Sierra de Maria with the Arboleas Birding Group

 Wednesday 20 April

Well, well, well!  Here's me walking the lanes and shore in just a top, even if not as bright and warm as last week, and Dave and his Arboleas Birding Group are up n the Sierra de Marie braving snow flurries - and it's even late April! And least they got some value for money, and I don't mean coffee, with the damp Little owl and a selection of tits.  I hate to tell you that I was logging a trio of Dartford Warblers plus Whitethroat and others in what I thought was an average morning.  All I can say Dave is please get the weather sorted before next week!  And my friend Chris from Worksop, who also reads your reports, was complaining that his visit to Potterick Carr yesterday only produced one Marsh Harrier and two booming Great Bitterns in his total of almost 50 species!  Ah well, that's birding.

Sierra de Maria   -   Wednesday 20th April

As I was getting ready to leave my house this morning there was rain, thunder and lightning.  My logic was that thunderstorms usually pass quite quickly.  I headed towards the Overa hotel where I was to meet up with my fellow hardy birders.  I received a text, thinking one was backing out, but no, it was Gilly to say she'd seen a Roller on her way to work!  Peter and Trevor soon arrived, so we headed north in my truck, passing through rain showers.  Optimistically I kept saying, " It looks a bit brighter over there!"

We got to the garage cafe in Maria not having logged a single bird.  After a refreshing coffee we commenced to do the loop.  After a few kilometres a Chaffinch flashed its wing bars as it flew across our path.  Next up was a Thekla Lark followed by a charm of Goldfinches. We then had a Magpie, Carrion Crow and some Spotless Starlings.  The rain hitting the windscreen now appeared to contain ice crystals!  Along the track heading towards the cliff face there is a ruined building.  I spotted a Little Owl sheltering from the sleet.  A Black-eared Wheatear showed briefly.  We drove slowly past the cliff face, not getting out due to the snow now falling!  Some Red-legged Partridges ran in the road before us.  We next added a male Northern Wheatear and some Woodpigeon.  Nothing was added till we got to the hamlet.  Amongst the grazing Thekla Larks were a few Linnets.  There was nothing at the water troughs so we made for the La Piza forest cafe.  It was busy with sheltering forest rangers, but we managed to get seats overlooking the water pool and feeding area.  We added Blue, Great and Coal Tits plus a Jay and a Collared Dove as well as a number of Chaffinch.

Sheltering Little Owl Athene noctua (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

Definitely not a day for the feint hearted.  Thinking back, I believe it is the first time I've actually birdwatched in a snow flurry whilst living here in Spain for the last 21 years!  We managed to scrape together 18 species.  Thank you Trevor and Peter for making it a memorable day!

Regards,

Dave

P.S.  Alan...glad you missed it??

Yes, that's snow! (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

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Workman's Lane, Warsash circuit

Dartford Warbler Sylvia undata

 Wednesday 20 April

All calm and peaceful as I prepared to set off on my circular walk along Workman's Lane Warsash to the shore, then northwards as far as the Scrape before returning and taking the alternative route to the bottom of Workman's Lane before finally taking a walk around the horse field and back via the top, gravelled lane to the car.  A most enjoyable 7 plus kms in calm, dry weather and a warming sun when out of the cooling breeze.

First birds of the morning the local Carrion Crows quickly followed by a Magpie and Blackbird.  Both Blue and Great Tits were active and then a Greenfinch on the wires as a Linnet dashed across the lane.  Lots of singing Robins but almost at the bottom of Workman's Lane before actually seeing the first individual.  Similarly, the same with the Dunnocks albeit they showed very well.  And with a number of Wood Pigeon moving around I made my way down the narrow path towards the shore finding a small party of House Sparrows, a couple of Wrens and numerous Chiffchaff.  A Collared Dove appeared on the tack in front of me as I approached the little pond on the left and sitting on the fence wire crossing the field on the opposite side a female Stonechat.

Dunnock Prunella modularis

Not only the tide well out but also the birds!  Relatively few Oystercatchers compared with previous visits and barely a half-dozen Black-headed but a score of Herring Gulls.  Checking the gulls I also picked up the passing Common Tern and a feeding Little Egret on the shoreline.  Working my way along the cliff top at the shore a couple of calling Cetti's Warblers and looking out to the water's edge a single Brent Goose.

Little Egret Egretta garzetta

Approaching the Meandering Pool  I watched the arrival of a half-dozen Starlings to the grassy area of the gorse patch and there, lying of the grass sunning itself, a rather magnificent Fox.  Gave me the eye and then decided to wander off into the gorse bushes.  Once at the water, a couple of Shelduck and a rapidly departing Snipe.  At the far end a Shoveler and four Teal.

Fox Vulpes vulpes

The walk along the every narrow path next to the fence between the Meandering Pool and the Scrape produced no less then three Dartford Warblers a quartet of Linnet and pair of Dunnock, and on the path at the end the first of two Meadow Pipits.  The Scrape itself was quite quite with just a pair of Mallard, a single Little Grebe and Coot, and the pair of nesting Mute Swans with less than a dozen Back-headed Gulls in the area.

Record shot of the Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis

The return walk towards the Meandering Pool produced a couple of Sky Larks, a third Dartford Warbler and then the first Whitethroat of the morning. Before regaining Workman's Lane I had added no less than four more Whitethroat albeit I suspect one may well have been a Lesser Whitethroat but no time to check the leg colouring before the bird disappeared into the deep brambles.

Jackdaw Corvus monedula

It was the final part of the walk around the outside of the horse fields that first produced a pair of Canada Geese followed by the pair of Egyptian Geese with their six active goslings.  Towards the end of this stretch both a Whitethroat and more Greenfinches before finding a small party of foraging Jackdaws.  Then back to the car with sightings of Robin, Chiffchaff, Dunnock and both Blue and Great Tits.

Distant record shot of the Egyptian Geese Alopochen aegyptiacus and their goslings

Birds seen:

Brent Goose, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Egyptian Goose, Shelduck, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Little Grebe, Little Egret, Coot, Oystercatcher, Snipe, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Common Tern, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Sky Lark, Meadow Pipit, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Stonechat, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler, Dartford Warbler, Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Greenfinch, Linnet.

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Fishlake Meadows, Romsey

 Saturday 16 April

Following my early morning short visit to Stockbridge Down I was all ready to set off along the canalside paths and into the Fishlake Meadows reserve by 9.45. Hardly through the gate and across the bridge before being welcomed by the first Robin of the morning as a few of the very many Wood Pigeons to crash about the trees judging by their noisy wing beats.  Again, as I started my slow walk down the footpath the regular loud and penetrating calls of many Cetti's Warblers.

Cetti's Warbler Cettia cetti

First the unmistakeable call then the sight of my first Cuckoo of the year as it perched near the top of the bare trees off to my left.  Wonderful sight. 

Male Cuckoo Cuculus canorus

As I left I stopped to watch the busy Blackcaps feeding in the small trees alongside the path with more Robins and Cetti's Warblers.  First Blue then Great Tits put in an appearance to the accompanying calls of the many Chiffchaffs.  On the narrow canal to my right a pair of hybrid-type Mallards, which back in the sixties were referred to as "Cayuga Ducks."  However, not one hundred metres further on I came across a true pair of Mallards.

Next up the first Blackbird as it flew across the canal and into the gardens beyond.  Then one, two and another pair of Reed Buntings; the males looking particularly handsome with their completed face moult. And looking up I was able to watch the circling Red Kite as it quartered the reed beds of the reserve.

Red Kite Milvus milvus

At this point a pair of Jays moved along the edge of the reeds and into the trees whilst a Wren popped up in front of me as it passed from one bramble bush to the next.  A little further away and in a clearing in the reeds a pair of Greylag Geese were feeding whilst, immediately behind them ,a Roe Deer was bust grazing.  Back to the canal where a couple of moulting Mute Swans drifted by a noisy Carrion Crow passed overhead.

Feeding Greylag Geese Anser anser with Roe Deer Capreolus capreolus behind

Passing through the gate on my left I stopped to check the handful of Greylag Geese on my right and a cock Pheasant and then on through the second gate to take the path through the reeds towards the observation screens.

No problem here identifying the many calling Reed Warblers on both sides of the path.  A second cock Pheasant was also present in the field to my right on the other side of the stream and then on the the first screen.  Then, the distinctive call and brief sighting of a nearby Sedge Warbler.  As I approached I was in time to see the Great White Egret take flight and away to the adjacent water leaving this view completely free of any water bird life.  A minute or so later I was able to check the larger water from the second viewing screen and here was the Great White Egret at the back.  Nearer to me more Greylag Geese along with both Gadwall and Teal.

Great White Egret Egretta alba

Making my way back along the path I came across a single Coot on the small stream and once back on the main path towards the exit much time spent looking for the newly-arrived Whitethroats.  First a pair of Long-tailed Tits and then, finally, my first Whitethroat of the year as a very active male explored its new territory between path and reeds.  Also in the area a second calling Sedge Warbler. A Magpie was seen in the horse field across the canal then two more at the edge of the reeds.  Then, still with many calling Chiffchaffs and Cetti's Warblers, a look across the reeds to the old, are trees for a final look at the calling male Cuckoo.

Cuckoo Cuculus canorus

Once back at the car the short couple of hundred metres drive to stop on Fishlake Meadow road to check the southern end of the main lake from the viewing point below the bank.  Not many birds on show other than a few Tufted Duck, a pair of Canada Geese and a number of resting gulls. Obviously not Black-headed Gulls so time to use the scope and confirm a mixture of Lesser Black-backed and Herring Gulls. However, one small white "blob" partly concealed by a dead tree was a Common Tern and even better views when it took to the air and commenced fishing right in front of me.  Indeed, not one but two individuals and to prove me wrong, even a Black-headed Gull appeared.  Finally, at the very back of the water a pair of both Shoveler and Pochard.

Birds seen:

Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Pheasant, Great White Egret, Red Kite, Coot, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Common Tern, Wood Pigeon, Cuckoo, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Wren, Robin, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Whitethroat, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Jay, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Reed Bunting.

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Stockbridge Down, Hampshire

Saturday 16 April

At last a chance to join the Hampshire Ornithological Society on one of their organised birding walks. Up and away by 6.30 for the 7.30 start but by the time I had corrected the incorrect B-class road and actually found the isolated car park the birds, as they say, had flown.  What to do?  Beautiful day, on my own and not a dog walker in sight so set off on my own on an upward track to what looked liked the summit.  Lots of birds calling and quickly identified Robins, Blue and Great Tits plus sightings of all and Carrion Crows, Magpies and Blackbirds.  I had already come across a Red-legged Partridge at the road side as I approached my destination and after the initial Wood Pigeon sightings it was good to see a pair of Jays pass across the bushes in front of me.

Midway up I stopped in the cover of some trees as a quartet of Yellowhammers landed on the exposed grass in front of me to commence feeding and was able to get some distant shots.

Male Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella

Listening and seeing some of the many Chiffchaffs I eventually turned to make my way back down the hill to the car park.  A Robin or three watched my progress and then on a very open space a small flock of feeding Rooks.  

Rook Corvus frugilegus

Off to the right a hovering Kestrel and finally back at the car park - but the wrong one! I had started at the eastern car park and now found myself at the western car park, so a pleasant walk across the lower slopes to complete a triangle back to the car and decide what to do next. However, it had been a lovely walk in excellent weather and most enjoyable even if only 13 species were recorded.  But, as it was still only just after 9 o'clock I decided to  make the relatively short drive over to Fishlake Meadows, Romsey to complete my morning.

Birds seen:

Red-legged Partridge, Kestrel, Wood Pigeon, Robin, Blackbird, Chiffchaff, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Jay, Magpie, Rook, Carrion Crow, Yellowhammer.

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Titchfield Canal

 Thursday 14 April

I may have started my walk along the canal side at Titchfield just after eight in still, overcast weather but the thick mist meant that I could not see the water less than a hundred metres away to my left nevermind the ducks upon same.  Similarly, the Barn Owl's nesting tree was but a misty shadow at the back of the field on the opposite side of the path. A long walk down and back before any sign of the mist lifting so two repeated walks back to the main flood and eventually some success.  And, of course, when I left just after eleven the sun had broken through and it looks as if will be a bright, warm and sunny day!

As I left the car park Blue and Great Tits were calling in competition with the many Chiffchaff and every other tree seemed to have a roosting Wood Pigeon.  A noisy Wren put in an appearance in front of me followed by a Blackbird.  At the canal side frequent calls form the resident Cetti's Warblers followed by the first Greenfinch of the morning.  At the first junction next to the bridge a Jay flew through the trees on the opposite bank and towards the end of this stretch I found a handful of Jackdaws.  A little further on and I stopped to find the singing Song Thrush and then watched a Dunnock alight on the path behind me.  Away to my right a Green Woodpecker was yaffling away and above me I had both a female Blackcap and a pair of Long-tailed Tits.

Back to the main water and through the mist I could make out both a Heron and Black-headed Gulls. A couple of Carrion Crows were moving about the field in front and then both Gadwall and Mallard before returning to the first water. Then it was once again to the first water with much better life and this time able to find a quartet of both Shelduck and Avocet.  Working the mud I found at least a dozen Black-tailed Godwits plus both Lesser black-backed and Herring Gulls.  In addition, Lapwings to the front of the water and Teal on the far side.  A Lapwing flew cross the edge revealing a few more and off to the right a lone Little Egret.

Back to the larger water for a third time and on this occasion chance to stop and see the male Sparrowhawk resting in a small dead tree half-way to the water.  All very atmospheric as the raptor remained long enough for me to get a distant record shot.

Distant record shot of the male Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus

On the water itself not that a I had a clearer view, a pair of Canada Geese and a single Great Black-backed Gull as well as many Shoveler, Teal, Gadwall and Mallards. Surprisingly, very few Coots on this occasion but four Herons present.  making my way back to the car park I added Starling and a pair of Stock Doves resting above the Barn Owl's nest and the short walk round the little spinney behind the car park produced many more Blue and Great Tits along with a male Blackcap and Robin to the accompaniment of the calling Chiffchaffs.

Almost atmospheric conditions for the distant Sparrowhawk

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Shelduck, Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Little Egret, Heron, Sparrowhawk, Coot, Lapwing, Avocet, Black-tailed Godwit, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Greater Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Green Woodpecker, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Stonechat, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Cetti's Warbler, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Jay, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, Greenfinch.

Check out the accompanying website at http://www.birdingaxarquia.weebly.com for the latest sightings, photographs and additional information

 Wednesday 13 April

Looks as if friend Dave and his Arboleas Birding Group made the right decision with their last minute change of destination and so enjoyed a great, dry, day's birding with lots of recently-arrived migrants including Red-rumped Swallow, Bee-eater and Woodchat Shrike.  Amazing to be regularly reminded how much sooner these migrants arrive in Spain compared with the UK. Here, just a couple of Barn Swallows but neither Red-rumped Swallow nor Woodchat Shrike, never mind Common Swift. Now there's something to look forward to in a fortnight's time!

Rambla de Almanzora & Vera Playa: Wednesday 13th April

Well the intention today was to go to the Sierra de Maria, but the weather forecast for there was rain and thunderstorms so we went to the Rambla de Almanzora where the forecast was somewhat better. Juda and I waited for the others, Alan, Peter and Trevor, in the car before checking out the ford area from the embankment.  We saw Black-winged Stilts and a White Wagtail.  We heard a Nightingale.  We began to drive up the valley to the pools further up.  A Woodpigeon crossed our path followed by a Red-billed Chough. Also seen en route were Goldfinch, Serin and Barn Swallow.  We stopped at the crossover. Alan spotted some Ringed Plovers.  I found a Shelduck.  Not getting a good view from where we were, we climbed up the embankment and walked further down.  We had elevated views of Redshank and a pair of Ruff.  We could hear a distant Hoopoe.  A pair of Squacco Heron flew in.  Alan added both Common and Wood Sandpiper.  A small flock of Yellow Wagtails flew by.  Some Common Swifts passed by with a few Sand Martin as well.  Driving further up the opposite embankment we added Mallard and Shoveler before seeing a Woodchat Shrike and a Corn Bunting.  Leading the convoy back towards Villaricos for coffee, Juda and I saw a Bee Eater.

Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

Suitably refreshed we headed for the estuary.  Juda spotted a Grey Heron.  At the end we could see Cormorants and some Audoin's Gulls with a few immature Yellow-legged Gulls.  Two more Squacco Herons were seen, one of which landed below us and posed well. 

Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides  (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

Alan spotted a Turnstone on the beach where a Kentish Plover was also found. I spotted a Whimbrel but Alan trumped me with two more!  As we departed a Kestrel flew over.

Three Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

We made our way to the dual carriageway opposite the Consum supermarket behind Vera Playa.  I spotted some Common Pochard whilst Peter found the first of about a dozen Greater Flamingos present. Alan identified some Mediterranean Gulls flying over.  I found a single White-headed Duck.  Above us we added a Red-rumped Swallow and some House Martins.  A Little Grebe was added . Peter and I combined to find three Avocet.  Alan discovered a Purple Swamphen.  I added a Blackbird and a Little Egret. On the far sand spit Alan found some Dunlin with a Black-headed Gull.  A partly melanistic female Common Pochard was seen. 

Headless male CommonPochard Aythya ferina with partly melanistic female
 (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

We moved round to the elevated viewing platform opposite the Aquaparc.  Saw more Common Pochard and Trevor added two male Red Crested Pochards . There were about half a dozen White-headed Duck. Alan spotted a Gadwall.

We ended with an impressive 52 species.  As I type this we have heavy rain and thunderstorms so we were lucky with the weather as well.  Good birding in good company.

Regards.

Dave

Check out the accompanying website at http://www.birdingaxarquia.weebly.com for the latest sightings, photographs and additional information

Two Titchfields for the Price of One!

Monday 11 April

Titchfield Haven from the Meon Shore Hide

Lovely sunny start to the day bit a very strong wind.  With Titchfield Haven Nature Reserve not opening until 9.30 I left in time to make a thirty minute stop at Titchfield Canal on my way, mainly to see if the Barn Owl was still at home. No sooner had I reached the path between meadow to the left and the field containing the old trees to my right that a couple of Jackdaw flew over and a Wren popped across the path in front of me.  A Great Spotted Woodpecker was drumming away in the trees to my left near the small car park and looking to my right there was our resident Barn Owl sitting at the entrance hole to the nest in an old, split tree.  Great.  having erected the scope to give some balance to the camera, looked round and the bird had disappeared. I suspect rather taking flight it had retreated to the depths of his nest, probably checking if the kettle was boiling so he could make a cup of tea before his daytime sleep!

Meanwhile, not only no shortage of Wood Pigeons but a small number of Stock Dove found in the same field along with the occasional Carrion Crow.  Looking at the floods at the bottom of the meadow, even with the sun straight into my eyes I could pick out a number of Black-tailed Godwit, plenty of Black-headed Gulls and a few Coot.  Moving further on to take a look at the second, larger, pool and also back at the first water now the sun was at an angle, I had a Jay rush past me through the nearby trees and then started to identify the many birds on and over the water.  In addition to the many Black-headed, I also found a few Lesser Black-backed and Herring Gulls.  A good number of both Mallard and Shoveler plus Teal, Gadwall and Shelduck.  More Coots, a handful of Lapwing but not a single Wigeon noted.  Then, skimming over the water, a feeding Barn Swallow.  The return walk to the car produced Magpie and Robins along with Greenfinch, Blue Tit and Blackbird.  And all the while the constant accompaniment of singing Chiffchaffs.

All done and off down the country lane to nearby Titchfield Haven.  Parking on the cliff top to scope out to sea in the choppy waters I did at lest produce a pair of Sandwich Terns flying south not too far off the shore. Black-headed Gulls on the shingle as the high tide had started to turn and Greenfinches calling in the bushes behind me.  Blackbird, Carrion Crow and Cormorant flew over as I made my way to the entrance and a visit to the Cottage Hide.  From said hide Coot, Gadwall and Shelduck were observed.  The nest boxes at the back of the Visitors Centre were home to both House Sparrows and Great Tits and, having purchased my day ticket, I made my way to the roadside viewpoint. many Mallards in the small harbour and at least two score Turnstones huddled together for shelter. A single Redshank at the far end and the viewpoint overlooking the mouth of the Meon produced more Black-headed Gulls, Cormorants and Coots but, as yet, no Common Tern.

The Turnstone Arenaria interpres flock accompanied by Mallards Anas platyrhynchos

Entering the gate to follow the track to the eastern hides my first stop was at the Meon Shore Hide (see photo at top) where I was almost overwhelmed by the hundreds of Black-headed Gulls.  On the other hand, I did also find a few Herring Gulls and on the back island not only a pair of Great Black-backed but also a pair of Mediterranean Gulls resting immediately in front of them.  Nearer to me, a pair of Avocet were busy feeding and really close a handful of Teal. 

Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta

 Away to the left rear a flock of about twenty Black-tailed Godwits huddled together and looking all set to depart in their new breeding plumage.  A little closer study also produced a number of Oystercatchers.

Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa accompanied by Black-headed Gulls

Nothing really to report from the West Hide so on to the Pumfrett Hide putting up a Heron from the entrance pond as I approached.  Better views of both the back of the South Scrape and and the North Scrape which produced, in addition to many seen from the Meon Shore Hide, a good number of Canada Geese and a few Lapwing.  Also noted a couple of Lesser Black-backed Gulls, a second pair of Avocet and the first sight of the quartering male Marsh Harrier.  I did visit the Spurgin Hide which was quiet with just the odd Coot, a number of Canada Geese and the pair of breeding Mute Swans. Also further views of both male and female Marsh Harrier.

Sleeping Lapwing Vanellus vanellus

Back to the exit with the accompaniment of the many calling Chiffchaffs and at least four Cetti's Warblers plus occasional Wood Pigeon to make a short stop at the Visitors Centre before setting out to visit the hides on the western side of the reserve. Lots more Chiffchaffs and singing Robins and Blue Tits until the loud song of the Song Thrush before turning left to visit the Suffern Hide.  From here I picked up  Little Grebe and closer views of the male Marsh Harrier. Also seen a hovering Kestrel above the reeds opposite the hide.

The handsome quartering male Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus

The Meadow Hide as might be expected produced very many Canada Geese and a few foraging Magpies.  However, it was, upon entering the hide, that I regretted not having camera to hand as a beautiful Jay posed on the fence post immediately in front of the hide.  More activity from the pair of Marsh Harriers and the chance to take flight shots, etc.   The walk on to the final hide (Knights Bank) simply gave closer views of the many Canada Geese, a couple of Magpies and a number of resting Herring and Black-headed Gulls.

Before returning to the car I made a final call at the Cottage Hide and was rewarded by the visit of Robin, Wren and Dunnock in close order.  A pair of House Sparrows arrived to make use of the feeders as did a couple of Wood Pigeon. 

Dunnock Prunella modularis

All quiet of on the water apart for one of the three nearby Mute Swans swimming in to view.  So back along the shore path noticing that the receding waters had brought in more Mallards to join the Turnstones and in front of the yacht club a large number of Herring Gulls feeding at the water's edge along with a single Sanderling.  A single Great Back-backed Gull was on the water a few metres further away and even a fly past of another Sandwich Tern to end the morning's birding.

Male Teal Anas crecca

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Shelduck, Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Red Kite, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Lapwing, Sanderling, Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Turnstone, Mediterranean Gull, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Sandwich Tern, Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Barn Owl, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Barn Swallow, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Cetti's Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Greenfinch.

The Avocets Recurvirostra avosetta accompanied by a Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus

Check out the accompanying website at http://www.birdingaxarquia.weebly.com for the latest sightings, photographs and additional information