Cabo de Gata with the Arboleas Birding Group

Wednesday 5 February

I see Dave and his Arboleas Birding Group are back at my favourite Almeria birding site.  Maybe not as many species that they might have hoped for but, nevertheless, all had a good time.  Congratulations to Mike and Kirsten and trust that Paul make a full and speedy recovery is once more back out with his birding peers.

Cabo de Gata   -   Wednesday 5th February

The La Perla team were out on tour today.  Nigel, a near neighbour and new to the group, drove me and Seamus down to Cabo de Gata.  From the motorway en route to the first hide we logged Woodpigeon, a pair of Hoopoe, Collared Dove, Spotless Starling, Jackdaw and White Wagtail.  A scan of the shallow waters before us revealed Greater Flamingos, Shelduck, Black-winged Stilt, Yellow-legged Gull on the rocky causeway together with Little Egret and Mallard.  We were joined by Trevor.  Nigel found an Eurasian Curlew on the causeway and also saw an overflying Cormorant.  Also seen were Redshank, Thekla Lark, a Stonechat found by Trevor and some House Sparrows.  Nigel then spotted 3 Avocets just poking their heads above the bank.  We adjourned to the village cafe for coffee.

Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

Suitably refreshed, we made our way to the beach opposite the second hide track.  A scan of the near flat sea produced a couple of distant resting Gannet.  We trundled to the hide.  A male Sardinian Warbler appeared a couple of times.  I found 4 Spoonbill on the causeway near some Cormorants.  Also seen were Mallard, Yellow-legged Gulls which may have started to nest, a Redshank and of course many more Greater Flamingos.  Nigel found a Slender-billed Gull.

Slender-billed Gull Larus genei (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

We drove to the public hide.  Much of the same except I found a Greenshank and some Lesser Black-backed Gulls. 

A Dunlin was seen.

Not wanting to risk the sandy beach route to Rambla Morales, we then headed home seeing a Magpie to complete our list.  27 species in total.  Great weather and good company.  Some good and bad news....Mike and Kirsten got married.  Congratulations!  But Paul Groves had a heart attack yesterday, but is recovering well.  A speedy recovery to him.

Regards

Dave

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New Forest Birding

Wednesday 5 February 

A little sunshine but still cold as I set off for Blashford Lakes in the New Forest arriving at 9.40 due to the mass of traffic on the M27. Once in the Tern Hide it was immediately apparent the increase in duck numbers on Ibsley Water with many score of Wigeon along with scores of both Pintail and Shoveler.  Still plenty of Tufted Duck but just a couple of Gadwall, small groups of Mallard and a handful of Teal.  Only two Great Crested Grebes noted but there two male Goldeneye, a Black-necked Grebe and a female Goosander. Lots of Canada Geese at the back of he water with a small number of Cormorant but just the one juvenile Mute Swan now almost completely moulted.  A couple of Egyptian Geese also on the water close to the island in front of the hide.

Goldeneye Bucephala clangula with female Goosander Mergus mergaser in background

Moving over the main reserve just a smaller number of birds making use of the feeders at the Woodland Hide consisting mainly of Blue Tits and Chaffinches.  Also present the occasional Greenfinch and Goldfinch plus a few Great Tits, Siskins and a couple of Long-tailed Tits.  On the round Robin, Blackbird and Dunnock picking up the spillages.

Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis

Moving down to Ivy South Hide provided yet more Wigeon plus a Moorhen whereas Ivy North Hide had the main Teal flock along with a Water Rail. As I made my way to the far end of the reserve I also added both Woodpigeon and a number of Jackdaw.

Water Rail Rallus aquaticus

As I approached Cadnam Pool, near Fritham, on the way back I passed a couple of Mistle Thrushes on the ground and once at the water was able to find mainly Mallard but also two pairs of Mandarin Duck along with the long-staying Muscovy Duck and a couple of Canada Geese.  In the neighbouring trees a number of Chaffinches plus many Blue Tits along with both Robin and a single Coal Tit.  A Nuthatch also joined in the feeding fest.  The close by Janesmoor Pool held a true pair of Goosander.

Goosander Mergus merganser  (female above, male below)

Continuing on back to Southampton, a stop was made at the Old Cemetery to try and locate the visiting Hawfinches but no luck on this occasion.  Plenty of Magpies, Jackdaws and Carrion Crows along with Blackbird, Song Thrush and Blue Tit but no Hawfinches to be seen.

My final stop was at Bittern Triangle close to the River Itchen.  A short stay to let me walk down to the riverside park and dully find eight Black Swans along with a few Mute Swans.  No shortage of Black-headed Gulls and Rock Doves as a number of small family groups were bust feeding the birds.  Also noted a trio of Mallard plus a handful of Herring Gulls.  All in all a very rewarding morning producing 44 species.

Male (?) Black Swan Cygnus atratus

Female (?) Black Swan Cygnus atratus

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Black Swan, Egyptian Goose, Muscovy Duck, Wigeon, Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Pintail, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye, Mandarin Duck, Goosander, Great Crested Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Cormorant, Water Rail, Moorhen, Coot, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush, Long-tailed Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Nuthatch, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Siskin.

Male Siskin Carduelis spinus

Dunnock Prunella modularis

Gadwall Anas strepera

Muscovy Duck Cairina moschata

Female Goosander Mergus mergaser

Sunbathing Cormorants Phalacrocorax carbo

Distant Jay Garrulus glandarius

Well-hidden Mandarin Duck Aix galericulata

Mainly Pintail Anas acuta

Teal Anas crecca

Wigeon Anas penelope

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Keyhaven and Pennington Marshes

Sunday 2 February

Cold but sunny and dry and no wind for the latest meeting of the Hampshire Ornithological Society's field visits, this time covering the Keyhaven and Pennington Marshes on the Solent coast of the New Forest west of Lymington and with a total of 27 members present led by the ever-cheerful, enthusiastic and experienced local birder, Ian Packer.  And, indeed, a most enjoyable and rewarding six hours with just on 70 species recorded.

Meeting at Keyhaven car park at 9.30 for a clockwise loop round the northern Keyhaven Marshes before proceeding on to the Pennington Marshes followed by the direct route back along the sea wall and path, I managed to take advantage of arriving early by visiting the Milford Conservation's hide overlooking the adjacent lagoon and so giving me an almost private view of the water and edges plus the feeding station immediately below the hide.  Here not only numerous House Sparrows and both Blue and Great Tits and the occasional visit from both Blackbird and Dunnock but what seemed like an almost tame Water Rail that spent most of the time foraging below the feeders. Off to the right of the boundary hedge a Kingfisher posed whilst waiting fir its next fishing dive into the water below.

Water Rail Rallus aquaticus

On the water a number Mallard and Pintail plus a feeding Little Grebe with both resting Black-headed Gulls and a Little Egret.  At the far end a flock of Teal and to the left resting Lapwing with a Redshank and few Oystercatchers and, up against the reeds, a cock and hen Pheasant.  But pride of place must go the visiting immature Little Gull which was happy to fly up and down the water albeit not near enough or at rest to try and get a good focus on the bird.

Best of a hurried and distant record shot of the Little Gull Larus minitus

Back to the car park to join up with the gathered members ready to set off back to the hide before continuing up the ancient highway to the back of Fishlake Lagoon.  Good to see so many familiar faces and especially Amanda Cameron and new member Laura Coulson from near Porchester who Richard and I had the pleasure to meet last month whilst birding at Farlington.  Arriving at the hide I stayed outside and checked the water-filled harbour where I found a Mute Swan and a couple of feeding Kingfishers. Then on a few yards over the bridge to check the far side of the lagoon where we recorded a passing Carrion Crow, found a pair of Gadwall and a distant Marsh Harrier.

Kingfisher Alcedo atthis

Moving u the track of the ancient highway difficult to see much as too many people in a small area and the low Sun shining into our eyes as we tried to check out the silhouettes of the birds on the marshes to our right.  Mainly Canada and the many Brent Geese identified but approaching the bottom of Pennington Lane we had both Kestrel and Magpie off to our left and in front large flocks of Lapwing up in the sky plus a flock of approximately 300 Golden Plover above them.

Brent Geese Branta bernicla

Leaving the highway to walk back down tot the seawall with Fishlake Lagoon on our right chance to get a better view of the bird life with the Sun now beginning to be to our advantage. On our left the Golden Plovers had settle on the flooded meadow along with the very many Lapwing and e also found a distant Common Sandpiper, Redshank, Black-tailed Godwit and Shelduck by checking the Heron at the furthest part of the meadow. Even a few Wigeon and amongst the Canada a couple of Greylag Geese.

Part of the Golden Plover Pluvius apricaria resting flock 

The bushes immediately in front of us produced both Blackbird and Song Thrush and to the right a Meadow Pipit flew south just beyond the hedgerow. On the flooded marsh itself numerous ducks and gulls including both Herring and Black-headed plus a single Great Black-backed Gull. Ducks included Mallard, Wigeon, Teal, Pintail and Shoveler along with Coot and another Little Egret,

Black-headed Gulls Larus ridibundus with Brent Geese Branta bernicla

Then it was on down to the seawall and up the steps to overlook Butts Lagoon and the hope of a Bearded Tit.  However, whilst we were looking down into one of the favoured areas, the handful of members following behind were able to draw our attention that they were actually looking at a gorgeous male Bearded Tit right in front of them!  Fortunately, friend Laura was able to get the shot that appears below.

Bearded Tit Panurus biarmicus (PHOTO: Laura Croucher)

Just as we were about to move off when a Bullfinch was sighted in the dip below Fishlake Lagoon and it then moved a tree on the steps up towards the field leading back to Pennington Lane so giving all members a chance to capture a sighting of this handsome male bird. On Butts Lagoon itself a Heron plus more Coots, Tufted Ducks and a few Lapwing. On the opposite side of the seawall on the Solent itself a Great Crested Grebe plus a pair of Red-breasted Mergansers.  At this point a large Dunlin flock arrive on the distant beach.

Record shot of the distant Snipe Gallinago gallinago

Turning eastwards we started off along the seawall separating Penington Marsh from the Solent and with a single Turnstone foraging on the wall itself we also found more Great Crested Grebes plus a nearby drake Eider on the Solent. Having stopped for lunch near the "jetty" a pair of Snipe was on the meadow.  Continuing eastwards we stopped to finally confirm that we had actually found a single Slavonian Grebe before pushing on adding a Cormorant as well as more Wigeon, Redshank and Teal. rather than start our return walk along the coast we continued another few hundred yards in the hope of a closer look a the Slavonian Grebe but it was not to be.  However, whilst searching Ian did find a lone Goldeneye which I think all members got a chance to view through one of the few scopes available. And away to our left we also found a lonely Rook before I was able to direct our attention to the distant Greenshank.

Common Gull Larus canus amongst a few Brent Geese Branta bernicla

And so the return walk commenced, with a stop to admire the Rock Pipit below the bank to our right, with the first stop back at Fishlake Lagoon where whilst checking all the many resting gulls we found a handful of Lesser Black-backs amongst the many Black-headed Gulls.  As an added bonus, Amanda was also able to find me the single Common Gull on the water between a few Brent Geese. Also, so many Shelduck and then I found the sleeping Spoonbill at the very far, western, end of thee water; a bird that took so long to lift its head and so confirm his species to many others who were in doubt!

Sleeping Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia

Meanwhile, away in the far distance over the trees, in reply to Ian's disappointment that we had not seen a Buzzard all day, lo and behold a Buzzard being mobbed by a Raven!  A long stop to try and find the Dartford Warbler in the gorse area that we had been informed about by a passing birder coming in the opposite direction but, finally, our Laura managed to achieve a "lifer" by being the member who first saw the bird, albeit I did not.  But for me it was a case of pressing on so as to be back in car park before my ticket expired (6 hours!) yet still time to come across a female Reed Bunting on the hedgerow in front and below me, on a small pool, a Spotted Redshank to complete the local birding list.  But I did also find a Pied Wagtail as I drove through Brockenhurst and a Collared Dove aside the road as I made my through the usual Lyndhurst traffic congestion.

Common Redshank Tringa totanus

Birds seen:

Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Brent Goose, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Wigeon, Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Pintail, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye, Eider, Red-breasted Merganser, Pheasant, Little Grebe, Slavonian Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Spoonbill, Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Kestrel, Water Rail, Coot, Oystercatcher, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Snipe, Common Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, Redshank, Greenshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Little Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Kingfisher, Meadow Pipit, Rock Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Bearded Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Rook, Carrion Crow, Raven, Starling, House Sparrow, Bullfinch, Reed Bunting.

Cormorant Phalacocorax carbo

Shelduck Tadorna tadorna with Brent Geese Branta bernicla

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Titchfield Haven and Canal

Saturday 1 February

A dry, dull and cloudy day with a hint of dampness but still at the Meon shore at Titchfield haven by 9am where the ide was just starting its return journey.  Just a single Great Black-backed Gull and an immature Herring Gull on the beach near the toilet block so on to the far end of the car park so that I could explore the harbour area as a Magpie passed over the road.  With the tide out just a score of Mallard plus the three Mute Swans and checking the lagoon from the observation area a dozen Shoveler along with a handful of Lapwing, Coot, Cormorant and a quartet of Gadwall.  A score or more Black-headed Gulls resting on the posts in the water and both Carrion Crow and Woodpigeon flew over.  On the far side and overlooking the fence into the reserve I could make out Wigeon and more Lapwing along with a couple of Shoveler.

Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus

Nothing else to add from the nearby road bridge so a walk through the marina car park to check the waders and birds on the southern side of the harbour.  Here I found the Brent Geese flock of about thirty individuals along with at least two score Sanderling, a handful of Ringed Plovers and a quartet of Redshank.  The over-active Turnstones, numbering at least forty, seemed happy to fly between beach and harbour depending upon how much food was being thrown into the latter by visitors.

Sanderling Calidris alba

In addition, a single Little Egret, maybe fifty Oystercatchers and hundreds of resting/feeding gulls, mainly Black-headed but also a further four Great Black-backed and a score of Herring Gulls. No need to say that always at least twenty Turnstones present.  Further out into the Solent six Eider Ducks but did not find the flock of Common Scoter that arrived five minutes previously but there was a solitary Great Crested Grebe.

By just after 10 I was back to the Titchfield Canal car park in readiness to walk to the far end of the avenue and back.  I had  thirty Rooks in the large ploughed field as I approached and up on arrival both Robin and Blue Tit quickly followed by a Blackbird and Great Tit.  A few Woodpigeons to be seen and a couple of Carrion Crows before finding the first Magpie since arriving at the shore.

Reaching the overhead wires I checked the field to my left but nothing other than resting Woodpigeons whereas the floods to my left contained scores of Black-headed along with a handful of immature Herring Gulls.  Checking out the rest of the flood southwards I soon found a number of Shoveler, Mallard and a few Gadwall plus a single Shelduck. Just the odd Coot and Moorhen but, almost at the end of the flooded area, the three resident Glossy Ibis were well exposed near a small flock of Black-tailed Godwits and a smaller number of Wigeon.

Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus

Moving on down to Posbrook Floods I soon found more Shoveler and Mallard plus many Coot and a number of Pintail.  Also present were eight Greylag Geese and a small number of Tufted Duck.

Greylag Goose Anser anser

The walk down the avenue and back from the anal bridge produced very little other than more Robins and Great Tits plus a sight of the singing Song Thrush. A quartet of Jackdaws flew up the water and a Cormorant was seen flying in the opposite direction.  The return walk produced a Heron coming in to land on the stream between the two floods and also in time to see the arrival of the three previously recorded Glossy Ibis.  A tree to the far left from the canal bridge produced a dozen Starling and a little further on a single Greenfinch atop a tall, bare tree.  Finally a trio of Canada Geese and a number of Moorhen before reaching the car park.  So ended the walk with a final morning's tally of  42 species.

Birds seen:

Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Brent Goose, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Eider Duck, Wigeon, Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Pintail, Tufted Duck, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Glossy Ibis,  Little Egret, Heron, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Lapwing, Sanderling, Black-tailed Godwit, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook Carrion Crow, Starling, Greenfinch.

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New Forest Ponds plus Lepe then River Itchen

Nuthatch Sitta europaea

Thursday 30 January 

A beautiful clear, calm and sunny day with not a cloud in sight albeit rather cold following a light frost overnight.  Picking up friend Richard Osman at 9.30 we were at Eyeworth Pond by just after 10am for a 25 minute stay to check what was about. Song Thrush, Collared Dove, Blackbird, Starling and Dunnock all recorded as we approached the site and all but the first two seen again on site.  More than a score of hungry Blue Tits feeding on the deposited seed around the gate and they were joined by a small number of Great and a couple of Marsh Tits.  Also present a Nuthatch along with a few Chaffinch and couple of Robin.  On the water itself 18 Mallard but no Mandarin Duck on this occasion.

Marsh Tit Parus palustris

Moving less than a mile over to Janesmoor Pond we found a small number of Blackbirds plus a Mistle Thrush and exploring the far side of the pond not only came across another Mistle Thrush and more Blackbirds but also a lone Fieldfare.

Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus

Cadnam, our third pond of the morning and less than a mile away, produced a different set of birds as we made a clockwise walk around the water.  Plenty of Robins to be heard and seen with all the other species congregated on the water and bank nearest the car park, no doubt awaiting some food! A good number of Mallards accompanied by a pair of Canada Geese and a single Muscovy Duck.  In the nearby bare trees both House Sparrows and Chaffinches and then, at the back of the car park in the nearest trees, a small number of Blue and Great plus a single Coal Tit taking advantage of the seed put down by a visiting birder.

Blue Tit Parus caeruleus

Approaching mid-day so we decided on a quick visit to Lepe shore on the Solet opposite the Isle of Wight with a picnic stop at Exbury on the way.  The local playing field produced a good-sized flock of Jackdaws along with Carrion Crows and both Blackbirds and a couple of Mistle Thrushes.  Our twenty minute stop at Lepe shore gave sufficient time to scope the lagoon where we found a couple of Mute Swans, Canada Goose and a Heron on the distant bank.  Nearer to us on the southern shore a Shelduck a handful of Lapwing followed nearby by a number of sleeping Curlew and two Redshank. A few Black-headed Gulls were flying over or resting on the water and making our way back to the car we also encountered a Magpie and trio of Pied Wagtails.

Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus

Time to move on and head back to Southampton so that we could park at the Swan Hotel in Mansbridge and take a lovely walk downstream alongside the River Itchen as it passed through the park. A lovely 90 minutes spent here in the sunny afternoon as we walked as far as Woodmill and back with an immediate sighting of the first of many Long-tailed Tits. A few House Sparrows flitting around the trees behind the hotel and then a pair of Mute Swans graceful floating south downstream of the appropriately named hotel. Having passed under the road bridge to continue our walk we came across a most handsome Grey Wagtail on a branch resting atop the river and then the first of the three score Mallard we were to encounter.  Whilst under the bridge we watched a couple of local Rock Doves depart from their resting place.  And on the opposite side of the river the fist of the very many Black-headed Gulls we were to encounter on the walk.

Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea

Great Tit, Woodpigeon and Magpie were recorded before finding a pair of resting Greylag Geese under the opposite bank.  The approach a sharp bend to the left we found both a Moorhen and a pair of Little Grebe working the wider stretch of the river.  Towards the end of the outward walk we came across a pair of Canada Geese and a Pied Wagtail and once, having crossed the road to Woodmill itself, found scores of Black-headed and a single Herring Gull on the large lagoon in front of us.

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis

Time to start the return walk and, apart from more Long-tailed and Great Tits, we also found Robin, Goldcrest and Chiffchaff plus the Grey Wagtail we had seen on the outward walk.  A beautiful birding day in Richard's pleasant company and a final total of 40 species.

Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita

Birds seen:

Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Mallard, Muscovy Duck, Little Grebe, Heron, Buzzard, Moorhen, Lapwing, Curlew, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Marsh Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Nuthatch, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch.

Marsh Tit Parus palustris

Blue Tits P.caeruleus with a Marsh Tit P.palustris

Great Tit Parus major

Very hungry Blue Tits Parus caeruleus

Goldcrest Regulus regulus

Carrion Crow Corvus corone

Greylag Geese Anser anser

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