MADZAROVO TO BOURGAS
Our third day and it was equally as good as the previous two, clear sky all day bright sunshine top temp. 28C.
We had an early breakfast and headed off easterly from the hotel. We stopped briefly at the high ridge near the river where we photographed several griffon vultures, we also saw Middle Spotted Woodpecker, Peregrine Falcon, Common Kestrel, Sombre Tit and Cirl Bunting. The next half an hour was spent driving around a large reservoir where saw many specie at the side of the road or on top of bushes: Red Backed Shrike, Corn Bunting, Cirl Bunting, Spotted Flycatcher and to my great amazement we saw a WHITE TAILED EAGLE, what a thrill my first one!!!
Over the next couple of hours we drove through lovely countryside stopped when we saw something good and often to look at soaring raptors. We found Common Buzzard, Syrian Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (heard), Spanish Sparrow and Short-toed Eagle.
At a raptor watch point we found Long-legged buzzard and two IMPERIAL EAGLES, a superb find as they both showed well for about 5 minutes.
As we drove further eastward we found more and more migrants each time we stopped: Spotted Flycatchers, Lesser Whitethroat, Common Redstart, Tree Pipit and we also found Woodlark, Chaffinch, Stonechat and lots of Hawfinches.
After a lunch break we were now only 30 kilometers west of Bourgas, we began seeing more and more raptors in the sky and one particular stop produced a fantastic list of sightings. Common Buzzards (20+), Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Hobby (1), Red-footed falcon (3), Short-toed Eagle (5), Black Stork (126) and the best of the lot, LESSER SPOTTED EAGLE (250+) all of these passed over in about 45 minutes!
It took sometime to get over the excitement but we did and continued our journey into Bourgas. This large city is found on the banks of the Black Sea but it also has huge areas of salt pans, open lakes and a massive bay. The whole area is known as the Bourgas Wetlands. We checked into our hotel on the northern side of the town and quickly set off to the salt pans and raptor view point for a couple of hours birding before it went dark.
Our trip list more than doubled with the amount of sightings we had over the next couple of hours. Pied Avocet, Common Redshank, Spotted Redshank, Eurasian Curlew, Ringed Plover and Ruff were the species of wader but we also saw: Eurasian Spoonbill, Yellow-legged Gull, Black Headed Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Slender-billed Gull and Little Gull. In the bay we also found Eurasian Teal, Northern Shoveler, Pintail, Mallard, Little Egret, Grey Heron, great White Egret, Common Shelduck, Ruddy Shelduck, Great Cormorant and a huge flock of Dalmatian Pelicans.
We ended the day as the light began to fade and drove the short distance back to the hotel. We had a lovely dinner, but we retired early after another fantastic day.
Red-throated Bee-eater
join us for a fantastic tour of The Gambia this November
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Saturday, September 29, 2012
SATURDAY 29TH SEPT 2012 - BULGARIA RECCE TRIP DAY 2
VACHA VALLEY - TO THE EAST RHODOPE MOUNTAINS VIA SMOYLAN, KARDZHALI TO MADZAROVO
Our second day in beautiful Bulgaria and another sun blessed day, it reached 32C during the afternoon and the light was fantastic.
We started with an early morning walk from the hotel and quickly found some birds. On the river adjacent to the hotel there were Dippers galore and a couple of Grey Wagtails, Along the lane we logged Chaffinch, Great tit, Blue Tit, Willow Warbler, Cirl Bunting, Rock Bunting, Black Redstart and we heard several Nutcrakers and a single Black Woodpecker, On the way back to the hotel we had sightings of NUTCRACKER and a lovely Chamois sat on cliff ledge some 30 meters above us as we sat eating our breakfast.
We checked out of the hotel and drove to the famous Tregrad Gorge and 'Devil's Throat' Cave. What a superb place, the scenery was simply stunning, with towering citadels of limestone lining the narrow roads.
Four shots of the Wallcreeper gorge
We searched for WALLCREEPER at a couple of places before we finally caught up with one, what a little stunner, it disappeared before we had chance to photograph it. We also saw Coal Tit, Raven, Marsh Tit, Great Tit and many Crag Martins.
More great scenic views of the Rhodope Mountains as we travel from west to east
Our journey now took us from the Western Rhodopes to the eastern side with dramatic landscapes changing from pine forest mountains to deciduous rolling hills and open fields. Along the way we passed through a couple of large towns and many picturesque villages. We stopped many time to look for or to watch roadside birds, these included: Mistle Thrush, Common Buzzard, Hawfinch, Crossbill, Nutcracker, Jay, Hooded Crow, Common Kestrel, SYRIAN WOODPECKER, Great Spotted Woodpecker and we heard Green Woodpecker a couple of times.
Finally, during the late afternoon, we arrived at Madzarovo which was to be our base for the night, After checking into a rather luxurious hotel in a very squalid looking town, we drove a short distance to a superb birding location. We parked in a roadside pull-in which had a nice table and benches where we sat for until dark and watch the birdies go by. What great couple of hours we had, a flock of some 20 Griffon vultures circled above and eventually came down to roost on the cliff face which towered above us. We also noted many Crag Martins, Raven and Common Kestrel. In the trees and along the river we noted: Grey Heron, Great Cormorant, KIngfisher, Mallard, Spotted Flycatcher, Cirl Bunting, SOMBRE TIT, MIDDLE SPOTTED WOODPECKER, ROCK NUTHATCH (heard only), Alpine Swift, Long tailed Tit and Rock Bunting. We also heard a Green Woodpecker call a couple of times. Our woodpecker tally for the day was 5 species!!
As it got dark we decided to leave, we drove back to hotel and sat outside to eat a lovely meal with a nice cold beer.
Our second day in beautiful Bulgaria and another sun blessed day, it reached 32C during the afternoon and the light was fantastic.
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| Chamois watching us eat our breakfast |
We started with an early morning walk from the hotel and quickly found some birds. On the river adjacent to the hotel there were Dippers galore and a couple of Grey Wagtails, Along the lane we logged Chaffinch, Great tit, Blue Tit, Willow Warbler, Cirl Bunting, Rock Bunting, Black Redstart and we heard several Nutcrakers and a single Black Woodpecker, On the way back to the hotel we had sightings of NUTCRACKER and a lovely Chamois sat on cliff ledge some 30 meters above us as we sat eating our breakfast.
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| A record shot of a Nutcraker in a typical pose |
We checked out of the hotel and drove to the famous Tregrad Gorge and 'Devil's Throat' Cave. What a superb place, the scenery was simply stunning, with towering citadels of limestone lining the narrow roads.
Four shots of the Wallcreeper gorge
We searched for WALLCREEPER at a couple of places before we finally caught up with one, what a little stunner, it disappeared before we had chance to photograph it. We also saw Coal Tit, Raven, Marsh Tit, Great Tit and many Crag Martins.
More great scenic views of the Rhodope Mountains as we travel from west to east
Our journey now took us from the Western Rhodopes to the eastern side with dramatic landscapes changing from pine forest mountains to deciduous rolling hills and open fields. Along the way we passed through a couple of large towns and many picturesque villages. We stopped many time to look for or to watch roadside birds, these included: Mistle Thrush, Common Buzzard, Hawfinch, Crossbill, Nutcracker, Jay, Hooded Crow, Common Kestrel, SYRIAN WOODPECKER, Great Spotted Woodpecker and we heard Green Woodpecker a couple of times.
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| Sombre Tit - record shot |
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| Tobacco - didn't realise it was grown in Bulgaria |
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| Typical scenes in western Rhodpoe |
Finally, during the late afternoon, we arrived at Madzarovo which was to be our base for the night, After checking into a rather luxurious hotel in a very squalid looking town, we drove a short distance to a superb birding location. We parked in a roadside pull-in which had a nice table and benches where we sat for until dark and watch the birdies go by. What great couple of hours we had, a flock of some 20 Griffon vultures circled above and eventually came down to roost on the cliff face which towered above us. We also noted many Crag Martins, Raven and Common Kestrel. In the trees and along the river we noted: Grey Heron, Great Cormorant, KIngfisher, Mallard, Spotted Flycatcher, Cirl Bunting, SOMBRE TIT, MIDDLE SPOTTED WOODPECKER, ROCK NUTHATCH (heard only), Alpine Swift, Long tailed Tit and Rock Bunting. We also heard a Green Woodpecker call a couple of times. Our woodpecker tally for the day was 5 species!!
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| Open rolling hills of eastern Rhodope |
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| Can't remember what they call this rock.........oh yes, it's Elephant rock |
As it got dark we decided to leave, we drove back to hotel and sat outside to eat a lovely meal with a nice cold beer.
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| The mountains around Madzarovo |
Friday, September 28, 2012
FRIDAY SEPT 28TH 2912 - BULGARIA RECCE DAY 1
After an overnight flight from Malaga to London and then an early morning flight to Sofia - I had finally arrived in Bulgaria.
It was hot and sunny when I arrived at 11:30am a top temperature of 30C was reached during the afternoon.
I was met by my good friend Iordan Hristov who was to be my guide and companion for the week. We set off heading south eastward from the city and soon we were out in the countryside. As we drove through the suburbs we logged Eurasian Magpie, Jackdaw, House Sparrow and Collared Dove. A couple of stops in open arable fields just south of Pazardzhik produced Lesser grey Shrike, Red-backed Shrike and two of my old favourites Crested Lark and Corn Bunting. A couple of raptors flew over the car as drove deeper into the mountains, these were Common Kestrel and Common Buzzard.
All birdy pictures taken by Iordan Hristov
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| Lesser Grey Shrike |
We entered the valley of the river Vacha where our views became restricted by high sided gorges and forest covered hillsides, we stopped to watch Dipper, Grey Wagtails and a couple of Jays flew across the road in front of us.We also had several sightings of Common Raven.
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| Crested Lark posing nicely |
By the time we reached our destination the beautiful mountain village of Yagodina the temperature had dropped by 10C and the light was just divine. What a fantastic setting this village is situated, there was a wonderful tranquil atmosphere in the most picturesque surroundings. We sat and took coffee on the terrace of the hotel where we saw White Wagtail, Black Redstart, Hooded Crow, a distant Common Kestrel and a Goldfinch.
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| Dipper |
Driving back down the gorge we stopped to look at Dippers , Ravens and Grey Wagtails and also noted Serin. We checked into our hotel for the evening and after a shower and a quick siesta we met on the terrace for a cool beer. A delicious hot chicken and vegetable stew called Kavarna was washed down with a second beer.
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| Two views of the Vacha river behind the dam |
I couldn't believe it when the bill came for the food!! Two courses and two large beers, £5 the lot!!!!!! I think I'm gonna like it here! A Robin called at it began to get dark and quite chilly.
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| further into the narrow gorge |
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
TUESDAY 25TH SEPT 2012 - DOWN BY THE RIVER
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| Cirl Bunting |
Dawn and I were joined by Gill and Noel for an afternoon picnic at the river - we sat under our favourite tree and watched over a nice stretch of the river. Our bird - bathing and drinking pool was in full use, we listed the following coming to drink or bathe:
1. Blue Tit
2. Great Tit
3. Long-tailed Tit
4. Willow Warbler
5. Greenfinch
6. Chaffinch
7. Goldfinch
8. Serin
9. Blackcap
10. Garden Warbler
11. Chicffchaff
12. Robin
13. Cirl Bunting
14. House Sparrow
15. Grey Wagtail
16. White Wagtail
17. Cetti's Warbler
other species recorded during our visit
18. Crag Martin
19. House Martin
20. Sand Martin
21. Barn swallow
22. Hoopoe
23. Southern grey shrike
24. Stonechat
25. Rock Sparrow
26. Kingfisher
27. Green Sandpiper
28. Common Sandpiper
29. Grey heron
30. Common Kestrel
31. Eurasian Sparrowhawk
32. Griffon Vulture
33. Black Stork (3 high over)
34. Spotless Starling
35. Great spotted Woodpecker
36. Short-toed treecreeper
37. Sardinian Warbler
38. Common Redstart
39. Pied Flycatcher
40. Wood Pigeon
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| Grey Wagtail near the drinking pool |
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| a very obliging Common Redstart let me approch very closely - then I realised why!! Can you see the large swelling at the back of the head? This is probably a large tumor and the bird is not well at all even though it seemed to be feeding OK as we watched it. See the picture below for a closer loo at the swelling. |
MONDAY 24TH SEPT 2012 - DAY TOUR
GAUCIN CHESTNUT WOODS - ENCINAS BORRACHES TRACK - SIERRA DE LAS NIEVES
Today I took out Gill Noel and Megan and Mathew (from the USA), both couples were with me for their third day out. It was a lovely morning with a bit of a chill in the air.
We left the village at 9am and drove the short distance up the hill on the Ronda road to the chestnut woods. These chestnut trees are fully laden with an enormous amount of fruit and very obligingly they have a lot of dead branches protruding from their canopies, this is where our local flock of Hawfinches love to sit. Sure enough the finches where there sunning themselves before flying off to feed.
The rest of the wood was very quiet but we did catch up with: Eurasian Nuthatch, Crested Tit, Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Eurasian Sparrowhawk. At the site of the old Gaucin bull-ring we found a flock of 6 Mistle Thrushes, a European Robin and some Blue Tits.
We drove further northward towards Ronda stopping just once to look at a flock of 11 Bee-eaters which were perched on some wires and showing well at the side of the road.
At the Encinas Borraches track we spent a couple of hours watching several good species. A huge flock of Corn Buntings (100+) has now gathered in the area and we watched coming to drink. Also at the puddle were Rock Sparrow, Rock Bunting, Linnet, Serin and Goldfinch.
A little further afield we found several Whinchats, a couple of Northern Wheatears, Thekla Larks and a pair of Southern Grey Shrikes. As we approached the heathland area we found a Little on the rocks and we had very distant sightings of Blue Rock Thrush and Black Wheatear and a couple of Red Deer stags.
Other species seen were Woodchat Shrike, Marsh Harrier, Griffon Vulture, Short-toed Eagle, Common Kestrel and Sparrowhawk. On the heath we found a couple of Dartford Warblers, one of which was particularly obliging and perched right on top of a bush for us, how nice!
After a quick coffee stop we drove into the natural park at Sierra de las Nieves where we parked at the entrance car park and ate our picnic lunch at the tables provided. Whilst eating we watched a very showy male Common Redstart and we located by call a small flock of Woodlarks (5) which were feeding in the nearby grassy scrub.
As we drove deeper into the park we logged Jay, Willow Warbler, Stonechat and we stopped to watch several Black Wheatears. The odd Pied Flycatcher was still about and we had a couple more of sightings of Dartford Warbler and we found Spectacled Warblers, one of which perched on a fence for us to admire. Several Crag Martins were hawking the hillside as we reached a higher elevation.
In the pine woods we spent some time tracking down several Firecrests, we all eventually had great views of them. A small stream, which is fed from a natural spring, attracted several birds to drink. It was really great to see Hawfinch, Mistle Thrush, Chaffinch, Pied Flycatcher and Grey Wagtail at the stream either drinking or bathing.
Raptors we few and far between: we only recorded Griffon Vulture, Kestrel, Short-toed Eagle and whilst at the coffee stop we saw 10 Black storks fly over. As we left the park we stopped to enjoy much closer views of Black Wheatears.
That concluded the day tour and also the visit of Megan and Mathew, they had seen a good variety of species during their short stay in the area and had list well over 100 species.
Today I took out Gill Noel and Megan and Mathew (from the USA), both couples were with me for their third day out. It was a lovely morning with a bit of a chill in the air.
We left the village at 9am and drove the short distance up the hill on the Ronda road to the chestnut woods. These chestnut trees are fully laden with an enormous amount of fruit and very obligingly they have a lot of dead branches protruding from their canopies, this is where our local flock of Hawfinches love to sit. Sure enough the finches where there sunning themselves before flying off to feed.
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| Hawfinch |
The rest of the wood was very quiet but we did catch up with: Eurasian Nuthatch, Crested Tit, Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Eurasian Sparrowhawk. At the site of the old Gaucin bull-ring we found a flock of 6 Mistle Thrushes, a European Robin and some Blue Tits.
We drove further northward towards Ronda stopping just once to look at a flock of 11 Bee-eaters which were perched on some wires and showing well at the side of the road.
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| Probably the last of the Bee-eaters I will see this year |
At the Encinas Borraches track we spent a couple of hours watching several good species. A huge flock of Corn Buntings (100+) has now gathered in the area and we watched coming to drink. Also at the puddle were Rock Sparrow, Rock Bunting, Linnet, Serin and Goldfinch.
A little further afield we found several Whinchats, a couple of Northern Wheatears, Thekla Larks and a pair of Southern Grey Shrikes. As we approached the heathland area we found a Little on the rocks and we had very distant sightings of Blue Rock Thrush and Black Wheatear and a couple of Red Deer stags.
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| One of 5 Whinchats in the area |
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| Red Deer stags |
Other species seen were Woodchat Shrike, Marsh Harrier, Griffon Vulture, Short-toed Eagle, Common Kestrel and Sparrowhawk. On the heath we found a couple of Dartford Warblers, one of which was particularly obliging and perched right on top of a bush for us, how nice!
After a quick coffee stop we drove into the natural park at Sierra de las Nieves where we parked at the entrance car park and ate our picnic lunch at the tables provided. Whilst eating we watched a very showy male Common Redstart and we located by call a small flock of Woodlarks (5) which were feeding in the nearby grassy scrub.
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| Woodlark from the flock of 5 |
As we drove deeper into the park we logged Jay, Willow Warbler, Stonechat and we stopped to watch several Black Wheatears. The odd Pied Flycatcher was still about and we had a couple more of sightings of Dartford Warbler and we found Spectacled Warblers, one of which perched on a fence for us to admire. Several Crag Martins were hawking the hillside as we reached a higher elevation.
In the pine woods we spent some time tracking down several Firecrests, we all eventually had great views of them. A small stream, which is fed from a natural spring, attracted several birds to drink. It was really great to see Hawfinch, Mistle Thrush, Chaffinch, Pied Flycatcher and Grey Wagtail at the stream either drinking or bathing.
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| The view from our picnic site into the park, we found several common Redstarts and the Woodlarks in this area |
Raptors we few and far between: we only recorded Griffon Vulture, Kestrel, Short-toed Eagle and whilst at the coffee stop we saw 10 Black storks fly over. As we left the park we stopped to enjoy much closer views of Black Wheatears.
That concluded the day tour and also the visit of Megan and Mathew, they had seen a good variety of species during their short stay in the area and had list well over 100 species.
SUNDAY 23RD SEPT 2012 - DAY TOUR
TARIFA RAPTOR WATCH POINT - LA JANDA - BARBATE MARSHES
Megan and Mathew joined me for their second day out. I collected them from their holiday home in Jimena de la Frontera at 8am. It was bright and sunny and quite warm, no noticeable wind - a perfect day.
We drove straight down to the coast via Castellar where we counted over 50 White Storks perched on their nests along the railway line. At the coast we drove into thick mist and low cloud which got thicker as we drove through Algeciras towards Tarifa.
The road rises up over the hills as we approached Tarifa and we rose above the clouds into superb sunshine with a clear blue sky. The raptor watch sat in warm sunshine and was very still, no wind for a change. Birds began to appear as the air temperature rose we saw single Black kites, Short-toed Eagles and Booted Eagles. After an hour there were many of the above, all rising on thermals in groups of 10-20 birds. We also saw a flock of 10 Black Storks and some Griffon Vultures. On the ground we found Northern Wheatear, Red-legged Partridge, Sardinian Warbler, Crested Larks and a few Stonechats. Many Red-rumped Swallows flew passed as did a single Common Swift and an Alpine Swift.
Next we made a brief stop at the beach of Los Lances but the mist was too thick to see anything except: Cattle Egrets, Spotless Starling and a single Little Egret fed along the shoreline.
Our visit to La Janda was littered with many stops and some great sightings. The air remained still so the temperature crept up as the day wore on. A flock of some 300 White Storks was a nice sight and soon we were watching: Corn Buntings, Zitting Cisticola, Green Sandpipers and dozens of Cattle Egrets.
As we ventured along the central track we watched Marsh Harriers and a single Montagu's Harrier and at one point we saw both of those circling above us together with a Black Winged Kite!
On the track to Benalup we saw another 4 Black winged Kites, many Yellow Wagtails, Red-legged Partridge, Common Pheasant and a flock of Jackdaws. At a pool near benalup we found two Lapwings, Common Snipe, Common Sandpiper, Ringed Plover, Black winged Stilt and a single Collared Pratincole hawked insects above us. Then we found two adult Bonelli's Eagles circling very high above us and the next sighting was the spectacle of above 500 White Storks circling on the thermals, they rose to a great height before drifting off towards the coast.
Our last port of call was the Marshes at Barbate (Sewer works near Vejer). As usual the whole area was covered with birds: Glossy Ibis numbered in their hundreds as did Black-winged Stilts. We also saw Wood sandpiper (6), Green Sandpiper (4), Common Sandpiper (2), Common Snipe (11), Shoveler (2) there were also many Common Coot, Moorhen and several Common Ringed Plover.
All day long we had sightings of Short-toed Eagles, Booted Eagles, Marsh Harriers and Black Kites as they drifted off to Africa.
Megan and Mathew joined me for their second day out. I collected them from their holiday home in Jimena de la Frontera at 8am. It was bright and sunny and quite warm, no noticeable wind - a perfect day.
We drove straight down to the coast via Castellar where we counted over 50 White Storks perched on their nests along the railway line. At the coast we drove into thick mist and low cloud which got thicker as we drove through Algeciras towards Tarifa.
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| Cazalla raptor watch point near Tarifa |
The road rises up over the hills as we approached Tarifa and we rose above the clouds into superb sunshine with a clear blue sky. The raptor watch sat in warm sunshine and was very still, no wind for a change. Birds began to appear as the air temperature rose we saw single Black kites, Short-toed Eagles and Booted Eagles. After an hour there were many of the above, all rising on thermals in groups of 10-20 birds. We also saw a flock of 10 Black Storks and some Griffon Vultures. On the ground we found Northern Wheatear, Red-legged Partridge, Sardinian Warbler, Crested Larks and a few Stonechats. Many Red-rumped Swallows flew passed as did a single Common Swift and an Alpine Swift.
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| Spotless Starling singing in the autumn sunshine |
Next we made a brief stop at the beach of Los Lances but the mist was too thick to see anything except: Cattle Egrets, Spotless Starling and a single Little Egret fed along the shoreline.
Our visit to La Janda was littered with many stops and some great sightings. The air remained still so the temperature crept up as the day wore on. A flock of some 300 White Storks was a nice sight and soon we were watching: Corn Buntings, Zitting Cisticola, Green Sandpipers and dozens of Cattle Egrets.
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| just one of the hundreds of White Storks seen in La Janda |
As we ventured along the central track we watched Marsh Harriers and a single Montagu's Harrier and at one point we saw both of those circling above us together with a Black Winged Kite!
On the track to Benalup we saw another 4 Black winged Kites, many Yellow Wagtails, Red-legged Partridge, Common Pheasant and a flock of Jackdaws. At a pool near benalup we found two Lapwings, Common Snipe, Common Sandpiper, Ringed Plover, Black winged Stilt and a single Collared Pratincole hawked insects above us. Then we found two adult Bonelli's Eagles circling very high above us and the next sighting was the spectacle of above 500 White Storks circling on the thermals, they rose to a great height before drifting off towards the coast.
Our last port of call was the Marshes at Barbate (Sewer works near Vejer). As usual the whole area was covered with birds: Glossy Ibis numbered in their hundreds as did Black-winged Stilts. We also saw Wood sandpiper (6), Green Sandpiper (4), Common Sandpiper (2), Common Snipe (11), Shoveler (2) there were also many Common Coot, Moorhen and several Common Ringed Plover.
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| not the usual bird that you would expect on a fence wire |
All day long we had sightings of Short-toed Eagles, Booted Eagles, Marsh Harriers and Black Kites as they drifted off to Africa.
Monday, September 24, 2012
SATURDAY 22ND SEPT - TARIFA PELAGIC
WHALE AND DOLPHIN BOAT TRIP IN THE STRAIT OF GIBRALTAR
A morning excursion to tarifa followed by a noon boat trip was enjoyed by myself, Dawn, Gill & Noel today.
A walk along the seafront produced some good sightings, there were many Sanderling, a few Turstones, a single Bar-tailed Godwit and lots of Sandwich Terns feeding in the bay. Apart from good numbers of Yellow-legged Gulls we could see several Northern Gannets diving a little further out in the Atlantic.
We walked the causeway to Tarifa Island with the Mediterranean Sea on our left and the Atlantic Ocean on our right.
The boat was great we had good close views of Cory's Shearwaters and distant views of Balearic Shearwaters. A POMERINE SKUA was seen chasing gulls just a fe2w meters in front of the boat.
Lots of migrating eagles flew over us as we cruised the Strait: Short-toed and Booted Eagles, Black Kites and a Marsh harrier were logged.
But it was the cetaceans that we came for and that is exactly what we got. The boat was surrounded by White Sided and Bottle Nosed Dolphins for quite a while and much later we had fantastic views of a pod of Pilot Whales.
Several Sun Fish drifted passed the bow as we headed back to the quay.
A morning excursion to tarifa followed by a noon boat trip was enjoyed by myself, Dawn, Gill & Noel today.
A walk along the seafront produced some good sightings, there were many Sanderling, a few Turstones, a single Bar-tailed Godwit and lots of Sandwich Terns feeding in the bay. Apart from good numbers of Yellow-legged Gulls we could see several Northern Gannets diving a little further out in the Atlantic.
We walked the causeway to Tarifa Island with the Mediterranean Sea on our left and the Atlantic Ocean on our right.
The boat was great we had good close views of Cory's Shearwaters and distant views of Balearic Shearwaters. A POMERINE SKUA was seen chasing gulls just a fe2w meters in front of the boat.
Lots of migrating eagles flew over us as we cruised the Strait: Short-toed and Booted Eagles, Black Kites and a Marsh harrier were logged.
But it was the cetaceans that we came for and that is exactly what we got. The boat was surrounded by White Sided and Bottle Nosed Dolphins for quite a while and much later we had fantastic views of a pod of Pilot Whales.
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| Two views of Pilot Whales |
Several Sun Fish drifted passed the bow as we headed back to the quay.
Friday, September 21, 2012
SEPT 21ST - DAY TOUR
SAN PABLO TRACK - SAN ENRIQUE WOODS - LAGUNA TORREGUADIARO - PALOMONES
WHAT A FANTASTIC DAY OF BRILLIANT BIRDING WITH GOLDEN EAGLE TAKING THE TOP SPOT AND BLACK WINGED KITE NEXT ON THE PODIUM.
My clients today were Megan and Mathew from Chicago, USA they wanted to see raptors and that is exactly what they got. It was dull and overcast with a temperature of 17C.
I collected Megan and Mathew from their holiday home in Jimena de la frontera at 9am, and we drove the short distance to San Pablo, along the way we saw Woodchat Shrike, Common Kestrel and Stonechat.
We parked at the entrance to the track and were soon logging new species, in fact every bird we saw was a new species for my guests. We started with Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Blue Tit and Sardinian Warbler. On the wires we saw MEADOW PIPIT first for the autumn. Across the road we saw a Marsh harrier quartering a field then a Common Buzzard flew from a row of trees and chased the harrier off. We then noticed a a smaller bird of prey gliding across the same field it then perched on a nearby pylon, in the scope we had great views of it, a BLACK WINGED KITE a great sighting for the day.
We then spent an enjoyable hour watching some lovely species which included: Crested Lark, Greenfinch, Corn Bunting, Southern Grey Shrike and Linnets. But it was the birds of prey that stole the show, we saw a several Booted Eagles, a really low flying Short-toed Eagle, a single Honey Buzzard and lots of Griffon vultures. A flock of 29 Ravens was impressive but our star of the show was a sub-adult GOLDEN EAGLE. The bird flew from the ground and circled a couple of times before drifting over the distant hill, my first first goldie of the area and a superb record.
A brief visit to thew bridge over the river produce3d Common Whitethroat and we heard a Cetti's Warbler but not much else.
We then drove a couple of kilometers down the road toward San Martin, we stopped at the polo Fields where we had great views of a Little Owl near the stables and on the grass a flock of some 200 Yellow Wagtails fed. There we also saw a couple of White Wagtails and a Common Redstart and behind us a flock of 14 Lesser Kestrels fed over a freshly mown hay field.
Lunch was taken in the woods at San Enrique and a brief walk produced great Tit, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Pied Flycatcher and a Grey heron on the river. The track leading from the woods held a small flock of Tree Sparrows.
A short visit to the Laguna Torreeguadiaro was quite successful as we found Common Coot, Moorhen, Little Grebe, Mallard, Gadwall, Purple Swamphen and a few Red-rumped Swallows. On the beach area we found a couple of Northern Wheatears.
Lastly we visited the Palmones estuary where we walked along the promenade in lovely sunshine, after a short coffee stop we scanned the river and marsh where we listed a good number of species. The best of which were: Whimbrel, Osprey, Slender-billed Gull and Ruddy Turnstone. Other species included: Sandwich Terns (50+), Med Gull, Greenshank, Redshank, Kentish Plover, Dunlin, White Stork and Ringed Plover.
We left at 4pm well pleased with our tally for the day, mathew and megan are coming out again on Sunday!
WHAT A FANTASTIC DAY OF BRILLIANT BIRDING WITH GOLDEN EAGLE TAKING THE TOP SPOT AND BLACK WINGED KITE NEXT ON THE PODIUM.
My clients today were Megan and Mathew from Chicago, USA they wanted to see raptors and that is exactly what they got. It was dull and overcast with a temperature of 17C.
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| Mathew and Megan at the start of the San Pablo track |
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| Sardinian Warbler |
We parked at the entrance to the track and were soon logging new species, in fact every bird we saw was a new species for my guests. We started with Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Blue Tit and Sardinian Warbler. On the wires we saw MEADOW PIPIT first for the autumn. Across the road we saw a Marsh harrier quartering a field then a Common Buzzard flew from a row of trees and chased the harrier off. We then noticed a a smaller bird of prey gliding across the same field it then perched on a nearby pylon, in the scope we had great views of it, a BLACK WINGED KITE a great sighting for the day.
We then spent an enjoyable hour watching some lovely species which included: Crested Lark, Greenfinch, Corn Bunting, Southern Grey Shrike and Linnets. But it was the birds of prey that stole the show, we saw a several Booted Eagles, a really low flying Short-toed Eagle, a single Honey Buzzard and lots of Griffon vultures. A flock of 29 Ravens was impressive but our star of the show was a sub-adult GOLDEN EAGLE. The bird flew from the ground and circled a couple of times before drifting over the distant hill, my first first goldie of the area and a superb record.
A brief visit to thew bridge over the river produce3d Common Whitethroat and we heard a Cetti's Warbler but not much else.
We then drove a couple of kilometers down the road toward San Martin, we stopped at the polo Fields where we had great views of a Little Owl near the stables and on the grass a flock of some 200 Yellow Wagtails fed. There we also saw a couple of White Wagtails and a Common Redstart and behind us a flock of 14 Lesser Kestrels fed over a freshly mown hay field.
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| Spotted Flycatcher |
Lunch was taken in the woods at San Enrique and a brief walk produced great Tit, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Pied Flycatcher and a Grey heron on the river. The track leading from the woods held a small flock of Tree Sparrows.
A short visit to the Laguna Torreeguadiaro was quite successful as we found Common Coot, Moorhen, Little Grebe, Mallard, Gadwall, Purple Swamphen and a few Red-rumped Swallows. On the beach area we found a couple of Northern Wheatears.
 |
| Little Grebe |
Lastly we visited the Palmones estuary where we walked along the promenade in lovely sunshine, after a short coffee stop we scanned the river and marsh where we listed a good number of species. The best of which were: Whimbrel, Osprey, Slender-billed Gull and Ruddy Turnstone. Other species included: Sandwich Terns (50+), Med Gull, Greenshank, Redshank, Kentish Plover, Dunlin, White Stork and Ringed Plover.
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| Redshank/Greenshank |
We left at 4pm well pleased with our tally for the day, mathew and megan are coming out again on Sunday!
Thursday, September 20, 2012
SEPT 20TH - DAY TOUR
GAUCIN CHESTNUT WOODS - ENCINAS BORRACHES - SIERRE DE LAS NIEVES - LLANOS DE LIBAR
SPANISH IMPERIAL EAGLE
Today Gill and Noel came out for their second day and Hugh and Pauline joined us for a one-off. We met at 9am just outside Gaucin. It was dull and overcast with a chilly wind - the prospects didn't look good for the rest of the day. I guess it is goodbye to the hot summer temperatures.
Our first stop was at the chestnut woods just north of the village. This area has proven reliable for Hawfinch sightings in recent times and sure enough a party of five were seen almost immediately after we arrived. We had excellent in the scope views of these sought after finches before moving down the track and out of the wind. The woods seemed very quiet and not many birds were seen for 30 minutes or so but as we began walking back towards the car we came across a 'tit flock' which contained Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Firecrest, Crested Tit and a Short-toed Treecreeper. Other birds seen in the area were Great-spotted Woodpecker, Eurasian Nuthatch, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Jay and Pied Flycatcher.
Next we stopped at the Encinas Borraches track and it was evident from the large puddles that heavy rain had fallen during the night. It was windy and dull but our attention was drawn to the sky as a Griffon Vulture passed over then a second bird appeared, it was a large eagle and it passed right over us, it turned out to be a sub-adult SPANISH IMPERIAL EAGLE what a superb find!!
Generally it seemed a bit quiet on the rocky scree area but we did find Southern Grey Shrike, Northern Wheatear, Corn Bunting, Thekla Lark, Stonechat and hundreds of Linnets and Goldfinches. After some walking we added Common Whitethroat, Rock Sparrow, Common Kestrel, Eurasian Sparrowhawk and an Osprey to our daily tally. On the return journey we found a flock of Red-billled Chough, Short-toed Eagle and a Booted Eagle, many more Griffon Vultures drifted over. A small herd of Red Deer and a few species of butterfly were also identified.
We drove up to Ronda and round to the Sierra de las Nieves natural park, as we approached the area we could see that the weather had deteriorated, the sky was very dark and rain threatened! We braved the cold wind and ate our picnic lunch at the tables provided near the entrance to the park. During lunch we found Common Redstart, Willow Warbler and Stonechats. A short walk produced nothing!!
We drove deeper into the park and it started to rain so we decided to give the park a miss, such a pity. On the way out we stop to watch a party of 3 Black Wheatears but we never ventured from the car.
Plan B was to drive around to the west side of Ronda and drive down the Libar valley to Montejaque, but first we stopped for a coffee break.
What a contrast, the weather had improved greatly, it was sunny and warm and birds were singing, well a Blue Rock Thrush was! We found Crag Martin, a sole Alpine Swift, more Black Wheatears and the Blue Rock Thrush. A couple of Spanish Ibex were located at the top of a mountain.
Our final birding venue was the Llanos de Libar, a hidden valley behind the town of Montejaque. We spent a couple of hours in very warm sunshine watching a good selection of species. There were several Black Wheatears, Blue Rock Thrushes, Black Redstarts, we also saw Southern Grey Shrike, Spotless Starling, Rock Sparrow, Willow Warbler, Garden Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Goldfinches, Stonechats and many Griffon Vutlures. A Peregrine Falcon zoomed passed and it proved to be the last new bird of the day, it was 5pm and time to call it day. We logged just under 60 species, a good effort considering the morning's weather but the Imperial Eagle made the day for the group.
SPANISH IMPERIAL EAGLE
Today Gill and Noel came out for their second day and Hugh and Pauline joined us for a one-off. We met at 9am just outside Gaucin. It was dull and overcast with a chilly wind - the prospects didn't look good for the rest of the day. I guess it is goodbye to the hot summer temperatures.
 |
| Gill & Noel in the sunshine of the afternoon at Llanos de Libar |
Our first stop was at the chestnut woods just north of the village. This area has proven reliable for Hawfinch sightings in recent times and sure enough a party of five were seen almost immediately after we arrived. We had excellent in the scope views of these sought after finches before moving down the track and out of the wind. The woods seemed very quiet and not many birds were seen for 30 minutes or so but as we began walking back towards the car we came across a 'tit flock' which contained Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Firecrest, Crested Tit and a Short-toed Treecreeper. Other birds seen in the area were Great-spotted Woodpecker, Eurasian Nuthatch, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Jay and Pied Flycatcher.
Next we stopped at the Encinas Borraches track and it was evident from the large puddles that heavy rain had fallen during the night. It was windy and dull but our attention was drawn to the sky as a Griffon Vulture passed over then a second bird appeared, it was a large eagle and it passed right over us, it turned out to be a sub-adult SPANISH IMPERIAL EAGLE what a superb find!!
Generally it seemed a bit quiet on the rocky scree area but we did find Southern Grey Shrike, Northern Wheatear, Corn Bunting, Thekla Lark, Stonechat and hundreds of Linnets and Goldfinches. After some walking we added Common Whitethroat, Rock Sparrow, Common Kestrel, Eurasian Sparrowhawk and an Osprey to our daily tally. On the return journey we found a flock of Red-billled Chough, Short-toed Eagle and a Booted Eagle, many more Griffon Vultures drifted over. A small herd of Red Deer and a few species of butterfly were also identified.
We drove up to Ronda and round to the Sierra de las Nieves natural park, as we approached the area we could see that the weather had deteriorated, the sky was very dark and rain threatened! We braved the cold wind and ate our picnic lunch at the tables provided near the entrance to the park. During lunch we found Common Redstart, Willow Warbler and Stonechats. A short walk produced nothing!!
 |
| Black Redstart - two view of this Ist year bird (you can still see the remnants of the gape) |
We drove deeper into the park and it started to rain so we decided to give the park a miss, such a pity. On the way out we stop to watch a party of 3 Black Wheatears but we never ventured from the car.
Plan B was to drive around to the west side of Ronda and drive down the Libar valley to Montejaque, but first we stopped for a coffee break.
What a contrast, the weather had improved greatly, it was sunny and warm and birds were singing, well a Blue Rock Thrush was! We found Crag Martin, a sole Alpine Swift, more Black Wheatears and the Blue Rock Thrush. A couple of Spanish Ibex were located at the top of a mountain.
Our final birding venue was the Llanos de Libar, a hidden valley behind the town of Montejaque. We spent a couple of hours in very warm sunshine watching a good selection of species. There were several Black Wheatears, Blue Rock Thrushes, Black Redstarts, we also saw Southern Grey Shrike, Spotless Starling, Rock Sparrow, Willow Warbler, Garden Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Goldfinches, Stonechats and many Griffon Vutlures. A Peregrine Falcon zoomed passed and it proved to be the last new bird of the day, it was 5pm and time to call it day. We logged just under 60 species, a good effort considering the morning's weather but the Imperial Eagle made the day for the group.
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