tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88919967125671362822024-03-17T11:50:17.647-07:00Graham Clarke's BlogUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger395125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891996712567136282.post-61215616765739571552024-01-17T08:47:00.000-08:002024-01-17T08:47:11.796-08:00Cyprus 2023 - the finale!<p>Our last full day started with a trip to the Asprokremmos Dam and Reservoir, it was evident that there had been a clearout of migrants and apart from two Alpine Swifts it was completely dead. Even Cape Greco on the east of the island was much quieter than the past week had been if the WhatsApp group was anything to go by.<br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRW8bO06W34Szy3naS28ALTG4M9vn_7vo_CtJvB-iNG-veS0MgiMQX6ctyVnRm4mE9mA-Px8o9_Hq4cTaihPbBiJjDO6kx2L2Ef2uD4Sqls5f_YYJ3Egi0i4BA6NVl_BRNsvQg2VgXIVW71Krjdqq9wbeysNqEuhZgPT-miafD90_Iyc9tGTSrBVq0TlU/s750/AlpineSwift.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="532" data-original-width="750" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRW8bO06W34Szy3naS28ALTG4M9vn_7vo_CtJvB-iNG-veS0MgiMQX6ctyVnRm4mE9mA-Px8o9_Hq4cTaihPbBiJjDO6kx2L2Ef2uD4Sqls5f_YYJ3Egi0i4BA6NVl_BRNsvQg2VgXIVW71Krjdqq9wbeysNqEuhZgPT-miafD90_Iyc9tGTSrBVq0TlU/w400-h284/AlpineSwift.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Alpine Swifts</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>The best bet was to head inland to Troodos and look for mountain species such as Treecreeper, Coal Tit and Jay (all endemic subspecies). First of all though we choose to stop off at the Scops Owl hotel and see if access to the gardens might be possible later that evening. There didn't seem to be anyone at hotel reception so I called out 'hello' loudly a few times and someone came out from around the back. Now bear in mind that neither Nick or I knew for sure if this was the right hotel and I didn't expect the staff to know anything about any Scops Owl. All I could do was show them a photo or illustration of a Scops Owl and hope. So, I whipped out the Collins Guide App on my phone, showed them the Scops Owl plate and played the call and they knew exactly what I was looking for (I guess the bins around my neck and generally dusty looking appearance were a dead giveaway too). They happily pointed to the trees in the garden and said that the bird is there most evenings! Result. In return for being so nice we ordered a couple of coffees from the bar and were served up with possibly <i>THE</i> strongest and <i>THE</i> sweetest cup of coffee I have ever had!</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjprADpkbPy1_gLWJ0gtYqawhBJ9odgsqqYUjWaVIhGjboC5ROL05A4uZGFRDDbdcpLOYaQEGT0PMOnqYcHDQ0TdhMnY5HiU_LfZkDutXrJxO3DokDEy8IIYmw7lvxy3JLsH7Nt83Oj4YTmp9p3x8Tbfw2-J1YDgx0WOKvp86n5lb_bYj8ugAwRiUUNoUc/s750/Cyprus-Coffee.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="750" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjprADpkbPy1_gLWJ0gtYqawhBJ9odgsqqYUjWaVIhGjboC5ROL05A4uZGFRDDbdcpLOYaQEGT0PMOnqYcHDQ0TdhMnY5HiU_LfZkDutXrJxO3DokDEy8IIYmw7lvxy3JLsH7Nt83Oj4YTmp9p3x8Tbfw2-J1YDgx0WOKvp86n5lb_bYj8ugAwRiUUNoUc/w400-h300/Cyprus-Coffee.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">You could trot a mouse across that coffee!!</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p> <br /></p><p>We returned briefly to the Asprokremmos Dam to search in vain for a Red-backed Shrike before setting off towards Troodos. We enjoyed a really pleasant afternoon here, it was windy but the temperature was cooler. I found an obliging Masked Shrike and spent some time in its company whilst it hunted for beetles.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2qtAKghE_aFWNfxTmCH5bzz632tUFe__-NQQ5OhwQLULHdbcKuP9ccYJUARzwnQAQnP8gR2-gE39FttaAatrxD_gwLphuS30kcGt6ILRtKDYuriaQfu04hByRnST_42iarVNga647Tw_-kyjkjwfH1E-L_chq73XjKAIz-BC2VLPMsK0JnxKupjXnTDs/s750/MaskedShrike2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="656" data-original-width="750" height="560" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2qtAKghE_aFWNfxTmCH5bzz632tUFe__-NQQ5OhwQLULHdbcKuP9ccYJUARzwnQAQnP8gR2-gE39FttaAatrxD_gwLphuS30kcGt6ILRtKDYuriaQfu04hByRnST_42iarVNga647Tw_-kyjkjwfH1E-L_chq73XjKAIz-BC2VLPMsK0JnxKupjXnTDs/w640-h560/MaskedShrike2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Masked Shrike</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA0iK-gsN9EtBSdGKFP3pVENcGn4n2oU68sxwYmxAqFLVfl6n0EJTLBFHxN8z7qxFjZv0ptl_np99Xl1eolALdjuOKqrIVAo6eUezjxRDL8zlInbBTwABeOwwZ-IqvksmdCEEG4vNhTVXBpKm-_htc12x3cUw7wHBYeim9ElWnL_wj2AIfSlBe1mTjc18/s750/MaskedShrike3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="586" data-original-width="750" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA0iK-gsN9EtBSdGKFP3pVENcGn4n2oU68sxwYmxAqFLVfl6n0EJTLBFHxN8z7qxFjZv0ptl_np99Xl1eolALdjuOKqrIVAo6eUezjxRDL8zlInbBTwABeOwwZ-IqvksmdCEEG4vNhTVXBpKm-_htc12x3cUw7wHBYeim9ElWnL_wj2AIfSlBe1mTjc18/w640-h500/MaskedShrike3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Masked Shrike</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>I love shrikes and Masked Shrike is my personal favourite. </p><p>We walked the paths through the pines and enjoyed nice views of a Cyprus Wheatear singing from the top of a conifer.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio7qu8Y-NcZiLbHWunHHNnpvzJBdRMrz9gus42Bekyf9l-vwXA_cgbomCNB-t-h3CKZcAS2V285eepu4gifVxE-1Etxa_oKwekcjpm3Z03XS6gvqnynwkDni6N9udlpZw8FPhexpbmuTI1bUjZRzmkLHAzRi7_K1G12t5YE2DigAVVise1QWe8Sdt5184/s750/CyprusWheatear2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="562" data-original-width="750" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio7qu8Y-NcZiLbHWunHHNnpvzJBdRMrz9gus42Bekyf9l-vwXA_cgbomCNB-t-h3CKZcAS2V285eepu4gifVxE-1Etxa_oKwekcjpm3Z03XS6gvqnynwkDni6N9udlpZw8FPhexpbmuTI1bUjZRzmkLHAzRi7_K1G12t5YE2DigAVVise1QWe8Sdt5184/w640-h480/CyprusWheatear2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtze8GKrcVtunGDw2NqQGJxXHS2I1dZ9whShJ4WZPhBHsECfHY-XOixpkThKw8v8DIeISo3ZEJE3_V-Ou5vX9Uq579pTFwai8fMStgRLhaG-rI4fBxWI_X6UUbci3NvPAddfKPyh82nyUhrQuCe43FmTion6sx_KXCzGem_IUfNB0UQ4m6x0DB3xRM-Rg/s750/CyprusWheatear1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="575" data-original-width="750" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtze8GKrcVtunGDw2NqQGJxXHS2I1dZ9whShJ4WZPhBHsECfHY-XOixpkThKw8v8DIeISo3ZEJE3_V-Ou5vX9Uq579pTFwai8fMStgRLhaG-rI4fBxWI_X6UUbci3NvPAddfKPyh82nyUhrQuCe43FmTion6sx_KXCzGem_IUfNB0UQ4m6x0DB3xRM-Rg/w640-h490/CyprusWheatear1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Cyprus Wheatear</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzEbU78q61FTx_PVpBHRxYhD0z7Z_hDS08mAUA0KtI9fn-hXj8_GBDIO4s82oIESbf1UgzPTyYG87BQcPj7-g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><p>Our primary target here was Dorothy's Treecreeper which we picked up on call first.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEecog6HdBoPQWKrWdaNL-o-W8W7s6oWAyqCJhCNQifc3ecqppNFfVDB4F7xq4p3AlIS9gUuob6Ubfits6od5MKRR8eJsuBB_JosRE5zAvfmDWpXpbZ-s1X3_HEFG7776rxjxbTOJxaL5WpmcbrqliGHOjbwBrgHMijkvbLi-nUuxy243Y_210QD57xfw/s750/DorothysTreecreeper1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="691" data-original-width="750" height="590" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEecog6HdBoPQWKrWdaNL-o-W8W7s6oWAyqCJhCNQifc3ecqppNFfVDB4F7xq4p3AlIS9gUuob6Ubfits6od5MKRR8eJsuBB_JosRE5zAvfmDWpXpbZ-s1X3_HEFG7776rxjxbTOJxaL5WpmcbrqliGHOjbwBrgHMijkvbLi-nUuxy243Y_210QD57xfw/w640-h590/DorothysTreecreeper1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Dorothy's Treecreeper</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>I was personally quite taken by the local race of Coal Tit which looks a lot more like a potential species split than the local race of Treecreeper.</p><p>After Troodos we drove back to Agia Varvara (via to our hotel to get some fleeces for our Owling later on). The sun was dipping now and we watched a lovely mixed flock of White and Yellow Wagtails in the warm evening light. </p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFiJgA3PLSWIkuX_Evu4de7Bct3RaGpyT7biP-OJxK73LvpvM3rTHvlBCnIbEp59DPeu17p_2xLLGLtztzpNoBRgcSmgDUvLiKCLvAyD0wqeNLkkE9U68pw5L49IgOxXp0zBczQGI0TjJ0pckbxfRvtFst2XT3-p2mfFriU5I_ZWmf6dvC8HyLyLiWkoI/s750/BlueheadedWagtail12.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="581" data-original-width="750" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFiJgA3PLSWIkuX_Evu4de7Bct3RaGpyT7biP-OJxK73LvpvM3rTHvlBCnIbEp59DPeu17p_2xLLGLtztzpNoBRgcSmgDUvLiKCLvAyD0wqeNLkkE9U68pw5L49IgOxXp0zBczQGI0TjJ0pckbxfRvtFst2XT3-p2mfFriU5I_ZWmf6dvC8HyLyLiWkoI/w640-h496/BlueheadedWagtail12.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Blue-headed Wagtail</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipR1IUPnIQRIegKjr0vMvtDIaQGHfdk2fvxD9iS5bmk0Q-DuFyPbPyDaYKIPjfVLmb-JA4my9MYLDmLrZeYdykySSWx6k18CqXg_pDuQPsslABV63QcvowO5ZCoe1_R7zU13u1MwaIMzJUC_mzUMXUmLnNEVnlVs8ItEKRlaBx2SfDv1bD-KmxFLxFyd8/s750/Eastern-type-Western-Yellow-Wagtalil.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="582" data-original-width="750" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipR1IUPnIQRIegKjr0vMvtDIaQGHfdk2fvxD9iS5bmk0Q-DuFyPbPyDaYKIPjfVLmb-JA4my9MYLDmLrZeYdykySSWx6k18CqXg_pDuQPsslABV63QcvowO5ZCoe1_R7zU13u1MwaIMzJUC_mzUMXUmLnNEVnlVs8ItEKRlaBx2SfDv1bD-KmxFLxFyd8/w640-h496/Eastern-type-Western-Yellow-Wagtalil.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">One of the eastern races of Western Yellow Wagtail (or an intergrade) - hard for me to tell!</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />We had a large mixed flock of hirundines that we had fun trying to pick out the Red-rumped Swallows in - there were several.<p></p><p>Our final stop was back to the Vasilias Georgias Hotel for the Cyprus Scops Owl. Cyprus Scops Owl is not considered a full species but certainly worth seeing and hearing. A wedding was in full swing when we got to the hotel after dark but we manged perched and flight views of the bird and I recorded it singing albeit with wedding chatter in the background.</p><p><br /></p><p></p><p></p><p><iframe frameborder="0" height="220" scrolling="no" src="https://xeno-canto.org/861680/embed" width="340"></iframe> </p><p> </p><p>And that was that! Our final bird of the trip before we headed back to our hotel for dinner and bed. </p><p>Almost a year later what are my thoughts on Cyprus birding? Excellent, I would highly recommend it, I loved the fact that spring passage gets going in mid to late March, when I left the UK on 31st March it felt like we were still in winter's grip. A day later we were enjoying the sights and sounds of migration. The infrastructure is good, there's a good birding scene on the island, its easy to drive around and the food is great (I love a nice Greek Salad with my grilled lamb chops). I had 12 lifers and 4 subspecies ticks. <br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891996712567136282.post-90567209571121231622024-01-16T06:52:00.000-08:002024-01-17T05:52:33.631-08:00Cyprus 2023 - the middle bit<p>After yesterday's mammoth day we enjoyed a small lie-in and took a late breakfast at 7:30am. We started the day at the Archaeological Site of Nea Paphos on Paphos headland. This historical landmark consists of a large archaeological area featuring ruins such as tombs, villas, roman mosaics and the famous lighthouse. Its an excellent spot for staging migrants and I really enjoyed our morning jaunt around the site.</p><p> </p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1rFJDStlXHLQbF1KZ6cxkOlU_fFYQgj19QyONqzf-y_qwjF3WuzyZXOhE8PwOS8FFfYcpnCgqK6MAowMJyW0oG96IiQq8jgLspvybNZdTP1zAB3fTLPmRO8rfPScff5sNRbNzZLoidmt5mtJTG6RTPsgniTukjH1XaUcuP_6FgTfDqEefOKFfFOL-ZQM/s750/Entrance-to-archaelogical-ruins-at-Phaphos.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="566" data-original-width="750" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1rFJDStlXHLQbF1KZ6cxkOlU_fFYQgj19QyONqzf-y_qwjF3WuzyZXOhE8PwOS8FFfYcpnCgqK6MAowMJyW0oG96IiQq8jgLspvybNZdTP1zAB3fTLPmRO8rfPScff5sNRbNzZLoidmt5mtJTG6RTPsgniTukjH1XaUcuP_6FgTfDqEefOKFfFOL-ZQM/w400-h301/Entrance-to-archaelogical-ruins-at-Phaphos.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Entrance to Archaeological Site of Nea Paphos</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> Migrants included Nightingale, Yellow Wagtail, Black and Common Redstarts, Wryneck, Whinchat, numerous Red-throated and Meadow Pipits plus many Hoopoes. Nick managed to flush a Quail which was actually a lifer for him and would have been for me had I seen it (I've only ever heard them in the past but never actually set eyes on one). Whilst Nick was birding around by the lighthouse I picked up a smart male Stonechat with a distinctive white rump. I called him over and we had distant and inconclusive views of the bird before it managed to vanish completely. Fortunately we caught up with it again along the fence line by the coastal path. It was still proving tricky to say what it was but with the help of some record shots of the spread tail and underwing and with a little support via mobile phone from Yoav Perlman we manged to tie the bird down as a Caspian Stonechat (L). Star bird of the morning!<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA4apAG1j3awMlFt0lqPyDx4x_xH6QNEkFy2_qkksNN3918gGlo5Ug0czniSiBAtG1PqRo2egmK6nLpImVL-izoTjOJHidFxvB7CNePww_cWXbrc8eU8b2_FiNlK3IqxIEs6q16dLoC4dE7Po00BUc3Q49D5ooVzayBULQjO9-_flZuyhQGCv-Futi_8c/s750/BlackRedstart34.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="543" data-original-width="750" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA4apAG1j3awMlFt0lqPyDx4x_xH6QNEkFy2_qkksNN3918gGlo5Ug0czniSiBAtG1PqRo2egmK6nLpImVL-izoTjOJHidFxvB7CNePww_cWXbrc8eU8b2_FiNlK3IqxIEs6q16dLoC4dE7Po00BUc3Q49D5ooVzayBULQjO9-_flZuyhQGCv-Futi_8c/w400-h290/BlackRedstart34.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Black Redstart</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhhy60pSyAZltE8_oKxBqi4cFlgKXauAm1JN3zGdqpn1VUWNJnkp73OuPT5YOln51T6I9eYKskkePYFSG-TLq_bl4xH_kVoueocd8iV1VsdFuFwq8s_XPW0U265y-gU2RH8ZCk4AqkgdJcsa-qLFnbkQEqoyYvEPY5ab8vWFhyphenhyphenH5jaapWOA1-QbFce2pk/s750/Nick-at-Phaphos.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="750" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhhy60pSyAZltE8_oKxBqi4cFlgKXauAm1JN3zGdqpn1VUWNJnkp73OuPT5YOln51T6I9eYKskkePYFSG-TLq_bl4xH_kVoueocd8iV1VsdFuFwq8s_XPW0U265y-gU2RH8ZCk4AqkgdJcsa-qLFnbkQEqoyYvEPY5ab8vWFhyphenhyphenH5jaapWOA1-QbFce2pk/w400-h300/Nick-at-Phaphos.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Paphos Lighthouse</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgihBfhtt34T_PsWCSv67FFWNaouQDXwICw8gmBEZpbmxlseYv3PPaD24trf_ZOIPRujip0YYW21OTOik9ftN3IztEaIZEBxBjDWBrYRIpBLRAYImyM0Htd428p1cHQLftn4M3p5v1F5_f2Hv8trKEQMYL8mDXJc2uXujCFp8NPr3-nMtGKImgBTZm3djQ/s750/Phaphos-lighthouse.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="750" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgihBfhtt34T_PsWCSv67FFWNaouQDXwICw8gmBEZpbmxlseYv3PPaD24trf_ZOIPRujip0YYW21OTOik9ftN3IztEaIZEBxBjDWBrYRIpBLRAYImyM0Htd428p1cHQLftn4M3p5v1F5_f2Hv8trKEQMYL8mDXJc2uXujCFp8NPr3-nMtGKImgBTZm3djQ/w400-h300/Phaphos-lighthouse.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Paphos Lighthouse</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />From Paphos we drove on to Evretou Reservoir which was birdless sadly. So, we decided we'd look for migrants around the Baths of Aphrodite which is near the very north west tip of Cyprus and so seemed like a good staging spot. Unfortunately it was rather full of tourists and also getting quite hot. However, we did manage to find several Eastern Bonelli's Warblers (L) in a nearby olive grove. To my ear their call is a very distinctive House Sparrow-like 'chirp' which helped us pin down their location as they fed busily in the olive trees.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPo1IqCXFgPiJ-fLuQobV4Fo-3m5UBdfmHOnAXZh7kOivu3YFnqSLAJN8QGpAWWso79zE54aM3M3ikkJpkTSpL8QegGQthwdEd_t1wHSAe3vNbLse7vpSaTWzvVvIf3yYoYDDmSZvRcKlSBwYF0dU-FdXaSzUOHbVkagKZ5Xsdbb9gJDDdL6DFSiRGJoQ/s750/EasternBonellisWarbler1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="581" data-original-width="750" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPo1IqCXFgPiJ-fLuQobV4Fo-3m5UBdfmHOnAXZh7kOivu3YFnqSLAJN8QGpAWWso79zE54aM3M3ikkJpkTSpL8QegGQthwdEd_t1wHSAe3vNbLse7vpSaTWzvVvIf3yYoYDDmSZvRcKlSBwYF0dU-FdXaSzUOHbVkagKZ5Xsdbb9gJDDdL6DFSiRGJoQ/w640-h496/EasternBonellisWarbler1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRc36AiXi9A33zKo8NWZam4tg8gV7AE02LEsSxBwOF3ri4dFe_QJKVsKeGpXkm2KEpAIPQ0RwVfc3ZiZLY0am6sja652GuDzDzsKZlJReI_YJNpr2ZE3EIQxoFx_xbt4ZSkTQ_Y5USKajzeo6zIUlZwSJSZMGHD7pUMqbOGReCTeM-nRzcZWBfgrDD0xo/s750/EasternBonellisWarbler2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="750" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRc36AiXi9A33zKo8NWZam4tg8gV7AE02LEsSxBwOF3ri4dFe_QJKVsKeGpXkm2KEpAIPQ0RwVfc3ZiZLY0am6sja652GuDzDzsKZlJReI_YJNpr2ZE3EIQxoFx_xbt4ZSkTQ_Y5USKajzeo6zIUlZwSJSZMGHD7pUMqbOGReCTeM-nRzcZWBfgrDD0xo/w640-h482/EasternBonellisWarbler2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Eastern Bonelli's Warbler</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>I mentioned Mandria in the first post, this was where we had large flocks of White and assorted races of Yellow Wagtails on the first full day. We returned there in the late afternoon when a Mourning Wheatear had been found with the Northern Wheatears and Yellow Wagtails in a ploughed field. Views were a little distant but acceptable nonetheless. The light was harsh so the apricot blush to undertail coverts isn't so visible in the photo below but it was discernible in the field - honestly!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkIOpqF3EdobNQGlukd8842kF-jx3w0kdeU-qvUhoUg3ZqvHQpaSOR7CTS4ZMKB0yPY9QZr3cID8c1hzaeVZ5ai45dGZya_zXutUr4kVS73F56hlk4A0M9leQTYJmuHqSkIVJhyphenhyphenupV803-Ay6erFxMecULh9-iaEUVd0vtgSEtxNHOoW13-cyOeAbF3rQ/s750/Mourning-Wheatear1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="750" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkIOpqF3EdobNQGlukd8842kF-jx3w0kdeU-qvUhoUg3ZqvHQpaSOR7CTS4ZMKB0yPY9QZr3cID8c1hzaeVZ5ai45dGZya_zXutUr4kVS73F56hlk4A0M9leQTYJmuHqSkIVJhyphenhyphenupV803-Ay6erFxMecULh9-iaEUVd0vtgSEtxNHOoW13-cyOeAbF3rQ/w640-h478/Mourning-Wheatear1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Mourning Wheatear</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>We stopped for dinner in Mandria before ending the day with a reconnaissance trip to a hotel which a friendly Northern Ireland birder had told us was good for Cyprus Scops Owl. More on that later!</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891996712567136282.post-15570582998245924902024-01-16T04:19:00.000-08:002024-01-16T04:25:58.429-08:00Cyprus 2023 - the next bit<p>Following breakfast we headed back to Agia Varvara to try and improve on some Little Crake photos. </p><p><br /><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNAUJGZEC8UFudAYdlFuUhS5z3Mox3e3s-jrDKBt-iURBwUCVvbc62qTs3_3GAR0_qsxM2HTxYVS9lceuFHN86AF2WQURnHI-GjSq0RLt45FpISvSlSum2tYf7fr6PYwTIqx-NMxXLgjYs7fEk4hK0md1wpcrakeYKko5QtNtEELBomGhPDZolQ6EGR0s/s750/LittleCrake1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="551" data-original-width="750" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNAUJGZEC8UFudAYdlFuUhS5z3Mox3e3s-jrDKBt-iURBwUCVvbc62qTs3_3GAR0_qsxM2HTxYVS9lceuFHN86AF2WQURnHI-GjSq0RLt45FpISvSlSum2tYf7fr6PYwTIqx-NMxXLgjYs7fEk4hK0md1wpcrakeYKko5QtNtEELBomGhPDZolQ6EGR0s/w400-h294/LittleCrake1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Little Crake</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p>The birds (one male and one female) remained at the opposite side of the pool so shots were always going to be difficult and the above is the best I could manage.</p><p>Further down the track past the pools though was a small orchard and farm entrance where we enjoyed nice views of a male Collared Flycatcher, Cretzschmar's Bunting, several Tree Pipits and a Woodchat Shrike.</p><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDBf0vGqzQgDxFTZ9bE2H3BI6OL9PXGQLR0Vh79mUh1fZlYH4N687mAawBSBRXO_Ugf3uQC-Eyw4JBgSfa2-BxOvfZ-AyA87QXkvu0bhd9PiT6_VFKoqzs-JPN8PBS_icuJ9nPgRn_0-O99XFDIdnVkXvS9nz4hzot3I-zXgJDb2deEal9Uac2XIW3MHI/s750/TreePipit9.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="635" data-original-width="750" height="339" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDBf0vGqzQgDxFTZ9bE2H3BI6OL9PXGQLR0Vh79mUh1fZlYH4N687mAawBSBRXO_Ugf3uQC-Eyw4JBgSfa2-BxOvfZ-AyA87QXkvu0bhd9PiT6_VFKoqzs-JPN8PBS_icuJ9nPgRn_0-O99XFDIdnVkXvS9nz4hzot3I-zXgJDb2deEal9Uac2XIW3MHI/w400-h339/TreePipit9.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Tree Pipit</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiPWvx70uMskyNJRaChDTxlVcoGE8MTCkphPAJmClTkX_hX1UjsVNTFZFxspFsf0d9_ohLpf-LPCV2fVTCoDFyrKvgoq4B39Fu9rAzi9Io6HaFg1xl5duPeGFtOGxQYYnI0-eFxTvv177jECxH0Wm0YagQcLDJDv14Scz5zmVMO7qSABt1CzI9ifi_noo/s750/WoodchatShrike4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="750" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiPWvx70uMskyNJRaChDTxlVcoGE8MTCkphPAJmClTkX_hX1UjsVNTFZFxspFsf0d9_ohLpf-LPCV2fVTCoDFyrKvgoq4B39Fu9rAzi9Io6HaFg1xl5duPeGFtOGxQYYnI0-eFxTvv177jECxH0Wm0YagQcLDJDv14Scz5zmVMO7qSABt1CzI9ifi_noo/w640-h486/WoodchatShrike4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Woodchat Shrike</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv9psHl70WL3rf5Bm0UT8YCtWU2v7Q82_7IwqiYWQTqIjvY_nS1x849y0SpOOqkqUxCWvOd0UDQZ8P4DDfuU4UrBuMeORwKvq6JmCk16jQXcKTucpbR45J3d13LS6SpM2ViMWbxO4ynCDE5v9MQCw2bEq1N5lcYwNFJoqJCmo1Fmpmr4jiZVak-jgPcPs/s750/Collared-Flycatcher5.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="603" data-original-width="750" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv9psHl70WL3rf5Bm0UT8YCtWU2v7Q82_7IwqiYWQTqIjvY_nS1x849y0SpOOqkqUxCWvOd0UDQZ8P4DDfuU4UrBuMeORwKvq6JmCk16jQXcKTucpbR45J3d13LS6SpM2ViMWbxO4ynCDE5v9MQCw2bEq1N5lcYwNFJoqJCmo1Fmpmr4jiZVak-jgPcPs/w640-h514/Collared-Flycatcher5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Collared Flycatcher</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />From here we drove to the headland at Akrotiri. Starting at the reedbed first and then driving the tracks around the gravel pits. From the elevated hide at the reedbed we had Spur-winged Plover, Black--winged Stilts, Wood Sandpipers, Great White Egrets and Glossy Ibis. Driving around the track we several groups of Teal, Glossy Ibis and Wood Sandpipers.<p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Hzo3veA9cnNVeDv_jsfBVTPS3q68xk43rCFtjfaQd2n91osdPusU1gA53UMTeN4RwjcLsbK3Znzu5EMXyq8Y-8hDw6GDN3xjSPoFAKHFQOHucnk9U13GJ870AjXVbQT2ov940xhJs1RvvJgLgsDkw3JoZ6xO_fXut2w4zGxOSB2A9mWqVw_i8u8TWqU/s1728/GlossyIbis4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1314" data-original-width="1728" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Hzo3veA9cnNVeDv_jsfBVTPS3q68xk43rCFtjfaQd2n91osdPusU1gA53UMTeN4RwjcLsbK3Znzu5EMXyq8Y-8hDw6GDN3xjSPoFAKHFQOHucnk9U13GJ870AjXVbQT2ov940xhJs1RvvJgLgsDkw3JoZ6xO_fXut2w4zGxOSB2A9mWqVw_i8u8TWqU/w640-h486/GlossyIbis4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Glossy Ibis</span></div><div><br /></div>We had little of much interest on our drive along the narrow tracks and eventually sighted Agios Georgios Chapel off in the distance and set forth towards that as there had been reports of migrants in the trees and bushes surrounding the little chapel. The track to the chapel looked like it had some rather large pools of water so rather than risk getting the rental car stuck, I decided to pull it over to the side and go on foot to the chapel - not a good idea as it turns out and more on that later!<div>En route to the chapel we dug out a few Northern Wheatears, Kentish Plovers and Nick found a male Spectacled Warbler which happened to be the only male of that species I'd ever seen. <br /><p>The chapel itself turned out to be very good with the highlight being this stunning male Ruppell's Warbler (L). </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC7txL-vyIZ2LJlChGVIKuTj7kl5TV7L_zpHvXv3EkwaaI1HGj49v-06UOxCsgwtzlu4oqDLidH6NqnRyX4uclJSc8Pr_JntX_uqy6aBNKRcRjvVmbdeJ4BRY4o5INjD05vynHT9XTIp-hBAuCX5o30Et70J20qVhj8c2XDgJsbY3C9TDSpKuzKqb2jwc/s750/RuppellsWarbler1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="750" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC7txL-vyIZ2LJlChGVIKuTj7kl5TV7L_zpHvXv3EkwaaI1HGj49v-06UOxCsgwtzlu4oqDLidH6NqnRyX4uclJSc8Pr_JntX_uqy6aBNKRcRjvVmbdeJ4BRY4o5INjD05vynHT9XTIp-hBAuCX5o30Et70J20qVhj8c2XDgJsbY3C9TDSpKuzKqb2jwc/w640-h514/RuppellsWarbler1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu4wM1BV1rzpUd4meB2B78ZWM-ONDaMHRYb2fipW4Pko6ykpJwHl2KzH8jmaEUiKuakVFEjP7xyeDaeiVyUzRYZxcjXLY-R9XFDGnLWjXmpkCyneEmQPJX0BNJ0j2aU1r_oMSWwiqPYWredLh-429-7kUII6Ng22hsWZ6cYSMUoSrtFzYBwxg7tf5c65M/s751/RuppellsWarbler2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="592" data-original-width="751" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu4wM1BV1rzpUd4meB2B78ZWM-ONDaMHRYb2fipW4Pko6ykpJwHl2KzH8jmaEUiKuakVFEjP7xyeDaeiVyUzRYZxcjXLY-R9XFDGnLWjXmpkCyneEmQPJX0BNJ0j2aU1r_oMSWwiqPYWredLh-429-7kUII6Ng22hsWZ6cYSMUoSrtFzYBwxg7tf5c65M/w640-h504/RuppellsWarbler2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ruppell's Warbler</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Great find by Nick and I would without hesitation mark this down as bird of the trip. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9FDVftJckNn7yyhDq0Asn_v2Xhb2wr0yTXhHUwu9ZMGoQSM-w9xLIlpAbx2gB2m873DQ1-TKf-WBcUIavSNzKbHGPexAWSSk6cWwhzE-rFLMIlnWOAoRoY2eAK6wI1eo5Juq0x4tB8CIKFd9KNStqwrm8L0u_BLlwpcpNiLTDQVyvtKrsl0ketTrMXfg/s750/Chapel-at-Akrotiri.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="750" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9FDVftJckNn7yyhDq0Asn_v2Xhb2wr0yTXhHUwu9ZMGoQSM-w9xLIlpAbx2gB2m873DQ1-TKf-WBcUIavSNzKbHGPexAWSSk6cWwhzE-rFLMIlnWOAoRoY2eAK6wI1eo5Juq0x4tB8CIKFd9KNStqwrm8L0u_BLlwpcpNiLTDQVyvtKrsl0ketTrMXfg/w640-h480/Chapel-at-Akrotiri.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Agios Georgios Chapel</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>On the opposite side of the road from the Chapel we searched a small area of scrub and bushes where we had a singing Eastern Subalpine Warbler which was a lifer for me (and possibly Nick though I stand to be corrected there) however, frustratingly, we couldn't get eyes on it and it remained unseen and unticked.</p><p>We commenced the track back to where had parked the car and from a distance through my bins I could see a British Army Land Rover parked up beside our rental vehicle with two soldiers standing by it peering in. It was then I remembered the signs saying not to stop or leave your vehicle unattended (its close to a sensitive military area and RAF base). I'll be honest and say my heart was in my mouth as I walked back along the track towards the soldiers and I wondered if we might indeed be requested to come back to the barracks and answer some questions. Thankfully, nothing like that happened. I realised my mistake, apologised for being a dimwit and promised not to leave my car like that ever again in Akrotiri. Lesson learnt!</p><p>We drove on across Lady's Mile Beach, stopping from time to time to scope distant waders. Best we had here were Dunlin, Bar-tailed Godwit, Greater Flamingo, Greenshank and Black-winged Stilt. </p><p>Meanwhile a report on the Cyprus Bird Sightings WhatsApp group of a Finsch's Wheatear had us diverting towards Anarita Park. Anarita Park is a well known spot for wintering Finsch's Wheatear and we both expected those birds to be gone by the time we got to Cyprus so it was really good news to know there was still one about. Sadly though there was no sign of the bird when we got there. The diversion was worthwhile though as we did see an Eastern Black-eared Wheatear, another lifer for me!</p><p>At this stage we had left it rather late to take the long drive east for the Diedrik Cuckoo. But instead we headed back to Agia Varvara where a Baillon's Crake was now reported. Thankfully we connected with this bird quite soon after our arrival. Another lifer for me!</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVIEADAtMiR6l_agySVVdq-WG7-ZAxNa_XRCfwYg8n3WZ_sqxBvC-htzCINObGH4zLFpDKa8SqkPfu3-5-tcOdSSg0svjVr81qdb-DoynvbP-cyGWSgO40TCK5E2tNnir5PJbWXa44_QbZJzZ94Nm-_mRScBEClhTQ6CaUmqLyOCCbni5fToACGGlIO3o/s750/BaillonsCrake1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="568" data-original-width="750" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVIEADAtMiR6l_agySVVdq-WG7-ZAxNa_XRCfwYg8n3WZ_sqxBvC-htzCINObGH4zLFpDKa8SqkPfu3-5-tcOdSSg0svjVr81qdb-DoynvbP-cyGWSgO40TCK5E2tNnir5PJbWXa44_QbZJzZ94Nm-_mRScBEClhTQ6CaUmqLyOCCbni5fToACGGlIO3o/w640-h484/BaillonsCrake1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Baillon's Crake</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Our last port of call for the day was back to the Mavrokolympos Dam to check the cliffs above the road that leads up to the reservoir for Cyprus Scops Owl. This had been a reliable spot in the past but we didn't see or hear Scops Owl on this occasion. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5zqQgQkWVH2v7al4j7wBFIV4ey2DZgeoe8tD8-25WipGD6mlcaIiVHrbrtnN5SSeY-8FTJxhYRSiTeBpG854FylRsI2tZI-FX2OK4po34lMdtTfF-fxMmzVcnwIByu5aK7LVpbf9LHVIuK9bBiGL2Y-J1-ZtBq4lhkScX2i8V0X0EWKYpUj89tmv_KF4/s750/Nick-at-Scops-Owl-spot.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="750" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5zqQgQkWVH2v7al4j7wBFIV4ey2DZgeoe8tD8-25WipGD6mlcaIiVHrbrtnN5SSeY-8FTJxhYRSiTeBpG854FylRsI2tZI-FX2OK4po34lMdtTfF-fxMmzVcnwIByu5aK7LVpbf9LHVIuK9bBiGL2Y-J1-ZtBq4lhkScX2i8V0X0EWKYpUj89tmv_KF4/w640-h480/Nick-at-Scops-Owl-spot.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Nick inspects the cliff face for Cyprus Scops Owl</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>It had been an extraordinarily long day and a long time since lunch, we left empty-handed and returned to the hotel for a late dinner and bed.</p></div><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891996712567136282.post-85934450765656558362024-01-15T12:29:00.000-08:002024-01-15T12:29:31.148-08:00Cyprus 2023 - the first bit<p>Day One</p><p>Hard to believe its almost a year ago now but in late March 2023 myself and Nick finally got to Cyprus. The original trip to Cyprus was planned back in 2020 but became a casualty to the pandemic.</p><p>On 31st March we took a BA flight from Heathrow and landed in Larnaca around teatime where upon we were whisked at scarily high speeds in a taxi to our hotel in Phaphos. We checked in, I had a brief chat with the hotel cat (every hotel needs one!) and then popped out for dinner.</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheWTpn8XKpOmDyisXSK7vf3TsPJdunxWADH7022wgL5msVOIuoN1bcMs0ScpIV10T3HfgYwZoYsfW1fBsBsxoshYL5_z_e1Vg__cDGoHUdV4Rx3li762V-hjm6wTC0157Fa5Bd5u2w6UwrZbecnq0h_8xXPYd0ENSzq3z8dRzWiqeexXw2aGHV6pczm9g/s667/Hotel-Cat-Cyprus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheWTpn8XKpOmDyisXSK7vf3TsPJdunxWADH7022wgL5msVOIuoN1bcMs0ScpIV10T3HfgYwZoYsfW1fBsBsxoshYL5_z_e1Vg__cDGoHUdV4Rx3li762V-hjm6wTC0157Fa5Bd5u2w6UwrZbecnq0h_8xXPYd0ENSzq3z8dRzWiqeexXw2aGHV6pczm9g/s320/Hotel-Cat-Cyprus.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>Day Two</p><p>We began the day with a pre-breakfast walk to the Archaeological Site of the Tombs of the Kings which was only a five minute walk from the hotel. All in all it was a bit quiet with just a few Lesser Whitethroats, Blackcaps, Common Swifts and assorted Hirundines.</p><p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5QQ1RGQH66kYo6sxjYar3rv-fLAmf3mTIvLfHjo9WIH3qWFl_Z6jxjyr36eDoeqK4sEIqSFvXvqwkZUZe1R_omy2K3RYkgddcvqMcD8FAU5vMUuJlWFxIdL_8YowIxT1Eo2CpUIBNSxlwI002cMCGN6uXaGwwiVGJizDam0cshvbcx1qGGQI6XIgDvJM/s750/Lesserthroat19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="559" data-original-width="750" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5QQ1RGQH66kYo6sxjYar3rv-fLAmf3mTIvLfHjo9WIH3qWFl_Z6jxjyr36eDoeqK4sEIqSFvXvqwkZUZe1R_omy2K3RYkgddcvqMcD8FAU5vMUuJlWFxIdL_8YowIxT1Eo2CpUIBNSxlwI002cMCGN6uXaGwwiVGJizDam0cshvbcx1qGGQI6XIgDvJM/w640-h478/Lesserthroat19.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lesser Whitethroat<br /></td></tr></tbody></table> </p><p>After rental car collection and breakfast we set forth for Cape Depranum which was about a thrity minute drive north of our hotel and on the map looked to be a decent sort of headland for staging migrants heading north. <br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQOM6QTphcaoBySbCXIHTR_0MRP59ygeY1zM9dpJG8KpxCoxASNCOM9uXPtbWBy1SnL74yXZ6zl9zGyGWo27zp3MbtMJLLLY9EZseVEfd4IixP4pa1LlwLnH2tbjp3E5TvHDKSYOjoB8qkjqtjIkPTM7ey6Xhzlrv23E0tGqSue8Zs0NxU9BcYX9W5wB4/s750/Chapel-at-Depanarum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="750" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQOM6QTphcaoBySbCXIHTR_0MRP59ygeY1zM9dpJG8KpxCoxASNCOM9uXPtbWBy1SnL74yXZ6zl9zGyGWo27zp3MbtMJLLLY9EZseVEfd4IixP4pa1LlwLnH2tbjp3E5TvHDKSYOjoB8qkjqtjIkPTM7ey6Xhzlrv23E0tGqSue8Zs0NxU9BcYX9W5wB4/w640-h480/Chapel-at-Depanarum.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Agios Georgios Church at Cape Drepanum<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Resident birds included Chukar (L), Sardinian Warbler and Zitting Cisticola. However, migrants were tricky to find with just a few Northern Wheatears and a single Isabelline Wheatear.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcHQpU4qnxsz7hZlWUz6cGMZybbbcBkHPlYeNqdfF3qpgPtjkJivKaBpajUVX2P_lrQZhrkVWLn75Z47vS04oTcdznYiZp2qZzjcZmtYimIu6ujQz-aqqUmvE3G46TgoUqTjHf4I2tCpvw3EvLcs6EwoPxouvpxGf9m-hGxcJ8cS85XsZ0gQ-Ykn5xuqQ/s750/Sardinian3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="578" data-original-width="750" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcHQpU4qnxsz7hZlWUz6cGMZybbbcBkHPlYeNqdfF3qpgPtjkJivKaBpajUVX2P_lrQZhrkVWLn75Z47vS04oTcdznYiZp2qZzjcZmtYimIu6ujQz-aqqUmvE3G46TgoUqTjHf4I2tCpvw3EvLcs6EwoPxouvpxGf9m-hGxcJ8cS85XsZ0gQ-Ykn5xuqQ/w640-h494/Sardinian3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female Sardinian Warbler with a backdrop of Zitting Cisticola <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfn6O4ChCHGNbtKhX0U2ScjLB6LASaZjB7nJndZl5oExp2Oqtfuj8862ehN8OKy8cAFCQy6BQENscodLwuRWE15Xn4ed0ohr1qottVSANP3Rq3FipOX6sTxtIsnfats38NHRKGkHo7aX23B2IuoYJ9ch5o-P3yeS8MaUfpltHzYhPvHzmm60DSGx62mUY/s750/Sardinian4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="591" data-original-width="750" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfn6O4ChCHGNbtKhX0U2ScjLB6LASaZjB7nJndZl5oExp2Oqtfuj8862ehN8OKy8cAFCQy6BQENscodLwuRWE15Xn4ed0ohr1qottVSANP3Rq3FipOX6sTxtIsnfats38NHRKGkHo7aX23B2IuoYJ9ch5o-P3yeS8MaUfpltHzYhPvHzmm60DSGx62mUY/w640-h504/Sardinian4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sardinian Warbler <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFXmziKhlb1EFjMRnRCBf4YRNKwWCaTyVTYuNbNWimlduM_5Mra6DymnS6siWPDcyB9VOAjrn_xezxk5ni91WzLdFFa0WZRmrzyDLXrB0aIQI-NPrIHlaUITVBfHgoTakSEjIdbGF9WvX_2XZNvBljReWgnO8ZkA3mDiGqBnFo0jpu5rv8zb2HoGkgsWM/s750/FantailedWarbler3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="662" data-original-width="750" height="564" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFXmziKhlb1EFjMRnRCBf4YRNKwWCaTyVTYuNbNWimlduM_5Mra6DymnS6siWPDcyB9VOAjrn_xezxk5ni91WzLdFFa0WZRmrzyDLXrB0aIQI-NPrIHlaUITVBfHgoTakSEjIdbGF9WvX_2XZNvBljReWgnO8ZkA3mDiGqBnFo0jpu5rv8zb2HoGkgsWM/w640-h564/FantailedWarbler3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zitting Cisticola<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXW9Qz9tos1PXFXOOvK5z8uaTeACCI-oTb1yJIWtvY4ARUPenoHz84dJ8sHS1lbIQv8MMPhcWvRW9cK0fIrqbqfZsGYC7-jNhLLxSJ3URaU_6T0JC4WyckAwvOsAmiXpH4CZehP8HK2HHgwNU-9rtSgxXoDE78xMdurfUbOUuqC7Rlz3R8FZVsupIFZ2g/s750/FantailedWarbler4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="587" data-original-width="750" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXW9Qz9tos1PXFXOOvK5z8uaTeACCI-oTb1yJIWtvY4ARUPenoHz84dJ8sHS1lbIQv8MMPhcWvRW9cK0fIrqbqfZsGYC7-jNhLLxSJ3URaU_6T0JC4WyckAwvOsAmiXpH4CZehP8HK2HHgwNU-9rtSgxXoDE78xMdurfUbOUuqC7Rlz3R8FZVsupIFZ2g/w640-h500/FantailedWarbler4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zitting Cisticola<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0uqdRYJ1YE9FueeKO-ulTGr9MiWf-Yj9BRlYCtdBJUgNJzwa6mJrvV_aqHzNb6WATu173qM5uNf7lWwzImxlwpgztTTOT6KpzHwwIl1k26uVyDcmcfIuyVBqyLrZB-ebYZKYU4jx28UduY3d2Z2UgqXoy9k3FNgw88nKMbSsZ7WcFkQYSiYzoouWGHvA/s750/IsabellineWheatear9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="559" data-original-width="750" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0uqdRYJ1YE9FueeKO-ulTGr9MiWf-Yj9BRlYCtdBJUgNJzwa6mJrvV_aqHzNb6WATu173qM5uNf7lWwzImxlwpgztTTOT6KpzHwwIl1k26uVyDcmcfIuyVBqyLrZB-ebYZKYU4jx28UduY3d2Z2UgqXoy9k3FNgw88nKMbSsZ7WcFkQYSiYzoouWGHvA/w640-h478/IsabellineWheatear9.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isabelline Wheatear<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>It had been a slow start so we departed Cape Drepanum and drove 15 minutes inland to the Mavrokolympos Dam and Reservoir. <br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKzzMTUkb_NFJJCo8QHYPCgqssDW15h4Qd0KC_cDJqUJ3ypnAZ2C1hq3kTi5NX5NIPnE_ZEwjti4XoFLot839LUE2_kRjpcJFVK_-8jeiiMKphfxxcig7xlk61c5SLrBjfSviFbD8sXcX-2LcY3i8VHclGVBc7apWCIY7PuoD9CyXngBaQbYRIUfs3Q2Q/s750/Dam-Cyprus-near-Scops-Owl-site.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="750" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKzzMTUkb_NFJJCo8QHYPCgqssDW15h4Qd0KC_cDJqUJ3ypnAZ2C1hq3kTi5NX5NIPnE_ZEwjti4XoFLot839LUE2_kRjpcJFVK_-8jeiiMKphfxxcig7xlk61c5SLrBjfSviFbD8sXcX-2LcY3i8VHclGVBc7apWCIY7PuoD9CyXngBaQbYRIUfs3Q2Q/w640-h480/Dam-Cyprus-near-Scops-Owl-site.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mavrokolympos Dam and Reservoir</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>The action picked up a bit here with a trio of lifers in Cyprus Warbler, Cyprus Wheatear and Cretzschmar's Bunting. All great birds but all tricky photography subjects and only this Cyprus Warbler provided any sort of opportunity for a snap.<br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ8P9XnUlgFihJve81bfQoakEhQThHbKfr8oNdBBi1jcuJBSvKA2NnkcsInFG6LXrOBBJSSQAE4JPkKDt0u7dOT3u6bv3MypTUn7n7eG9MOUeVnk3d2Gb9JthWRqqqZqBRhIx-P-7-gB_HjAOvtovADdpLiY4tRPIOqiDqqY6xCJ27E2i3do1CvrIRZ0U/s750/CyprusWarbler1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="581" data-original-width="750" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ8P9XnUlgFihJve81bfQoakEhQThHbKfr8oNdBBi1jcuJBSvKA2NnkcsInFG6LXrOBBJSSQAE4JPkKDt0u7dOT3u6bv3MypTUn7n7eG9MOUeVnk3d2Gb9JthWRqqqZqBRhIx-P-7-gB_HjAOvtovADdpLiY4tRPIOqiDqqY6xCJ27E2i3do1CvrIRZ0U/w640-h496/CyprusWarbler1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cyprus Warbler<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>It was getting on towards late afternoon by now and we set off towards a spot called Agia Varvara where there had been recent reports of Little Crake, Collared Flycatcher and Great Spotted Cuckoo. I think over the course of our trip this was to become a firm favourite and we returned many times to this delightful spot. Apart from the above three species we also had Alpine Swift and Woodchat Shrike.<br /></p><p>Our last port of call for the day was to Mandria, which is on the coast about 20 minutes south east of Phaphos and was another spot set to feature in the coming days. In a ploughed field we encountered what was undoubtedly the largest gathering of White Wagtails I've ever seen, there were hundreds of them!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNfpbkdr2yXAhjPPZw656wnKxYjqzsPkQCXxtesCaYBZAlGok8tALlPjDdyBvgUv9LE8t78HJZrkEdSoesiYwA_p9DcrhwZrNmIxIaZIv4Xhz-pd4_I4ujDCSAKzaOnpI_hcCYBLsVoUtHoUb3ATS6AjefRB7JDo3VmpyVR5FgN3O_R7xq1yXxg0S2g4E/s750/WhiteWagtail7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="581" data-original-width="750" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNfpbkdr2yXAhjPPZw656wnKxYjqzsPkQCXxtesCaYBZAlGok8tALlPjDdyBvgUv9LE8t78HJZrkEdSoesiYwA_p9DcrhwZrNmIxIaZIv4Xhz-pd4_I4ujDCSAKzaOnpI_hcCYBLsVoUtHoUb3ATS6AjefRB7JDo3VmpyVR5FgN3O_R7xq1yXxg0S2g4E/w640-h496/WhiteWagtail7.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Wagtail<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>In a quick search of the fields closer to the sea we came across a large flock of Western Yellow Wagtails, again for me probably the largest of flock of Yellow Wagtails I've ever had the pleasure to see anywhere. The flock consisted mostly of Black-headed Wagtails (<i>feldegg</i>) with several other eastern races of Western Yellow Wagtail mixed in.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3LioAW2LKG_WrfK4Oj-AgGO1KgdSyLbJZm0COF9nOa8onBlWPDuBJLIBTvUcyWcYpZZ5tMkIAhwFExwVgEaL_PFINCwgH0TvMAGxu3VSBdQLehL6JeEEU32K8XYWaOfce7YTANjhtR8nDwvL-kchpbtwrcp0HvKZMZ_m8r3RjAZZzo1LUPwdSC2jY0GU/s750/YellowWagtailFeldegg2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="614" data-original-width="750" height="524" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3LioAW2LKG_WrfK4Oj-AgGO1KgdSyLbJZm0COF9nOa8onBlWPDuBJLIBTvUcyWcYpZZ5tMkIAhwFExwVgEaL_PFINCwgH0TvMAGxu3VSBdQLehL6JeEEU32K8XYWaOfce7YTANjhtR8nDwvL-kchpbtwrcp0HvKZMZ_m8r3RjAZZzo1LUPwdSC2jY0GU/w640-h524/YellowWagtailFeldegg2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKJaS0LSA69JwWDvGmH5e4YigQOp-C6OphknWBSozBnL0ADZL9NinzjqG5AAYMam0dbUFP6uoNgtu30m8Up-yUwGOwBp-I_t2JujFB0N_ShD_dDJs0snUx49VzotO7Syn5H7Y1rSifdT9krIt_Jr6Y_nGMKrRGFJnC_hIRblDJY4DDjMNk3LvRRNuxaZQ/s750/YellowWagtailSuperciliarisDombrowski1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="572" data-original-width="750" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKJaS0LSA69JwWDvGmH5e4YigQOp-C6OphknWBSozBnL0ADZL9NinzjqG5AAYMam0dbUFP6uoNgtu30m8Up-yUwGOwBp-I_t2JujFB0N_ShD_dDJs0snUx49VzotO7Syn5H7Y1rSifdT9krIt_Jr6Y_nGMKrRGFJnC_hIRblDJY4DDjMNk3LvRRNuxaZQ/w640-h488/YellowWagtailSuperciliarisDombrowski1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Then it was back to the hotel and time for dinner.<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891996712567136282.post-25183242938984766042022-08-24T13:16:00.002-07:002022-08-24T13:16:58.075-07:00The Phil More's Corner Podcast - Series 3 Episode 4<p>The lads have been enjoying a very extended summer break but are back now just in time for the autumn. There's plenty to catch-up on including the usual 'Mystery' call, Sean's 'sky-balling' recording career and crazy dreams to 're-wild' Ballycotton lake!</p><div id="buzzsprout-player-11197964"></div><script charset="utf-8" src="https://www.buzzsprout.com/1100051/11197964-episode-4.js?container_id=buzzsprout-player-11197964&player=small" type="text/javascript"></script>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891996712567136282.post-14427110488722276362022-06-12T11:06:00.002-07:002022-06-12T11:06:21.415-07:00Thursley Common, Surrey<p>A few weekends ago I decided to head back to the beautiful Thursley Common Nature Reserve in Elstead, Surrey. I had paid a visit in 2021 to see the famous 'Colin the Cuckoo' (scroll to the end of <a href="http://grahamsphoto.blogspot.com/2021/04/catch-up.html">this post)</a>.</p><p>This time I thought I'd try to ignore Colin and pay a bit more attention to what else the reserve has to offer. Its a good spot for Dartford Warbler, Common Redstart and Woodlark. Photos, or better still sound recordings, of any or all of those would be more than acceptable.<br /></p><p>I came across a male Common Redstart that was holding territory in a stand of mature Scot's Pines. I positoned my parabola and sat back for an whole hour to listen to him.</p><p> </p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1oYeHKk2cKD9SOnc9BWYh77R42Ke-ZH4CXjs6Lvg5FnFuWgwhJGGtK7jaxTHw1npVjZvLadv9vPouy0R-CRCxbmWHMYrpRnQ_jK_duBmezZkQ4J_xmpYSA-AP6YmG-DKt4ASQx1wvfPHG0wieNyJlsA0INWAdWNUKXFu6x8MLYvZrVbELk0xbp6sJ/s4032/IMG-1048.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1oYeHKk2cKD9SOnc9BWYh77R42Ke-ZH4CXjs6Lvg5FnFuWgwhJGGtK7jaxTHw1npVjZvLadv9vPouy0R-CRCxbmWHMYrpRnQ_jK_duBmezZkQ4J_xmpYSA-AP6YmG-DKt4ASQx1wvfPHG0wieNyJlsA0INWAdWNUKXFu6x8MLYvZrVbELk0xbp6sJ/w400-h300/IMG-1048.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table> <br /><p></p><p></p><p><iframe frameborder="0" height="220" scrolling="no" src="https://xeno-canto.org/731342/embed" width="340"></iframe> </p><p>It was only after discussing this with Sean Ronayne later on that he pointed out that Redstarts perform a lot of mimicry. Its well described in this <a href="https://soundapproach.co.uk/use-it-or-lose-it/">Sound Approach article</a>. I listened back and could pick up House Sparrow, Yellow Wagtail, European Bee-eater, Blackbird and Green Woodpecker. Have a listen to this brief snippet where the bird does the classic Green Woodpecker 'laugh' right at the end.</p><p></p><p><iframe frameborder="0" height="220" scrolling="no" src="https://xeno-canto.org/731345/embed" width="340"></iframe> </p><p>They do apparently mimic a lot of Bee-eater species that they must come across on their African wintering grounds but I could only recognise European Bee-eater and that recording wasn't exactly top quality. </p><p>If you can hear Woodlarks singing in the background then that's because there were plenty of them, including this bird singing from the top of a tree.</p><p> <iframe frameborder="0" height="220" scrolling="no" src="https://xeno-canto.org/731343/embed" width="340"></iframe></p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAQh88rw-4RipdWk8n7teJCQK7g28o40Ro1kRv_E9wL2gDsTXl_c9hmnEJB4B1QQp18gttvergxe5HVgniKPaQu5YfhEvsEyIObBU6l2kIAjDMWtvNYBKf6PZeq_lAx91M1ahvNFipm6m9VRtIW1Y142UARDNTF29FXCKDdFOgy00lxSBQ4jS3vGJh/s4032/IMG-1050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAQh88rw-4RipdWk8n7teJCQK7g28o40Ro1kRv_E9wL2gDsTXl_c9hmnEJB4B1QQp18gttvergxe5HVgniKPaQu5YfhEvsEyIObBU6l2kIAjDMWtvNYBKf6PZeq_lAx91M1ahvNFipm6m9VRtIW1Y142UARDNTF29FXCKDdFOgy00lxSBQ4jS3vGJh/w300-h400/IMG-1050.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Woodlark recorded singing from the top of this tree</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Despite my best intentions no trip to Thursley would be complete without Colin. I stopped off at the Parish Field on arrival that morning at 6.45am and needed only to wait for thirty minutes before he appeared. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdF3qAj66mLPYhD3NgPraZhu4OfgAFaLEPMK6Af5E-f4oRCYoSWk6bh8zKhEZb4NiSZfAs2mc7QrtaUJ5MFiuNr5LoewvXASx7UAqwLM_emFMzlJGBFe0Nrla8li4t9P7VBTqy9Qyj3qY6YfbmKZApYHCNSeZr_P5fqW85agXj3FzNATD7c1e1lknf/s750/Cuckoo6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="750" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdF3qAj66mLPYhD3NgPraZhu4OfgAFaLEPMK6Af5E-f4oRCYoSWk6bh8zKhEZb4NiSZfAs2mc7QrtaUJ5MFiuNr5LoewvXASx7UAqwLM_emFMzlJGBFe0Nrla8li4t9P7VBTqy9Qyj3qY6YfbmKZApYHCNSeZr_P5fqW85agXj3FzNATD7c1e1lknf/w640-h460/Cuckoo6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdmksMG_ojcvaK6MyIfV0_p5-R1o4dgPAcEq5FHo0MXdmduE0D5dxeIQt5vnueJJfCjrHkXFfepPMn0TgU68zsY4OLzeLhF2YQJlW_tqaiwc4ehtkhcmT0bCFwGqqDRe0dn8eb-E8hU4mQpJSP3YjC2V0VsgCztAJxIzukad3Vr4UlPYMpIWYl2fbo/s750/Cuckoo7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="492" data-original-width="750" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdmksMG_ojcvaK6MyIfV0_p5-R1o4dgPAcEq5FHo0MXdmduE0D5dxeIQt5vnueJJfCjrHkXFfepPMn0TgU68zsY4OLzeLhF2YQJlW_tqaiwc4ehtkhcmT0bCFwGqqDRe0dn8eb-E8hU4mQpJSP3YjC2V0VsgCztAJxIzukad3Vr4UlPYMpIWYl2fbo/w640-h420/Cuckoo7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYArAVVpBCySKcW5SbAWUFsd9RuVCy-x55oLiQqIr_qIND-6FbSKRrNx7wG-9lpp_mFt8ctu_ZD4jvE8ofzlgdsaLESz7mnIWc8N5XBI5RbN3udHw2Z3XZSL1ELPr3AwHcTZgIDQmMeHcMzOSKEeAM2VdfqZ4sCrjjto8pNxFd-UU0YxjhK1YkeBCr/s750/Cuckoo8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="605" data-original-width="750" height="516" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYArAVVpBCySKcW5SbAWUFsd9RuVCy-x55oLiQqIr_qIND-6FbSKRrNx7wG-9lpp_mFt8ctu_ZD4jvE8ofzlgdsaLESz7mnIWc8N5XBI5RbN3udHw2Z3XZSL1ELPr3AwHcTZgIDQmMeHcMzOSKEeAM2VdfqZ4sCrjjto8pNxFd-UU0YxjhK1YkeBCr/w640-h516/Cuckoo8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>I know its like 'shooting fish in a barrell' but I don't care, what a stunning chap. I wish him well on yet another return trip to Africa!<br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891996712567136282.post-66470206628888784722022-06-07T12:32:00.000-07:002022-06-07T12:32:20.733-07:00Local Patch Birding<p>This year 5km from home has become 10km from home adding some new sites for me such as Whitlingham Country Park, Thorpe Marshes and Hosford Woods. That's all good but on the down side it had been agreed that nocmig records should only count for half a point. My total last year was 129 species and I estimated a possible 140 for 2022 but as we near the halfway mark of the year I'm only on 105 and its not looking like I'll hit 140.</p><p>However, it's not about the numbers it's about the enjoyment and that certainly hasn't dipped. I've added several species to my local list that I hadn't previously recorded. Bittern, Goosander, Smew, Shag, Glossy Ibis, Nightjar and Firecrest were all new. </p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Fbef1T3T9W0Qc3kF6lMVYztxwrBGxim3PGo_5Sv1w0PZ9Zcd4hgGKVI7x0UOgWa7AEjUYFxHVMtK8ZwecXwiJYTqzaawqu4jbKJOjpx6EmgB7Lrp_x9BotRT_eUcvQ2XdFaJfTKstvnFNR0ARK6QgyIohOWaq6c7lzOSE7LWoqEvE8lCaksWgOB-/s750/Goosander4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="519" data-original-width="750" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Fbef1T3T9W0Qc3kF6lMVYztxwrBGxim3PGo_5Sv1w0PZ9Zcd4hgGKVI7x0UOgWa7AEjUYFxHVMtK8ZwecXwiJYTqzaawqu4jbKJOjpx6EmgB7Lrp_x9BotRT_eUcvQ2XdFaJfTKstvnFNR0ARK6QgyIohOWaq6c7lzOSE7LWoqEvE8lCaksWgOB-/w400-h276/Goosander4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goosander, UEA Broad, January 2022<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwX_ccmb9VfNb_yplIdlvJu6toojsEU0v8dXIRqahvgkTsMYmuuFHxWHMCUUn5ulrz9jeFuchgPishkU8FazmHy4Coch2mgph7u50pGqbK7HAhnJDRQSf0rjjqawCVBiRIfNF5RPMKMRvh6s4K4xN3qk0JUifUeUv9YOBLRaJdZJu6Qw4pPZ5SLLTl/s750/Smew1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="522" data-original-width="750" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwX_ccmb9VfNb_yplIdlvJu6toojsEU0v8dXIRqahvgkTsMYmuuFHxWHMCUUn5ulrz9jeFuchgPishkU8FazmHy4Coch2mgph7u50pGqbK7HAhnJDRQSf0rjjqawCVBiRIfNF5RPMKMRvh6s4K4xN3qk0JUifUeUv9YOBLRaJdZJu6Qw4pPZ5SLLTl/w400-h279/Smew1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smew, Taverham, Norwich, February 2022<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1bOMLPQ3ggYrHEfZDK3Rqo7yZkyE79phRexTuu9TKA-k_HsAeNVGyIORJO7ndFs8q6fUkPzDEOeQaNEKen5AjMSQgdgadz_MpomR5m0RmvE4X3gqrPh9qrv0WCGCgxP6OsoiRs6ib4aNBY7xQzr1XqVWBmwtcUkkH984QMi6ZN2fC-fqw0eWUFIVR/s750/Smew2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="522" data-original-width="750" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1bOMLPQ3ggYrHEfZDK3Rqo7yZkyE79phRexTuu9TKA-k_HsAeNVGyIORJO7ndFs8q6fUkPzDEOeQaNEKen5AjMSQgdgadz_MpomR5m0RmvE4X3gqrPh9qrv0WCGCgxP6OsoiRs6ib4aNBY7xQzr1XqVWBmwtcUkkH984QMi6ZN2fC-fqw0eWUFIVR/w400-h279/Smew2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smew, Taverham, Norwich, February 2022</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicOBPhemGCpw-DFXmGonWgsmdGWhstrXsSWhcLvULmOBY9OXyTy5NOogM2DrXvRfMfM44CX8NJQ9-0Px_bwLG9XEAu-7kDiJVDr6Dr8Nej6uXB6iqmMMy62atXIddAguZMBi25Z4KtANIHo9z5GNpBJd0zwx3p5GfLR_iujOTQU3a9XSYg_zgFNPnj/s750/GlossyIbis3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="556" data-original-width="750" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicOBPhemGCpw-DFXmGonWgsmdGWhstrXsSWhcLvULmOBY9OXyTy5NOogM2DrXvRfMfM44CX8NJQ9-0Px_bwLG9XEAu-7kDiJVDr6Dr8Nej6uXB6iqmMMy62atXIddAguZMBi25Z4KtANIHo9z5GNpBJd0zwx3p5GfLR_iujOTQU3a9XSYg_zgFNPnj/w640-h474/GlossyIbis3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glossy Ibis, West Earlham Marsh, Norwich, April<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5BzDF05Os1upxnNjO9Aw0fp8vGhPTspBI_6knh0RtGRjXPbBMN3T-KIcDwvSE8U9SbhQfpCDwGjwTMVTR_pqKxj8AF_iB1siNEI2rCOdARiV_ldheaxVn5b_fO-FA1ZPpOHM-cFOV9Rs8sfLULoEuYpfIw9rxCnV_5_zKtl5pcIPc3lhdFKTpyBif/s750/EuropeanNightjar5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="508" data-original-width="750" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5BzDF05Os1upxnNjO9Aw0fp8vGhPTspBI_6knh0RtGRjXPbBMN3T-KIcDwvSE8U9SbhQfpCDwGjwTMVTR_pqKxj8AF_iB1siNEI2rCOdARiV_ldheaxVn5b_fO-FA1ZPpOHM-cFOV9Rs8sfLULoEuYpfIw9rxCnV_5_zKtl5pcIPc3lhdFKTpyBif/w640-h434/EuropeanNightjar5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">European Nightjar, May 2022<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Whilst I missed out on any nocmig recordings of Ring Ouzel, I did manage this female bird on West Earlham Marsh during the Easter weekend.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNQgi__VxPfnK6o8ZgvHdzEdIXnnMRpDkvphri38XdtLJkcZGJPLYEhbT1rTU6qjEnD9eMFTfJkhvpXdVr7MxqJ7vZyUM0tfgnGRoNb9iGMGSVe0ix6UHFEo_LPP0pfhM4eihvJRcFlMcHykXExl7HHH1Gk19kfVEcTWMfsN_wPMvTjsbivHRAAK37/s671/RingOuzel11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="494" data-original-width="671" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNQgi__VxPfnK6o8ZgvHdzEdIXnnMRpDkvphri38XdtLJkcZGJPLYEhbT1rTU6qjEnD9eMFTfJkhvpXdVr7MxqJ7vZyUM0tfgnGRoNb9iGMGSVe0ix6UHFEo_LPP0pfhM4eihvJRcFlMcHykXExl7HHH1Gk19kfVEcTWMfsN_wPMvTjsbivHRAAK37/w640-h472/RingOuzel11.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The dictionary definition of 'record shot' - female Ring Ouzel, West Earlham, Norwich<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>My previous blog entry of <a href="http://grahamsphoto.blogspot.com/2022/06/nocmig-update.html">Nocmig Update</a> will give you a better flavour for what I recorded flying over the garden so far but Hawfinch, Spotted Flycatcher, Lesser Whitethroat and Spotted Crake were the highlights. </p><p>Notable absences so far include Coal Tit and Grey Wagtail but I expect with a little effort I'll pick these up before the year is out. A dry spring has meant I've not done well on waders, Common Sandpiper, Whimbrel and Curlew are all missing so far but still possible.<br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891996712567136282.post-67717912811382967632022-06-06T10:32:00.020-07:002022-06-06T12:05:00.843-07:00Nocmig Update<p>Now is a good time to do a quick nocmig update before we reach the half-way point of 2022, so lets take a look at the first half of the year.<br /></p><p>In January and February I only recorded on four nights and even then there was very little of note save for the odd Teal and Oystercatcher.</p><p>In early March though I got busier and recorded as often as conditions would allow. Wigeon were on the move from the middle of the month as were Teal (although to a slightly lesser extent). In mid-March until at least early April there was a regular movement of Water Rail.</p><p> <iframe frameborder="0" height="220" scrolling="no" src="https://xeno-canto.org/729666/embed" width="340"></iframe> </p><p>I had four seperate flocks of Common Scoter on the night of the 3rd / 4th April. Here's one of those flocks. <br /></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><iframe frameborder="0" height="220" scrolling="no" src="https://xeno-canto.org/729668/embed" width="340"></iframe> </p><p>Redwing return passage started in early March and peaked at the end of the month and on some nights they were passing non-stop. As expected I managed to record the odd Fieldfare mixed in with the Redwing.</p><p> <iframe frameborder="0" height="220" scrolling="no" src="https://xeno-canto.org/729669/embed" width="340"></iframe> </p><p>Just as I was anticipating Ring Ouzels to pass, my nocmig recorder packed in. By the time I had replaced it, the Ring Ouzels had moved through and I'd missed my chance. But I need not have despaired as the best was yet to come!</p><p>On the night of the 4th May I recorded this Lesser Whitethroat at 00:30 hours. </p><p></p><p><iframe frameborder="0" height="220" scrolling="no" src="https://xeno-canto.org/727239/embed" width="340"></iframe> </p><p>I'm still not clear if this was a local bird moving around or a migrant. <br /></p><p>Thirty minutes later on the same night I recorded my first Hawfinch, which as you'd expect I was over the moon about.</p><p> <iframe frameborder="0" height="220" scrolling="no" src="https://xeno-canto.org/722320/embed" width="340"></iframe></p><p>I had it down as 'unknown' at first but soon cleared that confusion up when I consulted with Sean.</p><p>On 14th May I recorded my first and probably overdue Spotted Flycatcher.</p><p> <iframe frameborder="0" height="220" scrolling="no" src="https://xeno-canto.org/727238/embed" width="340"></iframe></p><p>And on 22 May I struck gold with this Spotted Crake.</p><p><iframe frameborder="0" height="220" scrolling="no" src="https://xeno-canto.org/726770/embed" width="340"></iframe> </p><p>Work commitments meant I wasn't able to start checking areas of suitable habitat at dusk for singing Crakes but given the time of year it's possible it's a local bird rather than a migrant. They are a description species in Norfolk but surely they are under-recorded?</p><p>For now my gear is packed away but I will unpack it again towards the end of the month as the waders start heading back.<br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891996712567136282.post-11714055462036713362022-06-05T10:49:00.001-07:002022-06-05T10:49:14.500-07:00Southern Portugal - Part 4<p>As you'd expect, another 6am start. This time though on a cooler, windier and more cloudy day. We returned to our Bustard spot from <a href="http://grahamsphoto.blogspot.com/2022/05/southern-portugal-part-2.html">Day 2</a> and enjoyed decent views of two birds.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkgq-nNPq6QJdELz_P3i8wLD0hKJ2bHfdLZf95-h05Jy906yObIoUF8FyvSet2IztTOR7-U-QZ2g8-nxnExzOo9feyYESKSMLPAgIpl9gJMsWURRuUlBPTHKGp2YFzT95ZoIpYljRAezQTSjDNx_BIPKf9qSYtpQjOVG2CILWBq-ISOt0_3zymFAQf/s750/GreatBustard1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="750" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkgq-nNPq6QJdELz_P3i8wLD0hKJ2bHfdLZf95-h05Jy906yObIoUF8FyvSet2IztTOR7-U-QZ2g8-nxnExzOo9feyYESKSMLPAgIpl9gJMsWURRuUlBPTHKGp2YFzT95ZoIpYljRAezQTSjDNx_BIPKf9qSYtpQjOVG2CILWBq-ISOt0_3zymFAQf/w400-h300/GreatBustard1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great Bustard<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>We also gave the Roller spot from <a href="http://grahamsphoto.blogspot.com/2022/05/southern-portugal-part-3.html">Day 3</a> a second go and had a fly-past view of three Black-bellied Sandgrouse and a Greater Short-toed Lark near the farm. Raptors included Griffon Vulture, Short-toed Eagle, Black Kite and Booted Eagle. At the reservoir the Collared Pratincole and Little Ringed Plovers were still present and a Dartford Warbler flicked around some small Olive trees. </p><p>Time caught up with us and we soon needed to return to the cottage, clean up and pack. We drove back to Faro airport, reflecting on a great trip and discussing plans for our next one - the deserts of Morocco and Western Sahara to mop up what we missed in <a href="http://grahamsphoto.blogspot.com/2013/05/birding-in-morocco-part-one.html">2013</a> and <a href="http://grahamsphoto.blogspot.com/2018/04/western-sahara-part-one.html">2018</a>, Cyprus, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Japan, Armenia or even Azerbaijan. We're undecided at the moment but enjoying the conundrum.</p><p>All in all a great trip, if our schedules had permitted we would have gone in mid-April to enjoy more migrants and avoid the heat (it was nearly 40 degrees on some afternoons). We got all our gen from the excellent David Gosney's book 'Finding Birds in Southern Portugal', also from a friend of Nick's called Hugo who he knows through his time counting raptors in Batumi and whatever else we could glean from other birders we met in the field. Car rental was through Centauro, flights with Ryanair. For food we mostly self-catered. Portugese beer was more than Ok - Sagres or Superbock and the regional wine was excellent. I had eight lifers in total as follows:</p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Great Bustard</li><li>Little Bustard</li><li>Black-bellied Sandgrouse</li><li>Red-necked Nightjar</li><li>Calandra Lark</li><li>Western Black-eared Wheatear</li><li>Iberian Grey Shrike</li><li>Iberian or Azure-winged Magpie</li></ul><p> Plus a number of species that I hadn't seen for a while or had previously seen only once before like Great-spotted Cuckoo and White-rumped Swift.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891996712567136282.post-83632849680719140632022-05-31T12:17:00.001-07:002022-05-31T12:17:49.625-07:00Southern Portugal - Part 3<p>Once more we were out the door by 6:30am. First stop was a return to the previous day's location where we had Montagu's Harrier. That morning there were five birds but they'd moved several fields away so views weren't as good. However, the morning air was filled with the sound of singing Calandra Larks.</p><p><br /></p><p></p><p></p><p><iframe frameborder="0" height="220" scrolling="no" src="https://xeno-canto.org/727006/embed" width="340"></iframe> </p><p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaG_fG1exN8UpGTmSjZCqrja1U8rK-uE8PgdAoRvMsARfcnAL7UIAKtpPrxXXxCO6gTLe4QJpmo6upuoG_yYv_9pC3gQ_po5uBqCTFM9jakm3FxBulzV1nyi9wRZrnLKCxL34dI7LTB1GGZCZcfim34bBrHa944CO64GmaprDA5sPQuEEwF9t375KL/s750/Calandra-Lark.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="617" data-original-width="750" height="329" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaG_fG1exN8UpGTmSjZCqrja1U8rK-uE8PgdAoRvMsARfcnAL7UIAKtpPrxXXxCO6gTLe4QJpmo6upuoG_yYv_9pC3gQ_po5uBqCTFM9jakm3FxBulzV1nyi9wRZrnLKCxL34dI7LTB1GGZCZcfim34bBrHa944CO64GmaprDA5sPQuEEwF9t375KL/w400-h329/Calandra-Lark.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Calandra Lark</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Plus we were treated to this flight displaying Little Bustard.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK9ueokl5Y1wZORZ8Xgr8vBkDUlV0D7ZFaoLsARIxHHkWbwBsw3JKtOWaxKkODSjHYsho0Dc4H7bEnb7lE28j3aQ4B-PJEuTxZ0mSps7EOpZmq3FxBjiKvQzeTtoymL4CMIp6L7OBvuSzpMFbH8zHcGZqiZ9pWicnBTYAuvQRO3x71EU1e_gjm7BNJ/s750/LittleBustard1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="750" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK9ueokl5Y1wZORZ8Xgr8vBkDUlV0D7ZFaoLsARIxHHkWbwBsw3JKtOWaxKkODSjHYsho0Dc4H7bEnb7lE28j3aQ4B-PJEuTxZ0mSps7EOpZmq3FxBjiKvQzeTtoymL4CMIp6L7OBvuSzpMFbH8zHcGZqiZ9pWicnBTYAuvQRO3x71EU1e_gjm7BNJ/w400-h299/LittleBustard1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Little Bustard</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Its easy to forget and take for granted how many great species we were seeing on a very regular basis. Woodchat Shrikes, Zitting Cisticolas, Sardinian and Cetti's Warblers were common and practically every piece of water had at least one Black-winged Stilt on it. Corn Buntings and Crested Larks were abundant (Thekla are present too and apparently both apperance and song overlap so even experienced local birders struggle to seperate them, however we both agreed that most of what we saw were probably Crested and not Thekla Larks, but what do we know!). White Storks were well established and many nests had little Storks present. Plus, and I didn't know this before, Spanish Sparrows create colonies within White Stork nests.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ_50txc3N-xwLUoYpgVckMSjjWi5ZdFLKFSGqiK5LrDaRYKd8oGigZ4YR4bg3gSpuqAjM68ABsH-3_OGR3xWFKub2I8uPni3e7FWtGZE6tjYqjX4Edl0vtbJcnrgTggqfgqFzSVTs0H60jB7_ajv5-sSNWclV2Jf0oWWWyZh6mfZ-WHSOUC6LrekM/s750/CornBunting3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="565" data-original-width="750" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ_50txc3N-xwLUoYpgVckMSjjWi5ZdFLKFSGqiK5LrDaRYKd8oGigZ4YR4bg3gSpuqAjM68ABsH-3_OGR3xWFKub2I8uPni3e7FWtGZE6tjYqjX4Edl0vtbJcnrgTggqfgqFzSVTs0H60jB7_ajv5-sSNWclV2Jf0oWWWyZh6mfZ-WHSOUC6LrekM/w640-h482/CornBunting3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Corn Bunting</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpVxow1d5TkAV7wyVi2EAExYY_AwTMEjfzKVLlIDvqZ2rl5JogysTm3RfIXRyV0zWRYJL6gi3II30341819QmCTh281zOHgXKnsNItZ441y0Y0NvM4Y5B1c3eNIbr-WV1mRrmncXcGfw2wmuBgSdUBUXqzEzj_ht7xMnyrFlh9gkk9quGQaIKENZAU/s750/WhiteStork3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="561" data-original-width="750" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpVxow1d5TkAV7wyVi2EAExYY_AwTMEjfzKVLlIDvqZ2rl5JogysTm3RfIXRyV0zWRYJL6gi3II30341819QmCTh281zOHgXKnsNItZ441y0Y0NvM4Y5B1c3eNIbr-WV1mRrmncXcGfw2wmuBgSdUBUXqzEzj_ht7xMnyrFlh9gkk9quGQaIKENZAU/w640-h478/WhiteStork3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">White Stork</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNqm00F3CehQHiuXJ3SVUeP6Hi8NI7IVcGBEREmcZHt9uERk-lVVA39QrEduLHtOuDMOfRQLq3HTRy9H-fPjWxML6VGPs7tgB5R1SqdjsTkfFRUUCb9TWZJdAXGSf1KYGD9N_Ar2TJQ1SEMjq__jnLCGJ78px_6zjzE6D4eOCj7uSsLV1Z0V7OEK2c/s750/Spanish-Sparrow.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="631" data-original-width="750" height="538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNqm00F3CehQHiuXJ3SVUeP6Hi8NI7IVcGBEREmcZHt9uERk-lVVA39QrEduLHtOuDMOfRQLq3HTRy9H-fPjWxML6VGPs7tgB5R1SqdjsTkfFRUUCb9TWZJdAXGSf1KYGD9N_Ar2TJQ1SEMjq__jnLCGJ78px_6zjzE6D4eOCj7uSsLV1Z0V7OEK2c/w640-h538/Spanish-Sparrow.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Spanish Sparrow at White Stork nest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0uoPULuj3tr3HdsZkadqGeZMIQsZB9gz0PmzLK6rChWeM9l5vZv25pfYnVH0-9jDy8CP29x3w37sHHG056B57iutIHQgIQFSr92HjLBTA6OqQ86IHUFSqvfB4bPcsSjebkWZfdGsGhmJqvDtc1zHInvO90POWeB3S5os730gGCsTivIcioIDCpWf4/s750/CrestedLark1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="591" data-original-width="750" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0uoPULuj3tr3HdsZkadqGeZMIQsZB9gz0PmzLK6rChWeM9l5vZv25pfYnVH0-9jDy8CP29x3w37sHHG056B57iutIHQgIQFSr92HjLBTA6OqQ86IHUFSqvfB4bPcsSjebkWZfdGsGhmJqvDtc1zHInvO90POWeB3S5os730gGCsTivIcioIDCpWf4/w640-h504/CrestedLark1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Crested Lark</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p> We made a second stop at the raptor watch-point Senhora do Aracelis where we had better views of the male Western Black-eared Wheatear from the previous day.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigTHgs_8fg9WZ6LUCvHhSZM0VRduKPAE_BgpaXw8xC2R-9QrYgN9-OE4rHiL8Fukbx-pj75IuMb6-Aj_55gi6febBF5XUcF0JyQGbqBoBbzL3TUnBgM_dyMmSjf_8eFLOz9dvSbt5k9Pv97UlHi-URAslSSJRyRKaKVxMaK-Ko5GZwXEr1UaATujhH/s750/Black-earedWheatear3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="750" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigTHgs_8fg9WZ6LUCvHhSZM0VRduKPAE_BgpaXw8xC2R-9QrYgN9-OE4rHiL8Fukbx-pj75IuMb6-Aj_55gi6febBF5XUcF0JyQGbqBoBbzL3TUnBgM_dyMmSjf_8eFLOz9dvSbt5k9Pv97UlHi-URAslSSJRyRKaKVxMaK-Ko5GZwXEr1UaATujhH/w640-h486/Black-earedWheatear3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Western Black-eared Wheatear</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>And a Golden Oriole sang from the surrounding Eucalyptus trees.</p><p></p><p><iframe frameborder="0" height="220" scrolling="no" src="https://xeno-canto.org/727004/embed" width="340"></iframe> </p><p>With the daytime temperature in the high thirties, we returned to the cottage where I hit the wall and slept for several hours. Whilst I slept, Nick did the dirty dishes (thanks) and soon enough we were back out birding again although it was still hot. We stopped along a track off the N123 to Monte da Apariça. where the land owner has installed nest boxes on the power line pylons for Rollers. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoVvO5XmgaBs6gdZYMMEasVgDIqUJKo6jqJZAQw8aM6WLr4IFNJnrTzOz33LMrYlScCeSaln90DbNq04-vfYciLavb6VYW9H1b0QSMCJMveK2fTAMMFcU5EQyXNkcnaguTnxq99nLz0ei7JJ4qw8sVWJQ7xHVcTAbGWRqDoTmMRq1aQ9mBx16DZvis/s750/Roller4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="523" data-original-width="750" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoVvO5XmgaBs6gdZYMMEasVgDIqUJKo6jqJZAQw8aM6WLr4IFNJnrTzOz33LMrYlScCeSaln90DbNq04-vfYciLavb6VYW9H1b0QSMCJMveK2fTAMMFcU5EQyXNkcnaguTnxq99nLz0ei7JJ4qw8sVWJQ7xHVcTAbGWRqDoTmMRq1aQ9mBx16DZvis/w640-h446/Roller4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">European Roller</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGEr7X1Xua3VPnKb4gI0kNxLKoXwzSc-C4l3wSkcYebT8VgnKpVYY3z6QrCiCw3Ze3l2yMoPTxQMqyVG2HQIwbx7hFEdHREbCTLpHWtXkIKd3H_rKiBYVok69P4uB23cpECSglnbSbxdENgw2I-DwskED_i40vgWizptZDjbQHgnMgse8glRBGeeom/s750/Roller5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="613" data-original-width="750" height="524" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGEr7X1Xua3VPnKb4gI0kNxLKoXwzSc-C4l3wSkcYebT8VgnKpVYY3z6QrCiCw3Ze3l2yMoPTxQMqyVG2HQIwbx7hFEdHREbCTLpHWtXkIKd3H_rKiBYVok69P4uB23cpECSglnbSbxdENgw2I-DwskED_i40vgWizptZDjbQHgnMgse8glRBGeeom/w640-h524/Roller5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">European Roller</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Plus there were two Hoopoes, one of whom obliged for a brief photo.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLh6ADQG9o7NSKLV5JBSd6Rr5YilF_01QQ7DiO3hRn91kOKAyzbeq3hiy3u3v48WR1qvinkJSDUBXaQ-BTQHE2b0ne0MG2t3gf0x5g2SXWjA2wIQ2fUVttSOtC5w8YZXnuge46a2xWaQ4jeZh-IyoVDi5cAMRCqzAzjTStEUPHk-xoQq6lAjpJWZjY/s750/Hoopoe8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="595" data-original-width="750" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLh6ADQG9o7NSKLV5JBSd6Rr5YilF_01QQ7DiO3hRn91kOKAyzbeq3hiy3u3v48WR1qvinkJSDUBXaQ-BTQHE2b0ne0MG2t3gf0x5g2SXWjA2wIQ2fUVttSOtC5w8YZXnuge46a2xWaQ4jeZh-IyoVDi5cAMRCqzAzjTStEUPHk-xoQq6lAjpJWZjY/w640-h508/Hoopoe8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3lx5_YU7dJhyaAALTbIAnGCf4XSJInlQ1nee0LsEzlYJiId6Zi7SG8y6qUQdLEmrRJnscvd_hht8E-NTfOMNNXSe4IHe4rURGxL4tM-K_3RDvNMn332PEEiUY3ib5EqRvi6AQvPNqKRCx5AcO_S0DUxLDPVEQMdNpJWWw-CnyWgbfxlxqcT8RD_Tn/s750/Hoopoe9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="750" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3lx5_YU7dJhyaAALTbIAnGCf4XSJInlQ1nee0LsEzlYJiId6Zi7SG8y6qUQdLEmrRJnscvd_hht8E-NTfOMNNXSe4IHe4rURGxL4tM-K_3RDvNMn332PEEiUY3ib5EqRvi6AQvPNqKRCx5AcO_S0DUxLDPVEQMdNpJWWw-CnyWgbfxlxqcT8RD_Tn/w640-h512/Hoopoe9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw3AK9y7Z2RKexiEXA7sem7qadsaXg1fuHbYW7UA1QDOnXJ9xprhXYdaBNCa80KKy6GyxX68xMHzqidiLIc-qP_m8puf-IUCAi8g2J-OTxh6S6cwQgqqx77mWR88PjCqUchZyC33kjsOt_iZIW7VoRN1M86fqEzS_Jgghmke-4gj4sX3WXAGDK5J5P/s750/Hoopoe10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="573" data-original-width="750" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw3AK9y7Z2RKexiEXA7sem7qadsaXg1fuHbYW7UA1QDOnXJ9xprhXYdaBNCa80KKy6GyxX68xMHzqidiLIc-qP_m8puf-IUCAi8g2J-OTxh6S6cwQgqqx77mWR88PjCqUchZyC33kjsOt_iZIW7VoRN1M86fqEzS_Jgghmke-4gj4sX3WXAGDK5J5P/w640-h488/Hoopoe10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> <span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Hoopoe</span><br /><p>A spot outside Mertola for Iberian Green Woodpecker was unsuccessful insofar as we didn't see or hear that species there but Nick did find a Western Orphean Warbler (which was new for the site going by eBird). Plus, a purring Turtle Dove on the wires was nice.</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrvK7TN9dTazW11O6qSG4gEtyOW0krDIpSOVv7vG8XUqRlxCjMnWgaSmENP0R0EKPX0eRm4_AIZQxFvxx7jmyRLzneScIMVwvxyaxI5-6X-y3datI72b5DUh78UT7udDJsx4puC3Kpb9a8cxJodP8LPFJbF8ZsHkxlmOe8RHRKA6h3jxGaOG4SR0vS/s750/TurtleDove1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="589" data-original-width="750" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrvK7TN9dTazW11O6qSG4gEtyOW0krDIpSOVv7vG8XUqRlxCjMnWgaSmENP0R0EKPX0eRm4_AIZQxFvxx7jmyRLzneScIMVwvxyaxI5-6X-y3datI72b5DUh78UT7udDJsx4puC3Kpb9a8cxJodP8LPFJbF8ZsHkxlmOe8RHRKA6h3jxGaOG4SR0vS/w640-h502/TurtleDove1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Turtle Dove, Mertola</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>We made a quick stop in Mertola so I could run to the pharmacy to get cream for my insanely itchy mosquito bites. I shopped while Nick apologised to the local Polizei for my bad driving and even worse parking - sorry Nick!</p><p>Our final stop of the day was an abandoned Copper mine - the Sao Domingo mine where we would have the best chance of seeing White-rumped Swift. This was a bizzare and surreal location. I could try to describe it but I think the photos do a better job. Despite the environmental impact mining has clearly had, nature was starting to re-establish itself and we had great birds there. Two White-rumped Swifts, 2-3 Black-eared Wheatear, Blue Rock Thrush, Crag and House Martins, European Bee-eaters, Red-rumped Swallows and Common Swifts. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL7OC5aKe3kitrpJ6MxB3E8cgPG3m4AXdNSE1PEfUD-UJ-GI0i9K7O-9YSosKPtH0a9W6CkpoZcUoQjUEAKFOCTmd0HRIXvbr49deo8b3qVuWTutHvJrmIFS1kSDPka77aODLVuSY2sY0BJgnT3YZy3E3t8MZv8uiJM2oXceOjoFL5kZxGJoToPe3I/s4032/IMG_1040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL7OC5aKe3kitrpJ6MxB3E8cgPG3m4AXdNSE1PEfUD-UJ-GI0i9K7O-9YSosKPtH0a9W6CkpoZcUoQjUEAKFOCTmd0HRIXvbr49deo8b3qVuWTutHvJrmIFS1kSDPka77aODLVuSY2sY0BJgnT3YZy3E3t8MZv8uiJM2oXceOjoFL5kZxGJoToPe3I/w640-h480/IMG_1040.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkp8tlmAX7r6jt7y9z-OiDWVUW9uiWi-KfDsh89xajRelZEPfvdOc3R5rOfI_fPPV9vAKrHfkYSBn4QiWfv1ci_URu0-JfXLq2vsbgfdN7O2GmbRKp5nJARtKrqDFONYlaVYnZc4PH5SFHWRS7mj0sVRf457ryUMBFEX20EdrfyrL_7UOtEBzYw2rW/s4032/IMG_1041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkp8tlmAX7r6jt7y9z-OiDWVUW9uiWi-KfDsh89xajRelZEPfvdOc3R5rOfI_fPPV9vAKrHfkYSBn4QiWfv1ci_URu0-JfXLq2vsbgfdN7O2GmbRKp5nJARtKrqDFONYlaVYnZc4PH5SFHWRS7mj0sVRf457ryUMBFEX20EdrfyrL_7UOtEBzYw2rW/w640-h480/IMG_1041.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyAqAPXvZ8s-X28iWh-IMfFogtfWJVbcrZKfSaqL9Aw011VaIWGQuRw9zz3JyBhRiUgRXK8nvVI_V0X0B4yOYWJZUddDqsneaWnGR0doO0P5bYumRj5F3kCltoo_UAoUVpW277YBKArTm05JpfNZBR5oaWX4qq8n-TQyoBs_Mn-hx8EHdEUwb1BP5x/s4032/IMG_1042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyAqAPXvZ8s-X28iWh-IMfFogtfWJVbcrZKfSaqL9Aw011VaIWGQuRw9zz3JyBhRiUgRXK8nvVI_V0X0B4yOYWJZUddDqsneaWnGR0doO0P5bYumRj5F3kCltoo_UAoUVpW277YBKArTm05JpfNZBR5oaWX4qq8n-TQyoBs_Mn-hx8EHdEUwb1BP5x/w640-h480/IMG_1042.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sao Domingo Mine</span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjauwa0fMK_cSr7ZGGAnNBgRaIRj_L_tXp0tU6mTx_qH6DdS4yOlexV_Gl8BZRRNI_qffDLlUfScoCg1VjP4dCQFWlPF6qvUHMbQkNQjv6wAmfA16XGkuIvUUiAfhqaAbRrl6EggA1VmKER1uPjPywj6TQrwzwhCq7wvZ4qowggyCVBCZYXCTS5WmAJ/s750/White-rumped-Swift.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="566" data-original-width="750" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjauwa0fMK_cSr7ZGGAnNBgRaIRj_L_tXp0tU6mTx_qH6DdS4yOlexV_Gl8BZRRNI_qffDLlUfScoCg1VjP4dCQFWlPF6qvUHMbQkNQjv6wAmfA16XGkuIvUUiAfhqaAbRrl6EggA1VmKER1uPjPywj6TQrwzwhCq7wvZ4qowggyCVBCZYXCTS5WmAJ/w640-h482/White-rumped-Swift.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">White-rumped Swift</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>If it wasn't getting so late I'd have happily stayed here an hour longer, but we were hungry and wanted to stop off at a restaurant that had been recommended to us earlier in the trip. They couldn't understand us and we couldn't read the Portugese menu but they took one look at us and figured 'Steak and chips' for these lads. And that's what we got, along with local cheese, sausage and bread. Perfect!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj88F0KRPoDiXmH-9bFVHLVL_70h5SCyJ5yqi34IVj7F_Qi_bHEKuqnwx9w8kpusBmMcLxRUrx9oeFrEw8YO1xDZeXO6IFk14fs0Qb2k_l-wtZPV6ZpDpcjz65Kb_Ups63Q_d-b5Jvf34aEx2vrPAq3SJ4vcEwlyR7Bm_sEuKoENVZ8NFgxEgAraYbr/s4032/IMG_1043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj88F0KRPoDiXmH-9bFVHLVL_70h5SCyJ5yqi34IVj7F_Qi_bHEKuqnwx9w8kpusBmMcLxRUrx9oeFrEw8YO1xDZeXO6IFk14fs0Qb2k_l-wtZPV6ZpDpcjz65Kb_Ups63Q_d-b5Jvf34aEx2vrPAq3SJ4vcEwlyR7Bm_sEuKoENVZ8NFgxEgAraYbr/w640-h480/IMG_1043.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p>We managed to share one beer between us before crashing into our beds shortly before midnight!<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891996712567136282.post-77287120478264766292022-05-30T10:52:00.014-07:002022-05-31T12:25:24.791-07:00Southern Portugal - Part 2<p>Despite a broken nights sleep, I had set the alarm for 6am and we were up and on the road by 6.30am. We stopped briefly when Nick picked up a Great Spotted Cuckoo perched on the telegraph wires above a small olive grove. From there we pressed on to a spot we had for Great and Little Bustard, both of which we managed to see, albeit distantly. Two more lifers!</p><p>As the morning warmed up we headed for a small hill between Castro Verde and Mertola called Senhora de Aracelis. This afforded us nice views of the plains and as the air warmed up we hoped to pick up some soaring raptors lifting on thermals. The track up to this hill passed through open country side where we had plenty of Crested Lark, Corn Buntings and <i>'rubicola</i>' Stonechats. We also had a female Western Black -eared Wheatear which was a long awaited lifer for me (although I still really wanted to come across a male bird) and a smart male Golden Oriole. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghncZwjmbHPOC8KDGKWImzpwEBoG8tAratVfvWOwmWMnDxFy7l7seil0o1A52xmHUaX-grz9HvEwMVKcfTWE3BjEwTUfQopZw-htq4UhY6rweogWyvuOyCKzVwO2j81ZQlnlnu4DSgrV7E_8sb-89r3eAkB7agifsQQnZMtR3k1wVz2ewS444io-Pt/s4032/IMG_1012.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghncZwjmbHPOC8KDGKWImzpwEBoG8tAratVfvWOwmWMnDxFy7l7seil0o1A52xmHUaX-grz9HvEwMVKcfTWE3BjEwTUfQopZw-htq4UhY6rweogWyvuOyCKzVwO2j81ZQlnlnu4DSgrV7E_8sb-89r3eAkB7agifsQQnZMtR3k1wVz2ewS444io-Pt/w400-h300/IMG_1012.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">View over the plains from Senhora de Aracelis</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2h-RFLAgha_tYWbD0OGGiC8088TS9GPqPQOz_h4tsqhlG5gGdmNBCvv84Ag9audU1OXlbfI7IijfG9nxoeTm4xbSxLNxUFohv_6JuZJGrbv3_6W5B6jmUWEFBMcWK6h8bP8NsQQO0PeY9KlVRQ8RfBX1vllT40eQrHDSWRU8Whqvy2o6GA-egVNeW/s4032/IMG_1015.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2h-RFLAgha_tYWbD0OGGiC8088TS9GPqPQOz_h4tsqhlG5gGdmNBCvv84Ag9audU1OXlbfI7IijfG9nxoeTm4xbSxLNxUFohv_6JuZJGrbv3_6W5B6jmUWEFBMcWK6h8bP8NsQQO0PeY9KlVRQ8RfBX1vllT40eQrHDSWRU8Whqvy2o6GA-egVNeW/w400-h300/IMG_1015.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The chapel at Senhora de Aracelis</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>This powerful looking Short-toed Eagle watched over us as we drove up the hill to the small chapel.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl0jUqg3YEYKjdeTPUxDkDgkcWBA0WeGgNrkhmAZhAuHVZ2hX8Tpw72TFAsSAccEwdklxC5iuWcrUz5E9v60Del_sCiM5bH2_M4SZcSFP-xoIGwjMVYC7hQvQ_TbsiKp5vgxgvsbgJlnqeeV5XZMgYaEvxDah5LYxqJK44BaRq4kUPDUJ0JkU0Pinx/s750/Short-Toed-Eagle2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="620" data-original-width="750" height="530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl0jUqg3YEYKjdeTPUxDkDgkcWBA0WeGgNrkhmAZhAuHVZ2hX8Tpw72TFAsSAccEwdklxC5iuWcrUz5E9v60Del_sCiM5bH2_M4SZcSFP-xoIGwjMVYC7hQvQ_TbsiKp5vgxgvsbgJlnqeeV5XZMgYaEvxDah5LYxqJK44BaRq4kUPDUJ0JkU0Pinx/w640-h530/Short-Toed-Eagle2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Short-toed Eagle, Senhora do Aracelis</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>We picked up Booted and Bonelli's Eagles plus several distant Griffon Vultures and a Black (Cinereous) Vulture but no sign of either Golden Eagle or Spanish Imperial Eagle.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi53MZGu2cTe213TXPQof4TuwYqzOCSYf8JD5Ej4nnuaqwV4D8xZoZ3Vb_2571T6xfPuB4Y5kYEWJWEu_2ealsO5wLjkkBT0vnnLm3ZQZ5d3wIo_kaEuAu9jyUWMpKcMTS8sCZRrfWuuKMzEuCNbsTR0WKDVhoGT7jeRWFL3F3i40tnAIYQeNUJTZr3/s750/Black-Vulture.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="750" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi53MZGu2cTe213TXPQof4TuwYqzOCSYf8JD5Ej4nnuaqwV4D8xZoZ3Vb_2571T6xfPuB4Y5kYEWJWEu_2ealsO5wLjkkBT0vnnLm3ZQZ5d3wIo_kaEuAu9jyUWMpKcMTS8sCZRrfWuuKMzEuCNbsTR0WKDVhoGT7jeRWFL3F3i40tnAIYQeNUJTZr3/w640-h514/Black-Vulture.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Black Vulture</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE5rzWR9YWjVfzijfc-Ida-0G6Yvkb0GRt4NE8AXe5AxzJAjl3qFKpgsrqVrYF1Y-sOd1GO74grT3vwhOceem_mpbtgAJDR9Jfau_frHsat3ByOORb9CirLEa_PtohAsoWh4UGHc-jn6YCre9g1zLsoP5G5Rx2uYHyQ-nfR7NLTJztBXY6ByOf7MxZ/s750/Griffon-Vulture.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="750" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE5rzWR9YWjVfzijfc-Ida-0G6Yvkb0GRt4NE8AXe5AxzJAjl3qFKpgsrqVrYF1Y-sOd1GO74grT3vwhOceem_mpbtgAJDR9Jfau_frHsat3ByOORb9CirLEa_PtohAsoWh4UGHc-jn6YCre9g1zLsoP5G5Rx2uYHyQ-nfR7NLTJztBXY6ByOf7MxZ/w640-h486/Griffon-Vulture.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Griffon Vulture<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>With not many raptors to keep us entertained (for what reasons we were not sure) we decided to move on. We followed a dirt track near Alvares that took us past a small reservoir where we had a single Gull-billed Tern and this Collared Pratincole that was taking no nonsense from a rodwy bunch of Little Ringed Plovers.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl-0jJZVJDjRM0xP-Mb7x2rCQG5esmBZiuU0j0Dd08XZZxWD3f5f4AqgJC2tgdTY8bL_yvERzARKdI3qqTt1j680M0vKi_efSUjnXFPB_mlNH8ibF1zCW6S1Nt8yCFWlWt9lGhWTJrmgSsgkPuwrmOrM3lQYNPlg6dNHp_VB7kBKVzDF67LfvSuyHU/s750/CollaredPratincole1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="573" data-original-width="750" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl-0jJZVJDjRM0xP-Mb7x2rCQG5esmBZiuU0j0Dd08XZZxWD3f5f4AqgJC2tgdTY8bL_yvERzARKdI3qqTt1j680M0vKi_efSUjnXFPB_mlNH8ibF1zCW6S1Nt8yCFWlWt9lGhWTJrmgSsgkPuwrmOrM3lQYNPlg6dNHp_VB7kBKVzDF67LfvSuyHU/w640-h488/CollaredPratincole1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Little Ringed Plover & Collared Pratincole</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkImFLUJbyiTBVs-pMjbqmwrVwJ93Fl_8OCR5Wi-Zf7EQINfgHrfv8WGeL-ao6nGiugL7lbXh55Wncn343WJAo5TlH7DCIIT5Lai7dpXQIenkTgld6WRD8Vdj6YMyiEupld1P4Adgr-zJ6u13S7aH2NILc4Io2FEKbBajEP84vc2wRD3oOxKbTVrzS/s750/CollaredPratincole2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="553" data-original-width="750" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkImFLUJbyiTBVs-pMjbqmwrVwJ93Fl_8OCR5Wi-Zf7EQINfgHrfv8WGeL-ao6nGiugL7lbXh55Wncn343WJAo5TlH7DCIIT5Lai7dpXQIenkTgld6WRD8Vdj6YMyiEupld1P4Adgr-zJ6u13S7aH2NILc4Io2FEKbBajEP84vc2wRD3oOxKbTVrzS/w640-h472/CollaredPratincole2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Collared Pratincole</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Our next stop was at the Information Centre for Ligue por Protection de Nature (LPN) near Entradas. We took a few wrongs tracks before finally reaching the Information Centre but at least this smart Bee-eater was a nice diversion whilst we figured out the map.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_wYdNfLLgLntifN_rn8dnrdcFuP3-dpsIvgE6cgY3CZcuiC51XA0v2F4lhLyPBCMNAc7Yeknu5z32IS-nMCDMzHdYwdLlLb9ff-HDo1SNcix1xah-PMFxTG4TNXgq-2HgFyA2tEAjRsaOhUcfLeG3lf7A_S6zkLmyYYpl5M4ljZHXeuxJI3DsEGBQ/s750/European-Bee-eater1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="598" data-original-width="750" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_wYdNfLLgLntifN_rn8dnrdcFuP3-dpsIvgE6cgY3CZcuiC51XA0v2F4lhLyPBCMNAc7Yeknu5z32IS-nMCDMzHdYwdLlLb9ff-HDo1SNcix1xah-PMFxTG4TNXgq-2HgFyA2tEAjRsaOhUcfLeG3lf7A_S6zkLmyYYpl5M4ljZHXeuxJI3DsEGBQ/w640-h510/European-Bee-eater1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">European Bee-eater<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>Not to mention the Corn Buntings and Stonechats.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifOWN7h9mhfNVWP4NmbSoy_V5L-KCCd76NBoZjVBu43k-MRseteOGn1DaKHmfLHmRRUl4B-myIyVRK0K-VGyU6usvt9wAgXkfFESyA2JxQIC2gGJyim2adqwcKJ1cDqNoTBRRfdfCGbzFl8fnaOInFcSWN0F9s0TUDitDCdbmofmKVpbuCHqPMbiUW/s750/CornBunting4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="750" height="554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifOWN7h9mhfNVWP4NmbSoy_V5L-KCCd76NBoZjVBu43k-MRseteOGn1DaKHmfLHmRRUl4B-myIyVRK0K-VGyU6usvt9wAgXkfFESyA2JxQIC2gGJyim2adqwcKJ1cDqNoTBRRfdfCGbzFl8fnaOInFcSWN0F9s0TUDitDCdbmofmKVpbuCHqPMbiUW/w640-h554/CornBunting4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOS-86rND7PcLG9218r1dEl8jlXCFkPNc-LFetrM6NHEtQkJBIBWI1Vssjp-r-FBgEraSxRIgFdekGGF8KnymQxeYZyxo-UOataT6SW3x3kAk2nPN5pRjRmdbzIw7uR7Ksx6K8LA3q-7gclq6n_3YqLGhqo7Gvw0-d18ORpEeYxDJWmooHNCvdVQmn/s750/Stonechat4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="651" data-original-width="750" height="556" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOS-86rND7PcLG9218r1dEl8jlXCFkPNc-LFetrM6NHEtQkJBIBWI1Vssjp-r-FBgEraSxRIgFdekGGF8KnymQxeYZyxo-UOataT6SW3x3kAk2nPN5pRjRmdbzIw7uR7Ksx6K8LA3q-7gclq6n_3YqLGhqo7Gvw0-d18ORpEeYxDJWmooHNCvdVQmn/w640-h556/Stonechat4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaNcIQEdizNkX_tIAOLEuZWFVdQ7WjWn0e1yrZYSXUN9GE4twVgWIrDSMxsdntI-RVlIAY0ZYWXyzGmACFD71U3F41kVC6-AJ1TxPNde5d82OXyLiNBPT88ZlAtwlpv_B8xRGBSC1N2kJHNpF0KbdOWu8wTIPPnh6mCRxc0R3PTSkHkkPyN0kuY-dN/s750/Stonechat5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="583" data-original-width="750" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaNcIQEdizNkX_tIAOLEuZWFVdQ7WjWn0e1yrZYSXUN9GE4twVgWIrDSMxsdntI-RVlIAY0ZYWXyzGmACFD71U3F41kVC6-AJ1TxPNde5d82OXyLiNBPT88ZlAtwlpv_B8xRGBSC1N2kJHNpF0KbdOWu8wTIPPnh6mCRxc0R3PTSkHkkPyN0kuY-dN/w640-h498/Stonechat5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>At the Information Centre we watched a pair of Lesser Kestrels hunting in the surrounding fields. <br /></p><p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcRd-b3gPBCDqv8xPi2Y_PrUJPREQhRDbYCMjzmJSK7uoonVCDUd-4Nk7MixVV-CIv9LPMsjSUnvrZyOPvpkWiAg17Gr_nYvUcWA2EFYMSOdDP1he6ZtOPXwkAr1kLi9seoLkOp5uQrpNYvo13lH8Let5D4U7vg1YIC4PE3V_a9gIg4KgixMGLDoht/s750/LesserKestrel4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="590" data-original-width="750" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcRd-b3gPBCDqv8xPi2Y_PrUJPREQhRDbYCMjzmJSK7uoonVCDUd-4Nk7MixVV-CIv9LPMsjSUnvrZyOPvpkWiAg17Gr_nYvUcWA2EFYMSOdDP1he6ZtOPXwkAr1kLi9seoLkOp5uQrpNYvo13lH8Let5D4U7vg1YIC4PE3V_a9gIg4KgixMGLDoht/w640-h504/LesserKestrel4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Male Lesser Kestrel</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtf3hloOImSjRRvHWC5FiDa-IqBW9AplEV_ZrTNSDpil6d2ti3UxBEAk_p_shW4qUk1bJpIg74D8mfi69vHe-r3uUnRsghJEWS9uhf-1EXwMgZH_r1asR9dYpdsaxeGV14yAeBBaeV__54Ks0ktvWzrBEYcSOZFdUwQg4ttYHAeCwhV-meo0ZYI7DD/s750/LesserKestrel3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="588" data-original-width="750" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtf3hloOImSjRRvHWC5FiDa-IqBW9AplEV_ZrTNSDpil6d2ti3UxBEAk_p_shW4qUk1bJpIg74D8mfi69vHe-r3uUnRsghJEWS9uhf-1EXwMgZH_r1asR9dYpdsaxeGV14yAeBBaeV__54Ks0ktvWzrBEYcSOZFdUwQg4ttYHAeCwhV-meo0ZYI7DD/w640-h502/LesserKestrel3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Female Lesser Kestrel</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP0Prt_D_OUzltTjqxM4fGnx7ZM59KtOE87q1TLtOlWtCdUH4Sld9zXRzqXjeokAvPeznBssEjcW9L054lotwq0u35ZwbS7kY-LUjc1GQjreTiAiSQu46PUhhamRwwqnRvf96we25pTHhlNdQctq2Ae8xfrIc9USjNnMbkuFAyiSjsOi2JPphBCMXp/s750/LesserKestrel2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="609" data-original-width="750" height="520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP0Prt_D_OUzltTjqxM4fGnx7ZM59KtOE87q1TLtOlWtCdUH4Sld9zXRzqXjeokAvPeznBssEjcW9L054lotwq0u35ZwbS7kY-LUjc1GQjreTiAiSQu46PUhhamRwwqnRvf96we25pTHhlNdQctq2Ae8xfrIc9USjNnMbkuFAyiSjsOi2JPphBCMXp/w640-h520/LesserKestrel2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Female Lesser Kestrel</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-sqfZfypQ9MFvzduxw-4qSDaF3t9jWcgbX34QVnsVPlq1Utu3Xj3CJ4gbpjGvb-o-lIykF0qCn-6fD09mH2OjWCuyqleL1uV5mPT89EdUl9NWe_oGu0FkzxknPBZ1-Sz7NwbsbEMR8MIGBHyl7AEhyekGmYgRhePs1cRIzlZgcbdk1s9pcLTX8V4J/s750/LesserKestrel1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="568" data-original-width="750" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-sqfZfypQ9MFvzduxw-4qSDaF3t9jWcgbX34QVnsVPlq1Utu3Xj3CJ4gbpjGvb-o-lIykF0qCn-6fD09mH2OjWCuyqleL1uV5mPT89EdUl9NWe_oGu0FkzxknPBZ1-Sz7NwbsbEMR8MIGBHyl7AEhyekGmYgRhePs1cRIzlZgcbdk1s9pcLTX8V4J/w640-h484/LesserKestrel1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Male Lesser Kestrel</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhlYwu5AWNT_zpAGl22ZRacgx963sEbTWZoNMeojVWhWTuSZjbUCs-NaZ69LynW-z1OtvYB_TDKjSNn0qxvDYQCR8z6MbUKbo5TYWciNb_voFg6q06WmM79u5f9OxbUFM3S5-hu7WcYAb8gs20QQc4Twc8YAg4Y22uxj6GVIsYU-RU7nxQS-uRb6lO/s4032/IMG_1019.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhlYwu5AWNT_zpAGl22ZRacgx963sEbTWZoNMeojVWhWTuSZjbUCs-NaZ69LynW-z1OtvYB_TDKjSNn0qxvDYQCR8z6MbUKbo5TYWciNb_voFg6q06WmM79u5f9OxbUFM3S5-hu7WcYAb8gs20QQc4Twc8YAg4Y22uxj6GVIsYU-RU7nxQS-uRb6lO/w640-h480/IMG_1019.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">LPN Information Centre</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>By now it was after 6pm, we had time for one more spot before we needed to head to the location we'd been given for Red-necked Nightjar. At that second last place we had lovely views of both male and female Montagu's Harrier. Hardly a more elegant bird of prey is there?</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-gXO-0kbnBIBN9J2HaKo4UlyqOdjovJnFSDg3nMnnOgu9nCYWqg79-U9jqk2iPEGin8P819nQP47bJUjUhJR_oTyAqMTIyTtliEvIsO8cbtrbS0J_Ii-OrLQ_CRUYZ0nIy4_9sHINVBhw0GJn_XyA8DBqC7ur-6iI0H_-xaLP1QPimM94Y8K_HrIm/s750/Montagu's-Harrier5.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="598" data-original-width="750" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-gXO-0kbnBIBN9J2HaKo4UlyqOdjovJnFSDg3nMnnOgu9nCYWqg79-U9jqk2iPEGin8P819nQP47bJUjUhJR_oTyAqMTIyTtliEvIsO8cbtrbS0J_Ii-OrLQ_CRUYZ0nIy4_9sHINVBhw0GJn_XyA8DBqC7ur-6iI0H_-xaLP1QPimM94Y8K_HrIm/w640-h510/Montagu's-Harrier5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Male Montagu's Harrier</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>Then it was time to find our Red-necked Nightjar place, which we did. Unfortunately there were no singing birds but a female gave a very close fly-by and a Nightingale sang from deep cover.</p><p></p><p><iframe frameborder="0" height="220" scrolling="no" src="https://xeno-canto.org/727008/embed" width="340"></iframe> </p><p>It had been a long day, we got home and Nick whipped up a couple of steaks on the outdoor grill which we devoured with a few bottles of Sagres. By the time midnight came along I was whacked!<br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891996712567136282.post-32760434863285106392022-05-26T12:33:00.002-07:002022-05-26T12:33:35.858-07:00Southern Portugal - Part 1<p>It had been over three years since myself and Nick had last enjoyed an overseas birding trip (see <a href="http://grahamsphoto.blogspot.com/2019/09/kuwait-2019-part-1.html">Kuwait 2019</a>) and since then a lot of water had flowed under the bridge. So on Tuesday 17th May it was with much anticipation that we set out (me from Norwich and Nick from Cornwall) for Faro in Southern Portugal. We arrived to our airport hotel late that night and convened at 6.15am the following morning to catch-up over breakfast. We sat outside chatting as Swallows, Swifts, House Martins and Red-rumped Swallows swooped down to drink from the hotel swimming pool.</p><p>Our first spot was west of Faro airport, an area known as Rio Formosa and Ludo Farm. Driving the dirt track that goes through Ludo and eventually leads on to San Lorenzo golf course, we scoped the salt pans where we had Kentish Plover, Collared Partincole, White Stork and Cattle Egret. In the scrub on the inland side there was Nightingale and the ubiquitous but still pleasing Sardinian Warbler.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><iframe frameborder="0" height="220" scrolling="no" src="https://xeno-canto.org/727012/embed" width="340"></iframe> </p><p>At the end of the track we parked and walked along the edge of the golf course where we enjoyed views of Spanish Wagtail, Serin, Turtle Dove, Hoopoe and the many Azure-winged Magpies. The latter bird was a lifer for me and they were ever present throughout the trip, I was sorry I didn't make a better effort to photograph them as they are a smart looking corvid.</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL0sYWKelytdzzkcMhYWdNBGGeaFqa6TPkE0j6RftmHyiZt9wQZzorgZDHzHUODrxZlXaMhMvsi2Oz3i-Z8ZzioaqTjKRQ0faGBG1gPWDXSwasZpjqjMvX2EHJihB8iuCftasageh16rMtu4ZGcKqD22nmSHmqFalAHHh2MTkP8itbM1ps3h79SUxl/s750/Iberian-Magpie1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="590" data-original-width="750" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL0sYWKelytdzzkcMhYWdNBGGeaFqa6TPkE0j6RftmHyiZt9wQZzorgZDHzHUODrxZlXaMhMvsi2Oz3i-Z8ZzioaqTjKRQ0faGBG1gPWDXSwasZpjqjMvX2EHJihB8iuCftasageh16rMtu4ZGcKqD22nmSHmqFalAHHh2MTkP8itbM1ps3h79SUxl/w400-h315/Iberian-Magpie1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Azure-winged or Iberian Magpie</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh872PYRooZ_X2gM4YASFxaI7-nCvW_RbQxxxveiodg7xs7gLVIB-wrQb2XdjJYsmZGCyVdrIkPPhVARHEPVYNO3nTyA0yaqOZKwTdctDYARaHIBPjWfJLX-irzCfRhbUFpPVv1H6vCeiwsAEPVYtIKb5Yqtl1y_GPFF6gapDraGsL_NHV02Q4PFwfE/s750/Hoopoe7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="501" data-original-width="750" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh872PYRooZ_X2gM4YASFxaI7-nCvW_RbQxxxveiodg7xs7gLVIB-wrQb2XdjJYsmZGCyVdrIkPPhVARHEPVYNO3nTyA0yaqOZKwTdctDYARaHIBPjWfJLX-irzCfRhbUFpPVv1H6vCeiwsAEPVYtIKb5Yqtl1y_GPFF6gapDraGsL_NHV02Q4PFwfE/w400-h268/Hoopoe7.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">One of many Hoopoes on the fairways at San Lorenzo golf course</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>At the São Lourenço Bird Hide which overlooks an ornamental lake we had Black-faced Weaver, Red-crested Pochard and Common Pochard, Little Bittern and Black-crowned Night Heron.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYKe2IPBv5v4zyiwrJjoDbE30-q9hl-tf5NS5x0ghvybMczJyAvTL8Kb4zVeCfebiUrbrPI_VMuVITxYS24uB05OCLhwVA3uurf7EFuZ5IExpfhQ_lCoxe5V0AMONQzb9mdCWUFW8bSon8TqPwWzxBMw5CCbefBE3Zr0BYZeTuPEWd5NB6gQDTMHFk/s750/RCPochard2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="526" data-original-width="750" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYKe2IPBv5v4zyiwrJjoDbE30-q9hl-tf5NS5x0ghvybMczJyAvTL8Kb4zVeCfebiUrbrPI_VMuVITxYS24uB05OCLhwVA3uurf7EFuZ5IExpfhQ_lCoxe5V0AMONQzb9mdCWUFW8bSon8TqPwWzxBMw5CCbefBE3Zr0BYZeTuPEWd5NB6gQDTMHFk/w640-h448/RCPochard2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBOLTwIkbEd4hIjq0V3lLOTDzK4P5E1Ejk1QRgEQ1kow9ZId-jPZ9nTXjb0ngUYLK4fmFnLEboRLlStgje81rwR3uK1bjCzdV9fGYSD-uGX72IkjApktKWNPEV9lxdO33vUIbhWVCRPysyNec8PPdWnXErL4K7uNNbD9stPvpXpCTh0-kjhHAMBhDr/s750/RCPochard3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="511" data-original-width="750" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBOLTwIkbEd4hIjq0V3lLOTDzK4P5E1Ejk1QRgEQ1kow9ZId-jPZ9nTXjb0ngUYLK4fmFnLEboRLlStgje81rwR3uK1bjCzdV9fGYSD-uGX72IkjApktKWNPEV9lxdO33vUIbhWVCRPysyNec8PPdWnXErL4K7uNNbD9stPvpXpCTh0-kjhHAMBhDr/w640-h436/RCPochard3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Female Red-crested Pochard, Sao Lorenco Golf Course, Portugal<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>From there we headed east around Faro and through Olhoa on the N125 to the Rio Formosa Nature Park at Quinta de Marim. We walked the paths around the park which took us through scrub and woodland, the habitat looked good but unfortunately the day had really heated up so we didn't spend too long here.</p><p>From Quinta de Marim we turned inland and drove about ninety minutes north-west to the Alejento region of Portugal which we were to spend the remainder of our trip based around. We stopped for supplies in the town of Mertola, stocking up on local meats, cheese, fruit and veg and of course some excellent local wine. We pulled in to the carpark past the bridge over the gorge on the western side of the town where we enjoyed excellent views of a Blue Rock Thrush singing from the butresses of the bridge and at times from the edge of the bridge and on the lamposts as the traffic whizzed past him. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh5daklJrrAhIwY5cBP4B1c8Pe8bBj6OhvmZGTdBj7aMOuteT2A4Qz1k2xCrakUE9rhyxqA6Mh4dTYaQmjQKdrezu_qgr2mjNLPAPWl6iXkGZ-7W4RuUS_wyWxUFOi-2-GbQklm8iSQOuBNZcgd_ba2KbSx_6OHgaJTZBray84JOFg9240S2wiqRQy/s4032/IMG-0997.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh5daklJrrAhIwY5cBP4B1c8Pe8bBj6OhvmZGTdBj7aMOuteT2A4Qz1k2xCrakUE9rhyxqA6Mh4dTYaQmjQKdrezu_qgr2mjNLPAPWl6iXkGZ-7W4RuUS_wyWxUFOi-2-GbQklm8iSQOuBNZcgd_ba2KbSx_6OHgaJTZBray84JOFg9240S2wiqRQy/w640-h480/IMG-0997.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGEQ7eDInjmrjIGOnh0cn5tp15mYajHnzzEUuPsG05dRlv-NKEhalpqaFvTEn02sOx09qyvbTcWXTSQ4PLI80lq365S7oUqVo4ZuLZIsuVmgubC0myibigWF8AcI3BqWyCtK7w8aS4mXI3Y6D1gE0yZOCqPEQm4cm_xdiUmbxy-OXE-D9Be__LbpbB/s4032/IMG-0998.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGEQ7eDInjmrjIGOnh0cn5tp15mYajHnzzEUuPsG05dRlv-NKEhalpqaFvTEn02sOx09qyvbTcWXTSQ4PLI80lq365S7oUqVo4ZuLZIsuVmgubC0myibigWF8AcI3BqWyCtK7w8aS4mXI3Y6D1gE0yZOCqPEQm4cm_xdiUmbxy-OXE-D9Be__LbpbB/w640-h480/IMG-0998.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Bridge over the gorge on Ribeiro Guadiana outside Mertola<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>Crag Martins, House Martins, Barn Swallows and Red-rumped Swallows buzzed below the bridge whilst a Nightingale sang lazily from the scrub near the river bank. Just above us where we had parked there was a rather handsome male Rock Bunting (which turned out to be a lifer for me).<br /></p><p>From there we headed to our AirBnB which was to be our base for the next three days and kudos to Nick for booking such a comfortable and charming place.</p><p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Z-j-ZTp0aZQTmsSHqCW4tY6T4sXvkc7mCMcxRpL9y-F5SdgvodvBhqRcTvS11uj-pqIe5lFCWta34m48bmVQoAK1CzeqTAEBIB3VS1gsXrEab9hvTEt70kmgzgMzfASb9-ZAKdEDPKUdJTef9B1LwdSEhhtk1O3JdoglxrBHFZWZUIze3N3Det0a/s4032/IMG_1005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Z-j-ZTp0aZQTmsSHqCW4tY6T4sXvkc7mCMcxRpL9y-F5SdgvodvBhqRcTvS11uj-pqIe5lFCWta34m48bmVQoAK1CzeqTAEBIB3VS1gsXrEab9hvTEt70kmgzgMzfASb9-ZAKdEDPKUdJTef9B1LwdSEhhtk1O3JdoglxrBHFZWZUIze3N3Det0a/w640-h480/IMG_1005.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Our own lemon tree - for evening G&T's.</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCRz4uK7bPCfXDA_JKQQAWeh3IKwh9uZiBb6d2dvM02KVezW8_ppqvj-xI7hvg0W6eHNhPWNjvvsZ3MZwmdeTVNsAwqvpJBJyy3j5pYFl61wIST_cIykWnZer2UwHB-DHBe56JaOcJLmy54xFlEh_WPUInKC0-vKFeSJ_Nq9XYUZQa6RxM53E9PHAE/s4032/IMG_1006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCRz4uK7bPCfXDA_JKQQAWeh3IKwh9uZiBb6d2dvM02KVezW8_ppqvj-xI7hvg0W6eHNhPWNjvvsZ3MZwmdeTVNsAwqvpJBJyy3j5pYFl61wIST_cIykWnZer2UwHB-DHBe56JaOcJLmy54xFlEh_WPUInKC0-vKFeSJ_Nq9XYUZQa6RxM53E9PHAE/w640-h480/IMG_1006.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Shady verada - perfect for lazy birding</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF_mWHDgzUQkRW-kMVp8czC_eyHN0e9eT3hkKyDP5iDi50qednUIR-A-RWgDdD_zOmwBzre6Z57P7-QjuepS1qeZknf6jacqX0VA2EwZx9hE0kgD7Dp9vxn6rYAoTm73hlx_Rxz3IiXosf4y4pY3feR5BJsWK9KEW6VHfOT3UIJj4hCN3tbyHzsylN/s4032/IMG_1010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF_mWHDgzUQkRW-kMVp8czC_eyHN0e9eT3hkKyDP5iDi50qednUIR-A-RWgDdD_zOmwBzre6Z57P7-QjuepS1qeZknf6jacqX0VA2EwZx9hE0kgD7Dp9vxn6rYAoTm73hlx_Rxz3IiXosf4y4pY3feR5BJsWK9KEW6VHfOT3UIJj4hCN3tbyHzsylN/w640-h480/IMG_1010.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Casa Chocholas with our rental car 'Pierre'</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Nick took care of dinner (excellent Black pork and salad washed down with cold Sagres and local red wine). We scoped four Griffon Vultures soaring along the ridge in the evening sunshine and I was beguiled by lifer number three, this fine Iberian Grey Shrike, as it hunted from the telegraph wires in the field opposite the cottage.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLPnrK6_dGMfawRltNrIIasuiXAFHFtq2lvsleDxsw0HFb7cZtIVFuy4b_nG-6bbqBqw1BQszIUTAqcGA1y6K3SgdMbYXVBl_Tv4aLF3OiNhRhoJ48fMt_0SWV-U-ESluPGrGjmn0_cK4VUB1fKtr0mO55YQ_Z9-SJYtAsUOIvp_1WeUh5N3F__Mbf/s750/Iberian-Grey-Shrike1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="557" data-original-width="750" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLPnrK6_dGMfawRltNrIIasuiXAFHFtq2lvsleDxsw0HFb7cZtIVFuy4b_nG-6bbqBqw1BQszIUTAqcGA1y6K3SgdMbYXVBl_Tv4aLF3OiNhRhoJ48fMt_0SWV-U-ESluPGrGjmn0_cK4VUB1fKtr0mO55YQ_Z9-SJYtAsUOIvp_1WeUh5N3F__Mbf/w640-h476/Iberian-Grey-Shrike1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Iberian Grey Shrike</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>As the sun dipped and the day finally cooled, a Golden Oriole sang briefly and a Nightingale pitched in a few bars. I stayed up a little late to enjoy a second bottle of Sagres and finally turned in around midnight. At 1.30am I was awoken by the mosquitoes who were having a party in my room. The next day I counted 27 bites on my arms and legs which are still driving me nuts a week later!<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891996712567136282.post-41062769876199446482022-05-16T09:57:00.003-07:002022-05-16T09:57:51.515-07:00Denizens of the night<p>Nightjars have been one of my favourite groups of birds for some time. Everything from Nightjars, Nighthawks, Potoos, Frogmouths, Owlet-Nightjars to Oilbirds just fascinate me. Whether its their cryptic plumage, nocturnal habits, the strange noises they make, the superstition and old wive-tales that accompany them or all of that! </p><p>So, I count myself very lucky to have European Nightjars breeding only a short drive away from where I live. Saturday was a warm and calm day so just as the sun was dropping I hopped in the car, drove the short distance to the spot and got myself set up.</p><p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKDZ6Y4jrFxhrE342RUBkLXdrlK_DrAgl_Lq4D88duIwERHBVxUk05vqRPgpry6JKvd2e0EWrrfpp3lU_ZNtTgOQB5dkiLB2yUiRSbzTb9i7DyqlLZLRfx8_XL2LPk9V9iCoyEBUMN7Jk_pFxdaYXkbYgnXIyb0Kv3E4gPOcmEvEF_NAGItWX83DmP/s4032/IMG-0913.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKDZ6Y4jrFxhrE342RUBkLXdrlK_DrAgl_Lq4D88duIwERHBVxUk05vqRPgpry6JKvd2e0EWrrfpp3lU_ZNtTgOQB5dkiLB2yUiRSbzTb9i7DyqlLZLRfx8_XL2LPk9V9iCoyEBUMN7Jk_pFxdaYXkbYgnXIyb0Kv3E4gPOcmEvEF_NAGItWX83DmP/w400-h300/IMG-0913.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Parabolic microphone at the ready</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p> I didn't need to wait long after sun set for the first birds to appear. Two males chasing each other around. One of which posed a couple of times on his favourite post as the light faded.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipRhMYXLOAVKt2GGv2M5RqeZm3gInZiv_oLBf1Km2yTJqTyHHmr91uhUfbWJWQP7mwLq8GdDKBbg2Xq1sKyDoRtT1MNTSnSHNYqxu9_80WjzsNQCwpySHZJNsrheXgEsIYHP4iYPJ8PsTa0pzwXdBxHh5QiTv0RPxtRpK4-CCRUmDkbwfIaV5pPCqC/s750/EuropeanNightjar5.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="508" data-original-width="750" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipRhMYXLOAVKt2GGv2M5RqeZm3gInZiv_oLBf1Km2yTJqTyHHmr91uhUfbWJWQP7mwLq8GdDKBbg2Xq1sKyDoRtT1MNTSnSHNYqxu9_80WjzsNQCwpySHZJNsrheXgEsIYHP4iYPJ8PsTa0pzwXdBxHh5QiTv0RPxtRpK4-CCRUmDkbwfIaV5pPCqC/w400-h271/EuropeanNightjar5.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">European Nightjar - 14th May 2022</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>As the light faded the birds got more active, males chasing each other around, wing clapping and chirping before settling on their favourite high perches to churr away.</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0_JM6z2L0pnJQ4hTc4_AqAogkwhnMbF1YlKJDXeWff4431k6gXgGv1ulMgoyMqQccUs2ECVKw2pItrIK5VBsEQJMA443QMgmjLijpH7sEKKvZ5V_Tms8ag0_JlQYQGlouwyJTv2QdzlUtzCpPIRXG-1o5iN5PdvLCe1-jMO-Fq73JC7voIQ1AvTM5/s750/EuropeanNightjar6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="562" data-original-width="750" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0_JM6z2L0pnJQ4hTc4_AqAogkwhnMbF1YlKJDXeWff4431k6gXgGv1ulMgoyMqQccUs2ECVKw2pItrIK5VBsEQJMA443QMgmjLijpH7sEKKvZ5V_Tms8ag0_JlQYQGlouwyJTv2QdzlUtzCpPIRXG-1o5iN5PdvLCe1-jMO-Fq73JC7voIQ1AvTM5/w640-h480/EuropeanNightjar6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvZn8YznVw_Dmy3PJyiQSK1zDWh0eM7smcUGJZ8n_aFqPpTH8t7M44JEmP1t2GYOuOFbKmzmW7BFhMTov2uIOooS685sd0LeWo04AAYQqbyeLfJ5pL7n4nxchW8M0vW8ENXi2F_C36IJXd5KQWnZVCex3pz8O-3vPu7hs1a9kGBOoKtyUfnYuUBAge/s750/EuropeanNightjar7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="623" data-original-width="750" height="532" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvZn8YznVw_Dmy3PJyiQSK1zDWh0eM7smcUGJZ8n_aFqPpTH8t7M44JEmP1t2GYOuOFbKmzmW7BFhMTov2uIOooS685sd0LeWo04AAYQqbyeLfJ5pL7n4nxchW8M0vW8ENXi2F_C36IJXd5KQWnZVCex3pz8O-3vPu7hs1a9kGBOoKtyUfnYuUBAge/w640-h532/EuropeanNightjar7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVlBebmB1P-mVklty301PNM-FoHpH57vLlRYinQYQdXd51fxAcswKTHE_lK2mda2F0rQ6VLFi5LK6BkSWoT6y6kX_mf8SQxtkaZrz_oiMzVzxzyFkZxfceS8slMSAlZ3hQN-eHTy9-oX4izEMmRyXRX3VYXAjVHohktJwiNwpfRiESFvGHh7A3ZhkS/s750/EuropeanNightjar8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="619" data-original-width="750" height="528" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVlBebmB1P-mVklty301PNM-FoHpH57vLlRYinQYQdXd51fxAcswKTHE_lK2mda2F0rQ6VLFi5LK6BkSWoT6y6kX_mf8SQxtkaZrz_oiMzVzxzyFkZxfceS8slMSAlZ3hQN-eHTy9-oX4izEMmRyXRX3VYXAjVHohktJwiNwpfRiESFvGHh7A3ZhkS/w640-h528/EuropeanNightjar8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>All photos taken at ISO51400 - that's as high as the setting goes on my camera hence the super-grainy shots, but you get the picture.</p><p>And of course there's that 'song'!</p><p><br /></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><iframe frameborder="0" height="220" scrolling="no" src="https://xeno-canto.org/724564/embed" width="340"></iframe><br /> </p><p>Despite bug spray I got eaten alive by midges, but you must suffer for your art! All in all a very enjoyable hour with the Nightjars and hopefully not my only visit there this summer.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizIH6IY_WXcMqA21tzVvqqVYUNcTih2SD_S2wyGmLfWCcuCJ7HRnUfA1uWSqIzrIYmd8nhwZ8di4q2aim7KJr2mm5bC0gaBkEJLDS5QpUWT1njbDZPI-JsKNe6TzYgf3BO9uXOo5yVT4QyKUqcIQ8nFN3Tt3DxA0Vl8uNpfmQ8hLPyx6WR6xoVxqL5/s4032/IMG-0915.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizIH6IY_WXcMqA21tzVvqqVYUNcTih2SD_S2wyGmLfWCcuCJ7HRnUfA1uWSqIzrIYmd8nhwZ8di4q2aim7KJr2mm5bC0gaBkEJLDS5QpUWT1njbDZPI-JsKNe6TzYgf3BO9uXOo5yVT4QyKUqcIQ8nFN3Tt3DxA0Vl8uNpfmQ8hLPyx6WR6xoVxqL5/w640-h480/IMG-0915.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891996712567136282.post-90772595725780761172022-05-01T06:45:00.002-07:002022-05-01T06:46:00.742-07:00The Phil More's Corner Podcast - Series 3 Episode 3<p>Something a little different. Graham's first birding trip in almost three years takes him to the wilds of Donegal and over on to Tory Island. Join him on his road trip as he searches for Golden Eagle, singing Ring Ouzel and crexing Corncrakes! <br /></p><div id="buzzsprout-player-10535733"></div><script charset="utf-8" src="https://www.buzzsprout.com/1100051/10535733-episode-3.js?container_id=buzzsprout-player-10535733&player=small" type="text/javascript"></script>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891996712567136282.post-10302359839465153542022-03-12T13:07:00.003-08:002022-03-12T13:07:47.572-08:00The Phil More's Corner Podcast - Series 3 Episode 2<p>We were very lucky to be joined by one of Ireland's best known birders. Killian Mullarney is probably best known for his painstakenly accurate illustrations in the Collins Bird Guide but he is also an identification expert, tour leader and member of The Sound Approach. We ask how it all started, how and why he began to draw birds, the genesis of the famous Collins Guide (now entering its 3rd edition) and the new Sound Approach book on waders.</p><div id="buzzsprout-player-10236636"></div><script charset="utf-8" src="https://www.buzzsprout.com/1100051/10236636-episode-2.js?container_id=buzzsprout-player-10236636&player=small" type="text/javascript"></script>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891996712567136282.post-43786652744792444962022-02-13T07:12:00.001-08:002022-02-13T07:12:31.429-08:00The Phil More's Corner Podcast - Series 3 Episode 1<p>2022 gets off to a great start for The Phil More's Corner Podcast as we chat with CEO and founder of Lush Cosmetics and the driving force behind The Sound Approach, Mark Constantine.</p><div id="buzzsprout-player-10065115"></div><script charset="utf-8" src="https://www.buzzsprout.com/1100051/10065115-episode-1.js?container_id=buzzsprout-player-10065115&player=small" type="text/javascript"></script>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891996712567136282.post-41296583338460192302021-12-27T08:46:00.006-08:002021-12-27T09:19:44.878-08:002021 Review<p><u>Local Birding</u></p><p>To be honest, most of my birding this year has been local. The '5km from home' competition entered its second year and its been fantastic. My total last year was 114, this year I passed that by in the spring and am currently stuck on 129. I'd like to reach the nice round number of 130 but despite my efforts Lesser Redpoll, Woodcock and Crossbill have eluded me this year. However, it continues to throw out surprises and highlights such as Caspian Tern, Corncrake, Blue-headed Wagtail, Common Redstart, Ring Ouzel and Whinchat will ensure that I start all over again in 2022 with renewed vigour.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFrBkG3qhIc3oHgXEsgHSrqmPT0q7o3S_7zfUGTCq8JeTzM7RyjczfuSyJAgU8zbxIpujXI4bh5Hrgx4do-quu2lf-8lGpv28D4GroZBFRtWiKmOGvBs6eiQP82iPB2EciZvLjDQA-_80fwNmKxhhH3Lin4MCt0WrUTeJZ8W0Kg6n5d16S470_vqjT=s1000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="669" data-original-width="1000" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFrBkG3qhIc3oHgXEsgHSrqmPT0q7o3S_7zfUGTCq8JeTzM7RyjczfuSyJAgU8zbxIpujXI4bh5Hrgx4do-quu2lf-8lGpv28D4GroZBFRtWiKmOGvBs6eiQP82iPB2EciZvLjDQA-_80fwNmKxhhH3Lin4MCt0WrUTeJZ8W0Kg6n5d16S470_vqjT=w400-h268" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caspian Tern, UEA Broad, 16th May 2021<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBeqzMxUIu7uGFq0vpOzH0b17MwgP4vj6flr2wIUe0yulq-k5Zi2IP1bRjqEv0-_Ay1GfZBaxkNFo2NA2glcVxp-nfYZYGSJVsQ9lojFCotpuoZfTlniBjM8mgG6O2f9P5u1icpkZSbkiqEEevKsN1QjK96e9pMB_nsYBv-rUkYyBD_9HfdM8gnLUo=s919" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="748" data-original-width="919" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBeqzMxUIu7uGFq0vpOzH0b17MwgP4vj6flr2wIUe0yulq-k5Zi2IP1bRjqEv0-_Ay1GfZBaxkNFo2NA2glcVxp-nfYZYGSJVsQ9lojFCotpuoZfTlniBjM8mgG6O2f9P5u1icpkZSbkiqEEevKsN1QjK96e9pMB_nsYBv-rUkYyBD_9HfdM8gnLUo=w400-h325" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whinchat, West Earlham, 3rd May 2021<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh7JM8jXwbOnQJjCYpAnV6W2NvdDp5YxL89HaxMsR5JOdC9MwE8oWUt1wF0a-x44AcVLgJrbGlpeWZHJnDu9y8DwFEzHwr80tudvdyAsk5lop7n0ywFS45C2VakIckm6VHB8PZlIOZDsJ7DEtn9BD2Rm5Jn-yDsEkS42jQcEPvVrw4cRR5XX5chxzhu=s750" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="562" data-original-width="750" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh7JM8jXwbOnQJjCYpAnV6W2NvdDp5YxL89HaxMsR5JOdC9MwE8oWUt1wF0a-x44AcVLgJrbGlpeWZHJnDu9y8DwFEzHwr80tudvdyAsk5lop7n0ywFS45C2VakIckm6VHB8PZlIOZDsJ7DEtn9BD2Rm5Jn-yDsEkS42jQcEPvVrw4cRR5XX5chxzhu=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue-headed Wagtail, West Earlham, 1st May 2021<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p><u>Nocmig</u></p><p>I was busy all year with Nocmig, from January until mid-November (check out my <a href="http://grahamsphoto.blogspot.com/2021/09/nocmig-update.html">full update </a>from earlier in the year). It was interesting to note the trends, what goes through and when. Personal highlights from my suburban garden included Cuckoo, Tree Pipit and Ring Ouzel. <br /></p><p><br /></p><p>
<iframe frameborder="0" height="115" scrolling="no" src="http://xeno-canto.org/661409/embed?simple=1" width="340">
<iframe src='http://xeno-canto.org/642610/embed?simple=1' scrolling='no' frameborder='0' width='340' height='115'></iframe>
<iframe frameborder="0" height="115" scrolling="no" src="http://xeno-canto.org/674579/embed?simple=1" width="340"></iframe>
<iframe frameborder="0" height="115" scrolling="no" src="http://xeno-canto.org/642610/embed?simple=1" width="340"></iframe> </p><p>Furthermore, I added Red Knot, Little Ringed Plover, Common Ringed Plover, Gadwall, Common Scoter and Little Owl to my garden nocmig list. <br /></p><p><u>The Podcast</u></p><p>The Phil More's Corner Podcast is going from strength to strength. We recorded 13 episodes in 2021 and had a great time doing it. Its hard to pick out any one episode but for the sheer quality of the recordings he shared with us, our interview with Simon Elliott is the one that stood out for me!</p><div id="buzzsprout-player-9621105"></div><script charset="utf-8" src="https://www.buzzsprout.com/1100051/9621105-episode-12.js?container_id=buzzsprout-player-9621105&player=small" type="text/javascript"></script><p></p><p><br /></p><p><u>2022</u></p><p>What's in store, I'm almost afraid to think! Hopefully less interruption from this damn pandemic. I have a spring trip lined up to Donegal for Golden Eagle and more Corncrakes. Any other trip after that in the spring is a bonus. I'll carry on with nocmig and will reset the clock on '5km from home' and start all over. I'll probably not bird the coast that much, I enjoy local birding instead and I associate driving with commuting/working and feel more and more uncomfortable with the idea of spending several hours in a car when I can walk out the front door and enjoy what's in front of me.</p><p>I'm also taking over from Colum Flynn as Irish Rare Birds Committee (IRBC) secretary. A hard act to follow but it'll be interesting to be involved and something I can only benefit from. </p><p>Otherwise, I just intend to continue enjoying my birding!<br /></p>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891996712567136282.post-65843048662108695442021-12-20T13:22:00.002-08:002021-12-20T13:22:35.076-08:00The Phil More's Corner Podcast - Series 2 Episode 13As the year draws to a close we reminisce on the highlights of 2021. Santa duties precluded Brian for joining us for the final episode but he is ably replaced by guest presenter Alan Dalton who fills us in on the amazing year he's had recording birds at Landsort, Sweden. Sean shares with us some of his finest recordings from what was a vintage year whilst Harry and Graham look ahead to 2022.
<p> </p><div id="buzzsprout-player-9756437"></div><script src="https://www.buzzsprout.com/1100051/9756437-episode-13.js?container_id=buzzsprout-player-9756437&player=small" type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8"></script>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891996712567136282.post-16446341923341250012021-12-14T12:24:00.001-08:002021-12-14T12:24:40.937-08:00Happy 10th Birthday Dear Blog!<p>It might seem hard to believe (it certainly does for me) but last month this blog was ten years old! It was November 2011 when I posted my <a href="http://grahamsphoto.blogspot.com/2011/11/few-days-off.html">first update</a>.</p><p>Its changed a bit since then, as has my birding. The first year and a bit was in Cork, since then Norfolk. In recent times there's been less emphasis on photography, I've added more sound recordings and of course Podcast links.</p><p>Its hard to pull out the highlights but here's a quick trot down memory lane and my top ten posts of the last ten years.<br /></p><p>1. November 2011 and my part in finding Ireland's 4th Pallid Harrier in <a href="http://grahamsphoto.blogspot.com/2011/11/tail-of-two-pallids.html">A 'tail' of two pallids</a>.</p><p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEixB7FztU6XuVlEE2NlYGOsuvG68s9_0EdCogMX9C-I4VHjB_U-ud_x1j9pe1rTf8hCNh0desUcklKA9PjsLoPdBuu-ZHJHXNhMv0U3xtk0m-We44lnhrbc4HlSnNjvSw5g2K6j44gkQwIf9KQV0dl-n9wRSuD5s-Ujq_DVSCWnytnLxEC-H-bbJyKS=s602" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="482" data-original-width="602" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEixB7FztU6XuVlEE2NlYGOsuvG68s9_0EdCogMX9C-I4VHjB_U-ud_x1j9pe1rTf8hCNh0desUcklKA9PjsLoPdBuu-ZHJHXNhMv0U3xtk0m-We44lnhrbc4HlSnNjvSw5g2K6j44gkQwIf9KQV0dl-n9wRSuD5s-Ujq_DVSCWnytnLxEC-H-bbJyKS=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Pallid Harrier, Power Head, Cork, Ireland</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p></p><p>2. May 2012 and <a href="http://grahamsphoto.blogspot.com/2012/05/short-visit-to-cape.html">a short visit to Cape Clear Island</a>.</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0ojfiWdcIYZ1xSG3E3t5DaW8jbvtko5t2pJ5axkPH_cKIzRsrOuveYM1jGQ1EvpDCciPspOgD9o-_mjoxNA9NVCGPTfrI1tFZxciDM3zOdWfuvC_iJ9sIws_sBBPFmHqgkI6MLAnejbcM8rv7gJx3LA1bdAHoo3h185mZxlINFHYKCBd8x5VBDTX6=s750" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="750" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0ojfiWdcIYZ1xSG3E3t5DaW8jbvtko5t2pJ5axkPH_cKIzRsrOuveYM1jGQ1EvpDCciPspOgD9o-_mjoxNA9NVCGPTfrI1tFZxciDM3zOdWfuvC_iJ9sIws_sBBPFmHqgkI6MLAnejbcM8rv7gJx3LA1bdAHoo3h185mZxlINFHYKCBd8x5VBDTX6=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Cotter's Garden, Cape Clear Island</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> 3. April 2013 and finding Norfolk's first spring Red-flanked Bluetail in <a href="http://grahamsphoto.blogspot.com/2013/04/blue-magic-at-horsey-gap.html">Blue Magic at Horsey Gap</a>.</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj3EkpL4QfRW8HSrY0yT2cIXOSDQ_g-StWCT95Mb3CJTrjLEo6L-56JKhgSU8LA6qgg06dZBXAQBXToqYZMUJh2n_uFrT5YtgTW0S9Ywr0KKl2kTMNF2Gw8GuriPhIZDIAe6APebmkNHPqbS9SRQngB4mEOYVGcEgMsz8tnifQtO4cudO46b-mcKb8t=s750" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="750" height="509" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj3EkpL4QfRW8HSrY0yT2cIXOSDQ_g-StWCT95Mb3CJTrjLEo6L-56JKhgSU8LA6qgg06dZBXAQBXToqYZMUJh2n_uFrT5YtgTW0S9Ywr0KKl2kTMNF2Gw8GuriPhIZDIAe6APebmkNHPqbS9SRQngB4mEOYVGcEgMsz8tnifQtO4cudO46b-mcKb8t=w640-h509" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Red-flanked Bluetail, Horsey Gap, Norfolk</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> 4. April 2014 and an amazing encounter with a <a href="http://grahamsphoto.blogspot.com/2014/04/more-crossbill-fun.html">Two-barred Crossbill</a> at Lynford.</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhqEtxEwZgizqeUCLDNt9lm5xUafEsIWkIYOIEqpiqg5G9mr7PmN6kGZMdiwjQuMeUpK1LCRP7GPVVLYcrtiqpdeSluiDGwtd06NGHkXiwFsHVp2ZWoA5i5O2eUP4q3NDTq1SXDpmgW3kXbk2_z89KllQzZ_9Tnu5JfDZYbFBqihgteDx_CHEjEMD1z=s750" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="567" data-original-width="750" height="485" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhqEtxEwZgizqeUCLDNt9lm5xUafEsIWkIYOIEqpiqg5G9mr7PmN6kGZMdiwjQuMeUpK1LCRP7GPVVLYcrtiqpdeSluiDGwtd06NGHkXiwFsHVp2ZWoA5i5O2eUP4q3NDTq1SXDpmgW3kXbk2_z89KllQzZ_9Tnu5JfDZYbFBqihgteDx_CHEjEMD1z=w640-h485" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Two-barred Crossbill, Lynford, Norfolk</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> 5. May 2014 and an unforgettable trip to <a href="http://grahamsphoto.blogspot.com/2014/05/magee-marsh-ohio-day-one.html">Magee Marsh</a>, Ohio for migrating spring warblers.</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhU4Zax7z-EyaHIXzF-ExdqpPbDMuJDvQMHpgvMz8NvPdZY5tjG0DTi0E1lws3fEeNHvJQfofBfhw84Bn4MrlW5zkBrry2g0tXU4Hd2RpSpS6KGEE0w2y8qgVzV0R8oDlKCUMbrmZGmXdxqj1O0XGRoSQDbzSTyD3twm9U8K0Ki9RQHLnzoKKWp6qGI=s750" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="581" data-original-width="750" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhU4Zax7z-EyaHIXzF-ExdqpPbDMuJDvQMHpgvMz8NvPdZY5tjG0DTi0E1lws3fEeNHvJQfofBfhw84Bn4MrlW5zkBrry2g0tXU4Hd2RpSpS6KGEE0w2y8qgVzV0R8oDlKCUMbrmZGmXdxqj1O0XGRoSQDbzSTyD3twm9U8K0Ki9RQHLnzoKKWp6qGI=w640-h496" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Prothonotary Warbler, Magge Marsh, Ohio</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> 6. May 2015 and finally nailing that shot of a <a href="http://grahamsphoto.blogspot.com/2015/05/ode-to-nightingale.html">singing Nightingale</a>.</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhwXi5Xlvke4thK4xtn3EOOaVR87rBybpFyNe12L_J5OSqCaJhYPmsChFtriJ3AKQYO5rFFTHqLFREQ6qo6gh3GLuMynWKm5RlprJYgQg4Xj0tDTuybIMWJipOJMII9XZSrf9mfW_5ExGYNdl92xLtnc3K2PchJJc8VmqF9J5aZwv7yTjl_PLPoTraL=s750" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="607" data-original-width="750" height="518" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhwXi5Xlvke4thK4xtn3EOOaVR87rBybpFyNe12L_J5OSqCaJhYPmsChFtriJ3AKQYO5rFFTHqLFREQ6qo6gh3GLuMynWKm5RlprJYgQg4Xj0tDTuybIMWJipOJMII9XZSrf9mfW_5ExGYNdl92xLtnc3K2PchJJc8VmqF9J5aZwv7yTjl_PLPoTraL=w640-h518" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Nightingale, Suffolk</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p>7. September 2015 and a stand-off between an <a href="http://grahamsphoto.blogspot.com/2015/09/the-adder-and-bluethroat.html">Adder and a Bluethroat</a>.</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjkJ1BV9IKvn3srfhksPn-byvRwqTBsxgz37-LYbxFrwPQh3v7M7mHBXJLOzXJ4i1-mNyoNZfqyGCLv0ACUnLGtoGfm8uXluw6XKk0xh81x2lq7WcjIfFlf6kQUV8S7TcgQzHXDDF8EyjMEuSK9fTv1IS-jlgx75MGb3IPUIqeqpeDFNtm-_UjY1T9I=s1000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="772" data-original-width="1000" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjkJ1BV9IKvn3srfhksPn-byvRwqTBsxgz37-LYbxFrwPQh3v7M7mHBXJLOzXJ4i1-mNyoNZfqyGCLv0ACUnLGtoGfm8uXluw6XKk0xh81x2lq7WcjIfFlf6kQUV8S7TcgQzHXDDF8EyjMEuSK9fTv1IS-jlgx75MGb3IPUIqeqpeDFNtm-_UjY1T9I=w640-h494" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Bluethroat, Winterton Dunes, Norfolk</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> 8. First trip to Fair Isle lands my only Birdguides <a href="http://grahamsphoto.blogspot.com/2015/10/fair-isle-part-four.html">Photo of the Week</a>. </p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_cBM8v7DxBMMqJFgi5wh1bOMB7pNt0FkgJrFRjvbameFD-NBFapu_l_6GbAPHqBRI7oot8OUqUmE7dOeEu6Ix63eAnkgEVbvSA6pMrH8BWJSdJnldftXf0gSpg_FwVbzo4apLLZS0uf0BV520aof6cecpKE_pcxLpi29sPmaDFNfDRx8T26FIUZ5x=s1000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="844" data-original-width="1000" height="540" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_cBM8v7DxBMMqJFgi5wh1bOMB7pNt0FkgJrFRjvbameFD-NBFapu_l_6GbAPHqBRI7oot8OUqUmE7dOeEu6Ix63eAnkgEVbvSA6pMrH8BWJSdJnldftXf0gSpg_FwVbzo4apLLZS0uf0BV520aof6cecpKE_pcxLpi29sPmaDFNfDRx8T26FIUZ5x=w640-h540" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Blyth's Reed Warbler, Fair Isle </span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> 9. May 2018 and a weekend with Tory Island's <a href="http://grahamsphoto.blogspot.com/2018/05/the-trip-to-tory-part-one.html">Corncrakes</a> </p><p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh6_jYkx3-Vf2STBR6BW5GpZ8WayPfEpa3eJ0MeHCeyQ9T4xWFFLXqsuvN3pNdjcaVYU71mK0rP-H-Zk84dtWZKudyDfjxeHMAwVo0zCisBzQXujI1fnM6hQXtgzixFiTj7Lcl0xatvnfLKyglagUJGBixTMsaC0f2u0y1lBopfOqqc4P4DW43vgnd5=s1000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="807" data-original-width="1000" height="516" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh6_jYkx3-Vf2STBR6BW5GpZ8WayPfEpa3eJ0MeHCeyQ9T4xWFFLXqsuvN3pNdjcaVYU71mK0rP-H-Zk84dtWZKudyDfjxeHMAwVo0zCisBzQXujI1fnM6hQXtgzixFiTj7Lcl0xatvnfLKyglagUJGBixTMsaC0f2u0y1lBopfOqqc4P4DW43vgnd5=w640-h516" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Corncrake, Tory Island, Donegal</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p> 10. October 2020 and <a href="http://grahamsphoto.blogspot.com/2020/10/a-day-to-remember.html">a day to remember</a> at Happisburgh, Norfolk </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHCay_61q-QDBJbEdb3jp3LoJPwUNUZ6i_TbJx0fld_OF6Z71MV997Ie0iDpnmhqMJfbYh65m_2JaXyLj8OAyB5Lt9Lua0rYv2RfhBz1D1S_GOmX6lO_s_FgMPi9Yf-00tX8bp2MM_lCiP03q8qpOmUFyb-11tIHyLHscVw4BPidDdtq7GZ1chiIzZ=s340" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="283" data-original-width="340" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHCay_61q-QDBJbEdb3jp3LoJPwUNUZ6i_TbJx0fld_OF6Z71MV997Ie0iDpnmhqMJfbYh65m_2JaXyLj8OAyB5Lt9Lua0rYv2RfhBz1D1S_GOmX6lO_s_FgMPi9Yf-00tX8bp2MM_lCiP03q8qpOmUFyb-11tIHyLHscVw4BPidDdtq7GZ1chiIzZ=w400-h333" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Stejneger's Stonechat, Cart Gap, Norfolk</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Hope you've enjoyed that as much as I did. <br /></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <br /></p><p><br /></p><p> <br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891996712567136282.post-38754955345506136492021-11-27T11:11:00.004-08:002021-11-27T11:11:57.605-08:00The Phil More's Corner Podcast - Series 2 Episode 12 <p>We had the great pleasure to interview multi-award winning sound
recordist Simon Elliott. Simon specialises in high quality, close up
wildlife vocabulary recordings and shares with us some of his favourite
pieces from a lifetime of recording the natural soundscape. He takes us
from the Scottish Highlands (Osprey, Capercaillie and Golden Eagle) to
The Great Barrier Reef (Wedge-tailed Shearwaters) and even a carpark in
Costa Rica (Montezuma Oropendola). <br />Get those headphones out as this is a special one!</p><div id="buzzsprout-player-9621105"></div><script charset="utf-8" src="https://www.buzzsprout.com/1100051/9621105-12.js?container_id=buzzsprout-player-9621105&player=small" type="text/javascript"></script>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891996712567136282.post-83886195129767477722021-11-07T12:31:00.001-08:002021-11-07T12:31:13.043-08:00The Phil More's Corner Podcast - Series 2 Episode 11<p>Back after a two month hiatus. No guests or special topics this time,
just the four lads winging it and trying hard to salvage something from a
less than vintage autumn.</p><div id="buzzsprout-player-9506927"></div><script charset="utf-8" src="https://www.buzzsprout.com/1100051/9506927-episode-2.js?container_id=buzzsprout-player-9506927&player=small" type="text/javascript"></script>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891996712567136282.post-23142671464374962592021-09-17T12:37:00.001-07:002021-09-17T12:37:36.103-07:00Nocmig update<p>Its been a while since I pulled together my last full 'nocmig' update, mid-May in fact (<a href="http://grahamsphoto.blogspot.com/2021/05/local-is-where-its-at.html">Local is where its at).</a> So, before autumn migration gets into full swing I thought I'd better take stock.</p><p>Since 15th May I've been steadily putting my parabolic microphone out most nights, OK I took a little break during most of June but started again in earnest at the end of that month in anticipation of returning waders and have pretty much stuck at it since then. In fact, I recorded a total of 61 nights out of 95 nights, so if I don't count June that's about 64% of the time.</p><p><img alt="" height="396" 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" width="524" /></p><p>The above bar chart is probably the easiest way to tell you what I've been seeing. Waders feature prominently as you'd expect. Oystercatcher being the most frequent, but I suspect they are local birds. Common Sandpiper has been the next most frequent with 13 occurences and most of these in the second 2 weeks of August. I especially like this recording, accompanied by a local soccer match.</p><p><br /><iframe frameborder="0" height="220" scrolling="no" src="https://www.xeno-canto.org/674913/embed" width="340"></iframe> </p><p>Curlews moved through in late June and early July and the first Whimbrel appeared in late July but were more frequent in the second half of August.</p><p></p><p><iframe frameborder="0" height="220" scrolling="no" src="https://www.xeno-canto.org/674918/embed" width="340"></iframe> </p><p>Dunlin started appearing again in mid-September and so far I've recorded them on 5 nights. In July and August it was pretty easy to find Green Sandpipers in some local wader spots (Potter Heigham, Hickling and Buckenham Marshes for example) but to my surprise I only recorded them once on nocmig. But, a nice vocal individual at that.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><iframe frameborder="0" height="220" scrolling="no" src="https://www.xeno-canto.org/674911/embed" width="340"></iframe> </p><p>The much hoped for Wood Sandpiper never materialised and they've mostly gone through by now. </p><p>However, there were a few surprises such as this Common Ringed Plover (scarcer it seems in Norwich than Little Ringed Plover).</p><p> <iframe frameborder="0" height="220" scrolling="no" src="https://www.xeno-canto.org/674916/embed" width="340"></iframe></p><p>and my first Gadwall went over one night in early September.</p><p></p><p><iframe frameborder="0" height="220" scrolling="no" src="https://www.xeno-canto.org/674920/embed" width="340"></iframe> </p><p> Plus I had Sandwich Tern on two ocassions in mid-August.</p><p></p><p><iframe frameborder="0" height="220" scrolling="no" src="https://www.xeno-canto.org/674921/embed" width="340"></iframe> </p><p>What is so far my nocmig highlight of the year was this Tree Pipit which passed over the garden at 2.18am on Monday 13th September. <br /></p><p></p><p><iframe frameborder="0" height="220" scrolling="no" src="https://www.xeno-canto.org/674579/embed" width="340"></iframe> </p><p>Soon we will be in the business end of the autumn for passerine migration. What can I expect? Well, Redwing of course, next month their 'tseep' calls will begin to fill the night sky. Song thrush too and Fieldfare if I'm lucky. I guess there's an outside chance of a returning Ring Ouzel to add to the two birds I got in the spring and if I vizmig after dawn I should start get some winter finches such as Brambling, Chaffinch, Siskin and Lesser Redpoll, I'll keep all fingers crossed for Hawfinch. If that fails at least the local Tawny Owls should continue to get more vocal as we head into November. <br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891996712567136282.post-38914943529132854012021-09-05T00:32:00.002-07:002021-09-05T00:32:33.184-07:00The Phil More's Corner Podcast - Series 2 Episode 10Our little Podcast has reached its 21st epsiode and what better way to
mark this milestone than by sitting down to chat with one of the finest
out there, none other than Yoav Perlman. He tells us about his formative
years birding in Israel, we reminisce on his time studying and birding
in the UK and some of his favourite memories from those days. We talk
about his blog, his photography and his collaboration and deep
friendship with the late Martin Garner. There's also his 'Big Year' and
of course the excellent 'Champions of the Flyway'. An episode not to be
missed.<div id="buzzsprout-player-9139561"></div>
<script charset="utf-8" src="https://www.buzzsprout.com/1100051/9139561-episode-10.js?container_id=buzzsprout-player-9139561&player=small" type="text/javascript"></script>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891996712567136282.post-7720680092423633152021-08-05T13:42:00.001-07:002021-08-05T13:42:38.516-07:00The Phil More's Corner Podcast - Series 2 Episode 9<p>Back to what we know best as we talk sound recording, nocmig and lots
more with author, expert sound recordist and ecologist Stanilas Wroza.</p><br />
<div id="buzzsprout-player-8981497"></div>
<script src="https://www.buzzsprout.com/1100051/8981497-episode-9.js?container_id=buzzsprout-player-8981497&player=small" type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8"></script>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891996712567136282.post-50105756989843362622021-08-02T12:55:00.005-07:002021-08-02T13:20:33.594-07:00Best Western<p>I only ever seem to visit RSPB Snettisham to twitch rare birds. I shouldn't need a rare bird as a reason to visit as its a very fine reserve. I've a good record there too - 100% sucessful. Broad-billed Sandpiper in 2015, Snowy Owl and Semipalmated Sandpiper in 2018 and now Western Sandpiper. I've yet to dip and have probably just cursed myself with those very words. </p><p>Myself, Nick and John Geeson drove up to meet the incoming tide on the afternoon of Friday 23rd July, the day after it was found. On arrival I have to say, that despite many birders, I wasn't feeling too optimistic that it'd be re-found. There were thousands of Dunlin out on the mud and I mean thousands, constantly moving, jittery and very mobile. A lovely spectacle to watch as the flocks wheeled and turned in the air but how on earth was anyone going to dig a Western Sandpiper out of that lot. Well, turns out someone did and I enjoyed decent if not slightly distant views.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ428d0vyXq0o9AtxFswjTcefoWAlWfFgCOckgS8ejJJW6mhuGoa_8zr3DG4L09w4y-HGF1BrLBP-PnJLAK6aGE80JniVGo280HH6qRrd3N616863vXJxNmPlHZ5Cp6bgxTIdQWn7WCTk/s1000/WesternSand2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="709" data-original-width="1000" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ428d0vyXq0o9AtxFswjTcefoWAlWfFgCOckgS8ejJJW6mhuGoa_8zr3DG4L09w4y-HGF1BrLBP-PnJLAK6aGE80JniVGo280HH6qRrd3N616863vXJxNmPlHZ5Cp6bgxTIdQWn7WCTk/w400-h284/WesternSand2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX10Qcfshcv_cfYdVKTWyxq7N_ZDBtR7nUIZ4ZJzzSC-u54afoHPpbZX5yCskBWPBF6r0Z1ET27nMGgyFRqgeBEM66cQvub1-QvSnEIIsiEVcVreOr5kcpdtPWUKNHxTZVnmcx2HWXx0Q/s780/WesternSand3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="578" data-original-width="780" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX10Qcfshcv_cfYdVKTWyxq7N_ZDBtR7nUIZ4ZJzzSC-u54afoHPpbZX5yCskBWPBF6r0Z1ET27nMGgyFRqgeBEM66cQvub1-QvSnEIIsiEVcVreOr5kcpdtPWUKNHxTZVnmcx2HWXx0Q/w640-h474/WesternSand3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg7mk1IDhEu-xwJwVbO2n0snMgLrAq8aJQggy1YVIB1pGbVfIZI3YxGPt8y-liM0UCDM-torGbehEOpL5XepofD_h6q5Sf2GXCQgXdU_B6pONfFYh4WUeIDGIcs3aYnw65rNLmWojFMvk/s1000/WesternSand.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="704" data-original-width="1000" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg7mk1IDhEu-xwJwVbO2n0snMgLrAq8aJQggy1YVIB1pGbVfIZI3YxGPt8y-liM0UCDM-torGbehEOpL5XepofD_h6q5Sf2GXCQgXdU_B6pONfFYh4WUeIDGIcs3aYnw65rNLmWojFMvk/w640-h450/WesternSand.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Western Sandpiper - Snettisham, Norfolk - 23rd July 2021</span><br /><p>There were better photos of course, these are just for the record. You can at least see the size difference between it and the adjacent Dunlin and Sanderling. Once the bird had been pinned down and seen well, it was just nice to carry on scanning through the flocks of waders, reminded me of birding back in Cork. Red Knot (many), Sanderling, Ringed Plover, Curlew, Whimbrel and a breeding plumage Curlew Sandpiper. Plus plenty of both adult and juvenile Common, Little and Sandwich Terns. I didn't see the Roseate Tern (or Terns) but no matter.</p><p>This was my first Western Sandpiper away from the Americas. I've seen ones in Panama in 2009, feeding out on the mud at Costa del Este in Panama City and a year later, a single bird on a small pool on Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos, Ecuador. I even managed a photo of that one - it was June so I guess it was a non-breeding bird first summer bird.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ovemhrv8lzqUpAKo8R65rz_jDwsp0eRerqp4dQ1ODgiFtOjtBBZ55g3mTsZEPsJub1qSYjiV9RWiK8xG38M30DWjiO8Dle8vVhxkvih1U-PxSC3fP63xiZOIzQk4cKlSzHyOTuu-2pA/s700/Wader1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="513" data-original-width="700" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ovemhrv8lzqUpAKo8R65rz_jDwsp0eRerqp4dQ1ODgiFtOjtBBZ55g3mTsZEPsJub1qSYjiV9RWiK8xG38M30DWjiO8Dle8vVhxkvih1U-PxSC3fP63xiZOIzQk4cKlSzHyOTuu-2pA/w640-h470/Wader1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTtrOoUnw_I0WndBKsQeVinakH_3oDS_UUJns9tIi0mcEDAbsenGRTsWA_1uo3zCSqNUxhoc3qACmdkOsCz6TO6HZgW2vGLNlAwfGaxepLeroDXsWiHCMxfUQynKMIO7_yunK8_VAEd14/s486/Wader2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="366" data-original-width="486" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTtrOoUnw_I0WndBKsQeVinakH_3oDS_UUJns9tIi0mcEDAbsenGRTsWA_1uo3zCSqNUxhoc3qACmdkOsCz6TO6HZgW2vGLNlAwfGaxepLeroDXsWiHCMxfUQynKMIO7_yunK8_VAEd14/w640-h482/Wader2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span><span> <span> </span><span> </span> </span> </span>Western Sandpiper, Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos, Ecuador - June 2010<br /></span><p>Of course, there's another reason to remember this most recent visit to Snettisham. Once the bird had been seen, it all got a bit social, lots of birders milling around chatting and catching up. Even by Norfolk standards, there was a "bit o' craic". As we left the throng and started our long trudge back to the car I turned around to wait for Nick and took this quick shot.</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHLBRrss1UvP1vvUvEm_SBZ9kxPDfenPvDXTG0pxA1TqXxuh5JnxwXnccymOZoPQtLTh3rnU652t5vAM0hPXnrLAxPLH9OSPle9wCPKEUhI2jYmBEO19kgTYz6HAGenz1m8g5XItogfgM/s1000/Nick-Snettisham.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="643" data-original-width="1000" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHLBRrss1UvP1vvUvEm_SBZ9kxPDfenPvDXTG0pxA1TqXxuh5JnxwXnccymOZoPQtLTh3rnU652t5vAM0hPXnrLAxPLH9OSPle9wCPKEUhI2jYmBEO19kgTYz6HAGenz1m8g5XItogfgM/w640-h412/Nick-Snettisham.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>He won't mind me saying this I hope, but its good to see a smile on his face again, signing off on possibly his last Norfolk twitch before starting a new chapter down in Cornwall. If you've read his blog you'll possibly know he's had a recent health scare <a href="https://luscinia61.com/an-unexpected-journey">An unexpected journey</a>. However, things are certainly looking brighter now and it was good to see him in high spirits once again. <br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0