Warsash Shore

Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe

Friday 6 October

Pleasant start to the day as I started my morning walk along the Warsash shore and own onto the Solent making the return point at the Meandering Pool (where only a single Black-headed Gull was to be seen!)  With the tide almost completely out the water line was at a fair distance so extra care taken in checking the bird life.  After a lone Black-headed Gull on the slipway at the harbour I soon encountered very many Black-tailed Godwits along with Redshanks and Curlew.  Just the occasional Oystercatcher but then the first of a half-dozen Little Egrets.

Moving on down past the School of Navigation I added many more Black-tailed Godwits and Redshanks plus the usual foraging Black-headed Gulls and a handful of Carrion Crow. Only one Herring Gull seen but then a lone Cormorant on the open water.  Once in the lee of the Spit a number of resting gulls including a single Common Gull plus a single Black-tailed Godwit and thirty Wigeon. On the mud flats to the right more redshanks along with a lone Dunlin and Grey and Ringed Plovers.

Common Gull Larus canus

On the Solent side of the Spit over forty feeding Oystercatchers on the exposed shingle along with a few Curlew and more Carrion Crows.

Scores of Oystercatchers Haematopus ostralegus on the Spit at the mouth of the Hamble River

Moving on down to the Scrape I found a pair of Little Grebe plus thirty resting Teal. On the abandoned nesting platform a resting Great Black-backed Gull.  Between here and the Meandering Pool I came across a small flock of Linnet plus a couple of Stonechats but, even better, a late Wheatear. In the far distance behind the gorse enclosure a single Magpie.

Male Stonechat Saxicola torquatus

Making my way back towards the Hamble River I next came across a small flock of Meadow Pipit along with a single Pied Wagtail. A pair of Great Black-backed Gulls were resting on the point of the spit and as I approached the School of Navigation both Jackdaw and Woodpigeons were recorded.  And a final check of the mudlflats produced both a Turnstone and a surprise Sanderling.

Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula with Redshank Tringa totanus and Dunlin Calidris alpina

Birds seen:

Wigeon, Teal, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, Sanderling, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Stonechat, Wheatear, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Linnet.

Linnet Carduelis cannabina

Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis

Wigeon Anas penelope

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Farlington Marshes

Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta

Thursday 5 October

A dry, overcast day for my morning visit to Farlington Marshes. No sooner into the reserve and a Greenfinch posed at the top of a nearby tree and a little further away a resting Kestrel. And before reaching the coastal path for an ant-clockwise circuit I had also added Dunnock, Woodpigeon and a couple of Robins.  Once overlooking the now muddy flats of the harbour with the tide well out , a number of Black-headed Gulls plus a score or more feeding Lapwing.  On the small pond to my left a half-dozen Mallard and a single Moorhen as a Magpie made a hasty departure.  A Blackbird was resting atop a nearby small tree and in front of me the first Stonechat of the morning.

Teal Anas crecca

Working my way towards the observation area I added a number of Curlew and plenty of Redshanks on the muddy flats and on the large pool to my left very many Black-tailed Godwits and Teal.  Also present on the water, more Redshanks along with both both Coots and Moorhens plus a pair of Avocet and a Shoveler. Towards the back of the meadow, many Canada plus a couple of Barnacle Geese. In the meantime, a Cetii's Warbler was making itself known in the hedgerow below.  Finally noting the pair of Mute Swans and a moulting Shelduck I continued on my walk.

Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis

The walk round the perimeter edge produced a number of Curlew along with a many Little Egrets and a single Herring Gull.  Before turning north at the furthest point I had also noted a large flock of Linnets plus a small charm of Goldfinch and the occasional Carrion Crow. However, the most pleasing sighting was not the distant Oystercatchers and a Cormorant on the narrow channel but a lone Whimbrel.

The final stretch of shore line well away from the main , now empty harbour, produced a large number of Ringed Plovers plus a couple of Grey Plovers and a Heron.  Then a Turnstone working the weeds in search of food before finding a pair of Water Pipits, my bird of the day.

Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta

Turning inland to work my way back to the car park, with a slightly extended deviation due to maintenance work of the direct path, I came across a Green Sandpiper following the sighting of both Chiffchaffs and a Collared Dove as I left the coastal path. Eventually I arrived at the lagoon in front of the old Visitors Centre where rested a number of Teal and mallard along with a pair of both Shoveler and Gadwall.  On the banks many Coots and Moorhens along with a lone Heron.  On the water itself, in addition to some of the above, both a single Black-tailed Godwit and a Little Grebe.

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa

As I left the water, a couple of Blackcap and more Linnets were feeding in the bushes to my side and, eventually, a single Blue Tit.

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Barnacle Goose, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Little Bittern, Heron, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, Lapwing, Black-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, Curlew, Redshank, Green Sandpiper, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Meadow Pipit, Water Pipit, Dunnock, Robin, Stonechat, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Blue Tit, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet.

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Sierra de Maria with the Arboleas Birding Group

Wednesday 4 October

The last of the autumn visits by the Arboleas Birding Group so by the time Dave returns from the UK, hopefully, both Trumpeter Finches and Dotterels will be back at Cabo de Gata.  And what about that Peregrine sighting!  certainly a wonderful way to sign off for a few weeks; just hope Dave finds some good birds when he gets back to Blighty.

Sierra de Maria  -  Wednesday 4th October

From my house in Arboleas, Juda and I headed north towards the Sierra de Maria.  Shortly after we'd passed Velez Blanco's impressive castle a Peregrine Falcon crossed in front of us heading for the hills.  A great start!  We arrived at the La Piza forest cafe.  Juda soon spotted a Robin.  We filled the bird feeders up with peanuts....the bombay mix was still there! (See previous Maria report)  We were joined by Mike, Kiersten, Peter in Richard's car, Trevor and Albert and Jenni.  As we had our coffees Richard added a Chaffinch and a Jay.  The flock of House Sparrows were still around and a Great Tit sampled the new nuts.

Great Tit (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

We headed out in convoy to do the loop (Hope you Read Kevin's article I sent last week. Well worth a read if not!)  Trevor joined Juda in my car, Richard and crew were behind with Albert and Jenni bringing up the rear.  Along the way to the village we spotted Carrion Crows, a steady stream of Barn Swallows flying south and the first of many Thekla Larks.  By the farm buildings we added Spotless Starlings and a Magpie.

Thekla Lark (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

We stopped at our usual spot just before the village.  More Thekla Larks and Barn Swallows.  Richard spotted a Corn Bunting.  We started along the track.  It wasn't long before I spotted a bird on the left hand barbwire fence.  A Whinchat.  Moving on we saw the first of about 10 Northern Wheatears for the day. Numerous Woodpigeons were seen.  Richard saw a Red-legged Partridge.  We flushed a Hoopoe as we drove past.  A flight of 8 low flying beige birds landed in a field to our left.  I stopped and luckily they were visible.  Black-bellied Sandgrouse.  They flew off.  Albert tracked them and thought they'd gone over the track to the right.  We carried on slowly to their estimated flight path and were glad to see they had landed not far from the road.  They didn't hang about.  Had great views of their black bellies as they flew off.  We headed to the cliff face seeing a charm of Goldfinches.  We didn't see anything from our stopping point.  We walked to the far side, leaving Richard in his car.  Trevor spotted some hirundines flying around the rocks on the opposite side to the cliff face . Our first Crag Martins of the autumn.  Returning to the car, Richard had seen a pair of Black-eared Wheatears. 

Moving on we added a Kestrel.  Trevor found a covey of Red-legged Partridges.  Richard had a Northern Starling near the farm buildings. I added some Linnets by the air strip.

Arriving at the hamlet there was nothing to be until someone spotted a Kestrel.  I found what appeared to be a lone Griffon Vulture soaring above the furthest peak...estimated 7km away!  We carried on to the water trough.  Nothing there but now we were a few kilometres closer to the Griffon Vulture.  It had been joined by about 20 others!

We returned to the La Piza forest cafe for lunch.  We saw Crested, Great, Blue and Long-tailed Tits feeding from the nuts.  A Chiffchaff made a brief appearance below them.  Albert did well to spot the Pied Flycatcher in a nearby tree.

A very good day's birding in good company.  I'm off to the UK next week, getting back mid-November.

Best regards,

Dave

P.S. Happy birthday to both Richards...you know who you are! Sending best wishes to Linda & Kath.

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RSPB Pagham Harbour, Sussex

Friday 29 September

It was gone 1 o'clock when we arrived at nearby RSPB Pagham Harbour reserve so first time for our picnic as we watched House Sparrows, Blue and Great Tits along with a Woodpigeon making use of the feeders.

The now flooded harbour channel at RSPB Pagham Harbour

Time to head off to the Ferry Hide where we found that the pool held a number of birds but not as many as last Saturday morning.  Still clear weather but now a stiff breeze blowing in through the open windows in front of us.  Off to the far right a Little Egret with another half-way down the right-hand side of the water and a third at the far back left.  On the water immediately on front of us a lone male Shoveler and further back a number of Teal. to the left of the Teal a small flock of Lapwing and a score or more Black-tailed Godwits.  Needless to say there were a number of Black-headed and three Herring Gulls on the water.

Juvenile Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis

Behind us at the feeders, a regular supply of both Blue and Great Tits along with very many Greenfinch and Chaffinch plus a quintet of Goldfinches.  Certainly no shortage of House Sparrows and then a Chiffchaff came to feed on the weeded pond cover plus a single Robin.

Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita

Back at the water and checking the adjacent fields we found plenty of Carrion Crows and Rooks plus Woodpigeon and a resting Buzzard on a distant post.  Finally, we found a couple of Jackdaw and then a handful of Rock Doves.  meanwhile, a lone Shelduck had revealed itself on the water plus we also note a couple of Mallard.

Leaving the hide we made a quick walk to the nearby harbour channel where we found a pair of Mute Swans with their three well-grown cygnets.  A couple of Moorhen then crossed the water as we returned to the hide and then on back towards the car park in readiness for our return drive.

The Mute Swan Cygnus olor family

Birds seen:

Mute Swan, Shelduck, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Little Egret, Buzzard, Moorhen, Lapwing, Black-tailed Godwit, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Barn Swallow, Robin, Chiffchaff, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch.

Mute Swan Cygnus olor

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RSPB Medmerry, Sussex

Friday 29 September

Perfect weather for birding, so after collecting friend Richard Osman from Park Gate we were at RSPB Medmerry near Selsey Bill before 10.30 and in time to reach the first viewing point overlooking the rapidly filling channel whilst still a few waders about.  From the car park we had already recorded Woodpigeon and a number of Carrion Crows mobbing a resting Kestrel atop a telephone poll whilst immediately opposite a Robin was carousing us from a bare tree.

Medmerry reserve seen from the first viewing point

A lone Little Egret watched us approach the scene before making its departure whilst below at the water's edge a solitary Greenshank was feeding.  Within minutes it had been joined by a single Redshank. Further away many Teal and a handful of Mallard plus a pair of Mute Swans which, too, made their departure and flew over us towards a neighbouring water.

Little Egret Egretta garzetta

A distant Kingfisher was spotted which then flew much nearer to come to rest close to the only Black-headed Gull in sight.  Meanwhile, there seemed to be a constant movement of Barn Swallows as if in pairs they continued on their migration route.

Mute Swans Cygnus olor

Continuing on along the path overlooking the water the next viewing point we had a number of Robins and Chiffchaff in the trees to or right. A Magpie was seen below us and on a distant, small bare tree in the water a Merlin took flight and passed overhead. Time also to note a couple of Herring Gull, quickly followed by the first of the morning's Blackbirds. No sooner had we observed a small flock of passing Starlings then we came across a very large flock of Linnets which continued to forage on the fields between us and the water.

Distant Kingfisher Alcedo atthis with Back-headed Gull Larus ridibundus

Our final viewing point overlooked the filling estuary in front of us and to the right a large pool had a score or more Canada Geese along with Coots, Moorhen, Mallard, Tufted Duck and a single Great Black-backed Gull.  In addition to the dozen resting Cormorant, more were found on the other side of the track resting at the water's edge.

Making our return journey we stopped to admire the trio of feeding Roe Deer and also noted the the movement of a quintet of Meadow Pipits.  Continuing onwards a field away to our left held a mixed feeding flock of Rooks and Carrion Crows.  A Cetti's Warbler was calling from behind the gorse bushes near some water and a distant Buzzard drifted away.  Back at the car park we added Rock Dove and on a short walk along the road also picked up both House Sparrow and Blue Tit.

Roe Deer Capreolus capreolus

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Mallard, Teal, Tufted Duck, Cormorant, Little Egret, Buzzard, Kestrel, Merlin, Moorhen, Coot, Redshank, Greenshank, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Kingfisher, Barn Swallow, Meadow Pipit, Robin, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blue Tit, Magpie, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Linnet.

Greenshank Tringa nebularia

Redshank Tringa totanus

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Titchfield Canal

Thursday 28 September

Having returned home from the early morning walk for a coffee, I then set off to the car park at Titchfield Canal in the hope that one of the long-staying Glossy Ibis might be found.  Just an hour spent on the walk down to the end of the wooded avenue and back but no ibis to be seen.

Robin and Woodpigeon recorded the minute I set off and checking the water at the Bridge Street floods I found a number of Teal and Black-tailed Godwit but just the two Mallards. Black-headed and a lone Herring Gull were also noted.

Walking down the path I noted the a small number of Barn Swallows feeding over the meadow and in the bushes and trees to my right more Robins and a number of Chiffchaff.  A Little Egret departed down stream from the water whilst above me a couple of Carrion Crows.

Robin Erithacus rubecula

Once at the Posbrook Floods water mainly Teal but also a single Moorhen and a couple of Heron. A rather noisy Cetti's Warbler was calling from my right and then the first of a few Jackdaw before a Jay flew across the path. So on down through the trees and back adding both Wren and Blue Tits. A second Jay was seen and once back at first water I found a lone Egyptian Goose on the far bank.  A pair of Buzzards arrived at the far end and were on the receiving attention of a Carrion Crow before I found a Magpie back in the trees near the car park.

Birds seen:

Egyptian Goose, Mallard, Teal, Little Egret, Heron, Buzzard, Moorhen, Black-tailed Godwit, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Barn Swallow, Wren, Robin, Cetti's Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blue Tit, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, 

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Warsash Shore and Solent

Thursday 28 September

A few minutes after 8.30 this morning when I set off in cloudy and almost still weather to walk along Warsash shore to the Spit and then on down the Solent to both the crape and Meandering Pools before returning.  A couple of hours which finally produced 31 species.  Being  only two hours from high tide the water had pushed the birds up the muddy shore to give excellent, if dull, views of the Oystercatchers, Curlews, Redshanks and Black-tailed Godwits.

Curlew Numenius arquata

Naturally there many Black-headed and the occasional Herring Gull and closer observation also produced a trio of Turnstone turning over the soggy vegetation. passing Strawberry Fields a pair of Carrion Crows and a half-dozen Woodpigeon were noted along with both Robin and Blue Tit. Having already seen my first Little Egret I was to find a further quintet before reaching the Spit and six Mallard took off from the water.  Also present a dozen Rock Doves.

Turnstone Arenaria interpres

More activity on the mud flats just after the School of Navigation including many more Black-tailed Godwits and Redshanks and in the lee of the Spit a small group of Ringed Plover.  On the water itself a small flock of seven recently arrived Wigeon and a dozen resting Black-headed Gull.  More Carrion Crows and Oystercatchers could also be seen on the far side of the Spit.

Wigeon Anas penelope

Making my way to the Scrape I encountered the first of a quartet of Magpies and once arrive with a view over the water counted eight Avocet along with a score or more Teal.  Just the single Moorhen and Little Grebe.  On the far side a Kestrel was resting in a small dead tree. Making my way to the Meandering Pools, where just a further quartet of Teal were noted, A lone Sandwich Tern, was working its way up the Solent very close to the shore.

Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis

The gorse area once again produced a number of Linnets and a lone Greenfinch before finding a single Whitethroat. 

Linnets Carduelis cannabina

Making my way back to the mouth of the Hamble River a noted a Cormorant making its way down the Solent.  A Wren was seen in the brambles near the drain and then back on the final walk near Strawberry Fields a trio of Collared Doves.  The final bird of the visit, a Pied Wagtail, was found feeding on the floating weeds back in Warsash at the edge of the slipway.

Pied Wagtail Motacilla alba yarellie

Birds seen:

Wigeon, Mallard, Teal, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Kestrel, Moorhen, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Ringed Plover, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Sandwich Tern, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Robin, Blue Tit, Magpie, Carrion Crow, House Sparrow, Greenfinch, Linnet.

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa

Curlew Numenius arquata

Moorhen Gallinula chloropus with Teal Anas crecca

Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa with Redshank Tringa totanus

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