Hotel, Laguna de Navaseca, Tablas de Daimiel and Driving South again, Ciudad Real, Spain.

Last stage of the trip back home.

Trip to Uk, Day Fourty One.

 

Common Cranes (Grulla Común / Grus grus) passing over the hotel.

After the sun came up at the hotel it was great to see and even better hear large numbers of Common Cranes (Grulla Común / Grus grus) passing around the hotel as they made their way out to the fields to feed.

Common Cranes (Grulla Común / Grus grus) passing over the hotel.

Before breakfast, which was very nice we went for a walk around the hotel gardens and scanned nearby fields finding Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), Blue Tit (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus), Crested Lark (Cogujada / Galerida cristata), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo) and Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus).

Ferruginous Duck (Porrón Pardo / Aythya nyroca), Common Pochard (Porrón Común / Aythya ferina) and Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra).

Once we had finished breakfast we headed to Laguna Navaseca picking up Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis) and Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina).

Dunlin (Correlimos Común / Calidris alpina).

Once we had parked we had a good look out over the pool from the hide finding Greater Flamingo (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus roseus), Marsh Harrier, Water Rail (Rascón Europeo / Rallus aquaticus), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Common (Porrón Común / Aythya ferina) and Red-crested Pochard (Pato Colorado / Netta rufina), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Gadwall (Anade Friso / Anas strepera), Northern Shoveler (Pato Cuchara / Anas clypeata), Shelduck (Tarro Blanco / Tadoma tadorna), Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocroax carbo), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Spanish Sparrow (Gorrión Moruno / Passer hispaniolensis), Lesser Black-backed Gull (Gaviota Sombria / Larus fuscus) and Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea).

Reed Bunting (Escribano Palustre / Emberiza schoeniclus).

Once we were happy that we had seen everything from the hide we had a walk along the roads checking the reed beds and found a nice male Bluethroat (Pechiazul / Luscinia svecica), Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Penduline Tit (Pájaro Moscón / Remiz pendulinus) and at the far end of the pool we talked to a group of four Spanish birders for a while and whilst there we found a nice male Ferruginous Duck (Porrón Pardo / Aythya nyroca), White-headed Duck (Malvasia Cabeciblanca / Oxyura leucocephala), Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus), Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egreeta garzetta), Black-headed Gull (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus), Snipe (Agachadiza Común / Gallinago gallinago) and I heard but did not see a Pin-tailed Sandgrouse (Ganga Ibérica / Pterocles alchata) which flew over.

Western Swamp-hen (Calamon Común / Porphyrio porphyrio).

At this point I walked back to the car where I had a Pheasant (Faisán Vulgar / Phaisanus colchicus) before I parke again at the point where Andy was waiting, when I got back Andy told me had seen a Fieldfare (Zorzal Real / Turdus pilaris) whilst I was away.

Greater Flamingo (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus roseus).

We took the track along the Northern side of the lake and added a Reed Bunting (Escribano Palustre / Emberiza schoeniclus), Western Swamp-hen (Calamon Común / Porphyrio porphyrio), Dunnock (Acentor Común / Prunella modularis), Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis) and Sparrowhawk (Gavilán Común / Accipiter nisus).

Common Cranes (Grulla Común / Grus grus).

Next we went up the road to the main reserve at Tablas seeing Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris) and Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua) on the way and on the loop walk we found Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Water Pipit (Bisbita Alpino / Anthus spinoletta), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Greylag Geese (Ansar Común / Anser anser), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus) and Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis) before we completed the trip to the house adding on the fields Little Bustard (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax) just before arriving.

Travelling South, Fields South of Madrid, Toledo and Laguna Navaseca, Daimiel, Ciudad Real, Spain.

Moving down towards the south.

Trip to Uk, Day Fourty.

 

Great Bustards (Avutarda Común / Otis tarda).

We left the Santoña area and travelled south and drove until we were 100km or so beyond Madrid, during this drive we saw Carrion Crow (Corneja Negra / Corvus corone), Common (Urraca / Pica pica) and Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Song Thrush (Zorzal Común / Turdus philomelos), Raven (Cuervo / Corvus corax), Western Cattle (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), Great Egret (Garceta Grande / Egretta alba) and Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egreeta garzetta), Red Kite (Milano Real / Milvus milvus), Sparrowhawk (Gavilán Común / Accipiter nisus), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), 2x Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Crested Lark (Cogujada / Galerida cristata), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Griffon (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus) and Eurasian Black / Cinereous Vulture (Aegypius monachus), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis) and White Stork (Ciguena Blanca / Ciconia ciconia).

Great Bustards (Avutarda Común / Otis tarda).

We turned off the Motorway and stopped at a bar at the gargae where we had some Lunch before going out on to the fields, just as we started out we saw a couple of Stone Curlews (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Meadow Pipit (Bisbita Pratense / Anthus pratensis) and then the main target was seen when we found 24 Great Bustards (Avutarda Común / Otis tarda) flew up from a field as we turned a corner but were soon back down on the ground and gave us good views.

Great Bustards (Avutarda Común / Otis tarda).

We then picked up a large Raptor which turned out to be an immature Golden Eagle (Águila Real / Aquila chrysaetos) which showed brilliantly for us an few right over head.

Golden Eagle (Águila Real / Aquila chrysaetos).

We headed back towards the Motorway but saw the Bustards again along one of the side so had another look and then continued along this track hoping it would eventually get us back to the Motorway at some point, along here we saw Skylark (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis), Calandra Lark (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra), Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus) and a very smart male Hen Harrier (Aguilucho Pálido / Circus cyaneus).

Golden Eagle (Águila Real / Aquila chrysaetos).

We found our way back to the Motorway and continued on South to Laguna Navaseca where we had a quick visit before we went and found our hotel, whilst we were at the Laguna we saw Greater Flamingo (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus roseus), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Shelduck (Tarro Blanco / Tadoma tadorna), Gadwall (Anade Friso / Anas strepera), Northern Shoveler (Pato Cuchara / Anas clypeata), Eurasian Teal (Cerceta Común / Anas crecca), Red-crested (Pato Colorado / Netta rufina) and Common Pochard (Porrón Común / Aythya ferina), Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Marsh Harrier, Black-headed (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus) and Lesser Black-backed Gull (Gaviota Sombria / Larus fuscus), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto) and Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocroax carbo).

Golden Eagle (Águila Real / Aquila chrysaetos).

We turned up to our hotel the El Cortijo de Daimiel which for what we were paying was absolutely brilliant and came with a good breakfast and a birding treat in the morning.

Santoña Area, Cantabria, Spain.

Birding around all sides of the Marismas de Santoña.

Trip to Uk, Day Thirty Nine.

Ebird List for the Hide. 

Yellow-legged Gull (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis).

Andy and I headed out towards Santoña Port, on the way we started things off with Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egreeta garzetta) and Carrion Crow (Corneja Negra / Corvus corone).

Preening Shags (Cormorán Mondudo / Phalacrocorax aristotelis).

We reached the Port and checked out the Jetties in the pleasure boat part and soon found Shag (Cormorán Mondudo / Phalacrocorax aristotelis), Yellow-legged (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis), Mediterranean (Gaviota Cabecinegra / Larus melanocephalus) and Black-headed Gull (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus), Kingfisher (Martin Pescador / Alcedo atthis), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Black-necked Grebe (Zampullín Cullinegro / Podiceps nigricollis), Eurasian Wigeon (Sibón Europeo / Anas penelope), Eurasian Curlew (Numenius arquata), Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocroax carbo), Sandwich Tern (Charrán Patinegro / Sterna sandvicensis) and just before we reached the Fishing part of the Port 2 Rock Pipits (Bisbita Costero / Anthus petrosus) which flew over us calling.

Mediterranean Gull (Gaviota Cabecinegra / Larus melanocephalus).

Mediterranean Gull (Gaviota Cabecinegra / Larus melanocephalus).

In the port we soon found Lesser (Gaviota Sombria / Larus fuscus) and Great Black-backed Gull (Gavión Atlántico / Larus marinus) and around on the far side on a long wall where there were lots of Gulls roosting at least one but probably two Herring Gulls (Gaviota Argéntea Europea / Larus argentatus) and the regular Iceland Gull (Gaviota Groenlandesa / Larus glaucoides) which I have now seen several time.

Iceland Gull (Gaviota Groenlandesa / Larus glaucoides).

Iceland Gull (Gaviota Groenlandesa / Larus glaucoides).

Iceland Gull (Gaviota Groenlandesa / Larus glaucoides).

We returned to the car and drove right around to the far side of the estuary to a spot called Campo Dunar del Regatón de Laredo, we parked and walked out into the Dunes which were covered in a Dianthus Species which looked very like Dianthus broteri.

Iceland Gull (Gaviota Groenlandesa / Larus glaucoides).

Iceland Gull (Gaviota Groenlandesa / Larus glaucoides).

As we walked out towards the Estuary again we heard and then saw a small flock of Siskin (Lúgano / Carduelis spinus) as well as Song Thrush (Zorzal Común / Turdus philomelos), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Blue Tit (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus), Meadow Pipit (Bisbita Pratense / Anthus pratensis), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula) and Robin.

Dark-bellied Brent Geese (Barnacla Carinegra / Branta bernicla).

From the Dune bank looking out over the water I was very pleased to see 160 odd Dark-bellied Brent Geese (Barnacla Carinegra / Branta bernicla), Eurasian Wigeon, Mute Swan (Cisne Vulgar / Cygnus olor), Black-necked (Zampullín Cullinegro / Podiceps nigricollis) and Great Crested Grebe (Somormujo Lavanco / Podiceps cristatus), Great Northern Diver (Colimbo Grande / Gavia immer), Sandwich Tern, Yellow-Legged and Black-headed Gulls.

Wasp / Hornets nest.

On our way back to the car we spotted a Wasp / Hornet nest in one of the trees, a spectacular looking thing but I took the pictures with the 400mm lens as I was not going to get close.

Black-necked Grebe (Zampullín Cullinegro / Podiceps nigricollis).

Black-necked Grebe (Zampullín Cullinegro / Podiceps nigricollis).

Our next stop was up at Playa de San Martín at the tip of the sand bar where we ha a walk finding Meadow Pipit, Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis),  a closer Black-necked Grebe and a Black-throated Diver (Colimbo Ártico / Gavia arctica) which was diving regularly in mid channel.

Black-necked Grebe (Zampullín Cullinegro / Podiceps nigricollis).

Next we took some narrow tracks out to Playa del Regatón where we scanned the Estuary from a different angle adding Grey Plover (Chorlito Gris / Pluvialis squatarola), Dunlin (Correlimos Común / Calidris alpina), Black-necked Grebe (Zampullín Cullinegro / Podiceps nigricollis) Grande / Charadrius hiaticula), Greenshank (Archibebe Claro / Tringa nebularia), Common Redshank (Archibebe Común / Tringa totanus), Eurasian Oystercatcher (Ostrero Euroasiatico / Haematopus ostralegus), Whimbrel (Zarapito Trinador / Numenius phaeopus), Great Egret (Garceta Grande / Egretta alba), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Northern Pintail (Ánade Rabudo / Anas acuta) and Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos).

Common Eider (Eider Común / Somateria mollissima).

Common Eider (Eider Común / Somateria mollissima).

Next we retraced our way around to Santoña and spent a while scanning the low tide mudflats, channels and pools finding the male Common Eider (Eider Común / Somateria mollissima) in it's usual spot as well as Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos), Eurasian Spoonbill (Espátula Común / Platalea leucorodia), Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus) and another / same Great Northern Diver which was in the pools infront of the hide catching crabs.

On our way back to the hotel we stopped by a disused Quarry and added Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) above us and several Greylag Geese (Ansar Común / Anser anser) on the saltmarsh below us.

Great Northern Diver (Colimbo Grande / Gavia immer).

Great Northern Diver (Colimbo Grande / Gavia immer).

We returned to the hotel, I went out for a walk around the edge of the village and saw Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus) and Iberian Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus sharpei), later we went to a bar and had a very nice meal.

Somewhere in the Bay of Biscay to Santander, Cantabria, Spain.

Getting back to some birding in Spain.

Trip to Uk, Day Thirty Nine.

 

Redwing (Zorzal Alirrojo / Turdus illacus) a Stowaway about 5 hours out from Santander.

After a good nights sleep we were up for breakfast and then out on deck for the next 5 hours or so, whilst we were still in international waters thing were quiet and apart from a few Northern Gannets (Alcatraz Atlántico / Morus bassanus), a single Kittiwake (Gaviota Tridáctila / Rissa tridactyla) we saw nothing on the sea but we were joined by a few passerine migrants which included a very smart Redwing (Zorzal Alirrojo / Turdus illacus) which landed on the rail next to us, a Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula) which we saw flying around the but we did not see it land and a Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros) which landed in amongst the lorries before going forward and away toward the North.

Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula) also about 5 hours out.

Once we entered Spanish waters (given time by the Captain) it continued to be quiet on the sea except for a Whale species which we think could have been a Fin Whale (Balaenoptera physalus) but with do some more checking.

Northern Gannet (Alcatraz Atlántico / Morus bassanus).

There were more migrants either coming on board like a Song Thrush (Zorzal Común / Turdus philomelos) for a quick rest or just flying on by as several more Redwings did along with several Common Starling (Estornino Pinto / Sturnus vulgaris).

Th closer to Santander we got the numbers of Northern Gannets incressed and we also recorded a single  Razorbill (Alca Común / Alca torda), Lesser Black-backed (Gaviota Sombria / Larus fuscus) and Yellow-legged Gull (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis).

Northern Gannet (Alcatraz Atlántico / Morus bassanus).

Just as we arrived in Santander there was a message to return to our car, so we got the kit from the Cabin and made our way down to the deck and after a little bit of a search loaded the stuff into the car and then waited to get off and through the passport and security controls which took just over an hour.

Felt good to be back home in Spain and to see some blue skies, our first stop of the day was just down the road at some pools along the side of Santander Airport but when we arrived we decided to get a drink and some food before we started the birding.

Fin Whale (Balaenoptera physalus).

Once we were fed and watered we scanned to pools on the other side f the road where we found Mute Swan (Cisne Vulgar / Cygnus olor), Northern Shoveler (Pato Cuchara / Anas clypeata), Gadwall (Anade Friso / Anas strepera), Common Pochard (Porrón Común / Aythya ferina), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor) and Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti).

Fin Whale (Balaenoptera physalus).

We drove just around the corner and checked out the estuary, from this point we could see the boat we had just come in on as well as Great and Lesser Black-backed Gulls, Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocroax carbo), Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egreeta garzetta), Eurasian Curlew (Numenius arquata), Ruddy Turnstone (Vuelvepiedras Común / Arenaria interpres), Eurasian Oystercatcher (Ostrero Euroasiatico / Haematopus ostralegus), Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Eurasian Spoonbill (Espátula Común / Platalea leucorodia), Great Crested Grebe (Somormujo Lavanco / Podiceps cristatus), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba) and a flyby Kingfisher (Martin Pescador / Alcedo atthis).

Northern Gannet (Alcatraz Atlántico / Morus bassanus).

We continued on towards Santoña calling in at Marismas Blancas where I set the scope up and we scanned the fresh water pool finding Eurasian Teal (Cerceta Común / Anas crecca), Common Pochard, Gadwall, Northern Shoveler, Tufted Duck (Porrón Monudo / Aythya fuligula), Eurasian Coot, Mute Swan and Little Grebe.

Northern Gannet (Alcatraz Atlántico / Morus bassanus).

Our final stop of the day was at the hide over looking the Bahia de Santoña where we soon found the resident male Common Eider (Eider Común / Somateria mollissima), Eurasian Wigeon (Sibón Europeo / Anas penelope), Northern Pintail (Ánade Rabudo / Anas acuta), Black-necked (Zampullín Cullinegro / Podiceps nigricollis) and Great Crested Grebe, Common Redshank (Archibebe Común / Tringa totanus), Whimbrel (Zarapito Trinador / Numenius phaeopus), Eurasian Curlew, Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Grande / Charadrius hiaticula), Bar-tailed (Aguja Colipinta / Limosa lapponica) and Black-tailed Godwit (Aguja Colinegra / Limosa limosa), Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos), Eurasian Spoonbills, 2x Great Northern Divers (Colimbo Grande / Gavia immer), Great Cormorant, Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Raven (Cuervo / Corvus corax) and Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula).

Approaching Santander.

From here we headed to the hotel for the next two nights and dropped the kit off before going out for something to eat later.