Langford Lakes, Witshire and Steart Marshes, Somerset

Monday 3 March

One of the Langford Lakes with roosting Cormorants Phalacrocorax carbo in the trees at the back

Away from Warsash a few minutes after 9am to spend four days down in Somerset visiting the reserves on the Somerset Levels along with both Langford Lakes just beyond Wilton in Wiltshire and the afternoon at the Steart Marshes on the Bridgwater Bay National Nature Reserve on the southern coast of the Bristol Channel coast.

Gadwall Anas strepera

Langford was somewhat interesting in that it threw up more species than on previous visits as we made our way westwards to spend time at Pontins Sand Bay resort. Scores of Canada Geese and no shortage of either Shoveler  nor Tufted Ducks.  Just a quartet of Gadwall and about the same number of Teal on the Hanging Langord reedbed lagoon.  Also at this site a number of Coot and Mallard plus a single Snipe.

But can you find the Snipe Gallinago gallinago?

Walking through the reserve I noticed the large number of resting Cormorant and both Great and Blue Tits were recorded along with a Wren, Blackbird and a few Robin.  A very distant Little Egret on the outward walk and a pair of Mute Swans as I returned. Both Woodpigeon and Carrion Crow were seen along with single Magpie and Jackdaw.

Heron Ardea cinerea

Whilst I had seen both a Buzzard and Kestrel as I approached the reserve plus a number of Rooks occupying the local rookery (a female Kestrel also seen landing atop a pylon at the back of the reedbed pool), the onward journey to Somerset produced a Red Kite being harried by a Buzzard along with a second Red Kite ere I had travelled a half-mile.

Male Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula

A lovely cross-county connection between the main road to Exeter and the market town of Bridgwater as I crossed an expanse of the Somerset Levels (something to look forward to in the next couple of days) but arriving at Steart Marshes all very quiet with the tide fully out so all the waders absent from the site save for a handful of Oystercatchers. A couple of Carrion Crows were seen flying over the nearby farm buildings but then it was off to the hides passing the first Heron on the way.

Once at the main hid not a single wader in sight but a very distant Little Grebe and back to my distant left a Buzzard resting atop a fence post.   A single Pied Wagtail relatively close along with mainly Herring but also Black-headed Gulls.  At the far western end very many Shoveler accompanied by many Teal and Wigeon. Also at the back of the main pool a lone Little Egret.

Next the long walk to the hide overlooking the (now) very muddy banks of the River Parrett.  Here I found scores of Shelduck and even more Teal with a just a handful of Herring and/or Black-headed Gulls.  Looking up river I found a pair of Canada Geese but, even more surprising, a trio of Brent Geese walking the mud to the river.

Both on the way to this hide and back I came across a female Stonechat. From the Mendip Hide more views of both Shelduck and Little Egret.  Then, almost back at the car park, the first Mute Swans and Mallards of the visit.

Record shot of the Stonechat Saxicola rubicola

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Brent Goose, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Gadwall, Wigeon, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Tufted Duck, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Red Kite, Buzzard, Kestrel. Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Snipe, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Robin, Stonechat, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling.

Female Kestrel Falco tinnunculus

Langford Lakes main water seen from the Visitors Centre

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River Itchen and Beacon Woods, Park Gate

Saturday 1 March

A lovely sunny start to the day so by mid-morning after collecting friend Richard Osborn, we headed off to the River Itchen at Mansbridge to walk downstream alongside the non-tidal water. Lots of Mallard taking advantage of all the food being provided along with a score of Greylag Geese and a pair of Mute Swans.  Four Moorhen counted plus scores of Carrion Crows, a single passing Jackdaw and a trio of Magpies.

Greylag Goose Anser anser

Many singing Robin, Blue and Great Tits along with sightings of at least three Blackbirds.  But best of all the plentiful supply of feeding Chiffchaffs and Long-tailed Tits in the open trees on the opposite bank.  Once at Woodmill not as many gulls as expected but still a good number of Black-headed plus just under a dozen Herring Gulls.

Chiffchaff  Phylloscopus collybita

The highlight of the return walk was the sighting of a Firecrest in the open trees on the opposite side of the river followed by a pair of Grey Wagtails.  Once back at the Swan Hotel a Buzzard overhead.

Firecrest Regulus ignicapilla

Having returned to Richard's home we took the opportunity to take a short walk through the neighbouring Beacon Wood and found Goldcrest, Wren and Robin plus both Blue and Great Tits.  Not just a couple of Blackbirds but also a Song Thrush in addition to the resident Carrion Crows and Woodpigeons.  Back at the house both Starling and House Sparrows on the feeders.

Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea

Birds seen:

Greylag Goose, Mute Swan, Mallard, Buzzard, Moorhen, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Grey Wagtail, Wren, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Chiffchaff, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Goldcrest, Firecrest, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, 

Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea

Moorhen Gallinula chloropus

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Brambling and all three Woodpeckers!

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos minor

Thursday 27 February 

Having stayed in for three days since returning from our Baltic cruise with a heavy cold, it was good to once more be out in the fresh air.  A beautiful calm, sunny start to the day with clear blue skies so off to the New Forest with a first stop at Acres Down to try and succeed for the first time this year in my search for the resident Lesser Spotted Woodpecker.  The hour turned out to be most eventful as, for only the second time, I managed to record all three British woodpecker species on the same visit.

A Blackbird as I parked the car and as soon as out on the track down the hill to the favoured site a Great Spotted Woodpecker in the tree on the opposite side. Whilst I could hear a drumming Lesser Spotted Woodpecker before arriving at the "usual" tree, I also noted Chaffinch, Great Tit and a Song Thrush.  A quartet of Robins were foraging around me and then, whist the Lesser spotted Woodpecker started drumming again immediately in front of me but without revealing itself, a Green Woodpecker was also "yaffling" nearby.  First a Stock Dove atop the special tree and then the arrival of the bird itself and also seen by six others who had now joined in search of the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker.  Very high and distant so lots of record shots taken but a couple will do the trick.  Also, using the bins, able to see the red crown so confirming the bird to be a male. And making my way back to the car I also note the overflying Carrion Crow and the Wren at the side of the track.

Song Thrush Turdus philomelos

Ans so on over to Blashford Lakes passing the mall rookery with its Rook inhabitants as I approached the site.  Starting at the Tern Hide overlooking Ibsley Water almost all the bird life save for a number of Tufted Ducks and a pair of Carrion Crows were at the far end.  Here, with the use of the scope, I was able to identify the very many Wigeon along with good numbers of both Shoveler and Pintail. Barely a score of Coot but I did find both a Heron and a trio of Goldeneye.  The one remaining distant island held a handful of Cormorant and a single Oystercatcher whereas the land to the right provided the only Lapwing of the day.  I did find a distant, single Shelduck as I watched the bird a half-dozen others flew over.  But less than a handful of Mallards noted on this water.

Time to move across to the main reserve and head off to the Woodland Hide where I was later joined by friend Richard Osman for the rest of the stay here.  Blue and Great Tits were quickly recorded and even more once inside the hide.  Wonderful to see so many feeding Siskins which were joined by Chaffinch, Greenfinch and Goldfinches.  Ere long also Blackbird, Dunnock and Robin feeding mainly below the feeders and a visit from both a Nuthatch and Great Spotted Woodpecker. Then the biggest surprise pf the day when a male Brambling arrived in the nearby bush and made four return visits before deciding it was safe to explore the feeder!

Male Brambling Fringila montifringilla

Long-tailed Tits are always a joy to see and a second happy surprise cam with the arrival of a male Reed Bunting before we et off for our next stop.

Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus

More Mallard, Shoveler, Tufted Duck and Wigeon at South Ivy Hide but North Ivy Hide was almost deserted.  However, upon returning to the Visitors Centre plenty of activity on the feeders by a pair of Coal Tits.

Coal Tits Parus ater

Departing to nearby Ibsley hamlet both Magpie and Collared Dove and a flock of at least 30 Jackdaws feeding on the grass just over the other side of the bridge.  Continuing on through the narrow road through the New Forest I made my final stop at Cadnam Pool where I was delighted to find both a male Mandarin Duck and the long-staying Muscovy Duck. The latter was getting itself into all sorts of mischief paying too much attention to one of the quartet of Canada Geese.  I think this duck needs to see some sort of avian psychologist!!!

Mandarin Duck Aix galericulata

Muscovy Duck Cairina moschata

Also present on and around the pool a good number of Mallard plus a handful of Coot.  On the banks a number of Robins and Chaffinches and the trees on the far side of the car park, having been well stocked with seed, were drawing in numerous Blue Tits along with both Great and Coal Tits. A Nuthatch put in an appearance as did both Blackbird and Siskin.

Nuthatch Sitta europaea

Time to head off back to Warsash and as crossing the Test floodplain on the M27 looking down below me I could not but help count at least seven resting Little Egrets at the water's edge of the main pools that had been created.  All in all, an excellent morning's birding and well-rewarded for actually getting out of the house, finally recording 47 species.

Female Siskin Carduelis spinus

In the woods at Blashford Lakes lots of Scarlet Elf Cup fungi to be seen.

Scarlet Elf Cup Sarcoscypha austriaca

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Muscovy Duck, Mandarin Duck, Wigeon, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Pintail, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Coot, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Long-tailed Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Nuthatch, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Brambling, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Siskin, Reed Bunting.

Brambling Fringila montifringilla

Coal Tit Parus ater

Dunnock Prunella modularis

Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis with Blue Tit Parus caeruleus

Greenfinch Carduelis chloris

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos minor

Siskins Carduelis spinus plus a Goldfinch

Stock Dove Columba oenas

Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula

Wigeon Anas penelope

Scarlet Elf Cup Sarcoscypha austriaca

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Cabo de Gata with the Arboleas Birding Group

Wednesday 26 February

What a day, Dave!  Never mind the lower than expected number of species you had a Spotted Redshank as a special and then those Marsh Sandpipers to top the lot!  Like many before and after you, you'll probably have to wait years before you see your next Marsh Sandpiper.  No doubt the bird was a "lifer" form many of those present and, indeed, possibly also the Spotted R4dshank.  Now that really is a memory to savour for months to come.  Many years since I last saw a Marsh Sandpiper and that was down at barbate on the Atlantic coast.  Just about over the cold I picked up at the end of last week whilst up in the Baltic so hoping to be back in the New Forest in the morning and having another shot at finding the local Lesser Spotted Woodpecker before carrying on to Blashford Lakes.

Cabo de Gata  -  Wednesday 26th February

Nigel and I left Arboleas at stupid o'clock and headed south towards the Cabo de Gata as I wanted to go round the rear of the bird reserve.  As we approached Retamar Sur we saw a Magpie.  Through the houses we added Collared Doves and Nigel spotted a White Wagtail.  Through Pujaire Spotless Starlings were seen and as we passed the first hide we saw Greater Flamingos on the salinas.  Driving adjacent to the beach Nigel saw a Sardinian Warbler.

Cabo de Gata church in the early morning sunshine (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

We then commenced to do the rear track, the state of which convinced Nigel he wouldn't be taking his smart SUV round there!  Nothing on the first two salinas.  We drove up to the ancient goat water station, seeing Thekla Larks en route.  The early morning sun lit up the church and the salinas.  We could see Yellow-legged and Lesser Black-backed Gulls.  Further along the track we saw a single Kentish Plover, some Shelduck and Avocets.  That was all we saw, so we were disappointed.

Kentish Plover (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

We made our way to the first hide.  The others had yet to arrive.  A scan produced, apart from the Greater Flamingos, Grey Heron, Avocet, Black-winged Stilt and a pair of Little Egret.  I found three waders on the rocky "causeway".  Slender, light green legs, slim, straight bills.  Definitely not chunky enough for Greenshank and no up pointing bills.  Having consulted "Senor Collins", him and I came to the conclusion they were Marsh Sandpipers.  Had seen one on the reserve with Norman many, many years ago!  Nigel found a line of nine Glossy Ibis with a Grey and Ringed Plovers nearby.  On the water we had Mallard and Slender-billed Gulls.  A pair of Jackdaw flew over. I briefly saw a couple of Curlew on the savannah.  We also added Cormorant and a Spotted Redshank.  We were joined by Peter 1&2, Phil, Richard 1&2 and Maria.  They all managed to see the Marsh Sandpipers.  Peter 1 also found some Curlew Sandpipers and a Little Stint.  By this time Nigel and I were gasping for a coffee so we all headed to the Cabo village cafe.

Marsh Sandpiper (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

Suitably refreshed we convoyed to the second hide.  A Seawatch produced nothing.  We trundled to the hide.  Walking on soft sand does my hips and back no good at all.  I didn't have my sherpa (young Trevor!) to carry my scope either this week!  We only added a single Spoonbill to the list.

The public hide was not much better but I did find a couple of Black-necked Grebes and some Black-headed Gulls.  "Danke" to the German birder who pointed out a Yellow Wagtail on one of the islands! Richard spotted a Crested Lark.

Glossy Ibis with a Grey Plover to the left (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

32 species seen! Not great, but the Marsh Sandpipers made up for the low number.  Great day, great weather in very good company.

Regards

Dave

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Monday 24 February

Sorry for the delay in publishing the latest report from the Arboleas Birding Group but Jenny and I have been on a very cold and frosty cruise up into the Baltic.  Not all bad news though as managed to take the monthly total over the hundred as a result of seen sea birds including Fulmar, Puffin, Black Guillemot and Shag.  And certainly no shortage of Hooded Crows in the towns we visited!  Even managed to see a couple of Red Kite on the drive up the A3 from Portsmouth to the M25 and then on to Tilbury. Lots of good birds seen last week but no Iberian Shrike and soon the Woodchats will be returning.

Rambla de Almanzora & Vera Playa: Wednesday 19th February

Nigel kindly picked Seamus and I up. ,We headed for the Rambla de Almanzora.  As we were in Nigel's snazzy car we went straight to the car park above the ford.  We saw Woodpigeon and the first of many Chiffchaffs.  Seamus spotted a pair of Mallards flying over.  We were joined by Richard, Peters 1 and 2 and Trevor.  A squawking Yellow-legged Gull alerted us to its presence as it harassed a flying Grey Heron.  Richard found a Black Redstart on a power line.  Later a Woodpigeon and a Hoopoe alighted on the same power line.  A Magpie was also seen.

We moved round to the beach.  Trevor spotted a pair of Cormorant and two Little Egrets on the harbour rocks.  I found a pair of Ringed Plovers on another set of rocks.  Out to sea I saw an Adult Gannet.  A pair of Audouin's Gulls rested on some rocks.  On a patch of seaweed I saw some Turnstone and Kentish Plovers.  Some House Sparrows were on the tower.  As we headed towards the estuary a pair of Collared Doves flew into a tree.  The estuary was very birdless.  We saw a Coot and some Goldfinches.

After a refreshing cuppa at the Tiberon cafe, we made our way to the dual carriageway opposite the Consum supermarket behind Vera Playa.  Seamus found the first of numerous Moorhen and Shovelers by the dozen.  

Shoveler (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

Peter 2 reeled off Teal, Black-winged Stilt, Shelduck and Little Grebe.  Peter 1 added Greater Flamingo, one of about 10.  Trevor found some Crag Martins . Peter 2 & Seamus spotted a Snipe.  Peter 2 then spotted a distant soaring Marsh Harrier.  Nigel added a Sardinian Warbler.

Greater Flamingos (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

We convoyed round to the elevated platform opposite the Aquaparc.  Peter 2 found a pair of Black-necked Grebes near the far reed line.  Also there was a Purple Swamphen. On the water Trevor found some Common Pochard.  Also there was a raft of Black-headed Gulls and a couple of White-headed Ducks.  Two Mediterranean Gulls flew over.

Purple Swamphen (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

They completed our 36 species list.  Lovely relaxing day with good mates.

Regards

Dave

White-headed Duck (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

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 Wednesday 12 February

Sounds like a good morning's birding for Dave and his Arboleas Birding Group.  Lovely to read about Griffon Vultures, Choughs, Serins and Crested Larks, never mind that very early Whinchat.  But reading about Crossbill and Corn Bunting reminded me that I have not seen either since returning to the UK three years ago. How things have changed since I started ringing back in the late sixties (that's in the last century!)  On the other hand, we still have a few local Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers in the New Forest ad I did see a most handsome pair of Mandarin Ducks on Cadnam Pond in the north-east corner of the Forest.

Mandarin Ducks (PHOTO: Bob Wright)

Sierra de Maria  -  Wednesday 12th February

I picked up Nigel and we headed to the Sierra de Maria. Prior to getting to the La Piza forest cafe we only managed to see Collared Dove and Spotless Starlings in Maria town.  Once at the cafe we loaded the bird feeders with peanuts and sat down to observe with a coffee.  It was sunny but there was a cold wind.  Nigel spotted a Long-tailed Tit on the nuts as Trevor and Paul arrived.  They had seen Griffon Vultures and a Magpie en route.  I added a Great Tit.  Richard and Peter arrived having seen House Sparrow and a Sardinian Warbler.  Richard added seeds and nuts to the bird's breakfast.  We all settled down with our coffees.  Nigel saw a Blue Tit, Richard a Crested Tit.  We were joined by Seamus, Linda and a very well behaved Lottie.  Also seen were Robin, Jay, Chaffinch and Coal Tit.  A pair of Raven flew over.

We drove along the loop.  Didn't see anything in the forest area.  The fields only provided Greenfinch and Linnet.  Nigel had a Crested Lark as we approached the village.  As we parked up there was a small flock of Serin.  Peter and Richard had also seen a Carrion Crow.  Two black birds flew over the village. Red-billed Chough.

Griffon Vultures (PHOTO: David Binns-Elliott)

We carried along the track seeing more Linnet and Goldfinch flocks.  I had just said to Nigel we hadn't seen any Stonechats when a likely suspect perched on a roadside thistle.  But, no.  Very surprisingly, it was a Whinchat!  Very early!  We saw a couple of small flumes of soaring Griffon Vultures.  Trevor saw a White Wagtail. (Apologies for missing off your Chaffinch last week!).  As we approached the cliff face a Griffon Vulture was perched on top, but flew off as we got closer.  As we got out of our vehicles, Nigel spotted three Griffons on the slope to our right.  They eventually flew off.  We walked to the far side of the cliff.  A pair of Black Wheatears made an appearance as did a Hoopoe.

En route to the hamlet we only added a Kestrel to the list.  Richard and Peter saw a Stonechat.  At the hamlet I spotted two Griffon Vulture against the high clouds.  They were minute.  Must've been about 4,000ft above us!  Linda found a Griffon sitting in a field about 400m from us.  As we left, there was a Corn Bunting perched on a rock.

We adjourned back to the La Piza cafe for lunch.  We added Crossbill and a Blackbird.  That completed our list for the day.  30 species.  Not bad.  Great company.  Nigel saw a Kestrel as we headed for Velez Blanco.

Crossbill (PHOTO: David Binns-Elliott)

News re Paul. He's now back home with a stent fitted. Wish him a speedy recovery.

Regards

Dave

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