St Aidan's RSPB, West Yorkshire and RSPB Blacktoft Sands in East Yorkshire. Britain.

A double Lifer day and the first in the UK for a While.

Trip to Uk, Day Thirteen.

Long-toed Stint (Correlimos dedilargo / Calidris subminuta).

I stayed the night at good friends Sharon and John so that we could get a decent start this morning as we were heading for a couple of good birds up in Yorkshire, the first was at St Aidan's RSPB reserve in West Yorkshire.

Long-toed Stint (Correlimos dedilargo / Calidris subminuta).

Long-toed Stint (Correlimos dedilargo / Calidris subminuta).

We arrived just before 08,00 and walked the 15 minutes or so out to the pool where a Long-toed Stint (Correlimos dedilargo / Calidris subminuta) had been for a couple of day, on the way we saw a few bits including Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Pied Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla yarrellii), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs),  Carrion Crow (Corneja Negraa / Corvus corone), Mute Swan (Cisne Vulgar / Cygnus olor), Canada Geese (Barnacla Canadiense /Branta canadensis), Eurasian Wigeon (Sibón Europeo / Anas penelope), Eurasian Teal (Cerceta Común / Anas crecca), Tufted Duck (Porrón Monudo / Aythya fuligula), Reed Bunting (Escribano Palustre / Emberiza schoeniclus) and Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus).

Long-toed Stint (Correlimos dedilargo / Calidris subminuta).

Long-toed Stint (Correlimos dedilargo / Calidris subminuta) and Northern Lapwings (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus).

We reached the pool and there were around 40 or so birders already there but it was  a nice open area so there was plenty of room for everyone so we set up the scopes and were soon watching Britains third Long-toed Stint which was a lifer for Sharon and myself but Johns second as he saw a bird back in 1982.

Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea).

Pink-footed Geese (Ánsar Piquicorto / Anser brachyrhynchus).

We spent a couple of hours watching the bird and during this time we also saw Red Kite (Milano Real / Milvus milvus), Eurasian Spoonbill (Espátula Común / Platalea leucorodia), Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egreeta garzetta), Gadwall (Anade Friso / Anas strepera), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Northern Shoveler (Pato Cuchara / Anas clypeata), Greylag Geese (Ansar Común / Anser anser), large flocks of Pink-footed Geese (Ánsar Piquicorto / Anser brachyrhynchus) passing over head, Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Water Rail (Rascón Europeo / Rallus aquaticus), Snipe (Agachadiza Común / Gallinago gallinago), Northern Lapwing (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus), Dunlin (Correlimos Común / Calidris alpina), Black-tailed Godwit (Aguja Colinegra / Limosa limosa), Ruff (Combatiente / Philomachus pugnax), Bearded Tit (Reedling) (Bigotudo / Panurus biarmicus), Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Meadow Pipit (Bisbita Pratense / Anthus pratensis), Skylark (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Raven (Cuervo / Corvus corax), Sparrowhawk (Gavilán Común / Accipiter nisus), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes), Black-headed (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus) and Lesser Black-backed Gull (Gaviota Sombria / Larus fuscus) and as we walked back towards the car Sharon picked up a Stoat (Mustela erminea).

White-tailed Lapwing (Avefria coliblanca / Vanellus leucurus),

Once we were back at the car John drove us over into East Yorkshire and out to Blacktoft Sands where a White-tailed Lapwing (Avefria coliblanca / Vanellus leucurus), possibly only the 8th British record had been for a while. We arrived and walked straight out to the second hide along the track and were soon watching this cracking wader, a species I had long wanted to see.

White-tailed Lapwing (Avefria coliblanca / Vanellus leucurus).

We again spent quite a while watching this stunning bird befor it flew up to the next hide, so we followed it and again had good but more distant views and also added Common Redshank (Archibebe Común / Tringa totanus), Curlew Sandpiper (Correlimos Zarapitin / Calidris ferruginea), Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus) and Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum) which were new for the day.

White-tailed Lapwing (Avefria coliblanca / Vanellus leucurus).

Again we returned to the car after a chat with the warden who recognised John from an old TV program he did with Bernard Cribbins about twitching on the Scilly Isles many years ago. 

Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula).

Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula).

I Can't thank Sharon and John enough for a great day out, their company and of course a couple of great Birds as well.

Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum).

Gailey Reservoir, Staffordshire, Britain.

A bit of birding on my way to see the Family.

Trip to UK, Day Eleven.

 

Great Crested Grebe (Somormujo Lavanco / Podiceps cristatus) with a small Perch.

I made a brief stop at Gailey Res on the way over to Lichfield to see my Son Alan, Becky and the three Grand kids Ryan, Zach and Finn.

Great Crested Grebe (Somormujo Lavanco / Podiceps cristatus) adult and juv.

I scanned the two Lakes but most of the birds were on the upper section as the lower part was busy with Kids in Canoe's and other boats.

Great Crested Grebe (Somormujo Lavanco / Podiceps cristatus).

On the top pool I found Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Tufted Duck (Porrón Monudo / Aythya fuligula), Mute Swan (Cisne Vulgar / Cygnus olor), Canada Geese (Barnacla Canadiense /Branta canadensis), Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocroax carbo), Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea) but the stars where adult and juvenile Great Crested Grebes (Somormujo Lavanco / Podiceps cristatus) which showed very well and gave me the chance of some nice shot, just a shame the light was so bad.

Great Crested Grebe (Somormujo Lavanco / Podiceps cristatus).

Great Crested Grebe (Somormujo Lavanco / Podiceps cristatus).

Along the pool margins I found good numbers of Migrant Hawkers (Aeshna mixta) and Common Darters (Sympetrum striolatum) even in the dull conditions.

Migrant Hawker (Aeshna mixta).

Other species seen included Black-headed Gull (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus), Pied Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla yarrellii), Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes), Carrion Crow (Corneja Negra / Corvus corone), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus) and Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo).

Second half of the crossing to Portmouth and a drive to Albrighton, Shropshire, Britain.

Wet, Dark and Roadworks filled drive North up to the Midlands.

Trip to UK, Day Five.

 

I sort of woke up after one of the most uncomfortable night sleep I have had and went up on to the deck for the last few hours of the trip where I saw lots of Northern Gannets (Alcatraz Atlántico / Morus bassanus), a couple of Great Skua's (Págalo Grande / Stercorarius skua) and lots of Common Dolphin's (Delphinus delphis).

We arrived in Southampton and after about an hour I was on my way North, slower than expected as the whole route was loaded with roadworks but after a 5.5 hour drive which should have taken just 3 hours I arrived in Albrighton. 

Ría de San Martín near Suances and Marismas Blancas and Dársena de Raos y puerto deportivo in the Bahía de Santander, Cantabria, Spain.

Wetlands on my way to catch the ferry and the first half of the trip to UK.

Going North and trip to UK, Day Four.

Ebird List for Marismas Blancas.

Ebird List for Dársena de Raos y puerto deportivo.

 

White-cheeked Pintail (Anas bahamensis).

Last day in Spain for a while was spent looking around some wetland and coast spots starting at a new site for me called Ria de San Martin, I parked and walked down to the Hide and took the track around the outside of the sewage works finding lots of Eurasian Teal (Cerceta Común / Anas crecca), Gadwall (Anade Friso / Anas strepera), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Northern Shoveler (Pato Cuchara / Anas clypeata), an escapee White-cheeked Pintail (Anas bahamensis), Mute Swan (Cisne Vulgar / Cygnus olor), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Western Cattle (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis) and Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egreeta garzetta), Eurasian Spoonbill (Espátula Común / Platalea leucorodia), Red Knot (Correlimos Gordo / Calidris canutus), Dunlin (Correlimos Común / Calidris alpina), Ruff (Combatiente / Philomachus pugnax), Black-tailed Godwit (Aguja Colinegra / Limosa limosa), Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Grande / Charadrius hiaticula), Black-headed (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus), Lesser Black-backed (Gaviota Sombria / Larus fuscus) and Yellow-legged Gull (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Reed (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scrpaceus) and Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti).

White-cheeked Pintail (Anas bahamensis).

I walked back to the car and drove back towards Santander where I visited Marismas Blancas a fresh water lake next to the salt water inlets, there were good numbers of duckds on the water including 150 or so Gadwall, 60 Common Pochard, 2 Tufted Duck (Porrón Monudo / Aythya fuligula) and a few Eurasian Teal.

Other species included Mute Swan, Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita) and others listed on the link above.

Santander from the ferry.

From the pool I went around to a spot near to the Santander Airport where I checked a couple of pools and an area of sea front where I added Black-necked (Zampullín Cullinegro / Podiceps nigricollis) and Great Crested Grebe (Somormujo Lavanco / Podiceps cristatus), Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Grande / Charadrius hiaticula), Whimbrel (Zarapito Trinador / Numenius phaeopus), Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos), Bar-tailed Godwit (Aguja Colipinta / Limosa lapponica), Sandwich Tern (Charrán Patinegro / Sterna sandvicensis) and Kingfisher (Martin Pescador / Alcedo atthis) before joining the que to get on to the Ferry Galicia for my trip over to Portsmouth.

Leaving the port.

I went up on deck for the first part of the trip and just out of the port I had a Sooty Shearwater (Pardela Sombría / Puffinus griseus), Northern Gannet (Alcatraz Atlántico / Morus bassanus) and Great Black-backed Gull (Gavión Atlántico / Larus marinus).

Santoña area, Cantabria, Spain.

A rather damp day on the estuary and around the Port.

Going North and trip to UK, Day Three.

Ebird List first visit to hide.

Ebird List second visit to hide. 

Bar-tailed Godwit (Aguja Colipinta / Limosa lapponica).

I got up and headed back to the Observatorio de La Arenilla near Santoña as it was raining and I thought it would be a good spot to sit out the showers. 

Whimbrel (Zarapito Trinador / Numenius phaeopus).

Bar-tailed Godwit (Aguja Colipinta / Limosa lapponica).

Whilst there I saw Mute Swan (Cisne Vulgar / Cygnus olor), Eurasian Wigeon (Sibón Europeo / Anas penelope), Bar-tailed Godwit (Aguja Colipinta / Limosa lapponica), Eurasian Curlew (Numenius arquata), Whimbrel (Zarapito Trinador / Numenius phaeopus), Great Black-backed Gull (Gavión Atlántico / Larus marinus), Sandwich Tern (Charrán Patinegro / Sterna sandvicensis), Eurasian Spoonbill (Espátula Común / Platalea leucorodia), Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus) and Peregrine Falcon (Halcón Peregrino / Falco peregrinus) as well as others, see list above.

A returning fishing boat.

Shag (Cormorán Mondudo / Phalacrocorax aristotelis).

The weather cleared a bt so I went down to the Port and had a walk round checking through the Gull species finding Great Black-backed (Gavión Atlántico / Larus marinus), Lesser Black-backed (Gaviota Sombria / Larus fuscus), Yellow-legged (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis), Black-headed (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus) and Mediterranean Gull (Gaviota Cabecinegra / Larus melanocephalus) as well as Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocroax carbo), Shag (Cormorán Mondudo / Phalacrocorax aristotelis), Sandwich Tern (Charrán Patinegro / Sterna sandvicensis) and Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos).

The approaching rain.

The weather closed in rapidly so I decided to get a sandwich from a nearby bar and take it with me for a longer session in the Hide. 

Ready for some birding.

I arrived at the hide and set up along side a Spanish birder who had been there for a while, during this visit I saw a lot of the birds I had seen earlier in the morning but added quite a few more species including the Common Eider (Eider Común / Somateria mollissima) which flew in from the estuary and started to feed in one of the muddy channels. 

Northern Gannet (Alcatraz Atlántico / Morus bassanus) Phonescope pic.

Other species seen included an Immature Northern Gannet (Alcatraz Atlántico / Morus bassanus), Black-necked Grebe (Zampullín Cullinegro / Podiceps nigricollis), Kingfisher (Martin Pescador / Alcedo atthis), Eurasian Oystercatcher (Ostrero Euroasiatico / Haematopus ostralegus) and Black-tailed Godwit (Aguja Colinegra / Limosa limosa). Other species on the Link above. 

Common Eider (Eider Común / Somateria mollissima) male.

Common Eider (Eider Común / Somateria mollissima) male.

Common Eider (Eider Común / Somateria mollissima) male.

Common Eider (Eider Común / Somateria mollissima) male.

Common Eider (Eider Común / Somateria mollissima) male.

 

Fuente de Nava and Embalse de Aguilar, Palencia Province and Santoña area, Cantabria, Spain.

Some more birding as I travel North.

Going North and trip to UK, Day Two.

 

Dawn at Fuente de Nava.

I started the day off by heading out to Fuente de Nava and arrived in the area before first light as I was hoping for Owl species and it worked out well, as I drove on the approach road I saw a white shape perched on a road sign which stayed as I drove passed so I turned around and had very nice views of a Barn Owl (Lechuza Común / Tyto alba) in my headlights.

Black-headed Gulls (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus) and Eurasian Spoonbill (Espátula Común / Platalea leucorodia).

I continued on and parked on the first of the car parks, I put on a couple of extra layers as it was Piggin freezing before I walked out on to the short boardwalk leading to the screen over looking the reedbeds.

Common Eider (Eider Común / Somateria mollissima) male.

Common Eider (Eider Común / Somateria mollissima) male.

Common Eider (Eider Común / Somateria mollissima) male.

As I stood there watching the sun come up the first Marsh Harriers (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus) started to get up and around along with Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Carrion Crow (Corneja Negra / Corvus corone), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor) and two Short-eared Owls (Buho Campestre / Asio flammeus) which were leaving there roost to feed on the fields.

Sandwich Tern (Charrán Patinegro / Sterna sandvicensis).

Sandwich Tern (Charrán Patinegro / Sterna sandvicensis).

As it got lighter I added Water Rail (Rascón Europeo / Rallus aquaticus), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Snipe (Agachadiza Común / Gallinago gallinago), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris) and ust as I got back to the car I had a very smart male Bluethroat (Pechiazul / Luscinia svecica) in the roadside ditch.

Great Black-backed Gull (Gavión Atlántico / Larus marinus) adult.

Great Black-backed Gull (Gavión Atlántico / Larus marinus) adult.

Great Black-backed Gull (Gavión Atlántico / Larus marinus) adult.

Great Black-backed Gull (Gavión Atlántico / Larus marinus) adult.

Great Black-backed Gull (Gavión Atlántico / Larus marinus) adult.

Great Black-backed Gull (Gavión Atlántico / Larus marinus) adult.

I Got back to the car and headed off North again to my second stop of the day at Embalse de Aguilar where a few days ago the second Short-billed Dowitcher (Agujeta Gris / Limnodromus griseus) for Spain had been seen but had departed so I did not expect to se it but thought I would have a look.

Great Black-backed Gull (Gavión Atlántico / Larus marinus) Immature.

Great Black-backed Gull (Gavión Atlántico / Larus marinus) Immature.

Great Black-backed Gull (Gavión Atlántico / Larus marinus) Adult and Immature.

Great Black-backed Gull (Gavión Atlántico / Larus marinus) Immature.

Great Black-backed Gull (Gavión Atlántico / Larus marinus) Immature.

I did find a few waders including good numbers of Dunlin (Correlimos Común / Calidris alpina) and Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Grande / Charadrius hiaticula) along with Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Eurasian Spoonbill (Espátula Común / Platalea leucorodia), Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocroax carbo), Great Crested Grebe (Somormujo Lavanco / Podiceps cristatus), Black-headed (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus) and Yellow-legged Gulls (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis).

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

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

Around the margins in the bushes and trees I had a female Subalpine Warbler (Curruca Carrasquena / Sylvia cantillans) and Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra) before I headed North towards Santoña adding Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Griffon Vulture (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus) and several Red Kites (Milano Real / Milvus milvus).

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

From the hide on the road into Santona I again saw the Male Common Eider (Eider Común / Somateria mollissima) as well as Eurasian Curlew (Numenius arquata), Whimbrel (Zarapito Trinador / Numenius phaeopus), Greenshank (Archibebe Claro / Tringa nebularia) and Common Redshank (Archibebe Común / Tringa totanus). 

Shag (Cormorán Mondudo / Phalacrocorax aristotelis).

My last stop off the day before I headed to my hotel was in the Port in Santoña where I found Great Black-backed (Gavión Atlántico / Larus marinus) and Lesser Black-backed Gull (Gaviota Sombria / Larus fuscus), Sandwich Tern (Charrán Patinegro / Sterna sandvicensis), Shag (Cormorán Mondudo / Phalacrocorax aristotelis) and a Peregrine Falcon (Halcón Peregrino / Falco peregrinus) which sat up on one of the big light stands plucking it recent catch.

Peregrine Falcon (Halcón Peregrino / Falco peregrinus).