in reality was a total birding tome of less then two hours.

Birds seen:

Greylag Goose, Mute Swan, Wigeon, Mallard, Teal, Pochard, Ring-necked Duck, Tufted Duck, Scaup, Goosander, Pheasant, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Red Kite, Buzzard, Kestrel, Moorhen, Lapwing, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Wood Pigeon, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Raven, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Bullfinch.

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The life and times of a quartering Marsh Harrier

 Monday 15 November

Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus

Just the one Marsh Harrier at Potterick Carr and much as it did its best to quarter the reed beds in search of a meal, every time it passed a certain point up jumped a Carrion Crow to hassle and mob and let the raptor know that this was very much his territory.

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Potteric Carr

 Monday 15 November

Potteric Carr from the Roger Mitchell hide

Arriving Worksop to collect my birding pal Chris Bell just after 9 o'clock we were welcomed to the day by the local Collared Dove, Great Tit and Greenfinch and then off north for a day's birding at Potteric Carr bird reserve near Doncaster, recording a small flock of Rook on the way.  Here it was a welcome from (I think a juvenile male) Pheasant who approached within a metre and seemed to want petting and/or feeding.  Good job we weren't hungry or he could have been the food for us!  Time to enter the reserve proper, noticing the trio of Goldfinch on the path in front of us.

Pheasant Phasianus colchicus

Having noted the Coot, Gadwall, Mute Swan and Little Grebe on the entrance pool we set off from the Visitors Centre taking an ant-clockwise figure of eight round this large site.  Most disconcerting to hear the very loud bird song in front of us and not see a single bird until the brain caught up with our ears and we realised the local ringer was in action and playing a taped lure.  I wouldn't mind but this is the second time we been caught in the same predicament!  (At tis time, about 9.45 he had already processed 7 Redwing and 3 Goldfinch, neither of which bird were we to see in our five-hour stay!)

Cock Pheasant Phasianus colchicus

The initial walk towards Willow marsh produced good numbers of Greenfinch, Blackbird and Siskin along with a party of Long-tailed, Blue and Great Tits.  Once at the hide we quickly added numerous Chaffinch and more Pheasants along with Mallard and Moorhen on the water. A lone Heron further out on the water and then our first first Robin of the morning.

Male Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs

Making our way round to the West Scrape via the East Scrape we found more birds in number, especially many Lapwing.  Along with the Lapwing a pair of Dunlin and off to the side a Little Egret and a number of Teal. The relatively large flock of Black-headed along with a single Common Gull made their departure, albeit after the departing Redshank, as did we.

Lapwings Vanellus vanellus with two Dunlin Calidris alpina (extreme left)

Little Egret Egretta garzetta

The three hides along Hawthorn Bank produced a good supply of duck along with a handful of Cormorant and another Little Grebe.  Mainly Teal but also many Wigeon and Gadwall as well as Tufted Duck, Mallard and Wigeon.  Even another Little Egret feeding on its own plus a few more Lapwing. Continuing to search the edges we also found Pochard and a couple of Herring Gull.  Below is both Cetti's Warbler and Water Rail were calling and to the back the wonderful display from a quartering Marsh Harrier, often called upon to take evasive action from the mobbing Carrion Crow.

Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus

Continuing ion our way back towards the Visitors Centre taking the most northern route we duly added Wren and Jackdaw plus another couple of Robin when almost back. Leaving the site for the return journey to Worksop we then added a Kestrel resting on one of the first half-dozen lamp-posts.  All in all a most enjoyable day which finally produced 44 species albeit Chris was convinced that he had heard both Dunnock and Redpoll.

Robin Eithacus rubecular

Birds seen:

Greylag Goose, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Wigeon, Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Pheasant, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Water Rail, Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing, Dunlin, Redshank,  Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Wren, Robin, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Rook, Starling, Chaffinch, Siskin, Goldfinch.

More photos:

Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus

Mute Swans Cygnus olor and a mix of duck

Mainly Teal Anas crecca but with Gadwall Anas strepera

Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo, Wigeon Anas penelope and Coot Fulica atra

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