San Fernando, Cadiz

Monday 28 July

Back in Spain – at last! Our 10-day cruise via Sardinia to the Adriatic and returning via Sicily once more had brought us back to Spain and its southern port of Cadiz in Andalusia.  Our first stop during a non-stop provision of calm weather and clear blue skies with very warm to hot temperatures had been in Cartagena where we managed to record Pallid Swifts and both Black Redstart and Spotted flycatcher, even a pair of Monk Parakeets, and here we were in search of what should be an easy sighting for the year list, Spotless Starlings.

One if the few pools at Salinas los Tres Amigos, San Fernando

Leaving Jenny to explore the city, I took a local bus across the water to the southern end of neighbouring San Fernando to visit the abandoned Salinas of Los Tres Amigos. Unfortunately, I still had a thirty minute walk from the nearest bus stop and, as one might imagine, no shade once out on the footpath across the edge of the abandoned Salinas.  But making my way to the salinas no shortage of Barn Swallows and even more Pallid Swifts. A lone White Wagtail passed by and the ever present company of House Sparrows.  Lots of Feral Pigeons (Rock Doves) about but also both a few Collared Doves and a single Woodpigeon.

Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta

Once on the Salinas proper signs of dried white beds but still the few isolated stretches of water and ere long a Flamingo flew over and at the back of a large pool four more feeding Flamingos. On a neighbouring pool I found a resting single Yellow-legged Gull (there were scores on or above the water at the cruise port).  Continuing southwards I came across a pair of Goldfinch and then, at the river with the tide almost completely out, I was able to find a group of waders feeding in a nearby pool.  About a dozen Black-tailed Godwits but also nearby a couple of Avocet and a Black-winged Stilt.

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa

A couple of Oystercatchers on the return walk which came as a surprise but at least confirmed my hearing of same and then, approaching the end, I finally found my Spotless Starlings as a score flew over a recently ploughed field.  As an added bonus, a male Kestrel flew by in the opposite direction.

Salinas los Tres Amigos, San Fernando showing both Black-winged Stilt and Black-tailed Godwit

Now, as we cruise northwards along the Portuguese coast towards our final stop at La Coruna on Wednesday, I can but hope that a local park might produce either/or a Sardinian Warbler and/or a Serin to add to the small Spanish list this year.  Who knows, maybe another local warbler or even a Rose-ringed Parakeet.  We shall see – and so will you as I suspect this report will not be published until I am back home in Warsash on Friday morning.

PS:

But then I was able to purchase an SD transfer gizmo so can now give a brief addition relating to today's visit to La Coruna!

Resting Yellow-legged Gulls Larus michahellis at the historic Torre de Hercules, La Coruna

Disembarking alongside the town, many Rock Doves, Woodpigeons and House Sparrows foraging on the recently cut lawns.  Then a bus ride out to the oldest working Roman lighthouse, Torre del Hercules, and many Yellow-legged Gulls overhead and on the shore line.  Walking the path through the meadow to the cliff path, first a Goldfinch then a Linnet before adding a Stonechat.  Overhead not just soaring and gliding Yellow-legged Gulls but also a hovering Kestrel.  Upon reaching the cliff edge and overlooking the rock outcrops, many resting gulls but also a couple of Shag.

Birds seen:

Flamingo, Kestrel, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Black-winged Stilt, Black-tailed Godwit, Yellow-legged Gull, Pallid Swift, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Barn Swallow, White Wagtail, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Goldfinch.

La Coruna Birds:

Shag, Kestrel, Yellow-legged Gull, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Goldfinch, Linnet.

Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa

Distant Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis on the salina

Salinas los Tres Amigos

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Nightjars in the New Forest

Saturday 12 July

Burton Common at 9pm with the Nightjars to approach from the extreme left

Collecting friend Richard Osman at 7.10 pm we arrived in the designated car park at Burton Common, just north of Christchurch but still in Hampshire, an hour later. Still clear blue skies and the a low, bright sun as our group of seven HOS members led by Bob Groves made our way along the dark track to the open common.  Woodpigeons noted on the way along with Chiffchaff then a stop to follow the Siskin before it finally departed for good. So onto the open common near the trig point where w scanned the area in search of n early Nightjar or even a passing Woodcock. We thought we had one, then a second but all agreed was not to be; it was a large bat, possibly a Noctule bat. Whilst we waited a lone Herring Gull flew over.

Time for a clockwise walk round the main track during which we noted the scores of roosting Carrion Crows on the distant wires then the first of a number of Linnets.  A Stonechat presented itself on the heather off to our left and as we were almost back to the trig point, passing by a row of trees on our left, first a Robin then a Blackbird crossed the track in front of us.

Almost dark at 9.30 and the Nightjars churring 

By 9.30 pm and the sun set but still some light, the churring away to our left above the trees of the Nightjars.  Another fifteen minutes and the light now just about completely gone and the first Nightjar was suddenly passing low in front of us and within ten metres.  Soon a second and a third, all giving good, close sightings; task accomplished!  Fifteen minutes watching these large birds the, making our way back to our cars a slight diversion to check on a favoured Tawny Owl resting tree but nothing to be seen - other than at least another three close Nightjar sightings!

Dark and fast, the first Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus

A great evening in good company and the blurred photos give some idea of both the lack of light and the speed and jerky flight of these lovely birds.

Just  blur as you try to focus!!!

Birds seen:

Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Nightjar, Robin, Stonechat, Blackbird, Chiffchaff, Carrion Crow, Siskin, Linnet.

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Warsash and Solent Shore

Friday 11 July

Curlew Numenius arquata in need of a good scratch!

Another very warm and sunny day so with minimum clothing and just the bins and camera headed off along the Warsash coast as the tide was half-way in to the Spit and on to the Meandering Lake, which had completely dried up and providing nothing other than a visiting Roe Deer, before retuning home by the same route, having finally recorded 24 species in ninety minutes.

Roe Deer 

Fist bird, no surprise there, was a Black-headed Gull quickly followed by the first Little Egret of the morning.  A dozen House Sparrows in the bushes near the sailing club and then a Robin on the path as I passed Strawberry Fields and a resting Woodpigeon atop a tall tree on my left.  On the shore line a feeding Curlew and then a handful of Herring Gulls as I approached the pier, and just past this landmark a score of Black-tailed Godwits.

Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo

A few Herring Gulls approaching the Spit along with a preening Cormorant and a couple of Oystercatchers.  Once alongside the Spit a large resting flock of Black-headed Gulls and another Curlew and Black-tailed Godwit.

Resting Black-headed Gulls Larus ridibundus with a feeding Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa

Walking along the Solent shore towards the Scrape a passing Magpie and then the first Stonechat.  The scrape was alive with resting birds including about 70 Avocet and, eventually, 80 Black-tailed Godwits.  Also recorded were a single Heron and Moorhen plus a Little Grebe and handful of Mallards.  Even a couple more Little Egrets and a Curlew resting on the far fencing.

Scores of Avocets Recurvirostra avosetta plus a few Black-headed Gulls

Moving on towards the gorse patch a trio of Skylarks took to the air immediately in front of me and then a few Linnets along with more Stonechats as I made my way along the narrow path next to the gorse area.  However, greatest and most pleasant surprise was finding a male Dartford Warbler just inside the fence in the healthy gorse but never exposed sufficiently long enough to get even a record photograph.

Male Stonechat Saxicola torquatus

With no water at the Meandering Lake so back the same way and picking up a Common Tern flying low and close to the shore as it patrolled southwards.  Back towards the pier the sight of a half-dozen Rock Doves and then the long-staying Yellow-legged Gull that seems to favour this area as the tide comes in.  All in all, very warm and glad to get back to cool off in the shade!

Mainly Back-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa along with Little Egret Egretta garzetta and Curlew 

Birds seen:

Mallard, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Moorhen, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Woodpigeon, Skylark, Robin, Stonechat, Dartford Warbler, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Linnet.

Curlew Numenius arquata

Stonechat Saxicola torquatus

Very distant Linnets Carduelis cannabina

Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis

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Fishlake Meadows, Romsey

Thursday 10 July

Another lovely day with clear blue skies and hardly a breath of wind.  Up early and at Fishlake Meadows, Romsey by 6.50 before the weather got too hot. Upon arrival immediate sightings of Wren, Woodpigeon, Chiffchaff and Goldcrest.  Making my way along the canal path into the reserve proper I found a Chaffinch at the very top of a large tree and in the distance, on the water to my left, first a few Mute Swans and Greylag Geese then a Heron perched on the tree platform.. (Indeed, "Merlin" informed me that an Osprey was calling but I failed to find the raptor.)  However, a quartet of Swifts in the sky above the water.

Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs

Continuing on along the canal path both Blue and Great Tits noted along with a juvenile Robin.  As expected I soon came across the first of at least five Magpies.  Now the Cetti's Warblers were making themselves known to all and sundry and along came a Blackbird.  A Dunnock landing in the middle of a small bush to my left remained long enough to get a quick photo. An Osprey passed high overhead moving westwards at a gentle pace.

Dunnock Prunella modularis

Moving on down to the linking path to the screen walk I managed to eventually find both the calling Great Spotted Woodpecker and Nuthatch.  In the trees to my left a pair of Long-tailed Tits and then it was of down to the screens noting the Reed Warblers and a pair of Carrion Crows.  Nothing to be seen from the right-hand screen other than the Great White Egret that flew over and moving on to the left screen a better, heat-hazed, view of the second Great White Egret.  Also present a handful of both Greylag Geese and Mallards.  And as I started back a score or more Greylag Geese flew into the water area.

Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopus major 

As I walked back along the inking path I stopped to get a distant record shot of a Sedge Warbler and a pair of Stonechats were noted atop a small bush.  Turning back ono the canal path a Song Thrush was foraging on the path in front of me and more Blackbirds and a trio of Magpies.

Distant record shot of Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus

Rather than straight to the car park I walked on and under the road bridge to access the viewing area from the main road.  Not as many species as I had hope but 14 Mute Swans and a quartet of Egyptian Geese along with the newly-arrived Greylag Geese.  A pair of Great Black-backed Gull with a juvenile and at the back of the water both a Cormorant and a Little Egret.  Finally, just as I was about to walk back to the car park and make my way home, a pair of Common Terns put in an appearance.

Egyptian Geese Alopochen aegyptiaca

Birds seen:

Greylag Goose, Mute Swan, Egyptian Goose, Mallard, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Great White Egret, Osprey, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Swift, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Stonechat, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Cetti's Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Chiffchaff, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Goldcrest, Nuthatch, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Reed Bunting.

Great White Egret Egretta alba

Great Black-backed Gulls Larus marinus

Juvenile Robin Erithacus rubecula

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Farlington Marshes

Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis

Wednesday 9 July

Car duly serviced at nearby Farlington, I was able to start a clockwise loop of Farlington Marshes by 3.15pm.  Very warm, lots of sunshine and just a light, cool breeze when on the exposed sea wall.  But first an anti-clockwise visit of the viewing point not far away to check the lagoon and noticing both Blackbird and Song Thrush on the first field after the wooded area.  Further along the field a wandering Moorhen and then chance to take a prolonged look at the inside lagoon.  Lots of Canada Geese and Black-headed Gulls along with a large split flock of Black-tailed Godwits, a few Avocets and Shelduck plus the occasional Mallard, Lapwing and Carrion Crow. But not too many Coot in this area and just the single Little Egret on the seaside mud flats.   Only two Great crested Grebes on the lagoon. And looking carefully at the resting Black-headed Gulls I was also able to identify a single Mediterranean Gull.

Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa with Black-headed Gulls Larus ridibundus. Note the single Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus in the bottom right.

Viewing completed, I returned the fifty yards to take the path across the field below the sea wall to the old barn.  On my right a small number of (still) singing Reed Warblers and checking the resting birds on the river found more Black-headed plus a trio of Herring Gulls along with both Avocet and Shelduck.  A handful of Oystercatchers plus the fist of two Herons on the walk and a single Redshank.  Overhead at least a half-dozen Swifts and arriving at the barn to check the far lagoon also had a pair of Barn Swallows overhead.  Nearer to me, a half-dozen Moorhen an a number of Coots plus more Mallards.

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea

The onward walk to the Deeps produced a large number of Starlings and a couple of Magpie and then the first of a handful of Linnets.  Out of the water to the left f the far sea wall a group of ten Mute Swans and at least another seven Little Egrets.  Over the inside field a Skylark and then a high, quartering Marsh Harrier.  No sign of the reported Cattle Egret. At the Deeps itself more Black-headed Gulls and a few Shelduck plus a single Black-tailed Godwit and the last island produced both a Green Sandpiper and a Ringed Plover.

Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula

The thick bushes below the bank produced first a Whitethroat and then a pair of juvenile Meadow Pipits before coming across the second Heron.  Approaching the viewing area from the opposite direction first a male Reed Bunting then a pair of Canada Geese with five well-grown goslings on the path in front of me.  Continuing on through the trees to the car park I finally located the singing Greenfinch to round of the walk with a total of 36 species.

The Canada Goose Branta canadensis family

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Mute Swan,  Shelduck, Mallard, Great Crested Grebe, Little Egret, Heron, Marsh Harrier, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Ringed Plover, Lapwing, Black-tailed Godwit, Green Sandpiper, Redshank, Mediterranean Gull, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Swift, Skylark, Barn Swallow, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Reed Warbler, Whitethroat, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Reed Bunting.

Distant Song Thrush Turdus philomelos

Avocets Recurvirostra avosetta

Little Egret Egretta garzetta

Magpie Pica pica

Extremely distant Osprey Pandion haliaetus

Distant high Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus

Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus 

A few of the scores of Starling Sturnus vulgaris

Moorhen Gallinula chloropus

Avocets Recurvirostra avosetta with Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa

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