Today I had to go to the airport to collect my mother, so we decided to get a few hours of birding in at the ponds. There was definately more activity on the water with numerous White-headed ducks and Pochards about. 
In the main hide in front of the large pond we noticed seven herons flying toward us in the distance, as the got near we identified them as Purple Heron. They flew right over us, quite a spectacular start to the morning.
In the main hide in front of the large pond we noticed seven herons flying toward us in the distance, as the got near we identified them as Purple Heron. They flew right over us, quite a spectacular start to the morning. Working our way round the hides we saw the usual birds, but enjoyed watching 3 Bee-eaters playing about and landing on the long thin branches of the bushes. Many Woodchat Shrikes could be seen, never seen so many in one morning. The Osprey was feeding all morning on the same post, never leaving this position. I never take it for granted that he is still there and could be seen at any time, feeding within fairly close range.
Such a sight would be spectacular in the UK. At the last hide before we hit the beach we saw Green Sandpiper, Redshank, Avocet and 9 Whimbrel.
Such a sight would be spectacular in the UK. At the last hide before we hit the beach we saw Green Sandpiper, Redshank, Avocet and 9 Whimbrel.So it was on the the beach and could observe 4 Sandwich Terns diving for fish where the river meets the sea. Also a flock of Turnstones came close to us on the rocks, they seemed quite tame. Looking over we saw Sanderlin and a Kentish Plover, but saw a different wader. Getting out the books it turned out to be a Dunlin with its black bit underneath. This was a first for both of us.
Altogether we saw 51 species that morning....a great mornings birding.
Birdlist: Monk Parakeet, Kestrel, opsprey, pochard, White-headed duck, Mallard, Goldfinch, Bee-eater, Sparrow, Redshank, Greenfinch, Serin, Swallow, house Martin, Purple Heron, Grey Heron, Little-ringed plover, Cormorant, Chifchaf, Little Grebe, Black-winged Stilt, Woodchat Shrike, Gadwall, Common Greenshank, Great Tit, Blackbird, Green Sandpiper, Spotless Starling, Shovelar, Coot, Turnstone, White Wagtail, Whimbrel, Sandwich tern, Dunlin, Kentish Plover, Northern Wheatear, Avocet, Sardinian Warbler, Black-headed Gull, Fan-tailed Warbler, Swift, Little Egret, Cattle Egret, Hoopee, Common Sandpiper, Crested Lark, Grey Wagtail, Sanderlin.
What a great day, Mark. You certainly had the better of the mother-meeting; I went Friday to collect my mother and whilst putting her into a hire car had some nasty piece of work open the back door and steal Jenny's bag, complete with about £250 and her brand new Zeiss binoculars only bought the day before. That's £997 down the proverbial drain but I have now ordered replacement from "swopics" in Cornwall at a £100 cheaper. Looks as if I will still make a loss as the insurance maximum is £300.
ReplyDeleteBack to birds. Great to see the Turnstones, which I am yet to see at this site, and the Purple Herons. Who knows, if the water goes down a little more we may even get Squacco Herons; I certainly hope so. Liked your sighting of Curlew; we saw Whimbrel last week in the same place. Slightly smaller in size than the Curlew and a shorter down-curved beak. Can't miss the Curlews, though, it seems to almost reach the ground.
Anyway, another good day's birding.
Bob
Hi Mark
ReplyDeleteObviously you had a good day. I was there yesterday lunchtime and though it was very quiet on the main pond - no Osprey, Marsh Harrier, Cormorant, Monk Paraqueet etc - still managed to see 52 species.
This included your Purple Heron, one Whimbrel behind the beach, the Greenshank that has been there for some time now, 5 or 6 Wheatears on the gritty stuff near the Sea Observatory and good views of Reed warbler.
But the stars for me were two Collared Pratincoles flying above the hide at the back of the reserve and my first Spotted Flycather of the year.
Like you a good days birding.
Cheers
Eric