New Forest Birding

Marsh Tit Parus palustris

Sunday 27 October

One day to recover from the long drive home from the south of Spain then off birding again to visit the New Forest on Sunday morning.  taking advantage of the clocks going back an hour during the night I managed to arrive at Blashford Lakes by 9 o'clock and encountered a Blackbird as I entered the Tern Hide overlooking Ibsley Water. An overcrowded water both near and far with scores of Coots and very many Wigeon.  To the far left a number of Mute Swans and resting flocks of Lesser Black-backed  and the odd Great Black-backed Gull.  A few close by Mallard but more to be found on the island in front of the hide.  On the edge of the bay just beyond not just a dozen or more Egyptian Geese but also a few newly-arrived Pintail, the first for me this autumn.  Just beyond a Cormorant rested on a pole in the water and a few others were resting alongside the gulls to my left.

Egyptian Geese Alopochen aegyptiaca but note the Pintails Anas acuta resting centre right

Closer inspection revealed a number of Shoveler with far more at the back of the water and resting on the "nesting platform" on the far bank a lone Buzzard.  By now I was checking the many Coots and soon found a number of Tufted Duck along with a single Black-necked Grebe.

Very distant Buzzard Buteo buteo

Time to resort to the scope for more detail and I had soon found a lone Greylag Goose on the bank to the far left.  Just below a Heron and a second arrived at the shore just to my right from the hide. At this point a pair of Green Sandpipers flew past the front of the hide and off towards the Goosander Hide. Nearby a Moorhen appeared out of the vegetation and posed a while.

Heron Ardea cinerea

Further concentration led me to find the recently arrived female Red-crested Pochard and after much searching, and not so far away beyond the small island, the visiting female Maccoa Duck, looking so like a female Ruddy Duck, for which it had been originally identified a few days previously.  Having found the latter, I also found a couple of nearby Gadwall.

Distant record shot of female Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina

Distant female Maccoa Duck Oxyura maccoa 

Time to move on so across the road to the main reserve and walk to the Ivy North Hide which duly provided many more gadwall along with a few Coot and a Cormorant.  Working my way through the trees to the Woodland Hide I recorded both Robin and Great Spotted Woodpecker and once inside the hide most disappointing.  Not so much a couple of birders at the only opening window but the fact that all the other windows were misted up on the outside so preventing any passable observation, not that many birds were about save for the occasional Blue and Great Tit.  However, the outside feeders were attracting Nuthatches and both Blue and Great Tits along with a Chaffinches, Blackbird and a Dunnock.

Robin Erithacus rubecula

Similarly, very little to be seen from the South Ivy Hide other than a number of Great Crested Grebes, Cormorants, a few Black-headed Gulls and a Little Grebe.  Still Cormorants in the tree tops near the nest.  And as I made my way back to the car I noted the dozen Mallards on the silt pond to the left and then added both Carrion Crows and a Goldfinch before departing.

Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus

A lovely drive through the narrow, single track back roads of the Forest to Fritham noting just how many visitors were making us of a warm and dry Sunday morning.  Entering the hamlet a small feeding flock of Rooks plus Blackbird, Starling and House Sparrows as I passed by the few properties. Then, once at Eyeworth Pond and parked up many Mallards were willingly accepting the offered food by visitors.  Not so many small birds at first but once free space in front of the pond the return of Blue, Great and Marsh Tits along with Robins, Dunnock and many House Sparrows. Even a pair of Moorhens on the nearby small island.

Nuthatch Sitta europaea

Birds seen:

Greylag Goose, Mute Swan, Egyptian Goose, Gadwall, Wigeon, Maccoa Duck, Mallard, Shoveler, Red-crested Pochard, Tufted Duck, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Cormorant, Heron, Buzzard, Moorhen, Coot, Green Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Goldcrest, Marsh Tit, Blue tit, Great Tit, Nuthatch, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch.

Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus with fishy breakfast

Cormorants Phalacrocorax carbo

Maccoa Duck Oxyura maccoa with nearby Wigeon Anas penelope

Male Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula

Blue Tit Parus caeruleus

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Navaseca, Daimiel

Tuesday 22 October

Almost 5pm by the time we arrived at the Laguna de Navaseca before checking in at our evening hotel in Daimiel.  But the sun still shining and quite warm with just a gentle breeze.  No sooner had we reached the hide than Jenny was first to spot the distant Marsh Harrier at the far end of the water.  On the water itself mainly full of Mallards but towards the back also a number of both Teal and Shoveler.  Just a quartet of Flamingoe plus the occasional Coot. Off to the left a good-sized resting flock of Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

Shoveler Anas clypeata

Moving on down the laguna to the first hide on the main road very little to see as the reeds had grown and so obliterated all signs of the shallows. So, taking the track on the left to follow the southern end of the laguna very difficult to see anything through the vegetation from the first hide other than a resting Cormorant.  A similar scenario at the other hides and viewpoints, although the last viewing point did produce a Little Grebe and a couple of Coot.

One thing that we did note on entering this back path was a ca trio of Magpies, the first of this species seen since arriving in Spain almost three weeks ago. Not only the first sight but just round the corner a little later a flock of eleven and before leaving the sight we had recorded no less than 18 individuals.

Snipe Gallinago gallinago

Moving onto the farm land to follow the inside track, passing a large flock of Spotless Starlings, we stopped adjacent to the water inlet but, again, much vegetation obliterating the viewing points.  Still some exposed water with limited viewing between the wind-blown reeds but much of the previous shallow water used by breeding birds now covered by same.  However, in the brief moments when a view was possible a distant White Wagtail was seen before the luck of seeing a passing Kingfisher.  On the water a trio of Shoveler and at the far back a trio of Snipe before a Moorhen wandered into sight and also a pair of Black-winged Stilt.

Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus

In front and alongside me a number of both Chiffchaff and Cetti’s Warblers were recorded followed by a lovely Zitting Cisticola.  Continuing up the track towards the main road and our exit from the site we also came across a very small charm of Goldfinch and a number of House Sparrows but no Little Owls on this occasion.

Snipe Gallinago gallinago

Birds seen:

Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Flamingo, Marsh Harrier, Moorhen, Coot, Black-winged Stilt, Snipe, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Rock Dove, Collared Dove, Kingfisher, White Wagtail, Cetti's Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Chiffchaff, Magpie, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Goldfinch.

Shoveler Anas clypeata

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Zapata and the Airport

Monday 21 October

A morning visit to Zapata and the airport itself proved a most interesting and rewarding occasion.  As soon as we arrived at the Zapata entrance track we recorded both Collared Doves and Spotless Starlings quickly followed by a few Blackcaps and a Zitting Cisticola. In the nearby trees a few Greenfinches and to our right a Spotted Flycatcher. Both Goldfinches and Blackbirds were also seen on the track along with a Black Redstart.

Moving on to the reed bed we were in time to see a quartet of Cattle Egrets fly over along with a single Cormorant.  Then it was a case of count the many Stonechat along with House Sparrows and Crested Larks.  Cetti’s Warblers were calling from below in the reeds and a few Barn Swallow flew over above us.

Hoopoe Upupa epops

Leaving Jenny and Barbara in the car where they were the only ones to see the visiting Bluethroat and Waxbills to the ford, Derek and I took a walk along the old track currently blocked off to vehicles as work continued in the laying of new water pipes, where we found five feeding Hoopoes and a couple of Meadow Pipits.  At the far back of the fenced area a lobe Northern Wheatear was seen.

Record shot of distant Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe

Moving further upstream beyond the river crossing we checked the river to find a small flock of Mallard accompanied by a Moorhen and, in the trees opposite, a number of Jackdaw.  And all around us a number of foraging White Wagtails.

Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis

Moving on we drove to the small access track alongside the second runway in the hope that the recently seen Stone Curlews might still be about; they were not. On the other hand we id record Serin, Chiffchaff and Sardinian Warblers.

Buzzard Buteo buteo

Once alongside the runway proper we noted a pair of Buzzards then a passing Booted Eagle. We note a large raptor perched on a fence post and suddenly realised this was a Harris Hawk used by the airport to scare away unwanted avian visitors.  No sooner had the hawk flown than we realised that the falconer was in a car beyond the fence and the bird had come to rest on the roof.  Most weird to see the car moving along towards us with such a bird enjoying the ride!

Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus

Time and again the bird took flight to the fence between us and the car before returning to either the roof or inside of the car.  Amazing to see the activity as we watched then followed to see what would happen next.  A couple of stops and the falconer had obviously been watching the Booted Eagle and Buzzards above which seemed to be most reluctant to leave the area.  This resulted in the falconer letting off a small exploding rocket which finally did the trick and drove the invading raptors away from the airport.  Not every day you get to see such a practical demonstration of the airport’s scaring device!

Harris Hawk Parabuteo unicinctus

Harris Hawk riding the falconer's car!

Birds seen:

Mallard, Cormorant, Cattle Egret, Booted Eagle, Buzzard, Moorhen, Collared Dove, Monk Parakeet, Hoopoe, Crested Lark, Barn Swallow, Meadow Pipit, White Wagtail, Black Redstart, Stonechat, Northern Wheatear, Blackbird, Zitting Cisticola, Cetti's Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Spotted Flycatcher, Jackdaw, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Serin, Greenfinch, Goldfinch.

The falconer's rocket explosion took the sails out of the Booted Eagle's flight!

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Fuente de Piedra & Navahermosa

Sunday 20 October

Off early and arrived at Fuente de Piedra before 10 passing a number of Collared Doves and Spotless Starlings as we drove into the reserve.  First a stop to check the ploughed field on the right and wooded corner where we found Stonechat, Crested Lark and a Sardinian Warbler. Moving on pleased to see that the meadow on the left was flooded but nothing present other than a couple of Jackdaw.

Iberian Grey Shrike Lanius meridionalis

Parking the car we took a walk towards the footbridge so that we could access the main mirador via the lower path.  Lots of activity as we made our way round starting with a posed Iberian Grey Shrike atop a small bush and with good views of both Common Redstart and White Wagtails.  A Song Thrush put in an appearance quickly followed by a quartet of Greenfinch.  No shortage of Chiffchaffs nor a small number of Linnets.  A Cetti’s Warbler was calling strongly from the ditch and then a male Blackbird crossed the track.

Common Redstart Phoenicuros phoenicuros

Finally, up the mirador below the large tree giving a view over the almost dry laguna; lots of sand stretching away into the distance with just a very small area of shallow water to our left.  On the san to the right of the water a large resting flock of gulls, mainly Lesser Black-backs but also a few Herring and Black-headed Gulls.  On the water perhaps as many as an hundred Greater Flamingo and with the use of Derek’s scope also able to pick out a handful of Lapwing plus a few Teal, Shelduck and Avocet. Then the very small group of Ringed Plovers as both House Sparrows and Barn Swallows passed overhead.

Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus

Moving on the hide overlooking the Laguneta we finally saw a Robin instead of just hearing its call.  Once inside time to check the full water and find a few Flamingos along with mainly Mallards.  However, there were a couple of Black-necked as well as Little Grebe and then the small flock of Common Pochard.  At the back of the water a pair of Marbled Duck and resting away to our right a couple of White-headed Duck. A lone Gadwall put in a brief appearance.  Just the one Moorhen but a few more Coot. The neighbouring hide offered up a small mixed party of both House and Spanish Sparrows.

Distant Marbled Ducks Marmaronetta angustirostris

As we made our departure from the car park we stopped to take a final look at the flooded field, now on our right, and found that four Black-winged Stilts had arrived along with an adult and juvenile Iberian Yellow Wagtail. In the olive grove just beyond the flooded a field a Hoopoe and then, resting atop a pylon on the other side of the nearby main road, a Buzzard.

Iberian (Blue-headed) Yellow Wagtails Motacilla flava iberiae

Time now to drive a few miles away to the growing fields near Navahermosa which proved very productive indeed.  Entering a farm track be became immediately aware of the large number of Cattle Egrets away to our left.  In front of us a few Goldfinches and Blackcaps before spotting the Common Redstart feeding on the road in front of us. A Red-legged Partridge went dashing away on our right and then a Pied Flycatcher on the wire above us.

Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis

Taking a turn to our right with more open fields on both sides of the track we stopped to check Greenfinches and Chiffchaffs and long with a number of Stonechat before finding our first Whinchat of the morning. A trio of Woodpigeon flew across and then time to stop for our picnic lunch.  Across the field in front of us a resting Kestrel on a short stump with a handful of Serin in the hedge behind us. At that moment we looked up to watch the passing Sparrowhawk.

Stonechat Saxicola torquatus

Moving on a large flock of Sky Larks over the field and then a stop to admire the Northern Wheatear resting on an irrigation pipe between the vines.  A couple of Collared Doves and then a fairly close view of a passing Marsh Harrier.   However, no sooner seen than we stopped to admire the pair of Black-winged Kites resting atop a small well-leafed tree.  Wonderful!

Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus

Just when we thought we had seen our bird of the day we were suddenly confronted by finding a pair of Dartford Warblers in the scrub at the side of the track. Much as we tracked the birds, typically they refused to pose long enough in the open to get a decent photograph.

Dartford Warbler Sylvia undata

Finally, making our way to the exit road a couple of Zitting Cisticolas and more Crested Larks before a quartet of Hoopoes on the track and a Moorhen seen in the final ditch.  All in all, an excellent day's birding that produced a magnificent 60 species.

Hoopoe Upupa epops

Birds seen:

Shelduck, Gadwall, Mallard, Teal, Pochard, Marbled Duck, White-headed Duck, Red-legged Partridge, Little Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Cattle Egret, Flamingo, Black-winged Kite, Marsh Harrier, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Avocet, Black-winged Stilt, Ringed Plover, Lapwing, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Hoopoe, Crested Lark, Sky Lark, Barn Swallow, Meadow Pipit, Iberian Yellow Wagtail, White Wagtail, Robin, Common Redstart, Whinchat, Stonechat, Northern Wheatear, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Cetti's Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Sardinian Warbler, Dartford Warbler, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Pied Flycatcher, Iberian Grey Shrike, Jackdaw, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Spanish Sparrow, Serin, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet.

Spanish Sparrows Passer hispaniolensis

Whinchat Saxicola rubetra

Iberian Grey Shrike Lanius meridionalis

Distant Kestrel Falco tinnunculus

Song Thrush Turdus philomelos

Stonechat Saxicola torquatus

White-headed Ducks Oxyura leucocephala

Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis

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