Brambling and all three Woodpeckers!

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos minor

Thursday 27 February 

Having stayed in for three days since returning from our Baltic cruise with a heavy cold, it was good to once more be out in the fresh air.  A beautiful calm, sunny start to the day with clear blue skies so off to the New Forest with a first stop at Acres Down to try and succeed for the first time this year in my search for the resident Lesser Spotted Woodpecker.  The hour turned out to be most eventful as, for only the second time, I managed to record all three British woodpecker species on the same visit.

A Blackbird as I parked the car and as soon as out on the track down the hill to the favoured site a Great Spotted Woodpecker in the tree on the opposite side. Whilst I could hear a drumming Lesser Spotted Woodpecker before arriving at the "usual" tree, I also noted Chaffinch, Great Tit and a Song Thrush.  A quartet of Robins were foraging around me and then, whist the Lesser spotted Woodpecker started drumming again immediately in front of me but without revealing itself, a Green Woodpecker was also "yaffling" nearby.  First a Stock Dove atop the special tree and then the arrival of the bird itself and also seen by six others who had now joined in search of the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker.  Very high and distant so lots of record shots taken but a couple will do the trick.  Also, using the bins, able to see the red crown so confirming the bird to be a male. And making my way back to the car I also note the overflying Carrion Crow and the Wren at the side of the track.

Song Thrush Turdus philomelos

Ans so on over to Blashford Lakes passing the mall rookery with its Rook inhabitants as I approached the site.  Starting at the Tern Hide overlooking Ibsley Water almost all the bird life save for a number of Tufted Ducks and a pair of Carrion Crows were at the far end.  Here, with the use of the scope, I was able to identify the very many Wigeon along with good numbers of both Shoveler and Pintail. Barely a score of Coot but I did find both a Heron and a trio of Goldeneye.  The one remaining distant island held a handful of Cormorant and a single Oystercatcher whereas the land to the right provided the only Lapwing of the day.  I did find a distant, single Shelduck as I watched the bird a half-dozen others flew over.  But less than a handful of Mallards noted on this water.

Time to move across to the main reserve and head off to the Woodland Hide where I was later joined by friend Richard Osman for the rest of the stay here.  Blue and Great Tits were quickly recorded and even more once inside the hide.  Wonderful to see so many feeding Siskins which were joined by Chaffinch, Greenfinch and Goldfinches.  Ere long also Blackbird, Dunnock and Robin feeding mainly below the feeders and a visit from both a Nuthatch and Great Spotted Woodpecker. Then the biggest surprise pf the day when a male Brambling arrived in the nearby bush and made four return visits before deciding it was safe to explore the feeder!

Male Brambling Fringila montifringilla

Long-tailed Tits are always a joy to see and a second happy surprise cam with the arrival of a male Reed Bunting before we et off for our next stop.

Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus

More Mallard, Shoveler, Tufted Duck and Wigeon at South Ivy Hide but North Ivy Hide was almost deserted.  However, upon returning to the Visitors Centre plenty of activity on the feeders by a pair of Coal Tits.

Coal Tits Parus ater

Departing to nearby Ibsley hamlet both Magpie and Collared Dove and a flock of at least 30 Jackdaws feeding on the grass just over the other side of the bridge.  Continuing on through the narrow road through the New Forest I made my final stop at Cadnam Pool where I was delighted to find both a male Mandarin Duck and the long-staying Muscovy Duck. The latter was getting itself into all sorts of mischief paying too much attention to one of the quartet of Canada Geese.  I think this duck needs to see some sort of avian psychologist!!!

Mandarin Duck Aix galericulata

Muscovy Duck Cairina moschata

Also present on and around the pool a good number of Mallard plus a handful of Coot.  On the banks a number of Robins and Chaffinches and the trees on the far side of the car park, having been well stocked with seed, were drawing in numerous Blue Tits along with both Great and Coal Tits. A Nuthatch put in an appearance as did both Blackbird and Siskin.

Nuthatch Sitta europaea

Time to head off back to Warsash and as crossing the Test floodplain on the M27 looking down below me I could not but help count at least seven resting Little Egrets at the water's edge of the main pools that had been created.  All in all, an excellent morning's birding and well-rewarded for actually getting out of the house, finally recording 47 species.

Female Siskin Carduelis spinus

In the woods at Blashford Lakes lots of Scarlet Elf Cup fungi to be seen.

Scarlet Elf Cup Sarcoscypha austriaca

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Muscovy Duck, Mandarin Duck, Wigeon, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Pintail, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Coot, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Long-tailed Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Nuthatch, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Brambling, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Siskin, Reed Bunting.

Brambling Fringila montifringilla

Coal Tit Parus ater

Dunnock Prunella modularis

Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis with Blue Tit Parus caeruleus

Greenfinch Carduelis chloris

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos minor

Siskins Carduelis spinus plus a Goldfinch

Stock Dove Columba oenas

Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula

Wigeon Anas penelope

Scarlet Elf Cup Sarcoscypha austriaca

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Cabo de Gata with the Arboleas Birding Group

Wednesday 26 February

What a day, Dave!  Never mind the lower than expected number of species you had a Spotted Redshank as a special and then those Marsh Sandpipers to top the lot!  Like many before and after you, you'll probably have to wait years before you see your next Marsh Sandpiper.  No doubt the bird was a "lifer" form many of those present and, indeed, possibly also the Spotted R4dshank.  Now that really is a memory to savour for months to come.  Many years since I last saw a Marsh Sandpiper and that was down at barbate on the Atlantic coast.  Just about over the cold I picked up at the end of last week whilst up in the Baltic so hoping to be back in the New Forest in the morning and having another shot at finding the local Lesser Spotted Woodpecker before carrying on to Blashford Lakes.

Cabo de Gata  -  Wednesday 26th February

Nigel and I left Arboleas at stupid o'clock and headed south towards the Cabo de Gata as I wanted to go round the rear of the bird reserve.  As we approached Retamar Sur we saw a Magpie.  Through the houses we added Collared Doves and Nigel spotted a White Wagtail.  Through Pujaire Spotless Starlings were seen and as we passed the first hide we saw Greater Flamingos on the salinas.  Driving adjacent to the beach Nigel saw a Sardinian Warbler.

Cabo de Gata church in the early morning sunshine (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

We then commenced to do the rear track, the state of which convinced Nigel he wouldn't be taking his smart SUV round there!  Nothing on the first two salinas.  We drove up to the ancient goat water station, seeing Thekla Larks en route.  The early morning sun lit up the church and the salinas.  We could see Yellow-legged and Lesser Black-backed Gulls.  Further along the track we saw a single Kentish Plover, some Shelduck and Avocets.  That was all we saw, so we were disappointed.

Kentish Plover (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

We made our way to the first hide.  The others had yet to arrive.  A scan produced, apart from the Greater Flamingos, Grey Heron, Avocet, Black-winged Stilt and a pair of Little Egret.  I found three waders on the rocky "causeway".  Slender, light green legs, slim, straight bills.  Definitely not chunky enough for Greenshank and no up pointing bills.  Having consulted "Senor Collins", him and I came to the conclusion they were Marsh Sandpipers.  Had seen one on the reserve with Norman many, many years ago!  Nigel found a line of nine Glossy Ibis with a Grey and Ringed Plovers nearby.  On the water we had Mallard and Slender-billed Gulls.  A pair of Jackdaw flew over. I briefly saw a couple of Curlew on the savannah.  We also added Cormorant and a Spotted Redshank.  We were joined by Peter 1&2, Phil, Richard 1&2 and Maria.  They all managed to see the Marsh Sandpipers.  Peter 1 also found some Curlew Sandpipers and a Little Stint.  By this time Nigel and I were gasping for a coffee so we all headed to the Cabo village cafe.

Marsh Sandpiper (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

Suitably refreshed we convoyed to the second hide.  A Seawatch produced nothing.  We trundled to the hide.  Walking on soft sand does my hips and back no good at all.  I didn't have my sherpa (young Trevor!) to carry my scope either this week!  We only added a single Spoonbill to the list.

The public hide was not much better but I did find a couple of Black-necked Grebes and some Black-headed Gulls.  "Danke" to the German birder who pointed out a Yellow Wagtail on one of the islands! Richard spotted a Crested Lark.

Glossy Ibis with a Grey Plover to the left (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

32 species seen! Not great, but the Marsh Sandpipers made up for the low number.  Great day, great weather in very good company.

Regards

Dave

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Monday 24 February

Sorry for the delay in publishing the latest report from the Arboleas Birding Group but Jenny and I have been on a very cold and frosty cruise up into the Baltic.  Not all bad news though as managed to take the monthly total over the hundred as a result of seen sea birds including Fulmar, Puffin, Black Guillemot and Shag.  And certainly no shortage of Hooded Crows in the towns we visited!  Even managed to see a couple of Red Kite on the drive up the A3 from Portsmouth to the M25 and then on to Tilbury. Lots of good birds seen last week but no Iberian Shrike and soon the Woodchats will be returning.

Rambla de Almanzora & Vera Playa: Wednesday 19th February

Nigel kindly picked Seamus and I up. ,We headed for the Rambla de Almanzora.  As we were in Nigel's snazzy car we went straight to the car park above the ford.  We saw Woodpigeon and the first of many Chiffchaffs.  Seamus spotted a pair of Mallards flying over.  We were joined by Richard, Peters 1 and 2 and Trevor.  A squawking Yellow-legged Gull alerted us to its presence as it harassed a flying Grey Heron.  Richard found a Black Redstart on a power line.  Later a Woodpigeon and a Hoopoe alighted on the same power line.  A Magpie was also seen.

We moved round to the beach.  Trevor spotted a pair of Cormorant and two Little Egrets on the harbour rocks.  I found a pair of Ringed Plovers on another set of rocks.  Out to sea I saw an Adult Gannet.  A pair of Audouin's Gulls rested on some rocks.  On a patch of seaweed I saw some Turnstone and Kentish Plovers.  Some House Sparrows were on the tower.  As we headed towards the estuary a pair of Collared Doves flew into a tree.  The estuary was very birdless.  We saw a Coot and some Goldfinches.

After a refreshing cuppa at the Tiberon cafe, we made our way to the dual carriageway opposite the Consum supermarket behind Vera Playa.  Seamus found the first of numerous Moorhen and Shovelers by the dozen.  

Shoveler (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

Peter 2 reeled off Teal, Black-winged Stilt, Shelduck and Little Grebe.  Peter 1 added Greater Flamingo, one of about 10.  Trevor found some Crag Martins . Peter 2 & Seamus spotted a Snipe.  Peter 2 then spotted a distant soaring Marsh Harrier.  Nigel added a Sardinian Warbler.

Greater Flamingos (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

We convoyed round to the elevated platform opposite the Aquaparc.  Peter 2 found a pair of Black-necked Grebes near the far reed line.  Also there was a Purple Swamphen. On the water Trevor found some Common Pochard.  Also there was a raft of Black-headed Gulls and a couple of White-headed Ducks.  Two Mediterranean Gulls flew over.

Purple Swamphen (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

They completed our 36 species list.  Lovely relaxing day with good mates.

Regards

Dave

White-headed Duck (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

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 Wednesday 12 February

Sounds like a good morning's birding for Dave and his Arboleas Birding Group.  Lovely to read about Griffon Vultures, Choughs, Serins and Crested Larks, never mind that very early Whinchat.  But reading about Crossbill and Corn Bunting reminded me that I have not seen either since returning to the UK three years ago. How things have changed since I started ringing back in the late sixties (that's in the last century!)  On the other hand, we still have a few local Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers in the New Forest ad I did see a most handsome pair of Mandarin Ducks on Cadnam Pond in the north-east corner of the Forest.

Mandarin Ducks (PHOTO: Bob Wright)

Sierra de Maria  -  Wednesday 12th February

I picked up Nigel and we headed to the Sierra de Maria. Prior to getting to the La Piza forest cafe we only managed to see Collared Dove and Spotless Starlings in Maria town.  Once at the cafe we loaded the bird feeders with peanuts and sat down to observe with a coffee.  It was sunny but there was a cold wind.  Nigel spotted a Long-tailed Tit on the nuts as Trevor and Paul arrived.  They had seen Griffon Vultures and a Magpie en route.  I added a Great Tit.  Richard and Peter arrived having seen House Sparrow and a Sardinian Warbler.  Richard added seeds and nuts to the bird's breakfast.  We all settled down with our coffees.  Nigel saw a Blue Tit, Richard a Crested Tit.  We were joined by Seamus, Linda and a very well behaved Lottie.  Also seen were Robin, Jay, Chaffinch and Coal Tit.  A pair of Raven flew over.

We drove along the loop.  Didn't see anything in the forest area.  The fields only provided Greenfinch and Linnet.  Nigel had a Crested Lark as we approached the village.  As we parked up there was a small flock of Serin.  Peter and Richard had also seen a Carrion Crow.  Two black birds flew over the village. Red-billed Chough.

Griffon Vultures (PHOTO: David Binns-Elliott)

We carried along the track seeing more Linnet and Goldfinch flocks.  I had just said to Nigel we hadn't seen any Stonechats when a likely suspect perched on a roadside thistle.  But, no.  Very surprisingly, it was a Whinchat!  Very early!  We saw a couple of small flumes of soaring Griffon Vultures.  Trevor saw a White Wagtail. (Apologies for missing off your Chaffinch last week!).  As we approached the cliff face a Griffon Vulture was perched on top, but flew off as we got closer.  As we got out of our vehicles, Nigel spotted three Griffons on the slope to our right.  They eventually flew off.  We walked to the far side of the cliff.  A pair of Black Wheatears made an appearance as did a Hoopoe.

En route to the hamlet we only added a Kestrel to the list.  Richard and Peter saw a Stonechat.  At the hamlet I spotted two Griffon Vulture against the high clouds.  They were minute.  Must've been about 4,000ft above us!  Linda found a Griffon sitting in a field about 400m from us.  As we left, there was a Corn Bunting perched on a rock.

We adjourned back to the La Piza cafe for lunch.  We added Crossbill and a Blackbird.  That completed our list for the day.  30 species.  Not bad.  Great company.  Nigel saw a Kestrel as we headed for Velez Blanco.

Crossbill (PHOTO: David Binns-Elliott)

News re Paul. He's now back home with a stent fitted. Wish him a speedy recovery.

Regards

Dave

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More New Forest Birding

Mandarin Duck Aix galericulata

Wednesday 12 February

Finished even earlier than expected at the surgery for blood testing this morning so over at Acres Down in the New Forest by 9.45 on a cold and overcast morning with the temperature at 4C (but did rise to as high as 5C by 1pm!) in the hope that I might catch up with the local Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers.  I did not, but a birder who had arrived on site ten minutes before me did get a fleeting glance of a female which stopped at the regular tree for a five second drum. However, I did see Marsh and Blue Tits along with Blackbird, Robin and Wren before I moved on to Blashford Lakes, just north of Ringwood.

Arriving at 11.15 I went straight to the Woodland Hide to check on the feeders and, much to my annoyance, once again found the pair of photographers who sit all morning, and longer, with their long-range cameras at the only opening window, made even worse by the fact that the glass (or is it some form of plastic) is always either both dirty of fogged over on the outside making visibility far too poor for comfort.  Not to worry though, I did find Blue, Great, Coal and Long-tailed Tits plus Robin, Dunnock, Blackbird and many Chaffinches plus the occasional Goldfinch.  However, lovely to see the visiting male Goldcrest which spent a few minutes on a bush next to the feeder but, save for two mentioned above, no other birder was able to get a chance to photograph or even a decent view. But, finally, a chance to get a shot of a group of visiting Siskins through the glass.

Siskins Carduelis spinus

Moving on down to the Ivy South Hide I found the water packed with ducks. Turned out work being undertaken around the edges of Ibsley Water and many birds had moved across to be away from the noise and disturbance.  Lots of Wigeon as expected but also many Teal, Tufted Duck, a few Shoveler and even a lone, male Pintail.  Not so many Cormorants on site this morning but a dozen or so immature Herring plus a single Black-headed Gull.  A few Coot and two Greylag Geese made up the numbers.

Teal Anas crecca

Ivy North Hide produced more teal and wigeon plus a pair of Mute Swans and a Great Crested Grebe.

Then, moving over to Ibsley Water I found most of the ducks were at the back of the water along with a few Mute Swans and Cormorants.  Mainly Wigeon but also Tufted Duck and Shoveler and a few Pintails towards the eastern end of the water where I also found the solitary Black-necked Grebe.  No Egyptian Geese seen and what little of the island in front of the hide above water seen held a pair of Oystercatchers.  As I left towards the hamlet at the end of the road, I also noted a Rock Dove (Feral Pigeon), Jackdaw and Woodpigeon.

Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula

Making my home through the back road towards Fritham, I stopped at Cadnam Pond where I found a good number of Mallard along with a pair of Canada Geese and three Mandarin Ducks. 

Mandarin Duck Aix galericulata

In the stumps and small trees at the back of the car park where active laying of seed had been under way, no shortage of (mainly) Blue Tits along with Great and a single Coal Tit, lots of Chaffinches plus Robin, Blackbird and Dunnock.  Even a Pied Wagtail wandered across to see what all the excitement was about. Time to head of back to Warsash picking up a Starling as I passed by Fritham and then greeted by one of my "resident" Magpies upon reaching home.

Robin Erithacus rubelcula

Birds seen:

Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mandarin Duck, Wigeon, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Pintail, Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Cormorant, 

Chaffinches Fringilla coelebs

Great Tit Parus major

Is this a very shy Robin Erithacus rubelcula?

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The Titchfields and Weston Shore, Southamton

Friday 7 February

Collected just before 9 by Richard and straight off to the Meon Shore at Titchfield Haven to make us of the free parking before 10am to check both the sea and neighbouring habitats. Dull and cold would be an understatement with the bitingly cold wind but we persevered and after noting the Pied Wagtail on the road parking alongside us we headed off to view both the Solent and main lagoon from the road.  In the far distant reserve scrape we could see a trio of Spoonbill and a pair of Shelduck whilst on the shore a few Herring and a Great Black-backed Gull plus a small number of Oystercatchers and Turnstone. back to take a closer look at the main lagoon which produced Shoveler, Mallard, Gadwall and a Little Grebe plus a few Black-headed Gulls.

The harbour contained the usual high number of Mallard plus a trio of Mute Swans and a single Coot. A Blue Tit was picked up as we walked through the back entrance of the Visitors Centre and on over to the shore on the other side of Hill Head Sailing Club.  Here we found a quintet of Brent Geese plus a few Turnstone, just the two Sanderling, a resting Cormorant and half-dozen Eiders out on the main water.  A couple of Woodpigeon behind us but on the shore with the tide forever moving out a handful of Carrion Crows and a multitude of gulls.  Mainly Black-headed and a good number of Herring but also a further four Great Black-backed Gulls.  No shortage of Oystercatchers but no Redshank to be seen. A final stop near the toilet block as we made our way back to Titchfield village produced a few more Turnstone along with a couple of Sanderling and a Ringed Plover.  A Blackbird was noted as we left the shore to drive inland.

Eider Duck Somateria mollissima

Approaching Titchfield canal car park at the top of Posbrook Road the ploughed field held a number of Rooks plus a few Carrion Crows and once parked we soon added both Blue Tit and Robin.  No sooner had we started to walk downstream along the canal path than we added Woodpigeon, Carrion Crow and Magpie but also a trio of House Sparrows in a dense bush to our right.  Once on the higher level to look over to Bridge Street flood we found a large number of Wigeon plus Moorhen, Coot,  Mallard, Lapwing and a couple of Cormorant.   Further to the right a Canada Goose and a pair of Shelduck.  Lots of Herring Gulls to the left but Black-headed Gulls to the right and a single Great Black-backed Gull around the middle on the near shore. A Green Woodpecker was "yaffling" away in the trees beyond the water.

Male Wigeon Anas penelope

Moving on down to Posbrook flood we stopped to check the small flood half way between the two main waters where we found a number of Shoveler and the Black-tailed Godwit flock.  A female Kestrel was hovering directly above us and then it was on to the bridge for the first close look at Posbrook flood.  Lots of Shoveler, more Pintail and Coot plus a couple of Heron.  A Blackbird was foraging on the other side of the canal and a handful of Jackdaw flew past. At the far end of the water we found yet another Heron along with the main Teal flock and a pair of Mute Swans. Whilst enjoying our coffee and refreshments (kindly provided by Richard) a handsome male Marsh Harrier drifted past  overhead as it maid its way down the reserve.

Male Pintail Anas acuta

Making our way back to the car park we stopped once more at the small flood between the two main waters, here we found not only a small number of Canada Geese but the three resident Glossy Ibis showing very well and clear of obstructions.  Then almost back at the car a Dunnock happily resting inn clear sight to our right and, once again, more Great Tits.  Once warmed up a little and records updated, we started on our journey over to Weston shore a the top of Southampton Water, and noting the scores of Starling atop a tall tree as we drove away.

Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus

Thirty minutes later we were parked up in the main car park at the Netley end of the Weston Shore and immediately aware of the large gathering of Carrion Crows which now totalled more than 100 individuals. Close to us over a score of Rock Doves and on the shore and water itself no less than 18 Mute Swans.  Checking with the scope we soon added both Oystercatcher and Curlew.  Using the scopes we were able to check the reported site for the newly-arrived Long-tailed Duck where it was safely identified about 200 yards off-shore from the northern end of the shore beyond a small group of Brent Geese.  Almost opposite close to the Hythe shoreline just south of Hythe pier we found a Great Northern Diver. A final stop at the front next to Netley recreation ground produced a Great Crested Grebe close by on the water and behind us both Woodpigeon and Robin.  A quartet of Mallard and three Mute Swans on Sophie's Pond then back to the "Prince Consort" to get warm and enjoy a coffee/beer before heading back to Warsash after a most successful morning.

Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyermalis

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Brent Goose, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Gadwall, Wigeon, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Pintail, Tufted Duck, Eider, Long-tailed Duck, Great Northern Diver, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Glossy Ibis, Heron, Spoonbill, Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Lapwing, Sanderling, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Green Woodpecker, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow.

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