El Fondo, Elche

Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia

Wednesday 9 October

A leisurely drive south from Lliria, Valencia brought us to the El Fondo reserve at Crevillent near Elche by  3.30 where I could spend almost two hours wandering around the site. Still pleasantly warm and calm albeit on the cloudy side but very ow om water other than the two main lagoons near the Visitors Centre. The pons at the back of the VC was just about completely dry and very little water in the boardwalk area with much exposed mud, etc.  On the other hand, the low water level, and especially in the ditches, seemed to provide a real feasting opportunity for the scores of Little Egrets present on site which must have amounted to well over an hundred individuals.  The same could also be said of the Glossy Ibis flock.  Every time a couple of score or more took flight there seemed to be still the same number left resting and feeding.

Little Egret Egretta garzetta

Back to the start. A number of Collared Doves as we approached the entrance drive and once in the car park a Common Waxbill moved out of the bush immediately on front of the car.  Beyond the boundary fence, the water at the back held a number of Glossy Ibis, a juvenile Flamingo and a Little Egret.  Moving to the  Visitors Centre many visitors making use of the picnic tables but no problem reaching the screen to check the pond beyond.  Now completely dry with just a few small puddles but a number of feeding Red-knobbed Coots, a couple of Purple Swamphen and a similar number of Moorhen. So off to the boardwalk accompanied by calling Cetti's Warblers.

Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus

Once on the boardwalk only limited, low water levels and a the back to my left scores of resting Glossy Ibis. a Heron at the very back along with  handful of Little Egret and then the first sighting of a pair of Black-winged Stilt. A lone eclipse plumaged Marbled Duck made a brief appearance towards the back of the water before I rounded the first bend and came across the foraging Red-knobbed and Common Coots along with a number of Purple Swamphens and a few Moorhen.  Many more Little Egrets and a handful of young Flamingos also on show.

Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio

Red-knobbed Coot Fulica cristata

Reaching the end of the boardwalk many more Little Egrets spread near and far and then off the first hide on the left.  Not a lot to be seen other than a handful of Mallard and a lone male Shoveler with a few Common Coot towards the back of the water.  Another small flock of Glossy Ibis passed overhead and looking up the narrow channel as I crossed I noticed not only Little Egrets actually on the banks and down in the water but also a large flock resting atop the bank in the distance.

One f the larger gatherings of Little Egret Egretta garzetta

Moving across to the hide on the right overlooking the main lagoon (see photo at top) only about a score of distant Flamingos to the far left along with a resting Heron.  Immediately in front of me at the back a small group of eleven resting Spoonbill and immediately in front of me a handful of Black-winged Stilt.  A handful of Black-headed Gulls to my right and then a lone Little Grebe moved across to the reeds on my left.

Resting Spoonbills Platalea leucorodia

Making my way back to the VC by the same route the Marbled Duck was no longer to be seen but a single Teal had now arrived.  Still lots of Glossy Ibis and Little Egret plus a Cetti's Warbler on the fence to my left which quickly move away to nearby bushes.  To my right a Green Sandpiper made a hasty departure and so back to the car.  Sitting in the car updating my records I looked at the water beyond the fence in front of me and, with the use of the binoculars, found a well concealed pair of Marbled Ducks.

Teal Anas crecca

Leaving the car par  a flock of about thirty Spotless Starlings were on the wires to the left and at the end of the approach road a small number of Barn Swallows in the sky above us.  Also at the junction with the main road a handful of Cattle Egrets at the edge of the field to the left plus a few more that had crossed to the field on the opposite side of the car.  A very short drive to our nearby Hostal Imperial for the night and as we moved away not only more Collared Doves on the wires but a resting Hoopoe.

El Fondo, the main lagoon

Birds seen:

Mallard, Shoveler, Marbled Duck, Teal, Little Grebe, Glossy Ibis, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Heron, Spoonbill, Flamingo, Moorhen, Purple Swamphen, Common Coot, Red-knobbed Coot, Black-winged Stilt, Green Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Rock Dove, Collared Dove, Hoopoe, Barn Swallow, Cetti's Warbler, Waxbill, Spotless Starling.

Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus

Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus

Juvenile Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus

Distant Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus

Heron Ardea cinerea (right and above) with Little Egret

Flight of Mallard Anas platyrhynchos

Marbled Duck Marmaronetta angustirostris

Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porohyrio

Red-knobbed Coot Fulica cristata

Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia

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Back in Spain: Marjal dels Morros

Monday 7 October

First view of the Marjal dels Morros

Having spent the past two days in the house, mainly sleeping and trying to shake off a light cold, I was away at daybreak to visit the lovely bird reserve of Marjal dels Morros on the coast just north of Valencia.  Arriving at 8.45 with a hazy sun and lots of cloud, but no wind, so giving me, I hoped, a good number  of enjoyable birding hours.  But it was not to be!  By the time I reached the first viewing point with its high platform the midges were out in force.

Heron Ardea cinerea

From the platform and the high bank as I approached I noted a good number of Coot, along with Mallard and a quintet of Gadwall. On the far side of the water a lone Heron and immediately in front of me a foraging Purple Swamphen.  Behind me a pair of Gadwall moved round the bend to be replaced by a pair of female Shoveler and a single Little Grebe.  

Female Shoveler Anas clypeata

All around me calling Cetti's Warblers and overhead a flock of 300 House Martins preparing to move off. A distant Marsh Harrier moving over the reeds was a welcome sight and then a trio of Flamingos flew over the ater and further into the marsh.

Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio

Moving on, accompanied by hordes of midges feasting on all exposed parts of my body, a few Black-headed Gulls moving in off the sea.  Once at the next hide disappointed to see the low water level and just a handful of Mallards present. Over on a small, bare tree towards the shore a Kestrel was resting and looking quite forlorn.  Nearer to me a quartet of Common Waxbill were feeding on the low bushes.

Kestrel Falco tinnunculus

Rather than simply abandon a I made the decision to under the complete anti-clockwise circuit but given the amount of attack from the midges perhaps wished I had simple abandoned ship and gone back to the car!  The next water brought just a few Mallards and nothing else seen until time to turn for home at the three-quarter point of the circuit.  A Little Egret popped up out of the ditch in front of me and the exposed pool here held a number of Teal in addition to the Mallards and another Purple Swamphen.  A Heron flew over.

The second large pool holding the Teal Anas crecca

Making my way along the narrow track alongside the irrigation canal I came across a handful of Woodpigeon and yet a another distant Marsh Harrier.  Even a resting Kestrel to my right. So back at the car and a number of both Spotless Starlings and Collared Doves on the wires plus the expected Feral Pigeons (Rock Doves) and a few House Sparrows.  Just the 23 species for all the blood I shared but at least a couple of new sightings for the year and, at least, I was out and about again.

Disappearing distant Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus

Birds seen:

Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Little Grebe, Little Egret, Heron, Flamingo, Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Purple Swamphen, Coot, Black-headed Gull, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Cetti's Warbler, Magpie, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Waxbill.

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Hamble River, Warsash

Tuesday 1 October   

Lovely sunny start to the day and no wind so put off packing car till this afternoon and took a quick walk up the Hamble River to the conservation area and back as the tide neared its peak.  As usual, no camera so lots of birds to be seen at close range and in good light!  As a result, all illustrations are from my records library.

As son as I reached the river, having already noticed the local Robins, a Herring Gull and a handful of Black-tailed Godwits plus both Turnstone and Redshank. Moving along past the ferry landing pontoon, I quickly added the many Black-headed Gulls and found plenty more Black-tailed Godwits and yon the remaining island before completely covered over thirty resting Redwing long with a Curlew and more Black-tailed Godwits.  In a ditch on the land side a single Greenshank.  Strange to find  lone Woodpigeon nearby along with a couple of Little Egrets.  And looking into the river itself the head of a Seal poking out of the water to see what was about.  But was it a Grey or Common (Harbour) Seal?  Judging by the large dog-like head with longish snout I suspect a Grey Seal.

Greenshank Tringa nebularia

No sooner had I noticed the Cormorant flying upriver than a single barn swallow also past in the same direction.  Just time to find the lone Great Black-backed Gull amongst the resting Black-headed Gulls than a House Martin flew over and upriver along with a further three Barn Swallows. I continued to find more Black-tailed Godwits making my way up to the conservation area plus a second Curlew and more Turnstone.  And in the distance, close to the water inlet a standing Great White Egret.  Long time since I have seen one on the river.  Also in the mix a pair of Oystercatchers and as a Heron flew over my attention was drawn to the back of the conservation area where I found a further five Herons and more Little Egrets.

Great White Egret Ardea alba

Taking a closer look at the now almost water-filled conservation area there were 36 Wigeon at the back along with many more Redshank and a single Greenshank.  Nearby a group of 16 Teal and on the main path a group of four Carrion Crows.  Making my way back down the river to home a Pied Wagtail flew across the path and in a garden to the right a couple of Roe Deer.  Both Magpie and Starlings were also recorded as I left the river.

Birds seen:

Wigeon, Teal, Cormorant, Little Egret, Great White Egret, Heron, Oystercatcher, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Greenshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Pied Wagtail, Robin, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling.

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Workmans Lane, Warsash

Sunday 29 September

Last opportunity for some local birding before setting off to Spain in two days time. Up at the top of Workmans Lane at the other end of the village by 10.10 and then down to the horse fields.  Very little to see on the way down other than a group of fifteen Carrion Crows and six Woodpigeons feeding on the grass in the field on the right.  Approaching the entrance to the horse field a Jay flew across the road in front of me and then moved on to the trees at the bottom of the horse field.  Meanwhile, a very large flock of Starlings flitting around the area and by the time I was walking the bottom track I was able to count at least two hundred individuals.  A Robin was happily singing and displaying to my right.

Once near the donkey paddock I was able to check on the Carrion Crow numbers both sides of the track and able to add at least seventy more plus an overflying Jackdaw.  At the far corner of the paddock a pair of Stonechats and in the horse enclosure on the opposite side of the track at least forty individuals in the feeding Linnet flock.

A few of the Linnet Carduleis cannabina flock

Continuing and taking a left turn to follow the footpath four Barn Swallows flew past me heading towards the coast and, on the opposite side near the pond, a trio if Egyptian Geese feeding at the back of the field.

Egyptian Geese Alopochen aegyptiaca

Finally a single Magpie before continuing on to Hook Lane.  An enjoyable walk back to the car through the trees then open fields but nothing new to add to the sightings albeit a further four Magpies.  Becoming very windy but "Merlin" managed to identify a further five species during the walk from the entrance to the horse field; namely Great Spotted Woodpecker, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Pied Wagtail and Rook.

Egyptian Geese Alopochen aegyptiaca

Birds seen:

Egyptian Goose, Woodpigeon, Barn Swallow, Robin, Stonechat, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Starling, Linnet.

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New Forest Birding

Blue Tit Parus caeruleus

Saturday 28 September

Beautiful sunny start to the day and all calm as I drove over top the New Forest with Blashford Lakes being my first point of call. Both Blackbird and Dunnock as I drove into the car park in front of the Tern Hide and a couple of Canada Geese flew over as I entered the building.  At first sight just a mass of Coot all over the water so time to use both bins and scope to see what else might be present.  A good number of gulls, mainly Black-headed but also both Lesser Black-backed and Herring Gulls, mainly towards the back left of the water.  Nineteen Mute Swans counted along with a score or more Egyptian Geese.  Difficult to find the quartet of Gadwall but not so both Mallard and Tufted Duck.  A handful of Great Crested Grebe and then the discovery of a Black-necked Grebe towards the back of the water.  Naturally, there were a number of resting Cormorant along with a single Woodpigeon atop a gate at the far left side at the water's edge.

Resting Egyptian Geese Alopochen aegyptiaca with the Coots

Moving across to the main reserve immediately a few Robin and as I approached the Ivy North Hide joined by a few Chiffchaff.  Once inside more Coot and Cormorant along with a Moorhen in the channel immediately in front of the hide. Leaving the hide to to take the walk through the trees to the Woodland Hide I had a small family party of Long-tailed Tits along with a couple of Blue Tits before a Jay flew across the path in front of me.  A Nuthatch was feeding on the approach feeder and once inside the hide Greenfinch, Goldfinch and mainly Blue Tits but also a single Coal and a couple of Great Tits.  Dunnock and Blackbirds on the ground below the feeders and then the regular appearance of at least one Nuthatch.

Nuthatch Sitta europaea

Making my way on down to the South Ivy Hide I stopped to observe the distant Kingfisher resting on twigs to the back of the Silt Pond alongside a few Mallard. From the hide more Coot and Black-headed Gulls plus a couple of young Great Crested Grebes. Not so many Cormorants on this occasion.

Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo passing overhead

Calling in on the Woodland Hide on the way back to the car more Nuthatch appearances whist on the outside feeder a Great Spotted Woodpecker. The final walk took me to the holly trees on the other side of the entrance road where I finally found a couple of Firecrest.

Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopus major

Moving over to Eyeworth Pond, Fritham on the way home I recorded Jackdaw and Collared Dove in the hamlet at the end of Blashford lakes and then, almost immediately, a Chaffinch atop a small tree as I took the narrow cross country road followed by a Carrion Crow.  Passing through Fritham hamlet a small flock of Jackdaw, Starling, Blackbird and Woodpigeon then on down to the pond itself.

Coal Tit Parus ater

Once parked up in front of the pond I was able to watch the feeding area from within the with at least three Nuthatch in attendance along with, mainly, Blue but also Marsh, Great and Coal Tits.  Many of the Mallards were out of the water and feeding on the spilt seed below the gate and were then joined by a pair of Moorhen.  Finally, a lone female Chaffinch put in an appearance and was later joined by an inquisitive Robin.

Moorhen Gallinula chloropus

A little bonus on the drive back to "Warsash as crossing the Test flood plain on the M27 a couple of Little Egrets to my left and a circling Buzzard just above the car, so providing a total of 39 species for the morning.

Record shot of distant Kingfisher Aledo atthis

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Egyptian Goose, Gadwall, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Buzzard, Moorhen, Coot, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Kingfisher, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Chiffchaff, Firecrest, Long-tailed Tit, Marsh Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Nuthatch, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Starling, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch.

The very friendly Blue Tit Parus caeruleus

Dunnock Prunella moularis

Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis

Marsh Tit Parus palustris

Robin Erithacus rubecula

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Hayling island and Farlington Marsh

Friday 27 September

Following an early entry for my dental appointment I was away from Fareham before 11am and straight over to Hayling Island to catch the falling tide.  However, upon arrival it was cold, cloudy and very windy with the incidental light drizzle.  Not to worry, having noted the Herring and Black-headed Gulls in the bay opposite the parking area along with a singe Curlew and a distant Little Egret I made my way to the path up to alongside the old oysterbeds.  On the way, the field to my left produced a couple of Magpies and fifteen Woodpigeon feeding on the grass.

The first are produced a couple of Redshank as a pair of Barn Swallows flew over.  Also moving around a small flock of Starling and a few more Black-headed Gulls.  The next bed found a dozen Shelduck and a Carrion Crow dropped in to see if anything was worth scavenging.

The walk to the final area in front of the lower car park produced a Cetti's Warbler and upon arriving at least a dozen Ringed Plovers, a second Curlew and a trio of Carrion Crows but, in general, all very quiet in the strong wind.  Finally, making my way back along the old railway track to the car park, both a Robin and Kestrel to add to the short list plus a further five migrating Barn Swallows.

Curlew Numenius arquata

After a stop lower down the island a carvery lunch and rest whilst the cloud cleared away and sun put in an appearance, I made my way back towards home with a very short stop at Farlington Marsh.  Nothing seen until I reached the barn (presumably the old viewing centre), where I found the tracks under water and lagoon levels exceedingly high.  Nothing at all on the latter but the water to the left held a number of Coot along with a trio of Moorhen and a handful of Mallard.  I made my way as far along the track as possible (without appropriate footwear) and had to stop within 50 metres but away to my left I could see scores of feeding Ganada Geese along with the "tame" white Goose and its Barnacle Goose friend.  On my side of the track the cattle were well spread and distant so no sign of any Yellow Wagtails but at least thirty Starlings feeding near the beasts.  But, a little to the left, stood a lone Cattle Egret.

Back to the car park and then take the track through the trees to the perimeter path. Both Magpie and Woodpigeon noted on the way and then, below me on the mud to the right, a good number of Black-headed Gulls along with a score or more Lapwing and a singe Curlew. 

Distant Lapwing Vanellus vanellus with Curlew behind

A stop at the viewing point produced 120 Coot on the lake to the left and down on mudflats a handful of Oystercatchers and both a Herring Gull and Little Egret. Two further Curlews were seen before a further check of the lake produced a number of Mallard.  At the very back, resting on one of the fence posts, a solitary Buzzard.

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Barnacle Goose, Shelduck, Mallard, Cormorant, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Buzzard, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Lapwing, Curlew, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Robin, Cetti's Warbler, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling.

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