Albrighton and Telford in Shropshire, Britain.

First day in the UK.

I was up and about by 08:00 after a good nights sleep, Mom, John and I were soon off over to Telford to do some shopping and then once we were back I went up to see my brother for a while and then just  chilled.

Birds included Dunnock (Acentor Común / Prunella modularis), European Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Common Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Eurasian Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Eurasian Magpie (Urraca Común / Pica pica), Black-headed (Gaviota Reidora / Chroicocephalus ridibundus) and European Herring Gull (Gaviota Argéntea Europea / Larus argentatus), Carrion Crow (Corneja Negra / Corvus corone), Western Jackdaw (Grajilla occidental / Corvus monedula) and Common Starling (Estornino Pinto / Sturnus vulgaris).

La Man's to Calais and onwards to Albrighton in Shropshire, France and Britain.

A difficult drive North.

 

I set off again at 06:00 and made a longer route around Rouen due to it's low emotions zone which made me do an extra 60km making it very Eco-friendly as there is no way of passing the city with out entering the zone and as I had not known about it until just before I set off and could not get a car sticker to make passing through the city legally.

All the way north it rained and basically from the time I left Spain and until I arrived in Albrighton I only switched my windscreen wipers off in the Channel Tunnel.

Birds seen during the drive included Rook (Graja / Corvus frugilegus), Western Jackdaw (Grajilla occidental / Corvus monedula), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), European Goldfinch (Jilguero Europeo / Carduelis carduelis), Eurasian Magpie (Urraca Común / Pica pica), Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Eurasian Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Common Starling (Estornino Pinto / Sturnus vulgaris), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Red Kite (Milano Real / Milvus milvus), Western Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus) and Common Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula).

Once I was under tunnel I made my way along some immensely busy motorways with huge amounts of traffic, heavy spray and dwindling light which made for a scary drive but I was in Albrighton and at my Mom's by 17:00, knackered but safe.   

Heading up throught Spain and France.

The start of an unwanted, unexpected journey.

 

Having been looking forward to a nice easy drive to Santander and a pleasant crossing to Portsmouth I was a tad peeeeeeeeeed off with having to start a long drive north, I left Santi's at 06:00 hoping to make it as far as La Man`s in France.

On the drive North I didn't really see much as the weather was horrendous, rained continuously and the wind bought down several trees but thankfully none stopped me moving on but a very nasty accident did but after seeing if I could help I followed a very nice young lady who told me she knew a route around to the road I wanted to be on.

Also had a couple of lorries on their sides on the motorway sections which were a lot more exposed, as I drove I did see Black-headed (Gaviota Reidora / Chroicocephalus ridibundus) and European Herring Gull (Gaviota Argéntea Europea / Larus argentatus), Western Jackdaw (Grajilla occidental / Corvus monedula), Carrion Crow (Corneja Negra / Corvus corone), Common Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Red Kite (Milano Real / Milvus milvus), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Eurasian Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Feral Pigeon (Paloma Bravía / Columba livia), Eurasian Magpie (Urraca Común / Pica pica), Great Egret (Garceta Grande / Ardea alba), Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus) and Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa).

I arrived in La Man's and stayed at a Hotel on the outskirts but it was not great, however I showered and slept.

Santo Domingo de Silos, Burgos Province, Spain.

A day of stress.

 

All started well and we just continued to chill until I got an email from Brittany Ferries say the ferry I was Catching at lunch time tomorrow was cancelled and by the time I got the laptop working I found that the next two sailings were fully booked so I was left with no option but to drive back so I spent the rest of the day stressed trying to get things planned.

Travelling North to visit a friend.

A nice steady drive up North.

 

I set off before first light and headed to my regular breakfast stop on this route at a bar just before Valdepeñas, to this point I only saw Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Feral Pigeon (Paloma Bravía / Columba livia), Corn Bunting (Escribano Triguero / Emberiza calandra), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba).

I continued on up to Santi's with out a stop adding Griffon (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus) x15+ and European Black / Cinereous Vulture (Buitre Negro / Aegypius monachus) x3, Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Eurasian Magpie (Urraca Común / Pica pica), Carrion Crow (Corneja Negra / Corvus corone), Eurasian Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Western Jackdaw (Grajilla occidental / Corvus monedula), Red Kite (Milano Real / Milvus milvus), Western Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus), Lesser Black-backed Gull (Gaviota Sombria / Larus fuscus), European Stonechat (Tarabilla Europea / Saxicola rubicola), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Common Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula) and House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus).

I arrived at Santi's and chilled for the rest of the day.

Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

Moth Records for the 3rd Dec 24.

15W Actinic on the terrace, +10.5

23 Moths of 8 Species.

Any corrections PLEASE send me a comment on the post, thanks.

 

6184 Eudonia angustea x1, 6496 Evergestis isatidalis x7, 6690a Palpita vitrealis x4, 6719 Nomophila noctuella (Rush Veneer) x1, 9206 Cucullia calendulae (Marigold Shark) x4, 9436 Caradrina flavirena (Lorimer's Rustic) x1, 9565 Agrochola lychnidis (Beaded Chestnut) x4 and 10226 Cerastis faceta x1.

Huétor Fields, Granada Province, Spain.

A few minutes by the Town Fields.

Ebird List.

I parked and scanned the fields finding Little Bustard (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax) x15, just a few Eurasian Stone Curlew (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus) as most had been disturbed by a farmer earlier in the morning, Northern Lapwing (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus) and Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea).

Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

Moth Records for the 1st Dec 24.

15W Actinic on the terrace, +6

25 Moths of 9 Species.

Any corrections PLEASE send me a comment on the post, thanks.

 

6184 Eudonia angustea x3, 6496 Evergestis isatidalis x6, 6690a Palpita vitrealis x1, 6719 Nomophila noctuella (Rush Veneer) x2, 8211 Rhodometra sacaria (The Vestal) x1, 9206 Cucullia calendulae (Marigold Shark) x5, 9565 Agrochola lychnidis (Beaded Chestnut) x5, 9651 Aporophyla nigra (Black Rustic) x1 and 9676 Xylocampa areola (Early Grey) x1.

Marismas de Barbate and La Janda, Cadiz Province, Spain.

A days birding with Sonia and Ricky.

Ebird list for Estuary bridge, Barbate.

Ebird list for Rio Barbate.

Ebird list for Marismas de Barbate.

Ebird List for La Janda.

The view out onto the Mud Flats from under the Rio Barbate Bridge.

We started out after breakfast and did a run along the coast past Tarifa and on up to Barbate, on the way we saw Yellow-legged Gull (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis), White Stork (Ciguena Blanca / Ciconia ciconia), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Northern Raven (Cuervo grande / Corvus corax), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Griffon Vulture (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus), Eurasian Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), Corn Bunting (Escribano Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Common Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), European Goldfinch (Jilguero Europeo / Carduelis carduelis) and European Stonechat (Tarabilla Europea / Saxicola rubicola).

European Stonechat (Tarabilla Europea / Saxicola rubicola).

European Stonechat (Tarabilla Europea / Saxicola rubicola).

We went passed the main part of the Marismas first and down to a spot near the town where the road crosses the main channel of the Rio Barbate, the tide was low so there were good numbers of waders out on the mud including Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus), Eurasian Oystercatcher (Ostrero Euroasiático / Haematopus ostralegus), Bar-tailed Godwit (Aguja Colipinta / Limosa lapponica), Grey (Chorlito Gris / Pluvialis squatarola) and Common Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Grande / Charadrius hiaticula), Eurasian Curlew (Zarapito Real / Numenius arquata), Whimbrel (Zarapito Trinador / Numenius phaeopus), Sanderling (Correlimos Tridáctilo / Calidris alba), Common Redshank (Archibebe Común / Tringa totanus), Common Greenshank (Archibebe Claro / Tringa nebularia), Dunlin (Correlimos Común / Calidris alpina) and Little Stint (Correlimos Menudo / Calidris minuta).

Eurasian Spoonbills (Espátula Común / Platalea leucorodia).

Eurasian Spoonbills (Espátula Común / Platalea leucorodia).

At the same spot we also saw Lesser Black-backed (Gaviota Sombria / Larus fuscus) and  Mediterranean Gull (Gaviota Cabecinegra / Larus melanocephalus), Sandwich Tern (Charrán Patinegro / Thalasseus sandvicensis), Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocroax carbo), Zitting Cisticola (Cistícola Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Eurasian Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita) and Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Curruca melanocephala).

Northern Bald Ibis (Ibis Eremita / Geronticus eremita).

Northern Bald Ibis (Ibis Eremita / Geronticus eremita).

Our next stop was just up the road at one of the smaller tributaries of the main river where we parked and found several nice clean looking Eurasian Spoonbills (Espátula Común / Platalea leucorodia), Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos), Ruddy Turnstone (Vuelvepiedras Común / Arenaria interpres), Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egretta garzetta), Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Western Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus) and Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus) all of which were new for the day.

Audouin's Gull (Gaviota de Audouin / Larus audouinii).

We moved on along the road again and went into the area of houses / small holdings were there were huge numbers of Feral Pigeons (Paloma Bravía / Columba livia), 2x Northern Bald Ibis (Ibis Eremita / Geronticus eremita), Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata) and Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros).

Common Crane (Grulla Común / Grus grus).

Common Crane (Grulla Común / Grus grus).

Common Crane (Grulla Común / Grus grus).

Out on the main part of the Marismas and during a drive along the eastern edge we picked up Pied Avocet (Avoceta Común / Recurvirostra avosetta), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Black-headed (Gaviota Reidora / Chroicocephalus ridibundus), Audouin's (Gaviota de Audouin / Larus audouinii) and Mediterranean Gull, Eurasian Stone Curlew (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus), Greater Flamingo (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus roseus), Common Shelduck (Tarro Blanco / Tadoma tadorna), Western Osprey (Águila Pescardora / Pandion haliaetus) and Corn Bunting (Escribano Triguero / Emberiza calandra) as well as Paperwhite Narcissus (Narcissus papyraceus), Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) x4 and Small White (Pieris rapae) x15+.

White Storks (Ciguena Blanca / Ciconia ciconia).

We moved on and went to the southern entrance to La Janda and made our way along the track to the main channel and the followed it up as far as the turning over to the Benalup end of the site, during this part of the visit we had a single Monarch (Danaus plexippus), lots of Red-veined Darters (Sympetrum fonscolombii), an Egyptian Mongoose (Herpestes ichneumon) which just shot across the track and away, Squirting Cucumber (Ecballium elaterium), Mandrake (Mandragora autumnalis), Common Crane (Grulla Común / Grus grus), Meadow Pipit (Bisbita Pratense / Anthus pratensis), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus) x1, European Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Common Starling (Estornino Pinto / Sturnus vulgaris), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Western Jackdaw (Grajilla occidental / Corvus monedula), Eurasian Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Curruca capirotada), Cetti's Warbler (Cetia Ruiseñor / Cettia cetti), Common Kingfisher (Martin Pescador Común / Alcedo atthis), Great Egret (Garceta Grande / Ardea alba), Squacco Heron (Garcilla Cangrejera / Ardeola ralloides), Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus), Ruff (Combatiente / Calidris pugnax) and Northern Lapwing (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus). 

Squacco Heron (Garcilla Cangrejera / Ardeola ralloides) and Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egretta garzetta).

We crossed the Main channel which had been impassable the last time I was there with Derek Etherton and followed the track down to the bridge over another of the channels Canal Secundairo, on the way we had Common Pheasant (Faisán Vulgar / Phaisanus colchicus), Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Eurasian Sparrowhawk (Gavilán Común / Accipiter nisus) and a really smart male Merlin (Esmerejón / Falco columbarius).

Back end view of the Merlin (Esmerejón / Falco columbarius).

We parked near the canal as Ricky recognised another birder there and whilst they chatted we saw a big flock of Woodpigeons fly up and a smaller flock of smaller dove which were 27 Stock Doves (Paloma Zurita / Columba oenas) the species we were hoping for, we counted 27 together but I think there were several more more scattered amongst the other pigeons and surprisingly our only group of Spanish Sparrows (Gorrión Moruno / Passer hispaniolensis).

Stock Dove (Paloma Zurita / Columba oenas).

Stock Doves (Paloma Zurita / Columba oenas).

Stock Doves (Paloma Zurita / Columba oenas).

We continued on again up passed the farm and out through the wild Olives where we saw both Dark and pale morph Booted Eagles (Aguila Calzada / Aquila penntuas) before dropping down to the Celemin Channel area, we spent a while birding the spot we had visited last winter several times looking for rare Buntings but today we only found Common Snipe (Agachadiza Común / Gallinago gallinago), European Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Chloris chloris), Redwing (Zorzal Alirrojo / Turdus illacus) and Western Swamp-hen (Calamón Común / Porphyrio porphyrio) for the list before we headed off back to La Linea, after a coffee and a final chat I said my goodbyes to Sonia and Ricky and thanked them for putting up with me for what was a great weekends birding.

Spanish Sparrow (Gorrión Moruno / Passer hispaniolensis).

Spanish Sparrow (Gorrión Moruno / Passer hispaniolensis).

Chipiona Port, Pelagic Off Chipiona, Algaida Pine Woodland and Marismas de Trebujena, Cadiz Province, Spain.

Out on a Pelagic in the morning and then into the woods later.

Ebird List for Pelagic 1.

Ebird List for Pelagic 2.

Ebird List for Pelagic 3.

Ebird List for Pelagic 4.

Ebird List for Pelagic 5.

Ebird List for Algaida.

 

Getting loaded up ready for the off.

Ricky and I headed out early for the Port at Chipiona where we were going to be going out on a Pelagic with Manuel Bárcena (Oxyura Birdwatching), on the way we stopped for some breakfast and then went down to the Port where we met Manuel and the others before we headed to the Boat.

Sunrise off the back of the Boat.

Leaving Chipiona behind.

Whilst we were waiting to get to the boat we saw Little Swift (Vencejo Moro / Apus affinis), Eurasian Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Black-headed (Gaviota Reidora / Chroicocephalus ridibundus), Lesser Black-backed (Gaviota Sombria / Larus fuscus) and Yellow-legged Gull (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis).

Parasitc Skua (Págalo Parásito / Stercorarius parasiticus).

Parasitc Skua (Págalo Parásito / Stercorarius parasiticus).

Great Skua (Págalo Grande / Stercorarius skua).

Great Skua (Págalo Grande / Stercorarius skua).

Great Skua (Págalo Grande / Stercorarius skua).

On the way out to the drift area we picked up a small flock of Eurasian Wigeon (Sibón Europeo / Mareca penelope), a couple of Parasitc Skua's (Págalo Parásito / Stercorarius parasiticus), several Great Skua's (Págalo Grande / Stercorarius skua), Balearic Shearwater (Pardela Balear / Puffinus mauretanicus), Northern Gannet (Alcatraz Atlántico / Morus bassanus), Mediterranean, Lesser Black-backed and Yellow-legged Gull, Sandwich (Charrán Patinegro / Thalasseus sandvicensis) and Common Tern (Charrán Común / Sterna hirundo).

Balearic Shearwater (Pardela Balear / Puffinus mauretanicus).

Balearic Shearwater (Pardela Balear / Puffinus mauretanicus).

Great Shearwater (Pardela Capirotada / Ardenna gravis).

Great Shearwater (Pardela Capirotada / Ardenna gravis).

Great Shearwater (Pardela Capirotada / Ardenna gravis).

Out along the drift we saw much the same species but added a fine Great Shearwater (Pardela Capirotada / Ardenna gravis).

Northern Gannet (Alcatraz Atlántico / Morus bassanus) Juvenile.

Northern Gannet (Alcatraz Atlántico / Morus bassanus) Juvenile.

Northern Gannet (Alcatraz Atlántico / Morus bassanus) Juvenile.

Northern Gannet (Alcatraz Atlántico / Morus bassanus) immature.

Northern Gannet (Alcatraz Atlántico / Morus bassanus) immature.

Northern Gannet (Alcatraz Atlántico / Morus bassanus) immature.

Northern Gannet (Alcatraz Atlántico / Morus bassanus) Adult.

Northern Gannet (Alcatraz Atlántico / Morus bassanus) Adult.

Northern Gannet (Alcatraz Atlántico / Morus bassanus) Adult.

On the way back in, again we saw many of same and only added a couple of Great Cormorants (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocroax carbo).

Lesser Black-backed Gull (Gaviota Sombria / Larus fuscus) adult.

Lesser Black-backed Gull (Gaviota Sombria / Larus fuscus) immatures.

On the run back to port.

 

Ruddy Turnstone (Vuelvepiedras Común / Arenaria interpres).

Back on dry land we saw a few Ruddy Turnstone (Vuelvepiedras Común / Arenaria interpres) in the port before we headed out to the woods at Algaida where we spent some time watching the movements around a small pool, we recorded Red Kite (Milano Real / Milvus milvus) x3, Great (Carbonera Común / Parus major) and Eurasian Blue Tit (Herrerillo Común / Cyanistes caeruleus), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Eurasian Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Curruca capirotada), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Curruca melanocephala), Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Europeo / Certhia brachydactyla), Song Thrush (Zorzal Común / Turdus philomelos), European Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), European Stonechat (Tarabilla Europea / Saxicola rubicola), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), European Goldfinch (Jilguero Europeo / Carduelis carduelis), European Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Chloris chloris), European Serin (Serin Verdecillo / Serinus serinus) and Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs).

Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui).

Other species seen included December Clematis (Clematis cirrhosa), Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) x1, Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) x5, Migrant Hawker (Aeshna mixta) x6, Common (Sympetrum striolatum) x4 and Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii) x2.

December Clematis (Clematis cirrhosa).

We returned to the car and headed along the side of the Marismas de Trebujena where we saw a few new species including Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Northern Shoveler (Cuchara Común / Spatula clypeata), Common Crane (Grulla Común / Grus grus), Greater Flamingo (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus roseus), Eurasian Spoonbill (Espátula Común / Platalea leucorodia), Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egretta garzetta), Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus), Common Redshank (Archibebe Común / Tringa totanus), Common Greenshank (Archibebe Claro / Tringa nebularia), Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus), Pied Avocet (Avoceta Común / Recurvirostra avosetta), Western Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus), White Stork (Ciguena Blanca / Ciconia ciconia) and Zitting Cisticola (Cistícola Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis).

Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum).

We were by now loosing the light so we made our way back down to La Linea where Sonia had prepared us a very nice meal which went down nicely with some Cider and Red Wine.