Portugal October 2011 continued

A day out to the Alentejo with local bird guide Simon Wates led to our seeing a number of lifers including Spanish Imperial, Golden and Bonelli's Eagles, along with Little and Great Bustard.

Portugal October 2011

Tina and I Stayed near Lagos in the Northern Algarve during early October 2011.

Anglesey & Cemlyn , Wales Sunday 10 April 2011 - Part 2

Cemlyn Bay Images;
Right:Golden Plover,below left:White Wagtail
Sandwhich Terns,Wheatear, Raven,Meadow Pipit and Chough

Anglesey & Cemlyn , Wales Sunday 10 April 2011 - Part 1

Given the promise of an excellent weekend, Tina and I decided to head off to the coast, in the hope of catching views of the summer resident Auks and Terns at South Stack and Cemlyn Bay Anglesey.

Arriving at Cemlyn Bay at about 10.30 am, we could not help think of the poor people in Japan as we gazed at the power plant on the North Eastern shoreline, of what is otherwise a beautifully wild coast line. Both Common and Sandwich terns were in residence, an egret was in the pool.
Golden plover wheeled overhead, looking for a safe place to land.
A small group of white wagtails scampered along the beach and peacock,small white and tortoiseshell butterflies flitted on the grassy paths.

The weather lived up to it's promise but at South Stack we dipped on the seabirds as they had not yet returned from migration. What a difference a week can make, last year we made the same journey on 17 April and the cliffs were alive with sound of noisy guillemots,razorbills,puffins and fulmer. Still the day was lovely, the cliffs were radiant with wild flowers. Wheatears,pipits,ravens and chough drifted and played on the warm coastal air.
A barn swallow rested on the wires with two linnets.
A couple walking nearbye reported that two adders were seen briefly sunbathing on the coastal scrub.

A mention here for the newly opened RSPB visitors centre and cafe, where both information on the local wildlife and a decent cup of coffee can be obtained.
















Spring Squill scilla verna





Common Dog Violet viola riviniana

Thrift armeria maritima

Thames Drive,Biddulph

I managed to grab my camera as these two buzzards formed a raiding party on the local rookery, in the spinny just off Thames Drive, on Wednesday.

Cromford & Carsington Water 5 April contued.

Chiffchaff and Blackcap seen at Carsington.
Hawfinch seen at Cromford (apologies for the bad light)

Cromford & Carsington Water, April 5 2011

Great Northern Diver & Great crested grebe,Carsington Water

Spent a day out with local birder Steve Gibson who was kind enough to help me see Hawfinches and Great Northern Diver(loon) at Cromford and Carsington water respectively.
Unfortunately the day was overcast and therefore very poor for photography.
Nevertheless we also had good views of returning warblers, including Chiffchaff,Blackcap & Willow Warbler.


Tree sparrows and Bullfinch seen at Carsington Water.



Above Oystercatchers