Ross's Gull - Fairhaven Lake/Granny's Bay, Lancashire - 29th April 2008

You know what they say...4th times the charm! It's taken me so long to see it, and I must say; It was worth the wait!
I managed to get home from School (after ICT till 16.30 :[) at 17.00, which allowed me to get to Fairhaven for 18.15 (I had to wait for my mum to get home ofcourse!)
initially, it didn't look good with conker sized Rain Drops and Thunder and Lightning over head, there was not a birder in sight.
As the last report was at 15.10 1/2 east of Fairhaven Lake, I thought I would be best heading along the coastal path. Catching up with 4 male Wheatear and a lovely Grey Plover, I thought I may as well scan to where I was heading - 'nothing, nothing...ooh! a Gull...OOH! Thats it!' A frantic Run of c300 meters with my 10kg Birding gear, which has now payed its tole with a pulled Rib muscle :S.

It spent 15 minutes feeding along side an Oystercatcher and allowed me to obtain some personally excellent record shots, and therefore excellent views of one of my Top 5 target Stonkers!

Local Birding Recently (Mid-late April)

April hasn't been as eventful as past years (in regards to my personal birding experience anyway!). I have been generally revising for my upand coming GCSE exams. I have had so little time, I have dipped the Fairhaven Ross's Gull 3 times in two weekends because of myself only having time for short twitches.

I have managed to at least get to see the Whimbrel roost down at Brockholes which reached 260 on the evening of the 27th. (this also included c25 Noctule Bats which put on an excellent show!)

Other than that, the only really birding I have done, is in the Garden where i've had great views of some slightly less abundant birds inc Coal Tit and Goldfinch. The Highlight however was to see a flock of 21 Golden Plover flying south (c100ft height) on the 24th during a raptor watch...a Garden Tick

Sizergh Castle's Hawfinchs - 19th April 2008

After hearing about 10 Hawfinch showing at Sizergh Castle in the last few weeks and their peak time coming to a close, It was an almost priority to get some views of the Beasts!

When We first arrived there were 3 other birders there and they had had 1 up to 5 minutes before we got there. Within about 5 minutes we spotted 3 on the gravel at the back of the carpark...a little distant but a good start.

Using the word Distant is quite a good word for the whole experience in the Car Park. We had up to 6 at one point but the closest i was able to get was about 20 meters before a gust of wind or something similar flushed them. Near the end of the vist, I decided to try and 'hide' quite close to the area they were feeding in the hope that they may be oblivious to my presence. In 10 minutes I only saw two and these flew right above my head at c7 meter height.

You would have thought close flying calling burds would be educational, but in fact it just proved that if they were in the area you were in a wood somewhere you would only really be able to locate them if you saw movement as their call s so quiet and non-descript!

It was a truly enjoyable experience if not distant views, but I would certainly recommend you go (before 11am though as the cafe opens so there is a lot of people!)

Starr Gate and Lytham St. Annes Nature Reserve - 17th April 2008

Sandwich Tern
11 Eider Duck
Cormorant

9.15-11.45 - Starr Gate

Tree Pipit over, 15 Red Throated Diver, 5 Little Gull, Common Tern, 16 Arctic Tern flew south, 50+ Razorbill, 8 Guillemot, 19 Eider flew south, 27 Sandwich Tern, c1000 Knot flew South, c500 Dunlin, 8 Shelduck, 300+ Meadow Pipit flew North, 2 Swallow, White Wagtail, 5 Whimbrel flew south, Redshank, Sanderling, 5 Cormorant, Gannet [Grey Seal, 2 Harbour Porpoise]

11.55-12.30 - Lytham NR

Wheatear, 2 Stonechat (male, female) 2 Magpie, 19 Meadow Pipit, Skylark singing

BOLD = new for the year!

Lytham St Annes - Fylde, 16th April 2008

As I have never seen Ring Necked Parakeets in the Fylde I thought it was necessary to go and look at the birds within the Crematorium at Lytham St Annes. For the first 30 mins I was unable to locate where the birds have been but in my search i managed to find a Little Owl and on the lake there were 2 Teal (pair) and a drake Shoveler. When i finally gave up, I walked back to the car and out of the corner of my eye I noticed a largish box up a tree. This was the Box that the birds have been pictured with. I walked towards the box and a large green bird flew through the wood and landed in a branch near to the box. This was it! I only saw this bird for any length of time, but when the presumed male called another bird popped its head out of the box briefly. Wonderful birds!

Avocet - Sowerby, Fylde - 14th April 2008

Avocet on Flood at Sowerby
Montage of Distant 1st of the year Whimbrel

With news of an Inland Avocet only c7 miles from my house (cycling distance!) I was alert to see if the bird would stay around. With the first sighting being at 08.40, news of the bird being still present at 10.05 was certainly a welcome releif.
The Journey was harder than I remembered, especially when your cattying 10kg of Birding Gear!

On arrival, it didnt take long to get my breath back and get my first sighting of the bird on the flood. It was roosting which was a disappointment because at the distance it was and considering the heat haze, the record shots would be pointless if the bird wasn't feeding.

AS 83 Curlew flew in, the bird suddenly took flight, a gasp came from my mouth, but the bird only moved about 10 meters and began feeding.

A great bird, and a nice Fylde tick. Also onsite I noted my first wimbrel of the year (see montage which just shows the head markings if you look closely on the thumbnail) and a Black Tailed Godwit which appeared an extremely worn Limosa.

Condor and Aldcliffe, Lancs - 10th April 2008

Spain was fabulous although, in the 5 days I was away, there was not a day that an Osprey or more went through Brockholes, 9 Birds in total. To top it off there was a White Spotted Bluethroat at Aldcliffe which this morning I could not locate...grrrrr
I decided to not get too upset and be happy with 2 Wheatear and then at Condor Green, I got 4 Scaup and a Spotted Redshank. Yesterday afternoon at Brockholes, I was not able locate another Osprey but I managed 2 House martin, Willow Warbler and 2 Common Sands...all of these birds are year ticks for me.

Catalunya - 5th-9th April 2008

After a wonderful trip to Costa Brava in August 07 where we met up with Stephen Christopher of Catalan Bird Tours, we decided to have a short Birdwatching Holiday in my Half term in Early April. We Travelled on the 5th from Blackpool Airport with Ryan Air to Girona. Myself amy Uncle and my two parents arrived at our accomodation in Pau, to the west of Rosas and East of Figueres late afternoon A few species were seen on the evening of arrival with a single Bee-Eater over headand Serin singing from every visible perch! 2 Eagles were briefly seen over the top of the Hill behind the house which based on a similar occurance on our third day, I can say they were Bonelli's Eagles.
Sunday was our first full day and we had booked a day trip with Stephen around the local areas of Aiguamolls de l'Emporda and the National Park of Cap de Creus. Even from the start of the Trip it was clear we were in a great area for migration as there were literally flocks of Redstart, Black Redstart and Pied Flycatcher. My First potential lifer of the trip came in the form of Great Spotted Cuckoo however we were not able to locate the bird at first so we moved on.
Sardinian Warbler Pied Flycatceher

Woodlark

Between Vilajuiga and San Pere de Rodes there is a very picturesque Cork Oak woodland which turned out to be frustrating as we just could not get onto a pair of calling Wryneck. Woodlark and hoopoe were nice additions however

As we got further into the Cap we noticed a lot more birds with Crag Martins and Red Rumped Swallow mixed in with the Hirundines, and even the odd Alpine Swift made an appearence.
Stopping by a road side revealed Blue Rock Thrush, Subalpine Warbler and Rock Bunting which was a Lifer for me

(presumed) 4cy Yellow Legged Gull
Now at the lighthouse at Cap De Creus, we did some sea watching, which after about 40 minutes we were onto 2 Arctic Skua, 1+ Gannet, 3 Balearic Shearwater, and a huge raft of 350+ Yelkouan Shearwater (which included of Balearics too) which was again another lifer
Also whilst watching I picked up a Black Eared Wheater feeding with a Northern Wheatear which when I got my act together with the camera, became rather unaproachable.

We Ended the day in the region of Aiguamolls de l'Emporda where we managed to finally get two Great Spotted Cuckoos which were spectacular birds. Our final point of call of the day was the estanys of Mas Mata, which when we got to the vantage point revealed some awesome birds - Caspain Tern, Marsh Sandpiper, Kentish Plovers, Black Winged Stilts, Wood Sandpipers galore and iberiae Yellow Wagtails to name but a few! The Caspian certainly got the heart racing!


Monday saw our first full day on our own. I started the morning before light in the olive groves and at 07.15 I flushed a Jack Snipe which certainly for Britain is a late date, especially Spain! We went to the reserve at El Cortalet and Vilaut. Vilaut scored instantly as we briefly stopped at the Tres Ponts (three bridges) and picked up a female Pallid Harrier that had been in the area since 2nd April, and was confirmed some some presumed patchers of the site. A great rarity/scarcity for Spain and a lifer for me! With not a great deal else at Vilaut (due to no water for 3rd trip in a row) except for Subalpine Warblers and Fan Tailed Warblers, we headed to the reserve at Cortalet with a quick road side stop to watch 2 Black Kites being Mobbed by Ravens.

At Cortalet itself, the first hides were full of school trips so we headed towards Mata again and observed some crazy birds! obviously there were other birds including 100+ Yellow wagtails of varying races - Flava Iberiae cinereocapilla.





With the wagtails sucessfully id'd we check other areas of the site and found several Greater Flamingo and Storks, with many hundreds of Hirundines.







I think Mata needs to be known as 'the area of mindboggling views!' I got within 4 foot of a singing Cetti's Warbler in the open, followed by movement in the reeds next to the path which turned out to be a Spotted Crake and after 5 minutes in the reeds it walked out into the open for at least 10 minutes before being flushed by a Black Winged Stilt. After the craziness of these two birds we walked round Mas mata and found my first Whiskered Tern along with a hybrid Green Winged Teal x Common Teal, which again were great views. Finally on the walk round to the front of Mata I noticed a purle heron coming to land on a pool which a hide observed so I ran after it incase it was showing for photographing, I suddenly saw what I thought was a female Redstart, as it was close i thought I'd give it a decent look whilst I waited for my parents, it landed and turned round to me...a gasp and an Adreneline Rush....A BLUETHROAT A BLUE THROAT! what a bird! my first views of a Bluethroat and I found it and got within 2 meters of the bird before it came a little more elusive! (I didn't really notice in the field but it looks like a Red Spotted Bluethroat)

Water rail in a ditch
Black Winged Stilt
Garganey
Wood Sandpiper
Whiskered Tern

the Day ended at the area of Tres Ponts where I had 2 views of the Pallid Harrier again as well as 14 Marsh Harrier, 6 Cetti's Warbler, 5 Purple Heron, a Common Cuckoo and 2 Great White Egret

The Next morning, it was our last full day so I again got up before light and did some skywatching from the balcony. A Male Hen Harrier Flew over and shortly followed by a Short Toed Eagle. One bird which I was really pleased by was a Black Redstart which did its Fire Song from next doors chimney. Before we set off for the days birding I managed to get 2 Bonelli's Eagle and 6 Common Crane which I was extatic about!

Bonelli's Eagles
Rock Sparrow
6 of 19 Black Kite

We first stated out at the Cork Oaks again where i was able to get brief views of Wryneck as it called. Next a Booted Eagle flew East as did a group of 19 Black Kites. Just as we were leaving the site, I thought Id check a sparrow perched on a wire, and im glad a did! A fantastic Rock Sparrow

Our next stop was the area of Pine trees where i had had brief views of Great Spotted Cuckoo two days before, on called so we got out of the car to look for it. As is was hiding itself in the trees a bird called from behind us and flew right past us before perching. What a Cracking species with a great call! Me with Hoopoe

We had had a tip off about about Little Crake from two visiting French Birders so we parked in El Cortalet car park unaware of the 4 Km Distance to the hide. After about 2 miles in the heat we turned back, and im glad we did as in the Car Park I was able to get down to about 2 meters from a fabulous Hoopoe!

We went for a quick dinner stop and then out to Mas Mata once again. It turned up trumps too as per usual! Audoins Gull, 2 Whiskered Tern and a fishing Caspian Tern! I mean what a top draw quartet! The Audoin's has been a target bird for me for years!

23 Whiskered Tern
cinereocapilla Yellow Wagtail
Water Rail

Red Crested Pochard
Purple Swamp Hen
Purple Heron
imm Purple Heron

We spent the last 2 hours of light at Estany Europa which was for Little Crake. We didn't see it but Water Rail certainly kept the heart rate high. I observed a Yellow Wagtail roost which involved mainly Iberiae with a few Flava and a single Cinereocapilla. Also at the site I heard a Great Reed Warbler sing which when I searched for It I observed Moustached Warbler, Reed Warbler and Sedge Warbler.Our Final birds were 4 Monk Parakeet flying over and 16 Night Heron al coming out of the roost.
Night Heron

Species List (Collins Field Guides taxonomy) - 143

Little Grebe
Yelkouan Shearwater
Balearic Shearwater
Cormorant
Shag
Gannet
Night Heron
Cattle Egret
Little Egret
Great White Egret
Grey Heron
Purple Heron
White Stork
Eurasian Spoonbill
Greater Flamingo
Mute Swan
Shelduck
Wigeon
Gadwall
Teal
Mallard
Shoveler
Garganey
Red Crested Pochard
Black Kite
Short Toed Eagle
Marsh Harrier
Hen Harrier
Pallid Harrier
Sparrowhawk
Common Buzzard
Booted Eagle
Bonelli's Eagle
Common Kestrel
Peregrine Falcon
Red Legged Partridge
Ring Necked Pheasant
Water Rail
Spotted Crake
Moorhen
Purple Swamphen
Eurasian Coot
Common Crane
Oystercatcher
Black Winged Stilt
Avocet
Stone Curlew
Little Ringed Plover
Ringed Plover
Kentish Plover
Lapwing
Sanderling
Little Stint
Dunlin
Ruff
Common Snipe
Jack Snipe
Black Tailed Godwit
Whimbrel
Greenshank
Spotted Redshank
Common Redshank
Marsh Sandpiper
Green Sandpiper
Wood Sandpiper
Arctic Skua
Mediterranean Gull
Black Headed Gull
Audoin's Gull
Common Gull
Yellow Legged Gull
Caspian Tern
Sandwich Tern
Whiskered Tern
Feral Pigeon
Woodpigeon
Collared Dove
Great Spotted Cuckoo
Common Cuckoo
Little Owl
Swift
Alpine Swift
Bee-eater
Hoopoe
Wryneck
sharpei Green Woodpecker
Skylark
Woodlark
Crested Lark
Thekla Lark
Sand Martin
Crag Martin
Red Rumped Swallow
Barn Swallow
House Martin
Meadow Pipit
Water Pipit
Yellow Wagtail (3 races)
White Wagtail
Wren
Robin
Red Spotted Bluethroat
Black Redstart
Common Redstart
Whinchat
Stonechat
Northern Wheatear
Black Eared Wheatear
Blue Rock Thrush
Blackbird
Song Thrush
Mistle Thrush
Cetti's Warbler
Fan Tailed Warbler
Moustached Warbler
Sedge Warbler
Reed Warbler
Dartford Warbler
Subalpine Warbler
Sardinian Warbler
Common Whitethroat
Blackcap
Chiffchaff
Willow Warbler
Pied Flycatcher
Long Tailed Tit
Coal Tit
Great Tit
Magpie
Jackdaw
Common Raven
Common Starling
House Sparrow
Tree Sparrow
Rock Sparrow
Serin
Greenfinch
Goldfinch
Linnet
Cirl Bunting
Rock Bunting
Corn Bunting