Cabo de Gata with the Arboleas Birding Group

 Wednesday 28 October

Another interesting morning at my favourite birding site in Almeria by the Arboleas Birding Group and, despite Kevin's feeling that numbers were on the low side, those present did see some good birds and, by the sound of it, had a very enjoyable morning.  Not strange to say but evert time I visited the first hide on the bend I, too, always seemed to find an Iberian Grey Shrike on the wires across the road.

Cabo de Gata: Wednesday 28 October

My friend Steve, aka Bish, has been asking me recently what we actually get up to on these birding jaunts, so today he came along to find out.  Peter S, Bish and I met at Venta del Pobre and again Peter offered to be driver for the day.  We headed down to the Lay-by Hide at Cabo and began to scan the salinas.  Peter quickly found Ringed Plover, Spoonbill, Redshank and Greenshank, while Bish was first to see a Little Egret.  We added Greater Flamingo, Dunlin, Avocet and Slender-billed Gull.  Trevor arrived, followed by Nigel with Peter W and, after a long absence, it was great to welcome Alan back to the fold.  He soon found a Little Stint.  I scanned the usual area for Iberian Shrike and found one (soon after this, Trevor found another on the wires across the road) and Peter S found a Sardinian Warbler. Other birds logged at this first stop were Black-winged Stilt, Yellow-legged Gull, Mallard, Magpie and Spotless Starling. A promising start!

Spoonbills (PHOTO: Nigel white)

Our usual cafe and the one just beyond that were both closed so we walked to the one in the square, where over coffee we added House Sparrow and Blackbird but failed to identify a small greyish warbler in the nearby trees despite seven pairs of eyes doing their best.  As for the seven brains, I’m not sure about those.  We drove on to park opposite the Second Hide.  A brief sea watch (it was flat calm) produced nothing but at the hide we had superb views of a Song Thrush that Trevor had found (Bird of the Day?), along with a Stonechat (Nigel), a much-discussed Great-crested Grebe (Peter S), Thekla Lark and Chiffchaff.  Alan found a few Cormorants and, half-hidden by the vegetation, a Great Egret.

Male Stonechat (PHOTO: Nigel white)

On to the Original Hide where, big disappointment, it was fenced off because they were re-proofing the roof with some noxious substance which was better avoided.  We did our best to scan the right-hand lagoon and the small portion of the main lagoon that was visible from the parking area.  Peter S managed to find Shoveler and Lesser black-backed Gull.  The lack of access here probably cost us a few species, I guess, but no matter.  As we drove away, our car of three added a fly-by Barn Swallow and, later, I received an email from Alan: ‘As I left the last hide and joined the coast road two Trumpeter Finches landed on the wooden fence on the seaward side.’  An excellent record, which brought our relatively meagre total up to 30.   A very enjoyable and good-humoured morning in excellent company, though.

Spoonbill (PHOTO: Nigel white)

NEXT WEEK, Wednesday 4^th November: I am not available as I will be taking Troy to Alicante airport but there will be an outing and Alan has offered to write a report. The venue will be Villaricos/ Salar de los Canos aka Consum Lagoons. (Sierra Maria will have to wait.) Meet at the usual place above the Ford at Villaricos at 09.15.

Kevin

For the latest news follow the Axarquia Birds and Wildlife Facebook page for more photos and comments and the opportunity to share with the wider birding world.

New Forest Birding

Sunday 25 October

Spoonbills Platalea leucorodia with a lone Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta (extreme left)

After the double storms that created so much stress and damage to the west and north, we escaped with just heavy rain and very strong winds. But today was mainly clear blue skies and warm when out of the strong breeze. Putting the clocks back an hour helped as I was up at the normal time, but now an hour earlier, so down at Normandy Lagoon on the Solent coast south of Lymington by 8 o'clock. My word it was difficult holding the scope steady never mind the camera when called upon. All seemed very quiet when I arrived at the lagoon apart from the distant 15 resting Spoonbill, which I later discovered also included a single Avocet.

Spoonbills Platalea leucorodia

Once on the outer sea wall with the sun behind me I soon found the large resting flocks of both Dunlin and Ringed Plover, not to mention all those that seemed to be in constant flight mode.

A few of the Ringed Plovers Charadrius hiaticula

Just a fraction of the Dunlin Calidris alpina present

Checking the edges of the islands I also found a range of waders including Redshank and Greenshank plus Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Grey Plover and Turnstone. 

Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola with 2 others and Dunlin

Having found a small group of Black-tailed, I was surprised to see 2 Bar-tailed Godwits resting in their company.

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa

Ducks were mainly Teal with good numbers of Wigeon plus Pintail, Tufted Duck and Mallard. Both Little and Great Crested Grebe recorded along with Cormorant, 4 Little Egrets and a lone Grey Heron. Very few gulls present represented by a single Great Black-backed, Herring and couple of Black-headed until just before departing at the arrival of a Little Gull.

Little Egret Egretta garzetta

Smaller birds included handful of Linnets, Robin, Great Tit and a few Chaffinches. In total a list of 36 species.

Female Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs

Moving the three miles over to Pennington Marshes I found a number of both Magpies and Carrion Crows along with many Canada Geese in the paddock at then of the lane.  Then it was on down to the car park, noting a Great Tit on the way, and start the anti-clockwise triangle.  After all the rain the lagoons were now well flooded with plenty more Canada Geese and a small number of Brent Geese as I started out.  The wind had picked up so, at times, a little problematic actually walking in a straight line and the prospect of fun and games once exposed to the elements on the seawall! 

Group of Canada Geese Branta canadensis

A few Woodpigeon, a Cormorant and a small flock of Starlings then time to check the bird life on Fishtail Lagoon. A handful of Shelduck plus Shoveler and a small number of resting Wigeon.  On a small patch of care ground on the spit a few Ringed Plovers and a Lapwing plus a foraging Pied Wagtail.  nearby a few resting Redshanks.  On the opposite bank an immature Herring Gull and at the far end a small number of gulls including Black-headed, Herring and a single Great Black-backed Gull.

Resting Redshank Tringa totanus

Just a pair of Mallard on Butts Lagoon but more of a collection on Pennington Lagoon where I found many Wigeon and Teal along with a few Pintail.  On the seawall a couple of Pied Wagtail and once at the "pier" and turn inwards to the car park, fifteen Turnstone foraging on the small shingle beach.  Ahead of me in the main lagoon the only Little Egret seen at this site.

Male Pintail Anas acuta

Teal Anas crecca

The path inland immediately produced a Blackbird, Robin, quartet of Goldfinch and a single Linnet. And approaching the half-way mark a lone Lesser back-backed Gull flew over so producing the 28th species at the site.

Robin Erithacus rubecula

Then a slight diversion on the way home to call in at Eyeworth Pond but no Mandarin Duck in sight. However, I did finally find a couple of Moorhen along with Robin, Dunnock, Chaffinch and House Sparrow plus the 14 Mallards on the water. So ended the morning with a final total of 46 species.

Dunnock Prunella modularis

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Brent Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Pintail, Tufted Duck, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Spoonbill, Moorhen, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, Lapwing, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Bar-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Greenshank, Turnstone, Little Gull, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeon, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Great Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Linnet.

Pied Wagtail Motacilla alba (centre) with Ringed Plovers

Moorhen Gallinula chloropus

Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula

Teal Anas crecca

Little Egret Egretta garzetta

Oystercatchers Haematopus ostralegus

Oystercatchers with Dunlin Calidris alpina

Redshanks Tringa totanus

More Ringed Plovers Charadrius hiaticula

Robin Erithacus rubecula

Female Pintail Anas acuta

Oystercatcher, Wigeon Anas penelope and a Turnstone Arenaria interpres (Ringed Plover at top)

For the latest news follow the Axarquia Birds and Wildlife Facebook page for more photos and comments and the opportunity to share with the wider birding world.

Titchfield Haven

Thursday 22 October

The day between! Rain all day yesterday and Storm Austen arriving tomorrow followed by more rain on Saturday. Good enough excuse to get down to Titchfield Haven just after 8 to check out the river and harbour before an hour on the reserve inside Meon Hide overlooking the scrapes. In the harbour, at high tide, plenty of Mallards, a couple of Coot and at least two dozen Turnstones.

Turnstone Areanaria interpres

Next to the viewpoint overlooking the river and island where I fond a dozen resting Lapwings on the island along with the sheltering Gadwall and up to fifteen Cormorants on the river. At the back against the bank a Heron and off to the far left the resting Shovelers. Also present five Little Egrets and just the single Black-tailed Godwit and a single Common Gull. Fewer Coots this morning but still over a score present.

Common (Mew) Gull Larus canus

Making my way to the main reserve and the Meon Hide overlooking the scrapes I encountered both Woodpigeons and Magpies along with a foraging Chiffchaff in the nearby bushes.

Magpies Pica pica

Once inside the hid not so many birds as I expected and no geese present. Whilst over a hundred Teal the great majority were resting up against the western bank and the nearer islands. Also in score the bulk of the Lapwing flock. A couple of nearby Black-tailed Godwits but most of the other species were further back.

Male Teal Anas crecca

The back islands held most of the gulls present.  Mainly Black-headed but also a quartet of Common, a couple of Herring and a single Great Black-backed Gull.  In amongst the gulls another four Little Egrets with a couple of Herons on the northern scrape.

Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus

The larger island held more of a mix with a flock of Shoveler, a few teal and a small group of Oystercatchers.  Looking closer I also found a number of Black-tailed Godwits at the back which almost masked out the single resting Glossy Ibis.  All very tired judging by the sleeping Redshanks. And at this point one of the resident mars harriers decided to put in a brief appearance.  At the same time a Cetti's Warbler was calling from below the hide and a Stonechat flew across the water to the reeds on my right.

Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus

With one island holding a number of Lapwing and Teal I also found a sleeping Snipe and then the arrival of flock of about thirty Starlings.  Even a couple of wandering Moorhens.

Sleeping Snipe Gallinago gallinago

The distinctive calls from above and to the left let us know that the Canada Geese, about sixty, were arriving accompanied by a couple of Greylag Geese.  No sooner had they landed at the back on the northern scrape than a single Avocet arrived followed by a pair of Egyptian Geese.

Egyptian Geese 

With a handful of Magpies and a few Carrion Crows wandering around the site and car park time expiring it was time to make my departure for home and, as I approached the exit gate, a couple of House Sparrows made a very brief stop in front of the large gate as I approached.

Birds seen:

Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Egyptian Goose, Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Cormorant, Glossy Ibis, Little Egret, Heron, Marsh Harrier, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Lapwing, Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Stonechat, Cetti's Warbler, Chiffchaff, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow.

Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta

Black-headed Gulls Larus ridibundus

Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus

Greylag Geese Anser anser (front)

Lapwings Vanellus vanellus

Little Egret Egretta garzetta

Oystercatchers Haematopus ostralegus

Sleeping Redshanks Tringa totanus

Male Shoveler Anas clypeata

For the latest news follow the Axarquia Birds and Wildlife Facebook page for more photos and comments and the opportunity to share with the wider birding world.

Las Norias with the Arboleas Birding Group

Wednesday 21 October. 

Interesting; I certainly remember visit to Las Norias and all the disgusting plastic and, often, general waste.   Sounds like no hirundines still hanging around for the Arboleas Birding Group but are the cattle Egrets still gathering, along with Night and Squacco Herons, up at the top next the road with Purple Swamphens on the small end pool?  Also used to be plenty of Slender-billed Gulls along with Flamingos on the left as you entered the road leading up to the lighthouse.

Cañada de Las Norias and Punta Entinas-Sabinar: Wednesday 21 October

Peter Sloan and Peter Williams met me in the car park at Venta del Pobre at 08.15.  Peter S kindly

offered to drive, so the three of us headed west together along the A7.  We logged Spotless

Starling and Yellow-legged Gull en route, before stopping for coffee at the Repsol gasolinera

where we used to gather in the old days, at salida 809 (formerly 420).  Then on by the traditional

route to the Las Norias lakes among the plasticos.  The surroundings were as depressing as we

remembered, plastic everywhere, but the birds were there: Great-crested Grebe (lots), Chiffchaff,

Coot, Red-crested Pochard, Cormorant, Cetti’s Warbler, Grey Heron, Shoveler, Moorhen, Little

Grebe, Mallard, White Wagtail, Robin, Jackdaw, Collared Dove and Magpie.

After a distinctly chilly start to the day, it was now warming up as we drove south to the

small parking area by the track that leads to the lighthouse at Punta del Sabinar.  The track is

closed to vehicles but easily walkable, initially through very tall reeds before the view opens out.

There was some heat haze but Peter S found a Marsh Harrier in flight to the left then instantly

spun round and found a Purple Swamphen in the vegetation fringing a pool to the right.  How did

he do that?  We added Kentish Plover, Avocet, Black-winged Stilt, Whinchat (after discussion),

Black-necked Grebe and Blackbird . One or two very distant waders remained unidentified.  The

long walk to the lighthouse through scrub and dunes produced only Sardinian Warbler and

Stonechat.  Back by the car, a few House Sparrows showed up.

Purple Swamphen (PHOTO: Bob Wright)

As we motored on eastwards we passed an Iberian Grey Shrike on the roadside wires.  Last

stop was the large lagoon opposite the westernmost buildings of Roquetas de Mar, let’s call it

Laguna Serena.  Tall fringing vegetation left only a very short stretch were it was possible to see the

water but it was worth the effort, with White-headed Duck, Little Grebe, Lesser Black-backed Gull

and a huge number of Pochard all present.  We finished with 34 species at the end of a thoroughly

enjoyable outing in good company.

Kevin

For the latest news follow the Axarquia Birds and Wildlife Facebook page for more photos and comments and the opportunity to share with the wider birding world.

Titchfield Haven

Sunday 18 October

Anther lovely sunny start to the albeit breezy and much colder and with the eastern side of Titchfeld Haven National Nature Reserve closing tomorrow for two months for restoration work on the first hide, decided I would pop down early to look at the low water beach and walk the boardwalk before returning home to welcome guests for the day.

Jackdaws as I approached the shore then looking at the beach with the low sun in my eyes only able to pick out a Little Egret so straight on to the observation area to check the River Meon and the island below me.  Lots of Shoveler and Gadwall with the dozen plus Lapwing resting on the island.  Nearer the back on the water more Little Egrets along with a Grey Heron, pair of Little Grebe and many Coot. A couple of Cormorant were resting then flying back to the pen sea.  Closer inspection found both a Snipe and a single Redshank on the far bank.  Then I notice, in amongst the resting Gadwall both a couple of Teal and a quartet of Wigeon.

Male Pintail Anas acuta

Moving on to the harbour I stopped at the bridge and in time to see the arrival of Marsh Harrier and a Kingfisher few up and over my head.  In the harbour itself the family of the three Mute Swans and the main Mallard flock along with a couple of Coot.  From in front of the sailing club I was now able to check the shore with the sun behind me and found a dozen Ringed Plover below along with a mix onf Black-headed and Herring Gulls.  At the water's edge a single Great Black-backed Gull and just off shore near the buoy a quintet of male Eiders.  But only two Turnstones note along with another handful of Redshank.

Male Eiders Somateria mollissima

On down to the boardwalk on the eastern side of the reserve with a Rook flying overhead and Chiffchaff, Robin, Wren and Great Spotted Woodpecker noted. From the Meadow Hide I found a trio of Canada Geese along with another Grey Heron and the still active Marsh Harrier, albeit it then found a resting place low down in well-leafed tree.

Resting Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus

I finally moved on to the Knights Bank Hide at the end of the footpath and noted the hundreds of passing Woodpigeons that arrived in the area.  Form this hide not only the resting Marsh Harrier but also a distant Buzzard and a Kestrel that came to rest nearby alongside the cattle.

Male Kestrel Falco tinnunculus

Time to return to the car and head home but also noting a Blue Tit as I made my way back along the boardwalk. Stopping to check the river and island from the road I found that more Redshanks had arrive to rest on the island along with a single Glossy Ibis. Then, putting away the scope, a look out to the Solent saw the two fishing Sandwich Terns.  Finally, passing through the top end of Titchfield, as expected found not only more Jackdaws but a few Starlings.

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Gadwall, Wigeon, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Pintail Eider, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Glossy Ibis, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Lapwing, Snipe, Redshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Sandwich Tern, Woodpigeon, Great Sotted Woodpecker, Kingfisher, Wren, Robin, Cetti's Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blue Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling.

 For the latest news follow the Axarquia Birds and Wildlife Facebook page for more photos and comments and the opportunity to share with the wider birding world.