Spain (Day 4) – Huelva – 21st April 2008

A much improved day weather wise and the weekend out of the way always leaves me with a feeling of being on holiday again, especially when you see all those other folk plodding off to work.

Cutting across country to the N435, our plan was to cover both sides of the river delta around Huelva. Starting on the east we first stopped on the shore line of the river and were amazed at the number of waders including Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, Sanderling, Turnstone, Dunlin, Curlew Sandpiper, Redshank and Whimbrel all good views and in high numbers.

Next we drove the A494 towards Ruinas Torre Vigia, along the sides of this road there is quite a lot of industrial sites but they are interspersed with areas of marsh land and stopping at these produced some very good birds; Little Bittern, Squacco Heron, Montagu’s Harrier and two Purple Swamp Hens. After lunch it was back up and across the river to the western side of the city/town, here there is a long peninsula leading out to a light house and the views off both sides have to be seen to be believed. Attracting a fair number of this slow drive was very productive, noting; Purple Heron, Spoonbill, Marsh Harrier, Little Ringed Plover, Kentish Plover, Wood Sandpiper, Greenshank, Bar-tailed Godwit, Little Tern and Common Tern. Finaly we headed a little further west to Laguna del Portil finding a large lake to pick up Black-necked Grebe, Ferruginous Duck and a Bonelli’s Eagle. A truly brilliant day.

Life bird count: 366 Year bird count: 191 Month bird count: 128

Spain (Day 3) – Sierras Polada & Morena – 19th April 2008

The weather was not the best today, after a very wet night there was still very heavy cloud cover and intermittent showers. We decide to head north-west towards the Portuguese border and visit the Sierras. En route there wasn’t a lot more to report, but as soon as we were off the main roads and heading up higher things got more interesting, our first stop produced Cirl Bunting, Thekla Lark, Redstart and a Bonelli’s Warbler. Then further up around a bridge that we expected to see more Swallows and Wagtail, there was a very small House Martin size bird acting “swift like”, eventually we had a positive ID on two White-rumped Swifts! Happy to progress to the highest point we could clearly see a Black Vulture more cruising than soaring, with the weather as it was. Heading off across country to another Sierra region the Morena we had Short-toed Lark and White Wagtail en-route. Starting off, again by a river crossing, there was a lone Common Sandpiper feeding in the river bed, along with numerous nesting Crag Martins and Stonechats. This Sierra is much lower and the birds changed accordingly on the tour round Woodlark and Sardinian Warbler were common plus calling Corn Buntings and Blackcaps.

Life bird count: 365 Year bird count: 173 Month bird count: 116

Spain (Day 2) - Donana – 17th April 2008

We thought we’d take a look at the "big one" on the first full day, so with an earlish start we headed for El Rocio, the centre of the Donana reserve. If you know the Donana reserve you will no doubt have knowledge of or visited the best birding restaurant in the world, it’s just outside El Rocio and is situated on the edge of the lagoon. On arrival we immediately saw Spoonbill, Whiskered Tern, Black Tern, Flamingo, Black-winged Stilt, Red-crested Pochard more Black Kites and a Red Kite. After lunch we took a drive up to one of the wooded reserve area along an inland marsh, here we saw an Azure-winged Magpie frenzy, with about ten birds picking at the leftovers from a school trip lunch. On the marsh side there were Stonechats, Iberian Yellow Wagtail and Great Reed Warbler. En-route home we had a good view of a Golden Oriole and Raven.

Life bird count: 364 Year bird count: 153 Month bird count: 95

Spain (Day 1) - Aracena – 16th April 2008

We landed at Sevilla airport mid morning and after picking up the hire car started our birding visit with a drive up the A66 & N433 to our holiday let in Corteconcepcion, near Aracena. The first bird was a Swift at the airport, but things soon got more interesting with Black Kite on the way up to the villa and then White Stork also both Barn and Red-rumped Swallow were very much evident en-route. After checking in etc, with plenty of warm sunshine and food not available till later we took a drive out to the local Embalse. The list soon grew; Crag Martin, Short-toed Eagle, Crested Lark, Woodchat Shrike, Lesser Short-toed Lark, Southern Grey Shrike, Bee-eater, Hoopoe, Short-toed Treecreeper, Corn Bunting, Rock Sparrow and Serin. Such a fantastic start to the week!

Life bird count: 363 Year bird count: 141 Month bird count: 81

Local patch – 12th April 2008

It was time to do the first bird survey of the year this weekend and to be honest not a lot to report in the way of incoming summer visitors or migrants. Quite a few Chiffchaff were around, but otherwise common countryside birds including Yellowhammer, Red-legged Partridge, Pheasant and Skylark. Life bird count: 360 Year bird count: 125 Month bird count: 56

Abberton & Landguard – 30th March 2008

A quick afternoon excursion this weekend to pick up some reported year birds. First off to Abberton Reservoir where a Tundra Bean Goose has been associating with some Graylag and was very (if not too) obliging on the causeway water front, also on the water were; Garganey, Red-necked Grebe, Great-crested Grebe, Goldeneye and a very suspect female Red-crested Pochard. Onward to Landguard and one of the best UK Firecrests we’ve seen, along with Northern Wheatear, Black Redstart and Meadow Pipit. Life bird count: 360 Year bird count: 121 Month bird count: 98

Holme & Titchwell – 24th March 2008

Travelling up to the North Norfolk Coast there was little to see in the fields except Pheasant, Crows and Wood Pigeon but arriving at Holme changed the trend. Stonechats were abundant along the track, Marsh Harrier over and as we parked a Barn Owl flew low out of the small coniferous wood. We walked out onto the windy beach, low level small skeins of Brent Geese were frequently moving west along the near water. On the tide line were waders; Sanderling, Grey Plover, Black-tailed Godwits, Ringed Plover, Oystercatcher and Knot. Further up were feeding Gulls; Black-headed, Common and Herring. Several Curlew also flew west along the beach. Next stop was Titchwell, numerous species on the feeders including Brambling. Out on the fresh marsh the waders included; Avocets, Ruff, Bar-tailed Godwit, Snipe and the wildfowl; Pintail, Shelduck, Teal, and Shoverler. Out on the Salt Marsh there were Skylarks and a Peregrine Falcon over. For the day we had a total count of 65 species. Life bird count: 360 Year bird count: 113 Month bird count: 85

Around the Garden – 23rd March 2008

Easter snow is not the sort of weather that drives you to travel far in East Anglia, so today was spent watching various visitors grab the scraps and bird food we had put out in the garden. One visitor, indeed took things up a level and proved he was one step further in the food chain by taking a sheltering Chaffinch. Birds seen during the day included; Chaffinch, pursued successfully by a Sparrowhawk, House Sparrow, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird and Carrion Crow.

Life bird count: 360 Year bird count: 106 Month bird count: 49

Mayday Farm – 3rd March 2008

We’d noticed during the last few weeks how the dawn chorus was increasing, so decided to that the opportunity to see some woodland bird whilst there wasn’t too much leaf on the trees. So headed off to Mayday Farm in Thetford Forest. On arrival things were very lively with mixed flocks all over the Blackthorn. Chaffinch was the predominant species displaying very well above the hedge row. Viewing birds drinking in the puddles we saw Brambling, Coal Tit and Great Tit, with Long-tailed Tit and Goldcrest in the trees. Further on in there were medium size groups of Siskin and Lesser Redpoll.

Life bird count: 360 Year bird count: 103 Month bird count: 32

The Strand, Mistley Quay & Abberton – 24th February 2008

Quite overcast with the possibility of rain later in the day. So a more local trip was in order. First off, on the bank of the river Orwell there was two Shags and on the far bank at least five Pintails, mid stream several Goldeneye and Widgeon. Next off Mistley Quay in the deeper water were three Black-necked Grebes, over ten Great-crested Grebes, lots of Black-tailed Godwits and Little Egret over. Additionally, on the quay, a good selection of Gulls (Black-headed, Common, Lesser Black-backed and Herring), plus Turnstone, Mute and Black Swan all very close. Finally at Abberton, we had brief views of a Bittern skulking in the reeds, Red-necked Grebe, Smew, White-fronted Goose and Egyptian Goose.

Life bird count: 359 Year bird count: 100 Month bird count: 84

Thetford Forest – 17th February 2008

Starting at Barnham Cross with a view to seeing Hawfinch, however it was not to be, but we picked up Mistle Thrush, Coal Tit and Long-tailed Tit before heading off to Lynford. Here there was more of the same with the addition of Nuthatch and Green Woodpecker; things were very quiet for sure! Finally we headed off to Santon Downham, a little more luck here with Lesser-spotted Woodpecker, Song Thrush, Brambling and Siskin, along with all the other common Finches and Tits.

Life bird count: 359 Year bird count: 95 Month bird count: 68

Loom Pit Lake & Bawdsey – 9th February 2008

The forecast promised a bright sunny weekend and thankfully it delivered. So Saturday we set off to two locations where we knew we would get birds to photograph and hopefully prove the camera’s performance in bright conditions with birds in flight.

Loom Pit was busy with Greylag and Brent Geese on the water plus Coot, Widgeon and Goldeneye. The tide was just right, slightly out and incoming pushing waders closer. We saw Knot, Dunlin, Curlew, Black-tailed Godwit and Redshank. Walking along, off the lake towards the Trimley Marsh, numerous passerines in the trees Great Tit, Blue Tit, Robin & Goldfinch.

We then headed to Bawdsey. First sights were of Brent, Greylag and Mute Swans in the fields off East Lane. Then in the pools there were Pochard, more Brent, Greylag and Mute Swans plus Wigeon. Good opportunities here for flight shoots of incoming Swans and Herring Gulls going over. Life bird count: 359 Year bird count: 88 Month bird count: 59

Abberton, Mistley Quay & The Orwell – 20th January 2008

Sunday was a very grey day but thankfully not raining, ideal conditions for testing out the focus tracking fix for the camera, not so great for birding. First stop Abberton, with the wind at near gale force across the causeways, great to see Smew, 200+ Pochard, 50+ Ruddy Duck and 2 Goosanders. We then drive north, but still in Essex to Mistley Quay. Much more sheltered here and good views across the Naze estuary, Pintail, Black Swan, Mute Swan, Brent Goose, Bar-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Black-headed Gull & Common Gull, great flight photo opportunities. Finally, a quick stop at the Strand on the bank of the Orwell for Wigeon, Teal & 50+ Little Grebes.

Just one antidote I really must add. I’d like to mention the gentleman who drove his car up so close on Mistley Quay it touched my leg, when I enquired as to what was going on, he put his keys back in and drove off…… nothing stranger than folk!!

Life bird count: 359 Year bird count: 81 Month bird count: 81

Cley & N. Norfolk Coast – 13th January 2008

Now when a rare bird arrives in your back yard (Norfolk that is) despite your adverseness to twitching and even though you know there will be hundreds of people there because of the press coverage, you really do feel obliged to have a look. So off to Cley we trot, White-crowned Sparrow (life bird) tick, actually a very nice bird and it must have been truly enthralling to discover. Thank you very much too all those in Cley who are looking after such a rarity on these shores. From there we moved along the coast with the aim of picking up a Richard’s Pipit at Terrington Marsh (miss it on this occasion) however en-route we saw largish numbers of Ruff, Golden Plover, Curlew, Pink-footed Goose and Lapwing.

Life bird count: 359 Year bird count: 69 Month bird count: 69

Ipswich & Trimley Trout Lake – 6th January 2008

An altogether local outing today, with the light just perfect it was time to give the scope a rest and go for some photographs. Our first stop was Ipswich Park for Moorhen, Mallard, Jay, Long-tailed Tit and Sparrowhawk. Some good views also of Black-headed Gulls doing what they do best…. feed! Next we moved on down to Trimley Trout Lake, large numbers of Brent Geese, Widgeon, Tufted Duck, Gadwall, Coot & Mute Swan. Plus Redshank, Black-tailed Godwit, Meadow Pipit, Little Egret and Grey Heron. For the detail there were single Caspian and Yellow-legged Gulls in the raft of Black-headed, Herring and Common, but we only identified Yellow-legged and a Black Brant was reported amongst the Brent, but again not personally seen. Life bird count: 358 Year bird count: 63 Month bird count: 63

Bawdsey, Lynford & Minsmere East Anglia – Christmas Break 2007

The Christmas break resulted in three birding trips, Bawdsey, Lynford Arboretum and Minsmere. The first was all about wildfowl and produced a life list bird in a Tundra Bean Goose grazing in a field, this spit is always difficult to pin-point but the bill pattern and orange legs were good enough for me. Also on the same land were 4 Bewick’s Swans, Mute Swans and a large number of Greylag Geese. On the lagoons we saw Pochard, Tufted Duck, Widgeon, Canada Goose and Snipe. On the periphery there was Meadow Pipit, Green Woodpecker and Lapwing. Our second trip was to Lynford, where many common species were in view including Greater Spotted Wood Pecker, Marsh Tit, Long-tailed Tit and Nuthatch. Also the less common Willow Tit was heard and seen deeper into the wood and there was an Egyptian Goose on the river. On the near by “old“lake there were 4 Goosander along with Greylag Goose. Finally, on new years day we headed for Minsmere and did the whole reserve, highlights being, both Whooper and Bewick’s Swan, a very large number of Snipe, Treecreeper, Marsh Harrier, Common Gull and Red-throated Diver out at sea. It was disappointing to the scrape so flooded and therefore the lack of waders, only the longer legged Black-tailed Godwit hanging on in there! 2007 Year End List: Life bird count: 358 Year bird count: 304 Month bird count: 86

Loom Pit, Suffolk – Sunday 16th December 2007

Cold with a little sun, the morning was made less comfortable with the wind-chill having its effect. Walking in from Levington Marina the tide was well out and there was plenty to been seen.

Out on the Orwell mud there were Redshank, Black Tailed Godwit, Dunlin 100+, Curlew, Ringed Plover, Avocet and Common Gull. On the water were quite a few Great Crested Grebes.

Turning to the fishing lake, wildfowl were aplenty. Tufted Duck, Mute Swan, Pochard, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Moorhen, Coot and Goldeneye. A Kingfisher darted around the far bank and there were Cormorants, Shelduck and a Sparrowhawk over.

Life List: 357 Year List: 302 Month List: 64

Horsey Gap, Norfolk – Sunday 2nd December 2007

Looking at the Met Office web site, it predicted a break in the East Norfolk Coast weather from late morning to early afternoon, so in the pouring rain we set off for Horsey and the long staying Desert Wheatear. We were not to be disappointed, arriving on site the rain had stopped and birders on the way back reported the bird was showing well. We approached with only one worry, normally a welcome sight, but there was a Merlin perched on the fence just where we had been directed to look, could we be the first to report “Wheatear taken”. The Merlin flew off West and there was no evidence of a kill. Soon two Stonechat appeared; we walked through the gap and on to the beach, delighted to see a large number of Grey Seals. Returning off the beach a Lapland Bunting went over and then, on the track the Desert Wheatear dropped in, very good views for about 15 minutes. Also in the area were Kestrel & Turnstone.

Life List: 357 Year List: 302 Month List: 26

Out & About – 23rd & 24th November 2007

Commitments made it impossible to do any specific trips this weekend but still travelling around and checking out the species. On Friday along the A14 two Common Buzzards, two Sparrowhawks and numerous Kestrels plus Geese in transit to feeding grounds. On Saturday some garden ticks, Goldfinch, Greater Spotted Woodpecker and Coal Tit. A field abundant with Lapwing and Golden Plover feeding along the side of the A428 in Bedfordshire. Other sightings including more Kestrels, Jays and Jackdaws. Life List: 356 Year List: 301 Month List: 98

Walberswick , Suffolk – Saturday 17th November 2007

Cold and sunny was the order of the day as we arrived on site with many another birders after the Penduline Tits that had been on this site all week. For us though we had a prior agenda of seeing some winter visitors for our year list, which had escaped us in January and February. Walking through the reeds we were surprised at the number of Bearded Tits running through, absolutely first class views. On to the area where the Pendulines had been seen, but they had recently flown, never mind, out across the reeds towards the sea there was a Hen Harrier putting up waders and wildfowl and inland we could see two Marsh Harriers and a Peregrine. The wait for the returning tits was pressing and we decided to head for the beach, here we were immediately on a mixed flock of Snow Bunting, Greenfinch and Twite. Looking back over the marsh it was evident that the pendulines had returned, so we pushed back to try and catch them, err not this time, they flew minutes before we returned. Back to the beach and lagoons, we see Water Pipit and distant Whooper Swans, the 300 for the year was now in the bag! We walk slowly back pausing for the elusive (only for us) Tits, again no luck. On our way through we divert from the path to the edge of the reeds, here a small group of birders explain that this was where the now extremely tricky (only for us) Pendulines were commuting to. We wait, one birder describes how they had only been 6 feet from him, we wait and then we wait some more, reports come in by phone that the birds were in the air, we wait. Alas they never did return for us and we pulled back to car to return home. Out of over a hundred birders that day, I wonder if anyone else dipped quite like us.

Life List: 356 Year List: 301 Month List: 96

Titchwell & Holme, Norfolk – Sunday 11th November 2007

Two days after the flood warning subsided all around the East Anglia coast, the winds were still high but we found any damage to be pretty limited. One of those weekends where there were lots of birds reported, but nothing to drive you out to one particular place, so we plumped for the west end of the North Norfolk Coast and arrived at Titchwell just after 9:00am. An impressive number of Pintails were on the freshmarsh along with Shoveler and Teal, amongst the Pintails a lone Goosander. Waders included, Knot, Avocet & Snipe on the marsh and on the shore Sanderling, more Knot, Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Oystercatcher and Turnstone. Out at sea, watching was not easy with high waves and swell, but we managed Velvet Scoter, Little Auk & Slavonian Grebe. Also of note were the high numbers of Common Gulls on both the marsh and shore line.

After lunch we completed a short drive to Holme before the light totally failed, the wind by now had become very strong and we saw large numbers of Brent Geese & Shelduck plus a movement of Kittiwake. Life List: 356 Year List: 297 Month List: 88

Holkham & Salthouse, Norfolk - 3rd November 2007

Some real anticipation of a great days birding ahead with the weather warm and the promise of some sun. We arrived at Lady Ann's Drive just after 8 am, too early for the parking man (hehe!), walked along the south of the pines to the Washington hide, pickup Long-tailed Tit, Coal Tit and Gold Crest. From the hide this early in the day the Pink-footed Geese were very thin on the ground, but there were plenty of Wigeon. We strolled along to the Joe Jordan Hide, looking amongst some Greylag Geese for Bean or Lesser-white Fronted, alas not today, about 10:30ish the Pink Feet started to arrive, not huge numbers, but enough to be a spectacle, they favour the fields back along to towards the Drive.

We walk back to the car along the south edge of the pines, more Crests and Tits, a quick look at the gathering Geese from Washington again and back to the Drive seeing Jay & Redwing.

A nice (and familiar) coastal drive to Salthouse passing Brent Geese and a lone Swallow on a wire at Cley. Parked up and a short walk for Lapland Bunting and Turnstone, then Red Throated Diver, very close in, Little Auk, just off the tide line, quite a number of Kittiwake going both east and west, a large flock of Snow Bunting in off the sea, Gannets, Common Scoter & Great Crested Grebe all past. Then finally 3 Skuas going East, 2 Pomarine and 1 Arctic. Now that's good birding!

Life List: 356 Year List: 297 Month List: 64