Week commencing: 8th December 2025

 A couple of days of counting! Monday WEBs and Tuesday Swan count.

Monday 8th

The morning saw us at work carrying out this months WEB count over three of the washes. Flooding wasn't complete so areas of land were still visible.

Large numbers of Lapwing were challenging as they were forever on  the move! Not many Whooper Swan but good numbers of Greylag and Canada Goose. Amongst the wildfowl the real surprise were the number of Pintail with 266 in our count alone. Wigeon totalled 1863.

Full sightings list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S287807724

Tuesday 9th

Early morning start being out on the Crag Bank by 6.30 am. My area was from the suspension bridge to the railway bridge. The weather was pretty ropey with strong winds and rain showers but as the sun rose it became more settled.

With so much of the washes flooded the swans were spread out and the poor weather made counting difficult. However counted 992 Whooper and 6 Bewick, two of which were youngsters.

After breakfast off to do the arable count covering Prickwillow, Great Fen and the Earith and Sutton. No large flocks but a nice small flock of Whooper near Aldreth which contained six ringed birds. These were two adults:

Adult: White Ring: Z3C: was actually 23C

Adult: Neck Collar (tracker): Leg Ring: Yellow: ZYC: Left Leg

and four Juvenile

Juv: Neck collar (tracker): White Ring: 13B: Left Leg

Female: ringed as a cygnet: Lake Kalfborgarvatn: Iceland: 14-08-2025

Juv: White Ring: 13A: Left Leg

Male: ringed as a cygnet: Lake Kalfborgarvatn: Iceland: 14-08-2025

Juv: White Ring: 12V: Left Leg

Female: ringed as a cygnet: Lake Kalfborgarvatn: Iceland: 14-08-2025

Juv: White Ring: 12X: Left Leg

Male: ringed as a cygnet: Lake Kalfborgarvatn: Iceland: 14-08-2025

All the birds were ringed by Kane Brides, WWT. I am very grateful for the information.

Adult Whooper with tracker collar

Whooper Swans near Aldreth

Wednesday 10th

Stayed local this morning after so much swan chasing! Walked the river from the station to Pantile and back via The Shades.

A Red Kite was hunting near Viva Theatre and there was a large number of Black-headed Gull on the fields. Nice to find three Greenfinch by the horse field as they seem to be short on the ground recently.

Full sightings list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S288009751

Thursday 11th

Back out to Burwell Fen. Crossing over Tubney Fen I spotted a Green Woodpecker flying across the road. Plenty of Chaffinch on the move and a small flock of Meadow Pipit.

Burwell Fen itself was quiet. Nothing on the bottom pools and although there were a number of different wildfowl on the pool towards Pouts Hall the numbers were not great.

Two Marsh Harrier, both female, were quartering the fen along with a single Red Kite.

Full sightings list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S288113884

Soham Mere and The Whooper Swans

Having purchased an excellent sausage roll from Spinney Abbey butchers, I went to count the Whooper Swans that have been present for a number of days on Soham Mere. Although distant I was able to count 205 Whooper and five Mute Swan, sadly no Bewick.

Full sightings list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S288155062

Week commencing 1st December 2025

Thursday 4th

A cold, grey windy and rainy morning meant for a not pleasant time at Burwell. A good size flock of Goldfinch were along the approach road and by the parking area. 

The pool by the bridge and the lower pool held nothing so we headed along the bank towards Pout's Hall. A large number of Greylag, Teal and Wigeon were present along with Gadwall and Shoveler. 

A large flock of Lapwing were mobile and on returning to the car park a flock of Fieldfare passed over.

Full sightings list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S287247629

Week commencing 24th Novermber 2025

 Monday 24th

Cold. grey morning with scattered showers. Out to Burwell Fen to see how the water levels were doing and to see if anything had come in. The area around the tree had some water appearing and this had attracted good numbers of Wigeon and Teal were feeding amongst the flooding fields.

The Pout's Hall pool and the back pool were looking really good and there were good numbers of Wigeon, Teal, Gadwall and Shoveler. Lapwing also present as were Mallard. A large (300+) flock of Greylag passed over as did a single Whooper Swan calling as it went by.

Walking back towards the bridge I was really pleased to hear and then see a small flock of Bearded Tit moving along the Reach Lode. This was the first time since 27th May 2021! At least eight birds were present and being very vocal.

Full sightings list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S285911265

Tuesday 25th

Working at Welney for the day. Lot more water on the site but still some good areas of land still visible. A few more Pochard around but still not the numbers that are usually there in winter. Good numbers of Whooper Swan on the surrounding fields and some still on the reserve. Pintail were around in larger numbers as were Gadwall and Wigeon.

A single Great White Egret landed close to the main hide and a couple of Cattle Egret were in with the sheep on the Crag Bank.

A Black Redstart was spotted and photographed just outside the main door. Despite keeping a good eye open while letter picking the car park I didn't spot it, which is a pity as I've not seen one at the reserve before.

Full sightings list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S286118367

Wednesday 26th

Another cold, frosty but bright morning saw us back to Burwell Fen. The weather might have been glorious but the birding was lacking!

The lower pool is slowly filling but held no birds at all.  The Teal that had been feeding in the flooding grass were gone as were the Wigeon.

The lower pool (Tree pool)

The top pool towards Pout's Hall did have a large flock of Wigeon (400+) and a good number of Gadwall and Shoveler.

Shoveler and Wigeon (Mobiscoped)

Two Common Gull were in with a small flock of Black-headed Gull. 

Say aah..... Common Gull (Mobiscoped)

A single female Marsh Harrier was over the fen and at least three Water Rail were calling from different locations.

Towards Pout's Hall

Full sighting list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S286189235

Friday28th

Stayed local this morning and did a walk that took in Horse Fen and College Woods. Have to say it was quiet beyond belief! Other than a Great Spotted Woodpecker calling as was a Buzzard somewhere and a number of Blue Tit in College Wood, very little else was around. Lucky I have a dog to walk otherwise it would be a waste of time!

Full sightings list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S286450727

Week commencing 17th November

 Monday 17th

Cold morning with scattered showers made for not very comfortable birding. The bitter wind made walking the bank a very chilling experience which I cut short and headed towards Tubney Fen. 

A small flock of Fieldfare were in the trees along the road and a single Little Grebe in front of the hide. Walking around the back of the pools revealed a further three Little Grebe and at least seventeen Gadwall, five Shoveler and a female Tufted Duck.

Full sightings list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S284888646 

Full sightings list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S284891433

Friday 21st

Clear, cold and frosty morning saw us out to Cock Up and a walk round Burwell Fen. A good number of Fieldfare were present across the area but only two Redwing  present. A Buzzard drifted across the central area at low level.

The water levels have increased across the area, which is good to see. Hopefully it will attract a bit more in the way of wildfowl ad hopefully waders.

Approaching Pout's Hall I turned just in time to see a Bitten crossing the fen towards the reed beds off Harrison's Drove. Sadly unable to get the camera on it in time!

Full sightings list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S285405693

RSPB Ouse Washes and Harrison's Drove, Wicken Fen

 Thursday 30th October

Trip out to the RSPB reserve at Ouse Fen, Manea on a lovely autumnal morning. I had a quick visit last Tuesday and headed south to the first hide. Although there was water on the Washes there was little about. This time I got there just after 9am and headed North. All the hides had pools in front of them and all were holding a variety of birds.

Good numbers of Whooper Swan were on the various pools with larger numbers out on the fields.

Whooper Swan

Greylag and Canada Goose were present in high numbers. It was good to see a flock of a hundred plus Pink-footed Goose (107) and a good number of Barnacle Goose (69). A Black Swan was also present.

Black Swan and Canada Goose

On the pool  in front of Cadbury Hide were a number of Pintail. Other wildfowl present across the reserve in large numbers were Teal (485) and Wigeon (237).

Pintail, Wigeon and Canada Goose

What was of greatest interest was the number of Marsh Harrier present with at least nine showing well. Some of these were tagged as follows:

1: Yellow AT tags: both wings
1: Green HH Tag:
1: Green Z4 tag:

Tagged Marsh Harrier

Also of interest was the high number of Egyptian Goose (17) were feeding across the fields. Common Crane were feeding on the fields totaling fifty-three.

Common Crane

Cattle Egret (6) were a first for me on this site showing the increased range of these birds. A large flock of Fieldfare (96) were in the trees bordering the river with a few Redwing mixed in.

Full sightings list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S282061561

 

Friday 31st October

A grey, breezy day saw us out to Wicken Fen. Parked at Cock-up Bridge and walked up Harrison's Drove.

A few Fieldfare were on the far side by Burwell Lode. Cetti's Warbler were being vocal and a Kestrel was hunting over the fields.

Fieldfare

A single Red Kite passed over as did a Jay, a bird that I don't often see here. Very little for an hour and a half!

Full sightings list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S282142708

Week commencing: 6th October

 Monday 6th:

A beautiful warm afternoon. Parked at the Visitor's Centre at Wicken Fen and walked across Adventurer's Fen and up Harrisons Drove. The weather might have been glorious but the birding, once again was poor! Nothing of real interest to report and I was reflecting on when was the last time I saw Bearded Tit along Harrison Drove, needless to say some time ago!

Full sighting list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S277641495

Thursday 9th:

Visit to North Norfolk making a first stop at Gypsy Lane near Titchwell. The weather was glorious, warm and sunny and few people about until I got down to the beach. Good numbers of Curlew around and on the beach were a small group of Bar-tailed Godwit feeding along the water edge. A single Sanderling was also present. Large number of Black-headed Gull and other gulls were present along with Brent Goose.

Sanderling

I moved on to Titchwell RSPB but it was heaving so did not stop. After lunch drove to Cley and spent some time in that area with little new to report.

Curlew

Friday 10th

Trip out to Burwell Fen to try out new scope. Sadly it would have been nice to have something to look out other than a single Buzzard! Did have three Redwing fly over which were the first for this winter.

I'm not sure what is happening at Burwell and Wicken Fen but it certainly seems to have gone off the boil in recent years!

Buzzard

Week commencing 20th April 2025

 Sunday 20th

Evening walk along The Lode at Soham with Annie. Grasshopper Warbler still reeling in the corner by The Cut.

Cetti's Warbler and Whitethroat present and a Buzzard was being harassed by crows.

Full sightings list:

https://ebird.org/checklist/S227543136

Monday 21st

Walked along The Lode to the house and then to Scampers returning across the Common. Nothing new around.

Full sightings list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S227754242

Tuesday 22nd

Day checking bird boxes at work. Good to see that things are becoming more active with more boxes showing signs of occupation and three with eggs. 

Cuckoo calling when I arrived in the car park and it was good to hear the near constant call of Sedge Warbler bringing the reed beds alive again. Swallow has returned and two pairs have started to rebuild last year's nest. No House Martin as yet.

Wednesday 23rd

Was planning to go to Burwell Fen but even leaving after 9.30 the by-pass was at a halt from the Shades onwards. The Fordham Road continues to be closed and so beginning to feel trapped. Given the traffic I headed to Barway but with little to see and report.

Full sightings list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S228421405

Thursday 24th

Out this evening to Burwell Fen.  A calm and lovely time to walk the bank. Initially there didn't seem to be a great deal around, however on scanning the reeds to the left of the main pool, I was pleased to see a Bittern. It disappeared for a short time but reappeared further along the reed edge. It's ponderous gait was interesting to watch. Usually I only see them flying over so it was good to watch it for at least ten minutes.

Bittern

Moving along the path that crosses to the old barn area, I spotted a pair of Garganey amongst the increasing foliage covering the water.

Garganey 

A Greenshank was on the new pools near the cattle pen. It was silhouetted by the setting sun which made an interesting photo.

Full sightings list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S228962406

Friday 25th

Walk along the river this  morning produced five Sedge Warbler, a Little Egret flying over and very little else of interest other than the usual stuff!!

Full sightings list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S229101264

Back to the fens

 Thursday 17th April

Back to the fens after a couple of weeks walking and birdwatching in Spain.

Took a walk along my local patch along The Lode behind the railway station and was pleased to hear a Grasshopper Warbler reeling from the scrub. Located it in the bushes near The Cut and was able to watch and record it. Got a clear view of it's tail vibrating as it called. Not seen or heard here last year, but was in 2022 on this exact same date.

Also present were at least three Whitethroat and four Sedge Warbler.

Chiffchaff and Blackcap also present and singing.

Full sightings list at: https://ebird.org/checklist52215

Friday 18th April

With the footpath across Burwell Fen now reopened having been closed for the peat restoration work, I parked at Cock-up and headed out towards the old barns area. I was keen to see if the new pool that was formed by the bund held anything of interest, having a good numbers of Little and Great White Egret but nothing today.

Arriving at the old barn area I was pleased to see a male Ring Ouzel feeding close to the path. It remained in the area allowing me to take a number of photos.

Ring Ouzel

Ring Ouzel

Ring Ouzel

This was the highlight of the walk with the exception of increasing number of Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler. No Swallow as yet. 

Full sightings list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S226557390

Week commencing 30th March 2025

Sunday 30th March

Out to Burwell in the evening to walk the bank. A really pleasant evening as the sun was setting.

Three Great White Egret present and nineteen Little Egret. Four Water Rail were calling from various locations and one was seen flying across one of the small pools.

Good numbers of wildfowl including a hundred and nine Shoveler. 

A Bittern was booming for a short while.

Full sighting list at: https://ebird.org/checklist/S221902816

Wednesday 2nd April

Bright but breezy morning out at Burwell Fen this morning. Arrived a bit later than normal due to the chaos of trying to get out of Soham caused by road closures!

Apparent that wildfowl numbers are dropping and that other than Chiffchaff and Blackcap, we're still awaiting the return of the summer migrants. 

Of interest were five Egyptian Goose at Pout's Hall and nesting Canada Goose on the Tern raft at the same location.

Pleased to hear that the footpath across Burwell Fen will be reopening on the 3rd April.

Full sightings at: https://ebird.org/checklist/S222421237

Thursday 3rd April

Walk along the Lode this morning. Chiffchaff and Blackcap singing and two Canada and Greylag Goose flew over.

Full sightings at:https://ebird.org/checklist/S222596483

Tomorrow we depart for Cadiz for a few days then I'm off to Extremadura for a week of birding and walking.

Week commencing:24th March

Out to Wicken Fen this morning, dry but cold. Good numbers of Chiffchaff and Cetti calling from across the area. 

Large flock of Fieldfare along Harrison's Drove.

Wildfowl included good number of Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler, Mallard and Gadwall. 

Three Marsh Harrier including one male.

Otherwise quite quiet.

Full sightings list at :https://ebird.org/checklist/S220433756

Tuesday 25th March

A Day of volunteering,  checking nest boxes and carrying out water tests.

Three Short-eared Owl in the usual location but no sign of the Barn Owl. Good numbers of Avocet across the site and three or four very noisy Oystercatcher. 

Increased number of active boxes with one at N3 and another at N4, both Tree Sparrow.

A male and female Garganey showing well and at least eleven Great White Egret across the site.

Whooper numbers way down so will not be long till they are all gone.

Full listing at: https://ebird.org/checklist/S220704107

Wednesday 26th March

Out to Burwell Fen this afternoon to walk the bank in hope of Garganey. It's been a while since I've been out to the fen in the late afternoon and it was certainly a most pleasant day, still and while the sun was still up, warm.

A couple of Great White and Little Egret on the pools and a small flock of Pochard still present. No Wigeon to be seen anywhere. Two Barn Owl were quartering the fen but no Harrier present.

Good numbers of Teal, Gadwall and Shoveler.

Full sightings list at: eBird check: https://ebird.org/checklist/S220950967

Thursday 27th March

Up early to a glorious morning. However, by the time I got out to Cock-up Bridge it had turned misty and cold. Walked up Harrison's Drove. 

A large flock of Fieldfare was present, moving from tree to tree. Chiffchaff, Cetti's and Wren continue to be very vocal.

A Bittern was booming from the reedbed at the top of the Drove as were a couple of Water Rail. Turning left at the top of the Drove and headed along the river to view Adventurer's Fen which produced two Pochard on one of the pools. A male March Harrier was calling and then being mobbed by a couple of crows. 

Good views over Burwell Fen, especially the new works area, produced twenty Little Egret and two Great White Egret. The missing Wigeon from yesterday were present on these new pools.

Full sighting list at: https://ebird.org/checklist/S221049565 and https://ebird.org/checklist/S221040767

Friday 28th March

Went to Ixworth after visiting the gym this afternoon. Weather very pleasant with little wind and warming up. Walked down to the lake and back.

Chiffchaff calling but not in the numbers that I expected. A couple of Song Thrush were singing by the stream and a Green Woodpecker was calling. There was a number of Skylark were singing above the fields.

Full sighting list at: https://ebird.org/checklist/S221321109

Saturday 29th March

Stayed local this morning and walked the short Lode River walk behind the station. 

A pair of Kestrel were displaying and copulating over by the horse field. Further on a Grey Heron stood mopping in the field and a Buzzard was circling high above the fields.

Other than that little else, certainly no other summer visitors.

Full sightings list at:https://ebird.org/checklist/S221454092

Spring is coming to the Fens: 19th March 2025

 An early start this morning. On arriving at the car park I could hear a Curlew calling from somewhere on the flooded fields but couldn't locate it.

Good to hear Skylark in full song. Good number of wildfowl on the tree pool including three Pintail (2 males). There was also a good number of Little Grebe here and in the Pouts Hall pool. This pool also had good number of waterfowl and Black-headed Gull. There was also twelve Tufted Duck. 

Pintail with Wigeon and Teal (digiscope)

Thirty or so Fieldfare were present along the Burwell Lode and Cetti and Chiffchaff were calling from various locations.

The new pools created by the work being carried out for carbon capture held seven Little Egret and one Great White Egret. An additional Great White dropped in later.

Stonechat and Linnet were showing well as did a Red Kite.

 Marsh Harriers were visible on a number of occasions. 

Complete check list at:

https://ebird.org/checklist/S219367859

Cormorant 

Thursday 20th March

A glorious spring morning, bright and warming up nicely. A trip to the dentist gave the ideal excuse to drop into Cavenham Heath to see what was about. 

A couple of Stone-curlew could just be picked out on the newly scrapped area on the far side. Only managed a rather doggy record shot through the heat haze of the spring morning. Other than that rather quiet with just Chiffchaff being the most vocal bird around and the occasional Stonechat putting in an appearance. 

Friday 21st March

Walk with Annie from home to Drayton Meadows to check the bird boxes. Plenty of Chiffchaff calling in the College Woods along with Blue and Great Tit.

Of the ten boxes I put up in Drayton Meadow two are showing signs of activity, either roosting or exploration.

Saturday 21st March

Short walk along the Lode behind the station this morning. Plenty of Chiffchaff calling along with a Cetti's Warbler. 

4th October 2024

Returned to Burwell Fen having been away walking in the Picos De Europa. We did a number of walks and enjoyed a great deal of spectacular landscape. The weather was good with just one day of constant rain, and was great for walking. There was a lot of steep climbs and sharp descents but the great joy was walking through woodlands and meadows.

The bird life was good with lots of Griffon Vultures, Booted Eagles and the greatest pleasure was sitting on the terrace with a beer watching two Golden Eagles circle over head. The next morning to top it was a Wryneck in the garden opposite. A new addition to my list was a resident Middle Spotted Woodpecker in the woods in front of the cottage we were staying in.

View from the cottage over Lon in the evening

Alpine Chough

Panoramic view from the top of Fuente De

Back to Burwell Fen and sadly little to report! Two Stonechat along the side of the path and a small flock of nine Ruff on the flooded area. A small flock of Swallows passed through, will these be the last of the summer?

 

Week commencing 18th August 2024

Sunday 18th 

Reports of a range of waders and a good number of Graganey on Saturday resulted in a visit to Burwell Fen this morning. Sadly only one Green Sandpiper and no Garganey.

Plenty of Little Egret (51) and a single Hobby but other than the usual wildfowl, little else.

Full list at: https://ebird.org/checklist/S191893537

Time passes......

Can't believe it's been almost a year since I last posted and no excuse for not doing so. So a quick recap over the last year. 

26th Sept to 7th October: A cruise around the Baltic produced a new addition to my list a White-tailed Eagle at Plon on the 4th October 2023.

May 2024 saw us on a walking holiday in El Hero in the Canaries. This was another trip organised by Inntravel and saw us walking from one hotel to another while our bags were transported for us. El Hero is the smallest island and gets very little tourist traffic, which made it a really great location. The walking was challenging with some very stiff and steep descents off the volcanic ridge, always at the end of the day!

The trip produced 4 new species to my list:

2nd May: Canary Island Chiffchaff: seen and heard most days

                Canary Island Chaffinch

                Bolle's Pigeon

3rd May: Barbary Partridge

The walk on this day took us through some wonderful high meadows and it was great to hear Quail calling from a number of locations and to see Stone Curlew nesting in the fields.

4th May: African Blue Tit

8th-9th May: We spent two days at the Parador to rest and recover! The hotel is on the sea front and so I was able to sit on the balcony in the evening and count Cory Shearwater as they returned to their breeding grounds. We also heard them calling as the sun set.

Berthelot's Pipit

End of May saw us in Donegal for a family holiday. Nothing new but good to cover the old patch. On the return journey I spotted a Great Skua harassing a Gannet and a good number of Manx Shearwater, Kittiwake and Common Tern.

Early May produced reports of a Nightingale along Mereside in Soham and I finally caught up with it on the 12th May.

Reports of a Purple Heron at Burwell Fen proved to be a one off but in searching for it I came across two Black-winged Stilt.

A trip to Cleyspy on the 1st August for a new pair of binoculars (a break from Nikon resulting in an excellent pair of Swarovski 8x42) ended in a trip to Cley on Sea. A good number of Spoonbill and Cattle Egret were present, along with a couple of Wood Sandpiper.

Wood Sandpiper

 

Week commencing 28th August

 Tuesday 29th

Working at Welney all day. Boxes checked and now all empty. Two House Martin nests still with young.

Two Wood and a single Green Sandpiper at Friend's Hide along with a Ringed Plover. 

From the Main Hide thirteenth Ruff, a single Black-tailed Godwit and a Snipe. Plenty of Greylag.

Thursday 31st

Out to Burwell this morning. Good opportunity to test new lens for the fieldscope but it would have been nice to use it on birds rather than cattle!

Very little to see, only ten species record the highlight being a Little Grebe.

Week commencing 14th August

Monday 14th 09.20-10.25

Scattered showers at Burwell Fen this morning gave way to a brief period of sunshine. Nothing on the bridge pool but two Little Egret feeding in the ditch by the big tree.

It was good to see some water further up, near to Pout's Hall. This held further Little Egret (5), Green Sandpiper (2) and Yellow Wagtail (3).

A flock of nine Swift crossed the fen heading south and a large flock of House Martin with Swallow mixed in hunting over the reeds.

Complete list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S147212543

Tuesday 15th

Day spent at Welney WWT monitoring nest boxes and Swallow and Martin nests. Two Swallow nest still with young in but very class to departing, will be gone next week. Martin nests now empty with the last two departing from Wigeon House since last week. Plenty of Martins still about in and out of nests. These are likely to be new birds exploring sites for future nesting. I've also observed Sand Martin exploring nests in the last three weeks, can only imagine they are being nosy!

One Tree Sparrow nest still with young in and a last House Sparrow with ready to fledge young.

At least five Marsh Harrier about one with a red wing tag. No sign of any green tagged birds which the BTO rung a few weeks ago.

Two Great White Egret present and both Green and Common Sandpiper, and at least nine Ruff.

Complete list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S147339423

 

It's been a while!

 Goodness! Last post April 11th and nothing since. Very poor of me so a quick catch up and then a promise to keep up the blog. So what's happened since April 11th.

A visit to Cavenham Heath on the 16th April produced three Stone Curlew and a couple of Woodlark. The walk ended at The Guiness Arms for a very pleasant lunch before a stroll back.

The first Whitethroat on the local patch of Soham Lode was recorded on the 17th April.

On the 21st April we arrived in Greece for a 16 day tour of Athens and then the Peloponnese. This was the first time we had undertaken a driving tour rather than a central base with plenty of walking. Athens was interesting but not a place that I would like to return to. It did provide me with a Monk Parakeet which was a new tick. 

Monk Parakeet

Golden Oriole were vocal but hard to spot, unlike Hoopee which were also present in the parks.

Our stay at the Mazarakis Guesthouse Environs, Lakonia produced the first couple of Red-rumped Swallow. A visit to Mystras produced a fine Blue Rock Thrush with a lizard and beetle in its beak.

Blue Rock Thrush

Arriving at Monemvasia produced another lifer with a Western Rock Nuthatch calling from behind the apartment. They were present throughout the time we were there, calling and darting around the cliff face.

Western Rock Nuthatch

This location also produced an Eleonora's Falcon, another first, hunting along the cliff face. Sadly I was unable to get a photo!

While travelling to Cape Tainaro, Greece's most southernly point, came across a flock of 23 Bee-eater, a good number of Alpine Swift and at least two Short-toed Eagle. Lunch by a charming harbour produced a single Audouin's Gull.

Cape Tainaro produced at least three Black-eared Wheatear, Northern Wheatear, Whinchat, Stonechat and Yellow Wagtail.

Yellow Wagtail

The stay at Kardamyli, produced a good number of Spotted Flycatcher, Sardinian Warbler,  Yellow-legged Gull and Turtle Dove.

Spotted Flycatcher

Sardinian Warbler

Turtle Dove

The 'outflow' at Nafpliou was very productive if somewhat smelly. Large number of Little Stint and Kentish Plover with Curlew Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper and Ruff mixed in. Also present were Greater Flamingo, Black-winged Stilt, Gull-billed and White-winged Black Tern. A passing Osprey caused moments of chaos!

Greater Flamingo

Osprey

Kentish Plover and Curlew Sandpiper

White-winged Black Tern

I was able to record a Blue Rock Thrush singing from the cross of a nearby church.  

Another new species and one that I have been after for a while with no luck was Penduline Tit found at Lake Moustous. 

Penduline Tit

A return to the outflow at Nafpliou produced some nice shots of Kentish Plover and Curlew Sandpiper in summer plumage.

Kentish Plover with Little Stint

Curlew Sandpiper

Back home I recorded my first Sedge Warbler on the 5th May at Soham Lode and six Swift over the house on the 6th.

On the 9th May, while working at Welney WWT had three Bittern during the day with two passing the Main Hide together.

Bittern

May 17th was the start of my long delayed trip to Spain for a week of solo birding. Originally planned for November 2022 but delayed due to a bout of Long Covid I was reorganised for February and had to delay due to a Val's passing. So it was good to get out again and I had planned a split trip to Extramedura and then up to the Sierra de Gredos for a few days in the mountains.

Covered much of the same locations around Monfrague and Caceres as in previous years and wondered at the vast expansion of solar parks! There seemed to be a drop in Roller numbers in certain areas where lines had been removed! 

Roller on the line!

The evening walks at Torrejon el Rubio proved useful with a number of Red-necked Nightjar calling. Also had a possible Wryneck calling brieflybut unable to locate. On the last night however I was somewhat disturbed to find a group out using high powered lamps to see the birds. I can only think that for a nocturnal bird this must have bee distressing.

I did a nice walk from Villarreal de San Carlos to a spectacular view point. During the walk spotted the big three vulture species of Griffon, Egyptian and Black. Plenty of Golden Oriole singing from different locations but only the briefest glimpse of a male as it flitted through the trees. 

A fly over of five Pin-tailed Sandgrouse at The Stone Cross was great but sadly the photo was just a blur! Thankfully the Short-toed Eagle shot was at least a bit better!

Short-toed Eagle

While in the area a male and female Montagu's Harrier were quartering the area along with a distant Golden Eagle.

On Sunday 21st I moved the the Seirra de Gredos and a few nights spoiling myself at the first ever Parrador. My room gave wonderful views over the mountains and I was spoilt with food food in a great location. 

A rather strenuous from the Platforma de Gredos produced Booted and Short-toed Eagle as well as Black Kite and Raven. 

Ortolan Bunting were present throughout, singing from the rocks along with Rock Bunting, Northern Wheatear, Black Redstart and surprisingly for such a mountainous area, Woodlark! But the highlight were two or three very tame and obliging Bluethroat another lifer.

Ortolan Bunting

Northern Wheatear

Bluethroat

Black Redstart

While in this area I added another new tick to my list with a singing Western Bonelli's Warbler.

 A trip to a recommended Wetland area at Laguna de El Oso proved to be a bit of a disappointment as the area was dry! However it did give me a passing Golden Eagle, Melodoius Warbler and Black-eared Wheatear.

Returning to Soham at the end of May to catch up with summer visitors and work at Welney WWT monitoring birdboxes.