Portugal Day 8

Hello

Last day in Portugal with the morning spent birding the Santo Andre area before departing from Lisbon. Quite a cool start to the day but it soon warmed up and it seemed as if there had been quite a fall of migrants with an increase in the number of Pied Flycatchers and other migrants such as Redstart, Nightingale and even a flock of Ortolan Buntings.

We said good-bye to the Iberian Magpies, Greater Flamingos, Spoonbills and other birds of the marsh...

Regards

Neil M

Greater Flamingos

Pied Flycatcher

Double figure Redstarts !!!

Another glorious Autumn day and I was lucky to spend most of it outdoors. I have lost count of how many Siskins which I have seen and heard today. This morning there appeared to be quite a significant movement.
At Harrington Airfield it was a case of birds everywhere. The Linnet and Goldfinch flock had doubled overnight and the air was filled with their jangling calls. Again there was evidence of migration happening with a constant stream of Hirundines, Meadow Pipits, Siskins, 4 Lesser Redpoll, 2+ Crossbill and 2 Grey Wagtails overhead.  
Around the bunkers there were 4 Whinchat, goodness knows where they were hiding yesterday and a Wheatear. But the most surprising find was a total of 5 Common Redstarts, one around the bunkers, 3 in the bushes at the end of the main track and another single at the shooting wall. !!!!
The fields leading down towards the pond were rather attractive to a large flock of Lesser Black Backed Gulls who actually looked rather stunning . 
The weather was perfect for raptors and the Common Buzzards and Red Kites did not disappoint with their ariel displays and evocative calls.
This afternoon I walked across the fields from Walgrave and there were at least 4 Common Redstart in "the hedge". Again they were very vocal and flitting about along the fence posts and dropping onto the grass.  I never tire of watching these birds "shimmering" and showing off.  Whilst I was watching these birds the Blades aerobatic team were practicing above and making big heart shapes with their smoke trails. Seemed quite fitting as I love these gorgeous little birds.
Of course the day would not be complete without a visit to Blueberry.......and guess what ? more Redstarts !!. Where have they all come from ?  There were 2 Common Redstarts and a Spotted Flycatcher together moving along the hedgerows and at least 6 Whinchat dotted around the fields. The Siskins continued their passage and a flock of 10+ Crossbills headed towards Haselbeech.

Regards Eleanor

Portugal Day 7

Hello

This morning we drove from the Atlantic coast of Portugal to the inland plains east of Castro Verde, this my fourth time to this fabulous area. We managed to find some Great Bustards but true to form they very much kept their distance. Passerines in this area included plenty of Corn Buntings and Stonechats with numerous Southern Grey Shrikes, Iberian Magpies, House Sparrows, Crested Larks and similar fare. Warblers were made up of Sardinian, Dartford, Blackcap, Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler.

On this particular day it was the raptors that stole the show with sightings of Griffon and Black Vultures, Booted Eagle, Short-toed Eagle and an absolute cracking Bonelli's Eagle. Black-shouldered Kite and both Kestrel and Lesser Kestrel added some finesse and two 'aquila' eagles flying around together caused some identification head-scratching!  I am confident one is a juvenile Spanish Imperial Eagle but it's partner is causing something of a conundrum as it displays a significant feature more akin to Steppe Eagle. Anyway the following images depict both birds so I would welcome views as to whether this really is a Steppe because if it is then it's out of range by a huge distance!

Regards

Neil M

Castro Verde plains

Red-rumped Swallow

Cattle Egrets. These birds all flew up
in a bit of a panic following an attack by
a Common Buzzard which killed one of
their number.

Great Bustard

Juvenile Spanish Imperial Eagle

'aquila' eagle sp

Both eagles 'together'!

Redstarts Remain !

Decisions, decisions........where to start the day !!!  My calculation is usually based upon the weather, what if any birds I can hear flying over the garden and which combination of dogs I will take out first. !!
This morning I started with a good yomp at Blueberry Farm with the younger dogs. Small flocks of birds , mainly Blackcaps, Willow Warblers, Whitethroats,  Reed Buntings and Finches were moving around in the hedgerows . There was also 2 Spotted Flycatcher, at least 2 Common Redstart , 6 Whinchat and a Wheatear.
Plenty of Siskins, Meadow Pipits and Hirundines constantly flying over as well as a couple of Grey Wagtails and Lesser Redpolls.
Then it was a bit of a slow saunter with the older dogs at Harrington Airfield.  Whilst having a "rest" I watched a Hobby catch and eat insects just in front of me and a Tree Pipit flew over.
Otherwise it was much quieter here today, apart from Siskins constantly flying over.
Whilst at Walgrave late in the afternoon I managed to walk across the fields to check the "hedgerow" and there were at least 5 Common Redstart present. There were two superb males who were being constantly chased around by the resident Robin and 3 female types which he totally ignored.
As I walked back following the stream there was a Wheatear and 2 Whinchat.........and of course more Siskins.!

Regards Eleanor

Catch Up !

Over the past few days most of my birding has been confined to Blueberry, Harrington and Sywell Reservoir. 
Birds seen around the Blueberry complex include Common Redstart, up to 6 Whinchat and a Wheatear. The Raven's have been plentiful and vocal as have Red Kite. It is sometimes hard to believe that Red Kite were "rare" in the county and we used to travel each year to mid Wales to watch them, but now I see them every day over the garden, wonderful !  
At the weekend I made several trips to the highest point at Blueberry and stood around scanning the vast expanse of sky around me. I wasn't looking for birds of the "feathered" variety but aircraft !!!  I wasn't disappointed as both the Vulcan and Red Arrows came right over my head.  But I did also pick up a juv Marsh Harrier, female Peregrine and Barn Owl.
I always enjoy a walk around Sywell Reservoir. I think that it is very under watched but has the potential to pick up a goodie. The water level is dropping and there is quite a decent muddy margin in places.  I was surprised to see so many Wigeon present. Other birds included Spotted Flycatchers, Water Rail, Kingfisher, Grey Wagtails and Siskins everywhere. At one point there was a flock of 60+ birds flying around filling the air with their wonderful call.
Infact there are Siskins everywhere and there really does seem to be a huge movement of these birds. Each time I venture out I hear Siskins flying over and they have already been on the feeders in our garden. 
This morning when I looked out and saw the low mist I felt that Harrington was calling.  I was not disappointed. I timed it to perfection as the mist was just lifting as I arrived and had cleared by the time I left.  Today was a good day for Harrington as there was definitely a movement of birds. This is one of the best area's I know to witness active migration as you can see and hear birds flying over.  There was a constant stream of Hirundines literally a few feet off the ground. Two Tree Pipits , Wheatear, 4+ Whinchat and Common Redstart were in the bushes on the rough area with a further Common Redstart and Spotted Flycatcher at the shooting wall.  Again good numbers of Siskin flying over along with 2 Lesser Redpolls , 2 Crossbills, Brambling and several Grey Wagtails.  The covey of Grey Partridge remain around the bunkers and a couple of Raven's were flying around and generally enjoying themselves.
Whilst visiting my parents I took the opportunity to walk across the fields to the hedgerow near Walgrave which has been a magnet for Common Redstart. I haven't checked this hedge for a few days and I wasn't really expecting to see any. However as I approached the hedge I could hear one calling. I saw 2 female type and a superb male Common Redstart. I have a distant photograph of the male thanks to an irritating Robin which kept chasing the male Common Redstart every time it came close to where I was standing. I've no idea whether these are new birds moving along this hedge or whether these birds have been here for some time. I'm sure that it will not be long until the hedgerow is empty.
Other birds in the general area included more Siskins, 4 Lesser Redpoll, 4+ Crossbill , 2 Spotted Flycatcher and 2 Grey Wagtail.

Regards Eleanor

Portugal Day 6

Hello

Rain hit Portugal during the night and particularly this morning, so with a showery but sunny afternoon we birded the Santo Andres beach areas and western edge of the lagoon.

A heavy passage of gulls heading south down the Atlantic coast were mostly Lesser Black-backed Gulls no doubt fresh out of the UK and other countries to the north. Among them were a scattering of Yellow-legged Gulls presumably of Eastern Europe origin. A couple of the adults were sporting quite significant flecking around the head and were migrating despite being in full primary wing moult.

Most of our bird sightings were of species encountered on previous days, but this was the first time we had espied an Egyptian Mongoose, an introduced species which is quite common in damper areas on the Iberian peninsular.

Small flocks of hirundines contained Red-rumped Swallows and the raptor list of the day included Osprey, Booted Eagle, Black Kite, Common Buzzard, Marsh Harrier and Hobby.

Tomorrow hopefully sees us travel inland to the Castro Verde area looking for birds of the central plains...

Regards

Neil M

Yellow-legged Gulls

Lesser Black-backed Gulls

Egyptian Mongoose

Red Signal Crayfish

Spoonbills

Portugal Day 5

Hello

A limited amount of birding yesterday afternoon around the beach area of Santo Andres was very pleasant and an attempt at ringing around the reed-beds in the evening provided only a modest catch of birds, but did include a Savi's Warbler.

This morning and an earlier start at 5am sadly didn't provide us with an opportunity of catching nocturnal birds, but the waders were good again with a gaggle of Dunlin, a Common Sandpiper, a Ringed Plover and two Redshank providing us with an opportunity of examining these graceful birds. Most of the waders we are catching are juveniles hatched this year.

Nets in the scrub and reed-beds today provided us with captures of Melodious Warbler, Subalpine Warbler, Nightingale, Bluethroat and Kingfisher. Probably the most common birds caught during the last week or so have been Reed and Cetti's Warblers.

With strong winds now and forecast for the next 24 hours plus rain, it is likely that the ringing activities during this trip will now be curtailed.

Regards

Neil M

Ringed Plover

Sanderling

Santo Andres

Stonechat

Melodious Warbler

Portugal Day 4

Hello

Somewhat bleary-eyed today as we recover from nocturnal ringing activities last night around the Santo Andres Lagoon. Richard and Kenny spent the first half of the night working mist-nets on the woodland edges and fringes of the reed-beds and managed to capture a gaggle of Tree Sparrows plus splendid individuals of Little Owl and Nightjar. 

Helen and I managed the wader nets overnight, sometimes in very muddy conditions. We managed to process about 35 Dunlin plus 3 Common Sandpipers, a Ringed Plover and a juvenile Curlew Sandpiper. Wild Boar could be heard in the reed-beds near to us and other constant companions included bats and lots of active fish and frogs in the shallows. The warmth in the air meant that dragonflies were still flying at night but thank-fully very few biting insects. Although there was a lull in bird activity during the early hours, the marshes don't sleep at night and we heard/saw Night Herons and Stone Curlew among more routine fare...

Regards

Neil M

Santo Andres marsh at dawn
courtesy of Helen Franklin

Portugal Day 3

Hello

Further efforts were made this morning to catch migrant waders utilising the excellent muddy margins of the Santo Andre Lagoon. We caught a small number of Dunlin, a Ringed Plover and two Green Sandpipers.

Birds from the drier nets included Little Owl, Bluethroat, Sardinian Warbler, Grasshopper Warbler, Fan-tailed Warbler, Short-toed Treecreeper and Kingfisher.

The small flocks of waders proved attractive to a juvenile Peregrine which successfully struck a flying Dunlin right next to us. The unfortunate wader tumbled in to the mud and the falcon spent some time trying to extract it's prey without landing on the very soft mud. The Peregrine still has a little to learn I think in precision flying and eventually gave up.

Other raptors on the marsh included a fine adult Osprey, a couple of Marsh Harriers, quite a number of Hobby and a pair of Black-winged Kite. Other waders included five Curlew Sandpipers with the Dunlin flock plus Sanderling, Ruff, Ringed and Little Ringed Plover, Turnstone and lots of Black-tailed Godwits and Black-winged Stilts. The calls of Common Sandpiper, Greenshank, Green Sandpiper and Redshank provided  a constant stream of evocative calls.

Roving flocks of Common Waxbills, Tree Sparrows and Yellow Wagtails in the reedbeds came and went and small flocks of both Black and Little Terns graced the airspace above the shallows.

Regards

Neil M

Sanderling and Dunlin

Black Terns

Juvenile Peregrine

Portugal Day 2

Hello

At 6am this morning our small band of ringers were opening nets alongside the marsh and reed-beds and scrubby area around Santo Andre Lagoon. Our early endeavours were rewarded with a small catch of waders and then a few more individuals as the morning progressed. These included migrant Dunlin, four Ringed Plovers, a Redshank, a couple of Common Sandpipers, and a Little Stint.

The variety of passerines on-site was evidenced with captures of seven species of warbler, Nightingale, a couple of Bluethroats, Common Waxbills plus a few Wrens and tits. A Wryneck is always a treat but a real surprise was a Purple Swamphen or Purple Gallinule if your prefer!

Birds flying around us included Hobby, Black-shouldered Kite, Great White Egret, Southern Grey Shrike and a good variety of common waders and ducks. A couple of examples of the down-slurred calls of Iberian Chiffchaff could be heard emanating from the bushes and a couple of 'Chiffchaffs' caught looked good for this 'difficult to be sure' species.

Interesting insects whizzed around us, frogs leapt from the ringing rides and the guttural grunts of the Greater Flamingos echoed around the lagoon...

Regards

Neil M

Wryneck

Purple Swamphen with an image of the absolutely
massive feet and claws that this large heavy species
exhibits.

Keeled Skimmer (I think)!

Head shots of Dunlin (above) and Little Stint (below)

Portugal Day 1

Hello

Today I flew from the UK to Portugal and eventually caught up with a group of bird ringers operating south of Lisbon. This group included members of the Northants Ringing Group and I heard first-hand of some of their exploits during the last week and a half of the operation. Surprise catches included Icterine Warbler and Aquatic Warbler, more typical catch species including Bluethroat, Savi's Warbler and Nightingale.

A nature reserve is managed at Costa Santo Andre around a lagoon/small estuary. An extensive reed-bed hides many migrants, and the muddy edges prove attractive to a broad range of wading birds as well as Spoonbill, herons and Flamingos. The heathland and dry pine woods that surround this area also attract a variety of birds including resident Crested Tit and Short-toed Treecreeper, Iberian Magpie, Woodlark and raptors including Booted Eagle.

Today I only had time to join them in an evening foray for roosting Yellow Wagtails and we ended up catching thirty of them plus a handful of Tree Sparrows. Interesting birds noted included an Osprey, a Curlew Sandpiper, a Black Tern, quite a number of Little Terns and a whole host of waders. Hopefully there will be plenty to see tomorrow!

Regards

Neil M

Yet more of the same !!!

Today really has been a beautiful "Autumn" day and I have been lucky enough to spend most of it outside.
I was out and about by 07.30am and already the tractors were busy scuffling the fields with masses of Gulls following on behind.
As I headed off towards Blueberry it was obvious that birds were on the move, both along the hedgerows and flying over. On my walk round I saw 2 Redstarts, 8 Whinchat, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Lesser Whitethroat as well as Whitethroats, Blackcaps and Willow Warbler. There was a steady trickle of Siskins , Meadow Pipit and Skylark flying over.
After a quick coffee I headed off to Harrington Airfield . It has been quiet here of late but today there were birds everywhere! Not necessarily rare birds, but just sheer numbers and obvious migration.  Meadow Pipits, Skylarks, Siskins and Hirundines were clearly on the move.  The flock of Linnets and Finches seem to have trebled overnight.  There was at least 2 Redstarts , 2 Spotted Flycatcher,  6 Whinchat , 8+ Grey Partridge and a juv Marsh Harrier around the bunkers.
Entertainment was provided by a group of 6 Ravens each one making bizarre noises and sounding like a dysfunctional orchestra !
Again because the farmers are busy scuffling and ploughing this is attracting Gulls, Starlings, Raptors including many Red Kites and Common Buzzard.  
If I had more time I would have spent more time there as I'm sure that there was the real "potential" for a goodie to fly over.
Early evening I checked the hedgerow between Walgrave and the reservoir and easily counted 5 Common Redstarts who were vocal and putting on a good display of hopping along the fence posts and shimmering their whole body and then flitting down to the ground in the sheep field and back up on the fence posts for more shimmering and tail flicking. The best access is from the footpath Bridle Road, Old which is about a 10 minute walk across 3 small fields.

Regards Eleanor

More of the same...

Hello

More of the same today as the glut of Redstarts and other migrants continue to make middle England their transitory home en-route to Africa.

The Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton this morning provided views of a juvenile Marsh Harrier, a Wheatear and two Whinchat. Also this morning up to four Grey Wagtails were utilising Brixworth Sewage Treatment Works and Lamport Hall attracted a Raven and two Hobby. Nearby and Jacob Spinks counted 31 Yellow Wagtails flying over fields between Scaldwell and Hanging Houghton as well as 22 Siskins. A couple of fields near Brixworth and Hanging Houghton have been attracting migrant Yellow Wagtails for some weeks now, the flocks regularly approaching up to twenty birds in each...

Five Redstarts were still in situ in hedging between Walgrave and Pitsford Reservoir - two males and three females. Other birds included a Whinchat and 2-3 Spotted Flycatchers.

Large numbers of Siskins were on the move all day at all locations visited and Blueberry Farm this evening hosted a female Peregrine, a Short-eared Owl, a Redstart and 6+ Whinchats.

Regards

Neil M

Wheatear courtesy
of John Gamble

Spotted Flycatcher courtesy
of Robin Gossage

Reed Bunting

A County Tick for Me !!

Yesterday I had a "county tick" ???  ........after seeing many squashed heaps of fur on our roads I finally saw a live Polecat near Cottesbrooke !!!!!
Today's birding has been combined with dog walking and running errands.  At Harrington Airfield this morning there was a Redstart and 2 Whinchat keeping me company around the compound area whilst I picked some blackberries. It certainly seems to be a good year for blackberries as the hedgerows are laden and they are just calling out to be picked and eaten, both by the birds and ourselves.
The rough area appeared quiet until a covey of 8 Grey Partridge exploded just infront of me as I reached the first bunker.  It was whilst I was scanning from here that I saw 2 Turtle Doves and 4 Ravens.
This afternoon I checked the hedgerow between Walgrave village and Pitsford Reservoir [ access via the footpath which runs from Bridle Road, Old] and 5 Redstarts remain, 2 rather smart males and 3 female types. They were very active flitting about on the fence posts and going down onto the grass.  These birds have been very vocal and usually I can hear them as I'm walking across the fields to the hedge, but today they were strangely silent.
But the silence was broken by the evocative calls of a couple of Whimbrel as they headed over towards the reservoir.
The farmers have had to make the most of this spell of fine weather and in the valley below us it has been all systems go for the last couple of days. There are combine harvesters and an assortment of tractors, rollers and ploughs working as far as the eye can see and this has produced an influx of Red Kites, Common Buzzard, Gulls, Corvids and Passerines as the land is worked.  Certainly my favourite time of the year.
Anyway whilst I was birding here tonight there was a Redstart, 4 Whinchat and a Tree Pipit at the southern most end of the Blueberry complex.
It was getting dark as I left and I was reminded of the "War of the Worlds" sci fi as I looked around and could see all the farm machinery lit up and could hear the constant hum of the combines as they prepared to work on into the night.

Regards  Eleanor

In memory of John

Hello

More autumnal birding again today when opportunities permitted provided some birds at Haselbech Hill in the shape of 1-2 Redstart(s), 2 Spotted Flycatchers, vocal Nuthatches and plenty of Siskins. Nearby at least two Whinchats were still present in the northern-most field at Blueberry Farm and at Lamport Hall two Redstarts were present in ancient hedging.

Siskins seemed to be calling wherever we were today, such are the numbers on the move.

A walk this afternoon around the Titchmarsh Reserve at Thrapston Grave Pits was very pleasant and followed our attendance at the memorial service for John Finlayson at the nearby church in Titchmarsh village. We thought the best way to mark John's passing was to walk around the reserve he loved. Large numbers of Chiffchaffs could be heard calling from the bushes and also good numbers of juvenile Cetti's Warblers were trying out their songs for the first time. Two Little Egrets and three Kingfishers were noted and the clumps of elders attracted Blackcaps, Whitethroats and Lesser Whitethroats all intent on consuming the ripening berries.

Birds visible from the Sailing Club at Pitsford Reservoir this evening included three juvenile Shelducks and the pair of Ruddy Shelduck and the gathering gulls included an adult Mediterranean, an adult Caspian and two adult Yellow-legged Gulls.

Regards

Neil M