Suffolk – Loom Pit – 25th March 2011

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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)

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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)