In July 8 more for year list and two new sites visited

Wednesday 1st July, and I started the month with another visit after work to Martin Down, this time I went to the car park of the A354. The first thing I notice as I started my walk was the amount of butterflies, I soon had my target bird CORN BUNTING, with a few around. Also saw Woodpigeon, Skylark, Blackbird, Chiffchaff, Magpie, Carrion crow, Linnet & Yellowhammer.

Corn bunting

2015 Year List =178

As I was on holiday on Friday 11th July I started the day with the dogs on Yateley common, I had good views of  DARTFORD WARBLER a couple of males perched in the open singing. Later I returned for an evening on the common and this time I had good views of NIGHTJAR, as they flew around calling and others churring close by. Also noted from both visits, Black-headed gull, Woodpigeon, Green woodpecker, Great spotted woodpecker, Swallow, Wren, Robin, Stonechat, Blackbird, Song thrush, Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Coal tit, Magpie, Carrion crow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch & Linnet.

2015 Year List = 180

Tuesday 14th July, started the day working in high Wycombe, and then on to Redhill, and after I had finished I drove to Moor Green Lakes Berkshire for  a walk around. I found the following, Little grebe, Great crested grebe, Cormorant, Grey heron, Mute swan, Canada goose. Egyptian goose, Snow goose hybrid, Mandarin, Mallard, Tufted duck, Red kite, Buzzard, Kestrel, Hobby which I watched for a while as it hunted over honey field and east fen, when it caught some prey it always returned to the same branch on one of the nearby trees. Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Black-headed gull, Common gull, Lesser black-backed gull, Herring gull, Common tern, Stock dove, Woodpigeon, Kingfisher, Green woodpecker, Great spotted woodpecker, Grey wagtail, Pied wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Song thrush, Reed warbler, Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Blue tit, Great tit, Magpie, Carrion crow, Chaffinch & Goldfinch.

Hobby

2015 Year List = 180

Wednesday 15th, again started work in High Wycombe, and then finished down in Havant, so I took the chance to have a walk around Farlington marshes and added to the year list, WHIMBREL one out on the salt marsh and GREEN SANDPIPER when two landed next to the stream, but flew over towards the main lake before I could get any photos. When at home I looked through my photos I noticed that the Common sandpiper that was on the deeps had a yellow ring.

Yellow ringed Common sandpiper

2015 Year List = 182

Thursday 16th and as I was working down in Poole, at lunchtime I drove to Upton, parked down Slough Lane and walked to view Lytchett Fields which is managed by the RSPB. There are two view points, French's viewpoint and Sherford viewpoint. I noted the following, Little egret, Canada goose, Shelduck, Mallard, Sparrowhawk, Lapwing, Black-tailed godwit, Redshank, Black-headed gull, Woodpigeon, Swallow, House martin, Pied wagtail, Wren, Robin, Reed warbler, Blackcap, Magpie, Carrion crow and Goldfinch.

An early morning visit to Weeting Heath Norfolk, to see the STONE CURLEW's, then the drive down to Stansted, for he days work, when passing RAF Lakenheath I enjoyed seeing McDonnell Douglas F-15's  on the ground and in the air.

2015 Year List = 183

Tuesday 28th July, and after working in Bournemouth popped into Crockford bridge, another new part of the new forest for me. After a bit of searching with two other birders that arrived shortly after me, we found the reported RED-BACKED SHRIKE. It was a male and he showed well both sides of the stream.

2015 Year List = 184

As back in Bournemouth on Wednesday 29th, I had a lunchtime walk around Stanpit marsh, seeing Cormorant, Little egret, Grey heron, Mute swan, Mallard, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Dunlin, Whimbrel, Curlew, Redshank, Mediterranean gull, Black-headed gull, Lesser black-backed gull, Herring gull, Great black-backed gull, Sandwich tern, Woodpigeon, Swift, Blackbird, Whitethroat, Magpie, Carrion crow & Starling.

Last day of the month Friday 31st, I finished working in Redhill, then drove to Old Alresford Pond Hampshire, my first time here. Parked up and started to walk along the road (B3046) to find a place to view the pond, when I came across a gate in the fence and joined two other birders, who kindly put me on to the WOOD SANDPIPER. Other birds noted were, Cormorant, Mute swan, Teal, Mallard, Shoveler, Water rail, Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing, Green sandpiper, Common sandpiper, Mediterranean gull, Black-headed gull, Common gull, Lesser black-backed gull, Woodpigeon & Wren.

TOTAL FOR YEAR = 185

Visiting family in Cyprus Saturday 20th to Friday 26th June

Visiting family in Cyprus Saturday 20th to Friday 26th June, but I did take my binoculars.
I used Easyjet from Gatwick;

View from my seat.

Well on the way to Larnaca.

Arrived in Larnaca around 22:00, and was met by my son Christopher who had coffee & croissants, for the drive to Dhekelia. Sunday 21st was spent with Christopher,Victoria & George at their home, enjoyed the warm sun and all the low flying swifts. They also had a Swallows nesting on their home.

Monday 22nd we went down to a restaurant in Dhekelia bay for a big breakfast, and then spent time again in their garden, I noticed a Hoopoe fly past & located it down behind the garden feeding. Later when the temperature had dropped a little we went for a walk. When we got back we had a nice Indian meal delivered,

Tuesday 23rd Had a lazy morning with a lie in, and then in the garden, keep in the shade as felt crispy from yesterday. Then in afternoon went to Nicosia, all modern shopping malls look the same to me. Went into IKEA for the curtain pole for George's new curtains, :o) and had dinner in TGI Fridays, I was well stuffed.. Hoopoe did it's evening fly past again. Victoria said they are crazy looking birds!
Wednesday 24th We all went up into the Troodos mountains. We stopped at the Botanical Gardens, great views, and I saw a Spanish sparrow, Red-rumped swallows, and young Cyprus wheatear.

Then up to the Troodos Visitor centre, after lunch we had a walk around and I saw a family of Masked shrikes.

Hoopoe update, when we all got back we sat in the garden and "Hank" yes he has a name now :o) twice did a fly by.
Thursday 25th I got up a little later than planned to have a walk around the part of Dhekelia that backs onto Chris & Victoria's back garden. As I walked up to the school I saw an adult male Cyprus Wheatear.

 

I then went down into the valley, and saw a Hare running away, then I had poor views of some warblers, one looked good for Cyprus Warbler. So I continued until I heard a "dry rugged warble" and there he perched out in the open on a dead part of a tree, a male Cyprus Warbler.

As I walked around some trees I flushed a large owl from it's daytime roost, but could not identify it, so I went back to the tree and found two flight feathers, these might help, I plan to go back tomorrow morning, but I will keep my distance to see if it is back.

The tree where the owl was roosting.

 

The rest of the day was spent in the garden/pool so I am a bit crispy again. While I was sitting in the garden, I noticed a warbler in the bushes, so I grabbed my binoculars, expecting it to be a Cyprus warbler, but as it came into the sun the first thing I noticed was the bright red eye ring, black head and white throat, another new bird for me as this was a male Sardinian Warbler. Hoopoe update, No evening fly by.
Friday 26th was my last day, I got up and did the same walk as yesterday. As I walked down the road there was a Jackdaw on a roof top.

I went down into the valley and using fieldcraft made my way to the area where the owl has it's daytime roost. I scanned the trees and soon found a Long-eared owl, took some photos and quietly left.

On the way back heard a Cetti's warbler, saw some Cyprus wheatears,a family group of Chukar partridges and a large lizard.

Chukar behind the plant in the middle of photo.

We all went down to the beach cafe and had a late Big breakfast, stuffed and keeping out of the sun, I had a nice nap under the gazebo. Leaving enough time to pack and get ready to return home on flight EZY8968.

Birds seen:Kestrel, Chukar, Feral pigeon. Woodpigeon, Collared dove, Long-eared owl, Swift, Hoopoe, Swallow, Red-rumped swallow, House martin. Wren, Cyprus wheatear, Sardinian warbler, Cyprus warbler, Cetti's warbler, Great tit, Masked shrike, Jay, Magpie, Jackaw, Hooded crow, House sparrow, Spanish sparrow, Chaffinch.