14/6/2015: Week Commencing Sunday 14th

Sunday 14th June

Lower Burwell Fen: 17.00 to 18.15

Number of Species seen: 31

A late afternoon stroll around the lower part of Burwell Fen, that being the area bounded by the cycle path to the south and the footpath that crosses the middle. Little around on the first part near Cock Up Bridge but as we approached the area behind the old barn a Green Sandpiper flew across.

The flooded area held the usual ducks but no sign of the Black-necked Grebe. An Avocet was resting on one of the banks and another Green Sandpiper was spotted nearby. Distant views of Hobby, Buzzard and Marsh Harrier.

Highlight: Green Sandpiper
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Monday 15th June

Burwell Fen (Upper Part) : 12.00 to 15.30

Number of Species seen: 28

Work finished, sandwich and drink packed and off Max and I went to see if anything had changed/improved around Burwell Fen. The flooded area continues to have lots of water on it and very little mud has been exposed or left. This means its been really quiet in terms of waders and even the Black Headed Gulls seem to have given up as I'm sure the numbers are down on last year.

Spent sometime trying to get a good picture of the Black-necked Grebe feeding one of the young but I'm disappointed with the Novagrade adaptor I bought for the Nikon camera, I seem unable to get a good crisp focus and feel that there is too much distance from the eye piece to the focal point of the camera and so is not focusing correctly. Trying to get the correct exposure is also proving to be a problem!

Black-necked Grebe Chick: one of two

Chick and parent

Moving further along the bank we settled in opposite the one descent piece of mud to see what was

around.  After a short while two Black-Winged Stilt appeared out of the undergrowth on the far side and started feeding. It was thought that the pair from earlier on in the month had departed but it would seem they were just hiding out!

Black-winged Stilt and Lapwing

Also in the area was a single Avocet, two Green Sandpiper and seven Redshank. A Water Rail was calling nearby and an Oystercatcher passed through.

On the way back I bumped into Jonathan and we spoke about the Stilts. He was unaware of them returning or being seen since there supposed departure. He was also able to point out the other adult Black-necked Grebe and chick. They did have three at one point so it would seem one has been lost.

13/6/2015: Welney

13/6/2015

A cold, damp and grey Saturday! Gardening out of the question and little to do in the greenhouse. After a morning pottering around the house decided to head to Welney to see if the Red-necked Phalarope was still about.

Was a bit surprised to see how quiet the place was with very few people around. The Red-Necked was easily located feeding in front of Lyle Hide. The sky was grey and overcast and as the bird was on the far side getting a photo was a bit of a challenge!

The Red-necked eventually flew off but soon turned up again in front of the Main Hide where it fed for a short while before flying off again.

The usual Welney species were present including a family of Little Ringed Plover.

14/6/2015: Lower Burwell Fen: At last up to date..... for a while!

14/6/2015

Continuation of yesterday's poor weather! Grey, cold and the ever present threat of rain. Max and I went for a stroll around Lower Burwell Fen. Two Green Sandpiper were the highlight of the afternoon along with Hobby, male Marsh Harrier and a Buzzard. An Avocet seemed very settled on one of the mud banks, which are becoming more visible and hopefully will be attracting waders in the next few months, unless we get more rain!

1-12/6/2015: Back Home

Post holiday blues! What happened to the sun, the heat, the beer on the terrace! Back to the railway sidings and Wicken Fen!

The Black Winged Stilt had departed and everywhere seems so quiet with little around and about. However pleased to say that the Black-necked Grebe have hatched and at least three young were out and about.

Plenty of summer migrants along the sidings and Lode and the Cuckoo continues to call from the wires across the fen.

27/5/2015: Aracena Castle

While Debbie and the girls were visiting the caves at Aracena I walked up the hill, in blistering heat, to visit the church and castle above Aracena.

The view from the walk around the castle were superb and it proved to be an excellent spot for birdwatching. As I walked under the bell gates a Blue Rock Thrush flew up onto the walls. Swifts and Crag Martins wheeled and screamed above the ruins of the castle. As I sat on the stairs to the firmly closed door to the castle a female Ortolan Bunting hopped from rock to rock. A very scruffy Griffon Vulture slowly drifted by followed shortly afterwards by a Booted Eagle being mobbed by Swift. 

The real treat was the number of White Stork drifting in and out of their nesting area on the church roof just below the castle.

After a wonderful lunch of Loin of Pork we returned to Zoya for an afternoon of lazing in the sun and Terrace birdwatching. Nothing better than sitting in a deck chair, beer in hand and binoculars at the ready. The vegetable patch attracted a Hoopoe for a brief visit, but the three Cirl Bunting (2 female) spent a good time hunting. A Nightingale put in a very good appearance as did a male Redstart. The tree we do not know continues to attract Blackbird, Blackcap and best of all a pair of Golden Oriole. 

Back to St Eulalia that evening for more Woodchat Shrike, 

Bee-Eater and plenty of Corn Bunting calling constantly.

A couple of Rollers but in a brief appearance along with Wood and Thekla Lark. Spanish Sparrow were gathering along the farm wall and groups of Spotless Starling were gathering for the night. As I moved down towards the 'main' road Sardinian and Subalpine Warbler fluttered from bush to bush calling softly. We stood for a while and listened to the Nightjar churring.

Other highlights from the rest of the week

While Terrace watching a Hawfinch was a real treat landing in the bushes and staying there for five minutes of so. A female Golden Oriole was by the stream below the house as were the Nightingale that would sing through out the night. Short-toed Treecreeper were ever present along the path by the river and a Melodious Warbler was showing well by the newly renovated mill. Red Rumped Swallows were over the open fields.

While sitting in the car park waiting for Debbie I was surprised to see a Mongoose attacking a tortoise, dragging it down towards the undergrowth by the river. An amazing sight.

26/5/2015: Molino Rio Alagar: St Eulalia

26th May: for a number of years we have enjoyed the Gorge walk from the house. Getting up early and completing the majority of the walk before the heat sets in has always been a highlight of our time in Aracena. Part of the walk takes you through an area that has always been packed with Bee-eaters, Nuthatch and Woodback Shrike. I've always wanted to spend sometime in this area and with Peter Jan's help we were able to work out the location and a way of getting in. So on the evening of the 26th, Debbie and I set off on a 25 minute drive to the area I'm calling St Eulalia after the nearest settlement.

Within a short period of time we had located a group of 22 Bee-eater hunting and resting. Using my newly replaced Tonta DA-1 Butterfly Adaptor I was able to capture some good shots.

Woodchat Shrike were also showing well as well as giving the local Buzzard a bad time, along with good numbers of Azure-Winged Magpie and Nightingale.

The elusive (in terms of trying to get a photo) Hoopoe was present but never still enough to get a snap. 

23-25th May 2015: Molino Rio Alagar

Our fifth visit to this wonderful part of Spain with plenty of time for birdwatching and enjoying the sun.

Zora: Home for the week

24th May: up early to see what's around and about. Serin were as ever present as were Nuthatch, many feeding young. Great to locate a number of Firecrest as I hadn't seen any in this area before. Spotted flycatcher ever present as Nightingale which showed well throughout the week! A light phase Booted Eagle cruised over and later a Griffon Vulture passed slowly over the hill edge. A pair of Cirl Buntings visited the vegetable patch for a short while during lunch! 

25th May: Took myself of to drive the Aroche-Cadezas Rubias road. Debbie and I did this one afternoon a couple of years ago and I vowed to return. The road (if you can call it a road) crosses the sierra and climbs into the hills. At any point along the journey even the briefest stop produces something exciting. The road leads to what was once a Black Vulture feeding point but this has been stopped due to egg thefts. However good views of Black and Griffon Vultures were had as well as Short Toed Eagle and Booted Eagle. Other highlights were:

Azure-winged Magpie  ("Cyanopica cyanus")

Black Vulture  ("Coragyps atratus")

Black-eared Wheatear  ("Oenanthe hispanica")

Booted Eagle  ("Hieraaetus pennatus")

Cetti's Warbler  ("Cettia cetti")

Corn Bunting  ("Emberiza calandra")

Crag Martin  ("Ptyonoprogne rupestris")

Cuckoo  ("Cuculus canorus")

Dartford Warbler  ("Sylvia undata")

Fan-tailed Warbler  ("Cisticola juncidis")

Golden Oriole  ("Oriolus oriolus")

Grey Wagtail  ("Motacilla cinerea")

Griffon Vulture  ("Gyps fulvus")

Hoopoe  ("Upupa epops")

House Martin  ("Delichon urbicum")

Linnet  ("Carduelis cannabina")

Melodious Warbler  ("Hippolais polyglotta")

Nightingale  ("Luscinia megarhynchos")

Raven  ("Corvus corax")

Red-rumped Swallow  ("Cecropis daurica")

Sardinian Warbler  ("Sylvia melanocephala")

Short-toed Eagle  ("Circaetus gallicus")

Stonechat  ("Saxicola torquatus")

Swift  ("Apus apus")

Thekla Lark  ("Galerida theklae")

Whinchat  ("Saxicola rubetra")

Whitethroat  ("Sylvia communis")

Woodchat Shrike  ("Lanius senator")

Azure-winged Magpie  ("Cyanopica cyanus")

Black Vulture  ("Coragyps atratus")

Black-eared Wheatear  ("Oenanthe hispanica")

Booted Eagle  ("Hieraaetus pennatus")

Cetti's Warbler  ("Cettia cetti")

Corn Bunting  ("Emberiza calandra")

Crag Martin  ("Ptyonoprogne rupestris")

Cuckoo  ("Cuculus canorus")

Dartford Warbler  ("Sylvia undata")

Fan-tailed Warbler  ("Cisticola juncidis")

Golden Oriole  ("Oriolus oriolus")

Grey Wagtail  ("Motacilla cinerea")

Griffon Vulture  ("Gyps fulvus")

Hoopoe  ("Upupa epops")

House Martin  ("Delichon urbicum")

Linnet  ("Carduelis cannabina")

Melodious Warbler  ("Hippolais polyglotta")

Nightingale  ("Luscinia megarhynchos")

Raven  ("Corvus corax")

Red-rumped Swallow  ("Cecropis daurica")

Sardinian Warbler  ("Sylvia melanocephala")

Short-toed Eagle  ("Circaetus gallicus")

Stonechat  ("Saxicola torquatus")

Swift  ("Apus apus")

Thekla Lark  ("Galerida theklae")

Whinchat  ("Saxicola rubetra")

Whitethroat  ("Sylvia communis")

Woodchat Shrike  ("Lanius senator")

13/6/2015: Catching Up: May

May saw the continuing arrival of summer visitors with some late departures of the winter ones. Spotted my first Hobby of the spring at Burwell Fen on the 6th May. Two Fieldfare over the garden on the 8th seemed very late!

While doing the Lode walk on the 9th located a Lesser Whitethroat and later in the day a male Wheatear at Burwell Fen, the first, for me, of the spring in this location.

Had a trip over to Suffolk on the 13th May with a visit to Minsmere. Good numbers of Hobby (7), and Bearded Tit showing well. A Stone-curlew was visible but given the good views I get just down the road I did not dwell with the crowd! Bittern showed a couple of times but were not great views. Managed to get a number of shots of Sanderling down by the sea.

21st May: Burwell Fen: spotted a Black-wing Stilt fly out from the far side of the fen. Fortunately it landed nearer to the bank so I settled in for a close look. Shortly afterwards it was joined by another. The female quickly settled down on a small piece of dry land and it was apparent that the pair were nesting and had eggs as shortly afterwards the female rose and started to turn at least three eggs. Being joined by another birdwatcher, he confirmed that they had been around for a couple of days and the hope was that they would breed. Sadly this was not to be the case and within a week they were gone.

Sedge Warbler: Burwell Fen

13/6/2015: Guilty as charged!

There you go, another New Year's Resolution well and truly smashed. Not a posting since March 1st and so much has been going on. Time to catch up.

The sad news: Megan, our faithful Border Collie cross and my bird watching companion for so many years sadly passed away late April. She had been slowing down for a while but still loved her walks. On the Thursday of her passing she collapsed while just starting a walk at Burwell Fen and had to be put to sleep. We sadly miss her as does Max, our Jack Russell, who is missing his walking buddy.

Megan: waiting for something to happen.....

Highlights from March to end of April

March spent in and around Cambridgeshire/Norfolk visiting various sites mainly around Wicken and The Ouse Washes, highlight being the Great White Egret at Welney on the 16th March.

Start of April saw us in Donegal for the annual gathering of the family. Great to catch up with everyone and an excuse for a bit of birdwatching in a very unwatched area. In all the years of visiting I've never seen another birdwatcher!

2nd April: first male Wheatear of the spring found in the cattle field down by the airport. A almost guaranteed place to find them! 

Plenty of Divers (Great Northern, Black and Red Throated in the bays especially following the strong winds that battered us for a couple of days. Long Tailed Ducks (100+) in Mulladearg Bay along with smaller numbers of Black Guillemot, Guillemot and Razorbill. Two Chough were present near the house. Sadly numbers down from the previous year.

24th April: Afternoon visit to Burwell and as I came over the bridge was surprised to discover five Garganey on the 'Cattle Pool'.

25th April: Great White Egret on Barker's Fen and a male and female Garganey resting on the bank at Tubney Fen.

26th April: First Cuckoo of the year heard at Burwell Fen.

28th-30th April saw my annual trip to Norfolk for a few days of solid birdwatching. Started at Brancaster with an evening stroll producing three Grasshopper Warblers in clear view along the coastal path. Next morning in the same area three Whimbrel passed over. Seven were later seen at Brancaster along with a Spoonbill and Bittern.

29th April: Titchwell produced a nice group of Red Crested Pochard and a couple of Little Tern. Sadly it was also the last time that I saw my Tonta DA-1 Butterfly Adaptor for digiscoping and it's black draw string case. If anyone has found it I hope you are enjoying using it!

30th April: Choseley Barns. Having made two unsuccessful trip during the last couple of days managed to locate not one but four female and 2 male Dotterel showing well amongst the stony ground.

Later on in the afternoon I visited for the first time Kelling Water Meadows. A really nice location producing Black Tailed Godwit, Avocet and Stonechat amongst other things.

Kelling Water Meadows: TG0943,

A pleasant Fish and Chip supper at Sheringham was improved by 24 Turnstone begging me for the odd piece of fish!