African Birds - Storks, Egrets, Ibises and Herons

Whilst in Kenya, Jayne and I managed to see many different storks and herons.

The first species we saw was the Saddle-billed Stork (seen on our first drive in the Maasai Mara). Hamerkop, Secretary Bird and Black Heron were also seen in the Maasai Mara.

Saddle-billed Stork

Yellow-billed Storks were first spotted nesting, en-route to Lake Nakuru.

Yellow-billed Stork

One of the most common birds were saw was the African Sacred Ibis, the first ones flying over the hotel in Nairobi! We also had many birds at Lake Naivasha.

African Sacred Ibis, Lake Naivasha

Two other species of Ibis were also seen: Hadada and Glossy.

Hadada Ibis

African Openbill and African Spoonbill were also seen at Lake Naivasha, along with Little, Squacco and Great (White) Egrets. Black-headed Heron was spotted at Lake Nakuru.

African Openbill, Grey Heron, Little Egret and Yellow-billed Stork

African Spoonbill

Cattle Egrets were plentiful, especially around the larger mammals, such as African Elephants and Cape Buffalo.

Cattle Egret at Amboseli

Norfolk Birding - 2nd January 2025

 Jayne and I set out early this morning, to try and add a few more species to add to the Year List. We had a few false starts, but, in the end, managed to add 19 new species.

Our first new bird was Tawny Owl (46), that was heard from the house. Red Kite (47),  Kestrel (48), Curlew (49) and Blue Tit (50) were added on the drive across to Old Hunstanton, where, after a while, we managed to get distant views of the juvenile Glaucous Gull (51). Whilst walking along the beach, we had great views of at least 200 Sanderling, 10s of Redshank and Turnstone, 100+ Oystercatchers, Black-headed, Herring and Common Gulls.

Fieldfare (52) and Barnacle Goose (53) were added, on the drive to St Anne's Drive. Whilst searching (unsuccessfully) for the Long-billed Dowitcher and Shorelark (!!), we saw Ruff (54), Snipe (55). Chaffinch (56), Meadow Pipit (57) and Cormorant (58). 

Later in the day, a Sparrowhawk (59) flew low along the road, and, when we got to Stiffkey, we added House Sparrow (60), Great Spotted Woodpecker (61),and, perhaps the bird of the bird, a Glossy Ibis (62).

Glossy Ibis

Our last stop was Stiffkey Marshes, where we spotted a hunting ringtail Hen Harrier (63) and a female Merlin (64). Not a bad way to end the day!

RSPB Ham Wall - 4th April 2023

 Yesterday, Jayne and I spent a few hours at RSPB Ham Wall in Somerset. It's a reserve we've wanted to visit for a while, and we were not disappointed!!

Reedbeds and Glastonbury Tor

As soon as we arrived, we were surrounded by bird song, including Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Willow Warbler and, of course, Cetti's Warbler. We set off and walked to Viewing Point 1, where we heard Water Rail squealing, and the first "booming" Bittern. Other birds seen from this area were: Shoveler, Mallard, Teal, Wigeon, Pochard, Gadwall, Pintail (1 male and 1 female), Glossy Ibis, Great White and Little Egret, Snipe, Spotted Redshank, Black-tailed Godwit (c.20), Marsh Harrier, Coot and Moorhen!

Moving on to Avalon Hide, we added a stunning male Garganey and a flock of c.30 Sand Martins to the list. What a site!

Brimstone

Year List update - 111) Willow Warbler 112) Pintail 113) Black-tailed Godwit 114) Glossy Ibis 115) Great White Egret 116) Snipe 117) Spotted Redshank 118) Marsh Harrier 119) Water Rail (heard) 120) Bittern (heard), 121) Blackcap 122) Garganey and 123) Sand Martin.

Albufera Marsh - Mallorca

If there is one site that you should visit whilst in Mallorca, then Albufera Marsh on the outskirts of Alcudia is definitely the one. It is the largest wetland on Mallorca and has a good network of paths and many hides. Jayne and I had one visit to this reserve and visited just a small section, but, as you can see from the list of "year ticks", it holds some very nice birds.

The first birds we saw when we arrived were Night Heron, Glossy Ibis, Little and Cattle Egret. All four species breed on the site in trees by the main entrance, and can give amazing views.

Night Heron

We walked further onto the reserve and saw Purple Heron, Purple Gallinule, Stone Curlew, Avocet, Bee-eater (12 birds), Common Tern, Black-headed Gull, Kentish Plover, Marsh Harrier and Black-winged Stilt. 

Stone Curlew

Purple Gallinule 

One species that I was very keen to see this visit was a "lifer", namely Red-knobbed Coot. We were lucky enough to see several birds, including 1 feeding young. 

Red-knobbed Coot

The last species I wanted to mention is one that I didn't think we'd see, but, thanks to Jayne's eagle eyes, we managed to get great views of, Little Bittern. We saw one bird, a female I think, fishing from some broken down reeds just by a bridge. Brilliant bird!!

Little Bittern

Year List update:
167 – Night Heron
168 – Cattle Egret
169 – Glossy Ibis
170 – Purple Heron
171 – Stone Curlew
172 – Black-winged Stilt
173 – Purple Gallinule
174 – Common Tern
175 – Bee-eater
176 – Marsh Harrier
177 – Kentish Plover
178 – Little Bittern
179 - Red-knobbed Coot

RSPB Frampton Marsh

Yesterday I drove over to the RSPB Frampton Marsh reserve in Lincolnshire and spent a few sunny hours watching the birdlife, including couple of "year ticks".

On arrival I walked straight down to the Reedbed Hide, where there were a couple of migrant juvenile Ruff, feeding with the resident Mallards, Great-crested Grebes, Mute Swans, Coots and Moorhens. I then went across to the 360 Hide to see if I could spot the Glossy Ibis that had been present throughout the summer. Unfortunately it wasn't in view, but I did manage to find a couple of Spoonbills, including this juvenile bird with a completely pink bill, approximately 700(!) Black-tailed Godwits,  a couple of summer plumaged Curlew Sandpiper, juvenile Redshank, Teal, Wigeon, Canada and Greylag Geese.

Spoonbill (juvenile)

I had a short walk around the rest of the reserve and then returned to the 360 Hide. This time, the Ibis was feeding just in front of the hide, and I managed to get a few photos, showing the glossy feathers that give this bird its name.

Glossy Ibis

Also spotted in front of this hide was a stunning Wood Sandpiper, that I also managed to get a shot of. I'm pretty sure it's a juvenile, due to the prominent supercilium behind the eye, and the  fine streaking on the breast. Please tell me if I'm wrong!

Wood Sandpiper

Driving home I spotted a dead Barn Owl by the side of the road. I managed to stop and look to see if it had been ringed, but unfortunately it hadn't.

Year List update:

164 – Whinchat (a family party seen on Big Moor on 27th July)

165 – Spoonbill
166 – Glossy Ibis

One bird - three ticks

I'm not a twitcher (honestly!!), but when I switched Birdguides on today and saw news of a Glossy Ibis in Bakewell I just had to go over and have a look. Not only was it a Year tick, but also a British Tick and a Derbyshire Tick- wow!

The bird had been seen late yesterday and had then spent this morning flying up and down the River Wye. It was reported on the Bakewell Showground at 1.00pm, so I drove across with Jayne, just in time to see the bird heading off "high to the west". Phew, just made it. We had a look around the area for a while, but couldn't relocate it, so no photos unfortunately. Instead here are a couple of a flock we saw in Lesvos in 2011.

Glossy Ibis, Kalloni Saltpans, Lesvos, April 2011

 

Year List update:

195 – Glossy Ibis

 

UPDATE: follow this link for a photo of the Bakewell's Glossy Ibis.

 

The Brambling is still in the garden today as well.