El Temple, Granada Province.

First real dip in Spain.

Got the car back (thanks Santi) this morning and went with Jayne to a craft fair / market at one of the local hotels. I enjoyed it more than expected as we bumped into several friends that we had not seen for a while and Bernie and Carol who we had not seen all year, so it was good to have a chat and catch up with what had been going on. Later we went back home and had some lunch before I headed out on my first real twitch since I have been in Spain, an immature Pallid Harrier had been seen in an area near to Granada so I headed over to see if I could locate the bird again. I arrived at the spot but it was very windy, this did not bode well. 

I almost immediately had a cracking male Hen Harrier (Aguilucho Pálido / Circus cyaneus) pass behind me flushing loads of Meadow Pipits (Bistita Común / Anthus pratensis), Serins (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus) and Goldfinches (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis) as it battled with the wind. I then sent a text to Juan Perez just to confirm I was in the correct place, he rang me a few minutes later say that I was in the right spot and that he would be joining me shortly. 

On the near by fields I added Crested (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata) and Calandra Lark (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra) to the days list, one flock of the latter must have numbered over a hundred birds and over the olives a Golden Eagle (Águila Real / Aquila chrysaetos) soared away towards the Cacín Valley area. 

Juan arrived and almost immediately so did a ring-tail type Harrier which flew very low and erratically, landed a couple of time briefly before disappearing as quickly as it had arrived over the olive trees to the west, I am convinced that this was the immature Pallid Harrier but in the wind and with the distance to the bird we could not be 100% sure, so the wait continued. 

We had some more views of the male Harriers, a female Merlin (Esmerejón / Falco columbarius), Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis) and a single Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis) before we decided that we would change location and hope for another pass by the earlier bird. 

Out in the fields we picked up Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba) and Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor). As the light started to drop we made our way back to the original spot as the harriers seemed to be closer. We again picked up what I believe was the Pallid but lost it amongst the vegetation which blocks the view of low flying birds. We did not see the bird again but had some cracking views of at least 4 male and 2 female Hens. Well this was my first twitch and dip in Spain.

El Purche, Sierra Nevada, Granada Province.

Mountian birds and a broken clutch.

I dropped Jayne and our neighbor Carole off in Granada City, went and had some new tiers put on the front of the car and then headed off up Sierra Nevada to have a look around the El Purche area. As soon as I arrived I got some stunning views of a small flock of Woodlarks (Totovia / Lullula arborea) which scuttled around in the short grass near the road side. In the top of one of the nearby Pine tree a nice male Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra) gave its distinctive chip call and on the next branch down was one of the species I had come for, a winter plumage male Yellowhammer (Escribano Cerillo / Emberiza citronella). 

It was good to get the prolonged views I had of this bird as the rest of the possible birds seen were all female / 1st winters and did not hang around long enough for me to get good views of. I walked around in this area for some time checking the finch / bunting flocks which were coming down to feed in the fallen leaves below the Sweet Chestnut trees. I picked up a couple of Rock Buntings (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia), a cracking male and several female Cirl Buntings (Escribano Soteno / Emberiza cirlus) in amongst the more numerous Common Chaffinches (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris) and Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus).

I then moved up the road a short way to have a look under the Walnut trees plantations, here I quickly discovered my first Bramblings (Pizón Real / Fringilla montifringilla) of the winter, around 5 birds feeding amongst the more common Chaffinches and Corn Buntings (Triguero / Emberiza calandra). Under the trees I also saw Common Magpies (Urraca / Pica pica), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus) and Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor). I then turned around to scan the grassland area behind me and picked up several Rock Sparrows (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia) a bird I had expected to see and then I found the most unexpected bird of the day a male Little Bustard (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax), it was quite a distance away near the rocks on the far side of the grass area but the clean white breast and flanks stood out so well sexing it was easy.

I moved further along the road and spent some time checking out the Hawthorn bushes on the hillsides back towards the main road up to the summit. Here I added Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Great Tit (Carbonero Común / Parus major), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricapilla), Meadow Pipit (Bistita Común / Anthus pratensis), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Robin (Petirrrojo / Erithacus rubecula), Thekla Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae), Blue Tit (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus) and heard but cold not locate a Ring Ouzel (Mirlo Capiblanco / Turdus torquatus). 

At the high point just before the drop down to the main road I stopped and spent some time getting some shots of Black Redstarts that were perching on some concrete picnic tables, also seen here were a number of Jays (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius) along with a couple of species of butterflies, the most interesting was a very fresh looking Large Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis polychloros) which flew around the spot a few times but did not settle. Time was getting on so I decided to start to make my way back down towards the city when it all went wrong, I pulled away from the parking by the picnic tables heard a bang a lot of noise and then the car stalled and I soon realized that the clutch had gone. 

After some thinking I decided to try and limp down to the city to meet Jayne and Carole and ring the breakdown people from there, so I started the car in first gear and managed to roll all the way down to the outskirts and then managed to do some gear changes using only the accelerator and the engine speed to make my way to the arranged meeting place where I called for help.

Huétor Fields, Granada Province.

Found the missing birds at last.

White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba).

Jayne and I went down to Huétor to get some shopping and to order some more building materials and made our way home across the fields to the North of the town looking for the elusive Bustards. Along the tarmac section of the drive we picked up a small flock of the locally less common Common Magpies (Urraca / Pica pica), several Western Cattle Egrets (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis) and Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata). 

Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros).

On the track along the river I was pleased to find a flock of 105 Little Bustards (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax) around half the number we usually get but at least they had turned up at last or had come out of hiding. They were on a recently cut Lucerne field amongst around 200 Northern Lapwings (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus), equal numbers of Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus) and probably getting on for 500 Spotless Starlings. Other species seen included Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea), Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata) and Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros).

Along the A92, Granada Province.

Catching up with yesterdays photographs.

Little Bustard (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax).

After a mornings walk around the market in Granada we returned home via the A92 and called in at the area where I had seen the Little Bustards (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax) yesterday. We arrived to find the birds still present and I quickly did a count (40) and then took some shot but they were never going to be much good as the sun was in the wrong direction and there was no way of getting to the other side of the flock. 

Northern Lapwing (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus).

I also took some shots of a Northern Lapwing (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus) which stayed nice and still for a while.

Motril Area, Granada Province.

Novembers RAM, a visit to the Port and Charca.

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

Juan Perez and I again made our way down to what I had expected to be a wet and dull coast for Novembers RAM but we were both pleasantly surprise when it was nice and sunny but windy when we arrived. On the way I saw a small flock of Hirundines from one of the motorway bridges, most of the birds were Crag Martins (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) but there was at least one House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) amongst them.

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

After parking up we made our way out to the headland and set our selves up for the next couple of hours of breezy sea watching. Numbers of birds were up due mainly to the wind blowing things closer in to the shore, Northern Gannets (Alcatraz Atlántico / Morus bassanus) were probably the commonest species counted, several hundred birds of all age groups being seen. Both Balearic (Pardela Balear / Puffinus mauretanicus) and Cory's Shearwaters (Pardela Cenicienta / Calonectris diomedea) passed in small flocks and at least three Great Skua's (Págalo Grande / Catharacta skua) were seen usually harassing the Shearwaters. Other birds recorded included Sandwich Tern (Charrán Patinegro / Sterna sandvicensis), Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocorax carbo), Black-headed (Gaviota Reidora / Chroicocephalus ridibundus), Mediterranean (Gaviota Cabecinegra / Larus melanocephalus), Lesser Black-backed (Gaviota Somria / Larus fuscus) and Yellow-legged Gulls (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis) but not a single Audouin's (Gaviota de Audouin / Larus audouinii) was seen here or at the port later. 

Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros).

More land based birds included Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Meadow Pipit (Bistita Común / Anthus pratensis), Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus) and a swift fly-by by a Peregrine Falcon (Halcón Peregrino / Falco peregrinus).

Water Pipit (Bistita Alpino / Anthus spinoletta).

In the port we were disappointed with Gull numbers but there was a lot of activity with more of the large concrete storage areas where the Gulls usually roost being full. We did get numbers of a couple of Yellow-legged Gulls and also added Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egretta garzetta), Monk Parakeet (Cotorra Argentina / Myiopsitta monachus), Skylark (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis) and House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer Domesticus) to the list.

Our final stop was a brief rush to a couple of the hides at Charca del Suarez, here got some cracking views of a winter plumaged Water Pipit (Bistita Alpino / Anthus spinoletta), loads of Common Chiffchaffs (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), a couple of Western Swamp-hens (Calamón Común / Porphyrio porphyrio), Cetti’s Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus) and a very nice Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila pennatus) which passed low over the hide. Three species of dragonfly were still on the wing, Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum), Lesser Emperor (Anax parthenope) and Migrant Hawker (Aeshna mixta).

Water Pipit (Bistita Alpino / Anthus spinoletta).

Other birds recorded here included Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus), Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Crag Martin and Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata).

Juan dropped me off at the car park near Aki and instead of going on the motorway I went back across country to Santa Fe and joined the A92 there mainly due to the traffic at the roundabout exiting the car park. On the way I saw a male Merlin (Esmerejón / Falco columbarius) another Booted Eagle, Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), a small flock of around 40 Little Bustards (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax) and a single Black-winged Kite (Elanio Común / Elanus caeruleus).

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

Huétor Fields, Granada Province.

Still the Bustards elude us.

On our way down to the supermarket Jayne and I had a quick tour around the fields again to try and locate the missing Bustards, the female Hen Harrier (Aguilucho Pálido / Circus cyaneus) again showed very well as did the Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki) and Black Redstarts (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros). On the fields by the river we spent some time searching through the flocks of Spotless Starlings (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor) looking for any Common but with out any success. In this area we also recorded around 90 Northern Lapwing (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus), a couple of hundred Woodpigeons (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), 80+ Collared Doves (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto) and a flock of 32 Cattle Egrets (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis) which were just sat in the center of a newly cut Lucerne field resting. We continued on around the area but again we failed to hind no sign of the Bustards but did add Meadow Pipit (Bistita Común / Anthus pratensis), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea) and Robin (Petirrrojo / Erithacus rubecula).

Loja to Zafarraya Road, Granada Province.

In search of later Orchids but only finding ones for next year.

Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros) female.

After a brief visit to the English in Loja meeting I headed off down the valley towards the town of Zafarraya to look for some Orchids. On the way down a small group of 8 or so Griffon Vultures (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus) were soaring in the fantastic blue skies over the western slopes of Sierra de Loja and at several points along the road Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis) were perched up high looking for their next meal. Once in the area I started to find the leaf rosettes of Giant Orchids (Himantoglossum robertiana) by the dozen this looked good for next years show. In the Oaks surrounding this site I could see and hear Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Great Tit (Carbonero Común / Parus major), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus) and Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros) which along with White Wagtails (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba) at this time of year are almost constantly on view where ever you are. I moved a little further on towards Zafarraya and stopped in a lay-by and walked for a KM or so back towards Loja. During this walk which was on a nice sunny length of road I picked up quite a few species of butterfly including Bath White (Blanqiverdosa / Pontia daplidice), Brimstone (Limonera / Gonepteryx rhamni), Clouded Yellow (Colias Común / Colias crocea), Large White (Pieris brassicae), Small White (Artogeia rapae) and Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) not bad for the first of November! 

Southern Autumn Crocus (Crocus serotinus).

In all the areas visited the commonest wildflower was the Southern Autumn Crocus (Crocus serotinus) which grew in therir hundreds. Birds included Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), singing Blackcaps (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricapilla), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris) and Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina).

On the way home I went back across the fields north of Huétor Tajar to see if I could find the late arriving Little Bustard (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax) flock which for the last five years had been on site by now. I did not find the Bustards but I had some stunning views of a female Hen Harrier (Aguilucho Pálido / Circus cyaneus), lots more Iberian  Magpie, Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata) and a snoozing Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua) which look very happy having a nap in the nice warm sun.

Albrighton, Shropshire, UK

A day with my brother and his family.

Scary or what.

Today I spent some time (as usual not enough) with my brother, his wife Nicky and boys Jeffery, Thomas and Jamie. See you all again soon.

Worlds End and North Wales coast.

A days birding with another birding friend.

Worlds End.

John Morgan arrived in Albrighton a 07:00 to pick me up for another days birding, this time we were heading for the North Wales coast via Worlds End near Llangollan. As we arrived at Worlds End we stopped just clear of the Pine woods and started our search for the two species of Grouse that are in the area. In the area around the woods we could not hear or see any sign of either but we did pick up Pheasant (Faisán Vulgar / Phaisanus colchicus), Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius), Coal Tit (Carbonero Garrapinos / Periparus ater), European Green Woodpecker (Pito Real euroasiático / Picus viridis), Goldcrest (Reyezuelo Sencillo / Regulus regulus), Dunnock (Acentor Común / Prunella modularis), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Meadow Pipit (Bistita Común / Anthus pratensis) and Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula). 

John at Worlds End.

Once we located the correct area we soon picked up several Red Grouse (Lagopus lagopus scotica) by call and then three birds flew directly overhead, probably flushed by the female (ringtail) Hen Harrier (Aguilucho Pálido / Circus cyaneus) which was quartering the nearby ridge. Also on the ridge were Carrion Crows (Corneja Negra / Corvus corone), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Meadow Pipit (Bistita Común / Anthus pratensis) and Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus). A little further along the single track road we stopped for a coffee and some breakfast on a wide passing place and immediately located two male Black Grouse (Lyrurus tetrix) moving slowly through some deep grass, three more birds were seen in flight distantly as they flew over the moorland. Here we added Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes) and Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs) to the day list. 

Herring Gull (Gaviota Argéntea Europea / Larus argentatus) 1st Winter.

We then made our way up to Rhos-on-sea picking up Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Black-headed Gull (Gaviota Reidora / Chroicocephalus ridibundus), Common Starling (Estornino Pinto / Sturnus vulgaris) and Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major) on the way. Once we were on the coast our first stop was on Colwyn Bay where we saw our first Red-throated (Colimbo Chico / Gavia stellata) and Black-throated Divers (Colimbo Ártico / Gavia arctica) of the trip, along with Great Crested Grebe (Somormujo Lavanco / Podiceps cristatus), a couple of Common Guillemots (Arao Común / Uria aalge), Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocorax carbo), a couple of hundred Common Scoters (Negrón Común / Melanitta nigra) and one or two Shag (Cormorán Monudo / Phalacrocoax aristotelis). 

Herring Gull (Gaviota Argéntea Europea / Larus argentatus) 2nd Winter.

On the water closer in and on the sea wall we also recorded Herring (Gaviota Argéntea Europea / Larus argentatus), Great Black-backed (Gavión Atlantico / Larus marinus) and Common Gulls (Gaviota Cana / Larus canus). We continued the short distance into Rhos and parked on the front where we viewed the birds roosting on the breakwater. Here we saw Common Redshank (Archibebe Común / Tringa totanus), Ruddy Turnstone (Vuelvepiedras Común / Arenaria interpres), Eurasian Oystercatcher (Ostrero Euroasiatico / Haematopus ostralegus), Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Grande / Charadrius hiaticula), Dunlin (Correlimos Común / Calidris alpina), Eurasian Curlew (Zapapito Real / Numenius arquata) and on the beach and sea front Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer Domesticus) and Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto). 

Herring Gull (Gaviota Argéntea Europea / Larus argentatus) Adult.

We moved further west along to Llanfairfechan where we again saw Red-throated Divers, Great Crested Grebe and most of the already mentioned waders. We decided to have a walk along the track from the town passed the boating lake and out to the salt marshes beyond. On the way we added Mute Swan (Cisne Vulgar / Cygnus olor), Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba subsp yarrellii), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egretta garzetta) x4, Bar-tailed Godwit (Aguja Colipinta / Limosa lapponica), Northern Lapwing (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus) and Skylark (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis) to the growing list. At the furthest point we came to a pool in the marsh which held quite good numbers of wildfowl including Goosander (Serreta Grande / Mergus merganser), Eurasian Teal (Cerceta Común / Anas crecca), Eurasian Wigeon (Silbón Europeo / Anas Penelope), Northern Pintail (Ánade Rabudo / Anas acuta) and Northern Shoveler (Cuchara Común / Anas clypeata). 

Llanfairfechan sea front.

On the walk back we had nice views of another one of the species I was hoping for, a cracking Rock Pipit (Bisbita Costero / Anthus petrosus) which bimbled around on the rocks along the tide line. Once we reached the car we made a move on to Conway RSBP reserve and spent some time wandering around the hides. Before the rains started we picked up Black-tailed Godwit (Aguja Colinegra / Limosa limosa), Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus), Robin (Petirrrojo / Erithacus rubecula), Blue Tit (Herrerillo Común / Cyanistes caeruleus) and Raven (Cuervo / Corvus corax). 

Rainbow off Colwyn Bay.

On the way back home we stopped in at Colwyn Bay again but the only new species was Northern Gannet (Alcatraz Atlántico / Morus bassanus). We then started the trip back to Albrighton via a pub for some food and to let the worst of the traffic disperse. Thanks John for a cracking day.

Bilston and Chasewater, UK.

Visiting an Old friend and meeting another again later.

Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocroax carbo).

This morning was spent with another of my old birding mates, Frank Dickson who I started my twitching years off with back in 1979/80. We spent some time chatting and looking through some photographs of some of the rarities we had seen together over the many years and there were quite a few.

Later I decided to walk back from Franks house in Bilston to near New Invention, these walks always turn out to be longer that the car journey there seemed.

I got back to Barbs and almost straight away John rang to say he would pick me up in twenty minutes so that we could go and have another crack at the Caspian Gulls at Chasewater. We arrived to a windier but warmer Chasewater, the Gulls were already starting to arrive so we set the scopes up (thanks for lending me yours Sharon) and started to work through the flock. 

Herring Gull (Gaviota Argéntea Europea / Larus argentatus).

The results were much the same as the last visit with the Caspians not arriving or at least not till it was to dark to see, we did again get a couple of Yellow-legged Gulls (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis), small numbers of both Great Black-backed (Gavión Atlantico / Larus marinus) and Common Gulls (Gaviota Cana / ), along with hundreds of Black-headed (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus), Herring (Gaviota Argéntea Europea / Larus argentatus) and Lesser Black-backs (Gaviota Somria / Larus fuscus). Other birds seen were 6x Dunlin (Correlimos Común / Calidris alpina), Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocroax carbo), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos) and Mute Swan (Cisne Vulgar / Cygnus olor).

John and I then went back to his house were Sharon had done us some food, a nice way to end the day and the Wednesfield part of the trip as in the morning we were relocating to Albrighton for the last few days of the holiday.

Travelling back to Wednesfield, West Midlands.

The day after the night before. 

The river from the bridge.

On the Sunday morning we packed and after Breakfast I went for a quick walk around the grounds and found the suspension bridge which crossed the river. For here I picked up Dipper (Mirlo Acuático / Cinclus cinclus), Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Nuthatch (Trepador Azul / Sitta europaea) and Goldcrest (Reyezuelo Sencillo / Regulus regulus). On the drive back to Albrighton I saw several more Red Kites (Milano Real / Milvus milvus), Raven (Cuervo / Corvus corax) and Common Buzzards (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo).

At the Caer Beris Manor Hotel (The Wedding), Builth Wells, Mid Wales.

The Wedding.

Matt.

The Morning of the Wedding was dry, mainly sunny but breezy; this did not matter much as most of the day was spent in the Hotel. The ceremony went very well as did the afternoon meal and night do.

Signing the register.

An Elvis impersonator was the evening’s highlight, even for a person who is not an Elvis fan this chap was a true entertainer and every one had a laugh and enjoyed his show very much.

Famil Picture.

Thanks to Sarah and Matt for inviting us to the big day.

Louise and Jim (Mother and Father of the Groom).

The Silcock Brothers and Sisters.

ELVIS.

Travelling to Builth Wells, Mid Wales.

Making our way to the wedding.

The bridge in to Buithwells.

We were all up and about quite early this morning as we had to be over in Albrighton for 11:30 to meet up with Jayne Sister Brenda and Keith her husband who were kindly taking us down to Buithwells. Some of us felt better that others, Jayne had sensibly said no to the offer from the owner of the Indian restaurant of a third special coffee the night before, Barb and I did not. W got over to Albrighton on time and all got into Brenda and Keiths car and we started off down into Wales via Leominster where we stopped for lunch. On the way down we saw several Common Buzzards (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo) and at least three of the original Welsh population of Red Kites (Milano Real / Milvus milvus). We arrived at the hotel mid afternoon which gave me time to go and have a walk along the river and in the surrounding woods and grounds. On the river I spent quite some time watching three Goosanders (Serreta Grande / Mergus merganser) fishing. 

A statue by the river.

After some time the Goosander were joined by a male Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos) which decided there feeding method was good and joined in and was diving along side and for almost as long as the Goosanders. In the woods I got some nice views of a tit flock which also contained several Treecreepers (Agateador Norteño / Certhia familiaris), Goldcrest (Reyezuelo Sencillo / Regulus regulus) and a single Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita). In the woods I picked up Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Nuthatch (Trepador Azul / Sitta europaea) and Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus).

Belvide Res, Gaily Res, Yoxall and Chasewater, Staffordshire, UK.

A days birding with good friend John Holian, followed by a cracking Indian meal.

Long-eared Owl (Búho Chico / Asio otus).

I meet John Holian out side Barb’s house and we headed out for a days birding in the county of Staffordshire and started at one of my old haunts Belvide Reservoir. 

Once I had worked out that the gate was not locked we parked up in the car park and made our way through the woods to the first hide, on the way we had a couple of Goldcrests (Reyezuelo Sencillo / Regulus regulus), Great (Carbonero Común / Parus major), Coal (Carbonero Garrapinos / Parus ater), Blue (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus) and Long-tailed Tits (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris) and a calling Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major). 

From the hide we were soon seeing birds which used to be familiar sights to me but which I had not see for some time (up to 7 years). 

John and another birder watching the Owl.

On a spits some distance away we could see a single Common Gull (Gaviota Cana / Larus canus) amongst the many Black-head’s (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus), Herrings (Gaviota Argéntea Europea / Larus argentatus) and a couple of Lesser Black-back’s (Gaviota Somria / Larus fuscus). 

On the water there were several flocks of one of my favorite ducks, around 30 Goldeneye (Porrón Osculado / Bucephala clangula) could be seen including several stunning males. Also on the water were Canada (Barnacla Canadiense / Branta Canadensis) and Greylag Geese (Ansar Común / Anser anser), Great Crested Grebe (Somormujo Lavanco / Podiceps cristatus), Common Pochard (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina), Eurasian Teal (Cerceta Común / Anas crecca), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Northern Shoveler (Cuchara Común / Anas clypeata), Mute Swan (Cisne Vulgar / Cygnus olor) and Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocorax carbo). 

Greylag Geese (Ansar Común / Anser anser).

On the margins we added Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus) and Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), plus a Kingfisher (Martin Pescador / Alcedo atthis) which showed well from a post just on the edge of a reed-bed. In the reeds a couple of Robins (Petirrrojo / Erithacus rubecula) chased each other around and a group of three Reed Buntings (Escribano Palustre / Emberiza schoeniclus) sat up high calling.

We then made our way around to the next hide calling in at a spot along one of the tracks cut out by the local ringing group to view a roosting Long-eared Owl (Búho Chico / Asio otus) which showed well in the lower branches of a willow tree. 

Tree Sparrow (Gorrión Molinero / Passer Montanus).

Here we also had Bullfinch (Camachuelo Común / Pyrrhula pyrrhula), Common Starling (Estornino Pinto / Sturnus vulgaris), Dunnock (Acentor Común / Prunella modularis) and heard a Marsh Tit (Carbonero Palustre / Poecile palustris). From the hide we added Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba subsp yarrellii), Northern Lapwing (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus), Pheasant (Faisán Vulgar / Phaisanus colchicus), Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea) and Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo) which had become incredibly common since my leaving the UK. 

Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis).

On the way out we missed the gazebo hide and continued on to the furthest point getting good views of the Marsh Tit on the way. 

From the hide here we picked up the first Gadwall (Anade Friso / Anas strepera) and Eurasian Wigeon (Silbón Europeo / Anas Penelope) of the day and added Golden Plover (Chorlito Dorado Europeo / Pluvialis apricaia) to the list. 

On the way back to the car park we popped into the Gazebo hide to look at the feeding station where we had close views of several Tree Sparrows (Gorrión Molinero / Passer Montanus), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis) and a single Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) butterfly. 

Once back in the car park John got out the flash and we had a welcome cup of coffee, as nice as the weather was it felt really cold and I could not even focus my bins easily. 

Dunnock (Acentor Común / Prunella modularis).

Whist we drank our nice hot coffee I picked up a dragonfly which dropped down onto the small bird tables mounted on nearby fence posts, it flew before I could get a shot but I managed to Id it as an Emerald species and going on distribution I can on guess that it was a very late tatty looking Downy Emerald (Cordulia aenea). 

A cracking Southern/ Blue Hawker (Aeshna cyanea) also did a fly passed and landed in a clump of Brambles and was very confiding and allowed some nice photos to be taken. On the bird tables we also got some nice views of a beautiful Nuthatch (Trepador Azul / Sitta europaea) as it picked around for food.

Southern/ Blue Hawker (Aeshna cyanea).

Our next stop was at Gailey Res just down the road, we only add Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis) and Tufted Duck (Porrón Monudo / Aythya fuligula) so we decided to continue on to Yoxall where John had seen a Great White Egret (Garceta Grande / Egretta alba) a few days earlier. We arrived and quickly located two Little Egrets (Garceta Común / Egretta garzetta) on the banks of the river and our second Kingfisher of the day which caught quite a large Perch and eventually after a lot of bashing managed to turn it and swallow.

Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum).

Also seen in this area were Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea), Skylark (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Rook (Graja / Corvus frugilegus), Carrion Crow (Corneja Negra / Corvus corone) and a large mixed flock of Fieldfare (Zorzal Real / Turdus pilaris) and Redwings (Zorzal Alirrojo / Turdus iliacus). 

Our next port of call was at Whitmoor Hay and Croxall Pool, out on fields at Whitmoor Hay we were hoping to catch up with Grey Partridge (Perdiz Pardilla / Perdix perdix) but there was a lot of construction work going on so the noise and disturbance was to much and we did not get any sightings of these now rear birds but we did record a pair of Yellowhammers (Escribano Cerillo / Emberiza citronella) on one of the barn roofs, several Stock Doves (Paloma Zurita / Columba oenas) out on the fields and a Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes) in the bottom of a Hawthorn hedge which contained the second flock of Tree Sparrows of the day.

John freezing his bits off at Chasewater.

On Croxall pool we added singles of Snipe (Agachadiza Común / Gallinago gallinago) and Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos) to the list along with Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Sparrowhawk (Gavilán Común / Accipiter nisus) and more delightful Bullfinches. 

An old Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum) was also added to the Dragonflies for the day.

Our final stop was at Chasewater for the Gull Roost, a couple of Caspian Gulls (Larus cachinnans) and I quite fancied seeing one of these birds as it had been many years since my last view and they are now being recorded regularly in Spain. Gull numbers grew and included hundreds of Black-headed, Lesser Black Backed, Herring, a few Common and four Yellow-legged (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis) but unfortunately there were no Caspian’s seen. John returned me to Barbs only to pick me up again along with Jayne and Barb a few minutes later so that we could all go and have a cracking Indian meal with his wife Sharon at the local restaurant called Chili peppers.

Wednesfield, West Mids, Not so Great Britain.

Travelling to Barbs from Birmingham Airport.

Jayne and I travelled back to the UK for a few days to go to a family wedding in Builth Wells in Wales. After an uneventful flight and train journey to Wolverhampton we meet Jayne sister Barbara and caught the bus back to her house where we were staying for the first part of our stay. On the way I picked up several Carrion Crows (Corneja Negra / Corvus corone) a bird that I do not see back home very often, these were seen along side Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Common Starling (Estornino Pinto / Sturnus vulgaris) and in the garden a male Sparrowhawk (Gavilán Común / Accipiter nisus) flushed out a couple of the local Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula).