27/8/2015: Wood Sandpipers everywhere!

27/8/2015

The last few days has seen an increasing number of Wood Sandpipers throughout the country and Burwell Fen has been no exception. The most I've ever seen at any one time on the fen was three last year so when news of over a dozen being seen a trip was in order! Max and I set off a little later than planned and rather than move along the bank I decided that we would cross the fen towards the old barns.

As we approached over the bridge a large number of Sand Martin were very apparent. Mixed in were a few House Martin but it was the Sand Martins that passed low and close by giving excellent views. As we moved along the causeway a couple of Snipe rose from the muddy edges and disappeared towards the Pout Hall end. Initially it wasn't looking too good but then within the long grass on the margins I located not one but four Wood Sandpiper. As I slowly moved up towards them they were joined by two more dropping in from the old barn end.

Settling in for a good look, Max resigned himself that today was going to be a very long but short walk! Mixed in with Wood Sandpiper were a couple of Green Sandpiper and skulking further back a Common Sandpiper. Shortly the Wood Sandpipers moved further back and in doing so were joined by yet two more that passed over our heads as we watched, coming from the flooded area near the cycle path. As I scanned the muddy margins a Spotted Redshank appeared crossing from one muddy patch to other. It then proceeded to forage for the rest of the time I was there, passing in and out of the grassy margins.

I could hear Wood Sandpiper calling further up the Fen and talking to DP he commented on the number that were around and he estimated that he had seen at least twenty on his walk along the bank, how many of these were repeats is anyone's guess but there was certainly a lot around.

Also seen were two Greenshank, a single Ruff , Redshank and Golden Plover,  five Dunlin, and nine Ring Plover, DP having seen 24 at the same spot earlier.

2/8/2015: July passes quietly

Here we are on the 2nd August and looking back at the blog only one posting in July. Well July is always a quiet month bird wish and this July was no exception. However did manage to get a few more trips out than my single entry would suggest.

17th July: another visit to Burwell Fen produced a good number of Green Sandpiper, a single Common Sandpiper and Dunlin, three Ruff and two Greenshank. There were also 14 Black tailed Godwit on the lower section.

18th July: a trip to the Suffolk coast. Esther and friends were off to Latitude so dropped them off and then set off for a long day of bird watching. First stop was Westwood Marshes, a real favourite. A lovely stroll through the woods and then the reed beds on a warm morning is a real treat but little to report bird wish but the usual reed bed species.

Lunch in a very nice pub and then on to Minsmere for the few hours. Highlights included 2 Curlew Sandpiper and 5 Knot. There was also a good number of Spotted Redshank (12) and over 40 Black tailed Godwit.

In the evening I moved up to Dunwich Heath and enjoyed the sight and sounds of the Nightjars churring and flying. Also calling were a couple of Little Owls and a single Tawny Owl.  A very late visit to the Reedbed Reserve not so much for the birds but to have a snooze and listen to the bands before picking up the girls and heading home.

The rest of the month spent out and about around Burwell and Baker's Fen but with little to show other than some nice views of Hobby and increasing numbers of Green Sandpiper. 

Still a lot of water on Burwell Fen but hopefully this will soon drop and produce attractive muddy areas for the autumn movement.

12/7/2015: Soggy Day at Burwell Fen

12/7/2015

After a warm period the last few days have been cooler and damp. However this did not stop Max and myself spending the afternoon at Burwell Fen. The areas are beginning to dry out, hopefully not too much, and more mud is being exposed for the wader passage that should start later this month.

As we crossed the bridge, three Green Sandpiper could be seen flitting across the near side of the Tree pool.

A solitary Black Tailed Godwit probed the mud and the usual wildfowl lurked nearby. No sign of the Black necked Grebe that had been present all spring and summer but they could be hidden up anywhere. 

With the constant drizzle we made our way along the bank towards Pout Hall. Three Ruff passed by heading back down the Fen leaving a single one behind. The areas of mud have increased greatly over the last few days but very little in the way of waders just yet. Two Common Sandpiper were present along with a Ringed Plover. From a little further up a Greenshank appeared, calling as it circled the fen. It was joined by another from the far side and both settled back down into the flooded area. 

On the return journey a Peregrine was spotted some distance away but with the scope I was able to get a reasonable view. The Ruffs were relocated alongside the Black Tailed Godwit and a female Marsh Harrier passed over.

Record of Sightings

Name:	Scientific Name:	Count:
Blackcap	Sylvia atricapilla	1
Black-headed Gull	Chroicocephalus ridibundus	17
Green Sandpiper	Tringa ochropus	3
Black-tailed Godwit	Limosa limosa	1
Little Grebe	Tachybaptus ruficollis	3
Moorhen	Gallinula chloropus	7
Shelduck	Tadorna tadorna	8
Little Egret	Egretta garzetta	1
Coot	Fulica atra	9
Ruff	Philomachus pugnax	3
Ringed Plover	Charadrius hiaticula	1
Common Tern	Sterna hirundo	3
Common Sandpiper	Actitis hypoleucos	2
Greenshank	Tringa nebularia	2
Little Egret	Egretta garzetta	5
Sand Martin	Riparia riparia	7
Swift	Apus apus	c20
Swallow	Hirundo rustica	4
Peregrine	Falco peregrinus	1
Carrion Crow	Corvus corone	2
Cormorant	Phalacrocorax carbo	5
Goldfinch	Carduelis carduelis	5
Grey Heron	Ardea cinerea	2
Greylag Goose	Anser anser	9
Jackdaw	Corvus monedula	5
Lapwing	Vanellus vanellus	c30
Magpie	Pica pica	2
Meadow Pipit	Anthus pratensis	4
Mute Swan	Cygnus olor	3
Pied Wagtail	Motacilla alba	5
Reed Warbler	Acrocephalus scirpaceus	3
Sedge Warbler	Acrocephalus schoenobaenus	1
Skylark	Alauda arvensis	2
Starling	Sturnus vulgaris	21
Teal	Anas crecca	17
Woodpigeon	Columba palumbus	4

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
____________________________________________________________________

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")