A Scenic Plateau in the East

Today we move to our last area of Turkey, that of Birecik.   On the way we birded a valley near the one of yesterday's success just outside the town of Gaziantep.   This time we parked in a small town - causing much amusement to the local children who all wanted to give the ladies lilac flowers and have photos taken on digital cameras so they could see themselves.   But Birdwatching first.   We followed a farm path following a contour of the hillside which led up to a plateau.  

Isikli Village

On the way up we found black-eared wheatear,  kurdish wheatear, rock sparrow, cinereous bunting, and white throated robin.   As we neared the top where the plateau opened out farmers brought their sheep and goats up to feed, we once more providing them as much entertainment as they us.   In some cases young children had been sent up to forage for nettles while they moved the animals around the various grazing areas.   We birdwatched surrounded by these animals and with shepherds whistling and shouting strange gutteral noises at their sometimes errant charges.   Our guides wondered if that was a way to control their flock on occasions.   We dared them to try!

Impressive Beetle

Being herded along

The plateau was where we hoped the find bimaculated lark.   We wandered along through tall rocks on either side of the path to a second part of the plateau, a truly lunar scene.   Mitko could hear the larks but they were difficult to see - until that is, they display, then they put on a stunning show of flight and glide not dissimilar to our own skylarks but with a far more fluttery descent, beautiful to watch.   I saw about half a dozen of these delightful birds before it was time for us to move on once more.   We took a circular descent which joined up with the original path, most of the way down we were joined by two young brothers who were bringing the family flock back from grazing.   The younger one - about 6 years old was fascinated by Trevor's camera and telescope, and enjoyed looking through them, shouting to his older brother.   The elder of the two remained calm and aloof, being a rather more mature 8 or 9.

On the way down more wheatear of various kinds flew up, the rock sparrows showed well, and I spotted a raptor which turned out to be an Egyptian vulture.   Chiffchaff, long-legged buzzard, and white stork ended our list for this part of the day.   Then it was down to the village for that warm welcome.   Children everywhere, lads charging around on bicycles and tractors, men gathered on street corners and ladies doing the washing - treading the items in large bowls outside their homes.   

Bimaculated Lark Country

We moved off out of the village in search of a picnic site with a little more peace and quiet and parked up by the side of the lane in the corner of a field.

Rock Sparrow

Here bee-eaters swooped low over the adjoining corn field and black-headed buntings sang from perches on telegraph wires and tree tops.   We took our time over lunch as the sun was strong and hot, some dozed in the bus, the rest of us enjoyed watching the birds, photographing wild flowers and generally taking in the scene.   During this time Mitko found us rufous bush chat and finally desert finch made a delightful appearance perched on a wire close by before flying down to the small brook by the side of the field, just in front of me, for a quick wash and brush up, then up and away.   A truly handsome bird and showing far more pink in the wing than the crimson-winged finch of a day or so previously.

Yellow-throated Sparrow

Eventually we had to move off towards Birecek for our final couple of days, on the way we stopped by some pistachio orchards looking for yellow-throated sparrow, they did not immediately come into view, but on our second attempt, in rather more mature trees with some convenient holes in the trunk just ripe for sparrow terracing, we found our quarry.   Delightful males duetted (or more likely sparred) from their various perches and the air was full of their song.   One last stop before we got to the hotel, at a local reservoir looking for calandra larks.   Three roller perched on nearby telegraph wires.   As we neared the reservoir the larks were spotted before we had even got out of the vehicles, this lark was far more obliging than it's close relative this morning.   Sitting on a rock in full view and singing it's heart out a delightful male posed for us.   The neck markings are striking, and with the dark underwing and white trailing edges it is a really great sight in flight.

My lilac posy

We scanned the water's edge quickly, here spur-winged lapwing, black-headed gull, common sandpiper, curlew sandpiper, white-winged black tern, wood sandpiper, black-winged stilt, a pair of garganey, a ruff and a lone flamingo vied for our attention, but lost out to a flock of about 20 red-necked phalarope, juveniles in varying plumage, but none full adult.   As we watched they spun round pecking insects off the surface of the water, elegant and once again a joy to see.  We dragged ourselves away, as the skies darkened and a thunder storm threatened.

Storm clouds gather over the Euphrates

Our last stop of the day was in the town park in Birecik in the pouring rain where pallid scops owl had been seen previously.   The local park warden knew what we were looking for and tried hard to oblige, but unfortunately it was not to be on this occasion, so we gave up and went to our hotel.   Dinner was at the hotel's restaurant where we had barlick (fish) from the Euphrates River just outside the hotel   Beautifully fresh and spicy, with the usual Aryan yoghurt drink and another new option - yoghurt with barley, very nice indeed.

And finally . . . a Wallcreeper

Today we started off with a lovely breakfast courtesy of Hasan's wife with scrambled eggs added to the usual combination of fresh tomato and cucumber, salami, home-made cheese and fresh bread.   Local honey and home-made white grape preserve completed the feast.   After loading the cases we were off in search of the red-fronted serin which had eluded us the previous day, before we moved on to our next destination.

Hooded Crow outside the hotel

Along the same stretch of road as the previous day,  it wasn't long before the radio call came through from the other vehicle that Trevor has seen the red-fronted serin.   We stopped the minibus, sped back to where the others were parked only to find that they had disappeared.   Typical!   As we scanned the field we found northern wheatear, linnet and black redstart.   Crag martins flew around us distracting our gaze once again, although we were a little more used to their combat missions this morning.   Flying straight at us and veering off at the last second - the best food must have been very low to the ground this morning.

Tree Sparrow

Mitko decided to do some controlled disturbance by slowly walking towards the area the birds were last seen, we meanwhile were charged with watching for any movement.   As he neared the opposite edge of the field his attention was caught by a small flock some way off - we followed his gaze, and suddenly I saw movement at the far end of some distant boulders - it was the serins.   A few of us walked to join him and had stunning views of a beautiful preening male - needless to say it was by now raining again - a second bird joined the first for a while before they both flew out of sight.   As others were trying to watch from the road -we waited to see if they would reappear, luckily they flew over us several minutes later and landed very near the road, giving some good if a little speedy opportunity for spotting them.

The 'Bonnell's Eagle' stop

Finally we tore ourselves away from this spot and were just about to set off when Mitko saw a wallcreeper on a nearby boulder.   As I had missed this species yesterday I was keen to catch up.   We all dashed out of the bus and stood scanning the rock face.   Within seconds I had my first view of this enigmatic bird.   Fantastic!  

As we watched, it flitted from boulder to boulder gleaning from the deep crevices on the surface.   As it moved onto the main cliff face some way off we decided to move a little further down the road.   We saw the bird fly off, then disappear behind a distant shrub.   But as we neared the original cliff face a second bird - definitely a male, with its black throat on full show - appeared.   We watched for ages as this beautiful creature worked it's way over the whole surface digging into the wholes with it's red wing flashes, white tail spots and black throat contrasting against the grey plumage.   Having undergone some well meant banter yesterday, the congratulations today were gratefully received.   Some people are so generous in their desire for you to see the birds. 

Buying Lunch

Excitement over for the minute it was time for us to get on our way as we had a long drive ahead of us to Gazientep in the south.   I was sitting in the front of the bus and had a great view of the landscape.   On our way to the pension a couple of days earlier we had seen very little as it was raining and mud splattered the windows, so it was especially nice to have a front- row seat today.   A large raptor was our first sight of note - bonnelli's eagle or crested honey buzzard??   Only time and a couple of photos will tell.   (Bonnelli's was the final unanimous decision of the panel!)

Kirmitli Bird Reserve

We stopped at a local services for petrol, shopping and toilets then it was full steam ahead for our first destination - a local wetland reserve from old gravel extraction - just like home!    Picnic lunch and bird watching - my usual combination.   Night heron, white wagtail, short-toed eagle and a calling golden oriole set it apart, but willow warbler, little grebe and sparrowhawk hinted at similarities.   European bee-eaters were the real stars perching up on top of nearby bushes and telegraph wires to give great views before soaring up into the air then gliding around on their parachute wings.   On the small river demoiselles flew close to the water, an orange tip and clouded yellow butterfly increased our non-avian tally.

A (pale) White-throated Robin
(thanks to Trevor for the use of the 'scope)

Back on the road for the afternoon stretch and after a couple of hours we were at a small valley leading up between rocky outcrops.   On our left cliffs of rock and on the right small fields and orchards - a great birding combination.   Our attention was mainly on the left as the sun shone onto the hillside and gave good light for picking things up.   Cretzschmar's bunting, barred warbler, semi-collared flycatcher,white-fronted robin (one extremely pale probably a young male) all revealed themselves eventually.   Olive-tree warbler, upchers warbler and olivaceous were slight less obliging but gave generously of their song!

Eventually we had to move on, our hotel and dinner awaited.   Dinner was at a local restaurant, obviously extremely popular with locals who were out dining in some splendour on a Saturday night.   Kebabs and various spicy salads with the local savoury yoghurt drink.   Excellent.

Turkish Mountain Splendour or the day I missed a Wallcreeper!

At 2230 metres

So here we are in Chukurbag, high up in the Taurus mountains.   An early start as we are due to leave on a tractor pulled trailer for Caspian Snowcock country at 4.30 am.   After a quick tea and a couple of biscuits to start the day, it was on with the layers, hats and gloves as we were driven to 2250 metres (the summit being at 3333m).   Half way up the final slope several of us had to get out and walk as the slope was too severe, even for the tractor.   The pull uphill was hard work as we were still sleepy and at altitude, but we soon caught up with the rest of the party, but not before we had heard chukar, snowcock and seen Radde's accentor.

Alpine grape hyacinths

A further half a hour in the trailer and we arrived at a flat area where our walk started.   We hadn't all got out of the vehicle before Trevor had a snowcock in the telescope.   Sitting high up on a ridge it was visible with the naked eye, and with the scope even better.   As it moved into better light (it was still not fully light yet) along the ridge, the white on the throat and side of the head was clearly visible.   As it threw back it's head it took about 3 seconds for the sound of the call to reach us.   In the remote valley it resounded around us giving an atmospheric thrill with every call.   Snowfinch was our next delight, with several playing around us, alpine accentor came next, closely followed by another chukar, again on a ridge showing well.   Ibex shared the mountainside with the snowcock, until the bird flew off with smaller birds flying off in its path, confirmation of the snowcock's ownership of the land.   Alpine chough, alpine swift and northern wheatear (here looking distinctly white in comparison with those at home - with just a hint of colour under the chin).  Crimson-winged finch, black redstart and horned lark - showing it's 'horns' brilliantly, looking like a little devil - all added to our enjoyment.

Spring water

The huge mountains and spectacular scenery were awe inspiring, as the sun came up over the summit more colours were revealed in the rocks, the clouds lifted and we were graced with a truly magical morning.   A few of us went further up the valley in the hope of wallcreeper, but as is often the case in birdwatching, those who stayed behind saw one and we didn't!   Still it leaves me with the dream of what could come one day.

On our journey down we stopped after a while to walk for a short section, and were rewarded with rock sparrow,  house martin, golden eagle - the best sights I have ever had - long-legged buzzard, rock bunting and linnet. 

Back to the hotel for lunch and a rest, I sat watching a thunderstorm go through with one of the other guests, Thom who was back-packing around Turkey and had joined us on our morning jaunt.   We discussed the morning and compared notes on our trips - Thom was journeying in the opposite direction, so was interested in the Goksu Delta.

The Valley fields

Mitko and Trevor decided to postpone the afternoon's birding until 3.00 pm in the hope that the storm would pass through - a good call as the main event had gone and we were left with a final spattering as we went off in search of red- fronted serin. 

We tried two tracks near the pension both previous reliable haunts of these small colourful birds but both failed us.   The first did provide us with close up views of crag martin however as they swooped around us distracting all the time.

Eventually with the light fading we had to admit defeat for today, and return to the hotel, for another excellent dinner (if a little chilly on the outside deck!)

Honey-Buzzard Heaven

Tabaklar Ponds

Today we move on, so breakfast was at 7.30 am, departing at 8.30 am.  We were heading for Tuzla where there is a huge lake, but we did stop for restrooms and a leg stretch on the way.   In the orchard behind the service station an ortolan bunting entertained us coming to land on nearby wires.

Once on the minor road to Tuzla we stopped regularly to look for birds along the river.   Pied and white breasted kingfisher were great to see, but the "wow" of the day was a huge "kettle" of over 80 honey buzzard interspersed with several levant sparrowhawk.   One went into a stoop as I followed it with the bins - a fantastic sight as it dropped from the sky to the ground in seconds, only to soar once more seconds later.

Migrating White Pelicans

Cattle egret, little egret and black-crowned night-heron all added to the list - the latter sharing a local nest site with the little egret on an island in the river.  Penduline tit called but was only seen by one member of the party.   We also caught up with moorhen and coot.   As our guides drove the two vehicles ahead, we sauntered along the road, I heard a warbler which I remembered from an earlier trip on Lesvos but couldn't place - I saw the bird fly nearby and watched, as it moved in nearby tamarisk, I followed it until it moved nearer others who confirmed it as olivaceous warbler.

As we continued the road got more bumpy and as we started to tire, we neared the lake - the distant sight of around 800 white pelicans on migration added to the excitement.   On arrival at Tuzla another huge flock of large birds greeted us, this time flamingos, over 350 of them.  

Tuzla Lake (with distant flamingo feeding)

Nearer to the road on the shallow margins were curlew sandpiper in summer plumage - far easier to identify here than in the UK when they generally appear in non-breeding plumage.   Little stint, ringed plover, turnstone, curlew, black-winged stilt and dunlin all fed greedily, overhead common and little terns looked for fish - one little tern carrying a fish called, dropped the fish then re-caught it, showing brilliant aerial skills.  

We carried on to the end of the road then settled down for an hour or so's birding and lunch - lunch was a challenge as the birds constantly caught our attention with both their identification challenges and their antics.   Two white-winged black terns perched on the ground - the first time I have had the opportunity to see them face on - showing black plumage with their white wings just showing and brilliantly illustrating their name.

A scrubby area nearby started to attract our attention as spotted flycatcher, thrush nightingale, Spanish sparrow and blackcap flitted between the trees and grass.   At one stage I noticed a masked shrike sitting on top of a post - delightful!

Heading into the mountains

As Mitko packed lunch away the rest of us wandered off to get closer views of some of these busy birds.   Many blackcaps and sparrows, but also a couple of lesser whitethroat, three barred warbler and olive-tree warbler.   A pallid harrier flew overhead, circled above us and then flew away looking for rather smaller prey.   A site well worth more time, but unfortunately for us it was time to move on to our next venue.

Back down the bumpy road another huge flock of about 500 white pelican met us - again hundreds of birds flying in close groups and lines migrating to breeding grounds in Bulgaria and Rumania.   As we moved further north towards our next destination the weather worsened and as we headed into road works the rain fell once more.   iPods, books and snoozing were the order of the day for some.   I decided to write the start of this blog.

Eventually we arrived at Churkurbag, a small village set in the Demirkazik mountains.   A comfortable family run guest house was our home for the next couple of nights.   After we had settled into our rooms it was time for the checklist and dinner - taken out on a balcony running along the side of the house.   Great to be outside, but a little chilly to say the least.   Fleeces and several pairs of socks were needed to keep the body temperatures up - it certainly stopped us staying out late, which was fortuitous as we had a very early start in the morning.

Ruppell's Warbler

Ruppell's Warbler Video - the bird's out of focus, but the leaves look lovely!   Still you get the great sound of his voice and what a fantastic bird, so delightfully handsome and with that lovely red eye to draw you in.

Goksu Delta Part II

Goksu Delta

Today we revisited the Goksu delta South hide before breakfast, then moved to the North hide area after breakfast.   From there we moved to the Demicili cemetery area, then birded along the road to the Uzunchaburch Picnic site.   After lunch we moved to the Diocesarea ruins and then along the road leading from Imamali Village back to the coast.   We got back to the hotel around 6.30 pm, dined at 7.30 pm, and bed by 9.15 pm.

We added a few birds for the trip, and also had some better views of friends from the previous day.   Black francolin were seen well from the South hide pre-breakfast, along with little bittern, and a close marsh harrier (several were seen further away).   We also heard savi's warbler.  

Demicili Tombs

Short-toed eagle showed well both in the morning and the afternoon at the last stop, where we had several in the air at once.   From the same site we saw common buzzard, eurasian sparrowhawk, a second eurasian hobby for the day (the first being low over the fields this morning) and elenora's falcon.

Common moorhen was seen in the irrigation ditches alongside the track this morning, fewer crested lark were seen today, mainly because the weather was pretty wet when we were down on the delta.   We did however hear a wood lark as we had our picnic.   Mistle thrush also called here, and in the gorge in the late morning we saw blackbird and blue rock thrush.

One bird which eluded us yesterday was finally spotted several times - the delightfully named graceful prinia - being chased off territory by a moustached warbler.   Also spotted this morning were great reed warbler and reed warbler - at one stage side by side, giving an excellent opportunity to compare the size. 

Ruppell's Warbler

The woodland areas gave coal tit, great tit and sombre tit with kruper's nuthatch joining western rock nuthatch on the list.   Jay, hooded crow, golden oriole, common chaffinch, and european serin all added to our enjoyment, with common cuckoo, hoopoe, cretzschmar's bunting.   The star of the day was a fantastic performance from the very handsome ruppell's warbler.  After trying several times to see this brilliant bird we finally caught up with it late in the afternoon.

A fantastic second day's birding in Turkey.

Turkish Birding Debut

After a good night's sleep, it was up at 7.30 am for breakfast at 8 am.   A lie in!   I love these "at leisure" trips.

View from my balcony (shame the pool was empty!

Breakfast, taken on the terrace overlooking the sea was a relaxed affair with bread, jam, honey for the traditionalists and cucumber, red pepper, sliced meat and cheese with olives for the more adventurous.   I (needless to say) sampled it all - yes Heather and Nicky, even the olives - still don't like them.

Today we were off to the famous bird haven of the Goksu Delta for lots of water birds.  In Tasucu two white storks had set up home on top of the local clock tower in the middle of the town square, with one bird already on the nest, a second flew in above our heads as we drove past.  

The South Hide

As the name suggests the Goksu Delta is a large area of water, marsh, reed beds and sand, with tidal areas, brackish lagoons and is a large flat area which is difficult to see over especially with a heat haze.   Luckily there was a hide set up in a tower which gave us great views and for the rest we utilised the banks of earth and gravel to gain some overview.  

Lunch was picnic style, and we took the day in relaxed style moving along in our two vehicles birding as we went and stopping every now and then to get better views or search out species.    At one stage we stopped to check out some plants in a boggy area; bug orchids and bog asphodels - to name but two, we had a great time picking over the various species.  

Little Bittern

In the course of the day I managed to add five new birds to my life list, but overall the group saw over 100 species. Amongst the most numerous were ruddy shelduck, western marsh harrier, Kentish plover, spur-winged lapwing, ruff, over 70 slender-billed gulls, yellow legged gull, little, white-winged black,sandwich and common terns, crested lark, common swift, house martin, thrush nightingale, white-spectacled bulbul, lesser grey shrike and red-backed shrike.

Lemon-green European Tree Frog

Seen on a lesser scale were northern shoveler, eurasian teal, garganey, red-crested pochard, black-necked and great-crested grebes, common crane, squacco heron, little egret, great egret, grey heron, purple heron, white stork, glossy ibis, eurasian spoonbill, greater flamingo, common kestrel, eurasian oystercatcher, stone curlew, collared pratincole, little ringed and common ringed plover, grey plover, curlew sandpiper, little stint, common sandpiper, wood sandpiper, common redshank, eurasian curlew, whimbrel, black-headed gull, black tern, caspian tern, eurasian collared dove, eurasian turtle dove, laughing dove, alpine swift, European roller, common skylark, sand martin, barn and red-rumped swallow, common nightingale, common redstart, northern wheatear, whinchat, barred warbler, blackcap, lesser whitethroat, European reed warbler, a tail-less willow warbler, common chiffchaff, spotted flycatcher, woodchat, isabelline and masked shrike, common raven, house, Spanish sparrow and a rather washed out female - possibly dead sea sparrow, european goldfinch and greenfinch and corn bunting.

Beetle in Bug Orchid

Phew what a list!    More to come though . . .

Finally the birds which thrilled me the most - black francolin, little bittern, broad-billed sandpiper, lesser sand plover, greater short-toed lark, yellow wagtail - here the black-capped version feldegg, black-eared wheatear and black-headed bunting.

So with a long list for the day, it was back to the hotel for dinner and then off to bed . . .  to dream of what awaits us tomorrow

Turkey here I come

Over Istanbul

So, slightly less than bright and breezy I left home at 2.50 am.   Arriving at Heathrow to find that the
desks for check-in wouldn't open until 4.45am, with a flight due to depart at 6.55 am so much for being checked in 3 hours before!   The flight left about half an hour late, we then got held up over Istanbul and had to circle for 30 minutes, with all the grief of getting off the 'plane, queuing for visas and immigration, we missed our connection.  

Towards Adana

Another flight was due to leave at 16:10, and we managed to get onto that flight, albeit that flight left at 17:00 in the end.  

Turkish Airlines Lunch

We had a minibus and a car - the car only had one headlight and Trevor (the guide and driver thereof) got stopped by the police.   Net result we arrived at the hotel about 9:30 pm, with one room short and no dinner.  

Rooms sorted out, a quick turnaround and we were off out for dinner down the road, a great success.   We sat outside in the evening warmth and ate salad, lamb kebab and wraps.   Fresh bread with home-made goats cheese, beer and water - what more could you ask for.

Hooded crow, house sparrow, marsh harrier and feral pigeon I hear you ask!

Dungeness

So with the weather forecast promising some dreadful conditions what's a girl to do at the weekend, but travel for an hour and half to Sussex and then Dungeness to stand on the shingle bank in the howling gale that is springtime in England!

There's nothing finer than standing overlooking The Patch watching common tern just stream into the country - lots of little black heads coming towards you as you gaze into the 'scope - absolutely magical and hypnotic (that's my excuse for standing there so long!)   Some decided to feed up straight away, whilst others felt that some preening was the order of the day.

Over 150 were lined up on the beach, many of them flicking their wings, tail and bills as they tidied themselves up after their long flight, the whole scene was one of constant movement - absolutely fantastic.

Common Tern streaming in

In the feeding group was at least one arctic tern, but it was difficult to keep up with it let alone get Phil onto it [I appreciate my shortcomings!].   Large numbers of gannet were travelling west, as were auks; razorbills or guillemots - so far out it was impossible to judge.  

At one stage four great-crested grebe flew east close to the water, necks outstretched and trying to look like mergansers or divers, brilliant to see so much white on them, you rarely get to see them flying at full pelt on inland waters.   A group of seven bar-tailed godwit flew east.

After longer than we had anticipated, it seemed churlish not to go for a cup of tea to warm up before moving on to the ARC pits and the reserve.  

Warmed and watered we went off to try to see a blue-headed yellow-wagtail which had been reported on the ARC pits and visible from the road.   As we drove along the rain started to fall, so we had to view from the car.   Even with the windows down we were both getting soaked, but at least there were some birds to watch; oystercatcher, redshank, tufted duck, over 10 pied wagtails, and then I spotted a yellow wagtail, unfortunately not the blue-headed we were seeking, but a beautiful sight in any event.

As we watched, we noticed a further two, again yellow wags.   A car in front of us had a huge photographic lens poking out of it, Phil decided to move forward in case the photographer had the blue-headed there.   A great call, because almost immediately he noticed the beautiful blue-headed wagtail in the stubby ground cover.   I have seen the species before, but in the autumn, so I was surprised and delighted to see that this bird had a lovely blue head which caught the light well - there was no mistaking its id.

Common Tern preening on the beach

The rain continued and as we needed a comfort stop we decided to move onto the reserve and see if there was anything else of note about - it would have to be good to keep us out in the worsening weather.  

It would appear that both birds and birdwatchers were of the same mind and very little had been added to the board in the last day or so.

We decided that it would be greedy to expect more of the day and took ourselves off for lunch and an afternoon in front of the footie results.   Forest WON!   Enough said. . .

P.S.  The journey back was horrendous with gale force winds, lashing rain and aquaplaning cars - amazing what we do for the love of birdwatching.

The Wettest Day of the Year . . .

Great, the wettest day of the year so far and it chooses to be a Wednesday, so yet another soaking on the cards.   In view of the forecast we decided to go to Sevenoaks KWT reserve this week, plenty of natural cover to provide shelter and the luxury of hides, tea and toilets, what more could you wish for.

After sitting in the car prevaricating for 15 minutes or so there was no further excuse but to get out there and see what was about.   A quick cup of tea and we were finally off, just as the rain decided to abate slightly.  

Common Tern, Cormorant and Yellow Wagtail

Although lots of birds were calling; blue tit, dunnock, blackbird, robin, the first bird we saw was a song thrush singing away at the top of one of the trees near the car park.   At the viewpoint sand martin, house martin and swallow were hungrily swooping low over the lake - a huge flock which looked like leaves being tossed about in the breeze against the dark trees on the far side of the water.   It was hard to pick out and follow individuals so we just stood watching them fill the sky. 

All the usual suspects were on the ground, greylag, tufted duck, great crested grebe, lapwing, pied wagtail and a very distant ringed plover - not sure if it was little from this distance.   Moorhen, mallard and canada geese were busily feeding, coot joined in, but in a quieter vein there were a couple on nests.

We decided to go to the Tyler Hide to see if we could get a closer view of the plover.   A great move as on the way the heavens opened again.   Once settled we confirmed little ringed plover, and found a total of four in the end.   There were pied wagtail and greylag were shepherding eight goslings around in the long grass on the edge of the reeds.

Wren

Another birdwatcher asked if we had seen a tern, as he had spotted one earlier but could not find it again.   We all scanned the skies and island edges, eventually the same chap re-found the tern, a common tern which was showing just the top of its head as it sat on the far side of one of the islands in front of us.   Gradually, it moved further out into the open and eventually was on full show, a lovely view.   As I watched the tern a yellow flash passed through the view, it was a wagtail, and as that too moved more into the open we realised it was a bright yellow wagtail, strangely looking more yellow than the first view.   [It later turned out that there had been a pair, and I had seen the female first, which had slightly duller plumage- excuses, excuses!]

We spent quite some time here as the rain fell outside, discussing the possible ways to sex a robin [apparently this can only be done in the hand and during the breeding period, where you look for a brood patch on the female and enlarged sexual organs on the male - thanks to Phil for the info]   Lesson one over, and it was back to scanning the lake where a common sandpiper eventually appeared.  

From outside the hide we could hear chiffchaff, great tit, blue tit, and robin.   On the way to the next hide a further song thrush sang.   Further on we found a wren sitting out in the open on a branch with tail cocked and waving it's rear end from side to side.   Looking agitated we kept our distance and eventually it moved off, a further wren was nearby so either aggression or courtship.  

Grey Squirrels building a drey

At the Sutton Hide we decided it was lunch time and as we sat enjoying a further two greylag families (2 and 3 goslings resp.) a swift appeared.   Swooping and diving near to the hide we had great views, this just added to our delight as we watched the rest of the hirundines feeding up after their long journey.   Even in the pouring rain the house martins were chattering away as they fed and drank - such a lovely sound, you sometimes forget in the middle of winter what a great sound they make.  

At the final hide on this lake we had a close encounter with a robin which has taken up residence.   For the last three visits, it has come into the hide virtually begging for food.   On this occasion it was carrying food back to the nest, so hopefully a successful brood (if supplemented by cereal bars and sandwiches).   Three long-tailed tits fed in a nearby bush following a well learned flight path, going back and forth with their contact calls filling the air.

Floating Mallard

Finally we had to move on to our final stop, at the Willow Hide on the other side of the reserve.   Guess what - it started to rain again!   On the field beyond the lake were over 20 wood pigeons with starlings mixed in, a swan covered a nest on the far side of the lake, we also saw magpie, more dunnock, blackbird, a crow and a rather wet and bedraggled grey heron.   Two egypitan geese appeared from behind one of the islands.   Two gadwall flew in and landed close by so that we could examine the vermiculations on the male's neck and chest.  

Oare

I was due to lead a walk at Oare KWT Reserve for my local RSPB Group today.   With the weather recently I was a little doubtful but we were really lucky and the sun shone virtually all day.

I arrived about 8.30 am, so that I had time for a quick recce before the rest arrive for a start at around 10.00 am.    In the car park a whitethroat sang from a nearby tree its beautiful clean white throat catching the light - great for a photograph, but I enjoyed watching so much I couldn't bring myself to find the camera.    A cetti's warbler called nearby.

Golden Plover

There had been a ring ouzel around for the last week or so, but as I had no idea whether it was still there - or whether it would be worth taking the group to look for it.   As it turned out there had been no sighting this morning.   However, when I got to the site there were lovely views of black-tailed godwit in full breeding plumage and a flock of about 20 golden plover again in full plumage with their black fronts showing really well against the mud.   Reed bunting and linnet were paired up and singing from various brambles.   Stock dove fed in the field, flying up onto the concrete blocks regularly to look out.

As I walked back to the car park to meet the rest of the group I saw a whimbrel - my first for the year - in one of the muddy ditches.   As I moved along it flew away and disappeared for the moment.

Black-tailed godwit

17 of us set off, some with lunch, the brave without!   My Dad's words rang in my ear "never get separated from your lunch".   From the slipway we saw black-headed gull, black-tailed godwit, redshank.   Two buzzard and two marsh harrier circled over the Isle of Sheppey, the buzzard were doing their courtship flight with talons coming together as one bird flipped over for a second or two and then back again.

A movement in the long grass by the side of the slipway turned out to be the whimbrel - they seem to prefer this side of the reserve and are often found here.  

Reed and sedge warbler were singing from the reeds inside the seawall, with another cetti's warbler adding to the sounds of the reserve.   Greylag geese had three goslings, and avocet fed on the incoming tide.   Along the side of Faversham Creek we watched little grebe, tufted duck, mallard and more redshank and godwit.   A bearded tit "pinged" past us and dropped into the reeds.   A lone greenshank was standing on the edge of the pool, and as a flock of redshank grew it felt a little intimidated and flew off.   A small ladybird (probably a 24 spot) was found on the path.    Near the sluice a wheatear perched on the top of an anthill.  

Wheatear

Along the south path one of the group spotted a grass snake swimming across the ditch, marsh frogs were making a splash as they mated.   Further along another wheatear appeared, again on an anthill two brilliant sightings of males.   As we arrived at the East Hide four wheatears landed on the ground in front of us giving superb views.   One stayed on a low shrub right in front of us for several minutes - hopefully some great photos taken.

Those of us with lunch tortured the rest as we munched and watched; a late pair of pintail, ruff, pheasant, starling, mediterranean gull, skylark, coot, teal, grey heron, cormorant, gadwall and swallow added to the list. 

minute 24 spot ladybird

All fed and watered and we made our way to the West Hide where we had been told a little owl was viewable.   Unfortunately it had moved by the time we got there, but we had great views of robin and house sparrow.   From the hide we saw shelduck, canada geese, lapwing and another med gull.

On the way back to the road we saw blackbird, green woodpecker, heard song thrush and that magical and most elusive song of a nightingale.   Not yet in full song, but the warming of the throat in the mid-afternoon sun was a real delight to hear.   Can't wait to hear a full song. . . . .

Viewing the East flood from the road a couple of common tern were spotted the whimbrel flew overhead.   Several of us carried on along the eastern sea wall to try for yellow wagtail, but as the heavens opened and hail fell we decided to call it a day and we were soon back at base ready for a very wet journey home.

One for Sorrow, Two for Joy . .

The magpie flock in a tree at Chafford Gorges last week.

Into Essex . . . .

My usual weekday walk took my friends and I to Essex this week, with a trip to a new site at Chafford Gorges Nature Reserve, near to Lakeside Shopping Centre.   Although we knew that it was created from old chalk pits within a settlement built on a brownfield site, we did not really know what to expect.


View over Warren Gorge

To our delight, a warm welcome, the opportunity for a hot drink and cakes, toilet facilities and some shelter from the lashing rain.   However, the nicest surprise was the reserve itself.   A bowl of green within a housing estate with plenty of opportunity for access for local people.   Several large lakes held water birds - a pair of kingfisher, little grebe, great-crested grebe, tufted duck, mallard, coot, moorhen with chicks, greylag and canada geese.   In the shrubby edges we had robin, chiffchaff, blackcap, blue tit, great tit, and a very shy willow warbler.   Corvids were aplenty with over 20 magpie in one tree alone.   Near to the visitor centre chaffinch and dunnock were added to our list.

Despite the rain we had a great time - with some picnic tables in the base of the reserve it gives a great venue.   We only visited one part of it, there are several other areas of woodland and a couple of areas where chalk cliffs are exposed - so plenty of new areas for us to explore on another visit.

Yellow and green on the same plant

We decided to go to Rainham Marshes for lunch and a circuit around the reserve there.   Again the rain caught us several times, but we used the hides and hedges to best advantage.   At the feeders reed bunting joined goldfinch, house sparrow and collared dove.   Wood pigeon and stock dove were also feeding along the side of the path.       Bird of the day was definitely a ruff in partial summer plumage.   With it's dark neck and throat and the beginning of the "ruff" around the chest it was a delight to see, we watched for ages as it fed between reeds at the edge of the pool.   Redshank joined it occasionally so that we could compare the two species.  

Coot and moorhen were on nests, some with young already venturing out on their own.   Some lapwing were settled on nests whilst others were still displaying.   Great tit and robin were both seen in courtship food passing.   Beyond the reserve to the west huge mixed flocks of gulls were on the fields, many were juveniles but almost all were impossible to identify, herring gull, black-headed and lesser black-backed being the three most common. 

Ruff

At least three grey heron were seen during the afternoon, one posing just outside the hide for us - obviously camera-shy though as it moved every time I switched the camera on!  

Grey Heron - the best I could get

As we returned to the centre a couple of swallow flew past as if saluting our resilience.

Riverside Country Park

Today was the first Tuesday walk for my local RSPB Group, and our venue was Riverside Country Park in Gillingham.   As the weather forecast was rather wet (who said that the rains would come once the hosepipe ban came into effect?) only six of us turned up.   Still as we moved from the car park and got some shelter from the bushes we were bouyed up by the incoming tide.  

Redshank, black-headed gull, curlew, oystercatcher and grey plover were settled in the higher parts of the salt marsh with the rain running off their plumage.   We, on the other hand were hoping that our wet weather gear would be equally effective.

Blackcap, great tit, long-tailed tit, green woodpecker, song thrush, and dunnock were calling.   Blackbird and robin were extremely active as they fed along the path ahead of us.   On the high tide line both dunnock and blackbird turned the seaweed over releasing insects to eat.   Chaffinch and goldfinch called from the tops of the trees and showed well.   The highlight however was a black-tailed godwit in almost full summer plumage, absolutely beautiful to see.    A little egret flew off as we rounded a bend and disappeared not to be seen again.

Black-tailed Godwit

Near the shoreline brent geese and shelduck were battling against the rain and the incoming tide, with one great crested grebe sheltering towards the bay at Bloors Wharf.   A peregrine gave great views as it flew overhead and then away from us.    A kestrel completed our birds of prey for the day.   Wood pigeon, collared doves and feral pigeon were collected at the far end of the prom.

Partly for our own protection from the weather and also in the hope of a nightingale we did a circiut of East Rainham Dock.   Again blackcap, dunnock and robin called, but not the elusive nightingale - I don't blame them it was a cold, grey and wet morning.

We re-traced our steps back along the promenade, with the sun coming out and the rain clearing we picnicked with blue skies overhead.  

Shelduck

The day had one last hit - a rain squall as we started out on our afternoon walk, in the opposite direction towads Eastcourt Meadows - but that soon cleared.   Two mediterranean gulls called above us, their almost transparent wings showing well in the bright sky.  

Black-headed gulls and herring gull enjoyed the protection at Sharp's Green, and as we continued along the path, we saw many more blackbird and robin.    On Copperhouse Marshes a colony of black-headed gulls were in residence, with several oystercatchers, mallard and starling sharing this haven, cut off from the mainland.

Finally, we returned to the car park another excellent day out.

Rain, Hail and water everywhere

I had offered to take part in the 2012 Nightingale survey and as I have no idea of the layout of the tetrads I have taken on, it seemed like a good idea to do a recce this week.  

We started along the canal towpath, unfortunately as we started our walk the skies darkened and rain threatened, however, there were lots of birds singing to keep us entertained.   Chiffchaff called from a wire above us, giving us a great opportunity to watch at reasonably close quarters.   Blue tit, great tit, chaffinch, and blackcap were also around us - although the blackcap kept itself hidden within the brambles nearby.

Canal

On the fields magpies, lapwing, moorhen and wood pigeons strutted.   Areas of the canal edges have been cleared to enable a better view of the water, but unfortunately in parts this has removed vital habitat for wildlife, hopefully they are mindful of this and will rotate the clearance responsibly.

This part of the recce over, and with heavy rain falling we moved off to Grain to see if there were any landfall migrants about.   The rain continued as we drove along, and we decided to take an early lunch whilst the clouds cleared.

New Sycamore Leaves

A swallow flew along the coast low down, presumably feeling as hungry as we were.   A blackcap was heard in the distance.  

As the tide was quite a way out we decided to explore the scrub area beyond the seafront first.   Starling and house sparrow were our most numerous bird species, as we moved further inland I noticed a warbler in the alexander plants.   As we watched it came to the top of the plant and revealed itself to be a chiffchaff.  Soon after it burst into song, to confirm the identification.   A local resident wandered along and gave us a birding update - he had recently seen whitethroat and blackcap.   Cetti's warbler had overwintered, and he was pleased to hear that we had seen a swallow from the car park.  

Armed with some advice on the whereabouts of the whitethroat we ventured deeper into the 'park'.   within minutes we had heard the song, and after a bit of detective work we managed to track the individual bird down, a quick flash and it was gone, but at least we had confirmation of its safe arrival - a heartening sight.

Two male blackcaps were great to see with their black crowns shining in the daylight.   Cetti's warbler sang nearby.

As we approached the sea, the rain started to fall again, and we made our hasty departure, counting a rookery of over 80 nests on the way.

We bravely decided to call in at Northward Hill reserve - another soaking and very few birds unfortunately, but Irene did spot some stock doves in a field in front of the viewpoint.

Slimbridge Post Script . . . . .

I forgot to mention the huge rookeries everywhere. Lots of activity, noise and squabbling from large flocks of these strutting corvids.

It was great to watch their interactions.

Willow Warbler and Osprey

I'm down in Bristol for the weekend, and took the opportunity to go to Slimbridge - brimming with other people's 'little darlings' - but if you go to the wilder parts, great for getting close to the birds.

The most notable sighting of the day was an osprey sitting high up in a tree on a country lane, presumably on migration and taking advantage of the numerous fish farms along the Severn Valley. As the car slowed beneath it, the bird took to the wing, but a great close encounter for us - well spotted Kevin!

A Hide

Male Smew

On to Slimbridge, and there were over 300 shelduck on the estuary, with lesser black-backed, black-headed and the odd common gull loafing on the mud banks. Blue tit, great tit, dunnock, and blackbird moved through the hedges as we skirted the fields, and seven snow geese grazed (later flying overhead) interestingly I saw seven snow geese at Dungeness a few weeks ago, and the last report I saw of them was heading west - perhaps the same group trying to gradually work North West?

The highlight for me was hearing willow warbler - hiding from prying eyes in trees just out of view behind scrub, but singing it's heart out. A fantastic sound- delights me every time.

Red Tiger Caterpillar

With mixed feelings about bird collections, I have to admit the best part of the 'world collection' was not South America, or Africa - places I have visited in the past - but our very own 'European collection'. Here I was able to get close to gadwall, pochard, smew, and goldeneye - hearing and watching the male displaying far easier than through the murky light at Cliffe Pools! So, from an educational point of view - it was great.

Where next??

If it's Wednesday it has to be Wiltshire . . . and a long-promised trip to the Great Bustard Project on Salisbury Plain.

A good run down and we were in the car park for our rendezvous in a nearby village with plenty of time to spare.   We were joined by a party of four from Southampton and we climbed into the land rover to be ferried to the viewing hide.   A large area has been set aside for the birds with predator fencing and large areas of the compound ploughed up to provide lekking sites for the Bustard and nesting areas for stone curlew.

There are several decoys planted in the area to entice the returning birds into the protected pen, and two had taken the bait.   A male from last year and a female from a previous year had paired up.   We watched as they strutted about pecking at insects and seeds in the long grass.  

Our guide advised that the Russian Government had committed to sending hatchlings annually for ten years to aid the project and they were now in year 7.   Unfortunately there are only believed to be 8 birds on site (of which we saw 2) and many of the young fledglings bred on the Plain have fallen to predation by foxes.  It is believed that the breeding birds are successful parents and that the young survive to about 8 months, so it must be quite challenging to maintain positivity when the long-term outcome appears to be inevitable.   Four of the birds have flown to the Cherbourg Peninsular and not returned, and a couple of others regularly migrate to the Dorset coast near Abbotsbury when conditions on the Plain in the winter prevent them feeding - these birds generally return.

Although we had primarily come to see the Great Bustard, the opportunity to find a stone curlew presented us with a far greater challenge, as you will know these cryptic birds settle on the ground and become part of the landscape.  They can only be seen when they move.    Luckily for Malcolm, he happened to be looking in the right place at the right time - no skill there then!

We had good views through the telescope when the heat haze cleared and the bird stood up and moved about but when it settled down we had no chance.   A great bird to see though.

As we moved around the site we also saw buzzard, magpie, rook, kestrel, stonechat and corn bunting.

At the end of the trip there was time to buy a momento or join the Great Bustard Group, even some Great Bustard Ale from the local brewery.

The visit lasted about two hours, and we had time to call in at Stonehenge before we returned home.