Rio Velez, Torre del Mar

Friday 29 April

A chance to spend a couple of hours at the Rio Velez in Torre de Mar before joining friends at the weekly T-Dance in Trapiche and see how the winter maintenance creating a new lagoon in front of the hide has finished and noting the pair of Wood Pigeon as I approached from the west.  Most impressive and as yet not had a chance to develop a lot of growth at the edges good views of the banks and then many feeding waders.  Walking along the track to the hide I recorded House Sparrow and Serin in addition to the many singing Nightingales.  The narrow river held a few Little Ringed and Ringed Plovers plus a number of Redshank and Moorhen.  Initially, just the one pair of Mallard. Approaching the hide a Hoopoe away to my left and a handful of Spotless Starlings on the wires which were then joined by a small number of Monk Parakeets.

Redshank Tringa totanus

Once inside the hide wonderful views of the many waders, especially Redshanks and Common Sandpipers.  Working the edges I soon added a number of Dunlin and more Ringed Plovers whilst on the island ahead of me a couple of Black-winged Stilts.  At the far end a few Mallards and more Moorhen.

Three Dunlin Calidris alpina with Redshank and Ringed Plover

Perhaps the highlight was the single Whiskered Tern that spent the whole time flying up and down the water in front of me feeding on the insect life on the water itself.

Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida

More scanning of the edges then produced a lone Sanderling whilst above me many Barn Swallows and House Martins.  Taking special note as the hirundines flew around the area I also picked up a couple of Red-rumped Swallows and towards the sea a number of both Common and Pallid Swifts.

Sanderling Calidris alba

Time to walk on down to the beach so that I could look back up the main river channel and here more Mallards, single male Gadwall and more Moorhens plus a pair of Common Coot.  Immediately in front of me a couple of Little Ringed Plovers and a single Black-headed Gull.

Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius

Next a walk upstream on the far, western, side of the river which produced Reed Warblers and more Nightingales and Blackbirds. Arriving back at the car I also added a Collared Dove and, naturally, the resident Rock Doves. The last bird seen as I made my way under the old road bridge to check the growing fields upstream was a male Black Redstart.

Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos

Only birds added upstream were a Green Sandpiper and a most handsome Woodchat Shrike plus another Hoopoe and more Barn Swallows.

  

Birds seen:

Gadwall, Mallard, Moorhen, Purple Swamphen, Coot, Black-winged Stilt, Little Ringed Plover, Ringed Plover, Sanderling, Dunlin, Redshank, Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Whiskered Tern, Rock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Monk Parakeet, Common Swift, Pallid Swift, Hoopoe, Barn Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow, House Martin, Nightingale, Black Redstart, Blackbird, Cetti’s Warbler, Woodchat Shrike, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Serin.

Common Sandpiper Actitus hypoleucos

Redshank Tringa totanus

Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula

Dunlin with Ringed Plover

Our Whiskered Tern

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Back in Spain

Thursday 28 April

First day back in Spain and pulling up the blind the first thing I see is the returned House Martins working on their nests on the property opposite.  Jobs done I decide to take a wander down to the local picnic site at the Rio Guadalfeo in the hope that it will be deserted and no distractions. How wrong I was!  Collared Doves, Chaffinches and Blackbirds as I drive down the entry track to the parking area only to discover a 4x4 and large, yapping dog in and out of the water.  Fat chance of seeing anything here, I think to myself. However, a walk around the perimeter produces a pair of Great Tit and a few House Sparrows but as I make my way back to the car alongside the river I notice that the 4x4 is departing – but not the yappy dog.  Ah well, perhaps drive down the track and see if the Golden Orioles have returned  early.  Almost back at the car when I notice the dark “blob” at the river’s edge and then watch it dive fully under a couple of times.  Bins up and yes, as I suspect, the local Dipper is back on site.  Quietly creeping back to the car to retrieve the camera and hide behind the cover of trees but the bird has seen me and away to the opposite side near what has been the traditional, long serving nest site.  Despite all the interference over the past three years, could this mean that the nest site is still active?  On down the lane picking up Blackcap, Mallards and Cetti’s Warbler at the back of the water treatment site which also produced a Common Sandpiper, Coots and single, departing Cormorant.  Back home to rest in readiness for the evening visit to the Charca de Suarez.

Arriving at the vega behind the Charca de Suarez the drive along the Calle Patria immediately produced a Kestrel on the wires followed by Spotless Starlings and Blackbird.  A few Barn Swallows were feeding over the fields and then the first Common Swifts of the year. Looking at the field to my right I was immediately drawn to the thick bent object sticking up through the grasses.  Stopped and bins up to reveal, surprise of surprises, a Purple Heron which then took off and moved over towards the Charca reserve. Approaching the end of the lane to turn down the former “Turtle Dove Alley” I also found Collared Dove, House Sparrow and a Moorhen as a Yellow-legged Gull flew overhead.  Since my last visit the alley has been cleared but what a mess it is now.  Most of the rubbish seems to have been removed but that which could not has been simply pushed off the road to the sides.  In addition there must have been a serious fire and much damage, especially on the western side of the lane, and, of course, the fly-tipping seems to have resumed judging by the stack of discarded old tyres.

The Charca de Suarez reserve only open for ninety minutes during the breeding season I made my way straight to the Laguna del Teraje where, apart from the singing Reed Warblers, the only birds on show were the local Mallards. A couple of Great Tits, Cetti’s Warbler and Blackbird as I made my way to the hide overlooking the Laguna del Alamo Blanco.  What a treat!  Not so much the few Mallards but the Greenshank almost in front of the hide and just time to get a single photo before the bird was upset by more arriving Mallards and took off and out of sight to the back.

Greenshank Tringa nebularia

Not only the Sandpiper but also a departing Snipe.  Overhead more Barn Swallows and then the sight of a couple of Black-winged Stilts.  At this point a quartet of Glossy Ibis descended onto the pool.  A pair of Little Egrets were seen flying across the back of the reserve and I just happened to have my bins on the gap at the back of the water as a Water Rail wandered by but did not put in a further appearance; not surprising given the dense, tall grasses.

Glossy Ibis Plegadis  falcinellus and with Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus

So on to the main hide overlooking the Laguna de las Aneas which held another selection of birds.  At east eight resting Cormorants but not a single gull.  Lots of Moorhen and a number of Common Coots plus mainly Mallards and a handful of Pochard.  Many calling Nightingales and at least a couple of Turtle Doves.  In addition to the many Barn Swallows a few House Martins were recorded and a couple of Purple Swamphens hidden at the water’s edge. At the very far end a Whiskered Tern was resting atop a pole but facing the wrong way from my perspective.

Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica

Making my way to the northern end of the Laguna del Trebol I passed a couple of Serin and, once on site, saw very many Red-knobbed Coots and more Moorhens.  Just the one Little Grebe before moving the hide at the southern end of the water.  From here a Purple Swamphen resting on top of the reeds and up above me the gathering Common Swifts as I finally left the site to return home.

Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio close up and at distance

 Birds seen:

Mallard, Pochard, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Purple Heron, Glossy Ibis, Little Egret, Kestrel, Water Rail, Moorhen, Purple Swamphen, Common Coot, Red-knobbed Coot, Black-winged Stilt, Snipe, Greenshank, Common Sandpiper, Yellow-legged Gull, Whiskered Tern, Turtle Dove, Collared Dove, Common Swift, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Dipper, Nightingale, Blackbird, Cetti’s Warbler, Reed Warbler, Blackcap, Great Tit, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Serin.

Very distant Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida

Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus

Glossy Ibis with Black-winged Stilt

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Titchfield Canal Path

Departing Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis

 Friday 22 April

Still dry and sun doing its best to keep the temperature up but very windy and getting stronger as the morning wore on.  Lots of song as I walked the path but limited sightings as the leaf growth continues.  Obviously many Wood Pigeon from the minute I stepped out of the car and then a Magpie followed by the first Wren in what, I suspect, is its current nesting area.

Away on the first pool to the let very little activity with just the single Shelduck and Mallard as a Jackdaw departed the area. Only a single Lapwing noted and coming in the opposite direction a couple of Carrion Crows.  The horse field to my right held a pair of resting Canada Geese and then I was ready to sue the scope on the main flooded area.  Lots of Coots and Mallards with over a score of resting Teal at the back.  On the water more Shelduck and a good number of Black-headed along with a smaller number of Herring Gulls.  Also present a couple of Moorhen and at least six Gadwall.  However, the main "prize" was not the single Little Egret but the Cattle Egret standing not two metres away to its right.  Also noted the pair of feeding Black-tailed Godwits and a few more Lapwing.

Little Egret Egretta garzetta with Shelduck Tadorna tadorna and Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus on water

Working my way down the metalled lane and back a number of Great Tits and Greenfinches and at the turning point watched a very brief hover from a Kestrel before it moved on whilst above the tree on the opposite side a circling Buzzard.  Back at the car and chance to take a brief walk around the small spinney and confirm the many Chiffchaffs present.

Hovering then departing Kestrel Falco tinnunculus

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Shelduck, Gadwall, Mallard, Teal, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Buzzard, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing, Black-tailed Godwit, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, Wren, Chiffchaff, Great Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Greenfinch.

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Hamble River, Warsash

 Thursday 21 April

The morning of the Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa

With the recent warm and sunny weather with us for at least one more day, I took a mid-morning walk down the last four kilometres of the Hamble river from Bursledon to its mouth at Warsash.  Mainly clear blue skies and warm sunshine as I encountered both Robin and Blue Tit at the start before noting the handful of Black-headed Gulls feeding on the shore as the tide approached its half-way mark.  A Carrion Crow was foraging to my right as I moved away downstream a few Herring and only the occasional Black-headed Gull. The occasional Oystercatcher present and no shortage of calling Robins, Blue and Great Tits.

Herring and Black-headed Gulls appeared in small numbers at regular intervals and before the boat yard a lone Canada Goose and total of five Mallards on the water close to shore. However, also present near the Canada Goose at the water's edge, a treat to see a visiting Whimbrel.  Wood Pigeons seen in the neighbouring trees along with calling Chiffchaffs.  

Canada Goose Branta canadensis

A stop at the conservation to watch the activity on the now approaching water's edge gave me the chance to count the 51 feeding Black-tailed Godwits.  By the end of the walk the total had reached 64. A couple of resting Shelduck and a further three late n nearer to my destination.  On the path in front of a me a lone Pied wagtail and then a single Cormorant resting at the water's edge.

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa

One thing seemed most apparent and that was the visible, by lack of presence, migration.  Not a single Brent Goose, Wigeon nor Teal let alone Redshank and Greenshank.  The winter visitors seemed to have returned to their breeding ground but at least I was able to welcome the newly-arrived Whimbrel. And as I reached the end of the riverside path a Magpie feeding in the neighbouring garden to take the morning's tally up to 17.

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Shelduck, Mallard, Cormorant, Oystercatcher, Black-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, Pied Wagtail, Robin, Chiffchaff, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Carrion Crow.

Check out the accompanying website at http://www.birdingaxarquia.weebly.com for the latest sightings, photographs and additional information

Sierra de Maria with the Arboleas Birding Group

 Wednesday 20 April

Well, well, well!  Here's me walking the lanes and shore in just a top, even if not as bright and warm as last week, and Dave and his Arboleas Birding Group are up n the Sierra de Marie braving snow flurries - and it's even late April! And least they got some value for money, and I don't mean coffee, with the damp Little owl and a selection of tits.  I hate to tell you that I was logging a trio of Dartford Warblers plus Whitethroat and others in what I thought was an average morning.  All I can say Dave is please get the weather sorted before next week!  And my friend Chris from Worksop, who also reads your reports, was complaining that his visit to Potterick Carr yesterday only produced one Marsh Harrier and two booming Great Bitterns in his total of almost 50 species!  Ah well, that's birding.

Sierra de Maria   -   Wednesday 20th April

As I was getting ready to leave my house this morning there was rain, thunder and lightning.  My logic was that thunderstorms usually pass quite quickly.  I headed towards the Overa hotel where I was to meet up with my fellow hardy birders.  I received a text, thinking one was backing out, but no, it was Gilly to say she'd seen a Roller on her way to work!  Peter and Trevor soon arrived, so we headed north in my truck, passing through rain showers.  Optimistically I kept saying, " It looks a bit brighter over there!"

We got to the garage cafe in Maria not having logged a single bird.  After a refreshing coffee we commenced to do the loop.  After a few kilometres a Chaffinch flashed its wing bars as it flew across our path.  Next up was a Thekla Lark followed by a charm of Goldfinches. We then had a Magpie, Carrion Crow and some Spotless Starlings.  The rain hitting the windscreen now appeared to contain ice crystals!  Along the track heading towards the cliff face there is a ruined building.  I spotted a Little Owl sheltering from the sleet.  A Black-eared Wheatear showed briefly.  We drove slowly past the cliff face, not getting out due to the snow now falling!  Some Red-legged Partridges ran in the road before us.  We next added a male Northern Wheatear and some Woodpigeon.  Nothing was added till we got to the hamlet.  Amongst the grazing Thekla Larks were a few Linnets.  There was nothing at the water troughs so we made for the La Piza forest cafe.  It was busy with sheltering forest rangers, but we managed to get seats overlooking the water pool and feeding area.  We added Blue, Great and Coal Tits plus a Jay and a Collared Dove as well as a number of Chaffinch.

Sheltering Little Owl Athene noctua (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

Definitely not a day for the feint hearted.  Thinking back, I believe it is the first time I've actually birdwatched in a snow flurry whilst living here in Spain for the last 21 years!  We managed to scrape together 18 species.  Thank you Trevor and Peter for making it a memorable day!

Regards,

Dave

P.S.  Alan...glad you missed it??

Yes, that's snow! (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

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Workman's Lane, Warsash circuit

Dartford Warbler Sylvia undata

 Wednesday 20 April

All calm and peaceful as I prepared to set off on my circular walk along Workman's Lane Warsash to the shore, then northwards as far as the Scrape before returning and taking the alternative route to the bottom of Workman's Lane before finally taking a walk around the horse field and back via the top, gravelled lane to the car.  A most enjoyable 7 plus kms in calm, dry weather and a warming sun when out of the cooling breeze.

First birds of the morning the local Carrion Crows quickly followed by a Magpie and Blackbird.  Both Blue and Great Tits were active and then a Greenfinch on the wires as a Linnet dashed across the lane.  Lots of singing Robins but almost at the bottom of Workman's Lane before actually seeing the first individual.  Similarly, the same with the Dunnocks albeit they showed very well.  And with a number of Wood Pigeon moving around I made my way down the narrow path towards the shore finding a small party of House Sparrows, a couple of Wrens and numerous Chiffchaff.  A Collared Dove appeared on the tack in front of me as I approached the little pond on the left and sitting on the fence wire crossing the field on the opposite side a female Stonechat.

Dunnock Prunella modularis

Not only the tide well out but also the birds!  Relatively few Oystercatchers compared with previous visits and barely a half-dozen Black-headed but a score of Herring Gulls.  Checking the gulls I also picked up the passing Common Tern and a feeding Little Egret on the shoreline.  Working my way along the cliff top at the shore a couple of calling Cetti's Warblers and looking out to the water's edge a single Brent Goose.

Little Egret Egretta garzetta

Approaching the Meandering Pool  I watched the arrival of a half-dozen Starlings to the grassy area of the gorse patch and there, lying of the grass sunning itself, a rather magnificent Fox.  Gave me the eye and then decided to wander off into the gorse bushes.  Once at the water, a couple of Shelduck and a rapidly departing Snipe.  At the far end a Shoveler and four Teal.

Fox Vulpes vulpes

The walk along the every narrow path next to the fence between the Meandering Pool and the Scrape produced no less then three Dartford Warblers a quartet of Linnet and pair of Dunnock, and on the path at the end the first of two Meadow Pipits.  The Scrape itself was quite quite with just a pair of Mallard, a single Little Grebe and Coot, and the pair of nesting Mute Swans with less than a dozen Back-headed Gulls in the area.

Record shot of the Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis

The return walk towards the Meandering Pool produced a couple of Sky Larks, a third Dartford Warbler and then the first Whitethroat of the morning. Before regaining Workman's Lane I had added no less than four more Whitethroat albeit I suspect one may well have been a Lesser Whitethroat but no time to check the leg colouring before the bird disappeared into the deep brambles.

Jackdaw Corvus monedula

It was the final part of the walk around the outside of the horse fields that first produced a pair of Canada Geese followed by the pair of Egyptian Geese with their six active goslings.  Towards the end of this stretch both a Whitethroat and more Greenfinches before finding a small party of foraging Jackdaws.  Then back to the car with sightings of Robin, Chiffchaff, Dunnock and both Blue and Great Tits.

Distant record shot of the Egyptian Geese Alopochen aegyptiacus and their goslings

Birds seen:

Brent Goose, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Egyptian Goose, Shelduck, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Little Grebe, Little Egret, Coot, Oystercatcher, Snipe, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Common Tern, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Sky Lark, Meadow Pipit, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Stonechat, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler, Dartford Warbler, Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Greenfinch, Linnet.

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Fishlake Meadows, Romsey

 Saturday 16 April

Following my early morning short visit to Stockbridge Down I was all ready to set off along the canalside paths and into the Fishlake Meadows reserve by 9.45. Hardly through the gate and across the bridge before being welcomed by the first Robin of the morning as a few of the very many Wood Pigeons to crash about the trees judging by their noisy wing beats.  Again, as I started my slow walk down the footpath the regular loud and penetrating calls of many Cetti's Warblers.

Cetti's Warbler Cettia cetti

First the unmistakeable call then the sight of my first Cuckoo of the year as it perched near the top of the bare trees off to my left.  Wonderful sight. 

Male Cuckoo Cuculus canorus

As I left I stopped to watch the busy Blackcaps feeding in the small trees alongside the path with more Robins and Cetti's Warblers.  First Blue then Great Tits put in an appearance to the accompanying calls of the many Chiffchaffs.  On the narrow canal to my right a pair of hybrid-type Mallards, which back in the sixties were referred to as "Cayuga Ducks."  However, not one hundred metres further on I came across a true pair of Mallards.

Next up the first Blackbird as it flew across the canal and into the gardens beyond.  Then one, two and another pair of Reed Buntings; the males looking particularly handsome with their completed face moult. And looking up I was able to watch the circling Red Kite as it quartered the reed beds of the reserve.

Red Kite Milvus milvus

At this point a pair of Jays moved along the edge of the reeds and into the trees whilst a Wren popped up in front of me as it passed from one bramble bush to the next.  A little further away and in a clearing in the reeds a pair of Greylag Geese were feeding whilst, immediately behind them ,a Roe Deer was bust grazing.  Back to the canal where a couple of moulting Mute Swans drifted by a noisy Carrion Crow passed overhead.

Feeding Greylag Geese Anser anser with Roe Deer Capreolus capreolus behind

Passing through the gate on my left I stopped to check the handful of Greylag Geese on my right and a cock Pheasant and then on through the second gate to take the path through the reeds towards the observation screens.

No problem here identifying the many calling Reed Warblers on both sides of the path.  A second cock Pheasant was also present in the field to my right on the other side of the stream and then on the the first screen.  Then, the distinctive call and brief sighting of a nearby Sedge Warbler.  As I approached I was in time to see the Great White Egret take flight and away to the adjacent water leaving this view completely free of any water bird life.  A minute or so later I was able to check the larger water from the second viewing screen and here was the Great White Egret at the back.  Nearer to me more Greylag Geese along with both Gadwall and Teal.

Great White Egret Egretta alba

Making my way back along the path I came across a single Coot on the small stream and once back on the main path towards the exit much time spent looking for the newly-arrived Whitethroats.  First a pair of Long-tailed Tits and then, finally, my first Whitethroat of the year as a very active male explored its new territory between path and reeds.  Also in the area a second calling Sedge Warbler. A Magpie was seen in the horse field across the canal then two more at the edge of the reeds.  Then, still with many calling Chiffchaffs and Cetti's Warblers, a look across the reeds to the old, are trees for a final look at the calling male Cuckoo.

Cuckoo Cuculus canorus

Once back at the car the short couple of hundred metres drive to stop on Fishlake Meadow road to check the southern end of the main lake from the viewing point below the bank.  Not many birds on show other than a few Tufted Duck, a pair of Canada Geese and a number of resting gulls. Obviously not Black-headed Gulls so time to use the scope and confirm a mixture of Lesser Black-backed and Herring Gulls. However, one small white "blob" partly concealed by a dead tree was a Common Tern and even better views when it took to the air and commenced fishing right in front of me.  Indeed, not one but two individuals and to prove me wrong, even a Black-headed Gull appeared.  Finally, at the very back of the water a pair of both Shoveler and Pochard.

Birds seen:

Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Pheasant, Great White Egret, Red Kite, Coot, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Common Tern, Wood Pigeon, Cuckoo, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Wren, Robin, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Whitethroat, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Jay, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Reed Bunting.

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Stockbridge Down, Hampshire

Saturday 16 April

At last a chance to join the Hampshire Ornithological Society on one of their organised birding walks. Up and away by 6.30 for the 7.30 start but by the time I had corrected the incorrect B-class road and actually found the isolated car park the birds, as they say, had flown.  What to do?  Beautiful day, on my own and not a dog walker in sight so set off on my own on an upward track to what looked liked the summit.  Lots of birds calling and quickly identified Robins, Blue and Great Tits plus sightings of all and Carrion Crows, Magpies and Blackbirds.  I had already come across a Red-legged Partridge at the road side as I approached my destination and after the initial Wood Pigeon sightings it was good to see a pair of Jays pass across the bushes in front of me.

Midway up I stopped in the cover of some trees as a quartet of Yellowhammers landed on the exposed grass in front of me to commence feeding and was able to get some distant shots.

Male Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella

Listening and seeing some of the many Chiffchaffs I eventually turned to make my way back down the hill to the car park.  A Robin or three watched my progress and then on a very open space a small flock of feeding Rooks.  

Rook Corvus frugilegus

Off to the right a hovering Kestrel and finally back at the car park - but the wrong one! I had started at the eastern car park and now found myself at the western car park, so a pleasant walk across the lower slopes to complete a triangle back to the car and decide what to do next. However, it had been a lovely walk in excellent weather and most enjoyable even if only 13 species were recorded.  But, as it was still only just after 9 o'clock I decided to  make the relatively short drive over to Fishlake Meadows, Romsey to complete my morning.

Birds seen:

Red-legged Partridge, Kestrel, Wood Pigeon, Robin, Blackbird, Chiffchaff, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Jay, Magpie, Rook, Carrion Crow, Yellowhammer.

Check out the accompanying website at http://www.birdingaxarquia.weebly.com for the latest sightings, photographs and additional information