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Another cracking day

Met Kev at 9AM at Mr and Mrs Colvin's garden near Close Sartfield.  
3 Hours later we had caught 104 birds of which
60 were new birds
Mainly Blue Tits and Gt Tits with Coal Tits Chaffinch Blackbirds Goldfinch Robins
a Female Sparrowhawk came close to being ringed but just missed.
After packing up we had an hour before we had to get off so we decided to visit the site where 
a  Chiffchaff had been showing for the last 4 days and coursing some ID debate

www.grayimages.co.uk

Click for Kev's Blog and full story


a great couple of days wind is back tomorrow



Met Kev at 9AM at Mr and Mrs Colvin's garden near Close Sartfield.  
3 Hours later we had caught 104 birds of which
60 were new birds
Mainly Blue Tits and Gt Tits with Coal Tits Chaffinch Blackbirds Goldfinch Robins
a Female Sparrowhawk came close to being ringed but just missed.
After packing up we had an hour before we had to get off so we decided to visit the site where 
a  Chiffchaff had been showing for the last 4 days and coursing some ID debate

www.grayimages.co.uk

Click for Kev's Blog and full story


a great couple of days wind is back tomorrow



reade more... Résuméabuiyad

150 bird day

Great morning at Christine's garden in St johns with Kev today. 122 New birds ringed with  28 retraps.
Kev will give me full details later. We didn't set up until 0930 to give the birds a chance to feed.
from then on it was none stop.

Blue Tits Great Tits Coal tits Long tailed Tits Chaffinch Siskin Goldfinch House Sparrow Robin Dunnock
Blackbirds and Treecreeper

Thanks to Christine for the toast and tea and the banter.


Here are todays totals –

                                                      New Birds               Retraps        Totals
          Dunnock                                   4                                0                  4
          Robin                                       5                                 0                 5
          Blackbird                                  9                                 0                 9
          Long-tailed Tit                           7                                 0                 7
          Coal Tit                                    10                               10               20
          Blue Tit                                    36                                9                45
          Great Tit                                  12                                5                17
          Treecreeper                               1                                 0                 1
          House Sparrow                          8                                 1                 9
          Chaffinch                                 23                                3                 26
          Goldfinch                                   3                                 0                 3
          Siskin                                       4                                 0                 4
                            Total:                   122                                28              150




Out and about on Sunday to windy for any ringing so took camera out


2A93 ringed in Ramsey Harbour November 18 2011 Seen yesterday Ramsey Harbour

2A95 ringed in Ramsey Harbour on 6 January 2012 seen Ramsey Harbour yesterday
Great morning at Christine's garden in St johns with Kev today. 122 New birds ringed with  28 retraps.
Kev will give me full details later. We didn't set up until 0930 to give the birds a chance to feed.
from then on it was none stop.

Blue Tits Great Tits Coal tits Long tailed Tits Chaffinch Siskin Goldfinch House Sparrow Robin Dunnock
Blackbirds and Treecreeper

Thanks to Christine for the toast and tea and the banter.


Here are todays totals –

                                                      New Birds               Retraps        Totals
          Dunnock                                   4                                0                  4
          Robin                                       5                                 0                 5
          Blackbird                                  9                                 0                 9
          Long-tailed Tit                           7                                 0                 7
          Coal Tit                                    10                               10               20
          Blue Tit                                    36                                9                45
          Great Tit                                  12                                5                17
          Treecreeper                               1                                 0                 1
          House Sparrow                          8                                 1                 9
          Chaffinch                                 23                                3                 26
          Goldfinch                                   3                                 0                 3
          Siskin                                       4                                 0                 4
                            Total:                   122                                28              150




Out and about on Sunday to windy for any ringing so took camera out


2A93 ringed in Ramsey Harbour November 18 2011 Seen yesterday Ramsey Harbour

2A95 ringed in Ramsey Harbour on 6 January 2012 seen Ramsey Harbour yesterday
reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Nice surprise

I went up to the Point of Ayre this morning to place some food down no birds seen and the wind was quite strong so went back to Ramsey where it was nice and calm. After 3 hours of waiting for birds to land 
Starlings, Linnets and Rock Pipits nothing was going on. I had two colour ringed Rock Pipits that come in to the area every 10 minutes to grab a dried meal worm and i let them feed so they might attract something else in. Something caught my eye on the trailers parked up to the right. A Black Redstart was sat watching the Rock Pipits, i thought about getting my spring traps out and catching it. didn't have to it flew straight on to the dried meal worms, nice one.




I phoned Ted and he came for a look the bird was last seen sat on the wall near all the fisherman's 
nets at about 3:45
I went up to the Point of Ayre this morning to place some food down no birds seen and the wind was quite strong so went back to Ramsey where it was nice and calm. After 3 hours of waiting for birds to land 
Starlings, Linnets and Rock Pipits nothing was going on. I had two colour ringed Rock Pipits that come in to the area every 10 minutes to grab a dried meal worm and i let them feed so they might attract something else in. Something caught my eye on the trailers parked up to the right. A Black Redstart was sat watching the Rock Pipits, i thought about getting my spring traps out and catching it. didn't have to it flew straight on to the dried meal worms, nice one.




I phoned Ted and he came for a look the bird was last seen sat on the wall near all the fisherman's 
nets at about 3:45
reade more... Résuméabuiyad

DECEMBER 2011. NOTABLE SIGHTINGS IN EXTREMADURA

Spanish Sparrow (Passer hispanioliensis). Male in winter plumage. By Atanasio Fernández.

A list of the most notable December 2011 records sent to the GOCE birdwatching forum. Compiled by Sergio Mayordomo.

- White-Fronted Goose: on 08/12 two birds at Valdecañas Reservoir (Cáceres) and one at Lugar Nuevo, Peraleda de la Mata (Cáceres) (Javier Briz and Vicente Risco).
- Greylag Goose: 758 birds at Valdecañas Reservoir (Cáceres) on 08/12 (J. Briz and V. Risco)
- Barnacle Goose: three birds on 03/12 at Portaje Reservoir (Cáceres) (Sergio Mayordomo) and six at Talaván Reservoir (Cáceres) (José Luis Barriga). One bird at Moheda Alta, Navalvillar de Pela (Badajoz), on 07/12 (Martin Kelsey).
- Egyptian Goose: one bird at Borbollón Reservoir (Cáceres) on 18/12 (SEO-Cáceres) and three at Riolobos ricefield (Cáceres) on 28/12 (Javier Prieta).
- Shelduck: one female at Portaje Reservoir (Cáceres) on 17/12 (Eva Palacios and S. Mayordomo).
- Ruddy Shelduck: four birds at Portaje Reservoir (Cáceres) on 30/12 (Juan Carlos Paniagua and S. Mayordomo)

Wood Duck (Aix sponsa). Drake in summer plumage. Guijo de Coria, Cáceres. 18-12-2011. By César Clemente.

- Wood Duck: one drake on a pond of Guijo de Coria (Cáceres) on 18/12 (SEO-Cáceres).
- Tufted Duck: eight ducks and two drakes at Lugar Nuevo, Peraleda de la Mata (Cáceres), on 08/12 (J. Briz and V. Risco). At Charco Salado, Casatejada (Cáceres), 30 birds on 08/12 (Antolín Redondo and Leandro), 31 on 10/12 and about 20 on 28/12 (S. Mayordomo). At El Manantío / Atalaya, Aldea del Cano (Cáceres), 24 birds on 21/12 (José Guerra and S. Mayordomo). Over 50 birds at Charca de Brozas (Cáceres) on 23/12 (Carlos Fernández).
- Ferruginous Duck: one drake at La Anguila Reservoir, Serrejón (Cáceres), on 10/12 (S. Mayordomo). At El Manantío, Aldea del Cano (Cáceres), one drake on 21/12 (Alberto Gil, J. Guerra and S. Mayordomo) and three birds on 31/12 (Agustín Rodríguez, Florencio Carrero and Rafael Parra).
- Great Crested Grebe: 200 birds at Alange Reservoir (Badajoz) on 06/12 (Antonio Núñez, Jesús Solana and Vanessa de Alba).
- Cormorant: over 1000 on River Guadiana at Badajoz on 06/12 (J. C. Paniagua).
- Spoonbill: one immature at Sotillo Reservoir, Monroy (Cáceres), on 02/12 (S. Mayordomo). At Lagunas de La Albuera (Badajoz), 11 birds on 03/12 (J. C. Paniagua) and on 18/12 (A. Núñez, J. Solana and V. de Alba) and eight on 22/12 (J. Guerra). At El Ancho, Arroyo de la Luz (Cáceres), one bird on 15/12 (Paco Be Water) and six on 23/12 (R. Parra). At Los Arenales, Cáceres, four birds on 17/12 (Antonio Cebrián) and seven on 21/12 (J. Guerra and S. Mayordomo) and on 23/12 (C. Fernández). At Los Canchales Reservoir (Badajoz), two birds on 17/12 (Elvira del Viejo, José Luis Bautista and Pablo Herrador). One bird Valdefuentes gravel pit, Galisteo (Cáceres), on 24/12 (César Clemente and Javier Mahillo). One bird at Laguna de Galisteo (Cáceres) on 28/12 (J. Prieta).
- Bittern: one certain bird and another possible at Arrocampo Reservoir (Cáceres) on 05/12 (Manuel García del Rey and S. Mayordomo).
- Little Bittern: on River Guadiana: three birds on 05/12, four on 08/12 and six on 10/12 at Badajoz (J. C. Paniagua) and at Mérida (Badajoz), six on 19/12 (Ángel Sánchez). One bird at Arrocampo Reservoir (Cáceres) on 10/12 (S. Mayordomo). One bird at La Granja gravel pits (Cáceres) on 19/12 (Ricardo Montero).
- Night Heron: At River Guadiana: one young bird on 05/12 and a roost of at least 15 birds on 10/12, Badajoz (J. C. Paniagua), and at Mérida (Badajoz), six on 19/12 (Á. Sánchez).
- Squacco Heron: one bird at Casas de Hitos, Navalvillar de Pela (Badajoz) on 03/12 (Óscar Llama and Rafael Vicente). At River Guadiana, Badajoz, two birds on 03/12, five on 05/12, six on 06/12, nine on 08/12 and eight on 10/12 (J. C. Paniagua). One bird at Arrocampo Reservoir (Cáceres) on 06/12 (M. García del Rey and S. Mayordomo). One bird at El Batán ricefields (Cáceres) on 08/12 (Javier Gayo, J. Prieta and S. Mayordomo), 17/12 (E. Palacios and S. Mayordomo) and 30/12 (J. C. Paniagua and S. Mayordomo).
- Black Stork: one bird at Madrigal de la Vera (Cáceres) on 17/12 (Dave Langlois). One bird at Los Arenales, Cáceres, on 21/12 (J. Guerra and S. Mayordomo). Four birds at Charca de Fresnedillas, Oliva de Plasencia (Cáceres), late December (Jesús Montero). One bird at Laguna del Pozo de la Mozas, Oliva de Plasencia (Cáceres), on 31/12 (S. Mayordomo).
- Osprey: one bird at Viñuelas gravel pit, Galisteo (Cáceres), on 13/12, and several sightings of one bird at Gabriel and Galán Reservoir (Cáceres) (Alberto Pacheco).
- Black Kite: one bird at River Gargáligas (Badajoz) on 03/12 (Lorenzo Alcántara). On 19/12, two birds at Mérida (Badajoz) (Á. Sánchez) and one at Oliva de Plasencia (Cáceres) (S. Mayordomo). One bird at Los Frailes, Badajoz, on 27/12 (Gabriel Silva and J. C. Paniagua).

Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus). Some of the 500+ birds present at Salto del Gitano, Monfragüe, on 12-12-2011. By Javier Prieta.

- Griffon Vulture: over 150 birds at on Cáceres landfill site on 03/12 (A. Gil). 512 birds counted and over 600 estimated at Salto del Gitano, Monfragüe (Cáceres) on 13/12 (J. Prieta).
- Cinereous Vulture: over 150 birds at Cáceres landfill site on 03/12 (A. Gil).
- Goshawk: one bird at Monesterio (Badajoz) on 03/12 (A. Pacheco).
- Crane: 1942 at River Tiétar, Malpartida de Plasencia, on 21/12 (J. Prieta). 6000 birds at Borbollón Reservoir (Cáceres) on 26/12 (C. Clemente, Goyo Naharro and J. Mahillo). 25,346 birds in the central zone (Badajoz-Cáceres) on 28/12 (Manuel Gómez Calzado, Miguel Gómez Guarín and José Antonio Román).
- Stone Curlew: roost of over 300 birds at La Nava de Santiago (Badajoz) on 17/12 (Á. Sánchez and Ángel Luis Sánchez). Roost of over 40 birds at Montijo (Badajoz) on 25/12 (J. L. Bautista and P. Herrador).
- Avocet: on 09/12 four birds at El Torvical (Badajoz) and 20 at Puebla de Alcollarín (Badajoz) (J. L. Barriga and Juan Pablo Prieto). On 18/12, 33 birds at Lagunas de La Albuera (Badajoz) (A. Núñez, J. Solana and V. de Alba) and 14 at Puebla de Alcollarín (Badajoz) (José Luis Pérez Chiscano and J. P. Prieto). Eight birds at Gabriel and Galán Reservoir (Cáceres) on 19/12 (Chema Diu and R. Montero). One bird at Galisteo ricefield (Cáceres) from 21/12 to 24/12 (C. Clemente J. Mahillo, J. Prieta and S. Mayordomo). 70 birds at Puebla de Alcollarín (Badajoz) on 26/12 (Elvira del Viejo, Juan Carlos Núñez, J. P. Prieto, María del Viejo and Miguel del Viejo). One bird at Valdehornillos (Badajoz) on 28/12 (José Antonio Román).
- Sociable Lapwing: One bird at Castuera (Badajoz) on 12/12 (Jan Hill and Les Battle).
- Kentish Plover: 25 birds at Santa Amalia (Badajoz) on 29/12 (Fernando Yuste).
- Curlew: one bird at Galisteo (Cáceres) on 21/12 (J. Prieta) and another at Charco Salado, Casatejada (Cáceres), on 28/12 (S. Mayordomo).
- Black-Tailed Godwit: one bird at Galisteo ricefield (Cáceres) from 03/12 to 22/12 (J. Prieta and S. Mayordomo). Twelve birds at Hernán Cortés (Badajoz) on 29/12 (Atanasio Fernández).

Jack Snipe (Lymnocryptes minimus), in the background, and Snipe (Gallinago gallinago). El Batán, Cáceres. 30-12-2011. By Juan Carlos Paniagua.

- Jack Snipe: one bird at El Batán ricefield (Cáceres) on 30/12 (J. C. Paniagua and S. Mayordomo).
- Woodcock: one bird at Santa Cruz de Paniagua (Cáceres) on 29/12 (J. C. Paniagua) and another at Dehesa Boyal de Montehermoso (Cáceres) on 30/12 (C. Clemente).
- Spotted Redshank: at El Batán ricefield (Cáceres), four birds on 03/12 (S. Mayordomo) and two on 17/12 (E. Palacios and S. Mayordomo). At El Torviscal ricefields (Badajoz), two birds on 09/12 (J. L. Barriga and J. P. Prieto) and one on 26/12 (E. del Viejo, J. C. Núñez, J. P. Prieto. M. del Viejo and M. del Viejo). At Galisteo ricefield (Cáceres), three birds on 21/12 (J. Prieta) and one on 22/12 (S. Mayordomo).
- Yellow-Legged Gull: one bird at El Ancho, Arroyo de la Luz (Cáceres), on 21/12 (J. Guerra and S. Mayordomo).
- Lesser Black-Backed Gull: 6500 birds at Alange Reservoir (Badajoz) on 06/12 (A. Núñez, J. Solana and V. de Alba).
- Whiskered Tern: one bird seen from the Roman Bridge of Mérida (Badajoz) on 04/12 (J. Solana).
- Stock Dove: four birds at Oliva de Plasencia (Cáceres) on 19/12 (S. Mayordomo). At Galisteo (Cáceres) 50 birds on 21/12 (J. Prieta) and 200 on 24/12 (C. Clemente and J. Mahillo). Over 50 birds at Riolobos (Cáceres) on 30/12 (J. C. Paniagua and S. Mayordomo).
- Short-Eared Owl: 17 birds at Hernán Cortés (Badajoz) on 12/12 and one bird at Santa Amalia (Badajoz) on 15/12 (J. A. Román). One bird at Cocosa, Olivenza (Badajoz), on 28/12 and two at Santa Amalia (Badajoz) on 30/12 (F. Yuste).
- Pallid Swift: Wintering birds at Alange (Badajoz): 15 birds entering the eaves of the church on 01/12 (J. Solana), twelve on 06/12 (A. Núñez, J. Solana and V. de Alba), nine on 11/12 (L. Alcántara) and another nine on 27/12 (J. Solana).
- Wryneck: one bird at River Jerte, Plasencia (Cáceres), on 06/12 (S. Mayordomo).
- Carrion Crow: one bird at Huélaga (Cáceres) on 18/12 (SEO-Cáceres).
- House Martin: one bird at Montehermoso (Cáceres) on 07/12 (J. Mahillo).
- Swallow: one bird at Mérida (Badajoz) on 19/12 (J. Solana).
- Red-Rumped Swallow: one bird at Plaza Mayor, Trujillo (Cáceres) on 01/12 (M. Kelsey).
- Goldcrest: several in one fir clump at Navaconcejo (Cáceres) on 10/12 (José Luis Rivero). Several at Piornal (Cáceres) on 15/12 (J. Prieta).
- Fieldfare: one bird at Villanueva de la Vera (Cáceres) on 01/12 (D. Langlois).
- Alpine Accentor: on 03/12, three birds at Pico Villuercas (Cáceres) (M. Kelsey) and two at Monesterio (Badajoz) (A. Pacheco). 17 birds at Puerto de Esperabán, Pinofranqueado (Cáceres), on 08/12;. 19 at Sierra de Aguafría, Monesterio (Badajoz), on 23/12 (A.Pacheco) and five at Zarza de Montánchez (Cáceres) on 24/12 (A. Pacheco.)
- Pied Wagtail: on 18/12 one bird at Plasencia (Cáceres) and at Carcaboso (Cáceres) (J. Prieta and S. Mayordomo) and at Navalmoral de la Mata (Cáceres) (J. Guerra). One bird at Valdefuentes gravel pit, Galisteo (Cáceres), on 24/12 (C. Clemente and J. Mahillo). One bird at Riolobos ricefield (Cáceres) on 28/12 (J. Prieta).
- Brambling: one bird at Zarza de Montánchez (Cáceres) on 28/12 (Steve Fletcher).
- Bullfinch: one pair at Monesterio (Badajoz) on 03/12 (A. Pacheco). Six birds at Villanueva de la Vera (Cáceres) on 13/12 and only one on 14/12 (D. Langlois). One bird at Huerto del Ojaranzo, Monfragüe (Cáceres), on 14/12 (S. Mayordomo). Two birds at Santa Cruz de Paniagua (Cáceres) on 31/12 (J. C. Paniagua and S. Mayordomo).
Spanish Sparrow (Passer hispanioliensis). Male in winter plumage. By Atanasio Fernández.

A list of the most notable December 2011 records sent to the GOCE birdwatching forum. Compiled by Sergio Mayordomo.

- White-Fronted Goose: on 08/12 two birds at Valdecañas Reservoir (Cáceres) and one at Lugar Nuevo, Peraleda de la Mata (Cáceres) (Javier Briz and Vicente Risco).
- Greylag Goose: 758 birds at Valdecañas Reservoir (Cáceres) on 08/12 (J. Briz and V. Risco)
- Barnacle Goose: three birds on 03/12 at Portaje Reservoir (Cáceres) (Sergio Mayordomo) and six at Talaván Reservoir (Cáceres) (José Luis Barriga). One bird at Moheda Alta, Navalvillar de Pela (Badajoz), on 07/12 (Martin Kelsey).
- Egyptian Goose: one bird at Borbollón Reservoir (Cáceres) on 18/12 (SEO-Cáceres) and three at Riolobos ricefield (Cáceres) on 28/12 (Javier Prieta).
- Shelduck: one female at Portaje Reservoir (Cáceres) on 17/12 (Eva Palacios and S. Mayordomo).
- Ruddy Shelduck: four birds at Portaje Reservoir (Cáceres) on 30/12 (Juan Carlos Paniagua and S. Mayordomo)

Wood Duck (Aix sponsa). Drake in summer plumage. Guijo de Coria, Cáceres. 18-12-2011. By César Clemente.

- Wood Duck: one drake on a pond of Guijo de Coria (Cáceres) on 18/12 (SEO-Cáceres).
- Tufted Duck: eight ducks and two drakes at Lugar Nuevo, Peraleda de la Mata (Cáceres), on 08/12 (J. Briz and V. Risco). At Charco Salado, Casatejada (Cáceres), 30 birds on 08/12 (Antolín Redondo and Leandro), 31 on 10/12 and about 20 on 28/12 (S. Mayordomo). At El Manantío / Atalaya, Aldea del Cano (Cáceres), 24 birds on 21/12 (José Guerra and S. Mayordomo). Over 50 birds at Charca de Brozas (Cáceres) on 23/12 (Carlos Fernández).
- Ferruginous Duck: one drake at La Anguila Reservoir, Serrejón (Cáceres), on 10/12 (S. Mayordomo). At El Manantío, Aldea del Cano (Cáceres), one drake on 21/12 (Alberto Gil, J. Guerra and S. Mayordomo) and three birds on 31/12 (Agustín Rodríguez, Florencio Carrero and Rafael Parra).
- Great Crested Grebe: 200 birds at Alange Reservoir (Badajoz) on 06/12 (Antonio Núñez, Jesús Solana and Vanessa de Alba).
- Cormorant: over 1000 on River Guadiana at Badajoz on 06/12 (J. C. Paniagua).
- Spoonbill: one immature at Sotillo Reservoir, Monroy (Cáceres), on 02/12 (S. Mayordomo). At Lagunas de La Albuera (Badajoz), 11 birds on 03/12 (J. C. Paniagua) and on 18/12 (A. Núñez, J. Solana and V. de Alba) and eight on 22/12 (J. Guerra). At El Ancho, Arroyo de la Luz (Cáceres), one bird on 15/12 (Paco Be Water) and six on 23/12 (R. Parra). At Los Arenales, Cáceres, four birds on 17/12 (Antonio Cebrián) and seven on 21/12 (J. Guerra and S. Mayordomo) and on 23/12 (C. Fernández). At Los Canchales Reservoir (Badajoz), two birds on 17/12 (Elvira del Viejo, José Luis Bautista and Pablo Herrador). One bird Valdefuentes gravel pit, Galisteo (Cáceres), on 24/12 (César Clemente and Javier Mahillo). One bird at Laguna de Galisteo (Cáceres) on 28/12 (J. Prieta).
- Bittern: one certain bird and another possible at Arrocampo Reservoir (Cáceres) on 05/12 (Manuel García del Rey and S. Mayordomo).
- Little Bittern: on River Guadiana: three birds on 05/12, four on 08/12 and six on 10/12 at Badajoz (J. C. Paniagua) and at Mérida (Badajoz), six on 19/12 (Ángel Sánchez). One bird at Arrocampo Reservoir (Cáceres) on 10/12 (S. Mayordomo). One bird at La Granja gravel pits (Cáceres) on 19/12 (Ricardo Montero).
- Night Heron: At River Guadiana: one young bird on 05/12 and a roost of at least 15 birds on 10/12, Badajoz (J. C. Paniagua), and at Mérida (Badajoz), six on 19/12 (Á. Sánchez).
- Squacco Heron: one bird at Casas de Hitos, Navalvillar de Pela (Badajoz) on 03/12 (Óscar Llama and Rafael Vicente). At River Guadiana, Badajoz, two birds on 03/12, five on 05/12, six on 06/12, nine on 08/12 and eight on 10/12 (J. C. Paniagua). One bird at Arrocampo Reservoir (Cáceres) on 06/12 (M. García del Rey and S. Mayordomo). One bird at El Batán ricefields (Cáceres) on 08/12 (Javier Gayo, J. Prieta and S. Mayordomo), 17/12 (E. Palacios and S. Mayordomo) and 30/12 (J. C. Paniagua and S. Mayordomo).
- Black Stork: one bird at Madrigal de la Vera (Cáceres) on 17/12 (Dave Langlois). One bird at Los Arenales, Cáceres, on 21/12 (J. Guerra and S. Mayordomo). Four birds at Charca de Fresnedillas, Oliva de Plasencia (Cáceres), late December (Jesús Montero). One bird at Laguna del Pozo de la Mozas, Oliva de Plasencia (Cáceres), on 31/12 (S. Mayordomo).
- Osprey: one bird at Viñuelas gravel pit, Galisteo (Cáceres), on 13/12, and several sightings of one bird at Gabriel and Galán Reservoir (Cáceres) (Alberto Pacheco).
- Black Kite: one bird at River Gargáligas (Badajoz) on 03/12 (Lorenzo Alcántara). On 19/12, two birds at Mérida (Badajoz) (Á. Sánchez) and one at Oliva de Plasencia (Cáceres) (S. Mayordomo). One bird at Los Frailes, Badajoz, on 27/12 (Gabriel Silva and J. C. Paniagua).

Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus). Some of the 500+ birds present at Salto del Gitano, Monfragüe, on 12-12-2011. By Javier Prieta.

- Griffon Vulture: over 150 birds at on Cáceres landfill site on 03/12 (A. Gil). 512 birds counted and over 600 estimated at Salto del Gitano, Monfragüe (Cáceres) on 13/12 (J. Prieta).
- Cinereous Vulture: over 150 birds at Cáceres landfill site on 03/12 (A. Gil).
- Goshawk: one bird at Monesterio (Badajoz) on 03/12 (A. Pacheco).
- Crane: 1942 at River Tiétar, Malpartida de Plasencia, on 21/12 (J. Prieta). 6000 birds at Borbollón Reservoir (Cáceres) on 26/12 (C. Clemente, Goyo Naharro and J. Mahillo). 25,346 birds in the central zone (Badajoz-Cáceres) on 28/12 (Manuel Gómez Calzado, Miguel Gómez Guarín and José Antonio Román).
- Stone Curlew: roost of over 300 birds at La Nava de Santiago (Badajoz) on 17/12 (Á. Sánchez and Ángel Luis Sánchez). Roost of over 40 birds at Montijo (Badajoz) on 25/12 (J. L. Bautista and P. Herrador).
- Avocet: on 09/12 four birds at El Torvical (Badajoz) and 20 at Puebla de Alcollarín (Badajoz) (J. L. Barriga and Juan Pablo Prieto). On 18/12, 33 birds at Lagunas de La Albuera (Badajoz) (A. Núñez, J. Solana and V. de Alba) and 14 at Puebla de Alcollarín (Badajoz) (José Luis Pérez Chiscano and J. P. Prieto). Eight birds at Gabriel and Galán Reservoir (Cáceres) on 19/12 (Chema Diu and R. Montero). One bird at Galisteo ricefield (Cáceres) from 21/12 to 24/12 (C. Clemente J. Mahillo, J. Prieta and S. Mayordomo). 70 birds at Puebla de Alcollarín (Badajoz) on 26/12 (Elvira del Viejo, Juan Carlos Núñez, J. P. Prieto, María del Viejo and Miguel del Viejo). One bird at Valdehornillos (Badajoz) on 28/12 (José Antonio Román).
- Sociable Lapwing: One bird at Castuera (Badajoz) on 12/12 (Jan Hill and Les Battle).
- Kentish Plover: 25 birds at Santa Amalia (Badajoz) on 29/12 (Fernando Yuste).
- Curlew: one bird at Galisteo (Cáceres) on 21/12 (J. Prieta) and another at Charco Salado, Casatejada (Cáceres), on 28/12 (S. Mayordomo).
- Black-Tailed Godwit: one bird at Galisteo ricefield (Cáceres) from 03/12 to 22/12 (J. Prieta and S. Mayordomo). Twelve birds at Hernán Cortés (Badajoz) on 29/12 (Atanasio Fernández).

Jack Snipe (Lymnocryptes minimus), in the background, and Snipe (Gallinago gallinago). El Batán, Cáceres. 30-12-2011. By Juan Carlos Paniagua.

- Jack Snipe: one bird at El Batán ricefield (Cáceres) on 30/12 (J. C. Paniagua and S. Mayordomo).
- Woodcock: one bird at Santa Cruz de Paniagua (Cáceres) on 29/12 (J. C. Paniagua) and another at Dehesa Boyal de Montehermoso (Cáceres) on 30/12 (C. Clemente).
- Spotted Redshank: at El Batán ricefield (Cáceres), four birds on 03/12 (S. Mayordomo) and two on 17/12 (E. Palacios and S. Mayordomo). At El Torviscal ricefields (Badajoz), two birds on 09/12 (J. L. Barriga and J. P. Prieto) and one on 26/12 (E. del Viejo, J. C. Núñez, J. P. Prieto. M. del Viejo and M. del Viejo). At Galisteo ricefield (Cáceres), three birds on 21/12 (J. Prieta) and one on 22/12 (S. Mayordomo).
- Yellow-Legged Gull: one bird at El Ancho, Arroyo de la Luz (Cáceres), on 21/12 (J. Guerra and S. Mayordomo).
- Lesser Black-Backed Gull: 6500 birds at Alange Reservoir (Badajoz) on 06/12 (A. Núñez, J. Solana and V. de Alba).
- Whiskered Tern: one bird seen from the Roman Bridge of Mérida (Badajoz) on 04/12 (J. Solana).
- Stock Dove: four birds at Oliva de Plasencia (Cáceres) on 19/12 (S. Mayordomo). At Galisteo (Cáceres) 50 birds on 21/12 (J. Prieta) and 200 on 24/12 (C. Clemente and J. Mahillo). Over 50 birds at Riolobos (Cáceres) on 30/12 (J. C. Paniagua and S. Mayordomo).
- Short-Eared Owl: 17 birds at Hernán Cortés (Badajoz) on 12/12 and one bird at Santa Amalia (Badajoz) on 15/12 (J. A. Román). One bird at Cocosa, Olivenza (Badajoz), on 28/12 and two at Santa Amalia (Badajoz) on 30/12 (F. Yuste).
- Pallid Swift: Wintering birds at Alange (Badajoz): 15 birds entering the eaves of the church on 01/12 (J. Solana), twelve on 06/12 (A. Núñez, J. Solana and V. de Alba), nine on 11/12 (L. Alcántara) and another nine on 27/12 (J. Solana).
- Wryneck: one bird at River Jerte, Plasencia (Cáceres), on 06/12 (S. Mayordomo).
- Carrion Crow: one bird at Huélaga (Cáceres) on 18/12 (SEO-Cáceres).
- House Martin: one bird at Montehermoso (Cáceres) on 07/12 (J. Mahillo).
- Swallow: one bird at Mérida (Badajoz) on 19/12 (J. Solana).
- Red-Rumped Swallow: one bird at Plaza Mayor, Trujillo (Cáceres) on 01/12 (M. Kelsey).
- Goldcrest: several in one fir clump at Navaconcejo (Cáceres) on 10/12 (José Luis Rivero). Several at Piornal (Cáceres) on 15/12 (J. Prieta).
- Fieldfare: one bird at Villanueva de la Vera (Cáceres) on 01/12 (D. Langlois).
- Alpine Accentor: on 03/12, three birds at Pico Villuercas (Cáceres) (M. Kelsey) and two at Monesterio (Badajoz) (A. Pacheco). 17 birds at Puerto de Esperabán, Pinofranqueado (Cáceres), on 08/12;. 19 at Sierra de Aguafría, Monesterio (Badajoz), on 23/12 (A.Pacheco) and five at Zarza de Montánchez (Cáceres) on 24/12 (A. Pacheco.)
- Pied Wagtail: on 18/12 one bird at Plasencia (Cáceres) and at Carcaboso (Cáceres) (J. Prieta and S. Mayordomo) and at Navalmoral de la Mata (Cáceres) (J. Guerra). One bird at Valdefuentes gravel pit, Galisteo (Cáceres), on 24/12 (C. Clemente and J. Mahillo). One bird at Riolobos ricefield (Cáceres) on 28/12 (J. Prieta).
- Brambling: one bird at Zarza de Montánchez (Cáceres) on 28/12 (Steve Fletcher).
- Bullfinch: one pair at Monesterio (Badajoz) on 03/12 (A. Pacheco). Six birds at Villanueva de la Vera (Cáceres) on 13/12 and only one on 14/12 (D. Langlois). One bird at Huerto del Ojaranzo, Monfragüe (Cáceres), on 14/12 (S. Mayordomo). Two birds at Santa Cruz de Paniagua (Cáceres) on 31/12 (J. C. Paniagua and S. Mayordomo).
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A new year

A new year starts and the Linnets keep coming. Another 24 new birds ringed at Ramsey Harbour this week with2 Starlings and a Black Headed Gull Colour ring as part of Kane Brides North West study on them.

Today I was back up to the Point of Ayre site have not been feeding there over the Xmas holidays as the site was shut and the gale force winds was just blowing the Nyger everywhere. I went up on Sunday and placed a little down . On Monday visited again  put a load down which I had just bought and was pleased to see 30 Linnets. Decided to set up and waited 2 hours and had nothing so I packed up and covered the ground in seed.

I set up at 0800 today and straight away had 18 Twite and 1 Linnet land.

11 New Twite ringed with this years colours
Right Leg=BTO Metal    Left Leg =White above Red Blue 

White=Isle of Man
Red/Blue = Jan/June 2012


6 of the retraps were from Nov/Dec last year 2011

The picture below is of the first Twite we have re tapped from winter
2010/2011 We ringed 54 Twite during that winter period and I thought we would get a 
few birds returning for this winter. 56 new Twite have been colour ringed so far this season.
Just checking records and this bird was first caught on 10 January 2011 and was
 re trapped today 10 January 2012. Exactly a year ago you couldn't make it up.
I noticed on the Barrow in Furness ringers site http://www.01229group.blogspot.com/
they controlled an Isle of Man Twite back in November
i am trying to get in touch with them to get some details, this again is the first 
re sighting of one of our birds off island.


I waited another 2 hours and caught another 3 Linnets and packed up and went to Ramsey
Very quite there today with only a few Linnets and none coming to food.
A few Rock Pipits with colour rings on were kicking about so got camera out
and took a few shots. Then saw one which interested me 
Blue White on right leg and  Carmine yellow on left leg


This bird was first ringed at Port Mooar on 03/08/2010 as a young bird before we started
colour ringing them, it was re caught  on 16/02/2011 at Ramsay and colour rings added
it was caught again today to get my eye in on ageing criteria knowing that this bird is now an adult bird

other birds about

Ringed Ramsey Harbour 16 September 2011

Ringed 25 November 2011 Ramsey Harbour



A new year starts and the Linnets keep coming. Another 24 new birds ringed at Ramsey Harbour this week with2 Starlings and a Black Headed Gull Colour ring as part of Kane Brides North West study on them.

Today I was back up to the Point of Ayre site have not been feeding there over the Xmas holidays as the site was shut and the gale force winds was just blowing the Nyger everywhere. I went up on Sunday and placed a little down . On Monday visited again  put a load down which I had just bought and was pleased to see 30 Linnets. Decided to set up and waited 2 hours and had nothing so I packed up and covered the ground in seed.

I set up at 0800 today and straight away had 18 Twite and 1 Linnet land.

11 New Twite ringed with this years colours
Right Leg=BTO Metal    Left Leg =White above Red Blue 

White=Isle of Man
Red/Blue = Jan/June 2012


6 of the retraps were from Nov/Dec last year 2011

The picture below is of the first Twite we have re tapped from winter
2010/2011 We ringed 54 Twite during that winter period and I thought we would get a 
few birds returning for this winter. 56 new Twite have been colour ringed so far this season.
Just checking records and this bird was first caught on 10 January 2011 and was
 re trapped today 10 January 2012. Exactly a year ago you couldn't make it up.
I noticed on the Barrow in Furness ringers site http://www.01229group.blogspot.com/
they controlled an Isle of Man Twite back in November
i am trying to get in touch with them to get some details, this again is the first 
re sighting of one of our birds off island.


I waited another 2 hours and caught another 3 Linnets and packed up and went to Ramsey
Very quite there today with only a few Linnets and none coming to food.
A few Rock Pipits with colour rings on were kicking about so got camera out
and took a few shots. Then saw one which interested me 
Blue White on right leg and  Carmine yellow on left leg


This bird was first ringed at Port Mooar on 03/08/2010 as a young bird before we started
colour ringing them, it was re caught  on 16/02/2011 at Ramsay and colour rings added
it was caught again today to get my eye in on ageing criteria knowing that this bird is now an adult bird

other birds about

Ringed Ramsey Harbour 16 September 2011

Ringed 25 November 2011 Ramsey Harbour



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Birding over the festive period

After spending Christmas Day in Norwich I headed back to my home city of Stoke-on-Trent for a few days between 26-29 Dec. Then it was back to Norfolk for some birding over the new year.
I spent an afternoon and a morning at Aqualate Mere (Staffs) where the new hide gives a good view across the mere and the big seed feeder right in front of the hide provides good photo opportunities to get snaps of Willow Tit, now a description species in Norfolk.


Common Buzzard, Aqualate Mere, Staffs

Willow Tit, Aqualate Mere, Staffs

Willow Tit, Aqualate Mere, Staffs
Willow Tit, Aqualate Mere, Staffs

Reed Bunting (female), Aqualate Mere, Staffs

Coal Tit, Aqualate Mere, Staffs


Back to Norfolk and I spent 30 Dec 11 on the North Norfolk coast with Mark Golley. After starting out at first light watching about 100 Red-throated Divers and 40+ Snow Buntings at Cley Coastguards, we headed up to Fakenham to look at the Great Grey Shrike that was mooted as being of the form homeyeri. 
There's a good discussion of the bird on Martin Garner's website Birding Frontiers . An interesting bird and subsequent discussion from which I've learned lots.

Great Grey Shrike, possibly a homeyeri intergrade.
Great Grey Shrike, possibly a homeyeri intergrade.


It was then off to Titchwell RSPB to see a few things. The Coue's Arctic Redpoll was showing well by the visitors centre. A first-winter bird, a good view is needed to tell it from the couple of Mealy Redpolls in the same flock. A Water Rail was showing very well along the footpath ditch and a female Mandarin on the freshmarsh was a nice surprise. A couple of Greater Scaup, Spotted Redshank and a Bittern were nice additions to the list.

Water Rail, Titchwell RSPB, Norfolk

Water Rail, Titchwell RSPB, Norfolk

Shoveler (female), Titchwell RSPB, Norfolk


Common Redshank (left) and Spotted Redshank (right), Titchwell RSPB, Norfolk

Little Egret, Titchwell RSPB, Norfolk

Little Egret, Titchwell RSPB, Norfolk

Little Egret, Titchwell RSPB, Norfolk



Dark-bellied Brent Goose, Titchwell RSPB, Norfolk


Dark-bellied Brent Goose, Titchwell RSPB, Norfolk


Dark-bellied Brent Goose, Titchwell RSPB, Norfolk
I spent New Years Eve and 2 Jan around east Norfolk mainly looking at waterfowl. As the Ring-necked Duck had been showing well at Ranworth Broad I headed out and got good views of it near the visitors centre and then popped down to Buckenham Marshes to see the returning Lesser White-fronted Goose with the Taiga Bean Geese. It was fairly distant, but quite distinctive being the only White-front in the flock. I also headed up to Cockshoot Broad to take a look at the Ferruginous Duck and/or hybrid(s). There were 2 birds on the broad which later flew to the river where I got some nice photos of them.
Ring-necked Duck, Ranworth Broad, Norfolk

Ring-necked Duck, Ranworth Broad, Norfolk
Ferruginous Duck (right) and Ferruginous X Pochard hybrid (left) Cockshoot Broad, Norfolk

Ferruginous Duck  Cockshoot Broad, Norfolk

Ferruginous Duck (right) and Ferruginous X Pochard hybrid (left) Cockshoot Broad, Norfolk
Ferruginous Duck (right) and Ferruginous X Pochard hybrid (left) Cockshoot Broad, Norfolk

Ferruginous X Pochard hybrid Cockshoot Broad, Norfolk

Ferruginous x Pochard hybrid, Cockshoot Broad, Norfolk

Ferruginous x Pochard hybrid, Cockshoot Broad, Norfolk

Ferruginous Duck (left) and Ferruginous X Pochard hybrid (right) Cockshoot Broad, Norfolk

Ferruginous Duck (left) and Ferruginous X Pochard hybrid (right) Cockshoot Broad, Norfolk

Ferruginous Duck (front) and Ferruginous X Pochard hybrid (back) Cockshoot Broad, Norfolk

Ferruginous Duck, Cockshoot Broad, Norfolk

Ferruginous Duck (left) and Ferruginous X Pochard hybrid (right) Cockshoot Broad, Norfolk
Ferruginous Duck (right) and Ferruginous X Pochard hybrid (left) Cockshoot Broad, Norfolk

Ferruginous Duck (right) and Ferruginous X Pochard hybrid (left) Cockshoot Broad, Norfolk

Ferruginous Duck, Cockshoot Broad, Norfolk

I ended the day with a trip to Martham/Heigham Holmes. There were about 200+ White-fronted Geese plus 16 Common Cranes feeding out in the pastures.

Quite a nice festive season really. The weather stayed nice for winter birding and we can now all look forward to the days getting slightly longer.
After spending Christmas Day in Norwich I headed back to my home city of Stoke-on-Trent for a few days between 26-29 Dec. Then it was back to Norfolk for some birding over the new year.
I spent an afternoon and a morning at Aqualate Mere (Staffs) where the new hide gives a good view across the mere and the big seed feeder right in front of the hide provides good photo opportunities to get snaps of Willow Tit, now a description species in Norfolk.


Common Buzzard, Aqualate Mere, Staffs

Willow Tit, Aqualate Mere, Staffs

Willow Tit, Aqualate Mere, Staffs
Willow Tit, Aqualate Mere, Staffs

Reed Bunting (female), Aqualate Mere, Staffs

Coal Tit, Aqualate Mere, Staffs


Back to Norfolk and I spent 30 Dec 11 on the North Norfolk coast with Mark Golley. After starting out at first light watching about 100 Red-throated Divers and 40+ Snow Buntings at Cley Coastguards, we headed up to Fakenham to look at the Great Grey Shrike that was mooted as being of the form homeyeri. 
There's a good discussion of the bird on Martin Garner's website Birding Frontiers . An interesting bird and subsequent discussion from which I've learned lots.

Great Grey Shrike, possibly a homeyeri intergrade.
Great Grey Shrike, possibly a homeyeri intergrade.


It was then off to Titchwell RSPB to see a few things. The Coue's Arctic Redpoll was showing well by the visitors centre. A first-winter bird, a good view is needed to tell it from the couple of Mealy Redpolls in the same flock. A Water Rail was showing very well along the footpath ditch and a female Mandarin on the freshmarsh was a nice surprise. A couple of Greater Scaup, Spotted Redshank and a Bittern were nice additions to the list.

Water Rail, Titchwell RSPB, Norfolk

Water Rail, Titchwell RSPB, Norfolk

Shoveler (female), Titchwell RSPB, Norfolk


Common Redshank (left) and Spotted Redshank (right), Titchwell RSPB, Norfolk

Little Egret, Titchwell RSPB, Norfolk

Little Egret, Titchwell RSPB, Norfolk

Little Egret, Titchwell RSPB, Norfolk



Dark-bellied Brent Goose, Titchwell RSPB, Norfolk


Dark-bellied Brent Goose, Titchwell RSPB, Norfolk


Dark-bellied Brent Goose, Titchwell RSPB, Norfolk
I spent New Years Eve and 2 Jan around east Norfolk mainly looking at waterfowl. As the Ring-necked Duck had been showing well at Ranworth Broad I headed out and got good views of it near the visitors centre and then popped down to Buckenham Marshes to see the returning Lesser White-fronted Goose with the Taiga Bean Geese. It was fairly distant, but quite distinctive being the only White-front in the flock. I also headed up to Cockshoot Broad to take a look at the Ferruginous Duck and/or hybrid(s). There were 2 birds on the broad which later flew to the river where I got some nice photos of them.
Ring-necked Duck, Ranworth Broad, Norfolk

Ring-necked Duck, Ranworth Broad, Norfolk
Ferruginous Duck (right) and Ferruginous X Pochard hybrid (left) Cockshoot Broad, Norfolk

Ferruginous Duck  Cockshoot Broad, Norfolk

Ferruginous Duck (right) and Ferruginous X Pochard hybrid (left) Cockshoot Broad, Norfolk
Ferruginous Duck (right) and Ferruginous X Pochard hybrid (left) Cockshoot Broad, Norfolk

Ferruginous X Pochard hybrid Cockshoot Broad, Norfolk

Ferruginous x Pochard hybrid, Cockshoot Broad, Norfolk

Ferruginous x Pochard hybrid, Cockshoot Broad, Norfolk

Ferruginous Duck (left) and Ferruginous X Pochard hybrid (right) Cockshoot Broad, Norfolk

Ferruginous Duck (left) and Ferruginous X Pochard hybrid (right) Cockshoot Broad, Norfolk

Ferruginous Duck (front) and Ferruginous X Pochard hybrid (back) Cockshoot Broad, Norfolk

Ferruginous Duck, Cockshoot Broad, Norfolk

Ferruginous Duck (left) and Ferruginous X Pochard hybrid (right) Cockshoot Broad, Norfolk
Ferruginous Duck (right) and Ferruginous X Pochard hybrid (left) Cockshoot Broad, Norfolk

Ferruginous Duck (right) and Ferruginous X Pochard hybrid (left) Cockshoot Broad, Norfolk

Ferruginous Duck, Cockshoot Broad, Norfolk

I ended the day with a trip to Martham/Heigham Holmes. There were about 200+ White-fronted Geese plus 16 Common Cranes feeding out in the pastures.

Quite a nice festive season really. The weather stayed nice for winter birding and we can now all look forward to the days getting slightly longer.
reade more... Résuméabuiyad