17 December 2018

This wasn’t an Anser trip although the notes and images may be of interest to readers who may plan to visit the area or would like to see some of what we recorded.

I had planned and arranged a budget trip to this part of Spain for our small party of four (myself, Joe, Neil and Bob) and had planned to visit some sites that I was familiar with from birding visits in the early 1990s and to call in on a few new ones. We flew from Bristol to Alicante (easyjet) with no issues and picked up the hire car (Sixt), we were well on the road by mid afternoon. We headed straight to El Hondo (or El Fondo) wetland reserve and visited some of the hides, it was warm, the winter sun was very welcome.

Booted Eagle (pale phase)

Birds/wildlife noted included a pale phase Booted Eagle, Southern Grey Shrikes, Zitting Cisticola, Cetti’s Warbler, Bluethroats, Cattle Egrets, Marsh Harriers, Greater Flamingo, Coot, plenty of Black-necked Grebes, Crag Martins, Sardinian Warbler,Chiffchaffs, Penduline Tit (heard) and representing odonata were Red-veined Darters (pictured) and a larger species of Hawker dragonfly.

Our next stop was at a service area before heading into the Sierra Aracena mountains in Murcia and then on to our ‘base’ for the next two nights in Eastern Andalucia (Cabo de Gata) in Almeria province.

The Aracena scenery was impressive but it was largely silent and still with few birds about, the high peak looked to have a very distant flock of Red-billed Chough wheeling around but they were largely out of view. One species of interest must now be locally extinct, the habitat that was once suitable for Dupont’s Larks is no more, either developed or fragmented by plastic greenhouses. A sunset drive saw us arrive hungry and ready for a drink and meal at the Hotel Blanc Brisa. Ice cold glasses of Turia on draught was our preferred beer if you ever call in, the vegetable paella dish was also agreeable.

18 December 2018

Our first stop of the day was right on the doorstep of Cabo de Gata, only minutes away was the beach track that led to Rambla Morales, a brackish lagoon where the virtually dried up river mouth is cut off by a sandbar. It was dawn, as it warmed in the bright sun, the birds began to wake. Southern Grey Shrikes, bright Stonechats, a flock of Lesser Short-toed Larks and Trumpeter Finches, Crested Larks and a flock of c60 Golden Plover were feeding in the dunes.

At the pool a Water Pipit showed well, 4+ Black-necked Grebes, lots of Chiffchaff, Crag Martins, Cetti’s Warbler, Shoveler, Wigeon, Teal,  Pochard and one of my favourites-5+ White-headed Ducks (see above) were on the pool. Other notables were Bluethroat and Penduline Tits, the latter species calling regularly.

Bluethroat

Later that morning we visited the nearby Las Almonaderas ‘desert’ reserve. Crested Larks, Black Redstarts, Stonechat, Southern Grey Shrike, a brief eagle species and a few Chiffchaff were present. Nearby a Little Owl watched and sunbathed from some boulders, it’s home now surrounded by new plastic greenhouses, they are continually developing a sea of plastic to grow fruit and vegetables for our consumption.

Little Owl

We stopped for a coffee and very sweet cake and made a plan to visit the eastern Sierra Nevada mountains hoping the roads were clear of snow. On the way we took in the spectacular ‘badland’ scenery as well as a stupendous castle (La Calahorra) with snow capped mountain backdrop. We drove the winding roads to the Puerto de la Ragua with no snow to worry about. Stopping on the roadside to scan the hawthorns we logged c50 very nervous Ring Ouzels and a few Song Thrushes. Up at the ski station we searched the ski runs with dog rose bushes and forest, c25 Red Crossbill, 10+ Siskin and a flock of Goldfinches were vocal, a couple of Citril Finch were seen. Rock Buntings and Crested Tits showed very well, another Ring Ouzel with Blackbirds kept a low profile. The biggest surprise at 2000m in December was a Queen of Spain Fritillary butterfly, it was 14c and sunny. It was a great place to be but we decided to head back down with just enough time to visit a quiet and remote mountain village in the Tabernas area at dusk.

Queen of Spain Fritillary, Crested Tit and Red Crossbill- Puerto de la Ragua, Sierra Nevada

19 December 2018

First port of call were the adjacent salt pans at Cabo de Gata where more Spotless Starling, Greater Flamingo, Slender-billed Gulls, Spoonbills, Shelduck, Greenshank and Redshank, Audouin’s Gulls, Ringed Plover, Little Stint and Dunlin were noted. A Dartford Warbler and Southern Grey Shrike was near the western public hide.

At the Cabo de Gata lighthouse we noted a Black Wheatear, Rock Bunting, Thekla Larks, Red-legged Partridge and Black Redstarts were all seen. Heading inland we tried our luck at more mountain villages with little to report other than plastic greenhouses. The area had changed considerably since the early 1990s, back then it was the first time I had seen them on such a scale around Almeria, the expansion since then is rather hard to take in, the birds and ‘Euro desert’ habitat has largely disappeared.

We got back the road and decided it was best to go coastal, it had been productive for us so far, plans were made at a service area to try our luck at Mar Menor and more salinas. A fine end to the day and smashing sunset at La Charcas mud baths with Slender-billed Gulls, Black-necked Grebes, Flamingos, Yellow-legged Gulls and a few waders including Turnstone, Sanderling and Common Sandpiper. At dusk we made our way to the hotel in Santa Pola, after a wash an brush up we met in the bar for a couple of drinks and then enjoyed another good meal.

Slender-billed Gull, Sanderling and Little Egret-Las Charcas mudbaths, Mar Menor

Black-necked Grebe-Las Charcas

20 December 2018

After a very good pre-dawn breakfast we discovered the hotel offered a decent vantage point over the north end of the Santa Pola salinas so I scanned through the wildfowl. Outside and only minutes down the road we made a few stops in the lay-bys and from an observation tower seeing more Slender-billed Gulls, Spoonbills, Flamingo, Dunlin, Little Stints, Kentish Plover (included a breeding plumaged male), Osprey, Audouin’s and Yellow-legged Gulls, Shelduck, Marsh Harriers, singing Southern Grey Shrike and the usual Cormorants and Little and Great White Egrets.

We had to leave to catch out flight home and be at the airport for 10:00am so this concluded our opportunistic birding break, the loss of habitats in key areas of Almeria and Murcia was worrying, on positive note the birds we did see were welcome, with continued protection the wetlands and salinas offer extremely important habitat for 1000s of birds. The Santa Pola/El Hondo complex was of particular interest but for me the time spent at Rambla Morales and Sierra Nevada offered us some very memorable birding time.

M.J.McGill

27 November 2018

A one night visit was hastily arranged to make the most of the late autumn birding in North Norfolk. We left Whitminster at 0530 to get a reasonable day’s birding in. The foggy conditions didn’t help at our first stop in Cambridgeshire, it did clear enough to allow us to look for Rough-legged Buzzards, at least two were wintering at Holme Fen NNR, a site that we’ve seen them on previous Anser trips. A few Buzzards and Red Kites were noted in the murk, the latter species giving great views in the trees around one farm. A Peregrine whizzed through buzzing a Lapwing on the way. Sparrowhawk and numerous Kestrels proved that despite the poor weather, raptors had to get on with it.

We travelled onward to Norfolk stopping near Guyhirn to enjoy a flock of over 300 Whooper Swans, we arrived at Wells Woods for our next birding walk. Heading to the Dell we searched through mobile tit flocks which revealed many Goldcrests and a couple of Treecreepers, we eventually located the Pallas’s Warbler that had been in the area on previous days. As had been noted by other observers this ‘sprite’ didn’t stay in one place for long, we all had great views of the little stunner. We also notes three Redpoll but they flew off without giving us better views. A couple of Little Grebe were on the pond.

Pallas’s Warbler at Wells Woods

 

A Dark-bellied Brent Goose flock was near the football pitch at Wells next the Sea. We headed for a couple of viewpoints over Holkham Freshmarsh where a small flock of Barnacle Geese, a large party of Egyptian Geese, 4+ Marsh Harrier, 2 Buzzards and 2 Great White Egrets were noted. Moving to Land Anne’s Drive we scanned the marshes seeing many more Marsh Harriers and a pale Buzzard, from the hide we had closer views of Wigeon flocks and Great White Egret. With the light failing we tried our luck looking out from Wells next the Sea, a few waders were in the harbour but it became dark and the drizzle began to fall, the signal to end our birding for the day. Arrived in good time to settle in to our hotel at Hunstanton with time to relax with a drink and have a decent meal.

28 November 2018

A good breakfast was enjoyed by all followed by our first stop, a scan from Hunstanton Cliffs. Red-throated Divers, Great Crested Grebes, Guillemots, Red-breasted Mergansers and Fulmars were all scoped from the shelter. Our second stop was at Thornham Harbour, we immediately located a flock of finches that contained at least 17 Twite. Goldfinch and Linnets shared the same saltmarsh grass seeds.

Plenty of birds were to be seen, Brent Geese, a variety of waders, wildfowl and gulls were on the beach and saltmarsh with a number of Marsh Harriers soaring over. Scanning the distant dunes I could see a perched buzzard sp that took flight and began hovering, it showed all the features of a Rough-legged but was lazily making it’s way east, we relocated to Titchwell RSPB. Without lingering we walked out toward the beach when the juvenile Rough-legged Buzzard rose up in front of us and floated across Volunteer Marsh it was great to see it so well.

Rough-legged Buzzard, Titchwell.

 

On to the beach where we set up in a sheltered spot behind the dunes and began scanning the sea and beach. Waders included flocks of Sanderling, Oystercatcher, Grey Plover and Turnstone. A smart drake Eider was on the beach before it wandered back into the sea. A very productive hour followed, one of those magic birding moments, a range of species that would attract a lot of interest in Gloucestershire. Totals included 12 Long-tailed Duck (many cracking males were in display), 3 Great Northern Diver, 3 Black-throated Diver, 20+ Red-throated Diver, 3+ Slavonian Grebe, 2 Red-necked Grebe, 25+ Red-breasted Merganser, 24+ Great Crested Grebe, 6+ Guillemot, 1 Razorbill, 3 Goldeneye, a flock of distant Common Scoter and a few Gannets. The scope viewing was really good.

As a parting shot I picked up a dot on the horizon that was worth tracking, it came into id range and proved to be a Woodcock arriving low over the waves from the continent/Scandinavia. The tired bird made it to the dunes, an awesome migration feat.

On the return walk we had good perched views of the Rough-legged Buzzard again, this time being mobbed by Carrion Crows. It was busy with birds on the freshwater scrape and a large of Pink-footed Geese did the decent thing and flew over calling, more were to be seen on the fields with Dark-bellied Brents.

We headed back to the Holkham Freshmarsh again and made a brief scan over the marshes. East of the road single ‘winged’ Pink-footed and Brent Geese suggested that poor shooting and illegal hunting is still a threat. In the same vein, confiding released Red-legged Partridges couldn’t qualify as any form of ‘sport’ unless shooting fish in a barrel is your idea of a fun day out, the latter didn’t make it onto bird of the day nominations. The usual walk out to Holkham Gap and the bay ensued. A flock of Dark-bellied Brent Geese grazed in the saltmarsh, one stood out, showing characteristics of a Black Brant (or Pacific Brent Goose).

We continued to the roped off area of  saltmarsh, I have to say that this is a great move, it gives these birds an undisturbed feeding area. A flock of 32 Snow Buntings greeted us as they skipped across the sandy beach/saltmarsh area. A feeding party of 13 Shore Lark also showed well. On the beach we enjoyed more sea-duck and divers,  about 30 mostly immature Eiders were present and a very distant flock of 300 Common Scoter.

A short stop at Morston Quay and then onto Cley Marshes NNT visitor centre for hot food and drink and a look over the marshes. We also visited the beach car park where more Common Scoters, Dark-bellied Brent Geese and Gannet were scoped. Out last stop of the day was at Sheringham, plenty of roosting gulls on show but no King Eider, it hadn’t been seen for a week but it was worth a try. This concluded the trip so we made the 4.5 hour drive back home. Although it was a short sweet visit, it was brilliant for birds

Martin

It’s been some time since an Anser party visited the Shetland Isles, although this wasn’t a trip related to Anser  I thought I would write some notes and share images. The party of four did include Paul Marshall PEM (who has led an Anser Shetland trip),  Jeremy Squire JJS (who visits the islands 2-3 times annually) and and a veteran of the Northern Isles Nige Warren NJW. I’ve birded many out the way places with these three lads,  I was very much looking forward to autumn birding with this laid back trio and see what we could find.

We flew Bristol to Aberdeen then on to Sumburgh Shetland. After picking up the hire car our first stop was Sumburgh Head. A few minutes later we were watching three  Orca! (Killer Whales). An awesome start to the trip and a hard act to follow.

Orca

After the excitement of the whales we opted to walk up to the lighthouse where a party of 7 Barnacle Geese passed by attempting to head south, it was very gusty, they aborted. Our first Merlin of the trip also put in an appearance.

28 September

Despite the continuing high winds and rainfall we birded a number of places on the West Mainland. Our first Barred Warbler find of the trip made an appearance  in a plantation at Cutts but refused to allow any opportunities to photograph it. We noted a number of species including Twite (seen daily) and Redpoll.

29 September

The second Barred Warbler of the trip appeared whilst we were watching a Melodious Warbler at Lunna. The  larger warbler flew in after a downpour and passed over our heads to join the MW in a row of sycamores for a time. The MW was rather mobile in the short time we were present and went missing after the rain so no images we obtained. A Wheatear and flock of Rock Doves (seen daily) were sheltering from the winds.

Barred Warbler #2 at Lunna

1 October

We plumped for a trip to the Northern island of Unst via Yell and were soon watching an adult American Golden Plover that had been about. At Norwick we checked the beach where a handsome Long-tailed Duck stole the show. Guillemots and the ever present Gannets provided entertainment, the latter not at all phased by the heavy seas. Our third Barred Warbler of the trip hopped about in full view at the nearby cottages.

Barred Warbler #3

We recorded a number of species while birding but the main highlight of the day was a  River Warbler found by other birders.

Whooper Swan, Uyeasound.

2 October

We headed down to South Mainland to bird a few spots and catch up with some scarce reported birds, single Common Rosefinch at one site followed by two more at the extremely gusty beach side location of Boddam was followed by the Lapland Bunting at Grutness, it showed well but the two nearby Snow Buntings remained flighty. In one of the nearby Sumburgh quarries we spent a bit of time having a gander at a Marsh Warbler that had been found.

Lapland Bunting

 

3 October

Back on Unst we had a great day in the field. Splitting up in Baltasound I located another Barred Warbler in the garden of a derelict cottage. Whilst watching this bird a Yellow-browed Warbler dropped out of the sky and began calling, Paul had another at Haligarth. We also noted a Willow Warbler. Moving on we found a Common Rosefinch juvenile at Saxaford as well as another passerine that gave us the slip.

Moving down to check gardens at Norwick we located the Barred Warbler again. (below).

Barred Warbler #4

This one showed well during a sunny rain shower, nice to have the two scarce warblers at the same time.

Yellow-browed Warbler at Baltasound, one of five we saw on this day.

News of a Pechora Pipit at Haroldswick came through so we headed for Laxa and put in a shift, nothing of particular note other than Blackcaps and a Ring Ouzel (JJS). We headed back to Saxaford where a Lesser Whitethroat and low fly over and calling Citrine Wagtail soon had us following after it back to Norwick. Whilst searching for it I put up both Common and Jack Snipe, JJS located the wagtail in the marsh and manged a few pics. We spent 30 minutes abut the pool in Haroldswick  for the Pechora but there was no sign. On the way back we stopped at Uyseasound and PEM spotted a Yellow-browed Warbler in one of the gardens. On Yell a brief stop at Collieson gave us another Yellow-browed and Willow Warbler were seen.

Our third Otter of the day showed at the ferry terminal.

4 October

We began the day by birding a local voe and then headed down south after news of a Lanceolated Warbler at Quendale Mill emerged, we logged a soggy Chiffchaff and a Common Whitethroat but not much else.  The nearby bay was of interest, two Great northern Divers and a few Purple Sandpipers being the highlight.

In the afternoon oOur surprise bird find of the day came in the form of an adult Pied-billed Grebe on Loch of Spiggie!

5 October

Last day birding down south, we tried our luck at Quendale again but had little to report other than enjoying the local birds.

Martin

 

 

Kalvebod Faelled and looking across to the outskirts of Copenhagen

Hopefully developments won’t encroach this fantastic place.

 

 

Red-necked Grebe- probably the star bird on this ‘city’ break.

This wasn’t an Anser trip but thought I would share the following notes that may be of interest.

Birthday gifts are always nice, my equally travel loving wife had set up a budget weekend to treat me to a new destination. Denmark was the only Scandinvian country I hadn’t visited and whilst a few days doesn’t really qualify, I was pleased with an opportunity to spend time among Danes and immerse myself in a little of the ‘hygge’ lifestyle. We flew from Bristol with easyjet, the flight was delayed for a time which was pain as we had hosts waiting to hand over keys etc. Bristol Airport  checks, scans and boarding area was a very smooth experience and relaxed. The flight out would’ve been fine but for a few members of a rugby club on a stag do, the minority choosing to swear and make various loud and continuous comments for the duration, the older and what you assume would be more responsible members of the party did little to curb the ‘clubhouse jive’. We were glad to get off and hoping the Danes would experience better manners from them.

Stepping out at the airport to glorious sunshine and hot weather we jumped in a taxi to make up some time and was dropped at the apartment home we were staying at for two nights. Mats and Thea rent out a room through the Airbnb  website and we were welcomed by Mats. We didn’t see him for the rest of the weekend and only met Thea on Saturday night as we and they were out and about or working.

With no time to hang about we readily took up the offer of the loan of their bikes, we were going to hire but no need. Less than half an hour of arriving we were on our way toward Copenhagen city centre taking the ‘green’ route. We visited many of the well known sites and explored easily on the excellent and safe cycle lanes.

A few species of bird were seen but the parks in town were interesting from an odonata point of view, although I was pick-nicking I couldn’t ignore the Downy Emeralds and other dragonflies out enjoying the sun. A wonderful wild park (Amager Fælled)was the final stop on the bikes before heading back at dusk. This wet scrub and grassland area was an amazing space for peace and wildlife, sadly it seems it is threatened with development. A Cuckoo gave us great views as we cycled the paths.

Back at Slusholmen it was noticeable that Common Gulls were about the apartment blocks, these ‘floating’ homes were not quite as is seems due to each one being an island in the sea channel. The gulls were vocal and fairly tame. We walked out across bridges nearby bar and enjoyed the music, atmosphere and a cold beer or two before heading ‘home’.

We were up and about in the morning and took the few steps to the rather healthy cafe across the ‘canal’. We sat outside to eat the granary rolls, pastries and drink coffee and fresh pressed juice to die for. This ceremony  was to be repeated the next day. Replete and keen to explore another huge wetland reserve on the bikes.

Kalvebod Fælled is quite simply a brilliant nature reserve.

We spent much of the day exploring the paths and trails across the country and along the seawall, a lunchtime excursion to a restaurant in Viberup (Lille Kongleund) was the only detour and it didn’t disappoint. The food was great but the Honey Buzzard and Tree Sparrow flocksreally topped it off.

The birds seen include the following…

Mute Swan- seen about the harbours in Copenhagen and in numbers on the wetland reserve.
Greylag Goose- 1000s in the wetland reserve area, also seen flying over the city.
Barnacle Goose– flocks of 100s seen on the wetlands with small parties heading N over the city.
Shelduck
Mallard
Gadwall
Shoveler
Teal
Tufted Duck
Eider- many creches and groups of females on the coast.
Pheasant-introduced birds
Little Grebe
Great Crested Grebe
Red-necked Grebe– very common at Kalvebod Faelled. I eventually traced the gallinule/rail like calls to this species, interesting to see them breeding in narrow ditches and all pools.
Cormorant
Grey Heron
Marsh Harrier
Common Buzzard
Honey Buzzard– a male flew over the restaurant at Viberup mobbed by other species.

Hobby- one feeding on odonata over the marshes.
Water Rail
Moorhen
Coot
Oystercatcher
Avocet- dozens
Ringed Plover
Lapwing- large colonies stuffed with young on the wet grasslands and marshes.
Turnstone- one at Kalvebod Faelled
Wood Sandpiper- one heard at Kalvebod Faelled
Black-tailed Godwit
Snipe- displaying birds were drumming overhead.
Ruff- three flew past us near the hides of Kalvebod Faelled
Black-headed Gull- a few darvic ringed birds around the city harbours and parks, too busy to nail them!
Common Gull- seen  (and heard) about Copehagen
Herring Gull
Sandwich Tern- seen along the coast.
Common Tern-about the city park ponds and lakes.~
Caspian Tern- 2-3 fishing the coast and deeper water along the seawall of Kalvebod Faelled.

Stock Dove
Woodpigeon
Collared Dove
Cuckoo- singing and showy birds seen and heard at both Amager and Kalvebod Faelled
Swift
Skylark
Woodlark
Swallow
House Martin
Tree Pipit
White Wagtail

Yellow Wagtail- recently juveniles of  the presumed flava race
Thrush Nightingale– singles heard singing on scrubby tree covered banks and motorway embankment on the way to Kalvebod Faelled. A few singing and one showing at Amager Faelled.
Redstart- one singing from a clump of trees at Kalvebod Faelled
Black Redstart- seen and heard around Copenhagen including outside our apartment.
Wheatear- one at Kalvebod Faelled among the cattle.
Whinchat- a pair along the ditches in the open areas of Kalvebod Faelled.
Fieldfare- breeding birds in the Amager Faelled park.
Whitethroat- many seen.
Garden Warbler- heard.
Blackcap- many seen and heard.
Lesser Whitethroat-3-4 seen and heard.
Reed Warbler-heard.
Marsh Warbler– seen and heard in Amager Faelled park
Great Reed Warbler– a scarce bird in Denmark but one male singing and showing brilliantly at Kalvebod Faelled.

Willow Warbler- a few heard.
Great Tit
Blue Tit
Bearded Reedling-seen and heard along the seawall embankment of Kalvebod Faelled.
Magpie
Jay
Raven-2
Hooded Crow- seen around Copenhagen
Starling
House Sparrow- the Ivar Huitfeldt, Langelinie park column statue was releasing sparrows from her heart!

Tree Sparrow- small flocks along the roadside scrub at Viberup.
Linnet
Reed Bunting

Green-eyed (Norfolk) Hawker at Kalvebod Faelled.