Rambla de Almanzora & Vera Playa

Wednesday 11 September

Welcome back the Arboleas Birding Group.  Looks like normal service has been resumed following the summer break and straight on to some cracking birds for the first outing of the new season.  Amazing to think that we now take Cattle, Little and Great Whited Egrets for granted back here in the UK along with Glossy Ibis and Yellow-legged Gulls.  Even Bee-eater and Hooper noted this summer!  Hopefully, some rain coming soon to you as I expect to be visiting El Hondo around 8 October followed by either/both Cabo de Gata and Roquetta de Mar on the following two days as we make our way south to Malaga for the rest of our stay in Spain.  Even Tablas de Daimiel on the return journey to Bilbao for the 24 October ferry to Portsmouth.  Looking forward to reading about more exciting birds in the weeks to come.

Greater Flamingo (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

Rambla de Almanzora & Vera Playa: Wednesday 11th September

Having dried out from my two weeks dog sitting in East Sussex for my sister, I was glad to be back for the belated start of the autumn birdwatching trips.  As the weather forecast hinted at a chance of rain I decided we'd stay local and head for the Rambla de Almanzora.  Richard came and picked up me and new birder, Seamus, who conveniently lives just round the corner from me.  I drove Richard's very silent hybrid SUV to the rambla joining near the Desert Springs Golf Complex.  This section has the only water.  We were not disappointed.  On the first weir were Mallard and Moorhen.  Insect feeding around the pool were Common Swift, Sand and House Martin and Barn and Red Rumped Swallow.  A Jackdaw flew by.  We carried on checking the pools and puddles.  We added Black-winged Stilt, Little Ringed Plover, Ruff and Green Sandpiper.  Other birds seen were House Sparrow, Goldfinch and Woodpigeon.

Little Grebe (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

 

There is an accessible pool close to the dry ford.  We drove up towards it. It contained 4 Grey Heron, Black-headed Gulls, Mallard, Teal and Little Grebe.  We parked up at the meeting place where we added Collared Dove.  We heard a Blackbird.  We were joined by Trevor.  We headed for the beach where Kevin joined us.  He'd also come down the rambla route and had also seen Snipe, Little Egret, Hoopoe, White Wagtail and Kentish Plover.  With swimmers and numerous motorhomes there we didn't add anything to the list so made for the far side of the estuary.  Here we were pleased to find an Oystercatcher and a pair of Turnstone.  Also seen were Audouin's and Yellow-legged Gulls and Coot.

Purple Swamphen (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

After a reviving coffee at the Tiburon cafe in Villaricos we made our way to the dual carriageway opposite the Consum supermarket behind Vera Playa.  Trevor had said there was little to no water on the land side of the hump.  Sure enough there was only a pool which wrapped round the end of the hump. Glad we stopped to do a scan.  I found a feeding Water Rail out in the open on a mudflat.  It was distant but managed to get a record shot!  A first for Trevor!  Kevin spotted one or maybe two over flying Glossy Ibis.  Moving to the beach side of the hump we added Wood Sandpiper, Little Stint and Dunlin. Kevin found another Ruff.  We heard some overflying Bee-eaters.  A Blackbird flew by.

Distant record shot of Water Rail (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

We made our way to the elevated viewing platform near the Aquaparc.  Views were better from the bridge.  Some Greater Flamingos were nearby as were a pair of Little Grebe.  Kevin found a Black-necked Grebe.  A handsome Grey Plover in breeding plumage was on a distant mud beach.  Kevin was first to spot the Purple Swamphen in the left hand reeds.  Also seen was a Little Egret.  Our final bird was a fast flying Kingfisher seen by Richard.

Grey Plover (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

What a good start to the season! 41 species seen.  Good weather albeit getting a bit hot by the end!

Good company.

Regards

Dave

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. 

Warsash and Solent Shore

 Monday 9 September

Dry but cloudy with a strong breeze as I walked past the harbour and along to the Spit before continuing on down past the Scrape to the meandering Pool and back.  Not a lot about but plenty of Oystercatchers and Black-tailed Godwits.

Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus

A few Black-headed Gulls and a dozens of Black-tailed Godwits on the shore below Strawberry Fields plus the odd Turnstone a small feeding flock of Redshank.  Strange, as yesterday, to see the single Mallard amongst them.  Nearer to me a trio of Carrion Crows and on the path in front a Woodpigeon whilst up above a pair of Magpies in the large tree to the left.

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa

Near the pier a Robin then far more foraging Black-tailed Godwits and a handful of Herring Gulls amongst the Black-headed Gulls.  Across the water near the end of the Spit I could see a couple of Little Egret along with a number of Oystercatchers.  Once at the Spit and looking on the Solent side the exposed shingle held over a hundred Oystercatchers and more Little Egrets.  Then, on an exposed "island" further out a couple of individual Great Black-backed Gulls.

Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus

Passing through the small copse to access the Solent shore both Chiffchaff and Blue Tit noted as well as another Robin and then on down to  the Scrape.  Not a lot on the water, probably given its high level following Sunday's heavy rain, apart from two Little Grebe and six Mallard. Half a dozen Linnets in the gorse area and once at the Meandering Pools just a small party of a dozen Mallard.  And so back home to Warsash with nothing new to report other than a Fox watching me from cover at the back of the gorse area.

Just too late, the Fox Vulpes vulpes turned and moved away

Birds seen:

Mallard, Teal, Little Grebe, Little Egret, Oystercatcher, Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Chiffchaff, Robin, Blue Tit, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Linnet.

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. 

Warsash Hamble River

Turnstone Arenaria interpres

Sunday 8 September

Following immediately overhead thunder and lightening and the heaviest rain I had seen since returning from Spain almost three years ago, the weather eventually improved and the sun came out amongst the broken cloud.  Time to, therefore, take a short walk up the Hamble River to the conservation area and back just before 1pm to see what might be about with the approaching high tide.  The good news was that the incoming tide had pushed the birds up nearer to the path but, on the other hand, the heavy rain left me trying to navigate around the edges of the large puddles where the rain had multi-flooded the path.  So, noting the waiting Magpie outside the door, I set off for the river.

Herring Gulls Larus argentatus

A number of Black-headed and a handful of Herring Gulls before coming across a Little Egret and then the first of the very many Black-tailed Godwits. A solitary Mallard was also swimming just off shore.

Little Egret Egretta garzetta

A lone Ringed Plover and then a couple of Redshank before reaching the conservation area.  But there had been many more Black-headed Gulls and Little Egrets, nine of the latter, in addition to the dozens of Black-tailed Godwits.

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa

Once at the conservation area many resting Black-tailed Godwits and Redshanks plus four Greenshank.  In addition, six Little Egrets and a quintet of Sandwich Terns resting on the fence.

The five Sandwich Terns Sterna sandvicensis

Birds seen:

Mallard, Little Egret, Heron, Ringed Plover, Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Greenshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Sandwich Tern, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Carrion Crow.

Herring Gull Larus argentatus

Little Egret Egretta garzetta

Redshank Tringa totanus

Roosting Redshanks T.totanus

More Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa

A roosting mixture including 4 Greenshank Tringa nebularia at the back

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. 

Oxey and Normandy Marshes

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa

Saturday 7 August 

Fourteen members of HOS at the first meet in October at Oxey and Normandy Marshes led, as usual, by that enthusiastic, knowledgeable and experience preferred leader, Ian Packer.  Excellent birding in, for most of the three mile anti-clockwise walk, calm and cloudy weather but with light rain forecast from around midday, hence the last minute decision to actually carry my rain trousers as well as the mack!  In the event, the first few drops of rain did not fall until gone 1.30 as a couple of us decided time to perhaps head back to the cars after checking out Normandy Lagoon.  Bid of the day?  Probably either the Rock Pipit or Sparrowhawk.

Heading off to the path behind Maiden Dock past the Salturns Sailing Club we stopped in the leafy avenue for a good time checking the active birds in the trees and neighbouring bushes.  A few Chiffchaff then a number of both Great and Blue Tits.  Within minutes we had also added a handful of Long-tailed Tits along with Robin, Blackbird and Nuthatch. A Jay flew through the trees and then, in the bushes on the northern side of the path, a couple of Whitethroat, Blackcap and Dunnock.  A few of the group also noted a Chaffinch.  A Magpie was resting atop the adjacent bare branch and overhead both Carrion Crow and Woodpigeon.  Moving along a little further many more of the tits and Chiffchaff in the small treed to the left and over the meadow opposite a trio of Sand Martin along with  handful each of both Barn Swallow and House Martins.

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea

Time to take the narrow path towards the shore with a dozen Canada Geese in the field to our right. A trio of Starling flew over right to left and in the opposite direction a half-dozen Cormorant.  Just before passing through the gate we took a closer look at the western end of Moses Dock and found a couple of Little Egret, a few Mallard, single Teal and a Redshank.  No sooner had the lone Black-headed Gull passed over and we all had a good sighting of the Kingfisher as it dashed across the water before returning to rest amongst the leaves of an oak tree at the water's edge.  Continuing on on the main track away to our right we saw a couple of House Sparrows feeding on the blackberries and away to our left a distant Heron.  Finally, approaching the path up to the sea wall, we stopped to admire the male Wheatear to our right before finding both Black-tailed Godwit and Redshanks at the western end of Oxey Lagoon.  Meanwhile at the astern end of Pennington Lagoon on our right, a pair of Mute Swans and a quartet of Little Egrets.

Redshank Tringa totanus

Once up on the seawall the birds seemed to come thick and fast starting with a group of six Eider Duck on the Solent close to shore.  At the end of the spit revealed by the lower water level a Curlew and number of Oystercatchers plus a singe Herring Gull.  The small number of birders from another party just ahead with raised cameras drew my attention and reaching them I, too, was able to see the foraging Rock Pipit.

Rock Pipit Anthus petrosus

Moving on and checking Oxey Lagoon e found more Black-tailed Godwit and both Redshank and Greenshank.  A small spring of Teal took off from the water and, on the far shore sharing space with the ponies, a quartet of Yellow, a few members also saw Pied Wagtails.  Nearby on the grass a single Skylark, Lapwing and, by now, scores of foraging Starling.  Excitement overhead as a Raven passed by harried by a Carrion Crow whilst over the sea a lone Lesser Black-backed Gull along with more Black-headed Gulls. Meanwhile, out on the Solent the first Great Crested Grebe of the morning and a single Turnstone flew west along the shore.  On the far side, another Eider Duck. On the far "island" a pair of Great Black Gulls and another would be found resting at Normandy Lagoon.

Lovely to see the Eiders Somateria mollissima

Moving round towards the salterns marsh we watched the arrival of a lone Shelduck and then stopped the watch a small charm of Goldfinch with a number of Linnets arrive at the blackberry bushes to our left.  far away in the distance a circling Buzzard and so on to Maiden Dock.  Here another pair of Mute Swan and on the gravel "island" near Moses Dock a dozen Rock Doves (Feral Pigeons) and at least 150 resting Ringed Plovers plus a very small number of Dunlin.

Lots of Ringed Plovers Charadrius hiaticula

And so on to Normandy Lagoon where we spent some time, including a stop for our picnic lunch - and sang "Happy Birthday" to Amanada Cameron.  Some observed a Greenfinch as we approached and noted that many of the Ringed Plover had now moved across to this lagoon where there were more Dunlin but not in great numbers.  Lots of Redshank and another Greenshank before being joined by a single Grey Plover. 

Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola

In addition to the Black-headed Gulls and a few Canada Geese at the back of the water we also found Oystercatcher, Heron and both Little and Great Crested Grebes.  Just two Turnstone in with the Ringed Plovers but watching from the steps, "Tern Island" held a single resting Mediterranean Gull and on a post on the far side a resting Sparrowhawk.  The raptor moved abut whilst we watched and I even manged to find it sitting on an open post in side elevation rather than with its back towards us.  However, it was soon moved away by a Magpie that took its place but remained on a nearby post although much concealed by the surrounding foliage.

The resting Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus about to be ousted by a Magpie Pica pica 

A great morning's birding in great company, even if we (I) did not find the recently seen Little Stint and neither Curlew Sandpiper nor Spotted Redshank present on this occasion but, on the other hand, Jackdaws seen as I passed through both Lyndhurst and Lymington in both directions.

Oystercatchers Haematopus ostralegus

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Mallard, Teal, Eider Duck, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Lapwing, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Greenshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Kingfisher, Skylark, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Rock Pipit, Yellow Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Stonechat, Wheatear, Blackbird, Whitethroat, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Nuthatch, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Raven, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet.

Two Turnstone Arenaria interpres with the Ringed Plovers

Dunlin Calidris alpina plus 4 Redshank (awaiting confirmation as they look more like Spotted Redshank)

Greenshank Tringa nebularia

Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola

Little Egret Egretta garzetta assurting his authority

Grey Heron Ardea Cinerea

A vert lonely Little Egret Egretta garzetta

Departing Mute Swan Cygnus olor

Yet more Ringed Plovers Charadrius hiaticula

Shelduck Tadorna tadorna

The distant Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus

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. 

Hook with Warsash Nature Reserve

Sunday 1 September

Off from home at 9am and so much for the dire predictions of an amber weather warning of heavy thunderstorms and lightning with sudden, dangerous risk of flooding as, arriving at the top of Workmans Lane we started our clockwise circuit via a diversion to the horse fields then on to the Solent shore and back to Warsash via the Scrape. Dry and relatively calm to start with and just  few scattered clouds but becoming warmer and warmer without a single drip of rain (all day) and the temperature reaching its predicated afternoon high of 27C before noon.  Great to be out and about and enjoying the continuation of summer!

Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava flavissima

By the time we had reach the track along the bottom of the horse fields we had recorded Carrion Crow, Magpie, Robin and Woodpigeon and once near the horses themselves a quartet of yellow wagtails of to the left.  Beyond the horses many more Carrion Crows along with a trio of Rooks. In the donkey paddock area a couple of Stonechat and a handful of Linnet but neither Whinchat nor Wheatear. A walk to the far end also provided neither but upon returning a charm of almost twenty Goldfinch drinking from the puddles on the track and resting in the nearby leafy bushes. A couple of Whitethroat was a pleasant addition and then a raven passed overhead moving from the horse field to the distant trees beyond the donkey paddock.

Whitethroat Sylvia communis

A Dunnock suddenly appeared at the bottom of the e large bush to the right of the donkey field gate and, whilst watching the mix of Goldfinches and Linnets in the bushes at the back of the stable a Sparrowhawk swooped down and chased a, presumably Linnet, but without success before disengaging its predation and moving away.  A very high and distant Herring Gull was noted in the same distant area followed by a trio of Barn Swallows making their way eastwards.  Making our way back to the lane, not only Carrion Crows and a few Rooks away to our right but now joined by a dozen Jackdaw taking advantage of the horse trough for some liquid refreshment.

Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus

Moving from the lane to take the tarmacked path down to Chilling Head we herd regular calls from a nearby Green Woodpecker and once on the shore the sight of five Cormorants on the water.  A male Kestrel was hovering above us to the right and a couple of Black-headed Gulls were seen close to the shore moving up Southampton Water. Soon we were at the Meandering Pools where we found a single Little Egret and a Black-headed Gull.  Continuing on, passing through the gorse are we added a Skylark plus another Stonechat and a couple of Linnets. Then, at the far end where we re-joined the beach, a couple of Wheatear resting on the new fence pots.  A third Wheatear was then found a little further along towards the Scrape.

Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe

Once at the Scrape with its high water level given that the tide was at its zenith, a small number of resting Mallard on the first islands and a handful of Avocet.  A few more Black-headed Gulls resting on the "shelf" towards the back along with a couple Herring Gulls, single Oystercatcher, more Avocets and a score of Black-tailed Godwits.  A lone Moorhen was working its way along the shelf between the gulls and waders.  On the water itself at least four Little Grebe and a newly-arrived Little Egret from the north.  Meanwhile a Cetti's Warbler was calling from immediately below us.

Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta

Once past the first viewing point we stopped to look back at the water and now giving us a clear view of the northern end and noted the single Heron resting at the side of small island along with a few more Mallard and another Moorhen.  The long-staying single Shelduck was making its way across the water surrounded by a quintet of Mallard. 

Shelduck Tadorna tadorna

So back to the Spit where we came across eight House Sparrows and a quartet of resting Little Egrets at the far end. Finally arriving at the harbour, on checking the little pie aside the car pack Richard found a wandering Pied Wagtail to complete the morning's birding after almost three and a half hours during which we had walked just over three miles.  Time to adjourn to the "Rising Sun" for a pint!

Pied Wagatil Motacilla alba yarrelli

Birds seen:

Shelduck, Mallard, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Moorhen, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Back-tailed Godwit, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Green Woodpecker, Skylark, Barn Swallow, Yellow Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Stonechat, Wheatear, Whitethroat, Cetti's Warbler, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Raven, Starling, House Sparrow, Goldfinch, Linnet.

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.