Spain

Guadalhorce April 30th



We have all been looking forward to this trip, namely Lee, Martin, Paul and myself, it’s becoming a fairly regular excursion, the lure of Spanish birding, socialising with my mates, good food and a drink or 2, makes it quite a special occasion.

We arrived on the 29th from Stanstead and stayed in La Cala, initially undertaking some afternoon local birding, before embarking and heading out on a planned itinerary at dawn the following day at Guadalhorce.

Having studied E Bird lists beforehand, we knew some good birds had been present, the dawn start was also in the hope of getting one of the rarer Herons flying out, and also the hope of connecting with a Red Necked Nightjar or a Barn Owl.

Our previous best total for the morning was 73 species, so a good “carrot” to keep us looking just that little bit harder.

Not surprisingly plenty of Nightingales everywhere and as dawn filtered in, plenty of good birds for the list.

No R N Nightjar/Barn Owl but Night Heron added although Purple/Squacco Heron evaded us all morning as did Great White Egret, all recently on the Reserve.

With daylight in full swing, the tally grew, Woodchat Shrikes were everywhere it seemed and easily into double figures, presumably the Reserve is a stop off before they disperse far and wide.

Nice to again see Greater Flamingo’s on the walk out to the sea, and additionally an adult Peregrine, very likely from the Cathedral as I understand they breed there.

Good numbers of Sandwich Terns as were Mediterranean Gulls, both these species were plentiful with smaller numbers of Slender Billed Gull and Whiskered Tern.



Not much moving on the sea other than a couple of Gannet, a good variety of waders included a couple of Curlew Sandpipers although we missed Wood Sandpiper and Little Stint which were present.

A good mornings birding, the total number of species seen – 73 again!

 

A busy week

 

May 11th – 15th



As above, last week regarding Peregrines has been eventful to say the least for Shaun, Paul and myself, its not often that all the accessible ringing pairs lay, and then hatch close together, this year they did.

We ringed/swabbed at no less than 5 peregrine sites, Monday (1), Wednesday (1), Thursday (1) and Friday(2), all London, London East and Essex.

A total of 19 chicks were BTO ringed with both metal and a white plastic colour ring by the boys, then followed up by DNA swabbing to combat wildlife crime. To touch on this DNA is being taken all over the UK Peregrine sites, to combat the illegal trade in taking wild chicks, the DNA will prove origins.

As per last year, I am also collecting Peregrine Pellets to be sent off for analysis via BTO, this is to see how much plastic is now getting in the food chain, also starting this year for Barn Owls.

Brood numbers were as follows, 3-4-3-4 and a fantastic brood of 5, the 5 very memorable with a very feisty adult female who refused to leave the box.

All went very well and good to catch up again with April, Tianna and Caroline who I used to work with at The Ecology Consultancy, now a different company as I understand it.

Lastly, a big well done to my buddy Lee on ringing his first Peregrine chick as a trainee, impressed.

                           Paul, myself and April at one of the sites - beard and hair nets a must!

                                 Our white colour rings - hopefully many sightings in the future