Chris' Birding

Suffolk – Combs Wood – 1st January 2012

2012-01-02T17:42:00.000Z

New Years Day, always a good day to walk out and no better place than your local patch.

A great selection of woodland birds including Marsh Tit and Treecreeper, plus a large mixed flock of Long-tailed, Great and Blue Tits move right through the wood and into a hedge row.

Life bird count: 415. Year bird count: 26. Month bird count: 26

Photo: Fungi on wood pile

Bulgaria – Albena Steepes – 23rd September 2011

2011-11-06T16:54:00.001Z

If you head inland from Albena in the general direction of Batovo, you find a large area of plans and steppes. It was here that we found it most productive for migrating raptors.

Ten's of Steepe Buzzards, Rough-legged Buzzard, twelve Red-footed Falcons and several Levant Sparrowhawks. A proper feast for the eye!

East Anglia Year Count: 156

Bulgarian Count: 120

Life bird count: 414. Year bird count: 253. Month bird count: 145 (Sep).

Photo: Steepe Buzzard (Buteo buteo vulpinus)

Bulgaria – Djulinski Pass – 21st September 2011

2011-10-30T09:49:00.002Z

The Djulinski Pass runs along a hilly landscape from Gjulijovica to Djulino and produced some quite fantastic birding and scenery.

Woodpeckers are frequent as the road passes through the wooded areas, Greater Spotted, Lesser Spotted, Syrian, Green and Grey-Headed. Red-backed Shrikes can be seen all along the road side and in many of the villages. Finally, at one spot we saw a calling Sombre Tit, one of our target birds.

East Anglia Year Count: 156

Bulgarian Count: 120

Life bird count: 414. Year bird count: 253. Month bird count: 145 (Sep).

Photo: Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio)

Bulgaria – Lake Bourgas – 20th September 2011

2011-10-16T18:00:00.003+01:00

Just back from a trip to Bulgaria, plenty to see with this being a massive migration route for birds moving through from eastern Europe to wintering grounds in Africa.

We experienced many birds but nothing as impressive as flocks of hundreds of White Pelicans. In total we must have seen 5000 birds.

East Anglia Year Count: 156

Bulgarian Count: 120

Life bird count: 414. Year bird count: 253. Month bird count: 145 (Sep).

Photo: Great White Pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus)

Suffolk – Sizewell to Minsmere – 30th July 2011

2011-08-01T14:50:00.001+01:00

A short diversion from looking back through the year. We went out this weekend and chose to walk the costal path from Sizewell through to Minsmere, which to be honest proved exceptionally productive.

The first call was looking off Sizewell Beach at the outfall platforms, numerous Kittiwakes and over 40 Little Gulls, plus two Shags at rest on one on the markers. Further on from there, on the perimeter of the power station we had great views of two male Black Redstarts, not uncommon in this area.

We then headed along the coastal path, good for Stonechat, Linnet and Pied Wagtail, plus a very vocal Green Woodpecker. On getting close to the reserve we scanned across at a pool to the seaward side of the old Abbey ruins. To my partner’s amazement she quickly located a Cattle Egret feeding in the shallow water, a 1^st UK sighting for us. Then a short while later another birder pointed out a Bittern, walking down the line of a small reed bed.

Some days it just all comes together!

[Please note the photograph is not of the Minsmere bird]

East Anglia

Year Count: 151

Life bird count: 403. Year bird count: 213. Month bird count: 69.

Photo: Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis)

Look Back - March

2011-07-28T08:19:00.000+01:00

Spring was in the air, by the end of the month the first visitors had arrived, I saw Chiffchaff on the 14^th in the local park.

Also of note was the change in behaviour of our resident birds, increased song in the mornings and tip top plumage. Early breeders had started (Geese and Ducks).

East Anglia

Year Count: 146

Life bird count: 403. Year bird count: 210. Month bird count: 46.

Photo: Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs)

Look Back - February

2011-07-25T16:50:00.001+01:00

This is when we started to notice the change, more light in the sky, winter visitors getting restless.

We found a large number of Whooper Swans on the Ouse Washes, they made for some excellent photographic opportunities. The conditions were so good that I was able to use my two times converter for some of the work.

East Anglia

Year Count: 146

Life bird count: 403. Year bird count: 210. Month bird count: 46.

Photo: Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus)

Look Back - January

2011-07-21T15:18:00.000+01:00

Very short days, low light, winter visitors and all wrapped up on Mistley Key front watching Goldeneye remonstrating with each other.

Mount on a tripod, but keep it low get the best POV, use a high ISO, bit of noise reduction when processing and bingo!

East Anglia

Year Count: 146

Life bird count: 403. Year bird count: 210. Month bird count: 43.

Photo: Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula)

Mid Year Update

2011-07-18T16:38:00.001+01:00

With the breeding season all but over and some summer visitors starting to return to their out of season areas (Cuckoos have already been tracked through Italy and back across to Africa). It may be a good time to take stock of the year so far.

I’ve not done as well as anticipated on the East Anglia bird count, there will be a second chance for the wintering birds and some of the migrants, on their way back, but I’ve not been to see Nightjars, Golden Orioles or Honey Buzzards. Also Nightingale, Yellow Wagtail and Spotted Flycatcher have eluded me.

On the positive side we had a record count in Spain this year including four life time first species, I’ve had some great results with the wild flower photography (despite completely missing the Orchid bloom in our local wood, save that for next year) and had two Waxwings outside our house.

So onwards and upwards but whilst we wait for the autumn movements to get underway I’ll try and post a few photographic highlights that didn’t make the first cut. Thank you all for reading.

East Anglia

Year Count: 146

Life bird count: 403. Year bird count: 210. Month bird count: 43.

Photo: Swallow (Hirundo rustica)

Seasonal Wild Flowers 8 – Southern Marsh Orchid

2011-07-11T11:51:00.002+01:00

It is now a very quiet time of the year birding wise, with a lot of species taking time out to recover from their breeding and the late summer or autum movement not started, so I resort to a another season flower.

I photographed these beautiful examples at Minsmere a few weeks ago now.

East Anglia

Year Count: 146

Life bird count: 403. Year bird count: 210. Month bird count: 39.

Photo: Southern Marsh Orchid (Dactylorhiza praetermissa)

Suffolk – Bawdsey – 18th June 2011

2011-06-21T10:41:00.000+01:00

We drove down to the coast around Bawdsey and stopped over at the pits to see if there were any Terns fishing off shore. No luck with the Terns, but quite a large Swallow population moving in and out of the old coastal defences.

Here is what happened when a House Martin turned up!

East Anglia

Year Count: 146

Life bird count: 403. Year bird count: 210. Month bird count: 82.

Photo: Barn Swallow & House Martin (Hirundo rustica & Delichon urbica)

Seasonal Wild Flowers 7 – Yellow Horned Poppy

2011-06-16T12:49:00.000+01:00

Here’s another Poppy, found in the bare shingle, obviously yellow in flower and each flower lasting only a few days and its leaves giving a very waxy appearance.

Nationally it is rare, therefore it’s abundance in local areas does give a false view, it is on the protected species list.

East Anglia

Year Count: 145

Life bird count: 403. Year bird count: 210. Month bird count: 77.

Photo: Yellow Horned Poppy (Glaucium flavum)

Suffolk – Minsmere – 11th June 2011

2011-06-14T08:28:00.000+01:00

Watch out for: Breading; Gulls, Avocets, Terns & Warblers

Such is their quantity, the sound of the Gulls and Terns on the scrape and levels can be hear from quite a distance as you walk down from the visitors centre.

In summer we always head for the hides on the coast first, to be greeted with Bearded Tits, Sedge & Reed Warblers from the path down, Common Terns returning from fishing trip just off the shore line and Black-headed Gull still bringing nesting material. Once in the hide there is evidence of breeding Avocets, Barnacle Geese, Gulls & Ducks. Waders are in short supply (only the Avocets & Black-tailed Godwits, when we were there), but also get great views of 3 Spoonbills and an escaped Flamingo!

We move along the coastal scrub, good evidence of a successful season for Whitethroat with numerous juvenile birds around. Swallows dart in and out of the Sluice.

From the south hides we find several Mediterranean Gulls amongst the sitting Black-headed and there is a Hobby hunting over the read bed to the south. Several Cetti’s Warblers are singing and we catch a good view of at least one.

East Anglia

Year Count: 145

Life bird count: 403. Year bird count: 210. Month bird count: 77.

Photos: Whitethroat (Sylvia communis)

Suffolk – Loompit Trout Lake – 4th June 2011

2011-06-09T09:00:00.002+01:00

Watch out for: Summer visitors; Warblers, Martins & Terns

It’s always good to visit sites in all seasons and this has been a good winter place for wildfowl & gulls. However in the summer it changes into a site for breeding Ducks, Geese, Cormorants & Swans and a location for summer warblers that also breed.

On the water there were all of the following in good quantity; Pochard, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Graylag, Canada, Coot & Mute Swan. In the surrounding reeds; Reed & Sedge Warbler. Then in the near by hedgerows; Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, Linnet, Long-tailed Tit, Goldfinch & Blackcap.

Of interest, it is generally thought that whilst the Tufted Duck are sedentary, ie the birds you see in the winter are those you see breeding in the summer, the Pochards do move around between seasons.

The breeding birds in the UK will leave for the winter, going south into southern Europe and the birds we see in the winter here have bred in northern Europe or even in the Russian Tundra.

Also Ducks and Drakes migrate at different times, the male birds moult earlier whilst the females are tending to their young thus are a few weeks behind. This is why you see large numbers of male bird gathering at places like Abberton prior to heading south with very few females.

East Anglia

Year Count: 142

Life bird count: 403. Year bird count: 208. Month bird count: 56.

Photos: Eurasian Linnet (Carduelis cannabina); Sedge Warbler (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus)

Seasonal Wild Flowers 6 – Poppy

2011-06-07T08:04:00.002+01:00

An evocative flower, long being the symbol of both sleep and death, they cover many fields and road sides. Their presence shows the arrival of summer and their increased number is thanks to the reduced use of insecticides.

What a wonderful sight they are!

East Anglia

Year Count: 141

Life bird count: 403. Year bird count: 208. Month bird count: 36.

Photo: Poppy (Papaver rhoeas)

Norfolk – Cley – 28th May 2011

2011-06-02T16:23:00.000+01:00

Watch out for: Summer visitors; Waders, Warblers & Terns

After a week of sunshine we set off at just pass 6 O’Clock in the pouring rain and slightly doubting our logic.

Thankfully when we arrived on the coast the rain had stop and during our visit we were not disappointed with the birding. The star attractions were, 2 Little Gulls, over flying Spoonbills and Little Ringed Plover. It was also good so see numerous Black-tailed Godwits in summer plumage, a number of Ringed Plovers, Martin’s, Sedge Warbler & Whitethroat.

Plus off shore Sandwich & Common Tern.

East Anglia

Year Count: 141

Life bird count: 403. Year bird count: 208. Month bird count: 117.

Photo: Whitethroat (Sylvia communis)

Na Na 19 – 26th May 2011

2011-05-26T13:25:00.004+01:00

So we’ve been back in the UK for a couple of weeks now and reconciled the list etc, but not actually been birding over that period. Though the Park close to my work has thrown up breeding Garden Warbler and Blackcap!

More importantly right now last weekend was taken up by a trip up north. The picture says it all.

East Anglia

Year Count: 137

Life bird count: 403. Year bird count: 206. Month bird count: 95

Photo: Sir Matt – 19!

Spanish Birding – Round-up – 20th May 2011

2011-05-21T11:28:00.003+01:00

So as you may have gleaned we had a very productive week in

Spain

. To summaries the domestics:

We flew by a budget airline to Sevilla (picking our way through the minefield of ticket pricing, baggage allowance, baggage size, on line check in, baggage drop off etc etc).
We stayed in the town of Aznalcazar, just to the west of Sevilla and north of Donana, in the Hotel Lince, reasonably priced and very friendly.
Hired a car from the airport booked through “do-you-spain” which turned out to be Hertz.
But best of all; we booked a day with Peter who operates “Donana Bird Tours” (http://www.donanabirdtours.com). Peter went out of his way to tailor the day to our needs, finding me two lifers, giving a valued insight into the area’s diversity of habitats and answering all those questions that had been on my mind after eight years of birding in Spain but had only books to refer to.

Our schedule took us for a day down to the Jose Antonio Valverde (JAV) visitor’s centre, a day with Peter going out and across the river Guadalquivir right across to Paraje Natural Brazo del Este area, then a rest day in Sevilla before driving up to Monfague via Belen, then a couple more day in Donana, stretching pass Huelva on the coast to the Isla de Saltes.

For reference we found the late John Butler's book A Bird Watching Guide to Donana, invaluable, plus several Mapa Provincial maps available from Stamfords of London. Thank you again Peter!

123 species in total and for the record I’ll list them:

Little Grebe

Great Crested Grebe

Grey Heron

Purple Heron

Great Egret

Little Egret

Squacco Heron

Cattle Egret

Black-crowned Night-Heron

White Stork

Glossy Ibis

Eurasian Spoonbill

Greater Flamingo

Greylag Goose

Muscovy Duck

Gadwall

Mallard

Northern Shoveler

Red-crested Pochard

Common Pochard

Black-shouldered Kite

Red Kite

Black Kite

Egyptian Vulture

Eurasian Griffon

Short-toed Eagle

Western Marsh-Harrier

Montagu's Harrier

Eurasian Sparrowhawk

Common Buzzard

Golden Eagle

Booted Eagle

Lesser Kestrel

Common Kestrel

Red-legged Partridge

Purple Gallinule

Common Moorhen

Red-knobbed Coot

Eurasian Coot

Great Bustard

Black-winged Stilt

Pied Avocet

Stone-curlew

Collared Pratincole

Grey Plover

Common Ringed Plover

Little Ringed Plover

Kentish Plover

Black-tailed Godwit

Whimbrel

Eurasian Curlew

Common Greenshank

Common Redshank

Wood Sandpiper

Common Sandpiper

Ruddy Turnstone

Sanderling

Temminck's Stint

Curlew Sandpiper

Dunlin

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Yellow-legged Gull

Black-headed Gull

Gull-billed Tern

Sandwich Tern

Whiskered Tern

Rock Pigeon

Common Wood-Pigeon

Eurasian Turtle-Dove

Eurasian Collared-Dove

Great Spotted Cuckoo

Common Cuckoo

Little Owl

Common Swift

Common Kingfisher

European Bee-eater

European Roller

Hoopoe

Eurasian Wryneck

Calandra Lark

Greater Short-toed Lark

Crested Lark

Thekla Lark

Barn Swallow

Red-rumped Swallow

Common House-Martin

Iberian Yellow Wagtail

Eurasian Blackbird

Zitting Cisticola

Cetti's Warbler

Eurasian Reed Warbler

Great Reed Warbler

Melodious Warbler

Blackcap

Greater Whitethroat

Western Orphean Warbler

Sardinian Warbler

Common Nightingale

European Stonechat

Black-eared Wheatear

Great Tit

Blue Tit

Eurasian Penduline-Tit

Southern Grey Shrike

Woodchat Shrike

Azure-winged Magpie

Eurasian Magpie

Eurasian Jackdaw

Carrion Crow

Common Raven

Spotless Starling

Cirl Bunting

Corn Bunting

European Goldfinch
Eurasian Linnet
European Serin
House Sparrow
Spanish Sparrow
Eurasian Tree Sparrow

Golden Bishop

Common Waxbill

East Anglia Year Count: 133 (April)

Life bird count: 403. Year bird count: 203. Month bird count: 153 (April)

Photos: Short-toed Eagle (Circaetus gallicus); Great Egret (Ardea alba); Adalucian Meadow

Spanish Birding – Black Kite – 19th May 2011

2011-05-19T09:23:00.001+01:00

For the whole trip we could come up with a list of five or so birds that we saw daily and in most environments, Greenfinch, White Stork, Swallow, Bee-eater & Black Kite!

Black Kites patrol everywhere in Donana and quickly became part of the skyline, just occasionally you find one at rest on a pylon or in tree and these occasions make for the best photographic opportunities.

East Anglia

Year Count: 133 (April)

Life bird count: 403. Year bird count: 203. Month bird count: 153 (April)

Photo: Black Kite (Milvus migrans)

Spanish Birding – Collared Pratincole – 17th May 2011

2011-05-18T08:38:00.001+01:00

Just over twenty or so miles along the coast is the Spanish city of Huelva, a thriving port and in amongst the labyrinth of roads around the industrial water front you can breakout on a long narrow causeway (used by fishermen). It’s in the direction of Punta Umbria, but turn down across the Isla de Saltes to get there.

A first you pass though some marshland which was great for waders: Dunlin, Curlew Sandpiper, Whimbrel & Godwit, to name a few. Further on there is water each side of you and towards the lighthouse at the very end we found three Collared Pratincole, all of which allowed us to get stunningly close, which suggested to me that they had just arrived from wintering and were quite exhausted. Anyway after seeing a large flock of these birds over Donana, it was great to see them at close quarters.

East Anglia

Year Count: 133 (April)

Life bird count: 403. Year bird count: 203. Month bird count: 153 (April)

Photo: Collared Pratincole (Glareola pratincola)

Spanish Birding – Great Spotted Cuckoo – 15th May 2011

2011-05-16T11:56:00.000+01:00

Mid trip we took a day away from Aldalucia and drove north up into Extremadura primarily to see Bustards. We found several just outside the village of Belen (near Trujillo) but were not able to get with in any distance to take meaningful photos.

One bird we also found on the day was the Great Spotted Cuckoo, two pairs to be precise, one elusive in some scrub bushes and another in full view on the road side fence. A great photographic opportunity, as we were able to use the car as a hide.

East Anglia

Year Count: 133 (April)

Life bird count: 403. Year bird count: 203. Month bird count: 153 (April)

Photo: Great Spotted Cuckoo (Clamator glandarius)

Spanish Birding – Bee-eater – 13th May 2011

2011-05-14T12:08:00.001+01:00

I’ve never failed to see Bee-eater on any of my “in season” trips to Spain, however the number and spread in Donana on this visit was exceptional.

As well as views along tree lanes or electricity lines, we saw them in towns and around our hotel, skimming small lagoons and all over the open marsh land. Their high number gave a lot more photographic opportunities at the right points of view on lower fences rather than the higher telegraph wires.

East Anglia

Year Count: 133 (April)

Life bird count: 403. Year bird count: 203. Month bird count: 153 (April)

Photo: European Bee-eater (Merops apiaster)

Summer Visitor update – Swift – 7th May 2011

2011-05-13T21:40:00.001+01:00

First Swift this morning, seen over my home town. Great to hear the screech again. Later in the week I saw some in Harlow. Also Garden Warbler in Harlow Park, actually heard up to 4 singing.

Dates so far for visitors: Chiffchaff 14^th March, Wheatear 25^th March, Blackcap 3^rd April. Swallow 7^th April, Whitethroat 19^th April. Cuckoo 22^nd April.

East Anglia

Year Count: 135

Life bird count: 399. Year bird count: 203. Month bird count: 87.

Spanish Birding – Night Heron – 10th May 2011

2011-05-10T13:30:00.001+01:00

I’ve only ever seen these birds in mixed heron flocks moving through in the autumn, so when we found six or seven on the rivers edge as we drove down to the Jose Antonio Valverde (JAV) visitor’s centre in Donana it was a real find for me.

Once at the centre there were several more roosted in trees, some being 1^st summer’s largely brown birds. Later on our visit other birds cropped up on odd stretches of water and river banks in Donana and else where in Andalucia.

East Anglia

Year Count: 133

Life bird count: 403. Year bird count: 203. Month bird count: 153

Photo: Black-crowned Night-Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax)

Spanish Birding – White Stork – 9th May 2011

2011-05-09T12:49:00.003+01:00

We spent the last week of April birding in Spain, based just outside Seville, we travelled extensively in Andalucia progressing across into Extremadura.

One of the birds that was endemic in all our travels was the White Stork. Biirds nested extensively on anything with any height (pylons, buildings and trees) and could frequently be seen gather nesting material and feeding the meadows and fields.

East Anglia

Year Count: 133

Life bird count: 403. Year bird count: 203. Month bird count: 153

Photo: White Stork (Ciconia ciconia)

Summer Visitor update – Various – 5th May 2011

2011-05-05T16:46:00.000+01:00

Apologies for not blogging, but we’ve been on a birding trip to

Spain

, covering Donana and some of Extremadura, more to follow.

Just before we left we were in Norfolk and taking note of all the summer visitors arrivals. So just in case you are in any doubt hers are a few pointers to get some unique and scarce East Anglian birds.

Weeting Heath (NWT) – The Stone Curlews are there and we had distant, brief views of two birds on the 22^nd April.

Lakenheath Fen (RSPB) – Golden Orioles, please check with the reserve but these guys must be there or on their way. The site is also very good for Grasshopper Warbler, Cuckoo and we had a male Garganey there on 22^nd April.

Fingeringhoe (EWT) – Great for Nightingale, not been there this year but will do shortly.

Well I’m going to be sorting through my Spanish photographs and will blog a few of the species we saw very shortly.

East Anglia

Year Count: 133

Life bird count: 399. Year bird count: 133. Month bird count: 82.

Seasonal Wild Flowers 5 – Oxlip

2011-04-19T10:49:00.000+01:00

Thought, once, to be hybrid between Cowslip and Primrose these delightful woodland flowers are on the 'Near threatened' list. Local to East Anglia (not Norfolk) they are always a welcome find.

Distinguished from Cowslips by their paler appearance.

East Anglia

Year Count: 119

Life bird count: 399. Year bird count: 119. Month bird count: 41.

Photo: Oxlip (Primula elatior)

Seasonal Wild Flowers 4 – Celandine

2011-04-18T11:23:00.002+01:00

The rhyme goes “Celandines in May” but these yellow flowers are brightening up spring walks much earlier these days.

This photograph was taken in our local wood.

East Anglia

Year Count: 119

Life bird count: 399. Year bird count: 119. Month bird count: 41.

Photo: Lesser Celandine (Ranunculus ficaria)

Suffolk – Combs Wood – 3rd April 2011

2011-04-08T08:37:00.001+01:00

Watch out for: Summer visitors, Woodpeckers, Tits and Wildflowers

This ancient woodland was recorded in the domesday book and although quite small it is a rich place to walk around at any time of the year.

We were particularly looking for “spring arrivals” and the number of singing Chiffchaffs was very noticeable along with at least one Blackcap. Alas no Nightingales yet (they do normally at least pass through). However we did get a Marsh Tit and numerous Robins & Wrens singing for their territory.

More photos of the flowers to follow.

East Anglia

Year Count: 119

Life bird count: 399. Year bird count: 119. Month bird count: 37.

Photo: Robin (Erithacus rubecula)

Summer Visitor update – Swallow – 7th April 2011

2011-04-07T08:19:00.002+01:00

First Swallow this morning, over Hatfield Heath. A bit late, as there have been reports over

East Anglia

for a few weeks now, but this was my first of the year.

Dates so far for visitors: Chiffchaff 14^th March, Wheatear 25^th March, Blackcap 3^rd April.

East Anglia

Year Count: 119

Life bird count: 399. Year bird count: 119. Month bird count: 37.

Seasonal Wild Flowers 3 – Red Deadnettle

2011-04-05T13:48:00.002+01:00

Spring is now well upon us and the flowers are starting to appear in numbers, so I thought I’d do a couple of entries on those I’d seen whilst birding.

To start with this herbaceous flowering plant can be found in many places, there are actually some down our road, but I photographed these on the coastal path around SWT Trimley Marsh.

East Anglia

Year Count: 118

Life bird count: 399. Year bird count: 118. Month bird count: 23.

Photo: Red Dead Nettle (Lamium purpureum)

Suffolk – Trimley SWT – 25th March 2011

2011-04-01T13:21:00.000+01:00

Watch out for: Wildfowl, Gulls & Waders

It is a great walk to this site from Levington marina, great views out across the Orwell, some open grass land, a small wooded area and some marsh land. I saw Skylarks and a Meadow Pipit in the grass and lots of Redshanks and Shelducks feeding on the shoreline. Out on the water there were Great-crested Grebes & Brent Geese.

When on the reserve there are four hides, the views may differ but the birds remain constant except for the last which is great for Gulls and, later on in the year, Terns.

On the marsh there were Black-tailed Godwit, Snipe, Ruff, Shelducks, Shoveler, Gadwall & Teal, with Marsh Harrier over along with plenty of Gulls including Common. Finally in the margins there were Linnets & Reed Buntings and I heard Cetti’s Warbler.

East Anglia

Year Count: 115

Life bird count: 399. Year bird count: 118. Month bird count: 85.

Photo: Shelduck (Tadorna tadorna)

Suffolk – Loom Pit – 25th March 2011

2011-03-29T14:10:00.003+01:00

Watch out for: Wildfowl, Gulls & Waders

Taking the opportunity to arrive at this site before seven in the morning gave a wonderful light to look out across the fishing lake and the Orwell estuary. Ducks and Geese were very much the order of the day with Greylag, Canada & Brent all very close.

On the sands there were numerous Redshanks, the odd Ringed Plover, a Grey Plover and a handful of Curlew.

In the surrounding shrubs and trees Song Thrushes & Chiffchaff were singing and Reed Buntings flitted around trying to attract each others attention. A proper spring morning and no one about, great!

East Anglia Year Count: 115

Life bird count: 399. Year bird count: 115. Month bird count: 75.

Photo: Canada Goose (Branta canadensis); Greylag Goose (Anser anser)

1st Rare Bird of the Year – Short-toed Treecreeper – Landguard

2011-03-28T11:00:00.000+01:00

This bird was right on my door step this weekend so I decided to get down there and see it for my self. Typical Treecreeper behaviour prevented any good photographic opportunities for me, but I had some quick clear views.

Also on the site were Northern Wheatear and Black Redstart.

East Anglia

Year Count: 115

Life bird count: 399. Year bird count: 115. Month bird count: 70.

Target Bird No 4: Tree Sparrow

2011-03-21T16:03:00.002Z

The decline of Sparrows in this country is well documented and to see a House Sparrow can, sadly, often be a surprise these days. However getting to see a Tree Sparrow has been a lot more of a challenge for quite some years now.

For my money I’ve found most success at the RSPB Ouse Wash reserve, especially on their feeders and that is where these photographs were taken. I’ve also had some consistent sightings in Norfolk around the Choseley Drying Barns area.

Wherever you see them they are a delight to watch and worth the effort for an annual tick.

East Anglia Year Count: 112

Life bird count: 399. Year bird count: 112. Month bird count: 65.

Photo: Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus); House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)

Cambridgeshire – Ouse Washes – 6th March 2011

2011-03-15T16:32:00.000Z

Watch out for: Swans & Tree Sparrow

The set of hides at this reserve look out right across the wash and can be very productive at all times of the year for a great variety of birds and other wildlife.

In the winter it is wildfowl and in particular visiting winter Swans. Today there were over 200 Whoopers, and a lot of them were close for viewing.

However the wash is not the only story here. As you walk through from the car park there are two brilliantly set up feeding area’s and they attract all the normal garden birds (Chaffinch, Robin, Blue Tit, Great Tit) plus a number of Tree Sparrows, Yellowhammers & Reed Buntings. It is excellent for photography.

East Anglia

Year Count: 112

Life bird count: 399. Year bird count: 112. Month bird count: 65.

Photo: Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus)

1st Summer Visitor – Chiffchaff – 14th March 2011

2011-03-14T15:54:00.001Z

At first heard then seen calling in a blooming Prunus Tree in Harlow this lunch time.

East Anglia

Year Count: 112

Life bird count: 399. Year bird count: 112. Month bird count: 65.

Cambridgeshire – Fens – 6th March 2011

2011-03-10T13:18:00.000Z

Watch out for: Owls, Swans and winter Thrushes

We headed away from Lakenheath and across to the Fens, looking out across the flats and along the Drains for any signs of feeding Swans. Pulling off the road to get the scope out only to discover they were Mute’s.

It wasn’t long before we were on Bates’s Drove and turning left down to Pymoor, from the bank we could see the completely flooded land across the Ouse Wash, this water was supporting a lot of wildfowl including Pochard, Wigeon & Tufted. On the dry side there was a Barn Owl hunting down the road side ditch and some distant Bewick Swans. Further along, in the trees there was a mixed flock of Redwing & Fieldfare

East Anglia

Year Count: 107

Life bird count: 399. Year bird count: 107. Month bird count: 34.

Photo: Barn Owl (Tyto alba)

Suffolk – Lakenheath Fen – 6th March 2011

2011-03-08T08:15:00.001Z

Watch out for: Wildfowl, Grebes & Gulls

We were Cambridge Fens bound this Sunday morning, so en-route we decided to call in at this great RSPB reserve famed for its Gold Orioles in the summer months. This time of year it is a different story, the large open water can attract wintering Ducks, Grebes and Gulls.

We were very lucky in the fact there was a much reported Black-necked Grebe still over on the far bank, too distant to photograph, but never the less a good bird to see.

On the water we could see most of the British winter ducks, including Pintail, Wigeon, Teal & Pochard. No notable Gulls, but the Great-crested Grebes were show signs of courtship behaviour.

East Anglia

Year Count: 106

Life bird count: 399. Year bird count: 106. Month bird count: 25.

Photo: Eurasian Teal (Anas crecca)

Suffolk – Minsmere Part 2 – 27th February 2011

2011-03-03T08:58:00.000Z

Watch out for: Marsh Harrier, Bittern, Red-throated Diver, Cetti’s Warbler, Wildfowl and Waders

For the second part of our visit we exited the woodland and headed toward the coast via the west and south hides.

Here it was becoming evident that the waters on the reserve were very high and thus waders would be at a premium. In fact on the whole trip we only saw Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Dunlin, Oystercatcher and a couple of Ringed Plovers. On the other hand wildfowl were prolific; with Shoveler, Shelduck, Wigeon, Gadwall, Pintail & Pochard all there. Of note there were large collections of Gulls all going in summer plumage and a large gathering of Lapwings, but our hundredth bird of the year came with a group of 10 or so Avocets.

We then proceeded to the shore line; very distantly we saw Great-crested Grebes & Brent Goose on the water, then a brief view of Red-throated Diver & Common Scoter in flight.

Finally before heading back to the car park we went to the busy east hide, there were a couple of sleeping Kittiwakes on the limited exposed mud and on walking our we heard another Cetti’s calling and spotted a fleeting small brown job, cut across between two reed fronts from where the call had been heard.

East Anglia

Year Count: 105

Life bird count: 399. Year bird count: 105. Month bird count: 79.

Photo: Greylag Goose (Anser anser)

Suffolk – Minsmere Part 1 – 27th February 2011

2011-03-01T09:28:00.001Z

Watch out for: Marsh Harrier, Bittern, Red-throated Diver, Cetti’s Warbler, Wildfowl and Waders

Minsmere is a large reserve with a diverse habitat (woodland, marsh, levels, open water and the North Sea). Therefore you can easily see a lot of species in one visit and it’s a great place to practice ID skills and pile on a few ticks.

We started by heading out to the Island Mere, just before we got to the hide we heard a Cetti’s Warbler, absolutely no chance of seeing it, but that’s so often the way with this resident. Looking out across the water there were 5 female Smew and 1 male, all quite close and in the trimmed down reeds Greylag, Coot & Mallard, plus a large number of Tufted Duck grouping on the open water. Over head there were 4 Marsh Harriers, calling to each other.

We then took ourselves back through the woods, another calling Cetti’s, Willow Tit, Treecreeper & Goldcrest along with numerous Chaffinches, Blue Tits & Great Tits.

99 East Anglian Birds now, more to come…

East Anglia

Year Count: 99

Life bird count: 399. Year bird count: 99. Month bird count: 64.

Photo: Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus)

Seasonal Wild Flowers 2 – Hazel Catkin

2011-02-22T14:47:00.005Z

As winter moves out you will find that the Catkin are easy to see on the trees. The chances are they will be either Alder or Hazel.

Great to watch, as they swell and flower, adding colour to the drab winter woodlands and parks and showing us that spring is on its way

East Anglia

Year Count: 97

Life bird count: 399. Year bird count: 97. Month bird count: 56.

Photo: Hazel Catkin (Corylus)

Suffolk – Combs Wood – 20th February 2011

2011-02-21T11:51:00.000Z

Watch out for: Greater Spotted Woodpecker, Marsh Tit, Coal Tit, Treecreeper

More woodland habitat this weekend, with a trip to one of Suffolk’s oldest woods. It was very wet and dull but we did manage to see a few of our target species flitting around in one quiet corner.

A good mixed flock containing Long-tailed Tits, Coal Tit, Willow Tit plus Great & Blue. Then, a bit adrift from the flock, a pair of Treecreepers, a single Goldcrest & Wren. Finally, when walking out, a Greater-spotted Woodpecker flew out and over to an adjacent copse.

East Anglia

Year Count: 97

Life bird count: 399. Year bird count: 97. Month bird count: 56.

Photo: Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes)

Norfolk – Thetford Forest– 6th February 2011

2011-02-11T08:38:00.001Z

Watch out for: Crossbill, Siskin, Redpoll, Goldcrest, Marsh Tit, Willow Tit, Hawfinch & Brambling

Going into this area is a must during the winter months as it is the easiest place to see a variety of woodland birds.

We drove in from Thetford town and turning left off the A134 went down toward Santon Downham. Passing a couple of birders just off the road scoping some trees, it turned out they were on a small flock of Crossbills, in particular two bright red males.

Further down the road we turned in to the picnic site at Santon hoping for Brambling (they were here is big numbers last year), alas no such luck. So it was off to Lynford arboretum.

A quick look at the water on the old gravel pits produced only a Great-crested Grebe and some great Snowdrops on the woods edge. Walking back up and into the arboretum and I had good views of a Nuthatch close to the path and further on by the river Siskin & Redpoll. No sign of any Hawfinch. Lastly we went into pines and soon found Goldcrest. Not the best birding days but great to see the snowdrops out.

East Anglia

Year Count: 93

Life bird count: 399. Year bird count: 93. Month bird count: 45.

Photo: Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis)

Target Birds No 3: Redpoll & Siskin

2011-02-08T18:43:00.003Z

In winter, small passerines tend to “mix flock” and it is very common to see Redpolls and Siskins feeding together along with various Tits.

Their most popular quarry is Alder, as in the winter these bare tree have last year’s mature female catkins hanging for birds to feed off. Last weekend we were at Lynford arboretum, which has a large population of Alders along the river bank that divides the arboretum from the paddock. We walked it one way and saw nothing, then walking back we noticed movement in one tree, it was several Blue Tits feeding.

We didn’t have to wait for long before another ten or so small birds arrived. Against the overcast sky identification can be tricky, but you soon get to spot the Siskin and if you keep tracking the birds jumping from branch to branch with a bit of luck you’ll see the red spot on the forehead of a Redpoll, nine times out of ten these will be Lesser, but with a bit more observation and some sunlight you may be lucky enough to get a Mealy or and Arctic.

East Anglia Year Count: 93

Life bird count: 399. Year bird count: 93. Month bird count: 45.

Photo: Lesser Redpoll (Carduelis cabaret); Siskin (Carduelis spinus)

Seasonal Wild Flowers 1 – Snowdrops

2011-02-07T09:57:00.002Z

I can’t claim this was the first weekend these gems were available to see, as we have not been out for a couple of weekends, but they certainly were pushing through in Thetford Forest when we were about on Sunday.

A very uplifting sight, I hope you agree. A big thank you to Guy Edwards and his book “100 ways to take better nature and wildlife photographs“ for some help and inspiration with the techniques to photograph them.

East Anglia

Year Count: 93

Life bird count: 399. Year bird count: 93. Month bird count: 45.

Photo: Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis)

Garden and Park Report – January

2011-02-02T14:39:00.001Z

I think it’s worth mentioning how many species you can pick up either in your local park or around your garden. To date in our garden things have been quite quiet since the snow went, we have regular Robins (two), Blackbirds (five) Dunnocks (Two), Blue Tits, Great Tits, Wood Pigeons, Collard Doves, occasional Long-tailed Tits passing through, and a visiting Wren at least once a week and Starlings.

If I walk out, either from home or work to the Park I can add Mistle and Song Thrush, Rook, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Magpie, Jay Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Siskin and just today Pied Wagtail, feeding around some horses with three Redwings.

East Anglia

Year Count: 86

Life bird count: 399. Year bird count: 86. Month bird count: 18.

Photo: Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba)

Target Birds No 2: Black Crows (Corvus)

2011-01-18T13:54:00.003Z

When targeting a number of species to see in a year roughly a hundred are regular birds that you could pick up anywhere. Only the probability of actually seeing them will vary by each month because of their seasonal movements, breeding habits and seasonal habitat changes.

In my mind I like to deal with these species in their families, so this entry is dedicated to the “black crows” or Corvus. In East Anglia you can easily see Rooks, Carrion Crows & Jackdaws. They all frequent the roadside verges; therefore they are good en-route ticks when you head for a site. Specifically you will spot Rooks in large number, soon, at their nesting sites, Jackdaw are often found around rural properties, enjoying the warmth from a chimney and Carrion Crows tend to be more of a loner, but are common and can be seen feeding on the grounds almost anywhere.

Identification is all about looking at the bird’s head, as illustrated below.

East Anglia

Year Count: 85

Life bird count: 399. Year bird count: 85. Month bird count: 85.

Photo: Rook (Corvus frugilegus); Jackdaw (Corvus monedula): Carrion Crow (Corvus corone)

Essex – Mistley Walls– 3rd January 2011

2011-01-13T10:16:00.004Z

Watch out for: Waders, Pintail, Common Gull & Swans.

To be honest we hit this site all wrong because we had not looked at the tides, defiantly a lesson to be learnt there for when you are visiting any site where you want to study birds feeding on the silt.

However, on the positive side it did lend its self to some opportunities to photograph ducks on the water quite close (see previous Goldeneye post).

Getting down to business there were, as predicted, quite a few Goldeneye and Pintail on the water, Black & Mute Swan very close on the road side and on a small watery margin a couple of Knot & Oystercatchers, you will see many more and Godwits when the tide is out. Finally we checked out the Gulls to find Common & Lesser & Greater Black-backed.

East Anglia

Year Count: 81.

Life bird count: 399. Year bird count: 81. Month bird count: 81.

Photo: Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus)

Essex – Abberton – 3rd January 2011

2011-01-11T08:34:00.002Z

Watch out for: Geese (including Bean), Sawbills, Pochard & Tufted Duck.

I’ve spoken highly of viewing off the causeways across this reservoir before and this winter it has been quite productive. For a few weeks the water has been heavy iced over, which has had the effect of pushing a lot of the wildfowl to the last remaining ice free water which is conveniently close to the road.

On the water we found Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Egyptian Goose, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Mute Swan, Goosander & Teal. The reported Tundra Bean Geese were feeding on near by field with Greylag when we were there, you can spot them by their smaller dark bills and slightly slimmer appearance. We saw nothing of the previously reported White-fronted or Barnacle.

Also of note were the high numbers of Curlew grazing in other adjacent fields, look out for them as you journey between the causeways. Finally check out the Cormorant colony in the trees on the Layer de la Haye end.

East Anglia

Year Count: 75

Life bird count: 399. Year bird count: 75. Month bird count: 75.

Photo: Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)

Target Birds No 1: Goldeneye

2011-01-06T13:27:00.002Z

In January and February try looking out on any estuary or reservoir for these birds. They are winter visitors to East Anglia, more than likely coming from Northern Europe – Scandinavia.

Look out for the attractive interaction between males, as illustrated in my photographs. The female birds are a less attractive overall brown plumage.

I captured these at Mistley Quay, but I’ve seen them on the Naze and Orwell estuaries, Abberton Reservoir and off the coast at Titchwell.

East Anglia

Year Count: 68

Life bird count: 399. Year bird count: 68. Month bird count: 68.

Photo: Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula)

North Norfolk Coast – 1st January 2011

2011-01-05T08:07:00.004Z

Watch out for: Corn Bunting, Fulmar, Eider, Long-tailed Duck, Sanderling, Scoter and Marsh Harrier.

I always like to get a productive trip underway on New Years Day and there is no better place to start than the Norfolk coast. We decided to centre on Titchwell but on arrival it was raining quite hard and the forecast was for things to improve, so we decided to postpone the reserve till the afternoon and use the car to get our first few target birds of the year. Choseley Drying Barns are just inland from the main A149 and are renowned for Corn Bunting. On arrival there was flock of twelve birds in a near by tree and as a bonus, from even closer cover six Yellowhammers flew out and sat up on a hedge, finally looking out on the wires there were two Song Thrushes, a great start. Next on the list were the cliffs at Hunstanton (about a 10 mile trip), these always provide good views of Fulmar and an opportunity to check the open sea, we quickly had six or seven of these stiff winged birds on the sea as well as an Eider and several Great-crested Grebes. By now the rain had stopped, but rather than heading straight back to Titchwell we took the opportunity to visit the Norfolk Wildlife Trust reserve at Holme. We checked out the board as we booked in, there were reports of Long-tailed Duck off shore. We had to walk the beach for quite a while, but just off Gore Point there were about ten birds. En-route we saw Sanderling on the shore line and Oystercatcher past. Looking around the scrub there was a large folk of Fieldfare feeding on the Buckthorn and on the lagoon a good collection of Ducks and Grebes. So finally early in the afternoon we were walking out on the RSPB site at Titchwell (so were the world and his wife for that matter but not to worry). To the east over Thornham there were three Marsh Harriers and on the Brackish Marsh were Curlew, Lapwing & Little Egret. Moving up to the coast more ducks on the water along with Black-tailed Godwit, a single Bar-tailed, Redshank, Dunlin & a Ruff. We ended up on the beach and looking out found a Velvet Scoter on the sea and a Guillemot going passed. Finally on the walk back a ground feeding Bearded Tit was pointed by another birder on a similar day one mission. Counting all the species seen whilst travelling and detailing all the wildfowl and Gulls we were listing over sixty birds.

East Anglia Year Count: 68

Life bird count: 399. Year bird count: 68. Month bird count: 68.

Photo: Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus)

Happy New Year!

2011-01-04T09:50:00.001Z

Hi there and a Happy New Year to all my readers. With the New Year upon us I thought I’d change a few things about the Blog content. My idea is to do a running theme of aiming to see 200 different species in East Anglia through 2011, so at least once a month my aim is to talk about targeting some particular species either because of a location to visit, the time of year or generally where you should look for those elusive year ticks. This will be threaded amongst my normal birding activities, my overseas trip reports and supported by as many photographs that I can manage to take whilst in the field. So without too much “a do” lets get birding.

East Anglia Year Count: zero!

Life bird count: 399. Year bird count: 0. Month bird count: 0.

Photo: Waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus)

Garden Report – 14th December 2010

2010-12-14T13:59:00.003Z

As the weather changes so do the birds making visits to one's garden or local park. We always notice that it is only when winter arrives that the Coal Tits feel it necessary to visit our feeders, then as things get colder and snow arrives so do the Black-headed Gulls, picking up scraps left on the ground. Our latest achievement this year when the snow had been around for over a week was a Greater Spotted Woodpecker on the peanuts. In the Park the Siskins have arrived back, in good numbers this year, a flock of 10+, along with an influx of Blackbirds & Wrens. Alas no winter thrushes yet, but with another cold front on its way, this winter could be more interesting week by week.

Life bird count: 399. Year bird count: 253. Month bird count: 32.

Photo: Black-headed Gull (Larus ridibundus)

Suffolk – Ipswich Park – 2nd December 2010

2010-12-07T08:36:00.003Z

Freezing temperatures, snow and winds gusting in, not the worst weather in the country this week but going up to the north Norfolk coast was going to be a difficult sell!. Walking around a town centre park, now that’s easier. There were plenty of birds around, Robins, Thrushes, Tits & Crows and on the water; Mandarin Duck, in wonderful plumage, Mallard, Moorhen & Black-headed Gulls. Even the light wasn’t too bad for a few photographs.

Life bird count: 399. Year bird count: 253. Month bird count: 25.

Photo: Mandarin Duck (Aix galericulata)

Suffolk – Ipswich – 28th November 2010

2010-11-30T13:16:00.004Z

As I’m sure you have heard this November there has been a large influx of Waxwings, hopefully leading to what we know as a “waxwing winter”. We went in to town this weekend to get a view on one of the larger flocks reported so far, about 150 birds congregating around the hospital. They were spectacular, and I strongly advise anyone to take the opportunity to view these hugely attractive birds.

Life bird count: 399 Year bird count: 253 Month bird count: 50

Photo: Waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus)

Essex – Harlow Park – October thru November 2010

2010-11-25T09:26:00.003Z

I thought I’d bring you up to date with bird activity in the park through the autumn months. Firstly Jays, they were very active through October collecting food, mainly acorns. On lunch time walks I got up to counting six individual birds and they were quite confinding wandering around the path sides. The Magpies population has also grown this year and is the most commonly seen bird seen each day. In mid October a large flock of Redwings passed through and just a week ago there were six Bullfinches feeding high in the trees, Out of interest single Bullfinches are relatively easy to see through most of the year. I saw my last Chiffchaff in the last week of October and about two weeks before that some Swifts passed over! Whilst talking flying through, a Ring-necked Parakeet flew across the car only last week. It has to be said that things have now really settled down, only Blackbirds, Robins & Magpies are seen every day, Of big note is that Chaffinch number have dropped beyond belief, none seen this month. In the pond Mallard & Moorhen have both raised broods and Blue Tits & Great Tits are common. Finally all the Butterflies have gone, but what a year, seventeen species in total.

Life bird count: 399 Year bird count: 252 Month bird count: 45

Photo: Dunnock (Prunella modularus)

Essex – Abberton – 24th October 2010

2010-10-30T10:08:00.002+01:00

Another great place to start visiting again as winter approaches is the reservoir at Abberton. It has all ready been buzzing with reports this month of American migrant Sandpipers.

We started by looking south from the Breton Causeway quite a large collection of wildfowl, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Wigeon & Teal. Looking north it was a different story, the water was very low, exposing a lot of silt, great for feeding waders; Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Green Sandpiper, Ruff & Dunlin. Along with Gulls, Herring, Black-headed & Common.

Moving along to the Layer Causeway there was a different story, on the bank here were fifteen Grey Herons and four or five Little Egrets, inter dispersed with Teal, Canada Geese, Greylag Geese & Egyptian Geese. On the water there were a number of Great-crested Grebes & Little Grebes. Flitting through we saw Pied Wagtail & Meadow Pipit.

All round a very busy environment to visit and one not to be overlooked for the rest of the Autumn and Winter months.

Life bird count: 399 Year bird count: 252 Month bird count: 75

Photo: Black-headed Gull (Larus ridibundus)

Suffolk – Southwold – 17th October 2010

2010-10-18T16:38:00.003+01:00

East Anglia has been buzzing with migrants over the past few weeks, frustratingly we’d not been able to commit a trip for quite a while, but this Sunday we took a run out to Southwold where both Wryneck and Yellow-browed Warbler has recently been reported. Plus there would be an opportunity to do a spot of sea watching off the prom. The main church ground has often produced so good sightings over the years and this weekend was no exception. We arrived and had a brief chat with a few birders walking around about how confiding the Wryneck had been yesterday, then set about scouring the trees for the Yellow-browed Warbler, after a few circuits we picked up two Chiffchaff and a three Goldcrests, then out it popped, showing very well and allowing for a very clean ID. All was well with the world We assumed the Wryneck had moved on during the previous clear night, so after photographing a couple of spiders (much easier than the birds, hence the rather poor record shot enclosed) we took a walk down to the sea front. Set up the scope and scanned the horizon for just under an hour. Several Guillemots passed, a single Gannet and finally a Brent Goose followed by three Scoters one of them a Velvet, with clear white wing patches showing. All was even better with the world!

Life bird count: 399 Year bird count: 252 Month bird count: 54

Photo: Orb Spider (Araneus diadematus); Yellow-browed Warbler (Phylloscopus inornatus)

N. Cyprus – Round-up

2010-10-07T21:00:00.005+01:00

So to summarise, we had a ten day break and tallied 83 species (2 lifers). That was birding for about half our time there and to be honest not at the most productive time of the year, that would be in the Spring. With the exception of the Karpas, every site we visited was less than an hour and half drive away from our hotel on the outskirts of Kyrenia.

As you may know, you can not fly directly into Northern Cyprus, which leaves two options, fly via Turkey or fly direct to the south (Larnaca) and get a road transfer. We opted for the first; Pegasus Airline from Stansted to Istanbul then on to Ercan, (both you and your bags stay on the plane at Istanbul). We then hired a car from the airport and self drove ourselves everywhere, (we used Gunray). Accommodation wise we stayed at the Ship Inn (http://www.theshipinn.com), just outside Kyrenia, highly recommended. We self booked everything and had no issues apart from the car not the most reliable or comfortable!

You’ll find driving easy (they drive on the left) and we had no access problems, though the tarmac does run out rather frequently! The folk are very friendly and leave you alone in what is a very beautiful and stress free destination.

We found Steve Cale’s (http://www.steve-cale-artist.co.uk/) book “Where to watch birds in Northern Cyprus“of great value for site locations and thank him kindly for the chat and the supplementary info on a couple of the sites. For a country map we used Insight Travel Map - Cyprus.

Happy to answer questions with more details if you need them.

Life bird count: 398 Year bird count: 245 Month bird count: 92

Photo: Agama Lizard (Agama agama); Violet Dropwing Dragonfly (Trithemis annulata); Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos)

N. Cyprus – Haspolat Sewage Works – 12th & 14th September 2010

2010-10-04T18:41:00.009+01:00

When we were on the Karpas we bumped into another (resident) birder. Naturally conversations led to other areas to bird and the gentleman concerned said that this sewage works was one of, if not the, most important site in North Cyprus. Armed with this expectation we visited on two separate days and for its size and habitat it proved to meet every promise.

Although a controlled area we found access easy and undisturbed, once within the boundary the site is really all about several square pools containing water in various states of purification, you can drive in-between these pools on the grid of interconnecting banks.

On the margins of each pool there were a great variety of waders including Spur-winged Plover (a new bird for me), Greenshank, Spotted Redshank, Common Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Marsh Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper, Dunlin, Little Stint, Ruff, Snipe, Black-winged Stilt & Ringed Plover. On the far pools containing the cleanest water there was some wildfowl, namely Mallard, Shoveller, Garganey, Teal & Gadwall with a lot of Little Grebes. Then in the adjacent fields we found Roller, Yellow Wagtail, Linnet, Reed Warbler, Black Francolin & Hooded Crow. Finally over during both days we saw Little Egret, White-winged Black Tern, Kingfisher & Bee-eater. Plus great views of at least 4 species of Dragonfly, identification issues here, but we are working on it.

An absolutely brilliant site if you have a car to use as a hide and some patience for photography. It can be difficult to find a place to scope from because it is very open and once you get out of your car, things get very flighty!

Life bird count: 398 Year bird count: 245 Month bird count: 92

Photo: Spur-winged Plover (Vanellus spinosus); Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava); Slender Skimmer (Orthetrum sabina)

N. Cyprus – Karpas – 9th & 10th September 2010

2010-09-28T19:01:00.004+01:00

One of the key attractions to visiting N. Cyprus as a birder is the large expanse of unspoilt, largely unpopulated, scrub on the east called the Karpas. This area points out to the north east corner of the Mediterranean as a large spit of land and as such is obviously very attractive, as a stop over point, for birds migrating in spring and autumn to and from Eastern Europe.

We decided on this visit that whilst the area can be reached in a day from Kyrenia, it would be highly advantageous to base ourselves very close the night before and hit the ground at sun rise. So we took a room for the night in a costal hotel near Yeni Erenkoy.

Our plans did not disappoint; on the trip across we had seen many Lesser Grey Shrikes, Thekla Larks, three inbound Common Buzzards and an echelon of Purple Herons.

On our morning on the Karpas, (we reached the Cape at about 7 O’clock) we saw Black Francolin, Roller, Chuka, Whinchat Northern Wheatear, Cyprus Wheatear, Isabelline Wheatear, Masked Shrike, Bee Eater and several “Phylloscopus” warblers, mainly Willows, but a fairly positive sighting of Wood.

Driving back there were several “over fly’s”, namely Sparrowhawk, Hen Harrier & Little Egrets. The roads may be unmade and the temperatures get unbearably hot, but this area is a must if you bird this island.

Life bird count: 397 Year bird count: 240 Month bird count: 70

Photo: Isabelline Wheatear (Oenanthe isabellina); Lesser Grey Shrike (Lanius minor)

Suffolk – Bawdsey (East Lane) - 25th September 2010

2010-09-26T12:45:00.006+01:00

I'm afraid I'm going to ask you to excuse the brief diversion from my sequence of reports on our N. Cyprus trip, but this weekend we did a run out to see and hopefully photograph the recently reported Red-necked Grebe at Bawdsey.

I have to say this was totally successful and well worth the early start to get the light and be the only folk there. As you can see the bird is a juvenile and clearly displaying its markings. Also on the pits were Garganey, Redshank, Tufted Duck & Wigeon.

Further down the road to towards the Deben estuary we saw our first Redwing of the autum.

Life bird count: 396 Year bird count: 247 Month bird count: 105

Photo: Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps grisegena)

N. Cyprus – Acapulco Reservoir - 8th September 2010

2010-09-23T15:52:00.002+01:00

Cyprus is a notoriously dry country in summer and reservoirs can run very low. In my experience this means that where these areas of water in another country would be sure places to see birds, the erratic nature of the habitat year to year means they are equally unpredictable for birding and even when there is some water, birds will not naturally appear. We found Acapulco to still contain a lot of water and on it were quite a few Little Grebes, a Black-necked Grebe, Mallard, Moorhen & Coot. In the margins there was a pair of Grey Herons, Kingfishers and at least one Black-winged Stilt.

Surrounding the reservoir there is a lot of scrub, which we found good for Cyprus Wheatear, Red-backed Shrike, Goldfinches, over ten Turtle Doves and a Cyprus Warbler. Also of note, were several Dragonflies a common feature of this trip which made for some good photographic opportunities. From here we headed up into the mountains, which were very productive for Chuka, Blue Rock Thrush, more Cyprus Wheatears & Spotted Flycatcher, not to mention the excellent Buffavento restaurant where we indulged in a lunch time half meze, totally awesome and recommended!

Life bird count: 396 Year bird count: 233 Month bird count: 48

Photo: Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio); Violet Dragonfly (Trithemis annulata)

N. Cyprus – Cape Kormakitis 7th September 2010

2010-09-21T15:50:00.007+01:00

With the time difference waking us up quite early and our Hotel balcony giving us a view over an expanse of scrub (“bondo”) it was easy to sit out with a pair of bins and see what turned up with the sun. House Sparrows feeding in a freshly dug trench, a Willow Warbler picking at caterpillars in the olive tree tops, an Eastern Olivaceous Warbler “tecking” away, a lot lower near the scrub line, Hooded Crows, Jackdaws, Magpies & Red-rumped Swallows flying through. A great start to the day. Having sorted the car out, put all the gear together, taken breakfast and done a little shopping we decided to take a run out to the far west tip to Cape Kormakitis. It would be an en route look see, with the only specific place to look out for being the small watering hole at Livera. We saw Hoopoe, Turtle Dove, countless Rock Doves, a large flock of Herons out at sea, a distant Harrier (too far way to identify further) and a single Black-eared Wheatear. As for the water hole… nothing! We returned in the early afternoon, stopping at a shore line restaurant for a plate of sheftalia.

Life bird count: 396 Year bird count: 226 Month bird count: 32

Photo: Willow Warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus)

N. Cyprus – Late Summer 6th to 16th September 2010

2010-09-18T21:12:00.006+01:00

We’ve been away for our "summers" and this time we chose to return to Northern Cyprus.

With some insight as to where to go and what to expect from our last trip, we found that Steve Cale had documented his recent annual visits in a book, so after speaking to him and obtaining a copy we felt well prepared.

So once again I ask you to stay tuned whilst I sort the photographs, read through the log that my partner patiently keeps for us every day and I’ll write about what we saw over the next few entries.

Life bird count: 396 Year bird count: 224 Month bird count: 19

Photo: Agama Lizard (Agama…)

Suffolk – Bawdsey (East Lane) – 29th August 2010

2010-09-02T08:35:00.002+01:00

There was a bit of a blow on this weekend, always good for bringing in the odd migrant and a few had been reported on the north Norfolk coast. Would the bushes at this spot on the Suffolk coast be productive? Well on arrival there must have been over a hundred Swallow (mixed with a few House Martins and Sand Martins) taking a feed and rest stop on their way back down. On the pits there were four Garganey, all in eclipse and feeding up, plus quite few Little Grebes which I suspect had bred here this year. Looking out to sea there was a distant Gannet, a few Sandwich Terns going through and a single Little Gull. Oh and a gathering of Scoter, hard to sea in the waves. As for the bushes, nothing going I’m afraid.

Life bird count: 396 Year bird count: 224 Month bird count: 85

Photo: Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)

Norfolk – Cley & Walsey Hills – 14th August 2010

2010-08-23T11:33:00.002+01:00

We arrived at Coast Guards just before 8, plenty of folk around and a fair north easterly with good visibility; conditions were good for sea watching. We quickly picked up quite a few Sandwich Terns feeding just off shore, then some Gannets of various ages going east. Way out there was some Gull activity and a closer look produced a couple of Arctic Skuas and a Great Skua harassing them for their catch. Then going past east again, was a juvenile Kittiwake and a Fulmar. After a couple of hours we headed along to the reserve and spent sometime looking out over the scrapes, it was nice to see Green and Wood Sandpipers, Little Stint and a couple of Spotted Redshanks, along with the regular Ringed Plovers, Redshank, Ruff, Avocet and Black-tailed Godwit. Finally we walked along to Walsey Hills and low and behold there was a Crane grazing in the field opposite with an Egyptian Goose and then finally from the Hill I could see the eight or so Spoonbills feeding on their favoured north scrape at Cley. Good day!

Life bird count: 396 Year bird count: 221 Month bird count: 75

Photo: Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia)

Essex – Harlow Park – 5th August 2010

2010-08-19T13:31:00.004+01:00

And finally....... back to birds soon (promise)

Life bird count: 396 Year bird count: 214 Month bird count: 17

Photo: Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus); Peacock (Inachis io)

Essex – Harlow Park – 4th August 2010

2010-08-13T18:09:00.005+01:00

.....and a couple more

Life bird count: 396 Year bird count: 214 Month bird count: 17

Photo: Common Blue (Polyommarus icarus); Comma (Polygonum c-album)

Essex – Harlow Park – 3rd August 2010

2010-08-09T14:24:00.006+01:00

Thought I’d do a couple of posts focusing on the Butterflies seen in the Park over recent weeks, they do appear to be quite diverse and prolific this year. In the past two weeks I have seen Peacock, Speckled Wood, Small White, Comma, Ringlet, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Common Blue, Essex Skipper and Grayling.

Life bird count: 396 Year bird count: 214 Month bird count: 17

Photo: Speckled Wood (Parage aegeria); Essex Skipper (Thymelicus lincols)

Norfolk – Cley – 17th July 2010

2010-07-26T15:20:00.003+01:00

Heading on around the coast, we draw into the NWT reserve at Cley, always a good stalking ground this time of year and we were not to be disappointed. Managing to time our arrival impeccably, so that we were at the most exposed point en route to the hides whilst a freak thunder storm let rip, we stumbled in like two drowned rats. Out on the scrapes there were tens of Black-tailed Godwits, several Avocets, Redshanks, Ringed and Little Ringed Plovers. Over were three Marsh Harriers, which put up four Whimbrels, and a couple of Little Egrets. In the deeper northern lagoons were Shellduck, Gadwall and a lone Curlew Sandpiper.

Life bird count: 396 Year bird count: 211 Month bird count: 75

Photo: Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta); Little Egret (Egretta garzetta)

Norfolk – Titchwell – 17th July 2010

2010-07-23T09:28:00.003+01:00

Bit of a twitch today, let me explain. There had been a Buff-breasted Sandpiper reported on the fresh marsh for some days and this is one of the regular North American migrants that has eluded me over the years. So off we jolly well went! It wasn’t exactly a turn up and see scenario but it was close, to its credit the bird moved slowly through some cover, but the tiniest bit of patience and a bit of opportunists positioning and there it was, in the scope and text book looking. So what else was there to see; several Knot still in Red summer plumage, Golden Plover, Grey Plover and Dunlin equally summery. Out at sea there were a number of Eider, Great-crested Grebe and a Fulmar flying through.

Life bird count: 396 Year bird count: 211 Month bird count: 75

Photo: Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes)

France – Paris – 2nd – 5th July 2010

2010-07-20T08:51:00.002+01:00

We recently had a very extravagant long weekend in Paris, whilst most of the time was taken up with culture and eating, I can report on a few bird observations. Huge numbers of Swifts are very noticeable in the skies all over the city, Gulls, Cormorants and the occasional Pied Wagtail are common place up and down the river Seine. We then spent a morning in the “Le Bois de Boulogne”. I genuinely thought this would be quite productive, alas we can only report breeding Kestrel, Chiffchaff, Song Thrush, Coot & Moorhen. But hey! Who goes to Paris to bird watch?

Life bird count: 395 Year bird count: 209 Month bird count: 32

Photo: Coot (Fulica atra)

Suffolk – Minsmere – 19th June 2010

2010-06-27T13:00:00.004+01:00

Arrive as early as you can is my advice for this premier RSPB site, especially in the summer months.

As we stroll down from the car park, breeding Sand Martins are ever present in the old car park and a speculative Peregrine Falcon hangs around overhead for a brief while, before stooping down on to the reed beds. Further down Cetti's Warbler sings and we briefly see it flash across the bushes. Then as we have the reed beds each side there is a very confiding Sedge Warbler.

We stop at the east hide, the mix of very young Black-headed Gulls & Avocets is interesting to say the least also a couple of Spotted Redshanks, a gathering of Barnacle Geese, odd! Ringed Plover & Common Terns. Walking on and around to the South Hide, two Arctic Terns, I'm thinking its early to see them this far south, they are well mixed in with some Sandwich Terns.

We finally end up at the Island Mere, Reed Bunting & Bearded Tit dart around gathering food and two Marsh Harriers get quite close. Such a diverse site. On the way home we stop at Sizewell for a peek at the breeding Kittiwakes, pity they are just too far to photograph, must get a boat!

Life bird count: 395 Year bird count: 209 Month bird count: 80

Photo: Sedge Warbler (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus)

Suffolk – Trimley Marsh – 5th June 2010

2010-06-15T14:18:00.005+01:00

Walking in from the Levington Marina side, you first come across Loompit Trout Lake. Infamous for its large roost (now nesting) colony of Cormorants, allegedly culled in response to their large appetite for Trout! On the lake there are breeding Mute Swans, Mallard, Pochard & Tufted Duck. We proceed past the lake and walk the footpath to the Marsh, Whitethroat are common place in the trees, along with Chaffinch & Chiffchaff. On the first inlet there are Oystercatchers, Ringed Plover & Shelduck. Finally reaching the reed bed we see Reed Bunting & Reed Warbler and there is Skylark singing over. Its evening time and the sun is on the way down, perfect! On our return there is opportunity to photograph a young Pied Wagtail as it looks for food on the foreshore.

Life bird count: 395 Year bird count: 205 Month bird count: 61

Photo: Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba)

Cheshire – Chester Area – 3rd June 2010

2010-06-11T09:26:00.003+01:00

I recently had a week in this area because of work commitments, so never being one to miss an opportunity, I took stock of the birds in the vicinity. High numbers of Swifts, House Martins & Swallows were very apparent, also Kestrels & Buzzards frequently overflew the fields, both disturbing the peace with the swallows and the later upsetting Gulls in the area as well. Along the near by railway I saw Blackcap, Whitethroat & Linnet. Whilst on the canal close to the centre of town were breeding Mallard, Moorhen, Wren & Grey Wagtail.

Life bird count: 395 Year bird count: 205 Month bird count: 48 Photo: Common Whitethroat (Sylvia communis)

Cambridgeshire – Ouse Washes – 22nd May 2010

2010-05-31T15:08:00.007+01:00

This is a pretty unfamiliar site for me, we'd been here a few years back in deepest winter, but it was quite late in the afternoon and the fading light had restricted our exploration.

Seeing it now was totally different, Swallows all around, Sedge and Reed Warblers singing from the river bank and on the Wash itself Little Egrets, Heron, left over Wigeon & Whooper Swan!, Mute Swan, Lapwing & Redshank.

Of note also were the number of Dragonflies emerging. We saw Hairy Dragonfly, Four -spotted Chaser and Scarce Chaser.

Life bird count: 395 Year bird count: 204 Month bird count: 86

Photo: Little Egret (Egretta garzetta); Scarce Chaser (Libellula fulva)

Suffolk – Lakenheath Fen – 22nd May 2010

2010-05-24T10:19:00.003+01:00

This time of year you can keep it simple and go where you know certain species are going to be, this often results in exceptional views of birds that otherwise you might only get distantly or fleeting. Last week we did this for Nightingale at Fingringhoe and this week is was to be Hockwold. This site is famed for Golden Oriole, but actually more certain for views of Cuckoo, Hobby and Grasshopper Warbler. We’d seen plenty of Hobbies a couple of weeks back but only heard Cuckoo. This weekend, with the Warblers now nesting the Cuckoos were much more likely to be about in the open, we were not disappointed, getting good views of three birds. The bonus though was a Grasshopper Warbler, a reeling bird just off the path giving great views. On the visit we also saw tens of Reed & Sedge Warblers, Whitethroat, Reed Bunting, Sparrowhawk, Marsh Harrier & Common Tern.

Life bird count: 395 Year bird count: 203 Month bird count: 82

Photo: Grasshopper Warbler (Locustella naevia)

Essex – Harlow Park – 19th May 2010

2010-05-19T16:02:00.004+01:00

Thought I’d keep you abreast of the spring effect in the park. It is safe to say now that all the winter visitors (Redwing, Fieldfare etc), have been gone for about six weeks. The residents have been breading, Magpies most prolifically, there must be getting on for ten pairs, which is not good news for the passerines. Surprise breeders are a pair of Grey Wagtails. With respect to migrant, well I’ve seen Swift, Blackcap, Chiffchaff & Lesser Whitethroat, however all but the Swift & Chiffchaff appear to have moved on. Maybe this is due to all the Magpies being around. On some nearby water, both Moorhen and Mallard have breed, plus I saw a Terrapin sunning its self. The butterflies have been a great surprise, within 4 weeks I have seen Peacock, Brimstone, Orange Tip, Speckled Wood, Small & Large Whites, Small Tortishell and Comma.

Life bird count: 395 Year bird count: 200 Month bird count: 75 Photo: European Robin (Erithacus rubecula)

Essex – Fingringhoe – 15th May 2010

2010-05-17T13:43:00.002+01:00

This Essex Wildlife Trust reserve is bordered by the river Colne on one side, open salt marsh on another and has rural Essex to the west, is often over looked and to be honest not the easiest place to find, but it does have one of the best visitors centres in East Anglia.

This time of year it is a prime place to see Nightingales, we encountered six singing birds and had great views of three of them. Adding to the woodland birds we also saw Blackcap, Bullfinch, Whitethroat & Chiffchaff. On the estuary there were gatherings of Black-tailed Godwit, Shelduck & Canada Goose, from the reed beds Sedge Warbler.

Life bird count: 395 Year bird count: 200 Month bird count: 74

Photo: Common Nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos)

Suffolk – Lakenheath Fen – 1st May 2010

2010-05-14T09:32:00.001+01:00

On our return from the Norfolk coast we decide to drop in to this RSPB reserve and take the long walk right around, rather than our normal “spot the Golden Oriole!” (Ah see that branch… that’s where it was!). We had great views of four Hobbies high above the trees. Heard several calling Cuckoos. Saw Reed & Sedge Warblers, along with quite a lot of wildfowl on the water including nesting Great Crested Grebe, Moorhen & Coot. The Oriole’s… not a chance :-) Life bird count: 395 Year bird count: 199 Month bird count: 67

Photo: Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs)

Norfolk – Snettisham – 1st May 2010

2010-05-12T15:33:00.005+01:00

We did this visit at the same time last year and found it perfect for seeing the spring arrivals settling into their territories and pairing up.

As you wander off the coastal path into the reeds and small tree areas there is an abundance of passerines calling and moving around. Willow Warbler, Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler & Reed Warbler together with resident Linnet, Stonechat & Reed Bunting.

Moving along and locating wetter areas it is not long before you pick up the reeling call of the Grasshopper Warbler, then it's a sort of stake out between you and the sound in order to get a glimpse.

The site is not all about breeding birds though, in late April and early May there is always quite a large passage through and on this day Whinchat were there in numbers along with Wheatear.

Life bird count: 395 Year bird count: 198 Month bird count: 64

Photo: Northern Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe)

Norfolk – Titchwell – 11th April 2010

2010-05-04T10:06:00.003+01:00

I’m now way behind reporting trips this year, so after this retrospective report from RSPB Titchwell I’ll try and get myself at least into the right month! This was a great day, plenty to see and great to get the feel of an English spring and all the changes in behaviour it brings. Ducks chasing each other across the reed beds, waders in summer plumage, warblers singing in the trees and a large flock of winter ducks moving through to their breeding grounds up north. Species included; Avocet, Black-tailed Godwit, Scoter, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Shoveler and Egyptian Goose.

Life bird count: 394 Year bird count: 190 Month bird count: 71

Photo: Shoveler (Anas clypeata)

Morocco – Round-up

2010-04-28T08:25:00.004+01:00

Here is one last Moroccan post to summarise the trip: Travel arrangements; we took a Thompson flight out of Gatwick to Agadir, booked it late in 2009 to get the best deal. With respect to the car hire again we booked in advance but paid when we got there, using the internet we used “Budget” and picked it up at the airport without any problem, though they do take a rather large reservation on your credit card. Driving is not a major issue; vehicles in the towns will go anywhere they choose and motor bikes will come at you on the wrong side of the road, but every thing tends to happen slower than in the UK so you can react accordingly. For Hotels, we used the Petit Sued in Agardir, very friendly, clean, great breakfast and very good value. In the northern Sahara we use the Fort Bou Jerif’s a little more expensive, but look at their web site, they live up to everything they say and more! That’s about it really, change your money out there and only Sterling is accepted in most banks, though cash machine are much more available than last year. Travellers cheques were not good news. Take an international driving licence, we were stopped twice and the IDL did the trick both times. Pay the man who looks after your car when it’s parked on the street at night. Take sweets or pens for the children you will meet everywhere and buy a packet of cigarettes for the kind men who talk to you whilst you are scoping or taking photo’s for the most part they mean very well.

Life bird count: 394 Year bird count: 183 Month bird count: 148

Photo: Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis)

Morocco – Return to Agadir – 26th March 2010

2010-04-15T16:04:00.004+01:00

After a great day out in the desert it was time to return north to Agadir, so after having a wonder around the grounds, seeing Spectacled Warbler, Spanish Sparrow, Yellow Wagtail & Orphean Warbler we decided on a coastal route back and headed off. Once on the outskirts of Guelmin we too the North west coast bound road to Sidi Ifni and then the coast road up to Aglou-Plage before having to head inland again to the main drag up to Agadir. Along the stretch to Sidi Ifni had distant views of Barbary Falcon and regular Thekla Larks, but it wasn’t till we were looking on the Oued Sous that we saw anything else new and that was a White Stork, by the wash away bridge at Inezgane. It was then a short drive through town back to the hotel.

Life bird count: 396 Year bird count: 176 Month bird count: 142.

Photo: Thekla Lark (Galerida theklae); Spainish Sparrow (Passer hispaniolensis)

Morocco – Fort Bou Jerif’s Desert Surrounds – 25th March 2010

2010-04-12T20:58:00.005+01:00

For this day, as most of the area to be covered was at best by track, we decided to ask the Hotel to arrange for a local driver to take us out. So by nine in the morning we were enjoying the rest from actually driving and aboard a Landrover heading generally towards the sea.

Crested Larks, Red-rumped Wheatear and Black-eared Wheatear were abundant. We soon reach the river, surprisingly little to see, Ringed Plover, Oystercatcher and Grey Heron. By lunch we were at Plage Blanche with Sandwich Tern & Yellow-legged Gull on the shore line and Cormorant & Gannets offshore.

In the afternoon we had Bar-tailed Lark, Temminck’s Lark and Rufous Bush Robin, along with many Camels before we started to head back with views of a Booted Eagle on the way and Richard’s Pipit on the track side.

Life bird count: 395 Year bird count: 172 Month bird count: 138

Photo: Red-rumped Wheatear (Oenanthe moesta); Black-eared Wheatear (Oenanthe hispanica)

Morocco – Across to Fort Bou Jerif – 24th March 2010

2010-04-10T11:21:00.006+01:00

To get across to where we were going to spend a couple of night we back tracked to Guelmin and took the road out to Laksabi, then, what turns into a rather bumpy track out across the desert to “The Fort”.

Crossing the Oued Noun, some where east of Laksabi, around the bridge we had superb views of two Marbled Teal along with Little-ringed Plover and Common Sandpiper, then yet more Trumpeter Finch came into to drink.

Having finished at the river it was pure scrub all the way, I guess as the warmer weather takes over this will be completely barren desert but for us it was covered in green Euphorbia. Birds just pop up, mainly Wheatears and Larks, then big surprises, first a Honey Buzzard sitting on a pylon, then out of the scrub about 100m from the track a Marsh Harrier, along with numerous Fat Sand Rats and regular Montagu’s Harriers.

As we closed on the Hotel a Bonelli’s Eagle soars up over a middle distant ridge.

Life bird count: 394 Year bird count: 166 Month bird count: 130

Photos: Fat Sand Rat (psammomys obesus);

Morocco – South to Guelmim – 24th March 2010

2010-04-08T20:46:00.008+01:00

Our visit this year was centred around seeing some desert species and in order to stand any chance of doing that we had to head further south. So we pushed down over 200km through Tiznit and Guelmim, the next town on the sign posts was Tan-Tan, but there was no need to go that far.

En-route we saw Montagu’s Harrier, Black Wheatear, White crowned Wheatear, Rock Sparrow and Rock Thrush. At about 10km past Guelmim the road crosses the Oued Sayed, here we pulled off the road and drove along a track very close to the scrub. We soon saw Tristram’s Warbler amongst the Crested Larks, then further on Trumpeter Finch and Rock Bunting. We headed on a few kilometres before turning right into a small village for House Bunting and Desert Weatear.

Life bird count: 389 Year bird count: 162 Month bird count: 119

Photos: Trumpeter Finch (Bucanetes githaginea); Montagu’s Harrier (Circus pygargus)

Morocco – Massa – 23rd March 2010 (part 3)

2010-04-06T09:31:00.007+01:00

Back tracking from Sidi Ouassai, we stopped to pick up a Plain Martin, Red-rumped Swallow and Black-crowned Tchagra, particularly pleased with the Martin as it was a good clear view. We were going to drive onto the reserve but there was such a gathering of “Guides” that we could see it was going to be a stress, so taking the track signed posted to the restaurant at Sidi-Rbat we headed across the open fields. Lots of Thekla Larks here, though to be honest distinguishing between Crested in this area can be rather hit and miss, then a single Lesser Short-toed Lark very close to the track. We also saw Locust and Ground Squirrel. A good drive, rather bumpy and we didn’t make it to the restaurant before we turned about and headed back to our Hotel.

Life bird count: 389 Year bird count: 152 Month bird count: 116

Photo: Barbary Ground Squirrel (atlantoxerus getulus); Lesser Short-toed Lark (calandrella rufescens)

Morocco – Massa – 23rd March 2010 (part 2)

2010-04-04T14:18:00.004+01:00

We then decided, that rather than heading onto the National Park, we’d continue on the road to Sidi Ouassai, so from the flats around the river the road climbs up and we see a Little Owl sitting in one of the road side trees.

As the trees get fewer it is vital you scan the fences because here we found Stonechat, Northern Wheatear, Black-eared Wheatear, Willow Warbler, Subalpine Warbler and Chiffchaff.

Eventually we hit the coast at Sidi-Ouassai and there are several Kestrels being flighty around the buildings, along with Laughing Dove.

Life bird count: 389 Year bird count: 134 Month bird count: 101

Photo: Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus)

Morocco – Massa – 23rd March 2010 (part 1)

2010-04-03T21:12:00.005+01:00

On our first full day we take the main road south out of Agadir and keep following the signs to Tiznit, before long we leave the hustle and bustle of the towns on the edge of the city and join the steady stream of buses, lorries and taxis going south, once through Sidi Bibi we know we are “out of town”.

We look for a sign to a camping site to the right. It’s some 15 or 20 miles down the road from Sidi Bibi and what’s more if you miss the first, there is a second less than a mile further on. We take the first right turn and enter bird land. The road is narrower and each side is scrub or crops. Both Thekla and Crested Larks are very common. Moussier’s Redstarts are frequent, as are Grey & Woodchat Shrikes.

Once we had gone through to the village of Arhbalou we started to see the effects of the recent heavy rain fall and in the flooded fields very close to the road are Greater Flamingo, Cattle Egret, Little Egret & Black-winged Stilt.

Life bird count: 389 Year bird count: 130 Month bird count: 95

Photo: Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus)

Morocco – Agadir – 22nd March 2010

2010-04-02T19:08:00.003+01:00

Before we start the serious stuff, when you arrive in Agadir from a cold Gatwick in late March, things hit you.

Firstly the Swallows are in full muster and darting around like it’s mid summer in the UK, Swifts are also about, but not in great numbers. Gulls are everywhere, mainly Lesser Black-backed and Yellow-legged. Then when you are in your Hotel or walking out, you hear a loud melodious call, your thoughts will go to exotic species, but you will soon discover they are Bulbuls and they can be seen in the streets taking cover in the road side trees. Finally you will look at the Sparrows and notice all is not as it seems because occasionally they will turn out to be House Buntings. You are in North Africa!

Life bird count: 389 Year bird count: 123 Month bird count: 85

Photo: Common Bulbul (Pycnonotus barbatus)

Morocco – Agadir and beyond – 22nd to 29th March 2010

2010-03-31T20:52:00.003+01:00

Apologies for a prolonged period of absence but we’ve been on our hols!

Based in Agadir we spent a week travelling and birding in Morocco, including a three day stay in the Northern Sahara. So now we are back I’ll be writing the next few entries to cover the species and notes on the trip.

In the mean time whilst I get the photographs sorted through and confirm some sightings, here’s a taster of the region.

Life bird count: 389 Year bird count: 117 Month bird count: 74

Photo: Camel (Camelus dromedarius)