Ryan's Field, Hayle, Cornwall, UK.

A wet visit to the Hide looking over the field.

Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egreeta garzetta).

We got up and headed out for a look from the hide which over looks Ryan's Field along side of the Hayle Estuary, we arrived in the rain and made a dash for the hide.

Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egreeta garzetta).

We got inside but seating was a bit difficult as two photographers were using most of the area where the benches were to rest their tripods on, as we stood there we did see Eurasian Teal (Cerceta Común / Anas crecca), Canada Geese (Barnacla Canadiense /Branta canadensis), Shelduck (Tarro Blanco / Tadoma tadorna), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egreeta garzetta), 100s of Northern Lapwings (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus) in the air and down on the fields and good numbers of Golden Plovers (Chorlito Dorado Europeo / Pluvialis apricaia) most of which passed over in several large flocks, a few did drop in with the Lapwings.

A couple of Kingfishers (Martin Pescador / Alcedo atthis) were also seen, one put on a good show in front of the hide hovering several times before diving in into the water, we also had Dunlin (Correlimos Común / Calidris alpina), Common Redshank (Archibebe Común / Tringa totanus), Black-headed (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus), European Herring (Gaviota Argéntea Europea / Larus argentatus) and Lesser Black-backed Gull (Gaviota Sombria / Larus fuscus), Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocroax carbo), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Carrion Crow (Corneja Negra / Corvus corone), Blue Tit (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus), Meadow Pipit (Bisbita Pratense / Anthus pratensis), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula) and Pied Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla yarrellii).

We decided to move on and headed back to Lynn and Steve's but quickly made a stop on the estuary at Copperhouse where we added Eurasian Wigeon (Sibón Europeo / Anas penelope) and Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos).

Back at the house we sat and watched the birds in the garden, adding Blue (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus), Coal (Carbonero Garrapinos / Parus ater) and Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Dunnock (Acentor Común / Prunella modularis) and Rook (Graja / Corvus frugilegus).

Later the rain eased off so we went for a walk to the top of Godolphin hill, we had planned to do this on my last trip but the weather had not been good, today it was still rough but we had a nice walk to the summit where we had great views of the local area and also saw Redwing (Zorzal Alirrojo / Turdus illacus) and Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata) which were new for the day.

Travelling South to Cornwall.

On my way down to see friends Lynn and Steve.

I set off after breakfast as the weather was a tad rough so I waited until it was light, I went down the M54, M6, M5 and then the A30 to Godolphin Cross.

On my way I saw Carrion Crow (Corneja Negra / Corvus corone), Rook (Graja / Corvus frugilegus), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Canada Geese (Barnacla Canadiense /Branta canadensis), Mute Swan (Cisne Vulgar / Cygnus olor), Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egreeta garzetta), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Black-headed (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus), European Herring (Gaviota Argéntea Europea / Larus argentatus) and Lesser Black-backed Gull (Gaviota Sombria / Larus fuscus).

Once I crossed the boarder into Cornwall I had another Little Egret, Long-tailed Tit (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Goldcrest (Reyezuelo Sencillo / Regulus regulus), Blackbird and Redwing (Zorzal Alirrojo / Turdus illacus).

I arrived at Lynn and Steve's where we had a chat and Lynn cooked some amazing Pasties, later we sat and spent sometime chatting and watching some TV.

Shifnal Sewage Farm, Shropshire, UK.

A muddy walk near Shifnal.

Ebird List.

Long-tailed Tit (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus).

The weather was looking less horrendous than it had, so I thought I would go for a walk and do some birding, I parked just outside Shifnal and took to some rather muddy public footpaths.

On my way out to the Sewage farm I picked up Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Redwings (Zorzal Alirrojo / Turdus illacus), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), a fly over Peregrine Falcon (Halcón Peregrino / Falco peregrinus), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Dunnock (Acentor Común / Prunella modularis), Carrion Crow (Corneja Negra / Corvus corone), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Common Starling (Estornino Pinto / Sturnus vulgaris), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Coal  (Carbonero Garrapinos / Parus ater), Great (Carbonera Común / Parus major) and Blue Tit (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Siskin (Lúgano / Carduelis spinus) and over the sewage beds good numbers of Black-headed Gulls (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus) and a few Pied Wagtails (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla yarrellii).

In the area around the reedbeds I found Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), several Long-tailed Tits (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus) and a couple of Goldcrest (Reyezuelo Sencillo / Regulus regulus) mixed in with the flock.

On my way back towards the car I added Rook (Graja / Corvus frugilegus), Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major), Song Thrush (Zorzal Común / Turdus philomelos) and Fieldfare (Zorzal Real / Turdus pilaris).

Al and his Harley.

Later in the day I was over the moon to get a visit from Alan my son who came over on his Harley.

A Boxing Day afternoon walk around Lichfield Cathedral, Lichfield, Staffordshire, UK.

A walk with the family.

Arriving at the Cathedral.

After we had some lunch we all headed out to the City and after parking we walked to the Cathedral to see the small Christmas trees that local businesses and schools had decorated.

I always enjoy visiting impressive buildings and the Cathedral certainly fitted the bill and it was even better doing it along side the family.

We went back to the house a bit later and after a little while I said my thanks for a great time and my goodbyes to them all after three absolutely brilliant days.

Donington Nature Reserve, Albrighton, Shropshire. UK.

A rather damp, cold and grey walk around the reserve and up to the Church yard.

Ebird List.

 

Along the stream.

I walked down to the reserve through the village, I first of all checked the pool and track to the locked gate onto the secured part of the reserve seeing Carrion Crow (Corneja Negra / Corvus corone), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula) and lots of Redwings (Zorzal Alirrojo / Turdus illacus).

A few of the Redwings (Zorzal Alirrojo / Turdus illacus).

I crossed the road and went onto the field and walked along the stream picking up Blue (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus) and Long-tailed Tit (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus), Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes), Siskin (Lúgano / Carduelis spinus), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), Dunnock (Acentor Común / Prunella modularis), Song (Zorzal Común / Turdus philomelos) and Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Nuthatch (Trepador Azul / Sitta europaea), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), 3x Skylarks (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis) and lots more Redwings which flew in.

Humphreston Brook after the recent rains.

I walked back up through the village and returned to my Moms were I got ready to go out to Next door bar to see the Dirty Rocking Scoundrels with some of Jayne's brothers and sister's.

As expected we had a great night, good company, good food and brilliant music and entertainment.

WISHING YOU ALL A HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND GREAT NEW YEAR.

 HAPPY CHRISTMAS.

 

Hello All.

Happy Christmas to everyone and thank you for taking the time to read my drivel and look at my photo's.

Hope this message finds you all well and that you have all had a good years birding / wildlife watching.

Priorslee Flash, Priorslee, Telford, Shropshire, UK.

A nice visit to see family and a second walk at the flash.

Ebird List.

Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea).

After visiting Pauline and David I decided to had a walk around the Flash / Hangmans Lake after David reminded me of the Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea) he had seen there a while ago and I was not disappointed as part way round I found it and it was amazingly well behave and spent a while in the reeds reducing the local frog population.

Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea).

Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea).

Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea).

As I walked I also saw Goosander (Serreta Grande / Mergus merganser), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Common Pochard (Porrón Común / Aythya ferina), Tufted Duck (Porrón Monudo / Aythya fuligula), Great Crested Grebe (Somormujo Lavanco / Podiceps cristatus), Canada Geese (Barnacla Canadiense /Branta canadensis), Mute Swan (Cisne Vulgar / Cygnus olor), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocroax carbo), Lesser Black-backed (Gaviota Sombria / Larus fuscus) and Black-headed Gull (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus).

Goosander (Serreta Grande / Mergus merganser).

Goosander (Serreta Grande / Mergus merganser).

Goosander (Serreta Grande / Mergus merganser).

Goosander (Serreta Grande / Mergus merganser).

Goosander (Serreta Grande / Mergus merganser).

Goosander (Serreta Grande / Mergus merganser).

In the scrub, the air and around the margin's I also added Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Sparrowhawk (Gavilán Común / Accipiter nisus), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Carrion Crow (Corneja Negra / Corvus corone), Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major) and Long-tailed Tit (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus), Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Dunnock (Acentor Común / Prunella modularis), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), Pied Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla yarrellii), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris) and Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis).

Great Crested Grebe (Somormujo Lavanco / Podiceps cristatus).

Black-headed Gull (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus).

Mute Swan (Cisne Vulgar / Cygnus olor).

Tufted Duck (Porrón Monudo / Aythya fuligula) Female.

Tufted Duck (Porrón Monudo / Aythya fuligula) Male.

Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos) Female.

Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos) Male.

Canada Geese (Barnacla Canadiense /Branta canadensis).

Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula).

Pied Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla yarrellii).

Sparrowhawk (Gavilán Común / Accipiter nisus).

Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo).

Hazel Catkin's (Corylus avellana).

Priorslee Flash, Priorslee, Telford, Shropshire, UK.

A quick scan of the frozen lake.

Ebird List.

I popped over to Telford to do a bit of Shopping and to see some of the family, whilst I waited for them to get back home I had a walk around part of the Flash which was three quarters frozen but still had a few species on the open water including Goosander (Serreta Grande / Mergus merganser) x6, Canada Geese (Barnacla Canadiense /Branta canadensis), Mute Swan (Cisne Vulgar / Cygnus olor), Common Pochard (Porrón Común / Aythya ferina), Tufted Duck (Porrón Monudo / Aythya fuligula), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Black-headed (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus) and  Lesser Black-backed Gull (Gaviota Sombria / Larus fuscus) and Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocroax carbo). 

Other species seen included Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Long-tailed Tit (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus) x8, Pied Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla yarrellii) x2 and Dunnock (Acentor Común / Prunella modularis).

Out to Sea between Santander and Southampton.

At sea under grey skies.

I had a none to great night as it was piggin freezing on board the Galicia and the chairs are less than comfortable so in the end I went back to the bar and got a bit of sleep on one of the seats there but it was still very cold on board.

Once it was light I found a window with a view but didn't see a great deal, best birds were a couple of Common Guillemot (Arao Común / Uria aalge), Northern Gannet (Alcatraz Atlántico / Morus bassanus), a group of Kittiwake (Gaviota Tridáctila / Rissa tridactyla) and a few Balearic Shearwater (Pardela Balear / Puffinus mauretanicus).

Santoña Port, Marismas Blancas, Bahía de Santander, Cantabria, Spain and a few hours at sea enroute to UK.

A bit more North Coast birding before getting the Ferry to the UK.

Ebird List for Marismas Blancas.

Ebird List for Bahía de Santander.

Looking along the Pleasure boat part of the port down to the Bull Ring.

After a good nights sleep at the Hotel Rural las Solanas de Escalante I went up to the Port in Santoña, had some breakfast and the did a walk along the Prom before it got light, on the way I saw Black-headed (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus), Lesser Black-backed (Gaviota Sombria / Larus fuscus) and Yellow-legged Gull (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus) and Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula).

It was still not very light by the time I got back to the car so I had another coffee before going out onto the main Jetty and setting up the scope, as I scanned I found Dark-bellied Brent Geese (Barnacla Carinegra / Branta bernicla), Bar-tailed Godwit (Aguja Colipinta / Limosa lapponica), Black-necked (Zampullín Cullinegro / Podiceps nigricollis) and Great Crested Grebe (Somormujo Lavanco / Podiceps cristatus), Great Northern Diver (Colimbo Grande / Gavia immer), Ruddy Turnstone (Vuelvepiedras Común / Arenaria interpres), Shag (Cormorán Mondudo / Phalacrocorax aristotelis), Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocroax carbo), Great Black-backed Gull (Gavión Atlántico / Larus marinus), Eurasian Spoonbill (Espátula Común / Platalea leucorodia) and out in the distance thousands of wildfowl, most I am guessing were Eurasian Wigeon (Sibón Europeo / Anas penelope) and Northern Pintail (Ánade Rabudo / Anas acuta) but they were too distant to sort out.

Dark-bellied Brent Geese (Barnacla Carinegra / Branta bernicla) in the foreground and masses of other ducks off into the distance.

I returned to the car and the drove towards Santander but pulled of the Motorway to have a look at Marismas Blacas, a pool I always enjoy visiting, today was no different as straight away I saw two immature Little Gulls (Gaviota Enana / Larus minutus) feeding low over the water very Tern like.

Marismas Blancas, the main pool.

As I scanned the water I added Mute Swan (Cisne Vulgar / Cygnus olor), Gadwall (Anade Friso / Anas strepera), Common Pochard (Porrón Común / Aythya ferina), Tufted Duck (Porrón Monudo / Aythya fuligula), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Northern Shoveler (Pato Cuchara / Anas clypeata), Eurasian Teal (Cerceta Común / Anas crecca), Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Great Cormorant, Black-headed, Lesser Black-backed and Yellow-legged Gulls.

Little Gull (Gaviota Enana / Larus minutus).

Little Gull (Gaviota Enana / Larus minutus).

Little Gull (Gaviota Enana / Larus minutus).

Little Gull (Gaviota Enana / Larus minutus).

Little Gull (Gaviota Enana / Larus minutus).

Little Gull (Gaviota Enana / Larus minutus).

Around the margins and in the air I found a couple of Firecrests (Reyezuelo Listado / Regulus ignicapillus) picking their way through a small Willow tree with a single Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita).

Mute Swan (Cisne Vulgar / Cygnus olor).

Mute Swan (Cisne Vulgar / Cygnus olor).

Also seen were Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), White Wagtail, House Sparrow, Robin, Blackbird, Carrion Crow (Corneja Negra / Corvus corone), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica) and a passing Red Kite (Milano Real / Milvus milvus).

Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos).

Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos).

My last stop before catching the Ferry was at the Bahía de Santander where I could see the Ferry in the docks opposite, I set up the Scope and scanned the river and almost the first bird I saw amongst a flock of Black-headed Gulls was another Little Gull, as had as I tried I unfortunately couldn't turn it into an immature Kittiwake (Gaviota Tridáctila / Rissa tridactyla), 18x Gadwall (Anade Friso / Anas strepera) flew over as did two large flocks of Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Grande / Charadrius hiaticula), on the rocks there were 50 odd  Dunlin (Correlimos Común / Calidris alpina) and a single Ruddy Turnstone (Vuelvepiedras Común / Arenaria interpres).

Leaving Santander, bet it won't look like this as we arrive in Southampton.

Other species seen included a Great Northern Diver, Great Crested Grebe (Somormujo Lavanco / Podiceps cristatus), Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos), Sandwich Tern (Charrán Patinegro / Sterna sandvicensis), Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egreeta garzetta) and Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea).

I went around to the port and then almost stright on to the ferry which I was suprised left on time at 14.00 instead of 16:00 which Brittany Ferries had said it would do in an email a few days earlier, as we started off I did a short sea watch but all I managed was a small flock of around 30 Balearic Shearwaters (Pardela Balear / Puffinus mauretanicus), a few Northern Gannet (Alcatraz Atlántico / Morus bassanus) and a single Razorbill.

Last View of Spain for a while.