SAN FELIPE NERI

 Thursday 26th October was a cool cloudy day with some rain forecast, although little came and the sun shone in the afternoon.

We had scored before 9 o’clock with three Kestrels - Cernícalo Vulgar and a flying dark morph Booted Eagle - Águila Calzado. We don't see them that often but they are around. In the distance a big one with two smaller in attendance. We could not ID it but it could have been…..although we still thought he was in Germany, but Mark thinks otherwise. Oh well, next time then.

We headed for San Felipe Neri and as we approached the gates to the visitor centre a flock of 30-40 ‘finches’ were feeding in the car park. Bryan checked through them, located two vivid Greenfinches - Verderón, one Meadow Pipit - Bisbita Común and the remainder were Linnet - Pardillo Común. What a show they made when feeding amongst the low vegetation and flying up and around and returning. They were a good start for our visit and it did get better.

In the enclosed pond 24 Marble Duck/Teal - Cerceta Pardilla with Coots and Moorhens.

We didn't know what to expect, but knew that we should get out before the rains come. The lagoons around the visitor centre have yielded little as they had become over grown. But not now. The water level has been lowered to only shallow pools and all the edges had been cut. A machine had been into the lagoons and reduced much of the reed although allowing islands of vegetation. Now we have areas of mud.

                                                    “Mud, mud, glorious mud.

                                       Nothing quite like it for cooling the blood”

After being disappointed here before we now had what the birds wanted. A place to feed where we could see them. Two Snipe - Agachadiza Común hunched down and several Purple Gallinules - Calamin Común were easily seen. On the board walk we were able to observe areas of mud. One group of plovers - one Ringed Plover - Chorlitejo Grande with three Little Ringed Plovers - Chorlitejo Chico fed together. One Greenshank - Archibebe Claro showed.

A flock of twenty strong small waders flew around and when settled Bryan picked out four Dunlin - Correlimos Común with the remainder being Little Stint - Correlimos Común Add into that mix the occasional Kingfisher - Martin Pescador calling and flying through. On the right side numerous Glossy Ibis - Morito Común.

There were many species here and we searched for the elusive Crake - Polluela, but without success. Water  Pipits - Bisbita Alpino ten in number fed all around and Bluethroat - Pechiazul called, but were never that obvious. Surprisingly not many Chiffs - Mosquitero Común. Amongst the Common Coots - Focha Común and Moorhens - Gallineta Común we located two Red-knobbed/Red Crested - Focha  Muruna.

We kept a watch on the sky. Marsh Harriers - Aguilucho Luganero Occidental and in their hundreds Crag Martins - Avión Roquero. Scores of them were flying over the far lagoon feeding just above the water. We had cracking views of them. Every where we went White Wagtails - Lavandero Blanca were there and in one field recently mown seemingly hundreds. Not so numerous were Black Redstarts - Colirrijo Tizón and Bryan got his super shot of a male. We had been looking and with the greater number being female. Both sexes stunning birds.

The other lagoons were relatively quiet with nothing exceptional but it was good to see Teal - Cerceta Común in small numbers only. As we approached the hide a Water Rail - Rascón Europeo called and so did a Little Bittern - Avetorillo Común.

At Santa Águada we had a good view of one Blue Throat. There was working occurring on both the hides and the noise may have prevented some species staying out of sight. However, it was gratifying to know that the Valencia Community are doing the necessary remedial work. I know that some moan about what is being done or not being done, but we welcome it. Only one Common Buzzard - Busardo Ratonero. 

We called in to El Pinet and again saw one Grey Plover - Chorlito Gris and apart from the usual nothing else of note. We scanned the ocean quickly, but within minutes we were on our way home after our longest spell out for a long time.

I have not listed every species that we saw, but rest assured the regulars were there. I can think of scores of species that we could have see, but didn't. There were many obvious ones missing too.

We looked for those two Cranes - Grulla Común, but perhaps we were in the wrong place. Apparently they are at Corral Rubio with a Greylag!

Heavy rain was due to fall afterwards and we will be keen to get back out and see what else we can see. This day ranks with our best mornings at Clot de Galvany but with more mud and more birds. We’ll have to do it again on Monday.

Regards to Mark after his op and when we get the opportunity Bryan may get that shot of GSE. Anyway enjoy the write up and keep well.

WE WENT LOOKING FOR MOUNTAIN BIRDS

On Thursday 19th November we went first to Montnegre and then down and up to Maigmo.

We took it very easy, slowly and watching and listening as we went. It was cloudy and cool to start with but when the sun won through the temperature had risen to 24C.

Wherever we went Black Redstarts - Colirrojo Tizón, were everywhere and mainly female. 

We paid attention to all our favorite spots and at the river bridge going up towards the village of Monnegre we got lucky. In the vegetation below two Blackcaps - Carruca Capirotada fed and we were fortunate enough to get an excellent view of a female. She was pristine. Being able to look down on her made all the difference. On the other side of the bridge and where water was gushing from a drain we watched four Grey Wagtails - Lavandera Cascadeña . Just brilliant with their yellow and grey colours standing out in the sunshine.

It was very quiet overall, but we had good views of Black Wheatears - Collalba Negra and Blue Rock Thrush - Roquero Solitario. (The photo proves it!) Also Starlings - Estornino Europea, but we did not see one Spotless - Estornino Negra 

Blue Rock Thrush

Then, further on Bryan was focusing on a flying Blue Rock Thrush when Golden Eagles - Águila Real flew across his vision. Not just one but two! They were high up and moderately distant. They soon disappeared but then they appeared again. Unfortunately there is no photo of this pair, but thanks to Bryan for getting me on them, twice.

On the way up to Maigmo we came across a small flock of Chaffinches - Pinzón Vulgar and had good views of several. We do see them down on the coast, but only in small numbers. Bryan started to get excited when he thought there was a Brambling -Pinzón Real with them. We will give this another go in January and maybe then not just, a Brambling, but Siskins - Lúgano too. While watching these Finches there was a Short-toed Treecreeper - Agateador Común on the trunk of a pine tree. They are beautiful and they do move a around- so no photo this time! We saw another one after as well.

We knew that winter was arriving when we saw Mistle Thrush - Zorza Charlo (And that is a lovely photo of one) and also several Robins - Petirrojo. 

Mistle Thrush

We had wonderful  quality views of almost everything was saw. I know that there were many absent, but it was so peaceful out there and well worth the miles. Looking forward to doing it again.

Best wishes to Mark in Aberdeen in his post-op recovery and good luck to Bryan for his operation on Friday. 

NATIONAL LEAGUE NORTH FOOTBALL GAME IN NORTHUMBERLAND

An autumnal afternoon in Blythe, Northumberland. Ideal conditions for sport. That day the players and a minimal number of staff of Hereford Football Club travelled to Croft Park, the home of Blythe Spartans FC. A club of history and legend.

Those are the conditions for the traveling team in the lower leagues. In Covid 19 times finances are more limited than usual. So, it's undertake the long journey, warm up and play and return. All in one day. Thats non-league football for you. 

I was able to lose myself and watch my home town football team play only their fourth game of the season due to other teams testing positive for Coronavirus. Disruptive it is and that is the way it has to be for everyone's safety. As a child I grew up with Southern League participants, Hereford United Football Club, and the glory of the FA cup. My oldest HUFC programme is from a game in 1958 and I have seen them play or watched for their results ever since. And, now after being reformed I have become even more passionate as they have made the rise from a very low tier of the English game.

Any sports fan can admire the skills of star players and why not? The glory of a winning Premiership team or an international one is important. But, it is the lower leagues, the village teams and kids kicking a ball about on a scruffy bit of grass that is the most important. The clubs are part of the community and they have to be sustained that way. Yes, there are benefactors; there always has been but it's the volunteers who keep my sort of club going. Not enough money will ever trickle down for that is gobbled up by TV Corporations who control time slots and what we see. Or not if you don't subscribe. And then they introduced pay-for-view for some games. Greedy Bastards!

On yesterday afternoon I sat in comfort, at home and watched HFC win three nil at Blythe. I immersed myself in the memory and legends of small, old style grounds. Two wonderful Northern voices commented, with little bias, on the game. The commentary, the players, the game and this old stadium made by afternoon a better place to be. 

With Covid us lower league supporters can see our teams play because the games are being streamed. For just eight quid I watched and enjoyed. I didn't have to listened to pundits. It was so simple. Thank you the people on insight4.azurewebsites.net. I was one of 400 on line and paying. 

I noted that their gates have averaged over 800 and that does mean that on line streaming does equate to fans paying at the turnstiles. 

Hopefully, on Tuesday evening I will be watching the game at Edgar Street where the visitors will be Gloucester FC who by luck have played eight games so far. And are top of the league.

PHOTOS FROM SUNDAY 8th & TUESDAY 10th NOVEMBER

 These are photographs of two flocks of Glossy Ibis, Morito Común.

This photograph is an ‘El Pinet’ Avocet, Avoceta

Little Owl, Mochuelo Eoropea, taken when leaving El Pinet.

This Goldfinch, Jilguero, just sat and sat just above our heads.

All photographs taken by Bryan Thomas. 

CHECKING OUT SALINAS & BEACHES ON COSTA BLANCA

Tuesday 10th November was a glorious sunny day on the Costa Blanca in and around Gran Alicant. Bryan always has targets in mind and we scored early when we pulled into the entrance opposite the turn for Playa Lisa. 

It has proved to be a very good location and before we got out of the car there was a Sardinian Warbler -  Curruca Cabecinegra and a Zitting Cisticola - Buitrón on the track in front of us. Bryan’s highly tuned ears soon picked up calling Penduline Tits - Pájaro Moscón and we spent several minutes walking, listening, and watching this species. It is clear to us that there are a number here and also at Santa Águada. 

On the water not a lot. Four Red Crested Pochard - Pato Colorado which were our first viewings for some time. A Water Rail - Rascón Europeo called. One Audouins Gull.   On the Salinas side were other Gulls, but nothing out of the ordinary. There were a small number of distant waders. 

On a far away pylon was one lone Raptor. We thought and hoped for it to be a Peregrine - Halcón Peregrino but when it flew it had to be an Osprey -  Águila Pescador. We later had nearer views of one and this could have been the same bird or possibly another one. Maybe they will be over wintering here instead of flying on to West Africa.

The Salt Tower lay-by and The Stones Pull off yielded a very distant Marsh Harrier Aguilucho Luganero Occidental. In the far distant fourteen Spoonbill -  Espátula Común and four Great White Egrets Garceta Grande. And just one Great Crested Grebe - Somolomujo Lavanco Where have  the others gone? Perched on posts were eight Cormorant - Cormorán Grande. We were disappointed to see hardly any ducks. Bryan spotted several Kentish Plovers - Chorlitejo Patinegro as we past by on N 332.

El Pinet was next where Bryan photographed a nearby Avocet. Avoceta . Four Dunlin - Correlimos  Común were on an island. Again nothing exceptional here or at the beach. We had decided to put some ‘sea-watching’ into our trip and it was only worth it for the excellent coffee as we gazed out to sea. As we left, perched on a Palm stump one lovely Little Owl - Mochuelo Europea. Photographed of course.

Next, we went to the mouth of Rio Segura with the intention of seeing what was out there. Distant Gulls (Gaviotas) and nothing else except people! The tide seemed to be in so the islands in the estuary were submerged. Not a bloody wader in sight! But we always see something good. In one small bush a Sardinian Warbler called and so did a Cetti's - Ruiseñor Bastardo. The latter is a difficult bird to observe but this one was actively searching. We kept watching it scurrying around and were able to see all of it, but not always at the same time. It was the best view, for both of us, of this species. And on the way back on to N332, a Robin- Petirrojo. Always good to see.

We were not done yet and went to Clot de Galvany. The Large Hide with a great expanse of water in front of it - was quiet. The usual were there, but only in small numbers. Only one Black-necked Grebe- Zampullin Cuellinegro and several Little Grebes - Zampullin Común .  No ducks in any quantity with Common Pochard - Porrón Europeo and two White Headed Ducks - Malvasia  Cabeciblanca in the distance. Not one to indicate that winter is here! Okay Kingfishers - Martin Pescador flew as always. But then we got a treat for only a brief moment as a lovely Grey Wagtail - Lavandera Cascadeña landed in front of us, but not long enough for Bryan to get a photo. Just beautiful.

There were numerous Starlings (Estornino) in the reeds and these were having a difficult time as a Marsh Harrier was flying low over the reeds and making numerous fly-pasts.

Bryan will compile a list of what we did see for this trip as we don't mention every sighting. And just to show that we don't miss much!

AN OPPORTUNITY TO GO OUT AND TO CELEBRATE A BLUE SKY MORNING

On a cool Sunday morning, 8th November we both needed to go out and see what was about. We knew that it was still early for many waders to be with us and, in fact, we are surprised that not more are here. From Gran Alicant we headed straight inland towards San Felipe Neri. We skirted the northern edge of the marsh, El Hondo, and stopped at the entrance to the North Gate.

Blackcaps - Curruca Capirotada were singing from the trees and we managed to get a good view of one male. Sadly, not a lot else.

We moved on, had a rapid walk along the boardwalk and circumnavigated the enclosed pond. There we counted over twenty Marbled Duck/Teal -  Cerceta Pardilla on an island and nothing else of any real note. The water in the surrounding lagoons were murky. What’s going on?

Next stop was Santa Águada. Here we found a flooded field, water in the scrapes and plenty in the small lagoon. Bryan had heard Penduline Tit - Pájaro Moscón here previously and with patience we heard them again. A male perched in view and then two birds flew away. They are there to be heard and seen and it is worth spending time waiting.

We found several flooded fields and though many were still full of water the only occupants were numerous Cattle Egrets. Garcilla Bueyera. Everywhere we went we saw White Wagtails - Lavandera Blanca, the occasional Meadow Pipit - Bisbita Común, a couple of Blue Throats - Pechiazul, and up in the air two Skylarks - Alondra Común. 

I think the event of the morning was two large groups of Glossy Ibis - Morito Común wheeling around in the sky but not merging. It seemed to us that this was a larger bird variation of a ‘murmuration’. It was interesting to see and we do not know if anyone has commented upon this before. We watched two groups that never merged, but entertaining us as they swirled around in the distance.

We did see one lone flying Lapwing - Avefria Europea and it could be a sign of more to come!

The Ibis with the Penduline and the singing Blackcaps had to be our birds of the morning.

On a more negative note - the hunters were out and we heard the guns. I am not anti-hunting as we are the apex predator! But I do not get what they see in it unless it's food for the pot!

PROVENCE BURNET MOTH

 Nearby there is a rocky area of small bushes, grasses and cacti. Attention to the small things sometimes produces good results. Snails climb up grass stems to maybe escape the heat of the earth and possibly extract moisture from the air. They have their own ecosystem and when I noticed small ‘shells’, I then saw an attached Provence Burnet Moth - only later identified. . It seems that in emerging from their case they can remain attached. I have found two fatalities and so they never flew to repeat the cycle of life.

These lines are re-produced from an on-line site.

The adults feed on the nectar of knapweed, thistles and other grassland flowers, and females lay their eggs on the caterpillars' foodplants. The caterpillars hatch and feed, hibernating over at least one winter. They emerge the following spring and pupate in a papery cocoon attached to grass stems.

I will be paying more attention to the small stuff!

BRYAN’S PHOTOS FROM LAST TUESDAY

A montage or collage? But it is all natural.

Murmuration

European Starling, Estorneo Europea.  A species often over looked but this bird is a stunner.

Little Stint, Correlimos Menudo at El Pinet

Grey Plover, Chorlito Gris at El Pinet

Ringed Plover, Chorlitejo Grande at El Pinet

Water Pipet, Bisbita Alpino at Santa Aguada

Pale Morph Booted Eagle, Aguililla Calzada 

All Photos copyright Bryan Thomas.