Mallorca - A Day's Birding 17th Feb 2016 (1 of 2)

Wednesday 17th (1 of 2)

 

Today was my day for bird watching, I had a great day and owe great thanks to Mike Montier via the Forum at Mallorca Birdwatching.com and to the great publication 'Finding Birds in Mallorca' by Dave Gosney, both these resources proved invaluable.

 

I got up early and headed up to the Forementor region in the North-East of the island. I drove up the hill above Port Du Pollenca to the view point at the top, I arrived nice and early which is advisable as it got fairly busy about 08:00.  The views were spectacular.... and a little nerve racking, the path had the smallest of walls with gaps and a sheer 150 (ish)ft drop to the ocean below.

 

 

The purpose of this location was to look for Blue Rock Thrush and Balearic Warbler.  The first birds I saw were a few Raven, there were also Yellow-legged Gull on the sea below.  I eventually found a number of Blue Rock Thrush, the trick was to sit and wait for them to appear.

 

Raven 

Blue Rock Thrus

Blue Rock Thrush

 

 Blue Rock Thrush

 

The only problem with the Blue Rock Thrush was you could never get within about 100m of them so photo opportunity was slim but I didn't care as this was my first lifer of the day.  I wasn't so successful with the Balearic Warbler but did find another Sardinian Warbler.

 

I then headed down towards the Cases Velles Farm as this is known as a migrant hotspot and although I knew it unlikely due to it being the middle of February I thought a quick look couldn't hurt.  Needless to say there were no migrants but I was afforded so great views of Crossbill, I also saw Black Redstart, Robin, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Song Thrush, Blackbird and a hovering Kestrel.

 

I reckon 90% of the passerines I saw in Mallorca were Black Redstart, except on the Formentor Peninsula which seemed infested with Robins, they were everywhere.

 

My next stop was the Boquer Valley, here I was hoping for Alpine Accentor but this was not to be, I'm certainly not complaining as the birding was amazing.  I parked in the tiny dusty area at the bottom of the access path and check the field adjacent as Dave Gosney's book said it was good for Stone Curlew..... he was spot on, I found one straight away along the field margin.

 

Stone Curlew

 

Walking up the path, through the farm there were Black Redstart everywhere, a few Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Linnet, Sardinian Warbler and Song Thrush, Robin, Blue Rock Thrush on the rocks higher up.

 

Black Redstart

Black Redstart

 

Boquer Valley

 

On the route back to the car I was treated to two lifers in the form of a flock of Crag Martin and a pair of Booted Eagle.

 

Crag Martin

Booted Eagle

Booted Eagle

 

Next stop was the Gola reserve in Port du Pollenca, I parked up on a dirt track opposite the super market off the 'boat plane' roundabout.  First bird in the fields leading to the reserve was of course Black Redstart....  I got onto the track of this very small reserve and reached one of the viewing points where I was treated to Great White Egret, Little Egret, Cormorant, Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, Common Sandpiper and Yellow-legged Gull

 

Great White Egret

 

Little Egret

Cormorant

 

Yellow-legged Gull

 

Back in the fields I then had Chiffchaff, Stonechat and Sardinian Warbler.

 

Chiffchaff

 

Peak District - Walking & Hot-Tubbing

The wife and I decided to take a break and visit the Peak District as we hadn't realised we'd never been.  We hired a lovely barn conversion cottage complete with hot-tub where we spent all evening for the 3 nights we were there.

The birding wasn't overly amazing as the hills truly are devoid of life... At the farm I had Jackdaw, Buzzard, Blackbird, Woodpigeon and Robin.

We took a walk up Kinder Scout where there were way too many people for my liking. I did enjoy the walk and the beer back at the pub back in Edale even more.

I was nice to see Raven over Kinder Scout and I had nice close views of a female Kestrel, unfortunately I only had my phone for photos as I didn't fancy lugging my camera over 15 miles of hills.

Kestrel

The most numerous bird was obviously Meadow Pipit but I got to see what I was hoping for and that was Wheatear which was new for year.

Wheatear

During the evenings I ran my portable Heath Moth Trap hoping for some more northerly species, however I only had Lunar Underwings, just goes to show how ecologically devoid our uplands are.

The last day we took a walk from the farm across the countryside footpaths to Bakewell where we stopped for lunch before walking back a different route.  On the route back we were hand railing a river so I decided to take a quick look where it came close to the path.  This proved to be fortunate as I added Grey Wagtail and even better, Dipper!! Again I still hand only my phone camera so not the greatest quality photos.

Grey Wagtail

Dipper

@Patchbirding - Salford Priors GP

I was determined to get a decent visit in at Salford Priors GP as part of the Patchwork Challenge. Today I arrived on site at 07:30, it was absolutely freezing and it wasn't long until my hands were completely numb, even with two pairs of gloves on!!

I went straight to the Main Pit, where I counted:

Mallard x 47
Tufted Duck x 41
Coot x 35
Teal x 10
Grey Heron x 2
Moorhen x 1
Pochard x 5
Lapwing x ~50
Little Grebe x 4

There was vast numbers of Woodpigeon flying over, I estimate 500 which contained 3 Stock Dove.  I also had a single fly over Fieldfare.  The fields to the rear of the Main Pit holds large numbers of Red-legged Partridge and Pheasant for the shooting fraternity, this in turn attracts large numbers of Carrion Crow and Jackdaw which roost in the small copse on site, this large flock contained a single Raven which flew over 'kronking', a sound I'll never tire of and one which I feel privileged to be able to hear in the heart of Warwickshire.

I carried on past the pit over to the area which was once a nice reed bed, no so now though, as part of returning the gravel pits to agricultural land they have been cut down.  I took a walk through so I could get to a viewing point for the flooded field opposite.  Walking through the old reed bed I flushed a Jack Snipe which for me is a great find, I don't record Jack Snipe generally most years so to have a local site hold them is great, even better that it's my chosen site for the Patchwork Challenge 2015.

I checked the old tree for the resident Little Owl but still no luck, not sure if it's decided to move on with all the activity in the area reshaping the landscape.

I had a quick check of Pophills Pit where I found:

Black-headed Gull x 58
Yellowhammer x 10
Tufted Duck x 4
Coot x 14
Red-legged Partridge x 2
Magpie x 3
Greylag Goose x 60 - fly overs
Common Sandpiper x 1
Pied Wagtail x 1

Other birds noted were Blackbird, Robin, Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Dunnock, Buzzard, Kestrel.  I then returned home where I added Song Thrush to the list from my garden.

I managed to add 12 species to my Patch Challenge list:

Pochard
Lapwing
Moorhen
Fieldfare
Jack Snipe
Common Sandpiper
Yellowhammer
Greylag Goose
Pied Wagtail
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Collared Dove
Song Thrush

Patchwork Challenge 2015

One of my goals this year is to try and work a local patch, this will still be limited as I work and live in London during the week so am only home (most) weekends.  Every 2nd weekend my children stay over so I won't be able to visit every time they are visiting as it's not fair on them - they unfortunately do not share my passion for 'Geeking'.....

As I live in Bidford, the perfect local patch for me has to be Salford Priors Gravel Pits, I don't think they are watched a great deal although I believe a few local birders visit once a week.  Salford GP are still working pits, actually I believe the majority of the quarrying has been completed and unfortunately they're being returned to agricultural use.  Such a shame really as they site appeared not to have been touched for a good 5 years and already had the potential for a great reserve.

@NeilDuggan80 had also registered Salford GP for PWC2015 so we decided to cover as much ground between us to see what the area produces whilst maintaining our own PWC2015 lists.

Neil had already marked his territory and chose to cover the GP and the area to the West and North:

Neil's Patch - GP's bottom left.

 

So that left me with the South and East, which suited me fine as I live to the East and wanted to cover a few areas in this direction, obviously I've still included the GP's in my PWC2015. I included my garden as Tawny Owl pair visit in the evenings, the filed adjoining has 'stop-over' Turtle Dove most years so here's hoping:

 

My Patch - GP's centre left.

 

I believe Neil is off to a flying start however this was my first time home since Christmas so this was to be my inaugural visit.  This was a kids weekend so the wife kindly stayed at home with 2 of them whilst my daughter Rosie came along for the hell of it.

 

It was absolutely freezing at the GP's with a biting wind. Access was difficult as the path leading up to the main pit had been blocked by a huge mound of earth.  None the less we made our way round instantly being treated to some deer which we inadvertently spooked.

 

Our first species was a flock of Long-tailed Tit flitting around the small plantation, these were followed by a large number of Carrion Crow and Jackdaw feeding in the field to the right of the path.  Among them I found 1 Raven when they were flying between the tall trees of the plantation and the field.  Next was a Common Buzzard crying overhead, this then spooked a couple of hundred Woodpigeon also making use of the tall plantation trees.

 

We arrived at the Main Pit, I was hoping to see the Scaup Neil had reported the week before but I searched the water over and over and scrutinised the Tufted Duck time and again but I was unable to locate it.  The water held a small number of Eurasian Teal, Mallard, Coot and Little Grebe but not much else.

 

As we made our way to the Little Owl tree a few Meadow Pipits went up, Pied Wagtail, Goldfinch and Wren were also seen.  We didn't find the Little Owl which didn't surprise me in that biting wind, must have been hunkered down in his nesting hole.

 

I didn't go any further as Rosie was feeling the cold so we headed back and added Mute Swan and Canada Goose to the list whilst having another futile search for the Scaup.  Our timing was spot on as a tractor and trailer were crossing the field across from the main pit, the trailer full of shooting folk. We got back to the car and drove up to Pophills Pit where we added Red-legged Partridge, Black-headed Gull, Reed Bunting and Bullfinch and a bonus Grey Wagtail.  We stayed for 5 minutes to watch the shot but Rosie wasn't comfortable with it, she didn't like seeing the birds falling out of the sky.  She asked me "how do they know what they are shooting" to which I replied "Exactly". Coincidentally a story running on Twitter was of a shooter boasting of his 'Bag' in which he had Snipe, only the photo was of a Jack Snipe, just about answers Rosie's question really.

 

We headed home them were I added Dunnock and Collard Dove to the list from my garden.  Then last night I added Tawny which was sat in the tree 'kewicking'

Quick Twitch

We were booked in to visit friends today down in Southampton, the misses said I could have tomorrow to go geeking while she chatted wedding stuff with our friends. I really wanted to take the chance to see the Red-flanked Bluetail in Marshfield as it's not far from my house, I couldn't really go Sunday though as it's the opposite direction to London, where we would be travelling back to. So I pushed my luck with the misses and suggested I check it out on the way to our friends, it should only add 30 mins to the journey.....

I followed the directions as posted on Bird Guides and pulled up to quite a number of cars as expected. I followed the directions to the exact location, taking the footpath along the valley, wellies would have been a good idea but I never thought that far ahead so I got my shoes extremely muddy.

When I arrived the birders were all stood around waiting for the bird to show back up, they informed me that it hadn't been showing all that well. I had a couple of low fly-over Raven which were cronking away, always great to see these massive corvids doing so well. One of the birders was pointing to the closest bush, I scanned it and there it was, Red-flanked Bluetail, tucked away in the ivy.

After some half decent views, made possible due to the sun being behind us, I decided to set off as we were due at our friends. I started to leave and the bird flushed, it was quickly relocated having moved to another bush, however this time it was right out at the front putting on a great show. It was posturing towards all the birders watching, flicking it's tail, quite funny. It enabled me to get a few decent shots which I'm quite happy with for a change.

127. Red-flanked Bluetail

127. Red-flanked Bluetail

127. Red-flanked Bluetail

127. Red-flanked Bluetail

127. Red-flanked Bluetail

127. Red-flanked Bluetail

Bucks Stone Curlew!!

After work yesterday, I checked the bird news as usual and was presented with the news that a Stone Curlew had been present at Gallows Bridge Farm (Part of BBOWT - Upper Ray Meadows). I've been there a few times before and for me the site seems great for raptors, I've only realised today that the area is far more expansive than I thought, I only knew about the Gallows Bridge Farm site.  Anyway, enough rambling...... The news of a Stone Curlew - in Bucks!! I couldn't believe it, finding out at the end of the day though I presumed it would move on overnight however news came this morning that it was still present so since I had time to dash over before work I couldn't resist.

I turned up at the site which was already occupied by a few local birders, bad news though, they were unable to locate it but informed me that as they were arriving a departing birder informed them they'd had views.  So I set about scanning the field and located the Stone Curlew tucked up against the hedge on the opposite side of the ploughed field to the right of the entrance track. It was sheltering from the biting cold wind which inevitably was blowing directly into our faces - it's April.....!

I watched the Stone Curlew for about 10 minutes and fired of a few photos but the light was dim and the bird distant so this was the best I could manage.

43. Stone Curlew

 

Although it was difficult to get a decent photo, I still managed some fairly decent views but only through the telescope.

 

Since the Stone Curlew was remaining tucked up and sheltered I thought I'd best have a look around the rest of the reserve.  Not a great deal to offer, suppose the cold, wind (and some snow - it's definitely April?) keeping everything hunkered down.

 

There were a few Canada Geese about, heard a Skylark and Curlew and had a Raven fly over then sat in the hide for 15 minutes or so. Slowly scanned the area, 3 Fieldfare were pointed out to me, I then located 2 Curlew the other side of the field by a small pool of water, this also contained a few Coot, Widgeon, Teal and a Shovelar. Whilst there the Canada Geese came over to the pond on which the hide overlooks, these were joined by a pair of Pied Wagtails.  Just before leaving 2 Stock Dove flew in and afforded so nice close views.

 

I left the hide just in time to catch a Red Kite flying over, got off a few shots but again nothing the write home about (or to blog about to be honest!) but here is the best of the lot.

 

44. Red Kite

 

As I was making my way back to the car I noticed the reserve had gotten a lot busier and that the throng of people were not looking were I'd been watching the Stone Curlew.  I made my way over to them to be told the Stone Curlew had moved and was offering better views.  Looking through the telescope there was no mistaking a Stone Curlew, I could even make out the yellow eye and the bill was obvious.  It was now quite active although still fairly distant and I was hoping it would move closer to us to allow me to get some better images but a new arrival parked next to it for a close view and spooked it resulting in it flying back to it sheltered spot on the far side of the ploughed field, I managed a couple of shots before it flew and one of it in flight.

 





 

That was enough of the Stone Curlew, more honestly I was frozen solid and needed to warm back up. Whilst loading everything back into the car a nice male Reed Bunting kindly posed on the bird table.

 

 45. Reed Bunting

 





 

As I was opening the gate to leave the reserve I watched whilst 4 Ravens were being harassed by jumping Canada Geese who were obviously concerned the Ravens were flying too low and too close for their liking - Funny.

RSPB HQ

Never been to the RSPB's HQ before but since I had an hour to kill I thought I'd pop over, I'd heard they'd had a number of Brambling visiting their feeders so hopefully it would be worth my while.

I arrived nice and early, only a few cars in the car park, the feeders however were already congested to the max with Lesser Redpolls, Siskins and Tits, a few Mealy Redpolls have been reported but my ID skills aren't good enough for separation of the two.

I took quite a few shots of the birds feeding which looked great on the camera display but rather blurred when transferred to the computer and view as a larger image.

A female Brambling appeared which I was happy with but she was very flighty and difficult to photograph, so after about 20 minutes watching and photographing the birds around the feeders I decided to take a quick walk around the nature trail.

I crossed the road to the start of the trail, made my way round the first corner then noticed some movement in one of the trees, 3 Brambling which sat for a while allowing me to obtain a half decent image.

32. Brambling

 

The walk around the reserve, although pleasant did not offer up much bird life, I think they all hang around the feeders! I heard Raven calling in the distance but didn't manage to see them.  I did see a fox and only managed a quick few shots as it ran off through the woods.

 

Fox

 

I continued round to the hide by the HQ building, again plenty of close up views of Redpolls, Tits and Siskin. A nice quiet hide allowing ample opportunity to practice photographing the birds.

 

 33. Redpoll

 

 Redpoll

 



 34. Siskin

 

Somehow managed to get onto this Coal Tit who rarely stopped in the same spot for more than 2 seconds!

 

35. Coal Tit

Coal Tit

Stock Dove, a bird I rarely get to see up close flew in with it's partner and again afforded me some fantastic close up views, I managed to get a fair few shots at different angles in an attempt to catch the neck patch in different lights, I only uploaded the one though, might have another look through and see if I can find one with the neck patch looking purple..

36. Stock Dove

 

I then noticed something flying low in the background, my first thought was Merlin, it was flying extremely fast but also rising, it was difficult to get onto with the binoculars but I eventually managed it - Woodcock, awesome, only my second every sighting and my first in daylight, I presume it had been flushed by walkers as there were a few in the direction from which I first noticed it.  Now an extremely happy bunny with Brambling and Woodcock for the day I decided to call it a day but just before I did a Goldfinch landed on the feeder so I grabbed a quick photograph for the blog.

37. Goldfinch

 

So all in all I would thoroughly recommend a visit to the home of the RSPB, a small heathland being restored, hopefully when it brightens up a little (if) there may be the chance of visiting Tree Pipit, Woodlark and who knows, maybe I could be so bold as to hope for Nightjar and Dartford Warbler!!

 

Almost forgot, while in the hide I had a glance out of the side window and saw this cute little bunny, couldn't resist a photo...

Bunny - Cute....









Forest of Dean

On the way to pick the kids up I decided to go via the Forest of Dean, in particular New Fancy viewing platform to see if I could see a Goshawk before they finish displaying.  I arrived at the viewing platform, saw a pair of Buzzard over the canopy and a few Siskin in a tree close by.  Then literally within a few minutes of arriving and as my luck would have it of late, the skies opened up and the deluge began, aargh!!!!

I then popped over to RSPB Nagshead in hope of Hawfinch and Marsh Tit but again to no avail, I did manage a photo of a Song Thrush for the race though.....

13. Song Thrush

 

Since it was dire birding here I headed over to Cannop Ponds for Mandarin Duck and Dipper.  My luck improved slightly as there were a great number of Mandarin Duck present with very close views of both male and female.  Whilst I was there I scoured the brook between the two ponds for Dipper but failed to locate any, a small consolation was a pair of Grey Wagtail though so not complaining.  Then just as I was about to leave a large crow  appeared, and with a big wedge of a tail was unmistakably a Raven, even better it landed in the tree I was standing by so afforded some great close up views of this often 'seen in the distance' bird.  A couple of photos were gathered of some commoner species to make the numbers up for the race.

 

 14. Blackbird

15. Moorhen

 

 16. Treecreeper

 

 17. Lesser Black Backed Gull

 

 

As I managed to get some close up views of the Mandarin Duck I thought I'd add some of my favourite shots..

 



 18. Mandarin Duck

 

 19. Grey Wagtail

 

 20. Mute Swan

 



21. Mallard

 

 22. Coot

 

 23. Robin

 

 24. Raven

 

25. Great Tit

 

Little bit gutted about the Goshawk, will have to try again but next time check the weather forecast, especially as this would be a lifer for me.....