Four New Birds

Before we came away, a good friend shared an excellent place to see Stone Curlew, so yesterday afternoon, I set out to have a look at the spot for myself. 

I found the spot easily, and was very pleased that the site was easily accessible. Unfortunately, there was a very strong heat haze, so I didn't see any curlews on that occasion. I did, however, had great views of another Wheatear, and amazing 3 Hobbies (including 1 that was catching and eating dragonflies on the wing!). There were also 10+ Graylings, Red Admirals and a single Wall Brown butterfly. Afterwards, I drove across to Westleton Heath, where I managed to spot a single Dartford Warbler (183), a male Muntjac Deer and a family of Stonechats. 

I went back to the Stone Curlew (184) site (part of RSPB Minsmere), again this morning, with Jayne, and within a few minutes of arriving (at 5.30am!) we saw 3 birds, and managed a very distant, heavily cropped photograph.

Stone Curlew

Whilst there, we carried on around the site, spotting many of the same species as on 22nd, except for a single Little Stint (185), that was feeding with a small flock of Dunlin, and 4 Barnacle Geese (186). Other new species included a single Common Sandpiper, 2 Wheatears (in the dunes), 7 Bar-tailed Godwits, a single Knot and 5 juvenile Shelducks.

Wheatear

Shelduck (juvenile)

Great Bustards, Corn Buntings and Stone Curlews

A couple of years ago, Jayne and I went down to Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, to visit the Great Bustard Project, where we had great views of the birds. Last Monday (7th), we went down again.

As before, we took part in a guided visit, travelling around the site in a Land Rover. We visited the group's hide, where we had fantastic views of a single male bird, displaying to approximately 7 females. This was something we hadn't seen on our previous visit. Over the course of the next two hours, we saw another 2 displaying males and approximately 10 female birds. Great Bustard (137).

Great Bustard (male and female)

Whilst there, we also saw a single Corn Bunting (136), which was surprising, as we'd seen a dozen or so on our last trip. Other wildlife seen were: Red Deer, Brown Hare, Red Kite (including 5 together), Stonechat, Yellowhammer and Buzzard.

Afterwards, we travelled to RSPB Winterbourne Down, where we saw a single Stone Curlew (138), Skylark, Brimstone and Peacock butterflies and a couple of Dotted Beeflies.

Brimstone

RSPB Winterbourne Downs - 2nd April 2023

 Jayne and I have had a few days down in Wiltshire, visiting a few new sites and  seeing some nice birds.

Our first new site was RSPB Winterbourne Downs, which is a great spot to see Stone Curlews. We popped across on Sunday, and managed to see a couple of birds. Also on site were; Lapwing, Linnet, Green Woodpecker, Red Kite, Buzzard and Brown Hares. Whilst there, we also spotted a Comma butterfly, and a "Flifer" - a new species of fly (thanks for the new word Jayne!), Dotted Bee Fly.

Dotted Bee Fly

Year List Update: 105 - Swallow, 106 - Green Woodpecker and 107 - Stone Curlew.

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

Norfolk Highlights

Just back from a couple of days in Norfolk, where I visited a couple of good reserves and added 17 species to the "Year List".

First stop was the Norfolk Wildlife Trust's Weeting Heath reserve. This heathland reserve is the place to see Stone Curlews, and we were lucky to see a pair from one of the hides.

Stone Curlew

After seeing the curlews, we drove across to RSPB Titchwell on the north Norfolk coast and spent 2 hours walking around, where we added another 16 new species for the year. Highlights here were a pair of Bearded Tits, breeding  plumaged Spotted Redshank and Grey Plover and a booming Bittern.

Grey Plover

Year List update:

119 – Stone Curlew
120 – Brent Goose (Dark-bellied)
121 – Red-crested Pochard
122 – Bearded Tit
123 – Spotted Redshank
124 – Greenshank
125 – Common Scoter
126 – Common Tern
127 – Bittern (booming)
128 – Little Egret
129 – Sand Martin
130 – Little Ringed Plover
131 – Grey Plover
132 – Knot
133 – Bar-tailed Godwit
134 – Sedge Warbler
135 – Cetti’s Warbler