Fishlake Meadows, Romsey

Sunday 6 April

Yet another bright, sunny start with clear blue skies but, as with previous similar days, quite a cool nip in the air.  Arriving at Fishlake Meadows at 8.45  I was welcomed by Great Tit, Robin, Blackbird and Chiffchaff.  And setting of down the canal path into the reserve I was soon being bombarded by the constant songs/call of numerous Cetti's Warblers along with similar call from the diminutive Wrens.

Looking over the reedbed, where "Merlin" was recording the calls of a Sedge Warbler, a couple of Mute Swans on the far water and a resting Great White Egret whilst a couple of Greylag Geese flew away to my right. Certainly no shortage of Woodpigeons before the appearance of the first Magpies and Carrion Crows before the arrival of a Collared Dove.  Meanwhile, above me, I note the passing of a handful of Barn Swallows.

Great White Egret Egretta alba

Both Chaffinch and Blue Tits were recoded as I made my way down from the canal path to take the path towards the screens overlooking the water.  A Buzzard was resting atop a pylon and then, taking the narrow path, on the small pond to my left a pair of Mute Swans accompanied by Teal, Gadwall, Mallard and a pair of Canada Geese.

Buzzard Buteo buteo

Once at the screens, the pond to the right held a single Great White Egret whilst on the main water more Greylag Geese plus Mallards, Gadwall, Teal and Shoveler.  Even a couple of Coot.

Great White Egret Egretta alba

Time to head back towards the car park but continued on to the main road, encountering both a Wren on the path and a male Blackcap in the low bush to which it fled as I approached.  Once at the observation point alongside the man road, a few Tufted Duck and Coots along with the many resting Cormorant and more Greylag Geese.  A the back of the water at least three Great Crested Grebes and resting on or near the few trees mid-water, a few Herring plus a single Lesser Black-backed Gull.  Just as I was about to depart I noticed the Moorhen that slipped out from the reeds at the back.

Wren Troglodytes troglodytes

Birds seen:

Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Great White Egret, Buzzard, Moorhen, Coot, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Barn Swallow, Wren, Robin, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch.

Departing Great White Egret Egretta alba

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Titchfield Canal

Saturday 5 April 

At Titchfield Canal by 8.20 on a lovely sunny start to the day with clear blue skies but still the strong, cold wind. A pair of Canada Geese flew over the car park as I was about to start my walk along the canal and then quickly followed by the sight of Robin, Blackbird, Great and Blue Tits.  making my way around the copse at the back of the car park I soon added Woodpigeon, Chiffchaff and Pheasant and then off down the canal walk.

Woodpigeon Columba palumbus

Lots of calling Cetti's Warbler as well as the Chiffchaffs and then time to check Bridge Street Flood where I found mainly Mallards but also a few Pintail, Teal and a couple of Shelduck accompanied by a good-sized flock of Black-tailed Godwits.  Also present a number of Canada Geese plus the occasional Coot and a handful of Cormorants.

Mute Swans, more Shoveler and Teal on Posbrook Flood but no sign of the "resident" Glossy Ibis. At the back a couple Little Egret and three Herons.  Most of the Canada Geese were on or around this water but still the single Greylag Geese resting on the grass as I approached the water. Both Magpies and Carrion Crows seen overhead and then the first sighting of the many singing Wrens.  At the far end of the avenue a handful of Jackdaw and more Robins along with a drumming Great Spotted Woodpecker.  

Greylag Goose Anser anser

As I started my return journey to the car park a male Kestrel was hunting at the northern end of the water and once back at Bridge street Flood I noticed the pair of Stock Doves resting to the side of the former barn Owl's nesting nest.

Male Kestrel Falco tinnunculus

Leaving the scope in the car I then took the short walk further up the canal to Titchfield Church recording both Chaffinch and Greenfinch along with a pair of Mallards on the canal itself.  Starting to make my way back a couple of Magpies to the left and then a raptor hire above the wires which looked very much like a Sparrowhawk but, especially after checking the record shots, able to confirm a s a Goshawk.  back at the car park a resting Starling on the roof of the first house.

Distant, high Goshawk Accipiter gentillis

Birds seen:

Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Pintail, Pheasant, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Coot, Black-tailed Godwit, Black-headed Gull, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker,  Wren, Robin, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Starling, Chaffinch, Greenfinch.

Kestrel Falco tinnunculus

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Rutland Water

Thursday 4 April

Following last night's stay in Nottingham to attend the Andre Rieu concert, we travelled back to Warsash in glorious bright sunshine and clear blue skies but the warm weather offset by the strong cool wind.  However, time to make a brief thirty minute stop at Rutland Water to introduced family to this marvellous site.  And rewarded we were, too, with a good sighting of a quartering Red Kite as it checked out the far side of the lake outside the Visitors Centre for, perhaps, a mid-day snack.

Red Kite Milvus milvus

Jackdaws on the field and trees to our left along with a Chaffinch as we approached the Visitors Centre and before stopping at the feeding area we noted the Rooks at their rookery behind the far hide.  A number of Blue but mainly Great Tits were visiting the feeders and then joined by a male Reed Bunting.  Immediately below the feeders a foraging cock Pheasant with the female right in front of the hide.  

On the water a few Mallard but more Tufted Duck along with a Cormorant, handful of Coot and about a dozen Canada Geese.  Resting atop the "Osprey Pole" on the far side a pair of Egyptian Geese.  Black-headed Gulls were moving about the site and the occasional Woodpigeon. A pair of Mute Swan were seen to our left.

Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiaca

Moving on from the main car park we made our way to Manton Bay, passing a number of Blackbirds and a Robin on the way, the regular visiting Ospreys were back at their nest platform with and the female already sitting but, as yet, no eggs laid.  On the water around the Osprey very many Black-headed Gulls along with a good number of Great Crested Grebes, a few Mallard and the occasional Coot. More Woodpigeons seen along with a Carrion Crow and on the water at the other side of the road from the bridge a feeding Little Egret.

Osprey Pandion haliaetus

Moving on towards Duddington to stop for lunch, taking the narrow country lanes to connect to the A47 we slowed to admire the single Grey Partridge crossing the road and within ten minutes also had a passing Sparrowhawk gliding slowly over the tall hedge to our left. naturally, a number of magpies and more Rooks and Carrion Crows seen.  Then, parking up in car park for our lunch a pair of Greylag Geese landed on the small lake below and a handful of Greenfinches in the trees at our side.  Wonderful end to the Rutland bird spotting!

Birds seen:

Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Egyptian Goose, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Grey Partridge, Pheasant, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Osprey, Red Kite, Sparrowhawk, Coot, Black-headed Gull, Woodpigeon, Robin, Blackbird, Chiffchaff, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Reed Bunting.

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Sierra de Maria with the Arboleas Birding Group

 2 March 2025

Sounds like a fabulous birding day by Dave and his Arboleas Birding Group; especially all those raptors.  Then you add on a variety of tits and wheatears and you wonder what's coming next!, 

Sierra de Maria  -  Wednesday 2nd April

Nigel had recovered enough from his heart procedure to be able to come with me to the Sierra de Maria. I picked him up just before 8am and headed north.  En route from Velez Blanco to Maria town I spotted a Collared Dove and Nigel, a Woodpigeon.  In town we added Spotless Starling and House Sparrow. The House Martin nest site under the Repsol Garage canopy was still unoccupied.  We arrived at the La Piza forest cafe.  Nigel went and got the coffees as I replenished the bird feeders.  Nigel spotted both Blue and Long Tailed Tits.  Some Crossbill flew over.  A Jay appeared.  On the ground there were Chaffinches picking up crumbs of peanuts.  Coal, Great and Crested Tits arrived as did Trevor, Mike, Kirsten, Peter and Richard.  The latter had seen a Barn Swallow.  Nigel added a Blackcap.

Crossbill taking a drink. That's a hosepipe, not a rare python!! (PHT: David Elliott-Binns)

We commenced the loop.  We saw nothing going through the forest zone.  The agricultural zone had a blanket of mist which was beginning to burn off.  We saw Crested Lark, an Iberian Grey Shrike, Rock Sparrow and a Black-eared Wheatear.  We parked up by Canadas Canepla village where we were joined by Kevin who'd ventured further north.  Amongst other birds he'd seen Red-billed Chough.  Nigel spotted a Corn Bunting on the far reed line.  Barn Swallows were quartering the fields.  We moved on seeing a plethora of corvids....Carrion Crow, Magpies and a Jackdaw.  A Hoopoe flew over.  We passed the farmhouse where Rollers nested in a box last year but saw nothing....Richard and Peter near the rear of the convoy did see a Roller!

As we passed another farm building Nigel shouted for me to stop.  A Little Owl was on the roof.  It had gone by the time I'd exited the car, but I did spot a distant Booted Eagle briefly before it disappeared behind a ridge. 

We stopped at the cliff face.  Another Black-eared Wheatear was seen.  A Red-legged Partridge flew off. Mike and Kirsten saw another three on a field.  We walked to the far side and got glimpses of Black Wheatear, Linnet and some Rock Sparrows.

We carried on, seeing a Kestrel on the farm building prior to the airstrip and a Raven after it.  Peter and Richard spotted a distant Griffon Vulture over towards the still snow covered mountain.  The only Griffon of the day.  Very odd!

At the hamlet there was a pair of Lesser Kestrels.  Nigel added a White Wagtail.

We headed to the La Piza forest cafe.  Peter, Richard and Kevin decided to do a quick stop at the goat farm water trough.  Kevin disturbed a Short-toed Eagle having a drink!  Peter and Richard saw a pair, Mr and Mrs, Hen Harrier!  Triple drat!!  And the latter saw a Northern Wheatear as well.  Sulking at La Piza we only added a Serin coming for a drink.

What a great day's birding in good company.  39 species seen.  Next time we might venture north to see what's up there.  Sounds interesting!  Not a good day for photos for me.  Just as I focused the birds seemed to fly off!!

Regards

Dave

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