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Monday 16 December 2019

Humphreston Farm area, Albrighton, Shropshire.

An afternoon stroll.

Coal (Carbonero Garrapinos / Parus ater) and Blue Tit (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Dunnock (Acentor Común / Prunella modularis), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Fieldfare (Zorzal Real / Turdus pilaris) x40+, Redwing (Zorzal Alirrojo / Turdus illacus) x20+, Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Nuthatch (Trepador Azul / Sitta europaea), Long-tailed Tit (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus), Pheasant (Faisán Vulgar / Phaisanus colchicus), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Black-headed Gull (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus), Pied Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla yarrellii), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major), Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes), Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius) and Carrion Crow (Corneja Negra / Corvus corone).

Sunday 1 December 2019

Pebble Brook Trail, Albrighton, Shropshire.

A couple of hours out along the brook with Harry.

Black-headed Gull (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus), Blue (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus), Great (Carbonera Común / Parus major) and Long-tailed Tit (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius), Carrion Crow (Corneja Negra / Corvus corone), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Stock Dove (Paloma Zurita / Columba oenas), Common Starling (Estornino Pinto / Sturnus vulgaris), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Pheasant (Faisán Vulgar / Phaisanus colchicus), Fieldfare (Zorzal Real / Turdus pilaris), Skylark (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis), Dunnock (Acentor Común / Prunella modularis), Song Thrush (Zorzal Común / Turdus philomelos), Pied Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla yarrellii), Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus) and Goldcrest (Regulus regulus).

Saturday 23 November 2019

Pebble Brook Trail, Albrighton, Shropshire.

Out for a walk with the bins and in a counting mood.

Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula) x5, Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus) x8, Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea) x1, Carrion Crow (Corneja Negra / Corvus corone) x4, Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula) 3, Fieldfare (Zorzal Real / Turdus pilaris) x2, Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Redwing (Zorzal Alirrojo / Turdus illacus) x2, Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica) x2, Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula) x11, Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs) x2, Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes) x2 and Meadow Pipit (Bisbita Pratense / Anthus pratensis) x2.

Tuesday 19 November 2019

Pebble Brook Trail, Albrighton, Shropshire.

Out for a walk with Harry, Again.

Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Carrion Crow (Corneja Negra / Corvus corone), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Long-tailed (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus) and Blue Tit (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus viridis), Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius), Raven (Cuervo / Corvus corax), Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes), Black-headed Gull (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus), Yellowhammer (Escribano Cerillo / Emberiza citronella) x2, Skylark (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis) x15, Fieldfare (Zorzal Real / Turdus pilaris) x12, Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Common Starling (Estornino Pinto / Sturnus vulgaris) and Stock Dove (Paloma Zurita / Columba oenas) 2.

Sunday 17 November 2019

Newhouse Lane and Boningale, Albrighton, Shropshire.

Peddling into the Horns of Boningale.

Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Dunnock (Acentor Común / Prunella modularis), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Fieldfare (Zorzal Real / Turdus pilaris), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Carrion Crow (Corneja Negra / Corvus corone), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Blue Tit (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Fieldfare (Zorzal Real / Turdus pilaris), Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes), Skylark (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis), Nuthatch (Trepador Azul / Sitta europaea), Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius) and Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus).

Friday 8 November 2019

Newhouse Lane and Boningale, Albrighton, Shropshire.

Peddling into the Horns of Boningale, Again.

I took my usual route and made a stop in a gateway at the far end of Newhouse lane and as I stopped the bike a covey of 7 Grey Partridge (Perdiz Pardilla / Perdix perdix) flew up from right next to me and out into the field but I still had good views before they disappeared into some taller vegetation.
Out in the same fields I also saw Carrion Crow (Corneja Negra / Corvus corone), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major), Skylark (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus) and Meadow Pipit (Bisbita Pratense / Anthus pratensis).
I spent a fea minutes in another gate way along Church Lane in Boningale adding Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Blue Tit (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus), Pied Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla yarrellii), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes), Rook (Graja /  Corvus frugilegus), Nuthatch (Trepador Azul / Sitta europaea) and Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica).

Wednesday 6 November 2019

Newhouse Lane and Boningale, Albrighton, Shropshire.

Peddling into the Horns of Boningale.

Newhouse Lane.
Pheasant (Faisán Vulgar / Phaisanus colchicus), Meadow Pipit (Bisbita Pratense / Anthus pratensis), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus) and Skylark (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis).

Fields behind Pub.
Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea) x2, Black-headed Gull (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus), Peregrine Falcon (Halcón Peregrino / Falco peregrinus), Carrion Crow (Corneja Negra / Corvus corone), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Long-tailed (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus) and Blue Tit (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus).

Friday 1 November 2019

Pebble Brook Trail, Albrighton, Shropshire.

Out for a walk with Harry, Again.

I headed out on the track towards Pebble Brook and out to an area of woodland on Woodhouse Lane and then back again.

Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Black-headed Gull (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus), Carrion Crow (Corneja Negra / Corvus corone), Long-tailed (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus), Great (Carbonera Común / Parus major) and Blue Tit (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Rook (Graja /  Corvus frugilegus), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), Stock Dove (Paloma Zurita / Columba oenas), Redwing (Zorzal Alirrojo / Turdus illacus), Fieldfare (Zorzal Real / Turdus pilaris), Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius), Sparrowhawk (Gavilán Común / Accipiter nisus), Nuthatch (Trepador Azul / Sitta europaea), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Lesser Black-backed Gull (Gaviota Sombria / Larus fuscus) and Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto).

Tuesday 22 October 2019

Cacín Valley, Granada Province.

Visiting Friends in Cacín and then a mornings solitary Birding.

I drove down to the village of Cacín where I spent a while with friends Jane and Bob before working my way back up the valley doing some birding on the way. My first stop was along the Rio Cacín just out of the Village but it was quiet and I only managed to find Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea) and Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major).
 I drove North to the Embalse de Cacín where I parked and walked down towards the water, straight away I could hear a yaffling Iberian Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus sharpei) on the far bank and several Corn Buntings (Triguero / Emberiza calandra) singing from the wires behind me.
Out on the water there were good numbers of wildfowl including Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Northern Shoveler (Pato Cuchara / Anas clypeata), Common Pochard (Porrón Común / Aythya ferina) and Eurasian Teal (Cerceta Común / Anas crecca).
Other species on the water and around the margins included Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Water Rail (Rascón Europeo / Rallus aquaticus), Greenshank (Archibebe Claro / Tringa nebularia) x2, Green (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus) and Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos), Snipe (Agachadiza Común / Gallinago gallinago) and in the reeds a Common Waxbill (Estrilda Ondulada / Estrilda astrild), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Cetti's (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti) and Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita) and White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba).
Whilst I was at the lake I also recorded Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua), Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs) and Great Spotted Woodpecker.
I drove back through the village and up to the cortijo where I spent some time scanning the fields there seeing Thekla Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae), Rock Dove (Paloma Bravía / Columba livia), Dartford Warbler (Curruca Rabilarga / Sylvia undata), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Meadow Pipit (Bisbita Pratense / Anthus pratensis) and Skylark (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis).
I dropped back down to the village and made a quick stop at the river again but just checked out the area to the left of the bridge where I saw Tree Sparrow (Gorrión Molinero / Passer montanus), Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), a calling male Cirl Bunting (Escribano Soteno / Emberiza cirlus) and a new in stunning Brambling (Pinzón Real / Fringilla montifringilla) down for the winter.

Monday 21 October 2019

Moraleda and Huétor Fields, Granada Province.

Back out with some of the Axarquia Bird Group.
All Photo's from Bob Wright, Thanks.

Black-bellied Sandgrouse (Ganga Ortega / Pterocles orientalis).
9 of us met up at the Cortijo de Tajar at 09.30, not quite the same 9 as a few days earlier but very close, we started by heading across the A92 to Moraleda and out on to the fields near there.
Just off the road along one of the many tracks we parked up on the edge of an Almond grove and soon found the first of the days target species, in total we saw a groups of 16 Black-bellied Sandgrouse (Ganga Ortega / Pterocles orientalis) out on the field but they were some what distant.
Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua).
Through the scopes we had nice views of this uncommon species and whilst we watched them we also added Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Crested Lark (Cogujada / Galerida cristata), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus) and a fine adult Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis) which sat high on a dead branch.
We contnued on around the site and along the next track we picked up Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Spotless (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor) and Common Starling (Estornino Pinto / Sturnus vulgaris), Thekla Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae) and out on a track side field there were several White Wagtails (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), a single female Western Yellow Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava flavissima), a few Meadow Pipits (Bisbita Pratense / Anthus pratensis) and at least 4x Northern Wheatears (Collalba Gris / Oenanthe oenanthe).
On the opposite side of the track there were good numbers of Calandra Larks (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra), a few more Thekla's and a small flock of Skylarks (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis).
We continued on towards a ruin, on the way we had another Iberian Grey Shrike, Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris) and on the ruin the first Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua) of the day.
Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo).
Again we continued on and headed off the site towards Huétor Fields finding a Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo) sat on one of the many telegraph poles.
We came on to the Huétor site from Mesia and parked by the Irrigation channels and walked down to the Rio Vilano looking for Bluethroat (Pechiazul / Luscinia svecica) but this was our only target species dip of the day, we however did find Common Waxbill (Estrilda Ondulada / Estrilda astrild), Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Tree Sparrow (Gorrión Molinero / Passer montanus), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), a latish Spotted Flycatcher (Papamoscas Gris / Muscicapa striata), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla), Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea) and more Crested Larks, House Sparrows. At the furthest point we checked a reed bed finding Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Reed Warbler (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scrpaceus) and more Common Waxbills.
We walked back to the cars and went round to the other side of the railway line and followed another stretch of the Vilano where we found Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), a male Spanish Sparrow (Gorrión Moruno / Passer hispaniolensis) seen by a couple of the group as was a flushed Jack Snipe (Agachadiza Chica / Lymnocriptes minimus) both of which I missed. 
Little Bustards (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax).
Also seen were Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Snipe (Agachadiza Común / Gallinago gallinago) and a small flock of Western Cattle Egrets (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis).
Our last stop of the day was over on the Loja side of the area where we quickly found a flock of 25 or so Little Bustards (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax) in a Lucerne field along with Northern Lapwings (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus) efore we split up, Bob nd some of the group went for a coffee before heading of whlst Barbara abd Derek came up to the house to collect an item to take back to the UK. On their way back out to the motorway they stopped and walked another of the tracks picking up 16 more Little Bustards and 12x Stone Curlew (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus).

Thursday 17 October 2019

Venta de Zafarraya, Malaga/Granada Provinces.

A morning with the Axarquia Bird Group.

I drove down to Zafarraya via Salar and the tracks to the meeting  point on the old railway line car park. On the way down I started off my list with Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua), 
Sparrowhawk (Gavilán Común / Accipiter nisus), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Thekla Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus) and Song Thrush (Zorzal Común / Turdus philomelos), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis) and Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto).
I met Bob Wright, the leader of the group at the start point and we first sorted out a bit of Camera equipment before the rest of the group arrived.
Once everyone was there we started off along the old railway line and before we had reached the tunnel we had views of Black Wheatear (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura), Blue-rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia), Rock Sparrow (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia), Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes), Common Kestrel, Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Goldfinch, Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina) and just as we entered the tunnel several Crag Martins (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris).
On the far side of the tunnel we had a second Blue Rock Thrush, more Black Wheatear, Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major) and Blue Tit (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Thekla Lark,  House Sparrow and by some derelict  railway buildings there several patches of Thyme which had Clouded Yellow (Colias Común / Colias corcea),  Bath White (Blanqiverdosa / Pontia daplidice), Long-tailed Blue (Lampides baeticus), Lang's Short-tailed Blue (Leptotes pirithous) and Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) nectaring on then.
In the same area there was quite a bit of Blue lettuce (Lactuca tenerrima) and on the crags a couple of Spanish Ibex.

Saturday 5 October 2019

Boningale, Albrighton, Shropshire.

Another walk out to the Horns.

I again had a stroll up Newhouse Lane, through Boningale and down to the Pub. On the way back I came back across the fields via the Pebble Brook area.
On the way out I stopped by one of the gate ways in Newhouse Lane where I saw Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Carrion Crow (Corneja Negra / Corvus corone), Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius) x34, Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Dunnock (Acentor Común / Prunella modularis), Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Lesser Black-backed Gull (Gaviota Sombria / Larus fuscus), Skylark (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis) and Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica).
Further along the lane I crossed the Holyhead road and walked down Church Lane towards the Pub and stopped in another gate way where I boosted the list with a flock of 25 or so Redwings (Zorzal Alirrojo / Turdus illacus), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Stock Dove (Paloma Zurita / Columba oenas), a flock of 30+ flying Greylag Geese (Ansar Común / Anser anser), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula) and Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes).
On the verges I also recorded Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum) and Hedge Bindweed (Calystegia sepium).

Thursday 19 September 2019

Newhouse Lane and Boningale, Albrighton, Shropshire.

A Shropshire LIFER for me.

I had a walk out to the Pub the Horns of Boningale via New Houselane, during the stroll I found Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Dunnock (Acentor Común / Prunella modularis), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Blue (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus) and Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major), Lesser Black-backed Gull (Gaviota Sombria / Larus fuscus), Carrion Crow (Corneja Negra / Corvus corone), Nuthatch (Trepador Azul / Sitta europaea), Skylark (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius) x8, Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula) and Stock Dove (Paloma Zurita / Columba oenas).
I crossed the Holyhead road and walked in to Boningale Village and back around to the Holyhead road seeing Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Herring Gull (Gaviota Argéntea Europea / Larus argentatus), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Rook (Graja /  Corvus frugilegus), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula) and Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita).
During the walk I also saw Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria), Green-veined (Pieris napi) and Small White (Pieris rapae) and a Migrant Hawker (Aeshna mixta).
I came out on to the Holyhead Road and as I approached the Pub I heard a sound which I was very used to hearing back in Spain as they are around the fields and house all the time but I was not expecting to hear let alone see a Stone Curlew (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus) here in Shropshire.
On a stubble field on the other side of the road I first heard the bird calling from the ground and then saw it in flight a couple of times but unfortunatly the last view I had was as I went into Pub and by the time I came out I could not see or hear it.
Later some fiends came down to check the area and did not find it, guessing it moved on quite quickly.

Friday 23 August 2019

Green Pool and Humphreston Lane, Albrighton, Shropshire.

A look at Green Pond and a walk with Harry.

Brown Hawker (Aeshna grandis).
I walked up Crossroads and spent a while having a look for Dragonflies and soon found Common Spreadwing (Lestes sponsa), Common Bluetail ( Ischnura elegans) which was sat on some Amphibious Bistort (Persicaria amphibia), Brown Hawker (Aeshna grandis), Migrant Hawker (Aeshna mixta) and Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum).
Amphibious Bistort (Persicaria amphibia).
There were just a few birds including Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Dunnock (Acentor Común / Prunella modularis), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica) and Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula). Also had a Common Field Grasshopper (Chorthippus brunneus) hop up on to my bins.
Common Bluetail ( Ischnura elegans).
Later in the afternoon I took Harry out for a walk along Huphreston Lane and out on to the fields where I recorded a Juv Hobby (Alcotán Europeo / Falco subbuteo) hawking insects along with Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes), Blackbird, Woodpigeon, Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Blue (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus) and Long-tailed Tit (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus), Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius), Carrion Crow (Corneja Negra / Corvus corone), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) and House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica).
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On the insect front I added several Migrant Hawkers (Aeshna mixta), Small (Pieris rapae) and Large White (Pieris brassicae), Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus), Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria), Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta), Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) and Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae).
Common Field Grasshopper (Chorthippus brunneus).
Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum).
Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta).


Tuesday 20 August 2019

Priorslee Flash & Hangman's Pool, Telford, Shropshire.

Another walk around the Flash.

Canada Geese (Barnacla Canadiense /Branta canadensis).
Again I took a walk clockwise around the lake and saw pretty much the same species as a few days ago including Canada Geese (Barnacla Canadiense /Branta canadensis), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Tufted Duck (Porrón Monudo / Aythya fuligula), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Mute Swan (Cisne Vulgar / Cygnus olor), Lesser Black-backed (Gaviota Sombria / Larus fuscus), Herring (Gaviota Argéntea Europea / Larus argentatus) and Black-headed Gulls (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes), Dunnock (Acentor Común / Prunella modularis), Blue Tit (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus) and Great Crested Grebe (Somormujo Lavanco / Podiceps cristatus).
Tufted Duck (Porrón Monudo / Aythya fuligula) x 2 females.
Along the boardwalk area I also saw a nice female Brown Hawker (Aeshna grandis) egg laying, Common Blue Damselflies (Enallagma cyathinerum) and a male Black-tailed Skimmer (Orthetrum cancellatum).
Mute Swan (Cisne Vulgar / Cygnus olor).
Back in the garden in Priorslee I saw several Blue and a nice Coal Tit (Carbonero Garrapinos / Parus ater).
Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus).
Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus).
Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus).
Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos) female and duckling.
Great Crested Grebe (Somormujo Lavanco / Podiceps cristatus).
Tufted Duck (Porrón Monudo / Aythya fuligula) Male.
Female Brown Hawker (Aeshna grandis).
Common Blue Damselflies (Enallagma cyathinerum).
Blue Tit (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus).
Coal Tit (Carbonero Garrapinos / Parus ater).
Coal Tit (Carbonero Garrapinos / Parus ater).

Saturday 17 August 2019

Priorslee Flash & Hangman's Pool, Telford, Shropshire.

A lunch time walk around the pool.

Eurasian Coots (Focha Común / Fulica atra).
I took a couple of hours doing a clockwise circit of the pool, on the side with the houses close in to the anks there were good numbers of Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Eurasian Coots (Focha Común / Fulica atra) including a couple having a really good scrap, Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), a group of Canada Geese (Barnacla Canadiense /Branta canadensis), an immature Great Crested Grebe (Somormujo Lavanco / Podiceps cristatus), Tufted Duck (Porrón Monudo / Aythya fuligula) and further around on the far side Lesser Black-backed (Gaviota Sombria / Larus fuscus) and Black-headed Gulls (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis) and Sparrowhawk (Gavilán Común / Accipiter nisus).

Eurasian Coots (Focha Común / Fulica atra).
 Along the boardwalks on the last stretch of the walk I had several Common Blue Damselflies (Enallagma cyathinerum), a couple of Southern / Blue Hawker (Aeshna cyanea) and Small White (Pieris rapae) butterflies.
Eurasian Coots (Focha Común / Fulica atra).
Birds included more of the previous species as well as Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Blue (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus) and Long-tailed Tits (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Carrion Crow (Corneja Negra / Corvus corone) and Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula).
Eurasian Coots (Focha Común / Fulica atra).

Tuesday 13 August 2019

Bridgnorth and the river Seven, Shropshire.

Day great day out with good friends Steve and Lynn up from Cornwall.

Looking down on the Seven.
Our friends Steve and Lynn travelled up from Cornwall to spend a couple of days with us, this was the second day and we spent a really nice day out around Bridgnorth and along the River Seven.
Funicular Railway.
We parked on Seven Park and walked along the River to the bridge where we saw Black-headed (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus) and Lesser Black-backed Gull (Gaviota Sombria / Larus fuscus), Goosander (Mergus merganser) x5F, Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos) and several Eurasian Coots (Focha Común / Fulica atra).
Once across the Bridge we got onto the funicular railway and went up into High Town where we had a good walk round and then some Lunch.
Later we dropped back down on the Railway and then walked back along the river adding Banded Damoiselle (Calopteryx splendens), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea),
Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica) and Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus).
We returned to the car and then drove back to Albrighton ut made a stop at Green Pool on the edge of Albrighton where we looked for Dragonflies and we were not disappointed when we found several Small Red-eyed Damselflies (Erythromma viridulum) which we later found out was only the third county record, as well as these little crackers we also had Common Spreadwing (Lestes sponsa), Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella), Common Bluetail ( Ischnura elegans) and Southern / Blue Hawker (Aeshna cyanea).
Thanks to Steve and Lynn for a great day out.

Jayne, Steve and Lynn.
Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella).

Common Spreadwing (Lestes sponsa).

Small Red-eyed Damselflies (Erythromma viridulum).

Monday 12 August 2019

Peble Brook Fields, Albrighton, Shropshire.

Out walking Harry the dog.

Small White (Pieris rapae).
Just a quick walk out to the fields along the Pebble Brook area and over to Woodhouse Lane and back.
Peacock (Aglais io).
Species seen included Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Carrion Crow (Corneja Negra / Corvus corone), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Blue (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus) and Long-tailed Tit (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Stock Dove (Paloma Zurita / Columba oenas), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes), Pied / White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba / yarrellii), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Pheasant (Faisán Vulgar / Phaisanus colchicus), Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major), Black-headed Gull (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus) and Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus). 
Back at the house I checked the Buddleja and found Peacock (Aglais io) and Small White (Pieris rapae).