Eagle Owl watching again this evening with the intention of giving Jim and Mary English their first sighting of these magnificent birds. On a grey but warm Sunday evening we waited and were eventually rewarded as it flew a short distance along the ridge. Patience was again rewarded as it repeated its short flight twice more before perching in a tree on top of the ridge - unfortunately on the far side of the tree but we could see its bulk through the sparse foliage. We then heard it call.
When it first flew two Red-necked Nightjars were in the air with it. Jim identified these for me. It made my night seeing something unexpected with two enthusiastic and experienced birders.
Sunday 31 March 2013
GOOD "BIRDING" FRIDAY
GOOD FRIDAY turned into just that- birding wise. Elaine, Michelle and I set off for Clot and decided to go via Los Montesinos to see if the Montagu’s Harriers –Aguilucho Cenizo – were flying but then we saw a Booted Eagle – Aguililla Calzada with a Marsh Harrier – Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental also circling around between the two salt lakes.
We arrived at Clot to find the Spanish celebrating Easter ‘en masse’. However the birds did not seem to mind. There was a significant amount of water in the main pool with a steady inflow. Sitting in the hide we had close up views of a Black-tailed Godwit- Aguja Collinegro , Black- winged Stilt – Ciguenuela Común, and Snipe - Agachadiza Común all available for the camera. A Purple Gallinule – Calamón Común appeared from out of the reeds. There was a lot of activity on the mud as both House Martins – Avion Comun and Barn Swallows –Golondrina Común - flew in front of us. Two Linnets – Pardillo Común – sat at the water’s edge with Goldfinch – Jilguero and a Little-ringed Plover –Chorlitejo Chico doing the same. Also there were two White-headed Ducks- Malvasia Cabeciblanca. There were the ubiquitous Moorhens – Gallineta Común and House Sparrows –Gorrion Común but apart from Serin – Verdecillo and Sardinian Warbler – Curruca Cabecinegra there were not many small birds around.
We decided to visit El Pinet on the way home hoping to see Collared Pratincole – Canastera Común but we were unsuccessful but we did see Common Terns – Charran Común - with a large number of Avocet – Avoceta Común. We spotted a Kentish Plover – Chorlitejo Patinegro sitting on one of the islands. On the far side of the pool a Grey Wagtail – Lavandera Cascadena or possibly a male Yellow Wagtail –Lavandera Boyera flew – I will look harder next time! This site requires another visit with more time being allowed for it – hopefully next week.
We arrived at Clot to find the Spanish celebrating Easter ‘en masse’. However the birds did not seem to mind. There was a significant amount of water in the main pool with a steady inflow. Sitting in the hide we had close up views of a Black-tailed Godwit- Aguja Collinegro , Black- winged Stilt – Ciguenuela Común, and Snipe - Agachadiza Común all available for the camera. A Purple Gallinule – Calamón Común appeared from out of the reeds. There was a lot of activity on the mud as both House Martins – Avion Comun and Barn Swallows –Golondrina Común - flew in front of us. Two Linnets – Pardillo Común – sat at the water’s edge with Goldfinch – Jilguero and a Little-ringed Plover –Chorlitejo Chico doing the same. Also there were two White-headed Ducks- Malvasia Cabeciblanca. There were the ubiquitous Moorhens – Gallineta Común and House Sparrows –Gorrion Común but apart from Serin – Verdecillo and Sardinian Warbler – Curruca Cabecinegra there were not many small birds around.
We decided to visit El Pinet on the way home hoping to see Collared Pratincole – Canastera Común but we were unsuccessful but we did see Common Terns – Charran Común - with a large number of Avocet – Avoceta Común. We spotted a Kentish Plover – Chorlitejo Patinegro sitting on one of the islands. On the far side of the pool a Grey Wagtail – Lavandera Cascadena or possibly a male Yellow Wagtail –Lavandera Boyera flew – I will look harder next time! This site requires another visit with more time being allowed for it – hopefully next week.
TWO BOOK REVIEWS
CEMETERY LAKE BY PAUL CLEAVE.
You need another book to read? Then try this ‘new-to-me ‘author, Paul Cleave. I have just read his third novel ‘Cemetery Lake’ where bodies pop-up where they should not. I found it to be different and I thoroughly enjoyed. In a nutshell it is about a cop that becomes an ex-cop after a personal tragedy to become, not surprisingly, an investigator.
After reading it I can say it was not a good decision for him for it leads him through physical damage, the subject of serious allegations and more trauma than anyone really needs. This book has more twists and turns than a Formula One circuit. The words move fast on the page, in his own style, of short sentences and sometimes chapters.
It is set in Christchurch, New Zealand an unlikely place, I thought. The main area that the book does focus on is a cemetery, his home and the ‘cop shop’. It is not a good advert for the city but who cares for this book is about the fairly recent past and for those who have suffered there and not an historical tour.
This story is about Tate battling it out against two ex-colleagues to get his murderer after being hindered by his past, booze and some devious goings-on. There are other intriguing bits that entertain - so read it.
NIGHT WATCH BY LINDA FAIRSTEIN
This is the latest one of her Alexandra Cooper novels where this prosecutor deals with the criminal elements with her two cohorts, Mercer Wallace and Mike Chapman. There are the usual battles with politicians in charge of New York. There are again the dialogues between the main participants that are the style of this accomplished writer which many of her fans will appreciate.
However, this story is about ‘Coop’s’ lover, Luc, a restaurateur in the South of France. There is death of course that he seemingly becomes involved in it. If you can ignore the love story aspect that is a major element from the beginning to the final chapter then is there enough to hold the reader? Maybe there is but I was irritated by the attitude shown to the local police considering them to be not able to deal with a murder scene unlike the expertise that is very evident in Manhattan. We are the best they would say!
Then we go to Brooklyn where the remainder of the story is set. There we see the financial deals between various parties take over where poor Luc seems to be coming off ‘second best’. It is well woven with intrigue which becomes evident as the tale unravels. Of course, well written but I don’t think that I will read another of this series.
You need another book to read? Then try this ‘new-to-me ‘author, Paul Cleave. I have just read his third novel ‘Cemetery Lake’ where bodies pop-up where they should not. I found it to be different and I thoroughly enjoyed. In a nutshell it is about a cop that becomes an ex-cop after a personal tragedy to become, not surprisingly, an investigator.
After reading it I can say it was not a good decision for him for it leads him through physical damage, the subject of serious allegations and more trauma than anyone really needs. This book has more twists and turns than a Formula One circuit. The words move fast on the page, in his own style, of short sentences and sometimes chapters.
It is set in Christchurch, New Zealand an unlikely place, I thought. The main area that the book does focus on is a cemetery, his home and the ‘cop shop’. It is not a good advert for the city but who cares for this book is about the fairly recent past and for those who have suffered there and not an historical tour.
This story is about Tate battling it out against two ex-colleagues to get his murderer after being hindered by his past, booze and some devious goings-on. There are other intriguing bits that entertain - so read it.
NIGHT WATCH BY LINDA FAIRSTEIN
This is the latest one of her Alexandra Cooper novels where this prosecutor deals with the criminal elements with her two cohorts, Mercer Wallace and Mike Chapman. There are the usual battles with politicians in charge of New York. There are again the dialogues between the main participants that are the style of this accomplished writer which many of her fans will appreciate.
However, this story is about ‘Coop’s’ lover, Luc, a restaurateur in the South of France. There is death of course that he seemingly becomes involved in it. If you can ignore the love story aspect that is a major element from the beginning to the final chapter then is there enough to hold the reader? Maybe there is but I was irritated by the attitude shown to the local police considering them to be not able to deal with a murder scene unlike the expertise that is very evident in Manhattan. We are the best they would say!
Then we go to Brooklyn where the remainder of the story is set. There we see the financial deals between various parties take over where poor Luc seems to be coming off ‘second best’. It is well woven with intrigue which becomes evident as the tale unravels. Of course, well written but I don’t think that I will read another of this series.
Thursday 28 March 2013
OUT AGAIN.
The winds are, neither, as cold or as strong and the temperatures are rising. Tuesday 26th in the evening I again went out and looked for the Eagle Owl – Buho Real. For a few seconds one flew and disappeared beyond the ridge. I had to wait some time before I heard one call. Torreveija Digital Camera Club were in the same location for their sunset shots across the ‘embalse’. As the light dissipated Stone Curlew – Alcaravan Común screamed their raucous call and flew overhead. In terms of small birds, the numbers were very low as this is the ‘in-between-time’ as the migration increases. It was a wonderful evening to be out with a full moon, some scattered cloud and the bird calls. The photographers did their stuff and again the big one called.
The following morning I had arranged to meet a Norwegian birder, Maj-Lis Strindlund from Oslo to go to El Hondo. On the way around La Mata two Montagu’s Harriers – Aguilucho Cenizo flew over the reeds and we had great views of the male as circled around. On way to objective we saw Cattle Egrets – Garcilla Bueyera in the fields. At the rear of reception we watched Purple Gallinules - Calamón Común with a chick and the Red-crested Coot – Focha Moruria which were all close by. We took the board walk but it was very quiet. A Marsh Harrier- Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental flew far off but another came for us to have much closer views.
On a lagoon there were Great Crested Grebe – Somormujo Lavanco, Little Grebe - Zampullin Común with Red-Crested Pochard - Pato Colorado swimming among them. In the distance on a sandbank were an assortment of gulls that clearly had both Black-headed – Gaviota Reidora and Mediterranean – Gaviota Cabecuriega alongside each other – all good for comparison. Two Fan-tailed warblers – Buitrón flew up together and cavorted in the air for us to watch.
This birding can be very sociable as we met two Irish birders in one of the hides. Later we met other members of The Costa Blanca Bird Club. – it’s good to talk. Sitting in the picnic area Willow Warblers – Mosquitero Musical were very close to us. A Sardinian – Curruca Cabecinegra flew and then Bryan Thomas identified a female Subalpine Warbler – Curraca Carrasqueña and this one really made my day. A male Stonechat - Tarabilla Común perched in full view showing the bright colours in the strong sun. It is always good to be outside in good company.
The following morning I had arranged to meet a Norwegian birder, Maj-Lis Strindlund from Oslo to go to El Hondo. On the way around La Mata two Montagu’s Harriers – Aguilucho Cenizo flew over the reeds and we had great views of the male as circled around. On way to objective we saw Cattle Egrets – Garcilla Bueyera in the fields. At the rear of reception we watched Purple Gallinules - Calamón Común with a chick and the Red-crested Coot – Focha Moruria which were all close by. We took the board walk but it was very quiet. A Marsh Harrier- Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental flew far off but another came for us to have much closer views.
On a lagoon there were Great Crested Grebe – Somormujo Lavanco, Little Grebe - Zampullin Común with Red-Crested Pochard - Pato Colorado swimming among them. In the distance on a sandbank were an assortment of gulls that clearly had both Black-headed – Gaviota Reidora and Mediterranean – Gaviota Cabecuriega alongside each other – all good for comparison. Two Fan-tailed warblers – Buitrón flew up together and cavorted in the air for us to watch.
This birding can be very sociable as we met two Irish birders in one of the hides. Later we met other members of The Costa Blanca Bird Club. – it’s good to talk. Sitting in the picnic area Willow Warblers – Mosquitero Musical were very close to us. A Sardinian – Curruca Cabecinegra flew and then Bryan Thomas identified a female Subalpine Warbler – Curraca Carrasqueña and this one really made my day. A male Stonechat - Tarabilla Común perched in full view showing the bright colours in the strong sun. It is always good to be outside in good company.
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