Cyprus first observations

Back on Cyprus for the second time, first visit in Spring. Staying again in the north west at Droushia and first day (Sun 10th) spent in roughly the north west area. Having been rudely awoken by a pair of duetting (Cyprus) Scop's Owls at 01:00 the day, how dare they :)  , the day turned into a pleasant yet warm one with temps in the low 20s. Early cloud cover gave way to sunny afternoon skies with a gentle westerly breeze. The skies dominated by (Barn) Swallows and the land by Sardinian Warblers. The Baths of Aphrodite held few migrants early morning, but a Red-rumped Swallow was noteworthy and at least 2 male Cyprus Pied Wheatears showed well giving their 'electric' song, trying their best to be heard over the monotonous Sardinian Warbler background. Several lone Long-legged Buzzards took to the air in the north west, big beasts (one shown below together with its smaller cousin - boc). A colony of Spanish Sparrows at Theletra Gorge were nice to see as the 'House' variety were all over the towns and villages. Nearby a Squacco Heron crossed Evertou Dam and a Wood Warbler was feeding up in a tree by the track to the Dam. Late afternoon visit to Cape Drepanum produced a flock of 50 Glossy Ibises north and on terra firma bucket fulls of Crested Larks, singles of Whinchat, Fan-tailed Warbler and Woodchat Shrike. A couple of skittish flocks totalling about a dozen 'Flava' Wagtails comprised Blue-headed and Black-headed. Brief looks at a Wheatear (Northern/Isabelline). A few hours earlier at Droushia near the hotel a different ID challenge, a female Ficedula sp. Big white wing panel and decent white wing 'drop' patch but no 2nd wingbar. Mournful peep call when alarmed. Absence of 2nd wingbar suggests Collared Flycatcher? The day ended venturing a little south to connect with another (Cyprus) Scop's Owl- one calling bird near 'Mavro' Dam at dusk and it's mate seen in flight crossing the valley. A flock of 10 'kwoking' Night Herons flew high overhead and Chukar seen here on the tops.  This cracking location held Cyprus Pied Wheatear and a Common Buzzard (boc photo (bottom) below, points to Steppe?) attracted the attention of a Kestrel and Hooded Crows. Not to forget those pesky Sardinian Warblers that seemed to be in every bush!

A Hoopoe tried to give me a race as it flew alongside the car near Kathikas on returning to Cape Drepanum early morning (Mon 11th). At the headland it looked like an overnight clear out, very quiet. Of note a Greenshank eluded me as it called overhead going fast north, but a male Spanish Sparrow was seen present by the small harbour. Off to Paphos Headland and there were several Brit birders on site. Quiet for migrants at first, seemed like more birders present than migrant birds, but it seemed to pick up as the morning progressed. A couple of flocks of Bee-eaters (6 and 9) moved through and a Nightingale showed well. 'Flava' Wagtails flew around the headland producing no opprtunity for racial id and a couple of Red-throated Pipits offered brief looks only, and would have been easily overlooked if they hadn't given their distinctive 'spee' call. A flock of Spoonbills/Egrets remained unidentified as they disapoeared north and into the heat haze. 2 Whinchats showed and most bizarrely on leaving the site a pale phase adult Arctic Skua flew nonchalantly high west over the headland. A couple on site had told me earlier of a Hooded Wheatear, a rare visitor to Cyprus, they had found the previous day on the coast by Paphos airport. I decided to check it out as it was only 15 mins or so away, and after no sign it was picked up on the coastal fringe. A stunning bird, nice to see it in good light and at close quarters, interesting feeding behaviour very keen to hover in pursuit of an insect. Boc comparison photos of Cyprus Pied Wheatear (top) and Hooded Wheatear (bottom) below. Nearby a Black Francolin called but would not show itself. Spent the rest of the afternoon and evening an hour's drive to the east on the Akrotiri peninsula. The church near Akrotiri village held a lone male Pied Flycatcher but by now a strong westerly winds had developed making birding uncomfortable and no doubt keeping passerines down. Lady's Mile held Kentish Plovers and Little Stints plus 3 Greater Flamingoes, whilst a Northern Wheatear moved along the shingle/scrub across the road. Zakaki Pools held Water Rail, 7 Ferruginous Ducks, 5 squabbling Little Egrets and an onlooking Cattle Egret amongst other species. Again the strong wind wasn't helping and it got a bit parky as dusk approached. The scrub produced flight views of Black Francolin, a scolding Spectacled Warbler and a more peaceful Hoopoe. 4 Glossy Ibis roosted on the salt lake edge, which seemed miles away, the lake also sported a quartering cc Marsh Harrier. A nice way to end the birding day. As I type the overnight rain has started, thundery showers expected through the day tomorrow.

'It's a falcon, Jim, but not as we know it'

The title inspired by The Firm, it was a toss of a coin between that one and 'There's Short-eareds on the river wall, riverwall; there's Short-eareds on the river wall, riverwall, Jim'.

Last weekend the big brown falcon lay siege to Wennington Marsh/ Target Pools taking up base on the nearby pylons. A big brute and it looked like the falcon seen a few weeks ago. The question is, what is it?

Is it a pale big immature female Peregrine or a hybrid falcon, say a Saker cross? I've got no experience of Saker so cannot add to the hybrid debate. A couple of record shots above. Having seen it on the pylons and then later staring out a Buzzard and Marsh Harrier on the deck from the Serin mound noted:

• Closed wing seen briefly to judge wing tip to tail tip. Looked like wing tip approached or was equal to the tail tip.
• Pale underparts with dense but fine brown streaks
• Pale trousers looked streaked.
• Pale cheeks looked considerably whiter than the underparts.
• White supercilium stronger behind eye forming a wrap around.
• Crown pale with feathers above 'super' looking a bit chestnut in strong light, but looking really white crowned in dull light.
• Dark moustache stripe extensive looked black and appeared to be broader at the tip. Black extending to behind the eye.
• Upperwing brown and uniform.
• Underwing barred and appeared to be uniform, didn't note a contrast between underwing coverts and rest of wing. Pattern close to immature Peregrine shown in 'Collins' guide.
• Tail paler than upperwing and tip looked dark but not black.
• Hunting style. Low level attack frightening anything in its way. Does this style of hunting betray it's identity or parentage?

Keep an eye out for it. Answers on its identity on a postcard to...

The Short-eared Owls were as stunning as ever showing well mid morning last Saturday as the mist gave way to low cloud. Several photos below. Less than 100 yards away 3 Avocets graced Aveley Bay and 10 Black-tailed Godwits fed quietly. Later a group of 70 + 4 'Black wits' flew onto the reserve, some acquiring summer garb.

Of note in warmish conditions on the Saturday (12th) was the clear out of say between 500 and 1000 Black-headed Gulls heading high east continent bound during mid afternoon over a couple of hours. A full days count would have revealed a much bigger movement. Similar but colder conditions on Sunday saw no such movement at all.

February Birding at Rainham Marshes RSPB - a Brent Goose, a crazy Falcon and several cool Gulls. PS not to forget the Fulmar!

Typical late winter birding during February, continuing winter birds and a few nice surprises kept us entertained. The seemingly never ending conveyor belt of Atlantic fronts and strong SW winds were the order of the month apart from the weekends of 13/14 and 27/28 when at last an easterly component reminded us of winters past.

A Brent Goose pinged it's way between the reserve and the river was a highlight on the 6th. The following weekend saw the first Gull workshop of the winter. Despite the morning rain and bitingly cold wind from the east it was well attended and received generous donations. Helped DDL at the event who gave a fantastic commentary of the gulls on offer, of which the 5 typical gull species put on a show throughout the 2.5hrs. A 2nd winter Yellow-legged Gull added to the list, but it was not so obliging as it headed upriver at distance. Next day there were at least 7 Yellow-legged Gulls in Aveley Bay - 2nd winters and older. Back to the 13th and given the conditions I was hoping for an unusual seabird to come by. Around 15:30 news broke of a Fulmar drifting upriver (FS) and this had us scrambling out of the centre onto the balcony. HTV soon picked it up drifting into Aveley Bay. A cracking record and they don't half look unusual inland. The shocking white head and underparts with a downward angled head profile gave it a distinctive look. Noted that the gulls were curious of this visitor and even mobbed it on occasion, record shot below. The afternoon of the 13th also saw the finding of a Brambling at the feeders, well twitched for the Rainham Marshes 2016 Bird race, this species being generally scarce in the UK this winter. Also a crazy Falcon attacking anything that moved on the Target Pools a few moments earlier. This big beast, characterised by dark brown upperparts, pale head, heavily barred underwing and pale rump and tail was thought to be a hybrid - Gyr x Saker? At one stage it had a swerve at one of the Marsh Harriers!

Marsh Harriers showed brilliantly with 5 present on 21st comprising 2 ad/subadult males, 1 imm male and 2 imm females. An adult female present on 28th added to the mix. The wintering Rock and Water Pipits remained, the former getting brighter with the plumage change betraying their Scandinavian origins. One Water Pipit present briefly near Coldharbour Point (27th) seen in flight looked to be well into the plumage change. I saw a Dartford Warbler briefly on 28th in the usual spot, sadly it was just a brief look as it dived back into cover. Wintering ducks showed throughout with many becoming brighter and brighter as their thoughts turned to Spring with Pintail looking graceful as ever. Waders included up to 400 Dunlin roosting with Lapwing and Golden Plover (200) on the reserve at high tide. 13 Black-tailed Godwits favoured Aveley Bay (27/28) and Oystercatchers returned during the month. 2 Avocets could have been the stars of the 27th but for me gulls stole the show- as always!

Arrived at the centre just after 10:00 on Saturday 27th. Made a quick scan of the gulls on the mud on the Kent side of the river opposite the reserve hoping for a 'Caspo', and picked up on a pale immature that looked smaller than immature Herring Gulls that were alongside it. It wasn't side-on so couldn't clinch its ID at that moment, but it had the feel of a 1st w Iceland Gull - benign head and small billed. Alerted others of the possibility and after a couple of minutes (felt like ages) it swung itself around revealing paler primaries, noticeable projection even at such a range. Got the word out and the bird was well twitched. A coupe of record shots below. It stayed in the area for about 3.5 hrs before appearing to fly upriver around about 13:45. A 1st w Caspian Gull showed late morning near to the Iceland Gull (AL) plus the gang got onto a stonking adult summer Mediterranean Gull that did a flyby early afternoon (PS). With a couple of Yellow-legged Gulls seen we had a 9 gull species day.

Rainham Marshes RSPB - From Passenger Pigeons to a magical Merlin but not forgetting Lagopus lagopus scotica. All a bit of a Circus really!

Walking along the riverwall from Purfleet station to Rainham Marshes RSPB in a gale in the dark on a Friday evening (29 Jan 2016) is perhaps not everybody's cup of tea. The purpose to take in Dr Mark Avery's Fighting for Birds talk being hosted at the centre that evening. It was a well received event and a fascinating account being split up into 2 parts - firstly the historical aspects and the shocking demise of the Passenger Pigeon, thought to be the most numerous bird in North America in the 1800s, with part two concerning the impact of driven grouse moors on Hen Harriers amongst other aspects. With thanks to all for a brilliant evening. Looking forward to reading 'Inglorious'. On walking to and from the centre it was certainly an eye opener to see the light polution of the metropolis to the west.

If you go to Rainham Marshes RSPB and do a riverwatch from the balcony you can get distracted by model aircraft being flown over the Kent side, especially on a quiet birding day. They do 'loop the loop' rising on the vertical as they break the horizon of the river wall chasing imaginary prey. Sometimes you think you've got a raptor only to be disappointed seconds later! No such aircraft spotted today, so why mention this? This Saturday (30 Jan 2016) about a mile or so west of the centre I witnessed a true avian equivalent. It was after arriving at the Serin mound before 4pm on the 'long walk' back to Rainham railway station. Target was to wait to see if the Bittern, that had been sighted over several days on the reserve, would fly over the marsh as dusk approached. I set up the 'scope and scanned the marsh through 'bins. Straight away a small dark bird of prey apparently in pursuit was flying over the first field. After a few quick turns it landed in the field and a lone pole helped as a marker in picking up the bird in the 'scope. A female/immature Merlin. I managed to rattle off some right at the limit phonescoped photos of it as the light was still reasonable, and got the message out on twitter/text. It stayed in view for several minutes and allowed for other birders/photographers newly arriving at the mound to connect. It flew off in pursuit and was lost to view. About 4.25pm I picked up the bird absolutely motoring along low over the marsh at mid distance, so low it was barely above the ground and easily lost against the fragments of reedbed occasionally blocking the view. It continued to show on and off until 4.45pm. During the time at the Serin mound it was in hot pursuit of passerines on 2 or 3 occasions forcing them up off Wennington Marsh and vigorously chasing them in mid air, reminding me of the rising of the model aircraft mentioned earlier. It appeared relentless in pursuit of supper but was only successful close to dark when it was plucking something on the ground in the falling light. It was great to see a Merlin hunt, especially being able to follow it as it flew low over the marsh and witness its tactics of forcing the passerines up into the air and continue chasing them over the skyline. First time I've definitely seen Merlin at Rainham Marshes RSPB, two probables in the past which both zoomed by in a blink of the eye and could not be nailed down. Two Short-eared Owls played second fiddle on this occasion as they patrolled the edge of the marsh, and there was no sign of the Bittern from Serin mound up until leaving at just before 5pm.

Other highlights from today was a Knot which we saw briefly in Aveley Bay in the morning and then again in the afternoon in flight over the reserve with a flock of Dunlin heading towards the Target Pools at high tide. Water Pipits continue to be showy with singles frequenting the Target Pools and the riverwall respectively, and Marsh Harriers took to the air as the dull grey morning turned to sunny spells.









Within the book 'Frontiers in Birding' by Martin Garner and friends Martin invites the reader never to lose the ability to enjoy the wonder of birds, and to go and discover new things for yourself and others. Watching the Merlin hunt and being able to study its tactics was such a wonderful moment. Martin sadly passed away recently and the tributes paid to Martin on the internet show how inspirational he was to birders and non birders alike, including birders who never met him but have been able to share his passion for birding through his work on pushing the boundaries of bird identification.

Weekend 23/24 January 2016 - Rainham RSPB and a twitch down the road

Birding highlights this Saturday just gone included connecting with a Bar-tailed Godwit roosting with Lapwings on the Target Pools at Rainham Marshes RSPB, a stunning Short-eared Owl patrolling the area between the hide and the pools with a Red Kite heading west over the tip. A good variety of species seen and double figures of Stonechat was certainly noteworthy, as was a Ruff playing hide and seek amongst the throng of Dunlin, Lapwing and Golden Plover. Water Pipits continue to be showy this winter, they will look good come March, as should their Scandinavian Rock Pipits cousins should they linger on the Thames shore. The Raven pair were pair bonding and throwing their weight around. Would have liked to have seen the Merlin and Bittern, can't have them all, but it shows the cracking variety of this excellent reserve.

Twitched the Great Grey Shrike at Edgware on foot, a nice couple of miles walk each way - Sunday morning. Elusive but showed well at distance (took bins and bridge camera only). Fieldfare and Redwing flocked and a Sparrowhawk enjoyed spooking them. A male Bullfinch brightened up a dull damp morning.

A couple of photos from the weekend below, more photos at 'Latest UK Bird Photos'.

As good as seeing a lifer - back at Rainham

First trip of 2016 to Rainham RSPB on Saturday 09 January 2016 and it didn't disappoint. Loads of Lapwings looking well in the neutral light were present at high tide on the Target Pools and were joined by about 80 Golden Plovers, 25 Black-tailed Godwits and a very skittish Dunlin flock (300?) that made their way back to the Thames as an adult Peregrine patrolled the marsh. A male Marsh Harrier quartered nearby Wennington Marsh. Despite the ever increasing showery conditions a Dartford Warbler was quite showy just beyond the northern boardwalk and off site a Water Pipit called in flight touching down briefly on the shore. About half a dozen calling Rock Pipits were more obliging and it was nice to study the subtle difference of the call- Water Pipit "wist" and Rock Pipit "weest".

The highlight for me though was chasing the Siberian Chiffchaff found by Paul H mid pm near the Serin mound. After a delay we got cracking looks at this bird as it fed along the bushy edge. It called several times, a clear distinction "peep", and from a later study spot on with the recordings on 'Xeno-canto'. Seeing this distinctive bird, tristis, whilst classified as a subspecies of Chiffchaff was as good as seeing a lifer! I'm sure I've heard one in Norfolk in the '90s and perhaps had unsatisfactory views of a couple in the Midlands one winter as well. Always wanted to have a good look at one of these and this bird was stunning. Dull in colour looking essentially brown on the upperparts and very pale underneath. Dark bill and legs and a white supercillium with a hint of dark line above. Chestnut/Warmer tinged ear coverts and green wing panel noted. Take a look at the excellent photos of Paul H and Shaun H for more plumage details.

http://hawkysbirdingblog.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/siberian-chiffchaff-rainham-marshes.html

http://valleybirding.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/siberian-chiffchaff-at-rainham-marshes.html

Xmas and New Year birding - 2 Yorkshire ticks, a couple of rare local geese, gull roost and raptors in Norfolk

Back home for Xmas and New Year, and lots of birding in the Barnsley Area.

Birded the uplands with my dad and we caught up with the adult Greenland White-fronted Goose near Ingbirchworth Res. and the short staying Brent Goose. A couple of Peregrine sightings on the moors, ringtail and a pair of Ravens.

Birding in the 'Barnsley area lowlands' was in the main restricted to watching the gull roost at Anglers CP late afternoon. Wind direction and dull conditions plus unpredictable roosting behaviour of the gulls put the roost watchers to the test. I saw the reasonably regular juv. Glaucous Gull on three visits (28/12, 31/12 and 01/01) and an adult Yellow-legged Gull, not Psycho, (31/12 and 01/01). The star was a 3rd winter Iceland Gull roosting on the Country Park lake (31/12). The lake held wintering duck including Goosander and Goldeneye. Twitched the Firecrest found nr Silkstone (03/01) as it mingled with Goldcrest and a Treecreeper. At one point it was pushed off by one of the Goldcrests. Also twitched a pair of Ring-necked Parakeets, connecting on the 2nd attempt (02/01) at Fleets Dam just north of Barnsley town centre, a Yorkshire and Barnsley tick!

Away from Barnsley saw the juv. male Surf Scoter at Filey (27/12) - Yorkshire tick. It was in company of a Great Northern Diver. Left Filey as news broke of a Richard's Pipit at Flamborough North Landing. Arrived at the cliff top site about 30 mins later and joined Brett R looking for the Pipit. He shortly located it in the long grass in tow with another Pipit, which quickly revealed itself to be "Dick's Pipit" number 2. A day birding Norfolk (29/12) produced an excellent 10 raptor species, primary target was the stunning Pallid Harrier at Flitcham which produced excellent views prior to 9 am. Connected with 2 wintering Rough-legged Buzzards east of Choseley and highlights from the north coast included Peregrine, Merlin, Red Kite and Hen Harrier.

Some images below. Much more photos uploaded at 'Latest UK Bird Photos' -  http://www.jcwassebirding.com/p/latest-uk-bird-photos.html.